Fan Dache, covered in minor scrapes and bruises, sat alone in the wine shop, lost in contemplation.

Chen Sanqiu wasn’t in much better shape, nursing his own wounds.

They had agreed, five of them working together within the mustard-seed sized realm of the Ning Manor’s martial arts arena, to ambush the Sword Immortal, Nalan Yexing.

In the end, aside from Chen Ping’an, Chen Sanqiu, Yan Zhuo, Dong Huafu, and the biggest burden, Fan Dache, none had escaped unscathed, some more injured than others.

Yan, the rotund fellow, had gone home to continue his sword practice. Dong, the dark-skinned rascal, had disappeared again, no doubt to wander aimlessly, eat and drink to his heart’s content, and buy whatever caught his fancy, all charged to the accounts of Chen Sanqiu and Yan Zhuo.

Fan Dache said, “Sanqiu, I’m suddenly a little afraid of becoming a Golden Core Sword Cultivator. Once I reach Golden Core, I won’t have a swordsman retainer anymore.”

Chen Sanqiu chuckled, “Well, I’m better off than you. Good reincarnation, a prominent surname, a wealthy family, and plenty of manpower. Even if I reach Golden Core, I’ll still have family swordsmen to protect me. Happy, truly happy, I’ll drink to that.”

Chen Sanqiu promptly raised his bowl and took a swig.

He had come to realize that with a friend as perceptive as Fan Dache, it was better to be direct, without being overly solicitous of his feelings.

Fan Dache smiled and said, “Chen Ping’an promised that the next time a major battle erupts, I can leave the city walls with you all. In that case, Chen Ping’an is my swordsman retainer.”

After so many practice sword sessions, even a simpleton like Fan Dache could discern some of Chen Ping’an’s intentions. Beyond helping him refine his cultivation, he also wanted everyone to be accustomed to teamwork, to strive to survive in the next battle and, at the same time, eliminate as many demons as possible.

Chen Sanqiu raised his wine bowl and clinked it against Fan Dache’s, “Then you, Fan Dache, are extraordinary, enjoying the privilege of having Chen Ping’an as your retainer.”

Fan Dache refilled his bowl, wiping his mouth, “Thinking about it that way, I’m suddenly willing to become a Golden Core Sword Cultivator again.”

Fan Dache lowered his voice and said, “Chen Ping’an is actually a Fifth Stratum cultivator now, and he just broke through at our Sword Qi Great Wall. Why isn’t he shouting it from the rooftops at the wine shop?”

Chen Sanqiu chuckled, “Probably too embarrassed to boast, since he hasn’t reached the Cave Realm yet.”

Fan Dache shook his head, “What’s he got to be embarrassed about?”

Previously, while drinking together, Chen Ping’an had stood up and toasted all the patrons, offering a heartfelt speech: *Dear Sword Immortals, why haven’t you broken through yet? Don’t stand on ceremony with me. What’s there to be polite about? You’re drinking the cheapest wine at Sword Qi Great Wall, eating the most delicious yangchun noodles, and enjoying free pickled vegetables, yet you still haven’t broken through! It’s like squatting in the outhouse without squeezing anything out! Do you have any respect for my shop’s wine? For the couplets and the horizontal scroll? If you don’t make some progress, then from now on, anyone who comes here to drink alone will be charged extra!*

At the time, all the patrons were bewildered, sensing something was amiss, but realizing that, in the end, they would be the ones to suffer from arguing, especially regarding the outhouse analogy.

But that was alright. What made everyone jump and curse was the betting on Dong Huafu voluntarily paying up. Almost no one among the gamblers had won. Initially, everyone was happy, since the Second Shopkeeper and that Yan family little fatty had lost a fortune as well. Later, Pang Yuanji, the only one who openly won, came to the wine shop, grinning as he drank. Gradually, people started to realize what was happening, especially because that Yuan Ying old thief, the one who had mysteriously written a poem beforehand, was the one running the bets.

*Damn it, such a familiar ploy!*

That’s why Chen Ping’an didn’t go to the wine shop with Chen Sanqiu and Fan Dache today. Instead, he went to Sword Qi Great Wall.

