“The practice of martial arts and the cultivation of Dao are not as distinct as we imagine.”

“I even have an unverified hypothesis that every talisman cultivator on the mountain is born with the innate foundation of a Vajra Body martial artist.”

“To learn boxing, you must first understand yourself. Zhao Shuxia, we’ll begin with the simplest of things – breathing. Observe as if from a lofty height, like an immortal overlooking mountains and rivers.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t impart any boxing stances or forms to Zhao Shuxia, nor did he rush to force-feed him martial techniques. Instead, he left behind seven diagrams of the human body’s acupoints within the bamboo building. These corresponded to the different stages of Chen Ping’an’s own martial arts, from the third to the ninth realm, showcasing the various landscapes of the human microcosm. The drawings deliberately omitted flesh, blood, and bone, leaving only acupoints and meridians. They were life-sized, with over a thousand qi nodes and acupoints, far exceeding the understanding of ordinary Daoist cultivators. As for the acupuncture mannequins found in city pharmacies, they were simply incomparable. The seven diagrams displayed a dazzling array of acupoints, scattered like stars in the sky, each with its own light and color, illuminating the entire bamboo house like a series of celestial star charts suspended in the void.

With each breath taken by the “Chen Ping’an” in the seven diagrams, the seven cosmoses of myriad phenomena would give rise to various extraordinary events, such as the Milky Way cascading down, a white rainbow spanning the sky, and stars interweaving and rotating.

Each diagram resembled a vibrant and radiant astrological formation. The lower “Chen Ping’an’s” martial realm, the faster and shorter his breaths, and thus the greater the changes in the star chart. It was as if the entire universe expanded and contracted in response to a single person’s every breath, a cycle of endless creation and renewal. The higher the realm, the more stable the celestial cosmos seemed. However, upon closer inspection, one would discover that the opposite was true.

Chen Ping’an stood with his hands behind his back and slowly said, “Among all the medical texts and Daoist scriptures in the world, there are specific records of these human acupoints and vital qi nodes. Disregarding those that merely differ in name but occupy the same location, I’ve gathered and compiled this information over the years, and the margin of error shouldn’t be too great. There are only about seven hundred of them. If we add the various secret transmissions from different sects and schools, and the ‘secret realms’ discovered by chance, and then supplement them with records from the Summer Palace archives and the Wen Temple’s merit forest, we can add nearly a hundred more acupoints that seem to have become abandoned ruins, forgotten by people. Some of them are indeed considered useless qi nodes, repeatedly verified and gradually discarded by Qi cultivators. However, many acupoints are neglected and lost because the threshold for Qi cultivators to ‘open a mansion’ is too high. Furthermore, someone once temporarily lent me the Daoist cultivation of the fourteenth realm, which added even more. Look at the seventh diagram, which has the largest number of qi nodes and acupoints, totaling over a thousand and fifty. Therefore, a martial artist’s pure true energy travels a longer path, allowing it to mobilize more of the body’s primordial Qi and integrate it into fist intent, making the punch naturally heavier.”

Back in Mud Bottle Alley, when Chen Ping’an had just obtained the Shaking Mountain Boxing Manual, Song Jixin and the maid Zhi Gui left Li Zhu Cave Heaven, tossing him a bunch of keys. Eventually, Chen Ping’an discovered a split wooden mannequin in the kitchen of the neighboring house, engraved with human acupoints and meridians. For Chen Ping’an at the beginning of his boxing journey, the boxing manual was a life-saving path to ascend, while the wooden mannequin, which Chen Ping’an reassembled, was the firewood knife, the mountain-opening axe.

In reality, Chen Ping’an knew at the time that Zhi Gui had done it intentionally. She knew very well that if the mannequin was complete, Chen Ping’an would definitely not pick up the scraps and leave, and might not even give it a second glance. But by damaging it like that, Chen Ping’an, with his money-grubbing nature and frugality, would definitely be willing to move it back to the ancestral home next door, and carefully study the knowledge within, along with a tattered boxing manual that he revered as a guide.

This matter, the former Mud Bottle Alley maid Zhi Gui, the later Eastern Sea Water Lord True Dragon King Zhu, never mentioned a single word during her several encounters with Chen Ping’an. Perhaps she simply acted as if it never happened, or perhaps she had long forgotten about it.

But Chen Ping’an always remembered it in his heart.

Chen Ping’an asked, “How much have you memorized?”

Zhao Shuxia closed his eyes and then opened them, saying, “I can roughly remember the locations of over seven hundred acupoints.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, suddenly reaching out with an arm, striking like lightning. His palm gently touched Zhao Shuxia’s neck, and with a casual flick, Zhao Shuxia slid in a circle within the bamboo house. By the time Zhao Shuxia returned to his original position, he was shocked to discover dozens of star charts of “Zhao Shuxia” standing on that circle. Chen Ping’an casually glanced at the “copies” of Zhao Shuxia’s human microcosms and Qi circulation, and nodded without reason, smiling, “This is the right way to teach boxing. I have more confidence now.”

Teaching a disciple like Zhao Shuxia brought a sense of accomplishment.

