A lone skiff drifted down the river, amidst a slanting rain and fine drizzle. An aged fisherman, clad in a bamboo hat and raincoat, sat at the prow, tilting his head back to drink wine. Behind him were two alluring songstresses, lightly dressed, their postures graceful. One cradled a pipa, its music a cacophony of strums and plucks, the other held clappers of red ivory, her voice a melodious warble. Though seemingly discordant, the sounds intertwined in a chaotic harmony, each enhancing the other.

The three souls aboard the small vessel were, of course, cultivators.

A Qi Refining cultivator sped across the river’s surface, riding the wind. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a magical artifact, its shimmering light like a bolt of white silk, aimed at the small boat. He roared, “Annoying beyond measure! Drinking wine and acting like grandees! There’s enough river water for you to choke on, and you dare not spend any coin!”

But the old fisherman merely raised his arm and lightly waved his sleeve. The imposing white silk not only failed to capsize the boat but was instead completely drawn into the fisherman’s sleeve. It buzzed and hummed for a moment before falling into silence.

The Qi Refining cultivator, ashen-faced, abruptly halted in the air, pleading, “Immortal Master, return my flying sword!”

The old fisherman chuckled derisively, “Kowtow and beg me.”

Without a word, the Qi Refining cultivator descended to the river surface and, using the water as his ground, began to kowtow, each strike splashing a plume of water.

The small boat shot away like an arrow. After the ignorant whelp had finished three resounding kowtows, the old fisherman finally shook his sleeve, ejecting a snow-white sword pellet. He gently held it, then tossed it backward.

The sword cultivator retrieved his natal sword pellet and, after fleeing a great distance, laughed loudly, “Old man, if those two young ladies are your daughters, I’d gladly become your son-in-law! One is not too few, and two are even better…”

One of the fair maidens cradling the pipa scoffed and abruptly plucked a string with vigorous force, her strumming like a tempest.

The river surface behind the skiff exploded into a massive chasm, stretching towards the Ocean Gazing Realm sword cultivator. Sensing the danger, the sword cultivator rode the wind higher, attempting to flee the river surface. But the lithe woman holding the red ivory clappers lightly raised her hand and gently clapped. In the rain-filled sky, an immense red ivory clapper, as large as a mountain, descended, smashing the sword cultivator headfirst into the river. By the time the skiff had sailed more than ten *li*, the pitiful sword cultivator finally crawled ashore, gasping for breath, and dared not utter another provocative word towards the three aboard the boat.

Due to the rain, Sui Jingcheng sat within the waterside pavilion. After some hesitation, she still did not remove her veil. She turned her gaze towards the wild and unrestrained image of the fisherman on the river. As for the battle of immortals, having experienced two brushes with death, Sui Jingcheng did not feel particularly moved.

Chen Pingan merely glanced at the river surface before withdrawing his gaze. It was, after all, very Northern Entirety Continent-like. If this were Azure Bottle Continent or Tung Leaf Continent, the sword cultivator would not have attacked, and even if he had, the fisherman would not have returned the flying sword.

Qi Jinglong, however, lingered, his gaze unwavering, perhaps quietly waiting for the rain to cease, and then it would be time for farewell.

Chen Pingan asked, “Mr. Liu, as a sword cultivator, you ponder matters of the mortal world so deeply. Won’t that hinder your cultivation?”

Qi Jinglong nodded, “Of course, it will. That is the difference between me and the other two. My talent is similar to theirs, and although opportunities differ, the root cause is that I am distracted. One of them even advised me to think less of matters beyond the mountains and focus on sword practice. He told me it would not be too late to consider such things after reaching the Upper Five Realms.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Today’s gains may be tomorrow’s losses.”

Qi Jinglong nodded with a smile, “I appreciate your auspicious words.”

Chen Pingan asked seriously, “Mr. Liu, are these thoughts on worldly affairs your own?”

Qi Jinglong nodded, “I come from humble origins, merely a well-off household in the marketplace. However, I have always enjoyed reading miscellaneous books. Once I ascended the mountain, the habit was hard to break. The path of cultivation is often solitary, so I must find something to do. Moreover, as a cultivator, I have certain advantages, such as a better memory and no worries about buying books. Every time I descend the mountain to travel, I buy some classics on my return journey.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Mr. Liu, do you have a conclusion about the goodness or evil of the human heart?”

Qi Jinglong smiled, “Not yet. To understand the goodness and evil of the human heart, one cannot start with a preconceived line of good and evil. It is easy to become confused oneself. The later learning will then be difficult to be fair and unbiased.”

Chen Pingan sighed, “Yes, adding personal emotion will lead to partiality.”

Qi Jinglong said, “As learning increases, this slight bias is like a small stream at the source, perhaps eventually becoming a great river flowing into the sea.”

Chen Pingan smiled knowingly, “Mr. Liu has resolved another of my doubts.”

Qi Jinglong did not ask anything further.

Chen Pingan stood up and looked out at the raging river outside the pavilion, the surging water flowing east, ceaselessly day and night.

This was the reason Chen Pingan had decided to refine First Day.

Gao Cheng was undoubtedly powerful, belonging to the type of strong individual who pursued absolute freedom.

