Jiang Shangzhen hurriedly wiped his mouth, a bitter look on his face, and said, “Even here in the Immortal Abode Ruins, it’s not appropriate to directly call out the name of a Sage.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Some grudges won’t change, whether you curse them a few more or a few less times.”

“Chen Ping’an, tell me something from the bottom of your heart.”

Jiang Shangzhen blinked, raised his buttocks slightly, and pointed to the top of his head, “That one, is he absolutely determined to kill you?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “It’s not that exaggerated. The old scores are pretty much settled. Such a great figure managing the common people of a whole world doesn’t have that much leisure to bother with me. But he definitely dislikes me. So, I’m hesitant about whether to travel to the Azure Billow World in the future.”

Chen Ping’an wanted to walk through the nine continents of the Blessed Land, as well as the other three worlds.

Only then did Jiang Shangzhen sit back on the railing. If Lu Chen were determined to target Chen Ping’an, he would obediently run back to Jianjian Lake in the Treasure Bottle Continent and become a shrinking turtle. Anyway, the lake there is large and the water is deep. If he doesn’t become a turtle or a tortoise, would he become a bird of the forest? Old Xun had already recited it ten thousand times: once he arrives at Jianjian Lake, he must quickly adapt to the local customs and become a local snake, and not think of himself as a dragon crossing the river.

Chen Ping’an said, “Knowing that you won’t get involved in some things, then will you only say what you can?”

Jiang Shangzhen took a sip of wine, nodded, and said, “Gao Cheng’s ambitions are great, the kind of ambition that can scare people to death. He actually wants to build a Fengdu Netherworld in Ghost Domain Valley that exists between the Yang and Yin realms, where the cycle of life and death occurs. Once it’s done, there are two huge benefits. One is reversing the feng shui of Ghost Domain Valley, upgrading it into a wondrous realm similar to a complete blessed land, no longer a small world. The Three Ways of Heaven, Earth, and Man will be complete, truly giving rise to the grand atmosphere of sunrise and sunset, four seasons in order, and the cycle of the solar terms. Gao Cheng will be the veritable Old Heaven here, even one step higher than all the Sages sitting in a small world. Perhaps he can ascend to the heavens in one step. Gao Cheng wants to quickly cross the Immortal Realm from the Jade Purity Realm and join the Ascension Realm. At that time, Gao Cheng will be similar to… those few strange beings in the world, truly obtaining great freedom, breaking open the cage of heaven and earth. Those who could kill him might not act because they see too high and too far, and those who truly want to kill Gao Cheng won’t be able to.”

“The other is that in any subsequent wars, even if they are firmly suppressed in Ghost Domain Valley by the Hemp Robe Sect, Gao Cheng and Jingguan City can stand firmly undefeated. Even, every fallen Hemp Robe Sect cultivator is equal to adding a bit of foundation to Ghost Domain Valley. If something happens again at the Ancestral Hall of Wooden Clothes Mountain, and Gao Cheng accidentally leads his army out of Skull Beach, affecting the dynasties and tributaries along the Shaking River in the north, then let alone the Hemp Robe Sect with fewer than two hundred cultivators, even if several immortal families with the ‘Sect’ character in the south join forces, they won’t get any advantage.”

Jiang Shangzhen pinched the neck of the wine pot with two fingers, gently shook it, and slowly said, “Therefore, Gao Cheng’s actions are very taboo. But Gao Cheng was able to rise from an unknown ordinary soldier to where he is today, so he is naturally not a fool. He will act with great care, step by step. I guess within a hundred years, he will only be extremely restrained, eat one Hemp Robe Sect and then stop. After encompassing the Skull Beach territory, Gao Cheng will stop, and then within a thousand years, use distant alliances and close attacks, diplomatic maneuvering, and strive to annex another sect-character immortal family, and slowly plot it. Jingguan City will be able to become more and more justified. It’s hard to say what the Confucian Academy will do. There are too many rules, and they often fight among themselves. As a result, many situations will become a fait accompli.”

