The fifteenth day of the first month, the Lantern Festival.

In Old Dragon City, every household was adorned with lanterns and decorations, and the streets and alleys teemed with sightseers. The five great families, according to custom, had each crafted a long, illuminated dragon, carrying it aloft in the streets. If one were to look down from the cloud sea upon this most prosperous city in Precious Bottle Continent, they would see five fiery dragons meandering along fixed routes.

Chen Ping’an instructed the four figures in the painting to take Pei Qian out to enjoy the lantern displays, with the Zhao clan Yin spirit secretly tailing them to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

He, on the other hand, stayed with Zheng Dafeng to watch over the shop. The two stood at the counter, a pot of wine, two white porcelain wine cups as thin as wings, and several small dishes of appetizers. They drank, ate, and chatted idly.

Zheng Dafeng always had some peculiar rituals. Before drinking, he somehow procured willow branches and inserted them above the dusty apothecary’s doorway, and placed a set of bowls and chopsticks outside the threshold.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the threshold and asked, “Is this to honor the gods and Buddha, or to entertain passing wandering souls?”

Zheng Dafeng chuckled, “Just something passed down by the old man. He never explained the specifics. As apprentices, we can only follow the example. There are no demons or monsters in Old Dragon City. With so many Qi refiners here, gathered together, the Yang energy is too strong. Even if there are a few stray cats and dogs, with Old Zhao, this Yin spirit, in the apothecary, they wouldn’t dare approach. Ghosts and specters, apart from those crazed vengeful spirits, are mostly more knowledgeable and polite than us humans.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, took a sip of wine—still the Osmanthus wine sent by the Fan family—and suddenly said, “I plan to ask Fan Junmao for help tomorrow to refine my first Natal Treasure above the cloud sea. If it succeeds, I’ll leave Old Dragon City and head north. Although Master Wen Sheng said we can go wherever we please afterward, without any restrictions, I’ve been thinking, since there’s nothing urgent I must do right now, I’ll still follow Senior Yang’s original plan and not return to Dragon Spring County for the time being. I’ll probably visit three or four places in Precious Bottle Continent, and the travel time alone will take more than a year. After I’ve seen them all, it’ll be just about time to go back.”

Zheng Dafeng leaned against the counter, gazing at the small alley outside, and casually asked, “Have you ever considered establishing a sect in Dragon Spring County?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Establishing a sect is so troublesome. Just look at what Master Ruan has been doing. It’s difficult. Besides, what qualifications do I have to found a sect?”

Zheng Dafeng slurped down a mouthful of wine, his face filled with blissful intoxication. It was only half a cup of Osmanthus wine, but it was as if he had drunk several vats of fine wine. He chuckled softly, “If you could reclaim the mountains west of Dragon Spring County, owning over a dozen contiguous peaks, you would have the spiritual foundation to establish an Immortal sect. However, it won’t be easy to get those powers to relinquish the meat they’ve already tasted. The Great Li dynasty only offered such low prices to befriend and co-opt those mountain Immortals and powerful families. If it weren’t for your connection to Ruan Qiong, you probably wouldn’t even be able to buy True Pearl Mountain, let alone Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Chen Ping’an heartily agreed.

Although Li Zhu Grotto Heaven wasn’t renowned for its abundant spiritual energy compared to the other thirty-five minor Grotto Heavens, it was still a great blessing for ordinary Golden Core or Nascent Soul earth immortals to own Fallen Phoenix Mountain, build a thatched hut to cultivate, and establish a residence. It was a dream come true.

Chen Ping’an said it was difficult to establish a sect, but deep down, he desperately hoped that day would come. Just like when he chatted with Lu Tai in Flying Eagle Stronghold, he had even thought about what people and things his mountain should have. Otherwise, why would Chen Ping’an want to ask the old Celestial Master of the Daoist sect on Peace Mountain how much Immortal money a mountain protection array would cost? Hearing Zhong Kui recount how the old Celestial Master sat in Peace Mountain, manifesting his golden body, wielding the bright moon mirror, and driving three swords to chase a sword-bearing white ape millions of miles away, how could Chen Ping’an not yearn for it?

The foreign old man who had become familiar with the dusty apothecary suddenly appeared, smiling and stepping over the threshold. He cut straight to the point, “Chen Ping’an, it seems you’re about to leave Old Dragon City? I want to discuss something with you.”

