Chapter 130: Jiang Family, Jiang Canghai

Over the next two months, Xiao Zhangqing had the Lin family sisters help him purchase and mass‑produce materials for second‑tier Talisman Scripts, and aside from his cultivation he spent all his free time drawing talismans.

The second‑tier high‑quality Symbol Master's ability to earn Spirit Stones is truly formidable.

Xiao Zhangqing, without neglecting sleep and food, after subtracting the cost of raw materials, still earned nearly six thousand low‑grade Spirit Stones! Although this is much slower than the earnings from "Ti Tian Xing Dao".

But this is a legitimate business, and it is sustainable, a continuous flow.

"Ti Tian Xing Dao" is purely luck‑based; you rarely encounter it in ordinary times.

"At least thirty‑six thousand low‑grade Spirit Stones can be earned in a year."

"No wonder people have started investigating me recently."

Yes.

Xiao Zhangqing, over these two months in the Character: Liyang Immortal City Talisman Script market, flooded the market with many second‑tier high‑quality Talisman Scripts, quickly attracting attention from all sides.

However, Xiao Zhangqing employed the old method from Nanshan Fang: "disguised talisman selling."

Thus, so far no one knows he is the behind‑the‑scenes second‑tier high‑quality Symbol Master.

But during his last two talisman sales, his powerful divine sense keenly detected that someone was trying to probe his background, even attempting to follow him.

Naturally, they returned empty‑handed, being led in circles by him.

In other words, these people were still within the rules, merely investigating him, without any malicious intent such as black‑on‑black or robbery.

Otherwise, Xiao Zhangqing would have been thrilled, gaining another windfall. At next month's auction, his funds would be considerably fuller.

What a pity, what a pity…

……

Yulan Fang is a district near the core third‑tier spirit vein of Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Its geography and cave‑residence rank are one tier higher than the Jinxiu Fang where Xiao Zhangqing lives.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators are not qualified to reside here.

In recent years, the Jiang family, one of the newly risen top ten clans, has its main stronghold here.

The Jiang family's foothold in Character: Liyang Immortal City is not only because its head, Jiang Canghai, has reached third‑tier in talisman technique, but also because Jiang Canghai gained the support of Zuo Zichun, one of the Character: Liyang Seven Heroes!

Zuo Zichun is the chief senior disciple of the Character: Liyang True Person.

Although he never formed a Golden Core, he is also a Fake Core True Person.

Moreover, having followed the Character: Liyang True Person the longest and holding a higher status, even Guang Qin True Person, the sole genuine Golden Core cultivator among the Character: Liyang Seven Heroes, must address him as senior brother, showing great respect.

Thus Zuo Zichun's prestige throughout Character: Liyang Immortal City ranks among the top five.

With his support, plus Jiang Canghai's third‑tier Symbol Master status, and a group of former Luoxia Sect members he has won over, such as Hong Jiantao, the Jiang family's foundation solidified.

The Jiang family's core team took shape.

They swiftly monopolized nearly fifty percent of Character: Liyang Immortal City's talisman market, leaping into the top ten families; other forces, envious, dare not openly oppose.

Jiang family head's cave‑residence.

After Jiang Canghai returned from outside, he immediately summoned Hong Jiantao.

"Junior brother, what urgent matter brings you to find me?"

Hong Jiantao, compared with ten years ago in Nanshan Fang, has clearly aged a great deal; not only have many more white hairs sprouted at his temples, but numerous wrinkles are now evident on his face.

He, who failed to achieve Foundation Establishment, even after taking some premium longevity pills, cannot exceed a lifespan of 130 years.

Now he is already over a hundred years old.

After all, his age is several years older than Lu Daoming, the Luoxia Sect leader, and Jiang Canghai, the Jiang family head; he entered the sect even earlier back then.

Thus Jiang Canghai and Lu Daoming both address him as Senior Brother Hong.

"Senior Brother Hong, I have just confirmed the news: the Demon Sect has begun a full‑scale offensive!" Jiang Canghai's slightly stiff face now showed a flash of excitement.

Unlike Hong Jiantao's gentle aura, Jiang Canghai normally gives off a cold, stern impression, and almost no one has ever seen him smile.

It was when his daughter Jiang Jiyue traveled from Nanshan Fang to Character: Liyang Immortal City that father and daughter reunited after many years, and Jiang Canghai once showed a smile.

Upon hearing of the Demon Sect invasion, his eyes finally held a suppressed exhilaration and uplift.

The Demon Sect's invasion means that Luoxia Sect, as the Nascent Soul sect of Da Yu's Southwest Region in the Cultivation World, is the first to face the threat.

Thus, his chance for revenge has arrived!

In the Cultivation World, the greatest hatred is the grudge of "blocking the Dao"! Back then, that treacherous scoundrel Lu Daoming not only blocked his Golden Core path, causing his Dan formation to fail and nearly die, forcing him to hide his name for over a decade before barely recovering.

