That seemingly idle extraterrestrial demon, having received Chen Qingdu’s assent and permission, finally shed all the suppressive restraints. It gained a temporary freedom, able to unleash its true ascendant-realm divine powers, manipulating all creation at will, nearly on par with “Truth” itself.

Old Long’er, upon receiving the Grand Sword Immortal’s instructions, opened the gates of the prison ruins’ small world, welcoming the martial luck bestowed from both the Sword Qi Great Wall and the desolate Wild Lands. In an instant, martial luck surged like a multitude of dragons, pouring torrentially into the ancient battlefield ruins.

Beside the stream, the Executioner Sword Immortal emerged from the thatched hut and approached the stone table, pressing down on the divine book infested with bookworms.

The woman washing clothes and the young handmaiden continued their labor, repeating their tasks.

Du Shanyin stood beneath the grape trellis, peering through the verdant foliage at the scene, his expression complex.

As the Executioner pressed down on the book, the scenery near the stream returned to tranquility and peace.

Old Long’er stood at the prison entrance, stroking his beard and smiling, “Heaven and earth overturned, with a grand generosity.”

The young You Yu, brought to witness the spectacle, felt his spirit stirred, and his reverence for the young Hidden Official deepened.

Nian Xin quietly materialized, whispering, “That extraterrestrial demon actually possesses such divine powers?”

Old Long’er chuckled, “You wouldn’t actually think it’s just a simple clown, would you? Its ascendant-realm cultivation is only suppressed so greatly here by the Great Dao that it seems somewhat superficial. It’s also wary of the Grand Sword Immortal, otherwise, with just your paltry realm and Dao heart, you would have long become its puppet. Sewing skills, even involving the soul, are still inferior to an extraterrestrial demon’s grasp on the deepest recesses of the human heart.”

Nian Xin asked, “It has always hoped to leave this place through Chen Ping’an.”

Old Long’er shook his head, “Chen Ping’an will never allow it to escape this forbidden ground. Once the Grand Sword Immortal’s suppression is gone, Chen Ping’an would be its best vessel, like being possessed by the Jiu Immortal, body and soul exchanged for a new master. At that point, it could simply flee to the Wild Lands, where the heavens are high and the earth is vast, completely free. Both sides are well aware of this. The extraterrestrial demon is unraveling, constantly familiarizing itself with Chen Ping’an’s mind, while Chen Ping’an upholds his true nature, refining his Dao heart in return. They may appear to have a harmonious relationship, talking and laughing, but this battle for life is no different from the great Dao contention of Qi refiners. You may not realize that the oaths sworn by these extraterrestrial demons are the most fleeting and without constraint.”

Old Long’er’s expression turned playful, “With Chen Ping’an’s mind and skin as a foundation, the Wild Lands may soon gain a new Great Throne demon, one that the Great Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue would be delighted to see. The Sword Qi Great Wall’s two successive Hidden Officials, both defecting to the Wild Lands, that would truly be the dictates of fate. Even in front of the Grand Sword Immortal, I would say something heretical: I am quite looking forward to it. A ‘Chen Ping’an’ who has gone to the other extreme, still Chen Ping’an, yet not entirely Chen Ping’an, having gained the purest freedom, henceforth cultivating only for the greatest longevity. Nian Xin, what do you think?”

Nian Xin said, “I don’t care.”

Nian Xin added, “If such a day truly comes, I might choose to attach myself to that new Chen Ping’an, together taking root in the Wild Lands. I might even have a chance to break through my realm.”

Old Long’er lightly rubbed his beard between two fingers, chuckling, “The new Chen Ping’an, the seamstress Nian Xin, plus myself, this ascendant realm cultivator, if the three of us joined hands in the Wild Lands, establishing a sect, it would certainly be quite a spectacle, full of potential.”

Old Long’er then mocked himself, “Such a wonderful thing can only be imagined.”

Young You Yu listened, his heart filled with apprehension.

He couldn’t imagine what a terrifying sight it would be for the Sword Qi Great Wall and that unfamiliar Vast World if the young Hidden Official defected to the demon race.

Deep down, the youth even felt that Chen Ping’an’s defection to the Wild Lands would have even more severe consequences than the previous Hidden Official, Xiao Xun, betraying the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Nian Xin curiously asked, “You’re revealing your true feelings so openly, aren’t you afraid of the Grand Sword Immortal’s reprimand?”

