The Mountain Gazette of the Azure Reed Sword Sect, once kept upon Cloud-Wreathed Peak, now lies in the care of Scholar Zhong Qiu.

As for the Mirror-Moon projections, the Young Master Cui Dongshan has chosen to house them on Weave-Hill, rather than the ancestral peak with its panoramic vistas, or even Cloud-Wreathed Peak, closest to the ferry.

A surprise to some, yet fitting for this sect: Immortal Capital Peak is for sword cultivation, and Cloud-Wreathed Peak for martial practice – pure in their purpose.

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Master Zhong, you are keeper of accounts. Perhaps you could leaf through the ledgers, granting our founding patriarchs, including my master, a glimpse of our coffers.”

To bring joy to all who hear it!

A sect’s founding ceremony far surpasses the peak-opening of a mere Golden Core cultivator. Wending their way here are often great clans with coffers overflowing, known for their generosity, bearing gifts of substantial weight.

Neighboring kingdoms and vassal fiefs, alongside their own river spirits and mountain deities, must, for appearances’ sake, grit their teeth and present offerings that would not shame them. This is the plight of the Yellow Millet Sect of Loushan and the Cloudglow Mountain, neighboring realms in Jewel Bottle Continent: the constant observation, giving without receiving, is akin to sending tribute to Cloudglow Mountain, making them a de facto vassal, both humiliating and depleting their treasury.

Some immortal sects, lacking grace, even employ “heralds” to proclaim the contents of each gift: a few Immortal coins, a rare herb, or a peculiar gem – laid bare for all to hear, as if spoken from the heavens. For instance… Frost Peak of Snowdrift Isle, known for the Fire Dragon True Immortal’s skill in attracting disciples, holds frequent celebrations. It is whispered that after each, the venerable Fire Dragon, with a warm smile, escorts guests down the mountain, inquiring if they have been facing difficulties at home.

Zhong Qiu nodded, a smile playing on his lips, and drew from his sleeve a ledger. “For this Azure Reed Sword Sect founding celebration, from the sending of the first invitation to this very day, Cloudveil Peak has been graced by countless guests. Not including the Liu father and son of Snowdrift Isle, nor Mister Yu of the Profound Veil Dynasty – who arrived today without prior notice, and thus require no lodging – the expense of welcoming and seeing off thirty-two esteemed guests, plus the tea and melons served in the Ancestral Hall, totals seven hundred and twenty-six taels of silver.”

Huang Ting, favored by fortune, had been a mere spectator at the many rites of Peace Mountain, much like the Sword Immortal Tao. She need only sit and doze.

Yet, even with her easy path, free from the need to count every Immortal coin, Huang Ting understood the weight of “seven hundred and twenty taels of silver.”

Ye Yunyun, on the other hand, as the head of Grasscloud Hall of Cattail Mountain, though preferring to entrust matters to Tan Rong and Xue Huai, must still oversee and approve them. She knew well the costs of hosting such an event: the immortal wines and teas for the guests, the carefully cultivated fruits of the land, all required a fortune each day. And then there were the Mirror-Moon projections, consuming great amounts of spiritual essence, needing hard-won coin to conjure landscapes upon the air. For, one cannot simply deposit visiting cultivators in a desolate land bereft of spiritual energy, lest their cultivation be hindered. Thus, Grasscloud Hall would preemptively scatter “snow coins” to imbue villas and grottos with the vitality that nourished spirits. As they say on the mountain, a terrestrial immortal’s breath is worth an Immortal coin! Beyond that, there were the gifts for guests to carry back: delicacies from regional kingdoms, or refined trinkets from other immortal houses, requiring early purchases from mountain treasuries. In total, a grand ceremony could easily cost astronomical sums in Immortal coins, potentially even exceeding the value of gifts received.

Yet, the Azure Reed Sword Sect spent a mere seven hundred taels of silver – not even a single snow coin!

Chen Ping’an wore a grimace. “And those six coppers, Master Zhong – how did you calculate them? That is pushing it.”

Wei Wenlong was deeply impressed. “Truly, one learns so much! Master Zhong holds back, but once he acts, it is a marvel to behold.”

Born as a Master of State in the old Lotus Paradise, Zhong Qiu possessed a frugality that Wei Wenlong could only admire. He vowed to one day surpass this feat at a future peak-opening ceremony on Fallen Hearth Mountain.

