Earlier, when Chen Ping’an was dozing off inside the Ancestral Hall, the crowd outside waited quietly for the Mountain Master to appear.

For cultivators, rest and peaceful slumber are paramount. Life is but a matter of waking and sleeping; in one’s lifetime, one arrives fully awake and departs in a deep sleep.

Cui Dongshan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, glanced at Jiang Shangzhen, whose temples were streaked with white, and smiled, “The sun and moon grind ants, the old man dances in merriment.”

Jiang Shangzhen had been expressing envy for Mi Jianxian’s carefree life, while Mi Yu was sincerely admiring Chief Zhou’s unwavering commitment to righteousness.

Hearing Cui Dongshan’s lament, Jiang Shangzhen laughed and said, “Well said, a drunken stay at an inn, lamp in hand, looking at one’s sword, asking if there are any injustices in the world.”

Mi Yu was somewhat confused, suffering from a lack of scholarly knowledge. He inexplicably desired to play the role of a chivalrous rogue, venturing down the mountain into the mundane world, riding a white horse, and befriending some lively and lovely heroines.

Cui Dongshan then began to complain that Cao Qinglang had achieved the top three ranks three times in the blessed land, only to become a second-place scholar in the Great Li imperial examinations, holding a mere sixth-rank position as a Hanlin Compiler. This had made him too embarrassed to boast to his grandmaster during his trip to the Land of Meritorious Deeds in the Central Earth Divine Continent. The old fellow Dong from the Confucian Temple and Zhou Mi, the former Mountain Master of the Old Fish-shaped Seal Academy, those two terrible Go players, after reading your examination essays, didn’t give them very high praise. What could your grandmaster, with only a Licentiate degree, do? He could only have Elder Dong and Mountain Master Zhou help you circle and annotate them, and then take them away.

Cao Qinglang received the “stolen” answer sheets from the Great Li Ministry of Rites, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Sure enough, they bore the vermilion comments of Master Dong and Mountain Master Zhou, with many circles and annotations. There were criticisms, but not many; more often, there were highly skillful and measured praises.

In fact, not only Cao Compiler’s answer sheets, but also the answer sheets of the top three scholars and the successful candidates of the second tier in this year’s palace examination were all swept away by Cui Dongshan and taken to the Land of Meritorious Deeds. After Elder Dong finished reading the papers, he remarked with emotion, “Clouds and mists gather, talents swarm in Great Li, a magnificent gathering, the beauty of the mountains and rivers.”

Cao Qinglang asked, “Little Senior Brother, when can I resign from my position as a Hanlin Compiler?”

In truth, participating in the Great Li imperial examinations was not Cao Qinglang’s original intention. It was Zhu Lian who had encouraged him, and Master Zhong also thought it feasible. Only then did Cao Qinglang take the prefectural, provincial, metropolitan, and palace examinations step by step, all the way to becoming a second-place scholar. It seemed that the burden of imperial examinations for the lineage of the Literary Saint fell entirely on Cao Qinglang’s shoulders, and Cao Qinglang indeed did not disappoint. Even after the Great Li Dynasty returned half of its territory, scholars from half the continent were still vying to leap through the dragon gate, especially in the auxiliary capital’s metropolitan examination and the capital’s palace examination, which the Great Li court had pioneered. Countless talents gathered, all of whom were top-notch scholars, so Cao Qinglang’s new second-place scholar title carried significant weight.

Cui Dongshan smiled, “Resign to do what? Later, Little Senior Brother will help you find a job compiling history books. The Ministry of Personnel will also help you block any assessments. Just consider yourself a Hanlin Scholar, sitting on the cold bench for a few years.”

Sui Youbian and Master Zhong Qiu stood together. One had resolutely abandoned martial arts to cultivate swordsmanship, determined to ascend as a sword cultivator. The other had surprisingly managed to study Confucian supernatural powers midway, resonating with the principles of the sages in the books, and ultimately forming a golden core. Neither of them were ordinary people.

