On the deck of the Breaking Sky, Luo Xiu sat on an oak barrel, looking downcast and troubled. He had tried multiple tis but ultimately failed to refine the Dao Jade.
It wasn't that his comprehension was lacking. On the contrary, his comprehension was excellent. Zuo Qianhuang had only explained it to him once, yet he could already perform all the steps. The reason for the failure was that the Reaper's Art conflicted with his original cultivation.
Hua Muyan approached him and said softly, "Master, Yan'er feels this isn't worth it."
"Think about it," she continued. "Your original cultivation is at least at the White Emperor level. In the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm, you can completely disregard everything. So why would you abandon your White Emperor cultivation for Reaper's Art, an inherently imperfect Cultivation Technique?"
Luo Xiu nodded. "Of course, I think so too, but I just feel so unwilling. Besides, I can't break through any further with my original cultivation. This is probably because I've lost my mories and can't recall the complete Qihuang Technique. At this rate, I'll be stuck at this level forever. How am I supposed to surpass Luo Hao?"
Hua Muyan sighed softly.
Luo Xiu added, "Reaper's Art doesn't use the Dantian as its foundation. Instead, it relies on the Reaper's Charm Script inscribed on my arm. That might be why it conflicts with my original cultivation when I try to refine the Dao Jade. It seems the only option is to do as Master Ping said and create a Second Dantian. Perhaps then I'll be able to successfully refine the Dao Jade."
"Can't you just refine the Dao Jade based on your original cultivation—that is, based on your Dantian?" Hua Muyan asked, puzzled. "Why must it be based on the Reaper's Art?"
"My cultivation has already reached the White Emperor level," Luo Xiu said, glancing at her. "How could I refine a Dao Jade now? Besides, there would be no need to."
Hua Muyan playfully stuck out her little tongue. "Oh, right. Yan'er was confused. It's probably because your cultivation already far exceeds the Dao Jade Realm that you can't refine one."
"That's what I was trying to say from the very beginning," Luo Xiu said, a little exasperated.
Hua Muyan rolled her eyes. "Then why didn't you just say so?"
"..."
As they were talking, a shadow suddenly fell over Luo Xiu. He looked up to see a ship, much larger than the Breaking Sky, hovering above them. A sudden rush of footsteps sounded as Zuo Qianhuang and several of his confidants hurried onto the deck.
Luo Xiu stood up. "What's the situation?"
"That's a Starry Sky Bandit ship," Zuo Qianhuang said. "Judging by the flag... it must be the Shark King's vessel."
A nearby rcenary asked curiously, "The Shark King always keeps the peace with us. Why would he suddenly block our ship?"
"Let's wait and see," Zuo Qianhuang said, his expression turning solemn.
A short while later, an ugly man about two ters tall with a mixture of human and shark-like features descended onto the deck of the Breaking Sky. Zuo Qianhuang greeted him with a hearty laugh, walking up to the man and bumping fists with him forcefully.
"What wind has blown the Shark King here today?"
"I just happened to run into Brother Zuo's Breaking Sky," the Shark King replied with a smile. "So I thought I'd drop by to say hello and maybe beg for a couple cups of wine."
Zuo Qianhuang and the Shark King chatted warmly, appearing quite familiar with one another.
"Alright, Shark King, let's not beat around the bush," Zuo Qianhuang said. "The Flowing Thunder River is a vast place. There are no 'chance encounters' here. Just tell why you've really co."
"Brother Zuo is a straightforward man!" The Shark King's smile faded slightly as he glanced at Luo Xiu and the others. When his gaze landed on Hua Muyan, his eyes lit up. Where in the world did Zuo Qianhuang find such an exquisite beauty?
"Go ahead and speak freely," Zuo Qianhuang laughed. "These are my people, they can listen."
Luo Xiu knew Zuo Qianhuang wanted to talk business, in which he had no interest, so he led Hua Muyan to the side.
The Shark King's gaze fixed on Hua Muyan's pert buttocks, wrapped in a pleated miniskirt. His eyes then traced a path down her long legs, sheathed in ultra-thin, glossy stockings, finally resting on her elegant feet in their high heels. In an instant, his mind was filled with lewd thoughts. His already massive mouth stretched into a wide, lecherous grin, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
He whistled at Hua Muyan before asking Zuo Qianhuang, "I say, Brother Zuo, where did you find such a treasure?"
