Feng Xuetao inquired, “Why did you bring me here?”

A Grand Cultivator of Haoran World, wishing to ascend to another realm, faced numerous restrictions. First, permission from the Confucian Temple was required, followed by assistance from Confucian Sages stationed at the celestial barrier to open the gate. Otherwise, one could easily get lost, inadvertently venturing into various bizarre extra-terrestrial secret realms, from which return would be exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, the process of ascension and distant travel was fraught with peril, demanding interaction with the River of Time, a manifestation of the Great Dao, radiant with the colors of the spectrum. A single misstep could result in a significant depletion of cultivation, shortening the cultivator’s lifespan. Therefore, this journey to the Great Wall of Sword Qi, “hand in hand” with A-Liang, was remarkably smooth for Feng Xuetao, thanks to A-Liang’s guidance. As for why A-Liang didn’t choose the Upside-Down Mountain ruins gateway to reach this desolate world, Feng Xuetao didn’t bother asking, presuming it was the latter displaying his profound swordsmanship.

A-Liang said, “You are not quite the same as that Qinggong Taibao.”

Feng Xuetao sneered, “Not the same? Not the same in getting slashed by Zuo You’s sword?”

A-Liang chuckled, “Quite the temper, aren’t we?”

Nan Guangzhao, Jing Hao, Feng Xuetao.

The Daoist titles of the three Ascension Realm cultivators – Tianqu, Qinggong Taibao, Qingmi. Each more impressive than the last.

“I don’t even have one.”

A-Liang felt a pang of melancholy at this thought.

Feng Xuetao, the man at his feet, shared a personal vendetta with the Old Sword Immortal Zhou Shenzhi of the Central Earth Divine Continent. Feng Xuetao, originating from the wilds as a rogue cultivator, had earned his Daoist title, Qingmi, through less-than-savory means. Underhanded deeds and moral failings were undoubtedly abundant in his past.

Jing Hao, on the other hand, was a purebred celestial master from a distinguished lineage, born on the mountain, a natural-born cultivator, whose journey had been exceptionally smooth. When the demon races of the Wilderness shattered the mountains and rivers of Golden Armor Continent, landing on the southern shores of Flowing Haze Continent, Jing Hao’s ancestral hall deliberated. Initially, the consensus leaned towards deploying at least half of the sect’s cultivators above the Dragon Gate Realm to the south, resolved to fight to the death. Some were elderly, with little hope of further advancement, while others had lost loved ones in the Flowing Haze Continent. Therefore, this expedition to slay demons was both for a righteous cause and a personal vendetta.

However, the Flowing Haze Continent’s leading sect unexpectedly chose to seal its mountain gates, refusing to participate. This decision drew criticism from the outside world, and even within the sect, it was met with confusion.

Rumor had it that the sect leader, initially intending to lead the expedition, had abruptly changed his stance at the conclusion of the ancestral hall’s deliberations, influenced by the secret instructions of the Old Ancestor, Jing Hao, to preserve strength. They would wait until the demon horde advanced north, reaching their mountain gates, then exploit their advantageous position, emulating Liu Tui’s Heavenly Ballad Village in Floating Leaves Continent and Lotus Flower City in Tongye Continent, holding their ground defensively, acting more prudently, and still contributing to their homeland.

If the Flowing Haze Continent fell, they would strive for self-preservation. If Haoran World triumphed, the vast southern territory, cleansed of demonic forces, would present the sect with a golden opportunity for expansion, annexing vassals, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

As for how this “untransmittable to six ears” information leaked to the outside world, it was because the sect leader was immediately stripped of his position upon the Old Ancestor’s emergence from seclusion, held accountable for his dereliction of duty during the war. As sect leader, he lacked responsibility, disgracing the portraits of the past patriarchs, and was sentenced to a century of solitary confinement and repentance.

Feng Xuetao asked, “Can you come down and talk?”

At this Great Wall of Sword Qi ruins, besides a Confucian Temple Worthy Sage stationed here, several Grand Cultivators from various continents, garrisoning this place, were also watching the spectacle with interest.

A-Liang complained, “You tell me to come down, and I come down? Don’t I have any face? You are just stupid. If you told me not to come down, you’d see if I would or not.”

Feng Xuetao had no choice but to revert to his earlier rogue cultivator persona. “Whatever, I’m just a wild cultivator, why would I need face?”

A-Liang didn’t embarrass Feng Xuetao too much, drifting down to the ground, sitting on the edge of the wall, his heels lightly tapping against the surface, and produced a flask of wine.

Feng Xuetao hesitated for a moment, squatted down, looked towards the south, and asked, “Is that Old Blind Man’s Hundred Thousand Mountains?”

A-Liang nodded. “Consider it my territory, I often go there to drink and eat meat. Old Blind Man took eighteen of my sword strikes back then, and admired my swordsmanship immensely. He said that if I weren’t so handsome and youthful, he would have mistaken me for Chen Qingdu, exerting himself fully with his sword.”

