Chapter 509: Survive a Disaster, Share the Mineral Vein (Combined Chapter)

After Song Song Qingming finished speaking, a smile appeared on his face, and he directly took out a Soul-Gathering Bowl, casting a spell to directly collect the trapped ghost cultivator into it.

"Fellow Daoist, don't, don't do this! I also know a heaven-shaking secret that will definitely be useful to you. Please spare my life! Believe me, I will absolutely not deceive you!"

"Hmph! I am a dignified Golden Core cultivator, do I still need to believe the words of someone who is willing to fall into the ghost path?" Song Song Qingming snorted coldly, and as a ball of green light was collected into the Soul-Gathering Bowl, the figure of this ghost cultivator soon disappeared in the cave.

Regardless of who this ghost cultivator was, when he saw the restriction planted on Song Song Changze by this person, Song Song Qingming had already guessed a few points in his heart about what this guy wanted to do next, but the unlucky guy hadn't had time to succeed yet.

For an old monster who speaks nonsense like this, he would definitely do anything to survive. Song Song Qingming didn't dare to be too careless, giving the other party a chance to plot against him again.

Regardless of whether this old fellow really had any heaven-shaking secrets, anyway, the initiative was now in his own hands. As long as he imprisoned the primordial spirit of this ghost cultivator, after going back, Song Song Qingming naturally had many ways to directly search his soul, and there was no need to bargain with him here.

After solving this ghost cultivator, Song Song Qingming carefully put away the storage bag under the white bone, and then drove the Chi Feng Beast to search the cave again. After finding no other abnormalities, he safely retreated to the cave entrance.

Hearing Song Song Qingming's voice transmission indicating that there was no danger, Huang Huang Siyuan and the others guarding the cave entrance put away the array flags in their hands and walked toward him.

"Husband, what was that ghost thing you fought with just now, that it could actually speak human words?"

Song Song Qingming nodded with a calm expression: "It was a ghost cultivator who had opened his intelligence, but his cultivation base was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Rest assured, that guy has already been collected by me. After going back, I will search his soul to see what kind of background this guy has."

On the day Song Song Changze chased the monster beast and jumped down the mountain stream, by coincidence, he fell near the entrance of the cave outside, and the wolf demon had nowhere to go and fled directly into the cave.

However, fortunately, this rift did not have too much impact on him. In the past few years, Song Song Changze's performance in the family law enforcement team had been quite remarkable. His combat experience in facing monster beasts and his response and decision-making when encountering things were all done quite well. He did not float his Dao heart because of Song Song Qingming's sudden coldness toward him.

"They are all clansmen of the family, why be so polite? This is just an accident. You don't have to blame yourself too much!" Seeing the remorseful look on the child's face, the several family ancestors such as Song Song Qingyu also stepped forward and comforted Song Song Changze a few words.

Just as the two were talking, Song Song Qingyu's side had also successfully unlocked the restriction in Song Song Changze's body. Before long, Song Song Changze, whose face was somewhat pale, woke up in a daze.

Just after being caught, Song Song Changze was soon planted with a restriction by the other party and fell into a deep sleep directly. It was only until now that he woke up. He, the person who induced this matter, knew nothing about what happened in the cave during these ten days, including the two major battles between Song Song Qingyu and the others and the ghost cultivators.

Since learning a few years ago that the family decided to support Song Song Yuanxue in Foundation Establishment and transferred himself to the law enforcement team, Song Song Changze had also been somewhat unclear in his heart over the years why Song Song Qingming, the family ancestor who had loved him very much, suddenly became cold toward him.

"Many thanks for the sect master's guidance, Song Changze has kept it in mind!" Hearing the words of encouragement from Song Song Qingming, Song Song Changze felt as if a cloud had been cleared in his heart, and he nodded heavily with a happy face.

After rescuing Song Song Changze, Song Song Qingming and the others returned to that place of yin spirits and directly cut off a few pieces of Yin Fire Stone with magic treasures before retreating from the ghost cultivator cave.

"Song Changze, what are you doing? Get up quickly!" Seeing the remorseful look on the child's face, Song Song Qingming reprimanded him softly, then hurriedly stepped forward to help Song Song Changze up.

