Chapter 161: Female Demon Spirit, Jiang Family Crisis

161. Chapter 161: Female Demon Spirit, Jiang Family Crisis

"When I was in the Qi Refining Realm, that Shopkeeper Hong of the Jiang family gave me considerable help."

Xiao Zhangqing said plainly.

Now the Blood Crow True Person is dead, the Song family has been wiped out, and his greatest threat in Character: Liyang Immortal City no longer exists.

So even if his disguise is exposed, there's nothing to worry about.

It won't implicate the Jiang family or the Mu family either.

Even if someone discovers it, that he is Xiao Zhangqing from Nanshan Fang in the Southwest Region, with his current status and strength, is nothing to fear.

Baihua Valley and Luoxia Sect can no longer pose a threat to him.

Moreover, the Jiang family and Luoxia Sect have always been mortal enemies.

"So that's how it is. Then it's settled; when I return I'll allocate one‑third of the Song family's assets to the Jiang family," Gu Zongyuan nodded, asking no further questions.

"One‑third is that much? Can the Jiang family even absorb that with their current strength?" Xiao Zhangqing asked, somewhat surprised.

One‑third of the Song family's holdings, combined with the Jiang family's original assets, could likely push the Jiang family straight into the top five.

"The Jiang family's own foundation is still lacking, but they already have my senior brother Zuo True Person behind them, and seem to have some connection with Senior Brother Guang Qin. Now, with Brother Bai supporting the Jiang family, their backing is formidable! Even compared with the Lei family, it's comparable, so swallowing this portion of assets is no problem at all," Gu Zongyuan said.

One Fake Core True Person, one Golden Core True Person, and Xiao Zhangqing, a mysterious figure suspected of being a mid‑stage Golden Core cultivator!

In truth, even the Lei family's backing is weaker! After all, the Lei family does have a Golden Core Patriarch and two Fake Core True Persons.

But the Lei Patriarch has little time left, with only a few years of lifespan remaining.

It's uncertain when he will ride a crane and depart to the west.

"Then it's settled," Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

He knows that behind the Jiang family is Zuo Zichun, a Fake Core True Person and a senior disciple of Character: Liyang True Person, yet hadn't expected there to also be ties with Guang Qin True Person.

Previously, after the auction ended, his dealings with Guang Qin True Person were far from pleasant.

But for the sake of helping the Jiang family, it doesn't matter.

In any case, this doesn't mean he has to interact with Guang Qin True Person, nor does it imply the two are on the same side.

He doesn't need to worry about which backers the Jiang family has.

He is simply repaying part of the gratitude owed to Shopkeeper Hong from back then.

Just as Gu Zongyuan was about to depart, he suddenly halted, patted his head and said, "One more thing—I almost forgot. Brother Bai, aren't you concerned about the Cui family Foundation Establishment cultivator from Jin Xiu Fang who suddenly died at home, along with his concubine and maid in a tragic incident…"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

This incident occurred before they left the city to hunt the puppet demon lord.

Three Foundation Establishment cultivators teamed up to venture out in search of opportunities.

They indeed gained a lot, apparently obtaining treasures, but after returning, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators in Character: Liyang Immortal City seemed to be plagued by a demon spirit.

Among them, the Cui Foundation Establishment cultivator, who lived in Jin Xiu Fang and was essentially a neighbor of Xiao Zhangqing, still died an untimely death after hiring a Fake Core cultivator to help exorcise the demon spirit.

"The third Foundation Establishment cultivator who went on the expedition has already been located. He's fortunate because he carries a talisman that suppresses demons, so he's still alive. Of course, the situation is not optimistic; two days ago he voluntarily came to Character: Liyang Immortal City seeking a solution, which is how we found him."

"This matter can be confirmed as the work of a demon spirit."

"According to the survivor's description, they encountered a white‑clothed woman skilled with instruments, whose song was exceedingly mournful yet beautiful. When the three entered the ruin's cave, they saw her playing the qin and singing, assuming she was another treasure‑seeker who had arrived first. After one song, the woman suddenly lifted her head, revealing a pallid, bloodless but exquisitely beautiful face—more stunning than the three famed courtesans of Character: Liyang Immortal City. The survivor couldn't fully recall her exact features, only that he was deeply amazed."

"Just as the three tried to approach her, the woman suddenly vanished, making them feel as if they'd dreamed it; the woman, the song, the qin sound were all illusion…"

"After searching around, the three found no further trace of the woman…"

"Thus the three temporarily set the matter aside and ignored it."

"What they didn't expect was that, after returning, each was haunted by nightmares; the white‑clothed, music‑skilled woman appeared in their dreams every night."

"But unlike her dazzling beauty at the ruin, in the dreams her delicate face became rotted and decayed, terrifying to the extreme…"

"Later, even when awake in daylight, the woman's image and mournful song would surface in their minds, making them restless, irritable, and unable to eat or sleep peacefully."

