(Apologies for the late update.)

Snow resembles white robes, robes resemble snow, one might mistake a snowman for part of the scenery.

Qin Buyi felt this person looked vaguely familiar, but after searching the depths of her mind, no one seemed to match.

Cui Dongshan squeezed out a bright smile at Qin Buyi, then lowered his voice, earnestly requesting Senior Song to move aside and watch the battle from a distance, lest the clash of two peak martial artists be hampered. He then led Wang Manmeng and the others away from the city gate, intending to choose a rooftop of a grand mansion as their observation point. However, in this snowy night, with fierce winds and swirling flakes, visibility was poor. Qian Hou’er and the others, with their lower cultivation, were destined to not clearly see the combatants’ blows. Earlier, Cui Dongshan had subtly manipulated the conversation between Mister and Han Wanzhan, so that Wang Manmeng hadn’t heard it clearly. When they learned the identities of the fighters tonight, they would surely regret it.

The two warriors, facing each other across the street, were in no hurry to strike.

Han Guanghu stood still, simply lifting his boot and setting it down again. As he did so, the entire street, covered in over a foot of snow, seemed to be scalded by boiling water, mist rising into the air. When the old martial artist stood still, breathing slowly, it was as if a dragon vein had been laid, the road dry and unusual, the falling snow melting before it could touch the ground. Only around Chen Ping’an’s feet did snow remain.

Song Yushao followed Cui Dongshan away from the street, glancing back at the strange scene at the corner. The old man smiled, “Who says we martial artists aren’t like immortals?”

Cui Dongshan knew clearly why Mister was accepting the challenge. Of course, it was related to Han Wanzhan’s unscrupulous actions, but besides that, there was also a selfish motive.

He wanted to put Senior Song at ease.

How?

Simple. The old man only needed to witness the current fist techniques of the sword-carrying youth of yesteryear to truly feel reassured.

Song Yushao hesitated, then used sound transmission to ask the white-robed youth beside him, “Sect Leader Cui, can your Mister win?”

Earlier, during the hotpot meal, he had heard Chen Ping’an mention several students and disciples. Cui Dongshan was now the first Sect Leader of the Azure Ripple Sword Sect.

The old man had never been reserved with Chen Ping’an, calling him by his given name without hesitation. But with Cui Dongshan, Song Yushao had changed his address.

An accomplished junior, able to write a few Spring Festival couplets, speak some words of wisdom, or pass the imperial examinations with honors, would certainly bring the old man joy, but not necessarily complete peace of mind. The rise and fall in officialdom, the treacherous waves of a career, the scheming and infighting in public service… The same logic applied to walking the pugilistic world: human hearts were treacherous, especially since a high level of martial skill had no correlation to moral alignment. Moreover, it had to be admitted that the younger someone was and the more they adhered to martial ethics, the more easily they would suffer. Song Yushao was an old hand in the martial world, but not stubborn and inflexible. Therefore, he was even more conflicted about Chen Ping’an’s path in the pugilistic world. He hoped that Chen Ping’an would walk the grand path directly, ascending smoothly, but also hoped that this young man, on whom he placed great hope, would not be hurt by believing in righteousness and following the rules…

Perhaps only elders with juniors had such conflicting feelings.

“Senior Song, just call me Dongshan.”

No matter how thick-skinned Cui Dongshan was, daring to spout nonsense to Han Wanzhan—not to secretly disgust him, but to openly provoke him—he would not dare to be flippant with Song Yushao.

“Mister won’t lose. Even when sparring with Cao Ci, on the surface, he indeed lost four rounds in a row. But my Mister has his own ideas. It’s nothing more than losing the battle but winning the war for himself. It’s just that this state of mind cannot be explained to outsiders. Cao Ci understands it, and of course, Senior Song certainly knows it in his heart as well.”

Song Yushao said, “I’m worried that in this sudden exchange, your Mister needs to both win the fight openly and master the degree and timing well. It’s incredibly difficult and puts him at a disadvantage.”

Outsiders watch the excitement; experts see the intricacies. Song Yushao’s martial arts realm was not high, but he had walked the martial world his whole life, dealing with all sorts of people. He was well-versed in human relationships and worldly affairs, so he understood the subtleties involved.