“Therefore, during this period, the only two forces that will truly fight Gao Cheng to the death are the Hemp Robe Sect, which is single-minded from top to bottom, and the bald donkeys of the Buddhist family. After all, building a Fengdu in the human world and arbitrarily opening up the Six Paths of Reincarnation is something that the Buddhist family absolutely does not want to see. As for the Taoist family in the Northern Majestic Continent, the Cloud Firmament Palace Yang Clan of the Grand Origin Dynasty’s Bureau of Religious Affairs, and Heavenly Sovereign Xie Shi, they may not hate Gao Cheng’s actions so much. The former probably will sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, allowing Gao Cheng and the Buddhist forces of the Northern Majestic Continent to wear each other down, especially the latter. As for the reason, you should already know, so I won’t say much.”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “That sentence ‘Leave the flying sword behind’ was shouted out by Gao Cheng himself.”

Chen Ping’an sighed, looked down at the Sword Nurturing Gourd, and thought of a detail from before, “I understand, I am a child carrying gold through the market, and I just happened to run into Gao Cheng of Jingguan City. No wonder Gao Cheng is so annoyed. If the Ancestral Hall of Wooden Clothes Mountain hadn’t activated the mountain-protecting formation, I estimate that even if I escaped from Ghost Domain Valley, I still wouldn’t have been able to leave Skull Beach alive.”

Jiang Shangzhen waved his hand, “What child? You don’t need to look down on yourself so much. It’s more accurate to say that you are a commoner carrying a treasure.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “What do you say Gao Cheng plans to do now?”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “I guess he’s stabbing straw figures in Jingguan City. Once fate is missed, it’s harder to catch it than ascending to the heavens. It’s hard to explain this kind of thing with logic, but mountain people have to believe it, the older they get, the more they believe it. So, you don’t have to worry too much now. After surviving a great disaster, there must be good fortune.”

Chen Ping’an said with a wry smile, “I don’t dare to leave Wooden Clothes Mountain now, and I don’t dare to go north through Skull Beach. Heaven knows if Gao Cheng will secretly sneak out of Ghost Domain Valley and give me a knife.”

Jiang Shangzhen was about to explain.

Chen Ping’an suddenly looked into the distance, his eyes dim, “If I were Gao Cheng, as long as Chen Ping’an dares to travel in Majestic Continent, he will definitely die.”

Jiang Shangzhen was speechless for a moment.

If he said too much, persuading Chen Ping’an to continue traveling in Majestic Continent, it would seem like he had ulterior motives.

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “Jiang Shangzhen, why did you go out of your way to form a grudge with Gao Cheng in Ghost Domain Valley? If I’m not mistaken, according to your statement, since Gao Cheng is such a heroic figure, it’s very likely that he would do business with you and the Jade Tablet Sect, and you could take the opportunity to become a guest of honor in Jingguan City.”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “That should be me acting impulsively. I can’t stand seeing women being bullied, and I can’t stand hearing Pu Rang’s grandiose words that make people’s hair stand on end.”

Chen Ping’an handed over the wine pot. Jiang Shangzhen lightly tapped it with his own wine pot, and they each drank a sip.

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly said, “What do you think of Zhu Quan as a person, and what do you think of Pu Rang as a person? And what is the temperament of this Hemp Robe Sect?”

Chen Ping’an said, “My heart inclines towards them.”
Jiang Shangzhen nodded, “If, and I mean if, you intend to continue your travels in Beiju Luzhou, you must be careful. This place is indeed home to existences like Zhu Quan and Pu Rang. However, there are also formidable figures who, while seemingly cut from the same cloth as Zhu Quan and Pu Rang, are in reality far more cunning and treacherous than even I, Jiang Shangzhen.”

Jiang Shangzhen slowly sipped his wine. “I suffered two of my biggest setbacks in Beiju Luzhou. One of them was precisely like this, almost losing my life while unwittingly helping someone count their gains. When I turned around, I discovered that the one who had stabbed me in the back was my closest friend in Beiju Luzhou. That awful feeling is still fresh in my mind. How can I describe it? It was incredibly frustrating. The first thought that flashed through my mind wasn’t despair or anger, but rather whether I, Jiang Shangzhen, had done something wrong to make my friend act in such a way.”

