Disembarking from the boat, they were still some distance from the Bonelands ferry. This suited Chen Ping’an just fine, as he had planned to revisit Wood-Robe Mountain, where the ancestral hall of the Hemp-Cloth Sect was located, on his return to Treasure Bottle洲. As for Mural City, he would skip it; the opportunities were gone, and the vibrant murals had faded into monochrome sketches.

However, Chen Ping’an intended to visit the Market of the Damned, located at the entrance to Nether-Ghost Valley. With Gao Cheng’s disappearance, Nether-Ghost Valley had lost its leader. Not only was Jingguan City rudderless, but Pu Rang, the city lord of White Cage City, who had gone to the Treasure Bottle洲 battlefield, had vanished without a trace. A rumor circulated that Pu Rang had journeyed to the Western Buddhist Kingdoms with a monk. The departure of Gao Cheng and Pu Rang had forced the spirits and ghosts of Flesh-Smooth City and other cities to form a loose alliance. They had also reached an agreement with the Hemp-Cloth Sect, pledging not to attack each other for a century. As a result, Nether-Ghost Valley had undergone a complete transformation. While it remained shrouded in eerie shadows, it was no longer a suitable training ground for foreign cultivators. They lacked the protection of the Hemp-Cloth Sect, and the ghosts were unusually united. However, if anyone believed they could rampage through Nether-Ghost Valley alone, the Hemp-Cloth Sect wouldn’t interfere.

Chen Ping’an carried the Night Wanderer sword on his back and a crimson wine flask at his waist.

Ning Yao wore the Golden Nectar Dharma Robe and carried her sword box.

Pei Qian carried a bamboo box with her hiking stick, inside which stood a little girl in black, Rice Grain, counting down the days until they returned to her hometown, the Great Mute Lake.

The white-haired boy employed a glamour, maintaining his appearance with the Azure Serpent Piercing Heaven Robe.

Besides Chen Ping’an, there was also an Ascension Realm sword cultivator, an Ascension Realm extra-terrestrial demon, and a peak Mountain Realm martial artist bottlenecked, not to mention a Cave Heaven Realm great water monster.

It was fortunate that Gao Cheng was no longer in Jingguan City, or he would have once again tried to prevent Chen Ping’an from leaving.

They paused briefly at the Bonelands before continuing their journey. Chen Ping’an didn’t even consider taking Song Lanqiao’s Spring Dew Garden ferry.

The Spring Dew Garden affair was complicated, involving business transactions, the goodwill between two sects, personal friendships between cultivators, and matters of face. At its core, however, it boiled down to human nature. Even Zhu Lian, the estate manager of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, along with the accountant Wei Wenlong and Mountain Lord Wei Bo, found it a headache.

Chen Ping’an would first go to Suijia City in Silver Screen Kingdom, have a drink at the Fire God Temple. Eight hundred miles outside the prefectural city, there was also Azure Billows Lake, and Lake Lord Yin Hou deserved a new dragon throne. As for the shrines of Flowery Brook and Reed Brook, he wondered if they had new Mistress of the Canals.

Mute Lake was near the border of Treasure Phase Kingdom. Afterward, he would visit the Golden Crow Palace to catch up with Sword Immortal Liu, then go to Spring Dew Garden, then Colorful Sparrow Manor, and Cloudtop City where Xu Xingjiu resided. He would visit Zhang Shanfeng at Prostrate Peak and then bring wine to the Great Emblem Sword Sect to see the renowned Wine Immortal.

He would naturally need to make a trip to the Department of Mysterious Cultivation of the Great Origin Dynasty. Courtesy demanded reciprocity. He would visit Emperor Lu and State Preceptor Yang Qing, then go to Li Cai’s Floating Duckweed Sword Lake to see the sword embryos Chen Li and Gao Youqing. After finding Grand Canal Dukes Shen Lin and Li Yuan, he would thank them for protecting Chen Lingjun during his pilgrimage along the canal and discuss leasing or purchasing Duckweed Island within the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven…

In North Ju蘆 Continent, Chen Ping’an had quite a few places to visit.

The group rode the wind and soon saw the towering Wood-Robe Mountain and the swaying River of Unrest, which flowed north and south.

After leaving the Night-Sailing Ship and disembarking, Chen Ping’an had been fiddling with the azure talisman, using it to determine the location of the Night-Sailing Ship in the Great Bright World and to verify his estimate of the ship’s speed. His only concern was that while he could use the talisman to find the Night-Sailing Ship, the ship could also find him. However, he had hesitated to ask Captain Zhang about this while on board. Chen Ping’an casually said, “During that sparring match with Cao Ci, when we left the Merit Forest and fought near the Confucian Temple Plaza, I asked Cao Ci for a favor, and we both reduced our power by twenty percent.”

Ning Yao asked curiously, “He agreed to that?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Of course he agreed. We’re friends. There’s no reason for Cao Ci to refuse such a small thing. As a return gift, I suggested that he bet everything he had on the ‘unlosable’ match, guaranteeing he would make a fortune.”

Ning Yao was speechless.

Teasing Cao Ci by having him bet on his own loss? There weren’t many people who could talk to Cao Ci like that.

