Yihe Hall suddenly fell quiet for a moment.

Everyone had heard the name Xie Buchen—the genius of Kunwu who established his foundation in ten days, and only three days after Foundation Establishment became the number one in combat power among Foundation Establishment cultivators throughout the Nineteen Provinces. He could no longer be described merely as a “genius.”

Zhilin Sou had once ranked him among the top favorites to win the One-Person Platform championship, but this person hadn’t been able to participate in this session’s small assembly.

When Xie Buchen failed to appear at the time, many people had felt regret for his absence.

But later, the participating cultivators showed remarkable abilities, each displaying genius in their own way, with Yashan’s Jian Chou’s defeat of all competitors being particularly eye-catching. This caused many people to put this absent genius out of their minds and pay him less attention.

How strong was Zhou Chengjiang’s combat power?

They had already experienced it during the small assembly.

Xie Buchen, only three days after Foundation Establishment, could defeat Zhou Chengjiang to become first on the Second Heaven Tablet.

They certainly wouldn’t consider Zhou Chengjiang too weak—

The only explanation was that this Kunwu genius was too strong.

So this person couldn’t participate in the small assembly because he encountered an accident in the hidden realm?

And this accident was precisely caused by Qu Zhengfeng, a disciple under Fudao Shanren…

Upon reflection, everyone suddenly detected something unusual.

The Central Domain was ruled by Kunwu and Yashan, so sending a few people to explore the hidden realm naturally wouldn’t be a big problem.

Some had already made their decision, but…

Xiao Jin, still holding his watermelon, paid no heed to the fact that this was Kunwu’s Yihe Hall. He just blinked his eyes, staring at Master Hengxu and Fudao Shanren standing above.

“Uh… I, I…”

He began stammering, apparently somewhat afraid of the imposing presence of the two great leaders above.

Everyone’s gazes immediately shifted to him.

Master Hengxu showed a slightly interested expression, looking quite kindly, and asked: “Friend Xiao Jin, is there something?”

“Well, my family is waiting for me to return home, so I probably can’t go to the hidden realm…”

After saying this, Xiao Jin’s face immediately showed a rare dejected expression, clearly reluctant.

Not being able to go out and wander with everyone was obviously a huge regret.

Next, Jiang Wenchao also stepped forward, bowing: “Reporting to Master, Wenchao hasn’t returned to Tongling Pavilion for thirty years. Now I only wish to travel the world starting from Kunwu, then return to Tongling Pavilion to have a look. I’m afraid I also cannot accompany fellow daoists to Qingfeng Monastery’s hidden realm.”

So-called “hidden realms” were small worlds opened by great master cultivators of at least the eighth realm of “Bounded Realm.”

Some cultivators, before ascending, would sever their connection with these realms, leaving the hidden realm as a blessing for future generations. Others would take their hidden realms with them into the legendary realm of true immortals.

Of course, more cultivators could comprehend the rules of heaven and earth, reaching the “Bounded Realm,” but couldn’t cross the Heaven-Reaching boundary, or even if they crossed Heaven-Reaching, couldn’t successfully ascend.

Therefore, this type of cultivator’s hidden realm would also be lost, becoming some corner of the vast world.

What the origin of Qingfeng Monastery’s hidden realm was, everyone didn’t know for now.

But any “hidden realm” often contained various supreme treasures, offering countless opportunities to those who entered. Now that Xiao Jin and Jiang Wenchao said they couldn’t go, it was indeed somewhat regrettable.

Xiao Jin had no sect or faction, and Jiang Wenchao hadn’t returned to his sect for thirty years—both had reasonable excuses.

Whether this was true or false was hard to say.

Master Hengxu didn’t force them, his expression unchanged, only saying: “In that case, only four people remain from the small assembly, plus Buchen and Baiyue Valley’s Lu Xiangleng, making exactly six people.”

He looked toward Jian Chou and the other four, seeing that none objected, knowing these four were settled.

“Now that the small assembly has ended, everyone must have gained insights during it. Each trial that Brother Fudao designed had deep meaning. Regardless of where you go, thinking more will surely bring great benefits. These few days, please stay comfortably at Kunwu, preparing to depart soon. The hidden realm is full of opportunities—a rare chance indeed.”

“Yes.”

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment.

Jian Chou lowered her head, her mind troubled.

There wasn’t much to discuss. After Master Hengxu finished his instructions, he had Wu Duan lead them out.

Fudao Shanren glanced at Jian Chou’s figure from afar, still remaining in the hall to discuss the upcoming sect assembly—it was time for the once-every-three-hundred-years rotation of the Law Enforcement Elder position.