Chen Pingan said, “I will be mindful.”

Jiang Shangzhen sighed, his face downcast and pitiful. “If I had known earlier that you had a feud with that person, I would have never made this trip to Guǐyù Valley. Why did I even come?”

Chen Pingan almost laughed, but he felt it would be impolite, so he quickly took a sip of wine, swallowing his laughter along with it.

Jiang Shangzhen shook his head, recalling something. “Let me tell you some less-than-ideal news. That natural Dao seed from the Cloud Firmament Palace, Yang Ningxing, the wisp of evil intent he left behind through the method of severing the Three Corpses, has been causing you trouble. However, that hasn’t stopped him from his main objective. The old Daoist of Little Profound Capital Temple should have been helping him along the way, and he even managed to obtain the pair of exceptionally valuable golden Winnowfish from the Old Dragon’s Lair. They were raised by the Old Turtle for thousands of years, having already lived for at least a thousand years before that. It’s no small stroke of luck. Don’t think it’s nothing. When I, Jiang Shangzhen, deem something ‘exceptionally valuable,’ it truly is valuable. Judging by this kid’s luck, he’s at the peak of his fortune. If you leave Guǐyù Valley after she’s gone, and then continue your solitary journey north, and you encounter that scholar again in the Great Source Dynasty, dealing with him will be even more difficult.”

Chen Pingan said, “Compared to Gao Cheng of Jingguan City, these are nothing.”

Chen Pingan suddenly asked, “How did you know about Yang Ningxing’s background? It’s been years since you last came to Beiju Luzhou, hasn’t it?”

Jiang Shangzhen laughed heartily. “Chen Pingan, do you know how many female confidantes I have in Beiju Luzhou? Almost every century, one or two of them will visit my Jade Tablet Sect, using various excuses to catch up. One even specifically traveled to Cloud Grotto Blessed Land. It’s hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. That’s how it is. So, I know everything about Beiju Luzhou.”

Chen Pingan glanced at him askance. “It’s certainly a skill to be liked by many women, but it’s a true skill to be able to be devoted to one.”

Jiang Shangzhen waved his hand. “We have different paths. The only thing in the world that I, Jiang Shangzhen, can be devoted to in this life is spending money.”

Chen Pingan thought about his trip to Guǐyù Valley, looking back, he risked his life to wander around picking up bargains, earning money with his head hanging on his belt like a rogue cultivator, and Jiang Shangzhen was telling him this?

Chen Pingan recalled something and took out the Hundred-Eyed Gluttonous Taotie Robe that he had stripped from Yang Ningxing. Jiang Shangzhen’s mention of the old Daoist of the Little Profound Capital Temple acting as a protector should be related to Yang Ningxing’s strange shift in gaze before retreating his mind on the Iron Chain Bridge cliff. At the time, Chen Pingan felt something was off, most likely Yang Ningxing had sensed the old Daoist’s presence. Yang Ningxing probably felt uncertain about whether the old Daoist’s intentions were good or bad.

Jiang Shangzhen glanced at the robe and nodded. It seemed to have caught his eye. He slowly said, “For now, it’s slightly better in quality than the blue robe you’re wearing. However, its foundation is infinitely better. Because this dark and ugly robe can grow, like plants in the world that flourish when they receive rain. This is the most valuable category of magical artifacts. The one you wore in Tongye Continent, and the sword in Sui Right’s hand, are both like this, although they differ in quality. Similar to cultivators ascending realms, some are destined to only reach the Golden Core stage, while others can reach the Nascent Soul, or even the Upper Five Realms. Among the three, your white robe had the greatest potential, potentially becoming a half-immortal artifact. Sui Right’s sword is next, with a chance of becoming a good half-immortal artifact. The robe you snatched is at most a half-immortal artifact, and it will be slow and consume a lot of resources.”

An unexpected delight.

