As the green-robed traveler shattered the golden statue of the Shazao Creek Lord, the Lord of Cangyun Lake wore a face of fury, seemingly ready to erupt and even wade ashore for a battle.

However, when that man shattered a river deity’s golden body with a single punch, the Lake Lord, Yin Hou, became as still as a pond, his expression calm. Facing this outsider who seemed to charge through formations alone, Yin Hou raised his hand, two fingers joined, two wisps of spiritual light, one pale gold, one emerald green, condensed like small snakes, coiling around his fingertips, intertwining. Yin Hou lightly flicked his hand, and centered around him, the surface of Cangyun Lake stirred, water vapor rising, green smoke billowing, instantly shrouding the water within a hundred-zhang radius.

On the ferry side, not to mention Du Yu of the Ghost Axe Palace, even Yan Qing, focusing her energy and spirit, could only see a misty expanse as far as her eyes could reach. The Lake Lord and the many civil and military officials of the Cangyun Lake Dragon Palace had vanished. Her sect’s immortal ancestor from the Treasured Grotto Paradise seemed to be wielding a powerful sect treasure, its light flickering faintly, protecting all fellow disciples, who then began to retreat slowly, apparently leaving the battlefield entirely to the Yin Hou’s side.

At the edge of the water mist, a pale gold python and an emerald green serpent circled continuously, chasing each other’s tails, like rain-summoning dragons, intensifying the mist on the lake’s surface.

Yan Qing knew that this was one of the innate divine abilities of a water deity who had attained the Great Dao. It was not merely a simple illusion, but a cage resembling a talisman array. Once a cultivator or a pure martial artist was trapped within, it could separately deplete their Qi palace spiritual energy and pure true Qi, a method that was both offensive and defensive.

Du Yu remained standing, glancing at the ravaged ferry before him, collapsed into a chaotic mess. Only the ground around the bamboo chest and the walking stick remained intact.

“The senior’s touch is truly immortal.”

What did this signify? This meant that the senior’s foot stomp had not yet exerted its full power.

Yan Qing flicked her sleeve, dispersing the dust from the ferry.

However, her gaze remained fixed on the movements on the Cangyun Lake. The hundred-zhang radius water mist array suddenly shrank, as if someone had pulled up a fishing net, reducing it to only ten zhang or so. But the water mist also became increasingly thick, almost like water itself. The golden python and the emerald serpent plunged into the array from the left and right.

Yan Qing sighed inwardly. Ultimately, this was a battle on Cangyun Lake. The Lake Lord, Yin Hou, had the advantage of favorable location and conditions. Moreover, a trusted river deity had used his life as the price to stall that person’s forward momentum, losing the initial advantage. No wonder her sect’s ancestor had chosen the Dragon Palace as the final stop of the entourage journey, for Lake Lord Yin Hou had stood firm in Silver Screen Country for a thousand years, his status as a water deity on par with the Five Sacred Mountain Lords of the nation.

Yan Qing glanced at Du Yu, seeing his calm demeanor.

Du Yu noticed Yan Qing’s gaze and turned to smile. “A small pond can’t trap my Brother Chen, whose sneeze can overturn rivers and seas.”

Yan Qing scoffed.

“Such disgusting flattery. Let’s see if you can still say it after the battle is over.”

The cultivators of the Treasured Grotto Paradise had retreated over a hundred zhang from the battlefield. Ancestor Fan Weiran still hadn’t retracted the divine power of the sect’s treasure. Golden light flowed from the old woman’s golden crown, illuminating the surroundings. Beside the old woman appeared a heavenly court female official, like a hanging portrait, her face blurred, her body bathed in golden light, her figure graceful. This ethereal golden maiden’s sleeves fluttered, reaching out to hold up an immortal canopy, protecting all the cultivators of the Treasured Grotto Paradise. The lake surface beneath Fan Weiran’s feet had frozen, as if forming a temporary pier for people to stand on.

Yan Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

“It seems the ancestor doesn’t intend to meddle in tonight’s battle.”

Lake Lord Yin Hou still stood in place, but only the two remaining river deities had led their people away, heading back home, judging by the direction. The Shazao Creek Lord was not only greatly relieved, but seemed to have turned misfortune into blessing, his face brimming with barely concealed joy, using his divine ability to transform into a cloud of water mist, swiftly heading towards his own Shazao Creek.

Yan Qing knew perfectly well that Cangyun Lake was about to mobilize its forces to hunt down that person and exterminate him.

Yin Hou even had the leisure to give Yan Qing a slight smile.

Yan Qing ignored it.

Strange phenomena arose on the lake.

A golden thread suddenly appeared within the array cage that enveloped the lake surface. Then, the water array exploded with a boom, like ice melting into water, all merging into the lake.

The green-robed traveler stood with one hand behind his back, facing Lake Lord Yin Hou with joined fingers, his back to the ferry.

The man held a golden immortal talisman between his fingers, only half of it burned.

Yan Qing was puzzled.

“Just a Barrier-Breaking Talisman?”

“Could a Barrier-Breaking Talisman be so powerful?”

