A winding Lai River flows unceasingly into the sea, as a thousand verdant peaks unfold like a painted screen, easily giving rise to wondrous formations by the water’s edge.

Chen Pingan notified Cao Gun and the others that they could return to the blessed dwelling.

Outside, everyone was still excitedly speculating about which two ascended cultivators were engaged in a fierce battle. Having been driven away by the imposing old sword immortal, they were destined to receive no spoils and could only find amusement in guessing who might have crossed blades with this ascended sword cultivator. The most likely candidate was believed to be Jing Hao, the Qing Palace Grand Protector from Flowing霞洲.

While waiting for the others, Ning Yao asked, “Did the Lu clan, the Yin-Yang masters of the Central Earth Continent, assist in divining the auspiciousness of the mine vein?”

Chen Pingan chuckled, “A fabrication.” He had indeed visited the Lu clan with Xiao Mo and Xie Gou, but that old fox, Lord Lu, would never choose to diminish his merit and cultivation to benefit others at such a crucial moment when the founders of the Three Teachings were about to transcend. It was uncertain whether Lord Lu had now attained the Dao. Yin-Yang and the Five Elements was an expansive path, surpassing even the way of literature and poetry in both depth and breadth. Just as “Zouzi discoursed on the heavens, and Lu氏 spoke of the earth,” Zouzi had long reached the fourteenth realm, and it would not be too surprising if Lord Lu followed suit. When Chen Pingan returned to the vast world from beyond the heavens, he chose the Lu clan’s Sītian Observatory as his first stop, and Lord Lu, who emerged from the Zhilan Bureau, was indeed cautious in every aspect. Even Xie Gou, his own second-in-command, so lively and mischievous, could not truly provoke Lord Lu’s anger.

More than twenty sword cultivators arrived together, and Chen Pingan roughly told them the inside story of how Wang Jia was plotted against by Shou Chen and Guan Xiang.

Standing beside Ning Yao, Chen Pingan could speak without restraint, even referring to Zhou Mi by his name directly.

Cao Gun and the others had spent about half a year at Quan Jiao Mountain, and this matter was finally coming to an end. Chen Pingan clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and thanked the seven “outsider” earth immortal sword cultivators with a smile, though his words were unconventional, “Since we are all sword cultivators, I won’t offer you polite words beyond swordsmanship. I thank you all here, and in the future, when you travel to Treasure Bottle洲, my Fallen Peak will provide you with ample wine.”

An old sword cultivator in the Nascent Soul realm straightened his back, his face flushed with excitement, but he could not help but offer a polite remark, “We didn’t really do anything significant, unworthy of Lord Hidden Official’s gratitude.”

Chen Pingan laughed, “You risked your lives, putting your heads on the line, and you’re saying it’s not worthy of a few light words of thanks from me? If you said that in Sword Qi Great Wall, you’d be looking for a drink.” Xie Songhua said to Song Pin in her mind, “Earlier, your ‘Soaring Wind’ was about to be drawn, but Chen Pingan casually pressed it down with one hand. It’s a good thing he’s an honest man; otherwise, with your looks, what would you do if you encountered the protagonist of some mountain and water travelogue in the wilderness?”

Song Pin said calmly, “I’d teach him a few bedroom techniques in return.”

Xie Songhua belatedly realized, “Ning Yao can’t hear our thoughts, can she?”

Song Pin said, “If you don’t mention names, she probably can’t hear. It’s hard to say now.”

Xie Songhua raised her eyebrows at Ning Yao and then nodded towards Chen Pingan, “You two? When? Won’t you experience Lord Hidden Official’s swordsmanship?”

The spiritual union of Taoist partners is vastly different from the pleasures of ordinary men and women; the difference between understanding and not understanding is like heaven and earth.

Ning Yao had no choice but to pretend not to see.

Chen Pingan told them to go inside and sit, saying that he was waiting for someone.

A scholar appeared, looking youthful, a Confucian gentleman with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, inscribed with a famous saying of a sage, “Do not adorn shortcomings, but exhaust oneself with sincerity. If so, then one can be called a true official.”

He was likely a figure from a Confucian academy secretly dispatched by the Central Earth Confucian Temple, fully responsible for matters concerning Quan Jiao Mountain.

When Chen Pingan saw the inscription on the jade pendant, a smile appeared on his face.

He must be a “true official,” a righteous gentleman.

If he were in charge of the Confucian Temple, he would at least have this person manage a Confucian academy.

