Lord Liu Xiang, a mountain god of considerable station, glanced at the spiraling path that ascended the mountain like a stairway to the heavens. “Lord Wei,” he said, his voice a gentle chime, “Lord Lu, please continue your weighty discourse. We shall simply enjoy our tea.”

Lord Lu, patriarch of the ancient Lu Clan, felt a prickle of discomfort. Chen Pingan, the master of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, was not present. To parley with Wei Bo, the mountain’s steward, was a fruitless endeavor. His journey from afar had been but a gesture, a courtesy extended for the sake of Ma Kuxuan’s heir and Fallen Phoenix Mountain. He had no true business to discuss. Moreover, the mere thought of sharing a table with Zheng Juzhong, that viper of the court, drained his divine essence. Lord Lu had, in his youth, partaken in the Lu Clan’s yearly ancient rites, even donned the robes of an ascending cantor, chanting blessings. The deity who received the burning incense, the very name inscribed upon the holy tablets, was none other than “Liu Xiang” himself.

It seemed, however, that Lord Liu had no intention of letting the matter rest. “There are schools for studying texts, and methods for mastering knowledge,” he remarked, his gaze unwavering. “But even daylight brigandry, roadside ambushes, and murders in shadowy alleys are preferable to one who plays the Buddha by day and the demon by night.”

It was akin to a landlord chastising a tenant before witnesses. Power was inescapable. Lord Lu reluctantly settled into his seat. Liu Xiang and Zheng Juzhong, when they appeared together, inspired dread in all who beheld them.

Chen Lingjun, a disciple of the mountain, was utterly bewildered. He glanced at Wei Yeyou, his companion from Pīyún Mountain, a true comrade in bewilderment, lost in the swirling mists of this conversation.

Wei Bo, on the other hand, was surprised by Liu Xiang’s unexpected appearance in Zheng Juzhong’s company. He wondered if the former was senior to the latter and what “instruction” they sought from Lord Lu.

Upon hearing that the esteemed guests desired tea, Xiao Mīlì, a young sprite, scampered off to boil water, while the immortal Daoist Xian Wei hastened to retrieve wild tea leaves, freshly harvested and roasted by the mountain’s aged cook.

A table was placed at the mountain’s foot. Liu Xiang, with an air of effortless authority, took the seat that faced away from Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Wei Bo, standing in for the absent mountain lord, assumed his position as host. Zheng Juzhong sat opposite him, leaving Lord Lu with the unenviable task of facing Liu Xiang, a lowly seat of honor. A young boy, newly embraced as kin, was too busy grinning foolishly to notice the undercurrents swirling around the table.

Wei Bo harbored no fondness for Lord Lu, but he knew that beings such as Liu Xiang, a high-ranking mountain deity, and Zheng Juzhong, an astrologer versed in the five elements, demanded a reverence far surpassing that given to ordinary cultivators.

To witness Liu Xiang, a manifestation of the very essence of the Celestial Realm, was a rare and profound “seeing of the Way.”

It was like a merchant lamenting his never having seen great wealth, only to then be confronted with the living embodiment of Liu, the God of Prosperity.

Though slightly intimidated by Liu Xiang’s presence, Wei Bo was not entirely silenced. Seeing that the god was inclined to listen, he seized the opportunity to borrow a bit of influence for Chen Pingan and Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Clearing his throat, he resumed the earlier conversation, “‘Qǐ,’ a fine and fitting name.”

The character “qǐ” evoked images of craggy, barren mountains, where vegetation was sparse and life struggled to take root. The mountain folk termed it a “hollow mountain,” akin to “straight water.” Such places, according to the tenets of geomancy, were ill-suited for grand endeavors. They failed to gather vital energy. It was unwise to build a major sanctum upon it. Either the cultivator would drain their spirit to sustain it, or they would need to fill its void with countless foreign objects and treasures. In either case, the cultivator and the sanctuary would be in opposition. Why, then, would anyone purchase such a place?

Lord Lu spoke, “On the surface, this mountain is a mere trifle, unworthy of a cultivator’s attention. However, in the long run, it aligns perfectly with Chen Pingan’s fate.”