Although Sui Youbian was stern-faced with the other three in the painting, he held Master Zhong in high regard and offered words of congratulations, “Master Zhong forming a golden core with the righteous and upright demeanor of a Confucian academy is truly commendable.”

Zhong Qiu smiled, “Just ask about cultivation, don’t ask about the harvest. Let us encourage each other.”

In fact, Zhong Qiu knew about the teacher in Sui Youbian’s hometown. National Preceptor Zhong had always read miscellaneous books, secrets of the martial world, unofficial histories, and everything else. That scholar had always been regarded as a Confucian Saint in Lotus Root Blessed Land, and at the same time, he was a mysterious sword immortal. Anyway, the general plot of scholar’s notes and unofficial histories was nothing more than opening his mouth and spitting out a sword pellet, a flash of white light, and a head rolling to the ground. Zhong Qiu’s saying of a “Literary Saint and Martial Grandmaster” could be considered a future model of Sui Youbian’s teacher.

Lu Baixiang asked Wei Xian, “Why haven’t you taken a disciple yet?”

Wei Xian replied, “I’ll wait until your disciple takes a disciple before I take one. Young age, high seniority, taking advantage of the situation. If they still don’t amount to anything, I’ll beat them to death.”

Pei Qian suddenly said, “Old Wei, you said that in battlefield battles, there aren’t any so-called One-Character Long Snake Formations or Dragon Gate Formations. It’s just a matter of ‘setting rows and columns, correcting vertical and horizontal lines,’ and in the end, everyone relies on their own abilities, slashing wildly. I didn’t believe it before, always thinking you were talking nonsense, but after I went to Golden Armor Continent, it seems that’s really the case.”

Wei Xian remained silent for a moment, then rubbed his chin, “I usually can’t say such learned words. Could it be something I said after drinking?”

Pei Qian said, “Old Wei, please know when to stop.”

Lu Baixiang laughed heartily, “Immense capacity, immense capacity.”

Zhou Mili was whispering to Sister Nuan Shu, secretly comparing the amount of melon seeds in their sleeves.

After Chen Ping’an walked out of the Ancestral Hall, he found that everyone was somewhat silent, and their gazes towards him were a little strange. Chen Ping’an looked left and right, finding nothing unusual, and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

Cui Dongshan whispered, “Eldest Senior Sister?”

The implication was that in this crucial moment, it was Eldest Senior Sister’s turn to step up.

Pei Qian asked in confusion, “What’s up?”

Cui Dongshan sighed, filled with regret. It was a pity that the old Immortal Jia from Riding Dragon Lane wasn’t present. If he had started a good trend, once the atmosphere was set, it would be unstoppable.

Chen Ping’an quickly stepped forward and asked, “What’s the plan later? We can’t just have a noisy mob rush in, right?”

Zhu Lian smiled, “It’s still up to you, Young Master, to decide.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment, “It shouldn’t be too chaotic. When we return the gifts later, one or two people can accompany me to each residence. Let’s go down the mountain together first, and I’ll call out the names then. Those who have finished their tasks can return first.”
Actually, there was a custom called “Asking for Night Meal” (问夜饭) on New Year’s Eve in the small town. Every household would visit each other. After having the main meal, before dark, they would reset the table with wine and dishes. The young and strong men would play drinking games and eat. The children wouldn’t join in the adults’ fun, but would play their own games in groups, going from house to house, begging for sweets and melon seeds, each carrying a small cloth bag. As long as the family wasn’t an enemy, the children would rush in, calling out to uncles, aunts, and elders, who would be sitting by the stove that night. The children’s titles were all mixed up, calling someone higher or lower than their actual generation, but the elders wouldn’t mind. If the neighbors had a bad relationship, some children would wait in the alley outside the door.

According to the local dialect of the small town, the words “ask” (问) and “dream” (梦) had the same pronunciation. So, when Chen Ping’an first went out to travel, he specifically discussed this issue with Xiao Baoping: was it “Asking for Night Meal” or “Dreaming of Night Meal”?

