Beneath the shade of the ancient Osmanthus tree atop Osmanthus Island, where the summer heat barely reached, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but recall the old locust tree back home. Yet, while the Osmanthus before him boasted lush foliage, the locust tree was no more. A pang of sorrow struck Chen Ping’an, followed by a wistful smile, as he vividly remembered the sight of the little girl in the red padded jacket running with a locust branch in hand. Li Baoping’s vivacity, her fearless spirit, much like Fan Er’s carefree existence in Old Dragon City, their ability to find joy in each day, filled Chen Ping’an with envy. He hoped that one day, he too could become like them. Was this not, perhaps, what the sages’ books referred to as “emulating the virtuous upon seeing them”?

Besides Chen Ping’an, a scattering of fellow ferry passengers stood beneath the old Osmanthus, drawn by its renown, pointing and commenting on the ancient tree. Some women had even chosen their spots, commissioning the resident Osmanthus Island artists to capture their likeness. A family of three had even requested a family portrait from a skilled Qi Refining artist as a keepsake.

Fan Er had previously warned Chen Ping’an in the carriage that the patrons who traveled from Old Dragon City to the Inverted Mountain for trade varied in cultivation and background, but they shared one thing in common: they were not to be trifled with. Through intricate connections, each could likely call upon a transcendent figure or an esteemed immortal clan. This was because the Fan family, beyond their own storehouses on Osmanthus Island, also served as a hub for wealthy patrons to store goods. These individuals were not lacking in connections or wealth; in fact, some might be richer than the Fan family. What they lacked was a fortuitously acquired intercontinental ferry and a secure, established sea route.

Chen Ping’an had never been one to seek trouble, so Fan Er’s reminder was merely gilding the lily.

At the moment, Chen Ping’an stood quietly at a distance, waiting for a middle-aged artist to finish and hand over a painting. Only then did Chen Ping’an step forward, brushing past the delighted woman clutching her artwork. He glanced at the painting in the female Qi Refiner’s hand, finding it remarkably lifelike. It wasn’t the stiff, static style of door gods painted on gates back home. In this painting, the woman’s garments and black hair gently fluttered, and even the Osmanthus leaves seemed to ripple. However, with Chen Ping’an’s discerning eye, he noticed subtle differences between the woman’s true features and her portrayal on the painting, as if the artist had enhanced her beauty somewhat. Chen Ping’an marveled at the artistry, acknowledging that both the painting and the rubbings taken from the Kun ship each had their own unique merit.

The middle-aged artist spotted the sword-carrying youth and flicked his wrist. Behind him, a Osmanthus Island maiden held a small table laden with the Four Treasures of the Study.

The artist smiled and inquired, “Does this young master also desire a painting? Our Osmanthus Island’s intercontinental journey to the Inverted Mountain will showcase ten scenic wonders along the way, each a unique treasure of the world. Among them is this ancient Osmanthus tree. Touched by the celestial Osmanthus’s grace, our paintings will carry a faint fragrance that lingers for a century without fading, and they are also resistant to insect damage. I assure you, young master will not be disappointed.”

Chen Ping’an had already stored away the Osmanthus Guest wooden token before setting off. He nodded and smiled, “I would like to have three identical paintings. May I ask, sir, how much will it cost?”

The middle-aged artist paused, unsure whether the sandal-wearing youth before him was a secretly affluent young master or an inexperienced, wealthy young man. Most people would only commission one painting, rarely asking for three at once. However, no one ever turned down the opportunity to earn more money. The artist smiled subtly, “One painting costs thirty snowflakes coins. If young master wants three, I can offer a discount, charging only seventy-five.”

The Osmanthus Island maiden, whose beauty paled in comparison to Jin Su of the Gui Mai courtyard, smiled sweetly and added softly, “If young master possesses a special Osmanthus Island wooden token, you can receive an even greater discount.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “I do not. I am merely an ordinary guest.”

Chen Ping’an produced seventy-five snowflake coins and, following the Osmanthus Island maiden’s instructions, placed them on the small table she held, avoiding direct contact with the Fan family artist. The middle-aged artist then directed Chen Ping’an to stand beneath the Osmanthus tree, trying several locations before settling on the one with the best view. Chen Ping’an, standing alone under the tree, facing the artist’s scrutiny, appeared noticeably uneasy. After a few gentle words of reassurance from the artist, he relaxed slightly, his limbs becoming less stiff, although his face remained somewhat tense. The artist hesitated to offer further guidance, figuring he could simply put more effort into the painting later.