On the way, Chen Ping’an, who had made several Millet Rain Coins after the division of profits, decided that next time the gambling was organized, someone else should be in charge. Sword Immortal Tao Wen, for example, seemed more honest.

At the city walls, Chen Ping’an didn’t directly fly his talisman vessel to his senior apprentice, instead choosing to walk the last hundred li or so.

During that time, he encountered a group of lower-tier children sword cultivators, training under a Yuan Ying swordsman.

Watching such training wasn’t forbidden.

Chen Ping’an sat on the city walls, watching from afar. Not far away, seven or eight little brats were arguing about how many Lin Junbis it would take to defeat one Second Shopkeeper.

The children who were able to play on the city walls were, in reality, not simple individuals, either wealthy and noble, or possessing innate talent for sword cultivation.

Children from places like Yan Chi Lane and Lingxi Lane wouldn’t come here. Firstly, the city was too far from Sword Qi Great Wall, making it difficult for ordinary common children to travel. Secondly, the sword intent and qi on the city walls were too intense, and physically weak children couldn’t endure the torment. That’s life; some people swim with ease from birth, while others find life increasingly burning and chaotic as they grow older.

One child spotted Chen Ping’an sitting nearby and yelled, “Second Shopkeeper, tell us, can you beat five Lin Junbis with one hand? If you nod, I’ll be friends with Yuan Zaohua forever!”

Chen Ping’an didn’t turn around, simply waved him away, signaling him to scram.

The brat, whose name, Yuan Zaohua, meaning “Primal Creation,” was anything but small, refused to give up and continued, “Three then? Can you beat three?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Never fought, don’t know.”

Yuan Zaohua shouted, “Then should I write a challenge for you? Saying the Second Shopkeeper is planning to use one hand to fight Lin Junbi, Yan Lu, and Jiang Guancheng, including everyone else!”

Chen Ping’an stood up, walked over to the child who was standing akimbo, paused for a moment, realizing it was a tomboy. He pressed down on her head, lightly twisted it, and kicked her butt, “Get lost. Do you even know how to write, challenging people?”

After regaining her balance, Yuan Zaohua said angrily, “I know how to read plenty! More than you!”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Do you know how to write ‘Bragging Without Drafting’?”

Yuan Zaohua said, “Yes, I know, but I won’t write it. Actually, you’re the one who doesn’t know how to write and wants me to teach you, right? Dream on!”

She was obviously a child leader, and the other children all echoed her sentiments.

Chen Ping’an sat down again, facing the city to the north, twisting his wrist, and taking out a bamboo leaf, began to play a tune.

After listening, Yuan Zaohua dismissively said, “Not good.”

The other children had no choice but to nod along like chickens pecking at rice.

Seeing that Chen Ping’an wasn’t responding, Yuan Zaohua felt slightly disappointed. He simply tapped his knees lightly with his hands, gazing towards the north, and beyond the city, to the bustling, mixed-bag mirage of a trade fair.
Chen Ping’an suddenly smiled and asked, “Who do you all think are the ten most formidable sword immortals these days? No need to rank them.”

Yuan Zaohua rolled her eyes. “Without an order, what’s the point? No fun. Guess yourself.”

Chen Ping’an was about to get up and practice his swordsmanship.

Now, learning swordsmanship from his senior brother was relatively easier. He only needed to use four flying swords to defend against the sword qi and die a little less.

Yuan Zaohua stretched out her hand. “Chen Ping’an, if you give me a folding fan, I’ll reveal a secret to you.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled. “You’ve got quite the scheme.”

Yuan Zaohua spread her arms, blocking Chen Ping’an from leaving, her eyes stubborn. “Hurry up! It has to be the one with the best and most writing!”

Chen Ping’an initially ignored her, but suddenly remembering something, he sat back down and said, “You talk first, and I’ll see how I feel.”

Yuan Zaohua rattled off the names like pouring beans from a bamboo tube. “Old Sword Immortal, Dong Sangeng, Aliang, Lord Hidden Official, Chen Xi, Qi Tingji, Zuo You, Nalan Shaowei, Old Deaf Man, Lu Zhi. That’s the ten! Now, the fan!”

