As the river of time stilled its flow.

Mountains stood tall, waters ran deep, the heavens fell silent, and the earth held its breath.

Huang Shi, the treasure hunter, hid deep within the mountains. He had carved out a narrow cave behind ancient pines clinging to a precipitous cliff, just large enough for him and his pack. He was now frozen within the stagnant time, drenched in sweat. He had led a party of four to seek treasure, believing he could casually dispatch the others, never realizing that he was the insignificant figure destined to die easily.

Jinshan, the disheveled man, concealed himself amidst the reeds by a lake, a stele-bearing talisman affixed to his back, his expression blank.

Shen Zhenze’s two direct disciples from Cloud Citadel, a man and a woman, held hands, veins bulging, revealing their inner turmoil at this moment.

Not far from the couple, the Dragon Gate Realm cultivator, Xu Gongfeng, stood with an ashen face and a glazed look in his eyes.

At the summit, the venerable Zhenren Huan Yun kept his eyes closed, his entire being radiating exhaustion, his thoughts lost in some distant place.

The martial general Gao Ling, clad in his Sweet Dew Armor, clenched his fists, a look of pain etched on his face.

Wu Shen’s eyes were vacant, one hand clutching his chest, evidently stunned into blankness by the successive unexpected events.

A myriad of reactions from all beings.

After Huai Qian’s demise, the golden-bodied guardian and Nascent Soul puppet that had taken the brunt of the finger-sword strike in his stead transformed from two azure talismans into four. The small, gilded, hollow sphere containing numerous natal flying swords of sword cultivators, having rolled on the ground earlier, now rested quietly against the railing, stained with blood.

The sword qi was so fierce that it instantly pulverized Huai Qian’s soul, golden core, and nascent soul. Even the two invaluable spatial treasures he carried were destroyed on the spot, all the treasures within them vanishing into thin air, transforming into dense spiritual energy that permeated the mountains and rivers of this realm.

The stillness of the temporal river was occasionally punctuated by ripples of iridescent light, like a pebble thrown into a river, the movement small but the water disturbed nonetheless.

At the summit, only the fragments of emerald glazed tiles from the ruined Daoist temple seemed to resonate with the stagnant river of time, emitting halos unique to tiles forged by immortal arts.

Chen Ping An, however, was accustomed to this state, seeing it not as a misfortune but as an opportunity to temper his martial physique.

He had once witnessed the old abbot of the Sea Observation Temple within the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, collecting tiny golden fragments from the temporal river that flowed over three hundred years.

However, Chen Ping An did not directly catch the sword qi.

The Sun Daoist laughed, “What? Are you afraid?”

Chen Ping An nodded, “A little.”

The Sun Daoist said, “It is a predestined opportunity for you, and your worthiness in the eyes of that ‘Sun Daoist’ you know is irrelevant. Take it without worry. No one in this world who does not seek death deserves to die, at least not in my opinion. As for those who seek death, blame only their lack of powerful backing or an ancestor with a fearsome reputation.”

As the Sun Daoist spoke, he glanced at the corpse.

One of the top ten figures in the Central Earth Divine Continent.

Could that compare to even one within the top ten of the Azure Heavens?

If you really want to compete with me, I fear your ancestor’s arms and legs might be too small to dare extend.

However, the Sun Daoist’s Dharma sword and original true form remained within the Daoist temple in the Azure Heavens, and here in the Grand Desolate World, he was constrained by the Confucian regulations, so the Sun Daoist was far from his peak form.

Only then did Chen Ping An retrieve his Sword-Nourishing Gourd, carefully drawing the incredibly pure, fragmented sword qi into the gourd, which immediately became exceedingly heavy.

Chen Ping An smiled, “A gift from an elder, I dare not refuse.”

The Sun Daoist laughed it off and withdrew his gaze. Without any visible action, Di Yuanfeng, Zhan Qing, and Liu Guibao instantly regained consciousness, finding themselves within the unmoving river of time. They were all somewhat dizzy, especially Zhan Qing, who felt his internal organs were shattered. He grit his teeth to keep himself from falling.

Furthermore, the Sun Daoist restored Sun Qing and Bai Bi, the two Golden Core cultivators, to their normal state.

The Sun Daoist announced, “I intend to accept you three as nominal disciples. However, I will not force anyone. You may choose whether or not you wish to change your allegiances. Remember, you have only one chance. Consult your hearts.”

Zhan Qing, the young marquis of North Pavilion, did not hesitate, kneeling and kowtowing in gratitude, tears streaming down his face.

He did not even glance at the White Sister.

Bai Bi was downcast, able to speak, but she remained silent.

She did not know whether to congratulate him or mourn for herself.

Di Yuanfeng, who had walked this path with straw sandals and a bamboo staff, performed a Daoist salute to the old immortal. His heart surged with mixed emotions.

After thinking for a moment, he felt the gesture was not grand enough, and he knelt on the ground, kowtowing three times, not daring to rise for a long time.