Wei Bo scoffed, “Lord Lu, you are a celestial being. Why did you not seize Fallen Phoenix Mountain for yourself? At the very least, the Lu Clan should have cast a wide net. Not only Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Heavenly Metropolis Peak, but also Leaping Fish Crag and Soaring Foothill. Claim a line along the southern border. What could have been easier? Your words ring hollow. I beseech you, Lord Lu, enlighten me.”

In those days, the Empress Nan Zan of the Great Li Dynasty, known by her true name Lu Jiang, was not yet an outcast of the Lu Clan of the Central Continent. She wielded considerable power in the court. At least half of the realm’s spies answered to her command. It was thought to be Emperor’s method of maintaining balance. Xiu Hu governed the affairs of the court. Song Changjing, the Prince of the Frontier, oversaw the border armies. Nan Zan managed the network of spies. All three were riddled with spies from the others. No single faction was permitted to become so dominant as to dictate policy and wield absolute power.

Of a hundred things, history can explain ninety-nine. But there will always be one thing that remains, a creation of new history. It is there for later generations to learn.

Lord Lu shook his head. “It could not be done. I had the desire, but not the power.”

Liu Xiang chuckled, offering an explanation on Lu’s behalf. “Lord Lu was thoroughly chastised by Master Qi. Wracked with guilt and shame, he dared not stretch his reach too far. When Xiu Hu took control of the region, the Lu Clan had to tread carefully. If Lord Lu wishes to establish a base on Heavenly Metropolis Peak, he must first seek Xiu Hu’s permission. If it is granted, then he may disembark on Treasure Bottle Continent. If not, he must return whence he came, and seek another opportunity.”

Chen Lingjun gasped. Xiu Hu, it seemed, was a ruthless character. Yet, during their previous encounter, he had been so amiable. Could it be that the State Preceptor saw the purity of his bones and treated him with such exceptional kindness?

Zheng Juzhong appeared uninterested in the conversation. He merely stared at the table.

Earlier, on the country road, Zheng Juzhong had not intercepted Zhao Shuxia’s inner thoughts. He had only briefly explained to Wei Bo that Liu Xiang wished to see Chen Pingan’s academy. Wei Bo, of course, trusted Zheng Juzhong. However, even if he did not, what could he do? Wei Bo could only wait for Chen Pingan to return, and then broach the subject, leaving the matter to trouble his mountain lord.

Liu Xiang turned to Lord Lu. “That it could not be done is true. But ‘I had the desire, but not the power’ is a mere euphemism. The truth is, you had the power, but lacked the will. I wager that when Cui Chan ascended Heavenly Metropolis Peak and sought you out, he already knew what would happen. He bet that you would not dare to wager. For example, Cui Chan would have deliberately urged you to make a grand gamble. To stake your claim on Treasure Bottle Continent. If successful, he would help you to deal with Zou Zi. But you dared not to gamble. Instead, you became Cui Chan’s eyes, tracking Chen Pingan’s travels, from Treasure Bottle Continent to the sea, to the Sword Qi Great Wall, to Tongye Continent, the Book Brief Lake, and the Northern Entirety Continent. You were a replacement for Lin Zhengcheng, a doorkeeper who received no salary, yet tirelessly served the whims of Cui Chan and the Great Li Dynasty. Lord Lu was even more attentive than them to every encounter between Zou Zi and Chen Pingan.”

Lord Lu remained silent. At this table, the less said, the better.

Wei Bo sighed inwardly. If Lord Lu had dared to gamble in those days, with the backing of the Lu Clan, would the battles of Old Dragon City in the south and the Great Li secondary capital have been even more devastating to the barbarians?

Lord Lu had declined, of course, because he did not believe that Xiu Hu possessed the strength to challenge Zou Zi. Lord Lu was utterly certain that Cui Chan, for all his brilliance, was far too young to stand as Zou Zi’s equal.

Having taken his seat, Lord Lu resolved to make the best of it. While pondering Zheng Juzhong’s true intentions, he inquired, “Was Lord Chen’s journey south of his own volition, or was he guided by a higher power?”

