(Forgive my tardiness in presenting this tale.)

Ink Splash Peak, one of the few prominent mountains in the Joyous Union Mountain range, stood unclaimed. Once, there were those who sought to establish a Daoist sanctuary there, but the Lord Yu, in his capricious boredom, would toss magical artifacts towards the peak as if playing a game of pitch-pot with a rain-inducing banner. The resulting impacts caused landslides and fissures across the mountain, leaving it riddled with craters and cracks resembling spiderwebs.

Daoist masters, often blessed with ageless appearances, were exemplified by Cheng Qian. This venerable being, with five centuries of Daoist experience, wore a celestial robe of the highest quality and carried an ancient, gilded bell at his waist. With each revolution of his internal energy, the grandeur of rising suns, setting moons, and shifting constellations manifested. However, Cheng Qian had cast an illusion, appearing to mid-tier cultivators as merely a youthful Daoist in a blue robe.

The two Daoist Lords Zhao and Yu, bound by matrimony, had three daughters and one son. Yu Zhen, the Joyous Union Mountain’s presumptive heir, held his breath in the presence of a terrestrial immortal skilled in water, fire, and lightning. In a one-on-one duel, the current leader of the Golden Citadel Sect was a formidable opponent, having fought a Golden Core demonic swordsman to a standstill on the battlefield of the Great Li capital, earning great renown. The Emperor of Azure Apricot Kingdom had invited Cheng Qian to become a Protector-General, an offer he thrice declined.

Fu Qi, adorned in a dark green serpent-patterned robe, held greater interest in the female sword immortal from Heavenly Census Prefecture.

Old Dragon City and the Golden Citadel Sect of Azure Apricot Kingdom had no history of interaction, neither favor nor animosity. He believed a Daoist immortal would not simply slay him for standing beside Yu Zhen.

During their journey, Yu Zhen had briefed him on the situation at Joyous Union Mountain. Their stop at Ink Splash Peak was to allow Yu Zhen to remove the serpent robe, bestowed upon him by the clan’s ancestral hall.

Cheng Qian smiled faintly. “Trouble yourself to inform Lord Yu and Lady Zhao that this humble Daoist will forego the celebrations in the mountains tonight, lest I disturb the esteemed guests’ revelry.”

Indeed, it would be like a band of bandits celebrating their spoils when a magistrate arrives to apprehend them—nothing short of a mood-killer.

Cheng Qian continued, “Only one of the three jade seals, the Heir-Apparent Seal, must be entrusted to me to return to the capital tonight. The other two need not be rushed. If the two Lords of Joyous Union Mountain find it difficult to part with them, consider them loaned by His Majesty as desk ornaments. However, they must be returned to the Azure Apricot Kingdom’s imperial family no later than the end of the monsoon season this year. Young Master Yu, I shall await news here for half an hour. If Joyous Union Mountain fails to deliver the Heir-Apparent Seal, I shall personally ascend the mountain and retrieve all the seals, saving Zhao Fuyang a trip to the capital.”

Yu Zhen wore a wry smile, and even Fu Qi, as an outsider, sensed something amiss.

The Liu family of Azure Apricot Kingdom had evidently resolved to sever ties with Joyous Union Mountain.

Joyous Union Mountain consisted of the upper and lower peaks: Fallen Kite Mountain and Azure Mist Manor, presided over by Zhao Fuyang; and Black Vine Mountain and Powder Pill Manor, governed by Yu Chunzhi. There were also two mountain god shrines, with Li Ting being the mountain god of Black Vine Mountain.

Previously, Joyous Union Mountain’s asking price for the three seals was the formal consecration of the mountain gods of Fallen Kite and Black Vine Mountains, granted by the Emperor of Azure Apricot Kingdom with the same level of ceremony as an imperial sacrifice to a great mountain, including the construction of shrines. This was, of course, an exorbitant demand that Emperor Liu could never truly accept, but such was the nature of negotiation. In truth, the two parties had secretly agreed to allow a Minister of Rites to consecrate the two mountains, but were stalled on the issue of who would fund the construction of the shrines.

