Chapter 618: Li Mufeng

Just as Song Qingming was standing alone on the pavilion in deep thought, Song Qingyu, who had finished her work at the banquet, returned lightly and came to Song Qingming's side.

"Seventh Brother, have Fellow Daoist Zhao and the others already left?"

Song Qingming nodded slightly, then took out the third-tier low-quality spirit talisman he had just obtained and handed it to Song Qingyu.

"This is what they gifted you on behalf of the sect. You take it first!"

Looking at the precious third-tier spirit talisman in her hand that was radiating spirit light, Song Qingyu revealed a look of surprise and asked with a smile: "Why is the sect so generous to send such a precious spirit item to me? Could it be that Seventh Brother, you truly sold me to exchange for it!"

"Hehe! What are you thinking? Regarding your Dao path, I must ask for your opinion before making any decisions!"

Song Qingyu heard this, and only then did she feel at ease putting away the spirit talisman in her hand, smiling beautifully:

"In any case, as long as you didn't sell me. Speaking of which, how is the sect so generous this time? They sent such a precious third-tier spirit talisman as soon as they came. I remember when you had your Core Formation, Seventh Brother, you only received a few bottles of elixir and some second-tier spirit items."

Seeing Song Qingyu's happy appearance, Song Qingming hesitated for a moment with a heavy expression, then said:

"Qingyu, Uncle Li has the intention to accept you as a personal disciple. You can consider it carefully. If you are willing, I will not stop you from joining the sect!"

Hearing the words that suddenly came out of Song Qingming's mouth, Song Qingyu was stunned for a moment, then replied with a hint of doubt:

"Seventh Brother! Didn't we already agree that I would go to the sect like you and hang a guest elder's name? Why are you suddenly asking me this again!"

Song Qingming said calmly: "This matter is related to your personal Dao path after all. I thought about it and still wanted to hear your thoughts."

"Uncle Li has not accepted a personal disciple for several hundred years. This can be considered a good opportunity for you. Just now I did not directly refuse Sister Zhao and the others. If you truly have this idea, I will respect your decision!"

Looking at Song Qingming, who was serious, Song Qingyu raised the corner of her mouth to reveal a smile, then looked at Mount Funiu outside the window.

"I know you are doing this for my own good, Seventh Brother. However, now that I have succeeded in Core Formation, I no longer need to seek help and support from others everywhere. This kind of opportunity is not that important to me anymore."

"Cultivating the Dao for a hundred years and forming a Jin Dan, isn't it just for a bit of leisure and freedom? Why go to the sect and look at people's faces? Staying at Mount Funiu and looking at the beautiful scenery here, I am already satisfied."

Seeing the firm look in Song Qingyu's eyes, Song Qingming revealed a smile: "Back then, when Third Brother chose to join the Xiaoyao Sect for the sake of his Dao path, although the Great Elder and the Old Patriarch were reluctant, they ultimately respected his thoughts."

"I also don't want to make this decision for you without authorization, which is why I opened my mouth to ask for your opinion just now. Don't think too much about it."

Song Qingyu nodded slightly: "Hmm! I am somewhat fortunate that the opportunity to join the Xiaoyao Sect back then was given to Third Brother. If it weren't for him going to the sect on my behalf back then, I fear that even if I were lucky enough to succeed in Foundation Establishment, my Dao path would only stop there and I would not have this day of witnessing the Core Formation Great Dao."

"It can be seen that things in the world sometimes have gains only after giving up. I gave up this opportunity before my eyes; perhaps I will encounter an even greater opportunity because of this in the future."

Seeing Song Qingyu's open-minded expression, without a hint of regret because of the choice she had just made, Song Qingming did not mention this matter again and shifted the topic to other directions.

The two stood on the pavilion and chatted for a long time before returning to their respective cave dwellings to cultivate somewhat reluctantly.

After Song Qingyu decided, not many days later, Song Qingming took some spirit items prepared by the clan and went to Mount Guyang personally to pay a visit to the Supreme Elder, Li Mufeng.

Li Mufeng, who was guarding Bai Yuxian's breakthrough to the Soul Transformation stage, heard the news of Song Qingming's request to see him and did not neglect him. He soon appeared personally and received him in the Xiaoyao Hall.

