Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

Song Changsheng's icy words, full of threat, echoed in all directions.

The world was eerily quiet; even the winter winds had stopped howling.

Song Daoling, disheveled, knelt on the cold, hard floor, his crimson blood flowing like a stream.

Fear, anger, shame...

He didn't know what words to use to express his feelings at this moment. Back then, he was able to fight Song Changsheng to a draw, but now, even though he used the secret treasure to launch a sneak attack, he was severely injured by the other party in one blow.

The feeling of the knife tip slicing past my heart was suffocating; it was as if I had once again walked through the gates of hell in his hands.

Even though his opponent was only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, the difference in their strength was like heaven and earth. He even suspected that even if Song Minghuang personally took action, he might not be able to secure a victory.

He didn't even dare to look up again, because he would meet Song Changsheng's eyes.

He was now completely certain that the reactivated mountain-protecting formation was no match for Song Changsheng's advance, which meant that the other party could take his life at any time.

But Song Changsheng did not; as he said, he only gave him a lesson.

He felt no relief at being alive.

Fear engulfed him like a tidal wave, and at that moment he realized something even more terrifying.

The reason he wasn't killed wasn't because Song Changsheng had shown mercy, nor was it some nonsense about kinship. His last words were clearly meant to make him a lone figure, rejected by his own bloodline and abandoned by everyone.

Then, on a carefully chosen day, according to the other person's mood and preferences, completely erase his traces from this world.

He is now like a fish in a fish tank, facing the fate of being slaughtered at any moment.

The gazes, both overt and covert, from all directions seemed to silently confirm this.

He never imagined that the gaze of an ant could bring him such heavy pressure.

Song Tianyuan seemed to have become somewhat numb. From the moment Song Daoling attacked until he was seriously injured, he did not make any move.

He stared coldly at the heavily injured Song Daoling, an unprecedented determination slowly gathering within him.

Song Changsheng held Song Yuchun with one hand and glanced down at Song Shouhe, who was hiding in the corner.

Song Shouhe's heart skipped a beat, and a fawning smile appeared on his face. Although there was no exchange of words, everything was understood without being spoken.

“Song Yuqing will pay the price for your foolish actions.”

As soon as he finished speaking, under everyone's gaze, Song Changsheng led his men and soared into the sky, leaving without a single person from the [Jinxiu Banner] daring to stop him; in fact, they were filled with relief.

Song Shouhe was both excited and apprehensive.

They initially approached Song Changsheng because they valued his status as a Golden Core cultivator and his lineage as a member of a collateral branch. Of course, they also saw the conflict between him and the main branch, hoping to exploit this to their advantage and gain more influence.

In their eyes, Song Changsheng was more like a tool used to check and balance the main branch.

The greater the pressure Song Changsheng exerted, the more important their collateral branches became. In the end, no matter which side won, they would be the heroes.

At first, things were developing in the direction they had expected, but now, they are gradually getting out of their control.

Song Changsheng's growth was too rapid; he didn't need their help to overthrow the [Jinxiu Banner], which made them feel excited but also somewhat regretful.

The slight unease that mingled between these two emotions was actually directed at Song Daoling.

Anyone with eyes can see that Song Changsheng has cornered Song Daoling's faction. They only have two choices: either die or let Song Changsheng die.

Unless Song Minghuang breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, it is almost impossible for him to kill Song Changsheng.

Then they'll just have to die.

There are two ways for them to die: either they die on their own or they drag the entire [Brocade Banner] to their deaths.

Given Song Daoling's character, he would inevitably choose to lead the entire [Jinxiuqi] to a final moment of glory. When people are driven to the brink, they often become extremely crazy and are capable of doing anything.

He hated Song Changsheng to the core. If Song found out about their secret affair, the consequences... just thinking about it sent chills down his spine...

After Song Changsheng left, the entire Jinxiu Banner fell into a long silence, with only the devastation on and around the mountain silently telling the story of the battle's brutality.

Outside Tianlong Peak, a large crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the spectacle.

In recent years, the "Brocade Flag" has been making a lot of noise from time to time, almost becoming a regular event.

Each time, it significantly weakens the prestige of the [Brocade Banner], and this time is no exception, even more so than before.

For a sorcerer to use curses to kill in secret is a taboo matter, no matter where it is done.

