Chapter 157: Change in Qingyang City

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Pei Huoyu’s voice trailed off, his wife and concubines cupped their hands in joy and said, “Congratulations on your breakthrough, Husband!”

Shen Ping strode forward. Soon, he disappeared into the hall with his wife and concubines. Listening to the moving melody coming from the wooden window, Pei Huoyu was speechless.

Dao companion dual cultivation. Although she did not yearn for it, she could understand. After all, the pleasure of sex could sometimes relieve the boredom of cultivation.

However, this was the first time she had encountered a cultivator like Shen Ping who worked day and night. Even the cultivators who were good at studying this path in the Moon Lotus Holy Sect did not do it so frequently.

Suddenly, the melody became passionate. The voice sounded like she was crying. Pei Huoyu’s heart skipped a beat when she heard those unbearable words. She snorted softly and suppressed her Golden Core state of mind before walking into the quiet room.

August.

The Maple Forest Mountain Range was fiery red. It was the best time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. In the past, many cultivators would come here to admire the scenery, but this year, there were no cultivators.

The chaos in the surrounding markets intensified. There were demonic cultivators wreaking havoc everywhere. There were also various rogue cultivators who acted as robber cultivators taking advantage of the chaos. Almost every day, they could see light crossing the Qingyang Lake to escape into the city. Faced with such a situation, how could the cultivators in Qingyang City have the mood to do so?

On this day, Yu Yan said during breakfast, “Recently, there have been too many rogue cultivators in South City. Thirty percent of them don’t even have a house to rent. They can only casually find a place on both sides of the street to build a simple shed to live in. Some rogue cultivators who often buy items from our shop even asked me if 1 could open the shop at night and let them stay for a while.”

Shen Ping could not help but ask, “The situation has actually reached this stage?”

Bai Yuying hurriedly said with a straight face, “Husband, you didn’t go to South City. There are so many cultivators squeezed on the streets, and they don’t dare to leave the city. Even so, the Danxia Sect and the Acacia Faction will come every day to collect the rent of these cultivators on the streets!”

Shen Ping frowned and could not help but recall what Matchmaker Ceng had said again. Regardless of whether Ancestor Jinyang wanted to offer a blood sacrifice, the reactions of the Acacia Faction and the Danxia Sect were a little off. These two sects currently controlled Qingyang City, and there were more than ten small markets around them with Golden Core elders behind the two sects.

But in the end, they allowed the demonic cultivators of Yue Kingdom, Chu Kingdom, and Chang Kingdom to cause chaos. The more he thought about it, the more familiar he felt. He still remembered that it was the same at Cloud Mountain Parlour.

However, it was different this time.

The Danxia Sect and the Acacia Faction occupied the territory formerly under the jurisdiction of the Golden Sun Sect. If Ancestor Jinyang really broke through to the Divine Transformation Realm and returned, he would definitely settle scores with these sects first.

Therefore, there was no reason for the major sects of the twelve countries to cooperate with Ancestor Jinyang.

“Could it be that these sects know that Ancestor Jinyang has broken through and want to fish for it before leaving?” Thinking of this, Shen Ping increasingly felt that the possibility was very high. He glanced at his wife and concubines and reminded them seriously, “Yu Yan, Yun’er, don’t go to South City for the next few days.”

As long as Yu Yan and the others stayed in the small courtyard, they would be fine. His wife and concubines nodded one after another.

After the meal, Shen Ping went to the quiet room in the spirit pool to meditate and cultivate. When his spiritual roots transformed to the Heaven Grade, he only needed four hours to complete a small circulation of his cultivation technique. Compared to the second level of Foundation Establishment, the effect was much better. This undoubtedly saved a lot of time, allowing him to go to the talisman making room after noon and study the talisman scripture at noon.

Just like that, another seven days passed.

In the private room of the True Treasure Pavilion, Shen Ping and Chong Ji sat on both sides. Ever since the last banquet, the two of them had spent most of their time communicating. Occasionally, they would arrange to come to this private room to drink tea.

“Senior Chong, the surroundings of Qingyang Lake are in chaos. How’s the situation in the spiritual vein cave abode you’re in?” Shen Ping asked him.

Chong Ji shook his head helplessly. “Those demonic cultivators are really detestable. Not long after the incident at Maple Forest Lane, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect sent a team of cultivators to surround my cave abode.

Fortunately, 1 brought my disciples to temporarily stay in my good friend’s cave abode. Otherwise, I’m afraid 1 wouldn’t have been able to escape. I’ve rented a small courtyard in Huiquan Alley now, so 1’11 have to live for a long time in the future.”

Shen Ping was stunned. “Senior Chong has a grudge with the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect?”

“There are indeed grudges. When 1 first became a second-grade guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion, I once went to the Chang Kingdom and encountered something. I killed a Golden Core disciple of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. From then on, we formed grudges and have fought many times over the years.”

Chong Ji smiled and said, “Such things are very common among cultivators. The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, the Luosha Demonic Valley, and the Chu Kingdom’s Demon Sect have joined forces. I can only hide in Qingyang City and resolve some other matters.”

