Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 103 - 81 Ghost Sparrow! [Thanks to ’New Year’s Eve Baby’ for the 50,000 tip]

Chapter 103: Chapter 81 Ghost Sparrow! [Thanks to ’New Year’s Eve Baby’ for the 50,000 tip]

Muhua County City.

Several months ago, Muhua County City was seized by the Golden Sun Sect, but the eastern half of the county still remains under the control of the Wusheng Sect.

Thus.

After the Martial Alliance was established, the County Government was used as the dividing line, with the two sects occupying the east and west respectively. Without anyone claiming ownership of the County Government headquarters, it was temporarily designated as the Martial Alliance’s provisional headquarters. The official headquarters, however, is located north of Muhua County City, at the intersection of Jianling, Liding, Muhua, and Yangshuo counties. The construction will take some time, so for now, they are making do with the Muhua County Government.

On this day.

Mu Junxiong, Wang Quan, and Xue Zhong, the three Alliance Hierarchs, gathered in one place. Present with them was a middle-aged man dressed in a long robe with a cold and stern expression. He was the very first Guest Elder appointed to the Martial Alliance—

’Yang Xiu.’

By convention, the Alliance Hierarchs are the figures of highest respect within the Martial Alliance, while Guest Elders hold status merely equivalent to the ranks of Elders and Protectors.

Yet now.

Within the back office, Mu Junxiong, Wang Quan, and Xue Zhong sat before ’Yang Xiu,’ all with evident signs of deference.

Not for anything else.

Simply because this ’Yang Xiu’ was Chen Jichuan.

Chen Jichuan, having encountered countless figures in the Da Liang World, had perfected the Transformation Technique, allowing him to change his appearance at will. Not only were there no flaws in his external transformation, but his inner aura and demeanor were meticulously precise and appropriate.

He disguised himself as ’Yang Xiu,’ adopting the identity of the ’69th in the White Jade City’s Liang Building Earth Evil Sequence.’ Through both coercion and bribery, he subdued Mu Junxiong and the others.

Within five months.

Publicly and covertly, he nearly wiped out all top fighters and senior figures of the Wusheng Sect and the other two factions.

His methods were bizarre.

His disposition was extraordinarily ruthless.

Truly enough to instill fear and dread.

Given their meeting with him, the three naturally behaved cautiously and respectfully. Let alone the fact that standing behind ’Yang Xiu’ was the power of White Jade City. Within its ’Five Cities and Twelve Towers’ lay countless elusive masters, heightening their intimidation further.

However, unbeknownst to the three, all the Heavenly Gang and Earth Evil Sequences that had appeared so far within White Jade City had been acted by Chen Jichuan alone.

...

"The three factions must act swiftly in uniting; currently, outsiders in Shi’an County are likely still reacting too slowly. Nonetheless, we can’t afford to be careless. The ’Three Mountains Army’ should be formed as soon as possible. Since there has long been grievances and rivalry among the soldiers of the three factions, this time we can recruit more fighters from the civilians to lubricate and buffer the situation, lest our own side descends into chaos first."

Since the establishment of the Martial Alliance, Chen Jichuan has firmly controlled its trajectory. Every major decision has been proposed and finalized by him.

Three Mountains, Six Ministries.

The latter is modeled after the Six Ministries of Great Chu, but with key distinctions. These divisions include ’Military, Personnel, Revenue, Logistics, Judiciary, Industry.’ The Personnel and Revenue Ministries are self-explanatory, while the ’Military Department’ is specifically designed to adapt to local circumstances, integrating, regulating, and cultivating all martial artists within Shi’an County.

"Knights violate prohibitions through their martial skills."

If martial artists remain unchecked, it’s beyond hope for maintaining public order; even drafted laws would be trampled upon.

Thus.

From the very beginning, the power of martial artists must be constrained within a framework.

The Martial Alliance’s various laws and regulations impose numerous requirements on martial artists. While their authority and benefits exceed those of ordinary citizens, so do their obligations, with any law-breaking strictly forbidden.

The countless detailed articles of the Martial Alliance laws were drafted by Legalist scholars invited by Chen Jichuan from the Da Liang World, who dedicated over ten years to the task.

It could be said to be comprehensive.

Thorough considerations were made regarding Shi’an County’s culture, customs, and other aspects—striving not for perfection but for maximum appropriateness.

Moreover, the finalized Martial Alliance laws were divided into three versions, ranging from simplified to comprehensive, providing sufficient time for Shi’an County civilians and martial artists to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the law.

Outside the Six Ministries.

He formed the ’Three Mountains Army’ to replace the former regular armies of the Wusheng Sect and other factions, aiming to fully integrate the three groups’ military power into the Martial Alliance.

Of course, considerable challenges arose.

