45: Chapter 45 Luoxikou

Four years passed in a blink. On the day of Start of Spring, a hot wind blew on Baili Mountain.

From the outside, the mountain still looked bone-white. The slopes were covered in gravel with sparse vegetation, looking like a bleached bone from afar.

If one followed the mountain path inward, passed two Baishi Stone slopes, and crossed a patch of deliberately abandoned rocky ground, one could see several pockets of Spring Commencement Energy hidden in the belly of the mountain.

During these four years, the Sun Family guarded the water, the Chen Family raised herbs, and the Jiang Family farmed the fields. Almost no one left the mountain; they all focused on managing their affairs and cultivating in silence.

In the afternoon, a person rarely seen outside the mountain arrived. This man's clothes were torn on one side, and there was a knife wound on his shoulder, the blood dried to black.

Once he crossed the Baishi River, he hurried toward the mountain. When he reached the rocky ground, he suddenly heard a voice from above: "One more step forward, and it counts as trespassing."

The man stopped abruptly.

From beneath the shadow of a rock, Jiang Shoushan slowly walked out.

He was now at the Peak of the Early Stage of Qi cultivation, with a Hidden Cloud Concealment Talisman attached to his body, keeping his aura extremely suppressed. Had he not spoken, the man might not have noticed someone hiding under the rock even if he had walked within ten zhang.

The man saw the aura on him, his eyes filled with joy as if seeing a life-saving straw, and he immediately knelt down with a thud.

"Fellow Daoist, save me!"

Jiang Shoushan frowned slightly.

"Who are you?"

"Luo Qicheng of the Luo Family at Luoxi Mouth."

The man panted heavily but still forced himself to speak clearly.

"My Family was attacked by the Yao Family yesterday. The Family Head is severely injured, and the mountain protection array cannot hold on much longer. The nearby families are all far away and cannot return within a day. I remembered a cultivation Family moved to Baili Mountain a few years ago, so I came to seek help at the risk of my life."

Jiang Shoushan looked at him without answering immediately.

"I don't know what grudges your Family has with the Yao Family. My Family has no intention of getting involved in outside conflicts. You should go back."

Luo Qicheng's Face turned pale. He looked up at the mountain path, gritted his teeth, and kowtowed directly.

"Fellow Daoist, the Yao Family has developed extremely fast these years. They have already swallowed two scattered households and are now eyeing my Luo Family. If my Family falls today, the next targets will be the nearby small mountains. Baili Mountain may not be safe either."

Jiang Shoushan still did not respond.

Luo Qicheng added: "As long as the Jiang Family is willing to save us, you may choose one item from our Family treasury's Cultivation Techniques, Spells, or spiritual resources. If you think one is too little, we can discuss it after the matter!"

Jiang Shoushan was silent for a moment.

"Wait here."

Luo Qicheng hurriedly said: "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist! Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!"

Not long after, Jiang Chengning arrived.

He had also entered the third layer of Qi cultivation in these years. Although his Spring Commencement Energy was shallow, it was much steadier than back then.

Lin Suwen had cultivated to the third layer, Jiang Xingchuan had broken through to the fourth layer shortly after the Start of Spring, and Shoushan was also at the Peak of the third layer. The Jiang Family's fortune could now be formally called a cultivation Family.

Jiang Chengning stood before the rocky slope, first checking Luo Qicheng's injuries, then asked: "How many Cultivators do the Yao Family and Luo Family each have?"

Luo Qicheng hurriedly replied: "My Family Head is in the Late Stage of Qi cultivation, and the Yao Family Head is also in the Late Stage. The two Family Heads fought yesterday and are both severely injured; neither can make a move now. The Yao Family has five Middle Stage Cultivators—three at the fourth layer and two at the fifth layer."

"And your Family?"

Luo Qicheng swallowed hard.

"Originally, we had three Middle Stage Cultivators."

"Originally?"

"The Yao Family first set an ambush at Qingtong Gully and killed my third uncle. My Family Head led a counterattack, only to fall into their trap. Now, only I remain, and my younger clansman Luo Qitang is left at home to guard the array. Qitang is at the fourth layer, and there are a few Early Stage Cultivators left at home."

Jiang Chengning said: "So you broke through the encirclement, and only one Middle Stage Cultivator is left guarding the mountain array at home."

Luo Qicheng nodded, his Face gray.

