The Qinghu Palace ferry was en route to Old Dragon City in Treasure Bottle洲 (Zhou – continent/island). Before reaching its destination, it had to make three stops at various ports. The northernmost one was Changchun渡 (du – ferry crossing) outside the Tongye宗 (Zong – sect) Mountain Gate, a place where spring reigned eternal.

However, Chen Pingan only wished to arrive safely at Old Dragon City. The three stops combined took nearly ten days. Throughout this time, he forbade Pei Qian from disembarking to browse the shops at the ports. The dark-skinned girl could only carry a stool to the viewing platform, longingly gazing at the bustling prosperity of the three ports. Occasionally, Wei Xian would come over to chat with her.

Although she couldn’t leave the ship, Chen Pingan asked the Qinghu Palace Elder in charge of the ferry to purchase many items. Wei Xian and the others had each provided a list, which he handed over to the Elder.

Wei Xian wanted books about local customs and folklore from various places. Lu Baixiang bought a royal-made guqin (ancient Chinese stringed instrument) that had been scattered from the Imperial Palace of some human kingdom. Sui Youbian made no requests, still maintaining her solitary demeanor, believing that a sword was all she needed. Zhu Lian, on the other hand, provided a long list of books. However, Chen Pingan directly told him to take it back, saying that immortal ferry crossings didn’t sell such books. He told him he could search for them in the bookstores of Old Dragon City. Zhu Lian reluctantly gave up. It turned out that the hunched old man wanted to buy a mountain of novels. Just looking at the titles on the list made Chen Pingan’s scalp crawl. He absolutely refused to hand it over to the ferry crossing Elder, as it was simply too embarrassing.

Besides practicing the three stances of the Ground-Shaking Fist – standing, walking, and sleeping – Chen Pingan didn’t neglect the sword techniques recorded in the “Sword Art Canon.” In any case, he could practice both simultaneously. He also continued to delve into the immortal incantation. Although the spell was extremely advanced, the most frustrating thing about refining artifacts was the lack of materials. It was like a skilled artisan unable to create without ingredients. His flying swords, Initial and Fifteenth, were not his own natal swords, so they only needed to be nurtured. Moreover, with the “Jianghu” sword-nurturing gourd, it couldn’t be any more effortless. However, once he refined his own natal object, the quantity and value of the necessary heavenly materials and earthly treasures would be astonishing. The higher the quality, the more it would become a bottomless pit.

The old Daoist of the Eastern Sea Guan Dao Temple, who had Lu Baixiang pass on the saying “spending money like water,” was not only teasing him but also stating an undeniable truth.

Now that the Long Life Bridge was more than half-built, with its gates wide open, welcoming guests from all directions, the more Chen Pingan stayed in a blessed land brimming with spiritual energy, the more dangerous it became. That was why Chen Pingan had stumbled on the stone arch bridge near Tianque Peak in Qingjing Mountain. At the time, he couldn’t fully control the magic robe Jin Li to block the torrent of spiritual energy. The clash between the spiritual energy and the pure martial artist’s true qi within his body had caused him to lose control.

No matter how much spiritual energy the magic robe Jin Li could absorb and convert, there was ultimately a limit. Once Jin Li was full, allowing the spiritual energy to rush into the body’s various qi storage points, Chen Pingan’s martial arts realm would inevitably decline.

The current problem was which magic treasure to choose for refining the first cave abode. If he chose the element of water, it would be relatively simple because the jade scroll had the River Goddess of Burial River, using water refinement as an example to explain the profound meaning of the Rain-Praying Stele inscription, and had lectured on the general materials needed for water refinement, with emphasis on the key item: “water essence”. Any treasure that gathered the essence of water fortune could be considered water essence, but there were vast differences in quality. The river water governed by the River God and the river water governed by the ancient Dragon Palace were worlds apart in the water essence treasures they produced.

It could be said that the quality of water essence used to “refine water” would directly determine the quality of Chen Pingan’s elemental water natal object.

The ferry hovered near Changchun Ferry, and Pei Qian stood on a stool on the viewing platform, yearning and melancholic.

Chen Pingan was sitting at the table at the moment, looking at the adorable and friendly water character seal on the table, equally worried.

What worried him even more was that after Chen Pingan deeply understood the spell that “could refine all things,” he guessed that once the water character seal was refined into a natal object, each time he stamped it, helping the water gods with fate to promote water fortune, it was very likely that Chen Pingan would damage his natal vitality. The benefit was that the water character seal, which would originally consume some magical power each time it was stamped, would no longer have to worry about being reduced to an ordinary seal. So Chen Pingan was determined that the element of water would be the water character seal!

Since it involved a natal object, it was no longer just a simple refinement like the demon-binding rope made from the old dragon Jin Xu. Then, he must have a pill cauldron for refining things. This was another great trouble. It was not easy to buy. He had to find an immortal family who was willing to sell. And then, if he wanted to buy a good one, it was easy, but it was also as difficult as climbing to the sky. It depended on how much immortal money Chen Pingan had in his pocket.

“I don’t have much money now!”

Chen Pingan’s face was full of indignation.

The Gu Yu coins were all gone. Now that the Li Zhu Cave Heaven was gone, it meant that there would be no new Golden Essence Copper Coins appearing in the world. Each one used was one less in the world. In the battle at the ruined temple, two were used at once.

If it wasn’t for Sui Youbian, but Wei Xian and three rough men, Chen Pingan really wanted to drag them out and beat them up.

Pei Qian carried the stool back into the house, sat down next to Chen Pingan, and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong? Don’t we have enough money to spend?”

A careless remark, but it hit the nail on the head.

Chen Pingan glanced at Pei Qian. Who did this girl learn her comforting skills from?

