“Dong dong dong!”

In front of the dilapidated thatched cottage, a moon-white figure crouched on the steps, holding a mirror that gleamed with glazed golden light in her hand, striking it against the tenon at the end of the wooden steps one blow at a time, producing loud sounds.

Under the eaves of the thatched cottage, another person was also crouching.

Yushan Xing’s body was short and stocky, and when he crouched down he became a ball, but his gaze was firmly glued to Jian Chou’s hands.

More precisely, it was glued to that Liwai Mirror.

When Jian Chou raised the mirror in her hand, Yushan Xing’s eyes followed upward, and his entire head tilted back along with them. When Jian Chou’s mirror went down, his whole person also drooped his head down accordingly. When Jian Chou’s mirror struck the tenon, his entire body trembled along with it.

It wasn’t just his body trembling – his very heart was trembling along with it!

The mirror flashing with golden light was obviously a treasure at first glance.

This female cultivator was actually using such a fine item as a hammer – what a waste of heavenly treasures, what a waste!

Such a mirror – why couldn’t it be his?

No, no, he was the dignified sect master of Yushan Sect, how could he envy others?

Yushan Xing thought to himself, hurriedly shaking his head, as if trying to clear out all these impure thoughts, but in the end he still couldn’t control his gaze.

Sigh.

Everyone was a cultivator, so why was the difference so great?

Perhaps his gaze was too longing and too resentful, for Jian Chou, who had just struck the final “hammer blow,” finally sensed something was wrong.

She slowly raised her head and saw this sixth-generation sect master of Yushan Sect, Yushan Xing, crouched in front of her, staring straight at the Liwai Mirror… Uh, why did she feel like he looked like a pitiful little green frog, or perhaps a little turtle?

It must be an illusion.

Jian Chou’s mouth twitched slightly, and she spoke: “These wooden steps have been repaired. Sect Master Yu, is there anything improper about them?”

Yushan Xing was startled: “Uh…”

Jian Chou stood up, wiping the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, looking at the three brand-new wooden steps in front of the dilapidated thatched cottage, still emanating the fresh fragrance of wood. For a moment, an indescribable familiar sense of accomplishment crept into her heart.

Familiar.

It seemed like she had done this before, long ago.

Jian Chou was momentarily dazed.

“It’s fine, it’s fine now.”

Though Yushan Xing coveted Jian Chou’s Liwai Mirror, he knew he didn’t have the ability to fight for it.

Standing in front of the steps, he gleefully rubbed his palms together, looking satisfied as he examined the wooden steps beneath his feet, even walking up to stomp on them: “Ah, fellow daoist is impressive, truly impressive, really impressive. Not only can you ignore my Yushan Sect’s mountain-protecting grand formation, but you can also make such beautiful wooden steps. Good, now that the wooden steps are finished, this sect master forgives you.”

Jian Chou, who had come back to her senses, heard this and finally her eyes lit up: “We can leave now?”

“Of course.”

Yushan Xing laughed loudly, stepping over the newly repaired wooden steps one by one, walking directly to the front.

“This sect master keeps his word. Since I said I’d take you to Kunwu, I’ll take you to Kunwu. Wait for this sect master to activate the mountain-protecting grand formation to protect our sect gate. Fellow daoist, quickly come over here, don’t let my mountain-protecting grand formation harm you.”

Though he didn’t know exactly how Jian Chou had entered the mountain-protecting grand formation, Yushan Xing still believed that if the formation was truly fully activated, Jian Chou would still be harmed by it.

He called out and ran to those few broken stones.

Jian Chou looked over and immediately remembered how, when she had arrived riding the wind earlier, Yushan Xing had said she was trespassing. She had felt that this mountain-protecting grand formation had never been activated, but looking at Yushan Xing’s manner, it didn’t seem like he was faking.

This time, she followed Yushan Xing, walking directly to his side.

Yushan Xing’s palm had already fallen on that pile of stone blocks. Jian Chou saw characters carved on them and couldn’t help asking: “Are those the name of Yushan Sect carved on there?”

