Chapter 816: Paying Respects to Family, Sect Grudges

Seeing Huang Siyuan cupping her hands to congratulate him, Song Qingming, who had come back to his senses from the distant scenery, slowly revealed a smile on his face, took the initiative to step forward and take her hand, and pulled her into his embrace.

The two did not speak, just stood together leaning on each other, quietly looking into the distance.

Until the sunlight in the sky fell on their faces through the clouds, Song Qingming, feeling a bit dazzling, took Huang Siyuan and walked down from the top of the mountain together.

The two walked along the mountain path as usual, strolling on the mountain path behind "Mount Funiu."

It was autumn, and most of the trees in the mountains had withered and turned yellow. Orange-yellow fallen leaves danced with the autumn wind, scattering on the winding path, and under the illumination of the morning sun, they paved a bright, shining carpet.

Occasionally, a few bird calls pierced through the bushes, crisp and pleasant. The distant mountains were shrouded in light mist, appearing and disappearing, like an ink painting, making people feel refreshed.

Autumn was getting stronger, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees. This unique atmosphere in the mountains made the two feel comfortable, forgetting the many trivial matters around them for a while.

Just like this, they walked all the way to the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion" on the mountainside, and the two stopped their steps and sat down in the stone pavilion.

After taking a look at the scenery around the stone pavilion, it was Huang Siyuan who spoke first, gently breaking the tranquility in the mountains!

"Husband, half a year after you secluded yourself, news came from Cangyuan Mountain that Changze failed to form his core, but fortunately, his injuries were not that serious, and it should not affect his next core formation.

Qingyu is still guarding him there, and it is estimated that she will be back before long!"

Although he was prepared in his heart, hearing the news of Song Changze’s failure to form his core with his own ears, Song Qingming, who nodded slightly, could not help but reveal a trace of regret on his face.

Apart from the three old ancestors living on the top of the mountain, among the many younger generations of the family who succeeded in Foundation Establishment, although there are already more than twenty, there are actually not many among them who truly have hope of impacting the Core Formation realm.

Song Yuanli was able to succeed in forming his core back then, more because he had the support of the Nascent Soul cultivator Feng He behind him. Otherwise, after failing to form his core for the first time, it would be impossible for him to have the opportunity to impact the Core Formation realm again and succeed in forming his core in less than ten years!

Apart from Song Yuanli, who is far away in the "Heavenly Sea Cultivation World," the only ones in the family who currently have the most hope of impacting the Core Formation realm are Song Changze, Song Yuanhao, and Liu Yuxin.

All three of them have successfully advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and their lifespans are still relatively sufficient, at least having more than two opportunities to form a core.

Although they dare not say that they will definitely succeed in forming a core, the hope of them advancing to the Core Formation realm is definitely stronger than others around them.

The cultivation speed of other peers such as Song Yuanfang and Song Yuansue is not as good as that of Changze and the others. Even if they can successfully cultivate to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.

But at that time, due to their limited remaining lifespan, it is estimated that they will be like Song Xinyu in the sect, and they will only have one opportunity to impact the Core Formation realm in their lives.

Even with the support of the family, the hope of Song Yuanfang and others forming a core in the future will still not be very high.

Apart from the "Yuan" generation and "Chang" generation cultivators, there are also many clansmen with good talent among the "Xuan" and "Lin" generation cultivators in the family.

It’s just that they are still relatively young, and their cultivation is still far from the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Apart from Song Linrui, who has dual spirit roots, it is not yet clear how much potential others have to form a core.

After sitting in place and being silent for a moment, Song Qingming stood up and sighed softly: "The family has done everything that should be done. Whether there is an opportunity to step onto the Core Formation path, it will depend on Changze’s own ability in the future.

Even if one can get the support of elders for a while, as cultivators, we have to rely on ourselves for a lifetime of practice."

The Song family has developed rapidly over these years. As there are more and more cultivators in the clan, naturally there will be more clansmen who hope to walk to the step of impacting the Core Formation realm like Song Changze.

But the family resources are limited after all, and Song Qingming and the others cannot possibly fully support every clansman to form a core. At most, they can only provide some support when they form a core for the first time like Song Changze.

Not only Song Changze, but Song Qingming also personally promised Song Yuanfang, Song Yuanhao, and others back then that he would try his best to support them in their first impact on the Core Formation realm.

After all, since they succeeded in Foundation Establishment, they have all been following Song Qingming and have been meritorious people who have contributed greatly to the family’s development over these years. It is only right for the family to give them this support.

Next, whoever among them wants to impact the Core Formation realm again, the family will no longer support them gratuitously, and they will have to rely on themselves to grasp the opportunity.