Not only had it broken through Lake Lord Yin Hou’s array, but from Yan Qing and Du Yu’s perspective on the ferry, they could also see that the man’s hand behind his back was lightly clenched, revealing the tails of two small snakes, one pale gold, one emerald green.

Seeing this strange phenomenon, Lake Lord Yin Hou showed no surprise, smiling. “A dish of Cangyun Lake’s appetizer to welcome guests. How does this foreign immortal master find the flavor?”

Chen Pingan surveyed the surroundings. The two river deities and the Shazao Creek Lord should have returned to their respective jurisdictions, starting from the sources of the three rivers, constantly accumulating momentum downstream, helping the Lake Lord set up a true killing formation.

If he hadn’t sensed the movements outside, Chen Pingan wouldn’t have minded staying in the array, treating it as cooling off and enjoying the moonlight. After all, the two water-transport snake pythons of Lake Lord Yin Hou, after a little refinement, were not something the Shazao Creek Lord could match with his stingy four ounces of water-transport essence. After some consideration, they weighed at least a pound each. As expected of a lake lord, his foundation was far beyond what a small creek lord or river crone could compare to.

Chen Pingan temporarily abandoned the plan to completely refine the two water-transport snake pythons. The two gleams of light behind his back instantly disappeared, imprisoned by him outside the water mansion.

If there really were follow-up schemes, causing his physical body and soul to suffer a little, it would be Lake Lord Yin Hou’s ability, and Chen Pingan would acknowledge a small setback.

Within the small world of the human body’s Qi palace, the two water-attribute snake pythons huddled outside the water mansion gate, shivering.

A fire dragon, rushing over madly, raised its head high, coldly overlooking these lowly creatures. It lightly rubbed the ground with one of its claws. If it weren’t for the faint familiar refining aura on them, one claw would have ended them.

The water mansion gate opened instantly and then slammed shut.

“So it’s these two…”

The green-robed child carried the golden python and the emerald serpent away.

The fire dragon, manifested by the pure true Qi of a martial artist, moved its massive body, slowly turning around and leisurely departing.
Lake Lord Yin Hou opened a palm, revealing a fragment of a golden statue. This was the entirety of the River God of Twilight Frost River’s remaining essence after his demise.

There was a larger piece, for when Yin Hou unleashed his fist, the golden statue shattered into two fragments. The thumb-sized one had already been snatched into the sleeve of the blue-robed guest. Had Yin Hou not acted swiftly to seize it, this sliver of golden essence would have become the man’s possession.

Yin Hou shook his head lightly, sighing. This River God of Twilight Frost River, despite being the weakest in combat amongst the three river gods, was the most loyal. He had followed Yin Hou for a long time, possessing both the experience of the Lady of the Water Meadow Canal and the understanding nature of the Lady of the Algae Stream Canal. It was a pity he had died, and even more regrettable that he left behind only this fragment of golden statue. If the slightly larger piece were added, it might have increased Yin Hou’s cultivation by a century.

Yin Hou let the fragment sink into his palm, intending to refine it slowly after the battle. It was an unexpected delight.

What did it matter if a so-called great general under his command died? He could always request a decree from the Emperor of Ping Country to enshrine another. In any case, the River God’s right-hand men had long been eager and coveting the River God’s position. Otherwise, where did those rare and precious treasures in his daughter’s boudoir come from?

In the past century, this River God of Twilight Frost River had secretly harbored two beautiful maids with exceptional talent. Hiding beauties in a gilded nest! If the Dragon Palace truly investigated, he would deserve to die. However, Yin Hou, the Lake Lord, was magnanimous, not wanting to discourage his officers and soldiers.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the cultivators from the Treasure Grotto Immortal Realm in the distance, who were clearly intending to sit back and watch the tiger fight. He felt somewhat helpless, realizing that making a fortune seemed unlikely. Why did these registered immortals lack the chivalrous spirit to help those in need? It was said that those who eat another’s food are loath to speak ill of them. Yet, after drinking and exchanging pleasantries at the Dragon Palace banquet, they were already turning their backs? Was it too much to ask them to toss a few magical artifacts his way to test his strength?

Chen Ping’an had no intention of becoming overly hostile with this group of immortal cultivators.

Azure Canopy Lake was different.

The active malice of mountain and water spirits, causing trouble in one area, was entirely different from the lack of benevolence of cultivators, who disregarded the mortal realm.

Lake Lord Yin Hou, seeing that the man had stopped moving, asked, “Do you wish to resolve this peacefully?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “I’m waiting for the main course.”

Yin Hou laughed heartily, “Good, good, good! A straightforward man!”

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes.

Having guarded the water transportation of Azure Canopy Lake for a thousand years, ruling over a territory as vast as those small vassal states in the Northern Reaches, had he been laughing at the mortal world all this time? Having become a spirit, attained enlightenment, and been officially enshrined as a water god, had he never shed a tear in this life?

On the lake’s surface, not a single ripple arose.

Yet, a hint of azure suddenly appeared before Lake Lord Yin Hou.

Yin Hou, adorned in a magnificent crimson-purple dragon robe, hesitated for a moment, then chose not to evade, intending to test the weight of this “Sword Immortal’s” fist.

He raised a hand to block it.

