Chapter 49: The Azure Lotus Blossoms and Cultivators Arrive

The sound preceded the sight.

A strand of azure sword qi pierced directly through the space between the seven individuals, splitting the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators who had originally surrounded Bai Shang.

Ning Kang wore an expression of utmost solemnity; he had undoubtedly used his full strength when unleashing his Frost Blade just moments ago.

Yet, such a feather-light strand of sword qi had instantly shattered his full-powered Frost Blade.

The force attached to this sword qi was by no means as simple as it appeared on the surface!

As Ning Kang recalled the Frost Blade and gazed at the notch chipped onto its edge, his complexion grew even darker.

This was, after all, the only Superior-grade magical artifact in his possession.

"Who goes there? Why skulk in the shadows like a rat?" Thunder rumbled from Lei Zhen as he let out a furious roar, sending spiritual waves laced with lightning energy bursting wildly outward, wantonly ravaging the surrounding mountain forests.

"Ha!"

Accompanied by a light chuckle, a Daoist priest clad in azure robes and a jade crown, possessing a striking and handsome countenance, walked leisurely forward.

The Daoist's expression was serene and detached, as if he were simply strolling through the wilderness, treating the seven Foundation Establishment masters before him not as formidable foes, but as mere rocks by the path.

"This poor Daoist is Jiang Sheng, a Qi Refining practitioner of Qingping Mountain. Greetings to you all."

Jiang Sheng’s voice was clear and resonant. Though not as thunderously booming as Lei Zhen's, it exploded simultaneously in the ears of all seven individuals. Seemingly casual yet carrying the sudden bite of thunder, it made both the members of the Zhao family and the rogue cultivators wear grave expressions.

A person's reputation looms as large as a tree's shadow.

It was often said that there was a Daoist Master Jiang on Qingping Mountain capable of defying the Purple Palace realm while still in the Foundation Establishment stage. However, most cultivators believed that to be an exaggeration, or at the very least, that he had relied on the assistance of others to earn such a moniker.

Yet now, the moment Jiang Sheng made his appearance, a single strand of sword qi and a single sentence were enough to let Zhao Hong, Chen Ping, and the others understand what a truly high-ranking master of the Dao looked like.

Sensing Jiang Sheng's authentic and undeniable late Foundation Establishment cultivation base, Zhao Hong immediately broke into a smile. "So it is Daoist Master Jiang of Qingping Mountain in the flesh. This old man is Zhao Hong of the Hai Commandery. Greetings."

Zhao Rui and Zhao骏 also cupped their fists and bowed in salute.

Jiang Sheng gave a slight nod and smiled, "So it is the Grand Elder of the Purple Palace Zhao family of Hai Commandery. It is this poor Daoist who has failed to show proper courtesy."

Standing nearby, Gongsun Yulong had witnessed with his own eyes how Ning Kang had suffered a setback, and thus felt a strong sense of favorable impression toward Jiang Sheng. "I am Gongsun Yulong. Greetings, Daoist Master Jiang."

"To hear a hundred times is not as good as seeing once. Seeing Daoist Master Jiang today, you truly possess an extraordinary demeanor—quite unlike certain arrogant and ignorant fools who view the sky from the bottom of a well."

Ning Kang's face darkened once more; Gongsun Yulong was mocking him overtly and covertly.

Chen Ping glanced at Ning Kang, then turned to look at Jiang Sheng, finally managing to squeeze out a forced smile. "Why has Daoist Master Jiang graced us with your presence here?"

"Is it not clear to everyone in their hearts? A late Foundation Establishment Black Fire Snake is, after all, a fine ingredient for medicine," Jiang Sheng said, pulling the serpent's head, cleaved cleanly into two halves, out from his storage pouch.

When the ferocious snake head, three zhang in width, was revealed, although the demonic beast was already dead, its fierce aura on the verge of the Purple Palace realm remained concentrated and unscattered. Merely the sliver of aura that leaked out was enough to startle a group of cultivators into retreat.

Whether it was Zhao Hong or Chen Ping, each of them was thoroughly startled upon seeing this snake head.

They were hardly fools; was this anything like an ordinary late Foundation Establishment Black Fire Snake?

This was clearly a Black Fire Snake on the verge of breaking through to the Purple Palace realm!

How unimaginably hard were the skull and scales of such a ferocious beast? They far surpassed copper and iron.

And looking at that wound—a single gash piercing straight through the entire cranium, slicing it smoothly in two. What a terrifyingly swift sword!

