Chapter 876: Each Has Its Own Crossing

Chapter 876: Each Has Its Own Crossing

(Chapter two update is a bit late, a 14,000-character chapter.)

"Sure, sure, of course you can!"

The little girl quickly put down the gold carrying pole and green bamboo staff, reached up to grab the strap of her slanted cotton pouch, and ran all the way to the table. She really was tall; if she'd known, she would have taken a few fewer steps.

Xiaomili looked up and asked, "If you, guest, are just passing by and thirsty, in a great hurry to continue your journey, there's plain water on the table. If you're willing to rest a while longer and enjoy the scenery, I can brew some tea. I'll go heat a kettle of hot water for you right away."

Her little face seemed to be hoping the guest would say he wasn't in a hurry.

The man smiled and said, "Not in any particular hurry to get going."

Because until the Ritual Sage returned to Haoran, he would have to stay near Luopo Mountain.

Xiaomili immediately beamed a bright smile. "It's our own tea leaves, not much of a reputation, but some old Taoist priests who passed by here earlier, just like you, sir, all said it's good to drink. Please wait a moment, guest, and have a seat. I'll go heat the water and make the tea."

Seeing that the guest was still standing, Xiaomili glanced at the wooden bench and added with a smile, "Don't worry, guest. Although it rained heavily not long ago, I wiped it carefully with a rag and my sleeve."

As for the table and bench, she dare not say they were spotless, but they were certainly still clean.

The right protector of Luopo Mountain would come and wipe them down every half hour or so. How could they not be clean?

The man smiled and said, "Alright."

The little girl in black soon returned, stood on tiptoe, and with practiced, nimble movements, handed the guest a cup of hot tea.

The man took the teacup with both hands and thanked her.

Xiaomili scratched her face, smiled shyly, waved lightly, said goodbye, and went back to sit on the bamboo chair at the other end of the mountain gate. She stopped mid-step, turned around, and told the guest to call her if he needed anything.

The man sipped his tea, looking relaxed and carefree. He really did look immortal.

Noticing the little girl's observing gaze, the man smiled and lifted his teacup.

Xiaomili smiled back, a little embarrassed, then quickly turned her head and continued sitting upright.

In the distance, a young boy in green clothes, with a green bamboo staff, burped from drinking wine. Seeing Xiaomili sitting on a small stool, and a stranger sitting at the table, dressed like a big white goose.

Chen Lingjun swaggered over, swinging his sleeves, and called out from afar, "Yo, Xiaomili, got another guest?"

Xiaomili answered, "Oh, Jingqing is back on the mountain."

Chen Lingjun asked, "Does the right protector need any help?"

Xiaomili grinned and waved a hand grandly. "Ha, no need, no need."

When he got closer to the table, Chen Lingjun slowed his steps and stopped swinging his sleeves.

Seeing that the man looked like a scholar—scholars were good, they followed the principle of a gentleman using words, not fists.

Chen Lingjun stood by the table, deliberately blocking between the guest and Xiaomili.

Chen Lingjun made a bow and said, "Chen Lingjun of Luopo Mountain pays respects to sir. May I ask if you are here to visit a friend, or purely passing by to enjoy the scenery?"

The man smiled faintly and said, "No need to be so polite. You are a good friend of my master."

Chen Lingjun was confused. He had too many friends in the martial world; he didn't know who this person was referring to.

He felt uneasy.

Afraid it was another young Taoist from the Prostrate Peak Sect.

That young Taoist's own cultivation was probably quite lazy, mediocre, and his realm wasn't high.

But you couldn't help that his master was the overall boss of both the black and white paths in Northern Julei Continent.

Chen Lingjun continued with a smile, "Did you come from the direction of Red Candle Town, sir? Were you stopped and registered by some brat setting up a stall in a pavilion?"

The man again gave a non-answer: "My master is Chen Zhuoliu from Northern Julei Continent."

Chen Lingjun suddenly understood. Damn it, he had finally met a normal person!

The more he looked, the more this guy seemed like Chen Zhuoliu's disciple. A scholar, full of bookish air.

But that penniless Chen Zhuoliu was pretty impressive, huh? It seemed he had taken on a disciple with money in his pockets? Really, lacking something and then getting it.

Chen Lingjun coughed a few times, flicked his sleeves, and sat down on the bench. "Well, let's not fuss over generations. You don't have to call me uncle. Just call me Daoist friend Jingqing. Since your master isn't here, we'll treat each other as equals."

Seeing the man stop drinking tea and wear a playful smile.

Chen Lingjun's mind was set at ease. Definitely, Chen Zhuoliu had tricked some rich kid down the mountain. The kid didn't realize that us mountain Taoists have permanent youthful appearances—how could you judge age by looks?

Could it be that this Chen Zhuoliu was unreliable and had never mentioned his good brother to his disciple? Damn it, if that was the case, next time they met, he'd settle the score.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit Chen Lingjun, and he grew a bit more anxious. He tentatively asked, "Chen Zhuoliu took on a good disciple. I see you, brother, are not low in realm?"

In never making the same mistake twice, Chen Lingjun thought he was quite reliable.

Zheng Juzhong said, with a half-smile, "Not low, not high. For now, I'm the same realm as my master."

Stable!

Chen Lingjun burst out laughing at this and gave the other a thumbs up. "Not bad, not bad!"

Zheng Juzhong smiled and said, "The flying dragon ascends to heaven, clouds and rain fill the sky. The old blade's edge is dull, but its divine splendor still lives. When thunder and rain pass by, on the wall it silently roars with a sound that answers them."

Chen Lingjun listened, nodding "mm-hmm, mm-hmm" the whole time.

Are you showing off your literary skill with me?

As expected of Chen Zhuoliu's disciple.

Chen Lingjun had no more doubts.

As for how this person had bypassed Bai Xuan and Zhao Shuxia to sneak over here, anyway, there was the big white goose on the mountain, and to the north there was Wei Shanjun. No mistakes could happen.

Cui Dongshan stood at the top of the mountain path, squinting at the person at the mountain gate who was chatting with Senior Chen.

He had to admire Chen Lingjun's boldness and even greater luck.

Besides the celestial anomalies, there was actually a medium-sized ambush hidden underground in Dragon Prefecture, extremely concealed.

If Wenhai Zhoumi had succeeded, the consequences would have been unimaginable—all immortals from Luopo Mountain and below the Stopping Realm would have died.

Fortunately, Zheng Juzhong had cleaned it all up, as cleanly as those long benches.

