Upon arriving at Jise Peak on Fallen Dust Mountain, Chen Ping’an woke up. He found himself in the White Jade Plaza of the Ancestral Hall. Ning Yao helped him to his feet, and they stood together leaning against the railing.

The moonlight was serene, the green mountains lush, and the clouds hazy like scattered cotton. Perhaps it was due to their state of mind, but it felt as though the world had never been so peaceful.

Ning Yao had intentionally not stopped at Ji Ling Peak. She asked through a heart-to-heart connection, “What just happened?”

Feeling as if he had slept too deeply, Chen Ping’an’s head was still a little fuzzy. He rubbed his eyes and said, “In a daze, it felt like I saw many incredible people.”

Ning Yao mistook this for several Heavenly Connections that allowed Chen Ping’an to see the truth of things similar to ‘Dao’ or ‘Ancestral Lands’. Curious, she asked, “What do you mean?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and asked, “How are you?”

Ning Yao stopped pressing the matter and rolled her eyes. “What do you think I can be like?”

Chen Ping’an whispered, “I think we can have two wedding feasts in a row.”

Ning Yao’s face flushed slightly.

Chen Ping’an gently rubbed her brow with his hand, asking with concern, “Are you alright?”

Ning Yao said, “It’s nothing. At most, I’ll need to re-cultivate and nurture for a few decades.”

Chen Ping’an softly asked, “How are Little Mo and Dog Xie?”

Ning Yao replied, “They’re alright. On the surface, Dog Xie seems worse off. Three ‘Scattered Daos’ completely dispersed over thirty ancient Dao脉, dropping him to the Nascent Soul realm.”

“In reality, Little Mo suffered more damage. His vital sword ‘Lotus Silk’ and the extraterrestrial star it pulled have both shattered. It will be difficult for him to return to the Fourteenth Realm.”

“Conversely, Dog Xie gained insight into the Great Dao through loss and gain.”

“Cui Dongshan couldn’t stop Jiang Shangzhen and still sacrificed that willow leaf. It also shattered.”

Hearing this, Chen Ping’an vigorously rubbed his cheeks. Perhaps this was the true meaning of “sharing in the grand occasion”?

Ning Yao waited for a while, receiving no further explanation. She finally had to ask, “Isn’t there a single ‘It’s all my fault’?”

Chen Ping’an looked refreshed, his eyes bright. He smiled and said, “This can’t be blamed on me. It’s their fault for having a mountain master like me.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle mockingly, “Our Palace Master Wu is truly a shrewd landowner, unaffected by drought or flood. How to choose a path to merge with the Dao is indeed a profound subject.”

The Night Roaming Sword, refined from a piece of the Tai Bai sword tip and the Dragon Lord’s robe, was destroyed.

The cherished sword ‘Duckweed’, born from half of the Sword Qi Great Wall and inscribed with various city head inscriptions including ‘Thunder Pool’, was also gone.

However, perhaps this outcome was the best for these two long swords.

When Chen Ping’an handed over the swords earlier, he had two ethereal “inspirations.” Parts of the sword intents of both cherished swords had gone into Chu Yi and Shi Wu respectively.

The vital sword ‘Big Dipper’ had lost its connection with the extraterrestrial star. He estimated he would have to travel outside the world again in the future. He just didn’t know how long it would take to return to the Ascension Realm.

Hearing voices below the cliff, Chen Ping’an leaned over the railing and peered down. He saw four or five “woodcutters” gathered around a lush green pool, eating supper of bamboo rice and pickled vegetables on a large rock. They appeared to be entering the mountain to chop wood and collect dead branches to bundle and carry down the mountain. In reality, they were here to cut the special green bamboo found on Fallen Dust Mountain near the pool and collect a bag of pebbles from the stream. The green bamboo could be woven into small baskets and polished into fan ribs. The colorful pebbles, while not divine objects favored by immortals, were a considerable income for ordinary people if sold secretly in the state capital.

In recent years, the western mountains had undergone changes. Most of the young people from the town who had sold their ancestral homes and moved to the state capital had squandered their family fortunes, forcing many elderly people to return to their old trades. Some became kiln workers for burning porcelain at the Dragon Kiln, while others climbed the mountains to gather herbs or worked in the fields. Especially since immortals came to live on Fallen Dust Mountain, someone had discovered the pool and stream below Jise Peak, which was like a hidden treasure trove. Every so often, they would pose as woodcutters and enter the mountain to “pick up money” on their round trips.