Putting aside Gao Cheng’s original intention, whether it was an aspiration or an ambition, Chen Pingan saw an extremely subtle vein in one matter.

Chen Pingan had once been a high-seated god in the Azure Bamboo Lake Dragon Palace, judging the good and evil of men. So Chen Pingan was even more certain of one thing. Combined with Yang Ningxing, the young Daoist from the Cloud Soaring Palace of the Department of Supreme Mystery, whom he had met on the Bone Mound, a scholar transformed from a mustard seed of evil thought.

Adding the two together.

Constantly reviewing the game, Chen Pingan became increasingly certain of one conclusion: Gao Cheng was not yet the master of a Little Fengdu, at least not yet.

Chen Pingan certainly was not himself, but Chen Pingan could roughly see and guess the evil aura that that height should possess.

Now, Gao Cheng still had personal likes and dislikes. The city lord of Jingguan City still harbored resentment and was still attached to the “I.”

Even if these were extremely small, how could such smallness, even as small as a mustard seed, not exist? After so many years, it was still deeply rooted in Gao Cheng’s state of mind.

Therefore, once Gao Cheng became the master of the entire new Little Fengdu, becoming the heavens of a great world.

This slight deviation in Gao Cheng’s state of mind, with the expansion of Little Fengdu’s scale, the higher Gao Cheng’s divine throne became, with the continuous flow of the river of time, and with the increase in Little Fengdu’s ghosts and monsters, would continue to appear as greater deviations, even infinitely large deviations.

This was what Qi Jinglong had said about the stream becoming a great river.

Perhaps Gao Cheng would have the opportunity to correct those subtle deviations at a higher realm.

But this was only a “perhaps.”
Besides, the strife for the Great Dao should possess the grandeur befitting such a pursuit. Had Gao Cheng failed to seize the flying sword initially, and subsequently refrained from further pursuit or scheming, merely making an appearance and uttering those final words, Chen Ping’an might have genuinely considered waiting to see, delaying his decision until he had traversed the Northern俱蘆洲 (Northern Ju Lu Continent) before deciding whether to visit the Bone Beach and 京觀城 (Jingguan City).

In truth, Chen Ping’an felt that only two individuals had the greatest chance of accomplishing such a feat effectively.

From 桐葉洲 (Tongye Continent), the old master of the 觀道觀 (Guan Dao Temple). Not even the upright Zhong Kui, at least not yet.

From 寶瓶洲 (Bao Ping Continent), Cui. Not even Cui Dongshan.

And these two individuals happened to be close to Chen Ping’an. As for the former two, he held scarcely a shred of goodwill.

Was this not the helplessness of worldly affairs?

It seemed that if one became a friend, everything was good; if one became an enemy, everything was wrong.

A friend’s faults, should one advise against them? An enemy’s virtues, should one learn from them? Both were methods of cultivating the heart, whether on the mountain or below.

The drizzle gradually subsided.

Chen Ping’an inquired, “Would Mr. Liu be willing to accompany us for a while longer?”

Qi Jinglong nodded, “Of course.”

Before departing from the waterside pavilion, Chen Ping’an asked, “So, Mr. Liu first sets aside the discussion of good and evil, in order to ultimately approach the essence of good and evil more closely?”

Qi Jinglong smiled, “Precisely.”

Chen Ping’an, adhering to Confucian etiquette, bowed and made a respectful salute to the fellow cultivator from the Northern Ju Lu Continent whom he had encountered by chance.

Were the venerable Mr. Wen Sheng present, and were he to hear the principle this man had comprehended, he would be delighted.

Even if Qi Jinglong was not a Confucian disciple.

Qi Jinglong quickly rose to his feet and returned the bow.

Chen Ping’an raised his head, gazing at the gentle and refined cultivator before him. Chen Ping’an hoped that Cao Qinglang from Lotus Flower Paradise, if possible in the future, could also become such a person. Not entirely similar, but somewhat resembling.

No one needed to become another person, for it was both impossible and unnecessary.

Just as Chen Ping’an did not wish for Pei Qian to become himself.

Was it not good for Pei Qian to study diligently and grow up slowly in her hometown? Moreover, Pei Qian had already exceeded Chen Ping’an’s expectations; she had always been learning the meaning of the word “rules”.

Chen Ping’an never felt that Pei Qian was idling away her time, wasting her youth.

Afraid of hardship, scared of pain during martial arts practice? It did not matter.

He, as her master, who had been the strongest Fifth Realm martial artist in the world, would strive to become the strongest Sixth Realm!

He would acquire martial fortune and bestow it upon his first disciple. Would Pei Qian not be able to balance reading and martial arts?

Sui Jingcheng gazed at the somewhat unfamiliar senior.

The senior, acting as both a mentor and a half-guardian, taught her how to conduct herself in the world and hone her knowledge. He would learn from others.

It seemed the senior preferred the latter.

Sui Jingcheng felt a pang of sadness.

She had originally thought the senior was far beyond reach, but now he was slightly closer. Yet, in reality, the senior was sprinting along the path of cultivation, while she was slowly shuffling along.

One day, she would not even be able to see his back.

