Chapter 103: Securing the Vital Water Source

Upstream of the Qingyuan River, beneath the seemingly tranquil surface, countless undercurrents surged restlessly. At a certain moment, a figure moved against the flow, arriving here. Cloaked in a dark robe, an obscure layer of true energy circulated around him, obscuring his face and masking his presence.

“This should be the place.”

Carefully sensing the surroundings, the robed figure halted before the turbulent currents. After a brief moment of confirmation, a strange, mysterious light enveloped him as he stepped directly into the swirling waters. The chaotic currents tore at his form, distorting it until he vanished like a fragile bubble.

When he reappeared, he was in a peculiar realm—an enormous water bubble where invisible forces kept the river waters at bay. Inside, a clear spring flowed gently, surrounded by a layer of spiritual sand and variously shaped spirit stones.

Gazing upon the spring, the figure knew he had come to the right place.

“There are nine water vein nodes along the Qingyuan River. Although one remains elusive, finding these eight suffices.”

His thoughts shifting, the figure withdrew a compass from his sleeve, on which spiritual talismans glimmered, forming a strange array of symbols.

“Go!”

With his true energy surging, he cast the compass forth.

As it landed, the once gently flowing spring boiled violently, erupting with a power that seemed to roar like a living beast.

Not startled by the change, the robed figure remained calm; he had faced such occurrences many times before.

“The Qingyuan River is no longer what it once was. And you, being nothing but a lifeless object, lack any true spirit.”

Forming hand seals, he unleashed a mystical imprint to suppress the spring’s uprising.

A faint spiritual light dripped softly as the struggle persisted for much of the day. Under his relentless pressure, the raging spring gradually calmed, and the talisman plate fully merged with the spring’s eye.

Upon witnessing this, the figure exhaled deeply.

“The nine water eyes are originally one entity; the deeper you go, the easier the suppression becomes. The greatest difficulty lies in the first node. Fortunately, this vein was once broken, or else there would have been no chance at all.”

Circulating his energy throughout his body to replenish his strength, the robed figure withdrew his mystical imprint.

“Natural disasters compounded by human calamities—may this truly come to pass.”

After restoring much of his vital energy, he cast one last glance at the water eye before turning away from this strange domain.

Outside, none were aware of these changes. The Qingyuan River showed no visible sign of alteration; everything appeared as usual.

At this moment, the true concern among the people of Qingyuan County was the snow disaster. December had been manageable, but in January, relentless snowfalls struck, freezing many to death in various parts of the county. Fortunately, the heavens did not exact too harsh a toll. By February, the snow began to wane, with signs of gradual melting.

Sensing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Though this winter had brought damage to Qingyuan County, the overall impact was still bearable.

At the Golden Sun Hall of the Taiping Sect, gazing at the slowly dispersing heavy clouds, Jiang Chen’s mind drifted afar. Three months had passed, during which his cultivation advanced to the thirty-five meridian stage, just one step shy of the initial success of Qi Refinement.

Yet it was this very step that first brought him obstruction in his Qi Refinement path. Previously, with the superior quality of his true energy, he wielded his Qi like a sword, undefeated in all endeavors. But now, his progress was halted.

Where once the meridian barriers were as fragile as paper, easily pierced, now it was like a wall of earth, requiring patient erosion by true energy.

“Every thirty-six meridians marks a threshold in Qi Refinement. Slowly breaking through may take half a year.”

“Forcing the breakthrough might be faster, given the nature of my superior true energy. Though opening the thirty-six meridians and forming the first minor cycle doesn’t warrant undue haste.”

His thoughts turning, Jiang Chen gradually withdrew his focus.

During these three months of relentless snow, all matters seemed to slow, allowing him the opportunity to deepen his cultivation. Not only had he refined his true energy to thirty-five meridians, but he had also advanced the skills of Qi Condensation, Qi Sword Technique, and Blood Fiend True Flame Technique to minor success levels.

With a formidable spiritual force and the protection of the Turtle-Snake Heart Guard—a secret spiritual technique—distractions did not arise. In the cultivation of spells, he enjoyed significant advantages.

The essence of spells lies in the manipulation and transformation of true energy; the more profound the spell, the greater the mastery of true energy required. Such cultivation demands considerable spiritual energy.

Typically, a newly advanced Qi Refinement practitioner might manage to cultivate one or two primary spells to minor success—not a trivial feat.

“How is the situation in Qinghe County now?”

Steeling his mind and gathering his thoughts, Jiang Chen glanced at Wang Yuan, who stood nearby.

At these words, Wang Yuan immediately approached.

“Master, the heavy snow blanketed the land, and some areas in Qinghe County suffered disaster. However, our sect promptly organized guild aid to rescue and support those in distress. The situation remains stable for now. Unless the weather fluctuates again, there should be no major problems.”

His voice low and steady, Wang Yuan recounted the county’s circumstances.

Jiang Chen nodded in response.

Natural disasters are formidable, but human misfortunes can be just as terrible. In times of great calamity, hoarding and exploitation often arise. Fortunately, the Taiping Sect had prepared well and maintained sufficient control over Qinghe County to intervene promptly, preventing such occurrences.

“Make a note of those who contributed the most this time.”

His words fleeting, Jiang Chen commanded.

Wang Yuan understood that those few fortunate families had indeed been lucky. From his experience alongside Jiang Chen, he knew that few earned the master’s lasting recognition—and those who did typically faced two fates: either a swift death or meteoric rise.

“Sir, during this snow disaster, the county magistrate Liao Yonghuai attempted to levy a snow disaster tax in Qinghe County under the guise of relief efforts. However, the guild’s joint protest forced him to abandon the plan.”

Casting a cautious glance at Jiang Chen, Wang Yuan disclosed this additional matter.

Jiang Chen’s brow twitched slightly.

In the Southern Jing Kingdom, the imperial court and cultivation clans jointly govern the land, but the court’s control over distant regions like the southern four counties is limited. Given Taiping Sect’s prior influence, Liao Yonghuai should not have acted thus. Moreover, the affair ended abruptly, causing him to lose face without any apparent gain.

“Is our magistrate truly foolish, or merely pretending? Keep a closer eye on him.”

With these words, Jiang Chen turned and entered the Golden Sun Hall.

Upon sensing Jiang Chen’s arrival, a deep, guttural roar echoed from within the hall. Hearing this eerie sound, Wang Yuan silently lowered his gaze, unwilling to look further.