Earlier, this City Lord of White Emperor City had clearly been cautious, aiming for absolute certainty. Before making a move to stop that chess piece, he had already reversed the flow of time on Luopo Mountain and its vassal peaks.

Only Zheng Juzhong, situated within the mountain, was not swept along by the stream of time. But all his words, actions, and expressions "reversed" along with the flowing water of time, seamlessly.

Cui Dongshan, of course, chose to stand still in this river.

Zheng Juzhong seemed to be asking Cui Dongshan on the mountain a question.

Would you think that perhaps the river of time has always been flowing backward, and we are all unaware of it?

It seemed easy to prove. Even a child could do it—just take a slow step forward, right?

But in truth, once you seriously delved into it, even Cui Dongshan dared not guarantee anything. Nearly unsolvable.

Cui Dongshan bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zheng, for your righteous intervention. This great kindness and virtue cannot be repaid."

Zheng Juzhong shook his head.

Righteous intervention? Not righteous. Besides, there has never been a kindness in the world that cannot be repaid. Otherwise, it would be one side giving alms and the other being ungrateful.

Stop playing dumb here, even if you are only half an Embroidery Tiger.

Cui Dongshan sighed. Since it couldn't be settled privately, he had to make a deal.

Cui Dongshan raised two fingers, then added one more.

White Emperor City establishing a subordinate sect in the Desolate Wilderness World—Luopo Mountain was willing to help greatly, such as attracting two or three sword immortals.

Zheng Juzhong seemed too lazy to let Cui Dongshan show off these little clever tricks. He cut straight to the chase, "Earlier, at the shop in Riding Dragon Alley, I already settled a deal with your master. You, as a student, should not gild the lily."

Cui Dongshan looked a bit helpless. Actually, from the first glance at the couplet in the Ya Sui shop, he had his suspicions.

Although it was undoubtedly written by the old immortal Jia himself, the content of that couplet looked suspicious all over. Even a fool could see something was off.

So at that time, Cui Dongshan laughed uncontrollably, snatched the couplet, and ran out of the shop, saying he wanted to show it to his master's senior brother. That scared the wits out of old immortal Jia. Fortunately, Cui Dongshan was just scaring him and soon threw the couplet back to Jia Sheng, saying he could continue hanging it.

Actually, at that time, Cui Dongshan had already studied the couplet thoroughly—its material, text, signature, and seal. Indeed, there was nothing mysterious about it. It was just a very ordinary couplet, undoubtedly written by old immortal Jia himself.

It was only when Zheng Juzhong himself revealed the secret that Cui Dongshan sighed deeply and truly understood the real meaning of "the intimate place is not far."

The knowledge was not in the couplet itself, but in Jia Sheng, who was "not far" from the couplet.

At the same time, it reminded his master that if he thought of this matter, he was not far from Zheng Juzhong of White Emperor City.

This showed that Zheng Juzhong had most likely already taken the lead when his master Chen Qingliu was still Jia Sheng. Like living next door to his master for years, Zheng Juzhong used this to observe the Dao and learn swordsmanship from the Dragon-Slaying Person?

In fact, the two previous Zheng Juzhongs were indeed both in the Desolate Wilderness World. But when Chen Ping'an had a heartfelt exchange with "old immortal Jia" at the Caotou shop, Jia Sheng himself was like someone responsible for sending and receiving letters. He was completely unaware of the content of the correspondence between the two parties.

Zheng Juzhong secretly followed Han Qiaose through the Guixu, using this to deceive heaven and return to Haoran, then took "Jia Sheng" as a landscape ferry, crossed the sea to shore, and directly arrived at Riding Dragon Alley. As for why he went the extra mile and deliberately appeared from the "intimate place is not far," it was to let Cui Dongshan, when he later reviewed the matter, think carefully. Since the parting at Baiyun of White Emperor City over a hundred years ago, why had his chess skill not increased but decreased instead?

Cui Dongshan suddenly realized something and said angrily, "Mr. Zheng, this is too much! Really too much!"

Zheng Juzhong smiled dismissively and prepared to leave.

Cui Dongshan quickly caught up, "Can't we find a method more beneficial to both sides? A lofty person like Mr. Zheng, who is almost beyond the three realms, why bother sulking?"

Zheng Juzhong was too lazy to say another word.

Cui Dongshan walked sideways and said seriously, "I can play ten more chess games with Mr. Zheng."

"Since they can't compare to the ten games at Baiyun back then, do you think I'm very idle?"

Zheng Juzhong walked slowly. "You may find losing games interesting, but I find winning games boring."

The white-clad youth with a red mole between his brows was no longer the peak Embroidery Tiger who had finally achieved a state of mental perfection, freedom from leaks, and supreme indifference.

He had too many attachments. The more human feeling, the shallower the chess skill.

Zheng Juzhong sighed.

Just like the catchphrase Cui Dongshan often used: "I am Dongshan."

Indeed, it was true. The youth Cui Dongshan was no longer the Cui Chan of those days.

Back then, as the first disciple of the Literary Sage's lineage, a young scholar visited White Emperor City. The two played chess at Baiyun. Cui Chan, sitting across from Zheng Juzhong, picked up pieces and placed them without a word. But his expression seemed to tell Zheng Juzhong, "You can win this game, but the next game's Cui Chan will definitely be able to beat the previous game's Cui Chan. As long as there are enough games, your chances of winning will get smaller and smaller."

That was the real reason Zheng Juzhong was willing to play ten consecutive games with a young scholar.

Even though he lost, and lost repeatedly, he was more confident than the winner.

Zheng Juzhong never looked at his own chess records, except for the Baiyun games.

If not for the fact that Cui Dongshan at least guessed the deal between himself and Chen Ping'an, Zheng Juzhong wouldn't have been willing to say another word.

As a reward for helping block Zhou Mi, Zheng Juzhong made Chen Ping'an give up the plan to establish a subordinate sect in Tongye Continent.

That simple.

As long as it wasn't Tongye Continent, it could be Vase Continent, Middle Earth Divine Continent, or even the Desolate Wilderness World. Anywhere.

Was White Emperor City planning something in Tongye Continent?

Not at all.

Zheng Juzhong just wanted to make that young Hidden Official feel uncomfortable.

What you couldn't accomplish in Shujian Lake, now that you're the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the closed-door disciple of the Literary Sage's lineage, the sect master of Luopo Mountain, and also a sword immortal...

On that Tongye Continent, you still can't do it.

No matter how many early arrangements you have there, how many first moves you've made, how deeply you've planned, seemingly possessing all favorable conditions of time, place, and people...

