The prefectural city of Chuzhou, with its governance seat also serving as the county seat of Longquan, was naturally far more bustling than Red Candle Town, nestled at the confluence of three rivers.

A woman, adorned in silk and jade, returned to her hometown. Years of pampered ease had bestowed upon her a dignified air. Ignoring the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes, she appeared to be in her early thirties. One could praise her as a mature beauty without a hint of dishonesty. Had one not known her origins, they might have mistaken her for a lady of high standing from Fortune Street.

The mansion was equipped with a ground dragon heating system, eliminating the need for braziers. Even hand-held charcoal warmers were superfluous.

Years ago, upon returning from Green Gorge Island on Book Brief Lake, she had purchased several properties in the prefectural city. Time had proven this bold investment wise. Not only had it not been a waste, but it had also yielded substantial profits. The annual rent from her shops alone amounted to a considerable sum of silver. Of course, she had long since ceased to care for mere gold and silver; spirit money was the true currency.

In recent years, the woman’s visits to the residence in Huaihuang County were mostly for ancestral veneration, only briefly stopping by Mud Jug Lane.

All her focus lay on her new home, where she established a proper hierarchy and decorum, believing it the key to effective household management.

Within the prefectural city stood an immortal inn, from which her steward would periodically purchase mountain gazettes.

This was no small expense, as it involved spirit money. However, the woman felt no pang of regret. Firstly, she sought news of the Central Earth Continent, especially the White Emperor City. Secondly, it served to flaunt her family’s high status.

Inside the house, the woman engaged in casual conversation with several maids, gathered around a warming stove for a cozy night. A pot of sweet glutinous rice wine was gently heated, and each took small sips. The tables were laden with various snacks and delicacies.

A plump head maid lowered her head, took a sip of the rice wine, and smiled sweetly, “Madam, with Young Master’s aptitude for cultivation, coupled with his identity as a direct descendant of White Emperor City, establishing a sect in his hometown will be no difficult feat in the future.”

Years ago, the woman had brought several personal maids from the Transverse Wave Mansion of Green Gorge Island. They had acclimated well, following the local customs. Today, they assisted the madam in pasting spring couplets, burning incense to invite the door gods and the stove god. The madam’s hometown was full of customs. Over time, they had grown accustomed to them. For example, tomorrow was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and they would accompany the madam to the mountain god temple on Cool Breeze Mountain to burn incense. When they first moved to the prefectural city, the madam would set out on New Year’s Eve, eager to be the first to burn incense in the new year, even wanting to spend the night at the temple. However, after Gu Can returned home last time and had a conversation with the madam, she stopped deliberately vying for the first incense. Her Gu Can said that, according to the teachings of Buddhism, the so-called first incense has two meanings: one is sincerity and a petal of heart incense, whether in the temple or at home, burning incense anywhere is the same; the other is devout faith in Buddhism, then every time you offer incense, you are burning the first incense yourself, no need to compete with others.

The woman smiled, “Can is only one of City Lord Zheng’s direct disciples. Even if White Emperor City were to establish a subsidiary sect, according to the gazettes, it would likely be on Soaring Cloud Continent, not our Treasure Bottle Continent.”

Through the immortal inn’s mountain gazettes, the woman had learned much about the world. Furthermore, the gazettes from that inn were rumored to have even broader sources than the prefectural city’s City God Temple.

The woman’s expression suddenly turned regretful, “It’s just that you all have suffered. Who could have foreseen the emergence of the True Realm Sect on Book Brief Lake? Had you not followed me here, you might already be recorded immortals in the sect, addressed as ‘Immortal Maiden’ wherever you went. Instead, you’re stuck in this palm-sized house, serving an old woman like me as maids.”

The woman understood that for these cultivators, having a sect with the word “sect” in its name, and being recorded on the golden jade register, was a matter of ancestral glory.

Originally, there were two taboos in the mansion: Book Brief Lake and the surname Chen bookkeeper.

Neither the place nor the person could be mentioned.

Yet tonight, the madam had taken the initiative to speak of Book Brief Lake.

The two personal maids exchanged glances, each noticing the surprise in the other’s eyes. The thinner of the two maids immediately smiled, “Madam, that’s not quite right.”