Huang Huang Siyuan smiled and said: "Song Changze breaking into this place by mistake this time, if you say it is a disaster, it is also a blessing. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to find this place for a while and timely solve this group of ghosts hiding under our noses."

Seeing Song Song Qingming and several family elders bring Song Song Changze back safely, those who had been worried for a long time also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Huang Siyuan is right. Being able to survive this disaster this time, I think it is also an opportunity for you. If it is destined in your life that you really have this disaster, even if we come faster, we won't be able to save your life."

After hearing Song Song Qingyu tell him simply about what happened after he went missing, Song Song Changze also felt very guilty in his heart. With a "thump," he knelt directly in front of Song Song Qingming.

Song Song Qingming was generally very satisfied with his performance. Going out to experience more, although it would slightly delay his cultivation progress, it would certainly be of great help to Song Song Changze's Foundation Establishment in the future.

Seeing Song Song Changze wake up, besides being somewhat weak because he had inhaled a lot of yin energy automatically after staying in such a place for a long time, there were no other problems. Song Song Qingming and the others were finally relieved and showed smiles one after another.

This time, going to Mount Mount Yunwu to crusade against ghost cultivators and rescue Song Song Changze, the Song family almost dispatched all the high-tier combat power of the family, and even Song Song Xinyu, who was far away in the Xiaoyao Sect, was called back to participate. If there was any mistake, it would be a heaven-collapsing and earth-shattering event for the Song family, and it was no wonder that these people were worried about Song Song Qingming and the others in their hearts.

On the second day after returning to Mount Mount Funiu, Song Song Xinyu took the initiative to come to the top of the mountain to say goodbye to Song Song Qingming, intending to return to the sect to close-door cultivate and recuperate from the injuries on his body.

Song Song Xinyu and Song Song Qingyu were both injured in this battle. Although the injuries were not serious and would not affect their Dao path, they still needed to close-door cultivate for some time to recover, so Song Song Qingming did not open his mouth to keep him for a few more days.

"Song Xinyu, you have worked hard these few days. On your way back to the sect, bring this back to the sect master senior brother and let him send a few people to see if that mineral vein is worth mining." After Song Song Qingming finished speaking, he took out a cloth bag that had already been prepared and handed it to Song Song Xinyu.

Besides a piece of Yin Fire Stone brought out from the ghost cultivator cave, Song Song Qingming also specially stuffed one thousand spirit stones into it to reward Song Song Xinyu for his contribution to the family this time.

"This, Seventh Uncle, why is this..."

"Sigh! These are all given to you by the family. You were injured this time because of family matters, and it is only right for the family to give you some spirit stones as compensation. Listen to me, don't decline, just accept it."

To tell the truth, before Song Song Qingming returned to the family, when Song Song Qingyu and the others encountered that Golden Core Ghost King, if it weren't for the second-tier array borrowed from the sect by Song Song Xinyu, they would probably have been unable to retreat safely when they entered the ghost cultivator cave for the second time.

Including the battle to completely eliminate the ghost cultivators for the third time, Song Song Xinyu also contributed a lot and was injured because of it. Even if the family was in difficulty, it still needed to express itself, so as not to let these clansmen who joined the sect feel cold-hearted.

"In that case, Song Xinyu thanks Seventh Uncle!" Seeing Song Song Qingming so insistent, Song Song Xinyu didn't decline anymore and accepted the spirit stones with a smile.

Song Song Qingming nodded with satisfaction and said: "When you are in the sect, you should also pay attention to Song Yuanrong and the others. Those children were all sent to the sect with my nod back then. If there is anyone among them who still has the path of Foundation Establishment, the family will naturally not ignore them. When the time comes, remember to send me a message."

"Seventh Uncle, rest assured, nephew will not forget these things. I know the teachers of the few clansmen who joined the sect. It is not difficult to take care of them in the sect. With me here, you can rest assured."

