When the aged Minister of State uttered the title, the Emperor of Great Li remained silent, as did Chen Ping’an.

Was the Azure Continent about to undergo another tempestuous change?

Song He, with a gentle smile, prompted, “Mountain Lord Fan?”

Once the vacant chair was occupied by a figure clad in emerald robes, the Emperor’s erstwhile headache shifted to another brow. Fortune, after all, was a fickle mistress, requiring not even thirty years to turn her favor, but merely the blink of an eye.

Under the watchful gazes of all present, Fan Junmao, however reluctantly, reached out a hand. With a flick of her wrist, the Lady Mountain Lord invoked her innate sorcery, condensing the moisture in the chamber into a sheet of fine Xuan paper. She then exhaled softly upon it, gathering the mists into a golden ink. Dipping a finger in, the frustrated Fan Junmao was about to “commit quill to parchment” when she noticed Wei Bo and several other deities of rivers and mountains regarding her with pointed stares. Her irritation flared anew. Unwilling to vent her spleen on the young Hidden Gentleman who had undoubtedly aided her in securing her divine title, she decided to unleash her ire on the lesser gods. “What are you looking at? You write it then!”

Wei Bo merely ignored Fan Junmao, while the other mountain and water spirits, who had earned a rebuke for even a casual glance, were loath to provoke the newly enshrined “Emerald Peak” Mountain Lord of the Southern Peak.

After all, in a sense, Mount Zitong lay outside the borders of Great Li. Thus, Fan Junmao was now the de facto sovereign of the vast southern mountains and rivers of the Azure Continent. Moreover, with the absence of Confucian academies in the south, only the Temple of Literature held any sway over Fan Junmao and Mount Zitong.

It was Tong Wenchang, who held Fan Junmao in considerable esteem, who spoke, “Might I trouble Mountain Lord Fan to attend to the matter at hand? We are all awaiting the list.”

The River Lord Tong was always impartial, focusing on the matter, not the person.

Fan Junmao’s temper flared. “Tong, is my work impeding your progress? If you have time to wander about, conjuring clouds, surely you can wait while I compile a simple list!”

Tong Wenchang, with his usual deliberate manner, replied, “If Mountain Lord Fan needs an age to scribe the names, I shall step outside to enjoy a pipe of dried tobacco.”

Fan Junmao was momentarily silenced.

Jiang Shangzhen, stationed at the doorway like a guardian spirit, chuckled knowingly. It bore a certain resemblance to the deliberations in the Ancestral Hall of Divine Talisman Peak.

The dismantling of the steles was a matter of deep import. The mountain-realm dynasties and tributary kingdoms, eager to erase the last vestiges of Great Li’s influence, sought to restore the pre-war status quo, allowing them to reign as untrammeled immortals, unbound by earthly laws. However, the presence of those stone tablets atop the mountains provided the common folk, and even some impotent officials, a semblance of “law and order.” They could appeal to the academies for redress, each stele serving as a restraint upon the cultivators. Thus, both registered practitioners and wild hermits alike desired the removal of the steles, relegating them to forgotten relics of the past, gathering dust and neglect.

The assembled deities were keenly aware of these machinations.

At its heart, the conflict was a desire for unbridled freedom on the part of both the earthly courts and the celestial masters.

Cultivating practitioners often acted with impunity. Even if a dispute involving bloodshed arose outside the mountains, the immortal lords could simply retreat behind closed doors, negotiating with the local government and officials. At most, they would pay a pittance to resolve the matter, or even avoid financial penalty altogether, the court offering a stipend to smooth things over.

No one wished to see those days of divine authority, free from all constraints, fade into oblivion.

Even if the Confucian academies were to become more involved in worldly affairs, which was an inexorable trend, the Song lineage of Great Li had retreated beyond the Great Dike. There was no reason for them to continue meddling in the internal affairs of other nations.

Fan Junmao swiftly penned the list, her handwriting a hasty scrawl. With a flick of her wrist, she propelled the parchment toward the seated figure.

Without any discernible movement or change in aura, Chen Ping’an subtly altered the parchment’s trajectory, causing it to float to the Emperor’s desk. Song He glanced over it, nodding, before picking it up and extending it toward Chen Ping’an with a smile.

Chen Ping’an accepted the page, saying, “Mountain Lord Fan can rest assured. While matters may differ in import, there is always room for negotiation. These petitioners may well find themselves striking additional deals of mutual benefit with Great Li during their journey to the capital. Therefore, I implore Mountain Lord Fan to carry Great Li’s sincerity to the Southern Peak, lest misunderstandings arise, leading to unwarranted complications and turning good intentions sour.”

