“Master,” whispered Pei Qian, her voice barely audible, “a Jade Pure and two Golden Cores.”

For her “master” beside her was but one of his nine emanations, his abilities constrained by the quality of the talisman that housed him. His martial skill was also lacking, so Pei Qian served as his eyes and ears.

Chen Ping’an, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, let out a contented burp and leaned back in his chair. Using the same technique of focused sound transmission, he chuckled, “Then they are truly ‘dragons crossing the river.'”

Pei Qian frowned. “Are they traveling cultivators who wandered here?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “More likely the work of Abbot Lu.”

Pei Qian nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Meddlesome pest.”

In truth, she had sensed the movements of Ancestor Xiangjun and her companions long ago. From the moment they entered Powder Pill Manor, Pei Qian had been attentive to the subtle nuances of their footsteps and breath. Even their attempts at disguise, changing their appearances and attire, were but illusions in her eyes.

With a few casual glances, Pei Qian pierced the heartscape of the upper-fifth realm female cultivator. It was a peculiar sight. She saw a vast, empty ancestral hall where a tiny, frail girl looked up at the towering figure of a Daoist. This Daoist held incense, the smoke rising like a direct offering to the heavens, as he venerated a single ancestral portrait. The painting was colossal, the Daoist depicted within radiating a power that dwarfed even the mountain-like figure before it.

All three of them wore lotus-shaped Daoist coronets.

It was clear that in the heart of the accomplished female cultivator, she considered herself smaller than her sect. The one offering incense was higher than the sect, and the ancestor in the portrait… was greater than the heavens themselves.

In the heart-lake of the old crone, an island rose, upon which stood a golden immortal radiating solemn authority, one arm entwined with a scarlet fire dragon, the other with a jade-green water serpent, the air crackling with thunder and lightning.

Was this the concrete form of the “Golden Immortal” she revered?

The heartscape of the man held a carved wooden puppet, leaping and bounding across mountains and rivers like an ancient master traversing the world. Beside it sat a clay figure in deep meditation, both seeming neither fully human, nor entirely divine.

Chen Ping’an hesitated, then asked with a smile, “Did you see their heartscapes? Were there any unusual or remarkable sights?”

Pei Qian blushed, asking her master for a moment of patience as she rapidly sifted through her memories. It was like casting a fishing line, but focusing on the bait. She summoned the “colossal painting” and “Daoist coronet” for the female cultivator, the “golden immortal” for the crone, and the “wooden puppet on the hill” for the man.

Had her master not inquired, she would have forgotten all but a vague impression of their approximate levels of cultivation and a general sense of their alignment. In the event of conflict, she would only need to know which realm of martial skill to employ. She cared not for their identities, only for gauging the force required to meet them.

But with these threads, the memories that Pei Qian had sealed away within her heart resurfaced in their entirety, like ancient scrolls unfurled by their master. With the obvious clue of the Daoist coronet, Pei Qian “re-confirmed” their identities and said, “Master, she is Ancestor Xiangjun of Spirit Flight Palace, also known as ‘Dongting,’ the esteemed disciple of Heavenly Lord Cao Rong. Beyond her widely known techniques, I overheard a small rumor in the capital, Luoyang. It said that her true specialty is spirit channeling, reputed to be the finest in Treasure Bottle Continent. Some claim that she ascended to Jade Pure without undergoing a demonic tribulation. This is because during her secluded cultivation in the nascent soul realm, her sincere heart resonated with the mystical realm of divine harmony. She summoned Lady Wei of South Splendor City in White Jade Tower, and Lady Wei traversed the world, descending on a phoenix to help Xiangjun vanquish her inner demons and overcome her trials. It is said that Lady Wei even guided Xiangjun to the White Jade Tower, allowing her to dream-wander through the Five Cities and Twelve Towers. But such secrets are unverifiable and likely just the wild tales of mountain cultivators.”

It was like when old Chef would hear Chen Lingjun’s spittle-flecked stories of the mountains and always ask, “Were you there?”

Hearing this, Chen Ping’an said, “It’s likely true that this mountain elder’s spirit channeling is extraordinary, capable of summoning Lady Wei of South Splendor City. A heartscape with an empty ancestral hall is a good sign, indicating a pure Daoist heart, free of reliance on external things. However, the excessive reverence she holds for her master and ancestor, coupled with her underestimation of herself, reveals a lack of resilience in her Daoist heart. This may be the fertile ground for the growth of inner demons, hence Lady Wei’s spirit channeling.”

