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Chapter 23: Flight Formations

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""Ancestor!""

The trio objected to his wish, yet he was adamant.

It seemed he was fixed in going to Wang Nan city. While it was not their place to object, they still did so since this concerned his safety. Knowing so, An Shan did not blame them.

With him raising his hand, the blood warriors stopped objecting.

“Don’t fret, Mu-er and Ru-er will follow me. You three stay and handle the tasks I set,”

“B-but Ancestor… They’re skilled, yes. But going to hostile territory, just two guards…”

“I’m just going there to buy stuff, what’s the worry. We’ll keep a low profile,”

“But is it necessary…”

“I wish to see how they govern the city myself. And, the Wang clan was one of my most loyal clans, I must at least go over and pay them some respect,”

Hearing his real intent, the three shut up. Working with An Shan for two months, they knew he had a hands-on approach. He listened to reports, later confirmed whatever he could with his own eyes. More importantly, to those who did a good work, he showed appreciation. It was his style, they dared not object.

Then again, the Ancestor was going to an Auction House, in a city hostile to them…

The last time he went somewhere, he made a huge ruckus. They had reports coming into the Patriarch’s office. Most of them from Grand Elders related to the Divine Factions, calling upon harsh punishment to a disrespectful core disciple called… An Shan.

It seemed some of them were boiling in anger. At first, they were nonchalant about it. Only later did most of them realized what a tsunami the little debate produced. With the core disciples talking, it cultivated seeds of doubt, especially so in youngsters…

Did the Divine Scholars really possess divine authority?

Could it be that their claims… Were merely their own fantasy?

Such a short occasion produced a terrible wave, sweeping through Absolute Aegis by surprise. And that was done merely in an academic hall, in their own sect, in less than two hours! Coming out from the Patriarch’s study, the three seniors turned to each other;

“W-will he make a ruckus again?”

“Our liege said it, right? He will stay low…”

“…”

Supreme Ancestor would go to the auction house in a hostile city, and came back without a problem? But it was somewhat a general knowledge, in literature and history alike, that when a hero visited an auction, problem would surely come. It was like ‘buy one, free one’ kind of thing... It was ridiculous not to get them both. They could not be separated!

In addition, for such a big figure like him, to go to a hostile city, yet bringing along only two of their junior members? The trio had a cause for concern.

“...Worried?”

“Yes,”

“W-we should have some confident in h-him… He is afterall, our Founding Ancestor…”

“Y-you’re right…”

“…”

Dead silence.

Thinking about it, the three most senior Blood Warriors felt their stomach churning, their hairs turning white. It was only next week, that news came… An Shan was bringing along Xiao Mei with him!

When they heard so, all the Blood Warriors felt like spurting blood…

“…”

“…Anyone want to comment anything?”

“Something will happen,”

“Definitely,”

“Big?”

“Huge,”

“Let’s prepare something at least...”

They sighed.

Well, at least they expected something to come.

A little while before…

“But I want to go!”

“No!”

“I wanna, I wanna, I wanna go!”

“No means no!”

An Shan had a headache.

Just when he exited the study, this little girl caught sight of him. While the area near the study was prohibited to most people, she was among the most regular visitors. Just when the Blood Warriors were about to catch her, she caught the sleeve of her Ancestor first.

Looking at An Shan, with brand new yet regular-looking clothes, she had an idea what he was going to do.

He was going out!

Being the daughter of the Patriarch, her movement was limited to only within the sect’s area. Even with such a wide area covering the whole mountain, she still had the desire to see the outside world. Ah, the adventure, the inspiration, the meeting of heroes around the world… Well, her fantasy came from her interaction with Ling Shuren.

Travel, journey, adventure!

Whoever sane, would drool for one!

An Shan shook her off his sleeve. Still, she latched herself onto him, like the pesky bug she was. Tears in her eyes, her voice was shaking as she begged him…

“Wu wu wuu… Ancestor, I never got to go anywhere… Dad always so busy, Mom always out of town… Older sister in her training journey… Elders always ran from me, as if I’m a calamity… The others never want to play with me… And Ancestor, you… you’re always sleepy!”

“…Ungrateful brat, you have your Sister Ling!”

“She’s in training now~ Aunt Su Min said I can’t bother her… You’re cruel, Ancestor, cruel… You never think of Xiao Mei… Aii, the Heavens! How could you turn a blind eye to this injustice?!”

“This brat,”

“Wu wu, Heavens pity me… Xiao Mei never got good parents, others in the clan don’t wanna play with me, now even my own Ancestor ditches me to play on his own, wuu… Injustice, injustice… Wu wuu…”

Hearing this, his face twitched.

What do you mean, I ditched you to play?

Do I look so carefree to you, huh? Did me sleeping so much seemed so carefree to you, huh?

