After Ye Yunyun took her leave, Sui Youbian departed without a word. She immediately mounted her sword and descended the mountain, heading alone to Luobao Shoal by the Qingyi River.

Qiu Du, on the other hand, took the maiden Hu Chuling along with her, touring the lofty peaks of Dixian Peak.

Between Luopo Mountain and Pu Mountain, two matches of Grandmaster’s fist, had opened the old woman’s eyes.

What was key was the victor’s lack of complacency, and the vanquished’s lack of discouragement, which the old woman found particularly valuable.

Having experienced the perilous situation at the Great Du Dragon Palace, and then personally witnessing Chen Ping’an’s striking demeanor, the old woman had a very favorable impression of this Xiandu Mountain.

A mountain too high to climb.

Moreover, that man in the blue robe was a Sword Immortal.

The old woman gazed into the distance, inexplicably feeling emotional, “How can mortals presume to paint mountains and rivers? Heaven and Earth were divided by sages.”

The old woman said in her heart, “Chuchu, your master will strive to secure an official identity for you in this Xiandu Mountain, but this matter may not succeed.”

Hu Chuling nodded, not even asking why her master had temporarily changed her mind.

The old woman hesitated for a moment, and reminded, “Chuchu, if you really become a direct disciple of the ancestral hall here, you must not act willfully in the future. I believe you have already seen that although the young Chen Sword Immortal is extremely kind, look at that Miss Pei. Her martial arts realm is so high, yet she still follows the rules so strictly with her master, and is so courteous. Even Immortal Master Cui, who is about to become the head of a sect, is respectful in front of the master.”

But what truly reassured and instilled trust in the old woman regarding Xiandu Mountain was not these so-called Sword Immortals, Sect Leaders, or Boundary Experts, but… the heartfelt smiles.

The way Chen Ping’an looked at everyone, and the way everyone looked at Chen Ping’an.

Like those two children whose names and identities Qiu Du did not yet know, they seemed to have an unreasonable respect, reliance, and affection for the Chen Sword Immortal.

This was actually a very strange thing. In the Hao Ran Sect-affiliated sects, many young cultivators who were many generations and realms behind the elders, might not even dare to greet the Law Enforcers or ancestral hall offerings when they met them on the road. They were restrained, awed, and hesitant, let alone encountering a founding ancestor of a sect.

Hu Chuling’s bright eyes narrowed into crescents, and her voice was soft and sweet as she said, “I will listen to Granny.”

When with Qiu Du, the maiden still liked to use her hometown dialect, calling her master Granny.

The old woman stroked the maiden’s head, “I wonder who will be blessed enough to marry our Chuchu into their family as a wife.”

Hmm, that young lad named Cao Qinglang looked very good.

Moreover, Cao Qinglang was Chen Ping’an’s most favored disciple.

The old woman glanced at Chuchu, if the heavens could grant them a harmonious match and mutual affection, that would be even better.

Divine beings as a couple, growing old together, with a house full of descendants…

The old woman laughed to herself.

Over at Saohua Terrace, Cui Dongshan reminded the two children, “Remember to keep today’s two matches a secret. Do not say a word about them to outsiders.”

Cheng Chaolu nodded in agreement. As for why, why waste her brain thinking about unnecessary things? With the time she had, she could practice her fist another round, or make another table of food.

Yu Xiehui, however, liked to get to the bottom of things, and asked in confusion, “It’s a good thing, isn’t it? What’s there to hide?”

If this were back home, if he won someone in a sword duel with his true skill, why not celebrate with gongs and drums? Who could stop him from boasting at the dinner table?

Cui Dongshan frowned, and a snow-white sleeve draped over Yu Xiehui’s shoulder, “Hmm?!”

Yu Xiehui immediately sighed, “I will listen to Sect Leader Cui.”

Last time, the nine of them were sucked into this big white goose’s sleeve with his Qiankun magic. Except for Sun Chunwang, each and every one of them suffered greatly. Especially Bai Xuan, who feared nothing, now looked at Cui Dongshan as if he were a ghost. Yu Xiehui also had vivid memories. *It’s fine, once I win Cui Wei in a sword duel, you’re next, you big white goose.*

Cui Dongshan, with a smiling face, suddenly put his arm around Yu Xiehui’s neck, bumping their heads together, and lowered his voice, “Wanting to win your master, Cui Palmlaw, in a sword duel in the future is already very difficult. You still want to challenge me, the Sect Leader of the Lower Sect? What courage, what ambition, I admire you, I admire you. What, you little brat is already ambitious, wanting to usurp my position and become the Sect Leader one day? Who lent you the gall? Tell me quickly!”

Yu Xiehui’s body suddenly stiffened, and he immediately looked at Chen Ping’an, shouting, “Sect Leader Cui, if you continue to wrongly accuse me like this, I will complain to the Hidden Official!”

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “Since our Lower Sect is a sword-cultivating sect, and you are a sword cultivator, wanting to engage in sword duels with seniors like Sect Leader Cui is part of the practice here on this mountain. It is precisely the purpose of your sword practice, so what is there to be afraid of? I can say it here and now, whether you win against your master or Sect Leader Cui in the future, I will treat you to a drink.”