Among the dozen or so residences where the guests were staying, two Sword Immortals were admiring a couplet in a study.

*Around the house, plum blossoms, thirty trees;*
*In the bookshelf, a sea of books, two thousand volumes.*

Shao Yunyan praised, “Full of misty radiance, this is truly a celestial abode.”

A little money-grubber was squatting in the hall, slowly circling around a pair of cloud-patterned grandmaster chairs. The little girl then discovered that there were篆 seal script characters on the back of the chairs, which read “Gentle Breeze and Sunny Day” (风和日丽) and “Clouds Part, Moon Bright” (云开月明). The chairs were new, but the characters possessed a deep ancient charm.

Two ladies were walking along a green bamboo corridor. Consort Tuo Yan looked up and saw a string of iron horses hanging from the eaves, shaped like dozens of thin jade birds. They were suspended from the eaves with delicate cyan threads, and as the wind blew, the birds flew and chimed melodically.

Madam Gui was looking at a feng shui stone outside the corridor, inscribed with the eight characters “Steep Cliff Stands Alone, As If Ascending Naturally” (峭壁孤立，若登天然), in cursive script. Perhaps feeling unsatisfied, someone had also inscribed four small characters in official script in the lower right corner: “The Stone is Me” (石即我也).

In a pavilion in one of the residences, Liu Guibao of the Multicolored Sparrow Manor was brewing tea with a purple clay teapot with the inscription “Cold Rain” (寒雨) on the bottom, specially used for drinking iced tea, and a flower-shaped signature of Bu Yanhou.

A huge landscape painting, hung in the central hall, was over two zhang (丈, a Chinese unit of length) long, extremely imposing, seemingly a celestial scene from the edge of the sky, flying into the colorful screen of this gentleman.

At first glance, it was the brushwork of the famous painting master Fan from the Central Earth, and the closer one looked, the more it seemed so, with no discrepancies. The signature, seal, and flower-shaped signature were all excellent proof.

But in fact, it was the old cook who had taken off his apron, returned to his study, held a brush in each hand, and another one in his mouth, and with a flourish of his brush, casually painted it.

It was nothing more than a few famous painters’ manuals purchased from the Red Candle Town bookstore on his desk.

All thirty-six residences in Azure Canopy Peak’s guest houses, from the French-style blueprints, landscape layout, to all the details, every couplet, the writing of calligraphy and paintings, the selection of every scholarly object, the crafting of every bamboo and wooden chair, the firing of every teapot, every bamboo leaf bookmark, were all crafted by Zhu Lian, who stole moments from his busy schedule.

Chen Ping’an only crossed the threshold of the first residence on Azure Canopy Peak with the Jurisprudence Elder, Chang Ming.

The guests here for the viewing ceremony were Dong Gu, the first disciple of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Liu Xianyang, and Wei Jin from the Wind and Snow Temple. And the relationship between the Dragon Spring Sword Sect and the Wind and Snow Temple was known throughout the continent.

Dong Gu, who came from a demon lineage, naturally had a very good impression of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Moreover, Fallen Phoenix Mountain purchased the most expensive sword talismans. One for the enshrined Zhou Fei, and one for the Daoist friend Chang Ming, both seemingly addicted to them.

Chen Ping’an exchanged greetings with Dong Gu with polite etiquette, being very courteous.

As for Liu Xianyang, there was no need for any pleasantries, so after sitting down, Chen Ping’an chatted more with Wei Jin.

Wei Jin said that he would not stay in Fallen Phoenix Mountain for long and would soon be taking a trip overseas, as there were still many escaped remnants of the demon race fleeing into the sea, perfect for practicing his sword.

Wei Jin also said that the current Vast Land was undergoing a change of seasons, and many immortal opportunities were emerging. He mentioned that a suspended lake had appeared out of nowhere on Treasure Bottle Continent. On the island in the center of the lake, there was an ancient building like a shrine or temple, with three characters on the plaque, “Autumn Wind” (秋风), two of which were clearly visible, but the last character only had half of it remaining, the “Si” (司) radical. The complete name was most likely Autumn Wind Shrine (秋风祠). However, the Qi Refiners who sought immortal opportunities here entered and exited without any results. All they knew was that a group of ethereal and indistinct Crow Gods with drums resided inside, carrying fallen leaves in their mouths.

