Chapter 41: Uncle Jiu Leaves the Mountain

For most of these past few months, Song Qingming had devoted his time to managing Lingyuan Mountain; even his usual monthly trips to Caolu Mountain had been reduced to just once in the last three months.

Uncle Ninth, Song Changxin, observed that Song Qingming had become quite proficient in managing both mortals and the mines over the past few years. Consequently, during this period, he had entrusted all matters regarding the settlement of mortals entirely to him.

Song Qingming had been so dedicated to these affairs recently because he knew he was nearing the three-year mark of his stay at Lingyuan Mountain. He wanted to handle as many affairs as possible smoothly before his departure to facilitate a seamless handover to the next family cultivator stationed there.

Unexpectedly, just as Song Qingming was nearing completion with his preparations, Song Changxin summoned him into the house to deliver unexpected news.

Due to years of development, the population of Mujiao Town had been growing annually. Now that the clan had taken in several thousand mortals from the Liu family, they had no choice but to build several new villages adjacent to Mujiao Town. Currently, the clan's mortal affairs were managed solely by Fifth Aunt Song Changling, who was becoming overwhelmed. After discussing the matter with the Clan Leader, the Fourth Elder decided to mobilize Song Changxin to go there first to assist her.

This meant that Song Qingming would be left alone at Lingyuan Mountain. Knowing that Song Qingming's term of service was nearly up, Song Changxin called him in to discuss the situation.

"Qingming, I just received word from the Fourth Elder. He wants me to return to Funiu Mountain to help Changling manage the mortals under the clan's jurisdiction. The clan is currently short-handed, and since you are already familiar with the situation here at Lingyuan Mountain, the Fourth Elder and I discussed it and thought it might be better for you to temporarily remain here to cultivate. Once I am finished with my business there, I will return to take your place. What do you think?"

Song Changxin spoke with a hint of embarrassment. Although his words reflected the clan's arrangements, he was somewhat afraid that Song Qingming might refuse directly. After all, as a cultivator choosing a place to practice, the spiritual veins of Funiu Mountain were certainly superior; staying tucked away in Lingyuan Mountain would inevitably hinder his cultivation progress to some extent.

Song Qingming found the news somewhat sudden, but he didn't overthink it. While it was true that cultivating at Funiu Mountain was better, he currently did not lack for cultivation speed. On the contrary, Lingyuan Mountain was more secluded, which was more conducive to hiding the sensitive spiritual items he possessed.

The fragmented map on him, the items from Liu Tianlong's storage bag, and the mysteriously obtained *Jade Profound Scripture*—he dared not let anyone else know about them.

Recalling how the Liu family had brought ruin upon themselves merely for a single Water Spirit Fruit, he knew the value of this fragmented map was far greater. If used properly, it might even grant him a glimmer of hope for Foundation Establishment. If high-level cultivators were to find out, the Song family would surely follow in the Liu family's footsteps, perhaps with an even more tragic end.

As for the *Jade Profound Scripture*, ever since he began practicing this technique, Song Qingming felt that its profound nature was far more complex than he had initially assumed. Since starting the scripture, he had gradually felt his magical power becoming much denser than before; the technique seemed to possess a mysterious effect of tempering the spiritual qi within the body.

A technique with such an effect was naturally incomparable to the *Kun Yuan Art* he had originally practiced. The *Kun Yuan Art* was merely an ordinary Qi Refining Five Elements technique; when facing cultivators of the same rank, he often found himself at a disadvantage and had to rely on external items like magical tools and talismans to compensate for his strength.

After practicing the *Jade Profound Scripture* for over three months, Song Qingming could clearly feel that the spiritual energy he released was significantly stronger than before. If he continued to practice it long-term, his magical power would certainly be much denser than that of a cultivator practicing ordinary techniques. If he were fortunate enough to decipher techniques beyond the Foundation Establishment stage, he might even gain even greater divine abilities.

This realization made him feel more and more the extraordinary nature of this technique. Fortunately, he had not yet had the chance to transcribe it for the clan, and no one else in the family knew he was practicing it; otherwise, it would have been difficult to keep it a secret.

