Long Xinpu stared blankly at the handsome, tiger-headed boy. Could it be? Was it possible? Could it really be?

For a moment, he felt dizzy and disoriented. It absolutely, positively, certainly could not be!

Even in Qingming World, the number of people who revered, admired, and yearned for that most favored Taoist official of the human realm was vast and countless.

Long Xinpu was one of them. Moreover, this Dragon Master had a friend in the Taoist community who had “sewn” hundreds of Bai Ye’s poems onto his body.

If that guy saw the person before him, he would probably go insane on the spot, like a bolt from the blue, or having endured a tribulation of heavenly lightning.

Long Xinpu quickly took out a pot of wine and drank it down, slowly, he needed to calm down.

Coming to Gupu Lake were Sun Daoren, Bai Ye, and Yan Zhuo.

Just now, the old abbot had asked his two disciples to get along well with the three Taoist friends from the spring festival, since meeting them was a matter of fate. It was a rare trip out, so he told them to chat more, reasoning that having more friends outside the Taoist temple would open up more paths in the world.

Sun Daoren waved his hand and exclaimed in wonder, “Such unique beauty, fragrant and overflowing, assailing the nostrils, it could almost shame the fairies of Rui Zhu Palace into hiding their faces.”

Yan Zhuo felt his scalp tingle.

The old abbot’s words were becoming more and more outlandish.

This Dragon Master before them had once served as the prime minister, chief advisor, or Protector-General of several states in Yongzhou, and even held all those positions simultaneously, without any worry of being unable to handle them all.

About several hundred years ago, he resigned from all his positions in a single day and resumed his wandering life. Outside of Soldier Dissolution Mountain, he had established over a dozen large and small dojos. It was said that his most recent one was on the banks of the Yuan River in Mizhou, consisting of three thatched huts.

Long Xinpu spoke with a heavy Yongzhou accent, sighing, “I still have an iron zither, now in Zhenzhou, which I did not bring, and cannot play for you.”

They each spoke their own words, like a chicken talking to a duck.

“Coming to feed the fish again?”

“Can’t say that, it’s enough for two meals of drinking snacks.”

Sun Daoren scoffed, “It’s already a matter of picking up scraps left by others, yet you still parade it around, acting mysterious, embarrassing yourself in another world. At your age, aren’t you ashamed?”

Long Xinpu smiled, “Can’t say it like that. In some place over there, I am at least a Jade Purity Realm cultivator, how can you say I’m acting mysterious? Besides, if it weren’t for the old abbot constantly mentioning Little Taoist Chen, I wouldn’t have bothered traveling so far.”

Sun Daoren glanced at Long Xinpu, “How did you get injured? Is it because your sect didn’t choose a good name, and you’re about to die? Before your spiritual dissolution, do you need this old Taoist to help protect your path?”

Although Long Xinpu liked to stir up trouble down the mountain, his reputation on the mountain was actually decent, barely qualifying as having widespread good relationships, with friends all over the world.

When you really thought about it, it was rare for a Qi Refining cultivator to make the old abbot leave Qizhou and come to him proactively.

Long Xinpu smiled wryly, not minding the old abbot’s teasing, “It’s my own fault, can’t blame others, I was too careless.”

“Oh? How so?”

Sun Daoren asked with a smile, “Did you secretly fight with Taoist the Second? Do you think you’re Fellow Taoist Bao Lin, able to always be in an undying state even when asking for a sword duel with True Invincible?”

Long Xinpu automatically ignored Sun Daoren’s strange words and asked, “Is this place suitable for chatting?”

Sun Daoren nodded, “You can chat about anything.”

Long Xinpu sincerely praised, “The old abbot of today is truly enviable.”

Afterward, Long Xinpu made no secrets, but the old abbot intentionally prevented Yan Zhuo from hearing his thoughts.

It turned out that this famous Dragon Master had followed clues to find the hard-working “mountain-climbing” at the Intercalary Month Peak.

He didn’t climb the mountain, nor did he need to climb the mountain. As a result, Long Xinpu, who had made thorough preparations at the foot of the mountain, only said four words.

And was directly wounded to the root of his great path.

He spat out a large mouthful of blood on the spot. It was like a tangled mess, densely intertwined with strands of different colors: purple, yellow, scarlet, and azure.

And he dropped a realm.

Because Long Xinpu’s four-word prophecy was too rebellious.

“The mansion will collapse.”

Sun Daoren, having listened to Long Xinpu’s general account of the process, retracted his gaze and quickly returned to his usual expression, scoffing, “Can’t you people show a bit of grandmaster demeanor, some bearing of seniors? You can’t just grab onto Xin Ku alone and fleece him for all he’s worth, that’s not right.”

If he hadn’t hit it off with that young friend Xin Ku from Intercalary Month Peak, the old abbot would have had an even more vivid analogy.

You’re acting like lining up to visit a brothel.

Long Xinpu’s expression was strange. After all, the old abbot before him was the third cultivator to ascend Intercalary Month Peak after Dao Ancestor and Lu Chen.