Regarding this single sword strike, neither of them dared claim they could execute it themselves.

Zhao Hong looked at the ferocious and resentful snake head, then at the unhurried Jiang Sheng, and after a moment, he smiled. "This old man originally came here entrusted by the Commandery Governor to eliminate the demon. Now that the fiend has been eradicated, this old man shall return to the commandery city to report back on our mission."

"Daoist Master Jiang, if you have the time, you are welcome to come to the Zhao family estate to share a cup of tea. This old man will certainly prepare a generous hospitality."

Jiang Sheng nodded. "Many thanks, Daoist Master Zhao. If time permits, I shall certainly come to pay a visit."

Having spoken, Zhao Hong, accompanied by Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun, turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Gongsun Yulong glanced sideways at Ning Kang, then smiled. "Today has been quite a good show worth watching; it was well worth the trip. I shall take my leave first. Daoist Master Ning, pray do not bother seeing me out."

Once Gongsun Yulong had also departed, only Chen Ping, Ning Kang, and Lei Zhen remained.

Lei Zhen's expression was exceptionally unsightly, while Ning Kang's face was as dark as the bottom of a charred cooking pot.

Yet Chen Ping proved to be the most unflappable of them all. Seeing that both the Zhao family members and Gongsun Yulong had departed, Chen Ping also cupped his hands toward Jiang Sheng, exchanged a brief transmission of voice with Lei Zhen and Ning Kang, and led the two of them away.

In the span of a short moment, the once-tumultuous mountain forest returned to peace once again.

Bai Shang felt a measure of shame. "Daoist Master, I have brought trouble upon you."

Jiang Sheng's expression remained tranquil as he gazed in the direction where Zhao Hong, Chen Ping, and the others had retreated.

"What does this have to do with Daoist Bai? Stripped of pretenses, it is nothing more than wealth stirring the hearts of men."

"Whether it is the late Foundation Establishment Black Fire Snake or the heavenly treasures that may exist here, these are the reasons that attracted these people to this place."

"Daoist Bai, for this upcoming period, I fear it will be difficult to find tranquility."

Bai Shang asked with some puzzlement, "Daoist Master Jiang, were these people not frightened away by you?"

Jiang Sheng shook his head. "The Black Fire Snake is already dead; they have lost the justification for a direct conflict with this poor Daoist. Furthermore, with several different factions present, they chose to leave temporarily so as not to let others reap the fisherman's profit."

"It is simply that they cannot confirm at present whether there are truly any precious treasures hidden within the mountains. Once they confirm it, they will ascend the mountain once more."

Upon hearing this, Bai Shang could not help but feel a rising wave of anxiety. "If the Emerald Jade Lotus has yet to mature, and these people truly ascend the mountain again..."

"Then I shall simply cut them down with a sword!" The chilling intent in Jiang Sheng's words made even Bai Shang involuntarily stiffen.

Seeing the astonished Bai Shang, Jiang Sheng smiled. "Daoist Bai, let me ask you a question. What do you think of this poor Daoist?"

Bai Shang stammered in reply, "Daoist Master Jiang is naturally a high-ranking master who has attained the Dao, harboring a benevolent heart..."

Jiang Sheng, however, chuckled. "What high-ranking master who has attained the Dao? Daoist Bai, spare me such empty flattery."

"If an unowned treasure appears before your eyes, Daoist Daoist, will you contend for it?"

Bai Shang nodded.

"If a treasured item with an owner appears before your eyes, and the owner's strength is inferior to yours, will you contend for it?"

Bai Shang hesitated.

Jiang Sheng stated plainly, "If that treasure is useful to this poor Daoist, then this poor Daoist will inevitably contend for it. Does Daoist Bai still believe this poor Daoist is some sort of high-ranking master who has attained the Dao?"

"This..." Bai Shang was dumbfounded.

Jiang Sheng smiled faintly. "No matter how one puts it, it always seems as though this poor Daoist gave rise to greed and malice, coveting the possessions of another. But why is it that I am the one harboring malice rather than the treasure simply having an affinity with me?"

"Greed and malice—opinions on them vary endlessly."

"Daoist Bai, you seem to have read quite a few books left behind in that predecessor's grotto-heaven, to the point where you act far too much like someone else."

"Let this poor Daoist tell you something that cannot be found in canonical scriptures or books: when your strength is superior, whatever you say is right."

"Whether it is the Great Heavenly Dragon Temple of the West or our Eastern Continent Daoist Sect of Penglai, all acknowledge this logic. Of all principles, this one is the most rudimentary and universally applicable."

