Chapter 1137: Like a Book, Like a Sentence Break

Chapter 1137: Like a Book, Like a Sentence Break

Chen Ping'an gazed into the distance toward the sea. From the mountain overlooking the ocean, jade waves connected to the azure sky, the vast scenery was breathtaking and captivating. In ancient times, it was said that the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea was a place of infinite coolness, and legend had it that the moon in the sea was rounder than the moon in the sky—such magnificent imagination easily drew one into a trance. Thus, Daoists emphasized guarding the mind and nurturing the spirit, never allowing the mind to be scattered without restraint. Traveling ten thousand miles to seek knowledge and inquire about the Way, one must not be hindered by mountains and waters... Chen Ping'an collected his thoughts.

Gu Can said, "It's fine, just wait. An hour or two won't make a difference."

How a sect's ceremony was conducted was ultimately up to the sect leader, wasn't it? Gu Can liked the atmosphere of the Fallen Mountain, but the Fuyao Sect would not imitate Fallen Mountain.

Chen Ping'an shook his head and said, "Since ancient times, there has been a reason for choosing an auspicious time. You should hold the ceremony on time and not delay."

Gu Can said, "He's just lazy by nature. Whether he attends the ceremony or not, it's still Liu Xianyang. It doesn't matter."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "If he dares not to come, then don't let him be the best man."

After a moment's wait, just as the great sun was rising over the sea, a streak of sword light tore through the sky, from the sea to Quanjiao Mountain, dragging a long, brilliant trail. It made quite a commotion and was full of momentum.

Old Master Liu had finally arrived, neither early nor late, leaving a quarter of an hour before the ceremony—enough time for a few idle chats.

Liu Xianyang's figure landed on the ground, and his long sword sheathed itself automatically. He strode over to stand between Chen Ping'an and Gu Can, hooking an arm around each of their necks. "How about that? Right on time, huh? My sword flight style—pretty cool, right?"

Gu Can slapped Liu Xianyang's arm away. Liu Xianyang shook his body and stretched, his joints all crackling. "First time flying my sword this far, and I had to rush. Tsk."

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "Didn't I teach you the Three Mountains Talisman?"

Liu Xianyang glared. "That talisman is precious and has limited uses. I have to be careful with it, don't I? Using up a talisman for something as trivial as attending another sect's ceremony—that's not worth it..."

Gu Can glanced at the travel-worn Liu Xianyang, who was clearly not faking it, but ultimately said nothing.

Besides the Three Mountains Talisman, Chen Ping'an had also given Liu Xianyang the "Finger Sword Technique" from Master Three Mountains Nine Marquees—a technique that could turn the barriers of heaven and earth soft as mud—along with several pages of books and some related martial arts secret manuals from Lotus Flower Blessed Land from years past.

Except for Ruan Qiong of the Dragon Abyss Sword Sect, Liu Xianyang's senior brothers and sisters, and Chen Ping'an and Gu Can, who knew him best, the outside world still didn't know one thing.

Liu Xianyang's swordsmanship and his current realm of cultivation were almost entirely self-taught and self-enlightened.

Back then, when Liu Xianyang went to study at the Academy of the Chen family of the Virtuous Confucians in the South Vast Continent, and then returned home, he joined the registry of the Dragon Abyss Sword Sect as promised soon after and became Ruan Qiong's disciple.

Both master and disciple were open-minded people. They once had a frank and concise conversation.

"Liu Xianyang, let me be clear from the start: other than sword forging, I can't teach you any advanced swordsmanship. So it's not too late for you to back out now."

"Blacksmith Ruan, no need to feel ashamed. It seems I don't need to learn what you can teach?"

"That's best."

"If there's no benefit at all, it feels like I've boarded a pirate ship."

"The Dragon Abyss Sword Sect has one good thing: it's suitable for closing the doors and forging swords, and also for practicing swordsmanship without distraction—as long as you don't become the sect leader."

"No way! I came here to become the sect leader!"

"Talk to me when you reach Jade Perfection."

Liu Xianyang shamelessly rubbed his hands together. "Flying my sword across the sea was so tough. I was so focused on rushing that I forgot to bring a gift. But I did prepare one. Chen Ping'an, you're the local tycoon. Front me the money for now."

