After Li Er’s arrival in Old Dragon City, the situation truly began to clarify. Although this tenth-realm martial artist only showed his face once at Dust and Ash Apothecary, it was enough to set the tone.

Perhaps the four great surnames, including the Sun family, were still unaware, but the subsequent developments would simply follow a predictable course. The abacuses and ledgers of Old Dragon City would steadily move north, drawing ever closer to the iron cavalry of the Great Li Song clan, already stationed in the central Jewel Bottle Continent.

Among the Fu family, the Fan family, and Dust and Ash Apothecary, the answer was known first.

On the day Li Er departed, the Fan family delegation arrived in grand style for a New Year visit. All were acquaintances of Chen Ping’an. Besides the siblings Fan Junmao and Fan Er, there was also Aunt Gui of Osmanthus Island, her sole direct disciple Jin Su, the Osmanthus Island maiden who once served Chen Ping’an on his journey to Upside-Down Mountain, and finally, the old Golden Core sword cultivator Ma Zhi, who had once “fed” Chen Ping’an swordsmanship. Aunt Gui almost never came ashore; Osmanthus Island traveled between Old Dragon City and Upside-Down Mountain twice a year, yet many elders of the Fan family clan hadn’t seen her once in their lives.

The foreign old man, whom Zhu Lian considered to have “profound scholarly accomplishments,” originally thought it would be another uneventful day, and that he wouldn’t even see the woman surnamed Sui. Unexpectedly, he saw so many women all at once. Sitting at the apothecary’s entrance, cracking melon seeds, the old man was practically announcing himself as a shop assistant of Dust and Ash Apothecary, bustling about with enthusiasm. After stepping over the apothecary’s threshold, Aunt Gui glanced at the strange old man, who just happened to look at her. Aunt Gui suppressed her doubts and smiled slightly. The old man thought to himself that this woman, although of average appearance, possessed a gentle nature, making her the ideal choice for an ordinary man seeking a wife to nurture his family. No wonder Jiang Shangzhen’s eldest son, whom he had raised without much care, was using the sect’s name to pressure her, hoping to buy Osmanthus Island’s intercontinental ferry, which had pioneered a mature route to Upside-Down Mountain.

However, Aunt Gui couldn’t discern the old man’s true depth. She only vaguely sensed that the elder was “undefiled, light in spirit, and full of vitality.” If he was currently a terrestrial immortal, he undoubtedly possessed the talent to reach the upper five realms in the future.

After all, among terrestrial immortals, there were also differences in quality, as vast as the heavens and earth.

Chen Ping’an trotted out to greet Aunt Gui. He always felt grateful towards this elder, regardless of her status or cultivation level.

During that journey to Upside-Down Mountain aboard Osmanthus Island, they encountered a great calamity while passing through the Dragon Gorge. Chen Ping’an had entered a fleeting state of clarity, akin to a Buddhist observing the nature of all beings, which caught him off guard. He felt as if the world was almost entirely malicious. After that, he spent some time in a small courtyard feeling depressed. After that experience, when he thought of Osmanthus Island, only two warm feelings remained: one was the Fan family painter who had painted three pictures for Chen Ping’an, and the other was Aunt Gui, who had seen all kinds of worldly affairs and yet maintained a peaceful state of mind.

Fan Er went to Zheng Dafeng’s residence, feigning politeness, only to discover that the exquisite portrait was not hanging on the wall.

Chen Ping’an and Aunt Gui sat in the main hall chatting.

Inside the house, Zheng Dafeng coughed and said calmly, “Nurturing essence and cultivating nature… Do less of these unethical things in the future.”

Fan Er initially thought it sounded like Master Fan’s tone, but the more he listened, the more he felt something was amiss. Fan Er immediately looked annoyed and regretted, saying, “It’s all my painter’s fault. He misinterpreted my intentions. My original intention was a graceful lady, a gentleman’s pursuit. Since Master admired Fairy Sui’s grace, I, as a disciple, should do something. I told the painter about Fairy Sui’s immortal beauty and asked him to create a freehand ink painting…”

Zheng Dafeng felt gratified; this disciple had finally graduated.

Sui Righteous appeared at the doorway at some point, her face full of sarcasm. “This Fan family painter is truly a master of art. He can create such a vivid likeness with just a few words from Young Master Fan.”

Jin Su, who had been silent, frowned.

