Sea Cultivation: Giant Ships and Heavy Artillery Knock on the Door to All Races

Chapter 270 Jiang Nanyan, Speaking Too Profoundly to a Vast Acquaintance

A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear, and since the two met in public, they weren't worried about any misunderstandings from outsiders.

More importantly, Lin Qianfan inquired about Wan Tongya's basic situation and found that he only had the strength of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and was not a threat at all.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, it's really difficult to see you!"

Dressed in a black outfit, Jiang Nanyan's demeanor was quite different from that of ordinary female cultivators; it exuded a heroic and capable air.

"Brother Lin, why are you being so formal? Just call me Yan Yan."

"I wouldn't dare! It's fine as it is now, to avoid causing trouble."

The two sat down facing each other. Jiang Nanyan realized something from Lin Qianfan's deliberate keeping of his distance, and asked with a frown:
"Oh? Could it be that my personal matters have implicated Brother Lin?"

"probably…"

Lin Qianfan then recounted his visit to Cangxia Mountain a few days prior, as well as the sudden complete blockade of the Tianji Wheel today.

The Lin family and Cangxia Mountain have almost no interaction. The only exception is the White Whale, which may stop at this station once every few years. There is no conflict between them. Lin Qianfan only knows Jiang Nanyan and has never provoked anyone else. So, he can only be implicated by her.

"I'm sorry, Brother Lin! This matter was my fault. Yan Yan will punish herself with a drink first, and I will help you handle this matter properly! I will resume the business activities of Tianji Wheel as soon as possible!"

Now that I'm ranked high among this generation of direct disciples, I have some power and can help Brother Lin promote his work to some extent..."

The two then ate and chatted. Although Foundation Establishment cultivators no longer need to eat to fill their stomachs, it is normal to enjoy delicious food appropriately. Moreover, the spiritual food here is of a very high grade and can be helpful to them.

Although Cangxia Mountain is vast, it is riddled with internal factions. The Jiang and Wan families belong to the same clan faction and are staunch allies. The marriage between their descendants who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage is also intended to strengthen their ties and unify their stance.

There have been precedents for this before; it's not uncommon in families!
The engagement between Jiang Nanyan and Wan Tongya was made about twenty years ago. At that time, Wan Tongya's grandfather, who was at the Golden Core stage, was in his twilight years. At Wan Tongya's request, he personally arranged the marriage between the two families.
This marriage can be considered the last request of a Golden Core cultivator who dedicated his life to Cangxia Mountain, and also a way of arranging a future for his grandson.

Jiang Nanyan, from an ordinary background with no powerful connections and only recently having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, was forced to accept a marriage arrangement by her family and sect, even though she disliked Wan Tongya's temperament and character. She couldn't resist.

Because everything she has comes from the Jiang family and Cangxia Mountain!

"Feelings can be cultivated, and the collective interest always outweighs personal emotions! This is the most memorable sentence I ever heard, and it came from my most respected mentor..."

Perhaps it was because she had no one to confide in on Cangxia Mountain, or perhaps it was because she had been suppressing her negative emotions for too long, but even though the two had a very shallow relationship, Jiang Nanyan, who had drunk some spiritual wine and was a little tipsy, poured out her heart when talking about the past.

"Brother Lin, if you were in that situation, and the Lin family arranged a marriage for you with someone you didn't like or even had a physical aversion to, what would you do?"

"Unlike independent cultivators, family members are not free and unrestrained. All their glory and achievements are the result of cultivation within the family. We family members naturally cannot refuse the marriages arranged by the family."

However, one could use the excuse that personal development is paramount to delay fulfilling the engagement, and then continuously prove one's worth.
When your personal value exceeds the value of a marriage alliance, you gain a certain degree of influence and can say 'no' to such an arrangement! Only then can you get your family and sect to make way for you and compromise on your behalf!

Although Lin Qianfan has never been arranged to marry, she has been arranged to go on blind dates more than once in the past. The two are essentially the same, just with different intensities. Blind dates still offer a lot of room for maneuver.

Yes! That's what I do!

In order to avoid being controlled by fate and to gain some freedom, I cultivated myself like crazy, unwilling to be just a pretty face!
Be proactive in competing with others and strive to be the best in everything!
Finally, I became a true disciple of Cangxia Mountain and a golden elixir seed of the Jiang family, thus enhancing my self-worth!
But reaching this point hasn't changed my fate; on the contrary, my value in this marriage has actually increased, hehe…”

Jiang Nanyan kept pouring herself drinks. The effects of second-tier spiritual wine on Foundation Establishment cultivators were limited; as long as one didn't want to get drunk, it wasn't easy to get intoxicated.
But somehow, a faint blush appeared on her beautiful cheeks, and her eyes darted around. Clearly, she wasn't consciously trying to resist the effects of the alcohol, revealing a girlish demeanor.