In addition, a celestial ferry of at least Semi-Immortal Weapon grade had appeared in the South Sea, capable of intercontinental travel. It was extremely large, like a majestic city or town. On the ferry, there was only one strange monk who seemed to be a manifestation of the Great Dao. However, the ferry’s whereabouts were unpredictable, and whether one could board it depended on fate. But all those who boarded the ship disappeared without a trace, none were able to leave. After that, Cong Qian, a female immortal cultivator from Flowing Glow Continent, and a Sword Immortal from the Central Earth jointly boarded the ship to investigate, but they still couldn’t leave the ferry and were almost “invited to be guests for a hundred years” by the seemingly limitless young monk. The two of them had to forcibly break open a small world to return to the Vast Land.

The Autumn Wind Shrine on Treasure Bottle Continent, the wandering nameless ferry in the South Sea, the Sea Viewing Pavilion in the Mirage City on Golden Armor Continent…

After the Vast Land and the Wilderness Continent bordered each other, immortal opportunities sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Chen Ping’an was naturally not interested in the Autumn Wind Shrine, but if someone from Fallen Phoenix Mountain went down the mountain to train, they could try their luck there, anyway it wasn’t as dangerous as that ferry.

Liu Xianyang personally escorted Chen Ping’an to the door and suddenly swung his arm up.

Chen Ping’an ducked his head, bent over, and rushed forward in one smooth motion.

At the second residence were Madam Gui of Old Dragon City and Consort Tuo Yan of Upside Down Mountain.

Chen Ping’an brought Pei Qian and Chen Nuanshu with him to express his gratitude. The two sides sat opposite each other on a long chair in the green bamboo corridor.

Madam Gui was still gentle and refined, beckoning Pei Qian to sit beside her, and pulling Nuanshu to her side as well.

So Chen Ping’an had to sit alone on one side.

He chatted with Madam Gui about the Golden Osmanthus Temple in Azure Swan Country, because the old Osmanthus tree on Azure Waist Mountain was undoubtedly from the Moon Palace, somewhat similar to the origins of the Green Bamboo on Cloud-Draped Mountain and the Bamboo Sea Paradise.

Now that both sides’ identities had been revealed, there was no taboo to speak of.

Madam Gui smiled and said, “The six Osmanthus trees on Azure Waist Mountain are indeed from my Osmanthus Island lineage. The founder of the Golden Osmanthus Temple can be regarded as an unnamed disciple of that Celestial Raft. The current abbot, Zhang Guo, can be considered a third-generation disciple of the Celestial Raft, and even Xiao Shui Tong (Little Bucket, referring to a young disciple) should be Zhang Guo’s grand-uncle. The Celestial Raft had a secret agreement with the Fan family ancestor, and helped to refine the bamboo pole, so that the ferry could safely pass through the Jiaolong Ditch, and Osmanthus Island gave him a few branches of Osmanthus.”
The venerable old ferryman of the Fan clan, whose true name was Xiancha, had long abandoned his surname, styling himself as the Star Vessel Daoist. He was considered an unregistered disciple of the Third Master of White Jade Capital.

Lu Chen didn’t acknowledge this disciple of middling talent, but the direct disciples, including Cao Rong and He Xiaoliang, all recognized this senior brother.

And this Xiancha was hopelessly devoted to Madam Gui. Chen Ping’an, when travelling to Inverted Mountain aboard the Osmanthus Island, had experienced firsthand his infatuation with Madam Gui, and they had even exchanged “Daoist techniques.”

Chen Ping’an actually held a better impression of this unregistered disciple, Xiancha.

However, in terms of fame, Xiancha, merely a Jade Pure Realm cultivator, was more renowned in the vast world than even an Ascension Realm expert.

