In the afternoon. In Liang Province City.
Next to the cloud-splitting chariot, Yu Zhenghai spent the entire morning absorbing half of the vitality contained in Chi Yao’s Heart. When he was done, he kept the other half of the heart. Then, he asked, puzzled, “Master, why do you want to save half of Chi Yao’s Heart?”
Before Lu Zhou replied, Si Wuya said, “Chi Yao’s Heart won’t help you directly break through the great limit… Among our fellow disciples, only Sixth Senior Sister and your longevity are damaged. Taking too much of it is a waste. The remaining half should be saved for when you’re attempting the Nine-leaf stage.”
Yu Zhenghai said, “In that case, I’ll leave this to Junior Sister Tianxin.”
Ye Tianxin who was standing nearby said, “Eldest Senior Brother, since you’re going to the red lotus domain, you need this more than I do. I’m fine.”
Lu Zhou said, “The Red Fish Heart can restore her longevity. All you should worry about is yourself.” After all, he could go down to the abyss and catch a fish or two if he ever felt like it. However, the same could not be said for Chi Yao’s Heart.
“Understood.”
“The flying chariot is ready. Master, Eldest Senior Brother, this way,” Mingshi Yin said.
The others boarded the flying chariot.
Mingshi Yin was the last one to board the flying chariot. He bragged, “Eldest Senior Brother, I’ll man the helm. I’ll show you my navigating skills.”
Mingshi Yin was about to activate the flying chariot when Yu Zhenghai frowned. “Hm?” That one word was dripping with obvious disapproval.
Mingshi Yin immediately understood his Eldest Senior Brother’s intention. He nodded and bowed as he said, “Eldest Senior Brother, if you’d do the honors.”
Yu Zhenghai went to the helm and said, “You were still playing with dirt when I manned the helm. Manning the helm is an art. It’s not something that can be mastered overnight. You have to keep it stable and smooth while sailing. When in flight, it must be steady and not turbulent. Look closely…” He pushed his palm forward.
The cloud-splitting chariot rose into the air.
Shortly after, the cloud-splitting chariot flew toward Heaven’s Moat as it gradually picked up speed. As it left Liang Province City, it dragged a long tail behind itself. A few breaths later, it was sailing at top speed.
On the ground, the other members of the Evil Sky Pavilion who were there to see them off rubbed their eyes.
“An Eight-leaf cultivator manning the helm… I… I’m afraid the Evil Sky Pavilion is the only one who can afford this.” Huang Shijie shook his head.
“Even the position of manning the helm was being fought over. Mingshi Yin is a Seven-leaf elite, after all, and he’s so young. I’m sure his future achievements won’t be inferior to Mister First.”
“Indeed. The most terrifying thing about him isn’t his talent, but his way of doing things. He knows when to advance and when to retreat. Although he’s only a Seven-leaf cultivator, I’d rather spar with Mister First than with him. He’s too… unscrupulous.”
When the cloud-splitting chariot disappeared from sight, Huang Shijie kicked Jiang Aijian who was standing with a lazy posture.
“Ouch!” Jiang Aijian rubbed his sore spot as he asked in a rather aggrieved tone, “Master, what was that for? I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. That was uncalled for.”
Li Jingyi covered her smirk.
Jiang Aijian said, “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” Li Jingyi turned around and left.
Jiang Aijian looked at the sky and said with a sigh, “Am I the only sane person under the heavens?” The others were all crazy, and he was the only rational one. He lamented his fate.
…
The cloud-splitting chariot easily crossed Heaven’s Moat and sailed toward the 100,000-foot-deep abyss.
“You must adjust your input of Primal Qi instead of thoughtlessly maintaining a steady stream. You must judge for yourself when to increase or decrease your output of Primal Qi. If the flying chariot is supposed to climb Heaven’s Moat, you’ll have to increase your input beforehand to accelerate and rise. Above Heaven’s Moat, you can slow down and maintain the chariot’s altitude. You can leave the downward flight to gravity, but you must mind the altitude as you dive. You mustn’t let it accelerate, and you have to stop the momentum from growing too huge. The descent must be steady. Old Fourth… do you understand?” Yu Zhenghai said confidently.
