Here’s the translated and rewritten content in a fantasy style, focusing on tone and imagery:

When bamboo gathers its strength in numbers, shielded from the worst tempests, it blooms into a sea of green. Yet upon the slopes of Chess Peak, a hidden copse of bamboo struggled for centuries. Despite the tender ministrations of generations of Mountain Lords and Earth Spirits, bountiful years remained elusive.

Now, the youthful and comely Land Spirit of Chess Peak, plunged her emerald staff into the earth at her feet. She knelt beside two sundered stalks of green bamboo, tears welling in her eyes, a lament trembling on her lips. “Never have I seen such affront! A guest is a guest, no matter how grand! To cleave asunder a ward, to lay bare this sacred ground… is it not akin to a visitor, beholding the lord’s fair daughter, blossoming into grace and beauty, and then stripping her bare? Is there any difference? Is there any difference at all?”

Formed from the soil essence and cloud-root of Chess Peak by an Immortal’s hand, a pair of serpents, one black, one white, coiled around the bamboo grove’s perimeter. Within their icy eyes flickered a glimmer of malicious glee, almost human in its nature.

A voice cut through the air nearby, laced with teasing amusement. “Well now, didn’t realize the mountain’s *maidens* were so many that the dowry would bankrupt you.”

The young Land Spirit startled upright, all trace of sorrow and outrage vanishing. She bowed low to the straw-hatted wanderer, offering a grovelling apology. “Great Immortal, forgive my pathetic display! This humble spirit is unused to such grandeur, being but a poor wretch scraping by in this meager plot. I lack your worldly vision, having never traveled the land, but even you must see that this bamboo grove is all I possess. That even the loss of two green stalks brings such sorrow… surely, it is understandable. I beg your pardon for my unintentional offense.”

A-Liang, returned from wherever he’d wandered, leaned casually against a towering green bamboo, his gaze sweeping upward to the dense leaves. He lowered his eyes, turning his gaze upon the spirit. “The oldest ancestor of this grove, was it not transplanted from the Bamboo Sea Grotto? And did you not fashion your green staff from its wood? Thus, enraging some Immortal who, in a fit of pique, stripped you of your rightful mountain deity’s mantle?”

The young Land Spirit was genuinely shaken, his ingratiating demeanor fading. Straightening his spine, he offered a proper bow of respect. “I am Wei Biao, Land Spirit of Chess Peak, appointed Mountain God by the last Emperor of the bygone Divine Water Kingdom, charged with guarding these lands for a thousand *li*. When the Grand Li of Song arose, swallowing the Divine Water Kingdom whole, I displeased their founding Emperor. I was demoted from Mountain God to simple Land Spirit, my domain shrinking to three hundred *li*, still burdened by the sins of my past.”

He gestured ruefully with his enchanted green staff. “Ill-fortune piled upon ill-fortune. That calamity forced me to fell the Bamboo Sea Grotto’s green shoots to craft this staff. Yet, before long, I angered the planter’s Immortal friend, who with a jesting word, cast me, a humble spirit born of the soil, back into the soil from whence I came.”

A-Liang, shifting to a more relaxed pose against the bamboo, clicked his tongue. “Sounds a bit tragic, doesn’t it?”

The Land Spirit offered a frustrated scowl.

Ignoring the lamentable Land Spirit, A-Liang glanced towards the edge of the grove. Chen Ping’an, returned with him, stood on the hillside. The serpents had wisely retreated, the white serpent in particular regarding Chen Ping’an with wary eyes. A-Liang grinned. “My friend here has a proposition for you. Haggle over the price; come to terms, and you’ll be friends. Fail to agree, and that’s fine too…”

A-Liang, grinned, patting the handle of his bamboo blade.

A-Liang withdrew his gaze from the colossal reptiles, curiosity in his tone. “Those beasts aren’t true dragons. Especially the black serpent, how did it achieve the embryonic form of a *mo* dragon, sprouting four dragon claws? Did they stumble upon some fortune?”

