In the first month of the sixth year of the Chunping era, Chuzhou was drenched in a torrential downpour. At noon, the world remained as dark as night. Suddenly, the thunder and rain ceased, and after the storm, the mountains were washed clean, revealing their verdant hues. A warm spring day dawned, and orioles and sparrows flitted among the branches, scattering raindrops in the gentle breeze.

Chen Ping’an had already lent the boxing manual gifted by the Konghou to Zhu Lian for his perusal.

Since they had agreed to a martial arts exchange in the capital of the Nanyuan Kingdom, they would engage in a genuine, no-holds-barred contest.

Shao Yunyan and Madame Tuoyan, who had been traveling the lands of the Precious Bottle Continent, were about to jointly visit Luopo Mountain.

Having received advance notice of their arrival date via flying sword, Chen Ping’an, accompanied by Wei Wenlong, awaited them at the mountain gate, enjoying tea.

Wei Bo materialized out of thin air near the gate, his presence dignified and refined, his bearing clear and upright. Dressed in a snow-white robe, his divine form was as lofty and pure as a jade mountain.

Sitting down at the table, Wei Bo poured himself a cup of tea and said, “Your two guests have already reached Huaihuang County.”

Chen Ping’an chuckled, “Is it truly necessary for Lord Wei to personally inform me of such trivial matters? If you were truly sincere, you would have assisted in welcoming them at the town. Now, that would be considered giving face.”

Wei Bo remained silent, merely offering a word of thanks before returning to his Mountain Lord’s residence, not wanting to impede Chen Mountain Lord’s reception of guests.

This was because the Pure Yang True Man, who had visited Luopo Mountain a few days prior, had previously displayed his great divine powers, shrinking mountains and rivers, and taking a single step that led straight to the northernmost part of the Precious Bottle Continent. He seemed poised to cross the sea and travel north to Julu Continent. However, for reasons unknown, the True Man had returned to the northern peak region and arrived at Luopo Mountain’s affiliated peak, known as Yuanmu Peak. There, Lü Yan, with a gourd ladle in one hand, drinking wine, and a sword-drawing gesture in the other, carved a Daoist poem on the winding mountain wall of ancient pines and old vines that resembled a giant salamander. Wei Bo, alerted by Chen Ping’an’s mental suggestion, immediately rushed to Yuanmu Peak. Taking advantage of the Pure Yang True Man’s burst of poetic inspiration, he tactfully invited him to “imitate the gourd” on his own Piyun Mountain and inscribe a placard there as well. Even if it wasn’t a complete poem, a placard with one or two characters would suffice. Lü Yan, likely out of regard for Chen Mountain Lord, did not refuse. He indeed followed Wei Bo to Piyun Mountain, where the mountain peaks were still covered in snow. Lü Yan generously offered his “ink brush” and, after a moment’s consideration, inscribed a phrase of praise, like a preface to a poem.

“Carrying wine to assault the mountain, snow blowing on a drunken face, in my life I have seen countless mountains, but Piyun is my first concern.”

Piyun Mountain was, after all, a “new peak.” When it came to cliff carvings, it was truly lacking. Among the Five Peaks of the Precious Bottle Continent, it was probably only slightly better than Fan Junmao’s Southern Peak.

With such a Daoist-filled inscription on his own mountain, Wei Bo felt that Jin Qing’s Central Peak was… provincial.

After finishing his tea, Wei Bo laughed, “In the future, if there are similar good opportunities, remember to include Piyun Mountain.”

Chen Ping’an agreed, and Wei Bo hurriedly refilled the Mountain Lord’s cup, then departed in high spirits and with satisfaction.

Wei Wenlong maintained a tense expression, frequently glancing towards the mountain path.

Chen Ping’an found it amusing because his own God of Wealth, Master Wei, seemed nervous, drinking tea as if using alcohol to calm his nerves.

Coming on foot from the mountain path, they met at the mountain gate. Shao Yunyan and Madame Tuoyan both habitually addressed Chen Ping’an as Hidden Official.

The God of Wealth of Luopo Mountain, the head of the Quan Office, Wei Wenlong, with a solemn expression, bowed his head and clasped his fists to Shao Yunyan, saying, “Disciple Wei Wenlong greets Master.”

Shao Yunyan merely nodded in acknowledgment. Among the direct disciples of the Chunfan Studio, Shao Yunyan had never been optimistic about Wei Wenlong, this disciple who only enjoyed arithmetic.

It wasn’t that Shao Yunyan was unaffectionate towards Wei Wenlong, but after all, Shao Yunyan had only a few direct disciples. However, it also wasn’t as if the master and disciple were particularly close.

Furthermore, Wei Wenlong had been a quiet, taciturn person since childhood, and Shao Yunyan had never been a kind and approachable teacher or grandmaster within the Chunfan Studio.

Shao Yunyan turned to Chen Ping’an and asked, “Hidden Official, in Luopo Mountain, where does Wei Wenlong rank in the Ancestral Hall?”

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Ahead of him are only me, the Law Enforcer Chang Ming, and the Chief Consecrator Zhou Fei. So Wei Wenlong is the fourth in command of Luopo Mountain.”

In general, sects would have several ancestral masters who were older and of higher generation, mostly given honorary titles. Although they had no real power, their positions in the Ancestral Hall were still very high. If they were one or two realms higher than the current sect leader, their seat might even be second only to the sect leader, with the position of the sect’s Law Enforcing cultivator relegated.