Sun Daoren immediately saw through his thoughts and said irritably, “Am I the same as you people? This old Taoist was about to leave home for a long journey, so I went to Intercalary Month Peak to bid farewell to Little Friend Xin Ku.”

“Little Friend Xin Ku,” “My own grandson Wang Yuanlu,” “That little devil,” and the latest “Little Taoist Chen.”

These were all nicknames that Sun Daoren used for the young juniors on the mountain.

He was just being a little nicer to Long Xinpu, seeing as he had dropped a realm, and saying a few less words of heartfelt advice.

Sun Daoren said, “It’s only because Dao Ancestor is magnanimous, otherwise he would crush you with a single finger.”

Among the peak cultivators of Qingming World, there was a well-known saying about this flower-wearing man, the old ancestor of Soldier Dissolution Mountain: “Three Falls and Two Ascensions.”

It wasn’t that he had successfully severed the three corpses like the elegant Xiang Yao Qing, creating a Corpse Dissolution Immortal. Instead, he had fallen from the Immortal realm three times, the first time falling to the Jade Purity Realm, and the subsequent two times even falling from the Ascension Realm, but he had managed to climb back to the Ascension Realm each time.

He couldn’t blame others, he could only blame himself. It was easy to change mountains and rivers, but hard to alter one’s nature. He generally didn’t cause trouble, but when he did, it was always a big deal.

“Jade Purity, Immortal, Jade Purity, Immortal, Ascension, Immortal, Ascension, Immortal.”

Sun Daoren raised his left hand and counted on his fingers, then raised his right hand, “One hand isn’t enough to count them all. No wonder you’re the Yongzhou Dragon Master, dropping realms and breaking through realms and dropping realms again, just playing around.”

Long Xinpu suddenly uttered some nonsensical words, “In the past, I would not bow for five dou of rice, but now I can lower my head for six dou of rice. Gentlemen, hear my presumptuous words, please cherish the Lamp of Crossroads, express your ambitions for yourself, and speak out for the wronged, is the first principle.”
Venerable Daoist Sun, his expression displeased, sneered, “So eager to be a guest at my Jade Capital Temple? How about I arrange for you to sweep the latrines? And when Lu Laosan comes, you can even help entertain him.”

Yan Zhuo was filled with admiration. When others spoke such words, they would merely sound like insults, but when Venerable Daoist Sun uttered them, they held a certain…unfathomable charm.

Long Xinpu unexpectedly said, “Back then, when the statue of the Literary Sage was removed from the Central Earth Literary Temple, I was vehemently opposed.”

Yan Zhuo suddenly realized that there was a reason why this fellow was being scolded by Venerable Daoist Sun.

Long Xinpu’s words were clearly directed at the tiger-headed hat youth. It was imitating Venerable Daoist Sun, taking the initiative to curry favor early. Otherwise, when these young people became grandmasters who established their own sects, trying to get close to them would be too laborious and time-consuming, and might not even be successful.

The rise of Bai Ye in this life was unstoppable, an undeniable fact that even a blind man could see. The timing of heaven, the advantages of location, and the harmony of people all favored this “Swordsman Bai Ye.”

Forget it, forget it, let’s just assume this person is the real Bai Ye.

Bai Ye nodded in acknowledgment.

He was helping the old scholar reciprocate the gesture.

Venerable Daoist Sun laughed, “You really think you’re something special.”

He liked to wander about, never staying still for a moment, either spreading prophecies or composing children’s rhymes.

According to those who enjoyed speculating, half of the prophecies and songs of Yongzhou within the three inner states over the past two thousand years came from his mouth.

In Venerable Daoist Sun’s words, it was like farting loudly at someone’s doorstep – a loud noise that would quickly dissipate in the wind. But if you shat on someone’s doorstep, then…you’d make an enemy.

Venerable Daoist Sun asked, “Are you planning to go to Yongzhou next?”

That little girl, Zhu Xuan, from the Fish Symbol Dynasty, was fearless and daring, very much to his liking. It wasn’t in vain that he secretly protected her back then.

Long Xinpu didn’t try to hide anything, frankly admitting, “Of course, I’ve always enjoyed joining in on the fun. How could I miss that Universal Grand Ritual? It’s a rare grand event that Yongzhou hasn’t seen in centuries.”

Since his Daoist skills were lacking, not comparable to the likes of Lu Chen and Gao Gu, then some matters couldn’t be calculated by merely observing from the sidelines.

One could only enter the game first and then withdraw in order to gain something.

“I believe the Temple Master can see that my days are numbered. I just want to see her one last time. Please help me open the door and don’t stop me from finding her. As for whether I can see her inside, that depends on my own abilities. How about it? This request isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

“Not too much, not too much.”

Then there was silence.

Long Xinpu said helplessly, “These words are so unenthusiastic. Can’t you just give me a straight answer?”