Pei Qian thought Chen Pingan was starting to dislike her for being a money-losing goods, and was frightened. With tears in her eyes, she wrinkled her dark little face, “Don’t throw me off the boat, okay? I won’t shout about eating fish and meat every day in the future. A bowl of white rice and three chopsticks of pickles will be enough to get rid of me!”

Chen Pingan laughed, “It has nothing to do with how much you eat. You’re at the age where you’re growing taller. How much money can a few more bowls of rice cost?”

Pei Qian wiped her face, and instantly her smile was bright, “When we get to Old Dragon City, do we have a place to stay? If we do, we can spend less money on unnecessary things.”

Chen Pingan nodded, “Yes, I have a friend there who is quite wealthy, but let’s make it clear in advance, it’s his business if he’s generous, and it’s not a reason for you to reach out and ask for things indiscriminately.”

Pei Qian was sluggish, and said weakly, “Understood.”
She had thought she might run into another fellow like Yao Jinzhi, who gave away things without batting an eye, even begging her to accept them, to the point that Chen Ping’an couldn’t refuse. If she had known, she wouldn’t have made that barbed remark to Yao Jinzhi back then. Once, Yao Jinzhi, wearing a veiled hat, chatted with Pei Qian privately. When Pei Qian saw her take off the hat, her skin was so fair and delicate that Pei Qian felt ashamed of herself. Later, forgetting what they were talking about, Pei Qian chuckled and delivered a backhanded compliment, “Sister Jinzhi, you’re so beautiful, it’s only natural that you’re full of beautiful thoughts.” Yao Jinzhi wasn’t angry, but smiled and gently tapped Pei Qian’s forehead with her slender, green-onion-like finger.

Day after day.

From the beginning of winter, it had become the winter solstice. The ferry had already left the territory of Tongye Continent and was located on the sea between the two continents. By the time it docked at the ferry of the isolated island overseas of Old Dragon City, it would probably be late winter.

During this time, Lu Baixiang saw Chen Ping’an dryly practicing footwork in the room and asked, “This stance is very ordinary, why do you persist so much?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “The foundation of one’s being is not in how high one can reach.”

Lu Baixiang seemed to be lost in thought.

After Lu Baixiang left the room, Pei Qian whispered, asking Chen Ping’an what he meant. Chen Ping’an smiled and said that he couldn’t think of any profound words, just making something up to muddle through. People who are good at chess like to think in complex ways. This made Pei Qian burst into laughter.

This day, Chen Ping’an sat in the study, picking up and putting down his writing brush repeatedly, making Pei Qian, who was copying books across from him, more anxious than Chen Ping’an himself.

Finally, Chen Ping’an stood up and left the room to find Zhu Lian. When he returned, Pei Qian found Chen Ping’an even more hesitant, and finally he had to put away his paper and brush.

Pei Qian was very puzzled.

Before, the letters he wrote to Da Fu Academy and Taiping Mountain, the two that were taken away by flying swords with a “whoosh,” were written very quickly.

So who was this letter for?

Chen Ping’an went to the observation deck to practice the Sword Furnace Standing Stance.

Someone knocked on the door. Pei Qian ran to open it, and after seeing the person, she made a proper bow and said, “Pei Qian pays respects to Old Immortal Lu of Qinghu Palace!”

The old man smiled and nodded, feeling a little more cheerful.

It was Lu Yong, the Nascent Soul Earth Immortal from Tianque Peak. Chen Ping’an quickly came to greet him.

After they sat down, Pei Qian deftly poured three cups of tea, first for Chen Ping’an, then for Lu Yong, and of course, she didn’t forget to pour a cup for herself.

Lu Yong beat around the bush and talked in circles for almost a quarter of an hour of pleasantries. Chen Ping’an patiently exchanged polite greetings with this Earth Immortal from Tianque Peak, whose limelight was overshadowed by Jiang Shangzhen.

One shouldn’t underestimate Earth Immortals.

Chen Ping’an had traveled through many different walks of life and knew the weight of an Earth Immortal. He wouldn’t be humble in front of Jiang Shangzhen just because he knew Zuo You. He wouldn’t dare to despise the Palace Lord of Qinghu Palace in front of him. To put it bluntly, an old Nascent Soul cultivator who could sit on a treasured geomantic land and own an immortal ferry, if he disregarded the intricate web of relationships and was determined to kill Chen Ping’an, would only need two or three flicks of Lu Yong’s sleeves.

Seeing that Chen Ping’an wasn’t being domineering, Lu Yong’s impression of this young man improved a bit.

The backing that he relied on was not only Jiang Shangzhen, who had traveled a long distance to Tianque Peak in the Jade Purity Realm, but also the mastermind behind the current actions of the Jiang family head.

Otherwise, why would Lu Yong be so ingratiating and eagerly deliver gifts to a young man from another place, with no relatives or friends? If they were at odds, they would simply follow their own cultivation paths.

After drinking two cups of the bland tea, Lu Yong finally got to the point. “It is a great honor for my Qinghu Palace that Young Master Chen has graced Tianque Peak with his presence. I was actually refining a furnace of pills at the time, the Daoist Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pills. This pill is gentle in nature and most suitable for cultivators to take when meditating. Besides being able to calm the mind, the most important thing is that it can nourish the spirit, especially warming and nourishing the heart orifice. The name of the pill is Sitting-in-Forgetfulness, but there is also a secular saying that is rough but accurate, that is, after eating the pill, sitting is already cultivating. Forgetting about the original matter of cultivation is also acceptable.”