Upon meeting, seeing that Song Qingming's cultivation had already broken through to the fourth layer of Core Formation, Li Mufeng first praised him with a smile, then asked with concern about some problems in his cultivation, and did not take the initiative to mention Song Qingyu, who had just succeeded in Core Formation.

Until the two chatted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Song Qingming, who could no longer endure, finally found an opportunity and slowly said with a hint of sincere apology that Song Qingyu did not intend to join the sect.

Regarding Song Qingyu not wanting to directly join his sect, Li Mufeng did not care too much in front of Song Qingming and revealed the matter with great generosity.

However, after comforting Song Qingming for a few sentences, Li Mufeng still intentionally reminded him to let Song Qingyu go to Mount Guyang as soon as possible to take over the position of the sect's guest elder.

Seeing that Li Mufeng did not blame himself for this matter, Song Qingming also felt a hint of relief in his heart and promised Li Mufeng the specific date for Song Qingyu to take over as the sect's guest elder on the spot.

The enthusiastic attitude of Li Mufeng in receiving him, although somewhat unexpected to Song Qingming, Song Qingming still had a bit of confidence in Li Mufeng agreeing to Song Qingyu not directly joining the sect.

If the Xiaoyao Sect had a very firm attitude on this matter and insisted that Song Qingyu join the sect, then the people who went to Mount Funiu that day would not have been Zhao Menglian and Chu Fengping, who were relatively familiar with Song Qingming, but Sect Master Yao Qianshu who would have come to the door personally.

After agreeing with Li Mufeng on these matters, Song Qingming soon rose to bid farewell and left the Xiaoyao Hall.

Not long after Song Qingming left, another somewhat weathered figure walked into the Xiaoyao Hall. It was the Xiaoyao Sect Sect Master, Yao Qianshu.

Yao Qianshu, whose lifespan was not much, was already a very old face, and his entire spirit was far from what it was during the battle of Iron Immortal Castle.

After bowing slightly to Li Mufeng, Yao Qianshu immediately asked: "Uncle Li, did Junior Brother Song refuse again when he came to see you this time?"

Li Mufeng saw this, waved his hand, and stood up: "No matter! This matter was also within my expectations. As long as Song Qingyu agrees to join the sect first, we can take our time with other things."

"Song Qingyu's success in Core Formation is probably not as simple as it looks on the surface. My main purpose in wanting to accept her as a disciple earlier was also to probe the reaction of Song Qingming's side."

Yao Qianshu heard this and his expression was slightly surprised: "Uncle Li, do you mean that Song Qingyu's Core Formation is also because of the support of an expert in the dark? Didn't Junior Brother Song say that the senior he met had already left long ago?"

"Moreover, the sect also knows about Junior Brother Song searching everywhere for Core Formation spirit items for Song Qingyu over these years. That five-elements spirit item for Song Qingyu's Core Formation was even exchanged to Junior Brother Song by me!"

"Hmm! I am naturally clear about these matters. It is just that the Song family has had Song Qingming and Song Qingyu succeed in Core Formation one after another, and his Dao companion Huang Siyuan has also been at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment for many years. Now with the support of the two Song siblings, if there are no accidents, she should also be able to succeed in Core Formation in the future."

"The Song family has developed so smoothly over these years. To say that these are all just good luck is indeed somewhat puzzling."

"However, I only have some guesses at present. As for the expert behind the Song family, whether he has truly left the Wei State as Song Qingming said, there is no way to fully determine this matter now."

"If that's the case, if there is truly an expert supporting the Song family, the strength will definitely grow very quickly in the future, which might affect the sect's control over Jiangling County. Should we make some countermeasures early?" Yao Qianshu asked with a worried expression.

Li Mufeng shook his head lightly: "I only have some guesses in my heart and am not sure about this matter. You don't need to think too much."

"The Song family is still a vassal family under the sect. As long as they obey the sect's orders and do not act in defiance of us, even if their strength increases, it is not a bad thing for the sect."

"Now the Spirit Hidden Sect in the south has been defeated, the war in the Lu State is tight, we need to mobilize manpower to support them, we need to guard against demon beasts in the north, and we also need to keep a close eye on sect enemies like the Nine Origin Sect."

