Du Yu felt his scalp prickling with fear, desperately summoning the remnants of his “gallantry” from the martial world. But as one ascends a mountain, strength dwindles nearing the peak. He stammered, “Senior, you being like this… it scares me a little.”

Chen Ping’an, holding the jade bamboo folding fan given to him by Cui Dongshan, twirled it between his fingers, the crisp sound of its opening and closing echoing. He chuckled, “You, Du Yu, once saved my life. What’s there to fear? Shouldn’t you be thinking about how to be rewarded for your merits? Why are you worried about me settling scores later? Your petty affairs in the Shuoxi Canal Water Immortal Shrine are long forgotten. I don’t intend to dwell on them.”

Chen Ping’an was wearing the golden *Jin Li* Daoist robe, which he had not worn for many years. The *Chun Cao* spring grass robe had been completely destroyed in the battle. No amount of divine money could repair it to its original state, so he stored it in his *Zhichi Wu*, along with his worn-out straw sandals and empty wine gourd. The previous battle was so dangerous that he didn’t even have time to change into the *Jin Li* robe. Even the thought of doing so was too slow. Thus, he had to rely on his physical body to withstand the tribulation of the cloud sea, which was akin to soaking in the Little Thunder Pond of Jixiao Mountain for days and nights.

Du Yu gritted his teeth, his face a picture of despair. “Senior, you’re not planning on slaughtering the entire ungrateful Suijia City, are you?”

Chen Ping’an glanced askance at Du Yu. “Are you stupid, or am I insane? What was the point of me enduring that tribulation then?”

Du Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead. “That’s good. Senior, don’t get upset with those ignorant commoners. It’s not worth it.”

He was truly afraid that one calamity would follow another. Then, it wouldn’t just be him suffering a miserable death. It would definitely implicate his parents and the entire Ghost Axe Palace. If it was just Fan Weiran venting her anger on him after parting ways at the Zao Xi Canal Water God Temple, that would be one thing. But now, it was hard to say. Even Ye Han of Huangyue City might be eyeing him.

Things he hadn’t thought much about in the past now occupied his mind as he repeatedly flirted with death.

Especially these past few days, staying in the haunted house, helping the Senior clean the house and courtyard, carrying water buckets, and using a rag. He, with his rough hands, was doing chores that he had never done since birth, as if he were in another world.

Chen Ping’an hooked the folding fan on his belt, his gaze drifting over the wall. “Whether one does good or evil is their own business. What’s there to be disappointed about?”

Du Yu nodded vigorously. “A gentleman bestows kindness without expecting repayment! Senior, your demeanor is exemplary!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Cut the flattery. You, Du Yu, have too little cultivation. It’s strenuous for the speaker, and tiresome for the listener. I’ve been enduring it for a long time.”

Du Yu’s smile became awkward.

Chen Ping’an took the gourd from the bamboo chair and placed it on the ground, then tapped the Sword Immortal talisman on the ground with his toe, sending it flying into his hand. “You stay here. I’m going out for a bit.”

Naturally, Du Yu wouldn’t dare question the Senior’s decision. He cautiously asked, “When will Senior return to the house?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “Just a trip to the Prefectural Office, a short jaunt to either Cangyun Lake or Black Glaze Mountain. Shouldn’t take too long.”

Du Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping’an walked out of the haunted house.

Du Yu clasped his hands together in front of the vermilion wine gourd, bowing and praying, “Please, Lord Wine Gourd, protect this humble one.”

As the gates of the haunted house opened, the white-robed immortal truly appeared.

The boisterous Suijia City residents, men, women, old, and young, scattered in a panic. Among them were mostly the wealthy families who felt they had suffered undeserved disasters and losses, servants sent by their masters to demand compensation, local ruffians who had come to join the spectacle, and some young chivalrous types who wanted to see what a Sword Immortal was like.

Although everyone said that this foreign Sword Immortal had a great temper and was very rich, and that he was seriously injured and had to stay in Suijia City to recover for a long time, proven by him hiding in the haunted house for so long, no one knew if he would grab someone on the street once he left the house. After all, he was a Sword Immortal, even a lean camel is bigger than a horse. It was best to be careful.

Just then, a group of strong young men came rushing over, pushing a manure cart, laughing loudly. They were enjoying the thumbs-ups and cheers from the people nearby, pushing the manure cart even harder, just twenty or thirty steps away from the eerie, uninhabited house. Then, the white-robed immortal holding a long sword opened the door and looked directly at them.

The three young men, who were usually idle in Suijia City, were instantly petrified, unable to move their legs.

Not only that, but a woman dressed in plain white walked out from the corner of the street, against the flow of people. She was quite attractive, holding an infant still in swaddling clothes. It was late spring and the weather was still freezing. The child was either fast asleep or frozen, not crying at all. Her face was full of sorrow, and she walked faster and faster, passing the manure cart and the young men, and kneeling on the street with a *thump*. She raised her head and sobbed to the white-robed young man, “Immortal Lord, my husband was crushed to death by the collapsed house. How am I, a widow, supposed to live? Please, Immortal Lord, have mercy and save us, mother and child!”