The woman asked with a smile, “Tell me, why is it not right?”

The maid said solemnly, “Back then, at close range, it was you, Madam, who personally led us out of the fire pit. Now, looking at the long term, what future would we have as idle outer sect disciples in the True Realm Sect? But by your side, Madam, the Young Master is the most filial person in the world. How could he treat us poorly in the future? Young Master is blessed with good fortune, a top-tier prodigy. Not even mentioning Young Master’s master, City Lord Zheng, just his Martial Aunt Han Qiaose is an immortal, and his Junior Uncle Liu Daochun, the master of the Glazed Pavilion, and his Martial Brother Fu Jin, a great swordsman, are all towering figures of the mountain world. Any one of them, upon arriving in Treasure Bottle Continent, even if they met Heavenly Sovereign Qi of the Divine Edict Sect, they would still address each other as Daoist friends, and be treated as honored guests.”

Regarding Gu Can’s cultivation at White Emperor City, the truth was known only to the woman and her personal maids.

This was a sincere statement.

However, she had not said everything.

Gu Can’s potential for Dao achievement was only one aspect. Which of them did not fear Gu Can? They feared the Mischief King of Book Brief Lake to their very bones.

Strangely, as Gu Can grew up, he seemed to have transformed into a Confucian scholar. When they saw Gu Can again upon his return home, even though his expression was gentle, they were even more afraid, increasingly apprehensive.

If Gu Can, the disciple of Interception True Lord Liu Zhimao of Green Gorge Island, was a small madman who could erupt in violence at any moment, a natural wild cultivator,

Then the later, the young Gu Can, seemed to have become a deeply scheming and inscrutable person. Even standing face to face, it seemed impossible to know what Gu Can was thinking.

Gu Can, after leaving Book Brief Lake, was at odds with his age in terms of realm, temperament, and methods.
Before departing his hometown, Gu Can had privately gathered the maids. He didn’t act high and mighty, nor did he display any of the arrogance he possessed in his youth. Instead, he spoke to them politely and amiably, establishing a set of rules with clear rewards and punishments. He even allowed them to make a mistake or two. However, he required them to send a letter via flying sword to White Emperor City every year. As for the content of the letter, they were free to write whatever they wished, even if it was just to seek guidance on cultivation bottlenecks. He would cover the cost of these mountain letters, but he instructed them not to mention this matter to his mother.

Finally, Gu Can smiled and said, “I’ve had a heartfelt chat with you all, don’t take it lightly.”

Among the agreed-upon rules, one was that they were not allowed to stir up trouble with his mother, turning a small matter into something that would alarm the Prefectural Governor’s Office or the Great Li Dynasty. They were not allowed to proactively cause trouble outside, but if others provoked them, no matter who they were or what their background was, as long as they were in the right, they didn’t need to be afraid. He, Gu Can, would take responsibility because they were now considered half of his family.

In the end, Gu Can even stood up and clasped his fist in thanks, saying that he would be relying on them to take care of his mother’s daily needs.

The woman listened to the maid’s sincere words, overjoyed. She picked up a piece of pastry from the plate and gently handed it over, “My little Can has always been able to endure hardship. Now he’s just finally emerged from the bitter days. It’s not as exaggerated as you say.”

Indeed, the seemingly endless bitter days had actually been overcome day by day by the two of them.

Thinking of this, the woman’s eyes turned red, and she took out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

The two maids hurriedly offered words of comfort.

The woman waved her hand with a smile, “It’s just reminiscing about the past. Anyway, what’s past is past.”

In recent years, many people have proactively come to seek kinship with her.

In reality, they were mostly irrelevant people. Most of them were given some money from the mansion and sent away, so as not to give the con artists a cold shoulder.

Lest it spread and people gossiped behind her back, saying that she was ungrateful, forgetting her roots once she had money.

Before leaving home last time, Gu Can had a heart-to-heart talk with his mother, who he depended on for life.

The woman was both gratified, worried, and felt a bit of estrangement.

She was gratified that her son had truly grown up and was able to shoulder the burden of a family. At the same time, she worried that her son was so young, yet so sensible.

