Feather-light snow drifted between heaven and earth, coating Crescent Lake at Divine Axe Mountain with a thick blanket of white.

It was already late afternoon. In the woods ahead, Teng Shou was relentlessly practicing his fist forms, while the old groom, Wang, drilled with his sword not far off. Yet, Teng Qingshan, usually the most diligent, stood quietly under the eaves, gazing out at the vast, endless snowfall.

"A blink of an eye, and the year is already gone."

Since capturing Dong Zizhi and obtaining that stone carving, Teng Qingshan had focused entirely on secluded cultivation. Especially after reaching the late stage of Gang Jin, achieving perfection both internally and externally, and subduing the Six-legged Saber Cicada, Teng Qingshan had become ferocious—once he gained an insight, he would immediately seek out the Six-legged Saber Cicada for sparring and testing.

Many ancient trees on the entire Divine Axe Mountain range, some centuries old, suffered for this endeavor.

Today was arguably the only day of rest Teng Qingshan had taken since obtaining the stone carving.

"Yu the Great’s Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting begins with the Dao of Earth, gradually integrating the Dao of Metal! From the Assassin Hall, I obtained the ninth style. This ninth style focuses primarily on the Dao of Metal, supplemented by the Dao of Earth! After months of cultivation, I have completely grasped it. What a pity, I only have this single piece!" Teng Qingshan felt a trace of unwillingness.

This stone carving had indeed accelerated Teng Qingshan's rate of progress significantly.

In just a few short months, Teng Qingshan’s Fist of Metal Dao had consecutively birthed the first, second, and third styles! However, Teng Qingshan’s achievement in the Fist of Earth Dao was already exceptionally high, reaching the seventh style. The ninth stone carving from the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting did not contain an overly profound understanding of the Earth Dao.

It only allowed Teng Qingshan to make slight improvements to his Fist of Earth Dao.

"It's a shame I only have this one piece. If... if I had all thirty-six pieces! Stepping into the Void Realm within one or two years would absolutely not be a dream," Teng Qingshan seethed inwardly.

"Twenty years old! I am twenty now."

Nineteen was spent before the Immortal Jade Wall on Bright Moon Island.

Twenty was spent before the stone carvings at Divine Axe Mountain.

Teng Qingshan had never allowed himself to slack off.

"Father, Mother, your child has been away from you for more than two years..." What Teng Qingshan missed most were his kind parents. His father, Teng Yongfan, had been captured by people from Green Lake Island, surviving against impossible odds, but losing both legs. "In these past two years, I wonder how Father is doing!"

Twenty years old!

How were his distant mother and father?

The Duanmu Continent and the Nine Provinces Continent were too far apart, separated by tens of thousands of miles. Even for a Xiantian master, crossing was immensely difficult; one wrong step could lead one into dangerous regions of the sea.

"Although I publicly declared I was leaving my sect back then, would Green Lake Island, having suffered such immense losses, simply let it go?"

"I don't know how my sect has fared in the year I've been away from the Nine Provinces."

"Furthermore, that Heavenly Palace is wildly ambitious. Perhaps a storm is already brewing in the Nine Provinces," Teng Qingshan worried deeply. He had once witnessed a divine eagle attacking the Carefree Palace with lightning—the Carefree Palace was one of the Eight Great Sects, yet it was attacked by a Void Realm divine beast!

This hinted that the currents beneath the surface in the Nine Provinces were turbulent.

"If chaos erupts, and the Nine Provinces descends into disarray, can my Guiyuan Sect hold on?" Teng Qingshan was consumed by anxiety. From just the movements he observed in the Nine Provinces, Teng Qingshan could deduce many ominous signs!

The Guiyuan Sect, with its fragile foundation, could easily be wiped out in the face of giants like the Eight Great Sects and the Heavenly Palace!

If the Guiyuan Sect were destroyed, then Teng Qingshan’s parents and Teng Family Village would also be in grave danger!

"I hope the Nine Provinces can remain peaceful, continue... at least, hold out until I return." Teng Qingshan yearned for this. It was precisely because he was far from the Nine Provinces and received no news that he worried so intensely. The unknown is what breeds the deepest fear.

The deepest fear was—

Upon returning, to find the Guiyuan Sect and Teng Family Village utterly annihilated!

"Time, time!"

Teng Qingshan’s brows furrowed tightly. "If I rely solely on slow, secluded cultivation, it might take several years, perhaps even ten, to reach the Void Realm. This speed is fast—many masters don't reach the Void Realm until they are over a hundred. Reaching it before I turn thirty is fast. But, it’s not enough!"

He had no time to waste! No time to squander!

"I must rely on the stone carvings. One carving is enough to save me a great deal of time." Comprehending heaven and earth, understanding the Dao—the difficulty is naturally high. But by borrowing the achievements of predecessors, then synthesizing, integrating, and comprehending them into one's own understanding.

This foundation remains stable, yet the speed is much faster!

"Brother Teng?" A voice called from nearby.

Teng Qingshan turned to see Li Jun walking over, dressed in a white padded jacket, smiling. "Brother Teng, what are you thinking about?"

"Missing home," Teng Qingshan sighed softly.

"Home?" Li Jun paused slightly.

Seeing Li Jun's expression, Teng Qingshan instantly snapped out of his thoughts. He knew... Li Jun no longer had a home, and that sentence must have put Li Jun in a terrible mood. Teng Qingshan glanced outside, suddenly fixing his gaze on the statue-like figure in the distant heavy snow, and changed the subject: "Xiao Jun, look, that fellow is still there!"

"Brother Teng, that person has been kneeling on the ground for two days and two nights," Li Jun looked at the figure. "Brother Teng, won't you say a few words to him?"

It was back when Teng Qingshan raided the Dong Residence and captured Dong Zizhi!

This act was witnessed by countless retainers and servants of the Dong family. The news that 'Teng Qingshan was the one who captured Dong Zizhi'—though no one knew how it leaked—spread quickly. Coupled with the fact that many powerful families had visited Divine Axe Mountain to try and recruit Teng Qingshan, his fame had grown even greater.

Many people had never seen Teng Qingshan, but they already knew of his existence.

Some well-informed martial artists, knowing Teng Qingshan resided on Divine Axe Mountain, came seeking to become his disciples! In an age of great upheaval, being able to join the tutelage of a supreme master, learn skills, and secure future wealth and honor became much easier!

"Many people wish to enter my lineage. Do I simply accept someone because they kneel for a few days and nights?" Teng Qingshan smiled. "For martial artists possessing Inner Strength, kneeling for two or three days is nothing."

"Old Wang!" Teng Qingshan called out.

"Master." Old Wang, practicing his sword in the snow, hurried over. Over these past months, receiving guidance from Teng Qingshan and sleeping in the underground cavern, Old Wang’s strength had improved rapidly.

"Tell that fellow I am not accepting disciples. Kneeling until death is useless," Teng Qingshan instructed.

"Yes, Master."

Old Wang hurried over and approached the man who was now entirely covered by snow, appearing like a statue. The statue-like man looked up and began arguing with Old Wang.

Seeing this, Teng Qingshan shook his head slightly. Over the past few months, Teng Qingshan had seen too many methods of seeking discipleship: those who knelt unwaveringly, those who deliberately acted aloof to attract his attention, those who used honey traps—the list was endless. Unfortunately... Teng Qingshan was impervious to all attempts; he hadn't accepted a single disciple.

"If I were to reside permanently on the Duanmu Continent for decades, perhaps I would take on more disciples."

"But I must return to the Nine Provinces eventually!"

"To the Duanmu Continent, I am merely a passerby." Teng Qingshan turned and entered the house.

Old Wang, unable to persuade him, could only shake his head and depart.

As evening fell, the warrior who had been kneeling, now frozen stiff, finally could not persist any longer. He struggled to stand up. He glanced at the three stone houses where lights were shining: "The Silver Spear Martial Saint 'Teng Qingshan' is indeed just as the legends say; it is truly difficult to seek tutelage under him."

"Accepting disciples, yet imposing three requirements? The first demands reaching the Xiantian realm? Hmph, which Xiantian Martial Saint isn't lofty and aloof? Who would be willing to become a disciple."

"I see, with this way of taking on students, your lineage is destined to end!"

The warrior grumbled inwardly, turned, and walked away.

Just then, a young man wearing a black leather coat and carrying a massive battle saber on his back approached from ahead.

"Brother, are you here to seek apprenticeship too?" The warrior glanced at the newcomer. "I advise you to give up. This Silver Spear Martial Saint, Teng Qingshan, is utterly impenetrable; no method works. His heart is harder than stone."

"Oh."

The youth glanced back at him, smiled, and continued toward Teng Qingshan's dwelling.

"Hmph, if you don't believe me, wait until you suffer the consequences," the warrior sneered, watching the youth approach Teng Qingshan’s residence, waiting to see the inevitable spectacle.

And indeed—

Teng Qingshan emerged from the house.

"He's probably about to be scolded," the warrior stared intently, then his expression froze.

The youth carrying the saber was actually greeted warmly and invited inside by Teng Qingshan.

"What?" The warrior’s eyes widened.

...

Inside the house.

"Brother Mu, please sit down quickly." Teng Qingshan sat down with a smile, simultaneously pouring tea for his guest.

The visitor was none other than Mu Wang, the Great Elder of the Rising Sun Merchant Guild!

The Great Elder sat down with a laugh. "Brother Teng, it seems many people wish to become your disciples lately."

"Alas, I regret it now. If I had known there would be so much trouble, I shouldn't have barged in directly to capture Dong Zizhi that day," Teng Qingshan shook his head with feigned distress. The Great Elder laughed heartily. "Who can you blame for that? You stormed in openly, causing such a huge stir. Once that news spreads, people will naturally ask: Who is that mysterious powerhouse?"

"There are only so many Martial Saints in the world; everyone is already famous." The Great Elder chuckled. "Many influential families know you; this news simply couldn't be kept secret."

Teng Qingshan shook his head helplessly.

"Many people try every scheme just to gain fame and renown across the world. You, however, managed to reach the peak of the Xiantian Golden Core before I even knew your true depth," the Great Elder sighed. "You truly hid yourself well."

Teng Qingshan smiled internally.

Hid?

His fame in the Nine Provinces was immense. It wasn't that he was hiding; it was simply that he had just arrived on the Duanmu Continent.

"Haha." Teng Qingshan took a sip of the steaming hot tea and asked curiously, "Brother Mu, as far as I know, you have already returned to the West Tang region? Are you just passing by here, or do you have business?"

"I do indeed have important business," the Great Elder said with a smile.

"Oh?" Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up. "Tell me about it."

The Great Elder chuckled merrily. "Aren't you trying every means possible to obtain the stone carvings of the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting? You went specifically to capture Dong Zizhi for one carving."

Teng Qingshan's eyes brightened; he was naturally extremely eager for the carvings. He said right away, "What, does the Assassin Hall have a new mission?"

"No." The Great Elder smiled and shook his head. "There are only so many stone carvings in the world, and everyone keeps them hidden, fearful of outsiders discovering them. Those willing to post them as missions are exceedingly rare! It's considered fortunate to receive one mission a year."

"Then why are you here?" Teng Qingshan asked, puzzled.

The Great Elder grinned widely. "I won't hide it from you. My Rising Sun Merchant Guild has influence across the entire world, and these stone carvings... Our Guild Headquarters itself happens to house quite a few—six in total!"