The sky was dim, and heavy rain mixed with lightning and thunder. The rain fell into the courtyard, cascading into the ancient dragon pond like a waterfall.
The nine painted wooden flood dragons coiled around the outer pillars of the main hall seemed to have their eyes dotted, becoming more lifelike in the dim light, as if they would ascend to the heavens in the next moment.

Chen Ping’an was contemplating whether to try and keep the sword immortal, Xu Jun. Both their realms were new, and a spar at this time would be mutually beneficial.
He remembered a similar rain-soaked encounter outside the Tiangong Temple in Tongye Continent back then, a sword inquiry with Pei Min, one of the “Three Perfections of Haoran” in swordsmanship.
Pei Min, who possessed four natal flying swords, did not fight with lethal intent. His killing intent was even less intense than his initial “greeting” sword strike.
Pei Min once used an umbrella as a sword, throwing it towards a mirage city’s Huanghua Temple, nearly impaling Chen Ping’an and pinning him to a wall of books.
As for whether Pei Min would take the opportunity to reach the Fourteenth Realm, Chen Ping’an had no great apprehension and did not care.
Pei Min not being among the twenty in that Ancestral Hall was quite surprising. After all, he and Zou Zi were both inheritors of Lu Tai’s teachings.
Thinking of Lu Tai, who had once traveled the Tongye Continent martial world with him, Chen Ping’an felt a sense of wistfulness. They had parted ways early on and hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
He still remembered that journey through the martial world, which was slightly tinged with both immortal and ghostly energy, broadening his horizons and understanding of people’s hearts.
Without that foundation, the subsequent trip to Shujian Lake would have been even more difficult, and he might not have made it out at all.
It was like a precious seal material; if the inscription on the bottom was poor, one could grind it away and re-carve it out of cherish for the material. But if a porcelain piece was completely shattered, no matter how skilled a craftsman was, how could it be pieced back together and mended? Would an old porcelain mountain in his hometown speak? It would not.

Pei Qian and Guo Zhujiu arrived at the third courtyard and saw their Master puffing away.
Earlier, on Youyi Peak, their Mistress, Ning Yao, had privately instructed them to persuade their Master to smoke less dry tobacco and drink less alcohol. Pei Qian dared not agree readily, but Guo Zhujiu had made a solemn promise, patting her chest to guarantee she would handle it. As a result, after coming down the mountain and returning to the State Master’s residence, Guo Zhujiu merely repeated the Mistress’s instructions at the supper table. As their Master was helping her and Pei Qian with food, he smiled and said he would pay attention. Guo Zhujiu then gave herself an “excellent” evaluation, leaving Pei Qian speechless, unable to even imitate her.

Chen Ping’an came back to his senses, turned his head, and smiled, “Xu Xie just left. It’s my fault, I should have let him chat with you for a bit. Xu Xie’s swordsmanship is not mixed, but I suspect he possesses several long-lost ancient sword techniques that can make a sword cultivator’s qi refinement, forging, sword sharpening, suppression, killing, and sword nurturing seamless. It’s not proper for me to chase after him and ask about things, but you are juniors, and Xu Xie is temporarily a loose immortal, so you don’t need to be too particular about the taboos of such lineage transmissions. Xu Jun is generous, magnanimous, and acts with a carefree spirit. Perhaps after a few drinks, when he’s happy, he might proactively teach you one or two high-level sword techniques.”
In that case, Xu Xie’s主动 mention of that “Beheading” sword technique was not only for mutual benefit, hoping that he and Bai Jing and Xiao Mo could help complete and elevate the sword dao’s height, but also intended to indirectly pass it on to Pei Qian in this circuitous way?
Xu Xie had always made no secret of his admiration for Pei Qian, which was a blend of a senior’s fondness for a junior and recognition of a fellow practitioner.
The Grandmaster “Zheng Qian”‘s reputation both on and off the mountain in Jinjia Continent was indeed impeccable. It was probably more effective than being the Hidden Official or the State Master of Da Li.
Xu Xie initially couldn’t understand why a young female martial artist was so similar to him in hating the barbaric demon race.
Upon learning her real name, that she was the first disciple of the last Hidden Official of Sword Qi Great Wall, Xu Xie felt it was a matter of course, only natural.

