Chapter 924: Borrowing a Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Waters from All of You (5)
(Sorry for the late chapter upload, my apologies.)
The horizon was ablaze with fiery clouds, and the evening glow stretched for a thousand miles.
A dragon boat ferry named 'Ink Splash' docked at an immortal ferry crossing. A group of people prepared to change vessels to continue their journey to the Kingdom of Yellow Millet.
At the head of the procession was a young boy in green robes who swaggered down the gangplank, his two sleeves flapping wildly. By his side was a young woman, a square inkstone hanging from her waist and a green bamboo staff in her hand.
Behind them walked a young man in Confucian robes, accompanied by a yellow-robed old man who appeared to be a retainer. The old man had an ancient and peculiar appearance, with the eyes of a hawk and the gaze of a vulture. His emaciated frame made his loose-fitting dharma robe look even more oversized.
In comparison, the young man seemed the most ordinary and unremarkable.
They were traveling as honored guests, invited to attend the opening ceremony of a new mountain peak.
That swaggering young master was, of course, the Nascent Soul stage water dragon from Fallen Mountain, and temple hall's honored consecrated elder, Chen Lingjun.
Along with him was Guo Zhujiu, the direct disciple of Mountain Lord Chen Ping'an.
Li Huai, a Sage from Cliffs and Mountains Academy, and the self-styled 'Young Daoist' Yao Ting, a desolate barbarian from the Peach Pavilion, were simply tagging along to freeload and enjoy a leisurely sightseeing trip.
Besides his famous title of 'Young Daoist,' Yao Ting also possessed another identification document and was a wild cultivator of the wilderness from Southern Bodhisattva Continent, with the Dao name 'Dragon Mountain Lord.'
Accompanying them, or rather guiding them, were two Qi refiners from Yi Dai Peak: Song Yuan and his junior sister Liu Runyun. On the latter's shoulder lay a young white fox, curled up in lazy slumber.
With an hour still to go before reboarding, Chen Lingjun chose a restaurant overlooking the water at the ferry crossing, intending to have a hearty meal and a few drinks to properly placate the 'five viscera temple' of his stomach. After all, the Ink Splash dragon boat was their own family's ferry; gorging themselves on board would be unseemly. Those female cultivators from the Pearl Hairpin Island were such gossips. If word got back to a certain silly girl's ears, he'd inevitably get an earful of pointless nagging.
Inside the restaurant's main hall, Chen Lingjun stood on tiptoe, hands resting on the tall counter, craning his neck to read the wooden menu board on the wall. He started ordering dishes from the waiter, only to learn that this place called 'Delicacy Tower' actually offered a novel service he had never heard of before. It seemed that nowadays, many immortal ferry crossings across the continent, north and south, had opened Delicacy Tower restaurants. Cultivators only needed to pay a deposit in immortal spirit coins at the restaurant, and they could send a flying sword message to the sword rooms at various docks. Upon receiving the message, the restaurant could take the order. Delicacy Tower would then use immortal-secret recipe food boxes to pack all sorts of delicacies from land and sea and deliver them right to the mountain gate, guaranteeing the taste was exactly the same as dining in...
Except the extra delivery fee was calculated based on the distance traveled.
The young boy in green was stunned for a long moment. Chen Lingjun had truly broadened his horizons today.
Business could be done like this? But why hadn't his own Ox Horn Ferry, or the slightly farther Red Candle Town, opened a Delicacy Tower?
Li Huai couldn't help but speculate. Could this be Dong Shuijing's work again? Was there really money in this kind of business?
Since there were many of them, sharing a table wouldn't be appropriate, so Chen Lingjun reserved a private room. A minimum of ten Snowflake Coins later, the table was quickly laden with dishes. Chen Lingjun ordered two pots of wine, crossed his legs, and took a sip of the immortal brew. He turned his head to look out the window. At the dock, several private talisman boats were docking one after another. They didn't barge around recklessly, but without exception, they all flaunted the talisman boats' speed. Chen Lingjun glanced at the people on the talisman boats. Most were young men, accompanied by a flock of beautiful women. It was as if they had two characters carved on their foreheads: 'Rich.' As for the look in their eyes when they saw others, it just had two words: 'Pauper.'
The Young Daoist merely sipped his wine. His duty as a protector couldn't be taken lightly.
Letting drink cause trouble? Impossible. But one had to maintain the proper posture.
Who knew if he would be dragged into a dream by that old blindman again and stomped on a few times?
After all, that old blindman only ever acted on his whims, completely without reason.
Last time, he had performed meritorious service in protecting the 'prince,' and the old blindman, in a rare fit of conscience, 'casually' tossed an ancient manual onto Yao Ting. It was the first half of the Mountain Refining Art.
These days, Yao Ting hadn't slackened for a moment, devoting himself entirely to secluded cultivation. Of course, for a peak great cultivator like Yao Ting, what he called 'secluded cultivation' wasn't the same as the common closed-door sessions of ordinary Flying Ascension stage cultivators, who would hole up in some landscape secret realm. Nascent Soul and Flying Ascension cultivators had long been jokingly called 'thousand-year turtles and ten-thousand-year tortoises' by those in the mountains. Yao Ting certainly wasn't that shabby.
As the ancestral patriarch of the ancient Mountain Shifting lineage, Yao Ting was its undisputed founding father. Together with Yuan Shou, the Mountain Carrying lineage's ancient Throne Seat great demon, they were great demons from the Barbarian Wilderness of the same generation and Dao age. Because both of them had conflicts with mountains, a natural but invisible competition for the Great Dao had arisen between them. When it came to driving mountains and moving peaks, Yao Ting considered himself no less capable than Yuan Shou. It was only in the art of 'refining mountains' that he was significantly inferior. Simply put, their abilities in carrying and shifting mountains were similar, but Yao Ting's talent for 'eating mountains' was indeed inferior to Yuan Shou's.
In the Barbarian Wilderness Heaven, where the strong ate and the weak were eaten, if a conflict arose, the one who couldn't fight had no choice but to avoid the opponent's edge and flee.
Thinking back to those days, Yao Ting, 'young and ambitious,' had once harbored grand ambitions. He attempted to use his innate divine ability to roll a snowball-like process, trying to pile up a high mountain. He even put out word that it would surpass the great barbarian mountain 'Azure Hill' by the height of one 'Azure Hill.'
As for the dirty dealings between those two old matrons, Crimson Concubine and Yang Zhi, they might fool ordinary cultivators, but for peak great demons, how could they not know the inside story? Yao Ting had no interest in learning such things. Besides, Zhu Yan disliked establishing sects. Back then, Yao Ting had no choice but to harden his heart. The greater the risk, the greater the reward. He would try to see if there was an opportunity on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. He'd steal one today, move another tomorrow. Once he was full, he would go and settle scores with Zhu Yan. The result... was being caught by the old blindman and turned into a watchdog. As for that unspeakably bleak period, it was better not to think about it if possible.
Therefore, obtaining half of the Mountain Refining Art from the old blindman was a stroke of luck Yao Ting wouldn't even dare dream of.
Their destination this time was a mountain immortal mansion called the Yellow Millet Sect.
Within the Dream Millet Kingdom, besides the Cloud Mist Mountain, which was expected to become a Sect, there was another immortal sect not to be underestimated: the Yellow Millet Sect. Before the great war, it was an immortal mansion on Treasure Vase Continent that could be considered 'barely scraping the bottom of the second-rate, yet too aggrieved to be considered top third-rate.' Now, with countless mountain peaks shattered across the southern territory of Treasure Vase Continent, the status of the sects had risen with the tide.
Those 'enclaves' not connected to the ancestral mountain, once separated by great distances, imitated the system of superior and subordinate sects, creating a distinction between 'upper mountain' and 'lower mountain.'
And the Yellow Millet Sect was precisely the 'upper mountain' of Yi Dai Peak in Chu Prefecture.
The sect leader and mountain master was a very old 'young' Golden Core, but he was also a sword cultivator. Back then, he had sent a personal disciple to the Li Zhu Cavern Heaven to seek opportunities, but ended up with nothing to show for it. Not only did he waste a bag of Spring Greeting Coins as passage fee, but another bag of Suppress Coins failed to attract a treasured item that suited the cultivators. In an effort to build a relationship with the Da Li Song Clan, whose national power was flourishing, he used the remaining Gold Essence Copper Coins to purchase a mountain peak west of Li Zhu Cavern Heaven. Later, fearing the might of the Da Li Iron Cavalry, he didn't sell the mountain cheaply and relocate. This sect leader actually had some selfish motives. That particular Golden Core Ancestral Master, who later moved to Yi Dai Peak to build a thatched hut for cultivation, had terrible interpersonal relationships within the sect. 'Out of sight, out of mind,' so he respectfully invited his senior uncle to garrison Yi Dai Peak.
