The land of the Central Continent, Mount Sui.

Atop the mountain peak, a golden-armored deity, hands resting on a sword, slowly opened his eyes.

This mountain god, whose true name was Zhou You, was known by the divine title of Grand Ritual.

Among all the mountains and rivers of the vast world, he was the foremost mountain god.

Zhou You surveyed the azure-clad swordsman standing ten thousand miles away.

Neither too close nor too far, the man stood precisely on the border of the Northern Peak’s territory, accompanied by a retainer.

Zhou You frowned slightly. With a thought, the dream shattered, and a faint sound like cracking porcelain echoed through the heavens and earth.

Zhou You gazed at the distant azure-clad guest and inquired, “How did you manage to achieve this?”

After all, even a peak Ascension Realm cultivator would be unable to forcibly drag a great mountain god of the Central Continent into some kind of dreamscape.

Moreover, who would be foolish enough to engage in such an endeavor? It was hardly an amusing pastime.

Of course, the Fire Dragon True Man of the Northern Ju Continent was an exception, and he had done it twice. The first time was a demonstration of his ascension from the Immortal Realm to the Ascension Realm, during which he had dream-traveled to the Five Peaks and the waterways.

The second time, the old immortal was simply bored. Using the Fire Dragon True Man’s excuse, he claimed he was too poor to afford a cross-continental ferry and could only use an unorthodox technique to admire the grand landscapes.

The young Hidden Official replied sincerely, “Perhaps it is a case of sincerity moving heaven and earth, and when the time is right, all forces align?”

The burly, golden-armored deity took a deep breath, chuckled, and lightly tapped the sword hilt with his palm.

He understood it all too well, for it sounded just like the Old Master’s tone.

Zhou You and Chen Pingan had, in fact, met several times before.

The last time was at a Confucian Temple meeting, where they exchanged no words. The young Hidden Official seemed somewhat sheepish, hesitant to approach the Sui Mountain Grand God.

After all, the first time Chen Pingan “visited” Sui Mountain, he was an ignorant, straw-sandaled youth who had dared to cleave open the mountain’s protective barriers with his sword, committing a grave act of disrespect.

This incident had aroused suspicion among many cultivators on the peaks of the Central Continent, and the temple had received a pile of roundabout inquiries. Zhou You had simply ignored them.

Was it the truly invincible figure from the Azure Underworld, having left the White Jade Capital to travel the Sui Mountain with his sword? Or was it one of the old sword immortals of the Great Wall of Swords, settling old scores with Sui Mountain?

As for native sword cultivators of the Great World, who would dare to act so presumptuously, wishing to dine in the Hall of Merit and learn from the Sages?

There was also another occasion, though the two had not met, because Chen Pingan had been forcibly brought there to meet the Sage.

At the time, Zhou You had refrained from appearing, lest he reveal heavenly secrets.

Chen Pingan bowed apologetically, “I was ignorant and impulsive in my youth, and I have offended you greatly.”

Zhou You shook his head, “It was merely an unintentional act. There is no need to dwell on it.”

Debts should be settled with the right person. Zhou You held no grudge against the straw-sandaled youth who had breached Sui Mountain’s defenses. If anyone was to be held accountable, it was the Old Master who had arranged the connection.

However, the Old Master had shamelessly snatched an ancient sword pellet called “Little Fengdu” from Sui Mountain.

This object was similar to the “Mud Pellet” sword embryo gifted by Wu Yi of Ziyang Prefecture, both being treasures crafted by residing True Men of the Five Peaks of the Central Continent. They possessed unique powers, acting as military talismans, and signified a karmic connection with a mountain. Holding this token allowed one to enter the remains of a True Man’s cave dwelling, and whether the cultivator returned empty-handed or laden with fortune was uncertain.

Unfortunately, Chen Pingan had been unable to find the proper method of using it later on, and had never fully explored it. He barely managed to refine it as his natal treasure but still failed to become a true swordsman. Moreover, the boy from the dilapidated alley of the Luminous Pearl Cave, with his pure heart, had failed to understand the Old Master’s subtle hints, and thus had never taken the item with him to Mount Sui. Had Chen Pingan made a trip to the Central Continent and Mount Sui before his second journey to the Great Wall of Swords, he could have cultivated immortality and sought the Dao, and then the boy’s path at the Great Wall of Swords would have been much less rough.

Regarding this matter, the Old Master and Zhou You had a postmortem analysis. The Old Master was filled with regret and self-reproach, lamenting his miscalculation.

Apparently, Chen Pingan had not yet tasted wine at that time, and had only heard Master Wen Sheng say that Sui Mountain’s flower and fruit wine was unmatched in the world. The boy had not taken it to heart, and with his thin skin, he felt he was in no position to ask for wine after having cut through the mountain’s protective formations. But if the Old Master had changed his tune and said that the Sui Mountain Grand God was generous and magnanimous, a man of great spirit, and that the mountain was filled with celestial money, with even the most unlucky person able to find some, and that the mountain god would be displeased if you didn’t pick it up… wouldn’t Chen Pingan have eagerly rushed to Sui Mountain, seeking the Dao and visiting immortals? For at least eleven out of every twelve hours of the day, one might have seen the boy walking with his head down.

Zhou You could ignore the Old Master’s agitated and frustrated appearance, but he could not escape the Old Master’s incessant nagging, and so he could only say, “Taking detours and enduring hardship is not necessarily a bad thing.”

As a result, Zhou You’s words only prompted the Old Master to jump up and down in anger, “Nonsense! You, who are tall, stand tall, older and more capable, just like to stand and talk without feeling any pain, right? Suffering? How much more suffering do you want that child to endure?!”

Zhou You disagreed, “Born in a dilapidated alley in the city, orphaned at a young age, unable to study, isolated and helpless, he had to wander around, struggling to survive. Frankly speaking, this bit of hardship is nothing. In my Central Peak region, I could easily find hundreds, if not thousands, of peers who have experienced similar circumstances to Chen Pingan.”

