As an ancient saying goes, idleness is a pure blessing.

Since being idle is inevitable, and idleness is a form of enjoying pure bliss, Liu Xianyang, accompanied by the round-faced maiden going by the alias Yu Qianyue, embarked on a leisurely journey to the northernmost reaches of Treasure Bottle Continent. They sauntered along the endless coastline, Liu Xianyang gathering seafood daily, carrying pots and pans, concocting a seafood stew so delicious he forgot the taste of river fish. Whenever Liu Xianyang paused to rest, napping, the cotton-clad, round-faced girl would sit quietly by his side.

Upon Liu Xianyang’s return to the sect’s mountain, he found that the blacksmith Ruan was still secluded, forging swords, while his junior brother, Xie Ling, was in genuine closed-door cultivation, reportedly to fully refine a priceless treasure that money couldn’t buy.

This object was a treasure bestowed upon Xie Ling by the Third Patriarch of White Jade Capital, a seven-colored glazed pagoda, half a foot tall, with nine stories. Each story had plaques hanging on all four sides, totaling thirty-six.

Liu Xianyang was filled with envy, unable to help but sigh, “Having a good ancestor is truly wonderful.”

Sheyue remained silent, preoccupied with whether the ducks of Dragon Whisker River were gathering in flocks.

Liu Xianyang continued to lament his misfortune, saying that his ability to be born was inferior to that of his junior brother Xie. Otherwise, not to mention Immortal Realm, even casually attaining Ascension Realm would be a piece of cake.

Dong Gu, standing nearby, was long accustomed to this, knowing it was just private talk behind closed doors, not embarrassing to outsiders.

Moreover, though Liu Xianyang’s words were tinged with envy, they were also true. Xie Ling’s path of cultivation was indeed blessed with extraordinary opportunities, just as Liu Xianyang said, owing to the fact that the Xie family genealogy in Peach Leaf Lane contained a great figure, none other than Xie Shi, the Celestial Sovereign of Northern Reed Continent. The last time Xie Shi returned to his hometown, Xie Ling practically gained a living ancestor from his family tree. According to Lu Chen’s assessment back then, this small pagoda could suppress all demonic entities, evil spirits, and ghostly apparitions below the fifth realm of the world. Lu Chen had said at the time that this item “barely qualifies” as a semi-Immortal artifact. Xie Ling had firmly believed it, but the ancestor Xie Shi hesitated, ultimately not revealing the secrets of the heavens. As the youth, nicknamed “Long Eyebrows” by Lu Chen back in the day, grew older and his cultivation realm rose, Xie Ling realized in horror that the exquisite pagoda, which he had been unable to fully refine as a natal treasure, was actually a genuine Immortal artifact of supreme quality.

Xie Ling’s ability to cultivate and excel in talismans and formations in addition to swordsmanship stemmed from his dedicated study of this exquisite pagoda.

Someone once glanced at it and concisely evaluated this precious treasure with a single sentence: This object is a complete Dao lineage.

Her implied meaning was that Xie Ling could entirely establish his own sect solely with this object, without hindering his gradual advancement in cultivation.

After casually chatting with Dong Gu for a few more moments, Liu Xianyang finally relinquished the licorice root from his mouth, stood up, and asked Senior Brother Dong to greet Senior Sister Xu, inviting them to join him at the Ancestral Mountain for a meal in half an hour. As the sect master, he needed to be courteous to the virtuous and personally cook.

Dong Gu, as the first disciple of Dragon Spring Sword Sect, was at the Nascent Soul Realm. However, because Dong Gu was a demon beast by origin and not a sword cultivator, he felt a sense of relief deep down that Liu Xianyang could serve as the second sect master.

Xu Xiaoqiao was still a Golden Core Realm sword cultivator, and limited by her aptitude for cultivation, it was highly probable that she would be stuck at the Nascent Soul Realm for life.