Chen Ping’an began to introduce the customs and culture of the Market of the Damned, saying that wild, untamed cultivators who came here typically had three main activities: burning incense and praying at the River God Shrine on River of Unrest, visiting Mural City to see if they could strike it rich, and finally buying a copy of “Collected Reassurances,” strapping their heads to their waistbands, and entering Nether-Ghost Valley, leaving their fate to the heavens.

However, all of this was ancient history. The Hemp-Cloth Sect no longer published the booklet that made people increasingly uneasy as they read it. Mural City, lacking the fortune it once offered, had become sparsely populated and was on the verge of closing down. And Nether-Ghost Valley, having openly lost Gao Cheng and Pu Rang, and secretly lost the monks of Great Round Moon Temple and Gao Zhen of Little Azure Capital, was essentially a disorganized mess, with scattered local powers and immobile cities. So, while they had nominally signed a treaty with Wood-Robe Mountain, promising to stay out of each other’s affairs, they were all secretly surrendering and pledging allegiance to the Hemp-Cloth Sect.

Chen Ping’an pointed to the cultivation grounds outside the Nether-Ghost Valley microcosm and said with a smile, “The Three-Husband Temple has a special meditation cushion. If we have the chance, we can buy a few to bring back to Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

In the past, Fallen Phoenix Mountain had many pure martial artists but few cultivators. By the time Chen Ping’an returned home, the situation had changed. There were at least nine sword immortal embryos, including Bai Xuan.

Someone like Jiang Qu had become a relatively rare talisman cultivator. Chen Ping’an had reorganized the “True Traces of Alchemy and Talismans,” categorizing them according to the difficulty of drawing the talismans, progressing step by step, and dividing them into upper, middle, and lower volumes. He had temporarily given Jiang Qu only the upper volume of secrets. In addition to Li Xisheng’s existing annotations, Chen Ping’an had also added some of his own talisman insights, so Jiang Qu naturally treasured the handwritten copy he received.

Chen Ping’an had come to Nether-Ghost Valley mainly to take a trip to Sheep Gut Palace. He might not even bring Ning Yao and the others, asking them to wait here for a while.

On the journey of life, one cannot only focus on high mountains like Prostrate Peak or esteemed individuals like Fire Dragon True Man.
He also wanted to take a peek at the little imps guarding the Vermin Palace, to see the two books they carefully buried underground.

But even the smallest market could seem to bloom with possibilities in a woman’s eyes.

Ning Yao was no exception.

She either didn’t browse at all, or when she did, she was extremely thorough, as if she wouldn’t miss a single shop.

It was rare to find a bookstore in Naihe Pass, and when it was Chen Ping’an’s turn to browse, he suddenly stopped at the entrance. However, he quickly stepped over the threshold, deciding that since he had encountered it, it was a rare stroke of fate on the mountain, so there was no point in avoiding it.

The shopkeepers were a married couple, both at the Cave Realm. In the mixed and chaotic market of Naihe Pass, this level of cultivation was insignificant.

This small shop sold things like the “Carefree Collection” and goddess portraits bought from Mural City, making a small profit. Relying on this alone, they were destined not to earn much money. Fortunately, the shop had some small business dealings with Funi City, selling miscellaneous goods on the side, which allowed them to establish a foothold in the market. They had been running the shop for over a decade, and if you deducted the rent, they hadn’t actually made much celestial coin. However, compared to their previous life of weathering the elements and racking their brains to find ways to make money, it was much more stable.

The proprietress saw the azure-robed swordsman who had just walked into the shop, and she was so excited that her eyes reddened. She quickly wiped the corners of her eyes and then gave her husband a hard elbow to the ribs.

The man looked bewildered. When he looked up and saw Chen Ping’an, he felt the same as his wife – they had finally waited for their unnamed savior.

Especially the eyes of the young sword immortal, which were all too familiar.

In fact, Chen Ping’an didn’t know the couple’s names either.

It was just a chance encounter a long time ago, and they had only briefly crossed paths, so it would have been difficult to meet again.

When Chen Ping’an gave away five sets of crow ridge ghost bones, he didn’t expect to see them again. As for money, Chen Ping’an naturally didn’t care at all.

It was none of his business how Chen Ping’an made money or how he spent it.

It was this couple of itinerant cultivators who had risked their lives to make money who had entered the Ghost Domain Valley with Chen Ping’an back then. The female cultivator’s aptitude was average. In order to break through her realm and reach the Cave Realm, she needed a spiritual artifact to help regulate her vital energy. Perhaps because they were not as “picky” as wild cultivators, they only did hard labor and not dirty work. Those who traveled around were mostly Celestial Masters with lineage. Wild cultivators, especially those with low cultivation levels, were often forced to seek the leftovers of Celestial Masters and had to carefully earn money without offending them.

No matter how hard the couple worked to save money, they were still short five hundred snowflake coins. However, the woman’s cultivation couldn’t be delayed any longer. Out of desperation, they had come to Ghost Domain Valley to risk their lives. The couple had knelt and kowtowed most sincerely at the River God Temple back then, and for so many years, they would still go there to burn incense on the first and fifteenth of every month, even after fulfilling their vow.