Zhong Qiu turned the first page of the ledger, revealing the gifts received for the celebration.

From the Great Spring Dynasty, Li Xiling, Minister of Rites, arrived later than General Yao Zhen and Prefect Yao Xianzhi. Beyond the eighty Rain Grain Coins he bore, Emperor Yao Jinzhi pledged a future favor: the Great Spring Dynasty would immediately send any promising swordsman found within its borders to Immortal Capital Peak for training. The cost of their swordsmanship would be shouldered by the dynastic treasury. Should Immortal Capital Peak choose to take these swordsmen as personal disciples, all the better. If not, they would return to Great Spring. However, the emperor had one, and only one, request: those swordsmen trained on Immortal Capital Peak must serve as court retainers or accompany troops in the frontier armies for at least sixty years.

Yao Xianzhi, brother to the Emperor and Prefect of Mirage City, heard of this arrangement for the first time.

He began to understand why he was granted a seat within the Ancestral Hall. Was it not only due to his personal friendship with Master Chen, but also as a patron to those swordsmen from the Great Spring Dynasty who would find their way into the Azure Reed Sword Sect?

Chen Ping’an chuckled to him in his mind, “There is still time to regret this, young man. The Azure Reed Sword Sect and the Great Spring Dynasty are allies. There will always be a seat in the Ancestral Hall reserved for you. If you find it too troublesome, or lack the courage to speak your mind, I can ask Cui Dongshan to find another envoy. But if you do not mind the fuss, then sit there boldly. I am but the Master of Fallen Hearth Mountain, not the Sect Master of Azure Reed Sword Sect. Argue as you must, do not fear the Sect Master Cui. I can at least guarantee that no matter how heated the argument, there will be no lasting enmity. There will be trivial matters aplenty, but no need for lingering fear.”

Yao Xianzhi replied in a hushed tone, “Master Chen, were someone else to take my place, they would not dare to make a sound, let alone argue a point. They would merely be a wooden figure, agreeing to whatever Sect Master Cui says. That will not do! I am also familiar with Mistress Pei. As you said, we can argue behind closed doors, but we are all family.”

Yao Xianzhi glanced at the sole hanging portrait in the Ancestral Hall.

Who would dare make a scene here?

Sect Master Cui Dongshan was an Immortal, akin to the Old Sect Master Xun Yuan of Jade Decree Sect before the great war.

And Chief Guardian Mi Yu was not only an Immortal Realm swordsman, but the “Half-waisted Mi” from the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

Besides, Master Chen had made his intentions clear: as the Founding Patriarch of the upper sect, and master to Sect Master Cui, his favor towards Great Spring Dynasty was unmistakable.

Zhong Qiu continued, “Tan Rong, Law Master of Cattail Mountain, gifted two deeds of land – two parcels distant from Cattail Mountain, yet closest to Immortal Capital Peak. They are worth at least five to six hundred Rain Grain Coins, suitable for the opening of Golden Core cultivators’ peaks. Whether they can be developed into smaller immortal ferries requires further investigation.”

Ye Yunyun smiled. “Tan Rong consulted me on this matter beforehand. I was of the opinion that one deed would suffice, but Tan Rong and Xue Huai deemed it inappropriate, wanting to present good tidings. I was about to say something, but Tan Rong threatened to resign from his position as Law Master if I spoke another word. I had no choice. After all, Cattail Mountain relies on them for its wealth. They do not fret over it, and it is not my place to interfere.”

Jia Sheng marveled, “I dared not speak rashly before, fearing my ignorance, but hearing these sincere words from Mountain Lord Ye, I can say with certainty that Cattail Mountain is naturally aligned with Fallen Hearth Mountain and Azure Reed Sword Sect. Our alliance is a natural match made in heaven.”

Had his praise stopped there, he would not be the Old Immortal Jia who was soon to open his own private academy.

“My words are clumsy, spoken without care for tact. Previously, I knew little of Grasscloud Hall of Cattail Mountain, thinking Mountain Lord Ye alone carried the burden. Now, I see that Cattail Mountain is full of responsibility and heroes. I hope Mountain Lord Ye will forgive my presumptuous words.”

Silence descended upon the hall.

It seemed that any word from Old Immortal Jia possessed a certain unique force.

Ye Yunyun merely clasped her fist and said, “You overpraise.”

