On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the tradition was to write and replace spring couplets, those auspicious verses adorning doorways. Old Man Hui Chen had acquired quite a stack of crimson paper for just this purpose. A pair would grace the shop’s main entrance, and another four were destined for the main house and the three side rooms at the back.

Chen Ping’an, Pei Qian, Zheng Dafeng, and Lu Baixiang each took responsibility for crafting a couplet. They relied on a simple, commercially printed booklet as their guide, copying the verses without much artistic flourish.

Chen Ping’an wrote with a steady hand, Lu Baixiang’s calligraphy flowed with a carefree elegance, and Zheng Dafeng’s surprisingly proved quite respectable. Pei Qian, eager to contribute, volunteered to write one herself. Though she put her heart into it, the result was… less than stellar. Zhu Lian shook his head in amusement, and even Wei Xian offered the faint praise of “It’s good… in a way. But compared to the others…” Pei Qian, feeling self-conscious, knew her attempt fell short. However, Chen Ping’an kindly intervened, saying, “It’s just for good luck. No need to fret over the quality of the characters.”

Thus, Pei Qian, Wei Xian, and Sui Youbian, the trio responsible for the New Year preparations, were tasked with moving stools, setting up ladders, and applying the rice paste to affix the couplets. Chen Ping’an and Zheng Dafeng, offering unsolicited advice from the sidelines, were met with the focused determination of Pei Qian. Feeling she needed to redeem herself after the calligraphy debacle, the skinny little girl was determined to paste the couplets perfectly straight, working up a sweat in her eagerness. Finally, Sui Youbian silenced the two commentators, allowing Pei Qian to complete her mission.

The single characters meaning “Spring” were all written by Chen Ping’an, while Zheng Dafeng provided the characters for “Good Fortune.”

Zhu Lian spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, preparing a grand feast. Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian helped with washing, sorting, and chopping the vegetables, acting as sous-chefs. Sui Youbian stood at the kitchen doorway for a moment, then retreated.

Finally, Zhu Lian presented a table laden with a sumptuous, colorful, and fragrant spread. A whole braised fish, symbolizing abundance year after year, took pride of place, along with a pot of stewed pig’s trotters, which Chen Ping’an and Pei Qian gleefully disassembled with their chopsticks.

Zheng Dafeng occupied the head of the table, facing south. Lu Baixiang and Wei Xian sat to his left, while Sui Youbian and Pei Qian were on his right. Pei Qian, unable to resist, quipped, “So, Sister Youbian is on the *right* side!” prompting Sui Youbian to playfully tweak her ear, eliciting immediate apologies.

Chen Ping’an and Zhu Lian sat on a long bench near the entrance.

The Zhao family Yin spirit, reluctant to impose, declined a seat at the table.

The wine was Osmanthus Blossom Nectar from the Fan family’s Osmanthus Island, its aroma intoxicating, its taste sweet and mellow, with a lingering aftertaste.

Chen Ping’an, seeing Pei Qian’s longing gaze and knowing she’d been working hard all day, poured her a small cup. He reminded her that she was only allowed to drink during the New Year celebration, and if he caught her sneaking drinks at other times, she would face his discipline. Pei Qian eagerly nodded, her slightly plumper, dusky face radiating the innocence and happiness of a child her age.

At Chen Ping’an’s insistence, Zheng Dafeng was the first to pick up his chopsticks and taste the dishes, followed by everyone else. Zheng Dafeng was also tasked with offering a toast, just a few polite words.

This flustered the usually thick-skinned Zheng Dafeng, who stammered out wishes for good food, good drink, a joyous New Year, and all the best. Pei Qian took a small sip of the Osmanthus Blossom Nectar, her eyes widening. Could there really be such a sweet and delicious thing in the world? It seemed growing up had its advantages. One day, she thought, she would be able to drink whenever she wanted, right?

The dinner was lively and boisterous, with Pei Qian ensuring that quiet was a rarity.

Zheng Dafeng and Chen Ping’an didn’t dwell much on matters concerning the Carp Leaping Gate and Dragon Spring Township.

