Having concluded their final spar, Cao Ci bid farewell to his master and departed, presumably leaving the Sword Qi Great Wall to return to the Central Earth Great End Dynasty.

Before leaving, Cao Ci said to Chen Ping’an, “Chen Ping’an, before you return to Upside-Down Mountain, could you please look after that small thatched hut for me?”

Chen Ping’an wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled, “No problem.”

This was Cao Ci’s unique form of kindness.

The white-robed youth and the female martial immortal walked further and further away on the parapet.

The old Sword Immortal reminded Chen Ping’an, “I’m going to withdraw my little world now.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, indicating he was ready.

The old Sword Immortal casually removed the restrictions on that space. Instantly, sword qi surged in. Chen Ping’an’s spirit was shaken and he suffered a considerable injury, forcing him to honestly anchor himself with the Sword Furnace stance to withstand the assault.

An hour later, Chen Ping’an was able to move again. He and Ning Yao walked near the city wall facing south. She asked, “Are you alright?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “This little injury is nothing.”

Ning Yao frowned, pointing to his heart. “I meant here.”

Following the girl’s slender finger, Chen Ping’an’s gaze lingered.

As a result, Ning Yao slapped Chen Ping’an on the head.

Chen Ping’an scratched his head, quickly correcting himself, “In my heart, even more alright.”

“A man’s head and a woman’s waist, one cannot be patted, the other cannot be touched.”

But Chen Ping’an wouldn’t dare say such a thing.

Ning Yao leaned against the city wall, asking with concern, “Really alright?”

In a single day, Chen Ping’an had lost three times, losing as badly as he possibly could.

The first time was when Chen Ping’an and Cao Ci exchanged blows in a pure martial arts sparring match. They had an unspoken understanding, keeping it simple and direct. Yet, every time Chen Ping’an threw a punch, it always seemed to be a fraction of a moment slower than Cao Ci.

It wasn’t that Chen Ping’an’s martial arts were subpar. On the contrary, the Old Cui’s techniques of the God-Man Drumbeat and Cloud-Steaming Marsh stances earned nods of approval from the observing female martial immortal several times.

Cao Ci, on the other hand, appeared too relaxed and at ease, strolling leisurely, seemingly prescient, anticipating every move. Chen Ping’an’s fists and feet seemed to conveniently arrive exactly where he wanted them to be.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t landed a single blow on Cao Ci, not even one.

When the old Sword Immortal and Ning Yao felt that one round was enough, it was the female martial immortal who smiled and suggested another fight, allowing Chen Ping’an to unleash his full potential without restraint.

In the second round, Chen Ping’an used his flying swords, Beginning One and Fifteen, for assistance, even employing several types of talismans.

However, compared to Cao Ci’s movements, he was still a little slower, not much, just a fraction of a moment behind.

This time, even Ning Yao felt helpless for Chen Ping’an.

It was like playing Go. Even among Grandmaster Nine-Dans, it’s not unusual for a stronger Nine-Dan to defeat a weaker one. But if the stronger player won by only half a point every single time, it would indicate a significant difference in skill.

The final spar was proposed by Chen Ping’an himself, and Cao Ci agreed.

In the third round, Chen Ping’an began to change.

He no longer seemed to be sparring with Cao Ci, but rather fighting against himself, constantly forcing changes to his pre-planned fist techniques. Imagine, the God-Man Drumbeat and Iron Cavalry Charge stances were “divine techniques” honed by Old Cui countless times. Chen Ping’an’s actions seemed like he was disrupting his own formation.

As a result, Cao Ci’s punches were no longer just a fraction of a moment faster. Often, Cao Ci shattered Chen Ping’an’s intent at the very beginning or midway through his stance. He lost even more miserably than in the previous two rounds.

However, the three individuals present, even Ning Yao who was outside the realm of martial arts, ultimately saw that Chen Ping’an’s temporary changes were correct in the overall direction.

The main difference was still in the foundation of the Fourth Realm.

After the third round, Cao Ci gave Chen Ping’an a thumbs up, saying only four words: “Keep up the effort.” (再接再厲 – Zai Jie Zai Li)

If it weren’t Cao Ci, or if it weren’t Chen Ping’an, everyone would have felt that Cao Ci was provoking, showing off his power, or looking down on the loser.

