The river city of Fish Scale Ford sprawled ever wider, its docks expanding to welcome the colossal Ferry of Tung-Yin, transforming a mere waystation into a permanent port of call. Whispers carried on the wind spoke of the Cloud Rock Kingdom’s Court, having entrusted the crafting of its famed official vinegars, barley wines, and inkstones to outside hands. Daring youths from the capital dared to cast their lines at night, not far from the fragrant, lamp-lit pleasure barges where noble lords from the mountains wined and dined the immortal masters. They toasted under the moon, brokered alliances, and drank deeply of silver and gold. Each toast seemed to strengthen their bond, both sides of the table somehow claiming Qian as their family name. Meanwhile, the youths by the river whispered among themselves, naming the princely kin and sons of high-ranking ministers who held sway over each of those gaudy vessels. They sometimes saw a woman stumble to the railing, dab at her lips with a silken handkerchief, and, after a moment of hesitation, discard the cloth into the black waters before disappearing back into the revelry.

Now, throughout the Cloud Rock Kingdom, all knew that the Ferry of Tung-Yin belonged to a celestial sect of great renown. Coupled with the Court’s decree that none should disturb the sword immortals’ meditations, the waters near the Ferry remained relatively tranquil. Yet, should any smaller craft dare to approach, a warrior of the guard would dart from the reeds like a startled heron, skimming across the surface to warn them away. The warrior, muttering under his breath, would return to shore with the grace of a feather, only to find two figures gazing upon him from the Ferry’s railing: a man in green robes, his face kind, and a long-bearded Daoist, bearing a horsetail whisk and a sheathed sword.

The warrior stopped short, startled, and hastily bowed in apology to the unfamiliar masters. To his surprise, the man in green returned the bow with a smile. The guard, so accustomed to gruff treatment at Fish Scale Ford, paused, wondering if the man’s powers were somehow less than the master’s, or his status. But if so, how had he found passage on the Ferry of Tung-Yin?

The Cloud Rock Kingdom, though appearing at peace, was tightly strung. Fish Scale Ford, the kingdom’s heart, was under such scrutiny that, as his fellows jested, even if a dog relieved itself by the roadside, the matter would be recorded by the Court.

“Why didn’t he recognize your identity?” asked Master Lu Yan, a smile dancing on his lips.

“Dongshan said that the Court, in its eagerness to express gratitude, has removed all illustrations from the files of the Qingping Sword Sect and Jade Decree Sect cultivators, leaving only words.” Chen Ping An replied with a sigh.

“Such authority inspires awe, does it not?” Lu Yan quipped.

Chen Ping An said nothing. In the old Tong Ye Continent, any Sect of Celestial Rank was its own unquestioned heavens; the immortals’ whims were as the ever-changing weather.

The land held beauty, but was mute, like a lovely woman.

The lives of men drifted like dust on the roadside, and the ways of the world were akin to ripples on the water.

Lu Yan turned back to their former subject, “I hope that it won’t take too much of your cultivation time.”

“Isn’t protection a form of training as well?” responded Chen Ping An.

A Daoist leaves his mountain not only to wander the mortal realm and temper his Dao heart, but to seek celestial favor, gather rare and potent ingredients, accrue merit, and increase his Dao force.

There are also three acts that, while only committed from time to time, can have great consequence. The first is to protect another through a key juncture, like Yao Qing, the imperial advisor of the Azure God Dynasty, who aided the demon Xu Juan through a critical trial.

Then, there is the task of guiding and welcoming a disciple onto the path of righteousness and up to the mountain; seeking out those with the aptitude to cultivate, raising them to strengthen the sect and continue the lineage.

Lastly, is the act of protecting another during a trial of some kind. As when Jiang Shangzhen, in the guise of Zhou Fei of the Spring Tide Palace, tried to help Lu Fang of Bird’s Eye Peak to overcome the barrier of love, an effort that cost him considerable time. Yet still, the sword cultivator Lu Fang was not able to break his heart demon, and presumably still wandered in the maze that was the Lotus Flower Blessing. Later, Chief Zhou stated that if only Lu Fang had joined the Jade Decree Sect, he would not have needed to go to the Lotus Flower Blessing. He added, “Forcing a melon is never sweet, but at least it quenches the thirst. Too bad Lu Fang, the blockhead, simply refused to understand the true meaning, choosing to die on only one tree.”