Shao Yunyan smiled, “I never felt anything before, but standing at the foot of Luopo Mountain, it feels genuinely good.”

Wei Wenlong blushed and smiled shyly.

Sensing his master’s gaze, Wei Wenlong immediately straightened his face and suppressed his smile.

Chen Ping’an complained, “Sword Immortal Shao, I must remind you, Master Wei is a prominent figure in our Luopo Mountain. Be polite and don’t always act like a stern master, frowning all the time.”

Shao Yunyan didn’t argue with the Hidden Official, “Wenlong, your Mountain Lord is criticizing me. What do you think? Should I force a smile?”

Wei Wenlong anxiously replied, “No, no, Master is the same as always, that’s good.”

But when Master Wei turned to speak with Chen Ping’an, he immediately became fearless, saying with a natural demeanor, “Mountain Lord, Master has always been like this, cold on the outside but warm on the inside. There’s no need for Master to deliberately change. I would only feel uncomfortable.”

Chen Ping’an and Shao Yunyan exchanged amused glances.

Madame Tuoyan secretly pouted. Back in Upside-Down Mountain, she truly couldn’t have foreseen that the Chunfan Studio’s dimwit accountant would have today’s opportunities and achievements. Comparing people is truly infuriating.

This Madame Tuoyan was now named Mei Shou, with the Daoist name Master of Plum Blossoms.

At the Qingmei Temple in Nantang Lake, she had consumed one hundred and twenty years of her Daoist cultivation, ultimately exaggerating it to one hundred and fifty years.

While traveling through the now-dynasty-changed Rain Dragon Sect, Shao Yunyan received an invitation from the Sect Master, Nalan Caihuan. Madame Tuoyan, due to her past good relationship with Shui Jinggong’s Yun Qian, was now also a nominal guest elder of the Rain Dragon Sect.

The Hidden Official finally seemed to notice the second guest.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Madame Tuoyan and said with a smile, “Traveling the world, being kind to others is always a good thing.”

Madame Tuoyan’s smile was awkward, and she cursed inwardly.

Hidden Official, you really need to fix this habit of acting like a teacher all the time.

Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes, seemingly seeing through her thoughts, “So, should I fix it?”
The Crimson-Cheeked Matron feigned ignorance, but Chen Ping’an didn’t mind. He chuckled, “Nalan Caihuan is still the same, always saying that discussing money hurts feelings, and won’t even give you your due stipends.”

The host and guests ascended the mountain together, and they happened to encounter Cen Yuanji practicing boxing and descending.

She exchanged a glance with Mountain Master Chen, and Chen Ping’an smiled and gently shook his head, signaling her not to stop and speak.

The Crimson-Cheeked Matron asked telepathically, “What is she doing?”

Chen Ping’an was too lazy to answer such a question. Although he had already sent a flying sword message to Shao Yunyan, Chen Ping’an spoke to the Crimson-Cheeked Matron once more about the invitation from the Nine Difficulties Mountain Divine Sovereign, “Azurewood.” At the same time, he chatted with her about the customs and culture of Nine Difficulties Mountain. After all, some things, especially those involving inside information, would not be publicized in the Mountain and Water Gazette. The Central Earth Gazette’s refusal to discuss matters of the Five Peaks was almost a convention, with exceptions only occasionally.

This made the Crimson-Cheeked Matron quite pleased. Being personally invited as a guest by a Mountain Lord of the Five Peaks of the Central Earth might not be too rare, but it was definitely not common.

Chen Ping’an asked, “Are you going directly back to the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect next?”

Shao Yunyan shook his head and said, “We’ll continue traveling north and return to our hometown.”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “It’s time to go back and take a look.”

Shao Yunyan, a Sword Immortal who had been away from his hometown for many years, was actually from the Northern Ju Continent.

Back then, Liu Jinglong had visited the Spring Pennant House with his disciple, Bai Shou, and also a female cultivator, Lu Sui, the direct disciple of the Water Scripture Mountain Sect Master, who was deeply in love with Liu Jinglong.

During that visit, Liu Jinglong helped his disciple reserve a Spring Pennant House sword-nourishing gourd. Shao Yunyan had actually offered a very fair price, but it made Bai Shou break out in a cold sweat.

That gourd vine, a well-deserved congenital treasure of the mountain, had produced fourteen gourds, but according to Shao Yunyan’s deductions, only seven gourds could eventually be successfully refined into high-grade sword-nourishing gourds. From obtaining a gourd vine to the “fruit ripening,” Shao Yunyan had waited nearly a thousand years. The construction of the Spring Pennant House was to cultivate this treasure.

The reason why Liu Jinglong was able to reserve one of them was because one of the seven people was unable to purchase it as agreed, so the Spring Pennant House had an extra slot, which Liu Jinglong had luckily snatched.

The ground floor of the bamboo building was small and not suitable for entertaining guests, so Chen Ping’an led the two guests to a temporarily vacant residence on Gathering Spirit Peak.

After everyone was seated, Chen Ping’an took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Shao Yunyan, which listed a series of names and items.

Shao Yunyan carefully browsed it, and Chen Ping’an said, “Price is not an issue. As long as the other party is willing to talk, you just need to agree on my behalf.”

