"Brother Fu, you ask me what happened, and even now, I don't know the full story." The Wang family Patriarch shook his head, smiling as he descended the stairs. "The manager just told me that this Mr. Teng's table got into a brawl with my wayward son. Moreover, my son’s men were beaten nearly to death."

The Wang family Patriarch looked at Teng Qingshan, "However, this Mr. Teng is Brother Fu's friend. I assume he wouldn't stoop to causing trouble over a mere junior. It must have been my son being excessive."

"Son!" The Wang family Patriarch turned, his face darkening.

"Father." Young Master Wang Three trembled.

In his heart, he cursed his terrible luck. He had somehow provoked someone whom even the Thunder Blade Martial Saint, 'Fu Dao,' referred to as 'Mr. Teng.'

"This wayward son of yours caused trouble last time, and now again! He never stops worrying me," the Wang family Patriarch reprimanded. "Mr. Teng is your elder; this matter is certainly caused by you, my reckless son. I won't discuss it further with you now; I will settle accounts with you when we get home. You three, take Young Master Three and leave now." With a sharp rebuke, the three followers of the Young Master immediately shielded him, leaving the tavern in a sorry state.

The Young Master dared not even glance at Teng Qingshan and his table.

The burning desire from before had been completely extinguished by fear.

...

"Mr. Teng, my wayward son never listens and often gets into scrapes. If you stay in Nanshan City for long, you'll find out! I hope you won't hold it against him." The Wang family Patriarch walked up beside Fu Dao. Fu Dao chuckled heartily, "Mr. Wang, later have Brother Wang punish that brat severely. It’s not worth angering Mr. Teng over this boy!"

In Fu Dao's eyes, what status did Teng Qingshan possess?

As for Young Master Wang Three, he was merely a spoiled dandy. Getting into a real conflict with him would lower one's standing!

Teng Qingshan and Li Jun exchanged a look, both revealing a slight smile.

Teng Qingshan certainly didn't care about Young Master Wang Three.

And the Wang family Patriarch had already bowed his head to him. There was no need to press the issue! After all, the Wang family was also a local power. If a true fight broke out, Teng Qingshan wasn't afraid, but it would bring about considerable trouble.

"Let's just let this matter rest," Teng Qingshan said, lifting his wine cup, taking a sip, and smiling faintly. "You two carry on; I won't keep you company any longer."

"Mr. Teng!"

The Wang family Patriarch hurried, "It was my wayward son's fault. I have prepared a modest banquet upstairs as compensation. Sir must grant me this favor." On the Duanmu Continent, great families vied for dominion. To conquer the world, what was most crucial? Talent! Martial Saint level experts were the most vital resources!

A Martial Saint was no less important than an entire army!

How could the Wang family Patriarch let slip this opportunity to build a connection with Teng Qingshan?

"Brother Teng, if you have nothing else to do, come up for a drink," Fu Dao smiled.

Teng Qingshan’s heart stirred. Nothing else to do? He did have something pressing—he was going to Mount Shenfu soon!

However...

"The carvings of the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting within Mount Shenfu, since they were left by Emperor Yu, certainly won't be open for ordinary people to view," Teng Qingshan mused. "Information about the specifics within Mount Shenfu, and those carvings of the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting—people of Fu Dao's and the Wang family Patriarch's standing must surely know about such matters. Why not ask them?"

Without anyone's help, he would probably be completely lost if he went to Mount Shenfu later.

"Very well then," Teng Qingshan smiled.

The Wang family Patriarch was overjoyed: "Hahaha, Mr. Teng, please!"

"Xiao Jun, come up with me." Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun. Li Jun was inwardly surprised why Teng Qingshan agreed, but with so many people around, she didn't ask and followed Teng Qingshan toward the third floor with a smile.

"Old Wang, you all stay here for now. I'll be back down shortly," Teng Qingshan instructed as he ascended.

"Yes, Master!" Old Wang responded readily.

As for Teng Shou, he sat obediently by the table. Since becoming Teng Qingshan's disciple, Teng Shou had been very obedient.

On the second floor of the tavern, when the Wang family Patriarch, Teng Qingshan, Fu Dao, and the others went upstairs, the commotion resumed. All the patrons excitedly discussed the situation.

"Fu Dao, that Fu Dao, is he really the legendary Thunder Blade Saber Saint, 'Fu Dao'?"

"If he calls him 'Sir,' then who exactly is this Mr. Teng?"

Everyone was extremely excited.

And the Head Manager of the Rising Sun Tavern showed a look of shock on his face. He looked up toward the staircase leading to the third floor and inwardly pondered, "Fu Dao is a Golden Core master of the Xiantian realm, and he's an old friend of our Rising Sun Merchant Guild. Who is this Mr. Teng?" The Head Manager immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

"I must inform the Elder immediately!" The Head Manager dared not linger and hurried downstairs.

On the third floor of the Rising Sun Tavern, the private room was five or six zhang wide and long, with a nearly one-zhang-high circular black stone table in the center. The surface of the table was incredibly smooth, and platters of delicacies were arranged upon it.

"Clear all of this away, and bring up a fresh table of dishes," the Wang family Patriarch ordered.

"Yes." Two tavern maids swiftly cleared the plates.

"Mr. Teng, and this young lady, please sit," the Wang family Patriarch said with a smile. Immediately, Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, Fu Dao, and the Wang family Patriarch—four people—were seated around this massive round table.

All the wine vessels and pots were replaced with new ones.

A dedicated maid poured the wine.

"Mr. Teng, it was my wayward son who offended you. This cup of wine is my apology." The Wang family Patriarch stood up and said with a smile. Teng Qingshan, however, smiled faintly, "Patriarch, please sit down. Let's just chat casually; there's no need for you to toast me or me to toast you. I dislike these formalities the most!"

The Wang family Patriarch paused.

"Hahaha, straightforward!" The Wang family Patriarch also put down his wine cup.

"Mr. Teng is certainly not the sort to care for trivialities," Fu Dao laughed, then suddenly realized, "Hahaha, I haven't even introduced you two yet."

"Brother Wang," Fu Dao stood up, "This Mr. Teng is named Teng Qingshan. I encountered him by chance on my way to Nanshan City. It is my fortune to have met Brother Teng."

"Fortune?" The Wang family Patriarch's heart stirred, and he smiled as he asked, "Given Brother Fu's nature, you must have sparred with Mr. Teng."

Fu Dao shook his head and laughed, "I challenged Mr. Teng, but..."

"I was just lucky enough to win by one move," Teng Qingshan interjected.

Fu Dao was momentarily stunned and glanced at Teng Qingshan. He instantly understood: "This Mr. Teng hasn't been famous in the world for many years; it seems he simply dislikes notoriety. He defeated me by one move. If this were spread, it would likely go against his wishes!" Fu Dao completely understood Teng Qingshan's intentions.

"Lucky to win by one move?" The Wang family Patriarch pondered inwardly, "Fu Dao calls him Sir, meaning Teng Qingshan's strength is formidable, likely stronger than Fu Dao."

"Mr. Teng, this is the Wang family Patriarch, 'Wang Meng.' In Nanshan City... the ones who hold influence are the three major families like the Wang family, and this Rising Sun Merchant Guild. Mr. Teng, Brother Wang is not just the Wang family Patriarch; he himself is also a Xiantian Martial Saint expert," Fu Dao explained with a smile.

Teng Qingshan looked at Wang Meng with surprise. This Wang family Patriarch was a Xiantian master?

At the same time, Teng Qingshan smiled and nodded, "Patriarch Wang Meng."

"Hahaha," Wang Meng smiled faintly. "It is my good fortune, Wang Meng's fortune, to make the acquaintance of Sir. Frankly speaking, my wayward son has performed a great service. If it weren't for my son, I likely wouldn't have had the chance to meet Mr. Teng."

"Hahahaha..." Fu Dao also laughed upon hearing this.

"Brother Teng," Li Jun looked at Teng Qingshan and whispered, "When do we leave?"

Wang Meng looked surprised: "Mr. Teng, do you have other matters?"

"I'm preparing to make a trip to Mount Shenfu," Teng Qingshan stated, simultaneously inquiring, "Wang Meng, how much do you two know about Mount Shenfu?"

"We know some things," Fu Dao replied, looking surprised. "What does Sir wish to inquire about?"

"Do you know that there are thirty-six carvings on Mount Shenfu?" Teng Qingshan asked.

Fu Dao and Wang Meng exchanged glances, both showing astonishment in their eyes.

"Mr. Teng," Fu Dao frowned, "Back when the Divine Ax Heavenly God created Mount Shenfu, it eventually declined through the generations. The power of Mount Shenfu completely collapsed, and the mountain was looted by surrounding forces. As for the legendary thirty-six carvings left personally by the Divine Ax Heavenly God, 'Yu the Great,' they were long ago seized by those who plundered the place!"

Teng Qingshan's expression shifted.

Li Jun also looked at Teng Qingshan in astonishment.

They were completely unaware of the matter concerning the thirty-six carvings on Mount Shenfu.

Since arriving on the Duanmu Continent, the people most knowledgeable about it were Xiao Ping and Old Wang. However, Xiao Ping was just a child, so how much could she know? As for Old Wang, Teng Qingshan had never discussed the carvings of the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting with him.

"Looted?" Teng Qingshan frowned.

"Looted for several thousand years," Fu Dao shook his head. "When Mount Shenfu declined, it was naturally plundered by other powers. Those thirty-six carvings are extremely precious; they were located in the core forbidden zone of Mount Shenfu. It was rumored that those forces actually chipped off half of the mountainside and forcibly carried them away."

Teng Qingshan felt a silent wave of helplessness. He had rushed to Nanshan City, only to find he had made the trip in vain.

"Fu Dao, do you know where those thirty-six carvings are now?" Teng Qingshan asked.

Fu Dao replied, "It is rumored that each of the thirty-six carvings depicts an axe move and a character for 'Dao.' These thirty-six carvings together form the supreme ultimate skill of Mount Shenfu, the Thirty-Six Styles of Mountain Splitting! They are also the origin of all axe techniques on our Duanmu Continent!"

Teng Qingshan nodded silently.

In the days since arriving on the Duanmu Continent, Teng Qingshan had noticed many wandering warriors on the road using axes.

"Many people say those thirty-six carvings are extraordinary! All the major families are vying for them."

Fu Dao sighed, "Back when the 'Thunder Blade Heavenly God,' Duanmu Yu, unified the world, he also attempted to collect these thirty-six carvings. However, even the Thunder Blade Heavenly God only managed to gather about twenty-odd carvings; he couldn't find the rest. After Duanmu Yu passed away, the Duanmu Continent fractured and descended into chaos once more."

"For the next three thousand-plus years, it has been in continuous turmoil. Families fought, rising and falling. As for the thirty-six carvings, news of them is only heard occasionally."

"Even if some family managed to obtain one carving, they would likely keep it heavily guarded."

"After so many years, who knows where all thirty-six carvings have ended up?" Fu Dao shook his head and laughed. "Even the Thunder Blade Heavenly God from over three thousand years ago couldn't collect them all. To find them now... is almost an impossible task."