Chapter 602: Old Friend Passes Away, Marketplace Interests (Combined Chapter)

Mount Funiu, inside the Song family's council hall.

Song Yuanfang sat in the seat of honor, discussing some issues regarding the construction of the "Red Flame Mountain" marketplace with several Song family elders, including Song Yuanxue and Song Changze.

Just as everyone was exchanging opinions, a Song family law enforcement cultivator guarding the door suddenly walked in, stepped lightly to Song Yuanfang's side, and whispered something in his ear.

Upon hearing the message, Song Yuanfang's expression shifted slightly, revealing a look of surprise. He then greeted the people in the hall and left the council hall directly.

A moment later, just as Song Yuanfang hurried back to his cave dwelling, a woman in purple robes, appearing to be in her thirties, saw his figure and immediately hurried over with some anxiety.

"Leqing, didn't I tell you? Try not to disturb us when the family is holding a council. What on earth is the matter that you had to call me back so urgently?"

Huang Leqing, wearing a smile, looked at her beloved Daoist companion Song Yuanfang before her and said helplessly: "Third Brother just rushed over from Mount Taiyuan. He has something to discuss with you. I saw that Third Brother seemed quite anxious, so I helped call someone to fetch you."

Ever since the Song family was promoted to a Jin Dan family, the Song family's status had risen accordingly. Not only the Huang family, but all the major cultivation families around Qinghe County had, to varying degrees, taken the initiative to intermarry with the Song family.

Huang Leqing, like Huang Siyuan, was also a cultivator who had married into the Song family from the Huang family of Mount Taiyuan. She and Song Yuanfang had been Daoist companions for nearly twenty years, and the two had a relatively good relationship.

"Oh! Did he not tell you what the urgent matter was? Could it be that this isn't about the Red Flame Mountain affair?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Leqing shook her head slightly and said: "It doesn't look like it. He wasn't this anxious when he came last time. I asked him just now, but he wouldn't tell me directly; he insisted on seeing you first.

If it were the same as last time, he would have told me right away. This time, it seems there is some urgent matter to find you about. Hurry and come with me to take a look."

"Very well, let's go take a look then!" Hearing his wife say this, Song Yuanfang nodded with a thoughtful expression.

Song Yuanfang and Huang Leqing becoming Daoist companions was not quite the same as Song Qingming's situation back then; it was entirely because the two took a liking to each other and voluntarily chose to be together.

Huang Leqing was a direct descendant of the Huang family's former patriarch, Huang Shengxin, and had always held a relatively high status in the Huang family. Although this woman's cultivation talent was average, she had a knack for business and, at a young age, managed many of the Huang family's industries in Qinghe Market.

Not long after Song Yuanfang reached Foundation Establishment, he also took over the management of the Song family's external industries, which is how he soon met Huang Leqing in Qinghe Market.

Although Song Yuanfang had already successfully reached Foundation Establishment at the time, Huang Leqing was still only a Qi Mount Mount Lianhua cultivator, and there was already a significant gap in their status.

However, the two shared many common views on managing family industries and would often meet to discuss issues regarding marketplace business.

Later, as their affection grew over time, Song Yuanfang asked his family elder, Huang Siyuan, to come forward and take the betrothal gifts to the Huang family, facilitating this marriage.

After the two were together, Huang Leqing quickly became Song Yuanfang's wise helper. Although she had not participated in any of the Song family's affairs on the surface over the years, she had secretly provided Song Yuanfang with many good ideas.

The idea of the Song family building a marketplace at "Red Flame Mountain" was something the couple had thought of while chatting, and when Song Yuanfang submitted this suggestion to Song Qingming, it was immediately approved and praised by the family ancestor.

After the couple spoke a few words, Huang Leqing led Song Yuanfang out of the cave dwelling and arrived at a relatively elegant courtyard not far away.

As soon as they entered, a middle-aged Huang family cultivator sitting to the side saw Song Yuanfang and his wife, and immediately stepped forward to bow to Song Yuanfang.

"Greetings, Senior Song!"

