The mountain’s rear was abundant with rare and exotic flora, yet devoid of birds, sparrows, insects, or ants.

Furthermore, Chen Ping’an noticed a minor detail. When they initially entered this immortal abode, he witnessed celestial cranes circling the mountain. However, after the four of them ascended, the cranes had vanished without a trace. Whether Chen Ping’an looked up from the mountain’s base, surveyed the rivers and mountains from the Taoist temple atop the peak, or later trailed behind Huang Shi and Daoist Sun in their treasure hunt, all the way to this area behind the mountain, he never once caught sight of a crane again.

If a reclusive immortal resided here, and assuming the worst-case scenario, the host harbored ill intentions towards all visitors.

Then the opponent was certainly a master manipulator of hearts and minds.

Ordinary mortals, mountain woodcutters, might simply glance at the cranes and move on, more awestruck by the subsequent jade arch bridges and inscribed plaques, regarding the place as a celestial paradise. Coupled with the skeletal remains scattered about, they would naturally deem it an unowned land.

But for cultivators, those casual glimpses, especially the first impression, would subtly and unconsciously influence their minds.

Thereafter, any Qi refiner, regardless of cultivation level, would repeatedly ponder the matter.

Chen Ping’an’s first sight of verdant mountains and clear waters, along with snow-white cranes, was no exception. His initial thought was, “What a magnificent immortal residence, what a place of natural beauty!”

Everything seen afterward was merely an “immortal residence” with the added suffix of “ruins.”

It was still an immortal’s home, and fortune still lingered.

Clues were everywhere, exceedingly complex, seemingly containing mysteries at every turn. Overexposure would lead to a tangled mess, discouraging further thought.

Chen Ping’an was equally without a clear direction. However, the sudden descent and subsequent ascent of that sword qi, coupled with the inexplicably shattered bells at Daoist Sun’s waist, could barely string together a line, or rather, a worst-case possibility.

This meticulous mindset of first considering the best and worst possibilities was the key to Chen Ping’an’s survival in the Bone Mound of Jingguan City, under the watchful eyes of Gao Cheng.

The world was complex. Seeing and not seeing, thinking and not thinking, were matters of study and cultivation of the mind.

Of course, there were also accidental encounters, resulting in ignorant deaths or confused fortunes.

The three continued their exploration of the mountain’s rear, which, at least on the surface, appeared far more leisurely than the life-and-death struggles of the mountain’s front.

As for the life or death of Di Yuanfeng, Chen Ping’an felt no burden. He was not a father, mother, or ancestor. Had he been a kind-hearted person, Chen Ping’an might have intervened, making a fair deal of sorts.

At this moment, a green bamboo tree beside the road stood out, strikingly solitary, its bamboo shadows swaying gracefully.

The bamboo stalk was as thick as a bowl, its leaves a vibrant green, not merely in a figurative sense, but literally dripping with greenness. Many leaves had water droplets clinging to their tips. As the wind blew, these droplets swayed precariously. As the three gazed at the bamboo, a jade-green drop fell to the ground and instantly vanished. Chen Ping’an stared intently, recognizing its significance. Though it didn’t nurture water essence like the jade-green glazed tiles and Taoist temple’s blue bricks, it had reached the astonishing level of spiritual energy condensing into water.

As Daoist Sun passed by, he lightly tapped the bamboo with his finger, listening intently. He exclaimed, “Intriguing!”

While the two were focused on the green bamboo, Chen Ping’an turned around, took off his bundle, retrieved the Sword Nurturing Gourd from his miniature world, held it in his hand, re-slung the bundle, and smiled, “May I trouble Daoist Sun to shake the bamboo so I can collect some of the water from the leaf tips?”

Daoist Sun was, after all, a genuine Ocean Gazing Realm cultivator, capable of discerning the approximate depths of things. He shook his head and laughed, “Daoist Chen, I advise you not to bother. Ordinary vessels cannot contain the dense spiritual energy of these water droplets born from spiritual energy. Let alone directly using a wine flask to collect the water, even if you plucked a handful of bamboo leaves with their droplets and carefully stored them, they would not remain after leaving this strange bamboo.”

As the lean Daoist spoke, he promptly removed his Daoist robe, revealing a small celadon bottle painted with a scene of a recluse among green pines.

Huang Shi, disliking their dawdling, kicked the bamboo stalk. Immediately, water droplets fell like a drizzle. Daoist Sun laughed heartily, his figure swaying as he stepped on the Dipper steps, using the plum-green porcelain bottle to collect the water.

Chen Ping’an was no exception, unwilling to let any water droplet fall and dissipate. Without competing with Daoist Sun, he used a “water technique” to gather many of the droplets about to fall into the mud, converging them into a stream and slowly collecting them into the Sword Nurturing Gourd.

Huang Shi glanced at the black-robed old man’s technique, finding no suspicious flaws, and dismissed the matter.

Now that Chen Ping’an had brought out the Sword Nurturing Gourd, he didn’t put it away, hanging it at his waist. The collected water droplets, condensed from heaven and earth spiritual energy, amounted to no more than seven or eight ounces of ordinary wine, yet possessed a heavy,沉 weight of more than ten pounds.

