Chapter 102: The Crucible of a Chaotic Age

High atop the Demon Mountain, Jiang Chen continuously applied simple seals to the Profound Ice Stone using his true energy. Without these precautions, the influence of the Frost Spirit Water would have made it nearly impossible to carry the stone away, even with a storage bag.

"Finally done. If not for my mastery of the Thread-Qi Technique, this would have been quite troublesome."

After some effort, Jiang Chen successfully placed the Profound Ice Stone into his storage bag. With that task complete, he turned his gaze toward the carcasses of the turtle and snake demons.

"The two demons originally practiced only common river-water qi. By utilizing the Frost Spirit Water, however, they caused their true energy to mutate, imbuing it with cold properties. It is a pity they failed to fully refine the Frost Spirit Water; otherwise, the quality of their true energy might have ascended from impure to low-grade."

With this thought, Jiang Chen collected the bodies of the two demons as well. The primary reason Frost Spirit Water is so precious is its ability to help water- and ice-attribute cultivators elevate the quality of their true energy. Successfully refining a single portion is usually enough to transform impure qi into low-grade true energy.

Refining three portions can even give a low-grade cultivator a chance to reach mid-grade, though this is exceptionally difficult—not only because the water is rare, but because the refinement process itself is perilous. That, however, is the limit. No amount of Frost Spirit Water can elevate true energy to the high-grade; the chasm between mid-grade and high-grade is vast. Nevertheless, while it cannot reach the highest tier, it grants the cultivator's energy a frigid power, which is immensely useful in combat.

"About two portions of Frost Spirit Water and the remains of two Qi-Refining level demons. This harvest is quite satisfactory."

With the spoils secured, Jiang Chen felt content. Though he had no personal use for the Frost Spirit Water, it would serve well for trade. In terms of spirit stones, a single portion was worth seven or eight hundred; two portions exceeded the value of the Corpse Daoist.

Just then, the Black and White Elders returned with their own findings. While Jiang Chen was busy with the ice stone, they had gone to scavenge the demons' lair. Jiang Chen glanced at the items they brought back but said nothing. There were five trinkets in total, none of which were of any significant rank. The turtle and snake demons rarely left their mountain except to forage, and they possessed little wealth; in truth, their own bodies were their most valuable assets.

"Let’s go. Though this place is remote, it is still within the borders of Changfeng County and not a place to linger."

Once everything was packed, Jiang Chen had the elders deploy their paper cranes, and they drifted away. On the journey back, Jiang Chen observed refugees trekking thousands of miles to escape into the mountains, as well as cultivators engaged in skirmishes, but he paid them no mind.

"It seems the chaos is truly beginning."

The unfolding turmoil made Jiang Chen shake his head. The presence of refugees in these borderlands where demons once held sway was a sign that the situation in Changfeng County had deteriorated to the breaking point.

"Changfeng County borders Qingyuan County. If the furnace that is Changfeng explodes, it will be hard for Qingyuan to remain unaffected. Moreover, with the incessant rains followed by these heavy snows, the overall situation in Qingyuan is not much better; it is only because it is dominated by cultivation clans that its order remains relatively stable."

Contemplating the state of the two counties, Jiang Chen sensed danger. During such large-scale upheaval, the top-tier powers usually survive, but the middle and lower-tier sects are prone to being wiped out—the Fishing Spirit Sect was a prime example of a loser in such times.

"I wonder how the local authorities intend to handle the chaos in Changfeng. With the current momentum of the Yellow Wind Sect, it is unlikely the county can suppress them on its own."

His thoughts drifted as he vanished into the snow. As a practitioner of the Qi-Refining stage and accompanied by the Black and White Elders—both martial arts grandmasters—they were occasionally spotted, but onlookers gave them a wide berth, daring not to provoke them.

After several days, Jiang Chen returned to Muyu Island. The island remained locked in ice and snow, though the weather was fair, with bright, cold sunlight that offered little warmth.

"There is truly no place like home."

After the hardships of the road, Jiang Chen returned to the Clear Heart Cottage. Under Hongyu’s care, he washed away the grime of the journey and listened as she recounted the recent events within the Taiping Sect. The Black and White Elders had already returned to guard the Yin-Origin Stone site; even with the heavy snow, the mining had not ceased, though it was nearing its end, as the deposits were finite.

"Young Master, all the mined Yin-Origin Stones have been delivered to the Golden Sun Hall on the summit. The Corpse-Fighter has remained very quiet during this time."

Kneeling on the floor, Hongyu let Jiang Chen rest his head on her lap, her fingers gently massaging his temples to soothe his fatigue. Even as a cultivator, he was not immune to exhaustion. Hearing her report, Jiang Chen let out a muffled hum, his eyes half-closed.

The Golden Sun Hall was the residence previously built by the Iron Butcher, later renovated by the Taiping Sect with glazed gold tiles. When sunlight hit it, it shimmered with a brilliant, golden glow, resembling a rising sun—a local wonder of the sect. Few knew that this radiant hall was, in fact, a place for corpse-rearing. It was Jiang Chen’s contingency; should the Taiping Sect face an insurmountable threat while he was away, Hongyu was instructed to release the Corpse-Fighter.

With a steady supply of Yin-Origin Stones and blood essence, combined with the innate dark energy of the hall, the Corpse-Fighter, once the Iron Butcher, had made significant progress. Ordinary early-stage Qi-Refining cultivators would be no match for him.

"Has our magistrate made any moves recently?" Jiang Chen asked idly, his mind clearing.

"None at all. According to our scouts, ever since you executed Luo Qiao with a single sword stroke, he has remained completely still, as if paralyzed by fear."

Hongyu continued her massage, offering the reply after a moment’s thought. Jiang Chen said nothing more. His body relaxed, and his breathing grew steady and rhythmic. Seeing this, Hongyu glanced at the sky outside and ceased her movements, remaining still so that he might drift into a deep sleep. As the evening light crept in, bathing them in a warm, golden hue, the world seemed tranquil and at peace.