The night-flying barge drifted upon the vast sea like a solitary duckweed.

Liu Xianyang seemed lost in a divine reverie, scaling impossible heights, while Xiao Mo diligently watched over Jiang She’s consort. Xie Gou, perched on a step, stifled a yawn, the woman’s gaze flitting towards Pei Qian with unsettling frequency.

The atmosphere within the courtyard hung heavy. Suddenly, the aged scholar spoke, “Pei Qian, walk with me.”

Pei Qian nodded.

A side gate within the courtyard offered passage elsewhere, but the moon gate was locked fast. The old scholar feigned a search within his sleeve, turning his back to the others, as if fumbling for a key. With a push, the gate creaked open, and he stepped through, Pei Qian following close behind.

Unlike the meager austerity of the previous courtyard, this place was an enchanted haven, a veritable noble estate. Towering wutong trees and verdant bamboo painted the air with shades of deepest green, their freshness invigorating the soul. A wall, sparsely adorned, was softened by the presence of magnolias, as if to declare that even the heat of summer dared not trespass here.

The old scholar, surveying the scene, chuckled. “The master is far too miserly. To read within these walls, with a sunbeam streaming through an open window, flooding the pages with light and emerald hues… truly, knowledge would bloom with vibrant life!”

Pei Qian, gathering her thoughts, explained, “Little Senior Brother mentioned the previous City Lord of Rhinoceros City was a woman. She could critique the poetry of both Su Shi and Xin Qiji. This is likely her study. The Night-Flying Barge, being the master, can’t simply give this place to Master as a private residence. Someone might think she’s being unceremoniously dismissed.”

The old scholar nodded, enlightened. “That makes sense. Otherwise, I’d be pestering the Barge’s master with my complaints, rattling every branch to see if a date falls out.”

The magnolia tree was in full bloom, its fallen petals blanketing the ground like fresh snow.

The old scholar, hands clasped behind his back, stood beneath the tree, a soft smile playing on his lips. He began, “At the last convocation of the Confucian Temple, two worlds stood opposed, a grand and formidable display. Ping An, of course, shone brightest. At Mount Tuoyue, they attempted a forced marriage, urging your master to the Barbarian Lands, promising new sister-wives. They postured grandly, offering an empty seat of power, as if your master’s arrival would grant him immediate authority, even suggesting Fei Ran might cede his position. Zhou Qinggao’s admiration for your master is known across both worlds, he practically wishes to adopt your master as his grand-uncle.”

“Such things, and more besides. Some Haoran cultivators who heard these tales found them absurd, even comical, mistaking the Barbarian Lands as a chaotic farce. But do not think these great demons are jesting or mocking your master. The Barbarian Lands genuinely seek to entice this last Hermit Official. He cleaved a river, shattered Mount Tuoyue, seized a sliver of the radiant moon, and vanquished the Barbarian Great Ancestor’s foremost disciple, a Sword Cultivator at the peak of Ascension. The Barbarian Lands only respect strength. If they acknowledge Bai Ze, they can acknowledge Chen Ping An. Consider Xiao Xun. Would she not rejoice at Ping An’s arrival? She would, for she betrayed Sword Qi Great Wall, and Chen Ping An betrayed both Sword Qi Great Wall and the Haoran Lands. For this alone, Xiao Xun would hold your master in high regard, as a kindred spirit.”

The old scholar spoke with patient care. Pei Qian listened, then inquired, “Is the Sage and the Ritual Sage watching over this place?”

The old scholar shook his head. “Not at the moment. He cannot afford to be distracted. The urgent matters beyond the heavens and the dangers within demand his attention. A single misstep could unravel the Three Sages’ grand sacrifice.”

That the Ritual Sage could spare even a fraction of his attention to speak with Jiang She aboard the Night-Flying Barge was a considerable risk.

Having heard the old scholar’s explanation, Pei Qian understood, yet could not entirely mask her disappointment and worry.

The old scholar, rubbing his cheeks, began to move towards the exit. “I erred in this matter. Severely.”

Pei Qian hesitated, but swallowed the words that sprang to her lips.