Feng Xuetao ignored these words, letting them enter one ear and exit the other, only concerned with his own thoughts. “A-Liang, why did you stop Zuo You’s sword? I could have just stood still and taken the strike, at worst my cultivation level would have dropped.”

A-Liang said, “In my memory, you wild cultivators are all good at calculations. If you want to have your cultivation level drop, go to the south. Doing it in Haoran World will not sound good and will ruin your reputation.”

Feng Xuetao asked, “So I don’t understand, why did you help me?”

A-Liang said, “Do you remember the autumn hunt in the sixteenth year of a certain dynasty in the Central Earth Divine Continent? That dynasty ordered several vassal states, joining forces with several neighboring countries, all the registered celestial masters, plus mountain and water deities, to hold a grand mountain-searching hunt, slaughtering spirits and monsters on a massive scale?”

Feng Xuetao was expressionless. “I don’t remember.”

A-Liang said, “I remember. There was a rogue cultivator passing by, who started a fight, beating up two immortals, making those registered celestial masters lose face.”

Feng Xuetao asked, puzzled, “Why bring up such a trivial matter?”

He just disliked the ways of those registered celestial masters, young in age, but each was prematurely aged, cunning and slippery, adept at scheming.

A-Liang drank his wine, and said casually, “If the celestial sects where cultivators gather are just moving the officialdom of the lower world onto the mountains, I think it’s very boring.”

Feng Xuetao simply squatted there, feeling somewhat bored.

A-Liang turned his head. “Can you muster that kind of courage to prove that the Confucian Temple was wrong about you, and that Zuo You’s sword struck the wrong person?”

Feng Xuetao sneered, “Forget it. To be honest, I don’t think I was wrong, but I don’t think they were wrong either.”

A-Liang rubbed his chin, and sighed, “There isn’t a single wild cultivator above the Upper Five Realms in the world.”

Feng Xuetao felt a sense of resonance.

“That son of a bitch, if he’s willing to talk seriously, he’s not as awful as the rumors make him out to be.”

A-Liang asked, “Have you ever had any sword cultivator friends in your life?”

Feng Xuetao shook his head. “Plenty of drinking buddies. No confidants.”

To be precise, he no longer had any. Long ago, he had once had one.

A-Liang stood up and laughed loudly, “Then I must congratulate you!”

Feng Xuetao knew something bad was about to happen.
As expected, Ah Liang said with a serious face, “As long as you accompany me to slaughter through the Savage Lands, you’ll have a swordsman friend.”

Feng Xuetao gave a wry smile, “Is there really no choice?”

Slaughter through the Savage Lands? He, Feng Xuetao, wasn’t Bai Ye.

Ah Liang said earnestly, “Just rest assured, can’t I even protect an Ascendant Realm cultivator?”

Feng Xuetao sighed deeply, already contemplating how to escape. But then he remembered that this Savage Lands world seemed like this damned fellow knew it far better than he did. How could he possibly flee?

That man tossed aside the empty wine gourd, pressing his hands against his forehead. “He who carves through the Savage Lands of the Great Inheritance, the swordsman Ah Liang.”

He wouldn’t wait for Sister Lu Zhi. He had to leave her with a dashing and majestic silhouette.

Feng Xuetao gathered his scattered thoughts, sighed, raised an eyebrow, gazed south, and after a moment of silence, a hint of a smile appeared. Mimicking Ah Liang’s manner of speaking, he muttered to himself, “A wild cultivator from Azure Depths, Feng Xuetao of Snowy Isle.”

Over at the Parrot Isle’s Sundries Shop, after browsing through the ninety-nine rooms, Chen Ping’an couldn’t say he was returning fully loaded, but he had gained quite a bit.

Chen Ping’an asked Liu Chicheng if he could help find a place to stay on the island. He planned to cook a meal for everyone. Liu Chicheng said, of course, no problem. He had countless friends on the mountain; not many didn’t know him, and none hadn’t heard of him.

That old tree spirit, calling himself the Old Heavenly Sovereign of the Southern City, seemed to have some immortal restraint on his body, temporarily unable to revert to his true form. About three inches tall, he was sitting on the tender Daoist’s shoulder, drinking in silence, casting a sidelong glance at the boastful Liu Chicheng, dressed in gaudy colors, and cursing him as effeminate.

As a result, Liu Chicheng grabbed him, kneaded him in his palm for a while, and then tossed him back onto the tender Daoist’s shoulder. The old tree spirit, as if drunk, was dizzy. He asked Li Huai, “You, surnamed Li, your confidant is being bullied. Aren’t you going to do anything?” Li Huai said he couldn’t.

The old tree spirit immediately stood up, hung the wine gourd on his waist, straightened his clothes, clasped his hands, and said, “This Immortal Master, in a pink robe, is truly unique, like a peerless beauty standing alone in the world…” Liu Chicheng found it sickeningly sweet and slapped down lightly. The old tree spirit held up the mountain peak with both hands, crying out in pain. Li Huai had to beg for mercy, and only then did Liu Chicheng retract his hand. The old tree spirit didn’t dare to curse the pink-robed Immortal Master, turned his head, spat, and suddenly remembered it was the tender Daoist’s territory, quickly wiping it away with his toe.

