From Loushan Ancestral Hall, a missive arrived carried by paper kite, swiftly followed by a flying sword bearing tidings to the pavilion nestled amongst these hills.

A flash of light heralded the sword’s arrival, and Gao Zhen, reclining comfortably, subtly furrowed his brow. With a deft movement, he caught the flying sword between two fingers, his gaze quickly scanning the message it bore. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by bewilderment, then an irrepressible joy that bloomed into a wide, unrestrained smile.

Huang Cong, Emperor of Mengliang, remained discreetly silent, refraining from asking the nature of the message.

After a moment of careful consideration, Gao Zhen addressed his royal guest. “Your Majesty,” he said with a smile, “I ask for your patience a while longer. Waiting bears no cost, for if the expected message arrives, consider it a return gesture from the Yellow Millet Sect.”

Leaving the pavilion, Gao Zhen summoned his sword and soared away, riding the wind like a celestial dancer.

He returned with two venerable elders of the Yellow Millet Sect, and together, they descended near the mountain gate. Hastening down the steps, they crossed beneath the arched gateway. There, they came to a halt, Gao Zhen leading the way with a respectful bow and uttering in a clear voice, “Gao Zhen of the Yellow Millet Sect, pays respects to Mountain Lord Chen.”

Chen Pingan returned the gesture. “Chen Pingan of Fallen Peak, greets Sect Leader Gao.”

Following courteous greetings and formalities, the two groups ascended Loushan Mountain together.

Gao Zhen, mindful of his duties as host, ensured that the three esteemed guests accompanying the young Hidden Official were shown proper respect.

Even without possessing mystic sight, Gao Zhen knew that those traveling alongside the renowned Hidden Official must possess extraordinary virtue and profound power.

Thus, Gao Zhen walked beside Chen Pingan, while the two Yellow Millet Sect elders took it upon themselves to entertain the other three, a task they were well-suited for, such courtesies being commonplace in large sects. They would not allow the conversation to falter, but it seemed the youthful Taoist from Autumn Hairs Temple was most inquisitive, his gaze flitting about, asking a torrent of questions, ensuring that a lull in conversation was never allowed to occur.

His questions, however, were often peculiar.

For example, the Taoist adorned with the fish-tail crown had inquired as to the ratio of mountain sprites to male cultivators, concerned that the balance of Yin and Yang might be disrupted.

Chen Pingan turned to Gao Zhen, “Sect Leader, this visit was not part of my original journey. It is a matter of chance, and my stay will be brief. I must descend the mountain soon and continue on my way.”

Gao Zhen responded with a courteous smile. “Your mere presence, Mountain Lord Chen, is a blessing.”

Chen Pingan inquired, “Is Immortal Elder Liu currently upon the mountain?”

Gao Zhen shook his head. “Master Liu and Uncle Song will arrive within a few days.”

It was known that Liu Hongwen had separated from the Yellow Millet Sect to establish himself at Yi Dai Peak. Only his junior brother, surnamed Song, accompanied him, even Liu Runyun’s parents had remained on Loushan.

Chen Pingan said with a gentle smile, “Immortal Elder Liu is known for his eccentric ways and blunt speech, which may have caused friction. I, as an outsider, merely offer my humble perspective. However, I believe future generations of the Yellow Millet Sect will view these past disagreements as invaluable lessons.”

Gao Zhen nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “If we can look back without resentment, if the young accept the old, and if we can tolerate those who are different, then the Yellow Millet Sect will truly be transformed.”

Chen Pingan nodded, “That is the truth of it.”

“Hard-won,” Gao Zhen said, “well-cherished.”

Chen Pingan smiled in agreement.

Qing Tong found the conversation somewhat strange – these two were simply discussing the truth behind their actions.

Lu Chen, clasping his hands behind his head, laughed, sending his voice directly to Qing Tong’s mind. “My friend Qing Tong, do you not understand? It’s simple: Speak honestly with great men, and do not hold back. There is no need for pretense with heroes.”

The Sword Qi Great Wall, viewed by different cultivators, particularly those with sword mastery, evoked diverse reactions.

Gao Zhen, a hint of shame in his voice, spoke silently, adopting a more respectful form of address. “I confess, Great Hidden Official, even setting aside my position as Sect Leader, the thought of traveling to the Sword Qi Great Wall to fight demons is merely a fleeting fantasy. I dare not venture far, nor would I traverse the inverted mountain or those abodes of reclusive sword immortals, let alone ascend the city walls. I am confined here, capable only of imagining.”

