The Sage Divine had ascended beyond mortal comprehension.

Before them, Li-Xisheng stood astride two mountains forged of sigils, his form suddenly swelling to twice its size. His feet, mountains and all, moved as if clad in boots of titan scale. With a sidelong shift, he left a golden mirror, born of his very essence, in place. It shimmered, a wall soft yet unyielding, barring the dread ferry’s passage. Li-Xisheng then pressed his back against the Savage Realm, the Record River unfurling behind him like a newly paved path, diverging from the established Azure Road. His massive form leaned back, feet rising and stamping heavily upon the Emptiness of the Heavens. Inch by inch, the avatar skewed the ferry’s course, pushing the entire Savage Realm into the channel of the Record River. The Sage’s immense back scraped against the land, erupting in a dazzling display of iridescent light.

Of the ancient demon lords who had come to witness the spectacle, only Li Gou and the Nameless One remained.

The Nameless One, unable to resist, pulled forth his wineskin and took a long, fortifying swig. He laughed, a hearty sound, “No doubt now! That invincible master of Jade Capital might be unmatched in his realm, but he’s no match for our Little Master.”

Li Gou countered, “Is there truly cause for celebration?”

The Nameless One nodded vigorously. “Of course! It proves that all the geniuses and artifice of the last ten thousand years pale in comparison to the true Way of our generation of cultivators!”

“That’s not a fair assessment,” Li Gou argued. “The Little Master has studied those very arts extensively in those ten thousand years.”

The Nameless One’s face twisted in amusement. He reached out and playfully tapped the young lad with the dual pupils on the head. “Do you know why you never quite fit in with those human Daoists and scholars back then?”

Li Gou replied, “I lack eloquence.”

The short, stout man chuckled. “You realize that, do you?”

This nameless, faceless being, lacking even a true demonic name, had once been on good terms with the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces, considering him half a friend, half a drinking companion.

Perhaps due to his carefree nature, he possessed few friends, and even fewer enemies. Unlike Bai Jing, who swiftly eradicated any who crossed her, the Nameless One only acted in defense of his friends, such as Li Gou, whose defenses far surpassed his offensive capabilities.

He lamented the loss of the swordsman Liu Cha, lost to the Savage Realm. He would have made a fine drinking partner.

Bai Jing laughed, nearly beside herself. Though she hadn’t witnessed the end of the befuddled Hu Tu, she could guess its nature. Feigning sorrow, she cried out in a tone of mock anguish, “Heartrending, truly heartrending! Oh, Hu Tu, you fool!”

The Nameless One chuckled, raising his wineskin towards Bai Jing in a silent toast.

*Since when did Bai Jing develop such a fondness for sardonic remarks?*

Bai Jing rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively. *We’re not acquainted, so don’t try to ingratiate yourself. My Xiaomo is easily jealous.*

*If Xiaomo misunderstands, I’ll cut you.*

*But if you’re willing to give me that wineskin, we can become sworn siblings.*

The short man savored the sound of the wine sloshing within the skin as he paused between gulps.

This wineskin was an ancestor of the spatial artifacts crafted by the legendary Lan Qi, one of the Ten Heroes. Despite its historical significance, it remained an unfinished creation, and thus, of modest quality.

The spatial devices now carried by nearly every Earthly Immortal originated with Lan Qi, who pioneered their creation and deeply impacted the landscape for future ascensions to the heavens.

Behind Li-Xisheng, the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces finally intervened.

He cast forth a stack of sigils, each bearing either the character for ‘water’ or ‘mountain.’ With the ‘water’ sigils, he cleaved a river of time through the Savage Realm’s path, severing the ferry’s connection to the Azure Road. The ‘mountain’ sigils erected walls along both banks of the Record River, forming levees that guided the ferry “downward,” yet in truth, raised it uphill.

Simultaneously, the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces invoked his innate power, commanding the mountains and earth of the Savage Realm.

However, the *guike* intercepted, confining the manipulated terrain to areas surrounding strongholds in the Vast Expanse.

Upon the summit of the tallest mountain in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, an old, hunchbacked man stood, his eyes vacant. The blind elder, without even a stray dog at his feet, rubbed his gaunt face, lost in thought.

His good apprentice, both a gateway to the world and a barrier against it, was now a mere Worthy in the Academy.

