In their younger days, the man and woman had met, one in his hometown, the other in a foreign land.

Now, the situation was reversed, especially since the frigid North Entirety Continent was practically half of a home for her, the founding sect master of the Verdant Cool Sect.

For a commoner at the foot of the mountain, tracing one’s lineage and returning to one’s roots was of utmost importance. For ascetics on the mountains, detached from worldly desires, this matter was even more significant.

He Xiaoliang turned her head to the direct disciple among the sect’s honored guests behind her, and said, “Li Zhou, you return to the mountain peak first.”

Although Li Zhou was somewhat crestfallen, he immediately collected his scattered thoughts and respectfully obeyed, departing.

He Xiaoliang smiled, “Care for a stroll?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “It’s time for a proper discussion. Lingering uncertainty is unbecoming of a sect master.”

He Xiaoliang turned and walked into the alley, leaving the center path clear, deliberately veering towards the wall. Chen Pingan walked on the other side.

He Xiaoliang asked, “Within Ghost Dominion Valley, how did you guess that Gao Cheng and I were secretly plotting against you?”

Chen Pingan said, “It was a series of subtle coincidences, coupled with the assumption that Sect Master He was profound in her cultivation and deep in her schemes. I had to make a run for it.”

He Xiaoliang said, “I was at my own sect, with no issues in my cultivation, yet I nearly regressed in my realm. Tell me, how many newly ascended Jade Purity Realm sect masters in the Vast Expanse would suffer such a fate?”

Chen Pingan, recalling what he’d heard when buying tangerines earlier, smiled and said, “If a simple apology could ensure that Sect Master He and I never cross paths again, then I’d be in the wrong.”

He Xiaoliang remained noncommittal, changing the subject, “You wouldn’t have said something like that before.”

Chen Pingan shook his head, “In the past, as long as I could survive, I’d kowtow and beg for mercy.”

He Xiaoliang said, “For instance, if you could, you would have begged the Mountain Moving Ape not to heavily injure Liu Xianyang with a single punch?”

Chen Pingan nodded, “Of course. If that old beast felt that a few kowtows weren’t sincere enough, I’d try to kowtow a flower into existence.”

He Xiaoliang asked, “And after the kowtowing?”

Chen Pingan didn’t hide anything, “What else? Live a simple, ordinary life. If, by some chance, I had an opportunity to settle old scores, that would be a different story. Mountain wines only grow more fragrant with age.”

He Xiaoliang asked again, “And now?”

Chen Pingan, walking and gently tossing the tangerine in his hand, slowly said, “Lacking skill, I compensate with alcohol. What else can I do? Blame the heavens and wail, shouting that the heavens are blind? Would the heavens actually care?”

He Xiaoliang was about to ask again.

If that was the way it was then, what is it now?

Her master, Lu Chen, had once led her through a more complex river of time, allowing her to witness various future versions of Chen Pingan.

Yet, the Chen Pingan before her was not among those “many Chen Pingans.”

“There’s no need for nostalgia.”

Chen Pingan gripped the tangerine, turned his head, and smiled, “Sect Master He, give me a straight answer. Can we each walk our own paths in the future?”

He Xiaoliang pointed at the sky, smiling, “Why don’t you ask my master? If my master issues a decree, I, as the closed-door disciple, wouldn’t dare disobey.”

Chen Pingan laughed, “Then I’ll have to become even more capable. I wonder how much wine I’ll have to drink before that happens.”

Since the other party wasn’t sincere, it was difficult to continue the conversation.

He Xiaoliang didn’t care what Chen Pingan was thinking. The only thing she cared about was how Chen Pingan would walk in the future and whether he would become a major obstacle on her path.

Back then, that barefoot boy carrying a basket filled with snake gallstones, their first encounter by the water, wasn’t just a matter of disparate status, looking up at them standing on the cliff face, but the boy’s ambition was mired in muddy roads.

She never imagined that after all these years, the difference in realm would still remain, but his ambition had grown considerably.

He Xiaoliang softly said, “Chen Pingan, do you know that with your temperament, every time you climb a little higher, the more cautious and steady you become, the more determined your enemies will be to kill you if they see a hint of weakness.”

“What? Is that my fault?”

Chen Pingan laughed, “Then I have to say something sincere to Sect Master He. Do you think that if I didn’t gradually climb higher, no one would just casually extend a finger and crush me? I’d say there are quite a few who are either unwilling to pay the price or whose cultivation has gone to the dogs, seeking something they can’t obtain. Thinking about that, my mood after meeting Sect Master He in this foreign land is even better.”

He Xiaoliang seemingly casually said, “You think they were in the wrong first. But have you considered the possibility that you didn’t do anything wrong, but you are simply a mistake?”

Chen Pingan remained calm, “I don’t need Sect Master He to tell me such things that are commonly heard in the streets and alleys. Over the years, near my hometown of Mud Bottle Lane, not only were there peers who said it casually for fun, but there were also some bastards who deliberately said it to disgust people. Many of the older neighbors, many kind-hearted people, sometimes looked at me in a way that conveyed similar words and reasoning.”

He Xiaoliang was silent for a long time.

At the end of the alley.

