Lu Tai plopped down on the ground, thankfully still clutching the meat-filled bun in his hand.

He gave himself a kick, that rascal even dared to smile?

He was always yammering about being afraid of death, but when it came to me, Granddaddy Lu, Chen Ping’an, he wasn’t afraid of dying?

Did he really think my needlepoint and wheat awns were just decorative, like discarded rouge and face powder?

Lu Tai suddenly felt a bit downcast, because he had just remembered that Chen Ping’an had no idea about the existence of these two natal flying swords.

Lu Tai stood up, fiercely devoured the meat bun, and warned, “The whale-swallowing fist and the kick at the ferry crossing, that makes twice!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Things rarely happen more than thrice.”

Lu Tai snarled, “Dare to make it a third time, and I’ll either beat you to death, or change back into women’s clothes and disgust you to death!”

Chen Ping’an immediately raised his arm, two fingers together, feigning an oath to the heavens, but the content of his words was, “If there is a third time, please, by all means, choose to beat me to death.”

Lu Tai suddenly grinned.

Seeing that Lu Tai didn’t seem to be pursuing the matter, Chen Ping’an looked up into the distance. There was a majestic mountain, with cloud seas obscuring the view halfway up, preventing the world from seeing the scenery on top. It was said that only a few times a year, the mountain’s entirety could be glimpsed from below, with a vast collection of palace halls perched on the summit.

The Immortal Book, “Records of Mountains and Seas,” contained information about this Fuchi Sect. The two things that impressed Chen Ping’an the most were that, like Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion, the Fuchi Sect did not belong to any of the three Daoist lineages. They specialized in “divine inquiries and descents of the True Immortals,” which, in simple terms, was similar to the Wind and Snow Temple and True Martial Mountain of Treasure Bottle Continent. They could summon deities, the difference being whether they summoned deities or True Immortals from the mortal realm.

Also, the Fuchi Sect’s mountain housed more spirits and specters than any other place in the Tongye Continent. There was a Howling Sky Street halfway up the mountain, which was filled with the bizarre and wonderful.

Chen Ping’an had always been interested in those lively and adorable ancient spirits. He wanted to broaden his horizons in the Fuchi Sect. In the past, he could only dream about it, but now he was willing to give it a try.

Moreover, the “Everlasting Breath” sword he carried on his back trembled slightly with sword energy as Chen Ping’an walked north, which shook Chen Ping’an’s spirit. If he walked south, the sword energy would be still.

This made Chen Ping’an breathe a sigh of relief. Walking north, at least, would bring him closer and closer to Treasure Bottle Continent.

Lu Tai wholeheartedly agreed to visit Howling Sky Street, saying that some of the trinkets there were not only rare but also reasonably priced, making it a must-see destination for Qi practitioners traveling through Tongye Continent.

A mountain always seemed farther than it looked. Although the mountain seemed not too far away, walking on foot would take some time. Chen Ping’an was no longer a fledgling in the martial world. He occasionally looked at the misty, towering mountain, fully aware of the Fuchi Sect’s power. If it were in Treasure Bottle Continent, it would only be slightly inferior to the Divine Edict Sect.

Since this Fuchi Sect, located in the central Tongye Continent, was a sect with “Sect” in its name, it meant that it had at least one Jade Purity realm cultivator. Moreover, compared to the smallest Treasure Bottle Continent, the mountain-top immortal families of Tongye Continent carried more weight and foundation. In addition, the Tongye Sect and Jade Regulations Sect, respectively located in the north and south, seemed to occupy half of the Tongye Continent’s luck. Therefore, sects that could stand out in Tongye Continent were often powerful forces that had fought their way through a bloody path.

With nothing else to do, Lu Tai chatted about the customs and cultures of Tongye Continent that were different from those of Treasure Bottle Continent. Treasure Bottle Continent was a small place. If Qi Zhen of the Divine Edict Sect had not risen to become a twelfth-realm immortal and received the title of Heavenly Lord bestowed by a superior sect from the Central Earth Continent, there would not have been a single immortal realm cultivator on the surface. Therefore, Chen Ping’an saw someone offering a reward for the Dali Prince Song Changjing on the wall of Master Dao’s residence, simply because they felt that Treasure Bottle Continent did not deserve to have a tenth-realm martial artist. It was laughable, yet not so laughable.

