Upon noticing Chen Ping’an approaching, Zhang Shanfeng rose to his feet, furled his oiled-paper umbrella, and walked toward him, stepping backward as he anxiously asked, “Are you alright?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Alright and not alright.”

Zhang Shanfeng bristled. “Speak in a way I can understand!”

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly. “Then I’m alright.”

Zhang Shanfeng pressed, “Truly?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “More genuine than immortal money.”

At the mention of money, Zhang Shanfeng winced. “That Water Dragon Sect is unreasonable, demanding a Lesser Heat coin just to enter the Dragon Palace Grotto.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “I’m currently in debt to the tune of two thousand-odd Grain Rain coins.”

Zhang Shanfeng began to calculate with his fingers, but Chen Ping’an quickly stopped him. Even so, Zhang Shanfeng blurted out, “Two million-plus Snowflake coins?!”

Chen Ping’an ran a hand over his face.

When earning money, he loved converting a Grain Rain coin into Snowflake coins, but when owing debts, he found it utterly distasteful.

Zhang Shanfeng suddenly said, “Chen Ping’an, some matters, even friends can’t assist with. One can only rely on oneself to slowly figure them out.”

During his first foray into the world to slay demons and vanquish evil, this non-clan celestial master of Dragon Tiger Mountain had barely scraped through, almost succumbing to the trials. It was with a heavy heart that he journeyed to Treasure Bottle Continent, where he met Chen Ping’an and Xu Yuanxia, gradually opening his heart and even developing a rudimentary, unrefined fist technique.

Chen Ping’an softly acknowledged with an “Mm.”

The deepest inquiries pierce the heart the most.

Chen Ping’an’s current state of mind was, of course, not as lighthearted as his words and expression suggested.

Zhang Shanfeng retrieved a porcelain bottle from his satchel. “This bottle of Water Elixir was a gift from a friend of my master from the Mirage Marsh of the Central Earth. My master said that since you gifted me the Celestial Master Seal and the True Martial Sword, he ought to return the favor.”

Chen Ping’an was momentarily surprised, but he didn’t hesitate to accept the bottle. Not only was it cool to the touch, but his entire Water Mansion seemed to stir with unusual activity. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “A gift from the Water Deity of the Central Earth Mirage Marsh?”

The Lake Lord of Azure Canopy Lake had also gifted him Water Elixirs, and he had witnessed Liu Chongrun’s secret hoard of Water Palace elixirs, but they were worlds apart from the Mirage Marsh Water Elixir in his hand.

The upside-down mountain immortal book had mentioned the Mirage Marsh, a vast swamp in the Central Earth Divine Continent. Could this be a Water Elixir refined from the lifeblood Water Vein of the Mirage Marsh Lake Lord?

Zhang Shanfeng nodded. “It is that Mirage Marsh Water Elixir, but my master says its grade isn’t too high. He says his relationship with the various Water Deities of the world is only so-so, and he couldn’t obtain the best Water Elixir.”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but smile wryly. The “best” that the Fire Dragon Real Person spoke of would truly be the best in all of the Vast Expanse Heaven and Earth. And what he called “not too high” must still be exceptionally high.

The Mirage Marsh was extremely renowned in the Central Earth Divine Continent, with its vast waters and an Upper Fifth Realm Deity overseeing it. The Lake Lord’s Water Mansion was the famous Mianchi Palace, rumored to possess the greatest Dragon King Basket in the world, an item of suppression. The Mirage Marsh had countless legendary relics. It was said that an unknown Daoist, on a moonlit night, was boating on the lake when a Jiaolong, fleeing from its heavenly tribulation, dove into the Mirage Marsh. Lightning chains and thunderous ropes filled the sky, but the Jiaolong escaped into the Daoist’s sleeve. The Daoist then fended off the heavenly tribulation, helping the Jiaolong escape its calamity, giving rise to the beautiful verse, “Under the thunderous whips, there is nowhere to hide, but to escape into the gentleman’s sleeves.”

Chen Ping’an gripped the heavy Water Elixir bottle, turned to look at Zhang Shanfeng, and softly said, “Zhang Shanfeng, you have a good master.”

Zhang Shanfeng grinned. “I knew that already.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “The Old Real Person has a good disciple.”

Zhang Shanfeng shook his head. “There are many disciples like me on Crouching Peak.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I don’t think so.”

Zhang Shanfeng beamed. “Always spouting such obvious truths.”

Chen Ping’an put an arm around the young Daoist’s shoulder, and Zhang Shanfeng lowered his head and bent over, trying to return the embrace by wrapping his arm around Chen Ping’an’s neck.

A bit of horseplay.

Chen Ping’an led Zhang Shanfeng into the residence, into the house.

Zhang Shanfeng glanced at the green bamboo walking stick and the Sword Immortal on the wall, and smiled. “Still the same as ever.”

Chen Ping’an fetched him a chair, and the two sat facing each other.

Zhang Shanfeng began to recount his experiences traveling through the Central Earth Divine Continent and the Southern娑婆 Continent with his master, eventually mentioning Liu Xianyang, who was studying at the Chen Clan of Pure Confucianism.

Chen Ping’an listened quietly to Zhang Shanfeng’s account, his heart serene, the ripples gradually calming.