Yet, awareness of peril still took precedence; the rapid formation of the Martial Alliance undoubtedly caught many unprepared.

Nevertheless, to achieve the formation of the Alliance and ensure its utility, how many elite figures among the three factions did Chen Jichuan secretly eliminate?

In terms of top-tier masters, excluding Chen Jichuan, the Martial Alliance of today falls short compared to the Wusheng Sect merely five months ago.

Chen Jichuan’s division of the Six Ministries, formulation of laws, and assembly of the Three Mountains Army weren’t aimed at external aggression. They were merely means of swiftly consolidating the Alliance’s strength.

All for a better hold on the Black Prison and Water Mansion, securing a stable and abundant Source Power supply.

"Currently, approximately two Spirit Stones can be mined daily from the Black Prison. As instructed by the master, all Spirit Stones will be temporarily withheld from distribution to the lower levels."

"From Lishui Water Mansion, approximately fifty Bivalve Pearls are mined every ten days. Previously, half of these were ground into powder for cultivating crops to supply the Lishui Gang and the civilians across three counties. Cutting off that supply is likely to cause disturbances."

Mu Junxiong and Wang Quan reported while simultaneously pulling out cloth bags.

Chen Jichuan took them and opened them.

Inside Mu Junxiong’s bag were twenty-three Spirit Stones. Inside Wang Quan’s bag were over sixty Bivalve Pearls.

All of this was the ten-day yield.

"Far too low."

"Henceforth, all Bivalve Pearls from the Water Mansion must be presented in full; stop grinding them for crop cultivation. If there’s insufficient grain, recruit more farmers and improve ’Hidden Peach Valley’ farming by closely coordinating efforts between the Revenue and Industry Ministries to enhance food production. Work on water conservation and agricultural techniques must be prioritized."

"Moreover, the management of the Black Prison and Water Mansion is far too loose. I dare say that more than half the Spirit Stones and Bivalve Pearls from both locations have been embezzled by those parasites. Such issues must be thoroughly investigated and eradicated!"

Times have changed.

Previously, while enemies with the Lishui Gang and the Wusheng Sect, Chen Jichuan secretly manipulated events, enlisting Sheng Dayang, Fang Dong, and others to steal Spirit Stones and Bivalve Pearls from the Black Prison and Water Mansion.

Now that the Martial Alliance has been established.

The Black Prison belongs to him.

The Water Mansion belongs to him.

There’s no need to continue stealing, yet the yields haven’t significantly increased. How could Chen Jichuan not know what’s going wrong?

It’s nothing more than entrenched corruption, with interest groups already well-established.

An axe to grind cannot hold.

At any rate, Chen Jichuan felt no need to recognize actions of the past. However, anyone attempting to undermine him now, to siphon off his Spirit Stones—such behavior is absolutely intolerable!

Strict investigation and harsh penalties must follow.

"I will personally conduct an inquiry once I return," assured Mu Junxiong with uncompromising determination and solemnity.

Wang Quan, in his forties, also nodded sharply at Chen Jichuan: "Rest assured, my lord, I too will root out every audacious parasite who dared to act against us."

"Hmm."

With their pledges, Chen Jichuan’s anger subsided somewhat. He then turned to Mu Junxiong: "The Black Prison is vast, spanning thousands of miles, and might contain more than one Spirit Stone mine. You must mobilize capable masters for a thorough investigation—"

While speaking.

Chen Jichuan suddenly felt an eerie sensation, a distinct sense of being watched.

Initially preoccupied with the theft of his Spirit Stones and Bivalve Pearls, he hadn’t paid much attention, but with the subject shifted, the sensation became intensely vivid.

His gaze swept about.

The room contained only the four of them; the doors and windows, though open, revealed no additional presence.

"Strange."

"Where is this feeling coming from?"

Having mastered Soul Emergence and Transforming Strength, reaching the Innate state of creation, Chen Jichuan possessed keen senses, clearly superior to Eighth Rank and Ninth Grade Grandmasters—there could be no mistake.

Feigning calm, he covertly searched.

Ultimately, his attention locked onto a thrush perched upon the plum tree in the courtyard behind the office.

"It’s you?!"

Chen Jichuan’s brows furrowed sharply. With a light squeeze of two fingers, he snapped a piece of wood from the chair’s armrest. Transforming Strength surged forth, and he launched the fragment forcefully—

Crash!

The thrush was startled, taking flight in an attempt to evade. Flapping its wings, it seemed intent on fleeing high into the sky.

"Trying to escape?"

Chen Jichuan sneered, standing abruptly. The eruption of his energy as a Transforming Strength Grandmaster was so overwhelming that it left Mu Junxiong and the others with chills running down their spines.

"Such power!"

"Irresistible!"

The same thought arose simultaneously in their minds.