Seeing this, Song Yuanfang waved his hand slightly and said: "There is no need for such formalities among family. Leqing said you had something to find me about this time."

The Huang family cultivator nodded upon hearing this and handed a letter directly to Song Yuanfang.

"When I came, the ancestor only told me to hurry and deliver this letter to you in person. He didn't say what it was about, and I am not clear either. You should know once you open it."

Song Yuanfang glanced at the envelope in his hand and noticed that the name written on it was that of the Huang family's Foundation Establishment cultivator, Huang Sipo.

Seeing that things seemed a bit amiss, Song Yuanfang opened the letter in front of the two of them.

After Song Yuanfang scanned the contents of the letter, Huang Leqing saw her companion's expression suddenly turn unpleasant, and she hurriedly asked with concern:

"Husband, what on earth has happened?"

Song Yuanfang slowly put down the letter, sighed, and said to the two:

"The letter says Ancestor Shengyue has passed away. It must have happened yesterday."

"What, the ancestor has passed away!" Hearing the words from Song Yuanfang's mouth, Huang Leqing and the other let out a cry of shock, and their faces immediately turned sorrowful.

——

At the summit of Mount Tuoyun, inside a cave dwelling filled with spiritual energy.

Song Qingming, standing in green robes on one side of the cave, saw a flash of spiritual light pass over him, and his entire person immediately vanished from the spot.

The next moment, Song Qingming's figure suddenly appeared out of thin air on the other side of the cave, more than ten zhang away from his previous position. A moment later, another flash of spiritual light passed, and Song Qingming appeared in yet another spot in the cave.

After changing positions more than ten times like this, Song Qingming finally stopped with a satisfied expression.

"After spending so much time, I have finally mastered this escape technique. Although it is still some distance from perfection, it is basically enough for now."

What Song Qingming was performing was precisely the secret technique he had brought back from the "Heaven-Reaching Tower" years ago: the Jiugong Meteor Escape.

After more than six years of closed-door cultivation, Song Qingming could now skillfully perform this escape technique. Now, with his escape speed combined with the "Phantom Boat," it was likely that even an average late-stage Jin Dan cultivator would find it difficult to catch up to him in a short time.

In recent years, Song Qingming had basically been in closed-door cultivation on Mount Tuoyun. Not only had he mastered the "Jiugong Meteor Escape," but his own cultivation base had also improved steadily.

Having refined the "True Water of Emerald Spirit," his cultivation speed had improved significantly compared to before, and he had also refined a third-tier "Blood Dragon Fruit" and many high-tier elixirs over the years.

The spiritual power within Song Qingming's body was now approaching the perfection of the third layer of Jin Dan. It was estimated that after another few years of polishing his spiritual power, he could attempt to break through to the fourth layer of Jin Dan.

Having reached this realm in less than fifty years since Core Formation, Song Qingming's current cultivation speed, apart from a few people with outstanding talent like Bai Yuxian in the Xiaoyao Sect, had already surpassed the vast majority of Jin Dan elders.

After putting away his spiritual power, Song Qingming sat cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and began to practice his other cultivation method, the "Heaven-Reaching Myriad Spirit Art."

Although his own cultivation and the practice of other methods were going very smoothly, Song Qingming had always been somewhat disappointed with the "Heaven-Reaching Myriad Spirit Art" he had been practicing for so long.

This cultivation method was not only somewhat painful to practice, but the progress of its cultivation speed was truly too slow, which was a great test of the practitioner's temperament.

For over six years, Song Qingming had never neglected the practice of this method, and even though he had been very diligent, he had only reached the late stage of Qi Mount Mount Lianhua so far.

Just the Qi Mount Mount Lianhua stage alone had tortured him enough; Song Qingming truly dared not imagine what this ghostly cultivation method would be like when he reached the Foundation Establishment or Jin Dan realms in the future.

In the early stages, the "Heaven-Reaching Myriad Spirit Art" had no other major use besides helping cultivators purify the spiritual power within their bodies. For ordinary cultivators, spending a large amount of time practicing this method would affect the practice of their other cultivation methods, so it was indeed not very cost-effective in the early stages.