Pei Qian, who had not given it much thought before, pondered for a moment and nodded. “As expected, Master is wise.”

For a Daoist master like Ancestor Xiangjun, who had attained the upper-fifth realm, undervaluing herself could indeed lead to the rise of mischievous inner demons during her secluded cultivation in the nascent soul realm, perhaps manifesting as Heavenly Lord Cao Rong or Abbot Lu. Xiangjun would have no chance of defeating such demons. On the path of cultivation, one could rely on Daoist arts to overcome external tribulations, but confronting inner demons required only a pure Daoist heart.

“As for the other two, if I’m not mistaken, one is Wen Zixi of Spirit Flight Palace. He’s still young, yet already a Golden Core. Besides cultivation, he is also a pure martial artist.”

“The old crone is Xing Zi of Pure Serenity Peak in Golden Pinnacle Sect. She comes from the Golden Immortal Nunnery lineage and lost the sect leader competition to the younger Cheng Qian.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Wen Zixi? The ‘Gentle Gallant’ martial arts prodigy?”

One of his emanations, the one serving as a guest official in Jade Cutting Mountain’s Bamboo Branch Sect, had heard of Wen Zixi, a sentimental soul with countless romantic entanglements both on and off the mountain. Rumor had it that he enjoyed challenging others to combat, and had yet to taste defeat.

Pei Qian fidgeted slightly. “He’s definitely a martial artist, but ‘prodigy’ is debatable.”

Pei Qian felt a little uncomfortable. Wen Zixi was not young, perhaps half a century old? Forty? And still only a Far Travel realm martial artist.

If he was a prodigy, what was she? A prodigy among prodigies? And what of Master and Cao Ci?

While the master and disciple were chatting, Ancestor Xiangjun was staring blankly at the bone ghost in the crane cloak.

Her thoughts drifted back to her youth. When her Daoist studies were nearly complete and she had formed her core, her master had imparted to her a profound maxim:

*To cultivate longevity, one must die before one can live. Through death and rebirth, one attains Truth.*

Could this be why the Abbot Lu had graced the Pleasure Union Mountain with his presence? Was it at her master’s request that he had come to guide her in the guise of a bone spirit, imparting the secret to immortality?

But last time, Lady Wei of South Splendor City, had only descended, saying that she would only do so again when Xiangjun reached the realm of Immortality, granting her the chance to visit Abbot Lu in South Splendor City.

The abbot is the one who oversees all Daoist affairs in the world.

When Lady Wei had taken Xiangjun on a dream-wandering trip to White Jade Tower, she hadn’t seen Abbot Lu. Xiangjun had only caught a glimpse of a middle-aged Daoist in feathered robes amongst the countless Daoist palaces and auspicious sights. The Daoist had looked at her, and Xiangjun woke from the dream to find herself in the Jade Pure Realm.

Xiangjun dared not question or test his identity directly. After much deliberation, she came up with dozens of opening lines. But if Abbot Lu wished to remain hidden, she had to play along, calming her heart and saying in a slightly trembling voice, “Daoist friend, your words are profound and unfathomable.”

The White Manor Lord, a veteran of the officialdom, might have lacked in Daoist skill, but his ability to read faces was high. Seeing the female cultivator’s face filled with reverence, he became smug, believing that he had intimidated a beautiful cultivator with just a few words.

Three new guests arrived in the side hall. With Steward Yu busy elsewhere, Yu Yiyou and Yu Rong took it upon themselves to serve three jugs of secret brew.

As an upper-fifth realm cultivator, Xiangjun didn’t fear the tricks that Fox Enchantress Yu Chunzhi might have played with the wine. She simply found the drink too filthy to touch. Wen Zixi, however, took a sip and sensed the trickery. But he continued drinking. A Golden Core Earth Immortal with a Golden Body martial physique, Wen Zixi had nothing to fear from such petty schemes. The wine, upon entering his body, was instantly “burned” by the torrent of true qi, vaporizing into a mist, and directed to a remote qi cavity, where the pink miasma was confined. His pure qi, acting like a general, guarded the area, ready to slaughter the surrendering troops.

