Evil Cultivator Reveals His Tracks

---- Chongming City

"Phew, these water ghosts are a real pain. More than a month has passed, and we still haven't found a trace of them." Kang Changxi looked at the rushing river in front of him with some dissatisfaction.

This caused his mount Azure-Armored Earth Tiger, to be wrongly accused and to receive a hard punch, groaning incessantly.

He Chang, standing to the side, also looked dejected. He had been searching along the river for over a month, and although he had sensed resentment seeping out several times, he still hadn't found any trace of the water ghost. Anyone would be discouraged.

This assignment was extremely tedious and boring. Staying here for too long would not bring them any benefit whatsoever. If it weren't for saving face, they might have already given up long ago.

Seeing this scene from a distance, Fei Enhua shared the same thoughts as the two, while Chongming Sect truly had nothing to do.

Even if a First Tier water ghost is left unattended, how many people can it harm in a year? It's a bit of an overreaction that even such a small matter requires the disciple's attention.

Kang Dabao has been putting on an act for so long that he's not only fooled outsiders, but he's even started believing it himself, leading him to engage in unprofitable business.

Since Kang Changxi stayed here for a long time, Fei Enhua, who was sent out to protect him, naturally couldn't get away either. He was just thinking about whether he should help the two juniors deal with this task.

Although the water ghosts on either side were cunning, their concealment techniques were child's play in the eyes of Fei Enhua, a late-stage True Cultivator. As long as he was willing to make a move, they would have a hard time escaping.

As he thought this, he slowly swept his fingers across his eyes, activated his divine vision, and with a flash of light in his pupils, he saw clearly the details at the bottom of the turbulent river.

Just as they spotted the water ghost's trail, Kang Changxi exclaimed in alarm from afar, "Brother Chang, look! That ship looks like it's about to sink!"

Looking back, Fei Enhua saw a small boat carrying seven or eight ordinary people, being tossed about by the rapids in the middle of the river, barely able to stay afloat.

"I finally made it all the way from White Sand County to this paradise of Pingrong County to find food, and yet I still run into this kind of thing?!"

"I already told my second brother that we need to buy a map and study the hydrology before setting sail. What are we going to do now?!"

"Brother, you make it sound so easy. The Tie Household were pressuring us to the bone. It was already incredibly lucky that we managed to escape from White Sand County by stealing a fast boat. How could we possibly have had the leisure to study hydrology? Besides, if it weren't for your insistence on rescuing people in the river, how could our whole family have been swept away by the undercurrent?!"

The leader blushed and said in a hoarse voice, "To be able to float in the river for so long without dying, one must be either an immortal or Martial Ancestor. Our Shang Household's wealth and glory might begin from this. How can we not take a gamble?!"

The three arguing men suddenly stopped talking, unanimously putting down their oars and looking into the boat's awning.

In the already cramped space, several women and children squeezed together with some rice, flour, and oil, leaving most of the space for an old man with his eyes closed to lie quietly.

The old man looked to be about sixty or seventy years old, with a few unkempt grass clippings stuck in his messy gray hair. His black robe looked half-dry from being baked, and was full of wrinkles.

His emaciated body swayed from side to side with the waves, his breathing so weak that it was difficult for an ordinary person to detect. Only his tightly furrowed brows showed that he was still alive. If a person with keen eyes looked closely, they could also see a trace of extremely pure resentment emanating from him from time to time.

"Smack!", "Smack!"

"Waaaaah"

The unreasonable roar of the rapids mingled with the cries of women and children, causing the leading man to nearly drop his life-saving oar into the river.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Having finally escaped the oppressive rule of the Tie Household, am I still destined for a hasty death?!"

Just as the leading man was sighing, the deck beneath his feet suddenly cracked open, and a long, pale arm pierced through the hardwood and emerged. The women and children screamed, and the leading man felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard of such evil creatures as water ghosts from powerful Martial Ancestor when he traveled all over the country.

Knowing that this was no ordinary person who could defeat him, he abandoned all hope and sighed, closing his eyes to await death.

Unexpectedly, the water ghost beneath his feet had no interest in this rough man whatsoever. Instead, it broke through the deck, revealing its naked body covered in icy aura, and pounced straight into the cabin.

"Yes, the flesh and blood of a woman or a baby should be more delicate!"

The man was so despondent that he didn't even care about the lives of his wife and children, and was only thinking about waiting for his whole family to die. But unexpectedly, a chance for survival suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Hey you evil spirit, behold my flying sword!"

