Liu Xianyang made his appearance today, neither carrying a sword nor bearing one on his back, his hands completely empty. In truth, he had originally intended to carry a sword, if only to appear like a swordsman. However, seeing Chen Ping’an with a sword, and one that actually made him look rather presentable, he had to abandon the idea.

At this moment, Liu Xianyang was composed and unhurried, his arms crossed before his chest. He simply stood not far from the archway at the mountain gate, looking up at the inscribed plaque with the two characters “Zheng Yang,” and then, the expression on his face gradually became awkward.

Earlier, that fellow Chen Ping’an had joked with him, saying that his name was well-chosen, implying he admired Zheng Yang Mountain. This had left Liu Xianyang baffled for a good while, feeling disgusted, and even drinking a pot of depressing wine couldn’t ease his mind. Zheng Yang Mountain was truly a scourge; tomorrow, during the sword challenge, he would have to suggest to their ancestral hall that they listen to reason and change their name.

Yesterday, while drinking at the Overcloud Pavilion, Chen Ping’an had casually tossed him a booklet, saying it might be useful for the sword challenge tomorrow. Liu Xianyang had flipped through it casually, only remembering the general gist, not taking it to heart.

The older generation, including Bamboo Emperor, Xia Yuancui, Tao Yanbo, Yan Chu, and other old sword immortals – their natal flying swords, their sword styles, their trump cards – all were recorded in detail in that “family tree” that Chen Ping’an had helped compile.

And the younger generation of sword immortals, especially those who were likely to appear first to issue the challenge – Liu Yu, Yu Lin, Wu Tijing, Yuan Bai… not a single one was missed in the booklet.

It wasn’t that Liu Xianyang was conceited to the point of being arrogant.

Rather, when a person has a friend named Chen Ping’an, they can be free from worries and particularly relaxed.

However, Liu Xianyang was indeed very confident, as he had been since childhood. He learned everything quickly, not only entering the door quickly but also mastering any skill with just a little effort. Take porcelain firing, for example. Dozens of processes, each a key juncture, were full of knowledge, yet Liu Xianyang had only spent half a year’s effort to achieve the exquisite level of skill accumulated by master craftsmen over decades.

Even Yao the Elder, a kiln master with such a discerning eye for the dragon kiln, could only mutter a few profound principles beyond mere technique, such as “Porcelain firing is a product of fire, but it must shed all traces of fire to be considered a first-rate piece. The longer it is left to rest, as if placed in water, quietly tempered for hundreds or thousands of years, the more lustrous it becomes.”

Chen Ping’an, on the other hand, was a bit clumsy and too diligent, so he could only obediently follow behind him, imitating him, and still not doing it well.

Liu Xianyang wasn’t anxious in the slightest. Since he had already issued the challenge, it didn’t matter who came to accept it. Ideally, it would drag on like this, allowing the cultivators of the entire continent, both inside and outside Zheng Yang Mountain, to admire the elegant demeanor of yours truly, Lord Liu.

Liu Xianyang found the plaque increasingly irritating, so he simply withdrew his gaze and began to close his eyes to recuperate.

Back then, when he had ridden the wind from the inn to this place, he had glanced back at the Overcloud Pavilion and found Chen Ping’an nowhere to be seen. He wondered where this fellow had sneaked off to, what secret place he had gone to. In any case, it certainly wasn’t the “Sword Summit” in the ancestral hall of First Line Peak; otherwise, it would have already caused a commotion. He was issuing the challenge at the mountain gate, so Chen Ping’an was still considerate, not stealing the spotlight.

Such a friend, you don’t need many, one is enough.

“Daily forging thousand-year dreams, nightly wandering ten-thousand-year realms.”

That was me, Liu Xianyang.

Wei Yueshan, the manager of the White Egret Inn, hurriedly rode the wind to the Overcloud Pavilion on the mountain, then exchanged glances with his junior sister, Ni Yuerong.

The friend who was staying in this premium room with Cao Mo, wasn’t he a rogue cultivator from Old Dragon City? How had he suddenly become Liu Xianyang, the direct disciple of Dragon Spring Sword Sect?

It was clear that the lotus-crowned Daoist priest had used a false passport. There was no doubt about it.

But the young Daoist who went by the name of Cao Mo, wore a meticulously woven green gauze Daoist robe, filled with water and cloud patterns. And the white jade lingzhi mushroom he held in his hand was the finishing touch to his reclusive mountain dweller aura. That “Cao Mo” was the very picture of ethereal Daoist air. No one would believe this fellow if he said he wasn’t a member of the Daoist sect.

At least the senior brother and sister of Azure Mist Peak, even at this moment, believed that the man was merely using a false name. He must still be a Daoist master with a registered lineage and a Daoist passport. Perhaps this journey was to protect Liu Xianyang, who was certain to die in the sword challenge, using the lotus crown on his head to safeguard him?

Ni Yuerong wore a mournful expression. She hated Liu Xianyang for being so tired of living that he couldn’t find a better place to die. She hated even more that accomplice Cao Mo. Ni Yuerong smashed the rattan chair behind her, which she found an eyesore even without looking at it, with a sleeve and stamped her foot. “These two damned bastards, of all the places to cause trouble, they had to sneak in through my Overcloud Pavilion to make a scene at First Line Peak! If the sect leader and the elders are angered, and they blame me for not handling things properly, what am I going to do?”

Wei Yueshan comforted her, “It might not be all bad. There’s a saying down the mountain that when commoners build houses, they need a little excitement and activity to make it prosperous. A few small bumps might actually be a good thing. These two are hiding their identities, lacking the grandeur of the Yellow River. I guess at most one of them is a Golden Core sword immortal, and the other is a Nascent Soul stage Daoist cultivator. In other places, they might be able to throw their weight around, but here, they’re destined not to cause much of a stir. They’re just helping to add to the excitement.”

Ni Yuerong nodded slightly, but she couldn’t hide the sorrow on her face. Her watery eyes were filled with grievance.

On the plaza outside the ancestral hall at the summit of First Line Peak, only the young female cultivators from the Floral Wood Workshop of Jade Branch Peak were busy arranging the flowers and fruits on the many seats and tables. The seating arrangements for the honored guests could not have the slightest flaw. Every chair and its placement had to be perfect, lest they offend someone. Therefore, they would each need to lead a group of people to their seats later.