Kneeling on the ground, Di Yuanfeng felt as if he were dreaming.

First, in the cave study, the tall old man who seemed to possess heaven-defying arts had taken the initiative to appear, saying he would accept him as his first disciple.

Then, that fellow died, replaced by this “Sun Daoist,” who wanted to take him as a disciple.

What good deeds had Di Yuanfeng accumulated in his past life?

The Sun Daoist did not reveal the heavenly secrets of his true lineage to Di Yuanfeng, believing that the timing for such a revelation should be delayed rather than rushed.

His junior brother had walked the world with straw sandals and a bamboo staff.

Unfortunately, the Dao was unpredictable, and he suffered a demise, receiving a full-force sword strike from the second Daoist of the Jade Capital.

The entire Azure Heavens claimed that his junior brother had died with honor, that causing Dao Laoer to strike with full force was something that had not happened in three thousand years.

The Sun Daoist did not wish to concern himself with such seemingly complimentary but ultimately meaningless words.

The reason that demon was willing to look favorably upon Di Yuanfeng stemmed from that very event. It was not truly nostalgic for the Daoist surnamed Song, but rather seeking a good omen.

As for the young girl Liu Guibao, like Zhan Qing, it was a feint that Sun Daoist had come up with on the spot, but for them, the Dao bond was still a Dao bond, and a not insignificant one at that. The future fortune would be up to the individual’s cultivation as the master only provides the guidance for cultivation, which even holds true for Di Yuanfeng. In fact, Liu Guibao’s residence in the Peach Blossom Ferry of the Colorful Sparrow Prefecture and that Peach Blossom Water had a faint connection to Sun Daoist’s sword immortal lineage; even the smallest Dao fate is still a Dao fate.

The heart of these three could be gradually cultivated. Their current cultivation or the level of attainment in this life are but bricks on the staircase to climb the mountain in the long view.

The young girl hesitated.
Sun Qing attempted to use telepathy to tell the disciple that a great blessing from the Dao was within arm’s reach. If she didn’t seize it, she might regret it for eternity!

However, Sun Qing was sent flying backward, blood gushing from all seven orifices. His mind was in turmoil, and his soul was tormented, causing him immense suffering.

Sun Daoist glanced at Liu Guibao and shook his head, “Her aptitude is better than Zhan Qing’s, but alas, her temperament is flawed, and she’s not in harmony with the Dao. So be it.”

In an instant, the young girl felt a profound emptiness in her heart.

She couldn’t restrain herself, and tears streamed down her face.

Yet, she gritted her teeth and remained silent, standing there without a word.

Sun Qing struggled to get up, wanting to say a few more words of encouragement to the disciple, wanting to tell that little fool that it was him, the Mansion Lord of the Azure Sparrow Prefecture, who had expelled her from the Ancestral Hall, not that she had betrayed the Ancestors.

Even if it was patricide and betrayal of the Ancestors, so what? On the path of the Great Dao, such a blessing, even if you were to reincarnate thousands of times, could you encounter it a second time?

On the path of cultivation, many mysterious and supreme opportunities are truly unique in this lifetime. Once missed, they become forever unattainable.

Sun Daoist glanced at the young Golden Core cultivator, slightly surprised, and smiled, “Your temperament is quite remarkable, but unfortunately, your aptitude is too poor. With a bit of luck, you might at best reach the Nascent Soul realm.”

Perhaps the words were harsh,

But they were the truth.

Sun Daoist said, “Then I’ll only take two people. Di Yuanfeng, Zhan Qing, both of you stand up. Here with me, there’s no need to observe such formalities between master and disciple.”

Sun Daoist thought for a moment and wrapped up the Jade Purity Realm demon, which had been cleaved in two, and brought it to the mountaintop, “You like to play dead? Shall I send you on your way?”

The corpse merged back into one, kneeling on the ground without saying a word, only silent.

Sun Daoist sneered, “My junior brother guided you onto the path of cultivation in his earlier years. Although my lineage has always taken a detached view of gratitude and resentment, it’s a completely different matter when a beast like you doesn’t even know how to show a sliver of gratitude.”

The great demon trembled uncontrollably.

Sun Daoist nodded, “I couldn’t save my junior brother back then, but I can help him end this entanglement of destiny.”

Playing with people’s hearts? Is it that amusing? Not even understanding your own true self, wallowing in the mud, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?

Following my junior brother for so many years, yet you’ve wasted all those books of the Three Teachings and Hundred Schools.

Only knowing the superficial meaning of “seeking truth,” yet unaware of the essence of “caution.”

Sun Daoist reached out and gently patted the great demon’s head. The latter didn’t even have time to struggle before its primordial spirit was instantly extinguished, not even able to let out a wail. Two items popped out and fell to the ground.

A tattered book and a token.

Sun Daoist glanced at them and didn’t look again, smiling and waving in a certain direction.

At the same time, Di Yuanfeng and the other five had already returned to the river of time, unaware and insensible.