With nothing else to do, Wen Zixi soon turned his attention to the Powder Pill Manor maids. After some flirting, he learned their surnames were Yu, and their given names were Yiyou and Rongyu. Yet, for some reason, the ever-successful Gentle Gallant was repeatedly rejected tonight. It seemed that in their eyes, he was nothing more than an irritating eyesore, whose every word only made them frown. For tonight’s masquerade, Wen Zixi had transformed himself into a handsome young man celebrated for his elegance in some country down the mountain.

In fact, it wasn’t that they were deliberately aloof or disliked beauty. It was simply that the guest’s appearance was repulsive.

Thanks to Daoist Lu, Wen Zixi’s appearance and voice in the eyes of Sister Yiyou and Sister Rongyu had been altered to a “prematurely aged” man with thinning hair, yellowed teeth, and a voice like gravel grinding against stone.

Xing Zi’s status was high. Though not the current leader of Golden Pinnacle Sect, the old crone’s realm and seniority were on par with that of the twenty-odd-character titled National Protector.

The origins of Cheng Qian’s Hanging Green Peak could not compare with those of Mount Pure Serenity and the Golden Immortal Nunnery.

The old crone was a secluded cultivator. Accustomed to peace and quiet, she could not tolerate such a noisy environment.

If not for accompanying Ancestor Xiangjun, she would never have set foot in such a place. Even if she did ascend the mountain, it would only be to exterminate demons and slay ghosts.

Xiangjun glanced at the table next to her, at the sword-carrying youth and female martial artist, and the lower-fifth realm young monk.

*The old ancestor really does have a wide range of friends. It doesn’t matter how important or insignificant the other person is.*

Chen Ping’an had already explained the Pleasure Union Mountain’s secrets. He intentionally withheld some of the truth to test his first disciple. “What do you think is the crux of Pleasure Union Mountain’s existence?”

Pei Qian, without a moment’s thought, blurted out, “Zhao Fuyang of Misty Effluence Manor and Cheng Qian of Golden Pinnacle Sect. Everyone else is just icing on the cake.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “How so? Old Master Zhang of Heavenly Chancellor County is a Golden Core, and his family also has sword cultivators like Zhang Caiqin and Zhang Yujiao. Are they insignificant as well?”

Pei Qian replied, “The relationship between Pleasure Union Mountain and the surrounding countries depends on the rise and fall of Cheng Qian’s and Zhao Fuyang’s forces. Whichever of the two talented Golden Core cultivators reaches the nascent soul realm first will break the stalemate.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

It was like Lake of Documents, where the sole upper-fifth realm rogue cultivator, Liu Laocheng of Willow Isle, had disappeared. Some said he had fallen in an ancient Shu secret realm filled with sword immortal remains, while others said he had changed his identity and held a high position in some sect, severing ties with his past. This gave Liu Zhimao the opportunity to vie for control of Lake of Documents. With his new disciple, Gu Can, and the water dragon, whose battle power was equivalent to a nascent soul cultivator, Liu Zhimao intimidated the rogue cultivators of the lake. Otherwise, Zhong Su of Oriole Isle, another nascent soul cultivator, and his island allies would have given Lord Intercepting River a hard time.

Going further back, to a larger territory like Willow Leaf Continent, the fact that Du Mao of Willow Leaf Sect was the only ascension realm cultivator, while Xun Yuan of Jade Tablet Sect was only an immortal, ensured the stability of the continent’s mountain order.

Even after a continent collapsed and mountains and rivers were shattered, the order was quickly restored with Jade Tablet Sect in the south.

New immortal mansions and sects only served to fill the gaps.

It was simply old wine in new bottles.

In the north, where Willow Leaf Sect had lost its authority, the mountains rose up in disarray, a situation that was chaotic and lively in equal measure. Gold Summit Temple established the Peach Leaf Ferry Pact.

When Green Duckweed Sword Sect rose to prominence, it quickly ended this situation with a new covenant, opening up a great channel and consolidating the new order.

Pei Qian asked, “Master, is it possible that if Cheng Qian weren’t so aggressive and gave Zhao Fuyang some time, he could transform this smog-filled Pleasure Union Mountain into a sect like the Five Isles Sect in Zengye? Smoothing out dangerous passes, opening up the mountains and rivers, allowing the pure air of the surrounding regions to flow through, turning the foul air into something lighter, and transforming the chaotic yin and yang into balance. If Pleasure Union Mountain could then gain recognition from Lake View Academy, it would become Zhao Fuyang’s place of enlightenment, a place where his sect could flourish in the future?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded. “That might be the best path, and it’s certainly possible.”

