Qinghe Immortal Clan.

"Hey! Siyuan, why are you alone? Where's Junior Brother Song?"

As far as the eye could see, only Huang Siyuan was visible on the mountaintop, which made Li Xuanyi feel a little puzzled and she asked a question.

Upon hearing this, Huang Siyuan calmly replied:
"I came alone this time."

"You came back alone. Did Junior Brother Song have something to tell you to come find me?"

Seeing Li Xuanyi's concerned expression, Huang Siyuan shook her head and explained again:

"Senior sister, please don't misunderstand. I didn't know I was coming to see your husband. I came to Yunlong Mountain specifically because I have some things I want to entrust to you."

"Yes! Siyuan, we've known each other for so many years, there's no need to be so polite."

"Why don't we go up the mountain and talk it over? We can also finish that game of chess we didn't finish last time."

"Senior Sister Li, I'm leaving here soon, so there's no need to trouble you any further." Despite Li Xuanyi's invitation, Huang Siyuan still waved her hand to refuse.

At this moment, Li Xuanyi had also noticed the slight difference in Huang Siyuan's words, so she nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Huang Siyuan spoke to her solemnly, "Senior Sister Li, my husband and I came out this time to seek an opportunity to form a Nascent Soul."

I'm here to tell you that I've found my destiny, and I'll be leaving for a while, unable to return to Crimson Cloud Mountain for the time being.

"Oh! Siyuan, is what you said true? Does Junior Brother Song know about this?"

Upon hearing that Huang Siyuan had found her own Nascent Soul opportunity, Li Xuanyi, a friend of many years, couldn't help but feel excited and genuinely happy for her.

Upon hearing this, Huang Siyuan smiled and nodded at Li Xuanyi, then continued, "My husband went out to perform a mission for the Demon-Slaying Palace two years ago and has not yet returned. He is unaware of this matter."

Senior Sister Li, I only recently made up my mind to leave, which is why I wanted to entrust this matter to you. I hope you can understand my choice.

After speaking, Huang Siyuan took out a pre-prepared letter from her person and handed it directly to Li Xuanyi.

"Senior Sister Li, this letter is for my husband. No matter whether Siyuan can come back in the future, I hope that you and Qingyu will continue to walk together well."

"Are you in such a hurry to leave? Why don't you wait for Junior Brother Song to return and say goodbye to him in person?"

Faced with Li Xuanyi's puzzled expression, Huang Siyuan sighed calmly.

"Senior Sister Li, you also know that the path to Nascent Soul is difficult. Even if I can find a sliver of opportunity for myself, the hope of successfully forming a Nascent Soul is still invisible and intangible."

My husband's risky journey to carry out a mission for the Demon-Slaying Palace was also for the sake of my Nascent Soul formation.

Over the years, my achievements today are ultimately due to his help, and Siyuan knows this in her heart.

If he were here, I'm afraid I might regret my decision at any moment and wouldn't be able to bring myself to leave.

Huang Siyuan and Song Qingming have been married for over three hundred years. Their ability to stay together until now is inseparable from their own efforts in cultivation.

However, she also had to admit that the most important reason why she was able to cultivate to this point was still the full support of her Daoist partner, Song Qingming.

Now, for the sake of his own Nascent Soul formation, Song Qingming spared no expense to bring her thousands of miles to the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom".

They even risked everything to agree to help the Demon-Slaying Palace go to the "Qiyun Immortal Cultivation World" to quell the demonic disaster, just to give Huang Siyuan a chance to enter the "Heart Refining Tower" for trials.

Almost every one of these things was buried in Huang Siyuan's heart.

Now that Song Qingming has done so much for her, if he really doesn't want Huang Siyuan to leave, even for the sake of her own path, Huang Siyuan would probably find it hard to make that decision.

Therefore, once she had made up her mind, she resolutely left "Mount Dangmo" alone.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Li Xuanyi could naturally understand the difficult choice Huang Siyuan was facing.

On one hand, there was the opportunity she had finally found, and on the other hand, there was the full support of her Daoist partner, Song Qingming. But no matter what she chose, she could not guarantee that she could successfully form her Nascent Soul.