The “Multihued Purple” dragon robe was a magical garment that Yin Hou had meticulously crafted, spending a fortune in immortal coins. It was a genuine magical treasure, considered a top-tier immortal treasure in Yellow Halberd City and the Treasure Grotto Immortal Realm. The true foundation of an immortal sect lay in the number of magical treasures it possessed, while Lake Lords and mountain gods, like Yin Hou, held dominion over a number of orthodox divine positions with which they could freely appoint their confidants.

Such immense force!

One of the coiling dragons on the robe instantly shattered.

Lake Lord Yin Hou was forced to slide back several yards.

Could he be a grandmaster of martial arts at the Golden Body Realm? Was his supposed identity as a Sword Immortal merely a smokescreen he had set up at the Water Immortal Shrine to mislead others?

However, Yin Hou remained unfazed. He raised his hand again and received another punch. This time, two water-attribute dragons on his body exploded. But what was a magical robe if not the dragons nurtured by spiritual energy, capable of gathering and dispersing at will? Even if one or two dragons of the robe were temporarily destroyed, it could still instantly reform, much like how a god could instantly reconstruct their golden body without harming the fundamental Dao. If this was the extent of the force of these two punches, Yin Hou was confident that he could withstand a hundred more, and then see whether his magical robe was more wondrous or his opponent’s pure Qi more enduring.

The third punch arrived.

Two more dragons, coiling around the sleeves, were blasted apart simultaneously.

Yin Hou’s expression turned somewhat grave.

He was about to consider whether to use a supernatural ability to escape. After all, with the momentum of the two rivers and one canal already established, and the three golden-bodied gods about to carry the water into Azure Canopy Lake, there was no need for him, a Lake Lord whose status was no less than that of an earthly emperor, to risk himself personally. If not for wanting to show off his Lake Lordly grace in front of that Immortal Maiden Yan Qing, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven for this person to get close to him on the waters of Azure Canopy Lake.

Having hovered a few feet above the lake surface all this time, Yin Hou secretly stepped into the water after being knocked back by a punch, and smiled mockingly.

Another punch arrived.

A figure of Lake Lord Yin Hou, as if sculpted from ice, shattered with a bang.

Lake Lord Yin Hou stood in the water several yards below the surface, hands behind his back, shaking his wrists to loosen his muscles. He was indeed a pure martial artist. No wonder he dared to act so wantonly, recklessly killing Yin Hou’s canal masters and river gods.

Yin Hou felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer in the center of his back, and the fist energy angled upwards, sending the Lake Lord directly through the water and into the air.

Fortunately, only six dragons on the Multihued Purple robe were destroyed.

If all nine dragons had collapsed at once, the robe would have temporarily lost its effect.

This was similar to the principle behind the Armor Globule, a military treasure that transformed into the Dew-Receiving Armor of a God.

Another punch landed from above.

A loud sound like a bell or chime reverberated through the air.

Yin Hou, having just left Azure Canopy Lake, was once again slammed back into the water.

Although Lake Lord Yin Hou’s physical body was not severely damaged, he felt that these two punches were a great humiliation.

Then, beneath the lake’s surface,

A series of muffled rumbles, like winter thunder, erupted beneath the waters of Azure Canopy Lake.

The lake water surged.

However, as the great waves approached the golden maiden attendant carrying the canopy, they seemed to be blocked by the high walls of a city, turning into powder. Layer upon layer of waves, like countless scattered white pearls, were intercepted by the golden light.

Fan Weiran smiled and said, “Let’s go ashore to watch the battle.”

The ice beneath their feet rose into the air, racing towards the ferry.

The Old Woman was a figure of authority in the Treasure Grotto Immortal Realm, and none of the cultivators dared to object.

Only the eccentric Second Ancestor, the Dao-teaching master of Immortal Maiden Yan Qing, dared to argue with Fan Weiran.

As the ice layer approached the ferry, it suddenly dissipated, turning back into water and flowing into the lake, as Fan Weiran’s spiritual energy withdrew.
The cultivators, following their Ancestral Master Fan Weiran, gracefully descended, arriving at the nearly ruined ferry.

As this group of celestial masters approached the ferry, Du Yu gritted his teeth, tapped his toes, and darted towards the book chest and mountain-walking staff, gripping the hilt of his saber.

Fan Weiran merely glanced at this Gui Fu Palace military strategist before leading her group past him.

The golden figure of a woman, attending by her side and holding up a jeweled canopy, seemed to share a telepathic connection, also casting a look at Du Yu.

Du Yu’s teeth chattered, his body tense as he stood beside the mountain-walking staff, unmoving.

This tall old woman was the second most powerful cultivator among the dozens of kingdoms’ mountains.

Moreover, her strength was nearly equal to that of the Yellow Halberd City Lord, who held the top spot.

Furthermore, Fan Weiran was known for her notoriously volatile temper. In her earlier years, before becoming the Master of the Precious Grotto Immortal Realm, whenever she led a team down the mountain for excursions, there were always casualties among the cultivators. As for the unfortunate martial artists of the Jianghu, their numbers were even greater. Fan Weiran also enjoyed torturing her enemies. Once, a sixth-realm Jianghu grandmaster who had offended a disciple of the Precious Grotto Immortal Realm was sought out by Fan Weiran. After being knocked to the ground by a magical artifact, the old crone stood beside him and stomped him, foot by foot, from head to toe, turning him into a puddle of minced meat.