Zhong Qiu turned a page. “From the Jade Decree Sect comes a gift of eight hundred Rain Grain Coins.”

Chen Ping’an could not help but ask, “How much?”

“Rain Grain Coins, eight hundred.”

Zhong Qiu said, “Furthermore, Young Lord Jiang Heng of Cloud Cavern Paradise verbally promised, without written contract, that for the next five hundred years, the income from Heron Isle and Inkstone Mountain will be entirely given to the Azure Reed Sword Sect as a gift from the Jiang family, unrelated to the Jade Decree Sect. According to Young Master Jiang, this decision was passed in the Jiang family shrine before his father’s departure, without any dissent.”

Xiao Mo felt a pang of inferiority. This Senior Zhou of Fallen Hearth Mountain, of whom he had only heard, was truly generous.

True Immortal Liang Shuang, Yuan Lingdian of the Finger-Knowing Peak, Liu Jinglong of the Great Emblem Sword Sect, and the Great Sword Immortal Xu Xie of Gold Armor Isle, all presented several Rain Grain Coins – the usual practice for such ceremonies.

The Iron Tree Mountain, thanks to Immortal Guo Ran, was exceedingly gracious, offering two privately treasured artifacts as gifts, one from Iron Tree Mountain and the other from himself.

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “A pity that our Wei Hailiang is not here. Otherwise, Sect Master Liu could not claim to have unmatched drinking prowess.”

Pei Qian remained silent.

She knew all too well where the nickname “Sea-measure” came from.

Of the four in Lotus Paradise’s painting, Pei Qian was closest to Old Zhou, other than Scholar Zhu.

The Coal-Black Girl had the best relationship with Wei Xian.

And upon leaving Lotus Paradise, Wei Xian had taken Pei Qian out most often. He could not always guarantee a return laden with treasures, given Wei Xian’s meager earnings, but he ensured the girl’s belly was full.

Thus, Pei Qian held a special regard for Wei Xian’s disciple, Chai Wu, as well as for Wei Xian.

Then there was Qiu Du, who having been both a guest and now a Guardian of the Ancestral Hall, had secretly ventured to the old Dragon Palace ruins. There, under the watchful gaze of the new Eastern Sea Dragon Monarch Wang Zhu, she had trembled with fear and extracted a small portion of the Dragon Palace’s treasures. Aside from three items she cherished for Vinegar Jar’s future dowry, she brought them all.

Cui Dongshan, having appraised them, estimated their value at six hundred Rain Grain Coins.

It was apparent how vast a great Dragon Palace’s coffers must have been.

Qing Tong had approached Cui Dongshan, offering an immeasurable space filled with rare books and secret treasures – equivalent to a tenth of the Treasure-Suppressing Tower’s old hoard, setting aside the several mountain treasures that were not included in the assessment.

Thus, according to Cui Dongshan, Zhong Qiu would announce that Qing Tong’s gift was worth twelve hundred Rain Grain Coins.

Cui Dongshan suddenly said, “Master, Yu Jin claims to be willing to offer fifty percent of his possessions as a gift.”

This was due to Zhong Kui’s recent persuasion – helping Fatty Gu Su to “collect debts.” Otherwise, Cui Dongshan and Xiao Mo would simply deny any such incident, claiming they had never left the sea.

Chen Ping’an smiled. “You are the Sect Master of the lower sect. Why ask me about such matters? If you insist, then fifty percent is too much. Thirty or forty percent would suffice.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Understood!”

Lastly, there were the two “earthly tycoons,” Liu Jvbao and Yu Pan Shui, who lived up to their reputations, giving a large ferry named “Tung Shade.” Though nominally a joint gift from the Liu clan of Snowdrift Isle and the Profound Veil Dynasty, the ferry “Tung Shade” was not a cross-continental vessel as costly as the Falcon Kite. Still, its quality was no less than Fallen Hearth Mountain’s Inverted Ink Dragon Boat, allowing voyages across half the land. Moreover, its cargo capacity surpassed that of the Dragon Boat when it served as a pleasure vessel. For the Azure Reed Sword Sect, this was a gift from heaven. After all, high-quality ferries were in short supply. Such a ferry was a treasure trove in itself.