Wei Bo shook his head. “Chen Pingan has never spoken of it.”

Lord Lu had not truly expected an answer from Wei Bo. He had merely hoped that Liu Xiang might offer some insight into the matter.

When Fallen Phoenix Mountain was first established, Chen Pingan had received a land deed from the Great Li Dynasty. However, it was not advisable for him to remain on the mountain for long, for it would deplete his vital energy. At that time, Chen Pingan was at his weakest. Since the mountain’s soil was not yet capable of nourishing him, he could not nourish the mountain either. The best course of action was to leave it for a time. Most believed that the young man’s journey, to deliver a sword to Níng Yáo at the Sword Qi Great Wall, was the sole reason for his departure. Lord Lu, however, saw a deeper layer of the truth. Surely a higher power had guided Chen Pingan, urging him to leave his hometown so hastily.

Chen Lingjun’s expression flickered. Wei Bo’s gaze sharpened. Chen Lingjun looked utterly aggrieved, I’m not an idiot. Why would I tell such a secret to an outsider?

The fact was, Chen Pingan’s southern journey was of great significance. Yang, the old apothecary, had personally sought out Li Xisheng of Fallen Phoenix Mountain to perform a divination. Thus came the saying, “The Great Way lies straight ahead, to the benefit of the south.”

Liu Xiang mused, “Ten thousand years pass, then another ten thousand. A new chapter is written in the annals of humanity. To determine its end and define its beginning is the greatest question for both scholar and cultivator.”

“Speaking solely on this matter, neither the Lu Clan nor the Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest were entirely ignorant. Though there was, to be sure, a measure of accidental discovery.”

“The first trigram of the Book of Changes, which some call the ‘sutra of sutras’ is the Qian trigram. Lord Lu, what are your thoughts on this?”

The esteemed patriarch of the Lu Clan was being examined like a schoolboy by his teacher.

Lord Lu dared not underestimate the gravity of the moment. He carefully weighed his words before speaking slowly. “Host and guest are evenly matched. There are four hidden-and-obvious states.”

“First, only within the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven is there balance between the ancient divine ways and the present Great Way. It is a hidden, almost inverted relationship between host and guest. In contrast, the town, as the place where the True Dragon fell, is a manifest point of contention with the outside world. It is an inversion of the hidden and obvious. The Three Teachings are forced to use four powerful treasures to suppress the True Dragon’s fate.”

“Second, Lord Chen’s pact with the Dragon Lord of the Eastern Sea was one hidden and one manifest.”

“Third, someone at this table and all the others, is one hidden and one manifest. The identity of this ‘someone’ was unknown to all at the time. Even the apothecary, who laid the table, probably did not know who it was for.”

In the past, the town possessed a well sealed with iron chains, used to confine a “wicked dragon”. On a snowy night, the dragon at last found water. In Mud Lane, she secretly forged an equal pact with Chen Pingan, ostensibly becoming Song Jixin’s servant girl. Wang Zhu fed on the fortune of Song Jixin, the Dragon Lord’s descendant. Zhigui stole the qi of Chen Pingan.

“Whether you call it interpreting scripture or deciphering a trigram, Qi Jingchun was the first to truly see through the veil of destiny. But the price he paid was rather steep.”

“Lord Lu’s interpretation takes Heaven as his teacher. It is worthy of second place.”

“Cui Chan ignores ‘people’, focusing solely on ‘events’. He is responsible for tying up the loose ends of the game. Last place becomes a kind of first place.”

After patiently listening to Lord Lu’s interpretation, Liu Xiang smiled and said, “Is that all you have to offer, Lord Lu?”

Zheng Juzhong finally spoke, adding, “It was an open-book exam, no less.”

Seeing Lord Lu at a disadvantage brought a measure of relief to Wei Bo’s heart.