Chen Ping’an pinched his fingers together, pointing at one of the star charts with incredible speed, instantly marking three or four hundred acupoint names. These were all the checkpoints and mansions that Zhao Shuxia’s pure martial true energy, like a “fire dragon traversing water,” would pass through. It was like drawing a precise map of the terrain, and then having Zhao Shuxia hold his breath and concentrate, attempting a six-step walking stance. Afterward, Chen Ping’an created another map of the terrain, and with a wave of his sleeve, the two star charts merged into one. Chen Ping’an said, “You can carefully observe where the differences lie. Observe for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and then try another six-step walking stance. If there is no significant improvement, I can have Old Cook prepare medicinal herbs and a water bucket.”

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Zhao Shuxia lay on the ground, unconscious. Chen Ping’an called out, “Zhu Lian, get to work.”

The hunched old man immediately shouted loudly, “Coming, coming! I’ve been prepared for a long time.”

Zhu Lian came to the second floor of the bamboo building and, seeing that Zhao Shuxia was neither covered in blood nor twitching from “walking the stance,” sighed, “The Young Master is still kind-hearted.”

Chen Ping’an carried Zhao Shuxia down from the second floor, heading towards this closed-door disciple’s house, explaining, “Shuxia is always tense. Today is not suitable for teaching him more boxing. Let’s take it slow. Who do you think I should blame?”

Who was it that let Zhao Shuxia know the meaning of “closed-door” so early?

Zhu Lian immediately exposed himself, “I must blame myself for leaking the secret in advance.”

Chen Ping’an was speechless for a moment.

Zhu Lian whispered with a smile, “Young Master, let’s leave it for today. What about tomorrow or the day after? Truly practicing boxing is never without moments of near-death.”

Logically speaking, if it were Cui Cheng, Zhao Shuxia would not have been able to leave the bamboo house without dying and coming back to life seven or eight times, fainting and being awakened, and fainting again after being awakened.
However, Zhu Lian believed that if Zhao Shuxia, as Chen Ping’an’s direct disciple, could truly learn boxing from Cui Cheng, who was practically two generations removed, it might not be such a bleak prospect after all. There was no reasoning with the fondness of a great-uncle or great-aunt.

Chen Ping’an nodded, “For the time being, I really can’t bring myself to be ruthless, so I’m adjusting my mindset.”

Zhu Lian sighed softly. Back then, when the young master learned boxing, only Nuan Shu and Chen Lingjun knew the specifics. But later, when Pei Qian learned boxing, Zhu Lian witnessed it all firsthand. Leaving aside the suffering she endured inside the two-story building, just seeing the little charcoal head often eating with her head down, only to look up with blood seeping from her eyes and ears, was unsettling. Yet Pei Qian herself often seemed oblivious, grinning and saying, “What are you looking at? Nothing to see here! Eat!”

He figured that if the young master saw those scenes with his own eyes, he wouldn’t just be distressed; his heart would break. He’d probably rush to the bamboo building and fight Cui Cheng to the death.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “When do you plan to ask me about boxing? Give me a time and place.”

Zhu Lian rubbed his hands and smiled, “I wouldn’t dare to bring it up unless you took the initiative, young master.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Why be so polite with me? I won’t be polite with you during the exchange.”

The implication was clear: Chen Ping’an would absolutely not suppress his realm. After all, Zhu Lian was a peak mountain realm cultivator, only a hair’s breadth away from the realm of Stillness. (Note 1)

Zhu Lian pondered for a moment. “Then let’s choose this winter, during a heavy snowfall. The location will be the capital city of Nanyuan Kingdom in the Lotus Root Blessed Land?”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Agreed.”

By coincidence, the Fallen Phoenix Mountain received a flying sword message stating that the Ink Dragon Boat and the Wind Kite Ferry would arrive at Ox Horn Ferry on the same day, separated by about an hour.

Besides Xiao Mili, Chen Ping’an also called on Hongxia and Yunzi, as well as Cui Huasheng from Riding Dragon Lane. They would all travel on the Wind Kite Ferry to the Northern Ju Continent, first crossing the continent to the Hemp-Clad Sect on the Skeleton Beach, then following the southeastern coastline, stopping at the Spring Dew Garden, and finally traveling along the Ji River to a ferry under the jurisdiction of the Chongxuan Office’s Cloud Canopy Palace in the central region, heading south to Cloud Top City… Although it was a long journey by ferry, it still counted as having visited a small part of the Northern Ju Continent. While Hongxia was indifferent, Yunzi and the young Cui Huasheng were quite excited. As for the latter, her joy stemmed more from the prospect of a reunion, seeing her long-lost brother, now a sect leader. As his sister, she had been waking up with a smile on her face recently.

With some time before the dragon boat ferry arrived, Chen Ping’an and his group strolled through their own shops. Xiao Mili was quite familiar with the female cultivators from the鳌魚 Back, exchanging warm greetings.

The Parcel Post had left behind many buildings on Ox Horn Mountain, costing a considerable amount of immortal jade and wood. Wu Shou, as the Parcel Post’s representative in the Treasure Bottle Continent, had clearly intended to operate Dali’s Ox Horn Ferry as a major base at first. But he ended up abandoning the project halfway, like someone digging a well and then leaving. No wonder Ancestor Zhang Zhi had deliberately taken him on a trip to Immortal Capital Mountain, drinking tea at Azure Shirt Ferry. It was estimated that Wu Shou’s Dao heart wouldn’t recover without sixty years of self-cultivation.

Currently, only less than a third of the shops were open for business, selling various mountain herbs cultivated in Spring Dew Garden, as well as precious orchids similar to those from the Orchid Chamber Kingdom. The old chef had even written a special orchid manual for this purpose, and it was said that the book sold even better than the orchids.