Zhang Shanfeng then began to talk about his journey back home, but suddenly realized that the fellow across from him had fallen asleep while listening.

Feeling somewhat helpless, Zhang Shanfeng tiptoed to his feet, quietly left the room, and after gently closing the door, squatted under the eaves, lost in thought.

The world was strange. Some people only fixated on what others had, without thinking about why. His master said this was called being blinded by a leaf, and also said that the stranger thing about the world was that thinking this way wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Zhang Shanfeng had always felt out of place in this world, and it had little to do with his cultivation level.

Only when he stayed on Crouching Peak to cultivate slowly, or traveled the world with Chen Ping’an and Xu Yuanxia, or was alone, facing the silent天地山 water, far from the hustle and bustle, would he not make mistakes or harm others, and天地 would not harm him. Only then would Zhang Shanfeng feel a little better.

Zhang Shanfeng asked his master if there was a major problem with his seeking-the-Dao heart.

His master said there was no problem at all, and added that Confucianism was doing addition, cultivating oneself, ordering the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world, taking everything upon oneself. If one could shoulder it all, one could enter the Central Earth Temple. Daoism, on the other hand, was doing subtraction, each thing could be separated and cleared, all relationships could be severed, and with 物我 two forgotten, one could be worry-free. In the end, one would arrive at a place of purity. Buddhism, from self-salvation in the Lesser Vehicle to the salvation of others in the Greater Vehicle, gradually realizing from gradual enlightenment to sudden enlightenment, the 幡 moving, the heart moving, the three leakless戒定慧, were actually all a matter of adding and subtracting. The three teachings seemed to have vastly different roots, with paths and directions that differed in a thousand ways, but cultivation was actually just people walking, and were still similar.

Zhang Shanfeng squatted on the steps, turned his head, and glanced at the closed door.

His master was right. Everyone was a small天地. Close the door, and outsiders couldn’t see the true scenery inside.

Just then, Chen Ping’an softly called out Zhang Shanfeng’s name from inside the house.

Zhang Shanfeng quickly replied, “Here, right outside.”

Only then did Chen Ping’an say, his voice slightly tired, “Then I’ll sleep a little longer. I didn’t used to feel it, but I’m a bit fatigued now.”

Zhang Shanfeng said, “Rest well.”

Zhang Shanfeng folded his hands in his sleeves, squatted in place, gently swaying back and forth, a smile on his face.
Down below the mountains, some children displayed remarkable precocity. Whether they would ultimately become cultivators of that mountain was not strange.

What was truly peculiar was their capacity to accommodate two extremes of learning and temperament, constantly clashing yet never resulting in utter destruction. In True Man Fire Dragon’s view, this was the true crucible, the very essence of cultivation.

Innate purity of heart was difficult to safeguard and maintain without regression. Acquired sincerity was difficult to find; truth being the utmost sincerity. Utmost sincerity shines brilliantly like the sun, yet also glows softly like the moon.

His own disciple, Zhang Shanfeng, and his friend, Chen Pingan, possessed two distinct natures, thus requiring the impartation of two distinct cultivation methods.

True Man Fire Dragon felt a tinge of resentment towards Sage Wen and Qi Jingchun. Since they had each acknowledged a disciple and junior brother, why not invest more effort in them? Why allow Chen Pingan to wander so far on his own? Were they not afraid he might die prematurely? Or stray down a wrong path, or simply give up and become a monk, or truly comprehend and enter the Taoist path? This was something True Man Fire Dragon couldn’t fathom. Why hadn’t Sage Wen chosen to keep Chen Pingan by his side, teaching him personally? And why, even though Qi Jingchun had to die, couldn’t he have done more with his knowledge and abilities?

Truly, one was more carefree than the other.

True Man Fire Dragon considered himself broad-minded, but compared to these two scholars, he seemed lacking.

Suddenly, True Man Fire Dragon uttered a soft “Eh?” He looked around, seemingly encountering another enigma. However, after a moment’s contemplation, the old immortal chose to disregard it.

Beneath the lake between the islands of White Armor and Verdant Beard.

A carriage was suspended in the water, with Water Chief Li Yuan and Lady Shen Lin of the Southern Scent Water Palace standing side by side.

Shen Lin exclaimed in surprise, “This person actually knows True Man Fire Dragon?”

Li Yuan sneered, “Don’t I also know that old codger?”

Shen Lin smiled. Of course, he knew him. He had even been suppressed by True Man Fire Dragon at the bottom of the Ji River for over a month using water magic.

Although the Northern Grand洲 steadfastly believed that this Old True Man of Crouching Peak was the most proficient in fire magic in the world, without equal, the fact that True Man Fire Dragon was also skilled in water magic was known to few.

Shen Lin was lost in thought.

Just then, Li Yuan’s scalp prickled.

It turned out that the old immortal on the shore was smiling and waving at their carriage.

Li Yuan was about to disperse into golden light when he abandoned the thought, because True Man Fire Dragon had already appeared beside the carriage, standing on the back of a snow-white steed.

Shen Lin immediately performed a Taoist salute, respectfully saying, “Shen Lin, a former member of the Southern Scent Water Palace, greets True Man Fire Dragon!”

