Chapter 23: In the Same Boat

[Moon Gazing] Song Taiyi, the ancestor of the Song clan, was an outcast of the Jin Dan (Golden Core) family, the [Splendid Banner] Song clan.

After the family struck his name from their records, he, in his despondency, traveled to Lingzhou and established his own clan, calling himself a branch of the Song clan, though in reality, he was never recognized by the [Splendid Banner] Song clan.

Song Taiyi's greatest regret before his death was failing to regain recognition from the ancestral vein, and he ultimately passed away with this grievance.

This regret was eventually inherited by his descendants; the entire Song clan worked tirelessly to gain recognition from the ancestral vein.

However, such efforts were futile; the lofty Jin Dan family would not even spare them a glance.

This situation persisted until a hundred years ago. Although Song Yungui had suffered heavy losses, the Song clan was still a Zi Fu (Purple Mansion) family and a well-known entity in the Great Qi cultivation world.

At the same time, the ancestral vein suffered a major upheaval, leading to heavy losses among the clan's young and able-bodied members, resulting in a generational gap.

It was then that the lofty Jin Dan family finally deigned to look down upon these scattered branch families.

They sent representatives to Cangmang Peak. At that time, the clan was at its peak, and the visitors were very satisfied, verbally acknowledging the status of the [Moon Gazing] Song branch.

Since they had returned, there were naturally divisions of interests and obligations. The interest was that the ancestral vein would periodically provide the branch with Foundation Establishment Pills and other precious cultivation resources—though, of course, one had to pay for them.

Aside from that, there were no other benefits.

While the interests were simple, the obligations were many. The primary point was that a tribute had to be made every ten years; this was not a heavy burden for the clan and was of little consequence.

Another point was crucial: they had to send out the clan's outstanding members to return to the ancestral vein. This was a mandatory condition, and representatives would come in person to select them at regular intervals.

Facing such a humiliating treaty, the clan leader at the time, Song Yunhan, signed it despite pressure from all sides.

The reason was simple: Song Yungui was nearing the end of his life. Without that pillar of support, the other powers in Lingzhou would surely rise to resist the clan's rule.

The clan needed Foundation Establishment Pills to cultivate enough Foundation Establishment cultivators to maintain their status.

Furthermore, the clan lacked the raw materials to grow Foundation Establishment Pills; they had always relied on purchasing them from various sources, which was not only unstable but also expensive.

On the side of the ancestral vein, Foundation Establishment Pills were not particularly rare, and the supply was stable.

Thus, this unequal contract was signed—a mere compromise born of helplessness.

It proved that this move was wise; the clan successfully preserved itself after Song Yungui's passing and cultivated many Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, as the clan failed to produce any new Zi Fu cultivators, the ancestral vein gradually lost interest. In recent years, not only has the supply of Foundation Establishment Pills dwindled, but even contact has nearly been severed.

This was why Song Luyao had said those words during the meeting: they shared only a purely transactional relationship, and the contract written long ago had already become two different "Song" names.

If they could not generate sufficient profit, the main family would once again kick them aside without a second glance.

Song Xianyun sighed deeply and said, "That may be so, but it is still just speculation. We must still prepare spirit stones according to the standard of five pills—at least 150,000. If we don't use them, we can simply return them to everyone."

The crowd fell into a momentary silence; this was the sorrow of lacking Foundation Establishment materials...

Hearing this, Song Luyao said directly, "I can contribute 1,800 pieces."

The others also generously opened their purses, bringing out their entire life savings. These high-ranking clan members gathered a total of nearly 30,000 spirit stones; the rest would have to rely on the other clansmen.

"Then it is settled. Once the spirit stones are gathered, we will send them to Guest Lu. We will secure as much as we can," Song Xianyun decided immediately.

"Sigh, we have to trouble the child, Guest Lu, to exert himself again. He left the clan at a young age and has been working for the clan ever since. It has truly been hard on him," an elder lamented.

"The clan will not forget his contributions. If the main family has an opportunity to break through to the Zi Fu realm, we will support him with all our might. This matter is concluded. What I want to discuss now is something else. During the clan trial a few days ago, the Earth Fire Sect..." Song Luyao recounted the events in detail.

After hearing this, an elder said with a joyful expression, "That mother and son have truly performed a great service this time; they must be rewarded."

"That child Changsheng is indeed quite good," Song Luzhou remarked, offering a rare word of praise for Song Changsheng.

Song Luhua and the other elders also expressed great admiration for Song Changsheng.

"Luyao, why don't you say the rest as well?" Song Xianyun understood that Song Luyao wasn't just telling them this so they could praise Song Changsheng.

"Everyone, what I want to say is that, based on the talent and strength Song Changsheng has demonstrated, he can no longer be measured simply by his spiritual roots.

His spiritual roots are not top-tier among the younger generation—in fact, they are considered quite poor—but he is currently the preeminent existence among the clan's youth.

Furthermore, his character, courage, and talent are all of the highest order. Therefore, I believe it is time for the clan to select a Young Clan Leader. This is not only an acknowledgment of Song Changsheng but also an incentive for the younger generation of the clan."

Song Luyao's words once again left everyone looking at one another in surprise; none of them had expected she would say this.

Song Luzhou smacked his lips and said, "Changsheng as Young Clan Leader? I think it's acceptable. The boy is indeed excellent."

"I also think there is no problem. The clan has not selected a Young Clan Leader for nearly a hundred years. Selecting one would indeed be very meaningful for the younger generation," Song Luhua agreed.

However, an elder expressed doubt: "A hundred years ago, Ancestor Yunhan abolished the system of a Young Clan Leader specifically to prevent a single branch from holding power long-term, which would eventually lead to the clan splitting into main and branch families.

As it turns out, she was right. Over these hundred years, the clan has completely eliminated the distinction between direct and collateral lines, which is why we have remained united. Are we now to regress into history?"

"I believe quite the opposite. It is precisely because the clan no longer holds the concept of direct and collateral lines that we should re-select a Young Clan Leader.

However, the method must change. We will no longer select from the descendants of the Clan Leader as before, but rather decide based on talent, character, and various other factors.

Although Song Changsheng is the Clan Leader's grandson, neither the Clan Leader nor the Fifth Elder is present today, so this is merely a coincidence; it is primarily because he is sufficiently excellent.

In the future, when selecting a Young Clan Leader, we should use him as the standard and select from all eligible youths in the clan," an elder proposed.

These words immediately swayed those few who had disagreed. If selected according to such standards, it was not impossible.

"Ahem." Song Xianyun cleared his throat and said to the crowd with a bitter smile, "No matter how heated our discussion here, it is useless. This matter must be decided by the Clan Leader himself.

You all know his temperament; he was the most staunch supporter of Ancestor Yunhan. Even if he agrees to establish a Young Clan Leader, he is unlikely to choose Changsheng.

However, I will bring this matter to him and explain everyone's attitude, though the outcome is hard to say.

Nevertheless, I can personally decide to upgrade his status from a Foundation Establishment Seed to a Zi Fu Seed. This can serve as his reward."

"That would be excellent."

"Very good."

Everyone expressed satisfaction with this plan.

And so, in a daze, Song Changsheng became one of the only two current Zi Fu Seeds of the clan.

Why not the only one? Because ever since Song Qingxing was detected to have an anomalous spiritual root, he had already been a Zi Fu Seed of the clan.

...

(End of Chapter)