The old Daoist, squatting by the roadside, had just finished half of the watermelon in his hand. It was unripe, the taste was so-so. Just as he was about to pick up the other half, he heard those two names and shuddered. Then, with a bend of his waist and a sweep of his arm, his hand back pressed to the ground, palm supporting the watermelon, like an immortal’s hand holding a mountain, how could it not be the demeanor of a deity? The old Daoist stroked his beard and smiled. The melon was unripe and not sweet, but his Daoist arts were still passable, not rusty in the slightest.

However, the so-called two names had nothing to do with his congenial Daoist friend, Chen Xiao. They were Flying Ascension City, and Ning Yao.

He, the old Daoist, had seen too many Sword Immortals.

But the undeniable number one person under Heaven, her weight was much heavier than the half watermelon in Qing Niu Daoist’s hand.

Where did Great Profound Capital Temple’s Sun Brother rank in the Azure Underworld? Fifth, it seemed?

And Yu Laodi, whose sleeves were filled with talismans, what number was he in the vastness of Haoran? It seemed that his exact ranking was still undetermined? In any case, his ranking was still quite far back.

If Ning Yao was only Ning Yao of the Great Wall of Swords, that would be fine. The so-called promising future was, after all, a future full of unexpected events. But a Ning Yao already in Flying Ascension City, a Ning Yao who had already reached the Flying Ascension Realm, was a tangible, present reality.

Since she had already successfully entered the Flying Ascension Realm in that Fifth Heaven, it meant that in her future cultivation path, as long as Ning Yao didn’t cause trouble at the Confucian Temple or seek a duel at the White Jade Capital within a thousand or eight hundred years, she would be free from any further surprises.

Therefore, when Ning Yao now traveled far to Haoran with her sword, her departure from her hometown meant that she was coming with a body of “Heavenly Great Dao.” What was a dragon crossing the river? This was it.

The old Daoist couldn’t help but turn his head. Regardless of whether Chen Xiao would hold a grudge against him, he couldn’t help but glance at the traveling woman carrying the sword box. One more look was a gain.

What was an old Jianghu master? It was someone who had met who on the road, drank with whom, made friends, sparred with whom, and exchanged Daoist arts. In this vast world, it might not matter who a cultivator had won against, but losing to whom might be a matter of pride.

Hey! That Chen Xiao Daoist, what courage! He actually laid hands on Immortal Ning?!

Immortal Ning, you can draw your sword and chop off his dog paws! If this were to spread, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock for outsiders… Wait a minute, who could spread this matter tonight? Could it be that Chen Xiao would turn against her, whisper sweet nothings to Immortal Ning, and have her kill everyone to silence them? Forget it, a pair of celestial beings like no other in the world, a match made in heaven, whispering sweet words under the moon, perfect for the occasion.

This poor Daoist is superfluous.

Better to eat my melon.

Chen Ping’an gently hugged Ning Yao, then quickly released her and took a step back. “What brings you here?”

Her temples and ears were a little flushed. What rouge, what eyebrow drawing, what dressing up was needed?

Ning Yao handed the long sword in her hand back to Chen Ping’an, saying, “Isn’t it too presumptuous? You dare to hand over your sword to others?”

Chen Ping’an took the Night Wanderer, behind him, and smiled, “Lord Feng Jun is an old immortal, a magnanimous and upright person. I am very relieved to hand over my sword, Night Wanderer. It’s no different than carrying it myself.”

Ning Yao was a little puzzled, Feng Jun?

Chen Ping’an winked at Ning Yao, his back to the grass-chewing ox and the melon-eating old Daoist, reminding her, “It’s the Qing Niu Daoist I mentioned to you at the Great Wall of Swords. He was also the first one to propose ‘using talismans externally and refining elixirs internally, combining yin and yang in Daoist arts.’ It’s just a pity that the old Daoist has too high standards for accepting disciples and has suffered too much, so he has not truly become famous in several heavens. The world is full of those whose virtues do not match their position, and whose talents do not match their fame. Lord Feng Jun is just the opposite, making people feel indignant.”

Ning Yao said, “Oh, so it’s one of the four Daoist predecessors you mentioned before.”

The old Daoist, squatting far away, had actually been listening with his ears perked up. At this moment, his eyes lit up, his shoulders trembled slightly, and the melon in his hand had endless aftertaste, truly sweet.

Which four?

The stinky ox-nosed one from the Guandao Temple in the Eastern Sea, Sun Huaizhong from the Great Profound Capital Temple, the Talisman Yu Xuan, the Grand Celestial Master of the Dragon Tiger Mountain, and the Fire Dragon Real Person, that’s already five.

No matter which one this poor Daoist pushes out, it would be a great blessing. Even being at the bottom of the four would be fine.

When Chen Xiao Daoist was chatting with him idly on Bird-raising Mountain, why didn’t he mention this? Not sincere enough. Since he had such respect in his heart, why hide it?

Young people’s skin is too thick, definitely not good, too thin, even worse.

At that time, a dagger slipped out of his sleeve, spinning erratically, looking quite unsettling, almost making this poor Daoist mistakenly think he had encountered Cao Mo. Then he gathered the Five Thunders Righteous Law in his palm, playing with it, nothing more than the word “authentic.” What, was he a little nobleman from the Celestial Master’s Mansion who forgot to bring his peach wood sword from home? I never thought it was all a misunderstanding.

Like the cloud goose grass insects disturbing dreams, and iron horses and frozen rivers entering dreams, such misunderstandings are not without beauty.

The refreshed old Daoist immediately threw away the melon in his hand, shook his sleeves, coughed lightly as a reminder, and then slowly stood up, facing the young couple. The old Daoist didn’t forget to tap his heels, kicking the remaining melon rinds on the ground away with one foot.