Yu Zhen hesitated, his voice slightly hoarse. “Must the Real Person make things difficult for a junior who has yet to reach his doorstep?”

“It is fate, or perhaps Heaven’s will, that I should encounter you at Ink Splash Peak. Where is the difficulty in conveying a message? Surely, Young Master Yu would not deny me such a small courtesy? Or do you believe that your association with the Yan Yu Hall branch of the Fu family of Old Dragon City makes you superior? If I recall correctly, the Yan Yu Hall branch is known for raising idlers, forbidden by ancestral decree from holding positions in immortal palaces or secular dynasties without success in imperial examinations or military campaigns.”

The venerable, yet youthful Daoist was clearly reprimanding Fu Qi, too, for his supposed lack of ambition.

Fu Qi was unfazed, his curiosity piqued. What support had the Liu Emperor of Azure Apricot Kingdom acquired to make Cheng Qian disregard even the Fu family of Old Dragon City?

The head of the Fu clan, Fu Qi, though retired from his post as lord of Old Dragon City, was now a Jade Prime realm cultivator with two and a half immortal artifacts. The Golden Citadel Sect could not compare to the Fu family of Old Dragon City in terms of cultivation, wealth, or connections.

Of course, the Yan Yu Hall branch was only one of the Fu family’s six branches and, as Cheng Qian had said, was relatively unproductive. The ancestral hall meeting, attended by twenty to forty people, had only one chair designated to a Yan Yu Hall member, a symbol of their irrelevance.

Yet, even if the Yan Yu Hall branch lacked influence within the family, it was not to be lightly challenged by a Golden Citadel Sect, none of whose peaks had been overseen by a Nascent Soul cultivator for over three centuries.

Cheng Qian waved his hand dismissively. “Half an hour is ample time for Young Master Yu to confer with the two Lords. Remember, whether the matter succeeds or fails, let this humble Daoist have a definitive answer.”

Yu Zhen, clad in hemp sandals, sighed and bowed in farewell. “This junior shall return to the mountain and convey your message, Real Person.”

As they rode the wind towards Joyous Union Mountain, Yu Zhen, accompanied by Fu Qi, wore a somber expression. “Apologies for the spectacle.”

Fu Qi chuckled. “Yu Brother overestimates himself. If one seeks a spectacle, look no further than the Fu family of Yan Yu Hall.”

Yu Zhen jested, “Oh, there are others. The sword immortals of True Yang Mountain, for instance.”

Fu Qi clutched his collar with one hand and performed a hand seal, storing the serpent robe within his sleeve. “That old Real Person seems to be a numerologist, his Daoist practices are quite diverse.”

Fu Qi was not referring to the ancient arts of geomancy but to the art of divination. Numerologists were skilled in calculations and astronomy but held a low status among scholars, much like merchants. The saying, “If one plus one must always equal two, then what of refining Qi, objects, and elixirs?” was used to mock them.

Yu Zhen was puzzled. “What makes you say that?”

Fu Qi said, “If I didn’t know you two were at odds, I’d suspect Cheng Qian and the two Lords were of the same lineage.”

Yu Zhen retorted impatiently, “Quit speaking in riddles.”

Fu Qi explained, “The grand and ceaseless flow of Daoist power within Cheng Qian’s robe is a breathtaking sight, far beyond the realm of ordinary magical treasures. It may well be a treasure of the Golden Citadel Sect’s ancestral hall, hidden from public knowledge. It surpasses even the Fiery Stream Golden Bell at his waist and perhaps even the legendary Qingjing Spirit Talisman, said to command ghosts and deities. If I am not mistaken, the robe itself is a celestial tome.”

Yu Zhen asked, “You can see through a terrestrial immortal’s illusion?”

Fu Qi chuckled. “A family trick.”

The yin and yang energies of the Real Person Cheng Qian’s robe faintly revealed the vastness of the void, with rising and falling, ascending and descending, never-ending movement. Pure and turbid energies intertwined to form mountains, rivers, winds, rain, snow, and frost.

