Chapter 1113: Realms Cannot Simply Be Averaged Out

Chapter 1113: Realms Cannot Simply Be Averaged Out

The Sword Worship Platform of Luopo Mountain in Bottle Gourd Continent, the many peaks of the Green Reed Sword Sect on Parasol Leaf Continent, plus He Xiangting and Yu Qingzhang, who had taken Yu Yue as their master and settled in Flowing Xia Gorge Continent.

If one also added the young boys and girls whom Xie Songhua and that group of sword immortals had taken away from the Sword Qi Great Wall even earlier.

Life's gatherings and partings are not up to us; we drift apart like duckweed in all directions. The nine sword cultivator seedlings who had left the Sword Qi Great Wall together with Chen Ping'an, including the one who had used the alias "Cao Mo" as their master, Cao Shifu, had brought them out of the fragmented cave heaven within the jade hairpin and met them on a small boat at sea. Only Bai Xuan and Nalan Yudie were at the Cavern Dwelling Realm. Now Bai Xuan had reached the Dragon Gate Realm, and Sun Chunwang, who practiced swordsmanship most diligently and had the most stable temperament, was at the Sea Observation Realm. After all, they had only been in the Haoran World for a short time, and nearly half of the children had not yet broken through to the Middle Five Realms. Among them, for example, were Yao Xiaoyan, who had the most natal flying swords, and Yu Qingzhang, whose flying sword was named "Great Duanyang" and had been classified as Grade B Upper in the Summer Resort Palace. On the other hand, it was He Xiangting, who loved reading, who, during that great rainstorm, stayed up late reading by lamplight, repeatedly perusing the "Orthodox Sword Arts" and a few local chronicles. For no apparent reason, he broke through a realm, without any bottlenecks or obstacles, smoothly entering the Cavern Dwelling Realm, giving his master Yu Yue quite a fright.

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile, "He Xiangting, I heard from Cheng Zhaolu that you actually want to learn fist techniques?"

He Xiangting's face flushed slightly. "Bai Xuan, Yu Xiehui, He Gu—they all want to learn fist techniques from Master Cao too."

Chen Ping'an said, "If Bai Xuan knew you were a girl, he wouldn't talk so irresponsibly."

He Xiangting's face turned completely red. So it turned out she had been pretending to be a boy all these years, fooling her fellow townspeople like Bai Xuan and Yu Xiehui, but of course she couldn't fool the young Hidden Officer. Chen Ping'an hesitated for a moment, thought it over carefully, and then said with a smile, "Do you want to know the ranking of you nine in terms of swordsmanship aptitude and future achievements, as seen by us so-called seniors—me, Mi Yu, Sect Leader Cui, Chief Zhou?"

He Xiangting actually had the least confidence in herself, after all, Bai Xuan and Sun Chunwang, whom Bai Xuan had nicknamed "Dead Fish Eyes," had aptitudes that were obvious at a glance. In the terminology of Haoran antique shops, they were "wide open." As for the other seven, Yao Xiaoyan had three natal flying swords, He Gu and Yu Xiehui each had their own strengths. In short, He Xiangting felt she was too ordinary. For a long time, the little girl even thought the reason the young Hidden Officer had brought her out of the Sword Qi Great Wall was due to the military merits accumulated by her family and her Dao transmitter. It was like in the dynasties beneath the mountains in Haoran, where some people were born into good circumstances and got official positions through their ancestors' blessings merely by luck.

But because she had just broken through to the Middle Five Realms, He Xiangting had gained a bit of confidence. After all, whether a sword cultivator had spirit or not ultimately depended on their realm level and the speed of their breakthroughs.

Yu Qingzhang looked dejected. "No matter what others' rankings are, I'm definitely at the bottom."

Chen Ping'an shook his head with a smile. "Yu Qingzhang, do you know why your flying sword was named 'Great Duanyang'?" Yu Qingzhang nodded. "I heard from Uncle that it's probably because of an old custom in our hometown. The day I was born, the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, was the old Duanyang Festival. Later, when I nurtured my natal flying sword, it was also at noon on that day."

Chen Ping'an said, "In the past, the sacrificial officials of our Sword Qi Great Wall would hold sacrificial ceremonies on this day, but that's old history now. Actually, it's the same as the customs in the ancient Shu region of Bottle Gourd Continent. Originally, both places used the fifteenth day of the fifth month as the Duanyang Festival, not the current Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month. Luopo Mountain belongs to the ancient Shu mountains and rivers in a broad sense, so I guess that in the future, several of your more critical cultivation barriers and opportunities for Dao verification will still be in the ancient Shu region. I didn't tell you this before because I was afraid you might have a rebellious attitude. Just because I said it, you might deliberately do the opposite. Now it doesn't matter anymore."

"Among the nine children, you two are the ones who have been most distant from me on the surface. You haven't said a word to me. From the sea to Parasol Leaf Continent and then to Bottle Gourd Continent, you've been giving me attitude the whole way. It's fine. I have my own plans, my own little schemes. So I often tell myself that in the end, the ones who will be closest to me might very well be you two, through the negation of negation."

"It's not just the name 'Great Duanyang' for your flying sword. Your name 'Qingzhang' also has significance. To be honest, your master Yu Yue is utterly shameless. Not content with being a consecrated elder, he had to butt in and take you two away from Luopo Mountain, disrupting many of the long-term plans that Sect Leader Cui and I had."

He Xiangting looked embarrassed. Yu Qingzhang felt strange. At this moment, he felt that the Hidden Officer had a very human touch, like a real, living person.

The last time was on that small boat adrift on the vast sea, when he was sitting alone at the bow, his back to them, eating a bowl of rice.

Inside the house, an old sword cultivator had been scolded several times. Pu He had called him even worse than useless. Situ Jiyu had also scolded him for having no battle merits, saying that going to the Sword Qi Great Wall was just a waste of effort. Even the drunk and tipsy Song Fairy had scolded him, asking how he had the nerve to go to Luopo Mountain and kidnap two children. The old sword cultivator wanted to come out for some fresh air and chat with his two disciples and the Hidden Officer. But as soon as he stepped one foot over the threshold, he heard Mountain Lord Chen's complaints again. The old sword cultivator had no choice but to withdraw his foot and return to the main hall, firmly deciding not to go out and court trouble.

Chen Ping'an, having spoken these pent-up words, felt refreshed. He raised the cinnabar red gourd, took a sip of wine, and said with a smile, "Sect Leader Cui's 'Sleeve Universe' technique really torments people. After Sun Chunwang and Bai Xuan, Yu Qingzhang held out the longest. Later, Mi Yu saw you all and observed you from afar for a long time. He also felt that, overall, Yu Qingzhang could be ranked third."

Yu Qingzhang couldn't believe it. That high a ranking?

"Isn't that a pleasant surprise? Can't help but ask yourself, 'So I'm actually this strong?!'"

Chen Ping'an said with a smile, helping to voice the confusion, then giving his own evaluation, "I also think Yu Qingzhang has good aptitude, a fine temperament, and plenty of resilience."

