A sigh echoed from a certain section of the Sword Qi Great Wall, seemingly disapproving of the Old Sword Immortal’s abrupt act of killing, yet unwilling to openly argue against it.

Beside the sighing individual, an aged voice followed, “Merely a Jade Purity Realm cultivator. Besides, Chen Qingdu’s actions were justified. Just bear with it.”

The sighing person sighed again.

The aged voice chuckled helplessly, attempting to persuade, “Trying to impose your Confucian principles on Chen Qingdu is like speaking to a duck. What’s the point? Furthermore, your Confucian teachings are ‘the study of closeness,’ seeking neither Buddhahood nor immortality. The path beneath your feet is neither too high nor too far. Why demand that Chen Qingdu adhere to every rule, as if he were a perfect sage? Simply refrain from measuring Chen Qingdu by the standards of a saint, and things will be much simpler.”

The person calmly replied, “The impact of even one unreasonable act by Chen Qingdu likely surpasses that of ten thousand unreasonable acts by ordinary mortals.”

The old man chuckled, “Chen Qingdu is a sword cultivator, while you are a Confucian scholar. It’s different.”

The Confucian scholar remained silent for a long time, finally murmuring, “What is a master, but a man preoccupied with his generation?”

The old man, failing to dissuade, also sighed.

Within a city north of the Sword Qi Great Wall, someone roared, “Chen Qingdu!”

A streak of rainbow light rose from the ground, carrying an unstoppable force of wind and thunder, directly towards the city wall.

The hunched old man who had already jumped down from the city wall furrowed his brow and lightly waved his sleeve, pulling Chen Ping’an behind him. He stood in Chen Ping’an’s original position, directly facing the imposing sword cultivator. The old man squinted and said, “What? A member of your family turned out to be a demon spy, and you still think you’re in the right?”

The sword cultivator hovered four or five zhang outside the city wall. He was a tall, white-haired old man, radiating an extremely dignified aura. Even facing the oldest and most skilled senior on the Sword Qi Great Wall, this old man showed no reverence, questioning with a face full of anger, “My Dong family has its own family laws and rules to deal with traitors! Even assuming that the Hidden Official hasn’t yet determined the severity of my grandson’s crimes, what right did you, Chen Qingdu, have to execute Dong Guanpu?!”

The old man, with everything from his hair to his garments as white as snow, pressed aggressively, suddenly raising his voice, “Do you think Dong Sangeng is dead?!”

Chen Qingdu’s face was full of mockery, “Before Dong Guanpu died by my sword, I truly did think Dong Sangeng was dead. A confirmed demon spy, and your Dong family took a whole month to investigate. Do you believe that if it were a different surname, like Chen, even a day would be considered too long?”

The Dong family elder, who came charging from the city, was filled with rage, “A Jade Purity Realm sword immortal who is willing to repent and atone for his mistakes is surely more beneficial to the Sword Qi Great Wall than a corpse!”

Chen Qingdu didn’t even bother to say yes or no, instead sneering, “Beneath my sword, there’s still a corpse? Did this little beast secretly advance to the Immortal Realm?”

The tall old man, who identified himself as Dong Sangeng, widened his eyes in anger, his sword intent surging like raging waves crashing against the city wall, producing a thunderous sound.

Chen Qingdu raised an eyebrow, “What, you want to fight?”

Dong Sangeng took a step forward, laughing in extreme anger, “Everyone else may fear you, Chen Qingdu, but I don’t! Fighting? So be it! What’s stopping me?!”

A childish voice, filled with a hint of resentment and grievance, echoed from a distant section of the city wall, “Alright, it’s all my fault. I couldn’t bear to see Dong Guanpu die so quickly. After all, Little Dong was one of my favorite guys. The same way I like Cao Ci now, that’s how much I used to like Little Snot-nosed Dong. Since he’s already dead… then let him be dead.”

The speaker was the little girl with pigtails, wearing a large black robe, the current Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Imperceptibly, a dozen or so of the Sword Qi Great Wall’s top sword cultivators, whether heads of prominent clans or exceptionally powerful sword immortals, had appeared around this section of the city wall.

Absent were only the two Sages who were qualified to be on equal footing with Chen Qingdu.

A handsome man with a middle-aged appearance sternly said, “Dong Sangeng, you were wrong about this matter, wrong from the beginning! Over the years, you placed too much expectation on Dong Guanpu, which caused his sword heart to become so extreme, insisting on venturing alone into the demon territory to train, leading to this disaster. He thought that with Dong Sangeng and Ah Liang, the Sword Qi Great Wall could have another Dong Guanpu. I disagreed, but he wouldn’t listen, too full of youthful vigor. And you? Didn’t you know the danger?”

