“Beyond the heavens, there are yet more heavens; beyond men, there are always others.”

“Beneath the eaves, fallen plum blossoms lay heaped like snow.”

Upon hearing these words, Lady Gao did not deem them mere ominous ramblings or deliberate deceit. Instead, a sigh escaped her lips, tinged with melancholy.

She had dedicated years to the diligent study of immortal arts, yet facing this celestial being, a banished immortal returned to the blessed land, she calculated a mere one in ten chance of victory.

This being dared venture into the Lake Mountain Sect alone, suggesting either immense personal strength or hidden allies in the shadows. Moreover, in the chaotic siege of the Southern Garden Kingdom’s capital, this youthful-faced sword immortal had escaped encirclement, slain the treacherous Ding Ying atop the city walls, and held the capital, preventing Grandmaster Yu from even setting foot within. This feat had made him renowned throughout the land.

With a silent decree, Lady Gao commanded, “Withdraw the array.”

Before ascending, Grandmaster Yu had left the Lake Mountain Sect a hand-painted immortal array. He had instructed Lady Gao that the protective formation was but a dream, awaiting a celestial event—a divine rain—to make its implementation possible. Lady Gao, ever obedient, had spent years traveling the realm’s five sacred peaks, seeking fellow cultivators and studying the array left behind.

Upon Central Peak, she scaled treacherous paths, where the land seemed to meet the clouds. There, she discovered the ruins of a secluded hermitage. While not ancient, the delicate implements within suggested a recent presence. She could almost see a prior “immortal” burning cypress and chanting verses.

On Northern Peak, where otherworldly flowers bloomed amidst lingering snows even in summer, she observed the stars at dawn. A feathered immortal riding a white stag appeared, regarding her as a mere “dweller of the lower realms.” Yet, recognizing her skill, he refrained from hostility, only warning her against taking anything by force.

Upon Eastern Peak, from which the sea was visible on clear days, purple clouds arose from rock crevices, and the sun painted the sea crimson. A sudden storm descended, and Lady Gao witnessed a venomous dragon rise from a deep pool, its essence shaking the very earth. The creature, hundreds of feet long, carved a serpentine path up the mountain, only to be confronted by a gold-eyed man with a jade seal inscribed with ancient avian runes. The man hurled the seal, now the size of a mountain peak, against the dragon’s brow, sending it crashing back into the pool. A cryptic incantation of golden characters sealed the dragon within, condemned to three hundred years of submerged penance by the gold-armored deity.

On Western Peak, where sharp peaks pierced the sky, she encountered a young scholar, his aura ethereal. He invited her to his abode, set amidst swirling red and yellow clouds like a heavenly palace. Servants, none of them living, offered incense before a portrait of a goddess. The scholar inquired about her marital status and offered a partnership in cultivation…

Having traveled these lands, Lady Gao perfected the immortal array left by Grandmaster Yu, establishing its core and selecting artifacts that naturally contained the spirit of the world, as guided by ancient texts. Anchored to the mountain’s roots and the flow of its waters, and with the sword left by Grandmaster Yu, she created a protective array capable of both offense and defense.

If Grandmaster Yu was the first to attain enlightenment, he remained aloof. Lady Gao, on the other hand, became the true founder of the Lake Mountain Sect, establishing the array, teaching the scriptures, and guiding her disciples. Before appearing, Chen Ping An observed the mountains and waters, noting the progress made. If Lady Gao achieved the Nascent Soul state, establishing herself as the world’s foremost cultivator, and found a worthy successor to forge a golden core, Lake Mountain Sect’s position as the foremost immortal palace would remain secure for centuries.

Lady Gao inquired, “Might I ask the number of years the Sword Immortal has cultivated on the mountain?”

Chen Ping An smiled and shook his head, “A mountain guest does not speak of age.”

Lady Gao pressed, “In that vast realm, are there many enlightened beings like you?”

Chen Ping An nodded, “Many. But they are not yet ‘enlightened’ in the truest sense.”

