Beneath a gentle smile, Chen Ping’an retrieved the book from the dust-laden earth, tenderly brushing away the grime.

At that very moment, the lithe figure of Cen Yuanji descended the training posts, followed by Zhu Lian and Wei Bo, their steps accompanied by Nuan Shu and Xiao Mi Li, appearing near the mountain gate’s archway. Chen Lingjun, overcome with emotion, unleashed a tearful cry of “Great Gale Brother!”

Without hesitation, Chen Ping’an tossed the book to Zheng Dafeng, who, with a swift and decisive movement, deflected it onward to Immortal Wei. The Taoist, as if burdened by a burning coal, swiftly passed it along like a game of musical palms, finally flinging it to Old Cook.

Zhu Lian, initially bewildered, merely glanced at the cover, finding nothing amiss in the title. But Old Cook, without even a single glance at its contents, discerned the truth in the book’s well-worn state and the multitude of dog-eared pages. With practiced nonchalance, he pushed away Chen Lingjun’s encroaching head and subtly tucked the tome into his bosom.

The group gathered around a table, Nuan Shu diligently serving tea, and Xiao Mi Li distributing sunflower seeds, with an extra pouch of dried minnows reserved for Zheng Dafeng, a welcome offering to cleanse his homecoming dust.

Even Cen Yuanji, breaking her rigorous training routine, sat alongside the two young girls. After all, Zheng Dafeng was the first guardian of Fallen Peak, and though his gaze might wander, his hands remained impeccably proper. After so many years away, her heart, for propriety’s sake, deemed it fitting to pause and share his return.

Chen Lingjun, seated on the same long bench as Zheng Dafeng, clasped his hand, gently patting its back. “Dafeng, brother, how I’ve missed thee!”

These were no empty pleasantries. During Zheng Dafeng’s watch, Chen Lingjun had reveled in days of carefree delight, a veritable paradise. Immortal Wei, alas, lacked Dafeng’s witty charm.

Zhu Lian and Wei Bo, though overjoyed by Zheng Dafeng’s return, refrained from elaborate welcomes. Years of camaraderie and shared purpose had forged bonds that transcended the need for flowery greetings.

If truth be told, the first stones of Fallen Peak’s foundation had been laid by these three, later joined by the delightfully uncouth Chief Zhou.

Even Pei Qian’s clandestine Bamboo House lineage excluded Chen Lingjun. What, he wondered, had become of Yun Zi’s envisioned Old Ancestor Jing Qing after all these years?

Zheng Dafeng looked upon Fallen Peak, a subtle nod of pride gracing his features. “The green mountains bloom like embroidered cheeks, as if in welcome of my return.”

His gaze then settled upon Cen Yuanji, seated across the table.

“Ah, the maiden Cen remains unwed, her heart, perhaps, awaiting Dafeng’s homecoming?”

Cen Yuanji nodded stiffly, a gesture of acknowledgment.

Zheng Dafeng smiled knowingly, for Cen Yuanji remained as reserved as ever, feigning indifference in his presence.

During his years shuttling between Flying Ascent City’s wine shop and Frosthaven Palace, his thoughts had often turned to the training silhouette of the maiden Cen, ascending and descending the mountain.

How captivating, that form that had swayed a man who had sworn lifelong celibacy, shifting his heart five or six times in a single glance.

Curiosity alight, Chen Ping’an inquired, “How did you return?”

For a pure martial artist to travel to another realm, like those cultivators who mastered flight in Ascent, was to journey barehanded, unable to command a natal object to cleave the path. Therefore, one must possess a perfect martial spirit.

To “wade” through the long river of time without losing one’s way was a feat demanding the utmost skill for a martial artist.

There remained another path, the rare approval of the Temple of Literature, as granted to Zhao Yao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments of the Great Li Dynasty. But Zhao Yao was of the lineage of the Literary Saint, and in a way, an unofficial disciple of Bai Ye. By chance, the Old Scholar and Bai Ye had jointly created the merits of “creating the world” in the “primordial period” of the Colorful World.

Zheng Dafeng, alas, possessed neither of these advantages.

