A serpent of a river, the Lai, wound its way inexorably to the sea, a ceaseless current carving its path through a tapestry of ten thousand spring mountains, where sheer, impossible peaks dared to pierce the heavens beside its rushing waters.

Word was sent by Chen Ping’an that Cao Gun and his companions could now return to their geomantically blessed grotto-estate.

Outside, speculation raged. Which two ascended cultivators had engaged in such a titanic clash of powers? Having been summarily ejected by the overbearing old sword immortal, unable to partake in the spoils of this celestial squabble, they sought solace in conjecture. The most favored theory was that the reclusive Qinggong Grand Guardian Jing Hao, that venerable old god of Liuxia Continent, had crossed swords with the soaring swordsman.

As they awaited the others, Ning Yao inquired, “Did the Lu Clan of the Middle Kingdom, masters of Yin and Yang, truly divine the auspiciousness of the mine’s formation?”

Chen Ping’an merely chuckled. “A fabrication, pure and simple.”

He had, indeed, visited the Lu family with Xiao Mo and Xie Gou. But Lu Shen, a fox as old as the hills, would never risk the degradation of his own merit and cultivation at such a pivotal moment, with the Three Sages nearing their ascensions. Whether Lu Shen had now achieved union with the Dao was uncertain. The way of Yin and Yang, of the Five Elements, was a path of immense breadth and profound height, far surpassing even the arts of poetry and prose. “Zou Tzu spoke of the heavens, Lu of the earth.” Zou Tzu had long reached the Fourteenth Realm; Lu Shen’s pursuit was not entirely unexpected. Upon his return to the Great Domain from beyond the heavens, Chen Ping’an had chosen the Lu clan’s observatory as his first landfall. Lu Shen, the family head who had emerged from the Orchid Pavilion, had been unfailingly discreet and cautious. Even Xie Gou, their second-ranked retainer, with all his… exuberance, had failed to provoke Lu Shen’s genuine anger.

Twenty-odd sword cultivators arrived together. Chen Ping’an relayed to them the essence of Wang Jia’s plight, betrayed by Shou Chen and Guan Xiang.

Standing beside Ning Yao, Chen Ping’an felt no constraint. He referred to Zhou Mi by his given name without hesitation.

After nearly half a year spent upon Quanjiao Mountain, that matter was now concluded.

Chen Ping’an clasped his fist in salute, offering his thanks, laced with a touch of rustic charm, to the seven “outsider” earth immortal sword cultivators. “Since we are all swordsmen, I shall dispense with courtesies beyond the sword. I thank you for your aid. Should you ever travel to Treasure Bottle Continent, the wines of Fallen Phoenix Mountain shall flow freely.”

One elderly sword cultivator, a nascent soul realm master, straightened his back, his face flushed with a subtle glow. He could not help but offer a polite reply, “In truth, we accomplished little of consequence. We are unworthy of such gratitude from Hidden Officer Chen.”

Chen Ping’an laughed. “To engage in a gamble where one voluntarily straps their head to their belt, is that not worthy of a few light words of thanks from Chen? Such a statement in Sword Qi Great Wall would be an invitation to drink.”

Xie Songhua spoke in a mental whisper to Song Ping, “Just now, your ‘Ascension’ was about to leap from its scabbard, but Chen Ping’an casually pressed it back. Thank the heavens he’s a decent fellow. Were he otherwise, what would become of you, with your particular visage, should you encounter a certain protagonist of a landscape chronicle in the wilderness?”

Song Ping replied, with unflappable calm, “I would teach him a few arts of the bedchamber.”

Xie Songhua, belatedly realizing the implications, asked, “Ning Yao can’t possibly hear our thoughts, can she?”

Song Ping said, “If you don’t name names, probably not. But at this moment… perhaps.”

Xie Songhua raised an eyebrow at Ning Yao, then tilted her chin towards Chen Ping’an. You two? When? Are you not going to sample Hidden Officer’s swordplay?

The spiritual union of mountain-dwelling lovers was a thing apart from the mortal coupling of man and woman. To understand it, or not, was the difference between heaven and earth.

Ning Yao merely feigned ignorance.

Chen Ping’an bade them enter the dwelling, saying that he was awaiting another guest.

