Chapter 1133: The Azure Road Above

Chapter 1133: The Azure Road Above

White clouds arrayed like battle formations, mountains deep as the sea. When a guest arrives, what is there? Just a few hasty cups of wine.

Flowers bloom, fine; birds fly, fine. Wind and mist are both clear, people all within the snowy hues.

Chen Ping'an arrived beside Huang Xi and Xiuniang. Behind them, at a higher elevation, were the sable-hatted girl and a handsome cultivator with an unfamiliar face, clad in an emerald-colored Dharma robe, slowly descending the stone steps of the sacred path.

Deng Jianping quickened his pace up the mountain and, upon reaching Chen Ping'an's side, was visibly tense. Huang Xi found it amusing. Usually, when talking to his sister and brother-in-law, weren't you quite informal and humorous? Now you've turned mute? Only bold within the nest? Chen Ping'an did not speak, which made Deng Jianping even more flustered. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Huang Xi, since he couldn't side with an outsider, teased, "Chen the Sword Immortal speaks the Northern Ju Lu Continent dialect so fluently that we can't detect any trace of the Bao Ping Continent dialect or the old Great Li official accent."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "When we meet, all are pleased; where is the homeland? But in the end, I am not as sincere in treating others as Brother Huang. That's why when settling the bill, I repaid courtesy with courtesy and revealed my name."

Xiuniang quickly said, "Chen the Sword Immortal was right. When traveling abroad, caution is the mother of safety. One should only speak three-tenths of the truth to others and not easily bare one's whole heart to anyone."

Deng Jianping nodded, deeply agreeing.

Huang Xi's face was full of melancholy. Good wife, that's not fair. You're burning the bridge after crossing it. So I'm the only one who's muddled and an outsider?

Xie Gou and Qing Tong arrived to join them. Xiuniang asked softly, "Chen the Sword Immortal, this young lady is?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Deng the Grandmaster can just call me by name. She is Xie Gou, a registered cultivator of our Fallen Mountain. Of course, we are definitely not father and daughter." Xie Gou rubbed her sable hat, grinned, and introduced herself: "My name is Xie Gou. Don't mention my Dao title. It's just a vain name, an external thing. You can just call me Gouzi from now on. I am currently the second-ranked guest elder of Fallen Mountain. Like the mountain master and Deng Jianping, I am also a sword cultivator. However, I joined the mountain later, so among the registered cultivators, I was only a bit earlier than your brother-in-law."

Although Huang Xi was always considered a wandering wild cultivator adrift like duckweed in the Northern Ju Lu Continent, he actually had significant background and origins.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have advised his brother-in-law Deng Jianping to cross continents and cultivate here at Wutong Mountain. It was because Huang Xi knew the true identity of the "Azure Jade Ancestor" and the connection with the Demon Suppressing Tower.

Huang Xi communicated via heart voice: "Huang Xi of the Northern Ju Lu Continent, together with my Dao companion Deng Jianqiao, pay respects to Senior Qing Tong. Our intention was to have Deng Jianping seek a seat in the ancestral hall here."

Qing Tong merely nodded in acknowledgment, his expression cold and distant, giving a double-meaning response: "The temple is small. The vegetarian meals are plain, not necessarily palatable." Don't look at how Qing Tong lacked any momentum in front of Xiao Mo and Bai Jing; he was a veteran Flying Ascension Realm cultivator with ten thousand years of Dao age. Moreover, he was the master of one of the nine great majestic towers in the world and had been neighbors with the old Daoist master for countless years.

To people like Huang Xi and the Deng siblings, in Qing Tong's eyes, how much condescending courtesy was needed? Xie Gou took charge and said, "Worship a master, practice swords well. If you encounter any difficulties on the path of cultivation and the mountain master isn't around, you can come ask me. You can also often go to the Sword Worship Platform, one of Fallen Mountain's vassal peaks, and find Gan Yiban—oh, that's Guest Elder Gan Tang. When you get to Fallen Mountain, you'll learn his identity. Anyway, that old man is also a sword cultivator. His realm is passable, his personal Dao power is average, but his ability to teach the Dao is not bad. Patience is one of his rare virtues."

Chen Ping'an was slightly surprised. Xie Gou rarely took such an interest in someone else's cultivation. The Old Deaf One had suffered quite a bit to learn a few sword techniques from her.

He remembered that when Old Deaf One first arrived at Fallen Mountain, he was extremely reluctant, afraid that the young Hidden Officer would make him carry burdens and increase social obligations, delaying his cultivation.

