Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

The vast sea is raging, with waves crashing and winds whipping up countless ripples.

Hundreds of ocean-going warships flying different flags set sail from various ports, and after converging, they sailed together towards the center of the storm, braving the wind and waves.

At the same time, a huge rift suddenly opened in the sky, and one after another, massive warships that had been sailing for a long time flew out from it.

Golden Crow Sect, Luoxia City, Tianjue City, Tianbing Villa, Yaori Sect...

These warships, flying a jumble of flags, were orderly and perfectly disciplined, casting a large shadow over the churning sea as they swept across the skies above the Twin Islands.

The lead ship of the fleet was a jet-black warship with a bright red flag flying from its mast. The flag had no decorations or complicated patterns, only a single, flamboyant "Song" character.

Zhuang Yuechan, Song Qingxing, Song Qingyun, Song Jingxiao, Song Jingyuan, Song Jingrun... a group of Song clan cultivators stood on the deck.

A tall, upright figure in blue robes stood on the bow of the ship, like a giant standing between heaven and earth, drawing all eyes to him.

Although there were no obstacles to this expedition, Song Changsheng still decided to go on the trip himself.

Firstly, it was to open up a spatial passage. Without doing so, the southwestern fleet would need to sail for at least several years to cross the vast borderland and reach the East China Sea, while he could shorten that time to three months. Only in this way could he keep up with the pace of the Myriad Elephants Palace.

Secondly, it was to deter other forces along the coast and show everyone that this fleet was under Song's protection, thus avoiding a lot of unnecessary trouble.

As the fleet passed over the Twin Islands, a massive warship took off from White Dragon Island and joined the formation, standing out like a crane among chickens.

It was the Song family's first and one of the few fourth-tier celestial ships on the border. It was originally built in the [Jinxiuqi] and completed in the Twin Islands. It once displayed its might in the Tenglong Islands.

Song Changsheng personally named it "Zhu Xing".

It will participate in this expedition as the fleet flagship and as part of the air strategic deterrence.

The grand expedition was the first step for the border regions to move from the near sea to the open sea!
"This is the first time I've personally seen the army off to war. What are your thoughts, brother?"

In front of the largest deep-water port on Bailong Island, Song Youping looked at Song Youfu beside him and said with a hint of sarcasm.

"It's not like it's a formal battle. It's just a bunch of people showing off and claiming territory. What's there for me to think?"

“That’s true. You’re in charge of all the logistical support for the family and the allied army. There’s really no time for you to be sentimental.” Song Youping subtly stabbed him in the heart again.

"Sigh, do you think I offended the clan leader somewhere? He promised me a big deal, but then kicked me to the East Sea. How come I never noticed there were so many chores before? Is Xiao Linzi a monster? He handles so many chores every day, yet his cultivation is improving so fast."

"Don't underestimate this garrison just because it's a small town. It has a vast territory, a large population, and you have to coordinate various forces. Countless people depend on you for their livelihood. You're in no way inferior to those powerful elders in the council."

Rumors had been circulating within the clan for some time that the clan leader was considering passing the mantle to the leader, and the candidate would undoubtedly be chosen from among the powerful elders and the East Sea Garrison Commander.

Among them, the most likely positions are Elder of General Affairs, Elder of Punishments, and Garrison Commander of the East Sea. Countless people are eyeing your position, yet you're still not satisfied.

Besides, haven't you always been saying you wanted to be the clan leader?

Song Youfu rolled his eyes: "Are you kidding me? What about Aunt Qingxi? With her around, who is qualified to compete for the position of clan leader?"

“Although Aunt is the deputy clan leader, if she doesn’t want to be the clan leader, then it’s your turn, isn’t it?”
As the ancients said, "When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will, strain their muscles and bones, and starve their body..."

"Alright, alright, you just want to say that this is to toughen me up, right? I'm so tired of hearing that."

"Let me tell you, my garrison has been reduced to an empty shell. Don't even think about running away; you're in for it." Song Youfu gripped Song Youping's arms tightly with both hands, as if afraid he would run away.

"Don't joke around. How could such a large garrison be short of people? Of course, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the family gave me orders to prepare spirit insects and accompany the second batch of young and strong laborers on the expedition to help them find mineral veins or something." Song Youping pried his fingers apart one by one, patted his shoulder, and then strode away.

Song Youfu looked up at the sky and sighed, rubbing his face vigorously with both hands. After returning to the garrison, he immediately took out the roster, intending to promote a group of "tools" on the spot.

Despite his complaints, business couldn't be neglected. He hadn't been wasting his years in the Foreign Affairs Office; he knew exactly who was suitable for what.