Yu Xiehui immediately felt confident, even though he was still being choked by the big white goose, and began to chuckle, “Hidden Official, then I need to start practicing my alcohol tolerance now.”

He heard that at the small wine shop back home, there were countless drinking sessions, but the Hidden Official had never been drunk.

Of course, the Second Shopkeeper, as the host, had never lost money either.

Chen Ping’an joked, “Actually, my alcohol tolerance is average, it’s just that the drunkards at the shop are too weak, it’s all thanks to their poor performance that I look good in comparison.”

Cheng Chaolu felt a little regretful. If Nalan Yu Die were here, she would definitely record this gem of wisdom in her notebook.

Cui Dongshan left Saohua Terrace by riding the wind, still with a lot of complicated matters waiting for him to resolve.

On his way, he secretly glanced at the yellow-clothed Yunyun and Scholar Xue walking towards the Misty Snow Peak.

Noticing the white cloud, Ye Yunyun looked up and waved at Cui Dongshan.

Cui Dongshan啧啧 admired, as expected of a Boundary Expert who had just entered the Guizhen realm.

Moreover, Ye Yunyun’s temperament was indeed compatible with his own Xiandu Mountain, so generous!

Hesitating for a moment, Cui Dongshan had a sudden idea, intending to meet the yellow-clothed Yunyun alone. He moved like lightning, his snow-white figure drawing an arc in the air. He landed on the bluestone path between the green cliffs. After arriving next to the yellow-clothed Yunyun, he bowed and smiled, “Congratulations, Mountain Master Ye, on reaching a new level in martial arts.”

Ye Yunyun had already stopped, clasped her fists in return, and said frankly, “It’s all thanks to Mountain Master Chen’s help, otherwise, if I were to spar with Wu Shu in the future, there would be big problems. One careless move, and I would end up like Wang Fusui of Northern Ju Continent.”
Cui Dongshan sighed, stopping himself mid-sentence.

Ye Yunyun chuckled, “Sect Leader Cui, speak your mind. We’re all friends here.”

Cui Dongshan then said, “To be honest, after Mr. returned from the Wild Desolate World, he sustained serious injuries. His martial arts realm alone plummeted from Returning to Truth to Qi Flourishing. That’s why he had to ask the Qinghu Palace’s Old Immortal Lu for a furnace of Feather Ascension Pills; it wasn’t long ago.”

Ye Yunyun’s heart trembled. When Chen Ping’an sparred with her, he was only at the Qi Flourishing stage? She immediately turned to Xue Huai, “How many Feather Ascension Pills are left from the two furnaces Qinghu Palace sent us last time? Send a flying sword message to Law Enforcer Tan, and have him bring them all over, no matter how many there are.”

Xue Huai was even more astonished than Ye Yunyun. The old scholar couldn’t hide his surprise. A pure martial artist’s realm falling was no small matter, rarer and more troublesome than a Qi Refining cultivator’s fall. Yet, Chen Mountain Lord still agreed to spar with his master.

Chen Mountain Lord was indeed a man of integrity, acting generously and openly, with a character as clear as the bright moon after rain.

No wonder the young Chen Mountain Lord could serve as the last Hidden Official in the Sword Qi Great Wall as an outsider swordsman.

With Chen Mountain Lord’s character, he must have been highly regarded and praised in the Sword Qi Great Wall.

He had to admit that Pu Shan now owed Immortal Capital Mountain a huge favor, but such a favor was a rare and invaluable blessing!

Just a sparring match at the Sweeping Flower Terrace had helped his master reach the first level of Returning to Truth. Privately, Pu Shan’s Cloud Grass Cottage had gained deeper foundations. Publicly, it would better deter those cultivators from other continents with ulterior motives for the entire Tongye Continent. Even if Martial Saint Wu Shu wasn’t home, as long as his master stabilized his realm, he would be someone even great sword immortals like Xu Xie would be extremely wary of and dare not easily challenge.

Cui Dongshan quickly waved his hands, “I’m not complaining to Mountain Lord Ye for this reason. With Old Immortal Lu guarding Qingjing Mountain, my Mr. will never lack Feather Ascension Pills. I’m mentioning this because, as Mountain Lord Ye said, we’re all family here, no need to hide anything.”

Luckily, Huang Yi Yun was already a Jade Purity Realm cultivator. If she were still a Nascent Soul Earth Immortal, tsk tsk, if she wanted to break through the bottleneck and reach the Upper Five Realms, she would have to face a heart demon… The consequences would be unimaginable. Mr. would probably add another inexplicable romantic debt.

Cui Dongshan shook his sleeves, scratched his face, and whispered, “Mountain Lord Ye, could I ask you for a direct lineage identity from Pu Shan’s Cloud Grass Cottage? But regarding my true identity, only three people in Pu Shan should know: you, Xue Huai, and Law Enforcer Tan Rong.”

“No problem.”

Ye Yunyun was quick and straightforward, agreeing without hesitation.

She knew it was the trouble brought about by the seventh Immortal Painting of Pu Shan.

