Navigating the seas at night, like duckweed adrift, a life amongst the clouds and waters.

Rummaging through memories like flipping through history books, Chen Pingan opened some recollections of summer palaces, only to quickly close the book again, looking down upon a Spirit-Rhino City, brimming with Daoist energy. Though Spirit-Rhino City was one of the four central cities, its area was relatively small, but the palaces, pavilions, towers, waterside gazebos, and garden lanes within were all exquisitely crafted. The previous city lord had very little control over her jurisdiction, only requiring the “natives” of Spirit-Rhino City to abide by a few bottom-line rules of the Night-Sailing Ship, with no further regulations to follow. Spirit-Rhino City and Item-Listing City happened to share the same surname, Li, but the customs and practices within the cities were polar opposites. The previous female city lord disembarked, accompanied only by the silver-eyed youth with antlers.

Earlier, while traveling to Ascending-Winds Continent, Chen Pingan had already met some of the nominal stewards of the city. After all, he was temporarily managing Spirit-Rhino City, so this was an expected gesture, and he couldn’t avoid it.

Upon meeting them, Chen Pingan felt that these scholarly men who spoke eloquently and quoted poetry were too refined, while they felt that this disciple of the literary sage, bearing the title of Hidden Officer, was too common.

Although it wasn’t to the point of mutual loathing, the atmosphere wasn’t exactly harmonious. The kind of instant reverence and eagerness to serve depicted in storybooks and operas was utterly impossible. At the time, Chen Pingan spoke relatively little, while Xiao Mo, who had been studying the books of sages since arriving at Fallen-Phoenix Mountain, conversed with those flamboyant figures who became endlessly eloquent when discussing literature and poetry. They discussed the struggle between Dao and influence, the rise and fall of the Daoist and political orthodoxies throughout history, and spoke of the “teachers and friends” constantly emphasized by the Sub-Sage. They spoke of how true Confucians should interact with virtuous rulers, treating them as friends, while the monarchs should serve them as teachers. Xiao Mo also inquired about one thing: since Dong Fuzi, the master of the Wen Temple, exclusively revered Confucianism and insisted on banning the other schools of thought, why did he bring out the word “Heaven” to suppress emperors and monarchs? Why did Han Fuzi, the vice-master of the Wen Temple, say that the ruler of a nation only needed to govern by non-action? Finally, Xiao Mo asked them what Lu Zhangjiao of White Jade Capital meant by his seemingly prophetic statement, “Daoist arts will divide the world,” and what the underlying meaning was. Afterwards, Xiao Mo was a little worried that she might have spoken too freely, leaving a bad impression of their young master on them. After all, Chief Zhou had said that in the current world, one must be extremely careful when chatting with scholars who held no official position, and every sentence must be carefully considered, otherwise, a single wrong word could easily lead to resentment. But Chen Pingan smiled and said it was fine, as they wouldn’t be staying in Spirit-Rhino City for long. They were full of the stench of money and wouldn’t dare to engage in any financial transactions here. Since it was more trouble than it’s worth, they would give these refined scholars who excelled at idle talk the respect they deserved, and then keep their distance. Liu Xianyang and the others returned to the rainbow bridge corridor suspended in the air and laughed, “It’s truly eye-opening, the first time seeing so many living immortals burdened by fame outside of books. Gouzi is well-informed and knowledgeable, she saw at a glance that they were half-baked dilettantes who had been dragged back into books and imprisoned in words. It’s said that this divine ability was originally invented by Mr. Sanshan Jiuhou.” “Gouzi also said that in ancient times, whether Daoists or scholars, their scholarship had great spirit, every word and every line was like a grand bell, unlike now, like frost-bitten eggplants, insects chirping in autumn, exuding a sour and petty air. Ten thousand years ago, the Rite Sage was learned and created writing, Mr. Sanshan Jiuhou clarified all images, and there seemed to be a great wild demon who specialized in studying all the rhythms of heaven and earth. It seems that it was the fourteenth-realm great demon from the Wildlands World who later went by the name Lu Fayun, unfortunately, he was eaten?” “Gouzi praised the mastermind behind this ship, saying that his talent was not shallow, and his materials were extraordinary. He was able to borrow a little from here and steal a little from there, creating the current appearance of the Night-Sailing Ship, like an archive.” Saying this, Liu Xianyang cupped his fists and shook them, “Gouzi, impressive, impressive.” The girl in the sable hat smiled brightly and returned the gesture, “Brother Liu, not at all.” Liu Xianyang continued to shake his fists, “Impressive here, impressive here.” As expected of Spirit-Rhino City, they exchanged a glance. Xie Gou, haha. Liu Xianyang, haha. Chen Pingan looked at Xiao Mo, who had a smile on her face. When traveling abroad, his Daoist partner was like a fool, didn’t he want to do something about it? Xiao Mo obviously didn’t want to interfere. Xie Gou and Liu Jianxian were of similar character, both with hearts wider than the sky, and naturally hit it off at first sight. On the way here, they had already agreed that as long as the Mountain Lord’s wife didn’t mind losing face, Xie Gou would be a bridesmaid for She Yue. Xie Gou laughed heartily, “Mountain Lord has fallen into a beauty’s den.” Liu Xianyang wiped his mouth and nodded, “It wasn’t for naught, it wasn’t for naught.” This rainbow bridge was built inside the palace, and many female officials patrolled everywhere, with curved eyebrows and full cheeks, graceful figures, flowing ribbons and long sleeves, powdered white and painted green. They held palace lanterns made of white paper and bamboo, on which famous phrases were written in vermilion ink, accompanied by a few lines of neat annotations in fly-head small script. The residents of the city were not prominent figures who held high positions in the court or advanced and retreated among the officials throughout history, but were all frustrated and unfulfilled people whose talents were mismatched with their fates, and now they were even more reclusive and self-sufficient people living in remote rivers and lakes. Chen Pingan was going to close the door and read some secret records, Xiao Mo followed along, Liu Xianyang said he wanted to talk to Gouzi about something, Xie Gou tilted her sable hat, ah? Chen Pingan would naturally not take over the palace residence of the previous city lord; this kind of thing still needed to be avoided. Although he was a temporary city lord, according to the rules of the Night-Sailing Ship, he could already access a considerable number of documents. Chen Pingan placed a bowl of glutinous rice wine on the table, just to drink it with stories. He inexplicably thought of the sea voyage that started from Upside-Down Mountain, it was a treasure-devouring whale that possessed several ancient broken secret realms. It seemed that Lu Tai was now following Zhang Fenghai, stirring up a new sect, Chen Pingan could guess with his knees that in this process, Lu Tai, who feared nothing more than the world being peaceful, must have been instigating and fanning the flames. As for why Lu Tai and his group of Qingming Daoist officials who had established their own sect were traveling across the world and choosing to travel to the Wildlands at this time, it was probably also a way to prove their innocence? At the same time, they would observe from the sidelines and then bet on which side? Chen Pingan took out a rough geographical map and folded his hands in his sleeves, his gaze wandering uncertainly over the map. The names of the mountains and rivers here were often the same as those in several other worlds. Chen Pingan had an idea, extended his finger, pointed at the map, and said to himself, “I’ll choose this place to settle down and cultivate the Dao for a few years?”
That was a mountain range, called Difei Mountain, anciently known as Zhongnan Mountain.

