Three Great Sects, Eight Great Families

Jiang Sheng swept his gaze around again and found the entire main hall utterly empty.

Aside from an incense table and these red candles and formation, there was nothing else!

Taiping River Palace looked grand and magnificent, yet it gave off the feeling of jade on the outside, rotten silk within.

The feeling was deeply strange, as though the most valuable things in this river god's residence were the items before them.

Before long, Qiao Xuan and Xu Xiao arrived as well. One look at their expressions told Jiang Sheng that they had found nothing of value.

Sure enough, Qiao Xuan said with some frustration, "This old man searched for ages, but everything was empty. Not to mention spirit herbs or spiritual treasures—even gold and silver were nowhere to be found."

Xu Xiao wore an equally gloomy expression. "Same here. I searched for a long while, and it was all empty. This place looks like nothing but an empty shell."

"Neither of you needs to worry. Let us first look at these things before us." Jiang Sheng pointed at the red candles and the formation.

Qiao Xuan gave them a glance, then probed them again with his divine sense. His expression immediately changed. "That demon actually used children to maintain this formation. Why does this formation feel so strange to this old man?"

Suppressing her disgust, Xu Xiao also examined it carefully. Then she said uncertainly, "This formation is indeed most peculiar."

"Clearly, there is something sinister within it, yet it appears vast and radiant, faintly carrying an air of compassion. There are even some unidentified auras..."

"This formation..."

Seeing Xu Xiao's hesitant expression, Jiang Sheng added, "Does Fellow Daoist Xu mean that this formation does not seem to be an artifact of our Eastern Domain Continent?"

Xu Xiao nodded, then shook her head. "Daoist Jiang, forgive my limited knowledge. I dare not be certain."

"The Eastern Domain Continent is incomparably vast. The shores of the Eastern Sea alone contain the seven kingdoms of Qi, Wei, Lu, Yan, Zhao, Chu, and Zheng. The Eastern Domain Continent stretches billions upon billions of li in every direction, with countless living beings and too many immortal blessed lands to number."

"If you say this formation is not from the Qi Kingdom, I can be certain of that. But if you say it is not from the Eastern Domain Continent, I truly do not dare confirm it."

Jiang Sheng said nothing further. Xu Xiao was merely an inner disciple of the Moon-Embracing Sect. Though she was the personal disciple of a Purple Mansion Realm elder, the Moon-Embracing Sect was ultimately only a local sect of Qing Province in the Qi Kingdom.

How many records could a Golden Core Realm sect truly possess?

As for Jiang Sheng, although he was an inner disciple of Penglai, he too was only an inner disciple, not a true disciple.

Only after inner disciples like them achieved a Superior Golden Core and formally embarked upon the great path of Changsheng could they be listed by the Dao Sect as true disciples, at which point the Dao Sect's various records would be opened to them.

Before then, even dying during outside training would not be considered a major matter.

Thus, Jiang Sheng did not actually know much about formations either. He had merely instinctively sensed that this formation did not resemble a Mystic Gate formation, which was why he had concluded that it might not be an artifact of the Eastern Domain Continent.

The three fell silent, looking at one another.

Qiao Xuan sighed. "Since we found nothing, we might as well destroy this place completely, lest some other demon or evil thing occupy it."

"Yes. Though we cannot determine this formation's origins, it is certainly no righteous Mystic Gate formation. Destroying it will do no harm." Xu Xiao clearly supported destroying the place as well.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Sheng said, "In that case, might you two leave the Flowing Light Jadewater Formation outside the cave residence to this poor Daoist?"

Qiao Xuan nodded. "Daoist, you live in seclusion on Qingping Mountain and indeed require a suitable formation. If you need it, take it as you please."

Xu Xiao added, "If Daoist Jiang does not find it beneath him, I can help you set up the formation."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "Then this poor Daoist will not stand on ceremony."

The three then joined forces to destroy the incense table and the evil formation in the main hall. Jiang Sheng also collected every formation flag of the Flowing Light Jadewater Formation.

As the flowing light water curtain vanished without a trace, the rushing waters of the river washed over the place. In an instant, the entire Taiping River Palace became ruins, then was buried beneath the riverbed.

