Lord Cui Dongshan, alone, was the first to emerge from the forbidden zone of the Lightning Pool, forged of golden sword-light.

“No errors,” whispered Xiao Mo.

Cui Dongshan nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “The Master requires seclusion for a time. We shall await his return.”

The White-Clad Youth clasped his hands behind his head, while Xiao Mo, with his yellow cap and green shoes, clutched a staff of jade bamboo. Cui Dongshan spoke in thoughts, unheard by mortal ears: “Beyond the most pressing matter, the Master shall also refine ‘Moon in the Well’, seeking to manifest… labyrinths of the heavens and earth. Perhaps the Celestial Peaks beyond, or the long-lost Retreat from the Heat, or even the Luminous Pearl Grotto before our homeland fell. The more keenly the Master understands ‘labyrinth’, the closer he draws to ‘Truth’. Should this succeed, the Master’s sword would gain not only numbers, but a second power of ‘Evolution’, which, joined to the ‘Caged Sparrow’’s microcosm, will grant the Master surety beyond doubt.”

Xiao Mo frowned in curiosity. “Pray tell, Clan Lord Cui, why not use ‘Moon in the Well’ in conjunction with the ‘Caged Sparrow’?” Cui Dongshan chuckled, a sound like wind chimes. “The first step is always the hardest. To go from nothing to something is far more difficult than from one to ten. Moreover, I said the Master seeks ‘Truth,’ not illusion. Each person, object, or event born from ‘Moon in the Well’ must be nigh real, which is already a feat of unimaginable difficulty.”

Understanding dawned upon Xiao Mo’s face, and he nodded. “To create such, would indeed be akin to scaling the heavens themselves.” He knew the Master’s inspiration came from the Central Continent’s Literary Temple, from Lady Li Baoping’s gestures in debate – “The Way begets One, One begets Two, and Three begets All Things” – and later, from the Sword Trial against the architect of Mount Holding’s Long Corridors of Secrets. The Master had then, beside the waterless pond behind Bamboo Lodge, recalled the Buddha’s words: “Like the lotus unstained by water, like the sun and moon unburdened by the sky.” Finally, he remembered the “travelling pavilion” he built within the Sword-Qi Great Wall’s prison. Thus, at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion in the Great Fountain Dynasty, the Master, with Xiao Mo as guardian, had made two attempts. One was to use the Heart-Lake Library’s vast “Traces” to “replicate” Mount Holding’s thousand leagues – every bloom, every hill, every hut – yet failed at the moment of “blossoming.” After Xiao Mo’s prompting, he no longer sought all at once, but only the growth of a single amethyst lotus seed, which he nonetheless abandoned before it bloomed.

Xiao Mo’s eyes shone, yet he hesitated to speak. Cui Dongshan seemed to anticipate his thoughts and nodded. “You have thought it, and I have as well. Surely, the Master considered it even before us. However, such a task would require a fortune, not just of immortal coins, but the rare and precious Gilded Copper. Moreover, the Master’s cultivation has regressed. The most pressing task is to heal and recover, so he likely set it aside intentionally.

“The eaves of the house are the roof, and that which the carriage can reach, that which is covered, is called Space.”

Cui Dongshan gazed at the sky, stamped his foot upon the ground, and tucked his hands into his sleeves, muttering: “Above and below, the four directions, are called Space; past and future, from olden times to now, is called Time.” The number of “Moon in the Well” swords are inextricably linked with the Master’s strength. When he borrowed Fourteenth Level Law from Lu Chen to duel the Grand Ancestor’s disciple, he once unleashed nearly half a million. Even then, he had “concealed” some power, for had he recklessly expended his spirit and Qi, unleashing the nearly-flawless “Moon Beside the Well,” or even “Moon in the Sky,” he could have summoned an astounding eight hundred thousand swords.

As for the “Caged Sparrow,” the Master had indeed pondered its potential for a second innate power, linked to the River of Time itself, just as Cui Dongshan believed.

This was why the Master had taken to smoking Old Yang’s pipe, enduring discomfort to puff clouds of smoke. Old Yang always smoked when discussing matters in his apothecary’s backyard, concealing the heavenly secrets, the foundations of the Way, by obscuring the River of Time itself. Only the Three Sages could undo such veiling; even a master of the Fourteenth Level, like the Old Abbot of the Viewing Way Abbey, could not retrace that river to find any trace.