Fan Weiran raised her finger and gently touched the golden crown on her head. All the golden light flowed back into the crown, and the golden figure attendant and the jeweled canopy vanished.

Yan Qing bowed and said, “Yan Qing greets Ancestral Master.”

Fan Weiran’s expression was kind. She gently poked Yan Qing’s forehead with her finger, feigning anger, and said, “You little girl, how dare you be so bold as to travel with such a vicious outsider?”

Yan Qing blushed and remained silent, standing with her hands respectfully clasped.

Fan Weiran turned to look at Azure Cranes Lake, using ripples of spiritual thoughts to tell Yan Qing, “The show is about to begin. To be able to beat Marquis Yin to the point of having his human form illusion completely destroyed, forcing him to reveal his true form, he must be a Golden Body Realm grandmaster. Rare indeed. The Jianghu of the dozens of kingdoms down the mountain hasn’t seen a legendary Golden Body martial artist in two hundred years. Yan girl, when you fight this person, be sure to pay attention to one thing: never let him get close. Don’t be like that arrogant Lake Lord Marquis Yin. You’ll suffer. Ignoring your immortal arts and magical artifacts, competing with that martial artist in brute strength is just foolish, isn’t it?”

Yan Qing nodded.

Fan Weiran added, “Besides, that Lake Lord is naturally physically strong, something we Qi refiners can’t compare to. He’s just a beast, after all, thick-skinned and tough.”

Suddenly, a giant serpent, hundreds of feet long, appeared on the lake. It had already grown four claws and raised its head high, opening its mouth to spew a beam of emerald light towards the lake’s surface.

A figure in green robes raised a palm, actually blocking the imposing beam of light head-on.

The magnificent scene was like a bright moon rising from the sea.

Yan Qing silently captured this scene in her mind’s eye.

Fan Weiran sneered, “A Golden Body Realm martial artist battling a Golden Body deity, not bad, not bad. This trip hasn’t been in vain.”

At the same time, three water dragons, tens of feet long, appeared at the points where the Two Rivers and One Canal entered the lake. The two yellow water dragons were larger in size, while the ink-black water dragon was the smallest and most exquisite.

The eyes of the three water deity golden bodies that controlled the water dragons were the only parts that displayed a faint layer of gold.

Not only did three water dragons arrive to provide support, but the small and large water veins throughout the Azure Crane Lake territory had also begun to tremble and twist, all for the use of Lake Lord Marquis Yin and the three Golden Body deities of the One Canal and Two Rivers.

Tonight, the Azure Crane Lake was truly experiencing a flood, with towering waves.

The epic battlefield continued to move away from the ferry, towards the center of Azure Crane Lake.

A female cultivator, one of Fan Weiran’s direct disciples, chuckled softly, “Master, that fellow is quite perceptive and knows what’s good for him. He’s afraid of splashing even a tiny bit of water on you, so he’s running away.”

Another tall male cultivator chimed in, “A wise man submits to circumstances. He’s already thoroughly angered Lake Lord Marquis Yin, and his life is uncertain. To also make an enemy of Ancestral Master would be courting death.”

Du Yu, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, stood like a wooden stake at the very edge of the ferry.

He was even more like a mountain-walking staff than the verdant mountain-walking staff beside him.

An unattainable immortal like Yan Qing alone could cause Du Yu and the Gui Fu Palace endless trouble, let alone a peak cultivator like Fan Weiran, whose magic was unparalleled.

For the old crone to step on the Gui Fu Palace’s head would be like a true mountain crushing down.

Fan Weiran turned her head and said with a smile, “Yan girl, there’s no need to be so reserved. Take a step forward.”

Yan Qing, adhering to the rules of respect for seniority and hierarchy within the sect, then stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ancestral Master.

The old crone Fan Weiran’s expression was relaxed, but in truth, she wasn’t as at ease as she appeared on the surface.

Some things, even those of the Lake Lord Marquis Yin’s level, whose cultivation was already quite high, were still blind if they didn’t stand in that position.

The old crone raised her head and looked at the night sky.

Only she and Yellow Halberd City Lord Ye Han could see the trace of unusual light.

That was why her junior sister had always worried that she would harbor resentment towards her prized disciple Yan Qing, even secretly hindering Yan Qing’s ascent to the great Dao. She guarded against her senior sister as if she were a thief.

Fan Weiran found it amusing.

A petite and charming girl suddenly said softly, “Ancestral Master Grandmother, that person seems to be just practicing his fist techniques, deliberately using those snakes and pythons to temper his physique.”

Fan Weiran beckoned, and the girl skipped over to the old crone’s side, raised her head, and said innocently, “Really, Ancestral Master Grandmother, I’m not lying to you.”

The tall Fan Weiran bent down slightly, rubbed the little girl’s head, and the old crone looked down at the pair of beautiful eyes that shimmered with faint light, and smiled, “Our Cui girl is also gifted. She’s not bad either. When she grows up, she might be as successful as your Senior Aunt Yan. When she goes down the mountain to train, she’ll be a dazzling immortal wherever she goes.”