The three of them walked towards Secret Snow Peak. On the way, they had to pass Ancestral Mountain Green Apple Peak. Ye Yunyun unusually showed some difficulty, hesitated for a long time, and then tentatively asked, “Sect Leader Cui, may I be so bold as to ask, how exactly does your Mr. practice his fists?”

Cui Dongshan clasped his hands behind his head and slowly said, “At home and abroad, on journeys and returns, in the mountains and beyond, in the human world and in the hearts of men, in the beautiful landscape, in the universe, in the beauty of the world, on the muddy path of life, where swordsmen are like clouds, after hope, disappointment, and renewed hope, Mr. always practices his fists alone, asking the heavens and the earth, asking himself.”

Turning his head, the white-robed youth smiled and said, “Therefore, my Mr. never sees Cao Ci as a great enemy, mortal enemy, or nemesis. That there is a Cao Ci among the world’s fists, that there is a peer Cao Ci ahead on the martial arts path, is a great fortune in Mr.’s eyes, and will only make Mr. climb higher and move faster.”

Ye Yunyun’s heart surged with emotion, and her thoughts took flight.

After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but ask, “There was a Zhongtu imperial report that said Chen Ping’an’s fistfight with Cao Ci in the Hall of Meritorious Deeds wasn’t… particularly refined? From beginning to end, it was just punches to the face?”

Cui Dongshan turned his head and spat hard, “Bullshit! What kind of thief dares to slander my Mr. against their conscience? It’s truly wicked!”

Ye Yunyun was dubious.

On the Sweeping Flower Terrace, Chen Ping’an had Pei Qian imitate Ye Yunyun and Xue Huai’s boxing techniques. Pei Qian had already practiced more than 70% or 80% of the over sixty stance boxing moves with a similar essence.

Even Ye Yunyun and Xue Huai’s trump cards, Pei Qian had learned them vividly, full of divine intent, even more authentic than Pu Shan’s direct lineage.

This left Chen Ping’an, who had originally planned to act like a master and help his disciple find omissions, in an awkward situation where he had nothing to say.

Cheng Chaolu thought that Sister Pei’s punches were certainly very beautiful, but it seemed that Hidden Official was better at punching people.

Yu Xiehui thought it was a pity that Bai Xuan wasn’t there today.

Pei Qian stopped and turned to look at her master.

Chen Ping’an folded his hands in his sleeves and smiled, “Not bad.”

Taking Pei Qian to Green Apple Peak, Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Was there something you wanted to say earlier?”

Pei Qian said, “In the last punch of my sparring match with Scholar Xue, Scholar Xue shouldn’t have stood still, as if waiting to die. As a pure martial artist, I think that’s wrong. Actually, I wanted to say it after the sparring match ended, but I felt that Scholar Xue was an elder, and there were too many outsiders present, so I was embarrassed to say it.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and didn’t speak.

Pei Qian felt that she had probably said something wrong.

“This principle is very good, and it should be said to Scholar Xue.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “But not necessarily at that moment. So your hesitation, and ultimately not saying it, was appropriate. In my opinion, it may be even more right than this correct principle itself.”

Pei Qian was greatly surprised, and even showed some shyness that was not very common now.

From the little black charcoal of the past to the current Pei Qian, she always firmly believed one thing.

All the good principles in the world are on Master’s side.

As for herself, she knows shit about principles.

Chen Ping’an chuckled softly, “We reason with people, not to negate them. In addition, giving others kindness, besides our own clear conscience, also needs to pay attention to a sense of proportion. This is the difference between Tao and art. The Great Way is one, but there are hundreds of arts, which vary from person to person and from place to place. So it’s very difficult to be a good person.”

Reaching out and gently patting Pei Qian’s head, Chen Ping’an looked gentle and said softly, “Now that you can think like this today, I can teach you two self-created fist techniques, and a ‘half fist’.”
Indeed, Chen Ping’an’s self-created two fists, both martial arts and sword techniques, one of extreme simplicity and the other of utmost complexity, were like two extremes. One of these fists, or rather sword maneuvers, named “Fragment of the Moon,” possessed considerable power and lethal force, most suitable for delivering a swift blow when surrounded on the battlefield.

Chen Ping’an added, “However, there’s no rush. I’m about to return to the small blessed land for secluded cultivation. After the ceremony concludes, I’ll find some free time to properly teach the fist.”

Now that his disciple had reached the first layer of the Zenith Qi realm, Chen Ping’an was a bit hesitant to spar with Pei Qian.

Pei Qian breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping’an’s heart was at peace as he gazed at the scenery beyond the mountain.

Endless distant mountains, indistinguishable clouds and water.

The reason Cao Qinglang didn’t appear on the Sweeping Flower Platform to watch the battle today was that this “pre-ordained” next Sect Master, a Dragon Gate realm cultivator, had officially begun his secluded cultivation to form his Golden Core.

Pursuing both scholarly pursuits and cultivating the Way without neglecting either.

Such a talented disciple was hard to find even with a lantern.

However, Cao Qinglang’s current place of seclusion was not on the Azure Peak or Dense Snow Peak of Immortal Capital Mountain, but on a newly risen mountain that had yet to be revealed, its location concealed by Cui Dongshan’s array, even Ye Yunyun and Qiu Du were unable to see through the illusion.