Yet, those smoke clouds could only be shaped with incense controlled by gods, or, at the very least, masterpieces of calligraphy and painting – or the next best thing, Gilded Copper coins.

Thus, the Master had secretly begged Long Life for a few bags of Gilded Copper coins on the Wind Kite Ferry, a debt meticulously noted in his ledger.

As Cui Dongshan saw it, once “Moon in the Well” could conjure worlds nigh to “Truth,”

and the “Caged Sparrow” could control the flow of time within a microcosm,

the fate of outsiders trapped within was foregone.

Xiao Mo suddenly felt guilt. “Had I known, I would have accepted Fellow Immortal Spring’s offer.”

Cui Dongshan turned, amused. “Tell me?” Apparently, Clan Master Long Life, also known as Spring, had offered Xiao Mo payment in bags of Gilded Copper coins for the gift of some lost sword techniques to her newly-accepted disciple, Nalan Yudie, on the Wind Kite Ferry. Xiao Mo, feeling that he was already a named guest of the sect, felt it unseemly to accept coin for such a simple gift. Yet, she would not be refused. Xiao Mo had been forced to declare that if payment were offered, no techniques would be given.

The Clan Master Long Life had, in the end, simply refused the techniques.

Purchasing the arts was merely one thread in a vast web she had cast.

Cui Dongshan chided, “Xiao Mo, you are too honest, too earnest. Such matters should not be treated so rigidly! You could have asked Sister Long Life for a bag or two of Gilded Copper, gifted the techniques, and earned goodwill on all sides!”

Xiao Mo humbly accepted the lesson, nodding. “I have yet to truly adapt to the ways of this world.”

Cui Dongshan suggested, “Near Dagger Peak on Secondary Mountain, there is a river called Blue Robe, where lies a beach called Treasure Fall. I shall gift it to you as a place for cultivation. Build a hut, and preach the Way there in time.”

Xiao Mo hesitated. “My cultivation is passable, but to preach the Way is a grave matter. My understanding is too shallow, and to teach would only invite ridicule. With the Master and Clan Lord Cui as examples, how could I dare to become a teacher?”

In ancient times, regardless of origin, to “preach the Way” was a burden of unimaginable weight.

Cultivate the Way, attain the Way, gain the Way, preach the Way.

Only one who accomplished all four could be considered a true “Wayfarer.”

Thus, when the Master and Lu Ying, that Nascent Soul cultivator, gifted him twelve words at Peach Blossom Villa:

*Quiet Contemplation, Reverent Service, Vigilant Awareness*
*Rest from the Wayfaring, Cultivate to reach the Way*.

It was as if they spoke directly to Xiao Mo’s heart.

A cultivator must contemplate in stillness, revere all things in heaven and earth, and remain ever wary of the world, lest he claim too lightly to have mastered the Way.

He was far from that. Cui Dongshan raised his hands, made fists, and then clapped his palms lightly together, laughing. “Has the Master not told you? One must not be arrogant and dismissive of others, nor belittle oneself, seeing nothing within. Only by avoiding extremes can one be a noble, upright man.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “True.”

Cui Dongshan held back another thought.

This place belonged to Tian Wan. Her senior brother, Zhou Zi, surely walked within these remnants of the grotto. If the Master could freely walk the River of Time, he could seek Zhou Zi for a Sword Trial.

Unlikely, but no longer impossible.

Thousands of mountains and rivers could not hinder the Master’s straw sandals.

Xiao Mo said, “After leaving this place, when the Wind Kite Ferry returns to Celestial Peaks, I shall seek Clan Master Long Life and beg a few bags of Gilded Copper coins.” Cui Dongshan nodded. “Acquiring Golden Body fragments is difficult now. Forget Bottle Continent; the Great Li court will have left nothing behind. Even if offered, the price would be astronomical. Here in Tung Leaf Continent, and perhaps Floating Clouds Continent, there may still be a chance. After those mountain deities shattered their bodies, the barbarian armies may have missed some pieces. But, those would be meager pickings. After these years of recovery, those on the mountains and below have grown cunning.”

A figure in azure robes emerged from the forbidden Lightning Pool.

