As the morning sun shone on the gates of Shen Mansion, a deep dragon's roar echoed through the sky.
Lin Zhou followed Shen Jinhao out of the mansion gate, and as soon as he looked up, he saw a hybrid dragon, about ten feet thick, coiled in the void.
Its entire body was covered in bluish-black scales, the edges of which shimmered with a faint golden light, and a twisted horn grew from the top of its head.
Its four claws were as sharp as knives, and its eyes, filled with vertical pupils, were scanning the area below.
He exuded the pressure of the peak of the Creation Realm, yet he appeared exceptionally docile in front of the "house" he was pulling.
The "house" was made entirely of thousand-year-old agarwood, with carved beams and painted rafters, and transparent spiritual crystals inlaid on the window frames. From a distance, it looked like a palace floating in the air.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that a pale blue aura was supporting the base of the house.
The dragon's reins are connected to the house through spiritual energy; there's no need to drag it, just guide its direction.
"This is a specially made 'Sky-Wandering Boat' by the family. It is a small world inside, where one can cultivate or rest while traveling."
Shen Jinhao explained, leading Lin Zhou onto the boat.
Upon entering the Youtianfang, Lin Zhou immediately felt a rich spiritual energy wash over him.
The interior of the boat is much larger than it appears from the outside; to the left is a row of exquisite rooms.
To the right is a spacious hall, in the center of which sits a round jade table surrounded by four chairs. Fresh spiritual fruits and hot tea are laid out on the table.
There were even a few "Dew Grass" plants in the corner that could purify spiritual energy, exuding luxury everywhere.
"Fellow Daoist, you may choose any room you like. We will rest in the boat for the rest of the time. The dragon is fast and will reach Falling Star Village in three days."
Just as Shen Jinhao finished speaking, the boat door was pushed open again, and two figures walked in.
Walking in front was Shen Jing, still wearing his silver-patterned brocade robe, waving his folding fan even more enthusiastically, his face showing undisguised smugness.
Following behind him was a burly old man, clad in black iron armor, his bare arms covered in bulging muscles.
His skin was dark black, as if covered by an iron shell, and he exuded the pressure of an early-stage Dao Realm expert; he was the outsider Shen Jing had invited.
Xuan Tie Lao Guai (Black Iron Monster)
The old monster Xuan Tie glanced around the boat, his gaze lingering on Lin Zhou for a moment. Seeing that Lin Zhou's aura was only at the early stage of the Wushi Realm, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes, and he ignored him.
Shen Jing walked straight to the jade round table, sat down, picked up a spiritual fruit, took a bite, and glanced sideways at Lin Zhou.
His tone was harsh: "Brother Jin Hao, is this the outside help you invited? His aura is only at the early stage of the Beginningless Realm, not even as good as my guards. Are you sure he's not here to drag us down?"
Lin Zhou leaned against a pillar in the hall, arms crossed, not even lifting his eyelids.
In his eyes, Shen Jing was like a clown, not even worth a fight, let alone responding to his taunts.
Upon seeing this, Shen Jinhao immediately stepped forward, blocking Lin Zhou's path, and angrily said to Shen Jing, "Shen Jing! Who I invite as an outside helper is none of your business! Stop being sarcastic and mind your own business!"
"Oh, so you're protecting her now?"
Shen Jing chuckled and turned to look at the old monster Xuan Tie, his tone carrying a hint of flattery.
"Old monster, look at the 'strongman' Brother Jin Hao found. What if Falling Star Village is in danger?"
"We'd better take good care of this young man, lest he get swallowed whole by a monster."
The old monster Xuan Tie nodded slowly, his voice hoarse like iron scraping against iron: "Don't worry, since I've accepted your benefits, I will naturally protect you."
"As for those ignorant brats, if they really encounter danger, I don't have the energy to spare for saving them."
As he said this, his gaze swept over Lin Zhou again, carrying a strong warning meaning, as if to say, "Don't cause me any trouble."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhou finally raised his eyes, a hint of impatience flashing in them.
The old man and the child were like two flies buzzing around your ears, annoying you to noisily.
A thought flashed through his mind: if he raised his hand now, he could crush these two into dust with just a wisp of his breath; even the dragon couldn't protect them.
But he ultimately suppressed the thought. He was here for the innate energy, and there was no need to waste time on such a nobody.
They didn't want to reveal their strength prematurely, lest the guardians of Falling Star Village become wary.
Seeing that Lin Zhou remained calm, Shen Jinhao felt relieved. Although he did not know Lin Zhou's strength, Lin Zhou's composure made him feel that he had not chosen the wrong person.
He stopped arguing with Shen Jing and said to Lin Zhou, "Fellow Daoist, let's go to our rooms to rest. Let's not bother with them."
Lin Zhou nodded and followed Shen Jinhao to the room on the left. Behind them, Shen Jing was still whispering sarcastic remarks to Xuan Tie Laoguai, who occasionally echoed him with arrogant tones.
Lin Zhou entered the room and casually set up a soundproof barrier to keep out the noise from outside.
He walked to the window, watching the mountains and rivers rushing past below the pleasure boat, a knowing glint in his eyes.
Shen Jing and Xuan Tie Laoguai's provocations were merely intended to disturb his mind and cause him to make a mistake during his trip to Luoxing Village.
Unfortunately, they had no idea from beginning to end that they had provoked someone they couldn't even look up to.
The three-day journey has only just begun.
The opportunities in Falling Star Village and the whereabouts of the innate energy await Lin Zhou's exploration.
The spiritual energy within the Youtianfang slowly circulated. Shen Jinhao sat at the jade round table, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup.
His expression was even more solemn than before: "Fellow Daoist, this trip to Falling Star Village has been extended to all the top forces in the Lingxiao Star Region, not just our Shen family."
He paused, his tone tinged with awe: "The Star Luo Sect, the Ice and Snow Sect, and the Blazing Flame Clan are the pillars of the Lingxiao Star Region, far surpassing our Shen family."
"The ones they sent this time were all the most outstanding talents in the sect. Lu Zhizhou of the Star Luo Sect is an expert in the Star Luo Grand Formation."
"Luo Yun Chu, the Holy Maiden of the Ice and Snow Sect, possesses a natural ice spirit body and wields extreme ice power, capable of freezing even black iron into dust."
"There is also Huo Zheng, the young master of the Blazing Flame Clan, whose bloodline is that of an ancient fire dragon. When he attacks, he unleashes a raging sea of fire, and almost no one of his level can rival him."
Lin Zhou leaned against the window, listening to these names, his expression remaining calm.
Those with special physical constitutions were nothing more than "juniors" in his eyes.
Seeing that Lin Zhou did not react, Shen Jinhao added, "Our Shen family can only be considered a mid-to-lower-tier power in the Lingxiao Star Region. In front of the three top powers, we are not even qualified to carry their shoes."
"They'll most likely not take us seriously when we go to Falling Star Village, but we're also worried they might be vying for the opportunity."
Lin Zhou nodded gently: "I understand."
As they were talking, You Tianfang suddenly slowed down, and a low growl of a dragon could be heard outside.
Shen Jinhao got up and walked to the window, looking down: "We've arrived. Falling Star Village is at the foot of that mountain."
Lin Zhou followed his gaze and saw a majestic peak standing in the distance, its summit piercing the clouds.
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