Protect Our Patriarch

……

At this moment, Yunyang felt an unparalleled sense of ease, as if he were floating on clouds.

After so many years of suppression, finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel was truly exhilarating.

After advancing to the Divine Realm, the bloodline within his body had undergone a transformation. The profound energy in his meridians was as thick as liquid, his soul had grown substantial, and the laws of the Heavenly Dao became increasingly clear in his eyes, as if he could manipulate them with a flick of his finger, unleashing unfathomable divine powers.

In that instant, Yunyang even felt as if he were invincible in the world. Even if Langya were in front of him, he could slap him to death.

However, this was clearly an illusion formed by the sudden surge in power.

Though powerful, a Divine Realm cultivator was far from being invincible. Even compared to Langya Daoist, he still had a gap to bridge, but it was now a gap he could contend with.

Just as Yunyang, no, Yunyang Daoist was feeling high-spirited and boastful.

In the capital city of Muyue, more than twenty auras of Divine Realm cultivators rose one after another, and voices of congratulations, both male and female, echoed in the sky: "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on stepping into the Divine Realm."

"I am the second Ancestor of the Li Clan, a third-grade family in Muyue. Fellow Daoist, if you have time, come visit my Li Clan, and I will surely entertain you well."

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, I am from the second-grade family in Muyue..."

For a moment, grand voices spread across the sky, creating a lively atmosphere.

These were all Divine Realm cultivators from various families in the capital city of Muyue. Yunyang chose to advance in Muyue, causing such a commotion that it was naturally impossible to hide from these big shots.

Divine Realm cultivators, no matter where they were, were big figures worthy of respect and befriending.

Given the opportunity, these big shots were naturally willing to show goodwill and make connections.

After a while.

A more powerful and profound aura shot straight into the sky, and a voice, both majestic and gentle, came from it: "I am Ying Yuanye. It's been so many years since a new Divine Realm was born. This is a blessing for our human race. If you have time, young friend, come to my mansion for a chat."

As soon as this person's aura appeared.

The auras of the other Divine Realm cultivators paused immediately, and they hurriedly greeted: "Greetings, Lord of the Prefecture."

Yunyang Daoist quickly collected his proud emotions and bowed: "Yunyang from Lingyun Holy Land of Eastern Qian Kingdom, greets the Lord of the Prefecture."

This was the territory of the Immortal Dynasty, so as a person from the Great Qian, he naturally had to be low-key and humble.

The Immortal Dynasty was powerful, and the size of this Muyue Prefecture alone was almost comparable to the entire Great Qian, and in all aspects, it was more developed. In terms of overall strength, it was above the Great Qian, which had only developed for seven or eight thousand years.

As the Lord of the Prefecture of Muyue, although his power was not as absolute as Emperor Longchang's, he was still a top figure, a high-ranking official.

Being summoned by such a big figure, Yunyang was naturally very happy.

Unexpectedly.

Before Yunyang could move, he heard that voice continue.

"So, you're from Eastern Qian's Holy Master Jiang. What possessed you to come to my Muyue capital to advance?" Ying Yuanye's voice sounded quite disappointed, "I thought you were a rogue cultivator when you rented the cave mansion. Well, then don't come, do whatever you want."

Yunyang Daoist almost fell from the sky.

Lord Ying, can't you be less realistic? As soon as you see a target that can't be recruited, you immediately show a cold face. Can't you, as a senior, casually bestow some congratulatory gifts?

However, the other Divine Realm cultivators still expressed "no dislike" and remained quite enthusiastic.

Having an organized Divine Realm cultivator was fine; everyone could get to know each other, make friends, and it might be useful in the future.

And Yunyang Daoist also responded one by one, planning to accept their invitations in the near future.

Speaking of Yunyang, he wasn't very good at making money and was quite narrow-minded and vengeful. But he had an extremely outstanding quality: he loved making friends.

As the saying goes, "The more friends you have, the easier the road."

He managed to raise his beloved disciple Lici to such excellence with nothing but "friends."

Lici was only in the Purple Mansion Realm, and her future path was still long.

The friends he made in the first half of his life had been exhausted, and it was time to "replenish" a wave of new friends.

Therefore, Yunyang Daoist was very attentive and happy about these new friends' invitations.

Afterward.

He returned to the cave mansion he had rented.

Seeing him descend from the sky, Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er came up to him: "Congratulations, Master/Yunyang Uncle."

"Hahaha, I owe my success today entirely to your filial piety, Lici." Yunyang Daoist said with satisfaction, "Prepare yourself, once Master makes some new friends, we'll take the next Yun Yao flying boat back to the Great Qian."

"That's great." Wang Lici was also quite excited, "This time, we can finally return home in glory. It's been so long since I've seen my family."

