In the mountain village of Luopao, a gentle knock echoed on a humble door. A young woman, adorned in the purple robes of a Daoist acolyte, hastily answered. She was Zhu Zishou, a distant disciple of the celestial Xue, making her the lowest in seniority amongst the visiting Daoists from the five great sects. The strict hierarchy of the Feixian Palace was evident.

Zhu Zishou’s eyes widened as she beheld the visitors: a grown man and a small child. First, in recognition of Chen Ping’an, the legendary Mountain Master of Luopao, and second, at the sight of a young, black-clad girl perched upon his shoulders.

Within the hall of the mountain lodge, a few Daoist brows furrowed at the scene, yet their expressions quickly smoothed, replaced by an impassive mask. As guests of Luopao, they must accept their host’s informality.

Zhu Zishou bowed low, offering the Daoist greeting, and then, without waiting for a reply, stepped aside, clearing the path.

Chen Ping’an stepped across the threshold, while the little girl, named Mi Li, was already blushing crimson, gently patting her benefactor’s head. The mountain master smiled. There was no need to rush.

Deliberately slowing his pace, Chen Ping’an noticed that Zhu Zishou remained rooted to the spot. He continued forward, a dozen paces, before the young acolyte stirred.

Reaching the doorway of the main hall, Chen Ping’an gently set Mi Li down. Zhu Zishou hesitated, lingering outside. However, with a wave of his hand, the Mountain Master beckoned her forward. Embarrassed and flustered, she hurried across the threshold, taking her place by the doorway, standing near the doorway. Chen Ping’an clasped his hands in greeting. “Chen Ping’an of Luopao, salutations to all of you venerable Daoist sages.”

As Zhu Zishou had opened the door, more than half the Daoists had risen from their seats, and as Chen Ping’an entered, a few more stood. By the time the Mountain Master reached the hall’s threshold, only one Daoist remained seated – a young man who rose slowly only when Chen Ping’an announced his name, offering a casual greeting.

The hall was spacious enough to easily accommodate a score of chairs, yet two remained empty, reserved for the true masters of this mountain.

Chen Ping’an smiled, waving his hand. “Be at ease, friends. Let us sit and converse.”

Adjusting his robes, revealing a glimpse of simple cloth shoes, Chen Ping’an settled into a chair opposite Xue Zhizui. Mi Li sat across from the young Daoist.

With a gentle pat on Mi Li’s shoulder, Chen Ping’an introduced her. “She is our guardian spirit of Luopao, Zhou Mi Li, though as yet without a Daoist name. Therefore, on my next journey to the Middle Earth’s Temple of Literature, I shall request the scholar Xi Ping to choose a suitable title for her.”

Clutching her cotton satchel, Mi Li scratched her cheek, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

Xue Zhizui offered a polite nod to the guardian spirit, congratulating her on her forthcoming name. The celestial then began to introduce his fellow Daoists.

Understanding dawned in many minds. No wonder Mi Yu and Jiang Shangzhen held such affection for the child – she was a hidden guardian spirit of the mountain.

The grander the sect, the more revered and influential its guardian spirits. Within the Heavenly Master’s Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain dwelled a ten-tailed celestial fox known as Lianzhen.

The Taofu Mountain, an ancestral sect, was represented by four Daoists: a gifted young man named Xiang Tong, a Daoist prodigy from Crane Peak, whose master, Yang Xuanbao, had a unique history. Her past incarnation was the founder of Yu Xuan and was reincarnated as a favored disciple. The solitary Yang Xuanbao, after two thousand years of cultivation, took only Xiang Tong as her disciple, allowing him to learn at the Cloud Dream Grotto and providing tutelage from his master.

Within Taofu Mountain, Xiang Tong was famed for his high rank, talent, and perspective.

Accompanying him were representatives from the renowned mountains One-Wait Peak, Two-Wait Peak, and Three-Wait Peak: Liang Chao Guan, Wen Xia, and Xie Shan, a Daoist and two nuns, respectively, all young and on track to become peak masters.

The Upper Sect, Yuhua Mountain, also known as the Scripture Mountain, was represented by a young Daoist named Ding from Taigeng Paradise, a scholar of all trades.

The Lower Sect, Feixian Palace, was led by Xue Zhizui, known as Night Watch, one of Yu Xuan’s six direct disciples. As such, he held the highest seniority, rank, and responsibility for protecting the travelers. Xue Zhizui was accompanied by two disciples: Lu Biyu and Zhu Zishou.

The Dou Ran Sect was represented by the Law Master Wang Tingzhi, accompanied by disciples of the headmaster Mei Zhen: Tian Gong and Bai Feng.

The Jingwei Temple sent only one Daoist, Li Muzhou, a student of Gou and brother of Zhao Wenmin.

As Xue Zhizui introduced their lineages, ranks, and accomplishments, some rose, some nodded, some smiled, and some closed their eyes to meditate.

Two young Daoists, Kong Yuan and Wang Gua, were not present, having gone to the village early in the morning.

Xue Zhizui had sent a talisman to inform them of the Mountain Master’s arrival, but they had ignored it.

Xue Zhizui did not insist on their return, for Kong Yuan and Wang Gua hailed from vassal sects of Yuhua Mountain and Dou Ran Sect.

There were approximately twenty such vassal sects, filled with dragons and tigers.

