Amidst the wind and snow, they ventured into the Frostwind Temple mountain range, the scenery exceptionally beautiful.

As the night deepened and the snow fell heavier, the snapping of pine and cypress branches, the cracking of bamboo, could be heard from time to time.

From beginning to end, Wei Jin did not send a flying sword message to the Frostwind Temple Ancestral Hall, and even less so to the Frostwind Temple Immortal Platform, for Wei Jin was the sole inheritor of the Immortal Platform lineage. The old mansion buildings on the mountain only had a symbolic layer of landscape restrictions, merely to prevent them from collapsing, and no outsiders needed to clean them. He did not gather spiritual energy, nor seek to collect wind and pool water.

Even after arriving at the Frostwind Temple territory, Wei Jin had no intention of greeting his sect. He went straight to the mountain graves. After offering wine at the Immortal Platform, Wei Jin would leave immediately, naturally not thinking of sitting down in the Ancestral Hall.

The scenery of Frostwind Temple was excellent, and the Immortal Platform was even more so, a famous scenic spot in the continent. The mountain was filled with ancient pines and cypresses that were thousands of years old. Tonight, the snow covered the green mountains, and several reclusive scholars were resting beneath the pines. They were likely cultivators from other branches of Frostwind Temple, come here to enjoy the snow, and unwilling to leave, they simply began cultivating on the spot. Upon encountering Wei Jin, these white-robed scholars under the pines did not speak, but rose and bowed from afar.

Wei Jin ignored them.

However, Mi Yu, a stranger, smiled and waved goodbye to the immortal beneath the pine. This made the latter wonder what kind of holy being this extraordinarily graceful young master was, to be able to accompany Wei Jin into the mountain. He knew that Wei Jin hated anyone disturbing him on his way to the graves, let alone bringing friends to the Immortal Platform as guests.

Wei Jin didn’t like talking about the old affairs of Frostwind Temple. No matter, Mi Yu had Wei Wenlong by his side, who purchased mountain and water gazettes everywhere. This Spring Banner Lodge accountant was a master at searching for secret records. He now knew more about the family lineages of the mountains of Treasure Bottle Continent than the local Immortal Masters. Thus, Mi Yu also knew that Frostwind Temple, one of the ancestral homes of strategists in Treasure Bottle Continent, had divided into six branches. Ruan Qiong, who later established his own sect, and the Hidden Official were now from the same hometown, having once belonged to the Emerald Pool branch. He left behind the long-distance sword furnace for Frostwind Temple. His relationship with his former sect was a classic case of parting on good terms. Frostwind Temple could be considered half of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect’s maternal home. Ruan Qiong was the best swordsmith in Treasure Bottle Continent, and once had a conflict with the Grand Ink Manor of the Water Symbol Dynasty over the matter of forging swords. The sword immortal of the Grand Ink Manor was imprisoned by Frostwind Temple for fifty years and was still a captive.

Occasionally, Wei Wenlong would chat with Mi Yu about the many small pieces of gossip from Frostwind Temple’s Literary Clarity Peak and Giant Salamander Gulch. For example, the Old Ancestor of the Qin clan of the Giant Salamander Gulch lineage and a certain Supreme Elder of the Longevity Palace had traveled the world together when they were young, which was very telling, but it was a pity that they failed to become immortal companions.

Wei Jin couldn’t help but ask, “Is there really such a thing?”

Wei Wenlong then gave a reasoned explanation, saying that there were several mountain and water gazettes that could corroborate each other. Moreover, every time the Longevity Palace held a peak opening or breakthrough ceremony, the other branches of Frostwind Temple would send disciples to congratulate them on behalf of Da Li. Which time did the Old Ancestor of the Qin clan of the Giant Salamander Gulch not personally go?

Wei Jin was speechless. He had never spoken a single word to the so-called earthly immortals of the Giant Salamander Gulch lineage, how would he know these things?

What was even stranger was that Wei Wenlong would flip through those stacks of gazettes from decades or even hundreds of years ago every day, without ever getting tired of it. He would also make excerpts and notes, often asserting which mountains were putting on a brave face, having to grit their teeth and scrape off a layer of family wealth every time they held a banquet. And which mountains were making a fortune every day, but liked to hide their wealth and secretly grow richer, constantly consolidating their foundations.

There were also several groups of boys and girls from Literary Clarity Peak carrying immortal porcelain bowls, who had been ordered by their masters to come to the Immortal Platform specifically to use secret arts and treasures to select snowflakes for brewing cold crisp wine and carving fleeting flowers. The former was used to entertain guests, and the latter could be given as gifts. This snow-picking was very particular, mostly choosing cliffs where ancient pines and gnarled branches held bottles and jars. Different hours had different places to collect snowflakes. The affairs of immortals on the mountain were indeed a heavenly matter for mortal scholars.

These children, upon seeing Wei Jin, who was of a very high seniority in Frostwind Temple, did not greet him, not because they were unwilling, but because they dared not.

However, everyone’s face was filled with joy, this famous Wei Sword Immortal, Wei Ancestor, had finally returned home.

Wei Jin, who had previously seemed to be high above everyone, completely looking down on the immortal under the pine, would say almost the same words to these children of Frostwind Temple, the general meaning of which was to remember not to send a message to your elders. The Immortal Platform is full of cliffs and precipices, and it is not easy to pick snow, so be careful.