“A mountain man has his own clever ways,” he chuckled, retrieving from his sleeve a luminous, jewel-like object, the size and shape of a jujube pit. It appeared not to be an ancient artifact of the mountain.

Chen Ping’an took it in his hand, testing its weight, and pondered. “A weaving shuttle?”

Zheng Dafeng offered another riddle. “My lord, your eyesight dims! Can you only discern the instrument of the loom? Pour a bit of spiritual energy into it, and behold.”

As Chen Ping’an infused the shuttle with his essence, the unassuming object stirred with an otherworldly phenomenon. Rainbow light flickered within its delicate wooden grain, darting like arrows. With focused intent, one might perceive a snow-white foal, its hooves striking the rainbow shafts, traversing the warp and weft as birds flit from branch to branch. The foal disregarded the “riverbed” restrictions of the wood grain, weaving through the lines. It was indeed a sigil capable of defying the laws of the Great Way, a key to traversing the river of time.

Zheng Dafeng’s departure had been under the arrangement of Old Yang, with plans for his return to Vastness.

Zheng Dafeng began his self-aggrandizement, striking the table like a storyteller. “In ancient times, the old Yu province north of Chu was plagued by daytime storms, eventually forming a vast swamp, imbued with the true essence of thunder and lightning. A nameless Daoist, fishing on Thunder Swamp, unwittingly dredged up a shuttle. As it emerged from the waters, a lightning bolt split the sky, and the shuttle transformed into a dragon, fading into the rainbow beyond. Legend claims it was a relic of the Thunder Department, used to move mountains, summon waves, and control yin and yang, an important symbol to obliterate land spirits and rogue dragons.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in understanding. Ancient Shu was often filled with rain, connecting the waters to the sea. Therefore, the wine in the Pure Yang Taoist’s gourd was brewed with the strong river water. In addition, thunder often rumbled through Yu province, intimidating countless dragons.

Zheng Dafeng urged, “Old Jing, won’t you take a feel of this priceless relic?”

Chen Ping’an deliberately suppressed its thunderous power within his palm, lest its unrestrained energy overwhelm those attuned to water, like Chen Lingjun and Hong Xia.

Chen Lingjun, eager yet cautious, chuckled. “Do you take me for a fool? Such a history, spun with such grandeur, must be burning to the touch!”

Xiao Mi Li interjected, “The children in town often play with flying shuttles.”

When Pei Qian attended the academy, she, as Right Protector of Riding Dragon Alley, stood as a sentinel at its gates, awaiting Pei Qian’s dismissal.

On the road back, one would often find children striking shuttles with wooden sticks. The one who sends their shuttle furthest wins. The clever and strong could win dozens of shuttles, as even chicken feather shuttlecocks were worth a few coins. Shuttles were made from common wood, of little value. Pei Qian once had a pile made by Shi Rou, and her only playmate was Xiao Mi Li, so when the shuttle flew far, the Left Protector would fetch it. Sometimes, Pei Qian would mischievously kick the shuttle into the latrine. The state of mind of Riding Dragon Alley’s Left Protector at that time was not to be described.

So, with Pei Qian around, it dared not turn into a dragon.

Zheng Dafeng gave Xiao Mi Li a thumbs up. “Right Protector truly has a sharp eye! Years apart, and I’m impressed!”

Xiao Mi Li smiled and lifted her hand. “It’s just general knowledge.”

Zheng Dafeng would always think she was clever.

Chen Ping’an returned the shuttle.

Zheng Dafeng carefully tucked it into his sleeve and whispered, “This thing was something Little Li Huai played with as a child. When that little brat came to the pharmacy, the old man feared he was bored, so he crafted a few things, including this shuttle, which Li Huai never cared for. He would play with it, and the yard would be in shambles. The marks left by the shuttle on the doors and windows are still there. I had to help Master repair the windows. Once, Li Huai lost it, and the old man told me to find it.

After all, even though they were from Fallen Peak, Zheng Dafeng wouldn’t reveal secrets. Joking wasn’t the same as lacking a brain.