Now, it was said that Guest Elder Gan had directly moved to Flower Shadow Peak to build a thatched hut and teach Dao. Instead, he was starting to worry that those cultivation seedlings would have no way to seek knowledge and wouldn't be vigorous enough in breaking through realms. It was because Deng Jianping's visit to seek a master and learn the Dao reminded Xie Gou of the human world ten thousand years ago. Back then, many awakened spiritual wisdom and could transform their forms. Almost all had a pure and unyielding Dao heart. They would travel thousands of miles to seek out those who had attained the Dao. Many Yao Clan only heard the name of a great mountain or a certain cultivation ground, knew a general direction, and would set out with determination. The road was long, the Dao was there, and they spared no effort. This journey often took several years or even decades. The path was often extremely difficult, fraught with danger, until finally they had the chance to meet the Daoist they longed to consult. It was not only a hardship of endless physical exertion but also a journey of the heart. Even if they were fortunate enough not to be expelled and were kept on the mountain by the Qi refiner, cultivation was just the beginning. They were often not yet registered as disciples. Whether they could be accepted into the sect required long-term observation. After guarding the mountain for decades or even a hundred years, they might finally receive one or two true formulas from the Daoist.

Therefore, Xie Gou's first impression of the sword cultivator Deng Jianping was not bad. He knew how to choose a master. Choosing a master required both insight and luck, which was indeed a kind of ability. Did you know that in the ancient times, how many sincere Yao cultivators met a miserable end, came away empty-handed, and became the "Dao provisions" of certain scheming Qi refiners on their mountain-climbing journey?

Xiuniang wiped her tears, using sound condensation to whisper, "Fortunate, fortunate. After bitterness comes sweetness. A rather troubling beginning finally has a perfect ending." Actually, in matters other than her brother, the woman handled everything with great thoroughness and meticulousness—her own martial arts breakthrough, and the affairs of the mountain. However, anything related to Jianping, even trivial matters, became as big as the sky. She easily became flustered and indecisive, as if she had lost her soul, and would always seek Huang Xi's advice. Huang Xi helplessly reminded her via heart voice: "Good wife, this is only the beginning. He's just taken a master. Jianping still has a long way to go. Just say that when he gets to Fallen Mountain and practices swords by Chen Ping'an's side, it won't be like practicing at home. There will be many things to pay attention to. For example, how will he get along with those famous disciples who have already achieved Dao? Will they get along harmoniously, or will he be excluded? Can Jianping adapt to Fallen Mountain's regulations and style? Will he have the fate to be favored by the seniors? In daily social interactions, he can't be as casual as at his own home ground. Back then, everyone knew each other well, so there was no need to worry about saying the wrong thing. But now, an inappropriate remark might be remembered for a long time. Besides, our previous place was a small mountain with barely a hundred people, nothing compared to Fallen Mountain, which hides dragons and crouching tigers, with many experts and varied temperaments. Take Miss Xie here, for example. She can serve as the second-ranked guest elder of Fallen Mountain. In that shop at the foot of the mountain, could we have imagined her true identity? Things like this are things Jianping will need to consider and figure out on his own. He needs to completely rely on himself to accommodate others and adapt to the environment."

Xiuniang lamented self-reproachfully, "It's still my fault. I taught him too few principles in the past. And it's also your fault. As a brother-in-law, you aren't close to your brother-in-law. You don't even drink a few drinks together all year round..." Huang Xi's head ached at her words. How many times have I invited him for a drink? It's up to him to give face. There was only one time when the drinking went well, and then Deng Jianping ended up sitting on the ground. The brother-in-law had to squat with him and drink. The brat was completely drunk but still aggressive, saying that if I dared to betray his sister, he would chop me to death. Even if he couldn't chop me to death, he would die at my mountain. That was during the New Year's vigil. In the end, Huang Xi carried his brother-in-law on his back and got a "celestial nectar" shower on his head. Being a brother-in-law to this extent, Huang Xi himself felt he wasn't bad.

Xiuniang whispered, "Husband, I've put you through a lot."

Huang Xi smiled and said, "Good wife, if you want to make up for the past, if your part isn't enough, just come to me. If you feel you owe me, repay me in the next life."

"Then I'll be the master next time, making you grind ink with delicate hands and add fragrance to my sleeves, serve tea and water, help wash my feet. Haha, thinking about it makes me happy..."

Another elbow from Xiuniang, then she began to worry again, "But Jianping is going far away all alone, with no one to take care of him. When he gets to Fallen Mountain, will he be wronged?"

"A cultivator who wants to gain something must go through countless hardships. Don't worry. In any case, we'll take it one step at a time. You have to trust my judgment of people, and you can even more trust Jianping's heart towards the Dao."

Huang Xi then gave a definitive statement, "Besides, when Jianping goes to that Fallen Mountain, what he truly needs to learn is not just Chen Ping'an's sword techniques." Xie Gou seemed afraid that the mountain master would back out, so she tentatively said, "His sister Deng Jianqiao and brother-in-law Huang Xi are both quite good people, especially this Xiuniang. She's a bit naive. I believe the boy Jianping's character won't be bad. The mountain master got a bargain! This is like buying a pig by looking at the pen?"

