Chapter 654: Meeting on the way


    On the day of departure, two gigantic Cloud Boats were already hovering over Jiuqu City. These Fourth Rank Cloud Boats were extremely rare within the Jiuqu League and appeared to be like two small mountains from a distance.


    Inside the Cloud Boats, apart from their spacious interiors, there were also miniature worlds created by Primordial Spirit True Monarchs using Divine Abilities. Building each Fourth Rank Cloud Boat was no easy task; it required significant manpower, resources, and a considerable amount of time. Even a formidable force like the Jiuqu League possessed only a few Fourth Rank Cloud Boats.


    The Fourth Rank Cloud Boats were not just massive in size, but they also boasted formidablebat and defensive capabilities, making them highly versatile with various functions. One of these Cloud Boats belonged to the Jiuqu League and was rarely used unless a major event urred. The other Cloud Boat belonged to the Four Seas Commercial Firm and served as their tool for conducting business across the world.


    The delegation dispatched to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle was not restricted to a specific group of members, leading to many cultivators trying to find their way into it. Some, like Meng Zhang, had specific purposes and needed to travel to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle. Others were cultivators who sought adventure and took this opportunity to travel far and wide. There were even those who engaged in trade between the Jiuqu League and the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.


    As a result, the delegation''s ranks were a mixture of diverse individuals, making the group quiterge. The cultivators in the delegation fell into two categories: one consisted of official members affiliated with the Jiuqu League, holding positions or conducting official duties rted to the mission. The other category consisted of those who paid spirit stones to the Four Seas Commercial Firm to board the Cloud Boat and travel to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.


    Through some connections, Niu Dawei arranged Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General into the first category, giving them the status of Jiuqu League members on official business to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle. As such, they were mostly amodated on the Cloud Boat belonging to the Jiuqu League, where True Monarch Azure Gem and True Monarch Profound Wind presided.


    The majority of the second category of cultivators boarded the Cloud Boat belonging to the Four Seas Commercial Firm, where You Hongzhi, the True Monarch of the Four Seas Commercial Firm, held authority.


    Two days before departure, many flying boats approached the two Cloud Boats, bringing not only personnel but also a substantial amount of cargo. Mobilizing a Fourth Rank Cloud Boat was an expensive endeavor, especially when traveling such a vast distance between the Jiuqu League and the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle, which consumed a massive amount of spirit stones.


    As the Four Seas Commercial Firm was primarily profit-driven, they not only sold arge number of passenger cabins on the Cloud Boat but also carried many goods to be sold at the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle. The Jiuqu League, despite its size and power, had suffered significant losses due to the warfare in the Yuantu Great Prairie in recent years, and its resources were somewhat strained. This time, they carried numerous goods, hoping to earn profits to make up for the shortages.Even Azure Origin Sect, a prestigious orthodox sect known for its adherence to Daoist principles, couldn''t afford to consider dignity when faced with practical interests. Although Azure Origin Sect didn''t directly intervene, a significant portion of the cargo aboard the Cloud Boat belonged to major sects like Azure Origin Sect, besides the portion belonging to the Jiuqu League.


    Various cultivators had received prior notice and passed through simple inspections to board the Cloud Boat. On the day of departure, after a brief farewell, the two Cloud Boats set off on their journey to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.


    The Cloud Boats appeared like colossal beasts as they hovered over Jiuqu City, casting a massive shadow that covered arge part of the city. As they slowly moved westward, many cultivators in the city felt a sense of relief, as if a considerable burden had been lifted.


    Initially, the Cloud Boats started at a slow pace, as if gradually shifting their positions. It was only after flying a considerable distance that they began to elerate. Once they reached a certain speed, they maintained a steady pace without further changes.


    Given the immense size of the Cloud Boats, they constantly consumed arge number of spirit stones. Hence, they typically traveled at an economical and constant speed, only elerating when necessary.


    Thanks to Niu Dawei''s prior arrangements, Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General found themselves fairly well amodated on the Cloud Boat. Although the interior of the Cloud Boat was vast, it was loaded with arge number of goods and passengers, making individual space far from abundant. Distinguished figures like Primordial Spirit True Monarchs required even more substantial, separate spaces.


    Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General were assigned two separate cabins situated close to each other, providing a decent environment. After the Cloud Boat started, they both left their cabins and stepped outside.


    Outside the cabins was a wide corridor, where many passengers were moving about. Since this was Jiuqu League''s territory, there was generally little danger, and everyone''s mood was rtively rxed. Many passengers didn''t want to stay confined in their cabins and came out to get some fresh air.


    Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General strolled through the corridor, taking several rounds before reaching the deck. The defensive great formation set up on the flying boat filtered out the strong winds, leaving only a gentle breeze that invigorated the spirits.


    On the deck, many cultivators were walking around, either admiring the scenery below or marveling at the sights in the high sky. Some sociable cultivators were engaging in conversations,working, and expanding their connections.


    As a Sect Master and a cultivator at the Gold Core stage, Meng Zhang held a rtively high position on the Cloud Boat. Aside from the three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, there were few who could surpass him in status among the delegation.


    This time, Meng Zhang deliberately kept a low profile and refrained from publicizing his identity. When Niu Dawei arranged for him and Extreme Sword Spirit General to join the delegation, he didn''t mention that Meng Zhang was the Sect Master but simply presented them as junior members of the sect who wanted to explore the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle. If Meng Zhang revealed his true identity, he would likely be ced closer to the three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.


    With a significant responsibility on this journey, Meng Zhang didn''t want to draw attention to himself and preferred to keep a distance from the Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.


    Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General''s position on the Cloud Boat was neither prominent nor insignificant. They resided on the same level as Foundation Building stage cultivators. Among these Foundation Building stage cultivators, no one recognized their identities, nor could they perceive their true Cultivation Base.


    Meng Zhang casually looked around, and his gaze slightly narrowed. It was quite unexpected to encounter an old acquaintance at this time and ce. To call this person an acquaintance might be imprecise; they had only crossed paths once and were far from being truly familiar with each other.


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