After giving Song Song Xinyu a few instructions, Song Song Qingming personally sent him out of the door. It was not until he saw Song Song Xinyu turn into a sword light and disappear into the sky that he turned and went to Song Song Qingyu's cave dwelling on the top of the mountain.

Just after walking into the door, Song Song Qingming unexpectedly saw Huang Huang Siyuan also here. The two looked as if they were drinking tea and chatting, but Song Qing unexpectedly smelled a familiar fragrance.

Song Song Qingming said with a straight face: "I thought you were in seclusion to recuperate,

"Alright then, Song Xinyu thanks Seventh Uncle!" Seeing Song Song Qingming's insistence, Song Xin'yu did not stand on ceremony further and accepted the spirit stones with a smile.

Song Song Qingming nodded with satisfaction and said, "When you are in the sect, you must also keep an eye on Song Yuanyuan and the others. I was the one who nodded to send these children to the sect back then. If any of them still have a path to Foundation Establishment, the family naturally won't ignore them. Remember to send me a message when the time comes."

"Seventh Uncle, rest assured. This nephew will not forget these matters. I know the masters of the several clansmen who have joined the sect, and it won't be difficult to look after them within the sect. You can rest easy with me there."

After giving Song Xin'yu a few instructions, Song Song Qingming personally saw him out the door. Only after watching Song Xin'yu transform into a streak of sword light and disappear into the horizon did he turn around and head to Song Song Qingyu's cave dwelling on the mountaintop.

Just as he walked through the door, Song Song Qingming was surprised to see Huang Huang Siyuan also there. The two looked as if they were sipping tea and chatting, but Song Song Qingming unexpectedly caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance.

Song Song Qingming said with a straight face, "I thought you were in seclusion healing your injuries. I didn't expect you to have gotten your hands on something delicious behind my back again?"

"Sister Song Qingyu was injured this time, and I happened to have a spirit item useful for injury recovery, so I brewed a bowl of soup for her. You came at the right time, let's taste it together!" As Huang Huang Siyuan spoke, she opened the medicinal soup on the side and ladled a bowl for Song Song Qingming, who had just sat down.

"Sister-in-law, you really know how to handle people. You clearly said you were sending it to me, but as soon as Seventh Brother arrived, you immediately changed your mind. You've sent one gift to two people this time; you've really made a killing!"

Huang Huang Siyuan smiled and shook her head, saying, "If you like it, I'll make a trip to Qinghe Market in a few days to get some materials, and I'll make two more portions for you, alright?"

"Hehe! Don't joke around, I wouldn't dare monopolize your fine craftsmanship. Seventh Brother, with Song Xinyu leaving in such a hurry, did you remind him about the Yin Fire Stone vein, telling him not to let it slip after he returns?" Seeing that Huang Huang Siyuan was feeling a bit embarrassed, Song Song Qingyu changed the subject and looked at Song Song Qingming on the side.

Song Song Qingming, who had taken a sip of the medicinal soup, gently set down the jade bowl in his hand and said slowly, "No need. I have already instructed him to inform the Sect Master Senior Brother directly after he returns. I estimate the sect will send people over before long."

"If there really is a Yin Fire Stone vein in that cave, its value is not something an ordinary vein can compare to. If we just hand it over to the sect like this, I'm afraid we might not get many benefits. Seventh Brother, why don't you reconsider!"

Song Song Qingming nodded calmly and replied, "I have already thought about this over the past two days. That place is deep within Mount Mount Yunwu and too far from the family's territory. There are still many second-tier or higher demonic beasts roaming about. Regardless of whether it is a vein or not, we cannot manage to mine it alone in the short term.

Moreover, Yin Fire Stone ore cannot be approached by mortals for long periods; it requires a large number of cultivators to mine. These are also a significant burden for the family right now. We cannot just look at the immediate benefits; we must act according to our capabilities. No matter how fat this piece of meat is, we must have the ability to eat it, otherwise, if we overeat and hurt ourselves, the loss will outweigh the gain."

Upon hearing this, Song Song Qingyu sighed and said, "This is indeed a trouble. Low-tier cultivators are easy to handle; we can directly recruit them from the vassal families below and give them a little sweetness, which is not difficult.