He Xiaoliang stopped, “So you’ve known the truth all along.”

Chen Pingan said, “Sect Master He, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

He Xiaoliang smiled, “It’s enough if you understand in your heart.”

Chen Pingan asked in return, “Enough?”

He Xiaoliang smiled, “Not quite enough.”

Seemingly inexplicably understanding some knot in her heart, He Xiaoliang turned around, facing Chen Pingan, “I’ll wait for you at the summit of the Vast Expanse. Other than that, we’ll each walk our own paths.”

This reunion at the mouth of the Ji River entering the sea was both accidental and inevitable.

He Xiaoliang often gets what she wants.

If you’re not convinced by her deep good fortune, then you can simply endure it.

Chen Pingan, getting a better answer than he expected, laughed, “Then I won’t see Sect Master He off.”

He Xiaoliang smiled, “I didn’t say I was leaving immediately. As a sect master, I’m concerned about everything. It’s rare to venture out, and I’ve encountered a lingering crush. Shouldn’t I cherish the moment?”

Chen Pingan said two names, “Xu Xuan, Li Zhou.”

He Xiaoliang smiled enchantingly, “One can control his hands, the other can control his mouth. They won’t distract you.”

Chen Pingan was silent.

He Xiaoliang feigned surprise, “What, is it my fault again?”
Chen Ping’an felt a genuine urge to just punch her to death.

He Xiaoliang, ever “understanding,” said, “If your skills aren’t enough, use alcohol to make up for it. Do you have any good wine? I have some of the best immortal brews from the Northern Entirety Continent, and I’ll give them all to you.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “It would be such a waste to punch Sect Master He to death. Don’t be angry, Sect Master He, with my nonsense.”

Even if he could kill her with one punch, it would take two.

He Xiaoliang actually narrowed her eyes and smiled, raising a hand to her lips and shaking her head gently. “I’m not angry. Between you and me, there’s a newfound, belated sincerity. It’s a good thing.”

Chen Ping’an walked out of the alley, and He Xiaoliang, having reapplied her illusion, walked alongside him. They maintained a distance, still not quite walking shoulder to shoulder.

Chen Ping’an looked ahead, at the bustling streets, the carriages and horses, and asked, “When are you leaving?”

He Xiaoliang said, “Probably later than you think.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “He Xiaoliang, have you always been this kind of person?”

He Xiaoliang laughed. “Aren’t you the same? It’s just that I knew myself from the start, while you, Chen Ping’an, realized it later, making it even harder.”

The two left the city and headed towards the western shores of the Northern Entirety Continent along the Great River.

Chen Ping’an ascended a high platform by the sea and suddenly said, “He Xiaoliang, the Dao you desperately seek is like Ning Yao in my heart. Can you understand it that way?”

He Xiaoliang nodded. “Of course I can understand it. What’s so difficult about that? But the problem is, I don’t want to accept that outcome.”

Chen Ping’an looked into the distance, no longer speaking.

He Xiaoliang hesitated for a moment, then squatted down beside him and asked, “Since we were passing by anyway, why didn’t you go to the academy for a look?”

She had actually left the academy not long ago.

Chen Ping’an twitched the corner of his mouth, clasped his hands lightly on his knees, and let his sleeves fall naturally. “If Lu Chen were to die because of you, would you go to Jade Capital and the major Daoist temples of the Three Veins for a look?”

He Xiaoliang was silent for a long time, then slowly said, “Chen Ping’an, actually, only today do I feel that becoming Dao partners with you wasn’t some kind of obstacle for me. It turns out that this is already the best marriage in the world.”

Chen Ping’an took off the bamboo case, took out the Sword Nourishing Gourd, sat cross-legged, and slowly drank his wine, saying for no reason, “The Great Dao shouldn’t be so small.”

He Xiaoliang, not knowing why she had changed her mind, stood up and left the place ahead of time. Before leaving, she turned her head to Chen Ping’an, who was leaning against the bamboo case, and said, “Love between a man and a woman is ultimately a trivial matter.”

Chen Ping’an said calmly, “On this matter, not even your master Lu Chen, nor even the Dao Ancestor, has the final say.”

He Xiaoliang chuckled and flew away with the wind.

Late winter last year.

After Yuan Lingdian left the Dragon Palace Cave, he flew north with the wind, suddenly descended, and went to a desolate mountain peak where few people ventured. It was not an immortal mountain, but a quiet place in the wilderness with ordinary spiritual energy.

There, Yuan Lingdian saw his master and a woman playing Go. They used casually refined mountain roots as black stones and condensed water energy as white stones.

Yuan Lingdian gave a salute to both parties and stood beside the Fire Dragon True Man, not even glancing at the Go game, for fear of disturbing his Dao heart.

There was no true music, chess, calligraphy, or painting down the mountain, because they all lingered on the word “technique.”

Even the various schools of thought on the mountain were divided into superior, middle, and inferior. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were no different. Those who played musical instruments and crafted them were slightly better, as they had received the sage’s approval and were related to merit. Apart from that, calligraphers were the most lowly. Chess players looked down on painters, painters looked down on calligraphers, and calligraphers could only bring out the sage’s great merit of creating characters, arguing noisily, their faces red, as they had done since ancient times.