Guo Zhujiu was eager to try, “Master, since we’re on the subject, I happen to have a signature martial art that I’ve diligently practiced for many years and have now mastered. Could you take a look? See how far I am from reaching the pinnacle?”
Chen Ping’an was a little curious and smiled, “Alright.”
Guo Zhujiu raised her hands, taking a stance of sinking her qi into her dantian, “Master, Senior Sister, this set of sword techniques is best performed in the rain. I’ll show you what it means to truly be impervious to water, with a sword that moves like a swimming dragon. Even an enemy skilled in divination and foresight wouldn’t be able to predict my next move, because even I myself…”
Just as Guo Zhujiu was about to leap into the courtyard, Pei Qian wrapped an arm around her neck and dragged her back to the second courtyard, saying they wouldn’t disturb Master’s thoughts.

It turned out that Rong Yu’s figure appeared at the side door. Chen Ping’an felt a great pity. Whether Guo Zhujiu’s crazy demon sword technique had surpassed its origin, he could only be certain after seeing it with his own eyes. Rong Yu approached and smiled, “State Master, is this a bad time?”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “It’s nothing.”
Rong Yu said, “Just received a secret letter from Grand Chancellor Liu Rao. He and Emperor Yin Mi have already secretly set off for the barbaric lands. However, Liu Rao has a request. He hopes that the State Master can speak on his behalf at the Central Plains Wen Miao to request a specially made pass for a mountain spirit entering the sea. The reason is that the mountain spirit Yin Ni is secretly escorting the Emperor, which is not a simple mountain deity crossing water, but an unprecedented cross-continental journey. Yuxiao Palace has already agreed and said they are willing to travel to the barbaric lands together. They are worried that if they ask, the Wen Miao might not agree, as Deputy Sect Master Han’s opinion of the Grand Chancellor is rather ordinary. If the Yin family’s request is rejected, and then Da Li, the suzerain state, submits a second document, it might make State Master Chen seem too overbearing and leave a bad impression at the Wen Miao. It’s better to ask the State Master to directly interface with the Wen Miao on this matter.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Liu Rao is that considerate? I should not only help but also write him a thank-you letter.”
Rong Yu smiled without saying anything.
Chen Ping’an said, “Write another official document to the Wen Miao, stating that I recommend allowing the mountain spirit Yin Ni to accompany Emperor Yin Mi and State Master Liu Rao to the barbaric lands. Use Da Li’s official script for the letter. After writing it, go to the study and personally affix the State Master’s seal and stamp the official document.”
Rong Yu hesitated, “State Master, this is not in accordance with protocol. I cannot arbitrarily use that State Master’s seal. Even with the State Master watching, I cannot touch it. It must be personally stamped by the State Master to comply with the rules.”
Chen Ping’an waved his hand, “Rules are dead, people are alive.”
Rong Yu simply refused. Her eyes were resolute, and she insisted on her own opinion, “State Master, this is not a minor detail that can be handled expediently.”
Chen Ping’an had to explain, “I am about to resume my cultivation, and at that time, I will need to frequently enter seclusion. The middle five realms, or rather, the first three realms, each realm requires a significant period of seclusion. What will we do then? The State Master’s residence can secretly record this matter. Rong Yu, each time you affix the seal, have Guo Zhujiu watch you. You each record every document, and I will cross-reference and verify them after I come out of seclusion to ensure there are no discrepancies or omissions. Of course, I will also write a secret record regarding this matter, so I am not afraid of His Majesty the Emperor or the next State Master checking the accounts.”
Rong Yu’s expression was complex, and she silently nodded.

Chen Ping’an changed the subject, “Rong Yu, have you heard of a historical anecdote about the founding emperor of the Yin family, related to that female mountain spirit?”
Rong Yu thought for a moment, quickly sifting through her memory. She soon said, “It is said that before the Yin family’s Taizu Emperor went on the northern expedition, there was a lot of unrest among the people in the former dynasty’s capital. Rumors spread that the military intended to elevate a general to the position of emperor and seize the orphaned mother and child’s empire. Taizu was deeply troubled by these rumors. He returned home and spoke with his family, asking how they should deal with the overwhelming rumors. Taizu’s elder sister happened to be in the kitchen. She struck Taizu with a rolling pin and drove him out, saying, ‘A man facing a great matter should be able to decide for himself. Why come home and frighten women?'”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “Yin Ni was indeed very decisive.”
Rong Yu’s expression was awkward, “State Master, of course I am also a woman, but I cannot follow her example and encourage the State Master to usurp the throne and become emperor.”
Chen Ping’an pointed his tobacco pipe at the rain curtain and then at her, saying exasperatedly, “Telling jokes on a rainy day, are you? Don’t you feel cold?”
Rong Yu pursed her lips and smiled, narrowing her eyes.

