(End of this volume.)

At the Winter Solstice, though the days are at their shortest and shadows at their longest, it is in fact the beginning of the resurgence of Yang energy within the world.

In the continent of Treasure Bottle, emperors and monarchs of various nations would offer sacrifices to mountains on this day. Even if they could not attend in person, they would dispatch high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Rites to burn incense at mountain shrines.

Similar to Dragon Spring County, the Mei You Kingdom also had the custom of celebrating a “Little New Year”. Even poor families, according to local customs, would prepare dumplings, mutton soup, or sticky rice.

Chen Pingan and his two companions, mounted on horseback, munched on sticky rice cakes bought from the market, returning from Jing Prefecture in the southernmost part of the Mei You Kingdom.

At a border pass, Chen Pingan halted his horse, allowing Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi to proceed through the checkpoint first. Chen Pingan turned his horse alone toward a small hill. Upon reaching the summit, an old cultivator slowly approached the crest. Chen Pingan dismounted. The old cultivator smiled, speaking in a slightly clumsy Treasure Bottle dialect, “You may not recognize me, but I am quite familiar with you.”

Chen Pingan smiled faintly, “Thank you, Senior, for safeguarding me all the way.”

The Nascent Soul old cultivator ignored the sarcasm in his words. No one would feel comfortable being followed all along the way.

The old cultivator laughed, “I used to be a cultivator of the Tong Ye Sect, so this forbearance has indeed been arduous.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Used to be?”

The old cultivator still suppressed his aura to the level of a Golden Core Earth Immortal. Light flowed across his skin, as if the sun and moon revolved within his small world of a body. He did not answer the question, but scrutinized the young man up and down, seemingly trying to discern the secret of how he became a friend…or perhaps a fellow disciple? of that great Sword Immortal. It was hard to say, and both were possible. However, there was no such thing as unearned fortune in this world, especially on the mountain; one wrong move and the game was lost.

The old cultivator stood atop the small hill, surveying the surroundings. The landscape of the Mei You Kingdom was truly uninteresting and dull, and the spiritual energy was thin, far inferior to Book Brief Lake.

There were some secrets he did not reveal to the young man. At that moment, he was using his Yin Spirit to travel far afield, while his Yang Spirit carried the secret Tong Ye talisman used to monitor him, thereby concealing his true whereabouts to prevent this meeting from being detected by Book Brief Lake. The reason he was willing to take such a risk naturally stemmed from his deep consideration and calculations. They, the group of rogue cultivators whom Jade Peak Realm cultivator Liu Laocheng treated as honored guests on Palace Willow Island, had been carefully selected to be thrown into Book Brief Lake; none of them were easy to deal with, and he was no exception.

However, when it came to risking one’s life for the Great Dao, one had to consider the price.

And he felt that the price was too low.

Even though he had been deemed by the Great Yin Yang Master as having no hope of reaching the Fifth Realm, he was still an old Nascent Soul cultivator skilled in combat, with two hundred years of life remaining. If he were willing to spend a lot of money to sustain his life, he could possibly live another three hundred years.

After receiving this secret mission, he thought long and hard and felt it was a series of schemes using someone else as a pawn. The pathfinder of the Upper Fifth Realm was being used as a knife, and so was he. Unfortunately, Treasure Bottle Continent was not his territory, and he had no foundation or people to rely on. Otherwise, if he could find another knife, a faster one, a less intelligent one, perhaps he could seek wealth and fortune amidst danger and truly obtain a great fortune. Of course, it was also possible that they were all ants on the same string, all the knives used in the scheme would perish together, while the true mastermind, whose identity he could not even fathom, would be free and happy.

The old cultivator asked, “I have a mutually beneficial deal. Are you interested?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “Tell me about it.”

The old cultivator laughed, “But I need to first obtain your promise that, for at least a hundred years, you, Chen Pingan, will not reveal our deal to anyone.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Even if I agree, do you dare to trust me?”

The old cultivator nodded, “I don’t fully trust you, but I plan to gamble. My standing here, appearing before you, is already a form of proof. In cultivation on the mountain, as long as one’s cultivation is higher than mine, I cannot see through their depths. But after spending so much time with someone, observing their nature is not too difficult. I have seen many people like you before, mostly those I met when I was young. As a result, I discovered that most of you die young, passing away halfway. So, I only said it was a hundred-year agreement.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “The New Year is approaching, Senior, please say a few auspicious words.”

