Chapter 596: Someone Wants to Ask Fist of Chen Ping'an

Chapter 596: Someone Wants to Ask Fist of Chen Ping'an

Chen Ping'an wasn't really that fond of drinking; it was more that he felt it was improper to run a business selling alcohol on his own turf without even scrounging a single bowl of wine. Was this about half a bowl of wine or one bowl?
So Chen Ping'an, along with two familiar sword cultivators beside him who were glaring at him while drinking, eating noodles, and picking at dishes, went to considerable effort to successfully turn the two gamblers, who had lost quite a bit of immortal money on bets, into his shills. As the price for scrounging drinks, Chen Ping'an hinted to both sides that the next time some bastard set up a gambling game to earn black-hearted money, he, as the second manager, could lead everyone to earn some money together. As a result, the two sword cultivators scrambled to treat Chen Ping'an to drinks, and not even the cheapest Bamboo Sea Cavern wine. In the end, the two penniless drunkard gamblers insisted on pooling their money to buy a pot costing five snowflake coins, saying that if the second manager didn't drink, it meant he wasn't giving face and looked down on friends.

Chen Ping'an put down his bowl and chopsticks, quietly waiting for someone to bring the wine. He felt a bit lonely. With so many friends, it was hard not to drink.

Earlier on the city wall, that tomboy Yuan Zaohua had talked about the ten sword immortals with the greatest killing power on the Sword Qi Great Wall. Actually, there wasn't much difference from the candidates in Chen Ping'an's mind.

The Oldest Sword Immortal, Dong Sengeng, A Liang, the Hidden Official, Chen Xi, Qi Tingji, Zuo You, Nalan Shaowei, Old Deaf, Lu Zhi.

As for Chen Qingdu, when he went all out with his sword, just how great his killing power was had never been clearly explained. It was often only found in the romantically embellished words and imaginations of successive generations of children.

The incident where Dong Guanpu colluded with the demon race and was personally slain by the Oldest Sword Immortal had dealt a blow to the Dong family's strength on the Sword Qi Great Wall. Dong Sengeng had rarely shown his face in recent years. The last time was an exception, when he attended a farewell drinking party for Huang Tong, a sword immortal of the Taihui Sword Sect.

A Liang was no longer on the Sword Qi Great Wall. He wore a bamboo hat, hung a bamboo sword at his waist, and later tricked a donkey out of Wei Jin, along with a silver gourd for nurturing swords. Then he encountered a straw-sandal youth accompanied by a little girl in a red cotton-padded jacket.

As for the Hidden Official, whether his combat power was high was obvious. The only doubt was just how high the Hidden Official's peak combat power was. To this day, no one had seen the Hidden Official's destined flying sword, whether at the Ning Estate or at the tavern. At least Chen Ping'an had never heard of it. Even if a drinker mentioned the Hidden Official, if one paid close attention, they would find that the Hidden Official seemed to be the sword immortal on the Sword Qi Great Wall who least resembled a sword cultivator.

Chen Xi was the current head of the Chen clan, but he had never been able to hold his head high in front of the Oldest Sword Immortal. Even though the character 'Chen' was carved by Chen Xi himself, he still seemed like a child who hadn't grown up in front of Chen Qingdu. That was why the Chen clan's disciples were the group among all the major surnames and powerful families on the Sword Qi Great Wall who disliked going to the city wall the most.

Qi Tingji—the first time Chen Ping'an rushed to the Sword Qi Great Wall to practice his fists on the city wall, he had seen a "young" sword immortal of handsome appearance, who was the head of the Qi family.

Zuo You, his own senior brother, need not be said much about.

Nalan Shaowei had been in seclusion for a long time. The Nalan family was a first-class major surname on the Sword Qi Great Wall, but because Nalan Shaowei had not shown himself for so long, the Nalan family appeared somewhat quiet. As for whether Nalan Yexing was a member of the Nalan family, Chen Ping'an had never asked and would not deliberately investigate. In life, one can question many things, but there must always be a few people and a few things that are taken for granted in one's heart.

Old Deaf was the old sword cultivator rumored to be of demon race origin, in charge of the prison that held many great demons.

Lu Zhi—by now, people had almost forgotten her identity as a rogue cultivator from the Haoran World. At the Golden Core realm, she had rushed to the Sword Qi Great Wall, breaking through realms step by step, with brilliant battle achievements.

