A light rain fell, and each held an umbrella, conversing endlessly with laughter and banter.

Zhu Lian had stolen a moment from his busy schedule to come to the mountain gate’s archway, wanting to personally offer a few words of congratulations to Immortal Master Jia.

Immortal Master Jia often came to the foot of the mountain to exchange heartfelt words with the diligent Immortal Constable Daoist.

Meeting anyone felt like reuniting with a long-lost friend, addressing every person as a brother, but after a long time, these friendships turned out to be ordinary.

However, the Old Chef and Immortal Master Jia were not such people. Their relationship was a genuine camaraderie cultivated over years, a slow-simmered brew of understanding and heartfelt sentiment. Now, Fallen Mountain possessed two intercontinental ferries. One, the Wind Kite Ferry, was “purchased” by Mountain Master Chen through his own abilities from the Profound Secret Dynasty of the Central Earth Continent, and the other, a brand new “Thunder Chariot”, was acquired from the Yao Clan of Great Spring in the Tongye Continent. Jia Sheng had become the second-in-command of the Wind Kite Ferry, and he was about to be promoted.

For before closing himself off, the Mountain Master had decided to appoint Immortal Master Jia as the overall manager of the Thunder Chariot Ferry. As for the guardians of the intercontinental ferries, Jia Sheng was allowed to choose them himself.

Immortal Master Jia understood the hidden meaning – they were preparing to strike against the lower sects.

As the Head Lecturer of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect’s academy, Immortal Master Jia was of course willing to put his old reputation on the line.

Zhu Lian said Immortal Master Jia would be busy. Jia Sheng sighed, “What is my busyness compared to the Mountain Master and Old Mister Zhu? It’s just a small favor for those who truly toil.”

“Is the Mountain Master placing burdens on my shoulders by asking me to do this and that? No, he’s taking the burden upon himself.”

“If something is not done correctly, with the Mountain Master’s character and magnanimity, he would never blame others, but rather blame himself.”

Interacting with Immortal Master Jia was always relaxing and pleasant.

After a delightful conversation and a reluctant farewell, Zhu Lian invited Immortal Master Jia to visit the Sword-Worshipping Terrace when he had time.

Jia Sheng hesitated, having long desired to pay respects there, but worried about disturbing the Sword Forger and his cultivation of the sword dao.

Zhu Lian smiled and said it wouldn’t.

Immortal Master Jia then rode the wind back to Riding Dragon Lane, prepared some wine and pastries, and walked into the mountain to visit the Sword-Worshipping Terrace.

However, he was informed that the recently nicknamed “Sweet-as-Sugar” Old Deaf Man had gone to Jumping Fish Mountain to preach and teach, and his return was uncertain.

Immortal Master Jia stood under the eaves, composed and at ease, waiting while taking shelter from the rain.

Earlier, Mountain Master Chen and the Right Protector had taken a stroll on Jumping Fish Mountain, saying that he owed quite a few favors and literary debts, without any exaggeration.

At the Sword Forging Chamber on Azure Peak, they received several flying sword messages almost every day, their origins impossible to guess. Warm Tree was responsible for collecting them and handing them to Mister Zhu. The invitations and notes had already filled several large baskets.

When Chen Pingan began his seclusion, Zhu Lian still adhered to his proposed principle: even if Fallen Mountain was seen as aloof and arrogant, the Mountain Master should only adhere to one tenet: “Only fame and artifacts can be lent, never people.” Those without any prior connection were left aside, without exception. At most, they were glanced over and filed, recorded in the ledger. Many letters, once opened, contained a variety of requests: invitations to participate in celebrations, requests for calligraphy for studies and pavilions. If the Mountain Master didn’t have the time to bestow a piece of calligraphy, they asked if they could collect characters from the Hundred Swords Immortal and Sword Immortal print collections. There were also elegant gatherings and poetry societies requesting Mister Chen’s presence, and some sent collections of essays, hoping Mister Chen could write a preface or correct any errors. There were even some inexplicable family or sect matters, or criticisms of current affairs, hoping that Chen Hidden Official would say a few fair words. Some required a response, and Zhu Lian would write on behalf of the Mountain Master, imitating his tone and handwriting, effortlessly.