The Confucian gentleman cupped his hands in a greeting, “Gao Xuandu of Laiyuan Academy. Greetings, Master Chen.”

Chen Pingan returned the greeting with a smile, “Chen Pingan of Fallen Peak. Greetings, Headmaster Gao.”

Gao Xuandu, a grand gentleman of Laiyuan Academy in Floating 扶搖洲, and scholars like Wen Yu of Tianmu Academy were young Confucian scholars who rose to prominence during that war.

Gao Xuandu exchanged only a few pleasantries before getting straight to the point, as his duty required, and asked Chen Pingan about the reason for the anomaly at Quan Jiao Mountain.

Chen Pingan took out two items from his sleeve and suspended them in the air before him: two relics of considerable quality left behind by Wang Jia, a golden crown and a scroll.

Gao Xuandu asked in confusion, “What are these?” Chen Pingan said, “Wang Jia, the ‘puppet ruler,’ patriarch of Like-a-Dipper City, was plotted against and ambushed by the barbarian sword cultivator Shou Chen and the great demon Guan Xiang in his early years. Wang Jia barely survived by relying on an ancient secret technique, preserving a trace of his true spirit. Finally, as a ghost immortal, he resurfaced, taking over the administrative affairs of Like-a-Dipper City and maintaining the ancestral hall’s incense. Now that he has accumulated enough external merit, he humbly requests Song Pin and Xie Songhua to deliver their swords and assist him in his dismemberment, so that he may escape this tribulation.”

Gao Xuandu simply glanced at Chen Pingan and smiled, “Very well, I understand. I will immediately write two letters, reporting the matter truthfully to Laiyuan Academy and the Central Earth Confucian Temple. I will also personally make a trip to Like-a-Dipper City to explain this matter to them.”

He was truly decisive and straightforward.

It was an underestimation to have him as only a deputy headmaster.

Chen Pingan pushed the golden crown and scroll towards Gao Xuandu. “Since you’re going that way, I’ll trouble Headmaster Gao to deliver them to the ancestral hall of Like-a-Dipper City.” Gao Xuandu put the two items into his sleeve, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled and invited, “Among the seventy-two academies, our Laiyuan Academy has always valued military strategy. Could we invite Master Chen to give a lecture? As for the topic, Master Chen can decide it himself.”

Chen Pingan nodded and smiled, “I’ll definitely go if I have the opportunity.” Gao Xuandu said without hesitation, “May I be so bold as to ask, is this ‘opportunity’ in the next few days, or within half a year? If Master Chen is currently busy and cannot spare the time, later is also fine; next year or the year after is also acceptable. But please give us a rough timeframe, preferably with a margin of error of no more than six months, so that Laiyuan Academy can make corresponding detailed arrangements. Master Chen is highly learned and profound, and such matters are undoubtedly light work for you; you can improvise on the spot, and perhaps you won’t even need to prepare a draft. Our Laiyuan Academy values this precious opportunity greatly. From the number of Confucian students attending the lecture to whether or not a selection mechanism needs to be established, their opinions on…”
“Regarding the filtering and control of questions, and things of that nature, we will make detailed adjustments based on the dates of Mr. Chen’s lectures and teachings.”

Chen Ping’an actually quite appreciated this “lack of ceremony.” After pondering for a moment, he sorted through his pre-arranged itinerary. “Then let’s tentatively set it for the end of next year. If there are any advancements or delays, I will inform Liyuan Academy beforehand.”

Cao Gun said via heart-to-heart transmission, “A man’s reputation is like a tree’s shadow. It’s as rumored, Gao Xuandu is indeed meticulous. The Hidden Official Master seems to appreciate this. Are they on the same wavelength?”

Xuan Can, with an experienced and knowing air, said, “He can’t be considered a powerful rival of ours. According to the ranking method concocted by Guo Zhujiu, Mountain Chief Gao is at most of the Song Gaoyuan or Deng Liang variety.”

Song Gaoyuan rubbed his temples, “We entered the summer palace together. Just because I’m not as good as you sycophants with your endless flattery, must I be excluded like this?”

Chen Ping’an asked a crucial question, “Regarding the ownership of this mineral vein, has the Literary Temple and the Academy reached a decision?” Gao Xuandu shook his head, only offering his own conjecture, “Either ‘the virtuous shall possess it,’ someone capable of convincing the masses without causing turmoil. If the already precarious mountains and rivers of Fuyu Continent become even more unstable, it could lead to stability. I believe the Literary Temple would then be willing to stand idly by, happy to see it succeed. But if no such convincing figure appears, this mineral vein may be used to mend the broken mountains and rivers of the continent. Of course, the Jinpu Dynasty will receive some compensation.”