The reason they opened this shop here was to repay the money.

The couple stood side by side, cupped their hands, and bowed deeply to the young sword immortal.

Chen Ping’an reached out and gently helped the man up, smiling, “There’s no need to be so formal.”

When the two stood up, Chen Ping’an cupped his hands to the woman and congratulated her, “Congratulations, Madam, on reaching the Middle Five Realms.”

The woman was a little flustered and quickly performed a curtsy, too nervous to speak.

The man introduced himself as Jin Zhan, from the Da Yuan Dynasty, and his wife as Song Jiazhi, from the Qing Ci Kingdom. They had both embarked on the path of cultivation by chance.

According to their agreement with the young sword immortal, they had waited in the Naihe Pass market for a month back then. Later, they couldn’t delay any longer and had left Skull Beach to buy the spiritual artifact that was key to breaking through. After Song Jiazhi fortunately broke through, Jin Zhan brought his wife back here to continue waiting for him.

Facing the azure-robed sword immortal and his party today, the couple couldn’t help but feel a little ashamed. How could itinerant cultivators dare to call themselves cultivators? They were just wandering the mortal realm, while only those Celestial Masters with clear lineage and their spouses were qualified to be called mountain companions. This was an unwritten rule on the mountain.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “My name is Chen Ping’an, from Longquan County in the Baoping Continent. I have a mountain called Fallen Peak, located in the Northern Mountain range, very close to Pi Yun Mountain. You’re welcome to travel south in the future and visit my mountain.”

Everyone knew about Pi Yun Mountain and its Mountain Lord, Wei Bo, who was very famous. Cultivators in the Northern Ju Lu Continent had generally heard of him.

So, could a celestial mountain near the Northern Mountain range of a continent be a small hill? Certainly not.

The man looked at his wife, as if to say, “See, I was right. I knew our benefactor was a Celestial Master. That immortal aura, that heroic spirit of treating money like dirt, could never come from a wild cultivator!”

Song Jiazhi rolled her eyes at him, as if saying, “Why do you have to argue about such things? Besides, my guess that our benefactor came from a wealthy and powerful family might not be wrong either.”

Chen Ping’an pointed to Pei Qian and introduced her with a smile, “This is my first disciple, Pei Qian, a martial artist.”

Then he reached out and pressed down on Zhou Mi Li’s head, “This is our mountain’s guardian, Zhou Mi Li.”

Pei Qian cupped her fist in salute. Zhou Mi Li puffed out his chest.

Ning Yao introduced herself, “My name is Ning Yao, a sword cultivator.”

She couldn’t let Chen Ping’an introduce her, who knew what nonsense he would say.

Jin Zhan whispered, “Sword Immortal Chen, should I go get the money now?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and smiled, “Yes, please.”

Song Jiazhi went behind the counter and took out a bag of celestial coins. Chen Ping’an didn’t count them and put them directly into his sleeve.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and took a book from the shop without paying, the “Carefree Collection” that Ning Yao had chosen.

Without much more small talk, Chen Ping’an said goodbye and left. The couple saw them off at the shop entrance. Some gatherings must come to an end, so one party continued to wander the market, while the other continued to open its doors to welcome guests.

The couple both breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally repaid the money with interest, and they felt a little better. In fact, Sword Immortal Chen’s great kindness in saving their lives and his virtue in continuing their cultivation could not be repaid with a bag of celestial coins. They knew that the sword immortal certainly didn’t care about the money, but they did. However, they didn’t seem to be able to do much more, so they could only keep this great kindness in their hearts for a long, long time. For example, they would continue to burn incense at the Shaky River in the future.
May blessings abound for that divine couple, both sword immortals, whose names we now know.

Afterward, while Ning Yao and Pei Qian were browsing the shops, selecting various items, Chen Pingan stood by the entrance.

Ghost Domain Valley possessed two paths heading north, one leading to Green Reed Town, the other to Orchid Musk Town. One was perilous, with winding paths and ample opportunities, while the other was safe and steady, more suited for sightseeing.

Chen Pingan had chosen the road to Green Reed Town and had never since visited Orchid Musk.

Skin-Grease City, and Coin-Stink City were familiar to Chen Pingan, especially the latter, where he had once conducted business. Disguised as the Old Immortal Zhang, he had sold various boudoir items, plundered from Earth-Swelling Mountain, to a female ghost proprietor named Zhenguan and the city lord’s self-proclaimed “Document-Reviewing Prime Minister” sister. One could even say that Chen Pingan’s Bound-Bundle Emporium had its humble beginnings in Coin-Stink City. Now, in retrospect, Coin-Stink City was a pretty good name, actually.

As for the Ghost Domain Valley, besides the Heroic Spirit City Lord, there were the “Great Demons” of yore, collectively known as the Six Sages, whose Daoist titles and nicknames were deliberately grand and intimidating.

There was the Summer-Heat Banishing Matron of Shedding Mountain, the Dust-Cleansing Immortal Monarch of Earth-Swelling Mountain, the Thunder-Dictating Divine General of Accumulating Cloud Mountain, the Demon-Subduing Grand Immortal of Filthy Water Cave, and the Mountain-Moving Great Sage, Black River Great King…

On the street, a small spirit, barely able to maintain a humanoid form, appeared. It carried a large basket filled with Ghost Domain Valley flowers, herbs, earth-produced wonders, and strange stones, intending to exchange them for money to buy books!