A young scholar arrived, radiating the aura of a Confucian gentleman. At his waist hung a jade pendant of the Wen Miao design, inscribed with a sage’s dictum: “Discarding embellishment, he pours forth his heart with sincerity. Such a man may be called righteous.”

He must have been dispatched in secret by the Wen Miao of the Middle Kingdom, a scholar charged with full authority over the affairs of Quanjiao Mountain.

Upon seeing the inscription upon the jade, Chen Ping’an’s face broke into a smile.

Truly, a “righteous” man of virtue and integrity.

Had he been a Wen Miao administrator, he would have placed such a man in charge of a Confucian academy, at the very least.

The Confucian gentleman bowed respectfully. “Gao Xuandu of Laiyuan Academy. I greet Master Chen.”

Chen Ping’an returned the greeting with a smile. “Chen Ping’an of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. I greet Headmaster Gao.”

Gao Xuandu, the noble scholar of Laiyuan Academy on Floating Emerald Continent, belonged to the rising generation of Confucian scholars, those who had distinguished themselves during the war, like Wen Yu of Tianmu Academy.

Gao Xuandu offered a brief pleasantry, but, duty calling, he went directly to the heart of the matter, inquiring as to the cause of Quanjiao Mountain’s unusual phenomena.

From his sleeve, Chen Ping’an produced two items, suspending them in the air before him: the relics of Wang Jia, a gold crown and a scroll of considerable quality.

Gao Xuandu raised an eyebrow. “These are?”

Chen Ping’an explained, “Ancestor Wang Jia of Ruyi City, the ‘False Lord,’ was once ambushed and slain by the savage sword cultivator Shou Chen and the great demon Guan Xiang. Wang Jia survived only through an ancient secret art, preserving a fragment of his true spirit. Eventually, he reappeared as a ghost immortal, reclaiming his position and ensuring the continuity of the Ancestral Hall’s incense. Now, his accumulation of external merits is complete, and he begs Song Ping and Xie Songhua to grant him the death-blow, freeing him from his tribulation.”

Gao Xuandu merely glanced at Chen Ping’an before smiling. “Very well, I understand. I shall immediately draft two letters, reporting the matter truthfully to Laiyuan Academy and the Wen Miao of the Middle Kingdom. I shall also journey to Ruyi City myself, to explain the situation to them.”

Truly, he was swift and decisive, without hesitation.

To be only a deputy headmaster was to waste his talent.

Chen Ping’an offered the gold crown and scroll to Gao Xuandu. “Since it is along your path, I would trouble Headmaster Gao to deliver them to the Ancestral Hall of Ruyi City.”

Gao Xuandu accepted the items, storing them within his sleeve. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Among the seventy-two academies, Laiyuan Academy has always placed particular emphasis on military strategy. Would it be possible to invite Master Chen to lecture for us? As for the topic, Master Chen may choose it himself.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and smiled. “If the opportunity arises, I shall certainly visit.”

Gao Xuandu did not hesitate. “May I be so bold as to ask whether this ‘opportunity’ is likely to occur within the next few days, or perhaps within the next half-year? If Master Chen’s affairs are currently pressing, a later date would also be acceptable, be it next year or the year after. However, I would request that Master Chen provide an approximate time frame, with a margin of error no greater than six months. Laiyuan Academy would then be able to make detailed arrangements accordingly. Master Chen’s talent and learning are profound, and such a task would surely be of little weight, perhaps requiring no preparation at all. However, we at Laiyuan Academy value this opportunity greatly. The number of students permitted to attend, the necessity of implementing a selection process, the screening and control of their questions – such matters will all be adjusted according to Master Chen’s lecture date.”

Chen Ping’an rather enjoyed this “unreservedness.” After a moment’s consideration, he reviewed his commitments. “Let us tentatively set it for the end of next year. Should it be moved forward or delayed, I shall inform Laiyuan Academy in advance.”

Cao Gun spoke in a mental whisper. “The reputation precedes the man. As the rumors suggest, Gao Xuandu is indeed meticulous. Does Hidden Officer find him to his liking?”

Xuan Can replied sagely, “He is no match for you or me. According to the ranking system concocted by Guo Zhujiu, Headmaster Gao would be, at best, of the ilk of Song Gaoyuan and Deng Liang.”