Looking at the tears and snot on Xiao Mei’s face, his admonition was stuck in his throat. Hearing the child’s complaint, he also realized something…

She did not get enough attention, and in particular, he himself never spent leisure time with her. She was the great granddaughter of his great granddaughter, yet he did not spend time with her at all… Well, he did not spend any time with all of them at all anyway. But hearing her complaint, he started to think…

Was he cruel?

…

Damn it, he wished he was cruel!

If he was cruel, he could kick her butt right here and now!

“Huaa— Heavens, don’t forsake me, Xiao Mei had always been filial, wuwuu…”

“…Fine! You can follow!”

“Hua… Wuu… Eh, eh, r-really?”

“You don’t want to now? That’s also fine, extra fine!”

“N-no— I want to! Ahaha, I knew you’re a good person, Ancestor. I love you, Ancestor!”

With her hugging his feet laughing, his feeling somehow softened.

Yet the feeling to kick her butt still lingered.

…What a strong feeling.

“Mei-er, when we’re out, remember to call me…”

“I know, Brother Shan, right?”

“No, this time call me dad,”

“Eh, Ancestor becomes dad? What does that mean,”

“It means you’ve got to use your head, else I’ll be mad… And when I’m mad, you’ll be sad, and it’ll be bad, got that?”

“Ah, I see… I got it covered, dad!”

Slamming her chest as if assuring ‘there will never be problem with me around’, An Shan started to wonder if he had grown too old…

“Remember, you’re not Xiao Mei. From now on, you’re Xiao Mi. If you made even one problem, I’ll…”

“I know, I know… I won’t make any problem, promise!”

“…Fine,”

He had doubts. But well, he had gone through World War, twice! He also unified the six Imperial Clans before… Each was no small feat. Whatever trouble’s coming with bringing her along, he assured himself it should not be as hard as uniting a continent…

Yeah, no worry…

After having Ru-er explained the whole situation to Xiao Mei, they set forth to the South.

An Shan took the role as Xiao Shu, a wealthy merchant from the East. Meanwhile, Ru-er positioned herself as his wife, putting on a typical lady’s garment. With it, the cold and aloof warrior called Ru-er transformed into Xiao Ru, a slightly rich household lady one could find anywhere. With Xiao Mei, the pair of ‘husband and wife’ had a daughter tagging along.

With Mu-er following along secretly from behind, they went to the nearest city.

After a little sight-seeing, they went to a high platform for flight. Here, they board a flying ship going to a city on their South-Western border.

The airship was large, capable of bringing along more than two thousand people in one go.

The design was sleek, as if it were wooden stingray, painted all green. The belly however, was still quite big. Coming on board as a family of tourists, An Shan, Ru-er and Xiao Mei made their way into a room with two beds. It was a deluxe room for husband and wife, with an extra bed for their young child.

Looking at the bed, Ru-er had wild imagination. Then again, she was quick to shake her head. It was not appropriate. Clasping her hands towards An Shan, she urged him to sleep.

“Ancestor, please rest. Your servant will stay on guard,”

“…Xiao Ru,”

Taking the persona of Xiao Ru, Ru-er was perplexed when An Shan called her so while in a private chamber.

“Y-yes?”

“Remember, you’re my wife now, act more like it,”

“Err, b-but…”

“Call me dear, alright? All the time. That’s an order, until we’re no longer husband and wife,”

“T-this…”

Seeing her hesitation, An Shan realized something.

“My mistake, I didn’t realize you’re so against it… Well, don’t let it bother you too—”

“No! That’s not the prob—”

“Hm?”

It was rather weird for the all-calm Ru-er to suddenly burst like that. Seeing her red face, he realized it was not deliberate. Composing herself, she nodded quietly.

“I-I understand, d-dear…”

“Alright, that’s more like it. Oh, you can use the bed then Xiao Ru, I’ll be using this,”

He took out a small turtle shell from his spatial ring.

When he was about to enlarge it, he sensed some formations activating. As they all realized, the ship started to fly. Looking out of their glass window, the airship was gradually gaining altitude.

“This energy… What a flow, I must study this,”

Being a formation freak, his interest in the subject was astronomical. With his interest piqued, even his sleepiness could not turn him down. Turning to Ru-er, he gestured her to follow him outside.

“Dear?”

“Let’s go to the deck for awhile. There ought to be formations linked to the main one, and you,”

Seeing him pointing to her, the girl made a stuffed mouth.

“It’s not you, it’s Xiao Mi!”

“Yeah, Mi-er. I’m going up to the deck, you coming?”

“Ehhh… There’s so many boring people up there, not interested… I’ll stay here.”

“Stay here then. Eat, sleep, sh— erm, whatever you like… Just avoid trouble,”

“Hm, who do you think I am, d-dad? Avoiding trouble? I’m more than capable, hmph!”

“…Sure, sure. But just for insurance, come here,”

“What?”

Gesturing her to come closer, An Shan took something out of his spatial ring. His hand blurred, he was quick to clip it onto Xiao Mei’s left ear.