The Fire Dragon True Man picked up a Go stone and gently placed it on the Go board, where Dao intent formed lines and crisscrossed. He asked, “You only sent a replica of the Hate Sword Mountain sword?”

Yuan Lingdian nodded. “I didn’t do anything else.”

Yuan Lingdian knew his master’s intention, because he himself had been a pure martial artist in his early years, even reaching the Distant Excursion Realm with the strongest golden body. However, with his master’s guidance, he abandoned that endowment, which was regarded as accumulating martial fortune for the Northern Entirety Continent. In the end, with great perseverance, he abandoned martial arts and focused on seeking the Dao. The difficulties he faced were even greater than those faced by ordinary nascent soul cultivators reaching the upper five realms.

Yuan Lingdian knew that his master wanted him to give some guidance on the other party’s fist techniques, but Yuan Lingdian was not very interested, and he didn’t think that his meddling would really be useful.

On Padi Peak, unless the Fire Dragon True Man explicitly stated what a disciple should think or do, there was no problem with how the various disciples thought or acted.

The Fire Dragon True Man didn’t say anything. Even though he had lost the Go game, he suddenly smiled and said, “Seeking life from death is a bit difficult.”

Li Liu said, “The Go board is so small, wanting to do that is just seeking death.”

Li Liu casually shattered the mountain roots and water energy, returning them to heaven and earth. The Fire Dragon True Man also put away the Dao intent Go board.

Only then did the Fire Dragon True Man ask, “What did the letter from Lion Peak that you intercepted say?”

Li Liu answered irrelevantly, saying, “As the True Man said, it was indeed sent by Water Master Li Yuan. It wasn’t asking the Southern Perfume Water Palace for help, nor was it not writing a letter, but directly sending a token to Lion Peak.”

The Fire Dragon True Man laughed. “So, since you have taken this path, the road ahead is long and arduous. It’s not that others only have one lifetime. You, Li Liu, have accumulated so many lifetimes, so you must know the most and be the most correct. Very good, you lost the Go game, but outside the game, you have regained some face for me.”

Li Liu didn’t mind the wins and losses of the Go game. It was the same inside and outside the game. She had experienced too much, and she didn’t even care much about this life.

She regarded it more as a journey of overcoming obstacles.

Since Li Liu was born with knowledge, she naturally knew more, not only about worldly affairs, but also about the various human hearts that could be seen through with the human heart.

The statues of gods in temples and monasteries around the world were mostly gilded, but Old Man Yang required them, the remnants of the criminal slaves, to do the opposite, first wrapping themselves in a layer of human hearts. Even if they were just pretending, they had to truly walk through the real world.

However, Li Liu now had something that she truly cared about, such as the great Dao dispute that had shaken the heavens and earth in her early years, which had once again begun. Li Liu occasionally wanted the prelude to end as soon as it started, so that person would lose completely in this life.

The Fire Dragon True Man’s move in the Water Dragon Sect’s Go game, apart from Chen Ping’an, was also somewhat meaningful: to use Shen Lin’s natural success to say a few words about Water Master Li Yuan to Sun Jie, the Sect Master of the Water Dragon Sect.
In truth, True Man Fire Dragon’s casual assistance to all three parties in overcoming their respective difficulties, both large and small, was genuine. More so, he hoped to use certain actions after Li Yuan’s enlightenment to convey some “words” to Li Liu before him.

After all, when it came to the matter of “being human,” even Li Liu, with his millennia of existence, was ultimately a junior.

Regrettably, Li Yuan wouldn’t listen, and True Man Fire Dragon was unwilling to interfere excessively.

Yuan Lingdian felt a touch of melancholy.

His master, over in Divine Continent of Middle Earth, had already sensed the unusual martial fortune within the ancient battlefield of Golden Armor Continent. In reality, if Chen Ping’an were to acquire this martial fortune as a victory in their game, then Chen Ping’an and that female contemporary from Middle Earth would become a very delicate pair of opposing players.

The addition of the unintentional Cao Ci made things even more complex.

If Cao Ci hadn’t gone to that ancient battlefield, Shi Zaixi, the woman who entered the sixth realm of martial arts as the strongest fifth realm practitioner under heaven, might have long since broken through. But she failed to attain the title of strongest because Chen Ping’an, located in the Northern Emerald Continent, possessed a more solid and stable foundation with a heavier intent of the fist. However, after Cao Ci’s appearance, Shi Zaixi’s fighting spirit soared. Her competitive nature and innate talent allowed her to forcefully raise the height of her martial bottleneck, determined to reach Cao Ci’s punch at the seventh realm even if it was just a touch, before she would break through. Conversely, Chen Ping’an’s martial bottleneck was initially higher than the woman’s, so he had to stubbornly and slowly break through.

One delaying, one slowing.

This formed a game where both sides were playing each other from afar, unaware of their own actions.

True Man Fire Dragon only knew that Shi Zaixi was at the ancient ruins of Golden Armor Continent where the statue had collapsed and had heard that Cao Ci had gone there.

He deduced the situation and overall layout.