Chen Ping’an stood up straight, put down his wine cup and chopsticks, and said with a smile, “Please speak, Old Sir.”

The old man gestured for Chen Ping’an to continue drinking and eating. He walked to the counter, directly grabbed a few fried peanuts with his fingers, and put them in his mouth. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “It might be a bit demanding, and a bit presumptuous, but fate is like duckweed, gathering and scattering without certainty. If we miss this chance, we might miss it for life. Whether we cower or stick our necks out, it’s all the same in the end, so I’ll just say it directly. After I’m done, Little Brother Chen and Brother Dafeng, you mustn’t let this old man be unable to eat these peanuts and candied lotus roots in the future, and instead be constantly turned away at the door…”

Zheng Dafeng said unhappily, “We’re all straightforward people, can you just get to the point?”

The old man raised his head, tossed a piece of lotus root into his mouth, and chewed, “Although Sui Youbian is already a pure martial artist of minor mastery, having reached the Golden Body realm is extremely difficult, but in my opinion, the bottleneck is too large, and it’s extremely difficult to reach the peak. At most, he’ll just be in the Far Wander realm. If he’s lucky, he’ll only be an eighth-realm martial artist.”

Zheng Dafeng immediately dismantled him, “Only an eighth-realm martial artist? Old man, you have the guts to shout that on the street and see what the earth immortal cultivators in Old Dragon City think? Won’t they be so angry that they slap your mouth to pulp?”

The old man had a very good temper and didn’t care about Zheng Dafeng’s retort at all. He laughed, “Isn’t this an exception? Sui Youbian shouldn’t have walked the dead-end road of martial arts from the beginning…”

Zheng Dafeng slammed the table. “What did you say?!”

The old man quickly bent down, took Chen Ping’an’s wine cup, filled it with a cup of Osmanthus wine, and raised his cup to Zheng Dafeng, “I misspoke, I’ll punish myself with three cups, I’ll punish myself with three cups!”

He drank it all in one gulp and was about to pour a second cup.

Chen Ping’an smiled and reached out to cover the mouth of the wine pot. “Old Sir, one cup of punishment wine is enough. We’re so familiar, there’s no need to be so polite.”

The old man reluctantly put down his wine cup, wiped his mouth, and said regretfully, “This wine is good, but unfortunately, the taste is a bit light. One or two cups, you can’t taste anything.”

Zheng Dafeng picked up a piece of tofu mixed with scallions, “Brother Xun, spit it out already!”
The elderly man surnamed Xun continued, “Sui Youbian is an extremely rare Innate Sword Embryo, possessing the potential of a Sword Immortal. That alone would be enough, but the key is that her sword heart is exquisitely pure. In the future, the possibility of breaking through the bottlenecks of the Upper Five Realms as a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator is relatively high. Let me make a statement at this gathering: as long as Little Brother Chen is willing to part with her and allow Sui Youbian to join our sect, within a century, at most two Jiazi (120 years), I guarantee Sui Youbian will become a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator with extremely high combat power. And I can guarantee, chest-thumping, that within the next century, she will definitely become a Jade Pure Realm cultivator.”

Chen Pingan smiled without a word, handed over chopsticks, and poured the old man a cup of wine.

Zheng Dafeng sneered, “Old Xun, are you a toad trying to swallow the sun and moon? Aren’t you afraid of bursting yourself? Even if we take a step back and assume the impossible, Sui Youbian is already a Golden Body Realm martial artist. You yourself said that becoming a Distant Roaming Realm martial artist isn’t difficult, just requiring time to hone her physique. Yet, you want Sui Youbian to abandon her current eight-realm martial artist’s strength, dissipate her pure Qi, and spend a hundred or two years pursuing that illusory Upper Five Realms Sword Cultivator?”

The old man protested, “Didn’t I already say it’s a bit of a tall order? But Sui Youbian has such outstanding talent and aptitude. If I hadn’t seen it, it would be one thing, but having seen it and keeping it to myself is truly unbearable. I can’t stand such a waste of talent! Think about it, such a pretty little girl like Sui Youbian, even if she becomes a Distant Roaming Realm martial artist, she’ll still be fighting and killing with her fists, throwing punches and kicks. How unromantic! How could that compare to a graceful female Sword Immortal, clad in white, sending her flying sword to slay enemies from a thousand miles away? How elegant is that?”