But you, Chen Ping'an, just can't do it.

Zheng Juzhong once promised Cui Chan that he would protect his younger junior brother's path.

If this isn't protecting his path, then what is?

Cui Dongshan said gloomily, "Some people just bully my master for being young and not high in realm."

Zheng Juzhong stopped walking.

It wasn't that he cared about Cui Dongshan's innuendo, but rather that he felt this statement of Cui Dongshan's was too weak.

Weakness is not about a frail body or weak legs and feet, not about being a mortal in the eyes of mountain cultivators, nor about being a mountain dweller in the eyes of peak realm cultivators.

It's about liking to find excuses when encountering problems, about a person's character being too weak.

Cui Dongshan raised both hands. "Consider that I farted."

He rarely suffered such a defeat.

Who could it be but this guy Zheng Juzhong?

As for Zheng Juzhong's master who passed on the Dao, the Dragon-Slaying Person Chen Qingliu, even if he was willing to draw his sword, he might not be able to protect Longzhou's territory so thoroughly.

In Cui Dongshan's view, those who could truly be called both offensive and defensive in their Dao attainment were few and far between. The City Lord of White Emperor City was certainly one of them.

Cui Dongshan put his hands in his sleeves and asked, "Since the matter is over, are you still strolling here?"

Zheng Juzhong said, "Waiting for Chen Ping'an's second backup move, Li Xisheng. But Chen Ping'an is still too soft-hearted. He neither wants to ask me nor wants to delay Li Xisheng's cultivation, so he has to make a deal with me."

A person whose cultivation strength could not be judged by realm or common sense.

His younger junior brother Liu Chicheng once passed a message to him from Li Xisheng.

Zheng Juzhong was looking forward to playing a game of chess with Li Xisheng.

Cui Dongshan asked, "If my master had asked for your help, what would have happened?"

Zheng Juzhong said, "What else? I wouldn't have agreed."

Suddenly, an old scholar appeared behind the two, pressed Cui Dongshan's head to move him aside, grabbed Zheng Juzhong's arm, and laughed heartily, "Mr. Zheng, Mr. Zheng, please wait a moment. Come, go back and have some tea."

Zheng Juzhong stopped walking and shook his head with a smile, "Literary Sage, I'll pass on the tea."

The old scholar said in all seriousness, "Mr. Zheng, please give me face!"

It was so straightforward. Earlier, when he hurried to Luopo Mountain and eavesdropped all the way, the old scholar could finally no longer hold back. Zheng Juzhong was, of course, well aware but just didn't expose him.

Zheng Juzhong was momentarily at a loss for words.

A rare event.

The old scholar grabbed Zheng Juzhong's sleeve and said softly, "Why must a smart person make things difficult for a good person?"

Cui Dongshan remained silent, staring blankly at the old scholar's profile.

Zheng Juzhong laughed, turned his head to look toward the table, nodded, and said, "The tea at Luopo Mountain is indeed not bad. So, I'll be generous with someone else's hospitality and treat the Literary Sage to some tea?"

The old scholar tugged Zheng Juzhong back, laughing loudly, "Very good!"

But Cui Dongshan just stood there.

The old scholar turned his head and glared, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pour the tea. Your eyesight is a hundred thousand miles worse than our Xiaomili's!"

Cui Dongshan forced a smile and scurried to the table to serve tea.

The old scholar said to Zheng Juzhong through heart-to-heart communication, "Thank you."

When asking for help, you need thick skin; when thanking, you need thin skin.

Zheng Juzhong glanced at the back of the white-clad youth and replied with his heart, "The Literary Sage need not thank me. I actually have a selfish motive. He may no longer be the first disciple of the Literary Sage's lineage, but he must become a more powerful new Embroidery Tiger."

The old scholar made no comment. "I'll definitely visit White Emperor City often in the future."

Zheng Juzhong smiled and said, "If the Literary Sage lacks wine, I can have some sent to the Confucian Temple."

Clearly hinting that the old scholar himself shouldn't come.

The old scholar stomped his foot and complained, "Why are you being so polite with me? That's being distant, isn't it!"

---

The four worlds had different celestial times, roughly corresponding to spring, summer, autumn, and winter, each occupying one.

Within the White Jade Capital were five cities and twelve towers. The five cities were Verdant Green City, Numinous Treasure City, Southern Splendor City, Divine Thunder City, and Jade Pivot City.

Inside Verdant Green City were the old sites of Hangu and Mianchi; the peach forest of Divine Thunder City and the "place where white clouds are born" were famous scenic spots across the world.

The number of deputy city lords for the five cities ranged from one to two or three, according to each city lord's preference. For example, Southern Splendor City had as many as three: one Flying Ascension and two Immortals. If not for his senior brother Yu Dou stopping him, Lu Chen could have added two or three more deputy city lords, even breaking precedent to let a Jade Glow realm cultivator serve as deputy.

Only one city and two towers in the White Jade Capital had the habit of celebrating the New Year, roughly the same as the customs down the mountain. It was also called "Jade Emperor City," Verdant Green City, along with Cloud Water Tower and Exquisite Beauty Tower.

Children were taught to write peach wood charms; Taoists still performed their annual rituals.

Staying awake all night to keep vigil, the world added another year to everyone's age. Praying for blessings for the world, every household, peace and health, enjoying a peaceful and prosperous era.

For cultivators who knew no cold or heat, this was actually a moderate nuisance: the Spring Festival couplets pasted on New Year's Eve had to be taken back on Lantern Festival.

Moreover, they had to draw peach charms and hang them everywhere. Fortunately, habit became nature, and it was manageable. Besides, the happiest ones were the young Taoist novices. It was joyous and lively, and importantly, they could get a bunch of red envelopes. They would go in groups from door to door to pay New Year's visits to the immortals. They'd get a few Snow Flower coins here, a few there, and occasionally one or two big red envelopes with Small Heat or Grain Rain coins. All together, it was a considerable amount of New Year's money.

The happiest thing was encountering that generous Lord Lu Chen, who always gave two Small Heat or Grain Rain coins as New Year's gifts. Everyone present got one. Every New Year's Day, if Lord Lu hadn't gone to the outer heavens or traveled far, he would hold a small red envelope in one hand and a big red envelope in the other, making the little novices line up. He would ask them a question from Taoist scriptures. If they answered correctly, they got the one with Grain Rain coins; if not, only Small Heat coins. The questions were actually very simple.

Unfortunately, this year at the turn of the year, Lord Lu was not in the White Jade Capital. A bunch of little novices put their heads together and discussed it. They agreed that they had to make Lord Lu make up for the red envelopes. Debts could not be owed, but money must be paid.

