After so many years of extensive travelling, Ning Cheng’s mind had long since grown from that of a youth when he had first arrived in this world. This ship definitely was a place that only recognized Spirit Stones, and because of this, the two Profound Core Cultivators from before did not care about asking him of his name or background or where had he come from.
But since this Mu Xunlin wanted to gain a favour from him, and had even mentioned his own name first, as such it was quite necessary to ask him about where he was going, and what his name was.
Moreover, he himself did not know where at present he was at, as such Ning Cheng really did not want to reveal his real name. In the case of if he had ended up returning back to the periphery of the Le Continent after going through a huge circle in the Chaotic Star Space, it would be completely nonsensical to report his real name, and it would only be him courting death.
“Haha, I have been in the Yi Xing Ocean for over twenty years, and have no idea as to how to get back home, this time if I can earn enough Spirit Stones, then I could use the Transmission Array on the Mirage Gazing Island to return back to the Formless Academy. After all these years, my cultivation had barely progressed, after all there are just too few opportunities here, ai…”
Mu Xunlin gave out a self-deprecating laugh, and after he spoke gave out a long yet deep sigh, it was apparent as to how much of a toll has these years taken on him.
“Formless Academy?” Ning Cheng intentionally repeated the words with a questioning tone, while he thought in his mind, that this Formless Academy should not have any connection with his own cultivation method that was named Mysterious Yellow Formless.
Mu Xunlin once again gave a self-ridiculing laugh as he spoke, “This friend not hearing about the Formless Academy is quite normal. My Academy is only a four Star Academy. On the Tian Continent, a 4 Star Academy is simply a humble existence.”
Ning Cheng slowly let out a breath, as he finally was able to find his bearings. While in his heart, he couldn’t help but be shocked, as he had never thought that he would be able to arrive near to the Tian Continent with the True Brahma Buddha Fire Wheel. If it were before, he would have never thought such a thing could even be possible.
Travelling from the nine continents of the mainland to the Tian Continent, even if one was a Crucible Transformation Cultivator it would be almost next to impossible, and yet here he was but merely using around 2 years to arrive. If this was spoken to someone else, it could be easily guessed that there would simply be no one who would believe it.
Now that he was aware that he was near to the Tian Continent, he now felt completely relieved as he spoke, “So originally Elder Brother Mu was a disciple from the Formless Academy, at least it is much better when compared with me. I am called Ning Cheng, and am only a rogue cultivator, and have also been living in the ocean for over many years.”
Hearing Ning Cheng say that he was a rogue cultivator, Mu Xunlin did not feel surprised, and continued, “It seems Elder Brother Ning misunderstood something, I am not a disciple of the Formless Academy rather I am the Academy Head of the Formless Academy. It was roughly about 20 years ago that I advanced to the Profound Core Realm, and coincidentally was able to advance to the Profound Core 2nd Level again in just three years. After another year, I was able to advance to the Profound Core 3rd Level. The Formless Academy because of finding a secret stash of resources was able to undergo a huge expansion, which resulted in me being bursting with confidence, which ended up with me making a decision that I bitterly regret now, and that was to go to the Mirage Gazing City to seek out the Mirage Ship Island.”
This was the second person from who Ning Cheng had heard about the name ‘Mirage Ship Island’, and so he once again asked in a puzzled manner, “A lot of people seem to be looking for the Mirage Ship Island aah; I am also here because I wanted to look for the Mirage Ship Island. So what’s wrong in it?”
Mu Xunlin gave a bitter smile, “I know why you came here for, in fact all the cultivators here are for the same reason, other than a few who truly came here in order to hunt sea beasts, who would come here to collect herbs and other materials from the ocean? Almost 90 percent of the people here have come for the Mirage Ship Island. For more than 20 years, I have used up all of the resources at my disposal, and yet my cultivation had only advanced to the Profound Core 4th level at present. But even then, I could not even get a glimpse of the Mirage Ship Island, let alone the Mirage Stone. ”
So originally, he wanted to go look for the Mirage Ship Island to search for Mirage Stones, it seems that this Mirage Stone is not just any material; rather it is something extremely precious, which is the reason why there were these many people who want to find it. Ning Cheng finally understood a little bit of context, he felt that a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. At least now, if someone asked him as to what reason he was here for, he would be able to answer it.