Holding his chicken leg, he couldn’t help asking: “What do you think that Xiao Jin’s background really is?”

Master Hengxu furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment: “Simple-minded, knowing only how to punch from beginning to end, but with immense strength—probably a young master from some Southern Domain family.”

That was quite possible.

Fudao Shanren nodded and said nothing more.

Outside Yihe Hall.

Wu Duan led Jian Chou and the others out, but for a moment they found themselves looking at each other speechlessly.

Most of these people had originally been strangers, meeting through the small assembly—so-called “becoming acquainted through conflict.” With two people suddenly saying they wouldn’t go, it gave everyone a sense of unease.

Jian Chou looked at Jiang Wenchao, then at Xiao Jin.

Xiao Jin scratched his head, seeming somewhat troubled.

He looked at everyone, then actually rummaged around in his clothes, pulling out a large watermelon. He walked directly to Jian Chou, holding the watermelon out to her: “Senior Sister Jian Chou, we’ve met by fate. Let me give you a watermelon to eat—it’s really sweet!”

“…”

Jian Chou was slightly startled, looking at the huge watermelon before her. Remembering how he was always eating since she’d known him, she couldn’t help but smile.

She reached out and took the watermelon.

But…

It was so heavy!

Seeing that Jian Chou had accepted it, Xiao Jin became excited and simply gave everyone a watermelon.

Jiang Wenchao and Zuoliu, who were on good terms with Xiao Jin, thanked him and accepted them. Though Young Master Ruhua looked disgusted, he ultimately didn’t refuse.

However…

When Xiao Jin walked up to Xia Houshe holding a watermelon, the atmosphere became subtly tense.

In dark red robes the color of blood, not standing with the others but alone in a corner, he seemed unwilling to get close to ordinary people.

The blood mark between his brows seemed to have deepened somewhat.

When Xiao Jin approached, his emotionless eyes shifted, the red in his pupils brightening slightly as his gaze fell on Xiao Jin.

“One watermelon per person. Here, for you.”

Seemingly completely oblivious to the danger, Xiao Jin held out the watermelon.

In this moment, everyone else fell silent.

In their eyes, including Jian Chou’s, Xiao Jin in his animal hide vest with his sunny, innocent face standing before Xia Houshe was like some ignorant small animal standing before a fierce tiger or hungry wolf, likely to be devoured at any moment.

Even Zuoliu felt sympathy for Xiao Jin: This fellow from Fengmo Sword Sect didn’t look like a good person at all. You can give watermelons to the rest of us, but why provoke that bad luck?

Jian Chou also looked over.

From their several encounters during the small assembly, she had some understanding of Xia Houshe’s strength, though what troubled her more was another issue. But having focused on cultivation these past days, she hadn’t come out and had no chance to inquire.

Now that Xiao Jin was “courting death” by offering a watermelon to Xia Houshe, she became interested.

Before him was that green-skinned large watermelon, looking quite fresh and bright.

Xia Houshe lowered his eyes to glance at the watermelon, expressionless, only slightly furrowing his brow, seemingly unwilling to acknowledge Xiao Jin.

But raising his head, he saw the deeply meaningful expressions on the surrounding faces, with Jian Chou also looking at him thoughtfully.

However, after he looked over, Jian Chou smiled back and said: “Meeting once is fate.”

Someone had already offered the watermelon—it wouldn’t be good not to accept, would it?

That was the implication.

Not knowing what he was really thinking, Xia Houshe ultimately took the watermelon with both hands, his eyes obscure, though his face showed impatience.

But Xiao Jin didn’t mind at all. After giving away the watermelon, he practically jumped three feet high!

“Haha, oh my, I gave away my watermelon!”

“…”

Everyone was speechless.

Jian Chou felt an urge to palm her face, feeling like this was some family’s child who had run away from home.

“The Central Domain is such a good place, full of good people everywhere! I’m so happy!”

Joyful shouts came from his mouth.

Xiao Jin bounced around, occasionally bouncing in front of Wu Duan. Seeing his empty hands, he simply pulled out another watermelon: “Everyone gets one—here’s one for you too.”

Wu Duan was caught off guard, holding a watermelon in his arms, somewhat stunned.

By this time, Xia Houshe’s expression had darkened considerably, but Xiao Jin wasn’t someone who cared about such things—he was about to leave, and this was his farewell gift to everyone.

Ahead were long stone steps, a mountain path leading to the foot of Kunwu Mountain.

Xiao Jin just showed everyone a big smile, his eight white teeth gleaming brightly in the sunlight: “I’m going home now. You’re all welcome to visit my home in the future!”

After saying this, he leaped forward, nimbly jumping down the steps in one bound, like an agile monkey hopping down Kunwu’s steps all the way.

Along the path, they could hear his happy voice.

“They’re all such good, good people…”

Green mountains shrouded, dusk approaching.

Xiao Jin’s figure in his animal hide vest soon disappeared.

Jian Chou watched from afar, weighing the watermelon in her hand, and couldn’t help but smile.

Jiang Wenchao also smiled, seemingly feeling that people with such pure hearts were rare.

Seeing the approaching evening, he put away his watermelon and cupped his hands toward everyone: “Meeting at the small assembly, fate through mountains and waters—I hope we’ll meet again someday.”

“Until we meet again.”

Everyone also cupped their hands.

Jiang Wenchao simply turned around, his maple-red robes fluttering in the wind. In the blink of an eye, he had risen into the air, transforming into a beam of light and departing into the distance.

Soon, that maple-red light merged into Kunwu’s brilliant evening glow and disappeared without a trace.

Standing in place, only Jian Chou, Wu Duan, and three others remained, suddenly seeming somewhat desolate.

Partings always carried light melancholy. Jian Chou smiled slightly and said: “Without sect or faction, yet I forgot to ask where his home is, and he’s inviting us to visit.”

Xiao Jin’s origins remained unknown to everyone.

Perhaps Zhilin Sou knew, but hadn’t recorded it in his “One-Person Platform Notes.”

Regarding this, Wu Duan was somewhat knowledgeable. He pondered for a moment, looking at the watermelon in his hand, and said: “Not from the Central Domain’s Left Three Thousand, and the Right Three Thousand wouldn’t have someone so pure-hearted. His cultivation method also doesn’t belong to any of the Northern Domain’s four major sects—he’s probably from the Southern Domain.”

“Southern Domain?”

Jian Chou frowned, recalling the division of the Nineteen Provinces into Southern, Northern, Central, and Extreme domains.

The Central Domain was divided into Left Three Thousand and Right Three Thousand.

Left Three Thousand comprised three thousand sects, while Right Three Thousand was the famous gathering place for rogue cultivators throughout the Nineteen Provinces—”Mingri Xinghai” (Tomorrow’s Star Sea).

Left and Right Three Thousand constituted the entire Central Domain, which maintained order within its apparent chaos, seeming like scattered sand yet producing many masters.

The Northern Domain was famous for its giant sects.

The vast region was occupied by only four sects: Yin-Yang Twin Sects, Western Sea Chan Forest, and Snowy Region Esoteric Sect, each clearly distinct, not interfering with each other.

However, there were also some old grievances among them.

It was said that the Yin-Yang Twin Sects originated from the same source, and Western Sea Chan Forest and Snowy Region Esoteric Sect also had deep connections. So the Northern Domain’s four sects had actually emerged from two giant sects that had split apart, similar to today’s Wangjiang Tower and Wanghai Tower by the Western Sea.

The Extreme Domain held a special position, located at the easternmost part of the Nineteen Provinces—the “land where the sun rises.”

Ancient legends said: “In the eastern extreme of the Nineteen Provinces stands Dushuo Mountain, atop which grows a great peach tree, coiled and twisted for three thousand li. Between its branches to the northeast lies the Ghost Gate, where ten thousand spirits pass in and out.”

Nine-headed birds carried ghosts back there, heading to the Ghost Gate. Below the Extreme Domain lay the netherworld where ten thousand ghosts gathered.

As for the Southern Domain, it had a different appearance entirely.

The Southern Domain lay to the south, bordered by the southeastern barbaric lands to the east—once the birthplace of evil demons and heretics, adjacent to the most chaotic “Mingri Xinghai” of the Nineteen Provinces, making it inherently chaotic. To the west lay countless ancient cultivation families and clans, each with deep roots and complex relationships, all constraining each other.

The entire Southern Domain’s chaos level was second only to “Mingri Xinghai.”

It was a place where Central Domain influence could barely reach, naturally harboring many unheard-of cultivation methods.

Since Xiao Jin’s cultivation method wasn’t found in the Central or Northern domains, it could probably only be traced to the Southern Domain.

Moreover, his mention of “home” was already quite clear.

Jian Chou thought and nodded: “The Nineteen Provinces are vast, containing all phenomena.”

At this moment, wasn’t she still just a frog in a well?

Wu Duan had seen much and understood various landscapes. Hearing Jian Chou’s tone, he roughly guessed her thoughts and said: “All phenomena are contained within. When Senior Sister Jian Chou has cultivated for many years, you’ll naturally experience countless wonders—even the changing sun and moon won’t catch your eye.”

These words were exaggerated.

Jian Chou appreciated his good intentions, smiled, and said: “It seems that to see all the landscapes of the Nineteen Provinces, I must work hard at cultivation.”

At this moment, Wu Duan couldn’t help but smile.

He cupped his hands in salute: “Senior Brother Xie won’t return until tomorrow, and even when he does, Master probably has more to instruct. Everyone will need to stay at Kunwu for a few more days. The accommodations remain the same. If you need anything, just send word to me or instruct the steward disciples.”

Everyone thanked him, and not lingering long before Yihe Hall, they returned to the accommodations Kunwu had arranged for them.

At this time, aside from Fudao Shanren, most of the senior brothers had returned to Yashan.

After all, Qu Zhengfeng’s betrayal of Yashan was no small matter, and the sect’s disciples had been quite shaken.

In the past, Qu Zhengfeng had often handled many affairs for Fudao Shanren. Now that he was suddenly gone, someone had to take over immediately, and everyone would probably be dizzy with busyness for a while.

“Creak.”

In the dusk, Jian Chou bid farewell to the other three, pushed open her door, and returned to her room.

The furnishings were simple—wooden table and chairs, only slightly more refined than those at Yashan, with carved patterns on the table legs.

She flicked her finger, lighting the lamp on the table.

The dim room immediately became somewhat brighter.

Gazing at this bean-sized flame, Jian Chou felt somewhat dazed, as if in an instant this room had become that room in the village, with dim lamplight illuminating the bare walls, yet providing no warmth.

She blinked, had a moment of confusion, and the surrounding illusions immediately disappeared.

The room returned to its original appearance.

Raising her hand, Jian Chou rubbed her forehead, as if wanting to drive away the killing intent lingering in her mind, but ultimately had no effect.

Her brow furrowed several times before she walked over and sat cross-legged on the cushion in the center of the room.

Opening her hands, she formed a hand seal, placed them on her knees, allowing her battle disc to emerge beneath her. As heavenly and earthly spiritual energy poured through her forehead, her slightly restless heart gradually calmed.

Cultivation knew no passage of time.

In the blink of an eye, the moon reached its zenith, spilling silver radiance through her window lattice. Soon after, the moon gradually slanted, and the silver radiance was swallowed by the surrounding darkness. All of Kunwu fell into the darkness before dawn.

In the silence, only tiny insect sounds broke through the window frame, yet couldn’t disturb people’s sleep.

“Drip.”

Outside the window, heavy mist condensed into thick dewdrops on the yellowing leaves, finally gathering together to fall, tapping against the window frame.

At this moment, Jian Chou’s closed eyelashes suddenly trembled.

A pair of clear eyes lifted, looking toward the slightly open window crack. The mountain was high, the moon among autumn trees, dew heavy—this was the most silent moment of the day, when dawn had not yet broken.

She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, finally rising from the cushion. Her battle disc, now stabilized at two zhang, four chi, and seven fen, disappeared into the ground.

Walking to the door, she opened it again.

Dawn was approaching—today should also be the day Xie Buchen returned to Kunwu.

She thought this calmly, then turned back to close the door, silently leaving the courtyard and following the mountain path down from Kunwu, passing through the dense forest surrounding Kunwu’s main peak.

The sound of rushing river water soon drew near.

Stepping on fallen leaves covering the ground, Jian Chou stood by the riverbank and immediately saw a small boat floating with the river current yet somehow remaining stationary.

The sky was dim, the river full of thick mist.

Scattered glimmers of light rippled slightly on the river surface, with occasional fish leaping from the water, making splashing sounds.

A small black-awning boat sat in the middle of the river, with an old fishing net tied to its stern, the oar casually leaning against the net, and two or three crooked fish baskets placed at the bow.

One person sat at the bow, wearing a straw cloak and bamboo hat, blocking the river’s thick mist. But his figure was also somewhat vague and blurred in the mist, indistinct. Jian Chou could only see him holding a slender fishing rod, apparently fishing on the river surface.

Behind this person, a new fire burned with a small pot suspended above it. The water in the pot had already boiled to crab-eye bubbles.

The moment Jian Chou looked toward him, the fishing rod suddenly moved, immediately creating ripple after ripple on the river surface.

“A fish has taken the bait…”

The fisherman’s voice carried some amusement. He simply flicked the rod, and a plump perch was pulled from the river water, caught on the hook and lifted into his hand.

At this moment, Jian Chou finally saw his appearance clearly—his features were vaguely familiar.

Fu Chaosheng put down his fishing rod, speaking with an almost nostalgic tone to Jian Chou on the shore: “Fish in hand, water in the pot, everything ready—I need only cook a bowl of fresh soup as hospitality. Since an old friend has arrived, why not board the boat for a chat?”