Chapter 36: The Three Sects and Eight Families of Qingzhou

Jiang Sheng scanned his surroundings, only to find the main hall completely empty. Aside from an incense altar and the red candle formation, there was nothing else! Despite the imposing, grand appearance of the Taiping River Mansion, it felt like a hollow shell—a classic case of all glitz and no substance. The feeling was deeply unsettling; it was as if these few items were the most valuable things in the entire residence.

Before long, Qiao Xuan and Xu Xiao arrived. Seeing their expressions, Jiang Sheng knew immediately that they had found nothing of value. As expected, Qiao Xuan muttered unhappily, "I searched for ages, but it’s completely barren. Forget about spiritual herbs or treasures; I didn't even find a speck of gold or silver."

Xu Xiao looked equally frustrated. "It’s the same on my end. I searched everywhere, but it’s empty. This place is just a facade."

"Do not fret, you two. Take a look at this," Jiang Sheng said, pointing to the red candles and the formation.

Qiao Xuan glanced at them, probed with his spiritual sense, and his expression darkened. "That demon is actually using children to sustain this formation. Why does this formation feel so strange to me?"

Xu Xiao, suppressing her disgust, sensed it carefully as well. "This formation is very odd," she said uncertainly. "It clearly harbors evil, yet it appears grand and righteous, with faint traces of compassion and some other inexplicable aura... This formation..."

Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Sheng added, "Are you trying to say, Fellow Daoist Xu, that this formation does not belong to our Eastern Domain?"

Xu Xiao nodded, then shook her head. "Forgive my limited knowledge, Daoist Jiang; I dare not confirm it. The Eastern Domain is vast. Just along this East Sea coast, we have seven nations: Qi, Wei, Lu, Yan, Zhao, Chu, and Zheng. The Eastern Domain stretches across billions of miles, home to countless living beings and endless blessed lands. I am certain this formation is not of the Qi Kingdom, but to claim it is not of the Eastern Domain... I cannot be sure."

Jiang Sheng kept his thoughts to himself. Xu Xiao was merely an inner disciple of the Lanyue Sect. Though she was a direct student of a Zifu-realm elder, the Lanyue Sect was, after all, just a local sect in Qingzhou. How many ancient texts could a Golden Core sect truly possess? As for Jiang Sheng, he was an inner disciple of Penglai, not a true successor. Only those who achieved a high-grade Golden Core and truly embarked on the path of immortality would be listed as true successors and granted access to the sect's deeper archives. Until then, even death during a trial was considered of little consequence. Thus, Jiang Sheng didn't know much about such formations either; he only sensed instinctively that it did not belong to the orthodox Xuan schools, hence his conclusion.

The three fell into a heavy silence, exchanging glances.

Qiao Xuan sighed. "Since we have found nothing, we might as well destroy this place completely to prevent other evil spirits from occupying it."

"Indeed. Even if we cannot identify its origin, it is certainly no orthodox technique. Destroying it is for the best," Xu Xiao agreed.

Jiang Sheng pondered for a moment. "In that case, would you mind if I took the Flowing Light Jade Water formation from outside the cave?"

Qiao Xuan nodded. "Daoist, as you reside on Qingping Mountain, you certainly need a suitable defensive formation. By all means, take it."

Xu Xiao added, "If you don't mind, I can help you set it up."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "Then I shall accept your kindness."

***

The three joined forces to destroy the incense altar and the evil formation in the main hall, and Jiang Sheng collected the flags for the Flowing Light Jade Water formation. As the shimmering water curtain vanished, the immense pressure of the river surged in, instantly reducing the Taiping River Mansion to ruins, which were soon buried beneath the riverbed.

Deep within his lair, the River God felt the collapse of the formation. He knew the one in Qingshan County had been destroyed. "Jiang Sheng, just you wait!" he roared, consumed by fury. Had he not been bound to his own formation, he would have hunted Jiang Sheng down and torn him limb from limb. The destruction of one of his avatars and its accompanying formation would delay the condensation of his Incense Golden Core by at least three years.

Yet, he had to endure. If he left his formation now, all his previous efforts would go to waste. "Patience. I must have patience. Once I shed this mortal shell and condense the Incense Golden Core, I will have my revenge! Jiang Sheng, Cha Liangcai, that Xu Xiao, and all those traitors! None of you will escape!"

The River God’s spiteful voice echoed through his lair. Gradually, he calmed himself, continuing to absorb the pure power of incense, dyeing the grayish-white false core within him with strands of gold. Most of the core was already golden, with only a small patch remaining. Once that was filled, he would transition from a false-core cultivator with a six-hundred-year lifespan to a true Golden Core master with eight hundred years.

He had only a few years left. What were three or five more? He had waited forty-eight years; he could wait a little longer.