Venerable Daoist Sun suddenly looked puzzled. “I just can’t understand it. You and Dismemberment Mountain have no grudges against White Jade Capital. Moreover, you still have Fu Quan on your mountain. That child has strong innate roots and such good talent for cultivation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have nicknames like ‘Second Wind Sea’ and ‘Yao Qing of Yongzhou.’ Back then, it’s just that Jade Capital Temple didn’t compete with you. Otherwise, Fu Quan would be cultivating at Jade Capital Temple now. Why are you stirring up trouble? With your frail limbs, if you ran into a True Invincible one day, they could just twist you like a grasshopper!”

The young cultivator from Dismemberment Mountain who deserved the title of genius was named Fu Quan, with the Daoist name “Xuan Chan.” He was the closed-door disciple of the current Dismemberment Mountain Lord.

If he hadn’t just passed the age limit, Fu Quan would definitely have had a place among the top ten young cultivators and the ten candidates in the world.

Long Xinpu said with a mental voice, “Righteous Sun Mountain.”

Venerable Daoist Sun was stunned. “What?”

Long Xinpu said, “There’s a mountain in Treasure Bottle Continent called Righteous Sun Mountain. It’s a newly established sect that has just reached the rank of ‘Zong’.”

Venerable Daoist Sun laughed, “You really are trying to find a way to sweep the floors at Jade Capital Temple. I’ll grant you your wish.”

He had recently traveled through Vast Sky World. How could he not know about that Righteous Sun Mountain with its “swordsmen as numerous as clouds?”

Jade Capital Temple, peach blossoms in full bloom.

Wang Sun, with the Daoist name “Empty Mountain,” sat under a peach tree, her hands folded, her eyes closed in meditation.

Leisurely sitting in the peach grove, her sword lay across her knees.

The moonlight was faint, and the peach blossoms were as red as blood.

Long Xinpu saw the fellow villager he had been thinking about, still with the face of a young girl, Wang Sun. He was somewhat shy, and his voice was not loud, “Long time no see.”

Her eyebrows were peaks of sorrow, and her eyes were ferry crossings of parting.

She was still as beautiful as ever.

The beauty of a beloved woman was always so moving, so beautiful that even eyes that could hold the sun and moon could not contain her. One had to move her to the heart, leaving her in the depths of one’s soul.

Wang Sun looked up at the famous “Dragon Master,” especially since he was also a fellow villager. She nodded, her voice crisp, “It seems like it has been a long time.”

When old friends and acquaintances meet again, the most fearful thing is that there are few old stories to talk about. After a few polite greetings, there is nothing more to say.

The most fearful thing is that old stories are just old stories.

Wang Sun seemed to think that sitting down to talk was not sincere enough, but just as she was about to get up, Long Xinpu sat down on the ground with a thud, gently tossing away a few peach petals at his feet, and softly asked, “Daoist friend Empty Mountain, may I drink some wine?”

Wang Sun laughed, “What kind of question is that?”

Long Xinpu took out a miniature wine pot made of emerald green glass, only the size of a fist, and took a sip of wine, tilting his head back.

When they first met, she had leisurely walked through his heart, and the barren land had been filled with flowers.

The miserable green youth traveled everywhere in the spring, and the silk and brocade flowers became clusters. Among them, the most suitable person to belong to his heart was Wang Sun, only Wang Sun.

He had first met her at the age of nine, and when he saw her again, he was ninety.

A young boy rides a bamboo horse, and in a turn of a head, he is an old man.

Although there were thousands of words, he didn’t know where to start. After a long silence, Long Xinpu just mocked himself, “My talent is not good, you don’t think much of me, which is normal.”

Wang Sun frowned slightly, “It’s not like that at all.”

Long Xinpu mustered up his courage and retorted, “Actually, it is like that. Just imagine, if I had the swordsmanship of that True Invincible one, or the Daoist skills of the Sect Master Lu, wouldn’t you take a few more glances and patiently listen to a few more words about me?”

Wang Sun thought for a while, “It seems like that’s really the case.”

But in fact, the Dragon Master was very clear that it was not like that at all.

If his realm was higher, and his fame was greater, it would only make Wang Sun take a few more glances and listen to a few more words, but in the end, it would still have nothing to do with love.
He feigned “nonsense” only to steal a few more words with her, to prevent an awkward silence, a mutual incomprehension, and a stunned silence.

Embarrassment alone was inconsequential; he feared *her* embarrassment, a lack of conversation leading to perfunctory pleasantries before she turned and departed.

The lovesick pining of unrequited affection was, it seemed, eternally worthless.

Yet, if it held value, why would one yearn?

Long Xinpu spoke cautiously, “Regarding the proposition of Bai Ye becoming a Lecturer or Palace Lord, I can attempt to persuade him. Assisting you… is preferable, though failure entails no loss for your Profound Capital Temple.”

Wangsun seemed faintly surprised. She nodded, responding without hesitation, “Regardless of success, I thank you in advance.”

Long Xinpu fell silent; initiating conversation where none existed proved unexpectedly arduous.

Wangsun remarked, “Ascending to the Ascension Realm twice is quite a feat.”