The old scholar did not let his failing pass lightly. “The root of this predicament lies in my own past misjudgment. I believed I had accounted for all things, but it was not enough. The truth is, Ping An has always been kept in the dark regarding your origins, but I know the truth. Had I not made the suggestion, the Azure Cloud Temple would not have arranged those fateful meetings, leading you and Chen Ping An to leave Lotus Blossom Blessed Land together as master and disciple. You would not be so troubled today. In my heart, I knew Jiang She’s millennia of imprisonment were nearing their end, and feared his anger upon release. I sought a gentle buffer, to prevent conflict in the human realm. Thus, my actions were selfish, driven by my own ambitions.”

The old scholar tapped his fist against his palm. “I thought by doing so, Ping An, my close disciple who always thinks of others first, would gain a protective charm, earning favor with the First Ancestor of the Strategists, accumulating goodwill for times of turmoil. I always hoped Jiang She might lend aid in the lonely years Ping An guarded Sword Qi Great Wall alone.”

“For Pei Qian, to follow Ping An, to see and learn, would broaden her horizons and temper her stubborn spirit. Through daily interactions, she would become a child of learned manners, shaped by the wisdom she absorbed. Nurtured and disciplined, she would blossom into a noble lady, worthy and capable. I had faith in Ping An’s patience and Pei Qian’s potential. Once he accepted her, he would care for her, grant her a peaceful childhood, allow her to travel, then settle down to study at a local school. After classes, she would find comfort among kind elders and kindred friends. All in time, no need to rush the girl.”

“For Jiang She and his consort, it would be as if a kind and understanding daughter had appeared out of nowhere. Would not family reunited be a reward after hardship? It was wishful thinking, I simplified matters of the heart.”

“As for your learning from Master Cui at the Bamboo Tower, earning blessings of martial fortune… it was akin to meeting Jiang She in advance, unforeseen by Ping An or myself.”

“Chen Ping An teaches his disciples, not steal their daughters. To be fair, Jiang She did not necessarily mistake kindness for folly. Why should I assume their own instruction would not be better? From the start, I was in the wrong, yet placed the burden upon you and Ping An. A senior does not treat their juniors in this way. Your silence does not absolve me.”

Hearing this, Pei Qian could no longer hold back her true feelings, sending her words in a concentrated stream. “Master’s Grandfather, such matters do not trouble me greatly. Only cause me a little confusion. I see Jiang She and his lady as strangers met on the road. I swear, this is no lie to ease your mind. It is the truth. My true worry lies in causing my master, always so resolute, such hesitation. If…”

Pei Qian wanted to say, *if she were no burden to Master, she would join this battle!* For her, nothing surpassed her master.

The old scholar waved a hand, cutting off Pei Qian’s words. “Do not let emotion fuel rash statements. It harms both speaker and listener. In the end, we suffer most.”

Pei Qian fell silent.

Part walk, part solace, the old scholar led Pei Qian out of the estate, turning back to gaze at the plaque before speaking. “True nobility lies not in rooms of gold and jade, nor in treasures and calligraphy, no matter how impressive their array. Those newly powerful houses are but shadows beside the clans whose virtuous influence stretches three, even five generations. They lack the foundation: self-cultivation, domestic wisdom, a household code, family genealogy, ancestral temples, and the teachings passed down through generations.”

Pei Qian nodded. “Master once described his ideal scholarly family as one filled with books. From youth, children accept reading as a natural part of life, find it strange to do otherwise. It matters not how many seals adorn the pages, nor whether the print is rare or fine. The most important thing is the marginalia penned by one’s ancestors. Future generations, reading the same books, will benefit from the insights of their forebears. It is a second enlightenment, a secret family tradition, a unique method of learning.”

The old scholar stroked his beard, praising her understanding. “A family head who can guide three generations is indeed powerful.”

“Ping An has already planned for a century, for Fallen Mountain and Azure Ripple Sword Sect. To plan for a millennium, your disciples, and their disciples, must lead by example. The same principle applies to both mountain and town. To leave only wealth is to gamble on its fate. To leave books is no guarantee they will be read. But to pass down virtue, to set a positive example, to establish a strong tradition… that is an inheritance, a treasure for generations to come.”