After hearing Huang Siyuan's explanation, Li Xuanyi couldn't bring herself to say the words she wanted to say, and could only look at her in silence.

"Siyuan, since you've chosen to entrust this matter to me, can you tell me the truth? Is it because of me that you suddenly decided to leave?"

After a long while, Li Xuanyi looked at the other person again with a firm gaze and slowly spoke out the last doubt in her heart.

Faced with Li Xuanyi's sudden and strange question, Huang Siyuan was momentarily stunned, but she wasn't too surprised and immediately replied:

"When I came here, I guessed that you might not believe what I was saying."

But don't worry, senior sister. I came to you today to entrust you with this matter sincerely, and I did not come here to test you.

Over the years, my senior sister has risked her life to save me and Qingyu several times in the Floating Cloud Mountains. In our hearts, we have long regarded you as family.

If anyone else had asked this question today, Siyuan might have been displeased, but since it's you, Senior Sister, I don't mean it that way.

Back then, Li Xuanyi ran away from her arranged marriage and left home to "Funiu Mountain." She lived in the Song family for many years and risked her life many times to help them fight against the attacks of the northern demon tribe.

The affection between her and Song Qingming was something that Huang Siyuan, Song Qingyu, and others had long seen.

At first, Huang Siyuan did feel a sense of crisis when faced with the sudden appearance of Li Xuanyi.

But over the years, seeing Li Xuanyi genuinely help Song Qingming and the entire Song family, she had long since accepted this senior sister and no longer regarded her as an outsider.

"Siyuan, you, you really think that way?"

Seeing that Huang Siyuan had spoken her mind so frankly, Li Xuanyi, standing to the side, looked somewhat at a loss.

After being saved by Song Qingming in the "Demon Sealing Valley" years ago, Li Xuanyi, having gone through a life-and-death experience with him, developed a deep and indescribable affection for this suddenly appearing junior brother.

Their subsequent reunion on "Jade Mystic Island" deepened her feelings for him, making it difficult for her to forget them for many years.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Li Xuanyi did not deny her feelings for her junior brother Song Qingming.

But faced with Huang Siyuan's frank answer, she was still somewhat caught off guard, and a blush quietly appeared on her fair face.

Compared to the shyness on Li Xuanyi's face, Huang Siyuan's expression remained very calm.

"I was forced to be with my husband by my family. If it weren't for his support all the way, I probably wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

In comparison, my senior sister and her husband not only share the same master but have also successfully achieved Nascent Soul stage. You can help him far more than I can.

If it weren't for my sake, you two would actually be a better match.

Senior Sister Li, this journey is fraught with difficulties, and I don't even know if I will be able to successfully form my Nascent Soul. Regardless of the outcome, I entrust him to you for now.

".."

Faced with Huang Siyuan's sincere entrustment, Li Xuanyi looked at her and finally nodded gently, putting away the letter in her hand.

"Don't worry, I'll take these to Junior Brother Song for you. I hope you can come back soon!"

"Yes! If there really is a chance to meet again."

"When the time comes, I will definitely settle the score with you in that game."

After saying her words, Huang Siyuan raised her hand to bid farewell to Li Xuanyi, then turned into a streak of light and headed north into the wind.

Li Xuanyi, standing on the mountaintop, couldn't look away from Huang Siyuan, whose figure had already disappeared.

".."
-
In the northwest direction of Yunlong Mountain, there is a market town.

As the light descended, Huang Siyuan quickly arrived at a restaurant, where she met "Granny Jin Yue" and her companion who were already waiting there.

"Hey! Sister Siyuan, you're back."

Upon seeing Huang Siyuan approaching, Tao Yu, who was still enjoying the spiritual food on the tea table, immediately put down her chopsticks and waved to greet her.

Soon Huang Siyuan walked up to the two of them, smiled and bowed to "Grandma Jinyue".

"Mother-in-law, are these dishes not to your liking?" Huang Siyuan asked with some doubt when she saw that the dishes on the table seemed to have been barely touched.

