At the ferry crossing of the Ji River, a grand archway bore the inscription “Underwater Grotto Heaven” in bold calligraphy. Here, the Great River expanded to a staggering width of three hundred li. Chen Pingan had last visited this place clad in a cyan robe, a sword on his back and a crimson gourd hanging from his waist, as a sword immortal. Now, he carried the Night Wanderer sword instead, and his green bamboo mountain staff was gone.

At the Mulong Ferry of the Water Dragon Sect, the founding patriarch had planted over a thousand immortal tangerine trees. Before his mortal coil was shed, he had chuckled, admitting his cultivation was mediocre, but he bequeathed his disciples a thousand “wooden slaves” (referring to the tangerine trees).

For no reason, Chen Pingan thought of Xun Yuan, the old patriarch of the Jade Regulation Sect. Jiang Shangzhen had said that the old codger’s true last words were, in fact, a self-pitying phrase: “My family is poor.”

It seemed that every sect, mountain-based and with a continuous lineage, had a shrewd, penny-pinching leader.

Chen Pingan apologized to Ning Yao, “I was delayed at the Locking Cloud Sect longer than expected, so I won’t be able to accompany you to the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven and Duckweed Island. I need to head straight to the Grand Source Dynasty’s Chongxuan Bureau to discuss matters with Emperor Lu and National Preceptor Yang Qingkong. Then, I need to meet with Sun Jie and Shao Jingzhi of the Water Dragon Sect’s northern and southern factions, to discuss the leasing or purchasing of Duckweed Island. Please wait for me on Duckweed Island. The scenery in the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven is incredibly beautiful and won’t be boring even after a few days. I’ll try to return as quickly as possible.”

Ning Yao nodded. Seeing that Chen Pingan didn’t seem ready to leave, she said, “I mentioned this matter to Sword Immortal Li of Floating Duckweed Sword Lake. She said it’s not a problem. She already owns thirty percent of the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven. As for a Duckweed Island that’s been masterless for years, what’s there to lease? If you really want to develop it into a summer resort for people from other mountains, just buy it outright. The Water Dragon Sect has no reason to obstruct you. If you can’t agree on a price, just let it be. She’ll come down in price eventually.”

Little Rice Grain covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, “Sword Immortal Li is so informal and magnanimous. She just waved her hand and said it’s no big deal! Haggle if it’s negotiable, and slash if it’s not. Leasing is for chumps!”

Chen Pingan rubbed Little Rice Grain’s head and glanced at the long queue. He smiled at Ning Yao, “I’ll buy a few travel permits for the grotto heaven for you. They’re made of immortal tangerine wood and have a unique stamp. Unfortunately, you can’t take them with you; they must be returned to the Water Dragon Sect. After you pass the archway, there are dozens of stone tablets and steles. If you’re interested, you can take a closer look, especially the ‘Stone Bridge Construction Record of the Wise Men of the Taiping Era’ and the ‘Dragon Pavilion Water Offering Stele.’ They describe the construction of the stone bridge and the origins of the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven’s discovery.”

Ning Yao glanced at Chen Pingan and asked, “Are you feeling guilty, so you’re trying to make amends?”

Chen Pingan looked bewildered.

Ning Yao smiled, “Guai Pulse Courtyard on Osmanthus Island, Jade Glaze Cliff at Spring Dew Garden, and now this Underwater Dragon Palace Duckweed Island… all good places for tea and wine. Maybe there’s even a Night Sailing Ship Spirit Rhinoceros City. Can you manage it all?”

These immortal residences were all considered the young mountain master’s private property.

Pei Qian lowered her eyes, while the white-haired child doubled over with silent laughter. Little Rice Grain was completely baffled. Wasn’t it a good thing that the good mountain master had lots of property, made lots of money, and had lots of friends?

Chen Pingan said, “Guai Pulse Courtyard and Jade Glaze Cliff have been vacant for many years.”

Ning Yao remembered something, “Yuan Chang, a nascent soul sword cultivator from Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, is willing to serve as a guest elder for the Colorful Sparrow Residence.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “That’s a good thing.”

Earlier, at Crawling Peak, when visiting Pointing to the Profound Peak, Yuan Lingdian had also agreed to this.

