Looking at the sea lizard magic ship in front of him, Xu Qing's heart stirred.
He had seen Foundation Building sea lizards before.
It was because he had seen them before that after seeing his magic ship refined into the appearance of a sea lizard by Zhang San, he examined it with his perception. Although his magic ship was still a little different from a real sea lizard, its aura was almost the same.
It was 500-foot-long, four limbs with sharp nails, a lifelike head, and a tail that was still swaying slightly behind it.
It was exactly the same as the sea lizards.
The difference was that it had flesh wings.
The wings were very large. Xu Qing estimated that they would be at least as long as the body of the ship when they unfolded. He could imagine that once they flapped, they would definitely cause violent winds to howl.
The location of the cabin was on the back of the sea lizard. It was a three-story building. It didn't look exquisite but gave off a sense of sturdiness.
"The magic boats of the Seventh Peak are divided into four types: boat, ship, warship, and liner. Your boat has advanced to the level of a magic ship and has reached level three. However, because of the divine lizard's molt and Binding's flesh, part of its might far exceeds its normal power."
Zhang San glanced at Xu Qing's shocked expression and felt extremely comfortable. He lifted his chin proudly and spoke while looking at the masterpiece in front of him.
"The areas that are lacking are the keel, some of the materials on the magic boat, and the core power source. Although Binding's flesh is rare and powerful, the captain gave too little. Moreover, the divinity inside has no roots, so if you have a way to obtain the heart of a divine creature, the value of this magic ship will be even greater."
"The prices of the materials for the Foundation Building magic ship far exceed Qi Condensation magic boat's. Moreover, the components needed for the magic ship are also more complicated. Basically, to advance the level of the magic ship just by one level even with the most inferior Foundation Building materials would cost 30,000 to 50,000 spirit stones."
"If it was a high-level material like your Foundation Building sea lizard skin, it would cost at least 150,000 to advance one level. I can't afford it… If you want to use even higher quality materials, the price will be astronomical. So, if you want to advance your magic ship, you have to earn money, Xu Qing."
"The reason why the Foundation Building magic ship is astonishing is because after reaching the eighth level, it will possess a special ability that is related to the Mystic Brilliance Form of cultivators. However, its function is to suppress the enemy's Mystic Brilliance Form. The better the materials of the boat, the greater the suppression effect!"
Xu Qing's heart stirred.
Previously, when the captain activated his Mystic Brilliance Form, it made him feel intense urgency. Now that he heard about the might of the magic ship, his eyes lit up.
"Are you surprised? Otherwise, why would the cultivators of the Seventh Peak still work hard to advance their magic ships after reaching the Foundation Building realm? You have to know that outsiders call us cultivators of Seventh Peak as boat cultivators," Zhang San said with a smile.
"Also, considering that half of your magic boat collapsed previously, I've prioritized the ship's sturdiness and defense this time. Now, your magic ship is much more powerful than before."
"Regardless of whether it's sea navigation, flight, or diving into the sea, the ship is outstanding in all aspects."
"I even added a layer of outer shell to the ship. The inspiration came from the sea lizard molt. Once your magic ship encounters an unbearable attack, its outer shell will shatter into pieces like a flower. It will look extremely miserable. This way, others probably won't be willing to use their magic power a second time."
"In reality, it can be reassembled with a thought from you. However, I'm not very proficient in this skill yet, so you can't do it many times. From my estimation, your ship can support two disintegrations and reassemblies."
"At that time, regardless of whether you pretend to be dead or wait to counterattack, you will catch the enemy off guard."
Xu Qing looked at Zhang San and then at his magic ship. He could sense that Zhang San had poured his heart to refine it. Such sincerity was very precious in the Seven Blood Eyes' environment.
Xu Qing cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"There's no need to be polite. This is also an investment. From the looks of it, I made the right investment in you and the captain. So, I also hope that you can survive longer. After all… I think both of you are quite crazy, but I predict that the captain will die faster than you." Zhang San sighed.
Xu Qing hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Are the coffin materials prepared for the captain still in my magic ship?"
"Yes. They are good things. I used some of it last time, so I can't waste the rest." Zhang San coughed and smiled at Xu Qing.
Xu Qing didn't say anything and cupped his fists again. After some thought, he took out 20,000 spirit stones and handed them over.
Zhang San didn't stand on ceremony. He used more than these materials for this refinement. After he kept them, he waved at Xu Qing and the two of them bade farewell.
Xu Qing kept his magic ship and looked at the distant sea, his heart filled with anticipation.
"I'll head out to sea tomorrow morning!" After Xu Qing made his decision, he left the Transportation Department. On the way, he was also calculating his spirit stones.
"I spent too much on the breakthrough to Foundation Building. Right now, I have less than 50,000 spirit stones. I have to sell the Spirit Breath Lantern as soon as possible. Once I sell it, I'll be rich."