"That's strange. They're making the same dishes, but the taste is so much worse than what Sister Siyuan makes. It's such a waste of these ingredients."

Before "Grandma Jin Yue" could speak, Tao Yu, who was sitting to the side, immediately responded with some displeasure.

Seeing this, "Grandma Jin Yue" couldn't help but shake her head slightly and stand up.

"This girl has become increasingly picky about food ever since she started following you. Alright, if it's not good, then don't eat it. Let's go!"

"Oh, Grandma, don't rush me, I haven't finished my wine yet."

Seeing that "Grandma Jin Yue" had left the private room with Huang Siyuan, Tao Yu, who was still tasting her wine, hurriedly stuffed a few pieces of meat from her plate into her mouth.

".."

A moment later, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the market, and "Granny Jin Yue" stopped in her tracks.

"Have you taken care of everything?"

"Yes! Don't worry, Mother-in-law, everything has been taken care of!"

Upon hearing this, "Granny Jin Yue" nodded slightly, and then asked, "I forgot to tell you, although I have not been in public for a long time, I still have some connections with the Demon-Slaying Palace."

If you still want to enter the Refining Heart Tower, I can put in a good word for you with them. I can't say for sure that it will work out, but I'm about 70-80% sure.

"Your lifespan hasn't reached the point of reaching the Nascent Soul stage yet. Even if you fail in the future, you should still have another chance."

“Mother-in-law, Siyuan has made up her mind and will not go back.”

Hearing Huang Siyuan's firm reply, "Grandma Jinyue" immediately withdrew the rest of her words and sighed:
"Fine! Anyway, it's all a favor I owed back then. Since you've made up your mind, then come back with me!"

However, I must warn you upfront that the path I've described is not easy. If you fail, there will be no turning back. In any case, I can only do my best. Whether you succeed on this path of cultivation depends on yourself.”

“What my mother-in-law said is right. In the end, one has to rely on oneself on the path of cultivation. Siyuan always stood behind him in the past and could not see the many hardships and obstacles ahead.”

Today I want to try walking forward on my own, even if there are cliffs and precipices ahead, I will die on my own path.

"Hmm! It's rare to see you so determined. Even if it takes some time, it's worth it."

Having said that, "Granny Jin Yue" waved her hand lightly, and a dark purple coral cane immediately appeared in her hand.

She tapped her cane lightly on the ground, and a cloud of white appeared beneath the three of them. At the same time, the ground at the entrance of the market suddenly shook violently, causing many cultivators in the distance to fall to the ground.

The next moment, "Granny Jin Yue" stepped on white clouds and transformed into a beam of light, heading straight for the sky.

At this moment, many low-level cultivators at the entrance of the market were shocked to see this scene.

Who would have thought that Huang Siyuan and her companions, who seemed so inconspicuous just moments ago, actually possessed such profound cultivation?

"Those people just now were actually able to rise from the clouds, could they be some Golden Core senior?!"

".."

Before everyone could recover from their shock, a figure flew in from the distant market. It was a Golden Core cultivator who happened to be nearby.

But to everyone's surprise, this Golden Core Ancestor, whose fame resounded throughout many nearby markets, suddenly changed his expression as soon as he saw the few people leaving in the sky.

Immediately afterwards, as if he had seen something extraordinary, the Golden Core Ancestor turned around and fled the place in a panic.

Only the numerous low-level cultivators remained, who were once again shocked.

".."
-
"Floating Cloud Mountain Range," in the main hall of the Yunxiao Sect in the State of Lu.

The Supreme Elder Chen Yunxiao of the Yunxiao Sect, along with the sect's six Golden Core Ancestors, had all gathered here, but each of them had a rather unpleasant expression on their face.

"Ancestor, the people of the Tianhai Alliance have completely surrounded Lonely Moon Mountain. Our people can't get in at all, and they can't even send out a telepathic message."

If this continues, I'm afraid the cultivators stationed at Lonely Moon Mountain won't be able to hold out for much longer.

"Hmph! The people from the Tianhai Alliance are using the excuse that two cultivators have gone missing in Lonely Moon Mountain and insisting on going in to search. They are clearly just deliberately provoking us."