“Elder Brother Mu, to be frank, I am not a person looking for the Mirage Ship Island. Moreover, I am also not from this ship, rather I was on another ship. But our ship suffered an attack from a sea beast, and I ended up escaping here using an Escaping Talisman. But listening to what Elder Brother Mu spoke a few moments ago, about you using up your savings, didn’t it mean that this is a black ship?” Ning Cheng asked.
Towards Ning Cheng’s words, Mu Xunlin did not feel surprised, he simply waved his hands and spoke, “Elder Brother Ning seems to have misunderstood something. This ship is actually quite a famous ship of the Mirage Gazing Conglomerate of the Mirage Gazing Island. It is absolutely not a black ship, moreover, the shops on the ship are also well mannered, and will absolutely not do business through force. For example, take the pawn shop you just went to, although they offer very low prices, if you do not agree, they will also not force you. However, if in the end you are not able to pay the passage fare, then you will eventually wind up at that place.”
Speaking until here, Mu Xunlin showed a faint smile, “I think that Elder Brother Ning, by now, you should have realized why I had decided to approach you. Although the pawn shop does not use compulsion to exchange goods, but the exchange price is simply too low. You have also seen it yourself, for your medium grade Spiritual Artefact, they will only exchange it for five thousand high grade Spirit Stones. I suggest that you do not go there, I have also ended up going there to exchange my magical weapon, and now, at present, I do not own even a single magical weapon to strike back.”
“Did you look at the cultivator that was kicked out of the shop? He was also such a person, who had ended up putting his magical weapon in the hands of the pawn shop. Even if you do not have magical weapon, you can come to the pawn shop for help. But the pawn shops only recognizes Spirit Stones and not people, as a result you would only end up being kicked out. Elder Brother Ning, if you have a magical weapon, you will finally end up falling to the same level as us. Moreover do not think that you would be able to redeem the magical weapon, it is something that is extremely difficult.”
“So for Elder Brother Mu to look for me, does it mean that you want to buy the medium grade Spiritual Artefact from my hands?” Ning Cheng asked.
Mu Xunlin spoke with an embarrassed voice, “I really do want to buy the medium grade Spiritual Artefact from Elder Brother Ning’s hands, but unfortunately I do not have any Spirit Stones. But since Elder Brother Ning has brought out a Spiritual Artefact for exchange, then presumably, you should be having more than one Spiritual Artefact with you. As such, I would like to request Elder Brother Ning to lend me this Spiritual Artefact for my use, as in order to survive on this ship; I had ended up selling all my magical weapons. Without any magical weapons, I cannot go into the ocean, and if I cannot go into the ocean, then I would not be able to gather materials. Without gathering materials, I would not be able to exchange them for Spirit Stones. It is just an endless loop, sigh…..”
This was one deep sigh.
Ning Cheng already was able to somewhat understand the predicament this person was
in, and also was able to very much sympathise with this Mu Xunlin. But just because of hearing a few words, he would not allow a stranger to borrow a magical weapon from him.