The other two old peaks were named Cloud Rise Mountain and Strategic Mountain by Cui Dongshan.

The main peaks were named Our Cao Peak and Auspicious Star Peak, with steles erected at the summit of each, Cui Dongshan personally inscribing “Our Cao Shall Emerge” and “Heaven and Earth Purple Qi.”

Cui Dongshan would propose at the first Ancestral Hall council that, among the younger generation of cultivators included in the Lower Sect lineage in the future, the first sword cultivator to reach the Jade Purity realm could become the master of Our Cao Peak.

And Cao Qinglang was considered the first cultivator of Auspicious Star Peak on Strategic Mountain.

Clearly, Cui Dongshan intended to create a Lower Sect tradition, where each future Sect Master of Azure Peak Sword Sect would be the master of Auspicious Star Peak.

Therefore, the territory of Azure Peak Sword Sect already had a rough outline: Immortal Capital, Cloud Rise, and Strategic, three mountains rising together, one main and two auxiliary.

Although Xiao Mo was building a thatched hut near the Treasure Dropping Beach, he had been paying attention to Cao Qinglang’s seclusion and the two fist exchanges on the mountain peak.

For a Sword Cultivator at the peak of the Ascension realm, a little distraction was no hindrance.

Xiao Mo was now waiting for that Yu Jin to come and cause trouble for him.

In any case, that matter had nothing to do with his young master or Sect Master Cui.

Right, I plundered your old lair under the sea, emptied your family fortune, and you can tolerate that?

As long as that Fatty slightly nodded, Xiao Mo would only “spar” with him at the Jade Purity realm.

On the Sweeping Flower Platform, only Cheng Chaolu and Yu Xiehui remained, two fellow villagers who didn’t feel any hardship despite being in a foreign land, sitting on the railing chatting idly.

“Little Cook, even if I gave you a few hundred more years, you wouldn’t be able to possess the martial arts realm of our Hidden Official today, right?”

“Definitely not, not even a thousand years.”

“Why do I feel like you’re quite proud?”

“Ha.”

“Do you want to drink with me in the future?”

“Let’s pass, my master would be angry.”

“Worthless! Scared of your master, what kind of sword cultivator are you?”

Among the nine peers, Bai Xuan, Yu Qingzhang, and He Xiangting came from humble alleys, even Bai Xuan’s master had no connection to the wealthy Tai Xiang Street and Jade Scepter Street.

And Nalan Yudie, He Gu, Yao Xiaoyan, the three of them, were all children from prominent families.

Sun Chunwang wasn’t bad either, considered a distant relative of the Jade Purity realm sword cultivator Sun Juyuan.

He, Yu Xiehui, and Cheng Chaolu, were neither good nor bad, their families didn’t lack money, but they didn’t have much wealth either.

So, when it came to lineage, family education, and teachers, everyone had their own destiny.

In Sword Qi Great Wall, people didn’t like to compare these things. A good birth was also a skill, if you were not convinced, then rely on your sword skills and military achievements to move from the humble alleys to those five streets.

Because the Old Great Sword Immortal had established an unshakeable rule: the prominent families with houses on the five streets, unless there wasn’t a single sword cultivator in the family, or only one Lower Five Realms sword cultivator remained, regardless of age, had to go to the battlefield to deliver their sword. If you felt like you would die if you went, then move out of those five streets as soon as possible before the war came.

Therefore, in Sword Qi Great Wall, apart from the absence of graves, there wasn’t even the concept of ancestral homes. Even the old sword immortals who carved their names on the city walls had moved their homes in the past, like the Dong family, which almost failed to keep its ancestral home during the century when Dong Sangeng traveled alone to the desolate lands.

The five streets were indestructible, but the sword cultivators were like flowing water.

Because of the relationship with Great Sword Immortal Mi, these children were no strangers to the Green God Mountain liquor from the wine shop with the golden signboard in their hometown, the Dumb Lake liquor that was launched later, and those peace amulets.

Great Sword Immortal Mi used to be an idler on the streets near Fallen Phoenix Mountain, and he liked to nag Bai Xuan the most whenever he went to the Sword Worship Platform, talking about the great deeds of the Spring Banner Studio and the Summer Retreat Palace.

Yu Xiehui and the others would sit on small benches and listen, considering it storytelling.

They heard Mi Yu say that the wine shop co-owned by Hidden Official and Shopkeeper Diezhang once had an old Golden Core cultivator who, after getting drunk one day, hung a peace amulet on the wall.

“When it comes to sword skills, I can’t beat Little Dong. But when it comes to drinking, even if I put all three legs on the table, I can easily win against Little Dong, come find me if you’re not convinced.”

After getting beaten up, the next day, with a bruised and swollen face, he ran over again while it was still dawn and the wine shop had just opened, just adding a sentence on the back of the peace amulet: Yesterday I drank too much, drunken words don’t count.

As a result, it was useless to be sneaky on the way home, he still got hit by a flying sword.

Yu Xiehui suddenly said, “Little Cook, we must form a Golden Core, nourish a Nascent Soul, and reach the Upper Five Realms in the future.”

Cheng Chaolu nodded and said, “Definitely!”