Qing Tong brought up something irrelevant, "Since the Hidden Officer can accept a disciple here, doesn't Wutong Mountain deserve some credit? As a matter of reciprocity, how about the naming?"

Xie Gou bared her teeth and muttered, "Inauspicious. I'm never coming to this place again."

Qing Tong was relieved. It would be best if from now on, you two Dao companions didn't come at all.

Chen Ping'an changed the subject and smiled, "May I trouble Fellow Daoist Qing Tong to find a place where we can sit and talk for a while, and let Deng Jianping perform a simple apprenticeship ceremony. Then we won't disturb Fellow Daoist's cultivation any further."

Qing Tong then opened up layers of mountain and river restrictions and found an elegant and quiet place within his private cultivation grounds.

Inside the room, the host Qing Tong and the main guest Chen Ping'an sat in the positions of honor. Xie Gou sat cross-legged on a chair, opposite the trio of Deng Jianping.

Chen Ping'an sat upright. Once he drank a cup of apprenticeship tea from Deng Jianping, they would have a nominal master-disciple relationship. Later, they would also need to go to the ancestral hall on Jise Peak to complete the process of registering the name in the gold jade genealogical records. Chen Ping'an's expression was gentle as he slowly said, "Jianping, after you perform the apprenticeship ceremony, we will have the master-disciple bond within the mountain. As your Dao instructor, my requirement for you is not that you must reach a certain realm in the future. So you don't need to have that kind of pressure. I only have one sentence for you to remember: after you enter the mountain to cultivate with me, you must sincerely pursue the Dao and diligently practice the sword. Additionally, if you feel you are not good at dealing with people, you can live in seclusion in the mountains and focus on sword practice. Occasionally, when you leave the cultivation grounds to relax, whether you are on various peaks or in Huaihuang County Town, if you encounter anyone on the road, no matter who they are or what their status, just maintain a basic level of courtesy. As for your senior and junior fellow disciples in the sect, there is no need to rush to meet them. When you do meet them, don't deliberately try to figure out their thoughts. When dealing with people, just be yourself."

Huang Xi glanced at Xiuniang, as if to say, "See, what you were worried about, Chen the Sword Immortal had already thought of it."

Xiuniang, who had been unconsciously gripping her clothes tightly, felt as if she had taken a pill of reassurance. She felt as if she were dreaming. Jianping had finally resolved his heart knot and acknowledged a master? Xie Gou immediately chimed in, "This isn't just polite talk. It's the mountain master's genuine words. For example, within the Azure Lotus Sword Sect, there is a Golden Core Realm Sword Immortal named Tao Wen, who is at the same realm as Jianping. He came from a wandering wild cultivator background, with no backing or connections. He just has a bad temper and loves to curse people. Jiang Shangzhen, Mi Yu, even my Xiao Mo, and even the mountain master himself have all been scolded to his face by him. And now, Immortal Tao is still alive and kicking, doing fine. Ha, now that we're all family, let me tell you another heroic feat of Immortal Tao. Last time, when the Azure Lotus Sword Sect held its founding ceremony, Immortal Tao was the last to get up. On the mountain path, he met our mountain master and said directly, 'You need to cut down on the tedious formalities for this kind of ceremony, otherwise, I'll just doze off in the ancestral hall and take a nap.' The mountain master had no choice but to obediently nod and say, 'Okay, okay, okay.'"

Chen Ping'an smiled and explained, "The incident has been embellished a bit by Xie Gou. It's an exaggeration. Tao Wen doesn't curse people for no reason. There's usually a reason."

Xiuniang listened, dumbfounded. That Golden Core Realm sword cultivator wouldn't be so bold, would he? How lacking in common sense would he have to be to be so reckless? How many lives does he have to dare scold people like that?

Huang Xi laughed via heart voice, "Good wife, you can tell that Second Guest Elder Xie has a good impression of you. I guess you could call it karma."

The woman then thought further: Even if Second Guest Elder Xie had used an exaggerated statement, wasn't our Jianping, despite his lack of worldly wisdom, still more tactful than that Immortal Tao?

Qing Tong coughed, reminding everyone that this was the Hidden Officer accepting a disciple. In a sense, every word he said was conveying Dao and teaching techniques. You, Bai Jing, as an outsider, shouldn't interrupt. It's inappropriate.

Xie Gou rolled her eyes. Inauspicious, truly inauspicious. But Qing Tong felt that meeting these two was like a conflict of fate, a real calamity. Chen Ping'an said seriously, "Deng Jianping, before you formally become my disciple, let me say this up front: For me personally, it's not just the master choosing the disciple. The disciple can also choose the master. The rule of 'one day as teacher, lifelong as father' is not so absolute. If one day you feel that the Dao between us doesn't harmonize, we can part on good terms. Don't be too constrained by the nominal master-disciple relationship. Don't overthink the human relations beyond cultivating the Dao and practicing the sword. Of course, you still need to go through the necessary ancestral hall procedures. Remember, don't just leave without saying goodbye."