Shao Yunyan immediately saw the clue and asked in confusion, “What do you need these literary fortunes for?”

On the list, besides the literary fortune sweet flag from Nine Difficulties Mountain, there were also many great mountains and high-ranking cultivators from Central Earth, Northern Ju Continent, and Southern娑婆洲. However, most of the sects on it were familiar to Shao Yunyan. Regarding the six cultivators who purchased the sword-nourishing gourds, Shao Yunyan had not hidden anything from Chen Ping’an back then, as there was nothing to hide. As one of the four private residences in the Upside-Down Mountain, the Spring Pennant House actually had more connections on the mountain than the Ape Fondling Mansion of the Liu clan in the Snowy Continent, the Crimson-Cheeked Matron’s Plum Garden, and the Water Crystal Palace of the Rain Dragon Sect.

Originally leaning lazily against the back of the chair, the Crimson-Cheeked Matron was immediately intrigued when she heard the words “literary fortune.” She became energetic. Could it be that this Hidden Official was planning to use his status as a closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage as a stepping stone, intending to become a Wine Officer in the Literary Temple Academy in the future, or even the… Deputy Hierarch?!

Shao Yunyan said, “Even with these external aids, she still needs to pass through the waterfall.”

Chen Ping’an smiled and said, “Don’t worry about that. This mountain man has his own clever plans.”

Liu Xianyang had once gifted Chen Ping’an a page-turning wind, which Chen Ping’an had initially given to Chen NuanShu. As a result, he discovered that when it came to Cao Qinglang, Cao Qinglang主动 Mentioned this matter with a helpless expression. Chen Ping’an told him not to overthink it and just keep it.

After all, once Xiao Nuanshu insisted, there was nothing Cao Qinglang could do, nor could the Old Chef, and neither could Chen Ping’an.

Shao Yunyan thought for a while, “I have some connections, indirectly, with these mountain gates and cultivators, but the items on your list are not about price, and none of the sects on the list are short of money, so my connections may not be useful. Can I use your name?”

Chen Ping’an nodded and said, “No problem. Whatever you wish, Great Sword Immortal Shao. I am only responsible for paying the bill. If the other party doesn’t want to accept money and wants to exchange goods or make some non-monetary requests, for example, if the other party wants me to attend a ceremony or ask for a seal, that’s fine too. You can agree to it for me.”

Shao Yunyan looked at Chen Ping’an, a little curious about what kind of deity this “Nuanshu” was.

The Crimson-Cheeked Matron also stared blankly at the young Hidden Official.

She felt a pang of envy in her heart. Why did she always suffer setbacks and feel wronged around the Hidden Official? That literary fortune fire python, who was only in the Dragon Gate realm, was such a… priceless treasure?

Chen Ping’an suddenly coughed, reminding the two not to discuss this matter for the time being.

Soon, a girl in a pink dress brought a plate of melons, fruits, and pastries. She knocked gently on the door, saw the Master smile and nod, stepped over the threshold, placed the plate on the table, gave a bow to the two distinguished guests, announced her name in a clear voice, and then Nuanshu was about to leave.

The Crimson-Cheeked Matron glanced at the girl in the pink dress, whom the young Hidden Official had described as the manager of the Fallen Peak. She was actually a little girl with a pink and jade-like face, looking quite lovely.

Chen Ping’an picked up an orange from the plate and handed it over with a smile. Chen Nuanshu smiled shyly, shook her head gently, and said softly, “If Master has any instructions, just let me know. Nuanshu will be waiting in the courtyard outside.”

Chen Ping’an didn’t insist, smiled, and nodded.

After the girl in the pink dress left the room, Shao Yunyan smiled and said, “After a thousand years, my main reason for returning home this time is to visit Water Scripture Mountain.”
Chen Ping’an nodded, “It is indeed time to visit and catch up.”

Back then, Shao Yunyan had Liu Jinglong escort Lu Sui, delivering that gourd vine of immortal artifact rank to Water Scripture Mountain in Northern Entirety Continent. Such a matter, once leaked, could easily lead to disaster. If Liu Jinglong hadn’t been a Jade Purity Realm swordsman and his sect hadn’t possessed deep foundations in the Northern Entirety Continent as the Grand Empyrean Sword Sect, Shao Yunyan wouldn’t have dared to broach the subject. A single misstep could harm not only himself but also others, losing the treasured item and causing a heaven-blessed sword cultivator’s path to be cut short. After all, wealth stirs the hearts of men, especially such a priceless gourd vine, knowing that in the next millennium, it could potentially birth a new series of “Sword Nourishing Gourds.”

Shao Yunyan tentatively asked, “Regarding Sect Master Liu and Lu Sui? Could Honorary Grand Master assist in bringing them together?”

Chen Ping’an was struck with a headache, helplessly saying, “Sword Immortal Shao, Grand Sword Immortal Shao! How can I, an outsider, possibly interfere in such matters?”

Besides, wasn’t Sun Qing, the Matron of Motley Sparrow Abode, also one of Grand Wine Immortal Liu’s admirers?

Shao Yunyan sighed. Lu Sui and Liu Jinglong of the Grand Empyrean Sword Sect, Lu Sui’s master and himself—their situations were so similar, all suffering from unrequited love.