Yan Qing gave the girl a slight smile.

The girl glanced at Yan Qing, twisted her hands together, and lowered her head, embarrassed, and said, “I’m not as pretty as Senior Aunt Yan.”

Fan Weiran laughed heartily.

The girl became even more shy.

Yan Qing gently pinched the girl’s ear.

This was a rare display of affection from Yan Qing.

After Fan Weiran finished laughing, she looked into the distance at Azure Crane Lake, her expression solemn, and said in a deep voice, “If that’s the case, then we need to discuss things carefully.”

The signs of a sect’s decline often begin with a lack of successors.

Yellow Halberd City was not bad in this regard, after all, there was still He Lu to hold the fort, but her Precious Grotto Immortal Realm was even better.
Apart from Yan Qing, there was also this Cui girl, plus his eldest disciple who had been in secluded cultivation for ten years. All of them would be the pillars of the Precious Citadel Immortal Realm in the future.

Yan Qing’s heart shook greatly.

Why was it that even though that person was hiding his strength, the Ancestral Master Fan, who had originally decided to stand by and watch, instead developed murderous intent?

On Azure Verdant Lake, a small island was plowed with a massive trench by the true form of the Lake Lord Yin Hou, a serpentine dragon with a massive tail.

That figure in verdant robes only retreated to defend himself with each punch.

More than enough to protect himself, but lacking in offensive power.

It seemed he was already without any means of retaliation. After shattering the golden body of the Twilight Cold River Deity with a single punch and forcing the Lake Lord to reveal his true form, he should have been running out of steam after this third display of power.

This allowed the three river and two canal water dragons, who had been holding back, to fight more and more fiercely, each exhibiting their ferocious nature.

From afar on Azure Verdant Lake, the Lake Lord Yin Hou’s bellowing voice echoed, “Ancestral Master Fan, as long as you help me slay this fiend, I will gift the variegated purple robe to the Precious Citadel Immortal Realm!”

Fan Weiran smiled without uttering a word.

Yan Qing gazed afar, even operating the incantation, manipulating the spiritual energy in her Qi reservoir, causing her eyes to emanate a purple radiance, already displaying the grand achievement of the “Sun and Moon Illuminate the Furnace, Eyes Produce Purple Smoke” technique. Yet, Yan Qing still couldn’t see clearly. After all, the battlefield was too far from the ferry crossing. She could only see the shadow of the serpentine dragon rushing about.

Although the girl Cui was naturally able to discern some mysterious and obscure truths, Yan Qing was still hesitant to believe that a golden-body martial artist from the legends of the martial world could still cope with ease when facing the full onslaught of several deities in the territory of the Lake Lord Yin Hou. Yan Qing would only believe it if the two sides fought on land and the Azure Verdant Lake Deity lost the advantage of the terrain.

Moreover, for a pure martial artist, once his true Qi was exhausted and declined, as long as he wasn’t given the opportunity to replenish his breath, his end would almost certainly be a bleak one.

How long had the two sides been fighting?

Or was it that the physique of a golden-body martial artist was not only capable of sustaining a long stream of true Qi like a river but had also truly reached the Buddhist state of an indestructible golden body, capable of casually withstanding the joint attacks of the Lake Lord and the three water dragons?

From afar, Lake Lord Yin Hou’s voice, like muffled thunder, reached the ferry crossing, “Fan Weiran! I’ll add the position of the Twilight Cold River Deity to the Precious Citadel Immortal Realm!”

Fan Weiran said loudly, “If my old eyes haven’t failed me, has the Algae Creek Channel Master also died?”

On Azure Verdant Lake, apart from the earth-shattering, monstrous waves, Lake Lord Yin Hou offered no further words.

Although Yan Qing didn’t concern herself with worldly affairs, the Azure Verdant Lake territory only had three rivers and two canals as vassals. Handing over the position of a river deity was already a great show of sincerity. If he gave up the Algae Creek Water Deity as well, plus the abandoned Herb Creek Canal, it would be like hammering two nails into himself. Two Silver Screen Kingdom Orthodox deities of a canal and a river, with the Precious Citadel Immortal Realm as their backing, Lake Lord Yin Hou would completely lose the right to casually kill them. How could he allow others to snore beside his bed? Lake Lord Yin Hou naturally understood this principle. Moreover, it would involve the very foundation of the Great Dao, dividing up a large amount of the mountain and river fortune of Azure Verdant Lake. Yan Qing would never agree to it.

Yan Qing inquired in her heart, “Ancestral Master, are we really going to take two water deity positions of Azure Verdant Lake in one go?”

Fan Weiran smiled, “If we don’t raise the price like this, even if Yin Hou obediently hands over the Twilight Cold River deity position, he will still harbor resentment. With Yin Hou’s cunning and means, he will definitely suppress the new river deity into becoming a useless figure. Our Precious Citadel Immortal Realm doesn’t have so much free time to listen to a river deity from another country complaining every day. Should we care or not then?”

Yan Qing nodded, “Ancestral Master is farsighted.”