He was of a similar vein as Liu Chicheng of White Emperor City, and, of course, Chen Lingjun of his own Fallen Peak was no less remarkable.

Within the Golden Osmanthus Temple, beneath the oldest “Moon Palace Seed” osmanthus tree, a stone table’s surface was etched with a chessboard by a certain Sword Immortal’s sword qi.

The two who had come to the temple together on a leisurely journey and, on a whim, played a game of chess, were none other than the Daoist Xiancha and the Wind and Thunder Garden Master, Li Tuanjing.

Madam Gui had today resolved a long-standing “immortal trace” mystery for Chen Ping’an, which seemed to be similar to Crane-Riding City.

Chen Ping’an looked at Pei Qian and suddenly smiled.

The Golden Osmanthus Temple once had a hospitable young Daoist, who tried every means to give a visiting, charcoal-skinned girl a rather valuable Immortal Osmanthus Branch umbrella.

Pei Qian asked, “Master?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Do you remember that little Daoist?”

Pei Qian thought for a moment and nodded, “I remember, he followed that young Daoist named Xu Borui, he was a pest.”

Madam Tuoyan was somewhat envious of Madam Gui, for being able to speak so freely with this ruthless Hidden Official.

Just thinking about the sword-nurturing gourd that Shao Yunyan had temporarily lent her, Madam Tuoyan felt a bit more at ease, wouldn’t hurt to put on a smiling face, right?

Chen Ping’an knew perfectly well why he had placed her beside Lu Zhi, whether it was for the initial purpose of the Summer Resort Palace or the Hidden Official’s intention. He hoped that the straightforward Lu Zhi, after arriving in the vast world, would be able to help her with strategies.

Madam Gui asked in a mental voice, “Young Master Chen, are you aware of the origins of the Old Man Under the Moon’s red thread?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I’ve only heard that Liu Qi has a book of marriages, once examined by the Old Man Under the Moon, selecting two people and connecting them with a red thread, making them a loving couple. Whether they can grow old together depends on the length of that red thread.”

Liu Qi.

There were once two groups of the most underestimated and overestimated peak cultivators in the world.

Among them, the Ascension Realm Liu Qi, because his lyrics were so well-written and widely circulated, but the origin of the “Liu Sinew Realm” and why he had such a heaven-sent opportunity, were not widely known in the vast world.

Therefore, Liu Qi was regarded as one of the most underestimated cultivators, especially at the summit.

After Liu Qi returned to his hometown from the Azure Nether World, it proved that he was indeed the most underestimated Ascension Realm cultivator, without even a contender.

Liu Qi intercepted the Great Demon of the Throne, Yang Zhi, above the sea, and it was rumored that he completely crushed Yang Zhi’s natal water magic with three hundred and sixty-five kinds of spells.

In the end, he joined forces with a Vice-Principal of the Confucian Temple to successfully detain Yang Zhi in a secret realm of the Central Earth Divine Continent, who was attempting to escape to the Barren World.

Among the cultivators who had been overestimated, there were the Mohist giants who “could attack a city alone and defend a city alone”, and Zuo You, who had never truly sparred with Pei Min.

However, after the Mohist giants defended the Southern Po娑洲 in a battle, and Zuo You exchanged sword moves with the Fourteenth Realm sword cultivator Xiao Xun in many matches, they were no longer considered “overestimated”. They were replaced by the kind-hearted Confucian Chen Chun’an, who risked his life and destroyed the sun and moon on his shoulders, because even so, not to mention exchanging lives with Liu Cha, it seemed that Liu Cha had not even fallen in realm, but only intercepted Liu Cha at a Guixu near the South Sea, leading to the Barren World.

Madam Gui said solemnly, “Be careful.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I’m already being very careful.”

Madam Gui glanced at Chen Ping’an’s wrist.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “It’s different.”

He got up to bid farewell.

Chen Ping’an suddenly smiled, “Madam Tuoyan, I will ask you in detail about the battle on the Southern Po娑洲 later.”

