Chapter 1197: Meeting Chen Under Heaven
This was simply a confrontation between a sword cultivator and an entire world.
The White Jade Capital's governance and rule over the Azure Underworld was far stricter than the Central Earth Confucian Temple's constraints over the Grand Harmony Underworld.
Therefore, when that dharma avatar, single-handedly and with an exceedingly domineering posture, tore open the heavens with both hands, came as a guest to the Azure Underworld, and looked down upon the White Jade Capital—
Within the White Jade Capital, a Flyswarm Ascension realm Daoist official, who held high authority over a city, deliberately mistook that young sword immortal for a Fourteen Realm cultivator and sneered, "Quite the spectacle, quite the commotion. I never imagined that the mortal world would produce yet another brand-new Fourteen Realm?"
The towering dharma avatar, possessing a pair of pure golden eyes, did not even spare this person a glance.
Chen Ping'an simply stared at Yu Dou, who was seated in the highest place of the White Jade Capital, the Upper Clarity Pavilion.
This middle-aged Daoist of imposing stature had already risen from his prayer mat and come to the railing outside. With every breath he took, he caused the gathering and dispersing of the cloud sea stretching ten thousand miles around the White Jade Capital.
This was solely because he was Yu Dou, situated within the pseudo-Fifteen Realm.
For eight thousand years, how many Daoists of the Azure Underworld had dared to be angry but not speak out against this man? The world had long suffered under Yu Dou's rule.
Yet even that Elder Sun, no matter how much he was at odds with the White Jade Capital, the old temple master himself had to say: We may hate Yu Dou, we may curse Yu Dou, we can do anything—but Yu Dou has no selfish motives.
Chen Ping'an took in the five cities and twelve towers of the White Jade Capital.
This was where Elder Sun's sword had fallen.
The entire White Jade Capital buzzed with discussion, like a swarm of mosquitoes gathering into thunder.
In truth, all the great cultivators of the entire world had witnessed this scene. The vast majority found it utterly unbelievable and beyond comprehension. Did this mean he intended to challenge the entire White Jade Capital single-handedly?
Yet more of the mountain-top great cultivators, almost unanimously, inquired about one or two matters: Who in the hell was this guy? How deep was his grudge against the White Jade Capital, that he would appear in the Azure Underworld in such a manner?
The Jade Emperor City.
Also known as Emerald Green City, it lay at the northernmost part of the White Jade Capital.
It had once been the site where Dao Ancestor's first disciple, Kou Ming, ascended and preached, and this city governed a great number of cave paradises and blessed lands.
The Jade Emperor City was also the first city in the history of the White Jade Capital, the same age as the Purple Qi Tower built by the Dao Ancestor himself.
In the hidden histories of the Azure Underworld, they were respectively the first city and first tower of the ancient Jade Capital Mountain, and could be said to be the initial 'family estate' of Daoism personally founded by the Dao Ancestor in his early years.
The new city lord was Jiang Yunsheng, who bore the appearance of a young child and had just succeeded in his secluded cultivation, breaking into the Flyswarm Ascension realm.
According to traditional custom, upon succeeding as city lord, the Spirit Mulberry Cave Paradise, one of the thirty-six minor cave paradises, became Jiang Yunsheng's private Dao field.
However, Jiang Yunsheng had just returned from a journey to the Axe Handle Cave Paradise.
Back then, that muddle-legged youth from the Bottle Gourd Continent had passed through the Inverted Suspense Mountain gate to reach the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Jiang Yunsheng and the sword immortal Zhang Lu had been the gatekeepers—naturally, they had seen Chen Ping'an.
Not only had they seen Chen Ping'an, but Jiang Yunsheng later also met Chen Ping'an's student, Cui Dongshan, and his disciple, Pei Qian.
Jiang Yunsheng let out a soft sigh. Times had changed, things were different, people were no longer the same. He had thought they were merely passing strangers in the mortal world, never expecting to end up in a position of mutual enmity.
Yet, for some reason, Jiang Yunsheng always felt something was off. That enormous dharma avatar of Chen Ping'an, with its majestic aura, seemed to pay special attention to him through its eyes?
If it weren't for the fact that he had become city lord and his cultivation had increased, given his fiery temper in the past, that 'little Dao boy' would have stamped his feet and cursed: 'Seek revenge from the one who wronged you! If you're here to settle scores, go find my clan's elder or Lord Pang! Picking on the soft persimmon—what kind of behavior is that!'
If Chen Ping'an had come this time to directly challenge Yu Dou to a sword duel, Jiang Yunsheng would rather die than believe it. If it were truly so, the only explanation would be that Chen Ping'an had lost his mind.
With a difference of nearly two major realms, a sword duel? That would be seeking death.
Fortunately, Chen Ping'an's gaze merely swept past.
Jiang Yunsheng couldn't help but shake his sleeves. He himself was a newly ascended Flyswarm Ascension; theoretically, their realms were comparable, yet facing Chen Ping'an, he found it hard to hide his tension.
The Purple Qi Tower.
Located at the easternmost part of the White Jade Capital, its position was both favorable and elevated.
The Jiang clan of the Purple Qi Tower was immensely renowned.
The tower lord was Jiang Zhaomo, courtesy name Chaosheng, Daoist title 'Chuixiang' (Suspended Appearance). He had been at the perfected Flyswarm Ascension realm for a long time.
Jiang Zhaomo had entered the White Jade Capital slightly later than Yu Dou. His former identity was Liu Changzhou, who called himself the 'Filth Daoist'.
They, along with the ghost immortal Bao Lin, who later pestered Yu Dou relentlessly like a haunting spirit, had once been close friends, traveling together and dominating the world.