True Man Fire Dragon smiled and said, “If Shi Zaixi could wholeheartedly avoid thinking about that title of ‘strongest,’ that would be a remarkable display of magnanimity. For other pure martial artists, it might be a downward spiral of their spirit, but for her, it’s finding life in death, her fist intent achieving great freedom. This is likely what Cao Ci wanted to see, which is why he hasn’t left the ruins, actively helping Shi Zaixi temper her fists. Although Cao Ci is only in the Golden Body Realm, he’s the perfect whetstone for the proud Shi Zaixi, otherwise, facing the full force of a Peak Realm practitioner, it definitely wouldn’t have the same effect.”

Yuan Lingdian nodded, “Shi Zaixi’s true bottleneck wasn’t in her fists, but in her heart.”

Then Yuan Lingdian smiled and said, “Actually, as long as Chen Ping’an is lucky and keeps delaying, not breaking through before Shi Zaixi, he can still obtain the gift of martial fortune as the ‘current’ strongest sixth realm.”

“This old Daoist thinks it’s rather precarious.”

After True Man Fire Dragon delivered his verdict, he turned to look at his disciple, “The reason I had you send money to Diver Duck Island was to personally tell Chen Ping’an this fact. Martial artists speak their own language, it’s more meaningful than an old True Man going on at a third realm cultivator, trying to explain the great principles of the fist. I originally wanted to see if Chen Ping’an would harbor a trace of hope, and for the sake of that martial fortune, slightly reveal a hint of slowing down his pace, or would he go for a ‘finding life in death’ approach that differs in style but shares the same great Dao as Shi Zaixi. Chen Ping’an has practiced his fist to the point of stagnation, not due to negligence, his battles to the death are nearly flawless, he clearly already can comfort himself with ‘human power has its limits,’ but will he insist on punching his way through the dead end alley when he reaches it, using his heart to forge a path forward?”

Yuan Lingdian smiled wryly, feeling somewhat guilty, “It was this disciple who delayed Master. Shall I return to Dragon Palace Grotto Heaven?”

True Man Fire Dragon laughed, “Forget it, everything happens naturally. Do you think telling him this matter is necessarily a good thing? That Chen Ping’an can definitely contend for the strongest? Do you think striving with all your might on the path of the heart will have no aftereffects? A person who refuses to accept fate in everything, thinking that pursuing the ultimate is good, will die on the path of cultivation. Strive for the strongest sixth, and once you have the sixth, then you strive for the seventh, and once you have the seventh, the eighth should be mine, and if the eighth is mine, who dares to contend with me for the ninth, shouldn’t they die? Isn’t that the Dao struggle? Just a clenched-teeth rage of a brute. When did martial arts become so lowly?”

Li Liu shook his head, “That reasoning is too extreme.”

True Man Fire Dragon also shook his head, “Pure people should kill extreme reasoning early.”

Yuan Lingdian had no doubt about this principle.

Cao Ci did it well, I climb high on my path of martial arts, but I don’t stop others from climbing high, and if there’s a chance, I’ll even help them, like helping Shi Zaixi hone her realm.

This is one of the reasons why Cao Ci can be “unmatched” in Divine Continent of Middle Earth.

It’s not just because his master is the goddess of war, Pei Bei, who is protecting Cao Ci from being accidentally killed by cultivators above the fifth realm. Otherwise, that great dynasty that was destroyed had more than one or two cultivators above the fifth realm as enemies. Killing Pei Bei is a fantasy, but killing her disciple Cao Ci, who is traveling in another continent, wouldn’t be too difficult, at least there’s a chance.

Cao Ci’s own thoughts, actions, and deeds are his greatest protectors. For example, this time traveling to Golden Armor Continent with his friend Liu Youzhou, how much does the God of Wealth of Snowy Continent value Cao Ci’s life, is it the same as his own son Liu Youzhou? Seemingly a choice made after the God of Wealth weighed the pros and cons, but in the end, it’s still Cao Ci’s own decision.

Most of the true pure martial artists in Divine Continent of Middle Earth are willing to give Cao Ci some degree of kindness, perhaps chatting behind his back, saying a few good words for this junior, and maybe even personally extinguishing some crises.

Turning bad into good is a skill, making good even better is a greater ability.

What truly sees the myriad things of the world are not the eyes, but the heart.

Looking at Cao Ci, only seeing his unprecedented talent, only seeing his master Pei Bei standing behind him.

That’s when the eyes are useful, but the heart is closing the door.

Li Liu was probably used to being at odds with True Man Fire Dragon, and he smiled, “These principles are not applicable to many people.”

True Man Fire Dragon laughed loudly, “To each thing, its nature; to each person, their deeds. Do not dismiss all matters because of one person, nor dismiss a whole person because of one matter. Then right and wrong, yes and no, won’t be such a mess.”

Li Liu said, “Difficult.”

Yuan Lingdian nodded, “Master is right.”

Why help an outsider instead of his master?

Besides, Yuan Lingdian already felt that his master was more right.
In the end, True Man Fire Dragon smilingly inquired, “Then I must ask you, as your master, what do you think is the trial of the heart for that Cao Ci, and the current number one young cultivator of our Northern Entirety Continent? When and where will their true selves be revealed?”

