**Chapter 40: Origins of the Mountain and Sea Division**

**Chapter 40: Origins of the Mountain and Sea Division**

Jiangnan, East District, Ping'an Noodle House

"Hiss…"

Su Chen winced as pain shot through his body, pulling him from unconsciousness.

"You're awake? Good. Here, eat something first."

Turning his head, Su Chen saw Uncle Tian approaching with a steaming bowl of noodle soup.

Feeling the gnawing hunger in his stomach, Su Chen accepted the bowl and asked, "Uncle Tian, how long was I out?"

"Three days," Yu Tianqi replied, sitting on the chair beside the bed with a faint smile. "Luckily, your body is in good shape from all that training. In ten days to half a month, you'll be as good as new."

"What about that person from the Mountain and Sea Division?"

"You mean Bai Ling?" Uncle Tian chuckled. "That girl's got plenty on her plate. Who knows where she is now? But don't worry—I gave her a good scolding for what she did. She's learned her lesson and won't be acting so rashly again."

Yu Tianqi placed a wooden box on the bedside table. "Here, she left this as an apology. It's up to you whether you want to accept it or not."

Curiosity piqued, Su Chen opened the wooden box.

The moment he did, a sharp wave of sword intent burst forth, making him instinctively close his eyes. When the aura subsided, he found himself staring at a simple black longsword.

As a sword cultivator, Su Chen felt an inexplicable connection to the blade. Its presence captivated him, and he couldn't tear his gaze away.

Seeing this, Yu Tianqi began to explain. "That's the Black Dragon Sword, one of the twelve dragon-slaying swords unique to the Mountain and Sea Division.

"Make no mistake—this is no ordinary sword. It carries with it the history, prestige, and authority of the Mountain and Sea Division. Many have sought it, but only those deemed worthy can wield it.

"If Bai Ling hadn't gone too far, and if her family didn't have some influence in the Division, there's no way you'd be holding it now."

"Then…" Su Chen hesitated, staring at the blade. "Can I really take it?"

"That depends on you," Yu Tianqi said, his tone measured. "This is an apology, sure, but you know as well as I do that accepting this sword means more than just owning a weapon.

"To others, taking this sword makes you part of the Mountain and Sea Division, whether you want to be or not. It's not a light decision. But…" He shrugged. "The Division takes care of its own, even if they can be overbearing. It's up to you to decide what matters more."

Su Chen fell silent, deep in thought. He wasn't one to rush into decisions, especially when they carried such weight. Finally, he looked up. "Uncle Tian, can you tell me more about the Mountain and Sea Division?"

Yu Tianqi grinned. "Of course. After all, with what you did to Bai Ling, you've already caught their attention. Not many Qi Gathering cultivators can manage to injure someone of her caliber. You've got people in the Division buzzing about you."

"Really?" Su Chen scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.

"Absolutely. They're all curious about the 'ruthless guy' who made Bai Ling stumble—and at the Qi Gathering stage, no less! She's a top-tier Foundation Establishment cultivator, you know. What you did wasn't just impressive—it was practically unheard of."

Su Chen still felt conflicted. Despite his victory, it had taken every trick up his sleeve just to wound her. Meanwhile, one casual punch from Bai Ling had left him bedridden for three days. The difference in their power levels was stark.

Noticing Su Chen's quiet frustration, Yu Tianqi ruffled his hair with a laugh.

"Don't get hung up on it. A Qi Gathering cultivator losing to someone at the Foundation Establishment stage isn't shameful. What would be shameful is the reverse!

"Now, let me tell you about the Mountain and Sea Division."

Su Chen perked up, ready to listen.

"The Mountain and Sea Division wasn't always called that. Originally, it was known as the Kyushu Demon Suppression Division, tasked with capturing and imprisoning evil demons and evil cultivators (heretic's) who posed a threat to the region."

"But over time, they discovered that not all demons were inherently malicious. Some were merely misunderstood or could even be useful."

"After centuries of research, the Demon Suppression Division developed methods to rehabilitate and collaborate with certain demons."

"Eventually, the first batch of integrated demons became full members of the Division. By then, the term 'Demon Suppression' no longer fit, so the organization was renamed the Mountain and Sea Division."

"The 'Mountain and Sea Beasts' you hear about today are those demons who've proven their loyalty. They're now an indispensable part of the Division's strength. Bai Ling's Shangfu Bird is one such beast."

"But earning a Mountain and Sea Beast's recognition is no easy task. It's the first trial for anyone hoping to join the Division."

"That's why the Mountain and Sea Division is so elite. Only those who can gain a beast's approval are allowed to enter."

Yu Tianqi paused, letting the information sink in before continuing.

"The hierarchy within the Division is strict. At the bottom, you have the Mountain and Sea Walkers. Above them are the Masters of Scriptures, the Great Masters, the Guardians, and finally, the Four Domain Lords who oversee everything."

"And while the Division's strength is undeniable, it's not without its politics. The four major Taoist academies that supply its recruits have significant influence, as do the immortal sects backing them."

"The academy Bai Ling is from—Qinghe Taoist Academy—is closely tied to the Shangqing Taoist Palace, one of the strongest immortal sects in Kyushu."

"In a way, the Mountain and Sea Division is the bridge between the mundane and the extraordinary. They don't meddle in ordinary matters—only those that threaten the balance of the world."

"Now you see why the Division seems so mysterious and powerful. They only recruit the best, and their work operates on an entirely different level."

Hearing this, Su Chen finally understood the source of Bai Ling's arrogance.

Someone who had climbed to such heights—through rigorous training, competition, and danger—would naturally view ordinary people as insignificant.

Looking down at the sword resting beside him, Su Chen made up his mind.

"Uncle Tian, I'll take this sword."

Yu Tianqi beamed. "Good! Only children make choices. Adults take everything!"

He laughed heartily. "I was worried you'd refuse because you didn't want to get tangled up with those old codgers in the Division. But you didn't let me down.

"Remember, this sword isn't just a gift—it's a tool. Use it to show those arrogant fools they can't control you."

Yu Tianqi leaned back, his grin widening. "You know, this reminds me of the time I walked into the Mountain and Sea Division and caused chaos at the Nine Immortal Gates…"

For the next hour, Su Chen listened to an outrageous tale titled The Great Sage Tianqi's Legendary Rampage*

How much of it was true? Su Chen couldn't say.

After all, when someone begins a story with "I'm not bragging," it's usually safe to assume they're about to do just that.

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