The Old Master sighed, unwilling to say more on the matter, and ended the topic with a “You are numb and heartless, you know nothing.”

Finding joy in hardship is merely a way of life; to be unaware of hardship is the path to self-cultivation.

The Central Continent’s Mount Sui, majestic and unparalleled, nurtured all things, towering to the heavens.

The mountains of the Five Peaks must reach for the sky, while the waterways should be deep and wide, with long and far-reaching sources, connected to the sea.

Therefore, Confucian Sages commented that the path of the Sage is lofty and grand, similar to a mountain, reaching to the highest heavens.

Standing beside Chen Pingan, this was the first time Qing Tong had personally witnessed the magnificent scenery of Mount Sui. It was truly unparalleled in the world.

No wonder the Sage had chosen this place as a temporary “study room” to compete with the Great Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue from afar.
Previously, Qing Tong had traveled with Chen Ping’an through the Five Peaks of the Azure Bottle Continent. Compared to the essence of天地大道 (Heaven and Earth Dao) contained within them, those mountains were like a 地仙 (Earth Immortal) practitioner in the Middle Five Realms encountering an Ascended Realm cultivator.

The flower and fruit wine of Sui Mountain was as famous as the Qing Shen Mountain wine of the Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven and the Hundred Flower Wine of the Hundred Flower Blessed Land. Moreover, the vegetarian banquet of the Mountain God Temple was renowned throughout the Nine Provinces.

Zhou You, whose divine title was “Grand Ritual,” held a lofty position and possessed vast supernatural powers, rumored to be far greater than the other four Mountain Gods of the Central Earth.

According to the Old Guan Master, as long as Zhou You was within the bounds of Sui Mountain, he could be regarded as nearly a Fourteenth Realm cultivator, second only to Xi Ping, the Sutra Scholar residing in the Merit Forest.

Zhou You said to Chen Ping’an, “We shall meet at the mountain gate.”

A walking stick appeared in Chen Ping’an’s hand. He nodded, and with a single step, arrived at the mountain gate of Sui Mountain. It was clear that he had received Zhou You’s tacit approval, allowing Chen Ping’an to use a river of time as a long bridge to traverse tens of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.

Within this dreamscape, if Qing Tong intended to conceal his whereabouts, then the relationship between Qing Tong and Chen Ping’an was like a night ship in the vastness of the Great World.

Qing Tong was about to move when he sensed the piercing gaze of the golden-armored divine warrior, forcing him to stop immediately. He raised two fingers and adjusted the edge of his bamboo hat as an apology.

“You, Qing Tong of the Tong Leaf Continent, dare to set foot in my Sui Mountain’s Divine Path?”

“Where is the passage document issued by the Central Earth Temple of Literature? Otherwise, go ask the Ritual Sage for a verbal decree!”

Zhou You appeared at the mountain gate, beside which stood a massive stone tablet inscribed with the four characters “惟天在上” (Only Heaven is Above).

The two ascended the steps together. Along the way were many scenic views, ancient stone tablets with dragon-like inscriptions and celestial runes. Time had eroded and obliterated them, leaving their true meaning unrecognizable to later generations.

The stone carvings of Sui Mountain were unparalleled in both quantity and quality, with thousands of existing steles and over ten thousand cliff inscriptions.

It was said that all rubbings of Sui Mountain inscriptions in the Great World, as long as they were made by registered cultivators of the mountain, were subject to periodic revenue sharing with the Mountain God’s Residence.

Zhou You’s meaning was similar to that of Li Yehou, the Water Lord of the South Sea, except that this Sui Mountain Grand God was making it even more explicit.

“Do you know that merit will become extremely precious in the future, far from being a mere trifle? Especially those Ascended Realm cultivators who have performed meritorious service in battle will regard it as one of the great opportunities for breaking through their boundaries. With the protection of merit, they will be as if they are in an extremely favorable Dao field with both opportune timing and advantageous location. After that, the path of cultivation can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Even if the final closed-door cultivation fails and the breakthrough is unsuccessful, there will not be too many aftereffects. For the likes of Zhao Tianlai and Liu Jubao of Dragon Tiger Mountain, they will have the hope of taking it one step further, and for people like Wei She of the Snowy Continent, it will be like a timely rain after a long drought, a glimmer of hope after despair.”

“Just take the upcoming Dao scattering of the Three Sect Ancestors. Originally, someone like you with great merit should have an abundance of ‘Heavenly Favor’ that even I would envy.”

“Furthermore, the sinking of the southeast is already a certainty. But perhaps others are not clear about the hidden mysteries, but how could you not know? Subsequently, the transfer of fortune throughout the entire Great World will naturally shift from other continents, especially from the northwest, towards Tong Leaf Continent. This is where the Great Dao lies, like water flowing from high to low, it is the general trend. This is also the root of Qing Tong’s confidence in remaining detached. Because Qing Tong can simply sit back and enjoy the benefits. I just can’t understand it. If you were kept in the dark, it would be fine. But since you are aware of it, why are you so anxious?”

“You are essentially using three or four tenths of your own merit to exchange for one or two tenths of the benefit for Tong Leaf Continent. Can’t you even calculate this?”

“Chen Ping’an, tell me, what are you thinking? Say it so I can have a good laugh.”

After being scolded head-on, Chen Ping’an still had a smile on his face. Only a senior who cared for him like a family elder could say such angry words, lamenting his lack of ambition.

The golden-armored divine warrior glanced at the young man’s expression and said rudely, “My familiarity with Old Showman doesn’t mean I’m familiar with you.”

“The Dao is impartial, and the Law falls like rain.”