The youth, however, hastily winked at Zheng Juzhong, using a secret language of intent to remind his “nephew” that their target was a Lu, a man who might well be a dignitary of the Central Continent Lu Clan. He was not to indulge in rash words, lest the man bear a grudge. … He must also advise his friend to reign in his fondness for frightening pronouncements, to speak plainly, and not emulate Wei Bo’s habit of making barbed remarks, hinting and insinuating, forever jabbing at the “Lu Clan Head.” … If the “Lu Clan Head” was even distantly related to the “Lu Clan Head” who ranked high on the *Wayfarer’s List*, his friend would be on his own!

Zheng Juzhong chuckled, replying with a mental voice, “How could it be such a coincidence? A Zheng who is Zheng Juzhong, and a Lu who is somehow connected to the Lu Clan?”

Chen Lingjun was beside himself with worry. “You cannot possibly know, but I don’t get along with those of the Lu surname. Please don’t be affected by me… Truth be told, there was one discourteous Daoist of the Lu surname who came to the mountain previously… But let me stop there. Badmouthing people behind their backs isn’t chivalrous. He’s formidable, truly, even if he took a dislike to me. That has no bearing on his greatness. As for who he is, the name… you can simply assume it is someone of high status and immense Daoist cultivation. Just advise your friend not to let me be a factor. Tell him that I, Chen Lingjun, and those of the Lu surname are somehow opposed in our fates. Have him to take care. Being away from home, it isn’t as if you’re debating the Way. There’s no need to argue over words. There are no winners in an argument.”

Zheng Juzhong said, “I relayed the message to my friend. He doesn’t seem to appreciate it. He replied that I was related to someone of high status and asking if it made me to timid.”

Chen Lingjun glared. There was nothing he could say. Liu Xiang sighed helplessly. Surely he had never spoken such words! Zheng, did you become addiced to people becoming your nephew?

As for “fortune-telling”, Chen Lingjun had overheard some conversations between Zheng Dafeng and Xian Wei. The general idea was that a gentleman did not need to have his fortune told. All he needed to do was have a clear conscience, improve his profession, cultivate virtue, and accumulate Daoist power. Like those sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple, who always asked about benevolence when seeking advice from the Supreme Master. They never asked about the Way, because there was no need to ask. The Way was close by, never far away. When one’s learning and cultivation were deep enough, one would naturally be able to know fate. … As they talked, Chen Lingjun had just begun to look at them with respect when they soon revealed their true selves. Zheng Dafeng extended his palm, asking Xian Wei, “You’ve been a fortune-teller for many years. Take a look at your own brother’s palm. How’s his love life? Has he seen any blossoming luck recently? We don’t need to imitate Chief Zhou. We just need to avoid the extremes.”

After some hesitation, Lord Lu gritted his teeth and inquired, “May I ask, Lord Zheng, what is the goal of this stakeout?”

Every cultivator with profound Daoist power was tirelessly and cautiously plotting a path.

Wei She of Ivory Continent and the Fire Dragon True Man of the Northern Entirety Continent had both failed to achieve Daoist union twice. There was also Liu Jubao, the God of Wealth, and the merchant Fan, who each sought the Way through money.

Then there was the Central Continent Ascended Realm great demon who was slain by Bai Ye after leaving the Daoist sanctuary. How difficult was he to deal with? His sanctuary was connected to the Yellow Springs. If he had not desperately sought the Way in vain, how would he have destabilized his Daoist heart and tried to make a desperate gamble, acting in a way that would disturb the natural order in the hopes of achieving Daoist union? He would have disrupted the mortal realm. The boundaries between the ghost and earthly realms in dozens of states would be blurred. Thus came the sword.

Lord Lu’s seemingly understated “extremely difficult” expressed the sentiments of many cultivators.

Lord Lu, of course, feared that another Zou Zi or Zheng Juzhong would be a road block.

Zheng Juzhong answered directly, “Using a book to kill someone.”

Lord Lu could not help but wonder, What book? Who will be killed?

The young Daoist and the black-clothed girl, a pair of skilled and practiced hands, hauled water and brewed tea with practiced efficiency. As they walked quickly toward the house, Xian Wei sighed, “That Daoist from Heaven is definitely an extraordinary person.”

Xiao Mīlì asked curiously, “Why?”