Long Xinpu scoffed at himself, “It’s passable, I suppose.”

Wangsun raised an eyebrow.

Long Xinpu immediately corrected himself, “Indeed, it is exceptional!”

Regarding the newly released Ranking of the Ten Under Heaven, Long Xinpu hesitated, his brow furrowed with worry.

As the originator of this particular game, he understood its hidden perils better than most.

Were it not for this inexplicably widespread ranking, Long Xinpu would not have sought out Wangsun at the Profound Capital Temple.

The Azure Darkness Realm’s latest Ranking of the Ten Under Heaven.

Eleven, to be precise.

Yu Dou, Lu Chen, Lord of Azure Sky Grotto, Wu Zhou, Sun Huaizhong, Lin Jiangxian, Wu Shuangjiang, Gao Gu, Yao Qing, Wangsun, Xin Ku.

Previously, no matter how zealous individuals offered their own rankings across numerous realms, ten always signified ten.

However, the previous ranking of young prodigies and potential candidates across those realms set a precedent: ten positions, yet eleven names.

It seemed a tradition had been established.

Long Xinpu forced a smile, saying, “Friend of the Void Mountain, this Ranking of the Ten Under Heaven…”

Wangsun cut him off directly, “Judging by mastery of the Dao and the scale of destruction, I have no place among the ten. At best, I’d be relegated to the secondary list of candidates.”

Long Xinpu sighed heavily.

The pool of candidates numbered a staggering twenty-one!

Apart from the leading monk, “Jiang Xiu,” a virtually unknown figure explicitly defined as “Eleventh Under Heaven,” the remaining twenty were unranked.

Indeed, it proved impossible to discern a hierarchy among these Great Cultivators and Martial Grandmasters.

Many had never encountered one another, and furthermore, many peak cultivators had not demonstrated their powers in recent centuries, or even millennia, never engaging in sparring matches of Dao or swordsmanship.

Three Daoist officials from White Jade City’s Five Cities and Twelve Towers made the candidate list.

First Deputy City Lord of Southern Splendor City, Perfected Sovereign, Madam Wei. This female Daoist was revered by the Azure Darkness Realm’s Yellow Court Sect as their First Ancestor.

Madam Wei had many disciples, including a direct descendant responsible for all flowers under Heaven, renowned for the celestial decree, “Forbid all blossoms from leaving the mountains.”

Master of Purple Qi Tower, Jiang Zhaomo.

Palace Lord of the Pacifying Mount Palace within Azure Cloud Tower, the Old Perfected One named Huang Jieshou, title “Equilibrium,” also known as “Profound Yellow,” besides guarding the Smoky Haze Cave of the Pacifying Mount Palace, he oversaw a suit of armor of extraordinary grade. He possessed a library known as the “Do Not Let a Day Pass Idle” Tower. The Old Daoist constantly carried a string of keys weighing several pounds, and it was said his title “Profound Yellow” stemmed from the Dao Ancestor personally bestowing the character “Profound” as the library’s calligraphy plaque, perhaps a demonstration of the Dao Ancestor’s high expectations of Huang Jieshou.

The previous and current Masters of Azure Cloud Tower were disciples and grand-disciples of the Old Perfected One, because Huang Jieshou and the Lord of Spiritual Treasure City, Pang Ding, Dao title “Empty Heart”, were of roughly the same age. According to the mountain reckoning, every sixty or hundred years marked a generation of Qi cultivators, a “same year”, and a thousand years was considered a large generation. Huang Jieshou and Pang Ding, these “same generation” Old Daoists, had cultivated for even longer than Yu Dou and Lu Chen, the two White Jade City heads. Speaking only of Dao age, disregarding status, all Celestial Immortal Daoist officials except Great Headmaster Kou Ming were their mountain juniors.

Adding the Ascension Realm sword cultivator currently training within White Jade City’s Divine Firmament City, Hao Su, the last Sentry Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall,

then White Jade City possessed four candidates.

Azure Divinity Dynasty of Bing Province, National Teacher Bai Ou, a Realm of Cessation martial artist, third greatest in martial arts under Heaven.

The foremost figure in Ru Province, Surname Zhu. Current Dao title “Green Duckweed”. Once the almost certain Eleventh Under Heaven, now supplanted by the suddenly appearing Jiang Xiu.

Yan Province, a rogue sword immortal named Nie Bixia, wandered for three thousand years, her whereabouts uncertain. Yet, her natal lamp, placed within the Huayang Palace of the Terrestrial Lung Mountain, had reportedly never extinguished in a thousand years. The location of Nie Bixia was always a topic of wild speculation. Some said she went to forge swords beyond Heaven, others that she might be using extraterrestrial demons to sharpen her sword Dao in the Extraterrestrial Skies, and still others claimed she had gone to the Western Buddha Kingdom.