True Man Fire Dragon was quite courteous to this Water God Lady, smiling and saying, “All dharmas follow nature, walk with destiny, and let water find its own channel.”

The Water God Lady, whose face resembled shattered celadon porcelain, trembled in her heart and said in a shaking voice, “Thank you for your teachings, True Man.”

True Man Fire Dragon smiled without speaking, glancing at Li Yuan. “Oh, isn’t this Water Chief Li from our Ji River Shrine? This poor Taoist can see Water Chief Lord wherever I go. Truly, fate is unstoppable.”

Li Yuan wore a stiff expression, pretending to be deaf and mute.

So what if your Taoist magic is high? You can’t just act against me because you don’t like me, right?

True Man Fire Dragon smiled. “Water Chief Li, since we’re both idle, why don’t you chat with this poor Taoist?”

Li Yuan looked bewildered and said, “I’m busy, very busy.”

True Man Fire Dragon flicked his sleeves. “Oh?”

Li Yuan immediately said, “I can be not busy for now.”

An old Taoist and a young man left the carriage, walking on the water.

Shen Lin used her divine powers to control the carriage, returning to the summer palace.

Once Shen Lin left, Li Yuan immediately flattered, “Old Brother Fire Dragon, why didn’t you give me a heads-up when you came to the Water Dragon Grotto-Heaven? Being so distant, are you looking down on this down-on-his-luck little brother?”

True Man Fire Dragon grunted.

That’s right, this poor Taoist is looking down on you, Water Chief Li.

Li Yuan felt like he couldn’t have a normal conversation.

As the dignified Water Chief of a Great River, he was now underwater, yet felt like he was in a prison, completely uneasy.

After a long silence, the two swam far away underwater, their figures ethereal and light like clouds.

True Man Fire Dragon finally spoke, “Since the founding of the Water Dragon Sect, they haven’t treated you badly, Li Yuan, have they? So why are you still putting on airs, insisting on placing the Ancestral Hall’s seat at the head? Constantly reminding the Water Dragon Sect’s successive Sect Masters that the Ancestral Hall is your territory? That they are just tenants? Is there water in your brain, Water Chief? Do you really think of yourself as the Lord of the Jianghu, daring to be so arrogant and domineering?”

Li Yuan said weakly, “Accusations are easy to make. Old True Man, say what you will. I admit it all.”

True Man Fire Dragon coldly laughed, “A huge debt of gratitude is being squandered by you. The favorable weather and smooth waters of the Water Dragon Grotto-Heaven, are generally worry-free. What’s that got to do with you? Isn’t Shen Lin the one working hard? Why did you stand idly by when that Sword Immortal stole the Grotto-Heaven’s Water Vein Treasure? He could deceive the busy Shen Lin and the Southern Scent Water Palace, but can he deceive you, who is always loafing around?”

Li Yuan curled his lips, “The Water Dragon Sect didn’t say anything either.”

True Man Fire Dragon, of course, knew more of the twists and turns involved, it wasn’t a simple matter of right and wrong. But everything in the world can ultimately be viewed in terms of its broad outcome. And the outcome is often the cause of the next karma. Like the ripples on a lake, seeing all of the water is difficult, but the rise and fall of each ripple, if a cultivator cannot see them clearly, what are they cultivating?

The old immortal said in a deep voice, “If it weren’t for this poor Taoist having old ties with that person, do you think this poor Taoist would be willing to waste half a sentence with you?”

Li Yuan sighed and stopped pretending to be foolish. His expression was desolate and helpless as he said, “I’ve watched the rise and fall of the Water Dragon Sect, the increase and decrease of incense offerings, for many years. I’ve died many hopes. Now I find it all meaningless. This generation’s Sect Master, Sun Jieren, is not bad, but what can he do? It’s not like I haven’t considered letting the Water Dragon Sect refine the Ji River Shrine, but the two people I valued before both failed to become Sect Master. One of them was even killed by me and the Water Dragon Sect together. The Water Dragon Sect is living under someone else’s roof, and I’ve disgusted them year after year. They brought it upon themselves.”

True Man Fire Dragon seemed to pity him for his misfortune and be angry at his lack of ambition. “Stubborn fool!”

On the mountain, there’s the saying:

Painting a dragon and dotting the eyes, turning stone into jade, playing the lute to a cow, and speaking gibberish to a duck. Which saying isn’t a form of learning?

Only the difference between immortals cannot be bridged.

True Man Fire Dragon then said, “Just try to be a good person.”

Li Yuan became enraged out of humiliation and said, “True Man Fire Dragon, don’t bully me just because your Taoist magic is high!”
The Fire Dragon True Man pressed down on the Water Official youth’s head with a palm, asking with a jovial smile, “What about bullying you?”

Li Yuan felt like crying but had no tears, his face scrunched up. “Then I’ll listen to the Old True Man and behave like a proper person.”

The Fire Dragon True Man lightly struck down with his palm, sending Li Yuan crashing directly into the bottom of the lake pit. He chuckled and scolded, “You only remember the beatings, not the kindness.”

Li Yuan lay at the bottom of the pit, feigning death.

The Fire Dragon True Man descended into the pit, his expression serious. “Don’t truly think of yourself as some lofty god.”