The woman cried to the heavens and earth, her heart breaking, as if she was about to faint.

The people hiding in the distance began to point and whisper, some saying that she was from the Ya’er Lane, and indeed, she had married last spring.

What a pitiful person.

Chen Ping’an squatted down. “Such cold weather, such a small child. As a mother, can you bear it? Shouldn’t you leave her with familiar neighbors and come here to complain to me alone? Ah, right, you’re going to die anyway, so what does it matter?”

The woman was stunned, seemingly never expecting the young Sword Immortal to speak in such a way, and she was confused for a moment.

Then, the young man smiled and said, “I see that you hold the child a bit awkwardly. Is this your first child?”

The woman suddenly wailed, saying nothing.

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves and said slowly, “Wait, are you going to start yelling louder and louder once I ignore you and pass you by?”
“Raise the child in your arms and tell me, if I don’t save you, you won’t live. You can’t survive anyway. Instead of letting this pitiful child suffer for a lifetime, wouldn’t it be better to dash him to death on the street, letting him be reborn into a better family in the next life? In this life, his parents have failed him, encountering a heartless Immortal. Then, you can dash your own head against the wall, seeking a reunion of your family of three in the underworld? Or, have I already told you more than others have taught you?”

The woman was only filled with grief, wailing incessantly, making those who heard it weep and those who saw it feel sorrow.

Chen Pingan glanced at the commoner in the distance who had exposed the woman’s identity, and smiled slightly. The latter’s expression changed subtly, and he quickly left, his figure disappearing into an alley.

That person who fled in haste, the woman crying on the ground, the Jianghu assassin lurking in the dung bucket, waiting for an opportunity…

These should all be minor schemes that the mastermind behind them didn’t even think would succeed, purely to disgust him?

Chen Pingan found it somewhat amusing.

Yin Hou of Cangyun Lake certainly didn’t have the courage for this, Fan Weiran of Baodong Immortal Abode lacked such devious thinking. Could it be Ye Han of Huangyue City, whom he had never met? Or that youth named He Lu, acting through some official clerk of the Accompaniment City? In any case, these three – the Qi Refiner, the common woman, and the martial artist – would likely die without knowing who sent them to seek death here. Their reasons and arrangements for coming here to die were, of course, their own.

What to do?

Because Chen Pingan felt genuinely disgusted.

The woman’s vision blurred.

The figure of the young white-robed Immortal had vanished.

The woman gritted her teeth, stood up, and indeed raised the child in its swaddling clothes high above her head, ready to smash it to the ground. Before doing so, she turned her head toward the street and alley, crying out with all her might, “This Sword Immortal is heartless! He killed my husband, and has no remorse whatsoever! Today, my child and I will die together, and as a family of three ghosts, we will never let him go!”

The woman smashed the child fiercely toward the street, hoping it wouldn’t die immediately, as that would be a big problem. So, she put all her strength into it.

Her life’s wealth and glory depended on this one act.

Anyway, the child wasn’t hers. Heaven knows where that strange man had found it. As for her husband, who had died not long ago, he had inexplicably disappeared. He was indeed a man she was blind to marry, a rogue who couldn’t control his trousers or his hands, addicted to gambling and lechery, who had squandered every bit of their family fortune, causing her to live not a single good day after marrying him. The sooner he died, the better. After smashing the child, she only needed to dash her head against the wall, scaring people with a bloody head, and then pretend to faint. She didn’t actually have to die. Then, with that large bag of gold and silver she had already received, plus another bag after it was done, wouldn’t it be easy to find a man to marry later and become a wealthy woman adorned with gold and silver?

After throwing the child, the woman felt somewhat mentally exhausted and collapsed to the ground.

Then, her eyes suddenly widened.

She saw that the white-robed Immortal was once again squatting in front of her, and was holding the child in its swaddling clothes with one hand.

Chen Pingan stood up, held the child, and used his finger to lift a corner of the swaddling cloth, gently touching the baby’s small hand. Fortunately, the child was only a little frozen. They probably thought there was no need to tamper with a child who was destined to die. As expected, those cultivators only had this much brains. It wasn’t easy to be a good person, but was it so hard to be a thoroughly rotten villain?

Chen Pingan twitched the corner of his mouth, but when he looked at the child in his arms, his eyes naturally softened. With practiced movements, he wrapped the swaddling cloth a little tighter, and carefully released warmth from his palm, warming the swaddling clothes to help resist the bone-chilling spring cold.

There was no child born into this world who was destined to suffer.

Chen Pingan tapped his toes, and his figure retreated, like a white rainbow hanging diagonally, returning to the haunted house.

