Chapter 412

Chapter 412: Eradication of Bandits (Part 2)

The thousand-feather spirit boat, bearing the character “spirit” in its name, is predominantly a second-tier spirit tool.

This thousand-feather spirit boat is indeed a second-grade flying vessel, ranking quite high in quality.

Its interior is spacious, easily accommodating three to five people. With just Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo aboard, it feels remarkably comfortable and roomy. Setting up a tea table inside would pose no issue at all.

Most notably, the thousand-feather spirit boat boasts an extraordinary speed and remarkable stability.

It glides above the clouds like a streak of light, traversing a hundred zhang in mere moments.

At this pace, Wang Chen estimates that reaching their destination won’t take much time.

The thousand-feather spirit boat can be powered by either spirit stones or magical energy.

Compared to a flying sword that relies solely on magical energy, it’s a breeze to operate—provided one is willing to expend spirit stones.

“Your friend is truly remarkable,” Wang Chen remarked with a chuckle. “Junior Brother Zuo, you must cherish her dearly.”

The value of such a flying spirit tool far surpasses that of his Chini Sword.

The fact that Zuo Xiaomo’s beloved is willing to lend it to him speaks volumes about the closeness of their relationship.

At Wang Chen’s teasing, Zuo Xiaomo scratched his head, his face flushing with embarrassment. “I don’t deserve her,” he muttered.

“If you truly believe that, then you really don’t deserve her,” Wang Chen replied, shaking his head. “I’m certain your beloved doesn’t mind the gap between you. But if you lose your drive and stop striving, that’s when she might leave you.”

Zuo Xiaomo opened his mouth, his expression frozen in thought.

Wang Chen said no more, closing his eyes to practice the Preheaven Five Element Technique.

The thousand-feather spirit boat is equipped with its own navigation and intelligent system. By communicating with the Cauldron Spirit and specifying the destination, it can fly autonomously without any need for manual intervention.

Compared to the two flying artifacts in Wang Chen’s possession, this is akin to the difference between a smartphone and a basic mobile phone!

As for Zuo Xiaomo, Wang Chen could sense his lack of confidence.

This was something he needed to come to terms with on his own.

The flying boat raced through the sky, arriving at their destination by the following afternoon.

Beiwang City.

Beiwang City is much like Huai Mountain City, which Wang Chen had visited before—a small town situated on the fringes of Central State.

To the north lie rolling mountains, while to the southwest stretches an endless prairie. The city guards the trade route connecting Central State and Northern State, making its location strategically vital.

Although cultivators can traverse the skies using flying artifacts and flying swords, even in the spirit-rich West Sea Spiritual Realm, ordinary folk and those in the Transcendence Realm still make up a significant portion of the population.

Their daily travel relies heavily on the network of trade routes.

In fact, most cultivators seldom use flying artifacts for transportation due to the associated costs.

The mission Wang Chen had undertaken involved eradicating a band of marauders who roamed the borderlands between the two states, preying on merchants, loose cultivators, and herdsmen.

Their leader, who goes by the name “Xuanyi Dao Ren,” possesses Purple Palace cultivation and is notoriously cunning and elusive.

It’s said that the besieger of Beiwang City has led multiple campaigns to capture him, but Xuanyi Dao Ren has always managed to slip away, causing unrest and insecurity among merchants. This prompted the sect to issue the mission.

The sect would never dispatch a Golden Core true master to eradicate a mere bandit group from the Purple Palace.

Typically, based on local reports, they evaluate the danger level and delegate tasks to the disciples for completion.

In simpler terms, from the lofty perspective of the West Sea Sect, this bandit group is merely an experience bundle for the disciples.

Under normal circumstances, such tasks would be listed in the task hall.

However, due to certain individuals, it was directly assigned to Wang Chen.

The thousand-feather spirit boat landed outside the south gate of Beiwang City.

For this mission, Wang Chen did not hold the title of envoy, so according to protocol, he could not land directly within the city to avoid an attack from the besieger’s office of Beiwang City.

After disembarking from the flying boat, Wang Chen produced a talisman and infused it with magical energy.

Instantly, the talisman transformed into a streak of light and soared towards Beiwang City.

Half an incense stick’s time later, a group of people appeared at the city gate, led by a muscular man astride a tiger-lion beast.

Upon seeing Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo standing outside the city, the burly man dismounted and strode forward.

He saluted Wang Chen, saying, “Junior Brother Wang, I apologize for not welcoming you properly, please forgive me!”

“Senior Brother Ji, you are too courteous,”

Wang Chen returned the salute, “I have come to Beiwang City for a task, and I hope for your assistance.”

Earlier, Wang Chen had followed protocol by sending his greeting to the besieger’s office of Beiwang City, stating his identity and purpose.

This burly man, with a tiger-like back and a bushy beard, was none other than Ji Yongtai, the besieger of Beiwang City!

Wang Chen had inquired about him; this besieger had also risen from the ranks of loose cultivators, joining the West Sea Sect from the outer sect to the inner sect, and had been stationed in Beiwang City for ten years.

Ji Yongtai is a practitioner at the third level of the Purple Palace, exuding a rugged and intimidating aura.

“No need for formalities,”

Ji Yongtai laughed, “We are fellow disciples; just ask if there’s anything I can assist with!”

“Thank you, Senior Brother,”

Wang Chen smiled slightly and introduced Zuo Xiaomo: “This is Zuo Xiaomo, my fellow disciple from the outer sect.”

Ji Yongtai casually clasped his fists in greeting, “Junior Brother Zuo.”

Zuo Xiaomo, eager to show respect, quickly returned the greeting, “I greet you, Senior Brother Ji.”

Ji Yongtai waved his hand, “Let’s go, we can talk more at my office.”

Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo boarded the carriage brought by Ji Yongtai, and under his lead, they arrived at the besieger’s office in Beiwang City.

That night, Ji Yongtai hosted a grand banquet to welcome the two junior brothers from his sect.

Wang Chen had attended many banquets, but the feast laid out by this besieger truly opened his eyes.

The main dish was a specially sourced prairie camel, roasted to a golden hue and exuding a mouthwatering aroma. The entire roasted camel dominated the large round table, making the side dishes appear quite modest.

Ji Yongtai wielded a golden knife to personally carve the meat. He first sliced open the belly of the roasted camel, revealing a sheep inside.

Between the camel and the sheep were stuffed with spices, and within the sheep’s belly lay a chicken, which in turn contained a shell-less egg!

This besieger removed the egg soaked in fat and placed it on a jade plate, handing it to a nearby maid.

The maid respectfully held it with both hands and presented it to Wang Chen.

Undoubtedly, this was a gesture of high hospitality.

Wang Chen reached out, took the egg, and ate it.

The taste… wasn’t particularly remarkable.

Ji Yongtai laughed heartily, handed the golden knife to a servant, and instructed him to serve the meat.

As the guest of honor that evening, Wang Chen sampled the chicken, lamb, and beef, and he had to admit that the roasted “set meal” was quite unique in flavor.

After finishing the lavish meal, Ji Yongtai ordered the removal of the leftover dishes.

The maid brought tea and then exited the hall.

With no one around, it was time to discuss serious matters.