Chen Ping’an instantly felt as if he had used the Mountain and River Shrinking Ground divine ability, arriving at the mountaintop. He stood firmly, no longer concealing anything; there was no need.

Sun Daoist was slightly surprised, “You’ve walked the river of time quite a few times?”

Chen Ping’an honestly replied, “Not that many times, but for quite a long time.”

Sun Daoist smiled, “Since you’ve seen the scenery at a higher vantage point, you must cherish it. Don’t emulate that Huai Qian, not knowing the immensity of Heaven and Earth. Even ordinary common households know to paste door gods for warding off evil. This kid, however, insists on sticking the words ‘seeking death’ on his forehead. That wisp of sword intent left by a certain person took a liking to him, and I even tolerated it. But whenever I see someone who’s determined to seek death, I always make their wishes come true.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment.

Sun Daoist said, “That Huang Shi? He’s not seeking death, but struggling to survive. In my eyes, you and Huang Shi have the same way of living, just different paths. As for whether your paths are superior or inferior, it’s not for me to say. The path isn’t about height, but about length.”

Chen Ping’an had no more small questions to ask.

However, Chen Ping’an had a big question he really wanted to ask.

Sun Daoist added, “You see the goodness and badness of people’s hearts and the karmic consequences of the world too seriously, yet you still see it too superficially. That’s why your mind is so weary. Many things, once done, are ultimately useless. Heaven and Earth aren’t inanimate objects and will naturally correct human affairs. However, when your realm is high enough, there’s still a slim chance to truly change some predestined outcomes. Does overthinking things make you feel that everything is meaningless? That’s right, life between Heaven and Earth, from the very first day, isn’t a very interesting thing. But nowadays, very few people in these three realms are willing to remember this.”

Chen Ping’an’s expression darkened.

Sun Daoist actually teased, “It seems that Fellow Daoist Chen’s cultivation of the mind isn’t enough.”

Sun Daoist flicked his sleeves, and many heavenly treasures and immortal artifacts transformed into mustard seeds, swept into the universe within his sleeves.

Even the items hidden in the spatial artifacts of Huan Yun and the old Cloud Citadel Elder obediently left and went into Sun Daoist’s sleeves.

But the “Sun Daoist” who had fallen to the ground turned into ashes and vanished.

That Yang God Outer Body, deliberately refined to be useless, was just a useless husk.

All the entanglements in the Vast Expanse these years were on that husk.

He wouldn’t take it with him.

The “treasure mountain” beside the ruined Taoist temple on the mountaintop also only had a few scattered small packages left.

Then, in the next moment, everyone left the mountaintop and arrived at the clearing outside the white jade arched bridge.

And the green mountains, clear waters, and the many mountain peaks diligently refined by the great demon were still all taken into Sun Daoist’s sleeves.

It seemed to become vast and boundless, shrouded in mist.

Sun Daoist slowly smiled, “Besides what you’ve already obtained, I’ll leave ten percent of the opportunities in the mountain here. After they wake up, whether they fight or kill, whether it’s joy or sorrow, everything will remain the same.”

Huai Qian’s corpse, the azure talisman, and the golden ball were all gone.

A precious Daoist book radiating light floated out, hovering in front of the young girl Liu Guibao, “Though we cannot be master and disciple, I still wish to gift you this Daoist book.”

The Azure Sparrow Prefecture’s Golden Core cultivator Sun Qing also had a blessing, which was that token.

Chen Ping’an wanted to say something but stopped.

Sun Daoist glanced at the young man and smiled. Then, the two packages that Chen Ping’an had buried in the mountain fell to his feet.

Even Chen Ping’an, who had a thick skin, felt a little embarrassed, but it didn’t stop him from bending down to pick them up and sling them across his shoulder.
The Adept Sun seemed to possess an uncanny insight, or perhaps even prescience, “Fellow Daoist Chen, you manage both your identities as a rustic cultivator and the Bao Fu Zhai merchant with remarkable success, don’t you?”

Chen Ping’an quickly responded, “I’m just fortunate to receive the Venerable Sun’s auspicious blessing!”

He didn’t care if it was just wishful thinking. Maybe the old immortals of the Daoist sect had the power to make their words reality. He’d accept the blessing first. It was either no loss or a guaranteed profit!

The Adept Sun found it amusing and chuckled, “For a cultivator, your state of mind is so fragmented, even worse than a patched-up Bridge of Longevity. Are you ultimately a simple farmer, wielding a hoe here and carrying manure there, or a Qi cultivator striving for immortality and eternal vision? It’s not that I, as your senior in cultivation, wish to lecture you. It’s simply that your path of the heart, while possessing traces of the Great Dao, is riddled with too many forks. The road is winding and treacherous. If you continue on this path, even if you become a Sword Immortal of the vast world, it will be difficult to sever the threads of karma with a single strike. You’ll only create more chaos.”

Chen Ping’an offered a wry smile, “I can only take it slowly.”

The Adept Sun inquired, “Don’t you feel any discontentment in your heart?”