However, certain letters, such as flying sword messages directly addressed from Crawling Peak or Water Scripture Mountain, still required Zhu Lian to reply and explain on behalf of his Mountain Master.

Zhu Lian’s replies were generally worded politely and elegantly, starting with phrases like, “Having received your letter, I am filled with shame and gratitude.”

“Honorable person, I dare not accept the request for calligraphy.”

“I am unwilling to ‘disaster-print-wood-blocks’ for the re-engraving of the two print collections, and I am truly unable to agree. I am unappreciative and have failed your kind intentions, feeling both guilty and grateful.”

“Regrettably, I am entangled in worldly affairs and cannot spare the time for a visit. The mountain and water scenery described in the Sect Leader’s letter is so exquisite that it evokes a sense of mental wanderlust.”

“Your esteemed sect’s excessive kindness fills me with fear and gratitude… I reply hastily, my writing illegible.”

He wouldn’t mistreat himself. Xie Gou obtained a few dishes of fermented bean curd and pickles from Mister Zhu’s kitchen and boiled a pot of hot rice porridge. Porridge and rice were the best nourishments in the world. That day, Wei Bo had important matters to discuss and had to personally make a trip to the Freeing Clouds Mountain private dojo, but was stopped by the girl in the sable hat with flushed cheeks holding a bowl of porridge, squatting in the corridor, mumbling that her Mountain Master was in seclusion and would see no one.

It wasn’t that he minded being included in the “no one,” Wei Bo simply found it strange, “Is this fellow really in seclusion?”

Xie Gou nodded, helping to clarify, “He’s really not slacking off or pulling his usual trick of being a hands-off manager. Our Mountain Master is taking this seclusion very seriously, solemnly, and earnestly.”

Wei Bo looked troubled. Xie Gou immediately perked up, raised his chin, tapped the white bowl lightly with his chopsticks, and said proudly, “If you have something to say, tell me, and I’ll pass it on. I’m at least the Second Seat Provisioner. Apart from the five titans of Fallen Mountain, I have the highest status and the biggest official hat.” Wei Bo shook his head with a smile, “This matter needs to be discussed with Chen Pingan in person. It’s not that urgent. I’ll come here again after a week. If Chen Pingan comes out of seclusion in the meantime, have Second Seat Xie make a trip to Cloud Piercing Mountain.”

Xie Gou said, “Whether it’s a week or a month, it’s hard to say now.”

Wei Bo smiled, “It doesn’t matter, then I’ll come here to check in every week.”

Xie Gou asked curiously, “What’s the matter that’s worth a visit from the esteemed Night Wandering Divine Monarch so frequently?” Wei Bo thought for a moment, “Alright, I’ll have you pass on a message. Just say that there’s something the Emperor is too embarrassed to bring up, so he sent me to act as an envoy. Since he agreed to attend the ceremony recently, the Emperor is afraid that your Mountain Master won’t take the first public appearance of the new National Preceptor of Great Li seriously. Although the Imperial Court doesn’t intend to make a big deal out of this, if he goes to the Imperial Palace in the capital without saying a word, someday…”
“… Merely attending the early court session and leaving immediately would seem inappropriate. Therefore, His Majesty hopes he will display a bit more pomp and circumstance.”

Xie Gou sighed helplessly, “Just this little matter? Did the Night Roaming God just deliver the message?”

Wei Bo smiled gently, “Anyway, the message has been delivered. How to handle it is up to Mountain Lord Chen’s own wishes.”

Xie Gou tried to persuade him to stay, “Is the Night Roaming God leaving already? Won’t you chat for a bit longer? Standing here like a door god is quite boring.”

The girl in the sable hat kept calling him the Night Roaming God, giving Wei Bo a headache, and he really didn’t want to stay any longer. Suddenly, Xie Gou said telepathically, “I casually flipped through the annals of the Konghou Sect and found a record of a Daoist from Quanjiao Mountain named Cui Chengxian, who came here before and sat at the table at the foot of the mountain for half a day. I didn’t notice anything unusual. The cultivation level he displayed clearly didn’t match his tone of voice. I’ve been to Quanjiao Mountain in Fuyu Continent, and it’s strange. It’s not a place that ordinary Daoists could defend. You are the master of the Northern Mountain, did you sense anything amiss earlier?”

