April 16, 2018

When the golden flying sword, exclusive to the Golden Jade City and worth tens of thousands of spirit stones, landed in front of Wang Jiu, the Celestial Divine Sword couldn’t help but show a nostalgic smile.

"It’s still designed exactly the same as before, though the craftsmanship has been greatly simplified."

Beside him, Shen Qingming winced, feeling the extravagance. Such an overly luxurious flying sword, which looked to be worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones, was actually a simplified version. What a dazzled-by-gold lifestyle people in the Jiuzhou must have led back then... enviable.

"The original Yuming Flying Sword was meant to drill into the surface of the moon, extracting the moon core from hundreds of miles deep to refine the essence of the moon."

Shen Qingming was startled, "To the surface of the moon!? Is it even possible to get there?"

"Of course, it is. As long as one breaks through the Nine Heavens Gang Wind Layer, they can reach the moon. However, even in the Jiuzhou Era, only the Zhao Family had the technology to reach the moon."

Shen Qingming was surprised, "The Zhao Family’s technology is that impressive? The only one in the world?"

Wang Jiu said, "Yes, they set up thirteen floating elemental magnetic rail cannons on the moon’s outer surface, attacking any cultivators who landed without permission. Until the outbreak of the Immortal Demon War, no one could break through the firepower blockade to land on the moon’s surface, let alone drill."

"So that’s what it means to be the only one in the world! Isn’t it too overbearing!? Monopolizing the moon’s resources... wouldn’t people rise up against them?"

Wang Jiu was puzzled, "The thirteen rail cannons completely sealed off the Gang Wind passage outside the moon. Even if the attacking party’s numbers were greater, breaking through the fire net would be challenging. Even if they landed with difficulty, they’d be battered, and with numerous guardian spirits around the drilling area, completing the task would be extremely difficult and not worth the effort."

"No, what I mean is... forget it, nothing. Let’s see what’s written on the invitation."

Wang Jiu smiled and opened the equally golden glittering invitation. As expected, it was blank, with only Zhao Chenlu’s signature at the bottom right corner. The signature, like its owner, was inexplicably flashy and magnificent, emphasizing the empty content inside.

"What does this mean?" Shen Qingming asked.

"It means top-level authority," Wang Jiu explained, "The specific content of the invitation can be freely filled out by the invitee. What kind of reception specifications are needed, any special requirements can be written on it, and it will be guaranteed by Zhao Chenlu personally."

Shen Qingming was shocked, "Isn’t that a blank check!? Can I write anything?"

"Yes, anything."

"... Let me try!"

As she spoke, the girl couldn’t help but take out a brush dipped in ink from her storage bag and wrote on the top of the invitation: "Travel expenses, 100,000 spirit stones."

After writing, Shen Qingming thought it was too much. What concept is 100,000 spirit stones? The entire assets of a small to medium-sized cultivation clan usually don’t amount to 100,000 spirit stones. Lu Xin’s fund, set to mend family ties, was also just 100,000 spirit stones.

Using 100,000 spirit stones as travel expenses, it’s like playing a game of Monopoly, buying wherever you go. Even if the Zhao Family is wealthier than the sky, and this invitation has high authority, there’s no way they could agree to such a demand. Hopefully, her mischief won’t ruin this invitation.

However, before the girl could regret it, a flash of light appeared not far away. A silver flying sword, carrying a crescent-shaped token, appeared in front of Wang Jiu.

"This..."

Seeing the crescent token, Shen Qingming couldn’t help but cover her mouth.

After all, coming from a wealthy family, she recognized the near-limitless Silver Moon Order produced by Golden Jade City. Holding this token allows one to withdraw unlimited funds from any bankrun by the Golden Jade City. Usually, only a few top officials of Golden Jade City are qualified to hold it. Who would’ve thought, just after the stroke of a pen, Zhao Chenlu would send such a precious item over?!

"Is it really true that you can write anything?"

Wang Jiu said, "As long as it’s within Zhao Chenlu’s capability, any request on this invitation will be fulfilled."

"Any request?" Shen Qingming repeated in disbelief, then wrote on the invitation, "A set of Zhao Family’s core cultivation technique books as travel reading material."

Moments later, a golden flying sword flashed again, carrying a golden book with no name on it. Opening the first page, the intricate patterns and writings made Shen Qingming dizzy.

Even though most of it was unintelligible, judging from the part she could understand, it was undoubtedly the untold secret of Golden Jade City!

