As Flying Sword Early One and Fifteen were on the verge of consuming that long, ruler-like Dragon-Slaying Platform, time flowed by, and flying swords zipped past. It was already the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Pei Qian, Wei Xian, and Sui Youbian had purchased a mountain of New Year’s goods for the Dust and Earth Apothecary. They had made five or six trips. Pei Qian’s desperate pleas for Sui Youbian to accompany them were not without reason. With Sui Youbian simply standing near the various shops, Pei Qian and Wei Xian didn’t even need to haggle with the shopkeepers; the prices would plummet on their own.

Every time they returned late from their early morning excursions, the old man would be under the old locust tree at the alley’s corner, immersed in his books. At first, he was somewhat reserved, but after they grew familiar, he would exchange greetings with them. On the last two trips, Wei Xian, who was acting as a porter, didn’t come along. Sui Youbian, carrying Chen Ping’an’s green bamboo book case, led Pei Qian back to the alley this day. The old man greeted them again. Pei Qian responded sweetly, but Sui Youbian remained silent. After entering the alley, Pei Qian chuckled, saying that the old scholar, resembling a successful candidate in the imperial exams, was truly someone who would study until his dying breath, lost in the endless sea of books, only a bit old. Sui Youbian playfully pinched Pei Qian’s ear, smiling slyly, “Did the old gentleman promise you a thick red envelope of New Year’s money?” Pei Qian pretended to be hurt, crying out in pain.

Crossing the threshold into the apothecary, Chen Ping’an was still sitting behind the counter. Once Sui Youbian released Pei Qian’s ear, Pei Qian began loudly reciting where, when, in which shop, at what original price, and at what discounted price they had purchased each item. Chen Ping’an tapped away on the abacus. As Pei Qian’s voice faded, the crisp and melodious sounds of the abacus beads came to an abrupt halt. Chen Ping’an gave Sui Youbian a thumbs-up. “Just the literary items and elegant offerings alone, you saved us roughly a hundred taels of silver.”

Pei Qian helped Sui Youbian lift the bamboo curtain, and Sui Youbian went to the back of the shop to unload the New Year’s goods.

Pei Qian tiptoed back to the counter, rose on her toes, resting her chin on the table, her face beaming with anticipation of praise.

Chen Ping’an glanced towards the bamboo curtain, secretly took out seven or eight copper coins. “This is your share of the profits. Quickly hide it away. If she sees it, we’ll both be in trouble.”

Pei Qian carefully stashed away her small fortune, darting off towards the backyard, eager to deposit it safely in her treasure shelf.

Chen Ping’an reminded her, “Remember to help unload the goods. Finish what you started. Remember to tell her ‘thank you for your hard work’ at the end.”

“Alright!” Pei Qian loudly agreed.

Watching the swaying green bamboo curtain, Chen Ping’an smiled knowingly.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, the day to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. 除夕 (Chúxī), 除 (chú) meant “to remove” and 夕 (xī) meant “evening”. 除夕 meant to remove the evening (of the old year) to welcome the new year.

Chen Ping’an had never imagined that he would be celebrating the New Year with so many people in the Dust and Earth Apothecary of Old Dragon City.

At first, Sui Youbian was reluctant to go shopping for New Year’s goods. Later, when Wei Xian grew tired of going, Sui Youbian became addicted, dragging Pei Qian along on a shopping spree, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Initially, Zhu Lian had secretly discussed with Pei Qian, saying that as long as she could persuade Sui Youbian to go out, he would gift her a set of writing tools and a red envelope of New Year’s money. Pei Qian said she would consider it and then approached Chen Ping’an. Chen Ping’an felt that Sui Youbian should indeed get out more, to experience the worldly bustle. He had Pei Qian agree. So Sui Youbian, unable to withstand Pei Qian’s constant buzzing like a small mosquito disrupting her practice of the Sword Furnace Stance, had no choice but to accompany her and Wei Xian for a change of scenery.

Later, Sui Youbian herself took the green bamboo book case from the corner of her and Pei Qian’s room, pulling Pei Qian out shopping. Chen Ping’an then secretly agreed with Pei Qian that for every time Sui Youbian haggled with a shopkeeper or owner, Pei Qian would receive a copper coin as her share.

Chen Ping’an turned to look outside the apothecary.

The light in the alley instantly dimmed, becoming gloomy and ominous. The rays of light seemed to carry weight, feeling heavy.

A figure in a green robe descended from the sky, none other than Fan Junmao.

Chen Ping’an came out from behind the counter, stepping over the threshold.

Fan Junmao asked, “Have you decided?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I hope to give this year a good ending.”

Fan Junmao warned the Zhao surname Yin God, a being of swirling black smoke and drifting malevolent energy, “Don’t overstep. Don’t secretly spy on the movements above the Cloud Sea. Chen Ping’an will be the one to suffer if you do.”

The Yin God nodded. If it could borrow the apothecary’s formation and possess the cultivation of a Jade Purity Realm cultivator, it could indeed observe the Cloud Sea above Old Dragon City to some extent. However, the spiritual energy of the Cloud Sea was pure and clear, while the Yin God and the formation emanated a filthy, malevolent aura. The two were incompatible. A direct confrontation could easily trigger chaos in the Cloud Sea, causing Chen Ping’an to fail in forging his Natal Treasure, damaging his Dao foundation.

Fan Junmao reached out, placing his hand on Chen Ping’an, preparing to soar through the clouds to the Cloud Sea overhead.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “The books say that before immortals refine pills, after selecting an auspicious day and a scenic location, shouldn’t they abstain from meat, bathe, change clothes, and kneel, holding the pill furnace, to pray to the heavens and the four directions on that day?”

Fan Junmao sneered. “Here in the Cloud Sea, I am like a mountain lord within his academy, a true person seated in his Daoist temple, a Buddhist arhat dwelling in his temple. I am the Sage of this small world that is the Cloud Sea. Who should I worship? Myself? If you, Chen Ping’an, are willing to kneel and kowtow, causing me to suffer another sword strike, to fall another realm, I wouldn’t mind. Realms can be regained, but the chance for you to kowtow will probably be rare.”