Li Huai remembered something and said to Chen Ping’an with his mind, “The Yang family’s apothecary left you a package. The letter said to go to his house to pick it up yourself.”

Chen Ping’an nodded.

Li Huai pulled out a yellowed book from his sleeve. “Falling Phoenix Mountain has risen to the ranks of a sect. I didn’t attend the ceremony. Was it dull and lacking? As a consolation prize, the old man gave me this. It’s full of messy scribbles. I don’t want to learn it, and I can’t learn it. Just looking at it gives me a headache. I’m giving it to you. Don’t despise it.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t stand on ceremony, taking it and saying, “I’ll borrow it. I’ll return it to you after I’ve read it.”

Li Huai said angrily, “Return it to me.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “You haven’t finished reading it yet.”

Chen Ping’an suddenly stopped and turned his head to look.

It was the old swordsman Yu Yue, who had also finished touring the Sundries Shop with the young men from the powerful clans. Besides the Xie Clan of Misty Cloud, there were also young women from the Zhu Clan of Immortals Haze, but they weren’t as likeable as the swordswoman Zhu Mei. He wondered how their seniority was calculated.

Yu Yue said with a smile to the young man beside him, “Xie Yuan, I’m in a good mood today. I’ll tell you a secret. Can you keep your mouth shut?”

This Snowy Isle Misty Cloud Xie Clan descendant, somewhat rogue-ish, said to his family’s chief retainer, “Promise Master Yu first. As for whether I can keep it shut, I’ll decide after hearing it. After all, it’s a matter of the body not being one’s own and the mouth not being controlled by the mind.”

Yu Yue said, “The person you most wanted to meet on this trip to the literary shrine, is right under your nose.”

Xie Yuan walked quickly. This handsome and unrestrained scion of a noble family, seemingly without any doubt, clasped his hands towards the azure-robed Sword Immortal but remained silent. At this moment, silence was more eloquent than words.

This was known as “Xie Yuan bowing to the Hidden Official for life.”

Chen Ping’an glanced at Yu Yue. The old swordsman said with his mind, “Lord Hidden Official, please be at ease. Xie Yuan looks unreliable, but in fact, this kid knows what’s important. Otherwise, the Xie Clan wouldn’t be grooming him as the next family head. He heard about Lord Hidden Official’s deeds through secret family channels early on and admired him greatly, especially the Spring Banner Retreat battle on Upside-Down Mountain. He even wrote a steamy novel, with Madam Rouge Cheeks of Plum Blossom Garden, Nalan Caihuan of the Great Wall of Sword Intent, and the female sword immortal Song Pin of Golden Armor Continent, all helping Lord Hidden Official sweep everything away. Lord Hidden Official, you may not know, but four or five out of every ten of the most widely circulated steamy novels on Snowy Isle in the last decade were written by Xie Yuan. There must be at least eighty or a hundred female cultivators who want to beat him up.”

Chen Ping’an clasped his hands in return to the young man, really wanting to knock down this “Jiang Shangzhen of Snowy Isle” with one punch.

After straightening up, Xie Yuan suddenly reached out, probably wanting to grab Chen Ping’an’s sleeve, but didn’t succeed. The young noble said dejectedly, “I wanted to absorb some immortal energy, so my writing would be inspired.”

Chen Ping’an reminded with a smile, “Young Master Xie, some books shouldn’t be circulated.”

Xie Yuan glanced at Madam Rouge Cheeks beside the young Hidden Official, nodding, all men understanding each other.

The two parted ways. Xie Yuan was going to visit a senior from a family friend who was staying at Parrot Isle.

The flower goddess with the nickname Ruifeng’er, full of joy, flew over to Parrot Isle, performed a curtsy to the young Hidden Official, and sincerely thanked him, saying that Master Zhang was not only not angry, but very happy.

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile, inviting the flower goddess to visit Falling Phoenix Mountain in the future.
In truth, back in their hometown, near Liu Xianyang’s ancestral home, a small water channel flowed, and nestled within the crevices of the rocks, a touch-me-not plant grew suspended in mid-air. It blossomed with flowers of five vibrant colors. In their younger days, many of the village girls would gleefully pluck the petals, grind them to a pulp, and dye their fingernails a bright crimson. Chen Ping’an never found it particularly appealing. Liu Xianyang often muttered about the flower’s presence near his home, claiming the elders had stories about its feng shui significance. Alas, a snot-nosed urchin, eyes filled with avarice, crept in under the cloak of night, armed with a small hoe, and stole it away. The next morning, Liu Xianyang stood dumbfounded, muttering curses. But that very evening, the snot-nosed thief, who had furtively replanted the touch-me-not elsewhere, was dragged back by the ear and forced to return it. To the utterly clueless Liu Xianyang, it seemed as if the touch-me-not had grown legs, taken a little trip, and then magically returned home. Overjoyed by its miraculous return, Liu Xianyang declared the flower truly strange. Chen Ping’an merely nodded, while the snot-nosed boy rolled his eyes.

