Chapter 73: Shen Nian’s Entrance

Chapter 73: Shen Nian Makes His Entrance

He Ci muttered a curse under his breath. "Damn, who the hell's that? They blind or something? Can't they see our boat?"

But that boat was extremely ornate and beautiful, clearly worth a fortune.

Shen Lian's group couldn't even maneuver their own boat away—the whole vessel was stuck fast, pulled in by the other boat's spiritual energy.

Boom! Shen Lian grabbed He Ci and blinked out of the way, while their boat was blown to smithereens mid-air.

But the boat that hit them just acted like nothing happened and flew off.

He Ci had had enough. "A Lian, stay here. I'm going to go have it out with them."

They could've easily moved, or at least given us a heads-up to get out of the way.

Instead, they deliberately flew right at us.

Shen Lian figured it was better to just let it go. "Did you forget what happened last time? It's just a boat—I'm not bothered by it. I've got plenty more of these flying things."

But He Ci didn't see it that way. "That boat did it on purpose! And what's more, the glass lantern I made for you is broken."

"I'm going to find out whose boat this is. You stay here."

Shen Lian was taken aback, noticing the flush at the corners of He Ci's eyes.

In truth, when he had teleported away just now, he could have brought the lantern with him—but he hadn't thought of it.

Now, that wisp of starlight was all gone, drifting away.

Shen Lian said softly, "This is on me. I didn't hold onto it tight enough."

But He Ci had already shot forward. "Hold it right there!"

As He Ci flew up, Shen Lian had to follow. "He Ci."

"You smash into our boat and think you can just leave?"

However, the moment He Ci got up there, he realized this boat was pure debauchery—male and female cultivators everywhere.

Carousing and singing in wild abandon.

Shen Lian: "..." This can't be what he thinks it is, right?

Sure enough, a woman oozing charm emerged from the boat—a cultivator from the Harmony Sect. Her eyes sparkled, and when she saw He Ci, a sly smile played on her lips. "Oh, I'm so sorry, young master. Our boat suddenly went out of control for no reason."

As she spoke, she sauntered over, her perfume drifting right up He Ci's nose.

"I'm truly sorry."

He Ci was briefly stunned, but spotting Shen Lian nearby, he quickly said, "Are you trying to kid me? Out of control? I think you did it on purpose. There's all this open space, and you still hit us?"

She wasn't mad. Instead, she giggled behind her hand and tapped He Ci on the forehead. "Well, aren't you just a little kid?"

"You—" He Ci's face turned bright red instantly.

She continued, "If you don't believe me, go ask the others. They all felt the jolt just now. The one steering the boat is still trying to figure out what happened."

Hearing her soft voice and seeing how sincere she seemed, He Ci's anger mostly faded. "Fine."

He tugged Shen Lian along. "I've got another boat."

But she said, "I saw you were headed to Tianyang City, right? Your boat won't get through."

Shen Lian furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

Hearing his voice, she finally noticed Shen Lian. She paused—he wasn't as handsome as He Ci at first glance, but once she met his eyes, she couldn't look away.

She said softly, "Because the demon race keeps attacking Tianyang City, the city's been sealed off with a barrier. Only certain boats with permission can get through."

"As luck would have it, our boat can."

Hearing this, Shen Lian and He Ci both frowned.

She added, "Tianyang City has a big shot stationed there—not even a fly could get in."

"But since we wrecked your boat, let me make it up to you—I can take you in."

Shen Lian thought it over for a second, then nodded. He just wanted to hurry up and break this damn curse.

"Thank you."

He Ci opened his mouth. "Are we really staying?"

Shen Lian shot him a look. "Don't you want to break the curse sooner?"

He Ci scratched his head. "I guess so."

Then, thinking of something, he suddenly spoke. "A Lian..."

But the moment he uttered that name, He Ci felt an extreme chill crawl up his spine.

He shivered. "Strange—I'm a cultivator. Why do I feel cold?"

Hearing his muttering, Shen Lian turned around. "What did you say?"

He Ci quickly shook his head. "Nothing."

The female cultivator introduced herself as Furong, an elder of the Harmony Sect. This boat belonged to her. Men and women indulged in pleasure freely and willingly—the entire vessel was filled with the sounds of debauchery.

Shen Lian rubbed his temples. He had just walked into a cultivation-world bar.

Furong said with a smile, "Sorry, there are no private rooms left. You can sit over there—no one will bother you there. It's a quiet spot."

She pointed to a place that was indeed empty.

Shen Lian and He Ci nodded and walked over.

Furong glanced at He Ci once more, but unfortunately, He Ci's gaze was fixed entirely on Shen Lian.

She had no choice but to turn and leave.

Yet when Furong reached the corner, her eyes suddenly went vacant for a moment.

She grabbed the wall for support, her face pale, frowning in confusion. "Strange... what just happened?"

Even stranger, there was clearly someone standing beside her, yet she seemed completely unable to see them.

And as that figure passed through the noisy crowd, no one around seemed to notice them at all.

It wasn't until a cultivator's eyes flickered that he froze in place, his gaze fixed on the fair-skinned, red-lipped handsome youth.

"Wait—who are you—"

Such a rare gem—why hadn't he noticed him earlier?

He was just about to reach out when the other turned his head with a cold glare. Those eyes, though beautiful, were also piercingly icy.

One look sent a storm raging through his soul, and he wisely looked away.

Once He Ci sat down, he was still bummed about the glazed lantern.

Shen Lian said quietly, "I didn't hold it right. Sorry."

He Ci wasn't mad at all; he immediately said, "Then once we're back, I'll make you another one?"

His voice was a little hesitant, and he looked at Shen Lian with big, pitiful puppy-dog eyes.

Shen Lian pressed his lips together. He'd originally planned to leave once the curse was lifted, but if he agreed to He Ci, it would mean continuing to travel together.

He could see He Ci's feelings clearly.

But Shen Lian didn't want to think about that stuff anymore, and he had no intention of accepting it.

Just as he was figuring out what to say, a gentle voice spoke up.

"May I sit here?"

Both He Ci and Shen Lian froze. Someone had come? And they hadn't even noticed?

They looked up, and both of them were a little taken aback.

The young man in front of them was unreal—fair skin, red lips, and features so delicate they looked like a painting. When he noticed them staring, he gave a faint smile, his eyes seeming to hold bits of starlight.

But Shen Lian felt something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Chen Xue spoke up, snapping Shen Lian out of his confusion.

"Why does he seem so similar to He Ci?"