Chen Ping’an understood.

It seemed that Lu Yong of the Azure Tiger Palace, even though he was an old Nascent Soul cultivator in Clear Serenity Mountain, was still not considered a Sage and could not freely command the ‘advantage of location’ that was the mountain’s natural fortune.

Being dragged by Fan Junmao into the Cloud Sea, Chen Ping’an stood steady and gently tapped the Cloud Sea beneath his feet. It did not collapse or dissipate, feeling no different from an ordinary dirt road, similar to how the Yin God was able to stand upon the azure waves during his travels to the Water God Temple. The feeling was not bad.

With a flick of Fan Junmao’s sleeve, a snow-white large table formed from the solidified essence of the clouds appeared before Chen Ping’an. The tabletop was as smooth as a mirror, with auspicious clouds drifting and immortal energy swirling.

Chen Ping’an commanded the Inch Square Object Flying Sword Fifteen and the Foot Proximity Object Plain White Jade Tablet, suspending them above the table. He slowly took out the items needed to refine the Five Elements Water, one by one. Aside from the Five-Colored Golden Cabinet Stove that Lu Yong of the Azure Tiger Palace had sold to Chen Ping’an for fifty Grain Rain Coins, and the natural treasures that Fan Junmao had exchanged for Chen Ping’an’s Nascent Soul Golden Core of the old Flood Dragon from the Flood Dragon Gully, there were forty-odd items in total. There were twelve types of cinnabar alone, used to adjust the balance of water and fire, and to neutralize the Five Elements under different conditions and at different times.

Chen Ping’an’s unhurried pace made Fan Junmao somewhat impatient. Why was he dawdling so much?
Fan Junmao slammed an ancient Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant onto the cloud-patterned table with a “Pa” sound. “If you want to refine that Water character seal as the most crucial supplementary material, the quality of the water essence must keep up. Otherwise, it will hold you back. This ancient Dragon Pendant is the best water essence I can find at the moment, almost as old as Old Dragon City, absorbing a lot of the cloud sea’s water-borne essence. Don’t talk to me about money. Like that medicinal wine with the Minor Refined Old Flood Dragon Golden Elixir, it’s a bet I, Fan Junmao, am making. If you insist on talking about money, fine, I’ll practically give you this jade pendant for next to nothing – thirty Grain Rain coins!”

Chen Pingan smiled, “You’re the one who keeps talking about money.”

Fan Junmao’s expression turned strange, and she was uncharacteristically lacking in confidence. “Are you really going to accept such a valuable ancient Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant without a second thought? This is an ancient relic enshrined in the Fu family ancestral hall for thousands of years, very valuable! Only thirty Grain Rain coins, and it concerns the quality of your Natal Treasure refinement – you’re not willing to spend even that?”

Chen Pingan glanced at her. “This is just one part of the Fu family’s exorbitant compensation. You’re just helping me pass it on, and you want to earn thirty Grain Rain coins? Looks like you’re having a tough time lately. I suspect your fall in cultivation is not as simple as dropping from Nascent Soul back to Golden Core. What is it, did you damage your foundation like I did with the Sword-Swallowing Boat? Swallowing cloud sea to heal, Fan Junmao, the effects shouldn’t be that significant, but to replenish the cloud sea water essence that leaked into your Qi Sea, it must be very costly, right?”

Fan Junmao huffed, “Chen Pingan, you’re not stupid after all.”

Chen Pingan finally took out the Water character seal and gently placed it on the cloud-patterned table.

Fan Junmao took a deep look at the small private seal. “Are you really going to refine this thing? From now on, your Natal Soul will be connected to it. If you ever use it again to stamp decrees regarding rivers and watercourses, you’ll damage your own Great Dao cultivation. Of course, if you don’t do such a foolish thing, using this seal as your Natal Treasure for the element of Water will be greatly beneficial to your establishment of a Mansion. An ordinary person digging a well will at most create a pond, but you have the potential to develop a small lake. Your current perilous situation of spiritual Qi flooding your body, rampaging through your orifices, and eroding your pure True Qi can indeed be easily resolved.”

Chen Pingan nodded solemnly, “It’s this Water character seal!”

Chen Pingan reached out and gently stroked the ancient Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant, feeling a little familiar. He frowned, looked up at Fan Junmao, “This is water essence? The tangible essence of the world’s water veins and water luck?”

Fan Junmao’s eyes turned icy, and she sneered, “What, afraid I’ll cheat you?!”

Chen Pingan shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and took out the jade slip given to him by the River Burial Water Goddess, holding it in his palm. “Is this also water essence?”

As soon as this object appeared, the surrounding cloud sea seemed to become sentient, cheering as if a group of children were greedy for candied haws.

Fan Junmao’s expression turned grave. She didn’t give an answer but instead asked, “Where did you get this?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “So it is. It seems to be even better than this Fu family ancestral hall’s ancient Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant.”

Fan Junmao’s eyes became fiery again. This was the second time. The first time was when she heard that Chen Pingan possessed the Golden Core of a Twelfth Realm Great Demon; she lingered outside the apothecary, unable to leave.

However, this time Fan Junmao quickly suppressed the covetousness in her heart. She wouldn’t dare to resort to strong-arm tactics anymore. She moved closer, examining the jade slip that Chen Pingan had mostly obscured the inscription of. It was crystal clear, with flowing radiance. She would just feast her eyes on it.

Chen Pingan didn’t recognize its value, but she did. It must be the water-borne essence condensed from a major water vein in a Great River Dragon Palace, a lucky surviving relic from an ancient ruin. Compared to this ancient Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant that the Fu family ancestor had worn for many years, it was like mud and clouds, a congenital spiritual treasure versus an acquired artifact, a vast chasm in itself. The reason Fan Junmao was so envious was that if she could refine this jade slip, it would replenish her cloud sea losses and help her return to the Nascent Soul stage in one step, with something to spare. Then, easily ascending to the upper Fifth Realm would only take thirty to forty years. After that, Fan Junmao would need to spend her time searching for opportunities in various broken grotto-heavens and secret realms, revisiting old haunts. Compared to the danger-filled adventures of ordinary cultivators in these ruins, it was worlds apart.