Fan Weiran grasped Yan Qing’s white, lotus-root-like hand. The old woman held it with one hand, lightly patting the back of her hand with the other, and said with emotion, “Girl Yan, once you’ve heard and understood these mundane matters, just let them go. You just need to cultivate with peace of mind, nurture your spiritual potential, and seek the Great Dao.”

Yan Qing hummed in agreement.

Fan Weiran released her hand and said with confidence, “Perhaps the harvest will be even better than I expected.”

As expected.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, Lake Lord Yin Hou once again shouted loudly, “Ancestral Master Fan, I’ll give you the position of the Algae Creek Channel Master as well! If you still don’t agree and continue to push your luck, then Azure Verdant Lake will no longer have any friendship with the cultivators of your Precious Citadel Immortal Realm!”

This time, his voice had lost its previous composure and was filled with gnashing teeth, clearly somewhat exasperated.

Fan Weiran smiled slightly and said to Yan Qing in a low voice, “How about it?”

Yan Qing’s expression was complicated, and she said softly, “Ancestral Master, be careful.”

“Girl Yan, you probably don’t know how the last golden-body martial artist in the history of several kingdoms died, do you? When you return to the sect, you can ask your master. That was the battle that made my junior sister and the City Lord of Yellow Halberd City famous.”

Fan Weiran laughed loudly and transformed into a rainbow, rushing away.

Yan Qing frowned.

Du Yu still stood honestly in place, silently praying to the gods and Buddhas in his heart.

When the rainbow in the sky went to Azure Verdant Lake, Du Yu felt it was of little use. However, if he had three sticks of incense on hand, Du Yu would have stuck them in the ground.

On a small island that had been almost leveled.

Lake Lord Yin Hou’s massive true form slowly swam around the island.

The two river deity’s golden bodies, controlling the water dragons, were already bloodshot, frantically attacking the green figure on the island.

As for the Herb Creek Channel Master, who controlled the ink-black water dragon, it was floating on the lake outside the island. The Channel Master’s mortal shell, hidden within the Dragon Palace, was swaying on a futon. The Herb Creek Channel Master’s face was as white as snow, feeling as if all the bones in his body were about to be shattered.

The two nearby river deities were standing on the futon, closing their eyes and focusing their minds, golden light flowing through their bodies. Moreover, the spiritual energy of the Dragon Palace’s water vein was constantly pouring into their golden bodies.

Only the mortal shells were here, so that they could absorb the abundant water vein of the Dragon Palace near at hand. The true golden bodies of the three river and channel water deities had completely merged into the three water dragons.

A water dragon crashed its enormous head into the man in green robes.

However, he was able to resist with a single palm, unable to move forward at all.

That person smiled and said, “Are you getting a little tired? Then let me take over?”

Chen Ping An took out a Jade Purity Brightness Talisman, secretly made by the Cloud Citadel Palace of the Bureau of Mysteries. He had already finished reciting the incantation and threw it into the sky.

Great light was released.

As if a great sun illuminated the netherworld.

Since he hadn’t deliberately sought a broad range, the suppression targeting this island was even more solid and indestructible.

The water dragon in the form of a river deity wanted to shake his head and retreat.
The palm, held firm to meet the headlong assault, twisted gently as the green-robed guest took a step, transforming into a blade-hand thrust forward.

A line was drawn, cleaving the water dragon, guarded by the golden effigy of the River God, from its head all the way down its belly.

When the man stood still, a larger fragment of the golden effigy was in his hand.

Within the Dragon Palace, the River God’s transformed human skin withered instantly, turning to ash.

The other water dragon was first dazed, then frantically tried to flee. But as it slammed into the dazzling barrier, cracks appeared on its head. Enduring the pain, it tried to burrow into the ground, hoping to escape once it reached the water veins beneath the island.

But the next moment, it felt a heavy blow to its head, sliding along the island’s surface, carving a deep trench in the earth.

The sword-carrying green-robed guest, now standing above the dragon’s head, delivered a punch.

The entire island trembled, sending dust flying. The previously surging lake water reversed its course in a tidal wave.

Another fragment of the River God’s golden effigy was clutched in the man’s hand.

Looking around, the Lake Lord Yin Hou was nowhere to be seen.

This was expected. The strategy was to defeat them individually. Had the Lake Lord entered the array’s range, a more valuable talisman in the sleeve awaited him, a main course for the Azure Ripple Lake.

Chen Pingan noticed the small, ink-black water dragon playing dead on the lake’s surface. With a flick of its tail, it plunged into the water, sending up a large splash.

Chen Pingan tapped his Sword-Nourishing Gourd, and the flying sword Fifteen shot away.

Chen Pingan looked in a direction, the one the Lake Lord Yin Hou had fled towards.

The sword behind him unsheathed itself a fraction of an inch.

Chen Pingan narrowed his eyes, gazing at the thickening clouds accumulating in the sky, and said in a low voice, “Return!”

The sword returned to its scabbard with a clang, seemingly still indignant.

Chen Pingan swayed slightly, but he would not argue with the sword for now.