Ning Yao asked in confusion, “It’s been like this for years. Shouldn’t we do something about it?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and shook his head. “At first, Chen Lingjun intended to scare them, but then he found that they were quite discreet and didn’t call friends or gather in large groups. It’s been the same few familiar faces for many years, with at most two or three junior family members added. So we didn’t really manage it.”

This was true, of course, but it was also largely because the “Mountain Master” had seen a thin, dark-skinned young boy in coarse cloth in the group that year. He was probably doing this kind of pilfering for the first time and was so nervous walking along the stream in the deep winter that his palms were sweating. Every time he chopped the green bamboo with his axe, he would look around everywhere, as if every sound of chopping bamboo was a loud declaration to the “landlord” of the mountain that he was stealing things. The boy’s panic and embarrassment amused several elderly and strong young men.

The pool, which was rumored to be quite mystical, indeed resembled the “Dragon Pool” described in strange tales during the day, when sunlight shone upon it, mixing gold and green light in a bizarre and fantastic display.

The pool water overflowed, and over long years, it created a stream channel. During the heavy rains of summer, the stream would surge, like a yellow dragon bursting out of the gorge. The Huaihuang County Chronicle recorded its name as “Taiping Stream.” Like a white silk ribbon dividing the green mountains, the stream did not merge with the Dragon Tail River, bypassing a large area of farmland outside the mountain. Every year at dawn in early winter, white mist would rise from the water, looking like a silver dragon. It eventually flowed into the Iron Rune River.

Chen Ping’an withdrew his gaze, cupped his hands in his sleeves, and took a deep breath, overflowing with joy. “I am now a grand cultivator of the first realm!”

Ning Yao chuckled with exasperation. “You’re standing at the foot of the mountain in the Lower Five Realms, and you’re already getting arrogant?”

Chen Ping’an said, “I learned the climbing method as a youth, what is there to fear? Besides, my martial arts realm is still there.”

Ning Yao, indeed as Dog Xie had teased, was not good at comforting others. She could only say softly, “Rest well, so you can cultivate well.”

Chen Ping’an reached out and took Ning Yao’s hand, asking, “Let’s pick a time and walk the path we took into the mountain from the beginning, shall we?”

Ning Yao smiled and said, “Alright. But this time there’s no money for you to earn.”

Chen Ping’an had entered the mountain far more times than an ordinary kiln worker. Summer was better than deep winter, as one could at least escape the scorching heat. Whenever he was drenched in sweat, he would wring out his clothes and lay them on the rock to dry, eating his dry rations alone, hiding in the shade by the water, with his straw sandals submerged in the stream. Was it bitter? Or was it freedom?

They walked together along the mountain path between Jise Peak and Ji Ling Peak to the steps. During this time, Ning Yao asked if the “Daoist Immortal Officer” would still guard the gate in the future. Chen Ping’an said he didn’t think it was necessary. In fact, he could take his disciple to the private Daoist temple at Fragrant Mountain to build a hermitage and cultivate, but he wasn’t sure what the Immortal Officer himself thought, or if he would continue to stay at the mountain gate.

Chen Ping’an looked up at the night sky, which had given way to a bright moon again. It was almost the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

There weren’t many people at the steps.

Cui Dongshan and Jiang Shangzhen, one in white robes and the other in a blue shirt, stood beside Wei Ye You, who also wasn’t treating himself as an outsider.

Guo Zhujiu and Pei Qian stood together. The green-clothed little boy and the pink-dressed little girl protected the black-clothed little girl in the middle…

Little Mo looked gentle, while Dog Xie, making a funny face, tried to link arms with him affectionately but was stopped by a hand pressing down on his貂帽.

In fact, not to mention that Flower Shadow Peak and Oriole Language Peak had no idea what had happened, even Piyun Mountain was just as confused. So Wei Bo had rushed here to find out what was going on.

However, Old Master Xiu Cai had already communicated with everyone earlier, telling them not to ask too many questions. At least for the time being, they should be patient. The green mountains would remain green, and the clear waters would flow forever. There was no rush.

Zhu Lian, at the suggestion and persuasion of Old Master Xiu Cai, had reapplied two layers of masks.

The Earthly Branch line of Da Li also happened to be “passing by” this mountain and were invited by Wei Bo to stay at his Divine Monarch’s manor. Zhou Haijing and the others had no intention of going to Piyun Mountain and asked the Night Roaming Divine Monarch to relay a few words to Mr. Chen, saying that they had met with Wu Zhou and had a good chat. She had returned to the Green Netherworld to recuperate. If Mr. Chen were to visit the Green Netherworld someday, he could look her up to reminisce. Her Daoist temple was located in the smallest state, and he could just call her by her name.