Dong Sangeng’s face was indifferent, “My Dong family’s children should have such ambition. Why should I dissuade him? I wish every descendant of the Dong family would surpass me in swordplay!”

Saying this, Dong Sangeng sneered, “After all, our Dong family isn’t like the Chen, Qi, or Nalan families, without all those convoluted schemes.”

This blow from the overbearing old man almost killed half of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

The handsome man coldly snorted, ceasing to speak.

Chen Ping’an noticed that the Qi family elder also had a place among them, and he slowly opened his mouth, “The matter has come to this, what can we do? With the great enemy before us, are we going to turn on each other?”

An elderly sword-wielding man in a simple robe gently nodded, “In any case, the most important thing right now is to deal with the demon offensive. We must not disrupt our own ranks and give those beasts to the south a chance to benefit.”

The Old Sword Immortal completely ignored these two who were trying to smooth things over, showing no intention of settling the matter. He stared at Dong Sangeng and laughed, “If meritorious service can redeem sins, does that mean I can kill you, Dong Sangeng, today, and then have the Hidden Official tear off a few pages from the ledger of merits, and everything will be fine?”

Dong Sangeng was speechless.

The atmosphere was awkward, heavy, and stagnant.

Standing behind the Old Sword Immortal, Chen Ping’an watched this scene, feeling that the sword energy on the city wall had gained weight after these people appeared, almost suffocating him.

Dong Sangeng suddenly looked around, roaring, “Watching your mother’s show, joining your mother’s ruckus, get lost, get lost, get lost!”

The dozen or so pillars of the Sword Qi Great Wall knew that the old rascal Dong was finding himself a way out. A fight wouldn’t break out today, so they dispersed, returning to the cities to the north.

As the crowd dispersed, Chen Ping’an finally saw that Ning Yao was also among them. She slowly controlled her sword, approaching the city wall. Dong Sangeng glanced at the little girl, saying in a displeased tone, “Ning girl, don’t learn from your useless parents. I still like you a lot.”

Ning Yao was expressionless.

Dong Sangeng didn’t mind, turning around and striding back to the city against the wind.
Standing atop the city wall, the Hidden Official was the most carefree soul, secretly stifling yawns. Suddenly, her face creased with worry, she hesitated, then opened her mouth wide, using her thumb to probe a troublesome tooth, gently wiggling it. Ultimately, unwilling to part with it, she closed her mouth and wandered off, muttering to herself.

The Old Sword Immortal, Chen Qingdu, seemed unfazed by the night’s turmoil. He smiled at Ning Yao, then descended the wall, heading towards the old thatched hut.

Chen Ping’an leaped back onto the wall, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ning Yao.

Ning Yao, her emotions barely stirring, said, “The Sword Qi Great Wall has always been like this. Fortunately, the ancestral rule has remained largely unchanged.”

Chen Ping’an looked at Ning Yao, curiosity piqued.

Ning Yao slowly uttered, “Sword tips facing south.”

These simple four words sent a surge of emotion through Chen Ping’an, who was just beginning his sword training.

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but turn his gaze southward.

Ning Yao proactively took Chen Ping’an’s Sword Nourishing Gourd and began to drink.

Chen Ping’an withdrew his gaze and softly asked, “That Dong Guanpu, the one who betrayed us, is he the kind of person you were talking about? A hero on the battlefield, but unreasonable within the city?”

Ning Yao shook her head. “Quite the opposite. Grandpa Dong has always been a good man. North of the Sword Qi Great Wall, he always kept to himself, not fond of socializing. When I was a child and occasionally saw him, Grandpa Dong would be very polite. Though not eloquent, he would always smile at me, like a family elder.”

Ning Yao sat cross-legged, resigned. “No one knows why Grandpa Dong would side with the demons. Perhaps something went terribly wrong during that dangerous solo mission he undertook years ago. In fact, many sword cultivators leave the Sword Qi Great Wall to hone their swordplay in the desolate lands, because there, demons of the Middle Five Realms are proud to cultivate human appearances. They look just like us, except in moments of crisis on the battlefield, they reveal their true forms, relying on their innate physical strength to withstand flying swords. So, as long as sword cultivators are careful and discreet, it’s not easy to expose their identities.”

The reason humans are the masters of all beings is that human orifices and qi reservoirs are the most profound blessed lands in the world. That’s why demons tirelessly cultivate human forms, so their cultivation can be twice as effective with half the effort. The green-clad boy and pink-skirted girl of Fallen Phoenix Mountain were examples of this.

