Zheng Juzhong and Lu Chen, both figures acknowledged to possess the potential to ascend to the Fifteenth Realm, the only question being whether their next encounter would occur amidst the bleakness of autumn winds or the warmth of spring blossoms.

Lu Chen was no fool; understanding dawned upon him with Zheng Juzhong’s single utterance. He realized he was nearing his return to the mortal realm, finally free from this tedious staring contest with the Zheng fellow. The esteemed Lu Sect Leader felt a surge of relief.

Upon returning to the Azure Vault and reaching the Jade Capital, a string of firecrackers was definitely in order to celebrate!

As for why Zheng Juzhong would periodically fold miniature, colorful paper boats, releasing them into the River of Time, Lu Chen was disinclined to delve into the matter. If something eluded his comprehension, best to simply leave it be.

Seeing Zheng Juzhong rise, indicating his imminent departure, Lu Chen suddenly spoke, attempting to detain him. He raised his head tentatively, “Fellow Daoist Huaixian, such an opportunity is rare. Why not prolong our conversation?”

Zheng Juzhong of White Emperor City, courtesy name Huaixian, seemed to lack a Daoist title.

Zheng Juzhong offered a wry smile, “What is it, Sect Leader Lu? Does the shielding of a calamity by Jiang Xie feel like insufficient gain for your Jade Capital? I advise you to learn from a certain individual: know when to stop and be content with what you have.”

Lu Chen hastily stood, his gaze sincere, “Our next meeting is highly likely to lack such amiable atmosphere. Wouldn’t it be wise for this humble Daoist to seize this chance for further discourse?”

Zheng Juzhong extended his palm, casually scooping up a handful of flowing Time, and chuckled, “I am all ears to the sage’s teachings.”

Lu Chen waved his hand dismissively, chuckling, “Not at all, not at all. Master Zheng flatters this humble Daoist.”

Zheng Juzhong initiated the movement, and Lu Chen, discerningly, followed suit. They walked side by side, conversing as they went. Heaven and Earth stretched endlessly, seemingly devoid of even emptiness, which, in truth, signified its very existence.

Lu Chen proactively stated, “Before Jiang Xie lies, presumably, three choices. The optimal strategy: Jiang Xie journeys to the Wildlands, raises a banner, and openly establishes a sect, claiming the title of Ancestor.”

Zheng Juzhong remained silent. To append such a statement with empty words would only amplify its meaninglessness. Jiang Xie and Bai Ze, one an Ancient Heaven’s Ten Heroes, the other a potential candidate, both outliers among outliers. With the two heavens engaging in grand scale conflict and widespread carnage, Jiang Xie could utilize this warfare to nourish his cultivation, for the path of a military strategist is largely forged in times of strife. The other seemingly bore the responsibility of safeguarding the Wildlands, ensuring it didn’t collapse and face complete annihilation at the hands of the Radiant World. As the war grew fiercer, Bai Ze, merely a Qi Cultivator, would be forced to break his Daoist heart and ascend to the Fifteenth Realm. Could such a boon truly exist in this world…?

Lu Chen continued, “The current Wildlands Chieftain, the Sword Cultivator Feiran, is a man largely devoid of ambition and therefore, easier to negotiate with. Of course, this hinges upon a fair trade, profitable for both parties. Feiran is quite commendable, always reminding this humble Daoist of our Jade Capital’s Zhang Fenghai, both young and promising, generally harboring lofty ideals, with their Dao and mental fortitude aligning. Feiran advocates for internal sagehood and external kingliness, a blend of the Way of Kings and the Way of the Hegemon, clearly positioning himself as a ‘wielder of the Way’. However, Feiran’s bloodlust is not strong; he was largely thrust into his position by circumstances. Allowing Jiang Xie to enter the Wildlands, jointly holding the reins of power, would be a commendable form of reconciliation, granting the Wildlands a set of rules, yet rules not overly stringent, acceptable to both sides.”

“The timing is opportune. Too early, and the Wildlands demons wouldn’t have been battered by the Radiant World, unwilling to accept any restraints, only desiring complete freedom. Too late, and the overall situation would be beyond redemption, Jiang Xie becoming a Fifteenth Realm being to no avail. The Radiant World today, from the peaks to the valleys, is far too unified in its convictions.”

Zheng Juzhong finally spoke, “A wise man plans well, but not always at the right time.”

Lu Chen nodded with a smile, “An overbearing statement!”

Zheng Juzhong shifted the topic, “Jiang Xie will not go to the Wildlands.”

Lu Chen questioned, “Why?” Zheng Juzhong explained, “Zhou Mi’s choice of Feiran as the Wildlands Chieftain was solely to prevent his foremost disciple, Shouchén, from suddenly gaining a high position and becoming the target of envy. Selecting Feiran was a more stable buffer. However, Shouchén, with the heaviest bloodlust, will inevitably replace him as the war progresses. Feiran, who became Daoist partners with Gui Ke, will naturally be willing to go with the flow, proactively ceding his position, becoming a strategist behind the scenes, patiently seeking the path to the Fifteenth Realm, ensuring he doesn’t get targeted by figures like Zou Zi. With Zhou Mi arranging for Shouchén to become the next Chieftain, anyone who seeks this position must pass Zhou Mi’s test. Why did Jiang Xie send his true body to the Wildlands? It was to personally verify certain truths, to personally confirm whether Sect Leader Lu’s so-called optimal strategy would be his, Jiang Xie’s, worst.”

