The next morning.
A thin mist shrouded the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Not long after Lin Zhao came online, he heard a low, long cry from the distant clouds. Immediately after, a colossal entity descended above the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. It was none other than the Kun Peng Immortal Boat of the Mo Family Ancestral Court, a true behemoth, dozens of miles long. It was as if a celestial city had descended from the heavens, its entire body covered in green mountains, with flowing green water winding beneath. Its overall form resembled a giant whale, but it would occasionally transform into a colossal bird, stretching across the sky.
"The Kun Peng Immortal Boat..."
Shu Zhi flashed over and stood beside Lin Zhao, saying, "I never imagined I would see the Kun Peng Immortal Boat of the Mo Family Ancestral Court in my lifetime..."
"What's the origin of this Kun Peng Immortal Boat?"
Lin Zhao frowned and asked, "It has such a powerful oppressive aura. Is it definitely much stronger than our Flood Dragon Boat?"
"Far more than just 'much stronger'..."
Shu Zhi said softly, "The most valuable part of our Flood Dragon Boat lies in the Flood Dragon bones used as its keel. After all, they are the remains of a fierce beast. But do you know how this Kun Peng Immortal Boat was built?"
"How so?"
"It is a living Kun Peng, only it is too old and has reached the end of its lifespan." She furrowed her brow and said, "The Grand Master of the Mo family used unfathomable sorcery to extend this Kun Peng's lifespan by another thousand years, while preserving its sentience. The entire Kun Peng was refined and forged into the foremost immortal boat in the world!"
Her expression held a hint of longing as she said, "It is said that the combat power of a single Kun Peng Immortal Boat is comparable to a thirteenth-realm Yao Clan cultivator!"
"No wonder they dare to come to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake so openly."
Lin Zhao frowned. He could only feel respect for this Kun Peng Immortal Boat, nothing else. He couldn't even muster a trace of desire to possess it. The gap was simply too vast. This was not a treasure he was meant to have!
As he looked up, the Kun Peng's massive head beneath the bow of the immortal boat was slightly lowered, its eyes seeming to be looking at Lin Zhao. In that instant, the ancient immortal beast and a human of the lower five realms exchanged a glance. An inexplicable pressure struck Lin Zhao's heart, causing him to stagger back several steps. Only when a profound aura emanated from the Dragon Slaying Sword behind him did he stop, and when he looked at the Kun Peng's eyes again, he was no longer so afraid.
...
A ripple spread, and a door opened at the bottom of the Kun Peng Immortal Boat. Following this, figures began to descend from the immortal boat. Leading them was Xu Zhan, with over a hundred of his disciples behind him.
As Xu Zhan landed gracefully before Lin Zhao, he extended his hand and said, "Three thousand Golden Gilt Coins?"
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao was only momentarily stunned before he understood everything. He immediately took out 3,000 Golden Gilt Coins and handed them over, smiling, "Thank you, Senior Xu Zhan. I'll be entrusting the matter of the Flood Dragon Boat to you!"
"Hmph!"
Xu Zhan said calmly, "I will lead a hundred disciples to personally oversee the repair of this Flood Dragon Boat. The work should take about ten days. For these ten days, your arrangements for our food and lodging will be our responsibility."
"Don't worry!"
Lin Zhao smiled, "We will set aside a barrack for everyone to stay in!"
"That's good then."
Xu Zhan glanced up at the Kun Peng Immortal Boat and said, "The resources required to repair the Flood Dragon Boat are immense. We will first unload this batch of supplies from the Kun Peng Immortal Boat. After that, the Kun Peng Immortal Boat will head south and remain at Falling Wild Goose Mountain for a work period. Once enough spirit stones are loaded, the Kun Peng Immortal Boat will travel back and forth between Falling Wild Goose Mountain and the Mo Family Ancestral Court until the entire spirit stone mine is depleted. You had best send someone to keep an eye on things. Falling Wild Goose Mountain will need an eye to count the number of spirit stones. Also, send someone to the Mo Family Ancestral Court to oversee the minting of coins, so as to avoid any suspicion of our Mo Family Ancestral Court withholding your Golden Gilt Coins."
