Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

At the summit of Cangmang Peak, inside the Ruyun Hall, Song Changsheng sat cross-legged in the weapon-refining room, which had been rebuilt several times. A blazing purple fireball, as large as a millstone, floated in front of him, and its extremely high temperature caused the surrounding space to visibly distort.

The fireball slowly rotated under the pull of Song Changsheng's powerful laws. If one looked closely, one could see that something seemed to be wrapped up beneath the dazzling purple flames.

At such a high temperature, even the finest steel would instantly vaporize if it came close to the core of the combustion. To be precise, very few spiritual materials in the mortal world can withstand such a high temperature.

This is also the main reason why Song Changsheng abandoned the furnace and used this extremely crude method to refine the product; he simply did not have a furnace that could withstand such high temperatures.

But strangely enough, this thing changed very little despite being continuously forged for so long.

Song Changsheng was not in a hurry at all, carefully controlling the temperature and keeping it within a certain range.

This item can be said to be the most dangerous in his weapon-forging career. The main material is the terrifying [Void Magic Crystal]. Few people dare to use this material to forge magical artifacts because the temperature will destroy its original stable structure, causing the spatial law power contained within it to erupt.

Therefore, its temperature must be maintained within a stable range. If there is a violent fluctuation, even under Song Changsheng's control, the peak of Cangmang Peak would probably be leveled.

However, with his current skill in weapon crafting, there is almost no possibility of failure; it's just that the process is somewhat tedious and complicated.

Under the influence of high temperature, the spiritual materials wrapped around the [Void Magic Crystal] fused perfectly with it, transforming into a crystal-clear sphere. As the purple flames slowly dissipated, the sphere floated lightly into Song Changsheng's hand. Upon closer inspection, one could discover a still vortex inside.

From a distance, it looks like a beautifully crafted crystal ornament, but only Song Changsheng, the one who made it, knows how terrifying the power contained in this small sphere is.

"The third one."

Song Changsheng carefully admired his masterpiece, then casually placed it in a jade box next to him, which now contained two identical spheres.

Three pieces were refined in three years, which is not very efficient. The main reason is that too much time was wasted on trial and error at the beginning, since there was no reference beforehand.

After figuring out a mature refining method, the refining speed increased significantly. His original goal was to refine ten before the battle, but now it seems that this goal may be achieved ahead of schedule.

After a short rest, Song Changsheng took out another large piece of [Void Magic Crystal] weighing over 100 jin.

This piece represents the annual trade volume of the Twin Islands, worth nearly a million low-grade spirit stones.

The price isn't actually that expensive; it's just a drop in the bucket for the Song family right now. But to refine it into a magic weapon, you need to add various fifth-tier Nine Heavens Secret Treasures, which is the bulk of the cost. Even without considering his own fee, the cost of refining one piece reaches ten million low-grade spirit stones.

If you include the transfer fee, the price will have to be increased by at least 50%.

It's a bit pricey, but worth it.

Each time a demon king is severely injured, it saves them from losing lives.

Just as he was preparing to refine the fourth one, he suddenly felt the [Heirloom Seal] located in the Soul Lamp Hall vibrate slightly, and the collective fortune of the Song family seemed to have increased even more.

"Hmm? This means... someone has broken through?"

Just as he was beginning to have doubts, Song Qingxi flew to the outside of the hall. Before she could knock, he used magic to teleport her inside.

The high temperature in the weapon-refining room had not completely dissipated, and she was still a little unaccustomed to it.

"What happened?"

Upon hearing this, Song Qingxi quickly explained the purpose of his visit: "Uncle, news has just come from the Embroidered Banner that Song Yuqing has successfully passed through nine heavenly tribulations and broken through to the Golden Core stage."

"I see." Song Changsheng's doubts were immediately resolved.

Seeing this, Song Qingxi couldn't help but ask curiously, "You don't seem surprised by this news."

"You're actually just a step too late. I sensed an improvement in the family's fortune just now, and I already had a guess in my mind, but I wasn't sure who it was."

However, based on my observation, Song Yuqing has a higher chance of successfully breaking through. Elder Shouhe's aptitude and temperament are both relatively poor, and Elder Zhexuan's ambition has been worn down over the years. It might be somewhat dangerous for them when it's their turn to break through later.

Song Qingxi suddenly realized and smiled, saying, "The [Heirloom Seal] actually has this function."