“Thus, the Yellow Millet Sect and I, Gao Zhen, were bold and presumptuous in inviting you to attend the ceremony. It was an act of great disrespect, and as a sword cultivator, I am deeply ashamed.”

Chen Pingan waved his hand dismissively. “Scholars aspire to the wisdom of the saints, and Buddhists seek enlightenment as Buddhas. Aim high, and one might achieve mediocrity. It always begins with the ambition to achieve greatness. You, Gao Zhen, need not be ashamed.”

Chen Pingan’s gaze turned toward his companion, and he asked with a smile, “Is life not a Sword Qi Great Wall in itself? Wherever a true sword cultivator takes up their blade to fight injustice, that place becomes the Sword Qi Great Wall. Do you agree, Gao Zhen?”

Gao Zhen nodded, “I heartily agree.”

Despite being addressed by his given name, Gao Zhen showed no discomfort.

He had heard that in that land of countless sword cultivators, such a custom was commonplace. One rarely referred to another as ‘Sword Immortal So-and-so,’ instead using only their given name.

“Great Hidden Official, among our guests is the Emperor of Mengliang, who has long admired you. If you prefer not to meet him, I will simply refrain from informing him of your presence.”

Chen Pingan replied, “I will meet Huang Cong. Even if this meeting did not occur by chance, I would have sought an audience with the Emperor.”

Gao Zhen was taken aback, as the young Hidden Official had spoken the Emperor’s name directly, revealing prior knowledge of the young ruler of Mengliang.

Qing Tong, in his heart, had a peculiar revelation: So many mountain spirits and gods, and the Yellow Millet Sect. If you could gather Chen Pingan’s behavior, expressions, and reactions to others, the result would resemble… a straight line. There might be ups and downs – as when he mentioned his student Pei Qian to the River God of Shifting River, when he discussed his teacher with Zhou You of Suishan, or when he spoke of the Sword Qi Great Wall with Gao Zhen – but, in the end, that was all it was: he followed a path of truth.

Near the mountain gate, a male cultivator surreptitiously tore a page from a ledger and tucked it into his robe.

His childhood companion pretended not to notice.

However, the true gatekeeper, an elder of the Yellow Millet Sect, arrived in haste, riding the wind from a distant peak. He flipped through the ledger, and, with a smile, held out his hand. “Give it here, quickly!”

The male cultivator pleaded, “Uncle Dou! It’s just a page with a few words. Why make such a fuss?”

The elder brandished the ledger. “This page must be placed in the archives and preserved! Do you dare to steal it? If the Law Master finds it missing, he’ll punish you severely in the Ancestral Hall! How old are you? Act your age.”

Reluctantly, the young man produced the page, which the elder swiftly snatched away. The elder warned the two younger disciples not to reveal Mountain Lord Chen’s visit to Loushan, then hurried away to consult with the Law Master, promising a lifetime supply of wine if he would turn a blind eye to the missing page.

Gao Zhen led Chen Pingan to a residence within Loushan and then to the quarters of Huang Cong. He then excused himself along with the two Yellow Millet Sect ancestors.

Gao Zhen chose not to inform the young Emperor beforehand, allowing it to be a surprise. Furthermore, he had contributed nothing; he would not take credit where it was not due.

Inside the courtyard, Li Huai was explaining to Guo Zhujiu that his previous “summonings” of Chen Pingan were accidental and that he possessed no special power. However, just then, the group appeared at the entrance. With a delighted expression, Guo Zhujiu gave a thumbs-up. “No more drawing charms on the ground? Your power has grown!”

Guo Zhujiu then dashed toward the man in the green robe. “Master!”

Chen Pingan smiled and nodded. “I was passing by and decided to visit. I must return to Tongye Continent soon.”

Guo Zhujiu asked, “How soon?”

Chen Pingan pondered. “At most, I will stay two quarters of an hour. It is not that I do not wish to linger, but there are matters in Tongye Continent that require my attention.”

Guo Zhujiu clenched his fist. “No problem!”

Chen Pingan then introduced the three men beside him – Ni Fuzi from the Cloud Cavern Paradise in Tongye Continent, as well as the Autumn Hairs Temple Taoist Qing Tong. He corrected Qing Tong’s claim to be an invited guest of Immortality Capital Mountain: “I, as the master of the sect, do not recognize this claim.”