Chen Ping’an bowed to his master. Old Master Xiu Cai gently supported his favorite disciple’s arm, then patted his closed-door disciple’s shoulder, smiling, “Finally, you can be freer again.”

Old Master Xiu Cai whispered, “Over at the Central Plains Confucian Temple, Master Han was furious, saying ‘damn it’ repeatedly. This Deputy Hierarch has already gone to the Grand Sash Dynasty himself with a dark face.”

The master and disciples moved forward first. Chen Ping’an bowed slightly, whispering to his master. Old Master Xiu Cai nodded and shook his head at times, but they both chuckled.

Over at Tiandu Peak next door, Lu Shen, who had returned to this Daoist temple from the Central Plains, had a different person standing beside him. It was no longer Zou Zi, but Liu Xiang.

Lu Shen had kept his word and performed the Dao with Xi Ping, a Classicist from the Confucian Temple, hoping to help Chen Ping’an. Unfortunately, the effect was not significant, and Lu Shen’s realm had dropped. If Xi Ping, the Classicist, had not borne more “Divine Dao” suppression, it would be questionable whether Lu Shen could return to the human world, let alone drop to the Immortal realm. It seemed this head of the Lu family of the Yin-Yang school would have to stay at the Tiandu Peak Daoist temple for a longer period.

Stopping his steps, Chen Ping’an looked at them, smiling brightly. “Save some supper for me. I have to go to the capital to finish things up there. Don’t rush to pick up your chopsticks. Wait for me to come back. You must let me have my way just this once, everyone, how about it?”

The Law-Governing Chief, Chang Ming, smiled and said, “It’s not really having your way. Right, everyone?”

Zhu Lian, his figure stooped, his hands clasped behind his back, chuckled and hummed in agreement.

Xiao Mili was dizzy and happy, simply holding onto the sleeve of her good mountain master.

The white-haired boy looked excited and raised his arms to cheer, “Who dares to disobey what Ancestor Hidden Official says? Anyone who dares to disobey will have to step over my corpse…”

Dog Xie slapped the white-haired boy on the head. “Alliance Master Guo, Konghou’s words aren’t pleasant to hear. How about we expel him from the lineage?”

Guo Zhujiu nodded. “Expelled from the sect, effective immediately.”

The white-haired boy was dumbfounded and heartbroken. “That’s impossible! I am loyal to Ancestor Hidden Official and Alliance Master Guo. The sun and moon can bear witness. Captain Xie, have you forgotten the friendship we shared while building roads and bridges and reclaiming fertile land?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Let’s put him on probation.”

Guo Zhujiu’s eyes narrowed in a smile. Dog Xie muttered, “Lucky bastard.” Just as the white-haired boy was about to raise his arms and say a few heartfelt words to Ancestor Hidden Official, he saw Cui Dongshan raise his hand, a mischievous look on his face that seemed to say “you can start showing off your acting skills.” The white-haired boy immediately stopped his actions, his eyes darting around, thinking that he had to find a way to get even.

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and suggested, “Since there are many people tonight, how about we have supper together after I return from the capital, eat and drink to our fill, and strike while the iron is hot to hold a meeting at the Ancestral Hall tonight? Moreover, Xiao Mili and Chen Lingjun, and Zhong Qian are going out to travel tomorrow. We should discuss things.”

Naturally, there was no objection.

Over at Sword Worshiping Platform, only Qi Tingji, Mi Yu, and Zhu Su, the three sword cultivators, came to Ji Ling Peak.

Chen Ping’an apologized to Zhu Su, who had to give way during both of his closed-door cultivations.

Zhu Su looked helpless and asked cautiously, “Sect Master recently?”

Chen Ping’an said sheepishly, “Just continue with your closed-door cultivation.”

Zhu Su was not polite to his sect master and said directly, “If it happens again, I really won’t have the confidence to go into closed-door cultivation. I wouldn’t even dare to think about breaking through.”

Ning Yao said, “You just go to the lake to cultivate, and I will protect you.”

Zhu Su smiled suddenly. “Ning Yao, I was waiting for you to say that.”

With Chen Hidden Official’s style, even if Qi Tingji helped protect him, it might not be reliable. Only with Ning Yao’s presence did Zhu Su feel reassured.