Old Long’er laughed heartily, “I am a demon by nature, when have I ever concealed my great demon ferocity? When Chen Ping’an asked me what I would do without restraint, didn’t I directly say ‘death to all who behold’?”

Nian Xin looked at the magnificent sight in the sky, saying, “This is not the momentum a Golden Body realm martial artist should have when breaking through. Even if Chen Ping’an gained the title of ‘Strongest’, it’s still unreasonable.”

Old Long’er shook his head, “That’s because you haven’t seen Cao Ci. He and Chen Ping’an are of the same age. When Cao Ci returned to Upside-down Mountain, he happened to break through his realm upon entering the gate, causing immense disturbance in both Great Worlds. But Cao Ci ultimately didn’t accept a single bit of martial luck, forcing six Sword Immortals of the Sword Qi Great Wall to draw their swords to repel it, with the addition of two Heavenly Sovereigns from Upside-down Mountain personally taking action.”

Old Long’er glanced at the sky, “But on the path of martial arts, Chen Ping’an is getting closer and closer to Cao Ci. Other martial artists in the world will probably drift further and further away from Cao Ci.”

This was an extremely high evaluation from an ascendant realm powerhouse towards a junior.

When Chen Ping’an first ascended the city and met Cao Ci, two young martial artists of similar age, the world only knew Cao Ci at that time.

You Yu cautiously said, “Senior Long’er, if he’s getting closer and closer to that Cao Ci, doesn’t that prove that the Hidden Official is walking even faster than Cao Ci?”

Old Long’er nodded, “Who says it isn’t?”

The White-Clad Yin God had already returned from its distant travels, Chen Ping’an, with his body and spirit reunited, crashed heavily to the ground, his knees bent, his head lowered, panting heavily.

At this moment, the green-robed figure, head bowed and silent, only felt that the heavens and earth were vast, everywhere was a place to go. Be you a Grand Sword Immortal, an ascendant realm Great Demon, as long as you stand before me, as my enemy, I will have both fists and a sword, enough to fight.

The white-haired boy floated to the ground, seeking praise, “I put in all my effort to create such a grand scene, Hidden Official Grandpa, you must remember my loyalty.”

The extraterrestrial demon only saw the young man maintain his previous posture, but slightly raise his eyelids.

It restrained its smile and met Chen Ping’an’s gaze.

Chen Ping’an slowly straightened his back, his movements slightly stiff, and smiled, “Nothing in this world is beyond discussion.”

It pursed its lips, and clasped its hands behind its head, “So that means there’s nothing to talk about?”

Chen Ping’an’s shoulder tilted, and he heavily stomped on the ground with one foot, finally stabilizing himself.

His back trembled slightly, and blood seeped out from his arms and eyelids.
The Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale, of course, understood that this stemmed from an unstable realm. Furthermore, the act of sewing had somehow entangled him with the arcane suppression of the Great Dao. The young Hidden Official was currently engaged in a literal clash between Heaven and Man.

Those with higher cultivation were closer to the heavens. Standing tall and gazing afar, they naturally gained a deeper understanding of the orderly operation of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and thus shouldered a greater burden.

For cultivators, the opportunity to ascend to the Jade Pure Realm lay in the two words: “Harmony with the Dao.” For Immortals aspiring to break through to the Ascended Realm, the fundamental principle of the Great Dao resided in “Earnestness,” in recognizing the true essence.

Chen Ping’an staggered onward, slowly walking towards the entrance of the prison.

The Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale, with its ever-changing nature, was now all smiles, following closely behind, declaring that it could safeguard the Hidden Official, forging not one, but two auspicious connections, a stroke of immense good fortune.

Chen Ping’an divided his attention, simultaneously experiencing the myriad mysteries of the Distant Wanderer Realm physique, while concentrating his mind into a mustard seed, surveying the inner world of his body.

Having endured the torment of sewing threads, and comparing it with the boxing principles taught by Li Er, Chen Ping’an dared to assert that whether viewed through the eyes of a pure martial artist, regarding the “mountains and rivers” of the human body, or from the perspective of a cultivator, understanding the “cave heavens and blessed lands” within, his comprehension had far surpassed ordinary people.

As for the five elements’ natal objects, he had already gathered four, with only the final hurdle remaining.

He was lacking one last fire-attributed item.

