Chapter 228: Chapter 171: 3 Foundation Establishment Pills

With that, she actually pulled Song Muqing down to his knees.

Song Changsheng was startled and quickly tried to stop them. "What are you two doing? We’re all family. There’s no need for this."

Although Song Yushi relented at his repeated insistence, she still pressed Song Muqing down to kowtow to him a few times.

This time, Song Changsheng didn’t refuse. In terms of seniority, he was one of Song Muqing’s elders, so he was worthy of receiving the kowtows.

Only then did Song Changsheng turn his gaze to the woman sleeping against the tree trunk. He sighed. "So it really was because of you. You’re lucky. If someone else had found you, your corpse might have been left to rot in the wilderness by now."

"Clan Brother, you know her?" Song Yushi asked curiously, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains from Song Yulong.

"I do. You must have heard some of the rumors on your way here, right?" Song Changsheng replied as he examined Xia Qingxue’s injuries.

"Is she really the missing Direct Disciple from the Golden Crow Sect?" Song Yushi had clearly suspected this already, so she wasn’t too surprised.

Song Changsheng nodded. "That’s right. Not long ago, the Yuan Province Garrison Envoy ordered us to find her. I didn’t expect you to be the ones to stumble upon her."

Song Yushi fell silent at his words. ’If I hadn’t been moved by compassion, we wouldn’t have been hunted by the Blood Demon, and Song Yulong wouldn’t be like this.’

Unaware of her thoughts, Song Changsheng turned to Song Muqing and asked, "How old are you? What’s your name?"

"Song Muqing. I’m fifteen," Song Muqing replied, his gaze toward Song Changsheng filled with awe.

Song Changsheng gave him a surprised look. ’Qi Refining Seventh Layer at only fifteen years old? That’s even a little better than I was back then.’

"Good. I have a task for you. Can you handle it?" Song Changsheng asked, his encouraging gaze fixed on the boy’s eyes.

Song Muqing nodded firmly and declared loudly, "I can."

"Go burn those bodies, retrieve their Qiankun Bags, and then erase all traces of the fight."

Watching Song Muqing walk tremblingly toward the corpses, Song Changsheng shook his head to himself. ’He lacks a ruthless edge. His cultivation isn’t low, but he’s never experienced real bloodshed before. He still needs to be tempered.’

As if sensing Song Changsheng’s intentions, Song Yushi said softly, "The clan has protected them too well. This is Qing’Er’s first real combat experience and the first time he’s had to touch a corpse. Hopefully, today will help him mature."

"He’s just a boy, after all. His performance has been quite good," Song Changsheng said with a comforting smile, then began to cast the Light of Resurgence on Xia Qingxue.

Xia Qingxue’s condition was even more dire than Song Yulong’s. Anyone else with such injuries would have died several times over.

The Light of Resurgence wasn’t as effective as hoped, but it managed to stabilize her injuries. Her life was no longer in danger.

By the time he finished his treatment, Song Muqing had returned, clutching several Qiankun Bags with a pale face. Though he had no experience with such things, he had done a decent job. All traces of the battle had been cleared away. Barring any special detection methods, it would be difficult for anyone to figure out who was responsible.

"Good job. This one’s for you." Song Changsheng smiled and patted the boy’s shoulder, handing him one of the Qiankun Bags.

"Those are your spoils of war, Clan Brother. How can Qing’Er possibly accept one?" Song Yushi quickly interjected. ’This is the Qiankun Bag of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator! Its value is certainly not low.’

Song Changsheng waved a dismissive hand. "Just consider it a little meeting gift for a junior clansman. Now, let’s pack up and prepare to return to the clan. It isn’t safe here."

At his words, Song Yushi said no more, while Song Muqing happily accepted the Qiankun Bag.

Song Changsheng flew on his sword over to the Luwu Bell. He forcefully refined the Demon Wheel imprisoned within it, and in a short moment, the process was complete.

’All told, this is the third High-Grade Spiritual Artifact I’ve acquired,’ Song Changsheng sighed. ’It’s a shame the Heaven-Encompassing Net was destroyed, and this one is a Demon Artifact.’ ’My luck is truly something else. Out of three, only one is usable.’

After taking care of everything, Song Changsheng led Song Yushi and the others toward Vast Mist Peak.