Once he started talking about alchemy, Lu Yong became radiant, completely different from when he was standing next to Jiang Shangzhen. “The heart is the master of the whole body, the general of all spirits. It’s just that the heart has always been difficult to settle. Buddhists have a saying that the heart ape is unsettled and the mind horse runs wild. Therefore, in cultivation, there is the spiritual mountain that tethers the mind horse and the jade palace that locks the heart ape. The Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pill that I refine is extremely difficult to make. Even if it is made by chance, the material for a furnace that can produce ten pills will yield no more than three or four pills at most. The reason why it is still popular among many Earth Immortals in Tongye Continent lies in one subtlety that other alchemy masters do not have. The Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pill from Qinghu Palace, made by my Lu Yong, can allow cultivators to nurture two door gods on the outside of their hearts, just like the ones that common people paste on their doors, protecting the heart gate!”

Chen Ping’an sincerely praised, “To nurture door gods outside the heart is truly a divine work.”

Lu Yong was very pleased and stroked his beard with a smile.

He was naturally not “just” refining this furnace of Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pills. In fact, to refine this pill, besides a large pile of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, one must also wait for the right time and consume the “geographical advantage,” that is, the precious fortune of the landscape of Qingjing Mountain. Otherwise, how could the Golden Core and Nascent Soul Earth Immortals of Tongye Continent fight to snatch it? As for why other alchemy immortals could not refine it, besides the fact that Lu Yong’s alchemy skills were indeed superb, the unique mountain and water fortune contained in Qingjing Mountain was even more crucial.

This is the root cause of why Earth Immortals are so cautious when establishing sects and opening up residences.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “Since the Earth Immortals of Tongye Continent regard it as a treasure, can it also be used to stabilize the souls of pure martial artists around the sixth or seventh realm?”

Lu Yong was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, “Of course, it’s just that my Qinghu Palace Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pill is too much of a waste for those reckless men on a dead end path, it’s simply like a cow chewing on a peony.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Palace Lord, are you talking to me about this Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pill because you want to give me a slightly lower price for Chen Ping’an’s sake, considering Jiang Shangzhen’s reputation?”

Lu Yong’s heart tightened.

This guy dared to call Jiang Shangzhen by his name directly.

Lu Yong’s expression remained unchanged. “Young Master Chen is underestimating my Qinghu Palace too much. When dealing with friends, what price is there to talk about? Speaking of this furnace of pills, it was a coincidence. After Young Master Chen arrived at Tianque Peak, and I sent Young Master Chen and the Jiang family head away, it was like a blessing from heaven! I unexpectedly and unprecedentedly refined six pills! This is the first time in my Lu Yong’s hundreds of years of alchemy. This kind of good fortune only happens twice in a lifetime. There must be a providence in the dark. It can be seen that Young Master Chen, my Qinghu Palace, and I, Lu Yong, definitely have a great karmic connection. Where the great Dao opportunity lies, how dare I hide it? I will take six Sitting-in-Forgetfulness Pills for Young Master Chen!”
Pei Qian’s mouth gaped slightly.

Mother, is there anyone in this world more capable of speaking blatant lies than herself?

This old immortal’s flattery skills were something she could learn from. He seemed much more of a “scholar” than she was.

Lu Yong probably realized his wording had “missed the mark,” so he feigned heartache and said, “Although it is the will of the Great Dao, and we must act according to Heaven’s decree, I still feel some regret. I only hope that Young Master Chen can say a few good words for my Azure Tiger Palace before the Jiang Clan Head. The Jiang Clan’s businesses span over half of the Tongye Continent. Perhaps the elixirs produced by Azure Tiger Palace in the future can be recouped from these six Meditation Pills. That would be fortunate! So Young Master Chen, just accept them without reservation. Even if the Jiang Clan Head looks down on Azure Tiger Palace’s meager output, it would be a worthwhile endeavor for Azure Tiger Palace to become friends with Young Master Chen!”

Pei Qian quickly offered Lu, the old flatterer, no, the old immortal, another cup of tea.

Chen Ping’an naturally thought more deeply than Pei Qian.

For example, the involvement of Jiang Shangzhen, as well as the Jiang Clan’s business and Azure Tiger Palace’s production.

These six Meditation Pills were quite a hot potato.

Chen Ping’an pondered for a moment, intending to politely decline. If he could replace Jiang Shangzhen with the Fan Clan of Old Dragon City, there might be room for negotiation. Business, after all, was a mutually beneficial endeavor. But Chen Ping’an was unwilling to have more dealings with Jiang Shangzhen.

So Chen Ping’an said, “Palace Master Lu’s kindness is deeply appreciated. However, this batch of Meditation Pills is too valuable to accept. Furthermore, my relationship with Jiang Shangzhen is rather ordinary… However, regarding Palace Master Lu’s gift of pills, I can write a letter to Jiang Shangzhen at Jade Decree Sect, refusing to accept the pills. I will ensure that Palace Master Lu is not put in a difficult position by this matter.”

Lu Yong remained composed, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

In his heart, he regretted his overzealousness.

He shouldn’t have indulged in that little thought of having Chen Ping’an understand his subtle hint and help Azure Tiger Palace establish a connection with the Jiang Clan.

On the first floor of this ferry, a young cultivator stood by the window, his face gloomy.

“That fool, Lu Yong, truly doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

Inside the room, there was also a beautiful but pale-faced female cultivator, the same Golden Core Earth Immortal who had been nearly killed by Jiang Shangzhen’s palm strike at Heavenly Pass Peak.

And the young cultivator standing by the window, who had cast an illusion spell, was Jiang Shangzhen, who had sneaked onto the ferry. He had a sudden whim. After lecturing at Azure Tiger Palace, he didn’t immediately return to Jade Decree Sect. Instead, he chose to secretly board the ferry and directly approached that pitiful Golden Core female cultivator who had been plucked from a crack in the rocks. When Jiang Shangzhen knocked on her door, and she opened it in annoyance, Jiang Shangzhen dispelled the spell concealing his aura and appearance. In that instant, the latter was so frightened that she almost knelt down and begged for mercy.