Li Yuan opened his eyes. “What if I don’t belong anywhere, wouldn’t that be even worse?”

The Fire Dragon True Man shook his head. “Self-righteousness indeed makes you difficult to teach.”

Li Yuan rested his hands behind his head, his expression blank. “I’m just a frog at the bottom of a well, who never sees the light of day.”

The Fire Dragon True Man had already quietly left without him noticing.

Li Yuan sighed, “I got slapped for nothing again.”

The Fire Dragon True Man slowly walked into the Fushui Island residence.

Chen Ping’an was already awake, watching Zhang Shanfeng practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard.

Seeing the Old True Man, Chen Ping’an was about to offer his respects, but the Fire Dragon True Man waved his hand. “It’s not tiring; sincerity is enough. This old Daoist has that much insight. Go inside and check your third natal treasure. If there are no flaws, refine it as soon as possible. Cultivating on the mountain, thinking a lot is fine, but that doesn’t mean you have to do things slowly. Furthermore, walking slowly doesn’t necessarily mean taking slow, leisurely steps. Chen Ping’an, you must carefully understand the difference between the two.”

Chen Ping’an silently kept it in mind, placing it in his heart.

Zhang Shanfeng stopped his fist practice and walked into the house with his master and Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an carefully took out the broken pieces of the wooden statues from the mountain peak Daoist temple, from his miniature space.

The Fire Dragon True Man flicked his sleeve, and a layer of qi energy like a dark green tabletop appeared in the room, smooth and bright like a mirror.

Chen Ping’an then took out the thirty-six bluestone bricks that paved the Daoist temple floor.

One hundred and twenty-two pieces of emerald green glazed tiles.

And a large clump of bamboo branches and a pile of bamboo leaves scavenged from that green bamboo.

The Fire Dragon True Man asked, “A collection of possessions gradually accumulated from many blessed lands and paradises?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “They were all found in one place.”

He was too embarrassed to say that they were “picked up.”

The Fire Dragon True Man’s eyes looked peculiar. “Are you a bandit?”

Chen Ping’an was about to take out the remaining treasures from the mountain but had to stop himself.

The lady’s fan and the pair of Dragon King baskets bought from “Sun Daoist,” the ancient mirror gifted by Teacher Huang, the Daoist mind purification plaque, the palindrome poem jade bracelet, and the burlwood pot.

He originally intended to have the Old True Man take a look and estimate their value.

The Fire Dragon True Man glanced at the pile of broken wood again. Without rushing to reveal the secret, he pointed to the bluestone bricks. “Their toughness is no less than the Dragon Slaying Platform that sword cultivators dream of because they have been soaked in the true meaning of Daoism for many years. The essence of water they contain is just a superficial appearance. If you abandon the bluestone bricks to extract the water element, that would be a supreme waste of heavenly creation.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at Zhang Shanfeng beside him.

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed. “Don’t even think of giving them away! Keep them for yourself! The number thirty-six, which matches the Heavenly罡 stars, is proof of your affinity with Daoism. Missing one piece would ruin everything.”

The Old True Man pointed to a key acupoint on Chen Ping’an. “The human body is a small world. 罡, the four cardinal directions, represent firmness. Taking the center of the four directions is my heart. The heavenly 罡 is the essence of yin and yang, true earth. One virtual and one real, both are great concepts of our Daoist sect. Haven’t you refined Five-Colored Earth into a natal treasure of the Five Elements? Perfect. Refine the thirty-six bluestone bricks properly and use them as the mountain roots of the mountain in your heart. It can also nourish the cultivator’s mind, killing two birds with one stone. However, refining this object will consume a lot of spiritual energy. Shaping the mountain roots is no simple matter. Later, I will teach you a set of incantations. Dragon veins are divided into mountains and rivers. Your refining methods are not suitable for creating mountains.”

The Fire Dragon True Man picked up a glazed tile and laughed. “Do you know how many immortal coins this glazed tile is worth if sold to the right person?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head.

The Fire Dragon True Man extended a palm and shook it.

Chen Ping’an tentatively asked, “Ten Lesser Heat coins?”

The Fire Dragon True Man joked, “Ten Lesser Heat coins? Is it worth me shaking my hand?”

Zhang Shanfeng whispered, “Ten Grain Rain coins, Grain Rain coins!”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Does it have to be sold to the Liuli Pavilion of the White Emperor City in Middle Earth Divine Continent?”

The Fire Dragon True Man nodded. Chatting with smart people saves effort. “For ordinary immortal cultivators, a glazed tile is worth at most one Grain Rain coin. For those who don’t know its value, they wouldn’t even want to take it for a few Lesser Heat coins because this thing only has a miraculous effect when accumulated in large quantities. If there are too few, it’s just a flashy gimmick and doesn’t do anything.”

Chen Ping’an was relieved that he didn’t sell his possessions cheaply. Otherwise, if he learned the truth afterward, wouldn’t his Daoist heart be thrown into chaos again?

The Fire Dragon True Man picked up a bamboo branch and laughed. “It’s a descendant of one of the ten ancestral bamboos of the Green Mountain Deity of Bamboo Sea Paradise. It can be called a direct descendant. Bamboo has a stone-like texture, so it can be made into a tool. Its virtue is its tenacity. The bamboo body is straight, the bamboo joints are progressing, it has a hollow heart, and it carries literature and passes it down to future generations. All of these are virtues. What kind of virtue do you think this one you encountered has? That you encountered it by chance and inevitably?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “I can’t guess.”

