Oxhorn Ferry.

Green mountains rise from the earth, emerald streams flow eastward. Geese in autumn skies.

A colossal ferry slowly approached the shore, its aura imposing, its immense spiritual energy rippling outwards, stirring gusts of mountain wind. Compared to ordinary immortal ferries, it was an enormous behemoth, like a dragon deigning to frolic in shallow waters. It was none other than the Wind Kite Ferry, whose repairs had not cost Fallen Peak a single copper coin.

Only Zhong Qiu and Cui Wei accompanied the ferry back to the territory of Dragon Province, completing the Wind Kite Ferry’s first intercontinental voyage.

Chen Pingan cupped his fist and smiled, “Much obliged.”

The mountain master’s opening remark triggered a chorus of “Much obliged, much obliged” as many people cupped their fists in acknowledgement.

Zhong Qiu couldn’t help but chuckle, returning the gesture, while Cui Wei seemed a little uncomfortable, responding only with a fist salute.

Chen Pingan felt rather helpless. He had sincerely meant to express his gratitude, but it had been twisted into something of a joke.

This time, a considerable number of Fallen Peak disciples accompanied Chen Pingan on his travels.

The mountain master brought a group of direct disciples: the Boundary Stopping Martial Artist Pei Qian, the Sword Cultivator Guo Zhujiu, the Fifth Realm Martial Artist Zhao Shuxia, and the Qi Practitioner Zhao Luan.

The honored Little Mo, in his yellow hat and green shoes, carrying his book chest and walking stick, looked more like a frail scholar embarking on a journey of learning.

There was also Mi Yu, soon to be appointed chief honored guest of the lower sect, and Yu Xiehui, returning from the Sword Worship Platform for further travels.

The child, upon seeing Cui Wei, stubbornly and awkwardly called out “Master,” then harrumphed, as if feeling humiliated.

Cui Wei, though surprised, nodded in silence, a hint of a smile in his eyes. The first step was the hardest. As long as Yu Xiehui was willing to acknowledge him as his master, Cui Wei had full confidence in making sure the child wouldn’t regret his decision.

Chang Ming, the law enforcer of Fallen Peak, brought her newly accepted disciple, Nalan Yudie.

She might not be able to teach any profound sword techniques, but she certainly had enough money.

With so many sword cultivators on Fallen Peak – Jiang Shangzhen, Mi Yu, Cui Wei, Sui Youbian… she could simply buy a few secret sword manuals from each of them.

The law enforcer Chang Ming now also served as the chief steward of the Wind Kite Ferry. After Cui Dongshan became the sect leader of the lower sect, he made it abundantly clear in a secret letter sent to Great Li’s capital that his teacher must agree to this matter, even if the law enforcer Chang Ming was unwilling, his teacher should personally persuade her.

The reason was obvious: this sect’s law enforcer was a treasure trove.

The revenue from the Wind Kite Ferry was split seven-three between the upper and lower sects.

It could be said that Cui Dongshan, the lower sect leader, spared no effort in poaching talents.

Cui Dongshan wanted a six-four split, but Chen Pingan refused. This student was obsessed with money.

Also present was Jia Sheng, the shopkeeper of the herb store in Riding Dragon Lane, and Chen Lingjun, who was simply along for the ride.

The second steward of this intercontinental ferry was none other than the blind Daoist, Jia Sheng. This Dragon Gate Realm old immortal would be responsible for handling the ferry’s relationships with various docks and immortal sects along the way. Navigating human interactions was a profound art.

The mountain had four troublesome individuals, including the sword cultivators, but in Jia Sheng’s opinion, two other types of people were the most difficult to deal with, because it was the most difficult to be around them for an extended time without getting annoyed: the scholars from small places and the pedigree immortal masters halfway up the mountain.

Fortunately, Jia Sheng believed he had some experience in the world.

At the time, the mountain master had personally visited Riding Dragon Lane and spoke to the acting shopkeeper, who had been in charge for many years, about the matter.

The old immortal Jia was uncontrollably excited, repeatedly murmuring, “What merit or ability do I possess, I am simply unqualified.”

That’s what he said, but since it was the mountain master’s wish, and he thought highly of his old bones, what could he do? An old steed in the stable still aspires to travel a thousand miles. With such a heavy burden on his shoulders, he couldn’t refuse; he could only go all out.

The old immortal had been chided by Cui Dongshan before and had taken off his garish Daoist robe. Now that his status had changed and he had been promoted, he couldn’t allow the various immortal masters to look down on his mountain. So, the old immortal brought out the Daoist robe he had kept at the bottom of his trunk for a long time, bathed and changed, feeling refreshed and even more like an immortal.

