darknovel Chapter 43 Lingyun Spirit Boat
Chapter 43 Lingyun Spirit Boat
As the handkerchief rose higher and higher, the entire market gradually came into view beneath our feet.
The rows of gray-blue houses were arranged neatly like chess pieces on a chessboard, and the crisscrossing streets divided the entire market into squares of various sizes.
In the distance, there is a continuous range of mountains, their color a bluish-gray, shrouded in mist, and you can vaguely see palaces and pavilions built on several peaks, shimmering with spiritual light.
Chen Bai was engrossed in watching when he suddenly remembered the odds and ends of spiritual materials in his storage bag.
If these materials could be put together to forge a suitable magical artifact, it would undoubtedly be a great asset to him.
"Fairy, I would like to ask you something." He turned to look at Fairy Yueyi beside him.
Fairy Yueyi was focused on manipulating the handkerchief when she heard this, so she turned her head to indicate that he could speak freely.
"I have gathered some spiritual materials and have been wanting to forge a suitable magical artifact. However, I know very little about alchemy and artifact crafting. I wonder if your clan has any connections in this area?"
Upon hearing this, Fairy Yueyi's eyes flashed with surprise, then she smiled.
"Fellow Daoist Chen is indeed impatient. But you've come to the right person—although my Le family isn't a great clan, we do have some heritage in the art of weapon crafting."
The clan runs a shop called "Chiyeju" on the north street of the market, specializing in crafting various magical artifacts. The craftsmen in the shop are highly skilled and offer reasonable prices.
She paused, then took out a small jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Bai. The jade pendant was light blue, with the character "乐" (meaning "joy") engraved on the front and a small tripod pattern on the back.
"Keep this name card. When you get to Chiyeju, show it to the shopkeeper, and he will naturally give you a discount. If you have any special requests, feel free to mention them, and the shop's craftsmen will tailor-make one according to your spiritual materials."
Chen Bai took the jade pendant, its surface smooth and delicate to the touch. His lips twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything. He simply and solemnly put the jade pendant into his storage bag.
"Thank you, fairy."
He bowed and thanked him earnestly.
Fairy Yueyi waved her hand, smiled and said it was no trouble at all, then turned her head to concentrate on handling the handkerchief.
The handkerchief continued to fly forward under her control, skimming over several mountain peaks and passing through wisps of clouds. Chen Bai stood on the handkerchief, feeling the gentle breeze on his face, watching the ever-changing scenery below, and then asked Fairy Yueyi a few questions about the grade of magical artifacts and the methods of using them.
Fairy Yueyi answered all the questions patiently, without holding anything back.
They chatted casually for the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, when Fairy Yueyi suddenly pointed ahead, her tone filled with barely concealed anticipation.
"arrive."
Chen Bai looked in the direction she was pointing, and his pupils contracted slightly.
Hundreds of meters away, a massive spirit boat floated silently amidst the sea of clouds.
Even from a great distance, one could feel the majestic aura of that spirit ship.
The boat's hull is entirely a serene, dark gold color, divided into three layers, each decorated with intricate and exquisite spirit patterns.
The bow of the boat is raised high, shaped like a dragon's head, with the dragon's mouth slightly open, holding a huge spiritual pearl that emits a soft yet bright spiritual light.
The stern is divided into two swallowtail forks, with a row of bronze wind chimes hanging from each fork. When the wind blows, the chimes chime clear and melodious, drifting in the wind.
Nine rows of spirit oars extend from each side of the spirit boat, each oar being over ten feet long, with dense array patterns engraved on its surface.
Although the spirit boat was not moving at this moment, the oars were still swaying slightly, as if breathing, slowly inhaling and exhaling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
A three-story exquisite pavilion stands midway up the boat, with upturned eaves, bright and clean windows, and winding corridors where maids and servants can be vaguely seen moving about.
At the highest point of the pavilion hangs a huge flag, its surface black with an ancient totem embroidered in gold thread, fluttering in the wind.
The entire spirit boat, from bow to stern, is at least four or five hundred meters long, hovering between the sea of clouds like a small floating mountain.
Several streaks of light flashed by, indicating that other cultivators attending the gathering were boarding the ship.
"This is the Tingyun Boat!"
Fairy Yueyi explained softly, "This is a property under the Wei family, used specifically for hosting various gatherings of immortals. It is rarely open to the public, but today it is being used for a tea party, which can be considered as a token of Young Master Wei's goodwill."
As she spoke, the handkerchief slowly approached the spirit boat.
The handkerchief slowly descended to the side of the boat.
A number of people had already gathered on the deck, standing and talking in small groups.
Most of the men were dressed in brocade robes and jade crowns, while the women were dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with pearls and jade, each with an extraordinary air about them.
Chen Bai glanced at them and quickly got a general idea of what was going on. These people were roughly divided into two groups.
One group, dressed in gorgeous attire and with a reserved demeanor, were mostly disciples of the immortal clans and sects; the other group, dressed in relatively simple clothing but with a calm temperament, were likely rogue cultivators.
As soon as Fairy Yueyi boarded the boat, several people came to greet her.
Leading the way was a young female cultivator dressed in white, with a beautiful face and curved eyebrows. As soon as they met, she took Fairy Yueyi's arm and said affectionately, "Ayi, why are you so late? We've been waiting for you for quite a while."
Another woman in a lotus-colored dress came over and said with a smile, "Sister Leyi, could it be that you overslept again?" This made Fairy Leyi pretend to be angry and slap her.
Then two or three more young female cultivators surrounded them, chatting and laughing together.
These people should be the fairies from Lingjian Sect and Sanfeng Daoist Temple who were friendly with her, whom Fairy Yueyi mentioned earlier.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the female cultivators quickly turned their attention to Chen Bai.
Their gazes swept over Chen Bai, some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with only a fleeting glance before looking away.
The white-robed female cultivator tugged at Fairy Yueyi's sleeve and asked in a low voice, "And who is this fellow Daoist?"
Fairy Yueyi smiled, stepped aside to let Chen Bai stand in front of her, and introduced him generously: "This is Fellow Daoist Chen Bai, whom I mentioned to you before. He is extremely talented in the Dao of Talismans."
He recently attained the state of embryonic breathing, and I specially invited him to today's tea party so that everyone could get to know him.
As soon as she finished speaking, several more male cultivators stepped out from the crowd.
The young man walking at the front was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He was tall and handsome, wearing a moon-white robe, with a long sword with a faint glow hanging at his waist.
His demeanor was the most outstanding among everyone present. He didn't need to deliberately show off; he simply stood there and naturally attracted the attention of those around him.
Fairy Yueyi introduced to Chen Bai in a low voice: "This is Young Master Wei Changfeng of the Wei family, and also the host of today's tea party."
Wei Changfeng walked closer, first smiling slightly at Fairy Yueyi, then turning to Chen Bai and cupping his hands in greeting, "This must be Fellow Daoist Chen, I've heard so much about you!"
Yueyi mentioned you before, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary. Congratulations on attaining the state of embryonic breathing; from now on, the path to immortality is within reach.
His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, neither haughty nor deliberately overly friendly; his words carried the composure of a scion of a prominent family.
Chen Bai returned the greeting with a cupped hand. Although their exchange was brief, it was still quite polite and warm.
However, not everyone's attitude was as calm as Wei Changfeng's.