Yu Zhen scoffed, “What does that have to do with numerology? Fu Qi, you are truly exasperating. You scholars are worthless aside from the contents of your books.”

Fu Qi revealed the crux of the matter, “Cheng Qian’s robe encompasses the heavens and the earth, extolling the spirits. The key is that the seven luminaries rotate to the right, making it clear that it’s a very old treasure, perhaps even older than the Golden Citadel Sect itself.”

Yu Zhen exclaimed in frustration, “What are you talking about?!”

Fu Qi sighed helplessly. “It’s tiring being friends with a barbarian like you.”

He patiently explained the concept of the seven luminaries, also known as the seven planets—the sun, the moon, and the five planets of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The distinction between left and right rotation led to a quarrel at the peak of Mighty Mountain. The Confucianists and numerologists argued endlessly over the rotation of the seven luminaries. The early majority opinion favored right rotation, but a later scholar changed the situation, making left rotation the official stance. Thus, Fu Qi deduced that Cheng Qian’s Daoist robe, displaying right rotation, was very old. Cultivators found this arcane knowledge difficult to grasp, but Fu Qi, born into the wealthy and idle Yan Yu Hall branch, had the opportunity to learn such seemingly unimportant subjects.

Some aspects, such as the possibility that Cheng Qian’s robe could open paths to the underworld, remained unsaid.

Fu Qi reminded, “Yu Brother, when you reach your uncle and aunt, tell them I’m a rogue cultivator from Cloudsoar Dynasty.”

Yu Zhen nodded. “Just remember not to catch my sister’s eye. I am giving you friendly advice.”

Back at Ink Splash Peak, Zhang Caiqin asked, “Uncle Cheng, will Zhao Fuyang truly hand over the Heir-Apparent Seal?”

The youthful-looking Daoist confidently replied, “Ordinarily, he would deem my words a bluff and disregard them, forcing me to personally visit Joyous Union Mountain. Tonight, however, with Joyous Union Mountain at its height, Zhao Fuyang and Yu Chunzhi will be filled with uncertainty and fear.

If Zhao Fuyang remained obstinate, he would have no choice but to rid his sect of a traitor.

Fu Qi’s jest had struck true. Zhao Fuyang had indeed been a disciple of the Golden Citadel Sect, favored by an ancestor who had personally imparted a secret Daoist formula. However, due to his demonic origins, Zhao Fuyang had never risen to the inner circle of the ancestral hall. A later incident caused Zhao Fuyang to angrily depart from the Golden Immortal Temple branch of Clear Serenity Peak.

Clear Serenity Peak was the ancestral mountain of the Golden Citadel Sect, its leadership controlled by the Golden Immortal Temple. Only with Cheng Qian had Serene Bloom Peak come to the fore.

Zhao Fuyang, born as a mountain python, had gained fortune at the Golden Immortal Temple. After achieving enlightenment, he had left the Golden Citadel Sect to become a wandering immortal. He sought to gather the dragon aura of fallen imperial seals to enhance his Daoist practice, hoping to attain the Golden Immortal status spoken of by the Clear Serenity Peak branch. Then, Zhao Fuyang could transform into a dragon without needing to cross a river, escaping the Joyous Union Mountain.

A Nascent Soul realm mountain dragon could roam freely across the Treasure Bottle Continent.

Cheng Qian glanced at the younger generation by his side, a hint of approval in his eyes. “With that great figure’s promise to attend the ceremony, Azure Apricot Kingdom has nothing to fear.”

The old Real Person narrowed his eyes at the distant silhouette of Joyous Union Mountain. “If our Azure Apricot Kingdom’s borders were besieged by such unworthy creatures, demons and ghosts, daring to call themselves the Little Book Scroll Lake, defiling the land, it would be unacceptable. Fortunately, the mid-year ceremony is still some time away, or I would be ashamed to meet that Chen Yin Guan.”

Zhang Caiqin nodded.

If Chen Ping An visited the Azure Apricot Kingdom’s capital for the mid-year ceremony, the existence of such a place could not be hidden.