Liu Xianyang and the girl in the sable hat walked out of the rainbow bridge corridor, continuing their ascent for a wider view. They arrived at the top floor of the high building, where bells hung under the eaves, tinkling in the breeze.

Liu Xianyang leaned on the railing, smiling, “Bai Jing, now that we are friends, I’ll speak frankly. Do you mind?”

The girl in the sable hat grinned, “Bai Jing might mind, but Xie Gou certainly won’t. Speak your mind. Whether it makes sense or not, I’ll lend an ear.”

Liu Xianyang nodded, cutting straight to the chase, “Since you are the owner of that Warp Armor, and the temporary protector replacing Xiao Mo, why, when Chen Ping’an was in secluded cultivation at Fuyalu Dojo, encountering several untraceable and dangerous ambushes, did you not lend this armor to Chen Ping’an for self-defense? Could it be that this Warp Armor is of too high a grade, with specific requirements for wearing, making it impossible to take off once worn?”

Xie Gou blinked, answering irrelevantly, “Sword Immortal Liu even knows such secrets? In the Wilderness, in the mountains, beyond the heavens, I haven’t displayed this item, nor have I boasted about possessing this treasure. Who did Sword Immortal Liu hear it from? Mountain Master Chen? Not him. He never forces others. Not Mi Li either. Could it be that bigmouth from Tongye Continent, Qing Tong?”

Liu Xianyang smiled mysteriously, “I have my own wonderful plans, capable of knowing ancient affairs.”

Xie Gou adjusted her sable hat, saying, “No beating around the bush, I’ll be direct with you. Before I came to the Wilderness, I had an agreement with Old Master Bai: when he and Little Master fight to the death, I must rush back to help the Wilderness. Old Master Bai speaks plainly, saying even if he’s half-dead, he’ll crawl over. Bai Jing is eccentric, with unpredictable moods, but values promises above all else. Breaking a promise leads to long-lasting guilt, a feeling I don’t want to experience again. This Warp Armor of mine is one of my trump cards. Unless it’s a life-or-death battle requiring risking my life, it’s best not to reveal it, to avoid being anticipated by those with ulterior motives. Fighting, after all, with similar realms and comparable Dao power, depends on who has more, better trump cards.”

Xie Gou snapped her fingers, “Before giving the real reason, I’ll invite Sword Immortal Liu to see some interesting old almanacs.”

In Liu Xianyang’s heart lake, a series of shocking waves suddenly arose without warning, accompanied by rumbling sounds. Portraits abruptly appeared on the lake surface.

Some scenes were blurry, but all contained the intent of great deities. Even Liu Xianyang had to steady his mind, condensing a mustard seed of the mind to observe internally, to avoid disrupting his Dao heart.

Some were personally seen by Bai Jing, some were imagined by her. Different armors, different masters. The craftsman who was one of the ancient twelve high-ranking figures, used the armor of one of the five supreme figures, the Armored One, as a prototype, and imitated three divine objects of a slightly lower level of authenticity. Among them, the divine armor “Great Frost” was shattered and fell to the ground in the battle to ascend to the heavens. The first ancestor of the military strategists collected it, barely restored its original appearance, and secretly joined hands with one of the ancient ten heroes of the world, her two personal disciples, spending countless resources, and finally successfully cast three different forms of “ancestral” armor on the basis of the Great Frost armor. These are the “precursors” of the three military armor pills of later generations, so Warp Armor, Golden Crow Armor, and Deity Dew Collecting Puppet Armor are, in a sense, actually imitations.

Liu Xianyang laughed, “I’m a kiln worker by trade, so the Great Frost Armor and the inner three pieces are official imitations, and the armors imitated by the first ancestor of the military strategists are folk kilns?”

Xie Gou casually appeared inside Liu Xianyang’s heart lake, giving a thumbs up, “That’s a good analogy.”

Since today’s topic started with the Warp Armor, Liu Xianyang naturally paid more attention to this item, looking at the appearance and attire of the figures on the hanging images. The Warp Armor first fell into the Western Buddha Country. Liu Xianyang asked, “Was it given to the High Monk Shenqing to wear?”