Chen Pingan asked, “Can I use this thing as the water essence to refine my Natal Water character seal?”

Fan Junmao gritted her teeth. “Yes! It’s more than suitable! You really are stepping on dog poop every day. You can even stumble upon and acquire such a rare object! Do you know that these once-in-a-lifetime congenital spiritual treasures probably require a large group of Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Earth Immortal cultivators to fight to the death in those unknown grotto-heavens, where even the Saints haven’t taken a dump yet, and maybe someone will fall. It’s even possible to compete with Jade Purity Realm cultivators for a line of Great Dao opportunity…”

Chen Pingan interrupted Fan Junmao’s “grumbling,” smiling, “Everyone has their own opportunities. If I had been born and raised in Old Dragon City and stayed there for a thousand years, I might not have had the chance to stand in this cloud sea for even a moment. And you, Fan Junmao, could wander around the Water Goddess Temple for ten thousand years and still not get this jade slip.”

Fan Junmao nodded. “What you say is not wrong. Enough nonsense, let’s start refining!”

She took a deep breath, began to perform the steps of the Dipper, and formed hand seals. The surrounding winds and clouds surged, and the vast cloud sea that sheltered the entire Old Dragon City began to roll rapidly at the outermost edge, like a lotus flower that had already bloomed, turning back into a snow-white bud, enveloping her, Chen Pingan, and the cloud-patterned table. Countless snow-white rays of light poured down like water flowing from a spring, spiritual Qi rose, and Chen Pingan had difficulty breathing for a moment. After discovering the mischievous look in Fan Junmao’s eyes, he calmly took out the golden jade token and hung it on his waist.

The jade token was inscribed with the seal characters “I am good at nurturing the Grand Righteous Qi.”

Countless cloud sea spiritual Qi poured into the jade token.

Fan Junmao quickly waved her sleeve to dispel the cloud sea water essence that she had deliberately used to make Chen Pingan feel oppressed, lest it all be absorbed by the jade token, which would truly be like throwing a meat bun to a dog, a one-way trip.

Fan Junmao was still considered magnanimous. Her figure retreated, leaving the cloud sea flower bud, and she only reminded him with her mind in his heart: “If there’s any big trouble, stop refining immediately. Getting injured and spending money is better than losing your life. You can raise or lower the height of the cloud-patterned table in front of you as you wish.”

Chen Pingan sat cross-legged, and the cloud-patterned table descended, eventually becoming like a white couch grass mat spread on the ground.
The Water Character Seal needed to be refined into a Natal Treasure, the Five-Colored Golden Cabinet Stove, the Water Essence Jade Slip from a certain Dragon Palace of the Great River, and the Old Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant that was unlikely to be used for the time being.

More than forty types of natural treasures, including a dozen different colored Cinnabar stones that “never burn out within the Five Elements, and become more wondrous the longer they are refined.” There was the stubborn and heavy Underworld Water Sand, and the shimmering, starlight-dotted Northern Dipper Sand. These invaluable Cinnabar stones were stored in transparent glass bottles of various sizes.

Chen Ping’an sat above the sea of clouds, looking around. Although he was within the Cloud Sea Flower Bud Formation, his vision was unobstructed, and he could see the waters of the three surrounding seas.

This refining was only focused on the Jade Slip. He did not dare to hope that he could successfully refine the Water Character Seal into a Natal Treasure in one go.

In this way, even if the refining failed, and the Water Essence, nurtured by the Dragon Palace of the Great River, collapsed and dissipated in its Jade Slip form, at least the spiritual energy could be gathered and enter the golden jade pendant hanging at his waist. Even if there was some loss, it would be integrated into this sea of clouds, as a reward for Fan Junmao’s formation.

As a fallback, the Old Dragon Rain-Summoning Pendant could also be used as a reserve Water Essence, to assist in refining the Water Character Seal.

Chen Ping’an practiced the Sword Furnace foundation-laying stance for a while, to calm his mind. He imagined the scene of pulling porcelain clay as a youth.

After throwing in a large handful of Lesser Heat Coins, the Five-Colored Golden Cabinet Stove placed on the cloud table in front of him released five-colored auspicious clouds, rising slowly from the mouths of the five strange beasts on the edge of the cauldron.

Chen Ping’an gently lifted the pure Qi within his body and exhaled it into the Five-Colored Golden Cabinet Stove, which was to “ignite the fire.”

This continuous stream of pure Qi moved like a fire dragon, spiraling around the inner wall of the cauldron, and flames blazed.

The quality and quantity of the refining fire determined whether the cauldron could be successfully ignited, but the more crucial aspect was the purity, which determined the ultimate quality of the refined object.

Refining this Green Jade Palace Jade Slip did not involve his life’s foundation. The Jade Slip did not need to take root in his acupoints, so it did not require as many natural treasures and various Cinnabar stones as the Water Character Seal.

Chen Ping’an had studied the old Nascent Soul Lu Yong’s alchemy manual for a long time, and pondered the “directly pointing to the Great Dao” immortal techniques recorded in the Jade Slip day after day. Both could be said to have revealed everything they knew. They contained the exquisite insights of the Green Tiger Palace Lord and the Lady of the Buried River God, especially the latter, which was the lifelong effort of the Water God Lady. Chen Ping’an only needed to follow the steps, step by step. When to add another mouthful of pure Qi as firewood, when to sprinkle a few taels of Cinnabar from a certain glass bottle, when to silently recite the Great Dao secrets contained in the Rain Prayer Stele, to guide the cauldron’s atmosphere and increase the heat, and when to descend a sweet rain above the cauldron, merging water and fire with the flames rising from within, all had rules to follow.