It was because their hometown was the Sword Qi Great Wall that almost every generation of young sword cultivators felt they were nothing special.

Historically, there had been so many truly strong individuals and genuine geniuses that many geniuses themselves didn't dare consider themselves geniuses.

Chen Ping'an shook the gourd in his hand, squinting as he smiled. "It's like some wines—they have a strong aftereffect."

Yu Qingzhang was speechless.

Chen Ping'an said with a smile, "But our opinions can neither determine nor do we wish to 'fix' your future achievements. Take He Xiangting, for example. She is now at a higher realm than you. Because when it comes to reading, He Xiangting can make each book thicker and then thinner again. You, Yu Qingzhang, who also likes reading, lack that skill. He Xiangting has already drawn many principles from books that she accepts in her heart. She has begun to accept the Haoran World to a limited extent. You, Yu Qingzhang, on the other hand, still doubt the principles in books and the world outside them. Perhaps, except for a rare person or two and a matter or two, deep down you reject everything outside the Sword Qi Great Wall."

He Xiangting said shyly, "Master Cao, is my reading method really that good?"

Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "I am the closed-door disciple of the Literary Saint lineage, and a nobleman appointed by the Central Earth Confucian Temple. Would I talk nonsense about such matters as seeking knowledge?"

Yu Qingzhang was silent for a moment, then rubbed his cheeks vigorously with both hands and said softly, "I remember that before the battle outside the city, Uncle and my sword technique Dao transmitter both admired and praised Master Cao very much. One said the Second Shopkeeper was an outsider who sincerely held the Sword Qi Great Wall in high regard. The other regretted that the man Ning Yao had chosen wasn't a sword cultivator. He Xiangting's grandfather had a similar opinion."

Later, those few sword cultivators violated the strictly worded military order from the Summer Resort Palace via flying sword message and went out of the city to fight without permission. On the city wall, no one came to their rescue. No sword cultivator helped.

Chen Ping'an just remained silent, offering no evaluation, and didn't explain the rights and wrongs to the two children in detail. On the path of growth, the one who ties the bell must be the one to untie it; they needed to unravel their own heart knots.

Yu Qingzhang and He Xiangting had been brought out of their hometown by the "culprit," Master Cao. The two children had been traveling together in a foreign land and had gradually come to understand the young Hidden Officer's actions back then.

The problem was that once they began to understand the decision of the Summer Resort Palace, they felt even worse inside.

That's just how worldly affairs are. Only by knowing right and wrong do you have a heart barrier.

I remember the big white goose once said something that they only half understood: "Those who don't distinguish between right and wrong and only decide based on interests encounter events, not themselves."

Their master, Yu Yue, besides teaching sword techniques, would tell them about local customs and practices when they traveled through various places. But the master almost never reasoned with them. Only once, when they arrived at Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, did he deliberately say something in a flat tone, as if it were a digression: "The same thing, done by different people—good may not be right; bad may not be wrong."

He Xiangting said, "Master Cao, we will often return to Luopo Mountain in the future."

Yu Qingzhang hummed in agreement.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Over there in Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, you must also cultivate diligently and break through realms steadily. In the future, Master Cao can rely on your thighs. When traveling incognito through the vast mountains and rivers of the three western continents, I can just report the names of Sword Immortal Yu and Sword Immortal He, and I won't need to fight—I can settle things."

Yu Qingzhang grinned. "We can't do that yet for now. We can just report our master's name."

He Xiangting rolled her eyes. Mentioning that was like opening a can of worms. Their master was already being scolded thoroughly in the main hall.

Chen Ping'an joked, "Remember, before you become sword immortals, whether you're alone or with friends on training trips outside Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, if you encounter some blind old coot of a high realm who doesn't take your master seriously, just say you have a nominal young master, named Chen Ping'an. Let them think it over."

He Xiangting blinked. "Master Cao, wouldn't it be more effective to report Sister Ning Yao's name and pretend she's our young master?"

Chen Ping'an cleared his throat, the golden signboard, and said, "In the Haoran World, across the nine continents, my name is definitely enough."

Ning Yao walked out of the main hall and sat down beside He Xiangting. "Are you okay?"

Chen Ping'an put away his wine gourd with lightning speed and said with great spirit, "I haven't drunk much. This little bit of wine is nothing."

He Xiangting, caught red-handed, quickly called the clueless Yu Qingzhang, and they stood up to take their leave.

As they crossed the threshold together, they both turned back to look at the steps outside.

They found Chen Ping'an also turning his head to look at them.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Your master is too good at drinking and helped me fend off the wine. That Sword Immortal Situ is pretending to be drunk. I know his tolerance very well. He's faking drunkenness but really cursing."

Inside the house, a certain sword immortal from the beauty nest, who was claiming to be really drunk and saying harsh words without blame while urging others to drink, immediately leaned back upon hearing this.

Earlier, Chen Ping'an had made a trip to True Martial Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, he met Huan Shu, who was in charge of lighting the lamps and adding oil to the ancestral hall. Huan Shu had a very high seniority; he was actually the grand-master uncle of Mountain Lord Yue Ding.

This meant that Huan Shu was either a junior disciple of the founding patriarch of True Martial Mountain on Bottle Gourd Continent, or a martial temple companion sage assigned to Bottle Gourd Continent by the Central Earth Martial Ancestor Court.

In short, if Huan Shu really wanted to take charge, he could not only manage True Martial Mountain but also the internal affairs of Snow Wind Temple.

Of the Dragon Ridge Mountain belonging to True Martial Mountain, 30% of the sword-whetstones that hadn't been mined yet could be transferred to Luopo Mountain. True Martial Mountain had made three requests, one of which was related to Flying Rise City on the Colorful Sky Continent.

Ning Yao nodded in agreement. "A small matter. Also a good thing."

Alliances among cultivators were far more reliable than love vows between ordinary men and women.

Chen Ping'an asked, "Has Chen Ji decided when to emerge from seclusion?"

Ning Yao said, "Still waiting and seeing."

A person's sudden wealth often depends on luck and fate, because their ancestors accumulated hidden virtues and paved the way. Later generations might seem to hit a stroke of luck and rise in the world.

A family or sect's steady progress, built on a solid foundation, shows more skill.

Ning Yao said, "Since the banquet is on the fifth day of the fifth month, I'll try to arrive two or three days early, at the beginning of the fifth month."

Chen Ping'an subconsciously imitated Little Rice Grain and scratched his cheek. You all guessed it right on the mark. Am I the only fool?

Ning Yao asked with a smile, "Do you need me to be Sheyue's bridesmaid?"

Chen Ping'an quickly nodded. "Yes, definitely yes."

Two relatively young Earth Immortal sword cultivators, Yan Houdao and Tian Xian, walked out of the main hall together, saying they wanted to become guest elders of the Green Reed Sword Sect on Parasol Leaf Continent.

Chen Ping'an, of course, wouldn't refuse. Without even needing to inform Cui Dongshan, it took effect immediately. They were already guest elders of the subordinate sect.