Jiang Shangzhen had no intention of revealing himself to Chen Ping’an, nor did he have any ulterior motives.

When it came to matters of the fundamental Great Dao, procrastination was a major taboo in cultivation. A drop of water could break the mind, and a speck of mud could stain the golden body. One must be cautious.

He was merely waiting for Lu Yong to appear and handle the matter he had instructed, then he would return to Jade Decree Sect, located at the southernmost tip of Tongye Continent. A mountain of trivial matters still needed his attention. For example, that audacious “son” of his, Jiang Beihai, who had acted on his own initiative. Jiang Shangzhen wished he could break that prodigal son’s hands and feet and throw him into Cloud Cave Blessed Land to be a beggar and prostitute for all eternity. It seemed that his absence from the family for sixty years had made that ambitious but talentless fellow forget himself.

For cultivators in the upper five realms, offspring were especially difficult to come by, far less common than in the middle five realms, where one could have a full house of descendants as long as one desired to have children.

Upstairs, Lu Yong dared not harbor any more thoughts, finally focusing solely on giving away that bottle of Meditation Pills.

However, the beginning was always the hardest. After that, it might not be so simple. One wrong step, and it became even more difficult.

Chen Ping’an didn’t know about Jiang Shangzhen’s later mix of kindness and power towards Azure Tiger Palace. He only believed in one thing: any matter related to Jiang Shangzhen could only be about asking Jiang Shangzhen to transfer the demon core to him. Absolutely nothing more.

Practicing martial arts to sustain his life was Chen Ping’an’s outward foundation.

Having a pure mind, being steadfast and upright, was even more crucial in a world of complex human hearts.

Chen Ping’an was clear that with Jiang Shangzhen’s appearance at Heavenly Pass Peak, Lu Yong wouldn’t dare to harbor malicious intentions towards him. Therefore, he wasn’t worried that Azure Tiger Palace would turn hostile simply because he refused to accept this bottle of Meditation Pills.

Especially since Lu Yong was still a Nascent Soul Earth Immortal, he would only cherish his current cultivation and status even more.

Thus, it was the Azure Tiger Palace’s old palace master who regretted his actions immensely.

In the end, no matter how much he pleaded and begged, that young man remained courteous in his words and gentle in his tone, but simply refused to accept the bottle of Meditation Pills.

Could it be that he really had to follow Jiang Shangzhen’s jest, with a Nascent Soul Earth Immortal creating a scene on his own territory, crying, making a fuss, and attempting suicide?

Lu Yong couldn’t bring himself to do it.

So he could only ask Chen Ping’an to reconsider. Lu Yong then left the room and went to another room on the same floor of the ferry.

As a result, as soon as he opened the door, he saw the face he least wanted to see: Jiang Shangzhen, with a indifferent expression.

Jiang Shangzhen, who hated nothing more than others being “clever,” didn’t waste any words with Lu Yong. He directly used his great power as a Jade Purity Realm cultivator, turning the room into a prison of spatial dimension. With a grab of his hand, he dragged the caught-off-guard old Nascent Soul into the inner world. Within the room, golden pillars with golden dragons coiled around them materialized out of thin air. They began to fly off the pillars like golden chains, piercing through Lu Yong’s vital acupoints. Finally, the most majestic golden dragon pressed down on Lu Yong’s head with its claw, knocking him to the ground.

Jiang Shangzhen walked in front of the prostrate old Nascent Soul and stepped on the back of his head. He chuckled softly, “I’ve given your Azure Tiger Palace an immense amount of face, yet you’re still insatiable. Do you really think I, Jiang Shangzhen, am a kind-hearted Bodhisattva? Do you know that if Chen Ping’an hadn’t appeared at Heavenly Pass Peak and given me a slight whim because of that jade hairpin, I wouldn’t have been lecturing the Great Dao and bestowing blessings upon Azure Tiger Palace’s disciples. Instead, I would have smashed your old Lu’s nascent soul directly into that stone wall to become a mural!”

Jiang Shangzhen slightly increased the pressure on his foot. Poor Lu Yong, trapped within the small world, couldn’t even let out a wail. Only his soul trembled violently, and the pain made this Nascent Soul Earth Immortal, who wasn’t skilled in combat, feel like he was in utter agony.
Jiang Shangzhen narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening, “How many cultivators in this world are as clueless as you, Lu Yong, not knowing when to quit! Just because you got a little lucky and became a half-baked mountain man, you think you’re all that? Even I, Jiang Shangzhen, have to play it safe, suppressing my killing intent to speak nicely to Chen Ping’an, yet you, Lu Yong, are even more arrogant than me!”

Lu Yong’s occiput was already slightly caved in. If this continued, his nascent soul would likely explode, his golden core and nascent infant detonating in this small world. Jiang Shangzhen would, of course, be affected, suffering considerable injuries, but he seemed completely indifferent to the consequences.

Jiang Shangzhen had originally agreed to send a disciple with decent aptitude from the Azure Tiger Palace to the Blessed Cloud Grotto for training once they reached the middle five realms, seeking their own opportunities.

This would have allowed the Azure Tiger Palace to form an alliance with the Jiang Clan and the Jade Regulation Sect.

If everything went as planned, at least no Golden Core cultivator would dare to contradict the Azure Tiger Palace ferry elder or call Lu Yong out by name again.

But what of it?

If fortune comes your way and you fail to seize it, it turns into disaster, and everything is lost.

Looking further back, Zhao Yao and Song Jixin, also from the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, were practically direct disciples of Qi Jingchun’s academy compared to Chen Ping’an, who had never attended a school. Zhao Yao, in particular, received Qi Jingchun’s most fundamental “Spring” character seal. Yet, when the young man faced Cui, the Grand Preceptor of the Great Li Dynasty, even Zhao Yao, who Qi Jingchun had high hopes for and who even the gatekeeper Zheng Dafeng liked, was nothing more than a slightly larger ant in Cui’s eyes. The “Spring” character seal completely dissipated into the heavens and earth.

