“What a fierce Buddhist cultivator…” The disciples from Yangyue Sect, Chu and Meng Ying, were stunned, their eyes filled with fear.
Yin Ya agreed, “Mm, nice chest.”
The Buddhist woman was indeed extremely beautiful. Though her face was hidden behind a veil, her mere presence in the mountains was like a figure stepping out of a landscape painting. The valley breeze gently brushed her robes, which, though loose, couldn’t entirely conceal her graceful figure. Even the way she retrieved the qiankun pouch from the demonic cultivator’s remains lacked any hint of vulgarity.
Buddhist cultivators typically maintained a low profile, as their techniques were mostly defensive, earning them the title of “Golden-bodied Buddhas.” Such ruthless destruction of a demonic cultivator was unprecedented.
Yin Ya clicked his tongue and steered the walnut boat closer, addressing the Buddhist woman, “Bodhisattva, killing is one thing, but completely obliterating him seems excessive, doesn’t it?”
The woman’s veiled face tilted slightly upward, quietly observing Yin Ya through the white gauze. Her voice was calm as she replied, “All things have spirit. When shattered, it’s easier for plants to absorb.”
Beautiful and with a pleasant voice, pity she’s taken vows, Yin Ya thought. Foxes, even more than humans, appreciate beauty. Thinking there was likely only one Buddhist sect within a hundred miles – the Bodhi Mountain Temple – Yin Ya assumed this woman was a traveling Buddhist cultivator. He eagerly tried to engage her, “It’s just a demonic cultivator, let him be dead. Where are you headed, Bodhisattva? I could drop these two and give you a ride?”
Chu’s face darkened, but Meng Ying’s eyes glinted as she interjected, “Wait, fellow cultivator. Bodhisattva, are you also heading to Pingfeng Ferry to board the Whale Ship?”
The Buddhist woman gazed at Meng Ying and Chu for a long moment before slowly replying, “Indeed. Do you have any thoughts on this, fellow cultivator?”
She did not attempt to conceal her cultivation level, which was the highest among those present – at the False Core Formation stage, just a step away from both disciples having to address her as senior.
Meng Ying, cautious not to be disrespectful, said, “I wouldn’t dare to instruct. It’s just that the Whale Ship on August 15th is the last one this year. If we safely reach the other shore, we’ll likely pass through the waters between Chen and Si States. Even with Nascent Soul cultivators present, there’s still a risk of demonic cultivator attacks. Perhaps we could form a group for mutual protection. Even if the journey is peaceful, it would prevent bullying from other cultivators.”
On the Whale Ship, the minimum cultivation level was Foundation Establishment. Those at the Qi Refining stage couldn’t withstand the pressure of sea storms without powerful backing. Disciples like these two, at the early Foundation Establishment, would be at the bottom of the hierarchy on the ship, hence their eagerness to form alliances for survival.
Yin Ya, distrustful of strangers, thought he’d be fine with just Nan Yan once he found her, maybe including this beautiful Buddhist woman…
But the more Yin Ya pondered, the stranger it felt. He focused again on the prayer beads wrapped around the Buddhist woman’s arm, his emotions gradually unraveling.
“As fellow Mortal State cultivators, we can travel together,” the Buddhist woman agreed. Seeing the disciples’ joy, she added, “However, my reputation is not pleasant. If you find it troublesome later, feel free to distance yourselves.”
The pair instantly recalled the demonic cultivator’s dying words, calling her “Bloody-Handed Guanyin.” Chu shuddered, quickly signaling Meng Ying, who stepped forward and said softly, “My brother’s disciple and I had heard of the Bloody-Handed Guanyin’s reputation for slaying demons before we came. Thanks to you, the common people and low-level cultivators of the Southern State suffer less from demonic cultivators. What crime did this demonic cultivator commit?”
“This person set up in a mountain village, deceiving villagers to offer their children under the guise of cultivation. In reality, he used the children for his cultivation, claiming countless lives. He committed the great sin of slaughtering mortals. If I didn’t deal with him, other cultivators would have eventually executed him.”
Remembering the message on the communication talisman about Master Zhen Yuan going to deal with a case of demonic cultivators kidnapping children, and that she might be late to Pingfeng Ferry, Yin Ya felt confused. He kept glancing at the Buddhist woman, unable to connect this ethereal figure with the chubby girl he once shared chicken legs with.
An awkward silence fell over the walnut boat.
Half an hour later, the Buddhist woman softly exclaimed. Then Yin Ya heard her voice transmission:
“Second Brother, I’ve run out of fasting pills. Do you have any food?”