A group of three people left the South Sea Water Palace, paused for a moment at the Dragon Resting Stone, then went to the old site of the Grand River Dragon Palace that communicated with the sea air, and finally officially landed on the west coast of Tongye Continent.

A handsome middle-aged man, accompanied by a beautiful 彩衣 (cǎiyī, colorfully dressed) maid, and a short and stout male attendant.

It was none other than Li Yehou, one of the newly appointed Four Sea Water Sovereigns, when he stepped on land, his figure slightly stagnated, but quickly returned to normal.
A serving girl stood nearby, carrying a qin case, named Huang Juan. She had a peculiar fondness for the bookworms within the scrolls, and her master happened to be the foremost collector of books in all of the Vast Expanse.

A diminutive man carried a short spear on his back, now a water ghost. In life, he had been a pinnacle martial artist, reaching the limit of his art. Through a fortuitous encounter, he went to the Glistening Moon Lake, a place that had changed hands many times throughout history, to serve as its chief guest elder.

Huang Juan most admired Liu Qi, yet harbored the greatest disdain for a certain fellow who was prone to tall tales.

That man, named Xi Man, was a ninth-realm martial artist hailing from the Flowing Rosy Isle. His foundation in the Grand Dao was that of a terrestrial earth dragon.

Previously, within the ruins of the Great River Dragon Palace, Xi Man had sparred with Senior Sha Qing. Sha Qing suppressed his cultivation, matching Xi Man’s realm, and achieved a narrow victory.

Among the spectators at the time, beside the True Dragon King Zhu stood a timid young man, habitually lowering his head and hunching his back, as if terrified of King Zhu. Even when speaking to King Zhu, the young man’s gaze would constantly wander, never daring to meet King Zhu’s eyes directly.

Huang Juan chuckled, “Madam Dan Dan certainly knows how to conduct herself.”

This former mistress of Green Water Hollow, whose Daoist title was Qing Zhong, had now risen to become the master of the land’s watercourses.

The fishing immortal who once guarded the Dragon Resting Stone seemed to now reside in Ji River of the Northern Ju Luzhou.

And those South Sea Lone Riders were secretly gifted to Zhi Gui by Madam Dan Dan.

It was said that the spiraling pearls within Green Water Hollow’s treasury were completely emptied and given away, which was no small sum of money.

Forming connections everywhere.

In fact, Madam Dan Dan had also shown her appreciation to her own master, and the gifts were considerable.

Li Yehou smiled, “You should learn more from her in the future.”

Sha Qing asked, “This time, are we eagerly seeking a deal with Chen Ping An? Will we be taken advantage of?”

Huang Juan bristled, “What do you mean, ‘taken advantage of’?”

Sha Qing said, “It’s just a way of speaking.”

Li Yehou sighed, “Chen Ping An will be easy to negotiate with; the worry is that *that* person will be responsible for receiving guests.”

Embroidered Tiger.

Or rather, half of the Embroidered Tiger, Cui Chan.

Sha Qing asked, “Could I spar with Chen Ping An? The previous one was far too weak.”

Li Yehou shook his head, “This is not the right time. Perhaps in the future.”

During the recent discussions at the Central Earth Confucian Temple, in their leisure time, a large group of people had gathered at the Mandarin Duck Shoal to cast their lines and fish.

The strangest aspect was that these individuals were mostly martial artists at the pinnacle realm or, at the very least, at the mountain peak realm.

It seemed that a roaming-spirit realm martial artist simply lacked the qualifications to sit and fish there.

Among that group of martial arts grandmasters was Zhang Tiaoxia, nicknamed “Dragon Count.”

Beside Zhang Tiaoxia sat a middle-aged man on a bamboo stool he always carried with him, with a small fish basket hanging from his waist. To outsiders, he seemed to have spent his entire life wandering the ancient battlefield ruins, never seeking a duel nor engaging in combat. However, the fish basket hanging from his waist was no ordinary dragon king’s basket, but a treasure revered at the mountain peak as a “roaming immortal’s grotto, a bottomless pit,” rumored to be capable of housing tens of thousands of wraiths and ghosts.

Because this pure martial artist was too secluded from the world, his name was unknown.

Only one person, during a drunken conversation, let slip that he was known as “Old Zhi,” a “Heaven-ranked” admirer of the Green Mountain Spirit Consort, the kind of infatuated soul who wouldn’t dare to look at her from afar, but would spend his entire life thinking of her from afar.

There were also the master and disciple from the Thunder God Temple lineage in the Snowy Continent, Pei Axiang and Liu Suiyu. Wang Fushuo from the Northern Ju Luzhou. Martial Saint Wu Shu from the Tongye Continent. Sha Qing, the chief guest elder of Glistening Moon Lake.

In addition, there were many offerings from top sects and the ten great dynasties, totaling nearly twenty individuals.

However, Pei Bei, Song Changjing, and Li Er were not present at the time.

Among the younger generation, Cao Ci, Zheng Qian, and Yu Juanfu were also absent.

Of course, they discussed Li Er’s martial prowess. The old brute Wang Fushuo offered a “mature and steady” assessment.

