The wind howled through the mountain pines, their sighing a chorus like the clash of unseen blades. Beyond the precipice, birds wheeled in dizzying spirals as clouds birthed themselves from the heart of the sky.

A maiden, clad in midnight hues, patrolled the mountain’s edge, her presence attended by two unlikely escorts: the esteemed Chief Zhou, and the grand Immortal of the Rice Grains, Mi Yu.

They settled upon the rocky outcrop, and Xiao Mili, nimble-fingered as a forest sprite, began to distribute melon seeds. Though words remained unspoken, no awkwardness hung in the air.

Chen Ping’an, cracking open a seed, posed a question that echoed with ancient riddles: “Does Jiang Shangzhen, reborn as Chief Zhou of today, harbor any lingering regrets?”

He spoke of many guises: Jiang Thief of the Northern Continent, peak lord of Jade Decree Sect’s Nine Divination Peak, Zhou Fei of Lotus Isle’s Spring Tide Palace, the Jiang clan patriarch who unleashed slaughter within Cloud Grotto, the Jiang Sect Master of Treatise Lake who cowed even the rogue cultivator Liu Laocheng, the Jiang Shangzhen who once had chairs hurled at him within Divine Script Peak’s ancestral hall.

For Jiang Shangzhen to adapt and meld with Fallen Mountain, he must yield, cease to be the man he once was. The gravest challenge lay within Fallen Mountain itself, a haven for shrewd minds. If Jiang Shangzhen merely played a part, wearing one mask for the world and another for the mountain, the connection would fray, destined to wither. Thus, Jiang Shangzhen, who once “walked life and cultivation at whim, never forced to compromise,” faced a dire choice.

Jiang Shangzhen chuckled, a sound like rustling leaves. “When I reunited with Sect Master Cui in Tongye Continent, he posed a similar query. Truly, students share the minds of their teachers.”

“And what was your answer then?” Chen Ping’an pressed.

Jiang Shangzhen’s smile deepened. “Forgotten,” he declared, with a glint in his eye.

Chen Ping’an, undeterred, smoothly shifted the conversation. “You’re not rushing back to Tongye Continent, I presume?”

Jiang Shangzhen nodded, an almost theatrical gesture. “I am, after all, the chief disciple of a great sect.”

Xiao Mili, her gaze fixed on Mi Yu, cupped her hand to her mouth, whispering with exaggerated secrecy: “Yu Mi, Yu Mi, Chief Zhou is beckoning you!”

Mi Yu, who had hoped to play the fool, sighed in mock despair. “Hidden Guardian, now that Old Deaf has arrived, could we perhaps bestow upon him the title of Chief Consort of Azure Bloom Sword Sect? I humbly yield my position!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Nay, to burden Old Deaf with such responsibility would likely send him packing.”

Mi Yu remained persistent, “Shall I attempt to persuade him?”

“Just be a decent human, for once,” Chen Ping’an chided, silencing further complaints.

Jiang Shangzhen, amused, inquired, “Has the mountain lord decided upon a parting gift?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I happen to possess a modest store of charms, one for each person.”

Mi Yu coughed, a sound filled with veiled implications.

Chen Ping’an, realizing his oversight, muttered in self-reproach, “A lapse in judgment.”

Cui Dongshan, that most enigmatic of disciples, once remarked that his student excelled at shattering hearts, while his teacher possessed the skill to mend them.

Whether this praise held true, Chen Ping’an dared not dwell upon.

Yet, he carried Cui Dongshan’s words as a solemn reminder, a sharp rebuke.

Thus, he constantly searched his soul, wondering if his actions befitted the words of his student.

Such was Chen Ping’an’s nature.

Perhaps this was the very essence of what made Chen Ping’an, Chen Ping’an.

Jiang Shangzhen asked, “I hear the mountain lord has a pressing need for gold essence coins?”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “I have enough for now. Let us not squander the reputation Jiang, the old patriarch, so painstakingly earned. What I lack now, no amount of coin can purchase.” He spoke, of course, of the whetstone forged from the Dragon Slaying Platform, a treasure beyond price for any swordsman.