The Immortal Guard, Xian Wei, refused to move, saying, “Let me take my time.”

Stepping onto the deck, Chen Pingan stood at the bow, waving goodbye to those who had come to see them off at the dock.

Chen Pingan had previously asked Bai Xuan if he was willing to practice swordsmanship with Little Mo, explaining Little Mo’s Dao foundation and cultivation level to the child honestly.

Bai Xuan shook his head and refused, saying that it had nothing to do with Little Mo’s origins as a demon clan. Anyway, he had been sleeping for ten thousand years and had no grievances with the Sword Qi Great Wall. He simply didn’t want to find a master.

There was a sentence the child didn’t say.

He had a master.

Chen Pingan then patted the child’s head, saying that there was no need to force him, that he should work hard at practicing swordsmanship in the future, not just talk about it, not waste his talent for swordsmanship, and not disappoint his master.

There was also a pair of master and disciple who had already been recorded in the Fallen Peak Ancestral Hall register, which was quite festive.

Yao Xiaoyan, hahaha. The white-haired child, hehehe.

The master and disciple recognition ceremony had no complicated plot twists. It was roughly like this:

Zhang Jiazhen, who had been using the abacus at Wei Wenlong’s side on Fallen Peak for many years, would now gain experience on the ferry. Wind Kite had specially opened an accounting room for him.

This was also Cui Dongshan’s idea.

As for Jiang Qu, who was both a fellow villager and the same age, had officially settled down for cultivation on Gray Mist Mountain. Jiang Qu currently had no clear lineage. He was the only true talisman cultivator on Fallen Peak. Jiang Qu would often send flying sword messages to the chief honored guest of Cloud Top City, asking Real Person Huan Yun about talisman learning. This time, Hidden Official Chen had returned to his hometown and also gave him a handwritten copy of a talisman secret manual, with the words “True Traces of Crimson Script” written in regular script on the title page, and a smaller word “Upper” at the end.

Zhang Shanfeng did not accompany Chen Pingan on the ship to Tongye Continent. He planned to travel alone through Treasure Bottle Continent, slaying demons and monsters along the way, and would not be delayed in attending the Fallen Peak Lower Sect ceremony.

Chen Pingan didn’t stop him. Anyway, Zhang Shanfeng’s senior brother was also one of Fallen Peak’s guest retainers. Yuan Lingdian of Pointing to the Mystery Peak was actually secretly protecting his junior brother along the way. Chen Pingan had known about this when he was in Qingyuan County and had specifically had a drink with Yuan Lingdian. Only after chatting did he realize that this True Lord had a breakthrough opportunity and was just waiting to take Zhang Shanfeng back to his hometown. Yuan Lingdian would then enter seclusion to prepare to break through and become an immortal.

In the conversation, True Lord Yuan looked quite pleased with himself for snatching the task of escorting his junior brother from several senior brothers.

The deck of the ferry had only two floors, with more than forty rooms.

Below the deck, however, were three cargo holds used to carry goods.
The ferry crew wasn’t complex. Cui Dongshan had meticulously crafted over sixty talisman puppets and golden armored warriors, whimsically named Rain Worker, Gold Master, Mountain Carrier, Fish Catcher, and so on. Chen Ping’an had never heard of any of them. They were responsible for the daily maintenance of the ferry and the secret geographical surveys along its routes. According to Zhong Qiu, these talisman puppets numbered nearly a hundred, including the group of talisman-making Golden Masters resembling Yin-Yang geomancers, whom Cui Dongshan had casually scattered across the mountains and rivers of Tongye Continent, searching for treasures.

In addition, there were two unfamiliar earth immortal ghosts proficient in array formations, who would likely be incorporated into the ancestral hall genealogy of the lower sect in the future.

Since this Wind Kite Ferry was specifically for commercial trade routes and not for earning the leisurely travel money of orthodox cultivators, outsiders were strictly forbidden from boarding. Therefore, the unoccupied rooms on the two floors could be used to store goods.

Chen Ping’an headed straight for the cabins, eager to familiarize himself with the inner workings of the Wind Kite Ferry, especially to examine the array formation hubs.

Zhong Qiu led the way up the stairs, smiling as he introduced, “For a transcontinental ferry, three things are of paramount importance: wind-riding speed, structural integrity, and finally, the cost of each voyage, which is how much spiritual energy it consumes. These three are interlinked. Any weakness can lead to accidents and financial losses.”