In his heart, Yuan Lingdian was accustomed to cultivators speaking of “strength” and prowess. So many years of cultivating his mind and nature were still insufficient, not yet flawlessly complete, hence his stagnation at the Jade Purity Realm bottleneck. It was not to say that Yuan Lingdian was arrogant or tyrannical; what the Subduing Earth Peak required in terms of Taoist methods and principles, Yuan Lingdian never lacked in the slightest. In fact, during his experiences down the mountain, Yuan Lingdian of Pointing Mystery Peak had the best reputation among his fellow disciples. However, conversely, he was the one most often and severely punished by True Man Fire Dragon.

Yuan Lingdian pondered briefly, then smiled and said, “Naturally, it is when the unprecedented Cao Ci encounters someone who may surpass him, standing beside him, or not far behind. Not only that, but when the newcomer has a chance to actually exceed Cao Ci, that will be the key moment when Cao Ci’s true heart is revealed. As for that Lin Su, who is guaranteed to win every battle he chooses to engage in, it will only be when he suffers a crushing defeat that he will truly be tormented.”

True Man Fire Dragon nodded, seemingly acknowledging these two answers, and then asked, “And what about you, Lingdian? Why can’t you break through your realm? Is there anyone else under the heavens like you, a Daoist cultivator with the cultivation of an immortal, yet stuck in the Jade Purity Realm? I’ve strained my eyes, looking high and low, and haven’t found many.”

Yuan Lingdian stated, “Naturally, it is because I have an excess of cultivating strength, but not enough in cultivating the heart.”

True Man Fire Dragon chuckled, “Is it because in your early cultivation, your strength was too great, you thought too little, and your realm breakthroughs were too fast? It seems that compared to the elder brothers and sisters of the Grand Haze and White Cloud lineages, you understand the deepest meaning of the Taoist methods the least? Or is it because you were punished too severely by me later on, and felt that even if you weren’t wrong, you simply hadn’t thought things through, so you’ve been pondering and scrutinizing ever since, shutting yourself away to reflect on where you went wrong? And when you finally understand, that will be the moment of your realm breakthrough?”

Yuan Lingdian nodded in admission, “Indeed, that is so.”

“Have you ever considered the possibility that you are trying to find fault where there is none? That you are going in circles on a wrong path?”

True Man Fire Dragon sighed and said, “Foolish child! Is the only purpose of a master in imparting the Dao to their disciples to help them find a path, to take the shortcut? Is a master not allowed to set up numerous obstacles along the way, so that although the disciple is heading in the right direction, the journey is difficult? In order to make the disciple’s heart for seeking the Dao even more steadfast?”

For the first time, Yuan Lingdian showed a hint of grievance, “Master’s Daoist methods are so high, your knowledge so vast, this disciple dares not question you in the slightest.”

True Man Fire Dragon pointed at this Pointing Mystery Peak disciple and angrily said, “Go ask that young man from Duckweed Island! At such a young age, does he not have the thought that even Qi Jingchun, whom he respects the most, may not be right in everything?! Ask him if he dares to think that way! Dare to ponder the sage’s principles outside of the Wen Sheng lineage, yet not fear surpassing the earliest principles?!”

“Lingdian, if you only believe that all the principles under the heavens reside within your master, and that disciples can only learn a fraction of them, then as disciples pass it down to their disciples, and those disciples to theirs, how many principles will remain under the heavens? You, Yuan Lingdian, don’t even dare to think about this, and have cultivated painstakingly for six hundred years. Has only your strength grown, but not your Daoist heart?! What, does my Subduing Earth Peak need a coolie to move mountains, carry earth, chop firewood, and burn charcoal, hence your physique, Yuan Lingdian?”

Yuan Lingdian glanced at his master’s slightly swaying sleeves and carefully said, “Master, don’t be angry. Let’s talk calmly.”

Li Liu chimed in, undermining him, “Yuan Pointing Mystery said ‘unwilling,’ not ‘daring not.’ True Man, don’t just focus on lecturing us, and wrongly accuse Yuan Pointing Mystery.”

Yuan Lingdian was nearly infuriated to death. He didn’t need Li Liu’s help in this manner.

He knew his master’s temper better than anyone. After all, Yuan Lingdian had been beaten more than all the other disciples combined. He, Yuan Pointing Mystery, claimed to be second on Subduing Earth Peak, and no one dared to say they were first.

“‘Unwilling’ is even worse than ‘daring not’! ‘Daring not’ still means that you have thought about it, but simply haven’t acted on it yet.”

As expected, True Man Fire Dragon was enraged, and ultimately coldly said, “Go to the Peach Mountain Grottoes for ten years of solitary cultivation. Come out when you’ve understood!”

Yuan Lingdian was silent for a moment, then sighed inwardly. Ten years wasn’t much; it would pass in the blink of an eye. But he would lose face! His master had traveled far, going out and returning, and yet he alone had to pack his bags and roll from Pointing Mystery Peak to the Peach Mountain Grottoes for confinement. Wouldn’t his two elder brothers from White Cloud and Peach Mountain Peaks frequently go to the outside of the grottoes to leisurely brew tea and drink together? And then ask him if he was thirsty?