In fact, the master and disciple were close in age, but no one present thought Chen Ping'an was putting on airs. Deng Jianping was especially holding his breath and listening attentively. Until this moment, Deng Jianping was still completely muddled. Hearing these words, he immediately became anxious and said tremblingly, "Unless Chen the Sword Immortal and Fallen Mountain insist on driving me away, I will never leave the sect register. Even if you drive me away, I'll bring my bedding and wait at the foot of the mountain until Chen the Sword Immortal changes his mind."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said nothing.

Xie Gou was amused, "This kid knows how to take advantage. He knows to find a backup plan at the foot of the mountain. Our doorkeeper at Fallen Mountain is Daoist Xianwei."

Qing Tong actually felt a bit sorry for this young sword cultivator. He was still calling him "Chen the Sword Immortal" with a sense of distance.

Chen Ping'an said, "Before you offer the apprenticeship tea, Jianping, go wait outside the door. I have something to say to your sister and brother-in-law."

Deng Jianping quickly stood up, walked to the door, and gently closed it. In the corridor, he stood as if facing a wall, pursed his lips, and after a long time, came to his senses and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Xie Gou tilted her chin, indicating to Qing Tong that you, an insignificant outsider, should hurry up and leave the room.

As the host, Qing Tong had to stand up and make space for the group of outsiders.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "It's fine. Fellow Daoist Qing Tong doesn't need to avoid suspicion. You are already a registered guest elder of the Azure Lotus Sword Sect. Everyone in the room now is family."

Sure enough, Qing Tong sat back down, casually flicking his sleeves.

Xie Gou stared intently at this guy. Xiaomi Li said that in books, those martial arts grandmasters with one or two cycles of internal energy could kill with their eyes.

In truth, Qing Tong was inwardly miserable. He was sick of this sable-hatted girl who now called herself Xie Gou. He'd rather have met the sword cultivator Bai Jing from ten thousand years ago; that would have been more refreshing. Chen Ping'an spoke, "Friend Huang, Grandmaster Deng, first of all, I thank you for trusting me to teach Jianping swordsmanship. Then, please rest assured. From now on, when it comes to teaching the Dao, both emotionally and rationally, I will naturally be extremely careful. Jianping is currently at the Golden Core Realm. With his talent and foundation, breaking through to the Nascent Soul within sixty years should not be difficult. As expected, his real challenge lies in the two inner demons he will face when attempting to break through while in seclusion at the Nascent Soul Realm. One of them is related to Suijia City and the 'Chen Ping'an' of that time. I have my own methods to prepare in advance and help him pass without taking shortcuts. However, the inner demon from the previous hurdle—the one who tied the bell must untie it. Before Grandmaster Deng bids farewell to Jianping, you need to have an open and honest brother-sister heart-to-heart talk. Remember, Grandmaster Deng, don't worry about Deng Jianping's feelings. Don't try to listen to Deng Jianping's thoughts. Like a thunderbolt, you must explain clearly one by one: what Deng Jianqiao was thinking back in that difficult situation, and why she acted as she did. You need to understand: if this knot in Deng Jianping is not untied, it becomes a calamity. If he encounters a calamity and flees, fleeing again and again, his Dao heart will regress greatly. It will be like a flood bursting its banks. Deng Jianping's achievements in this life will not just stop at the Nascent Soul Realm, but he will regress step by step like a boat sailing upstream. So Grandmaster Deng must resolve this hidden danger first. Otherwise, the more Dao I teach him later, the more mistakes there will be regarding Deng Jianping's future on the Great Dao."

Deng Jianqiao said solemnly, "I will certainly live up to the trust. I'll go outside and talk with Jianping now..."

Huang Xi wanted to speak but stopped.

Chen Ping'an said directly, "Deng Jianqiao, have you really thought it through? Do you even know yourself, and yet you dare to casually tell others who you are? What's the point?"

Deng Jianqiao was stunned. Huang Xi nodded slightly. The bystander sees more than the player. Chen Ping'an continued, "When suffering comes, dare to be angry, dare to speak, fight with all your might, kill when you should kill. Is it for yourself or for your loved ones? If you say it's for both, what is the order and what is the priority? Deng Jianqiao, you gave up being an immortal back then and turned to learn martial arts. You were forced by circumstances. Up to now, for whom have you lived in this life, and for whom should you live? From now on, what responsibility should Deng Jianping bear for the name 'Deng Jianping,' and how should he bear it?"

Deng Jianqiao couldn't answer a single question.

