Further south, it was indeed as the young lady in the farmhouse said - barren mountains and treacherous waters, with no sign of human habitation.

They avoided the mountain paths and galloped along the official road that had been built during prosperous times but was now abandoned.

The deep cyan mist of autumn spread over the silent distant mountains as they traveled far.

Chen Weichen moved his gaze from the "Nanhua Sutra" in his hand to the autumn scenery outside the window. He picked up the Tushan flute obtained from the scholar's wife and played a few tunes.

Several wild foxes darted out from the forest, trailing the carriage from afar, their shiny black eyes very pleasing. He watched these spirited little foxes with relish for a while before putting away the flute.

The foxes had been summoned out by the spiritual object, but without further guidance, they scattered in confusion when the flute stopped playing, their unenlightened minds quite puzzled.

Halfway through dispersing, they suddenly pricked up their ears and tensed their bodies in unison, as if facing a great enemy.

At that very moment, Wen Hui lifted the carriage curtain: "Young Master, someone is blocking the road ahead!"

He was originally quite apprehensive, but his young master looked unperturbed in the carriage, even raising his eyebrows and smiling at Ye Jiuya: "Swordmaster Ye, they're looking for you again."

The servant was quite baffled.

There stood a person at the end of the road ahead, with a very strong physique, wielding a long halberd, looking very imposing. His voice boomed: "I am Jiang Yunhuan. Swordmaster Ye, please instruct me!"

Ye Jiuya got off the carriage. Amidst the vast mountain scenery, a figure in white robes stood opposite the halberd-wielding man.

"Marquis Muyun," Xie Lang said, "entered the Dao through martial arts, valuing strength over technique, taking the same path as Lord Canlong."

"Daoist Xie," Wen Hui scratched his head, "a flute-playing immortal came before, and now a halberd-wielding one has come, both eager to vie for victory against Swordmaster Ye?"

The Daoist looked inquiringly at Lu Hongyan. Seeing her nod slightly, he instantly gained confidence and began chattering to Wen Hui: "Swordmaster Ye made his name with his heartless sword intent. The title 'Lord beyond Lords' spread from the mouths of those who had witnessed the heartless sword intent. However, Swordmaster Ye himself has never truly descended from Sword Pavilion Snowy Mountain to battle the immortal lords and marquises. According to the rules of the immortal way, defeating one marquis earns the title of marquis, defeating fourteen marquises and one lord earns the title of lord, defeating three lords and fourteen marquises—"

"Earns the title of emperor?" Wen Hui's eyes lit up.

"It's not that easy," Xie Lang said. "One must also be able to overcome layers of perilous obstacles and ascend to the peak of Mount Huandang to be called emperor—if one reaches the second heavenly realm, defeating three lords and fourteen marquises is easy, but that one emperor is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Many arrogant individuals have lost their lives on the path to heaven on Mount Huandang. Back then, Floating Heaven Palace had been empty for a hundred years before Emperor Yan emerged, defeating three lords and fourteen marquises in succession and ascending Mount Huandang. He had reached the third level of the heavenly realm, a level unseen for hundreds of years—since then, people speculated that only by mastering the third level of the heavenly realm that connects heaven and earth can one gain the recognition of the Dao and become the leader of the immortal way."

As Xie Lang said this, he seemed lost in distant admiration: "If only I had been born earlier and could have witnessed Emperor Yan back then, I wonder what magnificence he possessed."

Wen Hui still didn't understand: "What does this have to do with Swordmaster Ye?"

"Swordmaster Ye was originally either in the northern Sword Pavilion Snowy Mountain, inaccessible to anyone except his fellow disciples, or he had descended the mountain but his whereabouts were unknown. This made it impossible for the many admirers of his heartless sword intent to meet him. But now there is an opportunity," Xie Lang slyly stroked the cat in his arms. "After all, few can shamelessly follow him like I do. Most of them have to take the initiative to challenge Swordmaster Ye, hoping to catch a glimpse of the heavenly secrets through this."

The Daoist looked outside with interest: "Swordmaster Ye's descent from the mountain this time was not by riding on Qi with an untraceable path. He has truly announced to the immortal way his intention to enter the world. The immortal way has been lifeless for many years and is finally going to liven up. Swordmaster Ye's journey to the South Sea is likely to battle Lord Lanshan and then wash his sword in Guixu. His intention is probably to enter the third level of the heavenly realm and ascend Mount Huandang—Emperor Yan has been missing for over a decade. Whether he is still there or not, we will know for certain once Swordmaster Ye ascends Mount Huandang! If the Emperor is just in seclusion, there may be a duel between two of the third level of the heavenly realm, which is truly awe-inspiring to imagine!"

After the Daoist finished speaking, he looked around, only to find that only Wen Hui was listening intently. Lu Hongyan leaned against the carriage wall with her eyes closed, her aura chillingly cold. Chen Weichen was casually fiddling with his fan, looking completely distracted.

Xie Lang was also a bit perplexed.

As they spoke, outside, Marquis Muyun, wielding the long halberd, was poised to strike. His Qi surged around his body as he swept out with the halberd, the righteous Qi unfurling like a fan.

But that white-robed figure was like a wisp of drifting snow, treading on the murderous righteous Qi. The scabbard and long halberd clashed for an instant as his figure gracefully turned, passing by Marquis Muyun. The long halberd vibrated incessantly.

Ye Jiuya turned, leaving only the sight of his back and a sheathed long sword.

That instant determined the victor.

Marquis Muyun's eyes were filled with admiration.

Several little foxes huddled in fear, peeking out timidly.

"The profound mystery in that one move is enough for Marquis Muyun to ponder over for a year or two." Like Wen Hui, Xie Lang couldn't change his talkative habit. He continued, "But to Swordmaster Ye, it is utterly boring. We will have to wait until reaching the Sword Platform in the South Sea to witness his true skill. With Marquis Chenshu and Marquis Muyun leading the way, the other immortal marquises or secluded second heavenly realm cultivators will bring their disciples and descend the mountains one after another, either to seek instruction or simply head straight to the South Sea to watch a magnificent duel."

Xie Lang used a minor immortal technique to summon a gray pigeon: "I must also send word to my fellow disciples. This is a tremendous opportunity!"

Chen Weichen just rested his chin in his hand and watched: "Beautiful."

When Xie Lang thought this person had comprehended some profound mystery within the sword, he heard Chen Weichen continue: "The motion of drawing the sword is beautiful, even the posture of holding the sword is beautiful!"

Xie Lang: "..."

"Only knowing the superficial," Lu Hongyan said coldly. "If you saw his flamboyant sword techniques back when he had not taken the heartless path and returned to simplicity, wouldn't your eyes go straight?"

The young master smiled and waved his fan: "Graceful as a startled swan, one can imagine, one can imagine. Eyes going straight would be inevitable."

Lu Hongyan snorted with a laugh, not speaking to this person.

Chen Weichen leaned against his servant and continued to praise: "Completely different from his sword techniques back then, yet equally beautiful."

Lu Hongyan's eyes turned cold: "Back then?"

The young master blinked: "You're allowed to baselessly claim things about him back then, but I'm not allowed to imagine?"

Lu Hongyan: "Although I am not from Sword Pavilion, if you carefully consider it, we are still half fellow disciples. How do you know I am just imagining things?"

"Lady Lu, you cultivators don't show your age, but judging from your temperament, you can't be that old. Back then, you were probably just a little girl."

Lu Hongyan was indeed young. Being provoked by him, her temper flared and she deeply regretted not being able to hold back her sarcastic remarks earlier. She made up her mind to never say another word to this person in the future.

However, that person seemed to feel he wasn't annoying enough. He solemnly taught his own servant some crooked theories: "Ah Hui, you see, this is the benefit of playing dumb. A few true words, a few false ones, who can tell the difference when they come out of this young master's mouth?"

The servant pushed him away: "You are truly crazy, I know that. But please don't say anymore, or my little life will be gone."

The young master continued smugly: "You see, even you can't tell the difference, let alone others?"

Until Lu Hongyan couldn't take it anymore and placed her Shattered Kunlun sword on his neck, Chen Weichen finally started begging for mercy: "Lady Lu, Lady Lu, have mercy! I won't dare to do it again."

Ye Jiuya returned to the carriage to find a scene on the verge of breaking into a fight. He gave both of them a light glance.

Chen Weichen obediently shut his mouth, and Lu Hongyan sheathed her sword.

Xie Lang, holding a fat black cat, said to his sister: "I understand now. Swordmaster Ye is the greatest, followed by Lord Canlong's Shattered Kunlun. We should just obediently drive the carriage with Wen Hui."

Qingyuan meowed, flipped over and continued sleeping.

The carriage continued forward. There were indeed several more challenges along the way, but the Jiuya Sword remained undrawn.

Until they went further south, when the distant coastline was already in sight.

Author's Note: The recent chapters have all been slice of life. In the next chapter, we'll go to the South Sea to fight, level up, and start a new story arc.