Cui Dongshan glanced at Pei Qian and said cautiously, “Beyond the ‘Tung Shade’ ferry, both Liu Jvbao and Yu Pan Shui hope that Eldest Disciple can serve as a nominal retainer for the Liu clan of Snowdrift Isle and the Profound Veil Dynasty. If Eldest Disciple is willing to be a Guardian, all the better. Should Eldest Disciple agree, each side would immediately offer six hundred and four hundred Rain Grain Coins respectively. As a Guardian, the sum would be doubled. They promise that as a ‘nominal’ retainer or Guardian, Eldest Disciple need not attend any family shrines or dynastic councils. At most, she need only show her face on Snowdrift Isle or in the Profound Veil Dynasty every century.”

Chen Ping’an was speechless.

The Liu clan was outrageously wealthy.

Without a doubt, the Tung Shade ferry was a Liu family asset, unrelated to Yu Pan Shui. Even the “thousand” Rain Grain Coins offered for Pei Qian to be a nominal retainer might well come entirely from Liu Jvbao’s pockets. It was clear there was an advantage to having a wealthy friend.

Chen Ping’an wished to ask those two if they hired Meridian Realm martial artists.

Of course, Liu Jvbao and Yu Pan Shui, as practical merchants, did not simply throw their money away. The good relationship between Sword Immortal Xu Xie and Pei Qian was a clear sign.

On Gold Armor Isle, “Zheng Qian” had saved countless cultivators and dynastic generals on the battlefield. The taciturn female martial artist was young and ruthless, but it seemed to all people of Gold Armor Isle that she held an undying hatred for the barbarian demons. On battlefields from north to south, her attacks were more vicious than those of pure martial artists such as Cao Ci and Yu Juanfu. At many moments, Zheng Qian seemed intentionally torturing demon cultivators, crushing limbs or shattering skulls. Several terrestrial immortal swordsmen were “specially attended to” by Zheng Qian. One young swordsman, rumored to have visited the halfway point of the Great Wall of Sword Qi for sword cultivation, was found by Pei Qian, who simply “plucked off” his head. Even when the accompanying Core Soul demon cultivator desperately attacked, Zheng Qian pushed forward, using her hand to break through the arcane attack before tearing the demon cultivator apart.

On Gold Armor Isle, from titled cultivator to those in service on the ground, all bore grudges and sought revenge.

But the vengeance dispensed by Zheng Qian was, without a doubt, the most gratifying.

In fact, Pei Qian, a martial artist from afar, fought with such brutality on Gold Armor Isle out of pure, unspoken anger.

These barbarian beasts had prevented her master from returning home.

So now when the people of Gold Armor Isle mentioned Chen, they said, “Oh, you mean the Master of Zheng Qian.”

Thus, Master Chen and Eldest Disciple were in different positions on Gold Armor Isle, but Eldest Disciple was more popular.

In short, with Pei Qian as their nominal retainer, the Liu clan of Snowdrift Isle would possess a valuable asset when trading on Gold Armor Isle.

Pei Qian said, “Yes, I will be a Guardian if needed. But the Rain Grain Coins will be split between Azure Reed Sword Sect and Fallen Hearth Mountain.”

The Sword Immortal Xu Xie had mentioned this earlier, but she had neither agreed nor refused, saying she would ask her master.

Cui Dongshan nodded in agreement, but Chen Ping’an shook his head. “Keep the coins for yourself.”

Pei Qian said, “Master, what would I, a martial artist, do with so many coins?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “What your master says goes.”

Pei Qian simply said, “Oh.”

She would listen to her master.

During the construction of the ferry, Cui Dongshan had once asked Pei Qian a question in Chen’s absence.

Had she intended to return to Fallen Hearth Mountain when she was on Gold Armor Isle?

Pei Qian had remained silent, drinking. When Cui Dongshan pressed her for an answer, she spoke of what was in her heart.

If Master did not return to Fallen Hearth Mountain, it would no longer be her home.

Without Master, she had no home.

However, Cui Dongshan had not dared to tell this to Master.

He feared being resented by the eldest disciple, and more so, feared his master would be saddened.

Cui Dongshan clapped his hands. “There will be a second viewing soon. Let us rest for half an hour.”

For there was still the writing of the Azure Reed Sword Sect’s Golden Jade genealogy.

Chen Ping’an and Li Baoping left the main hall, but instead of heading to the plaza outside the ancestral hall, they sat upon the steps.

Cui Dongshan led Pei Qian to those two tycoons.

