A thousand cups of wine are too few when meeting a kindred spirit, but even half a sentence is too much when opinions clash. Whether it was that Xie Gou or Bai Jing, there really wasn’t much to discuss. After sharing a pot of wine, Chen Ping’an, on a whim, took his leave, saying he was going to the Northern Peak Mountain Lord’s mansion. The girl in the sable hat immediately chased after him, asking if she could return to Fallen Peak. Being exiled outside like this wasn’t good, it was delaying Xiao Mo’s cultivation. His swordplay talent wasn’t as good as hers to begin with, and wasting time like this would only make the gap wider. She could practice swordplay anytime, anywhere, making her Ascension Realm completion even more complete. The further the distance grew, the less face Xiao Mo would have, and losing face would only make him want to see her even less. “Alas, suffering for the sake of face, men!”

Hearing this, Chen Ping’an lost patience to listen to her rambling. Seeing that Xie Gou seemed determined to follow him all the way to Pi Yun Mountain unless she got a satisfactory answer today, Chen Ping’an had no choice but to stand beside the pavilion and ask her for a reason to convince him. Xie Gou said that if she returned to the mountain, she would definitely be more cautious in her words and actions than before, learning from the Left Protector of Riding Dragon Lane and keeping her tail between her legs. If the Mountain Lord didn’t believe her, she would swear an oath, using the name of Lord Bai Ze. Could such an oath be taken lightly? Chen Ping’an then asked about the Riding Dragon Lane New Year’s money shop. She had just started a business with Zhou Junchen, would she just abandon it? Xie Gou replied that she definitely wouldn’t abandon it, she would visit the shop every few days, but the business was truly difficult. She mentioned that on Fortune Street and Peach Leaf Lane, people had been specifically assigned to block her, engaging in a battle of wits and courage…

Chen Ping’an said in annoyance, “Is this how you do business? During the New Year, you put notices on people’s doors. It’s a good thing you have some restraint and didn’t put them on the door gods’ faces, as if you were gilding them!” Xie Gou felt wronged and said, “I discussed it with those door gods beforehand. I made it clear that I wasn’t using any mountain techniques like summoning spirits or capturing ghosts. I discussed it nicely with the door gods, and they all said it was fine, they were very friendly.”

Chen Ping’an was speechless. After a moment of silence, he looked at the girl in the sable hat, who was wrinkling her face and looking wronged, and had no choice but to say, “Go back, go back. When you get to Fallen Peak, remember to talk less, or you’ll be kicked off the mountain again, and no one will be able to help you.”

Then, Chen Ping’an used a spatial shrinking technique, concealing his figure in a secluded spot, and then walked to the foot of Pi Yun Mountain. As the location of the Northern Peak Temple in the state, Pi Yun Mountain attracted many devout men and women to offer incense. However, everyone knew that Pi Yun Mountain was Wei Bo’s Daoist temple, yet very few pilgrims had the chance to see the legendary, extraordinarily graceful Northern Peak Mountain Lord.

Xie Gou finally received a decree from the Mountain Lord, feeling as if she had been granted amnesty. The girl, her cheeks flushed with wine, swayed unsteadily towards Fallen Peak.

Putting aside everything else, at Fallen Peak, even Chen Ping’an’s farts smelled sweet, with a whole bunch of sycophants on the mountain each displaying their unique talents, it was no wonder she felt out of place.

The girl in the sable hat completely forgot that when she left earlier, she had been cupping her fists and shouting, “The Mountain Lord is wise!”

The entrance of the mountain was quite lively. Immortal Wei and Zhou Mi Li were sitting at a table drinking tea, with the Left Protector of Riding Dragon Lane lying beside them.

In addition, Cen Yuanji was also there, taking a break from practicing boxing and standing exercises, and sitting idly for a moment. There was also the Scarlet Robe Child from the State City God Temple, not there for roll call, but just wanting to bask in the immortal aura of Mountain Lord Chen, not daring to hope for a conversation, just a few glances from afar would be enough.

And a white-spotted snake from Chess Mound, serving as the Scarlet Robe Child’s transportation, was curled up under the table, looking extremely docile.

They were all gathered there, listening to Immortal Wei’s tall tales.