The number of flying swords a swordsman possessed did not always dictate their might or future glory. Within the Sword Qi Great Wall, many immortals had cleaved through barbarian formations with a single, innate blade. Yet, no swordsman alive would ever scorn the chance to wield another.

Those who possessed two innate swords were few, their number dwarfed those with a single blade.

And those who commanded three? In the ten thousand years of the Sword Qi Great Wall, they were not quite countless, but even the Hall of Reprieve could not hold names enough to fill a scroll.

Qiu Zhi, Jade Decree Sect’s youngest peak lord, had three.

Yao Xiaoyan, the most unassuming of nine children, also had three.

And the supreme swordsman Pei Min, one of the Three Perfections of the land, boasted four.

As far as Chen Ping’an knew, Pei Min held the record for the greatest number of flying swords.

Jiang Shangzhen said, “It is only when swordsmen speak of such things that those with but a single innate sword can find some comfort.”

Mi Yu, using only mindspeak, whispered, “Hidden Guardian, what if Chief Zhou and I were to brazenly return to Tongye Continent, then sneak off for a visit to Dragon Spine Mountain?”

The unspoken words hung in the air: *Let’s filch a few slabs and solve our immediate problem.*

Chen Ping’an feigned outrage. “I am now the Grand Preceptor of Great Li! You dare to sneak about under my authority?!”

Mi Yu glanced at Jiang Shangzhen. For who better to orchestrate such thievery than Chief Zhou himself?

Jiang Shangzhen spoke, “Each whetstone claimed diminishes the Dragon Slaying Platform. It is a dire predicament indeed.”

Yu Xuan possessed wealth, mastery, status, virtue, reputation…everything an adept could desire, and in greater measure than most.

Yet even with all his advantages, when discussing the Dragon Slaying Platform with Chen Ping’an, the old master hesitated, making no guarantees, merely offering to mention it to old comrades. Whether they would sell, and at what price, was left to the whims of fate.

Within Great Li’s Ministry of Revenue records, Jia Liu Mountain held the common name Dragon Spine Mountain. Four factions held dominion over the area: the Song Clan of Great Li, Ruan Qiong, and the Stormwind Temple and True Martial Mountain, two ancestral homes of the art of war from Treasure Bottle Continent.

The mountain had been sealed for three decades, fortified with layers of barriers and formations, fiercely guarded. Unsanctioned entry meant instant execution.

Chen Ping’an, now graced with the title of Grand Preceptor, possessed the freedom to come and go as he pleased.

However, the Great Li court only oversaw the mining of the Dragon Slaying Platform, yielding the raw material. They did not partake in its division.

That which belonged to the Stormwind Temple and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect was now but a husk.

But this vast undertaking had yielded rich rewards. The founder of the Stormwind Temple, for example, had secretly obtained an ancient sword art, ascending to immortality, thereby granting his lineage a direct path to the Jade Pure realm, smoothing the way for his swordsmen through the trials of domain creation, core forging, and nascent soul metamorphosis, ensuring their ascent with uncanny ease.

Ruan Qiong, upon meeting “Old Sword Stem,” had also gained an extraordinary forging technique. Of all the Dragon Slaying Platform mined prior, the royal consort of the Great Li Song Clan, Ruan Qiong, retained only a small portion, as her own private reserve, because Dragon Spring Sword Sect was, after all, a Sword Dao Sect. Most was sent to the Great Li court, which in turn, bestowed it upon the Mo family, to repay them for their contributions to sword junks and mountain-straddling ferries. The city the Mo family patriarch was now building in the barbaric lands held, as its foundation, the Dragon Slaying Platform.

Thus, of those who “had yet to squander their ancestral legacy,” only True Martial Mountain remained.

The ancient celestial court had held two execution platforms, one named Dragon Slaying Platform. Shattered during the ascent to the heavens, they fell to the mortal realm, the two largest pieces being Dragon Spine Mountain within the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, and the “small hill” upon which Ning Fu’s mountain peak pavilion stood, in the Sword Qi Great Wall.