Indeed, practitioners of the Nascent Soul state were plentiful.

A touch of sadness appeared in Lady Gao’s eyes as she looked to the heavens. “How difficult is cultivation in the mountains, yet we are but frogs at the bottom of a well.”

It was one thing to be ignorant of the world beyond, but Lady Gao, aware of celestial matters, was filled with trepidation.

Over the years, she had considered the worst-case scenario: a celestial being like Chen Ping An, drawn by the land’s treasures, arriving with others, like rain falling upon the world. How could she, Lady Gao, withstand such an onslaught? Yet, to secretly form alliances with other cultivators and deities felt inadequate. What if these celestial beings united, plunging the mortal realm into chaos?

Thus, a daring idea took root within her.

She began to understand the actions of Ding Ying, though she did not condone them.

Lady Gao wished to meet the “Old Heavens” who governed the workings of the world, whose temples were the sun and moon, and whose courtyards were the mountains and rivers.

She wanted to ask if they could protect this realm and prevent it from becoming a training ground for these celestial beings.

Chen Ping An said, “Do not underestimate yourself, Sect Leader. Those who break through the constraints of the blessed land invariably prove to be talented cultivators in that larger realm.”

Xing Guan Hao Su was a testament to this fact.

Even within his own dilapidated mountain, the four figures in the paintings, plus Teacher Zhong, having left this land for thirty years, were demonstrating great progress.

Lady Gao tentatively asked, “Sword Immortal, will you allow me to show you around?”

Chen Ping An smiled and nodded, “I would be honored.”

The lake was idyllic, adorned with thousands of lotuses, a mirror for the breeze. Willow and peach trees bloomed on either bank, framing the mountain’s reflection.

As they walked along the long bridge over the lake, Lady Gao could not resist asking, “Dare I ask, what has become of Grandmaster Yu? Where is he now?”

With a self-deprecating chuckle, she realized that she had been asking questions since meeting Chen Ping An.

Much had occurred in this realm after Grandmaster Yu’s departure. A bizarre figure had emerged, the new leader of the demonic sect, Lu Tai. He easily gathered Ding Ying’s remnants but focused on the Lake Mountain Sect. He interrupted Grandmaster Yu’s secluded cultivation, resulting in life-or-death struggles that ended in stalemate, delaying the immortal’s progress.

Their battles shook the land, giving mortals a taste of immortal combat.

After this demonic leader vanished, he trained a young genius who disdained immortal arts but possessed unparalleled swordsmanship and opposed the Lake Mountain Sect.

This nameless youth, having trained in the mountains for only a few years, had attained divine swordsmanship. When he descended, Grandmaster Yu had just ascended. The young swordsman challenged the Lake Mountain Sect, and Lady Gao barely defeated him. They agreed to a duel in ten years, but he never appeared, and Lady Gao had sought him out in her travels.

Chen Ping An said, “He is now in another realm, even further along his path.”

Lady Gao felt a great weight lifted from her heart. The capricious demonic leader, Lu Tai, had once entered the Lake Mountain Sect and told Lady Gao that the foremost cultivator in this realm would become the lowliest in the heavens. “Why not convince Yu Zhenyi to be a big fish in a small pond?”

“Yu Zhenyi has a unique destiny, spoken of in a prophecy: ‘Living a thousand years in the mortal realm, ever appearing as a child.’ The speaker of this prophecy was beyond comprehension.”

Chen Ping An said, “When you depart this realm, you will have the opportunity to reunite with your Grandmaster Yu.”

In Chen Ping An’s view, their achievements were very different, but in the opinion of all the people, Yu Zhenyi and Gao Jun were the opening and pivotal figures of Lake Mountain Sect, they could be called pioneers. If Lady Gao had not inherited Yu Zhenyi’s mantle, Lake Mountain Sect would have been slow to be overtaken by many.