He had thought this robe was similar to the Spring Grass Robe and Snow Flower Robe, but he never expected its grade to be able to increase.

In the future, when wandering the world, he could cover his face and wear this, and he would be even more comfortable acting as a rogue cultivator.

Chen Pingan took out the three talismans from the robe’s sleeve and smiled. “I can only tell that they are secret talismans of the Cloud Firmament Palace. I recognize the seal script, but I know nothing about their true origins, specific uses, or power. Can you assess them and tell me how much they are worth?”

Jiang Shangzhen took the three golden Cloud Firmament Palace talismans. “Green Firmament Palace Talisman, a branch of the Mountain Talisman, one of the specialties of the Bureau of Exalting Mystery. Jade Clarity Light Talisman, very imposing, with a wide range, but its killing power is mediocre. It’s good for scaring people, though. But this Cloud Firmament Slaying Talisman is the real treasure. Its talisman core contains four wisps of divine light. Even I am a little tempted. However, good talismans can’t be used by just anyone. They require a series of ‘opening’ secrets, especially this Slaying Talisman, which is the most closely guarded secret within the Cloud Firmament Palace’s Yang clan. Coincidentally, I have a sisterly relationship with a female Daoist of the Cloud Firmament Palace, of course, it is a bond that is stronger than gold, mutually baring all…”

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly turned his head and looked away, his expression strange.

Chen Pingan had no intention of taking them back and took a small sip of wine. “I know the three talismans can’t compare to the value of your net, so just think of it as better than nothing.”

Jiang Shangzhen slapped the three talismans on the railing and laughed heartily. “Save it. Take them back, take them back. I, Jiang Shangzhen, earn and spend money without any restrictions! A hero’s true colors, not at all inferior to that Pu Gutou!”

Chen Pingan turned to look at Jiang Shangzhen. “You really don’t want them? I’ve shown the utmost sincerity. I’m not as wealthy as you, Jiang Shangzhen. You always want to split a copper coin into eight pieces to spend.”

Jiang Shangzhen lamented, “Heaven and Earth bear witness.”
With a speed that defied the eye, Chen Ping’an retrieved the three talismans, along with the Daoist robe, storing them all within his pocket dimension. He smiled, “Might as well see this good deed through. Tell me the activation incantations for these talismans, in detail.”

Jiang Shangzhen showed no signs of displeasure, his smile only deepened. He readily shared the activation techniques for the talismans, the knowledge rippling through Chen Ping’an’s mind like gentle waves on a serene lake.

Chen Ping’an then produced a golden thunder whip, unearthed from Mount Jixiao. It was about the length of his arm. “What is the quality and value of this item?”

Jiang Shangzhen responded, “An artifact manifested from the overflowing veins of a thunder pool. Suitable for refining into a ghost-slaying whip, rivaling those made from the bamboo of Mount Qingshen. They are naturally superior at suppressing earthbound spirits and malevolent entities. However, it also depends on the quality of the thunder pool and the green bamboo of Mount Qingshen. The thunder pool of Mount Jixiao falls a bit short. If it were from the Upside-Down Mountain’s thunder pool, this item in your hand would be an innate treasure without any need for refinement. As it stands, it’s merely a high-grade innate spiritual instrument. Furthermore, the item is a bit small. If it were me, I wouldn’t even bother bending over to pick it up.”

Chen Ping’an now had a general understanding. If he had the opportunity, he would refine the longest golden whip of the thunder pool’s veins into a mountain-traveling staff. He would use it for a while before returning to the Treasure Bottle Continent, where he could give it to his first disciple as a gift. Golden and radiant, it would be a delightful sight. If the master liked it, how could the disciple not?

Jiang Shangzhen grinned. “In this Valley of Wailing Ghosts, do you have any other recent acquisitions you’d like me to appraise?”

Chen Ping’an hesitated, but ultimately took out the few erotic paintings that the Avoid-Heat Matriarch had treasured, hanging them on the walls of her boudoir, and handed them to Jiang Shangzhen.