Besides, Li Er didn’t compare to Zheng Dafeng. The woman he married would yell at their master and make him fume. She yelled because Li Er had lost his pharmacy job, so she would sit and roll on the floor, saying how the master was a bad old man. He was a pervert who wanted to sleep with his disciple’s wife and drink with her…

Zheng Dafeng said, “I searched everywhere. Eventually, I found it in a latrine.”

There, Zheng Dafeng almost cried, as he had almost been kicked out because of that.

Chen Ping’an then asked about Fallen Peak.

Wei Bo departed to show High Leader around Pillow Cloud.

Zheng Dafeng glanced at the boy, and Chen Lingjun hinted about the beauties.

All was said between them. Zheng Dafeng was surprised and glad.

Now that Zheng Dafeng knew, he had to say something, “Lord Wei, say some good things for me, and tell her to come. Just tell her the lord has an elegant, clean house. I’ll go wash the sheets now.”

Wei Bo agreed.

Then, Nuan Shu and Mi Li went to the mountain. Zhu Lian went to chop bamboo and build a house, leaving just Chen Lingjun.

The most awkward one was Taoist Wei.

He looked up to Zheng Dafeng. But now that the man was here, he would have to move, and he might lose his job.

Walking to the house, Zheng Dafeng said, “In the Colorful World, Cui Dongshan came to me and said I could go be a gatekeeper, as Taoist Wei was great. If you’ll let me go, I’ll follow the ship to Blue Reed.”

Cui Dongshan promised him there would be many beauties on Immortal Capital Mountain.

Zheng Dafeng asked if there were groups like Goldfish Islands.

Cui Dongshan guaranteed it.

Chen Ping’an rubbed his forehead. He could beat his pupil into a goose.

Zheng Dafeng said, “Then, Maiden Cen will be sad.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Don’t ruin her name.”

Zheng Dafeng nodded and kicked Chen Lingjun. “Can you not enter jade?”

Chen Lingjun staggered. “Do you think it’s easy?”

Zheng Dafeng scoffed, “Didn’t you say it was easy?”

Chen Lingjun was speechless. “Mi Li told you that? What a snitch.”

Zheng Dafeng raised his leg. “Do I need Mi Li? I can figure it out!”

Chen Lingjun was about to reach out, but saw that Zheng Dafeng had flown through the air.

Zheng Dafeng’s heart warmed, as he had missed this place. No matter how lively it was, new friends weren’t old ones.

Taoist Wei was polite, and had stayed in the side house.

Hearing there was wine, Zheng Dafeng said they should visit.

Wei was embarrassed, saying it was messy.

The house was Wei’s home and office. Keeping busy, Wei read, wrote, and rearranged books, so the tables were cluttered.

Wei was also poor, so he kept his old brushes, getting Chen Lingjun to buy a vase to hold them.

It was Chen Ping’an’s first visit, so he was surprised. But what did Wei write? Porn? Didn’t look like it. Were they notes? Chen Ping’an picked one up.

Zheng Dafeng looked and nodded. He was an immortal. “Add ‘single hairpin, double pillows’, and people will think more.”

Wei was happy. “Dafeng is so talented!”

Zheng Dafeng said, “Add that the pillows have rouge.”

Chen Lingjun laughed. After some thought, Wei was happy.

If he hadn’t explored here, Wei wouldn’t have understood.

Chen Ping’an picked up a book to return the paper, sighing, “Cut it out.”

He was regretting planning to invite Wei to listen to the debate.

But Chen Ping’an picked up the second paper.

Zheng Dafeng said, “Why is Taoist Wei wasting time?”

Chen Ping’an looked and said, smiling, “He isn’t.”

Wei was shy. “It’s beyond me.”

Wei would always act young in front of Zheng.

Zheng Dafeng read and nodded. “So you’re going to write like Huainanzi. This is a big project. It should be ordered by the Emperor and worked on by dozens of scholars. But you’re going to do it alone?”

Wei said, “It was Lord Dafeng who inspired me. I didn’t plan anything from the start.”

Zheng Dafeng asked, “What do you mean?”

