Chapter 139: His Own Fortune
Xu Qing felt battered by waves of shock as he looked at the sealizard-shaped dharmaskiff.
He had seen Foundation Establishment sealizards before. And because he had seen one in real life, he could spot the differences between a real sealizard and this sealizard-shaped dharmaskiff that Zhang San had crafted. However, in terms of the aura, it was almost exactly the same.
The hull was 150 meters long, and it had four limbs with razor-sharp claws at the end. Its head was extremely lifelike, and its tail even swished back and forth. It really looked just like a sealizard.
The main thing that didn’t resemble real sealizard anatomy was the pair of leathery wings. They were huge, and just looking at them, Xu Qing guessed that when they unfurled, each wing would be as long as the lizard’s entire body. He could only imagine what wild winds would spring up when they flapped.
The cabin was on the lizard’s back, a three-story structure that looked beautiful while simultaneously coming across as being very sturdy.
Zhang San looked extremely proud of himself, and his jaw even jutted out a bit as he gazed at his masterpiece. “Seventh Peak dharmaboats are classified as boats, skiffs, ships, and cruisers. Yours is one hundred percent in the dharmaskiff category, and class-3 at that. However, because of the godly lizard skin and Joine’s flesh, it actually surpasses that level in some ways.
“The points of weakness are the keel, some of the miscellaneous building materials, and the core power source. Joine’s flesh is precious, but the Captain didn’t part with much of it. And the godliness within it is limited. If you can get your hands on the full heart of a godly entity, then your dharmaskiff will be worth far more.
“Unfortunately, Foundation Establishment dharmaskiff materials are vastly more expensive than the Qi Condensation type. Also, dharmaskiff parts are a lot more complicated. Basically, to upgrade even the lowest level Foundation Establishment materials, you’re going to have to spend 30-50,000 spirit stones.
“If you want to upgrade something higher-level, such as your sealizard skins, it’s going to be even more expensive. Probably 150,000 or more. Not even I could afford that. And there are more expensive items that go for astronomical prices. In other words, Xu Qing, if you want to upgrade your dharmaskiff, you really need to make some money.
“One reason why dharmaskiffs are so amazing is that, once they reach class-8, they have a special function related to the profound radiance state. Simply put, it lets you suppress an enemy’s profound radiance state! The better materials you have, the longer it works!”
Upon hearing that, Xu Qing was shocked. Seeing the Captain’s profound radiance state had left him feeling very anxious. Now that he knew the dharmaskiff could do something like this, it caused his eyes to glitter.
Zhang San grinned. “Surprised? Well, now you know why Seventh Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators are so focused on upgrading their dharmaskiffs. And you also know why people from the Seventh Peak are often called ‘boat cultivators.’
“Considering your previous dharmaboat got half-destroyed, I decided to shore up its toughness and defenses. Significantly. Your dharmaskiff is definitely much more impressive than your old dharmaboat. Whether it’s moving on the surface of the water, flying in the air, or moving under the surface, it’s capable of shocking power.
“Finally, I added an exterior shell to the boat, taking inspiration from the way sealizards shed. If your dharmaskiff sustains an overwhelming attack, the exterior shell will explode like heavenly maids scattering blossoms. It will look like your dharmaskiff is badly damaged, and hopefully it will make your enemy hesitate to waste dharma force on a second attack.
“However, with a mere thought on your part, the shattered pieces of the exterior shell can form back together. That said, I’m not very familiar with the method of constructing the exterior shell, so don’t use it too many times. I’d say no more than twice. In any case, when you use that ability, whether you fake death or counterattack, it will catch your enemy off guard.”
Xu Qing looked at Zhang San, and then back at the dharmaskiff. He could sense how much effort Zhang San had put into helping him upgrade his boat. It was a precious thing considering how things worked in Seven Blood Eyes.
Clasping hands, Xu Qing bowed deeply. “Many thanks, Elder Brother Zhang San!”
“Don’t be so polite,” Zhang Said. “I’ve invested in you, and seeing how you and the Captain are turning out, it seems I invested wisely. I just hope that I can improve your chances of staying alive. After all... I think both of you are absolutely crazy. Although, the Captain will probably end up dead sooner than you.” He sighed.
Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Does my dharmaskiff still have the materials in it you originally bought for the Captain’s coffin?”
Zhang San cleared his throat and smiled. “Of course! Those were some good materials. Half of them got destroyed when your boat was damaged, but there’s no need to waste the rest!”
Xu Qing didn’t say anything. Clasping hands, he thought for a moment, then took out 20,000 spirit stones and handed them over.
Zhang San accepted them. After all, he had used quite a few materials in his work. Waving goodbye, he left.
Xu Qing took his dharmaskiff and looked out at the open sea, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Tomorrow morning, first thing, I’m going out to sea!
Having made his decision, he left the Transportation Division, all the while calculating how many spirit stones he had on hand.
I spent way too much on Foundation Establishment. I barely have 50,000 spirit stones left now. I really need to sell that Spirit Breath Lamp. That’ll replenish my coffers.