At this moment, no Zheng Yang Mountain sword immortal was guarding the place because it was unnecessary. This important place was heavily guarded, the summit filled with dense and flawless sword energy. The sharp sword aura and heavy sword intent prevented any flowers, plants, or trees from surviving and growing. Even the mountain’s stone walls needed to be tempered by formations and spells to prevent them from collapsing. Therefore, the ancestral hall itself was a natural mountain-protecting formation. Even they needed to wear specially made Zheng Yang Mountain abstinence badges to move freely and breathe smoothly.

Ordinary Golden Core sword cultivators, if they dared to climb to the summit and stand here, would be like facing a sword challenge with a vast difference in strength. One wrong move would trigger the sword energy. If they were lucky, they would be seriously injured and forced to flee down the mountain. If they were unlucky, they would lose their lives on First Line Peak.
These beautiful, charming women, though busy, were well-organized, their faces filled with joy. Their occasional whispers were all about the famous young talents of the continent, such as Wu Tijing from their own mountain, Xie Ling of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, and Yu Shiwu of True Martial Mountain, said to be an extremely handsome and gentle man. As for the scholarly gentleman Zhou Ju, he was even more interesting, a virtuous man, then even more virtuous, back and forth.

Of course, they would also discuss Fan Shanjun of the Southern Mountain’s female identity, and Wei Shanjun of the Northern Mountain’s graceful and handsome bearing.

One-Line Peak of the True Yang Mountain, aside from the ordinary main path for climbing, also had ten “sword paths” personally forged by Sword Immortals, passed down through generations. However, seven of them had already reached the summit, meaning that True Yang Mountain had produced seven Jade Purity Realm Sword Immortals in its history, the most recent being the Old Ancestor Xia Yuancui. The remaining three were still some distance from the summit, including the sword paths forged by three Nascent Soul Realm cultivators from Pulling Cloud Peak, Fluttering Peak, and Facing Snow Peak.

This was the origin of the old Ten Peaks of True Yang Mountain.

Therefore, the Ancestral Hall was also known as Sword Summit, implying that within the rivers and mountains of the continent, this place was the pinnacle of the sword path.

To achieve longevity and immortality, to act against the heavens, all relied on the word “strive.”

Future generations of sword cultivators, entering my mountain, should not fear death, but ascend to the summit with their swords, standing on the mountains and rivers, with no one else beside them.

These were the ancestral instructions that all True Yang Mountain disciples had long memorized.

Not far from the summit, Bamboo Emperor led thirty or forty Immortal Masters, temporarily resting at a Sword-Stopping Pavilion. Originally, they were waiting for the distinguished guests from the various peaks to gather here. Once everyone had arrived, the Mountain Lord Bamboo Emperor would lead all the direct disciples and observing guests, according to True Yang Mountain’s ancestral customs, to walk up the mountain together from the Sword-Stopping Pavilion. It would take about two incense sticks’ worth of time, at a leisurely pace, to reach the Sword Summit together, then enter the Ancestral Hall to offer incense. After that, the celebration would officially begin, announcing the news of the Mountain-Protecting Offering Yuan Zhenye’s advancement to the Upper Five Realms to the continent.

Unexpectedly, a rebellious figure calling himself Liu Xianyang had arrived, extremely audacious, saying he wanted to challenge the sword and dismantle the Ancestral Hall.

Therefore, the guests from the various peaks of True Yang Mountain, which had the distinction between the old Ten Peaks and the new Ten Peaks, seemed to have stopped in unison, not rushing to the ancestral mountain, just waiting to watch the spectacle.

One-Line Peak Sect Leader Bamboo Emperor, Jade Purity Realm Xia Yuancui of Full Moon Peak, Tao Yanbo of Autumn Order Mountain, and Law-Enforcing Yan Chu, these old Sword Immortals, were already in the Sword-Stopping Pavilion.

As for the Mountain-Protecting Offering Yuan Zhenye, the Mountain-Moving Old Ancestor in the eyes of the young disciples of True Yang Mountain, would certainly not be absent.

Except for True Yang Mountain’s own ancestors and direct disciples, all sword cultivators from outside the mountain, even distinguished observing guests, were required to remove their swords here.

Therefore, the former Li Tuanjing had once joked that those sword cultivators who were willing to remove their swords and admire the scenery on that small hilltop of True Yang Mountain were not worthy of being sword cultivators.

Because there was still half an hour before the celebration, the cultivators already in the One-Line Peak Sword-Stopping Pavilion were all old Immortal Masters who had been friends with True Yang Mountain for generations. They were all furious at the young sword cultivator’s untimely provocation, considering him impudent and presumptuous, and wondering how Ruan Qiong had taught such an ignorant direct disciple.

Bamboo Emperor said with a slightly apologetic tone, smiling to his many mountain friends, “I’ve made you all laugh.”

First, there was Huang He’s sword challenge at White Egret Crossing, and now Liu Xianyang appeared at the entrance of the ancestral mountain, also wanting to challenge the sword, which was indeed a bit of a commotion.

The white-clothed old ape, with his hands behind his back, walked alone to the railing, squinting and looking down at the gate at the foot of the mountain. “This little brat is quite sensible, knowing to offer his head with both hands to add to the splendor of my celebration. Would it be too wasteful to kill him with just one or two punches?”

In the blink of an eye, the onlookers realized that the good show was over, which seemed a bit anticlimactic.

An old Immortal Master who had a connection with the Great Li Dynasty carefully weighed his words before saying with a smile, “That ignorant child is truly a frog in a well. Sect Leader doesn’t need to pay him any attention; just drive him away.”

Bamboo Emperor shook his head and said, “This person has had a small conflict with our True Yang Mountain before. Moreover, his ancestors were also involved in an old matter with True Yang Mountain. Presumably, Liu Xianyang has been planning this sword challenge for a long time, so it will be difficult to end it peacefully.”

Upon hearing this, the old Immortal Master immediately understood and dared not act as a peacemaker between True Yang Mountain and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, as it would be easy to offend both sides and not worth it.