It came from Sheep Intestine Palace, the abode of the Demon-Subduing Grand Immortal. Now, the Hemp-Cloaked Sect no longer forbade the strange spirits and apparitions of Ghost Domain Valley from entering or exiting; they merely needed to register, much like a roll call, and be recorded in the files.

Chen Pingan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, stood at the shop entrance. Despite the bustling crowd, he immediately spotted the small spirit guarding the gate of Sheep Intestine Palace. He sighed inwardly and waved it over.

The little rat spirit scurried over, still a skinny beanpole, and exclaimed in delighted surprise, “Sword Immortal Lord?!”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded. “Long time no see. Come to buy books?”

It nodded. “Indeed, but they aren’t cheap.”

It dared not venture far.

This Nether Gate market, overflowing with immortal beings, was hardly a place for affordable books.

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “When the world is more at peace, you can travel north along the Swaying River and buy books in the towns and cities. They’ll be much cheaper there.”

He bent down and examined the small spirit’s basket, asking with a smile, “How much can you sell these for?”

Inside, the various items, large and small, were arranged neatly and orderly, allowing the basket to hold even more.

It was like when Chen Pingan helped pick mulberry leaves as a child, pressing them down to pack a basket that seemed to hold a thousand pounds of leaves.

The little rat spirit perked up at the question. “Replying to Sword Immortal Lord, when the market was good a few years ago, I could sell them for two or three Snow Coin! The shopkeeper is kind and sometimes gives a few silver fragments.”

It would come to the market every three to five months. Now, with the market downturn, it could only get one Snow Coin.

Whatever the shopkeeper said was the price, it never haggled, nor did it intend to.

Chen Pingan rubbed his temples and said, with a hint of amusement, “Which shop is taking these goods? Has the shopkeeper’s conscience been eaten by dogs? How dare they do business like that? Aren’t they afraid of being ambushed on the road at night?”

Inside Ghost Domain Valley, the yin energy was thick, permeating for millennia, like a crude method of refining treasures practiced by cultivators. This large basket of items should fetch more than just two or three Snow Coins. He suspected they were taking advantage of the little rat spirit’s naivete.

Within Ghost Domain Valley, aside from those city-states resembling warring fiefdoms, those like the Summer-Heat Banishing Matron of Broad Cold Palace and the Demon-Subduing Grand Immortal of Sheep Intestine Palace were local powerhouses who claimed mountains and rivers as their domains. Thanks to its affiliation with Sheep Intestine Palace, the little rat spirit could travel to many places these past years. With a little business acumen, it might have even saved a few Small Summer Coin.

The little rat spirit smiled. “Sword Immortal Lord, it’s fine. I only expend a bit of energy and walk a few extra steps to earn money. I don’t ask for more. Besides, I don’t have any expenses at home.”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded. “It’s good that you think that way.”

The little rat spirit lowered its voice and asked, “Sword Immortal Lord, are you a true sword immortal today?”

Chen Pingan narrowed his eyes with a smile and nodded. “So-so.”

It immediately said, “Then wait for me. After I sell these goods, I’ll go and prepare a congratulatory gift for Sword Immortal Lord.”

Chen Pingan waved his hand. “No need.”

From his inch-square realm, Chen Pingan selected several fine books and handed them to the small spirit. “Here, these are for you.”

The little rat spirit felt a little embarrassed, but Sword Immortal Lord was giving it books! If it didn’t accept them now, it would regret it for the rest of its days.

So, it didn’t stand on ceremony and quickly raised both hands, wiping them vigorously on its body before accepting the books.

Pei Qian and the others continued to browse. Ning Yao stood at the entrance, gazing at Chen Pingan’s profile. His expression was gentle, like a jar of glutinous rice wine from home.

Chen Pingan smiled. “I have a suggestion. Would you like to hear it?”

The little spirit, with its large basket, immediately stood up straight, puffing out its chest. “Sword Immortal Lord, just give the order!”

Many passersby on the street, hearing the title “Sword Immortal,” immediately cast curious glances. Among them was a group of burly, rough-looking men, who stared with particularly unfriendly gazes. Who did this pale-faced little brat think he was, wearing a green robe, cloth shoes, and carrying a sword, pretending to be a mountain sword immortal? Why didn’t he just call himself Liu Jinglong or Liu Zhiqing? He looked delicate and fragile, as if a gust of wind would knock him over. Was he sickly? Perhaps they should spar?

Chen Pingan glanced at them. “What are you staring at?”

One of the muscular men sneered. “What’s it to you, dad?”

In an instant, he felt a slight chill between his eyebrows.

The man saw a flying sword hovering before him and immediately clasped his fists. “Dad! This son is leaving.”

The group of martial artists walked away with exaggerated strides.

Casually retracting the imitation sword from Hateful Sword Mountain, Chen Pingan continued to smile at the little rat spirit. “In the future, when you have a full basket again, you can first go to Green Reed Town. I’ll introduce you to someone, maybe Du Wensi, maybe Yang Lin. They’re both my friends. Do business with one of them, sell half the basket of goods, then come here with the remaining half, and insist on one price: one Snow Coin.”