The price for buying the mountain back then wasn't cheap, but it later proved to be a steal, acquired at an extremely low price.
In recent years, there had been a dozen mountain forces wanting to purchase Yi Dai Peak from the Yellow Millet Sect. The offers were more than doubled or tripled; it was a market with no sellers. Especially after the young sword immortal from Fallen Mountain, joining forces with Liu Xianyang from Dragon Spring Sword Sect, caused a stir at Sun Mountain, becoming famous overnight. Fallen Mountain rose accordingly, entering the sight of Treasure Vase Continent cultivators for the first time. The Northern Peak Piyun Mountain, Fallen Mountain, and Dragon Spring Sword Sect – getting involved with any of them was an unimaginable mountain connection.
The only small problem was the matter of the Northern Peak Night Parade, which always felt like a bottomless pit.
But they had long since come to terms with it. After all, on the Central Peak territory, the great mountain lord Jin Qing had also started to play dirty tricks.
You can't escape the first day, but you can't escape the fifteenth either.
Then, when the landscape gazette from the Mountain and Sea Sect spread across the nine continents of the Righteous Qi Heaven, it effectively announced his title of Hidden Official and his name and identity to the world.
The Yellow Millet Sect was even more troubled. If the price for negotiating the purchase of Yi Dai Peak was high before, now it was a sky-high price! The problem was that the Golden Core Ancestral Master's reply to the ancestral mountain was simple: not for sale.
So this time, the sect leader took advantage of a peak-opening ceremony for a personal disciple who had just broken through to Golden Core and secretly made a gentleman's agreement with that senior uncle. If they could successfully invite a cultivator from Fallen Mountain to the ceremony, Lou Mountain would no longer mention selling Yi Dai Peak. However, if Fallen Mountain declined the invitation, the senior uncle would have to personally visit the ancestral temple to discuss the matter.
Guo Zhujiu asked curiously, "Little Immortal Master Song, does your Yellow Millet Sect have any connection with that Yellow Millet Paradise, which has already been removed from the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands?"
There were rumors that on the Hanging Mountain, there used to be a Yellow Millet tavern selling 'Forget Sorrow Wine,' and the old tavern keeper seemed to be a founder of the Eclectic School?
As for the title 'Little Immortal Master Song,' it was something Guo Zhujiu had picked up by imitating others.
It was originally started by Song Yuan, the personal disciple of that old Golden Core cultivator from Yi Dai Peak.
It seemed it was first called out by Senior Sister Pei Qian.
Later, everyone on Fallen Mountain started calling him that.
Song Yuan smiled and shook his head, "Miss Guo, I really don't know about that. I've never heard Master mention it."
The Yellow Millet Sect was an ancient sect with a long history. Its ancestral mountain was called Lou Mountain, located in Bie Yi County, Huai An Prefecture, Yellow Millet Kingdom. It was known for producing Golden Core cultivators.
Throughout its history, it had produced over a dozen Golden Core Earth Immortals, but it had been utterly unable to produce a single Nascent Soul cultivator.
Of course, the so-called 'production of Golden Cores' was only relative to the former Treasure Vase Continent.
The Yellow Millet Sect's invitation to Fallen Mountain cultivators was just a shot in the dark.
They didn't even dare hope that the last Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall would grace Lou Mountain with his presence, nor did they even think that any cultivator from Fallen Mountain would actually climb their mountain.
Success would be an unexpected, immense honor. Failure would be understandable, but they had to try.
Unexpectedly, Fallen Mountain quickly replied with a letter bearing the seal of the Ji Se Peak Ancestral Temple. It was a personal reply from the great steward, Zhu Lian, whose wording was extremely courteous. It said that the mountain lord was currently away and hadn't returned, so Chen Lingjun and Guo Zhujiu would attend the ceremony on his behalf. The letter also introduced their identities.
Upon receiving this reply, the Yellow Millet Sect even convened a special Ancestral Temple meeting to discuss it.
Even ignoring the fact that Chen Lingjun was a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, this woman named Guo Zhujiu was actually the direct disciple of Mountain Lord Chen. Crucially, she was currently his youngest disciple. According to the amusing parlance of the mountains, she could be considered half a 'closed-door disciple.'
Liu Runyun was already familiar with that consecrated elder of Fallen Mountain who looked like a young boy in green. He often visited her grandfather to drink and chat, calling her grandpa 'Old Brother Liu' and her 'Sister Liu' – a complete mess of seniority.
Her grandfather had privately said of this Brother Chen, that his future on the Great Dao was truly extraordinary.
Liu Runyun found it very difficult to equate this unruly young boy in green with an old Nascent Soul Immortal.
However, she was quite interested in that girl named Guo Zhujiu. It seemed she had only recently arrived at Fallen Mountain; her face was unfamiliar.
Her background and realm were unclear.
Nowadays, the 'Spectacle of Mirrors and Flowers' from Yi Dai Peak was unparalleled.
Even the superior Yellow Millet Sect had heard about it.
There were very few viewers, it seemed only two or three people a year, but each time, they spent money so generously... it was frightening.
Within just a few years, they had somehow amassed two Grain Rain Coins in revenue. In the end, her grandfather simply turned a blind eye.
Anyway, his granddaughter Liu Runyun never needed to dress flamboyantly or posture seductively. Her 'Spectacle of Mirrors and Flowers' was a completely different style from Immortal Zhou of the Green Plum Temple at South Tang Lake.
After eating and drinking their fill, Chen Lingjun settled the bill, left the restaurant, patted his belly, and led the way onto the ferry headed for Yellow Millet Ferry.
The Young Daoist had wanted to pay, but he simply couldn't outfight that Fellow Daoist Jing Qing.
Guo Zhujiu smiled and asked, "Since you're so worried, why did you still come down the mountain to travel far?"
Master had once said that every time Chen Nuan tree went to the prefectural city for supplies, someone would secretly follow the entire way.
Chen Lingjun rolled his eyes. "There's no such thing."
Guo Zhujiu pressed on, "You know what I'm asking, don't you?"
Chen Lingjun said decisively, "No, I don't!"
Guo Zhujiu gave a soft laugh.
Chen Lingjun started to feel a bit guilty.
Li Huai listened, utterly bewildered. You two are talking in riddles!
After Song Yuan and Liu Runyun went to their own rooms, Guo Zhujiu and the others first sat down in Chen Lingjun's quarters. She asked, "Are there many such social obligations?"
Chen Lingjun nodded vigorously. "Many, a vast number. The bigger the sect or immortal mansion, the more frequent these things are. There's an endless list of excuses. Besides events like the Yellow Millet Sect's peak-opening ceremony for a Golden Core cultivator, there are mountain weddings and forming Dao companions – that's a big deal too, you have to give a gift. Then there's when an old master successfully completes closed-door cultivation and emerges, you have to hold a party. When the Ancestral Temple takes on a new disciple, or replaces a sect leader or mountain lord, or someone breaks through a minor realm, it's mainly young kids breaking into the middle five realms, like the Cavern Dwelling stage... all of it requires returning courtesies."
Chen Lingjun stood up, bent over, and poured a bowl of tea for each of the three. "But back on our own mountain, it used to be the master handling everything himself. He was busy with everything, so there was no need for us to bother with these mundane affairs."
Guo Zhujiu asked with a smile, "Don't you think the two of us... lack sufficient prestige?"
The tedious formalities of the Righteous Qi Heaven were even more numerous than these various ceremonies.
Chen Lingjun burst out laughing. "Stop joking! With just one of us making the trip, the Yellow Millet Sect should consider themselves incredibly lucky, their ancestors' graves emitting green smoke..."
Chen Lingjun quickly added, "This kind of talk is just casual banter between us family members. Don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously, huh."
"When you're out and about, giving face to others is giving face to yourself. This principle, tsk tsk, is a bigger lesson than the sky."
The Young Daoist nodded in approval. "Fellow Daoist Lingjun is indeed honest in character and shrewd in worldly affairs."
After a few more casual remarks, Li Huai took the Young Daoist to another room. None of the group's rooms were adjacent to each other, which was, of course, because not enough money had been paid.