Cui Dongshan felt conflicted. To deceive oneself to deceive Heaven was no mere self-delusion.

There were those in Heaven who listened to the mundane.

The Master insisted on standing with them as equals. The party arrived at the mountain’s base. Cui Dongshan said, “The acquisition of Crimson Pine Mountain was a pleasant surprise. At first, the First Disciple and I desperately tried to prevent Tian Wan from leaving Bottle Continent for the famed Cicada Slough Grotto.”

This nameless remnant of a grotto, not among the Thirty-Six Lesser Heavens, was now named the Everlasting Spring Grotto by Cui Dongshan.

Tian Wan, Dogwood Peak, True Yang Mountain, and the talented elder brother who oversees intelligence on Water Dragon Peak…

The Master and Cui Dongshan exchanged glances.

Cui Dongshan nodded eagerly; this could work.

The Master shook his head; such impetuousness was unsuited and inappropriate.

Cui Dongshan signaled, *You should at least ask Xiao Mo’s opinion, or it becomes a one-sided decision, unlike the Master.*

The Master still shook his head. Xiao Mo, facing members of Fallen Peak and Celestial Peaks, always maintained his mental barrier, so he only vaguely sensed that this matter concerned him. He tentatively said, “If there is any difficulty the Master faces that I cannot resolve, it is my failure.”

Cui Dongshan smiled. “It is not about you, Master. I wanted to burden Xiao Mo with managing Fallen Peak’s intelligence. Alas, the Master refused.”

Xiao Mo considered this. “I can assist first, as an aide. If it proves I am capable, I will gladly share some of the Master’s burdens.”

The Master jested, “Xiao Mo, you are a swordsman at the peak of Ascension. Wouldn’t it demean you to deal with intelligence reports every day?”

Xiao Mo shook his head. “I will treat it as reading books for free, which is the greatest pleasure in the world.”

Cui Dongshan nodded vigorously. “True, true. Just as wine drunk without paying is the finest in the world.”

The Master slapped Cui Dongshan on the head. “I brew my own wine. Why would I pay for it?” Cui Dongshan continued, “This small grotto is not large, only a hundred leagues, but its spiritual Qi is only slightly less potent than Tung Leaf Sect’s Wutong Grotto. I say at most twenty to thirty percent less, even without pouring immortal coins within.”

Cui Dongshan flourished his snow-white sleeve, beaming. “Ha, it helps to have a younger sister by another mother.”

The Master paused. “Mortals see the sky as a clear mirror. Cultivators, looking down on the mountains and rivers, also hold a mirror, albeit a flawed one.”

A single misstep and cultivators see an abyss beneath their feet. Then arise self-centered thoughts and human errors.

Cui Dongshan nodded, knowing the Master warned against toying with hearts.

A stream trickled at the mountain’s base, its waters red, like an alchemist’s perfected cinnabar. Its weight was far greater than ordinary water.

In their homeland, the Luminous Pearl Grotto, Ruan Qiong built his forge by the Dragon Whisker River for its somber currents, ideal for forging swords.

The Master knelt by the stream, cupping the water in his hand; it glowed like jade. Cui Dongshan knelt beside him, explaining, “The stream’s hue comes from the ancient pines and the immortal blooms on the mountainside. Their natural decline over millennia nourishes the stream, solidifying the ‘red’. It is an excellent material for talismans. We could strike a deal with Old Yu or Dragon Tiger Mountain. I estimate a yield of three thousand pounds a year will not deplete the grotto’s foundation.”

Yet, for at least sixty years, Cui Dongshan did not intend to profit from this grotto; he had greater plans for it.

He had already marked every rare plant on Crimson Pine Mountain, including lingzhi, ginseng, and wolfsbane, and recorded them.

On the ascent, the Master asked, “Are there ledgers?” Cui Dongshan replied, “I have one; Seed Master does not, yet. These rare herbs are abundant; two hundred sixteen that are over a century old, seventy that are over three centuries old, and sixteen that are over a thousand years old, having survived the ‘Great Tribulation’. Moreover, the unique Crimson Pines number three hundred and sixty, each older than the herbs. One hundred and ninety-five are over a thousand years old, and nineteen are over three thousand. In all, their number is considerable.”

The Master nodded. “Truly a mountain of gold and silver.”