Chen Ping’an had already studied the registers, but he listened patiently to Xue Zhizui’s introductions.

When Xue Zhizui finished, he looked towards the Mountain Master. This was the customary way for major sects to interact.

Chen Ping’an followed the lead, smiling as he spoke. “Your venerable sects are known throughout the heavens, while Luopao is but a fledgling. Having you all visit is a great honor. I, as the junior, fear to either neglect you or to overreach in my hospitality. If I had not just emerged from seclusion, I would have welcomed you at Ox Horn Crossing.

Xue Zhizui smiled. “You flatter us, Mountain Master. We are Daoists, at home in the mountains, seeking enlightenment. Nothing is greater than seclusion. Your presence here is unexpected, yet most welcome.”

There began a ritual exchange. One asked if they had been to a certain mountain, and the other replied, yes, the scenery was quite lovely. Another spoke of Feixian Palace. They invited Chen Ping’an to copy inscriptions, with the strict rules of no copying were ignored. This was a give-and-take, all the participants had to be good. The Daoist, Ding was sleepy.

The young Daoist from Taigeng Paradise, despite his advanced years, considered himself young because he was an immortal. He was now bored.

The Mountain, and the Young Hidden One, were rather uninteresting.

The young Xiang Tong yawned, but was quiet.

Bai Feng tapped her feet together. She hoped Wang Gua came back with food.

Wang Tingzhi, Liang Chao Guan, and Xie Shan remained composed.

Wen Xia was fixated on the Mountain Master.

Five to six thousands of Daoists were affiliated with the Five Sects. Some selected the most beautiful nuns. The sister of Wen Xia gave her a fan and asked her to get to know the master of the mountains.

Wen Xia, seeing Chen Ping’an, was disappointed.

One time, the Sect Master said he was drinking with Yu.

Her Shishu left the seat.

The Yan did not like her either.

The old priest asked Wen Xia to study Chen and report back to her.

She had been to the battlefront.

Wen Xia wants to know why the old priest cared about Chen.

Tian Gong was meditating.

Yuhua won by having many charms.

Do Ran Sect focused on attack. Bai Feng could eat charms.

Tian Gong painted charms.

Chen didn’t want to be called for his Dao name.

Chen said he was showing off.

Li Muzhou liked to walk alone and chat with the guards.

Li was Gou’s disciple, and Gou was a direct descendant of Yu. He was going to be the next chief priest.

Chen: You’ll have boring things, so leave.

Chen: Do you like this?

Mi: A little.

Chen: We can get you somebody.

Chen: The next one.

Mi slipped down and went back to the house and chief and Yu met her.

They said she was great.

She explained she wasn’t.

Yu and Jian talked about Chen being polite.

Yu was smart.

Why didn’t he talk to her when she left?

When I gave money, the Mountain Master said, “Crazy, you’ll have to say bad things.”

The door was closed. Chen was sleeping.

Chen said he was going to say bad things to the guest and that he was a family.

***

Zheng was afraid the girl would be devoted to him.

Chen was by a table and the big guy came.

***

They were training.

Cao was the new priest.

The dragon had a problem, he didn’t like people.

Yao asked about the old priest when they were fighting the boss.

She did.

Where would he be.

You just need to watch her. She’s not that smart.

Chen said he didn’t know Chen’s name.

I’ll get you out. You’ll have to think of the great things you’ll see.

This is what was said privately.

She’s afraid of that.

You can be a hero.

***

That’s the name Chen called. The others had different faces.

Chen did not know them. He looked at Li.

Li, what are you thinking?

Li, I’m telling the truth. I’m not mad.

Chen: Are you mad?

Li: Yes, I’m angry.

Li stood up and left.

No one stopped him.

He saw Chen at the door.

Chen: Sorry, I have to.

He gave Li paper.

Why aren’t you giving it to the priest?

Chen: Since I’m the master, I’m the one giving it to you.

I told you I won’t give you the rune. I’ll just keep you here.

Li was upset but calm.

Chen: No.

You can talk to the Taoist more.

Li left

Even Chen said he was upset.

Chen said the priest would notice it.

Chen said he could go to the mountain.

Heaven and earth were in a group.

The old man: Is it too bad?

Yu: It’s not too bad. It’s very good.

Why are you so honest?

Yu: Are you calling me a fool?

Do you want a massage?

Yu looked at the house.

You could not see him.

Oh well, I could make a buck.

Yu wants to let people be a success.

Yu could not break away.

We have to make them proud.

Yu will be able to see the sky.

Yu was a rune.

You will see yourself in the city.

Kond and Gu did not wear priest clothes. They wandered around. You look at my look to see each other.

I’m worried and scared. He’s so kind.

Let’s see what the priest does.

It’s good to have a good character.

It would have been a good punch.

There were a lot of things to do.

The two sides looked at each other. Chen would walk around here and walk with them. He invited them for ice cream.

The Kond feared they were a scam.

The girls were very generous. Thank you, Chen.

Then there was the sky.

Tell him you’ll pay for the chair.

You should be born knowing the sky.

In the house, the three mountains each had a person. They knew of Yu, Xue and Ding.

Yan went back.

A few ghosts were in the area.

The most beautiful said to come to the island.

He killed many and helped those who were dying.

You’re so awesome, you’re a god.

Is there a person on the roof who does not have any clothes?

The house went from 1 to 10.

Chen was making food.

We all went to see the clouds.