Even if they were to reunite after a long separation, once, twice, thrice, what would they talk about when they stood together?

Sui Jingcheng did not know.

There was still some distance to the Dragon Head Ferry, and the three proceeded at a leisurely pace.

Chen Ping’an inquired about matters in the Grand Seal Capital.

Qi Jinglong said, “It can be described as the calm before the storm. The sword immortal Ji Yue of Ape Cry Mountain, and the tenth-realm martial artist guarding the Grand Seal’s martial fortune, have not yet clashed. Once they do, the commotion will be immense. Thus, even the Sages of the Academy have departed, inviting several eminent figures to observe the battle, lest the clash harm the common folk. As for their lives, no one cares.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Are there any significant developments in the Great Li Dynasty of the Bao Ping Continent?”

Qi Jinglong sighed, “The Great Li iron cavalry continues its southward march. The rear is experiencing some unrest. Many patriotic individuals from the extinguished nations are rising up in rebellion, sacrificing themselves heroically. This is right, and no one can criticize it. But the deaths of many innocent civilians are wrong. Although both sides have their reasons, such tragedies are unavoidable. It is always…”

Chen Ping’an said, “Helpless.”

Qi Jinglong hummed in agreement.

Qi Jinglong recalled something and chuckled, “Our Northern Ju Lu Continent’s Xie Tianjun has accepted three challenges.”

Chen Ping’an pondered for a moment and shook his head, “Difficult to lose.”

Qi Jinglong said, “Indeed, he has not suffered a single defeat. After all, the Bao Ping Continent’s Divine Edict Sect’s Qi Tianjun is destined not to intervene. Among the three battles, the challenge from the Wind and Snow Temple’s sword immortal Wei Jin was the most noteworthy. Although Wei Jin lost, such a young sword cultivator is certain to achieve great things in the future! However, I heard he has gone to Upside Down Mountain to practice his swordsmanship at the Sword Qi Great Wall. Therefore, I believe the greater the achievements of such a sword cultivator, the better.”

Chen Ping’an smiled.

Qi Jinglong curiously asked, “Have you met him?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Once.”

Back then, Wei Jin had regarded Chen Ping’an with utter indifference.

But Chen Ping’an still felt that he was a good man and a sword immortal. After so many years, he understood Wei Jin’s strength even more.

Qi Jinglong remained silent for a moment. “Oh, yes, there is also a major event. Besides Cloud-Draped Mountain, the Great Li has already consecrated the remaining four of the Five Sacred Mountains.”

Chen Ping’an’s heart stirred.

Refining natal objects with the essence of the five elements.

Cui Dongshan, carrying a small hoe, had dug up five large bags of Five-Colored Earth from the Great Li’s mountains.

Accumulating soil to form mountains, and wind and rain will follow. Once refined successfully, it could create a magnificent landscape of mountains and rivers.

Many choices in life would change.

Like the matter of refining the Great Li’s Five-Colored Earth, which Chen Ping’an had initially given up on, but after conversing with Cui Dongshan and Cui twice, Chen Ping’an had become exceptionally determined. Even after encountering the venomous woman who had transformed from the Great Li Consort to the Great Li Empress Dowager on the intercontinental ferry to the Northern Ju Lu Continent, Chen Ping’an had not changed his mind.

Thus, Chen Ping’an now faced two choices: one was to conveniently take the Dragon Head Ferry to escort Sui Jingcheng to the Hemp-Clad Sect in Bone Beach, and refine the Five-Colored Earth there, which was stable but time-consuming.

The other was, in order not to delay his journey along the Great Canal, to find an immortal inn with abundant spiritual energy near the Dragon Head Ferry, or to slightly detour to a secluded mountain swamp with few people, and cultivate in seclusion.

Qi Jinglong seemed to have sensed the change in Chen Ping’an’s thoughts, hesitated for a moment, and smiled, “My trip down the mountain was just to chat with you. Having chatted, I am rather at leisure.”
Some people, when they help others, tend to overthink things.

Isn’t Chen Ping’an just like that?

Shared knowledge, similar character.

This is what it means to be kindred spirits.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an abandoned his usual caution and asked, “If I were to say that I want to refine a Natal Treasure at Dragonhead Ferry, and I need someone to safeguard the process, would Mr. Liu be willing to help?”

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “I would.”

Chen Ping’an continued, “The refinement process might create quite a commotion. Also, I have some enemies in the Northern俱芦洲, such as the Golden Scale Palace of the Great Zhuan Dynasty.”

Qi Jinglong replied, “A trivial matter.”

Chen Ping’an slapped Qi Jinglong on the shoulder, “It’s a shame that someone like you doesn’t enjoy drinking.”

Qi Jinglong said helplessly, “Pressuring people to drink is a terrible breach of etiquette.”

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but laugh, “You should have a good discussion about that with an old gentleman in the future. Oh, and a swordsman, if you get the chance.”

Qi Jinglong shook his head.

They arrived at Dragonhead Ferry and settled in an inn brimming with spiritual energy, its signboard reading “Kingfisher.”

Chen Ping’an, in a rare display of extravagance, directly requested a top-tier residence from the inn. It even had a lotus pond, the lotus leaves emerging from the water as large as platters, and after the rain, they held dewdrops like pearls. The fragrant breeze was refreshing and invigorating.