Immortal Wei glanced at the stray dog. At first, Immortal Wei had felt sorry for it, mistaking it for a stray dog searching for food everywhere, and had even specially gotten some chicken, fish, and bones from the old chef. At that time, when the dog raised its head, Immortal Wei actually saw extremely complex emotions in its eyes: grief, disdain, depression, pity…

Immortal Wei was shocked. Could it be that he was being despised by a stray dog?

Later, he learned that it was the famous Left Protector of Riding Dragon Lane.

Misunderstanding, it was all a misunderstanding. Good intentions, were good intentions.

In addition, there was a visitor who had just arrived on his travels, a middle-aged Daoist priest with a whisk and a sword, his face as white as jade, holding a purple bamboo cane, and a gourd hanging from his waist.

Zhou Mi Li and Immortal Wei both recognized his identity, because they had each met him once before. Zhou Mi Li had met him at Green Shirt Ferry in Immortal Capital Mountain, and had a good chat with the Daoist who claimed to be Lu Chunyang.

Immortal Wei had met him because Lu Yan had previously visited Fallen Peak, stopping at the mountain gate. He had a bowl of hot tea at the table, and they got along very well. Immortal Wei boasted about how high his Daoist skills were, no lower than this mountain, and asked if Pure Yang Daoist was afraid. Lu Yan smiled without saying a word, and Immortal Wei was delighted, saying that he was just bragging. He even invited him to be a guest elder of Fallen Peak, willing to introduce him. With his relationship with Mountain Lord Chen, he couldn’t guarantee it would succeed, but it definitely wouldn’t necessarily fail.

However, Immortal Wei didn’t say whether he was a registered or unregistered guest elder. One had to leave some leeway in one’s words, one couldn’t be like that Chen Lingjun, whose words were solid, like a glutinous rice ball, delicious, but easy to get stuffed, better than a bowl of white rice porridge, nourishing to the stomach.

Lu Yan’s travels were not rushed, he toured the entire vast ancient Shu territory. Some Dragon Palace ruins that had not yet been discovered by the Da Li Dynasty, the Daoist also went to see. For cultivators of the Daoist’s realm, they were naturally just visiting immortals and exploring mysteries, all empty buildings, desolate scenes, the changes of the world, the vicissitudes of life were like this.

Finally, he took a trip to the Yellow Court Kingdom, toured along the Cold Food River, and looked at a few well-preserved old rare books in the Cao Family’s Zhilan Building. Looking at old books was like reuniting with old friends. Ancient books in the world were always like this, sometimes together, sometimes separated. Then he passed by the White Egret River, the Purple Yang Prefecture, and then followed the mountain road from Red Candle Town, passing Chess Mound, and slowly came to this Fallen Peak. The Daoist looked at the lively mountain gate and nodded and smiled, generally, immortal mansions did not have such scenes.

On the path of cultivation, since there were so many realm divisions, the human heart would inevitably fluctuate.

For a mountain sect, it was difficult, but not rare, for many Daoists to cultivate their minds, but it was a miracle to have unanimity of the human heart.

Lu Yan had something to ask for on this visit, a worldly experience that required Mountain Lord Chen to help protect the Dao.

The requirements for this Dao protector were not high in terms of realm.

What’s more, it was Chen Ping’an, personally recommended by the Sage Master.
Hearing the black-clothed lass say the Mountain Lord had gone down the mountain to the small town.

Actually, it was to check the accounts in Riding Dragon Lane.

Little Rice asked earnestly, “Is Immortal Elder Chunyang in a hurry to see the Mountain Lord?”

If there was an urgent matter, she only needed to silently chant Wei Mountain Monarch’s name three times, like knocking on a door. Wei Mountain Monarch of Green Ripple Mountain would immediately hear it, and as long as she was within the Northern Mountain’s territory, she could speak to the good Mountain Lord immediately.

Lü Yan smiled and said, “No rush. This poor Daoist will wait for Mountain Lord Chen to return here before ascending the mountain together.”

On the table, besides tea and melon seeds, were also two bags of dried stream fish that Little Rice had taken from her cotton satchel.

Last time at Azure Garment Ferry, Little Rice was reluctant to take out her last bag of dried fish to treat guests. This time, the Right Protector finally had the chance to make up for it.

In fact, after that incident, Zhou Mi Li had developed a habit. Every time she went out, her cotton satchel, which she affectionately called the “Hall of Ancestors,” had to contain at least two bags of dried stream fish, for unforeseen circumstances.

Xie Gou was now very carefree.