Later, they just needed to go through the formalities at the ancestral hall of Green Reed Peak, let the Law Enforcer Cui Wei open the golden jade register, and record their names.

The student dug at the wall of the main sect with a small hoe, while the teacher proactively sent talents to the subordinate sect. This was called returning good for evil, demonstrating the teacher's magnanimity.

Because the big white goose had become the sect leader of the subordinate sect and seemed to have done things improperly—gone too far, in fact—there was considerable resentment on Luopo Mountain. The little boy in blue had once risked death to admonish, reminding the mountain lord to guard against thieves, guard against robbers, and guard against Dongshan!

At the time, Mountain Lord Chen had suddenly understood and said that they should take this seriously. He asked Chen Lingjun if he dared to speak up bravely at the next joint ancestral hall meeting of the two sects at Jise Peak.

Chen Lingjun had just had a solid early-morning drink with Old Man Jing and the others, and his courage was at its peak. He slapped his chest and assured that there would be no problem. It was time for someone to step up and pour cold water on that big white goose.

Tian Xian was the female Golden Core who had previously confronted Wang Jia in public.

She plucked up the courage to ask Ning Yao, "Sword Immortal Ning, could I have a word with you?"

Ning Yao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What kind of schmoozing tactic was that?

Still, she asked, "What do you want to talk about?"

Tian Xian was also straightforward. "My head is buzzing, completely blank. Let me calm down first, Sword Immortal Ning."

Before coming out, she had secretly downed two big gulps of wine, but it seemed her courage still wasn't enough. Using alcohol to bolster her courage, she had spent it all on discussing business with the young Hidden Officer. By the time she got to Ning Yao, she had none left.

Ning Yao rarely made conversation. "You're from Dragon King Hall in Rui City, right? I heard your patriarch visited the Sword Qi Great Wall. There was a sword immortal's private residence outside the city, and she had a good relationship with Lu Zhi."

Tian Xian beamed, her face flushed red. "I am precisely from the branch of sword cultivators at the Fanzhi Princess Temple under Patriarch Hong of Rui City."

Ning Yao nodded.

Chen Ping'an then explained to Ning Yao the origins of the connection between Dragon King Hall in Rui City and the mural branch of Fanzhi Princess Temple.

Tian Xian was extremely excited. This trip had paid off hugely. Not only had she met Hidden Officer Chen, but she had also chatted with Ning Yao, a Fourteen Realm sword cultivator!

Tian Xian, who was known in Rui City for having peculiar ideas in the ancestral hall, felt that since she hadn't been hit by Wang Jia's "Vacant Lord" technique, she was somehow unworthy of this opportunity.

Next, a Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivator named Hua Qinggong, a female sword immortal who dominated the three western continents of Haoran, wanted to become a guest elder at Qi Tingji's Dragon-Elephant Sword Sect on Southern Bountiful Bodhi Continent. As for a nominal consecrated elder, she dared not hope for that.

Consecrated elders, especially those with higher rankings, were typically given seats in the ancestral hall.

On the other hand, nominal guest elders had lower status and salaries. For large sects and small immortal mansions, generally speaking, the more the merrier.

Of course, the youthful appearance and elegant bearing of Old Sword Immortal Qi were also a factor.

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'll help pass the word."

Hua Qinggong said politely, "It's fine whether it works out or not."

To be honest, saying in front of a young Hidden Officer that she wanted to become a guest elder at another sword sect was already somewhat inappropriate.

But her family had a branch and a hall name on Southern Bountiful Bodhi Continent, with a mountain sect that barely counted as second-rate. Having the identity of a Dragon-Elephant Sword Sect guest elder would help take care of them.

No matter how pure a sword cultivator was, no matter how much freer they were than others, they were still beings involved in the mundane world of mortal affairs.

Chen Ping'an smiled. "If you said you wanted to be a consecrated elder, I couldn't guarantee it. But for a guest elder, Old Sword Immortal Qi has to give me that much face."

Damn it. Sect Leader Qi had already intercepted so many "private swords" returning home from various hidden places in the desolate wasteland. If he didn't give this much face, then don't blame me for personally visiting the Dragon-Elephant Sword Sect and doing the same.

Cao Gun and the other two emerged from the main hall, full of alcohol, and sat down on the steps. Ning Yao occupied one side, so they had to squeeze onto the other side of the Hidden Officer. While Cao Gun and Xuan Shen, the two lackeys, were jostling for positions, Song Gaoyuan couldn't stand it anymore. How could you sword cultivators be so sycophantic? Have you no shame at all? So he shouldered Cao Gun aside, sat down first, and, seizing the opportunity, imitating the tone of Vice Mountain Lord Gao Xuandu from Laiyuan Academy, Song Gaoyuan said with a smile, "Hidden Officer, you've worked hard. When will you come visit us at Stag Horn Palace?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Not this time. I'm short on cash and didn't bring any gifts. By the way, you three factions still haven't formed an alliance?" Stag Horn Palace on Fuyang Continent, Ethereal Sect on Golden Armor Continent, and Square Inch Sect on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent. They still hadn't formed an alliance among themselves. It might have been because they weren't familiar before and their mountain relationships were only average. But with the life-and-death friendship between Cao Gun and the other two, plus the fact that all three sects had contributed significantly during the great war, it was surprising.

Cao Gun smiled and explained, "The three sects have all accumulated enough battle merits. In recent years, they've been busy establishing subordinate sects, but they've kept a low profile. Their respective ancestral halls don't want to make a big deal out of it. Our Square Inch Sect's subordinate sect is being set up on Fuyang Continent, Xuan Shen's Ethereal Sect on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, and Stag Horn Palace's subordinate sect on Golden Armor Continent. Then the subordinate sects will form an alliance."

Chen Ping'an nodded with a smile. "Old-established sects are always steady in their actions."

Chen Ping'an suddenly exclaimed, "Square Inch Sect, Ethereal Sect where Xuan Shen is, and Stag Horn Palace—who's there?"

Song Gaoyuan snorted through his nose and said with a wry smile, "So I'm the one who doesn't deserve a name, huh."

Chen Ping'an said mysteriously, "Cao Gun, Xuan Shen, you two may not know this. Back when I first entered the Summer Resort Palace, Chou Miao and I figured out a way to prevent native sword cultivators and outsider sword cultivators from becoming too divided and opposed. We devised a not-so-great method of infiltrating each other's camps and planting spies. For example, Chou Miao had Wang Xinshui and Gu Jianlong lean toward my side, and I had Song Gaoyuan and Deng Liang take their stand on their side. Deng Liang, that guy with a rebellious bone, is typical of forgetting friends for beauty. He agreed without a second thought the moment he heard. I won't talk about him. But I had to persuade Song Gaoyuan for a long time before this kid grudgingly, with a face full of grievance, gritted his teeth and 'defected to the enemy' with forbearance."

Cao Gun and Xuan Shen looked at each other, stunned for a moment. Had they been misunderstanding Song Gaoyuan all along?!