Xie Gou shook her head, “Whether Chicken Soup Monk is the owner of the Warp Armor, I haven’t met him, so it’s hard to say. But I can be sure of one thing, Chicken Soup Monk at least didn’t wear the Warp Armor. He doesn’t need it, otherwise it would be a burden. In the battle to ascend to the heavens, on a certain main offensive path, the ancient Heavenly Court once opened a sword formation of conquest, with trillions of flying swords, a torrential downpour, piercing countless stars into sieves, or even grinding them into dust on the spot. Liu Xianyang, guess how we cultivators dealt with this cataclysm?”

“There was the first Taoist in the human world, seeing this scene, instead of retreating, advanced, quickening his pace, swiftly ascending, deliberately distancing himself from the masses. Astral projection, traveling with yin spirit, boundless Taoism, sleeve universe, gathering countless flying swords, reversing yin and yang, turning them into his own use, throwing out waves of flying swords with a sleeve, creating dazzling galaxies, attacking strongly with strength.”

“The Taoist chanted incantations like a song, still not forgetting to preach.”

“There was also a monk who attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Following closely behind, he took off an old, patched-up garment from his body, and casually threw it out, covering the sky and the earth. Flying swords pierced the garment, sounding like drums.”

“Monk Shenqing’s golden body is invincible, most tracing back to its origin, recognizing its ancestors. So this old monk, who claims to best understand the Western meaning of the Patriarch, doesn’t need to wear the Warp Armor at all.”

Xie Gou jumped onto the railing, sat down with a thud, leaning slightly forward, supporting her knees with her fists, “Heh, that sword art leader among the ancient ten heroes, regardless of offense or defense, has profound Dao Qi, more powerful than all of us sword cultivators. He almost never speaks, his Taoist roots are mysterious, unknown. He ascended with his sword, breaking through the one hundred and twenty-seven formations set up by various departments of the Heavenly Court. His true body, on the left and right, was this person, responsible for clearing all obstacles on both sides of the road.”

Liu Xianyang’s expression became strange.

Xie Gou’s expression was complicated, muttering, “Can you imagine, the entire human earth, all sentient beings with spirits, feeling a response, like incense burning everywhere… but no longer praying to gods, but holding a common hope.

On the way to ascend to the heavens, the scholars marched in a vast array, quickly changing from the center to the front line of the battle, advancing wave after wave, generously going to their deaths.”

After a long silence, Liu Xianyang couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask, where was the Dao Ancestor in this battle?”

Xie Gou smiled, “The same as always, what else could he be doing? He always lived in solitude, more like a god than gods. In the past, during a preaching, asking, hearing, and proving the Dao without any prejudice, the ancient Taoist team was like a long dragon winding through the earth and mountains, he was far behind the team’s tail. When he completely tore off the face with the ancient gods and started fighting, the Dao Ancestor was still walking at the very end. Of course, it wasn’t that the Dao Ancestor was afraid of fighting, nor that the Dao Ancestor lacked strength, only because all of us cultivators…”
Everyone knew in their hearts that it *had* to be him… to deliver the final verdict, to decide victory or defeat!”

Xie Gou’s eyes shone. “Speaking of lineage, even the most cowardly, selfish, and mediocre person in later generations has the blood of ancient heroes flowing through their veins, every single one of them.”

Xie Gou grinned. “But nowadays, they all compare who their father is, who their master is, how much money they have. It’s infuriating.”

Liu Xianyang simply smiled.

Xie Gou’s expression turned cold. “It’s precisely because I’ve witnessed those magnificent, selfless sacrifices.”

“That’s why I find the world today so disappointing.”

“Daoist Lu once spoke of a type of wine that would never be touched in prosperous lands, only sold in poor, bitterly cold places. The newly brewed wine is a lovely emerald green, with lees floating like ants. Ha, just hearing about it makes me crave it. I need to taste it sometime.”

Saying this, Xie Gou retracted the paintings. “Back to the matter at hand.” Wearing the Warp Armor is like occupying a Daoist temple within an immeasurable world. Even if the two parties are clearly within arm’s reach, they might as well be worlds apart. When using mystical arts, seeking the wearer of the Warp Armor is like searching for a needle in the ocean, therefore…

For a Qi Refiner, wearing the Warp Armor doesn’t increase offensive power, but it’s akin to becoming invincible, providing the ultimate protection. Legend has it that a Qi Refiner wearing this armor, as long as they don’t provoke trouble at the Confucian Temple’s Merit Forest, White Jade Capital, the Western Sacred Mountain, or the Sword Qi Great Wall, even if one or two fourteenth realm experts are determined to join forces and kill them, they would likely be troubled, wondering how to accurately find one grain of sand among the Ganges River?

As for the Weave Armor, legend has it that its greatest benefit is that it allows the armor’s wearer to continuously absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, with no limit to the amount, and no fear of overflowing. Xie Gou explained, “Sword Cultivator Bai Jing can wear it year-round, Xiao Mo can borrow it for a few days, and you, Liu Xianyang, can wear it once if you face a life-or-death battle with low odds of success. Only Chen Ping’an isn’t suitable. An evenly matched tug-of-war can easily be lost. Even if I dared to lend it, would Chen Ping’an dare to wear it? Mountain Master wouldn’t dare.”

Liu Xianyang nodded. “If that’s the case, I understand.”

Xie Gou’s eyes were resentful as she said, “Brother Liu, the fact that you asked this question shows that you truly consider me a friend. I’m willing to offer you my whole heart, and I don’t feel wronged in the slightest…”

Liu Xianyang laughed. “I may come from a poor background, but I’ve blindly believed since childhood that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and will definitely have a great future. That’s why I can’t bear the slightest grievance. Even if I don’t have much money in my pocket, I still have to put on a good face and make a show. As a kiln worker in my hometown, I seemed to get along with everyone, but I didn’t have many true friends. But once I recognize someone as a friend, I become very easygoing. A little disagreement between friends is nothing. Misunderstandings are like fake wine, grievances are like rancid food, don’t dwell on them. Back when I was a boy, I broke up with Chen Ping’an several times, and he’s so stubborn! Would he ever willingly admit his mistakes and apologize? Every time, wouldn’t it always be me, shamelessly going to him with a smile to mend the relationship? With you, first I invited you to be Qian Yue’s bridesmaid, then I asked you this question, which means I’m already prepared for a potential disagreement.”