Chen Ping'an said helplessly, "Can't even afford two Grain Rain coins? You have friends all over the Nine Provinces, but you go out without money?"

Liu Xianyang was dumbfounded. "Only two Grain Rain coins? Why didn't you say so earlier? I thought I'd have to sell everything I own. I'd already made up seven or eight excuses on the way. Thanks to that Night Banquet of Lord Wei, I've been traumatized."

As he spoke, Liu Xianyang quickly fished two Lesser Heat coins out of his sleeve. After all, he was a sect leader, so he had a little private money. He turned to ask, "Chen Ping'an, do you have any unused red envelopes?"

Chen Ping'an nodded and handed Liu Xianyang a brand-new red envelope. Liu Xianyang put the gift money inside and tossed it toward Gu Can. Done. Now he could drink a few pots of immortal wine without feeling guilty.

Gu Can silently tucked it into his sleeve, not bothering to argue how Grain Rain coins had turned into Lesser Heat coins.

Chen Ping'an transmitted his voice directly to Gu Can's mind: "These two unique Lesser Heat coins have extremely auspicious inscriptions. They're actually worth more than Grain Rain coins."

Gu Can wasn't surprised. "At least he has some conscience," he said casually.

Liu Xianyang grinned, his smile bright. He cupped his hands and announced loudly, "Liu Xianyang, current sect leader of the Dragon Abyss Sword Sect, greets you all. It's an honor."

The crowd of Fuyao Sect cultivators who were about to be registered into the registry had to return the courtesy.

Gu Can muttered under his breath, "What a show-off."

Chen Ping'an laughed. "How many years has it been, and you're still not used to it?"

Liu Xianyang chuckled. "The host and guest haven't arrived—so the banquet isn't starting yet?"

Gu Can said, "Just you wait."

Liu Xianyang immediately sidled over and started massaging Gu Can's shoulders. "Standing so long, Sect Leader Gu, are your shoulders sore?"

Gu Can sidestepped him and walked straight toward the main hall's gate.

Gu Lingyan smiled charmingly, performed a curtsy, and said, "Greetings to Sword Immortal Chen, greetings to Sect Leader Liu."

Liu Xianyang elbowed Chen Ping'an's arm. Those old acquaintances from the Yu Xuan Kingdom gathered together. They had crossed continents to come here, establish a sect, and help the Fuyao Sect create a subsidiary sect. Now they counted as a small mountain faction themselves. Among them, Shen Ke looked quite dispirited. Logically, a Far Travel martial artist's physique shouldn't be so weak.

The old crone Pu Liu sneered. "Shen Ke, a grandmaster martial artist of the eighth realm—how did a friendly drinking session scare your courage away?"

The ghost Guan Kui advised, "Daoist Pu, we're all on the same boat now. Why be so harsh?"

Shen Ke said, "You've suffered only in body and soul, which can't compare to what I've been through."

Pu Liu laughed. "What kind of tribulation was it, Grandmaster Shen? Why not share the details?"

Shen Ke said, "The taste of a ruptured gallbladder—I can't even bear to recall it. How could I have the strength to bring up old matters?" Having followed Gu Can away from the Vase Continent, farther and farther from the capital of Yu Xuan Kingdom, Shen Ke's mood gradually improved. After settling on Quanjiao Mountain, with its beautiful scenery and immortal atmosphere, Old Grandmaster Shen no longer felt as if he saw ghosts in broad daylight. But last night, when that Sword Immortal Chen had invited them for a drink, Shen Ke immediately fell back to his old state, and he hadn't recovered yet.

If it weren't for being a Pure Martial Artist—if he were a cultivator who feared heart demons most—Shen Ke figured he would have already gone mad.

There were also two Jade Perfection cultivators and a group of land immortals from the former White Emperor City's registry. They didn't gather together but stood scattered, yet their auras were uniform.

They were naturally curious about the young Hidden Official who rose from poverty to fame. But having cultivated in White Emperor City for so long, their Dao hearts were steady enough not to lose composure. Nor did they have any interest in currying favor.

Liu Chicheng, in a pink Daoist robe, stood shoulder to shoulder with Chai Bofu, who was playing dead.

