Rumor had it that the woman before him called herself Ning Yao. Even if there were many with the same name in the world, Li Yuan wasn’t a fool. At least in the Sword Qi Great Wall that Chen Ping An had traveled to, there couldn’t be two Ning Yaos.

Li Yuan’s legs trembled, and he quickly grabbed Chen Ping An’s arm. This former Water God Lord of the Great River was unparalleled in his ability to fix things after the fact. Because he felt guilty, he didn’t dare look at Ning Yao. Li Yuan only said to Chen Ping An, with a sudden inspiration, “Chen Ping An, brothers are brothers, and the truth is the truth. You really don’t deserve Sword Immortal Ning.”

Could you just call her “Miss Ning” casually? You had to call her Sword Immortal Ning!

As for whether Sword Immortal Ning appreciated it, Li Yuan didn’t know and wouldn’t guess. Fortunately, Chen Ping An smiled happily and sincerely, probably thinking that what Li Yuan said was perfectly reasonable.

Only then did Li Yuan feel a little relieved. He turned around cautiously, straightened the collar of his water-patterned robe, bowed, and said, “Ji River Li Yuan, greets Sword Immortal Ning.”

Ning Yao formed a sword-spell gesture with one hand and said, “Ning Yao from Ascension City, greets Marquis Li of Ji River.”

Li Yuan had been promoted to Marquis of the Dragon Pavilion of the Great River, and in recent years, he had also been recognized by the Confucian Temple, as if he were a top-tier mountain official. So-called being among the immortals was nothing more than this.

Therefore, Ning Yao’s address of “Marquis Li” was a very appropriate and respectful way to address him.

Li Yuan’s face was full of bright smiles, which was true, but he was actually in great pain, which was even more true.

Why hadn’t anyone used immortal arts to copy down this glorious scene? Otherwise, he could frame the portrait and hang it in the main hall of his Marquis’s mansion to receive guests, using it directly as a plaque.

Regarding Ning Yao’s deeds and legends, there was actually a watershed moment. Before the great war that swept across the Vast Lands, the main thing people said about Ning Yao was that there were only three types of sword cultivators in the world: the sword immortal seedlings of the Sword Qi Great Wall who could reach the Nascent Soul stage within sixty years, the hundred-year Golden Core cultivators of the Vast Lands. And the last type, of course, was Ning Yao alone.

After the Fifth World was opened and the gate was opened, Ning Yao’s reputation soared to new heights. In fact, before the Confucian Temple closed, some small mountain rumors had returned to the Vast Lands, such as Ning Yao’s continuous breakthroughs without a doubt, like a hot knife through butter, which was dazzling. This meant that Ning Yao had gained the recognition of the Great Dao of that world. Therefore, the mountain peak cultivators of the Vast Lands had long been certain that this young female sword cultivator would be the foremost person in that entire world in the future.

This was no longer just about hoping for the Great Dao, because Ning Yao was destined to ascend to the Great Dao. That stone cave and iron workshop, no one should fight over them; they all belonged to her. It seemed that even before Chen Ping An had bought Floating Duck Island, the territory had already been divided up.

Chen Ping An lightly stamped his foot on the ground and smiled, “This Floating Duck Island was originally one of the three most suitable places for cultivation in the Small Grotto-Heaven, besides the main city island. According to the Water Dragon Sect’s estimation, the original price was two hundred Grain Rain Coins. Because the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven is shared by three forces, the Sublime Mystery Bureau and Floating Duck Sword Lake didn’t charge anything. The Water Dragon Sect accounted for 40%, so they quoted a price of eighty Grain Rain Coins. I was too embarrassed to bargain, and I’ve already sent a flying sword message to Fallen Phoenix Mountain to send the money over immediately.”

In fact, the Water Dragon Sect was initially unwilling to sell Floating Duck Island. A small number of ancestral hall meetings were more inclined to lease it, even if they agreed to three or five hundred years. However, they couldn’t withstand the successive secret letters from Floating Duck Sword Lake, the Sublime Mystery Bureau, and the Spirit Source Duke’s Manor, so they made an exception for this young mountain master of Fallen Phoenix Mountain in Treasure Bottle Continent. This wasn’t because the Water Dragon Sect was petty and cared about the amount of immortal money, but because it involved the Great Dao fortune of a Small Grotto-Heaven.

Earlier, when Chen Ping An was negotiating the deal at the Water Dragon Sect’s ancestral hall, he learned that Li Yuan, who came from a Water God background, was actually seated on the right-hand chair, and that the Jade Pure Realm cultivators Sun Jiezhi and Shao Jingzhi didn’t seem surprised by this.

Ning Yao hesitated for a moment and said, “When I came here, I brought some money with me.”

In Ascension City of the Five Colors World, the Spring Treasury would precisely calculate everything according to the war merits established by the sword cultivators. In addition, each breakthrough of a sword cultivator would also receive a sum of money from the Ascension City Spring Treasury for sword refining. But how was it calculated for Ning Yao? Marquis Gao Ye and the entire Spring Treasury, what else could they do but grit their teeth and calculate? For example, Ning Yao was the first Jade Pure Realm sword cultivator in Ascension City and even in the brand-new world, and she was also the first Immortal Realm and the first Ascended Realm… Moreover, they had to add the merits of slaying gods, especially the high-ranking ancient god, the One-Eyed. Plus the salary of a hidden official sword cultivator… The Spring Treasury cultivators, in the end, looked at the ledger opened solely for Ning Yao, both honored and heartbroken.