These wolf cubs have taken so many spirit stones from us every year, and they're still not satisfied. They're really pushing us to the brink of ruin.

"Our sect has only recently started to have a better life. If we really hand over the Lonely Moon Mountain mine to them, it won't be long before our Cloud Sky Sect becomes a complete vassal of the Heavenly Sea Alliance."

"What can we do if it doesn't work? The Tianhai Alliance dares to do this because they're sure we won't dare to fight them."

Junior Brother Yuan, why don't you go and discuss it with the Tianhai Alliance again, and see if you can compensate them with more spirit stones to settle this matter?

Otherwise, if war really breaks out, not only will we lose control of the mines, but the entire Kingdom of Lu might also fall into the hands of the Tianhai Alliance.

"Senior Brother Luo, how can you still be so confused? Junior Brother Yuan has been there several times already. The other party is after the mine. This is not a matter of losing a few more spirit stones."

"The Lonely Moon Mountain mine is so important to our sect; even if we have to destroy it, we absolutely cannot give it to them so easily."

"That's right. We've fed them for so many years, and all we've gotten in return is their ever-increasing demands. This time, we absolutely cannot give in again."

".."

Looking down at the many elders arguing below, Chen Yunxiao, sitting in the head seat, also had a worried expression on his face.

Since successfully destroying the "Lingyin Sect" more than a hundred years ago, the "Yunxiao Sect" has become the new hegemon of the Lu Kingdom, and many surrounding cultivation families and sects have all become vassals of them.

Compared to the weak and feeble Lingyin Sect a hundred years ago, the Yunxiao Sect's Supreme Elder Chen Yunxiao had only been in the Nascent Soul stage for two hundred years, and the sect's development should have been thriving.

Unfortunately, in order to avenge himself against the "Lingyin Sect," Chen Yunxiao agreed to mortgage 30% of the output of all the mines in Lu Kingdom to the "Tianhai Alliance" for a full hundred years in exchange for their full support.

In recent years, the Yunxiao Sect has been living a very busy life, and its development is far behind that of other Nascent Soul sects in the Fuyun Mountains.

Even Chen Yunxiao, the Nascent Soul Ancestor, has been stuck at the third level of the Nascent Soul realm for over a hundred years without any progress.

They had hoped that things would gradually improve once the contract ended.

Unexpectedly, the good days didn't last more than a few decades. The "Tianhai Alliance" was unwilling to give up the lucrative territory of Lu State and came knocking on their door again.

A few years ago, the Yunxiao Sect discovered a large "Gengjin" mine in Guyue Mountain. However, not long after, the "Tianhai Alliance," having learned of this, approached them and claimed that they wanted to cooperate in its operation.

Faced with the "Tianhai Alliance's" outrageous demands—that they immediately take 50% of the mine's shares for free—Chen Yunxiao immediately refused.

As a result, when they were ready to develop the mine, the "Tianhai Alliance" used the excuse that a disciple had disappeared without cause near Lonely Moon Mountain and sent people to surround the entire mine.

Compared to the powerful "Tianhai Alliance", the Yunxiao Sect was simply no match for it.

I wanted to do what I always do: take the initiative to admit my mistake, compensate the other party with some spirit stones, and let the matter rest.

Unexpectedly, the "Tianhai Alliance" took an unusually tough stance this time, insisting that the "Yunxiao Sect" give up 50% of the mining shares before they would give up.

Seeing that the elders below were arguing heatedly, their faces turning red, Chen Yunxiao raised his hand to stop them.

"Alright! What's meant to happen will happen, and what's coming will eventually come."

"Zifeng, you should go to Lonely Moon Mountain yourself and evacuate all the disciples inside."

"What? Ancestor, are you saying to withdraw all the disciples of Lonely Moon Mountain? Are you really going to hand over the mine to them directly?"

Faced with the sect elder's puzzled expression, Chen Yunxiao shook his head and said:

"Regarding this mine, I have already sent messages to the Xiaoyao Sect, Xingchen Sect, and Tianji Sect, inviting them to come and discuss the matter of cooperative operation."