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed. “That’s right.”

This was actually Chen Ping’an’s denial of all his determinations after questioning his heart.

If a cultivator’s quest for truth is just to seek the death of the heart, then why would so many people from the other hundreds of schools of thought besides Taoism cultivate the Way?

It doesn’t really matter which bamboo or what kind of virtue you encounter.

Chen Ping’an didn’t actually know what was right about it.

Zhang Shanfeng felt that if his master said it was right, then it was right.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be good if his master kept making things difficult for Chen Ping’an.

The Fire Dragon True Man suddenly said, “Shanfeng, go practice your fist techniques in the courtyard.”

Zhang Shanfeng said, “Okay.”

Without asking why, he went out the door.

The Fire Dragon True Man reached out and grabbed. The broken pieces of the wooden statue on the table flew or floated, lightly colliding with each other. Swaying slowly, they finally reassembled into a middle-aged Daoist god statue.

Like the remaking of the golden body of a mountain and water deity.

Looking at this “middle-aged Daoist,” the Fire Dragon True Man sighed softly.

Then, the Fire Dragon True Man put away his memories and looked solemn, and said in a deep voice: “Chen Ping’an, where did this statue come from?”
Chen Pingan then recounted the experience of his mountain visit and treasure hunt in general terms.

He glossed over many of Sun Daoist’s exploits within the Immortal Abode ruins.

However, Chen Pingan still underestimated the breadth of knowledge and mastery of the Fire Dragon True Man.

The Fire Dragon True Man gazed at the wooden statue and slowly said, “This person was slain by Dao Laoer (Dao the Second) who wore Dharma robes and wielded an immortal sword. Among his direct disciples, there was one named Song Maolu, who surpassed his predecessor and was a prodigy not seen in the Azure Underworld for a thousand years. With his own strength, he gathered nearly sixty percent of the Daoist forces outside of the White Jade Capital. Imagine, in our Vast Expanse World, if someone could contend against half of the Confucian school, what a sight that would be!”

Chen Pingan could not imagine such a thing.

The Fire Dragon True Man continued to reveal secrets of another world. Having reached his realm, especially with merit accumulated, he could directly call out the names of Sages without regard for taboo. He continued, “As for this statue, it is not the ordinary kind of statue commonly enshrined in every Daoist temple of the same lineage. It is an important divine seat second only to this Daoist’s original statue. You can think of it as the out-of-body astral spirit of a cultivator. This wood is refined from the ancestral peach wood planted in the Xuandu Temple.”

The Fire Dragon True Man smiled, “And the master of the Xuandu Temple, the wooden statue’s senior brother, has always been among the top ten figures in the entire Azure Underworld, hailed as the unshakeable fifth person there.

“It can be said that the Daoist Sword Immortal lineage is supported by the prestige of this temple master.”

Speaking of this, the Fire Dragon True Man asked, “Can you be certain there are no lingering problems?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “Certain!”

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “Good heavens, what a windfall.”

If it were an ordinary junior who dared to speak so boldly, the Fire Dragon True Man would have advised caution, urging them to think thrice before acting.

But since it was Chen Pingan, that was unnecessary.

Moreover, since that Grand Xuandu Temple Sun Daoist, who ascended back to the Azure Underworld, was willing to leave this behind, it was itself a form of recognition for Chen Pingan.

The Fire Dragon True Man paused for a moment, glancing at Chen Pingan. At this moment, he seemed to have understood something, vaguely guessing Qi Jingchun’s good intentions, though he didn’t know if his guess was correct.

The Fire Dragon True Man directly asked, “Do you have any naturally occurring treasures prepared for refining a five-elements earth natal item?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “I do.”

The Fire Dragon True Man nodded, “That’s enough then, no need to gild the lily.”

Chen Pingan felt relieved. After all, the opportunity only came once. Unlike Cui Dongshan, who had prepared three portions of Five-Colored Earth, Chen Pingan had originally intended to pursue stability as much as possible, only beginning refinement when the timing was right, the location favorable, and the people harmonious. This was the root of Chen Pingan’s hesitation about whether or not to refine this item at the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven.

The Fire Dragon True Man looked at this young man who liked to consider and reconsider, and smiled.

If it were a wild cultivator from the mountains, they wouldn’t care about the details and would just hastily refine it upon obtaining it.

If it were a registered immortal master with an orderly lineage, their elders would have already helped them devise a plan, perhaps even more concerned than the disciple themselves.

The Fire Dragon True Man reminded, “Before refining, first calm your mind.”

The Fire Dragon True Man joked, “Do you have any other treasures? Take them all out and let me have a look.”

Chen Pingan was not polite and took them out one by one from his Miniature Mountain.

Finally, he even took out that page of scripture, which was a Buddhist sutra.

At first, the Fire Dragon True Man thought nothing of it. But after seeing that page of scripture, he seemed to understand something.

The Fire Dragon True Man helped to appraise the treasures one by one. During this time, he picked up the delicate round fan, lightly shook it as if dusting it off, and smiled as he handed it back to Chen Pingan, “Take another look.”