Zhu Province, the Founder of Azure Verse Palace, the current Palace Lord’s martial uncle, Yuan Huanxian, Dao title Southern Sunfish, skilled in talisman arts, once creating several Great Talismans, nicknamed Crimson Child Lyricist, but his most famous Dao title was the mysteriously spread “Hundred Calamities”. Rumor had it that Yuan Huanxian carried the literary fortune of two provinces and held great hope of entering the Fourteenth Realm.

Bao Lin, a rogue cultivator, and also a female sword cultivator of the Ascension Realm. Her most renowned deed was her “love-hate relationship” with Zhen Wudi, though it had nothing to do with romance.

The female founding ancestor of the Two Capitals Mountain, Chao Ge, Dao title “Restoring Subjugation”.

Year’s End Palace, the New Year’s Watcher, Bai Luo.

It was said that Headmaster Lu of White Jade City held him in high regard, claiming he seemed overestimated, but was actually underestimated.

Sadly, Bai Luo had practically never engaged in sparring matches.

A Mountain Shady recluse, surname Wang, Dao title “Supreme Yi”, fond of raising geese.

Besides the fourteen provinces, the Azure Darkness Realm possessed four “Minor Provinces”, located on four islands within a vast lake, the largest of which rivaled Yong Province in size.

The Wang surname was one of the two titular lake masters of this great lake.

The other lake master, a female cultivator named Lei Yu, of demonic origin, her true form a viper.

Female Daoist Yang Qing, Dao title “Mirage”, hailed from the Hongnong Yang clan of You Province. She was also the owner of the Sea Mountain Immortal Hall within the Mountain Guard Pavilion.
Besides these individuals, there were also twin sisters, yet they bore different surnames, each following their respective parent’s lineage. One was named Xu Mian, possessing unparalleled beauty, while the other, Xu Yingning, was of grotesque and fearsome visage. They were the founding ancestors of the “Dressing Table Maidens” and “Crimson-Handed Curtain Raisers,” unorthodox lineages. Each was the mistress of a Cyan Clay Grotto-Heaven and a Heavenly Land Blessed Abode, respectively. Due to their Dao paths being considered heretical, they rarely interacted with the outside world. Their simultaneous appearance on the candidate list was a thunderclap, shaking the hearts and minds of the world.

From Mizhou, Luo Yi, the founding emperor of the Hengyang Dynasty, bore the Daoist title “Fire Official.”

From You Mountain Kingdom of Peizhou, “Shade-Bestowing Marquis” Wu Xi.

The White Bone True Man.

From Hongfu Temple of Yanzhou, the monk, Dharma name “Vijnaptimatra,” secular name Chen Tongxing.

Jiang Xiu. Huang Jieshou, Madam Wei, Jiang Zhaomo. Hao Su.

Bai Ou, Zhu someone, Bao Lin, Bai Luo, Zhaoge, Nie Bixia, Lei Yu, White Bone True Man, Yuan Huanxian, Surname Wang, Yang Qing, Wu Xi, Luo Yi, Chen Tongxing, Xu Mian, Xu Yingning.

The total number of candidates was twenty-one, among whom nine were female cultivators.

Long Xinpu smiled wryly, “These two lists are, in truth, a declaration of war.”

Wang Sun nodded, “Little Sun said the same.”

From Xuan Du Temple, Sui Chu Palace, and the Huayang Palace of Earth Lung Mountain, there were Sun Huaizhong and Wang Sun. Wu Shuangjiang and Bai Luo. Gao Gu.

There were two monks, Jiang Xiu, and Chen Tongxing. The plight of monks and temples in the Azure Canopy World was, needless to say, precarious.

Furthermore, Lü Bixia, Bao Lin, Yang Qing of the Hongnong Yang clan, Xu Mian of the Cyan Clay Grotto-Heaven, and Xu Yingning of the Heavenly Land Blessed Abode, due to their respective life experiences, family backgrounds, and the treatment of their Dao lineages, were all at odds with Jade Capital.

In past selections, there were reclusive experts who, having notified the Immortal Staff Sect beforehand, actively requested not to be listed or evaluated, to avoid being burdened by fame, unwanted social interactions, or unprovoked Daoist duels. Of course, there were also mountain-top cultivators who sought fame and reputation, or who, for reasons of self-interest, had to strive for a place at all costs. The latter were mostly dynasty emperors, or ancestral founders of Daoist temples and sects at the bottom rung of the ladder among top sects. One was to attract talents and heroes from various states, the other was to absorb more immortal materials and Daoist embryos from beyond the mountains.

But this time, it wasn’t the Immortal Staff Sect’s doing, so how could anyone give prior notice?

Many who probably didn’t want to be on the list at all were listed. Numerous individuals who wanted to be evaluated couldn’t find anyone to accept their offerings, even if they brought a pig’s head as a gift.

Previously, atop the Sword Qi Great Wall, Lu Chen had immediately bonded with Xiao Mo, and they discussed the Azure Canopy World. Sect Leader Lu casually mentioned a dozen or so highly skilled individuals, and most of the extraordinary figures he mentioned ended up being evaluated. From this, it was evident that Sect Leader Lu often stood on the railing at the highest point of Jade Capital, either basking in the sun or admiring the moonlit scenery. The local customs and practices of an entire world were not observed in vain.