Wei grabbed a paper from a book and handed it over. “Lord Dafeng is wise in Buddhism. There are notes in the books. I have summarized your words and thought to make ‘Mountains’…”

Zheng Dafeng handed it to Chen Ping’an, who was surprised.

The paper was in clear strokes. “The Taoist Wei lived with the trees and sensed the mountains. He combined Buddhism with the four seasons. Scripture is the growth of all things, like spring. Law is the glory of grass, like summer. Essays are the cold wind, the fruits, like autumn. View is the clarity, like winter. Meditation is the movement of the seasons…”

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his chin. “We are both gatekeepers. I’ve got a successor.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I’m always good at picking people.”

Chen Lingjun looked at the paper, pretending to understand. “Taoist Wei is good!”

Wei thought they were joking. He added coal to the fire. Nuan Shu would send it, but she was a young girl, so Wei went himself. But Zhu Lian said Nuan Shu enjoyed it, just like Mi Li enjoyed picking up coins. If she didn’t do it, she would be sad.

Around the fire, Wei put up a grill, and Lingjun brought food.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Flying Ascent City?”

Zheng Dafeng stared at him, weirdly.

Chen Ping’an asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zheng Dafeng smiled, “Not just Flying Ascent City. The whole Colorful World is quiet. No one says anything.”

It was all because of one sentence.

After returning to the Colorful World, Ning Yao called a meeting and said she would be closing up for a year or two.

Chen Ping’an could only smile.

Ning Yao was the only cultivator in Jade, and if Chen Ping’an remembered correctly, she had only closed up once before, and it didn’t take long. This one was longer, so the cultivators were worried. What would happen while she was gone?

Zheng Dafeng said, “Before closing up, she told me to say less about the Colorful World, so you wouldn’t be distracted.”

Flying Ascent City was now under control.

Zheng Dafeng said, “Fallen Peak is going to have a sect.”

“Putting it in Tree Leaf is good. It’s like having a prince in peacetime. On a continent, raising a cultivator isn’t easy, and it might annoy the others. It’s better in Tree Leaf, where there is more than enough land. And it can use the destruction of Vase to build a new canal.”

Chen Lingjun said, “If you’re so serious, I won’t know you.”

Zheng Dafeng stirred the fire. “So girls don’t like witty men anymore, just quiet ones?”

Chen Lingjun said, “People hate the ugly.”

Chen Ping’an flipped the food and asked, “Are you going to Blue Reed?”

Zheng Dafeng said, “I’m a wanderer.”

Chen Ping’an was speechless.

Wei said, “If it’s because of me, don’t, I’ll move up the mountain.”

Zheng Dafeng interrupted, taking a golden food. “I can’t say it’s not related, but it’s not much. I can’t help here. Do they want me to teach them? I can, but they don’t want to learn. In Frosthaven, I learned a few things, and Down Sect wants to teach martial arts. Also, the girls I liked in town are old now. What would there be to say?”

Chen Lingjun said, “You’re disgusting.”

Chen Lingjun and Zheng Dafeng glanced at each other and laughed.

Wei didn’t understand.

Chen Ping’an said, “Taoist Shan Qing is going to be at the debate.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “He’s just there for show. He can’t fight or argue.”

Chen Ping’an sighed. “It’s not bad to lose to Ning Yao.”

Zheng Dafeng laughed, “Like you losing to Cao Ci? How many do you plan to lose?”

Chen Lingjun coughed and said, “Don’t talk like that.”

Zheng Dafeng raised his hand and chopped down, and Chen Lingjun blocked.

One said the other had strong power, and the other said he was old but virile.

Chen Ping’an said, “I probably have to lose to Cao Ci two or three more times.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “If you lose two or three, you don’t have to compete anymore, right?”

Chen Ping’an laughed and nodded.

It was the truth. If he lost three, he wouldn’t have to argue anymore.

Then, it would just be Cao Ci teaching.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Can that shuttle be copied?”

Zheng Dafeng nodded, “The material is rare. Not even Yu Xuan can do it. But my Master can. Why?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Su Dian left home. No one knows where she went.”

