Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

"Why must you make this trip yourself, fellow Daoist?"

Song Changsheng led Ling Xiao to the General Affairs Hall and asked him to sit down.

"Our Grand Elder has broken through to the Golden Core stage. How could the Myriad Manifestations Palace not make a gesture? We must show our appreciation."

In addition, my visit today can also be considered an advance farewell.

"Farewell? Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps planning to go into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?"

"The palace has allocated the third [Nascent Soul Pill] to me. I am currently preparing for it. It will take at least three to five years, and at most eleven or twelve years, before I will officially go into seclusion. My fate on this trip is uncertain. After much thought, I still want to come and see you, fellow Daoist."

“When Fellow Daoist Ji was in seclusion, his mindset was very peaceful. With your talent, why be so pessimistic and cowardly before the battle even begins? This is not the Fellow Daoist Lingxiao I know.”

Ling Xiao smiled and said, "Uncle Li Jia has passed away. Three years ago, she failed to overcome her inner demon tribulation. She was the first cultivator in the previous generation of cultivators in the palace to break through to the Golden Core stage. She secluded herself for decades, but in the end, she still couldn't take that step."

It's important to understand that life is unpredictable. Even with a 99% certainty of success, there's still a risk of failure. Finishing what needs to be done ensures that even if something unexpected happens, there will be no regrets.

"Protector Li Jia? I remember her. I saw her once at the celebration banquet after the Five Academies Competition. I never expected..."

Song Changsheng didn't continue. After hundreds of years of cultivation, he had seen too many things like this. Ling Xiao was older than him and came from a major sect like the Myriad Manifestations Palace, so his experience was definitely much greater than his. There was no need for him to comfort him.

I just feel that life is unpredictable.

If Song Xianming's breakthrough doesn't go smoothly, it will only mean adding a new grave to the family cemetery. In this world, even the longest lifespan doesn't leave them time for grief.

"So, you're saying you won't be participating in this expedition to the East Sea, fellow Daoist?"

Ling Xiao immediately said with a serious expression, "I was just about to tell you about this. The Elders have already formulated a plan for this expedition to the East Sea. The Palace Master ordered me to bring back your Southwest Alliance's plan as well. After combining the two, we will need to make some adjustments to the details."

With two Supreme Elders and the Patriarch personally overseeing this expedition, my presence or absence makes little difference.

Besides, there are Baili and Fellow Daoist Gu, and Yunxuan has already broken through to the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage. They are all capable of handling things independently now.

"The Alliance Elders Council should have already finalized its plans. I'll have Qingxi hand over the reins to you later. Have you made any progress on the Blood Soul Demon Sect and Treasure Bottle Sect ruins?"

To be honest, Song Changsheng had been in seclusion for the past few years and hadn't paid any attention to this matter at all. He really didn't know how the progress was. However, he had great confidence in Song Qingxi's ability to handle things, and he was sure that such an important matter wouldn't be delayed.

With the defeat and death of Kongsang Lifeng and Kongsang Baijue, and the sea creatures of the near seas fleeing far away, this expedition was essentially a matter of various forces contributing manpower and resources to claim territory. They would encounter virtually no resistance. The so-called plan was simply to demarcate territory in advance to avoid conflict during wartime and damage to harmony.

He was still more concerned about the ruins of the Treasure Bottle Sect, as that was the key to the Song family's rise to prominence.

"In the past few years, the patriarch has been using the wisp of aura you provided to deduce the whereabouts of the Blood Soul Demon Sect. Unfortunately, the secrets of heaven are chaotic, and the deduction effect is greatly reduced. At the beginning of this month, we finally have some clues, and we will be able to determine the specific location soon."

Therefore, the palace plans to launch the expedition ahead of schedule, and you should all be prepared.”

"It's good that there's progress. My seclusion went smoothly this time and won't cause any delays. Just let me know when the time comes. Thank you for your help. I wish you a successful seclusion and that you attain the Nascent Soul stage."

Mr. Song has a good eye for people.

The matter he had been concerned about finally showed some progress, and Song Changsheng was immediately in a great mood.

After seeing Ling Xiao off, Song Changsheng summoned Song Qingxi and inquired about the details of the expedition.

"The plan is well-formulated. Although the Myriad Manifestations Palace only gave the Vast Ocean Chamber of Commerce one direction, you have maximized your benefits and ensured that all Golden Core forces benefited equally. Very good. How many people do you plan to send this time?"

Song Changsheng casually put down the jade slip containing the plan and said with satisfaction.