Later, when Liu Xianyang and Chen Ping’an had both left to study and wander afar, returning as cultivators of the mountain, they realized that the once captivating touch-me-not was, in fact, quite ordinary.

Madam Tuoyan bid farewell to Chen Ping’an, taking the touch-me-not spirit along for another stroll through Bao Fu Zhai, having secretly taken a fancy to several items earlier.

Liu Chicheng strode to the entrance of a Parrot Isle mansion nestled on the hillside and forcefully rapped on the door knocker.

A timid young woman emerged. Her elders and several mountain friends were all in a state of high alert, not daring to come face-to-face with Liu Daochun of White Emperor City. Thus, she was sent forth.

As for the azure-robed Sword Immortal and the tender Daoist, the young female cultivator dared not even glance at them. Although she hailed from a reputable sect, she was in no position to act presumptuously before such formidable figures capable of challenging the heads of major sects.

Liu Chicheng smiled gently. “Young lady, I am a close friend of your elders. Would you be willing to let me borrow your residence to host some friends?”

The young cultivator nodded vigorously. Her master had instructed her to agree to anything Liu Daochun asked.

Liu Chicheng pinched a Grain Rain Coin between his fingers. “Young lady, after accepting this Grain Rain Coin, remember to return two Minor Heat Coins to me.”

Her eyes were filled with bewilderment, but she did not dare disobey. After receiving the Grain Rain Coin, she nervously fumbled in her sleeve for two Minor Heat Coins and handed them to the renowned Pavilion Master of the Glazed Tower.

Liu Chicheng chuckled. “If the beauty of the world were to be measured, with ten Minor Heat Coins as the peak, young lady, you possess eight coins’ worth of beauty. To meet you today is a fortunate encounter. This humble one’s eyes are refreshed and thoroughly delighted. May I ask for your esteemed name, place of residence, cultivation ground, and whether you have a Dao companion…”

Chen Ping’an approached Liu Chicheng and smacked him on the back of the head before apologizing to the young female cultivator, “We apologize for the intrusion.”

If he had known Liu Chicheng had so many mountain friends, he wouldn’t have asked.

The woman shook her head, speechless, and simply cleared the path leading to the entrance.

The cultivators within the residence had already departed through the side gate, not daring to fly. They reunited with the young female cultivator at the ferry crossing and left Parrot Isle directly by boat.

The woman felt uneasy, but her master chuckled in her mind, “You have rendered a service. The ancestral hall will record this.”

Upon entering the residence, in a secluded courtyard filled with cypress trees, Chen Ping’an first retrieved the fish basket from his sleeve, then opened the spatial item and skillfully took out his utensils, preparing to showcase his culinary skills for Li Baoping and Li Huai.

Li Huai and the tender Daoist brought out tables and chairs, while Liu Chicheng produced several jars of immortal wine.

A table full of dishes, several golden carp from the Yuanyang Shoal, steamed, braised, and stewed, all bursting with color, aroma, and flavor.

Chen Ping’an smiled, asking, “How is it?”

Li Baoping nodded. “Delicious.”

Li Huai declared, “Better than Pei Qian’s cooking by far.”

Liu Chicheng and the tender Daoist exchanged glances, feeling compelled to display some integrity and refrain from uttering such dishonest words.

Chen Ping’an glanced at the two, who were so absorbed in the food that they were rendered speechless, and nodded, feeling satisfied. Perhaps this was the epitome of profound beauty.

After the meal, Chen Ping’an had already put down his chopsticks, while Li Baoping was still savoring each bite, and Li Huai was still wolfing down his food.

Li Huai suddenly appeared embarrassed, leaned closer to Chen Ping’an, and lowered his voice. “Chen Ping’an, I’ve read a few books too. Can I haphazardly discuss some principles from the books with you? If I’m wrong, just listen and forget it.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Of course, feel free to speak.”

Li Huai still seemed uncertain, only daring to use sound transmission, secretly telling Chen Ping’an, “The books say that when a person possesses both high merit and profound insights, their life tends to be more tiring, because they expend both physical and mental energy. Now that you have so many identities and titles, I hope you can find some ways to relax, like… enjoying fishing is a good one.”

The young scholar’s eyes were filled with concern.

Li Huai had never been good at reasoning with people, and this was his best attempt.

Chen Ping’an nodded. “I’ll definitely take that to heart.”

Li Huai laughed heartily. Being able to reason with Chen Ping’an meant he truly could have become a sage!

Chen Ping’an made a fist and gently tapped his stomach. “All the good principles I see in books and hear from others, once they enter my stomach, they become my principles.”

Li Huai looked at him and said, “Chen Ping’an.”