Cui Wei restrained himself for a moment, but couldn’t help but say, “Teacher Zhong, the Hidden Official is already extremely familiar with the business of transcontinental ferries.”

Back in the Upside-Down Mountain’s Spring Banner Lodge, often referred to as a “branch office” of the summer palace, the newly appointed Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall had indeed dealt extensively with the managers of transcontinental ferries.

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “It’s still different. Back then, it was mostly about accounting. I actually know very little about the ferry’s technical aspects. Teacher Zhong, the more details you can provide today, the better.”

For navigation speed, major sects and immortal abodes that owned ferries had various auxiliary means. For example, the Hemp Robe Sect’s ferry had a large group of talisman laborers pulling the ship through the clouds, like trackers hauling a boat upstream, making it as fast as lightning.

Then, a ferry, especially a transcontinental one, must be sturdy enough to withstand the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning in the sky, and be able to endure some natural and man-made disasters. This required the construction and engraving of numerous mountain and river restrictions and talisman arrays. When Chen Ping’an left Luhua Island’s Creation Grotto with the nine children, before encountering the female immortal Cong Qian, he had seen a transcontinental ferry heading to Tongye Continent from afar. Colorful garments fluttered around the ferry, like celestial dancers, because talisman experts were painting dragon maidens and water spirits on the ferry’s walls.

In the Vast World, whether an immortal ferry could withstand the full-force sword strike of an earth immortal or a jade purity realm sword immortal was a key benchmark.

Furthermore, the issue of spiritual energy consumption was crucial. For example, the Osmanthus Island of Old Dragon City, although slow, was uniquely blessed in this regard because of Lady Osmanthus’ presence. In the center of the island was an osmanthus tree from the genuine lunar palace, which could absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth like an enlightened cultivator. Therefore, although Osmanthus Island was slow at sea, it consumed very little energy.

On the other hand, this transcontinental ferry, salvaged from the Xuanmi Dynasty’s treasury, was extremely fast, befitting the name “Wind Kite.” However, the original two attack and defense array hubs had long been abandoned. Therefore, Cui Dongshan had to take matters into his own hands, embedding many yellow and purple talismans. The fundamental principle of his technique was to emulate the layered talismans on the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion gate, constantly reinforcing the array. The Wind Kite’s defense array was still in its nascent form, but its greatest advantage was a sort of “endless” array layering.

He had just heard Zhong Qiu say that Cui Dongshan was already working on drawing subsequent array diagrams, and even wanted to transform the Wind Kite Ferry into a sword vessel similar to those of the Great Li military.

Clearly, Cui Dongshan intended to transform this ferry into a mobile mountain sect within a century.

And Cui Dongshan had not asked the Fallen Mountain treasury for a single snowflake coin for these valuable talismans and natural treasures.

However, the Wind Kite Ferry’s spiritual energy consumption far exceeded that of ordinary transcontinental ferries. Chen Ping’an now suspected that Yu Pan’sui was deliberately trying to make him look foolish.

Chen Ping’an followed Zhong Qiu to inspect all three levels of cabins and the two array hubs.

They arrived at a spacious room with a mountain and river survey map encompassing three continents, showing the undulating mountains, winding rivers, and locations of major immortal abodes with great clarity.

The Wind Kite Ferry’s transcontinental route was roughly along a north-south line. The northernmost wharf in the three continents was in Northern Club Lush Continent’s Great Origin Dynasty, located in the central Jidu region. There were also Cloudtop City and Bone Beach, among others. Across the sea was Treasure Bottle Continent’s northernmost Crossbeam Wharf, Great Li’s capital area’s Evergreen Palace, his own Ox Horn Mountain, Central Peak, Southern Peak, Old Dragon City, and on the Tongye Continent side, there were the northern Azure Tiger Palace, the central Great Spring Dynasty, further south was Jade Gui Sect, and the southernmost point of the continent, Driving Mountain Wharf… These were just the relatively important mountain wharves. According to the map, the total number of mountain wharves in the future would be as many as seventeen, but nearly half of them were either too small or too dilapidated to be suitable for the Wind Kite Ferry’s commercial trade.