Law-Enforcing Yan Chu pondered slightly and mentally asked, “Mountain Lord, why not send a flying sword message to Yu Lin, telling him to leave Rain Foot Peak immediately and accept this sword challenge?”

Yu Lin and Liu Xianyang were about the same age and were both Golden Core sword cultivators.

If Yu Lin lost, there was still Yuan Bai of Facing Snow Peak. Yan Chu had long found this person extremely annoying. Every time they had a meeting, he would sit at the door half-dead, acting as a doorkeeper. It would be best if Yuan Bai and Liu Xianyang fought to the death at the mountain gate, and they could both die. Then the Ancestral Hall would have an extra chair.

However, this Law-Enforcing Old Ancestor quickly shook his head, rejecting his own suggestion, and changed his words, “Why not just let Wu Tijing go? He would finish it neatly in a few strokes, without dragging things out, and not delay Offering Yuan’s celebration.”

There were generally two situations in a mountain sword challenge. Either the victory or defeat was immediately obvious, and the result was known in an instant. In the Snow Wind Temple Immortal Platform, when Huang He faced Su Jia, it was such a scene.

Otherwise, the two sides would challenge the sword, their strengths would be similar, and their natal flying swords would not be restrained by each other. Therefore, it would be extremely time-consuming, often with the sword light illuminating the human world, and they would fight across thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. Although the former was more common, the latter also occurred frequently. Yan Chu was afraid that Liu Xianyang had come only to make a name for himself, would stop after winning one match, and would have ulterior motives, deliberately delaying time, saying it was a sword challenge, but in fact, he was wandering around True Yang Mountain.

Once a sword challenge began, others could not easily interrupt it. Currently, True Yang Mountain had many distinguished guests. Would they just wait for the sword challenge to end? Would they allow Liu Xianyang to roam freely on their mountain?

Bamboo Emperor thought for a while. Although he had made a decision, he still did not intend to make it unilaterally. In a tone of seeking opinions, he asked, “I think it’s okay to lose one or two matches first. Let one Dragon Gate Realm sword cultivator, one Golden Core Realm, and one Nascent Soul Realm participate. As long as we win the last match, that’s fine. What do you all think?”
Yan Chu frowned deeply, blurting out, “We can’t afford to lose today! Under the gaze of everyone, the cultivators from Beiju Luzhou and Tongyezhou are probably watching our Zhengyang Mountain with bated breath. To deliberately lose when we can win, such frivolousness will make us old geezers a laughingstock across the three continents!”

“Our Zhengyang Mountain, a venerable sect, has always prided itself on its unparalleled Sword Dao that reaches the heavens. Yet, at this critical moment, in full view of the continent, we’re being challenged by some young whelp, and you want us to intentionally lose? Has the bamboo entered your head, Sect Master? Or do you think Guardian Yuan Zhenye’s reputation is worthless, to be trampled upon at will? Furthermore, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect has ‘sword’ in its name. Who knows if Ruan Qiong is being petty, afraid to come himself, so he sent his disciple Liu Xianyang to tear down our stage?”

Xia Yuancui, however, found Sect Master Bamboo’s idea more prudent, exhibiting excellent diplomatic judgment. The venerable ancestor stroked his beard and smiled, communicating silently, “We should at least give Saint Ruan some face. Young people often lack clarity and cling to pride. Their words and actions might lack proper consideration. We, as their elders, can’t truly kill him, even if he’s asking for it.”

Yan Chu nodded with a smile.

Xia Yuancui spoke again through telepathy, “Isn’t there a girl named Liu Yu on Qiong Zhi Peak who recently entered the Dragon Gate Realm? Let Liu Yu lose, and then send Yu Lin down to claim the sword. Even if both of them lose, it’s not a big deal. We can win the third match. Zhengyang Mountain can treat it as an extra show for the guests.”

Tao Yanbo admired Ancestor Yuancui’s sophistication and cunning.

First Liu Yu, then Yu Lin – both had trained in swordplay at Divine Show Mountain in Dragon Province for many years, making them half-sect disciples of Liu Xianyang.

If they won, it would clearly demonstrate Zhengyang Mountain’s Sword Dao superiority over Dragon Spring Sword Sect. If they lost, discerning individuals would recognize it as Zhengyang Mountain’s hospitality, allowing Liu Xianyang to reminisce with his “fellow disciples.”

Ultimately, the victory or defeat hinged on the earlier display of Sword Dao.

Moreover, by sending these two to accept the challenge, Zhengyang Mountain would be plainly showing they weren’t taking Liu Xianyang’s challenge seriously, demonstrating the sect’s magnanimity.

Furthermore, after being courteous for the first two rounds, Zhengyang Mountain could inadvertently, perhaps with excessive force from a Sword Immortal, sever someone’s destined flying sword or eternal bridge in the third round. Even if unintended, it would be perfectly reasonable.

Back then, to delay Huang He’s breakthrough, Zhengyang Mountain’s ancestral hall had been deeply troubled, mainly because the sword challenge emphasized face even more than victory.

After all, Zhengyang Mountain at that time didn’t have the same confidence it possessed today and couldn’t afford to lose any face.

For example, Xia Yuancui was older, of higher standing, and possessed a higher cultivation realm than Huang He, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to go to the Stormwind Garden. Sect Master Bamboo, being the leader and of the same generation as Li Tuanjing, was ill-suited to challenge Huang He in accordance with etiquette, creating a similar awkward situation. Furthermore, Tao Yanbo and Law Enforcer Yan Chu couldn’t confidently claim victory against Huang He, a sword cultivator of the same realm.

That’s why they ultimately presented Yuan Bai, who had been temporarily promoted from guest elder to guardian.

Times have changed greatly. The old Sword Immortals of Zhengyang Mountain’s various peaks no longer felt they had no chance of winning. Instead, none of them wanted to go down the mountain. It appeared to be an easy victory, but it would actually diminish their standing. Entangling themselves with that ignorant fool, dealing with a young Golden Core cultivator, what would they gain even if they won? It was destined to be a thankless task with no face to be had.