Fan Junmao, her face impassive, nodded curtly.

Today, she was the host, and obliged to bear with their presumptions. But just wait, Chen Ping’an. When you next visit Mount Zitong or Mount Caizhi, if you don’t find the doors barred against you, I’ll change my name to yours!

“Has Mountain Lord Fan perhaps omitted several names?”

Chen Ping’an, his gaze fixed on the list, lifted his head, gently waving the paper. “It seems a little… light.”

The names listed were mostly small fry. The most powerful kingdom, the Dynasty of Dragon’s Ravine, was likely only on par with the Yellow Court in terms of resources.

The most prominent immortal sect, Wind Angle Mountain, was only led by a Nascent Soul Realm master. Throughout the war, the cultivators of Wind Angle Sect had vanished without a trace, only to return to their homeland in the war’s aftermath, basking in glory. Besides restoring their ancestral shrines, they had also acquired several tracts of prime real estate, now ownerless, at incredibly low prices. The ancestral hall now boasted five or six immortal masters with the titles of Imperial Preceptor, Protector of the Realm, or Chief Imperial Guardian, amassing wealth and exploiting their position for maximum gain.

If Chen Ping’an’s memory served him correctly, a recent scandal involving Wind Angle Mountain had been causing quite a stir. A sect’s former site had been usurped by Wind Angle Mountain, prompting them to seek justice from the new emperor. However, from the newly appointed Protector of the Realm to the Chief and Second Imperial Guardians, the imperial court was now staffed entirely by Wind Angle Mountain cultivators.

Inevitably, the Emperor found himself playing the role of peacemaker, urging restraint and harmony while subtly siding with Wind Angle Mountain. The Golden Core Realm sect leader, consumed with righteous fury, threatened to relocate all of his registered practitioners north of the Great Dike, pledging allegiance to Great Li. The court dismissed his threat without a second thought, the Emperor offering only perfunctory pleasantries, unwilling to plead with him to stay. Times had changed. The court would scarcely miss one small, dilapidated sect with a broken lineage.

Benevolence begets filial piety, and an upright leader guides an upright people. However, when the father is cruel, filial piety withers. When the leader is corrupt, the people follow suit. This is the natural order.

When the source is muddied, the stream cannot run clear. When trust is broken, reputation crumbles. Therefore, it is necessary to set things right, for when the root is secured, the way will flourish, and the realm will be tranquil.

After having provided his own list, Chen Ping’an still remained insatiable. What else could it be but overreaching oneself?

Fan Junmao had resolved not to add another name to the list. Furthermore, she would never again participate in any Great Li imperial court deliberations. She retorted coldly, “National Preceptor Chen, in this matter, besides the earthly dynasties and the celestial sects, do not forget the powerful clans and aristocratic families. They all believe that Great Li’s lack of compromise is tantamount to blatant bullying, utterly unreasonable. In particular, within the government and private academies, legions of scholars are righteously indignant, clamoring for the Lake Viewing Academy to provide an explanation. Many renowned literary figures even demand that the academy invite one of your Ritual Ministry officials for a face-to-face confrontation with the Great Li court.”

Since they were both so fond of taking responsibility, Fan Junmao would gladly shoulder the burden, turning Chen Ping’an and Great Li into the targets of discontent.

Minister of State for Rites, Zhao Duanjin, remained expressionless.

A face-to-face confrontation? Were these idle, pampered scholars requesting the presence of Wei Li, the newly appointed Minister of Rites in the Second Capital of Great Li, to engage in petty squabbles? Or did they deem his rank insufficient, demanding the personal attendance of the Minister of Rites from the Great Li capital itself?

“I understand,” Chen Ping’an said, folding the paper neatly and stowing it in his sleeve. He nodded and smiled. “I simply disagree.”

The aged Minister of State, Shen Chen, having ceased his dozing after Chen Ping’an had taken his seat, gripped his walking stick with both hands, a perpetual smile on his face.

“Such words are music to my ears!”

Despite his pleasant mood, the aged Minister of State spoke words of a different nature, chuckling, “The masses can melt metal, and repeated slander can destroy bones. Words can be a fearsome weapon. Let us hope this dispute does not escalate to the Lake Viewing Academy. An untoward turn of events might even rouse the Literary Temple of the Central Continent! What then?”