The leader heard a young man's voice and instinctively turned his head to look. He saw a white streak appear first, severing the water ghost's right arm, which was about to reach into the boat's awning, cleanly at the root.

Blue blood gushed out and filled the boat. The women and children had never seen such a scene before, and their screams made He Chang came to their aid, tense up. It was true that Jiang Qing had been cultivating at the Ying Prefecture Fei Household for the past five years, but He Chang had also been taught by the former in his early years.

Don't assume that Jiang Qing only taught you a few foundational techniques and that it's nothing special. He Chang encountered two members of the same rank from the Book and Sword Gate in the wilderness when He Chang was away on official business the year before last.

The two families did have a long-standing feud, and the young people were full of vigor, so they started fighting without saying a word. In the end, He Chang, who had been cultivating for much shorter years, won a great victory, resulting in one death and one injury among the two inner disciples of the Book and Sword Sect, who were from a family with a tradition of combining books and swordsmanship.

Therefore, although he didn't know why the water ghost had been hiding for so long and chose to come out to harm people at this time, He Chang didn't have time to think too much. His magic sword was extremely sharp, and in no time he had cut down the water ghost, whose cultivation was even higher than his, and forced it to retreat step by step.

The water ghost had managed to hide for so long, showing its extreme caution. Being an inanimate object, it had no regard for appearances; after spitting out a tangible spit of resentful mist, it managed to briefly halt the oncoming He Chang, before plunging into the river without pause.

"Roar!"

However, its plan Ruyi. A ferocious beast covered in scales flew over the boat, carrying people. Thick evil energy gushed from its mouth with a tiger's roar, causing the water ghost figure, which had already been severely weakened by the use of the mist arrow, to stumble and its entire body to become even fainter.

Before the water ghost could even utter its shriek, a beam of halberd light cleaved it in two from top to bottom. Strangely enough, the halberd light, though incredibly sharp, stopped abruptly after obliterating the water ghost, leaving not even a speck of wood on the boat unharmed.

"A celestial being??" The leading man stammered in disbelief, then leaned back, his chest heaving uncontrollably, panting heavily, his whole body drenched in sweat, it was hard to tell if it was sweat or water.

Kang Changxi casually cast a spell to seal the leaking breach, then picked up a dark-colored Yin Bead from the deck, smiled, and handed it to He Chang, sighing:

"This assignment from Senior Brother Han is quite tedious. After we return to our sect, we must have him treat us to a good meal at the Chongming Small Pavilion."

Having finally accomplished his mission, He Chang felt a sense of relief. After taking the Yin Pearl, which still retained some chill, and exchanging a few words with Kang Changxi, he didn't rush to question the strong men on the deck who had just returned from the brink of death. Instead, he turned and searched inside the awning.

After taking a few steps, he stopped, pointed at the old man in black robes, and asked, "Who is this old man?"

The women and children continued to weep and wail, unable to utter a coherent sentence, let alone answer. Finally, the leader of the group struggled to his feet from the deck, ran over, bowed, and replied:

"Reporting to the Immortal Master, this gentleman was rescued by me yesterday from the river section ahead. Could he also be an immortal? Could you please check if he is someone you know? I'm sure I haven't been mistaken."

He Chang found the man annoying, but because he had already delivered the task, he was in a good mood. Although he disliked him, he did not stop the man from babbling on. Instead, he used his divine eyes to carefully scan the old man in black robes from head to toe.

This matter is not difficult to handle. If He Chang hadn't been quite meticulous, it would probably have been cleared up in just a few breaths.

"What kind of cultivator is this?" As He Chang shook his head, his words chilled the eager heart of the man beside him.

The former then spoke again, "This old man has no spiritual energy at all. Even a dying First Layer of Qi Refining cultivator wouldn't be in such a state. His physical body might be considered decent among mortals, but it shows signs of decay. Before this serious injury, he was probably a Martial Ancestor or a Blood Refining Stage 1 martial artist, right?"

Kang Changxi curiously stepped over to take a look, and was about to touch the old man's black robe when a deep, steady voice sounded above him:

"Why aren't you leaving yet?!"

The Azure-Armored Earth Tiger, which was sniffing around at another strong man on the deck, was startled by the sound. It not only shrank its head but also tucked its tail between its legs.

"Uncle."

"Senior Fei."

Fei Enhua glanced at the people on the boat and said coldly, "Why waste time with a bunch of mortals? Haven't we wasted enough time already? Go back quickly. Your Chongming Sect a new round of competition coming up. The right thing to do is think of ways to compete for first place."

Hearing Fei Enhua say this, He Chang became even more certain of his judgment and immediately responded respectfully along with Kang Changxi.

