The old scholar hastily stuffed the handful of melon seeds into his sleeve, and quickly walked towards the two of them, but instead of speaking to his closed-door disciple first, he looked at Ning Yao and said with a smile, “Little Ning, bear with this restless fellow. If you ever feel wronged, don’t care if it’s right or wrong, never, ever think you’re being unreasonable. Don’t doubt yourself, don’t think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Just come and complain to me directly. As Chen Ping’an’s teacher, I will definitely scold him for you, without showing any favoritism to this boy!”

It was estimated that the only time the old scholar wouldn’t side with his student was when Ning Yao and Chen Ping’an argued.

In this world, the difference between good and bad often lies in just a couple of words that can turn things upside down.

In the heat of the moment, a few unnecessary harsh words might be said. In ordinary times, a few comforting, heartfelt words might be missing.

Because the closer people are, the easier it is to take it for granted that the other person’s actions are natural and right, believing that everything can be understood without speaking.

As a result, the more you think the other person should understand everything, the more likely it is that they understand nothing at all.

Ning Yao smiled and nodded, saying, “Alright, I’ll learn more from someone about complaining.”

Just as everyone thought Ning Yao’s talent for swordsmanship was so exceptional that she should undoubtedly be the number one person in the Five Worlds, and that any great feat she accomplished would not be surprising.

She was the undisputed pillar of that Ascension City.

As time passed, Ning Yao would even be regarded as the next Chen Qingdu on the path of the sword.

The old scholar refused to think that way.

The old man simply felt that the Ning girl before him was just a young junior who wanted to complain but had no one to complain to.

Ning Yao took her leave first, saying that she might need to enter seclusion for a couple of days.

In her cultivation journey, the number of times she had entered seclusion could be counted on one hand.

The old scholar then took Chen Ping’an’s hand, gently patted the back of his closed-door disciple’s hand, and didn’t say anything, just smiled softly and uttered a single word, “Heh.”

He Shou, who was stationed at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, had already sent a message to the Confucian Temple as quickly as possible about the five sword cultivators challenging Mount Tuoyue with their swords. Therefore, Mao Xiaodong quickly sent a message to his teacher.

Now Mao Xiaodong serves as the Sicheng of the Liji Academy, a position second only to the Jijiu of the Academy. A high-ranking official!

Chen Ping’an, in front of his teacher, did not hide his exhaustion, but his eyes were still bright, and he replied with a smile, “Heh.”

Most people don’t know that in the art of seal engraving, the word “Heh” is synonymous with silence.

The old scholar had once made a minor joke. In his early years, he didn’t read enough miscellaneous books and his knowledge was not broad enough beyond the principles of the sages. As a result, when he was browsing a beautifully engraved seal manual in a bookstore, he saw a seal with the word “Heh” on it. He mistakenly thought that the mountain chief of a certain academy who engraved the seal was a very humorous scholar. But when the old scholar had a statue in the Confucian Temple, he made a special trip to the academy to visit that mountain chief, only to find that he was a stern and unsmiling old fogey.

The old scholar pulled Chen Ping’an to sit on the long bench at the door, took out another handful of melon seeds, and gave half to Chen Ping’an. While cracking the melon seeds, he said, “Teacher can’t help much. I just took a trip to Luopo Mountain. By then, everything was already safe and sound. Teacher is just being a hindsight expert. But I met Zheng Juzhong, and the matter of choosing a site for the lower sect of Luopo Mountain in Tongye Continent will proceed as planned.”

Chen Ping’an was very surprised and hesitated to speak.

The old scholar said, “It makes me very happy to be able to help you a little.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and didn’t say anything more.

The old scholar laughed and said, “That kid Dongshan, this time he ran into Zheng Juzhong again, and he was quite embarrassed and angry. At least he looks like a young man. So he took the initiative to ask me for help, to discuss with you, his teacher. He hopes that he can be the first sect master of the lower sect of Luopo Mountain. So, you need to explain this to Cao Qinglang.”