Every time she defended the city, she would inevitably fight to the death.

A Liang had once sought her out for a drink and said an interesting remark. Somehow it got spread around, even though it was just the two of them drinking alone.

"Those who live apart from the herd are either beasts or gods."

The people that Dong Bude and Diezhang most yearned for in their hearts were both Lu Zhi.

When A Liang was drinking, he swore solemnly, slammed the table, and cursed. He didn't know which sword immortal was so shameless as to eavesdrop on his conversation with Lu Zhi! Was a private whisper like this with a young maiden something that could be freely spread? Even if that remark was extremely learned, thought-provoking, and stylish, so what? Had he, A Liang, and Miss Lu given their consent?

Chen Ping'an drank the wine that didn't cost him anything, feeling that at his young age, ranking eleventh in Yuan Zaohua's mind wasn't bad at all.

A drunkard casually asked, "Second manager, I heard you have a sword immortal friend from Beiju Continent who's quite skilled at slaying demons and is even better at drinking?"

Chen Ping'an rubbed his chin, thought seriously for a moment, and nodded, "Even all of you combined probably wouldn't be enough for him to handle."

Naturally, no one believed it.

In the midst of the noisy clamor, Zhang Jiazhen watched Mr. Chen, who seemed lost in thought.

At that moment, it seemed Mr. Chen wanted to drink with that person?

Chen Ping'an smiled, turned his head to look at the small street, and envisioned a scene.

Qi Jinglong and Cao Qinglang walking side by side.

Chen Ping'an drank a bowl of wine for that, picked up his bowl, chopsticks, and wine pot, stood up, and said loudly, "Fellow sword immortals, today's drinks!"

All the drinkers fell silent instantly.

What, was the sun rising from the west today? Was the second manager treating everyone?

Unexpectedly, the fellow laughed and said, "Remember to pay the bill!"

———

For the next three days, that surnamed Liu indeed patiently accompanied Jin Su and a few other osmanthus maidens to visit all the scenic spots on Inverted Mountain. Baishou had no interest in the White Head Fragrance Tower or the Lingzhi Studio, and even the Sword Venerating Pavilion, which hung many portraits of sword immortals, didn't stir much emotion in him. Ultimately, it was because the youth had not yet truly regarded himself as a sword cultivator. Baishou was most longing for the Lightning Swamp Platform, with its crackling, rumbling thunder and lightning—it looked exhilarating. It was said that the female martial god from the Central Earth Divine Continent had recently been refining her sword there. Unfortunately, those elder sisters stayed at the Lightning Swamp Platform purely out of consideration for the youth's feelings, lingering a little longer before moving on to Deer Antler Cliff, where they immediately began chirping and chattering away. At the foot of Deer Antler Cliff, there was an entire street of shops, thick with the scent of cosmetics. Even the relatively composed Jin Su couldn't control her purse strings at the larger and smaller shops. Baishou rolled his eyes—women, huh.

Qi Jinglong still leisurely followed at the back, carefully observing each scenic spot. Even the shops at the foot of Deer Antler Cliff, he toured with great seriousness, occasionally helping the osmanthus maidens appraise items.

Baishou could tell that at least two of the osmanthus maidens had ideas about that surnamed Liu. When they spoke to him, their voices were especially soft and their gazes especially focused.

Baishou found it strange. They didn't know who Liu was, didn't know about the Taihui Sword Sect, and didn't know about the land dragon of Beiju Continent. To all appearances, he was just a poor, pedantic scholar. How could they be so smitten? Could it be that Liu's destined flying sword ability was to make women infatuated? If that were the case, Baishou felt he could earnestly learn swordsmanship from him.

Regardless, nothing unexpected happened.

Qi Jinglong wouldn't tell the youth, but actually two groups of people had stalked them and were scared off by him.

The first time, he revealed the aura of a Golden Core sword cultivator, and the hidden person still wouldn't give up. Then an old man appeared, so Qi Jinglong had to reveal another realm as a form of hospitality.

And then there was no 'and then.'

Baishou, seemingly holding the back of his head, followed them tirelessly, later even helping them carry things. But in truth, as a direct disciple of the Taihui Sword Sect's Ancestral Hall, he was more like an early assassin from Gelu Mountain, cautiously observing their surroundings.

