A gaunt Daoist, his head topped with a felt cap and clad in a patched-up azure cotton Daoist robe, walked with a swaying gait like a slender bamboo stalk, his feet shod in thick cotton shoes.

Beside him strode a burly middle-aged man, a saber at his hip, its hilt polished smooth with constant handling. The man had begun to grow a beard months ago, which now covered his face in a thick, tangled mass.

They were both on their way home, their villages not far apart, barely thirty or forty *li*, both within the boundaries of Wuling Prefecture.

In truth, the Daoist was more than twenty years younger than the man, but his weathered face made him appear at least a decade older.

Crucially, despite lacking official recognition and a Daoist register, the Daoist was a genuine cultivator, a practitioner of the esoteric “Rice Thief” lineage. His companion, on the other hand, was a pure martial artist.

They were returning from a long journey, a sojourn of several years that had taken them to many places and introduced them to many strange people and wondrous events.

The Daoist was Wang Yuanlu, of the Rice Thief lineage, and the martial artist was Qi Gu, a swordsman of the “Executioner’s Blade” school.

One, a cultivator at the perfected Jade Purity Realm; the other, a peak Ninth Realm martial artist on the verge of breaking through.

In this Azure Canopy world, the Rice Thief Daoists were not exactly a popular bunch. The very name “Rice Thief” suggested a less-than-ideal standing. Like the Corpse Dissolution Immortals, the Porters, and the One-Word Teachers, they weren’t exactly reviled as heretics to be hunted down in the streets, but it was best to avoid the White Jade Capital. If their presence was discovered, they’d likely be invited to be guests in the Five Cities and Twelve Towers – in other words, imprisoned.

Qi Gu asked, “Do you think I should accept Zhu Xuan’s invitation?”

During their travels, they had passed through Yong Prefecture, a place blessed with abundant waterways, a veritable treasure trove of *feng shui* among the Azure Canopy’s fourteen provinces.

The Azure Mountain Dynasty of Bing Prefecture and the Fish Talisman Dynasty of Yong Prefecture were the most powerful kingdoms in their respective provinces, true behemoths.

Somehow, the young empress of the Fish Talisman Dynasty, Zhu Xuan, had learned of their presence. Zhu Xuan herself had appeared and invited Qi Gu to serve as a royal guardian.

Both parties understood the underlying motive: Empress Zhu Xuan was poaching talent. Qi Gu was on the cusp of becoming a Limitless Realm martial artist, and his breakthrough within the Fish Talisman Dynasty would generate a substantial boost of martial providence. So, Zhu Xuan offered not only the position of royal guardian but also a price that was exceptionally generous. Beyond the salary, Zhu Xuan promised to retrieve a weapon from the imperial treasury for Qi Gu’s use, for a term of three hundred years. This was extremely tempting. The peerless spear named “Formation Breaker,” a national treasure of the Fish Talisman Dynasty, could inherently suppress the formations of Qi refiners. If Qi Gu became a Limitless Realm martial artist and wielded this spear, facing Qi refiners below the immortal level would be an effortless victory.

It wouldn’t just be a matter of victory or defeat; it would likely be impossible for the opponent to even escape.

Which of those listed among the younger generation or those in line to be, be they cultivator or martial artist, did not have a few hidden trump cards?

On the other hand, the Azure God Dynasty seemed indifferent to where Qi Gu achieved his breakthrough. Not even a Daoist official had appeared, let alone His Imperial Majesty or Grand Preceptor Yao Qing.

Qi Gu was infuriated.

*Damn it, I’m a Ninth Realm martial artist, and I’m not even worthy of your attention?*

Wang Yuanlu said, “You always lose your head when you see a pretty woman.”

Qi Gu retorted, “You’re only brave when you’re picking on me.”