In his early years, Liu Changzhou had once spoken a heretical yet widely quoted famous saying: 'We are the Daoists of the Azure Underworld, and the Azure Underworld will also be our Dao field.'
Among the Daoist officials of the White Jade Capital, Jiang Zhaomo's swordsmanship was second only to Yu Dou. Additionally, Jiang Zhaomo was a martial arts grandmaster, having engaged in several unknown fist fights with Lin Jiangxian.
A man of attained Dao stood alone atop the highest tower, his double sleeves fluttering. He was Jiang Zhaomo.
Thinking back to those days, when Qi Jingchun's dharma avatar had merely hung in the midair over the Bottle Gourd Continent in the heavens above layers of cloud sea.
As for the latter's death and annihilation of his Dao, both Jiang Zhaomo and Pang Ding had a hand in it.
Jiang Zhaomo smiled. The wheel of fortune turns? He, a junior, was 'looking down' and 'belittling' him?
Finally.
They gazed at each other.
Jiang Zhaomo couldn't be bothered to speak. It was clear that this man had just attained the Dao, leveraging the power of an entire continent's heaven and earth, reaping an enormous advantage. But was it merely a momentary display of bravado? How long could this dharma avatar, fit only for intimidation, sustain itself?
An old true man emerged from his secluded Dao field, burning with curiosity, and inquired via mind voice: "Less than a hundred years of Dao age, transcending to the Flyswarm Ascension realm at such a young age. What divine being is this? What is his surname and name?"
A junior beside him explained the man's origins. The old true man sighed deeply, thinking that Zhang Fenghai was already the rarest cultivation seedling he had ever seen in his life, only to find that the Grand Harmony Underworld also produced such a young prodigy.
As for this man's connection to the White Jade Capital and why he was so aggressive, taking the initiative to come to the Azure Underworld to provoke the entire White Jade Capital, the old true man had roughly heard the gist. He neither rushed to a conclusion nor harbored any resentment in his heart. Cultivation was about forming good karma; that was where Dao power lay. Blindly avoiding bad karma was definitely not the way of a master.
An immortal official, covered in layers of shimmering golden light, flicked his fly whisk and sneered, "What a fine opportunity to take advantage of a weakness. You sure know how to pick the right time. No wonder you were a hidden official on the Sword Qi Great Wall—a true schemer, skilled at judging the situation, willing to bet heavy and win big."
The world was in chaos.
At present, after the 'White Jade Capital Daoist Officials Slaying Demons' campaign, where ancient heavenly demons had wreaked havoc and transformed an entire continent, the White Jade Capital's situation was at its most perilous. Even the most self-confident Daoist officials dared not claim that peace could be restored within three to five years. The Dao Ancestor had already scattered his Dao, the Grand Chief Kou Ming had not yet returned to the White Jade Capital to take charge, the Second Chief Yu Dou was forced to refine the entire White Jade Capital, using an inferior method to 'integrate with the Dao' and break into the pseudo-Fifteen Realm. The Third Chief Lu Chen had fallen into the heartland of the Barren Wasteland Underworld, using his own body as a cage to refine and trap that foreign heavenly demon.
In the fourteen states of the Azure Underworld, it was like a wildfire spreading; rebels stood against the White Jade Capital in every state. Daoist sects of all sizes were breaking away and establishing themselves, springing up like bamboo shoots after rain.
Chen Ping'an of the Grand Harmony Underworld, not hesitating to cross worlds and choosing this moment to openly tear his face with the White Jade Capital—what else was it but coordinating with that den of thieves, the Year-End Palace?
A Daoist official, holding a jade ruyi, pointed straight at the heavens and roared, "Impudent brat! Withdraw at once!"
In a neighboring immortal city, whose height was almost level, a heavenly immortal leaned against the railing, seemingly intent on going against certain bigwigs. Their eyes sparkled with admiration as they clapped and exclaimed, "Great skill bred of boldness. A true sword immortal, indeed."
If one lacked courage, how could they dare to pay respects to the White Jade Capital? If one's Dao heart was not firm, why bother cultivating to become an immortal?
Just Chen Ping'an's courage alone was enough to earn the title of a true hero of the age.
An old true man of the Verdant Cloud Tower, who had been in seclusion for many years, flicked his fly whisk and nodded in agreement: "Dao attainment lies not in Dao age—this shames our generation."
Mounting a five-colored auspicious cloud, he drifted away from the immortal city's Dao field, rising to the heavens to behold the sword immortal's splendor.
The Multifarious Splendor Tower, long hailed as a field of jade and gold, had two tower lords standing side by side.
Tower Lord Wang Dongzhi, looking gloomy, gazed up at the dharma avatar, saying, "Adding frost to snow."
Assistant Tower Lord Xie Xuan, filled with worry, looked at the vast world beyond the White Jade Capital and said, "Pouring oil on fire."
The former referred to the White Jade Capital's current precarious situation; the latter referred to the Azure Underworld's current chaotic state.
An old Daoist official from the Numinous Treasure City, with a youthful appearance, had already made a definitive judgment: "An ant trying to shake a tree—overestimating oneself."
Relying solely on a Flyswarm Ascension realm to challenge the White Jade Capital with a sword?
Previously, Sun Huaizhong of the Profound Metropolis Temple—the old temple master at the Fourteen Realm, with such profound Dao power and such exceptional swordsmanship—had delivered a sword from a great distance across several states, leaning his long sword upon the azure sky! In a one-on-one fight with Chief Yu, didn't he still lose?
Later, Wu Shuangjiang joined forces with the purple-robed monk Jiang Xiu and Gao Gu of the Earth Lung Mountain—three great Fourteen Realm cultivators, masters of the military, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions—collectively seeking Dao from the entire White Jade Capital. What was the result? All died!