This gourd vine was obtained by Shao Yunyan and Lu Sui’s master together in a secret realm of a shattered grotto-heaven in their younger days. She had contributed more to its acquisition, yet she selflessly gifted the treasure to Shao Yunyan. They were supposed to become a pair of cultivation partners, but due to various reasons and complications, they ultimately failed to become a loving couple. Shao Yunyan was also concerned that he wouldn’t be able to protect this mountain treasure, the gourd vine, in the Northern Entirety Continent, so he traveled alone to Upside-Down Mountain.

Therefore, after meeting Lu Sui, Shao Yunyan regarded her as his own daughter.

Chen Ping’an curiously asked, “What was the ‘result’?”

Madame Rouge Cheek reached for a mandarin orange, casually tossing the peels on the ground a few times, glancing at the young Honorary Grand Master from the corner of her eye. She immediately stooped down to pick up the peels, sitting upright, placing the peels on her lap.

Shao Yunyan nodded and smiled, “The result is better than expected. It can definitely be refined into Sword Nourishing Gourds. There are eight of them. I can’t say for sure they’ll all succeed, but there’s a good chance. There’s also one gourd in particular. Once it’s refined into a Sword Nourishing Gourd, its quality will be the best. However, no one dares to gamble on it, because I’m asking a very high price, even higher than the other seven Sword Nourishing Gourds. To be honest, I did it on purpose. I didn’t intend to sell it.”

“Are you planning to give it to me?”

Chen Ping’an’s eyes lit up. He said in a deep voice, “As a congratulatory gift for establishing a lower sect for our Fallen Phoenix Mountain, it’s too valuable. It’s not very appropriate. But if Sword Immortal Shao insists, then I have no choice but to accept it with gratitude.”

Madame Rouge Cheek smiled.

Shao Yunyan said, “If Honorary Grand Master is willing to speak up and bring them together, I’ll give away that unexpected Sword Nourishing Gourd and gift this gourd to Fallen Phoenix Mountain for free!”

Upon hearing this, Madame Rouge Cheek’s heart trembled slightly. *Shao Yunyan, you’re really going all out.*

Chen Ping’an waved his hand with a smile, “Forget it, forget it. If I dared to say something, Wine Immortal Liu would definitely break off our friendship.”

Shao Yunyan suddenly hesitated.

Chen Ping’an asked with a smile, “Could it be that Bai Chang is well-informed and asked you for that eighth Sword Nourishing Gourd before going into seclusion?”

Shao Yunyan nodded.

Chen Ping’an said, “Then don’t hesitate, sell it. Why wouldn’t you sell it? Charge as much as you can.”

Shao Yunyan breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping’an smiled, “Business is business. There’s no need to be coy about such matters.”

Shao Yunyan felt relieved.

Chen Ping’an suddenly asked, “That gourd that might end up being a loss, not counting the exorbitant price you’re asking, what would the price be if a friend wanted to buy it from you?”

Shao Yunyan held up one finger.

Chen Ping’an was speechless. A friend buying it would still cost a thousand Grain Rain Coins?!

*Sword Immortal Shao, you’re not doing business, you’re robbing people.*

Madame Rouge Cheek said, “On the way here, I already discussed it with Shao Yunyan. If Honorary Grand Master doesn’t buy it, I’ll pay for it and give it to Mister Lu, as a congratulatory gift for her reaching the Ascension Realm.”

Chen Ping’an nodded, “That’s thoughtful of you.”

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Ping’an tentatively said, “Sword Immortal Shao, we’re all family here. A thousand Grain Rain Coins is a bit much, isn’t it? Five hundred seems more reasonable. After all, it’s a gamble. Losing the gamble means the money is gone, a full five hundred Grain Rain Coins. It’s hard to let go of this useless gourd, but looking at it is just distressing. Five hundred…”

Shao Yunyan didn’t bother to haggle, asking with a smile, “Honorary Grand Master, are you really not buying it?”

Chen Ping’an was indeed conflicted, scratching his head. “If it weren’t for the Great Thoroughfare project, I would grit my teeth and buy it. But right now, I’m truly poor.”

There were actually many people he could give it to, but Chen Ping’an had no confidence in his “luck.”

If it failed to become a Sword Nourishing Gourd, and if Liu Xianyang happened to hear about it, Chen Ping’an could completely imagine being chased and cursed by Liu Xianyang, being strangled and having his head pushed down, being asked why, since he was so rich, he didn’t just give him the money.

Chen Ping’an glanced at Madame Rouge Cheek, who seemed indifferent, and waved his hand, indicating that he wasn’t buying it. At the same time, he used a mental message to say something to Shao Yunyan.

Madame Rouge Cheek’s eyes burned with passion, still saying cautiously, “Shao Yunyan?”

Shao Yunyan smiled, “It’s yours.”

Only at this moment did Madame Rouge Cheek couldn’t help but laugh.

Chen Ping’an twitched his lips. “What? Did spending only a hundred Grain Rain Coins make Madame Rouge Cheek so happy?”

Madame Rouge Cheek was immediately speechless.

Shao Yunyan smiled knowingly. *Could this be considered a gentleman helping others to achieve their goals?* Just now, Chen Ping’an had already guessed that the reason he didn’t intercept was probably still because of that “thoughtful of you,” after all, Madame Rouge Cheek wasn’t keeping it for herself, but giving it to Lu Zhi.