Yuan Lingdian suddenly had a flash of inspiration and softly said, “Master, this disciple has made an appointment with the mountain peak. I’ve chosen a time to go down the mountain together, to help him fulfill a wish.”

True Man Fire Dragon no longer maintained a stern expression, but smiled slightly and hummed in agreement, his expression kind. “Although it is one’s own mistake, one does not hold a competitive spirit against oneself. If there is an elder brother who can help, then one is never hesitant. On the surface, one admits that the small world within a person is not as vast as the great world outside, but in truth, the human heart does not lose to the heart of heaven. This is the clear and pure mindset that a cultivator should have. Very good, very good. Since that is the case, Lingdian, you don’t need to go to the Peach Mountain Grottoes. Stay by the mountain peak’s side and wholeheartedly protect your younger brother on his journey. Remember not to reveal your identity. You will only travel at the foot of the mountain.”

Yuan Lingdian bowed, “Rest assured, Master.”

Oh, now it was White Cloud and Peach Mountain’s turn to envy him.

Yuan Lingdian was afraid that his master would renege on his promise, and immediately transformed into a rainbow, flying far away.

Li Liu said, “Yuan Pointing Mystery has already understood. The day he returns from his journey down the mountain should be the day he enters seclusion to break through his realm.”

True Man Fire Dragon nodded, “So whether or not he goes to the Peach Mountain Grottoes for contemplation is ultimately of no importance.”

True Man Fire Dragon wanted to use the principles that Yuan Lingdian could most easily accept to patiently guide and enlighten him, to impart the Dao and resolve his confusion.

Otherwise, if True Man Fire Dragon simply instructed his disciple as a master, imparting the Dao from the pinnacle of the Ascension Realm to the Jade Purity Realm, it wasn’t impossible, but it wouldn’t be very effective and would have hidden dangers.

Principles are not as simple as a few words, but rather, after the listener has heard them, they truly open the doors of their heart, and think more deeply beyond those few words, ultimately achieving a resonance with the Great Dao.

Li Liu laughed, “Yuan Pointing Mystery has a very high level of comprehension. If you didn’t deliberately suppress his temperament, he would have a chance to ascend to the Ascension Realm sooner.”
Grandmaster Fire Dragon sighed, “Alas, that lad Yuan Lingdian is naturally too unruly. I must keep him in check. Otherwise, Mount Pad Di would attract too much attention, which is a minor issue. If Yuan Lingdian advances too quickly, aside from his own lack of mental cultivation, his fellow disciples would inevitably suffer damage to their Dao hearts, and that is a major concern. One Fire Dragon is already a mountain weighing on their minds. Adding another Yuan Zhi Xuan would cause distress to everyone. Moreover, there’s no need for Mount Pad Di to rush Yuan Lingdian to the Ascension Realm just for the sake of another Ascended cultivator. What is meant for him will eventually come. Otherwise, if I, the Old Daoist, am no longer on Mount Pad Di one day, Yuan Lingdian’s temperament and nature would lead him to take on burdens himself. His cultivation is insufficient, and the principles of the other disciples would be diminished. Both speaker and listener would subconsciously believe so, which is human nature and cannot be avoided. A mountain of immortals, filled with turmoil, a decaying abode, a stagnant pool of death, where rules are written on paper and left to gather dust in the Ancestral Hall, failing to resonate in the hearts of cultivators.”

Li Liu said, “The establishment of rules by any founder is of utmost importance.”

Grandmaster Fire Dragon nodded, “Of course. For example, Sword Immortals like Bai Chang all have their own foundations. Naturally, they will propagate and flourish according to their own ideals. Those who can become ancestral immortal families all possess their own complete set of rules. The key is to see who can endure like a flowing stream, whose door hinges don’t rot, and who can gather and store energy. However, when it comes to the master guiding the way and the disciple walking it, my Mount Pad Di is arguably one of the few in the world. Now, it only lacks someone who can help Mount Pad Di take it one step further.”

Li Liu smiled, “Zhang Shanfeng?”

Grandmaster Fire Dragon said, “One can only say that Shanfeng has the greatest hope, but I also hope that his elder brothers, like Yuan Lingdian, can achieve it. However, I view the disciples and grand-disciples of Mount Pad Di, both internal and external, with hope for everyone, each with their own path. It’s not that I only see Shanfeng because he has the highest potential and overlook others.”

Li Liu shook her head, “You’re speaking from a position of comfort. Would a Land Immortal cultivator, a Jade Purity Realm Sect Master, be willing to have such thoughts?”

Grandmaster Fire Dragon smiled and retorted, “Have I ever forced other mountains to think like this?”

Finally, Grandmaster Fire Dragon said solemnly, “But you must understand that if cultivators in my position are unwilling to think this way, then the world will be in a perilous state.”

Li Liu smiled playfully, “Perilous?”

Grandmaster Fire Dragon said, “Losing a few games to you on our small chessboard, even a thousand or more, is nothing. But on the chessboard of the world, not that I’m bragging, but you won’t truly win.”

Li Liu smiled slightly, “We don’t mind.”

Grandmaster Fire Dragon said, “Coincidentally, we do.”