Because sorcerers act so secretly, killing people without them even realizing it, and it's very difficult to find any evidence against them, they are often associated with evil sects.

Therefore, sorcerers are openly hated by everyone, but secretly they are honored guests of various powerful forces, which is extremely contradictory.

Spells are extremely difficult to counter and detect, and no one wants to be targeted by such an enemy.

Although this sorcerer was captured by the Song family of Wangyue, who knows if the [Jinxiu Banner] has any other tricks up its sleeve?
After a long while, Song Tianyuan personally reached out and helped Song Zhexuan, who was kneeling on the ground, up.

"Elder, Yu Chun was dragged out to take the blame, wasn't she?" Song Zhexuan said in a low voice.

Song Tianyuan was speechless for a moment. This was something that was obvious to everyone, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Some things need to be put to rest."

Song Tianyuan gripped Song Zhexuan's hand tightly, his tone more resolute than ever before.

He walked slowly to Song Daoling and said softly, "I want to convene a clan council."

"Heh, what do you want to do? Judge me? Judge your great-uncle?" Song Daoling's face was ferocious, and his tone was full of sarcasm.

“I don’t want to judge anyone, but these things must eventually come to a conclusion. The Wangyue Song Clan is unstoppable, and the family’s millennia-old foundation is in grave danger. One wrong move and the entire clan will be destroyed.”

"As elders of the family, are we going to continue wasting our time here?" Song Tianyuan said sternly.

"Since you want to hold a grand clan council, then so be it. I'd like to see what conclusions you can reach. If you want a trial, then bring it on!"

Let me make this clear from the start: Song Changsheng harbors wolfish ambitions and is determined to destroy our clan and usurp our territory.

"If you want to survive, you can submit to them now, pay tribute, and fawn over Song Changsheng." Song Daoling was extremely sarcastic, seemingly righteous but actually hysterical.

After saying that, he ignored everyone's gaze and left with Song Jiyuan and the others.

The Presbyterian Council was thus divided into two distinct groups.

Song Shouhe and the others quickly shifted their focus and ultimately chose to side with Song Tianyuan. Under his influence, the vast majority of the elders from the collateral branches followed suit, leaving Song Daoling's group and standing on the opposite side.

They appear to be opportunistic and trying to protect themselves.

In reality, he was just worried that his secret dealings with Song Changsheng would be exposed and he would be punished by Song Daoling.

He could see clearly that Song Tianyuan was determined to fight Song Daoling. Usually, the elders of these collateral branches could only hover on the edge of the family's power, seemingly dispensable.

But in this case, their importance increases significantly.

Song Tianyuan didn't get involved in family affairs much in the past, and he didn't have many capable people, far less than Song Daoling's faction.

Despite the fierce battles between Song Jiyuan and Song Wuji, their backers have never changed, and their influence within the clan remains extremely deep.

Song Tianyuan's current strength is far from sufficient to stand up to Song Daoling.

Their branch now joining his ranks is like sending charcoal in snowy weather; it allows them to directly suppress Song Daoling's faction. Even if things are exposed in the future, Song Tianyuan will surely protect them out of consideration for this friendship, and that's enough.

"Those opportunistic bastards, Song Shouhe and his gang, actually led their men to defect elsewhere. They're truly an ungrateful bunch, a collateral branch is just a collateral branch!"

Song Jiyuan's roar echoed throughout the hall. Everyone present had their own thoughts and ulterior motives, and no one responded to his anger.

Even though they are currently sharing a room, if Song Changsheng were to come knocking on their door now to settle scores, they would not be willing to die alongside Song Jiyuan and the others.

The only reason I'm still here is to see if there's any chance of a comeback.

If they can't come up with a practical solution this time, it's uncertain whether they'll still be standing here when Song Tianyuan's clan council convenes.

"Have you roared enough?" Song Daoling sat in the head seat and said in a cold tone. His face was pale due to his injuries, which made him look even more ferocious.

"Elder, Song Changsheng has become a villain who has gained power. How should we conduct ourselves in the future?" Song Jiyuan asked impatiently.

"What's there to be afraid of? Song Changsheng may be strong, but this is the Great Qian cultivation world, not the remote Great Qi. Can he really control everything?"

Song Jiyuan immediately grasped at a straw and hurriedly said, "Please instruct me on what to do, Elder."

"The most urgent task is to contact the ancestor. Song Changsheng is powerful and we can't wait any longer. Only he can confront Song Changsheng head-on."