Wei Bo frowned slightly and shook his head, “I didn’t pay attention either.” If there had been the slightest unusual movement, Wei Bo would have been watching the mountain gate. Since he hadn’t felt anything, there were only two possibilities: either this visitor’s cultivation was too shallow, and he was just spouting nonsense at the mountain gate, or his cultivation was very high, and he could conceal it so well that both he and Bai Jing overlooked it. The strangest thing was that if a Flying Ascendant Realm cultivator traveled across continents to the Treasure Bottle Continent, they would have to report it to the imitation White Jade City above the Great Li capital. If we assume that the person was a reclusive immortal, being able to stay at the gate of the Fallen Phoenix Mountain for so long would make him seem even more extraordinary.

Without Xie Gou’s reminder, Wei Bo dispersed his divine sense. After a moment, he said, “After a quick scan, I haven’t found any trace of this person within the Northern Mountain territory.” Xie Gou was also holding her breath, “seeing” the vast mountains and rivers of the Northern Mountain as a golden dragon freely roaming and hunting within its jurisdiction. Because a god’s thoughts moved so quickly, the mountains and rivers of the Northern Continent intertwined to form a great net of golden light of divine sense. Such movement, except for Flying Ascendant Realm cultivators, was completely imperceptible to Qi Refiners, but it could not be concealed from the other Four Mountain Gods.

But Xie Gou obviously didn’t trust the effectiveness of Wei Bo’s innate ability. She put down her bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and said, “If you trust me, I can attach myself to your divine sense and investigate again.”

Wei Bo nodded, “Then let’s try again.”

Being masters of the Dao, they only needed a few words for Wei Bo to temporarily grant Xie Gou the authority of the Northern Mountain God to patrol with him using a secret method.

Xie Gou quickly complained, “Don’t bother with this ‘point-to-surface’ method, it’s too slow to examine the mountains and rivers. Are you looking down on me? Just disperse your divine sense as far as it can go.”

Wei Bo glanced at her. Xie Gou nodded confidently, “Not to boast, the strength of our sword cultivators’ bodies and souls is extraordinary. Today, the Night Roaming God must broaden his horizons.”

In an instant, starting from Fuyu Foothill, countless golden rays were thrown out in arcs, falling on the Northern Mountain map far and near, connecting points to surfaces, crisscrossing each other.

The golden net became even denser.

Wei Bo withdrew his supernatural power. Xie Gou adjusted her sable hat, “Either he’s hiding deep, or he’s running fast, he’s definitely not someone to be trifled with.”

Wei Bo said, “Since he dared to show himself openly at the mountain gate and chatted with Jia Sheng for so long, it’s unlikely that he’s a treacherous villain.”

Cultivators on the mountain, regardless of gender, are prone to attracting the curiosity and prying eyes of all kinds of people, especially if they hold high positions.

Take Mi Yu, for example. In Tongye Continent, even without stepping off the boat, he attracted the love of countless women at the ferry, who fell for him at first sight.

Wei Bo thought Xie Gou was going to say something else, but he saw the girl in the sable hat puffing out her cheeks and blinking her eyes.

It was as if her eyes were asking, “Why hasn’t the Night Roaming God left yet? Have you changed your mind and decided to chat a bit longer?”

Wei Bo turned his head and looked at the tightly closed bamboo house, pondered for a moment, and was about to say goodbye and shrink the mountains and rivers to return to his reading place when he heard a retching sound.

Wei Bo quickly turned his head to look and saw Xie Gou with her back to him, holding a bowl and vomiting into it.

The girl in the sable hat raised the back of her hand and wiped the corner of her mouth, without turning her head to explain anything. Perhaps she was embarrassed for once?

Wei Bo was understanding and pretended that nothing had happened. He was about to return to Piyun Mountain when he saw Xie Gou tilting her head back and “drinking it all in.”