Song Gaoyuan was completely confused, his conscience pricking him, and he honestly said, "There's no such thing!"

Chen Ping'an sighed, speaking with conviction, "Yes, you do!"

Cao Gun asked softly, "What about Lin Junbi? Didn't he have any mission?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "He did, of course he did. I had a heart-to-heart talk with him, sincere words, saying I was grooming him as a candidate for Hidden Officer. As long as he worked hard, he had a bright future. That kid has an addiction to officialdom. His eyes lit up when he heard that. Think about it—doesn't Lin Junbi do things with great enthusiasm every day?"

Xuan Shen nodded. "Put that way, it all makes sense. Actually, Song Gaoyuan has had it pretty tough. At least Deng Liang has the prospect of winning the beauty's hand, but our Song Gaoyuan seeks nothing, only loyalty."

Song Gaoyuan, meanwhile, was off to the side counting on his fingers, muttering to himself.

Cao Gun asked curiously, "Brother Song Gaoyuan, what are you doing?"

Xuan Shen followed up, "Brother Song, who has endured humiliation, if you have any grievances, speak them out."

Song Gaoyuan chuckled. "I'm counting how many people the Hidden Officer has sold out in just a few words. Chou Miao, Wang Xinshui, Gu Jianlong, me, Deng Liang, Lin Junbi."

Chen Ping'an laughed heartily.

None of them deliberately avoided mentioning Chou Miao in their conversation. Once they had left the Summer Resort Palace and departed the Sword Qi Great Wall, whenever they thought of him, they could speak of him.

Chen Ping'an raised his arm, holding the wine gourd high.

The other three young sword cultivators had also brought wine gourds when they came out, so they all made the same gesture.

This Entirely Pepper Mountain was universally acknowledged as a piece of fat meat that could make even a Flying Ascension cultivator's heart beat faster.

An old man and a female cultivator arrived by wind, their immense aura directly splitting open a vast expanse of cloud sea. The master and disciple hovered in midair.

The woman had skin as white as snow but wore a black dharma robe, a jet-black jade hairpin, and a sword scabbard made of black flood dragon tendon. She also carried a traveling bag made of black bamboo.

Such a Li River that flows unceasingly to the sea, such a Entirely Pepper Mountain brimming with Dao aura.

Such a slender waist crossing the cloud sea, an expanse of brow and landscape matching a beautiful woman.

Not everyone might recognize the old cultivator, but there was no mistaking the woman who outshone all the beauties of an entire continent.

On Golden Armor Continent, there was a female sword immortal named Song Pin who carried the "Fuyao" sword. On Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, on Green Palace Mountain, there was a woman with the Dao name "Man Po," Nie Cuie.

The two daughters of the three continents, their beauty outweighs the world. That saying referred to her and Song Pin.

Since they recognized Nie Cuie, the identity of the old man beside her was clear.

It was indeed Jing Hao, known as the Green Palace Guardian, Old Jing, a Flying Ascension!

On Fuyang and Golden Armor Continents, after the war, there were no more Flying Ascension cultivators.

Logically speaking, with Old Master Jing, a profound peak-dweller, taking advantage of the situation—whether by swallowing Entirely Pepper Mountain alone or partnering with someone—wouldn't it be a sure thing?

Soon, some cultivators thought they understood the trick. That old sword immortal who had pretended to be a Flying Ascension earlier—could it be Liu Tui, the number one figure of the subordinate sect on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent from Fuyang Continent?

First, they staged a double act, then they'd split the spoils afterwards.

As expected of a "contest of wits" between Flying Ascension cultivators—they were putting on a show for us.

Nie Cuie sent a voice transmission: "Master, is that Zheng Dan already here?"

Jing Hao squinted his eyes. "Since she hasn't appeared at White Emperor City's gate yet, wherever that absent-minded Sect Leader Gao Yi is, she'll follow him."

Nie Cuie didn't know what secret method her master had used to track the young sword immortal Gao Yi, but that female ghost was indeed annoying. She had turned the Changyu Cave Heaven, which was already in her master's bag, into Gao Yi's possession.

Jing Hao stroked his beard, pondering for a moment. All the way, there had been rumors that there was a Flying Ascension sword cultivator on Entirely Pepper Mountain who had openly challenged everyone and driven them all out.

Nonsense! Utterly absurd! There were so few Flying Ascension sword cultivators. Who would go wandering around these days? The Flying Ascension sword cultivators of the Haoran World were few and far between. Now, the great sword immortals of the homeland had all been transferred by the Confucian Temple to various ferry ports on the Desolate Barbarian World. Even Bai Chang, the new Flying Ascension who had returned to the Northern Julu Continent to go into seclusion and then emerged, still had to return to the Desolate Barbarian battlefield as per regulations. As for a certain mountain on a certain continent to the east, one couldn't judge it by common sense. Could it be that Chen Ping'an had come here?

Jing Hao chuckled softly. "The ruins of Changyu Cave Heaven, with major and minor cave heavens interlocking like the acupoints of the human body. Although incomplete, partially shattered, it's still a precious geomantic site that, if properly managed, could give rise to a new Flying Ascension. But for me and Green Palace Mountain, it's just icing on the cake. Having it is, of course, best. It would give you and Gao Geng a foothold for becoming immortals and pursuing the Dao of Ascension. If not, it means you two lack the opportunity, and I wouldn't be too heartbroken. But that Cave Lord Shu, who seems calm on the surface, must be gnashing his teeth in pain. The Changyu Cave Heaven was something that couple had waited years for, something they were determined to obtain, hoping for a double ascension. But then a female ghost popped up, claiming to be the gatekeeper of White Emperor City. Haha! Shu Nanyuan must be gnashing her teeth, while I'm laughing so hard my teeth might fall out. What a delight!"

Earlier, during the overt and covert struggle for the Changyu Cave Heaven, Jing Hao was not at all afraid of Zheng Dan, a ghost sword immortal on his home turf of Flowing Xia Gorge Continent.

What really required Jing Hao's careful planning was Shu Nanyuan of Tianyu Cave Heaven, a newly ascended Flying Ascension who was accumulating external merits in a hidden manner.

Within the same continent, neighboring Flying Ascension cultivators rarely got along.

Nie Cuie also didn't like Tianyu Cave Heaven, especially Shu Nanyuan's Dao partner.

"Let me go meet the promising young Sect Leader Gao."

After thinking for a moment, Jing Hao made this decision. He concealed his form, left his personal disciple in place, and the old Flying Ascension alone quietly entered the underground caverns of Entirely Pepper Mountain.

After all, this wasn't Luopo Mountain. There was no banquet table, and certainly no little boy in blue urging him to drink. Jing Hao's demeanor was completely different.

Earlier, this old Flying Ascension, a leader among the continent's cultivators, had been affable and kind, as gentle as a novice Lower Five Realm cultivator.

Now, on Fuyang Continent, it was as if he were in an empty land. One step of ground-shrinking brought him directly to the private residence by the underground river. He raised his eyes and looked toward the waterside pavilion, which had bamboo curtains hanging on three sides.