When Wei Jin and his group went further and further away, a snow-picking child jumped up and shouted loudly that Wei Sword Immortal had spoken to him. Soon, a child quarreled with him, saying that Wei Ancestor was talking to me. The children’s quarrel accompanied the sound of the wind and snow.

Mi Yu turned to look at Wei Jin and asked with a smile, “The Frostwind Temple’s reputation has always been very good, both on and off the mountain. Why are you so resentful?”

Wei Jin had no intention of speaking. Every immortal mountain in the Magnificent World had its own troubles. To really haggle over things, it might not involve clear-cut rights and wrongs, but to not care at all, it was still difficult to get over the hurdle in one’s heart.

Mi Yu then said, “Wenlong.”

Wei Wenlong said in a voice of the heart, “The content recorded in the Treasure Bottle Continent’s mountain and water gazettes is very particular and regulated, and they are not very daring to talk about the family affairs of large mountains like Frostwind Temple. The customs and traditions are very different from our Great Wall of Sword Qi. Especially since Wei Sword Immortal broke through too quickly, and is the only heir of the Immortal Platform. The Frostwind Temple’s Refiners like to travel the world as heroes, and they stick together. Their military recruitment is very different from the True Martial Mountain military cultivators, which may belong to different dynasties and camps. Therefore, the mountain and water gazettes only dare to record the demon slaying of the Frostwind Temple cultivators when they go down the mountain for experience. As for Wei Sword Immortal, at most they write about him and one of the former golden boys and jade girls of the Divine Proclamation Sect…”

Wei Jin coughed.

Wei Wenlong immediately shut his mouth.

When they arrived at the gravesite, after Wei Jin lit incense, he took out three pots of wine, one pot of Bamboo Sea Paradise wine from the Great Wall of Sword Qi, one pot of Forget-Worry wine from the Yellow Millet Dream wine shop in Upside-Down Mountain, and one pot of Osmanthus Blossom brew from Old Dragon City.

Wei Jin squatted in front of the grave, muttering to himself, and poured the three pots of wine in front of him.

Before the group left the Immortal Platform, on the way down the mountain, a person riding a sword came, looking like a child, who was the Old Ancestor of Frostwind Temple.

Wei Jin cupped his fists in salute. The Old Ancestor did not persuade Wei Jin to stay in the mountain, but only talked about some sect affairs related to Wei Jin.
The Wind and Snow Temple Ancestor finally broached the subject of the past, the sword cultivator dispute between Righteous Sun Mountain and Wind Thunder Garden. The location was chosen at the summit of Immortal Ascension Platform. Not informing Wei Jin, who was then in the pugilistic world, was indeed a misstep on the part of Wind and Snow Temple.

Wei Jin shook his head, saying that Immortal Ascension Platform was ultimately part of the Wind and Snow Temple lineage. There was no question of propriety; it was only natural.

The two sides parted ways without lingering.

After the trio left Immortal Ascension Platform, the Wind and Snow Temple Ancestor, in the form of a child, rode his sword to the branches of an ancient pine tree. He sheathed his longsword, gazing into the distance with a worried expression.

The Qin Clan Ancestor of the Giant Salamander Gulch appeared beside him and asked softly, “Wei Jin was able to return to his mountain alive, his Sword Immortal aura even heavier, almost impossible to conceal. This is an auspicious sign, so why does Ancestor appear troubled instead of pleased?”

The child raised his chin. “Those two accompanying Wei Jin, can you discern their depths?”

The Giant Salamander Gulch elder said, “That one with ordinary looks, he is a Golden Core Earth Immortal, correct?”

The child nodded.

The elder continued, “As for the one who looks even more handsome than Wei Jin, I must admit my ignorance, I cannot see through him.”

The child said, “You were far away earlier. When he saw me arriving on my sword, he instantly revealed a trace of hostility. At that moment, his sword intent was astonishing, but he retracted it quickly, seamlessly. This makes him even more formidable.”

The elder was puzzled. “Ancestor is a true Sword Immortal, not like those Yuan Ying cultivators on Righteous Sun Mountain who hide their heads and tails. On our own mountain, must we still show such caution?”

Anyone who could be friends with a Sword Immortal was bound to be extraordinary.

The child said gravely, “Regardless of whether he is a profoundly hidden master, what truly concerns me is Wei Jin’s attitude after that person revealed that sliver of hostility. Indifference, normalcy, no attempts to stop it. You must understand, no matter how outwardly distant Wei Jin seems from Wind and Snow Temple, he is extremely respectful to his teachers at heart. But when that outsider showed hostility towards my Wind and Snow Temple, Wei Jin’s reaction… don’t you find it strange?”

The elder cautiously asked, “Could it be a Sword… Immortal from ‘that’ place?”

The elder then clicked his tongue in wonder. “Such a handsome Sword Immortal, unbelievable, unbelievable. This Wei Jin is truly something else. He should have kept such talent within the family, and brought his friend to visit my Giant Salamander Gulch.”

The child sighed, “Forget it. That fleeting hostility seemed directed at my identity as a sword cultivator, not at the entire Wind and Snow Temple. That is enough. Consider this matter as something you overheard and forget about it.”