The last time Chen Pingan visited the grotto heaven, the Water Dragon Sect happened to be hosting two of the most important Taoist rituals of the year, a jade and golden talisman rite, one on the tenth day and the other on the fifteenth day of the tenth month, one a ghost festival and the other a Water Official’s Elimination of Calamities Day. So, there were an especially large number of tourists at the time. Chen Pingan had waited nearly half an hour to buy his wooden permit. This time, the Water Dragon Sect wasn’t holding any fasts or rituals, so the wait wasn’t as long. It cost ten snowflakes coins per person to rent a wooden stamp from the Water Dragon Sect. However, unlike the last time, the inscriptions weren’t auspicious, but more like….

The Water Dragon Sect female cultivator handed over four stamps and smiled, taking the initiative to remind him, “Young Master, our stamps are now for sale.”

After many years, she clearly still recognized the cyan-robed swordsman who was visiting the grotto heaven again. She had a good memory.

The same cyan robe and sword, the same crimson gourd hanging from his waist, and someone with a green bamboo staff by his side. With her unforgettable memory, it would be difficult not to remember. Last time, this guest had asked if the stamps could be bought, which had caused quite a bit of laughter.

“I’m doomed.” Chen Pingan said awkwardly, forcing a smile. “May I ask, Miss, what is the price for buying them?”

The white-haired child covered his belly with one hand and held Little Rice Grain’s shoulder with the other, laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

“Oh dear.”

Little Rice Grain scratched her face. What was wrong with the good mountain master? When he didn’t take her out adventuring, he seemed to enjoy discussing business with unfamiliar young ladies? She’d said so many good things about him to Sister Ning!

Chen Pingan examined the stamps in his hand and found that the side inscriptions were all commentaries on the merits of various calligraphers from the continent. “So-and-so’s calligraphy is like a restoring monarch, holding a position of honor with divine brilliance.” “So-and-so’s calligraphy is like a swift horse charging into battle, with clashing blades, a taut bow suddenly released, and startled birds taking flight.” “So-and-so’s calligraphy is like an immortal of the deep mountains, clear of mind and spirit, wanting to retreat back into the clouds upon seeing people.” These were all compliments. There were also some rather impolite remarks, almost scolding people directly, saying that so-and-so’s regular script was like a newly rich commoner, coarse in form, and that so-and-so’s running script was like a maid acting as a lady, coquettish in demeanor, ultimately not of a proper position.

The female cultivator replied with a smile, “Two stamps only cost one Minor Heat coin, buy two and get one free.”

Chen Pingan shook his head. The price was too expensive. Besides, Chen Pingan was now half an expert in the art of metal and stone engraving. Moreover, he had calligraphy scrolls of Su Shi and Liu Yong, obtained with the help of his teacher. Why buy these?

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but frown slightly. Could it be that the Water Dragon Sect was in urgent need of immortal money? Otherwise, with the Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven as such a treasure trove, there was no reason for them to need to earn money in this way. This meant that when he discussed the purchase of Duckweed Island with the Water Dragon Sect later, he would likely be at a disadvantage in terms of price.

He politely declined the Water Dragon Sect female cultivator, handed the stamps to Ning Yao and the others, briefly described the sword duel at Locking Cloud Sect, and then prepared to leave Mulong Ferry and set off for the capital of the Grand Source Dynasty.

Ning Yao didn’t say anything from beginning to end.
As Chen Pingan hurriedly walked through the bustling crowd, Ning Yao watched his fleeing figure and smiled. She would never doubt Chen Pingan in such a trivial matter. A money-grubber is a money-grubber anywhere. Weren’t the paintings of goddesses in the Mural City just another product of the Parcel Wrapping Shop?

Chen Pingan left the ferry and went to a secluded shore of the Ji River. He stepped into the water and activated his natal magic item, the Water Character Seal, employing a water evasion technique to travel far away.

Within the Grand Origin Dynasty, the Department for the崇玄 (Revering the Profound), a message had arrived via flying sword from Golden Goblet Ferry, addressed directly to the National Preceptor, Yang Qingkong. It stated a desire to visit the Emperor of the Lu Clan, signed with a single character: Chen.