Jiang Xiu led the twenty-one candidates.

All of these individuals were only in the candidate ranks.

Yet Xuan Du Temple’s Wang Sun was placed on the ten-person list ahead of them.

Moreover, the tenth position in the world was shared by two individuals.

Could Wang Sun not have been placed in eleventh place?

Of course, she could have been.

In Long Xinpu’s eyes, as long as Wang Sun had not reached the fourteenth realm, she was, at most, a candidate and had no way to compete with Jiang Xiu for eleventh place.

Others might not know the depths of Jiang Xiu’s background and swordsmanship, but Long Xinpu was fully aware.

This was tantamount to deliberately roasting Xuan Du Temple on a fire.

To have two individuals ranked among the top ten in the world within a single sect.

Apart from Jade Capital, this was an unprecedented feat in the history of the Azure Canopy World.

The key was that Xuan Du Temple was also known for being at odds with Jade Capital. Xuan Du Temple was not quite the same as Huayang Palace of Earth Lung Mountain; the latter had at least had a feud and could maintain a superficial peace with Jade Capital. However, due to Daoist Sun, Xuan Du Temple was universally recognized as the leading figure who dared to openly challenge Jade Capital. Then came Sui Chu Palace and Wu Shuangjiang.

If it had been the doing of the Immortal Staff Sect, Long Xinpu would never have allowed Wang Sun to be on the list, not even as a candidate. After all, Soldier Dismantling Mountain and the Immortal Staff Sect were old neighbors in Yongzhou, and Long Xinpu was the most senior cultivator in Soldier Dismantling Mountain, extremely familiar with several ancestral founders of the Immortal Staff Sect, with whom he had personal friendships.

The reason why Xuan Du Temple had forged a deadly feud with Jade Capital, to be precise, with Sect Leader Yu Dou, was a matter of “irreconcilable hatred.”

It lay in the pair of master and disciple of Xuan Du Temple, Huang Gan and Song Maolu.

This pair of master and disciple, one bore the Daoist title “Cyan Plum,” and the other was respectfully called “Master Song.”

But the former, while alive, did not even enter the candidate list. Song Maolu had been nominated as a candidate once. The reason why this “Teacher of Nations” in Yongzhou, Master Song, was not ranked higher, failing to enter the top ten in the world, was said to be deliberately done by the Immortal Staff Sect to avoid attracting too much attention.

But even so, there was ultimately that tragic Yongzhou “Leveling Warehouse” incident. From then on, the Azure Canopy World gained the “Rice Thief” lineage, scattered in all directions.

And Huang Gan, as her and the old abbot’s junior brother, had died at the hands of Yu Dou, and Huang Gan had died within Xuan Du Temple!

Therefore, before heading to Yongzhou, Long Xinpu planned to detour, return to his hometown, and first visit the Immortal Staff Sect.

It was to select a list of the top ten in the world that was more “convincing.”

Simply put, in addition to being persuasive, it also needed to be more sensational, able to attract more attention and topics of discussion, and cover up the impact of the previous list.

With Wang Sun’s temperament, even if the title of “Tenth in the World” was undeserved, she would never give it up.

Even knowing that “this declaration of war” was full of killing intent, Wang Sun would only accept it calmly, drawing her sword with a sigh.

To have Xuan Du Temple’s gazette say some vague and ambiguous words, dodging the issue and talking about other things, like a mistreated young wife, talking incoherently, would simply be a great joke. Both cowardly and futile. It would easily create more doubts with explanations, only having the opposite effect. Moreover, it would definitely not be in line with the consistent style of Xuan Du Temple’s Daoists.

Wang Sun said, “It’s alright, when I reach the fourteenth realm, those who laugh at me won’t be able to laugh anymore.”

Long Xinpu said miserably, “I’d rather you not reach the fourteenth realm.”

Wang Sun was rarely silent, needing to gather her words, “Find someone else to like.”

Long Xinpu drained the wine in his pot and said with a free and easy smile, “That’s difficult, more difficult than Wang Sun liking me.”

Wang Sun remained silent.

Long Xinpu raised his head and murmured softly, “It’s going to snow again.”

This snowfall will be heavy.
If one sets aside his personal motives, the unfolding panorama of mountains and rivers will surely be a magnificent sight.

Long Xinpu rose to take his leave, slowly walking out of the peach orchard. He didn’t ride the wind, nor shrink the earth, but simply walked step by step, gradually leaving the sight of the woman behind him.

Venerable Sun came to his senior sister’s side, watching the departing Long Xinpu with a somber expression. Such matters were beyond the scope of outsiders to comment on.

Wang Sun suddenly said, “Would Song Maolu have been better off if he had been born in the vast world?”

Venerable Sun nodded, “Certainly.”

After a moment of hesitation, Venerable Sun said with a hint of bitterness, “If this child had gone to White Jade Capital earlier, he might well be the veritable Sect Leader Song now.”