Therefore, other than being slightly tired, Chen Ping’an was generally calm and composed.

Fan Junmao sat outside the Cloud Sea Formation, silently chanting, “Add an extra tael of Cinnabar, quickly forget about refining that Volcanic Rock, if a mouthful of pure Qi is insufficient, add it to the cauldron later…”

Unfortunately, every movement Chen Ping’an made was methodical, even closing his eyes to rest and regulate his breathing when waiting for the heat. He was so regulated, without any fatal flaws in any detail. There were more or less major and minor flaws, but this subtle loss, compared to the overflowing of the Water Essence from the Dragon Palace of the Great River’s treasure for suppressing water, turning into nourishment for the sea of clouds, was only a drop in the bucket. Fan Junmao was very disappointed.

“The first time refining such a high-grade innate spiritual treasure, can’t you, Chen Ping’an, be a little nervous, a little shaky?”

“Just contribute a little Water Essence to the sea of clouds as compensation and reward for her, Fan Junmao’s guarding, isn’t that too much to ask?”

In the end, a somewhat hopeless Fan Junmao fell asleep, no longer looking at the cauldron. Anyway, everything was going smoothly, she had no hope of making a killing.

As Fan Junmao expected, from the first watch of the night, to the dawn of the next day.

Chen Ping’an had already refined the Jade Slip almost completely. The only special thing was that the text on the Jade Slip had remained.

It should be that the original owner of the Jade Slip had refined it onto this Jade Slip using the same refining method, and the text itself contained the true meaning of the Great Dao. Therefore, it was extremely rare for it to remain. After losing its carrier, it became spiritual and was unwilling to dissipate into the world. All things in the world, once enlightened, fear death, but under the Great Dao, life and death have a cycle. The two contradict each other, and the cultivation and attainment of immortality of cultivators becomes going against the heavens, wholeheartedly cultivating an immortal body to resist the erosion of time.

The text of a refining incantation had nurtured its own spirituality.

Another rare event.

Fan Junmao got up and stared at the green, sprite-like words, over a thousand of them, rising and falling in the Five-Colored Golden Cabinet Stove, flying and spinning.

Fan Junmao hesitated, “I advise you to find a way to collect this incantation text. In the future, on your cultivation journey, if you find a talented disciple, you can imprint these words into their souls to directly transmit the Dao. Most of the immortal families with the title of ‘Sect’ do this, so the inheritance of incense is relatively simple and easy. Before transmitting the Dao, they can temper and nourish your soul acupoints within your Qi Palace. It is one of the few ‘nutritious’ methods for the soul in the world, without any sequelae. It’s a win-win situation.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

Fan Junmao smiled, “I can’t help you with this. This kind of text containing Daoist meaning and spirituality cannot be captured just because you have supernatural powers and magic treasures. If they sense that your Dao heart is incompatible, they will instantly shatter, and even immortals cannot save them.”

Chen Ping’an had an idea. He must keep these words, first treasure them, and later return them to the Buried River Water God Lady of the Green Jade Palace. This small Dao lineage, although he unintentionally refined and discovered it, should ultimately be ignited in the Water God Temple, and then passed on by her.

As soon as this thought arose.

Those originally hesitant, lively words transformed into tiny green-clothed figures, bowing to Chen Ping’an, full of gratitude.

Then they gathered into a stream, rushing into Chen Ping’an’s Qi Palace, which he intended to use as a place to store the Water Character Seal.

Fan Junmao rolled her eyes, leaned back, and muttered, “There’s no justice in this world, even that works.”
That Old Dragon Palace jade slip, now completely refined, was being carried by a group of small, verdant figures, the tallest of which bore it into Chen Ping’an’s Qi Mansion. Not only that, but once the jade slip settled into the newly opened “residence,” these little sprites, perhaps out of gratitude to Chen Ping’an, began to divide their labor within the “alchemy chamber.” Some, clad in green robes, went to the Qi Mansion’s gate to paint two guardian spirits, while more of the green-skirted figures painted a vast river within the “bare walls” of the mansion, transforming the small residence into a scene of boundless grandeur…

This scene caused Fan Junmao’s eyes to widen. She flipped up into a standing position and, raising her voice, pointed at the young man who was beginning to pack up his belongings. “Chen Ping’an, are you actually the reincarnation of the Rain Master?! Am I right?!”

Chen Ping’an, while deftly returning various natural treasures to his Diminutive World, meticulously categorizing them, looked up and smiled teasingly, “Fan Junmao, your flattery… is rather unconventional.”

Fan Junmao dismissed the Cloud Sea Array, shrinking the distance between them to inches, and approached Chen Ping’an. “You don’t seem like the Rain Master, judging by your disposition alone. You’re far inferior to that effeminate fellow. Then how are you able to make those sprites of the Water Vein lineage willingly submit to you?”

Chen Ping’an ignored the mystical Fan Junmao, finished packing all his items, stood up, and asked with a smile, “How do I get back?”

Fan Junmao snapped her fingers, and the Cloud Sea beneath Chen Ping’an’s feet slowly dispersed, revealing a cloud ladder leading directly to the Dust Apothecary in Old Dragon City. However, the ladder was surrounded by shimmering, iridescent light. Chen Ping’an knew this was the unique radiance emanating from the turbulent flow of time and space, so as long as he descended this cloud sea ladder, he would remain invisible to all but the Upper Five Realms cultivators within Old Dragon City.

Chen Ping’an thanked Fan Junmao and began to descend the ladder alone, step by step.

During his “descent,” he took the opportunity to gaze upon the magnificent scenery of Old Dragon City.

Chen Ping’an thought that this scene could be inscribed on bamboo slips to tell her about in the future.

On the morning of New Year’s Eve, the festive atmosphere among the common folk of Old Dragon City was unaffected by the stagnant mood within certain powerful clans.

The Fu family had already lifted the city curfew, and the streets and alleys were bustling with activity.