In that asking of Dao, the female sword immortal Bao Lin, a perfected Flyswarm Ascension, was merely an accessory, a filler. She was slain by Chief Yu Dou, stationed at the White Jade Capital, with a single sword stroke.
Two friends from the Purple Qi Tower were chatting idly, their expressions and tones dismissive: "Acting on impulse, making a fool of oneself." "In the end, he's just a young upstart who recently gained power, beside himself, completely unaware of the vastness of heaven and earth."
The Jade Pivot City.
City Lord Guo Jie's emotions were complex: "The mortal world is truly in a troublesome autumn. Before long, the White Jade Capital sees sword light again."
Deputy City Lord Shao Xiang laughed: "Chief Lu said that if this man ever sneaks into the White Jade Capital, he would definitely linger long in our Jade Pivot City, a book thief who doesn't need to move books."
Guo Jie sighed: "In the past, I found Lu Chen annoying. Now that he's no longer annoying, I instead feel the world is desolate."
Shao Xiang felt the same pang of melancholy.
Guo Jie and Shao Xiang were both Daoist sword immortals. The former, in particular, was regarded as the foremost commentator and exegete of Lu Chen's 'External Chapters.'
Lu Chen's study was not built in the Southern Flower City; rather, he had begged a piece of land from the Jade Pivot City, naming it the 'Study of Viewing a Thousand Swords.'
It was said that Chief Lu's reason for being close was that it was convenient for him to seek knowledge from the two city lords.
But the problem was that Guo and Shao were the ones annotating books, while Lu Chen was the one writing them.
It was rumored that privately, Lu Chen was extremely smug, shaking his sleeves and telling everyone, 'This poor Daoist originally had no idea how impressive his own writing was. But after hearing them talk about it, annotate it, and spread it—ha, this poor Daoist started to feel a bit giddy.'
Looking across the world, something like this, such nonsense, was probably only something Lu Chen could do.
Shao Xiang asked: "If there really is a sword duel?"
Guo Jie smiled: "What else can we do? Since we are all sword cultivators, we receive the sword."
Numinous Treasure City.
The place where Chief Yu Dou attained the Dao.
Like his senior brother Kou Ming, Yu Dou left his Dao field after becoming Chief.
In its eight-thousand-year history, the Numinous Treasure City had only two city lords. After Yu Dou came Pang Ding.
Pang Ding, Daoist title 'Xuxin' (Humble Mind), was proficient in thunder techniques and also cultivated the five elements.
The old Daoist had some criticisms about the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master Mansion's lineage, which was hailed as the orthodox Five Thunder Righteous Method.
At this moment, Pang Ding stood beside an old man with a gaunt, clear-featured appearance. By the old man's side was a middle-aged woman holding a red duster. She smiled and asked, "Li Yaoshi, what do you think?"
Li Yaoshi held a hand-carved Staff of Spiritual Longevity wood, which originated from the Guo Mountain. He had died and become a spirit, long receiving the incense offerings of the mortal world.
In terms of Dao age, he was roughly contemporary with Bai Ye of the Grand Harmony Underworld.
The old man's status in the Numinous Treasure City was similar to that of the sword cultivator Hao Su in the Divine Thunder City—transcendent, an important guest official of the entire White Jade Capital, with no possibility of being under someone else's roof.
The Numinous Treasure City had a Palace of Ceasing War, which administered thirty-six Daoist temples. The 'Letting-Horses Graze Temple' was one of them, and in turn, it managed a host of other temples, including the obscure 'Manifestation Temple.'
Li Yaoshi and his Dao partner cultivated within the Manifestation Temple. He compiled military treatises; she, with red sleeves, added fragrance (to study).
Li Yaoshi said: "No wonder he was the ally carefully chosen by Palace Master Wu."
The woman smiled: "It seems Wu Shuangjiang's decision to entrust his Dao partner to this man was not without reason."
Pang Ding inquired via mind voice: "Daoist friend Li Yaoshi, are you willing to leave the mountain now?"
Li Yaoshi replied: "We will leave the White Jade Capital soon and first take a look around."
Pang Ding would not press his advantage further. Having this answer was already sufficient. He nodded: "That is enough."
This military strategist, described as 'never defeated in a lifetime, never fought a godly battle,' returned to the Manifestation Temple hand in hand with his Dao partner.
In the near future, on the battlefields of the fourteen states beyond the White Jade Capital, to a certain extent, it would be an 'internal strife' between the military rebels led by Wu Shuangjiang and Li Yaoshi and his party.
The entire Azure Underworld was a battlefield destined to be filled with the smoke of gunpowder, where military strategists would each display their divine abilities.
Pang Ding performed a bow of salute to the couple. After they left, the old Daoist turned his head back to the heavens. No longer suppressing his Dao aura, he sneered: "Even the senior brother dares not fight back, but you, the junior brother, dare to walk right into the trap. Your lineage truly excels—blue comes from indigo and is better than indigo."
Chen Ping'an, however, looked again toward the Purple Qi Tower, squinting with a smile: "Jiang Zhaomo, the way you do things this time isn't very straightforward. Sneakily breaking into the Fourteen Realm? That's a good thing! This tottering White Jade Capital has gained another pillar. Why hide it? What, are you waiting for a golden opportunity to turn your coat, make a surprise attack, and take down Chief Yu, to whom you still have to bow your head in this life after settling a death grudge in your previous life?"
Jiang Zhaomo frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and finally said nothing.
Let alone the disciples of the Purple Qi Tower, even old Flyswarm Ascensions like Pang Ding were astonished at this revelation. When had Jiang Zhaomo quietly stepped into the Fourteen Realm?
Pang Ding steadied his mind and was about to go and meet this new Flyswarm Ascension.
Unexpectedly, the dharma avatar spoke in a voice like a great bell, laughing: "Pang Ding, you old waste, stop your croaking. Speak with your anus!"