*The scholars of the Temple of Literature are so inflexible. They said ‘Never again’ and seem intent on refusing my request that my apprentice become a gentleman through accumulated deeds.*

*And what would I do with those deeds, anyway?* The old blind man found no appeal in them. He turned towards his dwelling, pausing at the door to Li Huai’s room. Inside, he found several bottles of wine and a stack of books, left for his master to enjoy.

Yu Xuan, while guiding the Record River like lichen across the void, had not been idle. The great cultivator of the ‘sigil’ tried to twist the River, hoping to open a gate to further distance the dread ferry from the established Azure Road, only to fail as the tide dissipated it. Yu Xuan quickly calculated, concluding it was the correct path, but that his preparation had been insufficient and rushed. Given time and a vast quantity of sigils, he could perhaps create two gates, transporting the ferry as seamlessly as the passages between the lands…

Lu Yan shook his head and smiled. “Yu Daoist’s idea is sound, but difficult to achieve.”

Yu Xuan chuckled.

*Other Daoist paths are fair game, but discussing sigils with the Pure Yang Daoist is pointless.*

Though the edict to move the earth was largely nullified by the Savage Realm, the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces still held a trump card. He raised his hands, as if folding paper.

He folded the river of time, and eventually the entire world, then gently released the folded paper kite above the Record River.

This was an extraordinary feat, like tying a knot in a tapestry, drawing every thread towards the center.

He then folded a section of the Azure Road, behind the Savage Realm, into another paper kite.

The two kites, like opposing fish traps, slowly closed together, ensnaring a massive fish.

This was the Qiuan character, a sigil conceived long ago but never before unleashed.

If Kou Ming had learned from the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces in Qingcui City, creating the Three Peaks Sigil and others, then the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces had also gleaned insight from the discourse, such as the Qiuan sigil, designed to suppress, dismantle, and shatter the ‘small worlds’ of great cultivators.

The Pure Yang Daoist smiled knowingly. Lu Daoist must have played a part, interrupting the discussion between the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces and Sect Kou with jokes and banter.

Those who attain the Dao are like snakes shedding their skin, shedding all worldly attachments. This process of transcendence is neither inherently good nor evil.

However, the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces’ sigil possessed a unique essence, reminding future generations of cultivators not to forget their roots, or even breaking the illusion that what others call “enlightenment” is not that at all.

Yu Xuan’s eyes widened. *Sigils can do that?*

*All the arrays and small worlds, would be rendered useless before it?*

Lu Yan, after observing the scene, gained a new understanding, benefitting his swordsmanship.

A woman in colorful robes appeared beside the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces, her garments fluttering. Her immense form was like a suspended moon, her golden eyes not the cold gaze of a deity, but filled with warmth, like a human.

She was the true spirit of sigils, holding a position akin to the ancestral coins of divine currency.

This was likely why Yu Xuan, relying solely on physical sigils, could not reach the Fourteenth Realm.

He could never attain enlightenment, because there was already a path, there was already someone else.

Just as Bai Ye had established the literary path, so Su Zi and Liu Qi could not. And with Sun Huaizhong ahead, Xiao Mo lagged behind. Or with Wu Zhou, Li Gou had to change course.

This spirit of the Dao, born from sigils, stood at the end of the Record River, her massive form facing Li-Xisheng and the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces.

She walked backward, planting seedlings.

Each ‘seedling’ was a sigil scattered into the Emptiness of the Heavens.

Clearly, she was laying a new Azure Road, guiding the Savage Realm ferry away from the Vast Expanse.

Zheng Juzhong shook his head.

Li-Xisheng asked in his heart, “Master Zheng, what troubles you?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled faintly. “Even if the established Azure Road is altered, it will be in vain without a new trajectory truly aligned with the Great Dao. The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces’ mastery of sigils may replicate and encompass all things, but it cannot sustain the entire Great Dao cycle of the world. Besides, it seems the Lord of Three Peaks does not often traverse the Savage Realm. Thus, while his road may be better than that of a newly ascended demon, it may not be as secure.”

“Furthermore, assuming Zhou Mi has no further tricks, do not forget that the New Celestial Court holds more than Zhou Mi. Thus, even a roughly functional new path cannot be considered fail-safe.”