Zheng Dafeng laughed, “Did she run off with a man? Stone Spirit is going to cry.”

Chen Ping’an said, “She might have gone to Blue Dark.”

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Why?”

Chen Ping’an whispered, “It’s just a guess. I suspect the last officer of Sword Wall came to Li Pearl and hid. He might be the founder of Crimson Dynasty.”

Chen Ping’an had asked Lu Yan, but Lu Yan said his sword was stronger.

It confirmed Chen’s answer.

Zheng Dafeng gave a look.

Chen Ping’an used his flying sword to isolate them.

Zheng Dafeng said, “I can tell you he did leave from here, because he’s one of my Master’s students.

“Li Er accidentally let it slip that the Master thought one of his students was talented in martial arts. His name was Xie Xin’en. Lin Jiangxian is a homophone, and those words are about death and sacrifice. The Master often read an immortal’s journal, so it makes sense that Lin Jiangxian was the officer.”

“Since Yan Zhi left, she must have used a shuttle to learn from her Senior. Otherwise, she has no chance of defeating you. Master cares for her. It doesn’t matter if Su Dian has a background, I don’t want to know.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Why is Su Dian after me?”

The only relation was that they had worked in the same dragon kiln.

Zheng Dafeng said, smiling, “Are you pretending?”

Chen Ping’an was shocked, “She likes me?”

There was no reason.

They hadn’t talked.

Zheng Dafeng said, “Be quiet.”

“To repay the favor, she must be as good as you, to help you repay the old debt.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “She’s stubborn, clear-headed but clumsy. Because of her environment, she’s a little self-conscious, so she’s heard about you, and now she’s going to get stronger.”

Chen Ping’an looked at the fire. “Did I do a lot?”

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Did you do little?”

Giving respect to someone no one else respected was helping them through a bone-chilling winter.

That pervert’s only goal was to not freeze to death.

Chen Ping’an said, “He repaid it already.”

Zheng Dafeng said, “That’s his thing. Su Dian has her own ideas.”

Zheng Dafeng smiled, “Don’t think I’m scolding him. I was good friends with him. The good thing is, my sister-in-law doesn’t think I’m a thief anymore.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Huang Erni admired you.”

Young men would visit Huang Erni’s wine shop for a bit. She had lost her husband early, and needed to raise a child. Once, someone climbed the wall, and she threw a knife at his head. After that, it became quiet, since he couldn’t lose his life for that.

With time, it was obvious Huang Erni liked Zheng Dafeng. He was the only one who could get credit. Zheng Dafeng was often drinking at the shop, telling Huang Erni’s son to call him dad. Whenever Huang Erni walked around, Zheng Dafeng would pinch her butt.

The perverts had learned it all from Dafeng.

Zheng Dafeng waved his hand, “An old hero doesn’t mention the past.”

If it was false, Zheng Dafeng would swear a lot, but if it was true, he wouldn’t talk about it.

Zheng Dafeng changed the topic. “Did you bring High Lord to Fallen Peak?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “High Lord is the strongest in Blessed, so I can’t be rude.”

He was tricked into going by Zhu Lian and Pei Xiang. Old Cook, just you wait.

Zheng Dafeng clucked, “You’re not honest. Money changes men.”

Chen Ping’an was confused.

Zheng Dafeng glanced at him, wondering if he was pretending, and asked, “What’s the biggest treasure in Blessed? You know.”

Zheng Dafeng didn’t know about it, but Chen Ping’an had said something, like how Yu Zhenyi had converted, and there were more cultivators.

Chen Ping’an first didn’t know, then realized, then rubbed his face and laughed, “Honestly, if you didn’t say it, I wouldn’t have thought of it.”

Zheng Dafeng meant that Yu Zhenyi was able to convert after reaching gold body, and the others converted as well. That meant Lake Mountain had a special inheritance, like Cloud Grass Hall.

That secret wouldn’t be shared.

Zheng Dafeng said, “It’s weird that you didn’t think of it, and Old Cook and White Goose didn’t remind you?”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “I’ll ask.”