The “mask” forged by Zhu Lian carried an essence of talismanic truth. It was a mystery why Zhu Lian, having touched the threshold of immortal cultivation, had stopped. While the spiritual energy was scarce, a pioneer should have the chance to “jump the pond.”

Lady Gao preferred to believe Chen Ping An’s words about the world beyond, not those of Lu Tai, who deliberately sowed doubt.

Chen Ping An said, “The path of cultivation lies in breaking through realms and nurturing one’s heart. The bird finds the sky narrow; one must aspire to reach the highest peak. When the path ends, one must become the peak; when the water runs dry, one must watch the clouds rise. When enlightenment breaks through, thunder will sound on level ground.”

Lady Gao pondered and nodded, “Sword Immortal, your words are profound, like those of a celestial being.”

Chen Ping An chuckled.

Lady Gao did not consider herself skilled in worldly affairs. She became the leader of the Lake Mountain Sect because Grandmaster Yu had decreed it and cleared all obstacles, and because she possessed a natural affinity for immortal arts. It was as if a celestial gate had appeared, and those who once sought to become masters of martial arts now had another path to follow, making the legendary figures of old accessible.

She was the fortunate one of the Lake Mountain Sect.

Grandmaster Yu had once said that she would only have become a martial artist, like Minister Zhong Qiu or Empress Zhu Shuzhen, if she was still on the original path.

Lady Gao said with a touch of guilt, “Sword Immortal, you have been forthcoming with all your knowledge, and I thank you.”

Chen Ping An joked, “Just keep asking. I will not tire of it. I have always been said to be a bit of a teacher.”

Lady Gao then asked, “You mentioned the ascending of layers in practice, are there clear stages and titles for us in the practice?”

Chen Ping An nodded, “The Middle Five States, starting with Cavern Estate, indicating the bridge between one’s body and the outside world, and absorbing spiritual energy. Next is Sea Gazing, seeing all rivers and oceans and knowing the vastness of the world. Then, after accumulating spiritual energy, like a river expanding its course, one forges spiritual paths and paves roads in one’s body. After this is Dragon Gate, where one’s spiritual energy flows like a water dragon to ascend the gate. Success allows one to make a ‘spirit room’ for the Golden Pill. If unsuccessful, the spiritual energy could lead to one being set back to the Cavern Estate. When forging this Golden Pill, the grade one gets is like an exam, with different grades. Also how it can affect the earth and sky makes a huge difference. After this, the Nascent Soul can appear, and a cultivator can send their Yin and Yang Spirits to occupy small portions of the earth, just like the great masters of old.”

“Normally, Golden and Nascent Soul cultivators are called Earth Immortals. Touring the country and making your own sect should be no problem.”

“I believe your Grandmaster Yu had a grade one, while yours is a two, which is also impressive. It’s what many Earth Immortals in the greater realms would want.”

It sounded easy, but it was easy to understand.

They may be just talking, and Chen Ping An was only saying common sense, but to Lady Gao it was an important step.

Chen Ping An only sought to inform Lady Gao as a comrade on the path, and to treat her like a normal peer.

After he finished, Chen Ping An felt a stirring inside, as if the world was appreciating what he said.

There was a strange feeling that replaced the original stagnation.

Chen Ping An felt he understood the words of the abbot of the Heart Temple better.

At the same time, he also agreed with Zhu Lian’s guess, that this area might have a “Little Sky” in the works, and that the female figure born of the land’s fortune could be an omen. Could Zhu Lian’s mouth be magical?

Lady Gao failed to see the reaction of earth and sky, and asked, “What comes after that?”

“First level of the Upper Five States, called the Jade Flawless.”

“Jade? Returning to the root, the beauty of jade?”

Chen Ping An nodded, “To avoid impurity, just like one avoids the red dust of life. To be in this state means that, while one is still far from the sky, one can see the full picture.”

Yu Zhenyi founded the practice here, so there was never such a thing as specific levels.

It was only when Yu Zhenyi was leaving that he secretly told her about sending spirits away.