He took a small box from his bosom and offered it with both hands.

"This is the deposit."

Inside the box lay a piece of green jade, the length of a thumb, looking as if it contained a tender sprout with faint Spring Commencement Energy.

"Medium Grade Start of Spring spiritual resource, Spring-Containing Jade Marrow. Please accept this first, Fellow Daoist. We will open the Family treasury again afterward."

Jiang Chengning did not take it immediately and said slowly: "I have one more question."

"Please ask."

"Are you sure the Yao Family Head is too severely injured to interfere in the battle?"

Luo Qicheng immediately said: "I can stake my life on it. I saw that battle with my own eyes; the Yao Family Head's ribs were pierced by our Family Head, and half his body was bleeding."

Jiang Chengning looked at him for a while and finally accepted the box.

"The Jiang Family can go."

Luo Qicheng bowed to the ground in immense gratitude.

Jiang Chengning continued: "But we will follow behind. You go back to lead the charge. If what you said is correct, we will make a move. If there is any falsehood, or if we perceive any danger in the situation, we will retreat immediately."

Luo Qicheng's Face changed. He opened his mouth to say something, but finally gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Fine."

Luoxi Mouth was not far from Baili Mountain.

Jiang Chengning did not call Jiang Yuhe. She had not appeared in the world for these years, focusing on closing door cultivation to polish her cultivation base; she was still the Jiang Family's trump card that could not be easily revealed. The ones leaving the mountain today were Jiang Chengning, Lin Suwen, Jiang Xingchuan, and Jiang Shoushan.

For these years, the Jiang Family had huddled on Baili Mountain, only getting fragments of news about the nearby Qi cultivation families.

Now that someone had come to their door, it was a good opportunity to observe the surrounding situation and learn some news to avoid inexplicable disasters.

The Luoxi Mouth mountain protection array was on the verge of shattering.

Outside the array, five Yao Family Cultivators were taking turns attacking the array light with Spells. Three were at the fourth layer, and two were at the fifth layer.

The leading fifth-layer Cultivator was tall and thin with cold eyes, holding a wooden ruler in his hand. Each time he struck, a new crack appeared on the array curtain.

Inside the array, Luo Qitang stood at the edge with several Early Stage Cultivators.

All of them had expressions of determination on their Faces.

Luo Qicheng walked slowly from afar. Seeing him alone, the Yao Family laughed loudly: "Why didn't you bring anyone back? Did the reinforcements think your Luo Family wasn't worth it?"

"Returning alone to die?"

The Yao Family members mocked him but did not relax their vigilance. The leading fifth-layer Cultivator raised his hand, and all five turned toward Luo Qicheng.

"Kill him."

Luo Qicheng did not retreat; he fiercely raised his blade and charged.

Seeing him return, Luo Qitang let out a mournful roar and led the few Early Stage Cultivators to charge out of the array.

The leading Yao Family fifth-layer Cultivator sneered: "Overestimating your capabilities."

He split off two fourth-layer Cultivators.

One went to intercept Luo Qitang, and one went to kill the few Early Stage Cultivators.

The Yao Family Cultivator who went to kill the Early Stage ones was stout with vigorous blood and Qi, his arms protecting his front, his protective spiritual light forming a thick shield.

He approached step by step, and the scattered Spells from the Luo Family's Early Stage Cultivators only splashed a few faint lights on him.

Just then, the protective spiritual light on his chest suddenly shattered.

A blade cut in from the shadows and pierced directly into his chest.

Jiang Shoushan appeared in front of him.

The Yao Family Cultivator reacted extremely quickly. Feeling the pain, instead of retreating, he advanced and slapped toward Shoushan's Face.

Shoushan had anticipated this, sliding backward to dodge the palm. However, the blade could not be pulled out in time and was clamped by the opponent's arms, shattering into pieces.

Half of the blade remained stuck in the man's chest, blood spurting out like a fountain.

In an instant, the entire battlefield fell silent.

Jiang Chengning and Lin Suwen walked out from behind the slope.

Jiang Xingchuan stood on the other side, his palm glowing faintly with the power of Awakening of Insects. His fourth-layer aura was revealed, and the contempt on the Faces of the Yao Family members immediately vanished.

The situation changed instantly.

The Yao Family had more Middle Stage Cultivators and still held the upper hand in strength. But the four Jiang Family members had suddenly appeared, and Shoushan had already severely injured one. If the fight continued, no one would benefit.