Seeing that young Daoist with a wooden hairpin in his hair, whose real name was now Nian Jing, Daoist name Immortal Attendant, Xie Gou was completely relieved. Her reasoning was simple: one couldn’t find two silver coins on the same street, could one? In this old site of the Luminous Pearl Paradise, who else could she possibly encounter? The first “Daoist” among the Ten Heroes of the world in bygone days had already been seen. She couldn’t have such “good luck” again, could she?

Even in the vast Northern Reed Continent in the north, hadn’t only Fire Dragon True Man of Prostrate Peak, who could enter her discerning eyes, emerged?

As for the Southern Paulownia Leaf Continent, the Jade Rule Sect sword cultivator Wei Ying? Or the parasol tree in the Demon Suppressing Tower? Or the Myriad Jade Sect on one of the Three Mountains of Blessedness?

As a result, when Xie Gou approached the mountain gate, the first thing she saw was that middle-aged Daoist with an unfamiliar face, phoenix eyes, and a goatee… This Daoist looked like he had no cultivation realm at all!

Yet, in an instant, Xie Gou felt a sense of immense pressure, like facing a formidable enemy. Even after being with Little Mo for so long ten thousand years ago, she had never felt this strange sensation. Perhaps only once, when Little Mo almost unleashed all of his natal flying swords, or when she chased Little Mo to the Falling Treasure Shoal, and that Cave Master Bi Xiao appeared, advising her not to cross the line. Once she crossed the line, she wouldn’t be able to leave. People crossing the line would be detained, legs crossing the line would be maimed, and flying swords crossing the line would be confiscated.

Damn it, Xie Gou still felt a bellyful of resentment whenever she thought of that stinky, bull-nosed old Daoist.

It made no sense.

How could such a small Treasure Bottle Continent harbor so many hidden dragons and crouching tigers?

Xie Gou narrowed her eyes and slowed her pace. That unremarkable table felt like a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den.

Seeing the slender, sable-hatted girl, and the Vermillion-robed Child standing on the table, hands on his hips, smiling and greeting her, “Little Xie is back, ah. I heard Immortal Attendant say you went to Riding Dragon Lane to earn pocket money these past few days.”

Xie Gou nodded with a straight face, but greeted Cen Yuanji with a radiant smile, “Sister Cen, taking a break?”

Fools were easy to deceive, so Xie Gou had a good impression of Cen Yuanji, unlike that incense figurine from the State City’s City God Temple, who might seem silly on the surface but was actually a shrewd individual.

Seeing the black-clothed lass who stood up, hmm, the one who the white-haired child had clamored to form a Black and White Duo with, but was refused, the Fallen Mountain’s Protecting Guardian, a Water Sprite of the Grotto Heaven Realm.

If it were in the past, Xie Gou would have reached out to press down on the little girl’s head and shake it a few times. But having learned from her mistakes, she now smiled and said, “Oh, it’s the legendary Right Protector. Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you. My name is Xie Gou, Little Mo’s betrothed.”

Immortal Attendant spat out a mouthful of tea, choked, and coughed incessantly, quickly wiping the table with his sleeve.

Zhou Mi Li’s eyes widened even more. What, Mister Little Mo had a Daoist companion?!

Finally, Xie Gou looked at the Daoist, “This old gentleman, where do you hold a high position?”

Lü Yan smiled and said, “The four seas are my home, a life of drifting clouds and flowing water.”

Xie Gou said, “I think with the Daoist’s abilities, even if you learned the talisman arts of Zhongtu Divine Continent’s Yu Xuan, and simultaneously possessed three or five sects, it would be more than enough.”

Lü Yan smiled, “Girl, you flatter me. I dare not compare myself to Senior Yu Xuan.”

Immortal Attendant couldn’t bear to listen anymore. It was like praising a scholar. You could go against your conscience and say that he was learned and had unmatched talent, but if you directly said that his knowledge was on par with that of a Sub-Sage or a Literary Sage, wouldn’t that be tantamount to scolding him in the face? It seemed that Lady Xie’s period of self-reflection in Riding Dragon Lane had been in vain, which was probably related to Old Immortal Jia not being stationed at the thatched shop. Otherwise, if Xie Gou had learned even one-tenth of Old Immortal Jia’s skills, she wouldn’t be saying such awkward things.

