Vroom —
The roar of an engine streaked across the sky. From the depths of the layered sea of clouds, a massive Heaven-Patrolling Flying Boat broke through and sped across the horizon.
“Whoaaa!”
Xia Xia’s eyes went wide. She pointed a slender finger toward the distance and shouted excitedly.
“Master, Master, look over there! Doesn’t that cloud look like a turtle?”
“Indeed. It looks quite a bit like you.”
Nan Xi was merciless with his words. In front of Xia Xia, he seemed to have fully unlocked his “sharp-tongued” trait.
“Master is bullying me again!”
Xia Xia’s little face puffed up, making her look exactly like a little pufferfish.
But after a short moment, her gaze was drawn back to the distant clouds, and her previous anger was completely forgotten.
One could not blame Xia Xia for being so excited.
For a Miscellaneous Disciple like her, the opportunity to board a Heaven-Patrolling Flying Boat to go outside was not something that happened often.
Especially now, as they were riding on a private line specifically arranged by the Tianhe Sect. It was intended solely for Nan Xi’s group to travel from the Tianhe Sect to Daye City.
Aside from anything else, the comfort level alone was maximized.
The flying boat was equipped with spacious, roomy bedrooms, a cultivation room for disciples to simulate their training, and a viewing platform on the uppermost deck spanning hundreds of square meters, allowing the Elders and disciples to look out at the scenery.
As for the biting winds of the high altitude?
There was no need to worry about that.
The flying boat was loaded with temperature-regulating and wind-blocking spells.
When flying at high altitudes, the oncoming wind was automatically weakened into a gentle breeze that only ruffled one’s hair.
The temperature was also controlled to match the conditions on the ground.
Because of this, they were able to comfortably enjoy the winter sun on the deck.
It wasn’t just Nan Xi and his disciple; the other disciples had also run up to the deck to gaze at the distant scenery.
The two girls, Wen Ruan and Ji Hongmei, seemed to have already become well-acquainted.
From the moment they boarded the ship, they had been chatting incessantly about everything from Ling Peak gossip to bottlenecks in their cultivation.
On the other side, the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple, Wang Quan, stood by the railing with excitement he couldn’t hide in his eyes.
It wasn’t surprising. Although his status was that of an Inner Sect Disciple, he was still a child. It was only natural to be excited about an excursion like this.
As for Yun Peng, one of the Seven Stars of Tianhe.
He seemed to have been provoked by something. After boarding the Heaven-Patrolling Flying Boat, he had locked himself in his room to cultivate in peace, acting as if he wouldn’t show his face again until he reached the Late Golden Core Stage.
However, that had nothing to do with Nan Xi.
Nan Xi closed his eyes, wantonly enjoying the winter sunlight.
……
Unfortunately, a second later, Nan Xi’s leisure time was shattered.
A voice like a silver bell rang out beside him, immediately followed by his shoulders being shaken violently.
“Master, Master, look at the houses on the ground! They’re so tiny!”
Nan Xi opened his eyes and looked at Xia Xia with annoyance.
‘Interrupting your Master’s rest will earn you extra training tonight!’
At this moment, poor Xia Xia did not seem to foresee the coming hardship and continued to gaze excitedly at the earth.
“Master, Master, we’re flying so fast! I just saw a mountaintop, and then whoosh — it’s gone!”
“Naturally,” Nan Xi spoke slowly. “At our current speed, we should arrive at Daye City by tomorrow morning.”
He was actually being conservative.
The Heaven-Patrolling Flying Boat sent by the Tianhe Sect was a specialized private model, much faster than the ordinary boats that connected major cities.
If they hadn’t slowed down their cruising speed for the sake of comfort, they would have likely arrived at Daye City even sooner.
“Mmm…”
Beside Nan Xi, Xia Xia performed a long stretch. Crossing her hands in front of her, she slowly leaned against the railing, peeking at Nan Xi with one eye.
“By the way, Master, is Daye City your hometown?”
Nan Xi paused for a moment, thinking.
“No, it isn’t.”
“Eh? But I heard that you graduated from Daye Village School, Master.”
“I only went to school and practiced there.”
Nan Xi gave a light laugh.
“Daye City is considered one of the top cities in the entire Hongze Prefecture. The cultivation families from many surrounding small towns send their children to the various village schools in Daye City for their primary training. The most famous one among them is Daye Village School.”
“Wow, then Master must have been very impressive back at Daye Village School.”
“Well, I suppose so.”
Nan Xi gave an awkward laugh, avoiding the question.
He wasn’t about to admit that he had spent all three years at Daye Village School going against the instructors and Elders.
Nan Xi entered Daye Village School as a 12-year-old and stayed until he graduated at age 15.
During that time, he had caused dozens of incidents, both large and small.
It was a regular occurrence for him to fall asleep because a class was too boring or accidentally hit an assistant instructor’s spiritual beast too hard because he didn’t hold back.
He was the literal menace of Daye Village School.
In fact, under normal circumstances, one needed to study for four years at Daye Village School or reach the Golden Core Stage to graduate.
Unfortunately, Nan Xi did not want to reveal that he had reached the Golden Core Stage.
So, he secretly caught the spiritual koi that the Principal had raised in the academy’s back lake for ten years, roasted it, and ate it.
He seasoned it with salt, pepper, and cumin, and it smelled so good that the Principal even came over to share a bite when he passed by.
The Principal smiled and said it was roasted well, then asked where the fish came from.
Nan Xi replied that it was all thanks to the Principal’s excellent care; without the Principal’s diligent attention, where would such a good fish come from?
And then…
And then Nan Xi was punished for his combined crimes. He left Daye Village School in a way that was nominally a graduation but was actually an expulsion.
After all these years, he was actually returning to Daye Village School.
‘Bet you didn’t expect this, Principal! The “great one” from the back row is returning home in glory!’
“Master, Master, do you think they’ll be surprised when they find out you’re an alumnus at Daye Village School?”
“I expect they will.”
Nan Xi nodded in agreement.
Hopefully, the Principal would take it easy on him for the sake of their “old friendship.”
“Yay! Then can I look forward to a big feast?” Xia Xia began counting on her fingers. “I want to eat roast duck, roast pig, grilled fish… and I heard the local specialty, Daye Soy-Braised Duck, is also delicious.”
“You silly girl, all you think about is eating.” Nan Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he lightly flicked her forehead.
“Because I’ve never tried them before, hee-hee. I want to give them a taste.”
“Fine.” A faint smile appeared at the corner of Nan Xi’s mouth. “Once we reach Daye City, I’ll find a chance to take you to eat something good.”
In Daye City, your Master might not know much else, but he certainly knew the famous old establishments when it came to food. Not to mention, he himself was an expert at roasting fish.
Even the Principal said it was good!
“Hooray!!!”
Xia Xia cheered, her bell-like laughter scattering in the wind.
Nan Xi smiled faintly and reached out to gently stroke Xia Xia’s soft, long hair.
His gaze turned toward the endless, continuous sea of clouds in the distance, the sky stretching out vast and boundless.