The three continued on their journey.

Chen Ping’an glanced back at the green bamboo.

Could it be the same as the bamboo forest that Wei Bo meticulously planted on Chessboard Mountain, originating from the Green God Mountain of Bamboo Sea Grotto-Heaven if they were to trace their origins?

Otherwise, according to the divine immortal book purchased from Inverted Peak Mountain, among the many varieties of immortal bamboo in the Vast World, dozens of different species, none seemed to possess such great power in condensing water essence as this bamboo.

It was a pity that, like the chessboard and stone table, it couldn’t be carried away or moved.

Daoist Sun, feeling unsatisfied, reached out, smiling, “Bamboo is hollow and communicates with the divine, lightens the body and replenishes qi. In my early cultivation, I perused countless books and saw ancient texts mentioning that bamboo leaves boiled into tea are best for quenching thirst and clearing the mind. During the hottest days of summer, just a handful of bamboo leaves, with a few mountain lotus seeds, and a cup or two of tea will make one feel like an immortal.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at Daoist Sun and then at the slender green bamboo, which remained unyielding and uncooperative.

Since it had come to this, he couldn’t bring himself to offer any flattering words.

Daoist Sun withdrew his hand, his expression calm, “Forget it, I’ll leave this opportunity for those who come later.”

Huang Shi twisted the knife, “If these bamboo leaves were refined into natal objects by lower five realm cultivators who cultivate water techniques, they could be treasures. The treasure is right before your eyes, be careful that Heaven’s gift not taken becomes a fault. Daoist Sun, aren’t you going to pick a few? Even if you don’t use them for tea, giving them to the younger generation of Thundergod Residence in Infant Mountain would be a decent gift upon your return to your sect.”
Reverend Sun, with a serene demeanor, said, “The matter of cultivating the Dao concerns the very foundation. How can one casually bestow such opportunities? I am not some instructor for these juniors. A gift too grand would be inappropriate. Let it be, let it be.”

Chen Ping’an whispered in admiration, “Reverend Sun, your words are like pearls, insightful and profound.”

Reverend Sun carefully placed the small celadon bottle into his sleeve, walking slowly with a smile, appearing unfathomable.

Master Huang found this rogue cultivator from Wuling Kingdom unbearable. Ever since learning that Reverend Sun was a disciple of the Thunder God House’s Pure Bright True Man, he had been incessantly attentive.

Suddenly, Master Huang, using the agility of a Golden Body Realm cultivator and the force of a Fifth Realm punch, but holding back slightly, tested the physique of the Qi Refinement cultivator. Without warning, he punched the black-robed old man beside him. With a thud, the latter flew backward, tumbling along the ground. Struggling to his feet, he seemed dazed. Sitting on the ground, his throat twitched, and he turned his head to spit out a mouthful of stagnant blood. As if only then regaining his senses, he stood up, his hands hidden in his sleeves, clearly pinching talismans between his fingers. The energy of his qi rippled around his cuffs as he burst into curses, “You surnamed Huang, are you courting death?!”

Master Huang felt assured, confirming the old man was indeed a useless fellow.

Reverend Sun, even more frightened, quickly darted several feet away, also pinching an offensive talisman he had just bought from Fellow Daoist Chen.

The three formed a triangular defensive formation.

Master Huang didn’t even glance at the black-robed old man, but turned to Reverend Sun with a smile, “Reverend Sun, the human heart is a treacherous place. One must be cautious. We and Young Master Qin are allies, at least knowing each other’s backgrounds. Only this person, encountered halfway, if he is a cunning, disguised rogue cultivator, wouldn’t we be ensnared? In the end, all our treasures and opportunities, along with our lives, would be used to benefit others. I don’t think Reverend Sun would want that, would he?”

Reverend Sun spoke to Chen Ping’an with ripples of his heart lake, “Fellow Daoist Chen, what do you say? Should we engage in a battle? This Master Huang is no easy character. If we truly tear off the pretense, the two of us are ants on the same string. Let’s not hide anything.”

Comparatively speaking, Reverend Sun certainly trusted the black-robed old man more. Throughout their journey, it had something to do with good and evil, but not entirely. More than that, he felt that this Fellow Daoist Chen had weak cultivation and posed little threat. Of course, if the black-robed old man’s words and actions were shrewd, calculating, and opportunistic, Reverend Sun would not want to cooperate sincerely with him, risking his life to confront Master Huang together.

While speaking to Chen Ping’an in his mind, Reverend Sun verbally uttered ambiguous words, “Fellow Daoist Chen, Brother Huang’s actions are a bit excessive, but the current situation is unpredictable. If we, our own people, start infighting, that would truly be playing into the hands of others. Why don’t you two give this poor Daoist some face? Fellow Daoist Chen, calm down. This poor Daoist will have Brother Huang apologize again, and we’ll consider this matter closed, how about it?”

Chen Ping’an said angrily, “How about nothing! After being punched like that, suffering such an undeserved disaster, my vital energy is greatly damaged. If a simple apology is enough, then why not let Master Huang eat one of my thunder talismans, and we’ll call it even!”