Chen Lingjun also made an exception and didn't rush to settle the bill.
This travel expense was paid by Song Yuan of Yi Dai Peak on behalf of Yi Dai Peak and the Yellow Millet Sect. So when Chen Lingjun had bought the boarding tokens at the ferry earlier, he had already chosen the rooms well. Song Yuan didn't even have a chance to ask the ferry for the best rooms.
The ferry rose into the air. The sea of clouds surged, and the great sun seemed to sink into a sea abyss.
When the ferry entered the territory of the Yellow Millet Kingdom, Li Huai walked out of his room and went to the stern deck.
The Young Daoist quickly followed him there, leaning on the railing. His gaze roamed, taking in the landscape of the earth below. He nodded, then suddenly squinted. "Yo! A spiritual peak rectifies the upright Qi, immortal guards borrow divine weapons. The landscape of that Lou Mountain place is quite interesting."
Reflected by the handle of the Big Dipper, the mountain seemed like a person wearing crimson clothes. A small gourd was planted deeply in the chosen ground, revealing a Treasured Life Victory Pendant in a gold fish-shaped purse.
The more the Young Daoist looked, the more amazed he became. He shook his sleeve, extended a hand, and began to calculate on his fingers.
As the patriarch of the Mountain Shifting lineage, he could grasp the 'origins and sequences' of the world at a single glance.
Li Huai had to warn him through spiritual sound, "Don't go causing trouble. These people have painstakingly built this up for over a dozen generations, and we are guests."
The Young Daoist said resentfully, "Young master, that's a hurtful thing to say. My measured speech and appropriate actions might not compare to you, but compared to Chen Ping'an, we're neck and neck, peers at best."
Li Huai dismissed it with a smile.
The Young Daoist asked tentatively, "Young master, I've spotted a place with quite a background. Shall we go and have a look? We won't touch anything, just take a close look. It might be a considerable opportunity. Anyway, it's been right under the noses of the Yellow Millet Sect and Cloud Mist Mountain for so many years, and neither group has found it. Plus, it's not within their mountain territory. According to the mountain rules of the Righteous Qi Heaven, it's something the capable can obtain."
Anyway, there were still half a month until the Yellow Millet Sect's peak-opening ceremony. It wasn't as if they were just idle.
Li Huai quickly waved his hand. "No, if you want to go, go yourself. As long as you don't break the rules, do as you please."
He had developed a psychological shadow from traveling with Pei Qian in the Northern Juzhou Continent before. He'd almost lost money.
The Young Daoist asked, "Really not going?"
Li Huai shook his head.
The Young Daoist sighed. "If the young master isn't going, I won't either."
An easily obtained opportunity, an item already in the bag... just like a cooked duck on the table, but the young master refused to sit down and eat.
Li Huai asked, "A significant opportunity?"
The Young Daoist, mistakenly thinking things had taken a turn, said solemnly, "Significant!"
Li Huai laughed. "Excellent, excellent. Now I can despair completely. Because even if I went, I'd certainly just miss it."
The Young Daoist was left speechless and stunned.
He always felt something was off, yet it seemed to make a kind of sense.
The Young Daoist let out a long sigh. Forget it, then.
The Young Daoist often felt a bit creeped out by that little girl named Guo Zhujiu's gaze.
These days, there were many conflicting rumors about the Young Daoist. One theory said that Nan Guangzhao was killed by the Young Daoist, but due to the Confucian Temple's rules, he did it covertly, using the alias 'Hao Su.' Another theory claimed that the reason Nan Guangzhao had his head cut off by the 'sword cultivator Hao Su' was that his fight with the suddenly appearing Young Daoist at the Yuanyang Islet had damaged the root of his Great Dao, forcing him to return to his sect for closed-door healing, which Hao Su exploited.
As for the third theory, it was that the Young Daoist indeed originated from the Ling Shuang Blessed Land and was a hidden old sword immortal. His real name was Hao Su, and he was the Executioner of the Sword Qi Great Wall.
Of course, the Young Daoist didn't care at all.
These were all reputations he had earned himself. The truth or falsehood of them didn't matter at all.
As long as the old blindman himself didn't object, even if the Righteous Qi Heaven said he was the old blindman's junior apprentice brother, what did it matter? 'Senior apprentice brother' would work fine too.
At the bow of the ship, Chen Lingjun and Guo Zhujiu were also enjoying the scenery. Because of his short stature, Chen Lingjun rested his chin on the railing.
Guo Zhujiu suddenly laughed. "Back in the Summer Resort Palace, Master talked about you. He said you were the one who always rushes to pay the bill."
Chen Lingjun felt a bit embarrassed. He understood the implication; the master was saying he was foolish.
Guo Zhujiu continued, "Master also said, this isn't foolishness. It's just waiting for a friend who will compete with him to pay the bill."
If you find that friend, it's the 'jianghu.' If you don't, it's still the 'jianghu.'
——
The Azure Seal Sect's mountain territory was located at the site of an ancient, shattered secret realm. Although it was not among the Cavern Heavens or Blessed Lands, it was still a genuine land of feng shui.
One of its scenic spots, the Sword-Hanging Tree, saw an unusual amount of excitement today, as two groups of distinguished guests had come to tour the area.
One group hailed from the Yu Clan dynasty, bound by honor and disgrace. The Crown Prince, Yu Linyou, accompanied by his wife Zhu Xun – whose childhood name was Qing Nu – were visiting the Azure Seal Sect as guests.
The other two were cultivators from another continent, true 'crossing dragons.' One was a handsome young man in a black robe, with an 'Old Dragon Rains' pendant hanging from his waist.
He was Fu Nanhua, the Young City Lord of Old Dragon City in Treasure Vase Continent.
The other was a young talent from the Hou Clan of Old Dragon City, named Hou Dao. This man shared the same generation on the family tree as Hou Mian, who served as the Vice-Mountain Lord of the Five Rapids Academy.
The Hou Clan was among the first to forge a connection with the old emperor of the Yu Clan, and the two sides hit it off immediately. The Hou Clan was, after all, a vassal of the Fu Clan in Old Dragon City.
As the host, the Azure Seal Sect spared no expense in its hospitality this time. Apart from the Sect Leader, Gao Shuwen, Dai Yuan was also present, responsible for overseeing the Sword-Hanging Tree scenic spot.
Besides these two Golden Core Earth Immortals, there was also Miao Yu, the Azure Seal Sect's female cultivator in charge of finances, along with a group of direct disciples from the Ancestral Temple.
Everyone who could attend was present, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
The only exception was the Discipline Master, Xu Bai, who was Gao Shuwen's direct disciple. He was currently busy elsewhere, missing this opportunity to cultivate these influential connections.
Gao Shuwen pointed to an ancient sword hanging from the old tree and smiled as he introduced, "Brother Fu, Young Master Hou, this sword is the personal sword of the sword immortal Lu Fang. He came here to travel many years ago, got drunk, and casually hung it here."
Dai Yuan grumbled inwardly. His High Ancestor Gao was truly a smooth operator, offending neither of the two distinguished guests.
A bottleneck sword immortal at the Nascent Soul stage was considered a top-tier figure, even in the former Parasol Leaf Continent.
Moreover, Lu Fang was a wild cultivator. Once he broke through his bottleneck, he had the chance to become the continent's first fifth-tier wild cultivator.
Crucially, Lu Fang was also a close mountain friend of Jiang Shangzhen. Unfortunately, Lu Fang had inexplicably disappeared for many years and didn't even reappear during that great war. There were only some rumors that Lu Fang had gone to the Guan Dao Temple in the East Sea, seeking an opportunity to break through his bottleneck as a 'banished immortal.'
Fu Nanhua silently repeated the name twice: Lu Fang.
A land-boat walking? Why take such an inauspicious name?
Fu Nanhua turned his head to look at the Crown Prince of the Yu Clan and said apologetically, "I should have personally visited the Crown Prince in Luo Jing. However, since I had to travel across continents southward this time, I needed to meet a few business partners here in the meantime. They are cultivators from other continents. I was worried that if we met in Luo Jing, it might distract the Crown Prince, who is currently overseeing the state. I had to ask Sect Leader Gao to invite the Crown Prince here for a chat instead. It is a breach of etiquette, and I must apologize to the Crown Prince."
With these words, Fu Nanhua actually bowed again to Yu Linyou, offering his apology.
Yu Linyou quickly bowed in return. "Immortal Master Fu, you flatter me."