Lu Chen furrowed his brow, “Shouchén?” Zheng Juzhong offered no explanation, simply stating, “It’s a pity Feiran was born in the wrong place. Had he been in the Radiant World, his Dao achievement would have been limitless, his future boundless. Looking further ahead, beyond seven or eight centuries, Feiran’s potential in the Radiant World would have been even greater. He might have become another Sage of Rites. Feiran and Chen Ping’an swapping positions would be even more interesting.”

Lu Chen adopted a persistent stance, “Please enlighten me, Master Zheng. Why Shouchén in particular?”

It seemed there was indeed a saying in the Wildlands, “South Shouchén, North Hidden Official,” coupled with Shouchén being Zhou Mi’s first disciple… Yet even so, Lu Chen felt the reasons insufficient. Zheng Juzhong stated, “On the Night Voyage Ship, Jiang Xie deliberately inquired of Chen Ping’an, ‘Dao techniques can be borrowed, but what of the hearts of the people?’ The answer is simple: of course, they cannot. There is a saying, ‘When the time comes, heaven and earth conspire together.’ One aspect of this, mysterious and profound, is the will of the people. This is not borrowing; it is bestowing the hearts of the people upon someone, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. Since it can be obtained freely, without repayment, why borrow? Therefore, Jiang Xie is offering Chen Ping’an… hmm, a lesson in military strategy.”

Lu Chen was partially enlightened, offering his own insight, “No need to repay is no need to repay, but repayment is still possible should one wish to repay.”

Zheng Juzhong nodded. It was bound to rain.

Lu Chen tsked, “Who would have thought this ancestor of military strategists possessed such talent, discussing the concept of the ‘heart’ within the Night Voyage Ship’s Numinous Rhinoceros City, unafraid of Chen Ping’an seizing the key, turning it into a meeting of minds?”

However, Lu Chen harbored another doubt, “In the Wildlands, in terms of the number of people whose hearts are recognized, can Shouchén compare to Bai Ze?”

Zheng Juzhong stated, “Shouchén is temporarily in second place.”

Lu Chen’s expression turned peculiar.

Zheng Juzhong smiled faintly, “The disappearance of the Jade Capital’s Grand Sect Leader for over a century has caused the hearts of the people to scatter. This leads to the current situation in the Azure Vault, where Sect Leader Lu, whose homeland is the Radiant World, is most beloved by the people.”
In the desolate and untamed lands, there was Bai Ze. In the azure skies, there dwelled Lu Chen.

Lu Chen blushed, saying, “I dare not accept such praise, truly I dare not.”

Zheng Juzhong stated, “Even Wu Shuangjiang wouldn’t miscalculate this.”

The unspoken meaning was clear: If Wu Shuangjiang wouldn’t miscalculate, then he, Zheng Juzhong, certainly wouldn’t either.

Zheng Juzhong then added, “The only slight imperfection is that neither you nor Bai Ze have managed to pull too far ahead of the heroes behind you.”

Lu Chen wiped his brow, “Good, good, that is a good thing.”

Lu Chen whispered, “What about the side of Haoran?”

Zheng Juzhong teased, “Could it be that Sect Leader Lu wishes to shoulder both burdens, making it a double blessing?”

Lu Chen looked awkward, “This humble Daoist has frail limbs and a slender frame, how could I dare compete with Brother Huai Xian?”

Zheng Juzhong asked, “Finished chatting?”

Lu Chen immediately returned to the main topic, “Jiang She can still open portals in Qingming Heaven, perhaps by forging an alliance with White Jade Capital, joining hands with Senior Brother Yu to swiftly quell the internal strife in several provinces.”

Zheng Juzhong chuckled, “Yu Dou might not agree, though.”

Lu Chen countered, “Senior Brother Yu might not disagree, either.”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Regardless, if Yu Dou refuses, Jiang She will choose the opposite side of your White Jade Capital. What the Five Pecks of Rice Daoists, led by Zhang Jue, failed to accomplish in the past, Jiang She and his allies might very well succeed in doing.”

Lu Chen questioned, “Might *not* succeed, perhaps?”

Zheng Juzhong stated, “The difference between a scholar, who treasures his reputation, being beaten black and blue or suffering internal injuries is not as significant as Sect Leader Lu imagines it to be.” Lu Chen sighed, changing the subject, “Jiang She could also run to the Five Colors Heaven and start anew. Spreading his teachings and evolving martial arts there like mercury seeping into every crevice, Jiang She could accumulate a vast merit. Moreover, Jiang She has an amiable relationship with the ancient sword cultivators, and the young sword cultivators of Ascending City are naturally drawn to him. Besides, immortal opportunities are ultimately ethereal, and the threshold for mortal scholars to become Qi Refiners is too high. However, martial arts advancement only requires solid effort. Martial arts and boxing are accessible to everyone, and even if one doesn’t achieve great heights, it won’t be a complete waste. In the Five Colors Heaven, within a few centuries, dragons and snakes will emerge everywhere, martial arts will flourish, and its qi, along with the sword dao, will overwhelm all other lineages. Perhaps the chance for Jiang She to reach the fifteenth realm awaits him there. What does Mister Zheng think?”

Zheng Juzhong remained noncommittal to this conclusion.

Lu Chen curiously asked, “Putting Mister Zheng aside, what are his chances of success there?”