So now Ning Yao has become the biggest creditor of Ascension City. In simple terms, she is extremely rich.

Chen Ping An complained, “What are you talking about? There’s no such thing.”

Ning Yao glanced at Chen Ping An, then at the Dragon Pavilion Marquis, who was deliberately looking silly with his ears perked up. She smiled and said nothing. Why don’t you just scold loudly when you talk? Wouldn’t that make you look more like the head of the family in front of friends?

The group walked towards the existing immortal mansion.

This Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven in the Northern Passage Continent, plus Lion Peak and the Greenwater Pit at sea, were originally one of Li Liu’s summer palaces.

Li Yuan wasn’t sure if Chen Ping An knew about this now. Anyway, the last time Li Liu appeared here, Chen Ping An, as a fellow villager, seemed to have been kept in the dark at the time.

Li Yuan took out a jade pendant from his sleeve. One side was carved with a walking dragon pattern, and the other side was inscribed with the ancient seal characters “Steep Green Rain Aspect”. He handed it to Chen Ping An. Now that Chen Ping An was the owner of Floating Duck Island, both in terms of sentiment and reason, publicly and privately, Li Yuan should hand over this jade pendant, which controlled the island’s formation core, saying, “If it’s just to operate the mountain-protecting array, the jade pendant doesn’t need to be refined. I told you about this last time. However, the real mystery lies in the fact that the jade pendant contains an ancient water technique. Once a cultivator successfully refines it into a natal object, they can invite the descent of a dharma body equivalent to a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. If you’re fighting someone in that great river, the dharma body’s combat power can be completely regarded as a Jade Pure Realm cultivator. After all, this is a god who was in charge of the water department’s rain-calling duties in the old Heavenly Court. The official position is not low. The god’s real name is ‘Steep Green’. Rain Aspect, Rain Aspect, sounds like a high-ranking official.”
Chen Ping’an stowed the jade pendant in his sleeve, already having a plan. In truth, this one Rain Aspect Jade was likely worth more than the entire Floating Duck Island. He joked, “Doesn’t this transaction with the Water Dragon Sect mean you lost a semi-immortal grade water-attribute treasure?”

Li Yuan rolled his eyes, “What if an ordinary cultivator bought Floating Duck Island? Would I give them this? I’d just say I accidentally lost it! If they wanted to operate the array, they could use their own abilities to find a replacement immortal treasure. Why be polite with them? Besides, I would’ve given you this jade pendant long ago if you weren’t so unwilling to accept it. This thing is useless to me. As the former Water Warden of the Great Estuary, it wasn’t appropriate for me to refine it. It’s like in the imperial court, how would a petty official from a local government dare to order around a high-ranking minister from the capital?”

Chen Ping’an was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Even if you refined the ‘Jun Qing’s’ Dharma Aspect, wouldn’t it not cause any problems?”

Li Yuan smiled without answering.

Chen Ping’an immediately understood. This Water Department Heavenly Official deity named Jun Qing hadn’t perished ten thousand years ago. Instead, he was like those deities that Ma Kuxuan of the True Martial Mountain “invited down,” still under the command of the Literary Temple. According to a rule established by the Sage of Rites, he was concealed behind the scenes, continuing to manage the operation of some of the Heavenly and Earthly Water Vein Great Dao. Therefore, neither the former Water Warden of the Estuary nor the current Dragon Pavilion Marquis were suitable.

They took their seats in the main hall. Pei Qian and Xiao Mili were already familiar with the place. Earlier, they had carried water buckets and rags, working together to clean the place until it was spotless.

Chen Ping’an said, “We’re just sitting here for a short while before leaving immediately, so there’s still something I need your help with.”

Li Yuan thought of something and said, “Are you talking about the Golden Register and Jade Register Daoist rituals in October? You gave me two Grain Rain Coins before, and left that book recording the names. I’ve been taking care of it every year for the past twenty years. If it’s about this, you don’t need to worry. This matter has become an annual event for Floating Duck Island. The Water Dragon Sect is very attentive and would never dare to be negligent in the slightest.”

On the tenth day of the tenth month, all the Heavenly Gods and Earthly Spirits were in their positions. Mortals in the mortal realm mostly sent winter clothing to their ancestors and worshipped them. Here, the Water Dragon Sect cultivators would carefully cut out five-colored paper clothes, and each shop would include a small stove as a gift. However, the burning of paper was done according to custom, two days before and after the tenth day of the tenth month. This way, it wouldn’t disturb the deceased ancestors’ rest, and it would also benefit the ancestors and all the passing ghosts and spirits.

Afterward, on the fifteenth of October, it was the Water Official’s Day of Dispelling Calamities, which could dispel calamities and misfortunes for ancestors, and accumulate blessings for the deceased. The Daoist ritual held by the Water Dragon Sect was even more grand, and of course, more expensive. In addition to the mountain cultivators from all over the continent, mostly generals and ministers from empires like the Great Origin Dynasty could participate, hiring high-ranking Water Dragon Sect experts to write the names and origins of their ancestors on talisman paper. Some extremely wealthy great dynasties would even send high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Rites specifically to this place after the end of wars to pay respects to the heroic souls, pray for them, offer incense and light lamps, and accumulate blessings for their next life.

