Chapter 816

Seeing Huang Huang Siyuan, who was bowing to congratulate him, Song Song Qingming, who had returned to his senses from the distant scenery, slowly revealed a smile, took the initiative to step forward and take her hand, and pulled her into his embrace.

The two did not speak, just leaned against each other and stood there, quietly watching the distance.

It was not until the sunlight in the sky fell on their faces through the clouds and Song Song Qingming felt it was a bit dazzling that he took Huang Huang Siyuan and walked down from the summit together.

The two walked along the mountain path as they had in the past, strolling on the small mountain path behind Mount Mount Funiu.

It was autumn, and most of the trees on the mountain were already withered and yellow; orange-yellow leaves danced with the autumn wind, scattering on the winding path and forming a shining carpet under the morning sun.

Occasionally, a few bird calls pierced through the trees, crisp and pleasant; the distant mountains were shrouded in faint mist, appearing and disappearing, like an ink painting, making one feel refreshed and happy.

The autumn atmosphere grew stronger, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees; this unique atmosphere of the mountain made the two feel comfortable, and for a moment, they forgot the many trivial matters around them.

They walked all the way to the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion" halfway up the mountain before stopping and sitting down in the stone pavilion.

After glancing at the scenery around the stone pavilion, Huang Huang Siyuan was the first to speak, softly breaking the tranquility of the mountain!

"Husband, half a year after you went into seclusion, news came from Cangyuan Mountain that Song Changze failed to form his core, but fortunately, his injuries were not that severe, so it shouldn't affect his next attempt at Core Formation.

Song Qingyu is still there protecting him, and I estimate she should be back before long!"

Although he had been prepared in his heart, Song Song Qingming, who heard the news of Song Song Changze's failure to form his core with his own ears, nodded slightly, but still could not help but reveal a hint of regret on his face.

Apart from the three ancestors living on the summit, although there were more than twenty people among the family's many juniors who had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, there were actually not many among them who truly had the hope of charging toward the Jin Dan realm.

Song Song Yuanli was able to successfully form his core initially, mostly because he had the support of the Nascent Soul cultivator Feng He behind him; otherwise, after his first failure, he would never have had the chance to successfully charge toward the Jin Dan realm again in less than ten years!

Apart from Song Song Yuanli, who was far away in the "Tianhai cultivation world," the family members with the most hope of charging toward the Jin Dan realm currently were only Song Song Changze, Song Song Yuanhao, and Liu Liu Yuxin.

All three of them had successfully advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment and still had relatively abundant lifespans, meaning they could have at least two or more chances at Core Formation.

Although he dared not say they would definitely succeed in forming their cores, their hope of advancing to the Jin Dan realm was certainly stronger than others around them.

Other peers like Song Song Yuanfang and Song Song Yuanxue had slower cultivation speeds than Song Song Changze and the others, even if they could successfully cultivate to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

But at that time, hindered by their own remaining lifespans, it was estimated that they would be like Song Song Xinyu in the sect, only having one chance to charge toward the Jin Dan realm in their entire lives.

Even with the family's support, the hope of Song Song Yuanfang and the others forming their cores in the future would still not be very high.

Apart from the "Yuan" and "Chang" generation cultivators, there were still many talented clansmen among the remaining "Xuan" and "Lin" generation cultivators in the family.

It was just that they were all still relatively young, and their cultivation was still far from the late stage of Foundation Establishment; apart from the dual-spirit-rooted Song Song Linrui, it was not yet clear how much potential the others had for Core Formation.

After sitting in silence for a moment, Song Song Qingming stood up and sighed softly: "The family has done everything it should; whether they have the opportunity to step onto the Jin Dan Great Dao depends on Song Changze's own ability in the future.

Even if one can get the support of elders for a while, our generation of cultivators must ultimately rely on ourselves for a lifetime of cultivation."

The Song family had developed rapidly over these years, and as there were more and more cultivators in the clan, there would naturally be more clansmen who had the hope of reaching the step of charging toward the Jin Dan realm like Song Song Changze.

But family resources were limited after all, and it was impossible for Song Song Qingming and the others to fully support every clansman in forming their cores; at most, they could only provide some support during their first attempt at Core Formation, as they did for Song Song Changze.