Zheng Juzhong replied, “No one dares to say they will definitely win, and no one can guarantee the other will certainly die.”

Lu Chen looked helpless, “My friend truly manages to surprise me every few days.”

Zheng Juzhong remarked, “If I were you, I wouldn’t have hesitated back then. Either I would have decisively killed him and fled, or I would have knocked him out and dragged him to White Jade Capital to cultivate Daoist arts.”

Lu Chen sighed heavily, his face gloomy, and said, “That’s why you are the master of White Emperor City, and I am the Sect Leader of White Jade Capital.”

Zheng Juzhong chuckled, “We both have our own selfish motives. I care about all the processes, while you only pursue the one outcome.”

Lu Chen smiled, “No wonder Mister Zheng only enjoys playing Go. Chess masters, once they are determined to draw the game, make the process very boring.”

After a moment of silence, Zheng Juzhong abruptly changed the subject, “Remember when Bai Ze helped the Sage of Rites to cast a cauldron and inscribe names at the mountain peak, recording the names of all the spirits and monsters in the world, totaling eleven thousand five hundred and twenty species?”

Lu Chen instantly understood, “Eleven thousand five hundred and twenty is a ‘great number’ that few people pay attention to these days.”

Ten thousand years ago, the three founders of the Three Teachings made a ten-thousand-year agreement during the Time River Meeting, and ten thousand years later, there was a Dispersal of the Dao.

This means that the next one thousand five hundred and twenty years will determine all the major events and overall situation within the next ‘great number’ timeframe.

An individual’s fortune is often less than a nation’s fortune, a nation’s fortune is less than the majestic fortune of a realm, and the rise and fall of a realm’s fortune is less than the operation of the heavenly Dao of the entire human world.

Zheng Juzhong said earnestly, “Both the Literary Sage and Zouzi greatly admire your essay on the Equality of Things, but I am particularly fond of your saying, ‘The Dao arts will be fractured for the world’.”

Lu Chen said lazily, “Perhaps this humble Daoist is being like one of my disciples, worrying about imaginary troubles.”

Zheng Juzhong slowly said, “The glory and ruin of ages, all a dream. May I ask the Nan Hua Daoist, who wrote the Nan Hua, which chapter have you reached?”

Lu Chen immediately felt a headache coming on. Whenever the word “dream” was mentioned, Sect Leader Lu couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.

The two walked side by side, the entire journey was a lifeless and dull scene. Finding a living person here was as difficult as ascending to heaven. Truly a deserted ancient road.

If the world was a fleeting journey, then this room was even more empty.

However, Zheng Juzhong led the way, once again finding the “future” fourteenth realm cultivator hiding here. It was this person who had “without reason” remotely attacked and repeatedly interrupted Chen Pingan’s closed-door cultivation in the Fufenglushan Daoist Temple.

If he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, Lu Chen would never have suspected that it was this person who had ambushed Chen Pingan. But now that he had seen it, Lu Chen suddenly understood and instantly realized the reason.

Lu Chen smiled, “Haha, half a fellow villager seeing another fellow villager is like seeing tears in their eyes. This Daoist friend must be carrying an extraordinary treasure.”

He remembered the sword cultivator Bai Jing, now the second-in-command of Fallen Mountain, Xie Gou, Miss Xie, she had two natal flying swords with similar abilities.

Those two natal flying swords were named “Upstream” and “Downstream.” Although their names sounded rather common, no cultivator of her realm wanted to provoke her.

For Bai Jing, the so-called refining of flying swords was simply lengthening the river sections of Upstream and Downstream, and at the same time, widening the riverbed and deepening the water level.

If Bai Jing succeeded in harmonizing with the Dao and reached the fourteenth realm, he believed that within the next thousand years, most of the new fourteenth realms, even those within their own Daoist temples, would still be extremely wary.

Lu Chen wasn’t afraid of this. This humble Daoist and Mountain Lord Chen are the kind of close friends who drink and embrace each other upon meeting.

The fourteenth realm cultivator, who seemed like a floating leaf spinning in a vortex, said calmly, “I believe that with the status of City Lord Zheng and Sect Leader Lu, you wouldn’t be tempted by wealth, would you?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled and asked, “Huang Zhen, can you guess what we are thinking?”

Lu Chen grinned, “City Lord Zheng can just remove the word ‘we’.”
Yellow Town inquired, “City Lord Zheng has come here for leisure, not hesitating to diminish his cultivation, is he attempting to travel upstream along the River of Time, seeking a suitable opportunity to assassinate Headmaster Yu?”

Lu Chen’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, “Now that one’s name is etched in history, adding embellishments is meaningless.”

Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Yellow Town continued, “Then what exactly is City Lord Zheng seeking by returning? If you wish to inquire about future events, I must refuse, for revealing the secrets of Heaven carries unimaginable consequences.”

Zheng Juzhong said, “I merely wish to find a companion for Headmaster Lu to converse with.”

On the road, one dared not meet Zheng.

Yellow Town’s gaze was complex. In not many years, the new Ten Heroes of the World and their candidates would be freshly selected, about half within expectations, and half beyond.