Chen Ping’an curiously asked, “Has the overall value of the jade mine’s reserves been estimated?” Gao Xuandu said, “Currently, there is only a rough estimate. Converted into immortal coins, the specific amount is a top secret of the Academy, not to be divulged. I can only say that, based on my on-site examination of Quanjiao Mountain, it is sufficient to support an ordinary sect, with no other income, for the expenses of a thousand people for a thousand years. To be precise, it assumes a Lower Five Realms Qi Refiner, by chance, occupies Quanjiao Mountain. From the establishment of his sect to its creation, there would be a thousand years of ample prospects.”

Chen Ping’an pressed further, “What is meant by ‘ordinary’?” Gao Xuandu replied, “What I call ordinary is a sect that possesses a founding patriarch with the hope of attaining ascension, two to three Jade Purity Realm cultivators, over a hundred Middle Five Realms Qi Refiners, including more than twenty Peak Founders. There are roughly nine hundred Lower Five Realms registered cultivators.”

Because the two parties did not use heart-to-heart transmissions, Xie Songhua clicked her tongue in astonishment and couldn’t help but ask, “That’s considered ordinary?”

Gao Xuandu said, “Currently, of course, it is considered a first-rate sect, only a hair’s breadth away from being top-tier.”

After a thousand years, that may not be the case.

After all, the vacancy left by a Fifteenth Realm cultivator cannot be filled simply by producing several new Fourteenth Realm cultivators.

Gao Xuandu suddenly asked, “Mr. Chen?” Chen Ping’an chuckled. He had guessed the other party’s intention. Since the Literary Temple had tentatively designated this jade mine as unowned, who takes it doesn’t matter? Rather than handing it over to those shadowy schemers behind the scenes, it would be better for you, Mountain Lord Chen, to take it in an upright and honest manner. Here at Liyuan Academy in Fuyu Continent, at least I, Gao Xuandu, am willing to say a few fair words. As long as Fallen Phoenix Mountain maintains good relations with the Jinpu Dynasty, only the Literary Temple of the Central Earth Continent remains?

Are the scholars of the Academy today a bit too…generous? Wen Yu was like this, overstepping the rules, directly crossing the boundary to Fengdu to apprehend evildoers.

Ning Yao turned her head to look at a certain place, reminding him, “Either show yourself or leave.”

Chen Ping’an followed Ning Yao’s gaze, thinking that the other party’s appearance was indeed reasonable and not too surprising.

The longer one cultivates, the higher one climbs, the more acquaintances one has.

The sword-carrying woman in a white dress and mask, with ethereal immortal aura, was Zheng Dan, the future guardian of White Emperor City, willing to follow Zheng Juzhong, a female ghost sword immortal.

She inherited the sword techniques of the Yue Maiden lineage, which, along with the Qu City lineage of Old Sword Immortal Zhou Shenzhi, one of the ten people of the Central Earth Continent in the past, were both deservedly regarded as “grand sects” of the Way of the Sword, the prominent schools of human sword techniques in the past.

However, compared to Zhou Shenzhi, the sword Dao inheritance of the Yue Maiden lineage has always accepted women but not men. Although there is no requirement for a single line of transmission, it is true that the number of people cannot be compared to the flourishing Qu City lineage.

Pu He thought about it and felt that this woman looked somewhat familiar.

However, there was a bit too much face powder, and he couldn’t remember it for a moment.

After thinking about it, he finally remembered that there was a lifelike painted mural on the walls of the dojo of his sect’s founding patriarch, which seemed to be the woman carrying the sword in front of him?

Xue Zhou exclaimed via heart-to-heart transmission, “Wow, this ghost sister is really good-looking, each with her own merits compared to Sword Immortal Song.” After Zheng Dan appeared, she stood in the void, her voice cold and clear, “I just received a flying sword message from Mr. Zheng. He has already exchanged this mineral vein with the Literary Temple of the Central Earth Continent using merit, making it his own property, instructing me to split it into three parts with a sword. One part will be given to Liyuan Academy free of charge to replenish the geographical advantages of Fuyu Continent.”

