Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Song Changsheng’s pupils dilated, eventually glowing with a fervent light. He asked eagerly, "This thing can repair Grandfather’s damaged Life Origin?"

The most troublesome part of Song Xianming’s injuries was the damage to his Life Origin. This was incredibly difficult to mend. For all these years, the entire Song Clan had exhausted their resources but failed to find a Spiritual Object capable of restoring it.

Even when they sought help from the main branch of the clan, the answer was that nothing could be done.

Of course, it wasn’t that a grand Golden Core Major Clan couldn’t produce such a treasure. Their "inability to help" was simply because the current Moon Viewing Song Clan was not worthy of it.

They had all but given up hope, but just when they thought all was lost, a new path appeared.

"If this is real, we won’t have to fear the Lieyang Sect anymore! And if Eldest Uncle can break through to the Purple Mansion Stage, we could even stand against them as equals!" Song Luhuai said, his heart pounding with excitement as he stared at the Wood Essence Jade Marrow in Xia Yunxue’s hands. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Song Xianming was already over two hundred years old, considered advanced in age even among Foundation Establishment Cultivators. However, as long as his damaged Life Origin was restored, it wouldn’t prevent him from attempting another breakthrough to the Purple Mansion.

The level of life between a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Qi Cultivator is completely different. For a Qi Cultivator, their blood and qi generally begin to decline around the age of sixty, causing the success rate of Foundation Establishment to drop rapidly. Therefore, the earlier one condenses their Dao Foundation, the greater their chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

But Foundation Establishment Cultivators were different. Breaking through to the Purple Mansion depended more on one’s own aptitude and comprehension, and had little to do with physical function.

As long as life persists, the Great Dao never ends. As long as a single breath remains, one can keep trying!

Song Xianming’s aptitude was, of course, exceptional. Coupled with his past experience of attempting the breakthrough, if he could try again, there was a high chance he could step into the Purple Mansion Realm in one go, adding another three hundred years to his lifespan.

At that time, factions like the Earth Fire Sect and the Lieyang Sect would be nothing to worry about!

It was no wonder they were so excited.

"This object is of utmost importance. We absolutely cannot let word of this leak. After we’ve concluded matters here, I will personally deliver it to Father," Xia Yunxue said gravely.

"Understood!"

Because the gains this time were so immense, Song Changsheng and the others silently picked up their pace. They harvested all the mature Spirit Medicines and sowed new seeds.

After the accompanying Spirit Plant Cultivators transplanted the rare Spirit Plants, such as the Foundation Establishment Fruit Tree and the Red Jade Vermilion Fruit, the group exited the Barrier.

At the entrance to the Barrier, Song Changsheng set up a Concealment Array to hide the aura of the Wood Spirit Vein, then notified Song Xianhe to resume production.

Although Song Xianhe sensed something was amiss, he was a smart man. He knew what he should and shouldn’t know. He proceeded to arrange for the miners to descend into the mines as scheduled, acting as if he had noticed nothing.

After leaving the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein, the group returned to the clan at top speed and immediately convened a meeting with the clan’s upper echelon.

The Elders were all in attendance. With the exception of Song Lutong, who was guarding the Mortal World, Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, Song Luyao, Song Luhuai, Xia Yunxue, and Song Changsheng were all present.

Aside from the Wood Essence Jade Marrow, Song Changsheng gave a rough summary of their other gains, causing everyone present to grow excited.

It was as if an immense fortune had fallen from the sky and stunned them all. A Tier Two Wood Spirit Vein!

"Not only did the Young Clan Leader slay an Elder from the Lieyang Sect and severely injure Qu Jinsheng, he even discovered such a treasure-filled land for the clan. The Young Clan Leader is truly a man of great fortune! The clan’s revival is just around the corner."

A Clan Elder said with deep emotion, gently stroking his beard.

"Indeed. To achieve such an impressive combat record right after breaking through to Foundation Establishment... even the Clan Leader in his youth would pale in comparison."

Song Changsheng quickly stood and said, "The Clan Elders praise me too highly. How could this junior’s meager accomplishments compare to my grandfather’s?"

"Alright, enough with the pleasantries. Let’s first discuss the clan’s future relationship with the Li Clan. Now that our clan has this Tier Two Wood Spirit Vein, we will inevitably be in opposition to the Li Clan. Should we continue our current collaborations with them?"

Song Xianyun asked the group with a frown, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

Spirit Medicine is the pillar of the Li Clan’s economy. Although the vein the Song Clan obtained is much smaller in area, it’s still a major blow to the Li Clan—enough to shake them to their very foundations.

When that time comes, a hundred-year alliance will mean nothing. When it comes to core interests, even blood brothers can turn on each other.

Therefore, how to handle the relationship with the Li Clan became the most pressing issue at hand, especially since the Song Clan currently had several ongoing collaborations with them.

The clan’s upper echelon discussed for several hours and finally decided to temporarily maintain their current relationship with the Li Clan. They would reconsider their plans once the Spirit Medicines in the Wood Spirit Vein established a self-sustaining cycle.

After all, until a new Purple Mansion Cultivator emerged in their clan, they still needed to ally with the Li Clan’s strength to counterbalance the Earth Fire Sect and its allies.

After the meeting concluded, Song Luzhou unceremoniously took two Red Jade Vermilion Fruits from Song Changsheng to refine Dragon Ascending Pills.

The last one became Song Changsheng’s personal property, which he rightfully deserved.

——————

「Vast Summit, within Ruyun Hall.」

Song Xianming stared at the Wood Essence Jade Marrow in his hand, a hint of astonishment appearing on his otherwise placid face. He tentatively absorbed a sliver of it, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Excellent! Excellent! Heaven has not forsaken my path!"

"Grandfather, is it effective?" Song Changsheng asked expectantly.

"It is indeed effective. I only need to fully absorb it, and this old man can mend my damaged Life Origin." Song Xianming’s wrinkled face was wreathed in smiles. This was equivalent to being given a second chance.

"That’s wonderful! Once Grandfather restores his Life Origin, the clan will have another Purple Mansion Great Cultivator," Song Changsheng congratulated him cheerfully.

"It’s too early to say that. Fully absorbing it will take at least ten years or so," Song Xianming said, waving his hand dismissively.

Ten years was not a long time for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but for Song Xianming, who was already two hundred years old, those ten years would undoubtedly be an ordeal.

But at least now there was hope for the path ahead. It would no longer be as bleak as before, where the end was visible at a single glance.

"Grandfather, please enter your seclusion with peace of mind. I will be sure to guard the clan well with our clansmen!" Song Changsheng said with great solemnity.

"With you all here, I can rest easy." Song Xianming nodded with a smile, then took the Wood Essence Jade Marrow and entered seclusion...

After this matter was settled, Song Changsheng returned to his courtyard and focused on cultivating the Five Beasts Body Refining Technique. The breathing method of the Earth Dragon Race was truly profound, and Song Changsheng felt he had been progressing at lightning speed recently.

He also found time to practice a set of spear techniques. Although the Spirit-Slaying Gourd was powerful, the cooldown period after using the Spirit-Slaying Blade was too long. During that time, his offensive capabilities were greatly reduced, unless he were to use the Yin Yang Two Elements Formation.

As it happened, Zhangg Chenlong’s Broken Water Spear felt quite natural in his hands. He decided to train with it diligently and make it his primary offensive method, saving the Spirit-Slaying Gourd as his trump card.

...