Cui Dongshan lowered his head and rubbed his hands, laughing, “It’s alright, Senior Song, you might not know this yet, but previously on our Immortal Capital Mountain’s谪仙Peak, Mister once fought a boxing match with Huang Yi from the芸 Teachings of Tongye Continent. While fighting, she broke through the bottleneck of the tenth realm’s Qi Flourishing stage, precisely because Mister’s punches were measured. Not only did he not harm the harmony, but now the 蒲山Cloud Grass Hall has formally established an alliance with the Azure Ripple Sword Sect, becoming mountain allies. In another hundred or two years, the two families’ registered disciples will interact frequently, and it will probably be considered a ‘family friendship’, right?”

Back in Shuishui Kingdom, Song Yushao washed his hands of the martial world, choosing to retire. Su Lang, the Azure Bamboo Sword Immortal who rose to fame in Songxi Kingdom, relentlessly broke the rules of the martial world, determined to compete with Song Yushao. He had just entered the Golden Body realm and impatiently visited Swordwater Manor, intending to step on the shoulders of the Sword Saint of Shuishui Kingdom to solidify his position as the top swordsman in the central countries of Treasure Bottle Continent. As a result, he was forced back by a genuine young “Sword Immortal,” who sent Su Lang back to his small town in one move. Afterward, Chen Ping’an, in order to retrieve the bamboo yellow sword scabbard, found Ma Qu Xian during the Literary Temple’s discussion and even fought him, not hesitating to offend Pei Bei’s lineage, the female martial goddess, and the Great End Dynasty of the Central Earth. It was a pity that the old man had not personally witnessed Chen Ping’an’s two previous fights.

The old man believed in his judgment of people. When he first met the sword-carrying youth in his hometown, he had already affirmed that Chen Ping’an’s future martial arts path would not be slow, nor would it be bad.

But Song Yushao never expected that this day would come so quickly, so early, so… awe-inspiring.

On the street, Chen Ping’an looked around. An empty city with few spectators.

Back in the Sword Qi Great Wall, it was always very lively whenever the Second Shopkeeper sparred with someone.

Han Guanghu reminded him, “This old man still means the same thing: don’t hold back when you fight. Otherwise, this match will be Chen Sect Leader hitting someone and slapping their face.”

Chen Ping’an smiled slightly, “If we finish this fight early, Junior will treat Senior to a drink.”

Han Guanghu chuckled. The young man certainly knew how to say polite words.

Qin Buyi and her group flew to the city wall. Jian Ming drew the Great Quan Dynasty’s nation-protecting saber, “Famous Spring,” from under his arm, brushed away the snow from the city wall beside him, and grinned, “No grudges, no animosity, not even meeting on a narrow road. They just met, and they’re already fighting?”

Were all martial artists who had reached a certain level of mastery martial arts fanatics who liked to fight as soon as they met?
Jian Ming couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry. Would Old Han be alright? Everyone in the martial world said that youth had the advantage in combat, and a flurry of punches could overwhelm even a seasoned master. Besides, Old Han was currently experiencing a decline in his strength, plagued by illness, coughing constantly, and always carrying several bottles of elixirs from the mountains, which only provided temporary relief. If not for Mr. Zeng’s reminder that Jian Ming should not act recklessly, Jian Ming would have already sneaked into the Qinghu Palace on Qingjing Mountain to steal a few “Ascension Pills.” On the other hand, the young Hidden Official was in his prime, rising rapidly, and had witnessed grand scenes. His current state was like the midday sun, his realm, physique, and aura all at their peak. Old Han had really chosen a tough opponent, how could he possibly win?

Song Zhi said, “Don’t worry, neither side has a heavy killing intent, they will stop when appropriate. Meeting like this is a rare opportunity. Sparring between martial arts grandmasters is different from Immortal cultivators dueling; the latter makes it difficult to identify and remedy shortcomings. For martial artists seeking enlightenment through sparring, as long as they don’t fight ruthlessly and aren’t focused on a life-or-death struggle, even if they get injured, it will be beneficial in the long run.”

