The Purgatory Calamity
Chapter 289 - 274 Tower Master Direct Disciple_1

Chapter 289: Chapter 274 Tower Master Direct Disciple_1

Yuan Ji Fragment Land.

"Pang Jian!"

Qi Qingsong, at the front of the Sword Boat, called out to the Red Rosy Clouds Boat with a wave and a smile on his face, "Come down quickly, Yuan Ji Fragment Land belongs to Sword Tower, I’ll take you to meet your shifu brothers and sisters."

Pang Jian looked down.

Under the cool moonlight, the Sword Boat, dozens of zhang long, glimmered with a silver hue, like an unsheathed sharp sword, emanating an awe-inspiring sharpness.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

Wisp after wisp of bright sword light flashed as the smooth boat soared by, each containing hidden Sword Intent.

Dressed in blue robes, several Sword Tower members, either on the Sword Boat or nearby the Teleportation Array, some drinking and making merry, others holding steaming cups of tea.

As they heard Qi Qingsong call out Pang Jian’s name,

Astonished gazes converged upon the slowly descending Red Rosy Clouds Boat, each person searching for Pang Jian’s figure.

"I want to see what kind of person the Tower Master’s appointed Direct Disciple really is."

"I heard he is also the Tower Master’s personal closing disciple."

"A closing disciple? Does the Tower Master rate him that highly?"

"Qi Qingsong really stepped in dog shit luck; he actually found such a figure during a trial. Because of his achievement, the Blue Dream Sword ended up in his hands."

"The Dream Sword, able to divine enshrinement with it; I can hardly stand not having it."

"..."

The numerous disciples of Sword Tower whispered among themselves as the Red Rosy Clouds Boat settled down.

Pang Jian stepped off the Red Rosy Clouds Boat, first curiously surveying the bustling Space Teleportation Array.

"Country bumpkin."

Qi Qingsong flew over with a laugh, nodding towards Zhou Qingchen and Zhao Yuanqi before turning to Dong Tianze with a surprised look, his expression growing cold, "Why are you here too?"

In Bagua City, when Pang Jian was pursuing Dong Tianze, he desperately clung to Qi Qingsong, nearly getting Qi Qingsong killed as well.

Qi Qingsong had always held a grudge about that incident.

For the trial in the Absolute Sky Forbidden Land, as the Sword Tower team leader, he only received news that disciples from Red Mountain would be accompanying; he didn’t know that Yin Spirit Temple and Blood Moon had also arranged for people to come.

"Why can’t I come?"

Dong Tianze answered indifferently.

He, like Pang Jian, curiously observed the hexagonal Teleportation Array, feeling the spatial ripples emanating from it.

"They were also allowed by the Tower Master,"

Zhao Yuanqi explained after descending.

"Dong Xiaozi, you better not cause trouble for me!"

Qi Qingsong glared at him and, after leading Pang Jian to the Teleportation Array, he explained with a smile, "Both the Second Realm and the First Realm have such Space Teleportation Arrays. The one in Yuan Ji Fragment Land can transport us to Qitian Continent, where Sword Tower is located, and can also take us to Demon Abyss Continent."

"In Sword Tower, there are higher-grade Space Teleportation Arrays that can take us directly to the First Realm!"

"Let me tell you, the construction of each Space Teleportation Array consumes a vast amount of Spirit Jade. In our Second Realm, some weaker sects don’t have the financial means to build a Teleportation Array."

"As for the Third Realm? They simply don’t have the qualifications. Even with Spirit Jade, they are not allowed to build Teleportation Arrays."

"Elder Mu..."

While talking, Qi Qingsong arrived before a stooped old man, stopped to bow respectfully and said with a smile, "This is Pang Jian."

Mu Aichuan, the in-charge of Yuan Ji Fragment Land and the keeper of the Space Teleportation Array sitting beside it, had an internal radiance hidden within his eyes.

Mu Aichuan quietly observed Pang Jian without a word.

"Nice to meet you, Elder Mu,"

Pang Jian followed Qi Qingsong’s lead and bowed.

