Chapter 41: A Great Enemy Nearby, the Golden Core River God (Please collect, please vote monthly)

“Trouble is coming?”

“This humble Taoist?”

Looking at Cha Liangping’s solemn expression, Jiang Sheng couldn't help but laugh. “Is my fellow Daoist playing a joke on me?”

“In all my time here in Dong County, I don't believe I have offended anyone, do I?”

Jiang Sheng wasn't actually being hyperbolic.

Ever since he arrived at Qingping Mountain in Dong County, he had only a handful of rivals. Whether it was the Eight Wolves of Dong County or the Void Young Master, they were all mere passing clouds. Even the River God of Taiping River had already been ground into dust.

Furthermore, Jiang Sheng did not go out of his way to provoke anyone; he had been cultivating in seclusion on Qingping Mountain. How could trouble have arrived?

Cha Liangping reminded him, “Think carefully, fellow Daoist. Have you truly not offended anyone?”

As Jiang Sheng thought deeply, an inexplicable sense of warning rose in his heart.

To a cultivator, a sudden intuition was undoubtedly a warning from the heavens. Jiang Sheng understood that he might indeed be in trouble.

Yet, even with a growing premonition, Jiang Sheng remained calm and composed on the surface. “If it were ordinary trouble, it wouldn't be worth Fellow Daoist Cha traveling ten thousand miles from the county seat to this Qingping Mountain.”

“Allow me a guess—could it be that the matter of the River God remains unresolved?”

Cha Liangping’s pupils contracted. He hadn't expected Jiang Sheng to be so intelligent, analyzing the situation with near-perfect accuracy in just a moment.

“Why does Fellow Daoist Jiang make such a guess?”

Cha Liangping grew curious. He desperately wanted to know just how many hidden talents this Fellow Daoist Jiang, who had come out from Penglai for experience, truly possessed.

Seeing Cha Liangping’s subtle reaction, Jiang Sheng knew he had guessed correctly. Knowing it was about the River God, Jiang Sheng felt a measure of certainty, and his demeanor became even more natural. “It was merely an inference.”

“Since coming to Qingping Mountain, I have focused solely on cultivation. Usually, it is others who come looking for trouble with me. The only one I have actively offended is that River God.”

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng took a golden, granular object from his robe and showed it to Cha Liangping.

“When I fought that River God, I clearly felt a sense of exhaustion from his side toward the end.”

“Even though he unleashed the prototype of a divine ability, which looked grand in scale, he was actually hollow inside.”

“At the time, I thought it was because his magic power had been overextended after flooding half of Qingshan County.”

“But after I slew the River God, his body shattered, leaving only this behind.”

Jiang Sheng’s voice was gentle and steady. As he held the golden granule, his half-closed eyes made it impossible for Cha Liangping to read his thoughts.

Looking at the granule in Jiang Sheng’s hand, Cha Liangping felt as if a great storm were raging in his heart.

He had originally thought that Jiang Sheng had teamed up with someone else to slay the River God, but from the looks of it, Jiang Sheng had clearly fought and killed the River God single-handedly.

He now understood why Cha Liangcai had sent him here. Jiang Sheng was truly a hidden dragon worth investing in!

Clearing his thoughts, Cha Liangping said, “Does Fellow Daoist Jiang know that Dong County consists of thirteen counties, and every single one of them offers sacrifices to the River God?”

Jiang Sheng nodded.

Cha Liangping continued, “But Fellow Daoist Jiang may not know that our Cha family is actually involved in this matter.”

Jiang Sheng’s expression shifted slightly. He had thought Cha Liangping had simply heard some news and come to curry favor, but he hadn't expected the Cha family to be complicit in the River God affair!

Cha Liangping briefly explained the sequence of events.

He spoke of the current bottleneck the Cha family faced and their helplessness, and how his elder brother, Cha Liangcai, had accidentally encountered the River God and reached a cooperation with him.

