A group of more than ten individuals, traversing the scorching heat of the Sword Qi Great Wall, passed through the gate and arrived at the snow-swept, wintery Inverted Mountain.

Employing illusionary techniques, they chose a late-night hour on Inverted Mountain and headed directly towards Spring Banner Studio, one of the four private estates.

Among the group were two “Gods of Wealth” from the Sword Qi Great Wall, Yan Ming and Nalan Caihuan.

Apart from the central solitary peak where the Grand Celestial Lord resided, no one detected the sudden appearance of this group of outsiders.

The Grand Celestial Lord looked down towards the gate, with the old Daoist holding a golden whisk by his side. The latter softly inquired, “Master, will there be trouble?”

The Grand Celestial Lord sneered, “Who dares to cause trouble? Those money-grubbing merchants? Do they dare?”

The old Daoist stroked the golden strands of the whisk, crafted from dragon whiskers, “If it’s only using power to suppress others, it may not succeed.”

The Grand Celestial Lord glanced at a man among the group and nodded.

The man caught sight of the Daoist Grand Celestial Lord on the solitary peak and returned the nod.

The Grand Celestial Lord seemed to have only come to see this person, and after acknowledging him, he turned to leave, saying, “After I enter seclusion, you will manage affairs. It’s simple: manage nothing.”

The old Daoist, the Grand Celestial Lord’s most senior disciple, was taken aback, then bowed, holding his whisk, and softly said, “I receive Master’s decree.”

The old Daoist then couldn’t help but ask, “Master, what about Senior Uncle Jiang?”

Once the Master entered seclusion, no one on Inverted Mountain could control that “little Daoist child” from the White Jade Capital’s main lineage.

Regardless of seniority or cultivation, he, this True Lord, dared not interfere. The more disparate the Daoist lineages, the harder it was to reason with them.

The Grand Celestial Lord looked back towards the old gate, where a small Daoist child sat on a prayer mat, flipping through a book and chatting about trivial matters in the book with the sword immortal Zhang Lu, who was drinking wine. The Grand Celestial Lord hesitated and said, “Let him be. In the hundreds of years of guarding Inverted Mountain, Jiang Yunsheng has been relatively well-behaved. Had he been back home, several Inverted Mountains wouldn’t be enough for him to wreak havoc. My junior master dotes on her the most, always taking Jiang Yunsheng along whenever she caused trouble at the Grand Profound Capital Temple. If it weren’t for Sun Daoist developing a desire to kill Jiang Yunsheng, and my junior master foreseeing it, Jiang Yunsheng wouldn’t have needed to come to this Vast Radiance World to avoid disaster and seek fortune.”

Grand Profound Capital Temple, the Sword Immortal lineage of Daoism, Sun Daoist, one of the ten in Azure Darkness Heaven.

The old Daoist sighed, “Senior Uncle Jiang has survived a great disaster, and great fortune is sure to follow.”

Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Changing to another world, fortunes might be reversed. Perhaps in the early years, when Grandmaster Uncle took Jiang Senior Uncle to the Grand Profound Capital Temple to “wreak havoc” and provoke Sun Daoist’s desire to kill, it was all intentional.

Reaching Sun Daoist’s level, once a desire to kill arose, as long as one was far from the White Jade Capital, especially around one’s own Daoist temple, it was entirely possible to manifest the Great Dao and alter one’s fate.

Third Headmaster Uncle’s actions were probably the so-called divine feat.

Of course, the prerequisite was to protect Jiang Yunsheng and ensure his survival as he left Azure Darkness Heaven.

The Grand Celestial Lord had already entered seclusion. The old Daoist remained at the railing, overlooking the entire Inverted Mountain. The world only knew that Inverted Mountain was the largest mountain-shaped seal, but few knew that the Eight Scenic Spots, including Catch-and-Release Pavilion and Elk Cliff, along with the solitary peak beneath their feet, were actually an ancient formation inherited from the Three Mountains Nine Marquises lineage, ultimately creating something akin to an ancient Ascension Platform.

The old Daoist was a disciple taken by the Grand Celestial Lord in the Vast Radiance World, with his hometown here. But the old Daoist was similar to the old boatman who supported Lu Chen, the Third Headmaster, as he sailed out to sea in his early years. For those who cultivate the Dao, where they were born before ascending the mountain is their first home, but where they cultivate after ascending the mountain is the true home where their heart rests. Therefore, the old True Lord stationed at Inverted Mountain, and the old boatman who drifted and wandered the seas year after year, both hoped to ascend to Azure Darkness Heaven to cultivate the Great Dao. However, the Great Dao was high, and the journey was far. Without someone to lead them, and lacking the necessary cultivation, how could they ascend to another world?

The old Daoist watched the secretive cultivators sneaking into Inverted Mountain and found it uninteresting. Since the Master had issued a decree to manage nothing, the old Daoist activated his divine powers and directly appeared at the Catch-and-Release Pavilion, deserted and without tourists in the dead of night. In an instant, this True Lord, who had hunted countless dragons to refine his natal whisk, appeared above the sea, intending to take a look at Dragon Ditch out of boredom.

All the descendants of the True Dragons in Dragon Ditch would have perished long ago had Jiang Yunsheng not said a word to this True Lord. The True Lord only needed to wait for the opportunity to intercept and kill the old rain-making dragons one by one. That whisk should have been a celestial artifact long ago.

Gradually, little by little, turning ordinary mountain items into celestial artifacts through accumulation, was this old True Lord’s skill.

Remembering that ancient secret, the old Daoist stood on the vast sea, sighing with emotion.

Back then, the only person who could persuade that Sword Immortal to sheathe his sword was actually Lu Chen.