Chen Ping’an pondered for a moment, “It ought to be so.”

The Adept Sun shook his head, “Then you should truly read more Daoist scriptures and learn what it means to ‘step on emptiness with an empty boat’.”

With a casual wave of his sleeve, the Adept Sun dispersed the swirling mists, then allowed them to settle once more before asking, “Has the world changed?”

Chen Ping’an remained silent, carefully contemplating the underlying meaning.

The Adept Sun stamped his foot, causing the earth to tremble, “Don’t you feel that the world should have changed even a tiny bit by now?”

Chen Ping’an recalled the Adept Sun’s earlier words about how the world would correct human affairs, and thus countered, “Then what should we do?”

The profound principle that the Adept Sun sought to impart was actually contrary to a fundamental belief that Chen Ping’an had always held, but Chen Ping’an was willing to ask more questions and think more deeply.

The Adept Sun displayed a hint of appreciation, nodding his head, “Exactly.”

Chen Ping’an was completely baffled, unsure of what he had answered correctly.

The Adept Sun had already changed the subject, “Won’t you ask about the origin of that sword strike, the one that could even cause my junior brother to perish completely?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “I dare not ask. Even if the Venerable Sun told me, I wouldn’t dare listen.”

The Adept Sun nodded, “Very good. Since you won’t ask, then I will ask you: what is ‘caution’ for a cultivator?”

This time, Chen Ping’an did not hesitate, replying in a deep voice, “To hold the world in awe and regard oneself as a mortal enemy.”

The Adept Sun paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, “Well, you’ve managed to encompass both the great world and the small world within the human body! Who taught you such a grand principle?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “I figured it out myself. Just as the Venerable Sun said, a principle that is too grand becomes empty and abstract. In many of the small matters that support this principle, I haven’t done well enough.”

The Adept Sun felt a pang of emotion.

His junior brother back then had held a similar belief, always saying that the Dao was lofty and vast, and must be approached from the smallest details. Otherwise, as the world changed and customs shifted, not only would the foundations of their sect’s Dao techniques be shaken, but even the Jade Capital itself would be unable to withstand scrutiny. The higher it was built, the more devastating its fall would be. His junior brother, with his roots in “cultivating the Dao and nourishing virtue”, couldn’t be faulted in any way. The problem was that he, as a key figure in the Sword Immortal lineage of the Daoist sect, had done many things that he shouldn’t have. Beyond those grand and significant deeds that were visible to the world, there was one small matter that he had consistently pursued: a demon who favored refining mountains was unknowingly being inhabited by an extraterrestrial demon, and his junior brother attempted to convert this extraterrestrial demon through Daoist teachings.

Unfortunately, someone with a notoriously short temper from the Jade Capital, broke precedent by donning ceremonial robes and visiting the Daoist temple with a sword.

Not only that, his junior brother’s secretly accepted disciple, Song Maolu, was a prodigy whose talent even his grand-uncle acknowledged. He built a Daoist lineage similar to the Dragon Tiger Mountain of the Central Continent, achieving great fame and influence, but ultimately met a similar fate. Fortunately, several of this grand-nephew’s disciples were doing well when the Adept Sun left the Azure Firmament world, and various branches of their lineage have been passed down.

In his homeland, the Azure Firmament world, the three Sect Leaders of the Jade Capital under the Dao Ancestor took turns presiding over the Jade Capital. Whenever the Dao Ancestor’s eldest disciple was in charge, the world was peaceful, with little conflict, and remarkably stable.

When the Dao Ancestor’s youngest disciple, Lu Chen, presided over the Jade Capital, heroes rose up everywhere and chaos reigned, but within that chaos was vibrant vitality.

And when the second disciple of the Dao Ancestor returned from beyond the heavens, well, cultivators above the fifth realm died quickly and in great numbers. Not only was the world outside the Jade Capital in a state of turmoil, but there were also deaths within the Jade Capital itself.

The Adept Sun surveyed his surroundings and extended his palm. From the space between the eyebrows of everyone present, except for Chen Ping’an, Di Yuanfeng, and Zhan Qing, a wisp of eerie green fire emerged, like the legendary water fire.

The Adept Sun chuckled, “Some things are better left unknown. When Huaiqian begged for death, these people would forget everything. Next, the treasures and opportunities that I leave for you are just a little bit, as a chance for those people, I expect there will be a contest for people’s hearts.”

The Adept Sun asked, “Do you want to stop it? Help everyone seek harmony and wealth.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “I’ll just watch, because there’s no need to stop it.”

The Adept Sun nodded. The tattered book on the ground floated to Chen Ping’an. “Then take a better look at the hearts of people. The stones of other mountains can be used to polish jade. This book is just a diversion in other people’s hands, but it will be useful to you.”

Chen Ping’an took the book into his sleeve and gave his thanks.

The Adept Sun chuckled, “Cultivators, cultivators, who in the world has more right to speak of the Dao than Daoists? Young man, the Dao is very high, worth looking at.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I will.”