She felt estranged because it seemed like this son was different from the son she knew in Mud Bottle Lane and later on Green Gorge Island. To be precise, he was too different.

During that chat, Gu Can spoke to his mother about principles beyond books. The young man in Confucian robes even joked that he had picked up these words from the alleyway in front of their house, from the ground.

“Only when you’ve been poor do you realize that almost everyone around you is a ghoul.”

“But once a person becomes wealthy, even walking at night, not to mention the people you see, even the ghouls you encounter on the road are good ghouls.”

“But people can turn into ghouls, but ghouls will never turn into people.”

“Mother, now that our family has money, and we’ll only have more in the future, don’t be too frugal. The rules for the servants in the house must be clear and strict, without any ambiguity. Don’t be too good to all outsiders when you’re happy, and don’t get angry at the people around you when you’re in a bad mood. Over time, the servants who figure out the pattern will look down on you. So, you must not handle household affairs as ‘yourself’, but let ‘rules’ handle them.”

“But outside of the house rules, you can be polite to them. There are two kinds of favor-granting here. One is money, which is the most practical, and the other is the positions, identities, and titles derived from money. The other is illusory, which is the few words you, as the head of the family, exchange with them in daily interactions, or even a glance. Neither of these can buy people’s hearts. Only when both exist, coupled with rules and family laws, can our family be long-lasting and stable.”

“Of course, if you’re holding your breath and feel that you’ve endured too many years of hardship, and finally struggled to get ahead, and you feel why should you be good to them, that’s also fine. If you think what I said makes sense and you’re willing to be sincerely good to them, treating them as people, not as servants, that’s the best. To put it bluntly, with your son here, even if I’m not in my hometown and by your side, they would never dare to act presumptuously. But I hope you can guarantee one thing. In the future, if anyone in the family makes a mistake, when I or someone I send takes action to deal with this person, you must not sing a different tune.”

“We know everything, but still insist on doing things our way. That is a person living very freely. But we clearly know nothing, yet still insist on doing things our way, then we will suffer for nothing.”

“In the end, how to conduct oneself in the world is different from how to be a person.”

“I think, if there is a person who can never harm others in their entire life, there are only two possibilities. One is a purely good person, with no intention of harming others. The other is a true powerhouse, because they don’t need to harm others to live well. I hope you can be kind to the former and revere the latter.”

At that time, the woman just quietly listened to her son speak.

Gu Can spoke in a lighthearted tone, saying things that she could understand.

Her son has grown up and is teaching her how to conduct herself in the world.

The woman came back to her senses and joked, “Do you two have any suitable partners in mind?”

The two maids smiled at each other and shook their heads, saying no.

Every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, rain or shine, the woman would go to the popular Fengliang Mountain temple to burn incense and make wishes, praying for her son to have smooth cultivation and have his wishes fulfilled outside.

Moreover, every time she reached the foot of the mountain, the woman would stop the carriage and climb the mountain on foot, seeking sincerity for spiritual efficacy.

The reason why she often went to Fengliang Mountain to burn incense, besides being close to the mansion in the state city, the woman also had some of her own little thoughts.

Thinking back to those years in Mud Bottle Lane, she had really heard too many “mocking words” that saddened her.

The woman murmured, “How happy would she be if she could see today’s scenery?”

Shujian Lake, Green Gorge Island.

At the entrance of the mountain, a room was locked, and in the adjacent room, the lights were bright, as bright as day.
It was Zeng Ye and Ma Duyi, here to keep watch through the night. Almost every year it was like this, nothing unexpected.

Ever since Zeng Ye, that lad, set foot on Green Gorge Isle, his luck had taken a turn for the better. No wonder he was nostalgic; such a “Dragon Rise Land” was worth frequent visits.

As for that lass named Ma Duyi, she was a spirit creature. Over the years, she had donned one fox-skin talisman after another, seemingly enjoying buying rouge and powder to treat herself.

Liu Zhimao, with his hands clasped behind his back, walked towards the mountain gate archway, but did not enter the house to sit. He merely glanced at the Spring Festival couplets and the character “Fu” (福, good fortune).

They seemed to have been pasted by the second-class enshrinement of Green Gorge Isle, that ghost cultivator from the Zhuxian Prefecture, once a food delivery man, together with his gatekeeper, Hong Su.