But his cultivation regressed from a complete Foundation Establishment to the later stage of Foundation Establishment, and his root was damaged, leaving no hope of forming a Golden Core, even becoming a Fake Core True Person is now impossible.

Such a great hatred cannot be forgotten; moreover, his beloved Dao Partner also died indirectly because of it.

Therefore, if he cannot kill Lu Daoming with his own hands, Jiang Canghai would die without peace.

He managed to claw his way out of that past suffering, painstakingly establishing his power in Character: Liyang Immortal City.

He cares for nothing else, only to one day make Lu Daoming kneel and beg for mercy!

But.

If he relies solely on himself, even after winning over many old acquaintances and recruiting countless troops, and even though his own talisman technique has advanced to third‑tier, he still cannot stand toe‑to‑toe with Lu Daoming, the head of a sect, let alone damage Luoxia Sect or slay his foe.

This is nothing but a fool's dream.

Lu Daoming is not a Fake Core True Person, but a genuine Golden Core cultivator.

Even if his Golden Core is average and his prospects limited, he is still a true Nascent Soul cultivator, the true pinnacle of Da Yu's Cultivation World, far beyond any Foundation Establishment realm.

He only managed to secure Zuo Zichun as his backing, allowing him to stand in Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Otherwise.

When news of his return reached Luoxia Sect, Lu Daoming personally came to Character: Liyang Immortal City to kill him; that would not have been difficult.

Now, with the Demon Sect's full invasion, appearing determined to seize Da Yu's Southwest Region of the Cultivation World, Jiang Canghai finally sees hope!

The enemy's enemy is a friend.

By leveraging the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator, Jiang Canghai's revenge looks promising!

"Jiang junior brother, you want to avenge Lu Daoming; I don't oppose it and will fully support you. But… do you really want the Luoxia Sect to be destroyed as well?" Hong Jiantao felt a bit reluctant and tried to persuade the other to change his mind.

After all.

They all come from the Luoxia Sect. They are disciples of the Luoxia Sect.

Their hatred stems only from Lu Daoming.

In Hong Jiantao's view, the sect has been a great benefactor to them; if the nearly thousand‑year‑old Luoxia Sect were to be destroyed in an instant, seized by Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, they would become the ones who stir the waters from behind, aiding tyranny, and he could not face the other innocent fellow disciples.

Jiang Canghai's excitement turned to madness in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "What's wrong with it? The Luoxia Sect now is far from the Luoxia Sect we once knew! Those elders and disciples now clearly know what kind of treacherous, cunning scoundrel Lu Daoming is, yet they still choose to stand on his side instead of coming to Character: Liyang Immortal City to join me. Then they truly deserve to die!"

Hong Jiantao opened his mouth, but the words he wanted to say could not come out.

He wanted to say.

Even if they are still staying in the Luoxia Sect, not having come to Character: Liyang Immortal City to join him, the elders and disciples are not necessarily choosing to side with Lu Daoming.

They simply wish to protect the Luoxia Sect's thousand‑year foundation and inheritance!

Regarding the original feud between Jiang Canghai and Lu Daoming, they know little and do not care who is right or wrong.

But the Luoxia Sect now needs a Jie Dan Real Person to take charge and oversee the overall situation.

Thus.

Jiang Canghai then pulled Hong Jiantao aside to discuss the plan they had long devised.

With the Demon Sect's full‑scale invasion, relying solely on the two major Jie Dan sects of the Da Yu Cultivation World's Southwest Region would certainly be insufficient to hold them back.

Even after more than a year, the Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley have long prepared, turning the cultivation market of the Southwest Region into a solid iron plate.

But facing the surging Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, they cannot truly withstand them.

They will inevitably need support from other realms of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

The Central Region must dispatch forces.

Character: Liyang Immortal City will most likely also call cultivators to send reinforcements then.

Jiang Canghai then prepared to lead his troops to join the effort.

But he is not going to reinforce the Luoxia Sect; he intends to strike the Luoxia Sect from behind, leaving it besieged! Hong Jiantao realized his persuasion was useless, so he changed tack and voiced his concern: "Junior brother, have you spoken with Zuo Zhenren? I still can't understand why he would be willing to help us deal with Lu Daoming."

"We have a life‑and‑death feud with Lu Daoming; what about him? He can't possibly be doing this merely for profit or resources."

"Especially now that Demon Sect Evil Cultivators are invading, the Luoxia Sect has effectively received support from Xingyue Palace and the Seven Star Sword Sect. Character: Liyang Immortal City, as a city of Scattered Cultivators, is neutral, but in such a matter of great right and wrong, anyone who dares to secretly aid the Demon Sect will inevitably be struck down by thunder."

Jiang Canghai sneered, "Lu Daoming, that treacherous scoundrel, has done countless selfish and covertly harmful deeds. Most likely Zuo Zhenren has also been plotted against by him; by helping us, he is also avenging himself."

Hong Jiantao let out a sigh.

He always felt that Zuo Zichun's motive was more than just revenge against Lu Daoming; it seemed to hide another purpose.