How many realm-stopping grandmasters were there across an entire continent? For example, on the barren and sparsely populated Aihai Continent, only Pei A’xiang of the Thunder God Temple had reached the tenth realm of martial arts. If Pei A’xiang wanted to spar, he would have to travel across continents. He certainly wouldn’t go to Beiju Luzhou, with that foul-mouthed old codger Wang Fusuo. Furthermore, the foremost martial artist of Liuxia Continent was a woman, and Pei A’xiang himself didn’t like to travel far and preferred tranquility. Therefore, after reaching the realm-stopping stage, he rarely threw a punch, which had prevented him from advancing to the first layer of Returning to Truth.

Mr. Zeng smiled and said, “This is because neither of them harbors any murderous intent. As for the murderous aura they exude, it is due to the excessive concentration of their fist energy, which outsiders mistake for killing intent.”

There was no doubt that neither held murderous intent. Whether it was Han Wanzhan of Jinjia Continent or the young Hidden Official of the Summer Retreat Palace, in a broad sense, they could be considered comrades-in-arms. Perhaps deep down, they even admired each other, but Old Han was too proud to admit it. After all, if not for the massive army of the Savage Demons being stalled at the Great Wall of Sword Qi for so many years, especially compared to the earliest predicted outcome, the Savage Demons being held back outside the Great Wall of Sword Qi had bought the Central Earth Confucian Temple and Jinjia Continent’s upper and lower regions at least two to three years of preparation. Otherwise, Jinjia Continent’s casualties would have been even more devastating, with potentially tens of millions more deaths.

However, a contest of fists between two realm-stopping martial artists was not child’s play. If either side was determined to win decisively, anything unexpected could happen.

Moreover, Old Han’s trump card fist techniques were indeed substantial.

Qin Buyi patiently explained, “Jian Ming, the reason why martial artists continuously seek sparring partners to temper their bodies and refine their physique is that the stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade. The human body is a microcosm, with tendons and bones like mountains and rivers, and blood and Qi like great rivers and streams. A good sparring session is like moving mountains and shifting water, breaking down and rebuilding, and opening up a smooth path, allowing one’s pure true Qi to circulate faster. In the history of the Grand and Sublime, it is said that there were several martial arts grandmasters with extremely profound skills who, in addition to their own fist techniques, were also exceptional at teaching and guiding others. They could not only move mountains and overturn seas for their juniors but could even help them heal injuries, though this is just a legend.”

Mr. Zeng said, “I have been fortunate enough to meet two of the masters you described, Fellow Daoist Qin.”

Jian Ming asked curiously, “Which two?”

Mr. Zeng slowly said, “Zhang Tiaoxia of Central Earth. Cui Cheng of Baoping Continent.”

Jian Ming said, “Of course I’ve heard of Zhang Tiaoxia, the foremost martial artist in the world before Pei Bei, everyone knows him. But who is this Cui Cheng? He’s actually a native martial artist from Baoping Continent, why is he so unknown?”

Mr. Zeng said, “Martial artists in the lower realms are not like cultivators in the upper realms; their lifespans are limited. The ‘dead-end road’ is not a term deliberately belittling martial artists. Therefore, after a century, their deeds become old history, something to be referred to as anecdotes. In addition, this person always considered himself a scholar, and later, he experienced a family tragedy, and his name was even removed from the family ancestral hall records. It’s not surprising that the young people of your Baoping Continent haven’t heard of this name.”

Qin Buyi suddenly realized, “Zhang Shixiong once encountered a wandering scholar from Central Earth Divine Continent, who appeared dejected and only claimed to be named Cui, unwilling to reveal his true name. He was sometimes lucid, sometimes delirious, and seemed to be suffering from Qi deviation. It was a chance encounter, but they became friendly, and Shixiong didn’t want to pry into his identity. He escorted this person for a while. Whenever this person was lucid, he spoke eloquently and with profound knowledge. One saying, in particular, left a lasting impression on Zhang Shixiong: ‘A true man should be truthful in his words, sincere in his dealings with others, upright in his conduct, rigorous in his studies, and reasonable in his punches.'”

Mr. Zeng smiled and nodded, “Cui Cheng’s lifelong pursuit was actually simple: to act with righteousness.”