Chen Ping’an said, “Two Grain Rain Coins aren’t enough. Tell me, how much Immortal Money have you advanced for me all these years? I need to make it up.”

Back then, Chen Ping’an didn’t expect that he would be at the Great Wall of Sword Qi for so long, unable to return home. He thought that he would be able to travel to the Northern Entire Reed Continent again and return to the Water Dragon Sect in a few years at most.

Li Yuan originally wanted to refuse. What was a little Immortal Money? But when he thought about the mountain and river rules involved in the sacrifices, he gave a rough estimate, asking Chen Ping’an to take out ten more Grain Rain Coins, no more and no less, without worrying about shorting him a single Snowflake Coin. Chen Ping’an directly gave him twenty Grain Rain Coins. Li Yuan then asked how many years this matter would need to continue. Chen Ping’an said it would take about a hundred years.

If there was reincarnation, if a mortal in the mortal realm’s seventy years could be considered a lifetime, then it could be calculated according to a hundred years. If someone was reincarnated and could continue to cultivate on the mountain again, Chen Ping’an also hoped to see them again.

Chen Ping’an then took out ten golden talismans that he had prepared long ago, recorded in the “True Traces of the Scarlet Book,” and told Li Yuan to help burn them at the Golden Register Daoist ritual in the future, one per year.

Li Yuan didn’t pay much attention to it at first, but when he got his hands on them and took a look, his expression instantly changed. After putting them into his sleeve, he stared blankly at the azure-robed sword immortal who was too impulsive, and said in his heart, “Chen Ping’an, why do you have to do this?! It will diminish your own fortune and destiny! And burning a talisman every year is too frequent, which is even more taboo than the mountain cultivators’ consumption of Dao. If you hadn’t already reached the Jade Purity Realm, I would have cursed you for being crazy.”

Chen Ping’an’s eyes were bright, and he said, “I only hope that sincerity will be rewarded.”

Li Yuan sighed softly in his heart and said helplessly, “How did I make a friend like you?”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and glanced outside the house, and smiled, “I estimate that Floating Duck Island will have to receive guests once before we leave.”

Li Yuan nodded, “It’s probably that Shao Jingzhi. She’s more willing to put effort into welcoming and sending off people than Sun Jie of the Northern Sect.”

Sure enough, Shao Jingzhi of the Southern Sect, accompanied by an old woman with a dragon-head cane, paid a visit to the new owner of Floating Duck Island.

Shao Jingzhi was a Jade Purity Realm cultivator who was skilled in preserving her youth and looked like a young woman. She wore a simple and elegant robe, a lucky garment with flower patterns embroidered on stone-green silk. Her hair was loosely tied into a precious bun, and her face was lightly powdered.

The old woman was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator who, according to seniority, was Sect Master Sun Jie’s grand-aunt. Before crossing the threshold, she paused intentionally, raised her hand to tidy her temples, but could only let her dry fingers brush over the snow-white hair.

Chen Ping’an had previously come to the steps outside the door alone, and greeted them with a smile and clasped hands.

Shao Jingzhi was here to present a congratulatory gift. The person who wanted to buy Floating Duck Island was actually a genuine Sect Master, which greatly surprised her when she was in the Ancestral Hall earlier.

Because Li Yuan was very biased in the Ancestral Hall, the black-clothed youth who had changed from Water Warden to Dragon Pavilion Marquis didn’t say much, just a few words. One of them was that his friend was the master of a sect on the mountain, so in theory, Sun Jie and Shao Jingzhi, you two, should be waiting at the Wooden Slave Ferry to welcome him.
Then, Shao Jingzhi learned the location of this person’s mountain. Having just joined the sect not long ago, Shao Jingzhi had a reason to “visit.” He presented the Chen Sect Master with a water-attribute spiritual treasure, a peculiar item called “Midges,” resembling mosquitoes but known locally as “Little Ink Dragons.” They were kept in a small bamboo cage woven from green sacred mountain bamboo, filled with misty water vapor. Chen Ping’an politely declined several times, but ultimately, he accepted it with feigned reluctance.

However, these kinds of practical benefits, received today and reciprocated tomorrow, with giving and taking, were similar to the congratulatory money at a wedding banquet. No one could really say who gained more.

For example, if the Southern Branch of the Water Dragon Sect had any celebrations in the future, Chen Ping’an and the Forsaken Mountain would naturally have to show their support. They might not attend in person, but the gifts would have to be present. So, what both sides were truly competing for was that bond of goodwill.

Chen Ping’an and Shao Jingzhi were not familiar at all, so they just exchanged pleasantries. However, Shao Jingzhi was good at finding topics, and Chen Ping’an was good at responding. The casual conversation didn’t feel awkward at all, as if they were two old friends reminiscing. Li Yuan only interjected once, saying, “My brother Chen is best friends with Liu Jinglong.” Shao Jingzhi smiled and nodded, but his heart was surging. Could it be that the foreign sword immortal who previously questioned the Sword Lock Cloud Sect with Liu Jinglong was the person before him?

Shao Jingzhi regretted it immensely; the gift was too light.

The old woman who had remained silent all along didn’t see Chen as a Sect Master, only Li Yuan, who was eternally youthful in appearance.

