The young Daoist who had left and returned, the one many girls and women in the small town yearned for, was once again setting up his stall in the same spot. However, the town was bustling like never before, and right next door, a rival was vying for business. This competitor wore a brand-new Daoist robe, was of advanced age, yet his face was ruddy and his demeanor was quite that of a Daoist immortal.

The old Daoist sat behind a large table, exuding an aura of divinity. On the table sat a gleaming, well-used bamboo divination stick holder filled with neatly trimmed bamboo sticks. Beside the table stood a lavish silk banner with a couplet: “Knowing Yin and Yang, understanding the Eight Trigrams, discerning celestial patterns and earthly principles, all for the price of a single stick; Able to avert misfortune and accumulate merit, all for a few coins.”

His fortune-telling stall was booming. Townspeople flocked to draw sticks and seek guidance, all claiming his readings were accurate. Word spread like wildfire, and with the arrival of the fortune-teller coinciding with good fortune for the Dragon Spring County, confirming the existence of immortals in the world, their sincerity only deepened. Though it was said to be a few coins for a stick, even the poorest families were willing to part with a handful of copper coins to partake in the old immortal’s auspicious energy.

Meanwhile, business at the young Daoist’s stall was bleak, practically deserted. Truly, a sparrow could make its nest there without disturbance. When the stall was set up, a yellow sparrow had flown from afar, circled once, and then departed. The young Daoist was disheartened, gazing longingly at the fair maidens, familiar faces with whom he had once chatted warmly. But these girls, having heard the rumors, gathered in twos and threes, whispering and deliberately watching the handsome Daoist’s plight, finding increasing amusement in it.

This saddened the young Daoist. Eventually, bored, he saw that the neighboring stall was temporarily without customers, so he brazenly went and sat on a stool there. The old Daoist, though appearing righteous and avoiding eye contact, was inwardly quite nervous. Experience knows youth, and if it came to blows over business, his old bones wouldn’t withstand a few punches from this young fellow. The old Daoist had learned some superficial skills in fortune-telling and was adept at verbal sparring, but in a real fight, he’d surely beg for mercy.

The young Daoist, wearing a lotus coronet, sat down and smiled without saying a word.

The old Daoist glanced sideways and noticed the lotus coronet, one he had never seen before. In Treasure Bottle Continent and the southeastern continents, apart from a scant few large Daoist temples, almost all Daoists, high and low, wore fish-tail coronets. This was not something to be trifled with; it concerned the doctrines of a sect. Who would dare wear the wrong thing? Without the temple even getting involved, the authorities would arrest them and throw them in jail.

The old Daoist felt much more confident. In all likelihood, this was a greenhorn who didn’t even know the basic rules, who had heard some second-hand rituals and cobbled together this ridiculous coronet, probably thinking he was special, standing out from the crowd. The old Daoist calculated the distance from his stall to the county government office and felt certain of his victory. His aura shifted dramatically, his eyes gleamed, and he instantly resumed the air of a reclusive master, staring fixedly at the handsome young Daoist, which was quite intimidating.

The young Daoist indeed looked worried. “Old Immortal Master, did you discern my ill-fated travels with just a glance at my face?”

Good heavens, he’s met a simpleton. That’s excellent; if he was a stubborn fool, it wouldn’t be so easy. With his silver tongue, he’d surely win over this newcomer in three sentences.

The old Daoist secretly rejoiced, thinking, “With business as bad as it is at the stall next door, how could your travels be smooth?”

The old Daoist feigned profoundness. “Seeing as you’re a junior, draw a stick. I’ll tell your fortune for free, without charging you any coins.”

The young Daoist chuckled. “I wouldn’t presume to trouble you, Old Immortal Master. I just came over for a chat. Even a fleeting encounter is fate…”

The young Daoist spoke courteously, but he had already leaned forward, about to reach for a bamboo stick.

The old Daoist raised an eyebrow and placed his hand on the sticks. The young Daoist sheepishly withdrew his hand, waving it lightly, and smiled awkwardly. “Haha, I noticed some dust on your sticks, Old Immortal Master, and thought I’d help you wipe it off.”

The old Daoist gave a forced smile, clearly indicating that he was closing shop if there was no real business.

Because a woman with a young child was approaching the stall, business was calling, and the old Daoist had no time to waste on a mediocre competitor.

The young Daoist had no choice but to obediently stand up and return to his stall, clasping his hands behind his head, leaning back, and gazing at the azure sky.

Further away, a middle-aged man with a long-browed youth slowly approached. Before coming, the youth had only heard his ancestor say it was “his lineage’s Old Lord.” Even Xie Family’s Longbrow, whose willpower far surpassed ordinary people, felt his heart pounding incessantly, imagining a cloud-riding old immortal with white hair, perhaps accompanied by spiritual creatures, be it a crane or a dragon, in any case, a great figure whose immortal aura pierced the heavens.