Lin Zhao clasped his fists and smiled, "Lin Zhao trusts the Mo Family Ancestral Court, so I will not send anyone. Senior, please feel free to let the Mo family cultivators mine and mint as they please."
Xu Zhan smiled slightly. This was one of the boy's good points – he was quite sensible.
...
Shortly after, Xu Zhan led his hundred disciples to begin work, hammering and tapping on the Flood Dragon Boat, reinforcing inscriptions, and so on. Lin Zhao watched for a while, but as he couldn't understand much, he returned to drawing talismans until noon, when Chen Xue called them for dinner.
Logging off to replenish his energy.
The midday meal was still quite substantial: braised rabbit meat, braised young chicken, and Wang Ju even attempted a dish of pickled fish, made with black fish meat. It made one recall the fish meat of the twelfth-realm great demon Wu Li. Lin Zhao, bowl in hand, began to eat with gusto, shoveling shredded pork with celery, scrambled eggs with chives, and rice into his mouth. All of them were excellent accompaniments to the rice.
"There's been quite a bit of activity in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake recently, hasn't there?"
Shen Xingchen said, "I heard on the forums that people have seen continuous battles in the areas of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, Falling Wild Goose Mountain, and Deer Forest. Although the Northern Territory hasn't been fully opened to players yet, fierce fighting is already underway there."
"Yes."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Several systemic plotlines have unfolded recently. A while ago, it was the Demon race's fifty thousand cavalry marching south. Recently, it's the Yao race vying with our Snow Domain Heavenly Lake for a spirit stone mine. The fighting has indeed been quite intense."
"It's about to get even more lively."
Chen Xue said, "It is rumored that White Emperor City will open within a week. By then, the entire national server map will be unveiled."
"Really?"
Lin Zhao's eyes lit up, "Is that just a rumor?"
"It's said to be quite true, but I'm not sure myself."
Chen Xue smiled, "Actually, based on the timeline, it's about time. It's November now, and the game has been out for two or three months. If the main cities aren't opened soon, many players will get impatient and quit. Also, with the opening of White Emperor City, it's rumored that the Phantom Beast system will also be released. I wonder what that Phantom Beast system will be like."
"The Phantom Beast system has been delayed for a long time."
Ding Chi said, "It was previously said that it would be released when the provincial cities opened, but there was no news. It's been dragged on until now, and White Emperor City is about to open. I don't know if the officials have forgotten about it."
"Who knows."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, "After White Emperor City opens, the northern maps should also be revealed, and the time restrictions for players entering the Northern Territory will likely be lifted. That's when the great battles in the northern territories will truly begin. With the participation of players, the advantage of the four northern tribes will gradually shrink until it's no longer an advantage."
Shen Xingchen smiled, her dimples appearing, "I can embark on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake with A Yan again~~~"
"Yes, yes..."
Lin Zhao also fondly recalled that period, "When you come again, there will likely be more challenges. A bloody storm in the vicinity of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake is unavoidable."
Luo Man pursed her red lips and said, "Brother, are you an NPC in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake? When we go to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, can we accept quests from you?"
"No."
Lin Zhao shook his head, "I don't even have any quests myself right now... I guess we'll have to wait for the system to refresh specific NPCs. I'm not too sure at the moment. We'll see then."
"Okay!"
Luo Man smiled and nodded.
...
In the afternoon.
Shortly after Lin Zhao came online, Mu Gua, Xiang Ji, and Xu Sheng ascended the mountain together.
"My Lord."
Mu Gua said gravely, "In recent days, we have been continuously selecting talented individuals from the young and strong of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake to join the army. As of this morning, we have added over 8,000 new recruits. They are currently being trained day and night by Lords Xiang Ji and Xu Sheng. Including the old soldiers, we now have over 14,000 troops."