As Gu Zongyuan narrated, the course of events gradually unfolded.

The horror of the demon spirit began to loom.

Being able to slay three Foundation Establishment cultivators isn't a remarkable feat.

But to haunt the three cultivators in such a bizarre manner for such a long time afterward is exceptionally terrifying.

Even a Golden Core True Person doesn't possess such incomprehensible methods.

Xiao Zhangqing possesses a Soul Transformation that surpasses that of ordinary mid‑stage Golden Core cultivators; he has a nightmare technique that can only be used face‑to‑face to trap enemies in nightmarish hallucinations, not the slow, worm‑like erosion that gnaws at an opponent's essence.

"This demon spirit appears more than a thousand li away from Character: Liyang Immortal City, so there's no need to worry much."

"I've had people investigate the whole route; apart from these three, no other similar demon‑spirit incidents have occurred."

"Nevertheless, better safe than sorry—Brother Bai, you can have your two concubines stock up on a few more Demon‑breaking Talismans or similar anti‑demon items; they're extremely effective against demon spirits. As for you yourself, your Soul Transformation is so powerful that ordinary demon spirits will avoid you, so there's little danger." Gu Zongyuan said.

A demon spirit, though, is not the same as a spiritual‑perception attack.

However, according to some ancient texts of the Cultivation World, besides talismans like the Demon‑breaking Talisman, a powerful Soul Transformation is also one of the best ways to subdue a demon spirit.

"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Gu," Xiao Zhangqing felt a bit reassured.

It seems that wherever a demon spirit appears, the Demon‑breaking Talisman can subdue it.

Even though this demon spirit is far stronger than the one that once entangled Ruan Bofan, the son of Ruan Qinzhu, in Nanshan Fang, it still doesn't break this rule.

Even the half‑human, half‑demon spirit Mu Renjie was grievously wounded because Xiao Zhangqing unleashed dozens of Demon‑breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Soul Talismans in one go.

No matter how terrifying or bizarre a demon spirit is, as long as it has a weakness that can be avoided or even killed, it's not that frightening.

……

After Gu Zongyuan left, Xiao Zhangqing resumed his seclusion to start forging puppets. The third‑tier, medium‑grade craftsmanship had him somewhat addicted, even reducing the frequency with which the Lin family sisters attended to him.

In the month since receiving the inheritance, he has successfully refined two second‑tier, high‑grade puppets without any mishaps; the process was smooth and the quality of the puppets is excellent.

The skills extracted by the system truly resemble those Xiao Zhangqing has honed over decades of diligent practice, so even when just starting out, there's no unfamiliarity.

Thus Xiao Zhangqing is confident he can forge a third‑tier puppet.

A second‑rank top‑quality puppet is already a treasure of auction‑house level in Character: Liyang Immortal City, sellable once every ten years.

A single second‑rank top‑quality puppet normally equals the combat power of a late‑stage Foundation Establishment.

The combat power of a late‑stage Foundation Establishment is not considered weak in Character: Liyang Immortal City; it is already among the upper echelons.

After all, the number of core formations and Fake Core True Persons in Character: Liyang Immortal City together is no more than a hundred.

If obtained in other remote workshops or small Foundation Establishment families, a second‑rank top‑quality puppet can be called a peerless killing weapon, enough to let a Foundation Establishment family dominate.

"Once I forge a third‑rank puppet, my protective Dao measures will increase. In the future, during core formation or when I am weak, I will also have a protective method."

Xiao Zhangqing was radiant and very attentive to the puppets.

As a scattered cultivator, there are many advantages—freedom of movement and fewer worries—but there are also drawbacks.

Fighting alone, there are always moments when one cannot attend to everything.

For example, when he left Nanshan Fang, he used Dragon Chant Technique; his Soul Transformation entered a weak period, and without strong protective Dao measures it would be quite dangerous.

Another example: when he later forms his core, if he chooses to rent a third‑rank spiritual vein breakthrough in Character: Liyang Immortal City, it might be better, since he has already established a foothold there, and over the years Character: Liyang Immortal City has strict rules, never having any unprovoked incidents harming Foundation Establishment cultivators during core formation.

But if he goes to other immortal cities to borrow a spiritual vein for core formation, he must guard against someone taking advantage of his vulnerability during core formation.

A third‑rank puppet becomes crucial at such times.

The Lin sisters Xiao Zhangqing are reliable, but the two sisters are both too weak; even the elder sister Lin Ziyu, who is a bit higher in cultivation, would still need two or three years of accumulation to challenge the Foundation Establishment Realm, and it is unknown whether she can pass that threshold.

Whoosh! As soon as the thought arose, pieces of third‑rank material from the storage bag appeared one by one in the cultivation chamber.