"Hmm, good boy, the Tower Master speaks very highly of you; just make sure not to disappoint his affection,"

It was only then Mu Aichuan nodded his head in acknowledgment.

He looked at Pang Jian’s forehead, his eyes gathering the well-concealed divine light for a moment, intending to take a peek at Pang Jian’s Sea of Consciousness.

However, upon second thought, since Pu Zhaotian had already clearly stated Pang Jian’s Divine Sense count, it would seem somewhat disrespectful to inspect it himself.

Therefore, he withdrew the divine light from his eyes and said indifferently, "Although you have yet to join the sect, your name, Pang Jian, has already been entered into the sect’s ledger in advance. As an Inner Sect Disciple, and even a Direct Disciple of the Tower Master, you must not tarnish the honor of Sword Tower in the Absolute Sky Forbidden Land!"

Towards the end, Elder Mu’s tone turned slightly stern.

Pang Jian nodded, "I won’t dare to."

"Hmm, I too trust the Tower Master’s judgement; you’re likely not going to disgrace Sword Tower,"

Pointing at the special Sword Boat arranged by the sect, Mu Aichuan continued, "Within the Absolute Sky Forbidden Land, there are no Teleportation Arrays, and you can only travel by Sword Boat. Along the way, you don’t have to worry about anything. Qi Qingsong has a Sword Command that can directly contact me. Until that Sword Boat enters the Forbidden Land, I can offer you assistance through the Sword Command."

As he spoke these words, the stooped old man maintained a calm demeanor, yet there was a strong confidence about him.

It seemed as long as there was no issue with the Sword Command, he could help Qi Qingsong resolve all troubles along the way.

Qi Qingsong looked pleased, bowing quickly in gratitude, "With Elder Mu’s words, I now dare to set sail into the Absolute Sky Forbidden Land without fear of being disturbed by reckless Spirit Beasts."

"Spirit Beasts generally don’t bother our Sword Boats,"

Mu Aichuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a strange smile on his face as he said mockingly, "The Demon Boat of Demon Sect, the Landscape Spiritual Boat of Sky Water Swamp, and the Black Cloud Sail of Black Valley are their favorite targets to mess with."

Qi Qingsong, privy to some secrets, also showed a knowing smile, and after bowing to Mu Aichuan, he led Pang Jian onto the Sword Boat.

"Zhao Yuanqi, the Red Rosy Clouds Boat is too fragile, just leave it in Yuan Ji Fragment Land."

Qi Qingsong called out, signaling to the people below to also board the Sword Boat, "I’ve been waiting for a few of you to come, we mustn’t delay any longer. Let’s set off now."

"Whoosh!"

"Swoosh, swoosh!"

Zhao Yuanqi, Dong Tianze, Zhou Qingchen, and Fang Boxuan, one by one, landed on the Sword Boat.

"Pang Jian, my name is Guo Hongyuan, at the mid-stage of the Hollow Profound Realm, and I’m an outer sect disciple of the Sword Tower."

"Pang Jian, my name is Nie You, at the late-stage of the Hollow Profound Realm, and my Shifu is Wang Ce."

"Pang Jian..."

On the Sword Boat, dozens of Sword Tower disciples clad in blue, were introducing themselves to Pang Jian.

Pang Jian nodded repeatedly.

Those who mentioned their Shifu’s name were inner sect disciples of the Sword Tower; there were nine of them in total, and most were at the late-stage of the Hollow Profound Realm.

The rest, who had no Shifu, were outer sect disciples of the Sword Tower, numbering over thirty people.

All were at the Hollow Profound Realm as well.

During this time, not a single Sword Tower disciple came forward to initiate a greeting with Zhao Yuanqi and the others.

In their eyes, Zhao Yuanqi and her companions were as if air, as though they simply did not exist.

"Elder Brother Han, activate the Sword Boat!"

Qi Qingsong suddenly shouted aloud.

The Sword Boat abruptly flew into the sky, like a longsword soaring through the void, emitting bright silver sword light, heading straight for its destination.

Compared to the Red Rosy Clouds Boat, the Sword Boat was indeed faster and more stable.