Qi Jinglong was actually somewhat gratified.

Many aspects of one's true nature are revealed in subtle details.

With the Fu family unable to cause any trouble for him, Qi Jinglong, would Baishou be completely at ease, not caring at all, leisurely picking and choosing, or full of complaints, as they toured Inverted Mountain?

Even in his own Taihui Sword Sect, how many direct disciples, after taking a master, subtly changed in temperament without realizing it? Their words and actions seemed normal, still respectful, still observing the rules, but in reality, everywhere there were subtle traces of deviation in their path? One misstep, and over time, life goes elsewhere? Qi Jinglong, besides his own cultivation on the Pianran Peak of the Taihui Sword Sect, would try his best to help junior fellow disciples maintain a clear original mind. But on certain matters involving the fundamental path, there was still little he could say or do.

So Qi Jinglong didn't really like the terms "immortal seed" and "innate sword embryo."

Jin Su and the others returned with bountiful harvest, everyone fully satisfied, back to Osmanthus Island. After this short journey, even Jin Su's impression of Qi Jinglong had changed considerably. When parting, she sincerely thanked him.

Qi Jinglong escorted them all the way to the Capture and Release Pavilion, then took Baishou to the Stork Inn to settle the bill, intending to stay at the Spring Banners Studio. Back at the inn, the youth was nearly laughing himself sick.

Because standing in the inn was a familiar woman of exceptional beauty, none other than Lu Sui, the Water Classic Mountain immortal, ranked eighth among the young ten of Beiju Continent, hailed as the most compatible immortal couple with Liu Jinglong of the Taihui Sword Sect.

Lu Sui said softly, "Jinglong, I heard at the Spring Banners Studio that you and Baishou had been at Inverted Mountain for three days, so they sent me to urge you. I've already settled the bill—you don't blame me, do you?"

Qi Jinglong was inwardly helpless, smiled, and shook his head. It seemed saying either "blame" or "don't blame" would be wrong, so he simply said nothing.

At times like this, Qi Jinglong missed Chen Ping'an a little.

The innkeeper was quite puzzled. The Spring Banners Studio had personally come to invite them?

This young blue-robed out-of-towner had quite a big attitude, didn't he?

Places like the Spring Banners Studio and Ape Rubbing Mansion, famous private residences with eyes above their heads, generally wouldn't even let someone in unless it was a group led by a cultivator at the Upper Five Realms.

Qi Jinglong smiled and bid farewell to the innkeeper.

The young innkeeper leaned on the counter, smiling and nodding. A small inn's insignificant innkeeper like him didn't need to be too polite to such immortals; it was destined that even a flurry of sycophantic service wouldn't elevate him. Besides, he wasn't inclined to bow and scrape anyway. He earned a little money, lived a stable life, and didn't think too much. Occasionally seeing young people like Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong, so shrouded in mystery, wasn't bad either. Perhaps when they became famous later, the Stork Inn's business would rise with the tide.

But making a name for oneself on Inverted Mountain, a place teeming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, wasn't easy.

Before they reached the Spring Banners Studio, Baishou was the one chatting animatedly with Lu Sui. Baishou had long admired Water Classic Mountain—there were plenty of beautiful elder sisters there.

The youth wasn't really fickle; he just liked women liking him.

Lu Sui was obviously more talkative than usual, when she was the cold, aloof, single-minded immortal.

Baishou felt great pity for her and was indignant on her behalf. That Liu guy didn't even like her—he deserved to stay a bachelor and be thoroughly drowned in drink by Xu Xingjiu of Cloud City twice over.

The owner of the Spring Banners Studio broke precedent by appearing in person to entertain Qi Jinglong.

Lu Sui brewed tea beside them for the two sword immortals of disparate ages. The youth Baishou felt somewhat uneasy.

For some reason, Baishou had no reverence for the Taihui Sword Sect and wasn't afraid of that Liu fellow. But after meeting the Sword Immortal Huang Tong, the sect's law-protecting grandmaster, last time, Baishou started to get nervous.

Actually, on this journey to the Sword Qi Great Wall, he was even more afraid of meeting the sect master, Han Huaizi.

Now, seeing Shao Yunyan of the Spring Banners Studio sitting opposite his master, Baishou felt equally uncomfortable.