Whether it is using family merits to exchange for corresponding spiritual items in the family’s "Hidden Gold Pavilion," or seeking opportunities outside the family like Song Qingming did back then, these all depend on their personal abilities.

Huang Siyuan, hearing this, also nodded: "You can rest assured about Changze. He has also accumulated a lot of merits over these years, plus there is Yuxin who can help. It should not be difficult to want to impact the Core Formation realm again.

However, this failure will definitely delay some of his time in healing, plus he has to re-cultivate the Hidden Origin Technique.

It will definitely take seven or eight years for Changze to impact the Core Formation realm again. Whether he can succeed then will depend on his personal opportunity."

Song Changze has been helping the family manage the "White Lion Square" with his Dao companion Liu Yuxin over these years. With the convenience of the family in the market, Liu Yuxin also took down several shops in the "White Lion Square" to operate independently.

Over these years, the couple has earned a lot of spirit stones by relying on Liu Yuxin’s clever mind for business, and their life is much richer than other peers.

Song Qingming and the others have never directly asked about these things, but they have a count in their hearts, knowing that they should have saved a lot of spirit stones, and it is definitely not difficult to exchange for a core-forming spiritual item for Song Changze.

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

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

It’s just that these things cannot be told to them now, so as to avoid others knowing and slacking off in their own efforts."

After the two finished speaking, smiles returned to their faces. After resting for a while, they left the "Moon-Gazing Pavilion" together, continued to walk down the mountain, and soon arrived at a low mountain at the foot of the mountain.

On this small mountain with beautiful scenery, the mortal parents and relatives of Song Qingming are buried.

Although two hundred years have passed, there is no big change in the appearance of the mountain, and Song Qingming did not spend much effort to quickly find his parents’ graves.

Even though he, the old ancestor, has not returned home for many years and has 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 have not forgotten their ancestors buried here because of this.

Whether it is his father, mother, or his fourth brother’s grave, they are still as bright and beautiful as they were back then, which shows that the descendants in the family are still taking care of this place very carefully.

Over these years, although Song Qingming does not look after the foot of the mountain much, there are also many people in the bloodline at the foot of the mountain who have succeeded in ascending to immortality, among whom the most outstanding performance is Song Xuanfeng, a descendant of his fourth brother.

Song Xuanfeng succeeded in Foundation Establishment with three spirit roots, and his cultivation has now reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. He is one of the people with the highest cultivation among the many "Xuan" generation cultivators in the Song family.

Unlike Song Qingming, Song Xuanfeng did not stay away from the mortal family at the foot of the mountain after Foundation Establishment. Over these years, he often returns to the foot of the mountain to visit his relatives.

Compared with Song Qingming, the high-ranking family old ancestor, Song Xuanfeng’s care for the mortal family at the foot of the mountain is obviously much more.

"Husband, if the family leaves Wei Guo in the future, I fear we won't be able to come here often. Will we have to move the remains of Mother and the others then?"

Seeing Song Qingming come to pay respects to his parents’ graves for the first time after coming out of seclusion, Huang Siyuan also guessed that he couldn't let go of this place in his heart, so she asked softly.

Hearing this, Song Qingming, who stood up and looked at his parents’ tombstones, thought for a while and shook his head calmly.

"The scenery here is unique! I think Mother and the others have been used to it for so many years. No matter what happens in the future, don't take them on a long journey again! Even if it was close at hand and could be reached in an instant over these years, I didn't have much time to come here to fulfill my filial piety, and I fear it won't be much better in the future.

Immortals and mortals are ultimately different. You and I will come back to see them when we have time, there is no need to force this matter."

Although Song Qingming has become a high-ranking Core Formation cultivator, he still cannot help but recall the past, thinking of his parents and family.

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

Even if Song Qingming’s cultivation has reached the Core Formation realm now, it is impossible to make time flow backward and see his parents and relatives in his memory.

He can only look forward to the day when his cultivation can reach a certain realm, transcend the reincarnation of this world, and ascend to that unknown upper realm.

Perhaps at that time, he can see through life and death, traverse the reincarnation of time, and return to his home when he was a child to see the parents and family he misses in his heart.

After paying respects to his parents and relatives, Song Qingming, 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 in place. —— Less than a month after Song Qingming came out of seclusion, Song Qingyu, who had been guarding the failed-to-form-core Song Changze for two years, also quickly left "Cangyuan Mountain" and returned to the family.

When Song Qingyu left, Song Changze also followed out of the "cave dwelling at the bottom of the pool" where he was secluding himself, and returned to "White Lion Square" for healing under the accompaniment of Liu Yuxin.