Jing Hao clasped his hands behind his back, squinting as he smiled. "Daoist, no matter where I go, I run into you. Are you deliberately trying to annoy me? Or do you feel guilty about taking the Changyu Cave Heaven and have come to apologize?"

Through the bamboo curtain, Gao Yi saw the old cultivator outside and his heart tightened. This was probably what it felt like to have a guilty conscience.

With Zheng Dan as his protector, he had snatched the cave heaven ruins from two Flying Ascension cultivators. Gao Yi didn't find it at all troublesome. But now, Zheng Dan had completely cut ties with him, even saying things like even kneeling at the White Emperor City gate would be useless. Gao Yi felt like a poor man who couldn't handle his liquor, suddenly downing a big gulp of strong wine—unwilling to spit it out, afraid of burning his throat and stomach if he swallowed it.

Zheng Dan frowned. "If you find it annoying, just stay away."

Jing Hao sneered. "This place is the private residence of my disciple's disciple. Your actions are improper, but your words are quite amusing."

Gao Yi was extremely embarrassed. He cautiously glanced at Zheng Dan and at the river-sandal-maid, who was calmly continuing to brew wine.

Zheng Dan said coolly, "Mountain Lord Chen and Laiyuan Academy invited me to rest here for a while."

Jing Hao frowned. "Which Mountain Lord Chen?"

Zheng Dan retorted, "Daoist Jing, why not ask which Laiyuan Academy?"

Gao Yi grew even more nervous. With such discord and friction, he was the one caught in the middle, pleasing nobody.

Jing Hao withdrew his hands into his sleeves, silently formed a few hand seals for a moment, and his expression suddenly changed. He laughed heartily. "So it turns out you're a friend of a friend. What a coincidence! Well, well, this place isn't worth much. Don't find it shabby. Consider it a gift to you, Daoist Zheng, and Sect Leader Gao as a place to stay!"

You are the gatekeeper of White Emperor City. And the true master of my Green Palace Mountain is still Master Chen Juzhong's teacher. A sword immortal like Zheng Dan can run away, but Gao Yi, this young sect leader with unformed wings, can't—his sect doesn't have legs and can't leave Flowing Xia Gorge Continent. He's young and brash, doing things without any method, driven entirely by personal likes and dislikes. Clearly someone who doesn't understand the ways of the world.

Luck is precious, but it's like a poor family's dumplings on New Year's—it can't replace three meals a day.

I really don't believe Zheng Juzhong would protect a Sect Leader Gao who has no connection to him. It's not strange that Zheng Juzhong thinks highly of the ghost immortal Zheng Dan, but if he also values Sword Immortal Gao, then I, Jing Hao, will write my name backwards!

Of course, he was very wary of that young Hidden Officer Chen.

But to be honest, among the people of Luopo Mountain, Jing Hao was even more afraid of that little boy in blue, who could call the real master of Green Palace Mountain, "Immortal Lord Chen," his brother.

Those few drinking sessions at Luopo Mountain had been truly exhausting.

For some reason, whenever Chen Lingjun was at the table, he would always seize the opportunity to toast Jing Hao, while also "helping" "Chen Zhuoliu" say a few good words.

And that Dragon-Slayer would just smile and watch Jing Hao's performance. Jing Hao really couldn't win whether he drank or not. He couldn't figure out whether it was a toast or a penalty.

On that unfathomable Luopo Mountain, being a Flying Ascension or not really didn't matter much.

Zheng Dan, Shu Nanyuan, and even both the main and subordinate sects of Green Palace Mountain all thought that his trip was for "recruiting troops and horses," contacting old friends from other continents.

But a mute person who has swallowed a bitter herb has no way to explain.

Just as Jing Hao was pondering whether Zheng Dan's use of the word "invited" was a bluff, a familiar, warm voice sounded behind him. "Daoist Jing, it's only been a few days, and we meet again."

Jing Hao quickly turned around and bowed with a smile. "Greetings, Mountain Lord Chen, Sword Immortal Ning, Sect Leader... Cao."

He had been about to address the younger Cao Gun directly by name, but when the words reached his lips, Jing Hao changed his mind.

After all, that young man was standing between Chen Ping'an and Ning Yao—or more precisely, in their midst.

Jing Hao immediately understood the implication.

This arrangement was deliberate. The young Hidden Officer was clearly helping his own people from the Summer Resort Palace Hidden Office to "urge him to drink," as it were.

At the summit of Square Inch Sect's ancestral mountain, there was a solitary stone cliff engraved with the characters "Mend Heaven." It was one of the few authentic works of the "Most Proud Man Under Heaven." The founding patriarch, whose Dao name was "Eternal Life," had opened a study there, also named "Eternal Life." Later generations of sect leaders had all studied and cultivated the Dao there. The most miraculous thing was that the Dao name "Eternal Life" was passed down through generations, like a hereditary noble title in a mortal dynasty—a unique honor in the history of the Haoran World.

This was because the first-generation patriarch of Square Inch Sect had followed Ritual Sage to the outer heavens, pursuing and annihilating remnants of gods and spirits along with a group of Flying Ascension cultivators in the vast, boundless void.

This "Eternal Life" Daoist, who had ascended to immortality after a mere hundred years of Dao age, fell in the outer heavens. Before his death, he had a last wish: that the sect's disciples would inherit his Dao name.

One day, when someone in Square Inch Sect could achieve the Fourteen Realm of the Great Dao and truly attain great eternal life, he would return this precious Dao name to the Haoran World.

Ritual Sage personally agreed to this.

Because it was a matter decreed by Ritual Sage, for thousands of years, countless qi refiners across the world could only stare helplessly at the Dao name "Eternal Life," not daring to have any thoughts of coveting or overstepping. And the previous sect leader of Square Inch Sect was a Flying Ascension, whose mastery of artifact refinement was unparalleled. Among the cultivators on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, his reputation and moral character were actually... slightly better than Jing Hao's, who was considered the leading immortal teacher of the continent.

Jing Hao, after all, was the leading immortal teacher of the continent. He had quite good sources of information and knew that Square Inch Sect was planning to establish a subordinate sect on Fuyang Continent, apparently called "Inch's Length Sect."

As the rumors outside suggested, Cao Gun would serve as acting sect leader.

Once he broke through to the Jade Pu Realm, the "acting" would be removed.

Cao Gun performed a Daoist bow salute and said with a smile, "Junior Cao Gun greets Senior Jing."

Jing Hao laughed heartily. "Sect Leader Cao, no need for formalities. In the future, on Fuyang Continent, if your subordinate sect has any matters, just give a word to Gao Geng. This disciple of mine will soon become the national master of the Golden Pu Dynasty. He may not be able to help with major matters, but he will definitely help with what he can."

Ning Yao looked toward the waterside pavilion behind the bamboo curtain.

A certain young sword immortal who had once asked Chen Ping'an if he was nervous suddenly felt a chill on his back.