Huang Xi said cautiously, "Chen the Sword Immortal, that's quite a few questions. Can Xiuniang have a moment to catch her breath?"

Chen Ping'an just looked at him.

Huang Xi became speechless. Wow, what imposing presence.

Completely different from the affable Chen Ping'an at the drinking table.

Chen Ping'an was silent for a moment, then asked and answered himself, "A cultivator with a dejected will and a heart like dead ashes. Can dead ashes be rekindled? Part the embers in the brazier, and a hidden pearl lies within."

Huang Xi praised silently.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Grandmaster Deng, go call Jianping in."

Deng Jianqiao had been in a daze, absent-minded. Suddenly snapping out of it, she stood up and left the room with Huang Xi.

Qing Tong was the first to leave his seat and stand up. Xie Gou deliberately slowed down getting off the chair. She absolutely couldn't do and speak the same as this guy Qing Tong.

What does it mean to be a personal disciple in mountain cultivation? It means the secret transmission of mind and heart between master and disciple, not for the ears of six.

Deng Jianping did not sit down; he just stood. Chen Ping'an didn't say anything about this. He said, "Jianping, I can allow you to progress slowly in swordsmanship. I can even accept that my personal disciple might occasionally slack off in practicing the sword, waste time, squander talent, and have no great achievements. But you must be a good person from beginning to end, with a clear conscience. If the disciple is not good at cultivation, then it is the fault of the master who taught the Dao not teaching well. These things are negotiable. I can allow you to make mistakes on the path of life, admit mistakes, and correct them."

"But I absolutely will not allow Deng Jianping, one day, to disappoint his sister, who already has no expectations of him."

"If that day ever comes, I will not only personally expel you from the sect, but I will also make you regret ever becoming my, Chen Ping'an's, disciple."

"Do you hear me?!"

Deng Jianping shuddered and said solemnly, "Chen the Sword Immortal, I have remembered every word!"

Chen Ping'an smiled slightly. "Hmm?"

Deng Jianping suddenly realized, scratched his head, and said, "Master, disciple has remembered."

Chen Ping'an said a sentence with profound meaning, "True empathy does not burden both sides."

Deng Jianping seemed to understand something.

In the corridor outside the room, Qing Tong first symbolically set up a layer of formation to isolate the room from the world. He looked at the Dao couple from another continent and asked directly, "Deng Jianqiao, given the cultivation levels of you and your Dao companion, why did you send your younger brother to Wutong Mountain to seek refuge with a Jade Skin Realm sect?"

Xiuniang hesitated, as it involved her husband's family secrets. Huang Xi was quite frank and smiled, "To tell you the truth, our sect's founding master once traveled the world visiting true men. Before his dissolution, he left behind a notebook recording his experiences. It mentioned having a brief encounter with Senior Qing Tong here at the Demon Suppressing Tower in Tongye Continent. At that time, he stopped to rest at the entrance of a cave sealed by white clouds. Moved by the scene, they chatted a bit about their personal insights into the Dao. Unfortunately, their conversation didn't resonate, and the founding master took his leave."

Qing Tong thought for a moment and finally remembered a few thousand years ago, indeed encountering a slovenly, lame old Daoist. His Dao foundation was profound, and his words were sharp and lively.

However, for Qing Tong with his long Dao age, such encounters were like a duckweed spinning on the water's surface, fleeting and never taken seriously.

So Qing Tong just sighed and said, "Your family's incense lineage has been passed down for so many years. It's not easy. Continue to strive. Don't disgrace the founding master."

There was an old saying in the mountains: better to provoke a newly rising, flourishing sect than to provoke an old mountain with an unbroken lineage.

Because you never know if there are some retired founding masters hiding in that mountain or its portrait hall.

Huang Xi made a Daoist bow and said respectfully, "This junior will surely remember the ancestral teachings and senior's advice." Seeing the atmosphere was good, Huang Xi added, "Our founding master also wrote a critical remark in his notebook, saying that in this Tongye Continent back then, there were only two extraordinary people who dared to claim they had already comprehended the Dao. One was within the Guandao Temple in the East Sea, and the other was under the parasol tree in the center of the continent."

Qing Tong gave a half-smile, "Such biased words should be written in the notebook, cherished privately within closed doors. As for the later generations who have the qualifications to read this notebook, too much talk will inevitably lead to mistakes. Don't spread it outside."

If this kind of nonsense was accidentally heard by the old Daoist master, both the speaker and the listener would be in deep trouble. Friend Huang, don't drag me into this.

Qing Tong added, "To think that the Hidden Officer would spend money to invite you for a drink. Friend Huang, you have quite the face."

Huang Xi laughed heartily, "That's because Chen the Sword Immortal is approachable. It has nothing to do with my face, not even a copper coin's worth."