Chen Ping’an stood up and actually selected a jade bamboo folding fan from his spatial storage, slapping it into the little rascal’s palm. “Remember to keep it safe. It’s worth a lot of immortal coins.”

Yuan Zaohua opened the folding fan, quite pleased with it, but the characters on the fan face were a bit sparse, and she couldn’t recognize many of them. She angrily said, “Change it! I want one with more characters.”

Chen Ping’an then held her small head and gently twisted it to the side, laughing. “Little brat, you dare to bargain with me? Know when to quit, or I might change my mind.”

Yuan Zaohua closed the folding fan she had obtained, hid it behind her, and stretched out her hand again. “Then I’ll buy another fan, the one with the most characters!”

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Where’s the money?”

Yuan Zaohua said in a serious tone, “Old Sword Immortal, Dong Sangeng, Aliang, Lord Hidden Official, Chen Xi, Qi Tingji, Zuo You, Nalan Shaowei, Old Deaf Man, Lu Zhi. From today onwards, add the Second Manager, Chen Ping’an! That makes us the strongest eleven sword immortals of the Great Wall of Sword Qi!”

Chen Ping’an was amused beyond words and gave her another fan with indeed a lot of characters, smiling. “Little girl, you’re something else. You’re the number one at the Great Wall of Sword Qi for swindling money out of me.”

Yuan Zaohua didn’t care about such “empty names.” She was very happy with two folding fans in her hands. She suddenly used a bargaining tone and lowered her voice to ask, “Give me another one, a smaller one is fine. I can rank you in the top ten, even the top five!”

Unfortunately, the silly Second Manager laughed and left.

But before leaving, he took out a small seal, breathed on it, had Yuan Zaohua hand over the sparser folding fan, gently stamped it, and then returned the fan to the little girl.

The group of children looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Yuan Ying stage old sword immortal finished teaching swordsmanship and came near the group of children after Chen Ping’an had walked far away.

Yuan Zaohua was leaning on the wall, spreading out two folding fans in front of her, trying hard to recognize the characters. Of course, she liked the fan with the densely packed characters all over the fan face, thinking it was worth more money.

The old man bent over to examine the sparser folding fan and smiled wryly.

*Great things are often impermanent, and colored clouds easily dissipate, like fragile glass.*

*Colored clouds easily dissipate and return, but whether the heart, like glass, shatters or not.*

The former sentence was a very famous line of poetry in the Vast World.

The latter, a dog’s tail added to a sable coat, what nonsense, the meanings are hundreds of thousands of miles apart. It should be a random compilation by that young man.

But ultimately, the meaning is good, changing the颓然 gloomy and bitter meaning of the previous sentence. One can only say the intention is not bad, nothing more than that.

The old sword cultivator gave a surprised “Eh,” squatted down, looked at the inconspicuous vermilion seal, and smiled. “Interesting.”

The seal’s inscription was, “In life, there are many separations, but broken mirrors can be made whole again.”

Thinking of Yuan Zaohua’s background, her father, who had hoped to enter the upper five realms, died in battle in the south, leaving only her mother and daughter to rely on each other. The old sword cultivator raised his head and glanced at the departing back of the young man in the distance.

In any case, he was different from those scholars of the academies and institutes of the past.

It wasn’t that the former didn’t want to do anything, but almost all ended in frustration, and over time, they would naturally become discouraged and return to the Vast World.

Chen Ping’an arrived at Zuo You’s place.

Zuo You asked, “Did you break through so quickly?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I’m already in the fifth realm of Qi Refinement.”

Zuo You said, “Scholarly pursuit and cultivation of the heart must not be neglected.”

Probably only a senior brother like Zuo You would not worry about his junior brother’s low realm but instead worry about breaking through too quickly.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “With Senior Brother watching, even if I wanted to slack off, I wouldn’t dare to.”

Zuo You sneered. “Why not say, ‘Even if I wanted to die a few more times under the sword qi, I can’t’?”