The Adept Sun stroked his beard and smiled, “Fellow Daoist Chen, will you continue to visit the mountains and explore the mysteries, diligently seeking out the occasional treasure?”

Chen Ping’an’s expression darkened, and he vigorously wiped his face, “I don’t have that thought for the time being.”

This time it was Huaiqian who encountered the Venerable Sun, who knows who Chen Ping’an will encounter next time.

The Adept Sun said, “After I leave, there is no need to think more. Be it rustic cultivation, or Bao Fu Zhai, rely on your own abilities, good fortune and misfortune are self-inflicted.”

Chen Ping’an then began to consider how to bring things to a close.

The Adept Sun smiled at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an was somewhat confused.
Venerable Sun, with a hint of jest, repeated his earlier words, “Daoist Chen’s heart for cultivation is not steadfast enough.”

Chen Ping’an immediately understood, blurting out, “Daoist Master, Daoist Master.”

The same word “Master,” spoken in different ways.

Venerable Sun stroked his beard and smiled, nodding slightly in satisfaction. He reminded, “In half an incense stick’s time, the River of Time will resume its flow.”

Venerable Sun then gathered both Di Yuanfeng and Zhan Qing into his sleeve universe, transforming into a rainbow and tearing through the sky.

Perhaps this was the so-called ascension of chickens and dogs.

Struck by the brilliant rainbow light, the celestial dome of the entire immortal abode small world shattered with a resounding crash, creating a gate that slowly expanded from the fissure. The mountain and river restrictions gradually dissipated, but after the white rainbow left the small world, they vanished instantly, without a sound.

Chen Ping’an was taken aback for a moment, then he averted his gaze and began to sprint away.

Temporarily distancing himself from this place of turmoil.

As for the several packages on the ground containing treasures, Chen Ping’an didn’t even glance at them. However, once the dust settled, he could carefully consider his options.

Half an incense stick later, Chen Ping’an had long disappeared without a trace.

The undulating mountains returned to normal.

He wondered where Huang Shi and Jin Shan were.

However, Chen Ping’an “conveniently” made a detour to the caisson ceiling area. It remained there, its spiritual aura still abundant, but alas, it was another item that he could lift but not carry away.

Wait a moment.

This wasn’t the stone table and green bamboo from before.

Now that the restrictions of the small world were gone, why couldn’t he carry it away? It would just take more effort.

Chen Ping’an then began to dig, and finally, carrying a caisson ceiling that resembled a giant millstone on his back, he fled. He didn’t forget to stick a Turtle-Bearing Tablet talisman on his forehead.

Sticking it straight on his forehead inevitably obscured his vision; it would be better to stick the talisman horizontally.

He learned this from his first disciple.

In the Vast Expanse World, Venerable Sun looked back at the human mountains and rivers beneath his feet and clicked his tongue, “Not a blade of grass grows, not a blade of grass grows.”

An elderly scholar in Confucian robes, with a golden jade pendant hanging from his waist, said calmly, “Venerable One, you may leave.”

Venerable Sun smiled, “Then I shall open the door to see you off.”

On the mountains and land of the Northern Pavilion Kingdom.

Huan Yun, Sun Qing, and Bai Bi were the first to awaken, all momentarily bewildered. Then, they tried their best to stabilize the spiritual energy in their vital energy meridians and carefully examined the movements of their natal treasures.

However, Sun Qing immediately put the token into her sleeve. Seeing her disciple, Liu Guibao, still in a daze, she also put away the Daoist book, taking temporary custody of it.

Although she didn’t know what had happened, she would be foolish if she didn’t take advantage of the treasures right in front of her. What kind of cultivator would she be then?

Huan Yun frowned, “We should have already left the immortal abode ruins.”

The Old True Man was immediately shocked. Why were so few of the natural treasures and immortal artifacts that had filled his spatial artifact left?

Liu Guibao realized that the bastard named Huai Qian was gone.

Good heavens, he had deceived her the entire way. The young woman gritted her teeth in hatred.

Bai Bi also noticed something was wrong. Where was Zhan Qing?

However, Liu Guibao’s good disposition was evident. She was the first to discover the packages on the ground and thought of them as opportunities to compete for.

However, Bai Bi also noticed this, and Gao Ling, the Golden Body realm martial artist, had also woken up.

Liu Guibao and her master, Sun Qing, immediately joined forces with Gao Ling, each vying for a heavy package filled with immortal abode treasures.

Each seized a treasure, and both sides were wary, so they kept to themselves.

As for the other package, it was eyed by both the wild Dragon Gate realm cultivator and the martial arts grandmaster who stood side by side. They grabbed it at the same time, tearing the cloth package apart. The mountain treasures inside clattered to the ground, more than a dozen in total. The two, being closest, each picked up three or four items, while the rest were taken away by Huan Yun, Sun Qing, and Bai Bi in a well-coordinated division.

