Chapter 36: The Three Great Sects and the Eight Great Families

Jiang Sheng looked around again and found the entire main hall to be empty.

Aside from an incense altar and these red candle formations, there was nothing else!

The Taiping River Mansion clearly looked grand and magnificent, yet it gave off a sense of "gold and jade on the outside, but rot within."

It was a very strange feeling, as if the most precious things in this River God's residence were merely the items before his eyes.

Before long, Qiao Xuan and Xu Xiao arrived one after another. Judging by their expressions, Jiang Sheng knew they hadn't found anything good.

Sure enough, Qiao Xuan said with a hint of misfortune, "This old man searched for a long time, but everywhere is empty. Forget about spiritual herbs or treasures; I didn't even see a speck of gold or silver."

Xu Xiao also looked frustrated. "It's the same for me. I searched for ages, but it's all hollow. This place is nothing but an empty shell."

"Do not be anxious, both of you. Let us first look at these things before us," Jiang Sheng said, pointing at the red candles and the formation.

Qiao Xuan took a look, sensed it again with his divine sense somewhat uncertainly, and then his expression changed. "That demon is actually using children to maintain this formation. Why does this formation feel so bizarre to me?"

Xu Xiao also suppressed her disgust to sense it carefully, then said uncertainly, "This formation is indeed strange."

"It clearly contains evil, yet it looks vast and bright, with a faint sense of compassion, and even some inexplicable aura..."

"This formation..."

Seeing Xu Xiao's hesitation, Jiang Sheng supplemented, "Does Fellow Daoist Xu wish to say that this formation does not seem to be something from our Eastern Domain Continent?"

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

"The Eastern Domain Continent is vast. Even just this eastern coast of the sea contains our Qi State and the seven states of Wei, Lu, Yan, Zhao, Chu, and Zheng. The Eastern Domain Continent spans hundreds of millions of miles, with countless living beings and innumerable immortal blessed lands."

"If one were to say this formation is not from the Qi State, I could be certain. But if one were to say it is not from the Eastern Domain Continent, I truly cannot be sure."

Jiang Sheng did not say much. Xu Xiao was merely an inner disciple of the Moon-Grabbing Sect; although she was a direct disciple of a Purple Mansion Elder, the Moon-Grabbing Sect was, after all, a local sect of Qingzhou in the Qi State.

How many scriptures could a Golden Core sect possess?

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

Only when these inner disciples achieved a high-grade Golden Core and officially stepped onto the Great Path of Longevity would they be listed as true disciples by the Daoist Sect, and only then would the various scriptures of the Daoist Sect be opened to them.

Before that, even if they perished during their external training, it was not considered a major matter.

Therefore, Jiang Sheng actually did not know much about these formations either. He only instinctively sensed that this formation was not like a Xuanmen formation, which led to his judgment that it was not from the Eastern Domain Continent.

The three fell into silence, looking at one another.

Qiao Xuan sighed. "Since we've searched in vain, we might as well destroy this place completely to prevent other evils from occupying it."

"Mhm. Although we cannot be certain of the origin of this formation, it is clearly not of the righteous Xuanmen path. There is no harm in destroying it," Xu Xiao clearly supported destroying the place.

Jiang Sheng thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I wonder if you two would allow this poor Daoist to take the Flowing Light Emerald Water Formation outside the cave dwelling?"

Qiao Xuan nodded. "Since Daoist Jiang lives in seclusion on Qingping Mountain, you indeed need a suitable formation. If you need it, please take it."

Xu Xiao also said, "If Daoist Jiang does not mind, I can help you set up the formation."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "Then this poor Daoist shall not be impolite."

Subsequently, the three joined forces to destroy the incense altar and the evil formation in the main hall. Jiang Sheng then collected all the formation flags of the Flowing Light Emerald Water Formation.

As the flowing light water curtain vanished without a trace, under the washing of tens of millions of jun of river water, the entire Taiping River Mansion instantly turned into ruins and was subsequently buried beneath the riverbed.

At that moment, the River God's true body sensed the disappearance of a formation. He knew that the formation in Qingshan County had been destroyed.

"Jiang Sheng, just you wait!" The River God suppressed his fury. If he were not currently unable to leave the formation, he would surely tear Jiang Sheng apart with his bare hands!

With one clone and its formation destroyed, the time required for the River God to condense his Incense Golden Core would be delayed by at least three years.

But even so, the River God had to endure, because if he left the formation now, all his previous efforts would be in vain!

"No rush, this God is in no rush. Once I shed my mortal coil and condense my Incense Golden Core, I shall come to seek revenge upon you all!"

"Jiang Sheng, Cha Liangcai, and that Xu Xiao, as well as those traitors who betrayed this God! None of you shall escape!"

The River God's venomous voice echoed within the mansion, while his true self gradually regained calm, continuing to absorb those wisps of pure incense power, constantly staining the grayish-white false core within his body with traces of gold.

The false core within the River God had already turned more than halfway gold, with only a small area remaining uncolored.

Once that last small area turned gold, the false core within the River God would transform into an Incense Golden Core.

And the River God would transform from a false core cultivator with only six hundred years of lifespan into a true Golden Core Perfected Person enjoying eight hundred years.

There were only a few years left; it was merely waiting another three to five years. The River God had the patience for this.

He had endured forty-eight years; what was another three to five years?