The ten leading young cultivators of Treasure Bottle Continent were headed by Ma Kuxuan of True Martial Mountain, followed by Xie Ling, Liu Baqiao, Jiang Yun, Zhou Ju, Sui Youbian, Yu Shiwu, and others, all young talents who had shone brightly in the continent’s war. Among the ten candidates was Bamboo’s closed-door disciple, Wu Tijing, ranked highly as the runner-up.

There was no one named Liu Xianyang among these twenty. Not even a Liu for that matter.

Sect Master Bamboo asked, “So, is that settled?”

Several old Sword Immortals felt it was feasible.

Finally, Yan Chu formed a talisman sword crafted with a unique secret method, sending a flying sword message to Qiong Zhi Peak. The sword light arced like an autumn rainbow, heading straight for Qiong Zhi Peak.

Immortal Back Sword Peak, unattended since the guardian Yuan Zhenye went to the ancestral mountain, had its mountain and river defenses activated.

The white-robed old ape felt a slight disturbance. Opening his palm, he surveyed the landscape from afar. Within a mountain’s boundaries, every detail was clear to his mind. Ultimately, he found nothing unusual. Yuan Zhenye simply assumed it was a common bird striking the mountain or residual energy from passing cultivators accidentally triggering the mountain and river defenses.

Sect Master Bamboo noticed the anomaly on the guardian’s side and immediately asked telepathically, “Something wrong?”

The white-robed old ape shook his head and smiled, “Nothing.”

Sect Master Bamboo nodded with a smile. Indeed, Zhengyang Mountain had no major worries these days.

Only many joyous occasions.

The founding ancestor of Qiong Zhi Peak was a female Sword Immortal with the Daoist name Ling Mu, named Leng Qi. She had entered the Golden Core Realm two hundred years ago, wielding dual swords named Clear Water and Sky Wind. She was also skilled in immortal illusions, hence the mountain’s beautiful reputation for “clear winds under her arms, ascending to become an immortal.”

Among the three Sword Immortal seedlings who had ascended the mountain with Yu Lin was Liu Yu. The young girl had been successfully recruited by Qiong Zhi Peak and became the direct disciple of Ancestor Leng Qi.

After receiving the Law Enforcement Master-Uncle’s talisman sword message, Leng Qi showed a rare hint of a smile. This peak master, an old crone with wrinkled skin and a sharp gaze, possessed a formidable reputation on Qiong Zhi Peak, where her word was law. However, when facing Liu Yu, her newly acquired direct disciple, she was extremely kind and gentle, saying softly, “Law Enforcer Yan of First Line Peak has sent a message, hoping you will wield your sword and go to the ancestral mountain for a duel with Liu Xianyang of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. The letter says to do your best within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and that winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

But were such diplomatic words to be taken seriously?

Liu Yu was visibly nervous. Whether it was at Divine Show Mountain or Qiong Zhi Peak, she had never truly engaged in life-or-death combat or properly dueled someone. This was her first time, especially against Saint Ruan’s direct disciple, and she had to wield her sword under the watchful eyes of the continent’s senior immortal masters. How could she not be uneasy?

Leng Qi then smiled and said, “Treat this sparring session as a reunion. Make sure you fight beautifully in this sword challenge, Yu’er.”

“Just remember one thing: in the final few strikes, don’t tarnish the prestige of Qiong Zhi Peak’s past ancestors.”
Liu Yu softly said, “Master, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect has long known about my flying sword and divine abilities. Moreover, that person is a direct disciple of Saint Ruan, likely to gain the upper hand.”

Her natal flying sword, Di Hua (Reed Flower). Once unleashed, the sword transforms into hundreds and thousands, like reed flowers scattering across the sky.

Leng Qi smiled gently, “It doesn’t matter, just do as I say, you don’t need to think too much.”

Liu Yu took a deep breath, unsheathed her long sword, and with a tap of her toes, gracefully stepped onto the sword, flying down the mountain towards the entrance of First Line Peak.

Upon seeing the graceful figure from Jade Branch Peak, the Law Enforcement Elder Yan Chu used his divine ability, announcing loudly, “Jade Branch Peak, Dragon Gate Realm sword cultivator Liu Yu, accepts the challenge!”

If this direct disciple of Jade Branch Peak were to become a Daoist couple with Yu Lin of Rain Foot Peak, they might seize the Thousand-Year Unclaimed Couple Peak. Yan Chu wouldn’t mind teaching her a sword technique. Perhaps the young girl could even defeat this Nascent Soul old sword immortal with her Dragon Gate Realm cultivation.

On the Jade Branch Peak side, Lu Zhengchun, who had essentially become a son-in-law of the mountain, stood beside his Daoist partner, his heavy heart finally eased.

Lu Zhengchun’s Daoist partner was one of Leng Qi’s dozens of disciples, and the most talented.

To be honest, Lu Zhengchun had been worried that the one surnamed Liu, after becoming a direct disciple of Ruan Qiong by sheer luck, would resort to underhanded tactics to take revenge on him and his family.

Now he was naturally in a good mood. He and Liu Xianyang both originated from the Li Zhu Grotto Heaven, but their backgrounds were worlds apart. Lu Zhengchun was a member of the Lu family of Fortune Street. He never imagined that the guy he almost beat to death back then would transform into a sword cultivator, and a direct disciple of a great figure like Ruan Qiong.

It would have been best if he had been beaten to death.

No, it would have been best if he had been beaten half to death, severing his Bridge of Longevity. Then, the next time old acquaintances met, things would be interesting.

His Daoist partner smiled, mentally communicating, “Husband, you must work harder to earn money in the future.”

Lu Zhengchun smiled and nodded, “It is my duty, I will never let my wife worry about money or suffer the slightest disdain.”

At the entrance of First Line Peak.

Liu Xianyang, who had been waiting for a long time, opened his eyes. It was actually Liu Yu.

The two had never met before, because Liu Yu and the others had already left Divine Show Mountain before Liu Xianyang returned home.

Liu Yu gracefully landed, sheathed her sword, and with a single hand gesture, performed a sword salute. Wisps of sword energy swirled around her slender fingers. She announced her name, “Jade Branch Peak, sword cultivator Liu Yu.”

Liu Xianyang sighed. This was a bit of trouble. Among the three who descended the mountain in the past, only this young girl could have become a direct disciple of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. However, she was infatuated with that Yu Lin, and followed him to Righteous Sun Mountain.