Jiang Yunsheng, at that place rumored to be where all white clouds are born, murmured, "It looks like the Desolate Wilderness World has already become a complete mess."

Then this "little Taoist novice" who had guarded the Inverted Mountain for many years noticed that a huge gate had abruptly appeared in the sky dome, hacked out by pure sword qi.

Seeing this phenomenon, within the White Jade Capital, immortal masters and Taoist officials flew like fireflies in a swarm toward that direction.

Near the gate opened by Ning Yao's sword.

Two groups of Taoist officials from the Azure Green World, each hovering in the wind, were clearly separated, looking at each other with mutual dislike.

On one side were the Taoist officials who had attained immortal rank in the White Jade Capital.

On the other side were the immortal factions that held the reins in various prefectures: the Grand Mystic Capital Temple, the Year-End Removal Palace, and the Harvest Mountain Sect.

Whether intentionally or not, the latter group gathered around Senior Priest Sun, confronting the White Jade Capital cultivators from a distance, displaying a posture of "well water does not interfere with river water."

Additionally, there were some scattered cultivators who belonged to neither side, mostly wild cultivators not in the orthodox Taoist registry, or those practicing Daoist arts considered heretical by the White Jade Capital.

All three sides wanted to witness the spectacular scene of "moving the moon," destined to be recorded in the annals of history and passed down for tens of thousands of years.

A small group of Taoist officials in the White Jade Capital cared most about this matter.

Their realms were not high, but their status was transcendent. They were known as "mountain historians," specifically tasked with compiling the orthodox "annals" of the White Jade Capital and the entire world.

Similar to the daily records of mountain dynasties, they recorded the actions of Taoist officials across the world. Whether good deeds or misconduct, they did not conceal them out of respect for the powerful.

Every decree issued by the White Jade Capital to the world, the transmission of Daoist arts from the Five Cities and Twelve Towers to Taoist officials everywhere, the rise and fall of mountain dynasties, the four seasons' climate, auspicious signs in all directions, changes in the household registry of Taoist officials in each country, and the establishment and abolition of Taoist temples—all were meticulously recorded in the books by these "historians." Moreover, aside from the three patriarchs of the White Jade Capital, no one had the right to read this history.

However, Senior Priest Sun gave a comment: his writing was smooth but weak in spirit, never daring to say truly good or bad things, a waste of ink.

Then he suggested they move from the White Jade Capital to the Mystic Capital Temple, promising they would write beautifully with a new vitality thereafter.

Lord Yu of the White Jade Capital had yet to issue any decree or appear in person, so naturally, no one acted to guide the migration of that moon to the Azure Green World.

Moreover, acting recklessly and taking risks was hardly a wise move.

Not only was the sword aura at the gate fierce, but there was also the battle between the Ritual Sage and Bai Ze. A single misstep would lead to entrapment and death.

Those with spirit might not have the strength to intervene.

Outside the White Jade Capital, there were three who had both the guts and the strength for now.

One was too lazy to move, one didn't want to reveal himself too early.

And one didn't want to overshadow his Dao companion in public.

That was Senior Priest Sun, along with two female Taoists not far from him. They were both quite old.

Senior Priest Sun of the Grand Mystic Capital Temple stroked his beard and smiled. "I said it! I haven't seen that shameless Lu Chen the Third for so long. As it turns out, he's out strolling again."

Senior Priest Sun sighed deeply. He had just caught a glimpse of Little Daoist friend Chen's lotus crown, with Lord Lu sitting inside, frantically waving at him. Stroking his beard and smiling, he said, "I have to admit, this time little San'er has made a great contribution. If I were that truly invincible one, I'd definitely give my junior brother a few big mouthfuls of hot food."

In giving nicknames to friends, adding bricks and tiles, and putting flowers on brocade, Senior Priest Sun was a grandmaster who claimed to be second in the world, and no one dared claim first.

"That Little Daoist friend Chen, who is a close friend of mine, is dashing and spirited, even more impressive than before! Looking at his financial aura, it seems he has returned to his old trade and made a big profit?"

After all, the kind of business that truly "leaves one's hometown" was not something just anyone could pull off.

The last time he traveled far, from Northern Julei Continent of the Haoran World, he took two proper registered disciples.

The young marquis of Northern Ting Kingdom, Zhan Qing, and Di Yuanfeng, who traveled all the way with bamboo staff and straw sandals.

Originally, Liu Guibao of the Rainbow Sparrow Mansion could have been the old temple master's direct disciple, but that opportunity was missed.

In Senior Priest Sun's words, old people must interact more with young people. They can absorb some vitality and wear away some decrepitude.

As for teaching the Dao, the old temple master didn't take it too seriously. Anyway, there were already many disciples and grandchildren in the temple who were more patient than he was, so he handed Zhan Qing and Di Yuanfeng over to two elderly disciples. The reason the old Taoist gave was very convincing and faced no objection in the ancestral hall: "You senior and junior brothers should interact more. Otherwise, you hardly meet a few times a year, which is improper."

The young sect master of the Great Tide Sect, Xu Jun, was a ghost cultivator of the Jade Glow realm.

He came riding the wind with his Dao companion, a female Taoist at the peak of Flying Ascension named Zhao Ge, with the Dao name "Fu Kan."

She was also the founding patriarch of the Two-Spine Mountain.

These two great Daoist sects, which had fought each other to the death upon meeting in history, had both established subordinate sects that were destroyed by the other. From this, one could see the depth of their enmity.

So Senior Priest Sun had to step in, saying a mature and prudent heartfelt statement.

"There is no problem in the world that a single marriage cannot solve!"

As soon as this statement came out, the entire world marveled.

Truly, Lord Sun's words had depth and force.

It was said that after the old temple master had drunk the wedding wine at the banquet, as soon as he returned to his temple, he found the youngest, smallest little girl with the lowest seniority. The old temple master earnestly instructed her: "Work hard, grow up beautiful, and strive to make that Lord Lu come to our temple as a live-in son-in-law."

The little girl nodded vigorously, full of confidence.

After all, Patriarch had said that scoundrel Lu Chen had fallen in love with her at first sight and was sneaking glances at her from over the wall every few days.

Moreover, this claim was corroborated by Fatty Yan, so it wasn't just her imagination.

Fatty Yan did very good business in the temple. Just a "Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Manual" had very substantial sales. The price was a bit steep.