Previously, on the way back to Luopo Mountain from Zhengyang Mountain, everyone had discussed and agreed on a set agenda on that dragon boat ferry. Regardless of whether the second sect outside Luopo Mountain with a separate ancestral hall was a “lower sect” with a sect title, or a “lower mountain” without a sect title in the Confucian Temple, Cao Qinglang would be the first sect master or mountain master. Mi Yu, Zhong Qiu, Cui Wei, and Sui Youbian would settle down there to cultivate, while Cui Dongshan and Pei Qian would only go there to help for a few years. The former would mainly keep an eye on the movements of the “neighboring” Golden Summit Temple and the Ten Thousand Jade Sect of the Three Mountains and Five Blessings Land, while the latter would be responsible for maintaining the relationship with the Qinghu Palace and the Bushan Cottage.

Chen Ping’an said, “Actually, that was my plan from the beginning. But when I talked to Dongshan about this, I saw that he wasn’t interested in taking charge, so I took a step back.”

Originally, Chen Ping’an had planned to have the Immortal Realm Cui Dongshan serve as the sect master of the lower sect, without having to argue with anyone in the Central Earth Confucian Temple for a sect title, so that it would be more proper and legitimate.

This was also a good thing for Cao Qinglang. He could first spend a few more years training by Cui Dongshan’s side. By the time his interpersonal skills, cultivation realm, and network of connections both on and off the mountain were all mature, Cao Qinglang would naturally become the second sect master. Otherwise, Chen Ping’an would worry about whether he was forcing his growth. No matter how steady and resilient Cao Qinglang was, in the eyes of Chen Ping’an, his teacher, he inevitably felt… a little heartache, and always felt that Cao Qinglang was too young to take on such a heavy burden so early, handling the affairs of a sect. What about Cao Qinglang’s studies? How would he be able to travel and study with his friends in the future, and see the beautiful rivers and mountains?

It was just that Cui Dongshan was unwilling at that time, so Chen Ping’an would naturally not put on airs as a teacher and force him to do something against his will.

But now that Cui Dongshan was willing to take the lead, everything would be easily solved.

As for Cao Qinglang’s side, even if he believed that Cao Qinglang wouldn’t overthink it, Chen Ping’an would of course explain it clearly. Anyway, it would just take a pot of wine and a few words.

After all, Luopo Mountain had never had the official custom of deliberately saying half a sentence and letting people guess what they meant. Everything was laid out and discussed openly.

The old scholar glanced at the spider on Chen Ping’an’s shoulder and asked suspiciously, “This fellow Daoist is?”

Chen Ping’an told him the general idea with his mind, and then said, “Xiao Mo, this is my teacher. You can show yourself here, you don’t need to be too restrained.”

A snow-white spider, originally the size of a copper coin, leaped forward from Chen Ping’an’s shoulder. When it landed, it was already Xiao Mo, dressed in linen clothes, a yellow hat, and green shoes. He bowed to the old scholar and said, “Xiao Mo greets Wen Sheng.”
The old scholar had already stood up, nodding vigorously, “A blessing from the heavens, a good omen for the world, a joyous occasion!”

Seeing the esteemed scholar rise to greet him, Chen Pingan had no choice but to follow suit.

This was a peak Ascension Realm sword cultivator of the “Myriad” generation!

While the old scholar smiled at Xiaomo, Xiaomo was also sizing up this thin, short scholar.

Both were doing so openly and honestly, without any evasiveness.

In Xiaomo’s eyes, compared to ordinary mountain cultivators, the old man before him was not actually that old; he just appeared so.

This indicated two things: firstly, he started cultivating late, and secondly, when he finally reached a high enough realm to undergo a transformation, he chose not to alter his appearance.

Daoist Lu had told him about the identity of his lord’s teacher: the Sage of Literature, holding the fourth seat in the Confucian Temple of the Great Domain.

It seemed his martial prowess wasn’t particularly high, implying his knowledge was vast.

Using a type of aura observation, Xiaomo was certain that the Sage of Literature had merged with the geographical advantages of the three continents: the Saha Continent, the Tung Leaf Continent, and the Fuyu Continent.

No wonder he could be his lord’s teacher.

It wasn’t just about reaching the Fourteenth Realm; it was the Sage of Literature’s deliberate choice of these three continents, all shattered lands affected by that great war, as his place of harmonizing with the Dao.

However, the so-called lack of fighting ability was just Xiaomo’s perspective, specifically referring to killing power.

