Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

But as for the true confrontation between the two armies—the stage where a single battle would decide everything—it was still unknown when that would finally begin.

The three of them were tens of thousands of feet in the air, an altitude only Golden Core Cultivators could traverse with ease. Fang Qingyuan and the Sect Leader of the Lingliang Sect were inside a flying shuttle summoned by Yan Nanxing. The experience was far superior to flying with their own Magical Power. For one, they didn’t have to waste effort managing the turbulent astral winds, and it also conserved a great deal of Magical Power.

Fang Qingyuan’s eyes lit up as he studied Yan Nanxing’s small flying shuttle. He was reminded of what the Elder Dean at Tianshan Villa had said years ago: ’The Beast Taming Sect is better off sticking to Transport Beasts.’ Of course, when that same Elder Dean later went to Zongshan to report on his duties, he had chosen a flying shuttle himself.

Compared to a large Transport Beast like the Silver-backed Manta Ray, the most distinguishing feature of Yan Nanxing’s shuttle was its stability.

Although the Silver-backed Manta Ray was enormous and offered a comfortable ride, it couldn’t escape a characteristic common to all living creatures: bumpiness. Perhaps only when a Silver-backed Manta Ray advanced to become a Golden Silk Silver Back, reaching the Golden Core Realm, would the ride be completely smooth.

Seeing the way Fang Qingyuan was eyeing his shuttle, Yan Nanxing said proudly,

"So, Younger Brother Fang, have you taken a fancy to this Tier Three Qingyun Gangfeng Shuttle? I won’t hide it from you, brother. This shuttle may not look spacious, but its speed is astonishing. At full power, it can reach seventy to eighty percent of an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator’s flight speed."

Fang Qingyuan was surprised by Yan Nanxing’s description. ’Seventy to eighty percent of an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator’s speed at full power... that doesn’t sound particularly special.’

’But Golden Core Cultivators can’t maintain that speed indefinitely. When flying, they also have to watch for danger and keep their Magical Power above two-thirds capacity. If it drops below that, for safety’s sake, they usually have to land and recover.’

’Of course, some Golden Core Cultivators only keep a third of their Magical Power in reserve, but those are the bold and highly skilled. I would never dare do that. When I travel, I usually pilot a Spiritual Boat, and once I’ve used up a third of my Magical Power, I obediently land to meditate and recover.’

’But this shuttle only needs Spirit Stones to maintain its speed, and the Cultivators inside remain in peak condition. If they run into trouble, they’ll be well-rested and ready for a fight. With such an advantage, it’s far, far safer than a Golden Core Cultivator traveling under their own power.’

Fang Qingyuan thought of his Companion Beast, Yinbao, who was still only at the early-stage Foundation Establishment, and sighed. ’My cultivation is advancing too quickly for my Companion Beast to keep up. It’s a real problem.’

’Otherwise, I could be riding Yinbao and traveling everywhere. Maybe... should I find myself a Golden Core-level flying Companion Beast?’

Seeing that Fang Qingyuan had fallen silent, Yan Nanxing continued,

"Younger Brother Fang, I’ve seen how your Qingyuan Sect has been flourishing these past few years. As a sect leader, and now a Golden Core Great Cultivator, how can you not have a fitting ride? If you would accept it, Younger Brother Fang, then this Qingyun Gangfeng Shuttle is yours."

At this, Fang Qingyuan snapped out of his reverie and quickly waved his hands, saying,

"How could I possibly? A gentleman does not take what another treasures. And while I may not be a gentleman, I can’t just accept such a gift for no reason. Please, Brother Yan, take back your offer."

Yan Nanxing laughed heartily and declared with a grand gesture,

"What’s one flying shuttle? It’s only worth a little over ten thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones. What’s that between friends like us? Besides, I didn’t give you a proper gift for your Core Formation Ceremony. This shuttle is perfect for you."

Fang Qingyuan looked at the magnanimous Yan Nanxing and saw the serious look on his face. Deciding not to stand on ceremony any longer, he smiled and said,

"In that case, thank you for your gift, Brother Yan. The Qingyun Gangfeng Shuttle? A fine name."

Yan Nanxing seemed even happier than Fang Qingyuan to have given the shuttle away. In the time that followed, he began teaching Fang Qingyuan how to operate it. They piloted the shuttle together as Yan Nanxing explained all of its hidden functions one by one.

The Second Generation Sect Leader of the Lingliang Sect also drew near, chiming in with words of praise from time to time, which put Fang Qingyuan in a very good mood.

A journey that would have taken a Golden Core Cultivator two or three days was completed in just a day and a night aboard the Qingyun Gangfeng Shuttle, bringing them to the Nanchu Sect.

Along the way, especially when crossing the Death Swamp on the border between White Mountain and Nanchu, the unbearably foul, toxic clouds had not affected the three men inside the shuttle in the slightest.

After disembarking from the shuttle before the gates of the Nanchu Sect, Yan Nanxing shrank the Tier Three shuttle and placed it in Fang Qingyuan’s hand. As Fang Qingyuan looked at the palm-sized device, he finally understood just where its expense came from.

An Artifact Refining Master had inlaid the shuttle with a number of Spatial Attribute Spirit Stones, allowing it to change size at will. In just a dozen breaths, it could shrink from a seventy- or eighty-foot-long behemoth to the size of his palm.

Otherwise, the shuttle wouldn’t be so expensive that an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator couldn’t afford it. It was only because Yan Nanxing came from a wealthy background and was the leader of the nine Sealed Sects that he could possess such an item.

Fang Qingyuan tucked the shuttle into his sleeve. Because it was inlaid with Spatial Spirit Stones and thus already in a state of spatial compression, it was inadvisable to place it inside a storage bag. Doing so could very well trigger a conflict between their two spatial fields, resulting in the destruction of both.

Having accepted such a generous gift from Yan Nanxing, Fang Qingyuan took their current business all the more seriously. Upon reaching the mountain gate of the Nanchu Sect, the three presented their calling cards. A short while later, after a Guest Officer announced their arrival, the Vice Sect Leader of the Nanchu Sect, Chu Shen, came out to greet them personally.