Lin Qianfan didn't think he had that much charm. Their relationship was just average, and they hadn't crossed any lines; he was simply listening.

Although Wan Tongya's talent and potential are not top-tier, he has the wealth and connections inherited from his grandfather, ensuring that the Wan family will nurture him into a Golden Core cultivator.
Therefore, even if Jiang Nanyan's status is elevated from an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to a Golden Core seed, it won't make a difference. It would simply mean that the marriage between the two families has been upgraded from a Foundation Establishment level to a Golden Core level marriage.

But Jiang Nanyan didn't give up. She clearly understood that the millennium wave was an opportunity for a reshuffling, not only involving major powers but also further reshuffling within Cangxia Mountain itself. Therefore, she worked even harder, shone even brighter, and strived to be the best among her peers.

Sure enough, her opportunity came later!

The City of a Thousand Stars has launched a Nascent Soul cultivation program, intending to identify hidden gems with Nascent Soul potential within smaller factions and broaden their horizons and cultivate their Nascent Soul aspirations through study tours.

Cangxia Mountain needs to send a group of outstanding disciples to compete for the nominal disciples of the five major Nascent Soul forces, in order to strengthen bilateral ties.

This matter is very important to Cangxia Mountain. Even if Wan Tongya tries to use his connections to stop Jiang Nanyan, it won't work, because Jiang Nanyan is already one of the most outstanding disciples of Cangxia Mountain.
This matter concerns the interests of our sect!

The brightly colored birds can no longer be caged!
Later, Jiang Nanyan's outstanding performance earned her a place among the top five in the Martial Might Hall assessment, bringing her into the sights of major Nascent Soul cultivators ahead of time. Although this event did not bring any substantial benefits to Cangxia Mountain, the potential benefits were immeasurable.

From this point on, a new tier was established within the Cangxia Mountain's true disciple hierarchy, placing the two Nascent Soul cultivators who had become nominal disciples of a powerful force in a separate tier, above the others.
Although Wan Tongya also went, as one of the lower-ranked failures in the assessment, he was naturally placed at the back of the list, and his status even dropped significantly because of this. After all, his grandfather's death had diminished his influence.
At this point, the power dynamics between the two sides have completely reversed. Jiang Nanyan's personal value now outweighs her value in a marriage alliance. The elders of the Jiang family, who are at the Golden Core stage, no longer want her to have any entanglements with outsiders, and Cangxia Mountain similarly does not want her to be married so early.

This will interfere with your cultivation!

After all, for people with limited prospects, a suitable marriage can be a powerful asset.
But for people whose future is already bright, early marriage can be a heavy burden.

This time, with the combined efforts of many parties, the two families peacefully dissolved their marriage. The Wan family received compensation, but the only one who was unhappy was Wan Tongya himself, whose beloved wife had completely left him. "...I don't hate him. I even have to thank him. If it weren't for his relentless pressure, I wouldn't have gotten to where I am today! On the contrary, it was this relentless external pressure that helped me move forward!"

As an excellent listener, Lin Qianfan did not express too many of his own opinions except for necessary responses. Even if what the other party said made sense, it is difficult for people to fully empathize with each other.

"I've been a bit talkative today, which isn't usually me, haha~ Please don't take offense, Brother Lin! Cheers to the last drink!"

Unlike the mortal world, the cultivation world is full of beauties. Those with higher status and cultivation levels are often more beautiful, regardless of gender.

Because the bloodlines of powerful forces are optimized generation after generation, and every major advancement in a cultivator's rank is accompanied by a profound process of marrow cleansing, bone tempering, and physical body reshaping.
Jiang Nanyan is one of the best among them. In addition to her natural beauty, she also has an extra vitality and heroic spirit, which makes her particularly attractive.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have caught the eye of Wan Tongya, and he wouldn't have been approached by the Wan family for marriage before he even showed his potential as a Golden Core cultivator.

"What's the deal with the business acumen that Fellow Daoist Jiang mentioned in his message?"

"Oh right! I've gone off on a tangent, let's get back to the main topic!"

Since my enlightenment, I have spent most of my time cultivating myself and dealing with various competitions, neglecting to expand into other areas.

This trip to Tianxing City, having witnessed so many geniuses, made me deeply aware of my own shortcomings. Now, free from many distractions, I have some free time, but alas, I lack the talent for immortal arts such as alchemy, array formation, artifact crafting, and talisman making.
Now I intend to follow Brother Lin's example and become a traveling merchant, not seeking wealth, but only to broaden my horizons, refine my character, and cultivate myself through worldly experience!