The last time they had reunited after a long separation was in the Water Dragon Sect’s Ancestral Hall. At that time, Li Yuan’s golden light coalesced into a figure, landing on the first seat on the right. His face was young, but his spirit was withered. Now, seeing him again, with the Grand Canal’s water energy gathered around him, the black-clad youth was full of vitality. This was the benefit of becoming a Grand Canal Marquis and being personally conferred by a Grand Master of the Confucian Temple Academy. The old woman, who had no hope of breaking through in this life, was even happier to see this scene than if she had reached the Upper Five Realms herself.

The old woman’s weather-beaten face and no-longer-youthful eyes held so many unspoken words.

It was like a love letter never sent, starting with the first word written in her youth, and still not finished when she was an old woman with white hair.

Not all love between men and women is like planting one seed in spring and harvesting ten thousand in autumn. There might be no planting or harvesting, and the heart-field might become barren, with weeds spreading, but they could always be burned but never destroyed, only to be reborn in the spring breeze.

Finally, Chen Ping’an and Li Yuan escorted Shao Jingzhi and the old woman to the island’s ferry.

After they left on the talisman boat, Chen Ping’an softly asked, “Is there a story?”

Li Yuan rolled his eyes and said, “There’s no story to tell.”

Walking back to the mansion, Li Yuan laughed, “You don’t blame me for being talkative, right?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head and said, “A few words, the finishing touch, just right.”

Li Yuan sighed, hugged the back of his head, and said, “Although Sun Jie doesn’t like to build relationships, he won’t lack the necessary etiquette. He’s probably waiting for news and will meet you at the Wooden Slave Crossing. Otherwise, if he came to Fushui Island first, Shao Jingzhi wouldn’t want to come. Shao Jingzhi is seemingly smart, but she thinks too simply and never considers Sun Jie’s concessions and good intentions in these trivial matters.”

Chen Ping’an laughed, “Then let’s not keep Sect Master Sun waiting.”

Li Yuan lamented, “When you become a Sect Master, it’s easy to be incorruptible, but it’s not easy to be understanding and considerate. The bigger the family business, the harder it will be.”

He had watched the Water Dragon Sect rise step by step, and then gradually divide into North and South branches. Li Yuan wasn’t lazy from the beginning. In fact, the Water Dragon Sect was able to become a sect because of Li Yuan’s great contribution in planning and personally handling matters. He deserved the chair on the right in the Ancestral Hall, but over time, he gradually became unwilling to meddle in affairs. Even if the Fire Dragon Real Person scolded him for being hopeless, he accepted it.

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “Old principle.”

Li Yuan said, “Chen Ping’an, don’t let Forsaken Mountain become the second Water Dragon Sect.”

Chen Ping’an folded his sleeves and walked slowly along the shore, laughing, “I’ll try my best.”

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Li Yuan looks similar to his Uncle Jingqing; they are very different. The former is just lazy, but he is clear about everything in his heart, while the latter is truly simple-minded.

Therefore, Li Yuan, as the Dragon Pavilion Marquis, will only prosper and will not be suppressed by Shen Lin’s Spirit Source Duke’s Mansion. If Chen Lingjun were in charge, he would probably hold banquets every day, one after another, and then suddenly realize one day, “What? No money?”

Li Yuan cautiously asked, “Since your wife is Ning Yao, then the Chen Hidden Official, one of the ten youngest people in several worlds?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Guess.”

Li Yuan tiptoed and patted Chen Ping’an on the shoulder, grinning, “Young Master Chen, where does it hurt? Want me to rub it for you?”

Chen Ping’an put on a straight face and said, “Impudent, call me Mountain Lord Chen.”

Without taking another look at Fushui Island, Chen Ping’an left the Dragon Palace Cave.

While riding the talisman boat, Chen Ping’an looked up at the great sun. According to Li Liu’s leak of heavenly secrets, the prototype of the suspended great sun was formed by the year-after-year essence of incense from the Ji River Temple. Li Liu disapproved of this, directly giving it a “rough embryo, improper method” evaluation, saying that even if the Water Dragon Sect had ten thousand years to refine it, it would not be comparable to the sun and moon carried by the Confucian scholar Chen Chun’an.

Chen Ping’an withdrew his gaze and said to Ning Yao in his mind, “I mentioned something to Liu Jinglong earlier, there hasn’t been a flying-ascension realm sword cultivator in the Northern Ju Continent for so many years.”

There are clouds of sword cultivators in the Northern Ju Continent. Logically speaking, it should be the place in the Nine Continents where one or even two flying-ascension realm sword cultivators should appear.

One of the most important reasons, of course, is that the sword cultivators of the Northern Ju Continent went to the Sword Qi Great Wall. Either the sword cultivators died there, or their Dao was cut off, or they were seriously injured. There were too many people, such as Liu Jinglong’s master, the previous Sect Master Han Huaizi, who was an immortal realm cultivator. Originally, as long as he stayed in the Taiwei Sword Sect, he would have had hope of reaching the flying-ascension realm.

Even if there are many sword cultivators in this place, it is inevitable that the sword Dao luck of the continent will be evenly divided, but beyond that, there must be other reasons.
Ning Yao mused, “That Bai Shang from the north is so afraid of death, he must have some grand scheme. Perhaps he aims to become an Ascendant Realm swordsman with an unparalleled foundation, unprecedented in the Northern Ju Continent, and then strive for the Fourteenth Realm in one fell swoop.”