The Osmanthus Island maiden couldn’t help but smile. Such a shy guest was a rare sight on Osmanthus Island, a place where immortals gathered. Some bold individuals had even asked to stand atop the ancient Osmanthus tree, requesting the artist to capture a “view from the summit” portrait. Others, mostly women, had inquired about plucking a branch to hold in their hands, which, of course, was forbidden.

The middle-aged artist picked up his brush and gently flicked his sleeve. The rare Xuan paper from the Azure Luan Kingdom slid off the small table and floated gracefully before him, hanging motionless as if resting on a smooth drawing board. The artist did not rush to put brush to paper but instead began to cultivate his emotions. Just as he carved words with three parts into the wood, when painting figures, he aimed to capture their essence and spirit.

With one hand behind his back and the other holding the brush, the artist gazed at the youth beneath the tree. He carried a sword box on his back, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, his eyes bright, his complexion slightly dark. He wore a pair of uncommon straw sandals and dressed in a simple, almost meager manner, yet he was clean and tidy, without a hint of slovenliness. His height was only slightly shorter than that of a grown man in the South, perhaps appearing more youthful in the Northern regions of Treasure Bottle Continent.

However, the skilled artist was surprised to find himself unable to grasp the youth’s essence and spirit. It wasn’t that the youth lacked it, but that the artist couldn’t quite define it. He felt that no matter how he painted, he would struggle to achieve a state of “utter likeness.” The artist was unwilling to expose his shortcomings, lest the cooked duck fly away. Five snowflake coins of each painting was his commission, and it was not a small sum.

The middle-aged artist had no choice but to put on a brave face, pretending to be confident, and began to paint.

The first portrait of the youth could only be described as “vaguely similar.” Not only could a Qi Refiner like himself achieve this level, but even an ordinary court painter from a dynasty in the mountains could do the same. The artist himself was extremely dissatisfied, but he could not voice his displeasure.

After finishing the painting, the artist took a short break. The youth also removed the wine flask from his waist and took a sip. After drinking, he seemed more relaxed. The youth turned to glance towards the Northern lands, a knowing smile gracing his face, as if thinking of someone or something pleasant. After withdrawing his gaze, the youth crossed his arms and puffed out his chest, his smile radiant.

The artist happened to glimpse this moment and a flash of inspiration struck him. He had it!
Thus, the second portrait possessed a noticeably greater spiritual vibrancy. The complex emotions of a young man embarking on a journey thousands of miles from home flowed effortlessly from the painter’s brush.

During the middle-aged painter’s break, the young man drank again, his smile vanishing. He no longer crossed his arms, and as if reluctant for his wine gourd to appear in the painting, he concealed it behind him. However, the young man’s intangible aura became even more steady, more like an adult capable of taking care of himself, no matter how far from home he traveled.

The painter was quite satisfied with the third portrait.

As always, Guìhuā Xiǎoniáng skillfully affixed white jade scrolls to the three paintings. When Chén Píng’ān arrived in a trot and examined the portraits, he seemed delighted and expressed no objections. Handing the paintings over to the young man, the middle-aged painter felt a bit apprehensive. “I hope Young Master is pleased.”

Chén Píng’ān accepted the three scrolls with both hands, his smile radiant. “They’re excellent! Thank you!”

The middle-aged painter breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “If Young Master ever wishes to commission more paintings in the future, you can make a reservation with me. I’ll certainly paint all nine scenes of Guìhuā Island in due time, and I’ll give Young Master a 10% discount on all commissions. My name is Sū Yùtíng. Young Master only needs to ask any of the Guìhuā Xiǎoniáng on the ferry, and they can find me.”

Chén Píng’ān nodded and took his leave.

In truth, Chén Píng’ān was too embarrassed to say that the chances of him commissioning all nine seaside views were slim. Given Zhèng Dàfēng’s determination to exploit him for all he was worth, and Chén Píng’ān’s penchant for inviting trouble, it was unlikely that he would leave the Guīmài courtyard for even half a step from now on.

Back in his room at the Guīmài courtyard, Chén Píng’ān began to write letters, still doing so meticulously, with the skill of a craftsman, not a calligrapher. He couldn’t compare to his disciple, Cuī Dōngshān, let alone Lǐ Bǎopíng.