"what?"

Lin Qianfan looked surprised, but his heart suddenly became alert.

"Brother Lin, there's no need to be surprised. I know that to become a traveling merchant, many prerequisites are required..."

Judging from the current profitability of the Tianji Wheel, the profits are quite considerable. After supporting the large number of people on board, there is still a surplus, and there is even room for further growth.

But this is a business that not just anyone can do!
First, you need a ship, a Tier 3 spirit ship that can navigate unimpeded even during stormy seasons and snowy winters. It can allow people to cultivate anytime, anywhere, and provide a safe platform.
Given Jiang Nanyan's current status, it wouldn't be difficult for Cangxia Mountain to procure a merchant ship for her. In fact, Cangxia Mountain has a well-developed shipbuilding industry, and Lin Qianfan suspects that they could even build ordinary Tier 3 ships themselves.

Secondly, the merchant ship needs a strong background. It doesn't have to be extremely powerful, but it should at least be a medium-sized power, and it shouldn't have any external enemies causing trouble. Otherwise, it's just a piece of fat meat moving at sea.
There aren't many large Golden Core forces in the Inner Sea, and they rarely have any conflicts with each other. As a large Golden Core force, Cangxia Mountain has all the conditions to be welcomed wherever it goes.

Finally, there's the well-developed route and business logic. Lin Qianfan's route was created through the social circles of scholars from the Wuwei Palace, combined with the Lin family's diplomatic network, and it's currently being validated.

Jiang Nanyan also possesses these qualities. In fact, due to the renowned reputation of Cangxia Mountain, she has a natural advantage and more options than Lin Qianfan, making her fully capable of becoming a traveling merchant.

"...traveling along the way, I met many distinguished friends and gained much from the experience..."

Bang~
"Let me see which pretty boy dares to seduce my Wan Tongya's woman? Does he have a death wish?"

To avoid gossip, Lin Qianfan had chosen a semi-open private room, separated only by a screen. However, this screen was suddenly and violently kicked away.
The newcomer spoke arrogantly and without restraint; it was none other than Wan Tongya.

"So you're the pretty boy? Only at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment? Not so great! Why don't you kneel down and beg for mercy?"

Lin Qianfan was a body cultivator, tall with a clear outline and healthy skin. He had nothing to do with the term "pretty boy." On the contrary, the intruder was more like a pretty boy.

Lin Qianfan turned around and saw what a scene it was. Good heavens! A handsome young man with fair skin was provoking them from the front, with five of his own kind backing them up, and a group of diners following behind to watch the spectacle.

"Fellow Daoist Wan misunderstands! Fellow Daoist Jiang and I are just friends. I was passing through this treasure land and wanted to seek some help, so I arranged to meet with Fellow Daoist Jiang. There is no other connection between us."

On someone else's turf, Lin Qianfan didn't put on airs, lest the other party take offense, so he took the initiative to stand up, clasp his hands in a fist and palm salute and explain.

Although Jiang and Wan had broken off their engagement, it didn't stop Wan Tongya from pursuing Jiang Nanyan, something Lin Qianfan understood.

"Fellow Daoist? Who's your fellow Daoist...Are you Lin Qianfan?"

Lin Qianfan's identity jade pendant was clearly visible, and a single scan with divine sense was enough to confirm Lin Qianfan's identity. The originally arrogant and domineering Wan Tongya immediately became more restrained and cautious.

"My name is Lin Qianfan!"

On identity,
Lin Qianfan is no less capable than others.
As one of the two core Golden Core seeds of the Lin family, Lin Qianfan's status in the Wan family is no lower than that of Wan Tongya, whose grandfather had died.

As a nominal disciple of the Wuwei Hall, although it is only nominal, this position is extremely rare. After certification, it is very valuable, even more valuable than a true disciple of Cangxia Mountain.

In terms of cultivation,
The sixth level of Foundation Establishment for ordinary Golden Core Seed cultivators is nothing special, nothing to fear. Lin Qianfan is confident he can defeat them!

After confirming his identity, Wan Tongya hesitated.

Before arriving, he didn't know who was meeting Jiang Nanyan. He had only been informed that Jiang Nanyan was meeting a strange man on the rooftop of Jietian Tower, which is why he rushed over to disrupt the date.

But he had heard of Lin Qianfan. This time, the five major Nascent Soul forces only recruited twenty or thirty additional disciples. These people all had extraordinary abilities, and Lin Qianfan was definitely not someone to be trifled with. Moreover, the two of them could be considered fellow disciples, so they had every reason to meet!
(End of this chapter)