Liu Xianyang smiled, “Miss Liu, please make your move.”

Liu Yu nodded, without a single word of polite formality, and directly unleashed her natal flying sword, Di Hua (Reed Flower).

Within a radius of tens of feet, for a moment, it seemed as if the sky was filled with a scattering of reed flowers.

Liu Xianyang extended a hand, simply shaking his wrist, using refined sword energy to condense a long sword.

Hundreds and thousands of reed flowers whirled and danced in the sky, instantly obscuring Liu Xianyang’s figure.

Liu Xianyang was actually extremely embarrassed at this moment. Chen Pingan had joked before, that dealing with other sword cultivators who came to challenge was easy, but he had to carefully consider how to deal with Liu Yu of Jade Branch Peak.

Liu Yu drew her sword, her figure flashed, and she swept into the sword formation, taking advantage of favorable terrain and manpower. Early on in the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, several senior disciples who had ascended the mountain earlier had taught her the method of guarding the sword formation, especially that Senior Brother Xie Ling, who was inconspicuous at the time but later became famous throughout the continent, and taught her a mysterious and profound Transformation Dao Technique. Liu Yu obeyed her mentor’s orders, and besides the flying sword and sword formation, she used sword moves passed down from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect to exchange blows with Liu Xianyang.

Streams of sword energy brought out streaks of light, slashing towards Liu Xianyang among the countless reed flowers.

The trajectories of the streaks of light were erratic, sword light intertwined, but Liu Xianyang simply used sword energy to dispel all the reed flower flying swords near him. The long sword in his hand, which was not a physical object, struck left and right, shattering those rather beautiful streaks of light one by one. What was going on with this Miss Liu? Was she bullying him for being lazy in his cultivation on the mountain? Sword formations or sword moves, he had seen them a few times, and didn’t need much learning to understand them.

After a moment, Liu Yu silently chanted a sword incantation. The scattered sword energy that Liu Xianyang had shattered connected to each other, like weaving a basket, trapping Liu Xianyang, who for some reason was only defending and not attacking. The sword energy suddenly contracted, like a rope suddenly tightened.

Liu Xianyang was too lazy to think of a way to break the formation, so he simply imitated Liu Yu, using the same sword incantation. A sword formation that appeared out of thin air shattered with a bang, colliding with each other. The force was well-controlled, just enough to break the formation without hurting anyone. Their respective sword energies were completely neutralized, and at the same time, those uncertain reed flower flying swords were knocked away like flowers blooming even more. Liu Xianyang didn’t want to appear too much, so he finally took the initiative to lightly deliver a sword strike. Even though he deliberately reduced the force, the sword light was still like a crescent moon, dazzling and piercing, heading straight for Liu Yu. She first used hundreds of pieces of snow-white reed flowers to protect herself, but they were shattered by the sword light. She had no choice but to use the sword in her hand to block in front of her, but her shoulders were still washed over by the sword light like water. Her robes were tattered, and there were obvious wounds on her arm and three places on her shoulders, blood blurring the wounds, a terrible sight.

Liu Xianyang was even more stunned than Liu Yu, because he felt tired.

Just like arguing and fighting with Little Snotnose back then, pretending to fight back and forth, was naturally more tiring than watching that little bastard, who was already spouting flying swords at a young age, hug his head and cry.

Liu Yu gritted her teeth, remembering her master’s saying about fighting beautifully within an incense stick’s time. She braced herself, sparing no expense of her own spiritual energy, and mobilized her natal flying sword. Pieces of reed flowers swirled around, protecting her and her sword. Although the number was far less than before, each piece of reed flower contained snow-white sword energy, which was quite considerable. Like wind blowing to one side, a large group of reed flowers swiftly floated towards the sword cultivator whom she originally had a chance to call Senior Brother or Junior Brother.

Liu Xianyang sighed, threw out the long sword in his hand, which hovered in front of him. In the center, there was one sword, and on the left and right sides, there were hundreds of identical long swords, with no difference in the concentration of sword energy or the weight of sword intent.

Like a lazy student in a village school, casually writing countless vertical strokes.

But in the eyes of the mountain cultivators, Liu Xianyang’s sword formation was like an iron cavalry lining up in battle, the sword energy was vast.

That group of beautiful scattered reed flowers crashed into the sword formation, stirring up snow-white debris several feet high, like waves crashing against a cliff, to no avail.
Liu Yu had no choice but to retract her natal divine ability tied to the flying sword, shrinking it into a snow-white, miniature blade. She endured the sharp pain that threatened to tear her soul as the sword transformed, flashing away in a streak of light that arced towards Liu Xianyang’s back.

Liu Xianyang remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the woman’s eyes, where he detected a flicker of something.

*Ah, this soft-hearted, foolish girl,* he sighed inwardly.

*Who couldn’t you have taken a liking to? Of all people, you had to fall for that lecherous Yu Lin. Even if you had to leave the mountain and switch sects, why come to this Zheng Yang Mountain, where the prevailing ethos has long been twisted into the gutter?*

Liu Xianyang shifted a step, dodging the snow-white blade. He lightly tapped the flying sword, sending it spinning away. He decided to cease prolonging this Sword Inquiry. Anyone with eyes could see how it would end. He didn’t want outsiders thinking that Liu Yu, the Qiong Zhi Peak sword cultivator, was so utterly useless.

As Liu Xianyang’s will dictated, the spiritual energy around the mountain gate responded as if to a divine decree. In an instant, countless longswords materialized, cascading down like a torrential downpour from the heavens and sprouting from the ground like dense spring grass.

Liu Yu stood, pale-faced, clutching her longsword. She remained motionless, not even daring to retrieve her natal flying sword.

She felt as if she were trapped within a forest of swords, a myriad of blades creating a forbidden land of intersecting sword energies.

At this moment, Liu Yu was surrounded by the tips of thousands of overlapping and tightly packed swords, making her feel like she had fallen into an icy abyss.

With a wave of Liu Xianyang’s hand, the sword forest dissipated. He smiled and said, “Miss Liu, you can return to your mountain. Cultivate diligently in the future, and above all, don’t imitate anyone. Just focus on honing your swordsmanship, and a great path will surely open to you.”