The elder nodded.

The child chuckled, “Little Qin, I am no longer concerned about the identity of that person. I am only worried about your big mouth, which leaks secrets in all directions. Today you are happily chatting with a wandering Sword Immortal on a snowy night, tomorrow you are fast friends with a Sword Immortal, the next day that Sword Immortal is your Giant Salamander Gulch’s son-in-law.”

The Qin Clan Ancestor of Giant Salamander Gulch looked embarrassed.

After leaving the Wind and Snow Temple mountain peak, the snow was truly heavy. A thousand miles of world was a blur of wind and snow.

The trio did not deliberately elevate themselves, choosing to journey through the wind and snow. Wei Jin rode his sword, while Mi Yu, also a Sword Immortal, preferred a slower pace, calling it taking care of Brother Wei.

The world was vast, immortals were few, and their journey was solitary.

Wei Wenlong smiled, “We are not too far from Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Mi Yu said with a cheeky grin, “You are the Hidden Official’s designated candidate for the Fallen Phoenix Mountain Ancestral Hall, while my position is uncertain. Remember to look out for me when the time comes, don’t turn your back on your old friend just because you become an enshrined one, and start bossing me around.”

Wei Wenlong said with a wry face, “Sword Immortal Mi is joking.”

According to the planned route, Wei Jin would deliver Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong to Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Wei Wenlong would settle there, while Mi Yu would take an intercontinental ferry to the Northern Azure Continent’s Grand Emblem Sword Sect. Given Mi Yu’s cultivation realm, as well as the Grand Emblem Sword Sect’s relationship with the Sword Qi Great Wall and the young Hidden Official’s rapport with the new Sect Master Qi Jinglong, it was perfectly reasonable for Mi Yu to become a member of the Grand Emblem Sword Sect’s Ancestral Hall.

However, when Mi Yu learned that Wei Jin was going to the Northern Azure Continent to once again seek guidance from Celestial Sovereign Xie Shi, he asked Wei Jin to pass a message to the Grand Emblem Sword Sect. He, Mi Yu, would shamelessly request an unlisted enshrined position. If it was inconvenient, then forget about it. If they agreed, it was a favor, if not, it was only proper. He, Mi Yu, was not so shameless as to insist on the Grand Emblem Sword Sect agreeing. His words were not entirely the joking words of Mi Yu, the so-called “embroidered pillow.” Mi Yu genuinely respected the Grand Emblem Sword Sect.

Wei Jin did not like to affirm or deny other people’s lives. Mi Yu was a genuine Jade Pure Realm cultivator. The so-called showiness was only in comparison to the top Sword Immortals of the Sword Qi Great Wall. Besides, Mi Yu was not a three-year-old child. Therefore, since Mi Yu insisted, Wei Jin agreed. Wei Wenlong said that the Ox Horn Mountain dock, half owned by Fallen Phoenix Mountain and half by Cloud-Draped Mountain, besides the intercontinental ferries to the Northern Azure Continent, also had a Ink-Flipping Ferry for long-distance trade. Its true ownership was not disclosed, and the temporary steward was Liu Chongrun, the former island lord of Pearl Hairpin Island in Book Brief Lake. The woman was a princess from a destroyed dynasty, whose treasury contained dragon boats and water palaces, all precious treasures of the mountains. Presumably, the Ink-Flipping Ferry was one of those dragon boats.

If Sword Immortal Wei did not mind delaying his journey, they could take this ferry to Ox Horn Mountain. Wei Wenlong also hoped to observe the flow of people on the ferry and the loading and unloading of goods along the way.

Wei Jin had no objections. Mi Yu was even more eager, practically leaping with joy. Home at last, he had finally found a backer to rely on for food and drink.

The southernmost dock of the Ink-Flipping Ferry was located at Yellow Mud Slope Dock, in the north-central part of Treasure Bottle Continent. The name of the dock had no hint of immortal aura and its origins were untraceable. The nearest adjacent dock was no better, named Village Makeup Dock. Village Makeup Dock had an immortal mountain primarily inhabited by female cultivators, Fisher Song Mountain. They cultivated water techniques, and the female cultivators were mostly beautiful. Fisher Song Mountain had long renamed Village Makeup Dock as Green Raincoat Dock, but all the mountain cultivators were unimpressed, still calling it Village Makeup Dock.

Therefore, the outdoor training of the Fisher Song Mountain “Village Girl Makeup” female cultivators was akin to the heart-wrenching experience of the Invincible Divine Fist Sect’s immortal disciples going down the mountain to travel the world.
Nearing Huangni Slope Ferry, Wei Jin encountered another group of immortal masters who were on good terms with the Wind and Snow Temple for generations. Wei Jin ignored them, but an old immortal master opened his throat and roared like thunder, forcing Wei Jin to stop his sword flight. However, the Sword Immortal Wei dismissed them with a few words.

A lone sword immortal, without any intention of establishing a sect, didn’t need to consider any worldly niceties.

Moreover, those mountain immortal masters who were practically turned away at the door didn’t feel that Wei Jin was unapproachable in the slightest after parting ways. On the contrary, whether they were elders or juniors of their sects, they felt that Sword Immortal Wei’s demeanor was in line with the bearing of a cultivator at the summit. Being able to exchange a few words with Sword Immortal Wei was enough to boast about to outsiders.