Chen Ping’an said, “Make a list of all the treasures in the several treasuries of Da Li. Roughly divide them according to the Five Elements and compile five books. Create a separate book, selecting the most valuable ones and allocating them to this book. I need to carefully review them soon.”
Rong Yu nodded, “Tomorrow at the beginning of the辰时, I will definitely have the six books on the State Master’s desk on time.”
Chen Ping’an suggested, “You are also a pure martial artist. You can spar with Pei Qian. My first disciple is quick to learn and also a good teacher of boxing.”
Rong Yu naturally wouldn’t refuse such a great opportunity. She thanked the State Master, performed a 万福 bow, and then turned the conversation back to official matters, “There are already results from the Jinlu Prefecture on the Ziyan River side.”
According to Rong Yu, Zhou Gong, the ferry captain, personally led people to complete three interrogations within half a day after receiving instructions from the State Master. One interrogation was on the ferry, and the subsequent two were conducted in the Ancestral Hall of Jinlu Prefecture on the Ziyan River, acting as a court. Besides the Golden Core realm martial artist Yan You, who wanted to challenge the State Master to a boxing match, several female cultivators who watched from afar at the time, as well as the Jin Guan Ancestor and several allies of the Ziyan River, such as Lan Ting and others, had all provided their respective testimonies and could prove their innocence.

Afterward, the Ministry of Rites’ Landscape Bureau, the Ministry of Justice’s Examination Bureau, and the Piyun Mountain Patrol Bureau had also each responded impartially. In addition to reviewing and extracting archives, all three parties had secretly consulted the local mountain and water deities and the City God. It was confirmed that Yan You was indeed acting on impulse, with no one behind him instigating him. He truly just wanted to show off in front of a woman he admired.
Chen Ping’an smiled wryly. How many sword immortals and heroes have been turned upside down by the word “love”? It was like this in the Wei and Jin dynasties, and it was also like this for Fan Da Che.

Rong Yu said, “The three sects outside the Ziyan River, their ancestors were naturally startled. Yan You, due to misfortune, gained good fortune and followed Zhou Gong to the capital. He will soon officially serve as an Internal Military Secretary. Because he is a Golden Body realm martial artist, according to the border army’s practice, his starting official rank is not low. As long as he undergoes a period of traveling experience, he will soon receive an honorary military title.”
“However, according to the intelligence from the Ministries of Rites and Justice, learning that their ancestors and sect masters were summoned for questioning by the Da Li border army, more than a dozen register monks have stealthily left their sects, fearing the fate of an egg under a overturned nest. It is estimated that they have already been captured and are kneeling in the Ancestral Halls of those three families by now.”
Speaking of this, Rong Yu sighed. From the changes in Yi Chi Lane and Chi’er Street triggered by Old Ying Lake, to top-tier Daoist sites in Baoping Continent like Changchun Palace, and then to second-rate immortal residences like Ziyan River, many problems could actually be seen. If they weren’t touched, it seemed like a time of peace and prosperity, with a thousand-year dynasty. If they were touched, once they were torn open, they were all rotten pus covering up the peace, bloody and messy. Fortunately, it was not too late.

Rong Yu believed in both State Master Cui and State Master Chen, and even more so in the deep foundation of the Da Li Dynasty. She believed in the old people who held hope, like Old Man Guan and Senior Minister Shen, and even more so in the young people who had not yet entered the core of the court or become border officials today, that they would definitely be able to make the Da Li Dynasty, from top to bottom, inside and out, from the morale of the army to the hearts of the people, move upward and become better.

