Chen Ping’an turned his head, and saw a familiar face.

The man no longer wore his bamboo hat.

Chen Ping’an stared blankly at this man, momentarily speechless.

The two maids, Chunshui and Qiushi, were startled, and felt a surge of annoyance at the man’s lack of manners, his utter disregard for propriety.

The Kun vessel was a “small world” in itself, governed by its own set of rules. For instance, private duels were forbidden, and disputes had to be reported to the vessel’s steward. The use of arcane arts and supernatural powers was strictly prohibited. Rudeness or disrespect towards any mortal scholar who boarded the ship was also unacceptable. These regulations, stringent and numerous, could be considered excessive red tape. However, the sects that could afford to commission a Kun vessel for intercontinental trade were invariably among the top powers of the mountains. Each vessel was typically equipped with high-level cultivators and pure martial artists, as well as a large number of free cultivators skilled in combat. This was the crux of the matter: rules were rigid, but power spoke louder.

Therefore, along the corridors, the walls were adorned with decorative, verdant branches, on which dwelled spiritual creatures known as Chrono Cicadas. These creatures, tireless day and night, could capture and store images. Even the slightest ripple of energy could not escape their senses. If a Chrono Cicada was killed, it would emit an ear-piercing, mournful cry, thus serving as a deterrent to petty thieves and villains aboard the vessel.

It was a well-known fact that the ranks of Qi cultivators were a mixed bag. Furthermore, in the pursuit of cultivation, the ripples of one’s inner world were amplified infinitely. If one was a rogue cultivator, lacking the superior, orthodox incantations needed to calm and focus the mind, one’s nature often leaned towards extremes of both good and evil, acting according to one’s whims. Moreover, cultivation was a bottomless pit, capable of emptying mountains of gold and silver. The adage “fortune favors the bold” led many down a path of treacherous schemes.

Chen Ping’an chuckled, and then smiled joyfully.

It was A-Liang.

The man was travel-worn, barefoot, with rolled-up sleeves. His face showed some fatigue, but his eyes shone with vitality and high spirits.

This was quite different from the man who had led a donkey and wore a bamboo knife at his waist. That A-Liang, the one who claimed to be A-Liang, had been carefree, spouting absurd nonsense, and always giving the impression of a boastful, unreliable rogue. But now, the man no longer wore his traveling hat, no longer carried his silver gourd for nurturing swords, not even his bamboo knife. When he appeared so suddenly before Chen Ping’an, who was at the second realm, Chen Ping’an had been unable to discern A-Liang’s depths, even feeling that Zhu He and A-Liang could be evenly matched.

However, the difference between the second and third realm was merely a single realm for a pure martial artist. Looking at A-Liang again, Chen Ping’an felt that the A-Liang before him was no weaker, but potentially even stronger, than Grandpa Cui Chan within the bamboo building, with his awe-inspiring aura. But how much stronger A-Liang was, Chen Ping’an still couldn’t fathom.

But what did it matter? To see A-Liang again so soon made Chen Ping’an smile…he really wanted to drink some wine.

A-Liang stood on the open viewing platform, catching sight of the twin sisters, Chunshui and Qiushi. His eyes lit up, and he immediately leaned against the railing, striking what he believed to be an utterly dashing pose. He reached up and pressed his hand to his forehead, then swept back his hair. “Ladies, greetings. I am A-Liang, a swordsman.”

Chunshui, with her composed nature, remained silent. Her younger sister, Qiushi, however, possessed a more fiery temperament. Moreover, the man had already violated the rules. The slender maiden, despite her name meaning “Autumn Fruit,” stood her ground, and with furrowed brows, asked, “I don’t care who you are. On this Kun vessel, unless we encounter an unforeseen situation in the sea of clouds, no passenger is allowed to use spells, let alone barge into someone’s room!”

Having said this, the maiden scoffed, “A-Liang, really? Are you some celestial being who fell from the sky? If you are, would you accept me as your disciple? I beg you.”

A-Liang grinned mischievously. “In all my years of wandering the world, I’ve never taken a real disciple. I can’t help it, my swordsmanship is a bit too high, it tends to make people feel inferior, so they can’t even bring themselves to want to study under me. Little girl, you’re the first to be so direct, I like it!”

Qiushi was about to retort when her arm was gently grasped by her sister, Chunshui. Qiushi, after all, was a top-tier room maid who had been carefully trained. Although she was annoyed by the man’s disregard for the rules and his glib tongue, she managed to swallow the words that had reached her lips. Chunshui was far more astute than Qiushi. The man before them was, after all, a friend of their esteemed guest, Chen Ping’an, and he hadn’t done anything to harm anyone. They certainly had to uphold the rules on the Da Zhao Mountain Kun vessel, but they would never do so in a rigid, inflexible manner. Otherwise, Da Zhao Mountain would have lost this lucrative business to someone else long ago. Harmony brings wealth, a universally accepted truth when traveling abroad.

Chunshui first looked towards Chen Ping’an, and with a smile, asked, “Young Master, is this…A-Liang your friend? Is he a guest staying in another room on the vessel?”

