Translator: CinderTL
During his conversation with Wang Yi, Song Wen learned that the Qicang Flying Ark, which he and the others were about to board, had begun recruiting passengers forty years ago.
In those four decades, only six passengers had been secured. Yet today, within a single day, two more passengers—including Song Wen himself—had been recruited, a truly unexpected turn of events.
This development caught Song Wen off guard. If "Eighth" turned out to be a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator, the Qicang Flying Ark might depart at any moment, leaving him insufficient time to refine his Substitute Puppet.
Greetings, fellow daoists. I am Shui Bing. This was the message from "Eighth."
What is your cultivation level, fellow daoist?
Just as with Song Wen's previous experience, the first to respond to Shui Bing was Zhong Jun, "First."
Divine Transformation Stage, Shui Bing replied.
Excellent! We now have eight members: three Divine Transformation Stage cultivators and five Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, perfectly meeting the Dual Polarity Sect's minimum requirement. With this, we can depart within the next few days, Zhong Jun said, his voice brimming with joy.
Depart so soon? Shui Bing's tone carried a hint of hesitation.
Now that we have a full complement, we should depart as soon as possible, Zhong Jun stated matter-of-factly.
Shui Bing: Fellow Daoist, I apologize, but I still have some matters to resolve and cannot leave the Qianchang Wilderness for the time being.
Zhong Jun: How long will it take you to settle your affairs?
Shui Bing: Twenty years.
Zhong Jun: What?! Twenty years! Fellow Daoist, are you joking? You expect seven of us to wait for you alone for two whole decades?! Zhong Jun said, his voice tinged with annoyance.
Shui Bing: I truly have pressing matters and cannot depart immediately. If you fellow Daoists are eager to set out, I will have to withdraw.
Zhong Jun, eager to reach the Qicang Domain, was unwilling to wait any longer, yet he hesitated to let Shui Bing withdraw so easily. He knew it might be a long time before another Divine Transformation Stage cultivator joined their group. He tried to persuade Shui Bing:
Fellow Daoist Shui Bing, we risk our lives crossing the Rotting Miasma Ridge solely to reach the Qicang Domain and seek opportunities. Having made this decision, why cling to the grudges and entanglements of the Qianchang Wilderness, wasting precious time and lifespan?
Shui Bing: Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. However, I have unavoidable reasons. Since I cannot accompany you, I will simply wait for the next Qicang Flying Ark.
Fellow Daoist Shui Bing, wait! At this moment, 'Number Five' suddenly spoke up. I also have urgent matters that will delay me for several years. I agree to depart in twenty years.
Wei Qian, what is the meaning of this? Zhong Jun's temper flared instantly.
"Wei Qian" was clearly the title of Number Five.
Fellow Daoist Zhong Jun, you wish to depart for the Qicang Domain as soon as possible, but you cannot force us to comply, Wei Qian replied, a hint of mockery in his tone.
He then sent another message: To the other five young friends, please share your preferences as well. Do you wish to depart immediately, or wait twenty years?
After sending this message, Wei Qian waited a long time, but no one responded.
It was unclear whether the other four cultivators besides Song Wen were not near Crimson Rainbow City and thus couldn't receive the message, or whether they simply didn't want to get involved in the dispute between the three Divine Transformation Stage cultivators.
Speaking up now, regardless of which side they supported, risked offending the other.
Zhong Jun, in particular, seemed obsessed with departing immediately. Anyone who dared to support the "twenty years later" option would undoubtedly earn his resentment.
Seeing the continued silence, Wei Qian pressed further:
Young friends, are you truly so unwilling to give Wei Qian even this small courtesy? Not a single reply! Could it be that none of you are near Crimson Rainbow City? Seventh, you just reserved your seat on the Giant Flying Ship today, so you must still be in the city, right? Why not share your thoughts?
Song Wen, who had been quietly observing the three seniors' debate, was caught off guard when Wei Qian suddenly turned the conversation toward him. Wei Qian's tone carried a subtle hint of threat; failing to respond might earn his resentment.
While Song Wen also preferred to delay the departure by a few years, he didn't want to offend any of the three seniors. If he were to travel with them, antagonizing even one could lead to hidden dangers.
The departure date is entirely up to you three seniors. There's no need to consult this junior's opinion. I'm ready to depart at any time, Song Wen replied.
Unexpectedly, Song Wen's message was immediately followed by four more replies:
This junior has no objections to departing at any time, said Second.
This junior will follow the arrangements made by you three seniors, said Third.
The departure date is entirely up to you three seniors to decide, said Fourth.
This junior agrees as well, said Sixth.
Seeing these four identical replies, Song Wen felt a wave of helplessness. The other four Nascent Soul Stage cultivators were apparently all near Crimson Rainbow City and had received the messages. Yet none had voiced their opinions before he spoke.
Moreover, their replies mirrored his own almost exactly. If any Divine Transformation Stage cultivator were to become displeased, Song Wen would likely be the first to incur their resentment.
As expected, every cultivator who had reached the Nascent Soul Stage, especially rogue cultivators and those from minor sects, was exceedingly cautious.
Heh, these five young friends certainly know how to protect themselves. Since that's the case, I won't press them further, lest I be seen as an unreasonable villain. Wei Qian's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
Wei Qian, are you mocking me? Zhong Ren's voice was icy.
Fellow Daoist Zhong Ren, you're overthinking things. Why would I mock you? Wei Qian replied. However, since these five young friends are unwilling to commit, and Fellow Daoist Shui Bing and I both agree to depart in twenty years, you alone wish to leave immediately. Therefore, we have two options: either the minority yields to the majority, and all eight of us depart in twenty years, or we part ways and each seek new companions.
A long silence followed before Zhong Ren finally responded.
Very well, let's proceed as Fellow Daoist Wei Qian and Fellow Daoist Shui Bing suggest—we'll depart in twenty years.
If they truly parted ways, Zhong Ren had no idea how long it would take him to gather sufficient manpower. He had no choice but to compromise.
Changing the subject, Zhong Ren continued, Since all eight of us are present today, why not seize this opportunity to discuss some matters? For instance, how should we handle funding?
Wei Qian replied, "Fellow Daoist Zhong Ren speaks wisely. Since you proposed this matter, you must have a plan in mind. Why not share it directly?"
Zhong Ren didn't answer directly but instead asked, "Fellow Daoist Shui Bing, what are your thoughts on this?"
Shui Bing responded, "I am deeply grateful to all of you for agreeing to wait twenty years before launching the ark. As for the funding arrangements, please discuss them amongst yourselves. There's no need to consult me."
Zhong Ren said, "Since that's the case, I'll share my proposal. The five Nascent Soul Stage juniors have limited resources and must rely on us three Divine Transformation Stage cultivators. Why not have the five juniors contribute ten thousand high-grade spirit stones as compensation for our assistance? If any other Nascent Soul cultivators wish to join the Qicang Flying Ark within the next twenty years, they can share the ten thousand high-grade spirit stones equally with the original five juniors."
(End of the Chapter)
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