Chapter 142: Does the Song Family Head Want to Avenge His Son?

"It's coming, time to act!"

As Song Changning extended his arm, a long‑sword Magic Treasure shimmering with silver light appeared in his hand, and everyone watching the duel widened their eyes.

Gu Zongyuan's complexion grew even more displeased when he saw Song Changning draw the long‑sword Magic Treasure.

"Shameless! This Song Changning, so cautious, even against Bai Wuji he must use his Gu family's ancestral third‑tier artifact!"

Gu Zongyuan cursed inwardly.

Third‑tier Magic Treasures are not uncommon in places like Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Any wealthy mid‑to‑late Foundation Establishment cultivator can obtain a third‑tier Magic Treasure.

The difficulty lies in third‑tier Magic Treasures that possess sentience!

Whether they have sentience or not makes the power gap between third‑tier Magic Treasures enormous.

For a third‑tier Magic Treasure to gain sentience, it must be nurtured for years as a personal artifact by a Golden Core cultivator, allowing sentience to arise.

Magic Treasures sold on the market, or personal artifacts like those Xiao Zhangqing forcibly took from Liang Yuehua, will never have sentience.

Only when a Core Formation cultivator willingly passes on a personal Magic Treasure can its sentience be preserved, not destroyed.

For a Core Formation cultivator, a personal Magic Treasure is like a second life; aside from the inevitable transfer of lifespan to a junior, it is almost impossible to abandon.

The long‑sword Magic Treasure in Song Changning's hand is the Song family's heirloom, originally held by the family head Song Wentian.

After Song Changning completed his Foundation Establishment, Song Wentian passed it to him.

Although Song Changning, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, is far weaker than the solid Qi of the Core Formation realm and cannot fully unleash the full power of a sentient third‑tier artifact, it still lets him outpace other fully established Foundation cultivators by a wide margin.

Even when he once faced an Evil Cultivator of the Demon Cult in the Fake Core Realm, he could stall them for a long time until reinforcements arrived.

That is the source of his confidence to challenge Gu Zongyuan today! With this artifact, Song Changning is sure he can match the top Foundation talents of Xingyue Palace and the Seven Star Sword Sect, not inferior to anyone!

He didn't expect that Gu Zongyuan wouldn't act, and that Bai Wuji would jump out on his own to seek death.

"You won't show any mercy? Fine, I don't intend to show mercy either."

At the moment the silver long‑sword Magic Treasure appeared, Song Changning's massive liquid Qi surged instantly, his fully established Foundation aura displayed vividly, reaching the limit of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Immediately, an incredibly sharp silver blade flash emitted its edge.

It must be said, although this slash was still gathering momentum, its power already exceeded the Foundation limit, barely reaching the Fake Core level.

Even a Fake Core True Person, faced with such blade light, would not dare to confront it directly and would need to evade its edge.

"Brother Zongyuan, watch this slash carefully!"

Song Changning's long hair flew wildly, and at this moment he seemed like a sword immortal descending to the world.

Although his duel target was Xiao Zhangqing, since he went all out with no backup, Xiao Zhangqing was no longer his opponent.

Because this person was certain to die, with no hope of survival.

He was too lazy to glance further and instead fixed his gaze on Gu Zongyuan, the true opponent he wished to contend with.

"Hm?"

In the next instant, Song Changning sensed something was wrong.

In his perception, it seemed all things had lost their sound, eerily silent, not a single noise; he felt as if he had become mortal, his five senses dulled.

Then, an odd flute sound reached his ears! Under that flute tone, time and images seemed to halt, even his thoughts slowed.

The flute tone was filled with desolation, as if all things were withering; under its influence, his arrogance, hubris, and ambition seemed trivial, and he couldn't help sinking into it.

"No, no, no!!!"

"What is this flute sound? Get out of my way! I don't want to hear it!"

Deep inside, Song Changning screamed wildly; his cultivator's alertness warned him, yet he was powerless to react.

His Soul Transformation was not weak; as a fully established Foundation cultivator, his Soul Transformation had nearly reached the Foundation limit, and few Foundation cultivators could surpass it.

Even Gu Zongyuan, or the top talents of the two major Nascent Soul forces, might not have a Soul Transformation much stronger.

Yet at this moment, under the flute tone, his Soul Transformation felt so tiny, like an ant beneath an elephant's foot, or a tiny candle in a raging storm, ready to be extinguished.

So.

He cannot resist.

All he could do was painfully shift his gaze from Gu Zongyuan to Xiao Zhangqing.