In contrast, the heads of the Tongye Sect and Jade Regulations Sect in Tongye Continent were both old tortoises who had been in the immortal realm for hundreds of years.

The Fuchi Sect had two Jade Purity realm cultivators, a man and a woman, who were a Daoist couple, envied by all.

Legend had it that the reason why the Fuchi Sect had the bustling Howling Sky Street was because the female Jade Purity realm cultivator liked to raise spirits and demons. Even after becoming an Earth Immortal, she still often showed her face, going down the mountain specifically to collect various spirits and monsters. The Fuchi Sect Master simply waved his hand and, with his own personal wealth, created Howling Sky Street, just to allow his Daoist partner to be closer and not have to walk so far.

Speaking of this love story, Lu Tai’s face was full of infatuation and longing, which made Chen Ping’an’s hair stand on end, because he didn’t know whether Lu Tai was imagining himself as the Fuchi Sect Master or the female Daoist cultivator.

Afterward, probably aroused by the tender feelings in his heart, Lu Tai, even though he was currently dressed as a young nobleman, still tirelessly talked to Chen Ping’an about the various plum blossom makeup styles, the yellow forehead and wine dimples, the shades of blush and their application order, the clothing preferences of fairies from Central Earth Continent versus fairies from other continents, the different advantages of heavy makeup versus light touches…

Chen Ping’an endured for a long time, but finally couldn’t bear Lu Tai’s seemingly endless “bedroom talk.” He turned to the guy with a serious expression and said, “Lu Tai, I’m begging you, I don’t want to hear you talk to me about this stuff, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be useful.”

Chen Ping’an had only said similar words to Ma Kuxuan once before, during a fierce battle when Ma Kuxuan was chattering incessantly.

However, with the latter, it was disgust. Chen Ping’an rarely hated someone so much. The young girl Zhu Lu who assassinated him was one, the ghost in a wedding dress who massacred innocents was one, and the golden-robed old dragon in Jiaolonggou was one. He could count them on one hand.

But with Lu Tai, it was more helplessness.

Lu Tai raised an eyebrow and then said with pain and indignation, “Not useful? Don’t you have a girl you like? If you do, don’t you want her to look better? If you don’t have nine hundred and ninety-nine of them, at least you can use this to chat with her, right? Do you really think that fairies don’t fart and everyone doesn’t love beauty? You deserve to be single!”

Chen Ping’an suddenly had an epiphany and said decisively, “Yes! Want!”

Of course, he had a girl he liked, and he wanted her to look even better… Hmm? No, no, Ning Yao was already the most beautiful!

Lu Tai shook his head, “Stupid! I bet you wouldn’t be able to keep a girl even if you had one.”

After saying that, Lu Tai still didn’t give up. He conjured up that bamboo folding fan and tutted, “Wouldn’t be able to keep her, wouldn’t be able to keep her.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled.

Sensing that Chen Ping’an was about to make a move, Lu Tai glanced sideways and reminded, “Don’t make a move, you’re someone who reads books every day, even if you’re not a gentleman, you’re at least half a scholar. We’ve only walked a few steps, and you promised that things rarely happen more than thrice, didn’t you?”
The ferry crossing was, in essence, private property belonging to the Fuju Sect. As they journeyed towards the Fuju Sect’s mountain peak, the path was filled with strange and mystical sights. A dozen or so people rode atop a colossal, purple serpent named “Purple Beard,” speeding like the wind, yet each passenger remained perfectly composed. Arcs of iridescent light, thick with sword intent, frequently flashed overhead, disappearing in an instant.

Having witnessed Old Dragon City and the Upside-Down Mountain, Chen Pingan was no longer easily fazed.

Lu Tai explained that the Tongye Continent was vastly different from the scattered and fragmented Baoping Continent. The number of sects and clans were fewer, but many were enormous and powerful. Here, one couldn’t simply hoist a tattered banner and proclaim themselves a mountain lord. In the Tongye Continent, the imperial dynasties and the Jianghu were two forces to be reckoned with.