“Yes, you can actually recognize these characters?” Yushan Xing’s eyes immediately lit up, laughing proudly, “These are characters this sect master created himself. That you can comprehend them shows your future prospects are limitless.”

“…”

Instantly, Jian Chou felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her head, leaving her charred on the outside and tender on the inside.

Yushan Xing was completely unaware of what shocking words he had just spoken. Not only was he not ashamed, but he was actually pleased with himself.

“Creating these characters took me a very long time back then. That fellow daoist can recognize them makes you truly this sect master’s kindred spirit. Rest assured, if you ever face difficulties in the future, this sect master will definitely not stand idle and will go through fire and water for you!”

Jian Chou was speechless for a long while, and finally nodded: “The sect master’s great kindness and virtue will be unforgettable for life.”

“Hahaha…”

Yushan Xing laughed, suddenly slapping his palm heavily on the slightly taller broken stone tablet.

Crack crack crack…

Jian Chou seemed to hear the sound of the cracks on the stone tablet ruthlessly expanding, and couldn’t help but worry.

The stone tablet swayed back and forth, back and forth, as if it would topple over at any moment.

Yushan Xing wasn’t much taller than the stone tablet. At this moment, covered in sweat, he also carefully watched the stone tablet, muttering to himself: “Ancestors, oh ancestors, please don’t fall, please don’t fall. If you fall, I can’t afford to repair you.”

Hearing this, Jian Chou found it amusing in her heart, but also felt this Yushan Xing was quite an interesting person.

That stone tablet, whether it heard Yushan Xing’s inner prayers or not, just when it looked like it was about to fall, unexpectedly swayed a bit and actually completely stabilized.

A spiritual light tremblingly emerged from the broken stone tablet.

Jian Chou watched in great surprise: There really was a mountain-protecting grand formation!

The spiritual light immediately expanded, becoming a dome-shaped light screen that covered a radius of ten zhang, including Yushan Sect’s three small thatched cottages…

Only…

This light screen seemed a bit too shabby, didn’t it?

A thin layer – Jian Chou didn’t need to walk forward to feel how sparse the spiritual energy within this light screen was. Looking again at the formation patterns covered under the light screen, Jian Chou immediately felt unable to look directly at it.

Even without much understanding of formations, she could tell by instinct that this light screen was basically just an empty shell, like a layer of paper.

Never mind attacking – it couldn’t even provide protection.

If she had arrived riding the wind and collided with this light screen, she probably wouldn’t have felt anything at all.

Jian Chou sighed in her heart.

Looking back, Yushan Xing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, but when he saw the light screen brighten, he felt a surge of pride, saying: “This is the formation created by the founding patriarch of our Yushan Sect, who was also the first-generation Yushan Xing. It has protected our Yushan Sect for generations.”

“Is that so…” Jian Chou didn’t know what to say, “Then these three houses were also passed down from the first-generation sect master?”

“Of course, these are the most enduring and ancient things of our Yushan Sect. Along with them, the name ‘Yushan Xing’ has been passed down. Each generation of Yushan Sect’s sect master is called Yushan Xing. The first generation was called Yushan Xing One. By this sect master’s generation, I’m already Yushan Xing Six.”

Yushan Xing placed both hands on his waist, and when he spoke the four characters “Yushan Xing Six,” he was already radiant with pride.

Jian Chou stood beside him, a full head and a half taller than him.

Her gaze passed through the empty space in the middle, looking at the three small thatched cottages ahead, and she smiled: “It’s quite nice.”

Really quite nice.

Simple and interesting.

Yushan Xing shrugged. Seeing Jian Chou smiling, he didn’t know what she was smiling about, but he could be sure there was no malice.

At that moment, he felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, coughing: “The mountain-protecting grand formation has been activated. Let’s go then. Come, watch me display our sect’s secret technique and take you on a journey!”

His voice suddenly became high-pitched.

Jian Chou turned around and saw Yushan Xing clap his hands together, with the thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers of both hands straightened, fingertips touching, while the ring fingers and little fingers crossed and bent, forming the starting position of a hand seal!