Song Gaoyuan massaged his brow. We entered the Summer Palace together. Just because I am less skilled in flattery than you sycophants, must I be so thoroughly excluded?

Chen Ping’an posed a crucial question. “Has the Wen Miao and the Academy reached a decision regarding the ownership of this mine?”

Gao Xuandu shook his head, offering only his own conjecture. “Either it will belong to the one most virtuous, one able to command respect, and prevent the already precarious mountains and rivers of Floating Emerald Continent from descending into utter chaos. In such a case, the Wen Miao would likely stand aside, content to see such a stabilizing influence take root. However, if no such figure emerges, the mine may be used to mend the continent’s fractured landscape, with, of course, the Golden Beryl Dynasty receiving appropriate compensation.”

Chen Ping’an inquired curiously. “Has the total value of the jade mine’s reserves been estimated?”

Gao Xuandu replied, “There is only a rough estimation. Its value in immortal coins is a closely guarded secret of the Academy, not to be divulged. I can only offer the result of my own on-site examination of Quanjiao Mountain: it is sufficient to support an ordinary sect for a thousand years, with a thousand disciples, without any other source of income. More precisely, it assumes a nascent qi cultivator in the lower five realms, through sheer luck, claiming Quanjiao Mountain, establishing a sect and continuing that sect for a millennium with ease.”

Chen Ping’an pressed further. “What constitutes ‘ordinary’?”

Gao Xuandu answered, “By ‘ordinary,’ I mean a sect with a founder with hopes of ascending, two or three jade purity realm masters, a hundred or so qi cultivators in the middle five realms, twenty of whom have established peaks, and roughly nine hundred registered cultivators in the lower five realms.”

Because the two spoke without using mental whispers, Xie Songhua gaped in astonishment, unable to help but ask, “That’s considered ordinary?”

Gao Xuandu said, “Currently, it would be a first-rate sect, just a hair’s breadth from being the best.”

A thousand years hence, perhaps not.

After all, the void left by a Fifteenth Realm master could not be filled by merely a few new Fourteenth Realm cultivators.

Gao Xuandu suddenly inquired, “Master Chen?”

Chen Ping’an smiled wryly, having divined the scholar’s thoughts. Since the Wen Miao regarded the jade mine as unclaimed, would it not be better for you, Master Chen, to take it in a just and forthright manner, rather than letting it fall into the hands of those scheming behind the scenes? On Floating Emerald Continent, at least Gao Xuandu was willing to speak a few words of fairness on behalf of Laiyuan Academy. So, should Fallen Phoenix Mountain establish amicable relations with the Golden Beryl Dynasty, only the Wen Miao of the Middle Kingdom would remain as an obstacle?

The scholars of today were rather… bold. Wen Yu had also overstepped the bounds, venturing across the boundaries to apprehend wrongdoers in the land of the dead.

Ning Yao turned towards a certain point, reminding him, “Either reveal yourself, or depart.”

Following Ning Yao’s gaze, Chen Ping’an considered that the other’s appearance was reasonable, not entirely unexpected.

The longer one cultivated, the higher one climbed, the more familiar faces one encountered.

A sword-carrying woman in a white dress and face mask, radiating an ethereal aura, stood there. It was Zheng Dan, the future gatekeeper of White Emperor City, willing to follow Zheng Juzhong, a female ghost sword immortal.

She was trained in the sword arts of the Yue Nu lineage, which, along with the Qu City lineage of the old sword immortal Zhou Shenzhi, one of the ten of the Middle Kingdom, were undeniably the “great sects” of the sword arts, the preeminent schools of swordsmanship in the mortal realm.

However, compared to Zhou Shenzhi, the Yue Nu lineage accepted only female disciples, although they did not insist on a single, unbroken line of inheritance. Compared to the flourishing Qu City lineage, their numbers were far fewer.

Pu He pondered, finding the woman vaguely familiar.

Too much powder obscured her features, making her difficult to place.

After a moment, he remembered the vivid murals adorning the walls of his own sect’s ancestral hall, depicting one who looked remarkably like the sword-carrying woman before them.

Xue Zhou exclaimed in a mental whisper, “Wow, this female ghost sister is truly beautiful, in a different way than Sword Immortal Song.”