This expedition to the East China Sea was a multi-pronged attack, with the cultivation world on both the border and coastal areas participating, making it an extremely large-scale undertaking.

Unsurprisingly, the various cultivation communities in the central region failed to participate.

The current overall strategy for the border regions is to strengthen the two sides and weaken the middle.

The central region is in a very awkward position, almost completely surrounded by the cultivation worlds in the southwest and southeast. The most spacious northern part is the Tianshan Mountains, which stand like a city wall. It is neither near the sea nor borders the territory of the demon race.

On a superficial level, it is safe on all sides, with no endless border troubles, and can develop in a stable manner.

In the long run, without a sense of crisis for survival, there is naturally no motivation to keep striving. However, the speed of resource regeneration cannot keep up with population growth, which is the root cause of hidden dangers.

The southeast relied on outward expansion, commonly known as colonization.

The southwest has limited arable land, but the constant attacks of wild animals have decimated the population, with the elderly and weak making up the majority, and thus there is no population burden.

Only the cultivation worlds in the central regions suffer from overpopulation; they are not proactive in external wars, but are adept at internal strife.

Throughout the entire border region, the cultivators in the central cultivation world are the most hostile, and mutual attacks are common, much like those cultivation worlds north of Tianshan.

It was only after this demonic calamity dealt them a painful blow that they became more obedient for a while.

However, sandwiched between the two behemoths, the Myriad Palaces and the Southwest Alliance, all that awaits them is constant encroachment, with at most a few other cultivation worlds serving as a buffer.

Those who are more sensible will take the opportunity to actively seek refuge now, hoping to gain some benefits by offering a large sum of money.

Unfortunately, not many people can see the situation clearly and make a quick decision.

After all, it means giving up some sovereignty and having to accept assignments from others.

Standing at a crossroads of fate, the Minggong Pavilion of the Tianxuan Cultivation World made a decision that shocked everyone.

As the only Golden Elixir sect on the frontier that primarily inherits the art of celestial craftsmanship and boasts a history spanning tens of thousands of years, the Minggong Pavilion holds a transcendent position on the frontier.

The sect has hundreds of senior craftsmen of various ranks, and three Golden Core cultivators, each possessing fourth-level craftsmanship.

Not only does it possess the ability to independently build fourth-tier celestial ships, but it also monopolizes the construction orders for flying boats and city fortresses in the central and even southeastern parts of the cultivation world.

Based on this alone, the Song family and Wanxiang Palace would not easily touch it.

But just six months before the Southwest Fleet set sail, Master Xuangong Sikong Han, one of the three Supreme Elders of Minggong Pavilion, personally paid a visit to the Song family...

"Master Sikong, the daily maintenance of the Southwest Fleet during this expedition will be handled by the Minggong Pavilion."

Inside the ship's deck, Song Changsheng sat in the head seat, looking at Sikong Han, whose face was solemn, not far to his right, and said with a smile.

"It is a blessing for Minggong Pavilion to be able to share the burden of the True Lord. I hereby wish the True Lord a great victory and a swift success."

"I have observed that Minggong Pavilion has also sent many Dharma protectors this time. If we only repair the fortress and maintain the warships, it would be a waste of manpower."

Thus, once the war situation stabilizes, I will grant you each the privilege of choosing a large island in the nearby waters as a reward. Whether you choose to exploit resources or establish a city, the decision is entirely yours.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed through Sikong Han's heart.

Although they came out in full force, they were prepared to work for free, just to offer a pledge of allegiance to the Song family and Wanxiang Palace, so that they could secure a place in the new future landscape, break out of the central region, and incidentally fulfill some of their own unspeakable schemes.

Unexpectedly, Song Changsheng was so magnanimous that he directly promised them a large spirit island.

However, the islands in the near-shore waters are not what they want.

Sikong Han rose and bowed respectfully, saying righteously, "On behalf of the entire Minggong Pavilion, I thank the True Lord for his reward."

However, the islands in the near sea were all conquered by our comrades in the southwest through hard work. Minggong Pavilion has not contributed anything, so how can it occupy them for nothing?

"I am willing to lead the cultivators of this sect to conquer a spirit island with our own hands, expanding the territory of the borderlands. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Song Changsheng raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and said, "Since Master has such ambition, I will certainly grant your wish."

After setting sail, Yunming Gongge will act independently. Whichever island they conquer, I will bestow that island upon them as a reward.

The selection of this spirit island is also important; it's not simply a matter of the bigger the better.