Then Chen Ping’an said, “But from the moment I agreed to attend the crown-capping ceremony of Azure Apricot Country’s prince at the behest of Zhang Caiqin and Hong Yangbo, Emperor Liu and National Protector Cheng Qian made it impossible for Zhao Fuyang and Pleasure Union Mountain to continue to exist. The best possibility was lost.”

Pei Qian was stunned.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Given these causes and effects, should Master be blamed as the culprit for extinguishing this possibility? Should I feel remorse?”

Pei Qian was quiet.

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Suppose one shouldn’t feel remorse for such matters, does that mean one cannot blame others? And if one should feel remorse, should one then blame others?”

Pei Qian scratched her face, even more conflicted.

But she quickly became relieved, deciding to rephrase these troubling questions and ask Cao Qinglang, to hear his answers first.

Chen Ping’an then said, “Your ability to see into the heartscapes of others is a skill, and that skill is neither good nor evil. If you use it well, it will lead to righteous action and dispel evil.”

Pei Qian nodded.

When the Little Black Charcoal was still young and in need of protection, he always worried that she would go astray. Now that she could face the world alone, he worried that the world was not good enough for her.

*Nature gives appearance, Heaven gives form. To reject Heaven’s gift is to invite disaster.*

Lu Chen interjected, “Besides, isn’t it said that a righteous man using evil methods will make them righteous, and an evil man using righteous methods will make them evil?”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but curse, “What nonsense!”

Lu Chen, who had been listening closely, quickly took a sip of wine, as if to embolden himself. He drained his cup, and said with a smile, nodding vigorously, “Right, right, I was mistaken. The same principle applies: advising Zhao Fuyang and Cheng Qian is appropriate, encouraging one to be benevolent and the other to show mercy, but that cannot be used to advise Miss Pei. Since ancient times, there has always been the possibility of aiming for the top and ending up second-rate, but never the reverse.”

It was the same as the saying “time is money,” suitable for well-fed scholars, but not for farmers toiling in the fields.

Lu Daozhang poured himself another cup. “No wonder, no wonder we all need to aim high, finding a place for our hearts, seeking the virtuous.”

Pei Qian said, “My master and Uncle Qi care about the hearts of the people and the goodness of the world. Abbot Lu, having attained the Dao, floating freely, would he care about others, the world, or the rise and fall of empires?”

Lu Chen seemed a little guilty. “Daoism and the Daoist religion are very different.”

Pei Qian said, “Doesn’t concern me.”

The young Daoist choked on the wine he had just taken a sip of, quickly raising his head and covering his mouth, muttering, “Cultivation, whether it’s martial arts or refining qi, is essentially the same. In the end, it’s all about ‘cultivating oneself,’ about repairing and mending.”

“There is a question in the book: If one’s parents were in danger, and a thief could save them, would one be grateful? The answer is yes, it is an unparalleled act of grace. What is owed must be repaid.

“Moreover, we are branches of the same tree, sharing one body.”

Lu Chen’s three statements, seemingly unrelated, spoke of cultivation, of gratitude and justice, and of the relationship between oneself and heaven and earth.

One could interpret it as Abbot Lu crudely explaining why a cultivator ascends the mountain, pointing out one path to ascension and the splendor that awaits at the summit.

One could also see it as Lu Chen commenting on Chen Ping’an’s acts in Lake of Documents, both defending Chen Ping’an’s actions and attempting to vindicate himself. Pei Qian, in the town, if not for Lu Chen acting as a matchmaker for your master back then, Chen Ping’an would not be who he is today, and how would you have become disciples? How could you be sitting here tonight? If so, if you want to avenge Cui Cheng of the Bamboo Tower, shouldn’t you first repay Lu Chen?

Chen Ping’an smiled. Dealing with Lu Chen was both difficult and simple. He had learned the trick as a boy: follow the eight-character truth: *You say yours, I do mine.* Chen Ping’an didn’t think Lu Chen was deliberately trying to disrupt Pei Qian’s Daoist heart; Lu Chen wouldn’t stoop that low. Furthermore, such seemingly profound words would cause a storm in Cao Qinglang’s heart, but they had little effect on Pei Qian. Chen Ping’an changed the subject, revealing a secret to his disciple. “That strange peak you visited was actually located on Fire Planet. The strange man you saw, the senior who accompanied you down the mountain, was the founder of the military strategists, imprisoned on Fire Planet for ten thousand years.”