Fortunately, Song Qingming had the help of the remnant map, and his speed of recovering spiritual power far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators.

Under these circumstances, practicing the "Heaven-Reaching Myriad Spirit Art" concurrently did not affect Song Qingming's daily cultivation or the practice of other cultivation methods and secret techniques.

It was precisely because of this that Song Qingming had been able to persist until now.

After practicing the "Heaven-Reaching Myriad Spirit Art" for a while, Song Qingming suddenly felt a ripple of spiritual power at the entrance of the cave dwelling.

Just as he opened his eyes, a yellow sound-transmitting talisman flew in front of Song Qingming. After opening it and taking a look, Song Qingming immediately stood up and opened the restriction at the cave entrance.

Before long, Huang Siyuan, dressed in purple robes, walked in with a look of sorrow.

Seeing that her expression was not very good, Song Qingming hurriedly asked: "Siyuan, what has happened?"

Huang Siyuan sighed slightly and said: "Yuanfang just sent a message saying that Ancestor Shengyue has passed away. I want to go back to Mount Taiyuan to send her off; after all, she watched me grow up back then."

Hearing the news of Huang Shengyue's passing, Song Qingming was also slightly surprised. After silently calculating in his heart, he found that her lifespan had indeed reached its end, and he could not help but sigh slightly.

Huang Shengyue was the last person in Qinghe County who was a generation older than Song Qingming. When Huang Shengyue had just reached Foundation Establishment, Song Qingming was merely an ignorant boy who had just entered the Dao.

Although her path was smooth in her youth and she reached Foundation Establishment early, Huang Shengyue's cultivation talent was average, and her cultivation base only remained at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment before she passed away; she did not reach the step of Core Formation.

In contrast, Song Qingming had performed averagely during the Qi Mount Mount Lianhua stage, and his cultivation talent was not particularly outstanding.

But after Foundation Establishment, Song Qingming's path gradually began to open up, and he soon caught up and surpassed Huang Shengyue, who had reached Foundation Establishment decades before him. Moreover, he eventually succeeded in Core Formation, stepping onto the Jin Dan Great Dao that countless cultivators envied.

"Since Fellow Daoist Huang was my old friend and the one who facilitated our marriage, it is only right that we go to send her off. Don't be anxious; I will greet Qingyu and accompany you back."

Seeing that Song Qingming was willing to accompany her back to the Huang family, Huang Siyuan felt a warmth in her heart and did not say anything more, nodding slightly.

After the two left a sound-transmitting message for Song Qingyu, who was still in closed-door cultivation, they soon set off and hurried back to Qinghe County.

In these few years, besides Song Qingming's cultivation progress, the "Hidden Origin Art" practiced by Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu was also nearly perfected.

After another year or so of polishing their spiritual power, the two could also attempt to begin closed-door cultivation for Core Formation.

Because it was Huang Siyuan's first time attempting to impact the Jin Dan realm, although she had the assistance of the "Hidden Origin Art," the chance of success would not be very high, at most around thirty percent.

Fortunately, Huang Siyuan's lifespan was still quite sufficient; she was now less than one hundred and fifty years old. Even if she did not succeed this time, she still had another chance for Core Formation, so there was no need to be too nervous about this point.

Compared to Huang Siyuan, Song Qingyu's chance of Core Formation next would be much higher. With the experience of her previous failed breakthrough and the addition of the "Hidden Origin Art," the probability of Song Qingyu's success this time should be around fifty or sixty percent.

Compared to other cultivators impacting the Jin Dan realm, this was already considered very high.

Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan first returned to Mount Funiu on the "Phantom Boat," brought Song Yuanfang and his wife along, and then the group hurried to Mount Taiyuan together.

Seeing Song Qingming, a Jin Dan ancestor, come in person, the Huang family's managers, Huang Sipo and Huang Mengde, were somewhat surprised and hurriedly came to the outside of the mountain-protecting formation to welcome them.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

"No need for formalities, all rise!" Scanning the two bowing before him, Song Qingming's gaze paused slightly when he looked at Huang Mengde.