Qin Buyi glanced at the man in the blue cotton robe. Could it be that this person’s unfortunate circumstances were also the work of you Knife Borrowers?

The three branches of the Vindicators of Grievances had varying degrees of influence in the eight continents of the Grand and Sublime, but only in Baoping Continent did they seem to have encountered obstacles due to the Hidden Sword of West Mountain’s failure and quickly retreated. Qin Buyi’s Shixiong was said to have been able to leave Baoping Continent alive with his direct disciples only because someone had remembered old times and made an exception to let them go.

Mr. Zeng said through telepathy, “Even if I had the guts, I wouldn’t dare to trade with Cui Cheng as a Knife Borrower, otherwise I’d be tired of living and wouldn’t be able to leave Baoping Continent alive.”

Two groups of onlookers. Qin Buyi and his companions were on the city wall, while Cui Dongshan had chosen a high rooftop with a relatively clear view.

As the two men on the street were about to exchange blows, Chen Ping’an suddenly looked up at the city wall and waved his hand.

Han Guanghu was at a loss, unable to throw a punch, and unable to withdraw it. He couldn’t foolishly turn his head to look. If Chen Ping’an took this opportunity to suddenly attack, wouldn’t he be knocked down with a few punches?

Chen Ping’an’s reputation for sparring was now widely known among a small group of realm-stopping martial artists on the mountain peaks of the Grand and Sublime, and it wasn’t a good one.

Cui Dongshan sighed softly and immediately followed his teacher’s gaze. He saw a tall woman standing alone in the wind and snow on the city wall, squinting and smiling.

If she didn’t want to be seen, even someone like Cui Dongshan, who believed he could easily defeat two Immortal Realm cultivators with one hand, wouldn’t be able to sense her presence.

She was still as good to his teacher as ever.
But how did she return from beyond the heavens to the mortal realm?

Song Yushao also noticed the woman’s figure and asked, puzzled, “Who is this?”

Cui Dongshan cautiously said, “Consider her… a sword attendant of the master?”

Song Yushao laughed, “As long as it’s not that kind of relationship, that’s fine.”

Cui Dongshan seemed to freeze into a quail, utterly不敢出声.

Qin Buyi subconsciously gripped his sword hilt, as if facing a great enemy. Turning his head to look at the uninvited guest, there was none of the grand entrance of the previous Great Sword Immortal Mi Yu, but Qin Buyi felt that this female cultivator *was*… heaven and earth itself.

Songzhi turned around, wanting to move forward and protect everyone as much as possible, but was shocked to find himself as if stuck in mud, unable to lift his feet.

In an instant, this Luoyang carpenter realized that his Dao heart had solidified and his spiritual energy had frozen. Songzhi’s collection of varied arts and divine powers seemed to have been temporarily returned to an old creditor – the very heavens themselves!

Mr. Zeng remained in his original posture of gazing at the street, motionless, neither turning around nor taking a step, even forcing himself to remain without a single thought.

The woman in white didn’t interact with Qin Buyi and the others, but simply floated down from the city wall onto the street, then brushed past Han Guanghu. The latter was just about to throw a punch –

Not to test her strength, nor out of recklessness, nor for any clear reason to attack a woman of such otherworldly origins, but an inexplicable feeling rose within the old man’s heart, a feeling without any logical basis: If he didn’t throw this punch, he would regret it for the rest of his life. And any aspirations to return to the True realm, were nothing more than a fool’s dream. Furthermore, the elderly martial artist felt an inexplicable sense of great Dao pressure, a fated nemesis, a natural enemy was before him. He *must* deliver this punch on behalf of all martial artists in the world!

Chen Ping’an subtly shook his head in a gesture of dissuasion, then smiled and asked, “What brings you here?”

She smiled, “It got a little boring waiting.”

As if the moment they started conversing, the frozen, snowy world returned to the normal operation of the Great Dao.

As she passed by Han Guanghu, she deliberately slowed her pace, turning her head to look at the old martial artist wanting to throw a punch.

She didn’t speak, but within Han Guanghu’s heart, a storm of shock waves surged. The old man could clearly hear her cold voice, tinged with mockery.