But when Longbrow saw the familiar face, he was stunned.

The young Daoist was no stranger to the townspeople. He would tell fortunes for woodcutters and potters, read palms for girls and women, and help people write letters. He could do anything. He was also not shy about attending feasts and celebrations where he could get a free meal, helping by saying a few auspicious words before tucking into the meat and wine with gusto, showing no less appetite than the young men who worked in the mountains and rivers, enough to make anyone watching the food bill wince.

Longbrow’s mother, the knowledgeable and sensible woman of the Xie household, had once brought him to have his fortune told. He had drawn a lucky stick, and the young Daoist had said a lot of empty platitudes, moving his mother to wipe away tears of relief. As a result, the young Daoist had gone too far, saying he wanted to read his mother’s palm as well, with a sly smile that was rather roguish. Longbrow had been so angry that he had immediately dragged his mother home, thinking what an impudent lecher he was. After leaving, the youth had turned back and glared at the young Daoist.

Xie Shi was about to respectfully bow, but the young Daoist gently shook his head, gesturing with his hand for Xie Shi to sit down. Xie Shi obediently sat on the long bench, while the long-browed youth swallowed hard, standing beside Xie Shi, head bowed, his mind a complete blank.

The old Daoist glanced sideways, noticing someone going to the stall next door. He almost rolled his eyes. Were people blind, seeking fortune-telling from a beardless youth? What a waste of money!

Xie Shi didn’t know how to begin. The Daoist Lord of an entire continent, whose title of Celestial Sovereign was already in his grasp, sat there in unease.
The young Daoist didn’t pay attention to Xie Shi, but slightly raised his head to look at the bowing Changmeir, teasingly saying, “Didn’t this poor Daoist deceive you back then? That supreme divination slip of yours is genuine, honest, and fair.”

For some reason, the boy wanted to kneel and kowtow, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t bring himself to kneel.

The young Daoist who called himself Lu Chen to Chen Ping’an, smiled and said, “No need to be so nervous. You didn’t do anything wrong back then. There’s no reason to feel guilty. What, just because your seniority is higher than your family’s ancestor, you think you’ve done something wrong? Then you’re in for a lifetime of worry. The higher you go up the mountain, the more you’ll feel like you’re in the wrong when you see someone. Why bother? You’re just wasting this poor Daoist’s supreme divination slip.”

This used to be a clever and sensible child in front of him. Why did he lose his nerve at the critical moment? This made Xie Shi a little annoyed. But just as he was about to scold him, he was glared at by the young Daoist, which frightened Xie Shi into silence.

Xie Shi smiled wryly in his heart. It turned out that he wasn’t any better than Changmeir.

Lu Chen chuckled, “Are you really not planning to keep him by your side and nurture him?”

Xie Shi sat upright, took a deep breath, used his divine powers to correct his heart, and was no longer as timid as before. He replied, “Beneath the shade of a great tree, there is both fortune and misfortune. It’s difficult to grow a second tall tree.”

Lu Chen nodded and said, “Aptly put.”

Then Lu Chen rubbed his chin and chuckled, “Later, this poor Daoist can tell my master this sentence, so that the old man won’t always nag about his disciples being useless. The master is at least half to blame.”

Xie Shi’s already calmed mood immediately turned into a tangled mess. He wore a bitter face and said nothing.

Still wants to become a Heavenly Sovereign? I’m afraid he won’t even be able to keep the title of a True Person!

His lord’s master would certainly not be angry about this, but who doesn’t know his lord’s second senior brother, that unpredictable temper…

Who could withstand it if that one got angry?

Lu Chen beckoned to the long-browed boy, “Come, come, help this poor Daoist watch the stall. This poor Daoist will just stroll around and meet some acquaintances.”

Changmeir didn’t dare to usurp the throne and really sit in that position. He wouldn’t budge an inch even if he was beaten to death.

Xie Shi felt relieved. He was really afraid that Changmeir would foolishly sit down.

Lu Chen didn’t take it to heart. He instructed Xie Shi, who quickly stood up, “This poor Daoist won’t see the others. You say hello to them and tell them not to force themselves on me. This poor Daoist hasn’t been in a good mood lately. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself. Hehe… Also, if this poor Daoist wants to see your descendants in the future, there’s no need for you to bring them over so painstakingly. Even if he’s hiding in the blessed land below, this poor Daoist can still see him, right? So, don’t do it again.”

Xie Shi lowered his voice and nodded, “Your will be done!”

Lu Chen coughed and asked with a smile, “What about this child’s mother? Why isn’t she here? I didn’t even have time to read her palm last time.”

Xie Shi, who saw the “Old Lord of the Lineage” with his own eyes for the first time, stammered and couldn’t say a word.