“Ahh, that stings—”

“Don’t exaggerate. You can’t even withstand an ant’s bite? Pathetic,”

“Wuwu, Ances— Dad, you’re bullying Xiao Mi… hu-uh?”

Just as she was complaining, her eyes closed.

In less than five second from having the earring equipped, she had fallen asleep!

“An— Dear, this?”

Seeing this phenomenon, Ru-er pondered.

The earring An Shan put on Xiao Mei, it seemed familiar. Remembering Patriarch An Hong, and seeing An Shan’s right ear, she quickly caught on. Seeing Xiao Mei falling asleep, An Shan realized his error.

“My mistake, the function had to be sealed,”

It was a Soul-Artifact, one of those he crafted personally. The function was quite extraordinary, but given his current condition, it was less desirable. The two-way traffic of constant Soul Link was too much for her to bear. At this rate, Xiao Mei would never wake up.

Putting his finger on Xiao Mei’s ear, he willed the equipment to seal most of itself.

“Seal,”

After he did, Ru-er could see as the qi within the earring dim. An Shan shook Xiao Mei, trying to wake her up. Yet a full minute on, she was still sleeping.

Pa!

A hard slap landed on her cheek, she woke up.

“H-huh? Ancestor, can’t you be more gentle! How could you slap a maiden’s face—”

“A maiden, right… Listen Xiao Mei,”

“It’s Xiao Mi, how silly of you, dad…”

“Grr, hmph, you’re right. Mi-er, this earring…”

Explaining to her the function of the earring, he made sure she knew when to use it. He lent it to her as a link. While she had a formation plate on her, having the earring as a mean of communication would ensure her safety should she landed herself onto trouble. After making sure she understood its function, plus warning her never to abuse it, An Shan stood up, gesturing Ru-er to follow.

“Got it, I’ll never abuse it, promise!”

“Um, I trust you then… You sure you’re not going to follow?”

“Nah, I’m tired dad… Xiao Mi will just stay here,”

“Fine, your loss. Let’s go Xiao Ru,”

“Yes dear,”

An Shan went up to the deck, followed by the bashful Ru-er, walking by his side with short steps…

After making sure their figure disappeared completely, Xiao Mei had a wide grin. Taking the lock with her, she locked the room’s door before running out to the opposite direction.

…

In the deeper hallway, the word freedom echoed in the air.

On the deck, there were several hundred people wandering around.

Most were observing the view from the side, with wind flying past them. It was quite comfortable being on the deck, with the formation on the floor keeping them all grounded. There were also smaller formations around the wooden railings all around the deck, decreasing the speed of incoming wind. Thus, unless they willed it, the passengers would not be blown by the wind.

As the pair came up the deck, An Shan could already see various formations in action.

The use of this many formations in commercial flight was something new to him, thus he figured he had many things to learn just from this trip alone. Seeing the formations, he touched them on the floor. Soon, he linked the presence a much powerful formations below, in the engine rooms and in their two sides, above the two wings of the ship.

By his side, Ru-er kept watch of his back. Once awhile, she glanced at him. In particular, his face… That fascinated expression, as if seeing something he was expecting for so long, was really interesting to see. Without her realizing, her cheeks turned red. She felt like flying in the clouds…

Nodding in satisfaction, An Shan’s voice put her feet back into reality.

“They’re feeding low quality spirit stones, and the lift… assisted with Gravity stones. The energy flow was quite efficient, and much more economical than back then,”

Of course it was economical. This was commercial flight.

Having experimented all sorts of things in this two thousand years, companies already found ways to operate airship in a way that was affordable for the public. The cost of operation was minimized so much that airship was more common in commercial sector than it was in military.

As he observed the formations, he had the urge to lift his seal.

If he unsealed his cultivation and soul, he would be able to fully use his Soul Technique. He felt the need to. While he still had access to some Soul Technique in his sealed state, he could only use a little of it. Unless he used his Soul power to its full extent, he could not make sense of the intricate formations all around him.

“This could be beneficial to the sect, then again…”

He did not have to do it now. Should he return to the sect, he could still observe any airship the sect had, thus doing so right now was not necessary, nor it was appropriate.

“Oh well, maybe later… Oh, Xiao Ru,”

“Y-yes, dear?”

“Is this ship the most advanced around?”

“The most advanced? I don’t think so d-dear… I think the most advanced ship should be in the North… belongs to Soaring Dragon Imperial Clan. But if you ask for economical one, this one could be it.”

“Economical, eh…”

Disguised as normal merchant on holiday, he instructed the Blood Warriors to prepare them a normal commercial flight. Had he not instructed so, they would probably book the most luxurious one.

His eyes still on the formation, he wondered whether it was possible for them to mass produce it. Observing, he had new ideas. Would it be possible to make it more economical? It seemed more advanced than the one he used during the war, so it got him interested.

For now, he copied whatever formations he could get inside his mind.