Pang Ding was stunned. The old Daoist was about to retort with something like: 'Spare me your glib tongue. If you have the skill, come down and spar with me; let's fight.'
But at his words, the entire White Jade Capital fell into dead silence.
The Daoist officials of the White Jade Capital—men and women, old and young—had truly never witnessed such a 'spectacle.'
Pang Ding, infuriated and humiliated, was ready to make a move on the spot. Since the entire White Jade Capital had heard this, wouldn't that mean the entire Azure Underworld would know? Even for those who cultivate the Dao, who have attained the Way, if they don't care much about empty reputation and external things, just imagine—a highly respected old Daoist steps out, opens his mouth to speak with anyone, and others look at him with strange expressions and amused faces...
But as if reminded, Pang Ding grunted coldly: "A foul-mouthed, cursing scoundrel like you—are you even fit to be a Dao learner?!"
That fellow shook his head and said: "Old waste Pang is eating with his ass again, fumigating people with his stench."
No matter how good Pang Ding's self-cultivation or how deep his Dao power, he could barely resist cursing aloud. If that fellow continued a second and third time, he would truly become a laughingstock for the hostile Daoist officials beyond the White Jade Capital, to be told for centuries.
Verdant Cloud Tower.
At the entrance of the Misty Grotto within the Mountain-Calming Palace stood an old man. His Daoist title was 'Xuanhuang' (Profound Yellow), which was quite significant.
Huang Jieshou was of the same generation as the Numinous Treasure City's Pang Ding; he was an unquestionable elder within the White Jade Capital.
Huang Jieshou was overcome with myriad emotions, yet he remained silent throughout. The White Jade Capital was destined for this calamity.
It wasn't until Pang Ding was toyed with verbally by that young sword immortal that Huang Jieshou spoke via mind voice: "Pang Ding, with a great enemy before us and the situation murky, we cannot afford to disrupt our own ranks."
Pang Ding had no choice but to suppress the urge to act.
The previous great upheaval, the joint slaying of the Military Ancestor, had been proclaimed to the world by the Year-End Palace's Wu Shuangjiang. The highest peaks of several worlds had already gotten wind of it.
Naturally, Pang Ding was fully aware. At that time, he had grimly remarked: "Those rebels will never cease their attempts to throw our Azure Underworld into chaos."
As the closed-door disciple of the Wen Sheng lineage, why weren't you diligently reading your sage books instead of colluding with the Year-End Palace's Wu Shuangjiang?
The root cause of the current chaos in the Azure Underworld, the mastermind, was Wu Shuangjiang.
But what made Pang Ding most wary was the third 'name' on that proclamation, the one who stood unshaken as the foremost demonic path master—the White Emperor City's city lord, Zheng Juzhong.
The heavenly demon had already been suppressed by Lu Chen.
As for Zheng Juzhong, a demon who acts with no regard for anything—who would deal with him?
In truth, Pang Ding had already secretly and repeatedly confirmed that there was no one like Zheng Juzhong hiding in any place near the 'Heaven Gate' around Chen Ping'an's dharma avatar.
Otherwise, neither Chief Yu Dou's warning nor Huang Jieshou's persuasion could have stopped this Numinous Treasure City city lord from making a move.
An assistant tower lord of the Purple Qi Tower, a stooped old woman, narrowed her eyes and said via mind voice: "Girl, open your eyes wide, look carefully, and remember it firmly in your heart. This is probably the pinnacle of your path. Don't walk on the road with outward respect, only to return to your Dao field and be arrogant, thinking that those of higher realms in the White Jade Capital just have the advantage of age. Isn't this fellow surnamed Chen younger than you?"
Standing beside the old woman was an outstanding member of the Jiang clan, named Jiang Yuwei, with the Daoist title 'Weixin' (Endangered Heart). She was both a sword cultivator and a martial artist. Hence the old woman's admonition.
Jiang Yuwei looked up at this uninvited guest of the entire world, her mind shaken. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that there could be such a young sword immortal and grandmaster in the world.
The old woman teased: "It's to have you surpass him, to catch up to him on the Great Path—not to have you admire him with all your heart, wanting to become his Dao partner and sleep with him."
Jiang Yuwei withdrew her gaze and said helplessly: "I have no such romantic intentions."
The old woman said: "After finally managing to break through to the Flyswarm Ascension, the eagerness to come here and show off is understandable. But unfortunately, you're too young and hot-blooded, completely unaware of the principle of nurturing your qi and reining in your spirit."
Jiang Yuwei dared not jump to conclusions.
The old woman shook her head: "Indeed young, enviably young. But in less than fifty years, in such a short span of half a century, no matter how hard your background is, how much hardship can you possibly endure? This fellow still doesn't understand the terror of being disgusted by heaven and struck by heavenly punishment. If nothing unexpected happens, he will sooner or later suffer a great fall—either in the Grand Harmony or the Barren Wasteland. I wonder if our White Jade Capital will ever see that face again."
Jiang Yuwei knew this was the old woman's usual argument—the tides of the world's Dao techniques always come and go. How many fresh faces of the world's prodigies have been seen only once or twice before disappearing?
When the sword immortal's verbal exchange with Pang Ding of the Numinous Treasure City took place, the old woman's expression darkened.
Jiang Yuwei was also somewhat annoyed: "With such status and realm, how can he speak so crudely?"
The old woman said sharply: "Something is wrong!"
Jiang Yuwei was puzzled. The old woman opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end, only said vaguely: "This fellow's appearance this time, overtly and covertly, seeks many things. You'll know later."
For instance, if Pang Ding had truly made a move today, he would probably have had his 'fist stolen' by that fellow?
Cloud and Water Tower.