Master Huang twitched his lips, opened a corner of his package, grabbed an object, and gently tossed it to the black-robed old man, smiling, “If an apology isn’t enough, then add a gift.”

The black-robed old man’s eyes lit up. After a moment’s hesitation, he still secretly pinched a talisman in his sleeve with one hand, while the other hand emerged from his sleeve, attempting to reach out and catch the antique bronze mirror.

Reverend Sun’s expression changed drastically, and he quickly reminded him with his heart voice, “Don’t catch it!”

But it was too late.

Master Huang stomped on the ground, using the martial arts cultivation of the Sixth Realm pinnacle, instantly arriving in front of the black-robed old man, delivering a punch.

The black-robed old man gaped, dumbstruck, actually standing rooted to the spot, his whole body stiff, not only failing to catch the compensatory bronze mirror, but also dragging himself into eating the punch.

But Master Huang suddenly stopped his punch, only a gust of fist wind brushed past the poor wretch’s face, the hair at his temples swept backward.

Master Huang actually retracted his fist, weighed his heavy baggage, turned and left. After walking a few steps, he turned his head and smiled, “Brother Chen, this bronze mirror is a gift for you.”

Reverend Sun sighed in his heart.

How did he find such a clueless, foolish ally?

Misery.

The road ahead will not be easy.

Reverend Sun only saw Fellow Daoist Chen smile apologetically at him, squatting down to pick up the fallen bronze mirror, placing it into a still-meager blue cloth package.

Even though this fellow had tried his best to hide his fear and panic, his hands were constantly trembling slightly.

Reverend Sun’s head ached as he watched. He shook his head, turned and followed Master Huang. Perhaps feeling pity for this fellow’s misfortune and anger at his lack of ambition, his heart voice was full of resentment, “Fellow Daoist Chen! Remember your position next. Don’t get too close to this Master Huang. It’s best to keep this poor Daoist between you and Master Huang. Otherwise, once Master Huang gets close, no matter how many talismans you have, they are useless decorations. How can you not even understand the shallow principle that a Qi Refinement cultivator must not let a pure martial artist get close?!”

“Reverend Sun, I understand the principle, but when I actually fight Master Huang, my mind goes blank, and my hands and feet don’t listen to me. My footsteps and skills simply can’t keep up with these principles.”

After getting the bronze mirror, that person quickly caught up with Reverend Sun, slowing his pace, not walking alongside Reverend Sun, but simply following behind Reverend Sun, step by step. Reverend Sun sighed, no longer saying anything. At least he learned a lesson from a setback, not to the point of being beyond help.

Chen Ping’an walked at the very end, gently wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Ordinary martial artists walking the pugilistic world, if unlucky, often get their faces covered in blood.

Chen Ping’an was better off, having to do it himself.

But thinking of that very old bronze mirror, Chen Ping’an didn’t feel much resentment.

The seal script was extremely small, the front reading “Avert Soldiers, Unstoppable,” the back reading “Ward off Calamities, Eliminate Misfortune.”

It was undoubtedly an evil-averting mirror, and an antique imitation mirror, because after Chen Ping’an carefully examined it earlier, he discovered the extremely subtle words “Gong Family Crafted,” but this was actually the most valuable part.

Because daring to subtly add a surname and “Crafted” on a bronze mirror magic artifact was a guarantee of quality.

That book of immortals had relevant literature records about this matter, including the “Li Pu Crafted” on the sea beast grape pattern ancient mirror, and the “Na” on the Bright Mirror or the Immortal Night Tour Mirror.
“Lan Three Mountains” crafted antique mirrors from two families, particularly those were priceless treasures. As for later imitations upon imitations, they were often mere trinkets to deceive novice Qi Refiners. Even if flawlessly crafted, they were still elaborate traps. If someone mistakenly believed they had found a bargain and resold it at a high price, that would be fortunate. But if they excitedly refined it as their Natal Treasure, the cultivator would likely be filled with regret, coughing up blood in despair.

Just now, Chen Ping’an almost couldn’t resist asking Sun Daoist to touch it first, ostensibly to help assess its value, before legitimately claiming it for himself.

This Sun Daoist’s hand, comparable to Sui Jingcheng’s, had it been blessed?

Leaving aside this acquisition, the small bamboo steamer, most likely a Dragon King Basket, and the pagoda bells hanging from the tall, thin Daoist’s waist were clearly extraordinary.

Otherwise, those pagoda bells would never have shattered to warn him outside the mountain peak Daoist temple.

On the rear mountain, buildings were far fewer than on the densely packed front mountain, and truly majestic structures were scarce, numbering only three.

The three descended the mountain, the view sparse and scattered.

This saved them a lot of trouble.

According to the established arrangement, Huang Shixun would search one area, the palace and temple complex close at hand. Sun Daoist would head to another, a solitary high tower. Chen Ping’an was assigned the pavilion closest to the foot of the mountain.

After separating from Sun Daoist, Chen Ping’an walked unhurriedly, strolling as if enjoying the scenery. He took down his Sword Nourishing Gourd, took a sip of Bamboo Leaf Spirit Water, and felt truly refreshed.