Chen Ping’an explained softly, “In this vast rain of grace upon the human world, I am within it and cannot be an exception. Of course, I can learn from Qing Tong and wait for good fortune, but there is a problem here. I am a Qi Refiner, and even more so a Sword Cultivator. Breaking through with merit, even if it is a series of breakthroughs, such as directly transforming from a Nascent Soul to a Jade Flawless and then becoming an Immortal, is still a loss in the long run for a pure Sword Cultivator. This is how the calculation might go.”

Picking up the walking stick in his hand, Chen Ping’an pointed to the mountainside, then raised it higher, pointing to the summit of Sui Mountain, and said slowly, “Walking fast means you can only spin around over there. But if you walk slower, you can keep walking until you stop at the summit.”

Zhou You laughed, “Is a Great Sword Immortal so worthless in the eyes of the Hidden Official?”

Chen Ping’an’s thinking, while not entirely wrong, could be considered a roundabout way. But the problem is, a Celestial Realm Sword Cultivator, even in Central Earth…

As expected, Chen Ping’an gave the final answer, “I want to become a Fourteenth Realm pure Sword Cultivator.”

Hearing these words, Zhou You was taken aback and remained silent for a long time.

Fourteenth Realm cultivators were already rare, and Sword Cultivators who reached the Fourteenth Realm were even more terrifyingly powerful. But what about a Fourteenth Realm Sword Cultivator with the word “pure”?

Wasn’t Pei Min, one of the three wonders of the Great World’s Sword Arts, blocked outside the door by these two words for thousands of years?

Chen Ping’an continued, “If I could decide how to use that gift of merit, for example, I could use it to exchange for a large sum of divine immortal money from the heavens, or win some readily available natural treasures for Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Immortal Capital Mountain, whether it’s for myself or for the long-term consideration of the two mountain sects, I would definitely reserve a small portion of the merit. Maybe during this dream journey, I would ‘only visit the water mansion to see the water god, and not worship the mountain to see the mountain god.'”

Zhou You said, “That can also be considered a gentleman’s love for wealth, using it in the right way. By the way, Chen Ping’an, why didn’t you even get a Sage title in the last Temple of Literature meeting?”

Among the second-generation disciples of the Literary Saint lineage, Li Bao Ping was already a Junzi (gentleman) status, a veritable female scholar. In addition, Li Huai and Zhao Yao, a vice minister of Great Li, both held the title of Xianren (sage).

And among Chen Ping’an’s students, there was also a bookworm named Cao Qing Lang. Fortunately, this person seemed to be a different kind of scholar from his Grand Master and his teacher.
Chen Ping’an said, “If Senior is willing to recommend me and say a few fair words at the Confucian Temple, this junior will thank you in advance.”

Zhou You laughed, “Recommending talent doesn’t require avoiding relatives, and it’s not my place as an outsider to the literary lineage.”

Among the direct disciples of the Wen Sheng (Sage of Literature) lineage, surely only this youngest fellow could say such a thing.

No wonder the Old Scholar favors his closed-door disciple the most. He’s the most like him: loves to drink, has a thick skin, and has a way with elders. The crucial thing is that Chen Ping’an even found a wife, surpassing his teacher in every way, which can be considered a “groundbreaking” achievement for the Wen Sheng lineage?

Speaking of having a way with elders, Cui Chan, the former top disciple of Wen Sheng, had too much talent. Therefore, even though Embroidered Tiger (Cui Chan’s nickname) was clearly gentle and refined, with a kind expression and polite demeanor, he still gave people the illusion of being overbearing. Qi Jingchun, another disciple, kept to himself and rarely traveled. Liu Shiliu, due to his background, how many could compare to his age of cultivation? Thus, how many “elders” in the vast world dared to consider themselves as such? As for Zuo You, who was recognized as the “troublemaker of the Wen Sheng lineage” and had the worst temper, he had a naturally cold face even before practicing swordsmanship. After practicing swordsmanship, he even forced the Old Scholar to apologize to others everywhere with a smile.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Senior, could you make an exception and allow my friend Qing Tong to enter the earthly realm and be a guest in the mountains? This fellow has been yearning for the vegetarian cuisine of our Sui Mountain for a long time.”

Zhou You remained noncommittal, chuckling, “How did it become ‘our Sui Mountain’?”

Chen Ping’an said, “Since Senior is familiar with my teacher and is a close friend, this junior and Sui Mountain can at least be considered ‘half-acquainted’.”

Zhou You reminded him, “Since it’s only a half-baked relationship, don’t get any ideas about those inscriptions.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “What about that incense?”

Zhou You nodded, “No problem.”

The Old Scholar indeed has a good student who can share his burdens.

When the truth of this matter of mending the flaws in the earth is revealed to the world in the future, haha, with the Old Scholar’s consistent style, not only will those attending sages in the Confucian Temple be annoyed, but even when he gets to the Li Sheng (Sage of Rites), the Old Scholar will probably say a few words…

But the Old Scholar might also be uncharacteristically silent.

Like reading a good book, reluctant to share it.

Qing Tong, obediently standing in place waiting for news, suddenly heard a decree from Sui Mountain in her mind. She was actually allowed to climb the mountain and eat a bowl of vegetarian noodles!

That deity, with a flawless golden body, appeared to Qing Tong’s Qi Observation technique as a majestic aura of “mountain high, almost reaching the sky.”

Qing Tong even felt that if Zhou You were to deliver a sword from Sui Mountain on this border of the Central Earth realm, she, after some consideration, might not need to return to the Tong Ye Continent.

So, being fortunate enough to go to Sui Mountain and eat a bowl of vegetarian noodles before leaving was a truly unexpected joy. Qing Tong respectfully bowed and thanked Zhou You from afar. Then, she followed suit, just like Chen Ping’an, and walked into a dreamlike painting at the foot of the mountain. Even though it was New Year’s Eve, the pious men and women who climbed the main divine path to burn incense were still endless, and the noise was deafening. Sui Mountain was so prosperous with incense, no wonder Zhou You was able to temper that golden body.