Du Yu probably felt uneasy, and naturally dared not sit on the chair where the sword-nourishing gourd was placed. So, he moved the small stool next to the bamboo chair and sat there honestly, not forgetting to wear the Dew-Bearing Armor.

Du Yu saw the Senior returning, holding a swaddled baby? What was Senior doing? Before, he said that he was walking at night and had good luck, finding his Dew-Bearing Armor and the refined demon core by the roadside. Du Yu could even go against his conscience and say he believed it. But now, he went out and picked up a child? Du Yu was really dumbfounded.

Chen Pingan carefully handed the child to Du Yu. Du Yu was struck by lightning, and reached out blankly.

Chen Pingan frowned and said, “Remove the Dew Armor!”

Du Yu was startled and quickly removed the Dew Armor, putting it and the refined demon core he had been holding into his sleeve.

He stiffly took the swaddled child, feeling uncomfortable all over. Seeing the Senior’s disgusted expression, Du Yu wanted to cry but had no tears. Senior, I am young and inexperienced in the world. I am really not as knowledgeable and proficient as you, Senior.

Chen Pingan instructed, “I will be back soon. The child is young and has caught a bit of a cold. Pay attention to the child’s breathing. When you emit spiritual energy to nourish the child’s body, you must, must, must pay attention to the degree. If there is any problem, when you leave the haunted house, take the sword-nourishing gourd and find an experienced apothecary.”

Du Yu nodded repeatedly.

Chen Pingan thought for a moment, and twisted his wrist, revealing the only remaining walnut in his palm. “After it is crushed, its power is equivalent to the full-strength strike of an Earth Immortal cultivator. There is no need for any opening incantation. Any Qi Refiner can use it. Even if it is someone from the lower five realms with a weak physique, they will only spit out a few mouthfuls of blood and exhaust their spiritual energy reserves. There won’t be any major sequelae. Moreover, you are at the peak of the Cave Realm and a military cultivator. If you encounter any trouble, feel free to use it.”

Du Yu was still holding the child, so he had to turn sideways, bend his back, and slightly reach out to grab the priceless immortal treasure.

Du Yu felt greatly relieved.

It was rare for Senior to be so verbose.

But for some reason, the Senior at this moment felt somewhat familiar.

Chen Pingan took a deep breath and, instead of holding the Sword Immortal, hung it behind his back again. “You guys are really addicted to playing this game, aren’t you?”

Du Yu sighed. The familiar feeling was gone again.

He silently told himself to take this as Senior’s good intentions, helping Du Yu to temper his state of mind.

Senior had already disappeared.

Without spiritual ripples, without even a slight breeze.

As if he had merged with heaven and earth.
Du Yu cradled the child, gently rocking it, afraid to move too much lest he wake the babe. Never in his life had he, a man who’d tangled with countless Jianghu heroines, been this tender. He gazed down at the infant, sighing, “Little one, your fortune is truly heaven-sent.”

In a deserted, narrow alleyway…

A burly man leaned against a wall, swallowing hard. Had they given up the chase?

This Xiaoshu coin he’d earned was proving to be a real hot potato.

The hallowed immortal master who had contacted him didn’t seem the type to possess a Xiaoshu coin, but celestial currency was no joke. Not accepting it meant death, so he had no choice but to obey the mission. He had found a petty city official working within the palace. The official was no fool. He had taken a bag of silver – not accepting meant death, after all – and helped him locate a pair of immoral dogs in Yá’ér Lane. And so, today’s events had transpired.

This rogue cultivator of the wilds produced the Xiaoshu coin, grinning. The immortal masters truly didn’t treat money as money. He hoped for a dozen more deals like this.

A voice whispered in his ear, “You’re not bad yourself, treating lives as nothing.”

The burly man turned stiffly, seeing a white-robed immortal standing a few paces away, a folding fan in hand. He hadn’t sensed him at all.

The man stammered, “Great Sword Immortal, it’s not how it looks! I was forced by circumstances, utterly against my will. That Mengliang Peak immortal master who ordered me to do this just didn’t want to dirty his hands with such matters. In truth, he cares even less about the lives of ordinary folks than a rogue cultivator like me.”

He forced a smile. “Great Sword Immortal, you don’t understand. The woman in Yá’ér Lane is a natural viper, and her man is a despicable wretch. Such lowlifes are only wallowing in the mud because of their poor aptitude. If they ever became cultivators, the evil they would commit would be absolutely unparalleled.”

The white-robed sword immortal smiled. “Judge not the heart, but the deed. Otherwise, how many would survive in this world? What do you think?”

The man nodded vigorously. “Right, right, Great Sword Immortal is absolutely right.”

Then he heard the foreign sword immortal, a man who could withstand even heavenly tribulations, ask him with slight surprise, “A mere Mengliang Peak immortal master, killing a few commoners, finds it dirties his hands. Then do you think I, as a sword immortal, would find it dirtying my hands to kill you? If not, why haven’t I slain the beggar woman on the street, the hooligans who find pleasure pushing dung carts, or the assassin hiding in a latrine eating excrement?”