According to the pure Yang immortal, Lü Yan, Dragon Spine Mountain had once held many names: True Obscurity, Celestial Nose, Windmill, Lantern Pavilion, and within it lay the Grotto-Heaven of Kuo Cang, the most significant geomantic treasure of ancient Shu land.

And Ning Yao had once entrusted Zhang Lu, keeper of Inverted Mountain, to send Chen Ping’an of the Stork Inn, a slab of Dragon Slaying Platform, shaped like a long inkstone, etched with the words “Celestial Innocence.”

The names “Celestial Nose” and “True Obscurity” were clearly sourced from this origin.

When Chen Ping’an learned of Lü Yan’s divulgence, he questioned Ning Yao, who revealed that the gift had come at the behest of Old Greatsword.

Yet Chen Qingdu’s assessment of Chen Ping’an had not been flattering.

The Old Greatsword had said the poor scholar was dark and plain, far from handsome. While his eyes shone with life, they only made him seem darker. Though his appearance was lacking, as a young martial artist, he’d traveled thousands of miles across the sea, nearly losing his life in the Dragon Gully. He’d scaled Inverted Mountain to deliver a sword to Ning丫头 (Niang Yatou, little girl). Upon meeting, over a few drinks, he had dared to profess his affections. His shameless pursuit of the woman he desired had been well-honed. Furthermore, he possessed an admirable tenacity, leaving nothing to be desired. Since he liked her, and she did not dislike him, some gesture was due. The Dragon Slaying Stone would suffice, as his hometown possessed it. The miser already understood its value, but since he was neither an adept nor a swordsman, if on his journey home, he faced adversity, such as in the Stinking Bullnose Taoist’s Lotus Isle, and if he rebuilt the Bridge of Longevity, if he lacked funds, tempted to sell or pawn it, then his eyes and heart were not on the path, and he would prove an unfit companion. And if he became a swordsman, tempted by the lure of mastery and sword crafting, surreptitiously whittling the Dragon Slaying Platform, Ning Yatou should not be beguiled by his sweet words. Such a man was not to be desired.

At this, Ning Yao’s brow furrowed, but only after Chen Qingdu finished did she offer her thoughts.

*I would not test him in such a way, nor does he require such a test.*

Had these words come from another, Ning Yao would have been far more direct.

*It insults Chen Ping’an, and it diminishes myself.*

Chen Qingdu had laughed heartily, declaring, “The power of love is unmatched. Ning Yao is no exception.”

How precious, the affections of youth.

Only then had Old Greatsword offered a reason Ning Yao could accept: that the stone held a secret opportunity, a boon to Chen Ping’an’s future cultivation, for the lad was clever enough to discover it, but she was not to guide him, lest the opportunity be lost.

An opportunity? Had Old Greatsword said a “literary opportunity,” perhaps I would have pondered it more.

Otherwise, the token of her affection would have been simple. Opportunity? To be with Ning Yao was the greatest opportunity of all.

Besides thinking of her whenever I see “Celestial Innocence,” what else is there to think?

Perhaps fate had not yet arrived, beyond reach, beyond seeking, even beyond knowing to seek.

Even after reviewing matters with Ning Yao, Chen Ping’an vaguely understood that the opportunity Old Greatsword spoke of was the Grotto-Heaven of Kuo Cang and that half slab of Dragon Slaying Platform. And if he missed them, no matter.

He had never lost her.

Back then, at the Sword Qi Great Wall, did you all truly believe that Ning Yao forbade me from entering her home because I drank a bit too much with my friends at the wine shop?

Of course not! A grave mistake! Whichever scoundrel harbors that misconception, I will teach him what a scholar is, what it means to have the rustic heart of my hometown!

I simply did not wish to enter, for the cool air outside was far more pleasant, allowing me to nap in a drunken haze, speaking of days gone by with Nalan, the gatekeeper!