Chen Pingan took the round fan. It was still painted with a lady holding a fan. But upon closer inspection, he discovered that on the small round fan in the lady’s hand, there was another painting of a lady holding a fan. There was a picture within a picture. After a moment, Chen Pingan quickly closed his eyes, made a fist, and gently pressed it against his brow.

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “Put it away, treasure it well.”

The Fire Dragon True Man put the pair of bamboo-woven Dragon King baskets into his sleeves, “They are too dilapidated. This old Daoist will help you repair them. I’m not boasting, but this is no longer a matter of a few immortal coins. Only through the fusion of water and fire, carefully refining them, can they be restored to their original state without damaging their essence. It is best not to sell this pair of small baskets either. If your mountain ever has a great flood in the future, you can use them to suppress the flood dragons. You must understand that in addition to their use for suppression, the Dragon King baskets are also small Dragon Palaces in the world. When used by cultivators, they are weapons. When flood dragons occupy them, they are natural aquatic dwellings.”

Chen Pingan bowed in gratitude.

After Chen Pingan put away all the items, the Fire Dragon True Man was somewhat hesitant.

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “It shouldn’t be about your own affairs. I understand, you’re curious about the customs of my Prone Peak?”

Chen Pingan braced himself and said, “Old True Man, allow me to be so bold as to say that you can teach Zhang Shanfeng some profound Daoist techniques.”

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed heartily.

It could be said that a cultivator’s realm was the most tangible immortal coin in the world.

But the Fire Dragon True Man’s Prone Peak, precisely because of this, did not allow any disciple to talk about the high or low of their realm.

The reasons for this were not to be told to outsiders.

However, the young man before him was not an outsider.

So the Fire Dragon True Man jokingly asked, “Are you very curious as to why this old Daoist deliberately conceals things from Shanfeng?”

Chen Pingan nodded.

The Fire Dragon True Man turned and walked to the sword immortal hanging on the wall, smiling, “This old Daoist only accepts disciples based on their character, not their aptitude. Who says that a mountain must compete for those so-called geniuses in order to build up its foundation? Would it be better to have many virtuous and honest men in the lower five realms on the mountain, or to accidentally have a bastard in the upper five realms on the mountain?”

The Fire Dragon True Man withdrew his gaze. It was a good sword, but it was actually fighting again.

As expected of Chen Pingan.

The Fire Dragon True Man turned his head and laughed, “It’s not that this old Daoist can say these words because I have reached this realm. But rather, I have always acted according to this principle, steadfastly pursuing the Dao, cultivating strength and cultivating the heart, that I have reached this realm today. Can you understand?”

Chen Pingan replied, “Of course.”

The Fire Dragon True Man said, “This old Daoist is like planting a large tree on Prone Peak, sprouting many branches and twigs, bearing flowers and fruits of different scenery, some high and some low, some early and some late.”
Some are limited by their innate potential, their branches, leaves, blossoms, and fruits falling to the ground. Many senior disciples who ascended the mountain to cultivate before Zhang Shanfeng, for instance, couldn’t break through their respective bottlenecks and passed away. Some disciples are indeed more naturally suited for the path of cultivation, so their lifespans are longer, and their Daoist realms are higher. For example, the peaks of Taixia, Taoshan, Zhixuan, and Baiyun. In my humble opinion, it’s not that the disciples’ realms are higher, it’s just… Daoist attainment isn’t about brute force; it resides in the heart. It’s just that with higher Daoist attainment, reasoning becomes easier. The same principle seems more reasonable. Pa Di Peak has always been trying to avoid this situation from spreading. In my eyes, many disciples who have already passed away are in no way inferior to the upper five realms of Baiyun and the other peaks. Their every word and deed are etched in my heart.”

Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “Whether they cultivate on Pa Di Peak or leave Pa Di Peak to establish their own mountain, I will follow their innate nature. I will impart different Daoist arts. Some need the master to scold and correct them, to avoid detours and mistakes. Some need the master to give them a push, to go faster and be bolder. But in general, the master leads you in, but cultivation depends on the individual. Zhang Shanfeng is different. I don’t need to teach him deliberately. Ordinary masters teach disciples by making them know. But the methods I impart to Shanfeng are most natural, allowing Shanfeng to understand on his own, knowing nothing else. Is this selfishness? It is and it isn’t. Do Zhang Shanfeng’s fellow disciples see it? They do and they don’t. This is Pa Di Peak, seeking truth through cultivation.”

Fire Dragon True Man smiled, “Do cultivators view realms, treasures, and opportunities any differently from how commoners view gold, silver, power, and fortune? If cultivators want to be genuine immortals on the mountain, they must have a different perspective, right? Hard fists, long life, and numerous techniques, does that make them superior immortals? Then there would be a bit too many immortal lords under Heaven.”

Chen Ping’an pondered the old True Man’s words carefully.

Some of the old True Man’s words and principles today will become rules that Fallen Mountain can directly adopt.

Fire Dragon True Man said, “When your cultivation is high and your reputation is great, you will naturally encounter more and more people pointing fingers at you, wanting to teach you, Chen Ping’an, how to be a person.”