Chen Pingan reached out and grasped the Jade Purity Brightness Talisman in his hand. The problem with most immortal talismans was that they were easy to activate but difficult to deactivate. Once the core of the talisman was opened, the talisman’s light would disperse into the world. Cultivators could only slow down the rate of the talisman’s disintegration and spiritual energy loss, but could not completely stop a high-grade talisman from burning. However, once this talisman was sealed, even though it had become a leaky house, it should last for ten days without being used again.

He had ways to make the Azure Ripple Lake Lord come ashore and do business with him; it would just take a little time. But more likely, he would come ashore on his own initiative. Cunning people who lived long and climbed high were rarely stupid, which was frustrating.

As for the flying sword Fifteen, it was only tracking the Brook Master of the Vermillion Creek, not seeking to kill.

Now that he knew the approximate location of the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the lake, he had more leverage for bartering.

Chen Pingan turned to look at the sky, and asked with a smile, “Why is Old Granny rushing here? Afraid I can’t swim back to the ferry?”

Old Ancestor Fan Weiran was filled with anger. That Lake Lord Yin Hou actually ran away, leaving her to take the blame! If she hadn’t sensed his imminent arrival, this unfathomable young man would never have stopped, abandoning the pursuit of Yin Hou.

Very well, you dared to claim you would be at odds with the cultivators of the Precious Cauldron Paradise. In the coming century, I will see if the Azure Ripple Lake’s water is deeper or the spells of the Precious Cauldron Paradise are higher. My junior sister is destined to be unable to break through, so I will have her bring people here to confront you Azure Ripple Lake demons for a hundred years!

Looking at the young man who was politely greeting her, his one hand was hidden in his sleeve, and two fingers pinched the terrifying talisman, revealing a hint of golden light.

Fan Weiran stopped in the air at the border between the island and Azure Ripple Lake, glanced at the vermilion wine gourd hanging from the man’s waist, and said with a smile, “Indeed a Sword Immortal, and so young, it’s truly astonishing.”

Chen Pingan took down the Sword-Nourishing Gourd, took a sip of water, wiped his mouth, and said with a smile, “My brother Du Yu told me a lot of dirty things about the Azure Ripple Lake along the way, but he spoke of your Precious Cauldron Paradise with sincere respect and admiration, so I won’t hold tonight’s events against you, Old Granny. Otherwise, watching such a good show costs money.”

Fan Weiran sneered inwardly.

Suddenly, she noticed that the man was staring at her intently, and heard him say slowly, “So please, get lost.”

Fan Weiran’s face darkened, her sleeves billowing, rustling.

Fan Weiran suddenly smiled, “The future is long, I wish this foreign little Sword Immortal a smooth journey, enjoying the scenery along the way. If you are willing, you can visit our Precious Cauldron Paradise as a guest.”

Then he asked a strange question: “Is your ancestral hall very solid?”

Fan Weiran at least realized this was not a compliment, but once she had made up her mind, she no longer hesitated, smiling and saying, “The little Sword Immortal will know when he sees it in the future.”

The old woman returned to the ferry, riding the wind.

Chen Pingan looked up at the dark clouds that had not yet dissipated.

Apart from the Lake Lord Yin Hou’s true form colliding, which was passable, the bumps and bruises from the other three water dragons were of little benefit to his physique.

Chen Pingan put away the Sword-Nourishing Gourd, stood for a while longer, then stepped off the island’s ground, stepped on the water of Azure Ripple Lake, and transformed into a wisp of green smoke, skimming the surface of the water to reach the ferry.

When Chen Pingan landed on the ferry, the old woman and the cultivators of Precious Cauldron Paradise had already left.

Du Yu was still wearing the Godly Nectar Armor, one hand on his knife, standing guard for the bamboo box, conical hat, and walking stick.

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “So loyal?”

Du Yu wiped his face hard. The wind and rain had made his face stiff. After wiping it, he wriggled his eyebrows and rubbed his hands together, his smile beaming.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to say a few flattering words, but Du Yu couldn’t think of a single beautiful word to fit the occasion. He felt that the good words in his mind didn’t match the unparalleled style of this senior.

Chen Pingan smoothed the rolled-up sleeves, put on his conical hat again, carried his book box, and picked up his walking stick.

Du Yu was about to move, but his legs were a little numb.

He, the little gatekeeper of the Ghost Axe Palace, had been diligent and conscientious. Even if he had no merit, he had worked hard, right?

Senior, you are an old immortal on the mountaintop with sharp eyes. You must keep it in mind.
Chen Pingan walked ahead, and Du Yu quickly put away the Sweet Dew Armor, transforming it into a Military Strategist’s Armor Pill and stowing it in his sleeve. With swift steps, he caught up with the senior and softly asked, “Senior, now that we have successfully repelled the various water deities of Azure Mire Lake and driven away those cultivators from Precious Grotto Immortal Realm, what’s the plan? Are we going to smash the shrines of the two river gods, or are we going to plunder treasures in Suijia City?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “We?”

As for the accuracy of the term “repelled,” Chen Pingan was too lazy to explain.

Du Yu chuckled, not embarrassed in the slightest.

However, some tact was still required. Subsequently, Du Yu ceased his incessant chatter.