The Nascent Soul Great Cultivator smiled faintly, “If I were to say some polite and courteous words to you, wouldn’t you become suspicious? How could we then make a deal?”

Chen Pingan felt that what he said was true.

Approximately the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Chen Pingan rode his horse down the hillside. His complexion, which was already not very good, turned ashen. Sitting on his horse, he swayed precariously, as if he had just experienced a life-or-death tribulation. His already weak physique was almost depleted.

Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi, who had stopped their horses after passing through the checkpoint and were waiting for him, were frightened and dared not even breathe loudly.

Earlier, almost everyone inside and outside the entire pass had seen the rainbow-like sword light from the direction where Chen Pingan had disappeared.

Chen Pingan waved his hand. “It’s nothing. It’s settled. Let’s continue on our journey. There will be no more incidents on the way back. It’s the same old rule: you will not return to Book Brief Lake with me.”

On the hillside, the Nascent Soul cultivator had long since removed the illusionary concealment. She was actually a middle-aged woman of unremarkable appearance. A drop of fresh blood slowly oozed from between her eyebrows, which she lightly wiped away with her finger. However, that trace of blood, in the eyes of any Fifth Realm cultivator, would be an extremely conspicuous existence upon even a brief glance.

Making a deal with that young man was still reassuring. After both parties had decided to make the deal, they scrutinized the details meticulously, leaving no room for loopholes. The young man responded appropriately to several probes.

She looked towards the sky, bowed respectfully, trembling, and said in a shaking voice, “Li Fuchu is vulgar and unworthy. She can only offend gentlemen, but dares not offend petty men. Forgive me.”

After a moment, heaven and earth were silent.

The woman laughed wryly, thinking that she had overthought things.

Now that Treasure Bottle Continent was in great turmoil, the Consecrated Saint needed to keep an eye on too many people and matters: Xie Shi, the Heavenly Sovereign of Northern Ju Continent, Song Changjing, the feudal lord of the Great Li Dynasty, the emperor of the Zhu Ying Dynasty, etc. It wouldn’t be her and that Chen Pingan’s turn no matter what, even though Liu Zhimao, who was imprisoned at the bottom of the water prison, had said in person that Chen Pingan now carried the Saint’s Jade Pendant with the inscription “I am good at nourishing the majestic righteousness.” But concerning the Consecrated Saint sitting in the sky of a continent, she knew some of the inside story. As long as sheThere wasn’t much extraordinary fighting among the lower realm mortals, so it didn’t warrant a second glance. However, something like the old Sect Master of Taiping Mountain personally chasing down the hunchbacked ape wielding a sword was too significant a spectacle and would undoubtedly be detected by the Sage of Tongye Continent in a heartbeat.

Still, caution is the key to a long and prosperous journey.

Certain courtesies are always better to have than not, more is preferable to less.

After departing from the fortress of the Mei You Kingdom and about to enter the borders of Shujian Lake, Chen Ping’an turned to look at the two listless fellows behind him near a rural village and said in a hoarse voice with a wry smile, “Sorry for making you worry. I was preoccupied with matters along the way.”

Ma Duyi clutched his chest. “Mr. Chen, you’re finally back! You’ve either been spacing out or frowning the whole time. It’s been ages since you’ve had a drink. We were both scared out of our wits.”

Zeng Ye nodded vigorously.

Chen Ping’an softly consoled them, “I encountered something I couldn’t figure out for a while. My apologies.”

Ma Duyi asked with a smile, “Have you figured it out now?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head. “I still haven’t understood the reason, but as a fallback, I’ve roughly figured out how to deal with it.”

Ma Duyi worriedly asked, “Are you really okay?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I’m fine now.”

Ma Duyi hesitated. “Then, Mr. Chen, take a sip of wine and show us, or we won’t be at ease.”

Zeng Ye looked embarrassed.

Chen Ping’an, of course, didn’t actually take a drink. He smiled and said, “You should stop here. Remember not to disturb the nearby villagers. Cultivate diligently, encourage each other, and don’t slack off. I’ll try my best to meet up with you by next spring at the latest, perhaps even sooner. By then, we’ll be heading south of Shujian Lake, where miasma abounds, and there are many mountain spirits and monsters. It’s said that there are also heretical cultivators and demonic practitioners, which will be much more dangerous than Shihao and Mei You Kingdoms. Don’t hold me back too much.”

