Eternal Life from the Golden Needle Technique

Chapter 377: Chapter 374: Attacked En Route

Three Flying Ships set off at the same time,

carrying nearly five thousand people to reinforce the front lines.

Throughout the journey,

Shen Changchuan didn’t enter secluded Cultivation, but instead paid constant attention to his surroundings.

To spot enemies in advance,

he even had Xiaofeng fly up into the sky

and use the Eagle Eye Technique to keep a constant watch on their surroundings.

They had to be careful.

The further south they traveled, the more humid and rainy the weather became.

Even while flying high above,

they were still often shrouded by thick, dark clouds.

That was just a minor issue.

The real trouble

was that in these barbaric regions, vast areas were shrouded in thick fog all year round.

Unknown Abnormal Powers filled the void, along with violent currents of Thunder that could tear anything apart!

Those regions,

occupied vast tracts of land,

practically forbidden zones for all living creatures!

Even an expert in the Divine Travel Realm couldn’t claim to be able to cross them unscathed.

Fortunately,

on the way south to the Nanyue Kingdom,

there were safe ”routes” that had appeared for some unknown reason.

Even Cultivators in the Qi Introduction Realm could travel through them without facing too much danger.

It was just that due to the complex and ever-changing environment,

if someone were to set an ambush,

they would be very difficult to detect.

In a situation like this,

it was only natural to be cautious.

Fortunately, however,

several years ago, Shen Changchuan had escorted a merchant caravan through perilous territory to earn Spirit Stones.

So he had some experience,

and for the time being,

the problems weren’t too significant.

Time flew by while their nerves were on edge.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

The Flying Ships, fueled by Spirit Stones, sped onward.

In half a month, they crossed nearly ninety thousand li, traversing the chaotic Barbaric Land.

During the journey,

they did experience several disturbances.

Once, they were struck by a violent bolt of Thunder from the sky. Fortunately, the Flying Ship had a Protective Array, and with Shen Changchuan taking action, it wasn’t a major issue.

Twice, their conspicuous passage through the sky seemed to disturb the Demon Beasts living in the clouds, prompting them to attack.

Of course, the end result was that the attacking Demon Beasts were slain.

Throughout the journey,

there were some setbacks.

But there were no casualties.

And now,

the fleet of Flying Ships was only three thousand li from Barbaric City.

”We’re finally almost there!”

”My nerves have been stretched taut for the past half a month, I haven’t dared to relax for a second. This is way more tiring than Cultivation! It’s nearly been the death of me!”

On the lead Flying Ship,

the one carrying the members of the Dragon Cloud Sect,

on the deck at the bow,

the Song Family Ancestor stroked his beard, gazing at the dark clouds continuously receding on both sides, and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

The three ships flew one after another, not far apart.

Furthermore, each Flying Ship had a dedicated crew, so there was no need for a Soul Emergence Realm Cultivator to personally pilot it.

Thus, for the past few days,

the Song Family Ancestor had spent most of his time on Shen Changchuan’s Flying Ship.

Shen Changchuan wasn’t one for social niceties,

but he could tell the man was intentionally trying to get closer to him.

It carried a clear undertone of wanting to be friendly and win him over.

To this,

Shen Changchuan didn’t reject his advances.

’He’s not a lunatic,’

’why would I give the cold shoulder to someone trying to be friendly?’

Besides,

the man had lived for nearly two hundred years, making him almost ten times Shen Changchuan’s age.

’Even though his strength isn’t all that impressive,’

’he’s certainly seen and heard a great deal.’

’Especially after decades of polishing his skills in the Soul Emergence Realm, he’s bound to have some unique insights.’

So, Shen Changchuan was happy to chat with him.

During their conversations,

Shen Changchuan did indeed gain a few new insights.

’Cultivation in the Soul Emergence Realm truly isn’t easy.’

’No wonder they say if you can’t condense a Spirit Body when breaking through from the Qi Introduction Realm to the Soul Emergence Realm, it’s basically impossible to ever reach the Divine Travel Realm...’

’So a Spirit Body increases a Soul Emergence Realm Cultivator’s Cultivation speed by several times compared to an ordinary one! The difficulty of breaking through a Realm is also reduced severalfold!’

’Cultivation in the Soul Emergence Realm is already this difficult even with a Spirit Body. For someone without one, trying to get past the Ninth Layer Realm to reach the Divine Travel Realm... the difficulty must be more than ten times greater. It’s practically impossible!’

After his conversations with the Song Family Ancestor,

Shen Changchuan clearly had a great revelation.

Back in the Sect,

everyone who managed to reach the Soul Emergence Realm and was accepted by his master, Master Wandering Dragon, was an elite genius. Most of them had condensed a Spirit Body.

That was why Shen Changchuan had overlooked this fact.

It wasn’t until he spoke with a truly ordinary Soul Emergence Realm Cultivator—the Song Family Ancestor—

that he truly understood the immense gap!

As a result,

Shen Changchuan was no longer so anxious about breaking through to the Soul Emergence Fourth Layer in a short time.

He would still strive for it, of course.

But he had managed to calm his mind about it.

”We are indeed almost there.”

”But at full speed, we’re still more than half a day away.”

”We can’t let our guard down until we’ve actually reached Barbaric City.”

While reflecting on how much he had gained from their recent conversations,

Shen Changchuan offered a verbal reminder.

”Mm, that is true.”

”The night is darkest just before the dawn. So many people fall at the very last step.”

”However, I doubt those Demon Cultivator whelps would be foolish enough to attack us here. If we use the ship’s Array to hold our ground until reinforcements from Barbaric City arrive, they’d be signing their own death warrants!”

Although Shen Changchuan was very strong,

far stronger than him,

on this matter,

the Song Family Ancestor was certain based on his years of experience that it was basically impossible.

But,

before the words had even left his mouth,

RUMBLE!!!

A violent roar erupted,

and the entire Flying Ship was hit by a ferocious impact, causing it to shake violently!

The immense force of the impact nearly sent it tumbling from the sky!

Elder Song: ...

’The words just left my mouth,’

’Are you kidding me?’

However, at that very same moment,

VMMM!

Shen Changchuan stomped his foot, and a majestic, mountain-like power erupted downwards.

The Flying Ship suddenly dipped,

and its violent shaking was quelled.

Shen Changchuan had stabilized the Flying Ship with sheer brute force.

”Elder Song, get ready! The enemy is here!”

Shen Changchuan’s expression was grim.

Just then,

CAW! CAW! CAW!!!

A series of rapid, strange cries suddenly rang out. From within the dense, dark clouds, flock after flock of completely black, calf-sized birds emerged,

pouring out like a tide to engulf the three ships!

”Brother Shen, I’m heading back to organize the defense!”

”Be careful!”

Elder Song transformed into a streak of light,

and shot back to the Flying Ship behind them.

’This ship is carrying many of the Song Family’s elites,’ ’I can’t afford to lose them!’

A moment later,

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!

Accompanied by thunderous booms, Elder Song unleashed a sky-filling aura of Magical Power, blasting it toward the swooping black birds!