The old True Man laughed, “Then you must remember, people today criticize the ancients, and the living criticize the dead, simply because they are taking advantage of the fact that the other party cannot speak. So first, Chen Ping’an, you must not die. Furthermore, the real villains in the world actually like good people the most. Only fools constantly despise good people, constantly complain about Heaven and Earth, and don’t do enough good deeds. These people can’t understand, can’t be taught, can’t be changed, their minds are full of paste, and their bodies are full of resentment. In my opinion, they are the most powerful people in the world, and I have no way to deal with them. The world reasons a lot, just to win or lose, to feel happy. So they like to be binary, to go to extremes, afraid that if they don’t, their own reasoning won’t be enough, won’t be great enough. These people seem to be full of principles, but they are the least reasonable. You must be careful of these clever people. That’s why I sincerely admire Mr. Wen Sheng. When reasoning with people, right is right, good is good. Reasoning is never about fighting, having to beat the other party black and blue and make them beg for mercy on the ground to be considered winning. It’s about you and I ultimately having a shared understanding, each benefiting from it.”

Although Chen Ping’an had not spoken all along.

But Fire Dragon True Man already knew a part of the answer to a certain conjecture.

That was enough.

What a well-intentioned effort of laying the groundwork for thousands of years.

It turned out that it could be this way to protect the Dao.

It seemed that he had underestimated Qi Jingchun’s scholarship before.

Sure enough, the Wen Sheng lineage are all fiercely protective.

So Fire Dragon True Man said a sentence full of profound meaning, mysterious and profound, “Chen Ping’an, sometimes, what you think you have completely lost is what you have truly grasped. So some of your perceived disappointments are where others’ hopes lie.”

Finally, the old True Man patted the young man’s shoulder, “Alright, strike while the iron is hot, and quickly refine the third Natal Treasure! I am personally helping someone guard and protect them, an ordinary cultivator wouldn’t even dare to dream of this kind of treatment. Otherwise, a third realm Qi Practitioner, how dare he go out and wander around?”

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly, “Old True Man just said not to judge cultivators by the level of their realm.”

Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “You, Chen Ping’an, are not a Pa Di Peak cultivator.”

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “That makes sense.”

The old True Man tutted, “Your flattery skills aren’t very good.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “This junior is not very good at speaking.”

Fire Dragon True Man smiled knowingly, “Just be a good person who can be honest to their conscience, even if it breaks their heart.”

With Fire Dragon True Man guarding the place, it would be difficult for Fu Shui Island to have any problems.

Chen Ping’an was in closed-door cultivation, refining his third Natal Treasure.

Before that, Fire Dragon True Man first taught him an ancient incantation for refining objects called the “Refining Three Mountains,” allowing Chen Ping’an to first refine the Daoist essence of the thirty-six bluestone bricks, consolidating the Mountain Shrine and turning it into a fundamental vein of mountain ranges. In the end, that kid actually asked if he could only refine the essence and not the bluestone bricks themselves. Fire Dragon True Man didn’t ask much about what he would use the thirty-six bluestone bricks, which were devoid of Daoist meaning and water energy, for. He only said “yes.”

Otherwise, when the Wood-attribute Natal Treasure was successfully refined, the signs would inevitably be great. The movements on the Water Mansion side were easier to manage. But the Mountain Shrine, refined from the new Five Peaks Five Colors Earth of Treasure Bottle Continent, would inevitably be affected by the Qi energy. The excellent pattern of the three objects complementing each other would be unbalanced from the start. Chen Ping’an might accidentally need to spend a lot of time, resources, and wealth to repair it. Fire Dragon True Man couldn’t afford to lose face.

Fire Dragon True Man was a true mountain top expert, looking down from a high vantage point, seeing Chen Ping’an’s current realm pattern clearly.

The Water Mansion, whether it was the Water Character Seal Natal Treasure, or the unfinished mural that already had a rudimentary shape, plus that small pond,

didn’t need to be more demanding.

Among the favored sons of Heaven from North Ju Lu Continent, those who possessed such a Water Mansion situation could be counted on one or two hands at most. Moreover, the key was to look to the future, to see when Chen Ping’an would be able to deepen the pond into a well, and then into a Dragon Pool.

As for Chen Ping’an’s Natal Mountain Shrine, the materials were relatively ordinary. But it was already no less than the direct disciples of the Patriarch Hall of the Zong Character Head, and its advantage lay in longevity. But regardless, it ultimately couldn’t compare to the Water Mansion and the future Wood Mansion.
However, it took Chen Ping’an a full ten days to refine those thirty-six green bricks with Daoist intent and strip away the power of water.

If it were his own disciples, he estimated that three days would have been enough.

The Fire Dragon True Man didn’t think much of it. On the path of the Great Dao, some people start early and therefore go faster, but the difficulty of climbing a mountain lies in the stamina, and it’s inevitable that one will slow down as one goes. Therefore, only geniuses break through realms non-stop in the early stages of climbing the mountain. Even Li Liu, after reaching the Earth Immortal realm, would linger in the Nascent Soul realm for some time and slow down after entering the Upper Five Realms.

But there was also a small group of people, a very small number, who got faster as they went.

The former were the generally acknowledged favored children of heaven, while the latter could make those favored children of heaven happy for many years, only to suddenly discover one day that they were actually just mediocre.