When she spoke of A-Liang, Chunshui felt a bit awkward.

As for whether this A-Liang was the same as that A-Liang, Chunshui flatly refused to believe it. It was like a filthy alley filled with chicken droppings and dog feces, where someone with the same name as the wealthiest man on the continent came to visit. Would anyone think he was that unattainable tycoon?

Chen Ping’an simply said, “He is my friend.”

Realizing that Chunshui was still waiting for the answer to another crucial question, Chen Ping’an had a flash of inspiration, and said with a smile, “He is also a friend of Wei Bo, the Northern Mountain Deity of our Great Li.”

The mystery that had been weighing on the two maidens’ minds was suddenly cleared up.

So it was the Northern Mountain Deity of the Great Li Dynasty of Treasure Bottle Continent who had made the connection. No wonder Da Zhao Mountain was willing to show face.

Since the Great Li had annexed the entire northern territory of Treasure Bottle Continent, displaying the demeanor of an overlord, even the people of Ju Lou Continent had heard of it. In addition, before the Kun vessel established a port at Wu Tong Mountain in Great Li, it had to pass over Great Li’s territory. Chunshui and Qiushi, as maidens carefully cultivated by Da Zhao Mountain, focused more on their ability to interact with people and build connections seamlessly than on cultivation. Perhaps one day they would be noticed by some mountain immortal, and if they were taken as concubines, a connection would be established between the two sects. This was also one of Da Zhao Mountain’s initial goals.

Therefore, Chunshui had a thorough understanding of the situation in the Great Li Dynasty.

Both Chunshui and her lively younger sister, Qiushi, were well aware of the significance of the Great Li Northern Mountain Deity.
Since there was such a relationship, the already flexible rules of the Kun vessel could be further relaxed. Chunshui, with Qiushi in tow, gracefully performed a Wanfu greeting, and together they excused themselves to the main hall, leaving the observation deck to Chen Pingan and the uninvited guest. As Qiushi stepped out of the study threshold, she whispered, “Sister, should we inform Steward Ma?”

Chunshui shook her head and said, “No need. Don’t add unnecessary details. If Steward Ma thought this relationship could be leveraged, he would surely make a big deal out of it. If that man is truly a friend of the Great Li Northern Mountain Deity, he might have a pleasant conversation with the ship owner, but would likely resent our lack of understanding. Think about it, who likes people who gossip behind their backs?”

Qiushi understood the implication and said in a muffled voice, “Sister, do you want to leave Dazhao Mountain?”

Chunshui’s eyes softened as she playfully tweaked her sister’s delicate earlobe. “Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher places. Only by becoming successful in the future can we repay the sect’s nurturing kindness. Otherwise, constantly serving tea, pouring water, making beds for strange people is not a good thing. Have you forgotten that we are also Qi Refinement cultivators?”

Qiushi looked troubled, leaned on the table, and sighed, “Sister, I’ll just listen to you anyway. I’m too lazy to think so much.”

Chunshui leaned in and whispered something embarrassing in her sister’s ear, making Qiushi’s face turn red instantly. Ashamed, she straightened up and began tickling her sister’s ribs. The two sisters began to playfully banter, occasionally turning their heads to look towards the study, lest their playfulness be seen by that Young Master Chen. Even when these sisters were revealing their true emotions, they remained timid and gentle as water.

On the observation deck.

Aliang was peeking around the entrance, seemingly searching for the alluring figures of the two young sisters, wanting to feast his eyes.

Chen Pingan suppressed a smile and asked, “Fighting someone?”

Aliang grunted, “Yeah, a shameless guy. He’s the toughest old turtle in Daoism besides the Dao Ancestor. Bah, just relying on favorable timing, location, and protective magical artifacts. It’s nothing. I’ll go back and return a punch soon!”

Chen Pingan, who had a stomach full of words, was scared back by those words.

Aliang retracted his sneaky gaze, turned, walked to the railing, sized up Chen Pingan, and clicked his tongue. “Kid, it’s only been a few days since we met, and you’re almost a tenth as dashing as I, Aliang! Not bad, not bad, impressive, impressive!”

Chen Pingan didn’t know what to say, and with great difficulty, he squeezed out a polite greeting, “Come down and play often when you have time?”

Aliang felt stifled and said unhappily, “Damn you…”

How could this kid not be optimistic about him, Aliang? Did he think Aliang was only good for getting beaten up? He didn’t know that the feather-robed old Daoist priest was smashed to death with countless extradimensional demons by his punch earlier. But Aliang was too embarrassed to talk about these details, after all, he lost that punch at that moment. He, Aliang, wasn’t like that old scholar, shameless enough to talk about these things. Everything would wait until he beat his opponent!

When that time came, he would say, “Back then, I beat up a Sect Leader old Daoist until he ran away with his tail between his legs, Chen Pingan. I’m not lying to you, Aliang never brags.”

Speaking of which, that shameless old Daoist really accepted the title of “Truly Unrivaled” from the Dao Ancestor’s second disciple. Aliang disliked him, but when they fought, he couldn’t find any fault. Seeing that Aliang hadn’t brought his sword, he also gave up the divine weapon, one of the Four Great Immortal Swords. The two of them purely exchanged blows and Daoist magic. At the highest level of Azure Underworld, they were fighting each other while also slaying celestial demons, it was indeed exhilarating!