Looking back, the ground beneath them bore visible impressions from Chen Jichuan’s forceful steps. Moving with such explosive energy, he swiftly crossed the courtyard.

Channeling his strength, he kicked seven or eight stones consecutively, their trajectories slicing through the air, locking the thrush’s flight path in every direction.

"Chirp~"

"Chirp~"

The thrush let out urgent cries, frantically beating its wings to escape, but how could it compare with the speed of the stones? Its wings spread taut only to be struck by one of the incoming projectiles.

It fell directly to the ground.

Chen Jichuan vaulted atop the roof, maneuvering through the architecture and seized the thrush within his grasp. Using ’Insight,’ he examined it—

Name: None (Ghost Sparrow)

Age: 6

Level: 6

Talent: Reconnaissance (6), Ghost Face (6)

...

Spirit Beast: Ghost Sparrow

Grade: 0

Description: Ghost Sparrows resemble common thrushes but can manifest ghostly faces to frighten observers. They are capable of emitting black clouds and retaining visual and auditory impressions of recent scenescapes and events. Typically kept by minor-level cultivators for intelligence reconnaissance and route exploration.

...

"Ghost Sparrow."

"Reconnaissance."

With the Ghost Sparrow firmly caught, Chen Jichuan noticed its wings were twisted from the impact, causing it to chirp in distress. Occasionally, it altered its visage into that of a menacing ghost, roaring threateningly in an attempt to intimidate him.

Such tactics might work against the faint-hearted, but Chen Jichuan had tangled with genuine evil spirits before; this was nothing worthy of his fear.

Utterly unimpressed.

"Daring to spy on me?"

"You’ll pay with everything you’ve got!"

Holding the Ghost Sparrow captive, Chen Jichuan didn’t bother returning to the County Government. Darting through the city streets, he swiftly vanished into obscurity.

...

Haitang Mountain, concealed grounds.

Ascending the Dharma Platform, Chen Jichuan placed the Ghost Sparrow at its center. The captive creature squirmed continuously, still attempting escape. Chen Jichuan performed Gang Step movements, extending his hand to draw a circle around the Ghost Sparrow while chanting a spell: "One, two, three, four, five; gold, wood, water, fire, earth. You come, I don’t depart. If strangers arrive unaware, this circle shall exceeding encompass them. Should intruding beings step inside, they are confined to silence. May this binding be an unyielding burden, summoning the Southern Dipper Six Stars and the Northern Dipper Seven Stars. By the command of the cloud-bound Immortal Master, urgent as the law decrees."

The circle emitted golden light.

Immediately, the Ghost Sparrow was restrained, unable to move. This was the ’Root Fixing Technique,’ also known as the ’immobilization technique.’ Once firmly anchored, the physical body remains immobile, and external forces cannot intervene.

In myth.

Sun Wukong, protecting Tang Monk, had once deployed this technique, instructing the monk to stay within the circle. As long as he didn’t leave its bounds, it was stronger than walls of copper or fortified armor. Feral beasts and monsters dared not approach.

Tang Monk, ignoring instructions, stepped outside the circle and subsequently fell prey to demons.

Chen Jichuan’s ’Root Fixing Technique’ bore similarities to Sun Wukong’s ’Stabilization Skill.’

With the Ghost Sparrow secured, external threats were repelled.

Not stopping, Chen Jichuan continued chanting: "I summon the Ancestor of Qingqiu for dispelling. First comes the Heaven Release Master; second, the Earth Release Master. To untether wandering spirits and banish water demons, may all mountain and river entities retreat. Not one sorcerer or nefarious beast shall dare challenge me. Should blue-faced specters or pale figures attempt spells, they’ll vanish into the sea depths. Urging the Southern Dipper Six Stars and the Northern Dipper Seven Stars, under the decree of Qingqiu Ancestor, release divine soldiers with urgency as the law commands."

The ’Dispel Curse Technique’ descended.

The brilliance atop the Dharma Platform erupted chaotically, suggesting fierce confrontation. Golden light from the Root Fixing Circle resisted external forces, while the Dispel Curse Technique unraveled lingering spells.

The Ghost Sparrow, locked within, showed subtle signs of relief despite its injured wings, as though liberated from a looming burden.

"Woo~"

"Woo~"

Trapped inside the circle, the Ghost Sparrow flapped its wings and chirped, its meaning unclear.

However, Chen Jichuan had once studied thrush behaviors. When a thrush chirped "woo woo" and spread its wings, it often expressed affection or joy at meeting others, a gesture also displayed toward potential mates.

For the Ghost Sparrow, Chen Jichuan was unsure but regarded it as gratitude.

One person and one bird stared silently at each other.

Far away at Qingkong Mountain.

"Hmm?"

Tushan Ji furrowed his brow sharply, snapping his gaze westward: "’Beast Taming Technique’ has been broken?!"

...