Liu Yu gripped her sword, cupped her fist in salute, and silently retracted her natal flying sword. Despondent, she rode the sword back towards Qiong Zhi Peak.

Liu Xianyang was, in fact, feeling even more stifled than Liu Yu. He raised his arm high and crooked his finger, beckoning for more.

He took a step, passing through the memorial archway and beginning to ascend the steps. *If you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you.*

From Ting Jian Pavilion on One Line Peak, the Discipline Enforcer Yan Chu announced with a smile, “Yu Lin, the sword cultivator from Rain Foot Peak, will answer the challenge!”

A streak of sword light erupted from Rain Foot Peak, shooting towards the mountain gate with lightning speed.

The young sword cultivator landed at the mountain gate, clad in a jade-belted robe and sporting a wooden hairpin. His face was as handsome as jade. He was none other than the Golden Core Sword Immortal, the master of Rain Foot Peak, Yu Lin.

Yu Lin stood deliberately just outside the gate, and with a wry smile, called out to the ascending figure, “Liu Xianyang, please turn around and descend the mountain.”

Liu Xianyang turned his head, never breaking his stride, and pulled at the corner of his mouth, “Fond of talking in your sleep? Then lie down.”

*Thump!*

The young Golden Core Sword Immortal Yu Lin slumped to the ground, head lolling, unconscious.

Without even glancing at the slumbering figure behind him, Liu Xianyang continued his ascent, and laughed, “Addendum here.”

“Today, everyone below Jade Purity is unqualified to challenge me. Golden Core, Nascent Soul, come as many as you like.”

The cultivators of Zheng Yang Mountain were once again speechless.

Earlier, they had felt it was absurd that someone dared to challenge Zheng Yang Mountain today. Now, they found it even more preposterous. When this person actually challenged Zheng Yang Mountain and “struggled” to defeat a Dragon Gate Realm female sword cultivator, it wasn’t a grand feat. But what was up with the Yu Lin, the peak master? If the Golden Core Sword Immortal was yielding, was there such a way to concede? He didn’t even draw his sword, and just feigned death?

Within Ting Jian Pavilion on One Line Peak, Sect Leader Zhu Huang and the other old Sword Immortals finally wore grave expressions.

Even Old Ancestor Moving Mountain couldn’t help but frown, almost personally descending the mountain to throw a punch. But Zhu Huang stopped him, saying the next challenger would either be his own disciple, Wu Ti Jing, or Yuan Bai from Facing Snow Peak, who still held a Nascent Soul cultivation level.

If they lost again, leading to three consecutive losses for Zheng Yang Mountain, then they would reconsider.

The “reconsideration” would mean that the matter was no longer Liu Xianyang’s personal feud with Zheng Yang Mountain, but a situation with no room for negotiation. They could kill Liu Xianyang first, and then Zheng Yang Mountain would have to make amends to Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Zhu Huang, together with Martial Uncle Xia Yuancui, and all the Nascent Soul Sword Immortals, would launch a joint Sword Inquiry into Divine Show Mountain. Or, they could imprison the half-dead Liu Xianyang in the mountain, waiting for Ruan Qiong to come and apologize. If the sincerity was sufficient, they would throw Liu Xianyang’s corpse at the foot of the mountain.

But what if Ruan Qiong’s sincerity was lacking? They would turn Dragon Spring Sword Sect into a second Wind Thunder Garden.

The white-robed old ape sneered, “I don’t care if it’s Wu Ti Jing or Yuan Bai, they must descend the mountain later, grab that little brat by the leg, and return to this Ting Jian Pavilion.”

Zhu Huang nodded with a smile, “Revered Yuan is the authority here.”

Zheng Yang Mountain happened to lack a good reason to deal with Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Today, Liu Xianyang’s uproar was the perfect excuse.

Xia Yuancui transmitted a silent message.

Zhu Huang nodded slightly, changing his mind on the fly and sending a flying sword message to Small Lonely Mountain.

Discipline Enforcer Yan Chu no longer announced identities, but soon a new face in the form of a sword immortal hurried from Companion Peak to the ancestral mountain.

It was a female sword cultivator who had managed to maintain her youthful appearance. She was dressed in a simple and efficient night-travel outfit, carrying a black-sheathed sword on her back.

Chen Pingan had previously left Cloud Pavilion, advancing stealthily and taking a slight detour before quietly appearing at the foot of Sword Carrying Peak. He produced an Opening Mountain Talisman made of gold, confirmed the location of the restrictive barrier, spread his palm, and gently punched. Instantly, he opened the mountain and broke the formation. After stepping inside, he put away the Opening Mountain Talisman in his sleeve with his left hand, held a Snow Mud Talisman in his right hand, and cast his natal water magic. Mist rose, and in an instant, the green shirt disappeared, returning to tranquility without a ripple of spiritual energy.

After the patrolling gaze swiftly swept past, and after waiting a moment, Chen Pingan did not remove the Snow Mud Talisman. He began to slowly climb the mountain, leisurely strolling as if touring his own courtyard. He ascended silently all the way.

As for the Sword Inquiry with Liu Xianyang, Chen Pingan wasn’t worried.

Each would be busy with their own tasks.

They would meet at the Ancestral Hall on One Line Peak.

Mountain guests were divided into registered and unregistered, as were the honored immortals. In fact, the distinction between those who worked behind the scenes and those who worked in front of the stage was quite simple. Many mountain feuds required someone to do dirty work that wouldn’t reflect poorly on the mountain. Zheng Yang Mountain had such behind-the-scenes honored immortals, whose identities were extremely secretive. Most of the Ancestral Hall members with seats on One Line Peak only knew that their mountain hosted such important figures, but never knew who they were.
Chen Pingan, despite his efforts, couldn’t ascertain the exact identity of the individuals involved. He only knew that within the old ten peaks of the Righteous Sun Mountain, at least two clandestine figures operated behind the scenes as hidden retainers. One, nestled in the secluded Little Orphan Mountain of the Beloved Couple Peak, was nicknamed the “Oil Pourer.” The other resided on this very Sword-Bearing Peak, known as the “Forest Planter.”