"The sect's surroundings are all unstable. At a time when manpower is needed everywhere, without any evidence, we must not act rashly, so as not to cause misunderstandings and chill people's hearts."

"Hmm! This was my lack of consideration. Uncle Li's words are more thoughtful. However, whether there is someone behind the Song family or not, not being clear about it always makes people feel uneasy."

"Should I find an opportunity to go and talk to Junior Brother Song about this matter face-to-face? In any case, he can be considered half a sect disciple, and the sect has not treated him and the Song family badly over these years. I should be able to probe a bit of his tone, right!"

"Song Qingyu has just succeeded in Core Formation. It is somewhat inappropriate for you to ask about this matter now. Let's not be too anxious." Hearing Yao Qianshu wanting to directly probe Song Qingming's tone, Li Mufeng thought for a moment and still shook his head to refuse his idea.

"Regardless of whether there is this person behind, the Song family is after all a Core Formation immortal clan and cannot affect the overall situation of the sect at present, so we don't need to be too nervous."

Yao Qianshu nodded slightly: "Uncle Li is right. Junior Brother Song is honest and upright in his heart and is definitely not a greedy and despicable villain like Ma Hongshan."

"I have been in contact with Junior Brother Song for many years and am at ease with his character. As long as he is there, the Song family should not be able to do such stupid things as the Ma family. It is just that I am somewhat worried about whether the expert behind the Song family will have any purpose unfavorable to the sect."

"Your worry is also right. However, since the other party is also a Soul Transformation fellow Daoist, before we see the other party's purpose, we should not delve into this matter rashly."

"If we accidentally offend the other party, it would be a loss for the sect if we create a strong enemy."

"In short, treat the Song family the same as before. Just put a few more pairs of eyes around Mount Funiu and keep a close eye on the affairs there. As long as the Song family's heart is still toward the sect, we cannot casually chill the hearts of the vassal families below."

Li Mufeng and Yao Qianshu's inner worries were naturally unknown to Song Qingming, who had left Mount Guyang. At this moment, standing on the flying boat, he finally did not have the tension he had when he came and revealed a hint of a relaxed smile.

Every time he stood with Li Mufeng, this Supreme Elder of the sect, Song Qingming always felt an invisible pressure in his heart.

Even though the Song family was developing rapidly now, it was ultimately just an ordinary Core Formation family. Compared to a huge Soul Transformation sect like the Xiaoyao Sect that had existed for thousands of years, it still appeared much weaker.

Both he and Qingyu had some secrets that could not be known by outsiders. If Qingyu truly chose to join Li Mufeng's sect, Song Qingming would probably also feel uneasy in his heart.

Now that he could successfully push off this matter, Song Qingming, who had been worrying about this for several days, finally breathed a long sigh of relief and put down this hint of worry in his heart.

Half a month later, under Song Qingming's guidance, Song Qingyu formally came to Mount Guyang and joined the Xiaoyao Sect to become a guest elder of the sect.

Regarding Song Qingyu joining the sect, Li Mufeng, Yao Qianshu, and others were naturally very happy in their hearts. They all presented their congratulatory gifts to Song Qingyu on the spot and even held a Core Formation celebration for her on Mount Guyang, inviting many nearby cultivation families to attend as usual.

After serving as a guest elder of the sect, Song Qingyu also had the qualification to choose a cultivation method for free from the Merit Pavilion.

Because Song Qingyu had already obtained a sword intent inheritance left by a senior and had already decided to switch to practicing the Sword Cultivator Dao, she was at least not lacking in cultivation methods during the Core Formation stage.

However, this was also a rare opportunity. Song Qingyu naturally did not want to waste it just like that. She still followed Sect Master Yao Qianshu to the Merit Pavilion to choose a cultivation method for Sword Cultivators.

The Xiaoyao Sect, as a Soul Transformation great sect that had been established for thousands of years, naturally also had its own sword cultivator inheritance, and there were also many disciples in the sect who practiced the Sword Cultivator Dao.

Back then, Chen Xuanxin, who succeeded in Core Formation before Song Qingming, followed the Sword Cultivator Dao and also succeeded in Core Formation by relying on the sword Dao cultivation method he practiced.

