Chapter 24: Rumors (Please keep reading)

“One last thing. This attack on the mortal realm by demonic beasts must be intricately linked to the Earthfire Sect; it might even be their doing.

If we just swallow this insult, the Song family's influence in Lingzhou will diminish in the future. I believe we should return the favor properly,” a long-bearded elder said indignantly.

“That goes without saying. I plan to negotiate with the Li clan next to reduce our supply of spiritual herbs and ores to the Earthfire Sect. That should give them a taste of their own medicine,” Song Luzhou said with a chuckle, stroking his smooth chin.

“Excellent.”

The people present nodded in unison. Returning the favor to the Earthfire Sect without shedding blood was naturally the optimal solution. Within the confines of Lingzhou, when it came to foundation and resources, the Song clan feared no one.

“Very well, then today's clan meeting concludes here. We must accelerate the collection of spirit stones; I ask everyone to devote their utmost effort.”

“It is our duty!”

——————

The announcement regarding the clan's rewards and the loans of spirit stones was issued simultaneously.

Purchasing Foundation Establishment Pills was a matter of vital importance to every member of the clan. All members of the Song clan understood that only when the clan grew stronger could they enjoy better cultivation conditions and hold their heads high!

As such, everyone contributed generously, each offering a portion of their savings, more or less.

Even Song Changsheng, who had already become a Purple Mansion seed, donated two thousand spirit stones. After handing over this sum, he was left with only a few hundred, forcing him to temporarily shelve some of his original plans.

However, he felt no regret. Born into such a clan, he was willing to sacrifice for it.

What Song Changsheng did not expect, however, was that his grand gesture would cause a massive uproar within the clan.

Some questioned how a Qi Refinement cultivator like Song Changsheng could produce so many spirit stones. Was someone in the clan abusing their power for personal gain?

Though no names were explicitly mentioned, anyone with eyes knew the accusations were aimed at Xia Yunxue.

But Song Xianyun quickly stepped forward to debunk the rumors. He issued a formal report regarding the trial, which explicitly clarified the source of Song Changsheng's spirit stones.

With the support of the Great Elder, the discordant remarks vanished without a trace, but words spoken often come with a price.

On that very day, the Law Enforcement Team arrested several individuals who had been secretly fueling the rumors. After a thorough investigation, it was discovered that these people were actually spies planted by several of the clan's old rivals.

Handling a rumor and unexpectedly catching several spies could only be described as a pleasant surprise.

The clan acted swiftly; from the emergence of the rumors to the capture of the spies, only a few hours had passed. Song Changsheng, who was at the center of the public opinion storm, didn't even know what had happened before the clan's official notice of resolution was placed before him.

Song Changsheng did not care about what others said, but what he could not tolerate was someone secretly slandering his mother.

However, the clan's attitude and speed in handling the matter deeply moved him; the clan's protection of him and his mother was self-evident.

He thought the matter had been settled, but to his surprise, there was a follow-up.

His feats—capturing the Young Master of the Earthfire Sect alive and confronting Foundation Establishment cultivators—had spread far and wide. Combined with his generous contribution to the clan, his reputation within the family soared.

He truly began to carry the aura of a Young Clan Leader...

At the summit of the Vastness, by the shores of Mirror Lake.

Song Luyao respectfully reported the matter regarding the rumors to Song Xianming.

Holding a fishing rod, Song Xianming spoke with a calm expression: “Any matter that affects the unity of the clan must be treated with the utmost seriousness.

I do not believe this matter is as simple as a few pawns. Continue the investigation. This old man wants to know exactly who is stirring up trouble in the shadows!”

A cold glint flashed in Song Luyao's eyes as she asked, “Are you saying that the traitor has begun to move again?”

“Keep investigating, and you will find out everything.” A hint of killing intent seeped into Song Xianming's tone.

“Understood.”

For a moment, undercurrents surged within the clan.

...

Song Changsheng was unaware that his grandfather had emerged from seclusion, nor did he know about the secret meeting between Song Luyao and the elder. He was currently contemplating his next steps for development.

“My blacksmithing skills have fallen behind my formation skills. I must find a way to improve them. I should take on some blacksmithing tasks,” Song Changsheng thought to himself.

He headed toward the Contribution Hall, which was not only a place to exchange contribution points for supplies but also where clan tasks were posted.

The tasks here were diverse, covering all types and ranked by difficulty.

After browsing through them, Song Changsheng finally chose a long-term task: guarding a clan shop located in Lingzhou's only marketplace—the Flowing Cloud Market.

The Flowing Cloud Market was a cultivator trading hub jointly controlled by the six major Foundation Establishment powers. Including those major powers, dozens of Qi Refinement factions, and the rogue cultivators passing through Lingzhou, the market was a bustling place.

The Flowing Cloud Market was home to thousands of cultivators year-round, and the number of traders was even greater. The shops there were extremely profitable.

The shop Song Changsheng was heading to primarily dealt in magic tools, and since they were currently short of a blacksmith, he happened to fit the requirements perfectly.

The rewards for such tasks were generally quite generous, and it provided an opportunity to improve his blacksmithing skills, so Song Changsheng accepted without hesitation.

However, he faced a new dilemma: these types of tasks usually lasted a long time, and one could not leave until a successor blacksmith took over.

If so, what would happen to Little Green Mountain?

Setting aside the spirit fish that had yet to break through, things like the Spirit Gathering Array and the Mist-Hidden Tea could not be abandoned lightly. He had to find someone to take over for him.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Song Changsheng. He thought of two very suitable candidates: Song Qingxi and Song Qingxing.

Since Song Qingxing was unsociable and preferred to cultivate alone, it would be perfect to send him to the Lake Center Island. Although that place was remote, it was safe, and with the Spirit Gathering Array, his cultivation would not be hindered. It was simply perfect for him.

Most importantly, it would be difficult for his Wind Spiritual Root to be exposed there. It was truly killing two birds with one stone!

“I am truly brilliant.”

Song Changsheng gave himself a shameless compliment before reporting his idea, which, unexpectedly, was approved.

However, it wasn't just the two of them going; the Fourth Elder, Song Luhua, would also accompany them.

Besides the need to protect the precious Song Qingxing, there was another important reason: among all the remaining elders, Song Qingxing had the best attitude toward him, so going along was also intended to help change the boy's temperament.

This didn't matter much to Song Changsheng; his only private assets there were the Spirit Gathering Array and the Mist-Hidden Tea, and he trusted Song Luhua's character.

Having solved his main problem, Song Changsheng made careful preparations and set out on the road to the Flowing Cloud Market.

The Flowing Cloud Market was located in the Flowing Cloud Mountains to the north of the Moon-Watching Mountain Range, a distance of several thousand miles from the Vastness Peak. At Song Changsheng's pace, it would take at least several days.

Pushing forward with haste, Song Changsheng finally entered the Flowing Cloud Mountains at noon on the third day and saw the Flowing Cloud Market situated at the foot of the mountains...