This trip to Wutong Mountain wasn't in vain. I even got an extra "Friend" title from Senior Qing Tong. Isn't that the same treatment as my founding master? When I go back to the family ancestral hall to offer incense to that portrait, I should mention this?

Qing Tong said, "Eh? Friend Huang, why don't you go to Fallen Mountain and become a guest elder?"

Huang Xi asked doubtfully, "Why?"

Xie Gou chuckled, "You're sharp-edged and speak bluntly."

Huang Xi asked, "Can I really? Isn't Fallen Mountain currently sealed? Are they still accepting guest elders?"

Xie Gou said, "Whether the mountain is sealed or not, whether we accept guest elders or not, isn't that just one word from our mountain master?"

Huang Xi exclaimed, "United in heart and virtue, with one word carrying authority. Chen the Sword Immortal has great prestige."

It wasn't that Huang Xi was deliberately saying nice things. He knew well the complexity of human hearts within a big family or large sect. Misunderstandings and grievances were as numerous as weeds.

Back inside the room, Chen Ping'an said, "You can all come in now."

Xie Gou quickly added one last comment, "Fallen Mountain is not a dictatorship!"

After entering the room, Chen Ping'an sat upright and accepted the cup of apprenticeship tea offered by Deng Jianping. Deng Jianping refused to listen to advice and insisted on kneeling and kowtowing loudly. After Chen Ping'an drank the tea, they became master and disciple.

Xie Gou was counting on her fingers, silently tallying how many disciples the mountain master had now.

Deng Jianqiao raised her hand to wipe away her tears. The woman had never been this happy before.

Chen Ping'an put down the teacup and smiled, "Deng Jianping will follow me back to Bao Ping Continent from now on. Grandmaster Deng, Friend Huang, what do you say? Would you like to come to Fallen Mountain and visit?"

Deng Jianqiao said with embarrassment, "Chen the Sword Immortal, please don't call me Grandmaster Deng anymore. Just call me Xiuniang." She had almost forgotten that Chen Ping'an was a genuine Stopping Realm martial artist. Not long ago, after his boxing match with Ye Yunyun of Pu Mountain, they had become quite close privately. Ye Yunyun had frankly said that her breakthrough to the Stopping Realm Guizhen level was thanks to Chen Ping'an's "teaching of boxing." Ye Yunyun had said "teaching boxing" rather than "boxing match," and Deng Jianqiao knew the weight of those words.

Huang Xi said, "We originally planned to send Jianping to Wutong Mountain and then continue our journey south to tour Tongye Continent, all the way to the coastal Qushan Ferry, where we would take a cross-continent ship to Nanposuo Continent to visit a few current cultivation grounds with generations of friendship."

Chen Ping'an nodded, "Then follow your planned itinerary. Fallen Mountain doesn't have legs anyway. You are always welcome to visit as guests."

Xiuniang naturally wanted to accompany Jianping a little further on his journey, ideally seeing him all the way to Fallen Mountain. However, for such important matters, she listened to Huang Xi. He was indeed better at dealing with mountain immortals and sects.

Chen Ping'an said, "I have some private matters to discuss with Fellow Daoist Qing Tong first. You should take this time to say your farewells and chat a bit more. How about we meet at the foot of the mountain in half an hour?"

Huang Xi had no objections. Just now, while Deng Jianping was alone with Chen Ping'an in the room, Senior Qing Tong had already informed them of a suitable place for the brother and sister to talk—a small pavilion by a cliff with the best view, named "Cloud Passing."

After Huang Xi and the others left, Chen Ping'an handed over a piece of paper.

Qing Tong took the paper filled with tiny standard script and asked doubtfully, "You're really giving it?"

Chen Ping'an glared, "What, is such a small matter difficult for me? My talent surges like a spring. Even I am scared of myself. Who can stop me?"

Xie Gou laughed heartily.

With her mood improved, she didn't bother about whether Qing Tong was actually pretending to be at the Fourteen Realm anymore.

Chen Ping'an said self-deprecatingly, "I even had the thought of accepting a disciple on behalf of my master. A moment ago on the mountain path, I almost said it out loud."

This time, Xie Gou was truly shocked, and Qing Tong was even more astonished beyond words.

On the mountain path leading to the small pavilion, Deng Jianping was the first to speak, smiling, "Master said a lot to me and also taught me a principle, which I have engraved on my heart."

Huang Xi teased, "What precious principle is that? Can I have the privilege of listening too?"

Xiuniang elbowed him again. This time, Huang Xi, who had become skilled, caught it with his palm. Xiuniang elbowed again. Hey, I block again. This proficiency made the brother-in-law Deng Jianping feel... distressed.

Deng Jianping said, "The principle is very simple, just one sentence: 'Human life is hard to obtain; the noble man does not save.'"

Huang Xi nodded in agreement. This kid Jianping really does like to get stuck in trivial matters. "Chen the Sword Immortal is advising you to cherish your life, not to go throwing it away casually?"