“You do have some ability. At such a young age, you can sense the broken edict at the pinnacle of martial arts. It’s a pity that you are limited by your mediocre talent and lifespan. You are destined not to reach the summit, the earthly mortals will never get to see the true God.”

“You are…”

“Put all your strength into saying a complete sentence, and I’ll tell you the answer.”

Han Guanghu found himself unable to say another word.

Chen Ping’an smiled and introduced him to Han Guanghu, “Grandmaster Han, she is an elder in my family.”

She turned around, walking backwards, stopping next to Chen Ping’an, staring at the old martial artist. Her smile was gentle as she corrected, “Wrong, wrong. This person beside me is my master.”

She smiled, “That Lu Chen, he is a little difficult to kill, but if you are ruthless enough, it’s not impossible.”

Over the millennia, within the vast and mighty river of time, there are actually several unknown “watersheds,” which for her are crossings.

The “Daoists” who have the strength to appear at these ancient crossings are few and far between in the present-day Heavens. You can count them on your fingers and those are just the ones that can physically show up. Even fewer can manage to block a sword strike.

Of course, she didn’t want to take that innate advantage, to bully Lu Chen or Yu Dou, young cultivators. Moreover, if she did so, it would involve too many things and easily cause one or two branches to appear out of thin air in the river of time. Once the forks started, the future was uncertain, and it was really unnecessary. Back in the day, Qi Jingchun twice traveled upstream while he was alive, relying on two crossings of time. Once, as an observer, he witnessed the battle of “A Continent Sinking,” where “countless cranes of Dao Officials jointly slayed the extra-terrestrial demon.” The other time, in everyone’s present, two hundred years before he and the Dao Ancestor, in the lotus cave haven, Qi Jingchun and the Dao Ancestor had a unique discussion on the Dao.

Chen Ping’an shook his head.

She nodded.

Indeed, sixty years, or even three to five hundred years, were negligible to her.

Staying beyond the heavens, though boring, was something she could wait for patiently.

As a sword holder, at the peak when the Heavenly Dao still existed, she once cut off three hundred years with a single sword, causing a section of the river of time to be cut off and turn into nothingness.

Of the Five Supremes of the ancient Heavenly Court ten thousand years ago, other than *that* one, the other four gods went their separate ways, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been that earth-shattering battle of water and fire.

She smiled sweetly, “Young man, be more polite when you talk to my master in the future.”

Han Guanghu was extremely awkward, neither speaking nor nodding.

He couldn’t win, but he still had to have some backbone.

She stretched lazily, “I’m going back. Master, remember to go to the outer heavens early. The matter of forging the sword should be done as soon as possible. Don’t delay it any longer.”

Before Chen Ping’an could say anything, the river of time in the city reversed its flow. Except for the two on the street, who stood firm like pillars, unaffected by the water, and Cui Dongshan on the rooftop and Mr. Zeng on the city wall, everyone else seemed to have never seen the woman in white.

She had already returned to the outer heavens, coming and going in a hurry, without a trace.

Chen Ping’an said awkwardly, “Grandmaster Han, shall we continue?”

Han Guanghu flicked his sleeves, and said angrily, “Continue what ass?”

The old man was repeatedly called a young man by a woman, but he didn’t dare to talk back. How can he spar with you, her master! Dammit, he had never been so frustrated in his life.

In a daze, Chen Ping’an saw Han Guanghu’s face become blank, then give him a thumbs up, saying something that Chen Ping’an couldn’t understand, “I misunderstood you. When we both return to the True realm, we’ll have a good exchange of fists. Let’s drink today, Head of Mountain Chen is paying!”

Cui Dongshan stood up, regretting that he had prepared so many golden sentences for Han Wanzhan, such as “What a way to use your face to take a punch” or “If you don’t punch, you’re going to win”… none of which could be used.

Song Yushao frowned and asked, “What’s going on?”

Cui Dongshan made up a clumsy reason that even he didn’t believe, “Han Wanzhan and my master seemed to be standing still, but they actually had a war of words. The old man Han admitted defeat.”