Li Liu was about to depart for the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven.

The Northern Entirety Continent had reached the endgame. Lion Peak, the Yang family of the Great Source Dynasty’s Bureau of Mysteries, and the Water Dragon Sect were all pieces. In fact, most of the pieces were her unreasonable moves, gone as soon as they were made, ultimately leaving only a few pieces placed on the board according to the rules, not many remaining.

She could only obtain one position between Duke Spiritual Source of the Ji River and Marquis of Dragon Pavilion.

Originally, Shen Lin of the Southern Fragrance Water Palace and Li Yuan, the Water Warden of the Central Shrine of the Ji River, both had a chance to ascend to this incredibly revered position of water deity, based on their identities. In fact, Li Yuan was even more likely to succeed in an orderly manner.

However, Li Liu’s “not minding” was her own business. How could a mere Water Warden be allowed to “not mind” for thousands of years? If Grandmaster Fire Dragon hadn’t been willing to chat with Li Yuan and said a few words at the beginning of the game, she would have shattered Li Yuan’s golden body with a single slap, returning his water essence to the Ji River on this trip to the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven. A new Water Warden who was willing to wholeheartedly protect the Water Dragon Sect would only be more grateful.

Grandmaster Fire Dragon suddenly said, “Li Liu, let’s start a new game. If you surrender, you only lose half, how about it?”

Li Liu naturally didn’t want to play another game.

It was just that Grandmaster Fire Dragon was deliberately waiting for Yuan Lingdian here, and then, having nothing to do, he pulled her into a game. After all, the cultivation of a Peak Ascension Realm cultivator was no longer focused on the mind, let alone the absorption of spiritual energy.

Grandmaster Fire Dragon’s many seemingly random and wandering words were both guidance for his disciple Yuan Lingdian and a frank explanation to Li Liu as a friend, clarifying the major and minor veins of Mount Pad Di and helping Li Liu to see more into people’s hearts. However, this was the first time Grandmaster Fire Dragon had directly and openly stated the true relationship between them, that of being both friends and enemies.

Subsequently, Li Liu made that trip back to the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven.

And then there was the final outcome: Li Yuan obtained a “Three Feet of Sweet Rain” jade tablet, while Shen Lin received a future Duke Spiritual Source of the Ji River position.

Shen Lin couldn’t believe it, and Li Yuan even beat his chest in despair.

As for whether Li Yuan knew that he was originally doomed to die, and someone would impersonate him as the Water Warden of the Central Shrine of the Ji River, only because Grandmaster Fire Dragon had saved his life, and that dragon jade tablet was obtained because of Chen Ping’an, Li Yuan may still be in the dark, muddle-headed. If one were to say it was bad, Li Yuan ultimately hadn’t done much, just enjoying good fortune while lying down, doing a few sesame-sized things as instructed, and obtaining a jade tablet that gathered incense, for nothing. If one were to say it was good, he had lost the position of Duke Spiritual Source, the head of the Northern Entirety Continent’s water deities, due to his thousands of years of inaction, just listening to fate.

Grandmaster Fire Dragon stayed on the mountain peak, alone, recalling some old, stale events, which were quite upsetting.

Some were from Mount Pad Di itself, some were from the Northern Entirety Continent at his feet, and some were from the entire Vast World.

Whenever the old Grandmaster thought about these things, he felt sleepy. He had previously arrived here from Mount Pad Di with a stomp of his foot, and now, with another stomp, he returned to the peak of Mount Pad Di.

With a single nap, Mount Pad Di could have a snowfall, allowing the little ones to have fun playing snowball fights.

Zhang Shanfeng was squatting on the plaza, surrounded by a large circle of his junior nephews, mostly new faces. However, Zhang Shanfeng was always familiar with dealing with children. The young Daoist was currently telling them how difficult it was to slay demons and eliminate evil spirits down the mountain. The little ones listened with “wow”s and “ah”s, perking up their ears, widening their eyes, and clenching their fists, each more immersed in the story than the last. How could it be? Why did the junior uncle only talk about the power and skill of those demons, and not about the satisfying scene of the peach wood sword flying back and forth, swiftly beheading the demons?
Zhang Shanfeng paused his storytelling, looked up, and smiled, “Master, you’re back?”

The young Daoist acolytes, each brimming with energy, greeted the venerable Founder with a respectful bow. One bolder lad secretly tugged at his Junior Uncle’s Daoist robe. Zhang Shanfeng glanced around, and the acolytes nodded vigorously, winking at him.

Zhang Shanfeng then said, “Master, the foot of the mountain is practically already celebrating the New Year. Not snowing in the dead of winter is just not right.”

The Fire Dragon True Man walked over to them, reaching out to stroke a young acolyte’s head, and chuckled, “Then, how about Grandmaster puts in some effort, takes a nap? Perhaps in a dream, I can beseech the heavens for a heavy snowfall?”

The innocent Daoist children nodded eagerly, like chicks pecking at rice.

The Founder taking a nap was the only way to get snow on Mount Pa Di.

This was an old tradition passed down through generations of masters, even older senior disciples.