The old Daoist stroked his beard and smiled, glancing at the woman’s Flying Ascension Realm. After a little thought, he didn’t feel guilty at all. He made a Daoist salute and said in a loud voice, “This poor Daoist is Feng Jun, Daoist name Qing Niu.”

Chen Ping’an exceptionally returned a Daoist salute.

Ning Yao cupped her fist in return, “Junior Ning Yao, pleased to meet Daoist Master.”

The old Daoist laughed heartily. This trip to Baiyan City, to be able to see this pair of jade-like celestial companions with his own eyes, and to see them finally become a loving couple, was worth it, worth it.

Chen Ping’an took out the blue paper mountain-selling deed from his sleeve. The old Daoist had sharp eyes and saw that the word “sell” had been changed to “buy,” and the three words “Qie Ting Pavilion” were revealed on the back. The old Daoist was startled. Li Shilang, who served as the Old Heavenly God of the Provision City, was romantic, but not someone easy to negotiate with, especially when it came to business. He was extremely shrewd. Chen Xiao Daoist was actually able to get this thing from him? Among the twelve cities of the Night Navigation Ship, except for Shao Baojuan of the Appearance City who was still a fledgling, the other eleven old city lords each had their own temperament and Great Dao powers, but none of them were easy to deal with.

Chen Ping’an took out another talisman and handed it to the old Daoist, “Exchange the sword for the talisman, the deal remains the same.”

The old Daoist was speechless. He took the degrading yellow paper talisman in his hand and had to nod in agreement, continuing to help this kid inquire about that news.
Chen Ping’an led Ning Yao to a pavilion named “Qie Ting (暫且停歇, roughly translated as ‘Briefly Stop’)” within the bounds of Tiaomu City.

On a secluded night path of Baiyan City, the old Daoist sighed, feeling at leisure. He picked up a talisman and immediately focused his attention, holding his breath. With a sweep of his Daoist robe sleeve, he instantly took the talisman into his sleeve. Then, reaching out, he held something in his arms and walked toward his mount. A green ox lay on the ground. The old Daoist mounted the ox, which rose slowly and began to move forward. The old Daoist held a melon in one hand and gently tapped it a few times with the other, listening intently. He muttered to himself, “The interplay of Heaven and Earth creates all things. The greatest sound is the hardest to hear, yet most beautiful; the greatest righteousness is pure and true… It must be sweet!”

Beneath the pavilion’s steps stood the maidservant, Qin Zidu, from Yanzhi Divine Mansion. Qin Zidu and Chen Ping’an and Ning Yao exchanged a Wanfu greeting. Then, she took out a paulownia leaf and smiled, “In the future, Mr. Chen can use this to travel between the city gate and the pavilion. However, please use it with caution. Once the strokes are used up, the City Lord will, according to regulations, reclaim this pavilion.”

Chen Ping’an indeed discovered that on the back of the deed, the original three characters “Qie Ting Ting (且停亭)” now had one stroke missing from the “Qie (且)” character, and the entire “Ting (停)” character had disappeared. Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded at Qin Zidu, then reached out and took the paulownia leaf from her hand, remotely manipulating the air. On the front and back were inscribed “Fu Yang Sheng (府癢生)” and “Shi Zi Nong (識字農)”. A dot was already missing from the “Fu (府)” character, probably following the same rules as the deed: each use would remove a stroke. As for why the character “Ting (停)” was missing, it was definitely because he had violated the rules by going to Wuyong City, on the Night Navigation Boat, and Tiaomu City.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Thank you, Miss Qin.”

Qin Zidu smiled charmingly, “Mr. Chen can call this servant Biyu.”

Chen Ping’an smiled without saying a word, wanting to say, “We’re not that familiar; just call me Chen Swordsman.”

Ning Yao stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at the pavilion’s plaque and楹联 (yinglian, vertical written couplet).

Chen Ping’an pondered for a moment, not hurrying to leave. He took out the deed again and asked, “How many answers can this thing buy? For each stroke removed from the characters ‘Mai Shan Quan (買山券, roughly translated as ‘Land Purchasing Certificate’),’ I would like to trouble Miss Qin to solve a doubt for me. How about that?”

Because there was an Ascension Realm swordsman present, the City Lord would definitely not dare to casually spy on this place. Therefore, Qin Zidu remained silent for a moment, had a thought, seeming to have received City Lord Li Shilang’s permission, nodded, and then shook her head, saying, “It can be traded, but the rules must be changed. There are only two characters left on the deed, so Mr. Chen can only ask two questions. As for the stroke missing from the ‘Qie’ character, the City Lord said it should be considered a welcome gift for City Lord Ning.”

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Chen Ping’an had never intended to occupy this Qie Ting pavilion in Tiaomu City for long. This Night Navigation Boat was not a place to stay for long.

In an instant, Qin Zidu subconsciously turned sideways, and had to raise a hand to shield her eyes, not daring to look at the sword light.

It turned out that the silent female sword immortal, without any warning, drew her sword from its sheath and, with a single strike, cleaved open Tiaomu City’s celestial restrictions, following Qin Zidu’s thought directly to City Lord Li Shilang.

And the young man in the blue shirt, carrying a sword on his back, continued to remain in place, as if nothing had happened, smiling and asking, “May I ask Miss Qin, what are the cities and small worlds on the Night Navigation Boat?”

Qin Zidu, having been thoroughly schemed against, was annoyed and angry, and said, “You two, did you agree on this beforehand?!”

Chen Ping’an shook his head.