Of course, nothing was absolute. Inconsequential Immortal Sects undoubtedly existed. After all, the Tongye Continent was vast, and every field had its rat holes.

However, the sight of nearly every kingdom possessing an Immortal dwelling, as was common south of Guanhai Academy on the Baoping Continent, was certainly not the case in the Tongye Continent.

The two walked side-by-side along the wide road, attracting considerable attention. The women in passing carriages, whether Immortal cultivators or wealthy heiresses, eagerly cast curious and admiring glances. This was mainly due to Lu Tai’s refined and elegant demeanor, a rare blend of Immortal aura and scholarly air. Chen Pingan, standing beside him, served more as a foil.

Lu Tai remarked, seemingly out of nowhere, “Let’s not even mention the Posa Continent; it’s exceedingly powerful, renowned for its literary culture, and brimming with Immortal masters. Moreover, it has the presence of the esteemed Confucian Chen Chun’an. Our Tongye Continent favors tranquility, much like a virtuous woman, content and at peace with the world. Coupled with its advantageous location, with scarce intercontinental ferries offering passage, making it difficult to leave or enter, it tends to be rather exclusive. In truth, it’s a large secluded paradise. The Fuyou Continent to the southwest, on the other hand, is quite lively. There’s no clear distinction between the mountains and the world below; they’re constantly fighting and killing. The Qi cultivators there have a strong Jianghu spirit.”

Chen Pingan suddenly whispered, “Lu Tai, what’s your cultivation realm? Can you tell me?”

Lu Tai lightly waved his folding fan, his sideburns fluttering in the breeze, and smiled. “The Lu clan’s disciples don’t focus too much on cultivation realm. We only value how far one can see with their ‘River-Gazing’ eyes.”

Chen Pingan nodded. “So, not very high then.”

Lu Tai twitched his lips. “Compared to the cultivation geniuses of the Central Divine Continent, of course, I can’t be considered high. But compared to you, I’m more than enough.”

Chen Pingan chuckled. “I know someone slightly older than me, already a seventh-realm martial artist. He encountered a Posa Continent swordsman, resembling a fox, at our doorstep. I think he was in the ninth realm. I have two little ones at home, a fire python and a water snake, probably close to the sixth and seventh realms. What about you? What realm are you exactly?”

Lu Tai still refused to reveal his cultivation realm, instead wearing a proud expression. “My two masters, one taught me the craft, and the other imparted the Dao. Both are in the upper five realms.”

Chen Pingan simply said, “Oh.”

Lu Tai glanced at Chen Pingan. “What’s that supposed to mean? Unconvinced, or unimpressed?”

Chen Pingan nodded. “Convinced.”

Lu Tai grinned. “Chen Pingan, that outward agreement and inward disagreement of yours. You wish you could just lie down and have people offer you wine with respect, don’t you?”

Chen Pingan asked, puzzled, “What does that mean?”

Lu Tai snapped his fan closed. “After death, someone should at least visit your grave to offer sacrifices, right?”

Chen Pingan said, annoyed, “So roundabout.”

Lu Tai burst into hearty laughter, then opened his fan again, creating a refreshing breeze, truly embodying the crisp autumn air.

The two walked for half a day, finally reaching the foot of the Fuju Sect’s mountain, named Chuishang, at dusk. According to Lu Tai, the name signified a king governing with folded hands and sleeves, but why a Confucian concept was associated with a mountain occupied by the Fuju Sect, Lu Tai couldn’t explain. An hour later, in the twilight, Chen Pingan and Lu Tai finally saw Hantian Street, illuminated with bright lights, as if it were day. Even at night, it was still thronged with visitors.

Entering the crowded street, Lu Tai showed Chen Pingan what it meant to spend money like water, what it meant to throw away fortunes without batting an eye.

Hantian Street indeed held many wondrous and peculiar items.

Chen Pingan’s eyes were opened wide.