Fallen Mountain and Azure Ripple Sword Sect now had three generations of disciples.

Who would be the first of the fourth generation? How old would they be? Would they wield a sword? It was a matter worth anticipating.

Unbeknownst to them, Liu Xianyang had been eavesdropping. “Marry a virtuous wife and bless three generations! I wonder whose noble son will ignite his ancestors’ tombs, earning the hand of Pei Qian.”

Pei Qian rolled her eyes.

Liu Xianyang whispered, “Master Scholar, have you heard of Liu Youzhou?”

The old scholar was taken aback. “Ah?”

That kid has good taste. Liu Jubao will be singing praises?

Liu Xianyang continued, smiling. “How would he compare to Cao Qinglang?”

The old scholar paused again. “Eeh!”

Liu Xianyang chuckled. “I think Li Huai isn’t bad either.”

The old scholar, seemingly led by the nose, paused to consider… hmmm?

Pei Qian asked, “What are you two talking about?”

Liu Xianyang said with brazen innocence, “Chen Ping An’s teacher is my teacher! To be so formal would wound Master Scholar’s heart. As a student in name only, I must seize this opportunity to consult with my, shall we say, yet-to-accept-my-formal-tea teacher. Why not recommend Liu Youzhou for a *Junzi* title at the Confucian Temple? Another Sword Immortal as a student! Imagine Master boasting to others that he only accepts Sword Immortals!

The old scholar’s eyes widened. Tch, tch!

Unseen, a lone woman followed them from afar.

Pei Qian’s expression remained unchanged.

Further behind, Xiao Mo, with her red cheeks and weasel hat, walked side-by-side with Huang Mao, engaged in quiet intimacy.

Xie Gou, rubbing her weasel hat, fretted. Family matters are beyond the reach of even an upright official, and this Deputy Offering was deeply concerned. Annoying! A headache!

Xie Gou said, “Xiao Mo, lend me your mountain staff to play with? Mountain Master himself said I could have it when you returned.”

Since the Young Master had spoken, Xiao Mo handed the green bamboo staff to Xie Gou, then whispered, “Why do you show no respect for etiquette?”

Xie Gou raised the mountain staff, caressing it with her cheek. “Ha, a token of affection.”

Xiao Mo sighed, “I asked you a question.”

Xie Gou said, “Mountain Master doesn’t want you involved. He’s determined to keep us out of this. You know his temper. If you weren’t a *shishi*, it’d be fine. He trusts you, appreciates your effort, and appreciates your help. Mountain Master is not ambiguous. But you’ve practically branded the word *shishi* on your forehead. He doesn’t want you in danger, so stay out of it.”

Xiao Mo frowned. “Even if Young Master wishes to avoid me, why can’t I find a single trace of him, with my current level?”

Xie Gou said, “You’re not truly a Fourteenth Level yet. Even if you were, Mountain Master could hide things from you with ease.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “I was overreaching. The dharma robe I gave Young Master, I put some thought into it. It was to link me to his soul and one of my natal swords. He would’ve broken that trick easily.”

Xie Gou knew of this only now. “Xiao Mo! No!”

Xiao Mo, her mind elsewhere, was still concerned about the duel between her Young Master and Jiang She. What sense did it make for a master to be fighting for his life while his *shishi* strolls the streets?

Xiao Mo whispered, “When Young Master was in seclusion, I was not at Fallen Mountain. You were the guardian of the Peach Mountain dojo. Couldn’t even you contact him?”

Xie Gou shook her head. “Why would I lie about this? If Mountain Master… spit, spit, spit, Mountain Master would have bounced back into the Night-Flying Barge. If you knew I was hiding information, you’d scold me to death and hold a grudge for centuries. It’s not like you don’t know my temper. Even if Mountain Master forbade me from telling you his whereabouts, who cares about the vows I made to him? Breaking them is easy, like passing gas.”

Xiao Mo said no more.