Chen Ping’an smiled gently. “They would be fortunate if they sought my aid.”

The old man feigned surprise, saying to himself, “What if the Literary Temple dispatched Instructor Mao of the Records Hall of Rites to the Azure Continent to mediate this affair? That would be most intriguing.”

The Azure Deer Academy, one of the Seventy-Two Academies, was situated on Hanging Cloud Mountain. Surely, no one would be foolish enough to seek trouble there.

But if lodging a complaint with the Lake Viewing Academy proved futile, one could always appeal to the Literary Temple. However, what if the envoy was Instructor Mao, a former disciple of the Sage of Literature’s lineage?

Now, *that* would be troublesome indeed.

Mountain Lord Jin of Purple Whip Mountain spoke a forthright observation: “In Sword Qi Great Wall, a single punch would fell Vice Proprietor Er. But upon returning to the Magnificent World, the saying becomes, ‘Chen, the Lone Sword Immortal.'”

Mountain Deity Fu Dechong of璞 Mountain coughed softly, cautioning his Mountain Lord to be more circumspect in his speech.

Female Mountain Deity Wan Shugui of Rain Canopy Mountain, another potential successor to one of the Central Sacred Mountains, smiled upon hearing this. Indeed, their Mountain Lord was most magnanimous, bold enough to crack jokes and speak truthfully to power.

The atmosphere within the room suddenly grew exceedingly strange.

Why not simply say, “Chen, the Mountain Owner with no backing?”

This particular phrasing seemed to have originated from the mountain and water gazettes of the Mountain & Sea Sect of the Central Continent.

Many rumors concerning Chen Ping’an had first surfaced from the Mountain & Sea Sect, subsequently “borrowed” and amplified by other mountain and water publications.

It appeared that the Literary Temple had once cautioned the Mountain & Sea Sect, resulting in a tempering of their reports.

Chen Ping’an, a faint smile playing on his lips, appeared unfazed. “The Nascent Soul Realm hardly warrants the title of Sword Immortal. Besides, even if I had not suffered a loss of cultivation, a Jade Purity Realm swordsman there would hardly consider being called a Sword Immortal a compliment.”

Having wandered the world since his youth, spending the longest duration “over there,” Sword Qi Great Wall could be considered Chen Ping’an’s second home.

Beyond the Literary Temple of the Central Continent, Chen Ping’an’s closest neighbors on the Azure Continent included Water God Wang Zhu of the Eastern Sea, a literal next-door neighbor.

The Northern Reaches Continent had contributed the most warriors to Sword Qi Great Wall, far surpassing even the Central Continent. The Continent’s Sword Cultivators, untamed and defiant, recognized only Sword Qi Great Wall, disdaining all other lands.

To the south, in the Tongye Continent, the Green Canopy Sword Sect, a subsidiary of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, was overseeing the excavation of the Great Dike, effectively usurping the position formerly held by Jade Standard Sect.

Furthermore, was not the Chief Offering of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, known by the alias Zhou Fei, seated just outside the door?

Across the Nine Continents of the Magnificent World, those deities in higher positions were obligated to interact with the “outside world.” For example, the two Marquises and Earls of the Great Dike would inevitably find themselves dealing with the court of Water God of the Eastern Sea.

Chen Ping’an withdrew a prepared booklet from his sleeve. “This is a registry of the registered members of Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s Ancestral Hall, along with a summary of our revenue streams and primary partners. It is a rather crude outline, intended to provide everyone with a general impression of our mountain. As this was prepared in haste, I have omitted the Green Canopy Sword Sect, our subsidiary in the Tongye Continent. If anyone is interested, Chief Zhou can provide a more detailed exposition later.”

He wished to dispel any suspicion that Chen Ping’an, as the new National Preceptor, would abuse his power for personal gain. Fallen Phoenix Mountain had declared its intention to remain sealed for twenty years, and its eventual re-emergence might lead some to believe that it had been secretly thriving with Great Li’s support. This list was meant to preempt such assumptions.

Emperor Song He smiled gently. “Please circulate the booklet amongst yourselves. I shall be the last to read it. National Preceptor Chen, may the court retain this document for our records?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Of course.”

Some entries contained parenthetical annotations. For example, Zhou Fei, the Chief Offering of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, was noted as Jiang Shangzhen, the former Sect Master of Jade Standard Sect, and the current head of the Jiang Clan of Cloud Burrow Blessed Land.