The stream mentioned by the Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale, which it called “fire in the water,” tempted Chen Ping’an, yet he didn’t act upon it. He coveted the stream’s priceless value, which would catch the eye of any treasure shop in the world, but he hesitated because he didn’t want to take what belonged to another. Of course, that was the more palatable explanation; bluntly put, he lacked the confidence to deal with the Warden. Chen Ping’an always felt that this highly experienced and vastly powerful Sword Immortal senior harbored a natural prejudice against him. That seemingly casual visit to clear his head further reinforced Chen Ping’an’s unwavering intuition.

The Ning Residence wasn’t without fire-attributed objects suitable for refining. Although those few treasures of the Ning Residence weren’t of the highest grade, they would more than suffice to assemble the five elements-complete natal object.

An inferior Nascent Soul cultivator, let alone a wandering cultivator who lived hand-to-mouth, refining whatever they could find, even a direct disciple from a first-rate Sect would find it difficult to possess the same grand scope of natal objects as Chen Ping’an currently did.

What’s more, Chen Ping’an had been diligently supplementing his possessions to assist his five elements’ natal object, such as the cyan bricks obtained from the mountain peak Daoist temple, the Five Thunder Talisman and imitation White Jade Capital pagoda obtained from Li Zhen, and the Sword Immortal banner. Among them, after Chen Ping’an refined the Five Thunder Talisman, he hung it on the wooden house gate, using it as a common ward against evil spirits in the marketplace. The pagoda and banner were placed in the mountain shrine.

Even the flying swords, named “Little Fengdu” and “Fifteen”, along with the two imitation Sword Immortal swords from Hanjian Mountain, were often taken out for play by the small bald head, and stored together in the scabbard.

The four flying swords connected end-to-end, resembling the strangest “long sword” in the world.

Only the Water Mansion, which was crafted the earliest, had Chen Ping’an never embellished further.

Back then, he was the first to use the “Water” character seal as his natal object, refining it above the sea of clouds in Old Dragon City. His protector was Fan Junmao, who later became the Mountain Lord of the Southern Peak. He successfully created a Water Mansion, with the green-clad boy helping to manage the water currents and spiritual energy. The murals on the walls, depicting the worship of water gods, possessed many exquisite touches, with the water gods on the wall lifelike, their robes fluttering in the wind, like true spirits come alive. However, due to several great battles, Chen Ping’an’s realm fluctuated greatly, constantly falling, which led to the Water Mansion drying up several times, the colored paintings peeling off, and the pools drying up – a major taboo in cultivation.

Beneath the “Water” character seal, in the small water pond, a water-vein dragon coiled within. The water character seal released water vapor like a waterfall, so the pond resembled a Dragon’s Pool, matching the saying “Water is not about depth, with a dragon, it becomes spiritual.”

The white-haired boy glanced at it, instantly seeing through Chen Ping’an’s thoughts, and casually said: “Dragon Pool nurturing dragon, has always been the first choice for raising dragons. The sage annotates this word, ‘Pool means qi gathers, bottom means qi stops, all meaning stagnation and not dispersing.’ The biggest problem with the Dragon Pool in Hidden Official’s Water Mansion is that it’s too small. Why do you never deliberately expand the territory? It’s not like you can’t do it. Why draw a line and imprison yourself? If it were me, I would have that obedient grandson grab all the water-vein beads and dump them into the pond in one go, working those Water Mansion little people to death.”

Speaking to this point, the Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale put on a miserable expression, pitifully saying: “Pool pool, is the state of sorrow and grief. I am greatly distressed for the Hidden Official.”

Chen Ping’an’s footsteps remained heavy, his whole person swaying, saying: “I am more intimate with water, I am least worried about the Water Mansion.”

The Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale shook his head: “For those who cultivate the Dao, the most important thing is the height of the pill chamber’s aura. If nothing unexpected happens, the most likely place for the Hidden Official’s future golden core formation is the Water Mansion. But instead, you place several broken things… oh no, several opportunities in that mountain shrine, this is a great loss. If it were me, I wouldn’t care, I would refine all the magic treasures and pile them all up in the Water Mansion, preparing early is the best strategy. Forming the golden core is the top priority for cultivators, the height of the golden core’s grade directly determines the future achievements of the cultivator.”