Xie Gou said mysteriously, “Don’t say I’m trying to sow discord. But, Xiao Mo, do you think Mountain Master’s skill in matters of the soul is a little… *genius*?”

At the Ma residence in the Jade Declaration Kingdom, he conjured illusions with ease. While that place was filled with mortals, even the Qi cultivators are not very high level. But finding the traces of the demon clan Xiao Xing inside the Lotus Blossom Blessed Land, and seemingly creating the loyal “Xu Jiaoqie” from nothing, was no small feat. In the temple in the Tong Ye Continent, he made fools of Qingrang and his group. Not to mention those “laborers” within his little world, those who were freely doing long term work for him, attempting to build a minor chiliocosm. Especially that Ascension Method that was used for protection and observation by Ding Daoshi…

As for Xie Gou, it was not just Chen Ping An who knew how gifted she was in cultivation, even the likes of Old Blindman considered Bai Jing a first-rate talent.

When someone like Bai Jing would evaluate Chen Ping An’s skill in matters of the soul with the word *genius*, it was something to consider.

Xiao Mo thought for a moment, and cautiously cast some dharma formulas and multiple layers of protective arrays to be safe before asking, “Since Young Master is the current ‘Sword Holder’, wouldn’t it be stranger if he *wasn’t* skilled in the art?”

Xie Gou had a strange look on her face, as she murmured, “It’s not that simple.”

She had personally seen the old and new Sword Holders appear together at Riding Dragon Lane. Her instincts told her that it was unlikely that Chen Ping An had merely obtained one of the twelve ancient abilities.

Xiao Mo said, “Maybe it was Grandmaster Cui passing down his entire repertoire, and Young Master is just skilled at learning fast. There’s no need to think too much. It’s not going to affect you or me.”

Xie Gou nodded. “You’re right.”

It could not be denied that Mountain Master was a generous man. Both to her and Xiao Mo, he had been forthcoming.

Xie Gou grinned, and lifted her hands to adjust her weasel hat.

She and Wu Yan had first met with conflict. And it was because Wu Yan had a Daoist name that meant “land Immortal”, that was coveted by Bai Jing for a long time.

That being said, if the mountain hermits of later ages advocated for self-reliance, shouldn’t a small group of the “ancient Daoists”, including Bai Jing, also be honored?

Bai Jing smiled slyly, and looked at Wu Yan’s back.

After all, we’re friends. You don’t need that Daoist name of yours.

The woman seemed to be aware of something, and turned her head to smile at the girl in the weasel hat.

Xie Gou was furious, and she grumbled in her mind, “Xiao Mo, look! That look and expression are really punchable! Is she saying that ‘a dog can’t change from eating shit’?”

Xiao Mo did not side with Xie Gou, and said, “That’s because your killing intent is too heavy, like fighting between clans, where they not only use sticks and hoes, but also knives!”

Xie Gou looked complicated, and said, “True Fire Dragon didn’t lie. Being in harmony with the Dao and at the Fourteenth Realm allows one to feel the workings of heaven. It is walking on the Path.”

Suddenly, Xiao Mo frowned, and stared past Wu Yan to Chen Ping An’s first disciple, Pei Qian.

Xie Gou whispered, “Don’t worry.”

Pei Qian wanted to turn her head to look at what was happening behind, but she stopped herself.

A long time ago, it seemed like a lifetime ago.

On the escape, there was an emaciated burden, like an oil bottle, who was following her parents not too far away.

She would stay away from where her parents were walking near those stalls selling meat, and she would close the distance once again after passing those stalls with chopping boards stained with hardened blood.

Liu Xianyang suddenly said, “Pei Qian, do you still copy books these days?”

Pei Qian, who was distracted by something on her mind, and accurately speaking was remembering forgetting things, came back to the present, and said, “It has become a habit, so I still often copy books.”

Liu Xianyang asked with a smile, “I heard from Chen Ping An that you have a treasured chestnut collection?”

Pei Qian looked embarrassed. “It was something I did when I was young and playing around.”

The old scholar slowly walked forward, and was also thinking about the past. He had just sensed the change in Pei Qian’s mood, and fortunately, Liu Xianyang opened his mouth to say something, bringing Pei Qian back to the present.