However, Cao Ci’s calm demeanor and Chen Ping’an’s stable state of mind couldn’t change one fact.

Both being Fourth Realm martial artists, Chen Ping’an was now truly a defeated opponent of Cao Ci.

That’s why the “clear sword heart, exposed edge” Ning Yao asked this question, worried that Chen Ping’an would lose a fourth battle.

An invisible contest of mental states.

Once Chen Ping’an’s martial arts mental state was crushed by Cao Ci, it would be difficult for him to reach the Seventh Realm in this lifetime, let alone the pinnacle of martial arts.

Fortunately, Chen Ping’an said he was alright.

Ning Yao believed him.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t afraid of death. She knew this when they were in the Carp Pearl Grotto-Heaven, when he almost died at the hands of the Mountain-Moving Ape, and when he almost traded his life for hers with Ma Ku Xuan.

But not being afraid of death didn’t mean he wasn’t afraid of losing.

When he was poor and without anything, he had nothing to lose. But when Ning Yao saw the table full of treasures at the Upside-Down Mountain Stork Inn, she realized that Chen Ping’an was quite wealthy, especially with his promising future in martial arts.

Therefore, Ning Yao worried that Chen Ping’an would get stuck in a rut.

Fortunately, he wasn’t.

The two of them sat side-by-side on the city wall facing south.

Ning Yao placed her two swords, one old and one new, on her lap. Chen Ping’an still carried the sword box with only the locust wood sword inside.

She actually thought the name “Demon Subduer” was quite vulgar, but considering that Chen Ping’an was also carrying a “Devil Exterminator,” she wouldn’t argue with him.

Chen Ping’an rested his fists on his knees, leaning forward. Miles away were the countless garrisons of the demon race, swarming like bees and ants. Ning Yao said that every time the demon army attacked the Sword Qi Great Wall, this canyon would be filled with densely packed demons. But above them, there would also be a dense swarm of flying swords.

When Chen Ping’an was with Ning Yao, they chatted about whatever came to mind.

From the old Sword Immortal Grandpa Chen, to Cao Ci and the female martial immortal, and their Central Earth Great End Dynasty, to the Great Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain who possessed one of the Four Immortal Swords. Talking about Immortal Swords naturally led to the so-called truly invincible Dao the Second, because his Immortal Sword was known as “The Dao is a Foot Higher in the Human Realm.” Then they talked about Dao the Second’s sect, the Upside-Down Mountain, and finally back to the Sword Qi Great Wall, and Chen Ping’an’s fist techniques.

Going around in circles, they chatted as they pleased.

Chen Ping’an had never sat in such a place with such a wide view, especially in his state of mind.

It was as if he was directly facing the entire world.
Chen Pingan couldn’t help but say, “At first, I practiced boxing to survive. When I no longer worried about lifespan, I began to think about why I practiced. The first time I felt that my punch must be faster, faster than anyone else. Later, I felt that my punch might not be the strongest, but it must be the most reasonable, so I read books, asked people for knowledge, learned how to deal with people, and asked people around me to tell me when I was wrong.”

Chen Pingan took down the wine gourd, took a sip, and said helplessly, “I reason with people, ultimately, to make the other party also reason. Not that I think my reasoning must be right. It’s just a pity that after walking this road, many people are unwilling to even reason.”

“Official robes, surnames, silver in their pockets, cultivation levels of whatever realm, they probably think it’s simple and easy, and feel that these are enough to explain the rationale clearly.”

Chen Pingan suddenly thought of Zuo You, the sword cultivator, that man whose swordsmanship was so high, invincible in the human world.

It seemed that this Mr. Qi’s senior brother, the sword cultivator Zuo You, also disliked reasoning.

But there was a world of difference between the two. One actively did evil, the other wouldn’t offend unless offended, and if offended, then that person was out of luck.

So he chose to distance himself from the human world.

And he said a sentence, roughly meaning that all cultivators were no longer… people, but aliens.

