Wei had finished his meditation early today, and entered his QR pod for a purpose. He took all the runes, formulas, and formations he had collected from the senior's scrolls, manuals, and books when he first arrived on the island, and entered everything into a database. Then he took all his composite arrays, formulas, and formations he had personally created and made a second database. Unfortunately, since he was Master class level 1 inscription artisan, he didn't have composite arrays for anything higher than his level. He then set up authorizations, invitations, and instructions to the two Sage and three grandmaster artisans, informing them of this resource to assist in their future projects. He finally informed them that when they made contributions, they could those to the databases and authorize their students and disciples access at the appropriate level.
'After these projects are done, I think I'll take some time to sit back and relax, cultivate, and perhaps play some games', Huoran said to himself.
'Yes, I believe you been working hard for close to seven or eight years now?', Quanliyuan replied, 'I'm sure most twenty year olds cultivators are usually only worried about making it to the Foundation Establishment stage.'
'I haven't thought about my birthday for a long time', Huoran chuckled, 'Now that I think about it, I turn twenty next week. I should celebrate it somehow, what do you think I should do?'
'What? You're asking me?', Quanliyuan laughed, 'Do you know how old I am? Plus I'm an artifact spirit, what's the use of celebrating my day of creation or day of sentience? Why don't you invite that mermaid princess instead? I believe you owe her a meal, and this would be the perfect reason to do so?'
Huoran thought about Quanliyuan's suggestion before shrugging his shoulders, 'That's not a bad idea, let's speak later then.'
Huoran reached over to his tablet and called Secretary Su, "Good morning Miss Su."
"Good morning, Boss Wei", Su answered, "What can I do for you this morning?"
"Please reserve a room at the Market Square Bistro for two", Huoran instructed, "It needs to be reserved six days from now around at 27:00. Also contact Miss Zeng Meirong, and extend an invitation to her."
Secretary Su paused for a moment before asking, "What is the nature of the event?"
"Nothing big", Huoran casually replied, "It's my twentieth in six days, and I wish for a small celebration."
"I understand, Boss Wei", Su responded, "I'll take care of it right away."
Huoran ended the call, ate some breakfast, and entered his QR pod to start the first day of collaboration in building the workstation.
Su Ping had never felt like this before, normally cultivators had the benefits of living a longer life than mortals so time had a different meaning to them. Su Ping could meditate in a chamber for weeks and be so focused on his cultivation that he barely noticed the passage of time. But this one week of travel to Sun & Moon island had felt like it had taken forever for their arrival and he had become so impatient.
"Attention all passengers", a voice announced to everyone aboard the ship, "We are currently five hundred kilometers away from our destination and will be arriving shortly. Please look around your suite or room and make sure you have packed all your belongings as we will not be responsible for anything you leave behind. Once we dock, we will begin the disembarking process in the same order that we boarded. Please take note that the Senior of Sun & Moon island and his disciple pay very close attention of everyone on the island, and how they accomplish this will be briefed before you can enter. As long as you follow all rules, you will find your stay here very beneficial and rewarding, but if you don't heed our advice, you will be suppressed at a minimum, possibly exiled, have your cultivation destroyed, or killed. As we said before we left, though the Golden Peony trading company transported you here, we will not stand up for you if you perform malicious actions. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us, and choose us for your travel needs in the future."
Su Ping couldn't believe the announcement, but he looked around his private room and collects all his possessions before sitting next to the window to watch the docking process. As he looked out the window, he saw four more flying smaller flying boats also arriving in the area bearing marks he couldn't recognize.
Jiang Da stood tall on the deck of his flying ship as he struck a heroic pose. He looked over as saw the ship of his junior sister Fan Chao, as well as the Hidden eye sect's ships of the Senior sister Mo Bao and junior brother Zhan Xue. He had been on guard for most of this trip because the Burning Fist and Hidden Eye sects had a long history of conflict, but luckily it seemed that no trouble would befall them today. That was until a few minutes ago, a voice announced to them their arrival to Sun & Moon island had been detected. The voice demanded to know their intentions, otherwise they were asked to leave the area before force would be used.
This had angered him, but before he could shout, Mo Bao responded about their origins, sayings they hailed from Wu continent. She continued on saying that they represented two sects from that continent and had received word from traveling merchants on the sea about the changes here and that they came in peace to investigate. The voice responded with directions on how to proceed, and that all their actions were being observed.
Jiang Da settled down when he remembered that they were here on a mission and that he wasn't alone. The four of them were here along with outer court disciples and servants they brought.
As the four ships made their way forward, he saw another ship in front of them bearing an insignia he recognized, the Golden Peony Trading Company. This company was well known in certain parts of the Wu continent, trading with orthodox sects such as the Burning Fist and Hidden Eye sects and not unorthodox sects. Jiang Da willed his ship to catch with the ship in front of them and the other three followed his lead.
When he came within range he heard the ship in front call out, "This is the Goldfinch, we belong to the Golden Peony Trading Company, under the direction of Lord Merchant Tan Xinyue. What is your purpose in approaching us?"
'Lord Merchant', Jiang Da thought in shock, "My apologies, Lord Merchant Tan Xinyue. Myself and my junior sister, as well as two members of the Hidden Eye sect received a mission to investigate the changes on the sea. I simply recognized the ship of the Golden Peony and wished to ask if you knew anything about the situation here."
A different voice responded, "It's a pleasure to meet juniors from the Burning fist and Hidden eye sects. I am not familiar with your continent since I'm in charge of the Shuo continent but I am familiar with Lord Merchant Meng Gang who frequently travels to the Wu continent."
At this time Mo Bao spoke up again, "It's a honor to speak with the Lord Merchant, we apologize if our movements previously caused you suspicion."
"No harm was done", Xinyue remarked, "Why don't we dock together, and my men can share with you some knowledge so you don't embarrass your sect in front of the senior of the island."
"We will listen to Lord Merchant's suggestion", Mo Bao replied.
The five flying ships continued until they arrived at the docks and they all anchored their ships in designated piers. The ships began to disembark their passengers, and eventually the four cultivators walked towards the welcome center that had a long line of cultivators coming out of it.
"My young friends, welcome to Sun & Moon island", the four of them heard a voice and when turned around, they saw Lord Merchant Tan Xinyue walking towards them with his procession of people.
The four bowed, "We greet the Lord Merchant."
"There is no need for this here", Xinyue replied, "Unfortunate for you, we arrived first and now there is a line."
Zhan Xue inquired, "Does the Lord Merchant have to wait as well? Isn't that disrespectful towards you?"
Xinyue laughed when he heard this, "Fortunately, I have already registered, so I will be able to pass through quickly. You should on my first visit, I had to wait in line, but more importantly, you should have heard of my seniors, the Grand Lord Merchants. Even they had to wait in line to register as well, but it's not too surprising since the senior of this island is strong without peer."
The four were shocked, Grand Lord Merchants waiting in line?!?
"Today is a busy day", Xinyue said as they moved towards the line, "I can see more will arrive here soon."
The four of them turned towards where Xinyue indicated, and saw many small dots on the horizon. After thirty minutes, they saw many giant flying beast begin their descent with riders on their backs.
"Interesting", Xinyue commented, "More visitors from the Shuo continent, I see beastkin from the Rabbit, Horse, Cow, and Sheep tribes are here."
After the beastkins dismounted from their flying mounts, they started walking towards the welcome center. Just after they passed a certain point, an alarm sounded and lights flashed, "WARNING, A CURSED ARTIFACT IS DETECTED. WARNING, A CURSED ARTIFACT IS DETECTED. CLEAR THE AREA AS THE ARTIFACT WILL BE ISOLATED."