If Zhao Yao hadn’t been so “clever” and had sworn not to trade the “Spring” character seal with Cui for an opportunity…

Would Qi Jingchun, who then had “spring breeze still in the boy’s sleeves,” have allowed Cui to take the seal?

Now, Lu Yong was about to lose his life for the same momentary lapse in judgment.

Jiang Shangzhen took a deep breath, retracted his foot, and instead kicked Lu Yong in the face, sending him crashing into a pillar entwined with golden dragons.

Lu Yong struggled to sit up, leaning against the massive pillar. Above him, the head of the inverted golden dragon slowly turned, ready to devour Lu Yong’s head at any moment.

Suppressing his anger and concealing his smile, Jiang Shangzhen squatted down, looking Lu Yong in the eye, “Have you been angered by this great humiliation?”

Lu Yong said in fear, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!”

A thought flickered through Jiang Shangzhen’s mind, and a vibrant green willow leaf appeared before him.

Lu Yong’s spirit trembled in terror, and he immediately began to kowtow, his head striking the ground with loud thuds, “Please, senior, spare my life!”

Jiang Shangzhen of the Jade Regulation Sect was known throughout the Tongye Continent for his bulging money bags, with hardly any rumors of him engaging in combat.

However, the old Sect Master of the Jade Regulation Sect had a high regard for Jiang Shangzhen, which was known throughout the continent. Disregarding criticism, the Blessed Cloud Grotto, jointly managed by the sect and the Jiang Clan, was handed over entirely to the young Jiang Clan head.

About five hundred years ago, the Tongye Sect had an unwritten rule: “Jade Regulation can be deceived, go around Jiang.” It was rumored that this was due to the dying words of a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Tongye Sect.

Jiang Shangzhen’s natal artifact was just a willow leaf, something that even the Land Immortals of the Jade Regulation Sect, let alone the Tongye Sect, had never seen.

The regretful second half of the old Nascent Soul cultivator’s dying words was, “A willow leaf can slay a Land Immortal.”

Jiang Shangzhen rubbed his chin, “In my hands, the Jiang Clan’s reputation has been dormant for two centuries. If I don’t kill a Land Immortal on this trip, I’ll be letting down my ancestors.”

Lu Yong, tears streaming down his face, raised his head, “Senior, killing a nobody like me would only disgrace the Jiang Clan! Senior should kill someone else!”

Jiang Shangzhen chuckled, “That statement is as clever as I am. Interesting, very interesting.”

Jiang Shangzhen snapped his fingers, and the willow leaf disappeared along with the small world.

Lu Yong, having brushed against the gates of hell, still dared not get up, sitting wretchedly on the floor, “Please, senior, give Lu Yong another chance. If I don’t satisfy senior this time, I will take my own life. But if that happens, I hope senior won’t vent your anger on the Azure Tiger Palace.”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded, “At least you said something sensible. Alright, get up. A dignified Nascent Soul Land Immortal, crying like this, people will think I, Jiang Shangzhen, am bullying others based on my cultivation. Consider yourself lucky that you’re not in the Jade Purity realm today, or you’d already be dead.”

Lu Yong immediately stood up, tears welling up again, “Thank you, senior, for not killing me.”

Jiang Shangzhen sighed, “Looking at you like this, I actually feel a bit sorry for you. It seems staying in one place for too long has softened my heart. You should know that when I encountered a Land Immortal from the Tongye Sect of the same realm back then, even after he knelt and kowtowed a thousand times, I still didn’t think his sincerity was enough, so I rewarded him with a willow leaf, severing the head of his nascent soul. I need to find some tricky things to do after returning to the sect this time.”

Jiang Shangzhen waved his hand, “Get out of here. After you deliver the items, this matter will be settled. Don’t worry about me settling accounts with you later. That disciple from the Azure Tiger Palace can still go to the Blessed Cloud Grotto.”

Jiang Shangzhen’s mood inexplicably improved, and he laughed, “Oh right, this is called one thing at a time.”

Lu Yong backed out of the room, and after closing the door, he suddenly realized that this room was his lodging on the ferry. However, he dared not knock again and directly asked the ferry steward for an ordinary room.

Under the cloak of night, Lu Yong returned to Chen Ping’an’s room. After sitting down, without saying much, he took out three ancient-looking small porcelain bottles. Under Chen Ping’an’s puzzled gaze, Lu Yong stood up and said, “The middle porcelain bottle contains six Forget Worry Pills, and the other two bottles each contain six Fire Dragon Pills and Rain Summoning Pills. There are inscriptions at the bottom of the bottles. The former’s main ingredient is the remains of a Fire Serpent, and the latter is taken from the unique moss on the wall of our mountain gate. They are suitable for all Qi Refiners below the Land Immortal realm. Taking two pills together has an excellent effect, strengthening the soul and earning the reputation of ‘gilding the golden body,’ especially for Qi Refiners stuck at the threshold of the Golden Core realm, it is regarded as a shortcut to breakthrough.”

Before Chen Ping’an could refuse,

Lu Yong said in a low voice, “If Young Master Chen doesn’t accept them today, I, Lu Yong, won’t force it. Then, please remember to burn three incense sticks for me, Lu Yong, at the ruins of my Azure Tiger Palace next time you pass by the Celestial Peak.”

After saying that, Lu Yong disappeared.

Pei Qian’s eyes widened.

Is this how people give gifts these days?
She definitely didn’t want to learn that.

Chen Ping’an stood up and looked around. “Jiang Shangzhen, care to show yourself?”