Li-Xisheng continued, “What would Master Zheng do?”

Even with Li-Xisheng and the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces working in tandem, it still seemed insufficient.

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, smiling. “It is not my place to say.”

As the stacked array was about to touch the Savage Realm, Chen Pingan tried to mimic the sigil in his heart, but failed.

He could only grasp its form, not its essence. The sigil would quickly become unstable and collapse.

Like trying to use inferior material to hold a high-grade Dao book.

And his sword “Well-Moon,” had been upgraded with six hundred golden coins to become “Well-mouth Moon,” but his swords were busy.

Chen Pingan immediately asked, “Xiaomo, if I construct the framework of this sigil, can you fill it with sword intent?”

Xiaomo shook his head. “I am an amateur in sigils. A difference of a hair can cause errors that compound. Even if I return to the Vast Expanse and meticulously deduce it, I would only be wasting your precious time.”

Looking at Bai Jing, Xiaomo reluctantly said, “Perhaps Bai Jing would be a better assistant.”

Chen Pingan had no choice but to give up.

The young cultivator immediately entered the stacked array. “Chen, it’s your servant who will hold down the fort now. You prepare your trump card.”

He would use the array to completely change the course of the Savage Realm and compel it onto the sigil path, needing to make sure the young Hermit held the blocking sword.

Chen Pingan nodded.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces asked, “Do you know how to wield your sword?”

Chen Pingan replied, “I will do my best.”

Zheng Juzhong smiled, amused.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces noticed, and asked, “Master Zheng, what do you have to say?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled. “Nothing to say.”

The stacked array had seemed like mere duckweed atop the Record River.

As Chen Pingan relinquished control of the array, a sigil avatar emerged behind the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces, rivaling that of Li-Xisheng. The array expanded exponentially, yet without diluting the potency of the nested Dao-fields.

Bai Jing grinned, before giving a fair assessment. “The pros are clearly in charge now!”

Chen Pingan ignored it, focusing on the boundary of the sword-array. He saw the mountains of sigils, the intertwining dragon veins, and the constellations in the avatar.

The Great Dao was unfathomable.

The young cultivator was forced to warn Chen Pingan, “I am only conducting the array. You are the array itself. I can only try to offset the impact from the Savage Realm. When things become unsustainable, do not struggle. Withdraw the swords.”

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces thought Chen Pingan a weak link, despite the incredible accomplishment for his age.

They had considered many factors, like whether or not to have the North Great Province Taiwei Sect sword cultivator Qi Jinglong participate.

The conclusion: Select Chen Pingan alone.

It was the “safest” option.

Chen Pingan nodded, “I will not overreach. I will act accordingly.”

The young cultivator pulled two bluish sigils from his sleeve, explaining their uses, “One to stabilize the soul, one to protect the body. Use them together only as a last resort, and pay attention to the time! Use these too early, and you become rooted at the center of the flood, able to only defend. So the best thing to do is to use these to heal, stabilizing your heart and body, so that the Dao’s foundation will not be harmed.”

Chen Pingan carefully stored the invaluable sigils, knowing they could save or doom him.

The Savage Realm sailed within the Record River, the Sage Divine now pushing the stern.

His back had been worn away into a void, a visible attrition of the Great Dao that would be despairing to anyone.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces, with folded-paper sigils, and the golden mirror made sure that it stayed within.

The spirit planted a new road, stretching far into the Heavens, and the collision was imminent.

A sound of grating glass echoed through the heavens.

Even the distanced Nameless One and Li Gou shivered.

The Nameless One quickly took a drink, saying “That looks painful.”

Li Gou looked at the Hermit.

The Nameless One laughed, “He’s tough. His physique is quite strong!”

Yu Xuan and the Pure Yang Daoist, situated in their realms, began to repair the hole, preventing further damage.

The two realms grinded against each other.

Zheng Juzhong nodded slightly, seeing the toughness.

They had accounted for the possible impact of the two worlds.

In that case, the choice of impact point was interesting, it would be Zhongtu Confucian Temple.

Then the one filling Chen Pingan’s position would be Jing Shengxi Ping, the fourteenth Realm within the temple.

The middle of the Temple of Literature.