After revealing herself, Zheng Dan stood in the air. Her voice was clear and cold. “I have just received a flying sword missive from Master Zheng. He has traded merits with the Wen Miao of the Middle Kingdom to claim this mine. He commands me to cleave it into three portions: one portion is to be gifted to Laiyuan Academy, to mend the geomantic defects of Floating Emerald Continent.

“Another is to serve as the foundation for the sect that Gu Can shall establish on Quanjiao Mountain.

“The final portion shall be left to the qi cultivators of Floating Emerald Continent to seize. Whether they use registered methods, intrigue and infighting, small fish driving out shrimp, only to be driven out by larger fish, or whether they resort to the ways of wandering cultivators, tearing off all pretenses and engaging in bloody battles, sect master Gu Can, and I, shall not interfere, nor shall we bear responsibility. Having generously scattered money on the ground, there is no reason to concern ourselves with whether those picking it up follow the rules. In the end, it will all return to Floating Emerald Continent’s purse. If Laiyuan Academy and Headmaster Gao object, you may seek me out at the gates of White Emperor City. Of course, the content after the words ‘as for’ are not the words of Master Zheng, but my own initiative.”

Gao Xuandu did not modify his actions because of the involvement of White Emperor City and Zheng Juzhong. He was a model civil servant that handled matters step by step: “I will verify this matter with the Wen Miao of the Middle Kingdom and Laiyuan Academy. Once confirmed, the subsequent founding of the sect by Gu Can within the Quanjiao Mountain territory and the division of the jade mine into three portions should not be a problem.”

Zheng Dan said, “Master Zheng is generous, instructing me in his letter that, should Laiyuan Academy be unable to cut, refine, and use the jade mine to mend a continent’s geomancy, I may act in their stead. If you deem it appropriate, I shall remain here for a month or so, assisting Laiyuan Academy.”

Gao Xuandu nodded. “Then we trouble Sword Immortal for your assistance.”

Zheng Dan couldn’t help but glance at the scholar. Were the scholars of today bolder than before?

Gao Xuandu turned to face the figure clad in green. Chen Ping’an smiled. “I am not the master of this blessed grotto. The previous expulsion was a necessity. In truth, both I and Senior Zheng are merely guests. Senior Zheng may settle where she wishes, after conferring with Laiyuan Academy. I have no right to interfere.”

Zheng Dan glanced at Ning Yao, “both a junior in years and a senior in the Way of the Sword”, a rare smile gracing her lips. “Master Zheng, at the end of his letter, shifted his tone, without naming anyone directly. He merely said that, should anyone be willing to accept this gift as a congratulatory present for the landing of Soaring City, then all previous decisions would be rendered null and void. This person would be free to move the mine to the Multicolored World. I am to open and guard the door with my sword for a time, offering what little strength I can.”

Ning Yao said, “Please convey my thanks to Master Zheng.”

She hesitated slightly. “I shall take a small piece of jade for myself, as a token of Master Zheng’s gift. During the next session of the Soaring City Ancestral Hall, I shall relay this matter for record.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Dan’s smile deepened. Affection, after all, was often inexplicable. Perhaps, seeing someone similar to herself, Zheng Dan felt particularly close to her.

Yu Yue and Situ Jiyu exchanged smiles. Ning Yao was not as aloof and inflexible as rumored.

Xuan Can smiled slightly. “If Hidden Officer were to act, he would undoubtedly cut off a large chunk of jade, crafting a chair to be placed ostentatiously within the Soaring City Ancestral Hall… But that would be a bit excessive, perhaps inappropriate. More likely, it would be placed within the Summer Palace. In doing so, Master Zheng would become an unofficial guest of the Hidden Officer lineage. In the future, when passing through the Multicolored World, a visit would be in order.”

Zheng Dan then took her leave, seeking a quiet estate by the river of the blessed grotto, awaiting further news from Laiyuan Academy.

Her oath-bound companion, the jade purity realm sword cultivator Gao Yi, had dissolved their oath, but still traveled across the continents with her, Zheng Dan still had some matters to settle.