Madam Tuoyan’s face stiffened, and she nodded in agreement.

The third group were all from the Northern Ju芦洲.

Chen Ping’an brought Cao Qinglang, Zhou Mili, and Chen Lingjun.

Little Mili came from Dumb Lake, and Chen Lingjun was a water spirit in the Northern Ju芦洲.

Bai Shou personally welcomed his good brother, Chen Hao Ren, at the entrance. As long as Pei Qian wasn’t here, Chen Hao Ren was his good brother.

Arriving at a courtyard, Chen Ping’an crossed the threshold with one foot, then wanted to retract it and slip away.

Liu Jinglong, Liu Zhiqing, and Xu Xingjiu were sitting around a table, which was covered with wine.

Unexpectedly, Bai Shou had closed the door on his master’s instructions.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Drinking is fine, but just a little, it wouldn’t be proper to be drunk while entertaining guests. If it really can’t be helped, I’ll come and drink with you all to your heart’s content after I’m done wandering around.”

Liu Jinglong smiled, “Drink first, once the drinking gets going, everything will be easy.”

Chen Ping’an turned to look at Cao Qinglang, who shook his head and said, “Sir, you know I don’t drink.”

Chen Lingjun thumped his chest loudly, making a solemn vow, “Drinking? Get past me first! Master, don’t worry, I’ll be responsible for carrying Mr. Liu and the others back to their rooms later.”

True Man Huan Yun gave Chen Ping’an a Daoist greeting.

Chen Ping’an smiled and returned the greeting with clasped fists.

They had first met in Cloud Top City, one selling talismans at a stall, the other with discerning eyes.

Everything was implied.

They parted on good terms and reunited again amidst the mountains and rivers.

Chen Ping’an apologized to Xu Xingjiu, not only for missing Xu Xingjiu’s wedding banquet but also for missing the mountain celebration of his succession as city lord.

Xu Xingjiu was very understanding and smiled, “Let’s have a drink with Mr. Chen today, and we’ll make up for it with another drink back in Cloud Top City.”

Xu Xingjiu wore a long sword at his waist, the “Slender Brow” magic sword given by Fallen Peak. Xu Xingjiu gently patted the hilt, “I’ll find a chance to return the favor of the sword with another drink with Mr. Chen.”

Chen Ping’an just feigned ignorance and turned to congratulate Liu Zhiqing.

The extremely handsome Liu Zhiqing smiled, “Just reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, it’s not worth publicizing, just a drink.”

Chen Ping’an just smiled, without speaking.

Wine, wine, wine, damn your wine, you three drunkards, go drink by yourselves!
The White-Haired One sighed, “I’m not as good as Mister Liu. A mere sword cultivator, only at the Golden Core Peak Opening stage, how about half a *dun* of wine?”

Chen Ping An said, “Half a *dun*? That’s not enough. How about I get Pei Qian to join us, and we’ll drink a full *dun*?”

The White-Haired One’s head started throbbing the moment he heard Pei Qian’s name. He immediately changed his tune, betraying his allies at the last moment. “What’s wrong with you guys? My good brother here is busy today, with so many guests arriving from afar. Drinking will only delay things.”

Chen Ping An sat down between Liu Jinglong and Liu Zhiqing, asking Shao Yunyan of Chunfan Studio, “Steward Shao, how is Mister Lu in Southern So娑 Continent? Does Mister Lu have any intention of establishing a sect? If he does, and doesn’t mind, I can serve as a guardian.”

Shao Yunyan nodded with a smile. “Although Mister Lu has been injured in several battles, having already replaced three swords, and his natal flying sword is somewhat damaged, his sword heart has been tempered greatly. He has already seen the bottleneck.”

Shao Yunyan sighed, not hiding anything, “It’s just that Mister Lu has no intention of establishing a sect. He has already agreed to become a guest elder for Old Sword Immortal Qi’s sect.”