Deng Jianping was noncommittal.

Actually, Master also said two more things at the end: "This was a principle your Master Qi taught me back then. I now pass it on to you today."

"Coincidentally, back then I hadn't left the small town yet, and now you haven't gone to the small town either. Neither of us has gone up the mountain yet; we are still outside it."

Xiuniang asked tentatively, "Jianping, would you like to hear some of my true feelings?"

Deng Jianping took a deep breath, his expression resolute, and nodded, "Sister, I've been waiting for this sentence for a long time."

Huang Xi grinned, "Oh my, is that implying you're complaining that your sister didn't take the initiative to chat with you? A clever counterattack. Wonderful."

Deng Jianping's face flushed red. He was naturally not good with words and was extremely flustered. Xiuniang's elbow this time carried considerable force, but Deng Jianping grabbed her arm and walked forward quickly together.

Huang Xi held his hands behind his head, slowed his pace, and walked behind the siblings. Looking around, the wind was gentle and the earth beautiful. He looked up at the sky again. Wow, what great weather.

He didn't enter the pavilion but crouched far away at the edge of the cliff, occasionally stealing glances at the scene inside.

He didn't know what the brother and sister were talking about. He only saw that, for the first time, Xiuniang cried, but it was a different kind of crying. The grievance was on her face, but no longer in her heart.

Huang Xi lowered his gaze and saw on the mountain path, a figure in a blue long gown, holding a mountain-traveling staff.

He recalled a saying: Above the human martial arts world, there is White-Clad Cao and Blue-Gown Chen.

Huang Xi smiled knowingly. He would have to find an opportunity to visit Cao Ci sometime. How strong must this guy be to have Chen Ping'an lose several boxing matches with no victories yet?

Chen Ping'an first led Xie Gou down the mountain. No matter how lofty Qing Tong was, he still had to see them off to the mountain gate to observe proper etiquette.

Descending the mountain, they encountered a few groups of Yao cultivators going up. At the midslope, there were ritual system goddesses from Wutong Mountain responsible for receiving guests, and patrol system cultivators responsible for shooing people away.

Spotting that steady and composed old man, Chen Ping'an took the initiative to clasp his fists. The old man returned the gesture. After nodding and smiling at each other, they parted ways.

In life, there's no need for many words. East, west, north, south, each goes on their own path.

Qing Tong noted this scene in his heart.

Then there was that seductress surrounded by admirers. Seeing the blue-gowned guest, she smiled coquettishly and waved, "Handsome, we meet again. Our fate isn't shallow, is it?"

But she was a bit puzzled. For some reason, next to the sable-hatted girl, there was now also an emerald-robed cultivator of ambiguous gender. A beauty, truly a great beauty.

Chen Ping'an ignored her.

The female cultivator grew more enthusiastic, "Leaving the mountain already? What, couldn't get past the Wutong Mountain ritual system, or did you get shut out? Want sister to put in a good word for you?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and retorted, "The person beside me is the Azure Jade Ancestor of Wutong Mountain. I'm leaving the mountain, and he's seeing me off. Who do you think needs a plea?"

The female cultivator and her companions burst into laughter. She especially covered her heart, her eyes seductive, and said sweetly, "Handsome, you're not bad-looking, and you speak humorously. Want to hook up with sister?"

Chen Ping'an laughed it off.

Qing Tong remained silent, not stopping his pace, but turned his head to glance at that group of bastards who had come to rely on him.

Xie Gou gloated, "Mud smeared on the crotch of the pants."

Hearing this, Qing Tong's face darkened even more. Chen Ping'an held his mountain-traveling staff, gently tapping the ground with the bamboo stick, making a "duo duo duo" sound. He said via heart voice, "It's already very good to let the native Yao of Tongye Continent have a place to live. If Wutong Mountain can further change its customs, that would be a great merit for Fellow Daoist Qing Tong."

Qing Tong nodded, "I will do my best."

Chen Ping'an said, "Not just do your best. You must do it well. You must first have this intention."

Qing Tong said, "I have received your teaching." Chen Ping'an smiled, "At the beginning of establishing a sect, there are bound to be countless threads and a tangled mess. Everything is difficult at the start. Don't be discouraged. I believe you will soon find the knack. If you really have problems or doubts, send letters to the Azure Lotus Sword Sect and Dafu Academy. I also have a personal friendship with Wen Yu, the vice-mountain master of Tianmu Academy. I will write a letter to him, asking him to keep an eye on things for you. Rest assured, the path will always lead to another village with bright flowers and dark willows in the end."

Qing Tong hummed in acknowledgment. He had gotten the idea in a moment of excitement and decided to establish a sect. But now, with the Wutong Mountain signboard truly up, a flood of Yao cultivators, both good and bad, were pouring into the territory every day. Qing Tong was indeed feeling nervous.