Apart from the “Water” character seal that made the Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale feel extremely thorny, and the green-clad boy, who were foreign residents who would eventually move away, the rest of the scenery in Chen Ping’an’s Water Mansion was all naturally formed. It was extraordinary, but in fact, it was still not enough.

Unfortunately, Chen Ping’an obviously did not listen to his valuable advice.

The Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale didn’t care either, even if Chen Ping’an really did so, it would ultimately be a small-scale affair, not significant.

In the eyes of an Ascended Realm cultivator, what heaven’s chosen child, amazing talent, and deep fortune were all illusions. Unless the other party could also become an Ascended Realm cultivator one day, then in the eyes of that Ascended Realm cultivator who was already at the mountain peak, the so-called opportunities on the mountain, all the struggles to seize the Dao, were just a group of cats and dogs frolicking under the eaves and outside the corridor. If they were happy, they would take a few more glances, and if they were annoying or noisy, they would just kill them.

This Heavenly Demon Beyond the Pale had been observing Chen Ping’an for a long time, and really wanted to do a big business with the young man.

Chen Ping’an’s mustard seed mind went to the mountain shrine for a tour, looking up from the foot of the mountain. The mountain shrine was made of the five-colored earth of the Great Li’s New Five Peaks, accumulating earth to form a mountain, and a small mountain shrine was built on the top of the mountain. Later, Chen Ping’an also refined the Daoist meanings contained in those cyan bricks to reinforce the mountain top.
The white-haired child curiously asked, “Grandpa Hidden Official, why don’t you seem to have much desire for cultivation and Dao attainment? Are you truly unconcerned about eternal life?”

As Chen Ping’an walked, he practiced the six-step stance as a foundation, constantly adjusting his fist forms, and correcting the subtle details of his muscles, bones, and flesh to better adapt to his current body. Upon hearing the question, he replied, “It’s too far away, I can’t see it clearly, I can’t imagine it.”

The white-haired child responded with an “Oh,” “So you need a little light to guide the way. It’s a pity you haven’t found it yet. It seems that among the Dao attainers of the vast world, no one, aside from those skilled in scholarship, boxing, and swordsmanship, has truly captured Grandpa Hidden Official’s heart.”

Chen Ping’an, unwilling to dwell on the matter, changed the subject, “That Senior Judiciary Official, isn’t he a native swordsman, is he?”

The reason for this question, besides the fact that the Summer Palace had no records of him, was due to several clues: the twelve multi-colored Flower God Cups hanging under the grape trellis, bookworms consuming immortal words, the Judiciary Official’s requirement for Du Shanyin to master swordsmanship to kill all the flower thieves on the mountain, and the laundering woman and silk-washing maiden formed from two ancestral coins, the gold essence copper coin and the Grain Rain coin. Even Sword Qi Great Wall had elegant sword immortals like Sun Juyuan, but they were different from that elusive Judiciary Official.

The local sword immortals of Sword Qi Great Wall rarely cared so much about matters outside of it. Mi Yu’s behavior didn’t count as caring; he simply enjoyed attracting attention and stirring up trouble.

The white-haired child, who was very much in tune with Grandpa Hidden Official, immediately said, “Him? He’s definitely not a local. His hometown is a lower blessed land in Flowing Sunset Continent. His aptitude was terrifying, so much so that he broke through the barriers of heaven and earth with his sword. In that impoverished place, where even reaching the Cave Mansion realm was difficult, the Judiciary Official forcefully ‘ascended’ him to the Vast World using means of a Nascent Soul swordsman. Unexpectedly, that originally hidden blessed land, because of the commotion he caused in Flowing Sunset Continent, attracted the covetous eyes of various forces. The once idyllic place became chaotic within a century, a playground for exiled immortals. They fought over it, and no stable ‘Heavenly Lord’ emerged to manage it properly. Eventually, the entire blessed land was shattered by the combined efforts of two sword immortals and an Immortal realm Qi refiner in a three-way battle. Almost all the locals died, barely one in ten survived. The Judiciary Official wasn’t strong enough at the time to protect his hometown blessed land, so he’s felt guilty ever since. It seems that none of his family, descendants, or disciples escaped the calamity.”

Chen Ping’an sighed inwardly.

His own Fallen Mountain possessed a Lotus Root blessed land.

Chen Ping’an then frowned deeply.

The appearance of each lower blessed land often triggered a storm of bloodshed.