Zheng Dafeng scoffed, “Easier said than done. The higher the Pure Martial Artist realm, the more dangerous it is to dissipate Qi, especially the Refinement of Spirit stage, which involves the nascent spirit and soul. One slip-up, and Sui Youbian won’t just lose her Innate Sword Embryo’s Sword Immortal aptitude, she’ll probably lose half her life. Old Xun, do you think you’re a Ascension Realm great cultivator, or at least an Immortal Realm cultivator? Besides, why would Chen Pingan offer such a beautiful woman, almost a personal maid, with both hands, to a lazy old lecher like you?!”

The old man said solemnly, “Our kind of romance is not vulgarity, and cannot be understood by outsiders. Brother Dafeng, you can insult me, but don’t belittle yourself along with me.”

Zheng Dafeng gave the old man a thumbs up and picked up a piece of food. “Old Brother, those are words spoken with sincerity. I can’t find a single flaw.”

The old man raised his cup and drank a large gulp, then stroked his beard and smiled. “I knew it, Brother Dafeng, you’re a true gentleman of our kind. You speak with strength, reason, and righteousness at crucial moments!”

Chen Pingan picked up a peanut and chewed it slowly.

The old man didn’t dare to urge him.

Whether this matter succeeds or fails depends solely on the decision of the young man before him.

After thinking it over, Chen Pingan said, “I can only say that I’ll help you ask Sui Youbian what she herself thinks.”

This time, it was the old man’s turn to be greatly surprised. “Chen Pingan, are you really agreeing?”

Realizing he’d misspoke, the old man wore an embarrassed smile.

Even the dumbest person in the world knows the weight and value of an eighth-realm Distant Roaming Realm martial artist.

In the top dynasties of the Treasure Bottle Continent, they represent an extraordinary existence affecting the martial destiny of a nation.

The old man actually had a bellyful of curiosity and doubt, but he still suppressed his words. Too many words lead to mistakes, lest he add unnecessary embellishments to a good karmic connection and ruin it.

When the old man left the alley, Zheng Dafeng said he was going to get some fresh air and left with him.

Outside the alley, by the old locust tree on the main street, the Lantern Festival was being celebrated, regardless of status, with brilliant lights as bright as day.

The old man and Zheng Dafeng stood under the tree. “Why didn’t Chen Pingan ask about my true identity, and more importantly, the reward?”

Zheng Dafeng thought for a moment. “Probably only when Sui Youbian nods in agreement will he ask about these things.”

The old man mocked himself, “So, we are still somewhat materialistic. Chen Pingan is the one who values principle.”

Zheng Dafeng, bending at the waist, looked at the bustling, lively street and said indifferently, “Principled people are easily taken advantage of.”

The old man also composed himself, his eyes becoming deep and still. “To hell with being taken advantage of is a blessing.”

After a moment of silence, the elderly man surnamed Xun asked, “Brother Dafeng, what are your plans?”

Zheng Dafeng said, “A useless person now. I just want to return to my old profession and be a gatekeeper.”

The old man asked, “Do you want to come to my mountain? I can’t promise you a divine life, but wine, meat, and beauties won’t be lacking. I believe you know my temperament. I’ll find you to chat and joke around from time to time.”

Zheng Dafeng shook his head. “I don’t want to owe you this favor, and I don’t have the ambition to go to your mountain and act like a big shot.”

The old man patted Zheng Dafeng’s shoulder. “Look on the bright side, no hardship is insurmountable.”

Zheng Dafeng laughed in annoyance. “You’re an Upper Five Realm Qi Refiner, a good-for-nothing old man who’s just eating and drinking, and you’re telling a useless person like me to look on the bright side. Aren’t you ashamed?”

The old man sighed, “I didn’t expect that I hid myself so deeply, but Brother Dafeng saw through my Upper Five Realm immortal demeanor at a glance. It seems that the saying that women are born beautiful and cannot abandon their beauty also applies to me.”

Zheng Dafeng turned to look at this serious old man. “Have people often wanted to practice with you during your years of cultivation in your sect?”

The old man shook his head. “Never. When I was young, I relied on my handsome appearance and was very popular among my senior and junior sisters. Whenever I had trouble, they would compete to help me solve it. After middle age, I suddenly woke up and felt that it wasn’t good to be among the flowers every day. I picked up cultivation again, and my progress on the Great Path was rapid. Therefore, the elders of the sect valued and protected me immensely. In my old age, I am even more respected.”

