Departing So Quickly

“What is that thing?” Even the prodigies grew curious, ascending the city wall to get a better look at the colossal object.

“Could it be a long cloth for catapults?”

“Or the skin of a giant beast?” Fang Huo speculated.

“No, it’s my tool for ascending to the heavens.” Qin Huai quietly appeared atop the city gate tower, observing the approaching behemoth.

In this world, he couldn’t construct wings to serve as a treasured weapon, nor could he create an airplane with intricate components and profound knowledge. However, a hot air balloon was feasible.

“Alliance Master, I don’t know why, but lately, I’ve felt an unusual sense of ease and happiness when I’m around you. It seems like the blood flow in my body is smoother,” She Wanshan voiced his curiosity.

“I share the same sentiment with Wanshan,” Xiang Mingfeng added, directing a questioning gaze at Qin Huai.

Qin Huai could only respond with a helpless smile. This was likely due to his overflowing experience points.

Although he had already reached the third-level visceral prefecture realm, his experience points were at a standstill. The surplus had transformed into an illusory ‘spiritual energy’, causing everyone to feel an inexplicable sensation. The combined experience points of two sects were not a trivial matter. “Perhaps this is the so-called aura of a king?” Gou Jie teased as he joined the group. “After all, our alliance master has inherited the emperor’s legacy. Given the current dynamics between our alliance, Sacred Heart Sect, and the demons, he controls roughly thirty percent of Qingzhou.”

“We should refrain from such declarations,” Qin Huai waved him off. “Certain words could invoke heavenly retribution. Considering you’ve learned the thousand divination blood technique, shouldn’t you be aware?”

“Perhaps I’ve already calculated that number?” Gou Jie replied, a playful smile gracing his face. action

Qin Huai shook his head in disagreement. His primary desire was for his friends and family not to become the bloodthirsty monsters residing in Qingzhou City. He merely wished for a place where he could eat in peace.

Late into the night, everyone congregated on the wasteland near Lingkou Pass. The massive umbrella cloth, made of natural power treasures mixed with demon skin and feathers, was extraordinarily sturdy. The connecting ropes, constructed from bones and power stones, resembled white pythons, their skins illuminating mesmerizing mystical patterns.

“This thing… It must have been created from ten treasured weapons.”

Xiang Mingfeng and the others couldn’t help but marvel at Qin Huai’s ingenious idea upon witnessing the colossal ‘hot air balloon.’ They were people of experience and knowledge, yet this sight left them astounded.

“But how can this thing fly without wings?” Fang Han posed the most critical question.

“We rely on flames or qi,” Qin Huai replied as he climbed into the hot air balloon, diving under the umbrella.

With a slight gesture, the nine dragon qi burst forth, promptly elevating the enormous hot air balloon. The object resembled a fully inflated balloon, round and sturdy, with a soft glow surrounding it.

As Qin Huai’s energy continued to increase, the hot air balloon began to sway and ascend. “Damn, he’s really airborne!” She Wanshan exclaimed, gawking at Qin Huai who was now hovering mid-air.

“Is this a wingless bird?” Xiang Mingfeng couldn’t help but admire Qin Huai’s imagination. “I’ve been part of the five great sects for so long, but this is a first.”

“Hey, Alliance Master, are you leaving already?” Fang Huo called out as he watched Qin Huai drifting further away.

“Naturally,” Qin Huai’s voice faintly floated back.

“That was quick… We had no time to prepare.” The group on the ground exchanged bewildered glances. They hadn’t anticipated Qin Huai’s quick departure.

“What’s there to prepare? Our priority should be finding a way to break through the blood sea,” Xiang Mingfeng asserted. “The more deaths, the stranger the atmosphere in Qingzhou City. Haven’t you noticed a rise in your murderous intent after entering the city?”

“I suppose…” Fang Huo admitted. “Just two days ago, I encountered some arrogant Lion Spirit Mountain people. I was close to flaying them and hanging their skins on the city gate.”

“Then you might not be affected by the city, but expressing your true feelings,” Xiang Mingfeng bluntly remarked.

“But your master truly is admirable,” Fang Huo voiced his awe. “Over a hundred groups have besieged the sect in the past month. Though most of them are lackeys, there were many experts among them. No one has survived more than three moves from your master.”

He vividly recalled this, having helped them and witnessed the spectacle himself. For ten continuous days and nights, the master held the sect, not sleeping, resting, or retreating an inch. His resilience was monstrous.

“So what? Even with a figure like the master, the leader of the Sacred Heart Sect remains untouchable, despite assistance from Wuji Mountain’s great array,” Xiang Mingfeng noted, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.

“We can only depend on ourselves.” He turned to face the group. “I suspect that after the alliance master’s skyward journey this time, his strength will likely increase even more. If we still can’t assist at our current levels upon his return, how can we expect to eliminate the Sacred Heart Sect and the demons? Are we destined to live forever under the protection of our seniors or the alliance master? If so, we should renounce the title of prodigies right now.”

Xiang Mingfeng’s words wiped the smiles off everyone’s faces.

The group remained silent, eventually dispersing, leaving only She Wanshan standing behind, observing the retreating figures with a troubled expression.