Yin Ya punched the boat’s railing, startling the Yangyue Sect’s disciples.
“What’s wrong, Cultivator Yin?” they asked.
“Nothing, just a bit of qi deviation,” he replied.
Yin Ya meditated while transmitting back: “Nan Yan?”
The Bloody-Handed Guanyin, Buddhist cultivator Zhen Yuan, Nan Yan greeted warmly: “Second Brother, long time no see.”
Yin Ya: “…”
Yin Ya: “Did you possess someone’s body?”
Nan Yan: “I didn’t possess anyone. Time swiftly took away my flesh.”
Yin Ya: “What was your first reaction when you looked in a mirror after finishing seclusion?”
Nan Yan: “Self-doubt. I thought I had possessed someone in a dream.”
Half a year ago, when Nan Yan awoke from seclusion, her spiritual energy resonated as she broke through to the False Core Formation realm, needing only some experience to stabilize her mental state before attempting Core Formation. Upon rising, she felt her body was different. Summoning a water mirror, she frightened herself so badly that she fell.
Rushing out to confirm her surroundings, she found herself still in Bodhi Mountain Temple. After washing up, she realized her face resembled her mother’s by seventy percent, suddenly aware that her childhood had passed.
“My mother wasn’t lying when she said I’d look like her when I grew up.”
Yin Ya: “Take off your veil.”
Nan Yan complied, but within moments of removing it, the nearby disciples were stunned. Yin Ya quickly helped her put it back on.
“You’d better keep it on while traveling. That face of yours will cause trouble,” Yin Ya said, recalling all the insults he’d hurled at Nan Yan in the past and feeling deeply regretful. “Sigh, if I had been kinder to you back then, you might not have taken vows.”
Buddhist cultivators were special. They could return to secular life and seek partners, but doing so often resulted in losing some cultivation, sometimes even regressing in the realm. Thus, no cultivator would propose to a Buddhist cultivator, as it would be seen as disrespectful.
As Yin Ya was lost in regretful fantasies, he heard Nan Yan call out emotionally.
“Second Brother, it’s been ten years since we last met.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time.”
Nan Yan edged closer, earnestly asking, “Can you transform into your true form and let me absorb some energy?”
“…Get lost.”
…
As the walnut boat landed, over ten thousand cultivators were already waiting at Pingfeng Ferry. As the sun tilted westward, a massive shadow appeared in the distance over the azure sea. Even before it arrived, all cultivators felt an overwhelming pressure from the deep ocean.
At that moment, an indescribably massive whale appeared. Its dark blue, gray-spotted skin made it look like it carried a small city on its back as it swam slowly from the sea. The enormous waves whipped up by the wind dissipated before even touching the whale, scattered by the ripples of its movement.
This was the world’s largest and sturdiest vessel.
“This whale must have the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator… No, even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not dare to face it head-on.”
As the whale drew closer, many Qi Condensation stage cultivators among the tens of thousands on shore retreated, spitting blood and filled with terror. The Foundation Establishment cultivators mockingly laughed at them.
“Qi Condensation cultivators think they can cross the vast sea? They can’t even withstand the whale ship’s aura.”
“With the whale ship’s protection, sea beasts won’t dare approach. Smaller ships wouldn’t make it past Mortal State’s waters before being devoured.”
“Try flying across… Oh, but demon birds are circling in the sky too.”
As the whale neared the shore, over a hundred cultivators with golden scales embroidered on their sleeves flew out from the small city on its back. Each had at least Core Formation cultivation, and their expressions were cold.
“Cultivators below Foundation Establishment are not allowed on board. Others who meet the criteria may board after paying 3,000 spirit stones. Also, any demonic cultivators will be killed without mercy!”
Three thousand spirit stones were no small sum, which explained why Chen State was the wealthiest in the Upper State. Although the cultivators were pained by the cost, they had come because they yearned for the Upper State.
Nan Yan, who had gained considerably from her time in the Filthy Valley, now had tens of thousands of spirit stones. After paying the fee and stepping onto the whale ship, she immediately saw a Core Formation cultivator next door strike a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Mortal State, sending him flying.
“Trying to sneak aboard? Delusional!”
The Mortal State cultivator shouted, “Can Chen State just slander people like this?!”
The Chen State Core Formation cultivator sneered, producing a small sword and mercilessly pursuing him. The Mortal State cultivator’s face changed drastically. Just as he was about to escape, he found another Core Formation cultivator blocking his way. His expression turned vicious as he revealed his true Core Formation cultivation level.