Chen Ping’an turned to look towards the entrance, saying, “Nuan Shu, help us brew some tea. Use the wild mountain tea stir-fried by the old cook.”

The girl in the pink dress hurried into the room, going to the cabinet to take out the tea set, skillfully starting to brew tea. Chen Ping’an introduced with a smile, “This Sword Immortal Shao is the former owner of Spring Banner Study on Upside-Down Mountain. Madame Rouge Cheek, also known as Plum Blossom Master, both of them are Ancestral Hall Offerings of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect in South Dhritarashtra Continent.”

“Chen Ruchu, also known as Nuan Shu, is our little housekeeper at Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Nuan Shu was the first to come with me to the ancestral home in Locust Yellow County.”

Saying this, Chen Ping’an’s eyes were gentle. “She was the first.”
As for that esteemed Master Jing Qing, he can wait his turn, taking the second spot for now.

Life is beautiful, like a first encounter with a breathtaking vista. And how beautiful must that vista be!

Upon hearing this, Nuan Shu looked up, her eyes soft with a gentle smile.

Beside the Phosphorous River, a thatched hut stood, a humble stall set up before it, upon which sat three wine bowls.

A young man in white robes squatted by the riverbank, a blade of grass dangling from his lips, his eyes unfocused. He tossed a smooth pebble into the air, catching it again and again.

Two figures arrived as arranged, still two *li* distant from the stall. One was a scholar-like man in a long robe, slender and tall, named Yu Lu, a warrior of the Distant Excursion Realm. He carried a bamboo box on his back and a green bamboo staff in his hand.

The other was Xie Xie, currently struggling at the bottleneck of the Golden Core Realm.

Yu Lu turned to look at the Phosphorous River, a sense of familiarity washing over him. It was an excellent place for fishing. He accompanied Xie Xie along the river for less than half an hour and already identified three prime fishing spots.

As to why they hadn’t simply flown on the wind to the hut, it was naturally because Xie Xie needed to stabilize her Dao heart. After all, she was here to meet Cui Dongshan, and might even become his disciple.

That she could persist without turning tail and fleeing, putting as much distance as possible between herself and Cui Dongshan, made Yu Lu think that Xie Xie had truly cultivated her mind well over the years.

To ease Xie Xie’s mind, Yu Lu deliberately struck up a conversation, laughing, “Even an idiot knows that this Phosphorous River, connected to the Western Sea of an entire continent, along with its major tributaries, stretching for tens of thousands of *li*, is a treasure trove perfect for building immortal docks. But the problem is, when everyone, even idiots, knows a venture can make money, it’s almost certainly a trap.”

Xie Xie managed a forced smile, her spirit absent. She had no interest in calculating the merits of a mere Phosphorous River.

As Yu Lu said, it was indeed the case. Previously, near the source, midstream, and mouth of the Phosphorous River, in the central region of the Tongye Continent, various forces had banded together, pooling their resources and inviting allies, embarking on large-scale construction projects. Eventually, three embryonic docks were built. However, many forces retreated, realizing they couldn’t compete with the powerful and unwilling to throw good money after bad. The former owner of the dock near here was one of them, and because they were slow to react, they suffered a significant loss of immortal currency. They had built the foundations of the dock, but the forces at the river’s source and mouth joined forces, effectively cutting off their head and tail, rendering it useless. One threatened to invest heavily, building a grand mountain and river formation to completely block the upstream water traffic of the Phosphorous River. The immortal force at the mouth of the river was even worse. They invited a group of aquatic spirits, displaced from their shrines and bereft of incense offerings, to serve as protectors. These were mostly minor deities from small kingdoms, who stirred up trouble in the middle reaches of the river, desperately absorbing water energy. They even made a show of building shrines nearby, seeking to become the officially recognized river gods. The most egregious thing was that, after the force withdrew from the dock, they discovered that the immortal dock at the river’s mouth was just a facade, never truly having been built. They had clearly intended to take over the Phosphorous River dock from the start.

Afterward, a clueless young man in white robes appeared out of nowhere, sticking his foot in the door and picking up a ready-made dock foundation.

Of course, the process wasn’t smooth. The mountain and swamp cultivator of unknown identity, who seemed to possess the secret of eternal youth, was also a man who understood the rules. He set up a contest near the dock, a stage to welcome heroes from across the land, along with a wine stall.

As they approached the hut, Xie Xie looked at the “young man in white robes” squatting by the river. Her breathing immediately became rapid, as if each step she took cost her considerable mental effort.

Over the years of traveling the Treasure Bottle Continent together, Yu Lu often jokingly teased her, warning her that her future inner demon might be Cui Dongshan.

Xie Xie was truly afraid. She feared Cui Dongshan, but she feared that “inner demon Cui Dongshan” even more!

Therefore, Yu Lu’s half-joking suggestion of “choosing the lesser of two evils” had finally made Xie Xie resolve to face Cui Dongshan, since she was destined to be unable to avoid him!

Coming to the Phosphorous River this time, Xie Xie hoped to lessen her fear of Cui Dongshan. Otherwise, once she became a Nascent Soul cultivator, and then tried to break through the Nascent Soul Realm bottleneck to reach the Jade Purity Realm, what if her inner demon really was Cui Dongshan… The mere thought filled Xie Xie with despair.

Back when they studied at the Great Sui Academy together, Cui Dongshan seemed to target only her.

