Fu Dao, having reached this point, no longer hesitated. He nodded with a smile, "That's right. My Fu family is descended from the Divine Axe Celestial God of the past, living on Divine Axe Mountain—we are the 'Yu family.'"

Teng Qingshan couldn't help but recall the trust placed in him by Emperor Yu back in the Heavenly Flood Palace in Great Yan Mountain.

"Emperor Yu asked me that if his bloodline descendants declined, I should look after them slightly if the opportunity arose. It’s quite a coincidence that the first person I meet upon arriving at Duanmu Continent is Xiao Ping, who is indeed a descendant of Emperor Yu." Teng Qingshan couldn't help but marvel at the unpredictability of the world and the whims of fate.

"Now that the Fu family has over forty thousand catties of Fire Flow Iron, they can absolutely forge an 'Innate Iron Cavalry' of over a thousand men! Such an army is enough to let the Fu family establish a foothold on Duanmu Continent." Teng Qingshan understood that the Fu family's foundation was currently thin; having too much Fire Flow Iron now would only bring harm rather than benefit.

Obtaining a one-and-a-half share, and establishing a relationship with the Rising Sun Merchant Guild—the Fu family's future would indeed be much brighter.

"Fu Dao, you changed your surname to Fu?" Teng Qingshan inquired.

In the Yu Family Gate of the Nine Provinces, the surname Yu still existed. While Teng Qingshan wasn't surprised that the Yu family of Divine Axe Mountain changed their surname... why did they change it to Fu?

"No choice," Fu Dao shook his head. "When my Yu family was glorious, the surname Yu brought us honor and pride. But when we declined, coupled with the covetous gazes of every major family in the world, my Yu family naturally became a target. After Divine Axe Mountain was captured, continuing to use the Yu surname would undoubtedly draw the fear of all great families, leading them to attack us collectively."

Teng Qingshan nodded.

"And our Yu family originated from Divine Axe Mountain. Our ancestor, the Divine Axe Celestial God, used an axe as his weapon... Since there was no surname like 'Axe,' my Yu family changed its surname to Fu," Fu Dao explained.

Teng Qingshan suddenly understood.

The Cloud Dream War God beside him sighed, "On this Duanmu Continent, two surnames are subjects of fear: one is Yu, and the other is Duanmu. Take my Mu family... our original surname was Duanmu. The Celestial God Thunder Blade of the past was an ancestor of my Mu family. However, using the Duanmu surname made survival difficult, so we had to change it. We took the character 'Mu' as a homophone for the 'Mu' in Duanmu."

Teng Qingshan was stunned...

The Mu family, descendants of the Duanmu Celestial God? The Fu family, descendants of the Divine Axe Celestial God?

"Haha, Qingshan. Few in the world know the secret of the Fu family. However, the secret of my Mu family being the Duanmu family is known to many major families," the Cloud Dream War God chuckled lightly. "After all, my Mu family has prospered for over three thousand years; with such a large family and great enterprise, many secrets cannot be kept hidden."

Mu Wang, standing nearby, also smiled. This smile held a trace of pride—thriving for over three millennia? Apart from the Mu family, there was no other second family on Duanmu Continent.

"The Duanmu surname, the Yu surname..." Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly. Different customs, different outcomes. On the Nine Provinces land, the emphasis on bloodline inheritance was minimal. The eight great sects of the Nine Provinces selected the most capable to succeed as sect masters; it had nothing to do with bloodline. Thus, for some descendants of Emperor Yu within the Yu Family Gate, the surname Yu only served as a source of pride, nothing more.

But Duanmu Continent was different. Duanmu Continent operated on a clan system; clan inheritance depended on bloodline! The empire of the Duanmu family was naturally inherited by Duanmu descendants. The domain of the Yu family was naturally inherited by Yu descendants. On Duanmu Continent... the surnames Yu and Duanmu held significant appeal for the common populace. Because of this very factor, naturally, all other major families opposed the Duanmu and Yu families collectively, forcing them to change their surnames. Currently, there wasn't a single family on Duanmu Continent bearing the surname Duanmu or Yu. ** Afterward, Teng Qingshan took Li Jun and the large iron chest and rode the Azure Luan to catch up with the Gale Eagle... The Gale Eagle's flying speed was indeed much slower than the Azure Luan's. Midway, the Azure Luan caught up with the Gale Eagle.

Subsequently, they headed toward Cloud Dream Ancient City in the West Tang Domain. As for the other five stone carvings belonging to the Fu family, they were rapidly transported to Cloud Dream Ancient City under the care of the Rising Sun Merchant Guild. ... In Cloud Dream Ancient City, within the Inner City’s Rising Sun City. Teng Qingshan and his disciples were settled in the 'Donghua Garden,' one of the four gardens within the Rising Sun Inner City. The scenery in Donghua Garden was breathtaking; a nearly circular lake occupied eighty percent of the entire Donghua territory. The pavilions of the Donghua Domain were constructed directly over the lake. Normally, one could go boating on the water; at night, one could gaze at the surrounding aquatic views from downstairs.

"Brother Teng." Mu Wang smiled, pointing at the iron chest before them. "This chest holds the remaining five stone carvings of the Fu family's Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Cleaving. The goods have been delivered; I am finally relieved of my duty." "Brother Mu, thank you," Teng Qingshan said while simultaneously opening the iron chest. Clang! Stacked inside the chest were artifacts that looked as if they were carved from giant jade. Seeing them, joy immediately surfaced in Teng Qingshan's heart. The first carving, resting on top, was the tenth form of the thirty-six! Teng Qingshan had seen the ninth form before; now he possessed the eleventh and twelfth forms. They connected perfectly—moves that could flow into one another were far smoother to comprehend.

"The other four..." Teng Qingshan suppressed his excitement and took out the carvings one by one. "Haha, Brother Teng, you truly are obsessed with cultivation," Mu Wang laughed. "I won't disturb you further." "I troubled you greatly this time, Brother Mu," Teng Qingshan finally broke free from the spell of the carvings and smiled as he saw Mu Wang out. He immediately took these five stone carvings directly to the spacious private chamber where he cultivated. In that chamber, a total of seven carvings were already laid out: the sixth form, the eleventh, the twelfth, and the seventeenth through the twentieth forms. The five new carvings from the Fu family were: The tenth form, the eleventh, the thirteenth, and the fourteenth. The twenty-first and the twenty-second forms.

"I really have good luck." "Coupled with the ninth form I saw when capturing Dong Zhezi, many of these connect seamlessly." From the ninth form to the fourteenth form, they were completely continuous. From the seventeenth to the twenty-second form, they were also completely continuous. ... In truth, both the Fu family and the Duanmu family knew that the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Cleaving became more profound the further one progressed. Therefore, most of the moves they retained were the earlier techniques. Naturally, accumulating these led to so many connected forms.

"Heaven is helping me," Teng Qingshan rejoiced internally. He immediately began to comprehend these techniques, coordinating with the Mountain Cleaving Divine Axe. * Time flew; it had already been the ninth day since they came from Ox Head Mountain to Cloud Dream Ancient City. Donghua Garden, Li Jun's room. Li Jun lay quietly on the bed, covered by a blanket, appearing very still. Teng Qingshan held a small bowl, spooning thin porridge into her mouth one spoonful at a time. Li Jun was unconscious, only drinking out of instinct.

"Xiao Jun, you have been taking care of me for nearly three years. Now, it's my turn to look after you," Teng Qingshan murmured softly, smiling at Li Jun. Since resolving his inner turmoil and seeing himself clearly, Teng Qingshan no longer avoided his feelings for Li Jun.

"Brother Teng, Brother Teng," a voice called from outside. Teng Qingshan immediately set down the bowl and spoon, wiping Li Jun's lips with a towel before walking out. In the living room. The Great Elder Mu Wang smiled at Teng Qingshan, "Qingshan, do you know why I have come?" Teng Qingshan looked at Mu Wang's hands, "Brother Mu, the Wind Battle God mentioned the antidote would arrive within ten days. Today is the ninth day; it should be here. Please bring it out." Although he said this, Teng Qingshan still felt a knot of anxiety in his heart.

"Haha..." Mu Wang chuckled and took out an embroidered box from his robes. Opening it, an equally dark-green pill was displayed inside. "Qingshan, this is the antidote for 'One Dream, One Hundred Years' just delivered by the Heavenly Wind family." Teng Qingshan took it and sniffed, a hint of joy appearing on his face. Indeed... there was a faint, pungent odor.

"Great Elder, have some tea." At that moment, Fu Yuping walked in smiling while carrying tea. Seeing the pill in Teng Qingshan's hand, she revealed a look of pleasant surprise. "Uncle, is this... is this the antidote that will cure Sister Xiao Jun?" These past few days, besides Teng Qingshan tending to Li Jun, Xiao Ping had spent most of her time caring for her. After all, Teng Qingshan needed most of his time to study the Mountain Cleaving Axe techniques and comprehend the Heavenly Dao. A moment later, Mu Wang departed.

"Let's go." Teng Qingshan, holding the detoxifying pill, was followed by Fu Yuping, Teng Shou, and Yang Dong. Teng Shou and Yang Dong had only just learned the news that the pill had arrived; they waited with anxious anticipation... hoping Li Jun would awaken. ... In Li Jun's room. A faint fragrance permeated the space. Li Jun lay peacefully, motionless, as if asleep.

"You must wake up." Teng Qingshan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gently placed the detoxifying pill into Li Jun's mouth. The pill dissolved instantly upon contact, and Teng Qingshan clearly saw the dark-green liquid flow into Li Jun's body. Standing nearby, Teng Qingshan waited with anticipation. "Xiao Jun, wake up quickly, wake up quickly." "It was my fault in the past. I have seen myself clearly now," Teng Qingshan hoped. Under the anticipation of Teng Qingshan, followed by Teng Shou, Fu Yuping, and Yang Dong, suddenly— Li Jun's eyes moved slightly. Teng Qingshan's eyes lit up. Gradually... Li Jun opened her eyes. Those bright, captivating eyes reappeared before him. However, at this moment, a hint of confusion lingered in them. She turned to look at the few people by the bed, and especially upon seeing Teng Qingshan, surprise gradually bloomed on her face.

"Brother Teng, I... I didn't die?" Joy was unconcealed in Li Jun's eyes. "Yes, you are fine now, completely fine." Teng Qingshan took hold of Li Jun's hand, feeling somewhat emotional. Nine days... For these nine days, Teng Qingshan had been silently awaiting this day. He had prepared... to give Li Jun a surprise on this very day.

"Teng—" Li Jun startled as Teng Qingshan took her hand. She had dreamed of Teng Qingshan holding her hand like this, but it had never happened before. "Xiao Jun, I want to ask you..." Teng Qingshan took a deep breath. Facing Teng Qingshan's solemn expression immediately after waking up made Li Jun's heart race, especially Teng Qingshan's gaze... which made her inexplicably blush slightly.

"Will you..." "Marry me?" Teng Qingshan gazed at Li Jun and asked.