A while after they had departed, a figure arrived on a flying sword. He landed on the site of Song Changsheng’s battle and scanned his surroundings. ’The battle’s fluctuations must have originated from here. Who in the world was engaged in Magical Combat to create such a powerful disturbance?’

He searched the surroundings but found nothing, ultimately forced to return empty-handed...

When Song Changsheng and the others returned to Vast Mist Peak, Song Luzhou and Xia Wanyun were already waiting at the foot of the mountain with a group to welcome them. Even though Song Yulong and his sister were juniors, they had traveled thousands of miles to escort the Foundation Establishment Pills for the clan; it was only right for the clan to show how much it valued their contribution.

"How could we juniors trouble all you elders to welcome us here?" Although the siblings Song Yushi and her brother were born in the Central Continent, they had returned a few times in their youth with their father, Song Luke, so they recognized everyone present. They hurriedly led Song Muqing forward to bow in greeting.

"Ah, it’s Yushi. It must have been twenty years since you were last here. And you’ve already broken through to Foundation Establishment." Song Luzhou sized up Song Yushi, his heart filled with emotion. ’If she’d been born and raised in this branch of the clan, she’d likely still be struggling to reach Foundation Establishment, wouldn’t she?’

"Greetings, Fifth Uncle," Song Yushi said, then turned to the boy. "Qing’Er, greet him as Fifth Grand-uncle." She continued to greet the others one by one.

Just then, Xia Wanyun noticed that Song Changsheng was carrying one person on his back and another in his arms.

She recognized Song Yulong. ’But who is the other woman?’

"Sheng’Er, is Yulong alright?"

"His injuries aren’t light, but I’ve stabilized them. He’ll be fine with some proper rest."

"And this young woman is..."

Song Changsheng glanced around furtively and whispered, "It’s not convenient to speak here. I’ll explain later."

That night, after the welcome banquet, Song Changsheng, Song Luzhou, the other elders, and Song Yushi all gathered together.

Song Yushi solemnly took out a box and placed it on the table. "These are the Foundation Establishment Pills the main branch of the family promised us. There are three in total. While the number is small, Father fought to get us a batch of the highest quality."

"Luke has been very thoughtful. It must have been difficult for him all these years," Song Luzhou sighed. In the last century, the Song Clan had sent over a dozen of its finest members to the main family branch.

As time passed, most of them had completely severed their ties with their home clan. Only Song Luke had always kept this branch in his heart. Even his descendants felt a strong sense of belonging to the Moon Viewing Song Clan.

Song Yushi quickly replied, "Fifth Uncle, you speak too gravely. Father always said that he was born here and raised here, and when he dies, he will be buried here. We are all one family. This is simply what he ought to do. To say otherwise would be to treat us as outsiders."

Song Luzhou laughed. "Yes, yes, we’re all one family. We won’t speak of it anymore. Why didn’t your father return this time?"

"The main branch recently acquired a batch of Yin Yang Purple Tree Hearts and decided to hold a trial to allocate them. Father broke through to the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection stage a few years ago, so he was permitted to participate. He couldn’t get away, so he sent me in his place."

Hearing this, everyone present looked pleasantly surprised.

"Does that mean Luke has a chance to get an opportunity to become a Purple Mansion Cultivator?" a Clan Elder exclaimed, standing up excitedly. "Yushi, is there anything our clan can do to help him?"

"That’s right. If there’s any way the clan can contribute, please don’t be a stranger," Xia Wanyun added.

After a moment’s hesitation, Song Yushi steeled herself. "Father was unwilling to trouble the clan, but it will be difficult for him to succeed in the trial with his own power alone. I implore you, elders, please lend him your aid!"

"Luke is exceptionally talented, but he lacks a strong backing, which makes it hard for him to compete against the others. Yushi, just tell us what he needs. As long as the clan possesses it, we will not be stingy."

Song Luzhou, who had always been an Iron Rooster, stood up to declare the clan’s stance.

A warmth spread through Song Yushi’s heart, and she said frankly, "Father still lacks a suitable Magical Artifact."

"A Magical Artifact..."

Everyone immediately sank into contemplation. After a moment, Song Luzhou looked up. "The clan possesses only three Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts. Two are with the Clan Leader, leaving only the Heaven-Covering Umbrella. What are your thoughts?"

Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward Song Changsheng. This was no small matter. Besides the Clan Leader himself, only he, as the Young Clan Leader, had the authority to make the final decision.

...