In short, it was her accidental meeting with the young Mountain Lord at a pawn shop that had led to the invitation to attend the Azure Apricot Kingdom’s crown prince’s coming-of-age ceremony. The Liu Emperor of Azure Apricot Kingdom and Protector-General Cheng Qian had then resolved to join forces with the Zhang family of Heavenly Census Prefecture and coordinate with the other two kingdoms to cleanse Joyous Union Mountain.

If Joyous Union Mountain thought Cheng Qian’s appearance was solely for the three jade seals, they were sorely mistaken.

Cheng Qian gazed at Joyous Union Mountain. “The common saying describes a hard road as ‘three inches of dust in sunshine, a street of mud in rain.'”

Zhang Caiqin knowingly smiled. “Then we must sprinkle the streets with clean water and pave them with yellow earth.”

All for the esteemed arrival of the Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s Chen Yin Guan.

Cheng Qian asked, “Caiqin, your persuasion of this person to visit the capital is a great accomplishment. Hong Yangbo’s letter was vague; could you elaborate?”

This Mountain Lord was not known to be easily swayed.

Zhang Caiqin looked awkward. “I must be honest, Uncle Cheng. It was pure luck, stemming from his past visits to Azure Coin Alley and a friendship with Uncle Hong.”

Cheng Qian smiled, asking no further.

But speaking of the young Yin Guan, the old Real Person couldn’t help but think of that young woman with a bun during the capital battlefield.

If that “Zheng Qian”, or Chen Yin Guan’s senior disciple, Pei Qian, were to appear in the town, what would the two lords of Joyous Union Mountain do?

On the Joyous Union Mountain side, Powder Pill Manor on Black Vine Mountain was home to the Garden of Pain’s Passing, the private retreat of Lady Yu Chunzhi.

Lords Zhao and Yu personally escorted their esteemed guest to this place, with a giant snow coin acting as a spirit wall.

As he bypassed the spirit wall, Qin Que cast a sidelong glance, noting its width but also its thinness.

Yu Chunzhi had traveled to Book Scroll Lake and was acquainted with Tian Hujun, a female cultivator from Green Gorge Island.

At that time, Tian Hujun had yet to form her Golden Core and was merely a Crossing the Dragon Gate realm cultivator, second to the Liu Zhimao’s eldest disciple.

The eldest disciple was unlucky, meeting a master who summarily killed him, without censure from Liu Zhimao.

Now, Tian Hujun was the island lord of Bare Scale Island, a Golden Core cultivator of Book Scroll Lake.

But compared to the disciple surnamed Gu, she was incomparable. He was now a direct disciple of White Emperor City’s Zheng Juzhong, favored by the immortal Han Qiaose.

Seated in the reception hall, Qin Que saw wood carvings of the three Star Gods and a little immortal child stood on the beams.

Yu Chunzhi had dismantled a magnificent ancestral hall from a mortal clan and transplanted it to Black Vine Mountain.

The names Fallen Kite and Black Vine had been altered. Fallen Kite had been the mountain of a great nation’s crown prince. Black Vine Mountain had once been the grand residence of a county lord.

The two lords and their guest chatted about the recent happenings of Treasure Bottle Continent.

For example, Spirit Flight Temple, located in the neighboring country of Cloudsoar Dynasty, had been elevated to a Daoist palace, following the example of the Guangfu Zen Temple.

Qin Que’s master was the True Realm Sect’s Chief Liu.

How many Sect-titled institutions were on Treasure Bottle Continent, including the Guangfu Zen Temple and Spirit Flight Temple?

Yu Chunzhi jested, “Qin Brother, Old Man Liu has become an immortal, surely he aspires to ascend to the Great Dao. Is it possible for True Master Liu to take over as Sect Master of the True Realm Sect?”

Qin Que laughed without answering. Such a topic was too dangerous.

Zhao Fuyang drank tea from Fallen Kite Mountain and said, “I heard that the Abbot of Guangfu Zen Temple recently held a grand ceremony. Fallen Phoenix Mountain sent a couplet. Guangfu Temple placed it with a couplet from Central Earth’s Mysterious Void Temple.”