In addition, there were various antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and miscellaneous items, all priced quite high. However, the shop guaranteed the authenticity of all items. There was also a large collection of treasures meticulously gathered by Ma Duyi, which were consigned here for sale. She was a true money-grubber, pouring all her savings into it. She had made some lucky finds, but also made some mistakes. Overall, she had earned a lot.

Just like the female cultivators Liu Xia, Guan Qing, and Bai Que from Pearl Hairpin Island, whom Chen Ping’an had seen on the鳌魚 Back, almost all of Liu Chongrun’s direct disciples had worked part-time in the shop, without pay. Zhao Luan and Tian Jiuer also often came to help. Nalan Yudie, with her family’s knack for calculation, wanted to manage a building’s business herself at a young age. Since there were so many empty shops, she would sign a contract with Fallen Phoenix Mountain before opening, guaranteeing a minimum profit. Losses would be hers, and profits would be shared.

Every time he passed Ox Horn Ferry, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but think of the old man named Hong Yangbo at the Earth Dragon Mountain Immortal Ferry, in Azure Coin Square.

Last time, he had made a special trip to Azure Coin Square and bought a copy of the “Lamentable Decree” calligraphy for five lesser heat coins, which was extremely close to the original.

The decree began with five words: “Alas, the sword energy is sparse.”

For children, growing up probably meant being able to eat whatever they wanted without their parents’ permission.

For adults, being rich probably meant being able to buy whatever they wanted without looking at the price.

Heading to the Ox Horn Ferry, Chen Ping’an glanced at the “eye-catching” wooden sign standing by the roadside and nodded. Zhou Junchen was still very diligent, not procrastinating at all.

Currently, their sect owned three ferries: the earliest Dragon Boat Ink Splatter, followed by the Wind Kite Ferry, and later, Liu Jubao and Yu Panshui jointly gifted a ferry named “Parasol Shade” as a congratulatory gift for the Azure Floating Sword Sect’s ceremony. Its grade was comparable to the dragon boat. Although it wasn’t a giant ferry capable of crossing continents, it had no problem traversing half a continent, and its cargo capacity was even better than the dragon boat, which was designed as a sightseeing vessel.

If he wasn’t worried about appearing to take advantage of favors, Chen Ping’an had originally wanted to buy the “Thunder Chariot” ferry from the Daquan Yao family, or as a second choice, pre-order a fourth one from the Daquan court.

Wouldn’t he like to expand his business to the Swaying Reeds Continent?

This had innate advantages for Fallen Phoenix Mountain. The route would pass by Reed Flower Island and Rain Dragon Sect before reaching the Swaying Reeds Continent. Besides, Chen Ping’an had been keeping an eye on something on the Swaying Reeds Continent.

**Note 1:** A “window paper” refers to a thin, translucent paper used in traditional Chinese windows. It is used metaphorically here to describe the final, seemingly insignificant barrier between Zhu Lian and the next higher realm of cultivation, Stillness.
Besides, Liu Shen, the owner of that “Rainbow Skirt” ship, sent an invitation, saying that her sect’s master had just successfully emerged from seclusion and ascended to the Jade Tablet Realm. She wanted to see if the Young Hidden Official had time to attend the celebration. Of course, this invitation was just a formality; Liu Shen would be content with a polite refusal because she knew very well that Official Chen would never cross the sea to attend the ceremony at her sect. Liu Shen’s sect was located on an island in the southwestern sea of the vast world. During the major invasion by the barbaric demon race, they all evacuated. Later, they returned to their homeland and rebuilt their ancestral hall on a nearby island.

Back in the Spring Banner Study’s council hall, the female ship owner Liu Shen was a young Golden Core cultivator with very shallow talent. Among the many ship owners and stewards, her realm was the lowest, so her seat was placed near Shao Yunyan’s by the door. However, Liu Shen had a junior sister who was extremely young but a true prodigy in cultivation, a Golden Core Earth Immortal in her twenties. That was why the new Hidden Official had threatened her, willing to spend two hundred Grain Rain Coins or equivalent alchemic resources to exchange for her junior sister to take over the ferry “Rainbow Skirt.” Of course, that tense negotiation ultimately did not result in any bloodshed. Liu Shen and Liu Yu even got an errand, acting as bookkeepers in the hall.

The Ink Dragon Boat slowly docked, and a green-clad boy swaggered off the deck, his sleeves flying. Behind him was a girl holding a green bamboo staff.

It was Chen Lingjun and Guo Zhujiu, who had attended the Yellow Millet Sect’s mountain opening ceremony and then went to the capital of Dream Liang Kingdom.

After the two groups met, Chen Pingan smiled and said, “Finally back.”

Guo Zhujiu smiled brightly and asked, “Did Eldest Sister not come home with Master?”

Chen Pingan explained, “She’s helping your little senior brother. A brand new canal is being dug in Tongye Continent, so she’s busy. Pei Qian won’t be returning to Fallen Mountain for a while. If you miss her, you can go to Tongye Continent anytime.”

Chen Lingjun held back for a long time but couldn’t resist asking, “Master, you’ve already called Hongxia and Yunzi over to run errands. Did the Great White Goose invite me to the Azure Duckweed Sword Sect to join the grand occasion and plan for the future?!”

