Xie Junmeng. A powerful, yet self-absorbed, paranoid, even somewhat deranged individual.

Otherwise, why would he, without uttering a single word, immediately resort to using Jiang Wang as a test subject for poison? To gauge the medical skills of Renxin Hall’s Yi Tang, by inflicting harm upon a complete stranger.

He possessed no concept of righteousness or evil, acting solely upon his whims and desires.

Yi Tang dared to pen this letter, and this hooded figure dared to bring it to him. He simply sought to impart a lesson, nothing more.

Whether Yi Tang could detoxify in time, whether this man would survive – these were matters of no import.

During their struggle, his killing intent was fully aroused. He truly unleashed deadly techniques upon this stranger. Yet, he also held the awareness that he himself might perish.

If he died, he would accept it.

But this young man, concealed beneath a hood and cloak, had uttered, “Where forgiveness is due, forgive.”

At that instant, his emotions were a tangle. For the first time, a bewildered expression crossed his pale face.

And Jiang Wang simply pressed his sword hilt and walked away, never once looking back.

His journey eastward was solely for testing his sword, for validating his chosen path.

It was he who had insisted on using Yi Tang’s letter of recommendation as a stepping stone, and he had intended to provoke Xie Junmeng’s wrath.

Although Xie Junmeng’s power and ruthlessness surpassed his expectations, the encounter had indeed maximized the effect of their clash. For him, the objective had been achieved; other matters paled in significance.

Half a year of quiet contemplation in the mountains of Wunangdu had allowed him to settle his past.

From Renxin Hall to Qinku Academy, then to Qingya Academy, and finally to Dongwang Valley, his mindset had undergone a gradual transformation.

He finally understood why Xiang Fengqi had sought to test his sword against the world in the past, and truly grasped the essence of walking an invincible path forward.

Not killing Xie Junmeng, of course, was partly due to the constraints of being in Dongwang Valley.

But even were he not in Dongwang Valley, without any external deterrence, he still would not have slain Xie Junmeng.

No, in fact, it was he himself who had sought this confrontation.

Xiang Fengqi, in his past quest to test his sword against the world, must have faced many who sought to inflict fatal harm, and must have encountered numerous life-or-death crises.

Yet, he had persevered, step by step, ultimately forging a path to become an invincible cultivator of the Dongzhen realm.

Where forgiveness is due, forgive. The key lies not in tolerance, but in composure!

Only by truly controlling victory and defeat, by mastering the situation, can one choose when to fight, when to stop, and to what extent the clash should unfold.

Jiang Wang had shown Xie Junmeng an insurmountable chasm.

Thus, Xie Junmeng was disheartened, as if his spirit had died!

Just then, a voice suddenly resounded in the high heavens—

“Who dares be arrogant in my Dongwang Valley!?”

From above, a silver needle suddenly descended.

The moment this needle appeared in his vision, Jiang Wang felt the dead end!

A path to oblivion.

Irretrievable.

It was the same Dongwang Twelve Needles, the same technique of a single needle suspending life. Yet, this needle truly manifested Dao rules, setting a predetermined outcome of death—Jiang Wang could not possibly withstand it!

But he had no intention of resisting.

He simply pulled down his hood, drawing the face cloth with it.

Instead, he leapt into the air, soaring aloft. Just so, openly and uprightly, he declared in a clear voice: “Great Qi’s Qingyangzi, Jiang Wang!”

He even released his grip on his sword hilt, spreading both hands wide, as if embracing the single needle falling from the high heavens. He displayed an attitude of utter disregard!

He simply asked: “I bear a Blue Card and patrol the Eastern Region. Do you have an opinion?”

I am right here.

I will not resist.

I will do nothing.

Do you dare harm a single hair on my head?

Regardless of the motive behind the attacker’s move, whether to dispel Xie Junmeng’s psychological shadow or simply to be overprotective.

With Jiang Wang revealing his identity, who in Dongwang Valley would dare kill him?

Know that this was in the Eastern Region!

The alliance with Zhu He had been signed years ago. Qi’s Blue Card holders could traverse the Eastern Region without fear!

Although Dongwang Valley was a prominent sect in the world, it lacked the profound foundation of forces like the Dao Gate or the Three Criminal Palaces.

What of the Kurong Court of old? It even claimed to be the third holy land of the Buddha Gate.

Had not the Qi Emperor flattened it with a single hand?

The silver needle that had suddenly appeared in the high heavens abruptly stopped. That terrifying needle of suspended life seemed to have never materialized. That suffocating deterrent dissipated without a trace. Only ripples remained, stirring the clouds at the edge of the sky.

Falling upon Jiang Wang’s body were only gentle sunlight and intermittent breezes.

Enveloping Dongwang Valley at this moment was an unspeakable awkwardness.

Especially for the powerful individual who had made the move. They had initiated the attack, yet they were the ones who had to halt it. An incredibly arrogant move, yet it failed to exert even the slightest deterrence. They were even forced to forcefully retract their attack, lest even a ripple stain Jiang Wang.