Qin Que nodded with composure.

If possible, Qin Que would never want to see that Chen again.

Yu Chunzhi said, “They say the abbot is profound, with the stories of Patching a Monk’s Robe With Cloud and Releasing the Tiger Back to the Mountain, known throughout the continent. There is another story, though not well-known in the Treasure Bottle Continent, that I only heard from Fuyang. The Great Li Emperor summoned the monk for a sermon, but as they walked through the imperial gardens, the birds flew away, and the foxes and rabbits fled.”

“The Great Li Emperor asked, ‘I have heard that enlightened monks travel through the mountains, and wild beasts are not only undisturbed but become guardians. Why is it different today?'”

“And guess what? The old monk replied, ‘This humble monk enjoys killing.'”

“Qin Brother, you are knowledgeable. Is this story true?”

Qin Que nodded. “I overheard my master mention it. It is true. My master also said that the Great Li State Preceptor was present and remarked, ‘Monks do not have so many inner demons to kill. Is this not courting future troubles?'”

Yu Chunzhi paused, unsure of the meaning. She turned to her husband.

Zhao Fuyang pondered, then nodded. “These truly are words of immortals in the clouds, incomprehensible.”

Yu Chunzhi brought up True Yang Mountain.

To not laugh at the sword immortals of True Yang Mountain was not to truly be enjoying oneself.

The three of them were like rich people in a remote county talking about the wealthiest person in the land.

Qin Que was just a Crossing the Dragon Gate realm cultivator. With only that level of cultivation, he would not receive such respect from the lords of Joyous Union Mountain. With the combined strength of Zhao Fuyang and Yu Chunzhi, killing a Golden Core cultivator was not impossible.

Yu Chunzhi was acquainted with Tian Hujun, while Zhao Fuyang and Qin Que were friends. Zhao Fuyang had considered settling in Book Scroll Lake, but his cultivation methods did not align with Book Scroll Lake, and Book Scroll Lake was dangerous. He did not dare to occupy an island and cultivate. After a century, Zhao Fuyang could not have imagined that Qin Que could become a True Realm Sect cultivator.

The Fourth Miss and the mountain god Li Ting appeared outside the hall.

She removed her veiled hat, revealing a face similar to Yu Chunzhi’s.

Yu Chunzhi introduced, “Qin Brother, this is our youngest, Zhao Yan. Her father dotes on her, and I fear she would be expelled from her husband’s house and return home crying. It would be embarrassing.”

The woman greeted, “Zhao Yan greets Uncle Qin.”

Qin Que replied, “I have heard that Fourth Miss has a talent for Daoist cultivation. She is already in the Cave Mansion realm. Joyous Union Mountain should find a husband for her and not let her marry far away.”

Li Ting greeted, “I have seen Immortal Master Qin.”

Recorded in a small book was list of people it was unwise to offend.

Qin Que and his junior brother Chao Zhe were on the list, albeit low down.

About ten percent of the names were from Book Scroll Lake.

Of course, Tian Hujun and other Golden Core cultivators were not included.

Zhao Fuyang said, “Li Ting, there are no outsiders here. Speak.”

Li Ting said, “The attitude of Zhang Yujiao and Jin Lu is noncommittal. They have not said they will force their way up the mountain. They are now in the town at the foot of the mountain.”

Zhao Fuyang introduced the two cultivators to Qin Que.

Yu Chunzhi said, “Those two are worthy of being sect cultivators. They are sightseeing and flirting in the Joyous Union Mountain region.”

Zhao Fuyang said, “Zhang Yujiao is a mid-tier sword cultivator and should not be underestimated. If something happens to him, the Zhang family of Heavenly Census Prefecture will not give up. Li Ting, issue an order that as long as they do not climb the mountain, they are not to be provoked in the town.”

Li Ting acknowledged, “This official obeys.”

Yu Chunzhi said, “Yan’er, how does the young sword immortal look?”

Zhao Yan sat down and said, “He’s quite good-looking.”