If it were a wild mountain cultivator, their first thought would probably be to injure someone and seize their treasures, seeking wealth and danger, trying to gain every advantage.

The rest who had survived the ordeal, lucky not to have died, dared not linger any longer and fled in all directions.

This place was truly chilling, making people’s hearts tremble if they stayed for even a moment longer.

Huan Yun’s expression changed slightly. Knowing that something was amiss, he quickly rose into the air, and talismans shot out from his sleeves, swiftly searching the surrounding area. At the same time, he had to ensure the safety of the two direct disciples of Shen Zhenze of Cloud Citadel. If that Long Gate realm retainer surnamed Xu also discovered that the restrictions had suddenly disappeared, he would definitely flee far away with the white jade brush holder, his spatial treasure. He guessed that he wouldn’t return to the Lotus Kingdom and Cloud Citadel for the rest of his life before reaching the Golden Core realm.

Fortunately, the young male and female cultivators were safe and sound a dozen miles away.

At the same time, a Thousand-Mile Flying Sword Talisman that was already hundreds of miles away was shattered.

The Old True Man sneered.

He finally intercepted the Cloud Citadel retainer, who angrily roared, “Huan Yun, do you really want to drive us to the brink?!”

Huan Yun said, “Return to Cloud Citadel with me and let your City Lord Shen Zhenze decide your fate.”

The Old Retainer raised his hand, clutching the spatial treasure tightly. “Do you believe I’ll shatter this thing directly?”

Huan Yun said calmly, “The opportunities inside are not small. Perhaps even if the spatial treasure is shattered, the immortal remains and robe inside won’t be destroyed. But take my advice, if you really do this, I’ll kill you on the spot, and then I, Huan Yun, will apologize to Shen Zhenze alone.”

The Old Retainer’s face was uncertain. “Huan Yun, I will never go to Cloud Citadel with you. I know Shen Zhenze’s personality all too well. Falling into his hands will be worse than death.”

Huan Yun raged, “If you had known this, why did you do it in the first place! If you hadn’t coveted the mountain treasures, bullied the two juniors for their low cultivation levels, and treated them as puppets for you to manipulate, you would be a hero of Cloud Citadel now!”

The Old Retainer said, “I can give you the spatial treasure, Huan Yun. Take out all the Ground Shrinking Talismans you have as an exchange. And one last small request: after you see those two little ones, tell them that you have already killed me.”

“Agreed!”

Huan Yun didn’t hesitate to take out a stack of Ground Shrinking Talismans, then spread them out slightly. Without exception, they were all Ground Shrinking Talismans. Among them were two talismans made of gold material.
Huan Yun said grimly, “An exchange of goods. If you, surnamed Xu, dare to play tricks, don’t blame me, Huan Yun, for taking drastic measures.”

Both simultaneously threw out the talisman and white jade brush tube they held. The Dragon Gate Realm retainer grabbed the talisman and immediately activated a golden one, instantly traversing over a hundred li.

Huan Yun sighed and returned to find the two young individuals. He handed over the white jade brush tube, fulfilling his agreement with the Dragon Gate Realm retainer, and said, “Retainer Xu is dead.”

The young man carefully accepted the white jade brush tube as if it weighed a thousand jin. His fingers trembling, he stowed it away in his sleeve before bowing and thanking the old Daoist. He sobbed, “Old Immortal’s grace of salvation, grace of protection, grace of obtaining treasures, this junior has no way to repay!”

The young woman cried even harder, covering her face with her hands. It truly lived up to the saying: after surviving a great disaster, great fortune is sure to follow, leaving her unable to restrain herself.

This harrowing experience of seeking treasures in the mountains would surely give her nightmares for the rest of her life.

Huan Yun smiled, “You two were relatively far from the others. Take this opportunity to leave this place quickly. After returning to Cloud Ascension City, do not publicize this matter.”

Huan Yun naturally wanted to search again, to see if there were any overlooked opportunities or treasures.

After the two young men and women from Cloud Ascension City departed.

Huan Yun felt like something was amiss, but he hadn’t yet realized what it was.

That Cloud Ascension City retainer must have forced out the secret method to open the dimension item, which was not surprising. However, Huan Yun was certain that the other party could not have taken the remains from the dimension item and then hidden it somewhere, nor had he rolled up and hidden the dharma robe on his body. Huan Yun still had that bit of discernment. So that old retainer’s trip to the mountains was a losing venture. He only obtained that stack of talismans, but lost his position as the chief retainer of Cloud Ascension City.

Huan Yun suddenly sighed, a bitter smile on his face.

The old Daoist finally understood something.

He understood why that young man had shown a trace of abnormality.

In Huan Yun’s own dimension item, the vast majority of heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and mountain objects had disappeared inexplicably. Then what was the situation with the white jade brush tube?

What if both the immortal remains and the dharma robe were gone?

Or had one of them been left behind?

What would Shen Zhenze of Cloud Ascension City think?

Huan Yun felt some regret. That young cultivator was truly a good seedling.