It was just a bit bland, lacking the savor of wine.

But when he thought of this concentrated essence of spiritual energy, dripping from green bamboo leaf tips, precious and rare, far exceeding the price of immortal brew, he immediately felt it was incredibly delicious, with an endless aftertaste.

This one sip wasn’t just any tea, but a handful of Immortal Coins! How could it not be delicious?

Looking back, he could no longer see Huang Shixun or Sun Daoist. Chen Ping’an then stowed his Sword Nourishing Gourd, lowered his body, and suddenly darted forward, instantly clearing the high wall and landing lightly.

As if harmonizing with the world, he was so silent, creating no unnecessary ripples.

At the foot of the front mountain, near the white jade arch bridge, a chaotic battle raged.

In the customs and language of the Northern Continent, only those who drank brains as wine were true heroes.

This bridge-seizing battle, a confrontation of rivals, was extremely fierce.

Even the royal tribute from the Floating Hibiscus Kingdom, searching for treasures on the mountain, heard the commotion and had to abandon the opportunities and treasures within easy reach, hurrying to the battlefield.

However, this Floating Hibiscus Kingdom tribute was cautious. He selected some treasures he deemed valuable and hid them on a beam in a pavilion. He casually wrapped up the rest and moved them slightly, placing them in a corner of another house, so that when he returned with Bai Bi and Little Marquis, he wouldn’t reveal any clues. As for how to eventually smuggle the hidden treasures out of this place, he would take it one step at a time.

Gao Ling had already retrieved a Soldier’s Armor Pill, a complete set of Dew-Collecting Armor adorning his body. He joined forces with the Marquis’s family retainer, doing his best to protect Zhan Qing’s safety.

Zhan Qing, a Cave Realm Qi Refiner mentored by a Nascent Soul Great cultivator, also pretended to be panicked. This smokescreen, as well as his previous arrogant words, worked well. Almost no one believed that this Northern Pavilion Kingdom’s number one playboy was a genuine Middle Fifth Realm cultivator, possessing two powerful offensive magical treasures.

The originally one-sided battle had shifted somewhat after the Floating Hibiscus Kingdom tribute joined the fray.

Zhan Qing harbored the most resentment towards the female cultivator wearing a veiled hat and Yun Shang City robes. It was this woman who had first crossed the bridge, ruining his plan to profit from a prime location.

Not only that, but this hooded female cultivator was very measured in the subsequent fight. She neither engaged in direct combat with Golden Body Realm martial artists nor sat idly by, watching various cultivators and martial artists die. Each time Gao Ling was about to kill someone, the female cultivator would interfere. In less than an incense stick’s time, she had taken two defensive treasures from Gao Ling and the martial artist retainer, saving seven or eight lives.

The female cultivator’s two Natal defensive items were a jade bangle of circulating precious light and a gold-embroidered five-dragon cushion. Even if Gao Ling struck it with a fist, it would only cave in, crackling. His fist force couldn’t shatter it. However, after each strike, the luster of the five golden dragons would often dim somewhat. But with the bangle and cushion taking turns, the cushion would return to her vital Qi Palace, and after being soaked with spiritual energy, the golden luster would quickly recover.

The siege of forty-some people, with everyone using offensive treasures, was a grand spectacle. If the cultivators’ coordination hadn’t been clumsy and some Fourth and Fifth Realm martial artists hadn’t dared to get too close, relying on ranged attacks with crossbows or sending fist forces to harass the opposite side of the bridge, unable to connect their attacks seamlessly, Gao Ling and the others would have found it even harder to cope. However, once the rogue cultivators chose to fight to the death, not to mention Zhan Qing, who rarely saw blood, even Gao Ling, a military general by birth, and the family retainer who had been pampered in the Marquis’s mansion, would feel apprehensive.

The Marquis’s family retainer was ambushed with a secret treasure, piercing his abdomen, blood flowing continuously. He relied on his martial artist’s Golden Body physique to hold on. Gao Ling, on the other hand, was skilled in battle formations, familiar with being surrounded by forests of spears and halberds, so he was relatively unscathed. As for the Floating Hibiscus Kingdom’s royal tribute, he was even more miserable. A barrage of offensive magical implements rained down on him. If Gao Ling hadn’t helped to disperse most of the force with his fist energy, and Zhan Qing hadn’t cast the folding fan treasure in his hand, creating a snow-covered mountain path with riders immortal painting as a screen in front of him, the old Floating Hibiscus Kingdom immortal would have died on the spot.

However, Gao Ling and the other two Golden Body Realm martial artists weren’t pushovers. Even with the Colorful Sparrow House martial artists helping to resist the fist forces, they still killed seven or eight people, their deaths gruesome, without exception, like a five-horse carriage execution on the execution ground.

Therefore, the swift arrival of Bai Bi, the Water Dragon Sect’s Golden Core Earth Immortal, was not icing on the cake, but a timely rescue.

Just as Bai Bi had cast two Natal Magical treasures, one offensive and one defensive, Sun Qing, the young master of the Colorful Sparrow House, rose into the air and actively chose to fight this great sect disciple.