Whenever Qi Jinglong descended the mountain for travels, he would use an alias. When in bustling places, he would also employ illusion techniques.

Now, Qi Jinglong moved a long bench and sat by the lotus pond. Sui Jingcheng followed suit, removing her veil, carrying her mountain staff, and sitting not far away, beginning to regulate her breathing.

A small boat was moored by the pond.

Qi Jinglong simply gazed quietly at the lotus pond, his hands gently clenched into fists, resting on his knees.

Chen Ping’an had already begun his closed-door cultivation.

Qi Jinglong was a Nascent Soul cultivator and a registered Immortal Master. Aside from reading and comprehending principles, Qi Jinglong’s cultivation on the mountain, the so-called distraction, was only relative to the two others.

In truth, Qi Jinglong’s knowledge was diverse, yet he excelled in everything. Back then, just by casually drawing a formation, he was able to prevent Yang Ningzhen of the Chongxuan Department’s Cloud Firmament Palace from breaking it. One must know that Yang Ningzhen’s cultivation in spells was even higher than that of her younger brother, Yang Ningxing, who was also born with a Daoist constitution. This made Yang Ningzhen so frustrated that she switched to martial arts, effectively giving up the right to inherit the Chongxuan Department’s Cloud Firmament Palace. However, she actually carved out a great future in martial arts, a blessing in disguise.

Therefore, Qi Jinglong was most familiar with the matter of closed-door cultivation.

No matter how great Chen Ping’an’s movements or how turbulent the ripples of his aura, none of it could escape this residence.

Because Qi Jinglong was a sword cultivator.

There were signs of rain again, but this time it would likely be a heavy downpour.

Sui Jingcheng felt somewhat uneasy, interrupting her breathing and gently exhaling a turbid breath, her brow furrowed in worry.

Qi Jinglong feigned ignorance.

Sui Jingcheng murmured, “I heard a senior say a local proverb, ‘A light rain in Lesser Heat is like silver, a heavy rain in Greater Heat is like gold.'”

Sui Jingcheng said to herself, “I think these words must have been spoken by scholars, and the kind who weren’t very good at studying or weren’t very high-ranking officials.”

Only then did Qi Jinglong speak, “There’s truth to that.”

Sui Jingcheng stood up, leaned her mountain staff against the long bench, and squatted by the lotus pond, asking, “Can I pick the lotus leaves in the pond as I please?”

Qi Jinglong nodded, “We spent so much money on this place, picking a few lotus leaves isn’t a problem. However, the lotus leaves contain little spiritual energy and won’t last long after being picked.”

Sui Jingcheng picked a lotus leaf by the water’s edge, sat back on the long bench, and gently twisted it, scattering raindrops.

Qi Jinglong said, “Mr. Chen’s aura is forming, the refinement should be no problem.”

Sui Jingcheng turned to ask, “Is it truly foolproof?”

Qi Jinglong felt somewhat helpless. How was he supposed to answer that?

Sui Jingcheng then turned her head and softly asked, “Is Senior really that young?”

Qi Jinglong looked into the distance and smiled, “His true age is naturally young, but the age of his state of mind is not. There are all kinds of strange things in the world, and the grotto-heavens are the strangest of all. Time flows differently, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, unlike the human world, yet even more like it. So, when that Mr. Chen says he’s three hundred years old, he’s not entirely lying.”

A heavy rain suddenly arrived.

Sui Jingcheng retrieved her veil and raincoat, and just sat by the pond, letting the rain fall on her.

As for Qi Jinglong, he didn’t need to circulate his Qi; the rain couldn’t touch him.

His sword heart stirred slightly, his sword intent guiding his sword Qi.

Raindrops the size of soybeans fell on the lotus leaf that Sui Jingcheng had placed on the long bench, making a crackling sound.

Sui Jingcheng suddenly widened her eyes, vaguely seeing a pair of Mandarin ducks hiding under a lotus leaf in the distance in the pond.

Sui Jingcheng’s mood immediately improved.

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “Those are a type of spiritual bird sold by the Spring Dew Orchard of the Jiamu Mountains. They aren’t ordinary Mandarin ducks. They are unruly by nature and are released in the mountain waters to guard the precious fish in the pond, preventing them from being snatched away by mountain and marsh beasts.”

Such a killjoy.

Sui Jingcheng’s mood immediately worsened.

Although Qi Jinglong was puzzled, unsure of where he had offended her, he knew he had said the wrong thing and stopped speaking.

Late at night, Sui Jingcheng had already returned to her room, but the lights stayed on all night.

Qi Jinglong remained seated on the long bench by the water, motionless.

Occasionally, ripples of Qi leaked out, but they were all shattered by his sword Qi, returning to heaven and earth.

As for the various treasures and auspicious omens of Chen Ping’an’s refining process and the heavenly materials he used inside the house, Qi Jinglong would naturally prevent anyone from casually spying with their divine sense.

For cultivators, refining a Natal Treasure is of utmost importance, a matter of life and death.

The next day, around noon, Chen Ping’an, with a pale face, opened the door and walked out of the house.