Xu Xiaoqiao had always believed this appraisal, which resembled a final judgment, but she didn’t feel particularly dejected.

In any case, with talented junior brothers like Liu Xianyang and Xie Ling, whose achievements in the Great Dao were certain to be high, and Master Ruan Qiong never demanding anything of his disciples in terms of realm, Xu Xiaoqiao’s cultivation life in Dragon Spring Sword Sect was both ample and leisurely.

It was just that Liu Xianyang constantly wished that she and Xu Xiaoqiao could address him as “Sect Master” when they met, but Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao were tacitly in agreement: don’t even think about it, no matter how clear or subtle your hints are.

The two, not yet Dao companions, were flying through the air when Sheyue, belatedly realizing something, casually asked, “What was Xie Ling refining again?”

Liu Xianyang chuckled, “An exquisite pagoda of Immortal artifact rank.”

He added, “It was given to Junior Brother Xie by someone whose stall I overturned.”

Sheyue glanced at a mountain peak and nodded, saying, “It’s quite valuable.”

Liu Xianyang began to speak sourly again, “We sword cultivators, what do we care about such external objects… Damn it, of course we care! As long as Junior Brother Xie is willing to part with it, I’ll kowtow to him a few times.”

Sheyue asked in confusion, “Do you want an Immortal artifact that badly?”

In her eyes, Liu Xianyang was the type of strange sword cultivator who needed an Immortal artifact the least.

Liu Xianyang was taken aback, “Why? Do you have one?”

Sheyue nodded, “You know what the atmosphere of the desolate world is like. Since we came out, of course I brought all my belongings with me, so I have a few in my pocket. Since you want one so much, pick two that catch your eye and refine them?”

Liu Xianyang grinned, reaching out to gently pat his cheeks, “What are you talking about? I’m not Chen Ping’an, do I look like the kind of person who lives off of someone else’s fortune?!”

Sheyue rolled her eyes.

Arriving at the Ancestral Mountain, Liu Xianyang indeed put on an apron and began to cook, Sheyue familiar with the routine, helping out on the side.

Liu Xianyang suddenly turned his head and said, “Qianyue, maybe I didn’t make that clear earlier, Chen Ping’an just looks like someone who lives off of someone else’s fortune, I don’t just look like it, I am!”

Sheyue brought a cleaver down hard on the firewood, then casually tossed it to the stove, saying unpleasantly, “Expired, no longer valid.”

She felt particularly depressed whenever she heard the name of that young Hidden Official, putting her in a bad mood.

Liu Xianyang chuckled, “Don’t be depressed, I’ll beat him up in a burlap sack in front of you later.”

Sheyue twitched the corner of her mouth, “He wouldn’t dare to do anything to you, but he’s so vindictive, what about me?”

Liu Xianyang felt that he needed to find an opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with this Miss Yu! But he needed to drink some wine to bolster his courage first.

Perhaps all those who truly love someone are cowards.

Liu Xianyang said, “Have you been to the state capital before? Have you seen that young man?”

Sheyue shook her head.
It turned out that Liu Xianyang had just learned from Senior Brother Dong that in Chuzhou City, there was a down-on-his-luck youth named Li Shenyuan. He was carrying a snake gallstone of considerable quality, and had actually walked alone from Chuzhou, traversing through Yu and Hong provinces, all the way to the vicinity of the former Northern Mountain of Dali, near the capital. By the time the youth reached the gate of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, he looked almost like a beggar. He intended to offer the snake gallstone as a stepping stone to become a disciple of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

Moreover, he specifically requested to learn from Xu Xiaoqiao, who now had her cultivation dojo located on Boiling Sea Peak. Even if he couldn’t become her direct disciple, he was willing to be an outer sect disciple for the time being. Boiling Sea Peak wasn’t among the mountains west of the Lvzhu Grotto-Heaven; it was an original peak in the former Northern Mountain territory of Dali, formerly known as Casting Mountain, but its name was changed after being assigned to the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

It was said that the youth’s ancestors had lived in a small town, with their ancestral home located in Erlang Lane. However, the elders of his family sold the ancestral home, obtaining a large sum of gold and silver. In the same street in the city, they exchanged deeds with the government for several brand-new adjacent mansions. The family had also been very farsighted in purchasing a large amount of fertile land outside the city. Logically speaking, with such a comfortable family background, if they were a little more honest and law-abiding, after one or two generations of management, it wouldn’t be difficult to become a scholarly family or to use money and connections to seek wealth and nobility.

