Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen attended every subsequent exchange gathering, but he never saw Shi Man again.
In truth, as time passed, fewer and fewer people participated in the gatherings.
After all, only a small fraction of participants had successfully exchanged for the items they desired. The majority, unable to find what they sought, naturally lost interest in attending.
The Giant Flying Ship sped through the vast expanse of the sky, though the journey was not without its perils.
On several occasions, they were attacked by avian demon beasts, but the ship's indestructible protective shield ensured their safety each time.
After ten months of travel, the ship gradually began to slow down.
This was because the once-desolate skies now showed scattered cultivators flying through the air. To avoid colliding with powerful individuals or accidentally harming low-tier cultivators with influential backers, the ship had to reduce its speed.
As the number of airborne cultivators increased, a relatively flat landscape came into view.
In the distance, a colossal city loomed at the edge of the horizon.
The city had no walls, allowing free entry and exit.
Its architecture was strikingly diverse: some pavilions soared skyward, piercing the clouds, while others were deep courtyards with winding paths leading to secluded corners.
The city had everything: palaces, temples, shops, taverns, inns—all the amenities one could desire.
The streets teemed with people, and cultivators streamed through in endless waves.
Some soared through the air on their swords, others rode exotic beasts, while still others walked among the crowds, each hurrying along their own path of cultivation.
The Giant Flying Ship gradually slowed, finally coming to a halt a hundred miles outside the city walls.
At the same moment, Jin Xun's voice boomed across the ship:
"Guests aboard the Giant Flying Ship, we have arrived at Cloudveil City. Please disembark."
Song Wen stepped out of his cabin, levitated to the ship's bow, and turned to survey the cultivators disembarking.
Suddenly, his peripheral vision caught sight of a slightly plump figure.
It was Shi Man.
Compared to their last encounter, Shi Man's Blood Qi was noticeably stronger, indicating she had successfully refined the Tara's Heart.
Song Wen moved swiftly, flying over to her.
"Greetings, Senior Shi Man," Song Wen said, bowing respectfully.
Shi Man was intently studying Cloudveil City in the distance, her eyes gleaming with an unknown anticipation.
Hearing Song Wen's greeting, she didn't even turn her head, refusing to give him a proper glance.
"Ye Hua, what do you want?" she asked coolly.
Song Wen said, "I haven't seen you at the last nine exchange gatherings, Senior, and I've been quite concerned. Seeing you safe and well today has eased my mind considerably. I came specifically to offer my greetings."
Shi Man shifted her gaze from the distant city to Song Wen.
"Oh? You've been so worried about me?"
"The junior wouldn't dare deceive you, Senior." Song Wen paused, as if weighing his words carefully.
After a moment, he seemed to steel his resolve and continued, "I admit, my concern for you isn't entirely selfless. I hope to gain your protection in the future. But my cultivation is weak, and I'm new to this unfamiliar land. It's only natural to feel lost and afraid, and to seek a powerful patron for support."
Shi Man said, "At least you're honest. I might consider taking you under my wing, but I'm heading to Veiled Moon Hall today to participate in the outer sect elder assessment. It's not convenient to bring you along."
Song Wen said, "I understand, Senior. I humbly request to exchange Communication Jade Slips with you."
With both hands, Song Wen presented a Communication Jade Slip to Shi Man.
Shi Man accepted the jade slip and casually tossed another into Song Wen's palm.
"Many thanks, Senior," Song Wen said, his face lighting up as if he had received a priceless treasure.
"I must now depart for Veiled Moon Hall," Shi Man said, her figure blurring as she soared toward Cloudveil City.
Song Wen clasped his hands in a respectful bow toward Shi Man's retreating figure, calling out loudly, "I wish Senior Shi Man success in becoming an outer sect elder of Veiled Moon Hall. This junior eagerly awaits news of your triumph."
Shi Man's silhouette swiftly descended into Cloudveil City, disappearing among the city's staggered buildings.
At that moment, Ye Bing's voice echoed in Song Wen's mind.
"Gou Jun, you spent eight hundred high-grade spirit stones and went to great lengths to curry favor, yet all you gained was a single Communication Jade Slip. This seems like a rather poor bargain, wouldn't you say?"
Hearing this, Song Wen turned to look.
Ye Bing stood atop a small earthen mound several hundred miles away, her face veiled, her expression unreadable.
Song Wen flew over and landed beside her on the mound's summit.
"Immortal Maiden Ye Bing," Song Wen replied, deliberately avoiding the question, "it has been several months since we last met. You seem even more radiant than before, and your cultivation appears to have advanced considerably."
Ye Bing wasn't so easily diverted. She regarded Song Wen with a knowing, almost amused look.
"What exactly are you plotting by getting close to Shi Man? Tell me, and perhaps I can lend you a hand. In return, you need only share a portion of the rewards."
Cultivators occasionally passed overhead, so Song Wen and Ye Bing communicated using spiritual sense transmission to prevent their conversation from being overheard.
Song Wen replied, "Immortal Maiden, you misunderstand. I approached Shi Man solely to court her, with no ulterior motives."
Ye Bing retorted, "If we were strangers, I might believe your lies. But what exactly does Shi Man possess that makes her worth such effort to please?"
Song Wen shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Immortal Maiden, while there may have been some misunderstandings between us in the past, those are now behind us. We've both just arrived in Cloudveil City and should support each other, advancing together. Yet your constant suspicion truly chills my heart."
Ye Bing rolled her eyes, her gaze filled with disdain.
"Fine, keep your secrets. But remember, the Veiled Moon Hall is a branch of the Divine Blood Gate. Shi Man herself is no threat, but once she successfully joins the Veiled Moon Hall, she'll become someone you can't afford to provoke."
"Thank you for the warning, Immortal Maiden," Song Wen replied. "I never intended to scheme against Shi Man, so naturally, I have no reason to offend the Veiled Moon Hall."
Ye Bing shook her head slightly. She had offered her warning out of goodwill, fulfilling her duty of benevolence. If 'Gou Jun' insisted on his course and met with misfortune, it would be his own fault.
"What are your plans now?" Ye Bing asked, changing the subject.
Song Wen turned his gaze toward Cloudveil City, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
"I'll first go to Cloudveil City to gather information before deciding where to settle."
"I had the same idea," Ye Bing said.
"Then let us part ways here," Song Wen said. "If you ever encounter difficulties, Immortal Maiden, please send me a message. As long as it's within my power, I will certainly help you resolve your troubles."
"Save those words for Shi Man," Ye Bing replied.
With that, Ye Bing soared into the sky and flew toward Cloudveil City.
(End of the Chapter)
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