In the northernmost reaches of the Azure Canopy Realm, amidst the vast expanse of the Secret Province, rises a solitary peak. Alone it stands, a stark sentinel above the plains, known as Leap Month Peak. At its foot, the Weakwater River meanders, a mere trickle of its storied past.

The mountain’s slopes are treacherous, its weathered stones glistening like jade, its scattered pines a verdant tapestry. Yet, the spiritual energies are scarce, making it an uninviting haven for cultivators seeking to establish their domains.

The mountain’s ward, its barrier against the outside world, is the very essence of Hardship, the Peak Lord’s formidable fist-罡. It is akin to a lake perched atop the mountain, the intent of his fists flowing down its slopes like cascading waters, yet so finely controlled that no creature within is harmed.

Those who are not pure martial artists of the Realm’s pinnacle or ascendant cultivators need not dream of reaching the summit. Visitors are not welcomed.

Still, a score of dedicated martial artists from various provinces, their skills as varied as their origins, have carved out humble shelters along the Weakwater’s banks. To them, the ascent of Leap Month Peak is the ultimate training ground, a relentless test of their might.

Hardship, the Peak Lord, does not begrudge their presence.

Today, however, Leap Month Peak receives an unexpected guest: a scholar clad in verdant robes, his brow bisected by piercing, sword-like eyebrows, exuding an aura of profound learning.

The moment his form appears, figures dart forth like startled hares, each a renowned martial grandmaster, drawn to witness this ‘Lin Teacher’ whose name echoes across the Azure Canopy Realm.

Yet, they find themselves halted, mere dozens or hundreds of paces away. As if bound by an invisible seal, they strain against an unseen force, their fists unleashed in futile attempts to carve a path.

One by one, their strength wanes, their bodies begin to slide back down the mountain, as if on the endless river of martial arts the only way to go is forward. Their feet dig furrows in the earth, kicking up dust and stones, the earth groaning in protest. A white-haired elder, his mastery having reached the very heights of the mountain, bellows his name, begging for but a moment of conversation with the longest-lived pure martial artist in the Azure Canopy Realm.

Lin Jiangxian, the Martial Sage.

One of the Ten Thrones of the Azure Canopy Realm.

Ranked sixth, after the immoveable fifth seat of Sun Huaizhong from the Xuan Capital Temple.

Yet, the aged Temple Master, whenever he ventured into the world and spoke of Lin Jiangxian, always humbled himself, confessing that he shamed himself placing above Lin Teacher.

Lin Jiangxian ignores the martial artists from various provinces, all within the Three Refinements, and continues his ascent. He makes no use of swift travel techniques, but strolls up Leap Month Peak as one would wander through a garden.

No stairs adorn the mountain, not even a path of stone. Only a winding track of earth leads to the summit, choked with untamed weeds.

Upon the peak, a solitary hut provides shelter. A lean youth resides within, his face obscured by an unkempt beard, his eyes holding a murkiness of spirit.

The youth sits cross-legged upon a massive boulder, his fingers caressing an ancient bamboo flute. At his feet rest a flagon of wine, and a scattering of pine nuts, roasted yams, and dried spirit root – sustenance for his days.

Upon seeing Lin Jiangxian, Hardship does not speak, but nods in acknowledgement.

Lin Jiangxian returns the greeting with a clasped fist salute, offering no explanation for his visit. He then walks to the edge of the boulder, hands clasped behind his back, and gazes out at the Weakwater River, whose waters flowed below. Legend says that ancient immortals used chains of refined iron to imprison a sapphire ape and a white serpent, which had almost become a dragon, at the bottom of the water. Now these creatures were the guardians of Leap Month Peak. Yet, no cultivator had been able to verify this tale.

The mountain wind howls, and Lin Jiangxian’s verdant scholar’s robes flutter about him. He seemed, even more so than Hardship, to be above the world.

Here, where common weeds are precious treasures, the air is thick with the enchantments of mist and cloud.

Hardship breaks the silence. “I cannot defeat you. There is no need for a contest. I yield.”

Such a declaration, so unlike a pure martial artist, from one known as the Realm’s Second Mightiest.

Not long ago, a single punch sent the White Lotus of the Fish Crest Dynasty hurtling down the mountain, his form disappearing into the Weakwater below.

Lin Jiangxian smiles. “I have not come for a contest. I merely seek to admire the scenery, to clear my mind.”

This is their first meeting.