Zheng Dafeng stamped his feet, reminding Chen Ping’an, “Don’t tell them I said it.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Old Cook can guess it.”

Chen Lingjun said, “Except for the Lord, chess players are bad.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “I’m bad at chess.”

Chen Lingjun sighed, “Guo Zhu Jiu said you were often asked to play chess at the Palace, and there was Lin Junbi, Song Gaoyuan, Cao Kun, and Xuan Shen. They were smart people, and they had to work together to play you, and were still defeated. They used tricks, like having unmarried and beautiful girls distract you.”

Chen Ping’an rubbed his head.

Chen Lingjun asked, “Did Guo Zhu Jiu lie?”

Chen Ping’an asked, “What do you think?”

Chen Lingjun was helpless.

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Taoist Wei, can you play chess?”

Wei was hesitant, but said, “A bit, but I played for money. I can also arrange chess puzzles.”

Wei didn’t like it.

Zheng Dafeng exclaimed, “You’re talented.”

Chen Lingjun laughed, “Too bad you’re single.”

The others looked at him.

Chen Lingjun smiled stiffly.

Wei Bo and Gao Jun went to Pillow Cloud, slowing down so Gao could see the mountains.

Earlier, Wei had given Gao a sword, explaining they needed them to fly.

Gao asked about the size of North Mountain.

Wei said the answer and smiled, “High Leader is a guest of Fallen Peak, so you’re a guest of Pillow Cloud. Ask anything, and I’ll tell you, or tell you it’s a secret.”

Gao was shocked. Just one mountain was so big? Then how big was Vase?

That meant Wei Bo was like a king!

Wei noticed and realized Chen Ping’an hadn’t said much about Vastness.

Wei took out two books, smiling, “Read these books about the mountains of Nine Continents.”

Gao wanted to refuse, but wanted to accept, so she bowed to Wei. Wei laughed. High Lord would be awkward at a debate.

People needed aptitude and fate to fit into Fallen Peak.

Wei felt he didn’t fit in, as Pillow Cloud was righteous.

Wei smiled, “So High Leader doesn’t misunderstand, I’m not just a mountain lord. Pillow Cloud is the North Mountain of Vase. The Li Dynasty occupied half of Vase.”

Gao realized that it was the same. The mountains existed without the emperors. The Emperor of North Jin had wanted to offer sacrifice, but there had been bad weather. The Emperor of South Garden knew better than to bother.

Gao had sent a letter to remind the Emperor of Song.

Wei said, “The national teacher of the Great Li Dynasty was named Cui Qian. According to our lineage, he’s the Senior Brother of Lord Chen, and Lord Chen is the last disciple.”

Gao realized.

That was why Chen Ping’an had built up so much wealth.

Wei Bo was having fun, “They’re brothers, so Minister Cui is helping Lord Chen.”

Gao nodded, “Of course. It would be unfair if he didn’t.”

Wei was surprised. This High Lord was close to Fallen Peak’s Tao.

Pillow Cloud Mountain was high. Wei didn’t bring Gao to the house, but to a quiet platform, with great views, a stream, and clear water.

Wei waved his sleeve and created a mat and pillows, taken from the Night View banquets.

A mountain lord and a cultivator sat on the pillow, and Gao looked around before asking, “Have you been the mountain lord for many years?”

Wei smiled, “I was a small mountain lord, then I was demoted to just the land.”

Wei pointed, “Over there.”

“It was fate that I took over Pillow Cloud. But I’m a prisoner, so I’m always worried.”

Fear. Wei used this word.

It wasn’t a joke, as like how he acted, lest she misunderstand. If she saw different things and people, she would look for familiar things, and find friends.

The key was to find things like oneself.

Once, Zheng Dafeng had guessed that humans were gods and ate incense.

It was just a joke.

On Zenith Peak, the girl in the fur cap looked at the gate, “Does Zheng Dafeng look familiar?”

Little Mo nodded, “The face changed, not the temperament.”

Ten thousand years ago, a general had stood at the gates in frost armor, knowing he would die.

The general faced someone wielding the sword.

The general was pierced and pinned to the door.