Earlier, at the Dust and Ash Apothecary in Old Dragon City, Chén Píng’ān had intended to send a letter to the Cliff Academy and one to his hometown, Lóngquán, but he feared complications, given Old Dragon City’s allegiance to the Fú family. After learning that the Fàn family’s Guìhuā Island had a celestial courier station for flying sword transmissions, he decided to wait until he was aboard the ferry. As it happened, the opportunity arose during the portrait commission. One painting, along with a letter, would be sent to Lǐ Bǎopíng; one family letter to Lóngquán. He would then ask the Azure-Clad Boy and the Pink-Skirted Girl to visit his parents’ graves and burn the painting, so that his parents would know that he was doing well. That was why Chén Píng’ān had concealed the Sword Nourishing Gourd under the Osmanthus tree – he couldn’t let his parents know that he had become a little drunkard.

After finishing the two letters and packing the two paintings, Chén Píng’ān left the courtyard again, heading for the celestial courier station. This time, Chén Píng’ān encountered Guìhuā Xiǎoniáng Jīn Sù outside the gate. Although Chén Píng’ān insisted on sending the letters himself, Jīn Sù also insisted on leading the way, saying that although she didn’t live in the Guīmài courtyard, she was still a servant of the residence. If Chén Píng’ān insisted on handling such matters himself, she would surely be punished by Aunt Guì and the Fàn family. Chén Píng’ān had no choice but to allow her to accompany him. Fortunately, upon arriving at the courier station, Jīn Sù remained silent and didn’t interfere in any way, even when Chén Píng’ān put away the Guì Guest token and paid the Snow Coin as an ordinary guest. The woman simply pretended not to notice.

Jīn Sù escorted Chén Píng’ān back to the entrance of the courtyard before bidding farewell. She returned to her residence, a refined courtyard where Aunt Guì resided as well.

Even the long-time residents of Guìhuā Island were unaware that Jīn Sù was the woman’s only disciple.

Jīn Sù sat opposite the woman, who asked with a smile, “What’s wrong? Something on your mind? Is it about that young man?”

Even when facing her mentor, whose instruction she received, the naturally reserved Jīn Sù didn’t smile much. “He’s a bit odd.”

Aunt Guì smiled. “You’ve only been in this corner of Guìhuā Island, traveling back and forth on the ferry. You don’t have many opportunities to interact with people, so it’s normal to find that young man strange.”

Jīn Sù displayed a rare hint of girlish shyness and said stubbornly, “I’ve been to the inner city a few times and seen many handsome young men of Old Dragon City.”

The woman chuckled. “And then you fell in love with Sūn Jiāshù at first sight? And even rejected Fú Nánhuá’s advances without any consideration? Do you know that the Fàn family would prefer you to be closer to Fú Nánhuá? But the Fàn family, despite being merchants, has always had a good family ethos. Even though you’re foolish and almost caused trouble, they’re still unwilling to force you. Try another prominent family in Old Dragon City, and you would already be suffering.”

Jīn Sù’s eyes flashed with resolve. “The Fàn family has treated me well, and I’ll naturally repay them in the future. But if they dare to push me too far on such matters, I…”

Before the woman could finish speaking, the woman leaned forward and tapped the disciple’s forehead, scolding with a laugh, “Don’t talk such nonsense. A Cave Abode Qi Cultivator who stumbled into the Middle Five Realms… do you really think you’re some remarkable cultivation genius? Just in terms of talent, you’re about the same as the Fàn boy. You’re considered amazing in Old Dragon City, but in the entire Treasure Bottle Continent, you’re not the most outstanding. And if we were to place you in the entire Vast World…”

At this point, the woman sighed. How difficult it was to find a disciple who truly understood her intentions! How difficult it was for a disciple to break through realms and ascend to the heavens! That was why true mountain-top immortals placed the utmost importance on selecting disciples, second only to their own pursuit of enlightenment and longevity. She knew two Earth Immortals in the tenth realm and one Jade Purity Realm cultivator who spent at least ten years, and as long as a century, testing the heart of a potential disciple before accepting their formal apprenticeship.

The proud young woman, without further ado, since no outsiders were present, moved closer and sat beside the woman, hugging Aunt Guì’s arm and acting coyly. “Jīn Sù still has a good master, doesn’t she?”

Guì姨 pointed a finger at the woman, teasing, “You have a good master, but I have a troublesome, clumsy disciple.”

The young woman hugged the woman’s arm, resting her head on the woman’s shoulder, and murmured, “Master, do you think Sūn Jiāshù likes me?”