The burly man held up the Xiaoshu coin with both hands, bowing deeply, and said with a fawning smile, “Since Great Sword Immortal feels it would dirty his hands, please have mercy and spare this lowly one. Don’t sully the Sword Immortal’s divine weapon. A maggot like me is unworthy of the Sword Immortal’s blade.”

“Cultivation arts are countless, why would I need to draw my sword?”

Hearing this, the man was drenched in sweat, daring not to utter another word.

“Now, because you perceive me as a villain like yourselves, you feel fear?”

The immortal lightly tapped his head with the folding fan, a languid expression on his face, and chuckled softly, “Silent before villains, backstabbing good people. Mute gourds, and yet full of merry chatter. Strange, wondrous indeed.”

The man didn’t want to escape, but his limbs were completely unresponsive.

The immortal said, “Come, I’ll allow you to shout ‘A sword immortal is committing murder!’ If you can shout it loud enough for the entire city to hear, I might spare you.”

The man shook his head vehemently, forcing himself to speak with a sob, “I dare not, I would never dare to disrespect the Great Sword Immortal!”

The immortal gave a soft “Oh,” and said, “Then you’re in for a terrible end.” Without waiting for the rogue cultivator to speak, he lightly tapped his head with the folding fan, then casually waved his sleeve, capturing the man’s three souls and seven spirits in his palm, slowly grinding them away with his astral energy.

If all good people could only comfort themselves with the adage that villains have their own nemesis, then this world was truly not a good one.

As for the Xiaoshu coin, it fell beside the corpse, eventually rolling into a crevice.

A figure in white slowly walked out of the alley.

A moment later, a golden sword light soared into the sky, carrying the white-clad immortal away from Suijiang City, heading straight towards Azure Canopy Lake.

From the haunted house within the city, a faint green flying sword followed in pursuit.

Within the Grand Preceptor’s mansion in the capital of Mengliang Kingdom…

Two grand cultivators sat facing each other across a turquoise lake.

One was an old scholar in a green robe and white hair, looking like a failed academic, with a dying monkey resting on his knees. The other was a young man of twenty, a cyan snake seemingly asleep around his waist, a horn already sprouting from his forehead, the snake’s head and tail connected, like a cyan belt.

Behind the old scholar stood a pale-faced fox spirit, of average beauty but with alluring eyes. Even standing behind her master, separated from the young man by a small lake, she was still somewhat apprehensive. After all, the “young man’s” reputation was too frightening. He was named Xia Zhen, once a rogue cultivator who had occupied a vast mountain peak, never accepting any direct disciples, only raising some servants and attendants with decent aptitude. Later, he had sold that geomantic treasure land rich in spiritual energy, only moving a celestial mansion away with great divine power, disappearing from the southeastern territory of the entire Northern Jambu Continent ever since, without a trace.

It was this great immortal who had made that secret agreement with her master.

The fox spirit only knew that her master had paid a huge price back then, drawing a lightning pool that isolated the flow of spiritual energy across the borders of more than a dozen countries. Her master used this heaven-defying method, which consumed a great deal of his true life essence, to suppress that elusive treasure of merit, finally taking it into his possession. And this Xia Zhen, had formed an alliance with her master, using the mountain peak he had given to two nearby great sects as exchange, he was able to take the barren lands of those dozen countries, which had relatively sparse spiritual energy, as his own private territory, like that… small lake in front of Xia Zhen at this moment.

Both sides got what they needed, each with their own long-term plans.

But how could the fox spirit have imagined that her master, who should have been in seclusion outside the borders of a dozen countries, would transform and become the native-born Grand Preceptor of this Mengliang Kingdom!

According to intelligence from the Silver Screen Kingdom in the early years, regarding the situation in Mengliang Kingdom, she herself…
It is said that the master first emerged as a “prodigy youth” from a humble family in the Mengliang Kingdom, achieving top honors in the imperial examinations, bringing glory to his clan. Entering officialdom, it was as if blessed by the heavens. Not only was he immensely talented in poetry and prose, but he was also remarkably skilled in governance. He eventually became the youngest Prime Minister in Mengliang’s history, reaching the pinnacle of power before the age of forty. Then, suddenly, he resigned and retreated into seclusion. Rumor had it that he encountered an immortal who imparted mystical arts, and he relinquished his official seal. Back then, the entire nation, from the court to the common people, crafted countless genuine “umbrellas of the people” in his honor.