Chen Ping’an joked, “Elder Sword Immortal Qi, don’t ‘leave everything behind.’ How about staying on at Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, perhaps as a guest elder? Otherwise, our current top-tier combat power seems a bit insufficient.”

Qi Tingji smiled. “If I can reach the Fourteenth Realm someday, I’ll join. Otherwise, I won’t just make up the numbers and lose face.”

Cui Dongshan chimed in, “Sir, our Chief Zhou wants a promotion and a position as Deputy Mountain Master. He said that only then will he dare to serve concurrently as the Sect Master of the branch sect at Shu Jian Lake.”

Chen Ping’an said, “That’s good. The vacant position of Chief Guest Elder of Fallen Dust Mountain can be reserved for Elder Sword Immortal Qi.”

The Law-Governing Chief, Chang Ming, said, “We can finalize this matter at the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall meeting tonight. Chief Zhou will change his identity, and for the extra Chief position, we’ll add Elder Sword Immortal Qi’s name for now, as a good wish for him to reach the Fourteenth Realm.”

Qi Tingji waved his hand. “Don’t force me into it. I won’t fall for your tricks.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “The Chief Guest Elder position should go to Second Chief Xie instead.”

Dog Xie rubbed his貂帽 and coughed a few times to clear his throat. “Arranging the seats like this is indeed fitting.”

After that, he asked Wei Bo for help to prevent Little Mo and Dog Xie from following. Chen Ping’an sincerely requested that his master stay on the mountain. Only after Old Master Xiu Cai stroked his beard and nodded did Chen Ping’an go to the capital alone.

However, he did not go directly to Old Oriole Lake but to Qing Xuan Cave in the capital region.

The scenery in this area was quiet and the distance was moderate. Too far would be a real long journey, and too close would be congested. It was not a place for people to enjoy the scenery, but for the landscape to observe people. Therefore, relatives of prominent figures in the capital often came here for outings. One could often see seven or eight oiled carriages, with official ladies leisurely strolling through the mountains and forests, especially in midsummer. Beside the roads were ancient trees with lush green shade, casting long, dense shadows that turned the midday sun green. If one could find a place with a wide view and set up a shed for shade, they could both overlook the outline of the capital in the distance while enjoying the gentle breeze behind them, with the deep woods filtering golden light.

However, outside Qing Xuan Cave near Yuan Rou Plank Road, there were few people.

Yellow Flower God’s head once again emerged from the bronze cauldron. In the dead of night, the moonlight was like water. He always felt it was a good time to slip away.

However, he felt a chill down his spine. Turning his head, Yellow Flower God saw a man in a blue shirt with his hands in his sleeves. The latter said, “Fellow Daoist is truly at leisure, taking a bath late at night.”

Yellow Flower God saw that this person’s aura was weak and didn’t seem to have profound Dao power. However, having suffered enough in Gu Can’s hands just now, he was a bit more good-tempered and asked, “May I know Fellow Daoist’s name?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Fellow Daoist Wujiu, tell me the general process, starting from the moment you saw Gu Can. I’m not very interested in what happened before.”

Yellow Flower God understood in his heart. It was likely that person.

Dare not conceal anything anymore, Yellow Flower God quickly recounted the whole story. It turned out that the conversation between Gu Can and Zheng Juzhong was not hidden from Fellow Daoist Wujiu, who was “being cooked in the pot.” Yellow Flower God was left with lingering fears, truly afraid of being killed by Gu Can to silence him. After that, Gu Can was inexplicably forced to his death by Zheng Juzhong with a few words. Afterwards, Yellow Flower God just wanted to leave this place of trouble. As for this bronze cauldron, he had also wanted to take it with him… As a result, a plain-looking man rushed over on his sword in a hurry and asked him some questions. Yellow Flower God told the truth, roughly that the master and disciple had turned against each other because of that person named Chen, and Gu Can had ended up committing suicide, leaving behind some harsh words that sounded like a dying message to this world…

After that, Yellow Flower God saw that the sword cultivator seemed to have fallen asleep. After waking up, he quickly had a nosebleed. Then he fell asleep again, his body swaying, and blood flowed from all seven orifices. He even wanted to continue…

Yellow Flower God couldn’t see the reason for such strange behavior, only that this sword cultivator was also a ruthless person.

However, Yellow Flower God had already guessed the identity of the sword cultivator at that time. It was the “Liu Chen Gu” of the younger generation in the Pearl Realm!