Wang Yuanlu was only bold in front of him. In the presence of outsiders, he would stammer and struggle to speak. For example, before Empress Zhu Xuan, Wang Yuanlu had kept his head bowed, his ears red, answering only a few words to every three questions. Earlier, when he was with Lu Tai and Yuan Ying, the Daoist had gotten drunk and, moved by a few words from the Young Master Lu, had burst into tears, his inebriated state bordering on lunacy. It was fortunate that he hadn’t gone completely mad.

Perhaps the only exception was the Xuan Capital Temple’s Daoist Priest Sun, whom Wang Yuanlu had jokingly called his “Ancestor” for many years.

Wang Yuanlu displayed true heroism in front of the Old Temple Master, even daring to call him an “old melon rind” to his face.

The Old Temple Master was the undisputed fifth strongest in the world, especially famous for his mantra, “This humble Daoist loves to be kind to others and never holds grudges overnight,” which had earned him widespread recognition throughout the Azure Canopy world.

So, Qi Gu had privately advised Wang Yuanlu to be more respectful when speaking to the Old Immortal, but his advice went unheeded.

“If I don’t even get to see that Liu Jing when I get home, I’m done licking cold asses.”

Qi Gu grew increasingly agitated, muttering, “Damn it, distant flowers are always sweeter. Don’t blame me if I bloom outside the wall.”

Wuling Prefecture, located in the heartland of the Azure God Dynasty, was a place densely populated with noble families and established clans, its accumulated ancestral blessings unparalleled in the province.

Wuling Prefecture comprised five counties: Changmao, Junyang, and Ping. It was the location of the imperial mausoleums and had originally been established by the Azure God Dynasty specifically to gather and settle meritorious officials and nobles.

The current Prefect, Liu Jing, was a relative of the imperial family and also held the title of “Supervisor of Palaces and Temples,” overseeing the Daoists of the capital and the surrounding region.

In addition, supervisory officials for palaces and temples were established in the major mountains and rivers of the Azure Mountain Dynasty, often used by the imperial court to accommodate aging, retired officials, serving more as honorary titles.

Wang Yuanlu said, “Be careful, Grand Secretary Yao is watching you.”

Qi Gu asked, “Surely not?”

Wang Yuanlu frowned slightly and said, “It’s hard to say.”

Qi Gu hesitated for a moment and then used the technique of focused sound transmission to whisper to his companion, “It’s fortunate that our Bing Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of Azure Verdant City; otherwise, we would have been dealt a cruel blow by the Second Daoist of White Jade Capital. Wuling Prefecture would never have the vibrant vitality it has today.”

Wang Yuanlu said, “Though the source is the same, the currents differ. Water’s nature varies. People naturally prefer calm waters. Frequent floods are unbearable, causing people to complain and cry out.”

Qi Gu laughed, “Occasionally, you can come up with a few sensible words.”

Qi Gu recalled something and said, “I heard that Hierarch Yu has accepted a new disciple.”

The Daoist grimaced, “Good fortune, there’s no envying that.”

Qi Gu teased, “Xu Jun’s fate is truly good.”

The Daoist pondered for a moment and shook his head, saying, “Sect Master Xu’s fate is not just good… No, Sect Master Xu’s fate is actually not good; having a tough life is true skill.”

Qi Gu said, “One day, I will marry that Bai Ou as my wife. Only then will I be honoring my ancestors!”

The Daoist habitually lowered his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves, his form hunched over, “A spicy woman, marrying her would be like chewing chili peppers every day.”
Qi Gu’s eyes shone brightly as he flexed his wrist, grinning, “As long as I win one match against her, marry her, then lose a hundred, a thousand matches, no problem!”

Fighting, you see, comes in two flavors.

The Daoist muttered under his breath, grumbling, “Why are you speaking so crudely?”

Qi Gu exclaimed, “You understood that?”

In the recent century, like a bountiful harvest, Wuling County had seen a surge of prodigies attracting attention from all over the land. There were even two candidates for the young top ten in the world.