The unranked Offering, known by the alias Joy Candle, was the sword cultivator from the old domain of Shining Colors, one of the Three Bright Moons of the Barren Sea.

Likewise, the probationary offering, Xie Gou, had a rather lengthy notation: Formerly known as Bai Jing, with the aliases Halo, Aureole, Radiance… a litany of nearly ten names. Her former abode lay within the Great Sun of the Barren Sea. Candidate for Second Offering of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Sword Cultivator.

The booklet concluded with a seal bearing the inscription “Chen Ping’an, Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Great Li would soon need to engrave an official seal for Chen Ping’an, its inscription naturally reading “National Preceptor of Great Li.”

The Ministry of Rites and the Bureau of Celestial Observations would meticulously select an auspicious day, the exact hour for the Emperor’s ceremonial first brushstroke, the seal’s material, and the blessings from the Five Sacred Mountains, the Major Rivers, the Capital City God Temple, and the Temple of Literature and War. All these details were of great import.

The aged Minister of State, Shen Chen, scrutinized the contents of the booklet with a series of approving clicks of his tongue.

In truth, the booklet contained only two pages. The first listed the registered members of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, excluding the “guest retainers,” whose presence would have further enhanced the mountain’s prestige.

The second page outlined their current trade partnerships, essentially serving as a supplement to the “guest retainers” section. In the Northern Reaches Continent alone, the mountain boasted alliances with several entities bearing the designation “Sect:” the Hempen Garment Sect of Corpse Mound, Floating Duckweed Sword Lake of female Sword Immortal Li Cai, and the Supreme Emblem Sword Sect of Liu Jinglong, along with a host of business partners including Water Dragon Sect and the崇玄署 of the Great Source Dynasty. Within their own Azure Continent, several names were particularly noteworthy, such as Jin Qing of Purple Whip Mountain of the Central Sacred Mountain,璞 Mountain, the Yong River, and Mount Shenchen and Mount Caizhi, potential successors to the Northern and Southern Sacred Mountains, respectively.

This was largely due to the “dedication” and “attention to detail” of Cao Gengxin, the former Superintendent of Dragon Spring Kiln.

Of course, the concealment of Hanging Cloud Mountain also played a role. Mountain Lord Wei and Superintendent Cao seemed to be of one mind, ensuring that the true depths of Fallen Phoenix Mountain remained shrouded in mist, a matter of pure speculation for outsiders.

The only exception was the spectacle witnessed at the ordination of the orthodox Yang Mountain. But, alas, aside from Mountain Owner Chen Ping’an, none of the members of the Ancestral Hall of Fallen Phoenix Mountain had actually participated in the contests.

In truth, to say that the Great Li court possessed “scant knowledge” of Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s true resources was an understatement. A more diplomatic bureaucratic phrase would be “limited understanding.”

Wei Bo scrutinized the booklet with particular care, turning back to review entries already read.

Why are you feigning such ignorance, Night Wanderer Lord? You know more than anyone else. You are the most informed of all. Whether Fallen Phoenix Mountain has registered members, or how many trees grow on the mountain, Mountain Lord Wei knows everything.

However, it was the external world that misunderstood Mountain Lord Wei. The truth was that Fallen Phoenix Mountain could account for every single bamboo stalk in that small grove on Hanging Cloud Mountain.

The booklet passed from hand to hand, Tong Wenchang casting only a few cursory glances. Some deities pored over it with meticulous care, unwilling to miss a single word.

Joy Candle and Xie Gou, the two sword cultivators from the Barren Sea, one unranked and the other probationary, had no realms specified.

However, their former abodes alone spoke volumes to the assembled deities. Both Joy Candle and Xie Gou were undoubtedly Ascensions!

Nearly all deities felt a twinge of unease upon reading this.

Within arm’s reach, just beyond the corridor, stood two Ascensions, whose lifespans were possibly ten thousand years or more, and furthermore, who were ancient sword cultivators hailing from the Barren Sea.

Jiang Shangzhen, having taken a seat by the door, seemed somewhat comical. But now, seeing Chief Zhou standing guard at the doorway, separating the room’s interior from the exterior, felt much more reassuring.

With Jiang Shangzhen blocking the entrance, those two sword cultivators of the Barren Sea, capable of claiming an “old throne” in the world, would at least think twice before entering and indiscriminately attacking.

Jiang Shangzhen had once inquired of Chen Ping’an whether the Maiden Xie, who had established a fire-essence palace within the Great Sun, might be an incarnation of some ancient celestial spirit.