Around Bai Bi’s body was a set of eighteen Water Dragon Sect ancestral hall talisman coins, which Bai Bi was naturally suited to cultivate water-based techniques. The talisman inscriptions were profound, containing a trace of residual national fortune, once the Jidu River…
Having originated from the opening of a furnace for minting coins in some ancient dynasty, these objects scattered in all directions. Some rested upon the rafters of ancient Daoist temples, others were buried as funerary objects in ancient tombs, while still others were stored in the imperial treasuries of later dynasties. The Water Dragon Sect had collected two sets, totaling eighteen, one of which was bestowed upon Bai Bi.

This set of warding coins, considered a fine treasure even within the ancestral hall of the Water Dragon Sect, possessed both offensive and defensive capabilities.

However, Bai Bi still unleashed a significant artifact from the mountains, a masterpiece crafted by a renowned luthier in the history of the Northern Ju Continent, an ancient zither named “Scattered Snow.”

With the intervention of the two Golden Core cultivators, the battle grew increasingly fierce.

Then, that thrice-damned, raspy voice loudly reminded everyone, “Let’s kill the Little Marquis first!”

Zhan Qing was filled with alarm and rage. This individual was truly troublesome.

His words, uttered a few times, possessed the effect of deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces.

It was just that the opponent was clearly using a secret mountain art, coupled with the perilousness of the fighting and the ensuing chaos, which made it impossible for Zhan Qing’s group to clearly identify his location.

The martial general Gao Ling and the two retainers would not, and dared not, stand idly by and allow themselves to be smashed to death by spells and magical artifacts. But if they focused too much on protecting him, they would inevitably neglect other areas. A single oversight could trigger a chain reaction, potentially forcing Bai Bi to become distracted. Zhan Qing dared to assert that if one of their Golden Body Realm warriors were to die in battle, or if someone were to suffer grievous injuries and temporarily lose combat power, forcing them to retreat from the battlefield back to the mountain, these bloodthirsty rogue cultivators and warriors would undoubtedly fight even more desperately.

Zhan Qing had actually used telepathy to remind Gao Ling and the two retainers from the very beginning that, whenever they joined forces to kill, they should ideally select one or two small groups of three or four people huddled together, and wipe them out in one fell swoop. This would both have a deterrent effect and prevent the others from becoming desperate to avenge their friends and allies. However, man proposes, heaven disposes. Zhan Qing’s many calculations ultimately proved unsuccessful, perhaps due to not consulting the almanac before setting out on this journey. Everything seemed to go awry. As the fighting progressed, Gao Ling and the two retainers were no longer able to act so cautiously. While their side identified targets to kill, the enemy outnumbered them and recklessly hurled all sorts of offensive treasures and insidious spells in their direction.

It was only at this moment that Zhan Qing began to regret her overconfidence.

She had regarded the acquisition of all the local opportunities as an easy task, a sure thing.

She should have proceeded gradually, defeating the enemy one by one, instead of thinking that her group, with their combined strength, could easily slay a Nascent Soul cultivator, and that there was no need to worry about a rabble of insignificant rogue cultivators.

As a result, Zhan Qing had arrogantly blocked everyone’s path, imitating the strategy of “one man guarding the pass, ten thousand cannot pass” from the romance novels. And now, she was tasting bitter herbs.

It wasn’t that Zhan Qing’s previous plans were flawed, but in the path of cultivation, if a “what if” truly occurred, then everything would be over.

Bai Bi suddenly realized that he, a direct descendant Golden Core cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect, was actually no match for this young female cultivator who concealed her face.

Bai Bi roared telepathically, “Sun Qing of the Variegated Finch Prefecture! You dare to kill me? Aren’t you afraid of incurring the enmity of my Water Dragon Sect? Could your little Variegated Finch Prefecture withstand a few slaps from our Upper Five Realms Ancestor?”

The reason Bai Bi didn’t directly shout it out loud was…

…after all, he was a cultivator from a sect with a lineage, and had more considerations and weighed things more carefully than lone rogue cultivators.

Sun Qing manipulated that offensive magic treasure, stirring and shattering the “snowflakes” generated by the vibrations of the “Scattered Snow” zither strings, and then replied with a smile, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Bai Bi was extremely frustrated. “Sun Qing! Do you really want to be irreconcilable with me?”

With the eighteen warding coins protecting his surroundings, Bai Bi was coping reasonably well. Moreover, this array-forming magical artifact possessed both offensive and defensive capabilities. It was obvious that Bai Bi had not yet exerted his full strength. Furthermore, what sect-based lineage cultivator didn’t have one or two ultimate techniques for mutual destruction or escaping thousands of miles? Therefore, Bai Bi’s shame and anger were similar to Zhan Qing’s mindset, losing the great opportunity to monopolize the profits, and losing face as a Golden Core cultivator of a major sect. However, compared to Zhan Qing, who was already in a dangerous situation on the bridge, Bai Bi’s current situation was much better.

Sun Qing still refused to admit it, and said with a giggle, “We unattached rogue cultivators believe in ‘one person dies, the birds fly up to heaven; if we don’t die, we’ll live for ten thousand years.'”