Beyond Hardship’s simple thatched hut is a disordered collection of boulders, each of unique form and size. Most strikingly, near the cliff’s edge, lies an exceptional stone. Squared and stable, it sits atop other rocks, an inscription carved upon its face in crimson lacquer: “Longevity Temple.” No artist signature. Lin Jiangxian gazes upon it, for this, it is said, is the ‘Stepping Stone’ where the Ancestor of the Way rested.

This tale is not widely known in the Azure Canopy Realm, whispered only among the great sects.

Before the Founder’s visit, Leap Month Peak only had old pines and the floating boulder. The clouds gathered above the boulder, and never departed. It was thought to be a resting place for Gods. Yet, no cultivator ever made a dojo here, for the peak had no spiritual qi.

Lin Jiangxian’s thoughts drift.

He pays no mind to the martial artist of Peak Completion by his side.

Mountain and Water Gazettes tell of the Empress Asong of the Twin Capitals Mountain and Xu Jun of the Great Tide Sect, the widely known lovers, journeyed to Leap Month Peak. They did not stay for long, retreating soon after to Twin Capitals Mountain to enter a period of secluded cultivation, guarded by Yao Qing of the Azure Mountain Dynasty. It can be seen that Asong’s mind is set.

Lin Jiangxian knows that the Ascended Maiden Crown was once on the rolls for the “Facing Heaven Maidens”, and there are wisps of truth of her life before, pieced together by Crow Mountain, whose spies are everywhere, for it has a “Piecemeal Office” which collects rumors from the streets and tales from the past.

Hardship gathers a handful of pine nuts from the ground, and slowly eats them.

Lin Jiangxian removes a wooden ink mold from his sleeve, and tosses it to Hardship. “I am returning this to its owner. I also apologize for my grand-disciple.”

It turns out that Lin Jiangxian had a disciple being pestered by a young martial artist who wished to be accepted as a student. The lad was talented, yet rash. So Lin Jiangxian offered a task, that the lad should take an inkstone, by hook or by crook, from Leap Month Peak. If he succeeded, the tea would be poured and the apprentice accepted.

Instead, the lad brought a gift of Hardship’s ink mold.

According to the apprentice, while he was climbing the mountain, he exhausted his qi and passed out. Hardship saved him, and allowed him to recuperate half way up the peak. They befriended each other, and the apprentice was given the ink mold as a parting gift.

Hardship shakes his head, and the ink mold hovers between them. “Let him keep it as a memento. If I did not wish it to be stolen, it could not be.”

Lin Jiangxian chuckles. The apprentice, it seemed, was a thief.

Back at Crow Mountain, the lad spoke of Hardship praising him as a once-in-a-thousand-years talent, with the persistence to match. Therefore, Hardship gave him a chance as Hardship’s disciple. But the lad said that he could never betray his master, so Hardship personally escorted him to the base of Leap Month Peak.

Outside of his cultivation, Hardship was fond of gathering pine branches and turning them into ink. Hardship’s inks were famous, great for cursive scripture or painting. They ground smoothly and did not damage inkstones.

Su Ziye of the Vastness Realm once visited, and was given some of Hardship’s inks. He said “I do not dare use the inks that Hardship has made”. But upon returning home, he distributed the inks among his best disciples.

Before Lin Jiangxian visited Leap Month Peak, he asked his disciples to gather inks with the inscriptions “30,000 Strokes” and “100,000 Strokes”, along with the mold. Lin Jiangxian wanted to verify the prowess of Hardship’s fists. Not because he thought Hardship was a threat, but because he was curious how a self-taught martial artist could get this far, especially given Hardship’s speed of advance.

Seeing how polite Hardship was, Lin Jiangxian takes the ink mold. He laughs, and offers advice: “There may be room for improvement around the Giant Que point. Around Jade Hall and Eagle Window, the flow of pure qi may be better in reverse. And the Three Yang Line on your hand, may be carved a bit better. You might get a bit faster.”

Hardship nods, thinking. “Wise words from Lin Teacher.”

Lin Jiangxian asks “Since you have 30,000 Strokes and 100,000 Strokes, will there be an inkstone with 1,000,000 Strokes?”

Hardship nods. “I plan to, but I have not decided when. It depends on the weather.”

Lin Jiangxian smiles.

Hardship liked to make ink. The national preceptor of the Cyan God Dynasty loved collecting rubbings.

While in the Vastness Realm, the Sword City’s last Hidden Official liked engraving.