Not long after, he launched a "Two Hundred Sword Immortal Seal Manual" with extremely exquisite block printing and a preface by Bai Ye, split into two volumes. The first volume sold separately for two Small Heat coins, the second for three Small Heat coins. Wasn't Bai Ye's preface worth at least one Small Heat coin?

Buying both together for only three Small Heat coins? Only a fool wouldn't buy both.

Fatty Yan could often pick up some peach blossoms and peach branches, making them into bookmarks and peachwood pens. The sales were good; there was no worry about selling.

Because he hinted that the Mystic Capital Temple's current prospects seemed worrying. The incense money from big donors had decreased compared to before, and they weren't as wealthy.

So the immortal money he earned was to be split with a certain someone.

He also said he was "making a Daoist practice in a snail's shell." If he were allowed to expand his stall, he would surely mint money daily.

Every time Fatty Yan patted his chest, his fat trembled like chopsticks hitting streaky pork.

Actually, it was quite nauseating and disgusting.

The little girl would roll her eyes or turn her head away every time.

"Fatty Yan, if I get married, would you be sad?"

"What nonsense, wouldn't I be heartbroken? Shrink to less than a hundred pounds?"

"Ha, half a Fatty Yan."

Zhao Ge, like Shuang Jiang, had once been one of the Ten of the Azure Green World. But because she had been in seclusion for many years, both had dropped off the list.

In this matter, only Senior Priest Sun of the Grand Mystic Capital Temple was the most "steady." There wasn't even a "one of them."

Because the old temple master had never fallen off the Ten list since his first ranking, and even the ranking itself had never changed.

Fifth.

Zhao Ge stood beside Xu Jun. She was full of poetic sentiment, her eyes full of tenderness.

Beside Zhao Ge was another female Taoist who had employed an extremely clever illusion technique, making her seem like a flower in a fog. The appearance she presented to others had changed hundreds of times.

This fourteen-realm female Taoist turned her head to look at Senior Priest Sun, her expression unfriendly.

Senior Priest Sun, for once, gave her a sheepish smile, with a hint of guilt.

What big man hadn't been young? How could he not have had a bit of heroic but short-lived romantic entanglement?

Not far away, a middle-aged man with a beautiful beard, named Yao Qing, courtesy name Zimei, Dao name "Shou Ling" (Guardian of the Tomb).

He was a prime minister for three reigns of the Green Spirit Dynasty, which produced a group of Five-Ling youths. He was respectfully called the "Elegant Prime Minister."

This dynasty was a renowned feng shui treasure land, an undeniable gold-and-jade forest, a crystalline Daoist arena.

The three-reign emperors of the Azure Green World were not like those of the Haoran World, who at most ruled for a little over a hundred years. Here, it was the opposite. Almost everyone who wore the dragon robe and sat on the dragon throne were high-level cultivators with excellent talent and profound Dao arts, living long lives. Each imperial family possessed extremely ancient Dao traditions. The successive emperors could even refine dragon veins. So only those decaying, declining dynasties, where among the dragon offspring and grandchildren no one was sure to reach the upper five realms, often meant a decline in national fortune. No need for the Observatory to warn.

Sun Qing once accomplished a great feat: he slew his three corpses and together they ascended to the immortal registry.

Three Corpse Liberation Immortals: Pei Ji, Wei Judao, Yuwen Shanlu—one Immortal and two Jade Glow.

In the Azure Green World, Corpse Liberation Immortals were similar to Rice Thieves, burden bearers, and One-Word Masters. Although not regarded as heretics that everyone must kill, they absolutely dared not approach the White Jade Capital territory casually.

However, Senior Priest Sun gave Premier Sun the nickname "Four Unlike."

Yao Qing himself didn't mind.

But one of Yao Qing's three corpses, Pei Ji, had once sought trouble with the sword immortal lineage of the Grand Mystic Capital Temple.

Afterwards, the Grand Mystic Capital Temple brought a whole bunch of sword immortals to travel in the Green Spirit Dynasty, ostensibly to make friends, but actually to blockade the gate.

And Senior Priest Sun himself did not show his face, otherwise it would have been bullying. He did go, though, which led to him becoming a friend across generations with some of the youngest generation of Five-Ling youths.

Fame should be sought early, and beating people should be done even earlier.

The woman standing shoulder to shoulder with the "Elegant Prime Minister" Yao Qing was the national preceptor, Bai Ou.

She had a tall figure, extremely beautiful appearance, and a natural charm.

At her waist was a hand halberd named "Iron Chamber."

She was a martial artist of the Stopping Realm, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts for over a hundred years. One of the top ten martial arts grandmasters of the Azure Green World, ranking third.

Unlike qi refiners, who were evaluated once a century—some thought the interval too short—pure martial artists were evaluated once every sixty years, which still seemed too long.

When Bai Ou first topped the list, she was at the bottom. Then, almost every ten years, she killed the one ranked ahead of her. Within less than sixty years, she had fought four times with her fists, with a perfect record: three dead, one alive. The only one who survived, a Stopping Realm martial artist, had also dropped in realm. By the time Bai Ou ranked for the second time, she was already in the top three.

So she had always been compared to Pei Bei of the Haoran World.

And Bai Ou also truly wanted to compare strength with that so-called female Martial God.

Both were national preceptors, both women.

Senior Priest Sun glanced at the little girl.

When Bai Ou fought enemies, she liked to take their heads.

The old Taoist was always curious: that weapon with a side blade, hard to carry on the back, hung at the waist—when walking, wouldn't it cut her thigh?

Even if a martial artist's physique was tough enough, if the divine weapon's sharpness cut through her dharma robe, wouldn't that be a glimpse of spring?

Unfortunately, that A Liang hadn't stayed long in the Azure Green World. Otherwise, with that guy's temperament, he would surely have asked for him.

As for himself, he was old and couldn't open his mouth, otherwise he might get a reputation for not respecting his age.

Using a landscape painting created by the old temple master with a wave of his sleeve, though the picture was blurry, one could roughly see the scene.

Zhan Qing and Di Yuanfeng exchanged glances, both finding a look of utter disbelief on the other's face. They simply couldn't connect that young Hidden Official, who was often talked about even in the Azure Green World, with that cowardly and scheming fellow from their hometown world.

Lu Tai and Yuan Ying stood in an inconspicuous place.

The Rice Thief Wang Yuanlu, along with his fellow townsman Qi Gu, a pure martial artist from the Saber Holder lineage, also came to join the excitement.

Wang Yuanlu, head low and shoulders hunched, spotted the suave Young Master Lu. This Rice Thief lineage Taoist gave off a furtive air, sneaking over as if standing beside Young Master Lu was safer.

