Qinghe Immortal Clan.

It should be noted that the several super-large intercontinental teleportation arrays connecting the entire "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent" cultivation world to other cultivation worlds are almost all controlled by powerful top sects like the "Heavenly Dao Sect".

Regardless of the true intentions of the "Four Seas Business Alliance," the construction of such a large-scale intercontinental teleportation array will inevitably affect the interests of some sects on the continent and cause some disputes.

At that point, these matters will no longer be something that a small family like the Song family or the "Xiaoyao Sect" can get involved in.

Seeing that Song Qingming seemed somewhat reserved in his words, Long Ziyun instantly understood his meaning and nodded slowly.

“I have remembered what you said, fellow Daoist.”

The matter of the teleportation array is still unclear. I was merely mentioning it to you, Fellow Daoist Song. I hope you will keep it a secret and prevent others from misunderstanding.

"Fellow Daoist Long, rest assured, although my cultivation and abilities are low, I am not one to talk nonsense. This matter will definitely not reach the ears of a third person after leaving this door."

Compared to other places, our cultivation world in the Floating Cloud Mountains is rather barren. To be honest, I, Song, have high hopes for cooperation with your esteemed alliance. Fellow Daoist Long, please rest assured on this point.”

"Yes! I'm relieved to hear Fellow Daoist Song's words."

Speaking of cooperation, I have been quite impressed with this place during my visit to Chiyun Mountain. When I return, I will definitely discuss with the other elders in the alliance how to strengthen our cooperative relationship with you.

"In the future, our alliance will rely heavily on Fellow Daoist Song's assistance for many businesses in the Floating Cloud Mountains. If any of your subordinates fail to perform their duties, please feel free to send me a message."

"The cooperation between our two families is a mutually beneficial matter, so it's a no-brainer."

".."

Upon hearing that Long Ziyun intended to deepen the cooperative relationship with "Red Cloud Mountain", Song Qingming smiled slightly and immediately agreed. After chatting for a few more minutes, the two walked out of the teleportation hall together.

After successfully obtaining the required "Nurture Pill", Song Qingming did not linger and immediately set off with Huang Siyuan to the East Sea Immortal Cultivation World.

Song Qingyu originally wanted to go too, but since the "Trade Conference" had just ended and there were still many things at "Chiyun Mountain" that needed help, she stayed behind for the time being.

This time, as the time agreed upon with Song Changze for the cultivation world in the East Sea was fast approaching, Song Qingming was naturally traveling at a faster pace than usual.

The two traveled eastward by airship and arrived at the "Tianxing Sea" in just over ten days.

Having not visited for decades, the "Tianxing Sea Area" has undergone considerable changes compared to what it was back then.

Originally, there were more than a dozen Golden Core forces in the "Tianxing Sea Area". After hundreds of years of fighting among themselves, apart from the two emerging forces, "Black Cloud Island" and "Tianxuan Sect", most of the other Golden Core forces have joined the alliance between the two factions.

These are the northern forces centered around "Qitian Island" and the southern alliance led by "Iron Sword Sect".

Initially, the northern forces, where "Qitian Island" was located, were so powerful that they almost unified the entire northern part of the "Tianxing Sea Area," and during this time they destroyed many sects that did not want to join them.

Later, faced with the relentless pressure from "Qitian Island", many forces in the southern seas, forced to protect themselves, formed the Southern Alliance under the leadership of "Iron Sword Sect", thwarting "Qitian Island's" dream of unifying the Tianxing Sea.

After decades of fighting and alliances, the two sides had their share of victories and defeats, but neither side was able to completely eliminate the other, resulting in a stalemate.

Thirty years ago, Nangong Jianchen, the new leader of the Iron Sword Sect, suddenly succeeded in forming his Nascent Soul and subsequently led the Southern Allied Army northward once again.

Upon hearing that the other side had sent Nascent Soul cultivators to Qitian Island, they immediately gave up resistance and disbanded the Northern Alliance under the strong pressure of the other side, choosing to lead their core disciples to voluntarily withdraw from the Tianxing Sea.

Subsequently, many forces in the north, under the active recruitment of the "Iron Sword Sect," flocked to its ranks like autumn leaves swept away by the wind.