Edicts, whether Imperial or Secret, the former are for outsiders, but the latter hold more value. Chen Lingjun had already planned out the drama of three invitations and three refusals. Isn’t that the custom in officialdom?

Whether I agree or not is my business, but if Cui Dongshan doesn’t invite me, it’s going too far.

Chen Pingan said, “He didn’t mention you.”

Dare to poach talents from Chen Lingjun’s side? Cui Dongshan really doesn’t have the guts.

But Chen Lingjun didn’t know the inside story of this “love-hate” relationship between teacher and student.

Chen Lingjun tentatively asked, “Does the Great White Goose know that I’m going to serve as the royal guardian of the Dream Liang Kingdom, and thinks he can’t afford to hire me? He’s afraid I’m too busy to get away, right? It must be!”

Chen Pingan said, “I didn’t talk to Cui Dongshan about this. I only said that you and Zhujiu were attending the ceremony at the Yellow Millet Sect.”

Chen Lingjun was speechless for a long time. Where am I worse than Hongxia and the little follower Yunzi, who are in the same realm? Back then, that Yunzi was just a lackey following behind me.

The green-clad boy immediately beat his chest and stamped his feet, “That damn Great White Goose! He looks down on old friends who shared weal and woe now that he’s become the sect master! I’m furious! I’m furious!”

Chen Pingan said annoyedly, “If you really want to go, I’ll give Cui Dongshan a call, and you can take the Wind Kite Ferry with Hongxia and Yunzi later.”

Chen Lingjun said angrily, “Go my foot! The Great White Goose has no sincerity at all. Next time I return to Fallen Mountain, I’ll have to have a good talk with him. No one treats brothers like that.”

He doesn’t cower to anyone, but if he senses something is amiss, he can cower faster than anyone else. He can always admit defeat with lightning speed, pretending to sleepwalk or slip through, and if that doesn’t work, he’ll quickly admit his mistake. If admitting his mistake doesn’t work, what’s the big deal with kowtowing a few times? A great man can bend and stretch; the face thrown on the ground doesn’t count as face.

Guo Zhujiu smiled and said, “Master, on our way to the capital of Dream Liang Kingdom, we met a wandering Taoist master. He looked middle-aged, carried a sword, held a whisk, and had a wine gourd hanging from his belt. He was extremely immortal and Taoist-like. He called himself Pure Yang, surnamed Lu, named Yan.”

Chen Lingjun raised his head and picked his nose. A Taoist name and a name that even I, your Grandfather, haven’t heard of couldn’t be that impressive.

If Bai Xuan was diligently compiling a list of heroes in a roadside pavilion, insisting on seeking justice for Pei Qian in the pugilistic world.

Then Chen Lingjun hadn’t been idle these years either. He had been inquiring about news everywhere, collecting information through landscape news, mirror flowers, water moon, and various gossip, finally compiling a thin booklet of all the Ascended and Immortal cultivators in the vast world. Chen Lingjun named it “The Collection of Passersby.”

It was meant to warn himself that in the future, when he saw these old immortals, he should act like a passerby who brushed shoulders with them, not say a word, and not try to curry favor.

Chen Pingan nodded with a smile and said, “He’s a senior I just met in Tongye Continent. He’s from our Treasure Bottle Continent. The Taoist temple where this True Man formed his core is in the territory of Dream Liang Kingdom, so he’s revisiting his old haunts. Senior Lu even visited our Fallen Mountain not long ago. If you had come earlier, you might have been able to keep him for a meal and a drink?”

Chen Lingjun immediately stopped what he was doing, shook his hand, wiped his clothes, and winked hard at Guo Zhujiu, hinting that she shouldn’t continue. It was nothing interesting, just a chance encounter, a little drink, and some casual chat. There was no need to show off such a drinking session to the Master. A few small deeds were not worth mentioning. Just let it fade away with the wind.

Guo Zhujiu smiled and said, “We already drank. Chen Lingjun got along very well with True Man Pure Yang. He pulled him over for a drink on the ferry. The only shortcoming was that he didn’t know how to play the finger-guessing game. Even now, Chen Lingjun is still wondering whether Brother Lu didn’t know or didn’t want to. At that time, Chen Lingjun thought the atmosphere was good, so he asked if he was a fourteenth realm Great Cultivator. True Man Pure Yang smiled silently and just shook his head. Chen Lingjun immediately asked if he was an Ascended Realm cultivator. The Taoist’s expression was quite helpless. Before he could speak, Chen Lingjun asked if he was an Immortal. The Taoist shook his head again, and Chen Lingjun didn’t ask anymore. In the end, when he wanted to address him as a brother, that Pure Yang True Man didn’t agree.”

Chen Pingan turned to look at Chen Lingjun with a playful smile.
What a “before he could speak”! Always managing to skirt around the crucial points. Could this be considered a talent?

Chen Lingjun raised a hand high, his face stern, and said in a deep voice, “Master, say no more, I understand! I’ve remembered it, and guarantee this will be the last time!”

So, he kicked a steel plate again, huh? This sort of thing, he was familiar with it, habituated to it.

“The last time?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, and patted the azure-clad youth’s head. “Lingjun Grand-Uncle, are you regretting it? Otherwise, your seniority on the mountain would have risen again. After all, I have to call True Lord Chunyang a ‘senior’.”

The azure-clad youth shrank his neck, chuckled dryly, and quickly grasped the Old Master’s hand with both of his, shaking his arms to relax his muscles and bones.