After all, the fellow cultivators Xiaomo interacted with, sword cultivators alone, included Chen Qingdu, the Dragon Lord, and Yuanxiang, closely associated with the First Ancestor of the Military.

However, there was one genuine scholar who left a deep impression on Xiaomo: one of the beloved disciples of the Supreme Sage, tall and dignified with a high crown, and possessing extraordinary swordsmanship.

The old scholar said, “Brother Xiaomo, if you ever encounter persistent ruffians, just mention my name. If that doesn’t work, then reveal your status as a supporter of Fallen Mountain.”

It wasn’t yet appropriate to record this ancient barbaric sword cultivator in the Confucian Temple’s records or announce it to the world through the Mountain and Water Gazette.

The old scholar only needed to inform the Vice Sage and the three head teachers of the Confucian Temple. This was not difficult at all. This Xiaomo had slept for ten thousand years in the Bright Moon, only recently awakened, and had not been involved in the ten thousand years of grudges between the two worlds. His background was impeccable. The old scholar had already prepared his words for requesting credit from the Confucian Temple.

For example, regarding the Lower Sect’s observation ceremony, wouldn’t it be appropriate for the Confucian Temple to send two head teachers to offer congratulations? If two deputies went, it wouldn’t be as good as one head and one deputy, right?

Xiaomo nodded first, then bowed, “Forgive Xiaomo’s presumption in addressing the Sage of Literature as a peer. My lord once reminded me that upon arriving in the Great Domain, one should adapt to local customs, follow the rules, and not disrupt etiquette.”

“Furthermore, Xiaomo is no longer a supporter of Fallen Mountain, but simply a loyal bodyguard by my lord’s side.”

“Finally, today Xiaomo is honored to meet the Sage of Literature, a man of profound learning yet approachable, I am extremely fortunate.”

The old scholar suppressed a smile, glancing at his standing disciple.

Where did he find such a polite, well-mannered, and proper treasure? He almost mistook him for a gentleman from a academy or school.

Chen Pingan immediately understood and smiled at Xiaomo, “My teacher’s words carry more weight than mine, Xiaomo. This is also part of adapting to local customs, a matter of order. Since my teacher says you are a supporter, then from this moment on, you are a registered supporter of our Fallen Mountain. If my teacher addresses you as a brother, you should accept it without hesitation.”

The old scholar stroked his beard and smiled, feeling warm inside, like enjoying a pot of warm yellow wine with two eggs and a bit of ginger in the dead of winter, sitting around a stove.

Of course, the most gratifying thing was the word “around.” One person was simply sitting alone; it took at least three or two people to be considered “around” the stove.

Xiaomo seemed troubled.

He had a good chat with Daoist Lu in Sword Qi Great Wall. Daoist Lu had told him that his lord had three unwavering habits: he respected his teachers from a young age, so he had excellent relationships with elders. He enjoyed being a generous benefactor, so he had friends all over the world.

Finally, he loved keeping accounts. Daoist Lu insisted that if he didn’t believe it, he would understand when he saw his lord’s eldest disciple in the capital of Great Li.

There were two long benches by the door. The old scholar gestured with his hand, “Brother Xiaomo, let’s sit down and chat.”

Chen Pingan said, “Teacher, how about finding a place to drink?”

The old scholar asked worriedly, “Can you drink?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “My realm increases with the wine, the more I drink, the higher it goes.”

The old scholar nodded, “Then let’s go to the ‘People Follow Suit’ restaurant nearby, it’s close.”

If Xiaomo hadn’t been present, the old scholar would have taken his disciple directly to the Fire God Temple to drink with Senior Fengyi. There was a flower arbor there, providing shade.

Scrounging for drinks? The old scholar could swear on his conscience that neither he nor his disciple were that kind of person. Anyone who disagreed was welcome to speak up, and the old scholar would return all the wine to them.

As they walked towards the alley, the old cultivator Liu Jia was drinking with his disciple Zhao Duanming in the mountain and water dojo at the entrance.

Upon noticing the three figures outside the alley, Liu Jia immediately removed the dojo’s restrictions, first bowing to the Sage of Literature. The old cultivator had become quite familiar with the old scholar recently.

