Chapter 54: Amidst Ten Thousand Distractions, A Single Sword Cleaves Them All

“When facing trouble, mere reconciliation is useless.”

“Speaking of which, if I hadn't clashed with that River God in the first place, I wouldn't be facing these troubles today.”

“But with a Zifu-stage River God right by my side, how could I possibly focus on my cultivation?”

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng rubbed Tian Ming'an's head. “Ming'an, think about it.”

“In our journey so far, have we, master and disciple, lacked opportunities? Are these opportunities things that could be obtained through reconciliation and concession?”

Tian Ming'an nodded thoughtfully.

“On the path of cultivation, there is only progress, never retreat. The greatest taboo is to be indecisive, caught between advancing and retreating, losing ground in both.”

Having said that, Jiang Sheng looked out at the surging currents of the Taiping River flowing east, then took off with Tian Ming'an, riding the clouds toward the direction of the Moon-Gazing Sect.

The Cha family had given Jiang Sheng a map of Qingzhou, which marked the locations of the various counties across the eight prefectures, the course of the mountains and rivers, and the positions of the three great sects.

With this map, Jiang Sheng could easily find his way to the Moon-Gazing Sect.

The Moon-Gazing Sect was located between Qing Prefecture and Guang Prefecture, making it extremely easy to find.

As one of the three great Golden Core sects of Qingzhou, the most unique aspect of the Moon-Gazing Sect was that it was primarily composed of female cultivators.

In particular, the current Sect Leader, the Frost Moon Fairy Yue Qi, was a renowned Golden Core True Person throughout Qingzhou.

Countless young talents in Qingzhou yearned to take a fairy from the Moon-Gazing Sect as a Dao companion.

As for the Frost Moon Fairy Yue Qi, she had formed a mid-grade Golden Core and had prospects of reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Her cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm, exerting her prestige over Qingzhou and earning fame throughout the State of Qi.

With such a great cultivator presiding over it, the Moon-Gazing Sect was truly the number one sect in Qingzhou.

Not just in Qingzhou, but even within the three neighboring provinces, the Moon-Gazing Sect was the undisputed leader.

The Frost Moon Fairy Yue Qi alone was worth five Golden Core cultivators.

Recalling the information Cha Liangcai had shared with him, Jiang Sheng traveled past Dong Prefecture and Qing Prefecture, eventually arriving at Mount Kongyue between Qing and Guang Prefectures.

Mount Kongyue was also one of the rare places in Qingzhou with a spiritual vein, and it was where the Moon-Gazing Sect was situated.

On the Guest-Welcoming Peak of the Moon-Gazing Sect, the idle disciples suddenly sensed the approach of a Zifu-stage aura and immediately perked up.

A moment later, a young Taoist in green robes and a jade crown arrived with an elegant grace.

His eyes were like stars, his face as smooth as jade, and his posture was as steadfast as a pine or cypress. With a gentle smile on his face, his mere presence exuded an extraordinary temperament.

The female cultivators of the Moon-Gazing Sect were well-accustomed to seeing handsome young talents, yet they had never seen a young Taoist so dashing and refined.

The person in charge of the Guest-Welcoming Peak was a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.

Upon seeing Jiang Sheng, the female cultivator felt a momentary trance, but she managed to maintain her composure, knowing her duty and recognizing that the newcomer was a Zifu-stage cultivator.

She only wondered when Qingzhou had gained such a jade-like Taoist.

With her thoughts in disarray, she stepped forward and bowed gracefully. “Greetings, Senior. I am Qingyun, the attendant of the Guest-Welcoming Peak. May I ask why Senior has come?”

Jiang Sheng smiled. “This poor Taoist offers his respects.”

That smile once again left the female cultivators in a daze.

His clear and gentle voice rang out again as Jiang Sheng said, “I have come to seek an old friend. I must trouble the Fairy to inform Fairy Xu Xiao that Jiang Sheng has come to visit.”

Xu Xiao was the true disciple of Elder Konglan of the Moon-Gazing Sect.

She currently possessed mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation and was considered a Zifu-stage talent within the sect, deeply favored by Elder Konglan.