Xie Gou sat cross-legged on the long bench, “Where were you talking about just now? Continue, pretend I’m not here.”

Zhou Mi Li held up her teacup with both hands, sipped a mouthful of tea, and gently placed it on the table, smiling happily, “Just now, Daoist Chunyang put two or three pieces of mugwort leaves in each of our teacups, saying that if cultivators drink this kind of tea for a long time, and supplement it with a set of guiding exercises, they can dispel cold, strengthen their yang energy, and preserve their spirit completely.”

Xie Gou craned her neck and glanced at the three mugwort leaves in the little girl’s bowl. Oh, they were actually mugwort leaves refined with True Solar Fire. “Daoist, you are proficient in ancient methods? It seems your lineage is ancient.”

No matter how Xie Gou’s ten thousand years of cultivation had been in her previous life, after taking a trip to the Northern Reed Continent, she had a general idea of things. Moon worship and star pulling techniques were considered common, but the way of refining the sun was relatively rare because the threshold was higher. Moreover, just now, when she had concentrated her gaze, Xie Gou saw the subtle veins of those few mugwort leaves, which appeared to her in minute detail, as large as winding mountain ranges. Naturally, Xie Gou could see more professional details than Cen Yuanji and the others who were unaware of their blessings. The Daoist in front of her was very likely an expert who could stroll around a “Fire Sun Palace.”

In that case, wouldn’t she be half a fellow Daoist with him?

Lü Yan smiled without saying a word.

Xie Gou asked again, “Daoist, are you also a sword cultivator?”

Lü Yan said, “I know a little bit about swordsmanship. I can barely be considered a sword cultivator.”

Xie Gou asked further, “I wonder what the Daoist thinks of cultivation?”

It was just a casual question, but she didn’t expect the other party to actually give an answer. The Daoist smiled and said, “The ancients established laws: food must be cooked with fire, so that all living beings can live; residence must be near water, so that billions of spirits can establish themselves.”

Lü Yan stretched out his finger and pointed to the great sun in the sky, “In this poor Daoist’s view, the most precious treasure of heaven, manifest and not hidden, is attainable by everyone: only this suspended ball of red sun.”
The Daoist gently inhaled, then exhaled a wisp of pure, clear Qi. The white mist billowed, flowing like clouds and water, within which a thread of crimson snaked and writhed, resembling a slender fire dragon soaring through the heavens, executing commands, and dispensing rain. “The Great Treasure of Man, though hidden and unseen, can yet be sought within oneself. It is but this single breath of True Yang. This substance is supremely refined and pure. Those who cultivate the Dao will gradually see its effects, condensing into a single mass, becoming one’s own Pure Yang. Therefore, Pure Yang leads to Immortality, while Pure Yin leads to the realm of Ghosts. Man dwells in the balance of Yin and Yang, at the intersection of Immortals and Ghosts. Whether one becomes an Immortal or a Ghost depends solely on cultivation, verifying one’s own heart, and refining one’s own spirit. Fire is the essence of Yang, the most precious treasure within the human body.”

Xie Gou chuckled and said, “The principle is sound, but rather too abstract, leaving one feeling lost in a fog, neither touching the heavens nor grounded on earth.”

Lü Yan smiled faintly, “Like this Miss Cen here, though not a Qi Refiner, as a pure martial artist, practicing martial arts and boxing shares a similar path with Qi Refinement, albeit approached differently. Martial artists hone their physique with a single breath of pure True Qi, like a fire dragon traversing water, with their Qi and blood forming a vast, surging river, and their tendons and bones forming continuous mountain ranges. Moreover, it is evident that Miss Cen’s boxing instructor possesses profound martial knowledge, especially the integration of stance work with breathing exercises, which provides a refreshing approach. This stems from the instructor imparting four distinctly different breathing techniques to Miss Cen. Hence, the trajectory of her True Qi varies by day and night, and by winter and summer. This allows her to consistently suppress her breakthrough without harming her body or spirit. On the contrary, it has fortified her boxing intent and nourished her true spirit, making her exceptional.”

Cen Yuanji stood there dumbfounded. Old Mister Zhu had taught her four routes for the flow of True Qi, which she had known well through years of practice. Yet, she had never imagined that such profound knowledge was hidden within them.

Could it be that her slow progress in breaking through was not due to her perceived lack of talent? Old Mister Zhu had always praised her martial talent; was that not just a comforting remark?

