Chapter 110: Chapter 110: Collective Breakthrough

After seeing Zhu Yiqun off, Song Changsheng’s life returned to peace. He continued his secluded cultivation to comprehend the Little Divine Technique, the Mountain-Flipping Seal. Once he mastered this technique, very few Foundation Establishment Cultivators would be able to threaten him.

He had originally planned for a long period of secluded cultivation, but a message from Grand Elder Song Xianyun forced him to emerge ahead of schedule.

This time, however, it wasn’t bad news. In fact, it was something genuinely good...

After emerging from seclusion, Song Changsheng hurried to the assembly hall. Aside from Song Lutong and the Clan Leader, all the clan’s upper echelons were present.

"Good, everyone is here. Now, I’ll have Luzhou announce the good news," Song Xianyun said with a cheerful laugh, stroking his beard.

Many of those present still didn’t know what was happening and could only look at Song Luzhou in confusion.

Song Luzhou stood up and said with considerable pride, "Everyone, I previously entered seclusion to refine the Dragon Ascending Pill. Fortunately, I was successful. From two batches, I produced a total of ten pills, enough for all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in our clan."

The moment he said this, looks of delighted surprise appeared on everyone’s faces.

The Dragon Ascending Pill is a Tier Two High-grade Pill. Its main ingredient, the Red Jade Vermilion Fruit, is exceptionally rare. The pill is incredibly potent; for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, consuming one can increase the probability of breaking through a cultivation bottleneck.

It must be understood that after a Cultivator reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage, bottlenecks are incredibly difficult to overcome. If one’s destiny is lacking, they could be trapped at that level for their entire life, unable to advance.

Take Grand Elder Song Xianyun, for example. He reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment thirty years ago, but he has been trapped by a bottleneck ever since, unable to break through to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.

Thirty years! Even though a Foundation Establishment Cultivator has a lifespan of two hundred and fifty years, how many thirty-year periods can one spare?

He had all but given up, but the appearance of the Dragon Ascending Pill gave him new hope.

"This is wonderful! With this batch of Dragon Ascending Pills, the clan’s strength is sure to reach a new level!" an excited Clan Elder, already a century old, exclaimed.

"Indeed. The situation in Ling Province is volatile, and our clan is at the center of the storm. We must possess even greater strength to face what’s to come. This is a true blessing," another Clan Elder said with excitement.

"This is precisely why I gathered you all here," Song Xianyun began. "Among our clan’s current Foundation Establishment Cultivators—excluding the Young Clan Leader and Lutong, who just broke through, and the Clan Leader, who is at his peak—the remaining five of us, myself included, have all hit a bottleneck.

"I have already reported this to the Clan Leader. In the near future, the five of us will enter secluded cultivation together to absorb the Dragon Ascending Pills. This is to prepare for the increasingly grim situation in Ling Province," Song Xianyun said with a solemn nod.

The assembly hall suddenly fell silent. A Clan Elder stood up and said worriedly, "Is it really wise for five Elders to enter seclusion at the same time?"

They had good reason to be concerned. These five Elders represented more than half of the Song Clan’s top fighting power, and absorbing a Dragon Ascending Pill would take at least six months to a year. If an emergency arose during that time, how would the clan possibly respond?

But Song Xianyun replied with complete confidence, "There is no need to worry. During the time we are in seclusion, the Young Clan Leader will be given full authority to manage the clan’s daily affairs.

"If an external enemy attacks and the Young Clan Leader is unable to handle the situation, the Clan Leader himself will emerge from his seclusion."

"But..." The few Clan Elders exchanged glances, still feeling that the plan was too risky.

Seeing their hesitation, Song Xianyun frowned. "Everyone, time waits for no one! The Earth Fire Sect and the Lieyang Sect are vicious and ambitious. Who knows when they might try to make a comeback? If we don’t seize this opportunity to increase our strength now, our enemies certainly won’t give us another one later."

With things put so bluntly, the Clan Elders had no choice but to agree with Song Xianyun’s decision, despite their lingering doubts.

Seeing the Clan Elders finally relent, Song Xianyun turned to Song Changsheng. "Changsheng, the clan is in your hands for the time being."

Song Changsheng was already mentally prepared. He quickly stood up and replied, "Elders, Clan Elders, please rest assured. I will not fail you!"

"Good. After the meeting, come with me to the Minor Affairs Hall for the handover."

After the meeting, Song Changsheng looked at the mountain of Jade Scrolls and said with a pained expression, "Grand Elder, you’ve really thrown me to the wolves this time! I’ve barely handled any clan affairs before, and now everything’s been dumped on me."

Song Xianyun clasped his hands behind his back and said earnestly, "All of this will be in your hands sooner or later. Did you think you could escape it? Get some experience now. If you mess anything up, you still have us old bones to clean up after you. Once we’re six feet under, you’ll be on your own."

"You’re still hale and hearty. Now that you have the Dragon Ascending Pill, there’s a good chance you’ll even reach the Purple Mansion realm one day. What’s my hurry?" Song Changsheng said with a chuckle.

"Heh, you little sweet-talker. Always know what to say." A smile touched Song Xianyun’s lips, but his expression quickly turned stern. "But flattery will get you nowhere. Starting tomorrow, you will officially begin handling the clan’s affairs, and you will continue until we emerge from seclusion."

Song Changsheng’s smile instantly vanished. ’I guess there’s no getting out of it,’ he lamented inwardly.

The next day, Song Xianyun and the other Elders each received a Dragon Ascending Pill and subsequently announced they were entering seclusion. Song Changsheng, on the other hand, dove headfirst into the mountain of clan affairs...

Lacking experience at first, Song Changsheng caused a fair bit of chaos. Fortunately, the Clan Elders were there to assist and guide him, sharing their experience. Gradually, he became more and more adept at handling the clan’s affairs.

Under his management, the clan’s operations ran smoothly, without a single ripple...