In such a defenseless state, Jiang Wang truly could be injured by a brush and killed by a touch. If he died, the responsibility would lie with Dongwang Valley!

But to let him stand in the air, asking arrogantly with no one answering, would inevitably damage Dongwang Valley’s prestige.

Fortuitously, at this moment, an old voice rang out—

“Little Friend Jiang, what brings you leisure today to wander in my Dongwang Valley?”

The speaker was an elder, walking from a distance, stepping into view.

He wore a kind smile, and in just a few steps, he stood before Jiang Wang.

Although Dongwang Valley secretly supported the Shen country and had some friction with Qi, they could also take actions to preserve their independence.

Truly, on the surface, they had no direct opposition with Qi.

Furthermore.

Even when forces like Diaohailou were almost openly contending with Qi for maritime interests, forming the Zhenhai Alliance, had they not still shown deference to Qi?

In the Eastern Region, no one could ignore Qi!

Thus, within Dongwang Valley, attitudes towards Qi were also divided. While maintaining the common premise of upholding the sect’s independent traditions, there were both opposing and friendly factions.

For example, during the incident at Tianya Terrace, to help Jiang Wang save Zhu Biqiong, Hua Ying Palace Master Jiang Wuyou had specifically invited a medical cultivator from Dongwang Valley—precisely this elder surnamed Su standing before him.

Xie Junmeng had delivered a lesson to Jiang Wang at the soul level with the Shocking Dream Needle, and this elder surnamed Su, at that time, had exchanged a moment of returning light for Zhu Biqiong with the Shocking Dream Needle, allowing her to leave “last words.” This led to the later events of her being buried in the Tianfu secret realm and her unexpected return.

Jiang Wang could not forget this favor.

Thus, he also flew down, lightly chuckling: “I merely came to spar with Brother Xie Junmeng; there is no other matter… Had I known Old Su was in the valley, I would have troubled you for a cup of tea!”

“Hahaha.” This elder of Dongwang Valley named Su Chuan burst into hearty laughter: “It’s still not too late to come for tea now.”

Jiang Wang bowed politely: “Then I shall trouble you.”

Su Chuan extended a hand to guide him: “Please, this way!”

The two walked away, chatting and laughing.

As if everything that had happened earlier had never occurred.

Xie Junmeng watched their retreating figures in silence, then turned and walked back into the cellar alone.

“That sword hilt… I should have recognized it sooner,” he thought.

That green robe, within the black cellar, had a light that was as if hidden, yet present, dimly illuminating the surroundings.

Although the principals were silent, discussions about Jiang Wang within Dongwang Valley did not cease.

In a certain medicine garden, several disciples harvesting herbs were still filled with indignation.

“Hey! This one surnamed Jiang is truly arrogant. Who was he questioning just now? If one of our True Persons had made a move, quietly poisoned and killed him, leaving no evidence, what could Qi do?”

“Exactly! Our sect elders didn’t want to stoop to his level. Does he really think he’s exempt from death with a mere broken card?”

“If Senior Brother Ji Xiu were still here, who would need a True Person to make a move? His Nine Death Poison would be enough for that one surnamed Jiang to drink a pot!”

“Senior Brother Ji Xiu… Alas. I still remember he told me before, his purpose in coming to Dongwang Valley was to help others preserve the smiles of their loved ones, to make the world a place with fewer regrets…”

A silence fell upon the medicine garden.

Some individuals whose stories had ended prematurely were once the stars others looked up to.

The cruelty of a story lies precisely here.

And even more cruel is that some genius cultivators born in small countries and cities, because they died too early, will not even have their names mentioned again, like Yang Guo, Jiacheng, and Mo Zichu.

Many people can have stories, but not everyone can live on.

“Speaking of Senior Brother Ji Xiu, when he was lost in the Tianfu secret realm, wasn’t Jiang Wang also involved?”

“Seems so, I don’t quite remember. I need to go back and ask the senior brother in charge of intelligence.”

“If Senior Brother Ji Xiu were still here, this certainly wouldn’t have happened…”

“Hush! If others hear you, they’ll think you’re questioning Senior Brother Xie!”

“Shaohua, why are you not speaking?” someone else asked.

Once ascending Guanhe Terrace, only to regret his defeat to Yongguo’s Beigong Ke, now toiling deep within the medicine garden, slowly turning the soil with a hoe, Jiang Shaohua merely shrugged: “You are all correct.”

Jiang Wang, of course, did not drink tea with Su Chuan for too long. After a while, he took his leave.

Emerging from Dongwang Valley, he was already very close to Qi, but Jiang Wang did not return directly.

Instead, he traveled through the Rong country, over the Zheng country, across the Xingyue Plain… and arrived at Xuankong Temple.

To safely and smoothly complete the spar, he still wore a hood, covered his face with a cloth, and donned a raincoat.

He had visited the mountain gate of Xuankong Temple several times and was already quite familiar with it.