But for some reason, this reunion in a foreign land, looking at Cui Dongshan squatting there in a daze, made Xie Xie feel a little unfamiliar.

The Cui Dongshan she remembered wouldn’t be so… mentally exhausted?

Cui Dongshan tossed the pebble into the river, knocking out a sneaky aquatic monster that had come to scout the area. It instantly revealed its true form. They say dawn breaks with a fish-belly white sky, but here, in the center of the Phosphorous River, floated a blue carp weighing at least three hundred *jin*, its white belly exposed. This was like offering New Year’s greetings in the middle of the month, proactively delivering fish for dinner.

Enough to host a feast in the village.

Cui Dongshan stood up, complaining, “Yu Lu, why didn’t you come here sooner? I was forced to endure three fierce punches from a Golden Body Realm martial arts grandmaster. Those three punches were earth-shattering, sun-and-moon-altering, their weight unimaginable to outsiders! I spat out several *jin* of blood on the spot and nearly kicked the bucket! Wouldn’t that have burdened our Miss Xie Xie, forcing her to spend even more money?”

Xie Xie didn’t understand, nor did she want to.

But Cui Dongshan wouldn’t let her off the hook. “Xie Xie, tell me, why would you spend money?”

Just as Xie Xie’s face turned pale, Yu Lu laughed, “Sect Leader Cui must think that if she heard the bad news, she’d probably buy a mountain of firecrackers to celebrate.”

Cui Dongshan gave Yu Lu a thumbs up, then shifted his gaze to the flustered Xie Xie. Cui Dongshan sighed softly, worried. He had taken on such a dull-witted disciple.

Xie Xie’s palms were already sweating with nervousness. She wanted to return to the Treasure Bottle Continent immediately.

Those who haven’t been to the “Beat the Stupid Place” aren’t qualified to say she’s timid.

Before coming to the dock, Yu Lu had asked her about some rumors, which had already spread far and wide. First, a Seventh Realm martial arts master, taking money to resolve a problem, didn’t intend to cause death, but still punched the young man, sending him rolling on the ground. Another punch sent him spinning in the air a dozen times. The final punch sent his face crashing into the dirt.

In the end, the martial artist was filled with guilt and quickly helped the young man back to his stall, considering it a case of meeting as enemies and becoming friends.
Another old deity, a Golden Core Earth Immortal, unleashed three formidable techniques without holding back, shattering the white-robed youth’s clothes, leaving him foaming at the mouth in a pit, convulsing all over.

Half-dead, he struggled to rise, staggering like a drunkard towards the stall. This young rogue cultivator, known for his handsome features, possessed considerable spirit. Trembling, he picked up the bowl, first drinking half of the wine, then spitting back half a mouthful of blood.

Finally, a Golden Core sword cultivator arrived, also of rogue origin. Yet, after exchanging a few words with the white-robed youth, this cultivator named Tao Ran switched sides, defending the young man’s challenge platform. It wasn’t hard to guess; he was likely offered a higher price. That damned rogue cultivator, only recognizing money as his ancestor…

This was quintessential Cui Dongshan.

Yu Lu wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Cui Dongshan flicked his sleeves, circling Xie Xie while grinning, “Since you’re here, I’ll take it as you’ve tacitly agreed to be my direct disciple. We’ll skip the tea ceremony; I’m a bit timid, afraid you’ll poison it or spit in it.”

Xie Xie’s body tensed, his face expressionless.

Cui Dongshan continued circling, “Giving me another named disciple on the register, Xie Xie, thank you, thank you.”

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xie Xie’s forehead.

This time, Yu Lu didn’t help Xie Xie escape. To overcome the inner demons, one had to walk the perilous path alone; others couldn’t pull or support him.

Cui Dongshan suddenly asked, “Yu Lu, do you have any of the sword talismans forged by Dragon Spring Sword Sect in the early years? If so, bring them out as a disciple-acceptance gift on Xie Xie’s behalf. I’ll thank you for Xie Xie.”

Yu Lu smiled and produced several miniature sword talismans from his sleeve, saying, “Don’t worry, they’re all from ‘early years’.”

Cui Dongshan took them, surprised to see as many as five. He’d thought there’d be three at most, and asked with a grin, “Why so many?”

Yu Lu explained, “Back then, I had some spare coin, so I reported two lost to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect and bought two more. Xu Xiaoqiao from the blacksmith shop by Dragon Beard River probably took my relationship with Chen Ping’an into account and didn’t pursue it, just reminding me not to push my luck. Xu Xiaoqiao also agreed to a request of mine. As for the other two sword talismans, I bought them from an immortal master at double the price; I reckon he still thinks he got a good deal.”

Back in the old Dragon Province of the Blessed Land Grotto, cultivators in the western mountains who wanted to fly or outsiders passing through Dragon Province by air needed to purchase a small sword talisman, like a flying sword, from the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

Now that old Dragon Province had become new Chu Province, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had also relocated to the Great Li capital in the north. In truth, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect no longer forged sword talismans resembling passes, but the rule set by Ruan Qiong about holding talismans to fly had been followed for years, and no one dared to break it first, after all, Ruan Qiong was still the Great Li Dynasty’s chief tribute.

Cui Dongshan praised, “Yu Lu, ah, Yu Lu, you’re still clever.”

Cui Dongshan beckoned, pulling the large fish drifting downstream towards him, then shouting, he leapt high and kicked the fish.