Zheng Dafeng was more interested in the strange and wonderful people and events of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, particularly the Four Scroll Paintings. He also expressed curiosity about Chen Ping’an’s former “Number One Under Heaven,” Ding Ying, and the banished immortal, Jiang Shangzhen. Chen Ping’an shared some anecdotes about them. This prompted Zheng Dafeng to speak of the inner workings of the blessed lands and grotto heavens, mentioning the Carp Leaping Gate.

Generally speaking, the Ten Great Grotto Heavens and the Thirty-Six Lesser Grotto Heavens were so named because their spiritual energy was the richest in the world. Legend had it that their inner chambers reached directly to the heavens, filled with opportunities left behind by ancient immortals who had either shed their mortal bodies or ascended. They were the preferred locations for immortal cultivation, where one could achieve twice the results with half the effort. For example, the Wutong Small Grotto Heaven of the Tongye Sect was exclusively occupied by Du Mao, who shared a portion with the top five realms of the sect.

However, there were exceptions. Daozu’s Lotus Flower Small Grotto Heaven, connected to the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, was one. And of course, there was the Carp Leaping Gate. While its spiritual energy was undoubtedly abundant, it was not known for its rare treasures. What truly made it coveted was the innate, exceptional aptitude for cultivation possessed by the townspeople. In other parts of the vast world, even a terrestrial immortal would face a daunting task, searching high and low for a good seedling. It was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, often finding promising talents who ultimately proved unsuitable for their sect or whose temperament clashed with their teachings. In the end, their efforts could be futile, leading to disappointment and a return to the mountains. But within the Carp Leaping Gate, there were countless promising youths destined for the middle five realms, and even the offspring of ordinary immortal couples often possessed such exceptional potential for cultivation.

After the grand meal, everyone changed into new clothes. Wei Xian was initially reluctant, suggesting that he might as well wear his dragon robe, as new clothes always felt awkward and uncomfortable. It took Pei Qian’s persistent persuasion for him to agree to change into a new outfit and boots. Chen Ping’an, in the spirit of the occasion, temporarily shed his robes, Jin Li, and donned a blue long robe that Pei Qian and Sui Youbian had helped him choose.

Chen Ping’an gave each person – Pei Qian and the Four Scroll Paintings – a red envelope containing New Year’s money: a single Snowflake Coin.

Pei Qian knew that this immortal coin was worth a thousand taels of silver and was overjoyed. The other four accepted their gifts, but their reactions were naturally different from Pei Qian’s.

After that came the New Year’s Eve vigil.

Finally, only Chen Ping’an, Zheng Dafeng, and Pei Qian remained, gathered around a brazier, sitting until dawn.

Chen Ping’an crossed his leg, the Lotus Flower Little Person sitting on his foot. As Chen Ping’an wiggled his foot, it rose and fell along with him, the little guy delighted.

Chen Ping’an refrained from drinking too much of the small-batch medicinal wine from his Sword-Nourishing Gourd. He and Zheng Dafeng shared only half a catty of Osmanthus Blossom Nectar each, just enough to make the occasion.

Zheng Dafeng spoke of many people from the town who were around Chen Ping’an’s age: Ma Kuxuan, Song Jixin, Zhao Yao, Lin Shouyi, and the younger ones, Li Baoping and Gu Can.

He said that the most unexpected thing was Chen Ping’an, who had not only survived but had also reached where he was today.
As the latter half of the night deepened, Pei Qian had already drifted off to sleep, and thus did not hear the tales of the Blessed Land of Bountiful Pearls. Zheng Dafeng had taken the initiative to inquire about Chen Ping’an’s natal porcelain, to which Chen Ping’an replied with a smile that it was a white porcelain paperweight, roughly in the shape of a *chilong* dragon. He had kept some fragments of his shattered porcelain relics, a small collection secretly stashed away in a clay pot hidden in the corner of his ancestral home in Mud Bottle Alley. As expected, once fired into being, it would not be presented as a tribute for the Emperor of Great Li’s study, but would most likely be secretly treasured in the abode of some immortal mountain clan. According to the Great Sword Immortal of the Great Wall of Sword Qi, Chen Ping’an was supposed to possess the potential of an Earth Immortal.

Zheng Dafeng didn’t elaborate.