Xie Gou exclaimed, “If that’s the case, I understand!”

Liu Xianyang smiled slightly. “Gouzi, anyone who thinks we’re fools is the real fool!”

Xie Gou nodded vigorously with a serious expression. “That’s for sure. The world is complex nowadays. You can’t accomplish anything if you’re not smart, but being too smart is also bad. We’re just right, haha, possessing great wisdom.”

Liu Xianyang agreed, “The Way of the Mean, great wisdom appearing as foolishness.”

She then became somewhat worried. “Brother Liu, we’re chatting so happily, will Xiao Mo be jealous?”

Liu Xianyang said, “How about when we return to Treasure Bottle Continent, we pretend not to know each other? Or we can simply pretend we didn’t reach an agreement today, harmed our harmony, and turned sworn siblings into enemies?”

Xie Gou clapped her hands and laughed. “A brilliant plan!”

Xie Gou came back to her senses, puzzled. “Why did Brother Liu break up with the Mountain Master so many times back then? I thought the Mountain Master’s way of handling things wasn’t like that when he was young?”

Liu Xianyang smiled slightly. “He’s always been the same, no different. But I have a foul mouth, never watch what I say, spend money like water, run out of money every month after paying the bills, and always act without thinking. Chen Ping’an is so careful and cautious, but he could never convince me, and after so many times, who could put up with it?”

Xie Gou became even more puzzled. “Brother Liu is quite proud?”

Liu Xianyang asked in return, “Isn’t it worth being proud?”

Xie Gou was about to express her heartfelt agreement when her expression changed slightly, and she hastily said “I have diarrhea” and ran away. While stealthily hiding, Xie Gou cursed Old Blind’s certain disciple, “When you were traveling and studying, you should have been reading your books on sages and worthies, instead of asking everyone whether Pei Qian was really the princess fallen among the common people, what were you doing that for?!”

Liu Xianyang was both amused and annoyed. He originally wanted to ask Xie Gou if, according to her description, the fourteenth realm cultivators and Earth Immortals of the ancient era were excessively powerful?

But in an instant, Liu Xianyang sensed something was wrong, narrowed his eyes, and looked in one direction, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

At sea, someone could actually catch up with the Night Sailing Ship. A burly man reached out and forced open the formation, stepping into it. Upon landing, the ship shook violently, and the nearby sea surface rose in hundred-zhang waves.

The man looked around and smiled. “The host doesn’t need to show his face to greet guests. I’m just looking for someone to chat with for a few words. You don’t need to put on such a defensive posture either.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t stand up but looked up toward the doorway.

The burly man pushed open the door and entered. His imposing aura made it seem as if a mountain had shifted into the room.

His first two sentences caused Chen Ping’an’s eyelids to twitch slightly.

“Zhou Mi was too impatient.”

“He should have waited for me to leave the mountain.”

The ancient demons that had been slumbering for ten thousand years, Bai Jing, Nameless, Li Gou, and others, had once followed this old ancestor of the Strategists in launching another earth-shattering war.

The first battle of the ancient era was called Ascending to Heaven, with everyone united in purpose. The second battle was actually an internal strife. At that time, almost the entire demon race chose to bet on one person.

According to Old Yang’s derogatory way of saying it, it was an internal strife over an unfair distribution of spoils.

After conquering “Heaven,” they were supposed to reward merit and distribute the spoils fairly, but few were satisfied.

Although Xiao Mo always liked to challenge people to sword duels, he never interfered in these meaningless struggles for profit.
Chen Pingan steered the conversation elsewhere, “While at Quan Jiao Mountain, I heard from Xiao Mo that Senior recently took a trip to Qing Ming Heaven.” The man casually pulled up a chair and sat down, saying, “I retrieved something that rightfully belonged to me, and took the opportunity to catch up with an old friend. I had intended to visit ‘Lin Shi,’ the self-proclaimed martial arts paragon of several realms, at Crow Mountain after a few drinks. But to my surprise, while my old friend’s monastery remained, everything else had changed. My old friend was always a shrewd operator, and he had long prepared for his eventual demise. After millennia of careful planning, he finally produced a fourteenth-realm cultivator who had taken advantage of every opportunity, possessing a similar level of power as the founder of the sect. I initially intended to offer him some guidance out of respect for my friendship with his ancestor, but the atmosphere of that mountain was truly deplorable. From top to bottom, inside and out, there were hardly any decent individuals. If my old friend knew from beyond the grave, he would surely be restless. I reluctantly gave him a few pointers, but the fellow was utterly ungrateful, responding with sarcasm and endless complaints. Given my temperament, how could I tolerate that? We both agreed to a duel to the death, verbally. Who would have thought that despite being a fourteenth-realm cultivator, albeit a newly minted and watered-down one, his physique would be so weak and easily defeated?”

Chen Pingan remained silent. The man burst into laughter, “His monastery seems to have a deep-seated animosity towards martial artists. The moment you mention a pure martial artist, they would invariably retort with a ‘martial artists are all talk.’ As a result, as soon as the martial arts grandmasters in that prefecture heard that he had reached the fourteenth realm, they all fled to other regions. But this just proves that the martial artists of that prefecture are truly pathetic, so it’s no wonder that those Daoist officials and immortal masters look down on them. But the height of his folly was to agree to a duel to the death, and then have the audacity to ask me, ‘What business is it of yours, Daoist, if I offer a few comments about martial artists?'”

