Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 192: Driving the tiger and swallowing the wolf
On Muyu Island, at Qingxin Xiaozhu, Jiang Chen carefully tallied up his gains.

As cultivators who had achieved the minor stage of Qi Refining, Canglang Sanren and Tu Weng, despite being from a background of independent cultivators, still had some resources. Tu Weng, in particular, was skilled in Feng Shui and formations, and had earned a considerable amount of wealth.

"The Tu Clan's Array Record is a collection of array formations compiled by Tu Weng, who organized his own knowledge. It contains four first-order array formations, which is quite remarkable."

"In addition to that, there is also a first-order array core plate."

Playing with the hexagonal compass in his hand, Jiang Chen was quite interested; this was the first array core compass he had ever obtained.

Unfortunately, although Tu Weng possessed a Array Core Plate, it was obtained through a fortuitous encounter. He himself did not know how to refine the Array Core Plate. In a way, he was a man of opportunity and talent, of ordinary birth, who embarked on the path of cultivation only after an unexpected encounter.

Although the inheritance he received was mediocre, his talent in array formations was quite good, and step by step he finally got to where he is today.

"This array formation and its core plate can be given to Tao Yao. If it works, the protective array of my Taiping Sect will be secured."

"This Spirit Eye Observation Technique is quite profound; I can try to comprehend it a little."

With that thought, Jiang Chen put away the array core plate.

With limited energy, he had no intention of touching on formations for the time being. Compared to Tao Yao, his talent in this area was quite lacking. As for the Spirit Eye Wind Observation Technique, it was a unique spell cultivated by Tu Weng, which could observe the flow of spiritual energy in heaven and earth. Although the observation was not detailed, it was indeed quite useful in observing the wind and qi.

"Speaking of which, this was the biggest gain this time."

With his true qi circulating, Jiang Chen opened the storage bag belonging to Canglang Sanren.

The next instant, a small seal appeared in his hand. It was the size of a goose egg, with a jade-like texture, a yellowish body, and a deep blue background, as if the clear and the turbid were blending together. It was the superior magic artifact, the Hunjiang Seal.

"Canglang Sanren has a secret technique called Die Lang. This technique is not a fighting technique, but it can induce changes in true qi, causing one's own aura to change, and making the weak appear strong."

"It is precisely because of this that at the auction on Yan Hui Island, Canglang Sanren was able to use this secret method to impersonate a Qi Refining Master and win the Hunjiang Seal through a clever trick."

Sensing the true nature of the Hunjiang Seal, Jiang Chen couldn't help but shake his head.

Through soul searching, they were fully aware of what Canglang Sanren and Tu Weng had done. They wanted to establish a base, and the mountain-protecting formation was of paramount importance. Under such circumstances, after receiving the news that Yan Hui Island was about to auction the Hunjiang Seal, they had an idea. They planned to use this high-grade magic weapon as the array element of the formation.

In this way, the power of the formation will be even greater, and either of the two people in charge can ensure that their own foundation is not lost.

Despite many people being wary of the origins of the Hunjiang Seal, the two men, pooling their wealth, ultimately succeeded in bidding for this top-grade magical artifact.

"Time is also fate."

Thinking of the meaning represented by the Hunjiang Seal, thinking of Lu Chenshan, thinking of Lu Xuanping, Jiang Chen felt a sense of emotion.

"It's fate that this item ended up in my hands. I'll give it to the Mist Dragon for now."

With a sudden thought, Jiang Chen temporarily put away the Hunjiang Seal. This seal had ninety-nine layers of restrictions, was adept at offense, and possessed considerable power, especially in naval battles. Meanwhile, as Jiang Chen tallied his gains, Liao Yonghuai in the Qinghe County government office was completely gripped by fear.

"Jiang Chen actually killed Canglang Sanren with a single sword strike! He's a sword cultivator who has reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining! How is that possible..."

"I thought I had hidden myself well enough, but I didn't expect him to have hidden himself even better."

Liao Yonghuai paced back and forth, his heart filled with anxiety. He hadn't believed the news when he first received it, but now all the circumstances told him that it was true and that Jiang Chen was indeed a sword cultivator who had achieved the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

“Jiang Chen has definitely become suspicious of me. Even if he hadn’t before, he must have noticed something was wrong since I didn’t go this time. Right now, outside this county government office, there are probably quite a few eyes from the Taiping Sect watching me. As soon as I step out of this county government office, he could come looking for me at any time.”

"Given the strength he has shown so far, there are only three people in Qingyuan County who can protect me, and I have only ever met one person."

As the thought crossed his mind, Liao Yonghuai suddenly turned his gaze to another direction of the government office, where Yu Jinshui, the head of the prefect's secret guards, lived.

He didn't know how the other party had approached him, but he was certain that the other party had also noticed something was wrong with him. This time, they came to test him. Originally, he wanted to delay for a few more days. Once his soul injury was healed, he would be somewhat confident that he could smooth things over. In the end, from the perspective of the Southern Jing Dynasty, he had not made any fatal mistakes.

"While using one tiger to devour another is not the best strategy, our lives are in grave danger right now, so we can't worry about that now."

With gritted teeth and no longer hesitating, Liao Yonghuai took the initiative to approach Yu Jinshui.

After learning of Liao Yonghuai's purpose, Yu Jinshui hesitated for a moment before taking out a Wind-Singing Stone from his storage bag. This kind of spiritual object allows people to communicate remotely, but firstly, the distance is limited, and secondly, each use will deplete the spiritual essence of the object, so he will not use it unless it is absolutely necessary.

Seeing this scene, Liao Yonghuai felt a little relieved. He believed that the offer he made would definitely move Qi Xiuning. In this Southern Jing Kingdom, how many people could resist the temptation of forging a foundation for the Dao?
A moment later, Yu Jinshui ended his conversation with Qi Xiuning.

"The prefect is currently inspecting Qingyuan. He is not far from Qinghe County and will arrive soon."

"In addition, I will send a letter to the Taiping Sect in the name of the prefect, so that Jiang Chen can meet with the prefect. The prefect will then try to mediate the conflict between you and Jiang Chen. After all, you are an official of the court, and the prefect will naturally not ignore you."

"But I also hope you're not lying to me, otherwise you know what will happen."

In the end, Yu Jinshui's words took on a cold tone.

To be honest, his discovery of Liao Yonghuai was completely accidental. He never expected that this magistrate of Qinghe County would have such a big secret. Not only had he quietly achieved the minor success of Qi Refining, but he also possessed a wonderful method related to building a foundation for the Dao. This time, it was a lucky accident.

Hearing this, Liao Yonghuai nodded solemnly. Now that things had come to this, although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to reveal some of his secrets. If he hadn't revealed his cultivation level right away, Yu Jinshui would not have believed him at all. If he hadn't revealed the Dao Foundation Secret Technique, Qi Xiuning, as the prefect, might not have gone out of his way to stop a sword cultivator who had reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining in order to save him.

"I will certainly repay the kindness shown to me by the Prefect."

With his hands clasped together, Liao Yonghuai bowed deeply in the direction of the Prefectural Governor's residence.

Seeing this, Yu Jinshui's expression softened slightly, and he said nothing more.

(End of this chapter)