Now it was Wei Bo’s turn, with his fastidious nature, to almost couldn’t help retching on the spot.

Xie Gou smacked her lips, muttering about how every grain of rice was hard-earned and how it was easy to go from frugality to extravagance. She turned around with a hearty laugh and said, “Night Roaming God, I just remembered something I need to talk to you about.”

Wei Bo smiled awkwardly, “It’s not urgent.”

Things like the Night Roaming God seemed to be nothing anymore.

Xie Gou said, “It’s an important matter, don’t delay.”

Wei Bo sighed inwardly and sat down on the steps, “Let’s hear it.” What Xie Gou said next was indeed not a small matter. First, she talked about the deal between Zhenwu Mountain and Fallen Phoenix Mountain, which meant that Dragon Spine Mountain, recorded in the Great Li Secret Records as “Jia Liu Mountain,” had a chance to be formally transferred to Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s name as long as the Wind and Snow Temple and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect agreed. As for the Great Li Song family, they were probably just afraid that Mountain Lord Chen wouldn’t open his mouth to ask. Wei Bo understood and said that he would help speak to the Wind and Snow Temple and Ruan Qiong about this matter. After that, it was Fallen Phoenix Mountain’s long-planned business of buying mountains. By the same token, the one who most wanted to facilitate this matter was still the Great Li Dynasty, even more anxious than Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

When the Carp Pearl Grotto Heaven took root, there were a total of sixty-two mountains, including Piyun Mountain, west of the small town.

Since the Dragon Spring Sword Sect was even taking the initiative to free up land for Fallen Phoenix Mountain, there were now about a dozen large and small immortal sects that were stubbornly refusing to move.

Ruan Qiong was the chief offering of the Great Li Dynasty and a guest of honor to two generations of emperors of the Song family. They still needed to “avoid suspicion” in this way, which certainly made those dozen or so sects think and worry.

They were really reluctant to move away. A piece of fat meat that they had just gotten their mouths on, before they could even smack their lips a few times, they had to spit it out. No one would want to do that.

They didn’t want to make a losing or even a losing deal, and they were worried that their lack of discretion would sour their relationship with the behemoth that was Fallen Phoenix Mountain, and that they would be remembered with resentment.
Yet, they lacked the stature of Ruan Qiong or the influence of Liu Xianyang, making it impossible for them to move mountains with the personal assistance of the esteemed Deity Wei.

Any discerning observer could see that the rise of Fallen Mountain in New Chuzhou was an inevitable tide, an unyielding force of the mortal realm. Any attempt to resist would be as futile as an ant trying to halt a chariot. Back then, Wei Bo had relocated seven mountains, including Divine Show Mountain, acquiring them in two phases, three followed by four. Among the second batch of four, one was designated as Xu Xiaoqiao’s Daoist abode, formerly known as Casting Mountain’s Boiling Sea Peak, and another was Youyi Peak, where the newly appointed Sect Leader, Sword Immortal Liu, resided. Aoyu Ridge, on the other hand, was leased to Pearl Hairpin Isle by Fallen Mountain in black and white, with an alliance forged long ago. Liu Chongrun, who had relocated from Shujian Lake, was said to have met Mountain Master Chen in times of peril, and she and her female cultivators naturally had no such concerns.

As for the Yidai Peak, a branch of the Yellow Millet School, it maintained an extremely harmonious relationship with Fallen Mountain. A pink-skirted girl often delivered local specialties to the mountain, a privilege that others envied.

Thus, when Leaping Fish Mountain and Rising Wind Foothill were both acquired by Fallen Mountain, the remaining mountain owners in New Chuzhou immediately sensed the change and began inquiring about prices from all sides.

Some sects remaining in Chuzhou had already repeatedly communicated with Fallen Mountain via flying sword messages, all anxious and impatient, urging Fallen Mountain to take the initiative, offer a price, and start negotiations!

During a meeting in the Ancestral Hall of Jise Peak, Mountain Master Chen Pingan expressed his intention to acquire half of the mountains within the next century.