At the Dust Apothecary, Chen Ping’an’s feet touched the alleyway pavement, and the cloud ladder vanished instantly.

The Yin spirit Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “Was your Natal Treasure refined?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and smiled, “I only refined a Water Essence object, but the chances of success for the next refinement of my Natal Treasure are much higher.”

The Yin spirit nodded, “That’s already very good.”

Chen Ping’an returned to the apothecary counter. The golden jade token had been put away last night, for wearing it would mean that the Cloud Sea’s water energy would be devoured, and Fan Junmao would surely fight him over it.

Zheng Dafeng was now able to move around a bit. Early this morning, he had asked Pei Qian to help him move a small stool to the locust tree to find his like-minded companion. Sure enough, he soon met the wealthy old man who was already reading. Zhu Lian had also gotten up early, accompanying the old senior who had “toiled over books” to discuss scholarly matters. After Zheng Dafeng sat down, he immediately crossed the river and demolished the bridge, telling Pei Qian to return to the shop and play by herself. Pei Qian naturally refused, holding out her hand and demanding the agreed-upon reward of one copper coin. Earning one coin for a drop of sweat was only right and proper. Even if Chen Ping’an knew, he wouldn’t scold her, so Pei Qian was especially confident and just.

Zheng Dafeng was somewhat troubled, saying that he would give her an extra coin in New Year’s money. Pei Qian said that was a separate matter. She didn’t like others owing her money, or else she would calculate interest at three percent, as Old Wei had said. Besides, owing money on New Year’s Eve, did Zheng Dafeng even want to have a smooth and peaceful year to come? The old man lying in a rattan chair nearby wholeheartedly agreed, saying, “Dafeng, this child is right. Owing money at this time is unlucky. Don’t underestimate the fate of a single copper coin.”

Zheng Dafeng searched for a long time but couldn’t find even half a copper coin. Just as he was becoming distressed, the old man smiled and offered a solution: he would buy the small stool from him, and then he would give Zheng Dafeng the money, which Zheng Dafeng could then use to pay Pei Qian. Zheng Dafeng thought this was feasible. It was just a small stool; he could ask Chen Ping’an to make him one later. Chen Ping’an was skilled at making bamboo boxes, chairs, stools, and the like, and he also enjoyed doing such things.

Pei Qian rolled her eyes, pointing at Zheng Dafeng and the old man. “You two, quibbling over a single copper coin. Fine, I’ll just do a good deed and not take the money this time.”

Pei Qian imitated Zheng Dafeng’s earlier gesture, pressing her palms down twice in the air. “Keep it firmly in your heart, and don’t put the kindness on your lips.”

Watching Pei Qian swagger back to the alley, swaying as she practiced her martial stances, on a whim, she imitated Lu Baixiang’s whip kick, jumping up and actually managing to spin in a circle, but she spun herself dizzy and fell down with a thud. She immediately got up, enduring the pain and pretending that nothing had happened. As soon as she entered the alley, she bared her teeth and hopped and skipped.

The old man smiled and asked, “Who taught this little girl? She’s quite the mischievous sprite.”

Zhu Lian replied, “She’s my young master’s nominal disciple. She’s very naughty.”

Zheng Dafeng cupped his fist in a salute and smiled, “Senior, I’ve long admired you.”

The old man returned the salute, “Not at all, not at all. My Jianghu alias is One-Foot Spear, also known as Minor Ascension. I wonder, which immortal maiden on the mountain does Dafeng admire the most?”

Zheng Dafeng said solemnly, “It’s the Invincible Divine Fist Gang’s heroine, Helian Baozhu!”

The old man scoffed, “It seems Dafeng’s taste is rather mediocre.”

Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. It’s pointless to say another word or cast another glance.

Zheng Dafeng snorted and moved his small stool a few steps away.

The old man retaliated in kind, getting up and moving his rattan chair further away, and then lay down to bask in the sun.

Zhu Lian squatted between the stool and the rattan chair, neither seeing nor hearing, focused solely on his immortal tome. The book in his hands was of great origin and expensive, a celestial edition carved on the mountain. The figures in the paintings could move.

Zheng Dafeng sighed, “To think that the Jade Sun Mountain’s Fairy Su Jia would fall into the dust. What a pity.”

The old man’s eyes lit up, but he still disdained Zheng Dafeng’s vulgar taste and was unwilling to speak to him, but he was somewhat tempted, after all, Fairy Su Jia was one of his and Little Langjun’s two favorite ladies.

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his chin and said slowly, “I was fortunate enough to once see the Divine Edict Sect’s Fairy He in person. The fairy wore a Daoist coronet and led a white deer by the hand, arriving gracefully. Now that I think about it, I was only seven or eight steps away from the fairy at the time…”
The old man could no longer contain himself, turning his head to look at the disheveled man, and said awkwardly, “Brother Dafeng, actually, Miss Helian is also extremely good.”

Zheng Dafeng picked up his small stool, hunched over, and walked back into the alley.

The old man was stunned for a long time, then said with frustration, “This Brother Dafeng, as expected of someone who has seen the world, we are ashamed. We shouldn’t have been so short-sighted and made such rash comments before. Now it’s done, we’ve angered Brother Dafeng, and my distance from Immortal He seems even further. Otherwise, when I get to the Invincible Divine Fist Gang in the future, I would have been able to bring this up and have a good chat, and that young master would definitely not be able to keep a straight face and admit defeat!”

Zhu Lian, squatting beside him, nodded perfunctorily in agreement.

The old man lay back on his rattan chair and sighed, “The peach blossoms are blooming so beautifully, I wonder which amorous young man will pluck one and cherish it in his heart.”

Zhu Lian looked up, “Senior, those are words of great wisdom.”

The old man nodded and said with emotion, “These were words once spoken by that young master. His writing is so elegant, although his language is sometimes vulgar when arguing with people, he often utters such moving words unintentionally, unrefined and natural. That’s why I’m willing to call him my elder brother!”

