Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 256 The Art of Taming Birds
The news of the death of Prefect Qi Xiuning in Qingyuan County, after a period of fermentation, finally spread, causing an uproar throughout the county.

The governor of a prefecture possessed both status and power; how could such a person fall so easily, especially at this critical juncture? Regardless of what people thought, the facts were undeniable, and a sense of unease gripped the people.

On Muyu Island, at Qingxin Xiaozhu, the Mist Dragon continued its self-cultivation, allowing Jiang Chen's true form a rare moment of relaxation.

"Sect Master, with Qi Xiuning dead, Qingyuan County is now in chaos. Some are taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble, while others are trying to escape Qingyuan County."

With a low voice, Wang Yuan recounted the events that had occurred in Qingyuan County during this period.

Compared to the past, the Taiping Sect now wields considerable influence in Qingyuan County, and as a result, its intelligence network is relatively well-developed.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen ignored it for the time being, and instead stretched out his palm and gently beckoned to a small bird that had landed on the eaves. This gesture was ordinary, but there was no flow of spiritual energy involved.

But in the next instant, as if summoned by some force, the bird chirped, flapped its wings, and voluntarily landed in Jiang Chen's palm.

"Qi Xiuning is actually dead?"

Holding the little bird in one hand and stroking its feathers with the other, Jiang Chen casually asked a question.

He was somewhat surprised by Qi Xiuning's death, but not so surprised, because he was fairly certain that Qi Xiuning had been watching from the outside when the Mist Dragon advanced to the Dao Foundation stage, and had been injured by the dragon's might unleashed by the Mist Dragon.

"Reporting to the sect leader, the cause of Qi Xiuning's death is still unclear, but it is suspected that he was framed."

With his head down, Wang Yuan gave an uncertain answer.

Upon receiving this answer, Jiang Chen fell into deep thought.

Wang Yuan glanced at Jiang Chen furtively, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.

"Sect Master, with Qi Xiuning dead, the people of Qingyuan County are in a state of panic, and the various forces have become a disorganized mess. I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to withstand the attack of the Five Immortals Mountain demons."

"In addition, there was trouble at the spirit sand mine not long ago. Someone actually tried to smuggle spirit sand, and now many people have their eyes on that spirit sand mine."

"Being beset by internal and external troubles, Qingyuan County will truly be finished if things continue like this. Sect Master, under such circumstances, shouldn't our Taiping Sect also make some preparations in advance?"

After much hesitation, Wang Yuan finally gritted his teeth and spoke his mind.

Qingyuan County is now in a precarious state. Although the demons of Wuxian Mountain have not yet launched a full-scale attack, their intentions are already very clear. Meanwhile, Qingyuan County is facing unprecedented chaos and weakness.

With Qi Xiuning's death, there are only two Qi Refining Perfection cultivators openly in Qingyuan County: Fu Ling Sanren from Yan Hui Island and Wen Jialiang, the patriarch of the Wen family. The former is a rogue cultivator who mostly keeps to himself. If demons really sweep through Qingyuan County, he will most likely just find another place to cultivate.

As for the latter, although he is a cultivator from a large and powerful family, the Wen family's behavior during this period has been too strange. Not long ago, there was even a fierce internal struggle. Now, many people are speculating that Wen Jialiang has run into trouble, otherwise the Wen family would not have such an internal conflict.

Under such circumstances, the people had little confidence in stopping the demons of Five Immortals Mountain, and it was precisely because of this that chaos ensued.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen snapped out of his thoughts.

"I have advanced to the peak of Qi Refining. You should spread the news. Also, have your disciples prepare and try to maintain order as much as possible."

Jiang Chen spoke calmly, reassuring Wang Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan, who had been keeping his head down, suddenly raised it. A Qi Refining Perfection cultivator—the strongest in the first realm of Qi Refining, a figure akin to the leader of a prefecture—he never imagined he would actually witness a living Qi Refining Perfection cultivator in his lifetime. Although he had always had confidence in Jiang Chen's talent, he hadn't expected Jiang Chen to achieve Qi Refining Perfection so quickly.

"Perfected Qi Refining, or a sword cultivator...?"

As the thought crossed his mind, Wang Yuan's previously uneasy heart calmed down considerably.

To be honest, he had indeed suggested that the sect relocate. After all, without a leader, the Taiping Sect alone could not withstand the demons of the Five Immortals Mountain. Rather than the sect being destroyed, it would be better to temporarily avoid the brunt of the attack. However, with Jiang Chen's advancement to the Qi Refining Perfection stage, the Taiping Sect now had the right to decide whether to advance or retreat, since sword cultivators were powerful and had few rivals at the same level.

"Sect Master, your desire to maintain order clearly stems from your inability to bear the suffering of the people."

"The people of Qingyuan County are currently in a state of disarray. Do you think we should hold a promotion ceremony to stabilize their morale?"

With a quick mind, Wang Yuan put forward a new suggestion.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen raised his brows slightly.

Foundation of Dao is hard to come by, and it is extremely rare to find one in the four southern prefectures. That is why, reaching the peak of Qi Refining is already considered the pinnacle of a prefecture. According to custom, every family holds a celebration after producing a cultivator who has reached the peak of Qi Refining, in order to demonstrate their prestige.

"Very well, you can arrange for someone to take care of it. Also, have someone spread the news that Wen Jialiang, the patriarch of the Wen family, was the leader of the Yellow Wind Cult, so that outsiders know that Wen Jialiang is dead."

After a moment's thought, Jiang Chen nodded, agreeing to Wang Yuan's suggestion, and then released a rather surprising piece of news.

Since they've decided to step into the limelight, they might as well go all out. They might as well take this opportunity to let the Taiping Sect integrate the entire Qingyuan County. Under such circumstances, the Wen family, an old and prestigious family in the eyes of outsiders, becomes a stumbling block. After all, compared to the Taiping Sect, the Wen family's foundation is indeed much deeper, and it is easier for them to gain the trust of others.

However, others might not know, but he knew clearly that Wen Jialiang, the head of the Wen family, was the leader of the Yellow Wind Cult, who had already died in Changfeng County, and now the Wen family was just an empty shell.

Upon hearing this news, Wang Yuan was greatly shocked, but he quickly recovered and was overjoyed.

The Lu family, the Gao family, the Prefectural Governor's Office, and the Wen family all fell one after another. It seems that my own Taiping Sect has unknowingly become the undisputed number one power in Qingyuan County. It's truly a cruel twist of fate.

"Yes, Sect Master, I will take care of it immediately."

With a fire burning in his heart, Wang Yuan immediately went to arrange the relevant matters without hesitation.

After Wang Yuan left, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the little bird in his palm.

"With the advancement of the soul to the second level and the emergence of divine consciousness, the divine soul secret technique created with the eagle taming secret method and beast control technique as its core has finally yielded real results, although it is still not perfect."

As his spiritual power flowed, a subtle connection was established, and Jiang Chen was able to clearly sense the condition of the little bird in his hand.

This is just an ordinary bird, with no extraordinary bloodline. It is three years old and is in a very happy mood.

"This technique has the ability to tame demons and communicate with them through mind-to-mind; it may be named Bird Taming."

"However, this technique is still in its infancy, and it will require the assistance of many demons to truly perfect it, since the situation of each demon is different."

As Jiang Chen released the little bird from his palm, his thoughts drifted away.
(End of this chapter)