“One part will be the foundation for the sect established by Gu Can when he chooses Quanjiao Mountain as its location.” “The last part will be left to the native Qi Refiners of Fuyu Continent to take for themselves. As for whether they use registered means, scheming and intrigue, showing their skills, small fish driving away shrimp, and then being driven away by big fish, or whether they use the wild cultivator route, tearing faces and fighting fiercely, fighting to the death here, Sect Master Gu Can and I will not care, nor will we take responsibility. We kindly scattered a lot of money on the ground, there is no reason to care whether the person picking up the money is rule-abiding or not. Anyway, sooner or later, it will all fall into the money bag of Fuyu Continent. If Liyuan Academy and Mountain Chief Gao have any objections to this, you can go to the city gate of White Emperor City to settle accounts with me. Of course, the content after ‘As for’ is not Mr. Zheng’s words, it is my own doing.”

Gao Xuandu, not wanting to act in accordance with the circumstances simply because White Emperor City and Zheng Juzhong were involved in the matter, still said matter-of-factly, “I will verify this matter with the Literary Temple of the Central Earth Continent and Liyuan Academy. As long as it is confirmed, there should be no problem with Gu Can establishing a sect in the Quanjiao Mountain area afterward, and with you dividing this jade mine into three parts.”

Zheng Dan said, “Mr. Zheng is magnanimous. In the letter, he instructed me that if Liyuan Academy cannot cut and refine the jade mine to replenish the geographical advantages of the continent, I can do it for them. As long as you think it is appropriate, I will stay here for a month or so to cooperate with Liyuan Academy.”

Gao Xuandu nodded, “Then we will trouble Sword Immortal to help.”
Zheng Dan couldn’t help but glance at the scholar. Are today’s intellectuals so thick-skinned? Gao Xuandu turned his head to look at the figure in the azure robe. Chen Pingan smiled and said, “I am not the master of this blessed land. Driving everyone out earlier was a last resort. Actually, I am a guest here, just like Senior Zheng. Senior Zheng, you can discuss where you want to settle down with Laiyuan Academy. I have no right to interfere.”

Zheng Dan looked at Ning Yao, who was “both a junior in terms of age and a senior in swordplay.” A rare smile appeared on her face as she softly said, “At the end of the letter, Mr. Zheng changed the subject. He didn’t name anyone specifically, but said that if someone was willing to accept this gift as a celebration for the landing of Ascension City, then all previous decisions would be null and void. This person could move the ore vein to the Colorful World, and I would open and guard the gate with my sword for a short while, doing my best.”

Ning Yao said, “Senior, please thank Mr. Zheng for me.”

She hesitated for a moment, “I will take a small piece of jade as a gift from Mr. Zheng. During the next meeting of the Ancestral Hall in Ascension City, I will relay this matter and have it recorded.”

Zheng Dan’s smile deepened upon hearing this. Some goodwill is simply inexplicable, perhaps because she saw someone similar to herself, which is why Zheng Dan felt particularly close.

Yu Yue and Situ Jiyu exchanged smiles. Ning Yao wasn’t as aloof and self-willed as rumored. Xuan Can smiled and said, “If Lord Hidden Official were to make a move, he would definitely cut off a large piece of jade and make a chair, placing it grandly in the Ancestral Hall of Ascension City… However, that would be a bit too much. It’s still inappropriate. More likely, it would be placed in the Summer Palace. If that were the case, Mr. Zheng would be an unregistered guest of the Hidden Official lineage. In the future, whenever passing by the Colorful World, one should visit.”

Afterward, Zheng Dan excused herself and found a quiet residence by the river in the blessed land to settle down, waiting for news from Laiyuan Academy.

Her Dao Companion, the Jade Purity Realm sword cultivator Gao Yi, had dissolved their Dao contract, but still traveled across continents with her this time. Zheng Dan still had some minor matters to finalize. Previously, Gao Yi chased after the Shangsi Sword Sect’s Wei Yudian all the way to the Great Wall of Swords, but that was just the surface reason. There was a deeper reason: Zheng Dan promised him that as long as he could gain the recognition of one or two sword veins at the Great Wall of Swords and inherit the legacy of a local sword immortal, she could help him compete for the “Great Dao.”

Gao Yi wasn’t stupid. He understood that she intended to support him as the leading figure in the mountains of Liuxia Continent, replacing Jing Hao of Qinggong Mountain!

However, things didn’t go smoothly at the Great Wall of Swords. First, he didn’t even see Wei Yudian’s face, and then he encountered a strange girl in a sable hat.