Chen Pingan introduced, “This is Xiaomo, ‘Mo’ as in unfamiliar, a supporter of our Fallen Mountain.”

Liu Jia nodded expressionlessly, granting passage. If he foolishly stopped everyone he saw, he would change his surname to Chen Pingan.

The old cultivator hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask in a whisper, “Mountain Master Chen?”

Chen Pingan immediately stopped and asked, “Is there something?”

The old cultivator seemed reluctant to speak, but he braced himself and asked, “There won’t be any more outsiders passing through here recently, will there?”

At least let me catch my breath.

Chen Pingan smiled, “How can I guarantee such a thing? Other people’s legs aren’t attached to my body. Anyway, I’ll be leaving the capital soon.”

Liu Jia breathed a sigh of relief.

The old cultivator glanced at the young man with the yellow hat and green shoes.

Xiaomo immediately smiled and nodded at Liu Jia.

Chen Pingan said in a whisper, “After I leave, remember to clean Senior Cui’s house, Immortal Master Liu.”

He was reminding the old cultivator that he could go “collect books” there after he left the capital of Great Li.

Chen Pingan wouldn’t claim to be proficient in the Way of Thunder now, he was still far from reaching the peak. But he believed he had at least gained entry.
Speaking of that Lightning Formation, it was gleaned from observing the ancient Dragon City battlefield, then practiced and refined repeatedly near Tuoyue Mountain, reaching a considerable level of skill.

Liu Jia’s old face flushed red, then he asked in confusion, “Mountain Master Chen has pieced together a book of lightning arts so quickly? Could it be that during this trip, you happened to meet that esteemed figure from the Celestial Master’s Mansion? Could such a coincidence exist?”

According to their previous agreement, Chen Pingan would have to travel to the Central Earth Continent, visit the Celestial Master’s Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain, meet that friend, borrow the book, and only then could he piece together a decent lightning arts manual. Then, this book would accidentally be left in the Renyunyiyun Pavilion, Liu Jia would coincidentally pick it up, casually flip through a few pages, and then impart the Daoist techniques to his disciple who had been struck by lightning a few times. Liu Jia had even thought up a reason: he had gotten drunk one day, dream-wandered to the ancient Thunder Department’s various offices, and encountered a divine being who taught him lightning arts.

The more Liu Jia thought about it, the more suspicious he became. He was the kind of person who spoke his mind, so he said directly, “Chen Pingan, don’t tell me you regretted it halfway, found this matter too difficult, couldn’t borrow the lightning arts manual from Dragon Tiger Mountain, and are just saving face by using a few lightning incantations to fool me? That won’t do at all! I don’t understand anything about lightning arts, and I’d rather not teach Duanming anything than let this child go astray!”

Chen Pingan explained, “Don’t worry, the lightning arts manual I personally wrote won’t be of low quality. I guarantee it won’t mislead anyone. Zhao Duanming only needs to cultivate step by step, and he won’t make any mistakes. If there’s even the slightest flaw, Immortal Master Liu can go directly to Fallen Mountain and curse at my doorstep.”

Liu Jia laughed in anger, “Good, Chen Pingan, you’re teasing me! How long has it been, and you’ve already figured out a profound lightning art? Let’s just forget about this. Let’s pretend this never happened, and you don’t need to feel embarrassed. Besides, I can’t do things like cursing at your doorstep.”

Did he think he was an esteemed figure from the Celestial Master’s Mansion, or an honorary Celestial Master from Dragon Tiger Mountain?

Chen Pingan was momentarily dazed. Indeed, he had only taken a trip to the Savage Desolate World. Because the Rite Sage had helped him travel back and forth, and there was the Lu Chen’s Three Mountains Talisman there, just in terms of time, it wasn’t long. But when he slightly recalled it, it felt like a lifetime ago. Two selves in two worlds, one traversed half of the Savage Desolate World, the other walked Bao Ping Continent from north to south. During those mountain and river journeys, he had met too many people and experienced too many things.

Xiao Mo suddenly said, “My young master’s attainments in lightning arts are extremely profound.”

Liu Jia was stunned for a moment because he was talking to Chen Pingan in his mind because his disciple was present.

