Chapter 126 - Eastern Ocean Hunt
Chapter 126: Eastern Ocean Hunt
Chapter 125
Chen Jingzhai was a person who was afraid of trouble, and just like in his previous life, he was a homebody. If possible, he hoped that he could cultivate in seclusion in the sect and focus on pursuing longevity.
If not for Headmaster Fuyun using Little Master-Uncle’s name to elevate his status, he wouldn’t even have wanted to leave Hongluan Peak. It was best if he could simply cultivate quietly without disturbance.
Just like in the Aspirant Cultivators Academy in White Cloud City, he did not show his special talent. Fame and fortune were but fleeting clouds to him. Everything in the mortal world was a burden. Only cultivation was eternal.
To others, this attitude showed indifference so there was no competition. However, for Chen Jingzhai, this was the greatest pursuit of his life.
As for the Eastern Ocean Hunt, Chen Jingzhai was indeed extremely keen on it. He was interested in the Vine Tiger Warships and the treasures and sea beasts in the ocean. However, he was not willing to be involved in the Battle of Dragon at all.
After Hong Fu understood what Chen Jingzhai meant, she did not persuade him anymore. She continued weaving magic apparel and refining elixirs with the other three maidservants. To them, this was not dull at all. Both crafts required patience to do well. Time would pass quickly.
A few days later, Chen Jingzhai continued his seclusion training. Many cultivators were secretly disappointed that his small courtyard was closed.
Alchemist Chen only received guests who were of the Foundation Establishment Plane cultivation level. In Donglai County, such guests were only from cultivation families.
The other rogue cultivators did not have the capabilities nor the qualifications to meet him. This was not a rule set by Chen Jingzhai, but it was an unspoken rule.
The only reason Meditation Plane cultivators could come to the small courtyard was that they had the carcasses of sea beasts. There had to be more than ten of them. Otherwise, they would not have the courage to come.
This time, because of the Foundation Establishment Elixir, many cultivators had other thoughts. However, with Chen Jingzhai in seclusion, it was useless for them to think too much about it.
Under the clear water and blue sky, the ocean waves crashed restlessly. The five Vine Tiger Warships of the Sea Dragon Guards had already left the port and had sailed for a day.
However, they were not moving fast. They were giving the cultivators behind them a chance to catch up.
Every time during the Eastern Ocean Hunt, the navy would deliberately slow down their pace. Apart from winning people’s hearts, they also wanted to fulfill their wishes. After all, they were all cultivators from the Pulao Kingdom. They were still magnanimous.
The five Vine Tiger Warships looked the same. Their tiger patterns were realistic and majestic. On the warship in the middle, Wang Tong stood beside a young man in embroidered official robes.
Only Commandery Prince Hong Yi could make him so respectful and pleasant. The Eastern Ocean Ruler had many sons, and Hong Yi was the only one who had conferred the title of Commandery Prince.
Although Commandery Prince Hong Yi looked young, he had great achievements in cultivation and had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment Plane.
Because he was in charge of the Sea Dragon Guards all year round, his demeanor and dignity were not lacking. Usually, he looked very pleasant. Wang Tong reported to Commandery Prince Hong Yi about his communication with Chen Jingzhai.
The two of them were not subordinates, but Wang Tong thought highly of the Eastern Ocean Ruler and was willing to be close to Commandery Prince Hong Yi.
“Does that mean he doesn’t want to support my father?” Commandery Prince Hong Yi asked.
“It’s hard to say now.” Wang Tong shook his head and said, “Most immortal sect disciples are arrogant. After all, Alchemist Chen is a senior at the Master Uncle level. It’s normal for him to have his reservations. We can’t jump to a conclusion too soon.”
“That’s true!” Commandery Prince Hong Yi sighed. “It’s unbelievable that he is a Master Uncle.”
Wang Tong smiled. When he first found out, he was a little speechless as well. From an aspirant cultivator to Master Uncle, that was not all. Chen Jingzhai also ranked number one on the battle forum. Anyone would find this transformation unbelievable! The younger ones, in particular, would be terribly deflated. Even Wang Tong could not help but feel jealous.
“It’s fine if he doesn’t come!” Commandery Prince Hong Yi chuckled. “In any case, we still have a chance while he is in the State of Qiong. Speaking of which, the quality of the elixirs he refined is indeed very high.”
“Even the alchemists in the Imperial City can’t compare to him.” Wang Tong smiled and said, “Only a few sect alchemists can give it a try. However, his performance will greatly traumatize other alchemists. I heard that his success rate is very terrifying. It’s definitely not just 40%.”