Furthermore, within Huayang Palace of Difèi Mountain, one of the ancestral grounds of the talisman school, there was a young cultivator with the Daoist name You Ran. And at Cǎishōu Mountain, there was a female Daoist official with the Daoist name Nánshān. Both were recognized as embryonic celestials, now young nascent soul cultivators.

Like the two on the road at this moment, both came from Wuling County, representing the younger generation. You Ran and Nánshān were also among the three thousand Daoist officials heading to the Five-Colored World. Although they came from rival sects, they were born on the same day, same month, same year, and even the hour was exactly the same. Such a heavenly match caused subtle changes in the hearts of the Daoist officials from Difèi Mountain and Cǎishōu Mountain.

In truth, Wang Yuanlu and Qi Gu had wanted to journey to the Five-Colored World together, but the rules set by the Confucian Temple of the Great Vastness world stood in the way. Both their cultivation levels exceeded the threshold, so they couldn’t go even if they wanted to.

In the eyes of the Daoist officials on the mountain, this Wuling County was a treasure trove, a land of immortals.

In the eyes of countless worlds, it was a golden jade cultivation ground comparable to the Dragon Pearl Grotto Heaven of the Great Vastness world.

There were both纨绔子弟 (wán kù zǐ dì – pampered young masters) who relied on their ancestors’ merits and waited to die, and Wuling youths with soaring ambition who weren’t afraid of dying on the frontier and chivalrous young rangers who would risk everything to help others.

In any case, they were all famous Wuling youngsters.

But in the eyes of Wang Yuanlu and Qi Gu, it was just home.

The rich were very rich, and the poor were so poor they couldn’t even make ends meet, each living their own lives.

Like grass on the plains, richly dressed riders sped along the official road, dust flying in the air, a group of wealthy guests with golden saddles and jade bridles.

These riders were young men and women, swords at their sides, bows on their backs, riding horses in search of pleasure, carefree and heroic, full of sharp aura.

The Daoist, on the contrary, was timid, with shifty eyes and a humble appearance.

Wang Yuanlu quickly stepped aside, not competing with them for the road, taking the initiative to avoid those extremely powerful and extraordinary tall horses. Qi Gu had no choice but to stand by the side of the road, and after the group of princes and noble sons had ridden away, Qi Gu raised his hand to wave away the dust, and habitually reached into his crotch, laughing: “Just talking about appearances, it really depends on whether the genetics are good, the two of us are lacking, we’ve suffered a great loss, so in the future, when we marry a wife, we must find a beautiful one.”

Wang Yuanlu didn’t respond, and after a moment of silence, said: “You should change the habit of reaching into your crotch. If women see it, at least half of their good impression will be gone.”

Qi Gu laughed: “My junk is too big, I can’t keep it in the right position.”

Wang Yuanlu said: “How come you always pull up your pants first after peeing?”

Qi Gu was speechless. Why are you arguing with me about this?

The two passed by a pavilion beside the road, where a group of gamblers were throwing dice. Qi Gu rubbed his hands, and Wang Yuanlu glanced sideways.

Qi Gu smiled, “Don’t worry, old rules, since I promised you, I’ll definitely do what I say. Forget about it today, I’ll take you home first.”

Qi Gu had a problem since he was a child, he was addicted to gambling.

Later, he met Wang Yuanlu and became friends, promising that if he followed him, he would have everything he needed.

As a result, Qi Gu had suffered two big losses because of gambling, once in the capital of the Green God Dynasty and once in Lu Prefecture.

Both times, Wang Yuanlu rushed to the scene upon hearing the news and helped to settle the matter. The so-called “settling” was simple: if Wang Yuanlu couldn’t settle something with money, he would settle it with his life.

He rescued Qi Gu both times, cutting a bloody path.

It could even be said that Wang Yuanlu became a Daoist of the Rice Thief lineage because of Qi Gu.

But in those years, Wang Yuanlu at most complained to Qi Gu, “Following you, big brother, I’m hungry nine meals out of three days.”