Another mountain faction, the Golden Emerald City, was present. Zhai Guangyun was very curious and couldn't help transmitting his mind: "Master, this Sect Leader Liu is still a Jade Perfection sword cultivator, right? Why does he carry himself so strongly?" Zheng Qingjia explained, "On one hand, it's Liu Xianyang's nature—open, upright, and uninhibited—which makes him naturally sharp and hard to ignore. No matter where he stands, it's difficult for others to overlook him. On the other hand, Sect Leader Gu, in the presence of the Hidden Official, has deliberately restrained his Dao aura and spirit, as if taking half a step back. And the Hidden Official himself, in front of Liu Xianyang, has also taken half a step back. This creates the current situation: in your eyes, it seems as if Liu Xianyang completely overpowers Gu Can. Why is that? Probably because they've developed such tacit understanding from a very early age. It might seem strange to us outsiders, but the three of them are likely quite comfortable with it."

Zhai Guangyun suddenly understood. "I see. No wonder."

When they were children, whenever Gu Can encountered a problem, he liked to hide behind Chen Ping'an.

When Chen Ping'an was an apprentice kiln worker, the inconspicuous boy seemed to stand in Liu Xianyang's shadow.

Zhai Guangyun was still a bit frustrated. The Hidden Official, whom he revered as a god, was so heroic on the Sword Qi Great Wall. How could he, back in his homeland, appear weaker?

Zheng Qingjia could do nothing but be grateful that he had repeatedly warned this beloved disciple to avoid embarrassing himself in front of the Hidden Official today.

Xiao Mo and Xie Gou had no intention of attending the ceremony. They were on a neighboring mountain, watching the main mountain from afar.

Xie Gou exclaimed, "Wow, Daoist Yuanhu has good eyesight!"

Xiao Mo said, "After all, she's a Celestial who managed a city and nearly a thousand registered cultivators. She's never been devoured by Yangzhi and Feifei, which shows she has her own merits."

Liu Youzhou took the initiative to walk over to Chen Ping'an, cupped his hands, and smiled.

Chen Ping'an returned the gesture with a smile. "Congratulations, congratulations."

Then the two fell into a rather awkward silence.

Liu Xianyang grinned secretly. He'd mentioned something earlier—now Blacksmith Ruan was forging with renewed vigor.

The ceremony, which should have been a grand affair, was devoid of excessive formalities. It was by the book but simple. In the Ancestral Hall, only a portrait of his master, Zheng Juzhong, was hung.

Gu Can even skipped the step where the host and guests jointly offer incense and hang portraits. He went straight to the main point, personally picking up the brush to register names. Everything was simplified.

As the only two guest observers at the ceremony, Sect Leader Chen and Sect Leader Liu's seats were... interestingly placed.

Liu Xianyang stared wide-eyed at the calm and composed fellow across from him. "Chen, are we watching the gate? Is the little slug just blowing us off like this?"

Chen Ping'an clasped his hands in his sleeves, looking serene. They had only given two Immortal Coins as gifts, and they hadn't been arranged to stand outside the door—that was already Gu Can holding no grudges.

The ceremony obviously took less time than those of the Dragon Abyss Sword Sect, Fallen Mountain, and Green Duckweed Sword Sect.

Next came the first internal meeting of the Fuyao Sect's Ancestral Hall. As guest observers, they needed to leave first.

After helping close the main hall's door, Chen Ping'an sat on the steps outside with Liu Xianyang. Liu Chicheng, as a cultivator from the superior sect, stood in the sunlight with fellow Dragon Earl, whose registry still had an unknown destination.

With nothing else to do, Chen Ping'an took out his tobacco pipe and pouch. Liu Xianyang asked with a smile, "When did you pick up this habit? Got an addiction?"

Chen Ping'an thought for a moment. "Can't remember exactly when. No real addiction, though."

Liu Xianyang said, "Both drinking and smoking—reeking of alcohol and tobacco. Doesn't Ning Yao even frown?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "She doesn't mind those things."

Liu Xianyang chuckled. "Do you think I've never been to the Sword Qi Great Wall?"

Chen Ping'an said without changing expression, "Those drunken ramblings from soaking in wine vats can't be taken seriously. Treat them as the opposite."

Liu Xianyang slapped his cheek. "Great Sword Immortal Chen, hurry up. While Fuyao Sect hasn't finished setting up its mountain-protecting grand formation, add another gift."