Wang Yuanlu was still dressed in the same shabby outfit: a felt hat on his head, cotton shoes on his feet, and a green cloth Daoist robe. It wasn't stinginess—it was called thriftiness, not forgetting one's roots.

Although he and Qi Gu both came from the Green Spirit Dynasty, they had no closeness with their hometown's "parent officials"—Premier Yao Qing and National Preceptor Bai Ou. In fact, they could be said to have no goodwill towards them at all.

Senior Priest Sun turned to look at that monkey-like younger Rice Thief, stroked his beard and smiled, "What's up? You saw me but didn't say a word, what are you doing?"

Wang Yuanlu said gloomily, "None of your business!"

Despite the vast differences in age, seniority, and realm, neither used heart-to-heart communication.

Senior Priest Sun said, "Melon rind."

Wang Yuanlu replied, "Worst kid."

Senior Priest Sun asked with a smile, "Eat a bowl?"

Wang Yuanlu nodded. "Nothing cheap. Give me the most expensive pot."

Senior Priest Sun actually tossed over a pot of immortal brew.

It seemed that cursing was cursing, and drinking was drinking.

The Rice Thief lineage's Dao tradition was not recognized by the White Jade Capital, and its status in the Azure Green World mountain society was somewhat like bandits who had taken refuge in the mountains.

"When will that gloomy guy find a warm-kang woman to marry? As if he's practicing fasting."

"Either tomorrow or the day after."

The old temple master's action was clearly meant to back the Rice Thief lineage, giving no face to the White Jade Capital.

Unlike the scarce Corpse Liberation Immortals, the Rice Thief lineage's Dao tradition had become a force in the Azure Green World, with a large number of people spreading across three prefectures.

They only sought to be on the Taoist registry but did not become Taoist officials in the court. If they had to be officials, they would rather not have the registry at all.

And this situation was entirely created by that junior brother of Senior Priest Sun of the Mystic Capital Temple.

It was said that during the century Yu Dou took charge of the White Jade Capital, he almost acted personally to kill all the Rice Thieves, but was stopped by the great patriarch senior brother.

Qi Gu, the fellow townsman of the young Taoist, was inwardly terrified.

Talking to the old temple master like that? Weren't you afraid of being beaten half to death?

It was said that Senior Priest Sun of the Grand Mystic Capital Temple was famously petty. The greatest pleasure on his cultivation path was holding grudges and settling old scores, good at hitting people from behind with lightning speed.

The whole world knew the old temple master's upright style.

"I, this poor priest, have no other virtues, just this one: I hate evil as if it were my enemy. I can't tolerate a single grain of sand in my eye."

If you make sand get into my eye, I'll put sand in your shoes. It won't hinder your cultivation travel, just make your walk uncomfortable.

Wang Yuanlu was unknown back home back then. On his first long-distance journey, he met this anonymous Senior Priest Sun on the road. They partnered up and did some business. He took a huge loss—not financially, actually he made some money—but the old Taoist tricked Wang Yuanlu, claiming to be his ancestor. Worried Wang Yuanlu wouldn't believe him, the old man even took out a genealogy, and Wang Yuanlu ended up acknowledging his ancestry.

That old immortal who looked so full of fairy spirit, when he saw Wang Yuanlu squatting by the roadside eating a flatbread, was full of enthusiasm. He grabbed Wang Yuanlu's arm and said, "So alike, really so alike!" instantly confusing Wang Yuanlu. Afterwards, the old Taoist claimed to have been wandering outside for over a hundred years, finally made a name for himself as a highly respected middle-five-realm great cultivator with a hundred followers. But now returning home in glory, his clan's descendants were so sparse he couldn't find a single one. Disheartened, at least there was still one descendant left to carry on the incense: Wang Yuanlu. If not help him, then who?

Actually, at that time, Wang Yuanlu was already thirty years old, yet he still wept tears of joy. It wasn't just meeting a fellow traveler from afar; he had found his own ancestor. After kowtowing, he sat on the ground, hugging Senior Priest Sun's calf, sobbing uncontrollably.

Back then, Wang Yuanlu had stumbled into the cultivation path by luck and had only been cultivating for a few years. He hadn't seen much of the world and was a straightforward person. So he sincerely and foolishly called the old man "ancestor" for several months.

Of course, Wang Yuanlu wasn't really naive; he had his own calculations.

He thought to himself: a poor bachelor who couldn't even afford to marry, who hadn't managed to get the lowest-level Taoist official registry in nearly twenty years, only year after year guarding some nameless mountain caves—hardly worth an old immortal with accomplished cultivation to cheat. Cheat him of money or his looks? Or that bundle of worn-out books?

So Wang Yuanlu tested the waters, implying to the newly recognized ancestor: these books, never mind whether we're family or not, give me a hundred taels of silver—even if it's not the Snow Flower coins that mountain immortals use—and I, Wang Yuanlu, will consider it a filial gift to the ancestor. Besides, since we're a single-line lineage, wouldn't it be reasonable if you, venerable sir, scraped some silver from your fingernails to give to your own descendant?

If he could sell those books, he would immediately turn around, go home, marry a reasonably good-looking woman. Age didn't matter much as long as her hips were big for easy childbirth. He was already old anyway. Then he'd have a bunch of kids. Even if he still couldn't get a glorious Taoist official identity, at least he would have continued the family line.

At that time, Wang Yuanlu had no idea that his future life would be such a dazzling, fearsome mountain career, something he never dared imagine.

Yuan Ying found it strange. In her impression, when this guy Wang Yuanlu was drinking with her future husband at the same table, he was as nervous as a country bumpkin, a thin bamboo pole of a man. Even sitting and drinking, he didn't dare straighten his back, a timid appearance. When he saw Lu Tai, his inferiority complex seeped from his bones, as if he didn't know how to hide that humility.

But now, facing the old temple master Sun, he was so open and unrestrained, speaking so grandly?

Lu Tai explained with a smile via heart-to-heart communication, "This Wang Yuanlu will be very remarkable. The further along, the more powerful. If the White Jade Capital keeps ignoring him and lets him go, they'll suffer big losses in the future."

Yuan Ying was quite surprised. It seemed that Young Master Lu's evaluation of Wang Yuanlu was even higher than that of Xu Jun.

Yuan Ying asked, "There are quite a few Taoist officials skilled in divination in the White Jade Capital, aren't there?"

Lu Tai took a folding fan from his sleeve and lightly tapped Yuan Ying's head. He said with a grin, "What's so hard to understand about that? They know it well but deliberately disregard it. That truly invincible one thinks he's truly invincible."