Guo Zhujiu, while complaining, also explained the reason for this drinking bout to her Master with a mental voice. It turned out that Chen Lingjun felt that the Daoist priest’s gaze towards her was “improper,” furtive and suspicious, as if he had ulterior motives. Once they were at the table, Chen Lingjun was generally polite, and spoke highly of her Master.

Furthermore, when the Chunyang Daoist bid farewell to her and Chen Lingjun, he had reminded her with a mental voice, warning Guo Zhujiu not to easily reveal her brand-new natal flying sword.

Chen Ping’an said with surprised delight in a mental voice, “You already have a second natal flying sword?”

Guo Zhujiu grinned. “Over there in the Five Colors World, during a certain external journey, it was purely accidental, and I inexplicably obtained it.”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Reject arrogance and impetuosity, and continue your efforts.”

Guo Zhujiu shook her head. “That won’t do. If I don’t stick my tail up to the sky, I’d be letting down my Master.”

“Don’t learn to talk like Chen Lingjun.”

“It’s not a matter of who’s learning from whom, but mutual progress.”

“Master, is the strength in my hands okay?”

Chen Lingjun couldn’t hear the mental conversation between the Master and disciple, but he felt deeply aggrieved, continuing to hold the Old Master’s hand, and thus had to walk sideways like a crab, muttering in a low voice, “Isn’t this just me being used to ‘cautiously sailing for ten thousand years’? Having traveled the world for so long, I’m skilled at keeping an eye on all directions and listening to everything. Earlier, I noticed that Senior Chunyang on the ferry had looked at Guo Zhujiu a few more times, in the words of the books, ‘his eyes revealed appreciation’. I was worried he was a hypocrite, and that she had encountered a wicked person with malicious intent, so I wanted to help sound him out. Guo Zhujiu, you’re complaining to the Old Master, that’s so hurtful. Old Master, you’re not distinguishing right from wrong, I feel really bad inside.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled.

Ruan Qiong, Wei Bo, Cui Cheng, Lu Chen, Cui Chan, Chen Qingliu, Cave Master Bixiao, Dao Ancestor, Sage Master, Zheng Juzhong…

Picking any three names from this list to “provoke” would be a Heaven-sized difficulty that could cause someone to collapse.

Even if a Flying Ascension Realm cultivator were to pick with their eyes closed, their Dao Heart would still be unstable.

Relying on luck? Even with the best luck, if one selected the Military Saint Ruan Qiong and the North Mountain Monarch Wei Bo, one would still have to choose one more. What would they do then?

Not to mention that Chen Lingjun was only a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, no wonder his greatest ambition for so many years was to survive a punch without being killed.

Early on, when he had just followed Chen Ping’an to the small town, he had directly cursed Ruan Qiong in front of the blacksmith shop, calling him a shameless old geezer who dared to compete with his Master, and saying he would beat him half to death…

Later, he had patted a young Daoist’s shoulder, and more than once. Afterwards, the azure-clad youth replayed it in his mind and came to a conclusion, “How could I have known he was a Fourteenth Realm cultivator? It’s not my fault.”

As for Wei Bo, when his own Master wasn’t around, it was Mountain Monarch Wei, but when his Master was present, it was Old Brother Wei. He had been turned away at the Piyun Mountain early on, and was heartbroken. He spat on the ground whenever he mentioned the disloyal Wei Bo, twisting and turning with his toes, then squatting down to ask, “Brother Wei, what’s wrong with you? Why are you lying on the ground…”

Back when he had met State Preceptor Cui Chan, without recognizing his identity, the azure-clad youth had once uttered a harsh line, “If you want to see my Master, you’ll have to kill me first, and then step over my body.”

Among the new friends he had made in the Northern Entire Reed Continent, Bai Mang, Chen Zhuoliu, were actually the same person. As a result, when the one who had eaten a solid prison meal together, Bai Mang, was saying farewell, Chen Lingjun thought his good brother was slurring his words because he was drunk, and the then Golden Core Stage River-Taming Water Serpent jumped up and slapped the head of the Dragon Slayer.

When a young Daoist boy rode an ox from the east into the small town, Chen Lingjun just happened to catch sight of him, so he pressed down on the clouds, patted the ox’s horn, and said, “My mountain has plenty of grass.” “Hearing about food, it immediately became enlightened.”

In the end, the azure-clad youth even kindly suggested that the “Dao Ancestor” should change his name…

Hearing that the scholar dressed in white claimed to be a disciple of a friend, he recognized him as his junior… um, this junior, who was a generation lower, was Zheng Juzhong of White Emperor City.

That Chen Lingjun’s worldly experience had allowed him to continue to be lively and kicking was, in Zhu Lian’s words, that he had seen people with great fates, but never one with such a great fate. Chen Lingjun must have done so much good in his previous life, accumulated so much merit, that he could be so blessed and have such a great destiny in this life.

There were very few things that Zhu Lian couldn’t understand. In Chen Lingjun’s case, after thinking it over, it was indeed that good people have their own blessings, and that was the only possible explanation, otherwise it was unsolvable.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Actually, Cui Dongshan invited you to the Azure Canopy Sword Sect, but I refused him. When I boarded the ship, Cui Dongshan was still unwilling to give up, and even wanted to bargain, hoping I would change my mind and let you go to the Immortal Capital Mountain. I gave him a scolding.”