When Jiang Sheng heard that the Cha family was helping the River God establish River God Temples in the county seat and across the thirteen counties to collect incense offerings—and that the River God would help the Cha family reach the Golden Core stage in the future—his expression finally changed.

“Fellow Daoist Cha, are you saying that the River God has thirteen incarnations at the early Purple Mansion stage throughout Dong County, while his true body remains at the bottom of the river outside the county seat?!”

Cha Liangping gave a bitter smile. “Yes. My brother never expected the River God to be so powerful.”

“If my brother initially only intended to cooperate with him, he is now effectively riding a tiger and cannot get off.”

Jiang Sheng fell into silence. He had suspected the waters surrounding the River God were deep, but he never imagined he would hook a massive fish suspected of being at the Golden Core stage!

To possess thirteen Purple Mansion incarnations, the true body of the River God must possess strength far beyond the Purple Mansion realm.

The Golden Core realm!

Even a low-grade Golden Core was a true Land Immortal with an eight-hundred-year lifespan, possessing genuine divine abilities capable of suppressing an entire province single-handedly.

“The River God made an agreement with my brother: as long as he ensures the incense offerings remain uninterrupted for fifty years, he will surely help my brother achieve the Golden Core stage in the future.”

“There are only two years left until that fifty-year mark.”

Jiang Sheng nodded and stood up. “The fact that Fellow Daoist Cha came to deliver this news today shows you regard me as a friend.”

“I shall remember this kindness.”

Cha Liangping rose to take his leave. Before departing, he advised with utmost sincerity, “Fellow Daoist Jiang, you are a true genius. It is not worth contending with that River God right now. Leaving Dong County early might be a way out.”

After seeing Cha Liangping off, Jiang Sheng stood before the mountain gate with his hands behind his back, his thoughts swirling.

“Master, Magistrate Zhang and Miss Zhang are waiting below the mountain. They say they wish to come up to burn an incense stick in respect,” Tian Ming'an said softly.

Jiang Sheng glanced toward the foot of the mountain and turned back toward the temple. “Tell the Magistrate that I have received his sentiment, but there is no need for him to come up the mountain.”

“And while you're at it, drive all those people away. Do not let them linger at the foot of the mountain and disturb the peace.”

Tian Ming'an hurriedly complied, rushing down the mountain to convey Jiang Sheng's instructions.

Hearing that he did not need to ascend the mountain to offer incense, Zhang Qingyun was momentarily unsure whether to feel relieved or annoyed.

Ultimately, Zhang Qingyun said dryly, “I shall trouble the young Taoist. Qingyun will return now.”

Seeing that even the Magistrate of Qingshan County could not secure an audience with Taoist Jiang, the gentry from various counties gathered at the foot of Qingping Mountain realized they were wasting their time and dispersed.

Before long, peace returned to the foot of Qingping Mountain.

However, Jiang Sheng’s heart was in turmoil.

A Golden Core cultivator, hiding in the shadows with unknown strength, had already taken a grudge against him!

To a Golden Core, the Foundation Establishment stage was no different from an ant. No matter how extraordinary Jiang Sheng considered himself, in the eyes of a Golden Core, he was merely a slightly larger ant.

Currently, that Golden Core cultivator was in seclusion for unknown reasons. While it might be due to practicing a certain divine ability or suffering a heavy injury, in two years, that Golden Core would emerge!

The wrath of a Golden Core True Person was undoubtedly unbearable for Jiang Sheng.

Yet, Jiang Sheng was even more unwilling to flee Qingping Mountain in disgrace!

He refused to do anything that would damage his Dao Heart!

Standing before the portrait of the Ancestor in the front hall, gazing at the god-like figure in the painting, Jiang Sheng murmured to himself, “Two years left, is it?”

“No matter what, I must fight. If I run away without even seeing his face, how can I speak of pursuing the Great Dao?”

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng's eyes became clear. The chaotic thoughts were severed, leaving behind a heart as still as tranquil water.

“Ming'an.”