Apart from the literal meaning, Chen Pingan didn’t understand the deeper meaning, but felt it was a very weighty statement.

Chen Pingan turned his head to Ning Yao and smiled, “Of course, if my boxing, and my swordsmanship in the future, can be the fastest, even faster! That’s the best!”

Chen Pingan handed the sword-nourishing gourd to Ning Yao, stood up, and began to slowly practice boxing, coordinating with the Eighteen Stoppings taught by A Liang.

A Liang once spoke of his Ten Aspects.

Ning Yao frowned and said, “Chen Pingan, you have to practice so many boxing styles every day, and think about so many messy things?!”

“Just thinking randomly.”

Chen Pingan’s face was full of smiles, his punches stretched freely, slowly, but not lazily, but naturally.

Ning Yao turned her head to look at Chen Pingan, whose boxing essence flowed like a murmuring stream, and asked, “Have you ever thought that thinking so much will slow down your martial arts cultivation? Cao Ci certainly doesn’t think so much.”

Chen Pingan kept practicing his boxing, and smiled, “He’s a genius, and definitely the most remarkable kind of genius. I’m not. I have to think and do more every step. I’m just a common scholar, you also said I’m a mud-legged man, so I must first achieve “not bad” in every step, then right, very right, the most right. I can’t rush it. Before, when pulling blanks and firing porcelain, I would sit for an entire afternoon, only making no mistakes could produce a good blank. It’s a very simple principle.”

Chen Pingan habitually added, “Right?”

Ning Yao asked back, “Simple?”

Chen Pingan was a little puzzled, “Isn’t it simple?”

Ning Yao took a sip of the wine in the sword-nourishing gourd, and replied irrelevantly, “It’s good that it’s simple.”

Chen Pingan no longer followed the boxing postures of the撼山 (Hàn Shān, Quake Mountain) Fist Manual or those taught by the old man surnamed Cui, but improvised, his body followed the punches, his mind unburdened.

One stop, one pause, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Chen Pingan’s mind was completely immersed in it.

My Natal Porcelain is shattered, my Bridge of Longevity is broken.

Once, practicing boxing was just to save my life, and then I finally came here, and found you.

I, Chen Pingan, think I’m amazing!

Chen Pingan punched faster and faster, so that the sleeves of his clothes billowed with the clear wind, rustling.

When sitting on that golden arch bridge in the sea of clouds, the fairy sister said that I must not disappoint Mr. Qi’s hopes, because the earliest she chose me was because she chose to believe in Mr. Qi, and was willing to work with him to bet on that one in ten thousand hope.

Having this one, me being this one, is enough!

On the city wall, Chen Pingan’s boxing suddenly changed from fast to slow, without the slightest abruptness.

Moving his feet horizontally, he constantly punched towards that desolate world, and in an instant changed from the slowest to the fastest again, howling like the wind.

The old man surnamed Cui once said boldly that he wanted to teach the martial artists of the world that when they saw my punch, they would feel that the heavens were above!

Chen Pingan seemed to be answering a question in his heart, laughing loudly as he punched, “Good!”

Ning Yao’s mouth widened slightly.

Was this still Chen Pingan?

Ning Yao was uncharacteristically sentimental, drank a sip of wine full of sorrow, and stretched out a palm, complaining, “Chen Pingan, I can’t beat even a few of you now.”

Chen Pingan stopped punching, squatted down, and smiled, “You can hit me, and I won’t fight back.”

Ning Yao rolled her eyes and said, “Are you still a man? If this gets out, whether it’s in the Sword Qi Great Wall or in the Vast Expanse World, you’ll be laughed to death.”

Chen Pingan’s eyes were firm, “If one day you are bullied, no matter what realm I am in martial arts at that time, that punch will be the fastest!”

Ning Yao pointed south of the city wall, “Aren’t you afraid of the thirteenth realm peak demon?”

Chen Pingan nodded.

Ning Yao pointed behind her, “Aren’t you afraid of the Confucian saints of the Vast Expanse World?”

Chen Pingan still nodded.

Ning Yao pointed to the top of her head, “Aren’t you afraid of the Dao Ancestor and the Buddha Ancestor?”