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

Having fought a Purple Mansion-realm demon this time, neither Xu Xiao nor Qiao Xuan were lightly injured; even months of recuperation might not be enough to heal them.

If it weren't for the River God's cave dwelling, they would not have rushed here after only minimal treatment.

But no one expected that the River God, who had been acting with such authority for decades, would have nothing in his cave dwelling.

Having been excited for nothing, Qiao Xuan could only return to his recuperation in frustration.

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

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

Jiang Sheng took the jade bottle and sniffed it. "Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill?"

Xu Xiao nodded. "As Daoist Jiang knows, the Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill is an excellent spiritual pill for opening the Purple Mansion. And this pill certainly did not belong to Young Master Kongxu himself; otherwise, he would not have come here to risk fighting a Purple Mansion-realm demon for the Sun-Purple Jade."

"Does Fairy Xu mean that this Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill was given to him by that demon?" Jiang Sheng inquired.

Xu Xiao's expression was somewhat solemn. "Correct, that is my guess. Otherwise, I truly cannot understand why Young Master Kongxu would suddenly betray them. Perhaps that demon promised him other things as well."

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "Since ancient times, wealth has moved human hearts. For us cultivators, cultivation resources are as vital as life itself. It is not surprising that Young Master Kongxu would betray for this."

"Daoist Jiang may not know, but this Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill is a rare item in the entire Qingzhou. Countless foundation-building families and small sects yearn for it. Those capable of refining or stockpiling this pill are only the three great sects of Qingzhou and those Purple Mansion clans," Xu Xiao explained.

Jiang Sheng understood Xu Xiao's meaning. The demon in the Taiping River must have connections to the three great sects or the Purple Mansion clans; otherwise, the origin of the Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Pill could not be explained.

It was even possible that the demon was intentionally placed in Dong County by a certain power.

Otherwise, it was incomprehensible why the demon could act with such impunity in Dong County for so many years while the local clans and sects turned a blind eye.

"Do you understand my meaning, Daoist?" Xu Xiao looked at Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng nodded. "Rest assured, Fairy Xu, this poor Daoist will act with caution."

"Speaking of which, I am very grateful to the Fairy for setting up the formation for me. Life in the mountains is simple, with only a cup of clear tea to offer. I hope the Fairy will grace me with her presence."

Xu Xiao was stunned for a moment. Receiving an invitation from Jiang Sheng so suddenly surprised her, but she soon smiled. "Since it is an invitation from Daoist Jiang, I am naturally willing."

"Please, Fairy."

Jiang Sheng invited Xu Xiao into the Daoist temple and showed her the portraits of the ancestors in the front hall before entering the side hall.

He drew fresh spring water and brought a brazier. As Jiang Sheng activated his foundation-building true fire, a faint fragrance began to drift from the teapot on the brazier.

As the tea was poured into the cup, Jiang Sheng pushed it toward Xu Xiao. "This is Mist-Hidden Tea, which I picked and refined from the Mount Penglai Ascension Platform before descending the mountain. I invite the Fairy to sample it."

Xu Xiao nodded slightly, used her sleeve to cover her mouth as she took a sip, and then a flash of pleasant surprise crossed her eyes. "This tea settles the mind and clears the spirit, making one exceptionally alert, as if one were in the ethereal Mist Valley, with a faint sense of floating toward immortality. It is indeed extraordinary."

Jiang Sheng smiled. "It is merely an ordinary spiritual tea. If the Fairy likes it, I can give you a few taels."

Xu Xiao's beautiful eyes sparkled. "Daoist Jiang previously addressed me as Fellow Daoist Xu. But now you call me 'Fairy' and offer spiritual tea; does the Daoist have a request?"

Jiang Sheng's expression remained calm, his eyes clear and serious. "As a newcomer, aside from Qingshan County, I do not understand the situation in Dong County very well."

"Nor do I know which markets in Dong County one can find cultivation resources."

"After much thought, the Fairy is a direct disciple of the Moon-Grabbing Sect, and the Moon-Grabbing Sect is the leader of the righteous path in Qingzhou. Therefore, I must ask the Fairy to enlighten me."

Xu Xiao laughed. "So you do have a request. Otherwise, a person as cold and proud as you would not act this way."

Saying this, Xu Xiao spoke seriously. "Such a small matter can certainly be explained to you."

"In our Qingzhou, there are three great sects: my Moon-Grabbing Sect, the Qingyun Sect, and the Heavenly Sword Sect. All three are guarded by Golden Core Perfected Persons and are the leaders of the righteous path in Qingzhou."

"Aside from these three sects, even the Governor's Mansion of Qingzhou does not have a Golden Core Perfected Person."

"Qingzhou is divided into eight counties, and each of these eight counties has a Purple Mansion clan."

"They are the Cha family of Dong 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 Qing County, where the provincial capital is located."

"In the prefectures of the eight counties, there are cultivation markets where cultivators trade resources, as well as specialized restaurants and alchemy halls that sell spiritual pills and demon beast flesh..."

Looking at the eloquently speaking Xu Xiao, Jiang Sheng asked curiously, "Fairy Xu, are you from the Xu family of Qing County?"

Xu Xiao nodded, a faint smile on her face. "This girl indeed comes from the Xu family."

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

"If the Daoist has any needs regarding cultivation resources, I can take you on a trip to the Dong County prefectural city."