Xu Qing pondered and flew all the way to the Seventh Peak. It was already dark and there were no longer any pedestrians in the main city. The streets were empty and only the malice in the night spread among the piedmont disciples.
However, this had nothing to do with Xu Qing now. Just killing wanted criminals wasn't enough for him. However, when his figure flew halfway through the main city, he suddenly stopped in mid-air.
Xu Qing lowered his head and looked at the empty street below. There was a person lying there.
It was a youth wearing a gray robe with a dog-skin coat underneath. Blood had soaked through the coat and dyed his Daoist robe black. One could see a fatal wound on his abdomen.
His exposed body was also covered in injuries.
All his fingernails had been plucked out forcefully, along with his serrated, sharp teeth.
It was the mute.
His injuries were severe and he was on the verge of death. There was an identity token on his chest and there were very few contribution points left. According to the time, the moment dawn broke, he would probably be killed by the Seven Blood Eyes' array formation.
Xu Qing looked at the mute and silently descended. He stood beside the mute youth and looked at him.
The mute was already unconscious and looked like he would die before dawn broke. The pouch was gone along with his magic boat.
Xu Qing knew that this method of causing the target to be on the verge of death and keeping the token on their chest was a common method used by many disciples at the foot of the mountain. They usually used this method to take revenge.
It was obvious that the mute was too cruel, so someone took revenge on him.
Looking at the mute, Xu Qing thought of the actions of the other party; offering him wanted criminals, following him after he returned from the competition that day, and that reminder regarding the shadow.
After a long time, Xu Qing picked up the mute's identity token and transferred one spirit stone's contribution points over. He pried open the mute's badly mangled mouth and threw in a pill.
After doing all this, he grabbed the mute's clothes and dragged him away. When he arrived at the other party's kennel-like residence, Xu Qing threw the mute inside.
He could already be considered extremely benevolent for doing all these in this chaotic world. As for life and death, it was up to fate. Whether the mute could survive depended on his luck.
Xu Qing left. He knew that the mute had woken up on the way but he didn't care.
After he left, the mute youth opened his eyes with great difficulty. He stared at Xu Qing's departing figure. After a long time, he closed his eyes again and curled up into a ball.
Xu Qing returned to the Seventh Peak. When he saw his cave abode from afar, he noticed a familiar figure sitting beside the cliff outside his cave abode.
It was Huang Yan.
He sat on the cliff with his legs dangling and an egg in his hand. He was drinking happily while shaking his head. When he noticed Xu Qing's figure flying over, Huang Yan's eyes lit up and he immediately waved his hand.
"Haha, you're finally back. I've been waiting for you for a while now." As he spoke, Huang Yan took out an egg and threw it over.
Xu Qing caught it and landed beside him. He didn't act any different from before just because he was at the Foundation Building realm. He also sat down and broke the egg to take a sip.
It still tasted the same.
"I heard someone say yesterday that you've reached the Foundation Building realm, so I came to see you today. Ain't I amazing? I can ascend the Seventh Peak whenever I want. Even the array formation doesn't stop me," Huang Yan said proudly.
"Second highness treats you very well." Xu Qing smiled. He had a good impression of Huang Yan. If he were to consider who his friends were among the people he met on the Seventh Peak, Huang Yan could be considered one.
At the mention of the second highness, the little fatty immediately patted his chest loudly.
"Naturally. Let me tell you, Senior Sister is very good to me now. She even gave me a token so that I can look for her anytime."
Xu Qing smiled and continued to drink the egg.
Just like that, under the moonlight, the two of them were like how they were in Port 79. Xu Qing mostly listened while Huang Yan kept telling him how his senior sister treated him.
An hour later, Huang Yan stood up and patted the dust off his butt as he smiled at Xu Qing.
"By the way, Xu Qing, I came here for something else. I heard that you took away the merfolk race's Spirit Breath Lantern. Do you want to sell it to me? I intend to give it to Senior Sister."
"I won't take advantage of you. I'll buy it for 500,000 spirit stones but I don't have that much now. I need a month to get them. If you agree, it's settled." Huang Yan looked at Xu Qing expectantly.
Xu Qing thought about it and nodded in agreement.
Huang Yan was very happy. Before he left, he seemed to have thought of something and his expression became a little more serious.
"Xu Qing, I heard from Senior Sister that something major will happen in the sect in the near future!"
"During the battle of the merfolk race back then, the Seven Blood Eyes' ancestor broke through and killed his way into the Sea Corpse Race to establish his might. I'm afraid there will be a follow-up to this matter. After all… his cultivation is now different and the power situation in the sea area has to be shuffled again."
"There might even be a war. This is a good thing. Every war is the same as the competition. It's an opportunity for us to make a fortune. It's just more dangerous but the harvest will also be greater." After Huang Yan finished speaking, he bade farewell and left.
Xu Qing looked at Huang Yan's departing back and then at the sea.
"War…"