Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

The border regions are sparsely populated with spiritual energy and scarce resources. The southwestern region where the Great Qi is located is even worse. Due to the constant invasions by demons, not only is the population less dense than in other areas, but resources also have no time to regenerate.

Moreover, the demon race is powerful, and with the Canglan River blocking their way, they can only expand to a handful of places. The cultivation world of Daqi has successively swallowed up the Hundred Thousand Mountains and its subsequent subordinate areas, which has made the other cultivation worlds in the southwest extremely envious.

Unfortunately, they could only watch these meats from afar, facing the dual threats of the demon race and the aquatic race. Even if they got their hands on them, they would be of no use.

In this situation, almost all resources are finite.

To foster an alliance, one must either use force to subdue them, exert external pressure to encourage them to band together, or offer them incentives.

At least two of these three points must be met.

Song Changsheng cannot currently take the path of military suppression. Although there is external pressure, apart from a few cultivation worlds along the Canglan River, the other cultivation worlds have not been directly threatened, so they do not have a strong desire to band together.

Therefore, Song Changsheng named this new alliance the "Demon Extermination Alliance" in order to unite the cultivation worlds bordering the Canglan River as soon as possible.

After all, both sides share the same goal.

But it's not enough to just talk; you also need to offer incentives and work both ways.

But even in this remote corner of the southwest, the usual methods of enticing them with benefits are not enough.

Aside from some vague and unrealistic promises, all Song Changsheng can offer right now is his own understanding of the Great Dao and rare resources from the East Sea.

After this Golden Core Ceremony, his sermon was so amazing that even a Golden Core Perfection cultivator like Chen Zhongfang was impressed. Presumably, many people will buy into it.

He used this as leverage to invite cultivators with a deep understanding of the laws, such as Chen Zhongfang, Shi Potian, and Mu Guibai, to join him and hold regular Dao discussion conferences, which could be used as a major bargaining chip.

In addition, he also possesses a large amount of cultivation resources from the East China Sea.

Inland, these resources are not only in high demand but also very expensive, and a promise of discounts or low prices can be considered a bargaining chip.

However, these bargaining chips are ultimately somewhat weak, and will most likely only elicit a superficial response. Trying to interfere in their internal affairs is wishful thinking, but using them to enhance influence is a very good option.

"A conference on philosophical principles is indeed a very good choice. How many years would be appropriate to hold it?"

"Let's set it to once every half a cycle for now, and see how it goes."

"Yes, I will make arrangements as soon as possible after you return to your clan."

……

Standing before the main hall of the family, Song Changsheng watched the two figures depart, his mind filled with inexplicable thoughts.

Apart from the last expedition, today's gathering is arguably the most united in the history of the Great Qi.

After thousands of years of open and covert struggles, they finally formed an alliance of interests that worked together towards a common goal.

The secrets of heaven are obscure and difficult to discern, and the clarion call of turmoil grows ever louder, even reaching the neglected frontier, where everyone is actively seeking allies.

"hold head high--"

Just then, a high-pitched dragon roar suddenly reached Song Changsheng's ears. He looked up and saw that the hazy purple aura was surging in from all directions and falling into the direction of the Soul Lamp Hall. A lifelike purple dragon soared into the sky and roamed in the vast purple aura, emitting joyful long roars.

Wherever the young dragon passed, the purple aura seemed to be attracted by something, flowing into its body. Its originally smooth body surface began to grow fine scales, and its body size also expanded.

Song Changsheng could clearly sense that the aura of the [Chengyuan Sword] was reviving.

"What's going on? Luck has suddenly surged, could it be...?"

The Dragon of Fortune is a direct manifestation of the Song family's collective fortune. The reason for such a huge change is that something very beneficial to the Song family's future fortune has just happened, and it is a major event with far-reaching impact.

The only thing he could think of at the moment was the cooperation he had just reached with Shi Potian and Chen Zhongfang.

To be precise, it should be an alliance. The alliance further boosted the Song family's fortune, which meant that he had found the right path, and even the long-dormant Chengyuan Sword showed signs of revival.

As is well known, a celestial dynasty often possesses two treasures of human destiny, among which the Imperial Seal is responsible for condensing, inheriting, and suppressing the dynasty's destiny.

The [King of Man Sword] is a weapon of slaughter, capable of mobilizing the fortune and faith of the Immortal Dynasty to unleash tremendous power.

Although Song Changsheng now controls the Chengyuan Sword, he has not fully mastered its power. He can only unleash three sword strikes, and these three strikes are remnants of the former Great Qi Immortal Dynasty. After the three strikes, he will fall into complete silence.

This is because the Song family's fortune and the power of their faith are not yet sufficient.

The Song family is still far inferior to a powerful immortal dynasty. Song Changsheng himself does not have the ruling power of a human king who has the faith of hundreds of millions of people gathered in one body, so he is simply unable to revive the power of the Chengyuan Sword.

The previous alliance unified the Great Qi in an unconventional way, with the fortunes of the major forces linked together. As the leader of the alliance, he played a role almost identical to that of the "King of Men," which led to a surge in the collective fortune of the Song family.