Although she had no romantic feelings for Fan Er, Fan Er was, after all, the “only choice” to inherit the Fan family in the future. Osmanthus Island was now effectively under Fan Er’s name. This sword-wielding female martial artist, according to Chen Ping’an, was one of his retainers, a family-funded guest or, to put it bluntly, a bodyguard. However, with the changing situation in Old Dragon City, Aunt Gui had instructed her to be cautious in her words and actions. Although the Sui woman disrespected Fan Er, Jin Su felt somewhat displeased but remained silent. Today’s New Year visit was not her place to speak. She knew this well, even though she was the only disciple of “Madam Gui,” one of Old Dragon City’s terrestrial immortals.

Jin Su’s attention was more focused on Chen Ping’an.

A scholar who has been away three days must be looked at with new eyes. That was probably describing this guy. He was no longer the wine-loving young man of yesteryear. The earthiness and childishness had faded away, replaced by a sense of… composure.

His hair was adorned with a white jade hairpin, and he wore a snow-white robe with a familiar crimson wine jug hanging from his waist. He was taller, sat upright, and looked people in the eye when speaking, his gaze carrying a sincere smile that was never perfunctory.

Then Jin Su noticed a small, dark figure standing beside Chen Ping’an. The skinny little girl had large, quick eyes that darted about, secretly observing her, Jin Su, and even more so, her master, Madam Gui.

Jin Su smiled at her.

Pei Qian grinned back at her.

In Pei Qian’s eyes, these beautiful sisters, from Yao Jinzhi to Sui Righteous to the one before her, were all big moneybags. Zheng Dafeng had said that there were little creatures called “fortune-carrying imps,” a type of demon. Pei Qian thought she was quite similar.

As expected, Jin Su had come in a hurry and didn’t bring any New Year’s money, nor did she expect to meet such a little girl. However, Madam Gui had prepared a beautifully embroidered sachet in advance. It was clearly extraordinary. The sachet itself exuded wisps of snow-white spiritual energy, and it also emitted specks of tender green light, fragrant and pleasant. Chen Ping’an roughly guessed that it was a natal osmanthus leaf from the ancestral osmanthus tree of Osmanthus Island, so he didn’t dare to accept it. Pei Qian, now adept at reading people’s expressions, saw that Chen Ping’an was reluctant to accept this New Year’s gift, so she had no choice but to smile foolishly and shake her head.
Madam Gui insisted on giving Pei Qian a first-meeting gift. Chen Ping’an couldn’t refuse, so he had Pei Qian accept it, though he would keep it safe for her. Without Chen Ping’an needing to say a word, Pei Qian respectfully received the sachet with both hands, bowed her thanks, and began to offer auspicious and pleasing words, such as wishing Madam Gui happiness and longevity, and eternal youth. Madam Gui was pleased to hear it, and rubbed Pei Qian’s little head, saying that Chen Ping’an already had a mansion under his name on Guihua Island, and a small courtyard called “Toad Palace” on the ferry, so she might as well just give it to her.

Pei Qian’s eyes widened, truly shocked. How could the ladies of the world be so generous with gifts, giving away houses upon first meeting? Could it be that as women grew older, they became more and more extravagant?

Chen Ping’an said with a wry smile, “Aunt Gui, I really can’t accept this house, no way.”

Madam Gui glared at him, “My giving Pei Qian a house, what does it have to do with you?”

Chen Ping’an coughed, “Pei Qian.”

Pei Qian immediately straightened her back and said in a childish voice, “A teacher for a day is a father for life, I dare not disobey my teacher’s orders, otherwise it would be unrighteous and unfilial.”

Madam Gui found it amusing, glanced at Chen Ping’an, and asked with a smile, “Did you teach her that?”

Chen Ping’an was ashamed, “Maybe it’s because I have her read and copy books every day, she learned it from the books herself, right?”

Pei Qian flattered, “It’s because Master teaches well!”

Chen Ping’an smiled and gave her a flick on the forehead.

Pei Qian hugged her head, looking aggrieved and bewildered.

After seeing Madam Gui and her entourage off from the alley, Chen Ping’an walked side by side with the Golden Core old swordsman Ma Zhi, asking this Fan family retainer about some sword nurturing techniques and sword refining methods. Ma Zhi naturally treated him with sincerity.

The ninth day of the first lunar month.

Old Dragon City has a custom called the Birthday of the Heavenly Duke, where every household needs to prepare flower candles and vegetarian dishes, and offer prayers and blessings to the heavens in courtyards, alleys, and other places without overhead cover.

However, the Gray Dust Apothecary Shop had no people from Old Dragon City. Yet, Zheng Dafeng was even more meticulous than the common people of Old Dragon City. The man who hadn’t paid much attention even during the New Year, personally prepared flower candles, fruits, and vegetarian dishes he made himself, and arranged three incense tables of varying heights in the backyard courtyard. Finally, he lit three incense sticks and performed the ceremony of three kneelings and nine bows. This scale was smaller than the monarchs of the secular dynasties offering sacrifices to the heavens, but much larger than the ordinary people’s worship of the heavens.