Previously, at Fuyou Slope, the old cultivator commented on Xun Yuan’s character, offering two sides of a coin.

The first was to reprimand Xun Yuan’s narrow mindedness, and for being one of the biggest culprits of a world of ruin, “What does cultivating even mean? Only doing things to benefit one’s own sect. The failings of Tongye Continent: half goes to Xun and half to Du.”

The other, the appraisal, couldn’t have been higher, “Having disciples like Zheng Juzhong and Xun Yuan is indeed a blessing.”

Lu Yan stroked his beard and chuckled, “If Mountain Lord Chen is so polite, this poor Daoist may take advantage of you.”

Chen Ping An nodded, “Please, do not stand on ceremony.”

Lu Yan sought Chen Ping An as a protector not because he could find no other. In his three thousand years traversing the world, Lu Yan had made many friends.

For example, the Fire Dragon True Man had come with him to the Tong Ye Continent, and was a good friend of many years. But, as Fire Dragon True Man had said, the easy task of guarding through a critical trial was something his current realm was perfect for, that he would accept without any qualms. But the troublesome task of protecting someone during a trial was for someone else, as he was simply too impatient.

People on the mountain had made an analogy, that guarding a critical trial was a temporary job, while protecting someone during a trial was a long term job.

Chen Ping An said, “I hope that it is simply a protection, that I contribute but little effort, without making much contribution.”

Lu Yan smiled knowingly, “If that is true, then that would be the best.”

The hidden meaning of the words was auspicious, for the easier Chen Ping An’s protection was, the less he needed to personally get involved, for it naturally meant that Lu Yan’s cultivation would be a smooth success.

Lu Yan suggested, “Mountain Lord Chen should enter the Blessing with only a clone, that should be enough.”

What form to take, Chen Ping An still wasn’t certain, and said, “I know so little about the place, do you perhaps have any history that I can look through, that I might prepare.”

Lu Yan shook his head, “I only have rumors, I can’t tell you too much, but I do know that since it is a top tier cave heaven and middle tier blessing, it has a saying of “top heavy and feet light”, with an extremely tight gate and many barriers. I was only able to find myself in the trial thanks to the help of the Most Holy Teacher. The Most Holy Teacher also made it clear that in order to create an exception, there would be a price, but didn’t make clear what the price was, only that I should think carefully about my decision.”

Chen Ping An quietly considered, “A middle tier blessing? That means the number of alchemists isn’t too high, and their realms are limited.”

On the road, Li Bao Ping once discussed something similar with Cui Dongshan.

The white robed young man then jokingly asked the red coated girl: “Have you ever bought hot tofu from a roadside stand in a market?”

In the eyes of the calculation expert, the overall spirit of the universe and dynasty of something as big as the vast lands, and something as small as a blessing, could be considered one.

Thus, every martial artist that became a grandmaster, and every cultivator that reached the realm of land immortal, was like cutting tofu from a chopping block. First come, first serve. The amount of tofu on the plate, then, would be equivalent to their realm…

What Li Bao Ping asked him caught Cui Dongshan off guard, “Do you have to pay money to cut tofu? Are the prices fixed for anyone who buys tofu from the stand, or is there a discount?”

Chen Ping An asked a critical question, “Does Senior know who is in charge of the cave heaven?”

Lu Yan hesitated, then said, “The Three Sects only set up rules at the beginning, and don’t interfere with the day to day operations, but I did hear that there are a few people that are truly in charge, each with their own name.”

In the fight to ascend to the heavens, the world changed, and some of the primordial gods, such as Consort Feng, were able to keep their positions. Later, those on the mountain top only knew that the path these deities took to the mortal realm were often at the heads of the many military schools across the worlds. But where they lived, or rather, where they were being imprisoned, was always a matter of conjecture. For the Three Sects could never have allowed these deities to wander outside, for that would have meant the chaos of Zhou Mi’s ascension to the heavens bringing together all of the gods, leading to the collapse of all major roads. Then, the mortal realm would have been in complete chaos, and wind, rain, and even seasons would become unattainable, forcing the Three Sects to undo their path to fill those gaps.