“Swoosh!”

An octagonal circle of light immediately appeared on the ground – it was the Wanxiang Battle Disc.

Uh…

However, it was just a bit small. With a rough glance, Jian Chou saw it was only about five feet.

A jade bowl had already appeared at the Tianyuan position and was nearly full, clearly indicating that Yushan Xing’s cultivation was not only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but even at Foundation Establishment peak, roughly the same as herself.

The battle disc being only five feet could only mean his talent was too low.

Jian Chou’s expression changed slightly, though Yushan Xing couldn’t see it at the moment.

As soon as the battle disc appeared, his clasped hands began trembling from exertion, and his entire dark face flushed red, as if the technique he was performing was an enormous burden for him.

Rumble…

The ground seemed to suddenly vibrate.

Stepping back in surprise, Jian Chou’s bright gaze immediately turned to the ground.

Under the trembling earth, something seemed to be hidden, constantly arching and impacting from below.

Yushan Xing’s face was purple-red, glaring with his small eyes as if he was about to suffocate, and he shouted: “At my command, the azure mountain emerges!”

Pop!

The character “emerge” fell like thunder, and Jian Chou heard a sound from beneath her feet, followed by violent trembling!

Breaking through the earth!

A miniaturized mountain peak emerged, its top seeming to have been sliced flat by a sword, leaving a circular platform that perfectly supported Yushan Xing’s body, rising a full four feet high.

Now Jian Chou could only look up at him.

The newly emerged “mountain” was small, about six feet in diameter and four feet high. The circular flat surface at the top was also about three feet in diameter, with miniaturized mountain rock patterns around the edges that looked somewhat blurry.

Yushan Xing was drenched in sweat. Seeing that he had successfully summoned this “mountain,” he was so exhausted he almost sat down on the platform, panting as he said to Jian Chou: “Fellow, fellow daoist, get on the mountain. I’m going to, to control the mountain!”

Control the mountain?

Looking at this small mountain peak, Jian Chou felt her mind was in a dreamlike state.

Yushan Sect, Yushan Xing – so this was what it meant.

Only…

This mountain was so small, did she really have to get on it?

Her mouth twitched, and she hesitated: “This… Sect Master Yu, I have my own magical artifact. How about I control my own artifact—”

“Are you looking down on our Yushan Sect?” Yushan Xing’s eyes widened, and he immediately shouted loudly, “When our sect invites someone onto the ‘mountain,’ it’s a great honor. How dare you refuse?”

“…”

Nothing to say.

Looking at this small mound-like mountain peak, Jian Chou couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, and could only bow with her hands: “In that case, I dare not refuse such kindness.”

“That’s right.”

Seeing Jian Chou agree, Yushan Xing’s expression finally improved.

He stroked his chin and smiled. His short stature standing on this small mound-like mountain, looking at the vast wilderness ahead, actually seemed like he was viewing his own territory and subjects.

Jian Chou finally stepped onto this “mountain,” and Yushan Xing immediately shouted: “Azure mountain, go!”

“Boom.”

A muffled sound.

The small mountain beneath their feet seemed to understand Yushan Xing’s words. After he pointed toward the southeast, it actually began moving directly in that direction.

Wind rushed toward them!

Yushan Xing said: “We’ll go southeast all the way. First we’ll leave this wilderness, and soon we’ll reach Wuwang Zhai’s territory. Further southeast from there is Kunwu.”

Wuwang Zhai?

Wasn’t that the sect where Nie Xiaowan was?

Jian Chou looked in the direction Yushan Xing pointed, gazing into the distance.

White clouds drifted leisurely, and the azure sky stretched endlessly.

On the boundless wilderness, wild grass swayed in the wind.

The small mound beneath their feet was like a fierce mount, carrying Jian Chou and Yushan Xing extremely steadily across the wilderness.

Watching the scenery flying by on all sides, Jian Chou secretly marveled at the wonders of the vast world, and also felt that this Yushan Xing was probably quite reliable.

