Onward to Immortal Cloud City

Almost a month had passed, and Liu Ming had spent most of that time in closed-door cultivation, advancing his cultivation level to Late Core Spirit!

He had fully mastered the Sacred Qi Sword Formation Art and had also learned a few Liu family techniques.

He did this because he knew he couldn't avoid confrontations in Immortal Cloud City.

One such challenge was the Sword God School.

As an upper-class sect, they would definitely attend the Disciple Market Auction. This explained why there had been no retaliation from them yet──they likely had something more sinister planned.

Because of this, the young patriarch knew that he would only understand their intentions better once he arrived in Immortal Cloud City.

Presently, Liu Ming stood at the main gate of the sect, dressed in the full attire of the Sacred Cloud School's patriarch.

Customarily, a patriarch of an upper-class sect wouldn't attend such events; instead, the sect master or a representative would go.

For lower-class sects, only the patriarch would attend, and for middle-class sects, the sect master would suffice.

However, Liu Ming didn't care about these protocols.

He wanted to ensure he wouldn't tarnish the sect's reputation.

In addition to that, everyone knew the current state of the Sacred Cloud School, and they knew he was the only suitable person to attend the auction.

They were all waiting for him in Immortal Cloud City.

"Hrmm..."

It didn't take long for Yu Lan and Xiu Meixiang, who had been waiting outside the main gate, to spot him standing there with a thoughtful look on his face. The two female disciples brightened up like the first light of dawn and rushed towards him.

"YOUNG MASTER!"

They were both thrilled to see him after his seclusion, which had lasted just under a month.

Xiu Meixiang hugged him tightly, wrapping her small arms around him and burying her head in his chest.

"I missed you so much, Brother Ming! It felt like you were gone for a whole year. I'm so glad you're back!"

She squeezed him even tighter, savoring the familiar scent of her senior brother.

Liu Ming smiled mildly and patted her head. "Hah, I missed you too, Meixiang."

Yu Lan, being a tall and beautiful woman who was marginally taller than Liu Ming, hugged him from behind.

"Mmhmm~ did you miss me, Senior Brother~?"

Her soft breasts pressed gently against the back of his head like pillows.

Liu Ming felt a sense of satisfaction inside.

"Of course, Lan'er..."

The sweet orange scent that always made his eyes water pleasantly was something he really missed about this blonde-haired beauty.

Yu Lan's eyes narrowed a little, and her cherry lips curved into a soft, warm smile.

"I hope Senior Brother was able to achieve his goals during his closed-door cultivation. Although I missed you, I understand that you need to get stronger to protect us and the sect, unlike Junior Sister Meixiang."

Despite Yu Lan's provoking words, Meixiang didn't let go of her beloved senior brother. In fact, she hugged him even more tightly and smiled contentedly.

"The only thing you can offer Senior Brother is those cow tits of yours. I, on the other hand, can provide him with the love and care that every capable man truly needs!"

Yu Lan let go of her soft, comforting hug and put her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest so her breasts jiggled like heavy balloons. Closing her eyes with pride and wearing a confident expression, she opened her mouth to speak.

"Do you really think any woman would be insecure about the size of her breasts? Hmph, that just shows how immature and slow-witted you are. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have larger breasts in the uncertain future."

Yu Lan's prideful attitude and the way she flaunted her fat chest made Xiu Meixiang blush bright red. She tried to hold back her tears and pouted angrily.

"Brother Ming, Elder Sister Lan is being mean again!"

Yu Lan glanced sideways with a mocking grin and let out a chuckle. "Oh? I have no idea what you're talking about, mmhmm~" she said sweetly, trying to sound innocent.

Liu Ming just stared blankly ahead, eyes half-open.

"It's too early in the morning for this..."

Suddenly, he was missing the peace of his seclusion.

...

Nearly thirty minutes later.

Liu Ming and his two female companions were now further outside the Sacred Cloud School, at the large pavilion known as the Departure Pavilion, close to the edge of the Sacred Cloud Mountain Range.