Done with the job, he clapped his hands and nodded to himself, “My footwork is unmatched, truly extraordinary!”

The large fish, sent flying by Cui Dongshan’s kick, rolled on the ground and suddenly transformed into a burly man covered in dust, sitting blankly on the ground.

Cui Dongshan pointed his finger and cursed, “You bastard, you’re so indecent, hiding in the water, peeking and leering, probably lusting after my disciple’s fair skin and plump behind, wanting to kidnap her as your mountain wife?!”

Before the dazed strongman could gather his thoughts, Cui Dongshan swept his sleeve, knocking the man back into fish form, plunging heavily into the Phosphorous River, creating a small wave, “When armies clash, emissaries are not harmed. I’ll spare you this time. Tell your master to stop acting in the shadows and challenge me to a duel. If he wins, this ferry crossing is his. If I win… how could I ever win against a renowned Free Travel Realm grandmaster!”

The blue fish in the water didn’t dare to return to human form, shaking its head and tail, fleeing downstream along the Phosphorous River.

Cui Dongshan twitched his lips.

When the new ferry crossing was completed, a large number of people would be needed to operate it. Without thirty to fifty people, it would be difficult to maintain the normal operation of an immortal ferry crossing, fortunately, they didn’t need high cultivation, just needed to do some mindless hard work. When the time came, he would capture all these water deity monsters from lewd shrines, leaving none to escape.

Did they need to be paid? You’ve already been given your lives, what more do you need?

At Cui Dongshan’s suggestion, the three of them strolled upstream along the river. Yu Lu asked, “Does the ferry crossing have a name yet?”

Cui Dongshan said unhappily, “Coming up with a name that’s both elegant and popular isn’t that simple. I’m not Master, I can’t just come up with one on the spot.”

Ox Horn Ferry in Treasure Bottle Continent, Azure Shirt Ferry on Immortal Capital Mountain, Wild Cloud Ferry on Spirit Wall Mountain. This was the fourth private immortal ferry crossing.

Along the Phosphorous River, small countries stood in great numbers, a mixed bag of good and bad, with former citizens restoring their lost kingdoms and self-proclaimed emperors establishing new ones, roughly divided equally. Only a few Golden Core old deities, considered to be masters of arcane arts, served as state preceptors or protectors, busy collecting titles, performing sacrifices to the Five Mountains and enshrining the river gods for the new rulers, or establishing sects, living glorious lives, often simultaneously serving as chief tributes and guest elders for several small countries. However, Confucian academies wouldn’t interfere in such matters. Generally speaking, as long as cultivators didn’t violate the established rules of the Confucian temples, the gentlemen and sages of the academies wouldn’t concern themselves with the political affairs of the various countries.

“Yu Lu, do you know the origin of the name Tongye Continent?”
Having perused local gazetteers and unofficial histories, it seems that in the ancient era, within the divine land of the Central Earth, there was a sagacious and ambitious enlightened monarch. He whittled a tung leaf from his palace garden into the shape of a jade tablet and bestowed it upon his younger brother. The latter arrived in Tung Leaf Continent and established a dynasty beside the old Great Watercourse. This long-vanished watercourse was named Fen Watercourse. At its peak, its main tributaries included the Hui River and the Shu River, encompassing twelve major rivers. Over eons of shifting terrains, the Buried River of the current Great Spring Dynasty is merely a small segment of the Fen Watercourse’s passage to the sea. As for the Lin River at our feet, it’s just an insignificant tributary of the ancient Fen Watercourse, barely two thousand *li* in length. The Tung Leaf Sect in the north and the Jade Tablet Sect in the south, in truth, if tracing back to their origins, these two most powerful and enduring sects in Tung Leaf Continent actually stem from the same ancestor. Hence, the founding patriarchs of both sects share the same surname.

Thank you, and I also sincerely admire, Yu Lu, a pure martial man, I have a rough idea of how many miscellaneous books he has read during these years of traveling.

Cui Dongshan marveled, “Asking you one question, you give two answers. Is this buy one get one free?”

Yu Lu smiled slightly, “Just consider it me throwing in Xie Xie’s answer as a bonus.”

Cui Dongshan sighed, “Even if you, Yu Lu, just shared a tiny bit of your brain with me, your direct disciple, that would be something.”

Cui Dongshan put his hands on his hips, “Stupid disciple, I plan to expel you from the sect, and I’m not kidding. Be serious!”

Not to mention Xie Xie, who was dumbfounded and at a loss, even Yu Lu was stunned. You, Cui Dongshan, are already the master of a sect, yet you’re still so childish?

The white-robed youth swayed his shoulders from side to side, then raised a snow-white sleeve, waving it, and said triumphantly, “The Master is not here, go ahead and complain, go ahead and complain.”

Yu Lu sighed, lowered his head, reached into his sleeve, and pinched out a letter.

With lightning speed, Cui Dongshan decisively said to Xie Xie, “Good disciple, your teacher was just joking, don’t take it seriously!”

Yu Lu still didn’t stop moving. Cui Dongshan moved with incredible speed, grabbing Yu Lu’s arm with one hand and pushing the letter back into his sleeve with the other, “Yu Lu, we are brothers who have shared joys and sorrows. Don’t do anything rash at the drop of a hat. Don’t resort to killer moves so easily between brothers. It will only sadden our own and gladden our enemies.”