These days, the entire continent knew that the financial backer behind the Yu Clan dynasty was not only the Hou Clan, which was apparent on the surface, but more importantly, the Fu Clan of Old Dragon City behind the Hou Clan.
Without the overt and covert support of the Fu Clan, the reconstruction of the Yu Clan dynasty would never have been so rapid, let alone its ascent to one of the Ten Great Dynasties of Parasol Leaf Continent.
However, of the current Ten Great Dynasties, nearly half had backstage backers similar to the Fu Clan. Some acted arrogantly, some were more subtle, appearing in flashes and glimpses.
Therefore, when Yu Linyou followed Gao Shuwen to the Azure Seal Sect this time, he had already mentally prepared himself to endure some silent treatment from Fu Nanhua.
City Lord Fu Qi had been in closed-door cultivation for nearly two years now.
In truth, in the post-war years, it was Fu Nanhua who had been managing the specific affairs of the Fu Clan. Fu Nanhua's two main competitors for the position of City Lord, his elder brother Fu Donghai and elder sister Fu Chunhua, had both effectively withdrawn from the race for the Old Dragon City City Lord.
But back when Fu Nanhua was only at the Viewing the Sea stage, Fu Donghai and Fu Chunhua were already Golden Core Earth Immortals, each managing a trade route, and they had done a decent job. Yet, even so, Fu Qi seemed to favor his youngest son, Fu Nanhua. Before going into seclusion, he convened an Ancestral Temple meeting. Regardless of the success of his seclusion, Fu Nanhua would succeed him as the City Lord of Old Dragon City after the spring of the next year.
In fact, before Fu Qi went into seclusion, he had already dispatched his two other children. Those two Earth Immortals were like kings appointed to fiefs outside the capital. After all, the Fu Clan had deep pockets. In the past, they had purchased a large number of mountain peaks and residences all over Treasure Vase Continent north of Old Dragon City, many lying vacant for years.
Moreover, Fu Nanhua's legally wedded wife was the direct daughter of the Yunlin Jiang Clan of Treasure Vase Continent. So, Yu Linyou had never expected the other party to be so courteous and polite towards him.
In addition, an old ancestor of the Fu Clan who was in charge of a half-immortal weapon of attack had a relationship with Fu Nanhua akin to a mountain hermit's teaching. He had been in seclusion for nearly twenty years.
Once he emerged from seclusion, the Fu Clan could gain a Jade Pure Stage cultivator. If City Lord Fu Qi also successfully broke through his realm, the Fu Clan could simultaneously have two fifth-tier cultivators.
Zhu Xun tugged at her husband's sleeve. The Crown Prince smiled and nodded, signaling with his eyes that she needn't be too cautious. Only then did she ask softly, "Immortal Master Fu, I've heard that the women of your Fu Clan are often heroes and hold very high status in the family. Many have even served as City Lords of Old Dragon City?"
Fu Nanhua laughed. "That is indeed true. Our Fu Clan has never discriminated against women. Outsiders might even think we value women over men."
Zhu Xun indeed had a very good impression of this refined Young City Lord.
Half of it was due to a favorable impression at first sight, and half was due to the contrast when comparing people with others.
Take, for example, the Golden Amber Kingdom, which ranked last among the Ten Great Dynasties. The current Son of Heaven's path to the throne was extremely tortuous. It involved a power struggle between cultivators from other continents and local cultivators. Ultimately, a sect from the Rocky Snow Continent won, and the local bigwigs couldn't suppress the 'crossing dragons.' As a result, nearly half of the important ministers in the capital's Nine Ministries were secretly named by this foreign sect. The emperor was only responsible for issuing the edicts.
Rumor had it that the immortals of this sect would yell at the civil and military officials of the Golden Amber Kingdom like scolding their own sons, even pointing fingers in their faces, at the slightest disagreement.
Later, a Vice-Mountain Lord from Tianmu Academy, Wen Yu, personally made a trip to the Golden Amber Kingdom. Only then did that foreign immortal mansion, which was practically the emperor's father, restrain itself a bit.
Soon after, an old Confucian scholar from Tianmu Academy with the title of 'Sage,' along with a young 'Worthy' from Big Bowl Academy named Yang Pu, respectively became the Golden Amber Kingdom's Minister of Rites and the Junior Chamberlain of the Court of State Ceremonial.
Shortly after, the Jiang Clan's Yunku Cavern Heaven from the Jade Scepter Sect inexplicably lent the Golden Amber Kingdom a huge sum of interest-free money, explicitly stipulating that the Junior Chamberlain, Yang Pu, would be responsible for all expenditures of this fund. How could an official from the Court of State Ceremonial manage financial and tax matters? It was complete chaos. The Golden Amber Kingdom court had no choice but to temporarily create a transitional official position called 'Chief Commandant of Expenditure,' tailor-made for Yang Pu.
Yu Linyou said softly, "May I be so bold as to ask about Immortal Master Fu's current realm?"
If he was a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, it wouldn't hurt to invite him to be the national teacher of the Yu Clan dynasty, would it?
Fu Nanhua said self-deprecatingly, "I am ashamed to say, I am only a Golden Core."
The Azure Seal Sect's only two Golden Core Earth Immortals, Gao Shuwen, upon hearing this, remained expressionless and composed. Dai Yuan, however, secretly grinned while keeping a straight face.
A Golden Core Earth Immortal so young, saying he is ashamed... but here, there are actually three people at the Golden Core stage. Who is the oldest? Who has stagnated the longest? It's certainly not me, Dai Yuan!
That woman surnamed Miao frowned slightly, only to meet the cold gaze of a sword-wielding maidservant beside Fu Nanhua.
This female cultivator in charge of the Azure Seal Sect's finances felt a chill run down her spine instantly. She immediately restrained her expression and dared not act presumptuously.
The relationship between the two neighboring continents, north and south, had undergone earth-shaking changes.
In the past, people from the south were the big shots when they came to Treasure Vase Continent.
Now, on Parasol Leaf Continent, those from the north were all formidable characters.
Fu Nanhua, in truth, did not have the leisure to intentionally mock Gao Shuwen and Dai Yuan, these two old Golden Cores.
After all, compared to some of his peers from back in the day, wasn't he himself also an 'old Golden Core'?
Thinking back to the group that traveled to Li Zhu Cavern Heaven, not to mention Jiang Yun, who was now practically a relative, or even Cai Jinjian of Cloud Mist Mountain—back then, whether in terms of cultivation aptitude or gained opportunities, Fu Nanhua looked down on her from a superior position. And now, even she had become a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. Not only had she become the master of Green Juniper Peak early on, but after reaching Nascent Soul, she had become a highly ranked female ancestral master in the Cloud Mist Mountain Ancestral Temple.
As for himself, he hadn't even seen the bottleneck of the Golden Core stage.
It was a good thing that Cloud Mist Mountain hadn't become a Sect. Otherwise, if he went there to offer congratulations and met Cai Jinjian, Fu Nanhua wouldn't know what to talk about with her.
As for a certain someone, he wouldn't even mention it.
Just thinking about him was vexing for Fu Nanhua. From initial unwillingness, to complete despair, then to a chill in his heart, and finally to simply not thinking about him if he could help it.
He was once such an ant-like, mud-footed brat from the countryside.
Fu Nanhua let out a faint sigh deep within. The past is unbearable to look back on.
Since he couldn't bear to look back, he would only look forward.
He heard that the peak master of Gengyun Peak, Huang Zhonghou, had performed a great and extraordinary service, essentially helping Cloud Mist Mountain through a crisis. As a result, the female mountain lord quickly convened an Ancestral Temple meeting and passed a resolution. Huang Zhonghou was about to become the new mountain lord of Cloud Mist Mountain, an extraordinary promotion at the Golden Core stage.
He was also the first Golden Core stage mountain lord in the history of Cloud Mist Mountain.
The Fu Clan had already received an invitation. After returning to Treasure Vase Continent, Fu Nanhua would soon head to Cloud Mist Mountain to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new sect leader.
Fu Nanhua was familiar with Cai Jinjian, but he had never had much interaction with that drunkard Huang Zhonghou. They had never been on the same page.
Since they had already visited the scenic spots, Gao Shuwen took his leave with the others, leaving the two groups of outsiders to chat privately. As the host of the Sword-Hanging Tree, Dai Yuan naturally had to keep the guests company.
Yu Linyou exchanged some pleasantries with Fu Nanhua before taking his wife and departing.
