117: Kuixing Island

Chaotic Star Sea, the outer sea's edge region.

The salty, fishy sea wind churned up layers of white waves, tirelessly crashing against a bare, jagged reef.

Lin Feng's figure stood upon this very reef, his robes flapping and snapping in the sea breeze.

He unfurled his Divine Sense, enveloping an area of a hundred miles, and soon detected a fishing vessel operated by Loose Cultivators working in the distance.

His body swayed, transforming into a streak of azure light as he sped towards the fishing boat.

Moments later, he hovered silently above the fishing vessel, having completely suppressed all Spiritual Qi fluctuations, appearing no different from a low-level Cultivator.

The fishermen on the boat, seeing a figure materialize out of thin air, were instantly terrified to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. They all dropped to their knees, pleading for mercy in a strange, lilting dialect.

Lin Feng couldn't understand their words and slightly furrowed his brow.

He attempted to use the language of the Tiannan region, speaking slowly and gently.

"Who... can understand my words?"

The fishermen exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with both fear and a greedy glint for Spirit Stones.

Amidst the heavy silence, an old fisherman, his face deeply wrinkled, skin dark and leathery, raised a trembling hand.

"Im... Immortal Master... this old one... in my youth, learned some... from an ancient text."

His speech was halting, laden with a thick accent, but Lin Feng understood.

A faint smile touched Lin Feng's lips. With a flick of his finger, a lump of gold landed in the old fisherman's lap.

"Good. For the next two days, you will teach me the local language here."

"The payment... is this."

Lin Feng pointed to the two remaining lumps of gold in his palm.

...

Two days later, Lin Feng could already communicate normally using the local language of the Chaotic Star Sea.

Bidding farewell to the old fisherman, he disguised his cultivation level to appear at the Early Stage of Core Formation and flew towards the direction of the outer sea islands.

At this time, the Chaotic Star Sea was in a period of delicate peace.

The Yao Beasts of the outer sea had not yet been stirred to frenzy by Old Devil Han, and the Rebellious Star Alliance of the Inner Sea had not yet declared war on the Star Palace.

Therefore, operating under the identity of a Core Formation Cultivator, Lin Feng's journey was smooth sailing, receiving preferential treatment along the way.

When he arrived at the teleportation formation built upon a massive island, the Star Palace Cultivator in charge, upon seeing him, immediately adopted an expression of respectful enthusiasm.

"This Senior, are you heading to the Inner Sea?"

It was a middle-aged man at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. He hurried forward in a small jog to greet him.

"Indeed," Lin Feng nodded calmly.

"Senior's timing is perfect. Today's scheduled teleportation has just concluded. However, given Senior's esteemed status, this Junior can arrange a private activation!" The attendant smiled with great deference.

As he spoke, he personally guided Lin Feng towards the teleportation array, continuously extolling the various benefits of the Star Palace along the way.

"Senior, for a high-level expert like yourself, if you were willing to join our Star Palace as a Guest Elder, not only would you receive a generous monthly stipend, but you would also be allocated an island rich in Spiritual Qi for your Immortal Cave. All manner of Cultivation resources would be readily available..."

Lin Feng simply listened quietly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Only when he stepped onto the teleportation formation did he finally speak, politely declining.

"I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist. However, I am accustomed to a free and unrestrained life and have no intention of joining any organization for the time being."

A flicker of disappointment crossed the attendant's face, but he still bowed respectfully.

"If that is the case, this Junior will not insist. I wish Senior a smooth journey."

A flash of white light, and Lin Feng's figure vanished from the teleportation array.

When he reappeared, he was on an even more bustling and prosperous island.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi here far surpassed that of the outer sea, and the Cultivators coming and going were generally of a higher caliber.

He did not linger. At a roadside shop, he spent a few Spirit Stones to purchase the latest sea chart of the Inner Sea.

The sea chart unfurled within his Divine Sense, clearly presenting the Inner Sea region of the Chaotic Star Sea in his mind.

The entire Inner Sea was ruled by the Star Palace, with the central Tian Xing Island at its core, surrounded and protected by twelve inner star islands and twenty-four outer star islands, scattered like pieces on a chessboard.