Moreover, on the summit stood a crimson palace shrouded in clouds. The Master came to a fallen pine, its rings tightly packed. He estimated it to be over four thousand years old. He snapped off a chunk of golden resin, heavy in his hand. It would be excellent for medicine, ink, or incense. He looked around; this mountain truly overflowed with immortal wealth, free for the taking.

He inexplicably recalled his journeys in the Northern Jewelled Reed Continent, which had been far more arduous.

Thus, Celestial Peaks, the subordinate sect to Fallen Peak, which Cui Dongshan forged with his own hands, did not lack coin; it only lacked people, and that only for the time being.

No wonder Cui Dongshan, the clan lord of a subordinate sect, could be so assertive and willing to poach from the head sect.

The Master did not pocket the resin, but casually left it on the decaying trunk.

Xiao Mo saw that Cui Dongshan appeared expectant. He looked disappointed when the Master restored the resin to the trunk.

The Master clapped his hands and continued the ascent, casually asking, “Cicada Slough Grotto has vanished, yet it remains one of the Thirty-Six Lesser Heavens. There is a story there, isn’t there?” Cui Dongshan nodded. “That grotto was the most important relic of ancient Shu, without equal. Legend says that ancient sword immortals molted there, ascending in broad daylight, leaving behind their husks like cicada shells. Later ruins, such as the Dragon Palaces of the Great Rivers, cannot compare. Each sword immortal’s husk bears remnants of the Way, perhaps even several ancient sword Daos.”

The Master asked curiously, “How did the Cicada Slough Grotto vanish from Bottle Continent?” Cui Dongshan smiled. “It was the place where Zheng Juzhong’s teacher attained the Way. He was skilled and stubborn, an outsider who crossed the sea to Bottle Continent. Yet, the greatest fortune was his, for within that grotto, he became an Ascended. Later, somehow, he drew the ire of many. A dozen local and overseas sword immortals besieged him. They fought a battle that rent the earth and shattered the sky, with grievous casualties. Eight Upper Five Stages and six Nascent Soul sword cultivators, fourteen in all, failed to escape; they were all slain by him. Since it was a duel between swordsmen, both parties had pledged their lives before the swords were drawn, and the battle took place within the Cicada Slough Grotto, avoiding harm to innocents below. Thus, the Central Continent’s Literary Temple did little.”

Xiao Mo was full of praise. No wonder the Master could slay dragons later.

Regardless of skill, his temperament alone was admirable.

The Master said, “The sword Dao of Bottle Continent began to decline from that day?” Cui Dongshan nodded. “Most of the slain immortals were native to Bottle Continent. It was like a noble clan whose home had been raided overnight. The situation swiftly turned for the worse. For three thousand years, they never recovered. Tian Wan and White Robe secretly colluded to obstruct them. Only with your rise were their fortunes restored somewhat.” “The aftermath of that Sword Trial was dire for Bottle Continent. Not only did those sword immortals perish within the Cicada Slough Grotto, severing the lineage of many sword Dao families, but all the sword Dao Qi carried by those swordsmen was sealed within that grotto. Moreover, the entire sword Dao of Bottle Continent was suppressed by an outsider swordsman.”

Cui Dongshan added with a grin, “After all, Zheng Juzhong’s predecessor was a capable one.”

The Master asked, “Why has Crimson Pine Mountain never birthed a single enlightened mountain spirit?” Cui Dongshan sighed. “The former master of this place must have been a divine ancient immortal, a true hermit who shunned revelry. He used a true ‘mountain sealing’ method. Even after millennia, the plants here will never awaken. Even after he left, he did not undo the mountain seal.”

The Master could not help but marvel. “Such rare individuals and deeds!”

According to Tian Wan, the Cicada Slough Grotto was not on her.

She did not lie. She did not know where it was. It was sealed with a seal even stronger than the Great Li Empress Dowager’s. It must have been the work of Tian Wan’s senior brother, Zhou Zi. Cui Dongshan’s “mountain search” nearly ended in disaster when he merely searched for Tian Wan’s ancestral gate in her spirit.

Now, Tian Wan only had a “mountain opening” key, which she guessed her senior brother had taken to the Luminous Pearl Grotto. Yet, no matter how Cui Dongshan divined, he found no trace.