Liu Zhimao walked straight towards the ferry. A gust of fresh breeze swept past, and an uninvited guest appeared by his side.

Liu Zhimao turned his head and smiled, “Sect Master, how leisurely you are.”

The old man beside the ferry nodded. “Have you truly thought it through? No longer considering it? Don’t you want to think about the next time you visit Willow Palace Isle, and I say this line instead?”

Liu Laocheng, the current Sect Master of True Realm Sect, was also the first wild cultivator from Treasure Bottle Continent to ascend to the Upper Five Realms.

His words meant that if Liu Zhimao agreed to his request, he would be the fourth Sect Master in the history of the True Realm Sect.

Liu Zhimao shook his head. “This humble life of mine is not fit to be a leader. Before, when I wanted to take over as Sect Master and serve as the Lord of the Book Brief Lake, I exhausted all my efforts, planned so much, but it was all in vain. If I hadn’t known a bit about leaving room for maneuver, I would have almost lost my life. Even now, when I think about it, I’m still terrified. Sect Master, please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Liu Laocheng nodded. “Then I’ll make other arrangements.”

Liu Zhimao sighed without reason, “Old weather, old clothes, yet they say the New Year brings a new look.”

Liu Laocheng smiled slightly. “Those on the mountain shouldn’t speak of matters below.”

Liu Zhimao tentatively asked in his heart, “Is the new Lake Lord easy to deal with?”

Liu Laocheng said, “It’s passable now, but it will definitely become more difficult in the future. However, compared to the old days, when we were scheming against that young bookkeeper, it’s still much easier.”

Liu Zhimao suddenly burst out laughing, “I really can’t imagine that I would be strolling at night with Liu Laocheng of Willow Palace Isle, without having to worry about being beaten to death.”

Liu Laocheng smiled, turned his head, and looked into the lake. Each island was like an immobile boat.

*Waves Washing Sand, Night Boat*, fragrant grass and beauties dare not chant, lest the Jiaolong hears.

In the early years of Book Brief Lake, everyone had to be careful. The only rule was that there were no rules, and it wasn’t easy to get a good night’s sleep.

At the house near the mountain gate, the ghost cultivator Ma Yuanzhi, together with his gatekeeper, Hong Su, were keeping watch for the night.

Anyway, the people in the house all had similar mountain roots, so they naturally felt closer.

Zeng Ye spoke of past events, which always revolved around the two people, first Mr. Chen, then Gu Can.

Whenever Zeng Ye mentioned the latter, Ma Duyi couldn’t help but tease him, wondering if he used to be scared to death of Gu Can. But when the final farewell came, someone actually started to cry silently. Was it extreme sadness, or tears of joy?

Zeng Ye’s face turned awkward. He could never win an argument against Ma Duyi, and only dared to mutter, who knew Gu Can would change so much, so different from before.

“Mr. Chen once said that our ability to become our parents’ children, and then become our children’s parents, could be a debt collection, or a debt repayment.”

“When Mr. Chen said this, he smiled and said that he was a debt collector.”

The room fell silent, and a slight cracking sound of charcoal came from the brazier.

Ma Duyi suddenly said angrily, “How come I don’t know that Mr. Chen talked about these things with you?”

Zeng Ye said helplessly, “I always had moments alone with Mr. Chen.”

Ma Duyi complained, “Why didn’t Mr. Chen talk about these things when he was alone with me?”

They were drinking wine, which was rice wine from Hong Su’s hometown. Zeng Ye then spoke of some casual remarks Mr. Chen had made about drinking, saying that there were two things in life that were most enjoyable: reuniting with old friends after a long separation, drinking until half-drunk, and looking back on one’s life. Drinking tea had a sweet aftertaste.

Ma Yuanzhi’s face was somewhat reluctant, and he said, “That kid Chen Pingan still has some knowledge. Those who have studied are just different.”

Hong Su blinked her eyes and smiled, “Why don’t you call him Young Master Chen anymore?”

Ma Yuanzhi spat and said, “He promised to write a book for me, to write well about the story of me and Her Royal Highness the Princess, but he’s been dragging his feet, and I don’t even know if he’s finished the first few thousand words.”