Chen Ping’an’s initial conjecture had been identical.

However, Qing Tong had provided an answer, gleaned indirectly from Yang Zhi, that Bai Jing was indeed a demon of the purest provenance, not a god reincarnate.

Furthermore, Yang Zhi had revealed that Crimson Concubine, who had taken over Dragging River, might very well be a disciple of Bai Jing’s lineage, if one were to categorize such things.

Song He was the last to peruse the booklet. Closing it gently, he rested his hand upon it, smiling as he asked, “National Preceptor Chen, the Ministry of Rites has an idea. Might we petition for Spring Mountain Academy to be considered a candidate for the Seventy-Two Academies of the Literary Temple?”

The last meeting of the Literary Temple had only recently ratified the roster of the Seventy-Two Academies. A “candidate,” in this context, would be eligible for the Literary Temple’s assessment. However, there was no fixed timeline for such additions, and the competition was fierce. Nearly all of the Ten Great Dynasties of the Magnificent World, including Great Li, already had several academies vying for a coveted position on the candidate list. Should a vacancy arise, thirty-odd royal academies would simultaneously compete for the coveted title. Furthermore, Spring Mountain Academy had another issue: its proximity to the Azure Deer Academy. In addition, the academy lacked eminent scholars whose renown extended throughout the realm. Most critically, none of the academy’s administrators, lecturers, or instructors currently held the title of Confucian Gentleman.

Minister of State for Rites, Zhao Duanjin, said, “This would be a most challenging endeavor.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Whether Spring Mountain Academy can be accepted as a candidate is beyond my purview. Mountain Lord Wei might be the one to approach the senior master who presided over the canonization ceremony of Hanging Cloud Mountain, and inquire if he would lecture at the academy at some point.”

Wei Bo said, “I can only offer to relay this request to the senior master. I cannot guarantee whether he would agree to lecture at Spring Mountain Academy.”

Jin Qing, Fan Junmao, and Meng Rong exchanged glances. Even Tong Wenchang lifted his head to regard Mountain Lord Wei.

Good heavens! We Mountain Lords were fretful before today’s deliberation, unsure whether we would even pass a self-proposed deity title.

Yet you, Wei Bo, have already met the senior master? And you knew about the senior master presiding over the canonization ceremony of Hanging Cloud Mountain all along?

If you are so capable, why do you, Mountain Lord Wei, not simply sit in the Literary Temple of the Central Continent to participate in those deliberations?

The Mountain Lords felt a pang of envy. In this matter, Chen Ping’an felt somewhat stifled.

I implored you to use the title “Night Wanderer,” even invoking my master and the Sect Leader Lu. Yet, at the time, you, Wei Bo, were unreceptive and even bristled at my suggestion.

And yet, the moment the senior master mentioned that the title of Night Wanderer was excellent, you immediately changed your tune! Does this mean that the counsel of your own people holds no weight?

Ah, in the end, Chen Ping’an was too unimportant.

Wei Bo remained impassive, feigning ignorance of the exchange of glances in the room.

Chen Ping’an continued, “I will serve as a temporary instructor at Spring Mountain Academy, offering a course on the history of the battles at Sword Qi Great Wall. Of course, this matter will need to be reviewed and approved by His Majesty and the Ministry of Rites, in consultation with Spring Mountain Academy.”

Wei Bo said, “Earlier, at Fallen Phoenix Mountain, the senior master personally recommended National Preceptor Chen as a Gentleman of the academy.”

Zhao Duanjin smiled. “A double blessing.”

Shen Chen suddenly interjected, “As you are expounding on martial strategies and warfare, National Preceptor Chen would naturally be well-suited to serve as a temporary instructor at Spring Mountain Academy. However, it would be even more appropriate for you to join the newly established Pine Snow Hall in Mian Prefecture. Furthermore, we need not await any formal deliberations, for I am the nominal director of the Hall, and it is directly subordinate to the Ministry of War. I can finalize this matter immediately. Once the deliberation concludes, I can escort National Preceptor Chen to the Southern Fragrance Quarter of Thousand Step Corridor. Upon arriving at the Ministry of War, I shall draft an appointment letter on the spot. You can choose any position you desire, National Preceptor Chen—Associate Lecturer, Provost, anything!”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and smiled. “We shall discuss this matter further.”

The aged Minister of State asked in confusion, “Discuss what? Either accept or decline. Why must you equivocate, National Preceptor Chen?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “Then allow me to provide a definitive answer. I will only serve as a temporary instructor at Spring Mountain Academy, at present.”