As they neared the summit, Cui Dongshan whispered, “Master, before you journey to Azure Clarity Heaven, you can cultivate here.”

The Master could refine his sword skills, cultivate his Dao, and forge his myriad skills into a whole, eventually ascending from this mountain.

That also meant that Master could reside for long within the subordinate sect. As for the head sect of Fallen Peak, the Master had always been hands-off. They had the Old Cook to handle affairs, as well as the wealthy First Disciple Zhou and Xiao Mo, the Ascended swordsman who served as a guest.

“How dare they fight over the Master with me?”

The Master declined, suggesting, “I am not suited, but perhaps Chai Wu, Bai Xuan, and Sun Chunwang could cultivate here.”

Chai Wu, after receiving Xiao Mo’s gift of “Kindling,” had successfully refined it as a natal treasure, so he could be considered a swordsman now. The Master was still worried. On his southern journey, at Spiritual Wall Mountain’s Wild Clouds Crossing, he had sent a flying sword message to Celestial Peaks, along with a map of the terrain he personally witnessed and drew, inquiring about Chai Wu’s sword refining, which was progressing smoothly.

How to treat the rare, “astonishingly talented” disciples in a sect has always been a difficult question.

They easily become spoiled or too rigid, knowing only cultivation, with no worldly knowledge.

For example, Ma Linshi of White Dragon Cave was a direct disciple of Cave Master Xu Qingzhu, high in standing, talented, and born from a union of immortals.

Fallen Peak had been “unconventional” on this, unlike other sects.

That was not the work of the Master alone; he was merely imitating Ruan Qiong and True Fire Dragon, nearly copying the unwritten rules of Dragon Spring Sword Sect and the Lying Peak.

Among Fallen Peak’s Third Generation disciples: Chai Wu, Sun Chunwang, and Bai Xuan.

These three were undoubtedly the most talented. Fallen Peak would not pursue artificial equality. Cui Dongshan said, “Little Hai and Little Dead Fish’s talents are too great. I will definitely keep them by my side to teach them, but they have teachers now. I can only add a little embellishment, perhaps teach them some minor Daos and sword techniques.” “For example, Chai Wu. I will strive to neither force her growth nor waste her talent, but help her reach Jade Purity from the Tendon Soothing stage directly. There is some chance, but luck will also play a part. The Master can expect some hope.”

The Master could only take out a flagon of wine to steady his nerves.

Yet, such steadying wine, the Master did not mind drinking often.

Liu Qi, Zhou Mi, and

the talented female cultivator in Azure Clarity Heaven’s young top ten,

as well as one of Li Liu’s past lives, all ascended directly from the Tendon Soothing stage to Upper Five Stages.

Even with some omissions, it was rare. To say it was a once-in-a-millennium event for a world was no exaggeration.

Cui Dongshan said seriously, “Whether Chai Wu and the others cultivate here makes little difference, and there is no rush. I still insist that the Master cultivate here alone.”

The Master laughed. “So I can seclude myself here, claiming this ‘One’?”

A sealed grotto can support a cultivator reaching Ascension.

Xiao Mo understood why Clan Lord Cui had been so eager for the Master to take that unassuming resin.

Cui Dongshan grumbled, neither confirming nor denying the fact.

The Master considered this and said, “After I travel the Central Continent with Liu Jinglong and return here, I will give you a definitive answer. If I truly seclude myself here, you must agree to a condition.”

Cui Dongshan understood, nodding. “I will first relinquish my role as Lower Sect Clan Lord, and then travel Azure Clarity Heaven with the Master.”

The Master smiled. “The former is optional; you can discuss that with Cao Qinglang. But, you must keep the latter promise.” They reached the summit, where mist swirled about them. Cui Dongshan snapped his fingers, and the mist instantly dispersed, revealing a red gate slowly opening. Within, instead of a screen wall, was a massive stone stele. The Master crossed the threshold and looked up at the ancient words, which vaguely described the mountain’s history. They were obscure, written in a language that was known, yet the meaning remained elusive.

*Mountain of the Way, Scarlet Mansion, ten thousand leagues locking up beauty… Seeking the Great Way, blade points take precedence, Jade and Stone both burn. One’s nature follows the decaying body, regretting to drink from the Yellow Springs… Melting sword points to cast a golden body, how could it be weakening the world or thinning humanity…*

Beyond the stele was an empty hall, supporting twelve golden statues, their faces blurred.

