Chapter 508 - 275: Duel

"We have finally arrived. My friend, may our paths cross again."

Cheng Zongyang gave Li Cungang a slight nod, then brought out a Horned Horse, preparing to ride back to Jade Peak County.

But the next moment, Li Cungang stepped in front of the horse, grabbed its reins, and spoke with an earnest plea:

"Immortal Master, I’ll say it again: please let me stay by your side. That way, you’ll have someone to run your errands.

"You don’t reveal your power as a Cultivator, instead showing only your Martial Arts Cultivation. This must mean you don’t wish to expose your true identity. And while my strength as an Innate Late Stage expert may be nothing in your eyes, I can still help you scare off any witless troublemakers."

Cheng Zongyang was speechless. Over the past two months, he had indeed claimed to be practicing Martial Arts, and he had broken through from Third Grade all the way to the Peak of First Grade Cultivation.

He was just a step away from the Innate realm.

But he wasn’t in a hurry to continue breaking through. Instead, he used the Cultivation Room to train constantly, his goal being to solidify his foundation in the Upper Three Grades and prevent any instability or accidents when he broke through to the Innate realm.

But Li Cungang had filled in the blanks himself, concluding that Cheng Zongyang didn’t want to reveal his strength as a Cultivator and was thus only displaying his Martial Arts cultivation. He remained convinced that Cheng Zongyang was a Cultivator. Otherwise, how could a mere Martial Artist break through from Third Grade to First Grade in just one or two months?

Besides, everything Cheng Zongyang had demonstrated were feats impossible for a Martial Artist.

Over the past two months, Li Cungang had indeed been helpful. Whenever he had a spare moment, Cheng Zongyang would drop hints about the Ice and Fire Cultivation Immortality Realm, fanning the flames of Li Cungang’s desire and reeling him in further.

Seeing Li Cungang grab the reins, refusing to let go, Cheng Zongyang knew he had achieved his goal. He let out a sigh worthy of a master heartbreaker:

"Fine. Since you’re so determined to follow me, I won’t argue anymore. But let me be clear up front. You are free to leave whenever you wish; I will not stop you. However, the matter of teaching you my methods will depend on your own opportunities. It is not something that can be forced."

"Thank you, Immortal Master!!" Li Cungang exclaimed, bowing excitedly with his fists clasped.

’These two months of "currying favor" really paid off! He wasn’t in a rush now. After all, he hadn’t yet reached the limits of the Innate realm. He knew that as long as he was allowed to stay by his side and serve loyally, the opportunity to break past the Innate realm would eventually come!’

Seeing Li Cungang’s expression, Cheng Zongyang felt like... well, like a real scumbag.

’But what could he do? The man was an Innate Expert. Wasting a free enforcer would be a crime.’

’As for teaching him the methods, he’d naturally do so once Li Cungang reached the Great Perfection stage. He did have some principles, after all.’

’Of course, when he had time in the future, he would also test the man’s Spirit Bone and Spirit Root. Luo Dingran had already acquired a Spirit Testing Stone from the marketplace’s request board. It was a bit pricey at over five thousand Points, but it was reusable.’

’This would also make his future arrangements in Jade Peak County Town much more convenient.’

"Alright. Let’s go."

This time, Cheng Zongyang didn’t bring out the Horned Horse. Instead, he put the horse away and took out a Flying Cloud Shuttle.

He had been reluctant to use the shuttle since buying it, mainly because it consumed so many Spirit Stones.

The Flying Cloud Shuttle was a First Grade Magical Artifact that had cost him thirteen thousand Points. He had bought it specifically for its unique properties.

First, it could be powered by Spirit Stones and didn’t require Mana from its pilot.

Second, it could bond with an owner and be piloted by thought.

Third, it was equipped with three types of Arrays: Defense, Concealment, and Wind Manipulation.

Of course, the shuttle had its pros and cons. Since it didn’t require Mana to pilot, even a mortal could control it, but that also meant it needed Spirit Stones for power.

This made its "fuel consumption" astonishing.

He had used the Dragon Bone Ship for his journey instead of the Flying Cloud Shuttle precisely because a mere ten minutes of flight would completely consume the one hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones stored in its drive Array.

If he were to travel from the coast to the East Sea Abyss, he simply couldn’t afford to burn through resources at that rate.

Of course, its speed was also exceptionally fast. At full throttle, it could cover about 500 kilometers in ten minutes.

He had been stunned when he first test-flew it in the Wilderness World. Over eight hundred meters per second—the thought alone was terrifying. Of course, he could control the speed.

Such was the power of a Magical Artifact. If it could be powered by Mana, it would be far more convenient and "fuel-efficient."

"Immortal Master, what is this?"

Li Cungang was puzzled when he saw Cheng Zongyang bring out a small, sampan-like boat.

Cheng Zongyang said, "From now on, just call me Boss. No need for ’Immortal Master.’ As for this, it’s called the Flying Cloud Shuttle. It’s a Flying Magical Artifact."

As he spoke, Cheng Zongyang stepped inside, took out three hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones, and placed them into the energy core of the drive Array in the cabin.

"Come aboard," Cheng Zongyang said to Li Cungang.

Without a hint of suspicion, Li Cungang immediately stepped aboard and sat down in the cabin, following Cheng Yang’s example.

"Hold on tight," Cheng Zongyang said, activating the switch for the Flying Cloud Shuttle’s Array.

Instantly, under his control, the three Arrays on the Flying Cloud Shuttle activated. The shuttle and its two occupants slowly faded from view as it began to rise.

Cheng Zongyang’s control wasn’t very practiced, and the Flying Cloud Shuttle wobbled slightly. Startled, Li Cungang quickly grabbed onto the sides of the Flying Shuttle.

"Don’t panic," Cheng Zongyang said without turning his head, then continued to control its ascent.

"So this is a Flying Magical Artifact of the Immortal Families!" Li Cungang stuck his head out to look down below, marveling. The fervor in his eyes burned even brighter.

Having witnessed the might of the Dragon Bone Ship, he was now experiencing the wonders of a Flying Magical Artifact. It was a truly eye-opening experience.

’In the last few hundred years, what other Innate Expert could claim to have experienced such a thing?’

’One day, he would have one too!’