Jiang Shangzhen, standing on the viewing platform, waved with a smile.

After the greeting, Jiang Shangzhen leaned back, leaping directly off the platform and into the sea of clouds beside the ferry, leaving in a carefree manner.

Chen Ping’an rubbed his temples.

Headache.

Lu Yong went with trepidation to the room where Jiang Shangzhen “reasoned,” knocked, but received no response. He mustered his courage and knocked again, but still nothing.

After waiting a long while, he finally pushed the door open and entered.

Jiang Shangzhen was nowhere to be seen.

Only a large pile of Grain Rain Coins lay on the table.

Lu Yong sat blankly at the table. The old nascent soul cultivator remained silent for a moment before raising his hand and wiping away a handful of bitter tears.

He made up his mind that upon returning to Skyward Peak this time, he would dedicate his life solely to alchemy and never again interact with these volatile mountain-top cultivators!

Over there.

Chen Ping’an summoned the four from the painting and discussed the matter without reservation, placing the three porcelain bottles on the table.

Wei Xian believed the pills were undoubtedly safe.

Lu Baixiang suggested that mountain methods were difficult to guard against. To be safe, they should sell them for a sky-high price in Old Dragon City.

Sui Youbian remained silent, as this wasn’t her forte.

Zhu Lian was the most straightforward, smiling as he suggested a compromise. He implored the young master to bestow upon him a Fire Dragon Pill and a Rain-Bringing Pill to test their flavor and efficacy. If, by the time they reached Old Dragon City, he had neither died suddenly nor lacked the effect of nourishing his soul, then the elixirs in the three bottles would be deemed safe. Then they could decide whether to consume them themselves or sell them to cheat others.

Chen Ping’an simply stored the three porcelain bottles in the Fifteen flying sword’s space.

That night, Zhu Lian secretly knocked on the door, begging Chen Ping’an to sell him two Azure Tiger Palace pills, promising to pay later.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Zhu Lian, are you truly not afraid of death?”

The hunched old man sat smilingly at the table, rubbing his hands together. “Having been accustomed to being the best under Heaven in Lotus Flower Blessed Land, I now find myself in such a vast world. Becoming the best under Heaven again is unthinkable. But at least, I must contend for the first among the four of us. Otherwise, how can this old servant have the face to serve the young master, if I am even inferior to a little girl? I might as well smash myself with a piece of tofu!”

Zhu Lian continued, “Fortune favors the bold! During the battle at the dilapidated temple, this old servant acted impulsively and fought with abandon, leaving behind some lingering ailments. Do you truly have the heart to see this old servant be the last to enter the Golden Body Realm?”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Have you truly thought it through?”

Zhu Lian nodded solemnly. “If I hadn’t, with this old servant’s cautious nature, would I be knocking on this door, disturbing your rest?”

Chen Ping’an took out two porcelain bottles, poured out two pills of different colors, and said helplessly, “You are responsible for your own life and death. Consider these two pills as your reward for your valiant stand during the temple battle.”

Zhu Lian caught the two pills in his palm, popped them directly into his mouth, and grinned as he rose to bid farewell to Chen Ping’an. “The young master is fair in meting out rewards and punishments, and this old servant shall follow him loyally.”

Chen Ping’an let such flattery enter one ear and exit the other.

Zhu Lian glanced at Pei Qian, who was tilting her head and resting her cheek on the table, staring blankly at him.

Zhu Lian then left.

Late that night, after Pei Qian had gone to sleep in the next room, Chen Ping’an practiced the standing stance alone in his room. With a sigh, he went to open the door.

Sui Youbian stood outside the door.

She said, “I don’t want the Fire Dragon Pill or the Rain-Bringing Pill. I only want a Seated Meditation Pill.”

“So eager to join Zhu Lian in playing with fire? Are you trying to commit suicide, or what? You can’t even wait until we reach Old Dragon City. Giving you, Sui Youbian, a whole bottle of Seated Meditation Pills would be a waste!”

After Chen Ping’an finished speaking, he didn’t even let her in and slammed the door shut.

Sui Youbian stood expressionlessly outside the door for a long time before silently leaving.

For the next half month, the seas were calm, and the cloudscapes were beautiful.

There was still over a month’s time before they reached the giant city at the southernmost tip of Treasure Bottle Continent, where it resembled a dragon probing the sea.

This day, Chen Ping’an found the Azure Tiger Palace steward in charge of the ferry’s affairs and proactively inquired about purchasing a high-grade alchemic cauldron.

The steward said they had some. Although the Azure Tiger Palace didn’t deal in such matters, the old palace lord had dedicated his life to alchemy and possessed many treasured cauldrons. Since Young Master Chen was a friend of the Azure Tiger Palace, he dared to broach the subject with the old palace lord. However, he couldn’t guarantee whether the old palace lord would be willing to part with one. He, a ferryhand, needed to send a flying sword letter to the Azure Tiger Palace first.

Chen Ping’an cupped his fist in thanks.

The Golden Core earth immortal, who called himself a “ferryhand,” truly knew nothing of the inner workings. He only knew that this young gentleman was from a terrifyingly powerful immortal lineage and seemed to have a familial connection with the unreachable Jiang Clan’s head. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to agree without authorization to inquire about selling a cauldron, which were the old palace lord’s lifeblood. Every cauldron not currently in use was carefully treasured by Lu Yong, who personally and meticulously wiped them every day when he wasn’t refining pills.

The Skyward Peak’s flying sword letters were a specialty of a major sword cultivator sect in the Northern Entirety Continent. They were expensive, but worth the price for their incredible speed, far surpassing the ferry’s steadiness.

As a result, when the steward, looking as if he had seen a ghost, found Chen Ping’an, Chen Ping’an felt equally guilty and awkward.