Song Yushao obviously didn’t believe it, but just smiled it off and didn’t press the matter.
Cui Dongshan led the way to Wang Manmeng’s residence, then instructed Qian Hou’er and the others to move two tables and prepare wine and food. He didn’t forget to let Qian Hou’er show off his skills in the kitchen and whip up some signature dishes.

On the way, Jian Ming asked mentally, “Old Han, why aren’t you fighting?”

The old man looked helpless and said, “I flipped through the almanac just now. Today is not auspicious for testing fists, only for drinking and eating.”

Jian Ming asked, “What about tomorrow?”

The old man glared and said, “Go look at the almanac yourself!”

Jian Ming didn’t continue joking. It was good that they weren’t fighting. Han Lao’er, with your old bones and legs, what are you showing off for? An old veteran of the pugilistic world like you could lose a lifetime of hard-earned reputation in one fight.

Qin Buyi was lost in thought, and Songzhi was even more puzzled, only Master Zeng smiled as usual.

Cui Dongshan clapped his hands and laughed, “Amidst the heavy snow outside, all who sit here are heroes. Excellent, excellent, we are friends from now on! Let us eat meat in large chunks and drink wine in large bowls!”

Han Guanghu kept a straight face and silently downed a bowl of wine.

Chen Ping’an held his bowl with both hands and toasted everyone first.

After putting down his bowl, Jian Ming couldn’t help but ask, “Chen Ping’an, are the sword immortals of the Sword Qi Great Wall really as numerous as the rumors say?”

“Jian Ming, you mustn’t address Mountain Master Chen by his given name directly.”

Master Zeng reminded his disciple with a smile, then asked Chen Ping’an, “Does Mr. Chen have a courtesy name, sobriquet, or Daoist name?”

Chen Ping’an didn’t mind and shook his head, smiling, “I don’t have any of those. Just a few aliases for traveling the world, not worth mentioning. It’s fine, you can call me by my name.”

Back in his hometown, even being called by his name seemed difficult when he was young.

At the Sword Qi Great Wall, where he had stayed the longest and gradually considered as half his home, aside from the Summer Palace, he was often called by his name at the liquor store.

Regular customers and that gambling hustler always addressed him that way, either calling him Chen Ping’an directly or jokingly calling him Second Shopkeeper.

Cui Dongshan said seriously, “Regarding the number of sword cultivators above the fifth realm at the Sword Qi Great Wall, it’s not as exaggerated as the rumors say. But if we follow the rules of the Vast World, counting Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms as ‘sword immortals,’ then there are quite a few. However, if we consider the Sword Qi Great Wall as a sword dao sect that has stood for ten thousand years, and if every sword cultivator above the fifth realm could have their portrait hung in the ancestral hall, then the ancestral hall would have to be huge, with giant houses and high walls.”

Chen Ping’an nodded slightly.

Cui Dongshan’s statement was not an exaggeration in the slightest.

Jian Ming said, “I must visit Ascension City in the Five Colored World in the future.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Cultivate diligently, you’ll have the opportunity.”

Jian Ming couldn’t help but say, “Chen Ping’an, if I remember correctly, we’re about the same age. Why do you speak with the tone of my elders?”

Chen Ping’an joked, “It seems this habit of being a mentor is not good, I should change it.”

Jian Ming grinned. “I heard you have a good relationship with the Great Spring Empress?”

The last time Zeng Ye sneaked into Mirage City, he failed to see the enchanting Empress, which he regretted.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “Just listen to those exaggerated rumors and forget about them.”

Cui Dongshan nodded like a pecking chicken. “Whoever takes it seriously is a fool.”

Qin Buyi asked directly, “Mr. Chen, have you heard of the Western Mountain Sword Hermit lineage of the Vindication of Grievances?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I’m ashamed to say, I only heard about it from my student just now, I hadn’t heard of it before.”

Qin Buyi looked at the gentle-mannered man in green robes. It was hard to imagine that this was the person who had used low-down fist and foot techniques to beat Cao Ci black and blue and leave the Wen Temple.

Chen Ping’an of the Treasure Bottle Continent had always been unknown, but the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall was famous throughout the world.

It wasn’t a matter of flowers blooming inside the wall but fragrant outside; it was flowers blooming outside the wall.

