Days turned into weeks.
The great battles on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool gradually spread back to the human world in the south, becoming widely discussed in marketplaces and among martial artists. Cultivators of the human world finally learned that a human cavalry had been re-established on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, with the peak eleventh-realm Sword Immortal Xu Zhi and the Tianyuan-realm Martial Artist Mu Zha, two of the Upper Five Realms, stationed there, even repelling Upper Five Realm demons multiple times.
As a result, the martial world, which had been living under the shadow of the four northern tribes, deeply felt that the Snow Domain Celestial Pool had avenged them. Consequently, an increasing number of human cultivators headed north to admire ancient sites and travel the lands. The Mountain Sea Division of the Great Shang Dynasty dispatched countless craftsmen to build a long bridge named Ba Ling Bridge over the Sword Washing River, thus removing any obstacles between the Fusang Great Wall and the Snow Domain Celestial Pool.
...
Early morning.
Lin Zhao descended from the villa on the mountain peak and rode his horse through the small town. He saw a group of players approaching, members of the Seeking Immortals Guild, led by a vice-leader clad in a mix of earth and flowing gold armor. This vice-leader was Xian Bai's cousin, Xian Lin, a heavy armored player ranked among the top in the national server.
"..."
In the morning mist, Xian Lin also froze slightly upon seeing Lin Zhao. It was rumored on the forums that the leader of the Scarlet Moon Knights, Bai Yi, was the reincarnation of Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Celestial Pool. However, Xian Lin had always been skeptical, believing it was just a rumor. Based on his understanding of Bai Yi, he thought it was likely just an act of seeking fame, as the game world was a martial world, and such individuals were all too common.
However, basic courtesy between guilds was still necessary.
Xian Lin smiled slightly on his horse, "Guild Leader Bai Yi, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you in this small town on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool."
"It is quite a coincidence."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Are you going up the mountain to do quests and level up?"
"Yes."
Xian Lin said, "The bosses in White Emperor City are pretty much monopolized by the major guilds at this stage, so we can only expand north. I expect more people will come to the Snow Domain Celestial Pool in a while."
"Is that so."
Lin Zhao nodded and said, "Then you all carry on. I won't disturb you."
"Alright!"
Xian Lin nodded and led over 40 members of the Seeking Immortals Guild north.
Lin Zhao, with a frown, continued forward and soon saw a group of players from the Star River Guild entering the town. They had various expressions, some hopeful, others joyous. Finally entering the town on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, though it was a bit different from before, it was largely a replica, with many past stories still worth cherishing.
Lin Zhao wanted to avoid them, so he headed towards the south of the mountain from the back street.
South Gate of the Town.
The disheveled man Tang Guangjun, with his long sword on his back, ascended to the heavens and was arguing with two martial artists traveling the land, "Go back, go back. There's no martial world on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool. If you want to explore the martial world, please take a detour!"
One of the fourth-realm martial artists frowned, "Why are you, a gatekeeper, being so aggressive? We heard that there are human traces on the Snow Domain Celestial Pool again, so we came to see if we could do anything for the human world. We brothers have plenty of strength, and we can even fight against lower fifth-realm demons. Why won't you let us enter the Snow Domain Celestial Pool?"
"Exactly!"
The fifth-realm martial artist beside him, with his divine light contained and his physique robust, cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Or perhaps, gatekeeper, you want to loosen up your muscles? After we beat you, we'll admit our mistake to Sword Immortal Xu Zhi. I don't believe a dignified Sword Immortal would bother with such trivial matters."
"Oh my~~~"
Tang Guangjun grinned, "Look how capable you two are. Don't wet your pants when you meet demons on North Mountain. Did you bring diapers?"
"You!"
The fifth-realm martial artist was furious, "You unreasonable gatekeeper, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"I'm counting on your impoliteness!"
Tang Guangjun cupped his fists, "I, Tang Guangjun, the gatekeeper of the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, seek your guidance!"
"Stop!"
Lin Zhao couldn't stand it any longer and frowned. "Tang Guangjun, from now on, if any human martial artists come to the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, don't stop them. The former Snow Domain Celestial Pool was originally a place of martial arts. We shouldn't change the rules because of us."
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun immediately nodded, "Mountain Lord, your wisdom is unmatched. I will obey your command!"
The two martial artists cupped their fists towards Lin Zhao and entered the town.
Lin Zhao returned the salute and then followed the mountain path to the Mountain Lord's Shrine on the mountainside. He saw Su Shan Jun and the old Sword Immortal Han Buyu drinking tea and eating melon seeds in the bamboo forest next to the shrine. He walked over honestly, sat down next to Old Sword Immortal Han, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, and began to crack them, showing no pretense of being a guest.
"Are these the melon seeds sent by Tong Yu? They taste exactly like the ones at our villa on the mountain peak, fried by Dong Cang himself."
"Amazing!"
Su Shan Jun grinned, "They are indeed from Tong Yu. As for whether Dong Cang fried them, I don't know."
"How have things been lately?"
Lin Zhao stretched his neck and looked towards the entrance of the Mountain Lord's Shrine. "There are quite a few people living in the town now. Should the incense offerings be a bit more prosperous than before?"
"Only slightly better."
Su Shan Jun said with some helplessness, "The town is in ruins, and there isn't even a decent incense shop. Moreover, the townspeople are not very well-off. As the master of the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, how prosperous do you think the incense offerings can be?"
"No incense shops..."
Lin Zhao was stunned for a moment, then slapped his thigh. "Su Shan Jun, I'm not trying to criticize you, but this is your fault. The ancient saying goes, 'Trees die when they are transplanted, but people thrive.' Can't we think of a solution? As a dignified Mountain Lord, you can send two temple attendants to get supplies. We can set up a stall in front of the Mountain Lord's Shrine to sell incense, candles, fruits, etc. People who buy them can then make offerings and pay respects. You not only gain incense offerings but also make money. Don't you have any business acumen?"
"This..."
Su Shan Jun was enlightened and slapped his thigh in annoyance, "Why didn't you say so sooner!!!"
Lin Zhao rolled his eyes.
Su Shan Jun turned and transformed into a golden light, entering the shrine to discuss setting up a stall with the temple attendants. This matter couldn't be delayed. Mountain and water deities rely on consuming incense offerings to solidify their golden bodies and improve their cultivation. Their own cultivation accounts for only a small part. Why is Lin Xingchu of the Sword Washing River so powerful? Because not only do the people on both sides of the Sword Washing River offer to Lin Xingchu, but also the majority of people in Yun Prefecture, Ning Prefecture, and Yan Prefecture, and even the Mountain Sea Division of the Great Shang court, all offer to the River Goddess of the Sword Washing River.
"Old Sword Immortal Han."
Lin Zhao glanced at Han Buyu beside him and smiled, "Haven't broken through yet?"
"Not yet."
Han Buyu grinned, looking like he had given up. It couldn't be helped, breaking through wasn't that easy. He had a heart demon pressing down on him and Yu Shi Yue Ling pressing down from above. He felt like he was living in a cage. Maintaining his current Star River Realm Cloud Master cultivation was already quite good; he didn't dare to hope for too much.
Lin Zhao was not in a hurry and smiled, "It's okay. Perhaps your luck hasn't arrived yet. No need to rush."
"That makes sense."
Han Buyu took a sip, his eyes narrowing with a smile. It was still good that the third shopkeeper knew how to behave. His words were as gentle as a breeze, so much better than the venomous tongues of Su Shan Jun and Tang Guang Jun.
Lin Zhao looked towards the south of the mountain. On a newly cleared official road, it seemed that many cultivators from the south were ascending. In the air, a sword light even descended directly onto the Snow Domain Celestial Pool. It was a Golden Core Sword Cultivator from the human world.
Instantly, Lin Zhao frowned and said to Xu Zhi in his heart, "Later, tell Mu Zha to lead people to erect a Sword Relinquishing Stone by the side of the road at the Mountain Lord's Shrine. All human cultivators and martial artists who arrive here must dismount and walk up the mountain from the Sword Relinquishing Stone. We must establish the rules. If anyone breaks the rules later, you can directly take action and suppress them."
"Understood."
Xu Zhi smiled, "Your subordinate will handle it properly. Please rest assured, my lord."
Lin Zhao nodded and continued to drink tea and eat melon seeds with Old Sword Immortal Han. Shortly after, he simply lay down on a mat by the bamboo forest, resting his head on his arms. This life was extremely leisurely. In fact, this was a good life, much better than fighting and killing every day.
...
Night fell, and a bright moon cast fragmented moonlight onto Bai Yu Stream.
Under the moonlight, the young military sage, holding a bright silver spear and clad in white robes and silver armor, stepped onto the stone bridge of Bai Yu Stream. He looked down. The stream babbled, just as it always had. As his gaze fell into the water, the entire Bai Yu Stream seemed to be illuminated by a ray of light, becoming incredibly brilliant and transparent. The old woman hidden deep in the riverbed trembled all over, hiding in the nest of an ancient thousand-year-old turtle.
"Stop hiding."
The young military sage smiled slightly, "I have come specifically to find you."
"..."
On the water's surface, ripples gathered, and streaks of silver-white silk moved with the ripples. Immediately after, the old woman rose from the water and knelt on the surface, crying in a moment, "I don't know where I have offended the immortal. Please, immortal, punish me..."
The young military sage frowned and said, "I am a stranger to you. I am merely here to see you on behalf of the Military Immortal. Before I departed, the Military Immortal said that your merit in preserving the body of Young Master Yu a hundred years ago has been recorded. Now that Lin Zhao has returned to the Snow Domain Celestial Pool, you have also behaved yourself, not causing trouble, and adhering to etiquette, consolidating the spiritual energy of Bai Yu Stream's mountains and waters. This also counts as a small merit."
Madam Xu was stunned, her eyes widening, "He doesn't blame me?"
"No longer."
The military sage smiled slightly, took a golden pill from his embrace, and threw it into the river. "Swallow it immediately. Quickly."
"Yes!"
Madam Xu channeled the water flow, guiding the golden pill into her mouth. Instantly, her entire body began to glow golden again. Her power as a river spirit increased step by step. Even her wrinkled face became young again, and her long, white and gray hair turned black. In an instant, she transformed into a woman in her early twenties.
The young military sage leaped into the air, his feet landing on the water's surface, causing golden ripples to surge. Beneath his feet, countless golden characters emanated.
"Bai Yu Stream River Spirit, Madam Xu, attend the decree!"
...
"This poor woman is here..."
Madam Xu knelt on the water's surface, trembling all over. After waiting for a hundred years, this moment had finally arrived.