Chen Xuanxin's time of Core Formation, although considered relatively late in the Xiaoyao Sect, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds after Core Formation, soon catching up with Chu Fengping and others who succeeded in Core Formation over a hundred years earlier than him.

Cultivators who practice the Sword Cultivator Dao will occupy some advantages in fighting with others.

Although Chen Xuanxin's cultivation was still at the fifth layer of Core Formation, which was not too high among the more than ten Core Formation elders in the Xiaoyao Sect, if it were purely about fighting strength, except for the late-stage Core Formation cultivators Bai Yuxian and Yao Qianshu, basically no one had the certainty of winning steadily against him.

It was precisely because she knew the powerful divine ability of the Sword Cultivator Dao that Song Qingyu, who had just succeeded in Core Formation, was determined to switch to practicing this Dao.

After being able to obtain a Sword Cultivator cultivation method from the Xiaoyao Sect's Merit Pavilion, Song Qingyu also left this place very satisfied. Since she had already chosen to switch to practicing the sword Dao cultivation method, being able to have one more set of cultivation methods in her hand to ponder and understand each other would definitely be of some help to her.

Not even ten days after Song Qingyu joined the sect, Mount Funiu soon welcomed a sect Merit Hall cultivator carrying a summons.

Not long after, the many Song family elders who learned of this major news also immediately gathered in the Mount Funiu council hall to discuss this matter.

Song Qingming, who was still holding the summons issued by the sect's Merit Hall, swept a glance at the crowd below and said slowly:

"When I called you here before, I had already explained the reason for the matter clearly, so I won't say much more here."

"This time, the sect's Merit Hall needs to summon three Foundation Establishment cultivators and two hundred Qi Condensation cultivators from our Song family's territory to go to the front line of the Lu State."

"This matter, I have already communicated with Yuanfang in advance. Most of the cultivators required by the sect's summons can be summoned from the vassal families below, but in this support action, we also need to have some of our own people."

"Also to avoid the people below feeling that our Song family is afraid of death and only knows how to suppress these vassal families to sell their lives for us when we reach the front line."

"This time, I plan to select one person from among you to lead the team to the front line of the Lu State. The time limit is one year. Regardless of whether the war in the Lu State ends after one year, you can return to the family first and be replaced by others in turns."

"If any of you are willing to go, you can take the initiative to bring it up. If no one wants to go, then I will have to point the generals personally!" After Song Qingming finished speaking, he swept his gaze lightly over the faces of everyone present.

Just as Song Qingming's words fell, Song Yuanhao, who was already somewhat anxious sitting below, stood up immediately: "Seventh Granduncle, I am willing to lead the family to go to the front line of the Lu State."

Hearing Song Yuanhao's voice, just as Song Qingming was about to open his mouth, Song Changze, who was to the side, also stood up and followed: "Seventh Granduncle! My cultivation has also improved quite a bit over these years. Now I want to go out and experience it. I hope you can fulfill my wish."

Just after he finished speaking, Song Yuanli also said loudly: "Seventh Granduncle, I am also willing to contribute to the family..."

Except for Song Yuanfang, whom Song Qingming explicitly forbade from going out, the other four Foundation Establishment elders of the Song family all stood up and expressed their determination to contribute to the family.

Seeing that the many younger generations present were all fighting to contribute to the family, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu, who were sitting in the upper seats, revealed a look of gratification and nodded with a smile.

After a good while, Song Qingyu, who was to the side, said: "This trip to the Lu State, which is ten thousand miles away, is a long journey. Regardless of what happens, you have to rely on yourselves."

"This first expedition, don't fight among yourselves. I think it is better to arrange it by age. Let Yuanli go first, and after one year, Yuanxue will go to the front line to replace him, and so on."

Hearing Song Qingyu's words, except for Song Yuanli, the other three revealed a hint of disappointment and placed their gazes on Song Qingming's side.

"I agree with what Qingyu said. The war situation on the front line of the Lu State is somewhat unfavorable now, and you may encounter danger at any time. Regardless of who goes, you must be careful."

After handing the several second-tier spirit talismans in his hand to Song Yuanli, Song Qingming turned his head to Song Yuanfang, who was to the side: "The sect's Merit Hall is urging tightly now. Yuanfang, you also have to hurry up and issue summons to the Foundation Establishment families below."