“Old Sword Immortal, his swordsmanship is really high. But when it comes to discussing matters, it really takes a lot of effort, and what he believes, he does not change. Changing his mind is difficult.”

“All of you are the younger generation, so Old Sword Immortal only shows you his lofty side, which makes all of you feel that he is kind and not pretentious. You have to understand that when we have to be practical in the discussion of a matter, Old Sword Immortal is like a veteran in the officialdom, speaking in circles, so I have to leave and think it over before I can understand what he was saying. I can also infer what was hidden behind the meaning of those words. He also likes to only say half of the sentence, and wants me to continue the second half. But if I couldn’t, he would not say anything on the surface, and would change the subject. But inside he would be thinking…”

Liu Xianyang fell into deep thought, and said, “It seems that I am that type of person. Do I have the potential to become the second Old Sword Immortal?”

What virtue and ability did Ruan Blacksmith have to take him as his disciple? He was really making a killing.

Back then, the old scholar had just left the Merit Forest, and had not yet regained his position as a god. He was rushing around, and borrowed some people from Sword Qi Great Wall for the Confucian Temple, and he had been turned away at Old Sword Immortal’s straw hut.

It had taken a lot of effort to finally enter the room, and Chen Qingdu had asked a provocative question: “Is there a possibility that Cui Chan and Zhou Mi are working together in secret?”

The old scholar was so angry that he jumped, and cursed, “Old Sword Immortal, did you get possessed by a pig? How could you ask such a nonsense question?!”

Chen Qingdu ignored the old scholar’s fury, and continued, “Who can guarantee that this will not happen? The Great Sage, the Small Master? Why don’t they come? You were just someone who had his statue smashed, and only has a scholar title. Readers were always like this. They wanted to save face for themselves so they made others lose face?”

“Absolutely impossible!” The old scholar calmed down, and said without hesitation, “I can guarantee for Cui Chan, there is not even a ten-thousandth chance that this will happen!”

Seeing that Old Sword Immortal still doubted, the old scholar explained, “As his teacher, I was worried about the long-term dangers brought about by my disciple’s focus on merit, but I never doubted his character. We, the line of the Sage, never dared to say that our merits are flawless, but we never take a wrong step when it comes to big questions.”

Chen Qingdu laughed, and rubbed salt in the old scholar’s wounds. “Did I remember wrong? Wasn’t Cui Chan long ago cast out from the line of the Sage? Master? Does the student with a broken heart still recognize you as his teacher?”

The old scholar mumbled, “It’s his business to recognize me. He’s always been quick-tempered, so I can’t control him too much. But I have always considered myself his teacher.”

Chen Qingdu added to the salt, “If only I had known this earlier.”

The old scholar said to himself, “I can’t guarantee what Cui Chan will do. I don’t have anything but the title of being a teacher to them. I have nothing. Right?”

Chen Qingdu didn’t say anything, and it wasn’t clear if he was acknowledging it, or didn’t think anything of it.

Resentment and hatred were like sharp knives cutting through loose hemp. Striking the steel and creating sparks was like the clear-cut grievances of a great man. To dare and act was virtuous.

Guilt and regret were like dull knives, the gaps on the blade were all of the mistakes made in the past. Sharpening them was regret. It was after all, self-inflicted.

Old Sword Immortal and Old Scholar. The two of them were of different ages but considered old men, and fell silent.

In the end, Chen Qingdu said that his student had opened a tavern, and the business was not bad. If you want to drink, you can go there. No need to pay.

————

In the Barbarian Lands, this deserted road was extremely wide, and was once a road for transporting troops, but had been abandoned for many years, and wild flowers and weeds grew freely.

Zhang Fenghai asked in his mind, “Say it. Thanks to Lu Tai’s suggestion, and the protection that I was able to provide, you were finally able to come to the Barbarian Lands to travel. What are you going to chat about with Gui Ke?”

Xin Ku thought in silence, and said, “I can’t say too much. I can only tell you that someone helped to arrange for a time where we could all get together to chat about ‘tomorrow’.”

