Where his dreams were Hidden

Chen Xia was staying in a medium-sized guest room on the ferry.

Cao Gao had originally wanted to give Chen Xia the best guest room, but in order not to draw too much attention, Chen Xia settled for this medium-sized guest room instead.

Knock, knock.

A crisp knocking sound rang out, stopping after just one knock, and then there was silence.

Cao Gao waited outside the guest room, not daring to knock again. He kept his head low, quietly waiting.

"Come in," said a plain voice from inside the room.

Only then did Cao Gao gently and quietly push open the door, slowly stepping inside before closing it again, not daring to look at Chen Xia. He could only keep his head lowered with his hands clasped as he spoke:

"Is the guest room environment to your satisfaction, senior? If there is anything you find unsatisfactory, this junior will immediately change it for you senior. You must not be slighted in any way."

"It's all fine, I'm not picky about these things," Chen Xia casually replied.

"That's good then." Cao Gao hurriedly nodded his head, and explained to Chen Xia: "Senior, this journey of ours will take about ten years. The distance isn't far, but there are some twists and turns that are inconvenient for people, so it may get a little bumpy. Please pardon any discomfort, senior."

"No problem, I quite enjoy the rocking motion," Chen Xia nodded.

In his opinion, vehicles are supposed to rock about, otherwise how could they be called vehicles?

"That's good, that's good," Cao Gao hurriedly nodded, and gave Chen Xia a rough overview of their itinerary.

Chen Xia seemed to understand. This trip did have quite a few detours. Specifically, they would be going from the southeastern edge of the Blue Sky Sword Sea to the western side. They couldn't travel directly and had to take a long, roundabout route.

The reason was quite simple, as Cao Gao explained:

"Within the Blue Sky Sword Sea's jurisdiction, no other ferries are allowed to sail, and no one dares sail within it either. So us having to take this roundabout route really inconveniences you, senior. Please pardon us."

"No problem," Chen Xia shook his head. He didn't actually want to enter the Blue Sky Sword Sea's jurisdiction either, so Cao Gao's roundabout route suited him just fine. Besides, ten years wasn't a very long time. He could just meditate and it would pass quickly.

"You're called Cao Gao, correct?" Chen Xia asked again to confirm.

"Senior can just call me Cao The Dwarf, I don't dare accept such an honorific title in your presence," Cao Gao quickly replied in a panicked tone.

"How strange, your name is clearly Cao Gao, yet you insist on disparaging yourself as a dwarf," Chen Xia shook his head as he pulled over a nearby stool and sat down, asking curiously:

"Why is that?"

Cao Gao rubbed his hands together and kept his head low, not daring to look Chen Xia in the eye. He respectfully laughed and explained:

"Those of us in this line of work, traveling all over, fear natural disasters less than standing out."

"To put it bluntly, people are inherently envious of others' good fortune. And in my life, I've seen more people than anything."

"At the start, I suffered many losses and remained unyielding, but even mountain wolves can be trained into dogs, let alone me. After a few brutal beatings, getting stepped on and spat at until half-dead..."

Cao Gao's words trailed off here, his tone somewhat desolate, his expression downcast, as he softly continued:

"I learned how to live."

"Is that living?" Chen Xia suddenly interjected.

Cao Gao slowly nodded. "Yes. In this wide world, some people are destined to be dogs."

"I suppose so," Chen Xia nodded, resting his chin in thought without elaborating further.

Cao Gao let out a sigh, then hurriedly shook his head with the same respectful smile. "I've spoken nonsense, please pay it no mind."

"It's fine," Chen Xia nodded and chuckled. "It seems that one's realm isn't the sole decider of everything in this world. With your Ferry Realm cultivation, you still have so many worries."

Cao Gao gave a self-deprecating laugh. "There are always people above people, and heavens above heavens. I've always kept that in mind. I'm just an average mid-stage Ferry Realm cultivator. Not low, but definitely not high in the galaxies either."

"The setbacks I experienced in my youthful arrogance taught me to be more cautious in my old age. I suppose only someone as amazing as yourself can truly be free of worries."

"I have them too," Chen Xia shook his head slightly.

His current worry was how to kill the Old Fisherman and truly escape from the Blue Sky Sword Sea.

He anxiously awaited suggestions online.

"Even someone of your stature has worries, let alone the likes of us," Cao Gao shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Mm," Chen Xia simply nodded, then turned to gaze out the window at the Milky Way.

The stars twinkled brightly.

Cao Gao said no more either, staring ahead with a dazed expression.

The ferry swayed along, sailing among the starry sky.

Occasionally they would encounter dangers like chaotic starry currents and meteor showers, but these were minor troubles that Cao Gao could easily resolve alone.

The passengers on the ferry were mostly young masters from prominent sect families, with some loose cultivators mixed in.

These loose cultivators were mostly fleeing criminals who could no longer remain in their original territories, now escaping on the ferry.

Cao Gao did not discriminate. As long as they paid, they could board.

"The next stop is Mount Jade Terrace, right? It's also a major sect, I heard they even have connections with the Blue Sky Sword Sea."

The speaker was a young master dressed in finery, his tone full of reverence.

"My father wanted me to join Mount Jade Terrace before, but their inner disciple quota was full, and I didn't want to be an outer disciple, so it came to nothing."

Another young master chimed in:

"My father is now trying to get me a spot in the Blue Sky Sword Sea. If successful, I'll have a chance to join them when I reach the Divine Travel Realm!"

When he spoke of this prospect, he could not contain his excitement.

But the other young masters shook their heads and mocked him:

"What do you want to go to the Blue Sky Sword Sea for? To get beat up by those ancient races?"

"Nonsense, I... I can also befriend those ancient races."

After much stammering, this was the best argument the young master could come up with.

"The other peerless geniuses all go to the Blue Sky Sword Sea to cultivate, yet you're going there to make friends, hahaha!"

The other young masters laughed even louder.

"Speaking nonsense, don't smear my good name!"

The young master angrily defended himself, his face flushed.

Listening from the upper deck, Cao Gao shook his head meaningfully. He felt this young master was just like his younger self.

They all had rather grand ideals, constantly thinking of doing what ordinary people could not.

But after circling around over and over, they would come to understand one truth.

That they too were ordinary people.

Just as Cao Gao said before, most people in this world are destined to be dogs, with only a minority able to be human.

There never was equality for all, nor would there ever be.

The immense individual differences would bring about even more extreme exploitation, including of lives.

"Youthful vigor," Cao Gao murmured.

Chen Xia was standing next to him, leaning on the railing. He suddenly asked:

"Stirred by memories?"

"You saw right through me," Cao Gao replied with a wry smile, not denying it.

Chen Xia suddenly reached out and patted Cao Gao's shoulder, smiling:

"You saw your past self."

Cao Gao was a little flattered by the gesture. He calmed himself and responded:

"Indeed, just like my younger days."

Then he tentatively asked: "What about you?"

"Me?" Chen Xia laughed. "I was very fortunate."

Cao Gao said no more, staring ahead blankly.

Where the brilliant starry river and speckled stars shone brightly.

Back when he first built this ferry.

That place had contained his dreams.