Chen Ping An nodded, “It’s a good thing that Old Sword Immortal Qi is willing to take root in the Vast Expanse, and even better that he establishes a sect based on genuine battlefield merit. Mister Lu’s agreement to serve as a guest elder is only right, in terms of public and private matters, sentiment and reason. If Steward Shao is willing to follow Mister Lu and also serve as a guest elder, that would be even better. For Old Sword Immortal Qi’s sect, it would be like sending charcoal in snowy weather. Of course, this is just my personal suggestion.”

Shao Yunyan nodded with a smile, “Since the Hidden Official has said so, I’ll seriously consider it.”

Liu Zhiqing reminded them, “Don’t just talk, drink!”

Chen Ping An said helplessly, “At least let me finish the formalities. I can’t run away on my own turf, can I?”

Liu Zhiqing smiled and said, “The higher the cultivation, the more cowardly one becomes at the drinking table.”

Chen Ping An said, “Me, Steward Shao, True Man Huan, Xingjiu, Chen Lingjun, and even little Millet, drinking against the two of you is like child’s play, isn’t it?”

Xu Xingjiu was confused.

Chen Ping An reminded him, “Venerable Huan is now a guest elder of our Fallen Mountain, and we two are considered half-matchmakers for you and Miss Zhao. Xingjiu, you should weigh things carefully.”

Xu Xingjiu sighed.

Liu Zhiqing thought for a moment, “Then how about adding me? Anyway, Mister Liu has a good capacity for alcohol.”

Liu Jinglong reached out and covered a wine jug in front of him, “Not today.”

Chen Ping An narrowly escaped this place, left the door, and took Mi Yu and Cui Wei to the next residence.

In fact, Xu Xingjiu wanted to talk to Chen Ping An about something in his heart, the new City Lord of Cloudtop City looked full of guilt.

Chen Ping An smiled and replied in his heart, “Don’t worry, it’s a small matter. Drink your wine, and keep Sword Immortal Liu company.”

Over at the courtyard.

Shao Yunyan asked curiously, “Jinglong, why did you let him off?”

Liu Jinglong started drinking, smiling softly, “There’s never a shortage of wine in the world, only a lack of reunions between old friends.”

Xu Xingjiu asked in confusion, “Mister Liu, what you said seems a bit irrelevant.”

Liu Jinglong took a sip of wine, saying helplessly, “Xingjiu, Zhiqing, you’re both more righteous than the other, what can I do?”

Seeing Xu Xingjiu looking worried, Liu Jinglong smiled, “Since Chen Ping An has returned to Fallen Mountain, he will definitely resolve it properly, what are you still worrying about?”

Xu Xingjiu nodded, grabbing a wine jug, “Mister Liu, I’ll start with one!”

Liu Jinglong rubbed his brow.

At the fourth residence, Mi Yu felt like he had barely survived leaving the Ancestral Hall of Jise Peak, and the remaining half of his life seemed to be hanging by a thread again.

And Cui Wei, who had displayed fierce swordsmanship during the battles in Treasure Bottle Continent, seemed even heavier-hearted than Mi Yu, taking a deep breath before crossing the threshold.

Female Sword Immortal Li Cai’s two direct disciples, Chen Li and Gao Youqing. Similarly, female Sword Immortal Xie Songhua’s two beloved disciples, Ju Xing and Chao Mu.

Chen Ping An knew everything about these four sword immortal seeds who left Sword Qi Great Wall the earliest: their temperament, flying swords, cultivation, and family background.

And there were nine younger children.

Hidden Official Chen Ping An, Little Hidden Official Chen Li, Tiny Hidden Official Bai Xuan.

Bai Xuan put his hands behind his back, “Oh, isn’t this the great Sword Immortal Mi, whose romantic conquests span the nine continents of the Vast Expanse? Hearing about you is not as good as meeting you. This face is indeed a flying sword, specializing in slaying all women.”

Mi Yu waved his hand, “You flatter me, you flatter me.”

Chen Li smiled and said, “It’s a pity that Fallen Mountain doesn’t host ‘Flowers in a Mirror, Moon in the Water’ events.”