Chen Pingan smiled, “Anyway, there’s no rush. I’ll wait until I’ve traveled to Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Central Earth Continent. Then, I’ll divide the book into two volumes, and Immortal Master Liu can choose.”

Liu Jia nodded, “Mountain Master Chen is still experienced and steady in his dealings.”

The matter was settled.

Near the entrance of the residence, Xiao Mo said in his mind, “Young Master, isn’t this cultivator a bit ungrateful?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “In the world, teachers and mentors are actually similar. They inevitably worry about gains and losses, and there’s no reasoning with them.”

Old Scholar stroked his beard and smiled, “That’s right.”

At the alley entrance, the teenager suddenly said, “Master, Mr. Chen seems like a different person.”

Liu Jia turned his head and looked at the azure-robed Sword Immortal, shaking his head. He didn’t think so.

When they arrived outside the book building, they sat around the stone table in the small courtyard. Chen Pingan took out three jars of wine and three Flower God cups.

Xiao Mo got up and took the wine jars and cups. After sitting down, he suddenly remembered something. “That female Sword Immortal named Lu Zhi has a heavy killing intent. The way she looked at me was a bit… unsettling.”

Chen Pingan said, “Lu Zhi isn’t deliberately targeting you. That’s just her temper. Lu Zhi and I are actually outsiders in the strict sense, but she has long regarded the Sword Qi Great Wall as her hometown. When Lu Zhi ascends to the Ascension Realm one day, she will be one of the Ascension Realm cultivators with the greatest killing power. At that time, her killing intent will be even heavier.”

If Lu Zhi could completely refine her natal flying sword “Big Dipper” and carefully refine the eight long swords hidden in the sword box, Lu Zhi, who excels in attack but is weak in defense, would become well-rounded in both attack and defense.

Similar to the talismans of Xuan, the Celestial Masters of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and the Fire Dragon Real Person.

Lu Zhi’s future achievements in swordsmanship might actually be higher than Qi Tingji’s.

Of course, it wasn’t “certain,” but even if there was only a possibility, it would be amazing.

Xiao Mo frankly said, “Young Master, besides being a sword cultivator, according to the current mountain standards of the Vast World, I can also be considered a formation master. Besides that, the only thing I’m good at is weaving robes. Apart from that, I’m not very remarkable.”

Sword cultivator. Formation master. Weaving robes. Being proficient in any one of these things would make someone a popular figure on the mountains, with offerings and positions as honored guests.

Old Scholar let out a surprised “oh.” He felt that the wording sounded very familiar. After thinking about it, he immediately realized that this was his unique trick for getting wine to drink.

Xiao Mo raised a hand, opened his palm, and placed a pile of green bamboo tubes of varying heights and thicknesses, looking petite and adorable. There were about fifty or sixty of them. Some were “fabrics” that were several feet or even tens of feet long, rolled up and placed in one tube. More were several formed robes, shrunk and placed in one of the green bamboo tubes.

Xiao Mo said, “According to the rules of the mountains in the Vast World, when someone visits a sect, they have to bring a greeting gift. Please help me distribute them. I am ultimately a death warrior, and it’s not good to be too flamboyant, lest someone find clues. These robes were all woven by me when I was bored before Bright Moon fell into a long sleep, so their quality isn’t high. According to the current mountain standards, they can’t even be called semi-immortal artifacts.”

Before Bright Moon fell into a long sleep, Xiao Mo left behind six cave inheritances in the Savage Desolate World. According to the young master’s calculations, only one cave mansion with a sect title in the south of the Savage Desolate World is likely to be an old inheritance that has lasted for ten thousand years. The rest have either disappeared over the long years or have been transformed. For example, several weaving techniques in Golden Emerald City clearly originated from Xiao Mo. This doesn’t mean that Golden Emerald City is Xiao Mo’s lineage. It’s very likely that one of the cave mansions was absorbed by Golden Emerald City. For the inheritances of the Savage Desolate World, this is actually considered to have no connection with Xiao Mo’s lineage.

Old Scholar took a sip of wine, smacked his lips, and didn’t interrupt.
Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Did Lu Chen teach you this again? Did he say that to visit a mountain stronghold, you need a ‘knocking brick’?”

Xiao Mo smiled, “Young Master is a diviner.”