Ma Duyi snorted.

Zeng Ye quickly promised to cultivate diligently.

Chen Ping’an rode off alone.

However, before leaving, he handed over the golden demon-binding rope and a few talismans to Ma Duyi in case of an accident. Furthermore, he reminded them to hide the rope well and not to show it off casually. If a passing rogue cultivator caught sight of it, it would be a disaster waiting to happen.

In matters of life and death, Ma Duyi didn’t dare to be negligent or make any jokes. He simply told Mr. Chen to rest assured that they would never be so careless.

That day, Chen Ping’an camped out in a desolate wilderness, where the aura of yin and death was quite strong. It was almost certain that a vengeful spirit was lurking there, but nothing happened overnight, which made Chen Ping’an feel somewhat strange. He couldn’t reveal his true cultivation at the moment, and the opponent was deeply hidden, likely connected to the local mountain and earth energies, so he had no choice but to let it go.

He rode away slowly, deeply troubled.

According to the veiled words of that Nascent Soul old cultivator, Li Fuqu, the mastermind who sent her away from Gongliu Island was a high-ranking cultivator in the Tongye Sect, one of the top five realms. They once oversaw the ancestral hall’s rules and precepts, holding a position of great respect. Even when Du Mao was alive, they were a formidable presence, and the current Sect Master of Tongye Sect had to address them as “Uncle-Master.”

This wasn’t even the most concerning thing for Chen Ping’an.

The truly frightening part was that this Tongye Sect grand cultivator was now a patron of the Yugui Sect, precisely when the Yugui Sect was about to choose a location in Baoping Continent’s Shujian Lake as the foundation for their lower sect!

Yugui Sect, the old man surnamed Xun who appeared in the dust shop of Old Dragon City, Sui Youbian’s future place of cultivation and attainment, and even earlier, Jiang Shangzhen, who appeared in the Qinghu Palace.

Among them, Jiang Shangzhen had a high probability of becoming the first Sect Master in the history of the Yugui Sect’s lower sect. However, the ancestral hall of the Yugui Sect hadn’t made any definitive statements, so there were still variables.

The fact that Jiang Shangzhen had been slow to travel to Baoping Continent was one piece of evidence.

As for the chief patron of the lower sect, it was naturally Liu Laocheng of Gongliu Island.

The Nascent Soul cultivator Li Fuqu had only said this much.

Since even Jiang Shangzhen, who loved to join in on the fun, hadn’t shown up, and instead, the ambitious former patriarch of the Tongye Sect had become a pioneer of the Yugui Sect, it was possible that this grand cultivator had some taken-for-granted ideas, wanting to contend with Jiang Shangzhen for the position of Sect Master of the lower sect.

No wonder Li Fuqu had been tracking him all along, waiting for an opportunity.

No wonder Su Gaoshan had been so unapproachable towards him. Even Tan Yuanyi knew a part of the Green Wave Pavilion’s files, clearly understanding his intricate connections with Dali, and Su Gaoshan, who completely disregarded Tan Yuanyi, would only know more. At Su Gaoshan’s high position, although he couldn’t freely mobilize the spies of the Green Wave Pavilion, it wasn’t difficult to access files or even learn more inside information than Tan Yuanyi.

Fortunately, Li Fuqu was cautious enough, respectful of the unpredictable Dao and impermanence.

That’s why she staged a double cross with him, causing both of them some damage.

Of course, they would meet again at a certain place near the border outside the hillside.

The news that he had managed to poke a wound between the eyebrows of an old Nascent Soul cultivator would be unbelievable to anyone among the thousands of islands and tens of thousands of rogue cultivators of Shujian Lake outside Gongliu Island.

However, as long as Liu Laocheng wasn’t dead set on harming him, not actively revealing his true strength, because that would mean that Liu Laocheng would be harming himself without benefiting, completely breaking ties with a future top patron of the Yugui Sect’s lower sect, as long as Liu Laocheng said nothing or spoke vaguely, saying something insignificant, then the former patriarch of the Tongye Sect would likely be skeptical, and that would be enough.

However, on the hillside, Chen Ping’an didn’t mention a word about Liu Laocheng’s reminder via Liu Zhimao’s flying sword, not using it as a reassuring pill to show goodwill to Li Fuqu, even though it wouldn’t cost him a single copper coin but would be incredibly effective.