'Where white clouds are born is the immortal homeland.' Its Dao tradition belonged to the Grand Chief's lineage and had two female tower lords, who were specially responsible for crafting Daoist ordination certificates for the various countries and temples of all sizes in the world.
This place was perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, with shimmering waters. It was the best place to drink wine, roam at night, and enjoy the bright moon.
A celestial maiden, dressed in a Xiang River dragon-lady skirt, wearing a bracelet of bright pearls on her hand, a gold step-sway hairpin in her hair, with a touch of light makeup, spoke in a soft, glutinous voice, gently complaining: "Chief Lu is useless. If he had been more deft back then, in that Pearly Bead Cave Heaven, he could have knocked out this young hidden official before he rose to prominence, bagged him, and dragged him to the White Jade Capital to be the Fourth Chief. Then we wouldn't have this tangled mess of grudges and grievances."
The other tower lord, a female immortal with heroic spirit, no makeup, and a long knife hanging at her waist, clasped her hands behind her head lazily and said: "Indeed. The first time I laid eyes on that fellow, I felt his virtue did not match his position."
The young Daoist named Shan Qing was still in the Five Colors Underworld. He had been taken as a disciple by Lu Chen on behalf of his master, becoming the nominal closed-door disciple of the Dao Ancestor.
But the Daoist officials of the White Jade Capital knew full well that in terms of both popularity and cultivation, Shan Qing was still far from being the 'Fourth Chief.' Moreover, in the Five Colors Underworld, he had suffered a great loss at the hands of Ning Yao.
Now, Chief Lu Chen was already in the Barren Wasteland. If the Dao boys of the White Jade Capital mentioned Chief Lu, they would be scolded by their elders and reminded to be cautious in their speech, for fear of being targeted by the heavenly demon.
But the two of them believed that Chief Lu would always be fine.
The graceful female tower lord sighed: "Sun and moon have alternated thousands of times; the mortal world calls your name ten thousand times."
The heroic female immortal nodded: "He made a huge profit."
"His appearance is still quite upright."
"A cultivator who aspires to connect with heaven and earth—why bother with this fleshly shell?"
The reason they had broached this topic was thanks to Chief Lu's help in spreading his fame.
'I, this poor Daoist, am a bit older than Hidden Official Chen, but I am a hundred times more handsome than him.'
Regarding Chen Ping'an, the White Jade Capital had something to say almost every year, adding new deeds every month. They were sick of hearing about it.
He had become famous at the Sword Qi Great Wall, and even managed to win Ning Yao's heart. An outsider who wasn't even a sword cultivator had sat in the Summer Palace and summoned sword immortals at will.
After returning alive to the Grand Harmony Underworld, he was paired with Cao Ci, a martial artist from the Central Earth Divine Continent, giving rise to the saying 'White-clad Cao, blue-shirt Chen,' as if the sun and moon shone together on the martial path.
Perhaps the elders of the White Jade Capital had seen too many cultivation prodigies and were relatively more at ease. After all, how many heavens-shaking appearances had turned out to be mere flashes in the pan?
The young Daoist officials had varied thoughts and opinions, so they talked more.
But even those young people who held negative views, no matter how arrogant they were, could not bring themselves to say that 'there are no heroes in this age, so a mere mortal becomes famous.' After all, as for the height of the Grand Harmony Underworld's Daoist learning, the Dao learners of the White Jade Capital could freely comment. But when it came to the Sword Qi Great Wall, they had to think before speaking.
Every age has its own 'modern times.'
The youngest generation of cultivators in the White Jade Capital could bypass all the young geniuses of the entire world, but they seemed unable to bypass that fellow surnamed Chen from the Grand Harmony Underworld.
Thus, someone jokingly said that in recent years, there were no less than a hundred, or at least several dozens, of White Jade Capital Daoist officials who wanted to personally gauge the 'last hidden official's' true weight.
Now, the opportunity had come.
And so, they chickened out.
Occasionally, a few taciturn young Daoist officials, after seeing that huge dharma avatar at the edge of the sky, instead of being discouraged or dejected, were spurred on to greater confidence. Naturally, this was a good thing.
A dignified Daoist primordial empress, whose Dao robe shimmered with dazzling light, shrank the mountains and rivers, leaving her Southern Flower City Dao field.
She brought with her a direct disciple who was in charge of the mortal world's hundred flowers, and together they arrived at the entrance of the study.
She was the first deputy city lord of Southern Flower City, venerated as Lady Wei, with the Daoist title 'Zixu' (Purple Void).
Lady Wei was the foremost primordial empress of the Azure Underworld and the founding ancestor of the Yellow Court Temple lineage. She was currently one of the candidates for the next age.
Lady Wei inquired via mind voice: "Just now, what did Sword Immortal Chen say to you?"
That female disciple shook her head, also puzzled, and replied: "Reporting to Master, I dare not conceal it. The other party did not speak any words; he merely looked at me."
Lady Wei smiled: "No need to be nervous. He possesses the silk knot of the Hundred Flowers Blessed Land, which has not yet been returned to the Flower Master, Qi Fang. Therefore, in a sense, he has a connection with you."
Divine Thunder City.
Among the five cities of the White Jade Capital, the Divine Thunder City's height was now barely on par with the Jade Pivot City—though it had gone from being the lowest to being one of the lowest. Moreover, in the past five hundred years, it had been surpassed by two towers.
The former city lord was Yao Kejiu, Daoist title 'Nigu' (Imitating Antiquity). The old true man was one of the Three Teachings sages stationed at the Sword Qi Great Wall's celestial canopy. Having gone to a foreign land, he never returned.
The current two deputy city lords were Wang Qing, Daoist title 'Jinqing' (Golden Chime), and Xiao Feibai, Daoist title 'Modou' (Ink Dipper). They were Dao partners, both at the Immortal realm, and both direct disciples of Yao Kejiu.