Chen Ping’an didn’t want to make things difficult for him.

The implications were too profound.

Besides, Chen Ping’an possessed ample patience and determination.

Finally, Zheng Dafeng pointed outside, “Old Zhao is an ancestor of Zhao Yao’s lineage from the Blessed Land of Bountiful Pearls. After his death, our old man gathered his soul, a being half-divine and half-yin spirit. With good fortune, he can be cast out, becoming a mountain deity in some area of the Great Li Dynasty. However, the meteoric rise of Wei Bo, directly transforming from a minor mountain deity to the Righteous God of the Northern Peak, overseeing half a continent, is absolutely unattainable. Still, there is a chance for him to be like Gu Can’s father, guarding the fortunes of the mountains and rivers for a thousand *li*.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I guessed as much.”

Master Qi had left behind three wisps of spring breeze, each bestowed upon Chen Ping’an, Zhao Yao, and Song Jixin.

Zhao Yao failed to preserve the most precious seal of the character “spring” back then. Master Qi stated that he was not disappointed by this. Chen Ping’an initially couldn’t understand. Given Master Qi’s temperament, it wasn’t because he didn’t place high hopes on Zhao Yao that he wasn’t disappointed. In fact, Master Qi valued Zhao Yao more than Song Jixin. Now, thinking about it, perhaps Master Qi hoped Zhao Yao would take this opportunity to sever ties with his own lineage completely. Whether Zhao Yao established his own sect or joined another lineage, as long as he could live a peaceful life, Master Qi would be content.

Chen Ping’an admitted that he couldn’t be as magnanimous as Master Qi.

Perhaps he could in the future, with more reading and more experience. But not today.

Regarding the identity of Ma Kuxuan in Apricot Blossom Lane, Zheng Dafeng revealed a trace of heavenly secrets. He said that the white cat that depended on Ma Kuxuan had an extraordinary background. Its good fortune surpassed even the Dragon King Basket and golden carp of Grand Sui’s Prince Gao Xuan, Ruan Xiu’s wrist adorned with the Fire Dragon Bracelet, Zhao Yao’s wooden dragon sculpture, Gu Can’s mud loach, and Song Jixin’s four-legged snake. However, unlike the latter five, the white cat secretly infiltrated the Blessed Land of Bountiful Pearls and would only recognize Ma Kuxuan as its master.

Chen Ping’an then recounted his two confrontations with Ma Kuxuan, one at the Immortal Tomb in his hometown, and the other on the streets of the Colorful Garment Kingdom.

Zheng Dafeng laughed uncontrollably, not taking it too seriously. He said that every thousand or five hundred years, the Blessed Land of Bountiful Pearls would produce a pair, either mortal enemies or bosom friends. The latter were like the Cao-Yuan Duo of the Great Li Dynasty. Perhaps you two are that pair this time, Ma Kuxuan of Apricot Blossom Lane, Chen Ping’an of Mud Bottle Alley.

Chen Ping’an turned to look at the sky outside. It was the morning of the first day of the New Year.

Last year, at this time, he was wandering around Lotus Root Paradise like a lost soul. It truly felt like another lifetime.

After waking up, Pei Qian immediately went to the alley outside the medicine shop to set off firecrackers. Perhaps she had grown a year older and become more well-behaved, she first asked the Zhao Clan Yin God if setting off firecrackers would scare it. The Yin God smiled and said it was fine.

Listening to the continuous sound of firecrackers from the alley, Zheng Dafeng suddenly said, “With Pei Qian by your side, she can restrain certain aspects of her nature. What will happen when she leaves you?”

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment, “I’ll try my best to teach her the difference between good and evil before she leaves me. Only when she understands that can we talk about approaching good and avoiding evil. Otherwise, she’ll do everything in a muddled state.”

Chen Ping’an used his toe to draw a circle on the ground, “Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. She’s still young. As long as I draw this circle for her, she can do whatever she wants inside the circle. But if she does something outside the circle, I’ll give her a tap and tell her some principles. We’ll take it slowly, it can’t be done overnight. She’s only eleven *sui* this year, and she’s already doing a decent job.”