Chen Ping’an extended two fingers and gently levitated a miniature mountain peak on the map called Gathering Mushroom Mountain. Originally no larger than a mustard seed, it suddenly expanded until its base was the size of a tabletop. Chen Ping’an focused his gaze, and the mountain’s shrines, pavilions, and towers became clearly visible. He then gently pressed down, and Gathering Mushroom Mountain instantly returned to its original size. With a light wave of his sleeve, Gathering Mushroom Mountain was brushed off the map like a ball of light and suspended against the wall. Chen Ping’an beckoned again, and Gathering Mushroom Mountain returned to its original position. Then, clenching his fist and suddenly opening it, Chen Ping’an felt as if he was standing in a cliffside pavilion on Gathering Mushroom Mountain, with a leaning pine tree rooted in the cliff face, its gnarled branches slanting across the pavilion’s brow like a scholar painting delicate eyebrows for a beautiful woman. Sunlight even filtered through the ancient pine’s branches and leaves, filling the pavilion with golden scales.

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves, as if he were really standing in the Gathering Mushroom Mountain pavilion, looking into the distance, clad in a green robe and bathed in golden light.
Chen Pingan, retracting the wondrous scenery, smiled at Zhong Qiu: “From now on, we can entertain guests here, offering tea and wine. The scenery is magnificent. Anyway, we can freely shrink the land and rivers, selecting scenes according to our preferences, no different from a joint excursion by two Fourteenth Realm Great Cultivators.”

Zhong Qiu nodded with a smile.

Cui Wei was dumbfounded.

A landscape painting could be used in such a playful manner?

This Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator was indeed an honest fellow.

Zhong Qiu suddenly smiled and reached out to Cui Wei. The sword cultivator silently handed over a Little Heat Coin.

Zhong Qiu accepted the coin and laughed, “I’ll treat Brother Cui to a drink later.”

Chen Pingan was somewhat puzzled.

Zhong Qiu explained, “Before coming, I had a bet with Cui Wei. I wagered that the Mountain Lord’s first act upon arriving on the Wind Vane Ferry would be to meticulously explore the cabins. Cui Wei believed that the Mountain Lord’s first act would be to choose accommodations before descending to the cabins, then only glancing around casually.”

Chen Pingan said aloud that a small gamble was harmless and quite enjoyable, while secretly communicating with Cui Wei: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You should have informed me as soon as we boarded. I would have definitely helped you win this Little Heat Coin. We could have split the profits afterward. It’s better for both of us to earn something, rather than you losing money.”

Cui Wei was speechless.

He couldn’t bring himself to engage in such unethical gambling.

Cui Wei hadn’t quite believed a rumor before, but now he had no doubt: in his hometown, there was a shop where nine out of ten drunkards were shills.

Chen Pingan’s four direct disciples were currently together in a room, sitting around a table.

Guo Zhujiu still had the appearance of a young girl, a hand-held inkstone hanging from her waist. She sat opposite Pei Qian.

After a long separation, they felt a pang of sympathy for each other’s thinness.

After arriving at Fallen Mountain, Guo Zhujiu didn’t hesitate to acknowledge Pei Qian as her eldest senior sister, and even recognized Zhao Shuxia as her senior brother and Zhao Luan as her senior sister.

Zhao Luan was a little uneasy, but Guo Zhujiu gave her a perfectly reasonable explanation: Zhao Luan, you are so beautiful; it would be a pity if you weren’t a senior sister!

As long as the Hidden Official Master hadn’t formally accepted a closed-door disciple, she would always be half of the Master’s close disciple and more and more senior sisters and brothers will appear!

Like an Emperor favors his youngest child.

Pei Qian asked about matters concerning the Five Colors World, but as soon as she opened her mouth, seeing Guo Zhujiu’s eagerness, Pei Qian regretted it deeply.

Because Guo Zhujiu had come prepared, first pouring a bowl of tea for everyone, then taking out a dozen pages of paper, clearing her throat, and starting to read aloud.

Zhao Shuxia and Zhao Luan listened with great interest, after all, it was about the customs, folklore and anecdotes of a brand-new world.

But when Guo Zhujiu pulled out another stack of papers from her sleeve, holding a bowl in one hand to moisten her throat and vigorously shaking the other, creating a rustling sound.

The two siblings suddenly understood the eldest senior sister’s feelings.

After finally listening to an impassioned “storytelling” session, one said he wanted to practice boxing, and the other said she needed to meditate, and they fled the scene.

This room was Pei Qian’s residence, and she had nowhere to hide.

Guo Zhujiu leaned on the table, saying that the small bamboo chest was left at the Summer Palace, as a treasure to guard the house. She would return it to the eldest senior sister when she went to the Five Colors World with Pei Qian.

Pei Qian propped her chin with one hand, looking out the window, and said it was not a problem.