To be precise, this is no longer just the fortune of the Song family, but the fortune of the entire alliance.

This means that as the alliance continues to expand, its fortune will also continue to grow. Once it reaches a certain level, the dormant power of the [Chengyuan Sword] will truly awaken.

Chen Zhongfang's vision of a grand alliance for the Southwest Alliance is the most correct path!
This discovery excited him, but also brought him a sense of relief. Fortunately, True Monarch Dragon Elephant had left early, so this unusual activity could be kept secret from others, but it certainly couldn't be kept secret from a True Monarch-level expert.

After the dragon of fortune had devoured all the gathered purple energy, it let out a satisfied roar and disappeared back into the [Chengyuan Sword], and everything returned to calm.

At this moment, a vague image flashed through the minds of everyone connected to his destiny... "Clan leader, Master Kuohai of the Hanhai Chamber of Commerce has been waiting for a long time, as you see..."

“Bring him to see me. I want to see where his sincerity lies.”

"As ordered."

As a Golden Core cultivator, Kuo Hai had never truly straightened his back since the moment he stepped into Cangmang Peak, and now he was even more cautious.

The attitude of Wanxiang Palace towards Song Changsheng made him realize how fatal his previous misjudgment had been.

He wanted to slap himself every time he thought about this.

As the old saying goes, even if bones are broken, tendons still connect. Even if this stroke writes two "Song" characters, the blood ties cannot be severed. He was so naive as to believe that Song Changsheng was going to destroy the [Jinxiu Banner].

Everything we are suffering now is paying the price for past mistakes.

The only saving grace now is that Song Changsheng is still willing to see him, which means there is still room for maneuver.

"Kuohai pays respects to the True Man Zixu."

He adopted an extremely humble attitude.

"Why are you so polite, Fellow Daoist Kuohai? Didn't we have a very pleasant conversation when Fellow Daoist Xuanshui was still here?"

Song Changsheng said this, but his buttocks didn't move an inch.

"Kuohai has come to apologize to the Master. The matter of the Black Scale Clan was indeed a scheme orchestrated by the Hanhai Chamber of Commerce and Thousand Blade City. Our original intention was to find an opportunity for the Master to severely damage the Brocade Banner, but we did not expect to disrupt the Master's plans and cause these misunderstandings."

The Hanhai Chamber of Commerce is willing to bear all losses with the utmost sincerity.

"So that's what you came for. You've really given me a big problem. According to the original plan, I will subdue Song Tianyuan and let him continue to guard Tenglong Islands."

But now, everything has been disrupted.

Moreover, the fact that you handled this matter poorly is common knowledge.

Now, everyone in the [Jinxiu Banner] regards you as enemies and wishes they could raze you to the ground.

Even the Vientiane Palace had some reservations about this.

Originally, Fellow Daoist Xuan Shui sacrificed himself for the Great Qian Dynasty, and the True Lords felt somewhat guilty towards you. Now that you have done this, you should be grateful that you have not been punished.

"Tell me, why bother for such petty gains?" Song Changsheng slowly stood up and looked down at him.

His gaze was extremely oppressive, and Kuohai suddenly felt a little heavy.

He gritted his teeth and said, "A moment of blind faith led to this disaster. The entire Hanhai Chamber of Commerce has realized its mistake. We beg you, Master, to be lenient and give us another chance."

"The opportunity isn't nonexistent, but I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it."

"Please enlighten me, Master. I will not hesitate to face any danger, even if it means going through fire and water."

“Mountains of knives and seas of fire are no challenge for you, and of course, I don’t need you to go through all that trouble.”

All I want is the trade channels of the Hanhai Chamber of Commerce in the East China Sea. That's the only thing you have that I find acceptable.

As long as you sever ties with Thousand Blade City and open all your maritime trade channels, I will arrange for you to join the East Sea Alliance for mutual development.

"Don't rush to object. By joining the East China Sea Alliance, you can resume your large orders with the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce and even gain access to some of their distribution channels. Overall, you won't actually lose out," Song Changsheng said calmly.

"Time waits for no one, so please reply to me as soon as you've made up your mind."

"I accept."

Without any hesitation, Kuohai agreed immediately, which was much better than he had expected.

Moreover, he had long wanted to join the East China Sea Alliance, but he was just worried about the attitude of the Myriad Palaces.

"Congratulations on making a wise decision. The Alliance fleet will be withdrawing soon. Send someone to take over as soon as possible."

Song Changsheng waved his hand, signaling the steward to see the guest out.

The Song family's current goal is to establish a well-developed trade network. They are already slowly implementing this on land, and now with the Hanhai Chamber of Commerce's channels at sea, it is like adding wings to a tiger.

"The foundation of the East China Sea is becoming more and more solid, but it is a pity that it is still missing a great general to guard it."

Qingxing, oh Qingxing, when will you return home, when will you return home…

……

P.S.: I've added an extra 3,000 words, still 9,000 words owed. There will be another chapter tonight. (End of Chapter)