For a female cultivator to say such a thing was truly outrageous.

Bai Bi took a deep breath, and his mind immediately became as still as water, without any distractions. He could even completely ignore Zhan Qing’s situation.

Since the rules and reasoning of lineage cultivators couldn’t be reasoned with, and both were Golden Core peers, then they could only see who was stronger in cultivation.

Although Sun Qing looked calm and composed, and was much more leisurely than Bai Bi, the Water Dragon Sect’s direct descendant who had only recently reached the Golden Core stage, in reality, this youngest Prefecture Lord in the history of the Variegated Finch Prefecture was not relaxed at all. Facing a young genius of a sect with profound foundations, Sun Qing was waiting for an opportunity, a chance to deliver a fatal blow. If she failed, then it would be time for both sides to sit down and discuss matters as lineage cultivators.

If the other party’s Dao was superior, and she was killed, Sun Qing wouldn’t feel anything.

I can kill people, and people can kill me.

That was why the swordsman who resembled a teacher, back when they traveled together, had said, “There’s no one in the world who can’t die.”

It was just that the Northern Ju Continent’s Land Dragon had actually said the second half of the sentence: “But everyone in the world can be reasoned with.”

Sun Qing had never really listened to this second half, feeling it was meaningless.

She only liked him, so she didn’t argue with him.

Of course, if she really wanted to argue with Liu Jinglong about reasoning, she would definitely be asking for trouble.

She couldn’t win against him.

Back when Liu Jinglong was just a Golden Core swordsman, he had actually relied on his words to reason with and persuade an old Jade Purity Realm monster who was planning to massacre. Not only that, but he had also become an ambiguous friend/enemy relationship with the old monster. The old monster had, in turn, protected them on their journey, escorting them all out of the territory as a gesture of goodwill. The last time Sun Qing “happened” to meet Liu Jinglong, after some polite greetings and small talk, she casually asked about this matter. Liu Jinglong said that he had met the old senior when he went south earlier, and they had a pleasant conversation. The senior only wanted him, Liu Jinglong, to return to the Taiwei Sword Sect and focus on closed-door cultivation to break through,

and not to run to his mountain again.
In the area Chen Ping’an was exploring, there weren’t many remains. He offered a silent apology to the deceased and then squatted down, gently weighing a hand bone. It was no different from ordinary worldly bones, lacking the eerie, pale white appearance of those bones in the bone-filled beach, soaked in Yin energy. The same was true on the front side of the mountain. This implied that the local cultivators, in their lifetimes, had hardly achieved true enlightenment, at least not to the level of a terrestrial immortal. There was also a peculiar matter: in the pavilion with the stone table and chessboard, the robes of the chess players were clearly of excellent quality, yet after being stripped away by Instructor Huang, Chen Ping’an discovered that the two corpses still lacked the golden essence of a Golden Core.

Wherever Chen Ping’an went, the paths were winding and secluded, yet the spiritual energy was still rich, without any sense of discomfort.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an wasted another Yang-infused Illuminating Talisman.

Chen Ping’an’s gains were meager, only a few severely cracked mountain implements. He truly should have traveled with Daoist Sun.

He arrived at a dried-up pond, filled with withered and decaying leaves.

It seemed that when full, it should be a spring.

Chen Ping’an had been pondering the inscription at the cave entrance. The person who left those words must have entered and exited this immortal relic.

Either it was a hidden master leaving clues for future generations, or it was simply a fear that the fish were too foolish to even bite the bait, unable to get hooked.

Chen Ping’an climbed over the railing and jumped into the pond. The dry leaves crumbled at his touch, without any profundity.

The water elemental spiritual energy on the back mountain was indeed densest near that green bamboo.

Luo Po Mountain lacked a good bamboo.

If it could be like the ancestor of the Courageous Bamboo that Wei Bo cherished so much back in Qidun Mountain, sprouting branches and leaves year after year, with bamboo roots extending underground, father giving birth to son, and son giving birth to grandson, then a lush bamboo forest could be gained for free.

Of course, in Chen Ping’an’s eyes, Luo Po Mountain lacked everything.

Chen Ping’an scooped up some soil, which quickly turned into dust in his fingertips, scattering in all directions.

Regarding the Ji River in Beiju Luzhou, Chen Ping’an knew quite a bit.

However, he knew very little about the more extensive secrets of the world’s great rivers, the rise and fall of ancestral temples and incense offerings, and historical changes.

Wei Bo had mentioned that in Liuxia Continent, there used to be a great east-west river flowing into the sea, winding for thirty thousand miles, and whenever mountains and waters met, batches of sages and terrestrial immortals would emerge.

There was also a river in Fuyao Continent that was breached by another great river, only named with the suffix “River,” in some location, seizing the mouth of the great river. From then on, the entire great river suffered. In just three hundred years, a great river disappeared. This meant that all the water deities and river spirits of that great river would have their golden bodies vanish, and the imperial decrees and etiquette concerning the deities along the river were extremely complex, far more than a dynasty’s monarch conferring titles to mountain and water deities within his territory. It was said that documents needed to be submitted to the Confucian Academy of the Central Plains.