Qing Tong put on her veiled hat again, hiding among the common scholars, walking on that bustling mountain path. Qing Tong was complacent, her expression quite smug.

Following Mr. Zheng is truly worry-free about food and drink.

Look, even the Sui Mountain Great God is giving them some face!

Zhou You took Chen Ping’an to the top of Sui Mountain, overlooking the distance, making people feel that all the mountains outside this mountain were small.

Some people say that the divine path is chaotic and unified.

Some people say that my path is consistent throughout.

As for both sides, who is right and who is wrong, who is the return of all things to one, and who is one begetting all things, for the time being, there is no answer.

Zhou You asked, “Why does Qing Tong think you are Zheng Juzhong?”

Chen Ping’an frankly said, “She was misled by Yun Miao from the Nine Truths Immortal Pavilion.”

Zhou You laughed, “It seems like smart people are most afraid of Zheng Juzhong.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “Too smart people are afraid of the smartest person.”

Zhou You’s eyes were playful, glancing at Chen Ping’an.

Chen Ping’an understood, shaking his head, “I may not be able to reach the mental state of my Senior Brother and Mr. Zheng in this lifetime.”

Qing Tong didn’t dare to stroll leisurely up the mountain. At this moment, she had already settled in a noodle shop near the Mountain God Temple, eating a bowl of hot vegetarian noodles, which tasted extremely good and lived up to its reputation.

Zhou You said, “The opportunity that originally belonged to that ‘Little Fengdu’ Sword Pill, once missed, is gone forever. Now it has fallen into the hands of another.”

Chen Ping’an laughed freely, “Just consider it fate.”

Zhou You nodded. If he didn’t have this kind of magnanimity, what was the point of seeking the fourteenth realm of pure sword cultivation? He said, “Unlike the other eight continents, especially the Treasure Bottle Continent and the Northern Ju Reed Continent, one is after all your hometown, and the other is where the identity of the Hidden Officer is most useful, they are naturally close to you. But this Central Earth Divine Continent has always valued etiquette the most. Being young and vigorous is one thing, and ignoring the rules is another. For the other Mountain God Palaces, I will help you say hello in advance, saying that you will be traveling to the Five Sacred Mountains, how about that?”

Chen Ping’an certainly wouldn’t refuse, thanking him.

Just let Qing Tong enjoy that bowl of vegetarian noodles.

Before leaving, Chen Ping’an clasped his fists and thanked the Mountain God Zhou You, “Sui Mountain is the only place where my teacher can happily drink. In the future, if there is anything where Fallen Mountain and the Green Plume Sword Sect can be of use, this junior will be at your disposal.”

Zhou You didn’t stand on ceremony with the young man.

He is a bit more upright than the Old Scholar.

Zhou You didn’t think for a moment that Chen Ping’an was saying some superficially generous platitudes.

Only after the Three Teachings Founders relinquish their Dao, there will be a new situation unprecedented in tens of thousands of years in several continents.

Speaking only of those fourteenth realm cultivators who are no longer bound, they will all show themselves one by one, and they will all take action.

On the Great Dao, chaos will arise everywhere.

Open plots and hidden schemes will come one after another.

One must know that before the Most Sagely Teacher left Sui Mountain, he once said to the Sage of Rites, “After I leave, the plot against you will arise, be careful.”

The Five Sacred Mountains of Central Earth are Sui Mountain, Gui Mountain, Jiu Yi Mountain, Yan Zhi Mountain, and Ju Xu Mountain.

The female Mountain God of Yan Zhi Mountain is named Zhu Yuxian, and has a rather strange divine title, Bitter Vegetable.

When his teacher recovered his divine position in the Confucian Temple, and congratulations came from all directions in the Merit Woods, Zhu Yuxian once sent a generous gift, including an origami black-clothed swallow.

From Jiu Yi Mountain, the Mountain God presented a pot of literary calamus.
However, the two Mountain Lords who respectively guarded Gui Mountain and Ju Xu Mountain attended the Literary Temple council, but neither went to the Merit Forest.

The Gui Mountain side was due to an old feud and a disagreement with the Literary Saint lineage. A country has five sacred peaks, and Gui Mountain is one of the Five Peaks of a Continent, governing a large number of “Five Peaks.” Old Mr. Xiu had once “visited” one of those mountains due to his disciple Jun Qian’s connections.

As for Huai Lian, the Mountain Lord of Ju Xu Mountain, he never interfered in such worldly affairs involving human relationships.

However, Huai Lian held immense respect for the Sword Qi Great Wall, once publicly declaring, “If the Sword Qi Great Wall had fought for a few more years, the Vast Expanse would have fought for a few years less. It has saved countless living beings in our Vast Expanse and is truly a meritorious deed.”

The implication was that Mountain Lord Huai Lian greatly admired that last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Afterward, Chen Ping An continued his travels with Qing Tong, but consistently returned empty-handed. This was within Chen Ping An’s expectations. Being impartial, if not for his teacher’s sake, and Zhou You of Sui Mountain having spoken up beforehand, he would have likely faced several lawsuits at the Literary Temple.

The female Mountain Lord, Zhu Yuxian, though not agreeing to the Hidden Official’s request to light the heart incense, still warmly invited Chen Ping An to her Mountain Lord Shrine for a cup of clear tea.

Qing Tong benefited from this, getting to taste a cup of the renowned Sun-Forged Tea.

Furthermore, the God of Nine Doubts Mountain was relatively courteous, appearing at the mountain gate to remind Chen Ping An that such transgressions should not be repeated.

However, he mentioned to Chen Ping An that Madame Tuoyan was welcome to visit Nine Doubts Mountain whenever she was free.