Guì姨 didn’t answer the question, but quipped, “Spring has passed, but the spring in your heart remains.”

Jīn Sù blushed and complained, “Master!”

The woman turned her head and gazed at her disciple’s face, smiling kindly. “Such a beautiful girl, how could a man not like her?”

Jīn Sù was filled with joy.
However, the woman sighed immediately after, “But have you ever considered that Sun Jiashu, besides being an outstanding man, is also the head of the Sun family in Old Dragon City, a man with grand ambitions to become the reviver of the Sun family, and a disciple to whom the merchant family has entrusted high hopes? Even if the two of you overcome all obstacles and eventually come together, once you marry into the merchant’s household, your path of cultivation will be difficult.”

The young woman’s expression dimmed.

The woman stroked Jin Su’s soft, dark hair, “The scenery on the Great Dao is infinitely beautiful, but the journey is not easy. All choices are cultivation, and being alive in this world is a bitter journey in itself.”

The woman suddenly laughed, “This teacher truly doesn’t understand, why do you keep looking down on that Fan boy? Such a good child. If you could sincerely like him, this teacher would be willing to disregard all reputation and expend the thousand-year friendship with the Fan family to make a match between the two of you.”

Jin Su exclaimed and sat up straight, “Teacher, please don’t play matchmaker haphazardly. That Fan boy is foolish and lacks any heroic spirit or ambition. He’s always causing trouble. If I were to fancy such a little brat, I’d truly be out of my mind.”

The woman shook her head with a smile.

Jin Su softly said, “Teacher, look at the friend that Fan Er has made. So boring, like a block of wood, doing and saying everything by the book. Even if his family background is good and the Fan family treats him with great importance, his future achievements will definitely not be high.”

The woman pondered briefly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing about this matter.

After Chen Ping An returned to the courtyard, he temporarily put aside all worries and began to practice the Six Step Stance in the courtyard.

The Golden Core old sword cultivator didn’t actually need to leave the house to observe the young man practicing his fist techniques, but the old man still pushed open the door and walked out, openly watching the fist stances.

Chen Ping An didn’t mind, and just silently practiced his fist techniques.

Before taking the Shuishui Kingdom ferry, Chen Ping An’s stance training was relatively slow. On the twenty-thousand-mile-long Dragon Path, and later on the Jade Fat Hall ferry, Chen Ping An was already on the verge of stepping into the Fourth Realm, so his punches were extremely fast. The total of thirty thousand punches seemed to be completed in the blink of an eye.

Now that he had completely broken through the bottleneck of the Third Realm and entered the Fourth Realm, Chen Ping An slowed down his punching speed again.

The Qi Refining Third Realm of a pure martial artist is about refining Qi, not the Qi Refining of a cultivator. It requires a lot of hard work on the soul, spirit, and courage.

The old man surnamed Cui in the bamboo building of Fallen Phoenix Mountain once said that Chen Ping An, as the strongest in the Third Realm, would have a smooth and unobstructed path in the subsequent Qi Refining Third Realm after successfully breaking through.

Regarding the tempering of the current Fourth Realm, Chen Ping An felt a bit ethereal and empty, unlike the previous three realms, where every step was on solid ground.

Therefore, Chen Ping An didn’t feel it deeply yet, and didn’t know if his Fourth Realm was solid enough.

The old man had suggested that the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Realms of a martial artist should preferably seek opportunities in the ruins of ancient battlefields. All kinds of Yin winds and baleful auras, the most Yang and most rigid gales, and various chaotic Qi energies are all good things for martial artists to temper their souls, spirits, and courage. In the end, it all comes down to enduring hardship.

This is fighting with the heavens and the earth.

The next best thing is battlefield killings. Being in the midst of it, the more bloody and deadly the battle, the more one can experience “being an enemy to the whole world.”

The next best thing is to fight against martial arts masters or Middle Five Realm Qi Refiners in the martial world, using them as whetstones to hone one’s martial arts cultivation.

As for the Sword Qi Great Wall, where sword Qi runs rampant between heaven and earth, innately rejecting all Qi Refiners except sword cultivators, let alone pure martial artists, many martial artists don’t know how to grasp the measure, or their guardians are not skilled enough. Greedy for realm advancement, they die suddenly on the Sword Qi Great Wall. That’s why the old man required Chen Ping An to enter the Fourth Realm before heading to Inverted Mountain and ascending to that city wall, and then walking off the Sword Qi Great Wall alive.