Following the familiar path, he found the reception monk. Casually taking out Yi Tang’s letter of recommendation, he was about to speak, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice—”Junior Brother!”

Jiang Wang deliberately controlled his voice, pushing forward to speak to the reception monk: “This is a letter of recommendation from Renxin Hall’s chief physician, Yi Tang. This humble one is a wandering cultivator, specially come to seek an audience with your esteemed sect…”

An arm was already on his shoulder, turning him around.

Jing Li’s clean-shaven head leaned over: “Hahaha, Junior Brother Jing Shen, you’ve come to see me?”

“Why are you still covering your face?” he said, reaching out and pulling down Jiang Wang’s face cloth, then taking Jiang Wang’s hat and placing it on his own bald head.

His face was full of cheerful smiles.

The reception monk looked at the two of them with a bewildered expression, not understanding what was happening. The junior brother personally certified by Master Jing Li, why was he dressed like this? Why did he need a letter of recommendation from a Renxin Hall cultivator to return to Xuankong Temple?

Jiang Wang quickly covered his face with one hand, his eyes hidden in the gaps between his fingers, and his voice squeezed out from between his teeth: “I have something to attend to today, don’t just shout blindly.”

Monk Jing Li’s expression instantly turned serious.

Turning his head, he said to the reception monk: “You go about your business first; I’ll handle things here. Remember, this person is utterly unimportant. You should quickly forget.”

The reception monk walked away, half understanding, half confused.

Master Jing Li’s Zen profoundness was truly deep!

Am I supposed to remember… or to forget?

On this side, Monk Jing Li leaned close to Jiang Wang’s ear and whispered: “The idle folks have gone away, Junior Brother. What matter do you need to attend to?”

In broad daylight, whispering so close to his ear was far too furtive!

If he truly had some secret mission, wouldn’t you have exposed it on the spot?

Jiang Wang took a step back, somewhat speechless: “How is it that every time, I just happen to run into you?”

Jing Li, wearing the hat, chuckled: “This is called fate.”

As if trying to convince himself, he nodded forcefully: “Buddha fate!”

Jiang Wang sighed and said: “Tell me the truth, I won’t blame you.”

“Alright then.” Jing Li indeed lacked the skill to lie, and with a crestfallen head, he said: “It’s Master. He discovered you were coming back and specially sent me to intercept you.”

Hearing Jing Li say the word “Master,” Jiang Wang instinctively wanted to flee.

But he ultimately stopped.

“Not back, but visiting,” he corrected.

“Right, right, right.” Jing Li nodded madly: “Sanbao Mountain is our home.”

Jiang Wang decided to skip this topic.

“Actually, I came this time…” He said softly to Jing Li: “To challenge the foremost person in your Xuankong Temple’s Outer Building realm, named Jing Hai, I think? Can you help me deceive… I mean, call him out?”

Jing Li looked left and right, saying slyly: “You also don’t like him, huh? I’ve beaten him several times. Wait here, I’ll go bait him over.”

Bait? Jiang Wang didn’t quite understand why Jing Li used the word “bait,” but it didn’t prevent him from quickly stopping Jing Li.

“I’m here to spar, to compare, do you understand? I want to fight him, not beat him.”

Jing Li blinked his eyes: “If you don’t beat him, then why are you fighting him?”

Jiang Wang’s many years of studying history had increased his wisdom, but it was insufficient to help him articulate himself at this moment.

He was, for a moment, unsure how to explain to Jing Li.

But there was no need to explain…

Because a voice abruptly rang out beside his ear!

“Hey! What do I think it is! Still whispering secrets, isn’t it just about a spar? How simple is this matter! You find your Master!”

Jiang Wang almost didn’t manage to take a single step in the Qingyun style, controlling himself from turning his head, and indeed saw Ku Jue’s withered, yellowed old face.

His monk’s robes seemed a bit large, hanging loosely on his body. His face was wrinkled like carved marks. He always gave people a feeling of being windswept and downtrodden.

As if he had never settled down.

As if always wandering.

Even though you clearly knew that behind him stood the world’s Buddhist sect, the Eastern holy land of the Buddha Gate, Xuankong Temple.

At this moment, having eavesdropped on the conversation between his two beloved disciples, he appeared with the grand posture of a savior (in his own estimation).

“Still need someone to write a letter?”

He very artificially, and with great disdain, picked up the letter of recommendation in Jiang Wang’s hand, giving it an arrogant glance: “A nameless junior, which has the face of me, the next abbot of Xuankong Temple, is bigger?”

“Master…” Jing Li carefully reminded him: “Uncle Bitter Disease said last time, it’s best you don’t wander in front of him. Otherwise, he’ll chop you dead…”

“Ha! Ha!” Ku Jue looked at Jing Li, then back at Jiang Wang, letting out two loud “Ha”s, then said: “You see if he dares or not!”

And then he waved his large hand, turned around with great swagger and high spirits: “Walk! Master will arrange everything for you!”