Regardless of what happens in the future, now that the [Splendid Banner] has a Golden Core cultivator in charge, the defensive gap on the Tianlong Peak front can be filled, and my aunt can have some peace of mind during wartime.

What's the attitude of the [Brocade Banner] side?

"The message came from the [Jinxiu Banner]. They said that once Song Yuqing has consolidated her cultivation, she will come to pay her respects in person."

"Hehe, that's thoughtful of you. Yuqing is very meticulous in her work."

If he comes, you should personally greet him. After all, he is the first Golden Core cultivator of the branch, so we should treat him with the utmost respect.

Song Qingxi had a flash of inspiration and said, "Why not hold a small Golden Core ceremony for him within the alliance? This would let other members of the alliance know that the family has gained another Golden Core cultivator, and it would also show the family's importance to the various branches within the clan."

"If Jinzhu Zhenren and Jinyi Hou also come, I can take the opportunity to spread some false information to them."

Song Changsheng nodded slightly and said, "That is a good idea. The alliance is too big, with many different forces. We should find some reasons to get everyone to sit down together, let down their guard, and have a good chat."

If the results are good, this kind of alliance-wide Golden Core ceremony can also be held when other cultivators in the alliance break through in the future.

Communication is the best way to eliminate barriers and understand differences. You should put more effort into this in the future. I don't want this hard-won alliance to fall apart once this great battle is over.

Beyond shared interests, a sense of belonging and honor is also essential; only then can they truly be a united front.

"The East China Sea Alliance did a pretty good job in this regard. All the major forces were very active at the last exchange meeting and sent a lot of geniuses to participate. Although some friction occurred, the overall atmosphere was very harmonious. Most importantly, we gained a group of young cultivators who are loyal to the alliance."

The Alliance Elders Council plans to hold another exchange meeting before the war, and then gradually establish it as a regular event, staggering the timing from previous trade fairs and auctions, so that cultivators from various forces can gather together every now and then.

I think it's pretty good; we can replicate it when the time is right.

The Southwest Nine Realms Exchange Conference is probably even more grand than the Myriad Manifestations Palace; it can certainly be considered a major event. "Speaking of the exchange conference, is Zhao Wuji, whom I mentioned to you before, still paying attention?"

"Of course there are. According to the latest news from some time ago, this person has already left the East Sea Alliance. He took the alliance's space teleportation array, and his destination was Muyun City. He only purchased some basic supplies, and after leaving the city, his whereabouts became unknown. Apart from the three major families of Muyun City, we have almost no manpower there."

"Hmm?" Song Changsheng couldn't help but feel a little strange upon hearing this.

The plan to wage war against the sea creatures is no longer a secret. For the independent cultivators of the East Sea Alliance, the choice is either to rise to the challenge and earn contribution points for the alliance in the war to secure a future for themselves.
Alternatively, they might choose to avoid trouble and find a safe place to hide until things calm down before resuming their activities.

During this period, many independent cultivators fled from the southwest and southeast, and most of them concentrated in the border areas, such as the forces that are open to the outside world but also maintain neutrality, like Muyun City.

Even more extreme, some fled to the other side of the Tianshan Mountains. For wandering cultivators who make their home wherever they go, it doesn't matter where they are.

He could understand why Zhao Wuji went to Muyun City to avoid trouble, but since he had already arrived, why did he leave?

Song Changsheng let out a sigh of relief and said, "Forget it, there's no time to pay attention to him now. If fate allows, he and Qingxing will meet sooner or later."

"You can arrange Song Yuqing's matter. If he wants to see me, you can bring him along, but don't let anyone else know."

"As ordered."

Just as Song Qingxi was bowing and preparing to leave, she caught a glimpse of the jade box beside Song Changsheng out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Uncle, is that box filled with the magical artifacts you've crafted using [Void Magic Crystals] over the past few years?"

"That's right, I'll name it the [Void-Breaking Pearl]. This one has an effective killing radius of 500 li. Within this range, it can shatter space and leave nothing but barren land."

Even a demon king, if he reacts even slightly too slowly, will be severely injured by the spatial power sealed within.

Once a wound is created, the contamination carried by the [Void Crystal] will enter their bodies and gradually erode their life essence.

In this situation, even if they recover from their injuries, they will have almost no chance of continuing to fight.

Keep one of these three coins on your person, and give the other two to your mother and fifth uncle for self-defense.