The Grand Origin Dynasty of the Lu Clan placed the Department for Revering the Profound, which was essentially the Yang Clan’s Cloud Soaring Palace. This magnificent Daoist palace was the most renowned immortal residence in the Northern Ju Continent. Compared to it, the sect of Celestial Lord Xie Shi was like a dilapidated shack on a mountain.

After receiving the secret letter, National Preceptor Yang Qingkong immediately left the Department and entered the palace for an audience with the Emperor.

From its founding, the Grand Origin Dynasty of the Lu Clan regarded itself as blessed by the virtue of water, as evidenced by its dynastic name.

Today, the Emperor was in a small, sunlit warm chamber, receiving over thirty prodigies from various regions. He was merely offering them words of encouragement, selecting a few for questions and answers, and bestowing some gifts. The specific list of candidates, their positions, had all been predetermined by the Ministry of Rites. If His Majesty was in a good mood, he might ask a few more questions, resulting in a few more imperial gifts afterward.

The warm chamber was not large, and with so many people today, it felt a bit crowded. However, the young prodigies were all flattered and overwhelmed. A few from humble backgrounds trembled, forcing themselves to remain composed so as not to be impolite. They had all heard that His Majesty only chose this location when meeting with important officials of the central government. According to the saying in the capital’s bureaucracy, this was where His Majesty spoke in a relaxed manner.

Today, the Emperor singled out a youth from a border city and asked, “What should be done when one only knows the commands of powerful families and not the laws of the nation?” The youth’s face flushed red, and his mind was a mess. There was no way he could respond appropriately.

Fortunately, the National Preceptor helped defuse the situation. The Emperor stood up, smiled, and comforted the uneasy youth, saying that he could submit his thoughts to the Ministry of Rites later.

Led by the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, the prodigies filed out of the warm chamber with light steps.

Yang Qingkong performed a Daoist salute to the Emperor, mentioning the matter of the Hidden Official, Chen Pingan, requesting an audience.

The Emperor smiled, “So soon? Could it be that this Hidden Official came directly to our Northern Ju Continent as soon as he left the Confucian Temple?”

Yang Qingkong nodded, “Most likely. The Department for Revering the Profound received Chen Pingan’s invitation just before receiving news from the mountains. Five days ago, a swordsman named Chen from the Great Wall of Swords, together with Liu Jinglong of the Grand Tenuity Sword Sect, challenged the Locking Cloud Sect, ascending to the Cloud Nourishing Peak and directly dismantling their ancestral hall. Sect Leader Yang Que did not intervene. Guest Elder Cui Gongzhuang had an argument and was slightly injured. Immortal Wei Jingcui even used the Moon Chasing Mirror, but was still severely injured by Liu Jinglong’s sword. However, this is because the Department for Revering the Profound has spies within the Locking Cloud Sect, so we learned of this matter a few days earlier than other ordinary sects.”

The Emperor gestured for the National Preceptor to sit down and speak. On the low table on the couch, there was a food box filled with various pastries. The Emperor pushed the box toward the National Preceptor, picked up a piece of apricot blossom cake, chewed it slowly, and asked with a smile, “Would it be inappropriate to meet him here?”

Yang Qingkong nodded, “It is indeed not suitable for Your Majesty to meet him formally for the first time so intimately. Moreover, the various furnishings and objects here…”

The National Preceptor looked around and said with a smile, “Would reveal too much of Your Majesty’s thoughts.”

The Emperor asked curiously, “The Locking Cloud Sect is such a large sect, and on its own territory, how could they not stop two Jade Pure Realm sword immortals from ascending step by step?”

“The Locking Cloud Sect has one immortal and one Jade Pure cultivator, and many terrestrial immortal cultivators. At first glance, it can be said to have deep foundations. However, Wei Jingcui and Yang Que have harbored their own thoughts for a long time, and their union is only superficial. Naturally, they will only be a disorganized mess. Surface strength is always false, which is a great taboo for any sect.”

Yang Qingkong sat sideways, facing the Emperor. This Daoist Celestial Lord held a horsetail whisk, with the words “Purge Filth, Clear Heat, Used to Humble the Mind” inscribed on the white jade handle, signed “God of Wind.”