Xiao Mo said, “These were once high-ranking gods in Heaven.”

The Master felt a stirring. He hesitated, and then drew his narrow blade “Executioner,” leaning upon it. In that instant, the mist surrounding one statue dispersed, revealing its true face, slowly opening its eyes as if to meet his gaze.

The narrow blade beneath the Master’s hand came from a servant of one of the Five Supreme Ones, the Sword Holder, named “Executioner” by later generations.

Cui Dongshan suddenly said, “Xiao Mo, we must withdraw.”

Xiao Mo nodded and followed the White-Clad Youth back. As soon as they were outside, the gate slammed shut.

Besides the “Executioner,” slumbering near the Sword-Qi Great Wall,

there was also the “Single-Eyed One,” which had lain dormant for ten thousand years in the Five-Colored World, slain by Ning Yao’s sword. That god, formerly under the Armored One, controlled the cycle of day and night. Its statue also stood in the hall.

There was also the high-ranking god who had appeared in Tung Leaf Continent and journeyed to Old Dragon City in Bottle Continent, only to be stopped from landing by the Master’s senior brothers. It was named “Echoer.”

The Ancestor of Male Earth Immortals, Old Yang of the apothecary, was Qing Tong Heavenly Monarch.

The Ancestor of Female Earth Immortals, also a human cultivator, was also once the Moon Lord of the ancient Heavenly Court.

Both held a Flying Ascension Platform for receiving Earth Immortals rising to godhood.

Those two, as well as the first master of the hairpin in Immortal Hairpin City, and the Old Abbot of Treasure Fall Grotto, were peers.

Xiao Mo was their junior, in terms of time on the Way.

“Dreamer” was the lord of dreams, who easily plunged sentient beings, especially cultivators, into delusive dreams, causing them to form heart demons.

“Unspeaking One” had the power to “stop speech,” thus also named “Heart Voice.” It was said the thoughts of cultivators and the sound focus of pure martial artists originated from it.

“Replica,” which created countless imitations of suns, moons, mountains, and secret lands, was also named “Imaginer” or “Forger.”

He was the lord of the various departments of Thunder.

“Arranger,” under the command of the Fire God, was responsible for placing the corpses of all gods.

“Order Bringer,” under the command of the Water God, was in charge of the orderly flow of the River of Time.

Finally, there was one god with no record in the Central Continent’s Literary Temple, the Western Buddha-Lands, the Jade Capital of Azure Clarity Heaven, or the Sword-Qi Great Wall’s Retreat from the Heat. There was no name. There was only reverence.

The Ancient Five Supreme Ones.

The Heavenly Court Lord, the Sword Holder, the Armored One, the Fire God, and the Water God.

Then came the Twelve Great Seats.

Besides the single “Unnamed” one, there were the Executioner, the Single-Eyed One, the Dreamer, the Heart Voice, the Replica, the Echoer, the Lord of Thunder’s Departments, the Arranger, the Order Bringer, and the two Earth Immortal Ancestors.

Also,

Feng Yi, one of the ancient Wind Gods.

Yu Shi, the potter back home. The coachman in Great Li’s capital had a lower position, like the difference between a ministry vice-minister and a secretary, but that old coachman held a more prominent and powerful divine post, for he was the chief god of one of the old Heavenly Court’s Thunder Departments.

The Master twice lit three sticks of incense and offered it to two of the statues.

One had brought immense merit to all sentient beings, and the other had granted the Master great favor.

The old saying “suffering is a blessing” taught people to be good.

Suffering was just suffering; it only became more bitter.

Some unspeakable trials, once survived, are best kept to oneself, unspoken to those currently suffering, lest one bring more sorrow.

He left the hall, passing the stele and opening the gate.

His eyes shone; the world was bright. This year, Tung Leaf Continent had seen several heavy snows in Early Winter, unusually cold. On the mountains, immortal families opened their gates to mountains of snow, and in the mortal world, snow-laden branches snapped with the sound of shattering jade. Yet, when the heavy snows were due, there was only a light flurry of snow and rain.