Li Huai, not entirely certain, tentatively asked, “Taoist Lu?”

If he was not mistaken, it was the fortune teller who had once set up shop in his hometown, and he was quite accurate.

Chen Lingjun swallowed hard, creeping backward, chanting, “You can’t see me. You can’t see me…” He hid behind Guo Zhujiu.

Lu Chen looked at the scholar in robes, speechless.

He once saw this child with open-crotch pants toddling along on the streets.

The sparrow he used to measure people’s luck had almost been grabbed by the child!

Even more, Li Huai had been, and was, and always would be, mortal.

Lu Chen grimaced, thinking, “It’s better that the kid knows nothing.”

He also realized that Old Yang truly viewed this boy as his own grandson, and that was how Yang treated him.

The young Taoist also appeared to know something. That one who Chen Pingan called “A Daoist of Autumn Hairs Temple” was no simple person. He pretended to be at the Gold Core Realm, but it was all smoke and mirrors.

Lu Chen walked over to Chen Lingjun, and said with a grin: “Generally, the water-folk change into a dragon once they cross the Great River. Do you grow tired of living by the water?”

Chen Lingjun immediately fled, only to be pinned in place by Lu Chen. He strained and called: “Patriarch! Help me!”

Chen Pingan said with a laugh, “It’s alright. I’m here.”

Only then did Chen Lingjun stop. He sniffed, his face still showing his dismay.

The young Taoist glanced at the fish-tail crown upon Lu Chen’s head. “Daoist Lu. You are of the Thearch Blessing Temple?”

Lu Chen nodded. “You can consider it so.”

The young Taoist smiled. “Then if I were to visit the Thearch Blessing Temple, could I trouble Daoist Lu to introduce me to the Thearch Lord Qitian?

A small temple, that was all it was.

The Thearch Lord, Qitian Zhen, had only recently attained the Immortal realm, and was but a junior to others in the temple. The Daoist tradition could be traced to the Second Master of the Jade Pool.

On the other hand, the young woman in robes from Tongye Continent was skilled at hiding her realm. Either she was a true immortal, or was close to the Ascension Realm.

Lu Chen laughed. “A small matter. Though my Autumn Hairs Temple is hardly well-known, but every ceremony, I manage to see the Thearch Lord.”

The young Taoist smiled. “That’s good to know.”

In his heart, Lu Chen was rolling his eyes: “This kid trying to fool me and put on a front? He thinks he is the Second Master because he has a fish-tail crown? One day, I will teach him a lesson. Of course, it will only be after I enter the Fourteenth Level.”

Chen Lingjun tried to sneak away, but Lu Chen simply would not let him.

Lu Chen turned his head. “Fellow Daoist Jing Qing. It has only been a few days. Why do you act as if we are strangers? Why can’t you give me a smile?”

Chen Lingjun had to force a smile to appear on his face. It was only a little while longer, and his patriarch was right there. The most Lu Chen could do was act scary.

Lu Chen moved his hand slightly, and Chen Lingjun was suddenly afraid that he would be crushed, or that he would die.

He screamed out: “Old Chen, save me!”

Lu Chen grimaced. “Fellow Daoist Jing Qing, don’t you remember? We have the same heart. Every thought of yours rings in my ears like thunder!”

Chen Lingjun was trembling, and he tried to muster the courage to ask: “Lu Chen, are you bullying me again?”

Lu Chen showed a look of surprise, and slowly lifted his hand. It was true that there was the force of a mountain within his palm. He had divined something and found himself in awe of the boy before him. There was something about him that inspired reverence.

In the dim world of the River of Time, he once saw a boy on tiptoes tapping the horn of a green ox, telling the animal that there was enough grass to eat upon the mountain.

Anyone else would have died long ago under that ox’s hooves.

Even more, the boy in robes patted the ox’s head and said that it would soon have the skills to cultivate.

Even that Taoist there would have been dead!

There was something about this boy that even the most evil cultivators recognized and feared.

Guo Zhujiu smiled.

Chen Pingan asked: “What is it?”

Guo Zhujiu shook his head. “The more I think, the less I know.”

Chen Pingan agreed. “That is good. Follow your teacher.”

Qing Tong had never seen the Hidden Official so gentle.

Li Huai said suddenly: “Chen Pingan, I wish to discuss something with you.”

Chen Pingan nodded and entered the house with him.

The young Taoist, who had been acting as doorkeeper, was nervous. It was like a loyal servant who was trying to offer advice to a king, and hoped that the monarch would listen.

