Upon the highest parapet of the Jade Capital, a young Daoist, lotus crown gracing his brow, paced slowly. Hands tucked within his sleeves, palms nested one atop the other, he cast his gaze down, surveying the Five Cities and Twelve Towers in their entirety.

*There seem to be new faces amongst them.*

Lu Chen lifted his gaze skyward, met by the pure light of the moon.

‘Twas as if the Immortals had polished a mirror of the heavens, the twin moons hung like the glyph of companionship.

His gaze drawn from the novel orb, Lu Chen paused, then turned, resuming his promenade along the balustrade.

The sudden appearance of Lu, Master of the Jade Capital, stirred a ripple of unease amongst the mountain-peak cultivators of the Azure Expanse, those beyond the veil of seclusion.

Lu Chen, a figure of millennia, was known for actions as peculiar as they were discreet, his journeys to and from the Jade Capital always conducted with a shadow’s silence.

*Could it be,* mused many, *that in the Verdant Lands he was caught in some thieving mischief, only to be chased back through the celestial barrier by the Righteous Sage’s wrathful hand, forced to flee to the Jade Capital in dishonored haste?*

Yu Dou emerged within the colonnade, a frown etched upon his face. “What is amiss?” he inquired.

Lu Chen, never one for formality even with his Senior Brother Yu, remained perched high upon the white jade rail. He chuckled, “First I shall take a turn upon the Luminous Moon. Yu Brother, wait but a moment and then call for a few souls to greet and refresh me.”

Yu Dou questioned, “Whom shall I summon?”

Lu Chen replied, “Such as Jiang Yunsheng of Verdant City, and Pang Ding of Spirit Treasure City, Jiang Zhaomo of Purple Qi Tower, and permit each to bring one beside.”

Ere the Five-Hued Lands were discovered, cultivated, and steadied by the Literary Temple, the remaining four domains were subject to the whims of the seasons, each claiming dominion in turn.

In the eyes of those few with insight, this arrangement resembled a colossal and imposing array, a harmony of cosmic timing, territorial advantage, and the favor of the people.

Within the Azure Expanse’s Jade Capital resided Five Cities and Twelve Towers. The Cities were Verdant, Spirit Treasure, Southern Bloom, Divine Sky, and Jade Pivot.

Verdant City, also known as Jade Emperor City, was once the domain of Grand Master Kou Ming. Spirit Treasure City was the sanctum of the truly invincible Yu Dou, though both Masters had long since relinquished their citadels.

Only Southern Bloom remained under the dominion of Third Master Lu Chen, its First Deputy a female acolyte of soaring transcendence, and its other two Deputies immortals of celestial bearing.

The positions within the Cities and Towers had always lacked a set pattern in the Jade Capital, and were it not for Yu Senior Brother’s restraint, Lu Chen would have gladly filled Southern Bloom with Deputies, a gathering unheard of within the Jade Capital.

Verdant City and the towers of Gleaming Collection and Cloud Water, however, clung to the worldly traditions of the annual festival.

The rising sun and the advent of purple energies of the Purple Qi Tower; the ancient sites of Han and Mian within Verdant City; the thousand peach groves and immortal spirits of Divine Sky City; the white clouds birthing the land of immortals at Cloud Water Tower; the celestial winds carrying the clear chimes of Spirit Treasure City; the thunderous Fivefold Wrath forged by immortals into waters within Jade Pivot City; and the commoner officials dreaming of journeys within Southern Bloom City – these were all famed throughout the Azure Expanse.

The airborne positions of these Five Cities and Twelve Towers were not fixed, their heights waxing and waning in accordance with merit, and this elevation governed the thickness of their fortune and abundance of their spiritual energy.

This ledger, accessible only to the Three Masters, Lu Chen whimsically dubbed his “Book of Untroubled Musings” and his “Scale of Labor”.

The Verdant and Divine Sky Cities, deprived of active Masters, and with their Daoist officials remaining cloistered, had been steadily descending.

Even Verdant City, the former domain of the Jade Capital’s Grand Master, was not spared from this fate.

Lu Chen’s gaze lingered longest upon Verdant City, the place where the Master had once enlightened all, regardless of status or creed, truly living by the principle of education for all.

Not only were the Jade Capital and the Fourteen Prefectures’ Daoist officials welcome to attend his lessons, but even those sects unrecognized by the Jade Capital, the unorthodox and heretical, could enter Verdant City as mere spectators.

Among these were the Masters of the Three Mountains and Nine Principalities, who secretly entered Verdant City to observe the teachings for three days and two nights.

The Grand Master Kou Ming, recognizing their status, greeted these elders, among the top contenders for “Ten Heroes of the World,” with the respect due to those of higher standing, humbly seeking knowledge in the art of talismans.