When the heavenly anomaly occurred, several young sword cultivators from the Sword Qi Great Wall called out in unison: "Hidden Official!"
They didn't care what the White Jade Capital Daoist officials around them thought.
Dong Huafu, who had built a thatched hut alone in a peach forest to practice swordsmanship, used a different title: Second Boss.
Not far from Dong Heitan's dwelling, the former executioner Hao Su looked up and exchanged a glance with the young hidden official.
Hao Su slowly rose, laughing bitterly: "Truly a stray dog's fate—always rushing about."
He had only arrived at the Divine Thunder City to practice swords a few days ago. So, he would have to move again?
When Hao Su stood up, Wang Qing immediately arrived.
Hao Su said calmly: "Since we can't stop him, why bother making things hard on ourselves? It's better to pretend ignorance."
Wang Qing's answer, however, greatly surprised Hao Su: "We can't stop him, and we don't want to stop him. We just came to say a word to our old friend Hao Su, to bid farewell."
Hao Su's expression was complex. He rubbed his face: "I knew it—I shouldn't have come to the Divine Thunder City to lie low."
But the dharma avatar in the sky merely looked at the thousands of miles of peach forests within the Divine Thunder City, nodded to himself, and smiled: "Old Immortal Yao did not deceive me—the peach forest of Divine Thunder City can indeed move the heart."
This was not the polite, casual talk of a leisurely mountain-strolling immortal.
It was like two armies facing off, about to engage in close combat, life and death at stake. A general from one side finds a moment to say to a certain military officer in the enemy camp, 'So-and-so is a true hero.'
Tree after tree of peach blossoms, as if receiving a divine decree, like a beautiful woman adorning herself for her admirer, the peach forest of Divine Thunder City stretching a thousand miles blossomed in an instant into a splendid, unique wonder of the world.
Hao Su said: "Fortunately, our Hidden Official, for now, still observes a bit of righteousness and hasn't made me a traitor working from within."
Wang Qing smiled: "Let's hope it's not 'for now,' but forever."
Hao Su asked: "This stunt by the Hidden Official—won't it cause trouble for you of the Divine Thunder City, making you an exception?"
Wang Qing looked around and smiled: "No trouble. Our master is gone, but the great principles he taught us about dealing with the world are still here."
Huang Jieshou stood outside the Misty Grotto of the Mountain-Calming Palace, gazing into the distance. The old man was deeply grieved. 'Such a beautiful landscape has become a scabby wall.'
The external troubles of the White Jade Capital were far more than the wavering hearts of the Daoist officials in each state, or today's 'paying respects' by this young sword immortal.
A single move affects the entire situation.
The White Jade Capital had Chief Yu Dou, in the pseudo-Fifteen Realm, sitting at the center of the world, intimidating the heroes of the fourteen states.
But also remember, in the Azure Underworld today, there was another cultivator who had also stepped into the pseudo-Fifteen Realm.
Yao Qing, the Prime Minister of the Azure Deity Dynasty, had clearly already broken into the Fourteen Realm, yet he chose to enter a certain Martial Temple, converting to a military strategist. His divine statue was placed second in the temple hall, and he simultaneously possessed a sword path and a dragon vein.
Yao Qing of the Martial Temple and Yu Dou of the White Jade Capital stood in a silent confrontation across the world.
Each was waiting for an opportunity to settle the matter in one stroke.
Yao Qing's requirement was not high—to 'exchange pieces' with Yu Dou.
Yu Dou, naturally, was also looking for a suitable opportunity to uproot Yao Qing together with the Martial Temple.
Except for a few Daoists, no one could understand why Yao Qing, whose Great Path seemed infinitely lofty, would act in such a manner.
Because they were not aware that the later Prime Minister, one of the ten masters of the Azure Underworld, had once been a roving young rascal at the bottom of the marketplace.
A 'sleeve-tattooed rogue' who would roll up his sleeves, pull a knife, and go stab anyone who dared to mess with him, right in the alley!
In a certain part of the White Jade Capital, a group of Daoist officials were deducing the Great Path.
If the sword immortal's dharma avatar was a malicious 'paying of respects,' then these Daoist officials were also reciprocating—'one does not refuse a gift.'
But one by one, the Daoist officials suffered backlash. Some turned pale and vomited blood; some grew dizzy and staggered, falling to the ground; some even nearly dropped in realm.
It was because the visions of the Great Path they saw were simply too bizarre and dangerous.
Throughout history, when it came to deducing someone's heavenly secrets, the more experienced the person, the more cautious they were. It was even more perilous than a face-to-face duel on the stage.
Even though they spared no effort in consuming their Dao power and using all sorts of wondrous techniques to bypass Chen Ping'an's maze-like, bizarre world, the scenes that followed nearly shattered their Dao hearts.
At the very front was a middle-aged Daoist, holding a whisk and wearing a sword, forming a sword incantation with one hand. Behind him was a great sun wheel. This was Lu Yan of Pure Yang, who had once voluntarily retreated from the Fourteen Realm to the Flyswarm Ascension realm.
Further back, amidst a brilliant galaxy, an old Daoist in a purple robe adorned with a yin-yang fish pattern sat cross-legged atop a giant gourd. This was Fu Lu of the Talisman Dao, who had integrated with the starry river.
'A lone city amid myriad mountains,' within the colorful clouds of the White Emperor City, a figure with a blurred form stood with hands behind his back beneath a large banner inscribed with 'Dare to be first in the world.'
The highest and farthest one was a faceless Daoist wearing a lotus crown, standing by a river that resembled the river of time. His head was slightly tilted, as if he were 'smiling' at them, the prying ones.