Xie Gou laughed, “The Daoist is truly skilled.”

Lü Yan responded with a smile.

Xie Gou did not yet realize that this Land Immortal, with the Daoist title of Pure Yang, was among the future Ten Heroes of the world in the eyes of the Sage.

Chen Pingan did not follow the incense-laden path to the mountaintop shrine, but instead, staff in hand, ascended the mountain on foot, towards a secondary peak of Cloud-Veiling Mountain. He blended into the stream of climbers, indistinguishable from the scholars and literati ascending to the Wenchang Pavilion to burn incense and offer prayers.

Within Cloud-Veiling Mountain, there were over a dozen temples and Daoist abodes. In the past, the Great Li Dynasty had selected Six Mountains and Ten Monasteries across the continent, all renowned Buddhist mountains and temples. Among them, the Guangfu Chan Temple on Cloud-Veiling Mountain was built by imperial decree of the Great Li Song Dynasty emperor, who personally inscribed the plaque and bestowed purple robes and a Dharma name upon the abbot, even summoning him to the capital to transcribe golden sutras.

Halfway up the mountain was a rest pavilion, its plaque inscribed with the words “The Sea and Sky Without Limit”. Beside the pavilion stood an ancient pine, its branches extending obliquely as if beyond the heavens.

Nearby was a tea stall, frequented by mountain porters taking a break. Chen Pingan was there, looking up as someone approached to pay their bill.

It was none other than Mountain Lord Wei, who had come in person, employing a concealing art to remain unrecognized by ordinary people.

This Mountain Lord of the Northern Peak, whose fame had spread far beyond the continent, possessed a refined golden body, with cultivation equivalent to that of an Immortal Realm cultivator.

Moreover, the entire territory of the Northern Peak was Wei Bo’s Daoist domain, allowing him to be regarded as nearly a Transcendent Realm cultivator.

Chen Pingan immediately asked the stall owner for another bowl of tea. After Wei Bo sat down, he immediately asked, “Why didn’t Mister Xiao Mo come? Has he been stopped by Chen Shanzhu again? That’s not appropriate, is it?”

Chen Pingan immediately retorted, “When will Mountain Lord Wei be hosting a Night Excursion Feast? I don’t think I’ve ever had the chance to drink the fine wine of Mountain Lord’s Mansion. A lifelong regret that must be remedied.”

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt, and frequent visits make even loved ones distant.

Luo Po Mountain and Cloud-Veiling Mountain need not worry about this.

But in reality, Chen Pingan did not know a single one of the thirty-odd officials of the Mountain Lord’s Mansion.

“Now that Luo Po Mountain has a Lower Sect, if there were another Lower Sect in the Northern Evergreen Continent, wouldn’t Luo Po Mountain and Green Ripple Sword Sect be poised to ascend to become a Proper Sect and Upper Sect?”

“Such a delightful prospect is best left to the imagination.”

“And if some busybodies were to come along and rank the Ten Great Sects of the Vast Expanse, you’d surely have a place.”

“‘You’? Those words wound my heart. It should be ‘we’.”

Chen Pingan smiled, “The matter of excavating the Grand Canal in Tongye Continent has made progress, and work will begin soon. I’ve had Green Ripple Sword Sect reserve a spot for you, ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 Valley Rain Coins. Do you have any interest? If Cloud-Veiling Mountain’s treasury is tight, I can help cover it in advance.”

For ordinary Qi Refiners, participating in the excavation of the Grand Canal might just be a matter of financial gain or loss, and the more money they earn, the further they stray from merit. For example, Zhang Zhi of Treasure Sack and the Liu Clan of Ivory Continent fall into this category. However, they can still accumulate some blessings for their respective sects or families, though these blessings are unlikely to circulate widely, usually being “redeemed” around the Grand Canal. For instance, they might transform into an undefined amount of fortune, subtly helping Treasure Sack’s business prosper and expand, which is the sole reason why Zhang Zhi insists on opening shops at every ferry crossing. Qing Tong of the Town Demon Tower, closely linked to the continent’s fortune, is an exception. But for Mountain and Water Deities, they gain genuine merit, making it a guaranteed profitable venture.

Wei Bo nodded, “Then I will take out two thousand Valley Rain Coins to round out the number.”