Chen Ping An smiled knowingly.

Mi Yu, Jiang Shangzhen, Cui Dongshan. Also, Mountain Lord Wei Bo and Guest Elder Liu Zhiqing.

After his personal matters are settled, will Fallen Mountain start hosting those “Flowers in a Mirror, Moon in the Water” events?

Mi Yu dusted his lapels, willing to do what he could for Fallen Mountain.

Nalan Yudie looked at that Cui Wei.

Cui Wei hesitated, stopping short of saying something.

Cui Wei’s mentor was Nalan Yexing of the Ning Residence.

And Nalan Yexing did indeed come from the Nalan family of Great Elephant Street, and was actually a peer of the family head Nalan Shaowei. However, due to a private grudge with some blame on both sides, he left the family and severed ties.

So Nascent Soul sword cultivator Cui Wei and the little girl Nalan Yudie were somewhat related.

Nalan Yudie looked up and asked Cui Wei, “You don’t draw your sword at home, but you desperately draw it in a foreign land, why?”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Because all the sword immortal seeds wanted to know Cui Wei’s answer.

Cui Wei said expressionlessly, “Before, I was greedy for life and afraid of death, wanting to survive. Now that I’m in the Vast Expanse, I want to live better, so I can’t afford to be afraid of death.”

Nalan Yudie gave an “oh” and rested on the table, playing with a wooden Fortune Longevity plaque.

Mi Yu gently patted Cui Wei’s shoulder, saying in his heart, “The children are still young.”

Children see the world as very pure, black and white, good and bad are clearly defined.

Cui Wei replied in his heart, “I don’t blame them. The fact that the children can ask this question is what makes them sword cultivators of Sword Qi Great Wall.”

Chen Ping An changed the subject, asking with a smile, “Where’s Sun Chunwang? Is she practicing her sword again?”

It seemed like only that eccentric little girl was missing from the courtyard.

Yao Xiaoyan nodded vigorously, looking worried, lowering her voice, “Master Cao, Sun Chunwang seems to have gone crazy practicing her sword. Can you please persuade her?”

Chen Ping An said helplessly, “I’ll ask Cui Dongshan to have a heart-to-heart talk with her later.”

It was Cui Dongshan who caused this trouble, so he should be the one to untie the knot.
Chen Li’s eyes shone with a brilliant light, “Lord Hidden Official, I will soon be a nascent soul cultivator!”

Ju Xing sat on the steps, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

Chen Li glanced sideways and said, “You disagree?”

Ju Xing replied, “Someone is a few years older than me. There’s nothing I can do about it, even if I am unconvinced.”

Bai Xuan also cast a sidelong glance and chided, “How can you speak to the Little Hidden Official like that? Don’t you know that Chen Li comes from our unique Hidden Official lineage?”

Unexpectedly, Chen Li retorted, “You’re self-proclaimed. You’re not even half of one.”

Bai Xuan immediately turned hostile, leaping up and yelling, “Chen Li, if you’re so tough, why don’t you suppress your cultivation and have a fight with Ju Xing?”

Chen Li scoffed, “What’s so difficult about suppressing my cultivation and engaging in a sword duel? Why don’t you both come at me together?”

Bai Xuan considered it for a moment, then shook his head. “I’ve recently started practicing martial arts; I’m currently a pure martial artist.”

Gao Youqing, upon seeing the young Hidden Official, felt a sense of awe. She wasn’t as familiar as the other sword cultivators, nor did she deliberately feign indifference.

After all, she was older, having left her hometown later than the other nine children. She understood the meaning of the words “Hidden Official” more clearly.

Not to mention Flying Ascention City, which was an entire world away, Chen Ping An was the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall after Xiao Xun. At the Sword Qi Great Wall, they held even greater power than the Execution Officials.

Her elder brother was the Marquis of Gaoye, and Pang Yuanji, whom she admired, was from the Hidden Official lineage of the Summer Retreat Palace. Was he considered a subordinate of Chen Ping An?