Even Black Cloud Island and Heavenly Profound Sect, which had always remained neutral in previous conflicts, quickly accepted the Iron Sword Sect's orders and became its vassals after learning the news.

Subsequently, the Iron Sword Sect unified the entire "Tianxing Sea Area," and this sea area, which had been in chaos for hundreds of years, finally came to complete peace.

Although Song Qingming had some conflict with Jin Chiliang, the vice leader of the Iron Sword Alliance, when he went to the Tianxuan Sect to congratulate Luo Li on his Core Formation, he killed Jin Chiliang, who came to cause trouble.

However, although Jin Chiliang served as the vice leader of the Southern Alliance, he was not a disciple of the Iron Sword Sect.

Nangong Jianchen, the sect leader of the Iron Sword Sect who had only recently formed his Nascent Soul, would naturally not risk offending the highly skilled Nascent Soul cultivator behind the Heavenly Profound Sect for the sake of an outsider like him.

With the help of He Mengxin, an elder of the "Hundred Flowers Palace," whom Liu Yuxin specially invited, Nangong Jianchen readily accepted their offer of vassalage.

Even after the two sides formally put the matter behind them, no further conflict arose.

In recent years, as the turmoil within the country has subsided, the entire "Tianxing Sea Area" has had a better opportunity for development, and the number of cultivators has increased significantly compared to before.

After entering the "Tianxing Sea Area", Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan encountered many cultivators and treasure ships passing by, making it much more lively than before.

Upon arriving at this sea area, Song Qingming did not choose to head northeast to "Black Cloud Island" first, but instead turned directly north, heading straight for the north of "Tianxing Sea".

Just as Song Qingming and his companion were traveling, a white beam of light flew swiftly across the sky from a large island in the southern part of the "Tianxing Sea Area" and landed directly in mid-air outside the island.

A moment later, the light dissipated, and the figure of a rather thin old man in a gray robe immediately appeared.

The gray-robed elder looked around and immediately took out a sound transmission talisman and shot it directly into the "mountain-protecting formation" in front of him.

A short while later, a flash of light appeared ahead, and a burly man in yellow robes and a golden crown strode out from inside.

Upon seeing the gray-robed old man in front of him, the burly man wearing a golden crown quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Oh! Fellow Daoist You, what brings you here today?"

I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please, fellow Daoist, come with me to the island for a chat.

"Ah, Brother Nangong, please don't be so polite. I've come here for that Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus. Please help me find the way, and I promise I won't treat you badly."

"Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus, could it be that Fellow Daoist You has already found a Nascent Soul spiritual object?"

Brother You should also know that this item was obtained by Junior Nephew Wu and is not in my possession. Moreover, he has already stated that he will not exchange it for anything other than a Nascent Soul artifact. Even if I went in person, it would probably be difficult to persuade him.”

Upon hearing what the other party said, the burly man with the golden crown was slightly taken aback, and then asked a question with a troubled expression.

Upon seeing this, the gray-robed man immediately smiled and nodded, saying, "Brother Nangong, don't worry. I made a trip to Lingkong Island before, and after much persuasion, I finally managed to get a share of a Nascent Soul Pill from Fellow Daoist Jin."

At most, it will only take a few years for Yunyang Sect to gather the spiritual herbs and start refining pills, at which point I will be able to directly produce a Nascent Soul Pill.

This is the contract between the Yunyang Sect and me. With this in hand, I think Brother Nangong can rest assured!

After speaking, the gray-robed old man confidently took out a black contract and displayed it in front of the golden-crowned man.

Upon seeing the contract in the gray-robed elder's hand, the golden-crowned man immediately smiled and nodded to him.

"Hehe! I didn't expect Brother You to be able to obtain a share of the Nascent Soul Pill from the Yunyang Sect. I naturally trust you on this matter."

However, there is something I forgot to tell Brother You beforehand. Two months ago, Junior Nephew Wu made a contract with someone, agreeing to exchange spiritual items with them if the other party could produce a Nascent Soul spiritual item within three months.

There are still half a month left until the deadline of the March contract. I'm afraid I'll have to ask Brother You to wait a few more days.

If the other party cannot produce the item by the agreed deadline, it will naturally belong to Brother You.

"What? He also made a contract with someone else? I'd like to know which fellow Daoist suddenly came here to compete with me for this item."