In truth, whenever Ning Yao devoted herself to contemplating something, her insights were often remarkably precise.

“I once heard Pei Qian say that Bai Shang had declared to He Xiaoliang of the Qingliang Sect that he would prevent He Xiaoliang from ever reaching the Ascendant Realm. Bai Shang is not one to make empty, sensational threats.”

“He has founded his own sect for many years and stagnated in the Immortal Realm for centuries, yet he insists on taking only one direct disciple. If it were me, I would have long regarded the Ascendant Realm as within my grasp. Thus, I would feel that it’s better to focus on refining my sword alone, as that would yield greater long-term benefits than being distracted by mundane affairs.”

“Bai Shang’s reputation in the Sword Qi Great Wall wasn’t particularly good, but not bad either. He doesn’t seem like someone who would waver when handing over his sword. The reason he missed the previous great battle at the Sword Qi Great Wall, only following Heavenly Sovereign Xie Shi to the Treasure Bottle Continent after the barbaric world attacked Old Dragon City, is likely because he was waiting, gambling away all his reputation as a swordsman to remain in the Northern Ju Continent, awaiting a more foolproof opportunity to break through.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, lost in thought.

Ning Yao’s expression was slightly awkward as she directly conveyed her thoughts telepathically: “I went to Floating Duckweed Sword Lake only because Li Cai was there, along with Chen Li and Gao Youqing, two younger members of my hometown.”

It seemed a random, inexplicable statement.

Chen Ping’an snapped out of his reverie and smiled, “I understand.”

Ning Yao smiled, “You won’t secretly hold it against Pei Qian, will you?”

Chen Ping’an asked, puzzled, “Why would I, for no reason?”

Ning Yao nodded, “So you were feigning ignorance.”

Chen Ping’an made a move to put his arm around her shoulders, but Ning Yao gently pushed him away with one hand, glaring at him fiercely.

When returning the wooden seal at the ferry, the smiling female cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect had a Northern Sect law enforcement cultivator standing beside her, looking respectful, and telepathically conveyed a matter to Chen Ping’an.

Outside Wooden Slave Ferry, the three figures appeared on the banks of the great river: Sect Master Sun Jie, Nascent Soul Realm Consecrator Wu Lingting, and direct disciple of the Ancestral Hall, Bai Bi.

Chen Ping’an first sent a letter via flying sword to the Rainbow Sparrow Mansion, then rode the wind to meet Sect Master Sun Jie.

Chen Ping’an actually recognized the female cultivator who was Sect Master’s personal disciple, and knew that she came from a prominent family in the Hibiscus Kingdom. His memory was so clear not only because they had met twice before, but also because she possessed a set of eighteen talismanic coins bestowed by the Water Dragon Sect’s Ancestral Hall, as well as an ancient zither called “Scattered Snow.” Back then, within that secret realm ruin, Bai Bi and Sun Qing of the Rainbow Sparrow Mansion had put on a dazzling show.

However, Bai Bi did not recognize the “old cultivator” who had clung tightly to a bamboo tree back then.

The gift presented by Sect Master Sun Jie was a pair of Roaring Bull Fish from the Water Dragon Sect’s deep潭禁地(tán jìndì), a forbidden pool. This creature was truly a once-in-a-century occurrence, extremely rare. What made it even more valuable was Sun Jie’s sincerity in offering a pair, male and female. Even Li Yuan was impressed, as, if they were careless, it would not just be the Water Dragon Sect who produced Roaring Bull Fish.

Therefore, Chen Ping’an proactively said, “Sect Master Sun, if there is anything you need in the future, anything where we can be of assistance, please send a flying sword to Fallen Peak in the Treasure Bottle Continent. We will not refuse any help we can offer.”

It wasn’t just because the gift was precious that Chen Ping’an said this, but also because of the Golden Jade Ritual within the Dragon Palace Grotto-heaven.

Sun Jie clasped his fist in thanks, then couldn’t help asking, “Is it Fallen Peak next to Mount Pi Yun?”

Earlier in the council hall, Li Yuan had only said that this person was a sect master from another continent, but had not mentioned the roots of his sect.

However, Sun Jie only took this as polite words from a sect master from another continent, not taking it too seriously. The Water Dragon Sect’s cultivators always acted according to the rules, forming bonds and avoiding enmities. Moreover, the Water Dragon Sect’s allies in the mountains were not limited to Floating Duckweed Sword Lake and the Great Source崇玄署(Chóngxuán Shǔ), Reverence of Profoundity Bureau.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded, “I have some personal friendship with Mountain Lord Wei, who has taken great care of my mountain peak. Mountain Lord Wei contributed greatly to my sect’s fortunate establishment.”

Wu Lingting understood, no wonder, so he had attached himself to Wei Bo of Mount Pi Yun, the great mountain lord of a continent’s northern peak.

This consecrator from the Water Dragon Sect, who had a wild cultivator background, still did not know where his direct disciple had gone, and could not imagine that the person before him knew all about it, that she had gone to the Great Profound Capital Temple in the Azure Underworld.

Pei Qian’s expression was odd. There was something she hadn’t dared to say a word about to her master until now, such as how the nickname “Wei Night Wanderer” came about.