Some things can’t be done.

Otherwise, Chen Ping’an would have to seriously reflect on whether his conscience had become that of a complete Shujian Lake rogue cultivator.

Neither Chen Ping’an nor Li Fuqu knew that after they had both left the fortress, on the border city wall, faintly, ripples appeared, sometimes solid, sometimes illusory, and eventually, a familiar figure that both of them knew appeared.

If Li Fuqu knew about this, her Dao heart would probably be shattered in fear.

Because this uninvited guest was none other than Liu Laocheng, the number one rogue cultivator in Baoping Continent, who had a greater chance of reaching the Immortal Realm after obtaining that fragment of the Glazed Golden Body that Daoist Qi … was willing to fight for.
He had left Book Brief Lake this time intending to discuss important matters with Su Gaoshan. He did indeed seek him out, but as for how and when he would return to Palace Willow Isle, no one could dictate to Liu Laocheng.

Even that cultivator of the Upper Five Realms who had defected from the Tung Leaf Sect to the Jade Decree Sect, and along the way pilfered a treasured artifact from the ancestral hall, wouldn’t dare to excessively restrain Liu Laocheng, much less repeatedly probe him.

A rogue cultivator of the Upper Five Realms was an extremely troublesome existence, even in the Tung Leaf Continent, which was far vaster than Treasure Bottle Continent.

Regardless of the reason for Liu Laocheng’s presence there, with a flick of his sleeve, he retracted his Palm Gazing Mountains and Rivers divine ability, which was nearing the Immortal Realm. A rogue cultivator of the wilds needed to possess one or several exceptional skills: a devastating yet concealed killing move or magical treasure, a tortoise-shell-like object to protect their Yin and Yang Spirits, and proficiency in escape and reconnaissance. The more diverse and refined their abilities, the longer a rogue cultivator without backing could survive.

Li Fuqu soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of light and darting away. A thunderous roar, like winter thunder, echoed above the pass.

Liu Laocheng emerged, smiling, “Good lad, still showing some sense of chivalry. Smart move. Otherwise… hehe.”

Liu Laocheng vanished in a flash.

Such a life-or-death situation, a ghost gate hidden on the main road, Chen Pingan remained completely unaware of, even after having personally walked through it.

The world and its affairs often unfolded in this manner, but more often than not, it wasn’t a matter of life and death. Instead, it manifested as more subtle occurrences: inexplicable opportunities, unheralded losses of power, unwarranted disputes, sudden strokes of good fortune. Each event left people bewildered, ecstatic, or utterly miserable.

Everything seemed preordained, yet it was not destiny, but rather human actions that dictated outcomes.

Humans acted, and Heaven observed. Even if Heaven did not watch, others were always watching.

As for how one should act, each individual had their own karmic connection and choices shaped by their environment. Sincerity, self-interest, and indifference could all serve as foundations for existence. The true absurdity lay in the simple truth that good and bad people, many were ignorant of this, and even those who knew remained helpless, comforting themselves with the excuse that the world was this way, that reason was useless. After all, everyone’s journey to the present moment was supported by underlying reasons beyond the surface. Each person’s core beliefs and motivations were like crucial pillars. The word “change” was easy to say, but difficult to execute. It was like repairing a house or pavilion: adding bricks and tiles required spending money, and if the pillars were shaky, the structure would inevitably be unstable. While replacing tiles or patching windows might be manageable, attempting to replace a pillar was akin to causing injury to bones and tendons – a difficult and unpleasant task. Few could accomplish it. The older one grew, the more extensive one’s experiences became, the more accustomed one became to the existing structure, making change even more difficult. Once hardship arrived and one was trapped in a predicament, it was only natural to think that the world was like this, that everyone was the same, and to borrow a few vague platitudes from books for temporary comfort. Otherwise, one might look at the misfortunes of others to feel better.

Chen Pingan was nearing Book Brief Lake, but suddenly turned his horse around, galloping towards Plum Glaze Country.

However, he wasn’t going to meet up with Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi. Instead, he abandoned his steed, setting it free in the mountains, leaving their future encounters to fate.

Chen Pingan directly took a desolate path used only by woodcutters, traversing the mountain border on foot to seek out someone.

A young monk who could subdue the Mind Monkey.

Reaching the base of the cliff, Chen Pingan stopped, pressed his palms together, and paid respects to the stone cave above.