The old man was taken aback, at a loss for words.

Zhao Duanjin suppressed a laugh. So much for flaunting your seniority, and trying to steal my personnel from the Ministry of Rites!

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Minister Shen, please refrain from uttering the phrase ‘outlander.’ I believe the Luminous Pearl Grotto has always been considered part of Great Li’s ancestral lands.”

The aged Minister of State was instantly silenced.

Even National Preceptor Cui had never quibbled over such matters. How could he, a mere junior disciple of the Embroidered Tiger, reopen old wounds? And why was he so vindictive?

Chen Ping’an shifted the topic, saying, “Cloud Radiance Mountain, Evergreen Palace, Bamboo Grove Sword Sect, Old Dragon City. Let us assist these candidate sects, and, provided that they meet the Literary Temple’s requirements, facilitate their ascent to formal status. Of course, one must first be forged of strong steel, their foundations solid enough to support our embellishments. The more sects within the continent, and the more harmonious their relations with all of you, the more stable the mountain and water aura will be. The objective for these mountain schemes is twofold. Tactically, we must prepare in advance, with meticulous planning. Strategically, we must prepare for the worst, anticipating a second great war.”

Across the entire Magnificent World, few would dare contemplate or utter those last words.

The mere mention of that “great war” brought forth a sense of lingering dread.

However, the inclusion of Bamboo Grove Sword Sect on Chen Ping’an’s list caused considerable surprise among several high-ranking deities.

Upon seeing Chen Ping’an take his seat, their first thought had been that Yang Mountain was in for a reckoning.

Could it be that the new National Preceptor was acting with magnanimity, setting aside personal grievances for the greater good?

Hearing this, Fan Junmao was even more incensed. He can reconcile with Yang Mountain, yet be so meticulous with me?

Wei Bo alone remained composed.

A massive screen stood within the chamber, depicting a map of the continent, its kingdoms labeled in vermillion ink and its sects and factions in black ink.

South of the Crossing of Qi, the Divine Oracle Sect, True Martial Mountain, and the Jiang Clan of Cloud Forest were all established powers with enduring legacies.

A Buddhist temple and a Daoist temple had also recently ascended to sectarian status on the Azure Continent. Combined with Mountain Cliff Academy within the Great Sui territory, and the Azure Deer Academy situated on Hanging Cloud Mountain, all were now numbered among the Seventy-Two Confucian Academies, collectively stabilizing the continent’s aura.

The Temple of Universal Blessing had recently held an enthronement ceremony, to which Fallen Phoenix Mountain had dispatched a set of celebratory couplets.

The Manifest Spirit Temple, situated on Mount Jade Barrier, had long been obscure. Beyond the local populace, even the neighboring kingdoms paid it little heed. The temple’s situation was akin to that of Mount Ganzhou before its ascension to the ranks of the continent’s mountains—unremarkable and understated. It was only when the Song lineage of Great Li included it in their official rituals that it became known to the outside world. Thus, when the Manifest Spirit Temple achieved sectarian status, both those on the mountain and those beneath it were at a loss, having no idea when a Daoist True Lord had appeared on the Azure Continent.

This Daoist True Lord, whose temple was erected where the mountains met the waters, was rather unique, bearing two titles, “Clear Source” and “Search the Mountains.”

Legend had it that this lord attained enlightenment on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.

As increasing numbers of itinerant cultivators traveled to the region, they spoke of a jade-faced divine spirit garbed in golden armor, riding a white steed and wielding a long blade, leading his hunting retinue across the waves, passing over the water with a flick of his whip, his entourage vast and his bearing majestic.

In terms of appearance and spirit, he was a match for Mountain Lord Wei of Hanging Cloud Mountain.

What was most striking was the breadth of his divine duties, which were unconstrained by the authority of the Sacred Mountain Lords.

Furthermore, within the former territory of White Frost Dynasty, the Spirit Flight Palace, formerly Spirit Flight Temple, home to Celestial Master Cao Rong, had gained sectarian status thanks to its meritorious deeds. Xiang Jun, the first Palace Master of Spirit Flight Palace, bore the alias Dongting.

The number of sects on the Azure Continent was now comparable to that of many larger continents.

Chen Ping’an smiled gently. “I have a suggestion that may not be fully formed. Within the borders of Great Li, throughout the northern region of the Azure Continent, the elevation or demotion of both immortal sects and the deities of rivers and mountains should be governed by the same logic and example. Becoming a sectarian entity should not be seen as a guarantee of lasting stability. Those who commit grave transgressions should be stripped of their sectarian status.”