Zuo Qianhuang's expression soured. "Let's stick to business," he said in a low voice.
Seeing Zuo Qianhuang's expression, the Shark King decided not to press his luck. He adopted a serious tone and said, "Brother Zuo, I have a big deal for you. Are you in?"
"Oh? What kind of big deal?" Zuo Qianhuang smiled, but sneered inwardly. If this were really such a great deal, why would these Starry Sky Bandits co to for a partnership? This business is probably shady, and the risks must be considerable.
The Shark King leaned close to Zuo Qianhuang's ear and whispered, "We're going to abduct two people from a Starry Sky Ferry."
Zuo Qianhuang frowned. "The Starry Sky Ferries are run by The Official Residences from the various realms. Who would dare abduct people from them?"
"Don't worry about it. If anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility. We'll split the reward sixty-forty afterward."
Zuo Qianhuang shook his head, his refusal firm. "Sorry, we don't engage in that kind of business."
The Shark King sighed helplessly. "Since Brother Zuo isn't interested in this piece of at, I won't insist."
Previously, the Shark King had received a ssage from Ai Kun to capture two won from a Starry Sky Ferry. He had sent his n, but several of his most capable War Generals had been lost. Only then did he learn that the two won had powerful Magical Treasures in their possession; even Ai Kun had been injured. That was why he had sought out Zuo Qianhuang, hoping to use him as cannon fodder so he could sit back and reap the rewards. Unfortunately for him, Zuo Qianhuang was no fool.
"By the way, Brother Zuo, I heard you recently went to the Tianhe Secret Realm to hunt the Flowing Thunder Sky Python. How was the harvest? If you caught any Thunderfish and Thunderworms, how about selling a couple to ? The price is negotiable."
"Don't even get started. We ca back with nothing and I lost several good n. You know how it is, Shark King. For wanderers like us, risking our lives is the only way to make it big."
The Shark King patted his shoulder. "Since you're already risking your life, why not join for a bigger score?"
Zuo Qianhuang replied solemnly, "Risking our lives is one thing, but we Tianhe rcenaries have our principles. There are lines we won't cross. So, Shark King, I really don't want to get involved in this."
The Shark King gritted his teeth. "Fine. Even if the deal is off, goodwill remains. Brother Zuo, until we et again!"
"Until we et again."
A short while later, after the Shark King had departed, Zuo Qianhuang walked over to Luo Xiu.
"Mister Asura, please excuse the scene. We operate in the Tianhe year-round, so dealings with Starry Sky Bandits like him are unavoidable."
"I understand," Luo Xiu nodded.
Zuo Qianhuang pointed ahead. "We're approaching Jucui State. However, our ship can only go as far as the unincorporated territories. We can't enter the jurisdiction of Jucui State, so you'll have to fly the last stretch yourself."
"Thank you," Luo Xiu said.
Zuo Qianhuang suddenly pointed toward a distant Starry Sky Ferry. "Mister Asura," he said with a smile, "that's a Starry Sky Ferry that just left Jucui State. It's the most luxurious model, the Pillar of Creation. From this distance, it might look small, but in reality, it's huge. Ah, if only I could own a ship like that in my lifeti, how wonderful it would be. But I can only dream."
Luo Xiu suddenly rembered sothing. He took out a small, palm-sized wooden boat and handed it to Zuo Qianhuang. "Captain Zuo, this Thunderbolt Divine Boat is for you. While it can't travel through cosmic space yet, I believe it could with so modifications."
Zuo Qianhuang took the boat and examined it with his Divine Sense. His eyes widened in shock. "Mister Asura, this is an incredible treasure! This ship is much larger than my Breaking Sky and sturdily built. All it needs is a protective Barrier to be put into service. Are you really giving this to ?"
Luo Xiu smiled faintly. "Consider it the fare. Captain Zuo, until we et again."
With that, Luo Xiu took Hua Muyan's hand and flew off the Breaking Sky, heading straight for Jucui State.
「...」
Upon reaching Jucui State, Luo Xiu landed directly in Middle Domain City. He then released his Divine Sense, attempting to locate Lin Shanshan and the Snow Kirin. He didn't find them, but he did find Ai Kun in Middle Domain City.
I never thought he'd be here too. That little bastard. It's ti to settle our old scores.
"Yan'er," he said, "you head to the Land of Lawlessness first. Get the pot boiling and heat the oil. We're having turtle soup tonight."
"Yes, Master."
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