Gao Yi’s pursuit of the Shangsi Sword Sect’s Wei Yudian was merely the surface reason. There was a deeper motive. Zheng Dan had promised that, should he gain the approval of one or two sword lineages in the Sword Qi Great Wall, inheriting the legacy of a local sword immortal, she would help him vie for the “Great Dao”. Gao Yi, not being a fool, knew that her intention was to elevate him to be the foremost cultivator of Liuxia Continent, replacing Jing Hao of Qinggong Mountain!

However, upon arriving at the Sword Qi Great Wall, everything went awry. First, he failed to even meet Wei Yudian, instead encountering an eccentric girl in a sable cap along the way.

The series of subsequent events caught the sword immortal off guard. As a result, Chief Gao returned to his homeland in disgrace, without even setting foot on the ramparts to try his luck and seek his fortune.

Disappointed, Gao Yi was naturally unwilling.

Zheng Dan reasoned that the Hidden Officer did not approve of him, meaning the entire Sword Qi Great Wall did not approve. He should not indulge in wishful thinking, lest he become a laughingstock.

If he insisted on scaling the walls, he would only disgrace her, his protector.

Gao Yi sat in the waterside pavilion, surrounded on three sides by bamboo curtains, leaving one side open to the ten thousand plum blossoms.

Upon entering the pavilion, one would discover a different world, unlike the underground cavern of the blessed grotto.

Zheng Dan had changed into a homely outfit, more suitable for a wife. Her sword hung from the pavilion post.

An unidentifiable maidservant was brewing wine, the wine being a vibrant blue and electricity sparkling in the wine.

Zheng Dan occasionally lapsed from her state of detached composure, her pursuit of excellence apparent in every detail, all of the wine-brewing instruments were antiques of noble households from the past, Zheng Dan was truly an elegant woman.

Outside the pavilion, the mountains were verdant and the plum blossoms bloomed in a riot of color. Zheng Dan held a fan of plain silk, a circle of frosty white, a light breeze filling her sleeves.

Gao Yi glanced at the maidservant, finding her strangely out of place in this environment.

Zheng Dan had referred to her as a washing-silk servant.

The maidservant acted like a puppet devoid of emotions, intelligence, and perception.

Gao Yi sighed, tentatively asking, “You are merely invited to become a gatekeeper of the White Emperor City, without any registered status. Will you truly not register within my sect, allowing your image to hang beside that of our founder in the ancestral hall?”

Throughout the history of Haoran, which founding ancestor of a sect-level immortal mansion had not possessed a few spectacular and mysterious stories, not encountered a few reclusive hermits of obscure origins?

Jing Hao’s Qinggong Mountain had them. The Shangsi Sword Sect certainly had them.

Zheng Dan said indifferently, “All feasts must come to an end. When fates align, they gather. When fates are exhausted, they disperse. It is the way of things. You, Gao Yi, are a jade purity realm master, an establish sect, do not act like a sorrowful woman.”

“Although our temporary oath has dissolved, not waiting until your ascension, the benefits due to you have not been diminished in the slightest. In truth, you have withdrawn future earnings in advance, without any risks. Do not be greedy by selling your favors.”

“Of the ancient grotto heaven ruins that have emerged on Liuxia Continent, both Jing Hao and Shunan Yuan, who were determined to obtain them, have retreated gracefully. Jing Hao, in particular, invested heavily in earlier stages, and all of the previous efforts were wasted. A small jade purity realm master that you were able to snatch this place from two ascensions, what is there that you are not satisfied with? Speaking of blessed lands, there is the possibility of mismanagement, and so they become useless. Caves such as these, however, can be taken for granted. On this journey, I deliberately appeared many times, and passed sword with others twice, in order to deter those people from acting against you. But you yourself must be clear-headed. Once this matter is settled, and I go to White Emperor City to become a gatekeeper for Master Zheng, our debt will be settled. In the future, if you encounter difficulties, you may try to prostrate yourself before the White Emperor City and see if I will deign to give you a second glance.”

The cave lord of Tianyu Cave Heaven, Shunan Yuan, had only recently joined the Ascension Realm. As such, Liuxia Continent had two ascensions sitting in their respective mountains.

What truly made Jing Hao and Shunan Yuan give up the ruins was not that Zheng Dan was also an Ascension Realm master, not her swordsmanship, but rather her public revelation that she would be going to the White Emperor City, which had recently closed to outside parties, to be a gatekeeper.