Guo Zhujiu, her cheek resting on the table, looked at Pei Qian and asked curiously, “Pei Qian, is it troublesome to maintain your bun hairstyle? If not, I’ll tie one tomorrow too.”

Pei Qian smiled, “It’s very simple, I can teach you step by step.”

Guo Zhujiu raised her head, then switched the cheek resting on the table, “Pei Qian, I heard there’s a custom of wedding night pranks here. Can I hide under your bed when the time comes?”

Pei Qian rolled her eyes, “I haven’t even gotten married, and you’re already marrying someone.”

Guo Zhujiu gave a “ha” sound and blinked her eyes, “I heard from Little Rice Grain that you’ve made a big name for yourself in the pugilistic world. Tell me about it?”

Pei Qian shook her head, “Little Rice Grain is exaggerating and talking nonsense.”

Just when she thought Guo Zhujiu would continue to give her a headache, Pei Qian soon heard a slight snoring sound, and she had actually fallen asleep.

The ferry sailed south.

The moon surged in the great river, a lone boat on a perilous mast at night.

Looking up, the moon. Looking down, the mortal realm.

This night’s thousand-year moon, its pure light illuminating millions of homes.

Old Immortal Jia and Chen Lingjun, two brothers, enjoyed the moon and sipped wine while talking intimately.

The old Taoist priest stroked his beard and pondered, “If there’s a chance, I must quickly send a letter to Chief Zhou.”

Chen Lingjun asked in confusion, “Why? Are you short of money? When Little Zhang, the accountant, issues the offerings and salaries later, you can take my share along with yours.”

My money is my brother’s money, and my brother’s money is for drinking money.

The old Taoist sighed, “If Brother Zhou doesn’t come back soon, I estimate his chief position won’t be secure.”

Chen Lingjun suddenly understood, “That’s right, that’s right. Our little Mo brother is indeed a kindred spirit of Brother Zhou, a formidable rival!”

The two brothers exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Don’t blame us brothers for not being loyal to the pugilistic world; it’s just that Little Mo is too kind.

Chen Pingan was quite surprised because he had met Wei Xian’s disciple so quickly, a little girl who was not even ten years old, named Chai Wu.

Wei Xian was about to follow an elite Great Li border army to the Wildlands, near the New and Old Dragon Cities, and temporarily sent the little girl to the ferry, also giving Chai Wu a letter to be delivered to Mountain Lord Chen Pingan personally.

The little girl had delicate features, was gentle and quiet, and wasn’t short, but she was slightly thinner than others her age.

For some reason, Chen Pingan had a feeling that the girl in front of him, at such a young age, had four words written on her face: I want to drink.

Chen Pingan opened the envelope and, after reading the contents of the letter, felt that his feeling was justified.

Wei Xian only asked Chen Pingan to help find a few experts to teach the little girl some immortal techniques from the mountain. It would be even better if the Mountain Lord was willing to personally impart the teachings.

There was no need to worry about her being overwhelmed. Whatever was taught, she would learn. Whether she succeeded or not depended on her own destiny.

Wei Xian had only one request: Chai Wu’s fist and foot skills must be taught by him, her master, personally.

At the end of the letter, Wei Xian specifically mentioned one thing: Chai Wu must drink alcohol every day, and Fallen Mountain must not treat her badly. It wasn’t drinking for free; he would compensate the money later.

When talking to Mountain Lord Chen Pingan, the little girl wasn’t afraid at all. She sat on the chair, her hands placed on her knees, neither restrained nor lazy.

She was just like an ignorant girl from the streets, nothing special.
Chen Pingan asked, and she answered.

Perhaps because of her slender frame, the little girl’s eyes seemed particularly large.

Chen Pingan took out a pot of wine and handed it to Chai Wu, smiling, “Your master said you drink half a jin of wine every day. Remember to control your intake.”

The little girl finally showed a hint of shyness, smiled a little embarrassed, and took the wine pot, assuring him, “I’ll only drink two bowls, four liang, not even half a jin.”

According to what Wei Xian said in his letter, Chai Wu’s capacity for alcohol followed his, which was quite good.

She could usually drink half a jin of spirits, and if she drank too much, she would vomit, but she could vomit and then drink again, so she could still handle a jin of spirits without getting dizzy. But if she drank too little, she wouldn’t feel satisfied…

Clutching the wine pot, she went to the door and turned her head to ask, “Mountain Master, should I close the door?”

Chen Pingan smiled, “Whatever you like.”

The little girl then helped close the door.