Naturally, Mi Yu would tease Sword Immortal Wei about his extensive network, great reputation, and imposing presence, and would also drag Shao, the Sword Immortal of Spring Pennon House, out into the sunlight for comparison.

As more and more records of Wei Jin’s return home were documented in various Mountain and River Gazettes, Wei Jin parted ways with Mi Yu and the others at the Huangni Slope Ferry. Wei Jin neither boarded the Ink-Turning Ferry, nor would he board the Linen-Clad Sect’s intercontinental ferry, but headed straight for the Northern Gobi Continent, and chose to cross the continent by sword flight.

Who could stop him from flying his sword and engaging in idle chatter?

Upon boarding the Ink-Turning Ferry, the fairy sisters who received guests on board were all young, and their cultivation might not be high, but their smiles were truly beautiful.

Mi Yu felt very much like he was coming home.

Lord Hidden Official, you speak the truth.

Wei Wenlong still followed his old habits, first purchasing the Mountain and River Gazettes, both old and new, from the ferry.

Once, a flock of birds flew past the ferry, and not only that, but also a group of female cultivators from Cloud Glow Mountain, wearing colorful clothes and riding various immortal birds, accompanied the ferry for a hundred or so miles.

Wei Wenlong was no stranger to Cloud Glow Mountain. The cloud root stones transported from this mountain to Old Dragon City and then to Upside-Down Mountain were recorded in great detail in the Spring Pennon House’s ledger.

Wei Wenlong then left the most ordinary cabin, feeling sorry for Sword Immortal Mi, as it was the same type of accommodation as his, but it couldn’t be considered simple. Although not luxurious, it was elegant and refined. The Ink-Turning Ferry had obviously put a lot of effort into the many decorative calligraphy, paintings, treasures, and trinkets in the room, with delicate and careful thoughts everywhere, like a woman holding a silk fan, half-covering her face, standing gracefully under a tree. She wasn’t a lady of a great family, but a maiden from a humble family, with a different kind of charm. Wei Wenlong came to the gathering place for passengers at the bow of the ship, listening to onlookers talk about the lineage and cultivation of the Cloud Glow Mountain fairies.

Further away, Wei Wenlong saw Mi Yu leaning against the railing, chatting and laughing with a female Qi cultivator who was not from the ferry. Anyone who didn’t know them would have thought they were immortal companions traveling down the mountain together. And that female cultivator was also one whose coquettishness was all on her face and in her waist. When talking to Mi Yu, she would gently pat him on the arm. However, her eyes didn’t like to look at people directly. When someone passed by, she would glance sideways, and only look at the robes, jade belts, pearl hairpins, and other ornaments, very accurately and skillfully. The reason why her eyes seemed to be only on Mi Yu now was probably because she had first scanned him from head to toe, guessing that Mi Yu was a registered immortal from some gullible family, worthy of getting acquainted with.

If the young Hidden Official was here, he would probably say, “A dog can’t change its nature,” scolding two people with one sentence.

However, Wei Wenlong quickly felt that it wouldn’t happen. The young Hidden Official was extremely tolerant towards the world and its affairs.

What Wei Wenlong never understood was Sword Immortal Mi. Mi Yu’s standards for women were actually very high, so why was he able to chat with all kinds of women, and be so sincere, as if all the flirtatious words between men and women were about discussing the Great Dao of cultivation?

Mi Yu saw Wei Wenlong and pointed at him, laughing to the woman, “Sister Jiaolan, the handsome, of illustrious lineage, and wealthy Young Master Wei I told you about earlier is over there. See? All my expenses on this trip will depend on him. Don’t look down on Young Master Wei just because he is young, he is a cave realm immortal master. I plan to work for Young Master Wei in the future, so I can get a registered identity.”

The woman followed Mi Yu’s finger and saw the wooden man Wei Wenlong. She smiled and nodded, agreeing with a few words. After that, she was less attentive to Mi Yu, and soon found an excuse to leave.

No matter how good-looking a man is, it’s useless if he’s a half-baked waste from a small mountain sect who came to seek immortality.

Wei Wenlong saw Mi Yu waving and left the crowd, coming to Mi Yu’s side.

Mi Yu leaned on the railing, waving vigorously to a Cloud Glow Mountain female cultivator riding a white swan. The latter covered her mouth and giggled, whispering to her fellow disciples, and then more and more female cultivators looked towards the Ink-Turning Ferry.

Wei Wenlong said in his heart, “Sword Immortal Mi, remember to use an alias.”

He, Wei Wenlong, was unknown, and not even well-known in Upside-Down Mountain, except within Spring Pennon House, so there was no need. But Mi Yu, as a sword immortal whose reputation far exceeded his strength, should be careful.

Mi Yu took down the sword-nurturing gourd “Hao Liang”, drinking osmanthus flower wine, and said, “Do you really think I’m a fool?”

Wei Wenlong apologized, “I was being nosy.”

Mi Yu laughed, “What are you apologizing for? Even if you think I’m a fool, I won’t be angry, let alone when you have good intentions.”

Mi Yu patted Wei Wenlong on the shoulder, “Wenlong, don’t be so restrained with me in the future, there’s no need, it’s too distant.”