Zhu Lian moistened his finger with saliva, turned a page, and nodded, “If I have the chance, I will definitely visit your elder brother, Senior.”

The old man suddenly asked, “Brother Zhu, may I be so bold as to ask, when you break through the sixth realm bottleneck and enter the Golden Body Realm, will you need my help in guarding you?”

Zhu Lian shook his head, “With my young master here, nothing will go wrong, so there’s no need for you to worry about it, Senior.”

The old man nodded, “Your young master is an exceptional person.”

Zhu Lian closed his book and asked, “Then may I also be so bold as to ask, Senior, are you perhaps a Jade Purity Realm grand cultivator from some immortal mansion?”

The old man said regretfully, “Just a little short.”

Zhu Lian didn’t ask any further.

Asking too much and knowing the truth would only hurt the relationship, it’s better to remain free and easy like this.

Chen Pingan stood behind the counter, under the sharpening of the Zhantai Sword on the first and fifteenth of each month, only a small piece of the Dragon-Slaying Terrace remained on the table.

Chen Pingan didn’t plan to save on this. After finishing this piece of the Dragon-Slaying Terrace, he would take out the second, larger piece.

Zheng Dafeng placed his small stool outside the threshold. After seeing the speed at which the two flying swords “devoured” the Dragon-Slaying Terrace, he couldn’t help but be amazed no matter how many times he saw it, and clicked his tongue, “You two little ancestors, you’re even better at eating money than that Golden Nectar treasure on your body.”

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but ask, “Are Golden Essence Copper Coins no longer being produced?”

Zheng Dafeng leaned against the counter, watching the brilliant scene of sparks flying from the Dragon-Slaying Terrace. He nodded and said, “The Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven has already shattered and fallen to the ground, so naturally the Golden Essence Copper Coins are no longer of any use. What’s the point of continuing to mint them? Even if I gave them to that old fogey for free, he wouldn’t accept them.”

Chen Pingan asked, “I only know that Golden Essence Copper Coins are more valuable than Grain Rain Coins, but how valuable are they exactly? How many Grain Rain Coins can one Golden Essence Copper Coin be exchanged for?”

Zheng Dafeng answered irrelevantly, “Do you know how Golden Essence Copper Coins are made? They’re made mainly from fragments of shattered Mountain and Water God golden bodies, plus a few other things that are equally difficult to obtain. They’re then cast into three types of Golden Essence Copper Coins: Suppression, Worship, and Spring Welcoming. The Great Li Dynasty’s mountain and water fortune is stable, and there are very few licentious shrines, so buying Golden Essence Copper Coins is extra expensive. However, some families and forces can collect and scavenge golden body fragments from all over the place, which makes them cheap, because the cost is low. The immortals on the mountains plunder everywhere, and if there aren’t enough licentious shrines, they can simply force some secular dynasties to remove the imperial edicts, secretly demoting the orthodox mountain and water gods to licentious shrines, and killing them with thunderous methods. If the dynastic ruler is unwilling to bow his head, there are also ways to do it. The immortal forces can gather some desperate rogue cultivators from the mountains and rivers, and use them as pawns, exchanging some low-grade unorthodox spells and magic treasures for golden body fragments. The cost of these Golden Essence Copper Coins with a bloody origin might even be less than a Grain Rain Coin. But the ones that the Great Li Song Emperor bought from the outside, one Golden Essence Copper Coin is probably worth seven or eight Grain Rain Coins.”

Chen Pingan asked again, “Then are there any spare Golden Essence Copper Coins left in the world now?”

Zheng Dafeng raised his eyebrows and said slowly, “Hard to say. If anyone is foolish enough to buy Golden Essence Copper Coins now, everyone knows that they are essential for great path cultivation, and even the worst businessman will ask for a sky-high price, take it or leave it.”

Chen Pingan sighed, feeling a bit of a headache. He was the guy who still needed Golden Essence Copper Coins, and not just a few, he wouldn’t mind having a few bags of them.

The lives of the four people in the painting, the mending and improvement of the Golden Nectar Robe, and the future cultivation of the Five Elements Metal natal item, would most likely require a large amount of Golden Essence Copper Coins, similar to the function of the jade slip made from the essence of the Great Water Dragon Palace water veins.

Zheng Dafeng scolded, “It’s the New Year, stop sighing.”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded.

Even after the Tongye Sect disciples had endured until New Year’s Eve, everyone sadly discovered that there was no sign of getting through this ordeal.

That swordsman was still using his sharp sword energy to easily shatter the mountain and river fortune within a thousand miles of the Tongye Sect.

Destruction was easy, but for those Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators following behind the swordsman to gather spiritual energy and rebuild the ruined mountain roots and water veins, it was extremely difficult. Unless these Land Immortals were willing to sacrifice their cultivation, they could only slightly speed up the process and prevent the constant leakage of mountain and water spiritual energy. However, if the cultivation of those Land Immortals whose names were recorded in the sect’s lineage became unstable, it would also affect the sect’s ethereal fortune.

Originally, the Tongye Sect was a blessed land with the most abundant spiritual energy in the continent. After days and days of this vicious cycle, even the most junior disciples with the worst aptitude realized that the Tongye Sect was facing the most dangerous crisis in its thousand-year history.

However, the most puzzling thing for them was that, apart from the Sect Master’s initial appearance to either assassinate or block the swordsman, Du Mao, the ancestor of revival who was higher than the sky in the hearts of all Tongye Sect cultivators, had not shown his face from beginning to end. He had completely ignored the swordsman’s provocation, and even though the sect was in danger and its foundation was shaking, this old ancestor, who had suppressed all Qi Refiners in the continent, remained silent.

However, the vast majority of Qi Refiners in Tongye Continent still believed that the old ancestor would not act unless he was sure to strike a fatal blow. That swordsman would not be able to run rampant for long.
Almost all the major powers, dynasties, and wealthy clans in Tongye Continent were closely watching the movements of the Tongye Sect.