Young martial artists these days had refined tastes.

Hardship hesitates, and then asks “May I ask about that fist you offered in Square Jar City?”

Lin Jiangxian looks forward, and smiles “When you compete with me, you will understand.”

Hardship asks no further.

There are things that should not be asked. To ask a master about their best technique is like asking a swordsman about their sword’s divine power.

Lin Jiangxian had been at the height of martial arts for nearly 300 years.

The Azure Canopy Realm’s top 10, reevaluated every 60 years, had changed time after time, but Lin Jiangxian remained the undisputed top dog.

Lin Jiangxian was over 360 years old.

For a martial artist, this was quite old. It was a miracle.

The average martial artist, even at Peak Completion, may not live past 200 years.

The immortals, could easily dwell on Earth for several centuries.

Before Pei Bei, the Vastness Realm’s top martial artist was Zhang Tiaoxia, known as Dragon Count, and he only lived so long by converting into a cultivator.

Lin Jiangxian, who pure martial artists addressed as Teacher Lin, was just a pure martial artist.

Therefore, rumors said he had broken through the non-existent 11th Realm of Martial Arts.

It was thought that the 11th Realm was equivalent to the 14th of the cultivators.

After cementing his place as the top martial artist, Lin Jiangxian created the Crow Mountain school. 200 years later, it had become a large gang, no less so than a top-tier sect of the peaks.

It was dominant in Ru Province. Strangely, Lin Jiangxian’s Crimson Gold Dynasty had Daoists with official permits, yet had no strange immortals.

There were no wandering cultivators, no demons, and no sprites.

There were no monstrous cultivators.

The dynasty of 80 million had seen no strange occurrences in over 200 years.

Lin Jiangxian began formally accepting disciples only a few decades ago. There were 4, each with exceptional talent. After them, he did not accept more.

4 direct disciples, one Peak Completion and 3 Mountain Peak.

Perhaps only Pei Bei of the Vastness Realm had had the same good fortune.

Apparently Ma Quxian, Pei Bei’s top disciple, had reached Mountain Peak Completion. Pei Bei’s other disciples were nearing the same.

Even so, that was only 1 Mountain Peak and 2 Distant Travels. Lin Jiangxian was far better. Yet, Pei Bei had Cao Ci as a disciple.

Adding up the indirect disciples, there were over 40 of them. And Crow Mountain had expanded much more in 200 years.

It was a large gang.

Crow Mountain’s martial artists guarded the royal family of various dynasties, or opened martial halls. Other than that, they created their own schools. However, they all called Lin Jiangxian their founder.

Lin Jiangxian allowed his disciples to make their own choices once they left his school.

Lin Jiangxian personally fought few people. Yet, the results were astounding.

Those who were killed by Lin Jiangxian included an Ascended and 2 Immortals.

There were no Jade Peak, likely because those did not want to anger Lin Jiangxian and Crow Mountain.

Those Peak Completion martial artists who watched his duel with the Ascended stated that it was boring, because it ended so fast. The Ascended used all his time to flee to Ru Province, and tried to threaten Lin Jiangxian with a town of people. However, that Ascended was killed then and there. And it was done silently.

This was because Lin Jiangxian’s deadly move was too arcane. Even those distant Peak Completion martial artists could not tell how Lin Jiangxian struck.

Therefore, Lu Chen said it was interesting.

Generally, the White Jade Capital would not allow something like that to happen in public. The Ascended would have to visit White Jade Capital. The Ascended wanted Lin Jiangxian to enter a building in White Jade Capital, and wither away.

However, the Ascended underestimated Lin Jiangxian.

Lin Jiangxian turns to the boulder. “Is this where the Ancestor of the Way rested?”

Hardship nods.

At first, Hardship did not know it was the Ancestor. However, the visitor was clearly some sort of expert, for he sat upon the boulder without Hardship noticing.

Hardship had just become Peak Completion back then, and the visitor did not disturb him as he walked.

They exchanged a few words. The visitor said “Who dares not be the first?”.

Hardship did not ask who he was.

After that, Leap Month Peak became lively. One young Daoist snuck onto Leap Month Peak, huffing and puffing as he walked. At the halfway point, his face turned red and then green. He pretended to be badly injured, and fell to the ground. Hardship was fooled, and was about to carry him back down when he sprang up and said his name was Lu Renlong.