Otherwise, when Ascension Realm cultivators tore away all pretenses, the means and methods of action, whether out in the open or hidden in the shadows, were endless. Zheng Dan herself, she could not fight with those two local figures.

So, the existence that was most feared was Zheng Juzhong.

Gao Yi said helplessly, “I understand. One departure, and we shall become strangers.”

After all, the two had formed an oath, relying on each other for many years. Zheng Dan had watched Gao Yi grow from a youth to the man he was today. She was willing to say a few more things: “I have already taken you to see Ding Fayi and understand the story between you and Wei Yudian. Ding Fayi has also personally acknowledged that you are the reincarnation of the sword immortal, Wei Yudian’s natal flying sword ‘Xiaopin’ is indeed the relic of your former body. Many of the seemingly inexplicable grievances and entanglements that you had with Wei Yudian in your youth have been explained. In the future, you do not need to have any more entanglement with the Shangsi Sword Sect and the Wei Clan of Fen Province. As for Wei Yudian herself and her flying sword, since you have reached an agreement with Ding Fayi, a gentleman should also abide by his promises.”

Gao Yi nodded. According to the agreement, it would be Wei Yudian who owed him a sword duel. In any case, the time and place would be determined by her.

Gao Yi was sullen. He didn’t know what he had done wrong. Did that Chen have to get involved in this thing? Was his behavior domineering? Chief Gao felt his heart was blocked.

Zheng Dan said, “Ding Fayi of Fanke Mountain is enough. With his sword ‘Jiangzhen,’ together with his flying sword ‘Jieshen,’ and since he is also the successor of an ancient line of shamanism, if he really wanted to target you, you Gao Yi would have no chance to grow up and would have died early. That was because Ding Fayi wanted to mediate and help the two of you to resolve the karma of your previous lives with the good karma of this life.”

Gao Yi said, “With you here, it is not clear who will die if Ding Fayi really dares to plot against me with a curse.”

Zheng Dan earnestly said, “Gao Yi, listen to my advice, without me secretly protecting the Dao, if you are always so narrow-minded, no matter how many external things you acquire, you will never achieve great things. Just one wrong step will send you to eternal damnation.”

The maidservant leaned forward, holding up her sleeve with one hand and pouring wine for Gao Yi with the other. Gao Yi drank in frustration and thanked the maidservant, who smiled in response.

Zheng Dan scolded, “Maidservant, how dare you seduce others!”

The ugly maidservant said, “There is no need to vent your anger on others when those who have forgotten their homeland treat other countries as their own.”

Zheng Dan’s expression turned stern and she was about to scold the silk-washing maidservant when the maidservant seemed to speak for her, “Ten slaps to the face, to serve as a warning to others.”

Zheng Dan was about to speak, but the maidservant added, “Vixens cause the downfall of nations and deserve to die.”

The maidservant slowly poured wine for Zheng Dan, smiling. “I will shut my mouth.”

Zheng Dan said coldly, “What’s wrong, relying on the fact that you are still on good terms with the merchant Fan, do you think that he will definitely enter the Fourteenth Realm soon, or are you certain that I will not dare to kill you?”

The ugly maidservant ignored her and looked at Gao Yi, smiling. “Chief Gao, you don’t know, the founder of the Shangsi Sword Sect, Hua Furong, who is also Wei Yudian’s master, was once a frequent visitor to the Ning Mansion in the Sword Qi Great Wall and was close friends with Ning and Yao. Wei Yudian, as Hua Furong’s most valued and beloved disciple, had such deep friendship that Ding moved her there to hide from the wind and waves.”

“Therefore, Chief Gao, you chose the wrong place to cause trouble for Wei Yudian in the Sword Qi Great Wall. It seems that he accidentally ran into the Hidden Officer, but in reality, it was all Ding’s calculations.”

“Fortunately, Chief Gao met Chen, not Chen’s Dao companion. To be honest, you’ve been blessed!”

Gao Yi was speechless and had lingering fears.

Zheng Dan rarely interrupted the silk-washing maidservant and waited until the latter poured another glass of wine for Gao Yi. Zheng Dan said coldly, “Being a good sect leader is twice as difficult as becoming a jade purity realm purely by luck. If Sword Immortal Gao dares to underestimate any of the upper five realms again, it is estimated that there will soon be a short-lived sect in the Liuxia Continent.”

