Chapter Ten: Unexplained Compassion, Thoughts of the Sacred Land

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Jiang Cheng earnestly finished explaining everything to his mother, finally easing her worries.
Under normal circumstances, a five-year-old mortal child’s cultivation potential cannot be measured; their bodies are not yet developed enough to cultivate.
But since the child claimed to be his disciple, she naturally accepted it. After all, the Jiang family could certainly afford to support a servant girl.
Jiang Cheng sat beside his mother’s bed, slightly lowering his head, his gaze resting on the slender hand of the little servant girl tightly clasping his own.
His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to a few hours earlier, when he passed by the southeastern corner of Lingxiao City and saw the slum there.
The dilapidated houses leaned precariously, seeming ready to collapse at any moment, the air thick with the stench of decay and dampness.
An old man curled up in a corner looked withered, his eyes hollow, as if the flame of life had already been extinguished.
Emaciated children struggled through the mud, desperately searching for scraps of food; their innocent yet stubborn eyes starkly contrasted with the surrounding deathly silence.
“The people here have never had a chance to rise; even survival is a struggle…” A pang of sorrow flashed through Jiang Cheng’s heart.
He lifted his eyes toward the gray, overcast sky, his gaze growing cold and stern: “Cultivators in this world look down on mortals as ants; noble families and sects monopolize all resources and show no mercy to the common people.”
“The cultivation world is a place of survival of the fittest, so cruel—could this truly be the only rule?”
He clenched his fist, the faces of those children with their vacant eyes flashing through his mind.
He murmured softly, “The rule of noble families and sects, bloodline and talent become everything. The seven-year talent test decides life or death for countless people; those who pass leap through the dragon gate, those who fail sink into eternal oblivion.”
Jiang Cheng recalled the many helpless families he’d seen along the way.
In an attempt to change their fate, they tried to bear children with cultivation talent.
They struggled in poverty and despair; every child born carried the final hope of the entire family, yet could also become an even greater burden.
He looked down at the little girl in his arms; her youthful yet weary face stirred a complex emotion within him.
This tiny life seemed to continuously reveal to him another side of the world—cold, ruthless, yet so real it could not be ignored.
“Since I, Jiang Cheng, have come to this world, I will never allow such rules to continue to run rampant.” His eyes blazed like swords, his voice low and resolute.
“To stand at the pinnacle, one must not only rely on strength but also change the rules and reshape the order.”
After the little girl fell asleep, Jiang Cheng immediately summoned the core members of the family for an emergency meeting.
The council hall was brightly lit, elders and pillars of the family gathered together. Jiang Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over them like a blade as he spoke gravely:
“From today onward, the Jiang family will establish a Civil Affairs Hall to aid all homeless refugees!”
The words struck like thunder, causing an uproar throughout the hall.
“Clan leader, aid the refugees? That’s millions of people!”
“These people are neither kin nor allies, utterly worthless. Why waste resources on them?”
“Clan leader, won’t this be a loss? The Jiang family’s cultivation resources are already stretched thin…”
Facing these doubts, Jiang Cheng smiled coldly, his voice full of undeniable authority: “Your vision is far too narrow!”