Chen Lingjun exclaimed in surprise, put his hands on his hips, and laughed heartily. He knew it, the White Goose wouldn’t forget Chen the Great, no matter who else he forgot.

Of course, Guo Zhujiu knew the truth, the Master was lying, but one believed it to be true, so although the matter was false, the happiness was real. A fool has a fool’s fortune.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Zhujiu, I made a bamboo trunk for you. Try it out later and see if it fits your back.”

Guo Zhujiu’s eyes lit up, and her expression was elated. “Good, extremely good, my little bamboo trunk, who has been toiling and traveling with me, finally has a residence to settle down in!”

Judging from her expression, she didn’t seem to be planning to return the little bamboo trunk to Senior Sister Pei for the time being.

Chen Lingjun glanced at Guo Zhujiu. Alas, she wouldn’t grow up, she was a simpleton.

Chen Ping’an turned his head and smiled, “Hongxia, Yunzi, let’s talk about something. We’ll chat as we walk.”

Water Drake Hongxia, dressed in yellow, stood tall and graceful. Having cultivated in the mountains for many years, she possessed the bearing of a recluse.

Her and Yunzi’s Daoist titles were both given by Cui Dongshan.

In Chen Ping’an’s view, just speaking of Hongxia’s appearance and temperament, she was not much inferior to Huang Yi Yun.
Chen Ping’an may be unassuming, but he’s no fool when it comes to appreciating a woman’s beauty.

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “This trip to Tongye Continent won’t be a matter of a few years to return to Luopo Mountain. I estimate it’ll be anywhere from seven or eight years to a dozen or even twenty. But rest assured, your efforts won’t be in vain. For example, here at Hongxia, the Green Pod Sword Sect will help you exchange merits for a spot to ‘Walk the Du’ in the future. Even if the merits aren’t enough, Cui Dongshan can help make up the difference. As for Yunzi, Cui Dongshan also has arrangements for her.”

Hongxia softly said, “Mountain Master, I’ve actually saved up some of my own fortune.”

She had been cultivating her spirit in seclusion at Yellow Lake Mountain for a very long time, almost becoming one of the five greatest opportunities in the former Li Zhu Grotto-Heaven. It’s clear how exceptional Hongxia’s aptitude for cultivation is.

According to Cui Dongshan, as long as Hongxia cultivates diligently and doesn’t cause trouble, reaching the Immortal Realm shouldn’t be too difficult.

Ping’an chuckled, “Firstly, ‘Walking the Du’ is a grand affair, whether it’s the Qi Ferry in Bao Ping Continent or the new Grand Du in Tongye Continent, it’s not something that can be accomplished with money alone. Secondly, this is official business, there’s no reason for you to dip into your own pockets. Besides, once you reach the Upper Five Realms, if you want to establish your own sect, you’ll need money for countless things. There will always be things you haven’t thought of that will empty your coffers. Saving up is always a good thing.”

When spirits walk the rivers, they transform into dragons, especially when trying to succeed in ‘Walking the Du’. The obstacles are never just the dangers of the process, but also what lies outside the Grand Du.

Take the Ji Du in Northern Ju Lu Continent, for example. It has a long history and three Water Wardens. However, after the Dragon Slaying Campaign, before Chen Lingjun successfully transformed into a dragon and reached the Nascent Soul Realm, there hadn’t been a single instance of a water-based creature successfully ‘Walking the River’ in the history of the continent. The reason lies in the fact that along the Grand Du, not a single dynasty, immortal mansion, not even the Great Source Chongxuan Bureau’s Cloud Palace, Floating Duckweed Sword Lake, or Water Dragon Sect, dared to guarantee a water creature’s smooth passage during the ‘Du Walk’. It’s very difficult to avoid being deliberately hindered by other forces. The entire Grand Du’s water transport is essentially cut into segments. The most crucial thing is that water creatures ‘Walking the River’, especially dragons ‘Walking the Du’, will take a considerable portion of the water transport for their own use, before returning the Grand Du’s water transport to the sea.

Moreover, creatures that ‘Walk the Waters’, regardless of their origins, have a natural inclination to summon clouds and make rain, easily causing storms and floods. If the dynasties and kingdoms along the way are unable or unwilling to stop them, the floods become a “natural disaster”. But if there are early arrangements, the Qi Refiners responsible for cleaning up the mess will have to expend a large amount of their own spiritual energy. And where does the spiritual energy that cultivators accumulate ultimately come from but immortal coins? Moreover, this kind of loss is not only a substantial sum of immortal coins, but also involves the fate of the nation and the fortunes of its mountains and rivers.

In fact, the Grand Dus of the Nine Continents of Haoran are all in similar situations, making it extremely difficult for water creatures, especially water dragons, to improve their cultivation through ‘Walking the Water’. But now there is an exception, which is the Qi Ferry of Bao Ping Continent, completely controlled by the Dali Dynasty. Therefore, it is said that now, the descendants of dragons and water immortals in the continent are lining up, pulling strings everywhere, and eagerly awaiting the invaluable “Letter of Passage” issued by the Dali Ministry of Rites. In addition, the Dali capital and the secondary capital have begun to create nine Taoist temples and water mansions, which can be used for Golden Core Earth Immortals who practice water magic to cultivate in seclusion, with the hope of creating nine brand-new Nascent Soul Realm experts.

Therefore, in Tongye Continent, the Qi Refiners who are most eager for a brand new Grand Du to appear out of thin air are, of course, those water spirits and monsters of rivers and lakes who hope to improve their cultivation through ‘Walking the River’.