To go beyond the six extremes, to wander in the land of nowhere, to dwell in the desolate wilderness.

To commune with the spirit of heaven and earth alone, that Third Headmaster was truly worthy of being called a “sage.”

No wonder in the eyes of this Grandmaster Uncle, all the immortal sects in the Vast Radiance World were merely wrens building nests.

The immortal arts of moving mountains and overturning seas were no more than moles drinking water.

Regarding that Third Headmaster, the more the old Daoist pondered, the more he felt his own insignificance, and he was momentarily dazed.

The little Daoist child exclaimed softly, turning to look at the high楼 railings on the solitary peak. He calculated with his fingers, and it was wondrous.

The sword immortal Zhang Lu asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

The little Daoist child said, “It’s similar to the Buddhist concept of gradual enlightenment reaching a sudden enlightenment, similar, but still lacking a head-on blow.”

Zhang Lu laughed, “You’ve accumulated hundreds of years of friendship, why not lend a hand?”

The little Daoist child shook his head, “Not everyone can deliver a head-on blow. I certainly don’t have that ability. One blow, if slightly off, would only result in a bump on the head for those who haven’t achieved deep gradual enlightenment.”

Zhang Lu laughed, “Read, keep reading. Generally speaking, whenever the little Lord in the book spends the night by a lake or deep pool, there should be a beauty undressing and bathing.”

The little Daoist child didn’t immediately turn the page but suddenly said, “Take it easy. The other party has avoided this gate twice.”

Zhang Lu chuckled, “He’s as sentimental as ever. This kid, I reckon, will never sincerely admire your Daoist teachings.”
The young Daoist priest shook his head, “It’s only directed at the matter, not at the person. It’s not said that way. Those with deep emotions, genuine natures, and utmost sincerity are all good seedlings for cultivation. In reality, our Daoist sect’s knowledge is broader and deeper, higher and farther than you imagine. You cannot look down upon our Daoist school just because my Daoist arts are lacking.”

Zhang Lu yawned, “If you don’t turn the pages and help me stay awake, I won’t be able to stay up all night.”

The young Daoist priest began to turn the pages.

Not long before this, the ferry boat made of earthenware, belonging to the Mountain and Water Grotto of Fuyu Continent, had just sailed a thousand miles from Upside-down Mountain when it suddenly received a flying sword message from a private residence of a sect in Upside-down Mountain. The old Nascent Soul cultivator pondered for a long time. As expected, the sword room of the ferry boat received many flying swords from fellow Daoists. In the end, after weighing the pros and cons, the old Nascent Soul cultivator chose to quietly leave the ferry boat and return to Upside-down Mountain.

Not only the Mountain and Water Grotto, but in fact, the ferry boat representatives who discussed confidential matters at the Spirit Mushroom Inn had also just left Upside-down Mountain not long ago, and they also received flying sword messages from their respective channels, requiring them to rush back to Upside-down Mountain temporarily.

In fact, almost all intercontinental ferry boats that were recently in Upside-down Mountain or had left Upside-down Mountain not too far away were invited to Shao Yunyan’s Spring Banner Residence as “guests.”

The inviter was neither Yan Ming nor Nalan Caihuan, but the “Sword Qi Great Wall.”

This was an unprecedented strange event in the history of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

This was not a trivial matter that outsiders could easily handle or procrastinate. Of course, many great merchants were also curious about the Sword Qi Great Wall’s mobilization of forces. Who would be the person in charge? Who had the qualification? Could it be the old Sword Immortal Nalan Shaowei, who was schemed against by the then-unknown Patriarch of the Mountain and Water Grotto and ended up humiliated? If it was this person, it would save trouble.

Therefore, all the intercontinental ferry boats that received the news, especially those from Central Earth Divine Continent and the Snowy Continent, secretly sent people back. Most of them agreed to meet on the way, needing to speculate on the intentions of the Sword Qi Great Wall together with acquaintances. There was definitely no life-threatening danger. The Sword Qi Great Wall wouldn’t be so insane. They were just afraid that the Sword Qi Great Wall would make a foolish move, creating unnecessary complications and delaying everyone’s steady money-making. But if they could settle the matter with one blow, dispelling the arrogance of the Sword Qi Great Wall, it would be a great thing that would solve the problem once and for all.

The owner of Spring Banner Residence, Shao Yunyan, personally welcomed guests at the door, leading the few remaining trusted elders in the residence to lead the groups of visiting guests to various places in the mansion. Shao Yunyan’s face was kind, and many ferry boat managers were quite flattered. Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan had many favors owed to him because of his treasure gourd vines, not only from major sects of the Vast World, but also from Sword Immortals renowned throughout the continent. Therefore, Spring Banner Residence could not be compared to Plum Blossom Garden or Water Crystal Palace of Rain Dragon Sect. Those who could live in Ape Playground Mansion in Upside-down Mountain were undoubtedly wealthy people, but those who could enter Spring Banner Residence were often those with great Dao achievements and promising futures.

Spring Banner Residence roughly arranged more than ten secluded residences, with the representatives of each continent’s ferry boats gathered together.

Before everyone entered their respective courtyards, Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan smiled and said, “Please have some tea for a moment before going to the main hall of Spring Banner Residence to discuss matters.”

Bai Xi, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mountain and Water Grotto of Southwest Fuyu Continent, didn’t know what Sword Immortal Shao was up to. However, as soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw a person sitting in the main room, looking up at him.

Bai Xi’s heart tightened, lamenting his misfortune.

It was none other than Sword Immortal Xie Zhi from Fuyu Continent!