By the time he was heading back toward the Seventh Peak, it was getting late, and there were few people on the streets of the capital city. Night time was when Offpeak disciples would prowl the streets with malicious intentions. None of that had anything to do with Xu Qing. Criminals from the bounty list weren’t worth it anymore. However, as he moved along through midair, he suddenly stopped and looked down.
Lying there in the middle of one of the streets was a person he recognized. It was a young man in a gray robe, underneath which was a dog skin jerkin. Both the jerkin and the robe were soaked with blood. It looked like he had a mortal wound on his abdomen. There were other cuts and wounds visible on him, and he had also been poisoned. His fingernails had been plucked out, as had all of the teeth that he had filed into points.
It was the Mute.
He was badly wounded and gasping for breath. As for the identity medallion laying on his chest, it had no merit points in it. Based on the time, when the sun rose in the morning, he would be wiped out of existence by the Seven Blood Eyes Formation. Xu Qing looked down at the Mute. Then he dropped to the street and stood above him.
The Mute was unconscious. In fact, he looked so badly wounded that he might not make it to dawn. He had no sack and no dharmaboat.
Xu Qing knew that beating someone to the point of death, then taking all of their belongings, was a common way for Offpeak disciples to get revenge on someone.
The Mute had earned a vicious reputation in the Violent Crimes Division, and someone had finally retaliated.
As he looked down at the Mute, Xu Qing recalled how the young man had offered him a dead criminal from the bounty list. And he remembered how the Mute had followed him on the day of the Grand Competition, and also the advice he had given about his shadow. After some consideration, Xu Qing picked up the Mute’s identity medallion and transferred one spirit stone’s worth of merit points into it. Then he forced some medicinal pills into the Mute’s mangled mouth. After that, he grabbed him by his clothing and dragged him away. Upon arriving at the Mute’s small shack, which seemed like little more than a doghouse, Xu Qing tossed him inside. Turning, he left.
In the chaotic world they lived in, these actions alone could be considered extreme humanity and utmost virtue. As for whether the Mute pulled through and managed to stay alive, it was up to his own fortune.
The truth was that the Mute had actually regained consciousness on the way to his shack. Xu Qing knew that, but didn’t care. After he was gone, the Mute opened his eyes and shivered. Looking weakly at Xu Qing’s retreating figure, he closed his eyes and curled up into a ball.
Back at the Seventh Peak, Xu Qing was heading toward his mansion grotto when he saw a familiar figure sitting on the edge of the cliff. It was Huang Yan.
His legs dangled over the edge of the cliff, and he was currently sipping from an egg. Upon seeing Xu Qing flying toward him, his eyes widened and he waved.
“Hahaha! You’re finally back. I’ve been waiting forever!” Huang Yan reached into his robe and pulled out an egg which he tossed to Xu Qing.
Xu Qing caught it and sat down next to Huang Yan. Xu Qing was in Foundation Establishment now, but things didn’t seem any different than before. Poking a hole in the egg, he took a sip. It was just as delicious as he remembered.
Sounding very pleased with himself, Huang Yan said, “I heard yesterday that you were back, so I came to see you. Well? Am I awesome or what? I can come and go as I please now on the Seventh Peak. The spell formation doesn’t do anything to stop me.”
“Second Highness treats you well,” Xu Qing replied with a grin. He really liked Huang Yan. In fact, of all the people he had met from the Seventh Peak, Huang Yan was the one he truly felt was a friend.
As soon as Xu Qing mentioned Second Highness, Huang Yan proudly thumped his chest. “Well that’s a given. I’m telling you, Xu Qing, she really does treat me well. She gave me an identity medallion so that I could come visit her whenever I want.”
Xu Qing smiled and continued enjoying his egg. As they sat beneath the moonlight, it was just like the old days in Harbor 79. Xu Qing mostly listened while Huang Yan talked and talked about how well his Elder Sister treated him. About an hour later, Huang Yan stood up, wiped the dust off his rear end, and grinned.
“By the way, Xu Qing, there’s another reason I came. I heard you’re the one who got the Spirit Breath Lamp from the Merfolk. Want to sell it to me? I’d like to give it to my Elder Sister. We’re bros, so I’m not even going to think of taking advantage of you. I’ll buy it for 500,000, except I don’t have that much saved up. It’ll take me a month to get it together. But if you’re fine with it, then let’s seal the deal right now.”
Xu Qing thought about it, then nodded in agreement.
Hearing that, Huang Yan was very excited. Shortly after, as he was preparing to leave, he suddenly thought of something, and his expression turned serious. Lowering his voice, he said, “Xu Qing, my Elder Sister told me that something big is going on in the sect. During the battle with the Merfolk, our Seven Blood Eyes patriarch experienced a cultivation base breakthrough, and then invaded Seazombie territory. But there’s more to come. After all... his cultivation base is different now. It looks like the sea territories need to be redistributed.
“If things don’t go smoothly, war will break out. Actually, it’s a good thing for us. War is like the Grand Competition. There’s always a big opportunity for profit. Of course, the more dangerous the situation, the more profit there is to be had.” With that Huang Yan took his leave.
Xu Qing watched him go, then looked out at the open sea.
“War, huh?” he murmured.