He really hadn’t.

On the way, he had only casually spoken with Ning Yao about the sights and experiences in Tiaomu City.

Qin Zidu glared at the man and said in a deep voice, “The Upper Four Cities are Hongmao City, Tiaomu City, Jiquan City, and Guiju City!”

Chen Ping’an interrupted her, “Would you please add the nicknames of the four cities as well, Miss Qin?”

Qin Zidu did not speak.

Chen Ping’an then moved to the steps of the pavilion, sat down, clasped his hands in his sleeves, leaned forward, and slightly hunched over. However, compared to when he first entered the city, he looked much more relaxed, his whole person appearing loose and lazy.

Qin Zidu said, “The nicknames of the four cities are Result City, Boundless City, Attainment City, and Mountain Top City.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, somewhat absent-minded. Earlier, he had seen at the ford by the great river a high-crowned man, Long Bin, and further away followed a swordsman attendant who almost drew his sword. That must be Jiquan City. He simply wondered why the white-furred mind monkey was imprisoned on the rock in the heart of the water. Therefore, he absolutely had to go to this Attainment City of “chickens and dogs ascending to heaven,” even if the City Lord didn’t invite him.

“The Middle Four Cities are Baiyan City, Lingxi City, Chuigong City, and Taiping City. The nicknames are Useless City, First City, Genealogy City, and Jiazi City.”

Chen Ping’an had already visited Chuigong City. At that time, there was a weary man sitting on the steps outside the main hall, only turning his head to look inside the hall, without any intention of stopping him.

Riding the wind past the sky bridge, there was a simple girl and a deer-antlered boy standing side by side, most likely from Lingxi City, also known as First City. Meaning that outside the boat, there is no “number one” in culture, yet on the Night Navigation Boat, there is one after all?

Qin Zidu spoke the final four cities, “The Lower Four Cities are Benmo City, Tuiquiao City, Zaxiang City, and Rongmao City. The nicknames are Absurd City, One-Character City, Struggle City, and Sensual City.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “How does one travel to other city gates?”

“Speaking only of Tiaomu City, just find a bookstore and use a verified item to exchange for a pass. Then, tell the owner which city you want to go to, and you can pass without hindrance.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly pinched the last character “Ting (亭)” on the deed, forcefully stopping the slow disappearance of the character, and smiled, “Miss Qin only mentioned the method of leaving Tiaomu City, which makes this deal unfair. What are the origins of the passes for the other eleven cities?”

Chen Ping’an spread out his palm, shook it, and then raised the deed in his other hand, “Hongmao City, Jiquan City, Baiyan City, Guiju City, Chuigong City, Lingxi City… Forget it, change this city to Rongmao City, cut it in half, for a total of six cities.”

Qin Zidu hesitated for a moment, held out her palm, bent two fingers, “At most three cities, and they must be Jiquan City, Baiyan City, and Benmo City. There’s no room for negotiation. I don’t believe Chen Swordsman can constantly hold onto this land deed.”

Jiquan City and Baiyan City had good relationships with Tiaomu City. Moreover, City Lord Liu of Jiquan City had intended to have this person visit them.

As for Benmo City, which was absurd everywhere and treasured its own things, had always had the worst relationship with Tiaomu City. Let this rule-breaking troublemaker go there and stir up trouble.

Chen Ping’an retracted his hands, inexplicably changing his mind, “Then let’s consider this deal undone. I’ll exchange it for a small question with Miss Qin. Which city is Shao Baojuan the City Lord of?”
Qin Zidu breathed a sigh of relief, saying, “It is Rongmao City, one of the lower four cities.”

Chen Pingan looked at her expression and asked with a smile, “Even with the guandie of Tiaomu City, you might not be able to reach Rongmao City now?”

Qin Zidu nodded.

Shao Baojuan, as the Lord of the City, could certainly refuse guests.

Chen Pingan released the deed of sale from his fingertips, and the words on both sides disappeared into the world.

However, the genuine cyan talisman remained in Chen Pingan’s hand.

Qin Zidu said bitterly, “It would be better if Sword Immortal Chen was truly the kind of rigid and inflexible person the City Lord believes him to be.”

Her implication, of course, was that this shrewd and calculating Mister Chen was acting like a sword immortal instead of a merchant, which was outrageous.

Chen Pingan smiled and said, “Precisely because I am not, I have been able to come here step by step, sitting on these Qieting Pavilion steps, speaking politely with Miss Qin, doing business to generate wealth harmoniously.”

Qin Zidu was puzzled but didn’t think too much about it. She just thought that this young sword immortal was spouting nonsense.

Chen Pingan stood up, walked down the steps, turned his head to look at the plaque, and said softly, “The name is well chosen. Life should pause at a pavilion, take it slow and don’t rush.”

Qin Zidu sneered, thinking that if he liked it so much, why would he do that deal and return this pavilion to Tiaomu City? A traveler being able to settle down here is like having an extra life-saving talisman. Du Xiucai and Qingniu Daoshi are all people who managed to amass their own fortunes with great difficulty. Moreover, compared to a tangible piece of land like Qieting Pavilion, things like “Another Heaven and Earth” just sound mysterious and look fancy, but they are still far inferior to this pavilion.

Now he only has that one phoenix leaf left. He can come here in the future, but Qieting Pavilion has already been returned to its original owner.

However, Qin Zidu vaguely remembered that when this person heard that their City Lord was Li Shilang on the streets of Tiaomu City, there was a bright light in his eyes.