This person was a true rogue cultivator. Even after becoming a Sword Immortal with rogue roots, he still had no intention of establishing a sect. He liked to travel around, and finally came to the Sword Qi Great Wall. He had no contact with any immortal family forces in Fuyu Continent. In particular, Xie Zhi had never concealed his extremely poor perception of the Mountain and Water Grotto in his early years. He didn’t even have a nodding acquaintance with the Patriarch of the Mountain and Water Grotto.

Inside the main room, there were also several ferry boat managers with similar feelings to Bai Xi, all sitting upright.

In another residence, a Golden Armor Continent ferry boat manager entered the door and also saw a woman meditating in the main seat, with a sword on her back.

Her ordinary appearance was not important. What was important was the long sword “Soaring Ascension” behind her, famous throughout Jinjia and Fuyu Continents. This involved another extremely wonderful story of old acquaintances. How could a long sword named after a continent, and the sword’s owner not being a swordsman of that continent, not have legendary deeds?

Female Sword Immortal Song Ping.

Once, a great poet from Fuyu Continent saw Song Ping from afar and could never forget her for the rest of his life. He yearned for Song Ping for many years, wholeheartedly. He never married in his life, and the poems he wrote for her could be compiled into a collection. Among them, the line “I have seen you and dreamed of you, your pupils are bright and can be used as a candle” was the most widely circulated. Not only that, but there were also several “matching poems” written in Song Ping’s voice, which were also quite charming and touching, making people laugh and feel pitiful.

Several old cultivators from intercontinental ferry boats in the room all had worried expressions. Seeing the newcomer, their fellow sufferer, their faces didn’t improve.

They didn’t have the poet’s leisurely sentiments or lingering affections. They only felt that gathering at Upside-down Mountain today, Spring Banner Residence was easy to enter but difficult to leave.

Song Ping opened her eyes, raised two fingers, picked up the wine glass beside her, and drank it all in one gulp, “Everyone is here? Then I’ll take the liberty of asking everyone to drink some wine before discussing matters.”

The Sword Immortal personally invited people to drink, first drinking a toast.

Northwest Streaming Haze Continent Sword Immortal Pu He was a gaunt, tall, thin old man who was not sitting in the room, but admiring the snow at the door. Several old ferry boat cultivators could only stand in the corridor and watch the goose feather snow.

Pu He was once the most eccentric Sword Immortal in Streaming Haze Continent, killing people based on his whims. It was said that he stayed at the Sword Qi Great Wall to cultivate in seclusion after losing a sword duel at the Sword Qi Great Wall.

After everyone arrived, Pu He said, “You are all businessmen, you like to buy and sell. Since you are all from the same hometown, will you do me a favor? Will you or not?”

Everyone looked at each other.

One of them mustered his courage, cupped his fists slightly, and asked, “May I ask if Sword Immortal Pu is asking us this as a Sword Qi Great Wall swordsman, or is he reminiscing with us as a Streaming Haze Continent Sword Immortal?”

Pu He glanced at the Nascent Soul cultivator who “wouldn’t do him a favor”, “Get out, and tell your ancestor Li Xun that after I return to Streaming Haze Continent, I will bring two or three friends and visit your ancestral hall with swords.”
Before the nascent soul cultivator could react, Pu He unleashed his natal flying sword, the tip aimed directly at the brow of the ferry manager, seemingly intending to detain him on the spot. The man dared not move a muscle. Then, Pu He reached out, grabbed the fellow’s neck, and casually tossed him onto the street outside Chunfan Studio. With ripples of thought echoing in the man’s mind, Pu He declared, “That ferry of yours, is it called ‘Dense Stitch’? Doesn’t seem too sturdy. How about I help you swap it out? Can a reclusive Jade Pure Realm sword cultivator, Ling Ran, truly safeguard it?”

The nascent soul cultivator, who had been about to leave in bitter resentment, froze in place.

This intercontinental ferry was the lifeblood of his sect, famed for its immense size and robustness, named “Dense Stitch” precisely because of the vast number of magical treasures incorporated within. Furthermore, the sect had secretly hired a Jade Pure Realm sword immortal, Ling Ran, to safeguard the ferry, a fact known only to himself and perhaps the ferry itself. After all, that sword immortal’s rare actions were always extremely covert.

The nascent soul cultivator steeled himself and re-entered Chunfan Studio, intending to apologize to Pu He.

He wasn’t afraid of any actions from the Sword Qi Great Wall, as they wouldn’t result in death, and wouldn’t be directed solely at him. But he feared Pu He’s relentless pursuit, which could implicate him and his entire sect, making their lives a living hell.

Among the four most troublesome specters on the mountain, sword cultivators ranked highest.

And a sword immortal willing to abandon all pretense of decorum, especially one native to this continent, could be incredibly difficult to deal with once a feud was established.

Was such a favor worth granting?

Meanwhile, several ferry representatives from Southern娑婆洲 were conversing amiably with their sociable sword immortal, Yuan Qingshu, in a courtyard.

Yuan Qingshu’s approach differed greatly from that of Pu He, Xie Zhi, and Song Pin. He not only brought wine to share in a convivial atmosphere, but also jested that it was the most renowned wine from the Bamboo Sea Grotto Heaven of the Sword Qi Great Wall. Only at the end did he mention that his six direct disciples could be assigned as nominal retainers to the various immortal abodes of his friends. The business at hand could wait until after the wine was consumed and they moved to the central hall.

The contingent from皑皑洲 was numerous, second only to that of the Central Earth Divine Continent.

There was also the female sword immortal, Xie Songhua.