Wei Wenlong became even more restrained.

Mi Yu leaned on the railing again, saying in his heart, “Wei Wenlong, in Spring Pennon House, you earned the recognition of Lord Hidden Official, as well as Yan Ming and Nalan Caihuan, with your true abilities, so don’t look down on yourself so much. To put it another way, if you do, how should Mi Yu behave?”

Wei Wenlong was a little at a loss.

Mi Yu didn’t force him, “Forget it, just do as you please, whatever makes you comfortable.”

Wei Wenlong asked curiously, “Sword Immortal Mi, why is it that all the way north, the Hidden Official and his Fallen Mountain don’t seem to be very famous? Especially the Hidden Official, even the lists of the ten most promising young people selected by both the Northern Gobi Continent and the Jade Bottle Continent don’t include the Hidden Official. Not only that, but at every immortal ferry, all kinds of cultivators, even when talking about the Hidden Official’s hometown, at most talk about North Peak Cloudy Mountain and Mountain Lord Wei’s night tour banquet. Why does the Jade Bottle Continent seem to have never had such a person as the Hidden Official?”
Wei Wenlong grew increasingly perplexed as he spoke, “Even if Hidden Official is only in his prime now, he was still in his twenties when he last visited our place. With Hidden Official’s abilities, how could he be completely unknown on Treasure Bottle洲? If I remember correctly, Hidden Official was able to pass three trials in a row upon arriving at Sword Qi Great Wall, defeating prodigies like Qi Shou and Pang Yuanji. With such strength, shouldn’t he have a reputation similar to Sword Immortal Wei back then, even in this small Treasure Bottle洲?”

Mi Yu said, “He will remain unknown if he wishes to be. If he desires to be known, then he will be.”

Wei Wenlong deeply agreed. Just look at the situation of Lin Junbi from the Central Earth Divine Continent after returning home. Chun Fan Studio had heard of it through the intercontinental ferry, with unanimous praise from the Confucian academies, the ancestral immortal families of the Central Earth Divine Continent, and the imperial court of the Shao Yuan Dynasty. Lin Junbi was truly riding the tide of fortune.

However, Mi Yu added, “The real reason is that he feels he can truly act without restraint once he’s at Sword Qi Great Wall, away from his hometown.”

Wei Wenlong whispered, “A hidden dragon in the deep.”

One day, a lion will use all its strength even when hunting a rabbit.

Mi Yu said, “Wenlong, with this talent of yours, I guarantee you’ll make a name for yourself once you arrive at Fallen Phoenix Mountain!”

Wei Wenlong asked, “Why does Sword Immortal Mi say that?”

Mi Yu smiled, “Hidden Official frequently says, ‘Treat others with sincerity.'”

Wei Wenlong nodded, “That makes sense.”

Mi Yu turned to look at Wei Wenlong, “Wenlong, there’s a reason why you have no luck with women. You don’t even have one-tenth of Hidden Official’s skills.”

Wei Wenlong said with shame, “That’s only natural. Hidden Official is extremely upright, understanding, empathetic, and self-disciplined. It’s normal for many women to like him.”

Mi Yu scolded with a smile, “Damn it, you also have a Natal Divine Ability! ‘Everywhere is Fallen Phoenix Mountain’ indeed!”

Wei Wenlong, the future God of Wealth of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, was utterly confused.

After the dragon boat ferry docked at Ox Horn Mountain, Mi Yu found Liu Chongrun and smiled with incredibly fluent Treasure Bottle洲 vernacular, “Manager Liu, my real name is not worth mentioning, my alias is ‘No Rice Left’. Manager Liu, I will soon be a registered immortal master of Fallen Phoenix Mountain. We’ll be in touch often in the future.”

Liu Chongrun didn’t know why this person was spouting nonsense, so she gave a perfunctory and polite reply. A passenger on the ferry is a guest, and in business, one doesn’t hit a smiling face.

If the other party was truly a registered disciple coming to Fallen Phoenix Mountain Ancestral Hall to burn incense and pay respects to the ancestral portrait, that would be fine. Favors and exchanges could be done later. However, Liu Chongrun felt that the man in front of her was too handsome. In the future, there would be young and inexperienced women at Cunning Fish Back, so she had to be careful. She didn’t want any unpleasant incidents to occur, where the disciples of Cunning Fish Back, who should be focusing on their cultivation, were longing for a man from another family like lovelorn women, or even arguing like shrews and jealous wives. Liu Chongrun estimated that she would be angered to death.

Wei Wenlong stood to the side, completely puzzled. Sword Immortal Mi seemed to be very distant from the female cultivators on the ferry, not flirting at all. Even when the female cultivators on the ferry took the initiative to speak with him, Mi Yu kept his distance respectfully.

Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong did as the locals did and walked towards Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Taking a detour through the main gate, they passed by the foot of a cliff. Mi Yu stopped and smiled, “Interesting, interesting.”

Wei Wenlong only saw a large patch of ground with traces of filling in the pits. He looked up and asked, “Sword Immortal Mi, were several pure martial artists jumping off the cliff for fun? They should be in the Golden Body Realm, right?”

Mi Yu shook his head, “It’s the same person, and they haven’t reached the Golden Body Realm yet.”