Gao Yi raised his glass with both hands and raised it with the two seniors.

The silk-washing maidservant stood up and raised the corner of the curtain. “Between division, chaos, and governance, in the world of peace, men and women are all going out to see the flowers.”

Zheng Dan laughed and said, “You and I are both ghosts, but we have not been able to take a step further, and we have been preempted by Xu Juan. It’s really worth drinking three cups of wine.”

The silk-washing maidservant sighed faintly, “How easy is it to make a change between a wooden goose and a dragon or snake?”

At the highest point of the wind and water cave, where private residences were carved out of the walls, Chen Ping’an bid farewell to Gao Xuandu and returned to the hall with Ning Yao. He glanced at the seats that seemed to be facing each other and waved his sleeve, turning the chairs into a circle.

Chen Ping’an casually picked a chair near the door. Cao Gun took off his boots and sat cross-legged. Xuan Can was lying on the chair, Song Gaoyuan was still sitting upright by habit.

In the old summer palace, apart from a small table with piles of files, there were futons, bamboo chairs, and small benches. The Dong group often took naps on the small chairs in their extremely valuable free time, resting their legs on the table. Guo Zhujiu was not high in realm, but she had great energy. Her rest was to wipe the small bamboo box on the table with her sleeves, exhale a few breaths into the bamboo box, and rub it repeatedly. Gu Jianlong liked to lie on the ground, resting his head under the table. Lin Junbi liked to play chess alone, Pang Yuanji was used to being in a daze with a bitter face. Luo Zhenyi always deliberately didn’t look at anyone, and Wang Xishui often asked if Hidden Officer Chen’s shoulders were sore, and didn’t get too tired, while praising Great Sword Immortal Mi for his great achievements in the war.

Chen Ping’an took out several kinds of immortal wine from his bag and pushed more than a dozen gourds to the center of the hall for everyone to take.

Several wealthy people like Pu He followed suit, and dozens of pots of wine were placed on the ground in an instant.

Ning Yao thought about it and got up to leave.

Xie Songhua and Song Ping also walked out of the hall.

After Ning Yao left, Xuan Can came to Chen Ping’an’s side with lightning speed, and Cao Gun, whose strength was no weaker than Xuan Can, sat on Chen Ping’an’s side, one on each side.

Chen Ping’an grabbed the wine gourd and sat directly on the ground. He raised the wine gourd with Song Gaoyuan, who was sitting opposite him, and took a big gulp. He complained that Song Gaoyuan didn’t know the etiquette and, as a half-host whose sect was in Floating Emerald Continent, he should not have to raise the first three shots. Chen Ping’an then reached out and grabbed the arms of the two people next to him, increasing his strength slightly, and said with a smile, “I miss you so much!”

Ning Yao and the others walked outside, Xie Songhua laughed and said, “We all know each other, so you don’t need to give Hidden Officer Chen this much face. To be honest, the seven who haven’t been to Sword Qi Great Wall have long admired Chen Ping’an. After today, they admire him so much that they can’t admire him anymore, so it doesn’t matter if you give him a little face.”

Ning Yao said helplessly, “He can’t drink freely when I’m here.”

Song Ping smiled and said, “I heard that Sword Immortal Situ’s family is a recognized beauty nest.”

Ning Yao said, “Not long ago, a girl named Wang Gua followed the sect to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Chen Ping’an met her and gave her a few pointers. He said that himself.”

Xie Songhua clicked her tongue and said, “Hidden Officer Chen’s trick of confessing everything himself has reached perfection.”

Song Ping said, “Is this really a case of someone protesting too much?”

Liu Xu arrived a little later. When he entered the hall filled with the aroma of wine, Pu He shouted, “Everyone, hurry up and make room. Talent Liu is here.”

Don’t look at Liu Xu as a quiet person. When he opens his mouth, he curses Pu He with a bunch of Beiju Luzhou “elegant words”, scolding him severely.

Yu Yue hurriedly pretended to persuade him, but he felt relieved in his heart.

Pu He looked down on Yu Yue and Situ Jiyu, but he admired Liu Xu, the young master of Mule Horse River who didn’t have to pretend to be poor, but everyone thought was very poor. The old sword cultivator thought that if he had a Dao companion and a son, he would be about the same as Liu Xu.