After all, he was the only one present who had truly exchanged blows with Li Er.

“Li Er’s fists aren’t heavy, his feet aren’t fast, just so-so.”

The Liu clan of the Snowy Continent’s “No Loss Game” had attracted bets from half of the mountain peak martial artists, all wagering that Cao Ci would not lose a fight within the next five hundred years.

In truth, pure martial artists had far shorter lifespans than Qi refiners. Even a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle realm would only live to be three hundred years old at most.

However, there were exceptions, such as Zhang Tiaoxia or the likes of Huangyi Yun from the Tongye Continent.

This was why Zhang Tiaoxia, before Pei Bei’s rise, had been the top martial artist in the world, holding that position for a thousand years. Yet, the old man was unwilling to engage in combat for many years. Zhang Tiaoxia simply lived like a wandering cloud or a wild crane, indulging in his passion for fishing. The reasoning was simple: in the old man’s view, for a pure martial artist to be unwilling to die was the greatest impurity of all.

Only the Supreme Emperor Yu Panshui of the Profound Secret Dynasty and a self-proclaimed “Zhou Backer,” a spendthrift who did not value money, had wagered five hundred and one thousand Grain Rain coins, respectively, betting that Cao Ci would lose.

But then, that young Hidden Official, right there at Mandarin Duck Shoal, in full view of everyone, had a major clash with the immortal Yun Miao. Later, at the Merit Forest, he engaged in a shocking battle of Qing and Bai, his moves so devious that they left everyone in awe.

As a result, some began to have doubts. But the Liu clan of the Snowy Continent stated that the betting was closed.

Legend has it that the Liu clan of the Snowy Continent, the host of this gambling venture, had gathered approximately forty thousand Grain Rain coins, with a payout of one to two.

Therefore, many old cultivators on the mountain, as well as a large group of emperors, generals, and wealthy clan heads from major dynasties, treated the betting as a way to save money for their sect, their direct disciples, or their national treasury, collecting interest. Although the payout was slow, requiring patience for five hundred years, it was a guaranteed profit with no risk of loss.

The reputation of the Liu clan of the Snowy Continent was solid and reliable.

Some busybodies began to overthink the matter, wondering if Liu Jubao, the God of Wealth, had known from the start that Cao Ci would lose.

Even if someone were to defeat Cao Ci, the Liu clan of the Snowy Continent would still make a fortune. Indeed, there was no business deal in the world that Liu Jubao would lose money on.
Within the desolate remains of the Dragon Palace of the Great Waterway, after Li Yehou and his companions departed, the beautiful woman removed her boots and sat by the pond’s edge, dipping her feet into the water, causing gentle ripples. Gong Yan pondered the earlier confrontation, still unable to decipher how the yellow-hatted, green-shoed youth had managed to pinpoint all of their concealed locations simultaneously. Especially Yu Daoren, a cultivator of the Immortal Realm renowned for his mastery of stealth techniques, whose every maneuver seemed to be precisely targeted by strands of sword energy.

The burly man ventured, “Was it through reading their thoughts?”

Gong Yan shook her head, unconvinced. Besides, they weren’t naive novices fresh from the mountains; they were all extremely cautious and mindful when dividing their attention.

Moreover, the ability to eavesdrop on a cultivator’s thoughts wasn’t something anyone could achieve. Just as an ordinary scholar in the mortal world couldn’t hear another’s heartbeat, the same principle applied among cultivators on the mountains.

Perhaps only grand cultivators approaching the zenith of the Ascension Realm, such as Zhao Tianlai of the Dragon Tiger Mountain or the Fire Dragon Real Person, might possess the ability to hear the thoughts of immortals or even cultivators of their own realm.

Li Ba, known by the Daoist title “Tempered Palm,” suddenly suggested, “It was something even more subtle than thoughts – the vibrations of the heartstrings.”

Yu Daoren rubbed his temples, sighing helplessly, “Could it be an Ascension Realm swordsman? But does our Vast Expanse even have such a figure?”

Gong Yan quickly patted her chest, laughing flirtatiously, “You scared this old woman half to death.”

Li Ba remarked, “Like that tender Daoist, or Cao Rong, the Immortal from Treasure Bottle Continent, they seemed to appear out of nowhere. You’ll get used to it.”

In the waterside pavilion, Zhigui leaned against the railing, propping her chin with one hand, lost in thought.

A young boy stood at the bottom of the steps outside, his forehead slightly protruding.

In Mud Bottle Lane, there once lived a four-legged lizard that Song Jixin, finding it bothersome, repeatedly tossed into the neighboring courtyard, only for it to return each time.

It was often stepped on and crushed by Zhigui’s shoes, or she would hear unkind words when fetching water from the Iron Lock Well in the early mornings. Upon returning home, Zhigui would often kick it away.

This boy, who had recently succeeded in attaining human form, was given the surname Wang and named Qiongju, with the style name Yusha, and a Daoist title, Hansu, by Zhigui.

The boy carried a well-worn purple gourd slung across his back.

Zhigui turned her head and raised her chin slightly.

The pitiable boy immediately understood and hurried to move, hiding where his master couldn’t see him, lest his presence irritate her and cause her displeasure.