But the young man quickly looked embarrassed, probably because he had always had a smooth cultivation journey and had never been publicly snubbed like that before? There was also a flash of dimness in his eyes, but it was fleeting, as if it had never been there. Qin Zidu had been annoyed by the ink merchant from Jiquan City at the time, and was also curious about this passing sword immortal from Tiaomu City, so she saw those subtle details clearly.

Qin Zidu inexplicably recalled another matter. It seemed that when the City Lord went to see that blue-robed sword immortal twice, the young outsider walked side by side with Li Shilang, hesitating to speak several times, but stealing glances at him out of the corner of his eye.

Only when the City Lord took out the deed of sale did the young sword immortal return to normal and start doing business.

Before the City Lord appeared on the street, the Vice City Lord had joked, saying that the young man seemed to have a steady temperament. Logically, he shouldn’t be so impatient. It seemed that he was quite upset by Shilang’s constant talk of ‘The Nature of Evil’ and telling him to get out of Tiaomu City.

A courtyard, less than three mu, with only one qiu of land, hence the name Mustard Seed.

Ning Yao stepped out with her sword, arriving at the gate of the small garden, her eyes sharp to an unusual degree, exceptionally unreasonable.

She had nothing to do with Tiaomu City or Li Shilang.

But Chen Pingan did.

Once upon a time, on the city wall of her hometown, under those three bright moons, Ning Yao sat beside that person. Whenever he had free time, he would often take out some of the books he treasured, mostly literary notes he had accumulated in his early years, including a *Painting Manual*. Chen Pingan had not told her anything about the Qingniu Daoshi, but he often lay on the city wall, taking out that painting manual to bask in the moonlight. Occasionally, he would look up and say to Ning Yao with conviction that Li Shilang was truly a celestial being. Except for one thing that could not be learned, his other knowledge was truly admirable. So he had carved that “Admonition on Making Friends” word for word on his bamboo slips. “Forget about the title of marquis, let’s get drunk together in the evening sun” was also beautifully written. Li Shilang’s distinction between academic articles and legendary operas was also very well explained, and it was similar to the logic of reasoning with people.

In particular, Li Shilang’s business acumen was superb. It was just that he was not so magnanimous about the matter of book merchants publishing books elsewhere. It was a pity that he couldn’t meet this Mister Li, otherwise he really wanted to ask this Shilang if he was so poor and down on his luck. Was it really true that good writing was resented by fate and could not achieve success? And also, when Mister Li was born, did he really encounter a celestial being who helped with fortune-telling? Was he truly a star descending to earth? Was it because the ancestral home was too light that he moved to the family ancestral hall and was able to be born smoothly? If Li Shilang was easy to talk to, he would also ask if Mister Li had repaired the ancestral hall after he became successful and brought glory to his family. Maybe he could nurture incense little people in the plaques of the two ancestral halls.

Ning Yao couldn’t understand why she had allowed him to ramble on endlessly on the city wall back then, was it really necessary?

Now that they had arrived at Tiaomu City and actually met Li Shilang, what would happen? Did he still want to ask Mister Li those past questions in his heart?

Li Shilang and the old scholar who served as the Vice City Lord walked out of the Mustard Seed Garden in the painting.

Li Shilang frowned and asked, “Is there something?”

Ning Yao nodded and said, “There is.”

Li Shilang asked with a smile, “What is it?”

Ning Yao turned to look at the white-haired old man and said, “It has nothing to do with the old gentleman. Please excuse the senior.”

The elderly scholar smiled and said, “Yes, yes, that’s how it should be.”

Li Shilang immediately reached out and grabbed his old friend’s sleeve. The old scholar waved his sleeve forcefully and left.

In an instant, the world was filled with sword light.

So much so that the entire Night Ferry was broken open by a huge hole by a sword light. The scholar on the mountain peak sighed and moved his mind slightly to mend the gap in the ferry.

Fortunately, the existence of this ferry was similar to the Sword Qi Great Wall of the past.

This was one of the fundamental principles of the Night Ferry. And the knowledge of the ferry that Chen Pingan comprehended in Tiaomu City, focused on the word “interaction,” was also one of them.

The monk on the futon also opened his eyes, stretched, and was about to get up. The middle-aged scholar smiled and said, “Not yet.”

The white-haired old man returned to his original position, unable to help but chuckle. He saw that City Lord Li Shilang was holding a tattered painting manual, and fragments of pages were constantly gathering from all directions of the world.

The old scholar marveled and joked, “Being asked about swordsmanship by the number one person in the world can also be considered a beautiful story for our Tiaomu City. Thinking about it this way, I’m reluctant to relinquish my position as Vice City Lord. I might as well continue for a few hundred years.”
At Stillness Pavilion.

Ning Yao took a step, returning to this place. She sheathed her sword and said, “I’ve looked at that Mustard Seed Garden, there’s nothing of interest.”

Chen Ping An smiled and nodded, rubbing his cheeks, feeling a touch of regret. “Is that so?”

Then, Chen Ping An was about to pick up the phoenix leaf, intending to take Ning Yao to the inn within the city. He only hoped that Little Millet wouldn’t emulate Pei Qian’s actions from back then, kowtowing upon their meeting.

Ning Yao suddenly said, “Aren’t you going to bid farewell to Miss Bi Yu?”

Chen Ping An was taken aback.

Qin Zidu forced a smile, his voice trembling, “No need.”

Chen Ping An flicked the phoenix leaf in his hand, and he and Ning Yao arrived at the city gate in a flash, walking together towards the inn.

While Stripe City had no curfew, it was considerably quieter than the bustling streets during the day. The street stalls were gone, and the shops were all closed. Only a few taverns remained lit, filled with noise and chatter.

Ning Yao was silent for a moment, then said, “I shouldn’t have drawn my sword.”