"To celebrate, let's have the chef come over and stew that Dragon Whale whole."

"The whole, whole thing?"

"What, do you have a problem? Afraid I can't afford the immortal crystals?"

"No, no... This senior is a Divine Ability Master, what's an eighth-grade Dragon Whale? I'm just afraid you three won't be able to finish it..."

"Today I'm happy, I'm going to eat to my heart's content."

"..." The chef.

……

Around the same time.

In the western region of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty.

In the blue sky, a flying carriage with a golden family crest was cutting through the clouds, flying westward at a seemingly slow but actually fast pace.

The white clouds scattered, and the flying carriage sped like a meteor. The pair of storks pulling it flapped their massive wings, their long, silky feathers shimmering in the sunlight, looking magnificent.

These were spiritual birds specially bred by the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty to pull flying carriages. They were not only large and fast but also gentle in nature and exceptionally stable in flight, making them more suitable for pulling carriages than ordinary spiritual birds.

Compared to the flying carriages of the Great Qian, this one wasn't much different in luxury, but it was much larger, about two to three times the length and width of a standard flying carriage in the Great Qian. The interior was particularly spacious, and with some modifications, it could easily accommodate people living inside.

The artifact refining industry of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty was far more advanced than that of the Great Qian, and naturally, their flying carriage crafting techniques were superior. The materials used for this flying carriage were specially treated spiritual wood, making it lighter than ordinary spiritual wood. Although the exterior looked similar to the flying carriages of the Great Qian, the details involved many high-end artifact refining techniques, covering a wide range and with high technical content.

Currently, only the artifact refining organization of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty possessed the technology to craft such flying carriages, and they were expensive. Even in the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, only the upper-class families had the financial resources to use them as regular travel carriages.

This flying carriage belonged to a first-grade family in the southern part of the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, the Han Clan.

Inside the flying carriage, several young men of handsome appearance and outstanding temperament were sitting on comfortable soft chairs padded with down cushions, sipping tea and enjoying snacks while chatting leisurely.

"Gongyang, my dear brother, once you leave, who knows when we'll meet again. Let's have this cup of tea as a farewell toast to you." One of the young men raised his teacup and smiled at the white-clad young man opposite him, "This time, as you return to Eastern Qian, I wish you a smooth journey and success in the Holy Son Struggle!"

This young man was named Han Langtai, a talented member of the first-grade Han Clan of the Immortal Dynasty. This flying carriage was his.

"Thank you, Brother Langtai." The white-clad young man smiled and drank the tea in his cup.

This young man was none other than Gongyang Ce, who had been traveling in the Immortal Dynasty for years.

After the incident with the deposed Commandery Prince Kang, Wu Chengsi, he was "exiled to the Immortal Dynasty" by Wang Shouzhe and was quite depressed for a while, not wanting to return to the Great Qian, the place of his heartbreak.

Later, as time passed, he gradually came to terms with it.

He realized that he had been blind, mistaking a stone for a gem. His vision was inferior, his methods were inferior, and his wisdom and strategy were inferior. He lost fair and square.

A temporary setback wasn't scary; what was scary was losing one's spirit and never recovering.

He was only three hundred years old, with infinite possibilities ahead.

After regaining his composure, he traveled through the Immortal Dynasty, making many like-minded friends. Moreover, he didn't neglect his cultivation, and over the decades, his strength had improved significantly.

Now, his mindset and strength were incomparable to before. This time, he returned to his homeland, determined to make a big splash and give his all to compete for the position of Holy Son.

If successful, he would become the Holy Master of the Holy Land, one of the two pillars of the Great Qian.

Thinking of this, his eyes shone with brilliance, full of spirit and vigor.

"By the way, Gongyang, I heard that among your competitors this time, there's a fairy with the surname Wang, who seems to have some blood relation with the first-grade Wang Clan of the Immortal Dynasty."

Amidst the laughter and chatter, a young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes sitting to his right suddenly asked.

This young man was surnamed Jiang, named Xingyuan, a disciple of the Immortal Palace, and considered one of the great prodigies there. He was also one of Gongyang Ce's closest friends among those present.

"Brother Jiang, you're talking about Wang Liyao." Gongyang Ce smiled, "She's indeed remarkable. When she first appeared, she swept through the capital, and her reputation has only grown over the years. Her strength has increased rapidly, making her a formidable opponent. Speaking of which, her father is also an extraordinary figure. When I failed in the Imperial Heir Struggle, her father played a significant role."

"However, Brother Jiang, weren't you always indifferent to family matters? Why the sudden interest in the first-grade Wang Clan?" Gongyang Ce curiously glanced at him.