As a direct disciple and honorary member of Fallen Mountain, everyone should have a Dharma robe; it’s more than enough.

As for the standard Dharma robe woven by the female cultivators of Colorful Finch Prefecture, it wasn’t really suitable for the cultivators of Fallen Mountain to wear.

But that didn’t mean Chen Ping’an could accept this generous gift with peace of mind, so he directly refused, “Xiao Mo, when you complete the agreement and can leave Fallen Mountain, if you still want to give it to me then, I won’t stop you. Before that, we won’t discuss this.”

Xiao Mo had no choice but to turn to the Old Scholar.

The Old Scholar smiled, “Xiao Mo, listen to your Young Master on this matter. Our Magnificent World has its own rules, but each mountain stronghold also has its own customs, none of which are so rigid.”

Xiao Mo flipped his hand and put away the bamboo tube Dharma robes.

The second meeting in the Ancestral Hall of Verdant Peak was the celebration of Fallen Mountain’s formal establishment as a sect.

At that time, there were forty-three members of the Ancestral Hall’s lineage register, plus thirty-six guests watching the ceremony.

After the celebration ended, Chen Ping’an struck while the iron was hot, adding another group of honored guests to Fallen Mountain.

Shao Yunyan and Madam Tuoyan from the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect of Southern娑婆洲.

Old Immortal Huan Yun, who served as an honored guest in Cloud Top City. Xie Songhua, the female sword immortal of Frosty Continent. Liu Zhiqing, a Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator from Golden Crow Palace.

Now Li Fuqu, the second-ranked honored guest of True Realm Sect. Wei Jin, a great sword immortal from Wind and Snow Temple. Yuan Lingdian from Pointing Mystic Peak.

And Chen Li, a sword cultivator from Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, nicknamed “Little Hidden Official”.

At the Confucian Temple, Fallen Mountain took in a new honored guest, the old sword cultivator Yu Yue. Recently, the old man had been at Fallen Mountain, and it was up to him to use his skills and the individual fate of those children to coax one or two sword immortal embryos.

In the Great Wall of Sword Qi, another name was added, Cao Jun.

There was a saying on the mountain.

The number and realm of honored guests indicated the depth of a celestial sect’s foundation.

Guest retainers, on the other hand, could very well indicate how wide the road to the Ancestral Hall was for a sect.

The Old Scholar began to talk about serious matters, “Ping’an, have you ever thought about one thing? Demonic cultivators, especially great demons like Xiao Mo who have lived for ten thousand years, or several thousand years, probably couldn’t count on one or two pairs of hands, and have long reached the Ascension Realm, even the peak of the Ascension Realm. Why, except for that great demon who went by the name Lu Fayen, has no great demon ever successfully reached the Fourteenth Realm?”

Speaking of this, the Old Scholar had already raised his wine cup, “Brother Xiao Mo, I’m just discussing the matter as it is, please don’t mind. I’ll punish myself with a cup…”

Xiao Mo quickly held his cup with both hands, leaning forward with a sincere expression, “Mr. Wen Sheng speaks frankly and openly, clearly treating Xiao Mo as one of his own. Whether it’s a cup or a larger bowl, there’s only one way to drink alcohol under the heavens, and that’s to down it in one gulp. There’s no need for roundabout words at the table. Without further ado, I’ll finish this one first. Mr. Wen Sheng, please feel free.”

Xiao Mo tilted his head back, and the wine cup was empty.

Chen Ping’an felt a little helpless.

Where did all this worldly wisdom and drinking etiquette come from?

Did he need to remind Xiao Mo to adapt to local customs? Was that unnecessary?

The Old Scholar poured himself another cup, “Just for Brother Xiao Mo’s understanding, I have to have another one.”

Chen Ping’an reminded, “Sir, this is our own wine, drink slowly.”

He was reminding his master that since it was their own wine, even if he punished himself with a pot, he wouldn’t be taking advantage.

Only when drinking other people’s wine did the amount, speed, and manner of drinking become an art.

But the real reason was that neither his master nor Chen Ping’an himself should drink too much or too fast.

The Old Scholar tugged at his beard, feeling sheepish.

Chen Ping’an suddenly said in a low voice, “Aunt Feng seems to still have a hundred jars of Hundred Flowers Brew.”