Qi Jinglong sighed.

Is refining a Natal Treasure for a lower five realms cultivator this exaggerated?

Whether it was the grade of the refining furnace, the rarity of the heavenly materials, or the difficulty of the refinement, was it all too inconceivable?

He’s not a Dragon Gate realm cultivator breaking through to the Golden Core Earth Immortal realm.

Qi Jinglong asked with a smile, “How about a few sips of wine to calm your nerves?”

“Let me rest a bit first before drinking.”

Chen Ping’an saw an empty long bench by the lotus pond and sat down, turning his head to smile, “It’s okay, I prepared sufficiently, I still have two more chances.”

He casually picked up a lotus leaf that had fallen on the long bench due to the rain.

Qi Jinglong pointed to his heart, “The key is here, don’t let anything go wrong. Otherwise, no matter how many more chances or heavenly materials you have, it’ll all be in vain.”
Chen Pingan nodded, “Of course. This is one thing I’m actually quite good at.”

Seeing that he wasn’t at all dejected, Qi Jinglong felt relieved.

Sui Jingcheng walked out of the house, but there was no space for her. Chen Pingan shifted over, sitting on one end of the long bench, allowing Sui Jingcheng to sit at the other.

Chen Pingan asked, “If picking lotus leaves requires any extra expenses, it needs to be recorded in the accounts.”

Sui Jingcheng smiled. “Sure, it’s only a few snowflake coins. I’ll record it.”

Chen Pingan turned to look at Qi Jinglong.

Qi Jinglong remained unmoved.

*You two lovebirds can do what you want, don’t drag me into it.*

Chen Pingan could only explain, “Sir Liu, you misunderstand.”

Qi Jinglong smiled. “Alright, I’ll just take it as my misunderstanding.”

Chen Pingan sighed and silently drank from his gourd for nurturing swords.

Chen Pingan recalled something. “The three cultivators on the small boat I saw on the river at the waterside pavilion earlier, are they famous in Northern Ju Continent?”

Qi Jinglong said, “Like that Mr. Jianweng who liked to nurture flying swords for others back then, they are all one of the top ten eccentrics of Northern Ju Continent. This person loves music and has collected many magical instrument treasures. He has a strange temper and is constantly wandering. Many clan ceremonies of Northern Ju Continent’s immortal families, such as opening peak rituals or grand cultivators successfully breaking through realms, consider it fortunate to be able to invite this master and his ten-odd disciples to perform music at the banquet. The most recent time the master and disciples gathered was when they were invited by the youngest Sect Master in our Northern Ju Continent’s history, appearing on the Green Cliff within a small paradise of the Clear Cool Sect.”

Chen Pingan nodded.

About an incense stick later, Chen Pingan, who hadn’t said a word, returned to the house.

Sui Jingcheng, having nothing to do, continued to twist that still vibrantly green lotus leaf.

Qi Jinglong said, “Do you mind if I say something that touches upon your Great Dao cultivation? It’s not that I intentionally pried; it’s just that your breathing and energy flow feel somewhat familiar to me.”

Sui Jingcheng shook her head. “I do mind.”

But she turned her head and glanced at the house over there, softly saying, “Sir Liu, you can speak.”

Qi Jinglong smiled. “The breathing method you cultivate is very similar to that of the Fire Dragon True Man’s direct disciple, the Grand Radiance Yuanjun, Immortal Master Li Yu.”

Sui Jingcheng looked puzzled. “Sir Liu, wait a moment. Although I don’t know many rules of the mountains, I’ve followed Senior for this entire journey, and I know that the Taoist True Man’s realm is only a Terrestrial Immortal, right? But the Yuanjun is at least in the Jade Purity Realm, in the upper five realms. Is it that Immortal Master Li Yu’s aptitude is too good, having surpassed her master so much?”

Qi Jinglong shook his head with a smile. “This is a fun fact on the mountains of our Northern Ju Continent. That Fire Dragon True Man is a surname-less Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Central Earth Divine Continent. There are some rumors… Never mind, it’s not good to say these things, so I won’t mention them. Anyway, this old immortal’s realm is extremely high, extremely high, but he has always held onto the title of True Man. And it is rumored that he likes to sleep, cultivating and comprehending the Great Dao in his dreams, which is very mysterious. Li Yu is one of the Fire Dragon True Man’s direct disciples. Because the old immortal is very casual in accepting disciples, not looking at aptitude or talent, he just brings one or two back with him every time he goes down the mountain. As a result, there are as many as forty or fifty direct disciples on the ancestral hall’s genealogy. Over the long years, some have advanced to become Taoist Yuanjun like Immortal Master Li Yu, but more have died of old age at various bottlenecks, from Cave Mansion Realm to Nascent Soul Realm. There are still over twenty direct disciples on the mountain today, continuing to cultivate. Therefore, cultivators of the same generation vary greatly in age, and even more so in realm. However, this Grand Radiance Yuanjun has been in seclusion for many years, but her lineage has flourished. She has the most disciples on the mountain. Her third-generation disciples number over a hundred.”

Sui Jingcheng’s expression changed slightly.