Jiang Shangzhen’s eyes initially held a playful glint. However, after seeing the painting filled with annotations on Daoist cultivation for couples, he nodded. “This can be considered a minor, unorthodox path. Ordinary Earth Immortal cultivators skilled in dual cultivation techniques can use this as one of the foundations for establishing their own sect, helping cultivators below the Middle Five Realms advance. It’s a convenient method. Therefore, this particular one is worth some money. The rest are merely for amusement, to be enjoyed during quiet, lonely nights…”

Chen Ping’an was surprised. “This one is so valuable?”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded. “That Moon Palace Fool has poor eyesight, unable to recognize the potential right before her. She wasted a chance at Daoist fortune. This erotic painting is a copy of one of the twelve ‘Mountain Daoist Couple Seeking Immortality Paintings,’ likely a work of a runaway cultivator from the Enchantment Sect of the Central Earth Continent. If it falls into the hands of someone who knows its value, it could easily be sold for twenty or thirty Rain Grain Coins.”

Speaking of this,

Jiang Shangzhen sighed inwardly.

That He Xiaoliang was truly a remarkable character, blessed with a fortune that was outrageously deep.

Therefore, Jiang Shangzhen originally had some covetousness toward this not-so-expensive mountain painting but dared not ask Chen Ping’an to ask for it or buy it.

Chen Ping’an put away the paintings and became silent.

Jiang Shangzhen began to change the subject. “Did you know that there is a true Profound Capital Temple in the Azure Canopy World?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “I haven’t heard of it.”

Jiang Shangzhen, for the first time, revealed a hint of longing. After finishing his wine, he tossed the wine pot into the distance. “That is truly an immortal’s dwelling. The old Daoist master possesses a peach tree grotto-heaven and has extremely high Daoist techniques. He is known as one of the Earth Ancestors.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “What about the Little Profound Capital Temple in the peach forest of the Valley of Wailing Ghosts?”

Jiang Shangzhen lowered his voice and chuckled, “It’s equivalent to a branch sect of the Profound Capital Temple left behind in the Great World, but its claim is somewhat dubious. I’m not too clear on the specifics of its inheritance. I was in a hurry to travel north to the Juru Continent back then, so I didn’t enter the Valley of Wailing Ghosts. After all, the Hemp Robe Sect doesn’t have any ravishing beauties. If Zhu Quan was more attractive, I would have definitely made a trip to the Valley of Wailing Ghosts.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at the “Cloud Sea of Heavenly Gate,” which bordered Wooden Clothes Mountain and this place. It had been silent for a long time, but he felt that it wasn’t that the female sect leader had given up, but that she was brewing for the final strike.

Jiang Shangzhen continued, “The Little Profound Capital Temple isn’t worth much attention, but the Great Round Moon Temple is no simple matter. That old monk was a renowned high monk long before the Appearance of the Bone Beach. His Buddhist teachings are profound. It is rumored that he was a defeated Buddhist prodigy in the debates of the Three Teachings, who imprisoned himself within a temple. And that Pu Gutou… Hahaha, that Pu Rang whom you, Chen Ping’an, admire so much, is actually…”

Jiang Shangzhen burst into laughter, almost bringing tears to his eyes. “Actually, a woman! This secret, I only managed to buy with a great sum of money. The entire Hemp Robe Sect probably doesn’t even know, and in the Valley of Wailing Ghosts, perhaps only Gao Cheng knows this.”

Chen Ping’an said in annoyance, “What’s wrong with a female sword immortal?”

Jiang Shangzhen finally managed to stop laughing and sighed. “Unfortunately, she fell in love with a monk. That’s where the real trouble is.”

Chen Ping’an was now filled with surprise and whispered, “Is it that old monk of the Great Round Moon Temple?”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded. “That’s why Pu Rang died on the battlefield, desperately protecting the temple from any military disaster. But the karma of the world is so mysterious. If she hadn’t died, the old monk might have already attained Bodhisattva. Who can say what’s right, wrong, gained, or lost?”

Chen Ping’an understood a little.