Ultimately, Kou Ming crafted numerous grand talismans, including the famed “Three Mountain Talisman”.

The Bone Immortal, one of Lu Chen’s Five Dreams, had once journeyed through Verdant City with the Daoist, named Chunyang, Lü Yan.

Lü Yan’s travels from the Verdant Lands to the Azure Expanse were motivated both by a love of landscape and the pursuit of Dao.

For the Azure Expanse, in stark contrast to the water-rich Verdant Lands, abounded in mountain energies throughout its Fourteen Prefectures, yet each Prefecture was traversed by a great river. As a result, these rivers were esteemed beyond measure, their lords even held in higher regard than the mountain deities.

Yu Dou was about to press for answers when Lu Chen, with cupped fist and a smile, bowed slightly. “My thanks, my thanks, Your Junior shall return anon.”

With these words, he transformed into a streak of rainbow, soaring to the moon transplanted by swordsmen.

Within the moon, two newly established retreats could be found. One, a palace of luminous and crystalline jade, belonged to a revered celestial of the Jade Capital’s Jade Pivot City, who sought permission from Second Master Yu Dou to “weave a hut” here. It was his hope to make progress, breaking through the restrictions of the Immortal Realm and finding his way to ascension, aided by the pure moonlight and ancient Dao energy.

The other retreat was far humbler, merely a small home with a pill-refining chamber as its heart, flanked by rooms for living.

Beneath the eaves stood a tall old Daoist, his face gaunt, and his long beard billowing in the breeze.

Lu Chen descended gently, dusting off his sleeves. Upon seeing the old Daoist, he offered a Daoist salute, his face wreathed in smiles. “Lu Chen greets Uncle Master Bi Xiao.”

The former Master of the Bi Xiao Grotto of Fallen Treasure Beach and Abbot of the Eastern Sea Temple, by Lu Chen’s reckoning, was a brother of Dao Ancestor’s master, given that Lu Chen was also referring to Dao Ancestor as his master.

The old Abbot scoffed. “Uncle Master? Did you bestow that title upon yourself?”

A gesture both ingratiating and presumptuous.

Lu Chen laughed heartily. “Who in this world would not seek an Uncle Master who can fight, protect his own, and serve as a refuge?”

From the west chamber, the Judge Hao Su emerged, while in the pill-refining chamber, a small Daoist boy with a gourd slung across his back sat upon a stool, watching the fire of the bronze brazier. Although he knew Lu Chen was here, the boy dared not abandon his post, instead straining his ears to catch the conversation, hoping that their discussions would not employ heart-speech.

Lu Chen cupped his fist in greeting. “When does the great Judge plan to depart for Divine Sky City?”

Anyone could guess that Hao Su would lodge in Divine Sky City if he ever went to the Jade Capital, just like Dong the Talisman and his band of young swordsmen.

Hao Su replied, “Whenever I wish. Perhaps Master Lu can choose a propitious day?”

Lu Chen scoffed. “Better early than late, and late will always come. I believe today is most fitting.”

Hao Su nodded. “Then I shall accompany Master Lu to the Jade Capital. I can serve as a guest official in Divine Sky City, with one condition: that I may drink the peach nectar without needing to report to the storehouse.”

Lu Chen rubbed his chin. “Just a guest official? Would that not make us appear stingy? While taking the top spot in Divine Sky City may be difficult, for the great Judge to stoop to a mere Deputy City Master would be an effortless affair. I guarantee, by thrashing and wailing if needed, that I shall secure a position as Deputy City Master for the great Judge. Furthermore, as the position of City Master of Divine Sky City has long remained vacant, and the two Deputy City Masters are detached old immortals who disdain worldly affairs, the great Judge would be its true leader.”

Hao Su shook his head. “The Jade Capital differs from the Sword Qi Great Wall. If I held too high a position, even if only for a time, I would be unable to draw my sword.”

The old Abbot studied Lu Chen closely, a hint of glee in his eyes. “A most perilous affair.”

Lu Chen sighed. “Indeed, not just ‘perilous,’ but a calamitous risk! Had I been but a fraction slower, I would not be here to reminisce with Uncle Master Bi Xiao.”

The old Abbot chuckled. “That you escaped? Did you burn incense in haste?”

Lu Chen’s journey had indeed been a matter of life and death, no exaggeration.

Hao Su was perplexed.

The old Abbot explained, “After your journey through the savage lands, Cui Chan of Embroidered Tiger planned an ambush for Lu Chen, with his brother, Chen Ping An, responsible for closing the net.”

Hao Su glanced at Lu Chen, who was still smiling.