Lu Yong’s reply was that he would personally deliver a long-treasured high-grade alchemic cauldron. Chen Ping’an’s awkwardness stemmed from the fact that he definitely couldn’t afford the cauldron with the immortal coins he had. He would have to borrow money from Fan Er or Zheng Dafeng in Old Dragon City. But that would be too overbearing, and it didn’t seem right to do business that way. After all, Chen Ping’an was accustomed to the business style of the old man from the Yang family’s shop back home.

When Chen Ping’an met the old nascent soul cultivator, who had rushed to the ferry with guilt, and explained the situation, Lu Yong laughed heartily, his expression even more relaxed. He entered Chen Ping’an’s room, ordered the Azure Tiger Palace Golden Core earth immortal to guard the door, and then took out a special spatial item that could barely contain his beloved cauldron. When the cauldron appeared, suspended a foot above the table, a wave of five-colored mist rose and swirled, and fragrance filled the entire room.

Except for the blind, everyone could see the cauldron’s extraordinary value.

Pei Qian tiptoed, circling the table, staring intently at the crimson cauldron, which was an arm’s length in width and height.
The Five-legged Cauldron had five legs, each formed by the conjoined legs of a different strange beast. The heads of these beasts were positioned above the rim of the cauldron, their mouths agape, exhaling colorful mists that seemed to correspond to the five elements.

Old Nascent Soul Lu Yong, his face brimming with pride, pointed at the suspended cauldron and chuckled, “This cauldron is called the Five-Colored Golden Treasury Stove. Its primary material is Five-Element Gold, forged according to the ancient ancestral teaching of our alchemy forebears: ‘Gold resists decay, therefore it is the treasure of all treasures.’ I had a stroke of great fortune early in my cultivation journey, finding it within an immortal’s estate in a fragmented minor heaven. The battles fought over it were truly earth-shattering in retrospect. I was simply the luckiest to have obtained this cauldron. Because it was a matter of destiny, not a purchase, I’m asking for a fair price, not trying to extort young master Chen. Fifty Valley Rain Coins, just fifty!”

At the end, the old Nascent Soul extended a palm.

Chen Ping’an’s lips twitched.

A full fifty Valley Rain Coins!

An exorbitant price.

Yet, deep down, he knew the price Lu Yong quoted was more than fair. Chen Ping’an took a deep breath, banishing all hesitation, and said without reservation, “Palace Master Lu, I certainly wish to buy it. But I must confess, I’m unsure if my friends in Old Dragon City will be willing to lend me so many Valley Rain Coins.”

Having said that, Chen Ping’an cupped his fist in apology, “If it turns out I’ve made Palace Master Lu come all this way for nothing, I offer my apologies in advance.”

Lu Yong felt conflicted. He thought to himself, ‘Damn it, if all mountain cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level, were as easy to talk to and polite as this Chen Ping’an, how wonderful would that be?’

As for whether he was willing to part with this peculiar Five-Colored Golden Treasury Stove, before meeting Jiang Shangzhen and Chen Ping’an, he would have cursed anyone who dared to ask. If it were a Qi Refinement cultivator below the Nascent Soul realm, he might have even given them a beating.

But now, his state of mind had undergone a complete transformation. After returning to Green Tiger Palace with those hard-earned Valley Rain Coins, Lu Yong had finally come to a realization: how to deal with Jiang Shangzhen. So, upon receiving Chen Ping’an’s flying sword message from the ferry, he was not angry but delighted. He endured the pain of his heart bleeding and brought the cauldron, which was practically Lu Yong’s last resort. As long as Chen Ping’an dared to buy, Lu Yong was willing to sell!

There was also a secret matter unknown to others: the Five-Colored Golden Treasury Stove was of too high a grade, which had always been Lu Yong’s regret. His artifact refinement techniques were not top-tier, and the natural treasures he possessed, or the various materials sent to him by others, meant that he might only use the Five-Colored Cauldron once every century. Each time, the elixirs or refined objects that emerged barely broke even, and sometimes even resulted in losses. Even Lu Yong had to admit that the cauldron was a white elephant in Green Tiger Palace, and to the cauldron, Lu Yong was a… useless thing.

Before Lu Yong returned to his residence, Chen Ping’an could only say politely, “A great kindness goes unthanked.”

Lu Yong, in high spirits, smiled and departed, leaving the Five-Colored Golden Treasury Stove with Chen Ping’an and a book on alchemy written on unknown material.

Chen Ping’an carefully stored the cauldron within his “inch-dimension” and began reading the alchemy manual personally written by Lu Yong, studying it for a while.

Leaving the room, he went to the sword chamber on the ferry, which specialized in facilitating flying sword messages, and sent a letter to Jiang Shangzhen of Jade Ruler Sect.

Besides briefly mentioning Lu Yong’s sale of the cauldron, the secret message concluded with: I owe you both a big and a small favor.

In a room, the Golden Core manager of the ferry stood beside Lu Yong, reporting that Chen Ping’an had written a letter and sent it to Jade Ruler Sect.

As for the specific content, naturally, he did not know.

Otherwise, who in the world would dare to send flying sword messages?

Lu Yong grunted in acknowledgement.

The Golden Core Earth Immortal asked curiously, “Palace Master, this young master Chen, is his background particularly remarkable?”

Lu Yong carefully considered and smiled, “He possesses an ‘inch-dimension’ at such a young age, what do you think?”

Having just left the room, Lu Yong, having learned a lesson, realized something was amiss. He had left the Five-Colored Golden Treasury Stove with Chen Ping’an to show his sincerity, but the cauldron was extraordinarily special, and an ordinary spatial item might not be able to contain it. Even if it were forced inside, there would be signs of chaos from the “minor heaven” being strained. However, Lu Yong paused briefly and was surprised to find that the cauldron’s aura had instantly vanished, and the energy within Chen Ping’an’s room was exceptionally calm.