Senior once revealed the inscriptions on the three golden hairpins in one sentence, and one of them was “Grand Radiance Enslaves Ghosts”!

Sui Jingcheng quickly steadied her mind.

A battle between heaven and man began in her heart.

Qi Jinglong turned to glance at Sui Jingcheng, his eyes complex. *Forget it. Some things are best left unsaid. Let Mr. Chen worry about the final outcome himself.*

Sui Jingcheng’s foundation was actually not so simple as just being a disciple favored by the Grand Radiance Yuanjun Li Yu. The possibility was both high and extremely low because Li Yu had already taken in a closed-door disciple with excellent talent before entering a life-or-death seclusion. Although this disciple was less than forty years old, she was already a candidate for the next top ten young cultivators of Northern Ju Continent.

The higher one ascends on the mountains, the more serious and unambiguous they become about the matter of master-disciple relationships.

Moreover, Mr. Chen, who wasn’t a true Terrestrial Immortal sword cultivator, hadn’t yet seen the hidden mysteries within Sui Jingcheng. However, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

In any case, based on the faint sword intent on Sui Jingcheng’s body, Qi Jinglong roughly guessed at some clues. This kind of cultivation method was too dangerous and would cause some trouble. A single improper handling could affect the foundation of her Great Dao.

Qi Jinglong could even follow this thread, as well as some complex relationships between grand cultivators in Northern Ju Continent, to arrive at more conclusions.

However, many mountain matters are knowable but not speakable.

As for that Yuanjun’s junior disciple, Gu Mo, Qi Jinglong had seen her once during his travels. Her talent was indeed excellent, but her temper wasn’t very good.

The Grand Radiance lineage has always been like this.

They fear nothing when they go down the mountain to slay demons and eliminate evil. What does death and the dissipation of one’s Dao matter?

As long as they are in the right, even if they are facing cultivators two or three realms higher, all of the foreign-surname Celestial Masters within the Grand Radiance lineage would draw their swords.

Historically, there have also been Terrestrial Immortal cultivators, even sword immortals in the upper five realms, casually slaying those ignorant Taoist junior cultivators with a single sword strike, mostly believing they were doing so silently, but without exception, they were mostly killed by the Grand Radiance Yuanjun or her several fellow disciples. If there were mountain peak grand cultivators who could block and repel them, that was fine. In this thousand-year history, the Fire Dragon True Man has

gone down the mountain twice. Once, he casually slapped a Twelfth Realm Military Strategist cultivator to death. Once, he directly killed a Twelfth Realm Sword Immortal who thought he was safe. From beginning to end, the old True Man was unharmed, and even the mountain peak battle that should have changed the world had no ripples.

The sun and moon replaced each other, day and night alternated.

When Chen Pingan walked out of the house for the second time, Sui Jingcheng immediately followed him out of her own house.

Qi Jinglong didn’t speak this time.
Chen Pingan remained seated on the long bench, the lotus leaf placed upon it showing signs of withering after the spiritual essence had dissipated, its color no longer as moist and full.

Sui Jingcheng didn’t sit on the bench, merely standing not far away, graceful and elegant as a lotus flower just emerged from the water.

Chen Pingan, drinking from his gourd that nurtured his sword intent, smiled and said, “Don’t worry.”

Qi Jinglong laughed, “If you’re not worried, what do I have to worry about?”

Chen Pingan turned his head and said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

Qi Jinglong’s reply was concise, “You’re welcome.”

Chen Pingan asked, “Mister Liu, do you have your own understanding of the Buddhist concept of subduing the restless mind?”

Qi Jinglong shook his head, “Mere superficial insights, not worth mentioning. Perhaps I’ll share more profound thoughts with you in the future.”

Chen Pingan said, “I once met an enlightened Buddhist monk, so I have some ideas. How about we chat about them?”

Qi Jinglong smiled, “That would be excellent.”

Chen Pingan stood up, extending a palm, his five fingers like hooks, unmoving, as if restraining something. “Would this count as subduing?”

Qi Jinglong pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “If it started like this, definitely not. If it’s a final result, it’s not perfect either.”

Chen Pingan nodded, then squatted down, using his finger to trace two extremely shallow lines on the bluestone ground by the lotus pond, then drawing veins in all directions.

Finally, he extended his palm and smeared it all, but without completely erasing everything, leaving behind intermittent, linear fine scratches.

Qi Jinglong asked, “Is this our state of mind? The mind like a monkey, thoughts like a wild horse, galloping everywhere, seemingly returning to the original heart, but with one wrong step, some traces remain, not truly wiped clean?”

Chen Pingan said nothing, using his right hand to scoop up a handful of water from the pond, standing near the center, and with his left hand, gently pinching a drop of water, letting it fall on the center.

Qi Jinglong stared intently.

Then he squatted down, lightly wiping with a hand.

On the bluestone floor, it seemed that there was no water stain, but in some fine marks, slender waterways were constantly spreading in all directions, their lengths and distances varying.

Chen Pingan turned his head and smiled, “Mister Liu is right.”

Qi Jinglong thought for a moment, “But when the true mind, like a monkey, thoughts like a wild horse, trample past, will it always leave traces? Or can they be like footprints in the snow, completely melting away after being exposed to the sun?”