Pingan didn’t find the existence of such characters on a mountain strange in itself. However, according to intelligence gathered by the Fallen Mountain, these shadowy, reclusive figures always eradicated their targets completely, resorting to massacres and leaving no survivors. “Not a chicken nor a dog left alive” was a literal description of their methods. Heads were severed on the mountainside without a trace, and families below were implicated and utterly destroyed, leaving no loose ends.

No wonder that old beast was so confident and bold when speaking in the town.

The Righteous Sun Mountain, with its 2600-year history, always repaid grudges and never let a grievance linger overnight.

Chen Pingan scanned his surroundings, his pace unwavering, yet tinged with disappointment.

The Forest Planter, accustomed to dirty and arduous tasks, still hadn’t detected his presence.

Generally, a cultivator who engaged in such clandestine activities must be skilled in concealment and stealth, adept at perceiving subtle movements, and proficient in self-preservation and escape techniques.

*Damn it!* Does this old geezer require me to beat drums and gongs to announce my arrival? Alas, my disciple Guo Zhujiu isn’t in the Vast World; I cannot borrow drums and gongs.

Earlier, on a peak called Fluttering Robe Peak, an esteemed elder Nascent Soul cultivator from another land, not minding getting involved and seemingly uncaring whether Fluttering Robe Peak held a grudge, stood on the mountain’s precipice. He waved his hand and conjured clouds, creating a mirage with his immortal art, so that the ordinary mortals of the peak wouldn’t miss the commotion on the ancestral mountain.

The master of this peak was one of the three female founders of Righteous Sun Mountain. The other two were Leng Qi of Jade Branch Peak, a Golden Core sword cultivator, and Tian Wan of Cornel Cherry Peak, who managed the mountain’s gazettes and illusions. Generally, female peak masters were considered equal, but Fluttering Robe Peak looked down upon Jade Branch Peak, which they felt only knew how to enjoy comforts on the mountain. Jade Branch Peak, in turn, looked down upon that desolate peak. Tian Wan, however, dared not look down upon anyone, and was amiable with everyone. This was because, like Cloud-Parting Peak, the sword cultivators of Fluttering Robe Peak were tested in brutal battlefields like Old Dragon City.

Those lodging on this peak of Righteous Sun Mountain were mostly emperors and generals from affiliated kingdoms, such as Han Jingling, the ruler of Stone Bristle Kingdom, who was resting here. However, due to his kingdom’s weakness, the small monarch was only allocated a remote residence. Although Fluttering Robe Peak was mostly populated by female cultivators, the mountain’s sword cultivators, regardless of gender, possessed a heavy killing aura. Righteous Sun Mountain’s arrangement to place many worldly families under Fluttering Robe Peak’s care had a deep purpose.

Originally, those who were preparing to journey to First Line Peak to offer congratulations gradually paused and remained on the mountain. They left their residences and gazed at the landscape painting, engaging in lively discussions.

“Who is that?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never heard of the name.”

“It’s Liu Xianyang from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect within Great Li. He’s not very well-known; it’s normal not to have heard of him.”

“I remember now, he’s Xie Ling’s junior brother.”

“Currently, he’s considered a junior disciple of Saint Ruan, but he definitely won’t become his closed-door disciple.”

Among the immortal families, especially those with “Sect” in their name, the most interesting and talked-about figure was often not the founder or the sect leader’s first disciple, but the closed-door disciple. This person must be exceptionally talented to “make the master retire and close the sect’s doors.” It was like the youngest son in a wealthy family who was always favored.

The retainer immortals, who had a rough understanding of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, began to excitedly introduce this person to the monarchs, dukes, and direct descendants around them.

Liu Xianyang was a native of the old Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven. Being in a favorable position, he was extremely lucky to become Ruan Qiong’s direct disciple. Liu Xianyang was the youngest in terms of seniority among the first generation of disciples, and his name was added last to the Golden Jade Register of Divine Splendor Mountain. It seemed that he had also traveled across continents in his youth, studying at the Chunru Chen clan’s academy in the Southern Jambudvipa continent for many years.

His reputation was far inferior to his senior brothers and sisters. His eldest brother, Dong Gu, had already reached the Nascent Soul realm. Although he wasn’t a sword cultivator, he was deeply valued by Ruan Qiong and had been in charge of the sect’s specific affairs for many years.

Xu Xiaoqiao, a Golden Core sword cultivator and the earliest sword cultivator of the Wind and Snow Temple, committed a great mistake and was removed from the Wind and Snow Temple’s register. He followed Ruan Qiong to cultivate and eventually became one of his direct disciples.

As for Xie Ling, he was even more famous, a universally known genius in the entire continent, and a descendant of Heavenly Sovereign Xie Shi of the Northern Ju-luzhou Continent.

Among Ruan Qiong’s disciples, this young man from Peach Leaf Lane had the greatest reputation and the best aptitude for cultivation in the Treasure Bottle Continent. He was regarded by the outside world as the sole candidate for the next Sect Leader of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Is that Liu Xianyang a sword cultivator? What is his realm?”

The result was universal ignorance. Even the old immortal masters who had dealt with the Dragon Spring Sword Sect didn’t know the truth. After all, even Ruan Saint’s direct disciple, the eldest, Dong Gu, wasn’t a sword cultivator.

“Why challenge Righteous Sun Mountain with a sword? And why specifically choose today? Does this Liu Xianyang have a life-and-death feud with Righteous Sun Mountain?”

Still, no one knew the inside story.

But since Liu Xianyang claimed to be challenging with a sword, he must be a sword cultivator.

But how high could his realm be? After all, Liu Xianyang wasn’t one of the top ten or top ten substitutes of the Treasure Bottle Continent.

Some mature and prudent old immortal masters thought on a higher and longer-term scale, not just about fighting and killing.

“Righteous Sun Mountain has been planning for a long time. Choosing the old Vermillion Light site for their subordinate sect is very particular. It’s clearly a move to compete with the Dragon Spring Sword Sect for the top position among sword cultivation sects in the Treasure Bottle Continent.”

Some grudges were normal. For example, Yu Lin, such a young talent, had cultivated in Divine Splendor Mountain for many years before inexplicably coming to Righteous Sun Mountain.

“Regardless, this guy’s courage is admirable.”