“I am here, disciple.”

Tian Ming'an stood behind Jiang Sheng.

Looking at Jiang Sheng’s figure—not tall, yet commanding a sense of awe like a towering mountain—Tian Ming'an felt an inexplicable premonition.

“Your physical constitution is now sufficiently tempered. In three days, I shall assist you in guiding Qi into your body.”

“This disciple obeys Master’s command.” Tian Ming'an felt no joy; he felt as if something significant was about to happen.

Three days passed. Jiang Sheng had Tian Ming'an sit on a prayer mat in the front hall to regulate his breathing and sense the Qi.

When Tian Ming'an vaguely sensed a cluster of energy in his lower abdomen, Jiang Sheng decisively acted to guide the Qi into his body.

With Jiang Sheng's help, a wisp of spiritual energy was guided into Tian Ming'an's dantian.

From that moment, Tian Ming'an officially stepped onto the path of cultivation, becoming a first-level Qi Refinement cultivator.

When Tian Ming'an managed to circulate this wisp of spiritual energy through his meridians for one complete cycle, feeling the spiritual energy generate within him and the nourishing warmth spreading through his flesh and bones, a look of joy finally appeared on his face.

Jiang Sheng watched Tian Ming'an's joyful circulation in silence, a faint smile in his eyes.

Although half the reason he had this disciple was due to that old rogue Tian Guofu, Jiang Sheng was still very satisfied with Tian Ming'an. After all, he was Jiang Sheng's first disciple.

After controlling the spiritual power for a while, Tian Ming'an suddenly snapped out of it and hurriedly stood up. “This disciple was momentarily carried away by excitement. Please forgive me, Master.”

“There is nothing to forgive. When I first guided Qi into my body, I was no better than you,” Jiang Sheng laughed.

With that, Jiang Sheng’s finger suddenly tapped Tian Ming'an’s brow.

Tian Ming'an felt as if obscure and difficult scriptures were being poured into his mind, making him feel drowsy. These scriptures eventually arranged themselves automatically in his mind, forming a Daoist Scripture.

Jiang Sheng said, “This is the *Azure Origin Talisman Scripture*. It is not a particularly profound technique, but it excels in its balance and neutrality, making it a suitable foundation for cultivation.”

“This technique can allow you to cultivate up to the ninth level of Qi Refinement. It contains two defensive techniques, two offensive techniques, and four talisman-making techniques.”

“You must cultivate this scripture diligently. Once you have mastered it and attained enlightenment, you will have the possibility of establishing a Dao Foundation.”

Listening to Jiang Sheng, Tian Ming'an felt that sense of foreboding growing stronger. He couldn't help but ask, “Master, has something happened?”

Jiang Sheng smiled lightly. “I will not hide it from you. In two years at most, my enemy will come knocking at our door.”

“Is the enemy very strong?” Tian Ming'an asked hurriedly.

Jiang Sheng looked toward the mountains outside the temple and said softly, “Yes. That is why I must enter seclusion to cultivate.”

“Go down the mountain. I will leave you with enough medicinal pills and spirit stones to sustain your cultivation up to the ninth level of Qi Refinement with plenty to spare.”

Tian Ming'an said without hesitation, “This disciple does not wish to leave. I want to stay in the mountains to serve Master.”

Jiang Sheng scoffed. “What use would you have staying in the mountains?”

“Go down the mountain. Do not be foolish.”

But Tian Ming'an knelt on the ground and said stubbornly, “This disciple wants to stay in the mountains.”

Jiang Sheng’s gaze was calm and emotionless. “Do you realize that the one I must face is a Golden Core True Person?”

“A single strike from a Golden Core True Person is enough to destroy Qingshan County. Their divine abilities are far beyond what Foundation Establishment or Purple Mansion cultivators can withstand.”

“Even if I face them, it will likely be my death.”

“I have given you sufficient resources. Your purpose in running errands for me these past few days has been achieved. Why not go down the mountain?”