Chen Pingan asked in surprise, “Mountain Lord Wei, taking out two thousand Valley Rain Coins without batting an eye? Is the treasury of our Northern Peak Mountain Lord’s Mansion a mountain of gold and silver? Since I’m here, how about taking me on a tour to open my eyes?”

Wei Bo twitched his lips, “It’s ‘you’, not ‘we’.”

Chen Pingan smiled faintly, “As the sun sets, the mountains and waters quiet, may I hear the sound of the pines for you. Allow me to listen carefully, to discern whether it is true or false?”

Wei Bo sighed, “Chen Yinhuan’s doggerel and compiled poems are already famous enough.”

“But Mountain Lord Wei cannot deny that it is still quite fitting.”

Wei Bo suddenly frowned slightly.

Chen Pingan asked, “What’s wrong?”

Wei Bo explained, “A wandering Daoist has come to your Luo Po Mountain. I can’t discern the depth of his cultivation, yet he immediately sensed my observation.”

Ripples appeared in the teacup, forming a misty image. At the gate of Luo Po Mountain, a group was sitting around a table, including a middle-aged Daoist with a venerable air, but the landscape painting quickly dissipated.
Chen Ping’an glanced and smiled, “It’s perfectly normal. This senior’s surname is Lü, given name Yan, with the Daoist title ‘Chunyang.’ He’s a true Daoist, a well-deserved Dao Prover. He doesn’t want people to know his whereabouts. Let alone my Fallen Mountain or your Pīyún Mountain, I’m afraid even at the foot of Mount Suì, Divine Sovereign Zhou You wouldn’t be able to detect him.”

Wei Bo praised, “Chunyang? Such a grand ‘Daoist title,’ not everyone can bear it.”

Wei Bo carefully searched his mind for a moment and asked in a mental voice, “I remember in the history of the Yellow Court Kingdom, there was a Daoist who threw a wine cup into the river, transforming it into a white swan. Is there any connection with this Daoist?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Precisely the work of this Chunyang True Man. Back then, he and Headmaster Cheng were cruising the river together. Drunk and carefree, he improvised, which led to the later Lady White Swan River God.”

Wei Bo hesitated.

Chen Ping’an shook his head.

Regarding this Chunyang Daoist, who enjoyed traveling the mortal realm, there was also a long-standing matter involved.

Old almanacs are all old stories covered in historical dust. For example, Aunt Feng, who now lives in the Fire God Temple in the capital, once had a mountain-water anecdote of “burning mugwort to scorch the Dragon Girl’s forehead.”

For another example, in the past, in the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, many flower goddesses once sought help from a man surnamed Cui, who possessed great fortune, to resist Aunt Feng.

And this person also became the founding emperor of the Great Yong Dynasty, and has always had a very strong relationship with the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land. To this day, there is still a custom of wearing flowers throughout the country.

At the beginning of the dragon-slaying battle in the past, the true dragons of the world, and many dragon palace water mansions, also hoped for the help of a Daoist, precisely Chunyang Lü Yan.

Wei Bo stopped digging into the matter and turned to complaining, “What do you plan to do with this ‘little girl’ who goes by the alias Xie Gou?”

A sword cultivator at the Perfection Stage of Ascendance Realm, and of barbaric demon race origin, just standing around the Northern Peak Territory every day, makes Wei Bo feel uneasy.

It was such a longtime friend of ten years who recommended me to chase the app, Mimi Reading! It’s so easy to use. I rely on this reading and listening to books to pass the time while driving and before going to bed. You can download it here

As a result, Wei Bo hasn’t revealed the secret to the various division officials of the Mountain Monarch’s Mansion, saying that there is such a person wandering around Huaihuang County, lest they be frightened.

Chen Ping’an began to disclaim responsibility, “She’s a admirer of your Mr. Xiao Mo, it’s no use complaining to me.”

Wei Bo said, “I miscalculated the accounts just now. Now the Mountain Monarch’s Mansion needs money everywhere, and it’s stretched to the limit. How can a word ‘poor’ describe it? Those two thousand Grain Rain Coins, please ask the Fallen Mountain Spring Mansion to help pay in advance. I can write an IOU.”

Chen Ping’an had to guarantee, “I will restrain Xie Gou. I will definitely not let her mess around. If anything goes wrong, just come to me.”