Only then did he realize that at some point Xiao Zhangqing was holding a flute and playing it. Accompanied by the flute tone, invisible Soul Transformation energy spread toward him, completely enveloping him.

While terrified, Song Changning still tried to fight to the death, intending to unleash the attack he had already gathered, hoping that releasing it might turn the tide.

Unfortunately, he couldn't even counterattack.

Under this mournful flute tone, his surging Qi quickly calmed, and the condensed blade aura dissipated.

He could only watch helplessly as Xiao Zhangqing's flute‑finger suddenly paused, a blade of light burst forth, piercing his head, delivering a tearing pain to the deepest part of his soul, finally freeing him from the mournful flute tone, but immediately his consciousness plunged into endless darkness, fading into nothingness.

One of the dual champions of the Foundation Establishment Realm in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, the Song family's prodigy heir, Song Changning—dead!

"Stop! Show mercy!!!"

Inside Zui Xian Tower, a deafening roar came from another private room, it was Song Wentian, the Song family head watching the battle in secret.

He had been chatting merrily with the tower's proprietor, confident his son Song Changning had the victory assured, never expecting his son to suddenly hang on a thread of life.

Unfortunately, Zui Xian Tower is a massive pavilion, the whole structure guarded by a third‑tier formation; even in the Fake Core realm he could not instantly reach the scene.

In the blink of an eye, the clash between Xiao Zhangqing and Song Changning was unbelievably swift.

In barely one or two breaths, Song Changning had just gathered his blade stance and was hurling harsh words at Gu Zongyuan when, in the next instant, his head was pierced.

It was essentially an instant kill!

"Ning'er!"

Seeing Song Changning's head pierced by the sword light, his breath fading, his body collapsing limp on the ground, Song Wentian's eyes widened to the brink of tearing, and he seemed to plunge into madness.

Unfortunately, Xiao Zhangqing ignored it, merely gesturing at Song Changning's corpse, pulling it to his side, and then skillfully began to loot the body.

This Song family heir's abilities were unremarkable, but he likely carried many valuable items.

It might be richer than the spoils he claimed in the name of justice in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range!

Song Changning went to such lengths to deliver treasures to him, and he "hardworking"ly accommodated the other side; how could he not loot the corpse? The silver long sword Magic Treasure, storage bag, some accessories on his body, and other valuables were all gladly accepted. At this moment, Song Wentian finally arrived at the battlefield.

Seeing his son die an untimely death, and his belongings being plundered and then tossed on the ground like cargo, Song Wentian was overwhelmed with grief, looking like a mad demon.

As a Fake Core True Person, his terrifying aura spread oppressive, his gaze fixed dead on Xiao Zhangqing, his hoarse voice rasped each word: "How dare you kill my son?!"

At this moment.

The others only now recovered their senses from the shock.

Song Changning is dead? Song Changning is dead! So easily, without any resistance, he was killed? Who on earth is Bai Wuji? His cultivation—wasn't he only at mid Foundation Establishment? Even with a strong Soul Transformation and a trump card, how could he defeat a top‑tier perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator? There's a gap of two minor levels in between!

If we say Bai Wuji was instantly killed by a single move from Song Changning, with no resistance at all, that's at least plausible; the crowd is somewhat surprised but not overly so.

How did it reverse?

Even Gu Zongyuan and Zhu Xiaochuan in the private box now wanted to shake their heads, fearing they were seeing an illusion.

What level of Soul Transformation attack is this?

After Song Changning fell into the trap, he instantly fell silent, with no room left to struggle or resist! Gu Zongyuan's mouth twitched involuntarily.

He is confident he can defeat Song Changning, but that would require a massive battle; there's no way he could do it as effortlessly as Xiao Zhangqing.

Even a Fake Core True Person, let alone most True Persons at the early Golden Core stage, couldn't achieve this step, right?

"Captain Bai… who on earth is this deity? What Soul Transformation secret technique is he using, and how did his Soul Transformation become so powerful?"

A massive wave surged in Gu Zongyuan's heart.

At this moment he realized he had greatly underestimated Xiao Zhangqing; his earlier worries were completely unnecessary, having judged a gentleman with a petty mind.

Nevertheless, Gu Zongyuan had at least seen the world; his master is Da Yu's number one Scattered Cultivator, Character: Liyang Zhenren, in the Cultivation World. No matter how turbulent his thoughts, he barely managed to keep a calm exterior.

