Qinghe Immortal Clan.

"The Immortal Cultivation Realm of the East Sea", Jinsha Sea Area.

Above a volcano spewing crimson magma deep in the ocean, a woman in white, her face veiled, sits cross-legged in mid-air, casting a spell to refine the pure fire-attribute spiritual energy flowing in from all around.

A short while later, a streak of light flashed across the sea above, and a woman in purple appeared before him, a smile on her face, and said:

"Junior Sister Xia has been staying near this island all this time, so she was trying to refine the fire-attribute spiritual energy here. I wonder what secret technique she is cultivating, that she hasn't succeeded after so long?"

"I once obtained a cultivation technique passed down by an ancient cultivator while I was away from home. It had some wonderful uses for refining one's own magical power, so I tried to cultivate it a little."

Everything's been peaceful at the front lately. Senior Sister Shen, what major event has occurred back home that you've come to see me about?

"Yes! I have something important to tell you, but it doesn't come from our East Sea, but from the Floating Cloud Mountains."

Seeing Xia Mo ask her a question, Shen Bingling quickly took out a communication talisman from her person and handed it directly to Xia Mo.

"The monster turmoil in the Floating Cloud Mountains has already ended, so what major event could possibly happen there?"

Upon hearing what Shen Bingling said, Xia Mo took the letter from her hand and glanced at it, but her gaze suddenly froze.

Seeing Xia Mo's changed expression, Shen Bingling, equally surprised, sighed and said:

"Junior sister told us last time that Song Qingming has the talent of the late Nascent Soul stage. At the time, I thought you were overestimating him."

Unexpectedly, after so long, this child has actually advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

If it weren't for our spies in the Floating Cloud Mountains personally delivering the news of the celebration being held at Guyang Mountain, I would have found it hard to believe that this was actually true.

We never expected our junior sister to have such foresight, choosing to secretly form an alliance with them in advance, thus gaining a great boost for the sect. We really admire her for this.

Could it be that Song Qingming's achievements today were foreseen by his junior sister through the Heavenly Secrets Technique?

"The secrets of heaven are nothing but a mirage; how could they possibly predict these things? Senior sister, please don't overthink it."

After gently shaking her head, Xia Mo turned her gaze back to the letter, a strange look appearing in her eyes that was difficult for others to notice.

".."

"Qinghe County", Funiu Mountain, Qilin Pavilion.

After glancing at the portraits of the Song family ancestors hanging high on the wall, Song Qingming bowed in reverence before slowly inserting the incense sticks in his hand into the incense burner in front of him.

Standing behind Song Qingming, Song Yuanfang and Song Yu'an looked at the family patriarch in front of them, their eyes filled with even more admiration and respect.

Now that Song Qingming has just held a grand cultivator celebration, he has become the number one expert recognized by human cultivators in the cultivation world of the "Floating Cloud Mountains".

Naturally, it wasn't just the "Xiaoyao Sect" that was affected; the Song family of Funiu Mountain was also affected, and at this moment, it had become the most influential cultivation family in the Fuyun Mountain Range.

In the past, only the surrounding forces of Wei State would take the initiative to befriend Funiu Mountain, but now it has become famous throughout the entire Fuyun Mountain Range.

Even a Nascent Soul sect like the "Heavenly Extreme Sect" sent cultivators to visit the Song family, which was something Song Yuanfang and the others had not expected.

After offering incense to pay respects to the ancestors of the Song family, Song Qingming led Song Yuanfang and the other man into a closed hall next door.

Inside this room, besides storing the family's most important genealogy, there are over a hundred oil lamps standing in front of the main hall, all of which are the life-bound soul lamps of all the cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage in the Song family.

After lingering on the three soul lamps at the top for a while, Song Qingming turned to Song Yuanfang beside him and asked:
"Yuanfang, has there been any change in Siyuan's Soul Lamp in recent years?"

"Reporting to Seventh Uncle, the family's Qilin Pavilion has arranged for people to be on duty every day for the years, and no abnormalities have been found in the soul lamp of Ancestor Siyuan."

"Rest assured, I will arrange for a reliable person to come and check the registration every month. So far, no one at Qilin Pavilion dares to shirk their responsibilities."

"As the family has grown to this point, I know that you all have heavy responsibilities, but there are still some things that cannot be neglected."

Remember, if there are any changes to Siyuan's soul lamp, you must inform Qingyu and me immediately.

Faced with Song Yuanfang's earnest reply, Song Qingming nodded slightly in agreement, and then gave the two people in front of him a word of advice.

"Don't worry, Ancestor, we've got it all figured out."

"By the way, there's something else I haven't remembered to tell you and my great-aunt. A few months ago, Changyue's soul lamp suddenly went out."

I'm afraid... I'm afraid she has already met with misfortune outside.