The ugly servant girl, whom Zheng Dan called the river-sandal-maid, held up a wine cup with both hands and said with a smile, "A remnant of a fallen ancient kingdom, a lonely ghost named Shi Yiguang, greets Sword Immortal Ning. Many years ago, I crossed the Inverted Mountain with Mr. Fan and had the honor of visiting the Ning residence. Although I failed to buy that Dragon-Slaying Cliff to cure my heart ailment, Mr. Fan stayed at your esteemed residence for several months. I often went up to the city wall. After witnessing the true vastness of heaven and earth, my heart ailment healed on its own, without my noticing."

Ning Yao's expression softened a few degrees. She nodded, lifted the bamboo curtain, and entered the pavilion. Taking the wine cup from the woman, who had used an illusion technique, she thanked her and said, "As Su Zi said, where my heart finds peace is my hometown."

Chen Ping'an strolled along the riverbank with Jing Hao, seemingly asking a casual question. "Daoist Jing, you and Cave Lord Shu have been neighbors for many years. What kind of person do you think he is?"

Jing Hao smiled. "Mountain Lord Chen's question seems a bit too general."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Then let's narrow it down. Only look at Cave Lord Shu through Jing Hao's eyes."

Jing Hao pondered for a moment, choosing his words carefully, and finally said, "Personally, I don't really like this new Flying Ascension from the same continent."

Chen Ping'an raised both hands, tapping his fingers together, and was silent for a moment before asking, "Is it because he could have ascended earlier but only verified his Dao after the great war ended?"

Jing Hao smiled but didn't speak. That was the answer.

Someone had first given this evaluation.

Wild cultivators are like dogs; registered ones are like snakes.

Later, a more caustic saying emerged.

Wild cultivators are like domestic dogs; registered ones are like wild dogs.

Many wild cultivators in the mountains like to bark at everyone they see. Real wild dogs bite to kill.

Jing Hao spoke very candidly. "So this time, vying with Tianyu Cave Heaven for that opportunity right under both our noses, I was actually uncertain. If it weren't for Zheng Dan butting in, I would only have put on a facade of being ready to fall out with Tianyu Cave Heaven, deliberately making a big show of my deployments. In reality, I was ready to back out at any time. The best plan was to negotiate peacefully with Shu Nanyuan for a share, with me taking only twenty to thirty percent. That would have been fine. I had to contend because of the Flying Ascension realm, my nominal status as the number one immortal teacher of Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, and my dual identity as the master of Green Palace Mountain—these forced me to contend. Not contending was because I really didn't want to clash with Shu Nanyuan and Tianyu Cave Heaven. To put it another way, my Green Palace Mountain only has worthies like Nie Cuie and Gao Geng, who are hard to make into great talents. But that couple has an excellent son, one of the top ten young candidates across several worlds."

The master of Tianyu Cave Heaven, Shu Nanyuan, had the Dao name "Jiao Ming."

He also had many self-styled names: Zhuang Si, Han Ren, Cui Yan.

Next, Chen Ping'an asked a completely off-topic question. "How familiar are you, Daoist Jing, with the Central Earth's Great Dragon Pool?"

Jing Hao had some trouble keeping up with Mountain Lord Chen's train of thought. After thinking for a while, he said, "Not familiar. I've only met the two previous sect leaders in passing. The current Law Enforcer, though, I've shared a few drinks with at the same table. Once at a summit opening ceremony of a certain sect on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, and once at the Azure Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven's Azure Spirit Mountain. But I once had a chance encounter with Immortal Lord Situ, whose Dao name is Dragon Whiskers, in the mortal world of Flowing Xia Gorge Continent. At that time, both of us were hiding our identities. We hit it off immediately. That man is excellent—his conversation, Dao learning, and demeanor are all top-notch. It's a pity that Situ Mengjing has no desire to be sect leader. Otherwise, if the Great Dragon Pool were under his leadership, I believe it could have taken a big leap forward."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "Business is booming everywhere."

Jing Hao was uneasy. He was afraid that Mountain Lord Chen was just bluffing, making false claims. He couldn't very well go to Immortal Lord Chen to verify anything.

Fortunately, Chen Ping'an didn't continue with any more frightening remarks. He just mentioned that Gao Geng was doing well in the Iron Talisman River Water Mansion, having sworn brotherhood with two sworn brothers and making a name for himself.

Jing Hao suddenly glanced at Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an deliberately pretended not to notice.

Testing me? Judging my realm level and depth of Dao power?

Jing Hao had indeed intended to do that. But seeing Mountain Lord Chen's oblivious demeanor, he became uncertain about the true cultivation of the sword immortal beside him.

It was at this moment, while the two mountain lords were strolling by the river, that a Flowing Xia Boat, moving like lightning, arrived at the immortal ferry port closest to Entirely Pepper Mountain.

On the boat stood two local cultivators of Fuyang Continent who held the highest prestige: Liu Tui and Yang Qian'gu.

This secretly delighted the local cultivators of Fuyang Continent who had chosen to stay outside to watch the show. The cross-dragon Jing Hao was destined to fail.

The other group from other continents who had come to fish in troubled waters, being cautious, also didn't rush back to their mountains. They felt it would be strange if there wasn't a fight inside Entirely Pepper Mountain.

These peak cultivators, who rarely showed their true forms, seemed to have an agreement: either they didn't appear in public, or they all showed up together.

Fuyang Continent once had a peak structure with two opposing sects: Liu Tui of Tianyao Township in the north, and the ghost cultivator Yang Qian'gu of "Back Mountain" in the south, both Flying Ascension. The founding ancestor of "Back Mountain," Yang Qian'gu, had a rough cultivation path, a blunt personality, many enemies, and his sect sheltered many ghost cultivators and spirits. He was once schemed against by enemies, causing him to go on a killing spree, slaughtering over a hundred registered cultivators before being personally apprehended by the Second Sage, who forcefully detained him in the Merit Forest of the Central Earth Confucian Temple. Even though the war on Fuyang Continent was fierce, causing the entire continent to sink, this Flying Ascension ghost immortal never left the Merit Forest.

The affairs were managed by a deputy mountain lord, also a ghost cultivator. The "Back Mountain," a sect of considerable size, had its layer upon layer of grand formations broken through by the Great King-level mighty demon Bai Ying. Fewer than one in ten registered cultivators survived. Nearly all Upper Five Realm and Earth Immortal cultivators died. The reason I said "nearly" was because only one Golden Core ghost cultivator, tasked with protecting the sect's divine master, had evacuated with a group of young direct disciples. In total, fewer than ten people. There wasn't even a Jade Pu or Nascent Soul protector.

During the final ancestral hall meeting of Back Mountain, there were initially objections to this arrangement. Some wanted to have a relatively young Jade Pu consecrated elder protect the younger cultivators during the evacuation.

The deputy mountain lord overruled the objections and, with just one sentence, convinced the entire ancestral hall: "When our mountain lord founded the sect, he was only a Golden Core."

On this eye-catching Flowing Xia Boat today, besides the former "archrivals" Liu Tui and Yang Qian'gu, there were several unfamiliar faces. Judging by their positions, they did not appear to be juniors or attendants.