After secluding himself in the mountains, he dedicated himself to alchemy and cultivating the Dao. In a mere decade, he attained immortal techniques and divine powers. At the time, the fox demon thought it was a joke, dismissing it as mere theatrical charlatanry. Auspicious omens manifested continuously in the Mengliang Kingdom’s capital and regions. The newly enthroned Emperor of Mengliang personally went to the sacred mountain to welcome back this former Prime Minister, bestowing upon him the title of National Preceptor. During his tenure as an official, the nation prospered and the people lived in peace. After becoming an immortal, the weather was favorable and harvests bountiful. The Mengliang Kingdom, under his influence, had essentially transformed into a utopia where lost articles were not picked up. The court was filled with talented officials, and the local officials and commoners lived in harmony. Under his guidance, the two successive Emperors strived for excellence without recklessly initiating border conflicts.

During the pursuit by those cultivators in Suijia City, this fox demon lost two tails and damaged the very foundation of her cultivation. However, after the master’s appearance, he simply took her and her colleague to the National Preceptor’s mansion in the Mengliang capital. There has been no reward or recognition since. This caused the fox demon to feel somewhat self-pitying. Having lost the esteemed status of Empress of the Yinping Kingdom, she was now merely a humble handmaiden by the master’s side, a role to which she found it hard to adjust.

Xia Zhen smiled faintly, “Congratulations, Daoist friend, your wish has been fulfilled. Establishing your own sect is just around the corner.”

The elderly scholar in Confucian robes said calmly, “I will naturally remove the remaining restrictions of that golden thunder pool. The spiritual energy from outside will gradually incline and pour in. Within a century, a great number of cultivators with promising potential will emerge. As for the likes of He Luyan and Qing, who are still young, they will be the first to benefit from this favorable environment, with the possibility of achieving the Golden Core stage. If your sect can simultaneously produce seven or eight Golden Core Earth Immortals, it will be a solid foundation for establishing a sect. Congratulations to us both.”

Xia Zhen’s eyes were sincere, and he said with admiration, “Compared to your schemes and methods, I am inferior. You were actually able to obtain this treasure of merit, and it is even a primordial sword pellet. To be honest, I thought you had at least a sixty percent chance of failing.”

Xia Zhen glanced at the little monkey whose abdomen radiated a brilliant light, and he was filled with admiration. This old fellow, who was on the verge of falling from the Golden Core stage, was able to conceal his identity, evade the covetous eyes and murderous intent of various forces, and then had the audacity to hide right under his nose. Ultimately, by accumulating merit for the benefit of a nation, he rightfully claimed a treasure of merit. This level of planning is worthy of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The old man laughed, “Daoist friend, you were willing to part with a feng shui treasure land in exchange for these overlooked territories of a dozen or so countries. That is also a grand gesture, a great act of courage. If managed properly, you will surely recover your investment within a century, and then reap immense profits for a thousand years.”

One sought treasure, the other talent.

The joint effort of two Nascent Soul cultivators created this grand design.

In the end, everyone was happy.

However, both sides knew that if one of them, whoever it may be, could take the lead and ascend to the Upper Five Realms, the situation thereafter would be difficult to predict.

If one could truly establish a sect, who would complain that their territory is too small?

When the old man removed the thunder pool, causing the spiritual energy to flood into the dozen or so countries, how could Xia Zhen stand by and watch that vast spiritual energy dissipate freely, wasted on a group of ants fighting amongst themselves for years?

As for Fan Weiran and Ye Han, who led such a large group of useless individuals and failed to seize that extraordinary treasure from the fox demon and the old man, Xia Zhen did not feel much anger. That spiritual energy was the foundation of his own Dao. As for the rest, he should not be greedy. The original Nascent Soul covenant was not a child’s play. Besides, there is no such thing as having all the advantages in the world. Since the situation is favorable and stable, you may refine your treasure of merit and venture into becoming a sword cultivator. I will engulf my spiritual energy, hoping to break through the bottlenecks quickly and ascend to the Upper Five Realms. Petty cleverness is necessary, but one cannot rely on it for a lifetime. An Earth Immortal should have the vision and mindset of an Earth Immortal.

Xia Zhen seemed to recall something, “After the Heavenly Tribulation, I took a trip to Suijia City and discovered a very unexpected thing.”

The elderly scholar in Confucian robes smiled, “Daoist friend, please speak.”

Xia Zhen rested his hands on the azure “belt” and smiled, “If I am not mistaken, the sword carried by that foreign sword cultivator is a semi-immortal weapon! I have some skill in fighting and risking my life, but unfortunately, I am mediocre in the art of refining. It so happens that you are proficient in refining techniques. How about we sign another contract and become allies once more?”

The old man’s eyes flashed with brilliance, but it vanished in an instant.

If it were a magical artifact, he would have no interest. Currently, refining that treasure of merit, the primordial sword pellet, is the foundation for becoming an Upper Five Realms cultivator in the future. Delaying it by even a day would cause him distress.

But if it were a semi-immortal weapon?

However, the old man quickly regained his composure.

How could this Xia Zhen be so kind as to tell him about such a rare item, unless he was his own father or son?