And these primordial gods, with the brand new gods forged at the same time, their physical bodies were fixed in the “clouds” connected to the cave heaven blessing.

That was why Lu Yan had said there were many rules there.

Chen Ping An shifted the subject, “What were your biggest thoughts as you traveled the Azure Sky?”

Lu Yan smiled, “The blue of their blue skies deserves the title of ‘dripping with blue’, as if it might truly drip onto the world.”

Chen Ping An nodded, “Like the glaze on some of the ceramics from my hometown. If I get the chance, I’d like to go and see the unique scenery.”

Lu Yan lightly waved his whisk, and smiled, “I once met an eccentric man in the mountains that said that the imperceptible time in the world was made from melted pieces of physical bodies.”

Chen Ping An asked, “What is melting?”

Lu Yan said, “Incense.”

Chen Ping An considered this, and said, “A wonderful thought.”

Lu Yan said, “That gentleman also said that dreams are one form of incense burner.”

Chen Ping An shook his head, “I cannot believe that.”

Lu Yan took out an unassuming yellow silk bag and gave it to Chen Ping An, briefly explaining the contents of the bag, “There are around ten items, each in their own small bag. Besides the five colored earth from the Vast Lands and Azure Sky mountains, there are a few magical items that aren’t too precious, but aren’t too commonly seen. Mountain Lord Chen can count them. Consider this payment for the protection.”

Chen Ping An reached out and gently pushed back the bag, politely refusing, “I have done nothing. It is not right to receive payment. It is not too late to discuss this after you succeed on your trial.”

“This is only a down payment. The rest will be calculated later.”

Lu Yan put the bag in Chen Ping An’s hands, and said with a smile, “On the way, the Fire Dragon True Man said that when giving gifts, especially to Mountain Lord Chen, it is best to give them separately, to be more proper. I found that too troublesome, so I avoided it.”

Chen Ping An took the bag and gave the Pure Yang True Man a Daoist bow.

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed and said, “Counting money, just seeing one tael of silver is never as satisfying as seeing a ton of copper coins.”

Cui Dongshan agreed, “Indeed. Is it better to have one valley rain coin, or a small mountain of snowflake coins.”

Pei Qian said, “The valley rain and summer heat coins can be exchanged for snowflake coins with a premium, teacher is pragmatic and not idealistic, and would naturally choose the former.”

Cui Dongshan suddenly pretended to understand, and suddenly took out a folding fan, and smacked his palm, “I have been outplayed. It appears Senior Disciple understands teacher even more.”

While speaking, his eyes looked at the bag. Cui Dongshan then used his heart voice to remind his teacher, “The most precious thing is the bag.”

The Fire Dragon True Man also used his heart voice to say, “Your current five elements innate objects are good already. This Pure Yang Dao Friend loves to travel to famous mountains and rivers, and the gifts correlate to each of the five elements. If this is not providing coal in winter, perhaps a little bit of gilding of the lily. If you refine this properly, it will definitely help you up to the next level in the immortal realm. An expert can tell the worth of something as soon as it is brought out.”

The Fire Dragon True Man hesitated, but didn’t say anything, for the real payment Chen Ping An should have asked for was a discussion with the Pure Yang True Man, to ask about his “secret home techniques” and Daosit heart methods. He thought, “To meet the Pure Yang Dao Friend and not have a discussion on the Golden Elixir Path, that’s like going to a mountain of treasure and returning empty handed!”

He also thought, “This boy still has a thin face and is still too green behind the ears.”

Chen Ping An returned to the table with Lu Yan.

Xie Gou had told Cui Dongshan about the cultivator with promise, allowing Cui to decide if he wanted to take her up the mountain.

To his surprise, Cui Dongshan was able to list the female cultivator and her companions, their Daosit names, and sect, like treasures he had just claimed.