Cao Qinglang and Xiao Mi Li, along with Old Immortal Jia, were busy rearranging the seats in the Ancestral Hall.

A desk was to be placed with brushes, ink, paper, and ink stone. The first wielder of the brush would write the name, origin, and lineage of Cui Dongshan, the first Sect Master of Azure Reed Sword Sect, on the first page of the genealogy.

This person was, of course, Chen Ping’an.

Then Changming, as the Law Patriarch of the upper sect, would inscribe the name of Cui Wei, the Law Master of the lower sect, into the genealogy.

Afterward, Cui Wei would be seated, responsible for inscribing the names of all titled cultivators into the Azure Reed Sword Sect’s registers – Mi Yu, Zhong Qiu, Cao Qinglang…

Following that would be the master acceptance ceremony, where Cui Dongshan would accept Hu Chuling and Jiang Qu as disciples.

Cui Wei would accept Yu Xiehui as his pupil. Mi Yu would accept He Gu as his personal disciple, as well as Sui Youbian accepting Cheng Chaolu.

Once they had drunk the apprentice tea and the disciples had bowed, they would be master and student.

Of the second generation of disciples, Cui Dongshan, Pei Qian, Cao Qinglang, Zhao Shuxia, and Guo Zhujiu were disciples of Sect Lord Chen Ping’an.

Zhu Lian’s student, Cen Yuanji; Lu Baixiang’s two students, Yuan Bao and Yuan Lai; Wei Xian’s disciple, Chai Wu; and Jia Sheng’s two disciples, Zhao Denggao and Tian Jiuer.

Then there were the six swordsmen-in-training, including Bai Xuan, along with Sun Chunwang who did not formally register as Ning Yao’s student.

As for the third generation, there was Pei Qian’s disciple, the little mute boy from the Crushed Coin Alley snack shop, Zhou Junchen.

And soon to be Cui Dongshan’s personal disciples, Jiang Qu and Hu Chuling, and Xie Xie.

By mountain seniority, these would address Chen Ping’an as Grandmaster.

Chen Ping’an smiled, asking, “How is it that you came here today?”

Li Baoping said, “I traveled to the gates of Mount Ear in the Central Earth Continent, having long prepared to speak with the Rite Master in the Mountain God’s Court to seek permission to create a rubbing. It just so happened that I was still wondering why I heard drumming along the border of Mount Ear in the middle of the night. As I traveled, I reached the mountain foot at dawn. Lord Zhou personally appeared and, in addition to saying that I could take the rubbing, told me the reason for the drumming. He said that Uncle had departed from his seasonal residence in the mountains the night before, and if I had arrived earlier in Central Earth, he could have greeted Uncle. I estimated the time and realized that I had missed it by less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Since I was anxious, I called my brother. Since I caused it, my brother repeatedly apologized to Lord Zhou. Afterward, my brother did not immediately release me but instead helped to calculate the time for Uncle’s celebration. Thus, I had no choice but to keep my temper and take the rubbings with my brother.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, saying, “You mixed it up, who was helping who with the rubbings?”

Li Baoping laughed.

Chen Ping’an said, “It is my fault for leaving so hastily.”

Li Baoping said, “My brother says that it is temporarily inconvenient for him to appear here. He will travel to the Western Buddhist Kingdoms and, upon returning, might first visit White Emperor City before seeing you again for a few drinks.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

He only hoped that they would only play chess at White Emperor City, and not fight.

After all, he would be implicated.

Seeing her uncle frown, Li Baoping laughed, saying, “My brother said that his trip to White Emperor City is not related to you, and you need not worry.”

Chen Ping’an was silent before putting his hands in his sleeves and speaking softly, “There will always be those who make us want to become such people.”

Li Baoping said, “Uncle has always been such a person.”

Chen Ping’an took out his gourd of nurturing swords and shook it. “Just a small taste.”

Only then did Li Baoping remove her own gourd of nurturing swords and lightly clink it against her uncle’s wine gourd before they each drank.

Chen Ping’an smiled, asking, “Do you want to travel the land? Uncle can accompany you.”

Li Baoping blinked, saying, “My brother said that before he returns, I must not disturb Uncle’s cultivation. He looked so serious and frightening when he said that.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, saying, “How frightening could he be?”

Li Baoping straightened her face and started mimicking Li Xisheng’s expression and tone. “Baoping, you really have to listen to your brother this time. Stop looking away. You are not speaking, correct, you must nod. It is settled.”