Now, Old Xie was different. He was cold and asked, “Did you talk to the Turquoise Lad?”

Little Mo shook her head, “I didn’t talk to the Earth Immortal.”

Xie said, “I have.”

Little Mo doubted it.

Xie said, “I walked the platform, but not the girl’s way. I wanted to be a girl.”

Little Mo believed it, as that was what Sword Xie would do.

Xie raised her hands, holding her cap. “Being impulsive is bad. I almost died.”

Little Mo said, “They were nice to humans.”

Xie nodded, “They still have humanity. I don’t know why.”

Little Mo was silent.

Human hearts were hard.

Ancient gods were straight, except for the top ones.

Cultivators try to become like the gods and forget distractions.

Xie had sensed familiar auras in town. “The world changes, but those who were fish can’t live on land.”

Little Mo started to leave, and Xie asked, “Is my squat rude?”

Little Mo said nothing, and Xie flipped backwards and stood. It was nice.

Walking next to Little Mo, she sighed, “It was destined, but why is it hard?”

Little Mo asked, “Tell me the truth. What are you here for?”

Xie didn’t want to lie, so she pretended to be silly.

Little Mo said, “I don’t care, but don’t break the Temple rules, and don’t cause my Lord trouble.”

Like them, the Sword Immortals liked to travel alone. They were strange and familiar. It had been ten thousand years, so they knew the treasures, but there would be a few left. Little Mo guessed Xie was after treasure.

Xie smiled awkwardly, “Thieves don’t leave empty-handed.”

Chen Ping’an left the house. Chen Lingjun and Zheng Dafeng started to plan, going to the hall, and Wei felt dizzy, as Chen Lingjun had put all kinds of things on the table. Chen Lingjun stood on a stool and grinned. Zheng Dafeng nodded, calling him the master. Zheng Dafeng wondered where he got the money. Chen Lingjun said Chief Zhou had given him money.

Zheng Dafeng would go to see mirror flowers, and Chen Lingjun and Zhu Lian had their own preferences. They liked those supported by female cultivators. Chen Lingjun liked the elegant ones, and Zheng Dafeng liked small sects with dancing girls. Zhu Lian liked weird ones, like those selling manuals. Old Cook was unmoved, and slowly chewed his peanuts.

Only gods and top sects could open it often, as they cost too much essence.

Because there were many instruments, Wei could see treasure.

Zheng Dafeng brought wine, and Chen Lingjun asked, “Do you want clean or dirty ones?”

Taoist Wei sat straight and said, “My sect doesn’t have to eat vegetarian, but marriage is meat.”

Chen Ping’an wasn’t here, or Chen Lingjun would be hit.

At Far Screen, Zhu Lian looked up at the calligraphy on the wall, writing in both cursive and regular script. It had a wildness.

Once, a Pure Yang Taoist had carved poetry here, better than the poem.

“The immortal Bai came from Emei. Heaven is his appearance, Tao is his face. No one can match him. The reclusive Lu Yan went from here, and a sword opened the world. Do not ask for the method, be pure and find fire in water, and return to the origin. Then break the heavenly gate. Learn this and live forever…You do not need money to learn the Tao, just the sun and moon in a ladle. A purple letter follows the blue luan down from jade…Who can say host and guest? May I borrow spring from Heaven for ten thousand years?”

Zhu Lian was beside Pei Xiang, who hadn’t returned to the fox kingdom, but would return to Blessed with Gao Jun.

Pei Xiang didn’t know about “Lu Yan”, but thought the one who dared to carve the words here was either bragging or unfathomable. But it wasn’t righteous. Usually, writing had some air, but there was none here.

Zhu Lian asked, smiling, “Can you tell the good and bad?”

Pei Xiang smiled, nodding, “Can you tell me?”

Zhu Lian said, “It’s a method and sword array, waiting for the fated. You can use all your power and see if you can shake it.”

On the road, the girl in the cap walked next to the boy, and she babbled on, while Little Mo was patient.

“Little Mo, I had a scary dream. There were bones everywhere.”