Furthermore, I will personally visit the Wanxiang Palace. I refuse to believe that they will sit idly by and watch Song Changsheng, an outsider, run rampant in the Great Qian Dynasty.

We also distinguished ourselves in the battle against the sea creatures!

Song Minghuang was Song Daoling's first lifeline, while Wanxiang Palace was his second.

In fact, he still placed most of his hopes on the Myriad Manifestations Palace, because only they could truly subdue Song Changsheng, this powerful dragon crossing the river, with absolute strength.

As for Song Minghuang, whether or not he can be contacted is still uncertain.

"Elder, Song Changsheng won first place in the Five Academies Competition for Wanxiang Palace. What if they reached some kind of agreement..." Song Xianghu said worriedly.

"Make several preparations. If the Myriad Manifestations Palace aids and abets evil, I will think of other methods."

Seeing that Song Daoling was prepared, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Whether these methods are useful or not is another matter, but at least it proves that he was prepared.

At the same time, Song Tianyuan and others were also actively planning for the upcoming clan meeting.

Song Tianyuan sat at the head of the table and said in a serious tone: "As long as this cancer is not removed, the family will never have peace. It is a disgrace to the family to allow such a scoundrel to occupy a high position."

"I have decided that, in accordance with clan rules, at the future clan council meeting, Song Jiyuan's position as clan head will be abolished by vote, and a new clan head will be elected. Furthermore, we must eradicate the practice of the Supreme Elder wielding absolute power at its root."

This time, he was truly determined to address the root causes of the problems currently facing the [Jinxiu Banner].

Not only should a capable, prestigious, and selfless clan leader be chosen, but the clan's power should also be returned to the clan leader's hands.

He had long been dissatisfied with Song Daoling's constant interference in family affairs. The clan leader seemed to be his vassal, controlled by his will, which was utterly disgraceful.

He had long wanted to change all of this, but his own cultivation was insufficient, and he had never had the opportunity to put it into practice.

Now Song Changsheng has created an excellent opportunity for him.

Song Daoling's old wounds had not healed before new ones were added, and it wouldn't be easy for him to recover.

In fact, this was something Song Changsheng did on purpose.

Song Daoling has no bottom line when it comes to his actions, and he's genuinely worried that this guy might just slip away and run away. Severely injuring him first would prevent that from happening.

At the same time, it was also paving the way for Song Tianyuan.

In order to completely annex the [Jinxiu Banner], Song Changsheng went to great lengths. Fortunately, Song Tianyuan finally got the hang of it. Now he just needs to wait for the conflict between the two sides to escalate before stepping in to clean up the mess.

"Elder, if that's the case, then who can take down Song Jiyuan?"

At this point, someone raised a very crucial question.

Although Song Jiyuan and Song Wuji are now despised by everyone, their abilities and accumulated prestige are still unmatched by ordinary people.

Most importantly, they have just undergone a power shift, only a few decades ago. If it happens again, the family power structure will be completely reshuffled, and only an existence with overwhelming prestige and ability can keep the situation in check.

They only had one candidate in mind, but unfortunately, he had already been sent to the enemy's lair as a hostage. The thought that Song Daoling's impulsiveness today might bring danger to Song Yuqing intensified their anger.

"I hereby recommend Zhe Xuan as the next patriarch of the family, to succeed Song Jiyuan. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, even Song Zhexuan himself was somewhat taken aback.

"Supreme Elder... it's me."

"If this matter can be accomplished, then it will be you. I believe that you will lead the family to new glory."

Song Tianyuan interrupted him directly. He knew that Song Zhexuan was not the best choice, but... he had no better choice.

His abilities may be mediocre, but his unwavering loyalty to his family is enough for Song Tianyuan...

……

P.S.: It's almost the end of the month again. Thank you all for your great support. My traffic has dropped significantly in the past two months. The beginning of this month gave me a real blow, but thankfully it has slowly recovered since then.

Although the monthly votes didn't reach 1,000 this month, we'll still count it as 1,000 and add 10,000 words for now.

Tomorrow I'm going back to my hometown to attend a wedding I don't want to go to but have to, and also to visit my critically ill great-uncle.

I've taken four days off, and I'll definitely be quite busy at the beginning of the month. Please forgive me if the update is late, fellow cultivators. Thank you... (End of Chapter)