Lu Tai walked into the first shop and immediately bought two little spirits that Chen Pingan had never heard of. One was called “Tongzi,” or “Pupil,” and according to the shopkeeper’s almost fawning introduction, Chen Pingan learned that this creature could be nurtured within the owner’s eye. Not only could it absorb a little bit of the world’s spiritual energy every day, but most importantly, whenever Tongzi saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman, it could help the owner “sharpen their vision.” Many Qi cultivators who practiced the Heavenly Eye technique favored this creature above all else.

Lu Tai spent a full eight hundred snowflake coins to purchase this item, saying he wanted to give it to Chen Pingan. Chen Pingan naturally refused, and Lu Tai shook his head regretfully, saying, “Don’t you want to improve your eyesight every day?”

The implication was clear: with Lu Tai before Chen Pingan, and Tongzi in his eyes, wouldn’t looking at Lu Tai be a form of cultivation?

The old shopkeeper glanced at the handsome and extraordinary Lu Tai, then at Chen Pingan, his smile meaningful.

Chen Pingan felt goosebumps all over his body, pretending he hadn’t understood anything.

Compared to the Tongzi that Lu Tai had acquired, a group of lively little beings beside it had actually captivated Chen Pingan even more. They were as small as grains of rice and called “Erzhi,” homophonous with “son,” a type of spirit that lived in the ears. Using the eardrum as a drum surface, they would quietly beat the drum when a person fell asleep. However, neither the owner nor others could hear it, but it could strengthen the owner’s Yang energy and deter the many evil entities that roamed at night.

This was a type of spirit that wealthy and influential families would inevitably purchase at a high price after accidentally encountering “ghostly or possessed” situations.

Many Qi cultivators below the fifth realm would also carry one with them when traveling through mountains and lakes, due to their low cultivation realm.

Besides the Tongzi, Lu Tai also bought a spider the size of a fingernail, with colorful patterns that were quite pleasing. However, its name alone was enough to make Chen Pingan keep his distance: the Spring Dream Spider. It loved to gather and collect erotic dreams. After a person fell asleep, it could weave a small web above the owner’s head, a tapestry of colors, allowing the person to indulge in a thousand gold coins worth of Spring nights in their dreams.

Therefore, the Spring Dream Spider was often used by sects and gangs as a tool to temper their disciples’ Dao hearts and was also an essential item for Daoist sects that advocated dual cultivation.

A row of small cages near the Spring Dream Spider contained many similar creatures, including the Nightmare Spider, which was as black as ink, each with its own unique characteristics.

Chen Pingan certainly couldn’t appreciate this type of spirit.

But Lu Tai happened to like it very much, spending six hundred snowflake coins just because he thought the Spring Dream Spider was cute.

As a result, the old shopkeeper’s smile became even more profound.
Afterwards, in a shop, Lu Tai entered into a spirited contention with a cultivator of the Middle Fifth Realm over a rare spirit beast. This time, Chen Ping’an didn’t think Lu Tai was being extravagant, believing the twelve Lesser Heat coins were well spent. Lu Tai was able to win because his opponent ran out of immortal coins, and Lu Tai’s imposing manner made it clear that he would play along to the end if the price were raised. This prompted the man to leave the shop, muttering curses.

In Lu Tai’s palm rested a rare Jade Marrow Beast, leaping about. The little creature possessed the texture of fine jade, a spirit essence condensed from jade stone. Its body was a top-grade natural treasure, one of the finest materials for crafting talismans and jade tablets. However, the Jade Marrow Beast was fierce in temperament. Once mature, it would choose self-destruction upon capture, making it impossible to raise.

The one in Lu Tai’s hand had survived because it was still young when unintentionally caught by a cultivator. It had not yet chosen “jade and stone alike destroyed.” If carefully nurtured, it could become a priceless “living treasure.” The only drawback was that raising a Jade Marrow Beast was more expensive than buying one, as it only consumed Snowflake Coins.

The shopkeeper, a woman of unremarkable beauty, smiled and said that if the Fuju Sect hadn’t already possessed a pair of Jade Marrow Beasts, such a treasure would have been bought for a high price that very day.

