A saffron-colored map was spread across the gleaming glazed tiles, occupying nearly half of the Qiankun Hall.

The last time this map had been taken out and displayed was during the one-thousandth founding anniversary celebration of the Huawei Sect.

Back then, it radiated with glory. Now, though the mountains, rivers, and lakes remained unchanged, they were shrouded in a layer of dismal, melancholic clouds.

The Huawei Sect dominated the Western Continent, with deep roots. Over a thousand cities, hundreds of small nations, and more than ten overseas islands all sought its protection.

Some immortal officials dispatched by the sect were more revered than city lords or national rulers in their territories. Golden statues of peak masters and elders were enshrined in celestial temples throughout the lands.

It was precisely because of the countless mortal tributes that the Huawei Sect’s upper echelons could sit securely in Qiankun Hall, absorbing the spiritual fortunes from all directions.

Such was the way of the Huawei Sect, and so it was with all major sects and great families across the world.

Cutting away even a small corner of their territory would be as painful as slicing off one’s flesh.

Xu Yun pointed at a certain location in the distance, and the map responded to his instruction as the winding boundary line lit up with white light:

“Yanshan County has beautiful mountains and waters, but its location is remote and won’t affect the overall situation…”

Before he could finish speaking, the Peak Master of Chongwen immediately bowed: “I beg the Sect Leader to show mercy! Yanshan County is a treasure land of my peak! My peak already has limited territory, we absolutely cannot lose Yanshan County.”

Xu Yun subsequently pointed at three more counties, but the dispute in the hall continued unresolved.

Among the crowd, an elder interjected, directing the focus toward a certain location:

“Today’s calamity, ultimately, was caused by the Zhao family. It’s only right that Peak Master Zhao should give up one of his counties!”

Zhao Taiji had a violent temper and cultivation second only to Xu Yun’s. Normally, no one wanted to offend him.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yun gathered sword energy within his sleeve, prepared to stop Zhao from drawing his sword in rage.

Surprisingly, Zhao acted contrary to his usual manner, merely giving a sinister cold laugh.

Amidst the tense silence, a young acolyte entered the hall, bowed, and reported: “At Song Academy’s gate, the result is out!”

Xu Yun could hardly wait: “Whom did he choose?”

The Calligraphy Sage and the Chess Ghost, Qingya Academy, and Purple Cloud Temple.

Everyone in the hall, like those throughout the cultivation world who had placed bets, desperately wanted to know Song Qian Ji’s decision.

Pressured by countless gazes, the young acolyte struggled to breathe:

“He… he chose neither! Both sages are left alone. Song Qian Ji still insists on leaving the mountain, and wants to take all the outer disciples with him.”

The hall immediately erupted in an uproar.

“What? He chose neither?”

“How could this be? He rejected powerful backers who came to his doorstep. Has he gone mad?”

Xu Yun remained silent. Of course, Song Qian Ji wasn’t mad.

Far from it—he was extremely intelligent and profoundly cunning. Otherwise, how could he orchestrate everything so meticulously, planning ten steps, and manipulating the entire Huawei Sect in the palm of his hand?

What trick was he planning to play now?

“Him not taking a master is good news!” an elder suddenly said. “The atmosphere among the outer disciples has already spoiled. This is the perfect opportunity to uproot them completely and recruit a fresh batch of obedient ones!”

Someone hesitated: “Without a master, will he still return to the county?”

Another lamented: “How can we go back on a promise already made? He’s written heroic invitations and established the Star-Plucking Bureau, and his reputation is soaring. If our sect breaks its word, where is our credibility? How will we explain ourselves to cultivators across the world?!”

The disputes continued, even more intensely than when selecting counties earlier.

“Since you all blame me for causing this trouble, it’s only reasonable that I remedy it,” Zhao Taiji’s voice suddenly rose. “I have a county!”

As his words fell, all eyes in the hall instantly focused on him, waiting for him to continue.

Only Xu Yun showed slight hesitation: “Are you truly willing to give up a country?”

Zhao Taiji nodded, shook his sleeves, looked around, and enunciated each word clearly:

“I offer Qianqu County.”

Qianqu County?!

A thousand shocks and ten thousand waves erupted.

“Qianqu County has been a geomantic treasure land since ancient times, with vast wetlands and abundant fish and rice. Are you truly willing to part with it?”

“Don’t think that by offering Qianqu County with both hands, those ungrateful outer disciples will speak a single word about our sect’s benevolence!”

Only Xu Yun remained silent, staring deeply at Zhao Taiji.