A scholar on a pavilion, unable to watch, turned to his friend, “Xiping! Give back the debt!”

Jing Shengxi Ping said, “It’s not up to me.”

In truth, Chen Pingan had not requested anything.

“We are scholars!” the scholar said.

Jing Shengxi Ping said, “I have to do my job.”

The old scholar started murmuring.

“Having read countless books, the best deed I could ever have is to create a saint.”

Jing Shengxi Ping listened in silence, accustomed to his friend’s ramblings.

The stacked array gradually shattered, falling like rain.

Yu Xuan’s Mount Tianjin completely vanished, Zheng Juzhong’s pavilion splintered in dazzling light.

The Savage Realm slowly rotated, shifting towards the path created by the spirit.

Li-Xisheng’s avatar held the ferry, most of his head being worn.

Chen Pingan remained seated, energy circulating through his body.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces, relieved, continued to adjust the array, and gave way to Chen Pingan in some parts.

Because Chen Pingan’s body was burning like fire, though it was thankfully in an ordered, circular fashion.

The array of seventy-two constellations collapsed, as well.

The Pure Yang Daoist pushed out a sun. Then using the sword, dragged the sun in an arc over the hole, so many suns stacked in a line to stop the damage.

Yu Xuan, aligned the moon in the other array.

Lu Yan looked at Chen Pingan.

Chen Pingan said, “It’s ok.”

Zheng Juzhong sealed the hole with a rune.

As this happened, Chen Pingan took a blow to the head.

Li-Xisheng healed the wound.

Bai Jing pushed forth lightning, creating a storm that propelled the ferry.

Chen Pingan pulled out the two runes.

Xiaomo and Bai Jing looked at each other, did he jump the gun?

He formed a sword in his hand, and energy burst forward.

Not only did Chen Pingan release his seventy thousand swords, the Pure Yang Daoist’s sword began to shake.

Bai Jing’s lightning faltered.

The sword in his hand, half of the Wall.

From far away, a young Daoist felt his neck.

Just then, Li-Xisheng looked far off.

A black line approached, with fire below.

Lu Chen widened his eyes.

The Nameless One quickly dragged Li Gou away.

Yu Xuan gravely said, “The Ancient Teng Snake.”

Zheng Juzhong whispered to Li-Xisheng.

Li-Xisheng nodded, and the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces had the spirit return.

The Teng Snake swallowed the Savage Realm and smashed the array, then pushed the world back in a different direction.

Visible on the snake’s head was Lu Fayan, the Daoist.

The path that the snake took was scorched by the fire.

Lu Yan crouched to analyze the scorches, wondering how even the Dao could be burned.

Chen Pingan fell, bleeding.

Li-Xisheng said that the problem was just moved to ten years later.

Without the snake, Li-Xisheng could have potentially ended it.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces gave back the array.

Chen Pingan staggered to his feet.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces asked, “Why did you use the runes ahead of time?”

Chen Pingan remained silent.

Zheng Juzhong felt bad.

Li-Xisheng smiled, “If I were in his place, I would have done the same.”

From afar, Li Gou could not help but smile.

The Nameless One was singed.

Li Gou asked, “Did you ever offend it?”

The Nameless One said, “Impossible! I only ever saw him from afar, and always tried to avoid him.”

Li-Xisheng left, likely chasing the snake.

Li-Xisheng looked at Zheng Juzhong.

Zheng Juzhong said, “I’ll see you after the three religious arguments.”

Li-Xisheng said, “Then so be it.”

Yu Xuan looked at Zheng Juzhong.

To Zheng Juzhong, Yu Xuan just gave respect.

Li-Xisheng and the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces left together.

Yu Xuan invited the Pure Yang Daoist for a drink.

Five of the old Sword Wall had crossed the world.

Then, incense burned again, near the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces.

There were only nine people, but they were all promising, so the Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces was pleased.

He focused on the future, especially the future of others.

Yu Xuan smiled, crediting that lady for the incense.

The young cultivator only nodded, a nonanswer.

The Lord of Three Peaks and Nine Palaces had been asked if the future was threatened, and said no.

Chen Pingan took Xiaomo and Bai Jing back, but he saw something.

The sun set.

Around a fire were the Ten Heroes, the top four prospects.

As if all of humanity sat together.