This kind of thing isn't difficult, but it's extremely tedious. It's so much so that even looking at it for a few moments gives him a headache. Fortunately, he has a capable support team, which allows him to relax and be a hands-off manager.

"Each faction will send a symbolic number of people. The first batch of people from the nine cultivation worlds will be about 10,000. After the rollout is fully completed, another 50,000 to 80,000 people will be sent. At most, it will not exceed 100,000 people."

If the primary focus is on resource extraction, perhaps an additional two to three million able-bodied men will be needed.

“Three million able-bodied men, isn’t that a bit too risky?” Song Changsheng frowned slightly.

Putting aside the question of how to get them there, once they arrive, three million people will be scattered across thousands or even more islands. If something goes wrong, there simply won't be enough time to evacuate them.

Three million young adults are not only an important labor force in the mortal world, but also the pillars of their families and the main force for reproduction. If they were lost in the East China Sea, the loss would be too great. What the southwest needs most now is population and stability.

"With over twenty Golden Core cultivators traveling with us, along with tens of thousands of elite troops and a fleet on high alert, there shouldn't be any problems. We won't rashly expand our operations too much."

We will proceed gradually, starting from the nearest and moving further away, under strict protection, according to the rarity of the resources. We will have a sufficient number of airships and warships to ensure transportation, and each fleet will have at least three Golden Core cultivators in charge.

The extracted resources can be directly transported to the Twin Islands for unified processing. Our facilities there are fully capable of handling them. If the resource volume is large, the Bandung Chamber of Commerce can also assist in the processing.

The family's century-long plan is finally paying off.

"You've taken note of everything that needs attention, very good." Song Changsheng nodded slightly, his worries gone. After a moment's thought, he changed the subject, "You should also go into seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage. Do you have any thoughts on that?"

What are you considering?

"After you go into seclusion, how will the family's affairs be arranged? What are the development plans after you emerge from seclusion?"

After careful consideration, Song Qingxi said, "Regarding the family affairs, Youlin will also be going into seclusion later, so we can hand it over to Fifth Grandfather. Youfu can assist him from the sidelines for now, and we will observe his performance before deciding on the arrangements."

In addition, Qingxia, her cousin, Jingrun, and Jingxiu can all provide assistance, while her great-grandfather and aunt can make decisions on important matters.

As for what happens after I emerge from seclusion, I haven't thought about that yet. Every breakthrough carries risks, so I'll deal with those after I've overcome the tribulation.

Song Changsheng listened quietly, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "I will be spending more and more time in seclusion in the future, and I won't have the energy to manage the affairs of the family and the alliance."

Besides me, no one else can succeed me as the leader of the Southwest Alliance. However, it is also time for a change of leadership in the clan. The clan now needs a leader with a clearer mind and more drive.

Currently, you are the top choice. Once you break through to the Golden Core stage, your cultivation level will be suitable.

"Of course, it mainly depends on what you think. If you're unwilling, you can become a family protector after breaking through to the Golden Core stage. Youfu can assess you further; you might have a chance to be competent."

“I…” Song Qingxi hesitated, as she had never considered this question before: “I will follow the family’s arrangements.” “How can one always follow the arrangements of others in life? One must have one’s own opinions. I do have some suggestions for you to consider.”

"You've fused with the [Origin of Laws], so the Golden Core stage isn't your final destination. Taking over as clan leader would definitely affect your cultivation. Of course, you can do as I did, focusing only on the major aspects and delegating the details to others."

Song Qingxi smiled and said, "The 'other person' you mentioned is me, right? Oh no, in your words, I should be called a tool."

“Even if someone is just a tool, not everyone can handle such a huge mess of things as well as you. Ordinary people can’t even speak properly in front of a group of Golden Core cultivators, let alone sit in command and remain calm in the face of danger.”

As he spoke, Song Changsheng became genuinely worried; finding a suitable "tool" was proving to be quite difficult.

"I was just using someone else's power to intimidate others."

"You don't need to think too much. If one tool isn't enough, we can find a whole group. You can be the clan leader if you want, or not if you don't. You should handle the clan's affairs. Also, take some time to think about what I told you today."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Go."

Song Changsheng watched her leave, and the empty General Affairs Hall suddenly became silent. He stood up and stared at the huge map hanging behind him, lost in thought.

Unbeknownst to many, he has been the clan leader for over two hundred years, more than a quarter of the Song clan's history.

Now he also has to rack his brains over the issue of succession.

The Song family is different from ordinary forces. The clan leader holds absolute power over the family, not just a stamp. Therefore, the selection of the clan leader must be done with utmost care.