Xiao Mo had been sitting at the table, secretly observing Chai Wu. After the little girl closed the door and left, Xiao Mo cut to the chase, “Young Master, I plan to extract my Natal Sword and give it to Chai Wu.”

Xiao Mo added, “I’ll do it immediately.”

This little girl named Chai Wu simply had too good of a talent for cultivation.

Even Xiao Mo, who had witnessed countless mountain peaks’ splendor, was amazed when he first saw Chai Wu. She was simply a naturally gifted immortal material.

It wasn’t just that the heavens were providing her with food, but it was as if they were worried Chai Wu wouldn’t be full, so they gave her a large bowl as well.

Generally, when entering the mountains to cultivate, cultivators below the Fifth Tier, when refining Qi, would need to rely on a Bridge of Longevity to connect the two realms of heaven and earth, and then painstakingly extract and separate the pure from the turbid. Furthermore, they needed to open up Natal Apertures, which would serve as paradises and blessed lands within their human bodies, which was another difficult task.

Xiao Mo was rarely so resolute, explaining, “I’m sure Young Master has already seen that there are no obstacles for Chai Wu in absorbing spiritual energy. Even if you directly threw a pile of Immortal Coins at her, she could devour them all without any loss or waste. This kind of cultivation material should start cultivating as soon as possible, and the more money you spend on her, the better. If she fell into the hands of the Liu Clan of Aiai Continent, Chai Wu’s place of cultivation would probably be in the treasure vault of that God of Wealth.”

If Chai Wu obtained Xiao Mo’s flying sword and successfully refined it into her Natal Object, her speed of absorbing spiritual energy would be even more astonishing, like a whale swallowing or a dragon drawing water.

Chen Pingan was a little embarrassed.

Xiao Mo smiled, “Young Master is overthinking it. I’m just giving her a Natal Sword for free, without any intention of imparting Dao. I definitely won’t compete with General Wei for a disciple. If possible, Young Master doesn’t even need to say it was I who gave it.”

The sooner she was given the flying sword, the sooner she could refine it, and the greater the benefits to Chai Wu’s Great Dao.

Chen Pingan frowned and said, “That’s only one aspect. What about your realm and cultivation?”

Even if Xiao Mo was absolutely sure he wouldn’t lose his realm, it would still diminish his cultivation and affect the killing power of Xiao Mo’s swordsmanship.

Just like what Mi Yu said unintentionally, earning money is not easy for anyone in the world.

And cultivation is even more so.

Xiao Mo wasn’t generally carefree. He smiled, “Just like Mi Yu’s Jade Purity Realm bottleneck, it’s not an ordinary realm bottleneck. Xiao Mo’s Ascension Realm perfection is also an extraordinary peak.”

In dealing with people, Xiao Mo had learned a lot from his Young Master, such as neither being arrogant nor belittling himself.

Another example was that when out in the world, losing a realm was a sign of respect, which was the same as the “bottoms up as a sign of respect” at the dinner table.

In fact, a slight loss of cultivation didn’t really have much impact on Xiao Mo.

If there was a chance to deliver a sword and decide life and death, it would simply be a matter of offering that game-winning flying sword.

So this act of giving a sword was not Xiao Mo being arrogant or underestimating the killing power of the mountain peak cultivators of the Great World.

Including himself, the group of slumbering cultivators in the Wild Lands were destined not to be fuel-efficient lamps.

Xiao Mo was sure that he wasn’t the one with the greatest killing power, nor was he the one with the strongest defense.

But Xiao Mo could be sure of one thing: he was definitely among the top three cultivators in terms of both offense and defense.

Anyway, he didn’t need to go to the Wild Lands to get involved in anything.

And in this Great World, there weren’t too many peak cultivators who could force Xiao Mo to fight to the death, only about the number of hands.

Moreover, a considerable part of them had a good relationship with his Young Master.

For example, Zheng Juzhong of White Emperor City, Yu Xuan in talismans, the Grand Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Fire Dragon Real Person, and Liu Jubao.

Chen Pingan asked solemnly, “Xiao Mo, have you really thought about it?”

Xiao Mo nodded. “Then I’ll have to trouble Young Master to give this sword away.”

He pinched his fingers as if holding something in the air, and then a bright red color with flowing sword energy appeared, like a fire dragon.

It was actually the Natal Sword that had been greatly refined. It was forcibly extracted from Xiao Mo’s Natal Aperture, eventually condensing into a crimson sword pellet about three inches long…

Chen Pingan couldn’t help but curse, “Xiao Mo, you son of a bitch.”