True Martial Mountain. I must travel there before the year’s end.

First, to discuss the Dragon Slaying Platform, to see if an accord can be reached.

More importantly, Chen Ping’an wished to meet Ma Kuxuan’s protector.

Not a villain, this one, unlike most cultivators. Nor had he, within the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven, ever sought to hinder or manipulate Chen Ping’an.

Yet he had once bestowed a certain truth upon the boy in straw sandals. Now the Sword Immortal mountain lord would visit him, bearing that truth. The matter was simple.

After the ancestral hall council, Chen Ping’an had gone to the Lucky Coin Shop to balance accounts with Stone Manager, as always. Zhou Juchen, the mute apprentice, now greeted Chen Ping’an with a respectful “Great Grandmaster,” albeit without a smile.

Chen Ping’an would only nod in acknowledgment, secretly delighted.

Stone Rou had confided to the mute that the mountain lord was pleased by his gesture.

The boy had simply said that his great grandmaster was a man of great affairs, whose mood would not fluctuate over such trifles.

Yet in his heart, he was pleased, for he could now read books without hunching over, no longer a curled-up thing, furtively observing the world.

Chen Ping’an casually inquired about Yuan Huang. Jiang Shangzhen replied that the boy was indeed promising, of fine temperament and aptitude, well-suited to Fallen Mountain. His martial future likely surpassing Zhong Qian and Cao Ni.

In truth, Chen Ping’an sought to disprove a certain assumption. That Fallen Mountain’s character had nothing to do with him, the mountain lord.

The fellow had always been silver-tongued, even before he came to the mountain. If Yuan Huang was so inclined, then surely Chief Zhou and Old Immortal Jia had always been such, proving that the mountain’s nature had nothing to do with him. Who knows, perhaps they had influenced *him*.

Jiang Shangzhen was oblivious to such inner machinations.

In the capital, Cao Gengxin, Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, had taken a gamble and seized the leadership of Great Li’s earthly branches, finally granted greater scope to fulfill his ambitions.

The former Superintendent of Kilns believed he was risking his life, yet his choice had already been foreseen by Cui Chan.

For Yuan Huajing had revealed the truth: that National Preceptor Cui Chan had a message for Chen Ping’an, stating that Cao Gengxin was well-suited for the position, so long as he dared to gamble. Chen Ping’an was to appoint him visible leader of the earthly branch cultivators, freeing himself from myriad distractions, only ensuring that Royal Son Song Xu and Cao Gengxin checked each other, never permitting undue harmony, lest it become a path to slow decay.

But before revealing the truth, Yuan Huajing had asked Chen Ping’an two questions: first, his view on the triennial survey of mountains and waters, and second, what he would do with the mountain and water spirits of the southern great river, outside the Great Li dynasty.

Chen Ping’an gave his answers: change the Great Li survey from ten years to thirty, and select some of the southern spirits to grant them a chance to redeem themselves, thus easing tensions between the south and the northern nation.

It was as an examination, with Cui Chan as the examiner and Yuan Huajing as the grader. Correct answers would receive praise, and mistakes would be graded accordingly.

If Chen Ping’an, as successor to Great Li’s National Preceptor, made no alterations to Cui Chan’s established policies, Yuan Huajing would pretend to know nothing.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile if each of the earthly branch cultivators had their own tasks, awaiting his decisions before stepping forward to “admonish” him.

Yuan Huajing shook his head, telling the National Preceptor to seek the answers himself, rather than try to trick him.

Seeing the Sword Immortal’s sincerity, Chen Ping’an returned the favor, promising that should the Sword Worship Platform’s seclusion fail, Fallen Mountain would not charge a single snowflake coin for the expenditure of spirit energy.

Yuan Huajing’s face darkened.

Fortunately, his time at the Sword Worship Platform, frequently consulting with the Ganyang Consort, had been fruitful. In particular, Xie Gou, for reasons unknown, had offered a few words of guidance, enlightening Yuan Huajing. He claimed her words had been worth ten years of bitter cultivation, no exaggeration. His determination to break through grew, vowing that even if Fallen Mountain drove him away, he would not leave.