Once you've made a choice, you must give it your complete trust.

The Song family is now so large and powerful that, apart from Song Qingxi, no one else really trusts them.

“Youlin is exceptionally talented and single-minded in pursuing the Great Dao. He has no interest in competing for the position of clan leader. Youfu, on the other hand, is interested in that position. But given his lazy nature, how many assistants would we need to ensure his efficiency?”

"Fine, it just so happens that Youlin is going into seclusion to break through, so I'll throw him into the East Sea for a few years to hone his skills. It would be a waste to waste such a good prospect if he wasn't properly trained," Song Changsheng thought viciously...

Inside the Foreign Affairs Hall, Song Youfu, who was enjoying afternoon tea, suddenly sneezed.

He rubbed his nose, thinking to himself, "I have a bad feeling about this. The expedition to the East Sea shouldn't require the Foreign Affairs Department's expertise, right? Is there anything else I haven't thought of lately?"

"How about we find an excuse to go into seclusion? Miaoyin is already at the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm; it's time she puts in some effort."

"Elder, the clan leader has instructed that you be summoned."

"Why does Ninth Grand Uncle suddenly want to see me?" Song Youfu's ominous premonition grew stronger, but he dared not delay and hurried to the Hall of General Affairs...

"Ninth Grand Uncle, do you want to see me?"

"You performed well in the last Southwest Competition. I originally thought you would stop at the top eight, but you actually made it to the top four. It seems you haven't been slacking off lately. Is there anything you want? Just say the word."

"Didn't the family already give us ranking rewards?" Song Youfu said cautiously.

"You said it yourself, that was a reward from the family. This is my personal reward to you. Think it over carefully."

"This... I couldn't have thought of that in a short time."

"Since you can't think of it, then I'll make the decision for you. You're about to break through to the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion Realm, and the [Dragon String Bow] is no longer quite suitable for you. How about this, I'll personally forge a natal magic weapon for you."

"Didn't you hunt down a mid-grade fourth-tier white dragon on the front lines? The dragon's tendons are perfect for forging bowstrings; they'll come in handy soon."

"Where...where is it used?"

"Youlin is going into seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage, so the position of the garrison commander of the East Sea Garrison of the family will be vacant. There aren't many suitable candidates in the family, so I've decided to give this opportunity to you."

The East Sea Garrison is the garrison with the largest territory and the most cultivators under the family's jurisdiction. Theoretically speaking, even the [Brocade Banner] will be under your command during wartime. This is the most powerful garrison commander in the family.

The alliance is about to embark on a joint expedition with the Palace of All Things, which presents an excellent opportunity to establish merit.

Don't say that I, as your uncle, haven't looked after you. If you work hard for a while and perform well, I'll let you take charge of the General Affairs Hall and assist in governance.

Once you've prepared everything, you can take up your post. Someone will handle the handover process for you.

"Huh?" Song Youfu froze instantly.

……

Two years passed quickly, and Song Changsheng, who had disappeared from the public eye for a long time, finally reappeared in the weapon-refining room.

Given the long time he had spent, it was impossible that he was only helping Song Youfu refine a fourth-order magic weapon; that was just a side effect. What he really wanted to refine was a very special murder weapon.

He spread his hands, revealing a three-inch-tall, golden bronze bell that resembled a copper bell.

The bronze bell was unassuming in appearance, yet it was shrouded in an astonishingly malevolent aura, affecting the surrounding space and causing a slight distortion. Faint, chilling roars could be heard.

This was crafted using the soul of a demon king he had killed and suppressed during a previous demon invasion as the main material. It is a fifth-tier, low-grade item, and he named it the "Boundless Demon-Suppressing Bell".

For the demon race, it is an unparalleled weapon of mass destruction. Its quality can be improved by devouring the essence and souls of demon beasts. Simply put, the more you kill, the stronger its power becomes.

He intended to use this treasure to commemorate the mortals and monks who died in that war.

There is never a right or wrong in the war between humans and demons. In a war for the survival of the race, no means are too much to use.

But blood is blood, and it cannot be forgiven. Since hatred cannot be eliminated, it can only be repaid with more blood.

There is only one way to deter creatures like "demons": "kill" them!
……

P.S.: Only one update today, fellow cultivators. I had a job interview during the day, and the frequent overtime and commute were inconvenient, so I had to turn it down. Finding a job is still so difficult these days. I hope everyone has a smooth work day. I'll update more tomorrow. (End of Chapter)