“That’s a small matter. He’s already exceeded our expectations by offering 40% of his elixirs to us. Don’t ask for too much,” Commandery Prince Hong Yi said. “Did you find out how many Foundation Establishment Elixirs he has?”
“We don’t know yet, but from what we’ve heard, he has at least ten more Foundation Establishment Elixirs,” said Wang Tong. “If we want to trade with him, we need a large number of sea beasts.”
“Since he arrived in Donglai County, he has purchased a lot of sea beasts.” Commandery Prince Hong Yi narrowed his eyes. “Why do you think this Alchemist Chen wants so many sea beasts?”
“Perhaps he’s using them to study alchemy, or perhaps he’s feeding his spirit beasts,” Wang Tong said softly. “I’ve seen his spirit beasts. They’re a pair of Sky Black Cranes. They’re extremely handsome.”
“The Sky Black Cranes are his spirit beasts. Tsk tsk, how enviable!” Commandery Prince Hong Yi sighed.
Even as a Commandery Prince of the imperial family, he was not qualified to raise a spirit beast, let alone such a precious Grade 3 spirit beast descendant. Unless he controlled the Sea Dragon Guards, he would not be able to afford to raise such beasts.
The key was that it was difficult to find the descendants of such flying demonic beasts!
“They are still in the infancy stage, so they must be eating a lot.” Wang Tong smiled and said, “He also bought many Meditation Plane and Foundation Establishment Plane cultivation techniques. It seems that the rumors are right. He is indeed creating techniques.”
“How extraordinary indeed. Such a figure cannot be allowed to leave.” Commandery Prince Hong Yi nodded. “When the Eastern Ocean Hunt is over, I will visit him personally.”
Wang Tong nodded and was about to say something when the Vine Tiger Warship suddenly glowed. The glow was a little weak, especially above the blue sea, but the people on the ship were not ordinary people. Not only did Wang Tong see it, but Commandery Prince Hong Yi also saw it.
Commandery Prince Hong Yi’s expression turned solemn. “We have encountered sea beasts. They seem to be Grade 3.”
Wang Tong smiled. “We have a Foundation Establishment Elixir in hand.”
Commandery Prince Hong Yi laughed and stepped to the front of the warship. Under his divine mind, a sea beast approached rapidly under the blue waves. The shadow was huge and fast.
Wang Tong took a look and said with certainty, “It’s a black-backed lantern catfish!”
The Grade 3 black-backed lantern catfish lived in the deep sea and had a blob on its abdomen that glowed. These lanterns were extremely rare sources of light in the deep sea and would attract other sea beasts to approach them. If the approaching sea beast was weaker than it, then the black-backed lantern catfish would devour them. However, if the sea beast was more powerful than it, it would flip over so that its belly was facing up. After a while, the glow of the blob would fade away and the deep ocean would return to darkness.
The black-backed lantern catfish was a relatively common sea beast in the sea. It was huge, at ten feet long and thirty feet wide. Its catfish whiskers carried a numbing current. When the Sea Dragon Guards went out to sea, the Vine Tiger Warship would activate the restricted formation to conceal the aura of the Vine Tiger Warship. Therefore, the black-backed lantern catfish would only sense that five massive creatures were swimming around it.
However, because of the smell of bait emitted by the Vine Tiger Warship, the sea beasts could not resist the temptation. The black-backed lantern catfish could not refuse the bait, so it surfaced from the deep sea.
Seeing the black-backed lantern catfish approaching fast, the Sea Dragon Guards on the five Vine Tiger Warships got ready without any orders from Commandery Prince Hong Yi.
They were all seasoned veterans, and killing a Grade 3 black-backed lantern catfish was not enough to make them panic.
“Prepare the Tiger Roar Arrows!”
“Lock on target!”
“Restricted formation unsealed!”
“Release!”
A series of loud orders came from the Vine Tiger Warship ahead. In the next moment, the Vine Tiger Warship closest to the black-backed lantern catfish removed the restriction array. A powerful Grade 4 aura suddenly descended, directly deterring the black-backed lantern catfish from moving.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, one of the warships fired a Tiger Roar Arrow. As soon as the air-piercing sound exploded, a dark red color liquid spread in the seawater. The black-backed lantern catfish whined and struggled for only a moment before losing its strength.
The Grade 3 black-backed lantern catfish was successfully hunted down just like that.
Its body was quickly retrieved and stored in the Vine Tiger Warship.