Xie Gou had not seen anything remarkable in Yuan Huajing’s aptitude. She simply could not bear to watch a fool do foolish things, complicating the simple matter of cultivation.

Like a child struggling with basic arithmetic. One plus nine, two plus eight, three plus seven…all equaled ten. Yet this little nascent soul insisted on one plus two plus three…and accidentally added an extra one, two, three, before even considering subtraction or division! His path was far too convoluted…

Xie Gou had nearly smashed Yuan Huajing’s head into the ground. *It’s ten!* She knew it at a glance! Even with his lacking talent, he should not torture himself so!

At first, Xie Gou had suspected Yuan Huajing of deliberately complicating matters. But soon, she realized this was not the case.

Both swordsmen, both “geniuses,” even considering their “centuries” of existence.

Yuan Huajing’s problem seemed easy, yet proved to be impossible.

Xie Gou’s problem seemed impossible, yet proved simple.

As for Ning Yao…she likely saw no problem at all.

And Chen Ping’an? Patient as ever, he would try every addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, intentionally taking the long way around, but eventually arriving at the correct answer.

Regardless, after reaching Fallen Mountain and the Sword Worship Platform, Yuan Huajing no longer saw himself as a genius. Cultivating required diligence, after all.

Chen Lingjun wandered over, lamenting at not being invited to the melon seed gathering.

Jiang Shangzhen proposed, “The mountain lord will need to seclude himself for some time. How about I teach at the village school for a few days?”

Chen Ping’an glanced at him, saying nothing.

Mi Yu shook his head, as this was even more luxurious than the Hall of Reprieve. Chief Zhou had become desperate to regain ground with Xiao Mo.

Chen Lingjun patted Chief Zhou’s arm. “Don’t force yourself. You’re not suited for it.”

*I’m not the sort to forsake the old for the new. Xiao Mo is good, but you are just as well, Chief Zhou.*

Jiang Shangzhen, rare seriousness on his face, smiled. “You may not know this, but I harbored a dream in my youth, too shy to ever voice it: to open a bookshop in some unknown corner of the world, with a school next door, where I would be the teacher.”

“My dream, though no longer that of a boy, remains young.”

“Mountain lord, if you fear that I may teach better than you, then pretend I said nothing.”

While life was harmonious on the cliff, by the stone table, the atmosphere by the residence, a mansion where the mountain lord personally saw to guests, was not.

Was this the arrogance of one with great power? Such was the nature of the mountain lord Chen, such was the fame of the Hidden Official!

Tian Gong, disciple of the Dou Ran sect’s leader, faced with a sudden anomaly, remained composed. First, he invoked a protective charm, then unleashed several spirit treasures, scattering the mist and illuminating the surroundings. “What is the mountain lord’s intention?”

The figure remained veiled, unwilling to reveal himself, retorting, “Why not pose a more meaningful question?”

Tian Gong steeled his resolve, muttering an incantation, drawing from his sleeve a hundred-foot-long fire dragon, its fiery tendrils sweeping away the lingering mist, revealing water on which they stood. The patterns on the water seemed to be ancient charms.

Tian Gong was shaken. Was this a pre-existing formation in Fallen Mountain, now wielded by Chen Ping’an? Or an improvised array?

After a moment of silence, Tian Gong, gesturing to the chair behind him, finally understood. He scoffed, “Did the mountain lord arrange for us to stay in this mansion, just for this display of charm mastery?”

“I merely wished to know how far Dou Ran sect’s founding charm, the Fire Serpent Crossing the River, can reach across the water,” came Chen Ping’an’s voice, seemingly from directly behind the chair.

Tian Gong unleashed the fiery dragon, crashing it backward with thunderous speed.

Tian Gong turned, dazed, and there, precisely behind the chair, stood the man in azure, his hands resting on the chair’s back, smiling at him.