Just like Kou Xuanqu, the “East Sea Woman” near Pu Mountain, sought out the Biyou Palace of the Buried River, as she was “borrowing the waterway” from the Water God Liu Rou.

Now, gods, humans, ghosts, and immortals, all exist in the world. Where is not a Jianghu?

Just looking at one of the letters in the bamboo basket, there was one from Cao Yong, the Grand Du Linli Earl who came from old Qiantang, asking Chen Ping’an to help his water mansion obtain an additional ‘Du Walk’ spot from the Dali Dynasty. Cao Yong spoke directly, saying that the Linli Earl’s Mansion had a designated spot, but it had already been given away. However, they needed another one, and it seemed that Marquis Changchun, Yang Hua, did not intend to use that spot. So he wondered if Mountain Master Chen could help, first by speaking to Yang Hua, so that the Marquis Changchun’s Mansion could transfer the spot to the Linli Earl’s Mansion. He believed that the Dali Dynasty would not hinder it. As long as Mountain Master Chen was willing to act as a go-between, there would be generous rewards after the matter was completed.

Hongxia enjoys the secluded cultivation of the dojo, nurturing her spirit. She doesn’t suspect that Mountain Master is testing her intentions. If it were Cui Dongshan asking, she would probably be frightened and racking her brains to figure out how to express her loyalty at this moment.

So Hongxia just calmly said, “Mountain Master, I have never had the idea of establishing my own sect. I know my limitations. In this life, I am only suitable for cultivating alone, relying on the slow and steady approach of refining with water, bit by bit increasing my cultivation. I am not fit to be a founding patriarch. Let alone a sect, even a small hill with only a few dozen people, I am destined to not be a good founding patriarch. So staying at Luopo Mountain for a long time, encountering such things, being able to do something for the sect, and then returning to the dojo to continue cultivating, is the most suitable choice for me.”

Chen Ping’an hesitated for a moment, “Luopo Mountain already has Xiaomili as the Right Protector. You may have guessed that I intend to have Chen Lingjun as the Left Protector. In this way, there cannot be any more mountain-protecting offerings. So even if you reach the Jade Purity Realm in Luopo Mountain, or even achieve a higher level of Great Dao in the future… in terms of identity, Luopo Mountain cannot give you any more.”

Hongxia smiled slightly, “I guess only Immortal Jingqing himself hasn’t realized this.”

With the Mountain Master, Hongxia is not so restrained.

But in the Jise Peak Ancestral Hall, or on the Zushan Jiling Peak, she can’t help but be nervous. It’s no wonder Hongxia, in Luopo Mountain, everyone is either a Sword Immortal or a Martial Arts Grandmaster. What is a Nascent Soul Realm Qi Refiner?

In the words of her current close friend, Pei Xiang, the most awkward thing about them is that they are both at the Nascent Soul Realm, and it’s not as easy and comfortable as Xiaomili’s Cave Realm. This Earth Immortal Realm is neither high nor low, just the realm that people laugh at.

Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but smile, “So if you are willing, I can make a suggestion to Cui Dongshan, and you and Offering Qiu can serve as the Green Pod Sword Sect’s mountain-protecting offerings together.”
Offering tribute to the Azure Float Sword Sect is one thing, while that student of theirs, Cui Dongshan, digging at our foundation is quite another.

Hongxia’s expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly shook her head, “Mountain Lord, I appreciate the sentiment, but I’d rather stay here than ever serve under Sect Master Cui.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “It seems Sect Master Cui’s reputation is somewhat tarnished.”

Hongxia smiled knowingly, remaining silent, neither agreeing nor denying.

The Mountain Lord wouldn’t gossip carelessly, and these conversations wouldn’t reach Sect Master Cui’s ears.

Chen Ping’an beckoned towards Chen Lingjun.

The green-robed young boy immediately strode over, sleeves billowing.

Chen Lingjun finally seized a golden opportunity to lecture someone, clearing his throat and speaking with earnest sincerity, “Yunzi, it’s not the same as here, where I’m watching over you. When you get to the Azure Float Sword Sect, your cultivation isn’t high, you’re in new territory, and you’ll need to interact with outsiders often. Remember to temper your temper, be kind to people when you’re out, make friends, and don’t bully others. Don’t snarl at people over every little thing, be generous, or you’ll ruin the reputation of our Fallen Mountain. If the Old Master doesn’t discipline you, I will! You must learn from me, smile at everyone, and you’ll find friends everywhere. Remember, remember!”

Yunzi nodded silently.

Probably, throughout Fallen Mountain, only Yunzi firmly believed that this Ancestor Lingjun was truly capable, even admiring him from the bottom of his heart.

Chen Lingjun clasped his hands behind his back, nodding, and turned to look at Hongxia, “Hongxia, you’ve grown into a fine young woman. But be careful, the outside world isn’t as pure as here. You especially need to watch out for those seemingly well-mannered, promising disciples from prominent families. Don’t be swayed by cheap sweet talk and fall head over heels for those embroidered pillows. Forget it, forget it, daughters are destined to leave home, you probably won’t listen now. It doesn’t matter, I’ll speak with Chief Mi later and have him keep an eye out. But, if you truly find a suitable and desirable dao companion, don’t be too reserved. Women chasing men is easy, and you’re not bad-looking. As long as they’re not blind, you’ll have them in the bag.”