The current situation in Floating Cloud Continent was chaotic. Besides the appearance of several immortal treasures, there was also the “ascension” of a Pure Martial Artist in the Distant Journey realm, which led to a hidden blessed land, originally uncontested, being discovered by cultivators, triggering a scramble among various immortal forces. It was also a lower blessed land, but because it had always revered martial arts and lacked “techniques,” it had accumulated a great deal of natural treasures. Almost all the Sect-ranked immortal families in Floating Cloud Continent couldn’t stay out of it, wanting to get a share. Moreover, Floating Cloud Continent was the continent with the deepest involvement between the upper and lower worlds. Immortals had their designs, and secular rulers also had their ambitions. Therefore, one move affected the whole situation. Several major dynasties, with the strong support of cultivators, fought ceaselessly. Thus, in recent years, war raged both in the upper and lower worlds, and smoke billowed everywhere.

The white-haired child said, “Let’s make a deal?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Tell me about it.”

The white-haired child, rarely speaking seriously, slowly said, “Under the witness of Chen Qingdu, let me completely merge with your Yin spirit. I choose to slumber for a hundred years. Within those hundred years, as long as you reach the Jade Pure realm, you must return my freedom. In return, I will use my Ascended realm natal spirit as the source of your Dao techniques. For Middle Five Realm cultivators, it will be inexhaustible, and you won’t have to worry about the abundance of spiritual energy. In battles, you’ll have no worries.”

Speaking of this, the white-haired child was radiant and increasingly felt that this deal was mutually beneficial. He jumped up and down, excitedly saying, “Not only will you reach the Upper Five Realms in the future, without a doubt, with me here, like a guardian spirit, no inner demons will be a problem. And before that, opening a Cave Mansion, observing the Canghai, leaping the Dragon Gate, forming a Golden Core, and birthing a Nascent Soul, I guarantee you’ll be unstoppable. There’s also a shortcut to break through faster, but it requires a secret technique. You first fall to the Third Realm. I might be able to let you ascend to the Upper Five Realms in one night, through a great dream. Both choices are beneficial for you, and there’s no hidden danger!”

Chen Ping’an said, “No thanks.”

The white-haired child became anxious, saying, “Even if you don’t trust me, don’t you trust Chen Qingdu? That old fellow’s judgment is extremely high and accurate!”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, “If I had that thought, and spoke to Oldest Sword Immortal, then regardless of whether you have a scheme, Oldest Sword Immortal would agree.”

The white-haired child wailed, “Why did I encounter someone as stubborn as you? You should take a gamble! You lose a little if you lose, but you gain a lot if you win. What are you afraid of? How can a cultivator succeed without a bit of courage? You need to be decisive in killing. Grandpa Hidden Official, you’ve really disappointed me this time! I’m completely heartbroken!”

The Extraterrestrial Demon began to act recklessly again, but Chen Ping’an still solemnly said, “The reason I didn’t agree to you isn’t because I’m afraid of taking risks, but because I don’t want to harm both of us. Because this action goes against my original intention. When I reach the Upper Five Realms, my inner demons will change, and it’s highly likely to become you. So, you sealing yourself as a guardian spirit won’t really be able to protect me.”

The white-haired child understood Chen Ping’an’s implication and asked in confusion, “Are you saying that putting aside that unavoidable issue, just assuming you reach the Jade Pure realm, you’ll have a way to kill me? Grandpa Hidden Official, no matter how wise and mighty you are in my heart, aren’t you being a bit presumptuous?”

Chen Ping’an stopped walking and said with a smile, “Don’t believe it? Want to try?”

The white-haired child was eager to try, but he still stared intently into Chen Ping’an’s eyes, seeming uncertain. However, after a moment of consideration, he still vanished in a flash, choosing to enter Chen Ping’an’s newly formed thought-created Mind Lake world. Let’s try it!
After four separate journeys, nothing Chen Ping’an hadn’t seen in his “mind.” If he truly encountered something bizarre, it would be an eye-opener, something to enjoy.

After the extraterrestrial demon entered his heart lake, Chen Ping’an took a deep breath, focused his mind, cleared away all distracting thoughts, and tried to call out.

In an instant, the extraterrestrial demon tumbled out, its face pale. Not only did it fail, but it also seemed to have suffered damage to its cultivation.