Before Fu Nanhua descended the mountain, the Crown Prince of the Yu Clan would certainly seek out Fu Nanhua privately again.
Fu Nanhua said to Dai Yuan with a smile, "I am a newcomer and know very little about the Azure Seal Sect. May I ask what specific position Immortal Master Dai currently holds in your esteemed sect? Are you the Discipline Master, or do you manage the treasury?"
Dai Yuan replied with utmost respect, "In reply to Immortal Master Fu, this humble one's talents are shallow and he is unworthy of great responsibility. However, Sect Leader Gao has shown me great kindness. Besides overseeing the Sword-Hanging Tree, I also manage the business of a well called the Green Pearl Well."
Of course, he didn't believe a word of the other party's polite nonsense. With the methods of the Fu Clan from Old Dragon City, they had probably already investigated the Azure Seal Sect's background thoroughly, down to the sect's ancestors, eighteen generations back.
Fu Nanhua frowned slightly at first, as if puzzled, but then quickly showed an expression of sudden understanding. "I suppose Sect Leader Gao was worried that too many mundane affairs would hinder Fellow Daoist Dai's cultivation."
Poor Dai Yuan's heart lifted, only to fall again.
Fu Nanhua asked again, "And what about Fellow Daoist Dai's position in Luo Jing?"
Dai Yuan replied, "By the grace of His Majesty, I currently serve as an inner court consecrated elder."
Fu Nanhua said, "I heard that while the consecrated elders of the Yu Clan's inner court are not formally ranked, there is still an order of precedence within?"
Dai Yuan said cautiously, "There are about thirty of us. I am in the upper-middle range. However, our Sect Leader Gao holds the second seat, second only to the Guardian of the Nation from the Jicui Temple."
Fu Nanhua hummed in acknowledgment, then remarked casually, "..."
But Dai Yuan's heart suddenly burned with intensity.
First, Immortal Master Cui, and now Immortal Master Fu—both had seemingly approached him on their own initiative.
Could this be the legendary double happiness?!
Ever since suffering that undeserved calamity at Taiping Mountain, that nest of trouble, it seemed his luck had begun to change.
Should he find an opportunity to return to the ruins of Taiping Mountain and burn three sticks of incense?
Looking back, that place was truly a blessed land for him!
After parting with Fu Nanhua, Dai Yuan walked along a mountain path towards the Green Pearl Well. He noticed Gao Bai seemed to be waiting for him on the way. With no choice, he pinched his nose and called out, "Senior Uncle."
As Gao Bai was the direct disciple of the High Ancestor, if one only considered the genealogical seniority, Dai Yuan indeed had to call him 'Senior Uncle.'
But the problem was that the mountain had its own rules. Dai Yuan was a solid Golden Core Earth Immortal, while the other was merely a Dragon Gate stage cultivator. At the very least, they should be considered equals. In a sect with stricter rules, the other party should even respectfully perform the junior's salute. Yet this fellow, relying on being the High Ancestor's proud disciple and his position as Discipline Master, would still call Dai Yuan 'Junior Disciple Nephew' in daily life.
Gao Bai asked with a smile, "Junior Disciple Nephew Dai, you look to be in excellent spirits today. Are you perhaps about to go into seclusion and break through your realm?"
His master had told him in private that unless Dai Yuan had incredibly good luck and some other opportunity outside the sect, he would spend his entire life stuck at the Golden Core stage. There was no need to take him too seriously.
Dai Yuan replied with a smile, "Not at all, not at all. As they say, a Golden Core is hard to find, and a bottleneck is even less likely. I'm merely happy in spirit due to this joyful occasion."
Late in the year, the mountain flowers along the path were still in full bloom. Fu Nanhua slowly strolled back to his temporary residence in the mountains. He habitually lowered his head and exhaled a breath, a misty white cloud forming before his eyes. He looked up, rubbed his hands together, and said, "Hou Dao, my visit to Five Rapids Academy next to pay respects to Hou Mian can only be considered a try. Whether it succeeds or not, I can make no guarantees."
Convincing Hou Mian to return to his hometown for ancestral worship would be no easy task. Hou Mian, born a concubine's son, had suffered countless grievances within his family, and these were not minor matters like enduring harsh words.
If it were Fu Nanhua himself, he would also choose to sever ties with the clan, never to interact with them again in this life. Not settling old scores with the Hou Clan would already be an act of great magnanimity.
Hou Dao nodded. "Let's try. If it really doesn't work, then forget it."
Hou Dao said helplessly, "If it were in the Fu Clan, such a mess would never occur. It's not a matter of money; the real problem is the family's values. Otherwise, even though our Hou Clan can't compare to the Fu Clan in heritage, how could we not be able to scrape together a few dozen silver taels for medicine?"
Fu Nanhua laughed. "The one who tied the bell must untie it. If your grandfather is willing to show his face personally and take the initiative to admit his mistake to Hou Mian, the chances of success will be much greater."
Hou Dao felt deeply helpless. He just shook his head. For the sake of his elder's dignity, he said nothing more.
Every family has its own hard-to-recite sutra.
To the older generation, 'face' was more important than heaven itself.
Fu Nanhua didn't belabor the point or rub salt in Hou Dao's wounds. He only said a thought-provoking phrase. "The very reason the Hou Clan has amassed its current fortune is also the reason for its current predicament."
Hou Dao sighed.
Fu Nanhua laughed. "If you become the family head in the future, there will still be a chance to make amends. After all, back then within the family, you were the only one who maintained some goodwill with Hou Mian. When I went to Guanhu Academy back then, Hou Mian was only willing to talk about members of the Hou Clan when it came to you."
Hou Dao nodded. "As you just said, there is a reason why Hou Mian could become a Vice-Mountain Lord of an academy."
Previously, the Fu Clan and a few other major surnames in Old Dragon City had all their cross-continental ferries requisitioned by the Da Li court. Escorted by the Water God through the Poleis, they were sent to the Barbarian Wilderness Heaven. There were six ferries in total: Fan Clan's Osmanthus Island, Sun Clan's Mountain Sea Turtle. And the Fu Clan, besides their ancient exotic beast 'Swallow Treasure Whale,' also had a floating mountain built with money paid to the Mohist School, once known as the 'Mini Hanging Mountain.' This was actually the prototype of the later Da Li dynasty's Mountain Boat.
But almost overnight, all the major families of Old Dragon City seemed to have acquired an extra cross-continental ferry, except for the Ding Clan. There were rumors in the mountains that this was the handiwork of the Da Li Song Clan, effectively selling them to Old Dragon City at half price.
Besides the Fu Clan, the Sun, Fang, Hou, Ding, and Fan Clans were once the great families of Old Dragon City.
After Old Dragon City lost its Sea of Clouds, the Fu Clan still possessed three half-immortal weapons.
The Fan Clan had once been regarded by the Hou Clan as the Fu Clan's watchdog, scraping by on leftovers, not starving but never full.
But now, who on Treasure Vase Continent would dare to underestimate the Fan Clan? Only Fan Junmao, Fan Er's older sister, was a noble female mountain lord of the continent's Southern Peak.
She could sit as an equal with the Fu Clan.
Currently, the Ding Clan was in the most difficult and precarious position. Their biggest backer in the past was a direct disciple of the ancestor temple on the southern Parasol Leaf Continent, who was also the closed-door disciple of the discipline master. But the Ding Clan had suffered two consecutive upheavals. The first was attracting a foreign martial artist, which plunged the entire Ascension City into a huge storm. The second involved a cultivator from another continent, nominally a half-son-in-law of the Ding Clan. His sect, the Parasol Leaf Sect, had fallen from being the leading mountain power on the continent to its current sorry state. Since the Parasol Leaf Sect was in such a mess, what could a so-called direct disciple stir up? Furthermore, this person's Dao master had betrayed the Parasol Leaf Sect and defected to the Jade Scepter Sect. Instead of becoming the sect leader of a subordinate sect, it was like a stone ox entering the sea; he completely disappeared without a trace at the True Realm Sect by the Book and Bamboo Lake.
He was rumored to have been killed by Jiang Shangzhen.
As a result, the Ding Clan's position became even more awkward.
Fu Nanhua laughed at himself. "Not as good as those above, better than those below."
After a moment, Fu Nanhua suddenly said through spiritual sound, with a smile, "It must be hard for you, staying by my side."
That 'maidservant' replied expressionlessly, "Bad fate. Nothing to be done about it."