Chen Ping’an generally didn’t inquire too much into the details of matters that had already been decided, but the matter of the Ziyan River was clearly of greater concern. He asked, “In the Ancestral Hall of Jinlu Prefecture, weren’t there a few young people who dared to reason with Commander Zhou?”
Rong Yu shook her head, “After all, figures like Feng Jie and Wei Rui, who have both ideas and the ability to act, are actually not many.”
Chen Ping’an said, “A person’s spirit and vision are also cultivated little by little. Their cunning and methods are honed through one matter after another, similar to a martial artist being trained in boxing.”
“Let’s take it slowly. Some things need to be cut cleanly and quickly, while shaking the great and destroying the solid always requires gradual progress. How the court handles Changchun Palace is for the benefit of large Daoist sites like Shen Gao Sect and Yunlin Jiang family, and immortal residences of the Ziyan River’s strength are still the majority. The court needs to be a little more patient. Anyway, they are not afraid of them misunderstanding anything. Seeing blood in misunderstandings makes it easier for the living to learn their lessons.”

Rong Yu nodded, deeply agreeing.
Chen Ping’an smiled, “Finding a foolish person in a group of clever people is difficult, and finding a clever person in a crowd of fools is also difficult. Both are not easy.”
Rong Yu seriously considered the State Master’s intention in this statement. Was he planning to take action against the clever people in which area?
Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but laugh and remind her, “Rong Yu, don’t think that every word I say has some deep meaning. It’s not that exaggerated.”
Rong Yu said, “The brain gets sharper the more you use it.”
Chen Ping’an joked, “That’s the way my Senior Brother and Mr. Zheng talk.”
Rong Yu found it difficult to respond.

Chen Ping’an smoked his dry tobacco, squinting at the sky, as if waiting for something.
Rong Yu followed the State Master’s gaze, but couldn’t discern anything.
In the past, in the northern area of Piyun Mountain, before it became the Northern Yue of Da Li, several immortal residences and Daoist sites formed an alliance. With one Nascent Soul and three Golden Cores, they were quite influential.
After the collapse and landing of the Pearl Cave Heaven, the military strategist Ruan Qiong took over from Qi Jingchun as the presiding sage. Soon, a group of immortal masters came to test Ruan Qiong’s temper, or rather, Da Li’s bottom line.
Golden Light Ancestor and these esteemed and powerful ancestors brought some of their direct disciples on a joint journey through the mountains and rivers, illegally entering the territory. As a result, Ruan Qiong, who had left the blacksmith shop, went into the sea of clouds and killed several female cultivators in one go. The leading woman, adorned with a golden hairpin, was also the sect master of an immortal residence. Afterward, the Jin Guan Ancestor of the Ziyan River pleaded for a few words, but his head was still crushed by Ruan Qiong’s hand, his physical body destroyed on the spot, and his soul escaped into the Ziyan River. Ruan Qiong did not beat him when he was down. Later, a female cultivator named Lan Ting, who was also the founding ancestor of her immortal residence and Daoist site, was still pierced through the head by a flying sword. Only the most sensible one remained, who ran fast and was somewhat righteous, not forgetting to remind Lan Ting a few things about the power of Ruan Qiong’s flying sword. Unfortunately, Lan Ting’s final fate was even worse than that of the Jin Guan Ancestor; her Ancestral Hall directly lit a natal lamp.
With military methods, violation meant punishment. How could they waste time arguing with you, talking about human feelings or face?
After this battle, let’s not discuss what the immortal masters on the mountains of Da Li thought.
Let’s just say that the green-clad little boy, who had a slight misunderstanding with Sage Ruan, naturally became even more afraid of Ruan Qiong. In those days, his life was hanging by a thread. Fortunately, he was quick-witted and adaptable, and he made timely amends.