It was not just Song Song Changze; Song Song Qingming had also personally promised Song Song Yuanfang, Song Song Yuanhao, and others that he would try his best to support their first attempt at charging toward the Jin Dan realm.

After all, since they successfully reached Foundation Establishment, they had all been following Song Song Qingming and were meritorious people who had contributed greatly to the family's development over the years; it was only right for the family to give them this support.

Next, whoever among them wanted to charge toward the Jin Dan realm again, the family would no longer support them gratuitously like this, and they would have to rely on themselves to seize the opportunity.

Whether it was using family merit to exchange for corresponding spiritual items in the family's "Cangjin Pavilion," or finding opportunities outside the family like Song Song Qingming did back then, these all depended on their personal abilities.

Huang Huang Siyuan nodded upon hearing this: "You can rest assured about Song Changze; he has also accumulated a lot of merit over the years, and with Liu Yuxin's help, it shouldn't be difficult for him to charge toward the Jin Dan realm again.

However, this failure and the time spent healing will definitely delay him, plus he has to re-cultivate the Cangyuan Art.

It will certainly take seven or eight years for Song Changze to charge toward the Jin Dan realm again; whether he succeeds then will depend on his personal opportunity."

Song Song Changze had been helping the family manage the "White Lion Market" together with his Dao companion Liu Liu Yuxin over the years; taking advantage of the family's convenience in the market, Liu Liu Yuxin had also successively taken over several shops in the "White Lion Market" to operate independently.

Over the years, the couple had earned a lot of spirit stones thanks to Liu Liu Yuxin's clever mind for business, and their lives were much wealthier than other peers.

Although Song Song Qingming and the others had never directly asked about these things, they still had an idea in their hearts, knowing that they should have saved up a lot of spirit stones, so it would certainly not be difficult to exchange for a Core Formation spiritual item for Song Song Changze.

Hearing Huang Huang Siyuan's reminder, Song Song Qingming also nodded slightly: "Hmm! I know this.

No matter what happens then, even if the family cannot come forward to help directly, as an elder, I will certainly help him a little if I can.

It's just that these things cannot be told to them now, lest others find out and slack off in their own efforts."

After the two finished speaking, smiles returned to their faces; after resting for a moment, they left the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion" together and continued to walk down the mountain, soon arriving at a small hill at the foot of the mountain.

On this small hill with beautiful scenery, Song Song Qingming's mortal parents and relatives were buried.

Although two hundred years had passed, the appearance of the mountain had not changed much, and Song Song Qingming found his parents' graves without much effort.

Even though he, this ancestor, had not returned home for many years and had long since stopped caring about the mortals in the family at the foot of the mountain, the descendants of the Song family in Mujiao Town had not forgotten their ancestors buried here because of this.

Whether it was his father's, mother's, or his fourth younger brother's grave, they were all still as bright and clean as they were back then, showing that the descendants in the family were still taking care of this place very carefully.

Although Song Song Qingming had not paid much attention to the foot of the mountain over the years, many people among his fourth younger brother's and second older sister's bloodlines at the foot of the mountain had successfully ascended to immortality, the most outstanding of whom was his fourth younger brother's descendant, Song Chen Xuanfeng.

Song Chen Xuanfeng had successfully reached Foundation Establishment with triple spirit roots, and his cultivation had now reached the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment; he was one of the highest-cultivation people among the many "Xuan" generation cultivators in the Song family.

Unlike Song Song Qingming, Song Chen Xuanfeng did not stay away from the mortal family at the foot of the mountain after reaching Foundation Establishment; he still often returned to the family at the foot of the mountain to visit his relatives over the years.

Compared to Song Song Qingming, the high-and-mighty family ancestor, Song Chen Xuanfeng's care for the mortal family at the foot of the mountain was clearly much greater now.

"Husband, if the family leaves Wei in the future, I'm afraid we won't be able to come here often; should we also move the remains of Mother and the others then?"

Seeing that Song Song Qingming came to pay respects at his parents' graves for the first time after emerging from seclusion, Huang Huang Siyuan guessed that he could not let go of this place, so she asked softly.