Wei Wenlong also shook his head, “The depths are uneven, with significant differences. It shouldn’t be the same person. If it were the same person, the traces of the pits wouldn’t be so obvious after a long time. It can’t be that they broke through the realm in such a short period of time. Even Hidden Official can’t do that.”

Mi Yu asked, “Shall we make a bet?”

Wei Wenlong shook his head vigorously, “No betting. People who deal with ledgers hate gambling the most. I can’t fail Hidden Official’s and Master’s instructions. In the future, on this mountain, I must adhere to my duty in everything, big or small.”

Mi Yu didn’t care.

As for why Wei Wenlong misunderstood, it was simple, his realm wasn’t high enough.

After all, his Mi Yu’s Jade Purity Realm was still the Jade Purity Realm, not a fake one.

When they arrived at the main mountain gate of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong looked at each other.

The gatekeeper was a young lad who, after hearing that they were friends of the mountain lord, remembered the names “Wei Wenlong” and “No Rice Left” and let them pass.

Then, Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong had only walked a few steps up the stairs when they discovered a little fellow about the height of a finger, rushing up the stairs, sighing incessantly, but not delaying his swift movements.

Wei Wenlong whispered to Sword Immortal Mi that this was a Divine Land incense little person, not something that every wealthy family or landscape shrine would have, quite rare.

The little fellow climbed up the stairs one step at a time, very laboriously, no different from traversing mountains and ridges.

But there was no choice. Even though the helmsman wasn’t on the mountain, the rules were still there. So, every time it visited Fallen Phoenix Mountain, it could only obediently enter through the main gate.

It didn’t even look up when it passed the two guests. Only when it was more than ten steps above them did it turn around and stand still, hands on its hips, “Do you know who I am?”

Perhaps feeling that it was being rude, it quickly lowered its hands and bowed respectfully. Only then did it raise its head and announce its name, saying that it was the Incense Grandfather of the Dragon Province City God Pavilion, the second-in-command, and concurrently the Right Protector of Dragon-Riding Lane, not knowing what position it held, but anyway, it had a chair to sit on. Today, it had come here to clock in for duty. Then, the incense little person solemnly repeated the previous question.

Wei Wenlong didn’t know how to answer. This little fellow seemed quite clever. Could this be what Hidden Official meant by the black market slang of paying homage to the mountain stronghold?

Stepping up a few stairs, he squatted down and smiled, “I’ve heard of you, of course I’ve heard of you. I’m a follower of the Fallen Phoenix Mountain Mountain Lord. I’ve heard him mention the Right Protector of Dragon-Riding Lane, hardworking, and very responsible.”
The incense figurine at the City God Pavilion of Dragon Province was utterly shocked and filled with envy. “You actually know the Mountain Lord of our Fallen Mountain?! I haven’t even met the Old Senior yet. I’m separated by so many ranks from Mountain Lord, who is the master of Steward Pei, the former Right Protector of Riding Dragon Lane and current Right Protector of Fallen Mountain. I even specifically requested permission from Steward Pei, asking if I could greet the Mountain Lord if I was fortunate enough to encounter him on the road. Steward Pei said I would have to gather a hundred attendance stamps at the mountain gate before I’d barely qualify.”

Like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, the little fellow rattled off a string of official titles without taking a breath.

Mi Yu smiled brightly, thinking, “See, this is the unique tradition of our Fallen Mountain. To hell with Northern Ju Continent!”

Then, a girl came down from the mountain after practicing her fist techniques and stances. She didn’t greet them but focused on practicing her fists as she headed towards the mountain gate.

Wei Wenlong felt that Fallen Mountain was filled with hidden mysteries everywhere. As expected of the cultivation ground of the Hidden Official.

Those large pits formed by people jumping off the cliff, the book-reading boy guarding the gate, the incense figurine climbing the stairs, the girl practicing her fist techniques without distraction…

Mi Yu extended his hand. “Stand on my shoulder, I’ll give you a ride.”

The incense figurine shook his head. “No, that’s not sincere enough. Steward Pei will easily mark it down. Steward Mi Li is very strict.”

The little fellow continued to climb the mountain.

Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong slowly ascended the mountain afterward. Soon, two little girls came running, one in a pink dress and the other in black, the latter carrying a small golden carrying pole.

Wei Wenlong was somewhat convinced.

Chen Nuanshu led Zhou Mi Li down the steps, stopping on the same level as Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong. Then, Chen Nuanshu bowed and said, “Welcome, honored guests. Earlier, Sword Immortal Wei from the Wind and Snow Temple passed by and mentioned this to Mountain Lord Wei. The rooms on the mountain have already been prepared.”

Wei Bo appeared to the side, smiling gently with his spiritual sense: “Nuanshu, Mi Li, don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of entertaining the guests.”

The two little girls didn’t stand on ceremony with Mountain Lord Wei and took their leave.

Wei Bo said, “Sword Immortal Wei only said that two honored guests would be visiting, but he didn’t specify their identities. I wonder if you could tell me?”

Mi Yu smiled. “From the Great Wall of Swords, Mi Yu. A direct disciple of Shao Yunyan from the Spring Pennant Studio of the Upside-down Mountain, Wei Wenlong. According to the Hidden Official’s wishes, we can become registered members of Fallen Mountain at any time.”