The two strolled along the streets, entering and exiting shops.

Chen Ping’an was actually drawn to three items, but hesitated, ultimately unwilling to spend so lavishly.

A three-legged Golden Toad, one of the spirit beasts of heaven and earth, said to increase the holder’s wealth.

A silver-white Treasure Seeking Rat, with a keen sense for natural treasures.

And a small creature called a “Wine Worm,” born only from aged fine wine. If placed in newly brewed wine, it could impart the mellow flavor of years of aging in a matter of hours, naturally beloved by all wine enthusiasts.

Chen Ping’an didn’t spend any money, while Lu Tai continued his spending spree. A carp body, palm-sized Dragon Whisker Carp, a carp with two long Jiaolong whiskers. The whiskers were a natural treasure. However, compared to the two golden Jiaolong whiskers that Chen Ping’an had made into a demon-binding rope, the quality was naturally much lower. The advantage of this type of Dragon Whisker Carp was that it could breed. Imagine, a sect buying several, carefully nurturing them, and after thousands of years, there would be a pond full of Dragon Whisker Carp.

Lu Tai also bought a Roaring Bullfish, no longer than a finger, yet capable of emitting a thunderous roar.

Chen Ping’an couldn’t understand what Lu Tai was buying it for. To scare people?

Finally, at a shop at the end of the street, Chen Ping’an saw a collection of talisman paper figures. Their prices varied, cut into various styles, roughly divided into three sizes based on height: a finger’s height, a palm’s height, and an arm’s height, vividly lifelike, capable of sweeping courtyards, tending flowers and birds, helping to move and air books, and so on.

Paper figures were quite popular in the world, especially among wealthy families. They were also ranked by quality. The level of the talisman drawer’s cultivation, reputation, and school greatly determined the price of the paper figure, as did the quality of the paper. There were sects and affiliated businesses that specialized in manufacturing paper figures, with extremely high profits.

However, Chen Ping’an found these simple paper figures extremely amusing, but would never consider buying them.

Because they were expensive, not worthwhile, useless, and had nothing to do with being cheap and good.

Lu Tai, however, bought a large stack of folded talisman paper figures in one go, all of the smallest kind, spending five hundred Snowflake Coins. He said that when he was bored, he could have them perform martial arts and fight on the table, which would be very amusing…

Chen Ping’an had nothing to say to Lu Tai when it came to spending money.

About three or four *li* further up the mountain road from Calling Heaven Street, there was a Halt Pavilion, signifying that all outsiders of the Fuju Sect had to stop here and could not continue climbing.

Chen Ping’an and the returning Lu Tai entered the Halt Pavilion together. Along the way, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but glance at Lu Tai several times, curious as to where he had hidden those spirit beasts. Lu Tai did possess a spatial item, but talismans and charms could be stored inside, but spirit beasts, which carried yang energy, absolutely could not be placed inside. If they were, they would explode, and even cause the spatial item to shatter.

After resting in the pavilion, looking at the night view around the Fuju Sect from afar, the two returned to Calling Heaven Street to find an inn to stay for the night. As a result, the two parted ways directly, because Lu Tai wanted to live in an immortal mansion with abundant spiritual energy, while Chen Ping’an could naturally make do with any inn.

Nothing happened overnight.

It was difficult for anything to happen under the watchful eyes of the Fuju Sect.

Provided that one did not provoke those arrogant Fuju Sect disciples.

The two agreed to meet at the Halt Pavilion and then head north down the mountain. However, Chen Ping’an arrived at the pavilion early, witnessed the magnificent sunrise over the Eastern Sea, and waited until the sun was high in the sky, but Lu Tai was nowhere to be seen. Just as he was about to go down and look for him, he saw Lu Tai yawning as he climbed up the mountain, waving at Chen Ping’an, unwilling to take another step forward. Anyway, every step taken was a wasted step. Chen Ping’an sighed, walked out of the pavilion, and went down the mountain with him.

Chen Ping’an was still worried about Lu Tai’s extravagance in Calling Heaven Street last night, which might cause trouble. Walking around, it was best not to reveal one’s wealth. However, after the two went down the mountain and traveled six or seven hundred *li* north, there was still nothing unusual, and Chen Ping’an was relieved.