In this gradual process of consolidating the mountains, Fallen Mountain would never resort to forced purchases, always striving for fair prices and mutual satisfaction.

Xie Gou said earnestly, “Don’t misunderstand. We at Fallen Mountain are upright folk, never bullying others with our influence. When it comes to business, we spend what we must, only offering premiums, never discounts.”

Wei Bo smiled, “It’s not just about money.” Xie Gou continued, “Exchanging goods for goods, treasures for mountains, all are acceptable. The pile of magical treasures and spiritual implements in Fallen Mountain’s treasury can all be converted into immortal coins. Furthermore, we can help find mountain peaks elsewhere, essentially a transaction involving immortal coins, treasures, and a mountain. We’re not afraid of exorbitant demands, only silence.” “Mountain Master even said that some sects and immortal abodes, whose backgrounds have been carefully vetted by the Northern March Deity Office, can invite a member of the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall to serve as a registered honorary guest.” “In the future, two or three promising cultivators can be sent to Leaping Fish Mountain to learn superior immortal techniques. Any more than that would be inappropriate. The matter of imparting Dao must be treated with utmost care. How can the word ‘understanding’ be taken lightly? Of course, the price of the mountain would have to be recalculated.” Wei Bo nodded repeatedly, but when he heard “superior immortal techniques,” he couldn’t help but feel puzzled. What Daoist arts would be taught at Leaping Fish Mountain? Those Peach Talisman Mountain Daoists, if they were to impart true arts, it might not be suitable. Chen Pingan, with his eclectic knowledge, could indeed pick out a few techniques to teach others, but the problem was that Chen Pingan didn’t seem to care much about the sixteen cultivators, whether they cultivated Dao or martial arts, at Leaping Fish Mountain, and even intentionally kept a distance. However, Old Cook defended the Mountain Master, saying that this was caring without being overly attentive.

Xie Gou laughed, “Gan Yiban, before entering the Sword Qi Great Wall, did possess some decent techniques. There’s nothing to worry about regarding him personally teaching others, no mountain taboos to be concerned about.” “Moreover, I also have some rudimentary entry-level techniques, which are highly sought after by those below Earth Immortals, profound Qi refining methods. Not to boast, but they are indeed the safest way to ascend. Like rice porridge, nourishing the stomach and replenishing the body, very beneficial to the soul. The only drawback is the relatively high requirement for talent, making cultivation challenging. That’s why I, the Second Seat Honorary Elder, am teaming up with Gan Yiban. Geniuses have their own way of cultivating, and mediocrities have their own way of ascending. Haha, combining both, we catch them all. No one will feel like they’re at a disadvantage.”

Wei Bo smiled, “In that case, it’s not impossible to talk. In fact, it might be easier to negotiate after Chen Pingan becomes the National Preceptor and the Great Li Dynasty announces the news to the continent.”

Business would still be business, of course, just a little less than ethical.

Xie Gou’s eyes lit up, and he curled his lips, “That’s right, that’s what I said, but our Mountain Master is unwilling to negotiate that way. What can I, the Second Seat, do?”

Wei Bo recalled a saying and asked with a smile, “By the way, isn’t it Fallen Mountain’s Four Great Pillars? How did it become Five Great Pillars on your side?”

Because of Xiao Mi Li, Wei Bo was quite familiar with the recent happenings of Fallen Mountain, both big and small.

The four prominent “high officials and dignitaries,” the “Mountain Ministers and Secretaries,” were Zhu Lian, Chang Ming, Wei Wenlong, and Jiang Shangzhen.

Xie Gou glanced at Wei Bo.

Wei Bo was bewildered, completely confused. Xie Gou whispered, “The Four Great Pillars were missing a behind-the-scenes contributor. I got angry as soon as I heard that, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got, so I took it upon myself to add the Night Traveling Deity. Xiao Mi Li thought it was a good idea and agreed, no objections. What’s wrong? Hasn’t Xiao Mi Li gone to Piyun Mountain to inform the Night Traveling Deity of the good news yet?”

Wei Bo maintained his smile, “Thank you very much.”

Wei Bo had previously found this saying amusing, but in the end, he was a joke himself?