After some thought, she raised her hand and formed a blue lightning message. With a release of her hand, crackling sounds rang out as a bolt of lightning pierced through the cloud layer and disappeared into the distance.

Yushan Xing looked over curiously.

Jian Chou smiled slightly: “I’ve been lost for a long time and haven’t reported my safety to my sect. Since the sect master is helping me, I’ll notify them not to wait for me and that we can meet at Kunwu.”

“I see.”

Yushan Xing nodded – this was proper.

He instinctively wanted to ask which sect Jian Chou belonged to, but then thought that he was also a sect master, especially the sect master of Yushan Sect. If he really asked something, how would he maintain his dignity as an expert in the future?

So Yushan Xing decided simply not to ask.

The Mortal Isolated Island.

Beyond Qingfeng Nunnery stretched a vast azure sea.

Qu Zhengfeng, dressed in a black robe, stood with his hands behind his back at the seashore, watching the harbor in this mortal world where many fishing boats returning from the sea were moored. The fishermen who lived by fishing stood busily on their boats, their skin darkened by the seaside sun, their faces ruddy.

The sails disappeared into the distance, leaving only pointed shadows.

He watched for a long time, then looked back at Qingfeng Nunnery’s vague outline, slightly raising an eyebrow as he looked at his palm.

It was clearly a clean, pale palm with a scholarly air, but he saw the blood stained upon it…

Right now there might only be a few people, but later there would be many, many more.

The hidden realm of Qingfeng Nunnery was just a beginning.

Xie Buchen was also just a beginning.

Stroking the lines on his palm, Qu Zhengfeng slowly raised his eyes again, gazing at this sea.

On the Mortal Isolated Island, mortals called it the “Eastern Sea,” but on the other side in the Nineteen Continents, cultivators called it the Western Sea.

On the continent across the sea stood Kunwu, known as one of the two pillars of the Central Domain.

With a light pinch of his fingers, Qu Zhengfeng’s fingertips sprouted a small dancing silver snake, with faint silver lightning passing through it. He glanced at it, then moved his finger and released it.

Swoosh.

The silver lightning instantly crossed the vast sea, and in the blink of an eye seemed to penetrate the void and completely disappear.

Across the sea, beyond the endless coastline, at the very center of the Nineteen Continents, lay Kunwu.

Ten high peaks surrounded Kunwu’s main peak. On the Cloud Sea Plaza at the summit, over a thousand Kunwu cultivators stood in silent formation, waiting for True Person Hengxu to emerge from the Celestial Hall above.

Standing in front were several Kunwu elders, with Gu Qingmei’s father, Gu Pingsheng, prominently among them.

Gu Qingmei stood further back in the position designated for core disciples, unable to suppress her inner excitement, though she also felt a trace of hidden worry.

It had been two years since the journey to Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm, yet there was still no news from Xie Buchen.

Clearly…

Clearly with Senior Brother Xie’s abilities, he would definitely reach the Solitary Platform!

Thinking of this, Gu Qingmei became somewhat angry. It was all the sect master’s fault – why did he have to arrange for Senior Brother Xie to do such things? What if something happened?

While she was lost in these chaotic thoughts, a silver lightning bolt suddenly appeared in the void.

This was different from ordinary lightning messages in color, and the fluctuations it brought when it appeared proved to everyone that this was at least a special lightning message sent by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, generally used only for extremely urgent matters.

The several elders standing in front exchanged surprised glances.

Before they could react, someone behind them suddenly called out: “It’s the sect master!”

The elders, along with all the disciples behind them, looked up.

A white cloud floating above the Cloud Sea Plaza suddenly transformed into a gently waving hand, which beckoned to that silver lightning message. The lightning message immediately flew toward the Celestial Hall!

Inside the great hall, before the Zhou Tian Star Disc, True Person Hengxu reached out and pointed at the incoming lightning message. The silver light immediately dispersed, and gentle lightning danced obediently between his fingers.

Text immediately arranged itself.

True Person Hengxu looked and his expression immediately changed, darkening.