The series of events that followed caught Gao Yi off guard, causing the sect master to arrive full of ambition, but ultimately fail to even set foot on the city wall to seek an opportunity.

Ending in such disappointment and returning to his homeland in the Vast Ocean, Gao Yi was naturally unwilling.

Zheng Dan gave the reason that here, if the last Hidden Official doesn’t recognize you, it means the entire Great Wall of Swords doesn’t recognize you, so don’t indulge in wishful thinking and make a fool of yourself.

If you insist on climbing the city wall, you will only embarrass her, your protector.

Gao Yi sat in the waterside pavilion, with bamboo curtains hanging on three sides, facing her, leaving one side open to the plum blossom trees.

Upon entering the pavilion, one would discover a different world, with scenery distinct from the underground karst caves of the blessed land.

Zheng Dan had changed into clothing suitable for a woman at home, and her sword hung on a pavilion pillar.

An unidentified maidservant with a double-bun hairstyle was warming wine. On the low table, the wine was the color of jasper, and purple lightning flickered in the cups.

Zheng Dan occasionally broke away from Gao Yi’s thoughts. She had always been meticulous about food and drink. All the wine-warming utensils were old objects from noble families. Zheng Dan was indeed a woman of great refinement.

Outside the pavilion, the mountain colors were verdant and towering, and vast expanses of plum blossoms bloomed like a sea. Zheng Dan held a round, snow-white silk fan, and the sleeves were filled with a refreshing breeze.

Gao Yi glanced at the ugly wine-warming maidservant, feeling that she was out of place in this world.

He remembered that Zheng Dan called her a laundry maid.

The maid was also like a wooden figure without emotions or any spiritual intelligence.

Gao Yi sighed and cautiously asked, “You are only invited to be a gatekeeper for White Emperor City, without any official status. Are you really not going to register your name with my sect and have your portrait hung alongside the founding ancestor in the Ancestral Hall?”

Throughout the history of the Vast Ocean, which sect’s founding ancestor didn’t have several exciting and mysterious stories, or encounter a few high-minded hermits with obscure origins?

Jing Hao’s Qinggong Mountain had them, and of course, the Shangsi Sword Sect also had them.

Zheng Dan said indifferently, “There is no banquet that doesn’t end. When fate brings us together, we gather; when fate ends, we scatter. This is the natural order. Gao Yi, you are at least a Jade Purity Realm expert who founded a sect. Don’t act like a sentimental woman.”

“Although the Dao Contract was temporarily dissolved before you ascended in broad daylight, you haven’t been deprived of any benefits. You actually received future gains in advance, without any hidden dangers, so don’t act like you’re being wronged after taking advantage.”

“The ancient grotto-heaven relic in Liuxia Continent that emerged in response to destiny has already been abandoned by Jing Hao and Shunan Yuan. Especially Jing Hao, who had invested heavily in the early stages, and all his painstaking planning was for naught. A small Jade Purity Realm expert like you was able to seize this place from two Ascension Realm experts. What more could you ask for? Even if it is a blessed land there is still the possibility of poor management, making it a mere burden. Grotto-heavens of this kind can be used directly. During this joint trip, I deliberately showed myself several times, exchanging sword moves with people twice, just to prevent those with ulterior motives from easily attacking you. But you must know in your heart that once this matter is over, after I go to White Emperor City to serve as a gatekeeper for Mr. Zheng, we will be even. If you encounter a hurdle you can’t overcome in the future, you can go to White Emperor City and kowtow to try your luck, seeing if I will pay you any attention.”
Shu Nan Yuan, the master of Heavenly Corner Grotto-Heaven, had just ascended to the Ascension Realm not long ago. With her arrival, Flowing Haze Continent now boasted two Ascension Realm cultivators to safeguard its lands. What truly made Jing Hao and Shu Nan Yuan willing to proactively relinquish a Grotto-Heaven relic wasn’t Zheng Dan’s shared Ascension Realm status, nor her swordsmanship and lineage, but rather Zheng Dan’s deliberate divulgence of a secret: she was soon to journey to the long-sealed White Emperor City, to serve as its gatekeeper.

Otherwise, between Ascension Realm cultivators, once face-saving measures were abandoned, overt and covert tactics would emerge endlessly. Outside of swordsmanship, Zheng Dan conceded that she couldn’t match the two entrenched powerhouses of Flowing Haze Continent.

Thus, the existence they truly feared was Zheng Juzhong.