However, no matter how great the family fortune, it couldn’t withstand the word “gambling.” Moreover, there were two gamblers within the family. To win money at the gambling table, one could only rely on being the house or cheating, never on gambling skills. In fact, at least thirty percent of the families that moved from the small town to the city had squandered a substantial family fortune at the gambling table. The former small-town youths either became proficient in drinking, gambling, and whoring, or the young and strong men who were once drunkards and gamblers became old bachelors.

This Li Shenyuan didn’t force his way into the mountain gate, nor did he waste any words. He built a thatched shed in the nearby mountains and lived like a wild man.

Each time the youth appeared, he would squat by the roadside at the mountain gate, waiting for news, hoping that the Dragon Spring Sword Sect would allow him to ascend the mountain.

Several fellow disciples met. Since the blacksmith Ruan was still engrossed in forging, Liu Xianyang, the newly appointed Sect Master, was naturally in charge. He had brought back quite a lot of seafood from the Boundless Thing.

Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao arrived at the ancestral mountain around mealtime. Seeing Liu Xianyang sitting in the Sect Master’s seat at the main table, they didn’t say anything. They figured that even if the Sect Master appeared at that moment, Liu Xianyang would have the gall to sit on the same bench as him to eat.

The table shared a home-style meal, which was a Dragon Spring Sword Sect tradition. Even the most important matters were only discussed in a few words at the dinner table.

It truly lived up to the old saying, “Of all things, eating is the most important.”

Even the matter of Liu Xianyang’s succession as Sect Master was decided at the table. Ruan Qiong spoke, Liu Xianyang didn’t refuse, and Dong Gu, Xie Ling, and the others all agreed, and that was that.

Today, the only addition to the dinner table was She Yue, and she wasn’t really an outsider anyway.

Liu Xianyang raised his glass and clinked it with Senior Brother Dong, asking, “If Xie Ling successfully refines that treasure and emerges from seclusion, will he be at the Jade Pure Realm?”

Dong Gu took a sip of wine and picked up a chopstick of food, saying, “I don’t know.”

Xu Xiaoqiao, however, nodded, “Before going into seclusion, that’s what Junior Brother Xie told me. Junior Brother Xie has always been steady in his words. Since he said so, it’s probably accurate.”

Liu Xianyang turned to look at Dong Gu, “Senior Brother Dong, Xie Ling didn’t tell you?”

Dong Gu shook his head.

Liu Xianyang then turned back to Xu Xiaoqiao with a mischievous grin. Xu Xiaoqiao guessed what nonsense he was about to spout and said preemptively, “I advise you not to court scolding.”

“Senior Sister understands me.”

Liu Xianyang laughed and rubbed his chin, “Our Long Brows, incredible, truly incredible! Ruan the blacksmith really struck gold picking up a treasure. Long Brows is now among the top young individuals in Treasure Bottle Continent. Once he becomes Jade Pure, wouldn’t he be on par with me, the Sect Master? When that kid comes out of seclusion, I’ll have to have a good talk with Ruan the blacksmith. Since he’s no longer the Sect Master, he shouldn’t put on that airs of being a master. Next time we eat together, Ruan the blacksmith should take the initiative to toast Xie Ling a few cups of wine before starting to eat.”

Dong Gu didn’t say anything, and Xu Xiaoqiao just treated it as Liu Xianyang spouting nonsense.