Liu Chicheng found this baffling, but Chai Bofu caught the subtext. In White Emperor City, cultivation involved little more than falling realms, breaking through, and falling again. When bored, they read mountain-and-water gazettes and classified intelligence from special channels. They knew many humorous sayings circulating on the Sword Qi Great Wall, like "the Second Manager's face is thicker than the Sword Qi Great Wall's wall." Since the Second Manager fell with one punch, if he just lay face-down on the city wall, even all the throned great demons of the Barbarian Continent attacking together would be helpless.

Liu Chicheng always regarded his senior brother's words as scripture. But his senior brother rarely explained anything to him. So when Zheng Juzhong warned him not to wander around the Sword Qi Great Wall, Liu Chicheng took it as an imperial decree. He not only never visited the Sword Qi Great Wall but also avoided Inverted Mountain and Rain Dragon Sect. Instead, he went to Dragon Tiger Mountain's territory, which led to the "Descent of the Mountain to Subdue Demons" by the current Great Celestial Master.

Hearing Liu Xianyang's mockery, Chen Ping'an smiled without comment, then started puffing on his pipe, shrouding himself in smoke.

Liu Xianyang said, "Poor Mountain God Fu."

Fu Decheng, the Middle March Deity of Mount Pu, had previously had a decent reputation in the mountains. But after a meeting in the Great Li Imperial Palace, his reputation had become mediocre, very mediocre.

Chen Ping'an said, "Face isn't as important as substance."

Liu Xianyang rubbed his chin, thinking of the young Daoist who set up a fortune-telling stall in their hometown.

Chen Ping'an's mind raced like a sparrow flitting among branches.

Haoran Liu Xiang, Green Realm Xin Ku, Barbarian Realm Gui Ke, Colorful Yuan Xiao...

Himself and Ning Yao, Liu Xianyang and She Yue, Fei Ran and Gui Ke, Xu Jun and Zhao Ge, and Xiao Mo with Xie Gou...

Outside the door, there was also a pair of young Daoist partners from the rear mountain. At today's Fuyao Sect Ancestral Hall ceremony, they had the lowest cultivation levels—neither had even formed a golden core—but their seat rankings were not low.

Both were important guests personally invited by Gu Can, though they currently had no seats in the Ancestral Hall. Their status was roughly a bit lower than Fallen Mountain's guest elder Zhao Zhu or Green Duckweed Sword Sect's Qing Tong.

These two registered cultivators were both heroic spirits, separated by seven or eight generations from the founding patriarch Yang Qian Gu.

Nowadays, the rear mountain's incense offerings were truly sparse. Otherwise, for such a sect ceremony, would a Daoist temple send only two mid-fifth-realm cultivators who weren't even land immortals to congratulate?

However, since the flying-ascension patriarch Yang Qian Gu had left the Merit Forest, the rear mountain was now different. It had become the leading force in the Fuyao Continent's mountain societies.

Encouraged by her Daoist partner, the female cultivator finally mustered the courage to approach Chen Ping'an. She hesitated over how to address him when Chen Ping'an stood up and put his pipe behind his back.

The female cultivator sighed in relief, first stated her mountain gate and Daoist name, then asked softly, "Sect Leader Chen, do you know Cao Ci?"

Liu Chicheng found this hilarious. Of the two young martial arts supreme masters of Haoran—White-Robed Cao and Blue-Robed Chen—who wouldn't know who?

Was this opening remark, right out of the gate, meant as a greeting or a challenge?

Perhaps too nervous, the female cultivator realized how her words sounded, blushed, and forgot the second line she had rehearsed.

Chen Ping'an nodded and smiled. "I know him. I always lose to him in fistfights. I'd be embarrassed to pretend I didn't know him."

Chai Bofu felt sympathetic. Sect Leader Chen had a good heart—being able to laugh at oneself could dispel a thousand worries.

The female cultivator quickly tried to salvage the conversation. "Sect Leader Chen, don't misunderstand. It's just that I have a few fellow disciples who are Cao Ci's fans and pay close attention to his movements."

Chen Ping'an said, "I haven't seen Cao Ci since we parted at the Merit Forest in the Confucian Temple last time."

The female cultivator became even more flustered. Still nervous, she blurted out, "When martial artists spar, fists and feet know no mercy..."

Chen Ping'an maintained his smile. "Thank you for your understanding."

