"Are you referring to those cultivators?" the vice chief asked with narrowed eyes.
"That's right." The elder in purple robes nodded, hands clasped behind his back. With a smile, he continued, "It's just like raising dogs in an ordinary household. Give them some meat to eat regularly, and the dogs will provide some benefits in return. That's decent enough. But when times get truly tough and supplies run out, the dogs must be slaughtered for their blood and meat."
The elder glanced at the vice chief, grinning. "That's what raising dogs is for, isn't it?"
"Indeed, that is the logic." The vice chief also nodded with a smile, though he seemed puzzled. "But which one should we target first? We can't just slaughter all of those cultivators, can we?"
"Naturally, we kill the fattest dog first," the elder replied, his smile growing cold. "If I remember correctly, among your cultivators is a Ferryman at the Moving Mountain realm, no?"
"That's right. He used to give me over two thousand spirit stones every time, but lately it's been just over one thousand. I taught him a lesson for it not long ago!" The vice chief nodded.
"You see, that just shows the dog is disobedient now. And disobedient dogs should be slaughtered first of all," the elder said with an amused smile, rubbing his hands together.
"He's been running that ferry for so long, he must have ten or twenty thousand spirit stones on him. Once we kill him, we can sell the ferry for another ten thousand. That should give us thirty thousand, just like that!"
Upon hearing this, the vice chief's eyes glinted greedily. The elder's words made perfect sense to him. He nodded in agreement.
"Right, this old dog has become disobedient. It's time to slaughter him and let him repay the ‘care' I've given him all these years. It's just a shame he reached mid Moving Mountain realm. If he had strived harder, he could have become an ordinary elder at Jade Terrace Mountain."
"Hmph, he willingly degraded himself and acted nothing like a cultivator. Now he's met a fitting end through his own faults," the vice chief scoffed disdainfully.
"Besides, even if he did become an ordinary elder, I could still slap his face and spit at him whenever I wished."
"Of course," the elder conceded with a nod.
In his eyes, the difference between Cao Gao and an ordinary Jade Terrace Mountain elder was simply that between a stray dog and a house pet.
That was how all higher realm cultivators viewed their lower realm counterparts - no different than dogs.
The elder in purple robes and the vice chief thought the same way.
"Then how do we stop Cao Gao's ferry while he's away at sea? Waiting for his return would take too long and disrupt our plans," the vice chief said, a note of worry in his tone.
"Simple. I already have a scheme," the elder smiled.
"Lu Hua from Never Aging Gate is aboard that ferry. You're on good terms with him, so you must have a sound transmission talisman to reach him, correct?"
"I do," the vice chief nodded.
"Then use it to tell Lu Hua to have Cao Gao hurry to the Never Aging Gate ferry crossing. Say we have important cargo for him to transport there."
"Next, send people on faster ferries to wait at the crossing ahead of time. With your connections at Never Aging Gate, Cao Gao's life and death will be yours to decide once he arrives."
"It's far simpler and more direct than wandering the starry sea searching for him."
The elder had considered all angles with his plan. The vice chief's eyes lit up eagerly, and he nodded.
"Then let's do it this way. I'll notify Lu Hua right now. Once Cao Gao is captured, the treasure and pills will be mine!"
He would surpass Bai Ji and become the next Chief!
Among the vast sea of stars, the ferry sailed at a moderate pace. One reason was to watch for dangers and steer clear of them. Another was to conserve spirit energy until they reached more open starry space where speed could be increased.
Lu Hua emerged from the guest cabin, tidying his clothes. He waved over a Guardian cultivator and said, "Come with me to see Cao Gao."
The Guardian asked no questions. His duty was only to protect Lu Hua.
The two strolled casually toward the top deck. A mocking smile played on Lu Hua's lips - the sort of smile that relished disaster for others.
It carried no goodwill.
Cao Gao was pacing atop the deck, gazing down at the ferry below.
"Hey, Cao Gao," Lu Hua called out casually.
Cao Gao hurriedly turned with a smile. "Yes, sir? What can I do for you?"
He recognized Lu Hua, the grandson of Never Aging Gate's Second Elder. Just the Guardian beside him was at the Moving Mountain realm peak.
"Word from Jade Terrace Mountain - hurry to the Never Aging Gate crossing. They have important cargo for you to transport. Delay at your own risk of consequences," Lu Hua said.
A contemptuous smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth.
"But Jade Terrace Mountain has never mentioned cargo before?" Cao Gao asked, puzzled.
"How should I know? You're Jade Terrace Mountain's dog, not mine. I'm just passing along the message. Whether you listen is up to you," Lu Hua said dismissively.
"I...I understand." Cao Gao nodded, head lowered to hide his expression. His tone sounded somewhat dim.
"What can an old Jade Terrace Mountain dog do anyway?" Lu Hua laughed with a shake of his head. He couldn't resist stirring up more trouble.
"Poor thing."
He didn't care if Cao Gao knew. So what if he did find out? On a ferry this large, in a sea this vast, where could Cao Gao run?
If needed, Lu Hua could slaughter Cao Gao here and now. But Jade Terrace Mountain's vice chief certainly wouldn't reward him for it.
So Lu Hua was too lazy to act, only watching the show. In fact, he hoped Cao Gao would try to flee quickly. That way, the vice chief would be anxious and have no choice but to order Lu Hua to take action.
Then Lu Hua could earn a favor from Jade Terrace Mountain.
Cao Gao said nothing, pressed his lips tightly together. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
"Oh well, you're old anyway," Lu Hua said with a laugh, though it was unclear whether he meant it as comfort or mockery. Then he turned and left.
Cao Gao slowly raised his head to gaze dully at Lu Hua's departing back, mouth agape, eyes clouded - the very picture of old age and helplessness.
His silhouette was one of grief.
In the ferry's fifth year of travel, its speed mysteriously increased for no apparent reason.
Yet it did not head straight for the Never Aging Gate crossing.
Lu Hua noticed the change and found it quite interesting. He made no move to stop it, in fact hoping Cao Gao would get the idea of fleeing.
That would allow Lu Hua to profit from the situation.
Year seven.
The ferry came to a halt amid the starry sea.
Cao Gao quietly said to Chen Xia, "Senior, once you disembark, head straight ahead ten thousand miles and you'll reach the Dead Star Region. Be very careful if you wish to go there, and avoid the Undead at all costs."
"Aren't we supposed to dock at the Never Aging Gate crossing first?" Chen Xia asked flatly.
"No need for that now. Something came up along the way, so I've brought you here directly," Cao Gao shook his head.
Chen Xia looked at him. "Need any help?" he asked just as flatly.
"No need to trouble yourself, Senior. It's nothing major, I can handle it myself," Cao Gao declined with another shake of his head.
"Very well," Chen Xia nodded. Then he turned and strode toward the ferry exit, glancing back to say,
"I'll go take a look first."
With a step, he set foot upon the starry sea.
Directly below the ferry, a purple gold sword hung suspended - serving as a signpost.