Through Jiang Shangzhen’s words, the reason why the old monk had said those four words earlier, that long line of reasoning, was now surfacing. Adding Pu Rang into the equation made it even clearer.

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly said, “There’s something wrong with your state of mind. If it was just about sensing danger, according to your, Chen Ping’an’s, previous behavior, you would only be more decisive. During that final trip to Copper Odor City, even an outsider like me could tell that you were acting strangely.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “The source of the living water is not clear enough, and the heart-field naturally becomes muddy.”

Jiang Shangzhen chuckled, “That’s no small matter.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I’ll take it slow.”

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “Are you still planning to venture north to the Juru Continent?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Things can be considered from a step back, but walking on two feet, we still need to meet the challenges head-on.”

Jiang Shangzhen stopped speaking.

Chen Ping’an asked, “That Profound Capital Temple has a peach forest grotto-heaven, and you also have a cloud cave blessed land. Is managing them very exhausting?”

Jiang Shangzhen put his hands behind his head. “If you obsess over the details, there will be endless problems and endless tasks.”

Chen Ping’an hummed in agreement and looked into the distance.
Jiang Shangzhen crossed one leg, “After the eight mural goddesses left, this place became a cave paradise of relatively low rank, but for the Pima Sect, it is a very important territory. Managing it well is equivalent to having another Jade Pure Realm cultivator. Managing it poorly will also delay one or two Nascent Soul cultivators. In the final analysis, it still depends on Zhu Quan’s skills. After all, all the cave heavens and blessed lands and large and small secret realms in the world are bottomless pits if you really want to nurture them properly, even more so than those sword cultivators who eat silver. Perhaps you, Chen Ping’an, will have them in the future. Remember one thing, when you have that day, never, ever be a living Bodhisattva who rescues people from suffering, otherwise a good thing will turn into a disaster. Business is business, recognizing money and not people is inevitable. For example, my Cloud Grotto Blessed Land, in its heyday, had fifty million ants, like that bamboo forest, which also ushered in a once-in-a-millennium great year. After the rain, spring bamboo shoots emerged, and earth immortals emerged one after another. I became complacent, and as a result, I almost died inside after a trip. In a fit of anger, I harvested a wave, which is how I have my current family fortune.”

Chen Ping’an remained noncommittal.

Jiang Shangzhen began to collect his magical treasures, putting all the items that sealed the doors of the eight murals into his sleeves one after another.

Only the Cloud Sea Gate remained motionless. Jiang Shangzhen wanted to see Zhu Quan’s final strike, as a farewell gift for himself leaving the Northern Club Reed Continent.

Chen Ping’an said, “If one day I truly regard you as a friend, wouldn’t that be terrible?”

Jiang Shangzhen smiled, “Do you feel it violates your original intention? Have you changed too much? It may be a bad thing for you, Chen Ping’an. This may be the advantage and disadvantage brought about by different paths. I, Jiang Shangzhen, seek change and follow the trend. As long as I have an anchor in my heart, I don’t need to pay attention to the turbulent waves on the lake, so my path of cultivation has been quite pleasant along the way. Moreover, I have lived for so long, and I have seen all kinds of people and things, so I am more and more adept at dealing with them. Chen Ping’an, you are probably seeking immobility, and you are still young, so when you see good here and evil there, you feel that you need to be careful, so you are always constrained and stumble. Cultivation is of course very difficult. On the other hand, as long as you can hold on, it is a series of sharpenings and benefits. There is no high or low, good or bad between you and me. We each have our own fate. In fact, it’s not just you and me, but others, Gao Cheng, Zhu Quan, old monks and old Taoists, are the same. I have always felt that in the matter of cultivation, the path taken itself has no high or low status. I have never believed in dead ends.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “From beginning to end, these words of yours are worth a fortune.”

Jiang Shangzhen was quite proud, his face changed, and he smiled, “Then, what about Sui Youbian?”

Chen Ping’an was a little puzzled.

Jiang Shangzhen looked strange, clenched his fists with both hands, and shook his thumbs, “Isn’t there anything?”

