Chapter Twelve: The Air Filled the Hall Like Pines and Bamboos

Page (1/3)

Jiang Sheng stood before the hall with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and composed.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators of Qingping Mountain. I am Jiang Sheng.”

Upon seeing Jiang Sheng truly appear, many rogue cultivators grew wary.

His arrival this time surely did not bode well!

Jiang Sheng casually glanced at the Qingzhou cultivators gathered in the county office.

“Aren’t you all here seeking me? I stand right here now. If anyone thinks I’m all talk and no action, feel free to test me.”

Once these words were spoken, many rogue cultivators fell silent. In Jiang Sheng’s absence, they could speak freely, for the law does not punish the masses. With so many present, could Jiang Sheng really slay them all?

But now Jiang Sheng himself stood here, his Foundation Establishment stage cultivation unmistakably evident. Among these Qi Refining cultivators who had yet to reach Foundation Establishment, who dared speak further?

Seeing no one reply, Jiang Sheng smiled—a smile like a spring breeze melting ice and snow—causing Zhang Qing and Xu Xiao to glance at him a few more times.

Even Xu Xiao, familiar with Qingzhou’s talented youths, felt her heart race. It wasn’t for lack of experience, but because Jiang Sheng was simply extraordinary.

He was a handsome youth not yet twenty, clad in a simple azure Daoist robe, exuding an ethereal elegance—like the fresh and refined plum blossom or the tall, verdant pine.

Especially the moment Jiang Sheng flew in gracefully and landed in the hall, all the rogue cultivators present seemed merely to serve as a backdrop, like cranes standing among chickens.

Who was the soaring celestial crane and who the mediocre flock? Was it not obvious?

Wang Tianfang stood awkwardly, suddenly realizing that none of the cultivators who had just agreed with him dared to speak now.

He had only intended to rally support and curry favor with the Empty Prince.

But with Jiang Sheng’s arrival, the atmosphere was stifling, silencing all Qingzhou heroes present.

One rogue cultivator, sensing the awkwardness, quickly smiled and said, “Daoist Jiang, regarding this matter...”

“Fellow cultivator, it’s better if you say nothing,” Jiang Sheng interrupted, casting a glance at a Qi Refining cultivator not even at eighth level, then turning back to Wang Tianfang: “Are you Wang Tianfang?”

Wang Tianfang felt uneasy under Jiang Sheng’s gaze but forced himself to remain calm. “I am Wang Tianfang. Daoist Jiang, what business do you have?”

“Earlier, fellow cultivator Wang said I treat Qingzhou heroes as nothing?” Jiang Sheng asked softly.

Though his voice was low, it sounded like thunder in Wang Tianfang’s ears, startling him.

Wang Tianfang stammered, “I, I—”

Jiang Sheng suddenly smiled. “No need to say more. I understand.”

Wang Tianfang relaxed, thinking the matter was over.

After all, he was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator—a formidable force not to be ignored.

With that thought, his slightly stooped back straightened proudly.

Indeed, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Jiang Sheng might feud with Qi Refining rogues, but surely not with him.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Sheng continued, “It seems, fellow cultivator Wang, that what you said isn’t far from the truth.”

“If Qingzhou heroes are exactly the rabble I see before me, then I suppose there’s no need for me to exorcise demons and monsters any longer, sparing those river demons some additional bloodshed.”

“Daoist Jiang! What do you mean?!” a Qi Refining rogue stood up angrily.

Page (2/3)

Another Foundation Establishment cultivator slammed the table and rose: “Daoist Jiang, don’t think your origins from Penglai allow you to look down on the heroes of the world! Qingzhou has many heroes. How dare you belittle us so!”

Jiang Sheng remained composed: “I have never belittled heroes of the world, but I do not believe that your current appearance qualifies you as true heroes.”

Ignoring their accusations, Jiang Sheng turned to Zhang Qingyun: “County Magistrate Zhang, did you summon Qingzhou heroes only to invite such riffraff?”

At these words, the Empty Prince shifted uneasily. He lifted his teacup and glanced at Jiang Sheng, his voice soft and sinister: “Daoist, do you truly regard Qingzhou heroes as nothing?”

“Indeed.”

That declaration enraged the Qingzhou rogue cultivators utterly.

Though the Qi Refining rogues dared not rise, every Foundation Establishment rogue stood up demanding Jiang Sheng explain himself.

The county office descended into chaos, resembling a martial gathering hall filled with shouting and disorder.

Zhang Qingyun looked at the rogues clamoring for an explanation, then at the famous cultivators beside him. He sincerely wanted to see just how capable Jiang Sheng was.

Jiang Sheng’s earlier attitude had displeased Zhang Qingyun. If Jiang Sheng’s skills were mediocre, he would have to reconsider.

Zhang Qingyun spoke: “This Daoist Jiang has long secluded himself in the mountains, yet his skills seem extraordinary.”

