The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

He nodded and said, "Brother Jiang's deep affection is truly admirable."

I've heard that Senior Li Mu may have visited the Immortal Mountain, where there might be clues about the Immortal Grass.

Jiang Chuan nodded vigorously and said, "That's right. I also firmly believe that one day I will be able to set foot on the immortal mountain, find Senior Li Mu, and fulfill my promise to the mountain spirit."

The two drank and chatted, and before they knew it, it was already late at night.

The cold wind grew increasingly biting, sending chills down one's spine.

Jiang Chuan stood up, patted Mu Chen on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Mu, it's getting late. Let's call it a day and have a good drink another time."

Mu Chen also stood up and said with a smile, "Alright, Brother Jiang, take care on your journey."

After saying goodbye to Mu Chen, Jiang Chuan slowly walked along the street toward the courtyard rented by Xie Xuan.

All the way, his mind was still replaying his conversation with Mu Chen. When he reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly heard a familiar sound of blacksmithing. The sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Jiang Chuan's face lit up with joy, thinking that his master Xie Xuan had returned. He hurriedly stepped forward and pushed open the courtyard gate.

The figure that appeared before him was not Xie Xuan's familiar figure, but Tao Hongjing.

Tao Hongjing, the burly old swordsmith, stood in the middle of the courtyard, holding an iron hammer in his hand, with flames blazing in the furnace beside him.

Tao Hongjing heard the sound of the courtyard gate and turned around to see Jiang Chuan with some surprise.

Jiang Chuan was also somewhat at a loss for what to do at the sight before him.

Just then, Tao Hongjing's gaze suddenly fell on Jiang Chuan's arms.

In Jiang Chuan's arms, Qing Lin was struggling anxiously.

Tao Hongjing's expression hardened, and he stepped forward, reaching out to pull Qinglin from Jiang Chuan's arms.

Qinglin struggled desperately in Tao Hongjing's hands, making "squeak" sounds.

Tao Hongjing took a closer look and his expression changed drastically.

He was shocked to discover that although the azure scale only had the cultivation of the Other Shore Realm, it could take human form, which meant that it possessed the bloodline of the Azure Dragon.

"This...how is this possible?" Tao Hongjing couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Jiang Chuan was also startled.

He didn't expect that Tao Hongjing would recognize Qinglin's extraordinary talent at a glance.

He stepped forward and said, "Senior Tao, this Azure Scale..."

Tao Hongjing ignored Jiang Chuan and stared at Qing Lin, repeatedly saying, "Azure Dragon bloodline! It's actually Azure Dragon bloodline! This is the bloodline of an ancient divine beast!"

It took Tao Hongjing a while to come to his senses. He looked at Jiang Chuan and asked in shock, "Jiang Chuan, where did you get this blue scale?"

Jiang Chuan hesitated for a moment, then briefly recounted how he met Qing Lin.

Tao Hongjing nodded repeatedly. He was secretly amazed; the opportunities in Jiangchuan were truly astonishing.

Tao Hongjing then turned his gaze to Jiang Chuan. He scrutinized Jiang Chuan closely, growing more and more shocked with each look.

In just one month, Jiang Chuan had broken through from the Half-Step Beyond Realm to the Mindful Realm, and had reached the Perfection of the Acupoint Stage, about to step into the Purple Mansion Stage. This cultivation speed was simply astonishing.

"Jiang Chuan, what exactly have you experienced in the past month? Why has your cultivation improved so quickly?" Tao Hongjing couldn't help but ask.

Jiang Chuan smiled and said, "Senior Tao, it was just a matter of chance."

Tao Hongjing knew in his heart that there must be many untold stories behind this.

But he knew Jiang Chuan was unwilling to say more, so he didn't press him further. A thought suddenly occurred to him. He realized that Jiang Chuan had immense potential; given time, he might truly become a new sword immortal of Kyushu.

If he could bring Jiang Chuan back to Tianzhu Mountain, he might be able to cultivate a terrestrial immortal within thirty years, thus allowing the Northern Daoist sect to overpower the Central Plains and become the orthodox Daoist sect of the Nine Provinces.

Thinking of this, Tao Hongjing regretted not agreeing to Xie Xuan's request to bring Jiang Chuan back to Tianzhu Mountain.

"Jiang Chuan, look how quickly your cultivation has improved. Your future achievements are boundless. Although I, Tao Hongjing, am not as good as your master Xie Xuan, I am quite accomplished in the art of Taoism."

"If you become my disciple, I will impart all the knowledge I have acquired in my life to you," Tao Hongjing said sincerely.

Jiang Chuan didn't have any ill feelings towards Tao Hongjing, but he had already accepted Xie Xuan as his master, so how could he easily become the disciple of someone else?

“Senior Tao, thank you for your kindness. But I have already become Master Xie Xuan’s disciple. Once a teacher, always a father. I cannot become a disciple of anyone else,” Jiang Chuan said, refusing the offer.

Tao Hongjing was somewhat disappointed. But he was not willing to give up so easily, and he continued, "Jiang Chuan, don't be in a hurry to refuse. I don't want you to forget Xie Xuan, I just want to be your 'second master'."

You will then be able to learn more skills, which will greatly benefit your spiritual practice.

Jiang Chuan shook his head and said, "Senior Tao, I'm really sorry, but my mind is made up." With that, he took the green scale from Tao Hongjing's hand and turned to leave.

Tao Hongjing hurriedly stepped forward and stopped Jiang Chuan, saying, "Jiang Chuan, think it over again. You will know my abilities in the future."

Jiang Chuan stopped and looked at Tao Hongjing, saying, "Senior Tao, I believe in your abilities. But I have a deep bond with my master, and I cannot do anything to betray him. I hope you can understand."

Tao Hongjing looked at Jiang Chuan and remained silent for a moment. He knew he couldn't persuade Jiang Chuan today.

He sighed and said, "Alright, Jiang Chuan, if you change your mind in the future, you can come to me anytime."

Jiang Chuan nodded and said, "Thank you, Senior Tao." After saying that, he walked past Tao Hongjing and left the courtyard.

Tao Hongjing watched Jiang Chuan's departing figure, his heart filled with helplessness. Persuading Jiang Chuan would not be a matter of a day or two.

Zhao Dun sat alone in his tent, the flickering candlelight casting distorted shadows onto the tent walls.

He leaned back on the couch, the book in his hand had long since slipped to the side, his eyes fixed on the leaping flames, but his thoughts drifted to his conversation with Li Tianxing during the day.

During the day, Li Tianxing stood before him, his expression cold and his words piercing.

"Zhao Dun, do you know the true face of Xie Xuan? In order to seize the position of Sword Emperor, he actually killed his junior sister Chen Jianjia with his own hands."

The scene was horrific; Chen Jianjia was caught completely off guard and was pierced through the heart by his sword.

The poor second senior brother, Duan Tianya, who shared a deep bond with Chen Jianjia, was heartbroken upon witnessing this scene, and consequently lost the battle for the title of Sword Emperor. From that moment on, Duan Tianya harbored deep resentment and resolutely founded the Sword Pavilion, determined solely to avenge his junior sister and vowing to personally kill Xie Xuan.

As Li Tianxing spoke, he paced back and forth in the tent, his hands occasionally clenching into fists, as if he were indignant for the innocent lives lost.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dun unconsciously sat up straighter and pressed, "Is this true? Do you have any evidence?"

Li Tianxing stopped and looked directly at Zhao Dun, saying, "Many people in the entire Central State know about this matter. This is not something I made up. Xie Xuan is a man who will stop at nothing for fame and fortune, and his reputation is already infamous. He came to the Northern Border this time only to escape the infamy in the Central State. Like Tao Hongjing, he was forced to leave."

Zhao Dun fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the edge of the bed.

Li Tianxing continued, "Xian Zhen led 100,000 ghost soldiers to attack Weicheng. You and I both know the situation. But Xie Xuan, he clearly knows all this, yet he remains inactive."

He wants you and Xianzhen to fight to the death so he can reap the benefits.

Think about it, his last disciple Jiang Chuan is currently in Weicheng. How could he not know the dangers of Weicheng? Holding out in Weicheng is clearly a dead end, yet he doesn't care about Jiang Chuan's life or death. Don't you find the reason for this suspicious?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dun stood up uneasily and paced back and forth in the tent, muttering, "Jiang Chuan... his disciple..." Li Tianxing stepped forward, approached Zhao Dun, and lowered his voice, saying, "I think he's only after his own reputation."

He plans to wait until you and Xian Zhen have fought to a standstill before he intervenes to save Weicheng from its dire straits, thereby earning the title of 'Savior Sword Emperor'.

He's capable of disregarding even his own apprentice's life; what else wouldn't he be capable of?

Zhao Dun stopped and looked up at the top of the tent, his unease growing stronger.

Li Tianxing then dropped another bombshell: "Also, did you know? Xie Xuan has already conspired with the true king of Dushan."

The situation in Handan is out of control. Wang Yong and He Zongtang are about to be destroyed by Xiangfei, who is close to the Prince of Yan. Handan will soon fall into the hands of the King of Dushan.

"Zhao Dun, if you die in Weicheng, the Sixth Princess will not be able to live, the Zhao bloodline will be extinguished, and the Yan Kingdom will no longer be your Zhao family's domain!"

Zhao Dun suddenly turned his head and looked at Li Tianxing: "Is what you said true? Handan really..." Li Tianxing nodded heavily: "Absolutely true! I advise you to cooperate with me for the future of Yan and fight against Xie Xuan together."

Xian Zhen's fate will inevitably be to be killed by Xie Xuan, at which point the 100,000 ghost soldiers will naturally collapse.

If Xie Xuan also dies in this struggle, you can at least preserve the seven cities in the southern region of Yan, and the Zhao bloodline can continue.

You can form an alliance with the Great Zhou and jointly attack the King of Dushan; the Yan Kingdom will ultimately be yours.

Zhao Dun sat on the couch, repeatedly pondering Li Tianxing's words in his mind.

He then recalled that Xie Xuan had used a secret technique to send a message, instructing him to hold Weicheng for three days.

He unconsciously clenched his fists, thinking to himself, "If Xie Xuan knew that Weicheng could not be defended, yet still asked me to hold it, then his intentions... could they really be as despicable as Li Tianxing said?" He began to have deep doubts about Xie Xuan's character.

Meanwhile, in a simple dwelling in Weicheng, Jiang Chuan was suddenly awakened from his sleep.

He was breathing heavily, his forehead was covered in sweat, and his pajamas were soaked with sweat.

Beside him, the little girl Qinglin looked at him in panic, her small body trembling slightly.

Jiang Chuan then realized that he had had that strange dream again.

In his dream, he and Mu Chen were peeping at Xiao Moli taking a bath in Cheng Village when they were chased by a fierce wolfhound.

The wolfhound, with its gaping maw, chased relentlessly until it finally bit his head.

Jiang Chuan was still shaken and reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Qinglin timidly reached out her small hand and gently tugged at Jiang Chuan's sleeve, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Chuan then noticed Qing Lin in his arms. He tried to calm himself down, forced a smile, and said, "It's nothing, just a nightmare."

But as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that Qinglin's expression was a little strange, as if she was afraid of something.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Chuan realized that Qing Lin had transformed back into human form.

In the past, Qinglin always transformed into human form in the dead of night, but this time, Jiang Chuan felt something was different.

Not only could Qinglin understand his words, but she also suddenly called him "Mother".

Jiang Chuan was shocked and quickly said, "Qing Lin, you've got the wrong name. I'm not your mother, I'm..." He was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to explain to Qing Lin.

Qinglin pouted, looking aggrieved, and said, "It was Brother Luhao who taught me to call him that."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan flew into a rage and loudly questioned Lu Hao in his soul sea: "Lu Hao, what are you doing? Why did you teach Qing Lin to call me mother?"

Despite calling out for a long time, Lu Hao remained hidden inside the bladeless sword, pretending not to hear.

Jiang Chuan was furious. He clenched his fists and waved them in the air a few times, as if he could hit Lu Hao that way.

Seeing Jiang Chuan's expression, Qing Lin became even more frightened and cautiously asked, "Are you angry?"

Jiang Chuan then came to his senses. Seeing Qing Lin's frightened appearance, his heart softened, and he quickly comforted her, "Don't be angry, don't be angry."

Qinglin, I'm not your mother, I'm your father, do you understand?

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, trying to make Qinglin understand.

Qinglin blinked, looking confused, and asked, "Father? Isn't he the same as Mother?"

Jiang Chuan sighed helplessly, scratched his head, and began to make up a story: "Well, it's different. Mother will make you pretty clothes and gently lull you to sleep. Father will protect you and take you to fun places."

Qinglin nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Meanwhile, Lu Hao, inside the Wufeng Sword, silently complained to himself, "I'm a man too, Jiang Chuan, don't try to pin this on me. How did this get me involved?"

But he dared not utter a word of rebuttal, and could only mutter his complaints to himself within the sword.

Jiang Chuan spent the entire night without sleep in that cold and quiet inn room.

The night outside the window was deep and quiet, with only the occasional sound of the wind gently tapping against the windowpane.

The green scales in her arms were sleeping soundly, their breathing even and gentle.

Jiang Chuan thought that when dawn broke, Qing Lin would revert to its snake form as before.

But as the sky began to lighten and sunlight slowly streamed through the window into the room, Qinglin still maintained her human form.

Qinglin slowly woke up, her little head looking at Jiang Chuan with an adorable expression, and she called out in a clear voice, "Daddy."

She touched her tummy with her little hand and said, "Daddy, I'm hungry."

Jiang Chuan's heart trembled when he heard the word "father".

Looking at the adorable little girl in front of him, he realized that Qinglin had already regarded him as her father.

Although he was only twelve years old, he had already weathered countless storms and struggled in the martial world for many years. But now, the prospect of caring for a child instantly filled him with bitterness. (End of Chapter)