“For example, Great Li could aid the Bamboo Grove Sword Sect, a subsidiary of Yang Mountain, in rising to sectarian status, provided that they perform meritorious deeds worthy of being recorded in the Literary Temple’s Register of Merits.”

“At the same time, we could strip Yang Mountain of its sectarian identity.”

The imperial study fell silent once more.

National Preceptor Chen had offered a compelling example…

It was fortunate that no Sword Immortal from Yang Mountain was present at the deliberation today.

“This is a matter of great import. I and National Preceptor Chen shall convene a dedicated session with the ministers of the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers to discuss its feasibility. Ultimately, we may need to consult with Azure Deer Academy and Lake Viewing Academy as well.”

Song He smiled. “Let us now turn our attention to the selection of a new Administrator of Money Pond. Besides Great Li’s Ministry of Rites, the Marquis of Evergreen and the Earl of Drizzling both have officials they favor. Minister Zhao, please circulate the three dossiers among the assembly. Let us examine who is best suited for the position. After reviewing the dossiers, Minister Zhao and the two Marquises and Earls shall introduce each candidate to the assembly. Then, feel free to express your opinions openly, and do not hesitate to recommend those you know well.”

The Minister of State for Rites produced three dossiers. The profile of Cen Wenqian attracted particular attention. Several deities pored over it, aware that with a divinity rank as the lowest of the deities, even some deities only knew Jumping Wave River but not its deity Cen Wenqian.

The candidate nominated by the Marquis of Evergreen, Cen Wenqian, would complete a monumental three-step leap in the mountain and water bureaucracy, should she succeed.

Thus, Yang Hua held no great hope.

Conversely, the nomination of Earl Drizzling, Cao Yong, seemed more likely to pass scrutiny, and might even challenge the nominee of Great Li’s Ministry of Rites.

Firstly, Cao Yong had formerly served as the Administrator of Money Pond himself, and Great Li was obliged to give him some deference.

Furthermore, such internal promotions were more aligned with the customs of the mountain and water bureaucracy.

According to the dossier, Cen Wenqian, the first Lake Lord of Old Fish Lake, had served as the Educational Commissioner of several prefectures in a tributary kingdom of Great Li. Later, demonstrating his aptitude for economics, he had been transferred to the position of Transport Commissioner, overseeing the dredging and opening of the kingdom’s waterways and the construction of its granaries. He had then assumed full responsibility for streamlining the kingdom’s bureaucracy, rising from Vice Minister of Public Works to Vice Minister of Personnel, eventually reaching the rank of Minister of Rites. However, he had only held that position for a few days before retiring to his homeland. After his death, Cen Wenqian was posthumously granted the title of Senior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and the honorary title of Wen Duan, a testament to his immense honor. However, when the beloved Cen Wenqian died, the local populace spontaneously raised funds to erect a temple in his honor, becoming a local spirit offering protection. It would have been reasonable to promote him to the City God of a Prefecture or even of the capital. However, Cen Wenqian was merely granted the position of minor River God of the Jumping Wave River, through a member from the Ministry of Rites sent out from the capital, an assignment that would never be promoted.

Upon reaching this point, the assembled deities understood the situation.

Cen Wenqian’s trajectory in the civil service was clear. The monarch of that small kingdom had deliberately cast Cen Wenqian as the “villain,” particularly with regard to the streamlining of the bureaucracy. When Cen Wenqian aroused public animosity, the Emperor, “responding to the people’s will,” discarded Cen Wenqian after exploiting his usefulness. Appointing Cen Wenqian as Minister of Rites for a few days served to elevate his post-retirement status, providing a passable explanation to Cen Wenqian, who had worked hard even if he had not achieved great merit, and to his political enemies in the court.

The only unforeseen circumstance was Cen Wenqian becoming a local cult hero. The contemporary nobles and high-ranking officials of the court, or their proteges who occupied key positions in the bureaucracy, naturally opposed Cen Wenqian’s ascent in the mountain and water bureaucracy. Thus, River God Cen could only remain River God Cen.

Such bureaucratic machinations were commonplace not only within Great Li, but throughout the Azure Continent and the other eight continents of the Magnificent World.