The sea creatures will surely return with a vengeance; the open sea is not a place to linger. Master, you must choose carefully.

"Thank you for your guidance, True Lord." Sikong Han remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he hid it extremely well, even strictly controlling his heart rate, his little schemes were nowhere to be found in front of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Minggongge's reasoning was good, but unfortunately, Song Changsheng could tell from their first meeting that they had ulterior motives.

The reward of the Spirit Island was merely a bait, but the other party took the bait so readily, showing their eagerness.

After Sikong Han took his leave, Song Qingyun stepped out from behind the screen and said in a deep voice, "Just as you thought, they did have some ulterior motives for coming to the East Sea."

"Then this matter is entrusted to you. Keep a close eye on them and see what these people are up to."

Sikong Han's cultivation is decent; don't let him discover anything amiss. Unless it's something malicious that threatens the fleet, don't easily alert him.

Over the years, Song Qingyun has honed his extraordinary ability to conceal himself, making it extremely difficult for even a Golden Core cultivator at the Great Perfection stage to detect his whereabouts. His mind has also matured considerably compared to before.

Aside from him, Song Changsheng was genuinely a little worried about the others involved in this matter.

"Is Father going to meet with the True Lords of the Myriad Manifestations Palace next?"

“That’s right, I plan to go with your mother.”

With Qingxing overseeing the family fleet and Youfu directing operations from the rear, there shouldn't be any problems.

The journey to find the ruins of the Treasure Bottle Sect will take anywhere from several months to several years; the outcome is uncertain.

We will clear any obstacles for you ahead. If any unexpected situation arises, contact Tiger Elephant True Lord immediately.

"I understand, Father and Mother, please be careful."

"Well, let's go."

The affairs of the alliance were handled by three vice leaders on his behalf. Song Changsheng only made some symbolic arrangements before taking Zhuang Yuechan to meet with Ancestor Xuanlei and others.

Despite several years of deductions, it has always been difficult to fully grasp the secrets of heaven; only a general direction has been calculated.

So this trip will have to be a chance, and we'll have to search carefully in this vast East China Sea.

In addition, we should also take this opportunity to intimidate the sea creatures and make them behave so as not to interfere with the expansion of the border.

Commonly known as showing off muscles.

Therefore, in addition to True Monarch Lei Xiang and Ancestor Xuan Lei, a group of Golden Core cultivators also accompanied them on this trip.

The ruins of the Treasure Bottle Sect are no small matter. The more people know about them, the easier it is to expose them. The Song family is small, and most of them have only recently broken through to the Golden Core stage. Only Zhuang Yuechan barely meets the requirements.

She is now only one step away from the late stage of the Golden Core realm. With the Jade Cleansing Sword in hand, even a Golden Core Perfection cultivator cannot easily do anything to her, so she has some ability to protect herself.

If we can get some opportunities on this trip, we might be able to take that step ahead of time.

He did inform Mu Guibai, but the latter went into seclusion before setting off. The fleet of Luoxia City was led by Zhan Tianxia, ​​and he didn't know if they could make it in time.

Before long, the couple arrived at the flagship of the Vientiane Palace for this trip.

This is also a fourth-order celestial warship, quite old, several hundred years older than Song Taiyi, the ancestor of the Song family.

However, within the Wanxiang Palace's combat system, he can only be considered a "youngster".

It is unknown how many fourth-tier celestial ships the Myriad Manifestations Palace possesses, but the [Sea Emperor] beneath their feet is the shortest-serving ship and is the pinnacle of the Myriad Manifestations Palace, far surpassing the Song family's [Star Slayer].

"We pay our respects to the Supreme Elder!"

"Disciple pays respects to Master and Mistress."

Looking around, Song Changsheng found that most of the people on the deck were familiar faces.

Among them were Gu Xueying, Baili Yuntu, Caidie, and Liu Yunxuan, who had previously participated in the Five Academies Grand Competition.

There was a master named Gu Hong who had discussed the principles of Yin and Yang with him and was proficient in the art of observing Qi.

There are also the most frequent interactions with Kenshin, his apprentice Huayan, and several unfamiliar faces.

Apart from Hua Yan, all the members of the Myriad Manifestations Palace on this trip were at least at the late Golden Core stage, and most of their core strength had been drawn away.

"Please excuse the formalities, everyone. Where are the two patriarchs?"

"Reporting to Master, the Ancestral Master and the others have gone ahead to investigate the situation. They have been gone for half a day and should be back soon."

As soon as Hua Yan finished speaking, two bolts of lightning appeared out of thin air on the deck...

……

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(One more chapter tonight) (End of this chapter)