As they worked, both Xiao Fei and Wei Feng couldn’t help but notice Yu Liang’s pace. He moved heavy crates as if they were bundles of straw, lifting them slowly and steadly yet faster than the two of them combined.
Wei Feng finally wiped the sweat from his brow and walked over, half grinning despite his fatigue. "Oi, Yu Liang, did you sneak off and eat some strength boosting beast meat yesterday? Or did some god blessed you with bulls arms overnight?"
Yu Liang set down another crate, glanced at him and said. "I’ve been doing physical work for years like you guys, I suppose my body got used to it."
Xiao Fei burst out laughing, nearly dropping the sack he was carrying. Wei Feng shook his head, chuckling. "If scrubbing pots and doing chores makes you this strong then I’ll volunteer for every duty from now on."
Yu Liang smiled and lifted another load as if to prove his point.
By the time they stacked the last crate, Wei Feng and Xiao Fei were doubled over, hands braced on their knees, trying to catch their breath. Wei Feng had reached the fourth level of Body Tempering, sure, but all those years of lousy meals and endless work had worn him down. Xiao Fei was just starting out with cultivation, so he wasn’t doing any better.
Yu Liang, in contrast, sat quietly on a crate, his breathing steady, not even a trace of fatigue on his face. What should have taken two hours had been finished in barely half an hour, leaving them with time to rest.
Not long after, Fei Min returned to inspect the progress. Her eyes swept across the neatly arranged supplies, and for a moment, disbelief flickered in them. She knew better than anyone how unrealistic it was for three handyman disciples of their level to finish this much in such little time.
Her jaw tightened, but she said nothing. With a sharp turn, she walked off, her teeth clenched in frustration. In front of an inner disciple, she could not cause trouble even if she wanted to.
Yu Liang watched her back as she left, his brow slightly furrowed. ’She’s in Qi Condensation. With that level, she should be able to see through my cultivation... but she didn’t mention it. Did she think it wasn’t worth her attention, or is she unable to see it at all?’
The question stuck with him as he settled back, feeling even more confused.
The spiritual ship rose slowly, its wooden frame buzzed with the flow of spiritual energy.
Xiao Fei, having caught his breath, leaned against the railing and looked out with wide eyes. The clouds drifted beneath them, sunlight reflecting off their edges. "This... this is amazing," he murmured, almost forgetting his earlier exhaustion.
Wei Feng, on the other hand, stayed where he was, back pressed against a crate. His eyes were half closed, clearly too drained to care about the view. Yu Liang sat quietly as well, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Then out of nowhere—
BOOM!
The ship suddenly shook hard, making the deck tremble beneath their feet. Wei Feng and Xiao Fei lost their balance and stumbled forward, while Yu Liang quickly caught the railing and steadied himself. Around them, the disciples shouted and hurried to keep the cargo from falling.
"Hold on!"
"Grab something!"
"Watch the crates!"
"Careful!"
BOOM!
But before they could stabilize, a second impact followed, louder and harsher. This time even Yu Liang lost his footing, rolling across the deck. A loose crate slammed into Wei Feng’s side, knocking the breath out of him. Xiao Fei hit the deck shoulder-first and groaned in pain.
The entire ship shook as though gripped by unseen hands, and panicked voices filled the air.
"What’s happening?!"
"Why is the ship shaking like this?"
"Is something’s wrong with the ship??!!"
The ship plummeted through the sky, branches snapping like brittle sticks as its hull tore through the forest canopy.
CRASH! CRASH!
The impact shook the deck again and again, throwing everyone off balance. Xiao Fei rolled across the planks, clutching at his arm, while Wei Feng braced against a wall only to be thrown down as the ship tilted.
Yu Liang dug his fingers into the railing, but even he staggered when the vessel slammed into the ground, skidding forward and crushing trees in its path.
After a few more rough bumps, the ship finally came to a stop. Dust and splinters filled the air, followed by silence, broken only the groans of the disciples could be heard.
Yu Liang steadied himself and immediately rushed toward his friends. Wei Feng was already pushing himself upright while wincing but otherwise intact. Xiao Fei, however lay clutching his shoulder with pale face.
Yu Liang crouched beside him. "Xiao Fei, can you move?"
Xiao Fei tried to sit up, but hissed in pain. "It hurts... my arm... feels like the bone is cracked."
Wei Feng came over, limping slightly. "I’m fine, just bruised. But him—he needs treatment."
Yu Liang looked at Xiao Fei and said, "Don’t force yourself. Stay still. I’ll handle it."
Xiao Fei clenched his teeth and managed a weak smile despite the sweat on his forehead. "First real flight, and this happens... What luck."
Even Wei Feng couldn’t help a dry chuckle at that, though worry lingered in his eyes.
By now, there was no doubt about what had happened. The sudden attacks, the violent shaking, and the crash were far beyond any normal accident. Even an idiot could tell they were under enemy attack.
Yu Liang carefully supported Xiao Fei’s back and pulled a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. He shook out a single pill, its faint herbal scent briefly replacing the smell of dust.
Without hesitation, he offered it to him.
It was the same pill that he had bought in the sects handyman market, it was stored in the system inventory.
Wei Feng’s eyes widened. "Yu Liang... that’s a healing pill. For us, that’s a luxury. Are you really going to waste it here?" His voice was strained, torn between reason and concern.
Because for a handyman desciple like them being in possession of such pill was already luxury.
Yu Liang glanced at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It’s fine. He needs it more than I do. What’s the point of keeping it in my pocket while my friend is suffering?"
Hearing this, Xiao Fei’s eyes went wide. He shook his head quickly, trying to sit up despite the pain. "No, Brother Liang! That’s too precious. I can endure—don’t waste it on me."
Without another word, he gently but firmly pressed the pill into Xiao Fei’s mouth, holding his jaw until he swallowed. "Don’t argue. Just focus on healing."
Moments later, warmth spread through Xiao Fei’s chest and arm. The throbbing pain gradually faded, and the sharp pain from his injury eased as the fractured bone slowly began to heal.
Wei Feng let out a heavy breath and crouched beside Xiao Fei, placing a hand on his uninjured shoulder.
"Remember this, Xiao Fei. Don’t forget what he did for you."
Xiao Fei’s throat tightened. His eyes stung, but he managed a small nod. "I won’t."