As for how long Chen Ping An needed to stay on the city wall, and how to grasp the measure to climb the city wall as many times as possible, the old man didn’t say a word, probably feeling that these were all nonsense.

The barefooted old man had too high a vision. He had already reached the peak of the Tenth Realm a hundred years ago, so his vision had always been directed towards the highest point of the vast world.

Therefore, the old man didn’t say a word of the words that many martial arts “enlightened masters” would repeat many times.

For example, the opportunity to break through between the Third and Fourth, and the Sixth and Seventh Realms, was never mentioned.

And the secrets of the strongest person in each martial arts realm were also not spoken of.

The less the old man said, the higher his expectations actually were.

What is a Ninth Realm? Tenth Realm is not enough!

You, Chen Ping An, should go straight to the legendary Martial God Realm!

I, Cui, who is ambitious, wants to see you, Chen Ping An, as a blessing from the heavens!

But the world is so wonderful, Cui Lao Tou said very little, but Chen Ping An understood more.

The two great opportunities in the Sun family’s ancestral residence, Chen Ping An was ignorant the first time, only feeling that he had to throw that punch, and then knew the truth. Even after guarding the night again and again, finally waiting for the opportunity to come, when that moment really arrived, Chen Ping An suddenly realized that he had to throw that punch again!

Then he unhesitatingly punched the cloud sea dragons transformed by the golden Qi back into the sky.

Both old and young are unreasonable.

Golden Core Realm sword cultivator Ma Zhi was not surprised at first, but after watching the young man practice his fist techniques for a long time, he finally saw the clue.

The old man shook his head and smiled bitterly, feeling that he had seen a ghost.

A pure martial artist’s soul, spirit, and courage already have a prototype, waiting to be tempered. This means that from the Fourth Realm to entering the Sixth Realm, it will be very fast, and can be said to be smooth. If one blindly pursues the speed of martial arts climbing, it can completely scare people.

If he hadn’t known in advance that the young man had just entered the Fourth Realm, the old man wouldn’t have been so shocked. But Zheng had clearly stated that the young man was only in the Fourth Realm.

How could there be such a tyrannical Fourth Realm in the world?

This guest of the Fan family found that his natal flying sword in his Qi Palace was eager to move.

The old man actually had a thought of drawing his sword to spar with the young man.

A Ninth Realm Golden Core sword cultivator seriously drawing his sword against a Fourth Realm pure martial artist?

The old man was filled with loss, feeling that he was really old.

But the old sword cultivator quickly let go. The world is big, how many geniuses in the Nine Provinces can his frog in the well in Old Dragon City see?

The young man practicing his fist techniques with a sword on his back is just one of them.
The old man, struck by a whimsical thought, chuckled and asked, “Chen Ping’an, you wouldn’t be thinking of becoming the strongest fourth-realm martial artist under the heavens, would you?”

Chen Ping’an had just finished a set of six-step stance practice. Without pausing his fist strikes, he replied, “I must.”

The old man merely assumed that this young man, capable of leveraging connections and requesting his sword-testing services, hailed from the most prestigious and wealthy Immortal Sect of the Treasure Bottle Continent. He was high-spirited, young at heart, and therefore the audacity didn’t seem out of place. This kind of vigorous, youthful arrogance wasn’t unpleasant.

The old man didn’t know…

That the simple stance practice the young man was performing had already been repeated hundreds of thousands of times.

In the twilight, the Cinnamon Blossom Island ferry, previously obscured by the enormous island, slowly set sail. If someone were on the city walls of Old Dragon City, gazing into the distance, they would be able to see the immense form of the ferry.

Of course, one would have an even clearer view from the isolated island offshore.

Such as the Sun family head, Sun Jiashu.

This time, leaving Old Dragon City, Sun Jiashu did not have any family retainers accompany him, for he had a young sword cultivator from Wind and Thunder Garden, Liu Baqiao, at his side.

Liu Baqiao, who had rushed to Old Dragon City, was now perched on the railing of the island’s viewing pavilion, gazing at Cinnamon Blossom Island. He seemed somewhat weary and forlorn. The weariness stemmed from his sword-flight south, which had inevitably exhausted his spirit. The desolation on his face was a mix of emotions, like a ball of pent-up resentment rising from his belly to his throat, wanting to be spat out, yet afraid of hurting his friend.

Sun Jiashu softly said, “Why not go to Cinnamon Blossom Island and explain?”