Celestial Peaks consisted of Azure Bloom and Dagger Peaks, standing side by side. Azure Bloom, the ancestral and main peak, contained the Ancestral Hall. Secondary Dagger Peak had the Treasure Fall Beach by Blue Robe River. It had no connection to the Old Abbot’s Grotto Treasure Fall Beach. Cui Dongshan merely used the name for good luck, hoping that the future cultivators of the sect would have treasures raining down on them, whether they visited immortals on the mountain or trained below. Dagger Peak’s Flower Sweeping Terrace had been claimed by Sui Youbian, who transformed it into a training ground.

Celestial Peaks also had a slightly shorter branch peak, called Snow Secret Peak. Its cliffs were exposed, all of jade-white. Fifty to sixty residences would be built there.

Currently, only one residence was somewhat like an immortal’s abode, prepared specifically for the Master. No one else had that privilege.

Cao Qinglang and Pei Qian had merely caught a ride, residing in the east and west chambers, respectively.

Early this morning, the Master left his small world within, and as he stepped out of bed, about to put on cloth shoes, he glanced at the drizzling rain outside and changed into boots instead.

Upon exiting, he found Pei Qian sitting beneath the eaves, watching the rain. She said that Cao Qinglang and Xiao Mo had gone to help the Little Brother.

As for herself, she had to stay to care for the Master’s needs. She asked him if he wanted breakfast. He nodded, and she had him wait, hurrying to the kitchen. Soon, she served him a meal.

The Master sat by the table, smiling.

A bowl of warm millet porridge, two dishes of pickles, and even a basket of crab soup dumplings?

The Master picked up his chopsticks, eating the porridge and pickles and then picking up a crab soup dumpling. He nodded. “Good skill, warming and nourishing. In the future…”

He thought of saying that whoever married Pei Qian would be fortunate, but that made him feel uneasy.

Why should she be lost to another family? There was no sense in such ridiculous reasoning.

If Pei Qian met someone and wanted to marry him, fine. He would give that boy hell first.

Pei Qian noticed the Master’s shifting expression, which was rare. She asked, “Master, do you have something on your mind?”

The Master smiled. “No.” But, after gathering his courage, he carefully asked, seemingly casually, “In those years when Master was not around, you traveled alone, going so far. Did you meet anyone outstanding, any promising youths on the mountains?”

Pei Qian thought, nodding. “I met some. They were capable.”

The Master beamed. “Did anyone leave a particularly deep impression? What were they called?”

If so, he would have to meet that person after his journeys to the Central Continent.

Pei Qian looked at him strangely, finally sensing that something was amiss. “Master, what is it?”

The Master said solemnly, “Just chatting.”

Pei Qian complained, “Master, do not think too much. I do not care for such matters of love. Training in martial arts is enough.”

The Master smiled. “I saw two pairs of master and disciple on a strange summit.”

Pei Qian was confused.

The Master teased, “One of them was a little dark thing who dazed at the sight of Master. One flick of the forehead sent her screaming.”

Pei Qian grinned. In Tung Leaf Continent, the Master, having reached the Tenth Level of Martial Art with his reputation of the “strongest in the world,” discovered that the boon of martial fortune was less than expected. But, soon he understood the answer. The martial fortune had been split in two, pulled into a foreign realm, where eleven pure martial artists stood on a strange summit.

Within that great realm, martial fortune was as thick as water. Eleven martial artists surrounded the summit, so their rank was equal. They were all the “strongest of their rank in ten thousand years.”

Among them were two pairs.

The Great Duan Dynasty of Central Continent: Pei Bei, Cao Ci.

Fallen Peak of Bottle Continent: Chen Ping’an, Pei Qian.

Cao Ci, that fellow, occupied four positions on the summit by himself.

The Master used to fear that Pei Qian would give up, for she hated pain. Now, he worried that Pei Qian would feel that her training was worthless, for martial arts, unlike cultivation, was like rowing against the current: one must constantly advance or recede. Those who cultivated only needed to refine a natal treasure and open residence after residence like building cities, garrisoning vital points and easily familiarizing themselves with one’s land, where they could draw on the Qi of heaven and earth to replenish one’s strength.

The Master finished his meal, set down his chopsticks, and abruptly asked, “Pei Qian, what is the purpose of reaching the peak of martial arts?”

He pushed the bamboo tray toward her, smiling. “There is no rush to answer. Finish eating.”

