Hearing Mu Li’s question, the female cultivator glanced at Fu Qingzhou again. Seeing that he showed no sign of displeasure, she answered with a complicated expression: “First-grade costs only 500 spirit stones, second-grade 1000, third-grade 2000, and fourth-grade 5000.”
“No fifth-grade?” Mu Li blurted out.
Suppressing her irritation, the woman replied: “No. High-level array masters are hard to find, and generally, when going out to sea, one rarely encounters high-tier sea beasts. A fourth-grade spirit ship is more than enough.”
Mu Li nodded, momentarily unsure which to buy. She could easily afford a fourth-grade ship, but wasn’t certain if it was necessary to purchase something so advanced.
Seeing their silence, the woman assumed they found the price too steep, so she added: “After all, the Cliff Sea Secret Realm was formed by the sea. There are plenty of lakes and rivers inside. A ship will still be useful once you enter.”
Mu Li was still hesitating when Fu Qingzhou said calmly: “Then let’s buy a fourth-grade one.”
The woman’s face instantly lit up with her earlier dazzling smile. She kindly suggested, “If you’re buying a fourth-grade spirit ship, Fellow Daoist, why not look at a larger one? The price isn’t much higher than a four-person vessel, but it can carry more people, is spacious and comfortable, and cultivating aboard feels no different from being on land. Much more cost-effective.”
Fu Qingzhou nodded. “Very well, let’s take a look.”
In the end, Fu Qingzhou spent 6000 spirit stones on a luxurious large ship, making Mu Li sigh inwardly: *Truly a rich man! He doesn’t even consider the price—only buys the best.*
“Mm, then I’ll buy a small ship as backup,” Mu Li said, biting her lip, intending to purchase the smaller three-to-four-person vessel she had seen earlier.
Fu Qingzhou frowned slightly. “Why buy another?”
Mu Li didn’t want to directly say she planned to separate once inside the secret realm, so she explained tactfully: “In case we get separated inside, having a spare would be convenient.”
“You’re right,” Fu Qingzhou agreed, and promptly bought the smaller fourth-grade ship as well.
Of course, he didn’t let Mu Li pay. With the air of a wealthy patron, Fu Qingzhou simply handed over his card for the spirit stone deduction.
The woman’s eyes practically glowed as she looked at him. Before they left, she couldn’t resist revealing her identity as the city lord’s daughter and the shipyard’s young mistress, and eagerly invited Fu Qingzhou to depart for the secret realm together with the city lord’s fleet.
“My brother has invited many mid-to-late Foundation Establishment cultivators this time, fully prepared. Senior, why not join us? It’s safer to travel with company.”
Mu Li, recalling the “glorious deeds” of the city lord’s son she’d heard of yesterday, couldn’t help giving the woman a strange look.
Fu Qingzhou neither accepted nor refused, only saying: “I still have private matters to attend to. If the timing works out, it would of course be an honor to join the young lord.”
“Then… Senior, perhaps leave a way to contact you, so we can inform you?” The woman’s cheeks flushed, her eyes brimming with affection as she gazed at him.
*Tsk, female cultivators in this world are rather forward,* Mu Li thought secretly, glancing at Fu Qingzhou’s reaction.
But Fu Qingzhou remained composed, perhaps too used to such situations. He only gave the name of their current inn, then led Mu Li away without giving her a further chance to speak.
“Where to next?” Fu Qingzhou asked Mu Li.
Though they had spent quite some time at the shipyard, it was still early.
Mu Li thought for a moment. “I want to buy a spatial ring.”
She only had a storage pouch, which was too limited to hold large items. The ship they had just bought was stored in Fu Qingzhou’s ring. And she still needed to repay him for the spirit stones.
“No need to waste money. I have plenty of spatial rings—I’ll give you one later.” Fu Qingzhou chuckled. “Besides, Cliff Sea City probably doesn’t have anything good.”
Mu Li nodded, accepting his offer, though she didn’t dare wonder why he had so many rings.
“By the way, earlier you said you wanted a three-to-four-person ship. Do you have other companions?”
“Uh… sort of. But he hasn’t formed his foundation yet. If he succeeds, he’ll come with me.”
“I see.” Fu Qingzhou nodded. “Then we’ll need to wait in the city a few more days. I thought we could set out immediately after buying the ship.”
Fortunately, Zou Chong didn’t keep Mu Li waiting long. On the third evening, he arrived at the inn.
Fu Qingzhou sized him up and remarked, “Though you’ve only just formed your foundation, you look like a reliable helper.”
Zou Chong hadn’t expected to travel with a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, far stronger than himself. He couldn’t understand why Mu Li needed him as a guard with such a master present, but since he had agreed, he would keep his word. Sensibly, he stayed quiet, waiting for Mu Li’s instructions.
Mu Li preferred resting at night and traveling by day, unlike others who rushed through the night. She decided firmly: “Let’s rest well tonight and set out tomorrow morning.”
The next day, standing on the spacious, comfortable ship, Mu Li couldn’t help sighing that the money was well spent.
Indeed, the expensive ship had its merits. Low-level sea beasts that occasionally appeared were instantly shredded by the ship’s defensive arrays, without anyone needing to lift a hand.
She had also received from Fu Qingzhou a spatial ring large enough to store the other ship. When she tried to repay him, he refused outright.
Mu Li felt both the thrill of “relying on the rich” and the unease of owing him a favor. If she later tried to defy the male lead to save the tragic supporting character, she feared she too would meet a miserable end.
Just as she was fretting, a black ship appeared in view. It wasn’t large, but it was fast. As soon as it drew near, it launched an attack. Fortunately, the fourth-grade ship’s defensive arrays held firm, blocking every strike.
Mu Li had never faced such a situation and was momentarily at a loss.
Fu Qingzhou and Zou Chong quickly emerged from the cabin. Fu Qingzhou frowned at the black ship. “Hmm… looks like acquaintances.”
The black ship came closer. Mu Li heard a voice: “One late-stage Foundation Establishment, two early-stage. Manageable.”
Another voice leered: “And a pretty female cultivator, heh heh…”
Mu Li finally saw them clearly—two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators in black robes, faces tattooed with strange patterns. Clearly not righteous cultivators.
Fu Qingzhou flew forward, his tone scornful: “I was just thinking I’d seek you out someday. Didn’t expect you to deliver yourselves.”
“It’s you!” The black-robed cultivator snarled, hatred in his voice. “I said before—leave your wealth and the girl, and we’d spare you. But now… no need. Last time you escaped by luck. Today I’ll kill you to avenge Third Brother!”