Don’t look at Chen Lingjun being teased by the smiling Sect Master Lu several times later, and don’t look at Ruan Qiong’s realm being relatively low in the book “Passersby Collection”. Ancestor Jing Qing placed Sage Ruan on the second page of the Passersby Collection.
Of course, hiding on his own mountain and occasionally bragging to Mi Li and Bai Xuan without any preparation, Chen Lingjun also dared to give Ruan Qiong the nickname “Ruan Bangyan”.
The green-clad little boy got drunk at the wedding banquet on Youyi Peak, his face as red as a monkey’s backside. He toasted Ruan Qiong at the main table several times.
He主动 brought up this matter, speaking with a loud voice and saying some heartfelt words about Sage Ruan’s peerless heroism, slurring his drunken words, and giving Ruan Qiong a thumbs-up… After Ruan Qiong finally confirmed that this guy wasn’t saying anything sarcastic, a smile appeared on his face. Indeed, why bother with a little idiot?
Moreover, Ruan Qiong deep down felt that the green-clad little boy had great wisdom.
He spoke without restraint but was responsible in matters. He was foolish and bold, with foolish fortune. His Dao heart was clear, like a cloud rising and falling in the mountains, but it was still just a cloud.
What’s more, there was a little girl in black standing beside him at the time, tiptoeing, holding the rope of her diagonally strapped cotton bag with one hand, and covering her mouth with the other while whispering to him that Jing Qing was like this when he got drunk, and Sage Ruan should not be offended, also blaming the immortal wine at today’s wedding banquet for being too delicious.
Ruan Qiong tilted his head slightly and smiled, telling the little girl he understood, understood. The wine was alright, alright, as long as Mi Li liked it.
As they chatted, Ruan Qiong saw some secrets in the little girl, the right protector of Fallen Mountain’s, bright eyes that she found difficult to say.
Ruan Qiong then tilted his head back and drank a large bowl of wine, and rubbed the little girl’s head, considering it his thanks to her.
He didn’t know if it was thanks for the mountain and water stories the little girl had told someone, or something else.
Ruan Qiong, who had hardly ever been polite or cordial with anyone his entire life, told Mi Li to find him if she ever felt wronged in the future, and he would uphold justice.
At that time, a groomsman turned to look at a bridesmaid. The bridesmaid, however, smiled gently at Mi Li. She then nodded to the meticulous Ruan Qiong, who also nodded to Ning Yao. He then glanced at the groomsman again, thinking to himself, this little bastard is always so lucky.

Chen Ping’an smoked his dry tobacco, gently exhaling the smoke, his gaze fixed on the rain curtain hanging between heaven and earth. “It’s not just about valuing Zhou Gong. He is the sharp edge for the mess that is the Ziyan River, and for the entire middle-tier immortal forces of Da Li, Zhou Gong and Yan You are models, a very good reference for the court.”
“Furthermore, it’s not just the military strategists of the Great Salamander Gorge lineage; I believe the entire Wind and Snow Temple will also give Zhou Gong their greatest support.”
Rong Yu knew that the Wind and Snow Temple placed high hopes on Zhou Gong and had always wanted to summon him back to the mountain to serve as the second-in-command of the Disciplinary lineage.
Zhou Gong, a military strategist who had reached the bottleneck of the Golden Core realm, and a direct disciple of the Qin family’s ancestor of the Great Salamander Gorge in the Wind and Snow Temple, his greatest dream in this life was not even to ascend to the Upper Five Realms, but to command a Da Li sword boat. Serving as the “Boat Master” of a Da Li sword boat, which is both offensive and defensive, is naturally more attractive than the “Boat Master” of a mountain ferry used specifically for transporting troops.
Dong Hu of the Ministry of Rites once said that based on military merit, Commander Zhou Gong could serve as a deputy general of a prefecture, or as the Minister of War in a vassal state. This was naturally a measured compliment, simply because many military strategists from the two ancestral courts of military strategy, the Wind and Snow Temple and Zhenwu Mountain, chose the former between the Da Li border army and the register. The two ancestral halls mostly made symbolic attempts to keep them, with no cases of them being moved out to make things difficult for Huang Mei Xian and others, so the Da Li court always had to remember this favor.

When visiting Changchun Palace with Dong Hu, more than twenty military ferries were moored at Ming Di Crossing. It was Zhou Gong’s ferry, designated by the State Master’s residence.
Old officials like Dong Hu, who had become shrewd in public service, would naturally know what was going on.
What was the relationship between the State Master and Liu Xianyang? What was the connection between the Longquan Sword Sect and the Wind and Snow Temple?
Furthermore, the deal that the State Master had recently made with Zhenwu Mountain in his private capacity had to be recorded by the Ministry of Rites according to regulations.
Chen Ping’an was actually still hesitant about whether to separately peel off the sword boats and mountain ferries from the Ministry of War, and some mountain affairs from the Ministry of Rites. However, this would affect the whole system, and it was not that simple.