Wang Yuanlu’s idea was very simple and straightforward: agreeing to be your friend was my own choice. Since I’ve become your friend, I have to act like one.

If a friend doesn’t treat me like a friend, that’s my problem with my eyes. There’s nothing to complain about. If I suffer a few times and can’t stand it, I’ll just go my separate way.

After that, Wang Yuanlu set a rule for Qi Gu.

As long as you’re at the gambling table and you’re not thinking about making money, you can gamble as much as you want, hundreds or thousands of taels of silver, even immortal money is fine. If you don’t have money, you can borrow money from me to gamble.

But as long as you’re thinking about making money, even if it’s just a small gamble of a few copper coins, don’t gamble. Otherwise, we won’t be friends anymore.

Wang Yuanlu’s only principle in making friends was not to be stingy. People who have a few close friends are worth making friends with.

Qi Gu asked: “You still don’t plan to break the ice? To reveal your identity to your brother?”

Wang Yuanlu said helplessly: “I’m scared.”

Qi Gu said sullenly: “It’s my fault.”

If Wang Yuanlu wasn’t a Daoist of the Rice Thief lineage, and was consecrated in the Green God Dynasty’s court, his brother’s family could be considered “ascended to heaven, and even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.” Not to mention great wealth, they could establish a household in this Wuling County, spread their branches and leaves, and pass on their incense for several generations, and perhaps become a local noble family. But now that’s not possible, he’s implicated them. Wang Yuanlu has too many enemies on the mountain.

Wang Yuanlu shook his head, “It’s not like that. Small lives have their own stability, and my brother has his own destiny.”

Qi Gu just assumed that his friend was comforting him.

Wang Yuanlu’s older brother, named Wang Yuanfu, his father-in-law was a local butcher. Today, he was carrying a set of large intestines and a catty of bulk wine bought from a roadside tavern, wandering to the door of his son-in-law’s yellow mud house. With a gloomy face, he saw his daughter and son-in-law coming out to greet him, and complained: “I’ve had bad luck. I married my daughter, who should have been a rich man’s wife, to you, a good-for-nothing who’s good for nothing. Over the years, I don’t know how much I’ve suffered. Now, I don’t know what virtues my ancestors have accumulated that you became a Daoist child. In the future, you’ll have more reasons not to do anything serious. Your heart is fat, and I don’t know how much hard-earned money you’ll spend in the future. Could it be that I owed you in my previous life, and you’ve come to collect debts in this life? If there’s a next life, remember to pay me back.”

Wang Yuanfu bowed his head and didn’t dare to retort. He glanced at the wine pot and swallowed, he was indeed greedy.
Unsurprisingly, the gourd containing a catty of loose wine was emptied, and the father-in-law still insisted on taking it home.

The “apprenticeship” status, as the father-in-law called it, was essentially a Taoist candidate, similar to a child student title in Haoran World. With this status, there was an opportunity to participate in the county-level examination every three years. Passing that would allow one to participate in the investiture ceremony in the prefecture, thus gaining an orthodox Taoist identity recognized by the imperial court. However, there was still a step to becoming a true “Taoist official”: waiting for a vacancy. Only with an official post, whether serving in a government office or a Taoist temple, would one be considered a genuine Taoist official.

The burly butcher spoke to his daughter, who seemed to be already married off, “Go, boil the intestines, and warm up another pot of wine to eat.”

Wang Yuanfu led his father-in-law into the house, walking slightly behind. His father-in-law spoke loudly, spraying saliva everywhere. Wang Yuanfu secretly raised his sleeve to wipe his face.

Once the father-in-law was seated, Wang Yuanfu dusted off his robe and gently sat down. The butcher glanced at him from the corner of his eye, thinking, *Always so fastidious, acting like a Taoist official!* But considering that Taoist candidate status, he held back his words and asked, “Where’s your younger brother, the one who’s always away from home?”

Wang Yuanfu smiled wryly, “We haven’t heard from him in a long time.”