The little rat spirit hesitated, feeling extremely embarrassed, rubbing its fingers on its sleeve. Finally, it mustered its courage and said, “Sword Immortal Lord, perhaps it’s best not to. It sounds like too much trouble.”
It wasn’t about logic; it was simply a reluctance. Knowing the Sword Immortal was acting in his best interest only made him feel more guilty.

Chen Ping’an didn’t seem surprised by this outcome, smiling and nodding. “So, the same as before?”

“Aye!”

Once, a young man had declined an invitation from an old gentleman who enjoyed his drink, choosing not to become his student.

And today, a little fellow had rejected the kindness of a Sword Immortal. What then? Nothing. It was fine.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Do you know what’s most feared when studying?”

It shook its head. It hadn’t read many books, so it couldn’t possibly know such a difficult question.

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “The fear of reading too much.”

It was even more confused.

Chen Ping’an explained, “Firstly, with too many books, it’s difficult to be as focused as when you only have a few. Secondly, with too much reading, you understand too many principles, and they clash with each other, ultimately leading to no principles at all. So, when you read in the future, you can think about these two things.”

It said, “Sword Immortal Master, I don’t understand!”

Chen Ping’an smiled and gently patted its shoulder. “It’s alright not to understand, as long as you think about it. The best thing to borrow and never return in this world is knowledge gained from books; you can’t return it all to the sages. Go buy books. I won’t go with you. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties that you feel you can’t overcome alone, go to Qingluo Town and find a Pi Ma Sect cultivator. Tell them you know Chen Ping’an and that you’re good friends.”

It scratched its head. “Why would those deities believe me?”

Chen Ping’an said, “They will believe you.”

It nodded vigorously. “I’ll remember.”

The little spirit, carrying a large empty basket, walked backward, waving goodbye to the Sword Immortal Master, who stood with his hands in his sleeves, watching it.

But soon, it came running back to Chen Ping’an’s group. The basket was empty, and in its hand was an inconspicuous object: a small, loach-yellow inkstone, barely considered a mountain treasure.

Inscribed on it were the words “Understanding Reason and Practicing Diligently.”

Chen Ping’an accepted the gift, smiling and asking, “How much did it cost?”

Wiping the sweat from its brow, it smiled brightly and said, “Reporting to the Sword Immortal Master, exactly one snowflake coin.”

Chen Ping’an immediately knew that the little fellow had definitely run up a tab with that black-hearted shopkeeper. But he said nothing, and they waved goodbye again.

Ning Yao found it increasingly strange.

It seemed that after fighting with Cao Ci and seeing the scroll of time on the night boat—the contents of which Chen Ping’an hadn’t explained in detail—and then seeing this little spirit in the market today, Chen Ping’an’s entire mind and body seemed much lighter. However, the deeper spirit, the sword intent, the fist intent, his overall energy, were all constantly growing.

Chen Ping’an said to Ning Yao, “I’m going to Ghost Domain Valley alone, it’s a very close place, I’ll be back soon, you don’t need to follow. The toll fee at the Pi Ma Sect memorial archway is a bit extortionate.”

Ning Yao didn’t mind. She could take Pei Qian to browse a few more shops. There were a few things she had her eye on that were optional purchases, but she might as well buy them.

Chen Ping’an’s spur-of-the-moment destination was not far, just past Crow Ridge, but far short of Qingluo Town.

It was a place between cliffs, with an iron chain bridge covered in wooden planks, easily walkable even for ordinary scholars.

The last time Chen Ping’an had passed through this place, it was a dilapidated, wind-swept iron chain bridge, occupied by a large, pitch-black python and a spirit with a woman’s head, spinning webs to catch passing mountain birds.

After the situation in Ghost Domain Valley underwent earth-shattering changes, they had all immediately pledged allegiance to Funir City.

Then, having obtained a protective charm, they built a thatched hut at one end of the bridge, marking out a shabby, impoverished place for cultivation.

Chen Ping’an had once spent the night there.

At that time, having nothing to do, two mountain spirits had timidly approached Chen Ping’an along the iron chain bridge.

They couldn’t help but be afraid. There was a black-clothed scholar lying unconscious on the ground, and that person had stripped off the other’s robe and even obtained several talismans, sparkling with precious light. Even a fool could see the priceless value of those talismans.

Before escaping for their lives back then, Brother Haoren and Brother Mu Mao hit it off immediately, becoming fast friends. Working together, they picked up money everywhere.

Chen Ping’an appeared on the cliff. From the thatched hut, two figures quickly emerged: a brawny man in black, his muscles bulging, showing great courage, and a woman in red, with captivating beauty, both only at the Cave Realm, barely able to transform into human form. Their faces, hands, feet, and skin still revealed many details of their true forms.

When Gao Cheng of Jingguan City left Ghost Domain Valley, his departure was mysterious, as if he had dispersed his own luck, benefiting all living beings in the area, although the amount of opportunity each received depended on their own fortune. Even Fan Yunluo found it strange that these two bridge spirits, whose cultivation was originally shallow and whose luck was generally poor, clearly belonged to the small group that had benefited greatly from that “landscape change,” breaking through their bottlenecks and joining the ranks of the middle five realms.