Meanwhile, Jiang Sheng, Xu Xiao, and Qiao Xuan returned to the shore. Xu Xiao accompanied Jiang Sheng to Qingping Mountain to set up the formation, while Qiao Xuan returned to the county magistrate's office to recover. Both had been severely injured in the battle against the Zifu demon and would require months of recuperation. Had it not been for the allure of the River God's cave, they would not have rushed there while wounded. Finding the cave empty was a bitter disappointment, and Qiao Xuan returned to his duties in low spirits.

Back at Qingping Mountain, Xu Xiao helped Jiang Sheng install the formation. Jiang Sheng then channeled a nearby stream to encircle the temple, completing the setup. After finishing, Xu Xiao hesitated for a moment before taking a jade bottle from her storage bag. "Daoist Jiang, this was found in the storage bag of Young Master Kongxu."

Jiang Sheng opened the bottle and took a sniff. "Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill?"

Xu Xiao nodded. "As you know, this is a premium pill for opening the Zifu. It clearly didn't belong to Kongxu himself; otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life fighting a Zifu demon for the Ziyang Jade."

"Are you suggesting the demon provided this?" Jiang Sheng asked.

Xu Xiao’s expression grew grave. "That is my suspicion. I cannot fathom why else he would betray us. Perhaps the demon promised him even more."

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "Since ancient times, wealth has moved hearts. For us cultivators, resources are life itself. It is no surprise he would betray others for this."

"You may not be aware, Daoist," Xu Xiao explained, "but the Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill is a rarity even in Qingzhou. Countless Foundation Establishment families and small sects covet it. Only the three great sects of Qingzhou and the Zifu clans have the ability to refine or store such a pill."

Jiang Sheng understood her implication: the demon in the Taiping River must have ties to the three great sects or the Zifu clans. Perhaps the demon had been planted in the East County by some faction on purpose, which would explain why the local powers had turned a blind eye to its misdeeds for so many years.

"Do you understand what I mean?" Xu Xiao looked at him.

Jiang Sheng nodded. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I will proceed with caution." He paused. "I am truly grateful for your help with the formation. Life on the mountain is sparse; I have only some simple tea, but I hope you will do me the honor of sharing a cup."

Xu Xiao was surprised by the invitation, but she smiled. "I would be delighted to accept, Daoist Jiang."

"Please, follow me."

Jiang Sheng led her into the temple, showing her the portrait of his founder in the main hall before moving to the side chamber. He drew spring water and lit the stove. Under the influence of his Foundation Establishment true fire, the teapot began to emit a faint, refreshing fragrance.

As he poured the tea, he pushed a cup toward her. "This is Fog-Hidden Tea, which I picked and processed from the Ascension Platform at Penglai before descending the mountain. Please, have a taste."

Xu Xiao took a sip, and a look of pleasant surprise flashed in her eyes. "This tea clears the mind and spirits, making one feel as if they are in an ethereal valley of mist. It is truly extraordinary."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "It is merely common spiritual tea. If you like it, I can gift you a few ounces."

Xu Xiao’s beautiful eyes sparkled. "You previously called me 'Fellow Daoist Xu,' but now you call me 'Fairy' and offer me tea. Do you have a favor to ask of me?"

Jiang Sheng’s expression remained calm and his gaze clear. "I am a newcomer here, and aside from Qingshan County, I know little of the situation in the East County. I am also unaware of any markets where one might acquire cultivation resources. As you are a direct student of the Lanyue Sect—the leader of the orthodox schools in Qingzhou—I hoped you might enlighten me."

Xu Xiao chuckled. "So there is a favor to ask. I knew someone as cold and proud as you wouldn't be this generous otherwise." She grew serious. "This is a small matter, and I am happy to help."

"There are three great sects in Qingzhou: my own Lanyue Sect, the Qingyun Sect, and the Heavenly Sword Sect. All three have Golden Core masters and stand at the head of the orthodox path. Even the Qingzhou Governor's office lacks a Golden Core master."

"Qingzhou is divided into eight counties, each with a Zifu clan: the Cha family of East County, the Wang family of Guang County, the Zhang family of An County, the Han family of Chang County, the Zheng family of Gao County, the Zhao family of Hai County, the Zhou family of Chang County, and the Xu family of the state capital, Qing County."

"Each county seat has markets for trading resources, as well as taverns and pill houses for cultivators..."

Jiang Sheng looked at the articulate Xu Xiao and asked curiously, "Fairy Xu, are you from the Xu family of Qing County?"

Xu Xiao nodded with a faint smile. "I am indeed. My father is the current head of the Xu family and holds some small reputation in the cultivation world. If you ever have a need for cultivation resources, I can take you to the East County capital."