Zhang Fenghai was unwilling to let go of the Manifestation of the Great Dao of the Azure Skies, and said, “That’s easy to say. If you can talk about ‘tomorrow’, you can then determine the survival or destruction of ‘today’?”

Xin Ku expressionless, and said calmly, “That is all I have to say.”

Zhang Fenghai, who was always pleasant in his words, rarely showed some anger, and said, “Since Zheng… since he can do such a big thing, are you not afraid that you will be manipulated by him, and become a puppet?”

Xin Ku hesitated, and said, “I believe that the scenario that he spoke of of the ‘day after tomorrow’ will definitely come. One can’t dig a well after a drought, make umbrellas in the rain, or sew clothes after the snow.”

Zhang Fenghai sneered, “A world without spiritual energy or supernatural powers? These old wives tales are nothing new!”

Xin Ku said, “It’s not that simple. Zhang Fenghai, you can say that I am unaware of the world, but you should know that when it comes to the circulation of heavenly fate and the rise and fall of the world, I am not someone who can be easily fooled.”

“It is not that I am annoyed by your thoughts, but that a sect has to have the rules of a sect, and shouldn’t act without permission. Since the deed is done, it’s time for us to discuss it.”

Zhang Fenghai shook his head. Since this was the case, he no longer tried to persuade Xin Ku to change his mind, and just said a saying, “It’s not a problem to not know everything, but it’s a problem to know things partially.”

Xin Ku said, “Don’t worry, I will not drag you down.”

Zhang Fenghai said in an ill-humored tone, “Since I am the Sect Leader, if something really happens, I will not clear myself of any responsibility and stand aside.”

What he meant was, if you are really schemed against by Zheng Juzhong, I, Zhang Fenghai, will pull you out of it even if I have to pay a great price, and not push you to the side.

Xin Ku was not good with words, and barely managed to force out some honest words, “You really are good at being the Sect Leader.”

Zhang Fenghai didn’t appreciate it, and instead laughed in anger, “What, you didn’t approve from the beginning? Could it be that you can be the Sect Leader if I’m not? I am guessing you would tell us that ‘sorry, the ship is leaking’ when it’s about to reach the center of the water, or that ‘everyone who doesn’t know how to swim can quickly learn’?”

Even the silent Xin Ku was amused, and said with a smile, “The Sect Leader is lively, a true Daoist.”

Zhang Fenghai agreed to come to the Barbarian Lands to “travel” with a clear goal, and first he had to find a chance to meet with Bai Ze.

Right now in the Barbarian Lands, name with Fei Ran, reality with Bai Ze, was something that everyone acknowledged.

In addition, Zhang Fenghai also wanted to find one or two cultivators from the Barbarian Lands, provided that both sides got along well, and then invite them back to Ancestor Mountain, Leap Month Peak, to return to the Azure Skies.

In the peaceful times, the expansion of a sect also requires some fancy tricks to improve on what’s already great. In times of turmoil, only a strong military is the foundation.

For example, the Nameless One, who was fully qualified to occupy a seat of power, was an excellent choice. If he could be won over, then it was great. Even if he couldn’t be recruited for now, it was important to leave a good impression.

The Nameless One asked, “May I ask, is your hometown about to be in chaos? And if you were able to convince Bai Laoye to follow you to Leap Month Peak, you would not be able to wholeheartedly cultivate?”

Zhang Fenghai told the truth, “It’s not that we’re about to face chaos, but that it’s already a mess. But I can guarantee that you will be able to go to Leap Month Peak, just focus on cultivation and rest assured.”

The Nameless One asked with a smile, “Can you briefly describe how chaotic it is? Is it with smoke and fire all around, with a large fire covering the land? Are several states battlefield? Are the White Jade Capital Daoists in groups, leaving the Five Cities Twelve Towers in droves to suppress it?”

Zhang Fenghai said, “On the surface, it’s more stable than what you said, but in reality, it’s even more chaotic. Let me tell you about the general situation?”

The Nameless One nodded. “I am listening.”