“Little Mo, why do they call backward water ‘thirsty’? The names are clever.”

“Little Mo, talk to me.”

“Little Mo, you like me, right? I’ll count, and if you don’t say anything, you agree! Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”

“What a nice day!”

Little Mo held a staff, walking along the path, and said, “Tell me the truth, what are you here for?”

Xie blinked, and started to act silly.

Little Mo said, “It’s fine if you don’t say. But don’t break the Temple rules, and don’t cause trouble for my Lord.”

The sword cultivators liked to walk the world. The worlds were both strange and familiar. Time had passed, and treasures had been taken, but a few remained. Little Mo guessed Xie was seeking treasure, and wouldn’t leave empty-handed.

Xie smiled awkwardly, “Thieves don’t leave empty-handed.”

Chen Ping’an left. Chen Lingjun and Zheng Dafeng were planning, and Zheng asked some bottles, all with “clear water”, which was valuable. It was from Long Spring Palace, Jade Cloud, and Pei Qian. Cao Qinglang had gone to the capital, and Zheng Dafeng had joked that he should get some spring water to make tea, which would help her look young. He meant for Cao to see the palace, but Cao had taken it seriously. It was hard to get, but he did.

The spring water from Dragon Tuan was from when Chen had visited.

Zheng Dafeng looked at the bottles, speechless. His jokes had been taken seriously.

Zheng Dafeng didn’t know how to preserve them.

Chen Ping’an said to ask Wei Bo.

Walking up the stairs, Cen Yuanji walked down. They passed each other, and Chen walked to the top, sitting down. He wondered if Fold Cicada had been kept by Old Yang, who had deliberately let the information leak, and Chen Qingliu had left to cultivate.

Long, the Dragon who controlled the water, had made an agreement with humans, and then betrayed Heaven.

Chen Qingliu, who had slain the dragon, had cultivated in Folded Cicada and cultivated.

Had Old Yang been punishing the traitor?

If so, it was scary.

According to Lu Yan, one of the pillars of Heaven was the Dragon Slaying Platform, which was broken and fell to earth. The Dragon Ridge had lots of dragons, and another pillar was at the Sword Wall, which was passed to Ning Yao.

Chen Ping’an still kept a piece of Dragon Slaying Platform in his belongings. He wouldn’t use it to sharpen his sword.

It was from when he had visited and left Sword Wall, and Ning Yao had given it to him.

The cloth-wrapped Dragon Slaying Platform had four words: “Heaven, Zhen; Ning Yao”.

The last offering officer of Sword Wall had become Xie Xinen.

Then, Ning Yao left and visited the continents, and came to Li Pearl.

Chen Ping’an didn’t know the truth about the town.

Remembrance and regret were like a deep well, and you couldn’t escape.

Love stretched far and wide, like they would soon meet.

Chen Ping’an took a breath and rubbed his face. He was about to stand up when he realized Cen Yuanji was standing at the bottom.

He went down, and looked at Old Cook’s house, then returned to the bamboo house, planning to go to the capital.

Cen Yuanji only walked again when Chen’s form was out of sight, continuing up the steps.

She was a martial artist, so she could see the Lord staring at the bottom.

She wasn’t sure, but she felt Chen’s gaze hadn’t changed.

Zheng Dafeng’s would wander, but Chen was staring directly, as if that was what a Lord could do.

Inside the house, with the Lord gone, Chen Lingjun and Zheng Dafeng started, putting all kinds of instruments on the table. Zheng Dafeng nodded, praising him. Zheng Dafeng wondered if he had gotten rich, as these were expensive. Chen Lingjun scoffed, saying Chief Zhou had helped.

Wei had seen two instruments shining.

Zheng Dafeng brought wine and said, “Do you want clean or dirty ones?”

Wei sat straight, took a sip, and said, “My sect doesn’t have to eat vegetarian, but marriage is meat!”

If Chen wasn’t there, Chen Lingjun would be hit.

At Far Screen, Zhu Lian looked up at the tall cliff. The writing was amazing. To have wildness in the regular script was rare, but to make the regular script look like crazy script was amazing.

Earlier,