Fu Nanhua was momentarily speechless.
This woman was a retainer and a death warrior that his father Fu Qi had recruited for him before going into seclusion.
Fu Qi hadn't detailed her origins. To this day, Fu Nanhua only knew her name was Qing Tao, and she was from the Central Earth. In her early years, she had traveled to Parasol Leaf Continent once with her master and two senior sisters. After the mission was accomplished, they parted ways. She followed her master's orders and headed north alone, tasked with finding someone. Qing Tao had never revealed her true age, but she hadn't hidden her strength from Fu Nanhua. She was both a Golden Body martial artist and a Golden Core Qi refiner.
In the eyes of outsiders, the maidservant Qing Tao standing beside Fu Nanhua seemed like a comforting flower.
But Fu Nanhua always had an illusion that he was actually walking alongside a block of ice, sending chills down his spine.
In late winter of last year, Fu Nanhua was ambushed in a carefully planned assassination attempt on his way home. It was the maidservant Qing Tao who dealt with the assassins, and Fu Nanhua only needed to watch from the sidelines from start to finish.
The true foundation of the Azure Seal Sect was a mountain market known as the 'White Jade Cavern Heaven.' On the mountain peak was a Snow Lake, where snow had accumulated for a thousand years without melting, and the lake water was frozen. Every hundred years or so, a half-real, half-fake White Jade Palace would appear, with magnificent jade buildings and a bustling populace. Direct disciples of the sect could enter it using the Ancestral Temple's Gold and Jade Identification Tablets, encountering endless opportunities. The current sect leader, Gao Shuwen, had obtained an immortal destiny in the mountain market.
However, 'White Jade Cavern Heaven' was a self-proclaimed title by the Azure Seal Sect. They also had another self-proclaimed epithet: 'Little Li Zhu Cavern Heaven.'
There was a slender youth squatting on the railing. He had extremely long eyebrows, giving him a cold, sharp aura.
This youth, originally a wild cultivator, was chewing on a blade of sweet grass.
A knife was tucked under his arm.
Beside the railing stood a tall, old man who was coughing incessantly.
The youth casually spat out the chewed-up grass root and asked, "Old Han, can a few drinks of that Green Pearl Well water really make a woman glow and look years younger?"
The old man smiled. With two fingers pressed together, he lightly tapped two of his own acupoints to stop the coughing. "You believe such lies to fool ghosts?"
"Then there certainly aren't any flood dragons in the Dragon Summoning Pool, right?"
"It's just a descendant of the flood dragon lineage, with an impure bloodline. In the mundane world, that would be a relative so distant it's out of the mourning range. Its Great Dao achievements are limited. At best, it could break through to Golden Core, and that would be the end of the road."
"You, a martial artist, can see through these mountain tricks with just a few glances?"
"I may not have eaten pork, but I've seen a pig run."
The youth stared blankly into the distance and asked, "Old Han, does the Azure Tiger Palace really have no Feathering Pills left, or are they just unwilling to sell to us?"
The old man laughed and scolded, "You brat, when you talk to someone, you should look them in the eye. Don't you understand even this basic rule of etiquette? From now on, don't expect to learn a single fist or half a kick from me."
The youth still didn't turn his head. He said to himself, "Since the names of Fu Nanhua and Old Dragon City aren't working, why don't you just directly announce your own name? Han Wan Zhan of Golden Armor Continent, the Grandmaster who crushed an entire continent with his fist—that would be quite intimidating. Here in Parasol Leaf Continent, Old Han, your martial world status is probably about equal to Martial Saint Wu Shu, right? Maybe even higher?"
The old man shook his head. "I heard from Fu Nanhua that there has always been a grudge between Lu Yong of the Azure Tiger Palace and martial artists from the mortal world. The feud is substantial. So, they detest us fist-fighters the most. Besides, I'm a foreigner. Even if I announced my name, Lu Yong wouldn't take it too seriously."
The youth sneered, "Then why did they give two furnaces of Feathering Pills to Pusan Mountain's Caotang Hall?"
"That Pu Shan, Huang Yi Yun, is at most a Return to Truth stage ultimate realm martial artist. Can she beat you?"
The old man laughed heartily. "In the past, the outcome of a fight would have been certain, of course. It's hard to say now."
The youth frowned. "And you can still laugh?"
"Losing a fistfight to a woman isn't shameful. If I ran into Pei Bei, who doesn't lose a fistfight?"
The old man gently patted the railing. "Besides, that girl Zheng, the Yu Juanfu from Central Earth Divine Continent, the Pure Emerald of Azure Spirit Mountain, the slightly older ones like Liu Suiyu from the Thunder God Temple in Rocky Snow Continent – they are all outstanding female martial artists."
"Especially that girl Zheng. Hmm, Pei Qian from Fallen Mountain. I have high hopes for her."
The youth said impatiently, "How many times have you talked about her? Aren't you tired of it?"
The martial artist the youth called 'Old Han' was none other than the number one martial artist of Golden Armor Continent, Han Guang Hu.
Years ago, at the Sword Master Hall on Hanging Mountain, there was a shadow wall, much like the wanted posters put up by mortal government offices, plastered with bounty lists.
Back when Chen Ping'an first traveled to Hanging Mountain, he saw three familiar names on the wanted list. Cui Chan, the Embroidered Tiger; Xu Ruo, the Mohist Ranger; and the Da Li Prince, Song Changjing.
His Senior Brother, Cui Chan, had six bounties on his head, all from different posters across four continents. This showed just how unpopular the Embroidered Tiger was among the Righteous Qi Heaven's mountains back then.
Xu Ruo and Song Changjing also had one bounty each. The poster for the former was signed by 'Liu Rongxi, the Bishui Yuanjun of Zheng Rong Lake.'
As for the person who placed the bounty on Da Li's Song Changjing, it was signed 'Han Wan Zhan of Golden Armor Continent,' which was the 'Old Han' this youth was talking about.
Han Guang Hu laughed. "Your Treasure Vase Continent is really something. The feng shui is strange. Over the years, it's made my old face slap itself, burning with pain."
The youth's name was Jian Ming. He was from Treasure Vase Continent, originally from a small vassal state of the former Zhu Ying dynasty.
However, Jian Ming's homeland wasn't destroyed by the demon army. In the early days of the Da Li Iron Cavalry's southward march, the Stone Hair Kingdom, as one of the vassals of the Zhu Ying Dugu Clan, fought to the last man to block the Da Li dynasty, eventually holding their capital to the death and refusing to surrender. But the Da Li dynasty did not retaliate against the Stone Hair Kingdom. Instead, they treated it quite favorably, allowing its restoration. Later, Prince Han Jingling ascended the throne.
Jian Ming gave himself a bizarre three-character Daoist name: 'Yue Ren Ge' (Song of the Yue People).
He pulled a jade pendant from his sleeve and gently rubbed it.
One side of the pendant was inscribed with three characters: "Cloud Mist Mountain." The other side was engraved with a section of Cloud Mist Mountain's Daoist secret poem.
Jian Ming, now with a youthful face, had found this pendant by chance in a snowstorm when he was truly a boy.
A middle-aged man in a thick cotton robe, with a long sword at his waist, walked over from a distance.
Jian Ming immediately jumped down from the railing, his expression respectful, and addressed him as 'Mr. Zeng.'
Logically, Jian Ming should have called him 'Master.' However, the master and disciple had agreed not to address each other as such in public.
The middle-aged man nodded, walked up to the old man, and together they gazed at the scenery around the Green Pearl Well.
As for the knife tucked under Jian Ming's arm, it was said that Mr. Zeng had gifted it to someone in his early years, and Jian Ming was sent to retrieve it.
If he successfully retrieved the knife, Mr. Zeng would accept him as an unregistered disciple.
As a gift for taking him as a disciple, the knife was presented to Gao Jian.
So Gao Jian had traveled south across the sea to Parasol Leaf Continent at a very young age, making a trip to Mirage City in the Great Spring Dynasty.
Then, according to the agreement, after succeeding, he waited at Qingjing Mountain.
This knife was the famous lost knife from Yao Lingzhi's possession, the great dynastic heirloom of the Great Spring Dynasty, the Dharma Knife 'Famous Spring.'
"Mr. Zeng, since we're already on Parasol Leaf Continent, can you still not tell me why you've called me here?"
The old man said impatiently, condensing his voice into a single thread of sound, and asked the mysterious Mr. Zeng by his side. It had been over a hundred years since their last meeting, and the other's appearance hadn't changed at all. But the problem was that the other party had claimed to be a pure martial artist back then.