“Yashan sect disciple Qu Zhengfeng respectfully reports to True Person Hengxu: Investigation of Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm complete. Have discovered the reason why Jianzhu Sect covets the position of Enforcement Elder. Will report in person upon return. Only ashamed regarding Junior Brother Xie of Kunwu – in the hidden realm he fell into danger. With my meager cultivation, I could not rescue him in time. He is trapped under mountain stones, life or death unknown. Upon my return, I will accept punishment.”

Life or death unknown.

What a “life or death unknown”!

True Person Hengxu stepped down from the high platform, pinching his fingers to make the lightning message disappear.

Standing below was his direct disciple Zhao Zhuo, who appeared ordinary but was quite steady. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Master, what happened?”

“Your Junior Brother Xie probably won’t make it.” True Person Hengxu’s voice was very calm, only looking toward the outside of the great hall. “His life tablet hasn’t shattered, so he should just be trapped. Go immediately to Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm. I want to know exactly what happened.”

Send him?

Zhao Zhuo was now at Nascent Soul peak, roughly equal to Qu Zhengfeng. If even Qu Zhengfeng couldn’t handle the situation, would his going there be useful?

Instinctively, Zhao Zhuo wanted to ask for clarification, but when he raised his head at that moment, he saw the emotionless calm in his master’s eyes.

A terrible thought…

Emerged.

Zhao Zhuo suddenly didn’t dare ask anything, only saying: “Disciple accepts the command.”

True Person Hengxu nodded slightly.

There were less than six days until the Zuo Three Thousand Minor Assembly, and Kunwu also had some matters that needed his personal attention.

Without further delay, he walked toward the outside of the great hall.

Thousands of li away, at Yashan.

The disciples who were to attend the Zuo Three Thousand Minor Assembly were all gathered on Lingzhao Peak, discussing in low voices.

“Why hasn’t Great Senior Uncle returned yet?”

“Yes, we’ve been waiting for two days.”

“Do you think Great Senior Uncle might have turned into wind and flew away?”

“Why don’t you say Great Senior Uncle turned into a dragon and flew away?”

“…Sigh, will Great Senior Uncle miss it?”

…

Ever since Yan Chensha had brought back news from the Black Wind Cave entrance that day, saying they had lost track of Great Senior Uncle again, everyone at Yashan had been confused.

Not only could she ride the wind without needing to use artifacts before reaching Foundation Establishment, but Great Senior Uncle had also completely ignored Jianzhu Sect’s formation barriers and flown away so that no one could find her.

Thinking about it, Jianzhu Sect was really quite unlucky.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel some sympathy.

After pursuing and blocking Great Senior Sister for so long, in the end they failed to steal the chicken and lost their rice. They were even attacked by countless frenzied demonic beasts on “Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain” not far from Black Wind Cave. Half of those who went died, and the remaining half were almost all severely injured, needing three to five years to recover.

Of course, Jianzhu Sect had people accusing Yashan of sabotage, claiming they had deliberately set a trap.

Too bad no one believed it.

What a joke!

When Yan Chensha had single-handedly played his flute to rescue the trapped Jianzhu Sect disciples, saving so many lives, if he wanted to kill them he could have done so long ago. Why would he need to act after they had already left?

Even if Yan Chensha had stood by and done nothing, no one would have dared say anything, let alone if he could have secretly gone easy and pretended he couldn’t save them.

Jianzhu Sect’s accusation against Yashan was truly not recognizing good intentions.

Previously, they had brought cocoons upon themselves by inviting many people to witness at Black Wind Cave, originally to constrain Yashan, but unexpectedly it let everyone see their heartlessness toward their own sect members, refusing to save them when they were in mortal danger, ultimately requiring the Yashan cultivator they had been scheming against to save their disciples.

Thus, Jianzhu Sect lost both reputation and benefit.

Among Central Domain cultivators who knew right from wrong, mentioning Jianzhu Sect only brought: “Bah, petty villains!”

“It’s all Jianzhu Sect’s fault for making our Great Senior Uncle disappear. At this minor assembly, when we see Jianzhu Sect we’ll beat them up!”

