Time flows like sand through fingers, quietly slipping away.

In just a few days, Master Nine Profound brought news — he could travel with the trade caravan.

Chen Sheng felt a stir in his heart. Being meticulous in his actions, he began to handle the matters of his cave dwelling.

After all, he had to go all in on his disguise as a poor Sword Cultivator.

He thought for a moment and then shamelessly approached Jin Kaiyuan.

The other was quite generous, not only refraining from ridicule but also readily agreeing to help him deal with the cave dwelling matters, though the undeniable sense of superiority in his eyes almost overflowed when looking at Chen Sheng.

It seemed the embarrassment suffered at the auction previously found an outlet in facing Chen Sheng, a Loose Cultivator with a Fake Pill.

Chen Sheng was well aware, but kept his composure, expressed gratitude, and after receiving the over ten thousand Spirit Stones returned to him, he began to pack up and prepare to leave.

Three days later, at the air port outside Pingyang Market, a massive Tier Three Flying Vessel hovered silently.

The vessel was streamlined in shape, made from an unknown cyan metal, with its surface etched with intricate runes, emitting a faint pressure as the Array Light flowed.

A black flag was hanging at the prow, embroidered with a giant sword pointing skyward in gold thread — the emblem of Myriad Swords Sect — flapping fiercely in the wind, with a faint glimmer of Spirit Light.

When Chen Sheng arrived at the air port, Master Nine Profound was already waiting by the Flying Vessel.

As soon as the two stepped onto the vessel's deck, a middle-aged cultivator in a cyan Sword Robe came to greet them.

This person's face was stern, his eyes sharp as a sword, exuding aura of a Golden Core Early-Stage cultivator, his gaze sweeping over Chen Sheng with some scrutinizing intent, he asked:

"Are you Fellow Daoist Tingyu?"

Chen Sheng cupped his hands in salute:

"That is I."

Master Nine Profound quickly introduced from the side:

"Fellow Daoist Tingyu, this is Elder Qing Xiao of our Myriad Swords Sect's Inner Sect, and also the leader of this caravan."

Chen Sheng nodded in greeting again:

"Greetings Fellow Daoist Qing Xiao."

Master Qing Xiao nodded lightly, his voice calm and indifferent:

"No need for formality, Fellow Daoist. I heard you're also a Sword Cultivator; perhaps we could compare swords when there's a chance."

Hearing this, Chen Sheng thought to himself, just as he expected.

He had previously heard that these Sword Cultivators of Myriad Swords Sect truly live up to their name as Sword Madmen, eager to duel at the slightest disagreement.

However, on the surface, he displayed a humble smile and said:

"You, Fellow Daoist, are an elder of a Nascent Soul Sword Sect, with swordsmanship that reaches the divine. How dare I show off my insignificant skills before you?"

Master Qing Xiao simply nodded at his words and said nothing more, turning to leave directly.

Evidently, he had little interest in a Sword Cultivator who wouldn't even dare to duel.

Seeing this, Master Nine Profound quickly laughed and explained to Chen Sheng:

"Don't mind, Fellow Daoist. All Inner Sect Sword Cultivators have this personality — they are solely devoted to the sword, hardly caring about anything but dueling."

Chen Sheng chuckled lightly: "Not at all, not at all! It is the true style of a True Sword Cultivator, it's truly extraordinary."

The Tier Three Flying Vessel started moving, turning into a cyan rainbow, speeding towards the distance.

The space on the vessel was vast, with quite complete facilities.

Chen Sheng was allotted a private Cultivation Room, rich in Spiritual Qi and equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, sufficient for daily cultivation needs.

However, his path had been cut off, rendering cultivation unnecessary; normally he practiced Daoist Divine Techniques, which was not suitable here.

In rare leisure, he took out several Jade Scrolls from his Storage Ring and began to swiftly read them with Divine Sense — these were various basic cultivation information about Yue Kingdom he had gathered from various Commerce Associations.

Soon, he found the records of the Dust-Reduction Pill.

At the auction, Chen Sheng had noted this pill.

Now reading, he learned it was a Tier Three Top Level Elixir, with a formidable effect — harmonizing Yin and Yang into nothing, embodying the wonder of creation and transformation.

Chen Sheng lightly nodded:

"The alchemy path in Yue Kingdom truly surpasses that of Chu Country, even having created such an extraordinary pill as the Dust-Reduction Pill by an Alchemy Grandmaster!"

He continued reading these Jade Scrolls, comprehending the prosperous side of Yue Kingdom's Cultivation Realm.

...

Meanwhile, the Flying Vessel continued its journey.

Under the banner of Myriad Swords Sect, Chen Sheng genuinely felt the deterrent power of a Nascent Soul Grand Sect throughout the journey.

Wherever they passed, they encountered no obstacles; not one cultivator dared to challenge them.

Even when entering the territories of other sects, encountering late-stage Golden Core cultivators, upon seeing the Myriad Swords Sect flag at the prow, they would cordially, and even personally, escort the caravan respectfully, not daring any slight rudeness.

Such peaceful days continued for half a year.

On this day, the Flying Vessel was traveling in an area known as "Chonglou Ridge," not far ahead was a medium-sized Market.

The caravan intended to replenish some goods there, but unexpectedly a conflict arose over purchasing issues with another Commerce Association under Nascent Soul allegiance.

Their Commerce Association's vessel hovered ahead, blocking the path.

Seeing this, Master Nine Profound quickly approached with two attendants to communicate, a professional smile worn on his face, continually saluting and saying something.

Master Qing Xiao merely stood at the prow of the vessel, holding his sword with both hands, eyes slightly closed, but exuding formidable Sword Qi from all over, like a sharp sword poised for action.

Chen Sheng stood by and observed everything, nodding slightly in understanding.

Through their half-year association, he already deduced that nominally Master Qing Xiao was the leader of the caravan.

But in practice, all matters of the caravan, including planning routes, purchasing goods, selling products, etc., were handled single-handedly by Master Nine Profound.

Master Qing Xiao seemed to dedicate himself utterly to cultivation, never involving himself in worldly trivialities, his purpose seemingly to provide the caravan with potent military support.

As at the moment, using his presence to intimidate the opponent.

Before long, Master Nine Profound returned with a cheerful demeanor, whispering beside Chen Sheng and Master Qing Xiao:

"It's settled. I communicated the share issue with their leader. To save face for both parties, we will have three rounds of Magical Combats, just to the point."

At the mention of Magical Combat, Master Qing Xiao's eyes instantly opened, glinting with a hint of excitement, like a lone wolf spotting its prey.

Watching him, Master Nine Profound glanced at the onlooking cultivators below in the Market, hastily adding:

"Winning or losing doesn't matter; what's important is allowing both sides to maintain face. Even if victory is at hand, a draw is preferable, and no deadly moves should be made."

While speaking, his gaze particularly focused on Master Qing Xiao, clearly fearing this Inner Sect Sword Madman might get carried away and ruin things.

Chen Sheng nodded lightly: "I understand the measure."

Master Qing Xiao frowned slightly, inquiring somewhat puzzled: "If we shouldn't win, will they let us win?"

Master Nine Profound laughed, explaining:

"Peace yields wealth. Since the goods' shares are already agreed upon, the fight is not for interest, everyone knows that."

"Besides, in Yue Kingdom, it's always us of Myriad Swords Sect who are unreasonable, who dares to mess with us?"

Hearing this, Master Qing Xiao nodded lightly, pondering a while before adding:

"In that case, I'll oversee the situation; you all go first. If it's truly as you say, just a formality, I'll throw a match."

"But if they break the rules, you protect yourselves and concede; my sword isn't just for show."

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng suddenly held Master Qing Xiao in higher regard.

Master Nine Profound also breathed a sigh of relief, nodding quickly: "That makes sense, we'll do as you say!"

Soon, both parties agreed on the sequence of the Magical Combats.

The opponent sent two Golden Core Early-Stage cultivators and one Fake Pill cultivator.

Master Nine Profound, considering Chen Sheng, whispered:

"Fellow Daoist Tingyu, you will face that Fake Pill cultivator; I'll handle the other Golden Core Early-Stage one."

"Elder Qing Xiao will take charge against their strongest Golden Core Early-Stage cultivator."

Chen Sheng nodded in agreement: "Thank you for the arrangement, Fellow Daoist!"

A duel that seemed intense but had its outcome predetermined was about to unfold in mid-air, drawing many spectators below.

The atmosphere aboard the Flying Vessel subtly shifted, gaining a mixture of tension and absurdity.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.