The matter of a sword cultivator extracting their Natal Sword would damage the foundation of their Great Dao. No one took it as lightly as Xiao Mo.

Chen Pingan had to immediately offer the Bird in a Cage to help shield the heavenly secrets and weather phenomena. Otherwise, the entire Wind Kite Ferry would probably mistakenly think it had been hit by the magic of a great cultivator.

Then Chen Pingan took out a locust wood sword box that he had made himself and carefully put away the Natal Sword, which didn’t even have a name yet, and said with a smile, “Such a great meeting gift, how to give it specifically, how to tell the little girl about it, let me think about it first. I certainly don’t have the face to claim credit and hide it.”

Xiao Mo rarely joked, “Young Master, don’t embezzle it.”

Chen Pingan stared blankly at Xiao Mo. Who did you learn that from?

Previously, Zhu Lian had secretly found him and praised Xiao Mo to the skies.

Because Xiao Mo said to him, “In Fallen Mountain, there are many innocent hearts, probably because of the proximity to virtuous people.”

Xiao Mo smiled awkwardly. He was indeed not suitable for such frivolous chats. He still had to be his true self.

Learning from anyone was not as effective as learning from Young Master.

Chen Pingan thought for a while and said, “Let’s call the flying sword ‘Kindling’.”

Passing down the kindling.

He hoped that Chai Wu would cherish this blessing and that in the future, if she encountered someone similar with a predestined relationship, she could continue to pass down this flying sword like Xiao Mo today.

Xiao Mo smiled. “I’m looking forward to the future.”
The Wind Kite Ferry docked at a celestial harbor near the Central Mountain Range, a place known as Bitter Gourd Landing. It earned its name from the two interconnected lakes, large and small, resembling the shape of a gourd.

In truth, the lake water was exceptionally clear and pristine. As for the reason behind the “bitter” in its name, no clear explanation had ever been given on the mountain.

At the harbor, Mountain Lord Jin Qing stood shoulder to shoulder with a refined scholar clad in a green robe, his aura thick with literary grace.

Also present were Lu Baixiang and his two disciples, Yuanbao and Yuanlai, awaiting the Wind Kite Ferry. However, due to the crowded nature of Bitter Gourd Landing, the master and his disciples had discreetly boarded the vessel.

Lu Baixiang now served as a venerated guest of a crown prince mountain within the Central Mountain Range, and his disciple Yuanlai had even encountered a stroke of good fortune within the mountains.

With Xiaomi Li’s presence, there was no gossip unknown to Chen Ping’an.

Thus, when Yuanbao journeyed to Tongye Continent, Chen Ping’an would take a good look at Cao Qinglang upon their first meeting, to verify the rumors surrounding him.

Although Yuanbai, one of the twin jewels of the former Vermilion Glow Sword Path, had ultimately remained at Upright Sun Mountain, instead of following Jin Qing to cultivate in the Central Mountain Range, he had been dispatched to a place named Bamboo Mountain by the Ancestral Hall of Upright Sun Mountain. There, he would oversee the establishment of Upright Sun Mountain’s lower sect. Once the qualifier of “sect candidate” was removed, Yuanbai would become the master of a sect. However, Yuanbai’s cultivation was likely to stagnate at the Nascent Soul Realm, a primary reason why Upright Sun Mountain entrusted him with the affairs of the future lower sect.

Nevertheless, Mountain Lord Jin Qing deeply valued Chen Mountain Lord’s sentiment. Therefore, he readily agreed that all docking fees for the Wind Kite Ferry at their harbor would be reduced by half.

In fact, during Cui Dongshan’s southward voyage to Tongye Continent while overseeing the ferry, he had paused at Bitter Gourd Landing. At that time, a swordsman using the alias Shao Poxian was aboard the vessel, but Jin Qing did not meet him when he boarded.

However, after the great mountain lord disembarked and returned to his shrine, he stood at the entrance, respectfully bowing and bidding farewell to the ferry as it vanished into the white clouds.

Chen Ping’an, accompanied by Xiao Mo, disembarked from the ferry. Smiling, he hastened forward, clasped his fist in salute, and said, “Greetings, Mountain Lord Jin Qing, Prefect Wu.”