The leading fifth-layer Cultivator raised his hand, stopping his clansmen who were about to pounce.

"The Family that recently moved to Baili Mountain?"

Jiang Chengning looked at him without speaking.

The man scanned the four Jiang members one by one, finally stopping at the spark of lightning in Jiang Xingchuan's palm.

"I'll give your Family some Face today."

He said coldly: "My Yao Family can withdraw. But the Luo Family provoked this first, so they must offer compensation."

Luo Qitang was so angry his Face turned red.

"Do you have any shame, Yao Guanglin! It was you who ambushed and killed my third uncle!"

Yao Guanglin didn't even look at him.

Luo Qicheng raised his hand to stop Luo Qitang. His voice was hoarse as he said slowly: "We will compensate."

The Luo Family members brought out a portion of Medium Grade spiritual resources from their Family treasury.

Yao Guanglin accepted the goods and looked at Jiang Chengning again.

"Baili Mountain has just established its Family; it's best to mind your own business."

Jiang Chengning said calmly: "The Jiang Family is only acting on behalf of others today to preserve a sliver of leeway."

Yao Guanglin snorted coldly and led his men away.

Not until the Yao Family members were far away did Luo Qicheng truly breathe a sigh of relief. He turned and bowed deeply to Jiang Chengning.

"The Luo Family will remember the Jiang Family's life-saving grace."

Jiang Chengning shook his head and said: "It was just a matter of convenience; it's nothing."

The interior of the Luo Family's mountain protection array was in a mess.

Luo Qicheng invited Jiang Chengning to enter the treasury to make a selection. Jiang Chengning didn't go in immediately, only asking: "Does the Luo Family have any Foundation Establishment techniques?"

Luo Qicheng was stunned and smiled bitterly: "How could my Luo Family have such things? What our ancestors left behind are just a few paths for breaking through barriers before Foundation Establishment. Two for Start of Spring, one for Rain Water, two for Spring Equinox. As for Dao attributes, there are only Wood and Water types."

Jiang Chengning was not too disappointed and asked again: "What about Grain Rain spiritual resources?"

Luo Qicheng thought for a moment and said: "There are three left. One Medium Grade, two Low Grade. If the Jiang Family wants them, I will fetch them now."

He quickly ordered someone to bring out three small boxes.

The Medium Grade one was called Lin Stone, gray-blue, heavy and moist to the touch.

The two Low Grade ones: one was called Rain Mud Bead, which echoed with a faint sound of water when held in the hand. One was called Green Lin Leaf, the leaf never withering all year round.

Jiang Chengning accepted these three spiritual resources but pushed the previously accepted Spring-Containing Jade Marrow back.

Luo Qicheng shook his head hurriedly.

"How can this be? If not for the Jiang Family, the Luo Family wouldn't have survived today."

Jiang Chengning said: "The Jiang Family only borrowed the momentum; there was no bloody battle. Taking too much makes me uneasy."

Luo Qicheng tried to decline again.

Jiang Chengning spoke gently, suggesting: "This Spring-Containing Jade Marrow will be exchanged for a piece of information from the Luo Family."

"Please tell me."

"The background of the nearby Qi cultivation families, the number of Cultivators, who they are attached to, what kind of barrier-breaking techniques they have before Foundation Establishment, and if they have any Dao attributes, write it all down clearly."

Luo Qicheng was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "In a few days, I will send someone to Baili Mountain."

Jiang Chengning bowed.

"Many thanks."

On the way back to Baili Mountain, the sky was already dark. Further behind, Sun Changshui brought Sun Jingxiu, and Old Crow Chen was also trailing behind.

This was Jiang Chengning's arrangement; to be fully prepared, he had called upon the Sun and Chen families to back them up. Chen Xiaoyan was not called because she was in closed-door cultivation breaking through to the third layer.

Jiang Xingchuan walked in front and couldn't help but whisper: "Dad, did we make a name for ourselves this time? But isn't being famous a bad thing?"

Jiang Chengning said: "If we hadn't saved the Luo Family, we wouldn't have been able to hide. Now, using the Luo Family as a buffer zone is actually more beneficial for our concealment."

Jiang Chengning looked at the shadow of Baili Mountain in the distance.

"At the same time, we reveal a bit of our shadow to tell the other families that we are not something to be easily trifled with."