Even though Liu Baqiao was a sword cultivator of exceptional talent, this hasty departure from Wind and Thunder Garden, flying so far on his sword, had left his lips parched and cracked. He reached out to wipe them, shaking his head. “What face do I have to meet Chen Ping’an?”

Sun Jiashu leaned against a pavilion pillar, sitting next to Liu Baqiao, and said with a wry smile, “I’m the one who’s let you down this time.”

Liu Baqiao waved his hand. “I might be angry, but reason is still reason. Chen Ping’an is just my friend, Liu Baqiao’s friend. That doesn’t mean he has to be your friend, Sun Jiashu. I didn’t expect Chen Ping’an to hide so many secrets, even you, Sun Jiashu, couldn’t resist the allure of wealth. In the end, it’s my fault. I underestimated my friend’s abilities. Sun Jiashu, don’t feel even more guilty because I said that. There’s no need, and you shouldn’t.”

Sun Jiashu rested his arm on the railing, turning to look at Liu Baqiao. The gentle breeze caressed his face, making the already handsome man seem even more otherworldly. He softly said, “That’s the logic, but things shouldn’t have become so bad. You don’t scold me, you don’t hit me, and now you’re lecturing me. I know better than anyone how much you, Liu Baqiao, dislike lecturing. So, are you thinking of breaking off our friendship?”

Liu Baqiao shook his head. “No. You’re overthinking it.”

Liu Baqiao turned his head and gave a forced smile. “Really.”

Sun Jiashu chuckled. “You’ve been screwed over so badly by me this time. Does that count as my offering a loyal heart to the bright moon, only for the moon to shine on a sewer?”

Liu Baqiao had already resumed gazing into the distance, and twisted his lips in distaste. “Sour, sourer than Chen Ping’an’s pickled vegetables.”

Sun Jiashu laughed, but sighed in his heart.

The two men got up and returned to Old Dragon City. Sun Jiashu brought Liu Baqiao to the Sun family’s ancestral home.

The Sun family’s old ancestor, a Nascent Soul cultivator who was like a pillar of support, took an instant liking to Liu Baqiao, this rising star from Wind and Thunder Garden, upon their first meeting.

As an Earth Immortal, the old man rarely used his chopsticks anymore. Yet today, he sat at the table with the two young men and ate a late-night meal, all dishes that Liu Baqiao loved.

Liu Baqiao bantered with the Sun family ancestor, acting just as he had in his younger days, praising and boasting without any sense of shame, and fearlessly pointing out shortcomings, making the old man roar with laughter.

Liu Baqiao still had to return to Wind and Thunder Garden. After the meal, he immediately attached the Old Dragon Flipping Clouds pendant and departed on his sword.

In the night, Sun Jiashu held a fishing rod alone, quietly fishing on the shore.

Late at night, Sun Jiashu suddenly looked up.

Liu Baqiao had turned back and returned on his sword. He landed behind Sun Jiashu and kicked the Sun family head into the river.

Afterward, the Wind and Thunder Garden sword cultivator left without a word, continuing his sword flight north.

Sun Jiashu climbed ashore, soaked to the bone, but smiled happily instead.

The Sun family ancestor appeared out of thin air beside Sun Jiashu, and said earnestly, “A friend like Liu Baqiao is a blessing, whether one lives through sixty-year cycles or a thousand years. You must cherish him.”

Sun Jiashu wiped his face and said with a smile, “I truly understand that today. Ancestor, can you allow me to be willful once, to do something Sun Jiashu wants to do, but in the capacity of the Sun family head?”

The old man said without hesitation, “The ancestors of the Sun family will be delighted.”

Sun Jiashu suddenly bowed deeply to the old man. “Thank you, Ancestor, for your grace!”

The old man laughed heartily. “Get up! Nonsense! You brat, you are now the head of the family.”

Sun Jiashu picked up his fishing rod and fish basket, and quickly walked back to the Sun family’s ancestral home. He left that night, going to the inner city’s Sun Mansion to handle affairs.

A Golden Core retainer of the Sun family’s ancestral home found the Sun family ancestor not long after Sun Jiashu left, and said with a straightforward smile, “With a family head like this, I am willing to renew my hundred-year contract with the Sun family.”

The old man laughingly agreed.

Finally, the old man went to the ancestral hall alone, silently lighting three incense sticks.

Gray Dust Apothecary.

Since Fan Er didn’t have to go to the family’s ancestral hall to be punished, the young man boldly came to chat with Mr. Zheng.