Pei Qian was shocked. The mountain hermit she remembered as kind and gentle was the long-vanished founder of the military strategists? The one rumored to have been punished by heaven?

Wasn’t it said that the founder of the military strategists was as short-tempered as he was skilled?

Although she had only spent a short time with him during that strange ascent and descent, she found him quite agreeable and not at all fierce.

But what was the connection between the founder of the military strategists and the path of martial arts? And why was he stationed on a peak that seemed to be the embodiment of the martial Dao?

It was the tradition of the Bamboo Tower lineage. Cui Cheng never liked to speak of things beyond the art.

As for the military strategist’s temper, the Wan Yao Sect immortal, Han Yushu, who was killed with a half punch, was the proof.

Chen Ping’an, having endured “half a punch” from an eleventh realm martial artist while being in the qi gathering realm, also had a say.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t even needed to endure that half-punch. It was because the Little Black Charcoal, who had always been timid, seemed to have dreamt a dream after reaching the strongest martial artist realm. In the mountain, accompanied by a tall stranger whose face she couldn’t recall, she had, for once, been bold. Thinking it was just a dream, she had no fear. She repeatedly punched the stranger and asked if he was afraid.

Perhaps that was when the founder of the military strategists remembered the little girl’s master, a pure martial artist who never reached the peak, while his disciple surpassed him. And he put the blame on Chen Ping’an.

Lu Chen said with a smile, “Ah, the main course is finally here.”

At the mountain gate, the swarming insects had retreated, replaced by white qi rising from below. This strange mist, neither earth qi nor mountain miasma, quickly spread over Plenty Joy Town at the foot of the mountain, then enveloped the entire Pleasure Union Mountain. Outside Misty Effluence and Powder Pill Manors, the dust swirled, making it difficult to see. At the same time, golden light emerged from the ancestral hall on Fallen Kite Mountain, shining brightly before falling to the ground. Small as pellets, the golden lights moved along the ground, converging into wheel-sized orbs that shattered, scattering like rainbows and intertwining with the rising white qi.

At the same time, the two Manor Lords of Pleasure Union Mountain finally appeared at the banquet, personally presiding over the marriage and recruitment feast. This was a relief to the guests, who had been worried about Zhao Fuyang’s intentions, wondering if he was colluding with the Zhang family to sell them to the Azure Apricot Country’s Liu court.

Yu Chunzhi had quietly removed the Powder Pill Manor’s amorous canopy, and the yellow orioles had been withdrawn. It was as if the expensive wine was all for naught.

Zhao Fuyang’s expression was grave as he delivered the bad news. “I’ve just received information that the Azure Apricot Country’s Liu court, in conjunction with two neighboring emperors and the Zhang family of Heavenly Chancellor County, have been secretly mobilizing troops on the borders, preparing to launch a full-scale attack on Pleasure Union Mountain tonight. Thanks to the aid of the mountain and river gods, their advance is swift. At the latest, they will reach Plenty Joy Town by tomorrow morning. Before that, any cave abodes in their path will be swept away with ease. I will not stop anyone who wants to return and take command. However, I met with Cheng Qian and Zhang Caiqin at Splatter Ink Peak and failed to reach an agreement. They are determined to eradicate us, with no intention of showing mercy to anyone.”

“Their mobilization has alarmed the mountain gods and river deities of each country, creating a great commotion. The cost of this campaign will be immense, and they will seek to recoup their losses from Pleasure Union Mountain and everyone here. If you believe I’m exaggerating to keep you here, you may leave now, but I must warn you: leaving the mountain tonight is easy, but returning to seek refuge in Misty Effluence and Powder Pill Manors will be difficult.”

The noisy banquet halls fell silent.

The news was like a bolt from the blue. After a moment, chaos erupted. Everyone clamored, discussing and cursing. Black Dragon Immortal and the burly sixth-realm martial artist cursed Cheng Qian’s cruel heart. Bai Manor Lord of Wedge Ridge was stunned into silence. Zhang Xiangdao, the Lake Lord of Summer Heat Manor, was speechless, wondering why the misfortune never ended.