Pei Qian and Cui Dongshan quickly walked onto the steps. Cui Dongshan sat by his master while Pei Qian sat by Sister Baoping. Li Baoping petted Pei Qian’s head, saying, “You have grown. It is a concern for you.” Pei Qian smiled, saying, “Then I won’t marry.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Can the Jade Decree Sect be brought into the canal excavation after the second viewing, as a test of whether they are suitable for an alliance? Would the Jade Decree Sect think we are overbearing?”

“I am not skilled at dealing with the interests of these great sects. Dongshan, do you think it is suitable?”

Cui Dongshan smiled, saying, “Master, there is something you might be mistaken about.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “How so?”

Cui Dongshan said, “In this land, there is no need for us to belittle ourselves. We are not the ones who need to be concerned with people’s expressions. It is the Jade Decree Sect. If they think we are arrogant simply because we did not immediately agree to an alliance, they truly overestimate themselves and underestimate the Azure Reed Sword Sect. I think that Master’s advice is very appropriate. Zhang Fenggu and the others can be content with participating in the discussion in our Ancestral Hall. How can we be accused of making things difficult for them? This is simply returning a favor, allowing them to be on a larger scale.”

“Thus, Master, you are too kind.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, saying, “That is the way of a swordsman.”

In another way, it was very practical and very like Cui Chan.

There was nothing wrong with that.

Having already warned the guests of the viewing, all quickly gathered once more on Azure Reed Peak Plaza.

Tao Ran came to Mi Yu as well as the named Guardian from the upper sect, Taoist named Joy Candle, named Mo Sheng, wearing a yellow hat and blue shoes, holding a green bamboo staff and chatting beside Chief Mi.

Mi Yu straightened and said, “Sword Immortal Tao, do you have something for me? Is there something I can assist you with?”

When the Hidden Official came with Tao Ran to participate in the celebration, the words spoken on the mountain path made Mi Yu almost kneel before the Sword Immortal Tao.

He sternly warned the Hidden Official to stop calling him Sword Immortal Tao, for he did not like it.

The object of the Hidden Official’s sword, the Sword Immortal Tao, didn’t know how that would end.

Mi Yu had a new respect for Tao Ran. He asked, “Is there anyone in our lower sect as rigid and unyielding as you?”

Tao Ran asked, “Allow me to ask boldly, Taoist Joy Candle, are you a sword cultivator?”

Xiao Mo smiled and nodded.

Tao Ran steeled himself, saying, “Please ignore the outrageous words from before, Taoist Joy Candle.”

Tao Ran was not an idiot. Looking at today’s seating arrangement in the Ancestral Hall, Joy Candle’s seat was near Pei Qian.

Xiao Mo smiled kindly and shook his head, saying, “Guardian Tao need not worry, I do not remember any of Guardian Tao’s words, and will not take them to heart.”

Tao Ran sighed in relief, not immediately inquiring about the other’s realm and risking a gaffe. Besides, they were not close, having only met twice.

Xiao Mo read Tao Ran’s thoughts and smiled, saying, “I and Chief Mi are of different realms.”

Tao Ran nodded.

Nascent Soul swordsman? Probably not enough.

This Senior Joy Candle was probably a Jade Pool swordsman.

Mi Yu grinned and did not explain.

Tao Ran had accepted his fate, believing it to be fine, and didn’t think they’d be worth it, either.

Xiao Mo had first changed his address, addressing himself as a Tao Guardian. Then Mi Chief, Xiao Mo was from the upper sect of Fallen Hearth Mountain, and was more careful.

Elsewhere, Liang Shuang and Qing Tong were standing together, with the old man curiously asking, “Taoist Qing Tong, how did you become a Guardian here as well?”

Qing Tong smiled, explaining, “My daoist name is ‘Qing Tong,’ and there is a ‘Qing’ with the Azure Reed Sword Sect. I’m fated to be here.”

The old man was speechless.

What a load of nonsense.

Liu Youzhou had not only seen Pei Qian, but she had also accepted his father’s invitation to serve as a Guardian. He was happy now.

Yu Pan Shui patted the young man’s shoulder, asking, “When will you have your wedding?”

Liu Youzhou blushed, pretending not to understand, saying, “What do you mean?”