Later, Hardship learned that it was Lu Chen of the White Jade Capital. Lu Chen borrowed the hut for several days, driving deer or picking pine nuts. The man could speak of anything. Before leaving, Lu Chen said some cryptic words like his master.

Sun Huaizhong of the Xuan Capital Temple also visited. They got along, and made ink together. The Daoist said cultivation was but two things, how to eat, and how to sleep.

The Sage also visited, bringing a boy named Yuan Pang. The Sage said study requires doubting the undoubting, and trust requires trusting the untrusting.

Su Ziye brought a boy and girl, whose names meant carved jade and smeared cream.

After Su Ziye, Liu Qi and Cao Zu of the Poem Happiness Land visited.

Liu Qi left his disciple, Wei Ying, here.

Hardship said that she could hide here, but nothing more.

Before Xu Jun and Asong, there was a monk named Jiang Xiu.

Hardship was used to this.

The monk sat here one night, and left in the morning.

He asked Hardship “Are you planning to become a Buddha?”.

He also carved a rhyme here.

“I hate that peace does nothing, and idly kills the bald donkey in the mountains. If the zen block breaks, flowers shall fall for a thousand miles.”

Lin Jiangxian sees the poem on a boulder, a sword qi there, which he suppressed with a seal.

There were not as many swordsmen as there were in the Vastness Realm.

Lin Jiangxian looks back. “People have been climbing this peak. Does it feel strange?”

Hardship replies “I am used to it.”

Lin Jiangxian nods. “Cultivation also requires memory.

The qi of Peak Completion martial artists were protected by a spirit.

Lin Jiangxian could sleep at any time.

A martial artist opens their eyes to see Heaven and Earth, and closes them to sleep like a God. That is the first layer of the Peak Completion of God.

Lin Jiangxian takes out a divining stick. “How about a divination? When will you leave the mountain?”

Hardship is confused.

Lin Jiangxian laughs, and explains “I have read about the Taoists’ skills.”

Hardship shakes his head “I do not believe.”

Lin Jiangxian sits down, placing the stick before him. “Like Peak Completion has three levels, so too does divination. The first, is to view muddy water, your fate being the ripples, and you can see the overall trend. Then, you can see the fish. Then, the diviner detaches himself. The final, is to clarify. But you can never be sure. Like how Zhu Xuan of the Fish Crest Dynasty chopped down a tree to determine the fate of the Four Provinces. But how can you be sure that she calculated fate, or rewrote it?”

Hardship is silent, and then replies “At most, I will pretend to be listening to your words.”

Lin Jiangxian laughs “If there is fate, why wallow in worry?”

Hardship knew that Lin Jiangxian was a “foreigner”.

This was his intuition, for he did not like the man before him.

Lin Jiangxian was known to be a good man.

Hardship had felt similar unease with the Sage, Ziye, Qi, and Zu.

Those who know that Lin Jiangxian was not from this world are likely few. Even in White Jade Capital.

Lin Jiangxian looks toward White Jade Capital.

Yu Dou’s handling of things in the past century had been too domineering, leaving no room for give and take.

He was known as a tyrant, although none dared to say it openly.

Even Sun Huaizhong, who always praised White Jade Capital, was silent.

Lu Chen was too lazy, and Shan Qing had only recently become an immortal.

When the Azure Canopy Realm’s 3000 Daoists all traveled to the Five Colors Realm, the White Jade Capital took up nearly half of the spots.

Shan Qing will have to take up more of a leadership position.

Therefore, White Jade Capital will be busy.

Previously, Wu Zhou’s appearance in the Fish Crest Dynasty was meant to stop White Jade Capital from stopping Zhu Xuan.

Lin Jiangxian smiles.

Clearly, the Maiden Crown had not agreed to a deal with the Jade Capital, or the One Who Is Truly Unbeatable. Do not anger women, especially a 14th realm.

Hardship offers his wine. “Lin Teacher, would you like a drink?”

This was Hardship’s own brew.

Lin Jiangxian declines. “I do not like to drink.”

He prepares to leave, taking the divining stick, and invites Hardship “When you leave the mountain, you should visit Ru Province.”

Hardship responds “If fate allows.”

At this time, a group appears, a large old Daoist, his Daoist aura pressing down even against Hardship’s qi.

The master of the Lost Treasure Beach, and later of the East Seas Temple.

Three men stand by him, as if on a slope.

The shortest, Xun Lanling, had always been a servant by the master.

And Wang Yuanlu and Qi Gu, both Cyan God Dynasty youths.