Chen Ping’an asked, puzzled, “What is it?”

Li Huai grinned. “Your name is Chen Ping’an, so you must always be safe and sound. With you around, we’ll always think about finding a chance to get together, even if we have nothing to talk about.”

Without Chen Ping’an, it seemed everyone drifted apart more casually. Of course, they were still friends, but it just didn’t feel like they needed to reunite as often.

Chen Ping’an nodded with a smile.

Li Huai lowered his head and continued to eat.

No offense, Lin Mutou, they were all good friends, but he was a bit too indifferent and didn’t really care about reunions.

And then there was Yu Lu, whose name, when reversed, sounded like “Yu Lu,” perhaps alluding to “the remnants of the Yu clan remain,” or maybe expressing his resolve to never forget his origins, constantly reminding himself “I am a descendant of the Yu clan”? Back then, only Yu Lu had taken the initiative to stand guard with Chen Ping’an at night. Plus, Li Huai had always remembered Yu Lu sticking up for him at the Great Sui Academy and striking the hardest blow.
In truth, Li Huai missed them all dearly, of course, including Shi Jiachun and her shrewd calculations. He’d heard even her children were of an age to be discussing marriage.

Back on their journey, Li Huai was closest to Chen Ping’an, and also most afraid of him. Even as a child, Li Huai instinctively knew that Chen Ping’an was patient, good-tempered, and generous, always putting others before himself. If someone as kind as him started to get angry and ignore him, then he really wouldn’t be able to make it far on that long trip.

Water was scarce in the mountains, the sun beat down relentlessly, and finding a stream was proving difficult. Parched and with cracked lips, the young boy with his straw sandals and a wood-chopping knife said he would go and look. When Chen Ping’an returned, more than half an hour had passed. He was laden with bamboo tubes, filled to the brim with water.

Li Huai might forget many trivial matters, but he would never forget the feeling Chen Ping’an gave him, as if saying, “I’m here, it’ll be alright.”

At the time, Li Huai thought Chen Ping’an was just older and used to hardships, so he understood everything better. He was naturally more knowledgeable about navigating the mountains and rivers, and how to make a living from nature than a rich boy like Lin Shouyi.

But when Li Huai reached fourteen, he realized that wasn’t quite the case. Later, even when he grew another ten years older, reaching twenty-four…

No one wanted to deal with the most patience-draining trifles every day.

Li Huai always felt that taking care of other people’s hearts was exhausting.

He couldn’t do it, nor did he have the patience.

Fortunately, Mister Qi had found Chen Ping’an for them.

On their journey, there would always be a straw-sandaled youth with a wood-chopping knife at his hip, leading the way.

Walking the path of life alongside Chen Ping’an, one would feel safe and secure. Because Chen Ping’an always seemed to be the first to anticipate trouble, see trouble, and solve trouble.

Cui Dongshan once said that the simplest truths are the easiest to know, but also the hardest to truly make your own, because they enter the ear, pass the mouth, but never reach the heart.

That fellow had also said that many people succeed by luck, but many more, with real talent, manage to make their lives increasingly worse.

Liu Chicheng glanced at the woman in red, then at Li Huai.

The fearless owner of the Glazed Pavilion was filled with a mix of emotions.

The younger generation of the Liju Paradise was gradually being recognized by the mountains of Baoping Continent as the “generation of pioneers.”

However, because the “Mountain and Water Gazette” wasn’t well informed enough, many names were still missing.

But Liu Chicheng was different. He had personally walked through the town of Huaihuang County with the Long Bo old brother, and had witnessed that group of young people, each with their unique qualities.

If they didn’t talk about Li Liu and that woman.

There was still Chen Ping’an of Fallen Mountain, Liu Xianyang of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, Gu Can of White Emperor City, and Ma Kuxuan of Apricot Blossom Lane.

Song Jixin of Mud Bottle Alley, the Prince of Great Li. Zhao Yao of Fortune Street, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice in the Great Li capital. Xie Ling of Peach Leaf Lane, the direct disciple of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. And Lin Shouyi, who came from the Supervision Office.

Of course, there were also Li Baoping and Li Huai of Cliffside Academy.

Chen Ping’an smiled and asked, “Baoping, what have you been reading lately?”

Li Baoping shook her head and said, “I haven’t been reading. I’ve just been thinking about things.”

Chen Ping’an asked curiously, “What things?”

Li Baoping said, “One thing is I’ve been wondering why I lost the argument with Yuan Pang last time. I figured it out on the way here. But there are two other things that are difficult.”

Chen Ping’an smiled. “Tell me about them.”