Wei Biao answered cautiously. “Indeed, they had an encounter with a gift of some sort. I only surmise its source was related to the Lost Pearl Grotto. They must have consumed something strange that greatly benefits serpents, carp and the like. Red Candle Town at Chess Peak’s edge is where water routes connect to the Tri-River Flow. A carp in the lake, now sporting two authentic golden dragon whiskers, is the envy of everyone. A hundred years prior, this carp swam upstream, and I witnessed it, coming close to Chess Peak, even with several more centuries of time it would have been impossible for the fish to grow such extraordinary whiskers.”

A-Liang nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “I think I may have a clue.”

The young Land Spirit glanced at the straw-hatted man’s waist blade, asking a question. “Great Immortal, how did you know about my green staff?”

A-Liang grimaced, he stammered, dodging the question. “In my youth, I visited the Bamboo Sea Grotto, and I was familiar with Madam Bamboo. Not very close, just acquainted.”

At the mention of Madam Bamboo, Wei Biao’s face glowed with reverence. The sole Mountain Deity of the Bamboo Sea Grotto, she was rarely seen, rumored to be taller than most men, with flowing black hair. The ancestor of the Novelists, who had vowed to walk the world and record all lands’ customs, had dedicated a special writing to her: “A beauty in form, fond of bare feet, hair the color of jade.”

Though they were both mountain spirits, the distance between them was vast, her position and cultivation so far beyond his own that he could only look upward in awe. The tales of Madam Bamboo were known even in the Eastern Treasure Continent.

Beneath the Ten Great Grottos lay thirty-six Lesser Grottos. The Lost Pearl Grotto, which had once floated over the Grand Li, was one. The vast lands within was the smallest of the lesser grottos.

The Lesser Grottos were commonly referred to as “Secret Realms” by cultivators, distinguishing them from the Great Grottos. The realms contained abundant spiritual energies, but were of incomplete nature. They likely originated from ruins or ancient battlegrounds. Some had unique origins, such as Island Grottos, consisting of lost isles swallowed by a titan leviathan of old.

The Bamboo Sea Grotto ranked among the best. The region was famed for its various mystical bamboos, prized by generations of immortals and cultivators, used to craft magical implements that were prized throughout the world.

The Grotto’s only major power was the ancient Azure God Mountain. Legend stated that its founder had sought wisdom from the Sage of Confucianism, bringing a young Merit Bamboo as an offering. It thrived in the sage’s “Moral Forest,” while the Bamboo Sea Grotto slowly declined. It was said to record the deeds and sins of virtuous men, giving rise to the common saying “book of merit.”

While A-Liang chatted with the young Land Spirit, Chen Ping’an sat upon a boulder, clutching his broken firewood chopper. Not far away, the serpents’ massive heads held his gaze, their bodies snaking away, vanishing into the woods. The sound of trees cracking under the weight of their tails echoed.

Chen Ping’an spoke haltingly, explaining that he owned five mountains in the Grand Li’s Dragon Spring County, hoping they would consider relocating. He also made sure to mention that the Sage Ruan was “borrowing” three of them.

The serpents seemed to have a greater understanding of the Sage’s importance. Even the black serpent, normally impassive, showed a flicker of surprise. The white serpent grew excited, speaking rapidly. The black serpent bashed its head against it, silencing it.

Relieved that the serpents weren’t rejecting his proposal, Chen Ping’an continued. “I do not know much about cultivation. But I know that Chess Peak is more spiritual than my mountains. You will gain a lot from cultivation. A-Liang also told me about the perilous path of sea dragons, and that many mountains and rivers will purposely block you, so you should become friends with Ruan Shi Fu. They can guide you to the right path.”