What a pity.

He was killed by that Retainer Xu.

He, Huan Yun, had failed in his duty to protect, and could only bring back a dimension item to Cloud Ascension City.

Huan Yun’s eyes turned cold, and he gave chase.

The old Daoist began to hope that at least one immortal treasure would remain inside.

If there was nothing, he would return the white jade brush tube to Cloud Ascension City. If there really was one, then that would be Huan Yun’s own opportunity.

Bai Bi and Gao Ling, along with the royal retainer from the Hibiscus Kingdom, departed together.

They were all in a somewhat heavy mood.

The young marquis of North Pavilion Country and his family retainers were either missing or dead.

It would be difficult to explain.

It would be difficult to explain to the Marquisate of North Pavilion Country, difficult to explain to Zhan Qing’s Nascent Soul master, and difficult to explain to the Water Dragon Sect’s ancestral hall.

Bai Bi could only hope that those treasures could compensate in some way.

Gao Ling said, “Those two can be killed.”

Bai Bi smiled, “Indeed. The opportunities on their bodies will be divided between you two.”

Gao Ling used the martial artist’s method of sound transmission to ask the Water Dragon Sect direct descendant Golden Core cultivator, “His Majesty will ask many questions. Afterwards, Bai Immortal Master’s sect might overthink things.”

Bai Bi said, “Then kill another one.”

Gao Ling no longer spoke.

Bai Bi added, “Gao Ling, I guarantee you can become the number one martial general in the Hibiscus Kingdom.”

Gao Ling hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, “I want to exchange for a chair that Qi Refinement cultivators cannot sit on, but martial artists can. After I sit on it, it might not just be the Hibiscus Kingdom. Perhaps even Water Cloud Country and North Pavilion Country would be at Bai Immortal Master’s disposal.”

Bai Bi smiled and agreed, “Your appetite is not small, but I think Gao Ling can sit steadily on that chair.”

The next moment, that Hibiscus Kingdom retainer was punched in the head by Gao Ling, and his head rolled far away. Bai Bi remained expressionless and immediately used magic to destroy the corpse and eliminate all traces.

There was no need for any verbal communication at all.

Colorful Sparrow Prefecture seemed to have become the biggest winner, or at least one of them.

Three came, three left, all safe and sound, and none could be said to have been seriously injured.

They had taken no shortage of treasures and opportunities.

Wu suddenly said, “Will the black-robed old man who was at the top of the painting scroll twice in a row come looking for trouble with our Colorful Sparrow Prefecture?”

The dharma robe on the other party’s body allowed Wu to recognize his identity.

Sun Qing smiled, “A person who can be friends with Liu Jinglong wouldn’t be so vile.”

Wu was still somewhat worried.

Just now, Sun Qing had roughly confirmed the rank of the Daoist book and token, only saying that the latter was a treasured item that ordinary high-level cultivators could possess.

After this calamity, Wu trusted no one outside of Sun Qing and Liu Guibao.

Ultimately, what Wu no longer believed in was the hearts of people.

Not only that, Wu had a thought in her heart, a thought that frightened even herself. If Wu possessed the methods and cultivation of that young sword immortal, could Sun Qing and Liu Guibao, who were so envied for their cultivation aptitude and great fortune, still return alive to Colorful Sparrow Prefecture?

Wu didn’t know the answer.

She didn’t dare to think too much about it.

Chen Pingan hid the caisson ceiling under a deep pool in the uninhabited mountains.

He changed his attire, taking off all his dharma robes and putting on ordinary blue clothes. He had the face of a young man, carrying a large bamboo box on his back, containing four packages.

Then, after walking for a dozen li, he found the old acquaintance with the large bag, the Golden Body Realm martial artist Huang Shi, standing on a high branch beside a mountain path.

Huang Shi smiled, “I knew it was you.”

Chen Pingan said, “Then why didn’t you stay far away from me?”

Huang Shi laughed, “It’s funny, even I can’t figure it out. After leaving that strange place alive, I feel more at ease staying with Old Brother Chen.”

Huang Shi now had no confidence at all in his ability to judge the level of other people’s cultivation or the depth of their Daoist arts.

He only had a little confidence in judging whether people were good or bad.

Chen Pingan shook his head, “Don’t provoke me, let’s go our separate ways, and cherish our luck.”
Huang Shi patted the conspicuously large bundle on his back, “Brother Chen is an expert. So many diversions… I’m far behind. Next, Bai Bi and Gao Ling might come looking for trouble. If they smear me with more filth, carrying all this stuff, I might not even be able to leave Bei Ting Country.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “I heard you mention revenge earlier. What kind of revenge?”

Huang Shi’s expression was calm. “It was my fault for acting impulsively back then, but I never expected to survive. But my entire family, over forty members, young and old, male and female, were skinned alive by cultivators, who then used their skins to dress the dead.”

This pure martial artist spoke in a steady voice, as if recounting a story he had read in a book.