These were all legendary sword immortals.

Great figures standing at the summit in Beiju Continent, a land teeming with sword cultivators.

As for why his own master was also a sword immortal, and he called him "that Liu" every day without a trace of fear, the youth had never deeply pondered.

But looking at his master now—with the osmanthus maidens from Osmanthus Island, and now meeting the sword immortal owner of the Spring Banners Studio—he seemed the same as always.

Taking the cup of tea Lu Sui smilingly handed him, Baishou lowered his head and drank, gradually calming down.

Qi Jinglong brought up the matter of reserving a Sword Nurturing Gourd.

Shao Yunyan smiled and nodded in agreement, even offering a very fair price.

Qi Jinglong thanked him.

Baishou, hearing the number in front of 'grain rain coins,' immediately broke into a cold sweat.

Shao Yunyan said, "Beyond the transaction. The Taihui Sword Sect owes me no favor, but you, Daoist Qi, owe me one. To be honest, assuming fourteen gourds ultimately produce seven Sword Nurturing Gourds successfully, within this millennium, all have been pre-reserved and cannot be changed. But because one of those people couldn't fulfill the purchase as agreed, you, Daoist Qi, had the chance to speak, and I dared to nod. Within a thousand years, to repay the favor, you need only draw your sword once. And you can rest assured, Daoist Qi—drawing your sword will definitely be justified, never putting you in a difficult position."

Qi Jinglong smiled and said, "Agreed."

Then Qi Jinglong hesitated slightly, "If the number of Sword Nurturing Gourds exceeds seven, can I reserve one more?"

Shao Yunyan smiled gently, "Then it's up to the highest bidder. I believe it will be difficult for Daoist Qi to get what you want."

There were more unspoken truths that Shao Yunyan didn't say openly. Even if an extra Sword Nurturing Gourd became available for reservation, it wasn't something anyone could buy. Qi Jinglong could secure this one for three reasons: First, because Shao Yunyan and the Spring Banners Studio believed in Qi Jinglong, now a Jade Pool realm sword immortal, and his future great path achievements. Second, Qi Jinglong was highly likely to be the next sect master of the Taihui Sword Sect. Third, Shao Yunyan himself hailed from Beiju Continent, which counted as a bit of goodwill, however trifling.

These words didn't need saying, because this young land dragon understood clearly.

Qi Jinglong said, "Indeed, I was overthinking."

Shao Yunyan laughed, "Thanks to you, Daoist Qi, I got to drink some tea brewed by little Lu."

Lu Sui was the most valued direct disciple of the Water Classic Mountain sect master.

And the only person Shao Yunyan felt he owed in his life was Lu Sui's master.

Back then, the innate treasure gourd vine inside the Spring Banners Studio was obtained by the two of them through a stroke of luck. She had even contributed more effort. But in the end, they couldn't be together to become a Daoist couple for various reasons. As for the ownership of the gourd vine, she never changed her mind. The more she acted this way, the more uneasy Shao Yunyan felt. Thus, towards her prized disciple Lu Sui, Shao Yunyan, who had no children of his own, treated her almost like a daughter. Moreover, Lu Sui's devotion to Liu Jinglong was so similar to Shao Yunyan and Lu Sui's master back then.

Baishou felt a little awkward. This Sword Immortal Shao, why was he like Chen Ping'an—one calling him "Jinglong," the other "Daoist Qi"?

About this matter, Baishou had heard some rumors on Pianran Peak. It seemed that surnamed Liu had originally been surnamed Qi down the mountain. Later, when he went up the mountain to cultivate and registered at the Ancestral Hall, he wrote his name as Liu Jinglong.

Shao Yunyan had his tea, settled the matter of the Sword Nurturing Gourd, and soon took his leave.

Lu Sui stayed behind to continue brewing tea.

Baishou watched this immortal sister's tea-brewing technique—it was truly a delight to the eyes.

Lu Sui smiled and asked, "Jinglong, did you see through some of the inner workings of Inverted Mountain?"

Qi Jinglong nodded, "The Capture and Release Pavilion, the Master's Knife Hall, and six other scenic spots are the eight array eyes of a great formation. Inverted Mountain is more than just a mountain-seal imprint; it has long become an immortal artifact refined layer by layer, capable of both offense and defense. As for the origin of the formation, it should be one of the three ancient methods left by Mr. Three Mountains and Nine Marquises. Its greatest subtlety lies in using the mountain to refine water, reversing heaven and earth. Once activated, it has the divine power to overturn the world."