Zheng Dafeng patted the old man’s shoulder. “It’s fortunate that Old Brother Xun didn’t grow up in our hometown, otherwise there would be many guys who would teach you a lesson.”

The old man smiled, noncommittal, and said to himself, “If someone respects me one foot, I respect them ten feet. If Sui Youbian is really willing to join our sect, then I have to think carefully about what kind of initiation gift to give her at the Ancestral Hall, and how to repay Chen Pingan for being willing to let her go.”

Zheng Dafeng joked, “If you have the ability, give Sui Youbian an Immortal Weapon.”
The old man chuckled, “That won’t do. At least until Sui Youbian enters the Jade Pure Realm as a sword cultivator, I absolutely won’t take out this nest egg to give her. And when the time comes, she’ll need to promise to protect my sect for at least three hundred years, otherwise I’d be heartbroken to part with it.”

Zheng Dafeng turned to look at him. The old man met his gaze, self-righteous, and said, “What? Is it against the law to boast a little?”

When Pei Qian and the others returned to the apothecary, it was already late. Chen Ping’an had been waiting at the entrance, and he called Sui Youbian aside, saying he had something to discuss.

The two walked slowly down the alley, side by side.

Chen Ping’an told Sui Youbian everything about the old man’s desire for her to cultivate on his mountain, explaining it plainly and honestly.

Sui Youbian was expressionless. She asked Chen Ping’an if he knew anything about the man’s background: his name, his cultivation level, and the location of his sect.

Chen Ping’an said that he needed to ask for her opinion first before he could inquire about these things and try to ascertain the truth. After getting some answers, he would even send a flying sword message to Peaceful Mountain, requesting the Old Celestial Master to verify everything personally. Only after ensuring everything was completely safe would he allow Sui Youbian to make the final decision.

Sui Youbian remained silent. Chen Ping’an could only accompany her out of the alley and onto the sparsely populated, quiet street.

Sui Youbian had died twice in the battle at the ruined temple, and she traded her life for that of a Golden Core cultivator outside Old Dragon City. After the third time, her martial arts path would be stuck at the Eighth Far Roaming Realm.

Suddenly, Sui Youbian stopped. She asked, “Do you really want me to join that man’s sect, at least so you can get a magic treasure or two and establish a thread of connection with the old man’s sect?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, shaking his head. “If there were really no other way, of course I would want you to stay by my side. I wish I could personally help you smoothly dissipate your pure Qi, and focus on sword cultivation, to become a Qi Practitioner. You could travel further on the path to immortality. But you should understand that I’m only a Fifth Realm martial artist now. The reconstruction of the Long Life Bridge has only just begun. Compared to these ancient Immortal clans, the kind headed by the word ‘Sect’, with thousands of years of inheritance, our little foundation is simply not enough. And on the path of cultivation, a single step behind means being behind in every step thereafter.”

Sui Youbian asked again, “If I choose to leave, what will you do with the painting that concerns my life and destiny?”

Chen Ping’an answered without hesitation, “Of course I’ll hide it well. In the matter of cultivation, the human heart is unpredictable. If it stays in my hands, at least I won’t harm you, and I won’t use it to threaten you. Whether you believe me or not, that’s what I think. But if I give it to someone else, I can’t be sure. Even if the old man is truly good to you, willing to take you as his direct disciple and let you enter his sect’s ancestral hall, how can I guarantee that others won’t harbor malicious intentions, hoping to use it to control you, forcing you into dangerous situations at critical moments? Those in high positions can’t help themselves. But I, Chen Ping’an, am different. It’s not that I’m kinder or better to you than the old man, but that at least I won’t treat you, Sui Youbian, as a commodity. I won’t sell you off to the highest bidder.”

Sui Youbian stared intently at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an met her gaze frankly. “Truth.”

Sui Youbian didn’t say whether she agreed or refused. Instead, she changed the subject inexplicably. “That female Taoist from Peaceful Mountain is absolutely beautiful, and she’s also a Nascent Soul sword cultivator.”

Chen Ping’an asked curiously, “And?”

Sui Youbian asked, “You weren’t even a little bit moved?”