Xie Songhua was a peculiar sword immortal. Though born and raised in皑皑洲, she made her name and rose to prominence in the Central Earth Divine Continent. She refused to identify as an皑皑洲 sword cultivator, declaring that a continent that couldn’t even defend the word “north” didn’t deserve her allegiance. Generally, such a foul-tempered individual, even a sword immortal, would struggle to thrive in the commercially vibrant and unparalleled 皑皑洲, as the immortal factions there feared single powerful individuals the least. However, Xie Songhua had a few like-minded sisters in 皑皑洲, one of whom was a martial artist who enjoyed hunting demonic creatures in the frigid northern regions, and was closely connected to the Liu clan of皑皑洲.

Furthermore, Xie Songhua had always held the sword cultivators of 皑皑洲 in utter contempt. Yet, upon arriving at the Sword Qi Great Wall, she had surprisingly shown some smiles towards the younger generation led by Deng Liang.

Today, after seven or eight people were seated, Xie Songhua’s opening remark was highly impactful: “I have twice drawn my sword at the Sword Qi Great Wall, and have accumulated enough combat merits to slay an immortal realm great demon. I consider my mission here accomplished.”

It didn’t elicit a complete uproar.

But everyone present felt a shiver down their spines.

The Sword Qi Great Wall was currently heavily guarded, and information flow was extremely limited. Furthermore, no one dared to investigate matters without permission. However, one thing was already well-known in Inverted Mountain.

Xie Songhua had drawn her sword and destroyed the very foundation of a Jade Pure Realm sword cultivator from the desolate wilderness. According to the rules of the Sword Qi Great Wall, her combat merits were equivalent to half a great demon in the immortal realm.

It was even the greatest personal achievement of this defense.

Truth be told, the merchants from 皑皑洲, aside from a perfunctory sense of shared glory, were more focused on the business opportunities within this situation.

Whoever could recruit Xie Songhua as a mountain gate retainer would surely make a fortune!

However, no one dared to broach the subject. Everyone knew Xie Songhua’s temperament; uttering such a request would be akin to courting misfortune.

Why did everyone feel so unnerved?

It was precisely because Xie Songhua, a reclusive sword immortal who shunned worldly affairs, was proactively showing up to “discuss business”. What good could come of it?

As expected.

“I owe someone a favor, so I will be traveling with you on your return journey to 皑皑洲.”

Xie Songhua’s subsequent words sent shivers down the spines of everyone present, filling them with anxiety. “He said, merchants never shy away from making money, no matter how ruthless. It is reasonable, without fault. He doesn’t begrudge you, and can even sympathize with you; if you cannot all profit from a transaction, it is his fault. So you can relax, and might even find unexpected pleasantries. After discussing business, I will see who among you have the least money, who are the poorest, who most desperately need to earn money in the Sword Qi Great Wall, and I will escort the intercontinental ferry of that company back to 皑皑洲.”

Xie Songhua, with a bamboo sword case on her back, gazed at the crowd and coldly smiled: “If I fail to protect you adequately, you can blame my lack of ability.”

The ferry managers of 皑皑洲, gathered together, saw Li Cai, the sect master of the Floating Water Lily Sword Lake, crossing the threshold.

Everyone stood up respectfully, cupping their fists in salute.

It wasn’t just because she was a Jade Pure Realm sword immortal or a sect master, but simply because Li Cai dared to come to the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Li Cai didn’t sit down. After returning the greeting, she picked up a prepared pot of wine, and her first words were direct: “Han Huaizi will not be returning. I expect the same for myself. Now that I have said my piece, let us drink.”

The Snow Wind Temple sword immortal, Wei Jin, met with the two ferry managers of Old Dragon City. He didn’t discuss business, but simply inquired about the recent events in Jewel Bottle Continent. Then, his closing remarks were: “Once I ascend to the immortal realm, if I don’t die at the Sword Qi Great Wall, I will make a trip to the Northern Reed Continent to spar with Celestial Sovereign Xie Shi once more.”

The two old cultivators, already somewhat reserved, became even more uneasy.

Eastern Jewel Bottle Continent was a remote corner, the smallest continent in terms of territory, and Wei Jin of Divine Abode was recognized as an extremely rare sword immortal talent in the history of Jewel Bottle Continent.

Who dared to disregard him?
If Wei Jin manages to achieve a breakthrough and ascend to the Immortal Realm, then even the Celestial Prognosticator Sect’s Qi Zhen, who currently dominates the immortal cultivators of this continent, and the True Realm Sect, which has transformed from a river dragon into a local serpent, would have to re-evaluate their stance, wouldn’t they?

Actually, some time ago, even the Old Dragon City ferry, known for having the most sluggish and unreliable information network among the Nine Continents, had picked up some credible rumors: jade purity realm sword cultivator Wei Jin had reached a bottleneck.

Tonight, Wei Jin has even bluntly revealed this secret, causing the two Old Dragon City managers, who depend on each other for survival, to become even more apprehensive.

Great Sword Immortal Wei, you have no relatives, no grudges, why are you telling this to two insignificant managers like us? What is your intention?

Wei Jin drank his wine alone, still the most expensive brew from that swindling shop, costing one Xiaoshu coin per pot.

Tonight, every word spoken by everyone had a purpose. If anyone wanted to reminisce with folks from their hometown, they had to first finish reciting the contents of the paper everyone had received.

Otherwise, how could Wei Jin inexplicably discuss his upcoming breakthrough with two merchants who were completely unrelated to him?

However, his burning desire to challenge Heavenly Sovereign Xie Shi was absolutely genuine.

The largest courtyard within the Spring Pennant Lodge belonged to the representatives of the Inter-Continental Ferry from the Central Earth Divine Continent.