Gao Yi said helplessly, “Understood. A farewell that becomes a final parting.” After all, the two had forged a pact and relied on each other for many years. Zheng Dan had practically watched Gao Yi grow from a youth to the man he was today. She still felt compelled to offer a few more words of advice, “I have already introduced you to Ding Fayi and learned of your karmic entanglement with Wei Yu Dian. Ding Fayi also personally acknowledged that you are the reincarnated dissolution of that Sword Immortal. Wei Yu Dian’s natal flying sword, ‘Imitation,’ is indeed a relic of your past life. The seemingly inexplicable grudges between you and the Upper Si Sword Sect and the Wei family of Fen Province now have a clear explanation. Henceforth, you need not entangle yourself excessively with the Upper Si Sword Sect and the Wei family of Fen Province. As for Wei Yu Dian herself and her flying sword, since you have a gentleman’s agreement with Ding Fayi, a true man should honor his commitments.”

Gao Yi nodded, accepting the agreement that Wei Yu Dian owed him a duel. The time and location were to be determined by her, and he wouldn’t take advantage of her current Nascent Soul state.

Gao Yi looked dispirited. He couldn’t understand why that man surnamed Chen had to interfere in such a manner. Wasn’t his conduct too domineering, causing the Sect Master to feel stifled? Zheng Dan said, “Ding Fayi of Rice Bowl Mountain is benevolent enough. With his personal sword ‘Descent to Truth,’ coupled with the flying sword ‘Divine Connection,’ and the fact that he is a descendant of the ancient Shaman lineage, if he truly wanted to target you, you, Gao Yi, would never have had the chance to grow. You would have died an untimely death long ago. It is because Ding Fayi wants to mediate, hoping to help the two of you resolve your past-life karmic debt with present-life kindness.”

Gao Yi retorted, “With you here, who can say who would die an untimely death if Ding Fayi dared to use curses against me?”

Zheng Dan said earnestly, “Gao Yi, heed my advice. Without my hidden protection, if you remain so petty, no matter how many external opportunities you acquire, you will ultimately fail to achieve great things. Just one wrong step will lead to eternal damnation.”

The serving girl leaned forward, using one hand to hold her sleeve and the other to refill Gao Yi’s wine cup. Gao Yi drank in silence, not forgetting to thank the serving girl, who smiled radiantly.

But Zheng Dan scolded her harshly, “Washing-silk maid, still daring to seduce!”

The serving girl smiled and said, “Those who truly forget their homeland, treating foreign lands as their own, why vent your anger on others?”

Zheng Dan spoke sternly, about to reprimand the washing-silk maid, but the maid seemed to speak for her, “Strike her mouth ten times as a warning to others.”

Zheng Dan was about to speak, but the maid again helped her speak, “A vixen who seduces and endangers the country deserves to die!”

The serving girl slowly refilled Zheng Dan’s wine cup, smiling and saying, “I’ll be silent.”

Zheng Dan sneered, “What? This lowly maid relies on her lingering ties with that Fan from the Shang family, thinking he’ll soon reach the Fourteenth Realm, or is she certain that I wouldn’t dare kill her?” The plain-looking maid pretended not to hear, instead looking at Gao Yi, smiling and saying, “Sect Master Gao, you may not know, but the founder of the Upper Si Sword Sect, Hua Furong, who is Wei Yu Dian’s master, was a frequent guest of the Ning family of Sword Qi Great Wall, and shared an amicable relationship with the Ning and Yao Sword Immortals. Wei Yu Dian, as Hua Furong’s most valued and beloved direct disciple, has a deep-seated connection due to the goodwill established by her elders. That’s why Sect Master Ding let her go to Sword Qi Great Wall to avoid trouble.”

“So, Sect Master Gao, you chose the wrong place to cause trouble for Wei Yu Dian at Sword Qi Great Wall. It may seem like you accidentally ran into the young Hidden Official, but it was all within Sect Master Ding’s calculations.”

“Fortunately, Sect Master Gao met Hidden Official Chen, and not his Dao Companion. Frankly, your luck is beyond measure.”

Gao Yi was speechless, his heart filled with lingering fear. Zheng Dan rarely interrupted the washing-silk maid’s words. When the latter refilled Gao Yi’s wine cup again, Zheng Dan sneered, “Being a good Sect Master is more difficult than becoming a Jade Purity Realm cultivator through luck. If Sword Immortal Gao dares to underestimate any of the Upper Five Realms, Flowing Haze Continent will soon have one more short-lived Sect.”