Regarding Mountain Lord Wei Bo, the young Hidden Official didn’t say much, but his words carried great weight: “You can trust him completely.”

Therefore, Wei Wenlong followed closely behind and took out a confidential letter, which could be considered a family letter, and handed it to the Northern Mountain Lord of Treasure Bottle Continent.

After Wei Bo opened the letter, a mist of smoke and clouds surrounded the letter. After reading it, he put it back in the envelope, his expression strange. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled, “Sword Immortal Mi, Chen Ping An said in the letter that it’s highly likely you’ll shamelessly stay on Fallen Mountain…”

Mi Yu knew something was amiss and was about to make up some nonsense. If that didn’t work, he would have to act like a rogue and cause a scene.

Wei Bo continued, “The letter says that if you want to stay, then stay. First, be an unannounced honorary elder. Sorry for the inconvenience, Great Sword Immortal Mi.”

Mi Yu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Mi Yu and Great Mountain Lord Wei have a great connection. Arriving at the mountain brings such great news.”

Wei Bo nodded with a smile, but in his heart, he was extremely shocked. Chen Ping An’s description of Mi Yu in the letter was very simple: “A sword cultivator from the Great Wall of Swords, at the bottleneck of the Jade Purity Realm, trustworthy.”

A sword immortal at the bottleneck of the Jade Purity Realm.

Wei Bo turned to Wei Wenlong and smiled, “Wei Wenlong, from today on, you will be in charge of Fallen Mountain’s finances. Later, Nuanshu will hand over all the account books to you.”

At this point, Wei Bo paused slightly and said, “I have a request, even after handing over the account books, I hope you won’t stop Nuanshu from reviewing them in the future. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but Nuanshu has always been in charge of Fallen Mountain’s finances, large and small, without any mistakes. It’s just that now that the business has grown, Fallen Mountain should have someone specifically in charge of finances and accounting. After all, Nuanshu has many tasks, and Zhu Lian and I don’t want her to work too hard. Of course, none of this was mentioned in Chen Ping An’s letter. If you feel resentment because of this, then Chen Ping An has misjudged you, and it will be his fault when he returns to Fallen Mountain.”

Wei Bo said in the end, “We’re all family, so I won’t be polite.”

Wei Wenlong smiled. “The most important thing in accounting is clarity, there is no reason for one person to monopolize the account books and keep them secret. Mountain Lord Wei doesn’t need to overthink it.”

Wei Bo smiled knowingly and nodded. “As expected of someone Chen Ping An has high hopes for. Putting everything else aside, Chen Ping An’s vision and ability to make and manage money are indeed excellent. Someone he sincerely admires must be good. I’ll be counting on you in the future.”

Wei Wenlong clasped his fist in a salute.

From this day on, Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong could be considered settled on Fallen Mountain.

Wei Wenlong’s residence became Fallen Mountain’s accounting office.

After handing over all the account books, Chen Nuanshu no longer managed the finances. At most, she would ask Mr. Wei for approval whenever money was needed. Each time, she would bring a piece of paper, detailing the reasons for each expenditure and where it went. Not only that, probably worried that visiting too often would delay Mr. Wei’s important matters, she and Zhou Mi Li would often pay for small expenses themselves and combine them into one piece of paper to reconcile with Mr. Wei.

Wei Wenlong didn’t find this annoying, but rather a little embarrassed. Although he hadn’t been on the mountain for many days, he knew that Chen Nuanshu was busy every day, with things to do from morning to night. Wei Wenlong had no choice but to take the initiative to ask the little girl if she liked keeping accounts. The girl in the pink dress nodded, a little embarrassed.

Wei Wenlong divided Fallen Mountain’s accounts into two parts. The large-scale transactions involving the Ox Horn Mountain Ferry and the Turning Ink Ferryboat were handled by him, while the daily accounts of Fallen Mountain continued to be handled by her. However, the little girl could learn all the major business transactions, and if she didn’t understand anything, she could ask.

After arriving at Fallen Mountain, Wei Wenlong was already the accountant of Fallen Mountain.

On the other hand, Mi Yu spent his days wandering around, followed by the little Mi Li carrying the carrying pole.

Mi Yu didn’t want to talk about the matters of the Great Wall of Swords, but he finally understood why the Hidden Official’s wine shop sold a type of wine called “Dumb Lake Wine.”

It turned out it was because of this little girl.

Mi Yu didn’t find the days on the mountain boring at all. It was very interesting. Having Zhou Mi Li by his side every day kept him from feeling lonely.
Today, Mi Yu was with Zhou Mili by the stone table on the cliff, cracking melon seeds and listening to her little stories of adventuring in the martial world. He, a sword immortal, listened with great interest.

That little incense figurine came to the mountain to clock in again, very diligently running around the stone table, tidying up the melon seed shells.

The housekeeper of Luopo Mountain, Zhu Lian, was said by Wei Bo in private to have gone on a faraway journey.

Mi Yu understood. As for that talisman puppet that looked like Zhu Lian, Mi Yu had seen through it long ago.