If Qin Que was not present, they would not be talking like this.

After a cup of tea, Zhao Fuyang looked outside and saw two figures. “You are willing to come back.”

It was Yu Zhen and Fu Qi.

Yu Chunzhi immediately said, “Yu Zhen rarely comes home, and you give him that look. You disapprove of him because he isn’t your son?”

Zhao Fuyang said, “If Yu Zhen were my son, he would be beat until he didn’t laze around all year and share in the affairs of the two manors.”

Yu Zhen was embarrassed. Zhao Fuyang had been a good father and teacher to him, imparting his knowledge without reserve.

Yu Chunzhi asked, “Who is this young man?”

Yu Zhen introduced, “A friend, surnamed Yan, a rogue cultivator from Cloudsoar Dynasty. He went through the Strange Autumn Wind Shrine with me.”

Zhao Fuyang said, “You have a good name. If you can truly be like that, you are a small immortal.”

Fu Qi greeted, “This junior greets Lord Zhao and Lady Yu.”

Yu Zhen had been to Book Scroll Lake and knew Tian Hujun and Qin Que, so he said, “Just now at Ink Splash Peak, Cheng Qian and Zhang Caiqin appeared. The old Real Person wants Father to hand over the three seals tonight and return the rest of the two seals to the Liu family of Azure Apricot Kingdom by the end of the rainy season this year. If Joyous Union Mountain does not agree, within half an hour, Cheng Qian will ascend the mountain.”

Qin Que remained expressionless.

Zhao Fuyang frowned.

Yu Chunzhi said, “Has Cheng Qian gone mad? Or does he have to give the Zhang family of Heavenly Census Prefecture an explanation? Cheng Qian must be personally ascend the mountain? Yu Zhen, have you seen the Zhang family of Heavenly Census Prefecture or the Azure Apricot Kingdom’s court cultivators? Are there Cheng Qian’s soldiers hidden nearby?”

Yu Zhen shook his head. “It seems to be just Cheng Qian and Zhang Caiqin.”

Yu Chunzhi laughed. Were they going to fight Joyous Union Mountain with just two of them, Zhang Yujiao, and Jin Lu in the town?

Zhao Fuyang narrowed his eyes. “Something is amiss. Cheng Qian is the most pragmatic and would not stand up for the Zhang family of Heavenly Census Prefecture.”

Cheng Qian was a fox who was good at calculation. Why did Cheng Qian, who had only formed a Golden Core a few years ago, take over as sect leader?

Yu Chunzhi asked, “Is Zhang Qiong hiding in the dark?”

Zhao Fuyang began to contemplate. “If it really is, then I will make a trip to Ink Splash Peak.”

Yu Zhen excused himself to arrange accommodation for Fu Qi.

Zhao Yan followed him out of the reception hall. Yu Zhen asked, “Where’s the Third?”

Zhao Yan smiled. “Third Sister is busy dressing up.”

Yu Zhen asked no more.

On the mountain, in a place with divine earth energy, there was a hot spring.

Joyous Union Mountain’s Third Miss and a Mountain Goddess were playing in the water.

The young Daoist squatted nearby, stretching his neck, his mouth muttering.

After saying goodbye to Bai Mao outside the town, the sword-carrying youth walked alone in the night, looking at the Joyous Union Mountain.

His cultivation was limited, so he could not see clearly.

He did not go straight to the town because he did not want to cause harm to the formation.

A mountain spirit, especially one descended from dragons, had two ways to enlightenment, the first being to cross a river.

They could also find a dragon vein and absorb the energy within.

This path had high requirements, and the requirements for blood was high.

He said, “Why hide, Miss Liu? We are friends.”

An umbrella appeared, then shoes, then a headless female ghost.

The sword-carrying youth laughed. “Why follow me, Miss Zhou?”

She placed a head on her neck and apologized. “There was a young sword immortal. I am Zhou Qiu. I will speak to you about something.”

The youth nodded. “What is it, Miss Zhou?”

The headless female ghost now had a head. She was looking at him.