The father-in-law scoffed, “He doesn’t even bother to send a letter home. A waste of a younger brother! You’d think Wang Yuanlu, a man who can read and write, is so pitifully destitute that he can’t even afford the cost of a letter after all these years wandering about!”

According to the village’s ancestral hall genealogy, they belonged to the “Yuan” generation, and their names needed to include the character “Yuan.” In fact, Wang Yuanlu’s real name was Wang Yuanlu.

Wang Yuanfu still didn’t dare to talk back.

In the Azure Billow World, Taoist officials came in a myriad of forms and titles. It wasn’t just Qi cultivators who could become Taoist officials. Even ordinary scholars without cultivation aptitude could obtain Taoist certificates through government examinations, though they would be granted different registers. Besides those issued by the imperial court, some were inherited through generations, and others were secretly conferred upon disciples by enlightened grandmasters, expanding their schools of thought.

Like Wang Yuanfu, whom his father-in-law looked down upon no matter what, even if he were to become a Taoist official by chance, he would likely remain a petty clerk, not part of the elite ranks. His path to promotion would be relatively narrow, most likely being assigned to a remote small Taoist temple or working in a minor government office like the County Office of Precious Declarations or the Brewing Bureau. However, for Wang Yuanfu, who came from a poor background with no connections, if such a day were to come, it would already be a matter of bringing glory to his family and being worthy of burning incense and offering sacrifices in the village’s ancestral hall.

Just like his younger brother, Wang Yuanlu, who had studied Taoist books and codes for nearly twenty years and taken the examinations multiple times without obtaining a formal Taoist official position. Mainly because the number of Taoist certificates in Wuling Prefecture was limited, a typical case of too many monks and not enough gruel. Those wealthy young masters, who had studied since childhood and had enlightened masters to teach them, naturally had an innate advantage and were good at predicting the exam questions. After all, how the examiner, who held the title of a lawyer, would set the questions was a kind of learning. Moreover, it was Wang Yuanlu’s high-mindedness that made him stubborn, single-mindedly wanting to pass the examination for the ceremonial master of the largest Taoist temple in his hometown. If he passed, after a few years of “walking” and training, he would have the hope of being responsible for presiding over the temple’s rituals and ceremonies, instructing the Taoist officials on proper conduct.

But how easy was it to pass the examination for the ceremonial master of the largest Taoist temple in their Wuling Prefecture? Not to mention Wang Yuanlu, even those offspring of wealthy families who hadn’t declined too much, were all vying for it!

The father-in-law said, “That younger brother of yours is a good-for-nothing. It’s best if he doesn’t come back. He thinks it’s just an extra pair of chopsticks, but it’s still a bother.”

Back then, when his daughter had asked him to help her brother-in-law, he had helped find him an apprenticeship at a silver shop in the county town. What a great occupation, hence the saying “A thief can’t outsmart a silversmith.” He didn’t expect that kid to not appreciate the favor and stubbornly refuse to go, insisting on staying on the mountain.

Coincidentally, the father-in-law and son-in-law were talking about Wang Yuanlu.

Wang Yuanlu then returned to his hometown, standing outside the threshold at this moment, calling out “Brother.”

Seeing his younger brother, whom he hadn’t seen for several years, Wang Yuanfu was pleased in his heart, but still kept a straight face. Just as he was about to stand up, he quickly sat back down on the bench, simply nodding and saying, “Go to the kitchen and greet your sister-in-law.”

Wang Yuanlu hummed in agreement, turning to leave.

The butcher slammed the table, annoyed, “He doesn’t even know to greet me when he sees me. Doesn’t understand any manners.”

Wang Yuanfu laughed, “Yuanlu has always been like this since he was a child. He’s a bit aloof and doesn’t get close to anyone.”

The butcher sneered, “With his cowardly behavior, even if he wanted to get close to someone, someone would have to be willing. He’s in his thirties and can’t even find an ugly woman to warm his bed. If it were me, I wouldn’t even have the face to go to the ancestral graves. I’d rather smash my head and die, burn incense, and hope for a better reincarnation, at least so I wouldn’t be so ugly. Walking on the road at night, not to mention scaring people, even ghosts would be scared by him.”