Following Jiang Shangzhen of the Jade Decree Sect’s flamboyant display, more and more Earth Immortal cultivators, concealing their auras as much as possible, arrived to observe from afar. They employed their divine abilities to survey the mountains and rivers, each displaying their unique skills to examine the Tongye Sect’s feng shui, destiny, fortune, and other subtle details. Initially, no one dared to believe that a single sword cultivator could affect a behemoth like the Tongye Sect to such an extent, disrupting thirty to forty percent of its spiritual energy flow.

In battles on the battlefield, if one side suffered “casualties” to this degree, it would be considered a rout.

The sword cultivator hadn’t killed anyone.

Apart from breaking through barriers and encirclements, the sword cultivator hardly even drew his sword.

However, even the most myopic terrestrial immortals could see that the Tongye Sect disciples’ morale was declining.

For thousands of years, whether cultivating on the mountain or training in the world, Tongye Sect disciples had always possessed a fierce spirit that supported their Dao hearts, whether they were bullying others or facing challenges head-on. Therefore, compared to cultivators from other sects, Tongye Sect disciples were the most aggressive and unstoppable in their progress.

In the event of a conflict, if they were at a disadvantage against a higher-level cultivator, they could casually insult cultivators from other sects simply by invoking the Tongye Sect’s name, considering it a commonplace occurrence. Upon encountering or hearing that a fellow disciple had been bullied, they would rush thousands of miles, riding swords or wind, to decapitate the enemy.

In life-or-death situations, resolute Tongye Sect disciples were willing to perish together with their adversaries, with countless instances throughout history of individuals smiling as they embraced death.

If the sword cultivator had launched his attack on the first day, the revitalizing patriarch, Du Mao, or even the Sect Master, could have issued a decree, and at least half of the cultivators within a thousand miles of the mountain gate would have been willing to die generously for the Tongye Sect. They would have come in droves, like moths to a flame, not hesitating in the slightest.

These impassioned cultivators would have believed that their deaths were worthwhile, blaming the sword cultivator for everything.

But now, on New Year’s Eve, everyone, deep down, besides hoping that the Ascending Realm revitalizing patriarch would appear to slay the enemy, was also wavering, wondering what their sect had done to provoke this imposing but non-murderous sword immortal, forcing their patriarch to seclude himself in the Wu Tong Grotto. How had the Tongye Sect fallen so low? Were they no longer allowed to be unreasonable on their own territory? Could they no longer use their most favored method of overwhelming others?

In truth, Jiang Shangzhen had never completely left. He was drinking fine wine with an old Nascent Soul sword cultivator he was close to on a mountain peak a thousand miles away. The latter shook his head and laughed, “The Tongye Sect’s backbone is mostly broken now.”

Jiang Shangzhen, acting as if he weren’t the Jade Decree Sect’s Jiang Clan head but rather a Tongye Sect retainer, chuckled, “Don’t say that. Du Mao is an Ascending Realm cultivator after all. As long as he can settle this great sword immortal, there’s still a chance for a turnaround. Maybe it’ll even be a blessing in disguise, greatly boosting their reputation…”

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly burst into laughter. “Settle my foot! That old turtle Du Mao is having the worst luck. Our old Sect Master sent me a message saying that Du Mao’s fortune has run out. His natal immortal weapon, the Sword Devouring Boat, seems to have been blown up in Old Dragon City, and his Yang God’s extra-corporeal body has become someone else’s immortal remains. Now he’s just an Immortal Realm cultivator whose realm isn’t very stable… I’ve made a huge profit this time. The old Sect Master is very happy and said that the sect’s cut of the Cloud Grotto Blessed Land will be reduced by another ten percent for the next five hundred years… Oh my, Senior Sword Immortal Zuo, Little Sword Immortal Chen, it’s a shame you two aren’t here, otherwise I, Jiang Shangzhen, would immediately kneel down and kowtow five hundred times to you two great benefactors to express my gratitude, though it wouldn’t be enough…”

Jiang Shangzhen laughed wildly while pounding the stone table. Schadenfreude at his level was actually quite rare.

The white-haired, youthful-faced Nascent Soul old sword cultivator softly asked, “May I ask, Mr. Jiang, how should the Tongye Sect respond?”

Jiang Shangzhen wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and waved his hand. “Let me laugh for a while longer. I can’t stop.”

The old sword cultivator smiled helplessly.

He, Jiang Shangzhen, and Lu Fang had been old friends from down the mountain for a long time.

After finally managing to restrain his laughter, Jiang Shangzhen said, “What else can they do? Du Mao can only make a desperate gamble. They definitely can’t reason with that sword immortal. Fight? How can they fight, relying only on those few Jade Purity Realm cultivators? To put it bluntly, as long as Zuo is determined to exhaust the Tongye Sect, not to mention the thirty to forty percent disruption of spiritual energy, give Zuo another year, and the Tongye Sect can just wait for its demise. In the past, even if a mountain didn’t have an Ascending Realm cultivator like Du Mao, if such a big disturbance occurred, the Confucian academies would have appeared. But this time, the academies clearly won’t come out to uphold justice. What does that mean? It means that Tongye Continent is at fault, and even though Zuo has entered the Tongye Sect’s territory, he hasn’t overstepped his boundaries in the slightest, acting justly, which makes the Tongye Continent academies, and even a certain Central Earth academy, helpless.”

The old sword cultivator nodded. “The scholars’ killing blades are bloodless, nothing surpasses this.”

Jiang Shangzhen turned his head to look towards the Tongye Sect in the north. Even from a thousand miles away, he could faintly see the subtle signs of turbid and clear qi mixing in the mountain and river fortunes. Besides his gloating, Jiang Shangzhen also felt a chill of self-reflection and a trace of unavoidable empathy. His expression was indifferent as he said, “Du Mao has no other choice but to drain the pond to catch the fish, emptying all the spiritual energy of the Wu Tong Grotto in one go to help himself forcefully ascend. As long as he successfully ascends, no matter what, he’ll have gained some merit. According to the rule established by the Sage of Rites, the Confucian academies will need to help protect the Tongye Sect’s mountain gate for a long time. At that time, unless Zuo is willing to challenge the entire Confucian orthodoxy, he’ll have to cut his losses and leave.”

