“Descend.”

Gao Jianfu, the celestial immortal of the Daoist sect who was once hailed as the golden couple alongside He Xiaoliang, wore a complex expression.

Qi Zhen raised his head, “What, are you eagerly anticipating the appearance of that Hidden Official?”

Gao Jianfu nodded, “If Chen Ping’an can successfully challenge him with his sword under these circumstances, I will be utterly convinced and admit my inferiority. From then on, I will have no more lingering attachments and will focus solely on my cultivation.”

Qi Zhen chuckled, “Knowing how to find a way out for oneself and avoiding getting stuck in a rut is also a secret Daoist method passed down on the mountain.”

Gao Jianfu asked, “If he truly dares to challenge Zhengyang Mountain at this critical juncture, will he succeed? Or will he simply touch the surface like Huang He of Fenglei Garden, using this opportunity for Fallen Phoenix Mountain to proclaim its grievances to the continent, clarifying the issues beforehand for future consideration?”

Qi Zhen said, “Challenging with a sword is difficult, but not entirely impossible. However, once Chen Ping’an challenges, it will definitely not be a casual affair. A young man who can become the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall will neither act purely out of impulse nor do anything foolish without assurance.”

Mountain Lord Jin Qing of Mount Song, alongside the sword cultivator Yuan Bai, stood on a high pavilion corridor overlooking the snow-covered peaks.

Yuan Bai forced a bitter smile, “Mountain Lord Jin, you shouldn’t have come to Zhengyang Mountain this time. The Song clan of Great Li is likely to take note.”

Jin Qing said calmly, “Why I hold this position as Mountain Lord, Yuan Bai, are you truly unaware?”

Yuan Bai said, “Precisely because I am aware, I hope that Mountain Lord Jin can continue to safeguard the rivers and mountains of our homeland for a long time to come.”

Jin Qing glanced at this once-genius sword cultivator whose path was now obstructed, regretting, “As a citizen of the former Zhu Ying, your actions are commendable and you can rest assured that you have done no wrong. However, in my eyes, it is a pity for a sword cultivator to be reduced to this state. Zhengyang Mountain’s actions are not honorable. If I hadn’t come this time, you might not even have been able to keep Snow Peak. With the temperaments of Zhu Huang and Xia Yuancui, they might have used the successful selection of the lower sect site as an excuse to send you back to your hometown, essentially exploiting the sword cultivator Yuan Bai, both currying favor with me and recruiting sword cultivator talents within the former Zhu Ying territory under your name. As for Yuan Bai’s life, death, and reputation, Zhengyang Mountain deems them insignificant.”

Yuan Bai said, “As long as the sword cultivator talents of our homeland can ascend the mountain to cultivate early on, my personal gains and losses are not worth mentioning. The more talented they are, the more disastrous the consequences of delayed training. The later one begins to practice swordsmanship, the further behind they will fall.”

Yuan Bai gazed at the opposite mountain peak, perpetually covered in snow, and whispered, “I hope that one day, the descendants of the former Zhu Ying can occupy several peaks in Zhengyang Mountain, supporting each other and preventing others from bullying them.”

Jin Qing hesitated for a moment and transmitted his thoughts, “Earlier, Liu Laocheng contacted me, saying that Sect Leader Wei Ying of the True Realm Sect’s upper sect intends to strike a deal with Zhengyang Mountain. In exchange, Wei Ying wants to recruit you. As for the specific conditions and price offered by Jade Tablet Sect, Liu Laocheng did not elaborate. So, I wanted to hear your opinion. Do you have any thoughts of leaving Zhengyang Mountain? If you nod, I will take responsibility for discussing this matter with Liu Laocheng and Zhu Huang. You don’t even need to show your face.”

Jin Qing said, feeling gratified, “It is rare to be valued so highly by a great sword immortal like Wei Ying. Wei Ying is a person of great talent and vision.”

Wei Ying, Wei Jin, and Bai Chang are the leading figures in the sword cultivator world of the three continents today, and all three are highly likely to take another step forward and ascend to the Ascendant Realm one day.

As a Mountain Lord of a great mountain in one continent, Jin Qing is skilled in observing auras and has the discernment to see this.

Yuan Bai was stunned, then a smile appeared in his eyes, unable to suppress his amusement, “Mountain Lord Jin, have you come to poach talent?”

Jin Qing crossed his arms, sneering, “Otherwise, would I be congratulating Zhengyang Mountain? I didn’t even bring a gift, I came empty-handed.”

Zhengyang Mountain’s God of Wealth, Tao Yanbo, Tao Zi, the white-robed old ape, the Xu family couple from Qingfeng City, and their heir Xu Binxian.

The six gathered at Autumn Order Mountain, where the Tao family’s ancestral business was located. Autumn Order Mountain is Zhengyang Mountain’s second best blessed land, second only to First Line Peak, and even more suitable for cultivating the Dao and practicing swordsmanship than Xia Yuancui’s Water Mill Peak.

Tao Zi had already grown into a graceful young woman, and Xu Binxian was also a dashing young master from a prominent family. Years ago, a Daoist nun traveling to Qingfeng City personally named Xu Binxian while he was still in swaddling clothes, a name with excellent meaning, both scholarly and martial, a mountain celestial.

The two peers stood together, a divine couple, a match made in heaven, and indeed, they were soon to become Daoist partners on the mountain.