“Lord Zhao, Lord Yu, are we supposed to just sit here and wait for death? Isn’t that the same as drinking poison?”

“So what, we’ll fight those immortals and officials!”

“What’s wrong with Emperor Liu’s head? What are they after?”

Battles required money. And a war would cost gold.

As for land, the thousand-mile Pleasure Union Mountain was a barren land. Those who had built caves and camps were either monsters or ghosts. Even wild cultivators, the aura was foul, for the men on the mountains and mountains themselves were of such poor aura. What could mortals do? Even immortal masters from outside would likely not be able to adapt to it. And taking the area would cause the mountains to erupt the foulness. So how could fighting the battle be worth it?

Many guests began to suspect that they had been caught in Zhao Fuyang’s schemes, wondering if he had done something to provoke the Liu court and the others. Was it possible to appease them by killing Zhao Fuyang and Yu Chunzhi? But they quickly abandoned the idea. Apart from the difficulty of killing two Golden Core Earth Immortals, they had to consider how to deal with Cheng Qian and Zhang Caiqin. The bureaucracy made them not want to deal with the problem at all.

“Lord Zhao, could it be that the various forces are bluffing, hoping to force us into submission?”

The Black Dragon Immortal was wondering if he could find a way out of this by relying on his connection with the new mountain god from his homeland.

Zhao Fuyang said, “They want to devour us completely.”

The rogue cultivator were known for not speaking of moralities or righteousness. Did countries care about right or wrong when they came to schemes?

The demon king of Monkey Road, Tang Kun, roared, “We just need to occupy Pleasure Union Mountain, follow the commands of the two Manor Lords, and kill those self-proclaimed gods and immortals!”

He secretly plotted to betray Zhao Fuyang and kill the likes of Li Ting in exchange for a chance to become a guardian mountain god under some lord of a small country.

Zhao Fuyang bowed to everyone and said, “Please be patient, everyone. The reason they chose to attack us now is simple: Emperor Liu and National Protector Cheng Qian want to ensure the prince’s succession, so they invited a guest. According to my intelligence, there are two theories: one, Cheng Qian persuaded an ancestor of Divine Edict Sect to attend the ceremony; two, someone from the Yunlin Jiang family is willing to attend. I suspect they demanded that the Azure Apricot Country or Golden Pinnacle Sect eradicate Pleasure Union Mountain.”

Lu Chen teased, “Apart from lacking in boldness, Lord Zhao’s explanation is flawless, logical, and reasonable.”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but smile. “Zhao Fuyang isn’t just spouting nonsense. Even if it reaches the ears of Divine Edict Sect and Yunlin Jiang family, they might see it as flattery rather than slander.”

The old crone asked, “Ancestor Xiangjun, is what Zhao Fuyang saying true?”

Xiangjun pondered. “It’s not unfounded. It wouldn’t be strange if Cheng Qian and Zhang Caiqin could invite an ancestor of Divine Edict Sect.”

Wen Zixi, leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, scoffed, “An important figure from Divine Edict Sect? A descendant of the Yunlin Jiang family? Why not just bring out Bamboo Emperor of Righteous Sun Mountain or Huang He of Wind Thunder Garden?”

The old crone smiled. “Bamboo Emperor is too busy to descend the mountain. As for Sword Immortal Huang He, he’s gone to the battlefields of the Barbarian World. A true hero, worthy of admiration.”

Wen Zixi sneered. “If we’re scaring people, why not bring out the Old Ancestor of Wind Snow Temple? Or just be direct and mention the Hidden Officer of Treasure Bottle Continent? Wouldn’t that be more fun?”

“If I were Zhao Fuyang, I would mention the Hidden Officer. That way, everyone on this Pleasure Union Mountain, no matter how different their intentions, would have to unite and fight like madmen, knowing they would be in for it from the Hidden Officer.

Ancestor Xiangjun noticed the White Manor Lord’s expression and the young monk’s thumbs up at Wen Zixi.

Wen Zixi grinned and returned the monk’s greeting.

Madame Pipa of Heavenly Music Cave asked, “Lord Zhao, did anyone from Lake View Academy oversee the operation?”

The hall fell silent once again.

Zhao Fuyang smiled. “Fortunately, I can confirm that the assault is not the Academy’s decision.”

Madame Pipa asked Yu Chunzhi, “Are you sure the Academy isn’t involved?”