Ma Duyi turned to look at Hong Su, who only dared to shake her head quietly, indicating that that was not the case at all.

Zeng Ye suddenly thought of a woman, and after so many years, he still missed her often.

Probably, so-called missing someone was like hanging a portrait of a beloved woman in one’s heart, never forgetting it.

Ma Duyi casually asked, “Did Mr. Chen ever say what it is that allows one to become husband and wife in this life?”

Zeng Ye smiled and nodded, giving an answer.

“It’s a type of fulfilling a vow.”

On the top floor corridor of the tallest building in the Demon Suppression Tower, the Pure Yang Daoist with a whisk and a sword, and Xiao Mo and Qing Tong, almost simultaneously saw a strange phenomenon.

With the building under their feet as the center, mountain and river deities and cultivators appeared in the air one after another, offering incense figures. They faced away from the few people on the top floor corridor, lined up in order, as if dozens of mirages had been opened at the same time, or as if it were an unprecedented

(End of this chapter, please turn the page)

The “ancestral hall” meeting of the newcomers, their minds were as one, only discussing one thing, only doing one thing.

The River God of Chongdan River, Li Jin, obtained two gold-painted scrolls, left the bookstore, returned to his water mansion, bathed and changed, put on the official robes of a proper River God, lit a stick of water incense, and paid homage to the southern continent of Tongye. He started to think and make a wish in his heart, silently praying that the deceased of the continent would rest in peace, and the living would be safe.

The River God of the Embroidery River, a proper River God with a green snake wrapped around his arm, solemnly offered incense, wishing for the shattered mountains and rivers of Tongye Continent to return to completeness, and wishing for the spirits of the fallen soldiers in the continent’s battlefield to be reincarnated.

Ye Qingzhu, the Water Goddess of Jade Liquid River, lit a stick of water incense and chanted, “Great people don’t remember the faults of small people. I am willing to do my best for Tongye Continent, and wish for a peaceful and prosperous territory.”

In the Lotus Root Blessed Land in Fallen Phoenix Mountain, led by the water Jiaolong Hong Xia, all the river gods in the Blessed Land lit a stick of clear incense. The smoke curled up into the air, and suddenly floated south together.
In the Northern Ju Lu Continent, at the Ji Du temple, the former Water Official of the Ji Du, now Marquis Li Yuan of Dragon Pavilion, a black-robed youth with golden eyes, spoke his heart aloud within the Grand Marquis’s mansion, wishing for favorable weather and abundant harvests for the entirety of Tong Ye Continent.

At the Chongxuan Department’s Cloud Soaring Palace of the Great Yuan Dynasty, Imperial Preceptor Yang Qingkong, an old True Man, held a horsetail whisk engraved with the characters “Wind God” and lit three sticks of clear incense.

Beside the old True Man, Yang Houjue, a Jade Purity Realm cultivator with the Daoist name “Tuan Ni,” stood respectfully, holding incense with the Yang family ancestor, facing south.

At the Bone Beach Swaying River, River God Xue Yuansheng, no longer dressed as an old ferryman, revealed his golden form, donned a dharma robe, and lit water incense.

Grand Duke of Spiritual Springs of Ji Du, Shen Lin, the former Water God of the Southern Auspicious Water Palace. Like a distant mountain hibiscus, standing gracefully before the Duke’s mansion, her back to the “Hall of Virtuous Travel” plaque, Shen Lin faced south, wishing for timely seasons and abundant years for Tong Ye Continent.

Within the Silver Screen Kingdom, Lake Lord Yin Hou of Cangyun Lake, overseeing one lake, three rivers, and two canals, clad in a dazzling dharma robe, across the Treasure Bottle Continent, held incense and paid homage to Tong Ye Continent, wishing its lands a rebirth of spring and a renewal of all things.

On Secret Snow Peak of Immortal Capital Mountain, Yu Fushan from Ink Line Ferry, after lighting incense, hoped for peace and prosperity for the people of Tong Ye Continent, timely rain and sunshine, abundant harvests of all grains, and tranquility within and without.