Li Baoping thought for a moment and pointed to the table. “For example, books always say that literary thoughts flow like a spring. I’ve been pondering how scholars get their inspiration. I came up with a method, imagining a chessboard in my mind. In each square, I put a word to live there, like living in a house: sad, happy, lonely, angry, etc. It was hard to fill the entire chessboard, and now there’s another problem, because the visiting between all the words is very troublesome. Does a word move one square at a time, like Little Master-Uncle walking in Mud Bottle Alley, having to greet Song Jixin next door? Or can it move several squares at once? Directly to Gu Can’s or the Cao family’s ancestral home? Or can it just jump around? Can Little Master-Uncle jump from Mud Bottle Alley to Apricot Blossom Lane, to my front door on Fortune Street? Or if he wants to see peach blossoms, can he just go to Peach Leaf Lane to see Sister Taoye? I haven’t been able to figure out a rule. Besides that, if sadness and sorrow visit each other, is it addition? Then if sadness and happiness meet, is it subtraction? There needs to be a rule for all the addition and subtraction…”

Li Baoping swept horizontally, then put her hands up vertically, and then tilted them askew, as if overlapping two worlds. “Besides emotions, I thought of a second chessboard, with more concrete words, like small bridge, flowing water, gate, friend, book… With another chessboard, because many thoughts, besides staying in the squares, like thinking alone at home, definitely come from seeing something, which brings about that synesthesia, transference, and imagination…”

“While I was thinking about these things, I thought of something else, which is even more difficult. For example, books say ‘The Dao begets one.’ I assume this ‘one’ is a point, Little Master-Uncle, like this…”

Li Baoping’s thinking was very jumpy, and she spoke quickly, which made her seem very whimsical.

When she spoke of “The Dao begets one,” Li Baoping pinched her thumb and forefinger together, as if holding a mustard seed. She reached out and placed it in the air.

At the moment of saying “One begets two,” Li Baoping suddenly released it, and immediately there were horizontal and vertical lines crossing through the mustard seed. In an instant, countless straight lines sprung up…

Chen Ping’an instantly summoned a “Cage of Sparrows.”

This immortal inn, built on a high mountain in Heron Ford, was named Overcloud Tower.

Besides the reed marshes, there were large terraces of rice paddies at the foot of the mountain. Egrets flew around, sparrows grasped at the reeds, peaceful and serene, a scene of rural tranquility.

Fishermen on the water and farmers in the fields had long become accustomed to the rise and fall of the immortal ferries. Heron Ford was only a hundred li away from the nearest Green Mist Peak. These mortals at the foot of the mountain had lived in the Zhengyang Mountain area for generations, and had seen far too many mountain immortals.

Cui Dongshan personally brewed tea for his guests, the white-clad youth like a cloud, unforgettable at first sight.
After settling down, Tian Wan received a cup of tea from Cui Dongshan, but hesitated to drink it. After all, she was revealing her true self today. She had exhausted all her methods before, sending her Yin spirit on a distant journey, and her Yang spirit on an even further escape, coupled with illusion techniques, but unexpectedly, both were intercepted by the two people before her. Moreover, they seemed certain that her true self was still on Zhengyang Mountain, which left Tian Wan feeling utterly helpless. She had manipulated red threads and played with people’s hearts in Bao Pingzhou for many years, but for the first time, she felt that her calculations were no match for fate.

Cui Dongshan smiled, “This is tea that my teacher brought back from Xianyou County, Qingyuan Prefecture. It’s very rare, worth a fortune. I usually can’t bear to drink it. Sister Tian Wan, have a taste. If it’s good, no need to pay. If it’s bad, then you pay. After you drink the tea, we can talk business.”

Tian Wan sneered, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll send people to Xianyou County to follow the clues?”

Cui Dongshan said helplessly, “A clever person doesn’t say foolish things. Sister Tian Wan, this is very insincere.”

Tian Wan’s cleverness lay in the fact that she never did anything unnecessary, which was also the foundation of her ability to remain hidden in Zhengyang Mountain in Bao Pingzhou.

This junior sister of Zou Zi could make many intelligent people think she only had a little bit of cunning.

The Sect Master of Zhengyang Mountain, the Bamboo Emperor, the Jade Peak Realm Old Ancestor Xia Yuancui, the Tao Family Old Ancestor Tao Yanbo, and the sect’s Law Enforcer Yan Chu. These old sword immortals, famous throughout the continent, all felt that Tian Wan’s presence on the Ancestral Hall seat of Zhengyang Mountain was actually dispensable.

Jiang Shangzhen did not go over to drink tea. He stood alone by the railing of the viewing platform, watching the children playing and frolicking by the water. A group of children were in a circle, playing a tug-of-war with a flower commonly known as “Shy Girl.” A little girl with rosy cheeks won against her peers, grinning with a smile that revealed a cavity. Jiang Shangzhen’s eyes narrowed with a smile as he leaned on the railing, his gaze tender, and he softly said, “This morning’s flower battle won, smiles bloom from rosy cheeks.”

Cui Dongshan held out a hand, signaling Tian Wan not to be ungrateful, “Refusing to drink the tea offered in respect, is Sister Tian Wan determined to drink a forfeit?”