Chen Ping An smiled and agreed. There has always been a saying in the Vast Expanse: “Of the plum blossoms under Heaven, there are two and a half. One is on Nine Doubts Mountain.”

The Mountain Lord of Gui Mountain, known as “Celestial Tendon,” directly refused to see Chen Ping An, only sending a temple steward to the foot of the mountain to deliver a message: “I am unable to host guests. The Hidden Official may return.”

Having received a firm rejection, Chen Ping An stood outside the mountain gate, not leaving immediately, with his hands behind his back, looking up at the plaque on the mountain gate.

The elderly temple steward, of course, did not dare to continue urging him away. Such battles between lofty immortals were beyond the responsibility of a small temple steward.

If not for knowing that the Mountain Lord was currently watching the movements at the mountain gate, the old temple steward would have liked to exchange pleasantries with this renowned young Hidden Official.

As for the God of Ju Xu Mountain, he personally appeared at the mountain gate, but with a sneer on his face, he said something extremely “serious”: “You’re not yet a flying ascension realm swordsman. Once you are, wouldn’t any mountain in the Vast Expanse become your own home, coming and going as you please?”

Within Chen Ping An’s Dao Heart, ripples spread across the lake of his mind, and Qing Tong’s voice echoed, “Since you know it’s impossible, why seek suffering?”

Actually, Qing Tong was not rubbing salt into Chen Ping An’s wound, because such a rash visit would surely cause unnecessary annoyance. It was unlike the market towns down the mountain. If there were unpleasantries, they could simply never see each other again. But up here on the mountain peak, it was a very taboo matter. To give a simple example, if Chen Ping An were to travel through the Gui Mountain or Ju Xu Mountain regions again, even if the two Five Peaks Mountain Lords did not know Chen Ping An’s whereabouts, they would still gain an extra layer of ethereal and indistinct Dao suppression.

Chen Ping An said, “Without truly asking, how would I know there’s no chance?”

If any Mountain Lord among the Central Earth Five Peaks, other than Zhou You of Sui Mountain, was willing to agree to this matter, such as Huai Lian of Ju Xu Mountain nodding, then Chen Ping An would re-run through Gui Mountain, Yan Zhi Mountain, and Nine Doubts Mountain. If the second visited Zhu Yuxian had nodded in agreement, then the three Mountain Lords, including Huai Lian, might not have been able to “dismiss” Chen Ping An so easily. Merely giving a bit of merit was not enough. What about fame and fortune? Chen Ping An had already thoroughly investigated the incense networks spreading from the God Monarch Residence to the various Taoist temples and shrines in the Five Peaks region. Speaking of Zhu Yuxian’s connection with the female sword cultivator Zhu Mei, when the latter was still a maiden, Zhu Mei had followed Lin Junbi to the Sword Qi Great Wall. Ju Xu Mountain has a lot of martial fortune, but would Mountain Lord Huai Lian dislike having more? For example, if Chen Ping An promised that when he or someone from Fallen Mountain reached a breakthrough, they would choose to do so in Ju Xu Mountain? And Gui Mountain has many sword cultivators, and the Mountain Lord has a disagreement with his Literary Saint lineage? Then those sword immortal embryos with a Mountain Lord Residence’s secret lantern behind them would have to be careful when they go out to train. They’d better have a proper character and not be too arrogant, or else when questioning the sword, the flying sword would not have eyes. Furthermore, for example, the Bird Raising Mountain, where the fiefdom cultivator’s residence is located, is one of the two reserve mountains of Ju Xu Mountain.

Chen Ping An mocked himself, “A chimera.”

Cui Chan, Zheng Juzhong, Wu Shuangjiang… They are indeed difficult to emulate.

If it were his Senior Brother Cui Chan making this trip to the Central Earth Five Peaks, with the same realm and the same identity, it was estimated that no matter what the five Mountain Lords thought in their hearts, they would all eventually nod.

At Gui Mountain, known as the Land Where the Moon Falls, there was currently an “honored guest” who could not be driven away, Gu Qingsong, the unregistered disciple of Lu Chen, the Third Master of the White Jade Capital, with the Daoist name “Xiancha.”

Gu Qingsong complained to the Mountain Lord, “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you listen to good advice at all? Did you become a mountain god and lose your ability to understand human speech?”

The refined-looking scholar in the Confucian robe was already used to this. He only needed to let someone’s words enter one ear and exit the other.
Gu Qing-song, oblivious to the old mountain deity’s growing irritation, rambled on, “That damnable habit of yours, remembering the treats but forgetting the beatings, is going to be the death of you! Back when you were still vying for a top spot amongst the sub-peaks, wasn’t it because you refused to let Liu Shiliu ascend the mountain for a visit that you suffered greatly? You even cursed him as a ‘flat-feathered beast.’ And what came of it? Weren’t you stomped into the earth for hundreds of zhang by that old scholar? You, his direct superior, instead of learning good habits, insisted on emulating the old scholar’s protectiveness. You even took the quarrel all the way to the Wen Miao (Confucian Temple), and how did that end? I heard that Xiuhu (Embroidered Tiger), Liu Shiliu’s martial brother, rattled off almost a hundred accusations against that mountain deity, each one with verifiable evidence. Not only did the mountain fail to regain its height, but he ended up doing time in the merit-demerit prison. Was it a pleasant experience? Didn’t you feel ashamed back then? You were a mighty mountain deity, why didn’t you use your innate powers to tunnel under the Wen Miao? Everyone knows that the old scholar is most partial to his closed-door disciple, Chen Ping’an. Are you deliberately seeking misfortune?”

The old mountain deity frowned, “Are you quite finished?”

Gu Qing-song spat, “If I didn’t have a favor to ask, I wouldn’t bother wasting my breath on such obvious truths.”

The old mountain deity said, “I received an imperial decree from the Wen Miao earlier. I was merely acting on orders.”