After speaking, Fei Enhua urged him again, turned and left, but did not see the old man lying quietly loosen his bent left index finger, or his tightly furrowed brows seem to relax slightly.

Even Fei Enhua, a late-stage True Cultivator, could hardly detect the anomaly, so it was even more difficult for Kang and He to discern. After being shouted at by Fei Enhua, Kang Changxi also lost the idea of touching the old man's clothes.

After exchanging a word with He Chang, Kang Changxi stood at the stern, took out a piece of animal meat, and fed it to the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger, who was drooling over the boat full of fresh meat.

He Chang, at the former's behest, called the somewhat bewildered leader to his side and instructed him, "Speaking of which, you have done me a small favor. Here is a Wave-Calming Talisman; keep it, and it will ensure the safety of your small boat."

Go another sixty li, and you'll find a city that belongs to my family, called 'Double Brightness'. I'll give you another letter; once you reach the city gate, simply give it to any cultivator there, and it will be enough to ensure your family's peaceful life."

On behalf of Shang Baijiang and his entire family Immortal Master Xie!!!

"Immortal Master Xie!"

The two brothers ignored the sounds of gratitude from the passengers on the boat and each rode their mounts back to their clan, leaving only two streaks of light for the few pairs of eyes on the boat to watch.

The moment the two left, the strong man, whose limbs had gone limp from the scent of the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger, jumped up and ran straight for the boat awning.

"What are you doing?" Shang Baijiang shouted sternly as he saw the old man being lifted up.

"Brother, since even the immortals have said he's not an immortal, then why should we keep him around?" The strong man's words were full of grievance.

"Is a moment's difference?!" It was clear that Shang Baijiang had considerable authority, but after just one more shout, his aggrieved younger brother dared not argue and could only carefully put the old man back down.

Shang Baijiang took a deep breath and shouted, "We won't starve him! Even if he's not an immortal, that immortal just said he might be a great martial arts master. Life is tough in a foreign land. Saving his life will still give our Shang Household a powerful backer. Isn't that great?!"

After these words, no one spoke again on the boat. The three men picked up their oars again, and the plain-colored talisman affixed to the stern emitted a faint spiritual light around the boat, allowing it to move steadily forward, filled with the joy of surviving a calamity.

After traveling for about half a day, Shang Baijiang, his body aching all over, put down his oars, took a break, and wiped his sweat. When he looked up, he saw a magnificent city built along the river, towering majestically, like a celestial palace.

"We've arrived! Some survived! Some survived!!!"

Just as the crowd, their tears still wet on their faces, couldn't hold back any longer and let their laughter and tears flow freely, the eyes of the old man in black robes, who had been lying quietly on the ground unattended, seemed to open almost imperceptibly.

----more than a month later

Tang Jiu, the assistant disciple of Chongming City, was checking the register of the people with the city lord Kang Rongguang.

Although this eldest disciple of Jin Shilun had only just come of age, he had already become a True Disciple of Double Brightness two years prior, and was cultivating the Hong Grade Cultivation Method. In terms of the smoothness of his path to immortality, it was enough to make his master Jin Shilun extremely envious.

It's no wonder that many powerful families, even knowing that cultivation cannot be judged solely by Spirit Root, still greatly favor disciples like Tang Jiu who possess outstanding Spirit Root aptitude.

The task of assisting the disciples in Chongming City is quite tedious. Tang Jiu, a promising Foundation Establishment cultivator, should return to the mountains to cultivate properly and not be stuck here for too long. Sect Leader Kang Da has already secured a prestigious position for his grand-disciple. In another year or two, once the outer sect steward Sun Fu has properly trained his newly accepted disciple, he will be able to step down.

However, since Jin Shilun is currently busy running around seeking Merit Points, Tang Jiu naturally has to take on this responsibility for her master.

Inside the lavish city lord's mansion, Kang Rongguang, his temples streaked with gray, held a register and respectfully read aloud with meticulous care, "Thanks entirely to the meticulous care of the sect leader and the two immortal masters, Chongming City now has over 216,000 households, with a total population of over 850,000 able-bodied men and women. Every year, we can provide over 10,000 children of the appropriate age to participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly, which is sufficient to ensure the Double Brightness."

Policies are always subject to delays. Back then, countless people said that Sect Leader Kang Da was meddling too much, even personally handling matters like the reproduction of mortals, devising plans and strategies, and even sending his disciples to build water conservancy projects and administer medicine and acupuncture for mortals. It was truly laughable.