Chen Ping’an rolled his eyes and didn’t bother to say a word.

Jiang Shangzhen shook his head, “A waste of talent!”

With a bang.

In the sea of clouds, a blade of light slashed out, and several radiant door-blocking treasures shattered and scattered. Jiang Shangzhen looked up and laughed loudly, “Little Quan’er, what fine swordsmanship! It makes your brother Zhou Fei dazzled and his heart jump!”

Chen Ping’an glanced at the completely destroyed magic weapons, feeling sorry for Jiang Shangzhen. Isn’t that a waste of talent?

“I’m leaving! Little Quan’er, no need to see me off!”

Jiang Shangzhen stood up, rolled up his sleeves, collected all the remaining magic weapons, and at the same time, used his natal willow leaf to split a mural city gate, and the whole person turned into a long rainbow and fled away, the speed was as fast as lightning, comparable to a sword immortal’s flying sword.

Chen Ping’an was a little envious. If he had this ability to escape, even if he went to the Ghost Domain Valley again, or even wandered around the Jingguan City, it might be fine?

Zhu Quan, holding a long sword, landed on the railing, full of imposing manner and evil aura. After hesitating for a moment, she still didn’t go to the mural city to chase Jiang Shangzhen, and shouted loudly, “Jiang, if you dare to come to my Pima Sect again, I’ll chop off your three legs!”

Jiang Shangzhen suddenly poked his head out from the mural gate of the Hanging Inkstone Goddess, “Don’t use that magical blade, would a hand blade work?”

Zhu Quan held her sword and roared.

A full half an hour later, Chen Ping’an waited for Zhu Quan to return to the cave abode. The female sect master still carried the faint aura of the sea breeze, definitely having chased her all the way to the sea.

Zhu Quan was a little sullen, sheathed her sword, sat on the railing, and stretched out her hand.

Chen Ping’an tossed over a pot of rice wine.

Zhu Quan raised her head and drank heartily, her face not looking very good, and asked, “Are you and Jiang Shangzhen friends?”

Chen Ping’an’s face did not blush and his heart did not beat, and he said righteously, “Once in a blessed land in Tongye Continent, we were enemies of life and death. At that time, he was called Zhou Fei.”

Zhu Quan glanced at Chen Ping’an and sneered, “Men’s words are just deceiving ghosts.”

Chen Ping’an drank wine to calm his nerves.

Zhu Quan snorted coldly, “Being able to pee in the same pot with Jiang Shangzhen, I don’t think you’re a good thing either.”

Chen Ping’an just drank silently.

Zhu Quan angrily said, “Admitting it?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “No.”

Zhu Quan’s face softened, “If it wasn’t for that sentence you said earlier about being dedicated, which was somewhat human, I would have couldn’t help but give you a sword.”

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly.

Zhu Quan said, “You just need to travel north next, I will keep a close eye on that Jingguan City, as long as Gao Cheng dares to show his face again, this time it will never just be a loss of a hundred years of cultivation. Don’t worry, it’s extremely difficult for Gao Cheng to enter and exit the Ghost Domain Valley and the Bone Beach quietly. Next, the Pima Sect’s guardian formation will always be in a half-open state. Unless Gao Cheng is willing to lose half his life, at least falling back to the Nascent Soul Realm, you will not have any danger. It’s okay to swagger out of the Bone Beach.”

Chen Ping’an breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Quan smiled, “If I were you, I would stand at the memorial archway that connects the Bone Beach and the Ghost Domain Valley, and scold Gao Cheng there for three days and three nights. As long as he shows his face, you can rely on our Muyi Mountain’s ancestral mountain spirit to escape. Once Gao Cheng leaves, you can show your face and go back and forth, infuriating Gao Cheng to death, wouldn’t that be pleasant? Anyway, it’s our Pima Sect who is spending the money, and we Pima Sect is happy to spend this money.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I should take a fairy ferry boat around the Bone Beach. After leaving the Bone Beach for several thousand miles, I will disembark and travel.”
Zhu Quan glared, “You’re not even as good as Jiang Shangzhen? If it were him, after suffering such a huge loss, he’d deal with that Gao Cheng even more ruthlessly than I would. This guy, other than anything else, his ability to disgust people is top-notch.”