After Chen Pingan nodded, he said softly, “Ning Yao, don’t die on the battlefield.”

Ning Yao turned her head, no longer looking at Chen Pingan, holding the sword-nourishing gourd, and looked at the ten-thousand-year battlefield under her feet, nodded, her eyes firm, “I can’t guarantee that I won’t die, but I will definitely strive to live.”

Ning Yao suddenly smiled, “Chen Pingan, then hurry up and become the world’s number one Great Sword Immortal!”

Chen Pingan scratched his head and said, “I can’t guarantee that either, but I will try!”

Chen Pingan came to Ning Yao and sat down.

Shoulder to shoulder.

Ning Yao was a little shy, so she gently bumped him, seeming to want to push him away, but Chen Pingan leaned back every time.

Chen Pingan’s shoulder shook back and forth like this.

Finally, the two looked south quietly.

One shoulder carries the hopes of Mr. Qi and the fairy sister.

One shoulder carries the expectations of his beloved girl.

Although it wasn’t willows swaying in the breeze and grass growing, warblers flying, wasn’t the warmth of spring and green hills and clear waters.

But Chen Pingan felt that this was very good, couldn’t be better.

Pei Bei and Cao Ci, master and apprentice, walked slowly on the city wall. Cao Ci looked back at the direction of the thatched cottage, and said with a serious expression, “Although his third realm foundation is still quite different from mine before. But I think Chen Pingan, he has the hope of following behind me.”
The Valkyrie chuckled, “That’s quite the high praise.”

Cao Ci inquired, “Master, what do you think?”

She gently shook her head, “My opinion holds no significance. What matters is how you and Chen Ping’an fare in the future, the speed of your respective realm advancements, the solidity of your foundations at each realm, and ultimately, the heights you attain in martial arts. Of course, who lives longer is of paramount importance.”

Cao Ci nodded, asking, “Master, barring any major unforeseen events, how long do you foresee yourself living?”

Regarding such a momentous matter of life and death, she spoke with a calm demeanor, “Ordinary tenth-realm martial artists, by minimizing the consumption of their vital essence and avoiding life-or-death battles that leave lasting wounds, can live to around three hundred years. I can likely live for another two centuries beyond that. But those extra two centuries also allow for the accomplishment of so much more.”

Cao Ci sighed, “In the end, Qi refiners are still the longer-lived.”

Pei Bei remained noncommittal, inquiring, “Regarding Chen Ping’an, do you have any further thoughts?”

Cao Ci shook his head, “None.”

Pei Bei cautioned, “Before reaching the seventh realm, you may leave the Great End Dynasty, but you are absolutely forbidden from venturing to other continents.”

“Understood.”

Cao Ci remained nonchalant; his true opponent in martial arts was himself.

The towering Valkyrie from the Central Earth Divine Continent couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to ruffle Cao Ci’s hair.

Cao Ci said helplessly, “Master, please don’t always treat me like a child.”

Before descending from the city walls, Pei Bei glanced back at the thatched hut. She quickly retracted her gaze, smiling faintly.

A pure martial artist living in the same era as Cao Ci would likely face a tragic fate.

Those who respected and admired him could only look up, forever gazing upward in reverence.

Those who envied and resented him would never catch up. Those who hated and opposed him would be consumed with frustration.

Pei Bei deeply anticipated her disciple’s ultimate pinnacle.

After all, in martial arts, there can be only one supreme!

Chen Ping’an had been on the city walls for nearly ten days. This day, Ning Yao came and went, explaining that important guests had arrived at her home, requiring her presence.

Chen Ping’an continued to practice walking stances along the city walls. After traversing several miles, he noticed a little girl in loose black robes standing ahead, her hair styled in playful pigtails, seemingly dozing off? She swayed precariously, as if about to fall off the city walls, filling Chen Ping’an with alarm. He almost rushed forward to support the reckless little girl, but his two distant journeys had matured him greatly, the contrasts between the Colorful Clothes Country, the Upside-Down Mountain, and this Sword Qi Great Wall being stark.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an simply called out, feigning an inquiry, using the Sword Qi Great Wall dialect that Ning Yao had taught him, his pronunciation awkward and stilted, asking, “Do you know who the old man in the thatched hut is?”