Little Rice Grain was disappointed, why wasn’t her own Fallen Peak as famous as Mountain Lord Wei’s Mount Pi Yun? Yet, she was also happy for Mountain Lord Wei. Amazing, amazing, Mount Pi Yun’s reputation was as big as a ferry boat, floating all the way to the Water Dragon Sect!

Little Rice Grain decided that after returning home, she had to chat with Mountain Lord Wei, be happy, and eat more melon seeds.

Afterward, the group rode the wind to Skull Beach, but before going to Straw Linen Sect’s Mount Wood Robe, Chen Ping’an took Ning Yao and the others on a detour to South Mountain Temple, located at the southernmost tip of the continent. Before offering incense, Chen Ping’an had the White-Haired Boy wait outside. The latter nodded, as it was, after all, a Buddhist temple. In its previous life, it had held the rank of a Daoist official in the Azure Underworld. Now, it was an extraterrestrial demon, so neither identity was suitable for entering a temple to burn incense.

South Mountain Temple had a divine path leading to the sea, where a statue of the Guanyin Bodhisattva stood.

Pei Qian took off her bamboo chest, placed her walking stick down, knelt and kowtowed. Little Rice Grain followed Pei Qian in kowtowing.

Chen Ping’an held the incense with both hands, raising it high above his head.

Chen Lingjun wiped his mouth and sighed about the difficulties of cultivating on the mountain, “Brother Jia, in my cultivation path, my aptitude has been too good, lacking any trials and tribulations. Only here in this small town have I encountered some great dangers, almost getting punched into ascension during broad daylight. Now that I think about it, even someone as brave as I am still feels a bit scared.”

Publicly scolding Ruan Qiong, patting Lu Chen’s shoulder, openly challenging that Senior Cui on the second floor of the Bamboo Lodge…each and every one of them was a grand feat! Grandpa Chen wasn’t willing to say more.

Chen Lingjun clinked his wine bowl with Jia Sheng’s and drank it down in one gulp, raising one hand, his index and middle fingers stuck together. “Fortunately, I have deep karmic fortune, and I’m also quick-witted, so I was able to turn danger into safety every time. Seriously, if I weren’t even a little bit smarter, I’d be in big trouble.”
No need to even consider it. If there’s but one misstep in this Northern Mountain region, teeming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, I reckon there’ll be no more Little White Stripe of the Royal River, or Little Dragon King of Fallen Mountain.

Chen Lingjun raised his wine bowl. “A true hero doesn’t dwell on past glories. Bold aspirations are all things of the past. We brothers are both doing well now. This calls for a toast!”

Jia Sheng shared a bowl with Chen Lingjun, then noticed that the side dishes on the counter were dwindling. He immediately bellowed for his apprentice, Jiu’er, to fetch a couple more snacks from the kitchen. The old Taoist sighed with emotion, “I won’t even delve into Brother Jingqing’s current cultivation realm. Just speaking of his strategic mind, I, this old brother who’s traveled across an entire continent, have never seen anything like it. Exceptionally brilliant! And how is it brilliant? Heh, that’s a long story.”

Chen Lingjun immediately poured Jia Sheng a bowl of wine, picking up the thread. “How is it brilliant? Brother, you elaborate. I tend to be overly modest, always belittling myself. My old master advises me to change, but I just can’t seem to manage it, so it’s hard for me to see my own good points.”

Jia Sheng didn’t need to prepare a speech. Sincere words from the heart, do they need rehearsal? They’d long been stewing in the wine. He took a sip, then slowly began, “It’s a brilliance that most people wouldn’t even notice. A hidden brilliance, that’s how it is. As the saying goes, the smartest people have a touch of the fool about them. You mustn’t let others take one look and think you’re clever, quick-witted, full of schemes. That’s a lower path. But Brother Jingqing is different. Normally, he shows nothing. But when a critical moment arises, manly responsibility, a celestial cultivator’s shrewdness, the righteousness of a warrior, a hero’s spirit, all surge forth together, impossible to stop. Isn’t that so?”

Chen Lingjun nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, absolutely.”

He pursed his lips, chuckling. “Cao Qinglang was banished to Tongye Continent because he couldn’t talk properly, didn’t fit Fallen Mountain’s style. Pitiful, pitiful.”

Jia Sheng held his bowl in one hand, stroking his beard and nodding. “Having knowledge alone isn’t enough if you can’t communicate. Brother Jingqing, actually, you’re to blame for this. While you were on the mountain, why didn’t you chat with him more? That boy Cao Qinglang is a truly gifted scholar. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have become the Mountain Lord’s favorite student. All he lacked were those worldly ways that books don’t teach. Brother Chen, tell me yourself, aren’t you to blame?”

“Alas, now that you put it that way, I really am.”

“Then let’s brothers drink to that.”

The two brothers in the shop seemed to always find a reason to drink, a unique pair indeed.

Outside the door, under the eaves, Jiang Shangzhen in his blue scholar’s robe, Cui Dongshan in his pure white gown, and a young girl named Peanut, though they hadn’t shown their faces, had been standing outside, listening to the chat inside for quite some time.

Jiang Shangzhen was full of admiration. “Our Brother Jia of Riding Dragon Lane, when he doesn’t speak, he’s like a true immortal hiding his abilities, but when he does speak, it’s like he knows a distinguished guest is about to arrive!”