Liu Tui had originally had official duties in the Confucian Temple, but this time he had returned to go into seclusion at the subordinate sect on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent. As soon as he emerged, he had returned to the Flying Ascension realm.

At the same time, Yang Qian'gu had been released from the Merit Forest but still needed to make a trip to the Desolate Barbarian World. So they agreed to take time to return together to their home continent, Fuyang.

Also on the boat were Gu Can from White Emperor City, now the first consecrated elder of the new "Back Mountain." His personal maid, Gu Lingyan.

And a female immortal, Zheng Qingjia, who was about to "land" the entire Gold and Jade City near Entirely Pepper Mountain on Fuyang Continent.

Sect Leader Liu Tui of Tianyao Township had the temperament of a gloomy vulture-like youth, with deep, dark eyes. He was staring at his open palm. Liu Tui had been saved by Qi Tingji on the battlefield. This old Flying Ascension, whose appearance had returned to simplicity but whose aging was hard to hide, had only dropped one realm. Otherwise, Liu Tui's name would have been carved on the other side of the Sword Qi Great Wall's city wall in the Desolate Barbarian's Sixty-Year Record.

Tianyao Township's subordinate sect was built on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent and possessed a White Porcelain Cave Heaven, which was one of the seventy-two minor cave heavens. Liu Tui had recuperated there for many years. When he first emerged from seclusion to attend a meeting at the Central Earth Confucian Temple, he was still at the Immortal Realm.

Fuyang Continent was a recognized small continent, only slightly larger than Bottle Gourd Continent. Before Liu Tui's meteoric rise and successful Dao verification for ascension, Fuyang Continent's status in the Haoran World wasn't much better than Bottle Gourd Continent's. Native cultivators traveling across continents found themselves looked down upon.

If it hadn't been for Liu Tui's emergence, Fuyang Continent would have gone nearly five thousand years without a single Flying Ascension.

Thus, Liu Tui's successful ascension was hailed across the continents as a "breaking of the heavenly drought."

When he attended the Confucian Temple meeting and appeared at Yuanyang Islet, Liu Tui appeared alongside two immortals from Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, Qin Zao and Cong Qian.

Liu Tui frowned. "There are a few places in the feng shui cavern that seem strange. I can't see through them."

During his seclusion, benefiting from the great rain, Liu Tui had returned to the Flying Ascension realm. Logically, he shouldn't be unable to see through the scene inside Entirely Pepper Mountain.

The robust Yang Qian'gu said calmly, "Whether it's strange or magical, we'll know when we go. I want to see if Jing Hao, an outsider, can take this mineral vein away from me."

Liu Tui smiled. "Jing Hao isn't a hothead. That guy is famous for planning before acting. Showing up now means he probably already knows who truly owns Entirely Pepper Mountain."

Yang Qian'gu turned and, with a changed expression, smiled. "Young friend Gu, what do you say? Should I drive some eyesores out of the mountain?"

Gu Can smiled. "Ignorance is not a sin. Allow me to first spread the news. If there are any stubborn demons who refuse to die and dare to remain hidden, then please, senior, just teach them a lesson—enough to stop."

Yang Qian'gu, who was not easily impressed, said admiringly, "Young friend Gu is mature and prudent; you truly have the bearing of a sect leader."

By the underground river in the feng shui cavern, private residences lined both banks, brightly lit day and night, making it impossible to distinguish day from night.

The timid had stayed outside, watching from a distance. The bold had returned to their own territories, finding that they hadn't been robbed.

A few poor souls who had been in the middle of their bedroom activities had lost all interest.

Since they had all been driven out of the feng shui cave by that Flying Ascension old sword immortal, they were all on the same level. No one could pretend to be superior.

The rugged and martial spirit of Fuyang Continent's cultivators was probably second only to that of Northern Julu Continent.

On the path by the river, a group that had appeared out of nowhere was walking against the current. Yang Qian'gu strolled side by side with Gu Can. Liu Tui, lost in thought, lagged one step behind them, discussing the specifics of Gold and Jade City's landing and establishment with Zheng Qingjia.

A few "greenhorns" who had just come down the mountain for their first training trip failed to control their eyes and mouths.

Yang Qian'gu, after all, had been detained by the Confucian Temple for many years, and this Flying Ascension ghost immortal had never liked to show his face.

Moreover, having heard of a Flying Ascension immortal renowned across the continent was one thing; actually seeing one was another.

Yang Qian'gu frowned. It had only been a little over a hundred years since he was last back on Fuyang Continent, and at the foot of the mountain, this was the state of things.

Gu Can, with a calm expression, simply sidestepped, seemingly inadvertently moving two steps, just enough to reveal Liu Tui behind him.

Liu Tui merely looked up.

The onlookers on both banks who had just come out of their houses scattered like birds and beasts. Some even forgot to close their doors as they leaped over walls by wind and returned home.

One group went downstream, the other upstream, directly facing each other across the river.

Zheng Qingjia and Gu Lingyan simultaneously performed a curtsy, offering a bow to the figure in blue on the opposite bank.

Chen Ping'an returned the greeting with a clasped fist and a smile.

Liu Tui maintained his naturally gloomy expression but warned Yang Qian'gu via voice transmission: "Across from us is the last Hidden Officer of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the most famous young man within the sixty-year cycle across several worlds, bar none."

As for Jing Hao of Green Palace Mountain, Liu Tui couldn't be bothered to introduce him, and of course, there was no need.

Jing Hao smiled. "Daoist Liu, congratulations on returning to your peak. Daoist Yang, congratulations on regaining your freedom."

As long as he wasn't on Luopo Mountain, Old Master Jing deserved his high ranking in the "Collection of Pedestrians" by Chen Lingjun.

Yang Qian'gu taunted, "Liu Tui, am I seeing things? Or do I see a big turtle shell? How did it drift all the way here from Flowing Xia Gorge Continent? Is there still fighting here, and it's come to reinforce Fuyang Continent?"

Liu Tui's subordinate sect was, after all, established on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, so he had to give Jing Hao some face. He didn't add anything.

Jing Hao laughed heartily. "A turtle hiding its head has no business talking about turtle shells."

Yang Qian'gu, stung by the mention of his greatest pain, was about to come to blows.

Jing Hao let out a contemptuous snort. With cultivators of the same realm, a little sparring wouldn't hurt. Who was he afraid of?!

Chen Ping'an reached out and patted his companion Daoist Jing on the arm, looked at the burly man, and sent a voice transmission: "Penal Official Hao Su, who can be considered half a native of Fuyang Continent, asked me to pass a message to Mountain Lord Yang. He is very grateful for a few just words you spoke back then."