In the vast Treasure Bottle Continent, there weren’t many people who dared to make fun of Ruan Qiong like that. Perhaps only Liu Xianyang did.

Firstly, Ruan Qiong, back in his “maiden family,” the Wind and Snow Temple of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, had always been a detached and indifferent character, immersing himself in casting swords for many years. He was upright and well-regarded. Even a rebellious swordsman like Li Tuanjing of Thunderclap Garden disdained the God-Decree Sect, the leader of the mountains in a province, but when talking about the swordsmith Ruan Qiong, he would rarely have a few words of praise that met his standards. Furthermore, Ruan Qiong was the last Holy One to sit in the Lvzhu Grotto-Heaven and was invited to become the chief court enshrinement of Dali. He occasionally attended discussions in the imperial study of the capital. Not to mention His Majesty the Emperor, even the Mountain Gods of the Great Mountains, including Wei Bo and Jin Qing, treated Ruan Qiong with great respect. That Celestial Sovereign of the Daoist sect who went by the name Cao Rong, as a direct disciple of Lu Chen and the Senior Brother of He Xiaoliang of Northern Club Reed Continent, once appeared in the Dali capital. Rumor has it that he only chatted with the taciturn Ruan Qiong for a few words.

Moreover, the world-renowned disciple of his, Liu Xianyang, and that young Hidden Official who “bloomed within the walls but smelled fragrant without,” both seemed to have been apprentices and odd-job workers at the blacksmith shop by the Dragon Beard River when they were young. There were even rumors that this Chen Hidden Official of Fallen Phoenix Mountain, before he rose to prominence, would act like a mouse seeing a cat whenever he saw the silent Ruan Qiong because he was dependent on others.

Therefore, now in the mountains south of the Great Rivers of Treasure Bottle Continent, there were some rumors that were only dared to be said in private. The reason why the Dragon Spring Sword Sect moved away from Chuzhou was simply because that Chen Hidden Official was a vengeful character. The face he lost at the blacksmith shop back then, he was now seeking to regain. His Majesty the Emperor of Dali was therefore in a terrible fix, unable to mediate the conflict between the two. He had no choice but to let the Dragon Spring Sword Sect take a step back and let Ruan Qiong resign from the position of Sect Master, with Liu Xianyang, Chen Pingan’s childhood friend, succeeding as Sect Master. Only then did Chen Pingan dispel his years of accumulated anger, preventing him from completely breaking ties with Ruan Qiong, resulting in a lose-lose situation…
So, some time ago, someone took their own Wind-Soaring Ferry, disembarked in Old Dragon City with Senior Song Yushao, and during their journey north together, made a special detour. They sought out those immortal abodes and sects spreading such rumors, or those intentionally hinting at things in the Mountain and Water Gazette. They visited their ancestral halls, or the cultivation grounds of those mountain lords and sect leaders, shared tea, had heart-to-heart talks, and reasoned with them. Hosts and guests were all delighted, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Liu Xianyang was a bit puzzled. “Why would this stubborn kid go so far to freeload here? Isn’t Chen Ping’an’s Fallen Mountain closer?”

Dong Gu said, “Probably because Fallen Mountain has publicly announced it’s closed off to the world.”

Liu Xianyang asked, “Does this young man have a chance to cultivate on the mountain?”

The distinction between immortals and mortals, above and below the mountain, is as clear as the separation of the living and the dead, the division between humans and ghosts.

Xu Xiaoqiao said, “He can barely cultivate, but his aptitude is really ordinary. Even if we take him up the mountain, whether he can reach the Middle Five Realms will depend on his future fortune.”

The implication was that even if the young man joined the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, without a great stroke of luck, he might never reach the Cave Realm in this lifetime.

Dong Gu hesitated for a moment but didn’t say much. Xu Xiaoqiao said this because she had learned a unique secret art for identifying bone structure in her early years. This meant that the young man named Li Shenyuan had an aptitude that was not just “ordinary,” but extraordinarily so. If he went to another immortal abode, not to mention those useless, half-baked places, even the immortal masters who assessed aptitude would probably see him as less than useless and reject him outright.

And Xu Xiaoqiao’s secret art was something that any mountain sect would dream of, a method that, in the long run, was no less valuable than any treasure that guarded the sect.

Liu Xianyang asked, “What about his character?”

Whether someone could enter the Dragon Spring Sword Sect depended on an unwritten rule from the blacksmith Ruan: first, look at their character and temperament, then at their aptitude. If the former wasn’t good, no matter how talented they were, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect wouldn’t accept them.

Dong Gu said, “He’s stubborn, sticks to his principles, and is willing to work hard, but his comprehension is a bit lacking. If he really wants to cultivate on the mountain, it will be very difficult.”

Liu Xianyang immediately chuckled, “Isn’t that a lot like someone was when they were young?”

Xu Xiaoqiao hesitated, endured it, and thought it was better to let it go.

Only you dare to evaluate Fallen Mountain Lord Chen like that.

Liu Xianyang said, “Senior Sister Xu, just take him in. Let Li Shenyuan be an unregistered disciple for now.”

Xu Xiaoqiao nodded.

Dong Gu asked, “Should we take that serpent’s gallstone?”

Liu Xianyang smiled, “Yes, why wouldn’t we?”

The Dharma is not lightly transmitted; this is not an empty platitude on the mountain.

After all, the rules of the world are never set for a small handful of exceptions.

“A child whose family tightens their belts to send them to school will probably study harder than those whose families can scrape together some money from their fingernails.”

Liu Xianyang smiled, “Which do you think will have more weight in a young man’s heart in the long run: an outer sect disciple he bought with real money, or a core disciple of Brew-the-Sea Peak that was gifted to him? I personally think it’s the former.”

“As for that serpent’s gallstone, just keep it in the treasury. If Li Shenyuan successfully reaches the Cave Realm in the future, then give it to him as a congratulatory gift. Consider it a roundabout way of returning it to its rightful owner.”

Dong Gu nodded, “That’s very shrewd.”

Xu Xiaoqiao also sincerely agreed, “Finally, you have a bit of the demeanor of a sect leader.”

Liu Xianyang slapped the table, “Remove ‘finally,’ ‘a bit of,’ and ‘of’!”

Xu Xiaoqiao chuckled. This Senior Sister used a questioning tone when she said the words “sect leader demeanor.”

Liu Xianyang said helplessly, “Being this sect leader is really vexing! When I see the blacksmith Ruan again, when Xie Ling comes out of seclusion, I’m going to resign from the position of sect leader. Then I’ll let Long Mei’er be sect leader for a few days before resigning, and hand the top spot over to Senior Brother Dong or Xu Xiaoqiao. Spreading this story will be a timeless tale of glory, that a sect had four sect leaders in less than thirty years, who can compare to our Dragon Spring Sword Sect?”

A man with a blank expression walked in from outside the door.

Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao immediately stood up and called out, “Master.”

Liu Xianyang smiled brightly and quickly asked She Yue to add another set of tableware. He stood up to make room for his master, feeling that it still wasn’t respectful enough, and strode out the door, rubbing his hands and saying, “Master, why aren’t you forging iron? You didn’t even say hello to your disciple. Look, the flavors of these dishes are all spicy, only catering to Senior Brother Dong and Senior Sister Xu, and they’re all seafood. Is Master used to eating them? If not, I’ll cook a couple of my specialty dishes to go with the wine…”

Ruan Qiong didn’t say a word, sat in the main seat, and She Yue brought tableware and gently placed it beside him. Ruan Qiong nodded in acknowledgment, and his expression finally improved a bit.

Xu Xiaoqiao had also gone to get a jar of wine and a few white bowls, pouring a bowl for everyone. Master didn’t like any immortal brews, only drinking local liquor.

Ruan Qiong picked up the wine bowl, took a sip, picked up his chopsticks, habitually tapped the table lightly, and then began to pick at the dishes.

Only then did Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao dare to pick up their bowls, take a sip of wine, and then pick up their chopsticks.

On the other hand, Liu Xianyang had already started picking dishes for his master, and soon Ruan Qiong’s bowl of rice was piled high with food.

Ruan Qiong said, “The imperial court wants me to go to the capital and accompany His Majesty, the Emperor, on a private visit to Hongzhou’s Yuzhang Prefecture.”

Liu Xianyang laughed, “Since His Majesty is on a private visit, not a grand tour, why bother so much? If Master doesn’t want to go to the capital, then don’t. If you want to go out for a change of scenery, just go directly to Yuzhang Prefecture. If you think that’s not giving the Emperor and the imperial court enough face, then let me go instead.”

Ruan Qiong shook his head, “The letter was quite direct. It has to be me.”

Liu Xianyang frowned, “Besides producing timber, which the imperial court has repeatedly banned from being illegally felled, what else is there in Yuzhang Prefecture? Oh, I suppose it’s the current Empress Dowager’s ancestral home. Why do you need to make a trip yourself?”

Ruan Qiong said, “The first head of the Timber Office is Lin Zhengcheng, who was just transferred from the Imperial Dispatch Office in the capital.”

Liu Xianyang asked, “Is that Lin Shouyi’s father?”

Ruan Qiong nodded.

Liu Xianyang took a sip of wine and said, “Then you should go.”
Ruan Qiong stated, “I’m merely informing you about this matter; I’m not discussing it with you.”

Liu Xianyang, filled with indignation, retorted, “Ruan the Blacksmith, put your hand on your heart and ask yourself, haven’t I been an aggrieved Sect Master?”

Ruan Qiong completely ignored Liu Xianyang, instead turning to look at She Yue, asking, “Miss Yu, when will you and Liu Xianyang become Dao companions?”

She Yue had always been one to not treat herself poorly at the dinner table. At this moment, her mouth was full of food, her cheeks puffed out, and she suddenly looked up, a blank expression on her face.

Ruan Qiong finished a bowl of wine, gently put it down, and said, “Liu Xianyang’s words are usually unreliable, but he’s still an honest person, and a man who knows how to live. He’s traveled far and seen the world, and he can settle down. Once he’s married, he’ll be even less likely to mess around with matters of the heart. These words aren’t just because I’m his master. Miss Yu, if you feel that Liu Xianyang is worth entrusting yourself to, then don’t delay your marriage.”

She Yue’s face instantly turned red.

Liu Xianyang was no better off; his ears and neck were flushed.

Dong Gu and Xu Xiaoqiao were also smiling broadly.

Ruan Qiong slightly increased his tone, but merely repeated the same meaning of the last sentence, “Don’t delay it.”

He, as Liu Xianyang’s master, strongly approved of this marriage and would definitely not obstruct it.

Afterward, Ruan Qiong didn’t continue pouring wine, but simply finished his bowl of rice and then got up to leave.

Perhaps this time, leaving the Sword-Forging Hut, this man whom Liu Xianyang called the Blacksmith simply wanted to say this one thing.

Xu Xiaoqiao helped She Yue clean up the dishes, but Dong Gu said he wanted to drink more with Liu Xianyang.

Clouds surged in the valleys, the moon illuminated the vast sky, and the clear mountain stream flowed endlessly, yet the swimming fish were still as if frozen.