Chai Bofu was deeply impressed—Sect Leader Chen indeed had a thick skin.

Unable to continue the conversation, the female cultivator mentally scolded herself for being tongue-tied. She grabbed her Daoist partner's arm, hoping he would save her. "Sect Leader Chen, my husband has long admired you."

The young male cultivator was much calmer than his partner. He bowed and said, "It's not just me—all the men from our rear mountain greatly admire the Hidden Official."

Liu Xianyang teased, "So that makes two clear camps, right?"

The young male cultivator nodded. "That's why Daoist partners in our rear mountain can't mention either of you."

Liu Chicheng finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The Night Boat was still waiting for Chen Ping'an and his group. Liu Xianyang was eager to try it when he heard there was a boat to take.

On the way down the mountain, Chen Ping'an said to Gu Can, "In the past, the mountain paths were hard to traverse. Now you have to feel how the flat roads are also difficult to walk. Each stage has its own mentality."

Gu Can nodded. "I'll remember."

Gu Lingyan wore a strange expression. Remember what? You were just lamenting this exact sentiment last night—why pretend it's the first time you've heard this principle?

At the mountain gate, Chen Ping'an said, "Sailing against the current—if you don't advance, you fall back..."

He stopped and then amended, "You understand all the big principles. In any case, when you encounter things in the future, reflect more. Treat impermanent matters with a normal heart. Interweave matters and principles—it has a unique flavor."

Gu Can nodded in agreement. After hesitating, he transmitted his mind: "Constantly burdened by people like Shen Ke, can you really concentrate on your Dao cultivation? Can you really break through with unstoppable momentum?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "Every pause is a node in the bamboo. Without nodes, how could it be bamboo? Without being bamboo, how could it break through with unstoppable momentum?"

Gu Can said, "Take care." Chen Ping'an remembered Gu Can's earlier heartfelt words. He stopped, turned to straighten Gu Can's collar, and transmitted: "First, Gu Can will definitely not become Xing Lou of the Green Realm. Second, Yu Dou isn't so easy to be. In my opinion, he, Zheng Juzhong, and Lu Chen are all unique existences in ten thousand years of the human world—irreplaceable and indispensable. Whether friend or foe, the respect due must still be given. It doesn't hinder doing what needs to be done. Third, the three of us should all cultivate well. We'll inevitably be apart more than together. Take care of yourselves."

Gu Can said, "Sometimes, slack off. Don't think about anything."

Chen Ping'an smiled. "I will."

The vast land poured all rivers into the sea, ultimately returning to flatness.

On the Southern Sea, the vast water surface was calm like green glass.

A woman with coiled hair like a serpent and a white-robed youth flew side by side through the wind, heading toward a Guixu passage to the Barbarian Continent.

She asked with a smile, "Liu Youzhou sent you an invitation too. We're vaguely on the way. Why not drop by?"

Cao Ci shook his head. "I've already replied declining."

Dou Fenxia teased, "So you don't consider him a friend at all?"

Cao Ci said, "It's not appropriate for me to be there."

Dou Fenxia nodded. "If you arrived at Quanjiao Mountain, you'd definitely run into that guy. If you win one more match, you'd have exactly five wins against him."

Cao Ci said, "If we spar again, it will be fists in a different realm."

Dou Fenxia asked, "What does that mean?"

Cao Ci said, "Hard to explain."

Dou Fenxia didn't press further. Suddenly, she let out an "Ah," shielding her eyes with her hand. "Why is Zhang Tiaoxia here? And who is that other person?"

About a hundred miles away, someone seemed to be waiting for them to pass. Could it be some martial arts grandmaster good enough to catch Zhang Tiaoxia's eye, trying to block the road and challenge Cao Ci for a fistfight?

Cao Ci said, "Senior Sister, wait here. I'll go over alone."

Dou Fenxia nodded without hesitation. "Be careful yourself."

Cao Ci nodded, took a deep breath, and his figure shot through the air.

Zhang Tiaoxia, once the number one martial artist in Haoran Heaven, had switched to cultivation partway, dabbling in both Daoism and spellcraft. He had taken the Dao name Dragon Earl. Since then, the old man no longer considered himself a Pure Martial Artist. For nearly a hundred years, Zhang Tiaoxia rarely appeared on the continents, preferring to fish alone at sea, occasioning glimpses from sea-bound Qi refiners.