Even the Sect Leader, the Frost Moon Fairy, had remarked that Xu Xiao had the potential to form a Golden Core.

Consequently, Xu Xiao held a high status within the sect; countless disciples envied her, and many more admired her.

Furthermore, as the eldest legitimate daughter of the Xu family of Qing Prefecture, many scions of the various great families in Qingzhou harbored intentions of becoming her Dao companion.

To think that this Taoist Jiang had come specifically for Xu Xiao made Qingyun feel a pang of jealousy.

However, Qingyun did not dare to delay matters and quickly sent someone to notify Xu Xiao.

Before long, Xu Xiao arrived at the Guest-Welcoming Peak.

Upon seeing Jiang Sheng, Xu Xiao was visibly startled.

“Fairy Xu, I apologize for my sudden and intrusive visit,” Jiang Sheng said apologetically.

“I have been quite idle lately. Since Taoist Jiang is willing to come, it shows you recognize me as a friend. Please, follow me up the mountain,” Xu Xiao said with a light laugh, leading Jiang Sheng upward.

On the mountain path leading to the Moon-Gazing Sect, Jiang Sheng and Xu Xiao walked side by side, drawing the gazes of passing disciples.

They were all very curious about who this elegant gentleman accompanying Xu Xiao was.

“It has been two years since I last saw you, Taoist. You have already opened your Zifu. Compared to you, I feel I have wasted these past two years,” Xu Xiao said softly.

Jiang Sheng sighed. “It was three parts opportunity and three parts necessity. Had I not been forced by circumstances, I would not be where I am today.”

Xu Xiao looked at Jiang Sheng with some surprise. “You are a high-achieving cultivator from Penglai with profound and unpredictable methods. What could possibly leave you feeling helpless in Dong Prefecture?”

Jiang Sheng relayed the sequence of events to Xu Xiao via voice transmission. After listening, Xu Xiao fell into silence. “So that is how it is. No wonder you feel such a sense of urgency.”

Jiang Sheng continued, “I previously visited the Cha family and had a deep conversation with Fellow Daoist Cha Liangcai.”

“Fellow Daoist Cha suggested that I could go to either the Qingyun Sect or the Moon-Gazing Sect to seek information.”

“And so, I have come to you, Fairy.”

After a moment of thought, Xu Xiao said, “I can take you to see my master.”

“Elder Konglan?” Jiang Sheng asked.

Xu Xiao nodded. “I do not know the details of what happened back then, but my master went to the Qingyun Sect on behalf of the Sect Leader to attend the ceremony for the succession of the Qingyun Sect Leader.”

“Then I must trouble Elder Konglan,” Jiang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. Obtaining even a few clues would be a good thing.

The Nether Orchid Peak of the Moon-Gazing Sect was the cultivation grounds of Elder Konglan.

As Xu Xiao brought Jiang Sheng there, Konglan naturally sensed his aura.

The arrival of a Zifu-stage cultivator was something Konglan could not afford to ignore.

After Xu Xiao introduced Jiang Sheng's background, the look in Konglan's eyes toward Jiang Sheng clearly held a deeper meaning. “So it is Taoist Jiang of Qingping Mountain. It seems I have failed to welcome you properly.”

In the main hall of Nether Orchid Peak, Konglan listened to Jiang Sheng's request and pondered for a moment before saying, “That matter from years ago was indeed quite strange.”

“After all, it involved the Golden Core sect, the Qingyun Sect. Logically, we should not have informed a Taoist of such matters.”

“But since you are a fellow Daoist to my disciple, I shall not hide it from you.”

With that, Konglan transmitted the details of the situation to Jiang Sheng.

According to Konglan's description, the former Sect Leader of the Qingyun Sect, the True Person Qingming, Sun Chang, was on the verge of death and eventually passed the mantle to Sun Yu.

At the time, Sun Yu was only at the late stage of the Zifu realm. According to the rules, once a Golden Core sect lost its Golden Core cultivator, it would inevitably face decline or even be carved up by others.

However, for reasons perhaps involving the concept of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," the Heavenly Sword Sect chose to support Sun Yu.