As the two of them were talking, Shopkeeper Qu hurriedly walked in and said with a dark expression, “Fellow Daoist Shen, Senior Chong, something happened in Qingyang City.

“Just an hour ago, the Acacia Faction invited the Golden Core elders of the Danxia Sect stationed here to discuss how to deal with the Demon Sect. However, during the discussion, the Acacia Faction suddenly activated the array that they had long prepared and surrounded the few elders of the Danxia Sect. They took the opportunity to attack the Danxia Sect’s station.

“Those Golden Core elders have already asked for help from our True Treasure Pavilion. Now, Elder Peng, Deacon Xia, and more than ten other Golden Core guest elders have rushed over. Their main goal is to mediate the grudge and stabilize the situation in Qingyang City.”

Shen Ping’s expression changed slightly.

Chong Ji frowned, “The Acacia Faction and the Danxia Sect are both large sects in Jinzhou. Although they are divided into the righteous and demonic factions, the grudge between the two sects is not big. Instead, there is much cooperation, especially when facing other sects that have always been on the same side. How could such a change happen?!”

Shopkeeper Qu sighed repeatedly. “Who knows? Sigh, ever since Ancestor Jinyang escaped, the situation in the Wei Kingdom has never been really stable. 1 hope Elder Peng and the others can successfully mediate.”

The three of them waited in the private room.

It was almost noon when Elder Peng, Deacon Xia, and more than ten other Golden Core guest elders returned. When Shen Ping saw their expressions, he understood that this mediation had probably failed.

Indeed, Elder Peng snorted, “The Acacia Faction is ultimately a demonic sect. They’re greedy and arrogant and want to monopolize the benefits of Qingyang City. They ignored our advice and killed the few Golden Core Fellow Daoists of the Danxia Sect. If this matter gets back to Jin Kingdom, how can those Nascent Soul elders of the Danxia Sect let it go?!”

Deacon Xia said in a low voice, “This matter is quite strange. The prestige of the Danxia Sect in the twelve countries is not low. If the Acacia Faction acts rashly, they will only bring disaster to themselves.”

Listening to the discussions of the Golden Core Realm cultivators, Shen Ping did not think about anything. Instead, he said goodbye to Shopkeeper Qu and hurriedly left the True Treasure Pavilion.

When he returned to the small courtyard in Tongquan Alley and saw that his wife and concubines were all there, he calmed down. Then, he asked Pei Huoyu, who was beside him, “Senior Pei, why do you think the Acacia Faction is doing this?”

Pei Huoyu said casually, “The demonic sects of the various countries are wreaking havoc outside the city, and the Acacia Faction in the city is suddenly in turmoil. This should have been discussed long ago. Their goal is nothing more than some resources and benefits. No matter what these demonic sects want to do, Fellow Daoist Shen, there’s no need to be distracted. No matter how much trouble they cause in the Wei Kingdom, they won’t be able to do anything.”

Listening to this indifferent tone, Shen Ping smiled. “With Senior Pei’s words, I’m much more at ease. However, I’ve accumulated some doubts from practicing the Talisman Scripture these few days. 1 want to go to the Little Spirit Peak at the end of the month. As for the small courtyard…”

Pei Huoyu walked into the quiet room and said, “I’ll set up some array formations for the next few days. When you leave, call Perfected Qiu over to guard the place.”

“Thank you, Senior!”

At three in the morning, in the bedroom of the small courtyard next door.

Shen Ping recounted Pei Huoyu’s arrangements. Dressed in a brown and purple palace dress, the charming and graceful Perfected Qiu leaned into Shen Ping’s arms and said softly, “I’ll listen to you. However, the situation is chaotic now. Although Senior Pei is protecting you, it’s still dangerous if you encounter a team of demonic cultivators on the way.”

Psst.

Shen Ping pulled open her palace dress. He slapped his palm. Perfected Qiu instinctively turned around and leaned against the table. He looked at the lush mountains and rivers. He lowered his waist and said, “Don’t worry, Senior Pei comes from the headquarters. Her cultivation is powerful and she has many methods. Furthermore, Qingyang City is not far from Little Spirit Peak. If there’s really a danger that’s difficult to resolve, Perfected Yun Ya will take action.”

Perfected Qiu suppressed her voice as her face flushed red. “With a Nascent Soul senior like Perfected Yun Ya taking action, I feel much more at ease.”

Facing a Golden Core Realm cultivator, Shen Ping did not need to control his Jade Bone Body. He completely erupted with his strength. Twenty minutes passed. He took a deep breath. “Let’s try the Spirit Sunflower Body again.” Perfected Qiu nodded slowly. Then, she raised her foot over the top of her head. Anticipation flashed in her eyes. “Guest Elder Shen, 1 believe you will definitely succeed this time!”

Shen Ping did not say anything. He wasn’t too confident in himself. After all, the outer body in front of him that could undergo seven transformations was rare. He adjusted his state. He suddenly stepped forward..