Yuan Ying squinted her eyes in a smile.

Lu Tai opened his folding fan. The main event had arrived.

It was a burly Taoist, wearing a fish-tail crown, clad in feathered robe, holding an immortal sword.

---

The matter of dragging the moon was accomplished successfully.

Qi Tingji and Lu Zhi were the first to return to the Sword Qi Great Wall.

They didn't go to the city wall, landing instead on the southern earth.

The latest carver on the city wall: Hidden Official Chen Ping'an.

Qi Tingji looked up at the large character at the highest point and said with a smile, "Aren't you a little jealous?"

On the Sword Qi Great Wall, the sword cultivator who most wanted to carve characters was, of course, Lu Zhi.

A Liang had already carved. As for Zuo You, he simply didn't care about such things. Even if he killed a Flying Ascension great demon, he might not be willing to carve.

In A Liang's words, that guy's handwriting was too ugly, not fit to be shown in public. But it was okay; he could do it for him.

Lu Zhi curled her lip. "I dare not. Afraid of being held grudges."

Qi Tingji was a little surprised. Lu Zhi could tell jokes?

But it was a bit cold.

Lu Zhi asked curiously, "If you kill another Flying Ascension in the future, will you carve here again?"

On the battlefield of the Sword Qi Great Wall, the difficulty in killing Flying Ascension great demons wasn't that old sword immortals like Qi Tingji lacked sword techniques or killing power, but that the great demons could escape too easily.

But now, with the situation between the two worlds reversed, with Qi Tingji's strength, he had every opportunity to single out a desperate Flying Ascension great demon, sword in hand, and behead it.

Qi Tingji shook his head. "Ending with this character 'Ping' is perfect."

Here, the sword cultivators' lives were like duckweed, drifting without sinking.

A whole city's flying ascension, taking root and sprouting in the Five Colors World.

Plus those sword immortal embryos, like scattered duckweed across the heavens and earth. In these foreign lands, as time passed, they would become their own homes.

Qi Tingji looked up at the other half of the city wall. "Our Hidden Official has dropped quite a few realms."

Lu Zhi was a bit worried. "Was the price too high?"

Qi Tingji asked doubtfully, "What's the story with that demon sword cultivator? How is he drinking with Lord Lu?"

Lu Chen was on the city wall, waving to Lu Zhi from afar, shouting with a smile, "Sister Lu Zhi, over here!"

Lu Zhi and Qi Tingji flew to the city wall together. After landing, Lu Zhi looked puzzled. "Something up? The one going to the White Jade Capital to be a guest with Lord Lu is Hao Su, not me."

Lu Chen pointed his chin toward Lu Zhi, smiling but not speaking.

It turned out that at this moment, Lu Zhi was also holding a "South Sea" sword, loving it, and had a "Rouren" sword at her waist. A green fish swam around Lu Zhi in emptiness, leisurely wagging its tail.

Lu Zhi also remained silent.

Chen Ping'an spoke up, "I'm fine."

"Ning Yao will return soon."

Qi Tingji smiled and said, "Hao Su won't come back here. He just asked me to pass a message: about those sword cultivators now in the Azure Green World, let you rest assured. He will keep an eye on them and won't let them be bullied casually. Although he dares not casually guarantee to protect all sword cultivators' lives—saying he's not the same as you, the Hidden Official, and can't be a housekeeper who cares about everything—he can guarantee one thing: if any sword cultivator dies unexpectedly in a foreign land, there will never be a lack of someone to avenge them."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "That's more than enough."

In a sense, Hao Su didn't fulfill his duties as a Punishment Official on the Sword Qi Great Wall, but unexpectedly chose to truly become a Punishment Official in the Azure Green World.

The deterrent power of a Flying Ascension sword cultivator was immense, no matter which world.

Especially since Hao Su had personally killed Flying Ascension cultivators in the Haoran World, right under the noses of the Confucian Temple and the Ritual Sage.

Chen Ping'an turned to Lu Chen and said, "Lord Lu, could you ask Hao Su for me if he is willing to part with part of the merit from dragging the moon? Discuss with your White Jade Capital: in the future, he could kill a Flying Ascension without being held accountable there."

Lu Chen had a headache. "I'll have to ask my second senior brother about this. He's the real manager. I, this poor priest, dare not promise anything now."

Taking on tasks was not this third patriarch's style; dodging them was his old profession.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "You can have Hao Su try to draw his sword within the century you sit in the White Jade Capital, which also gives that truly invincible one a way to step down. That should be acceptable, right? Besides, our sword cultivators are unlikely to actively cause trouble on their cultivation path."

Lu Chen said helplessly, "Alright, you've got me. I, this poor priest, will discuss it with my second senior brother. I'll probably have to drink some wine for courage before I dare to open my mouth. My second senior brother's temperament is known throughout the world. He's famously displeased with me, this junior brother, and finds fault in everything. I just hope I don't do good intentions and end up causing harm."

"Moreover, I have to say the ugly words first. In the White Jade Capital, the Five Cities and Twelve Towers have no hierarchy. According to the decree established by my great senior brother long ago, apart from a few major Dao rules, most matters can be decided by each city lord and tower lord according to their own preferences. They can reject the decrees of the three patriarchs and completely refuse to obey."

"Regardless, I will do my utmost to facilitate this matter."

Actually, Yu Dou had a rather favorable view of this group of sword cultivators from the Sword Qi Great Wall.

The reason was simple: the sword immortal lineage of the Grand Mystic Capital Temple already occupied too much of the world's sword Dao qi fortune.

The Grand Mystic Capital Temple had once been described as the Sword Qi Great Wall of the Haoran World. Then this heartfelt praise of the temple and Senior Priest Sun spread widely.

As a result, old temple master Sun was angered. It was said the old Taoist jumped with rage, saying, "You can scold me, but how can you scold the Sword Qi Great Wall?"

He scurried over to the person who first made that claim—a Flying Ascension cultivator—and demanded he retract the statement. Otherwise, this matter wouldn't end. The millennium of friendship between them would go down the drain, and from then on, they'd be sworn enemies.

The other party had no choice but to issue an announcement through the sect's mountain gazette to the whole world, pinching his nose and miserably giving a new statement: "The Grand Mystic Capital Temple is not the Sword Qi Great Wall of the Azure Green World."

Only then did the satisfied old temple master pat that good brother on the shoulder and remind him to be careful in the future: "Spit is a nail; you can't talk carelessly."

Hearing such words come from Senior Priest Sun's mouth sounded off no matter how you heard them.