Zhao Taiji sneered: “Fifty years ago, my clan’s ancestor set up a heavenly net spirit-absorbing formation in the central city of Qianqu County, breaking through to half-step Nascent Divinity, draining all spiritual energy from the county…”

Ignoring the shocked expressions of the crowd, he continued:

“Since then, Qianqu County has gone through ten immortal officials, each ruthlessly exploiting its resources, plundering spiritual energy without restraint. By this year—” he threw out a scroll from his sleeve, “this is the report sent by Qianqu County’s current immortal official. After cultivating in the county for a year, his cultivation hasn’t improved at all. See for yourselves.”

This was supposed to be a secret that should not be known to fellow sect members, and the Zhao clan had concealed it through various means. Now, because of Song Qian Ji, he had no more concerns about revealing it.

The scroll was lifted and passed around the hall. As people read, their brows furrowed more and more, exclamations of shock rose one after another.

Zhao Taiji: “Qianqu County is vast, larger than a hundred Huawei Cities combined, but now has only a hundred thousand people. The common folk pay lip service while secretly disobeying, no longer willing to make offerings to the celestial temples. And that cursed place, huh, hasn’t seen rain for three years. No matter how talented the Song boy is, he can’t just wait for rain to fall, can he?”

Xu Yun shouted angrily: “Qianqu County nominally belongs to your Chishui Peak, with your golden statue enshrined in its temples, but it’s still sect territory, not the Zhao clan’s private land. For you to act like this…”

Zhao Taiji remained unperturbed, interrupting loudly: “Indeed that’s the case, but given the situation, if you want to give Song Qian Ji a geomantic treasure land, releasing a tiger back to the mountain, allowing him to grow stronger and return to take revenge on the sect, I have nothing more to say. Go ahead and do as you please!”

Xu Yun nearly fell backward.

Calm down, he suppressed the turbulent spiritual energy within his body. Everything else could be postponed; resolving Song Qian Ji’s fief was the priority.

The sky was approaching dusk. Knowing Song Qian Ji’s temperament, he would arrive soon.

“How can we explain giving him a dead land to the two sages?” Xu Yun took a deep breath.

“None of you knew Qianqu County had become a dead land, so who else would know? Once the deed is sealed with blood, Qianqu County will be linked to his spiritual fortune. By the time he goes there and discovers the truth, it will be too late to reverse course.” Zhao Taiji questioned openly in the hall, “As for the two sages, with Song Qian Ji failing to become their disciple, even if they wanted to intervene, they would have no standing to do so.”

Xu Yun still hesitated.

Had Song Qian Ji failed to become a disciple because his discussions with the two sages had broken down?

Despite the massive commotion he caused at the Literary Gathering, Xian Jian Chen still hadn’t appeared—had he forgotten about this nominal disciple?

He knew full well that the Zhao family had already formed a deadly feud with Song Qian Ji. Zhao Taiji needed to drag the entire Huawei Sect down with him, binding them firmly to the same side.

But he had no choice. The outer disciples harbored resentment toward the sect, openly violating sect rules last night.

Song Qian Ji insisting on standing with them today, even wanting to take away the entire outer sect, surely harbored malicious intentions.

Otherwise, what did he need so many people for?!

In the contest of great daos, it was life or death. Now, caught in an irreversible situation, Song Qian Ji had become the Huawei Sect’s mortal enemy.

Zhao Taiji placed the final straw: “We’ll let him choose for himself. If he chooses Qianqu County of his own accord, how can he blame others?”

This time, before Xu Yun could speak, the crowd eagerly responded:

“We just need to guide him slightly; we’ll certainly fool him.”

“No matter how talented Song Qian Ji is, he couldn’t possibly guess Qianqu County’s current state.”

Xu Yun closed his eyes briefly and finally nodded.

He said solemnly: “Zhao Yu Ping has been unfair in his duties. From today onward, he is removed from his position as head of the Executive Hall. Do you have anything to say?”

Zhao Taiji: “Nothing to say.”

Xu Yun said sternly: “Regarding the matter of Qianqu County, select a county from your Zhao clan’s territories to offer to the sect.”

Zhao Taiji gritted his teeth: “Very well!”

He knew Xu Yun would surely use this opportunity to appoint his own trusted people to take over the Executive Hall and to bite off a piece of flesh from him.

But from now on, the Zhao clan and the Huawei Sect were in the same boat, and no one could disembark first.

***

Dusk.

The mountains were like a sea, the setting sun like blood.

Song Qian Ji entered Qiankun Hall again.