The fiery dragon sped towards him, growing smaller with each passing moment. Despite the fact that the fiery dragon was a mere foot from Chen Ping’an’s brow, Chen Ping’an acted as if he had faith that the charm could not touch him. Normally, the charm would have already traveled ten miles, but now it seemed as though a barrier was stretched between them.

Chen Ping’an remained still, nonchalantly reclining against the chair. “If charms could speak, mine would cause yours to wail in anguish, inspiring a sense of despair, as though it were separated by an impossible distance.”

Tian Gong remained silent.

Chen Ping’an smiled. “I have a charm that can elevate the Fire Serpent Crossing the River, allowing it to become a true dragon.”

Tian Gong scoffed, “Heretical nonsense!”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Since the fire serpent is doomed to fail in crossing, why don’t we guess the name of my charm?”

Tian Gong grudgingly offered a guess, “A Footstrike Charm.”

*Great men speak great words*. As the ancients said, “A foot long staff, if halved each day, will never diminish.”

As the Dou Ran sect’s most ardent devotee, Tian Gong possessed at least some knowledge.

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Correct. Now, what is the charm paper made of?”

Tian Gong slowly said, “It is formed from light, which is why it holds such power, capable of refining other charms, like water crossing the divide. Such charm mastery is the pinnacle of Flying Immortal Palace’s stacking charms.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “A single Taoist tree blossoms into five schools. Dou Ran sect and Flying Immortal Palace are not of the same sect, but of the same origin, worshipping the same ancestral master. Why not learn from each other?”

Tian Gong hesitated, ultimately falling silent.

The solemn youth, lauded by Yang Xuanbao of Craneback Peak as a charm talent second only to Yu Xuan, was held down by a golden palm, vast as a mountain, his legs crossed, invoking countless talismans in a futile attempt to lift a *mountain* character.

A man in azure squatted nearby, puffing on his pipe. Each time the man tapped the ground with his pipe, the youth flushed red, his effort growing more desperate.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Child Xiang, Xiangchild, both are geniuses. A genius should be able to learn after a few glances. I’ve heard that Peach Talisman Mountain often holds assemblies, where disciples practice and debate charm mastery. Why haven’t you learned any of the Dou Ran sect’s foundational charms? Have you not attended a single one? Do you think you are the only genius, capable of becoming the second Yu Xuan? Where does this confidence come from? Master Yang Xuanbao? Or because she took you to Cloud Dream Grotto a few times?”

Xiangchild’s face was pale, the youth grasping for words, struggling to utter what he believed were insults.

Chen Ping’an laughed. “Say more.”

“You are in the mountain, ignorant of the mountain. You know not of Craneback Peak, nor of Peach Talisman Mountain. Yang Xuanbao is a master of charms, but a small master of instruction.”

“She has protected you too well, forced your growth. If Xiangchild perishes, his path spent, then Yang Xuanbao is to blame.

“Child, live up to Master Yang Xuanbao’s love and hope. Do not let one moment of disappointment destroy a lifetime of joy, leaving her to regret everything.”

Xiangchild’s arms grew numb, his neck stiff, the mountain pressing down, forcing him to bow ever lower.

Most infuriatingly, with each word from Chen, another mountain seemed to press down, forcing him to nod.

*Reliance on magic, on status, daring to insult me so!*

Suddenly, Xiangchild’s eyes lit up as a familiar female Taoist forced her way into the formation, walking up to Chen Ping’an. “Mountain lord Chen, please stop this. I have the right to choose how to teach my disciple. A mere outsider should not—”

Before Yang Xuanbao could utter the word “foot,” a flash of sword light heralded her severed head as it bounced to rest, her eyes meeting those of Xiangchild.

Xiangchild’s heart was shaken. Even though he knew his master was false, his heart lost its resolve, the mountain crashed down, crushing him as though his true self had been turned to paste.

“Come, child, let us visit the mortal world without station, purely as a man. Let the mountains and rivers broaden our hearts, let the trivialities hone our resolve. I will teach a masterless Xiangchild how to find his place in this world, how to establish a foothold.”