Liu Jvbao smiled but did not say anything. It would be a great joy if it were to happen. He and Liu Youzhou’s mother had said this in private, and she had both expectations and anxieties. She had asked Liu Jvbao whether his son was worthy of the girl, and what they should do if there was a fight because Pei Qian was a Martial Domain cultivator. And what if his son was beaten blue and swollen and didn’t dare to complain, and foolishly worried about whether his wife’s hand hurt… Liu Jvbao dared not comment on it. As Pei Qian’s master, the young Hidden Officer looked at his son like a thief. And not only that, Chen Pingan was looking for a place to tie his son in a sack.

Li Baoping pulled Pei Qian and found Zheng Youqian, Liu Sixteenth’s eldest disciple.

They happened to be the three disciples of the three disciples of the Sage of Literature – Jun Qian, Qi Jingchun, and Chen Ping’an.

Jiang Qu never thought that he would become Cui Dongshan’s direct disciple.

The eldest disciple had probably already been chosen, but the Chief Cui deliberately skipped over it. But Jiang Qu dared not hope to become the great disciple of the sect master.

Jiang Qu took a deep breath. Zhang Jiazhen was just standing there, holding his fists in his hands and shaking them a few times. The accountant, who looked at least ten years older than Jiang Qu, was genuinely happy for his fellow villager of the same age, but he did not say anything polite.

Jiang Qu hesitated. Back on Fallen Hearth Mountain, Jiang Qu, who was focused on cultivating talismans, was pulled by Zhu Lian to work on the earthworks.

In fact, Zhu Lian had reminded Jiang Qu, saying, “Only when you have a good relationship with Zhang Jiazhen will you be able to cultivate your heart. Then I’ll help you find a preacher.”

In addition, the old cook had been frank with Jiang Qu.

“Be careful not to become the first mountain cultivator to be expelled from Fallen Hearth Mountain. What I mean by expulsion may not be in the Ancestral Hall genealogy, but here.”

The old cook pointed to his chest while holding the wine pot.

“Let me remind you in advance, this is not easy to do, so I advise you not to be smart and pretend to be polite with Zhang Jiazhen. Does it work? That would be too stupid. You might as well think about it carefully. We at Fallen Hearth Mountain, how many people look at your little thoughts like they’re playing around? They’re as shallow as a rain puddle.”

Jiang Qu couldn’t help but reach out and grab Zhang Jiazhen’s arm, saying, “Jiazhen, don’t get old too fast!”

Zhang Jiazhen thought it was strange, but still nodded and smiled, saying, “Okay, okay.”

It just felt like Jiang Qu had changed, like… they had returned to their hometown and were still just short-term workers in the liquor store.

Bai Xuan, Chai Wu, and Sun Chunwang were specially waiting for Xiao Mi Li.

This small group did not have any high or low, and they were all friends.

They were now about the same height.

Having finished moving the chairs in the Ancestral Hall, the girl in black ran out.

Chai Wu asked the question she was most interested in, “Right Guardian, can you drink at the Ancestral Hall?”

If so, she would have to cultivate more diligently.

Those wines should be the expensive immortal brews, right?

Xiao Mi Li scratched his face, thinking the question was a bit tricky. He tentatively answered, “It’s possible… I guess.”

The good Mountain Master didn’t say no, but he hadn’t seen anyone drink. Even the good Mountain Master and the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, the big shots, had just drank on the outside steps.

Bai Xuan put his arms around his chest, saying, “Just ask the Hidden Official.”

Chai Wu said, “Chief Chen is so busy, how can he be seen casually?”

Sun Chunwang rarely spoke, saying, “The Hidden Official is busy, but he is very patient.”

When he followed the Hidden Official away from Luflower Island on a talisman boat, the Hidden Official took care of everything big and small for them kids, without complaining. Then Cheng Chaolu began to share some of the burden. Then, when they got closer, other than Yu Qingzhang and He Xiangting, who were prejudiced against the Hidden Official, of course. They had been nicknamed backstabbers by Bai Xuan, and Sun Chunwang thought they were no less difficult to like than he was, especially when their nicknames were better than his, such as Dead Fish Eyes. Sun Chunwang thought the nicknames were not too ugly.

Standing not far away was Qiu Zhi, an outsider who wanted to get closer but was shy.

Because looking over Azure Reed Peak, this was the only place with people of the same age, and they were all standing together, Qiu Zhi wanted to chat with them.