The Old Scholar slapped his thigh, “Before leaving Treasure Bottle Continent, we must say goodbye to Senior Aunt Feng.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “I’ll accompany you, Sir.”

The Old Scholar continued, “Although merging with the Dao is extremely difficult, that’s true. And it’s also true that Xiao Mo and others need to nurse their injuries by slumbering, but aren’t the cultivation aptitudes of those former throne holders all excellent?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. The cultivation aptitude of the chief disciple of Mount Dragging Moon’s Grand Ancestor, the mastermind, was extremely good.

The innate advantage of the demonic race’s physical resilience also brought a secondary advantage. There was a threshold between the two: whether they could cultivate.

Demonic beings found it much more difficult than humans to ascend the mountain of cultivation, but once they successfully refined their forms, a demonic cultivator’s lifespan would be far longer than a human’s at the same realm.

It was like some sort of compensation from the Great Dao.

Xiao Mo put down his wine cup and said softly, “It’s Bai Ze.”

The Old Scholar nodded and sighed, “That’s right, it’s because of Brother Bai’s existence.”

Bai Ze possessed the true names of all demonic cultivators in the world. This was Bai Ze’s innate divine ability. He didn’t need to be told; as long as someone successfully refined their form and had a true name, it would be “recorded” on Bai Ze’s side.

The Old Scholar looked at Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo smiled, “I can’t beat him, and I can’t steal from him, so I’ve long accepted my fate. Not just me, but all the peers who chose to slumber and heal their injuries back then are the same.”

In fact, Xiao Mo had fought with Bai Ze, and twice at that.

Once, he felt that Bai Ze didn’t look like he could fight.

Once, he learned that Bai Ze was actually preparing to help that Little Master in Magnificent World to forge a great cauldron and inscribe countless demonic true names.

That’s why Xiao Mo made that trip to Bright Moon.

The Old Scholar revealed the secret in one sentence, “In fact, Bai Ze himself is also in a difficult position. The matter of true names is not something he can return to whomever he wants.”

This was probably the only thing that could be called a great lack of freedom for Bai Ze on his path of cultivation.

This meant that Magnificent World and the Central Earth Confucian Temple were in the same predicament.

If Bai Ze died.

The Ascension Realm great demons of the Desolate World would be like losing a pass. Originally, Bai Ze’s existence itself was like an insurmountable chasm for all Ascension Realm great demons in the world. They needed to obtain some kind of Great Dao recognition before later generations of great demons could reach the Fourteenth Realm. Once Bai Ze died and vanished, it would be like losing some kind of Great Dao restriction.
If Bai Ze hadn’t perished, and the two realms were locked in a brutal war, the greater the losses suffered by the savage demon races, the closer Bai Ze’s cultivation would approach the Fifteenth Realm. His combat prowess would become an unprecedented and unparalleled Fourteenth Realm existence.

In simple terms, Bai Ze at that time would possess a level of destructive power comparable to Chen Qingdu, but without the Sword Qi Great Wall’s restraints.

The old scholar turned to look at Xiao Mo, “Xiao Mo, the vast world of Haoran is different from your homeland. The times are not what they were ten thousand years ago. It may be a bit difficult for you to adapt at first, but I believe you will become more familiar and comfortable with it in time.”

Xiao Mo nodded, “I have only just arrived in Haoran, and haven’t seen much of its people and affairs. I’m not entirely convinced that the world after ten thousand years is necessarily so much better than it was before. However, I am willing to trust Master and the Literary Sage.”

The old scholar was greatly pleased. It was a pity that such a reasonable person as Brother Xiao Mo wasn’t going to Impoverished Mountain.

Chen Ping’an slowly sipped his wine.

In the capital, besides that personal grudge, he also needed to treat Guan Yiran to a drink.

And visit the book market with Xun Qu, a young official from the Court of State Ceremonies, who was in the same imperial examination cohort as Cao Qinglang.

He might also need to make a trip to Su Gaoshan’s residence in the capital, not necessarily to see anyone or say anything in particular.

Then, he would bid farewell to his teacher, and take Ning Yao, Pei Qian, and Cao Qinglang with him on a southward journey back to Impoverished Mountain. He needed to visit the Yang family’s shop.