Compared to the grim and treacherous atmosphere of the courtyards of the other continents, the merchant cultivators here were all calm and composed. Two venerable jade purity realm cultivators, Wu Qiu and Tang Feiqian, were personally stationed at the Inter-Continental Ferry for their sect, although they didn’t hold any managerial titles, as that would be beneath them. Wu Qiu, in particular, was a sword cultivator who had weathered countless storms. The two old immortals sat next to each other, chatting and laughing merrily, their voices quite loud.

Besides their identity as representatives of the Central Earth Divine Continent, the reason for their ease was that the people hosting them from the Sword Qi Great Wall simply couldn’t suppress them.

A mere jade purity realm sword cultivator, Mi Yu, was still two realms short of the anticipated old sword immortal, Nalan Shaowei.

Adding to that, the Sword Immortal Ku Xia of the Shao Yuan Dynasty, who was practically one of their own, was still a wild card. Who would he help? It was still uncertain. Why had the Sword Qi Great Wall sent only these two to entertain them? From this, it was clear that no major incident would occur at the Spring Pennant Lodge tonight.

Wu Qiu and Tang Feiqian, the two upper fifth realm old cultivators, felt somewhat relieved. They even glanced with playful amusement at Sword Immortal Mi Yu and a female nascent soul cultivator. The latter possessed excellent talent, yet she chose to work as a ferry manager, a job that was both thankless and exhausting. Why? It was simply because she was trapped by love. A devoted lover, unfortunately, had fallen for a fickle heart. It was truly agonizing. Why bother? The Central Earth Divine Continent was overflowing with talented individuals. Why be so fixated on Mi Yu? If Mi Yu could leave the Sword Qi Great Wall and was willing to become her dao companion, the woman would even be considered to be reaching above her station. However, although Mi Yu left a trail of affection everywhere, he was still a sword immortal of the Sword Qi Great Wall. How could he ever go to the Central Earth Divine Continent?

Sword Immortal Ku Xia was not eloquent.

According to the instructions of that person beforehand, Ku Xia didn’t need to say much. He was simply there as an escort.

Wu Qiu turned to Sword Immortal Ku Xia beside him and asked with a smile, “Why haven’t Yan Ming and Nalan Caihuan appeared? Could they be waiting for us in the main hall, waiting for us to finish our tea?”

Sword Immortal Ku Xia shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Wu Qiu nodded, “No rush.”

Although he was also a jade purity realm sword cultivator, Sword Immortal Ku Xia possessed an extra identity that others couldn’t envy. No one dared to underestimate him.

He was the grand-nephew of Zhou Shenzhi, one of the ten people of the Central Earth Divine Continent.

Regardless of how Elder Zhou looked down upon this “incredibly foolish” grand-nephew, it shouldn’t be a reason for outsiders to look down on Sword Immortal Ku Xia.

The more amiable Sword Immortal Ku Xia was, the less one should provoke him and make him an enemy.

Therefore, it seemed that the Sword Qi Great Wall’s decision to have Ku Xia represent them and entertain them this time was a clever move.

However, when the two sides bargained over money later, Sword Immortal Ku Xia’s status would be of little use. After all, Sword Immortal Ku Xia was not Zhou Shenzhi.

Sword Immortal Ku Xia sighed inwardly.

Soon, when you see that young man, it will be your turn to have a headache.

With complex emotions, Sword Immortal Ku Xia even felt that if the one who faced the future Old Ancestor of the Mountain and Water Grotto from the Floating Continent on behalf of the Sword Qi Great Wall back then wasn’t the old sword immortal Nalan Shaowei, but that young man who should be in the main hall of the Spring Pennant Lodge right now, they might have had a chance to contend. Because Sword Immortal Ku Xia couldn’t imagine that Lin Junbi would ever willingly be subservient to others.

The female nascent soul used mind-voice ripples to speak to Mi Yu, “Mi Yu, you will pay the price. I’ll risk being punished by the sect afterward to make you lose face. Besides, I may not even pay any price, but you will definitely be in trouble.”

Speaking of this, the woman’s voice had a hint of delighted joy, “It’s true that retribution comes late, but it will come. Mi Yu, didn’t expect that you would have this day?!”

Mi Yu looked at the woman, his voice filled with regret and heartache, using his unique murmur to speak with her in his mind-voice, “I never thought that the gentle and refined girl from back then would become so unlovable. Is it because of me?”

The woman was stunned, her face filled with even more hatred, her heart filled with sorrow. Many words that had reached her lips seemed to have been ground into dust by her gnashing teeth, and she couldn’t say another word.

Falling in love with someone, especially being the one who loved more deeply, and then not being loved back, seemed to mean that there was no chance of winning in this life.

Mi Yu stopped speaking, his expression dim. He looked at her, then shifted his gaze slightly, as if only looking at her with the corner of his eye, able to look at her, yet afraid to look at her.

Over at the main hall of the Spring Pennant Lodge.

A young man leaned against the doorway, a piece of ancient jade hanging from his waist.

Yan Ming and Nalan Caihuan were already seated inside, neither of them sitting in the main seat at the Four Immortals Table. Moreover, the positions of the two nascent soul sword cultivators were relatively far back.

Nalan Caihuan felt somewhat awkward, but Yan Ming didn’t care.

Previously, she had been tricked by that fellow who was full of nonsense. Afterward, Nalan Caihuan reported the details to Nalan Shaowei, but her own ancestor looked at her as if she were an idiot for a long time. In a fit of anger, Nalan Caihuan wanted to completely overturn what the two sides had agreed upon beforehand, but she didn’t expect her ancestor to tell her to let it go, and to do whatever they had discussed.