The sable-hatted girl waved her hand, “No need to thank me, don’t be so polite. I just happen to have a request, and I’d like to trouble Deity Wei to be a matchmaker.”

Wei Bo smiled, thinking, “Well, this is asking me to repay kindness with grievances?”

Xie Gou lowered her voice and said, “Thanks to the Mountain Master’s trust, I joined the mountain late and suddenly became prominent, occupying a high position. I was worried about not being accepted by the masses, so I racked my brains and finally came up with a remedy.”

Wei Bo’s already strained smile became even more rigid.

She was disgusted and nauseated by her flowery, pretentious words.

Forget about coming to Rising Wind Foothill to check in, tell Chen Pingan to go to Piyun Mountain himself to discuss that matter with me. Xie Gou, however, continued to speak with great enthusiasm, making small calculations, “Now that Fallen Mountain’s two close neighbors, Rising Wind Foothill and Leaping Fish Mountain, have become vassal mountains, only Heavenly Capital Peak, a few steps away, seems a bit lonely, quite pitiful. I want to secretly buy it without letting our Mountain Master and my Xiao Mo know. Ask the woodcutter about the mountain, ask the fisherman about the water. I still understand these rules and etiquette.”

Wei Bo remained silent.
Across from here lies Celestial Capital Peak, a sprawling mountain whose territory, though slightly smaller than the dilapidated Fallen Peak, is still quite vast. Yet, this immense peak is inhabited by a mere handful of a dozen Qi Refinement cultivators, devoid of even a single Golden Core cultivator.

The sect presiding over Celestial Capital Peak is obscure, nestled in the southern reaches of Treasure Bottle Continent, with a foundation comparable to that of the Yellow Millet Sect.

Rumor has it that there is a Nascent Soul Grandmaster in secluded cultivation, and the current sect leader is a Golden Core Earth Immortal, firmly seated upon the mountain. Furthermore, there are a few favored disciples said to possess the qualifications of Earth Immortals.

However, aside from the Sect Leader being a genuine Golden Core, the rest are either mere rumors or hearsay.

Dog Xie continued, “Back in the day, acquiring that Celestial Capital Peak probably wouldn’t have cost more than ten gold essence copper coins. Of course, considering the current market price, we’d have to multiply that by ten, then by five…five hundred Grain Rain coins, would that be enough?”

Wei Bo said, “The buyers of Celestial Capital Peak don’t value money.”

Regarding the ostensible mountain lord of Celestial Capital Peak, as well as the true mastermind behind the scenes, Cloud-Draped Mountain could not divulge such secrets. Chen Ping’an also understood this tacitly and would never put Wei Bo in such a difficult position.

Dog Xie was still unwilling to give up, “Is it that they completely disregard money, or just don’t value it that much?”

Wei Bo replied, “They never intended to earn a single copper coin from Celestial Capital Peak, from beginning to end.”

Dog Xie said helplessly, “If they refuse to talk about money, it’s hard to negotiate.”

It would be different in the Untamed Desolate World; the only ones truly difficult to negotiate with were those willing to discuss money.

Wei Bo, being deliberately mysterious, said, “The ownership of Celestial Capital Peak can only be discussed after Chen Ping’an becomes the Great Li National Preceptor.”

Dog Xie was listless, as she didn’t have her eyes on the other peaks. Previously, there was a foreigner who called himself the Blown-Up True Lord, wealthy and generous, visiting everywhere. He had a verifiable identity from the Tongye Continent records, and offered the twelve sects a price they could hardly refuse. He was even willing to give a large down payment in advance; as long as there was intent, they could take the down payment. A money bag was directly slammed on the table, filled with Grain Rain coins! That Blown-Up True Lord even swore that if anyone regretted it later, whether it was him or them, the deal could be called off without having to return the deposit.

If they were worried it was a scam, they could even bring in an official from the Accounts Office of Locust Yellow County to draft a preliminary contract.

