World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 556: Setting Out on a Distant Journey

According to the Old Man of Xinghai's depiction, the Eastern Sky Region was like a sea of smoke that was vast beyond measure.

The shining celestial bodies weren't stars; they were celestial bodies with primal qi where cultivators lived. Between them were faint bands of mist that linked most of them together—the meridians of primal qi passages.

The two spent quite some time searching. They first found their position, then followed Lishang's senses to find her homeland. Afterward, they carefully planned the route they'd take in the primal qi passage.

The star map made Wang Sheng realize just how vast the Eastern Sky Region truly was. He also noticed how rare qi planets actually were, though there were still countless in the endless space. There were many faint and drifting starlights even at the edge of the region, but those parts were unknown even to the Old Man of Xinghai.

Wang Sheng soon made a discovery. "The primal qi passages all seem to just be unforked two-way tunnels. Don't they branch out?"

Lishang looked at Wang Sheng as if he were an idiot. "No?"

Wang Sheng laughed awkwardly. He couldn't be blamed for not having such common knowledge. After all, he had simply grown up in a different environment.

He had previously imagined primal qi passages as a network of crossing highways, allowing one to enter and get off at a specific exit. As it turned out, each passage only linked two planets.

Simply put, they could travel back and forth between Planet A and Planet B through one passage. But to go from Planet B to Planet D, they would have to first go to Planet C, which would have a passage connected to Planet D.

Starting from the one at Jinhua, they would have to pass through six passages and twelve planets to reach the area where Lishang's homeland was currently located.

The primal qi passage was not as high-end as Wang Sheng had imagined. However, the fact that it could cross time and space made it very mysterious.

The universe was too vast, and one could only know so much about it.

Based on the route they had created, their destination was an unknown distance away from the thirteen qi planets.

Because he had never entered a primal qi passage and didn't understand how it worked, Wang Sheng was unsure exactly how long it would take for them to return. He planned to notify Huai Jing and the others later and tell them to be careful while he was away, just to be safe.

Wang Sheng and Lishang also memorized the star map. Still feeling uneasy, Lishang took out two engraved jade pendants and stored the map inside them.

At that moment, she was already getting impatient. "When do we depart?"

Wang Sheng replied seriously, "We just have a few more things to go over. You should stay in your human form as much as possible. Unless we meet a powerful enemy, keep your race a secret.

"And cover yourself tightly. As the saying goes, beauty invites trouble. A female immortal as beautiful as you will always be at a higher risk of danger when going out. Some devils or corrupted cultivators might target us. Also, we'll be passing through many qi stars. You'll have to be patient during the trip."

"I understand."

Wang Sheng added, "Return to your home first and wait for me for half a day. I'll go into the city to see a few friends and pick up several items."

Lishang frowned slightly. She did not know what powerful items his friends could have, considering they weren't even immortals yet. Still, she did as instructed. After all, she was the one asking Wang Sheng for help.

The two left the scripture repository and parted ways to further prepare for the long journey. Wang Sheng left through the mountain gate, then carefully thought their travel plans over. With the Heavenly Court's Shadowless Shuttle, he felt they wouldn't have any major problems along the way.

On the contrary, the Xinghai Sect could be the one facing difficulties since Lishang wouldn't be around. However, Yao Xingzi was a master of divination. He should be able to avoid misfortune and find success.

There was no need for Wang Sheng to advise them further.

***

In a corner of the scripture repository's sixth floor.

Elder Wen, who was tasked to guard the building, returned some time after Wang Sheng and Lishang had left. He slowly walked to where Wang Sheng and Lishang had just been standing. With a worried look, he reached toward the corner of a nearby bookshelf.

Ripples gently spread in the corner. The old Daoist pinched a white, expensive recording orb made from the eye of a rare beast, causing its faint glow to flicker. Unlike normal recording orbs, it could camouflage itself, preventing others from noticing it. Moreover, its owner could turn it on remotely.

Inside the orb, light and shadow merged. It showed Wang Sheng and Lishang looking at a star map and pointing at different spots.

Don't blame me for this. The Xinghai Sect has no chance of winning, and cultivators are selfish by nature.

The complicated look in Elder Wen's eyes slowly turned into determination. He put the orb into his sleeve and sat down nearby as if nothing had happened.

***

Wang Sheng wandered around Xinghai City for quite some time. Using his old tricks, he disguised himself while passing the Xinghai Sect's outpost. Finally, he arrived at his friends' small courtyard.

His sudden visit confused the trio. When he explained that he was going on a long journey and disclosed the reason, surprise swiftly filled their expressions.

"What? You're escorting Empress Nuwa's descendant to her homeland?" Shi Qianzhang stared at him. He then gave him a strange look. "Brother Sheng, your senior sister is about to arrive. If you fail to control yourself, you'll be the one who gets hurt when those two tigers fight in the future."

"Shush," Wang Sheng replied. He casually tapped Shi Qianzhang's forehead and sealed his Nascent Soul for a few moments.