Just then, the patriarch was trying to pass the throne to his son, and the young prince was refusing!

That was how the young Taoist felt. The young Taoist was trying to offer advice to a king, and hoped that the monarch would listen. The treasures of the world were waiting to be accepted. The patriarch had left everything for his disciple, even more, that army of golden guards. What if Li Huai accepted them as his own?

They would be able to sweep across Tongye Continent.

Chen Pingan and Li Huai were never formal with each other. Chen Pingan already knew what kind of man he was.

The Blind Lord, from the Barbaric North, had once dragged Li Huai and the young Taoist into a dream, taking them back to the mountains. There, he showed them the vision of a great and mighty spirit, a giant that knelt before them with a head that reached the top of the mountain.

It almost scared Li Huai out of the dream. Only by calming his heart was the Blind Lord able to keep Li Huai in the vision.

The Taoist believed Li Huai to be good and kind, even if not brilliant.

As for the Blind Lord, the more he saw of Li Huai, the more pleasing he found him, in him there was something that inspired wonder and peace.

Chen Pingan listened to Li Huai’s explanation, and nodded. “You have two worries, right?”

Li Huai nodded. “I knew that you were the one who understood me.”

Chen Pingan thought for a moment, and said: “It is alright that you do not accept that gift.”

Li Huai’s first worry was that he was unworthy. The title of sage was already enough to give him pause. The second worry was that the Blind Lord, like the old man back home, would leave behind everything and suddenly vanish one day without saying goodbye.

“But I am a disciple of the Confucian sect, a student of Qi Xian. Why am I holding back because I am afraid?”

Chen Pingan smiled.

“How long is ‘temporarily’?” Li Huai asked.

“It will happen when you are no longer afraid,” Chen Pingan said.

“What if the war has ended, but my heart is still not set?”

Chen Pingan said, “Then I have two answers for you, one good and one bad. Which do you want to hear?”

Li Huai’s eyes lit up. “The bad one first!”

Chen Pingan smiled. “From the day you entered school, Qi Xian only wished that you would study hard. You could forget what you have read, but you must never lose heart. As long as you knew how to read, write couplets, and keep accounts, that would be more than enough. You should not compare yourself to the others like Lin Shouyi. The old man in the apothecary had the same wish. The only thing you should care about is safety and happiness.”

The war between the worlds was one of shifting plans and many schemes. If Li Huai were to enter the battlefield, Fei Ran and Jia Shen would take him as an equal and exchange his worth. Chen Pingan said that he would never allow it.

Chen Pingan asked him to think of what would happen if he led his army of golden guards into battle, and they accidentally slaughtered hundreds, or even thousands, of civilians. Then his heart would break, and he would be filled with regret, waking from nightmares every night.

If Li Huai were to truly accept the battlefield and start to accept its rules and act in ways against his principles, then he would begin down another path, which could either lead to ruin or greatness, and he would live in guilt forever.

Chen Pingan knew all of this, but he did not say anything.

In life, accepting even a good idea can be like adding stones to a backpack.

“Is that the bad one already?” Li Huai asked in shock.

Chen Pingan smiled. “The good one is this. You are a disciple of the Confucian sect. Your ancestors and teachers will lend you strength.”

Li Huai was unhappy. “I liked the bad one more.”

The young Taoist was displeased, “Why are you so mean?”

“Li Huai, you need to believe in yourself. There are many things that you can do outside the battlefield. There are things that only you can do. You must have faith in yourself.”

“I do not believe in myself,” Li Huai said, “but I believe in you.”

Chen Pingan laughed. “There you go.”

Li Huai suddenly remembered something and took a book off the table. “Do you know Lu Yan, who wrote this book?”

Chen Pingan smiled. “I do. He goes by the Daoist name Pure Yang. He is a wise man who, like Qi Xian, has gone far on the path of mixing the Three Doctrines.”

Chen Pingan scanned the bookshelf, and his mind wandered. “So many people have lived in this house, and now there is this book on the shelf.”

The Taoist became nervous. He had been wanting Li Huai to tell him the story of the book and of Lu Yan.

“If you want it, I can get Gao Zhen to give you the book,” Chen Pingan said.

Li Huai laughed. “No need. I can’t read it. My head hurts. It’s better if it stays here.”