Who in the world conducts business like this, treating money like dirt? He should be called the Benevolence True Lord! But the problem was, he dared to buy, but they might not dare to sell. Firstly, after the money and goods were exchanged and the land deed was officially transferred, both parties would need to meet with the Ministry of Revenue of the Great Li Dynasty. What if someone resold the mountain at a high price, and then the Blown-Up True Lord started causing trouble? If any mistakes or problems arose, they might have to apologize to Fallen Peak or explain things to the Ministry of Punishments before even warming their bags of immortal money. Or, what if that so-called Tongye Continent buyer was actually a money bag for some summit cultivator, who had received insider information and wanted to buy the mountain at a “low price” in order to haggle face-to-face with Chen Ping’an, the Mountain Lord of Fallen Peak?

Everyone speculated, could it be an act of venting by an old sword immortal from True Yang Mountain? You had us erect a monument at the border, so we’ll buy a mountain next to your house to deliberately disgust Fallen Peak?

Or could it be a lavish spending spree by the Fu Clan of Old Dragon City, paving the way with money, hoping to ease relations with Mountain Lord Chen?

Regardless of the outside speculations, Chief Zhou’s sincere act of throwing money was quickly stopped by the Mountain Lord.

As a result, those sects that chose to wait and see, who did not accept the deposit at the time, regretted it. Those who accepted the money also felt uneasy.

After all, Fallen Peak now had a subordinate sect, and the Azure Floating Sword Sect had even taken away many members of the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall, and announced a twenty-year mountain closure.

The matter of “unifying the mountains” was indeed uncertain.

Apart from the Mountain Lord Chen himself, no one else knew for sure whether all the mountains in the west would “fall into the Chen family.”

Dog Xie said casually, “I see that the relocated Dragon Spring Sword Sect has quite the momentum. Looking at its aura, it’s not inferior to the Five Peaks.” As for the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Ruan Qiong, the last sitting saint of the Emerald Canopy Grotto Heaven, initially chose Divine Show Mountain, Lamp-Picking Mountain, and Horizontal Spear Peak. Later, he bought four more mountains, three for his direct disciples Dong Gu, Xu Xiaoqiao, and Xie Ling, and reserved another, the Yu Yi Peak, for Liu Xianyang, who was “temporarily lent to the Pure Confucian Chen Clan.” Wei Bo nodded and said, “First disciple Dong Gu can manage to cultivate to the Jade Purity Realm. Xu Xiaoqiao has other opportunities; her being able to occupy Boiling Sea Peak is where her cultivation chance lies. That blessed Long Eyebrows first entered seclusion to reach the Upper Five Realms, and shortly after coming out of seclusion, with the help of that immortal weapon of the Refined Treasure Pagoda, he had another epiphany in the rain. By offering that treasure, he can naturally extract merit from the rain, just like the patio in the small town, with the four waters returning to the hall. In fact, he has opened a separate channel for his Dao veins as a ditch, leading the water into his own home. Perhaps he will reach immortality sooner than Liu Xianyang.” Wei Bo had a good relationship with both sect leaders Ruan Qiong and Liu Xianyang. Chen Ping’an didn’t even know that Ruan Qiong often invited Wei Bo to drink at the Dragon Spring Sword Sect in private, indicating an extraordinary relationship. Therefore, Wei Bo talking about these inside stories was pretty much like chatting about family matters. Besides, the whole continent knew what the relationship between Liu Xianyang and Chen Ping’an was.

Dog Xie laughed, “Xie Ling’s final Dao achievements will definitely not be comparable to Liu Xianyang’s, not by a long shot.” Wei Bo said, “That’s just the opinion of your small group of summit figures. Below ascension, it seems like nothing matters. Before the sixty-year cycle, on Treasure Bottle Continent, not to mention another immortal, even someone reaching the Jade Purity Realm was a remarkable event.”

Dog Xie suddenly asked, “Was the Draconic Decapitation started by Old Yang from the medicine shop? Chen Qingliu and him, one in the light and one in the dark, with a proper and an auxiliary, intertwined structure?”

Wei Bo was silent for a moment, and said, “The departed are gone, and we should respect the elders; let’s not talk about this.”

Dog Xie said helplessly, “You people just have too many rules.”