Yang Qian'gu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Don't bother with insincere pleasantries. I don't like hearing them. My ears have never been able to tolerate 'courtesy' and 'small talk' since I was young. Please, Hidden Officer Chen, tell that penal official Hao Su that if he really wants to thank me, he should do something substantial. My Back Mountain is being rebuilt now, with everything in ruins. I am about to dissolve my physical form. It will be very difficult for the mountain to recover its pre-war glory. For the next hundred or even two or three hundred years, there might be a shortage of an expert who can truly hold things together. I heard he went to the White Jade Capital in the Azure Underworld. Let him find an opportunity to return to the Haoran World. Whether he writes his name in the golden jade register of the ancestral hall is up to him, but he must put out some fierce words: that for three hundred years, Back Mountain is under his protection."

Chen Ping'an agreed first, then remembered something and smiled. "Doesn't Mr. Zheng Juzhong have a high opinion of Back Mountain?"

It was said that Zheng Juzhong had appeared on Fuyang Continent. While busy with important matters, in his spare time, this acknowledged number one demonic overlord had even personally sought out the young ghost cultivators who had returned to the sect ruins of Back Mountain. More precisely, he had waited for them at the ruins of Back Mountain. After meeting them, he had said, "Since the world's crowds are not as numerous as ghosts, what harm is there in Back Mountain having more ghosts?"

Yang Qian'gu bluntly said, "Now the whole world fears Mr. Zheng. Even though I'm a ghost, I'm afraid of him."

One point Yang Qian'gu was very self-aware about.

Zheng Juzhong appreciated those young disciples of Back Mountain, but he might not appreciate Yang Qian'gu, who had been locked up in the Merit Forest for so many years.

Yang Qian'gu thought for a moment and asked a question he had long been curious about. "Chen Ping'an, what realm are you really in?"

In fact, Yang Qian'gu didn't have a bad impression of this young sword immortal, whom he had even heard of in the Merit Forest. It was just that this Flying Ascension had always been direct in his words and actions.

Chen Ping'an was amused. He merely clasped his fist from afar.

Their relationship wasn't close enough for that.

Chen Ping'an sent a voice transmission to Gu Can. "Have you met Liu Youzhou?"

Gu Can smiled and replied, "We've settled it. He'll serve as vice sect leader. I'll let Zheng Qingjia handle the finances, and Zhong Su of Oriole Island as the law enforcer. I also met Yu Jin. He's willing to serve as the chief consecrated elder."

Chen Ping'an nodded.

With this kind of sect structure, it was quite an ambitious plan.

Jing Hao had initially felt a slight resentment at Mountain Lord Chen's gesture of patting his arm to stop him. Since they weren't on Luopo Mountain, Daoist Chen was overstepping his bounds.

Chen Ping'an seemed to guess this little thought of Old Master Jing's and sent a voice transmission with a smile. "When traveling, harmony brings wealth. Daoist Jing, you don't think I'm being meddlesome, do you?"

Jing Hao stroked his beard and smiled. "Daoist Chen thinks too much. You're speaking as if we're not close."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "That's good. Overthinking is always better than making mistakes."

Jing Hao twisted his beard between his fingers and narrowed his eyes for a moment. Was this going to go on forever?

What, after being the host for so long, did he now like to play the teacher everywhere?

As for Chen Ping'an's true realm, earlier, when he had climbed the main path of Luopo Mountain with the true master of Green Palace Mountain, Immortal Lord Chen, Chen Qingliu had actually revealed some heavenly secrets to Jing Hao.

Immortal Lord Chen wouldn't deceive him, Jing Hao. So the young Hidden Officer was only a "deeply hidden" Nascent Soul Realm after all.

The logic held. Opening the Tuoyue Mountain with a sword, carving words on the city wall—how could there be no price to pay?

He had heard that Chen Ping'an used to like suppressing his realm when traveling the world. Now that he was down on his luck, he had to bluff and pretend to be a sword immortal?

Thinking this way, Jing Hao felt a twinge of sympathy. He felt that such a young man, who had rendered great service to Haoran, shouldn't be so downcast.

It seemed that even if he had stopped him from lowering his arm and even scolded him a few times, putting on a show of authority, it wouldn't have been a big deal.

So Jing Hao sighed, reached out, and, reciprocating the gesture, gently patted the arm of the blue-robed figure beside him. He turned his head to offer this Mountain Lord Chen, who was not what he used to be, a look of comfort. On the path of cultivation, Daoist, don't lose heart.

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded.

It seemed Old Master Jing's early-morning drinks with Chen Lingjun hadn't been a waste.

"I'll be going now."

A woman's voice sounded beside him, with Daoist Chen in between.

Chen Ping'an said gently, "Alright."

Jing Hao leaned forward slightly and clearly saw the woman's face.

Chen Ping'an stopped and made the introductions. "This is Senior Jing Hao from Green Palace Mountain on Flowing Xia Gorge Continent, Dao name Green Palace Guardian. He recently took the initiative to visit us on Luopo Mountain for quite some time."

She turned and clasped her fist. "Ning Yao of Flying Rise City greets Senior Jing."

Jing Hao's heart pounded. He swallowed hard, quickly returned the salute, steadied his mind, and said softly, "I dare not claim the title of senior before Sword Immortal Ning."

If Ning Yao, as the number one figure of Colorful Sky Continent, were only a Flying Ascension sword cultivator, Jing Hao felt he absolutely should not have failed to sense her presence; as an old Flying Ascension, he should have been completely unaware. Then?!

Old Master Jing understood again.

Only this time, he hadn't guessed wrong.

A rainbow of sword aura, seemingly condensed from the Great Dao, shot straight into the sky. Across the map of Fuyang Continent, it stretched into a seemingly endless pillar of brilliant light, tearing through the heavens. Without need for an opening, it headed straight for another world.

Witnessing this magnificent scene up close, the old man couldn't help but feel his heart sway. Truly, a beauty like jade, a sword like a rainbow. Song Pin and his disciple Nie Cuie were far inferior to Ning Yao.

Chen Ping'an withdrew his gaze earlier and sent a voice transmission with a smile. "To be honest, Daoist Jing, I am not in the Nascent Soul Realm. I am currently an Immortal."

Jing Hao once again "understood implicitly" and nodded solemnly. "I understand. Daoist Chen must be a great sword immortal."

Even if you, Chen Ping'an, now said you were a Fourteen Realm, I would nod in agreement.

Otherwise, I, Jing Hao, would have wasted nearly three thousand years of cultivation.

After all, you and Ning Yao are Dao partners. Since you're family, there's no need to distinguish realms so clearly.

A Fourteen Realm and a Nascent Soul Realm—if you average them out, don't you both come to the Immortal Realm?

Jing Hao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Youth is truly wonderful. Eating soft rice goes unnoticed by outsiders.

But in an instant, Jing Hao's mind tensed. Something wasn't right!

How did Chen Ping'an know that he knew he was in the Nascent Soul Realm?!

Chen Ping'an clasped his fist and smiled. "Realms cannot simply be averaged out. I take my leave." Before Jing Hao could react, the next moment, the blue-robed figure similarly dissolved into a void. A sword immortal's ethereal dharma image appeared, and the sword light exploded like thunder, vanishing in an instant, flying who knows how many thousands of miles.