“Elder Brother Mu……”
Ning Cheng had just spoke two words, when he was interrupted by Mu Xunlin, “I am not just simply borrowing your magical weapon I also have something to give you as a mortgage. The reason why the Mirage Gazing Conglomerate’s ship had come here was mainly that some people had seen the Mirage Ship Island nearby. As long as the Mirage Ship Island is found, then even if I could get my hands on just a single Mirage Stone, it would be more than enough…”
Chapter 0246 – Rushing Towards The Mirage Ship Island
Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – CurlyAdi and Livewidsmile
Proofread By – SmartyMouth
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Ning Cheng wanted to know as to what was the usefulness of the Mirage Stone in the end. Having heard until here, he intentionally gave a long sigh before speaking, “So many people wanting to seek out Mirage Stones, yet there are already a few people have already found it before, this really seems to be unworthy of its name aah……”
Mu Xunlin spoke up, “Elder Brother Ning should really not think like this, although there were a few people in the past who had found Mirage Stones, but the Mirage Stone is actually not a thing unworthy of its name, rather is a real treasure. Otherwise, there would not be so many giant academies on the Tian Continent still searching for Mirage Stones. Even for a rogue cultivator, just obtaining a Mirage Stone, it would be equivalent of a carp leaping over the dragon’s gate. Even if one’s qualifications is poor, it can still help you join the big academies, and also help you obtain the status of an inner disciple of the academy.”
Ning Cheng had already come in contact with many disciples of the 8 Star and 9 Star Academies, as such when he heard Mu Xunlin speak about becoming a disciple of a big academy, he did not care about it. What he wanted to know was the uses of this Mirage Stone, but he also knew that it would not be good if he directly asked about it.
As Ning Cheng hesitated as to what to speak up, Mu Xunlin once again spoke up, “Elder Brother Ning, this is my Academy Head Token, although my Formless Academy is merely a 4 Star Academy. But as long as Elder Brother Ning can help me out this time, then once we are back in the Tian Continent, I will certainly repay Elder Brother Ning a hundred fold. Moreover, this time I would also be able to take advantage of Elder Brother Ning’s magical weapon, and go out at the next island to help us both to some monstrous beast materials and Spiritual Grasses. With those I would also be able to give back Elder Brother Ning’s magical weapon soon.”
“Elder Brother Mu, may I ask as to what’s so special about this Mirage Ship Island? I am just a rogue cultivator, although I did come to seek out Mirage Stones like everybody else, but the fact is, there are a lot of things that I do not understand.”
Ning Cheng did not take Mu Xunlin’s Academy Head Token he believed that Mu Xunlin did not lie to him as such he already planned to let Mu Xunlin borrow his magical weapon. He had just come aboard this ship, as such for him to be able to make a friend to talk to was something good. Moreover, since he was now waiting to arrive at the Tian Continent, having such a friend would certainly be better so as to have a better understanding of people from that place.
Mu Xunlin did not care about taking into consideration the differing words that Ning Cheng had just spoken. He had merely spoken a few words. If the opposite party really could let him borrow a magical weapon with just this, then even he would feel it somewhat inconceivable.
“Mirage Ship Island is actually a mobile island, and this island appears and disappears from time to time. Once some people discovered the appearance of Mirage Ship Island, then it would give them the opportunity to enter the island to seek out the Mirage Stones. The island will appear for a maximum of the time it would take for an incense stick to burn, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn passes, the island will immediately start to disappear, and would once again appear only after a certain period of time and also in a completely random place. If you cannot come out of the Mirage Ship Island before the island disappears completely, then you would never be able to come out of the Mirage Ship Island.”
Mu Xunlin explained Ning Cheng’s question in unusual detail. However, fearing that Ning Cheng would still not understand, he supplemented with another sentence, “The Mirage Ship Island will only appear in a place once, as long as someone goes in, then the next time it would never appear in the same spot, and will only appear in a place very far from the previous one.”
Ning Cheng asked with surprise, “Doesn’t this mean that this island has a Spiritual Nature? If you enter the Mirage Island and are too late to come out from it, then can you not come out safe and sound when the Mirage Ship Island once again appears the next time?”
TL Note – Spiritual Nature in this novel pertains to inanimate objects manifesting their intelligence. These objects do not have life but do possess a bit of intelligence.
Mu Xunlin shook his head, “It is absolutely impossible. Although you can easily enter the Mirage Ship Island, but if you could not come out before the Mirage Ship Island fully disappears, you will disappear forever.”
Such a strange island, and yet people still go to such a place. What a really strange thing to accept aah.