Chen Ping’an knew that this swordsmanship practice would be torturous.

Jin Su, the osmanthus flower maiden on the Guihua Island ferry, was actually the only direct disciple of Madame Gui. She was at the same realm ten years ago as she is now, after all, the bottleneck is difficult to break through. Therefore, this time the intercontinental ferry docked at Upside-down Mountain, Madame Gui deliberately let her relax more at Upside-down Mountain. Mountains and seas depend on each other, it is a unique geomantic treasure. Not only that, Madame Gui also gave Jin Su a Gu Yu coin as pocket money this time, joking with her disciple that when she saw those beloved objects she had been thinking about for nearly twenty years, she should not hesitate. Jin Su was shocked and wanted to refuse, but Madame Gui waved her hand, and at the same time, she instructed Jin Su that Mr. Qi and his disciple were both ascending Upside-down Mountain for the first time, so remember to help as much as possible.

Jin Su didn’t think too much about it.

That Qi Jinglong and his disciple Bai Shou did not report their sect, so Jin Su regarded them as Confucian disciples and a book boy traveling for study.

The Guihua Island voyage to Upside-down Mountain was because she heard that Chen Ping’an’s friends lived in the Gui Mai courtyard that had long been in Chen Ping’an’s name. Jin Su didn’t deal much with the master and disciple, and occasionally accompanied Madame Gui to visit the small courtyard for tea. Jin Su only knew that Qi Jinglong came from the Northern Entirely Reed Continent, took the Hegu Tan Pima Sect ferry, went south all the way, stopped in the Dali Longquan County in the middle, and then went directly to Old Dragon City. It just so happened that Guihua Island was going to Upside-down Mountain, so they lived in the Gui Mai courtyard that had been uninhabited all along.
Master Gui Furen didn’t mention the opponent’s cultivation, and Jin Su was too lazy to inquire about their background, simply regarding them as the kind of ordinary ferry passenger one meets only once.

What kind of family they came from, what realm they were in, what kind of person they were, what did it have to do with her, Jin Su?

However, Jin Su dared not neglect the task assigned by her master. This time, the stop for Osmanthus Island was still near the Catch and Release Pavilion. She introduced the origin of the Catch and Release Pavilion to Qi Jinglong, but unexpectedly, the strangely named youth, after seeing Dao Laoer’s own handwriting on the plaque, lost interest in joining the crowd at the small pavilion. Instead, Qi Jinglong insisted on standing there for a while. Jin Su didn’t care, and Baishou was impatient. Only Qi Jinglong slowly squeezed through the crowd, lingering for a long time in the crowded Catch and Release Pavilion. Finally, he left the least interesting small pavilion among the eight scenic spots of Upside-Down Mountain, still raising his head to stare at the plaque, as if he could really see something special. This made Jin Su slightly displeased. This kind of affectation seemed worse than Chen Ping An back then.

Fortunately, Jin Su was a woman of a cold and detached nature, and her face didn’t reveal anything.

Besides, several close Osmanthus Flower Maidens were standing beside her, planning to travel together for the next three days. Jin Su thought of the Rain Water Coin she had carefully hidden, and a slight smile appeared on her face.

Baishou, on the other hand, was so honest to the point of being simple-minded, complaining loudly all the way, blaming “that Liu fellow” for delaying his trip to Thunder Marsh Terrace.

The youth didn’t address Qi Jinglong as Master, nor did he call him Mr. Qi, but insisted on calling him “that Liu fellow”. It was quite strange.

Bringing such a disciple who lacked respect and etiquette on a long journey, Jin Su felt that Qi Jinglong was even stranger.

Leaving the crowded Catch and Release Pavilion, Jin Su routinely asked Mr. Qi if he had a favorite inn. The Lingzhi Pavilion Inn had the best scenery, but it was expensive, so many regular customers of Osmanthus Island usually stayed at the Crane Pavilion Inn. Chen Ping An had done so before, but the inn was small, located in a hidden alley, inconspicuous, and not a great inn. Fortunately, the price was affordable. Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “Thank you, Miss Jin Su, for leading us to the Crane Pavilion Inn.”