Chen Ping An grasped her hand. “It was a matter of indifference. There’s no should or shouldn’t.”

Ning Yao gazed at the streets on either side. “This is Stripe City, where knowledge can be sold for money?”

Chen Ping An nodded and smiled. “It’s excellent. Truly worthy of Li Shilang.”

As they reached the inn entrance, Pei Qian and Little Millet were waiting for them.

Little Millet, who had been feigning composure, suddenly became anxious. Her smile, strained from holding it for too long, looked foolish as she gazed at the woman beside her Benefactor Mountain Master. She tugged hard at Pei Qian’s sleeve and stamped her feet, her smile unwavering, as she said hurriedly, “Pei Qian, Pei Qian, maybe I should just kowtow, otherwise I feel like the etiquette isn’t enough.”

Pei Qian stood on tiptoe, waving to her Shifu and Shiniang from afar, whispering, “Really, you don’t need to.”

Little Millet could no longer maintain her smile, her face falling into a pout. “Really don’t need to?”

Pei Qian rubbed the little girl’s head gently. “Really, you don’t. When Cao Qinglang and Jing Qing are around, you can kowtow to Shiniang then to make up for it.”

The little girl scratched her face, remembering this.

Ning Yao flicked her wrist, and Chen Ping An had no choice but to release her hand.

Reaching the inn, Ning Yao first nodded to Pei Qian in greeting, and Pei Qian called out with a smile, “Shiniang.”

Ning Yao bent down and rubbed Little Millet’s head, smiling. “In my hometown, everyone knows Dumb Lake Wine, which can make many Sword Immortals drink until they can’t speak, only able to continue drinking.”

Little Millet nodded vigorously, then took a step back and quickly reached into her sleeve, pulling out a handful of melon seeds. She held them high above her head, offering them with both hands, and said loudly, “Mountain Master’s Wife, please enjoy melon seeds!”

Ning Yao was somewhat surprised.

Chen Ping An suppressed a smile.

In the Ten Thousand Mountains, on that mountain peak, a Fourteenth Realm cultivator and an Ascension Realm cultivator resided in nothing more than a thatched hut, presumably the Old Blind Man’s dwelling. It could be considered a place of cultivation. Now, they had taken in a first disciple who only acknowledged half a master, so there needed to be a place to settle down.

It wasn’t that Li Huai couldn’t endure hardship, but after wandering the world for so long, especially with Pei Qian, he had heard too many tricks and scams, seen the hardships of martial artists trying to make a living. He saw himself as having fallen into a den of con artists. How could he believe that the old man in yellow robes, with his nimble legs, was running around building a new thatched hut, splitting wood and chopping timber, when he was supposedly a dignified Ascension Realm cultivator doing such chores? No one believed it. At least, Li Huai didn’t.

Li Huai felt a pang of sympathy for the diligent Elder Longshan Gong and his lack of a permanent abode. Li Huai suggested building two rooms for the new thatched hut so they could live together, and he could lend a hand in building a dwelling that would at least provide shelter from the wind and rain.

However, when the old man in yellow robes heard that Li Huai wanted to help, he acted as if it were a matter of great principle, vehemently refusing, saying that the young master was of noble birth and should not touch such menial tasks. He also said he wouldn’t dare live with the young master, as it would only disturb his studies, and the fence was quite cool.

So, while the old man toiled away, Li Huai squatted beside him, chatting. He learned that the Ascension Realm elder, whose Daoist name was Longshan Gong, but temporarily called himself Oulu, had wandered the Vast World for over a decade, just to have a few words with him. Li Huai couldn’t help but ask what the elder was seeking. The old man nearly shed ten pounds of bitter tears as he chopped wood, his expression as desolate as a lonely mountain peak.

It turned out that the old man in yellow robes, although now known as Longshan Gong, had taken on countless forms and names in the Desolate World, such as Taoting, Hejun, Gengyun, and now Oulu… all sounding quite refined.

However, Li Huai never knew what the old elder said wrong, but a series of firecracker sounds would inexplicably erupt, and the old man would be forced to reveal his true form, rolling around on the ground, or the Old Blind Man, his half-master, would kick him off the mountain. After such hardships, the thatched hut was finally built, with only Li Huai’s residence. Because the opposite room became Li Huai’s study, Li Huai glanced at the headache-inducing books, and the old man asked if he was missing any books, offering to find and supplement them, even rare and precious editions, as long as they existed in the Desolate World. Li Huai then realized that there was a reason why this old elder couldn’t make it in the world. Was Li Huai the type to study?

Today, the old man in yellow robes, who had given himself the alias “Wu Fengshi” in that study, moved a chair to sit at the door, not daring to disturb his young master’s pursuit of sagehood. After a long silence, seeing Li Huai put down his book, rubbing his brow, the old man sincerely admired him. “Young Master is not old, but his state of mind is truly stable, indeed innately divine. Unlike me, I’ve lived for several thousand years, truly living like a dog.”

As for why he named himself Wu Fengshi, it was naturally to seek good fortune. He hoped that with an extra Li Huai, he could share some luck and things would go his way.

Li Huai put down his book and said honestly, “I didn’t take the matter of taking me as a disciple or my apprenticeship seriously. Regardless of why the Old Blind Elder wanted to take me as a disciple, I’m still the same me. If I disappoint him, I’m sorry, what else can I do? If I don’t disappoint him, I’ll naturally be happy. The Old Blind Man, my half-master, doesn’t need to thank me anyway, we’re already half-master and disciple, why be so polite.”

Hearing the word “blind” every other word, the old man in yellow robes trembled in fear. It was likely that Li Huai would be fine, but he was sure to suffer.
The old man felt compelled to act. He hastily rose, dusted off his sleeves, and scattered a pile of objects onto the desk.