Ning Yao continued, “Of course, some exceptions among the Sword Qi Great Wall cultivators are secretly noted down early by peak-level demons and recorded in a secret book. These individuals find it harder to travel in the desolate lands. But that book, I heard, has limited space. It doesn’t list too many sword cultivators. Usually, when a Sword Immortal from our hometown dies in battle, one more name is added. Logically, when Grandpa Dong set out on his travels, he was just a common Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator. He shouldn’t be on the list. The Dong family, with its deep foundation, also has a unique secret technique to conceal aura, making it difficult to detect.”

Ning Yao omitted one thing.

She was one of the sword cultivators listed in that strange book, and one of the youngest in the Sword Qi Great Wall’s history.

Ning Yao had been recorded in the book before she turned ten.

And historically, all those geniuses who received this treatment were all killed on the battlefields south of the Sword Qi Great Wall before they turned thirty.

Demons never spared any expense for this.

Often, the life or death of a genius would involve the life or death of one or even several Great Demons and Sword Immortals.

Because the demons felt that having one Chen Qingdu on the wall was enough.

If there were another Ning Qingdu or Yao Qingdu, it wouldn’t just be the death of one or two Upper Five Realms Great Demons.

The helplessness of the Sword Qi Great Wall lies in the fact that if these geniuses don’t experience early battlefield trials, and don’t rise rapidly between life and death, and are just raised north of the Sword Qi Great Wall, even with the careful teaching of several Sword Immortals, there is no chance of them growing into the next Chen Qingdu, A Liang, or Dong Sangeng.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “Am I actually distracting you and hindering your cultivation by being here?”

Ning Yao nodded and acknowledged it without hesitation.

But she also bluntly said, “But I’m very happy when you’re here. When I’m cultivating at the Dragon Slaying Terrace at home, I often can’t help but think of you, and I’ll space out. After spacing out, I’ll run straight to you. After returning, I hurriedly deal with some family affairs, and then the day seems to pass like that, waiting to see you the next day before going to sleep.”

This is Ning Yao.

Qi Jingchun once warned Zhao Yao, a scholar who fell in love with her at first sight, that he shouldn’t like Ning Yao because she was an unsheathed sword, sharp and exposed, easily hurting others, and even herself.

Ning Yao views the world with clear distinctions between good and bad, black and white, almost ruthless.

Only now there is one more Chen Ping’an.

So Chen Ping’an said decisively, “I’ll leave here in three days at most, and then go to Beiju Luzhou, the place most like the Sword Qi Great Wall, to practice fist and sword, striving to reach the Martial Dao Seventh Realm as quickly as possible, to be qualified to participate in the battles here, and then I’ll come back to you!”

Ning Yao was silent, knowing that this was the right thing to do, but she just didn’t want to speak, didn’t want to nod.

On the contrary, she would complain that the guy beside her could make up his mind so quickly.

Chen Ping’an wanted to drink, but the Sword Nourishing Gourd was held tightly in Ning Yao’s hand, as if she deliberately switched hands to keep it further away from Chen Ping’an.

Ning Yao suddenly said, “Demons have always attacked the Sword Qi Great Wall for twenty or thirty years. Is ten years enough for you to reach the Seventh Realm?”

Ning Yao glared. “Just ten years, no more!”

Chen Ping’an moved his butt and sat facing her, smiling. “Okay. But you must wait for me too.”

Ning Yao squirmed and also turned to face him, returning the Sword Nourishing Gourd to him before nodding. “Okay.”

Chen Ping’an took the wine pot and took a sip.

Ning Yao softly said, “I have many flaws.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter, I like you.”

Ning Yao’s eyes welled up.

Chen Ping’an reached out a hand, trembling slightly, and gently caressed Ning Yao’s cheek.

Ning Yao blushed slightly but didn’t refuse. She just closed her eyes, afraid to look at him.

Just when the world was silent, as if only the two of them remained, an untimely cough sounded softly.
Chen Ping’an hastily retracted his hand, using the wine to hide his embarrassment. Ning Yao, however, turned her head, her narrow, elongated brows filled with killing intent. The uninvited guest was none other than Old Sword Immortal Grandpa Chen, standing not far from them, hands clasped behind his back, a smile plastered across his face. “Suddenly remembered something, afraid I’d forget later, needed to tell Chen Ping’an right away.”

“Just talk,” Ning Yao said, taking the wine jug and sitting down facing the city, her back to the Old Sword Immortal.

Chen Ping’an jumped down from the city wall and asked, “Grandpa Chen, what is it?”

The old man chuckled, “The old blind man in the south’s paintings are quite pleasing, the old bald donkey in the west’s chicken soup is delectable, and the scholar from the Central Plains’ calligraphy is handsome. I find all these fellows interesting. But the most intriguing thing is how these old geezers just won’t die.”

Ning Yao couldn’t help but turn her head and say, “Grandpa Chen, according to what you used to say, isn’t there also a stinky Daoist priest in the East Sea?”