Upon hearing this, Song Song Qingming, who stood up and looked at his parents' tombstones, thought for a moment and shook his head with a calm expression.

"The scenery here is unique! I suppose Mother and the others have gotten used to it after so many years; no matter what happens in the future, let's not take them on a long journey! Even though it's so close and reachable in an instant over these years, I haven't had much time to come here to fulfill my filial piety, and I'm afraid it won't be any better in the future.

Immortals and mortals are different after all; you and I can come back to see them when we have time, there's no need to force this matter."

Although Song Song Qingming had become a high-and-mighty Jin Dan cultivator, he still could not help but recall the past and think of his parents and family at times.

But these memories buried deep in his heart were ultimately scenes he could no longer return to.

Even though Song Song Qingming's cultivation had reached the Jin Dan realm, it was impossible for him to turn back time and see the parents and relatives in his memories.

He could only hope that one day, his cultivation would reach a certain realm, allowing him to transcend the reincarnation of this world and ascend to that unknown upper world.

Perhaps then he could see through life and death, travel through the cycle of time, and return to his childhood home to see the parents and family he missed so much.

After paying respects to his parents and relatives, Song Song Qingming, who was standing on the mountain, turned around and looked at "Mujiao Town" not far from the foot of the mountain.

Before long, the figures of the two disappeared from where they were. — Less than a month after Song Song Qingming emerged from seclusion, Song Song Qingyu, who had been protecting Song Song Changze for two years after his failed Core Formation, also quickly left "Cangyuan Mountain" and returned to the family.

When Song Song Qingyu left, Song Song Qingze also walked out of the "Tandi Cave Dwelling" where he had been in seclusion, and returned to the "White Lion Market" to heal his injuries, accompanied by Liu Liu Yuxin.

Although he failed to form his core, Song Song Qingze's injuries were not severe; by taking elixirs and resting quietly, he would be able to fully recover in four or five years at most.

In this regard, Song Song Changze was relatively lucky, as he could spend much less time healing than Song Song Qingming and the others did when they failed their Core Formation back then, preparing in advance for his next attempt.

After Song Song Qingyu returned from "Cangyuan Mountain" and learned that Song Song Qingming had successfully broken through his cultivation, she was very happy, and the three of them celebrated properly in the "Huixian Pavilion" on the summit.

Although Song Song Qingming's cultivation had broken through to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan, reaching the peak of the Jin Dan realm.

However, his physical energy and magic power were not yet fully polished, and he was still some distance away from being able to charge toward the Nascent Soul realm.

He needed at least ten years or so to slowly polish his magic power; only when the magic power in his body was naturally ripe could he begin to attempt to charge toward the next realm of cultivation. Seeing Song Song Qingyu return to the family, and with nothing to do for the moment, Song Song Qingming had originally intended to continue his seclusion to polish his magic power for a period of time.

But after he had explained things to Song Song Qingyu, less than a month after he had begun his seclusion, a conscription order suddenly came from "Mount Mount Guyang," disturbing Song Song Qingming, who was in seclusion.

Song Song Qingming, who received the sect's "conscription order," opened it and discovered that a market on the edge of "Taiyuehu" in the south of the sect had suddenly been harassed by high-tier demonic cultivators.

Seeing this, Song Song Qingming and Song Song Qingyu, who had just become free, had no choice but to emerge from seclusion together and rush to the sect.

As soon as the two arrived at the "Xiaoyao Hall," they found that sect Elder Xu Cheng Ziyan and the others were already waiting there.

As soon as she saw Song Song Qingming and Song Song Qingyu walk in, Xu Cheng Ziyan, who was about to step forward to greet them, suddenly felt a different aura coming from Song Song Qingming, and a smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Eh! Brother Song, you have already broken through to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan; this is truly a joyous and congratulatory event."

"Haha, congratulations to Junior Brother Song for your cultivation having improved once again!"

"..."

Hearing what Xu Cheng Ziyan said, the many "Xiaoyao Sect" elders in the hall also revealed a hint of surprise, and then successively bowed to Song Song Qingming to express their congratulations.

Seeing this, Song Song Qingming also hurriedly returned the bows to everyone and explained to them that he had only just emerged from seclusion not long ago.