Wang Sun retorted, “The principle doesn’t work that way. I believe Song Maolu may resent Mysterious Capital Temple, you, me. But he won’t regret cultivating in Mysterious Capital Temple.”

Venerable Sun hummed in agreement, “Obvious, beyond doubt.”

Wang Sun said, “Since we know he doesn’t regret it, we elders should feel even more guilty.”

Venerable Sun said, “We can’t just slap ourselves in the face every day, can we?”

Wang Sun said, “You can offer your face. I have two hands, sparing one is not difficult.”

Venerable Sun chuckled. His senior sister was always full of ideas.

Junior brother Huang Gan’s closed-door disciple, nephew Song Maolu.

Flowers blooming inside the wall are fragrant outside. In Yongzhou, far from Qizhou, he established his own sect, its rise and influence unprecedented.

It was all because of that tumultuous battle of Pingcang in Yongzhou. Mysterious Capital Temple, for some unknown reason, chose to stand idly by. It was said that Sun Huaizhong personally issued an edict, forbidding anyone to leave the temple to aid Song Maolu in Yongzhou. Consequently, Song Maolu’s direct disciples died, fled, and eventually only a handful remained, scattered beyond Yongzhou and Qizhou, struggling to survive like stray dogs. They barely managed to gain a foothold, preserving a few fading lineages of Huang Gan and Song Maolu.

And these weak lines of cultivators harbored as much resentment towards Mysterious Capital Temple as they did towards White Jade Capital.

The older the Taoist officials, especially those who had experienced that war, the harder it was for them to forgive Mysterious Capital Temple.

The vast land of Yongzhou, with its various kingdoms, unanimously revered the National Preceptor.

Although Song Maolu never formally established a religion or claimed to be an ancestor, he was in effect the leader of a sect.

It was an unprecedented and perhaps unrepeatable feat.

Like Lin Jiangxian, who was respectfully addressed as “Teacher Lin,” Song Maolu was respectfully referred to as “Teacher Song,” rather than by his Taoist name.

Song Maolu and Zhang Haifeng, nicknamed “Little Sect Leader” of White Jade Capital, were once hailed as the twin peaks of the world.

In the eyes of outsiders, the Yongzhou line of Taoists, though defeated, were glorious. And Song Maolu, as their leader, died a glorious death.

Song Maolu chose death rather than a lingering existence as a prisoner in the Smoke Cloud Grotto of the Mountain-Quelling Palace in White Jade Capital.

It was said that Song Maolu once declared, “If I, this poor Taoist, am to go to White Jade Capital, I will neither be a guest nor a prisoner, but only to test your swords.”

The reason Sun Huaizhong took the initiative to go to the Azure Divinity Dynasty and find Wang Yuanlu, who came from the Rice Thief lineage, was that the old temple master jokingly said that Wang Yuanlu’s ancestors were, in a sense, all a joke.

But today’s Rice Thief lineage is vastly different from the Taoists of Yongzhou back then. It is mostly muddying the waters, and the private registers are chaotic. Furthermore, this matter is a taboo of White Jade Capital, not recorded in the historical records of the Taoist temple or the imperial court. Over time, the young Taoists of the Rice Thief lineage do not understand why their lineage, though practicing orthodox Taoist methods, is called “Rice Thief.”

History is a forgetful old man, and historical records are but a thin shadow.

Therefore, it is said that there is an unwritten rule in the Ancestral Hall of Mysterious Capital Temple, passed down orally from generation to generation, not recorded in writing, warning the disciples of the temple that if they encounter the old fellow disciples of those few lineages on the road, they should not retaliate. Whether they can win or not, they should not fight back. It is a unique and strange rule.

Sun Huaizhong of Mysterious Capital Temple dared to scold White Jade Capital, dared to scold the world.

Only the dozens of palaces and Taoist academies of those few lineages, even a novice Taoist, dared to and would scold Sun Huaizhong.

And Disassembly Mountain, the only top sect that publicly allied with Song Maolu back then, although it seemed to have received a warning from Song Maolu in advance and unilaterally tore up the alliance, so Disassembly Mountain was not badly damaged. However, everyone in Disassembly Mountain except Long Xinpu, had a terrible impression of Venerable Sun and Mysterious Capital Temple.

Venerable Sun, you have cultivated Taoism for thousands of years, your swordsmanship is divine, but what have you done besides uttering a few harmless scoldings at White Jade Capital? What dare you do?

Venerable Sun said, “Senior Sister, let’s just forget about that matter.”

Seeing that his senior sister did not speak, Venerable Sun continued, “Junior Brother is Junior Brother, and my side, Zhan Qing and Di Yuanfeng, plus the two on your side, are all individuals. I believe Junior Brother would not want us to go to such great lengths. If Senior Sister hasn’t forgotten, we fellow disciples once discussed this matter, and Junior Brother’s ideas were the most unique, furthest from our views.”

Wang Sun leaned against a peach tree, arms crossed, and stared straight at Sun Huaizhong.

