Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 241 All the hard work comes with joy
In Qingyuan County, an eerie atmosphere suddenly arose.

Inside the prefectural governor's mansion, looking in the direction of Five Immortals Mountain, Prefect Qi Xiuning frowned.

"What exactly do those demons from Five Immortals Mountain want to do? Do they really want to wreak havoc on Qingyuan County? But how dare they?"

With these thoughts colliding, Qi Xiuning fell into deep thought.

The frequent unusual movements within Wuxian Mountain during this period caught his attention. It should be noted that the reason why Wuxian Mountain was able to exist peacefully within Qingyuan County was not only because of its treacherous terrain, but also because the demons within Wuxian Mountain always knew when to advance and retreat, and maintained a tacit understanding with the County Prefect's Office.

However, this time Wuxian Mountain's actions were too significant, and Qingquan County, which is closest to it, has issued multiple warnings, hoping that the prefectural government will pay more attention.

Just then, Yu Jinshui walked in.

What did the Wen family say?

Suppressing his thoughts for the moment, Qi Xiuning turned around and looked at Yu Jinshui.

"My lord, the Wen family has not yet given a clear answer. They say that the patriarch, Wen Jialiang, is still traveling and has not returned. In addition, I have discovered that the Wen family seems to have sent some of their clansmen away, but their specific destination is still unclear."

With a low voice, Yu Jinshui gave his answer.

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiuning's brows furrowed even more deeply.

When the Five Immortals Mountain was in turmoil, he made a special trip to the Wen family. As long as the Wen family joined forces with the Prefectural Governor's Office, even if the demons in the Five Immortals Mountain were really restless and wanted to do something, they could be dealt with calmly. However, the Wen family's response was beyond his expectations, and their act of sending away their clansmen made people even more suspicious.

"What exactly happened to the Wen family? Is Wen Jialiang really in trouble? Or is the Wen family plotting something else?"

Thoughts raced through Qi Xiuning's mind; at that moment, he considered many things.

Looking back now, the Wen family's reaction during this period was quite strange, as Wen Jialiang had not appeared for a long time.

"Old Yu, have someone thoroughly investigate the Wen family and see what they're really up to."

After a moment's thought, Qi Xiuning issued an order. In the past, because the Wen family had the shadow of the Third Prince behind them, he had always deliberately kept a certain distance from the Wen family, neither getting close to them nor suppressing them, completely letting them be. But now the Wen family's unusual behavior made him want to investigate them thoroughly.

Upon hearing this, Yu Jinshui bowed and agreed.

After Yu Jinshui left, Qi Xiuning turned his gaze back to the direction of Wuxian Mountain, a look of worry on his face.

"First the Lu family, then the Gao family, and then the Wen family. Before we knew it, several major powers in Qingyuan County seemed to have run into trouble. In normal times, this might not be a bad thing, but now it's quite troublesome."

"Perhaps the demons of Five Immortals Mountain saw an opportunity in this?"

Thinking of something, Qi Xiuning frowned. Unbeknownst to him, Qingyuan County seemed to have entered an unprecedented low point. If it were in the past, with established families like the Lu and Wen families in charge, the demons of Wuxian Mountain would not dare to do anything. They could only stick together for warmth and barely survive by relying on the harsh environment.

“If something really happens to the Wen family, then there won’t be many people left to use in Qingyuan County. Perhaps I should make a trip to Yan Hui Island. If I can reach an agreement with Fu Ling Sanren, the situation should be much better.”

"In addition, we should also inform the Gao family. They've raised them for so long, it's time for them to play a role."

"Of course, there's also the Taiping Sect. In Qingyuan County now, besides me and Fuling Sanren, the Taiping Daoist should be the strongest. A sword cultivator who has reached the Qi Refining stage can still play a certain role at crucial moments."

Sensing something was amiss, Qi Xiuning passed down a series of orders. "I only hope that Fu Ling Sanren can lend me a hand this time."

With a sigh, Qi Xiuning no longer hesitated and personally set off for Yan Hui Island.

Fu Ling Sanren is eccentric and has never liked getting involved in disputes. He has few attachments in Qingyuan County. Yan Hui Island may seem important, but it is not something that Fu Ling Sanren cannot give up. If you want Fu Ling Sanren to help you, you have to go there in person.

In fact, Qi Xiuning would not have been willing to ask Fu Ling Sanren for help if there were really not many people available.

While Qi Xiuning was busy dealing with the turmoil at Wuxian Mountain, Jiang Chen finally finished refining the medicinal power of the last bitter lotus seed on Muyu Island.

With his powerful divine soul and unwavering will, he refined all twelve bitter lotus seeds, far surpassing the six seeds of the Qingfeng Crane clan's ancestor.

However, this has also caused him to exude bitterness from the inside out. In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he has to go into seclusion in the Spirit Cave and minimize contact with the outside world.

"After consuming all twelve lotus seeds, the task is finally complete."

On the lotus platform, sensing the changes within himself, after many days, a smile finally reappeared on Jiang Chen's face.

At this moment, the bitterness that had seeped into his soul was gradually dissipating, replaced by a faint sweetness that brought him an unprecedented joy and ease.

"This must be what they call 'after hardship comes happiness'."

Sensing the changes within himself, Jiang Chen's smile grew even brighter; this was the first time he had ever been so happy.

"Come!"

Overjoyed, Jiang Chen followed his instincts and began to fully circulate the Lesser Formless Scripture.

In an instant, spiritual energy surged and converged upon him like a tide, passing through his spiritual apertures and the 108 acupoints, continuously transforming into formless true energy.

As time passed and more and more spiritual energy was refined, the Formless True Qi within Jiang Chen's body gradually transformed from a small stream into a great river.

"This is the effect of doubling the size of the acupoints. Now my true qi is much stronger than before. This not only further strengthens my foundation, but also makes it easier for me to nourish my soul."

The bitterness in his heart completely dissipated, and surging true energy flowed through his body like a river. Jiang Chen's soul felt warmth, which was both the effect of the Bitter Heart Lotus and a feedback brought about by the strengthening of his true energy.

Although the cultivation path at the Qi Refining level mainly focuses on cultivating a breath of true Qi, it also provides feedback to the physical body and the soul, although it is not as obvious and is more of a passive improvement.

"My spiritual power is about to break through."

As his soul gradually warmed and a sense of enlightenment dawned on him, Jiang Chen realized that he had truly grasped the opportunity to return his soul to the second level.

"What I need to do next is to continuously circulate my true energy to nourish myself."

A flash of inspiration struck Jiang Chen, and he already knew exactly how to break through.

In the next instant, cutting off all distracting thoughts, Jiang Chen's consciousness completely returned to silence, falling into a state of emptiness and clarity. At this moment, only the formless true energy within his body continued to circulate. Initially, it was somewhat restless, but later it gradually calmed down and finally conformed to nature.

(End of this chapter)