Zhu Quan raised her thumb. “Back then, a certain sect formed a great feud with him, and he blocked them for ten years, causing all cultivators below the Earth Immortal realm to be afraid to travel alone. Before Jiang Shangzhen finally left, he sent a parting gift. Overnight, he erected seven or eight steles at the foot of the mountain, filled with vulgar curses, fabricating all sorts of things, and concocting scandalous love affairs for all the sect’s elders and Earth Immortal cultivators, regardless of gender. The content was extremely filthy and debased, yet possessed a certain literary flair. To this day, those scandalous pamphlets still circulate on the mountain.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Why would I compare myself to Jiang Shangzhen in such things?”

Zhu Quan thought for a moment, “That’s right. It’s best not to learn anything from that lecher.”

Chen Ping’an breathed a sigh of relief.

Dealing with this female Sect Master was even more tiring than fighting to the death.

Outside the peach forest, a white bone ghost clad in green robes and carrying a sword stood beside two stone tablets, not entering the peach forest.

A thin old monk, draped in a large kasaya, appeared before it.

It was the white bone ghost of Pu Rang, the city lord of White Cage City, its voice hoarse as it said, “You finally dare to come out and see me?”

The old monk clasped his hands together, remaining silent.

Pu Rang gripped the hilt of her sword, and instantly, sword Qi permeated the air, shrouding Pu Rang like mist, and in an instant…

Pu Rang was still clad in green robes and carrying a sword, but no longer the skeletal frame. Instead, she was a… spirited and heroic woman.

She slowly said, “Living is full of fears, life is more precarious than morning dew. From love comes sorrow, from love comes fear. Even if I don’t understand Buddhism, how could I not know this? I know it was me who delayed you in breaking through the final barrier. It’s my fault. For so many years, I deliberately wandered the Ghost Domain as a skeleton, just to make you feel guilty!”

Once so bright and cheerful in life, and even after death as a ghost, she was still so decisive.

Recalling their first meeting, a young monk traveled the world, and happened to see a village girl working in the fields, holding a rice seedling in one hand and wiping sweat with the other.

Under the sunlight, the girl, who wasn’t particularly beautiful, was not only moving but also shook the young monk’s immovable Buddhist principles.

Like a dream, like an illusion, like dew, like lightning.

At this moment, the old monk lowered his gaze, always clasping his hands together, and softly said, “Benefactor Pu Rang, there’s no need to blame yourself so much. It is this poor monk’s own inner demon at work. Benefactor Pu Rang only needs to immerse yourself in the Great Dao, and you can prove longevity and immortality.”

Pu Rang smiled bitterly, “It’s always been like this.”

She turned and left.

The old monk chanted a Buddhist verse and also turned to leave.

At the crossroads of the Great Round Moon Temple and the Little Profound Capital Temple.

An old Daoist appeared out of nowhere, and the old monk stopped in his tracks.

The old Daoist seemed to want to ask this old neighbor a question.

The old monk had obviously already guessed it, and slowly said, “That young benefactor said on the banks of the Black River, ‘To achieve this result, one must have this heart.’ This poor monk also had a word that he never said to him, ‘To have this heart, one will achieve this result.'”

The old Daoist asked, “Why didn’t you say it?”

The old monk smiled slightly, “The Buddha is in Ling Mountain, there is no need to seek afar, nor is there any need to seek externally.”

The old Daoist shook his head and vanished in a flash.

The old monk remained standing in place, bending down and reaching out, as if scooping up a handful of water, murmuring, “Holding green seedlings, I plant them in the fields, lowering my head, I see the sky in the water.”

A skeletal beach immortal ferryboat did not head straight north, but instead went to a certain place on the southeast coast.

In the night, under the lamplight, Chen Ping’an was reading a military treatise.