Lu Sui's eyes sparkled. Even though she only glanced at him briefly before lowering her head to watch the tea's heat, she couldn't hide her deeply layered feminine thoughts.

But Qi Jinglong was lost in his own contemplation of Inverted Mountain's great formation.

Baishou wished he could smash a hammer right on Liu's head.

Lu Sui seemed to recall something, "My master and Sword Immortal Li are good friends, so they can go with you to the Sword Qi Great Wall. Accompanying me on this tour of Inverted Mountain is also that girl Longcong. Jinglong, you should have met her. I'm here this time just accompanying her on her tour."

Qi Jinglong nodded.

As if this were a matter of course.

Baishou watched with a weary heart and drained his cup of tea in one gulp. How did Lu Sui come to Inverted Mountain, and why was she going to the Sword Qi Great Wall? Couldn't you get a clue!

Nodding, nod at your grandfather's head!

On this matter, it really wasn't Baishou being disloyal. His brother Chen, he could wipe the floor with that surnamed Liu eighteen times over!

Forget it, he'd talk to Chen Ping'an when they met.

Then he, Master Bai, would humble himself and beg his good brother Chen Ping'an to teach him three to five percent of his skill.

But Lu Sui was already used to it. As she refilled Qi Jinglong's tea, she said softly, "I heard at the Water Crystal Palace that a genius martial artist from the Central Earth Divine Continent has come. He broke through to the Golden Body realm as a peak sixth-level, then broke his bottleneck in Golden Armor Continent, receiving considerable guidance from Cao Ci. This time, coming to the Sword Qi Great Wall, that woman wants to go to the city wall and learn from Cao Ci, who practiced his fists there for a few years earlier."

Qi Jinglong smiled, "I have a friend who's also practicing his fists on the city wall now. They might run into each other."

Baishou inevitably felt anxious now whenever he heard about pure martial artists, especially women.

Lu Sui asked curiously, "Is that Chen Ping'an from Bottle Gourd Continent?"

Last time at the Three-Lang Temple, Qi Jinglong had mentioned that name. It seemed it was for Chen Ping'an that Qi Jinglong had gone to Hate Sword Mountain and the Three-Lang Temple to buy things before the three sword challenges. So Lu Sui had a deep memory of that person.

Qi Jinglong smiled and nodded.

Lu Sui laughed, "I'm getting curious about this Chen Ping'an. To make Jinglong regard him so highly."

Qi Jinglong still said nothing.

Baishou couldn't help but say, "Sister Lu, my good brother has no strong points, except his ability to persuade others to drink is number one in the world!"

Qi Jinglong turned his head, smiling as he looked at Baishou.

The youth said with righteous indignation, "This Chen Ping'an's drinking manners are simply too bad! Having such a brother, I truly feel ashamed and angry!"

Lu Sui was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. How had Jinglong found such an unruly disciple?

———

On the city wall.

The sword immortal Ku Xia was teaching swordsmanship to Lin Junbi, Yan Lü, and their group. What Ku Xia taught was a swordsmanship technique that the Sword Qi Great Wall allowed foreign sword cultivators to study.

Everyone sat on their meditation mats, listening attentively to Sword Immortal Ku Xia's instruction.

Ku Xia first explained the general meaning of the sword path's oral formula, then broke down the methods for channeling, guiding, and responding with spiritual energy in a series of key acupoints, describing them in great detail. Then he let everyone ask about their points of confusion or raise what they thought were bottlenecks. Mostly, Ku Xia let Lin Junbi, the one with the best aptitude and comprehension, answer on his behalf. If Lin Junbi was lacking, Ku Xia would add a little to fill the gaps.

The peculiarity of this superior swordsmanship was that it only had significant effect when practiced within the Sword Qi Great Wall, a small world suffused with abundant sword qi. In the Haoran World, one could still forcefully practice it, but the results were minimal. For foreign sword cultivators who had the chance to learn this sword technique, most were disciples of sects that lacked superior sword techniques and Dao arts, so it wasn't very meaningful. In short, this swordsmanship was too dependent on the right time and place. To benefit one's sword path and soul, even a favored son of heaven like Lin Junbi, bearing the nation's destiny, could only rely on the persistent effort of dripping water wearing through stone on the city wall to advance their cultivation.