Compared to Huang Sipo, whose cultivation prospects were average, Huang Mengde's path was much smoother. He had now broken through to the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. At this rate of cultivation, if nothing unexpected happened, he would definitely be able to reach the step of Core Formation in the future.

After Huang Shengxin passed away, although the Huang family's development speed had not been fast in recent years, compared to a hundred years ago, the Huang family's overall strength had not weakened much, and the number of cultivators and mortals had actually increased slightly.

This was mainly due to the rise of the Song family, which brought a relatively peaceful period to Qinghe County. Many cultivation families like the Huang family in Qinghe County lived much more stably and had all gained some opportunities for development to varying degrees.

After the group went up the mountain together, they first went to the mourning hall to pay respects to Huang Shengyue. Afterward, they greeted everyone, and Song Qingming accompanied Huang Siyuan to the back mountain to pay respects to her relatives.

With Song Qingming's successful Core Formation and the Song family's status rising higher and higher, the weight of Huang Siyuan in the hearts of the Huang family members had also risen to a very high level.

In recent years, the Huang family had not only rebuilt her father's grave but also created a cenotaph for her mother, who had long been forgotten by the family, burying it beside her father's grave. They had indeed been very attentive.

Perhaps because time had passed, Huang Siyuan was not as sorrowful as before when facing her parents' tombstones. With a calm expression, she burned some paper money for the two elders and said a few words before smiling and leaving with Song Qingming.

After seeing off the elder Huang Shengyue, Song Qingming took the Song family members and left Mount Taiyuan.

As the "Phantom Boat" just left Mount Taiyuan, Song Yuanfang immediately bowed to Song Qingming beside him and asked: "Seventh Granduncle, Huang Sipo just found me again and asked about the Red Flame Mountain affair.

Now that the spiritual vein there is almost upgraded, do you think we should send a message to summon them all and give them the bottom line first?"

Hearing Song Yuanfang mention "Red Flame Mountain," Song Qingming pondered for a moment, then nodded directly and replied:

"Hmm! Just do as you say. Other matters can be discussed with them first, but don't let them participate too much in the specific construction of the marketplace. It is best to use our own people."

Although Song Qingming had been far away on Mount Tuoyun all these years, Song Yuanfang would send messages to Mount Tuoyun at fixed intervals to report the family's affairs to him. Song Qingming basically had a clear grasp of the important things happening in Qinghe County.

The reason why the Song family wanted to create this new marketplace at "Red Flame Mountain," besides the goal of earning spirit stones, was that Song Qingming also wanted to take this opportunity to improve the Song family's control within their own territory.

Since the Song family was promoted to a Jin Dan immortal family and took command of the northeast of Wei, many cultivation families in Qinghe and Pingyang counties had nominally belonged to the Song family, but each family had its own territory and business.

Except for occasionally coming to Mount Funiu to pay tribute, the Song family had never had much influence over them, which had always made Song Qingming somewhat dissatisfied.

Now it is a peaceful and prosperous age, and it is fine if nothing happens, but once the Song family encounters any powerful opponent or crisis and needs to rely on these people to help, the situation becomes somewhat uncertain.

To control these Foundation Establishment families under their command and make them follow the Song family wholeheartedly, mere surface deterrence is obviously not enough. They also need to find ways to give them some benefits that the Song family can control at all times.

Combining kindness with prestige is often easier to win the hearts of those below.

Qinghe and Pingyang counties have been established for a thousand years, and the large mineral veins within their borders have basically been developed by the Xiaoyao Sect and various major families.

The Song family has also organized spirit-seeking masters to explore the two counties in recent years, but they have only been able to find some small mineral veins of low value. Things like the Wang family's heaven-defying luck, where they could easily find a large Geng gold mineral vein at their own doorstep, are indeed only accidental events.