Gao Yi raised his wine cup with both hands, toasted to the two seniors, humbly said he was enlightened, and drank it all in one gulp.

The washing-silk maid stood up, reaching out to lift a corner of the curtain, muttering, “Amidst division, union, chaos, and order, in a peaceful world, the men and women on the road are all out to see the flowers.”

Zheng Dan laughed heartily, “You and I are both ghosts, yet we haven’t been able to take that further step, while that Xu Jun has beaten us to it. It’s truly worth drinking three cups of wine!”

The washing-silk maid sighed faintly, “The transformation of the dragon and snake amidst the wooden goose is not so easily achieved.”

At the highest point of the wind and water cave carved into a private residence, Chen Ping An saw Gao Xuan Du off and returned to the main hall with Ning Yao, glanced at the seemingly confrontational seats, waved his sleeve, and the chairs formed a circle.

Chen Ping An casually picked a chair near the door. Cao Gun took off his boots and sat cross-legged. Xuan Can sprawled on the chair. Song Gao Yuan still sat upright as a habit. In the summer retreat palace of the past, aside from a small desk piled high with files, there were futons, bamboo chairs, and small benches. Each person followed their own preferences. Dong Bu De and a few others often dozed off in their extremely precious spare time, leaning on the small chairs with their legs propped up on the desk. Guo Zhu Jiu, whose realm wasn’t high, had an excellent spirit. Her rest was to wipe the small bamboo box on the table with her sleeve, breathe a few times on the bamboo box, and repeatedly caress it. Gu Jian Long liked to lie on the ground, with his head resting under the desk. Lin Jun Bi liked to play chess alone. Pang Yuan Ji was used to staring blankly, his face full of bitterness. Luo Zhen Yi always deliberately avoided looking at anyone. Wang Xin Shui often asked the Hidden Official if his shoulders were sore, and if he was too tired, while praising Great Sword Immortal Mi for his outstanding military achievements.

Chen Ping An took out several types of immortal wine from his pocket dimension, a dozen jars, and pushed them to the center of the hall, letting everyone help themselves.

Pu He and a few others with substantial family wealth followed suit, and dozens of jars of wine instantly appeared on the ground.

Ning Yao thought for a moment, then got up and left.
Xie Songhua and Song Ping followed Ning Yao out of the main hall.

As soon as Ning Yao left, Xuan Can swiftly moved to Chen Ping’an’s side. Cao Gun, whose power was no weaker than Xuan Can, sat on Chen Ping’an’s other side. Chen Ping’an, holding the wine pot, simply sat on the ground and raised it high with Song Gaoyuan opposite him, each taking a hearty gulp. He then complained that Song Gaoyuan lacked etiquette, as he was practically half a host, with his sect located in Fuyue Continent. “You should have suggested three toasts at once!” Chen Ping’an reached out and grasped the arms of the two beside him, increasing his grip slightly, and laughed, “I’ve missed you all dearly!”

Ning Yao and the others strolled outside. Xie Songhua chuckled, “We all know each other inside and out. You don’t need to deliberately give the Hidden Official that much face. Those seven who haven’t been to the Great Wall of Sword Qi have long admired Chen Ping’an. After today’s display, they’re even more impressed. A little face-saving doesn’t matter.”

Ning Yao said helplessly, “I’m here, and he can’t let loose.”

Song Ping smiled and said, “I heard the Situ Sword Immortal’s family is renowned as a haven of beauties.”

Ning Yao said, “Not long ago, a young woman using the pseudonym Wang Gua visited Fallen Mountain with her sect. Chen Ping’an met her and offered some guidance. He told me about it himself.”

Xie Songhua tsked, “The Hidden Official’s self-incriminating act is truly reaching a state of perfection, becoming divine.”

Song Ping said, “Isn’t that a bit too obvious?”

Liu Xu arrived a bit later. As he entered the fragrant hall, Pu He shouted, “Everyone, make way! The talented Liu has arrived!”

Don’t let Liu Xu’s usual taciturn demeanor fool you. When he starts scolding Pu He, he unleashes a torrent of “elegant words” from the Northern Ju Lu Continent, leaving Pu He utterly drenched.

Yu Yue hurriedly pretended to mediate, secretly enjoying the scene. Pu He looked down on Yu Yue and Situ Jiyu, but greatly admired Liu Xu, the young master of the Mule Horse River, who didn’t need to feign poverty and who everyone considered poor. The old sword cultivator thought that if he had a Dao companion and a son, they would be just like Liu Xu.