Wen Renjie smiled: “Extraordinary? Then let’s see what Daoist Jiang can do!”

Qiao Xuan, leaning on a bamboo cane and smoking a pipe, remarked: “Indeed, it’s not fear of skill but fear of no skill. This place is a mix of fish and dragons. If we can clear out the frauds, it’ll make future dealings easier.”

The Empty Prince clearly agreed.

These renowned Qingzhou rogue cultivators all wished to test Jiang Sheng, whose name had become somewhat legendary.

Zhang Qingyun realized these men had an unspoken agreement, which aligned with his own plans, so he quietly watched the unfolding drama.

“No need for more words. Attack together. Let me see what kind of heroes Qingzhou truly has,” Jiang Sheng declared.

With this, reconciliation became impossible.

Though rogue cultivators seldom started conflicts, Jiang Sheng had insulted them all profoundly.

Even clay has a spark of anger, let alone these battle-hardened rogues.

They outnumbered Jiang Sheng, and with a group against one, there was no chance of defeat.

Thus, they showed no mercy. Several Foundation Establishment cultivators attacked without hesitation, unleashing their fiercest moves.

Wind blades, golden needles, fireballs rained from the sky, as if to drown Jiang Sheng in a flood of spells.

Meanwhile, the ground cracked as vines burst forth, aiming to bind Jiang Sheng in place.

Their attacks demonstrated solid combat experience and seamless cooperation.

The underground vines restricted Jiang Sheng’s movement; the overwhelming barrage of wind blades, fireballs, and golden needles served both as distraction and deadly assault.

This pincer move effectively sealed Jiang Sheng’s freedom.

Qiao Xuan, Wen Renjie, and the Empty Prince all watched intently.

Even they would be cautious facing so many Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators in coordinated attack. Yet Jiang Sheng was recklessly confident.

Now, under the combined might of these Foundation Establishment cultivators, Jiang Sheng’s space to maneuver was completely blocked.

Honestly, even they would first evade to regroup and find another way. Did Jiang Sheng have any other choice?

If Jiang Sheng could truly counter this, wouldn’t it prove these Qingzhou rogues were simply mediocre?

Page (3/3)

For a moment, even these famous Qingzhou Foundation Establishment rogues felt conflicted.

Compared to their complex emotions, Xu Xiao and Zhang Qing grew more worried for Jiang Sheng.

They truly did not want to see this handsome young cultivator die here pointlessly.

Yet Jiang Sheng had insulted the Qingzhou rogues with utmost nonchalance; his words were undeniably sharp.

Moreover, he so blatantly dismissed the Qingzhou cultivators, clearly disregarding their Lan Yue Sect.

Could it be that Jiang Sheng, the Daoist from Penglai, truly possessed some means to deal with them?

While others were conflicted, the attacking cultivators were elated.

Their surprise assault was difficult even for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to withstand. How could Jiang Sheng resist?

The ground trembled as the courtyard’s blue bricks were torn apart by the emerging vines, which wrapped Jiang Sheng in layers of unyielding azure tendrils.

Wind blades cut sharply, fireballs burst fiercely, golden needles pierced sharply—all spells deadly in nature.

The moment Jiang Sheng was bound, the spells howled in, engulfing him in flames and smoke.

Explosions of magic lit the scene, sparks flying, smoke swirling.

Seeing the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ lethal strike, some Qi Refining rogues rejoiced:

“Our Qingzhou heroes are indeed extraordinary! See, as soon as the Foundation Establishment cultivators strike, Jiang Sheng has already ceased struggling!”

“Exactly! Where did he find the confidence to belittle Qingzhou cultivators? He’s about to fall here!”

“To witness a Foundation Establishment cultivator fall before our eyes is a rare opportunity.”

Voices clamored excitedly, even those attacking felt victorious.

Yet amidst the smoke and fire, Jiang Sheng’s clear voice rang out again:

“Fellow cultivators of Qingzhou, you truly are skilled.”

“Unfortunately, your efforts to harm me are still lacking.”

At these words, all faces changed in disbelief.

What?!

Jiang Sheng was completely unharmed?!

A sudden wind arose.

Strangely, a breeze blew from the west in front of the county hall.

At first, it was gentle and warm, then quickly grew into a fierce gale, howling within moments.

As the wind swept away the fire and smoke, everyone saw Jiang Sheng standing unharmed, his steps not even shifted.

His jade crown atop his head and azure robe showed no trace of smoke or fire damage.

Around him, the blue bricks lay shattered and broken.

The smooth, polished fragments bore marks of wind blade cuts; burn marks from fireballs; dense holes from golden needles—all spell scars intricately layered but ending just three inches from Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng stood with hands behind his back, casting a calm glance.

His aura was as deep and steady as a tranquil abyss or a towering mountain, chilling the hearts of those who had just attacked.

They had united in a surprise assault, confident of victory.

Yet Jiang Sheng remained untouched!