Chen Ping'an said, "There's one thing I need to trouble you, Sect Leader Qi, to tell Madame Tuoyan. In Vase Continent, there's a South Swamp Lake with a Green Plum Temple where over ten thousand ancient plum trees were carefully planted. More than half have withered. Later, please ask her to make a trip and see if there's a way to save them. I certainly won't let her come for nothing."

Qi Tingji nodded. "Easy to say. She's currently eager to have a legitimate reason to return to Haoran and travel around."

This former owner of the Plum Garden was truly afraid of death. Staying in the Desolate Wilderness World, she felt uneasy every day, always feeling like she was on a battlefield, too dangerous. She had already found several lame excuses to return to her sect in Southern Poplar Continent.

Chen Ping'an smiled and introduced, "This Daoist friend Xizhu will return to the Haoran World with me and will serve as an unregistered guest elder of Luopo Mountain for a few years."

A full-fledged ancient great demon at the peak of Flying Ascension, with a slightly restrained manner, stood up, made a bow, straightened up, and said with a smile, "Just call me Xiao Mo."

Qi Tingji was greatly surprised.

Lu Zhi, on the other hand, didn't care at all. If it was an enemy, best to just cut it down. She just didn't have a carving yet.

At worst, she'd sacrifice a natal flying sword and trade it for a carving on the city wall. Not a loss.

Lu Chen clasped his fist and said, "Farewell, farewell. I, this poor priest, will first go to the great gate in the sky, then directly go to the Haoran World. The green mountains remain unchanged, the green waters flow forever!"

But no one gave him a polite word.

Xiao Mo was waiting for his master to speak first, then he would exchange a few pleasantries with the congenial Daoist friend Lu.

Lu Chen maintained his fist-clasping posture.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Lord Lu, after you've met Senior Gu, don't forget to go to Yunxia Mountain."

Qi Tingji then said, "If there's a chance in the future to visit the Azure Green World, I'll pay a visit to Lord Lu."

Lu Zhi said, "I'm not going."

Only then did Xiao Mo bow and take his leave. "Daoist friend Lu, let's part here. Until we meet again."

Only then did Lu Chen feel a bit better.

Chen Ping'an suddenly stood up, clasped his fist in farewell to Lu Chen.

The next time both sides meet again, it would most likely be at the White Jade Capital in the Azure Green World.

They would no longer be the final Hidden Official and Lu Chen of Haoran.

But rather Chen Ping'an of Pear Blossom Cave Heaven and the Third Patriarch of the White Jade Capital.

Lu Chen smiled slightly, gave a slight nod, and transformed into a rainbow, flying into the sky dome.

Confirming that Lu Chen had left the city wall, Lu Zhi asked via heart-to-heart communication, "Chen Ping'an, what about this sword box?"

She truly liked it.

Besides, she had gotten used to it.

Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Lu Chen will definitely return to Haoran later. If he first goes to Southern Poplar Continent to find you, no matter what he says, just push it to me. Insist on one thing and don't budge: say that the buyer and seller of this deal are Lord Lu and Chen Ping'an. The sword box will be returned, of course, but Chen Ping'an must personally appear to settle it. Otherwise, if Lord Lu retrieves the sword box and then goes to Luopo Mountain making a fuss, deliberately trying to earn two payments from one deal, that would be unkind."

"But if Lu Chen comes to me first, it's even easier. I'll stall him for a while, keep him as a guest at Luopo Mountain, and secretly send you a message. You should then find a place to hide from him, like White Emperor City, or the Merit Forest of the Confucian Temple, or the Mystic Void Temple of the enlightened monk Liao Ran. After two or three times, Lord Lu will get the idea."

Lu Zhi listened with sparkling eyes and nodded frequently. Actually, her intention was that if it really didn't work, she'd have the Hidden Official negotiate with Lord Lu. She was willing to spend money to buy the sword box. But she was good at cutting people, not bargaining. She couldn't bring herself to haggle. So she thought to let Chen Ping'an help negotiate the price. Anyway, on this trip, she had earned a lot—lots of heavenly treasures and immortal money. If she spent it all again, she'd run out of money. Then she'd owe credit, and at worst, let the Dragon Elephant Sword Sect or Chen Ping'an's side make up the difference.

Half the joy of shopping for women was in bargaining. Lu Zhi just wasn't good at it; that didn't mean she didn't like bargaining.

Actually, Lu Chen didn't care much about the sword box. To him, it was rather useless.

Of course, Chen Ping'an wasn't really trying to help Lu Zhi steal the sword box. He had already thought it out: for the coral brush stand taken by Lu Chen, all future profits from half of the Dragon Palace's legacy could go to Lu Chen.

Given Lu Zhi's temperament, once she reached the Flying Ascension realm in the future, she would first travel to the Five Colors World, then to the Azure Green World.

So Lu Zhi only said she wasn't going; you couldn't take her seriously.

Xiao Mo quietly reminded, "Master, are you waiting for your Dao companion to return to the city wall?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and nodded.

Qi Tingji was the first to return to that ferry, leaving Lu Zhi behind. She would only leave after Ning Yao returned.

While waiting for Ning Yao, Chen Ping'an looked toward the distant south. Without the fourteen-realm cultivation, even with the best vision, he couldn't see too far.

Thinking about a small matter, he slowly sorted through his memories, choosing a location to be a teacher at a mountain academy later. It couldn't be too far or too close to Luopo Mountain. The Huangting Kingdom seemed not bad.

At the old site of the Heavenly Court, near the golden arch bridge, a woman was always standing on the railing beside Zhou Mi.

In the Azure Green World, Yu Dou, known as the truly invincible one, manifested a majestic dharma body using the Dao timing of a whole world, holding a bright moon in his hand as he walked through the void.

Ning Yao rode her sword back to the mortal world.

The Ritual Sage and Bai Ze, who had fought their way out to the heavens, each returned.

The Chen Ping'an in the Great Li capital city merged with the Chen Ping'an who had returned from the Sword Qi Great Wall.

A man in a blue shirt with a sword on his back, with a pure white spider perched on his shoulder.

Ning Yao walked beside Chen Ping'an, and together they walked toward the inn.

An old scholar sat at the inn's doorstep, basking in the sun, holding melon seeds in his hand. It seemed he was cracking them, but on the bench beside him, there weren't many seed shells.

It was as if he was just sitting there, always waiting for someone to return home. Only when he saw with his own eyes that the closed-door disciple named Chen Ping'an was truly safe and sound would the old man then crack his melon seeds.