The two of them flew across the bridge and prostrated themselves before Chen Ping’an, their foreheads touching the ground.

“Bridge Keeper greets benefactor.”

“Juanxiu greets benefactor.”

Chen Ping’an was somewhat amused, shaking his head and saying, “That night, we only chatted about cultivation matters. I don’t deserve to be called a benefactor. Cultivate well in the future as repayment for the kindness of heaven and earth.”

By the time the two spirits stood up, the blue-shirted Sword Immortal was already gone.

Back at the memorial archway in the market, Chen Ping’an found Ning Yao reading the “Worry-Free Collection.” She had just finished reading it and closed the book.

Her first question was, “On the road to Qingluo Town, is there a Funir City nearby?”

It was written in the “Worry-Free Collection.” In fact, it was also recorded in the travelogue that Chen Ping’an had given to Ning Yao in the past, but it was only mentioned briefly.

Seeing that Ning Yao cared, he couldn’t help but worry.

So, he roughly explained…
Recalling his adventures when he first entered the Ghost Domain Valley, at Crow Ridge, he encountered the White-Clad Female Ghost, one of the four great specters of Flesh-Slick City, whom City Lord Fan Yunluo addressed as “My Beloved Bai.” That female ghost, with half her face made up, seemed to have been a concubine of a martial general in her previous life. Later, there was Fan Yunluo, the self-proclaimed “Rouge Marquis” within the Ghost Domain Valley, the spirit of a fallen kingdom’s princess. At the time, she rode in a dazzling, pearl-and-jewel-encrusted imperial carriage, adorned in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, yet with the appearance of a young girl. In any case, one thing led to another, and they engaged in a fierce battle, resulting in a deeply unpleasant encounter and forging a deadly feud.

If it hadn’t been for the swordsman Pu Rang, Chen Ping’an might have pursued them all the way to Flesh-Slick City and wiped them out.

Ning Yao, listening to Chen Ping’an’s words, suddenly asked, “Such a captivating tale of mountains and waters, why not record more of it in your notes?”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Is it captivating?”

The White-Haired Boy said, “If the Old Ancestor of Hidden Lineage says it’s captivating, then it’s captivating. If he says it’s not, then it’s not. Old Ancestor of Hidden Lineage, do you think it’s captivating?”

Pei Qian blinked, remaining silent.

Little Rice Grain, however, sided with an outsider, nodding vigorously. “It’s captivating beyond compare, a chaotic masterpiece, full of twists and turns!”

Alas, this well-intentioned Mountain Lord, wise in most matters but foolish at times, can’t distinguish right from wrong. If I help you now, how can I possibly assist you secretly with Sister Ning later? If I speak fairly then, I won’t be believed.

Chen Ping’an, having listened to everyone’s opinions, smiled and said, “Then in the future, whenever I have such stories of mountains and waters, I will definitely write more about them, without sparing ink.”

The group left Bone Beach and rode the wind towards Suijia City in Silver Screen Kingdom.

Along the way, they passed Moonrise Mountain and Golden Light Peak, where the two mountain spirits seemed to have accumulated great fortune, cultivating alongside Li Xisheng for many years.

Pei Qian had previously traveled north with Li Huai and the fox spirit Wei Taizhen, even making a special trip to Ghost Axe Palace to find Du Yu. However, this highly respected “Let Three Moves” Senior Du was not on the mountain at the time. Chen Ping’an didn’t plan to visit Ghost Axe Palace this time either. Given Du Yu’s temperament, he undoubtedly still preferred to roam the pugilistic world, unable to stay put on the mountain.

In Suijia City, the Fire God Temple thrived with incense.

The City God Temple in the north of the city had also been replaced with a new City God.

The burly man inside the Fire God Temple, stepping out from behind the painted clay statue, looked the same as ever. Twenty years, for a mountain and water spirit with an endless lifespan, was merely a fleeting moment.

Chen Ping’an drank wine with the burly man, hearing that the incense at the Water Nymph Temple of the Tiaoxi and Shaoxi Canal Masters had also improved significantly. As for the Tiaoxi Canal Mistress, she had been replaced by a female spirit of exceptional quality. Even the burly man thought highly of her, considering her appointment as the new Canal Mistress a blessing for the local populace. Hearing this, Chen Ping’an decided against visiting the Azure Gully Lake Water Mansion to see Lord Yin’s new dragon throne.

As the Fire God Temple spirit finished his drink, he chuckled in his heart, “Sword Immortal Chen, you have a good eye for a wife. She’s beautiful, not talkative, knows etiquette, and is very virtuous.”

Chen Ping’an, beaming with joy, drained a large bowl of wine and replied in his heart, “Not at all, not at all. When traveling, I am, after all, the head of the household. The woman manages the home, and the man manages the outside.”

Slightly tipsy, just right.

Leaving Suijia City together on the wind, Chen Ping’an immediately dispelled the alcohol’s effects.

Ning Yao smiled and said, “I hardly toasted with him. Do I know etiquette?”