Upon hearing that others wanted to exchange for the "Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus," the gray-robed elder's expression changed slightly, and he asked them a question with displeasure.

Seeing this, the burly man with the golden crown quickly smiled and replied, "Hehe! Brother You, please don't be angry. The one who made the agreement with Junior Nephew Wu is not some Nascent Soul cultivator, but just a junior Golden Core cultivator from the neighborhood."

Besides, when Junior Nephew Wu made the agreement with him, Fellow Daoist did not inform me in advance that he could find a Nascent Soul Spiritual Object, so how could I keep obstructing him?

"Please rest assured, Brother You, even Nascent Soul cultivators like us find Nascent Soul cultivators extremely difficult to obtain; how could a Golden Core cultivator possibly produce such a thing so easily? I will accompany you there now; it will only take a few more days at most!"

Hearing the golden-crowned man's patient explanation, the gray-robed old man, whose face had been somewhat unpleasant, immediately breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

"So it turns out he's just a junior Golden Core cultivator. I thought it was another fellow Daoist deliberately trying to oppose me."

"To be honest, brother, I have traveled almost all over the cultivation world of the East Sea these days. In recent times, apart from the Yunyang Sect, I don't think anyone else has been able to refine the Nascent Soul Pill."

To find other Nascent Soul spirits, one would have to travel to other cultivation worlds in the outer seas, which is hardly something that can be found in three months.

This junior cultivator at the Golden Core stage dared to make such an agreement to exchange spiritual items; he was truly arrogant and ignorant of his own limitations.

"Once we arrive at Qitian Island, I will definitely give him a good scolding."

".."
-
Half a day later, on an island directly north of the "Tianxing Sea".

A streak of light flashed by quickly and landed in the center of the island before falling from mid-air.

This island, named "Northern Spirit Island," was originally the spiritual mountain of the Golden Core sect "Qitian Island."

Decades ago, after Qitian Island was forced to leave the Tianxing Sea, this top-grade level three spiritual vein was occupied by the Iron Sword Sect and subsequently turned into a market town.

Nowadays, besides the Iron Sword Sect cultivators stationed here, there are many independent cultivators coming and going on "Northern Spirit Island", which has become the largest market in the northern part of "Tianxing Sea".

Looking at the many rogue cultivators coming and going, Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan exchanged a glance and immediately restrained their cultivation, controlling it at the Foundation Establishment stage. They also put on masks to conceal their original appearances.

Because there were quite a few independent cultivators coming and going every day, the cultivators stationed on the island, seeing that the two had Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, did not ask any questions, simply registered them, and put them directly into the island.

After asking around in the market, Song Qingming quickly found Song Changze, who lived in a cave on the island, and also met Luo Li, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Nearly a hundred years have passed since Luo Li formed his Golden Core.

Now, her cultivation has been successfully raised to the fifth level of the Golden Core realm. Although she has not yet caught up with Song Changze, who has already broken through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm, she has caught up with Liu Yuxin, who formed her Golden Core a step earlier than her.

Over the past century, Song Qingming has not given him any special care. Luo Li's current level of cultivation is entirely due to his own good fortune and hard work.

Seeing that the other party's cultivation speed was not much worse than Song Yuanhao and the others, Song Qingming couldn't help but show a hint of relief on his face.

Upon seeing Song Qingming and his wife, whom she hadn't seen for many years, Luo Li was also very excited. She quickly went up to them, bowed, and began to introduce her cultivation over the years.

The group sat in the cave for a full hour until a message talisman flew into Luo Li's cave, at which point she took the initiative to come to Song Qingming's side.

"Senior, Fellow Daoist Wu has replied to the message, inviting me to go to the main hall of the market to trade spiritual items later. If there's nothing else, let's go over there first!"

"Yes! That's fine too."

Upon hearing Luo Li's words, Song Qingming immediately nodded in agreement. Then, under her guidance, they arrived together outside a grand hall located in the middle of the market.

Huang Siyuan and Song Changze stayed in the cave, patiently waiting for their return.

After Luo Li, who was walking in front, explained his purpose, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Iron Sword Sect guarding outside the hall immediately bowed to him respectfully and then led the two into a secret room next to the main hall.