The Emperor nodded upon hearing this, then picked up another pastry and put it in his mouth. After swallowing it slowly, he asked, “Then shall we entertain the guest at your Department for Revering the Profound?”

Yang Qingkong smiled, “It is Your Majesty’s Department for Revering the Profound.”

The Emperor clapped his hands, “We are all one family.”

The Lu Clan Emperors are like flowing water, but the Yang Clan’s Cloud Soaring Palace is like unyielding iron.

This rebellious saying has been circulating among officials and the public for many years. However, it must be admitted that both the Department for Revering the Profound and the Cloud Soaring Palace have been able to take further steps under this Lu Clan Emperor.

The Cloud Soaring Palace is a typical family temple, with one family and one surname seemingly inherited in perpetuity, similar to Dragon Tiger Mountain. In fact, the Emperor also had high hopes for the brothers Yang Ningzhen and Yang Ningxing going to the Five Colored Earth.

The next day, at the Department for Revering the Profound, the Lu Clan Emperor met the young Hidden Official, who arrived on time as agreed, without making the Emperor wait even for a moment.

In reality, the office of the Department for Revering the Profound, where the court Daoist officials are on duty, does not occupy much land. The Emperor received the blue-robed sword immortal in a secluded courtyard within the Department. Ancient trees towered in the courtyard, and besides the National Preceptor Yang Qingkong and a young imperial prince, there were no other outsiders.

After Chen Pingan followed Yang Qingkong into the courtyard, he cupped his hands in salute.

The Lu Clan Emperor had already risen and was waiting. He returned the salute with clasped fists, and the young imperial prince called out “Mr. Chen” and bowed respectfully. After rising, the young prince’s eyes were filled with curiosity, admiration, and a hint of awe and reverence as he looked at the blue-robed sword immortal.

Chen Pingan’s visit to the Department for Revering the Profound was for three things. First, to thank the Lu Clan Dynasty for clearing the path and protecting Chen Lingjun of Fallen Mountain when he walked the rivers in his early years. When dragons walk the rivers, they take away a significant portion of the water fortune. This is a real loss for a large dynasty like the Lu Clan. Therefore, dynasties of all ages, let alone clearing the path and protecting those who walk the rivers through their jurisdiction, only make things difficult. Second, to discuss intercontinental trade with the Lu Clan Emperor. Finally, the matter of Fushui Island’s purchase.
After all the talk, it boils down to money.

The Emperor of the Lu Dynasty was extremely decisive. Regarding the matter of bypassing the proper channels of waterways, he dispensed with all formalities and stated bluntly that if it hadn’t been for Duke Lingyuan, Shen Lin, and Marquis Longting, Li Yuan, having already notified the Dayuan court, they wouldn’t have granted passage to Mister Chen, as they didn’t recognize him then. However, times had changed, so in the future, for any similar requests, a simple notification would suffice, and Dayuan and all its affiliated vassal states would grant passage. As for intercontinental trade, Yang Qingkong at the Literary Temple’s Merit Grove had likely discussed the generalities with Chen Ping’an already. Therefore, today the Emperor directly presented a ledger, quite thick, containing detailed and appropriate pricing for various Dayuan specialties and mountain goods, along with different tiered commission schemes for Fallen Phoenix Mountain. The Ministry of Revenue official who would be specifically responsible for coordinating with Fallen Phoenix Mountain in the future… everything was clear and straightforward, allowing Chen Ping’an to peruse it with ease.

Chen Ping’an closed the ledger, smiling, “Your Majesty is very thoughtful. Fallen Phoenix Mountain has no objections. If all goes as planned, within a Jiazi cycle (60 years)…”

The Emperor of the Lu Dynasty seemed somewhat surprised, “Mister Chen isn’t going to haggle? It would take away some of the fun, and we wouldn’t have a reason to drink, the Department of Mystical Cultivation has quite a few century-old vintages of Three Watches Wine.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, we could simply skip the Dragon Palace Grotto’s Three Watches Wine. I happen to have a few jugs of wine from my own liquor store.”