Baishou was a hundred times unwilling. He was about to yell when Qi Jinglong glanced at him, and the youth obediently swallowed the words that had reached his lips, only daring to mutter under his breath.

The group arrived at the Crane Pavilion Inn, which was indeed hidden in a narrow alley. Baishou looked at the smiling young shopkeeper and felt like he was being led to the pigsty to be slaughtered. So, after sitting down in a room with that Liu fellow, Baishou began to complain: “Liu fellow, don’t the sword cultivators from our Northern Entirely Continent all stay in the Spring Pennant Retreat, one of the four great private residences of Upside-Down Mountain? Why are we staying in this shabby place? What’s wrong, are you coveting the beauty of those Osmanthus Flower Maiden sisters?”

Qi Jinglong poured two cups of tea. Baishou took a cup and drank it down in one gulp, continuing to ramble: “Liu fellow, I really have to tell you a few heartfelt words. Even Jin Su, the most beautiful, isn’t as pretty as Fairy Lu, who is infatuated with you, right? Oh, right, the owner of Spring Pennant Retreat, I heard that he almost became a Daoist couple with Fairy Lu of Water Sutra Mountain’s grandmaster in his early years. Are you afraid that someone will inform Fairy Lu and she’ll come to Upside-Down Mountain to block your path? That won’t happen. This Fairy Lu isn’t like Mansion Master Sun of Colorful Sparrow Prefecture. But if you ask me, among the women who like you, Lu Sui is the most beautiful, of course. As for temperament, I like Sun Qing the most, generous and yet slightly reserved. That one at the Three Lang Temple is too enthusiastic, with fierce eyes. When she sees you, Liu fellow, it’s like a drunkard seeing a pot of good wine. I can tell you two have no chance, you’re not on the same path at all.”

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “When we return to the Taihui Sword Sect in the future, do you want to take another trip to the Fallen Mountain of Dragon Spring County?”

Baishou immediately shut up, pretending to be deaf and dumb. Seeming to still feel uneasy, he politely poured a cup of tea for that Liu fellow.

There was no way around it. Baishou’s scalp tingled and his liver hurt whenever he thought of a certain black charcoal who was ruthless and loved to play dumb.

Who would have thought that I, the dignified Great Sword Immortal Baishou, on my first journey, before I could establish any merit, my lifelong reputation would be ruined!

To hell with Fallen Mountain, I’ll never go there again in this life.

That damned good disciple Chen Ping An taught!

Fallen Mountain and I, Baishou, must have incompatible horoscopes, destined to clash. Besides, the name itself is unlucky. I won’t go, I won’t go even if you beat me to death.

Qi Jinglong thought of some of his own affairs, feeling somewhat helpless and sad.

This time leaving the Northern Entirely Continent was because Qi Jinglong was temporarily free. He had successfully accepted the three sword questions from the three sword immortals to the Taihui Sword Sect. So, he wanted to travel to the other eight continents of the Vast Expanse World. Moreover, he had the secret instruction of his grandmaster, Huang Tong, saying that the Sect Master had ordered him to go to the Sword Qi Great Wall immediately, that the Sect Master had something to tell him. How could Qi Jinglong not know the Sect Master’s intentions? He wanted Qi Jinglong to take a trip to the Sword Qi Great Wall during the relatively stable intervals between battles, and even directly pass on the position of Sect Master to him. Then, for at least a hundred years, he wouldn’t have to think about participating in the demon slaying and city defense of the Sword Qi Great Wall in his own name, purely as a new sword immortal of the Northern Entirely Continent.

The rest of the matters of the Taihui Sword Sect were enough to be handled by Han Huaizi alone.

Baishou dared not speak of matters between men and women again, and tactfully changed the subject: “Can’t we really stay at the Spring Pennant Retreat for a while? I really want to see that gourd vine with my own eyes. On the mountain, I patted my chest with many junior brothers and nephews, guaranteeing to see those future sword nourishing gourds for them. If I don’t see them, I’ll lose face when I return to the Taihui Sword Sect. Could it be that I can only hide on Fluttering Peak? If I lose face, in the end, isn’t it you who loses face?”