Sooner or later, he would beat that shameless old Daoist until he admitted, “Truly Has an Enemy.”

Aliang caught sight of the crimson wine gourd on Chen Pingan’s waist and laughed, “Oh, now you’re drinking alcohol?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “I’m still not very good at it. I can only drink a little each time.”

Aliang glanced at the sky. “Chen Pingan, we can still chat for a while. Tell me the important things.”

Then Chen Pingan roughly described his recent situation.

Aliang gave a thumbs up. “Since that’s the case, then head south with peace of mind. Walk this journey well. Quickly become stronger and come play in the heavens in the future. The human world is good, but the heavens above the heavens are filled with powerful enemies, and it’s also wonderful!”

Chen Pingan felt somewhat guilty. “Aliang, although I’m carrying a sword, I haven’t started formally practicing swordsmanship yet.”

Aliang grinned. “Practicing boxing to the extreme is the same as practicing swordsmanship. Don’t rush!”

Chen Pingan hesitated.

Aliang patted Chen Pingan on the shoulder. “Don’t think that way. The old sword strip on the stone arch bridge, Qi Jingchun did send me a message first, but then he went back on his word and said he had chosen someone more suitable than me. I wasn’t angry, I know Qi Jingchun’s temper better than anyone in the world, but I wasn’t angry, and I was also curious. Who was this person who could make Qi Jingchun, that blockhead, open up his mind? That’s why we had that encounter later. Afterwards, I understood, because I realized something. Even if I had walked to that stone arch bridge in your town, she might not have chosen me. Back then, on the small hill, when I said the words ‘item in the bag,’ I, Aliang, was just bragging!”

Chen Pingan was stunned.

Aliang also brags?

Aliang smiled and squinted, his entire face crinkling together as if he was folding up a warm ray of sunlight. He laughed heartily. “What, am I not allowed to brag even once? Like this time, I was punched back into the mortal realm. Isn’t that embarrassing? It’s mortifying! But didn’t I, Aliang, still come to see you, Chen Pingan? Why?”

Chen Pingan was confused. “Why?”

Aliang pointed to the sky. “The true strength of a strong person isn’t about being invincible, but about living. No matter how badly you lose, don’t die. It’s about being able to stand up every time and throw a punch or swing a sword again with anger!”
A-Liang pointed southward, chuckling, “After Old Cow-Nose Daoist’s Upside-Down Mountain, near the Sword Qi Great Wall, I, A-Liang, honed my swordsmanship there for many years. You think I was always infinitely glorious and invincible? Absolutely not! I was chased around like a stray dog countless times! Of course, in one-on-one duels, I, A-Liang, fear no one under Heaven. But I can’t withstand those shameless Great Demons ganging up on me, so I had to run, had to curse. After barely escaping with my life, I’d secretly return, take their heads, and leave triumphantly, tossing the Great Demon’s head in front of those little brats on the Great Wall. I wouldn’t even need to say anything, and they’d all be roaring with excitement. You don’t know, the young girls and beautiful women there, their eyes could devour a man! It was quite embarrassing for me…”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t resist exposing him, “I believe everything you said before. But that last part, I find it hard to believe.”

A-Liang awkwardly said, “See through it, but don’t expose it, alright?”

For a moment, there was some silence.

A-Liang raised his head, looking at the large hole that had been torn open in the western sky, which was slowly closing.

Chen Ping’an suddenly shouted, “A-Liang, do you want to drink?!”

A-Liang was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily, “I’ll owe you one for now!”

“Then let’s leave it at that. Someday, when you reach the Sword Qi Great Wall, if any brat makes fun of this embarrassing incident of mine, remember to tell him that A-Liang guarantees he’ll soon punch that little rascal so hard that his entire body will be smashed into the Azure Heavens!”

A-Liang lightly shouted, “I’m off!”

The Kun ship shook violently, slowly sinking dozens of feet before finally managing to stop its descent.

A rumbling sound came from above, and then that streak of rainbow light rose to a point that even the Qi Refining cultivators on the Kun ship couldn’t see. It exploded with an even more astonishing sound, shattering all the clouds within hundreds of miles. A-Liang completely disappeared just like that, appearing in the airspace above the sea between Treasure Bottle Continent and Middle Earth Divine Continent in the next moment. With another loud bang, he swept past the East Sea coast of Middle Earth Divine Continent in one go, as well as the towering Mount Sui, piercing the heavens. A golden-armored divine being, sitting cross-legged in the void, opened his eyes. He also passed through the colorful clouds outside the White Emperor City, the small Yellow River grotto-heaven. A demonic giant stood on the city wall, looking at the fleeting figure.

Repeating this process, he rose swiftly below the tear in the sky. Before the sky closed, A-Liang came and went, breaking through the void and departing.

Chen Ping’an stood on the viewing platform, unwilling to move for a long time.

Whether A-Liang was invincible or not was hard to say for now, but he was truly unrestrained.