"The Tianhai Alliance thinks they can just take this mine for free? Not so easy!"

".."

"Floating Cloud Mountain Range", Ancient Yang Mountain, in the main hall of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Li Mufeng, Bai Yuxian, and Song Qingyu sat at the head of the table, while below them were more than twenty Golden Core elders from various sects, led by Xu Ziyan.

Apart from Song Qingming and others who left the sect, as well as cultivators stationed outside who were unable to return, all the elders of the sect above the Golden Core stage had arrived in the main hall.

Since the monster uprising decades ago, the main hall of the "Xiaoyao Sect" has not seen so many sect elders gathered together for a long time.

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived in the main hall, Xu Ziyan, who held the position of sect leader, immediately stepped forward and handed a letter to Bai Yuxian, who was seated at the head of the hall.

"Uncle Bai, the other day the Tianhai Alliance sent a message inviting us to go to Lu State to discuss the joint mining of the Lonely Moon Mountain vein."

Our cultivators stationed in Lu Kingdom have also sent reliable information that the Tianhai Alliance surrounded Lonely Moon Mountain a month ago.

After receiving the letter, Bai Yuxian glanced at it and then immediately turned her gaze to the crowd below.

"Now that things have come to this, I'm afraid the Tianhai Alliance won't let the Yunxiao Sect off easily. What do you all think we should do?"

"How could the Tianhai Alliance be so audacious as to openly send troops into the territory of Lu? Are they trying to start another war?"

"The Cloud Soaring Sect's invitation to discuss the mine at this time is probably out of desperation."

".."
-
In the Wu Kingdom, in the cave behind the "Star Gate".

Zheng Zitong held the letter from the Yunxiao Sect requesting assistance and placed it directly in front of Ye Linyuan, who had just emerged from seclusion.

"Junior Brother Ye, it seems the previous intelligence was correct. The Cloud Soaring Sect has sent us a letter requesting assistance. Presumably, the Heavenly Sea Alliance is ready to take action."

"So, it seems they already know about what happened at the Myriad Spirits Sect, otherwise the Heavenly Sea Alliance wouldn't have suddenly made such a big move."

After reading the letter, Ye Linyuan immediately replied.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zitong immediately nodded.

"Junior Brother Ye is indeed intelligent. He saw the key to this matter at a glance. I think the reason why the Tianhai Alliance chose to make a move at this time is probably because of this."

I heard a while ago that Song Qingming had also left Chiyun Mountain, but I don't know where he went. I just haven't confirmed whether this is true or not.

It seems the Tianhai Alliance's decision to act at this time was premeditated.
-
The main hall of the "Tianji Sect" in Shangyang Kingdom.

"The Cloud Soaring Sect really has a good plan. They kept quiet when they discovered the mineral vein, but now that the Heavenly Sea Alliance has come knocking on their door, they finally think of cooperating with us."

"Ancestor, do you think we should delay his reply for a while, lest we fall into their trap?"

"Hmph! Do you really think that a Gengjin mine is worth the Tianhai Alliance going to such lengths? They definitely want more than just Lonely Moon Mountain."

"So, Ancestor, you mean they want the entire State of Lu?"

"Alas! We've finally had two hundred years of peace, but now we're facing another period of bloodshed."

Looking at the letter requesting help in his hand, Yang Fengyu, the Supreme Elder of the Tianji Sect, couldn't help but sigh.
-
Beyond the nine heavens, in the "Purple Sun Heavenly Palace".

Song Qingming, dressed in a silver-white Taoist robe, sat cross-legged on a futon, with wisps of blue mist constantly billowing from above his head.

The blue mist gathered more and more, quickly forming a three-foot-wide circular cloud of energy, which then began to shimmer with a dazzling blue light.

Not long after, with a slight sound from within Song Qingming's body, the gas cloud above his head suddenly stopped churning and quickly covered him, enveloping his entire body in a layer of blue light.

The next moment, Song Qingming slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.

"After all this time, it's finally done!" (End of Chapter)