This also led to Lady Gao not attempting it much and only doing it on a few occasions where she was near the Lake Mountain.

In the fight of life and death, the power of Ding Ying was great, and he was able to take his spirit out in battle, while Lady Gao was only a spectator.

After crossing the bridge, they came upon a low mountain with the Lake Mountain ancestral hall.

Lady Gao asked, “Between writing and deed, which takes priority?” Chen Ping An understood the question and answered it to the best of his ability. It would seem she’s been reading in the mountains for many years. The basics he can do, and he can talk to even a high ranking scholar about it without any hesitation.

This question was not just for the Lake Mountain, but for all those who practiced.

The Lake Mountain now had more than ten people, but only three had made it to the Middle Five States, while the others were in the Lower.

In the Lake Mountain, rank was paramount, and so when the disciples saw the master with a man, they dared not let anything on.

When the world lets people practice the ways, it also allows all sorts of strange things to happen, and so people and demons have become more separate, especially the difference between immortals and mortals. The Lake Mountain now has the foremost authority in the land, or even the heavens.

The master, Lady Gao, now had a beautiful face that seemed to never age. Like ore being purified, only beauty remains. Just like the old days of Yu Zhenyi, who was an old man at the start, but slowly became younger after getting an immortal sword and book.

The Heavens and men combining, returning to a younger state.

Such was a dream for the martial artists of the world.

The earth and sky both change when those who practice qi appear.

The main point was who has the right to power, and so Lady Gao wanted to know the truth.

Chen Ping An carefully answered, and Lady Gao listened carefully.

The mountain road was the spot of the rest pavilion, with the words “Pine Breeze.” Ancient trees stood, and the shadow played around the area as if it was moving in water.

A creek flew by, and the flowing water went around a pine. The falling leaves looked like a green carpet, and the sound of the water created a natural music.

People rested here and gazed over the lake.

Those “sent down” from the top, Zhou Fei, Lu Fang, Feng Qing Bai, Tong Qing Qing, and Fan Wan Er, had been the biggest problem.

Logically, Lu Fang and Huang Ting should have easily done well here, but they failed. It would seem the “Old Sky” had a type of “person,” and it was “common sense.”

On the border of the Northern Jin and Loose Pine country, there was an old town, the land of fish and rice. South of the town was a water gate called the Feng, with water ponds around it. All the delicacies would flow into the town through this gate. And the rich of the town would travel the waters with boats, especially when the lotuses were in bloom. And sometimes, if a woman left a slipper behind, someone could get it and earn a living.

About a mile from the lotus waters was a place to make rice syrup, with fields to dry the flakes. Nearby was a market that sold fish, crabs, and shrimp, but a man and woman who seemed out of place attracted attention. They were being led by an old man, who was leading a horse with a beautiful woman on top.

Not wearing the Master Smith Sword, this was most likely not Tang Tieyi.

The old man asked, “You are Zhong Qian? We have been looking for you. What is his majesty thinking? I have told him that I will not be enemies with Northern Jin or work for Loose Pine.”

They really were haunting his heels, chasing him to the border.

The old man then said, “Tang Tieyi doesn’t have the power to move me.”

Zhong Qian let out a laugh, “Old man, your attitude is too much. You can say that about the emperor in Northern Jin?”

The Dragon Martial General Tang Tieyi had gone on a trip to Southern Garden, and upon returning had the throne ceded to him. There were rumors that Tang had planned to betray Northern Jin in Southern Garden, but Prime Minister Wei Liang stepped down and Princess Wei Zhen didn’t want to marry him, so in the end he had turned back.

Zhong Qian then asked, “Are you a man, a ghost, a god, or an immortal?”

The world really has been strange, with all sorts of people popping up. The turning point had been the Ten Contest, and now the weird things in the books had turned real. Over the years, he had seen many, and he saw more of the strange.

The woman sitting on the horse kept smiling.

Zhong Qian hated the most, and said, “Vixen.”