When the young man arrived, the man was leaning on the counter, teasing a plump woman from the shop, asking her if her husband, the cart driver, still had any strength left when he came home after a long day of work. The woman at Gray Dust Apothecary was long accustomed to the shopkeeper’s tricks, and replied with a flirtatious smile, “Our bed has had to be repaired by the carpenter several times.”

Fan Er happened to hear this. He pretended not to understand anything. The woman was a little shy. After all, it was fun to banter with the shopkeeper, but she wouldn’t dare to be so unrestrained in front of an outsider. Zheng Dafeng wasn’t willing to let the woman off, and said to Fan Er with a smile, “If your family ever needs to find a carpenter to repair the bed, you can ask this sister to introduce you to someone she knows.”

Fan Er said, “Oh.”
The shop was immediately filled with a storm of complaints. Some threatened to sew up the shopkeeper’s mouth with needle and thread, while others vowed to refuse cooking even for payment. Zheng Dafeng simply took it as a tickle and cheerfully led the young man to the backyard. Before they sat down, Fan Er had already busied himself preparing Zheng Dafeng’s old pipe. The latter exhaled a puff of smoke, feeling refreshed at the thought that the kid had finally left Old Dragon City.

Fan Er sat on a small stool and asked, “Mr. Zheng, are you going to the Fu family’s wedding?”

Zheng Dafeng said grumpily, “I’d go if I were the groom on the wedding night.”

Fan Er whispered, “I heard Fu Nanhua’s bride-to-be isn’t particularly… good-looking.”

Zheng Dafeng scoffed, “The Yunlin Jiang clan’s direct daughter, not good-looking? If she were my wife, I wouldn’t leave the bed for days!”

Fan Er was speechless.

Mr. Zheng was good in every way, except for his bluntness, which was a bit much for him.

When it came to chatting, it was more interesting with Chen Pingan.

Zheng Dafeng suddenly asked, “Does Chen Pingan consider you a friend?”

Fan Er nodded vigorously, “Of course! We’re very close friends!”

Zheng Dafeng looked up, puffing smoke, and said with amusement, “Fools get lucky.”

Fan Er rarely refuted his esteemed mentor, whose martial arts realm was as high as the heavens, “Sir, you can’t say that about Chen Pingan. He’s not a fool, he’s very clever. I admire him for knowing so many things. I feel fortunate to know Chen Pingan.”

Zheng Dafeng glanced at the simple-minded lad, “No wonder you two became friends.”

Zheng Dafeng composed himself and said solemnly, “I’ve just personally confirmed two things. Fan Er, listen carefully.”

Fan Er immediately puffed out his chest, listening attentively.

Zheng Dafeng held up a finger, “My senior brother, Li Er, was once the strongest Ninth Realm cultivator under Heaven, and I, Zheng Dafeng, was once the strongest Eighth Realm cultivator. So Li Er had a pair of promising children and married a… well, let’s not mention that. And I almost, just almost, achieved an unprecedented feat, going straight from the Eighth Realm to the Tenth Realm. Looking back at Chen Pingan’s Third Realm as a martial artist, he twice triggered celestial phenomena, and considering his current wealth, there’s a saying that’s correct, absolutely true!”

Fan Er widened his eyes, full of curiosity.

Zheng Dafeng’s expression was grave, “As long as you become the strongest in a certain martial arts realm in the entire Vast Expanse, you can obtain a continuous flow of good fortune. Of course, if you just squat in the latrine and don’t relieve yourself, that won’t do either. You still need to break through realms, otherwise, it goes against the tenets of martial arts, which would be bad.”

Fan Er cautiously asked, “Sir, are you saying that I’m now the strongest in the Third Realm under Heaven? But my sister said my aptitude is mediocre, not very good at all. Is it because her judgment isn’t as good as yours? Haha, no wonder you said no wonder Chen Pingan and I became good friends, no wonder, no wonder, so we’re the first and second strongest Third Realm martial artists under Heaven…”

Zheng Dafeng was furious and pointed to the bamboo curtain doorway, scolding with a smile, “Get lost, go sit over there.”

Fan Er quickly moved his small stool and sat obediently, realizing he had misunderstood.

He had only been with Chen Pingan for a few days, and a clever child had suddenly become so simple-minded?

Zheng Dafeng took a hard drag of his pipe, “Your Third Realm will soon break through naturally. When you reach the Fourth Realm, I plan to help you fight for that sliver of a chance. Although it’s very slim, I, Zheng Dafeng, am still a Ninth Realm martial artist, not too far behind Li Er and Song Changjing. I refuse to believe that if I take something seriously for once, there’s anything I absolutely can’t do!”