The Emperor asked, “Is it the Azure God Mountain liquor from the Sword Qi Great Wall?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled wryly. Was he giving this Emperor fake wine?

Never mind, he could remedy the situation. Chen Ping’an took out three jugs of wine and placed them on the table, then retrieved a calligraphy piece from his sleeve, handing it to the young prince, smiling, “It’s a calligraphy piece by my teacher.”

The young man’s face flushed crimson instantly. He hurriedly rose, accepting the scroll of Mister Wen Sheng’s personal calligraphy with both hands, thanking him and sitting back down, cradling the scroll with great care.

Regarding the matter of Fushui Island’s trade, it was simple. Yang Qingkong said that the Department of Mystical Cultivation would send a letter to the Water Dragon Sect’s Ancestral Hall. The three percent belonging to the Dayuan Dynasty would be waived, as a gift in return for Mister Chen’s grand visit to the Department of Mystical Cultivation.

After everyone tasted the Azure God Mountain liquor, Chen Ping’an planned to take his leave. Suddenly, the young man lightly tugged at the Emperor’s sleeve. The Emperor smiled and said, “Mister Chen, in your opinion, does Lu Jun have the aptitude for martial arts?”

This question was naturally superfluous. Whether a prince had the aptitude for cultivating the Dao or martial arts, there was no need to wait until he reached adolescence to ask an outsider.

Chen Ping’an said, “It’s very ordinary.”

The young man’s expression dimmed.

Chen Ping’an smiled again, “However, practicing martial arts is different from cultivation. It values aptitude, yet it doesn’t. For example, my own aptitude for martial arts was also very ordinary back then. It was just that practicing fist techniques was relatively arduous. If you want to find a fist-teaching master, I can barely manage, but we wouldn’t be considered formal master and disciple.”

The young man’s spirit instantly soared. Practicing fist techniques was secondary; finding an impressive master was paramount! As for the only person he deemed worthy to be his master, who was once far beyond reach, was now right before his eyes.

Finally, Chen Ping’an gifted Lu Jun a fist manual, mentioning some rudimentary matters of practicing fist techniques. The Emperor of the Lu Dynasty and the Imperial Preceptor Yang Qingkong exchanged glances, both surprised that it was a hand-copied rubbing of the Mountain-Shaking Fist. Did this young Hidden Officer have some kind of fist technique connection with the Great Seal martial artist, Gu You?

Chen Ping’an had arrived at the entrance of the Department of Mystical Cultivation, and he also departed from there.

The Emperor of the Lu Dynasty and the other two escorted him all the way to the entrance, watching as the man in the azure robe departed on the wind.

The Emperor chuckled softly, “I imagined many scenes of our meeting beforehand, but when we actually sat down to negotiate, it seemed like nothing much.”

Even while drinking, it was as if they were drinking tea, even slightly bland.

Yang Qingkong cautioned in a mental voice, “Your Majesty, do not let your guard down. This is where his cultivation truly excels.”

The Emperor nodded, glancing at his most valued son beside him. The young man was unaware that he was about to become the Crown Prince of Dayuan. The Emperor withdrew his gaze and smiled at the Imperial Preceptor, “Then let’s keep a closer eye on the finances for a few more years.”

After Chen Ping’an left the Dayuan Dynasty, he traveled swiftly on the wind. Occasionally, in the night, he would encounter the lights of villages below, slowing and lowering his form, passing over those mortal cities. Despite seeing countless sights, he still couldn’t take them all in. The world was vast, yet there was still beautiful scenery unknown to poets. Rivers flowed, reflecting the moon, and the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking in the alleys, the rhythmic pounding of pestles in the market at night…

Instead of heading straight for Wood Slave Ferry to pay a visit to the Water Dragon Sect, Chen Ping’an first made a trip to Duke Lingyuan, Shen Lin’s, newly constructed Water Mansion. He suddenly understood why the Water Dragon Sect was short on funds. If Shen Lin had only relied on the wealth he had as the former master of the Southern Fragrance Water Palace, he would absolutely not have been able to build such a Duke’s mansion. Moreover, given the relationship between the former Water Warden Li Yuan and the Water Dragon Sect, Marquis Longting’s Water Mansion would also inevitably have to run up a tab with the Water Dragon Sect.