Wang Yuanfu’s face was awkward. After all, he was his father-in-law, so he couldn’t get angry.

Afterwards, during the meal, the butcher and Wang Yuanfu sat at the table, while Wang Yuanlu stubbornly refused to join them. He just picked up a few chopsticks of food, held a bowl, and squatted at the doorway.

Wang Yuanfu tried to persuade him, knowing that this younger brother was a man of firm opinion and didn’t understand social customs. Unable to persuade him, he let it go.

Wang Yuanlu squatted outside the door, eating his rice with his head down. Qi Gu didn’t visit, and everyone went back to their respective homes.

The rice in the bowl was very dense, pressed hard by the rice spoon. When the rice was gone, Wang Yuanlu stared blankly at the front, holding the large white bowl.

*Not blaming fate or others for a bitter life, a mute smiles as he eats Coptis.*

Wang Yuanlu turned his head, then looked up, swallowing the rice, and asked, “Why has the Cave Master of Bixiao Cave come?”

During the time when the bright moon shifted to the Azure Billow World, Wang Yuanlu had seen this old senior from afar in the sky. He had great presence and high Taoist magic, standing next to the second-in-command of the White Jade Capital.

He had heard from Abbot Sun that it was the Cave Master of Bixiao Cave on Fallen Treasure Beach, who had lived for over ten thousand years and liked to compete with the Taoist Ancestor. If he were to meet this senior in the future, kowtowing a few more times without saying a word would definitely be the right thing to do.

The old abbot said calmly, “Just taking a stroll.”

Wang Yuanlu nodded, saying, “Just strolling is good.”

It seemed that the higher the other party’s Taoist magic, the less nervous the young Taoist was.
The old Daoist priest asked, “What did you see that makes you so melancholic?”

Wang Yuanlu replied, “A dragon-like figure in the sky, a massive form silently plummeting to the earth, its corpse covered in flies and maggots, impossible to shoo away.”

“Given time,” the old priest said, “it might bloom with flowers and grass.”

“That’s why I’m melancholic.”

“How so?”

“Grass grows and flowers bloom, covering the mountains and fields, but later, it all disappears. Of course, we can wait for the next time, but what if we *are* those flowers and grass?”

The old priest, hearing this, revealed a hint of approval and smiled, “If you don’t cultivate the Dao, who will?”

Wang Yuanlu continued to hold his bowl, asking, “Is the world about to descend into chaos?”

The old priest countered, “Is such a future affair related to you?”

Wang Yuanlu nodded, “Not yet.”

He lowered his head, scooping up the last grain of rice, chewing slowly, the young Daoist simultaneously chewing on the two characters “future” and “coming.”

The old priest stroked his beard and laughed, “Fate resides in Heaven, but destiny lies within myself.”

Within the Jingji region of the Qingshen Dynasty, in a royal palace compound called Changzuo Palace, stood the Sanwu Temple, a Daoist temple adorned with bright yellow cloud-patterned glazed tiles, the foremost Daoist temple in the nation.

Today, the elegant Prime Minister Yao Qing and the National Preceptor Bai Ou were entertaining two distinguished guests: a Daoist couple of disparate ages, Grand Tide Sect Master Xu Jun and Chaoge, the founding ancestor of the Two Capitals Mountain.

Yao Qing led the Daoist couple through the Sanwu Temple and into a refined dwelling, where Bai Ou personally brewed tea for their guests.

The temple’s name originated from the three phoenix trees planted in front of it by the founding emperor himself, named Yitong, Wutong, and Jingtong respectively.

To plan for a day, plant a banana tree; to plan for a year, plant bamboo; to plan for ten years, plant willow; to plan for a hundred years, plant pine. To plan for millennia, plant phoenix trees.