While explaining and carefully observing the expression changes of the young National Teacher, it was a pity that the other party had no expression. Yellow Flower God could not gauge his true personality or changes in state of mind from this.

Earlier, Yellow Flower God had finally endured a cooking by True Samadhi Fire and had moved the cauldron lid and dropped it on the ground. Now, he was squatting inside the cauldron with his head sticking out.

However, he saw the man in the blue shirt flick the cauldron lid with his toe, sending it high into the air. He reached out and grabbed it, about to cover his own head…

Yellow Flower God was only pretending not to recognize the other party’s identity, but the panic in his heart was absolutely true. He said nervously, “Fellow Daoist, what are you doing?!”

Chen Ping’an pressed down the cauldron lid and said, “I’ve been waiting for a long time, and Fellow Daoist hasn’t come out. I thought Fellow Daoist might want to cultivate the Dao in a strange way…”

Yellow Flower God immediately stretched out his hand and firmly held up the cauldron lid, racking his brain to explain, “Fellow Daoist is mistaken. I naturally want to come out. This cultivation method is more…”

Fortunately, the other party followed up with a sentence, “Does it also depend on the time?”

Yellow Flower God suddenly realized, “Yes, Fellow Daoist has an unusual understanding. As you said, after the time has passed, the effort will be doubled with half the result.”

Chen Ping’an let go of his hand and said, “You are Yellow Flower God, right? Are you currently making a living at Lord Tianhu’s on Sulin Island in Shu Jian Lake?”

Yellow Flower God’s face was awkward. He held the cauldron lid with both hands and nodded. “I have made a fool of myself. I cannot hide it from National Teacher Chen.”

Chen Ping’an said, “You wait here. It’s best if you wait until your master Gu Can is here. If he doesn’t come, don’t come out. If you don’t believe me, you can try.”

Yellow Flower God said with a bitter smile, “Why should National Teacher Chen bother with a rogue cultivator like me?”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly. “Do you know how many Jade Pure Realm rogue cultivators there were in Shu Jian Lake back then? If I don’t bother with you, who should I bother with? Lord Tianhu?”

Yellow Flower God’s face was sorrowful. He regretted not coming to the capital of Da Li to join in the fun. Deep down, Yellow Flower God was still somewhat unwilling to admit defeat to that “Master” Gu Can, but when faced with this person in front of him, Yellow Flower God had no desire to compete at all. In terms of scheming, cultivation, or tactics, he was no match.

Chen Ping’an ignored Yellow Flower God and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking out at the capital of Da Li in the night. As the capital city of the country, a place with dense population, it was naturally especially brightly lit.

The human world had not yet truly ushered in an era of peace. The mountains in the five worlds might even become more chaotic, but right and wrong were the human world’s own freedom.

He subconsciously reached out to take out the sword-nurturing gourd that had been a wine gourd for many years, only to realize that it had been damaged in that Heavenly Connection. Chen Ping’an immediately felt heartache but also no regret.

For thirty years, writing and sword were both unsuccessful. I wanted to buy osmanthus and carry wine together, but in the end, it was not like the youthful journey.

However, for those who learned the Dao in the mountains, looking at it from a long-term perspective, not to mention thirty years, even three hundred years, or even three thousand years, looking back at the previous period from the later period was also a new “youthful journey”?

His heart stirred slightly. Chen Ping’an looked up at the sky and saw a brilliant sword light pause for a moment, as if it was figuring out the way. The sword light suddenly accelerated and arrived at Bottle Neck Continent.

Yellow Flower God was begging and pleading inwardly, possibly hoping more than the man in the blue shirt that Gu Can could return to Qing Xuan Cave alive.

Liu Xianyang appeared here, sitting down on the ground with a plop. He shook his sleeve and shook out the misty figure. He stood up, strode quickly, and put his arm around Chen Ping’an’s neck, “You like to be the hero yourself, don’t you?!”

Hoo, the force was really strong. He was trying to kill him. Chen Ping’an quickly patted Liu Xianyang’s arm, reminding him, “You’re strangling me. Who will be your best man?”

The misty figure, which had no suitable skin bag to inhabit its soul for the time being, Gu Can said testily, “Without the great hero who wholeheartedly eliminated evil for the people, and the great hero who went to his death alone and generously, isn’t there still me to be the best man? If worst comes to worst, I’ll just have Liu Xianyang place a plaque with my name on the table, and consider it using Liu Xianyang’s wedding auspicious event to ward off bad luck for a funeral…”

Liu Xianyang laughed heartily. This was the first time in his life he had heard Gu Can stand by his side to deal with Chen Ping’an. It seemed he was quite angry in his heart.