"Pang Jian, I’ll take you to your room."

Qi Qingsong smiled brightly, pointing towards the highest level of the boat, "You and I have independent rooms on the third level. The other inner sect disciples may choose rooms on the second and first levels. Outer sect disciples don’t have this privilege; they can only stay on the deck."

Pang Jian said, "Zhou, you come with me."

"Ah? Me? Pang Jian, isn’t that a bit inconvenient?"

Zhou Qingchen said surprisedly.

On Zhao Yuanqi’s Red Rosy Clouds Boat, he had been calm and comfortable, partly because he was familiar with Zhao Yuanqi, and also because he was a disciple of Red Mountain.

However, as an outsider, upon entering this Sword Boat, he felt somewhat restrained and uneasy.

The dozens of Sword Tower disciples around him were all at the Hollow Profound Realm, and the vast majority were at the mid to late stages, each exuding an extraordinary sword intent and presence.

Zhou Qingchen faintly felt that any of the Sword Tower disciples could outmatch him in combat prowess.

It was for this reason that he felt a bit inferior.

"There’s nothing inconvenient about it."

Pang Jian stood still, waiting for him to join.

"Never mind, since one room belongs to Pang Jian, it’s his freedom to stay with you," Qi Qingsong shrugged, chuckling, "Come on, little brother Zhou, show the spirit you had when you tried to kill me!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Qingchen immediately thought of the past when he and Pang Jian were incited by Yuan Lengshan of the Demon Sect to join forces in an attempt to kill Qi Qingsong.

He could not help but chuckle, then proceeded towards the third level of the Sword Boat.

After several people left.

"This guy Pang Jian is not bad, he’s become Pu Zhaotian’s disciple but hasn’t forgotten about Zhou Qingchen."

Fang Boxuan casually found a corner to sit down, patted the empty spot beside him, and said to Dong Tianze, "We all came from the Third Realm, so we might as well stick together."

Dong Tianze didn’t bother with him, settling down on the spot, having come up with the Black Iron Mountain group.

...

On the third layer of the Sword Boat, Qi Qingsong took out fine wines and meats, laying them out on the table.

"Little brother Zhou, you’re Pang Jian’s brother, so let’s not stand on ceremony. I’ve witnessed the brotherhood between you two in Bagua City with my own eyes."

"Come on, don’t be shy with me, eat and drink as you like!"

"Let’s start with a pot for the two of us!"

In the room arranged for Pang Jian, Qi Qingsong was inviting Zhou Qingchen, and the three of them drank and made merry together.

He had decided in his heart to consider Pang Jian as the most important companion on the path of cultivation, and by extension, he treated Zhou Qingchen as a friend as well.

This was also to give face to Pang Jian.

Over food and drink, the three quickly hit it off, and their past experiences in Bagua City were instead discussed as amusing stories.

"The Demon Boat? During a critical moment of rushing towards the sky, you were toyed with by the Demon Boat?"

Hearing this from Zhou Qingchen, Qi Qingsong’s expression turned cold, "There are two leaders on the Demon Boat that I happen to know quite well. One is called Wu Yuan, and he’s an old rival of mine. The other, it turns out, has a connection with you guys too – she’s called Chen Lushi, a prodigy of the Demon Heart Sect."

"Yuan Lengshan and Lan Xi from Bagua City, one is her senior sister, and the other is her little junior sister."

Qi Qingsong snorted, "To play with you using the Demon Boat isn’t Wu Yuan’s style; he’s too lazy to deal with such lowly matters, and when he does make a move, it’s for lethal intent. It must be Chen Lushi. That woman is petty and has many wicked schemes; it must be her doing!"

"Yuan Lengshan, Lan Xi, Chen Lushi, the Demon Heart Sect is full of bad women!"

As he spoke, Qi Qingsong couldn’t help but recall the incident when he was schemed against by Yuan Lengshan, becoming agitated himself first.

Pang Jian, on the other hand, remained calm, saying, "We’ll address it when we enter the Absolute Sky Forbidden Land."

"Hmm."