The Daoist speaks frankly “I am bringing my disciple to pay his respects.”

“As for Qi, he is here to see Hardship, to see if he is real.”

Hardship does not rise, and ignores the words of the visitor.

Lin Jiangxian bows. “Crow Mountain’s Lin Jiangxian, greets the Master of the Lost Treasure Beach.”

The old Daoist smiles. “First Chunyang, and now Lin Jiangxian, all like to go backward?”

Lin Jiangxian smiles.

Even though his secrets were revealed, it was all right.

Wang Yuanlu gives a Daoist bow.

Qi Gu is embarrassed.

For the martial artists, the test was to climb Leap Month Peak.

Qi Gu feels that it was a worthwhile trip.

However, Qi Gu had a few wishes.

First, was to marry the White Lotus.

Of course, the Empress Zhu Xuan was fine too. He would not mind marrying in.

He would not envy Xu Jun.

Qi Gu also wanted to know Lin Jiangxian’s secret of long life.

As for fighting him, nevermind.

The White Lotus kills people, and martial artists would not fight her.

Lin Jiangxian, however, was so good that martial artists did not want to fight him.

Hardship was between them, for he never leaves the mountain.

Qi Gu whispers “Teacher Lin, may I ask a question?”

Lin Jiangxian smiles “Go on.”

Qi Gu carefully says “How can martial artists live past 300 years?”

Lin Jiangxian laughs “Reach Peak Completion, then the God layer. Be careful when you fight, and take some elixirs.”

Qi Gu is speechless.

The visitor was teasing him.

The master glances at Jiang Xiu’s engraving, and chuckles.

Lin Jiangxian leaves. The master says “If you walk down the mountain, we can talk later.”

Lin Jiangxian nods.

The master sits on Hardship’s boulder, and tells the other to relax, and offers Hardship a cup.

Hardship gives them pine wine, roasted pine nuts, and yams.

The Daoist takes some chopsticks.

Wang Yuanlu takes a sip, and shudders.

The master laughs “You’re a drunkard!”

Wang Yuanlu plays deaf.

The master looks up. He sees the path of Xu Jun and Asong.

The Daoist looks at the White Jade Capital, and scoffs.

People scorn Yu Dou, and want to be him.

The White Jade Capital has two groups of madmen. One is those who study words, the other are those who gaze at the stars.

After they drink, the master takes the others, and finds Lin Jiangxian.

The master says “The wind frightens the birds, the clouds hang to Heaven. It is difficult to send letters, and the geese go south.”

Lin Jiangxian’s Crow Mountain was built by a river.

The master asks “What do you think of Jiang Xiu’s sword qi?”

Lin Jiangxian shakes his head “Nothing.”

“I find it sad. Three went, and one returned.”

He was speaking of the past, when Chen Qingdu, Guan Zhao, and the Dragon Lord traveled to Broken Moon Mountain.

Lin Jiangxian smiles “You are all-seeing. Please keep this a secret.”

The master asks “Are you sure the Founder will not tell his disciples?”

Lin Jiangxian responds “Even if he did, what would happen?”

The master nods.

Looking at the narrow path, the master laughs “If there are stairs, then it will not be a mountain.”

“If there are no bridges, then the water will be the water.”

Wang Yuanlu sighs.

Qi Gu ignores the words of the experts.

Lin Jiangxian asks “Do you have any advice?”

The master laughs “Take care, and take care.”

Lin Jiangxian nods, and uses a teleportation technique.

The master stops, and looks into the distance.

A long time ago, the “world” was divided into 4 veins of swordsmen.

This Azure Canopy Realm, had the Xuan Capital Taoist swordsmen.

Plus, the monk Jiang Xiu.

Now the Xuan Capital added Bai Ye of the Vastness Realm.

And Hao Su of the Sword City was in White Jade Capital.

It seems that the original veins of swordsmen were gathering in the Azure Canopy Realm.

If Chen Pingan shows up, it will be lively.

Right now, in the Azure Canopy Realm, swordsmen and martial artists talk about the young man of another world, named Chen.

Ten young swordsmen, 9 thought they were him, and 1 didn’t care.

Lin Jiangxian returns to Crow Mountain.

Hao Su begins to cultivate his sword in White Jade Capital’s Thunderclap City.

In the faraway province south of Ru, in an obscure Taoist temple, a boy named Chen Cong, with a shard of porcelain hanging from his waist, begins his cultivation.