Today, Zhou Mili’s martial arts tales went from Red Candle Town yesterday to the Chongdan, Yuye, and Embroidered Rivers. She explained in detail which rivers had which good spots, and in the end, urged “Senior Corncob” to definitely go to the Chongdan and Embroidered Rivers for fun. It was just that the water god temples in those two places had more expensive incense, which could be bought from the nearby Iron Talisman River water god temple, which was more cost-effective. Anyway, it was all burning incense, nothing taboo. The two water god deities were both easy to talk to. Mi Yu asked with a smile why the Yuye River was missing. Mili immediately frowned her sparse eyebrows and said that she had told him about it before. “Haven’t I? Senior Corncob, you must have forgotten. Impossible, my head is famously sharp, I couldn’t have not told you.” In the end, seeing Senior Corncob smile without saying anything, the little girl quickly waved her hands vigorously, saying that she wasn’t in a rush to play in the three rivers. Later, when Pei Qian and Chen Lingjun returned from their travels, they could all go together, and they could play however they wanted.

The little incense figurine suppressed himself for a long time, muttering, “Go to hell with the Yuye River, that wicked woman almost…”

Zhou Mili got anxious and slapped down, arching her hand to cover the little guy, then leaned over the table, lifting her palm slightly, looking at the little incense figurine. She frowned and lowered her voice, reminding him, “Don’t speak ill of others behind their backs.”

Then the little girl raised her head and laughed, then covered her mouth, mumbling, “Senior Corncob, tomorrow I’ll check the almanac. If it’s auspicious to go out, I’ll take you to play on Gray Mound Mountain next door, I know that place well!”

Mi Yu smiled noncommittally, but remembered the Yuye River.

Turning his head to look, there was an uninvited guest.

Not unfamiliar, but not familiar either.

It was said that this person was shamelessly cultivating at Sword Worship Terrace?

Golden Core or Nascent Soul sword cultivators were not worth a second glance from Mi Yu in Sword Qi Great Wall, unless they were beautiful women.

After all, Mi Yu was criticized for his swordsmanship among sword immortals, and that his brother, Mi Hu, had such a wasteful and unambitious brother, even more so than for his war exploits in killing demons. In fact, before reaching the Upper Five Realms, Mi Yu, whether he was drawing his sword on the city walls or fighting outside the city, followed the same path as Nalan Caihuan and Qi Shou, a well-deserved predecessor.

And a Golden Core sword cultivator from Sword Qi Great Wall, Cui Wei, who had run away to the Vast World so early, what qualifications did he have to be glanced at by Mi Yu?

So, before Cui Wei could say anything, Mi Yu said, “Get lost.”

Zhou Mili was a little flustered, whispering, “Senior Corncob, don’t be like that, Senior Cui is one of us, he’s very nice.”

Mi Yu smiled and nodded, then turned to Cui Wei, who hadn’t said a word, and said, “Then please get the hell away from here.”

Zhou Mili crossed her arms, a little angry. Such language was not allowed on Luopo Mountain.

Mi Yu had no choice but to raise his hands and said with a smile, “Alright, alright, Brother Cui, please sit, please sit, have some melon seeds.”

Cui Wei silently sat down and asked in a mental voice, “Sword Immortal Mi, my master, is he…”

Mi Yu said, “You have the face to ask, I don’t have the face to answer.”

Cui Wei nodded, got up, and left in disappointment.

Mi Yu stood up, took off the gourd hanging from his waist, stood by the cliff, and slowly drank.

Should he take advantage of the fact that he wasn’t yet a proper Luopo Mountain registrar immortal and kill a few Jade Pure Realm cultivators who were hostile to Luopo Mountain?

Not talking about the power of a full-strength strike, just in terms of concealing his tracks and launching flying sword assassinations, Mi Yu was actually quite good at it. Although he couldn’t be compared to the Hidden Official and that Shouchen, Mi Yu believed that he was no less skilled than ordinary sword immortals.

Mi Yu lowered his head with a smile, only to see Zhou Mili tugging at his sleeve. She stood on tiptoes and took out a handful of melon seeds, holding them up high.

Mi Yu squatted down, took the melon seeds, and said softly with a smile, “Mili, in my hometown, many people have heard the story of the great water monster of Dumb Lake. It’s just that many of those ‘many people’ are gone, which is a pity. And that Senior Cui is not even as good as me, so I’m a little angry at him.”

Zhou Mili frowned hard, then nodded vigorously, indicating that she definitely wasn’t pretending to understand.

In the end, the little girl accompanied the sword immortal who called himself “Corncob,” sitting by the cliff. The little girl thought his name was very nice, as it also had the character “Mi” in it, what fate!

So Zhou Mili gave all the melon seeds to Mi Yu, her little head and shoulders swaying as she said with a smile, “I’ll tell you a little secret, I’ve been waiting for good people to come home, like when I squat at the mountain gate, I say I’m watching Cen Yuanji practice her silly fist techniques, when I stand on the railing at the top of the mountain, I say I’m chatting with the mountain god, and when I sit here, I say I’m watching the clouds and birds pass by my doorstep, so Pei Qian and Sister Nuanshu don’t know about this yet.”

Mi Yu hmmmed, “So that’s how it is. If you hadn’t told me, I definitely wouldn’t have known.”

The little girl had a worry the size of a grain of rice, “Why hasn’t he come home yet? No matter how good your hometown is, it’s not his hometown.”

Mi Yu said, “Yeah, who knows.”