Therefore, this old Nascent Soul cultivator, whose temporary identity was the National Preceptor of the Mengliang Kingdom, waved his hand and laughed, “Daoist friend, you may take it. It must be your destined opportunity. As for me, forget about it. Before successfully refining this object, I am subject to many restrictions. I believe Daoist friend is aware of these great troubles. With Daoist friend’s realm, it would surely not be difficult to defeat an injured young sword cultivator. I hereby wish Daoist friend success in advance, and may you obtain a semi-immortal weapon!”

Xia Zhen nodded with a smile. He did not find the old man’s caution strange. Both of them were Nascent Soul cultivators from the wilderness. Those who bite the hook easily would not have survived to this day.

Those of us who kill and plunder without batting an eye still need to fear ghosts when walking at night.

This saying, which Xia Zhen engraved in his heart during his youth, remained vividly in his memory after countless years. It was the last piece of wealth that his Fifth Realm rogue cultivator master, who ultimately died at his hands, left him. And he, at the time, was only in the Second Realm. How was he able to kill his master, seize treasures, and take money with such risk? It was precisely because the master and disciple accidentally stumbled upon an unbreakable iron wall.

Therefore, throughout the years that followed, Xia Zhen every
When finding oneself complacent, one must recall these aged words, muttering them a few times to oneself.

Xia Zhen rose and smiled, “Fellow Daoist, no need to see me off.”

The old scholar in Confucian robes clutched the small monkey and still rose to bid farewell, “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I shall soon depart the Dream Liang Kingdom.”

Xia Zhen transformed into a rainbow, vanishing into the distance, becoming as small as a mustard seed in an instant, cleaving through a low-hanging sea of clouds, embarking on a carefree journey.

The Dream Liang Kingdom’s State Preceptor shook the small monkey in his hand, looked up, and laughed, “To actually restrain himself from taking action, what an effort for this Xia Zhen.”

In the distance, the fox spirit and the wizened old man stood respectfully with hands clasped.

The fox spirit whispered, “Master, a half-immortal artifact, are you truly not going to do anything about it? Even if it holds little significance for Xia Zhen, but Master…”

The old scholar in Confucian robes used the divine power of sleeve dimension to imprison the entire monkey within a small world.

He turned and said, “I am in this Dream Liang Kingdom, a tiny place with obstructed information, far inferior to Xia Zhen’s knowledge. If you covet that half-immortal artifact, why don’t you go and retrieve it for me?”

The fox spirit dared not speak, and barely dared to breathe.

Her identity had already been exposed by Ye Han of Yellow Halberd City. She was no longer the femme fatale of Silver Screen Kingdom. Returning to Accompanying Carriage City would only reveal her tracks, turning her into a rat crossing the street.

The old scholar in Confucian robes sneered, “A sword cultivator willing to brave Heavenly Tribulation, a youngster daring to reveal a half-immortal artifact, are they easy targets? If that were truly the case, would Xia Zhen not seize the opportunity himself? Why would he so kindly reveal this secret? Besides, once a half-immortal artifact recognizes its master, especially after the master’s demise, the ensuing chaos is a horrific sight. You are truly frogs in a well, unaware of the gravity of the situation.”

Within the sea of clouds, Xia Zhen ceased his rainbow transformation, and instead walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

Xia Zhen wore a helpless expression, muttering to himself, “Since it comes from the Hemp Robe Sect, perhaps I should avoid provoking them?”

Xia Zhen glanced back at the capital of Dream Liang Kingdom. Having obtained that innate sword core, and now a half-immortal sword appearing, such a fateful blessing, and yet you refrain from acting?

With such timid courage, how can one be a rogue cultivator? Spending decades as a mortal tutor in Dream Liang Kingdom has indeed cultivated your temperament nicely.

Xia Zhen extended a hand, reciting several names, precisely five.

Any more would delay his own Great Dao.

Fan Weiran, easy to command. Ye Han, relatively intelligent. He Lu, good aptitude. Yan Qing, not bad either. That Cui girl, somewhat peculiar.

Xia Zhen raised another hand, reciting five names, all currently young and of low cultivation realm.

Xia Zhen strolled leisurely on the sea of clouds, looking at his two palms, gently clenching his fists, “Are ten others’ Golden Cores comparable to my own Jade Purity Realm? Perhaps I should just kill them all?”

However, Xia Zhen quickly shook his head, “Forget it, no rush. Let’s just leave five Golden Core slots open. Whoever shows promise of entering the Nascent Soul Realm, I’ll kill them, freeing up the position.”

Xia Zhen pressed down on his azure belt, “This fellow, still formidable. I don’t know why he insisted on including in the oath that I suppress the martial fortunes of over a dozen kingdoms, forbidding the appearance of Golden Body Realm cultivators. It turns out it was to reduce warfare in those kingdoms, allowing this hidden Dream Liang Kingdom’s prime minister and state preceptor to avoid creating karma and accumulate merit.”

Xia Zhen stretched.