The Fire Dragon True Man smiled at Zhang Shanfeng, “Senior Brother Yuan will accompany you down the mountain to fulfill the vows after he returns.”

Zhang Shanfeng was taken aback, “But I asked Senior Brother Baiyun for this favor, and he agreed. Senior Brother Yuan has nothing to do with it.”

The Fire Dragon True Man jokingly scolded, “That little rascal, even swindling his own master!”

The young acolytes all gaped, mouths agape.

The Grandmaster also curses?

The Fire Dragon True Man, somewhat helpless, waved his hand, “Alright, alright, I’m off to find a place to sleep.”

Zhang Shanfeng began to clean up the mess for his master, earnestly telling the little fellows, “Don’t imitate your Grandmaster’s casual cursing.”

One young acolyte crossed his arms, huffing, “Grandmaster has the highest seniority on the mountain, what’s wrong with cursing?”

Zhang Shanfeng pinched the lad’s ear and gently lifted it. The young acolyte yelped, quickly rising on tiptoes, and begged for mercy, “Junior Uncle, please don’t hit people carelessly. I know I was wrong.”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled and released him. The young acolyte huffed, “My master said that if you don’t respect your elders, your bottom will be spanked raw. Junior Uncle, be careful!”

Zhang Shanfeng squatted down and began to continue his tale from the foot of the mountain.

The young junior nephew listened intently, suddenly complaining, “Junior Uncle, are there no good demons and monsters down the mountain? If so, why do Grandmaster, Senior Uncles, and Senior Brothers just let them do bad things?”

Zhang Shanfeng smiled, “Ah, there’s definitely a reason for that. When my friend comes to visit us, I’ll have him tell you. He has countless interesting stories about mountains and rivers.”

One young acolyte shook his head vigorously, “I bet it won’t be as good as Junior Uncle’s!”

Zhang Shanfeng waved his hand, a radiant smile on his face, “You speak nothing but absolute truth. When it snows, we’ll have a snowball fight together. Junior Uncle will ally with you.”

The young acolyte immediately refused, “No way!”

He heard from his senior brothers that Junior Uncle was always the one getting hit the most with snowballs during snowball fights because he was the tallest and fastest. Even when hit, he wouldn’t get angry.

Zhang Shanfeng tugged at his Daoist collar, acting serious, “Dare to disrespect Junior Uncle? Aren’t you afraid of getting your bottom spanked raw by your master?”

The young acolyte wrinkled his face and whispered, “Master left last year.”

Zhang Shanfeng paused, sighed, and then pointed at the young acolyte, gently smiling, “Actually, he hasn’t left. Don’t you still remember your master?”

The young acolyte lowered his head, eyes reddening, and gave a soft “Mn,” “That’s what my master said when he left too. He told me not to cry, saying that as long as I remember him, he hasn’t left. Not to think of him often, just occasionally will do. He also said that when I think of him without feeling so sad, I’ll have grown up, and at that time, I can go down the mountain to slay demons and vanquish evil. Junior Uncle, it’s been so long, over a year, and I’m still very sad.”

Zhang Shanfeng thought for a moment, but couldn’t find any words of comfort.

As children, the days seemed to pass one by one, counting on their fingers.

As they grew older, the months passed one by one, and each year went by.

If one becomes a Daoist cultivator on the mountain, once their cultivation reaches a higher level, decades or centuries seem to pass in the blink of an eye. How many people around them can they remember? And how many of them can be considered close?

Zhang Shanfeng had once asked his master many questions, but the Fire Dragon True Man often only said that the questions themselves held the answer. Many apparent answers were simply the next question.

Zhang Shanfeng didn’t feel that his master was being evasive, but it only made him more confused.

Was his master’s Daoist magic strong?

Of course, it wasn’t.

Because his master’s Dao wasn’t on the mountain, in the heavens, but in the mortal world at the foot of the mountain.

One young acolyte curiously asked, “Junior Uncle, what are you thinking about?”

Zhang Shanfeng was about to speak.

But another young fellow whispered, “He’s definitely secretly thinking about the pretty girls at the foot of the mountain.”

And yet another young acolyte chimed in, “You speak nothing but absolute truth.”

Zhang Shanfeng chuckled, “The story of slaying demons and vanquishing evil will have to wait. Let’s continue next time. Junior Uncle will tell you an even more exciting, never-before-told story.”

Unexpectedly, one of the acolytes immediately said to his companions, “Don’t be afraid, Junior Uncle definitely wants to scare us with ghost stories.”

Zhang Shanfeng looked at this group of clever and quick-witted little rascals. The current circle of young acolytes seemed even harder to handle than those junior nephews before he came down the mountain.

Zhang Shanfeng had no choice but to resort to his trump card, loudly shouting, “Master, why isn’t it snowing yet?”

The old True Man, dozing off on a distant cliff, replied with a laugh, “To go to the outhouse, one must first eat one’s fill.”

All the young acolytes looked pitifully at their Junior Uncle, feeling that Junior Uncle’s mind didn’t seem to be working very well.

Zhang Shanfeng stood up, “Forget it, I’ll teach you how to practice martial arts.”

A chorus of boos erupted, and they all scattered.

No snow, no stories, and nothing to forage for in the mountains during winter.