Pei Xiang chuckled.

The ones who came were Zhu Lian and the Lord of the Fox Clan.

Zhu Lian then said, “Young man, don’t be so angry. As someone with experience, I will give you some advice. Do not anger a woman or a person with free time.”

Zhong Qian said, “Just say it! What do you want?”

He really wasn’t afraid of Tang Tieyi, Cheng Yuan Shan, Liu Zhong, or the old timers of the martial world. It was as if the old timers had retired to let the young do what they would, but the young fell to Yu Zhenyi and Lu Tai. With them gone, no one stood to manage the chaos.

Just like the ghost in front of him. No one can just be so beautiful.

The old man said with a smile, “Always be honest. I am called Zhu Lian, and the woman is Pei Xiang. You calling her a vixen is like saying she’s pretty.”

Zhong Qian then asked, “Which Zhu Lian?”

Zhu Lian laughed, “The one you would think is the most impossible.”

The big man then crossed his arms, spat, and scoffed, “If you are Zhu Lian, then I am Ding Ying.”

The only thing that was similar was the pretty woman.

Zhu Lian, of course, knew that Tang Tieyi, Zhou Zhu Zhen, and Cheng Yuan Shan failed to level up because they were in a “colorless” world, with the fortune of most of them being incomplete. But Tang Tieyi did try the ways of the heavens, but his martial foundations made it a burden, unlike Lady Gao, and so the first Golden Body martial artist was not one of them.

Zhong Qian waved, “Don’t bother, it’s not worth it to risk your life.”

The people who said they could win numbered only a handful, and the people who could give him a fight were another handful.

An old man like this, who looked common, couldn’t be in the Ten.

Zhong Qian, seeing how the old man still wanted to fight, made a step forward, saying, “We men of the martial way want to know the strength of each other. It’s rude to just give up.”

Taking another step, the old man put his hands behind his back and reached for a palm, saying, “Come, let me see the power of Northern Jin’s master!”

Zhong Qian said, “Can I call you senior? Just hurry up and get back. I have to give you some youth advice. You have to get old.”

He thought the old man seemed so confident, saying, “Don’t worry, I am good at both types of martial arts. My body is strong, and I am not any worse than the youth. Put a pancake on my rear, and it will burn your tongue!”

Pei Xiang laughed. Could this have been how he traveled the land?

Zhong Qian then said, “Come and hit my chest! If I move back, I lose. Otherwise, just leave!”

Zhu Lian then said, “That is not how it’s supposed to be. You don’t hit a person who isn’t moving.”

Zhong Qian then said, “Then let me hit you!”

Zhu Lian said, “I should do it!”

Before Zhong Qian could speak, he blacked out.

Pei Xiang glared at Zhu Lian.

Was it fun to bully a level seven?

Zhu Lian then knelt next to Zhong Qian, who was spitting foam and said,

Pei Xiang then asked, “How is it?”

Zhu Lian then said, “Simple, honest.”

Pei Xiang was speechless. Why not just call him stupid?

Zhu Lian then laughed, “This kid isn’t bloodthirsty. He has to be pushed back to the wall before he will fight back. It is just the right material to learn the knife, and the Cao ways are just right for him.”

A moment later, Zhong Qian groggily opened his eyes, as if he had been slapped. He saw the face of the old man.

Zhu Lian said, “Awake?”

Before Zhong Qian could gather his Qi, the old man hit him on a few spots, instantly freezing him.

Zhong Qian tried to reverse his power, but to no avail.

The old man then said, “You still need more experience.”

Pei Xiang smiled.

A rider came, shouting, “What are you doing to Brother Zhong?!”

She had a level that she had spent a fortune to get.

Zhu Lian then turned and said, “What can an old man like me do? She, on the other hand, did some work.”

Pei Xiang then said, “Don’t speak so loud, I’m still an unmarried woman.”

The young woman retorted, “Shameless vixen!”

Those were not normal people.