It was undoubtedly an “inch-dimension.”

The Golden Core Earth Immortal sighed, “Wealthy, truly wealthy! He must be a direct descendant of a mountain magnate family with a thousand-year heritage. It’s interesting that such a young celestial scion, traveling the world, prefers to have a pure martial artist as his bodyguard.”

Lu Yong did not want to discuss Chen Ping’an further and waved his hand.

Alone, Lu Yong sighed, “The suffering was not in vain. My Green Tiger Palace will prosper.”

When the ferry finally slowly docked at the Old Dragon City island port isolated overseas, Chen Ping’an breathed a sigh of relief.

He had arrived in Treasure Bottle Continent.

It was late winter.

He didn’t see the Fan family’s Sweet Osmanthus Island ferry at the port. It should be traveling to and from Inverted Mountain and had not yet returned. He wondered if he would have the chance to see Madame Gui again.

But when Chen Ping’an saw the Golden Core manager standing at the entrance, and not Palace Master Lu, Chen Ping’an knew something was wrong.

Sure enough, the Golden Core manager also had a rather strange expression and said, “Palace Master has urgent matters requiring his immediate return to Sky Absence Peak. He asked me to tell young master Chen that it doesn’t matter when the Valley Rain Coins are entrusted to someone to be delivered to the ferry. He hopes young master Chen won’t take this small matter to heart.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “I will try my best to give the Valley Rain Coins to the senior.”

The Golden Core Earth Immortal laughed, “I dare not urge young master Chen. Palace Master has spoken, and he spoke with great emphasis before leaving the ferry. I dare not disobey.”

Not many days after Lu Yong returned to Clear Serenity Mountain’s Sky Absence Peak, an extremely swift transmission flew to Green Tiger Palace, nearly collapsing a sword chamber on the spot.

Trembling with fear, Lu Yong took out the secret letter, then returned to his residence with a stern face before bursting into laughter.

From today onward, besides the Jiang family’s direct line gifting Lu Yong one hundred Valley Rain Coins, Jade Ruler Sect would also purchase every elixir produced by Green Tiger Palace, helping to market them throughout the Four Directions of Tongye Continent.
Lu Yong struck his palm with a fist, and hastily ordered his men to recruit disciples down the mountain. Whether searching for promising individuals in the markets and villages, or directly requesting them from the kingdoms of Daquan and Nanqi, Qinghu Palace needed to aggressively recruit disciples! Even if their aptitude was slightly lacking, it didn’t matter. After seven or eight years of dedicated training by Qinghu Palace, they would still be able to refine the simplest of pills. Each pill produced would be a guaranteed small fortune!

Lu Yong went to the Ancestral Hall, offered incense to the portraits of the founding masters, and softly said, “May the ancestors bless Qinghu Palace with everlasting prosperity, a legacy spanning thousands upon thousands of years.”

Chen Ping’an, carrying his bamboo box, walked from the ferry onto the shore.

Pei Qian, with only one step remaining, deliberately brought her feet together and hopped onto the ground, puffing out her chest as she declared, “Baoping Continent, I’ve arrived!”

Hmph, there also seems to be a little girl who likes wearing a red padded jacket, named Li Baoping. She is currently foolishly burying herself in books at that Cliffside Academy. She even dares to call his father “Little Martial Uncle”, just you wait!

Wei Xian and the other three disembarked the ferry, standing on either side of Chen Ping’an.

Zhu Lian bowed and asked, “Young Master, where shall we go next? Head straight into the city?”

Chen Ping’an already had a plan in mind, smiling as he replied, “The Fan family from Guihua Island Ferry is stationed near the dock. We’ll go find them. I’m friends with their family’s successor, a fellow whose parents chose a very auspicious name for him. Good friends!”

Zhu Lian praised, “Young Master’s friends are truly extraordinary.”

After consuming those two Qinghu Palace pills, not only were Zhu Lian’s accumulated injuries healed, but his soul also received tremendous nourishment, benefiting him immensely.

However, Chen Ping’an didn’t ask, nor did Zhu Lian mention, when he might successfully ascend to the Golden Body Realm.

Lu Baixiang and Sui Youbian simultaneously recalled one thing: being called a “good friend” by Chen Ping’an was no easy feat.

Wei Xian said to Pei Qian, “Don’t forget about that string of sugar figurines you owe me.”

Pei Qian’s eyes darted around, putting on a pitiful expression as she replied, “I’m penniless, completely broke, I have no money at the moment.”

Wei Xian said matter-of-factly, “Back in my day, deceiving the sovereign was a capital offense, punishable by beheading.”

Pei Qian secretly pointed at Chen Ping’an, then raised her small arm, pinched her thumb and index finger together, and quietly said to Wei Xian, “Look at how my dad makes friends, then look at how you are as a friend to me, Old Wei. Don’t you feel even a little bit ashamed?”

Wei Xian chuckled, “Clear accounts make long friends. Otherwise, even if you conquer the empire, you won’t be able to sit firmly on the dragon throne.”

Pei Qian kicked Wei Xian, complaining, “Being friends with you is so boring.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head.

Pei Qian quickly squatted down and patted Wei Xian’s pant leg, “Old Wei, really, you’re such a grown-up, yet you’re so unkempt in front of people. I’m brushing off the dust for you.”

Chen Ping’an, relying on his memory, took the lead and walked towards the Fan family’s Guihua Island Ferry station.

The thought of the fifty Grain Rain coins of debt he was currently carrying weighed heavily on Chen Ping’an’s steps.

A young man’s shoulders should be carrying the vibrant green of burgeoning grass and the swaying willows, shouldn’t they?

But I’m no longer a young man, am I?

To use Pei Qian’s catchphrase, it’s worrying ah.