Wait—when did they agree to travel together?
Mu Li felt she really couldn’t keep up with this supporting male character’s train of thought. She had clearly rejected his invitation earlier. Had she refused too politely?
After a brief silence, Mu Li decided to be more direct: “Fellow Daoist Fu, your cultivation is similar to Fellow Daoist Su and Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan. I’m only at early Foundation Establishment. I think you’d be better suited to team up with them.”
“You’re afraid of dragging me down? Don’t worry. Since I invited you to come with me, naturally, I don’t mind being dragged down.”
You don’t mind, but I do! Mu Li was speechless.
But his cultivation was far higher than hers, and before long, he might even fall into demonic ways. She couldn’t afford to offend him.
So she patiently explained: “Fellow Daoist Fu, your cultivation is profound. You naturally fear no danger in the secret realm. But I’m timid—I only want to stay at the outskirts and pick up leftovers. I fear I’m not suited to travel the same path as you.”
“There’s no such thing as absolute safety in a secret realm,” Fu Qingzhou chuckled. “Not only are secret realms unpredictable, but in this world, wherever there are people, there is danger. Traveling with me is far safer than being alone in a place you *think* is safe.”
Mu Li stayed silent.
Fu Qingzhou pressed on: “Or do you think I can’t protect you?”
She didn’t think that at all. At this stage, a supporting male character who could rival the protagonist was naturally far stronger than ordinary cultivators.
No—why should she let him protect her?
Seeing her quiet for so long, Fu Qingzhou assumed her silence meant agreement. He naturally continued: “Fellow Daoist Mu, you haven’t said what kept you busy all day. Why so late returning?”
Mu Li snapped back to herself. “Just wandering the city, buying things I might need.”
“Did you buy a boat? If you did, I’ll hitch a ride with you to the secret realm.”
“Huh? Buy a boat?”
Buy a boat—for what? Mu Li didn’t understand.
“The secret realm is on an island. Though it belongs to Cliff-Sea City’s territory, it’s far away. Even by boat, it takes five or six days.”
“Oh, I see.” Mu Li nodded. She had assumed the secret realm was right next to the city.
“Actually, Fellow Daoist Su and Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan invited us to ride their boat,” Fu Qingzhou said with a laugh. “But I refused.”
Mu Li’s broken engagement with Xuanyuan Yunfei wasn’t a secret. Anyone who had been to Ling City knew. If they ended up on the same boat to the secret realm, it would certainly be lively.
Fu Qingzhou, mischievous at heart, had been tempted to agree—but he only dared to think it. After all, he couldn’t decide for Mu Li. Though her cultivation was low, she was a woman of strong will.
Mu Li didn’t know what to say, so she simply nodded. “Then tomorrow, let’s buy a boat.”
Back in her room after parting from Fu Qingzhou, Mu Li suddenly realized—she hadn’t wanted to travel with him, yet somehow she’d been swept along by his logic.
“Could this supporting male character have some kind of spiritual attribute that manipulates thoughts?” she muttered, poking Duoduo’s cheek, noticing he had grown bigger again.
“Hey, once we’re in the secret realm, you’d better show your full potential. Let’s find treasures, and I’ll refine more pills for you.”
“Chirp chirp~”
The next day, Fu Qingzhou took Mu Li to Cliff-Sea City’s largest shipyard. They were greeted by a young female cultivator, at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and very pretty.
“What kind of boat do you want, seniors? How many passengers? We have all types.”
Her enthusiasm was directed entirely at Fu Qingzhou. She glanced at Mu Li once when they entered, then ignored her completely, assuming she was merely Fu Qingzhou’s follower.
Fu Qingzhou said, “Hmm, for two people…”
Mu Li interrupted: “Three or four.”
Though she had only met Zou Chong once, she trusted him. She believed he would soon succeed in Foundation Establishment.
Fu Qingzhou looked at her, then changed his answer: “Then three or four.”
The female cultivator’s curious gaze flicked between them, but she didn’t ask. Instead, she smiled even more brightly at Fu Qingzhou, her eyes openly flirtatious. Her seduction was blatant.
Mu Li couldn’t help glancing at Fu Qingzhou. Yes—handsome, talented, young. If she didn’t know he was a supporting character doomed to fall, he would indeed be considered prime potential in the cultivation world.
The two followed her into the showroom. Along the way, she kept leaning closer to Fu Qingzhou.
Mu Li lagged behind, feeling like she was watching a cultivation-world version of “the little temptress seducing the CEO.”
But before long, Fu Qingzhou grabbed her arm. “Are you a turtle? Why are you dawdling?”
The female cultivator looked at Mu Li like a rival, her eyes full of hostility and disdain.
Wait—wasn’t this world supposed to respect strength? Mu Li was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a whole realm above her. And besides, she and Fu Qingzhou weren’t even that kind of relationship!
Fu Qingzhou seemed oblivious, continuing to look around and praise: “This shipyard is huge. I’ve never seen so many types of spirit boats.”
“Of course,” the woman replied. “Cliff-Sea City is by the sea. The many islands around here all belong to the city, and travel depends on boats.”
Mu Li, distracted earlier, now noticed the ships. They were made of special materials, varied in size and shape, each inscribed with defensive arrays—sturdy and formidable.
“Here we are. These ships seat three to four people. The difference lies in the grade of the arrays, which affects the price. What grade do you need?”
Mu Li, curious, asked: “For the Cliff-Sea Secret Realm, what grade is necessary?”
The woman gave her an impatient look, but seeing Fu Qingzhou waiting for her answer, she reluctantly explained: “On the way to the secret realm island, you’ll encounter sea beasts of level one or two. A level-two spirit boat is sufficient. But sometimes level-three or level-four beasts appear. So, higher-grade boats are naturally safer.”
Mu Li pressed further: “And what are the prices for each grade?”