This pavilion was where sect members prepared for missions or departures.

"Wow..."

In front of them stood a grand white and golden ship with ornate cloud designs. The ship had a golden dragon head, highlighting its impressive appearance.

Powerful waves of spiritual energy radiated from it, creating an extraordinary sense of pressure.

Liu Ming gazed at the ship in amazement; it was his first time seeing something like this.

"It's so big..."

Hovering in midair, it was clear that the ship was some sort of advanced vehicle.

"What in he world is th──!"

Just as Liu Ming was about to ask his question, Maomao jumped off the ship and landed right on his face. The cat then made his way up to the top of Liu Ming's head and settled in comfortably, sprawled out like the lazy feline he was.

"This is the Nine Dragons Chariot, one of the five symbols of the Sacred Cloud School's patriarch.

"It's an ancient treasure ship given to us by the Azure Dragon Dynasty as an apology after Founding Ancestor Liu Zong sealed the Frostfire Dragon Venerable.

"Whenever important events require us to travel far from the sect, our patriarchs use this ship to make the journey easier. It helps them conserve some of their spiritual power, even though it takes a bit more time to travel."

Thereupon, Liu Ming jumped into the air and landed on the ship.

Xiu Meixiang and Yu Lan followed right after him.

The ship was massive, filled with a lot of extravagant furniture and pricey decorations.

Liu Ming took a seat on a royal armchair at the back and began to examine the ship more closely. The more he looked at it, the more he saw how truly impressive it was.

"This is incredible. Imagine if the people back at Clear Water Village saw this?"

It was moments like these that really made Yu Lan and Xiu Meixiang realize just how much of a country bumpkin their patriarch could be. Things that would hardly surprise them at all seemed to amaze him greatly.

Xiu Meixiang put her hands on her flushed cheeks and smiled warmly. "Brother Ming can be so cute~!"

"I agree." Yu Lan chuckled tenderly.

Not long after, Su Yan appeared in a flash, dressed elegantly and looking as beautiful and graceful as always. She walked over to where Liu Ming was seated and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry I couldn't welcome you right away after your return from seclusion."

With beautiful eyes like flawless gemstones, she stared at the young master.

Liu Ming frowned and said, "I already warned you about this bowing thing, Yan Mei. It's not necessary."

Yu Lan chuckled and added, "Don't worry about it, Senior Brother. Elder Sister Yan is always like this."

With a neutral expression, Su Yan looked at Yu Lan and said, "Unlike you, I respect the young master." Her tone was so casual that it didn't even seem like she was trying to provoke Yu Lan.

Predictably, Yu Lan fluffed her hair with a sassy grin and boastfully said, "As if Elder Sister's words could hurt me."

"That... wasn't my intention," Su Yan replied with an indifferent expression.

This only provoked Yu Lan further, and through gritted teeth, she snapped, "Try getting provoked just once, Elder Sister!"

"Eh, perhaps another time?"

"Sigh~ you're unbelievable," Yu Lan said.

Xiu Meixiang watched the exchange and giggled with a child-like tone.

The cat on Liu Ming's head, growing impatient, yawned and said, "CAN WE GET MOVING ALREADY?!"

Su Yan clasped her hands respectfully and replied, "Yes, Sect Master."

The Nine Dragons Chariot ran on low-grade spirit stones to keep it flying. The faster it went, the more of these stones it needed to stay in the air. This was why most lower-class sects couldn't afford such luxuries. They usually rented ships like this for special occasions.

But since the Sacred Cloud School had plenty of low-grade spirit stones, filling up the tank was no problem.

That's what Su Yan had been doing before she came on deck.

Su Yan sent the Nine Dragons Chariot soaring into the distance with a flash of powerful, colourful light.

whirr────PSSSSSSSH!

As it raced forward at top speed, a shield formed around the ship, blocking out the powerful winds. Even though they could hear the wind hitting the shield, the inside of the ship remained very calm.

Next destination, Immortal Cloud City.