"Yes, thank you all for your hard work."
Lin Zhao nodded, "But it's still not enough. If we truly want to defend the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake with our own strength, this force is still too small. Continue to select individuals from the common folk who are suitable for practicing boxing and swordsmanship to join the ranks. Do not slacken."
"Yes!"
The three clasped their fists in unison.
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Pay attention to the young people on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake who are suitable for practicing swordsmanship. I will be constructing a Sword Mountain behind the mountain in the Villa on the Summit. Once the young people on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake step onto the path of the sword, they can go to the Sword Mountain to find a suitable sword blade. They must grow rapidly, as the four northern tribes will not give them much time."
"Yes, my Lord!"
After the group departed, Lin Zhao rode his horse to the back of the mountain. Shu Zhi accompanied him. The day had finally arrived. The Snow Domain Heavenly Lake was now strong enough in manpower to somewhat ease Lin Zhao's mind. Moreover, with the Mo family's terrifyingly powerful Kun Peng Immortal Boat nearby, the possibility of the Yao race attacking the mountain was currently very low, making it the best time to place the Sword Mountain.
He took out the milky white stone stalagmite and, with a slight exertion of force, infused a wisp of sword cultivator spiritual energy into the Sword Mountain. In the next moment, Lin Zhao forcefully threw the Sword Mountain into the valley ahead. Instantly, the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Lake trembled violently, and muffled roars echoed from the depths of the earth. The Sword Mountain took root and began to fuse with the ley lines and mountain roots of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Soon after, a milky white, verdant peak slowly rose. It wasn't too large, but the peak was surrounded by inserted sword blades. These sword blades flowed with spiritual energy, as if they were fruits growing from the Sword Mountain.
A celestial-grade treasure had finally taken root in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. This was a good thing.
"Shu Zhi."
Lin Zhao stood before the Sword Mountain and called out.
"Yes, my Lord, Shu Zhi is here."
"This Sword Mountain is yours, its first master."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, "Go, search the Sword Mountain for any renowned swords you fancy. Take as many as you want, just don't overdo it. The more swords you refine, the stronger our Snow Domain Heavenly Lake will become, so don't be polite."
"Really, my Lord?"
Shu Zhi's beautiful eyes shone with joy. In fact, she did need some external aids to enhance her strength. After all, Shu Zhi only had one arm, making her swordplay less efficient than other Sword Immortals. Therefore, her path was to refine as many renowned swords as possible, and then wield these swords to fight enemies, much like ten demon soul swords, unleashing a barrage of flying swords to kill the enemy. This was the path of a Sword Immortal in Shu Zhi's heart.
She floated away and plunged herself into the Sword Mountain, almost unable to extricate herself.
...
White Emperor City.
In the Grand Overseer's mansion, a middle-aged warrior, clad in armor, was filled with the intense boxing intent of a Heavenly Origin realm warrior. He was none other than the Southern Commander of the Great Shang Dynasty, the Grand Overseer Wen Hao, the son-in-law of Zhang Yu'an, the Marquis of Chun'an of Furong Prefecture.
"Grand Overseer!"
A guard presented a letter, "This is Chen Xi's reply to the court."
"Hmm."
Wen Hao unfolded the letter and scanned it. His gaze immediately revealed a hint of coldness, "Chen Xi wants to escort tens of thousands of barbarian captives from the Southern Territory north as a 'Tribute of Herded Sheep.' However, the distance from Jade Gate Pass to Ancient Yao Pass is thousands of miles. When will they arrive? Is she merely placating the court?"
A Shang General from Yuzhou sneered, "Chen Xi has always styled herself as Chen Wanli's granddaughter. I fear she no longer holds the court in high regard."
Wen Hao merely glanced at him without speaking, causing the general to break into a cold sweat.
"The matter of the Tribute of Herded Sheep is Chen Xi's responsibility. We need not concern ourselves further. If His Majesty questions us, we will simply say we were unaware of this matter."
"Yes, your subordinate understands!"