When Shen Lin saw Chen Ping’an, he immediately sent a message to Marquis Longting’s mansion. The speed at which the Grand Water Duke and Marquis traveled was no less than that of an Ascended Realm Great Cultivator. Therefore, Chen Ping’an had only waited for less than half an hour before he saw Li Yuan, the black-clad youth. Upon hearing that Chen Ping’an wanted to spend money to buy Fushui Island, he was filled with heartache and indignation, spitting in the direction of the Water Dragon Sect, saying that it had long been considered his territory, and that Sun Jie and Shao Jingzhi had no shame in taking money. However, after hearing Chen Ping’an’s description of the situations at Floating Duckweed Sword Lake and the Department of Mystical Cultivation, Li Yuan didn’t go directly to the Water Dragon Sect’s Ancestral Hall to curse. He told Shen Lin that they should jointly write a letter to the Water Dragon Sect, but Shen Lin glanced at Chen Ping’an, who gently shook his head in refusal, so he didn’t agree to Li Yuan’s reckless suggestion.

Li Yuan sat casually on a chair, puzzled, “Brother Chen, since you don’t need me and Shen Lin’s help, why did you make a special trip here? Is there something else?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Chen Lingjun’s successful passage through the waterways was no easy feat. And I happened to be passing by Ji River, so shouldn’t I properly thank the two of you?”

Li Yuan kicked off his boots, sat cross-legged, and said mournfully, “Then why didn’t you go to my mansion? What’s this, do you think Shen Lin’s official hat is bigger than mine, so you came here? You’re a terrible friend.”

Suddenly, Li Yuan’s eyes lit up. He glanced at the young azure-robed Sword Immortal, then at Shen Lin, whose looks were actually quite good. He chuckled knowingly, understanding everything. He cleared his throat, lowered his head and bent over, not bothering to put on his shoes, picked up one boot in each hand, and started to walk towards the door. “I’ll go guard outside, will half an hour be enough for you two?”
Smiling faintly, Shen Lin didn’t mind.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Let’s get this straight. When you get to the Dragon Palace Grotto-heaven, don’t spout nonsense like this. Otherwise, you can just stay behind.”

Li Yuan asked, puzzled, “Traveling with a woman?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I brought my wife.”

Li Yuan slapped his chair and laughed heartily, “A true man should have three wives and four concubines, five or six Daoist companions! Isn’t that wonderful?!”

Chen Ping’an cupped his hands in his sleeves, smiling, “Say it again, Marquis Longting, just say whatever you want. Say it all here first, then I’ll take you over.”

Li Yuan crossed his arms, tilting his head and squinting, “What? Can she beat you, or can she beat me?”

Chen Ping’an stood up, “Forget it, you stay here. I’ll go to the Water Dragon Sect alone.”

Li Yuan quickly put on his boots, vowing, “What are you thinking? Am I the kind of person who doesn’t know what’s appropriate? When I see your sister-in-law, I guarantee you’ll have plenty of face.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated, then decided to take Li Yuan along.

After Liu Jinglong left the Lock Cloud Sect territory, he quietly went to Mount Tonghua. After returning to the Fluttering Peak in the sect, he found Baishou and asked him to travel to Yunyan Kingdom next time he went down the mountain, to inquire about Cui Gongzhuang, a ninth-realm martial artist.

Sitting in a bamboo chair, Baishou crossed his legs, rubbing his chin, and said, “Cui Gongzhuang, I’ve heard of him. A grandmaster, his martial skills are not bad. Relying on being the chief guest elder of the Lock Cloud Sect, he kills Qi refiners without any hesitation.”

Liu Jinglong roughly explained the process of the sword challenge. Baishou wondered, “Cui Gongzhuang is already such a pushover, what’s there to worry about? Won’t he have to go around when he sees my brother Chen in the future?”

Liu Jinglong shook his head, “What Chen Ping’an is worried about is not the recklessness of a martial artist climbing the mountain and throwing punches, but privately, in Yunyan Kingdom where the martial world already bows to Cui Gongzhuang, he and his disciples are rampant.”