Before going to the "Lei Lei Yuanhai" cultivation world to participate in the trading society, Song Song Qingming's cultivation had already reached the peak of the eighth layer of the Jin Dan, and he was not far from breaking through to the ninth layer.

Having only returned from the "Lei Lei Yuanhai" cultivation world for a few years, Song Song Qingming had successfully advanced to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan, as expected.

It was not difficult for everyone present to guess that Song Song Qingming must have obtained some spiritual item in the "Lei Lei Yuanhai" trading society that helped him break through his cultivation.

Less than two years after returning from the "Lei Lei Yuanhai" cultivation world, it was not just Song Song Qingming whose cultivation had improved.

Chu Chu Fengping, who had also obtained a high-tier spiritual elixir at the trading society, had finally taken a step forward after staying at the sixth layer of the Jin Dan for many years, breaking through his cultivation to the late stage of the Jin Dan.

There was also Yun Nishang, who had accompanied them, and Xu Cheng Ziyan, for whom Song Song Qingming had helped purchase a spiritual elixir; their cultivation levels had also undergone different changes at this moment.

But compared to them, Song Song Qingming's successful advancement to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan was clearly more eye-catching here.

Song Song Qingming had only formed his core for a little over a hundred years, yet he had successfully cultivated to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan; this cultivation speed was no worse than that of Chen Chen Xuanxin, who had the highest cultivation among those present.

Seeing that Song Song Qingming had also broken through to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan, everyone present could not help but wonder who between him and Chen Chen Xuanxin would be more likely to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

However, although the ninth layer of the Jin Dan and the Nascent Soul realm were only one step apart, this step was like a chasm and not so easy to cross; everyone present naturally knew this well.

Whether it was Song Song Qingming and Chen Chen Xuanxin, who had already cultivated to the ninth layer of the Jin Dan, or the other Jin Dan cultivators present, it was difficult for them to be truly confident about crossing this step in the future.

After greeting everyone present, Song Song Qingming and Song Song Qingyu, who had just sat down, saw that so many Jin Dan elders had gathered in the hall, and could not help but reveal a hint of doubt on their faces.

At this moment, in the great hall, apart from Li Li Mufeng, who was rarely seen, many Jin Dan elders of the "Xiaoyao Sect," as well as the Nascent Soul ancestor Bai Bai Yuxian, had all arrived here.

Logically speaking, even if one or two Jin Dan demonic cultivators appeared within the territory, the sect should not need to make such a big fuss, even alarming a Nascent Soul ancestor.

"Could it be that the demonic cultivators who came this time have extraordinary strength, and are as troublesome as Ma Ma Wuchen?"

Just as Song Song Qingming was thinking this, and a hint of doubt was gradually appearing on his face, Xu Cheng Ziyan, who was on the side, immediately noticed the abnormality on Song Song Qingming's face.

Before Song Song Qingming could open his mouth to ask, Xu Cheng Ziyan took the initiative to explain the ins and outs of the matter to Song Song Qingming and the other, who had come to participate in the sect's discussion.

It turned out that gathering everyone to exterminate the demonic cultivators this time was just an excuse used by the sect; the real intention was that the "Xiaoyao Sect" was preparing to take action against the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" in the west.

There was a portion of territory in the southwest of Wei that bordered "Taiyuehu," and there were also many islands in the lake that belonged to Wei; the "Taiyuehu" secret realm that Song Song Qingming had participated in back then was on one of these islands.

It was just that because the demonic beasts in the lake were fierce, apart from the islands near the "Taiyuehu" market, the "Xiaoyao Sect" did not have actual control over these surrounding islands, and most of them were still in the hands of the demonic beasts in the lake.

Some time ago, a group of Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators from who knows where suddenly raided a small market controlled by the "Xiaoyao Sect" in "Taiyuehu."

These demonic cultivators were very ruthless, not only stealing many spiritual items from the market but also killing dozens of disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect stationed there.

Originally, this matter was not a big deal for a Nascent Soul sect like the "Xiaoyao Sect."

At most, the "Law Enforcement Hall" would send a few Foundation Establishment disciples to investigate, and then the matter would be settled by exterminating this group of Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.