Lu Chen casually asked, “Is this fellow similar to that Chen Ping’an who accepted the candied hawthorns as a child?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled, “More or less.” Lu Chen raised his hand, shook his Daoist robe sleeves, pretending to calculate with his fingers, and clicked his tongue in amazement, “The first hatred, first remembering those silvers his mother failed to get from Ruan Xiu, the boy thought it over and over, not daring to hate a military strategist’s daughter who was beyond reach, he blamed Chen Ping’an for the latter’s dog-shit luck, envying that he could know a woman like Ruan Xiu. The second hatred, years later, after painstaking efforts and failing to achieve greatness, the middle-aged man finally mustered his courage and went to the foot of Fallen Mountain, only to be politely rejected with the reason of a twenty-year closure, cutting off his path to immortality. On the way home to the prefectural city, his face burning, he hated himself for losing face, turning to hate everything and everyone on Fallen Mountain. The third hatred, hating that fellow villager named Lu who was a dog for the Xu family in Qingfeng City, even more so hating that he had to become a lackey of a dog. As for the subsequent new grudges and numerous resentments… This poor Daoist cannot calculate them.”

Having his past exposed by Lu Chen, Yellow Town remained composed, only saying, “He himself admits that he survived by eating from a hundred families.”

Zheng Juzhong said calmly, “Revenge is the most direct path that can make one single-minded.” Lu Chen sighed with emotion, looking at the man before him, a genuine Fourteenth Realm cultivator, scheming meticulously for so many years, even willing to imprison himself here, becoming a half-dead guardian ghost. How much hatred did he have with that Mountain Lord Chen from the same hometown?

They left this place and went to the territory of the eunuch.

Yellow Town looked at the backs of the two cultivators, especially the lotus crown on Lu Chen’s head, and chuckled softly, “A pleasure.”

Zheng Juzhong asked, “Headmaster Lu, having seen most of the paintings of the River of Time back then, do you remember how much the infant Chen Ping’an from Mud Bottle Alley weighed at birth?”

Lu Chen rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, “He seemed to be a big, chubby baby, about seven pounds.”

However, the first time they met, the boy was already tanned black and skinny like a bamboo pole.

Previously, in that Discipline Sect temple, one of Chen Ping’an’s incarnations had a conversation with the abbot before parting.

“Please instruct on the ancestral teacher’s intention in coming from the West.” “What is the price of rice in that foreign land?”

“May I ask, monk, is gradual cultivation and sudden enlightenment one path or two?” “Benefactor, how many coppers is one copper coin?”

The old monk asked the scripture-copying scholar in return, “What is the style of your mountain gate?” The middle-aged scholar answered, “Correct mistakes if there are any, and strive for improvement if there are none. Not afraid of thoughts arising, only afraid of late awakening.”

The scholar finally inquired about one thing, “All dharmas return to one, where does the one return?” The old monk raised his arm, pinched his fingers together as if carrying something, and smiled, “Collect the blue cloth shirt of Qingzhou, weighing seven pounds.” Zheng Juzhong said, “Does Headmaster Lu know that when he led those children on the road to study, they rested at an immortal inn in the Yellow Court Kingdom, Chen Ping’an said something, half-true and half-false, deceiving the newly acquainted Old Scholar?”

Lu Chen helplessly said, “How would this poor Daoist know such a thing?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled, “A copper coin.”

Lu Chen asked in puzzlement, “Is it important?”

Zheng Juzhong shook his head, “Actually, it’s irrelevant, I just can’t figure it out.”

Lu Chen was even more curious, “So concerned?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “I promised Cui a deal.”

Lu Chen couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Huai Xian, who do you think is the most powerful in a fight among my Uncle Bi Xiao, Senior Zhici, and Bai Ye?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “The half-Fifteenth Realm who can ask such a question is even more powerful.”

Lu Chen grimaced.

Half a Fifteenth Realm?

One who travels a hundred li considers ninety as half.

Zheng Juzhong said, “Cave Master Bi Xiao’s Harmony of Man, after all, is limited by the timing and location of his own Great Dao. Having all three, in terms of Dao Heart, is actually a considerable burden. However, Cave Master Bi Xiao’s ambition is not about the level of destructive power.”

Lu Chen was shocked. Uncle Bi Xiao could really hide his strength!

“Fellow Daoist Zhici must rely on the Ten Thousand Mountains to suppress his own cultivation. The depth of his Dao power is unimaginable. Once this senior retrieves those two eyeballs, he will achieve a great feat.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen was even more shocked, and asked impatiently, “Ah? Could it be that Bai Ye, who is recognized as wielding the immortal sword and having the highest destructive power, is at the bottom?”

Zheng Juzhong lost his patience and only glanced at Headmaster Lu.

I’ve talked to you so much, but you’re treating Lu Chen himself as an idiot?

Lu Chen adjusted the lotus crown on his head and chuckled dryly, “I’m just feeling a bit indignant for Bai Ye. If I could get a word or two of certainty from Mister Zheng, I would have more confidence when arguing with people in the future.” In ancient times, Jiang She had a good relationship with Cave Master Bi Xiao and often went to Treasure Fall Beach to drink. Not long ago, Jiang She placed his true body in the Wilderness, in fact, for two things. One thing, of course, was to see if it was suitable to enter the Wilderness. The other was to go to the Ten Thousand Mountains to meet Old Blind Man. See if he could get fellow Daoist Zhici, with whom he also had a good relationship in the early years, to change his mind.

Zheng Juzhong said, “Zhou Mi didn’t not consider killing Senior Zhici, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Shouchen follow Chongguang on a trip to the Ten Thousand Mountains, causing this senior disciple to have an eyeball taken away.”

