Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Journey to the Jingling Institute

The leading God Transformation Cultivator formed hand seals to establish a formation, linking all ten Spirit Ships together before boarding the lead vessel. The connected convoy then flew towards the Jingling Institute.

You You no longer needed to take shifts with Gu Sixuan and others to steer the Spirit Ship. The formation’s guidance freed her from duties, leaving her idle.

Liang Yu remained seated alone at the ship’s edge, stabilizing her cultivation. The Golden Core cultivators buzzed with excitement, frequently approaching the ship’s railings to examine the God Transformation Stage formation—a rare sight for their low cultivation levels.

You You joined the crowd not for the formation, but to study their travel route and better grasp this World’s layout.

Yuan Qi and Feng Rong hadn’t accompanied her recently. Except for the dozen cultivators, all family members and attendants—including those two—were confined to the cabin. Non-cultivators risked harm from the Spirit Ship’s leaking spiritual energy.

The pair chose a window seat, occasionally glancing outside while communicating with You You via Voice Transmission.

“You You, findings?” Yuan Qi asked.

“Confirmed northern destination,” she transmitted. “Our guess was right—the obscured location is Jingling Institute.”

“Estimated arrival time?” Feng Rong cut in.

“Three days at current speed,” You You calculated.

“What?” Feng Rong’s brow furrowed. “Three more days in this floating coffin?!” Yuan Qi also frowned, though their irritation stemmed less from the journey than the cabin’s unsettling atmosphere.

They’d known this World had skewed gender norms, but Qinghong City hadn’t prepared them for this. Their eyes swept across the cabin’s inhabitants—powdered, primped men exuding exaggerated delicacy. Feng Rong’s feathers threatened to erupt through suppressed discomfort.

“Young Master Feng, care to try this lip rouge?” A nearby man misinterpreted Feng Rong’s discomfort as shyness, proffering a pale cosmetic box. “My wife purchased this in the capital. Moisturizing and fragrant!”

“No… thanks!” Feng Rong’s eye twitched, yearning for invisibility.

“No need for modesty!” The man pushed. “We Qinghong City folk should support each other.” He thrust the box closer.

Trapped between courtesy and revulsion, Feng Rong shot Yuan Qi a pleading look.

Yuan Qi suddenly found the floorboards fascinating.

Damn you!

Misreading Feng Rong’s hesitation, the man produced another identical box. “Worry not—I’ve extras! Young Master Yuan should have one too.” He shoved boxes into both men’s hands.

Feng Rong: “……”

Yuan Qi: “……”

…Thanks.

“Appreciated,” they gritted out, contemplating emergency disembarkation.

Satisfied, the man lowered his voice conspiratorially. “You keep watching the deck—missing your mistress?”

“……” Mistress? They’d been communicating with You You!

“Lucky devils—being chosen as a Nascent Soul Master’s attendants!” The man gestured at lavishly dressed men across the cabin. “Other masters brought four or five consorts. You You clearly favors you two.”

As Yuan Qi opened his mouth to correct him, Feng Rong declared, “You You’s devotion to me is absolute! Who else could she possibly—”

The man chuckled at his confidence. “Sincerity alone won’t keep a woman’s heart.”

“Why not?” Feng Rong leaned forward intently.

“Hearts are fickle. Securing a woman’s sole affection requires strategy—an entire art form!”

“Really? Teach me!”

Thus, the man who’d moments ago repelled Feng Rong became his impromptu tutor in “wife-retention techniques.” Curiosity morphed into earnest note-taking as Feng Rong borrowed ink and paper to document tips. Soon half the cabin’s men joined the symposium, swapping marital advice.

The excluded Yuan Qi: “……” Why do I feel ostracized?

Sigh. Forever the outsider for refusing to embrace the madness…

———

Three days later, You You’s Voice Transmission pierced the cabin’s fervent discussion:

“We’re here!”

Before them loomed a cloud-piercing mountain crowned by an inverted floating peak veiled in mist. Six smaller floating peaks surrounded it, each emitting a spiritual light pillar skyward. Interconnected formations channeled these beams into the main peak, creating an enormous sigil enveloping Jingling Institute.

You You assessed the scene. As cultivation’s governing body, Jingling Institute occupied less Territory than Immortal Realm’s first-rate immortal sects. Yet its formation proved extraordinary—spiritual light pillars typically marked spiritual vein sites. Here, seven peaks meant seven veins. Extravagant even by immortal sect standards.

The peaks radiated spiritual energy so dense it shimmered violet. But that formation…

“Yuan Papa,” she transmitted, “identify that formation?”