Zhu Lian then said, “Young lady, save your level. It’s not cheap and it can fetch more in the future, and even become an heirloom. If I am not wrong, your name is Song? You are from old Duan province?”

The woman looked troubled, and Duan was in a prior dynasty. She was, after all, a noble, and after the change, while her house had changed, they were still quite influential.

Zhu Lian then said, “You do look similar.”

The Song family had a talented woman who made inks, and was asked to work in the imperial palace.

She put great care in her work, and she carved every small creek. Zhu Lian had seen it from afar, under a lamp as she carved the ink.

The beauty of a woman to Zhu Lian was not how she looked, but her attitude.

On this return, Zhu Lian felt like he was home. An old man returning home would look like this.

He was lured by the beauty of the land, and the only thing that was like wine was memory.

Zhu Lian waved his sleeves, releasing Zhong Qian. The man didn’t stand up.

Zhong Qian then said, “Old senior, are you really not Zhu Lian?”

The young woman froze and chuckled, “Why not find a good one to imitate? Zhu Lian was killed by Ding Ying long ago.”

Why not look in the mirror.

Even if that wasn’t Zhu Lian, and it was spread incorrectly, even if he was just as old as Yu Zhenyi, he would still be the Zhu Lian that ladies love.

In the old world, many people had said that women loved and hated Zhu Lian, and those that didn’t were those who hadn’t seen him.

Rumor now has it that the woman ghosts and river gods were longing for him, from birth, and even now, from death.

This Song woman found it unbelievable that people would do so much for a man.

Later, the woman rode and Zhong Qian walked, while the old man led the horse, claiming to find a place to get a drink and talk matters over.

Zhong Qian hesitated and asked, “Senior, are you really not Zhu Lian?”

Zhu Lian raised his hand and patted his face, and asked, “Do you think?”

Zhong Qian said, “Why do you call yourself that, if you aren’t?”

Zhu Lian then said, “In the old days, I was a handsome youth whom everyone asked to marry. If he saw me now, he would be ashamed.”

Pei Xiang made a joke, “Oh, husband, that’s an interesting thing to say. Why not look in the mirror.”

And she didn’t forget to take advantage of Zhu Lian.

The Song woman looked at Pei Xiang, then at Zhu Lian, and was speechless.

Inside the pavilion in Lake Mountain, Chen Ping An said, “To give an extreme example, when some people can destroy a city, do you think that is normal?”

Lady Gao said, “There is always give and take. I’ve seen many strange things on the tour, so me and the mountain gods have to fear and restrain each other. And there is also people like you who can fix things.”

Chen Ping An asked, “Then who will restrain us? Ourselves?”

Lady Gao dodged the question and asked, “Sword Immortal, have you seen the owner of this world?”

Chen Ping An nodded, “Yes, he is a level 14 called the ‘Azure Sky Cavern Master.’ The whole world is called ‘Viewpoint of Practice.’ Above the Jade state is immortal, and higher up from that is ascension, and level 14 is the level above that. That level is extremely rare, and most of them are just ascension.”

“These rulers have goals, such as getting resources, picking talents, and some just watch. There are some poor that have to sell off the land.”

Lady Gao nodded and said, “Then tell me why you have come here.”

He can’t just be telling her all this for nothing.

What’s more, Chen Ping An and the Lake Mountain aren’t the most amiable, and in fact might even have an account to settle from the Yu days.

Lady Gao was only half right.

For the most part, Chen Ping An and the mountain didn’t seek too much, and it was more giving than taking.

Chen Ping An then said, “Before I answer, I have to tell you three things. First, the level 14 has abandoned the land. Second, the Lotus land has been renamed as the Linking Lotus land, and it’s no longer in Tong leaf province. It’s now in the north, and it is on my mountain, called the Dilapidated Mountain. Third, the former lotus was a low tier, and with the Azure Sky Master only watching, there weren’t any practitioners. After I took it, it became a higher tier.”