Spring Pennant Retreat was one of the four great private residences of Upside-Down Mountain.

The most famous, of course, was Liu, the great tycoon of the Snowy Continent’s Ape Kneading Mansion, purely a mountain of gold and silver piled up with immortal money. The grudge between the Ape Kneading Mansion’s Liu family head and that Daoist Great Heavenly Lord in his youth was a widely circulated joke.

The Plum Blossom Garden built by a cultivator from the Central Earth Divine Continent, it was rumored that there was an upper five realm spirit alive in the garden for who knows how many years. Back then, in order to successfully move that ancestral plum tree from his hometown to Upside-Down Mountain, the garden owner directly hired an entire intercontinental ferry, the cost of which was unimaginable.

Spring Pennant Retreat was built by a disappointed sword immortal from the Northern Entirely Continent, often receiving sword cultivators from his hometown, but the owner never showed his face.
The final Water Crystal Estate was a detached courtyard belonging to a maritime sect. It was said that in recent years, thanks to its prime location, it had absorbed the remaining essence of the Flood Dragon Trench, causing the sect’s influence to surge.

Figures like Han Huaizi, the Sect Master of the Taihui Sword Sect, Huang Tong, the Ancestral Hall’s Law Enforcement Ancestor, and later, Li Cai, the Sect Master of Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, who rushed to Upside-Down Mountain, had all stayed at the Spring Banner Study. Within the Spring Banner Study grew a gourd vine, cultivated by generations of enlightened immortals. Finally, the owner of the Spring Banner Study obtained this immense fortune, continuing to nourish it with spiritual energy for thousands of years. It had already nurtured fourteen gourds, each with the potential to be crafted into sword-nurturing gourds, all starting at the level of magical treasures. The gourd with the finest quality, once refined into a sword-nurturing gourd, was rumored to be a half-immortal artifact.

Even among immortal treasures or half-immortal artifacts of the same rank, there were gradations in quality, sometimes as disparate as clouds and mud.

A half-immortal artifact sword-nurturing gourd could almost rival the sword-nurturing gourd left behind by the Dao Ancestor, and was therefore considered an immortal artifact.

That sword immortal from the Northern Continent of Jambu, leaving his homeland, brought that gourd vine to take root here. The Spring Banner Estate, receiving the protection of Upside-Down Mountain and unaffected by external disturbances, made an extremely wise decision.

However, if only half of the fourteen not-yet-fully-matured gourds could be successfully refined into sword-nurturing gourds, it would already be a remarkable feat. The Spring Banner Study would be famous throughout the world, reaping abundant rewards. Most importantly, with seven or more sword-nurturing gourds, they could befriend at least seven sword immortals. Perhaps, with these connections, the owner of the Spring Banner Study might even have the opportunity to establish a sect in any continent of the Vast World, becoming a founding patriarch.

That was why Baishou was so fixated on the Spring Banner Study.

Moreover, Chen Ping’an’s vermilion wine pot was actually a legendary sword-nurturing gourd. Back on Fluttering Plume Peak, the young man had almost drooled over it.

If he could be just like Brother Chen, using a sword-nurturing gourd to hold and drink wine, wouldn’t that be a grand sight when traveling the world?

It was just that Brother Chen was still too thin-skinned and didn’t heed his advice to inscribe the words “Sword-Nurturing Gourd” on the wine pot.

Qi Jinglong nodded, “We will go. We’ll visit the other seven attractions first. It’s extremely difficult for outsiders to travel from Upside-Down Mountain to the Sword Qi Great Wall these days. We need the Spring Banner Study to smooth things over and provide guarantees.”

Baishou, who had been dispirited in Fallen Mountain, immediately perked up upon hearing that there was a chance, excitedly saying, “Then can you help me reserve a Spring Banner Study sword-nurturing gourd? I’m not asking for much, just the one with the worst and lowest quality. Consider it your apprentice-acceptance gift! Taihui Sword Sect is such a large sect, and you’re a Jade Purity Realm sword cultivator. The apprentice-acceptance gift can’t be subpar. Look at my Brother Chen; when Fallen Mountain’s Ancestral Hall was completed, he gave away countless gifts, each one a priceless treasure! You, surnamed Liu, should at least learn a little from my Brother Chen, alright?”