This thing was eventually picked up and chewed by Tao Ting, the watchdog.

At that time, not only was the Wilderness Grand Ancestor watching the situation there, but in fact, Zhou Mi was standing by, ready to strike with all his might at any time.

However, the Wilderness Grand Ancestor was unwilling for Zhou Mi and Old Blind Man to have a life-and-death struggle. There were reasons of his own, both publicly and privately.
It must be known that Mount Tuoyue was originally evolved from a landing of an Ascension Platform, and that Ascension Platform was a spoil of war from the Battle of Dengtian at Zhici, where a separate path was forged. Later, Zhici became disillusioned with the infighting, which was full of chaos. Apart from gouging out his own eyes, which were thrown into the Vast Expanse and Azure Nether respectively, he casually gifted the Ascension Platform to the demon clan leader who was willing to say “chewing the true form will augment Dao power” before ascending, who later became the first co-ruler of the Wildlands. Therefore, the Grand Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue owed the Old Blind Man a great favor. If not for Chen Qingdu, in league with Guanzhao and Dragon Lord, unexpectedly launching that sword strike that cleaved Mount Tuoyue, harming the Wildlands Ancestor’s very foundation of the Great Dao, the latter could have certainly reached the Fifteenth Realm. So, whether Zhici carved off that piece of Wildlands territory from the Ten Thousand Mountains was initially not a major concern for the Wildlands Ancestor.

The Wildlands Ancestor advised Zhou Mi, “Just bypass the Ten Thousand Mountains, and Sir will be assured of victory. Why risk this perilous endeavor now?”

Zhou Mi nodded and smiled, “Indeed, I’m not certain. Then let’s wait a little longer.” Once the Wildlands demon clan successfully breached the Sword Qi Great Wall, if the battle on the Vast Expanse side was bogged down, failing to swiftly conquer the Lower Three Continents, occupying Tongye, Fuyao, and Jinjia Continents, while leaving an Old Blind Man with an ambiguous stance behind the lines, it would be a major taboo in military strategy. Zhou Mi, who would not tolerate any variables, would naturally regard Zhici and the Ten Thousand Mountains as a paramount threat. As long as Zhici was not removed, the Wildlands demon clan would always have lingering worries.

Why did the Eldest Sword Immortal take Ning Yao on a trip to the Ten Thousand Mountains? Why didn’t he just go see the Old Blind Man alone?

Why did he tell Ning Yao that as long as he heard the Old Blind Man say “I won’t help anyone” with his own ears, it would be enough?

It must be known that given Chen Qingdu’s consistent temperament, he was a magnanimous hero like A’liang, who became friends with him after a fight. Liu Cha, the Wildlands’ foremost swordsman, even actively helped the Old Blind Man relocate mountains.

Those who could enter the Old Blind Man’s “sight” were, without exception, all the most outstanding heroes of the age.

As for that ambush against Bai Ye on Fuyao Continent, Bai Ye knew it was a trap, but he still went with his sword. At that time, almost all of the old royal seat great demons of the Wildlands were mobilized.

The most crucial point was that, with all the advantages of timing, location, and popular support, Zhou Mi personally presided over the entire operation to assassinate that most successful man of humanity from start to finish.

Before provoking a great war between the two worlds, Zhou Mi was alone and independent in the Wildlands. Whom he ate was the same; what help did he need?

Even Zheng Juzhong could not help but sigh when mentioning Bai Ye, “To be targeted by Zhou Mi to such an extent, he is the only one.”

Lu Chen nodded vigorously like a chick pecking at rice, “This poor Daoist has a good relationship with Bai Ye.”

Zheng Juzhong said for no reason, “In the Hehuan Mountain territory, Sect Leader Lu and that ‘Bai Mao’ were very congenial?”

Lu Chen could not understand why Zheng Juzhong asked this, and exclaimed, “Is there a story to tell?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Sometimes, I really envy Lu Chen’s carefree wandering.”

Lu Chen laughed, “Actually, it’s just laziness.”

On Treasure Bottle Continent, in the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven, that black cat often appeared in Apricot Blossom Lane, occasionally going to the Yang family’s shop. On Tongye Continent, when Chen Ping’an took Pei Qian away from Lotus Flower Blessed Land and traveled north, Pei Qian saw a white cat at the window of an inn in a small town and poked it with her Hiking Staff. As a result, the Little Black Charcoal girl was startled because the white cat could speak human language and even cursed her as a crazy little girl.

Lu Chen said with a playful smile, “Who could imagine that the Yin spirit attached to Jiang She’s true body in this life is actually a woman?”

Once his ten-thousand-year sentence was over, it was understandable to Lu Chen and others who knew too much inside information why Jiang She reappeared and found Chen Qingliu, the Dragon Slayer.

It was definitely not as imagined by the outside world that if Jiang She could ally with Chen Qingliu, Jiang She would have a connection with White Emperor City and Zheng Juzhong.

Rather, the location of Jiang She’s Yin spirit “true body” was Xie Shiji.

This involved a conspiracy concerning the Primary Ancestor of the Art of War.

At that time, Cao Ci and his senior sister Dou Fenxia, who were sailing on the sea and going to the Wildlands through the Ruins of Return, saw Jiang She fishing in the sea of clouds. Beside Jiang She was Zhang Tiaoxia, with the Daoist name Longbo.