Mingshi Yin and the other fellow disciples were speechless.
“Old Fourth?”
“Uh… Yes, I understand. Listening to you is better than studying for ten years,” Mingshi Yin said.
Yu Zhenghai said, “This is why manning the helm helps in training your control over Primal Qi. Manning the helm often is beneficial in improving your cultivation base and strength.”
The others nodded. They looked as though they found his words educational.
After Yu Zhenghai finished speaking, he looked at Lu Zhou who was resting with his eyes closed. He said, “Master, is there… anything you want to add?”
Lu Zhou opened his eyes and said, “Your explanation is great. I have nothing to add.”
“Thank you for your praise, master.”
Zhu Honggong saw the satisfied expression on his master’s face. He wondered if this was flattery of a higher level. He could not tell if this was intentional on his Eldest Senior Brother’s part due to his Eldest Senior Brother’s stern expression. Nevertheless, he was impressed.
Duanmu Sheng looked at the helm and exclaimed, “So, what Old Fourth told me before is true!”
Mingshi Yin could not help but smugly say, “Told you so! I will never lie to you, Third Senior Brother. Manning the helm is a form of training your control over Primal Qi. Eldest Senior Brother, you’ll be descending into the abyss later. Let me take over from here…”
“I’ll do it.” Duanmu Sheng tossed his Overlord Spear to Mingshi Yin.
Mingshi Yin caught it and staggered backward. “…”
Duanmu Sheng pushed forward and grabbed the helm, replacing Yu Zhenghai.
The input of Primal Qi suddenly changed so the flying chariot dove abruptly.
After Duanmu Sheng channeled his Primal Qi into the cloud-splitting chariot, it rose again.
The others could barely keep their footing steady.
“???”
“Steady. Right, like this.” Yu Zhenghai was slightly worried.
“Third Senior Brother, you’ve manned the helm several times now. Why aren’t you showing any progress?” Little Yuan’er said with a pout.
“That was an accident! Isn’t it fine now?”
Laughter rang from the flying chariot.
…
Some time later.
The cloud-splitting chariot slowly descended near the 100,000-foot-deep abyss.
Everyone disembarked.
“Bring the red coffin out.”
“Watch your words. We’ll call it the transporter from now on. Coffin sounds so inauspicious.” Mingshi Yin waved his hand.
“You have a point, Fourth Senior Brother,” Zhu Honggong said with a smile.
Zhou Jifeng and Pan Zhong brought the transporter out and placed it next to the abyss.
Yu Zhenghai looked at the transporter and inhaled deeply. Then, he turned to look at Lu Zhou and said, “Master, there’s no need to worry. I’ll surely bring Second Junior Brother back safely.”
“This journey will be treacherous. Think thoroughly before making any decisions. In regard to this, all of you should learn from Old Fourth,” Lu Zhou said.
The others looked at Mingshi Yin. Should they be as shameless as him? Ptooey! Although they had their misgivings, they had no choice but to bow and nod at their master’s words.
“Understood!”
Mingshi Yin felt slightly embarrassed from being praised. He scratched his head.
Yu Zhenghai said, “I’ll remember your teachings, master.” Shortly after, he looked at his fellow disciples and said, “Farewell.”
The others bowed.
Yu Zhenghai raised his hand.
The red coffin flipped and dropped into the abyss.
He pushed away from the ground lightly and hovered in the air. He bowed again before he dove into the abyss at top speed. He landed on the red coffin and dropped down the seemingly bottomless abyss.
The red coffin had left. Nobody knew when it would return.
Lu Zhou stared at the entrance to the abyss for a long time before turning around and said, “Let’s return.”
…
Yu Zhenghai stood on the red coffin as it fell.
After listening to Si Wuya’s reminders, he had mentally prepared himself for the things he might encounter. He remembered the things he should do about the endless darkness and the measures he should take when he was on the black water.
He knew it would take a while before he reached the bottom so he closed his eyes.
