23: Back to Crescent Lake!

The Immortal Martial World is not like Shen Li's original modern world.

There are no fast, convenient modes of transportation here.

Even riding a flying boat requires purchasing tickets in advance, confirming the route, and boarding the flying boat through a Formation at the precise location.

Last time, Immortal Master Hong Tu led the team, so there was no need to confirm identity information; after all, with a Dao Foundation Immortal Master present, there was nothing to worry about.

But this time is different; Dao Foundation Immortal Masters are the mainstays of Qingchi Mountain, so how could they act as chauffeurs every time?

Therefore, this flying boat was funded and operated by the Wang Family of Crescent Lake, and it would take several days to arrive.

Shen Li could only wait patiently, but the words “flying boat” were added to his mental notebook.

For this trip, Shen Li did not want to disturb Qiu Ya, who was brewing a Breakthrough, and simply brought Wang Shan with him.

He activated the Grand Formation, and the Grand Formation began to operate. If any external enemy invaded, it could be triggered instantly.

He also placed one hundred Spirit Stones to cover the Formation's daily operation.

Then, he arranged for the reclamation of land by the common people and the renovation of the City Lord's Mansion.

A few days later.

In a rainbow light, Shen Li arrived on the Dharma Boat.

There were no acquaintances on the Dharma Boat. This Dharma Boat was far inferior to the one piloted by Immortal Master Hong Tu; it had no pavilions, nor any Formations to block the fierce winds.

Shen Li could only lean against Wang Shan to avoid eating a belly full of northwesterly wind.

As for Wang Shan?

A martial artist's Physical Body is strong; he should not be afraid of the airflow.

The Dharma Boat costs a lot, and transportation requires Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which are a step higher than Low-Grade Spirit Stones. The Wang Family's Dharma Boat transports mostly Loose Cultivators or small Family Cultivators doing business. They can barely recover their costs, let alone invest more in building useless Formations.

The speed was also much slower, but flying in the sky is much better than flying on the ground; at least you don't have to worry about a Yao Beast suddenly appearing from the undulating dunes to devour you.

Along the way, the sky was high and the clouds wide, and above the clouds, it was not so scorching hot.

The Wang Family Cultivator operating the Dharma Boat had very strong spiritual perception and could always avoid sand whirlwinds.

It was a pity, however, that Shen Li never saw the Great True Person again.

It was quite regrettable.

This Dharma Boat operated for about six or seven days before reaching Crescent Lake Market, while the Dharma Boat piloted by Immortal Master Hong Tu could arrive in just two or three days.

One can imagine the difference.

After getting off the Dharma Boat and paying the fare, Shen Li saw Wang Chen approaching him, his eyes somewhat strange.

Ordinary Family outer disciples also have differences; a naive newcomer like Shen Li is generally not favored or doted upon by the Family and is often left to fend for himself.

Because he has not realized his supposed value.

But Wang Chen is different. He started as a small shop assistant and has now become the manager of the general affairs at Crescent Lake Market. Every step of Crescent Lake Market's progress has his presence.

He can be said to be an outer disciple of the Wang Family who is proficient in general affairs and has great influence.

Not to mention distant matters, even the Wang Family Half-Step Dao Foundation stationed here, who is nominally the market owner, never interferes with actual general affairs; in fact, before interfering, he will actively ask for Wang Chen's opinion.

This is the treatment for talent.

But Wang Chen should be busy with countless affairs, so how could he have time to bother with him?

Perhaps he still has some ulterior motives?

However, Wang Chen looked at Shen Li, his eyes observing the aura around Shen Li.

He secretly exclaimed in surprise, saying,

“First Layer Perfection? Another Opportunity? This Shen Family Immortal Seed seems to have very good luck! Second Master Shen sent a letter earlier, asking me to take care of him more. I originally thought of being casual, but now I have no choice but to pay more attention to this Shen Family Immortal Seed.”

“The Shen Family has recently shown signs of settling into the Yellow Sand Plains. This Shen Family Immortal Seed still has some cleverness. His Aptitude is average, but his Opportunity can compensate very well.

In the future, if he can seize the chaotic situation and rise steadily step by step, it's not impossible.”

“It seems he came to the Market this time to use the Spiritual Vein to Breakthrough?”

Wang Chen kept thinking, a smile on his face.

This made Wang Teng, who was behind him, look somewhat embarrassed.

“Uncle, why go to such lengths?”

Wang Chen smiled and stepped forward, brushing away the invisible dust from Shen Li, and asked gently,

“Nephew, why did you not bring a Dao Protector?”

“Although you have already reached Qi Refining, your Physical Body in Qi Refining is still too weak. If you harm your body, I'm afraid it will damage your Foundation.”

Shen Li smiled and casually brushed it off, then he was led into a grand hall.

A maid served tea, and Shen Li's eyes flickered before he directly stated,

“Wang Family Uncle, our Wang and Shen Families are old relatives, so I'll be straightforward.”

“Good, good, good.”

“I came here this time for two major matters. Wang Family Uncle can also see that I have already reached Qi Refining First Layer Perfection and need a place with abundant Spiritual Qi to cultivate.”

“That is natural!”

“How is that possible! In less than two months, you've already reached First Layer Perfection? Are you trying to fool ghosts?”

“Bastard!” Wang Chen snorted coldly and said in a deep voice,

“Wang Teng! Are my eyes blind?!”

Wang Teng couldn't control his anger. His Uncle always lectured him, but he was exceptionally courteous to outsiders.

This made him feel quite imbalanced.

And now, relying on a Spiritual Vein, he was still only in the Late Stage of the First Layer, but this person in front of him, without a Spiritual Vein, just guarding a dilapidated city, had actually reached Qi Refining First Layer Perfection?

Who would believe such a thing?

He said with a somewhat distorted face,

“Uncle! I want to fight him! I want to duel him!”

“Get out!”

“Uncle! He must have taken Medicinal Pills, his Physical Body is unstable! I've inquired; his cultivation Physique is merely the lowest grade, and he only became an Immortal Seedling by consuming a Vermilion Fruit in his early years. It's impossible for him to cultivate this fast!”

Before Wang Teng could continue speaking, Wang Chen slapped a Dharma Seal down, sealing his mouth, then ordered two guards to drag him away.

He said with an apologetic expression,

“Nephew, please don't take it to heart. This good-for-nothing of mine entered the Qi Refining Realm by consuming Medicinal Pills. His father died early, and his mother often doted on him, so he developed this personality. After he became an Immortal Seedling at an older age, he became even more arrogant.

That's why I wanted to bring him by my side and teach him properly.”

Shen Li shook his head and said with a smile,

“Every Family has its own troubles, Wang Family Uncle, there's no need to apologize. You're too polite to this junior.”

“Brother Wang is just a bit young, and a bit naive.”

Hearing this, Wang Chen decided to beat Wang Teng that night.

They were roughly the same age, yet one was already guarding a region, while the other could only muddle through under him, unable even to cultivate properly!

Wang Chen looked at his nephew being dragged out, then looked at the elegant young man standing tall and independent before him, and couldn't help but sigh.

“How can the gap between people be even greater than the gap between people and dogs? If my nephew could be as accomplished as you, no, even if he had half your Heart-Nature, he would already be at Qi Refining Second Layer.”

“Let's not talk about that anymore, Nephew, please tell me the second matter.”

Shen Li, however, smiled mysteriously.

He took something out of his Storage Pouch.

The wind-attribute Spiritual Qi suddenly began to fluctuate, and those cloudy eyes began to… shine brightly.

As dazzling as a lamp at night!

His throat bobbed, and he said in horror,

“It's actually!!!!!!”