Layer upon layer of cultivators, real and illusory; barrier after insurmountable barrier; one obstruction after another blocked the combined deductions of the White Jade Capital Daoist officials.
When an old Flyswarm Ascension finally, finally, was about to encounter the 'truth' of Chen Ping'an, the final scene caused the old Daoist to stagger backward, bleeding from all seven orifices, nearly shattering his Dao heart on the spot.
He saw a road connecting heaven and earth, down which slowly walked a man in a golden dharma robe. Countless stars, as tiny as 'beads,' spun around him.
'He' looked at the Flyswarm Ascension, whose body was small as an ant, and smiled, "What do you want with me?"
At that moment, the old Flyswarm Ascension could not hear the questions of the Daoist beside him, nor did he bother to wipe the blood off his face. He just kept muttering: "It's Zhou Mi, it's Zhou Mi..."
Compared to the dharma avatar at the 'gate' of the sky, a figure suddenly flashed by, as small as a mustard seed, hovering in the air beside its shoulder.
Daoist officials with sufficient Dao power could see that it was a girl with a sable hat and ruddy cheeks.
She raised her hand to block her mouth and said softly: "Mountain Master, I not only managed to persuade Xiao Mo not to come, but also persuaded the Mountain Master's wife. This time, I came alone to support you. I don't expect any credit for saving the emperor—I'm just here to cheer you on. Rest assured, Mountain Master, when I do things, I'm reliable."
Chen Ping'an said helplessly: "Whether you're reliable or not, it's not up to you to decide."
In the eyes of the White Jade Capital, the girl in the sable hat put her hands on her hips and asked loudly: "Which bastards were just bragging, bad-mouthing my Mountain Master? If you have guts, step forward!"
A middle-aged Daoist immediately said: "Right here!"
Gouzi Xie glanced at him, waved her hand, and said, "Step back."
He was completely dumbfounded.
Gouzi Xie, with a face full of disdain, reluctantly explained: "Have someone else step up. Not someone so frail. Let me remind you—must be at least Flyswarm Ascension! Hah, don't let any random cats and dogs at the Jade Pu realm come yapping."
Sure enough, there were Daoist officials who refused to believe it. Regardless of their realms, some stepped forward. A few even announced their names.
Gouzi Xie squinted: "Aiyoyo, so cocky. I've remembered the names. If you piss off this seat, don't talk about cats and dogs—even people, I eat!"
In an instant, the girl in the sable hat raised her hand, and tens of thousands of sword lights suddenly lit up in the clear azure sky, smashing down like a waterfall onto the five cities and twelve towers of the White Jade Capital.
Chief Yu Dou was unmoved, turning a blind eye to it.
The White Jade Capital did not activate any formation.
Over at the Numinous Treasure City, Pang Ding rolled up his sleeve and scattered a small portion of the sword lights that were rushing at astonishing speed into the thousand-mile radius of the White Jade Capital.
Several immortal officials also used their respective arts and divine powers to destroy almost all the remaining sword lights. Occasionally, a few 'escaped' sharp sword lights, crooked and forming no real threat, were about to be shattered by an Immortal realm cultivator's natal flying sword. But a senior sect member in his mind lake told him to stop. At the same time, a hundred li outside the White Jade Capital, two sword lights that looked as thin as ropes suddenly exploded, releasing tens of thousands of sword lights that scattered, heading straight for the Purple Qi Tower and the Numinous Treasure City.
A young Daoist official, who was not very famous in the White Jade Capital, expressionless, extended his hand and channeled one batch of over thirty thousand sword lights born from 'one flying sword' into a vortex of time and space that appeared out of nowhere.
But the dense sword lights aimed at the Numinous Treasure City spawned another anomaly mid-flight. In the blink of an eye, they multiplied into hundreds of thousands of sword lights, a torrential downpour enveloping the Numinous Treasure City.
Pang Ding had no choice but to act again, executing a thunder technique to disperse that drenching rain.
But in another tower, a Jade Pu realm Daoist official felt a chill down his spine because the tower lord had somehow appeared beside him, pinching a wisp of sword qi between two fingers, crushing it heavily.
Almost, just barely. If the tower lord hadn't intercepted that wisp of sword qi, it would have pierced his forehead, a sword strike through the head?!
The girl in the sable hat clapped her hands, cursing: "God damn it, I've been holding it in for too long! Daring to disrespect my Mountain Master—you all are tired of living. Looking for a beating!"
That young Daoist official with astonishing Dao power asked curiously: "Who are you?"
Gouzi Xie put her hands on her hips: "Remember this: I am the second seat guest official of the Fallen Mountain."
But her next sentence was not directed at him. She shifted her gaze, glaring fiercely at Pang Ding, saying for the old waste to hear: "Sword cultivator Bai Jing!"
Pang Ding's expression remained unchanged, but he was startled inwardly. Was it really her?
The girl rubbed her sable hat, her eyes extremely cold, grinning: "Old man Pang, believe it or not. Anyway, the next time I come as a guest to the White Jade Capital, I'll ignore everything else and stab you first."
Yet when she turned to look at Chen Ping'an, she immediately switched to a nearly fawning expression and asked tentatively: "Mountain Master, was that an appropriate way for me to speak to people?"
Chen Ping'an didn't bother with her. He only said to Yu Dou from afar via mind voice: "Keep a close watch on Jiang Yunsheng. Don't let all of Lu Chen's efforts go to waste."
Yu Dou nodded, then said calmly: "Wait until you are half a realm higher before you come to duel me with a sword."
Chen Ping'an's eyes burned with intensity. He did not use a mind voice: "Fair enough."
Remember to bring an outsider who doesn't meddle in muddy waters, to help collect the corpse.
Before I come to duel you with a sword, don't die on me. I won't be visiting your grave.