From the osmanthus groves of the frigid Guanghan Mountain, he had carefully cut strips and extracted the essence of Mars’ fiery star, forging a brush rest.

A calligraphy copybook in cursive script lay open, inscribed with a poem and a painted illustration. Within the painting was a coral brush rest. The old man pinched the depicted rest with two fingers, and astonishingly, it materialized, gently placed upon the desk.

There was also an inkstone carved from ancient dragonwood, its inscription boasting a grand spirit: “Nourishes jade bones, a treasure for millennia. Its master’s use brings forth wondrous light.”

And a jade-green lotus pond brush washer, signed “Tender Daoist,” its brushstrokes gentle, delicate, and endearing.

Li槐 questioned, “Senior, what are you doing?”

Li槐 could roughly discern the quality of the items on the table.

But this only made Li槐 groan inwardly. Was there no end to this? He came here to enjoy the scenery, but was forced by the old senior to pretend to read books every day. Did he now have to cultivate refinement and practice calligraphy and painting?

The yellow-robed elder wore a fawning expression, saying, “Young Master is a once-in-a-millennium scholar. These small gifts are merely tokens of my respect, hardly worthy of your notice.”

It was difficult to imagine that this was a renowned Ascendant Realm great demon of the desolate Wildlands.

Among the former king seat demons, he was well acquainted with that hussy Fei Fei, the yellow oriole who had once been a brother and then turned against him, and the old deaf one.

He even had some history with the little girl from Gold Emerald City.

Even that old Dong fellow from the Sword Qi Great Wall had been chased and bitten by him during his travels through the Wildlands.

As for A Liang, there was no need to mention him. Every time that dog passed through the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the old blind man would let him loose.

Therefore, his most famous alias was Tao Ting.

Tao Ting in the Wildlands, Gu Qingsong in the Vast World.

Both of them were somewhat well-known in their respective worlds.

The old blind man, with his hands clasped behind his back, entered the thatched hut and glanced at the objects on the table. He frowned at the watch dog and said, “So flashy. Bringing bones home from every street, are you courting death?”

Hearing this, the yellow-robed elder’s eyelids twitched violently. He had sincerely and earnestly offered assistance, only to have his loyal and passionate heart doused with cold water.

Li槐 stood up, helping the old senior out of his predicament. He smiled and asked, “You don’t even have a name. We can’t really call you Old Blind Man every day, can we?”

The old blind man laughed, “Old Blind Man is fine. Just call me that.”

Li槐 gave a thumbs-up, saying, “More and more to my liking! You’re almost half a master already!”

The yellow-robed elder glanced at the old blind man, whose wrinkled face was almost breaking into a smile, then looked at Li槐, who seemed to survive courting death every time. Finally, thinking about his own bleak situation, he felt that life was truly unbearable.

That day, the mountain peak was filled with a rare hint of domesticity. In the end, a large pot of stewed meat was placed on the table, steaming and fragrant.

At first, Li槐 felt uneasy and hesitant to use his chopsticks, but when he saw the old blind man taking the first bite and the yellow-robed elder following suit without any hesitation, Li槐 joined in without reserve.

The old blind man glanced askance, and the yellow-robed elder immediately prepared to take his bowl and leave the table. Li槐 placed one leg on the long bench, picked up a large chunk of dog meat with his chopsticks, slammed the table, and exclaimed angrily, “What’s the matter, Old Blind Man? Are you not showing any brotherly loyalty?!”

Li槐 then smiled at the old senior, helping him stand his ground, saying, “Don’t get up. Let’s just sit and eat. Don’t mind the Old Blind Man. We’re all family. Why put on airs all the time?”

After all, he was eating their food.

Of course, it wasn’t actually dog meat scraped from the yellow-robed elder’s body. There were quite a few delicacies in this Hundred Thousand Mountains. Otherwise, Li槐 wouldn’t have dared to take a single bite, feeling too horrified.

The yellow-robed elder thought for a moment and decided that it would be more peaceful to take his bowl outside the door, to not be an eyesore, and at least be able to eat a full bowl. Unexpectedly, the old blind man sneered, “Not eating the meat on the table, are you going outside to dig dirt and eat shit?”

The yellow-robed elder felt a mixture of joy and sorrow. He could only silently lower his head and eat the meat. Hmm, it tasted pretty good. The saltiness was just right. Li槐’s cooking skills were indeed excellent.

The old blind man didn’t eat much, savoring each bite. He suddenly said, “When Li槐 returns to his hometown this time, you will follow him. Weigh the importance and dangers yourself. If you do it well, the old debts will be cleared.”

As for what would happen if he didn’t do it well, the old blind man didn’t bother to say.

The yellow-robed elder nodded vigorously. Seeing Li槐 pick up a chopstick and place a piece of meat for the old blind man, who was sitting in the main seat, he followed suit and quickly placed a large piece of meat for Li Da-ye.

He suddenly realized that following Li Da-ye wasn’t bad at all. Wasn’t he already sitting at the same table as the Old Blind Man, eating meat from the same pot?

However, the observant yellow-robed elder later noticed that every time Li槐 picked up chopsticks to give to the old blind man, it was as if he was giving it to another old man.

The young man’s face was smiling and his mouth was spouting nonsense, but he was still not cunning enough, because his eyes didn’t hide his words.

In the sky above Central Earth Continent, a figure the size of a mustard seed suddenly appeared, falling straight down.

During the descent, the man spread his hands and spun continuously.

He landed gracefully, striking a bowing pose.