Lu Chen had finally understood why Pure Yang had not left behind any signs in the grotto. This book was the legacy. To read it, you needed to be in agreement with what was inside. As long as one held that truth in their heart, it would be passed on to others. Even in the Jade Pool, the truth would be passed on from mouth to ear. If he guessed correctly, something strange would occur if Li Huai were to recite this book. In particular, the golden guard, who had come from afar.

Chen Pingan took the book and flipped through it. The book itself was nothing special. This meant that, even if the Dao book held the secrets of Lu Yan’s sword, the book itself could be destroyed at any moment in the chaos of history. Only the book itself was the medium of transmission. “Is it this book only?”

Lu Chen shook his head. “It may not be. Pure Yang most likely has other arrangements. There is nothing to say that the Jade Pool is the only place where the Pure Yang sword can be transmitted. I am certain that there are copies out there that can lead you down the path. The only problem is how to find them!”

Chen Pingan smiled and turned to Li Huai. “This book contains Pure Yang’s sword legacy. It is invaluable. If you do not want it, I will accept it.”

The Jade Pool held itself as the first sword sect in the world. However, Pure Yang had forged another path.

Li Huai said, “I do not need that sword.”

This time, it was Lu Chen’s turn to be shocked.

Chen Pingan was really going to accept it? He was not going to act as a generous benefactor anymore?

The young Taoist was frantic. “Patriarch, you can’t give it away. You can’t be giving away such treasures! At least, let me make a copy before it is gone!”

Li Huai shook his head. “Why worry about such a thing?”

Lu Chen despaired. “How can you not care about treasures?”

Chen Pingan took five books from his sleeve and handed them to Li Huai. “Here.”

Li Huai had asked questions on some books, so Chen Pingan had provided answers. Chen Pingan had taken two of Li Huai’s books, and now he was giving him back five. All of them were filled to the brim with Chen Pingan’s answers.

Li Huai accepted the books. “I’ll take a look.”

Chen Pingan then left the room, walking over to the courtyard to find that Lu Chen had gone out.

He had heard that there were many women cultivators in the Yellow Millet Sect.

The Taoist, who had been acting as the gatekeeper, stood up and walked outside.

Chen Pingan said, “When I go, I will hand that book to Li Huai. You can read it from time to time.”

“Sounds good,” the Taoist said.

Chen Pingan continued, “A sharp blade creates thoughts of murder. We must be cautious.”

The Taoist was still happy and would not take the words of the Hidden Official too seriously. “Of course. You are so wise.”

Chen Pingan ignored his sarcasm. “The Blind Lord had you stay with Li Huai to guard him, not to ‘guide’ him.”

“If you had not been so cautious about getting Li Huai to take the golden guards, I would have to show you what would happen if you spoiled the soul of a disciple of the Confucian sect. As long as I believe that you have harmed Li Huai, even if you escape to the mountains, the Blind Lord won’t be able to protect you.”

The Taoist’s expression changed, but he said nothing. He was finally remembering that the master of Chen Pingan was a student of the Confucian school, and that Chen Pingan was more powerful than he seemed.

Chen Pingan sighed: “There is no need for resentment.”

The Taoist nodded. That much was true.

Chen Pingan thought to himself that this Taoist was still an amateur. Why did he have to hide everything?

Chen Pingan turned around, and spoke to Chen Lingjun. He smiled and said, “What did you promise the Emperor, and the first guest?”

Chen Lingjun smiled. “What are you talking about?”

With that, he signaled for Guo Zhujiu to cover for him.

Chen Pingan pressed on Chen Lingjun’s head and said, “You can be a Royal Cultivator. As for who will be first, that can be discussed. You’ll need to discuss that with Mi Yu. The sect will make a list.”

“You are agreeing?” Chen Lingjun asked with surprise.

Chen Pingan nodded. “You are hopeless.”

Chen Lingjun took his arm. “I have prepared some food. When are you coming home?

Chen Pingan glared at him. “Do not try to flatter the Duke Wei.”

“Oh.”

“Do you think joining the Night Parade is free?” Chen Pingan asked.

“Oh!”

When Chen Pingan left, Lu Chen was still not back. The boy in robes began to watch Qing Tong with great interest.

Outside Loushan, there were two ancient pines by the door.

The wind was cool, and the flower petals were falling.

Lu Chen watched them drop to the ground.

A group of female cultivators, seeing this, found the scene most amusing.

Lu Chen bowed to them, and began to introduce himself, but they were busy and had to leave.

Then, Lu Chen continued on his way.