Zheng Dafeng laughed, “Can she compare to you?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Why should she compare to me? Pei Qian is Pei Qian, Chen Ping’an is Chen Ping’an.”

Zheng Dafeng sighed, “Pei Qian is lucky to have met you.”

Chen Ping’an turned to look at Zheng Dafeng, “Aren’t you Zheng Dafeng just as lucky to have met me? Just passing through Old Dragon City twice, and I’m both your Preacher and your Protector. It’s exhausting, you know?”

Zheng Dafeng clicked his tongue, “You’re a passable Preacher, but you’re a terrible Protector.”

Chen Ping’an burst into laughter, insincerely cupping his fist in jest, “Forgive me, forgive me, I’m only a fifth-realm martial artist. I can’t do any better.”

Zheng Dafeng rolled his eyes, lamenting, “How am I ever going to find a wife?”

Pei Qian, carrying a feather duster on her shoulder, said she wanted to give the Walking Mountain Staff a rest. She went to the backyard and said nice things to everyone, hoping that Old Wei would quickly find a beautiful wife, hoping that Little White would become better and better at chess, striving to be in the top 100 in the world. Hoping that Older Sister Right would become younger and younger, and never have wrinkles in her whole life. Hoping that Zhu Lian would make even more delicious food this year. Hoping that Grandpa Zhao the Yin God would increase in power by leaps and bounds, and take her to play in the heavens in the future. Hoping that Zheng Dafeng’s shop would prosper.

Finally, Pei Qian hoped that in the new year, Chen Ping’an would have a flood of wealth, unstoppable, with gold, silver, and treasures that couldn’t be contained.

Clearly, she no longer wanted to be a money-losing burden in the new year.

Whether it was because Pei Qian’s luck had turned or something else, her crow’s mouth, which even Zhu Lian feared, had become like golden words, immediately effective.
The first day of the new year, according to the customs of Treasure Bottle Continent, brooms were turned upside down, no guests were welcomed, no journeys were undertaken, no labor was performed, only eating, drinking, and merrymaking were allowed. However, Fan Junmao still arrived at Dust Medicine Shop in the morning. Besides inquiring about when Chen Ping’an would go to the Cloud Sea again to refine his Natal Object, he brought Chen Ping’an three bags of gold essence copper coins: one bag of warding coins, one bag of offering coins, and one bag of spring welcoming coins, totaling over thirty coins. All were personally paid for by the Emperor of the Great Li Song Dynasty, and it was guaranteed that there would be more in the future, because as the Great Li iron cavalry marched south, not to mention the licentious shrines forbidden by various countries’ dynasties, even some mountain deities who didn’t know the times, their golden statues could be smashed and broken, the fragments used to cast gold essence copper coins.

Chen Ping’an looked at Zheng Dafeng, who was also at a loss. “It’s similar to the Natal Porcelain forged in Lizhu Cave Heaven. Aren’t gold essence copper coins no longer being minted?”

Fan Junmao sneered, “That’s why this is the sincerity of the Great Li Song Dynasty’s apology. Otherwise, how could they show their generosity?”

Zheng Dafeng thought for a while, “Unless the old man put pressure on the Song Dynasty Emperor, the Great Li Dynasty wouldn’t cut its flesh like this. These golden statue fragments are more worthwhile to collect and use to paint the golden bodies of the other three mountain deities in the future.”

Chen Ping’an nodded in agreement.

Zheng Dafeng was a little puzzled, “It doesn’t seem like the old man’s style.”

Fan Junmao said unhappily, “Previously, a cross-continental ferry heading south from Northern Ju Lu Continent wouldn’t have stopped at Dragon Spring Ferry, but a man directly crashed from the sky to the ground. Now that so many forces are rooted in the western mountains, building residences, there are many people and eyes, this news has spread throughout the northern Treasure Bottle Continent. Everyone knows that in addition to Song Changjing, there is also a legendary Tenth Realm martial artist in Treasure Bottle Continent.”

Zheng Dafeng wiped his face and said, “It must be Li Er. I just don’t know when he’ll arrive at our Old Dragon City.”