The two waited in the secret room for a short while before three more people walked in. At this moment, Song Qingming's divine sense, which was placed around him, also sensed a powerful aura that was not much weaker than his own.

Looking up, they realized that the two people walking in front of them were both Nascent Soul cultivators.

One of the gray-robed elders had reached the peak of the third level of the Nascent Soul realm, while the other, a man in a golden crown, had a lower cultivation level and had only recently broken through to the second level of the Nascent Soul realm.

Following behind the two was a somewhat obese middle-aged man whose cultivation had also reached the peak of the Golden Core realm.

"Junior Luo Li greets the two seniors!"

Seeing that Wu Long, with whom she had made a deal, had brought two Nascent Soul cultivators with him, Luo Li was somewhat puzzled, but as a junior, she immediately stood up and bowed to the two people in front of her.

The gray-robed elder, who had the highest cultivation level among the three, first glanced at Luo Li in front of him, then quickly turned his gaze to Song Qingming sitting to the side, and then chuckled.

"Haha! I was wondering how a little girl at the fifth level of the Golden Core stage could possibly produce a Nascent Soul spiritual item. It turns out she really does have a Nascent Soul cultivator backing her up."

Brother Nangong, you didn't know all this all along, did you?

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jianchen, who was standing to the side, immediately showed a somewhat troubled expression, and at this moment, he felt extremely regretful.

The reason why Nan Kong Jianchen appeared here is partly because "Beiling Island" is now the territory of the Iron Sword Sect.

On the other side was Wu Long, who was standing behind him. Wu Long was a direct descendant of the family of Nangong Jianchen's deceased Daoist partner, and they had a close relationship.

After all, the "Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus" that needed to be traded was far too precious. Without inviting a reliable Nascent Soul cultivator to the scene, Wu Long dared not easily take it out to trade with others.

Previously, when Nangong Jianchen learned that Luo Li wanted to exchange for the "Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus" in Wu Long's possession, he had already guessed it in his heart.

Could the other party's confidence stem from the mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator behind the "Tianxuan Sect"?

However, with the deadline fast approaching and no one from the other party coming to complete the transaction, he assumed that Luo Li simply wouldn't be able to fulfill the three-month agreement.

Unexpectedly, just a few days before the transaction deadline, Wu Long received a message from Luo Li, who even brought along a stranger, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

To be honest, as the head of "Northern Spirit Island", Nangong Jianchen was not actually very interested in this deal.

Whoever obtains the "Nine Tribulations Jade Lotus" from Wu Long will reap the benefits, but should try their best not to offend other fellow cultivators.

Seeing that the aura emanating from the person before him was in no way weaker than that of the gray-robed elder standing beside him, Nangong Jianchen, filled with unease, hesitated for a moment before calmly asking Luo Li in front of him:

"Young friend Luo, did you bring the spirit object for infant formation as agreed?"

"Reporting to Senior, I have made a contract with Fellow Daoist Wu. I have come as agreed. Please take a look."

After Luo Li finished speaking, he took out the black jade box in his hand, and a "Nurture Pill" that was shining with spiritual light was immediately revealed in front of everyone.

After confirming that the item in the other party's hand was indeed the "Nurture Pill," the people present couldn't help but show some surprise. They didn't expect that Luo Li would actually take out this pill.

Upon seeing this item, Nangong Jianchen immediately turned around, cupped his hands in a gesture of apology to the gray-robed elder beside him, and said:
“Brother You, since young friend Luo has produced the Infant Nourishing Pill as agreed, it is naturally not appropriate for me to interfere in this transaction. I hope you can understand.”

I now owe you a favor, fellow Daoist. I will certainly pay you a visit another day.

Before Nangong Jianchen could finish speaking, the gray-robed elder standing to the side immediately waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Hehe! Sect Leader Nangong, you should forget about that. Since you've already gone this far, there's no need for me to stand here and embarrass myself."

I have taken note of what happened today. Farewell!

After speaking, the gray-robed old man turned to leave, but his gaze still shot several cold beams at the location where Luo Li and Song Qingming were.

But just as the gray-robed old man turned around, a voice rang out not far behind him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"Fellow Daoist, wait a moment!"

(Sorry for the short update today, I'll make up for it tomorrow!) (End of Chapter)