Seeing the head of the Song family, Song Wentian, rush into the private box, his murderous intent icy as he stared at Xiao Zhangqing with a frenzy that seemed ready to devour anyone, Gu Zongyuan stepped forward immediately: "Senior Song, what are you trying to do? You must have heard the words your esteemed son just said. Before acting, he first issued a life‑and‑death declaration: life and death are predestined, revenge is not permitted. Now the head of the Song family wants to renege? Moreover, Captain Bai is one of my Character: Liyang Guard men; before the Song head makes a move, he should think carefully whether the Song family can bear the consequences!"

At this moment, besides shock and incomprehension, Gu Zongyuan also felt a surge of exhilaration.

So refreshing!

In any case, he had recruited a powerhouse whose Soul Transformation was terrifyingly strong, capable of instantly killing a perfect Foundation Establishment master.

Originally his plans all failed, and the one who took the biggest loss was still the Song family! With Song Changning's absurd and dramatic death, the industries the Song family monopolized should now be exposed!

Now neither the Song family nor the Blood Crow True Person have any reason to trouble Xiao Zhangqing.

Even if they cause a stir with his master, Character: Liyang Zhenren, both sides would be unreasonable.

Song Wentian's Fake Core realm aura still rose and spread, his fists clenched tightly, staring intently at Gu Zongyuan and Xiao Zhangqing.

His son is dead.

The hope of the Song family he valued most is gone! At this moment he only wants to avenge his son; he doesn't care about the life‑and‑death declaration or the Character: Liyang Guard.

Even if it means a fish dies and the net breaks! At that moment, Xiao Zhangqing patted Gu Zongyuan's shoulder, indicating he need not worry.

Then, with interest, he looked at Song Wentian and said, "You are the head of the Song family, right? Do you want to avenge your son? If so, I can deem the previous life‑and‑death declaration void."

At present, given his strength, his chances against the Blood Crow True Person are not particularly high; he wouldn't dare claim a 100% kill.

But a mere Fake Core True Person is still easily manageable.

Gu Zongyuan's mouth twitched again upon hearing Xiao Zhangqing's words.

Captain Bai's way of acting truly leaves him completely unable to gauge! Yet now he certainly wouldn't, as before, consider Xiao Zhangqing reckless, mad, or unaware of death.

Even though he now faces a Fake Core True Person, since Xiao Zhangqing stepped forward to act, he will not intervene.

He still can't fathom Xiao Zhangqing's background, but the fact that he could instantly kill Song Changning already roughly indicates his strength.

Even when facing a Fake Core True Person, it wouldn't be that dangerous.

"Having issued a life‑and‑death declaration means life and death are beyond question; neither side may seek revenge."

Song Wentian painfully closed his eyes, and after a moment opened them again; the murderous intent and madness in his gaze had been reined in, the ferocious expression vanished, the boiling Fake Core magic power subsided, becoming calm.

Calm as a volcano on the brink of eruption.

He simply looked at Song Changning's corpse tossed on the ground, and calmly said, "Commander Gu, Captain Bai, may I take my son's remains?"

Song Wentian really wanted to go all out, even if it meant a fish dies and the net breaks.

But as many thoughts surfaced, recalling the Song family's thousands of members and centuries of legacy, he retreated.

His son is dead, the Song family's greatest hope is gone, but the Song family still exists.

He still has a daughter, and other clan members.

As long as he lives, even if the Song family's status is not as before, it can still rank among the ten great families.

If he were to act forcefully today without cause, the Character: Liyang Guard would inevitably intervene, and the Song family would suffer a catastrophic ruin.

And most importantly...

Thinking of his son's tragic, defenseless death just now, while his anger boiled over, he also, upon careful reflection, felt a few twinges of dread and fear.

He couldn't say what level Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation attack had reached.

Even if he wants revenge, can he achieve it? Especially seeing Xiao Zhangqing's calm demeanor that prompted him to act, identical to just before his son was engaged! "Hold back! You must re‑investigate this person's background thoroughly!"

"Wait for later, then find another chance!"

Song Wentian silently warned himself in his heart.

It's okay to go all out and risk a fish dying and the net breaking, but he's afraid the fish dies before the net breaks.

"Head of the Song family, be at your leisure," Xiao Zhangqing made a casual gesture.

He had already stripped the spoils clean; keeping Song Changning's corpse was useless.

He is not an Evil Cultivator; he doesn't need a cultivator's corpse to forge evil puppets or anything.

It was only the Song family's head's restraint that left him somewhat regretful; he didn't expect he would finally hold back.

If the other side acted on impulse...

Unfortunately, the heads of the top three among the ten great families in Character: Liyang Zhenren City likely possess many valuable items.

(End of Chapter)