But today, Zhang Tiaoxia stood on a cloud sea barely a zhang above the water. Casting a fishing line was a burly, barefoot man with disheveled hair.

Cao Ci had actually recognized this man's identity long ago, which was why he had asked Sister Dou to stay behind.

The man laughed. "Cao Ci, we meet again."

Cao Ci landed at the edge of the cloud sea and bowed from afar. "Cao Ci greets both elders."

Zhang Tiaoxia waved his hand, signaling Cao Ci not to stand on ceremony.

The man held the rod in one hand and patted something at his feet with the other. "In this age, they say: Poetry stops at Lu Chen, verse stops at Bai Ye, talismans stop at Yu Xuan, and fists stop at Cao Ci."

Cao Ci said, "I'm unworthy of such praise for now."

Zhang Tiaoxia smiled knowingly. A young man should have this kind of spirit.

The man nodded. "Kid, I like your temperament. More to my taste than someone else."

Cao Ci was puzzled. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Senior, are you injured?"

The man nodded. "A minor wound. No big deal."

Cao Ci asked, "Senior came specifically for me?"

The man said, "Sort of, and not entirely."

Just as Zhang Tiaoxia was about to speak, the man leaned back slightly and turned his head to look at this pinnacle-level stopping-realm martial artist. Zhang Tiaoxia immediately shut his mouth. Today, there was no place for him to speak.

In an instant, Cao Ci appeared beside Dou Fenxia.

Nearby, a figure quietly moved atop the cloud sea.

Dou Fenxia's mind went taut, her face dark. She felt as if she had just brushed past the gates of death.

Cao Ci said, "It's all right."

The man rubbed his chin. "What a White-Robed Cao. How did a mere martial artist become so... how did Master Dragon Earl put it? So elegant?"

Zhang Tiaoxia smiled bitterly, saying nothing.

At the fishing spot on the cloud sea, a woman appeared out of thin air beside the man. She kicked something into the water, complaining, "Stop playing the big shot."

It was a head.

Zhang Tiaoxia's eyelids twitched.

The man waved toward Cao Ci. "Go on with your business."

Zhang Tiaoxia felt uneasy. He had a strange feeling that the man's Daoist partner looked at Cao Ci the way a mother-in-law looks at a prospective son-in-law.

Following Cao Ci as they continued their journey, Dou Fenxia felt disoriented but dared not ask, fearing she might offend.

Cao Ci explained, "They are pioneers opening the path of martial arts to the heavens."

Dou Fenxia's face turned pale instantly.

Cao Ci said, "The senior means no harm."

Dou Fenxia said helplessly, "Even if he means no harm, I'm still nervous."

Cao Ci said, "Being nervous or not makes no difference."

Dou Fenxia paused, turned to look at Junior Brother Cao's expression, and understood. "Junior Brother Cao, if you can't console people, just don't try. Really."

Cao Ci smiled. "Okay."

Dou Fenxia grew a little bolder. "That head?"

Cao Ci said, "I suspect it's a new fourteenth-realm cultivator from some world."

Dou Fenxia was silent for a long time, then began to mutter, "I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous."

A newly ascended fourteenth-realm cultivator, just a few days after merging with the Dao, had been killed just like that? Taken off his head by that man?

At the cloud sea's edge, the woman sat beside the man. "What a pity it didn't work out. He would have been a great match."

The man nodded. "What's the rush? It might be better if she never marries."

The woman asked, "Bai Jing is on Fuyao Continent. Will you see her?"

The man said angrily, "See my foot! We trusted her so much, and she broke her word!"

The woman said softly, "In such times, such wars, can we really blame her?"

The man grumbled, "I don't care. If Bai Jing dares to come, I'll..."

The woman pinched his arm hard. "Go on, tell me? What will you do?"

The man fell silent, disgruntled.

On Quanjiao Mountain, Xie Gou grabbed her sable hat and pulled it down hard, looking like someone who desperately didn't want to be seen.

Xiao Mo reached out and rubbed the sable hat. "I'm here."

Xie Gou said in a low voice, "After all, I failed the trust placed in me."

Xiao Mo said, "Then we should not hide."

At sea, Cao Ci and Dou Fenxia flew toward a huge island. Soon, a Jade Perfection cultivator hidden in the cloud sea stopped them. He examined their documents before letting them pass.

