Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Before the heavy snow fell, a notice was posted at Zhaixing Tower.

As expected, Zhu Wuyao saw his own name.

The surrounding area was bustling with noise, and she could even hear people whispering about wanting to buy a spot.

The disciples of the Star-Picking Tower simply stood to the side, not even raising their eyes, as if they hadn't heard a thing.

The fact that the disciples in charge turned a blind eye allowed the buying and selling of these spots to become even more rampant.

After a moment's thought, she understood the reasoning behind it.

Those from impoverished families would rather sell their spots and earn some money than gamble on a one-in-a-thousand chance.

As for those who bought the spots—

They must have forgotten that they entered the Star-Picking Tower. How could such a thing be kept from the divination cultivator?

But some people just want to gamble with their money.

Perhaps this is also a screening process before one can begin...

When the disciple in charge read out "Xiao Liu Zi", she turned around and saw that, sure enough, some people saw that he was dressed simply and surrounded him, wanting to buy the spot to take his place.

Zhu Wuyao did not offer any advice.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Liu shook his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of timidity and unwavering determination.

There were other people around offering high prices and harassing them relentlessly.

Zhu Wuyao then stepped forward, pulled the little beggar behind him, glanced at the person in front of him with a slightly cold look in his eyes, but spoke with a smile.

"Gentlemen, this child is too young to appreciate the value of money, and he has failed to live up to your kindness."

Those around her glanced at the black sword behind her and assessed Zhu Wuyao's cultivation level, but did not pursue her further.

A girl at the third level of Qi Refining is not considered troublesome.

Their concern was for the disciples of the Star-Picking Pavilion standing nearby.

In this situation, the only people who can be bullied are those who are greedy, cowardly, timid, and alone.

If the other party acts tough, anyone with a brain wouldn't cause any trouble at that moment.

Xiao Liuzi held tightly to Zhu Wuyao's sleeve until everyone had left, then he stammered as he let go and thanked him.

Before long, the list had been read aloud.

"Those whose names are called, please come forward."

Behind him, a barrier was drawn, and the crowd stepped forward one by one, announced their names, and entered the barrier.

At first glance, there were more than two hundred people in total.

Once everything was fully assembled, he pulled a flying artifact out of his storage pouch, his expression revealing a hint of excitement as he prepared to fight.

Zhu Wuyao immediately decided that he would move to the middle position later.

The flying magical artifact, which had grown from the size of a walnut, transformed into a huge thatched boat. The disciple in charge took the lead and leaped onto the boatman's seat.

No oars, but with a rudder.

Suitable for drifting.

"Everyone, get on the ship!"

Once he stood in his assigned spot, the disciple's tone became much more amiable.

The group exchanged glances and filed in. Once the first batch of disciples who had passed the screening were on board, the remaining junior sisters and brothers sealed off the cabin.

They tacitly set up a protective shield.

Zhu Wuyao looked at the protective shield emitting a blue light and realized that something was wrong, so he silently retreated to the side of the thatched hut.

With the words "Senior brother, be careful!", the straw boat soared into the sky.

Zhu Wuyao clung to the door frame, still feeling as if she had been turned ninety degrees.

She turned around and saw her "companions" behind her who hadn't reacted yet, staggering and about to fall, but were caught by the ball of spiritual energy, creating a buffer between them.

I feel a little relieved.

Turning around, I saw another clever person gripping tightly on the opposite thatched hut.

This person wore a gold hairpin and had a hibiscus flower tucked behind her ear. Her beautiful appearance seemed to be both tearful and plaintive, as if she were terrified.

Seeing Zhu Wuyao looking over, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she returned a timid smile.

Zhu Wuyao nodded to her and greeted her.

He thought to himself, this person looks frail, yet even at this speed of the boat, the lotus flower in his hair didn't have a single petal disturbed.

He probably has some skill; this posture might be a case of playing dumb to outsmart others, and he shouldn't be underestimated.

After all, she was one of only two intelligent people on the ship besides herself.

Thinking of this, she turned around and looked—

The person with cultivation had already formed a protective light barrier around himself and remained unmoved.

Those who had no cultivation but were bold hid next to the disciples of the Star-Picking Pavilion, finding a safe haven.

Some of the more timid ones huddled in the corners of the deck, lowering their center of gravity and pressing their backs against the cabin.

Only a dozen or so people remained, swaying in the middle of the giant ship.

Well, fish have their way, and birds have their way. I wonder how the Star-Picking Tower selected its candidates. It truly is a gathering of heroes, a magnificent sight.

A helpless voice came from beside me: "Senior brother, be careful!"

The disciple leading the helm spoke with considerable confidence:

"Don't worry, it's perfectly safe!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the straw boat suddenly accelerated, like a sharp sword soaring into the sky.

As the boat gradually stabilized, Zhu Wuyao looked out and felt that the world was vast and boundless, with a single reed drifting on the vast expanse of green.

I have a few wild thoughts: what a leisurely and vast scene it would be if the sun were setting and red clouds were rolling in.

A sweet, giggling voice reached my ears:

"What's your sister's name? I was just flustered, please forgive me."

The straw boat sailed smoothly through the clouds. The person opposite, with a lotus flower adorning their hair at an angle, leaned against the edge of the straw hut's entrance and asked the question.

Zhu Wuyao turned his head and looked over, smiling as well:

"Haha, don't be alarmed, the lotus blossoms in my hair remain undisturbed. My name is Zhu Wuyao, and how shall I address you, fellow Daoist?"

The woman opposite gently brushed the hibiscus, plucked it from her temple, and held it between her fingers, as if thinking to herself, "How could I have been betrayed by this one flower?"

With a hint of annoyance, she plucked the petals off, leaving only a bare stem.

Seeing this, Zhu Wuyao felt a little guilty, feeling that it was his own words that had caused this hibiscus to suffer an undeserved disaster.

"My name is Hua Yingting."

As she spoke, she gently blew on the petals in her hand, and the hibiscus withered.

Zhu Wuyao watched intently; every move she made was exquisitely beautiful, mesmerizing to behold.

Just as we were admiring the beautiful scenery before us, a voice suddenly came from inside the cabin:

Who littered?!

After saying that, he sneezed twice loudly.

Hua Ying paused slightly, turned around gently, and looked up at the clouds as if it were none of her business.

Zhu Wuyao, who was just turning around to look, was caught.

It was someone I knew; the very same person who had made sarcastic remarks while I was filling out the forms that day.

"Was it you?!"

Zhu Wuyao looked at Hua Yingting behind him and saw her quietly put her index finger to her lips, her eyes full of pleading.

Those shimmering eyes were so captivating that they could melt anyone's heart.

Therefore, Zhu Wuyao decisively said, "It's her."

After saying those two words, Zhu Wuyao turned around and looked up at the clouds as if it were none of his business.

But I listened intently to the entire conversation without missing a beat.

This girl is quite clever; she resolved the dispute in just a few words.

After that person left, Hua Yingting said in a tone that sounded both resentful and reproachful:

"Miss Zhu, you've really sold yourself out very efficiently."

Despite saying that, there wasn't a hint of complaint in his tone.

Zhu Wuyao also found the scene amusing and was about to reply when he heard the disciple in front of him remind him:

"Everyone, we're almost there!"

They exchanged a glance and instinctively gripped their respective thatched huts tightly.