As everyone chatted, they thought of Jianzhu Sect, and suddenly a Yashan disciple spoke up.

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately drew excited agreement from the crowd: “Right, beat them until their own mothers don’t recognize them!”

“Count me in!”

“Hehe, it’s just a minor assembly anyway, we’re only sparring.”

“I wonder what the rules will be this year. I heard last time it was crossing the river…”

…

The noisy voices, blown by the wind, mixed together until they couldn’t be heard clearly.

Fudao Shanren stood on the high Sword-Drawing Platform, gazing at the clouds below the cliff, his brow furrowed.

“Senior Uncle Fudao, there are only about six days left. Should we…”

Sect Master Zheng Yao, with his protruding belly, walked to Fudao Shanren’s side. Seeing his rare serious expression, he hesitated before finally speaking up.

How could Fudao Shanren not know the time?

He looked back at the nearly hundred Yashan disciples on Lingzhao Peak, some who had joined in the last ten years and had never participated in a minor assembly, but most were preparing to go watch the excitement.

Everyone was waiting to depart.

He glanced over and only said: “Let’s wait a bit more—”

Before he finished speaking, his voice suddenly paused, as if sensing something as he looked toward the clouds.

“Crack!”

The moment his gaze reached there, a crackling sound erupted from the clouds!

The entire Lingzhao Peak immediately fell silent.

A blue bolt of lightning broke through the clouds, shooting toward the Returning Crane Well at the very center of Lingzhao Peak.

At this moment, Fudao Shanren seemed to think of something, his eyes lighting up as he flicked his finger. A pale blue gleam emerged from his fingertip, instantly striking that lightning message!

“Boom!”

The originally small flash of lightning suddenly exploded with a roar, lightning snakes intertwining with each other to form text!

“Yashan disciple Jian Chou respectfully greets Master.”

“Body refinement at Black Wind Cave is complete, but unfortunately became lost in cultivation and inadvertently wandered to a wilderness near the Northern Domain. Fortunately received help from the sect master of Yushan Sect and am rushing to Kunwu. For the Zuo Three Thousand Minor Assembly, Jian Chou will definitely not be absent and wishes to meet with all Yashan sect members at Kunwu.”

“It’s Great Senior Uncle!”

“It’s Great Senior Uncle!”

“Hahaha, Great Senior Uncle is fine, Great Senior Uncle is fine!”

…

The entire Lingzhao Peak, which had just fallen silent due to the lightning message, immediately erupted into another kind of excitement!

Because Jian Chou’s lightning message was sent to all of Yashan, when Fudao Shanren broke the lightning message to reveal the text inside, all Yashan disciples present could see it.

They had originally thought Great Senior Uncle had disappeared without a trace, but it turned out she had just gotten lost!

Now that she had sent a lightning message back to Yashan, she was naturally fine. Not only was she fine, but she had also received help from others and would go directly to Kunwu.

For the Zuo Three Thousand Minor Assembly, she would definitely not be absent and wished to meet with all Yashan sect members at Kunwu!

Watching the boiling Lingzhao Peak, Fudao Shanren, standing on the Sword-Drawing Platform, was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Zheng Yao also showed a satisfied smile: “Great Senior Sister is safe and sound. Senior Uncle can finally rest assured this time, right?”

“What do you mean by that?” Fudao Shanren’s eyes widened. “You’re talking as if this mountain man was ever worried about her!”

“…”

Hehe.

Yes, you weren’t worried.

The one who was worried was a fool.

Zheng Yao muttered to himself but didn’t dare say more in front of Fudao Shanren. He directly suggested: “Since Great Senior Sister is going to Kunwu herself, why don’t we set off now?”

“Good.”

Fudao Shanren nodded, then turned to face the entire Lingzhao Peak, shouting loudly: “Everyone stand properly for this mountain man. We’re departing immediately!”

A tremendous spiritual power suddenly burst from his withered body. Fudao Shanren’s tattered Daoist robe fluttered in the wind, swaying as if it would lift his entire body.

The two words “departing” fell like thunder, resounding throughout Lingzhao Peak.

Everyone, including Zheng Yao, couldn’t help but straighten their bodies, their feet planted on the ground seeming much more stable.

On Lingzhao Peak, the gazes of all disciples fell on Fudao Shanren’s withered figure on the Sword-Drawing Platform.

He raised his palm, dry and branch-like as an old tree, high up, then pressed it down forcefully!

Boom!

Surging palm force, like raging flames, wave after wave, thundered out from Fudao Shanren’s hand.

The entire Sword-Drawing Platform, the entire Lingzhao Peak, the entire Yashan, all trembled with this surging palm strike!

Rumble rumble…

The ground shook violently beneath their feet.

Fudao Shanren gritted his teeth, his bright eyes suddenly raised to gaze at the high heavens, then he lifted both hands with all his might!

Rising from the earth!

The entire Lingzhao Peak!

The thunderous trembling was deafening, and no one could hear any other sound.

The Lingzhao Peak beneath their feet was actually rising in its entirety!

Fudao Shanren’s palm strike was like lifting a thick lid, raising the entire Lingzhao Peak, gradually separating it from Yashan’s mountain body. Rocks scattered everywhere, the mountain body swayed, almost making people wonder if the entire Yashan would collapse!

On Yashan’s cliff walls, countless Yashan disciples who weren’t planning to watch the excitement stood on the cliff walls, watching this scene.

How long had it been?

How long since they had seen such a scene?

Three hundred years!

Yashan disciples were riding Lingzhao Peak to participate in the Zuo Three Thousand Minor Assembly again!

Countless people were stirred in their hearts.

Equally stirred was Fudao Shanren’s heart…

His withered fingers seemed to dig out the entire Lingzhao Peak, and then countless brilliant rays of light shot out from Lingzhao Peak, supporting the entire Lingzhao Peak as it flew out from Yashan!

A huge shadow rose higher.

On Yashan’s walls, everyone looked up.

In the Beast Arena, Yashan disciples still engaged in combat looked up in shock. The Beast Arena, which had never seen daylight, was bathed in blazing sunlight for the first time in three hundred years. The stone chambers and corridor structures beneath the entire Lingzhao Peak were completely exposed to everyone’s view.

The entire structure of Yashan changed dramatically.

Lingzhao Peak rose higher and higher, its shadow growing larger, like a giant bird suspended in the sky.

Fudao Shanren shouted: “Go!”

The entire massive Lingzhao Peak burst forth with supreme radiance, heading toward Kunwu in the east!

The terrifying shadow fell across the land of the Nineteen Continents as it flew…

On the ground.

In a small mountain village.

The man who had previously joked with Fudao Shanren was holding his child and playing with him.

Suddenly, he looked up and immediately shouted with delight: “Child, look quickly, that’s the mountain man riding Lingzhao Peak!”

By a tributary of the Nine-Headed River.

An old man fishing was packing up his tattered fish basket, preparing to leave.

The huge shadow suddenly crossed the river surface.

The old man was stunned, hurriedly looking up. When he saw the shape of that shadow clearly, he couldn’t help but burst into tears!

Three hundred years…

On the stone-paved mountain road.

A muscular man carried heavy stone strips on his back, walking toward the end of the mountain path ahead, where it was still muddy. He would use the stone strips on his back to pave the mountain road.

“Drip.”

Sweat slid down his cheek, splashing on the dry stone slabs beneath his feet and immediately evaporating.

He was suddenly startled.

Had the sky darkened?

Looking up, that was…

He immediately showed a smile more brilliant than sunlight, bowing deeply toward that shadow, toward that withered figure standing high on the Sword-Drawing Platform!

…

Fudao Shanren stood with his hands behind his back on the Sword-Drawing Platform, with surging clouds rushing toward him like mountains, like water, like hooks, like beasts…

Like my heart!

His deep eyes were suddenly filled with the vicissitudes of time.

Three hundred years had tempered his temper, but not his spirit.

He wondered how Hengxu Laoguai was doing now, having served as Kunwu’s head for many years?

And also…

Jian Chou.

Fudao Shanren looked back toward the distant Northern Domain, perhaps the direction where Jian Chou was. He hoped this girl could make it in time. With her cultivation speed, in another ten years she probably wouldn’t have a chance to participate in minor assemblies.

At this moment, Jian Chou was also looking toward the southeast.

The surrounding scenery shimmered and wavered at the edges of her vision.

However…

It remained the same – grass was grass, mountains were mountains, trees were trees, and they weren’t moving backward.

“Sigh…”

She finally let out a long sigh, withdrawing her gaze to look at Yushan Xing standing beside her.

Yushan Xing’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he waved his fingers. Hearing her sigh, he quickly said: “Hey, don’t sigh, don’t be anxious. This sect master’s mountain-controlling technique isn’t quite perfected yet…”

“Didn’t you say this was your Yushan Sect’s signature skill?”

An hour ago, Yushan Xing had boasted that he would get Jian Chou to Kunwu within three days…

Now…

Jian Chou looked down at the small mound beneath her feet, feeling it didn’t resemble a mountain but rather a little turtle carrying two people, already exhausted beyond measure.

When Yushan Xing raised his hand, the little turtle would arch forward a bit.

But…

It was just arching a bit, like an old ox gasping for breath, refusing to take another step forward.

At this point, they had already left that vast wilderness and reached a main road. Jian Chou could even vaguely see cultivators riding magical artifacts, flashing with radiance as they passed through the clouds.

Yushan Xing was still being stubborn: “Are you looking down on our Yushan Sect? Someday, this sect master will summon a great mountain and invite you to come up!”

This “come up” – why did it sound like “get in a car”?

Jian Chou shook her head helplessly and finally threw out her Liwai Mirror, persuading: “Sect Master, time is running short. If we’re too late, we’ll miss the excitement at Kunwu. How about this – you point the way, and I’ll take you for a ride?”

“…”

Yushan Xing, who had been manipulating hand seals and sweating profusely, suddenly stopped. His small beady eyes rolled around as he looked carefully at Jian Chou, seemingly wondering whether what she said was true or false.

Jian Chou just felt amused and showed a kind smile, making a gesture of invitation to Yushan Xing.

It seemed like…

This was the only solution, wasn’t it?

Yushan Xing’s old face reddened as he coughed. Actually, this had been his plan from the beginning.

For him to go to Kunwu by himself was simply impossible…

After brewing for a long while, Yushan Xing finally raised his chin and spoke: “Since fellow daoist has invited me, this sect master can hardly refuse…”

“Hehe.”

A light laugh suddenly rang out from overhead.

Before Yushan Xing could finish the word “refuse,” he was interrupted.

Both Jian Chou and he were startled, immediately becoming alert as they looked up.

Around them were rolling hills, and beside the main road where they stood were several tall ancient trees. Even in autumn, they were only slightly tinged with red and yellow.

A man in maple-red robes was leaning against a massive tree branch, looking down at them with an interested expression.

“Are you two going to Kunwu? I am Jiang Wenchao of the Western Sea Tongling Pavilion. I don’t know the way – could I travel with you fellow daoists?”

Jian Chou was stunned.

Western Sea Tongling Pavilion was a sect in the Central Domain near the sea, ranking in the “Upper Five” of the Central Domain’s Left Three Thousand.

This man calling himself “Jiang Wenchao” had been waiting above them for so long without making a sound – his cultivation definitely surpassed both of them.

Jian Chou frowned and couldn’t help but look at Yushan Xing.

But she didn’t expect…

When Yushan Xing heard this name, his two eyes practically blazed with green light as he stared at Jiang Wenchao, his entire being excited: “Jiang Wenchao? The former genius of Western Sea Tongling Pavilion who later somehow had his cultivation stagnate and suddenly became a waste – that Jiang Wenchao?!”

“…”

In the tree, the male cultivator suddenly fell silent.

Jian Chou’s mouth twitched as she felt waves of cold intent and killing aura.