For no reason, he recalled the scene of the Heavenly Tribulation.

The rogue Nascent Soul cultivator’s mood became heavy.

Could he be one of the ten individuals similar to Liu Jinglong and Yang Ningxing? But he doesn’t seem like it. After careful consideration, he clearly doesn’t fit any of them.

Xia Zhen stopped, surveying his surroundings, and smiled, “I wonder which fellow Daoist it is? Why not show yourself?”

At the edge of his vision, at the end of the sea of clouds, someone stood motionless, but the sea of clouds beneath his feet suddenly surged high like waves, then crashed towards Xia Zhen.

Xia Zhen remained unmoved, gently patting the azure snake that had transformed into a nascent dragon on his waist, whispering in his heart, “Ignore him. Close combat suits me just fine.”

The uninvited guest seemed somewhat weary and travel-worn. As the surging sea of clouds crashed down like a wave on the shore, he landed gracefully and walked forward slowly, as if chatting and catching up with an old friend he hadn’t seen in a long time, constantly complaining, “You guys, you’re really a worry. You made me run back from the sea again. Are you really treating me like an intercontinental ferry? And that’s not all, I was almost hacked to death by Little Quan in her rage. Luckily, luckily, my sworn brother and I are still on the same wavelength, otherwise, I wouldn’t have noticed the situation here. But it’s still too late, too late. My brother shouldn’t have retaliated against a woman who was so infatuated with him. Alas, if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be the brother I admire from the bottom of my heart. Besides, that woman’s infatuation… it was indeed too much to bear, too domineering. No wonder my brother couldn’t handle it.”

The man continued to ramble incessantly, “This North Ju Continent’s feng shui, is it at odds with me? Can’t you just let me go back and live a life of ease and comfort? Back then, I treated everyone with kindness here, with a good reputation both on and off the mountain. I was such a well-behaved son-in-law of North Ju Continent. You shouldn’t tease me like this…”

Rambling and nonsensical.

Xia Zhen was quite confused, but didn’t pay much attention.

Which enlightened person would reveal clues in their words? Besides, with such fluent North Ju Continent dialect, you’re telling me you’re a foreign traveler from another continent?

The person before him was a fresh face, undoubtedly, not some illusion. Unless it was a summit cultivator of the Immortal Realm, illusions wouldn’t work on him, even if you were in the Jade Purity Realm.

The sea of clouds beneath the man’s feet dissipated.

His realm was not low, but he liked to show off these trivial skills.

Xia Zhen didn’t retreat, but instead slowly took a few steps forward and asked with a smile, “May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?”

The man hesitated for a moment, took two steps back, and replied, “My nickname is Zhou Fatty, my full name… I won’t say it, I’m afraid there are women in your family or sect.”

What a mess.

Xia Zhen remained calm and composed, “I wonder why you block my path, Fellow Daoist?”

The man who called himself Zhou Fatty was indeed naturally handsome, standing gallantly above the sea of clouds.

He said with a mournful face, “I beg you, all right? Can’t you guys just settle down a bit and let me return to Treasure Bottle Continent in peace? Huh?!”
Xia Zhen sighed, his face full of apology, “Fellow cultivator, if you continue to speak in riddles and utter nonsensical drivel, I’m afraid I’ll have to excuse myself.”

The man, who was obviously using the alias Zhou Fei, was taken aback. “I’ve been so straightforward, and you still don’t understand? Good heavens, no offense, but if it weren’t for your Nascent Soul cultivation, would you even be worthy of playing mind games with my sworn brother?”

Xia Zhen finally understood without a doubt.

He was here to avenge that young Sword Immortal?

Xia Zhen looked around and clicked his tongue. “Just you, right? Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Within thirty feet, Xia Zhen can kill a Nascent Soul’?”

Then, the man brought his feet together and hopped directly within fifteen feet, as if seeking his own death. “Alright, let Jiang Shangzhen help you get enlightened.”

Xia Zhen almost collapsed on the spot.

The Northern Ju Continent had always been arrogant, especially its Sword Cultivators, who looked down on everyone else. Except for the Central Divine Continent, they considered everyone else to be trash – their cultivation was trash, their magical treasures were trash, their backgrounds were trash, all worthless.

However, there were a few exceptions, outsiders from other continents, who the Northern Ju Continent “remembered” with particular clarity, even going so far as to actively follow their movements after they returned to their homelands.

For example… there was one from the Central Continent, and another from the North, both Great Sword Immortals who vowed to personally kill him… Jiang Shangzhen of Tongye Continent!

Inside the Azure Ripple Lake Dragon Palace.

Another grand gathering.

Lake Lord Yin Hou didn’t sit on the steps below the dragon throne this time, but stood between the two sides and said, “I just received a flying sword message. That man is heading toward my Azure Ripple Lake on his sword.”