The existence of Zhang Tiaoxia involved another plan of the Second Ancestor of the Art of War. At first, Cui Jiang divided his soul into two, and the “White-Clad Youth” who entered the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven still called himself Cui. He was responsible for playing chess with his junior brother Qi Jingchun. On the surface, it was an extremely dangerous battle of the Great Dao, with the brothers turning against each other, seemingly competing with Qi Jingchun for the Daoist and literary traditions, so as to improve his realm and help the Dali Dynasty complete its southward expansion.

Cui Dongshan once had some words that revealed the secrets of heaven with his student Wu Yuan, who served as the first county magistrate of Huaihuang County. He gave two examples to prove that the struggle on the mountain peak for the Great Dao was extremely profound and far-sighted.

Jiang She was not only subjected to a joint execution and deprived of his martial fortune, retaining only a Yang spirit avatar to house his soul, while his Yin spirit was placed in a blessed land, constantly reincarnated, gradually eroding his spirit. As for that Second Ancestor of the Art of War, his fault was smaller than Jiang She’s, and his sentence was shorter, so he was able to retain only one soul fragment to occupy his body, always maintaining his sanity. However, his remaining three souls and six spirits were separated and placed in nine blessed lands in the Vast Expanse and Azure Nether, some practicing Dao, some practicing martial arts. Whether it was a Qi refining soldier who reincarnated or a martial arts master who died normally, the achievements of each person in each life were not low. And none of these nine people knew their true “predecessor” and foundation of the Great Dao.

Lu Chen said, “Regarding the ‘avatars’ of the Second Ancestor of the Art of War, there are still two that I can’t guess who they are.”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Every change in the Heavenly Opportunity will trigger considerable variables, allowing them to become fish that slip through the net and smoothly leave the Saint’s sight. Sect Leader Lu has never been attentive, so it’s normal that you can’t guess all of them.”

Among the nine continents of the Vast Expanse, only Treasure Bottle Continent, which has the smallest territory, has two ancestral temples of the Art of War, and there is a reason for this.

It was because Treasure Bottle Continent once imprisoned two avatars of the Second Ancestor of the Art of War. One was Gao Jianfu of the Divine Proclamation Sect, who was known as the Golden Boy and Jade Girl with Lu Chen’s direct disciple, He Xiaoliang. The other was a northern scholar who traveled far to study at the Guanhui Academy in the central Treasure Bottle Continent. He was a Dali scholar with lofty ambitions, wanting to win the title of a Confucian scholar with his true talent and learning. This scholar’s later reincarnation, as a Dali official, once held a lantern and met the ghost in a wedding dress who called herself “Madam Chu.”
On the continent of Tongye, resides Lu Fang, a sword cultivator who once underwent trials in the Lotus Blossom Blessed Land.

In Fufeng Continent, a human sovereign clad in Grand Frost Armor now dwells within the Five-Colored Realm. However, his previous incarnation was a Qi Refiner from the Golden Armor Continent Blessed Land.

Within Central Earth Divine Continent is Zhang Tiaoxia, the foremost martial artist of yesteryear.

The final doppelganger in the Vast Expanse World is none other than the penal official, Hao Su.

In the Azure Darkness World, there exists an enlightened man whose true name is Zhu Dazhuang, a man of countless aliases, such as “Green Duckweed.” He is currently the foremost figure on Mount Ru in Ruzhou.

Zheng Juzhong halted his steps, chuckling, “Huang Zhen is lying in wait, seeking to catch a rabbit by a tree stump. His ambitions are immense, his true plot extending beyond merely antagonizing Chen Ping’an. He also intends to test his hand at assassinating Sect Leader Lu.”

There are those in this world who, having tasted bitterness, seek to inflict it upon others.

Alas, Huang Zhen remains timid. He dared not seize the opportunity presented to him. His Dao Heart is filled with doubt and suspicion, fearing that Zheng Juzhong seeks to play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

It is not surprising, for if Huang Zhen possessed unwavering courage, he would likely never have encountered Lu Chen or himself.

Lu Chen, seemingly indifferent, retrieved a book from his sleeve, tearing out a page and swiftly folding it into a lotus-shaped paper lantern.

Holding the lotus lantern, Lu Chen suddenly inquired, “According to Cui’s plan, should Jiang She be slain, who shall command the military strategists hereafter?”

Zheng Juzhong smiled faintly, “Since Lu Chen is so jaded, why bother pursuing the answer to a riddle?”

Lu Chen gently breathed upon the flower lantern.

One character, “Jue,” with two pronunciations. A world of difference? Different sounds, same meaning?

Lu Chen, immersed in the river of time, appeared lost in reverie for a moment.

With a gentle push, like releasing a river lantern.

Our lives are but a lantern’s flame, flickering in the currents of fate.

Jiang She was forcibly drawn into a location – a desolate and boundless ancient battlefield ruin.

The verdant hue of the azure sky seemed to drip onto the earth.

Visible was an Ascension Platform, once capable of elevating a male earth immortal to godhood. Furthermore, far off in the northwest, a celestial pillar connecting the earth to the clouds leaned, yet retained its imposing aura. Layers of cloud sea resembled myriad seal characters, with resounding echoes of muffled thunder. In ancient times, Heaven and Earth, gods arrayed in solemnity, the Dao flowed, ceaseless and cyclical, and humans resided within. At this moment, Chen Ping’an was repaying Jiang She in his own coin, creating a rapid vortex within the river of time.