The soaring spirit of the Ascension Realm it had just regained was now completely gone.

The white-haired boy mumbled, “What a scheme, Grandpa Hidden Officer, what a scheme! You used me as a flying sword to deliver a message across two worlds. In the entire Sword Qi Great Wall, only I can do this…”

Chen Ping’an said, “Want to try again?”

The white-haired boy plopped down on the ground, fell backward, flailed his arms and legs, and wailed, “This is no way to live! Grandpa Hidden Officer is always bullying honest folk.”

Chen Ping’an continued forward. This long-planned deal was indeed possible.

Otherwise, why would he let an extraterrestrial demon enter his heart lake multiple times?

The white-haired boy stood up and followed behind the young Hidden Officer, still shaken and speechless.

Earlier, he had rushed excitedly into Chen Ping’an’s heart lake, but the scene was strange and unpredictable. It was actually a golden arch bridge. At first, he ran happily, quite enjoying himself, but then he saw the tall figure of a woman in white standing on the bridge railing, leaning on her sword, seemingly asleep. After Chen Ping’an called out softly, the woman, who should have been just an illusory image, “awakened” instantly without warning. A moment later, she turned her head to look at the extraterrestrial demon who knew something was wrong and stopped abruptly.

The white-haired boy swore he had never seen eyes like that in either of his lives.

He couldn’t even see her face clearly, only those golden eyes.

Looking down, devoid of any emotion, purely like the highest gods in legends.

Regarding an Ascension Realm cultivator as if they were an ant.

Below the golden arch bridge where she stood seemed to be the once complete ancient human realm. Countless living beings existed on the earth, and although heaven and earth were distinct, only the gods were immortal.

With just one glance, the extraterrestrial demon was knocked out of Chen Ping’an’s small world, causing an extraterrestrial demon that was originally at the Absolute Realm to lose the equivalent of a century of hard-earned cultivation.

When an extraterrestrial demon is born, its cultivation stagnates at the Absolute Realm, without increasing or decreasing by even a hair. After that, there are only two things: life and death.

The white-haired boy lamented, “Grandpa Hidden Officer, is she of the same generation as Chen Qingdu? You should have said so earlier! With such a background, calling you ‘Grandpa’ isn’t enough. I should just call you ‘Old Ancestor’ directly.”

Chen Ping’an said, “I’m not the reincarnation of anyone. You’ve misunderstood.”

The white-haired boy scoffed. Trying to fool even an extraterrestrial demon, typical scholar.

Approaching the entrance of the prison.

Chen Ping’an had roughly adapted to the significant difference between the golden body and the Distant Wanderer Realm physique, but he was still hunched over and breathing heavily, not faking it.

This was the after-effect of Needle Threading and Sewing Clothes. The heavier his muscles and bones, the tougher his physique, and the true names of the great demons already engraved on his body would become heavier.

And this was with several key great demon true names not yet engraved. Chen Ping’an couldn’t imagine what the situation would be like once Needle Threading and Sewing Clothes was successful. Would he only be able to walk bent over?

Passing the five cages holding the high-realm demons, Yun Qing stood at the sword-light fence and offered congratulations on his breakthrough.

The great demon Qing Qiu simply hid in the fog, her gaze cold, staring fixedly at the young man with heavy steps.

Among the other three great demons, one who had not appeared before now showed his face for the first time. The great demon, known as Bamboo Joint, sat on a partially unfolded green landscape painting. When a Qi refiner focused their attention, they would discover that it was different from ordinary paintings. This painting was like a real blessed land, with mountains rising and falling, pavilions and buildings, as well as flowers, plants, trees, birds, and beasts that were all alive. There was also a magnificent scene of stars hanging in the sky. The great demon, who seemed to be coiled on the sky, spoke hoarsely, “Little guy, you have a good life.”

Chen Ping’an stopped and only looked at the painting. The Summer Palace records mentioned that this great demon could steal landscapes with ink. He had served as a vanguard for the throne great demon Huang Luan for hundreds of years. He could paint on the battlefield, transferring mountains and rivers into the painting, and then close the scroll, enough to squeeze and crush everything living in the painting. Qi refiners with a large gap in cultivation could directly draw his form and imprison part of his soul directly in the painting. Therefore, in the Barbarian World, demons often carried portraits of their enemies, along with their names, birthdays, and the location of their ancestral halls, and then found this painter, paid him to make a stroke, and then bought the painting that imprisoned the enemy’s soul.