"It's not really interest. A few years ago, didn't the first-grade Wang Clan make a big fuss about changing their ancestral hall and acknowledging an ancestor? I heard it was initiated by Eastern Qian. And the Yao Clan, Wu Clan, they've also been stirring things up in recent years, seemingly related to the Wang Clan of Eastern Qian." Jiang Xingyuan chuckled, "I've just heard a lot and got curious. I wonder what the Wang Clan of Eastern Qian is like, causing such a stir in the Immortal Dynasty from across the Storm Ocean. Now, hearing you talk, it seems this Wang Clan has indeed produced some remarkable figures, quite intriguing."

"If you're curious, Brother Jiang, why not return with me?" Gongyang Ce invited, "I've long wanted to meet the head of the Wang Clan, but due to our differing stances in the past, I never succeeded. This time, if there's a chance, I must make his acquaintance. Since you're curious, why not join me?"

Jiang Xingyuan was initially stunned, then readily agreed: "Sure. I'll treat it as a journey."

He had left the Immortal Palace to travel and broaden his horizons, so any destination was fine. Although Eastern Qian was a bit far, with Gongyang Ce as a companion, there was no reason not to go.

"Brother Xingyuan's free-spirited nature is as carefree as ever." Han Langtai laughed heartily, "You're making me want to join you. Unfortunately, I have many family businesses to manage and can't accompany you. When you reach Eastern Qian and meet that legendary family head, don't forget to send me a letter and tell me if he really has three heads and six arms."

Everyone burst into laughter at his words.

Gongyang Ce and Jiang Xingyuan also laughed: "Don't worry, Brother, we won't forget you."

When in good spirits, time flies by quickly.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, the driver of the flying carriage reminded them: "We're about to reach the capital city of Muyue. Gentlemen, please prepare for landing."

Upon reaching the capital city of Muyue, Gongyang Ce felt a surge of excitement.

Soon, the Yun Yao flying boat of Yao's Air Transport would pass through the capital city of Muyue, marking Gongyang Ce's official return to Lingyun Holy Land.

Speaking of which, he had to thank Wang Shouzhe.

It was Wang Shouzhe who made him realize his immature and overly arrogant side. Without him, he wouldn't have settled down to travel and cultivate in the Han Yue Immortal Dynasty, gaining some fortuitous encounters and making many like-minded friends.

Especially that one fortuitous encounter, which further enhanced his bloodline, reaching the level of a great prodigy of class B.

Although Wang Liyao was exceptionally talented, she was also at the level of a great prodigy of class B. Moreover, he was older, giving him a significant advantage in cultivation and mindset. This time, it was uncertain who would emerge victorious.

……

Ten days later.

The Yun Yao flying boat of Yao's Air Transport arrived as scheduled, its massive hull landing in the outskirts of the capital city of Muyue, bustling with loading and unloading activities.

Compared to the earlier ten-year cycle of trips to Eastern Qian.

In recent years, Yao's Air Transport increased the frequency of trips to Eastern Qian, turning it into a three-year cycle.

The reason was simple: it was profitable.

In the past, the Great Qian didn't have much demand for the Immortal Dynasty's goods, as they were expensive, and they produced what they could themselves. What they couldn't produce, they made do with.

The main business targets were the Eastern Qian royal family, the second-grade Zhao Clan, and a few third-grade families. The goods brought back were mostly raw materials with little added value, not worth much.

But now, with the addition of Changning Wang's Clan as a business partner, everything changed.

Changning Wang's Clan cultivated some high-quality spiritual rice varieties, which, although not as high-end as some of the Immortal Dynasty's internal high-grade spiritual rice, had a price advantage. Overall, both Yao's and Wang's Clans made a decent profit.

Additionally, some of Wang's small products were quite popular, such as mirrors, glassware, and various products, as well as large flat glass materials.

Especially in recent years, the glass-bottled wine launched by Prince An and Wang's Clan had gained a certain market.

With considerable profits on both ends, Yao's Air Transport naturally became eager for the Eastern Qian route.

Once the Yun Yao flying boat finished loading.

Those heading to Eastern Qian could board the ship.

With Yao's increasing the frequency of flights to Eastern Qian, ticket prices had dropped significantly, gradually attracting some less successful family scions or high-level rogue cultivators from the Immortal Dynasty to try their luck in Eastern Qian.

Therefore, Yao's simply modified the Yun Yao flying boat to Eastern Qian, creating rooms of different qualities and selling tickets at different prices.

"Three tickets, one single room, one double room." Wang Lici and her master and apprentice arrived at the Yun Yao flying boat early in the morning to purchase tickets.

"Tickets are one thousand immortal crystals per person, not including meals, and you sleep in the common area. The single room is one thousand immortal crystals, the double room is one thousand five hundred Qian gold, totaling five thousand five hundred immortal crystals."