Chen Ping’an pretended not to hear.

Arriving at Mute Lake in Yellow Wind Valley, Bao Xiang Kingdom, after landing, Pei Qian laughed, “Such a big lake?”

Zhou Mili jumped up and down, grinning from ear to ear. The little girl was clearly missing her hometown. Hearing Pei Qian describe Mute Lake like that made her very happy.

But actually, Pei Qian had been here before.

The White-Haired Boy rolled his eyes, but he could never bring himself to tell a lie; it made him feel ashamed.

Suddenly, he noticed the Old Ancestor of Hidden Lineage glancing at him sideways.

The White-Haired Boy immediately patted the head of the squat dwarf beside him, smiling and saying, “Mili, such a large territory! You must have an army of shrimp soldiers and crab generals under your command, right? Where are they? Quickly issue a decree and summon them all out, so I can broaden my horizons. But let me tell you in advance, if you scare me, you’ll have to pay me compensation.”

Little Rice Grain scratched her face, shyly saying, “Nope, nope, they all roam the pugilistic world alone.”

Chen Ping’an walked along the water’s edge, inexplicably thinking of that镖shi (bodyguard/escort for hire)young man.

He must be nearly fifty years old by now. Twenty years in the martial world… perhaps the young江湖(pugilistic world) of the past now has white hair.

The moonlight was serene, the ripples shimmering like scattered silver coins.

They walked along the lake together, Chen Ping’an extending his arm, with Little Rice Grain hanging from it with both hands, swinging her legs and laughing heartily.

Chen Ping’an deliberately lingered longer, spending the night there. Little Rice Grain dragged the White-Haired Boy to “wander the pugilistic world” in Mute Lake, making a great commotion.

The same moonlight shone across the Nine Provinces.

Spring Dew Garden, Illumination Grass Cottage.

Song Lanqiao finally found some free time and came to visit Tang Xi to drink wine.

Two unfortunate brothers.

One couldn’t speak his mind with his master; he would be scolded as soon as he opened his mouth. Reason couldn’t prevail.

The other couldn’t speak his mind with the Mountain Lord of Spring Dew Garden either. He wouldn’t be scolded, but would always encounter polite refusal.

Coupled with those who fanned the flames, eager for chaos, it made these two seasoned veterans of business and human relations, who were accustomed to it, feel truly exhausted.

So in recent years, these two cultivators, whose positions in the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall were relatively low, would often gather together for a drink, whether or not there was a specific reason.

Originally, they had no personal relationship to speak of, but after sharing cups and pots every now and then, they had developed a decent friendship.

Not long ago, Tang Xi received a secret piece of news: the young Mountain Lord of Fallen Mountain, who had seemed to disappear like a clay ox entering the sea twenty years ago, had finally returned home.

Not only that, but there was also a more shocking rumor: Fallen Mountain had risen to the ranks of a sect in one fell swoop.

However, it had not invited anyone from Spring Dew Garden to attend the ceremony.

There was a sense of an impending storm.

Song Lanqiao raised his wine cup, took a sip, and sat cross-legged on the chair. “You’re still doing alright; at least you’re helping to manage that Ant Shop, a trickle of goodwill. He’s a nostalgic person, so he definitely won’t do anything to you.”

Tang Xi looked dejected. “How can anyone do business like that? A good game, a beautiful opening layout, ruined by their own people. They can’t blame anyone else; it’s pathetic.”

Song Lanqiao rolled his eyes and said, “Go tell that to my master.”

Tang Xi chuckled in anger. “Then why don’t you go find Old Ancestor Tan?”
They exchanged a glance, a hearty laugh, each raising a cup in a bittersweet toast.

Song Lanqiao sighed, “Such a young Sect Leader. I reckon the next time I see that lad, I’ll be tongue-tied.”

His own Spring Dew Garden had been scheming for so many years, all for that “Sect” title. Mountain Lord, Ancestor, the Nascent Soul cultivator Tan Ling, had spared no effort, yet they still hadn’t managed to ascend to a sect.

Tang Xi chuckled, “For us old men, life is just one gulp of wine after another.”

Song Lanqiao roared with laughter, “Then let’s drain this one!”

At daybreak, the group continued their journey toward Silent Lake.

Reaching the Golden Crow Palace gate, Pei Qian announced his name. The gatekeeper quickly went to report, informing the Grand Elder Martial Ancestor that esteemed guests from that side had arrived, a notification that needed to be passed to both the Ancestral Hall and Snow Arbor Peak.

Back then, Liu Zhiqing receiving a group of outsiders was a considerable event within the Golden Crow Palace.

After all, this Palace Lord’s Junior Uncle was notoriously friendless, almost never hosting visitors.

Within the sect, they only knew that their senior-most ancestor, both in terms of seniority and cultivation, seemed to have an excellent relationship with the new Sect Leader of the Grand Zenith Sword Sect.

Previously, the old ancestor had rarely descended the mountain, but he had been seen with that Sword Immortal Sect Leader, drawing his sword several times, each strike ruthless.

There was also the time he met a wandering young Sword Immortal near Jade Glade in Spring Dew Garden, only known by the surname Chen.

