Under the azure sky, above the clouds, a giant flying warship moved swiftly forward.
"Taoist Friend Wang, are you there?"
Hearing the voice from outside, Wang Chen, who was flipping through the "True Explanation of Upper Clear Spirit Talisman Atlas," somewhat helplessly set down the book in his hand, "Please come in."
As soon as his words fell, the cabin door silently opened.
A cultivator, clad in brocade robes, flashed into the room and unceremoniously took a seat opposite Wang Chen.
The visitor, tall and handsome with a pair of peach blossom eyes, was evidently the type fond of romance and pleasure.
Wang Chen massaged his temple and asked, "Taoist Friend Yi, what brings you here?"
This brocade-robed cultivator was named Yi Zijin, who had a cultivation level of Purple Mansion second-tier and resided in the cabin next to Wang Chen's.
Yi Zijin had a rather libertine nature and an insouciant air; within just two or three days on the Giant Whale, he had become familiar with fellow passengers on the same deck and even made a few friends.
Such a social butterfly contrasted sharply with Wang Chen, who disliked socializing!
The Giant Whale was divided into five levels, with all the passengers above the deck and on the three upper levels being Purple Mansion cultivators.
And it was divided according to realm.
As a primary-tier Purple Mansion cultivator, Wang Chen's luxury cabin was located on the third level.
This tier had the highest number of Purple Mansion cultivators.
It's said that the Giant Whale could carry five thousand passengers at once, flying to regions millions of miles away.
Wang Chen's destination on this journey was the southern foothills of Jade Dragon Mountain Range, where he would need nearly half a month to arrive.
"Can't I seek you out if there's nothing wrong?"
Yi Zijin smiled mischievously and took out a paper fan, flicking it open with a swish, "Taoist Friend Wang, the path of cultivation requires both tension and relaxation. You're cooped up in your cabin all day long, aren't you afraid of stifling yourself?"
"Let's go sit at Hundred Beauties Pavilion, my treat!"
Wang Chen was truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "Taoist Friend Yi, perhaps you should find someone else. I really am not interested."
Ever since they met, the guy before him had tried time and again to draw him into his indulgences.
Such persistence was truly touching!
Wang Chen firmly declined.
In fact, the Giant Whale was very much like the cruise ships from Wang Chen's previous life, equipped with taverns, teahouses, courtesan houses, and gambling dens inside – a full range of entertainment, albeit at quite high prices.
Particularly the Hundred Beauties Pavilion, occupied solely by female cultivators from the Hehuan Sect, even boasting three Purple Mansion cultivators!
This trip had nearly depleted all of Wang Chen's savings.
To say nothing of a lack of interest, even if he were truly tempted, his current meager means could not support such expenses.
Spending a night with a Purple Mansion female cultivator from the Hehuan Sect cost hundreds of Spirit Stones.
That's not just gilding the lily, it's bedecking it with Spirit Stones!
And those were Middle Spirit Stones.
"One yin and one yang is called the Tao."
Yi Zijin wouldn't give up, "Taoist Friend Wang, the harmonizing of yin and yang is the natural way of heaven and human relations, and it can benefit your cultivation as well."
He asked doubtfully, "Could it be that your cultivation technique involves extinguishing human desires?"
"That's correct," Wang Chen simply admitted, "I have been cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method, and until I reach the Vajra Impermeable Realm, I must maintain my virile essence, so I can only accept your kind offer in spirit."
Actually, his Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method was only a few experience points away from breaking through to the Vajra Indestructibility realm.
Once he cultivated the Vajra Impermeable body, he could practice dual cultivation without worrying about losing all his previous progress.
Wang Chen was not opposed to dual cultivation.
However, he did not wish to freely give his virile essence to the Hehuan Sect's female cultivators known for sharing "twin jade arms with thousands, and testing half-marked lips among ten thousand."
Cultivators can have desires, but they must not indulge in them, otherwise, they won't go far on the path of cultivation.
"Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method?"
Yi Zijin's expression was as if he had swallowed a ton of crap, "Taoist Friend Wang, you actually practice the bald donkeys' cultivation technique!"
His look of disdain was extreme.
Wang Chen asked meaningfully, "Taoist Friend Yi, you are from the Flower Grotto Sect, right?"
Yi Zijin froze, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes: "How did you know that?"
Wang Chen smiled, "I guessed."
The Flower Grotto Sect was a hidden sect, whose disciples often practiced in the mortal world by immersing themselves in worldly experiences to temper their hearts towards the Tao.
It was said that all the disciples of the Flower Grotto Sect were male cultivators, in stark contrast to the all-female Hehuan Sect.
Wang Chen's knowledge of the Flower Grotto Sect originated from a notebook written by an unnamed person.
Hence the saying, reading more does bring benefits.
Observing Yi Zijin's style and demeanor, Wang Chen naturally associated him with this sect.
The Flower Grotto Sect advocated acting naturally without being constrained by worldly norms.
Yi Zijin wore his emotions on his sleeve, without any attempt to hide them, forming a stark contrast with other Purple Mansion cultivators.
Therefore, Wang Chen probed with a question, and his counterpart openly admitted it.
The Flower Grotto Sect, being a hidden sect and not demon or evil cultivators, Yi Zijin certainly wouldn't get angry upon having his identity revealed by Wang Chen: "You have good eyes, Taoist Friend."
This Purple Mansion cultivator from the Flower Grotto Sect asked with interest, "Taoist Friend Wang, what is your opinion of my Flower Grotto Sect?"
"Butterflies linger and dance at all times, while carefree warblers chirp delightfully."
Wang Chen smiled, "I envy you, Taoist Friend, it's just a pity that cultivation techniques cannot be easily changed."
Yi Zijin was stunned again: "Butterflies linger and dance at all times, while carefree warblers chirp delightfully..."
He muttered it twice.
After a moment, Yi Zijin snapped back to reality: "What a good poem!"
The Purple Mansion cultivator from the Flower Grotto Sect even became excited: "It's perfect for our Flower Grotto Sect, Taoist Friend Wang, did you write it?"
"I lack such talent."
Wang Chen shook his head: "It was composed by a predecessor named Du Fu; I read it in an ancient book."
Yi Zijin was disappointed: "What a pity."
If these lines had been penned by Wang Chen, he would have spared no expense to recruit him into the sect.
Unlike most immortal cultivation sects, the Flower Grotto Sect required its disciples to excel in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; a cultivator burdened with worldly concerns would not be able to enter at all.
Disappointed, Yi Zijin lost the desire to further entice Wang Chen.
He bowed: "Taoist Friend Wang, my apologies for being presumptuous, I assure you I won't bother you again."
Wang Chen smiled, "Taoist Friend, you speak too seriously. I still welcome you to come for tea and a chat."
Yi Zijin laughed heartily: "That's nice too!"
After seeing off the Purple Mansion cultivator from the Flower Grotto Sect, Wang Chen picked up the "True Explanation of Upper Clear Spirit Talisman Atlas" again.
He found this tome of talisman knowledge quite challenging to digest.
He had yet to unlock any new skills.
But Wang Chen was patient, confident that it wouldn't be long before he could produce second-tier Spirit Talismans.
A second-tier Spirit Talisman was far more valuable than a primary-tier Magical Talisman!
Wang Chen quickly put Yi Zijin out of his mind and immersed himself in the ocean of knowledge.
New talismans, new challenges – he was all in!
Here's the first update. Chapter Your: