Chapter 1045: Those Master-Disciple Pairs
One large and two small, a trio who had just become master and disciples, walked through a celestial ferry crossing in the Central Divine Continent. The crossing was located in a remote area, and with a major ferry crossing renowned throughout the continent nearby, it naturally couldn't compete for business, so it appeared somewhat desolate.
Further north lay the adjacent Great Duan Dynasty.
A tiger-headed, tiger-naive boy gnawed on a freshly baked large flatbread, mumbling indistinctly, "Master, I've heard that in this kind of celestial ferry crossing, only the ferry boats are real."
The white-robed youth smiled faintly. "It's not that exaggerated. Just the prices are a bit high. There are some fakes and counterfeits, but not many. Land prices are expensive, so the cost of goods isn't cheap either."
Another young girl, about the same age as the senior brother, sneered, "Silly Axian, are you gnawing on a fake flatbread now?"
The boy nodded. "Makes sense. Pianpian, you have a point. It seems that besides the ferry boats up in the mountains, flatbreads are also real."
The boy continued, "Master, this ferry crossing has a strange name. Why is it called Palmprint Ferry Crossing?"
The white-robed youth smiled and explained, "I've heard that back in the day, an ancient true cultivator was sparring with someone in the Dao, missed a move, and pressed his palm against the ground. The lines on his palm formed the current valleys and riverbeds."
The boy clicked his tongue in amazement. "So there really are immortals. Right, right. Since there are ghosts, there must be immortals who catch them. Master, are all the people walking on the road the mountain immortals from legends? They don't look like it."
The girl continued to undermine him. "Axian, how many ferry crossings have you even been to? And you're talking about what's strange? You've only been to a few years of school—go on, say something. You can't even write characters properly, yet you pretend to be a learned man who's seen the world."
The boy, nicknamed Axian, got a bit angry. "Pianpian, if you keep picking on me like this, I'll have to fight you for the title of founding disciple!"
The white-robed youth placed a hand on each of their heads and laughed. "Don't bicker among fellow disciples. Both of you, speak nicely."
The young girl, nicknamed Pianpian, made a face at Axian.
Axian pretended not to see it. "Master, why do all the passersby look at you strangely? Are you a big name in the mountains? But you're clearly just a pure martial artist."
The girl chuckled. "Just now noticed?"
Their master said, "A big name? Definitely not. Barely a minor reputation, I suppose."
The young girl sighed, then quickly perked up and rattled off a long string of words. "If Master says so, then it's a very, very small minor reputation. Oh well, having you as a master—since I chose you myself, even if your skills aren't that great, I can't blame you. No matter. Once I've mastered my boxing techniques, you can bask in my glory. Wherever we go, people will mutter in amazement, 'Wow, is that really Bai Yu's master? Admirable, this Cao Ci has no other skills, but his ability to take on disciples—envious, truly remarkable!'"
She even called her master by his real name without getting angry. The white-clad youth, whose real name was Cao Ci, squinted and smiled. Naturally extraordinarily handsome, he appeared even more gentle in expression. "Good, good. Just imagining that scene, I'm already looking forward to it."
The boy rarely pointed out his master's faults. "Master, the old master at the martial arts school next door to our house—when he taught his disciples martial arts, he was skilled but bad-tempered and fierce. Everyone was afraid of him. You should learn from him a bit."
The child didn't think about it—if their master really got fierce, with only two disciples, who would end up pitiful?
Cao Ci nodded with a smile. "No problem. Being fierce is easy. Martial arts practice is tough. From now on, if any of you slack off, I'll definitely put on a stern face and scold you."
The two children, nicknamed Axian and Pianpian, were exactly Cao Ci's newly accepted personal disciples.
Their meeting not long ago was a chance encounter. Both were seven years old and had been neighbors since childhood. They came from a county market town in a small nation. Near their home was a martial arts school. Since they were young, they liked to set up a ladder, climb over the wall, and peek at the boxing practice. After "watching" a few years of the most rudimentary martial arts, with no one teaching them real techniques or stances, these two kids dared to go together to an abandoned illicit shrine in the mountains dozens of miles away, to see if there really were spirits and ghosts. At that time, Cao Ci happened to be flying past on the wind. Sensing an unusual disturbance on the ground, he glanced down and immediately descended.
The boy held a short wooden sword, and the girl had a bamboo dagger. Although they were terrified by the one ghost and one demon occupying the shrine, their faces pale, when danger truly struck, they didn't hesitate at all. Their movements were nimble, their steps agile. The two children vaguely showed signs of having boxing intent within them.
In truth, that ghost and demon were not high in cultivation—both were at the lower fifth realm. Initially, they only intended to scare the children, not actually harm them. Two little brats, together weighing less than a hundred catties of flesh, weren't even enough to fill their teeth. Moreover, the situation was tense everywhere, with officialdom strictly enforcing the law. It wasn't worth risking their lives for a mere snack.
But they hadn't expected that as they played around, they would gradually get angry. Those two little rascals were just too strange. The wooden sword slashes and bamboo dagger thrusts were nothing—painless and harmless. But when the children's swords were broken and daggers crushed, and they had no "weapons" left, fighting barehanded, the little girl's first punch tore open the demon's flesh. Enraged, the demon couldn't help but harbor murderous intent. It threw a heavy punch at the yellow-haired girl, but she leaned back, jumped, rolled a few times, and nimbly dodged the punch. Not only that, as if she had calculated the landing point, her small suspended body stepped onto the wall, her knees slightly bending and then suddenly exerting force, shooting like an arrow. Another punch struck the demon on the forehead, then she stamped her foot on its chest, using the momentum to retreat again.
The boy, entangled with the ghost, kept his gaze firm and resolute, his breathing even calmer and longer than usual, unconsciously entering a mysterious state of clarity.
As for the demon, after taking a punch and a kick, it staggered back a few steps, nearly exploding with rage. That furious punch aimed at the little girl had intentionally slowed in speed and reduced in force, lest it accidentally smash her head. It had intended to stop the punch just near her head, to teach her a lesson. Yet this was the reward... It rubbed its chest, took a deep breath, and finally said dejectedly to its ghostly partner, who hadn't fared any better, "Let's go. This is a tough nut. Could be a registered Qi refiner secretly protected by a high-level expert."
The ghost, however, couldn't let it go. She spoke through mind voice, "Bullshit! Going just like that? If I don't give these two little bastards a solid beating, I'll be pissed off for years!"
Just then, at the entrance of the long-abandoned shrine, a white-clad youth walked in.
As soon as they stopped punching, the children showed fear befitting their age again. They held hands, backs against the wall, their young faces covered in sweat.
Cao Ci said, "Since you can suppress your nature and restrain your ferocity, you haven't strayed from the path of cultivation. Practice well in the future; it won't be wasted."
The female ghost sneered maliciously, "You little brat, who do you think you are?! How dare you spout nonsense here and teach us about cultivation..."
The demon quickly stepped in front of her, tugged her sleeve, and whispered, "Didn't I say it? He must be the guardian of those two kids."
But the white-clad youth smiled and announced his name, "My surname is Cao, given name Ci. I'm not a mountain Qi refiner, just a pure martial artist from the Great Duan Dynasty to the north."
The female ghost spat, "If you were really Cao Ci, we'd still be alive?!"
Cao Ci just smiled, twisted his toes, and a celestial phenomenon occurred—it seemed as if the flow of time in the entire shrine shifted and changed course.
The demon timidly said, "Let's just say you are Cao Ci. How about I kowtow to you a few times, and tonight you let us, husband and wife, go?"
Cao Ci replied, "It's not me who lets you go; it's yourselves. Again, cultivate well in the future. Those who practice the Dao, if they are willing to revere heaven and earth, naturally sincerity will bring response."
The female ghost blushed with shame, "What kind of cultivators are we? You must not be Cao Ci. Right, you're definitely bluffing. In fact, you can't defeat us; you're just trying to scare us away..."
The demon was nearly frightened out of its wits. Turning around with a mournful face, it said, "Wife, don't be stubborn anymore. I listen to you in everything, but in this matter, listen to your husband. Let's go!"
Cao Ci laughed, "If you don't go soon, I might really have to keep you here for a chat."
The female ghost turned into a puff of smoke and passed through the window. The burly demon, caring no longer, turned and leaped, crashing through the window. The female ghost scolded, "Waste!"
Cao Ci knelt on one knee and asked with a smile, "I'm Cao Ci. What are your names?"
The little girl's voice still carried a sob, but her face was stubborn as she raised her head high. "I walk the world, and I never change my name! I'm Bai Yu—Yu as in big rain, the kind of torrential rain as big as soybeans, turning the whole world white."
The boy followed, his voice trembling, "My name is Ji Jie. Not the season 'Ji'—it's the character for 'Ji' with a grain radical, plus 'You' mountain, and 'Jie' like frugal."
Cao Ci said softly, "Don't be afraid. I'm alive, just like you. And I also practice martial arts, just that I've been boxing for many more years, so I could scare them away."
Seeing they were silent, Cao Ci stood up and smiled, "Go home now. Remember not to be so reckless in the future. Mountains and rivers hide many wonders, each with its own temperament."
Cao Ci turned and left the shrine first.
The two children whispered and conferred, then decided to follow that white-clad man, who indeed didn't seem like a bad person.
Cao Ci stopped at the foot of the mountain and smiled, "I'll escort you this far."
The boy clutched his broken wooden sword, while the little girl silently shed tears, grieving over her shattered bamboo dagger.
Ji Jie plucked up courage and asked, "Can you also practice martial arts boxing?"
Cao Ci nodded. "Yes."
Ji Jie's eyes lit up. "Is your boxing very high?"
Cao Ci was amused.
He really didn't know how to answer that question.
Bai Yu wiped her face and said crossly, "Silly Axian, if he could scare away the evil in the mountain temple, his fists must be formidable."
Cao Ci smiled, "Whether climbing mountains, entering waters, or seeking immortals and the Dao, remember to observe some taboos. Don't casually use words like 'evil things.'"
The little girl paused, then nodded. "Whether it makes sense or not, I'll listen to you."
Ji Jie, full of longing, asked, "Then do you know any martial arts experts? Like the chivalrous heroes in books? The ones with long nicknames, like 'known as' this and that—impressive. Do you have a nickname?"
It seemed another troublesome question. Cao Ci thought for a moment. "I know a few experts. But I don't have a nickname."
Bai Yu said, "If you can beat Old Master Liu at the martial arts school next door, I'll acknowledge you as my master! How about that?"
Ji Jie chimed in, "Better if you just spar with Old Master Liu, not challenging his school. There are rules in the martial world. Challenging a school is like stepping into an arena, only lacking a death pledge. Sounds too scary."
Cao Ci laughed, "I still have to continue my journey. Go home quickly. Your parents will worry. I expect you'll both get a beating."
In the end, though, he did accept them as disciples.
That night, he first went to the county town. He personally saw one child being hit with a feather duster until his little hands were red and swollen, but he refused to cry; the other lay on a bench with his backside bruised, howling.
Of course, Cao Ci had already spoken to both families about his intention to take disciples, saying the children had great martial talent. Then he went to the nearest immortal residence and had an old ocean-viewing realm immortal master make a trip to the county government office that night, urging the county magistrate to personally help persuade the two families to entrust their children to him... Anyway, the process was rather convoluted. As for whether Cao Ci revealed his name or that he hailed from the Great Duan Dynasty, in this secluded county that was peaceful and isolated from news for ages, saying such things was useless.
Now, the trio of master and disciples walked through the ferry crossing. More and more ferry passengers, shopkeepers, and tourists who had come for spring outings began to notice. Someone was the first to shout out the name "Cao Ci," and it became unstoppable. "Looks like Cao Ci!" "It really is Cao Ci!" "What's Cao Ci doing here? Could it be just someone who looks like him?" "Outrageous, calling his name like that—we should address him with respect as Lord Cao the Martial God!"
The entire ferry crossing then erupted with loud voices, but no one dared to approach. They only called out their own names from afar, stating where they were from and their lineage...
Ji Jie had never seen such a strange commotion and got a bit nervous. He tugged at his master's sleeve and asked softly, "Master, who is this Cao Ci they're talking about?"
Cao Ci smiled. "If nothing unexpected, it's your master."
Bai Yu stamped her foot. "Master, so you're this famous? What am I going to do now? When I go out, everyone will just say I'm Cao Ci's disciple!"
Cao Ci smiled gently, nodded, and teased, "Having a master like that is indeed a bit troublesome."
---
On Fallen Mountain.
Chen Ping'an, in his blue shirt, had been meticulously compiling a handbook on inkstones these days.
The paper and pages were procured by the old cook. Since it was supposed to be an "ancient book" of some years, it naturally had to be yellowed and antique-looking.
There was no other way. Ever since Guo Zhujiu arrived at Fallen Mountain, Chen Ping'an keenly noticed that this little disciple was sulking at him. And she was trying hard to pretend she wasn't sulking, as if her master was still the best master in the world.
Chen Ping'an couldn't directly ask her why. After racking his brains and finding no answer that convinced himself, he had to secretly find Zhu Lian to see where the problem lay. Sure enough, it had to be the old cook who handled it. He asked a few questions, and combined with Pei Qian's childhood stories about Guo Zhujiu, Zhu Lian quickly guessed the answer. But he kept it a secret first, asking, "Young master, do you still remember that chao shou inkstone Guo Zhujiu wears at her waist?" With that hint, Chen Ping'an immediately understood. Indeed, it was his fault. Back on the Sword Qi Great Wall, Chen Ping'an had lied to Guo Zhujiu, saying that the green-duan material of her inkstone was an extremely precious inkstone material in the Haoran world.
It wasn't entirely a lie. On the Haoran mortal world, Duan inkstones were indeed precious. Of course, among Duan stones, green-duan was relatively cheaper.
Chen Ping'an asked the old cook how to remedy this. Zhu Lian chuckled, "That's simple. Young master just needs to compile an inkstone handbook yourself. Name it something like 'Hundred Inkstone Studio Rubbings.' Gather a hundred famous heirloom inkstones. You don't need too many green-duan ancient inkstones—five or six out of a hundred is enough. The key is, among the top ten peerless inkstones, you need two green-duan inkstones with clearly traceable provenances. Not too many, not too few. If there are too many, no one will believe it; if too few, it won't carry enough weight."
Chen Ping'an was greatly impressed while giving the old cook a sidelong glance. When it came to forgery, you were the best.
Zhu Lian waved his hand and laughed, "A full hundred inkstones—carving them, making rubbings of different shapes and inscriptions, and writing corresponding wonderful stories—quite a workload. It has to be young master personally doing it."
So Chen Ping'an returned to the first floor of the bamboo building and that night began silently compiling the inkstone handbook.
Pitifully, the mountain master, accustomed to being a hands-off manager, had to shut himself in, secretly, so that Nuan Shu and Little Mi Li wouldn't see.
He had to wait until it was done, then let them see it, and then through the informant Little Mi Li, report to Guo Zhujiu. Only then would it be seamless.
Unexpectedly, by the time Chen Ping'an finally finished compiling the handbook, Nuan Shu saw it while cleaning the room, but the pink-skirted girl didn't get the hint.
As for Little Mi Li, who often accompanied Sister Nuan Shu lying on the porch corridor and played while basking in the sun with the good mountain master, she didn't notice either.
So one day, when Nuan Shu was sewing cloth shoes and Little Mi Li was rolling around on the porch, Chen Ping'an deliberately said, "Let me get a book to read," and went to fetch the inkstone handbook.
Probably because Chen Ping'an holding a book was so common, and Nuan Shu was too focused on her work. As for Little Mi Li, bouncing around, the black-clad little girl was gazing at the white clouds beyond the cliff, eagerly anticipating whether three heads would float by again...
Chen Ping'an was getting a bit anxious. Luckily, at the moment when Nuan Shu bit off a thread and looked up, she saw the handbook's title and finally asked, "Master, is this book newly bought?"
Chen Ping'an hummed in response, then coughed a few times to draw Little Mi Li's attention. Little Mi Li leaned in, stared wide-eyed for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, "The book is called 'Hundred Inkstones,' very similar to the good mountain master's 'Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Collection'!"
Chen Ping'an nodded vigorously, smiling. "Yes, yes."
Nuan Shu seemed lost in thought, then lowered her head to suppress a smile.
Then Chen Ping'an handed the handbook to Little Mi Li. "Just flip through it."
Little Mi Li shook her hands, took the handbook, and began carefully leafing through it.
Sure enough, a few days later, Guo Zhujiu came to the first floor of the bamboo building. It was late at night. She stood at the door and knocked, but didn't enter. Standing outside, she blurted out, "Master, disciple is foolish and has committed a great error. I won't say what the error is. Just punish me by not being your disciple for a day. If master is still angry, two days will do!"
Chen Ping'an opened the door and patted Guo Zhujiu's head, laughing. "I won't ask what mistake. A one-day punishment is enough."
The master and disciple who were "temporarily not master and disciple" sat by the stone table on the cliff ledge, just chatting casually.
Guo Zhujiu, who had been timing it, suddenly shouted, "Master!"
Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded. "Mm."
---
Under heaven, mountains and ridges form continents; all waters flow into the sea.
On the seashore of Southern Subcontinent, majestic mountains and steep ridges stretch endlessly.
At the peak of one mountain, ancient pine branches were sturdy like dragon spines, twisting and supporting, with a fierce expression, claws and scales grabbing, pine needles bristling like tiny halberds clustered.
A woman of ordinary appearance sat by a stone table in the shade of the pines. On the table rested a wooden box.
She was tall and thin, with long, slender eyebrows, giving her an air of coolness.
Beside her stood several sword cultivators of no great age. They stared intently at the scene inside the wooden box.
This was the chief guest elder of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, Lu Zhi.
The standing sword cultivators were all among the eighteen sword sons of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, each having encountered bottlenecks at different realms and needing to stay within the sect to practice swordsmanship and seek breakthroughs.
Initially, most of the young sword cultivators wanted to follow the sect master to fight demons on the battlefield.
Qi Tingji had no objection to this. He merely reminded them that if they wished to go to the desolate battlefield, they could go. Whether they could leave the battlefield alive depended on their own abilities, and they should not expect him to protect them.
But then Lu Zhi, with just a few words, poured cold water on the enthusiastic sword cultivators.
Out of goodwill, acting on impulse and treating life lightly, could be understood. But at your current realms, still bearing the title of Qi Tingji's personal disciples, you simply don't measure up. Go to the desolate battlefield, at most two or three times, and you'll be sending your heads to the demons. After you die, the annals of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect certainly won't record these "great achievements."
Furthermore, the sect had just taken in a batch of temporarily unregistered outer disciples, more than sixty in number. The youngest was only five, the oldest sixteen.
They were all sword embryos sent by the various countries' courts of Southern Subcontinent. Without exception, before departure, their family elders or sovereigns repeatedly instructed these children: once at the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, cherish the opportunity, cultivate earnestly, strive to become registered disciples, enter the registry, and eventually join the sect's ancestral hall.
If they were fortunate enough to become direct disciples of Sect Master Qi or Chief Lu Zhi, even better. Many family heads and emperors also mentioned, if the young Hidden Official ever makes a cross-continent journey and visits the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, they should shamelessly invite him to their homes. Success or failure didn't matter; they just had to extend the invitation. After all, they were young, so there were no major taboos; it wouldn't be considered rude. If it succeeded, it would be a fine story among the mountains.
In the pine shade, on the table, a miniature sword box actually contained a vast, boundless small world, comparable in scale to a legendary cave heaven.
When the sword box was opened and placed on the table, the eight swords inside were as thin as silk threads, winding like small dragons.
This small box had a hidden world. Its former owner, Lu Chen, had used the technique of "a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru," making the eight long swords inside as small and delicate as flying swords.
They did not hover in one place but leisurely drifted within.
These eight long swords were named by Sect Leader Lu Chen as: Autumn Water, Wandering Duck, Deliberate, Boring a Hole, Southern Vastness, Wandering Blade, Cicada Shell, and Mountain Wood.
A sword cultivator with a ponytail, a young woman, leaped out of that "cave heaven" crisscrossed with sword qi.
While flying on her sword, the sword light condensed into a single line, shining brilliantly. The rainbow light pierced through the air straight, beautiful as a painting, like a sword immortal ascending in a white rainbow.
Chased by two long swords, as she neared the "sky" of the wooden box, the two pursuers abruptly stopped. Their sword light flashed, and in an instant they "returned home."
The young woman landed lightly by the stone table, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said in fear, "Almost got slashed. If that hit me, wouldn't I be cut in two?"
A young sword cultivator beside her quickly said, "Senior Sister, don't say such unlucky nonsense."
The ponytail girl, named Wu Manyan, rolled her eyes at the youth. She sat on a stone stool, fanning herself with her hand, and asked curiously, "Mr. Lu, where did this treasure come from? Did you exchange it from the robe workshop back on the Sword Qi Great Wall by accumulating battle merits?"
Within the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, everyone liked to follow the sect master and address Lu Zhi as "Mr. Lu."
Lu Zhi didn't hide anything. She straightforwardly explained the origin of the wooden box. "It was on the way to Tuoyue Mountain last time. The Hidden Official borrowed it from the Baiyu Jing Sect Leader Lu Chen, and then gave it to me."
The implication was that this sword box had nothing to do with Lu Chen anymore; it belonged to Lu Zhi now.
If one day Lu Chen wanted to take back this precious treasure, he would have to get past Chen Ping'an first.
Among the sword immortals of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Lu Zhi was recognized as having extremely high killing power but relatively weak defense.
Now that she had this sword box, it was like having eight additional personal swords that could form a small world. Lu Zhi had thus filled that weak point.
Wu Manyan suddenly understood. "So it's not returning the sword box?"
She had heard from Mrs. Tipsy that the Hidden Official, whether selling wine or bookmaking, never lost money; he only made profit!
But Sword Immortal Shao said that the Hidden Official had never earned a single coin on the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Lu Zhi smiled. "That's about right."
Wu Manyan exclaimed in admiration, "The Hidden Official still looks out for his own people; he never lets his elbow turn outward!"
The youth He Qiusheng rolled his eyes, a sour feeling in his heart.
And you, Senior Sister, constantly clamoring to go out and gain experience—everyone knows your so-called "descending the mountain" is just heading for Fallen Mountain on Treasure Bottle Continent.
Wu Manyan couldn't help but sigh, "The Baiyu Jing has so many treasures. Sect Leader Lu Chen casually took out one, and it's so priceless."
Lu Zhi smiled and explained, "It's not something he casually took out. Even considering Lu Chen's Southern Magnolia City alone, let alone the entire Baiyu Jing with its five cities and twelve towers, a treasure of this quality is extremely rare. Besides, these eight swords were forged by Lu Chen himself. The names weren't random; each successful forging represented Lu Chen's personal understanding of a particular sword path."
Wu Manyan was stunned. "These swords were personally forged by Sect Leader Lu Chen? Besides being a Daoist with a high official position and writing books, does he also smith metal and forge swords?"
If you added that her master said Lu Chen possessed the Five Dreams and Seven Heart Aspects, was the Baiyu Jing Sect Leader really that multi-talented?
Lu Zhi, though reluctant, still spoke fairly. "Lu Chen might have no other flaws except for insufficient killing power."
Of course, Lu Zhi's "insufficient" was compared to the old sword immortal and Yu Dou, who possessed the Dharma sword "Dao Zang."
He Qiusheng asked cautiously, "Mr. Lu, since these swords were made by Lu Chen, could he be a hidden sword cultivator?"
In the eyes of sword cultivators, most were sword cultivators.
Was Lu Chen a sword cultivator?
Lu Zhi had never thought about this before. She couldn't figure it out and shook her head, too lazy to think more. It had nothing to do with her anyway. "Even if he isn't a sword cultivator, just by writing 'On the Sword Chapter' and naming his study in Yushu City 'Watching a Thousand Swords Studio,' his understanding of swordsmanship must be considerable. As to whether Lu Chen is a sword cultivator, who knows? Don't ask me. If you get a chance, ask Chen Ping'an; he's quite familiar with Lu Chen, and they speak freely with each other."
Last time, when they accompanied the young Hidden Official to the wilderness, both Qi Tingji and Lu Zhi had essentially been on a sightseeing trip while casually picking up money. They had reaped rich rewards, especially by looting the White Flower City of its entire sect treasury. Afterwards, at places like Immortal Hairpin City, there were more surprises. This made the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect's financial foundation much thicker. Many wilderness demons escaped Chen Ping'an and Ning Yao, only to run into Qi Tingji and Lu Zhi. Without suspense, they were either sent on their way by Qi Tingji or slain by Lu Zhi's sword. The corpses of those demon cultivators, the broken magic treasures on the ground, and some heroic remains were all collected by Qi Tingji.
Finally, Qi Tingji used his personal savings to buy three Yushu City Wash-Sword Talismans from Lu Chen at a high price and then gave them to Chief Guest Elder Lu Zhi. So Lu Zhi recently stayed peacefully at the sect on Southern Subcontinent, looking after these sword cultivators who might need to go into seclusion for breakthroughs, while also refining those three great talismans from Baiyu Jing to sharpen her natal flying sword, "Beidou."
Lu Zhi admitted herself that she wasn't good at teaching others swordsmanship. Even Shao Yunyan, a Jade Perfection realm sword cultivator, was better at teaching.
In this regard, she was similar to her junior, Ning Yao. When a sword cultivator's talent is too high, they simply can't understand why ordinary people can't understand...
How can you not understand this? If you don't understand, how can I teach?
So, although Lu Zhi was one of the top ten peak sword immortals qualified to participate in the city wall discussions, she had never taken on disciples on the Sword Qi Great Wall.
The old sword immortal never said anything about that.
In fact, even after returning to this Haoran world, which she didn't recognize as her homeland, Lu Zhi still had no intention of taking disciples. Just thinking about it was exhausting.
A young sword cultivator with a square face and big ears asked curiously, "Mr. Lu, the Baiyu Jing in the Azure World is so powerful. Do they have many sword immortals?"
This youth, named Huang Long, had sword talent far inferior to Wu Manyan's, slightly behind He Qiusheng. Unlike other disciples, he loved asking about the gossip of the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Over time, among the disciples, there was a saying: "If you don't know, ask Huang Long." It was Senior Sister Wu Manyan who said it first, and the youth himself thought it was fine.
Lu Zhi smiled. "Presumably quite a few. But as Sun Daoist of Xuan Du Guan said, if we're just talking about sword attainment, in the Baiyu Jing, there are only two who truly understand swordsmanship. Besides the invincible Yu Dou, there are the Yushu City's principal and deputy city lords, Guo Jie and Shao Xiang."
Wu Manyan was puzzled. "Isn't that three people?"
He Qiusheng said, "Guo Jie and Shao Xiang must count as one combined."
Wu Manyan said crossly, "You know so much. When will you reach Jade Perfection?"
He Qiusheng remained silent.
Previously, at the Parrot Island ferry crossing in the Central Confucian Temple, this pair of often bickering youth and maiden had coincidentally run into the famous young Hidden Official, Chen Shiyi.
The talented sword cultivator He Qiusheng had seen his bold senior sister act without respect even toward their sect master. But in front of Chen Ping'an, she was so demure, like a proper young lady. The youth felt a little sour. In a moment of impulsiveness, he made an appointment with the young Hidden Official, whom he met for the first time, that once he reached the Upper Five Realms, he would challenge Chen Ping'an to a sword duel.
After they returned to the sect, He Qiusheng soon gained the nickname "Calf."
The youth didn't need to guess who spread that—it must be Senior Sister. Being teased by fellow disciples with the nickname didn't make him angry. But whenever he saw Senior Sister and chatted with her, he felt a bit stifled and hurt.
"That's about the meaning of it."
Lu Zhi nodded indifferently. "Anyway, Chen Ping'an said it. I'm not interested in these things."
Lu Zhi said, "Huang Long, it's your turn to go in and practice."
Huang Long nodded, calmed his breath, steadied his Dao heart, transformed into a streak of sword light, and plunged into the wooden box.
He Qiusheng had stayed earlier only out of concern that Senior Sister might get hurt. As for Huang Long, since Mr. Lu was watching, he definitely wouldn't die. Besides, Huang Long was known for his great luck. Among the eighteen sword sons, only Huang Long, who came from Fuyao Continent, was a rogue cultivator far from home. In fact, besides Senior Sister, He Qiusheng had the best private relationship with Huang Long. Even Sword Immortal Shao, who controlled the finances, said Huang Long was tough and shouldn't rush about breaking through realms.
Halfway up the mountain, a waterfall fell, not large, like a white silk curtain.
A young Daoist wearing a lotus crown crouched by the water. Before him was a deep, greenish pool. Inside, fish as big as boats occasionally swam, appearing and disappearing in a flash.
The Daoist broke a piece of dry flatbread and threw it into the water to feed the fish.
Lu Zhi, addressing him bluntly as "Lu Chen" without using mind voice, sounded like thunder to the Daoist's ears. He had no choice but to come and join the fun.
He Qiusheng, taking a solitary walk, stopped far away and asked through mind voice, "Esteemed Daoist, are you a guest of our sect?"
The Daoist turned around and smiled, "This youth likes to jest. All who come are guests. So you should ask differently: Is this poor Daoist an uninvited guest with ill intentions, or a friend of Mr. Lu?"
He Qiusheng said, "Then the Daoist must be one who doesn't come to a three-treasure hall without good reason."
The Daoist smiled. "How so?"
He Qiusheng raised a hand and waved it. "Everyone knows that in the entire Haoran world, our Chief Lu has few friends—at most the number on one hand."
The Daoist followed suit, raising his arm and shaking his hand, then held up one finger. "What a coincidence. This poor Daoist happens to be among them."
He Qiusheng said sarcastically, "Oh, come on. If you were claiming kinship with Sword Immortal Shao, I might believe you a bit. Daoist, no more nonsense. State your name. Which country's national teacher or protector real person?"
The Daoist, as if talking to a deaf person, smiled to himself, "Why not go report to your sect elders? You've got the leisure to chat with poor Daoist here. Your patience is remarkable. Good! With such patience, you'll go far."
He Qiusheng said calmly, "No matter what divine being you are, as long as you've entered our sect's mountain, what trouble can you stir up? Besides, if the Daoist truly had such skill, since I've seen you, I wouldn't be able to escape anyway."
The Daoist gave the youth a thumbs-up. "Even better, meticulous thoughts, no small achievements."
He was rhyming.
The youth sighed. The Daoist was like this—presumably his realm wasn't high.
The Chief Guest Elder had a bad temper. If the Daoist's realm was low, that was good, because Lu Zhi wouldn't personally draw her sword to chase him away.
The young Daoist tossed away the last bit of flatbread, clapped his hands, and said, "Young man, don't think poor Daoist is young and tender. Hah, I might scare you: Not only do I have ties of private friendship with Mr. Lu, I am also a close friend of Chen Ping'an!"
Upon hearing the name of the young Hidden Official, He Qiusheng became depressed. It wasn't Senior Sister's fault; it was the Hidden Official's.
The Daoist said, "Oh? Could it be that among your fellow disciples there is a senior or junior sister who likes Chen Ping'an?"
These words made the youth not just sad but heartbroken.
He Qiusheng shouted angrily, "You don't know anything, so don't talk nonsense!"
"Don't dare speak nonsense. Words in books, words spoken—every sentence has power."
The young Daoist waved his hand, delivered a great principle, then lightly shouted, tapped his foot, and leaped. His body drifted sideways toward a bluestone by the water. Upon landing, he seemed to stumble, twisting his ankle with a slight crack. The Daoist gritted his teeth and grunted softly, vigorously shaking both Daoist sleeves, bent his knees, sat cross-legged, lightly patted his knees, and put on a smile, feigning ease.
To be one of the eighteen sons of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, He Qiusheng wasn't stupid. So he was perplexed: he had heard of people pretending to be experts, but this Daoist deliberately pretended to be... a "low-hand"?
Could he be one of those earthly true immortals who playfully roamed the world, but why would he debase himself so?
The young Daoist nodded, hands on his knees. "Not bad. Very discerning. I think you've seen through the truth. This poor Daoist is indeed a stunningly talented, all-accomplishing top expert. The kind from books: a worldly recluse with an eccentric temperament, who likes to measure the mountains and rivers with his feet, observing all human affairs with a cold eye and warm heart... A transcendent being! This time, passing by your esteemed place, I saw that your bone structure is pure, your Dao aura not shallow, and your mountain immortal affinity deep. So I couldn't help but appear and chat with you... hmm, I'm a bit thirsty. Is there any wine?"
He Qiusheng sneered, "The Daoist's acting is truly impressive."
The Daoist asked, "Does this poor Daoist's lofty demeanor, when seen by outsiders, not seem disgusting?"
He Qiusheng was thrown off by the young Daoist's wild train of thought.
"Keeping words locked inside the heart's door—that's called unhappiness."
The Daoist lightly patted his knee and smiled. "Willing to send words out of the heart's door—that's called happiness."
Hearing these two lines, the youth felt he might have met a kindred spirit.
Lu Zhi stood at the top of the waterfall, expression cold, looking down at the obviously very idle Sect Leader Lu Chen.
Earlier on the city wall, Lu Zhi had indeed said a half-joking polite remark, welcoming Sect Leader Lu to come collect the debt. After all, their sect was on the coast of Southern Subcontinent, easy to find.
And you actually came.
Being the Sect Leader of Baiyu Jing, with such a petty temperament?
Barely a few days, and you, Lu Chen, personally came to congratulate... and collect debts?
Lu Chen immediately stood up, made a Daoist bow to the heights, and said, "This poor Daoist comes uninvited. Please forgive me, Mr. Lu."
Lu Zhi took the wooden box from her sleeve, intending to toss it back to this Sect Leader Lu, who was rubbing his hands and apologizing.
Since he had the face to come collect the debt, Lu Zhi didn't have the face to use Chen Ping'an as a shield.
Lu Chen quickly reached out a hand. "By the sun and moon, poor Daoist did not come for this. Absolutely not! So Mr. Lu, just keep it. This messy account—if poor Daoist really wants to settle it, I need to discuss it with Chen Ping'an first."
Lu Zhi said, "If not for the sword box, then why are you here, Sect Leader Lu?"
Lu Chen rested his chin on his palm, his eyes darting quickly. Initially, he had wanted to test whether Lu Zhi would willingly return the immortal-grade wooden box upon seeing him.
But at the last moment, Lu Chen changed his mind. He couldn't lose the big for the small.
No help for it. His master had ordered him, on this return trip to his hometown, to act as a persuader for the Baiyu Jing, inviting Lu Zhi to Yushu City to forge swords.
Lu Zhi saw Lu Chen pretending to be mute and said, "Sect Leader Lu, if you have business, say it. If not, be on your way. Sect Master Qi is not on the mountain. No guests are received."
Lu Chen said, "No need for hospitality. Poor Daoist can wander on his own. A cultivator takes heaven and earth as home. I'm used to sleeping out in the open. The Dragon Elephant Sword Sect doesn't need to arrange lodging for me."
He Qiusheng stared at the frivolous "young Daoist," utterly bewildered.
Lu Chen? Was this really the universally known and revered Baiyu Jing Sect Leader Lu?
Lu Chen tapped his foot, floating like a feather, and went to Lu Zhi's side. "Next time the gate opens, will you travel to the Five-Colored World?"
Lu Zhi said, "Of course."
Lu Chen nodded vigorously. "Then poor Daoist must inform my junior brother to steer clear of Ascension City."
Lu Zhi said crossly, "Ning Yao is there; I don't need to meddle."
Lu Chen chuckled. "A notice is still necessary, lest we unintentionally hurt relations with the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. It's not good to make too many enemies over trivial gains."
Besides, now in Ascension City, besides Ning Yao, there was actually Chen Xi, who had changed his name to Chen Ji.
Among the old sword immortals who had inscribed characters, Chen Xi had the best reputation—in conduct, sword practice, character, and dealing with others—almost a perfect man.
Lu Zhi hesitated, then asked, "Zuo You?"
Asking Lu Chen about when Zuo You would return home actually meant asking about the dog's circumstances.
Lu Chen said, "That fight is very strange. According to reason, it should have ended long ago, but it's been dragging on without a result. So your question has stumped poor Daoist."
Lu Zhi said, "A scourge lingers for a thousand years. There shouldn't be a problem."
Hearing this evaluation, Lu Chen dared not nod.
You, Lu Zhi, could say that about A Liang. Poor Daoist dared not.
A swordsman who could trade blows with Senior Brother Yu... Poor Daoist had to be courteous and call him brother.
Moreover, throughout the entire Azure World—mainly because of Brother Sun of Xuan Du Guan—it was said that poor Daoist was a piece of sticky candy. But that was only because you hadn't seen A Liang's skill at pestering people!
Lu Chen said, "Later, I'll go to the depths of the wilderness and see that battlefield site with my own eyes."
Lu Zhi asked, "Aren't you afraid of being surrounded and beaten?"
Lu Chen laughed heartily. "Killing power is lacking, so escape techniques fill the gap."
If he couldn't win, couldn't he just run?
Lu Zhi said, "That bunch of wild beasts are suffering now anyway. They're not about to provoke the Baiyu Jing and be caught between two fires."
Lu Chen nodded eagerly. "So having a good master is better than anything. If you also have a couple of good senior brothers, you can single-handedly roam the world. When you meet an unaffordable mountain senior, just drop your name—that's more effective than anything. A single trick, repeatedly effective!"
He remembered when he first arrived at Baiyu Jing, he had a few encounters while traveling. Bothered by opponents, he revealed his identity. The fighting would stop immediately. Some looked indecisive, some livid, some apologized for misunderstandings. Anyway, it was amusing.
The only... to be precise, there were two exceptions. When he met Sun Guan Zhu and Hua Yang Gong's Gao Gu, if he hadn't said who he was, it might have been fine. But as soon as Lu Chen said he was the new Baiyu Jing Sect Leader, oh boy, those two Dao friends, who had held back a bit, seriously unleashed all their trump cards.
So Lu Chen became friends with them instead. Even if Sun of Xuan Du Guan spoke harshly and was a bit sarcastic, "hitting is caring, scolding is loving"—their relationship was good.
Lu Zhi stopped speaking.
Lu Chen cautiously glanced at Lu Zhi's expression. Her brows were gloomy.
Could it be?
She and A Liang—had something unsaid happened on the Sword Qi Great Wall?
Lu Chen turned to the youth by the water and waved playfully. "Poor Daoist is no beauty. Why are you staring like a blockhead?"
He Qiusheng walked away dazedly, somewhat absent-minded.
Then suddenly, the youth became excited. He quickly climbed the mountain, wanting to tell his senior sister that he had just met the Baiyu Jing Sect Leader Lu Chen, had chatted idly with this Fourteen-Realm grand cultivator, and that Sect Leader Lu had personally said he would amount to something in the future...
---
Back on the Sword Qi Great Wall, the head of the Tai Xiang Street Qi clan, Qi Tingji, who often stayed alone on the city wall to forge swords; Wu Chengpei, who had a private sword immortal mansion; Sun Juyuan; and Mi Yu, protected by a great sword immortal older brother—these four were all recognized as handsome men on the Sword Qi Great Wall.
At first, someone wanted to rope in Dong San Geng, saying, "With our looks, shouldn't we occupy a spot? Brother Dong, you kick out Qi Tingji, I'll make that Sword Immortal Mi scram—wouldn't that ranking be more fitting?"
Probably Old Man Dong felt his face didn't match the position and declined. The person still wouldn't give up, later going to Old Deafie to discuss the matter.
Old Deafie was straightforward. "What's the big deal? If Brother A Liang is happy, just put the word out."
That made the person's heart pound. He looked Old Deafie up and down, patted the old man's head, and said, "Forget it. I don't want to bring you trouble at your age."
This same irreverent character actually had a rare moment of admitting he wasn't handsome.
It was in front of Lu Zhi. He laid out his heartfelt words: "I'm not handsome, you're not pretty either, Sister Lu Zhi. Tell me, do we match or not?"
Lu Zhi didn't say a word but made a gesture that sent him off in grief, descending the wall to drink with his brothers.
She simply reached out, placed her hand on top of her head, then moved it horizontally over his head. There was still a considerable distance between her hand and his head.
And that was even though he had secretly risen on tiptoe.
After that, not long after, among the "Five Uniques" of the old Sword Qi Great Wall, Lu Zhi was included as "the one whose beauty could topple kingdoms."
Lu Zhi ignored such gossip.
As long as she didn't hear it face-to-face, they could gossip freely over wine.
Even those little wine shop's "nothing boards" on the wall—a few had content about her.
Lu Zhi still ignored them.
In Lu Zhi's eyes, as an outsider sword cultivator, many of the local sword cultivators on the Sword Qi Great Wall had thin skin, soft hearts, and too little courage.
Too many words that should have been said early were never spoken.
Unless they drank.
Lu Zhi knew that in Ascension City of the Five-Colored World, that wine shop still existed, tables, chairs, and wine bowls all unchanged.
Sensing the subtle change in Lu Zhi's mood, Lu Chen didn't pry into her specific thoughts—that would be against propriety.
But the rise and fall of Lu Zhi's emotions was as visible as a waterfall plunging into a pool; with his cultivation, it was obvious even with eyes closed.
Lu Chen sighed softly.
No wonder Lu Zhi was so popular on the Sword Qi Great Wall. Besides never being soft when killing demons on the battlefield, it was also because she truly regarded that place as home.
Lu Zhi said, "Besides both surnamed Lu, the only thing we share is that we both habitually treat foreign lands as home?"
Lu Chen smiled. "You are like that. I'm actually a bit different. The foreign land is the heart's home, a place to rest. But the homeland remains the homeland—a place one longs for forever. Even after seven thousand years, I believe after ten thousand years, it will still be so. Lu Zhi, if you don't believe me, ask me again in seven thousand years. My answer will still be this."
Lu Zhi said, "A Daoist, saying 'I, I, I'? Not calling yourself 'poor Daoist'?"
Lu Chen said, "It depends on the person."
For example, in the Haoran world, the descendants of sages from the Confucius Temple and the Mencius Temple held honored status and weren't suitable to use the phrase "my humble surname."
Similarly, in the Azure World, although the three sect leaders had no descendants, when the Daoists and commoners of the Kou, Yu, and Lu surnames introduced themselves, they didn't use "my humble."
For instance, A Liang was not appropriate to say, "My humble surname is Meng."
A Liang's real name was Meng Liang. Whether "Liang" meant "beam" as in the ridge beam, or "bridge" as in the beams connecting wood over wide waters, the Mencius Sage, by naming him so, clearly had high expectations.
But at the same time, the Mencius Sage gave his son the style name "Bu Guang." "Guang" is an archaic character, same as "light" in ancient texts. But according to philological exegesis, "Guang" is composed of "twenty" and "fire." "Twenty" was the ancient character for "swift." Combined, it meant that swift fire leads to blazing light. So the name Meng Liang, styled "Bu Guang," implied a hope that his son would achieve great success late in life, or even be content to remain obscure forever.
As a Mencius Sage, he hoped his son would one day shoulder heavy burdens, becoming a beam of the Confucian Temple.
As a father, he hoped his son would have a life free from calamity, stable and peaceful—if he never showed brilliance, that was fine. No need to think too much about bringing glory to the family.
As for why A Liang, when wandering the world, liked to say, "My name is A Liang, 'Liang' meaning kindness," it must be because "Liang" sounds like "beam," and one of the roots of Mencius's learning was "original goodness of nature."
So why A Liang carved the character "Fierce" on the city wall of the Sword Qi Great Wall is even easier to explain.
Lu Chen said with a smile, "It seems Lord Zheng has visited the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect?"
Lu Zhi's expression instantly sharpened.
Lu Chen laughed. "Don't be nervous. Fearless of heaven and earth, but never provoke Mr. Zheng."
Unless forced.
Lu Chen said, "I just noticed the 'Green Pupil' dharma robe on Wu Manyan. It looked familiar—clearly used the weaving techniques of the Golden Emerald City. And since I heard Lord Zheng brought the entire Golden Emerald City back, it wasn't hard to guess."
Lu Zhi nodded.
The "Green Pupil" was a half-immortal-grade dharma robe. On the wilderness world, Lu Zhi's swords had been too fierce; repairing it required a lot of effort and resources. Wu Manyan was recognized as the most talented among the eighteen sword sons, so Lu Zhi had given it to the girl. Originally, Lu Zhi was troubled about how to repair the robe. Unexpectedly, just as she wanted to sleep, a pillow was delivered. As Lu Chen guessed, Zheng Juzhong, on his way back to the White Emperor City in the Central Earth, had passed through the Southern Subcontinent. He indeed visited the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect, bringing with him a not-unknown female cultivator from the wilderness—the Golden Emerald City's "Yuan Hu" Sect Leader, Qing Jia, at immortal realm.
Zheng Juzhong had her repair the "Green Pupil" robe, which was a trivial matter for her. She even improved it, adding many new features.
Lu Chen said with interest, "I wonder how that Yuan Hu Daoist friend, who owns a bunch of dharma robes like 'Water Refining' and 'Banana Leaf,' will act when she meets Mr. Xiao Mo in the future."
By seniority and lineage, Xiao Mo could be considered her half-ancestral master?
Xiao Mo, an ancient great demon with a very long Dao age, besides being a sword cultivator, was skilled in weaving dharma robes. Before entering a long slumber using a bright moon as his dojo, he left behind six Dao veins. After ten thousand years, only one vein could barely maintain its incense. Instead, the flower blooming inside the wall was fragrant outside—the Golden Emerald City had absorbed one of those veins, promoting and expanding that vein specializing in dharma robe weaving.
But in the wilderness world, no one acknowledged such Dao vein inheritance.
The interesting part: If he hadn't followed Chen Ping'an to the Haoran world, once Xiao Mo reappeared in the wilderness, the Golden Emerald City would have to acknowledge it whether they liked it or not.
They might even be overjoyed, finally having a huge backer to rely on.
Lu Zhi rarely asked proactively, "Why did that Xiao Mo go to Fallen Mountain?"
Lu Chen smiled. "Mr. Xiao Mo had some promise with someone. Finally, he used an ancient technique to actively peel away his ferocity and viciousness. That's why he appears exceptionally friendly—it's not fake, nor is it an act. Otherwise, based on his résumé and battle records from ten thousand years ago, if Mr. Xiao Mo returned to the wilderness with a complete Dao heart, his temper wouldn't be good. Just talk about the enemies of his only remaining Dao vein—going back a few thousand years—there would be one counted. He would challenge each one with a sword."
Lu Zhi said, "At most, he's a Flying Ascension realm sword cultivator."
Lu Chen shook his head and smiled. "He is a Flying Ascension peak sword cultivator. The problem is, he also has Bai Jing, a Flying Ascension perfected sword cultivator. If the two of them fight side by side with sincere cooperation, wouldn't they be invincible?"
Lu Zhi thought for a moment, puzzled. "Bai Jing?"
Lu Chen laughed. "Extremely capable. Like you, a female sword cultivator. In that lawless ancient era, she was known for being undaunted by anyone. For example, think of her as a female version of Old Sword Immortal Dong."
If Bai Ze's return to the wilderness, awakening these ancient great demons, was a forced move to boost the wilderness's paper strength, then there was a deeper intention.
Bai Ze was also forced to cooperate with Zhou Mi's secret plan. The participant, or executor, was the great demon Chu Sheng.
It was believed that in the southern part of the wilderness, over the years, many Upper Five Realm cultivators who refused to obey or refused to participate in the war had inexplicably vanished.
Devouring them might be a small group of young demon cultivators, unheard of for a century, who secretly massacred, feasting to their fill.
After these young cultivators were full, Zhou Mi presumably arranged a "preacher" for each. Lu Chen guessed the final result: at some point, either they would eat their preachers, or the preachers would eat them.
Lu Chen shook his sleeves. "Let's not talk about these celestial matters, irrelevant to you and me..."
Lu Zhi said, "Finally finished? When are you leaving?"
Lu Chen was taken aback. Hurriedly, he changed the subject, standing on tiptoe, craning his neck to look at the complex of buildings and dojos at the foot of the mountain. He praised, "Leaning against the mountain and facing the sea, the sect's momentum is growing day by day. Congratulations."
An outsider watches the excitement; an insider sees the technique. It was clear that Sect Master Qi had a cleanliness obsession and a strong desire for control.
The deep-minded Qi Tingji got along well with Lu Zhi only because she was pure. It could be considered a personality complement.
Thus, Qi Tingji and Chen Ping'an both had too heavy hearts; they would never piss in the same pot. They wouldn't become true Dao companions. But that's fine—different paths lead to the same summit. They could each go their own way.
Lu Chen shifted his gaze to a splendid sea of plum trees, all white blossoms.
The scenery was beautiful, so beautiful it looked like a big white cloud lying lazily.
Earlier, Spring Bunting Fast Sword Immortal Shao Yunyan and Tipsy Mrs. of the Plum Blossom Garden were only guest elders of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. After a trip out, upon returning to the sect, their identities had changed: one managed the treasury for a hundred years, the other changed from guest elder to offering elder.
Those plum trees, not very old, were probably planted by that Tipsy Mrs.
"Since this Plum Thicket Daoist friend dares to call herself 'Plum Blossom Master,' 'Without a bitter cold, no plum blossom fragrance.'"
Lu Chen nodded, raised his hand, shook his sleeve, and made a divination gesture, "Suddenly overnight, a clear fragrance spreads, scattering into the world as eternal spring."
Lu Zhi showed a rare smile. "Anyway, it's copying from a book. Care to say a few more lines?"
Today, if Lu Chen spoke one more auspicious word, whether borrowed from a book, it would still bring considerable Dao affinity and good fortune to Tipsy Mrs.
Lu Chen pretended to stroke his beard—not realizing he had no beard. "Good words don't need many. These two auspicious phrases should be enough for Tipsy Mrs. to break through and become an immortal."
Oh, poor Daoist forgot he has no beard.
When I return to Baiyu Jing, I'll start growing a beard. A full beard would be nice, making me look less young. Without a beard, people think I'm unreliable, and when I go out, I'm always mistaken for a swindler.
Lu Chen said, "Oh? New faces?"
In the Haoran world, every Upper Five Realm sword immortal, even rogue cultivators, found it hard not to be famous.
It turned out that the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect had taken in three old sword cultivators as registered guest elders. Each had a private residence on the mountain. All were Jade Perfection realm sword immortals.
One pair was a couple: the man was a native sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the woman from the wilderness. Wasn't that like doing business—buy one, get one free?
Another was a haggard, big-bearded old man. He had once been an immortal realm but had dropped realm and was still healing, relying on pills to stay alive.
Lu Zhi said, "More new faces may come one after another, but they might not choose to settle here."
These sword immortals, far from home on the Sword Qi Great Wall, had hidden in various places in the wilderness for years. Now Qi Tingji had contacted quite a few.
Most of them had once been like Chou Miao and Dong Bude—regularly patrolling the wilderness. Some sword immortals, when secretly leaving home, were not high realm—mostly Core Formation or Nascent Soul. They were tasked with going deep into the wilderness, hopefully taking root there. There were also proud sword immortals who wanted to imitate Dong San Geng's long journey. Many went and never returned.
Even on the Sword Qi Great Wall, with its clouds of sword cultivators, there was only one Dong San Geng.
A single trip, a century's wandering, left as Core Formation, returned as Flying Ascension.
And Dong San Geng brought back the head of a wilderness Flying Ascension great demon.
For the native sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall who had long hidden in the wilderness, there was a special term in the archives of the Summer Resort Palace: "Private Swords."
Lu Chen smiled. "They have to see the young Hidden Official in person before deciding."
These sword cultivators, who disrupted the wilderness's rear, many had died in battle.
Until death, they never saw their hometown's city wall.
One great sword immortal saw his hometown, but perhaps it would have been better if he hadn't.
Among the old sword cultivators who returned alive, they hesitated whether to settle at the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect on Southern Subcontinent or at Fallen Mountain on Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent. Among them, two sword cultivators, Qi Tingji had secretly sent flying sword messages, describing the situation at Fallen Mountain and the Green Lotus Sword Sect. Believed now they were in Tongye Continent.
Qi Tingji planned to establish a lower sect on Fuyao Continent soon.
Although Fuyao was a small continent, only slightly larger than Treasure Bottle Continent in the Haoran world, the battle there had been too brutal. Old sects and grand immortal mansions were almost completely decimated. Choosing this site for a lower sect would make it easier to open up the situation. Besides, Qi Tingji had an excellent reputation both on and off the mountain there. Moreover, Fuyao's native great cultivator Liu Tui had almost been killed on the battlefield by a throne-rank great demon but was saved by Qi Tingji's sword. So during the last Confucian Temple deliberation, Liu Tui had already negotiated with Old Sword Immortal Qi, willing to take the position of chief guest elder of the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect. Being a sect leader and taking on the role of chief guest elder of another sect was rare in Haoran history. The chief guest elder was different from ordinary registered guest elders or offerings; their name had to be entered into the ancestral hall registry.
Fuyao's Azure Sky Mountain was once the largest sect immortal mansion on the continent. Its mountain lord, Liu Tui, fell from Flying Ascension to immortal realm during the war. Azure Sky Mountain also had a lower sect, but it was located in the Flow Cloud Continent, separated by one Gold Armor Continent. That lower sect possessed one of the seventy-two small cave heavens, the White Porcelain Cave Heaven. Except for a small group of young, low-realm cultivators who fled north across continents to Flow Cloud Continent and entered the White Porcelain Cave Heaven for cultivation, almost all ancestral hall members of both upper and lower sects appeared on the battlefields of Fuyao and Gold Armor.
So even though Liu Tui fell to immortal realm after the war, his reputation in the Haoran world was far beyond that of Flying Ascension old cultivators like Jing Hao of Flow Cloud.
Now, the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect had a good relationship with the same continent's Chen family of Pure Confucianism. The current head, Chen Chunhua, was a close friend of Qi Tingji.
Not long ago, the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect successively formed alliances with the sect where Yuan Qing Shu belonged and the Rain Dragon Sect on the sea.
The new sect master, Nalan Cai Huan, besides forcing Yun Qian to abdicate, also deliberately brought along a few stubborn old-timers who were convinced only by force—low-realm but high-pride earthly immortals. If the Rain Dragon Sect didn't have many capable fighters, Nalan Cai Huan would have long kicked these old bastards out.
But when they nervously entered the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect's territory and especially saw Lu Zhi in person, they acted as if they had seen their own ancestors.
As the old saying goes, a person's reputation is like a tree's shadow.
Lu Zhi didn't like insincere socializing. She had no private friendship with Nalan Cai Huan. Her only impression was that Nalan Cai Huan loved money and was good at making it. On the battlefield, she wasn't afraid of injury, dared to die, and her attacks were always heavy. It was similar to Mi Yu before Upper Five, later Qi Shou, and of course, that extremely eccentric old Nascent Soul who lived alone in the carved characters on the city wall—roughly the same style.
So even knowing that Nalan Cai Huan was flaunting borrowed power, Lu Zhi forced herself not to say anything and gave Nalan Cai Huan enough face.
When she saw those registered earthly immortals, the first sentence Lu Zhi said was a knowing yet deliberately asked question: "Which of you has killed a wilderness demon?"
They all trembled. Only one brave soul opened his mouth and stammered two words: "Never." The rest gritted their teeth and kept silent.
Lu Zhi continued, "Since you've all 'never,' don't come wandering here again. The next time I visit your Rain Dragon Sect, remember to stay far away. Don't disgust each other."
She glanced at the gloating Nalan Cai Huan and the even more nervous Yun Qian.
Lu Zhi said flatly, "Even an old-established sect should maintain some reputation. If you don't care about your own face, can you expect others to care?"
Finally, Lu Zhi sneered at the two women, "I'm talking about you, Sect Master Nalan and Inspector Yun."
Nalan Cai Huan was thick-skinned—having trained in the Spring Bunting Fast's accounts room. But Yun Qian's face was flushed with shame.
Lu Chen suggested with a smile, "If you swapped blessed lands with Azure Sky Mountain, it would benefit both."
At the last deliberation, the Confucian Temple gave out four blessed lands to four forces. Besides Liu Tui's already defunct Azure Sky Mountain, also ruined were the Old Dragon City, the Jade Gui Sect, and the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect.
Based on battle merits, the blessed lands had slightly different ranks.
Lu Zhi frowned. "Specific reasons?"
This was no small matter. Qi Tingji couldn't just be told, "Lu Chen said so, so we must do it."
Lu Chen said, "Just a casual mention. Don't take it seriously."
Oh, and you still owe me a sword box. This poor Daoist has pride—and plenty of it.
Lu Zhi didn't indulge the Sect Leader. If he didn't want to say, then don't.
Hmph, look at this poor Daoist's temper. If you don't ask, I'll just have to explain the whys and wherefores...
But Lu Zhi's next sentence made Lu Chen swallow the words that were about to come out.
"Lu Chen, the real reason you came this time was to persuade me to go to Baiyu Jing to forge swords? I know you mean well and have no schemes. I definitely appreciate the sentiment."
Lu Chen was momentarily at a loss for an answer. He couldn't help but straighten his lotus crown, feeling that all his previous groundwork was about to go down the drain.
No wonder this was Lu Zhi—the one even the old sword immortal couldn't persuade.
Such a heroine existed in the Azure World too—like Sun Guan Zhu's senior sister, Wang Sun, at Xuan Du Guan.
Lu Chen smiled. "If you won't go, then don't. This poor Daoist returns empty-handed without regret."
For every such woman in the world, there is one more measure of beauty.
To admire them is natural; for a man to be dazzled by them shows good taste!
So how could the Lu Zhi of the Sword Qi Great Wall not be beautiful enough to topple kingdoms?
Lu Zhi sighed. Probably those who never agonize over decisions feel especially pained when they do.
Lu Chen quickly consoled her, "Lu Zhi, don't be like that. You're not used to it, and I'm more uncomfortable. It's not a big deal. Whether to go to Baiyu Jing, just take it step by step. For example, someday—whether a hundred or a thousand years from now—if you suddenly feel like it, you can take your sword, leave home, and travel to Yujing Mountain..."
Lu Zhi asked suspiciously, "Yujing Mountain? Not Baiyu Jing?"
Lu Chen immediately shut his mouth and shook his hand vigorously. "Poor Daoist never said that. You never heard it."
Lu Zhi nodded.
Qi Tingji had long advised Lu Zhi to visit Baiyu Jing for proper sword forging.
Even if it meant leaving the sect's registry and transferring to Baiyu Jing, it would be fine.
For Qi Tingji, who deeply valued pragmatic achievements, to speak so candidly to an outsider—Lu Zhi was probably the only one.
The Sword Qi Great Wall had never had a grudge with Baiyu Jing. In fact, there was an insignificant bit of friendly affinity. For instance, the Inverted Mountain had been neighbors with the Sword Qi Great Wall for thousands of years, getting along well. The largest "Mountain Character Seal" in the world, which bridged the Haoran world and the Sword Qi Great Wall, was guarded by Yu Dou's principal disciple. Moreover, the young Daoist Jiang Yunsheng and the female Daoist from the Master's Knife Room helped guard the gate for years. So the sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall had no particular animosity toward Baiyu Jing or the Azure World.
Just like before, old sword cultivator Cheng Quan led a group, first taking young sword cultivators like Dong Hua Fu to Shen Xiao City, then Executioner Hao Su entered Baiyu Jing for cultivation.
But this relationship also caused the Inverted Mountain to be cursed for many years by some Haoran Qi refiners as "watchdogs."
These views were only muttered privately, never openly declared.
Lu Zhi thought that she wasn't as stubborn as outsiders said.
For example, she had followed the old sword immortal's advice: her natal flying sword "Beidou" she kept hidden and never used on the battlefield.
Probably the old sword immortal saw in Lu Zhi more "uncertainty" and "potential" than in Dong San Geng, Qi Tingji, or Chen Xi.
As for Lu Zhi's other flying sword, "Bao Pu," it was widely known. But Qi Tingji guessed there existed a possibility that by reading and studying the Baiyu Jing's mystical texts, Lu Zhi could unlock a third natal technique for this sword.
Lu Zhi's personality was partly innate and partly influenced by the two natal flying swords' effect on her Dao heart, making her, already indifferent to desires, seem even more aloof.
The problem was, Lu Zhi listened this time because the old sword immortal had said one heavy word and one heartfelt word, both rare.
"Lu Zhi, on the Sword Qi Great Wall, you will have only one chance to use your natal flying sword 'Beidou.'"
"Here, those female sword cultivators who leave on a whim or die without a word are already enough. We don't need one more outsider."
The old sword immortal's implication was obvious: you, Lu Zhi, only have one chance to refuse advice, after which you can leave the Sword Qi Great Wall.
At least stay alive.
Dare to stay and not leave?
A sword cultivator's reasoning is in his swordsmanship.
Is your sword path very high? How high?
You're just an immortal realm sword cultivator who can't reach Flying Ascension. Try jumping a few times and see if your head reaches my shoulder.
Not just Lu Zhi—toward all outsider sword cultivators, the old sword immortal was always willing to break the rules and say a few more words.
Of course, the premise was they dared to come to him. For example, the sword cultivator Wei Jin from Treasure Bottle Continent's Snow Temple Immortal Platform—didn't he build a thatched hut on the city wall and practice swordsmanship?
Lu Chen smiled faintly. "Lu Zhi, my view is roughly the same as Chen Ping'an's, with one small difference. He thinks your future sword path achievements might be higher than Qi Tingji's. But I think it's not 'might'—it's 'certainly.' Once you truly refine your two natal flying swords and then fully integrate and fuse the eight sword veins within the sword box into one—like twisting a rope—your sword Dao realm will be considerable. Additionally, I don't know what you think, but you've never expanded your Qi palaces. Even after seeing countless immortal realms across the world, someone with so few Qi palaces as you is—without exaggeration—unique."
So in Lu Chen's eyes, Lu Zhi's true potential was that after reaching Flying Ascension, she could go even further, possibly occupying a broad, independent sword path.
Lu Zhi laughed. "If that's so, then my debt to you would be too great. How could I ever repay it?"
Lu Chen retorted, "Poor Daoist just acts spontaneously, according to fate, joy, and whim. What relationship does that have with you, Lu Zhi? Why repay? Even if you repay, poor Daoist won't accept it. So why bother?"
Lu Zhi felt something was off but couldn't refute at the moment, so she just said, "I can't argue with you."
Lu Chen suddenly said, "Poor Daoist still has things to do, so I won't stay long. Until we meet again!"
Before Lu Zhi could say anything, Sect Leader Lu's figure had already vanished, coming and going in a hurry.
Distracted, Lu Zhi walked along, then finally snapped to. If I want to repay a favor, whether you, Lu Chen, accept it or not, why should I care?!
But on second thought, Lu Zhi still felt something wasn't right.
---
That day, at the entrance of Fallen Mountain, a few men in Confucian robes, walking from the small town, arrived.
One was burly, with a tall hat and a sword at his waist, resolute countenance, imposing without anger.
Another was a wooden-faced scholar with a gourd hanging at his waist.
That morning, after Little Mi Li finished her patrol of the mountains, she went to the foot to chat with the Reverend Fairy. It was one of her daily tasks.
The Reverend Fairy suddenly narrowed his eyes, slowly stood up, and said in a gentle voice for Little Mi Li to stay seated. Then he walked in front of the girl.
The Daoist Reverend Fairy, hands folded in his sleeves.
Purely by intuition, the fake Daoist—named Reverend Fairy, real name Nian Jing—felt he had to stand in front and personally receive the guest today.
---
Under the fire god's temple flower shed in the Great Li capital.
The young Daoist in a lotus crown lay back on a stone block, hands behind his head, staring blankly at the flower shed.
Feng Yi sat by the stone table and sneered. "Aren't you uncomfortable?"
Lu Chen said, "I've heard that in ancient times, there were special high-level gods in charge of gatekeepers, responsible for intercepting later Qi refiners who tried to go upstream."
Feng Yi remained silent.
Lu Chen turned his head to look at her.
Feng Yi sighed faintly. "That's old history. Why bring it up?"
---
Over in Huai Huang County, Li Huai, who had returned to his hometown from the Cliff Academy, had a young Daoist missing from his side and instead had a female friend of his sister from the mountains. But for some reason, this female cultivator always claimed to be his maidservant, which made Li Huai wish he could dig a hole and crawl into it. He couldn't persuade her to leave, couldn't drive her away, and couldn't say harsh words. Li Huai complained bitterly. If Chen Ping'an found out... If Chen Ping'an found out, it might not matter. But if Pei Qian found out, his already limited good reputation would be gone entirely. Then how could he get promoted to captain?
---
Su Dian, the female martial artist from the Yang Family Pharmacy, was now in a foreign land. She had found the so-called senior brother—"Xie Xin'en" from the hometown town.
The Azure World's number one martial artist, Lin Shi, from Crow Mountain, "Lin Jiangxian."
After Lin Jiangxian confirmed her identity, he asked with a smile, "Did Old Yang entrust you with anything?"
Su Dian said solemnly, "Master only said one sentence: 'Be good to your little junior brother, as repayment for your teacher's kindness.'"
Lin Jiangxian asked curiously, "Little junior brother?"
Su Dian said, "His name is Li Huai. Master said Li Huai is his last, closed-door disciple. But Li Huai doesn't know this. In fact, Master has always treated him like a grandson. Saying it this way is probably because Master worried that if he said it differently, even if you heard it, Brother Lin, you might not take it to heart."
Lin Jiangxian nodded and smiled. "Li Huai? I'll remember."