“What’s the use of courage? If he’s cut half to death by a sword immortal on the mountain, he’ll become a laughingstock of the continent, and he’ll never dare to go down the mountain to travel again. He’ll also implicate his sect and expose some of the Righteous Sun Mountain’s grudges to the world. He’s too young, he doesn’t think things through, he’s too impulsive, not wise.”

“Is it just a private grudge between young people, acting on impulse, or is it…?”

The person spoke halfway. Because the remaining words were not suitable to be said directly. Could it be Ruan Qiong’s intention?

A cultivator in the Upper Five Realms, a military strategist, whose maternal family was the Wind and Snow Temple, and the most famous sword caster in the Treasure Bottle Continent.
Furthermore, Ruan Qiong held the prominent title of Chief Imperial Guardian of Great Li. Therefore, even a slight action from Ruan Qiong would have far-reaching consequences.

By the time they reached the Ancestral Mountain gate, facing off against the Dragon Gate Realm female sword cultivator, Liu Xianyang appeared to be solely on the defensive.

Someone questioned, bewildered, “That’s it?”

A person nearby joked, “Isn’t this fellow’s audacity and boasting far exceeding his cultivation level?”

Therefore, after the first exchange of sword inquiries and challenges concluded, not only Fluttering Skirt Peak but also the other peaks relaunched their talisman-powered skiffs towards First Line Peak, likely finding the spectacle amusing and worth watching.

Then, when Yu Lin of Rain Foot Peak collapsed and fell asleep, the talisman-powered ferryboats returned to their respective peaks, continuing to observe the illusionary reflections from afar. After all, hovering ferryboats near First Line Peak to watch the commotion up close would be too impolite.

A young, pedigreed cultivator blurted out, “Why do I feel like we’re somewhat like the Northern Ju Continent?”

This remark was met with much agreement.

On the ascending main path of Ancestral Mountain, on the staircase, Liu Xianyang paused, turned his head, and smiled.

He spotted a female sword cultivator that he had never seen in any of the previous illusionary reflections.

It seemed she was a reclusive Nascent Soul Sword Immortal with extremely potent killing power?

Perhaps it would have been better to deliver the sword from afar, without showing her face.

Before the sword duel commenced, the white-robed old ape roared with laughter, “Liu Xianyang, have you come to kowtow and apologize to Zheng Yang Mountain, to acknowledge your lineage, on behalf of that useless ancestor of your Liu family?”

Liu Xianyang rubbed his cheeks, ignoring the taunt. When it came to insults, Chen Ping’an, that sly fellow, was far more skilled.

On Sword-Bearing Peak, that indeed sly figure in azure robes, with his hands behind his back, gazed at the ancient sword slanted into the mountain peak.

A hunched old man slowly ascended the mountain, cackling in a raspy voice, “Young lad, this isn’t exactly a good place to rush to be reincarnated.”

Chen Ping’an turned his head, recognizing a ghost, but not a cultivator, and smiled back, “No wonder. So, senior is not a sword immortal, but a ninth-realm martial artist. I wonder if you are the ancestor of the Mountain-Moving Grand Sage’s boxing techniques, or a student who has learned from the Mountain-Moving Grand Sage for many years? Senior is right, the feng shui here is poor; it’s not suitable for reincarnation. It’s difficult to be human in the next life.”

This behind-the-scenes guardian, nicknamed Forester, narrowed his eyes and smiled, “Where did this young sprout come from, so eloquent? How delightful, how pleasing. I’ll wring your little head off in a moment and chat with this old man for a few years. The mountains are desolate, and to thank you, young sprout, I’ll spare you the soul-lamp ritual.”

Chen Ping’an raised a foot, stepping on the hilt of the long sword, and said with a smile, “We’re both night travelers, encountering ghosts halfway. Considering we’re half comrades, I’ll give you a chance to send a flying sword message to summon reinforcements.”

The old ghost cackled, “Judging by your tone, you’re quite the nemesis of Yuan Zhenye? Are all the young people outside the mountains so capable after just a few days of practicing martial arts?”

Chen Ping’an clicked his tongue, “Such audacity, daring to call him by name! You should be calling him Mountain-Moving Ancestor.”

The old ghost rubbed his hands together, “Good, good, good. Chatting with you will definitely relieve boredom. What’s your name? This old man doesn’t kill nameless ghosts under his fists.”

The figure in azure robes lightly kicked the long sword, causing it to fall over, and said with a smile, “From a small place, my name is not worth mentioning.”

The old man took a step forward, delivering a punch. However, Chen Ping’an reached out and blocked the fist. Seeing that the attack failed, the ninth-realm martial artist ghost immediately retreated.

Afterwards, his figure became spectral, circling the figure in azure robes, delivering punches non-stop. In the blink of an eye, he unleashed over a hundred punches, each capable of killing Golden Core cultivators on the mountain.

The figure in azure robes simply stood in place, with one hand behind his back, casually blocking the opponent’s fists and kicks with his right hand.

When the final punch was delivered, Forester used the momentum to retreat, already taking out a talisman from his sleeve, intending to completely leave Sword-Bearing Peak. This uninvited guest, damn it, was actually a martial artist at the peak realm who had disguised himself as a young man!

A chill ran down the back of his neck, and he was grabbed by the other person’s hand, slammed to the ground, and his spine was shattered by a fierce stomp. The old ghost was forced to dissipate his soul, which was then completely smashed by a sleeve.

The two sides in the martial exchange had already decided life and death, but they seemed to still not know each other’s names.

Chen Ping’an stomped his foot, and the long sword on the ground not far away bounced up. While riding the wind, he casually grabbed it and headed towards the Ancestral Hall on First Line Peak.

Finally, following a “Sword Path” to the summit, his figure floated onto the Sword Top Plaza. The sword energy around the mountain peak seemed to be deaf and mute, or perhaps they didn’t notice an outsider intruding. Anyway, Chen Ping’an directly walked towards the gate of the Ancestral Hall.

A female cultivator from Flower and Wood Workshop who first discovered the person stared blankly for a moment and then asked softly, “Are you?”

All the female cultivators saw was that the figure in azure robes, besides carrying a sword on his back, was also casually holding a sword in his hand, and turned his head to smile, “A guest.”