Chen Ping’an raised his hand and rubbed his chin, not retorting.

Gu Can himself lost his momentum and finally fell silent.

Yellow Flower God was still standing in the cauldron, not daring to interrupt. At this moment, he regretted not putting the cauldron lid back properly.

He only hoped that these fellow villagers and close friends would forget about him, and that Gu Can would preferably forget to take the bronze cauldron with him and leave it behind…

Liu Xianyang was still laughing happily.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “We definitely have to attend the wedding in a couple of days together.”

“Later, when we greatly slash through the Barbarian Desolation, you can also be together, tentatively.”

“As for the personal grievances of challenging White Jade Capital with a sword, that depends on your realms at that time. We’ll talk about it later.”

Since the real “great hidden danger” Zhou Mi had been resolved, many previous arrangements were now a pile of waste paper.

Next, the general plan was to travel around Bottle Neck Continent, then widely explore the Vast Expanse, improve their realms, and prepare for future visits to the Green Netherworld.

Liu Xianyang said proudly, “I definitely have no problem here! After all, Sect Master Gu’s aptitude is a bit lacking, and he’s in this state now. He’ll probably only be able to stand somewhere like Fellow Daoist Wujiu, cheering loudly and applauding.”

Yellow Flower God’s smile was forced. You are all people who do great things and achieve great accomplishments. Why drag me into it? It’s boring.

Liu Xianyang turned his head and asked with a smile, “Fellow Daoist Wujiu, do you need me to add some water to the cauldron for you and some firewood?”

Yellow Flower God’s body stiffened. He shook his head.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Yellow Flower God. The misty figure in Gu Can’s form was clearly also looking askance at this student.

Liu Xianyang chuckled. “It’s hard to be human, but a good ghost.”

Yellow Flower God, his scalp tingling, promised, “I will immediately return to Shu Jian Lake, be a good person, and wholeheartedly pursue the Dao.”

Liu Xianyang sighed, patted Chen Ping’an’s shoulder, and said, “That’s how it is. Take it slow.”

Gu Can finally came up with a way to get even. He asked directly, “What about you and Ning Yao? Are you just going to keep dragging it out?”

Chen Ping’an widened his eyes. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Liu Xianyang laughed. “How is it nonsense? It’s a hometown custom. Originally, only after the eldest brother gets married can the second brother get married, and only then can the third brother. Gu Can is anxious.”

Gu Can said, “Get lost.”

Chen Ping’an remembered something. “My master said that this time, the three religious debate has only two words for the topic. I won’t participate. If you are interested, I can help you request a spot.”

Liu Xianyang asked curiously, “What’s the topic?”

Gu Can said calmly, “‘End of Dharma’.”

Liu Xianyang nodded. “As expected.”

Gu Can made a spitting sound.

Liu Xianyang asked, “Chen Ping’an, the Fox Kingdom is all yours. Do you have any extra fox skin beauty talismans? I’ll put Gu Can’s soul in there. Then he can serve tea and water with the maidservants. That scene… Hmm, that’s not right. That’s a bit of overkill. It seems Gu Can can even pretend to be a bridesmaid…”

Gu Can started cursing Liu Xianyang’s ancestors for eighteen generations. Liu Xianyang grinned, not because he thought it was unpleasant to hear, but because he felt that the little snot-nosed brat’s skill had regressed.

Chen Ping’an said, “You guys go back to Dragon Spring Sword Sect first. I need to go to the capital of Da Li. Besides Zhu Lian, the chef, I also asked Old Immortal Jia to come over to help you guys.”

Liu Xianyang clapped his hands and praised, “At least you have some conscience, kid! They are all first-class elite soldiers and strong generals!”

Zhu Lian’s cooking was outstanding, truly superb. Old Immortal Jia was even more of an expert on various local customs and rules.

Chen Ping’an flicked his toe, and the martial arts grandmaster traveled far across the land, seemingly intentionally getting closer to the human world. His figure was light and agile, like a bird flitting among the branches in the mountains and fields.

The heart of the Barbarian Desolation.

Since the two worlds were connected by those Returning Ruins passages, the four seasons and the time of day in the Vast Expanse and the Barbarian Desolation had become closer year by year.

Above the line were Chen Qingliu, Bai Ze, and Zheng Juzhong’s Yin God, who had all unleashed their vital swords.