Actually, the boy was just talking nonsense, not expecting Liu Jinglong to actually agree. Sword-nurturing gourds were priceless treasures for sword cultivators, especially those of high quality, which even sword immortals might not possess. Because sword-nurturing gourds were rare, even more awkward than Sumeru pouches and microcosm treasures. If a sword cultivator’s realm was high but the sword-nurturing gourd’s quality was low, it would instead hinder the nurturing of their natal flying sword. But a sword-nurturing gourd that could catch the eye of a sword immortal was incredibly hard to come by.

But Baishou never expected the fellow slowly sipping tea to nod and say, “I’ll put in a word and give it a try. I can’t guarantee anything. If you hear this and have excessively high expectations, and then become greatly disappointed and take your anger out on me, and I detect even the slightest hint of it, that means I, as your master, have misled you in my teachings. In that case, we’ll cultivate our hearts together.”

For the first time, Baishou wasn’t annoyed by the surnamed Liu’s rambling. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, “Surnamed Liu! You’re really willing to put in a word for me?”

The surnamed Liu had a whole host of bad habits, but he was good at one thing: he kept his word.

Qi Jinglong retorted, “In the Ancestral Hall, you become my disciple, I accept you as my apprentice. As the one imparting the Dao, it’s only right to give my disciple an apprentice-acceptance gift. You’re a direct descendant sword cultivator of the Taihui Sword Sect’s Ancestral Hall. Having a good sword-nurturing gourd will benefit your Great Dao, allowing you to nurture your sword faster through orthodox methods, so you can have more time to cultivate your heart. Why wouldn’t I be willing to put in a word? It’s not like I’m coercing the Spring Banner Study to sell me a sword-nurturing gourd through force or by buying it at an exorbitant price.”

Baishou was taken aback and muttered, “It’s just that you don’t even carry money when you go out, so you don’t seem like a generous person.”

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “Whether a person is generous or not isn’t just determined by their wealth. The key to this saying lies in the word ‘just’. In this world, anything that goes to extremes won’t be a good thing. I’m not making excuses for myself; I want you to look at everyone other than me and think more carefully about things. That way, you won’t miss out on friends you shouldn’t miss, or befriend people you shouldn’t befriend, on your future path of cultivation.”

Baishou asked suspiciously, “Are you doing this because you know the Spring Banner Study won’t sell you a sword-nurturing gourd and are just using this opportunity to lecture me about these grand principles?”

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, “For cultivators, especially those with the Dao, time flows endlessly. As long as they’re willing to open their eyes and look, how many times can they see the truth come to light? Do you need to ask about my intentions? Even if I told you, would you believe me?”

Baishou covered his head with his hands and wailed, “My head hurts. I’m not listening, you’re just chanting nonsense.”

He had learned quite a few rustic sayings back in Fallen Mountain.

Qi Jinglong wasn’t angry and smiled as he drank his tea.

Baishou suddenly asked, “Surnamed Liu, are you going to be shopping with Jin Su and the others from now on? That’s so boring. These older sisters are even more tireless when they go shopping than we are when we cultivate. I’m scared.”

Qi Jinglong said, “The Old Dragon City Fu family’s ferry just happened to dock at Upside-Down Mountain. Madam Gui is probably worried that something might happen to them while they’re sightseeing here. The Fu family’s disciples are arrogant and consider their family rules to be the city’s laws. We saw it with our own eyes back in Old Dragon City. We’re staying in the Gui Vein Courtyard this time, traveling far across the sea, and we haven’t spent a single Snowflake Coin on food, clothing, lodging, or transportation. We have to return the favor.”

Baishou crossed his arms and said, “In that case, I’ll spend more time with the older sisters. If the Fu family really tries to make trouble in secret, don’t blame me for displaying my sword immortal demeanor.”