Chen Ping’an rolled his eyes, clasped his hands behind his head, and strolled along leisurely. “There are plenty of beautiful women in the world. It’s only natural to look at them a bit more, to please the eye. But why would I be moved?”

Sui Youbian laughed for the first time in a while. “As a man, you don’t even have the slightest thought of having beauties on both sides? Chen Ping’an, are you sick?”

Chen Ping’an still had his hands clasped behind his head. He turned his head, looking languid. “Don’t curse, okay?”

The two walked back to the Dusty Apothecary in silence. Pei Qian, still wide awake, was standing at the apothecary door, holding her walking stick, saying she was going to show Chen Ping’an a thing or two. She declared confidently that after Lao Wei and Little White had seen her swordsmanship and saber techniques, they said she had already reached a level of divine skill.

Regarding the White Ape Sword Carrying stance and the Saber Dragging technique taught to Pei Qian by Huang Ting, the four people in the painting tacitly pretended not to know. They certainly wouldn’t try to steal her secrets or privately coax Pei Qian to reveal the incantations. First, they had to abide by the code of the martial world. Second, that clever little imp, Pei Qian, would definitely agree with them on the surface, but as soon as they turned their backs, she’d go to Chen Ping’an and rat them out. Chen Ping’an probably wouldn’t be too easy to talk to about such things.

Sui Youbian, Zhu Lian, and the other two didn’t dare to test Chen Ping’an’s bottom line on such matters.

So, Sui Youbian entered the apothecary and went to the side room in the backyard to practice the Sword Furnace Stance, with Chen Ping’an’s implicit permission.

In the alley, Chen Ping’an stood at the threshold and smiled, “Try it out.”

Pei Qian nodded with a straight face. She shouted softly, took a step forward, held the walking stick with both hands, and unleashed the White Ape Saber Dragging technique with a swing.

She hadn’t controlled her strength well. The walking stick flew out of Pei Qian’s hands and was caught by Chen Ping’an’s toes. He grabbed the bamboo staff, which had nearly hit the wall of the alley, before it was destroyed.

Pei Qian was dumbfounded. She was done for. She was sure she was going to get a flick on the forehead.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ping’an simply returned the walking stick to her and smiled, “The momentum is quite impressive. In the future, honestly practice the Six Step Stance with me. Otherwise, no matter how good your swordsmanship and saber techniques are, if your body can’t support them, they’ll still be scattered and only make you a laughingstock.”

Pei Qian stamped her foot in frustration, lamenting incessantly. If she had known, she wouldn’t have shown off her peerless divine skill. Now she had to walk according to the stance in the future? Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?!

Chen Ping’an patted her little head. “You need to suffer more when you’re young.”

Pei Qian looked up, her face full of anticipation. “Then when I grow up, I can enjoy myself every day? Lie down and collect money? I won’t have to copy books anymore. I can drink whenever I want, eat whatever I want?”

Chen Ping’an led her back into the shop, closed the door, and smiled. “When you grow up, you’ll naturally know.”
Pei Qian drooped her head, “I don’t really want to grow up. That female Daoist said I wasn’t pretty, so I probably won’t get any better looking when I grow up. Being a young, ugly girl is better than being an ugly woman. Today, while watching the lantern festival, Zhu Lian suddenly said that in a few years, I could stand at your door every day, and even ghosts wouldn’t dare to enter, more effective than an expensive door god painting. I was happy then, but something felt off. I secretly asked Old Wei, but that guy was sly and tricked me, saying maybe I’d learned some peerless swordsmanship, and my sword aura was too strong, so dirty things were afraid of me. Later, Sui Youbian was the kindest and told me the truth. Turns out, Zhu Lian was indirectly saying that I’d be scary looking when I grow up, enough to frighten even ghosts! Zhu Lian is so mean, especially since I always ate half a bowl more rice at his meals, and I was always the most appreciative of Zhu Lian’s cooking. He’s really ungrateful.”

Chen Pingan had a hint of a smile in his eyes, deliberately teasing the little girl with her favorite saying, “Worrying, huh?”

Pei Qian broke into a cheerful smile. Childlike, her worries were quickly forgotten, and she ran off.

Back in the side room, after closing the door, she sat opposite Sui Youbian, resting her chin on her hands, staring at Sui Youbian, who was practicing sword stance, and whispered, “Sister Sui, how are you so pretty? Can you teach me?”