Fan Junmao knew in his heart, “According to the Dragon Spring ferry’s schedule, if he’s willing to spend money, he should be able to rush south to Old Dragon City in the next few days.”

Zheng Dafeng calculated on his fingers and smiled, “He’s rushing from Northern Ju Lu Continent to the northernmost Great Li Dynasty in Treasure Bottle Continent, then to the southernmost here, quite hastily. But I guess the old man held him back a bit.”

Zheng Dafeng asked softly, “What about the Tongye Sect?”

Fan Junmao sneered, “How dare those useless Earth Immortals of Old Dragon City cross the sea to Tongye Continent to snoop for information? Treasure Bottle Continent is already inferior, and the Tongye Sect is the most overbearing power in Tongye Continent. No one wants to provoke them. At most, only the Fu family knows a little bit of the inside story. The other major surname families know almost nothing about the Tongye Sect’s movements. However, I estimate that something big happened to the Tongye Sect, otherwise the Fu family wouldn’t have taken out three bags of gold essence copper coins in addition to the Old Dragon Rain-Making Pendant, Fu Qi also took out something I couldn’t even imagine, and asked me to pass it to Chen Ping’an. But Fu Qi also said that it still needs to be discussed in the Fu family’s ancestral hall, but he will strive to pass the agenda. When will Chen Ping’an leave Old Dragon City? When will it be delivered? You two, why don’t you guess?”

Chen Ping’an quickly called Pei Qian in the yard to his side, roughly explained the Fu family’s situation, and then earnestly said, “You guess, guess on the bright side.”

Pei Qian pondered seriously for a moment, then timidly said, “Could it be a Semi-Immortal Artifact?”

Fan Junmao was speechless.

Chen Ping’an and Zheng Dafeng looked at each other and laughed heartily.

On the fifth day of the new year.

Besides the old man from out of town staying at Dust Medicine Shop, cracking melon seeds and chatting, Pei Qian accompanied him, speaking gibberish, one old and one young, each boasting, without disturbing each other.

The medicine shop had another guest today.

A short, sturdy man walked into the alley. The old man sitting on the threshold couldn’t help but take a few more glances. Sure enough, the man in front of him was even rarer than a Jade Pure Realm cultivator on the mountain.

Although the four people in the painting hadn’t seen this person with their own eyes, they almost simultaneously felt a sense of dread. That kind of mutual induction between pure martial artists. When the four people in the backyard, Wei Xian, Zhu Lian, Lu Baixiang and Sui Youbian, saw the man slowly walking towards the medicine shop, it was like seeing a huge dragon forcefully squeezing into a creek.

Could there be such a martial artist in the world?

Seeing that Chen Ping’an and Zheng Dafeng were not nervous, the four people in the painting relaxed.

Wei Xian rubbed his chin with his hand, Zhu Lian’s eyes were fiery, Lu Baixiang and Sui Youbian stopped their Go game. Sui Youbian gently tapped a spare chess piece in front of her with one finger.

Chen Ping’an and Zheng Dafeng walked to the front of the shop together.

Zheng Dafeng hunched his back, looking left and right. His first sentence was, “Why didn’t the sister-in-law come?”

The man looked at Zheng Dafeng. There wasn’t much expression on his dull face, “If Master hadn’t wanted me to wait, I would already be on the Tongye Sect’s mountain.”

Zheng Dafeng scratched his head and didn’t speak.

Then the man looked at Chen Ping’an, clasped his fist and said, “Chen Ping’an, that trip far away, all the way down, Li Huai is much more sensible, and not all of it can be learned from books. I, Li Er, have to thank you. Mr. Qi taught Li Huai well back then. Mr. Qi is gone, and you also taught him very well. I actually have to call you Mr. Chen. Today, I still have to rush to Tongye Continent to tear down Du Mao’s ancestral hall, so I won’t chat much. Anyway, just a few rough words, left here. Usually, only when family members are bullied will I, Li Er, throw a punch. But I guarantee that in the future, as long as you, Chen Ping’an, send a message, telling me, Li Er, to beat someone, I will immediately rush over and beat him. If I even frown, I’m not Li Huai’s father!”

Clasping his fist again, Li Er said in a deep voice, “I’m leaving!”

The man left just like that.