The owner of the Spring Pennant Lodge, Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan, stood beside the young man at the door.

Not caring in the slightest that his nest had been taken over.

The two people who had just met were chatting about Liu Jinglong of the Northern Reed Continent and Immortal Lu Sui of the Water Scripture Mountain, getting along very well.
Shao Yunyan said that Liu Jinglong’s Grand Dao had promising prospects, and in the future, he had hopes of becoming the first Ascended Realm Sword Immortal in Beiju Luzhou.

The young man then spoke of how the Lu Fairy was gentle and moving, considerate and understanding, a match made in heaven with Liu Jinglong, a celestial couple. He also praised Lu Fairy’s master who imparted the Dao.

Shao Yunyan didn’t care whether the person speaking was sincere or not. After hundreds of years here, even polite words were good to hear.

The goose feather snow at Upside-Down Mountain showed no signs of stopping.

A beauty and heavy snow, since ancient times, were a perfect match.

After chatting idly about the string of gourd vines and the Yellow Millet Blessed Land’s fine wine, Shao Yunyan asked, “Is it time to call them over?”

The young man smiled and said, “No rush. We can’t let the Sword Immortals make a trip to Upside-Down Mountain for nothing. Let those fellows who are used to handling immortal coins, like myself, experience more of the Sword Immortals’ style.”

Shao Yunyan nodded and said, “That’s how it should be.”

The young man, who had been talkative before, remained silent on this matter. He simply folded his hands in his sleeves, tapping his fingers lightly inside, and looked towards the heavy snow.

If only the snowflakes were immortal coins, that would be excellent.

Shao Yunyan also looked up, a rare moment of peace in his heart.

Last year’s old dream, dreaming that she was by my side, suddenly I felt like I was in a foreign land.

This year’s new dream, suddenly arriving at the old mountain by the Water Classic, seeing her still smiling like a flower.

The young man suddenly said, “Sword Immortal Shao, after tonight’s matter, the thing you promised the Great Wall of Sword Qi earlier, let’s discuss it. We can change it a bit. The matter is still the same, but the ending can be different. None of the three parties will be troubled.”

Shao Yunyan frowned and asked, “Does your word count?”

The young man smiled and said, “If my word doesn’t count, whose does?”

Shao Yunyan felt relieved.

The Sword Immortal, who had already resolved to die at Upside-Down Mountain, took a few steps back and cupped his fist in thanks to the young man.

The young man accepted it calmly, reaching out from his sleeve to return the courtesy.

As long as it didn’t involve life and death, Shao Yunyan felt relieved, so he reciprocated, “The business deal, you can count Chunfan House in.”

The young man immediately reached out to grab Shao Yunyan’s arm, “Generous, indeed the style of a Sword Immortal. This snow was not watched in vain. I have been waiting for Sword Immortal Shao’s words for a long time.”

Shao Yunyan was caught off guard.

He estimated that the merchants would be in big trouble tonight.

Because in addition to the host, there were two more Sword Immortals returning from admiring the scenery together, Sun Juyuan and Gao Kui.

Besides that.

Sword Immortal Mi Yu of the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Ku Xia of the Shao Yuan Dynasty in the Central Earth Divine Continent.

Yuan Qingshu of the Southern Posa Continent, Pu He of the Northwest Flowing Haze Continent, Song Ping of the Western Golden Armor Continent, Xie Zhi of the Southwest Soaring Continent, female Sword Immortal Xie Songhua of the Snowy Continent, and Li Cai of the Floating Duckweed Sword Lake in Beiju Luzhou.

Wei Jin of the Treasure Bottle Continent.

A large group of local and foreign Sword Immortals from the Great Wall of Sword Qi suddenly left the Great Wall of Sword Qi and gathered at Upside-Down Mountain.

This was something that had never happened in the history of the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Shao Yunyan excused himself, first entered the house, and sat down on his chair, as it was only a few steps away because it was closest to the central hall’s gate.

Among the Sword Immortals visiting Upside-Down Mountain tonight, there was no one from Tongye Continent.

Because Tongye Continent was the only continent without intercontinental ferries, and coincidentally, no Sword Immortals were practicing swordsmanship at the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

It could be considered beneficial to both sides.

However, the man who nodded to the Great Heavenly Lord, now with extremely restrained sword intent, quietly left Upside-Down Mountain with a Fifth Tier Sword Cultivator from Tongye Continent who was traveling alone at the Great Wall of Sword Qi. They were heading to the now most desolate Tongye Sect in Tongye Continent, but this time it was not to challenge them with swords, but to help them wield swords, both helping Tongye Continent and the Vast World. If it were not for this, why would he be willing to leave the Great Wall of Sword Qi and let his little junior brother stay behind alone?

Scholars feared righteousness the most.

Anyway, he had always only considered himself a scholar from down the mountain, not a Sword Immortal from up the mountain.

More importantly, once he arrived at Tongye Continent, he could wield his sword more often in the future, and it was possible that he would wield it alone, with no Sword Immortals by his side.

The little junior brother had played a trick, wanting his senior brother to go to the Southern Posa Continent, saying that the situation there would be the most dangerous in the future, but after hearing a certain little bastard’s words, Zuo You decided to go to Tongye Continent.

The little junior brother regretted it immensely.

Chen Qingdu was quite happy at the time.

This journey was far.

They would not stop at the Flood Dragon Gully or the Rain Dragon Sect along the way.

They would only stop briefly at Rush Flower Island to determine whether the Creation Cave there was a legendary Daoist master or the hidden great demon that Cui Dongshan spoke of.