Those rumors secretly circulating among the many Heavenly Sovereigns and Grand True Men were all lies!

Changmeir was completely stunned.

Lu Chen swaggered away. When he passed the stall next door, he said with envy, “The old immortal is really busy.”

The old Daoist nodded and smiled lightly, but cursed in his heart, “Get out of here!”

Lu Chen strolled all the way and finally entered Mud Bottle Lane. When he passed the ancestral residence of the Cao family, the gate was tightly closed. Cao Xi, the land sword immortal of Posa Continent, silently bowed and saluted in the house. The fiery red fox lay on the ground, making a devout posture of prostration, trembling.

Lu Chen was indifferent to this and walked straight to a courtyard, hopping and looking around the courtyard.

The girl who was sitting in the next courtyard sunbathing stood up and frowned, “What are you doing?”

Lu Chen shifted his gaze, pointed to his nose, and laughed, “Girl, don’t you recognize this poor Daoist? This poor Daoist stayed here last year. We know each other. Besides, you and your young master also had your fortunes told at this poor Daoist’s stall. Don’t you remember?”

The girl pretended to think hard and then shook her head, “I don’t remember!”

Lu Chen walked to the outside of the courtyard wall next to Chen Ping’an’s, stood on tiptoe, and sniffed hard, “Girl, you’re cooking. It smells good. This poor Daoist can smell the fragrance of rice here.”

Zhigui still had an innocent look on her face and shook her head, “No, I’m not.”

Lu Chen smiled, tilted his head slightly, and reached out to point at the girl, “This poor Daoist has a keen nose. You can’t fool me.”

The girl said “oh” and went to the kitchen, taking out all the firewood from the earthen stove. An originally hot cooking stove was immediately extinguished, turning into a pot of half-cooked rice.

The girl walked to the kitchen door, clapped her hands, and asked, “Now?”

Lu Chen gave a thumbs up, “You’re ruthless!”

The girl didn’t take it seriously and asked, “Are you looking for Chen Ping’an? What’s the matter? I can help you deliver a message.”

Lu Chen smiled, “This poor Daoist will find him myself. I don’t dare to trouble you, girl, otherwise this poor Daoist is afraid that I won’t be able to set up my stall tomorrow.”

Zhigui said, “Tell me, I’m very familiar with Chen Ping’an.”

After saying this, she pointed to the “Fortune” character posted on the door, “Look, it’s exactly the same as his. Chen Ping’an gave it to me.”

Little girl, don’t lie through your teeth like that. Does she really think that this poor Daoist can’t calculate?

Lu Chen couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He really didn’t know how Qi Jingchun could have tolerated this girl back then and was willing to take care of her in every possible way.

Lu Chen sighed, “Actually, this poor Daoist isn’t looking for Chen Ping’an today, but for you, Wang Zhu.”

Zhigui looked at the young Daoist expressionlessly, “Although my young master is not in town for the time being, if you dare to bully me, Chen Ping’an will avenge me later. Also, I know Qi Jingchun. He is a Confucian sage. Aren’t you afraid that he will suddenly come back to life after his death and beat you to death?”

Lu Chen stretched out his hands and rubbed his cheeks, and said helplessly: “Not to mention whether Chen Ping’an will help you take revenge, Qi Jingchun is dead, and he will not come back to life.”

Zhigui raised her eyebrows slightly.

Like willows swaying gently, blown by the spring breeze.

Lu Chen once again put his hands on the wall, and smiled: “Wang Zhu, this poor Daoist has an opportunity I want to give you, do you dare to accept it?”

Two cyan Daoist robe sleeves were softly laid on the yellow mud courtyard wall.

Like a dragon coiled and a tiger crouching.
Clasping her arms across her chest as if guarding herself, Zhi Gui sneered, “You lecher, rogue, philanderer, libertine!”

Lu Chen withdrew his hand, bursting into laughter.

He recalled a time when true dragons numbered in the thousands, and after the distribution of merits, they were tasked with guarding the lakes, seas, and rivers of the world. Among them was a renowned female dragon, whose status was undeniably noble, and who held deep affection for him. Yet, in the eyes of the world, he was heartless.

The young Daoist nearly wept from laughter.

The Grand Dao, vast as it may be, could not accommodate the entanglement of romantic love.

“Envy not the immortals, but the paired mandarin ducks” was a phrase found in books, etched on mountainsides, but absent from the mountain’s peak.

Lu Chen gazed at the girl before him, who should not have existed in this world. He remembered asking his master why the net of Heaven, though vast, missed nothing, yet the Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven still existed.

The old man had only smiled and said two sentences.

“The very principle of ‘missing nothing’ is the crux of the matter. Adhering to the laws of Heaven alone is insufficient for survival, hence the collapse.”

“The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven derives forty-nine, man escapes one, and one begets all things.”