"Hong senior brother, in a little while I should set out with Zuo Zhenren. Then the Jiang family will be yours. Jiyue is still young and naive; although she has successfully established her foundation, her temperament is not yet mature, and she will need you to look after her in many ways," Jiang Canghai entrusted.

Hong Jiantao said, "How about I go back together with Zuo Zhenren? I am equally familiar with the Luoxia Sect's situation, not inferior to you, junior brother."

Jiang Canghai shook his head and said, "I must go back. If I cannot personally cut off Lu Daoming's head, I will not be satisfied."

Hong Jiantao, hearing that, could only abandon the idea.

The main reason was that although he was familiar with the Da Yu Cultivation World's Southwest Region and with the Luoxia Sect, his cultivation was far too low; he was only in the Qi Refining Realm and had not even succeeded in establishing his foundation.

In a struggle involving pseudo‑Jie Dan and Jie Dan Real Persons, he was like an ant, far too fragile.

Although Jiang Canghai also had not reached Jie Dan, he was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment and possessed some life‑saving methods, which gave him a certain edge in a fight of this level.

After the discussion, Jiang Canghai's excited mood gradually calmed.

He suddenly thought of something and asked, "By the way, have we uncovered the background of that second‑tier late‑stage Symbol Master who recently appeared in Character: Liyang Immortal City?"

"Not yet. This person not only has Second‑tier Superior talisman technique skill, but his cultivation is likely already at the second‑tier late stage, and he is extremely adept at concealment and evasion. We sent a Foundation Establishment envoy skilled at tracking to investigate, but they returned empty‑handed; the pursuit failed," Hong Jiantao said, shaking his head.

"Next time he sells talismans, why not go up and negotiate terms directly?" Jiang Canghai said.

"Useless. When he sold Talisman Scripts the second time, members of the ten great families had already approached him outright with extremely generous offers, but he refused without hesitation, showing no intention to negotiate," Hong Jiantao said, shaking his head.

A Second‑tier Superior Symbol Master is an extremely scarce high‑end talent in Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Although Hong Jiantao's talisman technique had reached Second‑tier Superior, his low cultivation meant his magical power and spiritual awareness were too weak; he could craft Second‑tier Talisman Scripts, but his stamina was limited.

Moreover, his lifespan was also an issue, and he could not

Besides that, the Jiang family has only Jiang Canghai, a Third‑tier Symbol Master.

But Jiang Canghai is about to head to the Da Yu Cultivation World's Southwest Region to avenge Lu Daoming.

Although the plan is perfect, the exact circumstances are hard to predict; no one can guarantee the outcome.

If they could recruit a Second‑tier Superior Symbol Master, it would be very important for the Jiang family.

Jiang Canghai sighed and said, "Then that's something we can't force. By the way, Hong senior brother, what was the name of that prodigy Symbol Master you recruited back in Nanshan Fang… Xiao Zhangqing's? Has he not yet come to Character: Liyang Immortal City? When Jiyue's friend came a few years ago, didn't they bring news of him? He not only broke through to the second tier in talisman technique, but also succeeded in establishing his foundation on his own in a small place like Nanshan Fang, even stronger than a typical mid‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Such a genius should not stay in Nanshan Fang for long, right?"

When Xiao Zhangqing was mentioned, a look of satisfaction appeared in Hong Jiantao's eyes.

Six years ago, Mu Chunfeng led her clan; although they encountered many dangers along the way, they luckily crossed the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and successfully reached Character: Liyang Immortal City.

After arriving at Character: Liyang Immortal City, she naturally first sought out her former best confidante Jiang Jiyue; while the two chatted, they naturally talked about Xiao Zhangqing.

She did not publicize the matter of Mu Chunfeng's own father being beguiled by an Evil Cultivator, almost becoming a walking corpse.

After all, it's a family disgrace; she did not want to expose it.

However, the information that Xiao Zhangqing moved into Jia Yi Cave Residence and overpowered the Cao family, which had a mid‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed there, was all conveyed to Jiang Jiyue.

Subsequently, Hong Jiantao and Jiang Canghai naturally also learned of it.

These years, both have been awaiting Xiao Zhangqing's arrival, hoping that once he reaches Character: Liyang Immortal City, he will join Hong Jiantao, that is, join the Jiang family.

Having such a talent with extremely high Talisman Path aptitude and equally impressive cultivation talent, the Jiang family's future security will be greatly enhanced.

Unfortunately.

They waited for several years, yet never received any news.

It's also unknown whether Xiao Zhangqing never left Nanshan Fang, or left Nanshan Fang but did not follow Hong Jiantao's former request to come to Character: Liyang Immortal City to find him.

Nanshan Fang is far too distant from Character: Liyang Immortal City, making it difficult for them to learn of any subsequent events.

But even if Xiao Zhangqing hadn't come, Hong Jiantao thought of the junior he had once helped and thought highly of, being able to achieve such success, he still felt very gratified.

(End of chapter)