The flying ship pierced through the air, the fierce wind icy cold.
Fortunately, the ship was engraved with high-tier defensive arrays, raising a pale golden light screen that completely blocked the high-altitude winds capable of tearing through gold and stone.
Inside the cabin, it felt as stable as walking on flat ground.
Once the flying ship left the boundaries of the Lingyin Sect and entered the stratosphere for stable flight.
Chen Ye turned around, his gaze sweeping over the nine somewhat reserved core disciples, and said calmly:
"The journey to Hunyuan City will take eight days."
"The flying ship is divided into three levels. The top level is my residence; without summoning, entry is prohibited."
"You shall stay on the middle level. If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can find me on the deck at 7 a.m. daily. Otherwise, rest and replenish your energy in your cabins."
The nine core disciples heard this and all bowed in agreement: "We obey, Teacher!"
Although they were the pride of their respective mountain peaks, in front of Instructor Chen Ye, they all behaved as meek as quails.
After all, he was the fierce one who could defeat a Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator across levels.
Now, Instructor Chen was already at the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment, perhaps even capable of contending with late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in a decisive battle.
Chen Ye glanced at the disciples.
He nodded slightly.
Not bad, these disciples have impressive talents.
Among them, there were actually four in the middle period of Foundation Establishment!
Although only in the fourth to fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, such cultivation qualifies them to vie for the True Inheritance Position.
"Good thing the Fourth Elder gave me the Jade Talisman... Otherwise, I’d always worry about something going wrong with so many sect geniuses in tow."
With this thought, Chen Ye quickly secured the Jade Talisman.
After arranging for everyone, he went alone to the top level.
...
The following days were calm and uneventful.
These nine core disciples neither stepped out of the main door nor the second door, spending day and night cultivating.
Zhiwei and Jin’er were also seizing every second to cultivate.
As for Chen Ye, he was busy studying Qingzhi’s new form.
This made a certain little girl quite envious.
In the first two days, Qing Jun found it refreshing, lying on the railing watching the sea of clouds, or teasing the high-flying spiritual birds with jerky.
But by the third day, this restless girl couldn’t hold it in anymore.
"Master——"
On the soft couch, Chen Ye was leisurely reading an ancient book, when suddenly he felt a weight on his leg.
He saw Qing Jun sprawled on his leg like a salted fish, her silver hair spread out, her delicate little face full of boredom:
"How many more days until we arrive? Qing Jun is going to grow mushrooms..."
"That’s because you’re lazy."
Without lifting his gaze from the book, Chen Ye gently flicked her forehead,
"I told you to sit in meditation and cultivate Qi, yet you had to count clouds and daydream. If you’re feeling idle, go meditate with your senior sister, and temper your temperament."
"I won’t."
Qing Jun shook her head like a drum, grabbed a small white fox trying to sneak away, and used it as a pillow to knead,
"Qing Jun is a genius; there’s no need to waste time meditating! Besides, Qing Jun isn’t human, why should I cultivate like you guys? I only need to breathe Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi!"
It sounded reasonable.
Qing Jun’s cultivation indeed didn’t rely much on meditation, since being a dragon, there’s no notion of dragons meditating... Of course, most importantly, the True Dragon Race is favored by the heavens, breathing in and out, they can swallow spiritual essence.
Putting down the book, Chen Ye amusingly looked at the playful little apprentice in his arms:
"Oh? So this is your reason for not cultivating?"
He extended his hand and gently stroked Qing Jun’s smooth silver hair.
As he stroked, Qing Jun’s small dragon horns couldn’t help but pop out.
Hmph... You brought them out on your own!
Chen Ye, with a clear conscience, played with the soft little dragon horns of his disciple, and the girl instantly squinted her eyes with comfort, purring like a cat.
"Mmm... Master is talking nonsense! Qing Jun isn’t lazy; I just want to play with Master... Master, your touch is so comfortable..."
Qing Jun simply stopped lying down and twisted her body, wrapping all four limbs around Chen Ye like a koala. She buried her head in his chest, rubbing her face against it,
"Hehe, Master smells better and better! It’s a delicious scent!"
Once again, Chen Ye suspected this girl was a clingy little creature, always finding opportunities to stick to her master.
He put on a stern face and pinched Qing Jun’s ear: "You rebellious disciple, thinking about eating your Master all day, aren’t you?"
"No! I was just saying! And besides, it’s the highest praise Qing Jun can give!"
The girl was indignant, and just as she saw him intending to stand up, she quickly puffed up her cheeks,
"No leaving allowed! If Master leaves, Qing Jun will... throw a fit right here! And since Master played with Qing Jun’s horns just now, you have to take responsibility! You must play with Qing Jun!"
Chen Ye had no choice.
He sighed helplessly, sat back down on the couch, letting her cling to him, his gaze turning towards the vast cloud sea outside the window.
This eight-day journey, for a restless young dragon full of curiosity, indeed felt like imprisonment.
Suddenly, Chen Ye had an idea, a smile appearing on his face:
"Since you find it boring, I’ll teach you a new way to play."
"A new way to play?!"
Qing Jun’s ears perked up, and she instantly became spirited, poking her head out of Chen Ye’s arms, eyes sparkling,
"What is it? Is it something delicious? Or fighting?"
"It involves both eating and fighting."
Chen Ye smiled mysteriously, swept his large sleeve, and took the big attachment to the terrace.
The flying ship sailed at ten thousand feet high.
Below was a thick, white sea of clouds like cotton, above was a washed-clear azure sky. Occasionally, a few giant flying demon beasts appeared, flickering through the clouds, tumbling and leaping.