Chen Ping’an said, “On Youyi Peak, I met the disciplinary ancestor of the Wind and Snow Temple. While toasting, we chatted for a few moments. She still very much wanted to reach the Jade Pure realm, but her responsibility was undeniable, and it was not easy to just walk away. I deliberately mentioned Zhou Gong, and she made no secret of her high regard for him. Therefore, it is not impossible for Zhou Gong to return to the mountain and serve as the disciplinary head in a few decades.”

Rong Yu could fully imagine that when the State Master主动 toasted and chatted with those high-ranking military strategists from the Wind and Snow Temple and Zhenwu Mountain, it would not be a relaxed conversation for them.
Since Jiang Taigong of the Martial Temple had shown up, they, at least those from the two military ancestral courts in Baoping Continent, should be very clear about two things.
Currently, cultivators, except for those in seclusion, had all personally witnessed that Heavenly Passage. However, who among mortals achieved this feat, only a small number of peak cultivators were somewhat clear. The Central Plains Wen Miao was also deliberately downplaying this matter, at least for now, it was not the best time for the truth to be known to the world.
Earlier, the three temporary allies who jointly killed Jiang She were Chen Ping’an, Zheng Juzhong, and Wu Shuangjiang.

Chen Ping’an said, “Give a peach in return for a plum; politeness dictates reciprocity.”
Rong Yu smiled, “The intent is not far off.”
The smoke curled up, ignoring the heavy rain, and ascended into the sky.
Even Rong Yu, slow-witted as she was, saw something unusual.
Song Yun’an appeared out of thin air in this place. Even for such a short distance, he used the Shrinking Earth technique, which showed his abnormality.
Chen Ping’an said, “Remember to protect the entire Da Li capital as much as possible later.”
Song Yun’an nodded, “My life and duty are at stake. State Master, please rest assured, I know what is important and what is not.”
Chen Ping’an teased, “Are your divine bones terrified?”
Song Yun’an smiled bitterly, “Indeed, I am not as calm as the State Master in the face of major events.”
Chen Ping’an twitched his lips, “Is this considered a big scene?”
Song Yun’an questioned unprecedentedly, “This is not?!”
Chen Ping’an said, “Use an illusion later, do not alarm the capital’s citizens.”
Song Yun’an nodded, “I will do my best.”

Rong Yu was bewildered.
Pei Qian and Guo Zhujiu rushed over. Chen Ping’an waved his hand and smiled, “Go back to your rooms and stay put, just stabilize your Dao hearts and breaths.”
They went back. Because they had experienced the battlefield of the Sword Qi Great Wall and the battlefields of Jinjia Continent and Da Li’s auxiliary capital, they wouldn’t ask their Master why.
Rong Yu asked, “Do we need to inform the Five Mountain Deities?”
Chen Ping’an nodded, “Just have them stabilize the realm’s destiny.”
Rong Yu pressed, “What about the Central Plains Wen Miao?”
Chen Ping’an smiled, “No need.”
Rong Yu quickly left.

Chen Ping’an sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching the capital.
It was Xu Xie, the sword immortal, who was about to leave the Baoping Continent and travel across the sea to Bei Julu Continent, returning the way he came. As expected of Sword Immortal Xu Jun.
Xu Xie stood on a mountain peak in the capital region. He actually didn’t know what was happening, but he sensed a suffocating pressure, like the “Dao” clearing the way, wanting to forcibly break the taboos of heaven and earth and intrude into this world.
Xu Xie asked from a distance with his heart’s voice, “Hidden Official, is it friend or foe?”
If it was the former, it was simple.
Chen Ping’an smiled, “Temporarily friend or foe is uncertain, Xu Jun can just observe.”
Xu Xie said, “If you need assistance, remember to inform me.”
Chen Ping’an said, “Easy to say.”

Between heaven and earth, there was a pecking sound.
It was also like the sound of silk tearing, or the subtle sound of porcelain cracking open.
Song Yun’an strained his eyes and looked into the distance at that “great door”. The first to emerge was a tall woman wearing a long green dress. Her face was blurred, and the surrounding area of her graceful body was filled with flowing light and colors, with layers of halos spreading like water ripples.
Even without seeing her face, she was still as beautiful as a painting of a goddess with the greatest charm in the world, her elegant demeanor remaining after thousands of years.