Wei Bo smiled, “You’ll get used to it.”

Old Yang was not only one of the twelve high-ranking deities but also the Land Immortal Ancestor who controlled an Ascension Platform.

Therefore, his attitude toward the True Dragons who betrayed the ancient Heavenly Court was self-evident.

Those plotting on the mountains always liked to use subtle hints, stretching thousands of miles, hiding hidden dangers. The famous mountains of the ancient Shu region, once gathered and moved to the place where the True Dragon fell, have become the current western mountains.
The Pure Yang Lü, himself a living relic of bygone eras, once offered guidance to Chen Ping’an. One recalls the meteoric rise of Chen Qingliu, whose ancient sword-forging abode was a blessed grotto named Kuocang.

The bamboo hut and the corridor outside its door appeared close, yet were separated by a vast gulf, as different as heaven and earth. Before returning to Cloud-Veiled Mountain, Wei Bo spoke of another matter: “It was the Emperor of Great Li himself who suggested it. The Imperial Court will present five sacks of Five-Colored Earth as one of the congratulatory gifts for Chen Ping’an’s appointment as State Preceptor. Several of us Mountain Lords, upon receiving this news, were summoned by His Majesty to a special imperial study meeting. We all agreed there was no issue. However, His Majesty did not specify the exact amount of each bag of Five-Colored Earth. Anyway, Mountain Lord Tong has already had his men deliver a sack of Five-Colored Earth to the Great Li Ministry of Rites. It was a generous portion, a grand gesture. Even I might hesitate to offer so much at once. No wonder Jin Qing grumbled a bit, wondering if it was prearranged with Mountain Master Chen to have Old Tong help… inflate the prices.”

The Mountain Master Chen within the hut was taking the common path of cultivating with Five Elements natal objects. Years ago, thanks to his student Cui Dongshan’s help, he acquired five sacks of soil. However, at that time, the grade of the Five-Colored Earth was not particularly high. Each of the Five Sacred Mountains of Treasure Bottle洲 naturally possessed one of the Five-Colored Earths. As Wei Bo and the others ascended from Mountain Lords of a single kingdom to Mountain Lords of an entire continent, and then to Divine Lords, the grade of the Five-Colored Earth also rose in tandem.

Xie Gou chuckled, “That Emperor is shrewd, a thrifty sort. He’s clearly being generous with other people’s property. Why doesn’t he take out a pile of gold and copper coins from the national treasury?”

Wei Bo hesitated, then, after some thought, decided to be frank, “His Majesty hinted to me that once your Mountain Master takes office as State Preceptor, the treasures stored in several of Great Li’s secret vaults will be at the disposal of the new State Preceptor.”

Xie Gou’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, rubbing her hands together, “Magnificent talent and grand strategy, what a good person! We’re kindred spirits, are they lacking royal offerings in Great Li’s Song Clan? I was a bit late to the party, I can’t be the chief, but I can be a secondary one!”

Wei Bo asked with a smile, “Are you serious?”

Xie Gou tentatively said, “Wei-xiansheng, we’re on the same side, you can’t help outsiders trick your own people.”

Wei Bo chuckled, “If Miss Xie is not serious, then forget it.”

“In times of leisure, it’s Wei Ye You, in times of business, it’s Wei Xiansheng?” What great customs you have here on Falling Star Mountain! Where did everyone learn these bad habits?

Xie Gou urged, “Wei-dage, what’s the word? Give me a straight answer.”

Wei Bo let out a surprised sound. He suddenly felt unsteady, and not only was the bamboo corridor beneath their feet as soft as mud, but the entire Floating Canopy Foothill seemed to flutter like a thin sheet of paper.

However, this extraordinary phenomenon vanished in a flash.

In contrast, the sable-hatted girl lightly stamped her foot, helping to dispel the ripples of Daoist aura, as if she were already accustomed to it.

Wei Bo asked in a mental voice, “What is this?”

Xie Gou grinned, answering with only one word in her mind, “Dao.”

Note 1, Chapter 993 “So Much Beauty in the Mountains”
Note 2, Chapter 985 “Closed-Door Disciple”