Therefore, the relationship between Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Chen Ping’an and the Great Li Dynasty of the Treasure Bottle Continent had always been a mystery to outsiders, like looking at flowers through the fog.

Qin Buyi was still straightforward and didn’t hide her background, saying directly, “My senior brother Liu Taozhi is an immortal realm sword cultivator, like Songzhi and me, also of the ghost immortal type. He hopes that Mr. Chen can serve as the chief guest elder of the Western Mountain Sword Hermit lineage. Of course, it would be even better if Mr. Chen would be willing to serve as the supreme guest elder of the main hall. I will do my best with Senior Brother Liu to make this happen.”

“The three lineages of Vindication of Grievances are respectively composed of rogue cultivators, military generals, and swordsmen. Their numbers are not large, scattered throughout the nine continents of the Vast World, and they also have death squads in other worlds.”

Master Zeng turned his head to look at the heavy snow falling outside and smiled softly, “The grievances are vindicated.”

Cui Dongshan held back for a long time, waiting for this knife-lending person to interject before he finally had a chance to speak. “Fitting, fitting.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Does senior know who took the head of the late emperor of the Yu Dynasty?”

Qin Buyi said calmly, “My junior sister did it.”

Cui Dongshan raised his arm high, about to slam it heavily on the table. Are you guys done yet? Han Wanzhan came to poach my senior sister, but Qin girl, you’re going straight for my teacher?! But noticing his teacher’s gaze, Cui Dongshan put on a show of momentum, but gently wiped the table, saying, “Immortal Master Qin, don’t persuade him, my teacher won’t agree. There are endless things to do, these purely external honors are not worth it.”

Qin Buyi smiled, “Mr. Chen can take his time to consider, no rush, Senior Brother Zhang and I will wait for the news.”

Cui Dongshan began to interrupt again, turning to look at the silent man, “Fellow Daoist Songzhi, are you familiar with that guy whose real name is Zhang Zhi?”

Songzhi shook his head. “Not familiar. Zhang Zhi went down the mountain early, I only saw him briefly in the mountain in his early years, I don’t remember much.”

“How does the ancestral hall seniority work?”

“He calls me Senior Uncle.”

Cui Dongshan nodded, understanding. “From the same village, related by marriage, the poor have high seniority.”

Songzhi nodded. “That’s about right.”

“Fellow Daoist Songzhi, are you planning to leave the mountain?”
Song Zhi was forthright, humming in agreement and readily revealing the Luoyang Woodcraft lineage’s plans, “Before the Old Ancestor entered seclusion, he had a change of heart and left instructions, saying that it was inappropriate to always hide in the mountains. He wanted us to find three footholds outside. The Central Earth Divine Continent has already been chosen. The remaining two continents are undecided and require on-site investigation. I’m responsible for finding suitable locations in the Bottle Continent and the Tung Leaf Continent. Near the great river in the central part of your Bottle Continent, the southernmost Old Dragon City, are all good choices. On the Tung Leaf Continent side, Peach Blossom Ferry outside the Great Spring Mirage City, Qu Mountain Ferry in the southernmost part, and Clear Realm Mountain in the north are all candidate locations in my mind. There are also six other groups of Luoyang Woodcrafters traveling through the remaining six continents of the Great Balance World. This is also an internal competition for us. Whoever wins will be equivalent to establishing a new sect.”

Cui Dongshan asked with a smile, “Who persuaded your Old Ancestor? That traitor Zhang Zhi, did he get so bold? Is it because he’s now rolling in wealth and is extremely rich?”

Song Zhi shook his head, “Zhang Zhi doesn’t dare to return to the mountain. It was Mr. Fan’s suggestion.”

Cui Dongshan wasn’t surprised.

This Merchant Ancestor has a bright future.

The cultivators of the world haven’t realized yet that, following the Wen Temple discussions, with the lifting of the seals as instructed by the Sage of Rites, the patriarchs of the various schools of thought will be able to elevate their respective Dao without any further concerns or restrictions.

Cui Dongshan asked, “Brother Song Zhi, what do you think of our Green Shirt Ferry?”

Song Zhi still spoke frankly, “Not much.”