Qi Jinglong asked with a smile, “Tell me, what kind of sword immortal demeanor are we talking about?”
Before the Hemp Robe Sect’s ferry docked at Ox Horn Mountain, the young man was full of confidence, just like this. Later, at the top of the steps of Fallen Mountain, when he saw a row of three small heads munching on melon seeds, the young man still felt that he had a sure chance of winning in a martial arts contest.

White Head, filled with mortification and rage, exclaimed, “Liu, am I even your disciple?!”

As he said this, the young man’s eyes dimmed slightly.

That dark-skinned girl, whose words were often absurd yet infuriating, was Chen Ping An’s first disciple. He himself was actually the only direct disciple of the Liu lineage.

Chen Ping An’s current Qi Refinement cultivation was far inferior to Liu’s.

As a result, he suffered so miserably at Fallen Mountain, and his loss of face would more or less cause Liu to lose some face as well.

Qi Jinglong said softly, “I don’t think my disciple is inferior to anyone.”

White Head’s face flushed red, and he huffed, “Liu, stop being presumptuous! I don’t even sincerely consider you my master anymore!”

Qi Jinglong said solemnly, “Competing with others on the path always involves both wins and losses, while striving to surpass oneself only distinguishes between greater and lesser victories. So, how should we choose, White Head? What do you think?”

The young man lay on the table, sighing incessantly, truly envying that dark-skinned, money-losing girl. Her master was always running off somewhere, not constantly nagging by her side.

But all of this was nothing.

The most terrible thing was that the dark-skinned burden was actually gleeful upon their parting, saying she might also be going to Sword Qi Great Wall to see her master, depending on when Master Zhong decided to depart. Without even asking White Head’s opinion, she directly made the decision for him: next time, they would only have a civil contest, no more martial arts battles!

Just thinking about this made White Head feel angry and vexed.

Ning Yao was still in seclusion.

During his Qi Refinement breaks, Chen Ping An was in the training grounds, unleashing his full potential and sparring with Nalan Yehang.

Without Fan Dache and the others present, Chen Ping An, exerting all his strength with punches and swords, displayed a completely different scene within his mustard seed world, clad in his blue robe.

Granny Bai was now accustomed to watching from the pavilion, and no matter how she looked at it, she felt that her son-in-law was the most handsome young man at Sword Qi Great Wall, followed by that martial arts prodigy who appeared once in a century, maybe even a millennium. As for cultivating and refining Qi, what was the rush? Her son-in-law seemed like a late bloomer. Wasn’t he already a Fifth Realm Qi Refiner? His cultivation talent wasn’t much worse than her young lady’s.

This day, at the corner of the street not far from the shop, Chen Ping An sat on a small stool, munching on melon seeds, and finally finished the story of the sword immortal, Qi, who loved to drink.

Feng Kangle felt somewhat unsatisfied and asked Chen Ping An if there were any other mythical legends about this old sword immortal. Chen Ping An thought for a moment and decided that he could fabricate a few more. He said that there were plenty of stories and began by saying that the young sword immortal traveled at night to a desolate ancient temple where crows flapped their wings. He lit a bonfire and was about to drink heartily when he encountered several graceful women, carrying fragrant breezes, with melodious laughter, their clothes fluttering, drifting into the ancient temple. The young sword immortal raised his head and frowned because, as a cultivator, he focused his gaze and activated his divine abilities, seeing fox tails behind those women. So the young sword immortal drank a pot of wine and slowly stood up.

At this point, Chen Ping An stopped and said the most annoying phrase: “To be continued next time.”

Chen Ping An went to the wine shop but still didn’t drink. Mainly because Fan Dache and the others weren’t there, and the other drunkards and gamblers now looked at him with unfriendly eyes. It was difficult to bum a bowl or half a bowl of wine anymore. There was no reason for it! He sold them wine; he didn’t owe them money. Chen Ping An squatted by the roadside and ate a bowl of plain noodles, but suddenly felt a little sorry for Qi Jinglong. The story didn’t seem exciting enough. There was no way around it; he wasn’t a real storyteller after all. He had already tried his best.