But when the disciples of the sect's "Law Enforcement Hall" were investigating the matter, they happened to discover that the location where this group of demonic cultivators was hiding was in a deep mountain in the south of Yue.

That place already belonged to the territory of the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" of Yue, and the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" and the "Xiaoyao Sect" had been mortal enemies for years, with the relationship between the two sects being extremely poor.

After the cultivators of the sect's "Law Enforcement Hall" investigated the situation clearly, they did not choose to take action to exterminate this group of demonic cultivators in the territory of the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect," but reported the matter to the sect elders.

After Li Wu and the others learned of this, they felt that this was a good opportunity for the sect to make trouble for the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect," so the sect's discussion this time took place.

Knowing the intention of the sect in gathering them here, Song Song Qingming could not help but reveal a hint of surprise; no wonder this sect discussion would alarm so many elders to come here.

Because of the Ma family rebellion back then, the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" intervened in the struggle between Wei and the "Xiaoyao Sect," and Song Song Qingming had personally participated in it, so he was naturally very clear about the grievances between the two sects.

Plus, later when Bai Bai Yuxian was forming her Nascent Soul, the "Brother Molong Demon Emperor" led the demon army to block the path, and there was also the shadow of the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" behind it.

The two sides had been feuding for over a hundred years and had long since reached the point of being irreconcilable.

Originally, the "Xiaoyao Sect" and the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" both belonged to Nascent Soul sects, and the strength gap between the two sects was not that large.

Over the years, hindered by the great pressure from the demon race in the north, the "Xiaoyao Sect" had not found a suitable opportunity to seek revenge on the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" and resolve the grievances between the two sides.

Now, with Bai Bai Yuxian's successful Nascent Soul formation, the "Xiaoyao Sect's" strength had greatly increased, and they had expanded their territory by thousands of miles to the north, temporarily resolving the worries brought by the demon race in the north.

The current "Xiaoyao Sect" could now free up their hands and take action against the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect" beside them at any time.

Although there was still the shadow of the "Wanling Sect," the first sect of the Fuyun Mountains, behind the "Wu Jiuyuan Sect," no matter what, it was impossible for the other side to sit idly by and watch the "Xiaoyao Sect" annex the entire Yue.

But now the strength of the "Xiaoyao Sect" was no longer what it used to be; even if they could not destroy the entire "Wu Jiuyuan Sect," it would not be difficult for them to tear a piece of meat off the other side.

As long as they found an opportunity to take action, the "Xiaoyao Sect" would certainly not let the other side go easily.

After everyone in the great hall had almost arrived, a spiritual light suddenly flashed at the entrance of the great hall, and Li Li Mufeng, who had not appeared before the sect's cultivators for a long time, appeared before everyone out of thin air.

"Greetings, Elder Li!"

Seeing Li Li Mufeng walk in, Song Song Qingming and the others hurriedly stood up and bowed to him in unison.

With just a flash, Li Li Mufeng walked through the air to the head of the great hall, nodded slightly to Bai Bai Yuxian, who was sitting on the side, and then turned to wave his hand directly at the people below.

"I have gathered you all here today to discuss a major sect matter; you don't need to be so formal, sit down first!"

After everyone sat down again, Li Li Mufeng scanned the hall and slowly continued:

"A hundred years ago, the Ma family rebellion at Mount Tiexian Fortress is something I believe most of you present have experienced; this is a matter that has brought shame to the sect for many years.

I stood here back then and said that this sect and the Wu Jiuyuan Sect are irreconcilable, and we will never let them off lightly!

Now that Junior Sister Bai has broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, and the demon race in the north has also been driven back to Mount Uncle Jinyu, the sect no longer has any worries behind it.

Everyone, it is time for us to go and reclaim the dignity of the sect!"

"We swear to be loyal to the sect until death!"

Half a day later, a large flying boat slowly sailed out of the "Mount Mount Guyang" mountain-protecting formation under the cover of night.

After leaving the sect's formation, a cloud and mist suddenly gathered out of thin air beside the flying boat in mid-air, and before long, it shrouded the entire flying boat.

Then, this large flying boat gradually hid its figure amidst the rolling clouds and mist, and soon completely disappeared in mid-air. (End of chapter)