His gaze quickly locked onto an outer star island in the southwestern corner.

Kui Xing Island.

Having ascertained the direction, Lin Feng transformed into an inconspicuous streak of light and flew towards Kui Xing Island at a leisurely, unhurried pace.

The Inner Sea was not like the outer sea; it was teeming with high-level Cultivators, with many eyes and ears. He had no desire to attract undue attention, so he maintained a speed typical of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

After more than half a day, a massive island finally appeared before Lin Feng's eyes.

Even before drawing near, the faint clamor of human voices and the roars of sea beasts could be heard.

At the island's harbor, dozens of enormous sea vessels were moored, their masts standing tall like a forest of steel.

Countless bare-chested, muscular men were shouting rhythmic chants as they unloaded crates of goods from the ships.

"It seems the transportation industry between the major islands of the Inner Sea is quite developed."

Finding this somewhat interesting, Lin Feng suppressed his flight light. After strolling around the harbor area, he landed quietly in a deserted corner.

As Kui Xing Island had Restrictions against flying, low-level Cultivators were forbidden from flying within the city.

Lin Feng couldn't be bothered to show off and break the local rules.

He walked casually amidst the crowds, passing through the bustling port area and heading towards the northern part of Kui Xing Island.

Along the way, various strangely-shaped beast-drawn carriages passed by. The beasts pulling them were not horses but some ferocious-looking sea creatures, controlled by Cultivators, docilely hauling goods forward.

This spectacle drew a murmur of amazement from Lin Feng.

Before long, an even broader and more prosperous street appeared before him.

Shops lined both sides of the street, and Cultivators streamed past continuously. On a stone stele at the street's entrance, three large characters were carved with sweeping, powerful strokes—Tian Du Street.

This was his destination for this trip.

The moment he stepped onto Tian Du Street, Lin Feng sensed several gazes falling upon him.

Scattered along both sides of the street stood small groups of young female Cultivators with pleasing features. Most were only at the Qi Refinement Stage, their eyes assessing and hopeful as they sized up every arriving male Cultivator.

Lin Feng's appearance was considered top-tier even among Cultivators. Dressed in simple, plain blue cloth robes, they could not conceal his upright posture and ethereal bearing.

The female Cultivators waiting by the roadside had eyes like hooks, constantly scanning the male Cultivators passing by, searching for suitable 'patrons.'

When Lin Feng appeared, several gazes almost simultaneously converged on him, carrying scrutiny, surprise, and a hint of barely concealed delight.

His attire was ordinary, unlike those high-level Cultivators who wore imposing magic robes and exuded a powerful Aura.

Yet, the composed and unhurried air about him was far beyond that of an ordinary low-level Cultivator.

For these women, who spent their days reading people's expressions, this contradictory quality was even more attractive.

Soon, three figures detached themselves from the crowd by the street and, with light, graceful steps, approached Lin Feng.

"Senior, is this your first time on Kui Xing Island?"

The speaker was a female Cultivator wearing a pink gauze dress with a high slit. As she moved, glimpses of her pale, slender thighs were revealed.

The woman beside her was dressed even more boldly. Her upper body was covered only by a blue tube top, showcasing her shapely figure, while her short skirt left her snow-white thighs and bare feet completely exposed.

Such a sight was almost unimaginable in the Tiannan Cultivation world.

Lin Feng's gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment, his eyes holding a touch of pure appreciation.

Seeing this, the two female Cultivators were not offended; instead, a glint of joy flashed in their eyes.

Having welcomed and seen off countless patrons here, they had long honed sharp eyes.

This person before them appeared young and only showed a Qi Refining cultivation level, yet that composure was not something an ordinary Cultivator possessed.

This was undoubtedly a high-level expert who had disguised his cultivation to come seeking amusement.

"If Senior wishes to explore the island, this little lady is very familiar with everything inside and outside Tian Du Street," the blue-clad woman also spoke with a coquettish laugh, her voice sweet and syrupy.

The third female Cultivator stood quietly to the side. She wore a light green long dress, its style appearing quite conservative compared to the other two.

But in Lin Feng's eyes, this woman's features possessed the most local charm and flavor.