Old Qiu Du of the Chilin River, a former official of the Grand Du Dragon Palace, a teaching matron specifically responsible for teaching etiquette and rules to the dragon sons and grandsons, held incense and murmured, wishing Tong Ye Continent a year of calm seas and clear rivers, universal peace, and hoping that the new citizens of Tong Ye Continent would have education in their youth and care in their old age.

At the Buried River Biyou Palace of the Great Spring Dynasty, Water Goddess Liu Rou hoped that Tong Ye Continent would be free from war, that the common people would be well-fed and clothed, and that the immortal lords on the mountains would be less aloof and more reasonable.

The master of land and water transport of the Vast World, Madam Dan Dan, with the Daoist name “Qing Zhong,” prayed for Tong Ye Continent to have gentle breezes and sunny days, and for the granaries to be full, fostering knowledge of etiquette.

South Sea Water Lord Li Yehou lit incense, hoping that the mountains and rivers of Tong Ye Continent would see withered trees bloom again, that the people would live in peace and prosperity, that all nations would have harmonious governance, and that a great era of peace would return.

The former Sect Master of the Rain Dragon Sect, now the Ancestral Master of Discipline, the female cultivator Yun Qian, made a wish, hoping that the countries of Tong Ye Continent would resound with the sound of learning, that everyone would be well-fed and clothed, that the nation would be peaceful and the people would be blessed.

At the rumored location of the Dao Ancestor’s alchemy furnace, the woman in the small wine shop, the former demon king Yang Zhi, along with her newly accepted disciple, facing the Qiu River Hag of Ganzhou, together held water incense, praying that Tong Ye Continent would bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, with timely winds and rains, abundant harvests of all grains, and tranquility of the state.

Marquis of Everlasting Spring of Qi Ferry on Treasure Bottle Continent, Water God Yang Hua lit water incense, silently reciting that with abundance of all things and loyalty and filial piety of the people, timely seasons and abundant harvests would result, hence the importance of planting millet for prosperous years.

Lord Qin Hu of South Pond Lake burned incense and prayed with sincerity, wishing that Tong Ye Continent would have abundant harvests of all grains, filling every household to the brim.

The Jumping Wave River had been renamed and promoted to Old Fish Lake. Cen Wenqian’s promotion to a local Lake Lord had been officially recorded in the Changchun Marquis’s mansion and the Dali Dynasty’s court. After fasting, Cen Wenqian lit a stick of water incense, respectfully paying homage to the mountains and rivers of Tong Ye Continent from afar, wishing that this continent of land in the southeast of the Vast World would be free from disaster, prosperous and healthy.

Furthermore, there were Earl Linli of Qi Ferry on Treasure Bottle Continent, former Chief Cao Yong of Qiantang. Wu Yi, the eldest daughter of the old Flood Dragon and founder of Ziyang Prefecture within the territory of the Yellow Court Kingdom. Gao Niang, the former Water God of the Iron Certificate River. Lady Xiao Luan, the Water Goddess of the White Swan River… all appearing.

Above the auxiliary capital of Treasure Bottle Continent, a replica of the White Jade Capital.

Back then, Cui Chan borrowed the sacred names “Mountain” and “Water” from others. The name “Mountain” belonged to the Grand Master of the Rites Academy.

As Chen Pingan had guessed, the name “Water” borrowed by his senior brother Cui Chan, of course, belonged to that old predecessor whose Daoist temple was at Shujian Lake, who had written the essay “Questioning the Heavens.”

He had once entrusted the four poems “Mountain Spirit,” “Crossing the River,” “Eastern Sovereign,” and “Summoning the Soul” to the Literary Saint.

This old gentleman was not within the lineage of the Confucian Temple, but belonged to a self-established school. Therefore, the “heart incense” of this old master would be the most efficacious water incense in the world.

It seemed that the matter of water gods lighting incense in various continents was being concluded by this old gentleman.

The scholar invited all gentlemen into his dream again, to borrow ten thousand mountains.

Thinking of the Six Classics, transcending the seas, and connecting to the mountains, I am the host.

Mount Wei Bo of the Northern Peak of Treasure Bottle Continent. Mountain Lord Jin Qing of the Central Peak. Lady Mountain Lord Fan Junmao of the Southern Peak, each lit a stick of mountain incense, praying for blessings and disaster relief for Tong Ye Continent.