The man narrowed his eyes and smiled, asking, “Chen Pingan, do you think it’s any of my business?”

Chen Pingan replied, “Putting myself in your shoes, Senior, I probably would have replied, ‘You are right, Daoist, your words are wisdom.'”

The man immediately roared with laughter, his palm caressing the chair’s armrest, “Daoist Bi Xiao was right, the lad is cunning and wise, a true natural for martial arts.”

Chen Pingan said, “When Senior has the time, you could visit Cao Ci. I believe you won’t be disappointed.”

The man nodded, “I’ve already seen him. He’s much more pleasing to the eye than you.”

Chen Pingan was momentarily speechless.

The man said, “The price was agreed upon beforehand. My visit to this vessel is merely to inspect the goods and take delivery.”

Chen Pingan breathed a sigh of relief, “As it should be.”

The Barren Lands.

Trees that evoke thoughts of home in a foreign land.

The four entrances to the Ruin Return passages that connect the two worlds are located at Ink Scar in the East Sea, Divine Township in the South Sea, Sunken Twilight in the West Sea, and Celestial Eye in the North Sea.

These four Ruin Returns in the Barren Lands are separated by vast distances. Therefore, the Confucian Temple of the Central Continent has stationed a large number of top-tier warriors in these “deadly places” to defend them.

At the same time, Vastness has opened up three massive ports in the northern Barren Lands, named Candlelight, Galloping Steed, and Earth Vein, respectively.

Military strategists have estimated that Vastness previously used thirty percent of its strength to defend against the Barren Land’s demon race invasions. Now, it must use seventy percent of its strength to attack the Barren Lands.

At the Confucian Academies, a large number of Great Gentlemen and Gentlemen who have earned the title of “Upright Man” have already been deployed to the Ruin Return exits at the front lines of the battlefield.

In addition, some Gentlemen and many Scholars are “traveling” and training at the two ports. At the Sunken Twilight Ruin Return in the Barren Lands, in addition to Su Zi, the top-tier warriors include the newly ascended fourteenth-realm cultivator Liu Qi, the Grand Li Iron Cavalry Commander Song Changjing, Zhang Tiaoxia, who had long achieved the Boundaryless but held the title of Long Bo, the Jade Branch Sect Leader of Tongye Continent, the Sword Immortal Wei Ying, and the Boundaryless martial artist Wu Shu, among others.

Although Su Zi is still at the Ascended Realm and Liu Qi has reached the fourteenth realm, Su Zi remains in charge of this location.

Today, two visitors have arrived, two Daoists traveling together. The middle-aged Daoist wears a yellow robe with a long, flowing beard, while the old Daoist wears a green robe and a crane cloak, the two seemingly of vastly different ages.

After informing the guards of their reasons for coming, Su Zi quickly left the temporary office with a hearty laugh and strode towards the venerable Daoist, clasping his arm in friendship, “Brother Zijing! After so many years, we meet again amidst the clouds and waters.”

The middle-aged Daoist smiled gently, “Indeed fortunate.”

This long-bearded Daoist is named Yang Shichang, courtesy name Zijing, and his Daoist monastery is located on Mount Kongtong. The Daoist has a face like polished jade and a purple bamboo flute hangs from his waist.

One autumn day, during Su Zi’s career as an official, he once sailed on a nighttime excursion with friends, composing a renowned poem to record the event.

In the boat, Su Zi struck the hull and sang, and one of the guests played the flute in harmony. Close friends discussed profound mysteries, rinsing cups and drinking again, with plates and cups scattered about, leaning on each other, unaware that the east was growing white…

Su Zi hinted, smiling, “Brother Zijing, you are currently at a critical point in your cultivation, at the bottleneck of the Immortal Realm. Why bother wading into troubled waters, risking yourself?”

Yang Shichang smiled, “Why must Brother Su ask the obvious? Besides, to put it bluntly, isn’t the Immortal Realm bottleneck perhaps less significant than the Ascended Realm bottleneck?”

Su Zi said, “It is true that I admire Buddhism and seek the Dao, but I am ultimately a disciple of the Confucian school. Some things are simply my duty.”

Yang Shichang said, “Su Zi is a scholar, does that mean I don’t read?”

Su Zi laughed heartily, “I can make an exception for Brother Zijing and drink freely!”

During the last great chaos, there were many Daoists like Cao Rong, the Celestial Sovereign of Ling Fei Temple in Treasure Bottle Continent, who descended from the mountains as soon as the chaos began and retreated once the war was settled. In the past, when the battle lines were pushed all the way to Golden Armor Continent in the north by the army of the Barren Lands, there were seven or eight Daoists whose Daoist power was astonishing. They roamed the south, killing demons wherever they found them, putting significant pressure on the Barren Land’s rear. Especially in the final battle, five Daoists directly attacked a military camp, shattering an entire mountain range, ultimately forcing the heavily damaged camp to relocate.

Of these Daoists, only two remained.

The Central Continent Confucian Temple extended invitations to them during the last meeting, but both Daoists declined.

The taciturn Daoist in green robes said, “Su Zi, the array is so intricate here?”

Su Zi suppressed his smile and nodded, “The Confucian Temple required that the great arrays at each port be able to withstand a full-force attack from a fourteenth-realm Great Demon of the Barren Lands.”

The logic was simple: as long as they could withstand the attack of the Great Demon, the fourteenth-realm cultivators of Vastness would naturally take action.

The Daoist in green robes nodded, “Although I am not skilled in individual combat, I can contribute my meager strength to this array.”
Suzi bowed in salute, smiling, “First, I offer my thanks, eternally grateful. However, this matter requires the assent of at least three or four individuals from the Literary Temple.” The grand formation was interlocked, a movement in one part affecting the whole. It involved the safety of millions of people around the ferry, and demanded utmost caution. Therefore, any additions, subtractions, or replacements in any formation node required Suzi and the other responsible individuals at the ferry to report the details to the Literary Temple in the Central Earth. Liu Qi once joked that the so-called three or four individuals were merely two or three expressing their views, with the true key figure behind the scenes giving the final assent.