Inside, thousands of golden lamps blazed, their brilliance far outshining the remnants of sunset.

All the elders and peak masters of the Huawei Sect were poised in strict formation.

The map was spread out in the great hall, and Sect Leader Xu Yun said mildly: “The sect has selected four treasure lands for you; you may choose one from the four. No matter how good any place in the mortal realm might be, it cannot be perfect. Each of these four countries has its advantages and disadvantages. You must choose with your hand, and afterward, you cannot regret or complain.”

“Of course,” Song Qian Ji smiled. “Thank you all for your trouble.”

His manners were very proper, and his expression gentle, making him appear easy to deal with.

But no one relaxed their vigilance because of this; instead, they became even more tense.

The hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Xu Yun nodded, signaling to begin.

The elder from the Disciplinary Hall stepped forward and introduced each location in turn: “Baolin County, located at the southern edge of the Western Continent, has continuous mountains and forests, with humid air. However, it has year-round rainfall and the forests contain miasma and poisonous insects…”

With each county he introduced, certain areas of the map would light up according to his gestures, with boundary lines and the mountains, rivers, and lakes within shimmering brilliantly.

For the first three countries, advantages were mentioned briefly, while disadvantages were greatly emphasized.

As expected, Song Qian Ji shook his head three times.

Song Qian Ji thought that these places were densely populated, with almost all land already cultivated. Where would I find space to develop?

If my life-giving “Undying Spring” had no place to be utilized, wouldn’t that be a waste?

He was about to open his mouth with some pointed suggestions when suddenly he noticed the final county.

The northern part of the map lit up brightly, every canal gleaming with golden light.

Song Qian Ji raised an eyebrow: “Qianqu County?”

“Yes!” Xu Yun pointed at the flashing character ‘Qianqu’ on the map. “In ancient times, a powerful cultivator who called himself the ‘King of Thousand Canals’ made the entire county his blessed land.”

An elder added: “If you choose this place, you might find the tomb of the Thousand Canals King and obtain his supreme legacy.”

Everyone verbally agreed though they knew this was pure fabrication. Qianqu County had been excavated thoroughly, and the sect had used various exploration methods without discovering any powerful being’s tomb or treasures.

Song Qian Ji appeared overjoyed.

It might have been a blessed land in the past, but he knew exactly what Qianqu County was like now.

In his previous life, he had traveled throughout Qianqu County for tomb raiding and treasure hunting, befriending many local mortals.

The mortals had told him all about the major and minor events spanning a hundred years of their ancestors’ lives.

Xu Yun, seeing him silent and only staring eagerly at the map, gave a sidelong glance.

He signaled for Zhao Taiji to pretend to obstruct, emphasizing the importance of Qianqu County, to provoke Song Qian Ji’s desire to compete for it.

Before they could even perform this act of pretend reluctance, the young man said: “I want Qianqu County!”

“Excellent! Bring the deed!” Xu Yun, fearing he might change his mind, grasped Song Qian Ji’s hand and said affectionately, “Qianqu County is now entrusted to you. You will be linked to its spiritual fortune.”

Song Qian Ji didn’t need to be taught. He directly used his spiritual energy to pierce his fingertip, forcing out a drop of blood, and let it fall onto the pale yellow thin paper filled with talismanic symbols.

The symbols flashed brightly, and the contract was formed.

In an instant, everyone exhaled in relief. Many elders even began to applaud, disregarding their status.

The atmosphere in the great hall changed abruptly.

General satisfaction, universal celebration.

“Thank you all for your painful sacrifice!” Song Qian Ji expressed sincere gratitude.

“No need for thanks!”

“It’s what we should do. It’s not that painful.”

The atmosphere became even more harmonious. The peak masters smiled kindly, accompanying Song Qian Ji to the hall’s entrance, then watching him take the deed and step onto Shiwater Bridge, still saying he should come back to visit often.

Song Qian Ji turned back, looking at the dense crowd of heads, waving repeatedly: “Don’t see me off anymore! Go back!”

Xu Yun was indeed cooperative. Song Qian Ji felt completely relaxed, his steps lighter than the five-colored carp in the sea of clouds.

True emotion existed in the world of cultivation!

In return for this kindness, I’ll have Meng He Ze send the best local specialties from each year’s harvest.

…

Darkness covered everything, night enveloped the earth, and stars appeared one by one.

A seven-storied treasure ship occupied almost the entire outer sect plaza, gleaming coldly in the moonlight, like a massive beast.

“It’s Senior Brother Song, Senior Brother has returned!” someone suddenly shouted.