"One person from each of the two counties, Pingyang and Qinghe, will be summoned for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Twenty cultivators from the family side will be selected to accompany them. The others will be summoned directly from the two counties. You can consider the specific candidates yourself; there is no need to ask us again."

"Seventh Granduncle, rest assured. I have already sent letters to the major Foundation Establishment families, notifying them to go to the Red Flame Market tomorrow to discuss this matter. At most five or six days, we will be able to organize the manpower."

Hearing Song Yuanfang's answer, Song Qingming nodded with a smile: "Hmm! I am at ease with your methods. After this matter is handled, hurry up and send a reply to the sect's Merit Hall; don't let them urge again."

After discussing it on Mount Funiu, early the next morning, Song Yuanfang, Song Yuanli, and Song Changze set off together for the "Red Flame Market," which the Song family had just built not long ago, several hundred miles away.

"Red Flame Market" is a market that the Song family built a few years ago in the northeast corner of Qinghe County near Mount Yunwu. Its scale is about the same as Qinghe Market, and the spirit vein in the market has also been upgraded to second-tier top-quality by the Song family.

Because it is located between the two counties of Qinghe and Pingyang, "Red Flame Market" not only attracts many cultivators from Qinghe County, but many loose cultivators and cultivation families near the southeast of Pingyang County also have many people coming here to buy and sell spirit items and cultivation materials.

After "Red Flame Market" was built, the Song family occupied fifty percent of the market's shares, and the remaining fifty percent was distributed to the many vassal cultivation families in the two counties of Qinghe and Pingyang, who jointly managed and operated this market.

In Mount Yunwu, although it is not like the Floating Yunshan Range with many high-tier demon beasts and spirit herbs, it does not lack various cultivation resources of the first and second tiers. It can still attract many nearby cultivators to go into the mountain to explore and hunt demon beasts on weekdays.

On the Red Flame Mountain side, there were originally no people around, and it was all deep mountains infested with demon beasts.

Since "Red Flame Market" was built, the Song family led the vassal families who invested in the market and cleared out the demon beasts around the market again.

The low-tier spirit mountains cleared out nearby also attracted many loose cultivators to come and open cave dwellings nearby. Several cultivation families from other places also bought several top-grade spirit veins from the market and moved their families directly to this place. The area around "Red Flame Market" suddenly became much more prosperous and lively.

After Song Yuanfang and the three arrived at "Red Flame Market," they soon came to the council hall built in the middle of the market.

At this moment, in the council hall of "Red Flame Market," more than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators with cultivation were already sitting upright, most of whom were the power holders of the Foundation Establishment families in the two counties of Qinghe and Pingyang.

Since the Wang family of Mount Fengtou was promoted to a Foundation Establishment family in Qinghe County, there were also the Huang family of Mount Taiyuan, the Gao family of Mount Lianhua, the Li family of Mount Cuilong, and the Chen family of Mount Tiexian, five major Foundation Establishment families.

Among them, the Chen family of Mount Tiexian was a cultivation family newly created a few years ago by a Foundation Establishment loose cultivator who came from Mount Tuoyun. The head of the family was named Chen Yun'an.

Chen Yun'an was a loose cultivator who succeeded in Foundation Establishment at Mount Tuoyun and had also received the care of Ancestor Chen in his early years, and his relationship with Lin Yutang was very good.

After failing to impact the late-stage of Foundation Establishment a few years ago, knowing that he had no hope of breaking through to the Core Formation realm in this life, Chen Yun'an had the idea of creating a cultivation family.

After Lin Yutang's introduction, Chen Yun'an went directly to the Song family. Under Song Yuanli's bridge-building, he spent some spirit stones and bought the spirit vein of Mount Tiexian from the Li family.

Afterward, Chen Yun'an brought his wife and children who were on Mount Tuoyun, as well as more than a dozen disciples, and came to Qinghe County to create the Chen family of Mount Tiexian. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 619 =====

Afterwards, Chen Yunan brought his wife, children, and elderly relatives from Mount Yunwu, along with over a dozen sect members and disciples, to Qinghe County to establish the Chen family of Mount Tiexian. (End of chapter)