Hearing this honest remark was even worse, Liu Xu…

During this reunion, they hardly talked about Sword Qi Great Wall, but mostly about the general situation of Haoran, the customs, anecdotes, and stories of the various continents.

Of course, because of those young people, they would talk about the youngest generation of famous and rising genius sword cultivators in Haoran.

This brought them back to Chen Li. Chen Ping’an had just learned that Chen Li had reached the bottleneck of the Golden Core Realm and was about to go into seclusion. It may not be to break through, but there were signs that the bottleneck was loosening.

Chen Ping’an didn’t mean to imply to Ju Xing that they should not slacken their swordsmanship with Chen Li as an example. Instead, he hoped that they would visit each other more often and travel across the continent together.

Chen Li, the disciple of Li Cai of Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, has the reputation of “Little Hidden Officer”.

Before Chen Li was taken away from his hometown by Li Cai, he went to the second shopkeeper’s wine shop and wrote a no-matter-what card.

“Chen Li, wearing a sword of Obscurity, flying sword Dreaming. A hundred-year-old sword immortal, is easily within reach.”

You must know that the “sword immortal” of Sword Qi Great Wall is not the jade purity realm.

This meant that if Chen Li wanted to accomplish this feat, the young sword cultivator who had entered the Golden Core Realm in Haoran, and had secretly formed a first-grade golden core, must first strive to enter the jade purity within the age of Jiazi. Then, he had to give himself the remaining three or forty years to hone the foundation of the jade purity realm and become an immortal realm in one fell swoop. If others are full and have nothing to do, and then quibble a few points, since Chen Li himself said that it was “easily within reach”, shouldn’t he become an immortal realm sword cultivator at the age of seventy or eighty? If Chen Li didn’t boast without drafting, what else would he do?

Chen Li was also the common imaginary enemy of his fellow villagers and peers, such as Xue Zhou Yedu.

Even Bai Xuan, who said “I’m not afraid even if the King of Heaven comes, because I am the King of Heaven”, as Zheng Dafeng said, was that this child was gifted, practicing iron head skill for one day had the effect of others practicing hard for a year. However, when Bai Xuan occasionally mentioned Chen Li, he had a bit of a guilty conscience to avoid his edge and had to add that Chen Li was a few years older than me.

Of course, for Cao Gun Xuan Can and the others, the addition of a small Hidden Officer Chen Li was just a sigh from the predecessors in the summer palace: “Our path will not decline, the younger generation is to be feared.”

Ju Xing and the other young people were not good at drinking and were already drunk. Instead, Xue Zhou and the others felt that wine was nothing more than that.

Liu Xu was drinking and playing boxing games with the earth immortal sword cultivators.

Pu He didn’t know when he was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Yu Yue, reaching out to hug the latter’s neck and hitting his old friend’s head hard, saying that you were a waste, how could I have made a friend like you… In fact, I am even more so, how could I have lost to Mi Embroidery back then?

Chen Ping’an had already started looking for wine to drink.

He said that there was a secret reading method called night theft and murder in the slums.

The young Hidden Officer, the Hidden Officer who may not be so young anymore, was really drunk.

He also said that he was very happy to meet you all at this time, this month, this day, in this place, in this situation.

He even said that we sword cultivators should have this heart and dare to have this idea. Let’s encourage each other! The old sword way of the human world ends with me, and the new sword way of the human world starts with me!

He finally said that I was not drunk, saying that you are not good at drinking, and you can’t even persuade people to drink. He hiccuped, reached out and pushed away an arm, and when he turned his head with drunken eyes, he saw her and really woke up.

Seeing this scene, everyone burst into laughter.

Ning Yao was helpless. It was indeed a rare opportunity, so she sat down and drank with Xie Songhua and Song Ping, as a second round of drinking.

Chen Ping’an sat alone on the steps outside, with his hands in his sleeves, in a daze.

At some point, He Xiangting and Yu Qingzhang came outside, the two sword cultivators who had left their hometowns and chose to leave Fallen Phoenix Mountain after arriving at Fallen Phoenix Mountain. They sat next to the first Hidden Officer, the later Master Cao