Compared to the two old codgers inside the shop drinking and shooting the breeze, the old chef was currently on Grey Mist Mountain. A large estate was being constructed there, the work underway for a long time. This cook from Fallen Mountain came here almost every day, personally overseeing many things. Because of the constant rain, which made it unsuitable for tamping earth, work had temporarily stopped. Zhu Lian was now squatting under the eaves, chatting with an old celestial artisan from the mountains. The latter glanced at the unfinished plaza in front of him and said to Zhu Lian, the supposed manager of Fallen Mountain, with a smile, “Mr. Zhu, if I’m not mistaken, your unique skills were passed down from the imperial palace, weren’t they?”

The imperial palaces of the land had their eight great artisans. The greater the dynasty, the more refined and elaborate their work. Smaller tributary states were rougher.

The old celestial artisan made a living doing this kind of work. He had participated in the construction of the secondary capital of Great Li, the reconstruction of the Old Dragon City in the south, and even an estate on a mountain peak of the Cloudglow Mountain, so he was familiar with these things. It was always necessary to learn from all sources, striving for perfection. However, he was truly seeing some things for the first time, and even hearing some things for the first time, which was quite strange.

Zhu Lian smiled. “Compared to Senior Hong’s mountain techniques, my little bit of hearsay about the imperial styles from the mundane world is not worth mentioning at all. At most, it’s just doing some fancy embellishments. Senior Hong not blaming me for interfering is already showing great generosity.”

The old man laughed heartily. “Mr. Zhu is too modest.”

Zhu Lian raised his wine bowl and smiled. “Kind words always sound better when someone else says them.”

The old man gently touched bowls with him, deeply agreeing, and nodded. “Mr. Zhu is full of wit.”

Therefore, he especially liked to chat with Zhu Lian. Their line of work was a way to earn money quietly in the mountains, not much different from farmers in the mundane world. When they came to the mountains, they were often looked down upon by the registered celestial cultivators. Even if they were polite on the surface, it was just due to their family education and etiquette. Only here at Fallen Mountain, meeting the manager Zhu Lian, was it very different.

Recently, the matter of compacting the foundation earth was simple and extremely difficult. Zhu Lian of Fallen Mountain chose the latter. Leaving aside those celestial means, just the different layers of soil required seven or eight steps: grey earth, clay, broken bricks, pebbles, alternating repeatedly, to prevent moisture and building subsidence. Each layer of soil was first tamped three times, then compressed to fill voids, holes were made, filled with “shooting star” anchors, dry tamped, then flooded, spin tamped, and poured with glutinous rice juice to solidify the ground. And much of the soil in between was even personally dug from various mountain peaks by Zhu Lian and then mixed. Besides the earthworks, the woodwork had inking lines, bamboo pen cutting lines, shavings, mortise and tenon joints, and stonework had large stone polishing and axe hewing… there seemed to be nothing Zhu Lian couldn’t do.

But then the old celestial artisan thought about it. Being the manager of a Sect-level celestial family, having some skills on hand wasn’t too far-fetched.

Zhu Lian glanced at a young man in the distance, Jiang Qu, the only talisman cultivator on Fallen Mountain besides the Mountain Lord. Moreover, he came from the Great Wall of Sword Qi, so everyone on the mountain was very polite to Jiang Qu. After getting a talisman manual, the young man wanted to concentrate solely on cultivation. Zhu Lian didn’t let him have his way, bringing Jiang Qu almost every time he came to Grey Mist Mountain. After a while, Jiang Qu became a little impatient. Zhu Lian then smiled and told him that if a person only knows how to cultivate behind closed doors, then they don’t understand cultivation at all.
Whether it was the hidden fear of this chief steward or the young man truly understanding the reasoning, Jiang Qu no longer complained after that. He consistently followed Zhu Lian to oversee the construction here and even helped out in person.

Seeing that the rain showed no sign of stopping, Zhu Lian bid farewell and led Jiang Qu down the mountain.

Each holding an umbrella, they walked slowly.

Zhu Lian, his back hunched, his cloth shoes covered in mud, smiled and said, “Jiang Qu, have you ever considered that life is like layers of rammed earth? The more it’s compacted, the stronger the foundation to support a beautiful building. Do you think it’s the house that shelters us from the wind and rain? That’s true down the mountain, but not up here. Only when the heart is like the earth can it bear all things. Therefore, those with a kind and generous heart are those who have attained the Dao.”

Zhu Lian stopped and turned around.

Jiang Qu had no choice but to turn around and look as well.

Zhu Lian pointed to a tall building and asked about some “Old Ancestor.” She curiously asked, “Ascension Realm?”

Liu Xianyang was stunned for a long time.

She said with a serious expression, “Then you must be careful.”

Liu Xianyang smiled and nodded, “Okay.”

Over at the Azure Finch Prefecture, they received a flying sword letter from Mu Nu Crossing of the Water Dragon Sect. The Mountain Lord Chen stated in the letter that he had helped find three honorary guest ministers: Yuan Lingdian of Pointing Profound Peak, Yang Houjue of the Cloud Canopy Palace under the Lofty Profound Bureau, and Rong Chang, a swordsman from Floating Duckweed Sword Lake.