Xie Shiji was watching Fei Ran and Gui Ke, the Daoist couple.

The Sub-Sage had received a heart-to-heart message from the Sage of Rites, asking him to return to the Central Plains Confucian Temple for discussions, but the Sub-Sage did not go back immediately. He was simply watching Bai Ze, who was confined in the River of Time.

To put it bluntly and realistically, the human world not only no longer had Zhou Mi, but also no longer had the Ancestral Shrines of the Three Teachings and their Temples. Even the “turnaround” of the human world’s first Daoist Priest gave the human world a fleeting glimpse, and his Dao power also returned to the heavens and earth. Thus, for people like Lu Chen, Yu Dou, and Yao Qing, as long as they reached the pseudo-Fifteenth Realm, it meant that there was absolutely no possibility of reaching the “Fifteenth Realm.” Fei Ran had already abandoned the path of a pure sword cultivator. Ning Yao, who had broken through the fastest, after commanding or rather “decreeing” the entire five-colored world and delivering that sword strike, would relatively steadily return to her previous realm within a hundred years. Wu Zhou of the Green Netherworld had injured her Dao foundation. The Old Abbot had not made a move from beginning to end in the bright moonlight, which was consistent with the consistent style of the Cave Master of Bi Xiao Cave at Luobao Beach, due to the nature of the Great Dao…

After this new and even more magnificent “great rain,” it is believed that more new Fourteenth and Ascension Realm cultivators will emerge in the human world.

Even if the cultivation was less pure, the realms were genuine. As long as one could take a big step forward, proceed step by step, and temper their realm and consolidate their Dao power year after year.

Based on the current situation, Bai Ze was the most likely existence to become the Fifteenth Realm.

The Sub-Sage had already decided to sink the various mountain and river sections of the Barbarian Desolation world one by one.

The Barbarian Desolation demons, if they were not made to remember, no amount of reasoning would work. When they truly felt the pain, they would understand without the Vast Expanse needing to reason with them.

There was a strange characteristic of the previous ferry crossings and various discussions. Whether it was within the Confucian Temple or among the mountain cultivators, generally speaking, the older generation was more aggressive, while the younger generation was more conservative and steady. Among these two groups, the Sub-Sage, who presided over the overall situation of the Barbarian Desolation, and Old Master Xiu Cai, who presided over the affairs of the Vast Expanse Confucian Temple, had special identities, so they would not easily speak. But the current situation, and of course their state of mind, was different.

If they could exchange pieces.

Today was the day to exchange Bai Ze. The Sub-Sage did not hesitate, saying, Let me do it!

Sensing the change in the Sub-Sage’s state of mind, or rather, the killing intent that was almost solidifying, Bai Ze’s expression became even more somber. As Zheng Juzhong had said, he was too weak.

He had the realm and talent but a soft and weak Dao heart. It was as if…Heaven had bestowed upon him a large pot of rice, but Bai Ze always held a bowl and only ate one bowl of rice.

Zheng Juzhong’s Yang God told Gui Ke the truth through heart-to-heart communication. She was one of Zhou Mi’s original greatest hidden chess pieces.

Zhou Mi would gather the three corpses he had previously severed and simultaneously seize her Dao body to merge with the entire Barbarian Desolation.

This was only Zhou Mi’s first step. If he succeeded, no matter how strong the Vast Expanse’s attack was in the future, it would be impossible to truly destroy the entire Barbarian Desolation mountains and rivers. Even if the Barbarian Desolation’s Dao lineage existed only in name, and the Vast Expanse occupied most of the Barbarian Desolation, as long as Zhou Mi was still there, the Barbarian Desolation would be in name and not in reality with the Vast Expanse. Moreover, Zhou Mi would not let the situation develop to this point. He would persuade Bai Ze to yield the Dao to him… Gui Ke was frightened to death, asking Fei Ran. Fei Ran pondered for a moment, nodded in agreement with Mr. Zheng’s speculation, and said that Master Bai Ze would probably be persuaded by Zhou Mi. In order to ensure the continuation of the Barbarian Desolation or the demon lineage’s incense, he would allow the latter to… eat him, chew it all up!

Bai Ze suddenly had a complicated expression and turned to look at the nominal co-lord of the Barbarian Desolation, the sword cultivator Fei Ran.

Fei Ran quickly shook his head and indicated to Master Bai Ze, I won’t eat you, I definitely wouldn’t dare to eat you.