"It's very powerful, but also very dangerous to use. Never use it at close range. With your cultivation levels, the killing range will double, reaching a thousand miles. If you can't escape that range, you'll surely die." Song Changsheng handed over the jade box, warning him solemnly.

"Since this thing is so powerful, won't it affect the stability of the mountain-protecting formation?" Song Qingxi asked with some concern. If so, it would be a case of losing more than gaining.

"Don't worry, the clan's protective mountain array has been reconstructed by me several times. Although it is only composed of five fourth-order top-grade arrays, it is no less powerful than a fifth-order low-grade array. I have also specially enhanced its defense against spatial forces. You can use this [Void-Breaking Pearl] at will."

However, it's best to use it as far away from the ground as possible. This thing can be devastating to the ecosystem; it would take decades or even centuries to eliminate the pollution left by the explosion.

"I will be careful. Then Qingxi will take her leave."

After transferring her out, Song Changsheng also took out the materials and began to refine the fourth [Void-Breaking Pearl].

……

Although Song Yuqing had already broken through to the Golden Core stage, he knew that he was not qualified to be on equal footing with Song Changsheng. So after consolidating his cultivation, he went to Tenglong Islands as soon as possible. He first visited Zhuang Yuechan, the matriarch, before going to Cangmang Peak to see Song Changsheng.

Following Song Changsheng's prior instructions, Song Qingxi sent invitations to the major Golden Core forces in the Southwest Nine Realms and organized a Golden Core ceremony for him that was not large in scale but of extremely high quality. Nearly thirty Golden Core cultivators attended the ceremony, which was more than even the most prosperous time for the [Jinxiu Banner].

The entire process made the [Jinxiu Banner] and its other branches truly feel the importance attached to it.

The more this was the case, the more clear-headed Song Yuqing became. As soon as the ceremony ended, she followed Song Qingxi to the Ruyun Hall to pay her respects.

“Song Yuqing from a collateral branch greets the clan leader and expresses his gratitude to the clan for his help in achieving enlightenment. Yuqing will never forget this kindness.”

"Alright, we're all family, why be so polite?"

Song Changsheng personally reached out and helped him up, then asked him to sit down beside him, "What grade of Golden Core has been formed?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yuqing couldn't help but feel ashamed and said, "Reporting to the clan leader, I am only a sixth-rank official."

"The sixth rank is a height that is difficult for ordinary people to reach, so why make such a gesture?" Song Changsheng smiled and gave affirmation and encouragement.

He knew why the other person was disappointed. All ambitious cultivators in the world pursued high-grade golden cores, since the quality of the golden core had a direct impact on their strength and cultivation.

It is even strongly correlated with the quality of the nascent soul that will be formed later.

The sixth and seventh grades may seem to be only one step apart, but they are the watershed between high-grade and mid-grade Golden Cores, and their significance is completely different.

Song Yuqing had a high opinion of herself and was indeed quite talented, so it was understandable that she was dissatisfied with the result.

However, there are too many factors that affect the quality of the Golden Core, not just aptitude. Because Song Minghuang cultivated with the power of his family's fortune, the fortune of the [Brocade Banner] cultivators was greatly damaged, so it's hard to say whether it had any impact.

Song Yuqing gave a forced smile and then began to report on the recent situation of the [Jinxiu Banner], from personnel changes to family income, covering every detail, thus demonstrating her loyalty to Song Changsheng through her actions.

Song Changsheng was very satisfied with his attitude and gave him a few pointers.

After talking for a while, Song Yuqing seemed to suddenly remember something, hesitated for a moment and said, "Clan leader, some strange things have happened recently, and they are related to the Myriad Manifestations Palace."

"Strange thing? Tell me about it."

"When I returned to my clan after visiting the matriarch, I passed by the Wanxiang Palace and also paid my respects to the Celestial Elephant True Lord. When I went up Wanxiang Mountain, I always felt that there was something in the sky that made me very uncomfortable."

The feeling was exactly the same as the omens before a heavenly tribulation, but after careful observation, I couldn't find any tribulation. Celestial Phenomenon True Lord said it was my imagination, but the feeling was too clear. I... I have a feeling that something will happen to the Myriad Phenomena Palace.

Song Changsheng's eyes shone like stars as he said in a deep voice, "That's the gathering of calamity energy. War is about to begin!"

...(End of this chapter)