Wei Bo asked, “The Chunyang Daoist has already shown his face at the mountain gate. Aren’t you going to show up and entertain him?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “I definitely have to go, but there’s no rush. I have to accompany Mountain Monarch Wei to finish a bowl of tea, right? One can’t be too fickle.”

This is what it means to be confident and speak with force.

With Xiao Mi Li responsible for entertaining guests, there’s no need for him, the mountain master, to add flowers to the brocade. It’s completely unnecessary.

If the visitor isn’t at least at the Ascendance Realm, our Fallen Mountain doesn’t bother to bring out the Right Protector.

But if it were Chen Lingjun, that old geezer, see if Chen Ping’an would be in a hurry. He would have rushed to the Fallen Mountain gate long ago.

Chen Ping’an drank two bowls of tea, told Mountain Monarch Wei that there was no need to see him off, and bid farewell in a free and easy manner.

Chen Ping’an arrived at the gate of Fallen Mountain, and Lü Yan stood up and smiled, “Disturbance.”

The two of them climbed the mountain together, step by step, directly to the summit.

Lü Yan cut straight to the point, “I have a matter to ask for.”

Chen Ping’an also said almost in unison, with a similar meaning, “I have a matter to ask for.”

Lü Yan smiled, “Mountain Master Chen, please speak first.”

Chen Ping’an was not polite and said, “I may need to ask the Daoist for a fire talisman, the higher the grade, the better.”

Lü Yan understood, “Is it for the water flooding of the Literary Fortune Fire Serpent?”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment and asked, “My little Warm Tree, its Dao manifested in the Cao Clan’s Zhilan Building in the Yellow Court Kingdom. Could it be related to the Daoist?”

Lü Yan stroked his beard and smiled, “This poor Daoist once drew a talisman on the beams of a book building in that Shu region. The initial intention was only to protect the books, but at that time it was not yet the Zhilan Building. As for how it ended up in the hands of the Cao Clan, it was just a matter of fate.”

Chen Ping’an bowed his thanks.

Lü Yan waved his hand, “No need to be so polite.”

Lü Yan then asked, “It’s not easy for the Literary Fortune Fire Serpent to control the water flooding. The natural conflict between water and fire is difficult to reconcile. Does Mountain Master Chen have a plan?”

Chen Ping’an smiled and nodded. In that instant, Lü Yan looked around and smiled slightly. It turned out that he was already in a River of Time formed by Chen Ping’an’s two Natal Flying Swords. The most peculiar thing was that the banks were full of mountains of text, full of literary fortune, and the atmosphere was extraordinary.

Lü Yan said, “With this foundation, Chen Nuan Tree will have more than enough to enter the Jade Purity Realm in the future. Whether or not there is this poor Daoist’s fire talisman will not make much difference.”

Seeing Chen Ping’an’s hesitant appearance, Lü Yan smiled, “This poor Daoist came to ask for help. How could I be stingy with a talisman?”

Chen Ping’an asked curiously, “I wonder what the Daoist is asking for?”

Lü Yan said, “A Dao Protection.”

Chen Ping’an asked in confusion, “With my current realm, can I really be qualified for this matter?”

Lü Yan nodded, “This poor Daoist is not worried at all whether Mountain Master Chen can be competent. I’m just afraid that Mountain Master Chen will protect the Dao too diligently, and this poor Daoist will have nothing to do.”

Chen Ping’an asked, “Can the Daoist elaborate on the matter of Dao Protection?”

Lü Yan smiled, “No hurry, we still need to wait for the right moment.”

Chen Ping’an withdrew his two Natal Flying Swords, and Lü Yan took out two talismans from his sleeve.

Chen Ping’an said, “One is enough.”

Lü Yan smiled, “Just consider it a double blessing. The fire talisman is for Chen Nuan Tree, and the other water talisman is for your Right Protector.”

Back then, at Green Shirt Ferry on Mount Xiandu, the little girl in black was clutching the rope of her cotton cloth bag tightly, because she was hesitating whether to take out a bag of dried fish to entertain guests or leave it for Mi Yu, she was so nervous that she was sweating all over and didn’t even notice. She had been frowning and keeping a straight face, making Lü Yan laugh and cry, and he didn’t want to persuade her to keep the dried stream fish for herself.

After that, the two stood by the railing, and Chen Ping’an and the Chunyang True Man consulted on some cultivation matters.

The frost of the world had disappeared, the spring mountains were smiling, and at the peak of the mountains, the long wind was vast.