Zhigui then chuckled, “I heard that the ancient Heavenly Court had an execution platform with several divine weapons specifically designed to deal with rebellious Earth Immortals and Flood Dragons. Besides the Armor-Piercing Sword and the Mountain-Splitting Halberd, there were two blades called Head Cleaver and Judgment Cutter. That Judgment Cutter is in Chen Ping’an’s possession. If I had known, I wouldn’t have had you keeping watch far away at sea. The two of you would surely have disliked each other at first sight, followed by a ‘snap’ sound. Tsk, tsk.”

The boy shivered in fear.

Xiao Mo had begun building a thatched hut for cultivation at Fallen Treasure Beach along the Azure River. Although called cultivation, it mostly involved reading books.

For Xiao Mo, the sole cultivation lay in finding a great path for himself “upon which no predecessors had walked” to stand a chance of reaching the Fourteenth Realm.

Even for a grand cultivator at the peak of the Ascension Realm, finding a path to ascend was as difficult as a mortal scholar trying to soar into the void – an arduous task indeed.

Otherwise, the number of Fourteenth Realm cultivators across the countless realms over the millennia wouldn’t be so scarce.

Furthermore, Xiao Mo had set a threshold for himself, requiring him to reach the Fourteenth Realm solely as a pure swordsman, without taking shortcuts or following unorthodox paths.

Just like Pei Min, one of the three prodigies of the Vast Expanse in swordplay, probably harbored the same ambition.

Anyway, Xiao Mo would definitely find an opportunity to test swords with this Pei Min.

Xiao Mo had casually placed some prayer cushions and stools on the open space outside the thatched hut, resembling a threshing ground.

Cui Wei and Sui Youbian, two Yuan Ying Realm swordsmen, frequently visited Fallen Treasure Beach to consult with Master Xiao Mo on matters of sword practice.

Cheng Chaolu and Yu Xiehui were also regular visitors, and Pei Qian, when not busy at the ferry crossing, would occasionally come to listen.

Whenever someone came to visit, Xiao Mo would sit on a bamboo chair under the eaves, a bamboo staff across his lap, resembling… a lecture hall for imparting knowledge at Fallen Treasure Beach.

On this day, Cui Dongshan left Secret Snow Peak and arrived at a cyan cliff on Azure Verdant Peak, gently “knocking” with his curved fingers.

In the topmost floor of the Crimson Gate Immortal Abode, Chen Ping’an composed himself, opened his eyes, and nodded.

Chen Ping’an sat cross-legged, wearing a green robe and barefoot.

Everything was simple, with no superfluous decorations in the room. Compared to before, there was only a long sword laid horizontally on the table in front of Chen Ping’an, meant for intercontinental travel.

Cui Dongshan simply stood outside the entrance to this small cave realm, without any superfluous words, speaking directly to the point with his master, “A flying sword missive arrived from the Dragon Palace remains, saying that the new South Sea Water Lord, Li Yehou, will be visiting us today. I suspect he’s here to discuss the matter of the Dragging River water transport business. Master, just continue your tranquil cultivation. I can negotiate the price with Li Yehou. Master can rest assured that even if you don’t show yourself, Li Yehou will definitely not feel that Immortal Capital Mountain is being inhospitable.”

With me as the host, that’s more than enough.

Li Yehou and Zhigui were both Water Lords of the Four Seas, so if he wished to leave his own waters and enter the Eastern Sea territory, he would first need to inform Zhigui.

Moreover, he would need to report to the Confucian Temple in the Central Earth and obtain permission before Li Yehou could leave.

Chen Ping’an suddenly stood up and put on a pair of cloth shoes. “Wait a moment, I happen to have something to go out for and want to take Xiao Mo along to Small Dragon Pool. We can descend the mountain together.”

Walking out of the Evergreen Small Cave Realm, which served as a temporary cultivation place, Chen Ping’an came to Cui Dongshan’s side and smiled, “It’s better for you to go. Just demand a high price and bargain them down. I really can’t bring myself to drive a hard bargain when talking business with Water Lord Li.”

When it came to running the Treasure Trove Abode, Chen Ping’an truly had some confidence, not belittling himself. But he just couldn’t bring himself to be ruthless with “acquaintances.”

Because earlier in the Confucian Temple’s Merit Forest, Li Yehou, who was then the Water Lord of Bright Moon Lake, had visited the Master, accompanied by a maidservant with a high-ranking Dharma robe and an unassuming martial artist of the Apex Realm. The gift Li Yehou presented at the time was a priceless “Drunken as Mud Calligraphy,” and besides the “wine worms” in the calligraphy being extremely rare, the calligraphy itself could be regarded as a vast lake with abundant water energy, an excellent cultivation place that Flood Dragons dreamed of.
After descending the mountain together, Cui Dongshan went to find Li Yehou.

Chen Ping’an found Xiao Mo near Fallen Treasure Beach, and together they headed towards Little Dragon Pool.

A cross-continental ferry…

Little Millet, head tilted, little shoulders swaying, carrying a golden carrying pole and holding a green bamboo staff, was circling the ferry at night, “guarding the night and patrolling the mountain.”