Except for Fan Weiran’s sneer and Ye Han’s immobility, the golden boy and jade girl pair were somewhat shocked. The rest of the two sides were greatly shaken, and a clamor arose.

Lake Lord Yin Hou’s expression was unfriendly. “Ye Han, my great City Lord Ye, who was it who said earlier that this outsider Sword Immortal was heavily injured and would be slowly ground to death by us? We’ve only just begun our preparations, and he’s already attacking my Azure Ripple Lake headquarters! What should we do next? Scatter and flee, to be defeated one by one, or stay here, rub our knees, and wait to kneel and kowtow?”

He Lu calmly stood up, holding her bamboo flute. “One formation is set up outside Suijia City, and another is set up here in Azure Ripple Lake. Coupled with the Lake Lord’s Dragon Palace, which is protected by its own landscape formation, I think we can open our gates wide and let him enter the formation. With our three forces joining hands, with our City Lord here, and Old Ancestor Fan, plus the two formations and the hundred-plus cultivators present, shouldn’t that be equivalent to the strength of an Immortal? If he doesn’t come and only dares to cower in Suijia City, we’ll lose our bait for nothing and damage our harmony. Wouldn’t it be better if he came?”

Lake Lord Yin Hou angrily said, “Little Immortal Master He speaks lightly! This Azure Ripple Lake is my thousand-year-old family fortune! At most, you’ll only lose some immortal money from a broken talisman array. When the fighting becomes chaotic, corpses litter the ground, and the Dragon Palace collapses, even if we win a pyrrhic victory and kill the fiend, if we still divide the spoils as agreed upon earlier, wouldn’t I be losing a Dragon Palace for nothing and crying myself to death?”

He Lu smiled brightly. “Azure Ripple Lake gets twenty percent, Treasure Grotto Immortal Realm gets forty percent, and our Yellow Ax City gets forty percent. That was the previous distribution. Now, Yellow Ax City can give up one percent to compensate Lake Lord. Besides, the rules are the same as before. If anyone takes a fancy to a magical treasure and is determined to have it, the three parties will first calculate a fair price that everyone recognizes, convert it into Snowflower Coins or Minor Heat Coins, and then add a premium, as thanks to the other two parties for their kindness.”

Speaking of which, He Lu looked across, her gaze sweeping over the woman she yearned for day and night, and then smiled at the old woman, “Old Ancestor Fan?”

The old woman, who seemed to be dozing off, smiled. “Alright, Treasure Grotto Immortal Realm is also willing to give up one percent of the profits to reward the Azure Ripple Lake Dragon Palace.”

Lake Lord Yin Hou looked at Ye Han, who nodded slightly.

Lake Lord Yin Hou was finally satisfied.

He Lu stopped speaking.

The entire Azure Ripple Lake Dragon Palace looked at this handsome and refined young man, their hearts swaying, filled with admiration.

If this child wasn’t a son of Yellow Ax City’s Ye Han, and the position of City Lord of Yellow Ax City had never been passed down to someone with a different surname, how could Ye Han’s two useless sons compete with He Lu?

On the side of the main hall, a dazzling bead curtain hung. A beautiful woman gently lifted a corner of the curtain, looking at the handsome young man who was talking and laughing with deep affection.

The world actually had such an outstanding young man.

The previous poor scholars and noble sons, whose appearances were barely passable, were far inferior to this He Lang of Yellow Ax City, even when put together.

He was truly a handsome young man who had gracefully stepped out of those unofficial histories and literati notes, a banished immortal standing alive before her eyes.

Suijia City haunted house.

Du Yu held the baby, still sleeping soundly in his arms, helpless.

Then, Du Yu suddenly turned his head and saw a slender man with handsome features flipping over the wall and entering. After landing, he performed a movement to gather energy in his dantian.

Du Yu suddenly stood up, as if facing a great enemy, glancing at the vermilion wine pot on the chair. No flying sword flew out.

Du Yu was somewhat desperate.

His palm clenched the walnut that his predecessor had given him before his death.

The man raised his hands and smiled, “Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous. My name is Zhou Fei, and I’m Chen’s… a good person, right? He’s using that name now, right? Anyway, I’m his sworn brother, with whom he shares common interests. When I found out that there was such a big commotion here, although my cultivation isn’t high, I couldn’t stand by when my brother was in trouble, so I rushed over to see if there was anything I could do to help. Luckily, your place is easy to find. Where’s my brother, and who are you?”

Du Yu didn’t believe him at all.

The man pointed to the wine pot on the chair. “There are two flying swords inside. One has left, and the other is still here to protect you. If it didn’t recognize me, wouldn’t it have shown itself to protect you?”

Du Yu only slightly believed him.

The man glanced at Du Yu’s hand. “Alright, that walnut is very invincible, equivalent to a strike from an Earth Immortal, right? But it’s okay to smash bad guys with it, just don’t use it to scare your own brother. My physique is thinner than my skin. Don’t accidentally kill me. Your name is…”