Despite this, there were dozens of Chen State Core Formation cultivators nearby. In an instant, they slaughtered the demonic cultivator disguised as a Foundation Establishment practitioner.
“A concealment talisman? I’ve seen this trick many times!” The Core Formation cultivator shattered a talisman from the demonic cultivator’s body and returned to his post to continue inspections.
The Mortal State cultivators preparing to board fell silent.
“The inspection is so strict; there probably won’t be a single demonic cultivator on this whaling ship.”
Nan Yan initially worried that Yin Ya, being a demon cultivator, would be stopped. However, the Core Formation inspector merely showed slight surprise before letting him pass. Later, she learned that Chen State’s ruler was from the Ao family, said to have a true dragon bloodline. True dragons were once the rulers of all beasts, showing no mercy to demonic cultivators but being particularly lenient towards demon cultivators.
The whale ship contained a small city divided into three parts: guest pavilions for cultivators, a trading area, and the owners’ quarters.
Nan Yan and her companions paid extra spirit stones to rent a quiet, spacious pavilion. The whale ship finally set sail at nightfall, leaving the Mortal State.
That night, the sky was clear and the sea calm. They would travel for two months, during which they could trade in the market area on clear, storm-free days. There, they’d find not only Mortal State cultivators but also Upper State cultivators with their treasures.
Nan Yan recited Buddhist scriptures in her room. On her seventh recitation, Yin Ya came knocking.
“Come on, accompany me shopping. I’ve been locked up for ten years without a single outing. I’m dying here!”
Sometimes, Second Brother’s personality resembled that of a close female friend, fond of collecting treasures and spending money. He loved shopping but insisted on company, pestering if refused.
Reluctantly, Nan Yan donned her veiled hat and accompanied him.
Perhaps because it was the first day, the whale ship’s trading area was bustling. Three streets were packed, lined with flameless lanterns that illuminated the area brightly.
Yin Ya was in his element, his innate ability to sense treasure leading him to spend tens of thousands of spirit stones. He even acquired a Core Formation jade bracelet spiritual treasure from a junk seller.
Items below the Core Formation level were called magical tools, while those above were spiritual treasures. These treasures possessed consciousness and could communicate with their owners. After reaching Core Formation, cultivators could choose one spiritual treasure to refine into their natal magical treasure.
“This bracelet is too feminine. It’d look ridiculous on me, so you keep it,” Yin Ya said, clearly uncomfortable but wanting to give Nan Yan something.
Recognizing the rarity of the treasure, Nan Yan replied, “I have the Buddhist beads given by my ascetic master. We still have to travel from Chen State to Yin State, and who knows what might happen. You should keep it.”
Yin Ya planned to take Nan Yan to the demon whirlpool in Yin State’s North Sea to test if her reverse cultivation method would work on the demon-sealing formation. Nan Yan had her purpose as well.
Years ago, Nan Rao had mentioned that the silver shark pearl belonged to her uncle, who had settled by the North Sea and withdrawn from worldly affairs. Nan Yan, too young to understand then, now realized that the North Sea Nan Rao spoke of wasn’t in the Mortal State, but in Yin State.
Seeing her lost in thought, Yin Ya tried to force the bracelet on her. “You’ve come all this way with me. Keep it as a token of my gratitude.”
” I don’t want it…” Nan Yan began to refuse but suddenly stiffened. She turned sharply, eyeing a lantern frame across the street warily.
Yin Ya followed her gaze but saw only a pair of cultivators haggling. “What’s wrong?”
“I sense a heavy demonic aura,” Nan Yan said, already activating her Sin-Cleansing Scripture mental technique, which made her extremely sensitive to hidden demonic auras within a hundred-zhang radius.
“That’s impossible. The inspection was so thorough; how could a demonic cultivator get in?”
“But…”
“Come on, even if there is a demonic cultivator, the Core Formation cultivators will handle it. Look at your plain outfit. Let’s get you some nice shoes and get rid of those straw sandals.”
Yin Ya dragged Nan Yan away. After the crowd had bustled for a while, in a nearby dark alley, an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator was smilingly offering a jade talisman to someone wrapped in a cloak.
“You’re finally back, friend. Here’s the list of cultivators boarding the whale ship this year, all prepared for you.”
The cloaked figure, half their face hidden in shadow, leaned back against the brick wall. After a moment, they held out a heavy bag, suspended in the air, waiting for the Foundation Establishment elder to cup his hands beneath it before letting go.
The elder’s face lit up with joy. “The next sailing is on the third day of the third month next year. Same arrangement?”
“No need,” the figure replied in a husky voice, devoid of emotion. “There won’t be any need… ever again.”