Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 237 - 237 236 Independent Jiang City

237: Chapter 236: Independent Jiang City 237: Chapter 236: Independent Jiang City Luo Linwang and Rao Zongzhi suddenly realized that their guide, Hou Niao, had disappeared.

He left a note saying he was going out to visit friends and then vanished without a trace.

Neither of them was worried; both were cultivators with substantial strength and extensive experience, capable of taking care of themselves.

They were not children who needed someone to follow and protect them.

In fact, they had spent the day doing their own things, only meeting in the evening to have a drink together.

Most of the time, they acted independently, which was no different from Hou Niao’s departure.

Sword cultivation in Daoism is such that the more one cultivates, the more solitary one becomes.

…Divine City, the capital of Anhe, a formidable city famous in the Southwest, leads one of the five provinces of Anhe Country.

Although it is the smallest in area, it is the wealthiest.

Surrounded by a dozen smaller cities, each economically developed and uniquely characterized.

One of these cities is located by the Qingcang River, bustling with land and water traffic, and it is known as Jiang City.

To settle down and thrive in Jiang City, one must possess substantial strength.

Wealth, status, or being a cultivator, at least one of these is a must.

Today, inside the best located neighborhood of Jiang City, Lijing Lane, the Xie family mansion was newly completed.

The celebration attracted numerous guests, and the area was packed.

The residence was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, fireworks and firecrackers lit up the sky, and the sound of gongs and drums filled the air.

The Xie family, originally a rural wealthy family from the outskirts of Jiang City, who usually had to bow and scrape when dealing with people in the city, had suddenly risen in fortunes.

They had the audacity to buy land and build in the expensive Lijing Lane and establish a household.

Without substantial strength behind them, no one would even think about it.

In such a small city, news couldn’t be kept from anyone; words quickly spread that the Xie family had a cultivator who contributed greatly to the Dao Court and would soon be put to use.

Everyone took notice but no one dared to scheme against them.

Weak in wealth?

They might bite you back.

Elevated in status?

There are always social interactions and exchanges of favors.

But if there is a promising cultivator, then no further discussion is needed.

None of the supernatural beings and spirits on the streets of Jiang City dare harbor ill intentions, except for sucking up; the only other option is, after a few drinks, to spout some bizarre speeches or curse about how one person’s rise to enlightenment elevates even their dogs and chickens.

It was mid-autumn, the geese were returning south, and an early shower had just cleared; the rain made the mansion appear even more elegant and unique, adding a beautiful scenery to the neighborhood of luxurious mansions in Jiang City.

The family servants were extremely busy.

The rural wealthy might be lacking in manners, although they invited people from various backgrounds to help, there were still frequent blunders that became the talk of the town.

But no one dared to mock them; the guests were very courteous, hiding the pride of Jiang City people deeply, showing their sincerest smiles to welcome the rise of a new prominent family.

In this world, even ordinary people were not unfamiliar with the world of cultivation; they knew if a family had a well-known and accomplished cultivator, it could at least ensure the prosperity of the family for a century.

If there were another cultivator, this family would firmly secure its place in the most influential circles of Jiang City.

The main gate was wide open, red silk and lanterns everywhere, the patriarch of the Xie family in new clothes, with his sons smiling as they greeted guests; next to them, the secretary’s hands were almost too tired to write, as they encountered a continuous stream of various gifts, most of which they had never seen or heard of before.

The old patriarch was grinning so wide that his eyes were barely visible; he never imagined he would see this day.

Those influential people of Jiang City, whom he used to kneel before in annoyance, were now one by one bringing him gifts and asking after his health as if they were old friends.

He was very aware of the reason behind all this.

“Is it really okay to not have the fourth son handle the reception?” asked the eldest son fervently.

“No need for the fourth brother to show face, why give them that satisfaction?

Father, don’t worry.

Times have changed; the Xie family is not what it once was.

With us handling it, the arrangements are already very thorough.

If the fourth brother advances further, even you, Father, won’t need to stand at the door with a forced smile.

Just sitting on the Grand Tutor’s chair in the hall, those trying to curry favor would line up from here all the way to the riverside,” replied the eldest son.

The Xie family members all laughed; the statement, though blunt, was true.

The one they called the fourth, the younger brother, was none other than Xie Chaoyang, the rising star of the Xie Family.

Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had advanced bravely and smoothly; recently, he had garnered the appreciation of a prominent figure in the Daoist Sect, who it was rumored would grant him an extraordinary opportunity, potentially allowing him to climb even higher.

Of course, they did not know the specifics of this opportunity, but judging by the enthusiastic support from the major figures in Jiang City, this opportunity must be quite extraordinary, right?

The Xie Family was really on the rise.

While the front courtyard was bustling with activity, the back garden remained quiet and still.

A Daoist stood under a transplanted pine, looking around and frowning slightly.

Although the pine was a mere mortal object, such pine trees did not grow in the soil of Jiang City; it had been transported all the way from Qianshan, and even the soil around it was from Qianshan, all to facilitate the pine’s growth.

The family did not understand why transporting this tree was so costly, but as long as he had ordered it, no one in the household dared question it.

They, of course, would not understand that this was quite symbolic, as his Daoist name was Xiaosong.

Dawn greets the light, as staunch as a pine standing tall.

However, the pine seemed to be struggling to acclimate, and he didn’t know why.

It seemed he would have to visit the Daoist Sect to find a fellow disciple skilled in spirit plants to properly nurture it; having gone to the trouble of bringing the pine here, it would be too ominous to let it die now.

His thoughts were somewhat distracted, perhaps influenced by the pine tree.

Hearing the noise outside, he pondered setting some rules within the family to maintain decorum.

With all this noise and clamor, how could they present themselves properly?

He was currently at a critical stage in the Bridge Connection Realm, just a small step away from advancing further, yet this step was the most difficult.

A respected master in the Daoist Sect had arranged for him access to the best realm-promoting Grotto Heaven in the Anhe Daoist Sect.

Once inside, he could grasp the sensation of ascending to Heaven, which would greatly aid his advancement to the Upper Realm.

Tongling Grotto Heaven was a secret treasure of the Anhe Daoist Sect that could help cultivators advance and penetrate the mysteries of Tongxuan.

It was said the success rate could increase by thirty percent, which was quite remarkable for any cultivator.

Daoist cultivators in the Bridge Connection Realm rushed for such an opportunity, but the Grotto Heaven only opened once every three years, and only nine people could enter at a time.

The availability was indeed limited.

Had he not made significant achievements, how could such an opportunity have fallen to him?

He felt some frustration every time he thought about this, tinged with guilt.

But whenever he reproached himself like this, another voice in his mind reminded him that the cultivation path was inherently a ruthless one: if you don’t step on others, they will step on you.

A sudden premonition struck him; looking up, he saw a figure clothed in black, standing on the high garden wall with a longsword on his back, radiating murderous intent with no attempt to conceal it.

And, didn’t he look somewhat familiar?

The man in black slowly drew his longsword, “Brother Xiaosong, on behalf of Daoist Chong Ling, I have come to congratulate you on your housewarming!”

With a leap, the sword flashed…

Daoist Xiaosong sighed deeply.

Retribution came too swiftly—the transplantation of this pine was too rash; it was not a problem that a Spirit Plant Master could solve, but rather a fundamental issue!

Blood splattered, and a head fell to the ground.

…Characters aligned with the wind, emotions solidify after the rain.

Unknown whose offspring he was, holding a sword, standing in Jiang City.