Within Walk the Goblet Mountain, Lu Biyu saw the fearsome demons atop the mountain, steeling his resolve, telling himself it was all an illusion, only for the throne demon, Zhuyan, to strike with a rod, infused with Taoist insight and murderous intent. Lu Biyu widened his eyes, instinctively retreating, but the rod struck his head. The throne demon laughed, shaking his head, disgusted. *These mere celestial immortals have such weak wills, easily defeated.*

“Zhu Zishou, I offer you a word of advice. Do not revere Xue Zhishui as a god, especially not as the heavens. You have both overvalued him and undervalued yourself.”

“Xue Zhishui, as a celestial lord, a palace master, do you need to examine yourself? Other sect masters aside, as a Yu Xuan disciple, emulating him is well and good. But when a disciple bears no resemblance, what is the point of taking his place and surpassing your ancestor?”

Bai Feng, a skilled Taoist who could raise her cultivation by consuming talismans, had eaten countless charms in a cage. The more she consumed, the higher her cultivation rose, rising to Jade Pure, to immortality, to ascension…but the more she wasted away, her shape growing distorted. Consumed by charms. It was as if she now possessed the powers of the legendary fourteenth level. By launching a single talisman she could destroy stars or disrupt the heavens…

“She was gonna spit!”

Ding Daoshi looked at the corpses that were scattered across the room.

“This is illusion, even if it’s real.” Ding Daoshi said to himself. “Why should an immortal worry about justice. Justice is found amongst men, and if a man has justice he cannot leave the world!”

Born in Great Soup Grotto, before his mountain ascent he had seen much suffering in the mortal world.

Ding Daoshi remained seated, slouching against the back of his chair, hands tucked into his sleeves. “These realistic illusions may work on others, but on me they are wasted.

The man in the armchair with the long pipe said. “The great Dao is lost amidst many paths, and scholars become lost amidst too much knowledge.”

Ding Daoshi shifted, more comfortable, and said, “Chen, you try to use reason, but it won’t work on me, you may as well use force. If that fails I’ll claim my loss, unlike now. Chen wasted my time, just like Wen Xia who flashed Chen. Chen is just someone who likes to drop names. I have no respect for you anymore.”

Ding Daoshi was shocked when Chen nodded. “Then I will do as you wish, and use force.”

A moment later, Ding Daoshi lied on the floor, wiping the blood from his nose.

Ding Daoshi grinned, “Chen Sword Immortal, is that all you got?”

Nearby, Chen Ping’an smiled. “What you rely on isn’t talent, but the strength of your Dao heart. Otherwise you wouldn’t have found a way to ascend so easily. I know you think that isn’t wrong.”

Ding Daoshi eyes flared as he floated, looking down at the lands below. A river divided mountains, dividing different landscapes. On one side was a mountain range, but at the river there was a gap. On the other side, each mountain was higher than the last. On the other side was a bridge, linking the two sides. While one mountain range had only a few mountains, the other contained a thousand, blocking each other.

Chen Ping’an said “You sealed your memories, and you used a shortcut to skip your demons. This may have been useful, but cannot be used in the Nascent Soul and Jade Pure realms. Have you never wondered why there is an effort to ascend to immortality, to find the truth? That is to protect you from scholars such as you.

“I don’t need to warn you. When you reach the Jade Pure realm, you will need to pay the debt. All those years of cultivating and not caring, what you see will make you suffer greatly.

Ding Daoshi sighed, “We each have our own difficulties. This was the only way. I was not trying to be clever, this was what I needed to do.”

“Did no one at Yuhua stop you?劝你几句?”

“They didn’t know I could take this shortcut. When they realised, it was already too late. They couldn’t possibly drop me back to the Nascent Soul realm.

“The heavens never block a man’s path. Why didn’t you ask Yu Xuan.”

“Who do you think Xuan is? You think you can see him and ask him questions? How many disciples do you think he has? The master sect cannot just let me ascend. How many are you Xuan’s descendents? How much must he deal with every day?”