Ku Xia was actually quite worried, because the one who should have been teaching this sword technique was the native sword immortal Sun Juyuan. But Sun Juyuan had a very bad impression of these future pillars of the Shaoyuan Dynasty and had simply passed the buck, making all sorts of excuses. Ku Xia was also the kind of stubborn person who initially didn't want to settle for second best by teaching it himself. Later, Sun Juyuan, annoyed by the pestering, told Ku Xia frankly that if the Shaoyuan Dynasty still hoped to bring people to the Sword Qi Great Wall next time and still stay at the Sun residence, then Sun Juyuan shouldn't be put in a difficult position this time.

Ku Xia glanced at his own direct disciple, Jiang Guancheng, and sighed inwardly.

He was both worried about his disciple's straightforwardness and felt that a sword cultivator learning swordsmanship and dealing with people didn't need to be too much like Lin Junbi. Besides, compared to some of the petty, scheming youths around Jiang Guancheng, Ku Xia found his own disciple more agreeable. There was naturally a reason Ku Xia had chosen Jiang Guancheng as his disciple. The affinity in their paths was a prerequisite. But Jiang Guancheng's path to ascension indeed required more tempering.

Lin Junbi, even just sitting on his meditation mat with his hands stacked on his abdomen, his expression serene, still had the demeanor of an exiled immortal rarely seen even in the mountains.

Yan Lü was always imitating Lin Junbi, very diligently. Whether in minor matters of social interaction or in larger matters of conduct, Yan Lü felt that although Lin Junbi was young, he was worth studying carefully.

Yan Lü used to judge people simply: they were either stupid or smart. He didn't care about good or evil. Those who could be used were friends; those who couldn't be used were at most people he would smile and chat with but regard as strangers.

Among the sword cultivators on this journey, there were actually no fools. They were only divided into the sufficiently clever and the insufficiently clever.

The insufficiently clever ones were like Sword Immortal Ku Xia's direct disciple, Jiang Guancheng. And that foolish girl who was devoted to Lin Junbi.

The sufficiently clever ones were like those "fools" who had spoken up for Lin Junbi. Appearing to confound right and wrong, they truly understood the weight of the matter? What were they really after? They just wanted to say some flattering words to Lin Junbi, getting something for nothing. Deep in their hearts, they perhaps hoped Lin Junbi, in a moment of youthful arrogance egged on by unanimous, exaggerated words, would act impulsively and fight Chen Ping'an to the death. Even if it ended with them falling out, a dragon suppressing a local snake and Lin Junbi getting snubbed, damaging his Dao heart, would still be a decent outcome.

On the path of cultivation, losing one Lin Junbi—for these people, harming others without benefiting themselves was something they'd be willing to do, let alone when there was a chance to benefit themselves.

In the Shaoyuan Dynasty, interests were intricately intertwined. On this joint journey, Lin Junbi had shone too brightly. Somehow, even these younger cultivators of the Shaoyuan Dynasty sensed a truth: once Lin Junbi smoothly reached the summit, in the next hundred or thousand years, all sword cultivators of Shaoyuan would face the awkward situation of "one person monopolizing the great path."

Lin Junbi of the Shaoyuan Dynasty would be like Cao Ci of the martial path in the Central Earth Divine Continent.

Those who walked the same path were all pitiful souls.

Beyond these, Zhu Mei and Jin Zhenmeng were different types of people, with relatively fewer calculations.

Yet Yan Lü didn't particularly like interacting much with that kind.

What Yan Lü really preferred to deal with and was willing to spend more effort to cultivate relationships with were, paradoxically, those ungrateful wolves.

Dealing with Zhu Mei, who had a background no less than his own, or drawing in Jin Zhenmeng, with her firm Dao heart and pure sword intent, required something Yan Lü was unwilling or unskilled at giving.

While acting as half a teacher, Lin Junbi was already distracted elsewhere.

On this section of the city wall, every certain distance, a sword immortal was stationed in command.