The only issue is that the location of the mine is truly too remote. Without three or five Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed there year-round, I'm afraid it will be hard to maintain peace. We would also need to cultivate a second-tier mid-grade or higher spirit vein, which is also a significant investment."

Hearing Song Song Qingyu mention the spirit stones that needed to be invested, Song Song Qingming also nodded helplessly. The reason he decided so quickly this time to inform the sect directly was also because of these considerations.

During these few months in the Wu Kingdom, Song Song Qingming had almost emptied the family's Treasury Pavilion to purchase spirit items and still owed several Foundation Establishment cultivators like Song Song Qingyu quite a few spirit stones. Now, not only could he not produce many spirit stones himself, but the family's treasury was also empty. Relying on the family to save up enough spirit stones to invest in mining would take who knows how long.

Although the Song family was already a Golden Core family and had the right to directly mine any new veins discovered within their territory, because the situation of this vein was quite special, Song Song Qingming decided to notify the Xiaoyao Sect after careful consideration.

"Instead of sitting and watching a golden mountain that we can't get to, it's better to give up some benefits and share them with the sect. This can improve our relationship with the sect and is the best choice for the family at the moment.

But it's still a bit early to talk about this. We have to wait for the sect to send people over to confirm the reserves of this vein before we can discuss the subsequent matters with them."

Song Song Qingyu nodded and said, "That's true. But that place has such heavy Yin energy that it could give birth to a Golden Core Ghost King. I think we shouldn't have worked in vain this time!"

Only a few days after Song Xin'yu left, the Xiaoyao Sect quickly sent two professional second-tier spirit-prospectors to the Song family. Upon learning this news, Song Song Qingming personally went to the family's council hall.

"Disciple pays respects to Uncle Song!" Seeing Song Song Qingming walk in, the two Xiaoyao Sect disciples hurriedly bowed and saluted.

Glancing at the two, Song Song Qingming discovered that he had met one of them years ago. This person had participated in the survey of the Wang family's Geng Gold mine at Mount Mount Fengtou and was now a veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Xiaoyao Sect.

The profession of spirit-prospector, much like that of a formation master, relies heavily on individual talent and is very rare in the cultivation world. The Song family had tried to cultivate a few over the years, but unfortunately, apart from one person in the "Yuan" generation who successfully entered the field, they had yet to cultivate a second spirit-prospector.

"Huang Siyuan, Song Yuanfang, and Song Yuanxi, you just come with me this time. Others should go back to their own business!" After chatting for a while with the spirit-prospectors sent by the Xiaoyao Sect, Song Song Qingming took out the "Phantom Boat" and led everyone to the ghost cultivator's cave dwelling in no time.

After checking that the formation restrictions at the cave entrance had not been damaged, Song Song Qingming felt relieved and led everyone into the cave to survey the mine.

Song Song Yuanxi, who accompanied them this time, was currently the Song family's only spirit-prospector. Although his cultivation talent was not high—he was only a four-element spiritual root cultivator—he did have some talent in spirit prospecting. In the dozen years since becoming a spirit-prospector, he had helped the family find a small black iron mine.

Song Song Qingming quite liked cultivators like Song Song Yuanxi, who could make significant contributions to the family despite having average cultivation talent. As long as they could successfully cultivate to the ninth layer of Qi Condensation before the age of sixty, the family would consider them more when it came to competing for Foundation Establishment pills in the future.

After the two Xiaoyao Sect spirit-prospectors spent half a day working, they finally had a roughly accurate result regarding the Yin Fire Stone vein.

"Reporting to Uncle Song, the reserves of this Yin Fire Stone vein are very large, enough to be mined for at least three hundred years. The quality of the ore outside is also very good. If we fix the investment at one hundred Qi Condensation cultivators to mine the ore, after deducting costs, it is estimated that we can mine ore worth about four thousand spirit stones per year."

"Oh! Then this vein is indeed worth mining. Thank you for your hard work!" Hearing the report from the Xiaoyao Sect spirit-prospectors, Song Song Qingming was very satisfied and even rewarded each of them with one hundred spirit stones.