Xiao Zhangqing checked them one by one, confirming nothing was missing.

"Begin construction!"

……

……

Jiang Family.

With the Jiang family head Jiang Canghai, accompanied by Character: Liyang Immortal City's senior disciple Zuo Zichun (Zuo Real Person), heading to the Southwest Region of Da Yu in the Cultivation World, the Jiang family's actions became much more low‑key.

With the head gone, their biggest backing also left, and the Jiang Family's title as one of the ten great families became completely unsubstantiated.

Therefore, the Jiang family's disciples outside no longer have much confidence and act much more discreetly.

As for the Jiang family's business, it hasn't been greatly affected.

After all, although Jiang Canghai, a third‑rank Symbol Master, is not stationed there, the Jiang family still has several second‑rank Symbol Masters like Hong Jiantao, and first‑rank Symbol Masters are even more numerous.

The Jiang family still firmly controls over half of the Talisman Script market in Character: Liyang Immortal City, and its monthly profit remains nothing to scoff at.

In this situation, other forces naturally become restless, coveting the Jiang family's juicy piece.

The city lord's office will recount Jiang Canghai's self‑volunteering to the front lines and his merits, yet other forces will not acknowledge it.

Most forces only recognize one standard: the weak must be beaten.

With Jiang Canghai gone and the Jiang family's backing Zuo Zichun Real Person also absent, it's a perfect time to undermine them! After all, the Jiang family is one of the ten great families, and under normal circumstances no one dares a full‑scale attack. But undermining foundations and snatching business are normal competition that no one can regulate.

In the past few months, the Jiang family's Symbol Masters have been poached one after another, and their business has been covertly suppressed by several families, leaving them in a dilemma.

Especially in the past half‑month, the Song Family, a top‑ranked among the ten great families, was annihilated, freeing many channels and profits; other well‑established families are crazily seizing the chance to expand their enterprises, while the Jiang family cannot get involved and can only watch other families gorge themselves, while it continues to "bleed".

Intangibly, the Jiang family feels it is about to become the second after the Song Family! At this point, Hong Jiantao has no choice but to use the "clever stratagem" Jiang Canghai left him before departing, and seek help from Guang Qin Real Person.

When Zuo Real Person took Jiang Canghai to the Southwest battlefield, he arranged a fallback for the Jiang family; if they encounter unsolvable trouble before his return, they can seek assistance from his junior brother Guang Qin Real Person.

A few days ago, Hong Jiantao reached Guang Qin Real Person's grotto and presented a tribute, but he didn't even see Guang Qin's face. Even after stating his identity and purpose, mentioning Zuo Zichun, Guang Qin did not meet him personally; he only had a servant reply that he would look into the matter when he has time, and told Hong Jiantao to return and wait for news.

Hong Jiantao had no choice and couldn't shamelessly leave; he insisted on seeing Guang Qin Real Person in person, though he didn't have that much face. If he displeased Guang Qin, the Jiang family would face a real disaster! Returning to the Jiang family with worry, Hong Jiantao felt the situation was probably not good.

Guang Qin Real Person's attitude was much colder than Hong imagined; it was unclear whether Zuo Real Person hadn't given a heads‑up or their relationship was poor, but Guang Qin merely gave a casual assent without intending to truly look after the Jiang family.

After waiting several days, Hong Jiantao still did not receive any good news.

While several families were gnawing at the industries left by the Song Family, they also took the opportunity to strike the weakened Jiang family, and the Jiang family's situation continued to deteriorate.

"It seems Guang Qin Real Person cannot be relied upon," Hong Jiantao frowned, and a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

The Jiang family is not completely at a dead end; there is another way! Yet Hong Jiantao is reluctant to pursue it, even if he asks Guang Qin, he is still unwilling.

"In the end, can we only turn to Xiao Zhangqing, that former little fellow, for help?" Hong Jiantao sighed.

Seeking Xiao Zhangqing's help is not because he cannot save face, but because he does not want to leverage gratitude for repayment.

However, given Xiao Zhangqing's current status and strength—being able to contend with two major Fake Core True Persons, being on brotherly terms with the Character: Liyang Guard commander, and rumors that the recent Blood Crow True Person's death and the Song Family's expulsion are linked to him—if Xiao Zhangqing is willing to intervene, the Jiang family's trouble would naturally be resolved.

Indeed, Xiao Zhangqing even qualifies to become the Jiang family's backing! "If there's truly no other way, this is all we can do…"

Hong Jiantao quickly made up his mind.

He is not a pedantic person; when something he dislikes becomes unavoidable, he will break his own principles.

After all, the weight of his own principles versus the Jiang family's survival is easy to discern.

What Hong Jiantao never imagined was that just as he prepared to visit Xiao Zhangqing for help, the Jiang family's crisis took a turn for the better… (End of chapter)