Baishou said, “With the lesson of Raising Cloud Peak and that illusory hundred-year agreement, Cui Gongzhuang will definitely restrain himself.”

Liu Jinglong smiled, “When you travel to Yunyan Kingdom, Cui Gongzhuang will understand a truth.”

Baishou tentatively said, “Is it saying that besides you two, there is another person, a junior to you, who will be keeping an eye on his sect and disciples every now and then?”

Liu Jinglong nodded with a smile.

His eldest disciple was naturally not stupid.

Liu Jinglong would naturally do this kind of checking for omissions without Chen Ping’an needing to say much. Even if it wasn’t Baishou of Fluttering Peak traveling to Yunyan Kingdom, it would be replaced by another direct disciple sword cultivator of the sect.

Liu Jinglong stood up, “I will immediately return to the Lock Cloud Sect and will need to stay there for some time. Don’t slack off in your sword practice on the mountain.”

Baishou nodded, “Go ahead, I’ll watch over the Taiwei Sword Sect. Who dares to challenge it?”

Liu Jinglong asked with a smile, “What about a fist challenge?”

Baishou glared, “Whose master are you?”

Liu Jinglong vanished in a flash, heading to the Lock Cloud Sect.

Listening Rain Peak, the ancestral mountain of the Lock Cloud Sect, was the residence of Old Ancestor Fei Qing. Wei Jingcui looked at the secret letter in his hand, his expression changing, his heart filled with shock.

If what the letter said was true, an ancestor of the sect, a dignified immortal, was walking towards the gates of hell without realizing it.

If anyone from Beiju Luzhou sent this secret letter, Wei Jingcui would think it was malicious and a vicious ploy to sow discord.

But since it was Liu Jinglong, Wei Jingcui was willing to believe it a little.

Wei Jingcui finally laughed, “Good, a land dragon indeed. Your path to the Great Dao is promising. I underestimated your Taiwei Sword Sect.”

“Alright, I’ll do as you say. If it really works and we can successfully eliminate this rebellious family thief who dares to deceive his master and betray his ancestors, what’s the harm in me publicly apologizing to your Taiwei Sword Sect and taking the initiative to climb the mountain to make amends?”

The reasons for agreeing to let Liu Jinglong hide within the Lock Cloud Sect’s ancestral mountain were threefold:

Liu Jinglong’s swordsmanship was superb. Once he entered the Immortal Realm, his killing power would be extremely high.

In the past, he only heard that Liu Jinglong liked to reason and was somewhat pedantic, but he never thought that it wasn’t the case at all. Such a person, serving as the master of a sect, should not be provoked easily.

Liu Jinglong also had a close friend, a sword immortal named Chen Ping’an, from the Sword Qi Great Wall. The key was that this person’s emotions were unpredictable. He and Liu Jinglong climbed the mountain earlier, singing in harmony, cooperating seamlessly.

Wei Jingcui dared to assert that this foreign sword immortal, once enraged, would only be more reckless than Liu Jinglong in his actions. Yet he was also meticulous. It was normal not to befriend such a ruthless but elusive sword immortal. He should never truly antagonize him.

Wei Jingcui inexplicably thought of one person, Jiang Shangzhen.

In the Dragon Palace Grotto-heaven, one of the thirty-six lesser grotto-heavens, Chen Ping’an first negotiated a deal with Sun Jie and Shao Jingzhi of the Water Dragon Sect. He obtained a mountain deed jointly signed by Fallen Mountain, Water Dragon Sect, Dayuan Chongxuan Department, and Floating Duckweed Sword Lake. The price was so fair that Chen Ping’an felt guilty. In the end, he landed on Duckweed Island with Li Yuan.

Li Yuan saw the sword-carrying woman slowly walking towards them. He thought, *Heh, she looks alright, barely worthy of my brother Chen. Hmm, I can’t even tell her realm?*

Li Yuan was about to speak when Chen Ping’an reached out and pressed his head, saying, “What did you promise me?”

Li Yuan said, “Oh,” and asked her, “What’s your name, miss?”

Ning Yao glanced at Chen Ping’an, who was holding back a smile, and said, “Ning Yao.”