Currently, he practiced the *Jade Profound Scripture* while not neglecting the *Kun Yuan Art*. To an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator, there was certainly no way to detect any abnormality in his technique. Even Uncle Ninth, Song Changxin, who was in the late stages of Qi Refining, had not noticed his change in cultivation recently.

Thinking of this, Song Qingming hesitated briefly before agreeing. Even without this reason, it would have been difficult for him to refuse Song Changxin, who had looked after him so well over the past few years.

Seeing that Song Qingming did not decline, Song Changxin felt relieved and nodded with gratification. Among the young cultivators of the "Qing" generation in the family, aside from the genius Song Qingze, who possessed excellent spiritual roots, the others had relatively low cultivation. For Song Qingming to reach the fifth level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty-three, despite having some luck, was considered quite diligent.

"Don't worry. When I return, I will speak to the Fourth Elder about providing you with more spirit stones to ensure your cultivation isn't hindered. While I am away, you must look after Lingyuan Mountain well. Do not neglect the Black Iron mine either."

As a dedicated cultivator himself, Song Changxin favored hardworking juniors and had always been very supportive of Song Qingming's cultivation path.

"Uncle Ninth, if I am left here alone at Lingyuan Mountain, my cultivation is still quite low. I fear I may be unable to handle everything," Song Qingming nodded, then after a moment of hesitation, slowly voiced his concerns.

A slight smile appeared on Song Changxin's face. He took a red talisman from his storage bag and handed it to Song Qingming, saying solemnly

"This is a high-grade communication talisman. Keep it safe. If you encounter an attack from a high-level demon beast, release this talisman. The clan will receive the message within an hour and send reinforcements. This talisman was not easily obtained by the family; do not use it lightly unless absolutely necessary. In a few days, the Fourth Elder should arrange for someone to come and assist you. That should resolve your concerns, shouldn't it?"

"Since Uncle Ninth has made the arrangements, your nephew will certainly fulfill his mission," Song Qingming nodded in agreement, the look of worry fading from his face.

He had become highly proficient in operating the mountain-protecting array of Lingyuan Mountain over the years. As long as he didn't encounter particularly difficult high-level demon beasts, he had absolute confidence that nothing would go wrong.

Even if a high-level demon beast attacked, by using the communication talisman Song Changxin had just given him, he only needed to hold out for an hour to wait for the clan's reinforcements—a task that was not too difficult for his current self.

After Song Changxin gave him his final instructions that day, he went back to pack his belongings and departed Lingyuan Mountain under the setting sun. As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, his pace was naturally much faster than Song Qingming's, and he could easily return to Funiu Mountain before dark.

After waiting alone for several days, Song Qingming finally welcomed the family cultivator sent to assist him: his sixth brother, Song Qinghe.

Song Qinghe was two years older than Song Qingming, but his talent was even inferior to Song Qingming's; he was a five-element spiritual root cultivator. Although he practiced quite hard, his cultivation was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Song Qinghe had a somewhat rigid personality. Aside from closed-door cultivation, he spent his days helping in the clan's spirit fields. He was a spirit plant master, and he was likely more interested in flowers and plants than in people. Although Song Qingming did not speak much with this sixth brother, he knew him to be an honest person.

Seeing that Song Qingming's cultivation had already surpassed his own, Song Qinghe felt a sense of envy toward his seventh brother's luck. Although his spiritual roots were poor and he lacked great ambition, he had not given up on his path. Seeing someone close to him obtain a stroke of fortune naturally made him long for the day when heaven might favor him as well.

However, fortune is something that is difficult to obtain simply by hiding at home and practicing bitterly. Song Qingming's favor from heaven had only come after surviving numerous life-and-death struggles.

Once Song Qinghe arrived at Lingyuan Mountain, Song Qingming arranged for him to work at the mines, responsible for patrolling and supervising the mining operations. Song Qingming himself built a new small hut by Crescent Moon Lake, responsible for guarding the Lingyuan Mountain array, managing the mortal affairs, and providing guidance on techniques to the martial masters.

(End of Chapter)