Pei Qian respectfully clasped his hands in a salute, addressing him as Mister Liu.

The last time he visited Golden Crow Palace, Liu Zhiqing had acted like a schoolteacher, a semi-elder of the family, even carefully examining Pei Qian’s calligraphy, concluding with, “Your writing is better than your master’s.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, introducing, “Ning Yao.”

Liu Zhiqing was greatly surprised, quickly composing himself, forming a sword seal with one hand and bowing, saying in a deep voice, “Golden Crow Palace, Liu Zhiqing, greets Sword Immortal Ning.”

Ning Yao returned the bow, “Greetings, Mister Liu.”

Calling him Sword Immortal Liu seemed inappropriate.

Leaving aside the customs of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Ning Yao herself was an Ascension Realm Sword Cultivator. Calling a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator “Sword Immortal” would make them both uncomfortable.

Chen Ping’an shook his head, inwardly criticizing, *This fellow is far inferior to me.*

*Back at the Ironmonger’s in Dragon Whiskers River, beside Liu Xianyang, when I met She Yue, what did I call her?*

*So, when you, Liu Zhiqing, meet Ning Yao, you can’t even call her ‘Sister-in-law’? Such an advantage, and you don’t even seize it.*

Liu Zhiqing glanced at the white-haired boy.

Chen Ping’an transmitted mentally, “Not suitable to say much.”

Liu Zhiqing understood, nodding and refraining from further questioning.

*An Ascension Realm Outer Demon, her true name a natural enigma, Wu Shuangjiang of the Year-End Palace in Azure Billow World, a Dao Companion, the opportunity for a Fourteenth Realm Dao Unification…*

Which of these was not a taboo of the highest order on the mountain?

The white-haired boy waited for a long time, seeing that the Hidden Officer Ancestor hadn’t mentioned him even once to his friend, feeling heartbroken. He sat in the chair, head bowed, kicking his boots together.

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Come down the mountain with me? I hear Liu Jinglong is quite the figure in the Northern Passage Continent, universally acknowledged as invincible in drinking. Only I am a little wary of him. With you there, I’ll propose the toasts, you’ll block the drinks. Let’s break his dominance at the drinking table together!”

Liu Zhiqing chuckled, “No, I need to seclude myself to practice my sword.”

Chen Ping’an continued to persuade, “What’s the hurry with practicing the sword? It’s not urgent. We’re only one realm apart now, completely negligible.”

Liu Zhiqing smiled slightly, “I won’t see Mountain Lord Chen off.”

Chen Ping’an wrapped an arm around Liu Zhiqing’s shoulder, ruthlessly rubbing salt into his wounds, tut-tutting, “Oh, such airs! What, are you bullying me because I’m not a Nascent Soul Sword Immortal?”

Liu Zhiqing raised his hand, two fingers together, pushing Chen Ping’an’s arm away.

Chen Ping’an’s smile faded, transmitting mentally, “Oh, right, speaking of serious matters, in the next few years, I plan to travel to the Central Earth Divine Continent. I’ll call on Liu Jinglong. Do you have any interest in joining us?”

He had made a promise with Liu Jinglong at the ferry near Spring Dew Garden long ago to travel to the Central Earth together in the future.

Liu Zhiqing shook his head, “I won’t descend the mountain until I reach the Jade Pure Realm. When I reach the Jade Pure Realm, the first place I want to go is not the Central Earth Divine Continent. Hopefully, it won’t be too late.”

If he truly couldn’t break through the bottleneck, he would have to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall ruins as a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator and then fly south on his sword.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and nodded, “Then break through early.”

Perhaps there would be a chance to travel to the Savage Desolate World together.

Arriving at Spring Dew Garden, Chen Ping’an parted ways with Ning Yao and went alone to see the old woman, Song Lanqiao’s mentor, Lin Luohe.

He still observed the manners of a junior, calling on her, and then, without the slightest impatience, chatted with the old woman for a long time. Lin Luohe, who would scold anyone she saw at the Ancestral Hall, instantly transformed into a kind-eyed elder upon seeing Chen Ping’an. The old woman sat in her chair, turning sideways, constantly reaching out to hold the young man’s hand, asking if he had been through hardships in his travels these years, why he looked so thin, why he hadn’t sent a single letter to Spring Dew Garden, which was not good, and he shouldn’t do that again, as it worried people. Had he found a suitable Dao Companion on the mountain yet? If so, he should bring her to meet her later. If not, he needed to hurry…

The old woman escorted Chen Ping’an all the way to the foot of the mountain.

So, Chen Ping’an’s trip to Spring Dew Garden was only to see her.

The ferry manager Song Lanqiao, the God of Wealth Tang Xi, the Mountain Lord Tan Ling, none of them were seen.

Therefore, when Chen Ping’an left, and they learned that this young Sword Immortal, the Sect Leader, had come and gone so quickly, the Spring Dew Garden Ancestral Hall urgently convened a meeting that day.

A figure in a green robe, standing at a seaside ferry, a gentle breeze caressing his face, sideburns fluttering, sleeves billowing.

The bright moon in the sky, the surging waves at sea, the green-robed figure among mortals. “Sword, come!”