Grandpa Bai Xuan sat on the railing at the bow of the boat, hands pressed on the railing, gazing at the bright moon, and exclaimed loudly, “To be so valued by the Hidden Official, the responsibility is heavy and the road is long!”

Singling him out to attend the Lower Sect celebration… does that little Hidden Official, Chen Li, receive such treatment?

Five Colored World, Ascension City.

The shop was closed. A hunched man stood behind the counter, drinking wine and looking at the wall.

Since the Second Manager left, no new “Nothing Happened” plaques had been hung.

Some people had caused trouble, but they were all barely dealt with by the man.

Some restaurants in Ascension City tried to copy the idea, but no one supported them, resulting in utter embarrassment.

Indeed.

Unique under the heavens.

How could they learn?

It was impossible.

“I’ve decided, starting tomorrow I’ll properly learn to write from the Second Manager. I want to personally write a betrothal letter for my fiancee, Nalan Caihuan.”

“Zhou-guniang doesn’t smile without me around, that’s how it must be. Since A-Liang said so himself, I have to ask Zhou-guniang. Tomorrow, or the day after, will do.”

“Please, please stop scolding A-Liang. Unlike you, I never scold him even half a word. If anyone dares to scold him in front of me again, they’ll have to cross swords with Zhao! A-Liang and I are close friends at the gambling table and equally matched opponents at the drinking table. You simply don’t understand my darling Liangzi’s good intentions, only I do. So, damn it, kowtow to me!”

“My name is Miao Ran. As for my surname, it’s carved on the city gate.”

“I wish I could live in a wine vat forever.”

“My swordsmanship isn’t high, but I’ve never been cowardly.”

“A-Liang said there’s a type of building called a brothel, and a type of wine called flower wine, but the Second Manager said there isn’t. Who should I believe?”

“Sun Juyuan’s swordsmanship is actually terrible, he just deceives foreign women.”

“I heard that cultivators in the Vastness all value fine writing brushes and inkstones as a pleasure in life. Don’t they need to practice swordsmanship?”

“Golden Core and Nascent Soul Realm terrestrial sword immortals, haha, that’s hilarious! So sword immortals there are cheaper than Diezhang-guniang’s wine.”

“If Sword Immortal Mi can enter the Summer Palace, why can’t I?”

“Yue Qing, Mi Hu, you sword immortals, listen to my advice. Your swordsmanship is actually just so-so, just a few standard moves. If you don’t believe me, have a sword duel.”

“A sweet dream is easy to find, but a Golden Core is hard to come by.”

“Zong Yuan has never come here to drink, he’s really missed out on too much.”

“I woke up and liked her even more than yesterday.”

“Han Huaizi of the Taihui Sword Sect saved me twice. I haven’t thanked him in person yet, I shouldn’t.”

“Xie Songhua looked at me twice, there’s hope.”

“Fine wine and beautiful women are a land of immortals. Everyone, let’s drink until we drop!”

“Consider it me begging you for that dog. Which great sword immortal will be kind enough to carve a word in front of that ‘Fierce’ character on the city gate, just consider it helping him get a surname. You’d get a son for free, why not?”

“The person I like has proper form in their punches and unmatched spirit when drinking. It doesn’t matter that he’s not a sword cultivator, I am.”

“Nine out of ten drunkards are liars. What can I do?”

“Thinking of you is like a crescent moon, growing fuller night after night.”

“The next sword immortal to carve a character on the city gate will definitely be me, Yuan Liang.”

Next to it hung a “Nothing Happened” plaque.

“I believe that after Yuan Liang, there will be more carving sword immortals, like me, Du Ling.”

In fact, on the walls of the small wine shop, there were many pairs of such “Nothing Happened” plaques hanging next to each other.

Perhaps they were friends drinking at the same table, filled with the smell of wine, and using the alcohol as an excuse, one wrote something and the other continued.

Or perhaps they were two sword cultivators who didn’t know each other at all, or were just familiar faces, but never exchanged a word, like a temporary visitor, just saying hello.

“The Second Manager became an official and went to the Summer Palace. It seems like drinking doesn’t taste as good anymore.”

“Luo Zhenyi in the Summer Palace is really beautiful. The Second Manager is in a privileged position, he has good fortune with women.”

“What Second Manager, what new Hidden Official? That’s too formal. Every time I drink with him on the side of the road, I always call him by his name, Chen Ping’an.”

“Cut it out, Huang Shou! Every time you drink with the Second Manager, you lower your head so low it’s almost in your crotch. You’re so old, but you smile like a son.”

“When there’s really no more war, I’ll go to Northern Ju Continent to see it.”

“Remember to call me along.”

“As Lu Zhi said, maybe the Second Manager is a woman, hiding it so well. No wonder she boxed so fiercely with Yu Juanfu, it turns out it’s women making things difficult for women.”

“Then what about Ning-guniang? Worrying.”

“Read books to cultivate fortune, and live peacefully to nourish the spirit.”

“It’s obvious you borrowed that from the Second Manager, but the words are good.”

“Quitting drinking is harder than practicing swordsmanship.”

“What’s so hard about quitting drinking? I quit every day.”

“Nothing to do today.”

“Safe and sound.”