An annual income of four thousand spirit stones from this "Yin Fire Stone" vein, while not comparable to the Geng Gold mine discovered by the Wang family back then, could still be considered a rare large-scale vein in Jiangling County.

Even if they cooperated with the Xiaoyao Sect to develop it, the Song family should still be able to receive quite a few spirit stones every year. Having such a stable income was indeed a timely help for the Song family, which was currently short on spirit stones.

After determining the reserves of the "Yin Fire Stone" vein, Song Song Qingming, who had returned to Mount Mount Funiu, immediately used a second-tier ten-thousand-mile sound transmission talisman to inform the Xiaoyao Sect and invited them to send people over to discuss how to mine the vein together.

Soon, Chen Chen Xuanxin arrived at Mount Mount Funiu with a letter from Sect Master Yao Yao Ganshu and five or six Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Junior Brother Song, before I came, Sect Master Senior Brother specifically instructed me about this matter. If you want to mine this vein alone, you can. The Merit Pavilion of the sect will send people to purchase all the ore uniformly. However, you will need to concede a portion of the price, as the sect also needs to invest some costs in processing these ores.

If Junior Brother Song is willing to cooperate with the sect to invest in mining the spirit mine, you and I can split it 60-40, and the sect's Merit Pavilion can cash out all the mined ore for you at market price!"

Among the many Golden Core cultivators of the Xiaoyao Sect, Chen Chen Xuanxin had a relatively straightforward personality. As soon as he saw Song Song Qingming, he got straight to the point and stated all the conditions offered by Yao Yao Ganshu.

Looking at the letter in Yao Yao Ganshu's hand, Song Song Qingming pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, "Senior Brother Chen, my thought is still to follow the second plan.

It's just that you know I spent quite a few spirit stones when I went to the Wu Kingdom last time, and the family's current stock of spirit stones is not much. Can we invest less in the early stages, and then deduct it from our annual earnings once the mine is operational? Do you think this is feasible?"

"Junior Brother Song is willing to cooperate with the sect to mine the vein, which shows you are a person of great understanding. I can make the decision to agree to your request. The sect will help you cover thirty thousand spirit stones for the initial investment, and it will be paid off in ten years after the mine is operational. Do you have any objections to this arrangement, Junior Brother?"

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother Chen!"

Seeing that Chen Chen Xuanxin agreed to his suggestion without a second word, Song Song Qingming felt a surge of joy and hurriedly stood up to bow to him.

"Junior Brother Song, don't be so polite. Besides representing the sect to negotiate with you about the Yin Fire Stone vein, I also have a personal matter I would like to discuss with you. I hope you won't mind later."

Hearing Chen Chen Xuanxin suddenly say this, Song Song Qingming was somewhat surprised. He immediately sent a secret sound transmission to Song Song Yuanfang, who was standing nearby, telling him to dismiss everyone else in the council hall.

After only Song Song Qingming and himself were left in the council hall, Chen Chen Xuanxin stroked the beard at the corner of his mouth and asked directly, "Before I came, I heard that Junior Brother Song killed a Golden Core Ghost King at the Yin Fire Stone vein. I wonder if you have obtained a ghost core in your hands now."

Hearing Chen Chen Xuanxin suddenly ask about the ghost core, Song Song Qingming was also somewhat surprised. He nodded and said, "Senior Brother Chen is right. After killing that Ghost King that day, I did indeed obtain a black inner core.

However, I haven't seen this item elsewhere before, so I'm not sure if it's a real ghost core. Since Senior Brother Chen asked about it today, you must recognize it. I hope Senior Brother can help me take a look!"

After saying this, Song Song Qingming wiped his right hand across his waist and took out a red jade box. After opening it, a black sphere flickering with spiritual light appeared before Chen Chen Xuanxin's eyes.

"Indeed, I saw this item elsewhere many years ago. It is exactly the ghost core that only a Golden Core Ghost King possesses." Seeing the black sphere in Song Song Qingming's hand, Chen Chen Xuanxin immediately confirmed it in a low voice, his face showing a hint of joy that was hard to conceal.

(End of chapter)