On the mountain path now were Fu Nanhua, his personal maidservant, Hou Dao.
Plus Han Guang Hu, Jian Ming, and this Mr. Zeng at the mountain top.
Their group was like a dinner party where a friend calls another friend, and the group kept growing.
Mr. Zeng laughed. "Don't rush. Wait a few more days."
Han Guang Hu remembered something and asked with a smile, "Was Ma Quxian really knocked down a realm by that young Hidden Official?"
Mr. Zeng nodded. "Absolutely true."
Han Guang Hu asked curiously, "Was Pei Bei's senior disciple incompetent, or was Chen Ping'an just too powerful?"
Mr. Zeng laughed. "Perhaps it was a bit of both."
Han Guang Hu said doubtfully, "You seem to know this young man quite well?"
Mr. Zeng shook his head. "Not really well. I only fought him once, in my early years. At that time, I went to Treasure Vase Continent to collect an old debt. It was a very coincidental thing."
Thinking back to the snowstorm in the Stone Hair Kingdom, there was a young man wearing a blue cotton robe.
Han Guang Hu glanced at the long sword at Mr. Zeng's waist. "In my opinion, even if you added up all the four biggest headaches in the mountains, they wouldn't be a match for your profession."
The scabbard was real, but it was a trick. Inside the scabbard was actually a straight saber.
This Mr. Zeng was a 'Credit-Knife Peddler.'
Of course, not every Credit-Knife Peddler in the world necessarily carried a knife.
The reason Han Guang Hu knew about the saber hidden in the scabbard was that he had seen it with his own eyes as a youth. At the time, he had just started learning fist techniques, practicing some fancy moves that looked good but were useless. It was only after Mr. Zeng appeared that he could truly be said to have begun learning martial arts. That was how he later became Han Wan Zhan of Golden Armor Continent, the martial artist Han Guang Hu who ruled a continent with his fists.
Mr. Zeng smiled slightly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Han Guang Hu asked, "That young lady by Fu Nanhua's side, is she the one who infiltrated the Luo Jing of the Yu Clan dynasty and cut off the emperor's head?"
Mr. Zeng laughed. "She couldn't have done it. It was her master who made the move."
Han Guang Hu clicked his tongue in wonder. "A whole bunch of strange characters and odd affairs."
Mr. Zeng nodded. "Since it's a grand structure unseen in ten thousand years, it's inevitable that big fish will burst even the biggest nets."
Han Guang Hu said, "If I get the chance, I must see for myself how heavy Chen Ping'an's fists really are."
Mr. Zeng looked askance at his half-disciple, Jian Ming, before turning his gaze back to the distant view.
Who could rival that fist under heaven? Cao and Chen.
——
A waning moon, sparse parasol trees. The wind blew, ripples emerged. Rustling ancient thickets, the hills and rivers were illuminated together.
The next moment, the world's scene abruptly flipped like a copper coin turning over, and the parasol tree was gone.
A young man in a flowing white robe, his body enormous, was sitting cross-legged amidst a patch of golden leaves. His form was as majestic as a mountain peak, and the fallen leaves were like a golden sea.
His face was youthful, but his expression was extremely aged. Especially his eyes – one was golden, the other snow white, like the sun and the moon hanging together.
In comparison, the young Hidden Official in a bright red dharma robe and Xiao Mo holding a walking staff were like two mustard seeds floating on the sea surface.
At this moment, Chen Ping'an had twin sabers at his waist, his palm pressing against the saber handle. A long sword, 'Night Travel,' hovered at his side. He looked up at the ancient existence whose body was the Demon Suppression Tower.
He remembered that in the Barbarian Wilderness Heaven, he had passed by a great mountain called Azure Hill using the Three Mountains Talisman. The appearance of that mountain lord was seventy to eighty percent similar to the one before him.
The great mountain lord with the Dao name 'Bi Wu,' with double pupils and eight-colored brows, flowing hair, wearing crimson clothes and straw sandals, exuded an ancient and profound Dao aura.
However, it was unclear what relationship the mountain lord Bi Wu had with this parasol tree.
According to the earliest records of the Confucian Temple, which were relatively simple, they roughly classified certain beings in heaven and earth into two types: 'Miraculous' and 'Bizarre.'
Xiao Mo gently twirled his green bamboo staff, smiling. "Fellow Daoist, with such a high dharma appearance, you've given me a sore neck looking up at you."
On this trip, it was because he was traveling by his master's side that Xiao Mo was being so civil. If it were ten thousand years ago, he would have long since tried to get to the bottom of things.
In the ancient era, heaven was so high and earth so vast, the territory so broad that the land area of all five worlds combined in later times didn't even come close. Among them, the human population was insignificant in the early stages. So-called reproduction and branching out was merely a struggle for survival, a bare existence. It was only when spell arts rained down upon the human world like rain, and cultivators of various origins spread like weeds, that humans, as the most suitable primordial spirits for cultivation, almost became 'heaven-born Daoists.' Consequently, almost all races needed to refine their forms into human shapes to become Earth Immortals through the two Ascension Platforms, or to achieve eternal life, so that they could walk far and high on the path of cultivation.
But Xiao Mo, despite being born of the demon race, ultimately stood among the highest echelon of 'Daoists' on the earth.
He laughed, shrank his form to the same size as the two uninvited guests, and his eyes returned to normal. He was wearing a green dharma robe, with only his two sleeves being extremely long. He took a step forward, dragging his two large sleeves, and walked straight to the edge of the golden leaf territory. He didn't take another half step forward. His two sleeves hung straight down, and he introduced himself, "My Dao name is Qing Tong."
He saw that the Flying Ascension stage peak sword cultivator, wearing a yellow hat, green shoes, and holding a green bamboo staff, squinted and said with a smile, "Xiao Mo, my Dao name is Xi Zhu."
Qing Tong glanced at the bright red dharma robe. Besides the hovering long sword, there was a talisman. Because Chen Ping'an had lingered too long in the final illusionary world, it was the eleventh talisman.
Qing Tong sighed emotionally. "I haven't seen a 'Sudden Talisman' like this in many years."
Chen Ping'an said, "Sudden Talisman? A good name."
According to the records in the 'True Mark of the Elixir Book,' it was called the 'White Colt Passing a Gap Talisman,' also known as the 'Moon Talisman.'
Every time a talisman burned out, a white colt would appear briefly, jumping and galloping.
Qing Tong nodded. "This talisman was created by the Coiling Hand, Sect Leader Lu. It was derived from the Taoist Ancestor's great talisman, the 'Ten Thousand Year Bridge.' That year, Lu Chen named it the 'Sudden Talisman.'"
That year, before Lu Chen traveled to the Azure Firmament Heaven, not yet the third sect leader of the White Jade Capital, he sailed the seas for many years. Once, he left his boat and landed on Parasol Leaf Continent, making a special trip to the Demon Suppression Tower. Similar to Chen Ping'an, he 'traveled through the mountains and rivers' along the way. Bored, Lu Chen drew this Sudden Talisman. But the material of the talisman was extremely rare. When Lu Chen originally drew it with cupped water, the water he cupped was from the River of Time. One can imagine how high the threshold was for this Sudden Talisman.
The talisman hovering beside Chen Ping'an had clearly been simplified by some expert. Qing Tong could be certain it wasn't personally made by Lu Chen because he saw a different artistic conception of Dao Law on the talisman.
In ancient times, the bluebird fluttered gracefully, with the reputation of 'carrying the blue sky,' traveling between heaven and earth, delivering the decrees of the Heavenly Court. The white colt passing a gap, on the other hand, only roamed within the River of Time.
Qing Tong asked with a smile, "How did you discover me?"
Earlier, when Chen Ping'an and Xiao Mo first entered the Demon Suppression Tower, Xiao Mo looked up at the sky, while the green-robed sword immortal walking behind him looked down at the ground. He even stamped on it a few times.
Both of their gazes were actually correct in their own way.
One was looking up at the true body of the parasol tree, while the other was looking down, as if 'facing' the ancient Daoist who had passed through time.
Chen Ping'an's voice was hoarse, with a slight hint of sarcasm. "Since you had your suspicions about my identity, how dare you still open your eyes and look down?"
Qing Tong began to pace, but sideways, walking along the border between the golden leaves and the realm of the Absolute Void. He asked curiously, "How did you find out about this?"
"How did I find out?"