Although he failed to form his core, Song Changze’s injuries were not serious. Taking pills and resting quietly, he would be able to fully recover in four or five years at most.

In this regard, Song Changze is relatively lucky, and he can spend much less healing time than Song Qingming and the others did when they failed to form their cores back then, preparing for his next core formation in advance.

After Song Qingyu returned from "Cangyuan Mountain" and learned the news that Song Qingming had successfully broken through his cultivation, she was also very happy, and the three of them celebrated in the "Hui Xian Pavilion" on the top of the mountain.

Although Song Qingming’s cultivation has broken through to the ninth level of Core Formation and reached the peak of Core Formation.

However, his physical magic power has not yet been polished to perfection, and there is still a distance from being able to impact the Nascent Soul realm.

At least ten years or so are needed to slowly polish his own magic power. When the magic power in his body becomes a matter of course, he can try to impact the next realm of cultivation. Seeing Song Qingyu return to the family, and with nothing to do for the moment, Song Qingming originally intended to continue secluding himself to polish his magic power and practice for a while.

But after he explained things with Song Qingyu, less than a month after he had just secluded himself to practice, a "conscription order" suddenly came from "Guyang Mountain," startling Song Qingming, who was secluding himself to practice.

Song Qingming, who received the sect’s "conscription order," opened it and found that a market on the edge of "Taiyue Lake" in the south of the sect had suddenly been harassed by high-level demonic cultivators.

Seeing this, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu, who had just been free for a short time, had no choice but to come out of seclusion together and rush to the sect.

The two had just arrived at the "Carefree Hall" and found that sect elders Xu Ziyan and others had already been waiting here.

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

"Eh! Song Senior Brother, you have already broken through to the ninth level of Core Formation, this is truly a joyous and congratulatory thing."

"Heh, congratulations to Song Junior Brother for his cultivation having made further progress!"

"..."

Hearing what Xu Ziyan said, the many "Carefree Sect" elders in the hall also revealed a trace of surprise one after another, and then they all cupped their hands and said their congratulations to Song Qingming.

Seeing this, Song Qingming also hurriedly cupped his hands to return the salute to everyone, and explained to everyone that he had just come out of seclusion not long ago.

Before going to the "Thunder Origin Sea" cultivation world to participate in the trading fair, Song Qingming’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the eighth level of Core Formation, and it was not far from breaking through to the ninth level of Core Formation.

It has only been a few years since he returned from the "Thunder Origin Sea" cultivation world, and Song Qingming has successfully advanced to the ninth level of Core Formation as expected.

Everyone present also found it not difficult to guess that Song Qingming must have obtained some spiritual items that helped him break through his cultivation at the "Thunder Origin Sea" trading fair.

It has been less than two years since he returned from the "Thunder Origin Sea" cultivation world, and not only has Song Qingming’s cultivation made progress.

Chu Fengping, who also received a high-grade spiritual pill at the trading fair, also made further progress after staying at the sixth level of Core Formation for many years, breaking through his cultivation to the late stage of Core Formation.

There are also Yun Nishang, who traveled together, and Xu Ziyan, for whom Song Qingming helped purchase the spiritual pill, whose cultivation has also had different changes.

It’s just that compared with them, Song Qingming’s successful advancement to the ninth level of Core Formation this time is obviously more eye-catching here.

Song Qingming has only been forming his core for a little over a hundred years, and he has successfully cultivated to the ninth level of Core Formation. This cultivation speed is no worse than that of Chen Xuanxin, who has the highest cultivation among those present.

Everyone present also couldn't help but think about who between him and Chen Xuanxin would be more likely to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

However, although the ninth level of Core Formation and the Nascent Soul realm are only one step away, this step is like a natural chasm and is not so easy to cross. Everyone present is naturally well aware of this.

Whether it is Song Qingming and Chen Xuanxin, who have already cultivated to the ninth level of Core Formation, or other Core Formation cultivators present, they all have little certainty that they can really take this step in the future.

After greeting everyone present, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu, who had just taken their seats, saw that so many Core Formation elders had gathered in the hall, and they couldn't help but reveal a trace of doubt on their faces.

At this time, in the hall, apart from Li Mufeng, who is rarely seen on weekdays, many Core Formation elders in the "Carefree Sect," as well as Bai Yuxian, the Nascent Soul old ancestor, had all come here.

Logically speaking, even if one or two Core Formation demonic cultivators appeared within the territory, the sect should not have made such a big battle, even alarming the Nascent Soul old ancestor to come out.

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

Just when Song Qingming was thinking about this, and a trace of doubt was gradually appearing on his face, Xu Ziyan at the side immediately saw the anomaly on Song Qingming’s face.