The Taoist in the azure robe didn’t seem to mind, returning the salute with a nonchalant, “As it should be.”

“This humble Taoist, in years past, while traveling to the White Emperor City among the colored clouds, had the good fortune to discuss the fundamentals of formations with Mister Zheng.”

“Not long ago, a batch of students from the academy came here for training. They had been at Zouma Ferry earlier, helping with administrative affairs within the military.”

“Among them was a young Confucian scholar named Li Huai, from the Cliff Academy of Baoping Continent, one of the seventy-two academies of the Literary Temple, holding the title of a Sage. Surrounded by gentlemen and sages, he didn’t seem out of place. Academy disciples, during their travels, often exchanged knowledge and explored the principles of life and righteousness together. Li Huai rarely spoke, only listening intently. If someone asked for his opinion,”

“Li Huai would simply say he didn’t understand.”

“At first, some mistakenly believed Li Huai to be simple and reserved, disliking to speak, which was why he only listened. But after spending time with him, they realized that Li Huai… truly didn’t understand.”

“However, Li Huai was indeed humble and eager to learn. Therefore, the gentlemen and sages traveling with him did not look down on him.”

“When their relationships improved, they would inquire about each other’s teachers. Li Huai only said that the Headmaster of his academy was now the Vice Minister of the Ritual Academy, Mao Xiaodong.”

“Vice Minister Mao Xiaodong of the Ritual Academy is now a… highly influential figure in the Central Earth Literary Temple. He is recognized for his rigorous scholarship, impartiality, and for persuading others with reason…”

“Mao, the Vice Minister, who transferred to the lineage of the Sage of Rites, remained in the Central Earth Literary Temple mainly to assist his former mentor, the Literary Sage, in handling matters large and small. What a coincidence, right?”

“Regarding this matter, within and outside the Literary Temple, on Mount Haoran, there were some private discussions.”

“Heard it was the idea of that closed-door disciple?”

“Impossible, right?”

“Think it’s impossible? Then you haven’t been to the Great Wall of Sword Qi.”

“What’s the trick in this?”

“Trick? Heh, there are many!”

A hunched, diminutive old man arrived without announcing himself. What was particularly unusual was that the old man was accompanied by a figure who absolutely shouldn’t be here.

They simply appeared out of thin air in full view of everyone, entering this heavily guarded, majestic city.

Suzi and several great cultivators said there was no need to be concerned. Strolling through the city, the burly man’s cultivation was high enough that with a little attention, he could see the dazzling brilliance of the formations everywhere. The burly man clicked his tongue in wonder, “The defenses here are a bit exaggerated. Are the other places at a similar level?”

Layers upon layers of formations, seamlessly interwoven, with no worry about conflicts between them. Just one of them involved five great Five Elements formations superimposed into one, exquisite and ingenious. The old man nodded, “The difference between the various places is limited, and they are still being strengthened every day. Those cultivators on the mountaintops care about face and are very competitive, not wanting to lose face. The world of Haoran has never lacked extraordinary talents, and now it doesn’t lack immortal money either.”

The burly man asked worriedly, “Fellow Daoist Zhici, give me a straight answer, if I get ganged up on, are you going to be responsible or not?”

The old man countered, “My words have never been reliable. Do you still want a straight answer?”

The burly man sighed, “Acknowledging you as a fellow Daoist proves I’m more blind than you.”

The old man said, “With such a foul mouth, what, did you crawl under Yangzhi or Guan Yi’s skirts before coming here?”

The burly man yielded, obediently shutting his mouth.

Nearing a certain place, the old man subtly tugged at his collar and straightened his sleeves.

The burly man felt his eyes were opened, making the trip worthwhile.

A Great Li Ministry of War official was lecturing nearly a hundred people, holding a painting stick to review and explain the strengths, weaknesses, gains, and losses of both sides in a recent battle.

Those in attendance included gentlemen and sages from the academy, Qi refiners from the various schools of thought, and even generals from the various continents.

Within the “lecture hall,” every seat was occupied.

Li Huai sat in a corner by the window, taking notes when he heard something important.

Although Li Huai was not proficient in deploying troops and arranging formations, he had liked it since he was a child, so he listened to the lecture with particular attention.

The skinny, gaunt old man, with sunken eye sockets and hands behind his back, stood on tiptoe outside the window, “watching” Li Huai, who was buried in his writing.

Beside the old man, or rather at his feet, was a lean and sturdy middle-aged man, leaning against the corner of the wall, picking up a handful of dirt and slowly rubbing it in his palm.

The old man was quite pleased with himself, “No Name, what do you think of my disciple?”

The middle-aged man, who was jokingly called “No Name,” was truly puzzled. He released his hand, stood up, and asked, “What ‘what do you think’?”

Cultivation aptitude? Natural talent? Divine will and Taoist energy? This young man didn’t have any of that.

The old man was too lazy to say anything more.

Li Huai noticed the shadow on his desk. He looked up and suddenly saw two heads at the window, startled. After seeing that it was the Old Blind Man, he put down his pen and rubbed his wrists.

He quickly realized that the “teacher” giving the lecture, and several “students” nearby, were all looking his way. Li Huai was immediately embarrassed and quickly signaled with his eyes for the Old Blind Man to leave quickly. The class hadn’t finished yet, what was he doing standing there?

The Old Blind Man said in his heart, “It’s alright, we’ll wait for you to finish the class. It doesn’t hinder the teacher and students, one side dares to speak truthfully, and the other side dares to listen.”

Li Huai became anxious and used the technique of sound transmission, “Old Blind Man, don’t talk nonsense.”