If it was a master, they would sit down and discuss the Dao. If it was a great demon, he would kill it with one sword strike.

Zuo You rarely had difficult matters.

The person traveling with Zuo You this time was a young Golden Core Sword Cultivator from Tongye Continent. Although he was said to be young, he was actually about the same age as Zuo You, so he was not really old.

The young Golden Core cultivator’s name was Wang Shizi, a wild mountain and lake cultivator. Among the wild cultivators, becoming a Golden Core at this age, and being a Sword Cultivator, he could be called a genius sword embryo.

Unfortunately, when he arrived at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, he couldn’t find many fellow villagers. Ironically, at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, where Sword Immortals walked the streets, Wang Shizi’s realm was not high, so his situation was very awkward. The only continent that could be considered his neighbor, Treasure Bottle Continent, had no other Sword Cultivators besides Wei Jin of the Wind and Snow Temple. Naturally, Wang Shizi didn’t dare to go to Wei Jin for polite conversation. What could they talk about if they met? In the end, in these ten years or so at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, he had really just buried himself in cultivation alone. He went to the city walls several times to kill demons, but the harvest was not great, just enough to support him living at the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Only in the past two years had things gotten a little better, because he often went to a small wine shop to buy wine. Without friends, it was difficult to drink at the table unless there were few customers, so he could only squat by the roadside to drink a pot of wine and eat a bowl of plain noodles. Compared to his previous loneliness, the taste was really good.

This time, returning to his hometown was an even greater accident. He never thought he would be able to travel with Great Sword Immortal Zuo You.

However, Wang Shizi knew the importance of things and remained silent along the way.

As they approached Flood Dragon Gully, Zuo You said, “There’s no need to be too restrained. If you have any doubts about cultivation, feel free to ask.”

Wang Shizi softly said, “This junior’s realm is low, and the questions are not significant. It’s not too late to ask after we arrive at Tongye Continent.”

Zuo You didn’t make things difficult for this sword cultivator of the same age.

Zuo You glanced back in the direction of Upside-Down Mountain.

The night was deep, and between heaven and earth, jade flakes blew across the sky, the snow shining brighter than mercury.

Wang Shizi curiously asked, “This junior chose to leave the Great Wall of Sword Qi at this time. Why is it that senior is still willing to proactively impart swordsmanship to me?”
Zuo You retracted his gaze and chuckled, “From Tongye Continent, a wild cultivator of mountains and marshes, the Golden Core guest Wang Shizi, alone, has ascended the city walls thrice in fourteen years, and thrice been forced to retreat. I, Zuo You, am a fellow traveler, so I discuss swordsmanship with you, not to instruct, but to spar.”

Wang Shizi was speechless, hesitating several times to speak.

Zuo You said, “Speak plainly if you have something to say.”

Wang Shizi laughed, “I thought the Second Shopkeeper was speaking to me.”

Zuo You laughed heartily, “Chen Ping’an and I are fellow disciples from the same lineage. It’s not strange that you find our speech and conduct similar.”

Wang Shizi said, “Senior, I believe the Second Shopkeeper will surely make a name for himself throughout the Vast Expanse!”

Zuo You shook his head, “Just wait and see. The Vast Expanse will only begrudge him for doing too little. Past instances they didn’t acknowledge will become reasons for attack. What close disciple of the Literary Sage’s lineage, Zuo You’s junior brother, a youth Chen Qingdu himself would take note of, what a newly appointed Hidden Official far from the battlefield – all these will be excellent reasons to deny my junior brother in the future. If he dies, so be it, it’s what he deserved, so no need to mention it. But as long as he doesn’t die on the Great Wall of Sword Qi, he’s a thousand times wrong.”

Wang Shizi’s heart grew heavy.

Zuo You said, “It’s not strange, get used to it.”

Zuo You and Wang Shizi continued to ride their swords eastward, without another word.

Upside-Down Mountain, Spring Banner Studio.

The Spring Banner Studio’s main hall was decorated according to the etiquette and rules of a scholarly family from the Vast Expanse.

Hanging was a landscape painting of immortals, depicting an unknown mountain peak in the Northern Entirety Continent. On either side were couplets containing Confucian teachings on self-cultivation and family harmony, and above was a plaque that read “Hall of Remaining in the North.”

A long narrow table stood before the wainscoting, with a square table for immortals in front of it, and two chairs on either side.

Between the entrance and the wainscoting, chairs were arranged in an orderly fashion, facing each other east and west.

Those who entered and sat down found themselves in a small world.

The representatives and stewards of the various continent ferries entered the hall one after another.

After Bai Xi of the Mountain and Water Cave sat down, he exchanged glances with several old friends. None dared to communicate with inner voices, but they could all see a trace of worry in each other’s eyes.

The arrangement of the chairs in the hall was meticulous.

The foundation of each sect, the size of their ferries and businesses, and the personal reputation of the ferry representatives all seemed to have been calculated.

For example, Bai Xi noticed that the steward of the “Southern Dipper” ferry from the Snowy Continent was a Golden Core cultivator stuck in a bottleneck, with no fame to his name, who had always conducted medium-sized businesses. In ordinary interactions between ferry stewards, he was the type who wouldn’t say much even at the dinner table. Yet today, his seating arrangement was extremely courteous. Bai Xi knew from his family’s ancestor revealing a heavenly secret that this person was actually a Jade Purity Realm talisman master who had been hiding his true abilities. He pretended to be engaged in Upside-Down Mountain intercontinental trade, but his true intention was to secretly visit the Dragon Serpent Gully each time to conduct real covert business, using immortal coins to obtain the opportunity to absorb dragon energy with his unique secret technique. He would then sell a few precious talismans imbued with pure dragon energy to the Liu family of the Snowy Continent at exorbitant prices.

