At the foot of Vast Mist Peak, Song Changsheng and Song Luhuai, along with a dozen or so Qi Cultivation Stage clan members, had been waiting since early in the morning. Aside from a banner representing the Song Clan, they had nothing else with them.

Although the goods for this trade were numerous, they had all been stored in Spatial Spiritual Artifacts, which Song Changsheng and his group carried personally. Therefore, they didn’t need a large escort. The dozen or so clan members of all ages who followed them each had their own arrangements.

The Song Clan had a shop in Luoxia City. Although it hadn’t turned much of a profit over the years, it had always served as the clan’s intelligence post, constantly keeping an eye on news within the city. For the Song Clan, it was indispensable.

The Song Clan Members in the shop had held their post there for over a decade. Their service had been long and meritorious. Most of the clan members going on this trip were meant to relieve them.

The remaining few young clan members were among the more gifted of the younger generation. They were taking this rare opportunity to follow Song Changsheng’s group and broaden their horizons.

The group stood waiting under the scorching sun. As it neared Noon, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but grumble, "Why isn’t Grand-uncle Twenty-one here yet? The clan didn’t actually forget to prepare a birthday gift, did they?"

Song Luhuai chuckled in spite of himself. "He was probably just delayed by something. Congratulating the Great City Lord on his birthday is a matter of the highest importance. It’s impossible that we would be so disrespectful."

Song Changsheng just smiled. He was only letting off some steam.

After waiting for nearly another ancient hour, Song Xianyun finally came rushing over via Sword Control. The moment he landed, he took out an exquisite Purple Jade Box and said, "This is the birthday gift for the Great City Lord. Keep it safe, and do not open it."

Song Changsheng quickly reached out and took it. It was heavy in his hands, and he had no idea what was inside.

"Grand-uncle Twenty-one, what kind of treasure is in here? It took you so long to prepare it," he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Song Xianyun smiled and said, "One can’t be careless when preparing a gift for the Great City Lord’s birthday. This old man considered it for a long time before finally deciding on this Tier Three Demon Beast Inner Core as the gift."

"A Tier Three Core?" Song Changsheng was stunned. ’The clan has such a treasure?’

"Isn’t this gift a bit too extravagant?" he quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

The Inner Core of a Tier Three Demon Beast was far more valuable than a Spiritual Artifact.

Not only could it be used as the primary material for refining a Tier Three Spiritual Artifact, but it could also be used to create Foundation Establishment Pills!

Although Foundation Establishment Pills refined from an Inner Core had rather significant side effects, what were a few side effects compared to achieving Foundation Establishment?

The clan was in dire need of Foundation Establishment Pills right now, yet this was being given away as a birthday gift. Song Changsheng found it a little hard to accept.

Before Song Xianyun could speak, Song Luhuai interjected, "Could this be the Inner Core from the Golden-Horned Poison Flood Dragon that the Yungui Ancestor slew in the Hundred Thousand Mountains all those years ago?"

"Indeed. Nothing is more suitable as a birthday gift." Song Xianyun nodded with a smile.

Song Changsheng had a sudden realization. It was true that a Tier Three Demon Beast’s Inner Core could be used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, but the species mattered. The Inner Core of a Golden-Horned Poison Flood Dragon contained a lethal poison; for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, a single touch was basically fatal.

Who would dare to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill made from this thing?

If Alchemy was out, that left Artifact Refining. But the Song Clan had never produced a Tier Three Artifact Refiner. Song Xianming was only at the Tier Two Top Grade, so he couldn’t do anything with it either.

Therefore, this Inner Core was a "chicken rib" to the Song Clan—better to give it away as a birthday gift.

"Hiss... So this thing is quite dangerous," Song Changsheng said, sucking in a sharp breath.

"That’s why I told you not to open it in private. Alright, it’s getting late. You should hurry and set off. The Wang and Li Clans are probably getting anxious."

"Then we’ll be on our way. We’ll be counting on you to look after things at the clan!"

"Don’t worry about things at home. While you are away, you must remember to be careful. Don’t trust anyone easily, understand?" Song Xianyun urged earnestly.

"This grandson understands!"

After bidding farewell to Song Xianyun, the group moved quickly toward the designated meeting point.

As expected, the people from the Wang and Li Clans had been waiting for a long time.

"Brother Wang, Brother Li, I have arrived late. Please forgive me." As soon as they met, Song Luhuai, a broad smile on his face, walked up to greet them with Song Changsheng.

"No rush, no rush. We were just idle anyway. A little bit of time makes no difference," a slightly chubby, middle-aged cultivator said with a hearty laugh.

"That’s right, there’s no hurry." The one who spoke this time was a thin, fair-skinned, and clean-shaven young cultivator.

Song Luhuai exchanged a few pleasantries with them and then turned to Song Changsheng to introduce the two.

The chubby cultivator’s name was Wang Lizhou. He was the cultivator leading the Wang Clan’s group this time and possessed a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. He seemed very amiable.

The other man was named Li Tianyou. He was the Li Clan’s lead cultivator and had an Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. He didn’t look like a cultivator; rather, he resembled a mortal scholar.

Like the Song Clan, both clans had only brought a few young cultivators this time. They were peering out from behind their leaders, sizing up Song Changsheng.

"I have long heard that Young Clan Leader Song is a dragon among men, but I never had the chance to meet you. Seeing you today, I can tell the rumors are true," Wang Lizhou said with a sigh of admiration.

"Across the entire Ling Province, I doubt a second person like you could be found," Li Tianyou added, not holding back his praise.

Although Song Changsheng seemed much younger than the two of them, they didn’t dare to feel the slightest bit of contempt in their hearts. After all, this was a ruthless individual who had killed one Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator and severely wounded another in a single battle.