Zhao Shi, the Yin Spirit, stood with her hands clasped respectfully. She didn’t burn incense, but her kneeling and bowing were impeccable.

Pei Qian squatted under the eaves, watching with great interest. Chen Ping’an glanced at it and didn’t look any further. In fact, this involved Zheng Dafeng and the Yin Spirit’s secrets, but Zheng Dafeng himself didn’t hide it, so Chen Ping’an pretended not to see it.

He went to the counter to continue serving as a temporary shopkeeper and accountant. Chen Ping’an was ready to go to the Sea of Clouds to officially refine that Water Character Seal.

As for which semi-immortal weapon Fu Qi would bring out, it was worth looking forward to.

In the end, it was Du Mao and the Tongye Sect who implicated the Emperor of Great Li. The latter was determined to see the northward movement of various forces in Old Dragon City and wouldn’t actively provoke him, Chen Ping’an, or Zheng Dafeng.

However, the Great Li Dynasty clearly underestimated a Ascended Realm Great Cultivator, the cost of leaving the mountain against the rules, and the reward he wanted to obtain. Therefore, no matter how much Gold Refined Copper Coins the Emperor of Great Li gave, Chen Ping’an would only think it was too little.

The bag of Gold Refined Copper Coins that Zheng Dafeng had given him earlier had all been “eaten” by the Golden Ritual Dharma Robe. The central rosette golden dragon embroidered on the robe, the “Li Pearl” of unknown material it held, contained more and more abundant spiritual energy. Not only was it restored to its original state, but the grade of the robe had also improved. According to Zhao, the Yin Spirit, as long as it kept eating Gold Refined Copper Coins, this Golden Ritual Robe would definitely become a semi-immortal weapon robe.

Chen Ping’an wasn’t too happy about it. On the one hand, he was distressed about the hard-won Gold Refined Copper Coins. On the other hand, Zheng Dafeng had said long ago that once one reached the Gold Body, Astral Travel, and Summit realms of a martial artist, the possessions of the immortals on the mountain would become increasingly useless, and even a burden.

The tenth day of the first lunar month.

Old Dragon City has another folk custom called “Stone Doesn’t Move”, and the tale of mice marrying their daughters.

Although Pei Qian was very afraid of ghosts, she loved hearing these stories the most.

Pei Qian had learned to copy books earlier every day, no longer procrastinating until bedtime. This was probably also related to Chen Ping’an now staring at her copying books every day.

Today, during a break from copying books, Pei Qian suddenly asked Chen Ping’an a question, saying that the book said, “Advise you not to eat the fish of the third month, advise people not to shoot the birds of the spring.” Does that mean you can’t fish in the spring anymore?

Chen Ping’an didn’t give an answer at the time, smiling and telling Pei Qian to finish copying the book first. After Pei Qian finished writing the last word, Chen Ping’an, who had been brewing for a long time, told Pei Qian that this was a very kind-hearted saying. However, when a person still needs to work hard to survive, they can’t worry about these things, and they must not care about them. But if a person is well-fed and clothed, believes in Buddhism, and has this compassionate heart, they can do it. But if you see others hungry and catching fish and birds in the spring to fill their stomachs, and then run to tell them this principle, that would be wrong. If you don’t even have compassion for people, how can you have a compassionate heart for all things in the world? So, in the final analysis, the principle is still the same, but there is an order of priority to things.

Pei Qian nodded, saying that she understood roughly.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “If you don’t understand, you don’t understand. Just keep it in your heart and ponder it slowly.”

Pei Qian laughed, “I was lying just now, I actually didn’t understand yet.”

So, in the first month, Pei Qian ate another flick on the forehead.

On this day, the Gray Dust Apothecary Shop was still calm and breezy. Pei Qian was watching Chen Ping’an practice the six-step standing meditation in the courtyard.

Chen Ping’an suddenly stopped, called Pei Qian to the front shop, and asked the Zhao Yin Spirit to help isolate a small world.

Only then did he begin to teach Pei Qian the incantation, circulation path, and the most exquisite rapid and slow transitions of the Eighteen Sword Qi Halts. Then he took out a drawing. Chen Ping’an densely drew the names of the human body’s Qi residences and acupoints on it, and pointed them out to Pei Qian one by one.

This was the Sword Qi Incantation modified by A Liang.