The green-robed scholar was an old acquaintance from his hometown, none other than Wu Yuan. He had suffered setbacks in Huaihuang County of Dragon Province, his career obstructed by the subtle obstacles erected by the influential families of Fulujie and Taoyexiang. Ultimately, he had left Dragon Province in disappointment, effectively demoted to a small prefecture at the foot of the Central Mountain Range. Now, he was an official in a remote border region of Great Li, still holding the rank of prefect. As a nominal disciple of National Preceptor Cui Chan and the inaugural magistrate of Huaihuang County in Dragon Province, his career trajectory had been a dramatic fall from grace. In the eyes of the local officials, Prefect Wu would, at best, secure a sinecure in one of the lesser ministries of the auxiliary capital, where he would spend his remaining years. A posthumous title? A posthumous honor? A pipe dream.

However, Chen Ping’an knew that Wu Yuan would soon be recalled and promoted, in an unprecedented move, to the “new” Prefect of the former Dragon Province, now known as Chuzhou.

Jin Qing clasped his fist in return and said loudly with a smile, “Greetings, Mountain Lord Chen.”

Wu Yuan bowed in return and said with a gentle smile, “Wu Yuan greets Martial Uncle Chen.”

Being addressed as Junior Martial Uncle by Wu Yuan brought a smile to Chen Ping’an’s face.

Chen Ping’an’s purpose today was to discuss three matters with the Mountain Lord of the Central Mountain Range: establishing a quarry, felling timber, and purchasing river sand. Of course, these were no ordinary wood and stone. The reputation of the ancient sandalwood unique to a crown prince mountain of the Central Mountain Range in Treasure Bottle Continent rivaled that of the Yu Zhang timber. It had long been the preferred choice for the beams, pillars, and ceremonial guards of palaces in the various Central countries. The Vermilion Glow Dynasty had even established a purchasing office at the foot of the mountain, monopolizing the extraction for the imperial court. It was not sold by the tree but rather by the pound, an inch of sandalwood worth an inch of gold.

Cui Dongshan had previously reached an agreement in principle with Jin Qing, but they had been unable to settle on a price. Thus, he had to let his teacher personally intervene.

The southern Tongye Continent was almost entirely covered in ruins and remnants. As the various states were gradually restored, the demand for immortal timber, stones, and sand from the mountains was enormous. Although the vast and resource-rich Tongye Continent also possessed its own, it was difficult to extract them. Furthermore, each immortal family needed to rebuild their ancestral halls, so they had to prioritize their own immortal residences. In addition, the mountains and lowlands of Tongye Continent were caught in a competition of extravagance, striving to be the big spenders. Even if they had to tighten their belts or borrow money, they wanted to build their imperial cities and local cities even more grandly than before the war.

Xiao Mo stood quietly by, watching her young master engage in light-hearted conversation with a mountain lord and a prefect. There were no drawn-out negotiations regarding the price. It seemed that Mountain Lord Jin Qing had been waiting for her young master to show his face.

As for the quarry, timber felling, and river sand extraction, there was even no need for Fallen Phoenix Mountain to send anyone to supervise the work. Jin Qing only assured Mountain Lord Chen that he could rest assured. It was a long-term partnership, and there was no need to tarnish the reputation of the Central Mountain Range for the sake of a few immortal coins.

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded in agreement.

He inexplicably recalled an immortal sect that had probably not consulted the almanac before setting out. They had finally relocated from Wei Bo’s Northern Mountain Range to the Central Mountain Range, only to be greeted by Mountain Lord Jin Qing’s grand Night Parade Banquet.

Truly, an unexpected delight that could bring tears to one’s eyes…

The Wind Kite Ferry continued its southward journey.

Zhong Qiu and Lu Baixiang, two fellow countrymen from the same blessed land, reunited after a long separation and agreed to play a few games of chess.

Xiao Mo watched the game from the side, keeping the silence of a true gentleman.

Lingering for a long time, she listened to the sound of the chess pieces falling on the board, each one a quiet note.

Inside a room, Yu Xiehui sat cross-legged, breathing and refining his sword. Cui Wei observed the flow of his disciple’s energy, seeking out subtle imperfections.

Pei Qian was at the stern of the boat, teaching Zhao Shuxia boxing.

It was somewhat akin to teaching on behalf of the master.

Zhao Shuxia focused his training solely on the Mountain Shaking Fist, diligently working to overcome his Fifth Realm martial artist bottleneck.

His realm was neither low nor high.

Not low, compared to ordinary pure martial artists, and not high, compared to his master’s Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

Whether it was the predecessors Zhu Lian, Zhong Qiu, Lu Baixiang, and Wei Xian, or his peers Pei Qian, Cen Yuanji, Yuanbao, and Yuanlai, Zhao Shuxia’s martial arts path over the years seemed extremely ordinary, his talent undeniably at the bottom.