Considering the stability of Qingzhou, the Moon-Gazing Sect also sent representatives to attend the ceremony to show their recognition.

Konglan was the one sent to the Qingyun Sect.

When Konglan arrived at the Qingyun Sect, she found the atmosphere throughout the sect to be extremely somber. Furthermore, there were traces of combat lingering in various parts of the sect, which remained difficult to hide even after being cleaned up.

Regarding this, Sun Yu claimed it was because True Person Qingming had ascended, and many within the sect felt the Qingyun Sect was weakening and sought to divide its assets, forcing him to use thunderous methods to maintain order.

Konglan had not thought much of it at the time; after all, when the pillar of a sect falls, it is only human nature for some to become fickle.

Within ten years of Konglan returning from the ceremony, Sun Yu had achieved the Golden Core stage and was known as the True Person Qingyu.

After hearing Konglan's description, Jiang Sheng finally had a clear understanding of this history.

Seeing Jiang Sheng's contemplative expression, Konglan smiled. “Has Taoist Jiang reached a decision?”

Jiang Sheng asked, “If I were to take the life of that Taiping River God, how would your sect react?”

“And if I were to join forces with that Taiping River God to deal with the Qingyun Sect, how would your sect react?”

Konglan smiled. “My Moon-Gazing Sect is presided over by our Sect Leader, standing tall upon Mount Kongyue to watch the winds and clouds of Qingzhou rise and fall. As long as the situation in Qingzhou remains stable, it is of no consequence to us.”

Jiang Sheng nodded; he understood Konglan's meaning.

In the eyes of the Moon-Gazing Sect, the stability of Qingzhou was the most important thing.

For many years, Qingzhou had been balanced by the three sects, and the Moon-Gazing Sect had never intended to monopolize the region—otherwise, they would have swallowed the Qingyun Sect back then.

Killing a Taiping River God was not a major issue for Qingzhou, as the three sects were currently in a state of relative stability.

But if the Taiping River God were to stir up trouble, the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Qingyun Sect would likely face upheaval.

But was the stability of Qingzhou important to Jiang Sheng?

Whether it was the Heavenly Sword Sect or the Qingyun Sect.

Even if it were the Moon-Gazing Sect, did the attitudes of these sects matter to him?

With a moment of clarity, Jiang Sheng suddenly felt his mind become incredibly lucid.

“It seems Taoist Jiang has made his decision,” Konglan smiled.

Jiang Sheng smiled faintly. “My thanks to Elder Konglan for revealing such secrets.”

Konglan merely smiled calmly. “Xiao'er might not have told you, but my surname is also Xu. I am called Xu Lan.”

Jiang Sheng froze, glanced at the prim and proper Xu Xiao sitting beside them, sighed softly, bowed once more, and departed.

Leaving the Moon-Gazing Sect, Jiang Sheng picked up Tian Ming'an at the Guest-Welcoming Peak and flew straight toward Dong Prefecture.

Tian Ming'an was still somewhat dazed. He had been surrounded by the ladies of the Moon-Gazing Sect on the Guest-Welcoming Peak, receiving their warm inquiries, only to be suddenly whisked away by his master to catch the breeze. His mind was still a mess.

Seeing Jiang Sheng's serious expression, Tian Ming'an hurriedly asked, “Master, have you made up your mind?”

Jiang Sheng's voice was calm and powerful. “Indeed, I have made my decision.”

“Lately, I have been troubled by various matters, unable to clear my thoughts.”

“Worrying about the origins of the Taiping River God, worrying about the views of the various sects in Qingzhou, and remaining suspicious of the Cha family...”

“It is quite laughable. I was never this hesitant during Foundation Establishment, yet now that I am at the Zifu stage, I have begun to hesitate and look back and forth.”

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng let out a cold snort. “When all matters are in turmoil, one sword shall sever them all.”

“Once we return, I will seek out that Taiping River God and settle things with him once and for all.”

Tian Ming'an watched Jiang Sheng quietly, seeing only absolute resolve in his eyes.

That light, gentle, jade-like aura had vanished; now, Jiang Sheng possessed nothing but a sharp, piercing sword intent.

No matter how many thousands of troubles there were, he would simply strike them down!