The Qingshen Liu family’s reign extended far and wide, surpassing all others in Bing Prefecture.

And those three phoenix trees had long since successfully refined their forms, serving as royal offerings.

This place was also where the late emperor of the Qingshen Dynasty had passed away and entrusted the young heir.

And the elegant Prime Minister Yao Qing was, of course, undoubtedly the head of the regency ministers.

In the Qingming World, there were no rules like those in the Vast Bright World, forbidding emperors and monarchs from cultivating.

Therefore, in the fourteen prefectures of the world, it was common for emperors to be both the founding rulers and the rulers who lost their kingdoms.

In the Vast Bright World, a reign of sixty years was considered an extremely rare and long-lived emperor. But here, emperors who sat on the dragon throne for less than sixty years were considered short-lived.

On the mountains of Bing Prefecture, there was an unverifiable rumor that the late emperor had a heart-to-heart conversation with Prime Minister Yao Qing before his death.

The late emperor had said, “With a young ruler and a suspicious court, it is not the fortune of the nation. You may take it upon yourself.”

Yao Qing replied, “If I have the power to face south, I can assist the young master to become a wise ruler.”

As for how this private conversation between ruler and minister was leaked, Abbot Sun firmly stated that it must have been Lu Laosan, acting as a roof beam gentleman, eavesdropping on the conversation and unable to keep his mouth shut.

The female Daoist, whose Daoist name was “Fukan,” accepted a teacup from Bai Ou and asked with a smile, “Why did you think of challenging that monster to a fistfight?”

She didn’t care if it was taboo or if it would rub salt in Bai Ou’s wounds.

Bai Ou was exceptionally beautiful, with a natural charm.

She wore a short halberd of great origin, called “Iron Chamber,” at her waist.

Like Pei Bei of the Great Duan Dynasty in the Vast Bright World, she was a female grandmaster and a national preceptor.

Approximately every ten years, Bai Ou would engage in a fistfight with one of the top ten martial artists, who were evaluated together.

In the four fistfights that had occurred, Bai Ou won every single match. Three died, and the only one who survived had his realm plummet.

Therefore, the ten grandmasters in the world, who were evaluated every sixty years, immediately lost four, and the martial evaluation became a joke and a decoration.

Although Bai Ou was a woman, she stood tall and invincible at the peak of martial arts in the Qingming World.

A short halberd, with unparalleled sharpness, swept across the world.

However, Bai Ou’s choice to challenge Xingku of Lunar Peak was, in the eyes of outsiders, not a wise move.

After all, he was a pure martial artist whom even the Daoist Ancestor greatly admired.

Bai Ou’s face showed bitterness, and she shook her head, not wanting to talk about it.

She had failed to reach the summit of Lunar Peak, only reaching the halfway point before taking a punch.

“It was my suggestion that Bai Ou go to Lunar Peak to test her true weight.”

Yao Qing said with a smile, “Lin Jiangxian’s two previous actions were too measured, making it easy for Bai Ou to misunderstand and overestimate herself.”

Bai Ou and Xingku of Lunar Peak were both at the realm of the martial artist’s apex, both possessing Divine Awareness. One was second in the world, and the other was third.

Yao Qing smiled and said, “The gap is not small, and she still failed to test the depth of Xingku’s martial arts.”

Bai Ou listened and obeyed her Prime Minister, who was also like a teacher and father to her.

Chaoge said, “That rice thief Wang Yuanlu’s divine sense is so sharp that it’s almost catching up to the Ascending Realm. Doesn’t the Qingshen Dynasty plan to recruit him?”

Yao Qing laughed, “This guy is a troublemaker. The more he tries to avoid trouble, the more trouble comes knocking on his door. Our Qingshen Dynasty can’t afford him.”

Bai Ou, however, knew a secret. Before Wang Yuanlu rose to prominence, the Prime Minister had repeatedly taken her to Wuling County to meet this young man, but without teaching him any Daoist methods, as if they were just chatting.