The Old Blind Man smiled, “Alright, alright, you continue to listen to the lecture. Consider it me listening in, the teaching master can’t possibly chase people away.”

Soon after, a handsome man with a willow branch hanging from his waist came over.

The Old Blind Man didn’t say anything, simply raising his hand, a clear gesture of dismissal.

Unsurprisingly, he was rebuffed. Liu Qi had no choice but to leave in silence.

The burly man laughed, “Li Gou is still waiting for you at your Daoist temple.”

The Old Blind Man asked, “Did I tell him to wait?”

The burly man was helpless.

Thinking back to those years, the renowned Fellow Daoist Zhici, whether in appearance or conversation, was nothing like he was now. What a demeanor of elegance, what an extraordinary and outstanding figure!

The Ten Thousand Mountains.

Empty, looking into the distance, lifeless, desolate as far as the eye could see.

With the master not at home, a young-looking barbaric great demon came here alone, sitting cross-legged on the cliff.
After the youth was roused by Bai Ze, he always carried the Qiankun pouch and demon-subduing gourd at his waist. However, during the last council, Xiao, with a clumsy excuse, used him as a generous benefactor, gifting them to Fei Ran as a congratulatory offering.

It was a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning.

Waiting for ten thousand years was not in vain; he had finally ascended another level of cultivation.

Unlike Yang Zhi and Zhu Yan, those desolate behemoths who had never slumbered, the Haoran world knew very little about them.

It was hard to imagine that he and Zhi Ci had once been companions with that group of ancient scholars, and even had a good relationship at the beginning.

For example, Daoist Zhi Ci aspired to become the second scholar in the human realm to refine his Natal Character.

And he had always hoped to build a literal city of books, with his back to the throne.

Indebted to Zhou Mi, who paved the way before letting him pass, this matter was ultimately accomplished. Now, he replaced the old fox Tong Tian, who had ascended to the heavens, becoming the master of writing in the desolate world.

The youth habitually retrieved a book from his sleeve, patiently waiting for others while engrossed in reading. It was reading, and the sound of his voice was exceptionally rhythmic, as if the act of chanting itself was a form of Daoist practice.

The taste of books was like rice and millet, like delicacies, like ambrosia, like strong wine, the flavors of the hundred schools of thought were like pickled sauces.

Ten thousand years ago, he and Zhi Ci were indeed kindred spirits, seeking to observe the world both within and outside the pages of books.

As for the recent incident in a certain desolate region, where a demon cultivator skilled in talismans “accidentally” entered that Haoran study, the youth remained unmoved by Zhou Mi’s secret arrangement, only constantly observing the flow of literary fortune there from afar.

When the lecture ended, a virtuous scholar from the academy, familiar with Li Huai and hailing from the Flowing霞洲洲, noticed the abnormality outside the window and softly asked, “Li Huai, who is that?”

Li Huai was somewhat embarrassed and explained, “It’s my Shifu, the mountain kind, not a teacher from the academy.”

The virtuous scholar didn’t press further, only saying with a look of realization, “Not bad, you’ve been hiding it well.”

Li Huai chuckled.

The young virtuous scholar bowed respectfully towards the figure outside the window, and the old blind man with his hands clasped behind his back hesitated before nodding in acknowledgement.

When all the students in the classroom had left, the old blind man led the nameless man inside. Master and disciple sat facing each other across a desk.

The nameless man still leaned against the wall.

Li Huai cautiously asked, “Shifu, who is this senior?”

The old blind man casually said, “Don’t worry about him, he has no name.”

The man cupped his fists towards Li Huai, smiling in fluent Haoran vernacular, “Li Huai, I’ve heard so much about you, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m just a martial artist with flashy moves.”

Li Huai was about to speak when the old blind man interjected, “No need to be polite, he’s not worthy.”

The man smiled and nodded, extricating himself from the situation, “A great man doesn’t fuss over details, just be casual.”

Li Huai said in his heart, “Old blind man, if you’re always like this, you won’t have any friends.”

The old blind man laughed, “I don’t have many friends to begin with. Those who are friends will be used to me.”

Li Huai clicked his tongue in wonder, giving a thumbs up, “Amazing, logical, and airtight.”

The old blind man asked with a smile, “Do you drink alcohol?”

Li Huai said in exasperation, “Do you even need to ask if I drink alcohol?”

The old blind man said, “Good disciple, don’t always be so restrained. The world is vast, and few people care who belongs to whom.”

Li Huai raised his chin, “So many grand principles, why don’t you go be a teacher tomorrow?”

The old blind man chuckled, “I can teach, but they can’t handle it.”

Li Huai asked, “How many dishes did you have on the way here, and how many pounds of wine did you drink?”

The old blind man laughed.

The nameless man crossed his arms and leaned his head back against the wall, simply closing his eyes to rest. It was truly exhausting.

He felt that Li Huai alone was more overwhelming to talk to than Xiao and Bai Jing combined.

The old blind man was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “Li Huai, becoming a disciple isn’t about finding a backer, right?”

Li Huai’s eyes widened, and he immediately retorted without hesitation, “If I’m not looking for a backer, why would I find a Shifu? Huh?”

The old blind man reached out his dry fingers and scratched his sunken cheeks, at a loss for words. His disciple’s words were extremely reasonable.

The nameless man wanted to completely shut down his senses and ignore everything. He had to admit that Daoist Zhi Ci’s good disciple had talent inversely proportional to his courage. Li Huai explained, “When I was young, my mother was my backer. Later, when I traveled far to study, I found Chen Ping’an to be my backer. At the Great Sui Cliffside Academy, Li Baoping and Lin Shouyi were all my backers. Now that I’ve become your disciple, if you don’t become my backer, do you expect me to become yours? Old blind man, have you been alone in your Daoist temple for too long, without anyone to take care of your food and lodging, and are you so hungry that you’re talking nonsense here?”