All of this was being taken down by Minister Chang Ming, and the mountain would not reap the benefits for themselves. All opportunities were for everyone in the world, and those who obtained them were free to do so, and the mountain only took a small portion. This could all be seen in the records.

Besides the great energy in the world, martial fortunes have also increased, which was thanks to the ascensions of Pei Qian.

Lady Gao couldn’t believe this, was the owner of the land in front of her?!

The Dilapidated Mountain? Why would they choose such a name?

“During the Ten contest, the people who succeeded have all went on to have different fates. People like Liu Zong left, while some stayed for a chance, just like Zhong Fu Zi, who got the Five Peaks Picture, which your Yu coveted, but was unable to get because of the actions of Lu Tai.”

Lady Gao looked embarrassed.

“The Five Peak Picture can combine with the sky, and hence can never be found by anyone. One good thing that has happened is the great improvement in quality, and things like energy are the outward sign.

“There is also a great improvement in Martial Fortunes, so the martial artists have also been doing very well.”

Chen Ping An then pointed at the waters and creeks and said, “Going upstream, the Martial Fortunes are more prominent, and collision is more prominent. Common people might not find it, but the transformation is there.”

Lady Gao asked, “Sword Immortal, are you here to recruit me, so that I can join your mountain?”

Chen Ping An said, “If Lady Gao will be willing to be a honorary member or adviser, it would be great. But it’s up to you, and with who you are now, I don’t think it’s suitable. I have come to this land with a project that will depend on how we talk. If something goes wrong, it could be a disaster.

While Yu Zhenyi managed to succeed, he may not have had the qualities that Gao could have had.

Lady Gao just had a lead, and was blessed by the Heavens, but that didn’t mean she was set in stone for the highest level.

At least after meeting her, Chen Ping An found her to be open and kind. The only issue she had was her lack of vision, especially in comparison to the historical figures.

However, this was nothing that he could just instill into her.

Lady Gao, silent for a long time, collected her mind and asked, “What do you have in your mountain at my level?”

“Besides the subsidiary sect, and the honorary members, there is only one Golden Pill Earth Immortal.”

Chen Ping An laughed, “There are some Nascent Soul folks, and five states folks, three named ascension. It’s hard to imagine that with such a small place, there would be three.”

Lady Gao was even quieter.

If that was just how the land was, how must the Heavens be?

Chen Ping An hesitated, and decided to sell himself, “Don’t get me wrong, you’re not going to find many places like the Dilapidated Mountain.”

Lady Gao gave a bitter smile and changed the topic, “What is the plan?”

Chen Ping An then said, “I plan to forge a contract, with the South Garden emperor, the mountain gods, the water gods, the rulers of the countries, Zhong Qian, and the warriors of the six states. This will mean the immortals, martial men, gods, and rulers will all enter a loosely forged contract. This is just to make our goals clear.”

Lady Gao was suspicious and asked, “With your powers, it shouldn’t be hard for you. Why limit yourselves?”

Chen Ping An then said, “Are you the ruler of the land, and how much do you control? Are you not going to have any rules? Can you rule the Lake Mountain with only your own thoughts?”

Lady Gao suddenly felt cold, “You’re saying that we have sixteen?”

And the next line caused her to feel the dread.

“At the same time, I just want to say this earlier, so you don’t blame me for not teaching.”

Lady Gao was serious and asked, “If I don’t want to join, what will happen?”

Chen Ping An laughed, “Then the mountain and the Lake Mountain will be fine. You just have to stay out of our business and we can continue to be at peace.”

Walking out of the pavilion, Lady Gao said she had to pray and couldn’t give an answer just yet.

Chen Ping An waited for her to return and said, “If Gao Jun doesn’t care for Gao Jun, then why would the Lake Mountain?”

Lady Gao paused and kept moving forward.

Besides the pavilion, there was nothing left on the little mountain.

Lady Gao walked into the hall, and an old man who was tasked with the lamp approached. After she closed the door, power started to surge.