He had previously glanced at Immortal Capital Mountain from afar. The territory was too small, and the foundation was too weak. Primarily, the Green Lotus Sword Sect didn’t seem like a sect that wanted to make a lot of noise. Sword Dao sects have always been like that. Furthermore, sword cultivators are among the top four troublesome entities on the mountain. Who would want to get close? Any conflict would obviously be a loss. In financial dealings, being clear and straightforward is paramount. Doing business is most afraid of encountering unreasonable people.

Cui Dongshan quickly raised both hands and waved them around, “Brother Song Zhi, look further ahead and open up your mind. This is the attitude one should have when opening a door to welcome guests and do business.”

Song Zhi said bluntly, “Even if you talk until the end of time, I won’t choose Green Shirt Ferry. We have rules on the mountain. The other two locations, regardless of which continent, must not be close to top-tier Immortal Mansions, especially sword dao sects.”

Cui Dongshan tentatively said, “On this Tung Leaf Continent, there is a time-honored, talent-filled, and simple-mannered Immortal Mansion called Spirit Wall Mountain. It’s not considered a top-tier sect. There’s an immortal ferry near their entrance called Wild Cloud Ferry. Isn’t that a coincidence? Mountain folk and wild people, aren’t you like turtles staring at mung beans, instantly taking a liking to each other?”

Song Zhi frowned, “Spirit Wall Mountain’s Wild Cloud Ferry? Where exactly is it located?”

Before Cui Dongshan could continue to deceive and swindle, Chen Ping’an spoke up, “Fellow Daoist Song Zhi, don’t choose this place. The limitations are too great. Even if you’re willing to invest money to expand the ferry, it would be difficult to dock a cross-continental ferry.”

Song Zhi nodded, picked up his wine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp. The location must be able to accommodate at least three cross-continental ferries simultaneously.

Cui Dongshan said, “Then what about by the Phosphorus River?”

Song Zhi thought for a moment, “The Phosphorus River is barely acceptable. The land on both sides is vast, but it’s still not as good as Peach Leaf Ferry in the Great Spring Dynasty and Qu Mountain Ferry in the south.”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Then let’s not rush. We’ll wait and see.”

Chen Ping’an picked up his wine bowl, gently shook it, and suddenly froze, saying in his mind, “I knew it.”

The next moment, Chen Ping’an was sitting on the railing of a golden long bridge, still holding the bowl of wine in his hand.

The white-clothed woman smiled, “Bored?”

Chen Ping’an looked around, “This isn’t real, is it?”

She shook her head, “The scene from ten thousand years ago is just what I have in mind. It’s probably like what the books of later generations say, ‘I was once familiar with the wind and snow, revisiting the door and flipping through books, the bright moon is often round, and old friends are hard to reunite.’ By the way, do you want to see the predecessors of Zheng Dafeng and Fan Junmao? You can chat with them. It’s all true and false, hard to say.”

Chen Ping’an shook his head, thought for a moment, and asked curiously, “The two Ascension Platforms, are they far from here?”

She smiled, “The notion of distance is a concept given by later generations. Where the heart goes, the sword light reaches.”

Chen Ping’an finished the wine, raised the white bowl in his hand, leaned forward, and asked, “If I throw this wine bowl down, and there are no obstacles along the way, how many years will it be before the white bowl touches the ground?”

She smiled, “Then why not give it a try?”

Chen Ping’an gently tossed the wine bowl out of the bridge and smiled, “May peace and tranquility last for ten thousand years, and may peace and tranquility prevail for ten thousand years.”

She reached out and ruffled Chen Ping’an’s head, “I hope the master will always be young.”

Withdrawing her hand, she supported herself on the railing with both hands, “It’s different after all.”

Chen Ping’an hugged the back of his head with both hands, gently swinging his legs outside the bridge railing, and smiled softly, “That’s not easy.”

After a moment of silence, Chen Ping’an asked the biggest question in his heart, “Why did you make the techniques and spells of the world fall like rain in the first place?”

If there hadn’t been this torrential rain of sword techniques and supernatural powers falling on the earth, there might not have been the rise of the human race later.

She looked into the distance, remembering one who had watched over the eternal stars alone, year after year. She blinked at Chen Ping’an beside her and said, “Ask and answer yourself.”