The little girl ignored Chen Ping’an, continuing to swing back and forth on the city walls.

Chen Ping’an stopped at what he considered a reasonable distance, scrutinizing her. Her innocent face even bore a bubble of snot. She was indeed asleep.

What a carefree spirit!

Chen Ping’an surmised that she was likely a prodigy of sword cultivation.

In an instant, the pigtail girl, unsteady on her feet, plummeted straight down the city walls.

Chen Ping’an instinctively lunged forward, intending to grab the little girl’s ankle.

However, a hand pressed down on Chen Ping’an’s shoulder, rendering him immobile. Turning his head, he saw a kindly, white-haired old man standing to his left. The old man was tall and slender, his hair secured with a white jade hairpin. He smiled at Chen Ping’an, “Young one, judging by your accent, you’re from out of town, aren’t you? Good intentions are admirable, but here on the Sword Qi Great Wall, you must remember one thing: don’t cause trouble for others, and even more so, don’t cause trouble for yourself.”

The old man pointed in the direction of the little girl’s “fall,” “That Hidden Official doesn’t need your help either. She’s the sword cultivator who has slain the most mid-fifth realm demon clans in the last thousand years. If you were to ask who the demon clans hate the most, the Hidden Official would undoubtedly be among the top three. If you were to touch even a corner of her robe, you’d likely die, unless the Old Grand Sword Immortal was willing to fight the Hidden Official.”

Chen Ping’an cupped his fist in gratitude.

The old man smiled, “My surname is Qi. If you don’t mind, you can call me Grandpa Qi or Senior Qi. There’s been some unusual activity to the south today. I just happened to be patrolling the city walls with a friend. I suspect the Hidden Official was also intrigued, eager for the enemy to launch an attack.”

The old man remembered something, suddenly adding, “Actually, don’t call me Grandpa Qi. Senior Qi will do. Otherwise, it feels like I’m taking advantage of the Old Grand Sword Immortal, which is absolutely not allowed.”

As soon as his voice faded, a muffled sound reverberated from beneath the city walls where they stood.

Presumably, the pigtail Hidden Official had crashed to the ground, causing the tremor.

The old man chuckled, reminding him, “Although the Old Grand Sword Immortal is helping to keep watch, and the Hidden Official is also present, you still need to be careful. Warfare is ever-changing; the demon clans could launch their next offensive at any time. Alright, continue with your business.”

Without seeing the old man take a step, he appeared on the city walls dozens of feet away. With such ease, the old man’s figure vanished in an instant.

Chen Ping’an jumped down from the city walls, turning to return to the thatched hut.

The old man’s surname was Qi.

The Hidden Official who had slain countless mid-fifth realm demon clans.

Chen Ping’an heard a series of indescribable sounds emanating from the southern lands, not the kind that pierced the eardrums, but a subtle yet nauseating hum. Chen Ping’an quickly walked to the edge of the wall, gazing out with narrowed eyes.

Then, in the boundless canyon beyond the city, something appeared… In Chen Ping’an’s eyes, looking at that thing from the city walls was like a person looking down at an earthworm in the mud not far away.

Chen Ping’an could fully imagine that the earthworm’s true size was certainly terrifyingly huge.

Then Chen Ping’an saw a tremendous, pure white light exploding in the direction where the Hidden Official had fallen, like a pearl rolling towards the great demon.

Afterwards, within the canyon, dust swirled, creating a cataclysmic scene.

Approximately one incense stick later, the pigtail-wearing, black-robed “little girl” returned to the city walls, not far from Chen Ping’an. Standing on the city walls, she widened her mouth, wiggling a tooth with two fingers. In the end, seemingly reluctant to pull it out, she spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the walkway. Somewhat angry, she swaggered along the city walls, each step causing the walkway to tremble.
The old Sword Immortal, who had built a thatched hut on the city wall to guard it, had unknowingly come to Chen Ping An’s side. He explained with a smile, “For her, not killing the opponent is the same as losing, so she’s quite annoyed. It’s best not to bother her at times like these, or it’ll be troublesome. Back then, only Aliang was willing to chat with her, always adding fuel to the fire and kicking someone when they’re down, but he could take her beatings. Now that Aliang has left the Great Wall of Sword Qi, she’s probably a bit bored. Actually, that unlucky great demon on the other side was just making a symbolic appearance.”