Liu Xianyang drank himself into a drunken stupor, but Senior Brother Dong was truly hammered. At first, he was still acting like a senior brother, advising Liu Xianyang, his junior brother, to treat Miss Yu well and never let her down, or else, not to mention their master, he would be the first to not spare Liu Xianyang. What if he was a Sect Master? Would he not acknowledge his senior brother? … Later on, Dong Gu started talking nonsense, saying that he had let their master down, that he shouldn’t have become their master’s first disciple, and that he had implicated their master and the sect, causing people to gossip behind their backs … In the end, Dong Gu’s face was covered in tears, more than the wine he had drunk. Liu Xianyang had no choice but to sit beside his senior brother, patiently listening to Dong Gu repeat the same things over and over again, and stopping his senior brother from constantly reaching for more wine…

Xu Xiaoqiao and She Yue didn’t go into the house, staying in the courtyard, listening to the drunken words, the wine-fueled ramblings, and the nonsense of the two at the table. They exchanged silent glances.

In the end, Liu Xianyang carried Dong Gu back to Hengshuo Peak before staggering back to his own Youyi Peak, swaying on the wind. Liu Xianyang squatted alone on the cliff, using wine to relieve his drunkenness.

She Yue came to his side and sat down beside him. As for the marriage proposal, She Yue wasn’t actually that embarrassed. At first, she was just a little caught off guard, which was why she was being coy. It wasn’t like she didn’t like Liu Xianyang; there was no need to be pretentious.

This place was Youyi Peak, although it was the old Northern Mountain Peak, it was right next to the ancestral mountain that had been moved from Chuzhou. Therefore, one could faintly hear the sound of Ruan Qiong forging swords on Shenxiu Mountain. With each hammer blow, sparks flew everywhere, and the whole room was as bright as day. From Youyi Peak, looking towards the ancestral mountain, it was dimly lit and bright by turns, like a lamp in the wind hanging on Shenxiu Mountain, guiding travelers returning home.

On Hengshuo Peak, Dong Gu quickly woke up, rubbed his temples, and sensed the familiar aura outside. This Yuan Ying realm cultivator, always dressed in black, with the appearance of a young man, immediately got up, opened the door, and called out, “Xiaoqiao.” Hengshuo Peak was where the sect’s treasury and the secret chamber for collecting treasures were located. After Dong Gu reached the Yuan Ying realm, because he was born from mountain spirits, his cultivation became easier. In addition, Xu Xiaoqiao was not good at and did not like managing affairs, so Dong Gu reluctantly became the accountant of the sect. In fact, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had very little expenditure, but a lot of income. Dong Gu only needed to record those treasures and immortal coins, which was not complicated.

Xu Xiaoqiao smiled and nodded, shaking a string of keys in her hand, explaining, “I couldn’t sleep, so I came to your treasury to feast my eyes.”

Dong Gu sat on the steps, his head still a little dizzy. He was no stranger to his junior sister’s habits; otherwise, he wouldn’t…

The Dragon Spring Sword Sect’s treasury was full of rare and precious objects, worthy of the description “dazzling.” Entering it was like entering a mountain of treasures, and Xu Xiaoqiao would often go inside to “browse.”

For example, Liu Xianyang’s sword refining and Xie Ling’s constant breakthroughs had not used the treasury’s wealth. In addition, because their master was the chief court enshrinement of the dynasty, the generous regular salary from the Great Li Dynasty, as well as the spiritual weapons and magical treasures rewarded by the Song family under various names, and the various secret shares that Dong Gu was kept in the dark about, there were five or six considerable sums of immortal coins every year. Whenever Dong Gu inquired about the origin, the court and the Ministry of Revenue would only say that they were acting according to the rules and refused to say more. Dong Gu could not find the relevant contracts in black and white in the archives. Dong Gu had asked his master a few times, wanting to know if it was his master’s oral agreement with the Great Li Song family, but his master said he couldn’t remember and just told him to accept it. Later, Dong Gu got used to it and felt like he was lying down and receiving money.

Therefore, their sect was a typical case of having a lot of money and few people, with nowhere to spend it.

Xu Xiaoqiao said, “Yu Lin of Zhengyang Mountain sent a letter to Master in private at the beginning of this year?”