The young monk rose from his futon, showing no surprise, returned the gesture, and extended a hand, indicating that Chen Pingan should simply climb up the cliff.

Throughout his journey, Chen Pingan, even without sensing anyone following him, hadn’t traveled too quickly. He slightly feigned a breathing pattern that was less smooth than usual. As for his internal state, Li Fuqu’s unique secret technique helped to conceal it, but he still needed to be cautious at every step, lest he harm himself and others, implicating Li Fuqu and placing himself in danger.

Like a mountain ape, he clambered up the cliff.

The young monk stood in the narrow stone cave. After Chen Pingan steadied himself, the monk sat back down cross-legged inside, offering the futon to his guest.

Chen Pingan hesitated for a moment, then sat on the futon.

As for the Mind Monkey, it remained with its eyes closed, seemingly fast asleep.

The young monk spoke, “I am from the Tung Leaf Continent. I am not familiar with the Elegant Tongue of your Treasure Bottle Continent. My understanding of Buddhist principles is already superficial, and with two language barriers in the way—one being the language between us, and the other being the distance between the meaning of Buddhist teachings and the words of the scriptures—I dare not speak rashly.”

Chen Pingan smiled in the Elegant Tongue of Tung Leaf Continent, “Fortunately, I have traveled in the Tung Leaf Continent and can speak its Elegant Tongue. I can barely overcome a small barrier.”

The young, withered monk smiled slightly, “Does the Benefactor know of the saying ‘The Divergent Ox-Head School’ in the Tung Leaf Continent?”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “I don’t know. My understanding of Buddhism is extremely shallow. I have had no opportunity to come into contact with Buddhist scriptures during my previous travels.”

The young monk raised a single palm in front of him, “It is good that you do not know, for it lessens the fences in your heart.”

A thought arose in Chen Pingan’s mind, but he gently suppressed it.

After all, the matter of subduing the Mind Monkey was the path to enlightenment for the monk before him, and outsiders should not mention it lightly. He simply wanted to ask some questions he had.

However, the young monk was already smiling, “The Benefactor has a karmic connection with Buddhism, and there is also a connection between you and me. The former is visible to the naked eye, and the latter is faintly discernible. I presume that when the Benefactor traveled in the northern Tung Leaf Continent, you once passed by a mountain peak and saw a seemingly demented little sprite, incessantly muttering and constantly asking, ‘With such a heart, how can one become a Buddha?’, am I right?”

Chen Pingan was dumbfounded.

The young monk smiled slightly, “Indeed.”

The young monk looked outside the stone cave, as if seeing millions of miles beyond the continent, and slowly said, “The question was right, but I cannot provide an answer.”

The young monk continued, “On the journey to retrieve the scriptures in the past, I was both the master and the disciple, transforming into five without realizing it, deeply mired in the miasma of my own ego. I happened to encounter a mountain sprite cave that was benevolent to people, and kindly provided me…”
Leading the way, calamity brewed in the aftermath, resulting in a single strike, slaying countless souls. The path of scripture acquisition was severed then, broken time and again, a journey of no return. Still unaware, he wandered from continent to continent, enduring hardship, finally leaving that world to behold the Pure Land of Buddha, yet he turned back, his hands and heart empty.”

The young monk sighed, gazing at Chen Ping’an. “Venerable Benefactor, ask away.”

Chen Ping’an slowly voiced his inner doubts, ranging from scriptures to worldly perplexities.

The young monk elucidated with Buddhist teachings.

Chen Ping’an had only read a few orthodox Buddhist texts recommended by Cui Dongshan, lacking any concept of the complex lineages of Buddhism, nor particularly caring for them.

His heart was purely one of sincere seeking, listening to the answers of this wandering monk from Tongye Continent.

Several points left a deep impression, one being the study of logic and reasoning, Hetu-vidya.

With each question and answer, the young monk expanded, his explanations bearing traces of Confucianism, Taoism, and the Hundred Schools, without hesitation.

When Chen Ping’an had no further questions, the young monk smiled. “Do not fear that asking about Buddhism will lead to monasticism, this is a common misconception.”

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile.

He revered Buddhism, but had no desire to become a monk.

He then recounted his experiences at the Heart Imagery Temple in Lotus Root Blessed Land, especially his chats with the old monk.

The monk listened intently, occasionally chanting the Buddha’s name in understanding.