As for the people around him, including Yan Lü, Lin Junbi never considered them his kindred spirits. Their minds were too weak, aptitudes too poor, brains too stupid. So all their backing and backgrounds were illusions. Lin Junbi sometimes even felt like laughing, wanting to say to them in all sincerity: You should cherish these days when you can barely walk alongside me, Lin Junbi. On the great path, you can at least still see my back. And now you're fortunate enough to practice swordsmanship together on the city wall, counting as equals.

Bianjing did not follow Sword Immortal Ku Xia to learn swordsmanship on the city wall.

Instead, he went to the Mirage to join the excitement. There was a good place there, somewhat similar to the Whetstone Mountain of Beiju Continent, where opponents fought not to determine victory or defeat, but life and death.

But there were differences from Whetstone Mountain. This arena only pitted those of the same realm against each other, wagering their lives. The winner took all of the loser's possessions, plus a significant cut of the betting stakes.

Sword cultivator duels were actually not the most exciting, and opportunities were few. Generally, unless both parties had a mortal enmity, they wouldn't come here. Moreover, sword cultivator duels often ended in an instant, not much to watch. You couldn't even warm your seat before you had to leave—too dull.

What was truly exciting was battles between sword cultivators and other qi refiners. The most thrilling, of course, was when a qi refiner managed to trade his life with the sword cultivator with the greatest killing power.

As for why a small group of sword cultivators would willingly risk coming here, besides honing their own cultivation, it was naturally to earn money to support their flying swords.

As for why other qi refiners would willingly risk death to enter the arena, it wasn't because they sought death, but because they had no choice. These qi refiners were almost all secretly transported here by cross-continent ferries—rogue cultivators from the various continents of the Haoran World, or lonely souls from destroyed immortal sects. If they won three battles against qi refiners of the same realm, they could survive. If they then dared to voluntarily step down and fight, they could win money according to the rules. If they managed to kill a sword cultivator, a single battle would earn them freedom.

There had been a Confucian scholar who was pained by this, finding such a practice too wanton with human life. He questioned why the Sword Qi Great Wall didn't restrain it, allowing so many rogue cultivators to be imprisoned and die here.

Moreover, a woman from a powerful noble family of a major dynasty in the Central Earth Divine Continent, with extremely strong backing and even owning a cross-continent ferry herself, arrived at Inverted Mountain. She directly checked into the Ape Rubbing Mansion, acting like a mistress, spending money like water at the Lingzhi Studio, drawing attention. Her two attendants, besides an obvious ninth-tier grandmaster martial artist, also included a hidden military strategist at the Upper Five Realms. At the arena in the Mirage, after watching the battles, she not only pitied the qi refiners from the Haoran World who were captured and brought to the Sword Qi Great Wall, but also pitied the demon sword cultivators used as "whetstones." She felt that since they had taken human form, they were already human, and such abuse was inhumane and against propriety. So she made a big scene at the Mirage arena, left with her nose in the air, and that same day, her military strategist attendant was severely wounded by a native sword immortal who had left the city wall. As for the ninth-tier martial artist, he didn't even dare to throw a punch, because besides the sword immortal who had drawn his sword, there was clearly another sword immortal in the sea of clouds ready to strike at any moment. She had to swallow her anger and went to seek help from Sword Immortal Sun Juyuan, who had a good relationship with her family. But she was met with a closed door. All their belongings were thrown out onto the street outside the Sun residence, and Sun Juyuan gave her a "Get lost."

The woman, tears streaming, fled the Sword Qi Great Wall in panic. It was said that after returning to the Haoran World, she used her family background and wealth to gather a large group of literary giants and Confucian scholars from the literary world to launch a scathing attack on the barbaric customs of the Sword Qi Great Wall. The harshest sentence was, of course, "How are the sword cultivators of the Sword Qi Great Wall any different from the demons of the Desolate World?" But after that, no one from her family, sect, or dynasty could even set foot on Inverted Mountain. Not the Sword Qi Great Wall—they couldn't even board Inverted Mountain. If anyone was discovered secretly boarding, a sword immortal guarding the gate would slash his sword into the sea. As for what happened after that, life or death was left to heaven.

This incident had caused quite a stir back then.

But the Oldest Sword Immortal said nothing, and the Dong family, which had personally handled the matter, was full of confidence.