Then, a white platform seemingly cast from countless snowflake coins floated out. A strange being with disheveled hair covering its entire head knelt on the ground, its two thin arms spread out, trembling. Around its feet were collapsed divine altars and scattered ancient sacrificial vessels.
A white skeleton, draped in a purple robe, sat cross-legged on a dugout canoe. It simply surveyed its surroundings, shook the sleeves of its Dharma robe, and extended a glowing white skeletal hand filled with countless gold threads, rapidly calculating with its fingers. “As expected, it’s a Heavenly Passage, connecting the severed road. Someone actually succeeded, amazing, truly amazing.”
Every word uttered by this purple-robed skeletal Daoist was like rolling thunder.

A burly man with extremely long eyebrows held a large halberd. He looked insane, his expression desolate, but his eyes suddenly became fervent. He just stared at the green-robed figure in the courtyard below, muttering to himself, “I’ve seen you, finally seen you. You’ve caused me so much suffering, so much suffering. It’s worth it, it’s worth it. If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening, can die in the evening.”
He and the green-robed man stared directly at each other for a moment. He hesitated several times, finally saying nothing, not daring to leak heavenly secrets. He simply spread his arms and threw the large halberd violently into the sea. The halberd, propelled by a huge force, cleaved through the waves and tilted into the bottom of the sea. He then staggered and sat on the ground, as if he had just sat down and transformed into a heap of劫灰, scattering in the wind and rain.

The skeletal Daoist shook his head, foolish and stubborn.
Another cycle in about eight thousand years, what’s the point? Just seeking reunion with old friends? Why not meet old friends with a new face?

Finally, there was a woman wearing a jade crown with wide sleeves and broad ribbons, and no eyebrows. She habitually raised the back of her hand and sighed softly. The Dao was flowing away so quickly, even worse than the worst expected outcome by a few points, but it didn’t matter. Being freed from confinement and seeing the light of day again was the greatest fortune in misfortune. Looking down at that city, she couldn’t help but feel curious. Had the later human world become so prosperous?
Even though she had fallen in realm, with just a slight movement of her Dao heart, she heard every word and thought in the entire city. With another movement of her Dao heart, she already had a general understanding of the “current situation”: Haoran Nine Continents, Baoping Continent, Da Li Dynasty, State Master Chen Ping’an…

She asked in fluent Da Li official language, her voice enchanting, “Here, are matters still managed by that sword-wielding scholar and the little master?”
She looked as if she was about to cry, “Chen Ping’an, is there truly no Qingqiu anymore?”
She suddenly revealed her true form and said sharply, “Surname Chen, answer me?!”
Xu Xie’s eyes widened. Just by observing, he felt her power. This “woman” changed her expression too quickly, and she was too seductive. Even a pure sword cultivator like Xu Xie, who was extremely indifferent to matters of men and women, felt his Dao heart wavering after just a few glances at her. It was not something she did intentionally; it was simply a natal divine ability. Xu Xie had read quite a bit. In the past, when he saw phrases like “disaster for the country and the people,” and “femme fatale,” he just found them absurd. Today, he believed it. Seeing it with his own eyes, he had to believe it.
Xu Xie could not imagine Chen Ping’an’s current situation.

Earlier, to prevent Zheng Juzhong and Senior Brother from “exchanging places”, Lu Chen had traveled through the River of Time to find that gatekeeper.
One of the gatekeeper’s divine duties was to guard the “later deceased” and “offenders of superiors” in a River of Time.
Lu Chen indeed met this being, and later met Zheng Juzhong, and of course, the sword cultivator Huang Zhen from “three thousand years in the future”. He also saw many strange beings from both the old and new almanacs, who were long confined on the vast “mirror surface” where even stars were as small as grains of sand and accumulated in layers.
On the night boat, Zheng Juzhong had mentioned this matter.
It was likely that a Heavenly Passage had inadvertently broken certain taboos, allowing these beings to regain a certain degree of freedom.