Chen Ping’an looked around, seeing no movement. He took down the Sword-Nurturing Gourd and took a hearty gulp, drinking all the spiritual water inside in one go. Then, he focused his mind, making his thoughts as small as mustard seeds, and toured the water manor.

He saw that the water manor’s gate was wide open, not even closed.

At Chen Ping’an’s feet was a faint green stream, gradually gathering from all parts of his body, transforming into this stream, slowly flowing into the water manor’s pond.

Those busy little green-clad children didn’t even glance at the honored guest who had contributed the most; they were all running back and forth, excitedly.

This scene made Chen Ping’an feel a little sorry. With someone like him in charge, the little fellows must be truly afraid of poverty.

Chen Ping’an then went to the mountain shrine. In fact, within the water manor, there was an even thinner stream, flowing gently towards the vital acupoint where the mountain shrine was located. Because the essence of the water element had all been intercepted in the water manor, this stream was clear and colorless, without any trace of green. When this dense, water-like spiritual energy reached the spiritual palace where the mountain shrine was located, it began to seep into the ground, like sweet rain moisturizing the earth.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Ping’an withdrew his mind, no longer lingering in this treasureless estate. With the cultivation level and pace that a fellow Daoist Chen should have, he ran all the way, secretly going to the green bamboo that was very likely from Azure God Mountain. He pressed his palm against the bamboo pole, gently shook it, and the green bamboo swayed gently. Then, holding the Sword-Nurturing Gourd, he waved his sleeve, gathering all the remaining drops of water from the bamboo leaves into the Sword-Nurturing Gourd.

Chen Ping’an was quite pleased with himself.

He was indeed an expert at finding bargains.

Then, Chen Ping’an carefully fastened the Sword-Nurturing Gourd and began to climb the bamboo. However, to his surprise, the slender bamboo branches that looked like even children could easily break were not easily broken off.

Chen Ping’an looked at the distant palace. Instructor Huang was standing on a wall, having been observing this side for quite some time.

The “belatedly aware” Chen Ping’an grinned and waved his hand.

Instructor Huang stepped out and landed back on the ground.

What a pitiful worm, obsessed with money but with no way to earn it.

Without Instructor Huang’s prying eyes, Chen Ping’an tried bending the bamboo branches to pick the bamboo leaves. With his current cultivation level, he could barely manage it. He picked handful after handful, stuffing them into one of his slanting satchels, forcibly filling the abnormally shriveled bag until it was bulging.

The martial artist Huang, who had moved to another location to continue observing the bamboo-hugging man in the distance, was filled with admiration. If this person was the legendary deeply hidden, unfathomable expert, he, Huang, would smear his own neck on Di Yuanfeng’s magical saber himself.

When Instructor Huang had truly left, Chen Ping’an finally joined his two fingers together, struck like lightning, and chopped off bamboo branches of varying heights, quickly storing them in his “Inches Away” space.

The jade-green glazed tiles and large blue bricks truly couldn’t fit into the Spatial Item and Inches Away anymore, so these slender bamboo branches were just right for filling the gaps.

With great success, the Spatial Item and Inches Away were now truly full to the brim.

Chen Ping’an hugged the green bamboo and stayed like that, without sliding down to the ground for a long time.

He vaguely recalled the days of his youth, when he climbed trees with two others to catch cicadas.

One was his best friend, who was used to protecting him, and the other was half-family whom he was used to protecting.

Back then, it seemed that life was poor, but year after year, month after month, there was no worry or concern.

Chen Ping’an sighed.

He withdrew his thoughts.

Soon, a teasing voice came from afar, “Brother Chen? What are you doing?”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and laughed, “It’s cool up here, good view.”

It was Di Yuanfeng, who had adopted the alias Qin Juyuan, with a slightly pale face, probably suffering from significant injuries.
Giant Source, Giant Ape?

The most colossal ape under Heaven, isn’t that the Mountain-Moving Ape?

So, this name is just asking for trouble.

Di Yuanfeng ceased scrutinizing the black-robed elder with water for brains, and looked towards the nearest palace and temple complex, inquiring, “How fares the harvest of Taoist Sun and Brother Huang?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “We three are doing well.”

Di Yuanfeng couldn’t help but glance at the old fellow carrying the bamboo, the two parcels slung across his body looked to be filled with nothing but tiles and bricks. What, is this old man in a hurry to go home to build a house and marry a wife?

Alas, Chen Ping’an couldn’t fathom the thoughts in this man’s heart.

Otherwise, he would truly give a heartfelt thumbs-up, and sincerely praise, “A veritable divine man!”

True Man Huan Yun was already returning fully laden, a Mustard Seed Pouch already stuffed to the brim.

The Dragon Gate Realm elder of Cloud Top City was also quite content, carrying a large satchel, and two parcels in his hands, his face beaming with barely suppressed delight.

After the two elders met, they stood atop a pavilion, surveying the battlefield at the mountain gate.

The elder offering chuckled, “What a dog-eat-dog fight.”

Huan Yun smiled without saying anything.

On the path of cultivation, a single step slow often leads to continuous setbacks.