Then, the boy in robes finally saw the silhouette of Lu Chen squatting by the road, pointing to a rock. “Why do you do nothing but cause trouble?”

Chen Lingjun took a deep breath and walked over to Lu Chen, and squatted down next to him.

Lu Chen turned his head, and asked: “What do you want?”

Chen Lingjun steeled himself, and spoke with a sigh: “Keep our matters separate from my patriarch.”

Lu Chen smiled, “I don’t remember anything.”

Chen Lingjun seemed to have spent all his energy and had to slowly recharge himself before telling the truth.

“What?” Lu Chen asked. “I do not remember your lies.”

Chen Lingjun closed his eyes.

Lu Chen said, “I heard that someone new has joined Fallen Peak.”

Chen Lingjun nodded. “That is not true!”

Chen Lingjun had not taken it seriously. Then, Old Chen and the Great White Goose had acted respectfully, and Chen Lingjun had realized that something was up. He had found out that the new friend of the sect was not to be underestimated.

“The Taoist is clueless as to what you can do.”

Lu Chen smiled, and kicked away the rock, which became a missile that shot through the air. “When the trees become birds, the dragon appears.”

Chen Lingjun turned and asked, “So, we agree, right?”

Lu Chen paced slowly. “It’s not a bad thing. Why are you so afraid? Going by water is only enough to reach the Gold Core Realm. If you were to make it to the Immortals, then what? What about the Ascension Realm? There is only one dragon in the world, that will not change. However, if you go to the Immortality Capital Mountain, there will be another path. In that case, I’ll have to give you a charm…”

Chen Lingjun said: “I don’t want to leave home.”

Then Chen Lingjun asked the question he had held back for a long time: “Why are you so set on going to the mountain?”

Chen Pingan had told him not to worry, and that the truth will come out on its own.

“Am I set on going to the mountain? I am not. It is only something that has been left hanging, something that has never been resolved.”

Lu Chen tapped Chen Lingjun on the head. “Can’t you learn anything from your patriarch?”

Chen Lingjun rubbed his head, and mumbled, “My patriarch isn’t the type to settle down.”

Lu Chen exclaimed, “So, you aren’t an idiot?”

With that, he kicked Chen Lingjun. “Go away. Come to me if you ever want to travel to the Immortality Capital Mountain.”

Chen Lingjun rubbed his rear and ran away.

Lu Chen said, “He forgot his manners again.”

Qing Tong went out to rest. He didn’t know why, but he felt as if he was being watched by Guo Zhujiu. The young woman wasn’t saying anything; she was just practicing her stances and looking over at him.

As soon as Qing Tong stepped outside, the robed boy rushed past him and ran through the gate.

Qing Tong went to the pavilion and saw Lu Chen telling fortunes for the women.

The Taoist was holding a woman’s hand, pointing to her palm lines, and talking about fate.

After Lu Chen was done, another woman asked, “I have been to the Thearch Blessing Temple. Why have I never heard of the Autumn Hairs Temple?”

The Taoist said, “It is a small sect. You might not have heard of it. Every festival, I am there. I am just in the back.”

“Oh.”

In his heart, Lu Chen was calling out: “I was there! Why did you not ask who I was with?”

Sadly, they did not.

“Well, I’m done hiding,” Lu Chen thought.

Back in the courtyard, the Taoist used a magical power to peek at what Lu Chen was doing.

Then, the Taoist was angered by Lu Chen’s actions. Was he really so scared of that Hidden Official?

He decided to hold back and said that he would not be provoked. In the Immortality Capital Mountain, all you did was ask for support from the old ancestors. It was so troublesome.

Lu Chen spoke to him from across the mountain. “How long are you going to watch me?”

The Taoist laughed. “Fellow Daoist Lu is very perceptive.”

Lu Chen cried out in lament. “They are bullying me!”

The Taoist thought, “I won’t give you a chance. You are just jealous.”

Suddenly, the Taoist was on alert.

The Taoist found himself in a white fog. Looking up, he could see the Jade Pool far in the distance.

A young Taoist, wearing a lotus crown, jumped down from the Jade Pool. He fell to the ground, looming over the Taoist.

The Taoist bit down and prepared to fight. He would fight and die before allowing himself to be captured.

However, the vision suddenly faded, and the land became peaceful once more. All he could see was Lu Chen.

The Taoist was stunned, and Lu Chen said, “What is it like to be the greatest person?”

“The Daoist, the Daoist,” Lu Chen began.