Among the younger generation of sword cultivators on the Sword Qi Great Wall, only Ning Yao and a small group of people learned the Eighteen Sword Qi Halts that A Liang had corrected and perfected.

Since Pei Qian couldn’t endure the hardship of martial arts, he would try this path that didn’t require much physical effort, but only looked at the level of sword dao talent. Whether she could walk it, and how far she could go, Chen Ping’an didn’t expect at all.
Pei Qian’s memory surpassed even Chen Ping’an’s, a fact the quartet in the painting had long since learned.

Thus, after teaching her twice and outlining all the necessary precautions, Chen Ping’an allowed Pei Qian to take the painting and study it on her own.

That evening, Pei Qian approached Chen Ping’an with a crestfallen expression, confessing that she was indeed rather slow. Even with such a trivial matter, she had practiced for so long and only managed to achieve the third stage of Sword Qi control. Progressing further seemed impossible.

Chen Ping’an, with a stern look, flicked her forehead with a finger. “When learning something, don’t aim too high. Be grounded and take steady steps!” he reprimanded.

Pei Qian responded with a meek “Oh,” and scurried back to her room to continue “playing with fire.”

She could now command the direction of the small fiery stream, guiding it wherever she pleased. It raced through the so-called acupoints and meridians, obedient and swift. Although she couldn’t reach the fourth stage of Sword Qi control just yet, if one path was blocked, there were others to explore!

Little did she know, Chen Ping’an was muttering to himself in the front of the shop for a long time.

The eleventh day of the new year arrived.

The Dusty Herb Shop received an unexpected and weary guest.

It was Huang Ting, a Taoist nun from Mount Taiping.

However, she froze in her tracks upon seeing a certain elderly traveler squatting at the entrance, sharing melon seeds with two ne’er-do-wells.

The old man winked at her vigorously.

Huang Ting rubbed her temples. What was a Celestial Realm Old Sect Master from the Jade Ruler Sect doing here, joining in such a frivolous activity?

Huang Ting could only feign ignorance of the old codger.

In terms of seniority, the one squatting by the door was half a generation older than her own Mount Taiping’s Old Celestial Master, on par with Du Mao, the Ascension Realm cultivator of the Paulownia Leaf Sect.

In terms of cultivation, Du Mao’s bones were now dust, his Great Dao collapsed, with no guarantee of even a remnant soul. In contrast, the old man before her was the strongest Celestial Realm cultivator in Paulownia Leaf Continent. The Jade Ruler Sect, without doing anything, had inexplicably become the leading immortal family of Paulownia Leaf Continent, and the old man’s status had risen accordingly.

Truly, an old codger who knew how to enjoy life without lifting a finger.

Huang Ting’s impression of this senior from the mountains was neither bad nor particularly good, as their personalities differed vastly.

Upon seeing the surprised Chen Ping’an, Huang Ting stated bluntly, “Based on subtle clues and some intuition, I found an ancient palace deep within a leyline. Following the path, I stood on that Dragon-Locking Platform, but I still couldn’t find that treacherous old beast who betrayed his master. It was as if he had vanished from the vast world. Later, the Sect Master sent a flying sword message, saying there was no need to continue searching. I hurriedly returned to my sect, and then I received the ancestral hall jade token you mentioned. The Old Celestial Master, the Great Fortune Academy, and a Yin-Yang School cultivator concluded that the chaos in central Paulownia Leaf Continent was caused by that Nascent Soul cultivator from Mount Taiping who carried the Daoist crown but fell. Naturally, Mount Taiping felt ashamed and disgraced. The Old Celestial Master was too embarrassed to show his face, so he sent me to Old Dragon City, hoping to find you in time to offer an apology. Nothing more than that. After all, Mount Taiping has suffered greatly and can’t afford to put on a brave face. Well, actually, the Old Celestial Master intended to offer some compensation as a token gesture, but I stopped him. Chen Ping’an, if you want to scold someone, scold me. Don’t blame Mount Taiping for being petty. In the past, they would never have acted like this.”

Huang Ting’s tone was tinged with bitterness. “The Well Prison demons scattered in all directions, and my fellow disciples went down the mountain to subdue demons. This battle has been devastating.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, his heart heavy. “I can imagine.”

Huang Ting suddenly chuckled. “Paulownia Leaf Continent is truly cursed. It provoked a Sword Immortal, cutting off Du Mao’s path to ascension. Not long after things calmed down, a tenth-realm martial artist fought his way from the foot of the mountain all the way to the peak of Ancestral Mountain, demolishing their ancestral hall. From beginning to end, except for a few attacks from Jade Purity Realm cultivators of the Jade Ruler Sect, which he dodged slightly, that man stood still and allowed all the Middle Fifth Realm cultivators to attack him. It was like being tickled. I found it quite amusing. Jiang Shangzhen of the Jade Ruler Sect was even happier. He directly set up a pavilion boat, hovering in the sky above the Paulownia Leaf Sect, holding a grand banquet to entertain guests from all directions.”