Xie Gou was confused, asking him if he had found her talent earlier. Cui Dongshan laughed, and said that he didn’t have such predictive abilities, but he was pretty well connected. They arrived in the city before you and your teacher, and I often visit the Six Ministries when I am free, where I skimmed through the criminal records and remembered them. I didn’t pay them much attention, and almost let them go. Vice chair Xie can rest assured that I and the Qingping Sword Sect will make sure to nurture her.”

Cui Dongshan then curiously asked Xie Gou if he had ever thought of starting his own sect.

Xie Gou was uninterested, saying what does it matter if you have your own direct disciple, a large amount of grandchildren disciples, find a place to make the mountain, create a sect, become the head of it, what did that matter? Cultivation was still your own, you can’t have someone else do it for you.”

Cui Dongshan nodded in agreement, repeatedly saying people have their own passions, and everything is good.

The Fire Dragon True Man’s presence was like being given a large cup of hangover soup.

Although Feng Xuetao was nervous, he remained stoic, and did not beg.

As a senior ascended, and the Azure Frost Continent had bad relations with the Northern Ju Continent, it would be inappropriate to appear flattering in front of Fire Dragon True Man.

He had a great amount of experience manipulating people.

As expected, the True Man didn’t mind, and actually looked higher at Feng Xuetao, smiling as he sat down, and took a bowl of wine. He then wiped his mouth, and said kindly, “Daoist Qingmi, I will drink the punishment wine, but the north will have to stay there. Although you Azure Frost Continent have been producing talent as of late, with two new fourteenth realm cultivators in Liu the God of Wealth and Wei the Genius, you all have your good points, especially in making money, but you are all bad at fighting.”

When it came to fighting, Feng Xuetao didn’t dare say anything, for Qingmi of the Azure Frost Continent wasn’t among the strongest of those that ascended.

Especially after his personal experience in the savage world, Feng Xuetao’s ambition had lessened.

Cui Dongshan then used his heart voice, “Brother Feng, you should quickly ask, if he is truly able to fight two other fourteenth realm at the same time?”

Feng Xuetao ignored him, as he would never be so stupid as to ask that, for he did not want a beating.

Xie Gou had no cares, and directly asked, “What is it like to see the world after being in harmony?”

The Fire Dragon True Man stroked his beard, and slowly said, “This is something that cannot be said much, but can say one thing, in my eyes, the world is a stove, and you are just the firewood.”

Xie Gou asked, “The ethereal spiritual energy floating in the world, that can be taken out and used anytime, is that the embers?”

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed, and smiled, “You, to not have achieved the fourteenth realm, is something of an oddity. To be just a vice chair is truly wasting your talent.”

Xie Gou then asked, “Is the Crouching Peak lacking a chair?”

The Fire Dragon True Man was known to be an expert at talking, and could easily continue the conversation without any awkwardness, “If Mountain Lord Chen doesn’t mind me poaching people, you can be the titular chair. What is the harm?”

Xie Gou smiled, “I’m fine with only having one person I’m married to.”

The Fire Dragon True Man immediately said with his heart voice, “Daoist Bai Jing only has to be the Crouching Peak Chair, then he can openly come to the Azure Frost Continent with me to meet Liu the God of Wealth and Wei the Genius. Two on two is fairer, and if the Four Schools don’t take too much umbrage, then the literary temple won’t say anything.”

Xie Gou’s eyes lit up, “Leading the front lines, letting me try to take on two at the same time? If it gets too dangerous, you can give me a hand?”

How strong were these new fourteenth realm cultivators? Xie Gou was curious.

The Fire Dragon True Man put down his wine, wiped his mouth, and said, “There are some things that simply make you happy to think about, and once they make you happy, then it’s fine to just let it be.”

Since there was finally a group of people that wasn’t vulgar, the True Man was in high spirits, and expounded on his own cultivation path. “Whether it is natural or chance, if a cultivator is able to get into the fourteenth realm, then they have found a path of immortality. Then, they just need to wait it out. The pure martial artist is limited by their physical bodies, but the cultivators, especially those on the mountain top, are better the older they get. The new fourteenth cultivators will turn into the old fourteenth, and when they finally become the senior, then they will have the right to look down on the next generation.”