Sui Youbian opened her eyes, seemingly in a good mood today, and suppressing a smile, she deliberately put on a serious face and said, “Read and write, copy books and practice calligraphy, six-step stance, sword stance, swordsmanship and saber techniques, wiping tables and sweeping floors, serving tea and water, all must be done diligently.”

Pei Qian tilted her head slightly and grinned, “Sister Sui, you’re so funny.”

Sui Youbian nodded, imitating the tone of the female priest Huang Ting, and clicked her tongue, “Such a clever child, why is she so unsightly?”

Pei Qian turned around gloomily, leaned against the table, rested her head on the surface, reached out and took out the yellow paper talisman she treasured most, stuck it on her forehead, and said softly, “Sister Sui, do you like my dad?”

Sui Youbian was speechless.

Pei Qian obviously didn’t care about the answer, and said to herself, “We saw so many beautiful lantern festival lights earlier, but do you remember the lantern display next to that Phoenix Immortal Wine Shop? Stuff like frying in oil, pulling out tongues, skinning and tendon-pulling, not underworld officials and fierce ghosts, but hellish torture instruments. Old Wei said it might be a lantern festival put on by the prison authorities, specifically to deal with people who like to do bad things, it scared me to death. You don’t know, I suddenly realized my dad wasn’t around, and I almost cried.”

Sui Youbian had already closed her eyes again, continuing to practice sword stance, expanding her meridians and nourishing her body.

Pei Qian carefully straightened the yellow paper talisman, and muttered, “Talisman, protect Pei Qian, demons and monsters stay away.”

That night, the Zhao-surnamed Yin spirit found Chen Pingan, who was sleeping on the floor, saying that the old gentleman had asked him to pass on a message. The Willow Leaf Sect had formally given their compensation.

The golden core of the twelfth-realm great demon had already been refined by Du Mao, who had become frenzied in his pursuit of ascension, within the Wutong Small Paradise. Therefore, two pieces of five-colored glass were offered in exchange, one as small as a thumb, the other as large as a fist.

After the soul of a twelfth-realm great cultivator decayed, or after a martial artist self-detonated, a celestial remains might appear. And, according to legends, some five-colored glazed golden body fragments would appear after the failed attempt of a great cultivator at the ascension realm.

This was the only thing that slightly reduced the Willow Leaf Sect’s resentment after Du Mao disregarded the lives of the sect’s disciples and destroyed the Wutong Paradise. Du Mao, knowing that his ascension had failed, controlled the upper half of his body to scatter the glazed fragments in all directions at the last moment. Three of these fragments returned to the Willow Leaf Sect’s Ancestral Mountain. The Willow Leaf Sect’s Ancestral Hall kept only one piece, and the remaining two were given to Chen Pingan.

After relaying this top priority matter, the Zhao-surnamed Yin spirit carefully handed Chen Pingan a palm-sized, yellowed willow leaf, saying that this was a “咫尺物” (zhǐ chǐ wù, roughly translated as “item within a span”), which the Willow Leaf Sect had included. The glazed fragments after the death of a great cultivator in the ascension realm were placed inside. In addition, the old gentleman had also prepared two sets of mountain-protecting formations specifically for Chen Pingan, one imitating the Sword Array of the Peaceful Mountain for offensive power, and the other imitating the Mountain Protecting Formation of the Supporting Fuling Sect. And for this, the immortal money required to build the array, created by high-level masters from the Mo family and paid by the Willow Leaf Sect, were all included within that willow leaf; they were all Valley Rain coins.

However, the central magic treasures of the two great arrays, such as flying swords and golden body puppets, still needed to be found by Chen Pingan himself. Whether he would rely on financial resources to purchase them in the future, or rely on chance to find them, would depend on fate.

The Yin spirit said finally, “The willow leaf must be carried with you at all times, but the old gentleman also said that it is best to wait until you return to your hometown before looking at the various items inside. Otherwise, once the ‘item within a span’ is opened, it is equivalent to briefly opening the gate of a small paradise, which can easily leak the secrets inside. After all, the glazed fragments of an ascension realm cultivator are too rare, and any cultivator above the fifth realm would covet them. The old gentleman also asked me to relay something else: that the magic robe Jin Li, which eats money to the point of reaching the rank of a half-immortal weapon, won’t be a loss.”