Xu Xie only saw a gigantic white fox encircling the entire Da Li capital, its huge tails gently swaying.
Its head was lowered, staring towards the State Master’s residence.
Chen Ping’an handed his dry tobacco pipe to Song Yun’an, “Help me hold this.”
Ten thousand years of human history, a flowing account.
A flowing account, ten thousand years of human history.
Chen Ping’an asked, “Has the number of those peach blossoms increased or decreased?”
Song Yun’an was worried, and smiled bitterly, “State Master, what do you think?”
Chen Ping’an, standing barefoot in the corridor with empty hands, swore, mimicking the Most Holy Sage.

Beside Xu Xie, a gentle breeze stirred. Turning his head, he saw a handsome young man with a graceful demeanor.
Greatly surprised, Xu Xie smiled and asked, “Cao Ci, how do you know the Three Mountains Talisman?”
Cao Ci raised his chin towards the capital and smiled, “This fellow taught me. He said that if I sparred with him any later, he was afraid I would end up the same way as that sparring match at Gong De Lin. So I learned the Three Mountains Talisman and came here to thank him properly.”
Xu Xie’s expression was strange. He had heard about the green and white dispute in that Cao-Chen sparring match. The most interesting part was not the process, but rather that the loser seemed to have won, and the winner seemed to have lost.
What made Xu Xie feel even more unbelievable was that today’s Cao Ci was actually so… competitive!
In his words, in his eyes, and in his demeanor, Cao Ci clearly and unequivocally expressed his attitude. When sparring with a guy who lacks martial virtue, one truly cannot be too concerned with martial virtue.

Xu Xie smiled and asked, “Still a sure win?”
Cao Ci thought for a moment and shook his head, “Hard to say.”
Compared to the giant green fox, the figure, as small as a mustard seed, slowly ascended into the sky. He gently rolled up his sleeves.
He looked at that head and asked with a smile, “What do you call me?”
The purple-robed skeletal Daoist stood up from the dugout canoe and quickly mastered the elegant language of Baoping Continent. He sneered, “Clearly a spent force, a useless thing that has fallen to the foot of the mountain, yet you have the nerve to play tricks here. No matter how tough your martial body is, can you be stronger than that brute Jiang She? Surname Chen, this Daoist will meet you first!”
Chen Ping’an ignored this skeletal Daoist, whose Daoist name and power were insignificant and whose shape resembled a drying rack. He simply called out her true name, the former mistress of Qingqiu.
The great fox’s head seemed to be forcibly pressed down instantly, neither more nor less, just reaching the top of the outer wall of the Da Li capital.
It raised its head with difficulty, “Chen…”
Its head lowered again, as if kowtowing.
It struggled incessantly, its dozens of fox tails wildly swaying.
But it could only kowtow again.

The skeletal Daoist exclaimed in surprise. That fellow knew the true name of that seductive fox, which was not surprising. But without any divine abilities or techniques, and without the heaven-reaching ability of his words becoming reality, how could he make her bow her head again and again? Even if she had fallen in realm, she was at least an Ascension realm… A skeletal body that had been tempered to be extremely tough inexplicably shattered in the air with a bang.
Healed in the distance, the purple-robed Daoist resumed his full form, not speaking further, unsure of the divine ability or how to use any spiritual energy.

Xu Xie asked with his heart’s voice, “Can you see the foundation of his Dao?”
Cao Ci smiled, “Xu Jun, I am a pure martial artist.”
Xu Xie changed the question, “How many punches can an ordinary Ascendant take?”
Cao Ci said, “It’s best not to take even one punch.”
Xu Xie asked again, “What about you?”
Cao Ci said, “Let’s talk after fighting.”

The being on the snowy white platform reached out and brushed aside the hair covering its face, revealing a face covered in colors, like the makeup of a later Nuo drama. It repeatedly mumbled in obscure ancient language, “No, no.”
And the green-dressed woman, whose face remained blurred, inexplicably recalled that on the human road in ancient times, seekers, learners, and transmitters of the Dao lined up like a winding dragon. But there was an unknown sword cultivator standing far away. She had briefly left the line to speak with him. The sword cultivator, who almost never spoke to others, said as they parted, that if there was a chance in the future, she should go and see his junior brother for him, and also relay a message to him.
“Do not slacken in your studies, do not be stubborn in practicing the sword, and do not have too good a temper.”
She saw the green-robed man shake his wrist and begin to roll up his second sleeve.
He didn’t seem like someone with a good temper either.