At that moment, the river god's true body also sensed one formation disappearing. He knew that the formation in Qingshan County had been destroyed.

"Jiang Sheng, just you wait for this god!" The river god forcibly suppressed his fury. If he had not been unable to leave the formation now, he would have gone to tear Jiang Sheng apart alive!

With one avatar and its formation destroyed, the time needed for the river god to condense his incense Golden Core Realm would be delayed by at least three years.

But even so, the river god had no choice but to endure. The moment he left the formation now, all his previous efforts would go to waste!

"No rush. This god is not in a rush. Once this god sheds this mortal shell and condenses an incense Golden Core Realm, I will come seek revenge on you all!"

"Jiang Sheng, Cha Liangcai, and that Xu Xiao, along with those traitors who betrayed this god! Not one of you will escape!"

The river god's venomous voice echoed through the residence. Meanwhile, his true body gradually calmed and continued absorbing strands of pure incense power, constantly staining the gray-white false core within him with threads of gold.

More than half of the false core within the river god had already turned gold, with only a small region left untouched.

Once that final small region turned gold as well, the false core within the river god would transform into an incense Golden Core Realm.

The river god would then become a true Golden Core Realm True Person, changing from a false-core cultivator with only six hundred years of lifespan into one who enjoyed eight hundred years.

Only a few final years remained. At worst, he would wait another three to five years. The river god had that patience.

He had endured forty-eight years already. What were another three to five years?

Jiang Sheng, Xu Xiao, and Qiao Xuan returned to shore. Xu Xiao followed Jiang Sheng back to Qingping Mountain to set up the formation, while Qiao Xuan returned to the county yamen to continue recuperating.

In this battle against the Purple Mansion Realm demon, both Xu Xiao and Qiao Xuan had suffered serious injuries. Even several months of recuperation might not be enough for them to recover.

Had it not been for the river god's cave residence, they would not have hurried here after only making minor adjustments to their condition.

Yet none of them had expected that the river god, who had tyrannized the area for decades, would have an utterly empty cave residence.

Qiao Xuan, who had celebrated for nothing, could only return in frustration to continue nursing his injuries.

After Jiang Sheng brought Xu Xiao back to Qingping Mountain, Xu Xiao first helped him set up the formation in the Daoist temple. Jiang Sheng then personally diverted stream water to encircle the temple, allowing the formation to take preliminary shape.

After finishing the formation, Xu Xiao fell silent for a moment, then took out a jade bottle from her storage pouch. "Daoist Jiang, this was found in Young Master Kongxu's storage pouch."

Jiang Sheng accepted the jade bottle, opened it, and took a sniff. "A Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill?"

Xu Xiao nodded. "Daoist Jiang also knows that the Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill is an excellent spiritual pill for opening one's Purple Mansion Realm. This spiritual pill could not possibly have belonged to Young Master Kongxu himself. Otherwise, he would not have risked coming here for Purple Yang Jade and fighting a Purple Mansion Realm demon."

"You mean this Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill was given to him by that demon?" Jiang Sheng asked.

Xu Xiao's expression turned somewhat grave. "That is precisely my guess. Otherwise, I truly cannot understand why Young Master Kongxu suddenly betrayed us. Perhaps that demon promised him other things as well."

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "Since ancient times, wealth has stirred men's hearts. For cultivators like us, cultivation resources are comparable to life itself. It is hardly strange that Young Master Kongxu would betray us for them."

"Daoist Jiang may not know this, but the Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill is a rare treasure throughout all Qing Province. Countless Foundation Establishment families and small sects yearn for it. Yet only Qing Province's three great sects and those Purple Mansion Realm families can refine or stockpile such pills," Xu Xiao explained.

Jiang Sheng understood what Xu Xiao meant. The demon in the Taiping River must have connections to one of the three great sects or a Purple Mansion Realm family. Otherwise, the origin of this Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill could not be explained.

Perhaps that demon had even been deliberately placed in Dongjun by some force.