The old Sword Immortal led Chen Ping An towards the thatched hut, suddenly saying, “For certain reasons, you’re an exception, so I’ll also chat with you a bit more.”

Chen Ping An nodded, not saying anything.

As night fell, Chen Ping An left the small thatched hut built by Cao Ci and sat on the northern city wall, drinking and gazing at the brightly lit massive city.

He looked towards the direction of Ning Yao’s home.

Suddenly, someone patted his left shoulder. He turned to his left and saw that Ning Yao was already sitting to his right.

This time, when she came up to the city wall, she brought some food and placed it near the thatched hut. She brought a jar of wine over, and Chen Ping An handed her his gourd for nurturing swords. Ning Yao helped pour the wine into it.

After the wine jar was empty, Ning Yao casually tossed it over the city wall. It wouldn’t make a sound when it fell to the ground, after all, it was just a small wine jar, not the previous Hidden Official.

Ning Yao took a sip of wine and began to space out.

Chen Ping An simply accompanied her in spacing out.

Ning Yao softly said, “Whether or not things make sense actually has nothing to do with whether a person lives well.”

Ning Yao stretched out her arm, pointing towards the city, “Over there, some people are just too gifted, so as long as they stay within the rules while wantonly killing the innocent, no one can do anything to them. When they reach the battlefield south of the city wall, such people are still renowned heroes, their sword Qi soaring to the heavens, cutting through the demon hordes with unrivaled might. Even those who resent them have to admit that their presence makes a world of difference.”

Ning Yao shook the wine gourd, “I’ve traveled to many places in the Vast Expanse, seen all sorts of people. Some people are just born with good fortune, enjoying a lifetime of wealth and ease, never having to worry about food and clothing, yet they spend their days complaining about how boring life is, constantly grumbling about how hard things are.”

She returned the gourd for nurturing swords to Chen Ping An and asked, “This dog-shit nonsense, it’s pretty boring, isn’t it?”

Chen Ping An thought for a moment, “It’s alright, I guess. Everyone has their own way of living, and what doesn’t suit us isn’t necessarily wrong. As long as they aren’t fond of reasoning things out, and are sure to live a bad life, I think it’s all okay.”

Ning Yao said in annoyance, “Unfortunately, they might actually live quite poorly.”

“Ah?”

Chen Ping An began to earnestly consider this question.

Ning Yao turned her head, looking at Chen Ping An who was deep in thought, and couldn’t help but laugh, “I was just spouting nonsense, and you actually fell for it?”

Chen Ping An took a sip of wine, “Something troubling you?”

Ning Yao nodded, “Someone wants to buy my family’s Dragon-Slaying Platform. I don’t want to sell it, but they offered an exorbitant price, talking about reason and righteousness, about the ties between our families, talking about everything. They talked so much that I got a little annoyed.”

Chen Ping An didn’t offer any words of comfort, he simply gently held one of Ning Yao’s hands.

Ning Yao inexplicably smiled, “But whenever I think about your bitter childhood, going hungry, secretly crying tears and snot in Mud Bottle Alley, I feel like none of this is actually anything.”

Chen Ping An smiled as he looked into the distance, a gentle breeze caressing his face, no longer piercing like the earliest days, like just the mountain breeze from his hometown, softly saying, “Is that so.”

They remained silent for the night. Finally, Ning Yao leaned against Chen Ping An’s shoulder, sleeping soundly until dawn.

Chen Ping An remained motionless, quietly standing guard throughout the night.

He had once seen a very touching line of poetry.

It was carved on a mud statue in the Immortal Graveyard in his hometown, by someone he didn’t know.

Chen Ping An hoped it could be anyone, as long as it wasn’t Ma Ku Xuan from Apricot Blossom Lane.

“Since childhood, I have been alone, taking care of the stars of all ages.”