The outer disciples were delighted beyond measure.

Song Qian Ji strode forward, his sleeves flying.

“Did Senior Brother get the deed?” Meng He Ze asked.

“Yes, let’s go,” Song Qian Ji nodded.

Zhou Xiaoyun smiled: “Senior Brother Song could even obtain such a treasure ship, how could he not secure a deed? There was no need for you to worry yourself in circles!”

Meng He Ze excitedly said: “Those people are crafty old foxes with countless schemes. How could they be easy to deal with? Senior Brother went alone into the tiger’s den…”

But Song Qian Ji said: “The Sect Leader and all the peak masters are benevolent and kind. We must thank them properly in the future.”

The outer disciples were stunned, exchanging glances with each other.

They nodded on the surface but inwardly thought that Senior Brother was too naive and trusting. Indeed, they couldn’t let Senior Brother go alone.

Song Qian Ji’s garden of flowers and plants had already been dug up with the soil intact, without damaging a single root, temporarily stored in the Huachun Mountain treasure box.

All the outer disciples’ personal belongings were packed into the treasure ship transformed from the “Seven Wonders Zither.”

Song Qian Ji had originally wanted to leave quietly, but now with his large entourage, if he didn’t enlarge the treasure ship to its maximum size, there wouldn’t be enough room for so many people.

He couldn’t possibly ask the outer disciples to make an eighty thousand Li long-march, walking step by step to Qianqu County.

“Board the ship.”

At Song Qian Ji’s command, the disciples leaped onto the deck.

“Senior Brother Song.” A tender female voice called out to him.

Song Qian Ji turned around to see a white figure flying toward him like a moth in the moonlight.

She still wore white clothes and a veil, her figure delicate. It seemed as if nothing had changed.

But under the moonlight, her dress made of celestial cloud gauze shimmered with flowing colors, flying with the wind, giving her body a halo of treasure light, as if she had been born anew.

It was He Qingqing.

“I heard you’re leaving the mountain… I, I’ll play one more melody for you!”

He Qingqing had rushed over, her breathing unsteady as she spoke.

Behind her followed two women, both wearing the lake-blue long dresses of the Celestial Sound Gate, holding blue gauze lanterns.

One of them hurriedly advised: “You are now the senior sister of the Celestial Sound Gate. It’s not appropriate to play for someone casually anymore.”

“Even if you want to play, the other party should formally invite you first,” the other one said.

He Qingqing bit her lower lip: “No, I—”

Song Qian Ji said: “That won’t be necessary.”

Listening to music would take time, and he wanted to set out early to avoid complications.

He hadn’t seen Chen Hongzhu in Qiankun Hall earlier. He feared the other might suddenly appear to stop him like last time.

However, the major decisions had already been made. Even if Chen Hongzhu came now, he would be powerless to change the situation.

He Qingqing felt distressed inside and asked softly: “Senior Brother Song, will you come back?”

Song Qian Ji shook his head.

He Qingqing’s voice grew even quieter, barely audible: “Then, can I come to see you? Where are you going? Can you tell me?”

“Qianqu County. As you wish.”

He Qingqing felt relieved and smiled again.

But Song Qian Ji sighed: “Immortal Jiang Yun has an extreme temperament. You’ve become her disciple, enjoying glory now, but who knows if it will bring fortune or calamity in the future.”

He Qingqing remained silent, then suddenly lifted the veil covering her face, revealing her disfigured features, and said firmly:

“I have always drifted with the current, allowing fate to manipulate me. Only this time did I make my own choice, and I will never regret it!”

Song Qian Ji nodded and smiled: “Good, you may go now.”

He Qingqing didn’t leave. She stood there, watching Song Qian Ji board the ship.

The late spring’s remaining blossoms had already withered. The night wind blew, making the tree shadows appear desolate.

Were worldly affairs always like this? Few meetings, bitter partings, good times never lasting.

“How far is Qianqu County from the Celestial Sound Gate?” He Qingqing asked.

The young female cultivator holding the lantern smiled: “Senior Sister, eighty thousand li of mountains and waters is certainly very far.”

He Qingqing shook her head: “Eighty thousand li is quite close.”

The two didn’t understand and exchanged glances.

The other woman said: “Immortal Miao Yan has invited you to discuss zithers at the bamboo pavilion tonight. Let’s go, so we don’t miss the appointed time.”

A hurricane swept across the ground, flattening a patch of forest outside the plaza.

The Seven Wonders treasure ship rose into the night sky, plunged into the clouds, and soared through the sea of stars.

Heading toward an unknown distant place.