The island had three layers of mountain-and-water formations—two visible, one hidden—used to verify identities and assess roughly cultivation levels.

Dou Fenxia came from a top-tier clan in the Great Duan Dynasty, and her master was a female martial god who oversaw the state's military and politics. She was extremely familiar with military camps and battlefields, so these screening measures seemed only natural.

Last summer and autumn, the Guixu passage in the East Sea near the Jing Ji area had almost been forcibly severed by a ferocious water technique. If the water route had been shattered, the time, effort, and cost to repair it would have been incalculable, and the consequences unimaginable.

To this day, Haoran Heaven still didn't know which Barbarian Continent great demon had done it.

At the time, it was Zheng Juzhong who had intervened to prevent them from succeeding.

That cultivator from the Flowing Xia Continent suddenly called out Cao Ci's name and gave his own name, lineage, and Daoist name.

Cao Ci stopped.

The cultivator smiled to himself. "Nothing important. Just remember a name."

Cao Ci nodded. "Alright."

Landing in the island's ferry market, Dou Fenxia looked around and whispered, "Junior Sister Liao should come here to soak up some immortal aura."

Cao Ci asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Dou Fenxia couldn't help but laugh. "Junior Brother Cao, you're so out of touch."

Cao Ci said, "I've been following the war situation on the Barbarian Continent closely."

Dou Fenxia gave him a playful eye roll but didn't explain.

It turned out that the exit of the Guixu passage from the Southern Sea's Shenxiang area, on the Barbarian Continent side, had been assigned four top-tier combatants according to the earliest arrangements of the Confucian Temple: the talisman master Yu Xuan, Dragon Tiger Mountain's Zhao Tianlai, the Recumbent Earth Peak's Fiery Dragon True Person, and the sword immortal Bai Shang. First, Yu Xuan successfully merged with the Dao as a fourteenth-realm cultivator in the celestial starry river. Then Bai Shang went into seclusion and achieved Flying Ascension. Then Great Celestial Master Zhao Tianlai returned to his mountain and merged successfully. Later, Fiery Dragon True Person went back to the North Jambudvipa Continent and also succeeded in merging!

All four cultivators had broken through!

What the hell—was that Shenxiang region a blessed land or what?!

Near the Haoran Heaven entrance to the Guixu passage, a fairy ferry stop had been built by reclaiming land from the sea, awaiting intercontinental boats traveling between the two worlds.

It was truly a water god escort. Even the four sea lords, with their exalted status and immense power, had to contribute.

Thus, a series of vast water routes suitable for intercontinental ferryboats to part the sea and travel far were created. However, mountain-and-water wild cultivators and unrelated people hoping to come and enjoy the scenery would be foolish to think they could get near this mysterious, vast waterway. The Confucian Temple had strict orders: anyone found suspicious would be dealt with harshly; those daring to resist would be killed on the spot by the stationed cultivators.

Cao Ci and Dou Fenxia's destination was Shenxiang. Although their master was stationed in Rizhui, Yu Xuan was in the outer heavens, and his current identity and position were special, making it inconvenient for him to act rashly. Therefore, to a large extent, Cao Ci's deployment to the Barbarian Continent battlefront was a supplement to fill a gap. When the Confucian Temple of the Central Earth proposed this, Yu Xuan had no objections, and everyone in Shenxiang welcomed it.

Cao Ci was a person who inherently inspired trust.

The next intercontinental ferry wasn't scheduled to return and depart for another five hours. Dou Fenxia knew Cao Ci disliked socializing, so she planned to rent a private room on the top floor of a restaurant.

On the street outside the restaurant, they encountered a tall, dark-skinned woman walking toward them. She carried a bundle on her back, her expression wooden, her steps steady.

To a perceptive observer, her aura was long and unusual—it was neither clear nor turbid.

Perhaps due to family upbringing, whenever she met someone walking straight toward her, she would step aside. The other party, often intimidated by her presence, would also choose to yield, leading to more mutual blocking.

This repeated "courtesy" was amusing. The woman was also much taller than many men, so Dou Fenxia couldn't help but look at her a few more times. She thought, "She's really tall, very much like the master—though their faces are completely different."

Cao Ci's face remained normal, but he was genuinely surprised. The tall woman merely glanced at Cao Ci, and that was all. They passed each other.