Yu Dou said: "Before the next sword duel, I'll treat you to a drink. Dare to drink?"
Chen Ping'an grinned fiercely: "No reason to dare to duel with a sword but not dare to drink."
Yu Dou turned around and walked back into his Dao field.
The Bright Moon Hao Cai, one of the two moons in the Azure Underworld.
The tall, old Daoist sat on the steps of his door, having temporarily left his alchemy room to watch the show.
The mountain-guarding guest official, Gu He, moved his position to the bottom of the steps, standing with a mace in hand.
Gu He cautiously asked: "Cave Lord, could that young man be the Daoist friend Chen, whom Chief Lu mentioned to the sword cultivator Huang Zhen in passing, the one with a violent temper, a vengeful nature, and an excellent memory for grudges?"
Sure enough, that young Chen's temper was really bad, and he cursed harshly... What was wrong with young people these days? Their way of speaking and acting—was it completely devoid of martial virtue?
Gu He became more determined: if he ever encountered someone surnamed Chen on the road, he wouldn't even glance at him; he would take a detour.
The old Daoist chuckled: "Finally caught an opportunity to curse me?"
Gu He panicked: "By heaven and earth, what do you mean? Cave Lord, don't accuse me unjustly; it hurts our feelings."
The old Daoist smiled. The moment Bai Jing appeared, he got up and returned to the temple. If a real fight broke out, by shutting himself inside, he could claim he hadn't seen it and have an excuse with Xiao Mo. If he kept sitting here, he would inevitably have to lend a hand.
Gu He had also seen from afar the sword technique that girl in the sable hat had shown, and he praised it: "That little girl's sword technique is terrifyingly domineering. If I get the chance, I should meet her."
The old Daoist sneered: "Meet her? Haven't you already met?"
Gu He asked in confusion: "Which Daoist friend?"
The Bright Moon Hao Cai was still too far from the White Jade Capital. Gu He could neither see through the true form of that girl in the sable hat nor hear what they were saying.
The old Daoist stepped over the threshold, and the temple door closed by itself, but his voice seeped through the wooden door: "The one who thought your Daoist title was ugly, and that's why you escaped calamity."
Gu He's eyes went dull, as if struck by lightning. Coming to his senses, he hurriedly stood up, opened the door, and then closed it.
Gu He caught up with the Jasper Sky Cave Lord and asked: "Since she's here, doesn't that mean a real fight is about to break out?"
The old Daoist shook his head: "It won't come to blows."
Gu He asked: "Why?"
The old Daoist said: "Chen Ping'an came here with another purpose. As for why he appeared at the White Jade Capital's sky, it's just an early greeting, to get familiar with the faces of people like Jiang Zhaomo and Pang Ding."
It was also a rather clever feint.
Gu He still didn't quite understand: "This fellow is really strange."
The old Daoist smiled: "If you ever find yourself in a life-or-death struggle with him, you'll know he's an even more ruthless character."
Gu He chuckled: "I won't make enemies. Why would I make enemies with him? He won't even see me."
The old Daoist let it go with a smile.
In Ru Prefecture, at the Spirit Realm Temple, the young Daoist Chen Cong, who was not yet a resident, was listening to Uncle Chang tell a long landscape story.
He had said the protagonist was Chen Ping'an, with the protector surnamed Cui, given name Can. But in a place called the Bamboo Slip Lake, which was full of foul air, Cui Can had schemed against Chen Ping'an the most. How tragic.
The more the youth listened, the more indignant he became. He slammed the table, unable to bear it, and cursed: "Cui Can, that bastard! How does he act as the senior brother?!"
Uncle Chang picked up a peanut from the plate, chewed it slowly, glanced sideways at the youth, and smiled: "The story is what you asked me to make up. Why are you getting angry and cursing?"
Chen Cong said gloomily: "I don't want to be such a wronged protagonist anymore. Uncle Chang, change the story. Hmm, make it a little more spicy."
Uncle Chang shook his head: "You must finish what you start. It's just listening to a story—how hard can it be?"
The lively boy thought for a moment, then suddenly grinned: "Right, you can't just half-ass a shit."
Uncle Chang said: "Crude words may contain truth."
Chen Cong wagged his head: "I don't like reasoning with people. When I go out into the world later, I'll see all kinds of people, say all kinds of things, but I won't reason with them—too much effort. Out in the world, if you're short on cash, you make do. Buy a little donkey, carry a wooden sword. In the world, it's simple: those who reason don't need me to reason with them, and those who don't reason don't need me to reason with them either."
Uncle Chang smiled: "Simple? Isn't this Spirit Realm Temple also a world? And you're not exactly thriving here—you still have to ring the bell, sweep the floor, and scrub the toilet."
Chen Cong sighed: "Why always bring up those embarrassing things?"
The boy clapped his fist into his palm, dreaming: "Uncle Chang, you just enjoy your retirement at the temple. When I go out into the world, as long as I earn money, I'll send some to you."
For no reason, the boy felt a little sad. No matter how small the Spirit Realm Temple was, or how vast the outside world, his only family was here with Uncle Chang.
Uncle Chang smiled: "Good to be a money-grubber—you won't starve out there."
Chen Cong said: "Uncle Chang, keep telling the story."
Uncle Chang said: "Save it for now. We'll pick up the next chapter next time."
The boy looked at the plate, where there weren't many peanuts left, so he didn't reach for them.
The old man stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced out of the room, looking up at the azure sky.
Chen Ping'an's dharma avatar turned its head, as if casually glancing at the mortal world of the Azure Underworld.
Thus, the two successive National Masters of the Great Li Dynasty, the senior and junior brothers of the Wen Sheng lineage—Cui Can and Chen Ping'an—parted in silence.