After hesitating, Xian Wei said secretly, “There’s not a trace of humanity about him.”

Xiao Mīlì suddenly understood, “I know. With great Daoist achievement, one must not be contaminated by the mortal world. One must be ethereal, like an immortal. That’s what the books say.”

Xian Wei and Xiao Mīlì looked at each other, understood each other, and laughed out loud at the same time. We’re not good enough. We’re definitely not good enough. We have no celestial demeanor. Not by a longshot.

Entering the house, Xian Wei exclaimed, “Oh? The tin jars are all empty. The tea leaves are all gone.”

Zheng Dafeng, who had appeared at some point, leaned against the door, feigning innocence. “Could it be that we were robbed? Stealing tea instead of gold and silver? What a cultured thief.”

Xian Wei was at a loss. Zheng Dafeng slapped his forehead. “I remember now. Grandmaster Wen has been brewing tea for himself lately. He praises the tea leaves.”

Xiao Mīlì said, “Don’t panic. Don’t panic. I’ll ask Elder Warm Tree for emergency assistance.”

Zheng Dafeng chuckled lazily, “Just have Xian Wei take out the best tea leaves in the house. Don’t be too serious. Making a fuss makes us seem like we’re fawning. A passing woodcutter can drink it, so why can’t a visiting god?”

Xiao Mīlì glanced at Xian Wei, who nodded. Zheng Dafeng’s idea was better. “That’s what we’ll do!”

While Xiao Mīlì ran off to boil water, Xian Wei asked curiously, “Brother Dafeng, that Daoist Lu. He wouldn’t happen to be the Lu of the Central Continent Lu Clan, would he?”

Daoist Xian Wei was not the idiot Chen Lingjun. Zheng Dafeng nodded and smiled, “Heaven, God, such a big title, such a big name. It should have a bigger surname to match. Only then can it be suppressed. Lord Lu’s surname is Lu, and he is in charge of the entire family, all the people surnamed Lu. Well, those on the wall don’t count, since Lord Lu hasn’t reached the fourteenth level yet. Besides, even if he achieves Daoist union one day, he still doesn’t seem to be able to control our brother Lu, who is just a fortune teller.”

It was a pity that Xian Wei had arrived a little later. Otherwise, Zheng Dafeng would have dragged him to kowtow to Lu Chen every day. These sorts of things were worth seeing.

“Patriarch of the Lu Clan, Ascended Realm?!” Xian Wei clicked his tongue. “I’ve seen a great person.”

Zheng Dafeng said with a smile, “You’ve seen a great person.”

Xian Wei said with emotion, “I’ve really learned a lot since settling down here.”

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his chin and looked up at the sky with a smile. “When the heavens send out the killing intent, dragons and snakes rise on the land. When people send out the killing intent, heaven and earth are overturned.”

Xian Wei patiently waited for Xiao Mīlì to boil water. Casually he said, “I think the wind and clouds come from heaven, and the gentleman respectfully stops it. Dragons and snakes rise on the land, and heroes emerge. There is a vibrant life force.”

Zheng Dafeng crossed his arms and lowered his gaze to the courtyard. “You’re right. I’ll take your word for it. I’m just a martial artist. You’re a serious Daoist. What you say is always more reliable than what I say.”

The spreading of the Three Sects was a confluence. Fallen Phoenix Mountain will not be an exception.

Xian Wei smiled and said nothing. Dafeng always liked to say strange things. He was too thin-skinned to accept it.

Zheng Dafeng sighed.

Logically speaking, the Central Continent Lu Clan had originally had an opportunity to cooperate with Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

The problem was that a good thing became difficult when the person involved was incompetent, liking to think they were being clever.

Wu Shou of Bag Company had run into problems with both Cui Chan in Treasure Bottle Continent and Chen Pingan in Tongye Continent. The Ancestor Zhang Zhi had personally appeared to resolve the situation.

Lu Wei’s long planning in Li Zhu Cave was the same situation for the yin and yang family of the Lu Clan, or rather, Patriarch Lu Shen. Would Lu Shen make amends, or would he add a snake’s tail?