Chen Ping’an paused. “There was an old man who taught me about porcelain. He said ghosts and demons are not worse than humans. I didn’t agree at first. But A-Liang captured you, so I can’t say anything. If I had A-Liang’s power, and if you dared to eat people in front of me…”

Chen Ping’an raised his firewood chopper, staring at the white serpent. “Then you wouldn’t just be missing half your wings. We would have snake meat for dinner.”

The white serpent was enraged, rearing its head. It tensed, ready to strike down the youth.

The black serpent moved, but not to help the white serpent. It bit down hard onto its neck, violently flinging it to the side.

The young Land Spirit started, but then heard A-Liang speak. “Don’t get involved.”

The Land Spirit looked at the man. He leaned on the bamboo, seemingly relaxed.

The serpents were locked in a confrontation.

Chen Ping’an stood up.

The serpents exchanged words, and the white serpent calmed down. But it stared at the youth with malice.

Chen Ping’an glared at the white serpent. “There are thousands of people in the mountains. After you enter my mountains, you will not kill to feed yourselves. It’s only if you are protecting yourselves. If you gain something but you break this rule, then Ruan Shi Fu will step in. What you did before doesn’t involve me, but if you agree to come, then you will involve me.”

Chen Ping’an continued. “So I’m telling you the bad things first.”

The black serpent stayed silent.

The white serpent was still angry, slowly grinding along the floor, radiating hostility.

A-Liang sat on a bamboo tree.

The Land Spirit said to A-Liang. “The black serpent is more cruel, but it’s also open-minded. It understands the situation, but the white serpent is more stubborn. They were both in the game, with the black serpent leading the way. That’s why the black serpent focuses on cultivation. It has big goals and ambitions.”

A-Liang hummed.

The Land Spirit said. “The youth speaks well, but he doesn’t know the habits of the serpents. The path of cultivation requires nature, so they’ll think of it as being hosted by someone if they move to his mountains. The youth acts as an intimidating force that makes them uncomfortable because of what he said about hurting them if they kill people. It makes it hard for them to agree.”

A-Liang cut him off. “Why are you helping them speak? I’m going to stay out of this. All it is, is that the serpents don’t think the martial artist youth is good enough to be on the same level as them. If it was me, how would they act?”

The Land Spirit was quiet. “You see all.”

A-Liang said. “Answer my question.”

The Land Spirit answered. “They would agree to move without questions! They wouldn’t even dare to resent you.”

A-Liang looked. “Great, you saved half your bamboo.”

Half the trees cracked and fell to the ground.

The Land Spirit kneeled down. “Great Immortal, calm down.”

A-Liang said. “It’s because I’m too nice. A small Land Spirit sees me as a fool. It’s hard to be good.”

The Land Spirit was afraid to breathe.

A-Liang smiled. “Get up. Let’s make a bet. Will the youth be willing to have a loss? If you win, you can save the other half of the bamboo. If you lose, I’ll demote you.”

The Land Spirit asked. “What are my odds?”

A-Liang said. “One percent.”

A-Liang said to Chen Ping’an. “Chen Ping’an, just say whatever conditions you want. Don’t be afraid of angering the snakes. If there’s a conflict, we can test them. I will step in if needed. Didn’t you practice with Zhu He? Practice with them and maybe you’ll improve.”

The Land Spirit said.

A-Liang said. “Sorry, but you’re not going to win.”

The Land Spirit was sad. “A-Liang, your gamble isn’t so good.”

A-Liang asked. “Why would I want a guaranteed victory?”

The Land Spirit looked at the youth, feeling envious and sympathetic.

After that, a white sword spirit arose.

The Land Spirit fell to the ground.

A-Liang left and used his sword to stop the spirit from arising.

A-Liang returned and threw away his broken bamboo blade.

The black serpent ran deep into the forests.

The white serpent’s head was gone.

Chen Ping’an grinned.

He had the same eyes as when he fought Cai Jinjian.

A-Liang drank some alcohol. “This is fun.”