The old blind man smiled it off and changed the subject, “In this Haoran world, you have a good relationship with that kid surnamed Chen. You’re both fellow disciples and fellow townsmen. He has one advantage, which is that he cherishes old friendships, so I’m quite relieved.”

Li Huai added, “Young Daoist isn’t bad either, we’re very close.”

The old blind man didn’t respond, as if the mere mention of the name “Young Daoist” would make him want to drag that Ascension Realm cultivator over and stomp on him a few times. He continued, “In the Five Colored World, that girl Ning Yao is like a junior to me. Besides, Chen Xi once traveled to the Hundred Thousand Mountains when he was young, and I gave him a few pointers, things that even Chen Qingdu couldn’t teach. It’s a small favor, but of course he has to repay it. So in the future, when you travel to the Five Colored World, you can find Chen Xi to be your backer and accompany you on your journey to see the scenery.”

Li Huai immediately revealed his tendency to be a bully at home, “He’s a veteran sword immortal with great merit from the Sword Qi Great Wall, I wouldn’t dare to ask him, and I don’t have the face to. I’d definitely be intimidated when I meet him.”

The old blind man seemed to have anticipated this, nodding, “So I’ve already explained the situation to Chen Xi, now Chen Ji of Ascension City, and he said it’s no problem. As long as you arrive in the Five Colored World, he’ll take care of you.”

Li Huai coughed and lowered his voice, saying, “What are you talking about? Don’t make it sound like we’re a gang of hoodlums.”

The old blind man smiled indifferently, “The ways of the world are all the same, more or less. This old blind man doesn’t care about those things.”
Li Huai hastily reminded him, “These words, spoken here, are forbidden, you know.” The old blind man continued, “Scholarly pursuits and tempering of oneself both require traveling ten thousand miles. When it comes to the magnificence of mountains and rivers, the vastness of untamed wilderness each has its own merits. Therefore, I also arranged a group of people for you, so you can see more of the scenery here. Just feel at ease traveling with them. The leading Daoist priest is called Zhang Fenghai, a barely acceptable newly-ascended Fourteenth Realm cultivator. Besides, one of them is an old friend of Chen Ping’an, so you don’t have to worry about being isolated and having nothing to talk about. They are on their way here now…”

Li Huai grinned, “Old Blindman, it feels like you’re entrusting your orphan to me! I’m not the Crown Prince, you know.”

The Nameless One was speechless.

He had known Daoist Zhizhi for over ten thousand years, and there were truly few who dared to speak to Zhizhi like this.

The old blind man scratched his face and smiled. As expected of his disciple, his words sounded heartwarming and pleasing. Li Huai really couldn’t hold on any longer and gradually suppressed his smile. His expression darkened, and he hesitated several times, finally forcing a smile. He looked at the old man across from him and spoke slowly, as if talking to himself, asking and answering his own questions, “Master, that’s what you say, but there are some things that must be done, no choice. Master, can you give me a guarantee that you’ll come back as soon as you’re done with your business? Even if you go to a faraway place and don’t return to the Ten Thousand Mountains for a while, you will still come back, right? Master, your cultivation is so high, you can do this little thing, can’t you?”

The old blind man didn’t know how to say comforting words. After a long time, he looked at Li Huai for a long time before slowly saying, “A true man stands tall between heaven and earth, shedding blood but not tears.”

Li Huai was stunned into silence.

On the mountain peak, Ligou was somewhat sentimental. He put away his books, rested his hands on his knees, and muttered to himself.

“We who cultivate the Dao, our hearts are as pure as glass, our spirits as clear as the void.”

“We once uttered mad words, if we do not live for a hundred thousand years, what is the use of being a person in this world?”

The Great Dao has a shore, but the Dao’s magic is boundless. To sacrifice oneself to the Dao, to use one’s body to uphold the Dao. One walks alone, courageous and generous.

In the ancient and towering years, the Qi Refiners of the human realm wished to accomplish their task in one battle.

Countless Daoists almost instantly gathered in a certain place in the human realm, regardless of their races or the lineages of their techniques, all single-mindedly united as fellow Daoists.

As they were about to ascend to the heavens, a handsome man in a fluttering green robe, with disheveled hair, arrived by treading on emptiness, full of spirit and extremely free.

He said to the leading group of Daoists with the highest cultivation, “You only need to change places to ascend to the heavens and confidently help the other battlefields.”

He looked up and said, “This path will be opened by me.” A Great Demon looked solemn and said, “Zhizhi, don’t act recklessly! Acting alone will never work! This matter is of great importance, don’t act impulsively. At worst, you and a few of us can lead the charge together. According to the old rules, if I die first, you quickly chew up my true form to repair your Dao power and continue forward…” A Great Demon carrying a long staff on his shoulder impatiently sneered, “Zhizhi, who do you think you are, the one who walked at the front or the back of those Daoist teams back then?! Don’t block your Grandpa Yuan’s path. Either we all go together, or get lost.”

Zhizhi turned a deaf ear, not even looking at him, and simply dropped a sentence, “Follow if you want to, but remember not to hinder my path.” As he spoke, a majestic Dharma Image, a million feet tall, appeared on the earth, standing tall in the human realm. It suddenly rose from the ground, soaring straight into the clouds. Its vast Dao aura manifested in cyan and purple, the same color as the sky. The Dharma Image shone brightly, its golden light dazzling to the eyes.

A huge Dharma Image, imbued with boundless Dao intent, wantonly stirred up a river of time wherever it went.

The Daoists called him Zhizhi, with a crimson sun refined between his eyebrows, disheveled hair embracing the pristine moon, drifting with the clear breeze, admired by both heaven and man. At that time, a group of demon cultivators were like ephemeral insects seeing the azure sky.