Xie Xie became even more lost in the clouds.

What was Yu Lu doing? What was Cui Dongshan doing?

Yu Lu said to Xie Xie with a mental voice, “Before coming here, I roughly guessed your situation, so I secretly helped you get a talisman for protection.”

Xie Xie suddenly understood.

If not for facing Cui Dongshan, Xie Xie would still be an extremely intelligent and spiritual woman.

Cui Dongshan put on a stern face and asked, “Xie Xie, when you see my Master in the future, do you know how to address him?”

Like the little mute in Riding Dragon Lane, she would have to call him Grandmaster.

Xie Xie rarely put on a stern face.

Yu Lu quietly shook his head.

Cui Dongshan grinned, also rarely not disgusting Xie Xie any further.

Holding the back of his head with both hands, Cui Dongshan sighed, “A person can be serious and rigid, but shouldn’t be harsh in speech.”

“There aren’t many like me, with both a good appearance and a good heart.”

“Both of you were once the pride of the heavens. One was the Crown Prince of the Lu Dynasty, which was once the suzerain state of the Great Li Song Dynasty. The other was hailed as the Lu Dynasty’s most promising cultivation genius to reach the Jade Purity Realm. Everything has been turned upside down, and you’ve become exiled criminals. I remember you used to work as odd-job men for me, was it at the Yuan Clan ancestral residence in Erlang Lane? You have suffered quite a bit…”

“The good people, bad people, good things, and bad things a person encounters when they are poorest are all genuine.”

“That’s why my Master still remembers a bowl of rice from a woman, a bun handed out by a snot-nosed kid, the wooden figure in the neighbor’s kitchen, a few eggs wrapped in red paper by an old woman, and other such trivial matters. But I think it’s not good for a person to have too good a memory.”

“The old saying goes that one won’t get rich without being ruthless. It seems that if a lowly person wants to become a superior person, they must be ruthless, and can only be ruthless. Then a hard heart is a sharp knife, only harming others. In fact, a soft heart is also a blunt knife, but it will only wear oneself down. Each time you grit your teeth and tell yourself not to be that kind of person again, the so-called maturity is just keeping vigil for yesterday’s self.”

Yu Lu felt a bit strange. Cui Dongshan was a bit odd at this moment because he was too “normal.” During their travels in the past, Cui Dongshan never confided in them, and it was unheard of for him to seriously reason with people.

Then Cui Dongshan asked a series of questions with a smile, “Yu Lu, before you rushed to Tung Leaf Continent, you never went to Jiang Prefecture of Great Li, where the capital of the old Lu Dynasty was located, did you? Then, did Xie Xie persuade you to restore your original name and then establish a kingdom here in Tung Leaf Continent? Or perhaps wait twenty or thirty years for her to become a state preceptor? Or perhaps advise you to make a trip to the Cloud Grass Hall of Mount Pu, so that you, as a martial artist, can learn some immortal techniques to prolong your life?”

Speaking of which, currently, the best app for reading and listening to books is Mimi Reading. Install the latest version.

Yu Lu frankly said, “Almost all of them were guessed by Sect Master Cui. The only difference is that Xie Xie thinks that there is no need to wait twenty or thirty years. It will be enough to find a piece of land in Tung Leaf Continent and plan for ten or twenty years to establish a kingdom.”

Cui Dongshan widened his eyes, “Xie Xie, are you so confident in your ability to reach the Nascent Soul Realm?”

Xie Xie nodded and said, “At most twenty years, I will definitely be able to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. This is still making preparations in case the first seclusion is unsuccessful.”

Cui Dongshan was surprised and said, “Then haven’t I picked up a ready-made treasure again? A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator who can beat all opponents on both sides of the Lin River is more valuable than an empty ferry foundation?”

Xie Xie remained silent.

Cui Dongshan turned his head and said, “Yu Lu, don’t be pretentious and coy, and don’t pretend to be indifferent anymore. Those who chase deer don’t care about rabbits. Show a bit of the magnanimity that a big man should have. There is no need to wait ten or twenty years. Yu Lu, I have already found a place for you, right here on the north bank of the Lin River. Later, on the south bank, not far away, there is a surprise waiting for you. As for what the surprise is, don’t rush, allow me to keep you in suspense.”

“The most frightening thing in life is meeting each other without money for wine. According to seniority, we are still fellow disciples. When you become the ruler of a country and my disciple becomes your state preceptor, with these two relationships, will I still lack wine to drink?”

Yu Lu hesitated.
He had once posed a question to Xie Xie, directed at her, yet ultimately aimed at himself. Could continuing the nation’s lineage in another continent truly be considered a restoration?

Without preamble, Cui Dongshan declared, “One must hold oneself low, yet cast one’s gaze high.”

Yu Lu inquired, “Not look far ahead?”

“When a person is trapped in utter despair, they cannot possibly see into the distant future.”

Cui Dongshan shook his head. “But no one can stop us from lifting our heads to behold the heavens.”

Xie Xie naturally dared not interject a single word. Had she heard such pronouncements from Chen Ping’an, she would undoubtedly jest, “Isn’t that just the frog at the bottom of the well?”

Cui Dongshan chuckled, “Indeed, we are all frogs at the bottom of the well.”

Cui Dongshan murmured softly, “Fleeting youth.”