Fan Er timidly asked, “The strongest Fourth Realm?”

Zheng Dafeng nodded, “At least you didn’t give your brain to that Chen kid along with everything else.”

Zheng Dafeng’s face was serious, but in his heart, he was secretly amused. You, Chen Pingan, suffer hardships on Osmanthus Island and the Sword Qi Great Wall, while simultaneously having to overcome a major hurdle that ordinary martial artists don’t even dream of, yet is extremely dangerous for you. And in the end, even if you pass that hurdle and endure countless hardships, the strongest Fourth Realm is your friend Fan Er, not you. Isn’t that interesting?

Then again, in the Vast Expanse, there are countless favored children of Heaven walking the path of martial arts. If Chen Pingan can’t even compete with Fan Er, whose talent isn’t particularly outstanding, then he doesn’t need to compete for the strongest Fourth Realm at all.

Just then, Fan Er, who had been holding back for a long time, couldn’t help but say, “Sir, according to your saying, Chen Pingan is already in the Fourth Realm. If I secretly become the strongest in the Fourth Realm, will we ever clash? Sir, actually, I only practiced martial arts because I didn’t have the talent of a Qi Refiner. So I just wanted to reach the very high Eighth Realm, to be able to travel through the air like a Qi Refiner. I don’t have much confidence in being the strongest Fourth Realm, and I don’t really want it…”

As he spoke, the young man lowered his head, not daring to look Zheng Dafeng in the eye.

Zheng Dafeng’s passion and ambition were doused with cold water.

Fortunately, Zheng Dafeng’s mind was resilient, far beyond ordinary people, otherwise, he wouldn’t be at his current realm. He just took it as another whimsical idea, another boring matter.

Zheng Dafeng smiled, “Don’t be so quick to reject it. Let’s talk about it after you enter the Fourth Realm. If you change your mind then, you can tell me.”

Fan Er smiled, “Okay.”

Zheng Dafeng waved his hand, “Get lost, you have no ambition, it’s annoying just looking at you.”

The young man got up, put the stool back in its place, and turned his head at the bamboo curtain doorway to laugh, “Isn’t that just like you, sir, liking to enjoy life.”

Zheng Dafeng rolled his eyes.

The young man passed the pharmacy in the front, where business was slow, and greeted each of the women and girls who said goodbye, responding to each one.

Stepping out of the dusty pharmacy, Fan Er looked up at the sky, wondering when his sister would return home. What if she accidentally found him a brother-in-law he didn’t like on this trip to the Great Li in the north? That would give him a headache. His sister was good, his parents were good, his ancestors were good, the guest elders were good, Mr. Zheng was good, and his newly acquainted friend Chen Pingan was also good. But only his brother-in-law was bad? That would be awkward.

The young man shook his head and walked alone in the alley, performing a set of his most imposing and domineering Wangba Fists when no one was around.

It was a pity that Chen Pingan wasn’t there, otherwise, he would definitely admit defeat.
The next time I see Chen Pingan, I absolutely must learn from those chivalrous heroes of the Jianghu, behead a chicken, burn yellow paper, and become sworn brothers!

The more Fan Er thought about it, the happier he became. His punches grew increasingly like a turtle’s flailing limbs. He even remembered to cheer himself on softly. After stopping, he clicked his tongue and said, “This set of boxing techniques is truly magnificent!”

The young man had no idea that in the alley behind him, by the entrance of a dusty apothecary shop, stood a young woman in a green robe. Her face was weary, as if she had just returned from a long journey. She was drinking wine and watching the boy’s back, muttering, “Fan Er, his parents really didn’t choose the wrong name. He’s foolish to the core.”

On the distant Guihua Island, amidst the vast ocean, Chen Pingan was in the Guimai courtyard under the cloak of night, repeatedly practicing the Six Steps Stance.

Before arriving at the Sword Qi Great Wall, he truly hoped to throw a million punches!

After practicing the stance, Chen Pingan began to practice the Sword Furnace Standing Stance.

Late into the night, Chen Pingan finally returned to his room. It was the height of summer, and the young man lay on the precious bamboo mat, as cool as water. He habitually placed the wooden box inside the bed, where he could reach it with a single hand.

He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

A smile played on the young man’s face.

He was about to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall, to practice his fist stances on that city wall.