Bottle Continent was the smallest continent in Haoran, and also where the war between the two realms ended. And Yong Province was the smallest state in the Azure Skies. After Sun Huaizhong from Xuandu Temple in Qi Province asked a question with his sword, Zhu Xuan, the young empress of the Yong Province Fish Talisman Dynasty, disregarded the hints from the White Jade Capital and opened a universal ritual. Zhu Xuan herself ascended the altar and hacked the branches of an old camphor tree to divine the fortunes of Yong Province.

The divination showed that the fortunes of the four states are terrible omens.

The world was in uproar when this result came out.

The Daoist officials in the four states were panicked and insecure. Since that was heaven’s will, those who follow the trend flourish and those who oppose it perish. Shouldn’t there be preparations?

Weren’t the Tongye and Fuyu continents examples? Was there no better example of those who planned ahead and were able to stand tall in troubled times than the Pincers Tiger and Bottle Continent? And the Sword Qi Great Wall worked with the Confucian Temple, the Confucian Temple being responsible for pioneering the Five-Colored World, Chen Qingdu being responsible for opening up the heavens to establish a brand new world so that the fire could be carried on.

Right now, the entire Azure Skies was like a pot of oil.

What would happen if a spark flew?

That question with a sword from Sun Huaizhong could be considered a personal vendetta, and even when the old abbot lost and died, both the Xuandu Temple and the Qi State were restrained.

Asking for Dao from the White Jade Capital was no different than open rebellion.

In the territory of You Province, the Huayang Palace, the leader of the mountain and the Hongnong Yang family were just waiting for an opportunity.

As for the Temple of the Lotus Goddess built on top of the mountain at the bottom of the water, no one was paying attention to the national treasure, the spear “Breaking Array.”

After hearing Zhang Fenghai’s general story, the Nameless One asked with a smile, “Are Zhang Sect Master’s not popular?”

Zhang Fenghai found it hard to explain clearly in a few words, and shook his head. “You’ll know once you get there. Hearing is not as good as seeing.”

The Nameless One nodded. “I should go take a look.”

He had slept for ten thousand years, so he missed a lot.

Zhang Fenghai turned to Xin Ku and asked, “What do you think of Hermit Official?”

Xin Ku said, “I haven’t met him, so it’s hard to say.”

Zhang Fenghai said, “Many people have overlooked one truth.”

Xin Ku asked curiously, “What is it?”

Zhang Fenghai, whose Daoist name was “Mud”, quipped, “Straw sandals and wooden clogs were each only one step away from the title of Shared Lord back then.”

————

At the ruins of the ancient battlefield, where the battle between water and fire had ended.

The martial artists had been fighting for a long time, and the outcome had been decided, but the winner had not been able to kill his opponent.

Jiang Shangzhen looked strange, and said to Cui Dongshan, “With all due respect, is Mountain Master really so hard to kill?”

Cui Dongshan waved his jade folding fan with force, blowing strands of hair across his forehead. “You know that it’s disrespectful?”

How difficult was it to defeat a celestial demon? How difficult was it to kill a shard of divinity?

The sum of both of these was once a pseudo-fifteenth realm, and the pinnacle of the latter was the fragment of a ‘One.’

Jiang Shangzhen had just learned some shocking secrets, such as the fact that the First Ancestor of the Strategists had not yet reached his peak. One the one hand, the three martial fortunes in his body were causing trouble, causing Jiang She’s martial arts eleventh realm to be substandard. In addition, Jiang She, had been cut off from the five other martial fortunes, and so Cui Chan’s machinations against the three martial fortunes was something done to make it harder for Jiang She to reconstruct his original body. As such, Jiang She’s current form was just something he used to house his soul, and his vital yin spirit was traveling far away, and recently passed through a Gui Xu passage to the Barbarian Lands.

And this yin spirit was said to be a martial arts grandmaster who had reached the “Divine Arrival”.

It was a name that Jiang Shangzhen had never heard of, Xie Shiji.

According to Cui Dongshan, Xie Shiji was Chen Qingliu’s sister, so would she be Zheng Juzhong’s aunt? Could Zheng Juzhong and Jiang She be considered as family members?