Having said this, Jiang Sheng strolled away leisurely, leaving Bai Shang frozen in place.

amidst the chaotic debris, Bai Shang—the early Foundation Establishment fox—fell into deep contemplation.

Upon returning to Jie County, neither the Zhao family group led by Zhao Hong nor Chen Ping's group left; instead, they continued to lie low and conceal themselves within the county.

Zhao Hong looked toward the rolling, undulating expanse of Qingping Mountain outside Jie County, his tone carrying absolute certainty. "If it were merely to exterminate a demon, Jiang Sheng should have left once the extermination was complete. Why has he chosen to remain?"

"There must be something within the mountain, and Jiang Sheng is standing guard over it."

Zhao Jun asked, "Then, Grand Elder, should we go and contend for it?"

Zhao Hong sneered, "There is no rush. Let us observe what moves that old scoundrel Chen makes."

"Our Purple Palace Zhao family is not lacking in such treasures, but that old scoundrel Chen certainly is."

"If a genuine opportunity presents itself, we can fish in troubled waters when the time comes. If there is no opportunity, granting a favor to that Jiang Sheng is still acquiring a human connection."

Meanwhile, over on Chen Ping's side, Ning Kang was trembling with rage.

Gazing at the fractured Frost Blade, Ning Kang clenched his fists so tightly that blood seeped from his palms. "Gongsun Yulong, Jiang Sheng—they both deserve to die!"

Lei Zhen also spoke with fury, "Why did we leave? That Jiang Sheng is clearly concealing some fine treasure; we should have just taken him down!"

"With the three of us striking together, should we fear a single Jiang Sheng?"

Chen Ping, however, remained extremely calm. "It is not a matter of fear, but rather that the timing is inappropriate. Do you truly believe that old scoundrel Zhao Hong has left?"

"That old scoundrel Zhao is just waiting for us and Jiang Sheng to fight to the death so that his Zhao family can swallow the spoils alone!"

"Let us endure for the time being and see if that old scoundrel Zhao can hold back his impatience!"

Both Zhao Hong and Chen Ping chose to wait for the time being.

And Jiang Sheng, deep within the mountains, waited patiently as well—waiting for the moment when the Emerald Jade Lotus would fully mature.

The storm stirred up in Jie County dissipated once more within the span of a few short days.

The Black Fire Snake was dead, and both the Zhao family faction and Chen Ping's group appeared to have departed, allowing Jie County to return to peace.

Only a few reluctant rogue Qi Refining cultivators still searched the mountains, hoping to stumble upon some remnant treasure and pick up a lucky windfall.

This peace lasted for several full months until Jie County completely recovered its former tranquility.

That terrifying Black Fire Snake seemed to have been relegated to mere conversational fodder among the common folk of Jie County.

It was not until the night of the summer solstice in June that a crystalline, translucent cyan radiance emerged from within Qingping Mountain, and its strange, alluring fragrance caused countless beasts and birds deep within the mountains to surge forth in a frenzy.

The very instant that cyan light appeared, several figures soared directly into the sky from within Jie County, flying toward Qingping Mountain.

Immediately following them, several more figures trailed close behind.

Though their features were obscured in the dark of night, those figures radiated the unmistakable and genuine pressure of the Foundation Establishment realm.

Only then did the ordinary citizens of Jie County realize just how many Foundation Establishment cultivators had been hiding within their midst!

With so many cultivators openly displaying their might and taking flight, the entire Jie County was sent into an uproar of fluttering chickens and barking dogs.

The county magistrate Lin Zhiwu and the local tyrant Wu Fang failed to even dress properly before rushing out of their doors, watching with wide eyes as streams of light surged directly toward Qingping Mountain.

At this moment, inside the hidden grotto-heaven, Bai Shang stared in astonishment as the Emerald Jade Lotus absorbed the spiritual qi of the entire pool. The sea of lotuses covering the pool withered completely, and the crystal-clear water drained away to the bottom in an instant. Only the Emerald Jade Lotus blossomed to its fullest, swaying its stem and releasing a brilliant stream of light that pierced straight into the firmament.

"With such a grand momentum, the beasts in the mountains will likely riot." Bai Shang watched the cyan light piercing through the mountain body, his eyes filled with anxiety.

Meanwhile, Jiang Sheng, who had been sitting cross-legged in meditation to regulate his breath, slowly stood up.

He held out his right hand in an empty grasp, and the Qingping Sword materialized within his palm:

"Naturally, it is to go and welcome our uninvited guests."