That ship, still adrift upon the vast expanse of the sea of righteousness, seemed close, thin as paper, yet its journey was immeasurably vast, the distance between the two realms beyond calculation by mere trillions of miles.

The initial battlefield of the conflict between water and fire.

Jiang She thrust his spear, “Breaker of Formations,” heavily into the ground, testing the reality of this realm. The result was clear: undeniably real. Excellent! Splendid, precisely what I desired! Jiang She, forced into this place, was enveloped by a familiar, ancient aura, further confirming that this was no mere illusion or deception. Although devoid of fear, his battle spirit surged, this battle-hardened progenitor of military strategists remained cautious, daring not to underestimate his opponent. After all, the other had presented such a grand display, triggering celestial anomalies. Deep within, Jiang She acknowledged the lad surnamed Chen as a worthy adversary for the first time.

However, Jiang She was soon reminded of numerous tales and old acquaintances. Seeing the host slowly descending the steps, seemingly with no intention of attacking, Jiang She did not restrain his wandering thoughts, allowing his mind to drift for a moment. Finally regaining his senses, Jiang She slowly crouched down, pinching a bit of soil between his fingers.

Floating clouds return to the imperial homeland; vast oceans turn to dust. Ten thousand years pass in an instant.

Jiang She raised his gaze slightly, peering at the man approaching the bottom of the sacred staircase. Such immeasurable boundary, flawless golden body, supreme divine position… Finally sated? At last, becoming more like a ‘One’.

A pair of pure golden, indifferent eyes, a tall, slender figure clad in a cyan robe, hands tucked in sleeves, emanating boundless Dao energy, complete in spirit and vital energy. He remained silent for a long time, meeting Jiang She’s gaze. Jiang She took a deep breath, stood up, and clapped his hands. With this simple action, earth dragons rose from the ground around Jiang She, their momentum surging outwards. The earth was kicked up, each land-based dragon towering thousands of zhang. Yet, in comparison to this realm, they were as insignificant as weeds, highlighting the vastness of the heavens and the breadth of the battlefield. Jiang She’s spirit expanded with it, laughing, “The host is indeed accommodating, this is truly a good place to stretch one’s legs and exchange blows.”

Neither side rushed to attack, for simple reasons, each had their own motives.

This sudden clash was destined to have far-reaching consequences, a narrow encounter, a struggle on the path. Neither side wished for any slip-ups. Suddenly, the heavens opened, and a majestic golden rainbow descended from the sky, shattering barriers, instantly landing upon the sacred staircase. The entire realm shook violently. A tall, white-robed woman with billowing sleeves appeared beside Chen Ping’an. However, her position was one step lower, yet their heights were similar. She glanced askance at the distant, minuscule Jiang She, and smiled faintly at Chen Ping’an, “Master.”

Chen Ping’an, expressionless, descended one step and nodded. “The century-long promise must be advanced.”

The arrival of the sword wielder triggered an increasingly intense celestial tremor, like dropping a massive mountain into a lake, a torrent of temporal energy erupting outwards. Jiang She stood firm, unmoving, allowing the energy to sweep over him. Two land-based dragons, unfortunate enough to be in its path, were instantly shattered by the river of time. Jiang She narrowed his eyes, infinite sword intent assaulting him. Jiang She did not even bother to draw the spear that stood planted in the ground beside him, allowing the sword intent to surge past. His sleeves billowed violently, with faint sounds of silk tearing. Yet Jiang She’s imposing figure remained unyielding, like a stalwart pillar dividing a raging river. After a moment, Jiang She’s expression returned to normal. He simply raised his arm and casually waved a few times, dispersing the remaining sword intent around him, causing the surrounding golden light to flicker uncertainly. “If the sword wielder hadn’t fought with the armor-clad one in the extraterrestrial heavens, I might have been intimidated by you two lovebirds.”
Upon hearing these words, Chen Ping’an’s mind remained still, his heart without ripples. To be precise, ancient deities were all said to be without heart. Hence, later generations of enlightened individuals believed that, in a sense, cultivators gradually abandoned the seven emotions and six desires, ultimately attaining the immortality and longevity they initially dreamed of. It was akin to residing in a divine temple, simultaneously experiencing boundless freedom and an eternal prison. Many mountain and river gods who received official recognition from the imperial court, as well as those licentious deities who established their own temples, though their statues stood tall upon divine platforms and their golden bodies were refined, still retained a trace of attachment. This could be a certain aspiration, a grand vow recognized by heaven, earth, and humanity, or a wisp of thought capable of traversing the realms of the living and the dead, aligning with the Dao. All these resembled golden lotus flowers gracefully standing in the long river of time.

Born as sojourners in the world, travelers through heaven and earth, even Qi refiners seeking longevity were no exception. Only deities enjoying the incense offerings of mortals could avoid drifting like duckweed on the flowing water.

In his youth, in the backyard of the Yang family’s shop, the heavily injured Chen Ping’an fell into a slumber akin to “minor death.” Old Man Yang once asked Ning Yao a strange question: “Whose voice is the voice of the heart?”

The old memories and new thoughts within Chen Ping’an’s heart-lake had no distinction of before or after, fast or slow. They were like a book already written and engraved, the words fixed on each page.