*Could it be as Sun of Profound Capital Temple said, that most reclusive experts merely smile knowingly, as a sign of unfathomable depth, but Lu Chen’s laughter betrays a simple foolishness?*

Hao Su paused. “Although my impression of Chen Ping An has been mixed, I do not believe he would do such a deed.”

Hao Su added, “But had the Hidden Official made the call then, I would have joined them without hesitation, my sword drawn.”

Once. Chen Ping An. Hidden Official.

Each word held weight.

The old Abbot nodded.

Hao Su was a straightforward man, a pure swordsman.

Though ice and charcoal cannot share a furnace, the nameless late Judge possessed both the clarity of ice and snow and the warmth of heart.

Had he been disagreeable, Hao Su would not have found rest here.

Had Hao Su been born ten thousand years earlier, his achievements in swordsmanship would have been even greater.

However, given Hao Su’s nature, he would have likely perished during the battle to ascend the heavens.

The old Abbot extended a hand, his fingers forming arcane gestures, purple energies swirling at their tips, the light of stars shifting, the glow of swords fluctuating like threads. For these were matters already set, a mere recapitulation, and Lu Chen’s hasty return from the Verdant Lands had left traces in its wake. The old Abbot, skilled in the study of energy flows, was able to deduce the general outline. “During the relocation of the moon, when the celestial timing was in disarray, Ning Yao, not only a swordsman of soaring transcendence, but also the co-ruler of a realm, bore so much fortune that it cannot be calculated in the ordinary manner. A stroke of unreason. Lu Zhi, never hesitant to fight with her life, brought her natal sword, ‘North Dipper,’ a vital hand. The sword of Qi Tingji, ‘Disassembly,’ likewise. Adding the two swords of Hao Su would have granted them dominion over the land. Had they been able to strike from the moon, targeting Lu Chen, their assault would have surpassed the might of any battlefield.”

“It would have been akin to four swordsmen of soaring transcendence assaulting a cultivator of the fourteenth realm.”

“During the battle of Soaring Support Isle, Bai Ye’s lethality was absurd, yet he wielded four immortal swords to vanquish eight barbarian kings.”

“But to truly defeat Lu Chen, to damage the very root of his Dao, they lacked an expert in arrays to isolate the heavens, to block all escape – a figure akin to Zhou Mi of Literary Sea, or Pang Ding of the Jade Capital in the Lapis Pearl Grotto.”

Hearing this, Hao Su could not help but ask, “We swordsmen could not have slain Lu Chen?”

Qi Tingji was not unfamiliar with arrays, and there was also Chen Ping An’s natal sword, “Caged Bird.”

Paired with Ning Yao’s stroke to cleave open the heavens, exchanging the battlefield for the Five-Hued Lands, the five swordsmen would have the favor of the heavens, the terrain, and the people.

Hao Su smiled. “Let us discuss this dispassionately, Master Lu, no offense meant.”

Lu Chen waved it off, wearing a jocular smile. “None taken.”

The old Abbot nodded. “Most difficult. This is the nature of cultivators in the fourteenth realm. Each follows their own path of convergence, and our Master Lu is notorious for his many forms, Five Dreams and Seven Soul-Aspects. Leaving aside the butterfly dream, he possesses at least eleven incarnations. The advantage is his near invincibility, the drawback a slight reduction in lethality until he gathers his dreams and aspects.”

Lu Chen looked wronged. “My lethality is not low, only when compared to you mountain-peak elders. In truth, it is not weak at all.”

The old Abbot pointed at the boy stoking the fire. “Compared to him, you are sky high. Does that please you?”

Lu Chen smiled slightly. “Uncle Master, could you divine whether another was present by Zheng’s side?”

Wu Shuangjiang of Year-End Palace had appeared briefly in Sword Qi Great Wall, without concealing herself.

At the Ink Trace Crossing, the martial goddess Pei Bei of Great Duan Dynasty; Huai Yin; Guo Outing of Iron Tree Mountain; Liu Tui, clan lord of Soaring Support Isle’s Heavenly Ballad Hamlet; and Cong Qian of Flowing Glow Isle.

But the core of that location was Zheng Juzhong, the lord of White Emperor City, coordinating the immortals and marshalling the armies alongside Pei Bei.

The old Abbot pondered, his expression growing somber, his gaze fixed on Lu Chen.

Had Zheng Juzhong secretly sent his junior sister, Han Qiaose, back to the Central Lands through the Sunken Lands? Had she been studying military texts in White Emperor City?

Zheng Juzhong had immense audacity, trying to co-opt the art of war alongside Wu Shuangjiang, planning to sever the origins of the military once more?

Lu Chen crouched beneath the eaves, sighing, confirming that Cui Chan and Zheng Juzhong had struck a bargain, explaining why Zheng Juzhong had targeted him.