However, if it weren't for this, Chongming City would never have become one of the most prosperous cities in the surrounding counties in just a few decades.

It should be noted that the numbers Kang Rongguang just recited had already subtracted a large number of clansmen who had been taken to the Cold Crow Mountain Range by various cultivators to develop their businesses.

Just Double Brightness Kang Household that before the Sect Leader Kang Da took over, the entire clan of Chongming only had a little over two hundred members. Over the years, they have grown into a large clan with thousands of members, and even produced a Qi Refinement cultivator. This shows how prosperous Chongming City is now.

However, Tang Jiu's face still showed no joy. He simply flipped through the books in his hand while listening to Kang Rongguang continue reading, "Among them, there will be 100,000 martial artists who will serve annually and can supply the mines in various parts of the sect."

There are 351 registered practitioners, including 273 in the early stage, 55 in the middle stage, and 23 in the later stage. Most of them are migrant families, a small number are temporary residents, and the remaining ten are temporary employees of the city lord's mansion, hired for patrol and guard duties.

When Kang Rongguang finished speaking, Tang Jiu raised his eyelids and instructed, "Lord Lao, please pass this on to Daoist Ning. Tell these guards to keep their eyes open while on duty. Don't just think about plundering for benefits all day long. Be attentive to your work and don't let any unruly wild cultivators sneak into the city and cause trouble."

All cultivators entering the city must register; even True Cultivator cannot be allowed in at will! Otherwise, if trouble arises and our master blames us, none of us can afford to suffer the consequences."

"Yes! Immortal Master Tang, rest assured, I will immediately inform Immortal Master Ning after I go down." Kang Rongguang respectfully replied and was about to leave when he heard a loud noise coming from outside the city.

The loud noise seemed to come from an unknown distance, but Daoist Ning, who was on duty atop the city wall, trembled, and many simple houses inside the city also shook incessantly.

Despite his trembling heart, Daoist Ning was still incredibly curious. However, as soon as he activated his magic eye to look up, the dazzling light on the horizon pierced his eyes, causing him excruciating pain. As tears of blood splattered down his face, he screamed and collapsed to the ground.

Tang Jiu leaped out of the city lord's mansion and ascended into the air on his flying sword. His knowledge was far superior to that of Daoist Ning, a crude Rogue Cultivator. With just a glance, he knew that the battle in the distance was at least between Golden Core cultivators. With his meager cultivation, how could he dare to use his magic eyes to see the details?

He immediately ordered the city's garrison and guards to go through the streets and alleys, beating gongs and drums, and to tell them that everything was peaceful and the situation outside was not serious, thus temporarily suppressing the panic in the city.

Not long after he issued his decree, several streaks of light flashed across Little Ring Mountain, most heading towards the center of the battle, while only two were heading towards Chongming City.

Foundation Establishment cultivators are fast, and Tang Jiu didn't have to wait long before he saw two familiar figures standing in front of the city gate.

"Second Martial Uncle, Master!" Tang Jiu bowed and was about to ask a question when Duan Anle solemnly said, "That's a battle between a senior cultivator from the Two Instruments Sect and Golden Core. Your Martial Uncle has taken the other Grandmaster Uncles there; we don't need to interfere."

"Yes," Tang Jiu replied, her mind clear. She didn't ask any more questions about something far beyond her control.

Jin Shilun was also very serious, and he instructed, "Do not be stingy with Spirit Stone, keep the magic array open. Close the city gates. Junior Brother Song Cheng will bring the disciples of the Punishment Hall to search the entire city later. Until then, no one in the city, whether immortal, mortal, human, or beast, is allowed to leave the city!"

Tang Jiu then became curious. "Master, what are we looking for?"

Jin Shilun shook his head, his brows still furrowed. "Not to mention I don't know, even your grandmaster doesn't know. I only heard that Golden Core Two Instruments Sect from the Liangyi Sect sneaked into the five prefectures under the jurisdiction of the state to search for him. On his way back through White Sand County, he was discovered by Pill Master Yue Lin, who then forcibly entangled the cultivator, preventing him from escaping."

This escalated the situation, with waves of people from both sides gathering at Old Ox Mountain to confront each other. It was rumored that even the Grand Elder of the Two Instruments Sect and Elder Tianqin of the Fei Household had been mobilized.

"Understood, disciple. I will go and make the arrangements immediately. If anything unusual happens in the city, report back immediately."

"Well, there's no need to be too nervous. The Five Continents are so vast, and that Golden Core cultivator searched for so long without finding it. What he's looking for might not even be within our Chongming City."

"Yes, disciple, I will do it then."