Within the Nine Truth Immortal Hall in the Great Yong Dynasty of the Central Earth Divine Continent. Immortal Yun Miao and her Daoist partner Wei Zi, in a broken blessed land rife with miasma and inhabited by ghosts, together lit incense to pay homage to Tong Ye Continent.

On Mount Sui in Central Earth, with the divine name “Great Jiao,” Mountain Lord Zhou You revealed his majestic golden dharma form, facing the southeast direction of the Vast World, holding incense with both hands.

Lu Di Zhenren, a Daoist named Feng Jun, of Bird Raising Mountain, one of the two crown prince mountains of Great Yue Juxu Mountain.

Old Mountain God Gong Xinzhou of Xiangfei Mountain.

On Treasure Bottle Continent. Mountain God Dou Yan of Dieyun Ridge, Mountain God Wei Wei of the Dividing Water Ridge, leading two accompanying goddess of the Mountain God Temple, faced south, and together offered incense from afar.

The last person who seemed to be collecting “mountain incense” for the heroic spirits of the mountains and mountains of the world was actually the pure Yang Daoist, Lu Yan, whose “true body” was on Treasure Bottle Continent.

On the top floor corridor of the Demon Suppression Tower, Xiao Mo and Qing Tong bowed and thanked the pure Yang Daoist beside them, and Lu Yan smiled and returned the salute.

Incense smoke curled up, stars dotted the sky.

Drops of water gathered to form rivers and seas. Accumulated soil became mountains, and wind and rain arose.

The Most Sagely Teacher Confucius looked at those gradually disappearing figures, stroked his beard and smiled, “Later, have the Confucian Temple record them and this matter in the books.”

Chen Pingan didn’t know what to say.

The Most Sagely Teacher Confucius asked, “Do you still have a share of merit left in your hands?”

Chen Pingan nodded, estimating that roughly three-tenths remained.

“The thunder is loud, but the raindrops are not small either. To be honest, this is already a grand spectacle, and it has completely resolved the immediate crisis in Tong Ye Continent. This sounds ordinary, but it is actually quite difficult. It’s like a pure martial artist converting a breath of true qi, which is not just taking medicine to prolong life, but a complete revival.”

The Most Sagely Teacher Confucius turned to look at Chen Pingan, and said with a smile, “But if you end it here, wouldn’t you inevitably feel regret every time you think about it in the future?”

Chen Pingan was puzzled, what else could he do? Could it be that the Most Sagely Teacher Confucius was willing to help him connect and give the remaining three-tenths of merit to those mountain and water spirits he didn’t know?
The Sage Master chuckled, “You’ve misunderstood. Firstly, it’s no longer appropriate for me to interfere in any specific matters. Otherwise, it would definitely not be a good thing for the Great Realm of Uprightness. Furthermore, is my reputation so worthless that I need to shamelessly knock on doors, asking if they want to do business with you? What sort of decorum would that be?”

Chen Ping’an was increasingly bewildered and could only wait for further explanation.

The Sage Master didn’t keep him in suspense, smiling, “Those who aren’t family don’t enter the same door. Your senior brothers in the Literary Sage lineage, although inherently different in temperament, there are always certain things they are particularly attuned to.”

“The earliest was Qi Jingchun, entrusting the matter of Bai Ye. Then there was Zuo You on the Sword Qi Great Wall, entrusting the matter of Chen Qingdu. Following that, Jun Qian, before going to the Azure Darkness Realm, entrusted Jing Sheng Xi Ping. Finally, there’s Cui Chan… he said nothing, but the Literary Temple understands his intentions.”

“In essence, it’s the same thing: entrusting their Literary Temple merit to their junior brother for his disposal.”

The Sage Master patted the young man’s shoulder, “So, besides being given hope being something that makes one feel less alone, walking the same path with others is surely the same.”

It wasn’t just that these senior brothers believed their teacher’s last disciple could shoulder the future burden of the Literary Sage lineage and protect their teacher’s succeeding disciples.

It was also a kind of unspoken understanding between the five direct disciples of the Literary Sage lineage.

Perhaps we have all been disappointed in this world, but we are all willing to place our hopes in it.

(End of this chapter)