Jiang Shangzhen saw some of the clues in this world, and asked, “Is this ruin real or fake?”

On the battlefield, Jiang She’s fist gales would occasionally “bump” against the ground as if against some kind of ban, and there would be the beautiful scene of glass fragments shattering, revealing an image that was very different from this world, and it would quickly disappear, and the world would quickly return to normal. It was as if this place was pieced together by countless pieces of glass.

Cui Dongshan said, “The fake is naturally fake, but it’s more real than real. Zheng Juzhong has researched the art of炼物 very deeply. Even Gu Can, who has been able to refine a boat of flowing clouds, has only learned a little bit of it.”

Jiang Shangzhen glanced at the tilted Heavenly Pillar, and asked, “How could he do that?”

Cui Dongshan sighed, “We are all located in one of Zheng Juzhong’s stomachs.”

Could the last Zheng Juzhong had already found Xie Shiji in the Barbarian Lands?

Or was he in the Night-Flying Barge, Rhinoceros City?

Jiang Shangzhen was amazed.

Banding together with someone like Zheng Xianjing gave a person a certain sense of security!

What Jiang She was curious about, was whether Chen Qingdu, who was not stingy, had given Chen Ping An, the last Hidden Official, some kind of gift, a reward or something, whatever the name, logically, he should have.

But as long as the person didn’t say it, it would remain a mystery.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Are you not curious as to why my teacher has not married his teacher’s wife, and does not have a formal title?”

Why did Old Sword Immortal break his promise and not visit the Yao residence to be a matchmaker?

Of course it wasn’t that Chen Qingdu felt that helping Chen Ping An with such a thing was beneath him.

Chen Ping An and Ning Yao didn’t get married at the Sword Qi Great Wall, which could be understood, because personal love cannot compare to the life and death of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

But Chen Ping An had returned to his hometown, and Ning Yao and Ascension City had also established themselves in the Five-Colored World. There shouldn’t have been any obstacles preventing them from becoming Daoist partners.

Jiang Shangzhen thought about it, and there only seemed to be one answer, a coward?

Chen Lingjun gave a brilliant explanation. This was the custom in Mountain Master’s hometown, and that the elder brother in the family had to get married before the younger brother could. In our Mountain Master’s eyes, Liu Xianyang was like an elder brother, so he had to pay attention to that. It was fortunate that the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had moved away, otherwise I would be visiting Liu Ke Shui every day.

Cui Dongshan said something strange, “Do you think the little girl named Feng Yuanxiao has a deeper relationship with my teacher’s wife, or with my teacher?”

Jiang Shangzhen shook his head. “I can’t say something like that.”

He only knew that Feng Yuanxiao’s identity was special, and that she was the same age as the Five-Colored World, and by chance, she had become the disciple of Huangting of the Taiping Mountain. Right now, she was in Ascension City.

No matter how much Ning Yao and Chen Ping An loved each other, as long as they didn’t get the formal title, they were not truly partners.

Why wasn’t Chen Ping An in a hurry to propose, when the overall situation in both worlds was already set? Haoran had changed from a world of chaos to a world of peace.

Cui Dongshan was well aware of this, and knew that his teacher had a lot of concerns. He had to plan for his teacher’s wife and Ascension City for tens of thousands of years.

Cui Dongshan then asked, “Let me ask a simpler question. Do you think the Old Scholar and Bai Ye have a lot of karma with my teacher?”

Jiang Shangzhen tentatively said, “A lot?”

Cui Dongshan said with a smile, “Zhou Chief, your brain’s level of brightness is almost catching up with the talented brother from the Righteous Yang Mountain!”

Jiang Shangzhen felt wronged, “These questions should be asked of Jing Qing or Bai Xuandu. Asking me feels like there are hidden secrets.”

Back then, the Confucian Temple found the Five-Colored World and pioneered a path, and then the Old Scholar and Bai Ye, who was holding the Taibai Sword, opened up chaos and separated purity and turbidity, “opening up a new world.”

The Old Scholar earned a great amount of merit, but did not take it for