Jiang Shangzhen clasped his hands together, raised them high above his head, closed his eyes, and prayed, “Sword Immortal Zuo, Senior Zuo, I beg you to keep up the good work and be sure to kill that old turtle Du!”

The Nascent Soul old sword cultivator stroked his beard and smiled. Weren’t you, Du Mao, the most hostile to the world’s sword cultivators? Didn’t you like to mistreat those sword cultivators who unfortunately fell into your hands the most? How about now? If you have the ability, stick your head out of your turtle shell and try!
In the twilight of this New Year’s Eve, the Wutong Small Grotto-Heaven, controlled by the Tongye Sect for countless years, first manifested a portion of its true form atop Ancestor Mountain, a magnificent mirage-like spectacle. Then, it drifted erratically before shattering with a deafening boom. Fragments of the Grotto-Heaven transformed into shooting stars, scattering across the vast world, some vanishing instantly, others tearing through the void, their destinations unknown.

Simultaneously, the physical body of Du Mao atop the mountain faded into nothingness.

Only his nascent soul, transformed into a golden Dharma Idol, absorbed the majority of the Wutong Small Grotto-Heaven’s boundless spiritual energy, becoming immensely towering and majestic. This golden Dharma Idol, thousands of feet tall, stood with its feet seemingly planted on the peak of Ancestor Mountain. Though still within the realm of a cultivator’s Dharma Idol, its body radiated with five-colored, glazed light, ever-shifting and unpredictable. The Dharma Idol raised its arms, its fingers splayed wide, stretching them above its head, and then violently tore outwards, as if rending a tear in the very firmament of this world.

Where the firmament was torn, thunder roared, and purple lightning surged. Fleeting glimpses of colossal figures, larger than mountains, appeared – skeletal dragon frames slithering like lightning, gigantic golden corpses sitting cross-legged, an enormous crimson claw attempting to widen the rift… all horrifying, unseen phenomena of this world.

The Sword Cultivator, Zuo You, one hand behind his back, the other holding his sword horizontally before him, slowly ascended.

Compared to Du Mao, who had abandoned his physical form and consumed the near-infinite spiritual energy of a small Grotto-Heaven with his nascent soul to forge this five-colored, glazed ascension Dharma Idol, Zuo You, man and sword, was as small as a mustard seed.

Zuo You swept his sword slowly across.

And that was all.

Zuo You always believed that the pinnacle of swordsmanship in this world resided in two strokes. One was the most triumphant sword of that scholar from the Central Continent, casually cleaving open the Yellow River Grotto-Heaven.

The other had always been kept within his scabbard.

And this was the moment for it.

A moment later.

On that colossal, glazed Dharma Idol, already soaring thousands of feet above the ground…

A thread of snow-white, incredibly thin and imperceptible, appeared at its “mid-mountain,” as fine as a maiden’s ordinary strand of hair.

As it approached the ever-widening tear in the firmament, it was severed at the waist. The five-colored, glazed body broke into two halves. The upper half, still filled with indignant resolve, soared higher, reaching out to grasp the ragged edges of the rift in the firmament, attempting to climb upwards. The lower half shattered with a crash, its spiritual energy returning to heaven and earth. Over a dozen fragments of glazed material, remnants of those ascending realm cultivators, scattered in all directions, becoming opportunities for others on their paths of cultivation.

Zuo You had already sheathed his sword.

The glazed divine being, now only the upper half of the Dharma Idol, fell back toward the great earth below.

It was like a brilliant shooting star, extinguished in mid-air.

Zuo You raised his head, glancing at the still-unclosing tear in the firmament. He then withdrew his gaze and transformed into a rainbow, heading towards the vast sea between Tongye Continent and Treasure Bottle Continent.

He hadn’t been at sea long before Zuo You halted his form.

The Old Scholar asked, “Why not ascend and leave?”

Zuo You remained silent.

The two stood only four or five steps apart.

The Old Scholar pointed to the tear in the firmament that Du Mao had forcibly ripped open during his ascension, and roared in anger, “Why not take this opportunity to leave this world?! Do you truly intend to validate that damnable saying, to truly ‘Zuo You is destined to die’?”

Zuo You lowered his head.

But this time, the Old Scholar did not leap up to slap him. He slumped, saying, “Go then. I know you’ve always wanted to go to Upside-Down Mountain, to Sword Qi Great Wall. Go, go. Heaven wants to rain, a mother wants to marry, a disciple wants to break his teacher’s heart; none can be stopped.”

Zuo You bowed, saying, “Disciple Zuo You, bids farewell to Teacher!”

The Old Scholar waved his hand, unable to speak.

Zuo You turned, seemingly reluctant, not transforming into a rainbow but walking away step by step.

Zuo You said, “The little junior brother that Teacher accepted is quite good.”

The Old Scholar snapped unpleasantly, “Get out, get out.”

The Old Scholar also turned away. Teacher and disciple, the two stood back to back, one standing in place, the other departing on a long journey.

The Old Scholar suddenly scratched his head, as if remembering many past events. Back then, he was just a poor scholar, his name unknown. So the eldest disciple, Cui, was the child of a wealthy family. A poor scholar had empty sleeves, so his purse was naturally light. Then the second and third disciples weren’t as wealthy. In those days, the three disciples actually got along quite well, and he was most comfortable being their teacher. But later, they all grew up.

The Old Scholar, his back to the disciple who had actually never lived freely in his entire life, suddenly smiled with relief, “When you get to Sword Qi Great Wall, you must live freely.”

After a slight pause, the old man said softly, “Zuo You, your swordsmanship is good, but your scholarship is even better.”

The Sword Cultivator strode away, leaving only one last sentence in this complex world that he disliked so much: “It is because Teacher taught well.”