Yu Chunzhi smiled. “Don’t worry, they’re not. If there were, what could we do besides surrender?”

Madame Pipa sighed in relief. The squabbles on Pleasure Union Mountain were just internal conflicts. Otherwise, how dare the surrounding countries recruit the mountain spirits or local gods under the Academy’s nose?

Nowadays, the Academy’s rules are stricter. It’s like the Great Li’s Song court, which used an iron fist to suppress unorthodox cults. Often, the local officials, armed with a decree from the Ministry of Rites, would force the gods to relocate.

Many of the drowned or buried gods have yet to be freed.

The Ministry of Rites ignores their complaints.

Even the emperors would be ignored by the Academy.

In recent years, some countries wanted to remove the stone tablet on the mountaintop to restore some heretical gods.

Zhang Xiangdao asked, “Is there a traitor among us?”

Those who wanted to leave were stunned by the question.

Lu Chen joked, “Is their plight like the last time at Support Moon Mountain?”

Chen Ping’an nodded, they had no idea they would suddenly be hit with such a calamity.

Lu Chen asked, “Bai, do you think this war will happen?”

Bai Mao nodded.

Lu Chen asked, “Why?”

Bai Mao said, “Nowadays, the armories in Treasure Bottle Continent are filled with weapons that came from the Great Li war against the barbarians. There are limits to how long they would last.”

“And the Azure Apricot Country must’ve been accumulating those weapons.

“So, what does it do with them? Train the soldiers.”

Lu Chen nodded.

Zhao Fuyang continued, “The Azure Apricot Country wants to fulfill its promise to the high-level figures from the Divine Edict Sect or the Yunlin Jiang family. It has secretly agreed to allow the other two countries to divide up the Pleasure Union Mountain, and is willing to let the two countries steal the mountain’s treasures. Thus, everyone in the Pleasure Union Mountain is on the chopping block.”

Lu Chen smiled, “That’s even better than what Cheng Qian offered.”

Chen Ping’an said, “Why make things difficult for your disciples?”

Lu Chen had created difficulties for Zhao Fuyang.

By using the tree branches as charms, he kept Zhao Fuyang from growing.

And now, with the presence of Lingfei Palace Xiangjun, Zhao Fuyang was also weakened.

Lu Chen looked awkward, “It wasn’t me, I wasn’t involved.”

Wen Zixi didn’t hear Lu Chen. He put his legs on the table and smiled, “Thank you, Zhao.”

Xiangjun suddenly changed her expression and looked at Bai Mao differently.

Zhao Fuyang smiled. “There’s still hope, do you want to hear it?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Not hard to guess, quietly inform the other two countries to slow down. Promise to let them have the land. At the same time, promise those countries that they can have the guests of the Pleasure Union Mountain to them. Then, while running, seek an opportunity to sever tails and seek survival, forcibly terminate the mountain and flee with Yu Chunzhi and others. There is a good chance Zhao Fuyang will run all the way to Willow Leaf Continent.”

Splatter Ink Peak.

It was Tianjun Cao Rong’s first time using Three Mountain Talisman to come here.

Cao Rong saluted, “Cao Rong pays respects to his master.”

Lu Chen nodded.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Greetings, Tianjun Cao.”

Cao Rong said, “I am fortunate to see Lord Chen.”

Lu Chen said, “Cao Rong, send a secret decree to Xiangjun, telling her that I have already left Pleasure Union Mountain, let her do as she pleases.”

Cao Rong bowed again, “Yes.”

“White hair seeks worries, growing in this hair.”

Lu Chen patted his disciple’s shoulder, “Cao Rong, you’re getting old too.”

Cao Rong said, “Disciple is dull. After finding the way, I still cannot ascend.”

Lu Chen comforted, “It’s fine, we’re alike.”

“Since the appearance is given by the Tao, the shape is given by the Heaven. You must first capture the mountain and water outside the painting when you copy it.”

Lu Chen looked up at Pleasure Union Mountain. “The old weather, the changed world. The mountains and rivers have changed, but the old weather remains.”

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, and said, “Chen Ping’an, remember to say hello to Pei Qian, don’t let her see too much.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I’ve already told her about this.”

Lu Chen looked at Chen Ping’an, and then looked up at the sky again.

Someone gifted someone a bamboo slip. *Mountains and waters will meet again.*