According to the occasional “reminders” of the sword on his back, Chen Ping’an adjusted his course several times, following the general direction forward, so it was inevitable to bypass official roads and wade through mountains and rivers.

Lu Tai had no opinion on this, but when he encountered towns, bustling markets, restaurants and shops, he would stop, returning the favor. Chen Ping’an did not refuse.

Along the way, Chen Ping’an walked plainly, practicing his fists and sword in silent, uninhabited mountains and waters. He never saw Lu Tai cultivating in any way. Only when he arrived at the bustling marketplaces would Lu Tai perk up, as if he had entered a blessed land, very happy. Over time, Lu Tai taught Chen Ping’an one thing: what the rich are particular about.

Lu Tai could always spend the least money to eat and drink the best, and could derive a hundred or a thousand years of culture from a single dish, citing several writers and sages.

He could recite a few beautiful essays and poems from every pot of wine.

Occasionally, he would pick up an ancient book from a bookstore. Holding the book in one hand, he would appear very lazy as he turned the pages, but in Chen Ping’an’s eyes, he always felt that a scholar should be like this.
Lu Tai, whenever he stayed at an inn, would brew himself a pot of tea almost every day. He never invited Chen Pingan to drink, sitting alone, wordlessly sipping.

He was calm and composed, embodying propriety and refined manners.

That solitary contemplation, that air of sophistication, Chen Pingan had seen in Cui Dongshan.

Lu Tai also possessed a bamboo flute, its melodies especially melodious and pleasing amidst the mountains and rivers.

Holding his bamboo fan, he would sit lazily and freely anywhere, gazing up at the moon with an elegant flair.

Chen Pingan knew a term for it: “affectation of elegance,” a highly derogatory expression.

But Lu Tai was not like that.

Just as Chen Pingan was, at his core, a common peasant, Lu Tai was a natural-born man of refinement, a scholar’s soul.

To be rich is wealth, to know etiquette is nobility.

This was a true scion of wealth and nobility.

Fan Er’s brilliant nature was something Chen Pingan couldn’t learn, and Lu Tai’s carefree ease was something Chen Pingan felt he still couldn’t emulate.

One day, Chen Pingan stood on a tall tree, looking out into the distance, and discovered a castle nestled among the rugged mountains, a place rarely frequented by people.

Before this, the two had not encountered any mountain spirits or strange creatures along the way.

This place was already a thousand miles away from the Fufeng Sect, a dominant force in the central Tongye Continent.

Chen Pingan initially didn’t want to tell Lu Tai about the castle, hoping to just focus on traveling, but Lu Tai, who usually showed no interest in the scenery, surprisingly leaped onto a branch today, fanning himself and laughing, “Not bad, not bad, a feng shui treasure land perfect for murder, robbery, and framing!”

Chen Pingan didn’t understand the meaning of those words at first, but he soon did.

The surrounding forest was filled with furtive figures, rustling sounds. Though hidden and subtle, Chen Pingan’s sharp eyes and ears immediately knew that they had been surrounded.

Chen Pingan looked around and slowly said, “Martial arts at the Fourth Realm, two natal flying swords, and a few talismans.”

Lu Tai, understanding perfectly, smiled and said, “A Qi cultivator at the Dragon Gate realm. How巧合 (qiǎohé, coincidentally), I also have two natal flying swords and several magical treasures.”

One wore a white robe, carrying a sword and a gourd for drinking wine, which he hadn’t taken off for a long time.

The other wore a green robe, adorned with jade, as a gentleman never parts with his jade without a reason.

The two faced a large group of bandits who had painstakingly followed them for a thousand miles, and they were undoubtedly mostly mountain-dwelling Qi cultivators.

Lu Tai gently shook his fan, smiling, “Before we start, shouldn’t we try to reason with them?”

Chen Pingan twitched his lips, patted the wine pot at his waist, and said nothing.

All the reasoning that needed to be done was right here.

First, set a small goal, like 1 second: