"They're just empty reputations." Xu Ping waved his hand.

"We should first take Fellow Daoist Xu to his future Daoist district, Thousand Leaves Mountain." Duan Shuang chuckled sweetly.

"That's right." Gong Yang smiled.

The three of them then proceeded together to the farthest main peak.

"This is Fellow Daoist Gong's district, Xiao Hui Mountain." Duan Shuang began introducing Xu Ping to the three main peaks of Purple Bamboo Mountain, "This one is my district, Flower Butterfly Mountain; and as for the last, Thousand Leaves Mountain, it will be Fellow Daoist's future district."

Gong Yang held a token in his hand and broke through the array, and suddenly the full appearance of Thousand Leaves Mountain came into view.

Thousand Leaves Mountain was considerably lower than the other two.

The peaks weren't so steep, relatively flat and wide, with a cave mansion at the top, which was presumably the former owner's.

Xu Ping noticed that each of the other two main peaks had their own mountain-protecting arrays.

...

The three landed on the top of Thousand Leaves Mountain.

A vast spiritual field spanning more than forty acres came into view, though it was barren and rather desolate.

In front of the spiritual field was a luxurious cave mansion.

It was called a cave mansion, but it seemed more like a large estate, complete with rock gardens, spirit pools, and pavilions.

It was evident that the previous owner enjoyed the finer things.

"Is Fellow Daoist Xu satisfied?" Gong Yang asked with a smile.

"No problem."

Xu Ping nodded after surveying around, noting the stable spirit vein environment and spacious terrain, which were ideal for cultivation and living.

"Since there are no issues, let's sign the spirit contract." Gong Yang chuckled, taking out a prepared spirit contract from a storage ring.

"Alright."

Xu Ping nodded, ready to sign, when Duan Shuang stopped him: "Fellow Daoist Xu, please wait a moment, there's something I want to tell you..."

Hearing this, Gong Yang slightly narrowed his eyes and quickly interrupted with a smile: "Whatever it is can wait until Fellow Daoist Xu signs the spirit contract."

"No, let's set the spirit contract aside first; let me finish what I have to say before Fellow Daoist Xu decides whether to sign!" Duan Shuang insisted firmly.

Hearing their conversation, Xu Ping immediately sensed something was off.

'Is there a pitfall in Thousand Leaves Mountain?'

Xu Ping frowned slightly, asking: "I wonder what the issue is? Is there something wrong with Thousand Leaves Mountain?"

"Sigh, there's nothing wrong with Thousand Leaves Mountain, the issue is with me!" Duan Shuang sighed helplessly and recounted Bai Kun's story in detail.

Upon hearing, Xu Ping's brows furrowed tightly together.

So it turned out there was indeed a pitfall with Thousand Leaves Mountain, and although he didn't care due to his strength, he detested being deceived into a trap.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I sincerely apologize, this indeed was my fault. Here is an inheritance of a Second-stage spirit plant cultivator as compensation." Duan Shuang apologized earnestly, flicking a jade slip into Xu Ping's hand.

"An inheritance of a Second-stage spirit plant cultivator?"

Xu Ping toyed with the jade slip in his right hand, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. This apology gift was fairly significant; the inheritance could sell for several thousand spirit stones at least.

"Even if Fellow Daoist Xu decides not to reside in Thousand Leaves Mountain, I will find another suitable cave mansion for you to stay." Duan Shuang offered sincerely.

Hearing her words, Xu Ping's expression eased considerably, seeing Duan Shuang's genuine apology.

However, as for this old man Gong, he wasn't a good person!

Xu Ping glanced sideways, noticing Gong Yang looking up at the sky, feigning ignorance.

He was certain that Gong Yang was also involved in deceiving him into this trap, perhaps as the mastermind.

"Fellow Daoist Duan..."

Xu Ping was about to say something.

Buzz!

The array originally enveloping the entire Thousand Leaves Mountain suddenly rippled.

"Someone is breaching the array?"

The changes in the array immediately caught the three's attention.

Gong Yang then took out a restriction token and waved it gently.

The clouds parted, revealing a young man in fine clothing, standing on a golden flying boat, holding a golden ring magical artifact.

"Why is Fellow Daoist Bai disturbing the protective array of Thousand Leaves Mountain?"

Gong Yang furrowed his brows and shouted sternly.

"No offense, Fellow Daoists!"

Bai Kun smiled faintly, not concealing the powerful mana at the peak of Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, "I heard that the Fellow Daoist intending to move into Thousand Leaves Mountain had arrived, so I came especially for a visit."

Upon hearing this, Duan Shuang's eyes went cold: "You installed surveillance over Purple Bamboo Mountain?"

"Fellow Daoist Duan jests, how could I do such a thing? It's just that I have many friends and broad sources of information." Bai Kun smiled indifferently.

"Fellow Daoist Bai isn't such a person; since you're a guest, Fellow Daoist Bai, please come in." Gong Yang quickly smoothed over the situation, and the array opened, inviting Bai Kun in.

Xu Ping sized up the young man in fancy clothes, thinking to himself: "So this is the Bai Kun that Duan Shuang mentioned, truly overbearing!"

While Xu Ping evaluated him, Bai Kun was also appraising Xu Ping.

Seeing Xu Ping's cultivation at merely Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, he slighted Xu Ping a bit in his heart.

Xu Ping had advanced to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, but he hid his rapid advancement to avoid attracting attention.

With his current concealment abilities, even a Fake Pill cultivator couldn't see through his disguise.

"You must be the Daoist planning to reside at Thousand Leaves Peak. I am Bai Kun; may I know your name?" Bai Kun cupped his hands politely.

Had Xu Ping not seen his earlier domineering attitude, he might have mistaken him for a genteel gentleman.

"I am Xu Ping." Xu Ping responded with a cupped hand gesture.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, may I have a private word with you?" Bai Kun asked with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Bai, what do you mean?" Xu Ping hadn't replied yet when Duan Shuang blocked in front of him, her gaze coldly fixed on Bai Kun.

Seeing Duan Shuang protect Xu Ping in such a manner, unfavorable thoughts flitted through Bai Kun's mind, his gaze slightly chilly, but a warm smile still adorned his face:

"No need to worry, Fellow Daoist Duan, I just wish to have a private chat with Fellow Daoist Xu, nothing more."

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you don't need to get involved, leave this matter to me." Duan Shuang privately transmitted to Xu Ping.

Hearing this, Xu Ping couldn't help touching his nose, feeling that while he didn't mind a woman shielding him from trouble, if he didn't handle this himself, it would likely lead to numerous vexing issues.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Duan, for your consideration. Since Fellow Daoist Bai wishes to speak with me, how could I refuse?" Xu Ping replied with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is straightforward; shall we converse in the pavilion?" Bai Kun asked, palms raised with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xu..." Duan Shuang still wanted to say something, but Xu Ping gave her a look telling her to stay calm.

Their little interactions were noted, and a trace of coldness emerged deep in Bai Kun's eyes.

He saw Duan Shuang as his possession, allowing no one else to interfere.

...

The two arrived at the pavilion within the cave mansion, and Bai Kun casually set up a sound-isolating restriction to prevent eavesdropping.

"I wonder what the relationship between Fellow Daoist Xu and Duan Shuang is?" Bai Kun inquired with a smile after finishing his arrangements.

"Just ordinary friends." Xu Ping replied.

'Ordinary friends?' Bai Kun sneered internally, "If you're just ordinary friends, would Duan Shuang protect you like that?"

But on the surface, he showed nothing and instead asked with a smile: "How did you come to know Duan Shuang? I've never heard her mention you."

'Is he checking my history?'

Xu Ping frowned slightly and answered calmly: "That's personal business and not convenient to disclose."

Having reached Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, neither Bai Kun nor even his backing Song family dared to provoke him.

He certainly wouldn't accommodate Bai Kun's attitude.

'An insignificant Early-Stage Foundation Establishment dares speak to me like this!'

Hearing this, the coldness in Bai Kun's eyes deepened, and even his tone became indifferent: "Fellow Daoist Xu, you seem fierce, but in the cultivation realm, being overly rigid leads to breaking, don't you think?"

Detecting the threat in Bai Kun's tone, Xu Ping simply laughed.

He was well aware of Bai Kun's intentions for wanting to talk to him.

After almost being tricked into a pit, and despite Duan Shuang's subsequent honesty and compensation, his initial interest in Thousand Leaves Mountain had waned.

If Bai Kun had treated him well, he might have still considered relocating there, but Bai Kun's interrogation and subsequent threats?

What, did he think Xu Ping was made of clay?

If they were in a deserted place, Bai Kun would have already tasted his sword.

"No need for Fellow Daoist Bai to worry, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave." Xu Ping remarked lazily.

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