Gu Qing-song was skeptical. “Was it the Sub-Sage who instructed you to set a trap for Chen Ping’an?”

The old mountain deity bristled, “Careful with your words!”

Gu Qing-song muttered to himself, “That’s unlikely. Even if the Sub-Sage disagrees with the Literary Sage, it’s still a matter of academic dispute. Besides, A-Liang is the Literary Sage’s chief strategist. Their relationship isn’t as bad as outsiders imagine. Could it be one of the Grand Masters of the Wen Miao? That’s even less likely. The old scholar just regained his divine status and is full of vigor. Jing Sheng, that Xi Ping fellow, is a gossipmonger who can’t keep his mouth shut around the old scholar. They have the best relationship. Who in the Wen Miao is so headstrong?”

The old mountain deity said, “The decree bore no signature.”

Gu Qing-song rubbed his chin. “That’s very peculiar. The Little Master has always been forthright. If it wasn’t the Sub-Sage’s doing, could it be that the Sage Confucius, like myself, has something he needs from Heavenly Tendon Daoist?”

The old mountain deity roared, “Gu Qing-song, cease your reckless babbling! One more word of nonsense, and you’re banished from this mountain!”

Unexpectedly, Gu Qing-song flung his sleeves. “Fine, I’ll leave!”

And with a flicker, he vanished from sight.

But moments later, Gu Qing-song reappeared, having traversed space to return to his original spot. Gu Qing-song said, “This is the third time I’ve come begging, after you’ve twice thrown me out. Heavenly Tendon Daoist, if you continue to show me no respect, I might just resort to cursing you out!”

The old mountain deity, despite his renowned self-control, couldn’t withstand Gu Qing-song’s blatant lies. Was the Immortal Crane silent all along, pretending to be mute?

Gu Qing-song shook his head. “You have less patience than a young man barely over forty. Heavenly Tendon Daoist, have you lived to such an age only to become some dog’s burden?”

Among the mountain peak cultivators of the Great Azure World, at least half of their popular “nicknames” originated from Gu Qing-song’s mouth.

The fact that this man was still alive and kicking today was nothing short of a miracle.

In Juxu Mountain, a wine shop had recently opened, but it was relatively unknown and had high standards for customers, so it remained mostly empty.

At the moment, besides the old shopkeeper and a shop assistant named Xu Jia, there were only:

One wine patron, Mountain Deity Huai Lian.

An old Daoist riding a blue ox, a travel bag slung across his shoulder, adorned with a row of jade green bamboo tubes that clinked together with a clear, pleasant sound.

Having saved enough for his drinks, he was back for another round today.

In ancient times, each of the Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Continent had a True Immortal residence. Three of those True Immortals held their residences within the Juxu Mountain region.

And this Sealing Lord, known as the Blue Ox Daoist, happened to be one of those three True Immortals, one main and two secondary, with his residence located on one of the sub-peaks of Juxu Mountain, Bird-Rising Peak.

After leaving the Night-Sailing Ship, the old Daoist had returned to his old stomping grounds to revisit the past. He reopened his Daoist temple on the old site, although the authority he once wielded had long since vanished like smoke.

In earlier times, the true authority over the Five Sacred Mountains and Great Rivers didn’t lie with the mountain deities and water gods, but with these “land immortals” invited out of seclusion by the Sage of Rites.

Later, when the Sage of Rites abolished all the True Immortal residences, the Sealing Lord left the mountains to travel the world. As a result, he incurred the wrath of Swordsman Pei Min, and with the vast world before him, not a single blessed land or grotto-heaven felt safe. He had no choice but to hide on that Night-Sailing Ship.

The old Daoist left his blue ox outside and entered the wine shop alone. He greeted Mountain Deity Huai Lian with a Daoist salute, then ordered a pot of Forget-Worry wine from the old shopkeeper.

Happy occasions uplifted the spirit. On the Night-Sailing Ship, the old Daoist had struck a deal with that young Hidden Official, obtaining a Five Sacred Mountains True Form Diagram of ancestral grade. Harmonious relations create prosperity, that’s what it meant.

To be honest, the old Daoist was quite disappointed that Chen Ping’an hadn’t ascended the mountain today. On his way here, he had been thinking that once he reached the wine shop and saw the unapproachable Mountain Deity Huai Lian, he would definitely speak up for the young Hidden Official.

On the counter was a birdcage with a yellow finch inside. Upon seeing the old Daoist enter and take a seat, it chirped, “Waste, waste.”

The old Daoist wasn’t offended in the slightest. Stroking his beard, he chuckled, “This poor Daoist is a cultivator of immortality, not some brute who only knows how to fight and kill. How much martial fortune could I possibly possess?”

Xu Jia, placing the wine pot and white bowl on the table, retorted, “Mountain Deity Lord just said that, leaving out Chen Ping’an, but speaking of the Parasol Tree spirit of the Demon Suppression Tower, besides his ascension realm cultivation, he can also be considered half a martial artist who has attained enlightenment.”

The Sealing Lord smiled, “Why would this poor Daoist squabble with a Parasol Tree? There’s no need, no need.”

The old shopkeeper leaned against the counter and chuckled, “Back then, I was blind not to see the depth of that Hidden Official’s martial fortune.”

Mentioning the young Hidden Official who had visited their shop twice, the shop assistant Xu Jia became annoyed. “The no-entry sign at the small wine shop in Sword Qi Great Wall, that was all copied from our shop.”

The Sealing Lord took a sip of wine, stroked his beard, and sighed, “Before, on the Night-Sailing Ship, this poor Daoist and Daoist friend Chen hit it off instantly. We even had a session of Daoist discourse, mutually honing our skills with each other’s wondrous methods. Daoist friend Chen had a saying, ‘The Way of the world has no flaws, it is only that the Daoists on the street carry leaking wine goblets.’ These words are truly… impeccable! No wonder he is so young and can hold such a high position, accomplishing such successive feats.”