“Yunzi is just a rough fellow, so I need to tell him not to cause trouble, and to endure if possible. You’re different, don’t be afraid of causing trouble. You have me and Chief Mi to back you up.”

The green-robed young boy acted like an old father, imparting wisdom to his two children who were about to travel far, repeatedly urging them.

Hongxia smiled and remained silent.

Patiently waiting for Chen Lingjun to finish his nagging, Chen Ping’an then smiled and took out two celadon water droppers from his sleeve, “Consider these parting gifts. I wish you success, everything goes smoothly, and return soon. These two gifts are of similar quality, choose whichever catches your eye.”

They were all obtained by Chen Ping’an from the Water Dragon Sect. Sun Jie from the Northern Sect had gifted a pair of bellowing fish, and Shao Jingzhi from the Southern Sect had given a midge, also known as a “little ink dragon.”

However, the two goose-yellow and lotus-green inkstones were personally matched by Chen Ping’an. This state had the most porcelain anyway, and Chen Ping’an was an expert, so his taste was naturally excellent, and he selected old semi-official kiln pieces.

Chen Lingjun craned his neck, very envious, and winked at Yunzi, hinting that he should be perceptive, accept them generously first, and then secretly let him play with them for a couple of days.

Unexpectedly, Yunzi, that blockhead, simply nodded straightforwardly, “Fellow Daoist Jingqing, I understand.”

Chen Lingjun was stunned, you understand, but understanding in your heart is enough!

As expected, he immediately received a flick on the forehead, causing Chen Lingjun to clutch his head.

Afterwards, the wind-鸢 ferry docked, and the Fallen Mountain Law Enforcer Chang Ming, Spring Palace Wei Wenlong and his party disembarked.

Hongxia, Yunzi, and the young maiden Cui Huasheng, bid farewell to Mountain Lord Chen Ping’an with their respective salutes.

On a moonlit night, the sable-hatted maiden, who had strolled all the way to the mountaintop, saw a delicate maiden with an inkstone hanging from her waist, sitting alone on the railing, gently patting it and gazing into the distance.

Oh, a little girl, not very old, not very highly cultivated, but with a natal flying sword, she’s somewhat interesting.

Could this seemingly unremarkable little girl really deal with Pei Qian, who was already a martial artist at the pinnacle?

Xie Gou tapped her toes, leaping onto the railing, arms crossed, looking ahead, and casually said, “Hey, whatcha thinking about?”

“Hey, whatcha thinking about?”

Xie Gou was stunned, “Why are you copying me?”

“Why are you copying me?”

“Little girl, are you crazy? Be careful, or I’ll get rough with you!”

“Little girl, are you crazy? Be careful, or I’ll get rough with you!”

“I’m an idiot!”

But that maiden no longer parroted, but turned and gave Xie Gou a thumbs up.

Xie Gou rubbed her chin, how could this little girl be so unlovable?

Guo Zhujiu said, “My master said you’ve been cultivating for over ten thousand years, and you still haven’t gotten married, you old maid.”

Xie Gou was momentarily speechless, muttering, “You don’t know anything.”

“You don’t know anything.”

“Guo Zhujiu, if you keep doing this, I’ll get rough with you.”

“Oh.”

Xie Gou sneered, finally stopped copying me.

But then that maiden began repeating, “My master said you’ve been cultivating for over ten thousand years, and you still haven’t gotten married, you old maid.”

Xie Gou felt a little stifled, she couldn’t hit her, after all, she was Chen Ping’an’s direct disciple, and now, in the records, she was practically a closed-door disciple.

Scold… it seemed she couldn’t out-scold her either.

If it was just a shrewish rant, Xie Gou had learned some tricks in the small town, but the problem was that this little girl named Guo Zhujiu had a very strange mind and way of thinking.

Xie Gou was afraid that she would scold for a long time, and then the little girl wouldn’t say a word in response, and just give her a thumbs up. Xie Gou felt that she could suppress internal injuries.

Guo Zhujiu sincerely consoled, “It’s nothing, most of the old maids around me are unmarried.”

Xie Gou sat down, not wanting to chat with Guo Zhujiu, but now that she was here, she couldn’t just leave, or she would lose face.

Guo Zhujiu took out a bamboo flute from her sleeve.

An unknown tune, the flute sound ethereal and melodious.

In the empty surroundings, the moon was especially bright.

In the loneliness of heaven and earth, the flute sound was particularly clear.

“It’s quite pleasant, like a crane crying in the blue sky, a dragon roaring beyond the clouds, the sound in the courtyard.”

Xie Gou waited for Guo Zhujiu to put away the bamboo flute, first commenting and praising her to ease the relationship, and then casually asked, “Missing home?”
Guo Zhujiu replied irrelevantly, “At the Summer Palace, Master said a scholar once stated that collating books can prolong the life of ancient texts.”

Xie Gou nodded, “Collating books is to correct errors. The principles within and without books are interconnected. Your Master’s words have a certain profound meaning.”

Guo Zhujiu exclaimed in surprise and turned his head in astonishment, “How could Master deceive people? You’re not a fool. I almost thought we wouldn’t have anything in common.”

If he had only heard the first half of the sentence, Xie Gou would have wanted to kill someone. However, adding the second half, Xie Gou was momentarily at a loss for words.

(Note 1: Yesterday, I mistakenly wrote that Zhu Lian was in the Distant Excursion Realm.)