In the subsequent years, Cen Wenqian’s fortunes had improved. Old Fish Lake and Jumping Wave River were geographical neighbors, both formerly within the domain of Marquis Evergreen of the Crossing of Qi. Due to the diversion of the Jumping Wave River, it was renamed Old Fish Lake, and Cen Wenqian was transferred to the position of Lake Lord, effectively skipping two ranks to become a Seventh-Rank Deity. Subsequently, Cen Wenqian, upon the recommendation of Marquis Yang Hua of Evergreen, was appointed to a position in the Ministry of Public Works in the Secondary Capital, concurrently serving as Vice Minister of Water Affairs, while remaining as Lake Lord. However, Cen Wenqian was required to report to the Ministry of Public Works in Luo Capital each month, with his return to the Lake Lord’s mansion subject to the progress of ongoing matters at the Ministry of Public Works.

Was it not a foolish dream for a probationary Seventh-Rank Lake Lord to be nominated for the position of Third-Rank Administrator of Money Pond?

Regardless, the fact that Cen Wenqian was being discussed in the Great Li imperial study demonstrated that he was held in high regard.

Clearly, Marquis Yang Hua of Evergreen held her subordinate in uncommon esteem.

As the saying goes, “One rank higher, one can crush you to death,” and “With someone in the court, it is easy to be an official.”

Subsequently, Zhao Duanjin, Yang Hua, and Cao Yong each provided supplementary introductions of the three candidates.

Throughout this process, the Marquis of Evergreen spoke the least, providing only a few brief sentences regarding Cen Wenqian’s situation.

Meng Rong spoke first, saying, “The Administrator of Money Pond is a vital position, holding a Third-Rank deity status, one of the few within the continent. The city extends over two banks of the river, which is rich in culture. The current Water God of Twin River, Wu Yun, is already a Fourth-Rank deity listed in the Literary Temple’s Golden Jade Register. It would not be too unreasonable to skip the Third-Rank and appoint him as the Administrator of Money Pond.”

Tong Wenchang spoke, saying, “I disagree with Mountain Lord Meng. I recommend Cen Wenqian.”

Wei Bo smiled. “I am not familiar with any of the candidates. From the dossiers alone, I cannot discern their relative strengths. Each possesses their own merits.”

Which was to say, he wasn’t saying much.

Fan Junmao said, “If Mountain Lord Wei is not familiar with them, I am even more at sea.”

Jin Qing said, “The Water God of Twin River, Wu Yun, has a staunch personality and has served as an assistant to the Administrator of Money Pond for a long time. The two rivers share a common source, their waters naturally interconnected. He is relatively well-suited for the position.”

The aged Minister of War chuckled. “That is why it was historically necessary to construct pagodas to suppress the tides.”

Cao Yong’s expression was one of discomfort.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Minister Zhao, does Great Li’s Ministry of Public Works in the capital have a record of Cen Wenqian’s work and evaluations in the Second Capital’s Ministry of Public Works? If so, could they be made available for reference today?”

Zhao Duanjin replied, “Yes, we do. I can retrieve them immediately.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Then I shall trouble Minister Zhao to dispatch someone for that purpose.”

Fan Junmao leaned back in her chair, offering a faint “hmph,” a slight improvement over an outright sneer.

As National Preceptor Chen had spoken, and they were not fools, there was no point in further discussion, which was a waste of breath. They might as well appoint Cen Wenqian as the Administrator of Money Pond immediately.

Had the location been more appropriate, Jiang Shangzhen, stationed at the doorway, would have given a thumbs-up to the Maiden Mountain Lord.

Zhao Duanjin rubbed a jade pendant at his waist, then shook his sleeve. A miniature wooden model of the Thousand Step Corridor and its numerous government offices of Southern Fragrance Quarter and the进士 Alley appeared before him. The non-cultivating Minister of State for Rites demonstrated his skill, shifting scenes, and soon extracted the archival record of Cen Wenqian’s work in the Second Capital’s Ministry of Public Works. Zhao Duanjin tapped the jade pendant, causing the scene to vanish, leaving the dossier in his hands.

Chen Ping’an now understood that these small imperial court deliberations could be conducted in such a manner, saving time and effort.

The record was circulated once more. Previously, the assembled deities had known that Cen Wenqian had accomplished significant achievements in the Second Capital’s Ministry of Public Works, but the specific nature of those accomplishments, and how they had been achieved, remained unclear. However, the record “obtained” by Zhao Duanjin now provided a clear and detailed account of each recommendation made by Cen Wenqian in his capacity as Vice Minister of Water Affairs, including dredging river channels, widening