A shiny sword flew around her with care.

Lady Gao pushed the sword away and burned some incense. After she was done, she knelt and prostrated. Then she meditated.

Opening her eyes, she looked at the drawing of the ancestor and made her decision.

There was once a big debate as to the how the ancestor should be drawn, and which aspect to depict.

And so, these days, Lady Gao would ask herself, what would the ancestor have done if he was here?

Chen Ping An sat in the pavilion, watching the people fishing, and surmising who he was.

Walking gently, Lady Gao returned to the pavilion.

After she was seated, she said, “The last question is, how will you treat this world as if it was your own?”

Lady Gao was asking if they would be good stewards.

“There are many people who look at the flowers, and there are many fishermen on the river.”

Chen Ping An then said, “Fishermen will eat some fish and let some stay for later. If he has a pond, he will let them breed. But since everything is in the Dilapidated Mountain, then where the fish are no longer matters, and if I am biased against it, then that is why I set up the contract.”

Chen Ping An then added, “This is not something I thought of myself, but something called Lu Chen said.”

Lady Gao then realized, “So it must be that there has to be someone who acts on behalf of the Heavens. Yu Zhenyi once said that long life is against the intentions of nature, and that man should give back to nature.”

Chen Ping An nodded. After all, Lady Gao had been chosen by the Heavens for a reason.

Lady Gao was now at a state of grace.

Chen Ping An didn’t want to disturb this and asked, “Lady Gao, are you from a scholarly family?”

Lady Gao didn’t know why he asked, and shook her head, saying, “I am not from a good family. I started learning the martial way early, and I haven’t read much.

Compared to him, his skills, knowledge, and attitude made him both a master and immortal.

And it was a great indication of how terrifying the Heavens were.

Could it be that Lu Tai was right? She did have to leave and take a look.

And then for some reason, he looked embarrassed and said, “You have a knack for reading. That’s rare.”

Lady Gao then said, “You said that we have 16, but I only know of 14.”

Chen Ping An said, “It’s alright. The two of them aren’t acting with bad intention. One is now with Cheng Yuan Shan, and his name is Huan Yin. The other is Huang Shang. They are immigrants from Tong Leaf.

Speech is a bridge, but there are also lies in speech.

Huang Shang made an impression with his money sword.

Lady Gao was alarmed, because Yu Zhenyi had left her a bag, telling her that if she was further along, she could take them as disciples, but gave no details. She realized that they were long in the sect.”

As for the arms champion, Cheng Yuan Shan, Lady Gao knew of it. Yu Zhenyi had returned from Southern Garden with Cheng Yuan Shan, and took care of the lamps here. Lady Gao didn’t know the reason or the promise.

Lady Gao asked, “You and Lu Tai, how close are you?”

Chen Ping An said, “We chanced upon each other, and we haven’t seen each other for many years.”

Walking together, Chen Ping An asked, “Do you know a Northern Jin martial warrior called Zhong Qian?”

“Only heard of, never seen.”

Zhong Qian was a mild mannered, big man.

However, according to their intelligence, he was a terror when he got serious.

Lady Gao asked, “Sword Immortal, can I come with you to the Dilapidated Mountain?”

Chen Ping An laughed, “Of course. But I have to go to South Garden first. Two hours later, you can go to the sky, and I’ll join you there.”

South Garden was a quiet town, with many scholars.

Once, there was a scholar here that went home in disgrace.

With Elder Yao, he climbed the high mountain, and saw a great sunrise for the first time.

He entered the Lotus land, and heard the bells and drums.

It calmed the heart.

With this method, one can stop all worry, calm hearts, and bloom like a lotus.

They arrived at the foot of the mountain, and Chen Ping An left in a flash of sword light.

Having seen such things, Lady Gao was startled, and then was at peace. The presence of a sword immortal.

At dusk, the lights combined to make the form of a person, standing between the light and shadows.

The moon rose, illuminating the world.”