Back then, the old man had squatted by the lotus pond of the Lotus Grotto-Heaven, scooping up a handful of water and sprinkling it onto a slightly tilted lotus leaf. The water cascaded down, gradually splitting into streams, eventually returning to the pond.

Then, the old man raised a palm high. In the center of his palm was a single droplet of water. As he tilted his hand, the droplet began to trickle down the fine lines of his palm, twisting and turning, constantly branching. Each pause and change in direction signified a different path. If that insignificant droplet were replaced by a person walking the long river of time, it would mean becoming a different person entirely.

A single thought, a single step, gave rise to the Three Teachings and the Hundred Schools, to generals and ministers, peddlers and laborers.

Lu Chen shook off his thoughts. The young Daoist outside the courtyard wall gave the girl within a dazzling smile, “This poor Daoist’s opportunity for you, you will take whether you want to or not.”

The girl sneered, “Do you know who I am?”

Lu Chen retorted, “Do you know who I am?”

Zhi Gui’s face darkened. “Can a stinking Daoist priest like you handle it?”

Lu Chen smiled, “This poor Daoist’s common name is Lu Chen, and that is enough to explain everything.”

This time, Zhi Gui truly didn’t understand. “What are you saying?”

Lu Chen returned to his usual demeanor, leaning over the wall, and playfully said, “Girl, would you like this poor Daoist to read your palm? When you’ll marry, whether you’ll have children early, whether you’ll find a good husband, I can calculate it all.”

Zhi Gui blinked and asked, “Can we just eat? Without the palm reading?”

Lu Chen flipped over the wall, snapping his fingers. “Deal!”

Zhi Gui then asked, “Half-cooked rice, don’t mind it, right?”

“Mind it. I’ll be the one to stoke the fire then.” The young Daoist rolled his eyes, and generously walked into the kitchen, adding firewood, picked up the bellows, puffing his cheeks and began blowing vigorously.

Zhi Gui stood at the kitchen door, tempted to smash the young Daoist’s head with a broom.

Inside a sword furnace in the blacksmith’s shop, Ruan Qiong’s hammering never ceased, its momentum even more astonishing than before. Sparks flew everywhere. The grand room was brilliantly illuminated, with a dense accumulation of sparks. None of them dissipated or escaped outside, leaving almost no room to stand inside.

But today, not only had Ruan Xiu entered the room, but even Wei Bo was present. With limited space, the girl and the mountain god had to stand shoulder to shoulder. Ruan Xiu held a sheathless longsword in her arms. The blade was unsharpened, appearing unremarkable. Even to a mid-level sword cultivator, it would seem no more than a newly forged blade blank.

While swinging his hammer, Ruan Qiong turned his head to Wei Bo and said in a low voice, “Please trouble you to send Xiu’er to Fallen Mountain. Senior Yang has already obscured the heavenly secrets, so there shouldn’t be any accidents.”

Ruan Qiong then instructed Ruan Xiu, “Once you arrive at Fallen Mountain and deliver the sword, don’t say too much. Just tell him to quickly follow Wei Bo to Cow Horn Mountain and take that ‘ferry’ south. Before this sword is sharpened at the Dragon Slaying Platform, it won’t reveal any of its might. But if it encounters a great demon, it will still give itself away. So tell that kid named Chen not to court death on his southward journey, and to avoid antagonizing those great demons of the mountains and marshes. With his current martial arts cultivation, as long as he doesn’t actively seek death, he has a chance to reach Upside-Down Mountain alive.”

Wei Bo was even more considerate, “I still have a thick locust branch on hand. On the way to Bao Fu Zhai at Cow Horn Mountain, I can make a pair of scabbards for him.”

Ruan Qiong hesitated.

Wei Bo smiled knowingly, “Don’t worry, I’ve already used an illusion on that sword-nurturing gourd. Only a tenth-realm Qi cultivator can see through it. It’s not a big problem.”

Ruan Qiong continued to work, hammering with the force of thunder.

This military strategist was already filled with anger, wishing that little brat would pack his bags and get lost.

Wei Bo dared not be careless this time. Not only did he silently chant in his heart, but he also formed hand seals, quietly circulating the mountain and water aura within his jurisdiction.

The two quickly appeared on the second floor of the bamboo building on Fallen Mountain.

Chen Ping An, who had been informed in advance, had already prepared his luggage. Because he had the flying sword “Fifteen” as a dimensional item, he didn’t need to carry a basket on his back, making it a lighter trip than any of his previous mountain journeys. This made Chen Ping An somewhat unaccustomed. He was used to carrying a wood-chopping knife for clearing paths, but now he only had two light flying swords hidden away, which felt strange.

Ruan Xiu delivered the sword, conveyed her father’s instructions, and finally handed over an embroidered pouch, smiling, “Chen Ping An, a gift for you, peach blossom cake.”