Chen Ping'an sneered. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?"
The cultivators who 'confirmed this matter,' besides the three religious patriarchs who jointly visited their hometown town, were probably only Lu Chen and Zou Zi.
Zou Zi would certainly not stir up any extra trouble. As for Lu Chen, after leaving the Sword Qi Great Wall, he hadn't come to Parasol Leaf Continent. He had only gone to Treasure Vase Continent and Northern Juzhou Continent.
Xiao Mo listened, feeling a bit confused. Identity? What other identity could his master have that would make Qing Tong so wary? Earlier, from Qing Tong's tone, it was bigger than heaven. It clearly showed that he didn't take the identity of the Hidden Official of the Sword Qi Great Wall seriously at all. Was it related to that 'one'? But that didn't seem right. If it really had something to do with that 'one,' would Qing Tong still be so evasive and mysterious? Wouldn't he have just knelt down and kowtowed immediately?
One of the Five Supremes, the Sword Bearer.
What was a parasol tree worth?
Firewood for cooking?
That would depend on whether it was worthy.
Chen Ping'an laughed. "Qing Tong guessed that I am that ancient Heavenly Court's Sovereign, the 'One' that even the three religious patriarchs are wary of. So much so that the Taoist Ancestor even walked and talked with me the whole way in the small town."
This was the first time he had told Xiao Mo about this matter.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mo was silent for a moment. "That would make sense. No, that's how it should be."
Chen Ping'an hadn't expected Xiao Mo to give such an answer.
It was not without reason that Xiao Mo could get along so well on Fallen Mountain. Just based on this one sentence, he could secure a place in the top three, enough to compete with the words of his senior disciple Pei Qian: "Master's realm must not be calculated by simply doubling it."
This was a misunderstanding by the young mountain lord of the Honored Elder Xiao Mo.
After Xiao Mo had 'sealed' part of his memories and emotions, he followed Chen Ping'an on their journey. For example, in the capital of Da Li, Xiao Mo had long had a similar feeling.
At the time, he felt that the master by his side was very much like the 'person' he had once seen.
But precisely because he was very similar, Xiao Mo had previously thought it was impossible. It was plausible but not true. All similar people, matters, and things were, of course, not truly the same.
But if the master by his side was truly 'that person,' Xiao Mo wouldn't mind. In fact, he quite looked forward to it.
Ten thousand years ago, during that Heaven Ascension Campaign, due to the inheritance of his own sword technique lineage and some personal grudges, Xiao Mo ultimately chose not to raise his sword. From beginning to end, like his fellow Daoist, the Cavern Lord of Bi Xiao Cavern, he merely stood by with folded arms. If ten thousand years later, there was another Heaven Ascension, Xiao Mo was willing to follow the person by his side and climb high together.
Having this thought, Xiao Mo immediately became spirited. Why not use this parasol tree, which was nothing more than ordinary ten thousand years ago, as a warm-up for his skills?
However, since Xiao Mo never considered this 'Qing Tong' worth bothering with in the first place, his greater thought was still about breaking through his realm. He had to break through quickly. If he couldn't reach the 14th stage, he would be utterly inadequate.
Back then, just Yang Zhi and Zhu Yan were enough to render him helpless and return empty-handed. Besides, ten thousand years later, the number of 14th stage cultivators across all the worlds combined could still be counted on one hand. But after the three religious patriarchs 'scattered their Dao,' they would become numerous. Because that would be the greatest 'Dao Law Rain Fall' ever, unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated.
"Have you heard of a prophecy from Zou Zi?"
Qing Tong asked himself and then answered, "You must have heard of it, and you have long since deliberated over it meticulously. Given your always cautious and meticulous nature, you must have come prepared."
It was that prophecy that circulated only among the mountain peaks.
The phoenix follows the wind from heaven, perches on the parasol's branch. On the day peach and plum flowers bloom in the spring breeze, the phoenix dies when the clear autumn leaves fall. The simple transmits the quiet and true, thus revealing the ancient man.
Chen Ping'an said calmly, "Just don't take it seriously."
This was a saying from Zheng Juzhong, very fitting for this time and place.
Qing Tong seemed to have never expected such an answer. He tilted his head slightly, examining this green-robed guest whose name shook several worlds.
Righteous Qi, Barbarian Wilderness, Azure Firmament, Lotus, and Five Colors.
All knew this person's name.
Qing Tong stopped walking and turned his head. "I have answered your question. Now it's your turn."
Chen Ping'an said, "Riding a donkey to search for a donkey was an obvious reminder."
Earlier, Qing Tong had arranged two donkeys for the two unwanted guests, allowing them to ride and observe the landscape.
At the time, Chen Ping'an and Xiao Mo casually said, "Take things as they come."
Come to what place?
For example, there was once a supreme being who would occasionally descend the two Ascension Platforms step by step, arriving in the human world.
And this realm had always been a very hidden 'downhill path.'
Compared to this, the subsequent 'One Leaf Obscuring the Eye' was child's play.
This parasol tree was willing to guess this way, so Chen Ping'an rode the donkey downhill, happy to take the opportunity when given.
On one hand, Xiao Mo marveled at his master's thoughtful planning. On the other hand, he grumbled inwardly. This parasol tree had cultivated for ten thousand years, obtained a protective talisman from the Confucian Temple, had no natural enemies and no worries, and yet this was all it could cultivate—just these tricky thoughts?
Qing Tong suddenly realized. "It's not without reason that Chen Qingdu chose you to be the last Hidden Official."
Xiao Mo reminded him, "Qing Tong, you should show a little respect to the Great Sword Immortal."
Qing Tong was a bit puzzled upon hearing this. You, a demon sword cultivator who once fought to the life and death with Yuan Xiang and Dragon Lord, how could you have become so respectful to Chen Qingdu?
"This hospitality is much more interesting than when I, as a junior, accidentally stumbled into the depths of the lotus pond."
Chen Ping'an gently tapped the hilt of his saber with his palm. "Senior has been meticulously scheming and painstakingly thoughtful."
For example, in just the first illusory realm, the gaze of that Chess Attendant reached out to touch a brand new world.
The world's scene would change from an ink-wash painting to a meticulous brushwork painting, simultaneously transforming from a landscape painting with only black and white into a blue-green landscape painting.
Later, encountering the old woman in the fields signified the principle that 'there is always a sky above the sky, and there are always people beyond people.'
Therefore, when Chen Ping'an used the 'Colorful Cloud Score' to suppress the old woman and her companion, the words were uttered: "Is the art of chess in later generations already so advanced?"
Chen Ping'an was simply too lazy to beat around the bush with the other party, so he directly tore off the window paper and said bluntly, "I suppose the way of chess is like the way of the world; it always tends to go higher."
Moreover, Qing Tong had a deeper intention.
If Chen Ping'an was the 'One,' the Chess Attendant, then he could possess the heaven-defying creation of 'taking one look, and heaven and earth come into being.'
At the same time, that 'One' was also the old woman and her companion living in seclusion in the mountains, uninterested in worldly affairs. Chen Ping'an, on the other hand, became another 'One' of the later generations. The two had a reunion; the former felt a sense of unfamiliarity with the current world.
When Chen Ping'an separated from Xiao Mo and went alone to read a book on the government road, the pages were blank. At that time, a natural thought arose in Chen Ping'an's mind: this parasol tree's method of creating the world was too crude. It could only be considered an impoverished landscape. If it were he himself, it would be watertight...
And this in itself was a clever test and subtle hint from Qing Tong. 'I, Qing Tong, cannot do it. You, this 'One,' can.'
But Chen Ping'an always had an indescribable feeling, as if Qing Tong was in a very contradictory state. He had long ago identified him as the 'One,' yet he dared not believe it, or rather, he was unwilling for Chen Ping'an to truly be that existence.
Chen Ping'an, with his stooped figure, stared at the distant Qing Tong and suddenly asked, "What strength are you now?"
Xiao Mo knew this was going to be very interesting.
Because Xiao Mo knew that his master rarely faced a mountain predecessor directly using a blunt 'you' as an opening remark.
Then, what followed would definitely not be a simple exchange of pointers.
Qing Tong smiled slightly. "Probably equivalent to a Flying Ascension stage cultivator, half a martial artist who has attained the Divine Realm, and I know a few great talismans."
Chen Ping'an nodded.
Between the two, a long, bright red line instantly appeared, along with the lingering echo of a remark.
"Then I don't have to worry about accidentally killing Senior."