Bianjing today not only watched the battles but also placed several bets. He bet on life and death, which generally had a predictable outcome—there wasn't much suspense. The gamblers who had been hanging around here for years had excellent judgment. So the real wins or crushing losses came from betting on how long it would take for someone to die. As for betting that both sides would die, if it actually happened, you could often win enough to drink worry-free for two or three years. Immortal wine on the Sword Qi Great Wall was genuinely not cheap.

Bianjing sat in a corner of the packed stands, drinking silently, waiting for the two fighters in today's arena to enter.

First appeared a visitor from the Haoran World, a Guanhai realm sword cultivator here to hone himself. Then came a tattered, severely injured demon sword cultivator of the same realm, covered in wounds, but his combat ability was not diminished. Moreover, the demon physique was naturally tough, and after being wounded, their ferocity surged. As a sword cultivator, their killing power was even greater.

This kind of confrontation was not common.

Bianjing watched the young demon sword cultivator with numb eyes. He had heard that on the Desolate World, just across the wall, if one could become a sword cultivator, they were hailed as "seeds of the great path," somewhat like the scholarly seeds of the Haoran World.

It was said that this demon, after a great battle, had secretly sneaked into the battlefield ruins to try his luck at picking up broken sword remains. He was captured by a patrolling sword cultivator of the Sword Qi Great Wall, taken to that prison, and eventually met the same fate as many other demons—thrown into this place. If he died, he died. If he lived, he would be brought back to the prison, healed, and await the next life-or-death duel against an unknown opponent.

Bianjing wasn't surprised at all that quite a few visitors from the Haoran World felt compassion for this.

So Bianjing, as he drank, looked forward to the day the Sword Qi Great Wall was breached. He looked forward to seeing whether the demons who occupied the Haoran World would show compassion to these kind-hearted people.

Bianjing's mind sank into his small world. A certain existence that knew all his thoughts, hidden deep in the lake of his heart, saw Bianjing's mustard-seed mind and grinned. That existence radiated an irresistible, savage aura. With just this subtle movement, it caused the spiritual energy of many of the golden core bottleneck sword cultivator's vital acupoints in his small world to tremble in unison, boiling like an oil cauldron. Fortunately, the aura leaked out only slightly. Without Bianjing needing to suppress it with his will, the existence quickly restrained itself, so as not to leave any trace, and inevitably be surrounded and killed by the local sword immortals. These sword immortals were not some petty Jade Pool realm kittens—they might not even be enough to fill its teeth. It might provoke one of those old bastards from the Dong, Qi, or Chen families, which would be troublesome. Almost succeeding, failing at the last step—those scholars of the Haoran World could talk a good game, but they had a point.

It only spoke to Bianjing's mustard-seed mind: "When it's done, my contribution will be enough for you to obtain an immortal artifact. Combined with our previous agreement, I can guarantee you become a sword immortal at the Immortal realm. Whether you can ascend to the Flying Ascension realm sword immortal depends on your own luck. If you reach Flying Ascension and have a good sword, why care about the Haoran World or the Desolate World? Where can't you, little one, go? Where beneath your feet isn't a summit? People like Lin Junbi and Chen Ping'an, whether friend or foe, will be nothing but ants not worth your glance."

———

Now, between Inverted Mountain and the Sword Qi Great Wall, there were two main gates.

The teacher and disciple Qi Jinglong and Baishou, along with their friends Lu Sui and Ren Longcong, entered the Sword Qi Great Wall together.

Baishou was dizzy, squatting on the ground and retching. Qi Jinglong squatted down, gently pressing on the youth's shoulder.

Ren Longcong wasn't much better, but she held back. Lu Sui held her hand, helping to stabilize the spiritual energy in her qi mansion. Ren Longcong, pale-faced, felt a little better.

Almost simultaneously, at the other gate, a woman left the Water Crystal Palace alone and arrived at the Sword Qi Great Wall. As she stood, her fist intent flowed. She felt no discomfort from the overwhelming, sky-covering natural suppression of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

This journey to the Sword Qi Great Wall had originally been to follow in Cao Ci's footsteps, to stay in that small thatched cottage Cao Ci had built on the city wall, to temper her Golden Body realm, hoping to break into the Far Wandering realm as the strongest seventh-level. But after hearing certain tales at the Water Crystal Palace, she felt it was fate! So her only desire now was to find the person repeatedly mentioned by Cao Ci and Liu Youzhou, to meet him on the city wall with fists, and make him lose three times again!