“Many aged ascending realms often mistake their cultivation to be this simple. I have also had my dark days of losing focus.”

“Who wouldn’t be heaven’s chosen to reach the ascending realm, and who wouldn’t have the drive to diligently improve. But after a while, their cultivation is blocked, and they become lazy, and believe that there is no hope. Little do they know that the fifteen realms of cultivation is like a three volume book. When one breaks through into the fifth realm, they might think that they have arrived at the third volume, but once they reach the immortal realm, they might be shocked to find that they were still in the second volume?”

Hearing this, Feng Xuetao cut in, “What is even more terrifying is to find out that you are still in the first volume even as you get into the ascending realm.”

Lu Yan smiled, “In this case, after being in harmony, you should be afraid that your path to cultivation has only been a preface, right?”

The Fire Dragon True Man then laughed, and raised his bowl of wine, “Everything is better with a cup in hand, for there are no problems outside of it.”

Xie Gou then said, “To sleep till you naturally wake up, and to wake up when the mortal realm is ready with food.”

Cui Dongshan praised, “What a good poem, without any rhyme or meter, yet filled with meaning.”

Only Pei Qian, who was looking down, silently drank his wine. Everyone else instinctively looked at Mountain Lord Chen, who was famous for his talent.

Taking advantage of the Pure Yang True Man and Fire Dragon True Man being there, Feng Xuetao took the chance to ask a simple question, “Can an ascending realm truly never defeat a fourteenth realm cultivator?”

As he knew, A Liang had discussed with Yu Dou, who was in the fourteenth realm, in the Azure Sky outside the heavens. Spectators were only outer demons.

In the South Po Continent overseas, Chen Chunan blocked the savage Liu Cha. The man that could carry the sun and the moon was now doing battle with a new fourteenth realm sword cultivator.

In the battle of the old dragon city, the True Dragon King Zhu had a brief exchange with the barbarian throne imperial consort Zhu Yan.

In the land of Mount Tuoyue, the young hidden one fought the savage world Grand Ancestor’s direct disciple Yuan Xiong, and was a battle between two fourteenth realms.

Some results were reasonable, while others were unexpected.

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed, “What is victory? Is it a lower realm cultivator tying, or pushing back, or slaying a fourteenth realm cultivator? Daoist Qingmi should be more specific, or it will be difficult to discuss.”

Feng Xuetao then asked, “Is there a chance of an ascending realm cultivator slaying a fourteenth realm cultivator?”

The Fire Dragon True Man considered, “Before this year, not even a chance. A difference in realm, is a world of difference. After this year, perhaps there will be.”

“I talked to a friend about this before, and we agreed that for an ascending realm cultivator to retreat without injury, it is a win.”

The Fire Dragon True Man was silent, and said, “For example, the Pure Yang Dao Friend is on the road, and gets into a fight with a new fourteenth realm cultivator. If they can’t communicate, then he will have a significant chance of victory if it leads to a death battle.”

Lu Yan laughed, and shook his head, “This assumption cannot be taken seriously.”

Xie Gou laughed, “Hahaha, let us assume that Bai is also a pure sword cultivator, if the chicken soup monk had treasures similar to four divine swords, if the old blind could forge one or two source words, if Zhou Mi could eat two or three more fourteenth realms, if most of the savage world thirteenth and fourteenth realm great demons died, if the little teacher was not bound by the rules, if the Green Azure Cave master met the wrong situation, then all would be at peace… And if I was able to get into the fourteenth realm, with twenty plus big and small paths, like the connection between the land and sea, and an ocean of sword qi, hahaha…”

The Fire Dragon True Man looked at the sword cultivator Bai Jing, who was wearing the mink hat.

Could she truly have twenty plus profound paths of dharma?

Even though he knew she was talented and had a strong foundation, when Bai Jing directly told the truth, the Fire Dragon True Man was surprised.

Having seen many cultivators, the Fire Dragon True Man could only count a few of them as cultivation geniuses, like Wei She and Zuo You.