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An elder hesitated before speaking, “Clan leader, we do not oppose the idea, but what can these refugees bring to the Jiang family?”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes darkened sharply as he retorted coldly, “Worthless? If everyone truly were as worthless as you think, then the Jiang family would only govern a dead city!”
“Do you mean the Jiang family intends to govern Lingxiao City?”
“Besides the Su family, which controls martial training paths, there remain the Dong family for alchemy, the Cheng family for artifact forging, and the Yao family for formations. I will handle those three.”
He paused, then continued, “Within ten years, I will make the Jiang family an immortal imperial clan. Do you think this is mere bravado? The Jiang family will walk a path never before taken. To achieve the extraordinary, extraordinary measures are necessary!”
The elders were awed by his momentum, yet some still murmured doubts: “Clan leader, isn’t that goal a bit far-fetched…”
Jiang Cheng smiled softly, eyes blazing with fierce confidence: “Far-fetched? Do you think my regaining cultivation, breaking through the Profound Rune Realm and Celestial Realm, seizing the Su family’s legacy—all of that is far-fetched?”
The hall sank into a deathly silence.
Everyone was dumbfounded, no one dared to argue further.
“I do not need your understanding, only your execution.”
Jiang Cheng’s voice was cold, “First, use the Su family’s assets as the foundation to establish the Civil Affairs Hall. Let the older Jiang family members without cultivation talent take charge, assisted by legitimate cultivators to supervise the aid measures.”
He scanned the room, his tone thunderous and deafening: “From today on, no poor or lonely souls will remain in the slums of Lingxiao City! The homeless will have shelter, the sick will receive medicine, the hungry will be fed, children nurtured, and the able-bodied given livelihood. The Jiang family will not only wield power but also win the hearts of the people!”
Jiang Cheng’s words deeply moved the elders. One elder whispered, “Clan leader, if this can be accomplished, mortals in Lingxiao City will surely be grateful to the Jiang family. Moreover, those children who pass the talent test might… possibly choose the Jiang family…”
A faint smile appeared on Jiang Cheng’s lips, his gaze steady as a mountain: “You may not understand, you may distort my intent.”
“But you must carry out these orders without fail. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to witness the glorious beginning of the Jiang family.”
The elders looked at Jiang Cheng with complex emotions—reverence, excitement, and a subtle hope.
From this moment on, the fate of the Jiang family and the future of Lingxiao City would be irrevocably changed by Jiang Cheng’s determination.
After the meeting, the Jiang family swiftly mobilized.
Su Ruoxi, watching her husband’s actions, did not fully understand but, as the Empress from the Lancang Realm, she was no stranger to the wonders of the vast multiverse.
“The myriad worlds are full of wonders. The opportunity for enlightenment is a deeply personal secret. I wonder if my little husband might also be a reincarnation, just from a special realm like myself?”
The Civil Affairs Hall’s plan was quickly implemented; relief stations began to appear throughout Lingxiao City’s districts, showcasing the efficiency of cultivators in action.
Each station was staffed with managers appointed by the Jiang family, coordinating resources to distribute food, clothing, and basic medicines.
Even some shops and warehouses previously owned by the Su family were temporarily converted into relief points.
Meanwhile, the Jiang family’s Office of Affairs, authorized by Jiang Cheng, began coordinating and issuing contribution point tasks, reallocating Su family resources to support the slum’s reconstruction.
This initiative rapidly stirred a tremendous wave throughout Lingxiao City.
Slum residents transitioned from shock to gratitude, eventually becoming fervently devoted.
They spontaneously gathered before the Jiang family’s gates, bowing and singing praises of kindness.
“The Jiang family truly cares for us mortals—a great benefactor!”
“Without the Jiang family, we would only be waiting to die!”
Not only that, but other powers in Lingxiao City were also left bewildered by Jiang Cheng’s actions.
Apart from the Su family, the heads of the other three great families of Lingxiao City gathered to discuss how to respond to the Jiang family.
“The Jiang family must be mad, stealing the Su family’s wealth to aid these insignificant ants. What are they trying to do?” the Dong family head exclaimed.
“Jiang Cheng is utterly unpredictable. Does he intend to fill the clan with mortals lacking bloodline? This is utterly incomprehensible!” the Yao family head agreed.
“Could it be that they want to compete with the sect alliances for talented cultivation seedlings from the tests? This doesn’t make sense—even if these people join the Jiang family, the best talents would still choose top sects!” the Dong family head pondered.
“The Jiang family must possess some earth-shattering inheritance; otherwise, they could not squander resources so recklessly or rise so swiftly,” said the Cheng family head, a formation master at the Profound Rune Realm.
He knew more than the others because he sensed a formation of a sacred-territory level enveloping the Jiang family’s estate.
More secret information reached Linglong Sacred Ground, where a storm was brewing, and the Jiang family’s story was just beginning…
Meanwhile, the upheaval in Lingxiao City finally drew the attention of the Sacred Ground.
The Ninth Prince of Linglong Sacred Ground was currently reading a dispatch from Lingxiao City:
“To His Highness the Ninth Prince,
Your humble concubine Ningshuang anxiously reports that after three days without returning to the sect, fearing Your Highness’s reproach, I must nonetheless report this grave matter.
The Jiang family of Lingxiao City was once a commonplace clan in a remote town.
However, that waste Jiang Cheng has risen against the heavens thanks to a mysterious inheritance tower.
This tower contains countless high-grade spirit pills and can rapidly boost cultivation!
The Holy Maiden Su Ruoxi craves this treasure, willing to defy the Sacred Ground’s rules, sever ties with the Su family, and marry Jiang Cheng!
Her actions not only sully the Sacred Ground’s reputation but openly challenge Your Highness for sect resources!
Though of low status, I know this treasure, whether in Jiang family hands or seized by Su Ruoxi, will bring great calamity.
I implore Your Highness to wield your divine might and swiftly come to Lingxiao City to reclaim the inheritance tower and uphold the Sacred Ground’s honor!
Your humble servant Su Ningshuang bows deeply.”
Soon, the Ninth Prince of Linglong Sacred Ground set out for Lingxiao City, accompanied by a Profound Silence Realm elder from the Sacred Ground’s Enforcement Hall and disciples.
Thanks to Su Ningshuang’s prompt report, the Ninth Prince acted quickly.
Following him, three more lavish expeditions from Linglong Sacred Ground were dispatched.
Investigation was merely a pretense; they believed a treasure so coveted by the highest-ranking Holy Maiden Su Ruoxi, one she would break rules and pledge herself for, was worth their intervention.

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