As if to say, I, your old mother, have been working hard for over a thousand years, and now you’re telling me to forget about it? Little Sun, are you looking for a beating? Give me a straight answer.

Isn’t this like pulling your pants up after taking a dump without wiping?

Just thinking about it made Wang Sun feel sorry for his junior brother.

Sun Huaizhong steeled himself and said, “Senior Sister, hear me out.”

Wang Sun remained silent.

Sun Huaizhong sighed, “Senior Sister, what we do might make Junior Brother even more resentful, unworthy, and unhappy.”

Wang Sun withdrew her gaze and hummed softly in agreement.

Now it was Sun Huaizhong’s turn to be uncertain. He asked cautiously, “Senior Sister, can you really let it go?”

“It’s nothing.”

Wang Sun murmured, “It’s just that I suddenly realized I can hardly remember Huang Gan’s face anymore. I’m a little sad.”

That one sentence made the old temple master immediately turn his head away, afraid to look at his senior sister any longer.

Wang Sun waved her hand, “Don’t disturb my cultivation, go cool off somewhere.”
The old Daoist priest nodded silently and entered a study that had been masterless for many years.

Inside, hung a couplet, penned by his youngest martial brother:

“With pipa, yellow oranges, and green plums, a lone crane soars to the southern sky, doing what should be done amongst the myriad generations of mankind.”

“With Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fanghu islands, immortal beings ride the wind down the northern mountains, becoming indispensable figures in the thousand-autumn world.”

Old tales of old acquaintances, even storytellers have grown old, let alone those within the stories themselves.

The old priest picked up a broom and dustpan from the corner, beginning to sweep the already spotless study.

After closing the door, he went to Bai Ye’s thatched hut. Without standing on ceremony, he boiled himself a pot of eggs.

Picking up a boiled egg, the old priest cracked it gently on the table and swallowed it whole. He mumbled, “Back then, our youngest martial brother was the most well-read, having devoured countless Buddhist sutras, treatises, and commentaries. He likely went through every Buddhist text in the entire Azure Firmament, although that’s also because we don’t have many here.”

He picked up another egg, smiling. “Breaking the shell of ignorance, exhausting the river of烦恼, liberating oneself from all birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, and suffering.”

Bai Ye merely sat across the table.

After eating three boiled eggs, the old priest clapped his hands. “One’s personal desires, involving the entire world, are not what I wish.”

His expression was calm. After a pause, he continued, “But if it’s unavoidable, then so be it.”

Bai Ye said, “Since you’ve thought so much already, why think so much more?”

The old Daoist smiled knowingly and nodded. “You’re right.”

“Doing what should be done amongst the myriad generations of mankind, becoming indispensable figures in the thousand-autumn world.”

If what must be done and indispensable individuals force a choice between the two, then the former must be chosen, forsaking the latter.

Even common children play the game of the eagle catching chicks, where the last child in line resembles a master’s closed-door disciple, the youngest sibling to all the elder martial brothers and sisters in a sect.

Yellow oranges, thatched cottages of the Song dynasty. This pair of master and disciple. One was the previous abbot’s closed-door disciple, and the other was the latter’s.

Such a vast Profound Capital Temple, yet it couldn’t protect either of them.

Even if there were hidden reasons, they wouldn’t amount to much of an excuse.

Over the years, under Sun Daozhang’s stewardship, the Profound Capital Temple had actually accumulated far more resources than under his master, Qingyuan Daoist.

Whether it was planting a towering tree for future generations to enjoy its shade, digging a well, or building a pavilion for travelers to rest,

Whatever it may be, something must be done, something must be left behind.

The old priest smiled. “Care for some wine?”

Bai Ye replied, “I’ll only have a cup. Daozhang Sun can have as much as he pleases.”

The old priest said, “A cup is enough.”

He took out a wine pot and two cups, all old and worn. Even the wine was aged, something he had treasured for many years, reluctant to drink it.

Bai Ye adjusted his tiger-headed hat and drank, his face turning red instantly.

The old priest couldn’t help but laugh. Was this truly the most carefree individual in the human realm?

The old priest quickly finished his cup, turning to look outside.

A young man travels afar, as if carrying the scorching sun on his back, always bearing the moonlight on his shoulders.

It seems that for every day of their youth, their eyes are always looking forward, yearning for tomorrow, hoping for the day after.

It seems that all past events can be collectively referred to as yesterday.

Dreaming of being among youths again, I too am a youth.

Bai Ye sat across the table.

Perhaps this once-most carefree individual of the vast and grand world of mankind didn’t even know, couldn’t have foreseen, that some of his own poems were written for himself.

For example, regarding his home world, having built his Daoist temple on a remote island overseas, the most carefree individual was like a sea traveler riding the heavenly winds, like a bird in the clouds, gone without a trace.

Or perhaps, regarding this foreign land of the Azure Firmament, he was like a sword flower of autumn lotus, its light emerging from the scabbard.

The old man squinted and smiled, his expression serene.

Drinking down a cup of wine, asking about swords in the Jade Capital.