True suffering, endured by those who bear it, rarely involves the kind of heart-wrenching, loud wailing that others might expect. Even if it does, it’s often followed by a deepening silence.

Chen Ping’an remained silent.

Huang Shi tugged at the corner of his mouth. “No matter who you are, I trust you enough… or rather, I’m taking a gamble, seizing a stroke of luck. I’m willing to sell you most of the items in this bundle. I only want spirit stones, enough to buy a Military School medicinal pellet – not the Divine Dew Armor, of course, but a Golden Crow Meridian Armor – and then a dharma blade that I’ve had my eye on for a long time. Then I can do what I need to do.”

Chen Ping’an took out a few Burden-Bearing Talismans from his sleeve and tossed them to Huang Shi. “These talismans are excellent for concealing one’s presence and aura. You’re a Golden Body Realm martial artist, even better at concealing your tracks. As long as you travel by night and hide during the day, and are careful, they should be enough to get you out of Bei Ting Country.”

Huang Shi froze, not immediately catching the talismans. Back in the Immortal Abode ruins, in the back mountains, he had used similar tactics, landing a punch that made his opponent cough up blood.

Although that time, it was more of a test of the other party’s strength.

When the talismans had floated some distance away, Huang Shi finally took them in hand. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What’s your angle?”

Chen Ping’an had already resumed his journey, leaving behind a single sentence: “When suffering descends upon the world, we dare to be angry, we dare to speak out.”

Just a stranger, an outsider, uttering such a simple phrase.

Yet Huang Shi, a martial artist with a heart of iron and ruthless methods, found his lips trembling, his fists clenched. Huang Shi loosened one fist, took a deep breath, and wiped his face.

Huang Shi suddenly shouted, “Hey, Brother Chen, please stop!”

Chen Ping’an turned around and cursed, “I don’t have many precious talismans left myself! I’m just a humble peddler who works from dawn till dusk to earn a meager living, not a giver of charity! You dare to take an inch and want a mile, acting so ungenerously? I haven’t even settled the old score from the mountains yet! A punch weighing ten thousand catties nearly shattered my old bones… my young bones!”

Huang Shi’s lips twitched. He almost regretted it, then suddenly laughed, opened the bundle with a kick, shook it vigorously, and finally tossed three objects over. “I, Huang Shi, may not be much of a good person, but I don’t like owing favors.”

The “young man” immediately changed his face, smiling cheerfully as he caught the three items and put them in his bamboo case.

Chen Ping’an rubbed his chin, wondering if he and this brother could sit down, have a few drinks, and slowly discuss business.

Huang Shi laughed, “With these talismans, why would I sell to you? With your business acumen, wouldn’t I be losing money?”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “You flatter me.”

The two parted ways.

Huang Shi suddenly asked, “What’s your name? Can you tell me?”

The man didn’t turn around, raised an arm, and gently clenched his fist. “My name and surname don’t change, I am Chen, the Good Man.”

Huang Shi was too lazy to say anything more.

Damn your surname Chen, name Good Man.

But this man, truly, is a good man.

The man suddenly turned around, lightly flicked his sleeves, and suddenly held two thick stacks of talismans in his hands, saying in a serious tone, “Actually, I also have some offensive talismans here. To be honest, every one of them is a treasure, excellent quality at a low price…”

Huang Shi had already activated the Burden-Bearing Talisman. Without waiting for the guy to finish speaking, he raised his middle finger at him, then leaped away.

Chen Ping’an said regretfully, “Everyone’s so shrewd, business is hard.”

Chen Ping’an walked alone through the mountains, suddenly looking up.

A man and a woman were desperately flying away on the wind, then suddenly their figures darted like arrows into a forest, disappearing.

It was none other than the two direct disciples of Shen Zhenze of Cloud Citadel.

The young man had been cautious, leading the woman to change their route.

It was to avoid that “what if.”

After receiving the Spatial Treasure from the Old Immortal, he and his junior sister flew away on the wind. Immediately immersing his mind within, he found that besides a few unfamiliar immortal artifacts, it seemed that Offering Xu had treated the Spatial Treasure as his own treasury. It was an opportunity that this wicked senior had found himself, but the most important Immortal Corpse and Dharma Robe were gone.

Immortal Huan said that Offering Xu was dead.

Did he force the method to open the Spatial Treasure from Offering Xu’s mouth and take away the two priceless treasures?

Why did Huan Yun have to make things complicated? Why return the jade writing brush to himself? Was he confident that he wouldn’t reveal the secret to their master?

Suspicion arose, and so did paranoia.

And wasn’t the Old Immortal Huan Yun the same?

In fact, both sides were considered clever, good people. This visit to the mountain, even if Huan Yun had some thoughts, he ultimately didn’t take the ruthless actions that violated his conscience.

But in the end, the direction of people’s hearts changed sharply, falling into evil like a landslide.

Huan Yun transformed into a rainbow and pursued them, gently landing, staring at the two young juniors with an indifferent expression. “The method to open the Spatial Treasure…”