The fourth great demon was a woman-like Jade Purity Realm sword cultivator, but her natal flying sword was severely damaged in the battlefield. Her pseudonym was Meng Po. She was an extremely rare spirit of vegetation origin, but she could study swordsmanship, possessed great killing power, and had once dominated the Barbarian World. She was the master of a sword sect, and although she did not have the title of a spouse with the Ascension Realm great demon Chong Guang, they were in fact, practically, lovers.

The last high-realm demon, imprisoned in the jail, instead continued to break through, and was now a Celestial Realm cultivator. According to Old Deaf, Chen Qingdu had once promised this demon that as long as it reached the Ascension Realm, it could replace Old Deaf in managing the jail.

The white-haired boy seemed even more worried than Chen Ping’an, and said with a troubled face, “Even if Hidden Officer Old Ancestor is in the Distant Wanderer Realm, he seems to have no chance of winning against these five.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Not for now.”

Walking down the steps, along the way there were mostly empty cells. Of the sixty-one middle-realm demons, aside from the two disciples chosen by Old Deaf, there were five remaining, all tough nuts to crack.

Chen Ping’an suddenly said, “It seems I need to reach the Middle Five Realms, otherwise I’m limping too badly. Not to mention the high-realm demons, I can’t even kill those five Nascent Soul cultivators.”

The white-haired boy deeply agreed, “Hidden Officer Old Ancestor, you need to hurry.”

Chen Ping’an sat down at the pavilion, while the white-haired boy still adhered to the rules, only floating outside the building.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “That thought that hid in my Yin spirit, is it gone?”

The white-haired boy said helplessly, “Although I’m kind to people, I’m not stupid.”
Chen Ping’an hesitated a moment before fully unleashing his natal treasures from his Qi Mansion for the first time: a Water Seal, a Five-Colored Mountain, a wooden Divine Statue, and a page of Golden Scripture.

These four crucial natal treasures revolved around Chen Ping’an, each emitting a unique radiance, while a certain structure shone brilliantly, illuminating the surrounding chaotic void.

The White-Haired Child floated over to the steps and asked, “What’s the sequence?”

Chen Ping’an replied, “Water Seal, Five-Colored Mountain, wooden Daoist statue, Buddhist scripture. But firstly, I haven’t found suitable techniques, and secondly, the initial purpose of refining the Five Elements was to rebuild the Bridge of Longevity. So, over the years, in battles with others, magical arts have always been my weakness. However, Senior Nianxin suggested I rearrange the positions of the natal treasures, such as moving the Five Thunder Seal to the palm of my hand.”

The White-Haired Child nodded, “Gathering the Five Thunders, governing all Dharmas. To wield the myriad creations in your palm is a good suggestion. The key is that it can be intimidating, better than your half-baked talismans, and easier to conceal your identities as both a martial artist and a swordsman.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Besides the stream where the Punishment Official resides, does this world have other fire-attribute objects suitable for refining?”

The White-Haired Child nodded, “Yes, and of extremely high quality, exceedingly high. The reason I didn’t mention it earlier is naturally that there’s no profit to be made, unlike that stream I can negotiate over.”

Three “exceedingly highs” in a row.

Chen Ping’an fell into contemplation.

He knew it was that fiery lava furnace.

The White-Haired Child had no interest in things that didn’t benefit him. He began counting on his fingers. “First, feign weakness with the Dao of Talismans. If things look bad, unleash Pine Needles and Cough Thunder, ‘pretending’ to be a swordsman. If that’s seen through, become enraged and create distance, then bring down a genuine Five Thunder Righteous Law. If the enemy is tough, close in and deliver a few punches as a Distant Wanderer Realm martial artist. If you can’t win, run! While running, unfurl the Sword Immortal Banner, using numbers to intimidate. Just when the opponent thinks this is your last resort for escape, launch a sneak attack with the flying swords Early One and Fifteenth! If you still can’t win or escape, stealthily unleash Caged Bird, then deliver a few more punches. If that’s not enough, try a Well-Moon… Ancestor of Hidden Officials, I’ve run out of fingers!”

Chen Ping’an clicked his tongue, “You really have no shame.”

The White-Haired Child smiled brightly, “Just recognized a good ancestor, that’s all.”