Qiu Zhi was still a child. Before being brought up the mountain, he was not from a wealthy family and could only be considered a well-to-do family in the local area. They belonged to a scholarly family who farmed and read.

Bai Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, circling him, asking, “Your name is Qiu Zhi? I heard you are from the Nine Change Peak of the Jade Decree Sect?”

Qiu Zhi nodded.

He was a little nervous.

He had heard from Grandpa Zhang in private that the kids from Fallen Hearth Mountain might be from the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

With the whole world, not being a sword cultivator was still fine, but for sword cultivators, those from the Great Wall of Sword Qi might all have a very complex mentality.

Although Qiu Zhi was not very old, he had gradually begun to realize the weight of the words Jade Decree Sect, Nine Change Peak, and sword cultivator in his brief time cultivating on the Nine Change Peak.

Bai Xuan asked, “Have you heard of me?”

Qiu Zhi nodded, saying, “Bai Xuan.”

He had a strong memory. Other than the fact that he and his were about the same age, those people had something that Qiu Zhi could not explain.

Especially Bai Xuan, who was the most clear.

Qiu Zhi did not know.

That was almost arrogant self-confidence.

There were only two kinds of sword cultivators in the world, those of the Great Wall of Sword Qi and those who were not.

I am from the Great Wall of Sword Qi.

You could see swordsmen everywhere in the streets and alleys of my hometown.

I am young and have not been to the city walls, but I will definitely go in the future.

Because there will be a war about every hundred years, waiting for us to fight, and when we get on the walls, we can give our swords to the entire barbarian world.

The sword cultivators who have grown up in such places, even when they come to the world, will still have a natural edge.

Qiu Zhi curiously asked, “Bai Xuan, can I ask, are you the direct disciple of the Hidden Official?”

Bai Xuan shook his hand, saying, “I have a master in my hometown. Besides, I have a nickname, ‘Little Hidden Official,’ and it is not appropriate for me to be a disciple of the Hidden Official.”

Qiu Zhi was puzzled, asking, “Then who is ‘Little Hidden Official’?”

Bai Xuan yawned, saying, “It’s just a few years older than me. That guy isn’t worth mentioning.”

Xiao Mi Li immediately said, “Chen Li, ‘Little Hidden Official,’ is in the Golden Core Realm.”

Bai Xuan said, “Yeah, so I said he wasn’t worth mentioning.”

Qiu Zhi sighed in amazement.

Awesome, the Golden Core Realm doesn’t matter.

You have to come to Azure Reed Sword Sect often.

Bai Xuan casually asked, “Qiu Zhi, what is your realm?”

Qiu Zhi hesitated but still told the truth, saying, “Dragon Gate Realm.”

Not only was Bai Xuan not surprised, but he even looked at him with sympathy. The Cave Realm Sword Immortal sighed, shook his head, patted Qiu Zhi’s shoulder, and consoled him, saying, “That is the same kind of sword-training as Chen Li. If you don’t have enough talent, make up for it with hard work. When you return to Nine Change Peak, remember to cultivate diligently. Give me an address when I write to you every few days to remind you.”

Qiu Zhi smiled and nodded slightly.

It was not worth mentioning that he had been created by the Hidden Official in the Azure Reed Sword Sect, but he had not created a swordsman in the Golden Core Realm.

However, Qiu Zhi thought it was reasonable to be like this.

Bai Xuan remembered something and looked around before reaching out and putting his arm around Qiu Zhi’s shoulder, pulling the latter away. After walking a long distance and deliberately turning his back to Xiao Mi Li, Bai Xuan carefully took out a treasured book from his arms and said in a low voice, “Qiu Zhi, I see you and I and feel like we have just met, and we have just agreed with each other. It is a good day for our lower sect. Today, is a good day to worship the brothers. Oh, I forgot to bring a brush and ink, but it’s okay, I have ink paste with me. After a while, we will be the brothers who chop off the chicken head and burn the yellow paper to become friends of Jianghu. Here, put your finger print on it, that is equally.”

Seeing that scene from afar, Bai Shou was filled with emotion, thinking, “This is a sin.

Wang Ji said, “On the Jade Decree Sect, the Qiu Zhi would not have such a conversation from the God Mark Peak to Nine Change Peak. The child is relaxed now.”

Zhang Fenggu smiled, saying, “That’s good. Those children don’t take the position of the Nine Change Peak