Otherwise, it was impossible to explain why the demon had tyrannized Dongjun for so many years while the great families and sects of Dongjun turned a blind eye.

"Do you understand what I mean, Daoist?" Xu Xiao looked at Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng nodded. "Fairy Xu, rest assured. This poor Daoist will act carefully."

"Speaking of which, Fairy has set up this formation for me, and I am deeply grateful. Life in the mountains is austere, and I have only a cup of plain tea to offer. I hope Fairy will honor me with your presence."

Xu Xiao froze for a moment. Caught off guard by Jiang Sheng's invitation, she was somewhat surprised. But she soon smiled. "Since Daoist Jiang has invited me, I will naturally be glad to accept."

"Fairy, please."

Jiang Sheng invited Xu Xiao into the Daoist temple, showed her the patriarch's portrait in the front hall, and then led her into a side hall.

He drew over clear spring water and brought out a stove. As Jiang Sheng activated his Foundation Establishment true fire, a faint fragrance began drifting from the teapot atop the stove.

Once the tea had been poured into cups, Jiang Sheng pushed one toward Xu Xiao. "This is Mistveil Tea. Before descending the mountain, this poor Daoist picked and refined it at Penglai's Ascension Platform. Please give it a taste, Fairy."

Xu Xiao nodded slightly, raised her sleeve to cover her mouth, and took a sip. A flicker of delight immediately flashed through her eyes. "This tea settles the mind and calms the spirit, making one especially clear-headed. It feels as though one has entered an ethereal misty valley, with a faint sensation of floating away to become immortal. It truly is extraordinary."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "It is merely ordinary spirit tea. If Fairy likes it, this poor Daoist can give you a few taels."

A glimmer appeared in Xu Xiao's beautiful eyes. "Daoist Jiang used to call me Fellow Daoist Xu. Yet now you call me Fairy and offer spirit tea. Do you have some matter for which you seek my help?"

Jiang Sheng's expression remained calm, his eyes clear and his face solemn. "This poor Daoist has only recently arrived. Aside from Qingshan County, I know little of the situation in Dongjun."

"Nor do I know what markets in Dongjun may provide cultivation resources."

"After much thought, Fairy is a personal disciple of the Moon-Embracing Sect, and the Moon-Embracing Sect is Qing Province's leader among the Mystic Gate. Thus, I can only ask Fairy to resolve a few doubts for me."

Xu Xiao smiled. "So you truly do have a matter for which you seek help. Otherwise, someone as aloof and proud as Daoist would not act this way."

As she spoke, Xu Xiao said seriously, "For such a small matter, I can naturally resolve Daoist's doubts."

"Our Qing Province has three great sects: the Moon-Embracing Sect, where I belong, the Azure Cloud Sect, and the Heavenly Sword Sect. All three great sects have Golden Core Realm True Persons standing guard and are the foremost righteous powers of Qing Province."

"Beyond these three great sects, not even the Qing Province Governor's Office has a Golden Core Realm True Person."

"Qing Province is further divided into eight commanderies, each of which has a Purple Mansion Realm family."

"They are the Cha Family of Dongjun, the Wang Family of Guang Commandery, the Zhang Family of An Commandery, the Han Family of Chang Commandery, the Zheng Clan of Gao Commandery, the Zhao Clan of Sea Commandery, the Zhou Family of Long Commandery, and the Xu Family of Qing Commandery, where the provincial capital is located."

"The commandery seats of all eight commanderies have cultivation markets where cultivators may trade cultivation resources. There are also restaurants and pill towers specially for cultivators, selling spirit pills and demon beast flesh..."

Watching Xu Xiao speak with such ease, Jiang Sheng asked curiously, "Fairy Xu, are you perhaps from the Xu Family of Qing Commandery?"

Xu Xiao nodded, a faint smile on her face. "This young woman is indeed from the Xu Family."

"To be honest with Daoist Jiang, my father is the current head of the Xu Family and has a modest reputation in the martial world."

"If Daoist has any need for cultivation resources, I can take you on a trip to Dongjun Commandery City."

The second update is here. I can't hold on any longer—I'm going to sleep.

(End of chapter)