On the side of the divine staircase, she was even more dismissive, smiling indifferently: “Such a large ant from days gone by.” Jiang She’s eyes gleamed, and he laughed loudly, looking at the golden eyes of the supreme deity. He twisted his wrist, shaking his arm, “Don’t forget, before ascending to heaven, on the path of humanity, the first to personally slay a deity, shattering their golden body with bare fists alone, was named Jiang She!”

Chen Ping’an slightly raised his eyebrows, looking at the primordial ancestor of the military strategists. A thought flickered in his mind. He was hearing this anecdote for the first time. No wonder that after a joint beheading, Jiang She’s body was imprisoned on the ancient planet Yinghuo, forced to endure ten thousand years of punishment.

Although his Martial Luck, along with his body, had been mostly divided up, the disposal of his soul and spirit seemed to have posed a considerable challenge to the Three Teachings’ Patriarchs. Could this be considered the so-called resilience of a centipede, even after death?

If he were still the young Hidden Official who spent his days drinking the north wind atop the city walls, he would probably have used some innate divine ability at this moment, dropping a strange remark, “Senior is so lucky, to coincidentally share a name with that Jiang She?”

Those years, although somewhat lonely, he still spoke his mind freely. Alone and seeking joy in hardship, he was carefree and unconstrained. The wielder of the sword possessed undeniable killing power. Unfortunately, she had suffered considerable injuries in her previous battle to slay the armored being of equal divine status. Hence, the sword-wielder was now far from the realm of divine perfection. Last time, on the strange mountain peak, in the Yinghuo Daoist sanctum, Jiang She deliberately provoked her in speech, getting his wish and taking several sword strikes. After careful deduction, Jiang She had a general idea of the sword-wielder’s current killing power. As for Jiang She’s intentions, Chen Ping’an and the sword-wielder were likely both aware. However, one did not stop the “sword attendant” from acting, and the other did not bother to hide anything.

Jiang She sneered, “If the armored one hadn’t fought Little Mister first, and had probably had his own plans, you might not have been able to pick up the scraps so easily, stripping his armor and beheading him.”

Only a few days had passed since that discussion in the Central Earth Confucian Temple, beside the long river of time. For her, a deity, it was as if a pure martial artist had not yet had time to replenish a breath of pure true Qi.

How wonderful it would be if that old almanac, recording the names and positions of millions of deities, were completely turned over, making the world clean and refreshing. You, the sword-wielder, why must you learn those ghostly ways, lingering on like a persistent phantom?

Jiang She shook his head, his eyes filled with pity. Your era of being high above has long been shattered. Why stubbornly hold on, eking out an existence, refusing to admit defeat? Of the ancient Heavenly Court, the five supreme ones and twelve high-ranking deities… To ensure the unbroken incense offerings of the divine Dao, the Azure Youth Heavenly Sovereign, the Earth Immortal Ancestor, a man imprisoned for ten thousand years, spared no expense of his remaining divinity to restart the ascension platform for Zhou Mi, Ruan Xiu, and their group of ascenders. Later, Ma Ku-xuan, unable to defeat Chen Ping’an of the same generation, had the foundation of his Great Dao shattered, severing his ties with the predecessor of the Thunder Department.

Now, only this sword-wielder remains, still “as before.”

Jiang She clenched his fist and stretched his muscles slightly, looking at Chen Ping’an. This “figure” before him, although not real, was not far off.

None of them were some kind of reincarnation in the worldly sense. Zhou Mi, who had returned to the old Heavenly Court and raised the banner of the divine Dao once more, was not. Neither was the Haoran Jia Sheng, nor the Wildlands Wen Hai. Zhou Mi was simply Zhou Mi.

Chen Ping’an, who still remained in the decaying Falling Mountain in the human realm, came from ordinary origins and naturally was not either. He was merely a man with a tough fate, winning all the bets on the table, taking all sizes of wins.

Their respective halves were relying on their own Daoist power and mental fortitude to become successors. Perhaps this was the so-called self-reliance, “Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

Ultimately, they joined forces to create the current situation, one side perched high above, overlooking the lands of humanity, the other standing firmly on the ground, gazing up and confronting the heavens.

The Three Teachings’ Patriarchs jointly scattered the Dao, surrounding the remnants of the old Heavenly Court, not only targeting Zhou Mi but also restricting all divine Daos, invisibly making this situation even more solid.

Jiang She had to admit that it was indeed not easy for an orphan from a humble alleyway, without any special background, to reach this point today.

Jiang She sneered, “You scholars, when you scheme against others, you plan step by step, link by link. It’s truly dirty.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Since we are comrades on the same path, why must Daoist Jiang belittle himself?”

Jiang She was not feeling well at the moment. He possessed a total of five portions of Martial Luck – two from Azure, three from Haoran. The internal strife had turned his body’s spiritual Qi upside down, his internal mountains and rivers were shaking violently, as if two armies were fighting three.

Jiang She mocked himself inwardly, “As expected, haste makes waste.”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “Drinking fast wine is easy to get drunk.”

Jiang She laughed, “Since things have come to this, let’s not hide it anymore. Where are the other reinforcements?”

Come at me together, Jiang will accept you all!

As Jiang She bent his knees slightly, in an instant, centered on him, countless ravines cracked outward across ten thousand miles of land. Chen Ping’an remembered Senior Brother Cui once saying, “Young people should act like young people.”