Then they both fell into contemplation.

Sui Jingcheng squatted near Chen Pingan, her eyes wide, trying to see something.

Otherwise, always being in a fog like this, wouldn’t be a good look, right?

As she looked up, she noticed that the senior glanced at her.

She sat on the long bench, striking a pose that said, “I understand everything.”

Chen Pingan slapped his forehead, tossed the water from his palm, twisted his wrist, and the blue paper scripture appeared in his hand. Standing up, he handed it to Qi Jinglong, “I don’t recognize Sanskrit. Can you see which Buddhist scripture this is from?”

After Qi Jinglong took the scripture, he smiled, “A chapter? This is a complete Buddhist teaching.”

Chen Pingan was stunned for a moment and sat down to the side.

Qi Jinglong thought for a moment, “I’ll tell you about the content, and later, when you have a chance to enter a temple, ask the monks yourself. Remember to keep it safe.”

Chen Pingan put away that page… that scripture.

Chen Pingan suddenly laughed, “Good too. Although I don’t recognize the scripture’s characters, I can still copy it to calm my mind.”

Qi Jinglong nodded.

Chen Pingan stood up, about to go to the house to copy the scripture.

Sui Jingcheng hesitated.

Chen Pingan said, “It’s okay.”

Sui Jingcheng’s eyes welled up with tears.

Chen Pingan said earnestly, “Don’t think you can get away with what you owe like this.”

Sui Jingcheng glared at him, twisted her waist, and sat down on the long bench.

Qi Jinglong kept his gaze forward, blinked his eyes, and thought that Mister Chen was a master indeed.

Could he perhaps also seek guidance from him?

After all, within and without his sect, up and down the mountain, the gazes of many female cultivators made Qi Jinglong feel somewhat guilty.

That was the trouble with being reasonable in everything.

It wouldn’t affect his cultivation of the Great Dao and the clarity of his sword heart, but in the end, there were many regrettable things that arose because of him. He was fine, but they were not. It wasn’t good.

That day, after Chen Pingan finished copying the scripture, he continued his secluded cultivation, starting to ignite the stove for the five-colored golden coffer.

It was the last time he would refine the five-colored earth of Mount Dali.

That night.

Qi Jinglong was meditating.

Sui Jingcheng was lost in thought.

Qi Jinglong opened his eyes, turned his head, and softly scolded, “Why are you distracted? It’s crucial for the Great Dao. What’s wrong with trusting someone else for once? Is it better to be alone all the time?!”

The slightly chaotic ripples from the house calmed down.

Sui Jingcheng was a little flustered, “Is there an enemy attack? Is it that Golden Scale Palace immortal?”

Qi Jinglong shook his head but didn’t say anything else.

A streak of white rainbow sword light and a brilliant flowing cloud swept majestically from the end of the sky, the momentum enough to startle the entire Green Oriole Country Dragon Head Ferry.

Almost all the cultivators in the inns took a look, and all those strolling in the inns or chatting in the courtyards returned to their rooms.

The sword light landed on the opposite bank of the lotus pond, and the dazzling cloud landed on the lotus leaves.

Gu Mo, the closed-door disciple of the Grand Xia Goddess Li Yu, wore the unique Daoist robe of a Dragon Tiger Mountain non-lineage Celestial Master. On the robe, embroidered with朵朵 bright red Xia clouds, slowly flowed, shimmering with brilliance.

The Dharma robe “Grand Xia,” was one of the signature items of the Grand Xia Goddess Li Yu.

The other person was an outstanding Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator, but not a cultivator from the Fiery Dragon True Man’s peak.

As expected.

Qi Jinglong understood in his heart.

Mountain cultivators, especially female cultivators, also had their own “boudoir friends.”

The Goddess was naturally no exception.

Then the fact that the female sword immortal from the central Northern Club Luzhou had not gone to Upside Down Mountain could be explained.

She was probably waiting for her friend Li Yu to successfully emerge from closed-door cultivation.

After Gu Mo saw Qi Jinglong, she didn’t recognize this terrestrial dragon “Liu Jinglong” due to the difference in realm.

However, the Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator saw through the disguise and smiled, “Rong Chang from Floating Duckweed Sword Lake greets Mister Liu.”

Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, owned by Li Cai.

Sui Jingcheng had a strange expression, feeling a sense of closeness and familiarity upon seeing this sword cultivator who called herself from Floating Duckweed Sword Lake? She shook her head, dispelling the inexplicable ripples in her heart, and moved her feet, standing even more behind Qi Jinglong.
Upon witnessing this scene, Rong Chang chuckled silently, offering no further comment. It was all within reason; best to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, lest he overstep and disrupt the grand tapestry of fate.

However, this “long-awaited reunion” with her left Rong Chang with a heavy heart.

Originally, “Sui Jingcheng’s” path to cultivation should have been far smoother.

But no one could have foreseen that the highly regarded Taixia Yuanjun, Li Yu, whose chances of ascension were deemed promising, and a close friend of his master, had perished in a failed attempt to transcend.