Xu Jia said, “That fellow just has good luck.”
The old shopkeeper chuckled and shook his head, having always harbored a slight prejudice against Chen Ping’an due to his friendship with Xu Jia and Cao Ci.

Feng Jun, with a flourish, countered while cradling his wine bowl, “That’s incorrect, vastly underestimating Fellow Daoist Chen. When a person is ravenously hungry, they can devour nine meat-filled buns in one go. An ordinary mortal finds each bun less appealing than the last. But if the first and ninth buns taste equally delicious, *that* is a cultivator. I, this humble Daoist, have traveled far and wide, seen countless faces, and there are few like Fellow Daoist Chen.”

Huai Lian interjected, “Just ask what you want to know. No need for roundabout ways.”

One deliberately steered the conversation toward Chen Ping’an, and the other readily followed. At their core, they were curious why he had refused Chen Ping’an permission to ascend the mountain.

Feng Jun inquired, his curiosity piqued, “Fellow Daoist Huai Lian, if you hold no ill will toward the young Hidden Official, and even possess a degree of undisguised admiration, then why did you forbid him from climbing the mountain today? And why go to the unnecessary length of uttering such cutting words?”

Huai Lian retorted with a cold laugh, “Does a swordsman consider status above their own cultivation?”

Feng Jun swirled the wine in his bowl, “But surely that isn’t the *only* reason for denying him passage, is it?”

Besides being a swordsman, Chen Ping’an was also a martial artist at the Pinnacle Realm who had exchanged blows with Cao Ci in four sparring matches.

Huai Lian simply stated, “I’ve given my reason. Believe it or not, as you wish.”

Feng Jun sighed in regret, “A pity I was on the ship, lacking access to timely news. Otherwise, I would have pawned everything I own to wager on Fellow Daoist Chen defeating Cao Ci.”

The contest between Cao Ci and Chen Ping’an, two martial artists of the same generation, had ignited a whirlwind of discussion and debate among cultivators and martial artists, both on and off the mountain.

Generally, cultivators favored Cao Ci, believing Chen Ping’an would never truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cao Ci on the path of martial arts, forever relegated to chasing after him.

They prophesied that Cao Ci would be Chen Ping’an’s lifelong martial nemesis, at best earning him the title of “Second Under Heaven.”

However, pure martial artists largely sided with Chen Ping’an.

There was, however, one point of agreement between those on and off the mountain:

Regardless of their ultimate heights in martial arts, the *process* of practicing and honing one’s skills should be modeled after Chen Ping’an, not Cao Ci.

Chen Ping’an, accompanied by Qing Tong, left Middle Earth Divine Continent and returned to Treasure Bottle Continent, arriving at a mountain ridge path called the Watershed.

Qing Tong exclaimed in disbelief, “We actually visited the mountain god’s temple here? Is this the wrap-up before we return to the Tongye Sect?”

Chen Ping’an hummed in affirmation.

The mountain goddess, Wei Wei, emerged from within the clay statue in the shrine, looking somewhat awkward upon seeing the young sword immortal in his green robe, cloth shoes.

Master Chen, Sword Immortal Chen, Mountain Lord Chen, Hidden Official?

If Wei Wei remembered correctly, this was the fourth time the man surnamed Chen had come here.

Four times in less than thirty years!

Could it be…?

The thought had barely formed when she wanted to slap herself. Had she been addled by those mountain and water travelogues?! Had she forgotten their first encounter?

There was not a trace of tenderness, only ruthless destruction.

Now, however, the mountain god’s temple was wealthy and prosperous.

Wei Wei had to admit it was all thanks to the man before her. The methods Sword Immortal Chen had imparted to her temple were truly effective.

Chen Ping’an sat on the long stone bench outside the shrine, smiling. “The beginning is always the hardest. When one thing goes smoothly, everything else follows. Congratulations.”

Wei Wei stood under a nearby pine tree, grinning. “If I didn’t have so many responsibilities, and if this humble mountain god weren’t so unsteady and difficult to move, I would have visited Mount Luopo long ago to thank Sword Immortal Chen in person.”

The handmaiden who served as the temple’s assistant deity had, following Chen Ping’an’s instructions, learned the “divine maiden entering dreams” technique from those books, wandering mountains and rivers with a scholar traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations, feeling as if he were floating among immortals. Hand in hand, they surveyed the landscapes. Upon waking from his dream, the scholar, though somewhat plain in appearance but with considerable erudition, regarded it as an auspicious sign. Thus, full of confidence, he sat for the exams in the capital and wrote with such inspiration that his pen seemed guided by the gods.

Although he did not achieve the coveted first place in the jinshi examination, he secured the top spot in the second tier, earning him the honor of having his name proclaimed in the golden palace. He was even granted the exceptional opportunity to enter the Hanlin Academy without examination, directly appointed as a compiler with a rank of seventh grade. If nothing went wrong, he would soon be assigned to one of the six ministries as a principal official. If he were then sent out of the capital, he would start as a county magistrate. Moreover, it was said that the chief examiner, who had overseen the country’s literary examinations for over two decades, as well as the graders, had showered praise upon his exam papers. It was only during the palace examination that he underperformed slightly, preventing his name from being among the top three circled by the emperor’s vermilion brush.

After passing the imperial exams, the scholar, on his return journey home, went straight to the mountain god’s temple to offer incense, kowtow, and inscribe a poem on the wall. Back in his study, he even wrote a poem in his collection, specially recording this miraculous event, intending to publish it in the future.

The scholar felt he had a dream, a dream come true. For Wei Wei and her two attendant goddesses, it was no different.

Chen Ping’an reminded her with a smile, “Read more books by sages in the future, and fewer those miscellaneous writings.”

Wei Wei was unaware that this was actually Chen Ping’an’s *fifth* visit here.