Zhou Qiu said, “You told me, ‘If I went to the Five Islands Sect of Book Scroll Lake, I would have a chance?'”

The sword-carrying youth was embarrassed. “I was just saying.”

Zhou Qiu shook her head. “I believe you were serious.”

The youth laughed. “Why?”

She smiled. “Intuition.”

The youth asked, “Do you know the roots of the Zhao and Yu Lords?”

Zhou Qiu nodded. “They are a python and a fox. It is said that they are good at oppressing nature. It was later learned that they were a couple. After the war, the two lords occupied the mountains. One used some magic to move Black Vine Mountain to Joyous Union Mountain as dowry. In reality…”

Zhou Qiu hesitated.

The youth said, “The two mountains have ‘sex’, a Daoist art.”

Zhou Qiu was surprised. She said, “It is said that Zhao is from a proper Immortal Estate. In Fallen Kite Mountain, there is a cave with stone carvings.”

The carvings said, ‘Poisonous fog flies the kite, fishy wind coils the python, one day transforms into a dragon, the mountain is the same’.”

The youth asked, “You know so much?”

Zhou Qiu hesitated. “I was a spy.”

Silence descended.

Zhou Qiu had been waiting for him to ask about her intentions. “We want you to take a child out of here, to Azure Apricot Kingdom or to the south.”

“We?”

“We want to you to believe that we do not have any bad intentions.”

She took out two purses. “One with Minor Heat money, one with snowflake money. The former is payment, the latter is travel funds. He is in our debt.”

The youth said, “Even if I trusted you, do you trust me?”

Zhou Qiu sighed. “We have no choice.”

The youth nodded. “Let’s do it, then!”

Zhou Qiu threw the two purses. She turned to the side. “Qingni, come out. You will leave with Lord Chen and not return.”

A boy with an umbrella appeared.

Zhou Qiu waved goodbye.

A dark-skinned boy bit his lip, holding the umbrella.

The two looked at each other.

The dark-skinned boy asked, “You are a master?”

The sword-carrying youth nodded. “I am a martial arts grandmaster. Common people cannot even reach this town.”

The town boy sighed.

Chen Ren asked, “You put the umbrella away? Why not hide?”

Qingni explained, “I do not have enough spiritual power to use it.”

The sword-carrying youth began to walk.

After a while, Qingni said, “Are we returning to the town?”

Chen Ren said, “Did you not see that Lady Zhou is willing to die for her cause?”

Qingni stayed put.

Chen Ren turned around. “Are you afraid of death?”

Qingni bit his lip.

The sword-carrying youth continued.

“Hurry up, returning to the town is just Joyous Union Mountain. Some monsters…”

The youth suddenly dived to the side, his voice lowered. “There’s a ghost! Hide!”

He grabbed the dark-skinned boy and threw him before they landed on the ground behind the small mound. “You are a fool! If you can, open the umbrella. Hide your human yang.”

Qingni winced. “I know.”

A ghost army went by. One sniffed and shouted, “Who? Show yourself!”

Qingni feared they had revealed themselves.

The dark-skinned boy was shocked.

The sword-carrying figure was gone.

Was he planning to abandon him?

The dark-skinned boy stood up.

He took out scrolls and unfurled them. The images froze in mid-air.

The ghosts hesitated.

The sword-carrying youth squatted in the grass. “Is that girl, a Qi practitioner, at the first level? I was right.”

In the ghostly town, a Qi practitioner was easy to overwhelm.

He laughed. The scene rotated about the youth, displaying a divine wind.

The ghosts laughed, but a moment later, they disappeared.

Qingni sat down, clutching his scrolls.

The sword-carrying bastard was slowly walking over, dusting himself off. “You are a Qi practitioner. Congratulations. May we call each other Daoists? A good name, Qingni. I know of someone with the same name.”

Chen Ren also found it funny. It had worked.

Because the painting was close by, there was an invisible connection.

Qingni gritted his teeth. “What now?! Are we returning to the town?!”

Chen Ren laughed. “Listen to Zhou Zhou’s words and stay away from danger. I was just testing you!”