Pei Qian picked up the last crab soup dumpling, saying, “Other than Master, there is no one before me.”

“Not enough.”

The Master shook his head, laughing. “Answer again.”

Pei Qian was surprised. “Ah?”

She swallowed the soup dumpling, wiping her mouth. Was that not enough?

Seeing the Master still waiting, she timidly said, “Only one level below Master?”

The Master glared.

Pei Qian scratched her face. “Then may I be so bold as to be on the same level as Master?”

The Master laughed in exasperation, knocking the table with his fingers as if rapping her forehead. “Be serious!”

Pei Qian felt troubled. How much more serious could she be?

The Master changed his approach. He suddenly grew solemn, asking in thoughts, “Pei Qian, after gaining the title of ‘Strongest,’ did you ever encounter strange people or events?”

The key was that Pei Qian was there on that summit. She had her place. Pei Qian rummaged through her memories and recalled one event, nodding. “Master, maybe there was. When I was little, I had a dream. I saw a strange person who I do not remember. The person brought me… not up, but down the mountain. The person asked why I studied martial arts. I was young and did not know better, so I honestly answered what was on my mind.”

She was clearly building her case.

She was young and spouted nonsense; the Master could not hold her to it later.

The Master waited.

Pei Qian grew even more uneasy, but she dared not conceal anything. She gave the Master all the details. Apparently, Pei Qian felt that since she was only dreaming, there was nothing to fear. While distracted, she said she was learning martial arts as the Master’s first disciple. Otherwise, why endure so much hardship for a mere hammer?

The little dark thing had skipped down the mountain, like a white goose, asking the tall fellow next to her if they were afraid.

Hearing this, the Master rubbed his forehead.

That was certainly something the little dark thing would say.

Then, Pei Qian’s next sentence made the Master laugh with exasperation. He took a deep breath.

“If you are not afraid, then wait until my Master comes. You will have to kneel and kowtow. Do you believe it?”

The Master kept smiling, gesturing. “Come here. Master is so fortunate to have you as his first disciple.”

Come, if she was not full, there were head flicks for her.

Pei Qian smiled awkwardly, saying that she had to clean up the dishes before fleeing.

Rainy weather; the Master walked alone with an umbrella along a winding path to Cui Dongshan’s hut, to discuss the guests for the inauguration.

There were no cliffside carvings. If the lower sect were willing to lose face, they could let Zhu Lian carve the cliffside to appear real, and Cui Dongshan could also do it.

He lightly spun the umbrella as he walked.

The date had been set: the inauguration of the lower sect would be on the Start of Spring next year. Thus, Fallen Peak and the lower sect’s new Sword Estate began to prepare, sending flying swords to invite guests from all sides.

Compared to Fallen Peak’s inauguration, there would be fewer guests, and not everyone from Fallen Peak would come.

The Master invited Liu Jinglong, Zhong Kui, and Huang Ting, the one person who was equal to two sects.

In the Five-Colored World, a Golden Core cultivator could found a sect.

The Master also invited Qing Hu Gong’s Lu Yong, the Thatched Hall on Pu Mountain’s Ye Yunyun, the Immersed River Water God Lady Liu Rou of Great Fountain Dynasty’s Green Ripple Palace, and two deities, the Gold Splendor Mountain Deity Zheng Su and the Pine Needle Lake Water Lord Liu Yourong.

The number of guests was perhaps less than a Golden Core’s peak opening ceremony.

As he reached the hut, the Master closed his umbrella and leaned it against the wall. Inside, a desk was piled with drafts drawn by Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan set down his pen and saluted the Master. The Master waved him to continue, sitting on a long bench and picking up a drawing that was still damp with ink.

The desk’s implements were meager, with a bamboo pen holder made from the mountain, a bundle of Great Fountain Chicken Distance brushes, and mundane paper and pine ink.

The Master set down the drawing and asked, “Even though we lent Lin Shou a hundred Grain Rain Coins, Fallen Peak’s treasury still has a surplus of immortal coins: five or six hundred. Are you certain you do not need them?”

That meant the products of Everlasting Spring Grotto could not be turned into immortal coins. Fallen Peak’s North Jewelled Reed Bone Beach, Mourning Sect, and Spring Dew Trading routes took in the treasures of the