Qinghe Market and Jin Shan Market also have the participation of the Xiaoyao Sect, and the Song family cannot gain complete control over the discourse there. None of these are suitable for the Song family to win over and control the cultivation families under their command.

Since the old interests cannot be redistributed, they might as well develop new interests. Therefore, Song Qingming quickly set his sights on the new marketplace at "Red Flame Mountain."

Once the Song family leads these cultivation families to slowly operate this marketplace in the future.

While earning spirit stones for themselves, they can also bring certain benefits to the cultivation families under their command. Then these people will definitely be willing to follow the Song family wholeheartedly; after all, no one wants to go against spirit stones.

As long as they control this new marketplace, the Song family is equivalent to firmly holding part of the interests of these cultivation families in their own hands, which is not only convenient for beating them at any time but also saves themselves a lot of effort.

In recent days, the reason why Song Yuanfang has been cold and indifferent to those major cultivation families who came to Mount Funiu to inquire about news and wanted to invest in the "Red Flame Mountain" marketplace.

It is also to highlight the importance of "Red Flame Mountain" to the Song family and the Song family's determination to invest heavily in operating this new marketplace in their hearts.

It is precisely because of this idea that in the previous battle to sweep "Red Flame Mountain," the Song family deliberately did not conscript other Foundation Establishment families in Qinghe County to participate in this matter, only taking a few cultivation families like the Wang family that directly belonged to the Song family near Mount Funiu.

The construction of the "Red Flame Mountain" marketplace was proposed by Song Yuanfang, and Song Qingming basically handed over the full authority of this matter to him, only occasionally reminding and exhorting him a few words.

After returning to Mount Funiu, it was rare to come back once, so Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan also stayed on Mount Funiu for a few days.

In recent years, the two of them had basically been in their respective closed-door cultivation on Mount Tuoyun. This rare leisure time also made Song Qingming feel as if he had returned to decades ago, before he had reached Core Formation.

A few days later, a white light flew to the foot of Mount Tuoyun, and Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan, looking relaxed, landed together from the flying boat.

"Siyuan, I still want to go to Mount Guyang, so I won't accompany you up."

"Is there something in the sect that will take a long time to return?" Hearing that Song Qingming was going to Mount Guyang, Huang Siyuan asked with concern.

Song Qingming smiled and shook his head slightly: "It is not that the sect has something to find me about. Some time ago, I went to find the Sect Master Senior Brother again and asked him to help exchange for a Core Formation spiritual object.

Calculating the time, there should be news. I had better go over and take a look and bring it back quickly, lest it be targeted by others and some changes occur."

"Hmm! If there isn't any, don't be too anxious. Qingyu's lifespan is still sufficient, so there is no rush for this moment.

If the sect really can't do it, we will try our luck elsewhere in the future. Although Core Formation spiritual objects are rare, the cultivation world is so big that there will always be a way."

Knowing that Huang Siyuan was worried that he was too anxious in his heart, Song Qingming hurriedly nodded with a smile and agreed, then took the flying boat alone to Mount Guyang.

In recent years, in order to help Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan reach Core Formation, Song Qingming had also been trying every possible way to inquire and search for Core Formation spiritual objects, and had even gone to the State of Wu once more with Chu Fengping.

However, Core Formation spiritual objects are, after all, precious spiritual objects everywhere, and naturally, they are not so easy to buy.

Song Qingming inquired for a long time in Seven Stars Market but still did not get news of the Five Elements spiritual object he wanted, and only relied on his familiarity with Liu Zongping to exchange for a "Jade Dust Pill" in the Seven Stars Pavilion.

Some years ago, the Xiaoyao Sect did obtain a Five Elements spiritual object, "True Water of Emerald Jade," from a mineral vein within its territory, which was very compatible with Song Qingyu's cultivation method.

It is a pity that after Song Qingming heard the news, he ran to the sect's Merit Pavilion, wanting to use the merits in his hand to exchange for this object, but it happened that another Jin Dan elder of the sect, Lu Boyang, was also fully supporting a disciple under his sect to reach Core Formation.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 603 =====