Tian Wan had no choice but to brace herself and drink the cup of tea. A moment later, her face turned pale. Even though she was prepared and had used a Mountain Sealing Secret Art, gathering spiritual energy in several vital acupoints, ready for the worst-case scenario of abandoning her physical body, the remaining traces of spiritual energy in her meridians were only wisps, originally negligible. But when this spiritual energy froze, it caused a stabbing pain. Eventually, the frozen spiritual energy, like rows of large floating wooden boats, gathered together, crashing and ramming in the “rivers” within her body’s small world, causing Tian Wan to frown slightly.

Jiang Shangzhen turned his head and smiled, “Old weather, old clothes, the white heron spies on fish, not knowing to conceal itself.”

Cui Dongshan cursed, “Why are you showing off your literary skills? Do you think Sister Tian Wan understands?!”

The next moment, Tian Wan’s face lost all color as she abruptly raised her head, staring intently at the white-robed youth, “Are you really not afraid of me dragging you down with me in mutual destruction?!”

It turned out that at the front of those “floating boats,” was an avatar of the white-robed youth’s mind, like a boatman pushing off with a pole, wearing a green bamboo hat and a raincoat, singing a verse from an evening fishing song.

Cui Dongshan rolled his eyes.

Within Tian Wan’s mind sea, the boatman took out a green bamboo fishing rod from somewhere, cast the line, and then pulled it up, directly drawing that “thought” out of her mind sea.

Tian Wan felt a moment of heart-wrenching pain and couldn’t help but clutch her chest.

The young boatman grasped the “fish” and shook his head, tsking, “As expected, it’s just to scare people.”

Cui Dongshan crushed the thought, casually tossing it back into the water, and continued to steer the increasingly numerous giant floating wooden boats under his feet, drifting away.

A good “white heron spies on fish, not knowing to conceal itself.”

Cui Dongshan said, “Shall we start talking business?”

Tian Wan was about to speak.

Within her mind sea, the boatman once again cast and retrieved his line, grasping another fish, and laughed heartily, “‘If Senior Brother were here, it would be good’? Sister Tian Wan is being unkind.”

Tian Wan hurriedly activated a “Heart Fasting” Daoist art, freezing the surging waters of her mind sea for thousands of miles, and freezing the previously swiftly drifting row of floating boats.

The young boatman folded his hands together, jumped down with a fish leap, landing headfirst on the ground with a thud. He flipped his head and feet, spread his hands, and landed on his feet, causing ripples of colorful light to spread across the ice surface. He squatted down, tapped the ice lightly with his fingers a few times, then slid sideways, tapping a few more times elsewhere. He seemed to be looking for a suitable place to fish, to hammer open a hole and cast a line to catch a big fish.

Cui Dongshan’s particle of divine thought turned his head, smiled, and finally it came.

In the distance, a sedan chair decorated with gold leaf appeared, somewhat similar to the so-called “ten-thousand work chair” of the common people, extremely luxurious and exquisite.

Without any bearers, the sedan chair floated over on its own.

Cui Dongshan stood up, smiling, “If I don’t unveil your bottom-of-the-box dowry, Sister Tian Wan will never be truly convinced.”

He looked around and asked loudly, “Where are Li Tuanjing and his Daoist partner?”

Lifting a corner of the sedan chair curtain, half of Tian Wan’s face was revealed, her palm clenching a mutton-fat jade toast token, “Here, I have the advantages of time, place, and people. Are you really confident you can defeat a Ascension Realm sword cultivator?”

Inside the sedan chair, was a luxurious boudoir, with golden sandalwood clothes racks, cypress wood “good fortune” wall hangings, a painting desk with a copy of Su Shi’s bamboo painting, a calligraphy scroll of Lu Chen, the Third Headmaster of White Jade Capital’s “Treatise on the Sword”, and a seal of unknown origin suspended in the carriage, with the four characters “My Dao is Not Alone” engraved on the base.

The young boatman, formed from a sliver of divine thought, frantically ran around the sedan chair, shouting, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me!”

Outside the mind sea, Cui Dongshan looked shocked, “Chief Zhou, what do we do? Sister Tian Wan says we definitely can’t beat an Ascension Realm sword cultivator!”

The white-robed youth opposite Tian Wan held his teacup, trembling.

Tian Wan was truly unable to bear the clumsy acting of the person before her. Was it even funny?

Jiang Shangzhen turned around, leaning against the railing, and asked with a smile, “Tian Wan, since when could we sword cultivators’ combat strength be arithmetically accumulated on paper? A few Nascent Soul sword cultivators add up to an Jade Peak? A few Jade Peak, an Immortal? And finally, such an Ascension Realm, is it really an Ascension Realm? I have little education and little experience, don’t try to fool me!”
Cui Dongshan had long anticipated Tian Wan’s trump card – a half-ascension realm sword cultivator, which Zhou Shifeng alone could handle. However, to truly reel in this big fish, Tian Wan, he needed to lend a hand.

Cui Dongshan set down his teacup and said, “Enough pleasantries, let’s talk business.”

Tian Wan was about to speak.

Cui Dongshan grinned, “Yes.”