"... They actually brought out such family secrets? She’s way too good to you!"

"That’s how top-level authority is. As long as it’s within her capacity, any request is granted," Wang Jiu said, also flipping through the book. After a long time, he sighed, "Indeed, a significant portion is missing. She found it bothersome back then and didn’t fully inherit the family cultivation techniques. Now at least half are lost... Luckily, I remember them all."

As he spoke, Wang Jiu took Shen Qingming’s brush and started annotating the Golden Jade Family Secret Manual.

The Celestial Sword Spirit had an excellent memory, especially for anything related to immortal cultivation. He remembered it in detail and quickly filled up the book with annotations before sending it back on the golden flying sword as it came.

Shen Qingming shook her head, "Trading 100,000 spirit stones for a completed Golden Jade Secret Manual, Zhao Chenlu really made a great deal this time."

She said, a bit indignantly, "You’re really good to her, just sending out such priceless knowledge without a second thought."

Wang Jiu curiously said, "It’s just half of a Golden Jade Secret Manual. She herself didn’t bother to learn it all back then, so it’s not considered the top-notch learning. Purely in terms of value, it’s not as good as the Immovable Tyrant Body I taught you."

Hearing that the Golden Jade Secret Manual wasn’t as good as the Immovable Tyrant Body, Shen Qingming couldn’t help but smile, "I knew you were the best to me."

Wang Jiu shook his head, "Not quite the best. The Nine Dragon Sword Forging Technique I taught Li Fengyun is more valuable than the Immovable Tyrant Body. Of all the immortal cultivation techniques I’ve taught to humans since I awoke, it’s the most valuable. So accurately speaking, I’m the best to Li Fengyun."

"..."

Shen Qingming was stunned for a long time, not knowing how to respond to that.

Wang Jiu then put away the invitation and said to Shen Qingming, "Anyway, since the invitation has been sent, it’s time for us to part ways."

Shen Qingming was urgent, "Do we have to leave now? Isn’t it a bit too soon?!"

"Is there anything else to do here?"

"This..."

They naturally had nothing else to do in Shen City. A month ago, Wang Jiu had nothing to do in Shen City after that farce ended. And half a month ago, the overtime team from Cyan Cloud City had finished most of the official business, mainly lingering in Shen City to avoid duty in Cyan Cloud City.

Now with the new invitation, there’s naturally no need to linger in Shen City.

For a moment, the girl couldn’t think of any reason to make him stay.

However, to part ways with Wang Jiu and let him go to Golden Jade City to cause trouble for Zhao Chenlu, she felt reluctant.

In her hesitation, an idea suddenly sparked in Shen Qingming’s mind.

She picked up the brush again and wrote on the invitation.

Traveling Companion: Shen Qingming

"It’s better to go together. It’s rare to have such good hospitality. I also want to visit Golden Jade City and see what the self-proclaimed most prosperous and avant-garde city in the world is really like."

The girl spoke, suppressing the trembling in her voice and trying to appear nonchalant.

Wang Jiu looked at Shen Qingming. Although his gaze was gentle and calm, it made the girl increasingly flustered.

"Wh-What is it? You don’t want me to tag along?"

Wang Jiu replied, "I’m just surprised you’re willing to accept Zhao Chenlu’s invitation."

"Anything wrong with that?"

"Generally speaking, very few human females are willing to accept her invitation because in terms of appearance, figure, cultivation, wealth, and other conditions, she is so overwhelmingly exceptional that she imposes such heavy pressure on her female peers around her."

"...."

"However, considering your teenage years in Cyan Cloud City, having long been at life’s nadir, your mental resilience exceeds the ordinary. So, you have a relatively strong ability to withstand this type of pressure."

"....." The blue vein on the girl’s temple visibly swelled.

Wang Jiu paused for a moment, then said, "But based on my observation, the pressure you encountered during your low point in Cyan Cloud City is still minor compared to the pressure from the disparity between you and Zhao Chenlu. Therefore, the upcoming journey will be quite a grueling challenge for you..."

"I’m willing to take on any challenge!"

——

When Shen Qingming shouted her combat slogan angrily, the Celestial Divine Sword’s journey to Golden Jade City was officially set.

However, by the following morning, when Wang Jiu was ready to set off, the traveling companions had grown from one to four.

Shen Qingming, Li Wanqing, Li Chaolu, Li Xinyu...

The original crew who had set off from Cyan Cloud City to Shen City was about to embark on the journey to Golden Jade City once again!