It would have been better if he hadn’t heard that honest thought.

During this reunion, they barely spoke of the Great Wall of Sword Qi, mostly discussing the power dynamics in the Vast Expanse, the customs and anecdotes of various continents.

Of course, due to the presence of the young men and women, they talked about the rising young generation of genius sword cultivators in the Vast Expanse.

This inevitably led to Chen Li. Chen Ping’an had just learned that Chen Li was already at the bottleneck of the Golden Core realm and was about to enter seclusion. It wasn’t necessarily to break through, but there were signs of the bottleneck loosening.

Chen Ping’an didn’t intend to imply that Ju Xing and the others should not slack off in their sword practice. Instead, he hoped that they would interact more and travel across continents together.

Chen Li, the disciple of Li Cai from the Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, had the reputation of “Little Hidden Official.”

Before Chen Li was taken away from his hometown by Li Cai, he made a special trip to the Second Shopkeeper’s wine shop and wrote a plaque.

“Chen Li, carrying the sword Hui Ming, flying the sword Wu Mei. A hundred-year Sword Immortal, within easy reach.”

It’s important to know that the “Sword Immortal” of the Great Wall of Sword Qi wasn’t just any Jade Purity Realm cultivator. This meant that if Chen Li wanted to achieve this feat, this young sword cultivator who had secretly formed a First-Grade Golden Core in the Vast Expanse, first needed to reach the Jade Purity Realm within sixty years of his cultivation age, and then give himself the remaining thirty to forty years to temper the foundation of the Jade Purity Realm to ascend as an Immortal. If someone were to nitpick, since Chen Li himself had said it was “within easy reach,” shouldn’t he become an immortal sword cultivator by the age of seventy or eighty to avoid boasting without thinking?

Chen Li was also the common imaginary enemy of Xue Zhou, Ye Du, and the others of the same age and hometown. Even Bai Xuan, who was fearless, claiming that “even the Heavenly King wouldn’t scare me, because I am the Heavenly King,” was said by Zheng Dafeng to have an extraordinary talent: one day of practicing Iron Head Kung Fu was equivalent to a year of hard work for others. But Bai Xuan occasionally mentioned Chen Li with some trepidation, always adding, “That Chen Li is a few years older than me.”

Of course, for Cao Gun, Xuan Can, and the others, the emergence of another Little Hidden Official Chen Li only prompted them to exclaim, “Our Dao is not declining; the younger generation is formidable!”

Ju Xing and the other young men were not good at drinking and were already tipsy. On the contrary, Xue Zhou and the others felt that wine was nothing special the more they drank.

Liu Xu joined the Earth Immortal sword cultivators in a drinking game. Pu He, at some point, sat shoulder to shoulder with Yu Yue, put his arm around the latter’s neck, and vigorously tapped his old friend’s head, saying, “You’re useless! How did I make such a friend? …Actually, I’m even worse. How could I have lost to Mi Xiu back then?”

Chen Ping’an had already started looking for wine.

He said there was a secret, unpassed-down method of reading called “Nighttime Theft, Alleyway Murder.”

The young Hidden Official, or perhaps not so young Hidden Official, was truly drunk.

He also said that he was very happy to meet everyone in this month, on this day, in this place, in this situation.

He further said, “We sword cultivators should have this aspiration, dare to think this way! Let us all strive together! The old path of swordsmanship in the human realm ends with me, and the new path of swordsmanship begins with me!”

Finally, he said, “I’m not drunk! You guys are terrible at drinking, you can’t even offer a toast properly!” He hiccuped, pushed aside an arm with heroic spirit, and turned his drunken eyes to see who it was. When he saw her, he sobered up immediately.

Seeing this scene, everyone burst into laughter.

Ning Yao was helpless. Indeed, the opportunity was rare, so she, Xie Songhua, and Song Ping “took their seats” and drank, continuing the second round of drinks.

Chen Ping’an sat alone on the steps outside, with his hands in his sleeves, lost in thought.

Sometime later, He Xiangting and Yu Qingzhang came outside, two sword cultivators who had left their hometowns, arrived at Fallen Mountain, but chose to leave Fallen Mountain. They sat beside the earliest Hidden Official, later Teacher Cao, and finally Mountain Master Chen. Chen Ping’an came back to his senses, smiled, reached out, pressed their heads, and gently rubbed them. Then, he propped his hands on his knees, his eyes gentle, without saying anything.