He had to trust Chen Ren. Along the way, there were demon realms.

The two wandered along the path in silence.

A soldier scratched his beard. “Is that supposed to be a master?”

He nodded. “There’s nothing to do but listen to fate. That girl will live.”

“You are trusting in that man?”

“We’re gambling.”

“You always lose.”

“That’s why I trust that I will win.”

“I thought the ghost fled because of you.”

“I do not know.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“We must part. I believe in the divination.”

Two boys walked in silence for an hour.

A young Daoist with a lotus crown washed his face in a river and called out to the sword-carrying youth.

Chen Ren frowned.

Lu Chen sighed.

The person that the leader was looking for was not the boy.

The young Yin Guan, the returning Ma Kuxuan, or Gu Can had a possibility of meeting them.

The possibility was even greater if there was entanglement with the wilderness and the demons.

Chen Ren did not explain to Qingni, but asked, “Did you cause the wind at Ink Splash Peak?”

Lu Chen said, “How can I?!”

Chen Ren reminded, “Lu Chen, next time, do not meet me, or it will be our last meeting.”

There was Scattered Beach and Ink Splash Peak.

Lu Chen laughed. “We are giving you protection.”

The sword-carrying youth struck the young Daoist.

The young man looked at Chen Pingan.

“You hit his acupoint? Is he OK?”

The sword-carrying youth said, “I knocked him to heaven.”

Qingni sighed.

The Daoist asked, “Do you know Tianjun Qi Zhen? I also have a connection.”

The youth asked in surprise.

Chen Ren said, “Is that a Mountain God from the Azure Domain?”

Lu Chen said, “He is tall, talented, and has high standards.”

Chen Pingan looked at the satchel, which contained a Great Li riding squadron’s badge.

“Why do the heroes loiter there? It is for the demon. Why did the Zhou ghost do this?”

Lu Chen shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”

Chen Ren said, “Lu Chen, please send Qingni out of Joyous Union Mountain. I can place her at an inn in the Azure Apricot Kingdom’s capital.”

Lu Chen said, “Why go through all that trouble? Let’s just go back to town.”

Chen Ren nodded.

Lu Chen smiled and said, “Qingni, you and I can kill the Fourteenth Realm!”

Qingni asked, “What is the Fourteenth Realm?”

Wasn’t the mountain realm at the ninth rank, and the highest was just immortal?

Lu Chen said, “What? You do not know it? It’s fourteen first-realm Qi practitioners!”

The youth watched the Daoist and the youth with disgust.

Lu Chen said, “In the mountains, the wind connects so many red-line karma.”

That Chen Pingan attended the ceremony.

Thousands of miles away, there was sadness and joy, karma and fortune.

Chen Ren took out wine and drank.

Lu Chen asked, “Qingni, which god do you think is the youngest and most handsome?”

The sword-carrying youth punched the Daoist to the ground.

Qingni trembled. “Is he OK?”

The sword-carrying youth said, “I said goodbye to him forever.”

Seeing that the Daoist was shaking off the dust, she asked, “Are you not hurt?”

The Daoist was not angry. “Qingni, are you familiar with Qi Tianjun? I know him.”

The youth said, “I know Qi Tianjun; he does not know me.”

The Daoist asked, “We are also familiar, are we not?”

The youth scowled. “Are you saying the opposite?”

Lu Chen rubbed his chin.

“Qingni, how is Brother Chen? Is he a ‘young ten-thousand commander?'”

“Ha.”

Lu Chen hugged his neck and stretched. “If you want to know the spring, go ask the birds.”

Which meant Chen Pingan was going to the Azur Apricot Kingdon’s viewing.

Chen Pingan took out the wine.

Lu Chen turned and asked, “Qingni, which of the four immortals is handsome?”

Before Qingni could answer, she saw the sword-carrying youth hit him, and he did not move.

Qingni said, “Did he hit his head? Is he not going to fly away now?”

The sword-carrying youth said, “Is he okay? Will he fly away now?”

Lu Chen nodded. “Chen Pingan is great.”