When they reached the mountain gate, waiting patiently for Deng Jianping and the others to meet them here, Chen Ping'an looked up at the calligraphy on the memorial archway and smiled, "Written by Academy Master Cheng, right? It seems his skill doesn't have the same metal-and-stone quality as our old cook."

Qing Tong smiled, "It will do for now."

Xie Gou clicked her tongue. Such a poor conversationalist. He must not have spent enough time with that old immortal Jia.

Chen Ping'an said, "You go back first. No need to wait with us."

Qing Tong turned and went up the mountain.

Deng Jianping came down the mountain alone, arriving beside Chen Ping'an and Xie Gou. He smiled and said, "Master, Second Guest Elder Xie. My sister and brother-in-law want to wander around the mountain a bit more."

Chen Ping'an nodded, handed over the green bamboo staff in his hand to Deng Jianping, and smiled, "A handcrafted bamboo staff. An ordinary item. Don't dislike it."

Deng Jianping was stunned, then took the mountain-traveling staff with both hands.

A few groups of Yao cultivators who had been drinking at the shops at the foot of the mountain were still lining up obediently to register their profiles. They had heard that the main officer of the ritual system, a goddess, was a Nascent Soul Realm water god from a former dynasty, and the head of the patrol system was actually a Far Journey Realm peak martial artist. However, even they, along with all those who had already secured official positions in Wutong Mountain, were now respectfully waiting for that handsome cultivator in the emerald-colored Dharma robe.

Qing Tong's expression was indifferent. He didn't stop walking, continuing up the mountain, but tossed out a remark, "Continue with your business."

That seductress and her group were as if struck by lightning, frozen on the spot.

They had begged a thousand times, prayed ten thousand times, that this person wouldn't be the famous Azure Jade Ancestor. But the problem was that he seemed to be exactly that, without a doubt.

Qing Tong hesitated for a moment, then turned and pointed at a certain old man. He instructed the ritual system to directly register his name in the sect register without reviewing his background. That old man, who had inexplicably become a key target for cultivation in the ritual system, was stunned for a moment. After the Azure Jade Ancestor, who had spoken with such authority, left, he didn't thank the founding master. Instead, he suddenly ran a short distance, looked into the distance at the foot of the mountain, but unfortunately could no longer see the figure in blue that the old man had previously thought ordinary.

It was only because the old man was extremely sharp-eyed and meticulous. He remembered that when the Azure Jade Ancestor was seeing the guest off earlier, as the host and sect master, he was not walking in the middle. Instead, the sable-hatted girl and he were flanking left and right!

Who could it be?

Could it be him?

Impossible!

A little girl noticed something unusual, trotted over, tugged at the old man's sleeve, and asked softly, "Grandpa, what's wrong?"

The old man smiled and said, "Nothing. I must be overthinking."

The little girl smiled innocently, "Overthinking about what?"

The old man replied via heart voice, "Overthinking about a name."

The little girl was puzzled, "Which name?"

The old man rubbed the child's head. Afraid that saying it would scare the child, he said softly, "In short, it's a name that belongs to a person with many identities."

On the mountain road outside.

The disciple asked, "Master, I'm still curious about that principle. Can you tell me about it?"

The master replied, "In Suijia City, there might be people like Liu Xianyang and Chen Ping'an."

Deng Jianping gripped the green bamboo staff tightly and nodded vigorously, "There must be. Suijia City has them, and other places will have them too."

Xie Gou said quietly, "Mountain Master, at this moment, with such a scene, I can't help myself. I want to compose a doggerel poem."

Chen Ping'an said, "Stop. Please, Second Guest Elder Xie, put away this divine ability."

Xie Gou muttered, "Can't help it. Besides, I only came up with half..."

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Alright, alright. Suit yourself."

Xie Gou, "Wahaha!" While saying, "I'm showing off, I'm showing off," her face was full of pride. She opened her throat and shouted a line:

"Mountains and rivers change everywhere, the traveler's name is unknown."

Chen Ping'an said, "Eh," and commented that it wasn't bad. Xie Gou couldn't take praise and puffed up her chest.

Deng Jianping's mood became even more relaxed. The mountain master and the second guest elder had such a harmonious relationship.

Walking on foot to a secluded wilderness area, Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Then we'll travel by sword. Jianping, keep up. On the road, I'll teach you the 'Eighteen Stops of Sword Qi.'"

Xie Gou rubbed her hands together. Deng Jianping was nervous.

Three sword lights suddenly rose from the ground. The leading silhouette was the same color as the blue sky. Beneath their feet, the great earth, mountains, and rivers were like a painting.

The Great Dao is like the blue sky, all gentlemen ask the name. I am the Clear Capital's landscape romantic, the Hao Ran Sword Immortal Chen Ping'an.