Chen Ping’an quickly took a sip of wine to calm his nerves.

Zheng Dafeng, Zhu Lian, and the elderly traveler listened intently, stealing glances at Huang Ting.

Purely in terms of appearance, Huang Ting, who had returned to the vast world with the form of an immortal banished from Lotus Root Paradise, surpassed Sui Youbian, Fan Junmao, and Jin Su.

Chen Ping’an inquired about Huang Ting’s future plans. She said she had originally wanted to travel to the Central Continent, but the Old Celestial Master vehemently refused, threatening to hang himself if she dared to go. He insisted she choose between Jade Bottle Continent and Northern Emerald Continent. Huang Ting stated bluntly that she thought Jade Bottle Continent was too small, while Northern Emerald Continent had swordsmen as plentiful as the hairs on an ox. It was a perfect place for her to hone her swordsmanship, and perhaps she could reach the Jade Purity Realm. She couldn’t allow Wei Jin, a swordsman from a small place like Jade Bottle Continent, to make all the swordsmen of Paulownia Leaf Continent lose face.

Huang Ting was decisive. After discussing the matter, she prepared to fly north on her sword.

However, she inadvertently saw Pei Qian practicing her extraordinary sword techniques in the courtyard. Remembering that she still owed Chen Ping’an a favor, she felt uneasy. Learning that Pei Qian was Chen Ping’an’s “first disciple,” she asked the little girl if she wanted to learn the fastest sword and saber techniques in Paulownia Leaf Continent.

Pei Qian retorted, “Will it hurt?”

Huang Ting laughed and said, “No, it won’t.”

Pei Qian turned to look at Chen Ping’an, who smiled and nodded.

Huang Ting stayed for an extra day, teaching Pei Qian a set of sword techniques and a saber move.

The White Ape Carrying Sword Style and the White Ape Dragging Saber Stance.

Before leaving, Huang Ting patted Pei Qian’s little head and then pinched the dark-skinned girl’s cheeks, shaking her head and lamenting, “Such a clever child, why are you so unattractive?”

This devastated Pei Qian.

She was sullen all day, even with the yellow paper talisman stuck to her forehead, she was still listless.

Looking at Pei Qian like this, Chen Ping’an was reminded of the little girl in the red cotton-padded jacket who liked to call him Little Martial Uncle.
In the eyes of everyone at Cliffside Academy, the little girl in the red cotton-padded jacket was somewhat peculiar. Every day, she rushed about alone, always carrying a small bamboo chest on her back. She attended the academy alone, and left alone as well. Climbing mountains, trees, rooftops, up and down she went. Otherwise, she would squat by the lake, staring intently at the fish, watching them swish their tails as they swam. Whenever she had the chance, she would leave the academy to wander through the streets and alleys of the capital, strolling here and there. Inside and outside the academy, the little girl was always alone. Those who observed her for a long time felt a tinge of loneliness for her.

However, despite her strangeness, the little girl’s manners were impeccable. Whenever she encountered the teachers and masters of the academy on the road, she would come to an abrupt halt, bow and greet them, and then, with the speed of lightning, she would dart away.

Initially, the teachers and masters would stop and, with a smile, offer a few words of earnest instruction. But the red figure would already be gone. Later, they grew accustomed to it, responding with a smile and a nod. Eventually, they would simply shake their heads with a smile, continuing on their way without stopping.

Li Bao Ping felt that she was doing alright at Cliffside Academy.

Although she rarely saw Li Huai and Lin Shouyi anymore. She also saw Yu Lu and Xie Xie less frequently, and even when they did meet, they didn’t seem to have much to talk about.

After discussing these matters with Cui Dongshan on the treetop on the mountain peak, she no longer took them so seriously.

If they didn’t miss her, their little martial aunt, that was alright. She would make up for their share. She would think about their little martial uncle a little more on her own.

The days passed one by one. The new year had ended, and even the first month of the lunar calendar was drawing to a close.

Soon, it would be the Lantern Festival, with its high-hanging red lanterns. The little girl felt a bit homesick, missing her parents, grandparents, elder and second elder brothers.

And, of course, her little martial uncle.

It had been a long time since her little martial uncle had sent a letter to the academy.

This made Li Bao Ping feel rather sad.