Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 152 Sitting Dead in the Mountains
On Muyu Island, Jiang Chen returned in the rain, unaware that two more Qi Refining cultivators had been wronged and their souls had been added to the Qingyuan River.

"First Gao Siyuan was gone, and now Gao Mingjun and Gao Mingyue have also passed away. It seems that the Gao family will have to be quiet for a while."

Back at Qingxin Xiaozhu, enjoying the pastries prepared by Hongyu and a massage from her, while watching the continuous rain outside, Jiang Chen's thoughts drifted away.

Upon careful consideration, of the ten members of the Gao family who had reached the Qi Refining stage, five had already perished at his hands. Not to mention that among them were the Gao family's only Qi Refining Master and another Qi Refining Minor Master. Under such circumstances, the Gao family had undoubtedly suffered a severe blow.

"The Gao family has risen rapidly in recent years, and their behavior has been quite unseemly, which has aroused the dissatisfaction of many people. Once the news of their severe losses gets out, they will probably face a backlash immediately."

"If I were a cultivator from the Gao family, I would definitely try my best to block the news and buy more time to prepare."

"No matter what, with five Qi Refining cultivators, including one who has reached the Lesser Completion stage of Qi Refining, plus the mountain-protecting formation, the Gao family should be able to protect their Green Bamboo Mountain for the time being. Not to mention the Greater Completion stage of Qi Refining, even if a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator were to make a move, it wouldn't be so easy to break through it."

"Most importantly, the Gao family was promoted by Prefect Qi Xiuning. If we want to deal with the Gao family, we still have to consider the prefect's thoughts."

Thinking of Prefect Qi Xiuning, Jiang Chen frowned slightly.

Through Gao Siyuan's memories, he gained some understanding of the prefect of Qingyuan County. He came from a humble background, but was cultivated by the dynasty to reach the peak of Qi Refining. He seemed gentle, but his fire magic was exceptionally fierce. Most importantly, he had never liked local powerful families.

Supporting the Gao family was also intended to change the landscape of Qingyuan County, and to restrict the Lu and Wen families within the tacit rules. Today's Taiping Sect is, to some extent, one of the local powerful families, and is also among the ranks that this prefect dislikes.

"Before coming to Qinghe County, Gao Mingjun and Gao Mingyue, these two Qi Refining cultivators, had made preparations and did not bring anything precious. The only truly valuable items they brought were the mid-grade magic weapon, the Green Serpent Whip, and the low-grade magic weapon, the Blinding Spirit Leaf."

"However, as one of the top cultivation families in Qingyuan County, the Gao family may not be as good as the Lu and Wen families, but they still have some resources, especially that small spiritual cave. If I could get my hands on it, it would be a great thing for me. However, I have to consider the reactions of the prefect Qi Xiuning and even the Wen and Lu families."

Knowing the Gao family's wealth inside and out, Jiang Chen had his eye on that small spiritual acupoint, but getting his hands on it wouldn't be easy; he needed a suitable opportunity.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen's brows furrowed even more.

At this moment, as if sensing Jiang Chen's troubles, Hongyu's slightly cool fingertips landed on Jiang Chen's brow, gently massaging it and smoothing out his furrowed brows.

“Young master, you’ve already moved very fast. There’s no need to be too hasty. Sometimes being too hasty can cause problems.”

Speaking softly, Hongyu shared her opinion. In the entire Taiping Sect, probably no one understood Jiang Chen's strength better than her. In her view, as long as they waited a little longer, no one in Qingyuan County would be a match for Jiang Chen.

She was more convinced of this than anyone else.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen nodded. He knew that what Hongyu said made sense. The path to immortality values ​​competition, but how to compete is a skill in itself.

Calming his restless heart, Jiang Chen stopped thinking about it.

Seeing this, Hongyu gently embraced Jiang Chen, using her body heat to shield him from the chilly spring breeze outside the window. The night was somewhat noisy.

After Gao Mingjun and Gao Mingyue perished on the Qingyuan River, the Gao family, who had not received any news for a long time, fell into complete silence.

"No information may be leaked. Starting today, the four of you must minimize going out."

"We must bring some other precious resources back to Green Bamboo Mountain as soon as possible, even if it means draining the pond to catch all the fish. However, this must also be done in secret." "Although it is still uncertain, things have come to this point, and we must prepare for the worst."

Sitting in the main seat, knowing that the worst-case scenario had likely already occurred, Gao Sizhu glanced at the other four Qi Refining cultivators and gave orders.

Upon hearing this, some people wanted to object, but after meeting Gao Sizhu's icy, knife-like gaze, they ultimately fell silent.

"From today onwards, I will remain seated on Green Bamboo Mountain to preside over the great formation. Unless my Gao family produces another Qi Refining Master, I will not step out of Green Bamboo Mountain. As long as the mountain exists, I will exist; if the mountain dies, I will die."

With unwavering resolve, Gao Sizhu made his stance clear: he would live and die with the Gao family. As long as he was in charge of the formation, it would be very difficult for outsiders to break into Cuizhu Mountain.

Upon hearing this and seeing Gao Sizhu like this, the four Qi Refining cultivators from the Gao family were immediately moved.

Honestly, if the Gao family were truly on the verge of collapse, these people might have other ideas as well. After all, they possessed the strength of Qi Refining, and even without the family, as long as they could escape, they could still live a good life. Gao Sizhu's determination was something that ordinary people did not possess.

"Everyone, the Gao family may be facing a life-or-death crisis. I ask for your help to lead the family through this difficult time."

Standing up, Gao Sizhu bowed deeply to the other four Qi Refining cultivators from the Gao family.

Seeing this, the four Qi Refining cultivators from the Gao family had no other thoughts.

"Sizhu is right. At this time, the Gao family must unite..."

"When Uncle Mingjun left, he clearly entrusted you, Sizhu, to take charge. Now that Uncle Mingjun has gone missing, we will naturally listen to you..."

One voice after another rang out as the four Qi Refining cultivators from the Gao family expressed their opinions.

After reaching a consensus, the Qi Refining cultivators of the Gao family immediately began to take action. As members of the Gao family, they naturally knew the importance of this matter to the Gao family.

Watching the four Qi Refining cultivators from the Gao family leave, Gao Sizhu felt an overwhelming sense of worry.

With the building on the verge of collapse, people's hearts are fickle. He didn't know how determined they were to weather the storm with the Gao family.

"If the patriarch really dies, then if the Gao family wants to continue, we must keep a low profile, give up what we should give up, and try our best to win the support of Prefect Qi Xiuning."

“As long as he is unwilling to give up the Gao family, the Lu and Wen families will not go too far. After all, Qi Xiuning represents the imperial court, and the Gao family's interests alone are not enough to make them break ties with the imperial court.”

With these thoughts colliding, Gao Sizhu wanted to find a way for the Gao family to continue.

"What exactly is hidden in this small Qinghe County? Could it be that a dragon is truly lurking in this shallow pool?"

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Gao Sizhu gazed in the direction of Qinghe County, his heart filled with confusion and unease.

He didn't know what the crisis that had successively devoured Gao Siyuan, Gao Mingyue, and Gao Mingjun was, nor did he know when this crisis would spread to the Gao family.

(End of this chapter)