He didn’t want to become a target of public criticism. He had just married Gui Ke, and Fei Ran didn’t want to fall into a siege. Two Zheng Juzhongs, Chen Qingliu, the Sub-Sage… and possibly more.

Look, wasn’t there already an additional former Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Xiao Xun?

Only a single braid remained on the “black-robed little girl,” who was now “popping out” of the Hall of Heroes with Zheng Juzhong’s Yin God. It looked like, without even guessing, they were already allies!

Gui Ke felt fear and leaned against Fei Ran. Fei Ran said softly, “Don’t be afraid. At worst, we surrender. The more I think about it, the more I feel that guy was right back then. Surrender means you lose half.”

Gui Ke was startled upon hearing this and then couldn’t help but laugh.

Fei Ran smiled. “But we still need to fight a few hard battles. What if the Vast Expanse is just a powerful-looking embroidery pillow?”

Or, for example, what if Zheng Juzhong chooses to stand on the side of the Barbarian Desolation?

Bai Ze felt a sense of confusion and bewilderment again. How vast were the heavens and earth in all four directions? Where was his place to stand? Little Master, how should you teach me?

In the Lingbao City of White Jade Capital, Pang Ding, who was sitting on a cushion in his secret Daoist temple, suddenly opened his eyes and said sharply, “He’s not dead?!”

This was very troublesome.

After all, all of Pang Ding’s plans were based on the premise that after helping him become a god and accomplishing the “Heavenly Connection,” he must and would inevitably perish.

There were also secluded and mystical landscapes in the Barbarian Desolation world that were like outside paradises. Plank roads were carved into the cliff faces, and below them was a roaring river. On the opposite peak, flowers bloomed everywhere.

Zheng Juzhong walked at the front. The female sword cultivator Liu Bai quickened her pace and asked softly, “Mr. Zheng, is our master really already…”

Zheng Juzhong nodded. “There is absolutely no possibility of Zhou Mi lingering and being laughed at by anyone.”

She murmured, “Is it a good or bad thing for us?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “If you care about the Barbarian Desolation world, it’s a bad thing. If you are more selfish and can live yourself, it’s a great thing.”

Zhou Qinggao, walking side by side with Shou Chen on the plank road, asked, “Mr. Zheng, do I still have a chance to review the chess game with Chen Ping’an face to face?”

Zheng Juzhong said, “Possibly.”

Zhou Mi arranged Shou Chen and the others in an unnamed cave dwelling located in the “southeast corner” of the Barbarian Desolation, which had profound meaning. What he sought was for the sky to tilt to the northwest and the ground to sink to the southeast on that day.

Once that Heavenly Connection ended in mutual destruction, the Dao fortune would automatically tend towards this place. This itself was an extremely resilient green Dao trajectory in the human world, a trend of the “Dao.” What Zhou Mi was gambling on was that the Ancestral Shrines and Temples of the Three Teachings, as well as the Sage of Rites and the Confucian Temple, would have no spare energy to instantly break this future path he had reserved for the human world early on.

Unfortunately, there was still a Zheng Juzhong in the human world.

More accurately, there were three Fourteenth Realm Zheng Juzhongs. Since he was blocking the door, it meant that the Sage of Rites and the Confucian Temple also knew about this matter.

Zhou Mi simply did not get involved in this losing gamble and absolutely did not become a defeated stray dog.

As the senior brother, the sword immortal Shou Chen was naturally the one with the most complicated feelings. This Ascension Realm sword cultivator felt somewhat empty.

In the past battles on the Sword Qi Great Wall, there was the saying of “Shou Chen in the South, Hidden Official in the North.”

Shou Chen neither had his former lofty ambitions nor was he disheartened. At this moment, his emotions were neither here nor there.

Several cloth bags were hanging from Zheng Juzhong’s waist, containing soil and ore from various parts of the Barbarian Desolation.

The Barbarian Desolation was only barren in terms of spiritual energy and immortal money. Everything else should have been abundant and sufficient, but unfortunately, the great cultivators looked down on it, and others yearned for it but couldn’t get it.

There were native people who built bridges out of wood. Below the bridge, the turbulent river confined by the cliff splashed countless water droplets, making the mountains look snow-covered. In the past, under the illumination of the three moons of the Barbarian Desolation, it must have been extremely beautiful.

Zheng Juzhong was the first to walk onto the shaky, creaking wooden bridge.

Perhaps, in the eyes of heaven and earth, we are all just young people wandering in the human world.