Chen Ping’an was busy cultivating.

Zhang Shanfeng stayed on Fushui Island, practicing Qi, practicing boxing, and chatting with his master.

One rainy day, Zhang Shanfeng walked along the shore with an umbrella and saw a young man peeking out of the water. The youth asked him a strange question, wondering if Zhang Shanfeng would cry and complain to his master if he was punched.

Zhang Shanfeng squatted by the water and asked how heavy the punch would be.

The youth, bored and full, discussed the severity of the punch with the young Daoist.

After chatting, the Water Warden Li Yuan felt there was a chance.

But then the young Daoist said, “This humble Daoist thinks I should ask my master before deciding whether to take this punch or not.”

Li Yuan felt like he’d been struck by lightning. He had been secretly observing this person for some time, wondering why this little Daoist seemed so foolish, yet not at all honest?

Zhang Shanfeng couldn’t help but laugh, “I was just joking with you. I’ve walked around Fushui Island so many times, it’s rare to have someone to chat with.”

Li Yuan, only showing his head, jumped out of the water, sat cross-legged, and rested his hands on his knees. He asked, “Little Daoist, why do you have such a master, yet your realm is so lacking?”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled, “A master can’t cultivate for their disciple.”

Actually, he always felt that something was wrong with the young man’s head.

Li Yuan shook his head, feeling sorry for this little fool from the Crouching Peak. “Little Daoist, you really don’t know how lucky you are. Your talent must be terrible. If it were someone else, they would have soared to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms. Then, after crying a few times, they would ask their master for some protective treasures. Every time they went down the mountain, wouldn’t they walk around sideways, with everyone calling them ‘Master’?”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled, “It’s not like this humble Daoist is from Crouching Peak, boasting here. With your temper, you wouldn’t even be able to become a Daoist of Crouching Peak. But everyone has their own fate. It’s not like it’s a bad thing if you can’t become a Daoist of Crouching Peak. I think you must be a water deity from some Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven, right? I really envy you, born with the water-repelling divine ability. This humble Daoist can’t do it. I follow my master to cultivate immortal techniques on the mountain, and I learn each one slower than the last.”

Li Yuan squinted and mocked, “But I don’t see you looking anxious at all?”

Zhang Shanfeng rolled his eyes, “If being anxious would help, do you think I wouldn’t be anxious? But I know it doesn’t help, so why bother?”

Li Yuan sighed, “The Old True Man must be upset to have accepted such a vulgar disciple.”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled.

Li Yuan was even more certain that this guy was a little fool.

Then the Fire Dragon True Man must be an old fool, right?

Thinking of this, Li Yuan felt a little relieved and laughed along with the young Daoist.

Then Li Yuan quickly stopped laughing.

The Fire Dragon True Man was standing next to Zhang Shanfeng, also smiling.

Li Yuan stood up and said, “Congratulations, Old True Man, on accepting such a brilliant disciple. He’s more than one in ten thousand, with a promising future on the Great Dao, a promising future indeed.”

This was probably where Li Yuan was better than Sun Jie, the Sect Master of the Water Dragon Sect.

Sun Jie and the Mirage Swamp Water Lord, including Li Yuan’s colleague Shen Lin, would never have the face to say such things in front of the Fire Dragon True Man.

The Fire Dragon True Man said, “Go inform White Armor and Cangran Islands, and also say hello to the Southern Fragrance Water Palace. No matter what happens next, don’t panic.”

Since it was serious business.

As the Water Warden, Li Yuan stopped joking, nodded, and transformed into golden light, disappearing in a flash. He didn’t want to show his face on White Armor and Cangran Islands, so he kept it simple, letting Shen Lin and the Southern Fragrance Water Palace clean up the mess.

As long as it didn’t involve the Ji River and the grotto heaven’s incense, Li Yuan was too lazy to meddle.

Zhang Shanfeng noticed that it wasn’t raining on Fushui Island anymore, so he put away the oiled paper umbrella and whispered, “Master, I think Fushui Island is a bit strange. This rain comes and goes without any warning.”

The Fire Dragon True Man nodded, “Shanfeng, meticulous and insightful.”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled, “I learned it from Chen Ping’an.”

The Fire Dragon True Man asked with a smile, “What did Chen Ping’an learn from you?”

Zhang Shanfeng thought carefully, “Complaining about being poor and hungry?”

The Fire Dragon True Man smiled, “Not bad either.”

About an incense stick later.

Zhang Shanfeng and the Fire Dragon True Man boarded the chartered talisman ship from the Water Dragon Sect and went to the sea of clouds, overlooking Fushui Island from afar.

Zhang Shanfeng suddenly noticed a carriage leaping out of the lake between White Armor and Cangran Islands. A female deity was standing in front, seemingly operating a divine ability, gathering the spiritual energy of the four directions towards Fushui Island.

Zhang Shanfeng suddenly said, “With Chen Ping’an’s temper, if he finds out about what this Water Goddess has done in the future, he’ll be grateful for a long time.”

The Fire Dragon True Man slowly said, “Heaven and Earth create all things and nourish people. How one views Heaven and Earth is a great question for cultivators. It’s the same with a table full of food…”