Dou Fenxia said casually, "Junior Brother Cao, I think she's either a person of great cultivation or a true martial arts grandmaster."

Cao Ci replied, "Hmm. The latter is more likely. If the master were here, she'd be able to tell more accurately."

Dou Fenxia was shocked. "That woman might be a pinnacle-level martial artist?!"

Cao Ci said, "It's hard to say if it's peak pinnacle or complete pinnacle."

Dou Fenxia turned to look. The tall woman had already turned into another street, showing a profile with sharp features.

Nowadays, if a new face who was a fourteenth-realm cultivator appeared on Haoran Heaven, and she happened to encounter him, Dou Fenxia wouldn't be this shocked. Suppressing her surprise and curiosity, she entered the restaurant and took a seat. She opened a jar of immortal wine, lifted the clay seal, and breathed in the rich aroma—it was worth the price. Cao Ci didn't drink, so she only poured a bowl for herself. "If you were to fight her, what's the chance of victory?"

Cao Ci shook his head. "This kind of thing is uncertain. No one can guarantee a win or loss."

Dou Fenxia finished her bowl of wine and sighed, "One by one, they're all coming out of the mountains."

Seeing that Cao Ci wasn't particularly concerned about the woman, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Cao Ci said softly, "Worrying about whether Pianpian and Axian will get used to things in Great Duan."

Dou Fenxia burst out laughing. He really had become a master! She tested the waters: "How about a little drink?"

Unexpectedly, Cao Ci looked at the wine table and didn't refuse. "A small drink is fine. But change the bowl for a cup."

This was so out of character that Dou Fenxia almost wanted to take on a disciple herself.

The group boarded the Night Boat.

On the boat, Liu Xianyang found everything novel. To travel between the cities, they needed registry documents.

The last time Chen Ping'an had ridden the Night Boat, he had asked the Boat Master Zhang if he could open a shop in the Entry City. The old master said it was fine and welcome. But this time, as Chen Ping'an headed to Fuyao Continent and boarded the boat at the West March's coast with his talisman, he learned something: among the middle four cities, Lingxi City, also known as the First City, had seen its female city lord leave the Night Boat. Before disembarking, she had reached an agreement with Boat Master Zhang to hand over Lingxi City to Chen Ping'an's management. If he didn't want to bother, he could leave it abandoned. Later, when he found a suitable city lord candidate, he just needed to inform Boat Master Zhang.

Chen Ping'an hesitated repeatedly, ultimately unwilling to truly take over Lingxi City. Temporarily managing it was acceptable.

Entering Lingxi City, the old city lord had insisted on calling it the First City, a testament to his arrogance. For indeed, in writing, there has never been a true first.

Liu Xianyang, Xiao Mo, and Xie Gou started exploring the streets. Chen Ping'an stood alone on the Rainbow Bridge corridor and transmitted a single line.

Boat Master Zhang, the old master, and a young monk arrived. The monk pressed his palms together and chanted a Buddha's call. Chen Ping'an returned the greeting.

The monk smiled. "What does the Hidden Official wish to ask?"

Chen Ping'an said, "People in the mountains say that for cultivators who undergo a military liberation and reincarnate, the chances of remembering their past lives and returning to the mountains to resume their Dao fate are as slim as a golden needle falling into the ocean—never to be retrieved for ten thousand years."

The young monk waited.

Chen Ping'an continued, "I want to ask the monk: Did Sorrow Sprout of the Sword Qi Great Wall reincarnate? If so, where is his current incarnation?"

The young monk seemed to have anticipated the question. He smiled and said, "It may be far away in the sky, yet nowhere to be found after wearing out iron shoes. Or it may be right before your eyes, gained without any effort."

Chen Ping'an found this not useless. He waited a moment, hoping for a clearer answer, even if it was just a vague clue. But the monk had already taken his leave, saying only, "Follow the fate."

Boat Master Zhang also did not stay, leaving Lingxi City together with the monk.

Chen Ping'an couldn't detain them. He leaned on the railing, feeling a little empty inside.

He very much wanted to see Sorrow Sprout again. Whether it was to guide him onto the mountain or to go together to the Flight City in the Colorful World, they could resume cultivation and continue training in swordsmanship. Life is like a book, like a sentence break.