Thus, throughout this southward journey, Gu Mo, as Li Yu’s most beloved and esteemed disciple, was in a state of profound despair. She unleashed her sect’s thunderous techniques upon demonic lairs that had festered for years, causing earth-shattering destruction. On one occasion, had Rong Chang not intervened with his sword, she would have been trapped in dire straits, facing a Yuan Ying stage demon lord driven to madness. Despite sustaining significant injuries, Gu Mo pressed on relentlessly, first visiting the Wu Ling Kingdom, then retracing her steps based on clues, arriving at the Dragon Head Ferry in Green Oriole Kingdom. She had no time for rest and recuperation. Rong Chang had tried to dissuade her twice, but to no avail, as Gu Mo was not a member of his sect after all.

Upon learning of Taixia Yuanjun’s demise, Rong Chang immediately sent a flying sword message to Shujian Lake in Baoping Continent, as prearranged with his master.

His master soon returned a flying sword, demanding that he protect the woman’s safety at all costs, lest he face his wrath.

Rong Chang was acutely aware of his master Li Cai’s temperament; it was by no means an empty threat.

His master’s disposition was simple, requiring no guesswork from the disciples. For example, Rong Chang’s prolonged inability to reach the upper five realms was a constant source of displeasure for Li Cai. Every time he saw him, he would administer a lesson, even if Rong Chang was merely flying by on his sword. If he happened to be caught in his master’s gaze while he was admiring the scenery, he would be struck down by a sword.

After all, this was a momentous affair.

Although in a dismal mood, Gu Mo kept her appointment with Rong Chang of Floating Reed Sword Lake and said to the girl, “You must be Sui Jingcheng? You’re considered a nominal disciple of my master, Taixia Yuanjun. From now on, your cultivation journey will have a protector, me, Gu Mo. But rest assured, apart from guiding you in a sword technique, you are free to roam as you please, up mountains and down streams, without any constraints, myself included. The bamboo robe you wear is now officially yours. But you must return the ‘Taixia Ghost-Herding’ hairpin among the three, as the sect has other plans for it. However, I will exchange it with another magical treasure of comparable quality.”

As for Liu Jinglong, Gu Mo simply pretended not to see him, thanks to a concealing illusion. She acted as if she didn’t recognize him.

She had heard that he was a highly cultivated, exceptionally talented, and renowned, but also particularly fussy oddball.

Gu Mo had no desire for polite formalities.

Social niceties?

The courtesies of the Taixia lineage were reserved only for those who had fought alongside them, even if they were lower five realm cultivators. They were welcomed as esteemed guests. Otherwise, what did she care if you were an upper five realm cultivator?

Sui Jingcheng was startled. She gritted her teeth and walked to Qi Jinglong’s side, cautiously asking, “I want to go to Baoping Continent to see, may I?”

Standing on the lotus leaf, Gu Mo glanced at Rong Chang behind her.

Rong Chang smiled slightly. “It’s best to stay in Northern Luzhou.”

Because, barring unforeseen circumstances, his master Li Cai was already on his way back to Northern Luzhou.

Sui Jingcheng quickly took out the three hairpins. “I can return all three hairpins to you. If possible, I would like to follow a senior cultivator for guidance. I mean, if it’s possible. But if Taixia Yuanjun doesn’t agree and still wants me as a nominal disciple, could you let me make a trip to Baoping Continent? I will return to Northern Luzhou on my own and apologize to the Yuanjun…”

Gu Mo roared, “Enough nonsense!”

Rong Chang was also in a difficult position.

The girl’s words were perfectly reasonable, but they struck a nerve with Gu Mo.

The passing of a Yuanjun was a great misfortune for any immortal family, especially since Gu Mo was Li Yu’s direct disciple.

Qi Jinglong sighed inwardly, suspecting that Taixia Yuanjun had encountered a major problem.

However, Qi Jinglong remained calm and said, “Let’s talk things over peacefully.”

Gu Mo’s face was as cold as ice as she stared at Qi Jinglong. “Do you, an outsider, have the right to interfere?!”

Qi Jinglong remained unperturbed. “A friend of mine is currently refining his natal treasure, and is at a crucial juncture. I believe both Gu Daoist and Sword Immortal Rong are aware of this. So, could we sit down and discuss this slowly?”

Sui Jingcheng nodded vigorously, still holding out her hand, with the three hairpins resting on her palm.

Rong Chang suddenly frowned.

Hopefully, it wasn’t that tribulation!

It was a seemingly harmless yet deeply entangled obstacle on the path of cultivation.

Taixia Yuanjun’s failed seclusion had, to some extent, affected this girl’s cultivation opportunity. If the girl were to fall into another tribulation, it would be a double whammy of trouble.

If that were the case, Rong Chang could not stand idly by.

Early ripples in the heart could be suppressed, but if allowed to grow unchecked, like a pond at your feet transforming into a lotus field, how could one sever them? Severing them would still damage the very foundation of one’s Dao.

Qi Jinglong sighed and said softly, “The path of the Great Dao is difficult. Haste makes waste. Shouldn’t we consider this more carefully? Waiting for a while shouldn’t be too much trouble, right?”

Gu Mo sneered. “An hour, or half a day?”

Qi Jinglong frowned, but remained affable.