The ancestor had instructed Bai Xi to pay attention to the timing, not to deliberately befriend this person, but simply to be mindful of eye contact and speech when they met.

Bai Xi dared to wager that the “old Golden Core cultivator,” despite his calm expression, was definitely feeling uneasy.

Eventually, everyone was seated.

Over a dozen sword immortals who had left the Great Wall of Sword Qi sat on the chairs to the right. Their seats were more spaced out compared to the more densely arranged chairs on the left, with the sword immortals from one continent facing the ferry stewards from one continent.

So it was not until this moment that the dozens of ferry stewards began to re-examine the young man.

Every guest present was an experienced fox who knew the ins and outs of their business. They had all paid attention to this person, who seemed somewhat out of place. The Spring Banner Studio’s main hall was vast, with many pillars and楹聯, so the young man had been looking up, admiring the words on the楹聯.

The two old Upper Fifth Realm immortals from the Central Earth Continent, Wu Qiu and Tang Feiqian, carefully observed this young man, but after discerning his approximate level of cultivation, they were at a loss. They didn’t truly believe that he was merely a Lower Fifth Realm cultivator. With some deliberation, they unanimously regarded him as a sword immortal with a youthful appearance who was skilled at concealing his aura.

The square table beneath the plaque, with the two chairs on either side, remained vacant.

However, a jade token rested on the square table, placed closer to the Vast Expanse ferry stewards.

Not only Wu Qiu, but almost everyone had a hunch. Could it be that one of the two seats was reserved for the Taihui Sword Sect’s immortal sword cultivator, Han Huaizi, and then a grand sword immortal would arrive last, such as Nalan Shaowei? Or even one of the higher-ranking Dong, Chen, or Qi family patriarchs? Otherwise, why would so many sword immortals be present to hold the line?

Unfortunately, obtaining news from the Great Wall of Sword Qi was too difficult now.

And no one dared to act rashly.

Even a sword immortal as amicable as Sun Juyuan had long begun to refuse guests behind closed doors, and later went directly to the city walls. All the servants in his residence either followed the sword immortal to the city walls or were confined to their quarters. Someone once thought it wasn’t necessary to go to such lengths, and secretly left the residence, only to die shortly after.

So the news circulating on Upside-Down Mountain now was only the news that the Great Wall of Sword Qi didn’t deem necessary to conceal.

When everyone was seated, the sword immortals opposite them were already seated.

Different sword immortals, different temperaments, different postures, different auras.

Even Wu Qiu felt a sense of suffocation.

Invisibly, they were all confronting the dozen or so sword immortals lined up in a row!

The key was that it was clear that some of the sword immortals from the Vast Expanse were present, but tonight they all identified themselves as sword cultivators from the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Except for the Central Earth Continent and the Northern Entirety Continent, the ferry representatives from the other six continents had already found it difficult to endure when they were entertained by the sword immortals from their respective home regions. They never expected it to be even more agonizing here.

After all, although the dozens of ferry representatives from all the continents had seen many storms, who among them had ever personally experienced such a situation?

Each and every sword immortal was mute.

Know that this situation usually only happened when a sword immortal was about to fight someone to the death!

With flying swords to take heads, why bother speaking with those about to die?

In the hall.
Within the Spring Banner Hall, Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan of the Fast held a seat near the entrance. He remained silent, his position dictating that he would certainly not be the first to speak this evening.

Neither Yan Ming nor Nalan Caihuan showed any sign of breaking the silence.

All the Sword Immortals remained taciturn.

Mi Yu, Wei Jin, Sun Juyuan, Gao Kui, Yuan Qingshu, Xie Songhua, Pu He, Song Pin, Xie Zhi, Li Cai, and Shao Yunyan.

Along with the two Nascent Soul Sword Cultivators, Yan Ming and Nalan Caihuan.

Some of the older, more timid stewards began to sweat on their foreheads.

Could they all be about to be wiped out in one fell swoop?

One steward cautiously glanced at the two empty seats of honor.

Another steward scrutinized the young man standing by a distant pillar.

The young man, by chance, met his gaze and offered the steward a slight smile.

The old steward’s smile was strained, his face a bit stiff.

The young man’s silence was one thing, but when he spoke, it was like a mountain crashing into a lake, creating a storm of waves.

He walked at a measured pace, and as he approached the seats of honor, he said with a genial smile, “Since everyone has arrived, let us begin discussing matters.”

Upon hearing these words, even some of the more listless Sword Immortals straightened up in their seats.

As he reached the seat of honor on the right-hand side of the Four Immortal Table,

Mi Yu was the first to stand.

The eleven Sword Immortals and two Nascent Soul Sword Cultivators rose almost simultaneously.

This startled the opposing dozens into a flurry of hurried movements. Those who were even a fraction of a second slower in rising wished they could slap themselves across the face.

Each of them was still utterly bewildered, as if lost in a cloud of fog, but they couldn’t disregard the terrifying display of power from the Sword Immortals.

Only after the young man sat down did all the Sword Immortals resume their seats.

The young man extended a finger and gently tapped the table. The jade token flipped over and fell, revealing the ancient seal characters for “Hidden Official.”

Silence descended upon the hall, so profound that a pin could be heard dropping.

Every businessman who had come to Inverted Mountain seeking fortune quickly glanced at the jade token, then held their breath and focused their minds, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The young man, whose identity had finally been revealed, smiled and said, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chen Ping’an. I am the newly appointed Hidden Official of the Great Wall of Sword Qi.”