One hand, with two fingers joined together, pressed against his forehead, while the other hand was open and pointed backward.

As for whether this pose was elegant in the eyes of outsiders, it was hard to say.

Anyway, it was an entrance method that he had thought about for a long time.

But this was actually on the square of the Central Earth Confucian Temple!

A Confucian Temple attendant saint merely glanced at him and chose to ignore him, also telling the nearby gentlemen and sages not to pay attention to this person and not to try to get close to him.

Only an old scholar happily left the Merit Forest and appeared here, being very supportive. He turned his head, covered his face with one hand, and waved, saying, “Where did this handsome young man come from? Quickly, tone down your extraordinary bearing and majestic steps.”

The man’s face was full of grievance. He shouted “Old Scholar” and the two quickly walked towards each other. The two clasped hands, and the old scholar sighed repeatedly, shaking them vigorously, “Back then, I befriended so many people, but only you truly understood me with a few words.”

The man sighed, “One handshake in a crowd of ten thousand makes my sleeves fragrant for three years.”

Did he want to compete with poetry? The old scholar was truly forgetful, choosing the wrong opponent.

The old scholar’s eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice and said, “I’ve never heard that before. Where did you copy it from? Can I borrow it?”

The man looked embarrassed and said, “My humble work, a spontaneous inspiration, taken from my feelings. Take it, take it. What’s the need to be polite between brothers?”

Borrowing it to anyone was still borrowing, the scolding could be taken together.

The two embraced, only lacking the pose of two unfortunate brothers about to cry in each other’s arms.
The wizened old scholar vigorously thumped the man’s back, marveling, “Ah-Liang, my old brother, these sinews of yours are even more robust than before!”

The scruffy man with a face full of stubble wailed, “Old Scholar, oh Old Scholar, how I’ve missed you! This little brother nearly kicked the bucket, and even after shedding that tortoise shell, life’s still been bitter. Just thinking about it brings forth tears of a mighty man!”

The Old Scholar thumped the man’s back with even more force, “Hardship, we’ve both suffered hardship, old friend! It’s not been easy, not easy at all!”

Ah-Liang coughed and asked, “Old Scholar, why do you seem thinner, yet heavier? Could it be due to the vast landscapes within your heart and the world you hold in your thoughts?!”

The Old Scholar released his hand, grumbling, “Always speaking such embarrassingly truthful words.”

Ah-Liang spat and smoothed his hair, which was sparse, barely enough to tie into a small topknot.

It couldn’t be blamed on him for disliking visiting this place; there wasn’t a single maiden to be found.

As the undisputed descendant of the Four Great Surnames, a scion of a Sage’s lineage, he rarely ventured here of his own volition.

Moreover, each time he was brought here, it was either to confront someone in a debate or to offer apologies.

Only the Old Scholar was never idle, always the first to jump out, deliberately siding with the other party, as if everyone but them had suffered a great injustice. The Old Scholar had the loudest voice, shouting the most fiercely, fanning the flames, either sarcastically helping his opponents speak or making harsh threats, saying he should be killed outright, that being imprisoned in the Hall of Merit for a few years wasn’t enough.

Anyway, Ah-Liang had grown accustomed to it. As long as the Old Scholar was present, he would sincerely bow his head and apologize, becoming enraged with anyone who tried to stop him. But in the years before the Old Scholar became a Sage enshrined as an attendant, Ah-Liang would never have been so agreeable, often ignoring requests from the Confucian Temple. Even if the Second Sage himself brought him to the Temple to answer for his actions, he would, at most, remain silent, letting them do whatever they pleased.

Today, Ah-Liang didn’t need to apologize to anyone, and the Old Scholar seemed somewhat lost without anything to do. He sighed and then asked, puzzled, “Why so late? Didn’t you return to the Great Continent long ago? What were you doing wandering around the Flowing Dusk Continent?”

Ah-Liang pointed to the top of his head, lamenting, “I needed to grow some hair, at least a little, or I wouldn’t dare go anywhere. I’d only make the ladies feel sorry for me. I first arrived at the Flowing Dusk Continent, thinking to reminisce with Sister Congqian. But unexpectedly, she wasn’t home; I heard she had gone to the old site of the Rain Dragon Sect and hadn’t returned home in years. So, I asked Sister Congqian’s disciple to send a message by flying sword. A reply came quickly, brief and to the point, just two words: ‘Waiting!’ Old Scholar, tell me, isn’t that brimming with sincerity?”

The Old Scholar stamped his foot, helping Ah-Liang lament, “Then you should have waited!”

Ah-Liang chuckled, “Wait? I feared that one meeting, after being separated for so long, Sister Congqian wouldn’t be able to restrain herself.”

The Old Scholar chuckled along.

Ah-Liang suddenly fell silent, looking at the frail old man who had never been tall.

The Old Scholar couldn’t go anywhere now.

It was different from being confined in the Hall of Merit in the past.

Together, they walked towards the steps in front of the Confucian Temple and sat down.

Ah-Liang recounted some interesting events from his journey, saying that in a certain restaurant on the Flowing Dusk Continent, he imitated the Old Scholar from years ago, eating and drinking without paying. When they refused his IOU, he angrily demanded a brush. After the writing implements were provided, he wrote several characters with great vigor, putting more effort into them than carving on the city walls, to help them write the nameplate. But the manager didn’t recognize their worth, and demanded payment for the food, drink, and the paper, so he had to leave an unpaid debt.