When the heavens dozed off, some visitors knocked on the door and asked questions directly. Some knew to stand outside and wait.

The Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest was very steady, even if they had detected changes in the heavens. They still had to be patient and dare not act rashly.

At most, they would secretly send a concubine, Jiang Yun, to seek opportunities and test the waters. They would never bet their entire fortune on it.

They even set up a screen and moved Liu Laocheng of Book Brief Lake to block disasters. In any case, the first wild cultivator in Treasure Bottle Continent to reach the upper five realms in nearly a thousand years must have a lot of fortune. The master-student relationship between Liu Laocheng and Jiang Yun was like a wall in front of a house in the mountains, able to ward off evil spirits for the Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest.

Although Lu Wei had proposed a cooperation with Chen Pingan in the Great Li Imperial Palace, Lu Wei’s proposal at that time seemed too insincere. He was simply treating Chen Pingan as a fool.

Chen Pingan had revealed the secret, exposing the Lu family’s plan to select a mountain corresponding to Fallen Phoenix Mountain through Earth Mirror Scroll for the purpose of surveying the meridians of the three yuan and nine movements, and the six jia zhi symbols.

It could be used to survey the geography and observe the celestial phenomena. Perhaps this was Lord Lu’s way to break through the barrier set by Zou Zi, “imitate the heavens and earth”, and finally achieve the fourteenth level.

Previously, Zheng Qingjia had come to Fallen Phoenix Mountain to find Xiao Mo to “recognize her ancestors”. Zheng Dafeng answered some of her questions, but the latter was too knowledgeable and could not infer more about the inner details. For example, the three souls and seven spirits were linked to life and death. Mortal beings in the mortal realm had perfect souls and spirits. Their forms and spirits were in harmony. Therefore, when a person died, the soul would ascend to heaven and the spirit would fall to earth. They would each get what they deserved. Thus, a series of sacrificial rituals and incense gates were derived to seek for the gods to dwell in temples and the spirits to be buried in tombs, so that they could receive sacrifices and incense offerings respectively. The old site of the ancient Heavenly Court, the position of God existed forever, and for thousands of years, it had never been absent due to the collapse of the heavenly way. Zhou Mi ascended to heaven and became the Lord of God.

Old Man Yang, or rather, Youthful Celestial Monarch, one of the twelve high-ranking gods, was holding a flying platform as a smokescreen. The place where the True Dragon fell was still a smokescreen to disturb the heavenly secrets. Even the old sword bar hanging under the bridge was still a smokescreen. The truth that Old Man Yang was really trying to cover up was the restoration of the divine way, creating half a one in the world, “he” or “she”, would always enter Fallen Phoenix Mountain in the west, and finally corresponded to the old site of the ancient Heavenly Court that had hung high for countless thousands of years, heaven and earth.

That was why Old Man Yang had asked Chen Pingan why he had chosen Fallen Phoenix Mountain, that “birdshit” place.

After a moment of silence, Zheng Dafeng suddenly asked, “Xian Wei, when you are alone at night, close your book, and think about life, do you ever feel that Fallen Phoenix Mountain has bad intentions and is treating you as a valuable treasure?”

The young Taoist was energetic and said from the bottom of his heart, “I can’t ask for more!”

He could not have imagined that such an answer would be given. Zheng Dafeng was stunned and could not help but ask, “Why?”

Xian Wei laughed and raised his chin toward the little ear reporting god of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, who had been listening all along. “We are not very clever. Xiao Mili, please help to answer the questions.”

Xiao Mili had talked to Taoist Xian Wei a lot and understood the doorman’s way of thinking the most. “You have to be a valuable treasure first before people will try to sell you for a good price. The reason is simple and easy to understand!”

Xian Wei raised his thumb to Xiao Mili and said with a smile, “And I believe in you.”

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Don’t you believe in Chen Pingan?”

Xian Wei said with a洒然, “I dare not fully believe how kind the Mountain Lord treats me. I have been in the world for some years and I really dare not easily trust anyone. It takes a long time to see the truth. But over the years, I have seen how the Mountain Lord treats you and how you treat the Mountain Lord. Since I know it in my heart, I have nothing to worry about. I just sleep peacefully, diligently watch the door, honestly earn money, and seriously cultivate the Dao.”