Finally, Chen Ping’an rose from the prayer mat, stepped back, and bowed with hands clasped before the young monk. “My doubts have been dispelled.”

The young monk rose as well, chanting the Buddha’s name, murmuring, “Like coming, like going, Upper Seat Shenxiu.”

Chen Ping’an exited the grotto, retracing his steps down the cliff.

The young monk looked at the prayer mat, clasped his hands again, and repeated the last phrase, “Upper Seat Shenxiu.”

Chen Ping’an did not understand the deep meaning.

He only recalled that in his hometown, there was a tall mountain cliff inscribed with the words “Heaven Opens Divine Beauty,” and he had once trekked there with others, but due to his poor eyesight and the swirling mists, he could not make it out. Later, Wei Bo took him on a tour of the Northern Peak’s territory, allowing him to see it. He thought that Master Ruan chose that mountain as the sect’s foundation because the maiden Ruan’s name contained the character “Beauty.”

Chen Ping’an returned to the border of Mei You Kingdom and found his horse in the forest. It galloped towards him affectionately.

Chen Ping’an patted its back and joked, “It seems we’ve both lost weight. But you’re alright, your thinned bones still resonate with metallic sound. Mine are just skin and bones, barely any flesh, ready to be blown away by the wind.”

He mounted the horse and headed straight for Shujian Lake.

Sword and saber adorned his waist, a gourd for nurturing his blade hanging beside them.

But the Chen Ping’an of now, if he had been like this back then, would not have faced the door-knocking of Jianghu peril on that night in the Ziyang Prefecture.

No wonder that old Jianghu swordsman at the Liuguan Pass said that not all green-robed guests are sword immortals.

Chen Ping’an once again entered Shujian Lake via Green Parasol City, leaving his horse at the same inn, and went to the same humble alley, buying four cheap but delicious meat buns. But it seemed the shop was quieter than half a year ago, the young owner looking listless, sighing often. Chen Ping’an ate the buns as he found the ferry and returned to Qingxia Island.

Nearing the end of the year, Shujian Lake was even more desolate than the bun shop, unlike last year when three heavy snowfalls increased the spiritual Qi, making even the usually indifferent cultivators feel like they had a good New Year. Unexpectedly, this year was not yet over, but the situation was dire. Over a thousand islands, including Qingxia Island, had to hand over half their wealth to the Great Li cavalry under Su Gaoshan. Islands related to the Zhu Ying Dynasty and the affiliated Shihao and Mei You Kingdoms suffered the most, weakened on both sides.

Most terrifying was Tan Yuanyi of Lisu Island, teaming up with Tian Hujun of Sulin Island, Yu Gui, and other founders with Earth Immortal cultivators, such as the Yellow Oriole Island couple. They formed an alliance again, without any disputes, but with sincere cooperation, using the four cities including the lakeside of Shujian, Green Parasol, as “passes” to draw a line of encirclement. Any cultivator who dared to secretly flee with island wealth would be arrested and handed over to the Great Li cavalry officials stationed there, including military generals, a civil official, and two accompanying cultivators. A net was cast over tens of thousands of rogue cultivators, trapping them, forcing them to cut flesh from their own bones. Chests of immortal coins were continuously transported to Chishui City. Conflicts erupted, and after nearly a hundred rogue cultivators died, including two Golden Core cultivators, Shujian Lake finally quieted down and behaved.

It was said that this was only the first round.

Next, some large islands would be allowed by the Great Li cavalry to devour the smaller fish and shrimp, vigorously developing affiliated islands. It was likely that within a year, three-tenths of the current thousand islands in Shujian Lake would lose their ancestral halls, their incense extinguished, becoming vassals of the larger islands. In this bloody process, any resisting cultivators would face a single fate. It was rumored that Su Gaoshan would establish a new rankless position, “Horse Leading Cultivator,” meaning they would serve as grooms for the Great Li cultivators. Once Su Gaoshan broke through the Mei You Kingdom’s defenses, joined by Cao Ping’s army, these two iron riders would divide into five routes, forming a huge encirclement around the Zhu Ying Dynasty. The only fortune for the horse-leading cultivators would be to accumulate military merits on the battlefield against the Zhu Ying border troops, hoping to become low-level accompanying cultivators. But whether two or three out of ten horse-leading cultivators could survive and become accompanying cultivators, only Heaven knew. Even if they became accompanying cultivators, the Great Li cavalry would continue south. How…