He also said that at a celestial dock full of fluttering colorful skirts and embroidered shoes, he coincidentally overheard a group of people talking about him, making him feel somewhat embarrassed. Especially two young ladies, whose beautiful eyes seemed to be filled with both “Ah-Liang” and “Big Brother”, making him feel intoxicated as if he had drunk fine wine. And as for him, the Old Scholar knew best, he couldn’t stand others praising him so wildly, so he straightened his clothes, held up an empty wine bowl, and approached them with a sincere word, saying that the Fourteenth Realm Sword Cultivator was nothing special, not much…

As a result, he was praised as a bald head, and they even asked why he didn’t just say that Second Master Dao isn’t truly invincible?

Since they had already said the words for him, he had no choice but to sit there for a while, listening to the drinkers chat for a few more sentences. They chatted happily, he was busy calling them brothers, and sneakily ate some snacks. Finally, he couldn’t stand the admiring gazes of the girls, worried about attracting some unnecessary romantic debts, so he put down his wine bowl and left the tavern. He made a deliberate stop, looking up at the setting sun, then took another well-calculated stride, walking alone on the street, leaving behind a lonely figure that broke the hearts of women, and… that forgotten wine debt?

The Old Scholar gently patted the man’s knee, praising, “Impressive, your style remains, and you weren’t beaten to a pulp.”

Ah-Liang laughed heartily.

The scruffy man with sparse hair told the Old Scholar many interesting stories from his travels.

He said he went to the Heavens and saw Old Yu, who was working hard to merge with the River of Stars. He didn’t talk about the Fourteenth Realm, lest Old Yu, who was getting old and had mediocre cultivation talent, be saddened.

He only said that he had always been jealous of all his friends for having such a handsome, suave friend, while he, Ah-Liang, didn’t. After hearing this, Old Yu was speechless for a long time, probably feeling ashamed and inadequate.

However, Old Yu finally said something that sounded like a scholar.

He said that what an old man yearns for is his hometown, his home, and even more so, his childhood and youth.

Ah-Liang didn’t mention his last stop on the Flowing Dusk Continent.

It was a desolate mass grave in the wilderness, devoid of even the slightest spiritual energy, let alone baleful aura. The man sat cross-legged, hands clasped into fists, gently resting against his knees, not speaking, not drinking, just dozing until dawn. As the sun rose and the world brightened, he opened his eyes, as if it were a new day.

Regardless of what Ah-Liang said.
The old scholar sat to one side, listening intently. It was always like this, regardless of whether others spoke sense or nonsense, of great or small matters, whether interesting or dull. The old man was always earnest and patient, waiting for others to finish before speaking his own mind.

Perhaps only an old man like this could teach such disciples: the eldest, Cui Wei; Zuo You; Qi Jingchun; Jun Qian; and the closed-door disciple, Chen Ping’an.

A’Liang softly asked, “Has that dullard Zuo You not returned from beyond the heavens yet?”

The old scholar hummed in acknowledgement.

Beyond the heavens, where fists and swords were unfettered…

Around the two suspended figures, sparks of light shimmered, each a distant star.

A little girl with pigtails, holding her own severed wrist, fiddled with aligning the wound while glaring at the figure. “Enough already?! You insist on stopping me from going to the wild Desolate World?! Believe me, if you anger me, I’ll plunge headfirst into the Southern娑婆洲 or the Tongye Continent and utterly ruin your pathetic teacher!”

Dressed in a green robe, expressionless, holding a sword in one hand, his sword Qi now unrestrained, Zuo You replied, “I beg you to go.”

Having hastily and sloppily reattached her slender wrist, Xiao Xun swung her arm and grinned brightly. “Then I won’t bother your teacher. I’ll find another place. How about I visit our esteemed Hidden Official at Fallen Phoenix Mountain in Treasure Bottle Continent?!”

Zuo You delivered a sword thrust.

At a ferry crossing in the wild Desolate World, the Mohist Grandmaster who, along with the erudite Chen Chun’an, had defended the Southern娑婆洲, was there alone, building a city and guarding it single-handedly, without neglecting either task.

A burly man, accompanied by a little demon spirit, had come to the Desolate World from the Sea of归墟, and was now traveling through it. Along the way, he deliberately avoided the local powers, only observing the landscape.

Liu Shiliu looked up at the strange city that “grew on its own.”

Beside him, the little demon spirit, who styled himself the Whirlwind King, was a child-like figure carrying a large bundle on his back. Not at his master’s insistence, but because it held all the little spirit’s precious belongings. He stood timidly at the edge of the ferry crossing, whispering, “Master, the books say it’s best to avoid trouble. Looks like we have to take a detour.”

The little demon spirit couldn’t help complaining, “Walk, walk, walk, Master. When will it end?”

Liu Shiliu chuckled, “Originally, I wanted to bring you to meet your Little Martial Uncle, but that’s not happening now. Looks like we’ll have to travel even further.”

The little demon spirit sighed, “Annoying, annoying, annoying. I wish I could meet Little Martial Uncle sooner.”

Liu Shiliu smiled and nodded, “Once we cross the Great Wall of Sword Qi, Master will find a ferry, and things will be easier.”

The little demon spirit said, “Master, I don’t have any immortal money!”

Liu Shiliu ruffled the little fellow’s head. “Just like your Little Martial Uncle. Never ambiguous about big matters, but stingy with the small things.”

The little demon spirit suddenly became uneasy and whispered, “Master, I’m just a little demon spirit. Little Martial Uncle is the Great Hidden Official of the Great Wall of Sword Qi. Will he look down on me?”

Liu Shiliu smiled, “Of course not. He’s your Little Martial Uncle.”

The little demon spirit hesitated. “What about Big Martial Uncle? Martial Uncle Qi? I really can’t see them anymore?”

Liu Shiliu hummed in agreement. “It can’t be helped.”