One was a direct disciple of the Fire Dragon True Man, regarded as an immortal cultivation even in the Northern Entire Reed Continent, another was the second-in-command of the Great Source Lofty Profound Bureau and the Cloud Canopy Palace, an old immortal master in charge of specific affairs, and the last was a Nascent Soul Realm swordsman said to be on the verge of breakthrough.

Sun Qing and her disciple Liu Guibao had just returned to the mountain. After Sun Qing put down the letter, she looked at Wu Qun, puzzled, and asked, “Could you have used a beauty trap on Mountain Lord Chen?”

Otherwise, why would Chen Pingan be so mobilized, as if he were hiring guest ministers for his own mountain? In one breath, he directly sent three mountain大佬 to the tiny Azure Finch Prefecture. None of them were easy to deal with, and not everyone could invite them. From now on, with these three honorary guest ministers, wouldn’t the cultivators of the Azure Finch Prefecture be able to walk sideways in the Northern Entire Reed Continent?

Wu Qun smiled and said, “With Immortal Ning around, would I dare to use a beauty trap?”

Wu Qun had already treasured the teacup that Ning Yao had used when serving guests in the teahouse. Feeling that it was somewhat inappropriate, she also collected Chen Pingan’s teacup. Still feeling that something was wrong, Wu Qun simply collected all the teacups used by the guests from Fallen Mountain before.

Sun Qing regretted, “I knew I shouldn’t have gone out. I missed Immortal Ning.”

Liu Guibao sighed, her eyes resentfully looking at her master, “What a rare opportunity. I knew I shouldn’t have accompanied you to see Mr. Liu.”

Wu Qun smiled without saying a word. You master and disciple worry about yours, and I’ll be happy with mine.

Arriving at the Hemp Robe Sect, at a residence on Wooden Clothes Mountain that Chen Pingan was very familiar with, they saw Zhu Quan, who had already stepped down from his position as sect master, as well as Du Wensi and Pang Lanxi, the two enshrined elders of their sect.

This Immortal Master Guo Chi, who wore a saber, learned that the sword-carrying woman was actually Ning Yao, slapped the table and laughed, “High realm and beautiful! It’s fortunate that I’m not good-looking at all, so I’m not jealous at all.”

The news of Ning Yao’s sword ascension to the Vast Ocean Continent had already spread. Zhu Quan said to her in private, “It’s a good thing that Ning Yao is with Chen Pingan. Otherwise, if such a talented woman is with other men, I’m afraid they won’t be able to sleep soundly.”

Back on the boat, Chen Pingan suddenly asked, “Aunt Zhu, if someone is kind to me for no reason, do you think it’s because I’m good-looking?”

Zhu Quan rolled her eyes and said, “Aunt Zhu, Aunt Zhu, my good Mountain Lord, doesn’t like anyone just because they’re good-looking. Whether they’re good-looking or not, he doesn’t care.”

Chen Pingan breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterwards, the group took the Hemp Robe Sect’s intercontinental ferry, circling around a small part of the Northern Entire Reed Continent, and returned to the Treasure Bottle Continent.

That night, Chen Pingan leaned on the railing, his mind peaceful, leisurely drinking wine. The bright moon was shining, the same moonlight that had shone on past sages, literary figures, sword immortal heroes, shone on scholars by the window and beautiful women leaning on balconies, boatmen on the water and woodcutters in the mountains, shone on sleepless emperors and generals, shone on loud snoring peddlers, shone on high mansions and low ridges, shone on the lantern markets of the Lantern Festival, the paper money of the Qingming Festival, the mooncakes of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Spring Festival couplets of the New Year’s Eve, shone on the white clouds, green mountains, green waters, and yellow flowers in the uninhabited places for thousands of years…

Ning Yao came to Chen Pingan’s side, her sword box placed on the table, and leaned on the railing with him in a daze. It seemed she didn’t need to think about anything.

Chen Pingan turned his head, quietly watching her eyelashes.

Ning Yao seemed unaware that he was secretly looking at her.

Outside the ferry, the water and moon merged into one color. On the ferry, the fair-skinned woman’s ears were flushed red, the color like the rouge red of the folded-rimmed small white bowl among the ceramics of the Directorate of Manufactures.

By the time Ning Yao turned her head, he had already fallen asleep.

The next time he traveled to the Northern Entire Reed Continent, if he didn’t have to rush back home, Chen Pingan might visit more places, such as the Ghost Axe Palace where Du Yu was, to listen to his Jianghu anecdotes. He might go to the Azure Juniper Lake next to the Suijia City, and in a city隍 temple in the Hibiscus Country, he had once personally witnessed a night trial by the city隍 god. In that waterside temple planted with thousand-year-old ancient cypress trees, Chen Pingan had actually left behind the line of poetry: “A gentle breeze moves the branches in the bright moon, it is suspected to be the light of a sword immortal’s precious sword.”

He also wanted to go to the Sweeping Garden Manor in the Five Mausoleums Country to drink some Slender Plum Wine. There was a martial artist who used the alias Wu Fengjia, who had once declared that the sky and the earth were vast and the gods should get lost. When he was young, he used his fists to disperse dozens of immortal masters and expel them all. There was also Ape Howl Mountain, Infant Mountain, Thunder God Residence… If these were revisiting old places, then Chen Pingan would naturally go to some scenic spots he had never been to before in the future.

Though the steps may be hurried, life needs to be leisurely.