Huai Jing and Liu Yunzhi looked at each other and smiled. They seemed to understand the situation perfectly.

"If she can break through to the Heavenly Immortal Realm, she can certainly rewrite the power structure of Fengmo and the other qi planets here." Huai Jing sighed. "Empress Nuwa's race was so powerful in the Ancient Era. It is a pity that they were destroyed in the War of the Hundred Races. Fei Yu, visiting their homeland may give you many fated opportunities. There should be plenty of good fortune there."

I'll just leave all that up to fate.

Wang Sheng wanted to tell them Lishang's background, but he felt it was wrong to speak casually of another person's pain. Instead, he simply said, "I'll most likely just escort Lishang there and then return on my own."

Confused, Liu Yunzhi asked, "Why?"

"Lishang and the Xinghai Sect have a secret conflict that is very likely to be completely... irreconcilable." Wang Sheng spread his hands. "I actually agreed to this for Sect Master Yao Xingzi's sake. I genuinely admire that he is willing to give up Lishang as a combat asset."

Shi Qianzhang shuddered as his freedom returned. His eyes widened. "Isn't that free labor? Brother Sheng, you can't just work for them for free. You have to collect some reward in advance!"

Liu Yunzhi casually slapped a familiar talisman onto his forehead. The three then continued discussing the matter.

Huai Jing smiled. "Amitabha. As the saying goes, 'suffering a loss is a blessing.' Just remember to keep that blood jade on you at all times. You must never take it off. Bu Yu is still thirty years away from us, but if you can't return in time, we'll have them stay with us for a while. Don't worry too much."

"We have plenty of time," Wang Sheng replied. "We'll be using the Shadowless Shuttle you brought, which should help us avoid strong enemies." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Oh, right! Here, take this with you!" Huai Jing patted his head and pulled a bulky Shadowless Shuttle from his sleeve. He handed it to Wang Sheng. "I brought two of the three-person shuttles, which are perfect for this situation. Not only is it very spacious inside, but it also has good lighting. It can effectively prevent physical contact."

Liu Yunzhi also nodded. "Considering you'll be traveling alone with a woman, it is certainly necessary."

Shi Qianzhang broke free from the talisman again and was about to speak again when Huai Jing intoned Buddha's name.

"Amitabha."

A streak of golden light flew in from the side. A purple-golden bowl covered Shi Qianzhang's head, freezing him in place like a stone.

Wang Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The three really hadn't changed at all.

"We'll set off as soon as I return to the sect."

Wang Sheng lifted his bamboo hat. Before he left, he turned back and reminded, "If other forces attack the Xinghai Sect while we're away, do not get involved. Focus on protecting yourselves."

Huai Jing and Liu Yunzhi raised their right hands at the same time and formed "ok" hand signs.

Under the bowl, two hot tears slid down Shi Qianzhang's face, expressing his farewell to his Brother Sheng.

Wang Sheng returned to the Xinghai Sect and reached the lotus pond beneath the cliff without any issues.

He and Lishang did not say much. After waiting until the Xinghai Sect had quieted down at midnight, they left the cliff and quietly slipped out of the grand array.

Lishang looked at him with suspicion as Wang Sheng activated the Shadowless Shuttle and gestured for her to enter. With him at the helm, they disappeared toward the endless space.

The plump Shadowless Shuttle certainly had quite a large interior. However, it still didn't have enough room for Lishang to extend her tail. From that point on, she had no other choice but to stay in human form unless they encountered an enemy.

Seeing her troubled expression, Wang Sheng smiled and teased, "Well, now you know my secret of how I avoided the Celestial Wind Sect."

Lishang nodded slowly. After thinking for a while, she replied very seriously, "I have no secrets to offer in exchange."

"It doesn't matter. All I ask is that you still call me a friend once you've broken through to the Heavenly Immortal Realm. Ahem, remember not to tell anyone about this treasure."

A faint smile graced Lishang's cold expression. "Elder Pi, you can be quite funny at times. Considering we're from the same sect, we'll naturally still be friends. Anyway, I have fully understood how to pass through primal qi passages. Let me share it with you."

She disclosed the information through voice transmission. Wang Sheng quickly understood.

Using primal qi passages for travel was actually very simple. One only had to wrap a layer of pure primal qi around themselves, as though enclosing themselves in a bubble.

Afterward, Wang Sheng pointed out a small detail that Lishang had missed. "Vice Sect Master, let's at least put on a pair of cloth shoes."

"I'm not used to the shoes that female humans wear. Can't I just wrap my feet with cloth?"

"You can try. Hmm, how about you just stay barefoot? We can cover it with a cloak later. Have you never worn shoes before?"

Lishang firmly answered, "Of course not."

Wang Sheng could only sigh.

With his True Immortal power fully active, the Shadowless Shuttle left no trace. It shot at extreme speed toward a corner of the ancient battlefield.