Zheng Dafeng smiled, “Is it because you are used to being hungry and afraid of being poor? You will be afraid until you know the truth when you are old. It turns out that you have been a bitter and cheap life in a匣钵 all your life. Not to mention those who were smashed and thrown into Old Porcelain Mountain, some porcelain went to the mountain and to the imperial family. The rich and noble families of the princes and generals are always entering the hall. Besides, even the fragments of Old Porcelain Mountain were originally well-made by the official kilns.”

Xian Wei stopped talking.

Zheng Dafeng asked, “Do you have a different opinion?”

Xian Wei chuckled softly, “I always feel that heaven and earth is a匣钵, and we are all匣钵. As for the so-called exquisite porcelain, it can be people’s kindness, full of green mountains, and green water. It can be the carefree of children, the longevity of the elderly, and lovers finally getting married.”

Zheng Dafeng did not know how to refute for a while.

Xiao Mili was confused, “That immortal, is he from the Central Continent Lu Clan? That’s a big surname. Is he still the Patriarch? He doesn’t seem to be very rich or domineering.”

Zheng Dafeng came back to his senses and said lazily, “Change the place and see if his momentum is heavy enough to scare people to death. It’s just that Fallen Phoenix Mountain is full of iron bones and does not care about this.”

Xian Wei was a little regretful and said softly, “If I had known his identity earlier, I would not have reported the name.”

The people at the table did not use telepathy. Zheng Dafeng heard it clearly and said casually, “I heard a metaphor that the Central Continent Lu Clan is the Imperial Observatory of the Confucian Temple and the Vast Heaven.”

“The Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest, which moved from Central Continent to Treasure Bottle Continent, was once a hereditary Confucian priest. The ancestors of the Central Continent Lu Clan were also 太卜, one of the six officials of the ancient Confucian Temple.”

“To use a not very appropriate analogy, the Cloud Forest Jiang Clan is dedicated to saying good things to God, and the Lu Clan is responsible for trying to figure out the meaning of every word of God, interpreting and rephrasing.”

Hearing this, Xiao Mili asked in confusion, “Does God speak? What accent does he have?”

Zheng Dafeng rubbed his chin. Xiao Mili’s question was much more difficult to answer than the question of the Immortal Zheng Qingjia.

Xian Wei could not help but smile and explained casually, “Thunder and rain, wind and water, are all God talking to the world.”

Xiao Mili’s eyes lit up and she nodded, “It’s easier to understand with this explanation!”

Zheng Dafeng was a little helpless. No wonder they could talk to each other the most.

Xian Wei asked tentatively, “Brother Dafeng, am I really a genius in cultivation? Is it because our Mountain Lord has unique vision, so he values me especially?!”

It would be fine if he could not get a coveted early start. If he could step back and be stable, and earn a late success, it would not be a loss.

Xian Wei immediately became active and reached out his palm. “Brother Dafeng always says that he is proficient in palmistry and is better than my scammers. Take a closer look and see if I have the qualifications to establish a sect?”

Zheng Dafeng put away his thoughts and looked at him sideways, “Why, you already have plans to abandon Fallen Phoenix Mountain, form a gang, and establish your own sect? If so, it is better to choose a day than to strike the sun and choose the Lord Lu’s Heavenly Capital Peak. I think it is more suitable.”

Xian Wei panicked, his face flushed red, and he was ashamed. “How could that be? I’m just asking if I have the qualifications to be a land immortal. I want to know if I can become a talent. It would be best if I can, but it doesn’t matter if I can’t. Brother Dafeng, don’t misunderstand!”

Xian Wei knew his own limits. He was not the material to establish a sect. As for cultivation, he had read those Daoist books over and over again, but he could only recognize the words.

Zheng Dafeng changed the subject and said without reason, “Taoist Xian Wei, are you interested in writing your own book?”

The Taoist smiled and said, “It’s better to borrow a book than to buy a book, and it’s better to read a book than to write a book!”