The Old Sword Immortal nodded, “It was thinking about that guy that made me want to tell Chen Ping’an something.”

Ning Yao was puzzled.

The Old Sword Immortal pointed at Chen Ping’an. “Whether you cultivate your Bridge of Longevity or not, it doesn’t really matter. It’s better to find another way, so you need to seek out this Daoist priest. But it’s very likely you’ll be turned away. However, I think since you’ve come this far, you might be an exception.”

Chen Ping’an’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked, “Grandpa Chen, how do I find this expert? Do I go to the East Sea? It seems our Treasure Bottle Continent is above the East Sea.”

The Old Sword Immortal shook his head. “Go to the Tung Leaf Continent in the southeast, find the View of the Dao.”

Chen Ping’an stood there stunned, hesitant. This didn’t quite align with his original intentions, but since the Old Sword Immortal said so, there must be a deeper meaning. Still, Chen Ping’an worried about that ten-year agreement. The difficulty he faced entering the fourth realm made him unwilling to be optimistic about breaking through the fifth, sixth, and seventh realms.

The Old Sword Immortal said, “This Sword Box of yours, made of Huai wood, has quite the history. How about lending it to me for ten years? I can exchange a sword with you, and we’ll swap them back after ten years. This sword will guide you in the general direction after you reach the Tung Leaf Continent, helping you find that old East Sea Daoist. As for whether he’s willing to help you after you’re lucky enough to find him, that depends on your own fate, Chen Ping’an.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Alright!”

Chen Ping’an took off the Sword Box and removed the Huai wood sword, Subduing Demon. Ning Yao asked, “Can you leave the wooden sword with me? I can exchange a sword with you too.”

Chen Ping’an scratched his head. “Qi gave me the Huai wood sword. I can’t give it to you, but it’s no problem for you to keep it with you. Also, you don’t need to give me a sword. The Sword Qi Great Wall is so short of swords, I don’t need one for the time being.”

Ning Yao beckoned, and Chen Ping’an gently tossed the Huai wood sword to her, then handed the Sword Box to the Old Sword Immortal.

The talisman originally placed in the Sword Box had been put into the Flying Sword Fifteen before entering Upside-Down Mountain. Otherwise, the withered bone ghost would probably have been reduced to ashes at the Sword Qi Great Wall.

The moment the old man’s fingers touched the Huai wood Sword Box, it disappeared into thin air.

Finally, the Old Sword Immortal clasped one hand behind his back and quickly swiped in front of him with two fingers of the other.

A sheathed longsword appeared between the old man and Chen Ping’an.

The Old Sword Immortal gestured for Chen Ping’an to take the sword.

Chen Ping’an reached out with both hands, and the longsword fell. Chen Ping’an thought he could catch the sword easily, but he stumbled and almost fell flat on his face.

The Old Sword Immortal’s expression was indifferent. “The sword is named Long Qi (Long Breath), the scabbard and body weigh only seven pounds, but the sword qi weighs eighty pounds. The person carrying the sword can temper their soul day and night.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t have the Sword Box anymore and couldn’t carry the “Long Qi” for the time being, so he had to hold the sword upright.

The Old Sword Immortal glanced at Chen Ping’an and nodded. “Finally, you look a bit like a sword cultivator.”

Ning Yao suddenly turned her head to look south.

The old man smiled. “Now you know why I disturbed you two, right?”

Ning Yao’s eyes were sharp, and she instantly soared into the sky on her sword.

The old man turned his head and said to Chen Ping’an, “Quickly say goodbye to Ning girl, I’ll send you back to Upside-Down Mountain.”

Chen Ping’an stood holding the sword, looking up at Ning Yao, but he couldn’t say a word for a moment.

Ning Yao also looked down and quickly tossed the Sword Nourishing Gourd to Chen Ping’an.

The old man laughed. “The tenderness between young lovers isn’t inferior to sword qi. Let’s leave it at that, all this lovey-dovey stuff, save it for the next time we meet.”

The old man flicked his finger, and Chen Ping’an, who had just caught the Sword Nourishing Gourd, fell backward.

The next moment, when Chen Ping’an stood firm, he found that he was no longer on the city wall, but on the plaza at the foot of the solitary peak of Upside-Down Mountain.

Here, only the great sun hung high in the sky, not that three-month airborne phenomenon.

The sword-holding man sitting on the hitching post looked at the dazed youth holding a sword and carrying a gourd.

It was just a farewell.

But it made Chen Ping’an forget that he had wine to drown his sorrows.

On the southern city wall of the Sword Qi Great Wall, a little girl with pigtails sat on the edge, swinging her feet, muttering to herself: “I want to become a tree, happy, blooming in the autumn. Sad, shedding leaves in the spring.”