Chen Ping An laughed and said with his heart voice, “Why are we discussing this? When we travel the world, we can’t expose our wealth.”

Xie Gou replied matter of factly, “Mountain Lord, you are wrong. I am cunning and terrifying. These are all feints, and are from the art of war, a display of weakness.”

Chen Ping An was skeptical. It was hard to say if the ancient sword cultivator Bai Jing was cunning or not, but Xie Gou was the vice chair of Falling Mountain, and even allowed himself to be called “Dogzi”… Chen Ping An had a point of reference, and asked, “In the methods of cultivation of Han Qiaose of the White Emperor City, how many are good in your eyes?”

Xie Gou laughed, and said, “I won’t say bad things about my Daoist friends behind their backs.”

The old True Man considered, “The scene before the rain can be discussed. For example, Ning Yao and Fei Ran are both rulers of their lands, so their ascending realms were already on another level. That is why even fourteenth realm cultivators would not want to provoke them, for even if they defeated them, in the long run, they would suffer too, and would be against the heaven and the earth, with lasting damage.”

In this regard, there were Xin Ku of Intercalary Peak, and Gui Ke of the Savage World, or just the five rulers of their world.

“Then, there were the Pure Yang Dao Friend, and City Lord Zheng, those who could easily harmonize.”

“Then, there were Zhao the Sky Master, and Yao Qing, who already had merit, and harmonization would just be natural.”

“Then, there was Daoist Xie and Daoist Mo and Hao Su, who were pure with their sword hearts, which was a natural advantage as a sword cultivator, but it was harder to breakthrough. The post rain scene proves that. How many sword cultivators improved?”

“Then, there were Tao Ting of the Savage World, who were good at fighting. There were many more of these, and there was nothing to say after them.”

These four types of cultivators were called strong ascending realms. The former two were able to protect themselves, while the latter had a chance to fight back. It depended on the fourteenth realm cultivator’s commitment, and the ascending realm cultivator’s willingness to fight back.

In that, there were also some exceptions that the fourteenth realm had to consider, such as one of Lu Zhi’s flying swords. It made even the undefeated fourteenth realm cultivator carefully measure their price.

Pei Qian was surprised that the Fire Dragon True Man put Xie Gou and Little Mo after Zhao the Sky Master.

The old True Man smiled, “As for the fourteenth realm, I have just entered, and do not want to say nonsense.”

Why did Wu Shuangjiang plan for so long, just to refine four imitation divine swords, and then start the era of chaos?

It was because Wu Shuangjiang believed that his realm lacked killing power.

Zheng Juzhong discussed with Yu Dou, who had come to the White Emperor City.

Although Zheng Juzhong had three fourteenth realms, and Yu Dou wasn’t at the White Jade City, Zheng Juzhong still lost.

The Fire Dragon True Man then stood, and gave a signal. Chen Ping An followed him.

The old True Man then walked to the top of the ferry, and laughed, “Mountain Lord Chen, what do you think about our separation from the island?”

To climb the mountain, is a wind from all sides. To go from Nascent Soul to Jade Core, you must overcome the barrier in your heart, and fight heart demons, for the key is to have no leakage in your Daoist heart.

To go from ascending realm to in harmony, the barrier is the expertise and being in harmony with heaven and earth.

At the table, Pei Qian asked, “Second Disciple, does teacher look a little nervous?”

Cui Dongshan pretended to be ignorant, “An illusion, perhaps?”

The old True Man then gave an explanation, “A thousand thoughts, mingled emotions, with a mix of feelings?”

Chen Ping An said, “I can’t say for sure.”

The old True Man then looked up at the sky, and laughed, “Do you want to return the heavens to the heavens, and just focus on oneself? Don’t rush, just think about it slowly.”

Chen Ping An then rested on the rail, and was lost in his thoughts.

With the moon shining brightly, the old True Man then pointed at the sky, and said nonsense, “If I remember correctly, there were four gates in the Primordial Heavenly Court.”

Chen Ping An then came to his senses, and said, “To leave the mountain.”

The old True Man then nodded, “A bit of meaning.”

The heart of heaven is at its peak.