After walking for a while, Du Yu couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, are we heading to the Water God Temple of the Algae Creek Canal Lord?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “I intend to rest there for a few days, waiting for the Lake Lord to come ashore and discuss a deal with me.”

Du Yu acknowledged with an “oh,” refraining from asking any further questions.

They retraced their steps to the Water God Shrine, where the maids, serving girls, and servants of the manor, whether ghosts or living beings, had all scattered like startled birds and beasts at the fall of a tree.

Chen Pingan arrived at the entrance to the inner residence, where a plaque with the inscription “Everlasting Emerald Waters” hung. He stored it within his personal space. Although the Algae Creek Canal Lord’s golden body had perished, this extraordinary plaque still nurtured some water-related spiritual energy, likely making it the most valuable object in the shrine.

Chen Pingan took off his bamboo hat and cloak, sitting on the lowest step. He instructed Du Yu to light a bonfire in the courtyard.

Chen Pingan began practicing Sword Furnace Stance.

After a great battle, rest and recuperation were essential, or long-term health issues could arise.

Furthermore, Chen Pingan wanted to use inner observation to examine the two water-related golden pythons and azure serpents that had not been fully refined, to see if they could truly benefit the water domain.

Du Yu sat cross-legged beside the bonfire, cautiously glancing at the senior’s posture. He wasn’t having any illusions; cultivating immortal arts wasn’t just about striking a pose.

Besides, given the senior’s stature, it was bound to be an extremely profound technique. Even if he were taught the entire incantation word for word, he wouldn’t be able to learn it anyway.

A streak of firefly light pierced the night sky, entering the senior’s wine pot at his waist.

Du Yu silently told himself, *Strange and wonderful things exist. Don’t be surprised by anything.*

About an hour passed, during which Du Yu added firewood to the fire several times.

Then, Du Yu noticed that when the senior opened his eyes, he seemed to be in a good mood, with a hint of a smile on his face.

Chen Pingan looked up.

The thick cloud cover that had almost completely enveloped the Azure Mire Lake area had dissipated.

A full moon hung in the sky.

Chen Pingan asked, “Du Yu, do you think the local customs and practices accumulated over thousands of years in Azure Mire Lake are unchangeable by anyone?”

Du Yu said casually, “Unless everyone from top to bottom, from the Lake Lord to the water gods of the three rivers and two canals, is replaced, especially the Azure Mire Lake Lord, who must be the first to go, only then is there a chance. However, to achieve such a feat, a peak cultivator like Senior would have to personally intervene, and then spend at least decades of time here, keeping a close watch. Otherwise, in my opinion, replacing them would be worse than not replacing them at all. In fact, the Azure Mire Lake Lord, Yin Hou, is still considered a not-too-greedy local overlord. Those floods and droughts that he deliberately causes are merely to add a few beauties with good aptitudes to the Dragon Palace. Each time, a few hundred ordinary people die, encountering some mountain and water deities who can’t even control their own innate abilities. With a whoosh, thousands of people die. If they are more irritable and frequently engage in mountain and water battles, or feud with their colleagues, then the territory under their jurisdiction would truly be a land of misery, with starvation stretching for miles. I’ve traveled the pugilistic world for so many years and have seen many mountain and water deities, city gods, and land deities focusing on the big and letting go of the small, completely disregarding the common people. The immortal masters of the mountains with established lineages, the martial arts grandmasters who have founded schools, the relatives of powerful officials in the capital, and the promising young scholars – these are the targets they focus on cultivating.”

Chen Pingan glanced at Du Yu.

Du Yu looked innocent. “Senior, I’m just telling the truth. It’s not me who’s doing those bad things. To be frank, the petty misdeeds I, Du Yu, have committed in the pugilistic world are not even comparable to a drop of bad water squeezed from between the fingernails of the Azure Mire Lake Lord and the Algae Creek Canal Lord. I know Senior doesn’t like our heartless immortal practices, but I, Du Yu, am only speaking from the bottom of my heart in front of Senior. I wouldn’t dare to deceive you even by half a sentence.”

Chen Pingan smiled.

Du Yu didn’t try to climb up the ladder, thinking that he had truly entered the eyes of this peak old immortal and could then take advantage of his prestige.

At most, he just wouldn’t be killed with a flick of a sleeve.

Du Yu had that much discernment.

Perhaps this was the true nature of a peak cultivator, the true Great Dao of Impartiality.

Du Yu had actually felt a bit worried while looking up at the moon earlier. For some reason, after traveling the pugilistic world so many times, for so many years, he felt a sense of concern for his parents for the first time.

However, now that the senior had opened his eyes, he had to perk up again and carefully respond to the senior’s seemingly casual questions.

Just treat it as a tempering of his state of mind. His parents had always said that cultivating the mind was not that important; whether it was the ancestral teachings of the sect or the exhortations of the teachers, it was all just lip service. Immortal coins, protective treasures, and the fundamental immortal techniques of the Great Dao were the three most important things. However, cultivating the mind still needed to be done a little bit.

Du Yu mustered his courage and asked, “Senior, what was the outcome of the battle on Azure Mire Lake?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Like you said, just repelled them. Harmony brings wealth.”

Du Yu didn’t quite think that was the case.

But it was already…