He heard from Little Rice Grain that Zhang Shanfeng, finding him not on the mountain, had gone to find Xu Yuanxia first, saying he would wait for him there.

Therefore, before heading to Tongye Continent, Chen Ping’an would go directly to Xianyou County in Qingyuan Prefecture for a drink.

Back at Impoverished Mountain, the old sword cultivator Yu Yue was still waiting for him, as Yu Yue was tasked with selecting sword embryos to take as disciples. According to Little Rice Grain, there was some progress on this matter.

Chen Ping’an wouldn’t feel disappointed even if things didn’t pan out. Whether any of those nine sword embryo prospects would choose to stay and cultivate on Impoverished Mountain would be up to fate.

After that, he would choose a location and establish a sect in Tongye Continent. The group could take the Xuanmi Dynasty’s ferry, “Wind Kite,” on a long intercontinental voyage, and at the same time scout out a relatively safe trade route for the ferry.

Once in Tongye Continent, Chen Ping’an would first visit General Yao in the Great Spring Dynasty.

After the Lower Sect’s affairs were settled, he originally planned to invite Liu Jinglong to travel the Central Earth Divine Continent together. Now, due to the drop in his cultivation level, it would definitely be delayed for a period. Chen Ping’an would, in addition to refining his natal magic treasure, begin a true seclusion as a cultivator, forging all his knowledge and skills into one, striving to regain his Jade Purity Realm and then go to the Taihui Sword Sect to find Liu Jinglong.

In truth, there were countless matters, big and small.

But none of them would cause him any real difficulty.

At the table outside Impoverished Mountain’s gate, after the old scholar and Zheng Juzhong departed,

The great white goose, the green-clad boy, and the black-clothed girl looked at each other.

Chen Lingjun wasn’t a fool. Seeing how courteous the Literary Sage had been to that man, he immediately knew he’d probably messed up again.

Chen Lingjun drooped his head, feeling listless and lacking energy. He asked, “Why did that man leave behind such a puzzling and nonsensical remark before leaving, saying something about his master being unworthy?”

Little Rice Grain grinned, “That was just Mr. Zheng being polite to Jing Qing.”

Alas, Jing Qing was still a bit slow.

He had always wanted to recommend Jing Qing to some hidden and exclusive martial arts sect, like the Bamboo Tower lineage.

He had mentioned it twice, but Warm Tree refused to agree and Pei Qian’s attitude was ambiguous, so he had to keep delaying it.

Chen Lingjun asked Cui Dongshan through mind transmission, “Who is that man? You must know his identity. Give me a hint?”

He didn’t want to scare Little Rice Grain.

Cui Dongshan, however, was somewhat distracted and waved his hand, “No need to know. You just need to know his surname is Zheng.”

The old scholar was still very impressive.

Only he could convince Bai Ze, and then Zheng Juzhong, to change their minds.

He would give him that respect.

But Cui Dongshan still felt unhappy inside.

Chen Lingjun raised a sleeve and wiped the table, feeling wronged. “What’s the use of knowing his surname is Zheng? It’s definitely not Zheng Juzhong.”

Cui Dongshan rolled his eyes.

Chen Lingjun was too lazy to think more about it. Anyway, it was all in the past. He smiled and said, “Brother Cui, what are you thinking about?”

Cui Dongshan said, “I’m thinking about the name of the Lower Sect.”

Chen Lingjun lightly slapped the table, “Outrageous! Master is the best at naming things. Why are you joining in the fun? Do you think you’re the Lower Sect’s sect master?”

Cui Dongshan nodded seriously, “I am.”

Chen Lingjun laughed heartily, “Little Rice Grain, do you think this joke is funny?”

Little Rice Grain scratched his face and didn’t say anything.

Cui Dongshan suddenly felt much better. After traveling to the Savage World and accomplishing so much, Master had changed, greatly changed.

Although the drop in his cultivation level was significant, it didn’t matter. What he lost in realm, he gained tenfold in his Dao Heart.

Cui Dongshan didn’t even need to go to the Dali capital to see Master to imagine the current situation.

The old Master:

“You could try me.”

The current Master:

“You better talk to me nicely.”