Before Song Qingming could ask, Xu Ziyan took the initiative to tell Song Qingming and his companion, who came to participate in the sect’s discussion, the ins and outs of the matter.

It turned out that gathering everyone to exterminate demonic cultivators this time was just an excuse used by the sect, and the real intention was that the "Carefree Sect" was preparing to take action against the "Nine Origin Sect" in the west.

A part of the territory in the southwest of Wei Guo is adjacent to "Taiyue Lake," and there are also many islands in the lake that belong to Wei Guo. The "Taiyue Lake" secret realm that Song Qingming participated in back then was on one of the islands.

It’s just that because the demonic beasts in the lake are fierce, apart from individual islands near the "Taiyue Lake" market, the "Carefree Sect" does not have actual control over these surrounding islands, and most of them are still in the hands of the demonic beasts in the lake.

Some time ago, I don't know where a group of Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators came from, and they suddenly raided a small market controlled by the "Carefree Sect" in "Taiyue Lake."

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

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

At most, the "Law Enforcement Hall" would send a few Foundation Establishment disciples to investigate, and then exterminate this group of Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, and that would be the end of it.

But when the disciples of the sect’s "Law Enforcement Hall" investigated this matter, they happened to find that the hiding place of this group of demonic cultivators was hidden in a deep mountain in the south of Yue Guo.

That place already belonged to the territory of the "Nine Origin Sect" in Yue Guo, and the "Nine Origin Sect" and the "Carefree Sect" have always been enemies over these years, and the relationship between the two sects is extremely bad.

After the sect’s "Law Enforcement Hall" cultivators found out the situation, they did not choose to take action to exterminate this group of demonic cultivators in the territory of the "Nine Origin Sect," but reported the matter to the sect elders.

After Li Wutong and others learned about this, they felt that this was just a good opportunity for the sect to make trouble for the "Nine Origin Sect," so there was this sect discussion.

Knowing the intention of the sect to gather them here, Song Qingming couldn't help but reveal a trace of surprise. No wonder this sect discussion would alarm so many elders to come here.

Because of the Ma family rebellion back then, the "Nine Origin Sect" intervened and intervened in the struggle between Wei Guo and the "Carefree Sect," Song Qingming also participated in it personally, so he naturally knew the grudges between the two sects very well.

Coupled with the fact that when Bai Yuxian formed her infant later, the "Ink Dragon Demon Emperor" led the demon army to block the Dao, and the "Nine Origin Sect" also had a shadow behind it.

The two sides have been feuding for more than a hundred years and have long been at odds.

Originally, the "Carefree Sect" and the "Nine Origin Sect" both belonged to Nascent Soul sects, and the strength gap between the two sects was not that big.

Over these years, due to the pressure from the northern demon race being too great, the "Carefree Sect" has not found a suitable opportunity to find the "Nine Origin Sect" to settle the grudges between the two sides.

Now, with Bai Yuxian’s successful infant formation, the "Carefree Sect" strength has greatly increased, and it has expanded its territory by thousands of miles to the north, temporarily solving the worries brought by the demon race in the north.

The current "Carefree Sect" can already free up its hands and take action against the "Nine Origin Sect" beside it at any time.

Although the "Nine Origin Sect" still has the shadow of the "Ten Thousand Spirit Sect," the number one sect in the Floating Cloud Mountain Range, behind it, no matter what, the other party cannot sit idly by and watch the "Carefree Sect" annex the entire Yue Guo.

But now the strength of the "Carefree Sect" is also different from what it used to be. Even if it cannot destroy the entire "Nine Origin Sect," it is not difficult for them to tear a piece of meat from the other party.

As long as they find an opportunity to take action, the "Carefree Sect" will certainly not let the other party go easily.

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

"Greetings to Senior Uncle Li!"

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

With just a flash, Li Mufeng walked through the air and arrived at the head of the hall. After nodding to Bai Yuxian, who was sitting on the side, he turned and waved his hand directly to everyone below.

"Today, I have gathered you all here to discuss major sect affairs. You don't need to be formal, sit down first!"

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

"The rebellion of the Ma family in Iron Immortal Castle a hundred years ago, I think most of you present have experienced it. This is a matter of shame for the sect for many years.

I stood here back then and said that this sect and the Nine Origin Sect are at odds and will never forgive them lightly!

Now Junior Sister Bai has broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, and the northern demon race has also been driven back to Golden Feather Mountain by us. The sect has no worries behind it.

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

"We swear to be loyal to the sect!"

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

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

Subsequently, this large flying boat gradually hid its figure in the rolling clouds and mist, and soon disappeared completely in mid-air. (End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 822 =====