The old Abbot glanced at the figure scratching his head on the ground, scoffing. “Had you known this, perhaps you would have been more cautious. Is this retribution?”

The mountain-peak cultivators of numerous realms knew the subtlety and complexity of the Jade Capital’s Third Master, so enmeshed within the silk of their own creation that even Lu Chen himself could not unravel it.

Yet this self-imposed constraint was meant to break the cocoon and transform into a butterfly.

Lu Chen’s Five Dreams and Seven Soul-Aspects each manifested unique aspects of the Dao, each boasting innate powers.

Thus, each time Lu Chen unraveled a dream or gathered an aspect, his Daoist cultivation increased, his heart drawing ever closer to perfection.

‘Debtor’ dreams and the gathering of aspects amounted to a self-inflicted impairment of cultivation, like the Third Master of the Jade Capital was “disassembling” himself.

This was the root of the Profound Capital Temple’s Sun Huai Zhong’s assessment of Lu Chen’s “unbeatable” nature.

Ordinary cultivators were extremely cautious with a wisp of their soul, fearing that it might be captured by a powerful cultivator, for souls who were炼而不杀, without killing would lead to an imperfect spirit that would never achieve Dao.

Lu Chen clearly had a contingency plan. Given these were but dreams and aspects, he could flee in a manner unmatched by any other. Given his historical escape, the reality was hard to say. Even when fighting a cultivator of the fourteenth realm, Lu Chen may lose a dream or an aspect, but a fourteenth realm cultivator would have to face a ‘serious’ Lu Chen.

In thousands of years, no cultivator of the fourteenth realm was willing to start a feud with Lu Chen. The description of Sun Huai Zhong of him being like chewing gum on the shoe and dog shit you couldn’t get rid of was rough but made sense.

The old Abbot chuckled. “You have grown too comfortable, thinking that with Cui Chan dead, you could wait for Chen Ping An to mature, watching the drama unfold.”

Who could imagine that a living Cui Chan of Great Li would only lay the ambush, but a dead Cui Chan of Embroidered Tiger would make his moves through others?

Before Lu Chen went to the Lapis Pearl Grotto, he had gathered “Two Dreams” and one Soul-Aspect: “Live Oak Tree Dream” and “Dead Spirit Turtle Dream.”

Adding to these was the yellow finch of Seven Soul-Aspects, whose Great Dao signified a “heavenly cage.”

Wielding the Jade Capital, ready to travel across realms and fall like a hammer upon Treasure Bottle Continent, provided him sufficient lethality.

Lu Chen had chosen not to retrieve the Bone Immortal, who continually attempted to “rebel” and “usurp authority.”

For Lu Chen wanted to ensure the safety of the Daoist Lu of the market town.

The yellow finch that pecked at coins to test literary fortune was but one aspect of Lu Chen’s Great Dao, similar to a sword cultivator’s natal sword with its two innate powers.

In times of need, it could ignore the Verdant Lands’ suppression, allowing Lu Chen to “seize command” and reclaim his fourteenth realm power within the Lapis Pearl Grotto.

However, reclaiming his peak cultivation did not guarantee a perfect Daoist heart. Lu Chen had always focused on the Great Dao since the beginning.

When he arrived in the Verdant Lands, as he approached the Lapis Pearl Grotto, he was wary of the small husband. He made a detour to gather another Soul-Aspect, once a Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain who wandered the world as a yellow-purple dignitary, “Yuan Chu.”

Now he had two dreams and two aspects.

Because Wu Shuangjiang and an old friend that debated with him there. Lu Chen used the situation to gather one more.

Later, Lu Chen used the scholar Zheng Huan to gather 1 dream and soul aspect.

Lu Chen had taken advantage of a hole in the confucius temple since Zheng Huan was technically a fake person, and the plan was if Nin yao could bring it back. Wu was ready to use that to attack him.

Lu Chen asked, “Could you be the one who told her?”

The old man looked at him like he was an idiot. He then told him about how to imprison them. And that even with 8 to 9 out of 10 certainty, it still wasn’t a guarantee with Lu Chen. He also mentioned that Qi Jingchun would know his weaknesses, and it was of the Buddah.

The old man laughed. “4 months. If you’re defeated, Azure will fall. And so people will turn to the 2nd in command.

Lu Chen asked him if he had hooked up with the other dude already and he reminded him that he has to be careful.

He reminded that people like Sun, Wu, and all the others might be bad and Lu Chen would have no answers.

Lu asked how his advice was helpful and what he should do, and the old man said “go figure”. He brought up how it’s hard to retrieve some of his dreams and aspects, but it isn’t impossible.

Lu mentioned how great people are, that he used his words and was like a god.