If Shen Zhenze’s two direct disciples hadn’t been protected by him, and had entered this place later than the Little Marquis of North Pavilion Kingdom, they would have been forced to risk their lives in the fray below.

Except Huan Yun possessed a keen eye and immediately saw through the subtle clues of the two Rainbow Sparrow House cultivators. Most likely, it was Immortal Sun Qing, and Grandmaster of Discipline Wu.

As for the young female cultivator soaring in the air, wielding an ancient zither, judging by the ancient instrument crafted by a sage, and the aura of her attacks, it was undoubtedly the zither “Scattered Snow.”

However, this zither was originally the natal treasure of a Nascent Soul female cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect. There had been a earth-shattering battle by the water. Relying on the zither and favorable terrain, she had pushed an elder of the same realm into a desperate situation.

In the hands of the current Water Dragon Sect Golden Core female cultivator, only fifty or sixty percent of the zither’s unique abilities could be unleashed.

The elder offering softly asked, “Shall we detour to that caisson ceiling and leave quietly? Or should we take another look at the back mountain?”

Huan Yun smiled, “We are escorts. Let the two children decide. We only need to conceal ourselves, not actively wade into the muddy waters. This journey should be safe.”

Huan Yun glanced at the sky above, then lowered his gaze into the distance, to the boundary of this small world.

The anomalies noticed by Bai Bi had of course been confirmed by this old True Man even earlier.

However, he had secretly buried a hidden talisman underground near the entrance caisson. As long as the talisman showed no problems, it meant the path of retreat was still open.

Moreover, although this place was full of mysteries, the atmosphere seemed completely free of filth and evil, without a trace of baleful energy. This reassured the old True Man greatly.

The landscape and atmosphere of a place are the hardest to fake or disguise.

Even if a Nascent Soul Realm mountain demon created an illusionary immortal secret realm filled with flowers, Huan Yun, skilled in talismans, could still find clues and detect it early.

The Taoist sects of the Vast Expanse were once numerous, a beautiful scene of diverse schools blooming.

But now, many once powerful branches have declined, lost their momentum, or simply faded away.

For example, the once most prosperous Central Earth Taoist Sword Immortal lineage. That was a truly magnificent era. Even when Sword Cultivators were as numerous as clouds, and Sword Immortals stood like forests in Northern Ju Continent, they still dared not say they held eight tenths of the Heavenly Sword Dao’s fortune. In the early days, among the four most troublesome ghosts, Taoist Sword Immortals held a place, alongside Sword Wielders and Debt Knife Men. There was no such thing as a Saber Forging Hall back then. The Taoist Sword Immortal lineage never considered themselves Sword Cultivators.

After lamenting the changes in the Taoist sect, Huan Yun looked at the bloody battles at the foot of the mountain, sighing deeply.

In the old True Man’s eyes, those risking their lives to fight for opportunities at the mountain gate were all juniors, mere children in age.

The old True Man inexplicably recalled a saying by a sage: “See thousands of youths, intentions all devious.”

Later scholars commented on this verse: “Devious is the opposite of uninhibited. Thus, these words reveal the unpredictability of human nature, the devious paths of the human heart, far surpassing the perilous journey through deep mountains.”

Huan Yun recalled his previous greed and killing intent, feeling helpless.

In the eyes of the three Sages, who isn’t a youth?

Huan Yun suddenly said, “You protect them as they seek opportunities in the back mountain. I’ll go down the mountain and try to mediate the conflict, preventing as many deaths as possible.”

The elder of Cloud Top City hesitated.

His mind raced, weighing the situation, and he understood the old True Man’s good intentions. He nodded.

Unless the Cloud Top City group left quickly, the mess at the foot of the mountain, especially if the Water Dragon Sect’s direct disciple was accidentally killed, the Water Dragon Sect’s wrath from the Upper Five Realms cultivators would descend from the sky, engulfing North Pavilion Kingdom and Lotus Kingdom. Rainbow Sparrow House and Cloud Top City would have nowhere to run. Perhaps those who benefit most today will bear the greatest burden. Furthermore, if the old True Man could help resolve the deadlock and allow both sides to sit down and negotiate a passable solution, that would be a favor earned by Huan Yun alone, recognized by the Water Dragon Sect, Rainbow Sparrow House, and the North Pavilion Kingdom Marquis’s Residence.

Huan Yun handed a talisman to the Cloud Top City elder, smiling, “If there’s trouble, activate the talisman, and I will arrive immediately.”

The Dragon Gate Realm elder put away the talisman and vanished in a flash.

Huan Yun’s mood was not light. “This is to smooth things over, to play the good cop. Don’t bungle it and become a hated troublemaker.”

After Huan Yun stepped forward and took action,

He helped neither side, yet helped both sides. Talismans were released, doing his best to stop the two factions from continuing to fight.

At the same time, he appealed to their emotions, reasoned with them, saying that there were many opportunities on the mountain. If they still trusted him, Huan Yun, they could ascend the mountain together to seek treasures. Why fight here, causing harm to both sides?

The chaotic situation was like a raging river, suddenly diverted into a large lake, and soon became calm.