It was just that last time, he saw Wei Wei and her two attendant goddesses chatting about that mountain and water travelogue, enjoying themselves immensely, the mountain goddess laughing so hard she was rolling on the mat.

Chen Ping’an did not reveal himself, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere.

Wei Wei was bewildered but could only nod in agreement.

Within the temple’s jurisdiction, a dozen mountain god’s temple’s specially made red lanterns shone brightly.

There was a common saying, “So-and-so is under my protection.” But the word “protection” held considerable significance.

Within the mountain god’s temple’s jurisdiction, those lanterns represented not only prominent and wealthy families, but also emerging elite families still of humble origins, and even half of them belonging to people in ordinary alleyways and rural villages.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Easy to borrow and easy to repay, easy to borrow again?”

Wei Wei had previously owed a mountain of debts to the county and city隍temples. Logically speaking, even with the newfound literary fortune, the mountain god’s temple would not have been able to create so many incense lanterns after repaying its debts.

This was similar to the situation of the Huangting Kingdom, which, despite having abundant water fortune, struggled to officially recognize the true deities of the Five Mountains and the Han Shi River, leading to the Iron Pledge River outside the Ziyang Residence never being elevated to a true river god. It was not that the Huangting Kingdom’s emperor did not want to curry favor with the Ziyang Residence; it was simply that the kingdom’s fortune was limited, and its capabilities fell short.
Wei Wei, her conscience pricked, confessed, “Exchanging old debts for new ones means repayment is still inevitable.”

Chen Ping’an, with a smile, helped “explain,” “It’s just not urgent?”

Wei Wei’s smile was strained as she braced herself and said, “I am indeed eager to repay, for a life free of debt is a light one, a principle I understand. I even wanted to set a deadline, but the City Gods of neighboring counties all say there’s no rush, to wait until I’ve accumulated enough incense offerings. Moreover, the City God Temple of the Prefecture even proactively asked if I needed any incense.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Indeed, helping those in immediate distress is different from aiding the chronically poor, and relatives assist those struggling, not the idle.”

A close neighbor is better than a distant relative. The neighbors on the mountain were none other than immortal residences, mountain and water spirits, and the City God Temple and Temple of Literature and Martial Arts.

Previously, Wei Wei’s Mountain God Temple was a destitute place, always in deficit, and Wei Wei, this newly appointed Mountain God, clearly wasn’t skilled in management. But now, things were different.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “What’s the name of the benefactor who donated money to build the temple?”

Wei Wei beamed, “Zhang Guidong.”

Chen Ping’an quietly memorized the name.

Earlier, Wei Wei had found a spot on the mountain and built a small temple. A local benefactor had donated two substantial sums of incense money. This person was generous and charitable, but sought no fame, especially generous in building bridges and paving roads.

Afterward, Wei Wei hired a kind-hearted and devout elderly woman to serve as the temple keeper, and some elderly women from the vicinity would often come to help at the temple.

When Chen Ping’an spoke of the “heart incense,” Wei Wei readily agreed without hesitation, already secretly rejoicing. Even if she wasn’t good at calculations, she knew she was about to truly prosper.

After repaying those City Gods, the Mountain God Temple would surely have a surplus!

She could then craft another batch of special, crimson lanterns for the Mountain God’s abode!

However, Wei Wei recalled something and cautiously asked, “My Mountain God Temple, after all, occupies the site of an old temple. Will that be a taboo? Does it count as… a cuckoo seizing a magpie’s nest?”

Chen Ping’an shook his head with a smile, “Don’t overthink it. If you truly feel uneasy, just hold temple fairs on the first and fifteenth of each month, striving to add some commoners’ incense offerings to the temple.”

Wei Wei’s eyes lit up, “Temple fairs?”

Chen Ping’an said, “You just rent out stalls and collect some rent, keeping the rent low. In the future, rely on this steady stream of income, accumulating silver little by little. When the time comes, hire skilled artisans from the foot of the mountain and, following the Sixteen Arhats and Eighteen Arhats depicted in paintings and fans, build an Arhat Hall. Once this is accomplished, consider it a form of repayment. However, my personal suggestion is to erect an Arhat Hall enshrining five hundred Arhat statues. Those who enter can, according to their age and birthdate, first choose an Arhat to begin counting from, continuing all the way, and whichever Arhat they end on, they will receive that Arhat’s protection.”

Wei Wei widened her eyes and exclaimed, “Does that even work?!”

Wei Wei’s words were filled with admiration. “Chen Ping’an, why are you a Sword Immortal and a Mountain Lord? You should go into business! If I were the ancestor of a merchant family, I’d make you my second-in-command!”

Chen Ping’an laughingly scolded, “It’s not like I’m spouting nonsense; this is an established custom.”

Previously, when traveling with Pei Qian and Cao Qinglang, he had passed by a temple where this was indeed the practice.

Wei Wei sheepishly clasped her hands together and said, “Sincerity begets efficacy, sincerity begets efficacy, ha.”

Chen Ping’an stood up, hesitating about something. An unexpected amount of merit had been gained; where should it be used?

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his heart, inquiring about something.

“Chen Ping’an, what are your thoughts on the ‘Three-Four Dispute’?”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment and gave his answer.

The person smiled and said, “Very good, you may return.”

In the corridor of the Demon Suppressing Pagoda in Tongye Continent, Lü Yan smiled and asked, “What answer could have pleased the Sage so much?”

This question was not insignificant.

As the last disciple of the Literary Sage, it was naturally not easy for Chen Ping’an to answer appropriately, especially since sincerity was key.

The Literary Sage stroked his beard and smiled, “Chen Ping’an only said one sentence: ‘The Master said, in education, there should be no class distinctions.'”

Even Lü Yan was momentarily stunned. After pondering for a moment, he lightly tapped the railing and laughed heartily, “This humble Daoist is in awe.”