“Then why didn’t you try?”

“That’s a celestial immortal! Yu has limited time.”

“Why didn’t you try?”

“I will ask Yu to help you this once. There will be no next time.”

“If your Dao heart isn’t pure, fear that the heavens aren’t pure. Always remember that.”

The Taoist turned, “I thank you for your teaching!”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Daoshi is not your real name, your name was unpleasant?”

Ding Daoshi looked at the scene ahead and said, “Mister Chen, if not for your instruction, my path would have been filled with danger?”

Chen Ping’an said with a laugh. “You actually believed me. The truth will never stop you.”

Ding Daoshi smiled, they had used all this in the beginning.

Chen, why did you act that way? So that me, Wen Xia, and us will not be looked down upon by you.”

Chen Ping’an asked back. “If you don’t know what you people have been belittled for, how can you know what you’ve been lauded for?

“I wanted to know the commonalities and differences between you all.”

“Ding Daoshi, your Dao is unique, but as far as teaching is concerned, you need to go further. Have you taken a disciple?”

Ding Daoshi smiled, “Not yet. And Chen doesn’t need to call me Daoshi. I’m not worthy of such respect.”

One by one the Daoshi woke, with a sense of having returned.

Ding Daoshi was filled with respect for Chen. It had been incredibly beneficial to him.

Tian Gong changed his mind, intending to study first and then ask for help.

I’ll show those sons of b***!

Liang Zhaoquan had also suffered, and thought that he should stay away from Chen.

Zhu Zishou felt the best, and could only laugh at all the Taoist’s expression of shock.

Last of the group to open his eyes was the young child, still grinding his teeth. “Chen, no matter how many tricks you have, I still will not submit.”

Three Taoists agreed to stay at Fallen Mountain, for the path was longer now.

Cen was learning Chen’s martial path.

Likewise, their guiding them was their own path.

Chen took them all back to the boats and said, “I only wish I had boats like these.”

Chen Ping’an sent them off with a ritual, and they began their travels.

Wen Xia decided, “Could I see something of the land?”

Chen was immediately on guard, “We can discuss later.”

I had one chance to ruin his cultivation!

Xiao and Xiao Li did not say anything.

Ye Dan reached where they were by using a talisman and teleported to the dock. After finding Chen, she simply said, “My ancestor said that the Fallen Mountain can use the boat for 100 years.”

Chen nodded calmly, “The Fallen Mountain would like to thank you.”

Ye Dan smiled, “I also need to thank you.”

Chen was clear on her meaning and said, “I helped you by accident. You need not thank me.”

Wen Xia was still confused.

叶澹’s smile got even wider.

The situation was bizarre and unnatural, and all Chen said was a riddle.

Those Taoists, again, thought it was an illusion.

One of the younger Taoists even laid on the ground, showing his resolve.

Ye Dan said, “Liang. What do you think you’re doing?”

Liang said cheerfully, “Chen I’m just playing! I want to learn to be cool.”

Chen prompted, “You met her. You can say what you want.”

Xue Zhishi said, “Chen didn’t use a trick. Get up.”

Liang looked at his teacher and then looked at Chen and got up to brush himself, and then silently walked on the boat.

Chen reminded, “Forgotten? We control the boats now.”

“I have not forgotten, I am going to cultivate.” Liang Zhaoquan said.

Fortunately, Ye Dan followed them back to the mainland.

She had a whip with her that said: “Hugu made it at the old Mount, it means to guide at the sea.”

Jiang asked said, “Mi, why is the mountain lord so afraid of Ye.”

Mi Yu paused and said “I saw some files once. Besides being a Taoist, Ye is also a swordsman. She went to the Great Wall once. She made a vow: that whoever avenges her will be wed.”

“Chen must be scared! I understand now.” Jiang responded.

Chen said, “When Xiao comes back, some sword immortals and I will go to Dali.”

“Me?” Jiang said, “that will be fun. I’ll wait for you.”

A new chapter was beginning.