"So expensive? Why not just rob us!" Wang Lici's eyes widened. That was worth five hundred and fifty thousand Qian gold. Most importantly, such expensive tickets didn't even include meals?

"Too expensive, too expensive, Sister Lici, why don't we take a sea route and slowly make our way back?" Lan Wan'er chimed in.

"Hey, it's you two?"

Behind the ticket seller, a chubby middle-aged manager heard the commotion and walked over. Seeing Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er, his face instantly changed.

"Who are you?"

The chubby manager, trembling with anger, said, "You two little girls hurt me and forgot about this manager? Do you remember the five little wolf cubs you shipped?"

"Oh, it's you... the chubby, greasy middle-aged manager uncle." Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er suddenly realized, remembering him, "Uncle, weren't you the branch manager? Why are you running the ship now?"

"Isn't it because of you two girls?" The chubby manager, mentioning the matter, became so sad that he shed tears, "Your little wolf cubs, boohoo, they ruined me, ruined me terribly. After Young Master Chengchao returned, he directly revoked my position as branch manager and made me run the ship to pay off debts~~ I can't go home until I pay off the debt, my wife, my little..."

"Oh, it's an acquaintance." Lan Wan'er laughed happily, her eyes curved as she coquettishly bargained, "Chubby, greasy, ugly middle-aged manager uncle, why not give us a discount?"

"Scram!" The chubby manager roared, "Add five hundred immortal crystals per person, or walk to Eastern Qian!"

"Hey, you..."

Yunyang Daoist was instantly infuriated.

Having just advanced to the Divine Realm, his temper had been growing recently. Seeing the chubby manager's poor attitude, he was about to lose his temper when Wang Lici stopped him.

"Master, we can handle such a small matter."

With that, Wang Lici turned to the chubby manager and bargained, "Add five hundred, then five hundred, but meals must be included."

Hearing this, Yunyang Daoist's mouth twitched, and he quickly took a deep breath, silently suppressing his urge to speak.

"Meals included, add one thousand per person, but only ordinary meat and rice, no spiritual rice or spiritual meat." The chubby manager wore a "I'm getting back at you, what can you do" expression, "If you want spiritual rice and meat, eat it slowly in Eastern Qian."

"Is it all-you-can-eat?"

"Yes."

"Here's eight thousand five hundred immortal crystals." Wang Lici, using the arithmetic taught by Fourth Uncle, calculated that it was still a good deal and promptly paid, "Three tickets, meals included for three, one single room, one double room."

"Didn't expect you to be quite wealthy, little girl." The chubby manager quickly collected the money and issued the tickets, swiftly drafting a simple contract, as if afraid Wang Lici would change her mind.

Seeing Wang Lici sign the contract, he was overjoyed. It was a satisfying revenge.

Yunyang Daoist also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling comfortable.

After the three boarded the Yun Yao flying boat.

The ticket seller worriedly asked, "Manager, wasn't the meal charge too harsh? Will they complain?"

"So what if they complain? We have a contract, mutual consent, so what if it's expensive?" The chubby manager said smugly, "In business, we value contracts the most."

While the chubby manager was still smug, on the other side, Wang Lici and her master and apprentice had boarded the ship and were being led to their cabin by a crew member.

"Sister Lici, that chubby manager is really a good person." Lan Wan'er said gratefully, "I'll never speak ill of him again."

Wang Lici nodded, "We've met many bad people and many good people on our journey. This chubby manager must be a typical person with a kind heart despite a fierce appearance."

Yunyang Daoist's mouth twitched.

There were too many points to criticize in that statement, and he didn't know where to start.

Meanwhile, a small green dragon, about three feet long, emerged from Wang Lici's sleeve. It glanced at the chubby manager, now a small figure in the distance, and couldn't help but feel a bit sympathetic.

It wondered where the manager got the courage to promise all-you-can-eat...

These two cute-looking girls were terrifying beings who almost ate the offspring of the green dragon clan to extinction.

As the Green Dragon Ancestor, with no hope for the future, it had to use a secret technique left by its ancestors to reincarnate, trying to find a path to advance to the thirteenth-level Immortal Dragon. However, its grand plan almost ended before it began, nearly eaten by these two girls.

Terrifying, truly terrifying!

Even now, recalling everything felt like an unshakeable nightmare.

"Please wait, fairies."

At this moment, a warm and pleasant male voice suddenly called from behind the three.

Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er turned to look and saw two handsome young men.

One of them, wearing a blue robe, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, struck a dashing and elegant pose, smiling as he greeted them: "I am Jiang Xingyuan, and this is my friend Gongyang Ce. May I know the fairies' names, and are you also heading to the Eastern Qian Kingdom?"

……