Chen Pingan carefully put away the willow leaf.

After finishing speaking, the Zhao-surnamed Yin spirit vanished.

He had gained a lot from helping the old gentleman twice.

Chen Pingan lay back on the floor, touched the white jade hairpin on his head, and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next morning, at dawn, Fan Junmao arrived as agreed, taking Chen Pingan to the sea of clouds above Old Dragon City.

The Xun-surnamed old man had been waiting outside the shop early in the morning, guarding the rabbit. Before Chen Pingan could say anything, Sui Youbian lifted the curtain and chatted with the old man outside the door for a few words.

Sui Youbian walked back to the backyard.

The old man stroked his beard and smiled, it wasn’t the best result, but it wasn’t bad. Waiting a few more years was all, and then the Jade Gui Sect would have another Nascent Soul sword cultivator within a hundred years with the hope of ascending to the fifth realm.

“Hmm, at that time, I will personally take her to the Willow Leaf Sect and pay a visit, to see if we can do our part for the rebuilding of the ancestral hall of the ‘brotherly sect’.

Cultivators must be honorable.

The rising sun shone, with a myriad of rays, the summit of the sea of clouds, an unparalleled beauty.

When fortune arrives, all the world is at your command.

This time, Chen Pingan’s refining of the Water Seal as his first natal object, other than taking a full ten days, had no major flaws.

On the inner wall of Chen Pingan’s congenital dan chamber, a mural appeared, a river like a white silk belt, with mist, flowing slowly.

At the moment of success, the Jin Li magic robe on his body suddenly felt lighter.

Even if Chen Pingan boldly released the Jin Li restrictions, allowing the spiritual energy of the sea of clouds to pour into his orifices and flow into a lake within an orifice, the mist curled up, and the atmosphere was refreshing.
Only then, did the wisp of pure martial artist’s Qi, which had been constantly eroded, finally break free from its shackles. As if granted amnesty, it frantically roamed the small world of the human body.

Chen Ping’an slightly guided it, and this Qi within his body, along with the lake and the spiritual Qi streams flowing into it, achieved a rough state of non-interference.

Like civil and military officials in a kingdom’s court, they were neither mutually beneficial nor locked in mortal combat, but simply coexisting peacefully.

Late at night, Chen Ping’an and Fan Junmao returned to the Dust Pill Shop, silently and without a trace.

The four figures in the painting opened their eyes, then closed them again, slowly falling asleep.

The black smoke of the Zhao-surnamed Yin Spirit gradually seeped into the wall.

Zheng Dafeng and Pei Qian slept soundly in their respective rooms.

Chen Ping’an sat on the long bench, taking a sip of the Lesser Golden Elixir medicinal wine.

Fan Junmao stood beside him, asking, “If it were you, Chen Ping’an, would you trade the Cloud Sea, which has been with you for countless years, for the position of a Southern Mountain God in the Treasure Bottle洲?”

Chen Ping’an honestly replied, “I don’t know.”

Fan Junmao, in a terrible mood, raged, “Then what do you know?!”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I know what I don’t know.”

Fan Junmao tossed a long sword, which had been stored in his Close Quarters Armory for some time, to Chen Ping’an and vanished with a dark expression.

Early the next morning, Chen Ping’an and his group left the Dust Pill Shop and headed to the immortal ferry west of Old Dragon City. They boarded a ferry and set off for the Azure Luan Kingdom, located in the southeastern part of the Treasure Bottle洲.

Fan Er accompanied them to the ferry, complaining that Chen Ping’an must not forget porcelain and fine wine when they met next time.

Zheng Dafeng stayed alone, guarding the empty pill shop. He stared for a while at the character “福” (good fortune) pasted on the wall, deciding that the calligraphy was indeed better than that of the character “春” (spring).

He circled the table in the main hall, where Zhu Lian often placed meals, then sat on the threshold, gazing at the long bench across the courtyard.

The young man sat on the bench under the eaves most often, with Pei Qian occasionally joining him.

Over time, it seemed to have become his little territory.

Zheng Dafeng puffed on his dry tobacco pipe.

Scratching his head, he sighed. He’d be heading back shamefully and would inevitably be scolded by his old man until his ears burned.

On the ferry, Chen Ping’an carried a long sword on his back once more.

The sword’s name was quite intriguing.

Sword Immortal.