Tian Wan was about to speak again.

Jiang Shangzhen produced a folding fan, gently fanning a cool breeze, and chuckled, “Brother Cui, as our Mountain Lord’s prized disciple, his words hold weight.”

Jiang Shangzhen added, “Besides, even if they didn’t, what could you do about it?”

Before Tian Wan could open her mouth,

Cui Dongshan continued, “You have no room to maneuver. If you want a chance at survival, you must agree to one thing.”

Jiang Shangzhen closed his folding fan and pointed to his wrist, saying, “Aren’t you fond of playing with destinies, meddling with marriages? Very well, refine this red thread, come for me. This Zhou will bear it all, and accept the consequences.”

Tian Wan, who hadn’t had a chance to speak, turned ashen, “Delusional nonsense!”

This move struck her vital point, seizing her very essence of Dao.

Tian Wan’s greatest apprehension was, of course, Jiang Shangzhen, who appeared to be a carefree romantic, but was in reality the most ruthless.

Had it been an ordinary man, such as Wei Jin or Liu Baqiao, those infatuated types, even if she were tied by a red thread, she would still be confident of escaping, perhaps even gaining some advantage.

But if she were entangled with Jiang Shangzhen, her fate would be far from pleasant. Especially when it involved the very foundation of her Dao, meaning that no matter how far apart they were, wherever she fled, even to another world, she would still be trapped in the prison of emotion. The most terrifying aspect was that the longer time dragged on, the deeper she would sink.

It was like tying a willow tree on the riverbank to a sturdy pillar in the middle of a raging river with an iron chain. The one who would suffer would certainly not be the pillar.

Jiang Shangzhen’s Dao heart was as steadfast as a rock, not to mention the turbulent torrents that surrounded him. Only she would suffer and endure hardship alone.

Jiang Shangzhen feigned sorrow, “Am I so unsightly? I even have a bit of a fortune, and I’m currently unattached, without a Dao companion on the mountain. How am I unworthy of Sister Tian Wan?”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “I told you long ago, Zhou Shifeng’s return to the ascension realm isn’t so difficult, is it?”

Jiang Shangzhen clasped his hands, raised them high, and shook them emphatically, “I am utterly convinced!”

Tian Wan seemed to randomly flip through the marriage registry, disrupting the sword Dao fortunes of the continent. But once she was connected to Jiang Shangzhen by the red thread, their relationship would be even closer than that of Dao companions on the mountain. It was somewhat similar to the pact between Chen Ping’an and Zhi Gui. If he hadn’t dissolved the pact, he could now share the water fortune and reap its benefits. Moreover, Chen Ping’an’s Dao was naturally inclined to water, making it even more beneficial. That was why Tian Wan had always thought that young man was not quite right in the head.

It seemed that it all made sense now. Only such a person would have such a student and disciple, and only Fallen Phoenix Mountain would have such a chief servant.

Tian Wan sighed and said, “I can provide all the information, all the secrets, of Zheng Yang Mountain in exchange for my freedom. As for the plot against Liu Xianyang, I’ll add an unrecorded cave heaven to compensate your Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Cui Dongshan smiled, “An unnamed cave heaven? Since it’s not among the seventy-two minor cave heavens, you have the nerve to offer it?”

Tian Wan’s face darkened, “Although this cave heaven is obscure, it can support the cultivation of an ascension realm cultivator. Within it is a Crimson Palace, even more mystical. There is also a Dan Stream, whose waters are exceptionally heavy, dark like jade, most suitable for alchemy. And there is a Crimson Pine Mountain, abundant with poria, lingzhi, ginseng, spiritual trees and immortal herbs, a treasure trove of natural resources. I know Fallen Phoenix Mountain needs money, a lot of immortal money.”

Jiang Shangzhen looked shocked, “Money?”

Cui Dongshan furrowed his brow, pretending to ponder, “Do we two lack it?”

Tian Wan was truly disgusted by these two oddballs.

Cui Dongshan narrowed his eyes and said, “Forget all that. If you bring out that Cicada Sloughing Cave Heaven, I might be willing to consider it.”

Tian Wan shook her head, “I don’t have it on me.”

A Cicada Sloughing Cave Heaven was one of the most important relics of ancient Shu. Legend had it that many ancient sword immortals had molted and ascended here, becoming immortals in broad daylight, their immortal hearts transforming, leaving behind their husks like cicada shells.

Cui Dongshan lamented, “Then there’s nothing to discuss.”

Tian Wan remained silent for a long time, then asked, “What exactly are you after?”

Cui Dongshan crossed his arms, “My teacher said you must return the sword techniques and fortunes to Treasure Bottle Continent. Everything must return to where it came from.”

Tian Wan sneered, “Return it to Treasure Bottle Continent? You mean hand it over to Fallen Phoenix Mountain, right?”

Cui Dongshan shook his head, his gaze pitiful, “A frog in a well talking about the ocean, a summer insect speaking of frost. Is it the time? Or the heart?”