Chapter 221: Chapter 168: Taking Charge of the Minor Affairs Hall

Staring at the door, Song Changsheng’s heart was filled with trepidation, fearing that once he pushed it open, he would be met with news he couldn’t bear to accept.

Song Xianyun was an incredibly important figure, not just to him but to the entire Moon Viewing Song Clan. If anything happened to him, it would be an absolute disaster for the clan.

Taking a deep breath, Song Changsheng slowly pushed open the door.

"CREAK..."

After opening the gate, Song Changsheng went to the master bedroom, where two younger clan members stood guard at the entrance.

"Young Clan Leader?" The two were visibly surprised to see him, a wave of excitement following. Song Changsheng was a famous figure now.

He used to be famous only within the clan, or perhaps just in Ling Province. Now, his name had spread throughout most of the Daqi Cultivation World, and it showed signs of spreading even further.

After all, his combat achievements were simply too spectacular.

The young admire the strong. Even though Song Changsheng had been away from the clan for nearly two years, his prestige within it had not diminished but had risen instead, making him the clan’s new spiritual pillar.

"How is the Grand Elder?" Song Changsheng asked anxiously, not noticing the change in how his clan members viewed him.

The two exchanged a look before one of them spoke respectfully, "Young Clan Leader, the Grand Elder is currently in very poor condition. He gave instructions for you to see him immediately upon your return."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng’s heart sank. ’This news couldn’t be worse.’

"Open the door."

As Song Changsheng walked into the bedroom, a wave of cold air washed over him, making him frown instantly. ’They’ve even brought out the Ten Thousand Years Cold Ice Bed? Is it really that serious?’

He hurried to the "bed" forged from cold ice, which was the source of the bone-chilling air. This was a treasure brought from the main clan by the Song Clan’s first ancestor, Song Taiyi. It was capable of effectively suppressing internal injuries.

Only a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Song Xianyun would dare to lie directly on it. If it were a mortal, just being this close would have likely frozen them into an ice sculpture, yet his face was merely a little pale.

Song Changsheng sat down by the bedside. He could sense that Song Xianyun was extremely weak right now. Fortunately, his Fire of Life was still burning relatively strong, so his life shouldn’t be in danger. At this, he let out a sincere sigh of relief.

’The clan can’t lose the Grand Elder, just as a man can’t lose his right hand.’

Grasping the old man’s withered hand, Song Changsheng called out softly, "Twenty-first Grandpa, Twenty-first Grandpa..."

After a moment, Song Xianyun awoke from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes and looked at the face that had lost its youthful immaturity, a faint smile appearing on his pale features as he said gently, "You’re back?"

Song Changsheng nodded. "I’m back. How are you feeling?"

"My injuries are nothing serious, just a minor problem. But it means I can’t handle the clan’s minor affairs for some time. It’s a good thing you’ve returned." Song Xianyun struggled to speak, taking a sharp breath after every few words.

"Who did this?" Song Changsheng’s tone was calm, yet it was filled with a chilling killing intent.

"About a month ago, the Clan Leader and I, together with the Xiang Province Rong Clan, ambushed Yu Chengbo and his men. Everything was going smoothly at first. We held an absolute advantage in strength.

But unexpectedly, at the final moment, Mao Wuwei ignited his Spiritual Power and self-detonated. At the time, I was besieging him with two others from the Rong Clan.

"Although we received the Clan Leader’s warning in advance, we were simply too close. One of the Rong Clan members died on the spot, and another was severely injured. I was also heavily wounded." Song Xianyun’s expression dimmed. No one had expected Mao Wuwei to be so decisive in choosing to self-detonate.

You must understand, after a Cultivator dies, their Divine Soul and True Spirit return to the heavens and earth to be reincarnated. Even if their soul scatters, as long as the True Spirit remains intact, there is still a chance to enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Therefore, an unwritten rule of the Cultivation Realm is that one must not obliterate a True Spirit, or they will be regarded as an Evil Demon on a heretical path. Of course, few people actually abide by this rule.

Everyone understands the saying about weeds growing back if you don’t pull out the roots. It just means that, on the surface, no Righteous Cultivators would go so far as to destroy a True Spirit. Thus, cultivators can still be reincarnated after death.

Self-detonation, however, is a final, desperate attack that uses one’s own Spiritual Power and True Spirit as a catalyst. As a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator, the power of Mao Wuwei’s self-detonation could threaten even a Purple Mansion Cultivator. Ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators would be nothing more than cannon fodder.

For Song Xianyun to have made it back alive was already incredibly fortunate.

"Fortunately, Yu Chengbo and Hex Beishui didn’t get off easy either. Their injuries are even more severe than mine. It will take them several years to recover. So, the plan can be considered a success."

At this, a smile appeared on Song Xianyun’s face. For a long time to come, the Lieyang Sect would no longer have the energy to meddle in the affairs of Ling Province. This was good news for the Song Clan.

Song Changsheng fell silent. He had been the one to push for this plan, which meant he was indirectly responsible for Song Xianyun’s injuries.

As if sensing Song Changsheng’s thoughts, Song Xianyun smiled. "It is my honor to sacrifice myself for the clan. COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

He suddenly began to cough violently, his chest heaving dramatically.

Song Changsheng’s heart sank, and he quickly began infusing Song Xianyun with his Spiritual Power. As the Spiritual Power flowed in, Song Xianyun’s coughing gradually subsided, and a hint of color returned to his cheeks, which were no longer so deathly pale.

"Why does your Spiritual Power contain such strong vitality? Have you been overdrawing your own Life Force?" Song Xianyun struggled to pull his hand away from Song Changsheng’s, his old face grim as he demanded an explanation.

Song Changsheng froze. ’Overdrawing my Life Force?’

"You’ve misunderstood. I was just transferring some Spiritual Power to you."

"You’re a Water and Fire Attribute Cultivator who later converted to the Yin-Yang Attribute. If you aren’t overdrawing your Life Force, then where is this rich vitality in your Spiritual Power coming from?" Song Xianyun eyed him with suspicion. This completely defied common sense.