It seems that to be able to enter the Mirage Ship Island, one has to be at the forefront of others. Otherwise, once someone else goes in, the Mirage Ship Island would almost immediately start to disappear, and he would not have to opportunity again.
Just as Mu Xunlin wanted to continue remind Ning Cheng of the magical weapon once again, a blast from a broadcast from the outside suddenly interrupted their thoughts. Even if the Spiritual Tea Room was surrounded by an isolation restriction, the broadcast could still be heard faintly.
Ning Cheng could vaguely hear that the broadcast from the outside had something to do with the Mirage Ship Island. Not waiting for him to say anything, Mu Xunlin suddenly stood up, with an incomparably excited expression on his face, “The Mirage Ship Island appeared, it really appeared. I waited for twenty years, and finally after 20 years I was able to find the Mirage Ship Island……”
Mu Xunlin simply forgot about borrowing a magical weapon from Ning Cheng, and immediately rushed forward outside the door. But just as he was about to go out, he seemed to have finally remembered that he did not have a magical weapon, as he quickly ran back towards Ning Cheng as he cupped his fists and asked in an eager fashion, “Elder Brother Ning, there are monstrous beasts on the Mirage Ship Island, and there would also be cultivators who would try and snatch things from each other. I really do not have a magical weapon, and beseech Elder Brother Ning to lend me one. I will definitely help Elder Brother Ning on the Mirage Ship Island, after all one is definitely better than two.”
Ning Cheng’s mind was also intrigued by the Mirage Ship Island, as such, he did not hesitate to take out a knife shaped medium grade Spiritual Artefact as he passed it on to Mu Xunlin and said, “Elder Brother Mu can take it, I wish Elder Brother Mu good luck. As for that Academy Head Token, I do not have any use for it, but once we arrive at the Tian Continent, Elder Brother Mu has to remember that you have promised to drink a cup of good tea with me again.”
“Yes, yes, many thanks Elder Brother Ning, I will definitely not disappoint Elder Brother Ning…” Mu Xunlin finished speaking in a few words and immediately rushed out. He obviously wanted to seize the time and hurry up finish refining the magical weapon in his hands.
Ning Cheng also left the Spiritual Tea Shop, and discovered that tens of thousands of cultivators were rushing towards the deck.
Ning Cheng also followed the numerous cultivators onto the deck, and found that the deck was already filled to the brim with cultivators, Sweeping lightly with his Spiritual Consciousness he found that there were at least
10-20 thousand people.
Even though the deck was extremely large, at this time the cultivators were packed so tightly that there was not much space between them. At this time, even if one swept out with their Spiritual Consciousness at random, absolutely no one would say anything.
The restriction place on the deck was also opened, which allowed the heavy ocean wind to breeze by. Ning Cheng could, with his Spiritual Consciousness, clearly see that in the direction directly in front of the ship, the place from where he had come, was the location of the Mirage Ship Island.
It seems that the Mirage Ship Island really was the one he had found. Ning Cheng settled down his heart as he thought that what had been found already would end up being found once again. What he was waiting for was to enter the Mirage Ship Island and look for the Mirage Stones. In this place, he could see that a majority had the cultivation of Profound Core Realm and Profound Congealing Realm, and were mixed in with a large amount of Essence Building Cultivators. As for Soul Essence Cultivators, Ning Cheng only was able to see a handful of them.
As Ning Cheng’s Spiritual Consciousness swept past, the Mirage Ship Island in front of him started to disappear, before completely vanishing without any trace.
At this point, an intermediate stage Soul Essence Cultivator suddenly flew out and stopped over the airspace over the front of the deck and spoke in a loud voice, “People aboard the Mirage Exploring Conglomerate’s ship, this time our Mirage Exploring Conglomerate’s ship has really lived up to your expectations, and has found the real Mirage Ship Island. I believe that all the people here are as heavily excited as I am. For us to be able to lead you all to the real Mirage Ship Island, to seek out the Mirage Stones, is an honour for our Mirage Exploring Conglomerate’s ship.”
The Gate Of Good Fortune c1-905 Page 198