When Changyue was about to go out to seek an opportunity to form her core, Linrui and I tried our best to dissuade her, wanting her to stay and not go out to take risks.

Unfortunately, this child was too proud and wouldn't listen to any advice. He couldn't overcome his own cultivation hurdle, and now he hasn't even left behind a corpse.

A few days ago, I had someone forcibly open her cave and build her a cenotaph in the back mountain.

I wonder if, when I close my eyes in the afterlife and meet Yuan Xue again, she will blame me for not taking good care of Chang Yue.

“Yuanfang, all we cultivators seek is to be true to our Dao heart.”

Since Changyue made her choice, her demise abroad was her own fate, and we should not make any unwarranted comments.

Regarding Changyue's funeral arrangements, you may make them as you see fit, but one thing to note is that no one in the clan should offer any unsolicited advice or suggestions on this matter in the future.

When Song Changyue was traveling, she happened to save Song Shaoyu and Liu Yue. Little did she know that when Song Qingming heard news of her again, they were already separated by death.

Thinking of her mother Song Yuanxue's dying words, Song Qingming could only sigh softly.

In the cultivation world, countless cultivators like Song Changyue, facing the critical juncture of Core Formation, risk their lives to venture out and seek opportunities for a final gamble.

To take this step without leaving themselves any way out, risking their lives, also requires immense courage for them.

If one could successfully form the Golden Core like Zhang Yurong and return, one would naturally have a broad vision and gain both fame and fortune. Not only would one rise to the top in one step, but one could also change the fate of those around them and even the entire family.

If they fail and perish outside, they will inevitably be judged and become the laughing stock of the surrounding cultivators.

Ultimately, it all comes down to success or failure.

".."

Having also gone through countless dangers to get to this point, Song Qingming naturally didn't like hearing these things, which is why he spoke up and gave the two a word of advice.

Only after Song Yuanfang reluctantly agreed did Song Qingming relax his expression and speak again:

"I might be going to Donghuang Kingdom in a while. Do you know if your family has any urgently needed spiritual items? If I see any, could you please bring some over?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanfang and Song Yu'an exchanged a glance, their eyes immediately lighting up with excitement. They quickly stepped forward and replied:
"Seventh Uncle, I have already processed most of the materials seized during the last turmoil in the family, and there are still quite a few spirit stones in the family treasury."

I was originally planning to discuss with Yu An whether we should go to the Wu Kingdom Star Assembly to try our luck and see if we could find one or two Five Elements Core Formation Spiritual Objects for the family.

If Seventh Uncle goes to Donghuang Kingdom, he can help us take a look, saving us the trouble of going to Wu Kingdom and hoping for the best.

"Now that the monster turmoil has just ended, everyone has accumulated quite a few spiritual items. At this time, it is indeed not an easy task to find five elemental spiritual items in the Floating Cloud Mountains. I will take a look for you while I am at it."

"And Yu An, your cultivation is almost at the third level of the Golden Core stage. If I see any suitable elixirs for you, I'll bring some back for you, so as not to delay your cultivation."

"Thank you, ancestor!"

Seeing that Song Qingming had already spoken his thoughts before he could even open his mouth, Song Yu'an hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"We're all family, no need to be so polite."

After waving his hand, Song Qingming turned his gaze to Song Yuanfang and asked, "By the way, how is Tianhuo Peng doing now? Is his injury not serious?"

"Don't worry, Seventh Uncle. Last time, I specially asked Senior Sister Yun from the sect to take a look at its condition. Today, Tianhuo Peng's injuries are no longer a big problem."

According to Senior Sister Zhao Yun, it should take another two or three years for it to fully recover.

After advancing to the Golden Core realm a hundred years ago, "Tianhuo Peng" has been cultivating at a relatively fast pace under the devoted care of the Song family, and has steadily reached the fourth level of the Golden Core realm.

However, over the years, "Tianhuo Peng" has been cultivating on Mount Funiu, and his combat experience is much lower than that of the demon kings in the wild.

Three years ago, during the battle at White Lion Ridge, Tianhuo Peng was accidentally injured by the Silver Elephant Demon King and has not yet fully recovered.

Hearing that "Heavenly Fire Roc" was no longer seriously injured, Song Qingming felt a little relieved and then gave further instructions:

"When someone comes to your door to help, you must show them the proper courtesy. Do not tarnish your family's reputation for petty gains."

I just happened to be passing by today, so I won't stay here any longer.

"If anything comes up, you can find me at Crimson Cloud Mountain later. As for my trip to the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, just the two of you know this; don't mention it to anyone else."

".."

After receiving the spirit stones from Song Yuanfang, which they used to purchase the five elemental spirit items, Song Qingming left Funiu Mountain and headed directly to Chiyanfang to take the teleportation array.

Before long, as the teleportation array in the market lit up, Song Qingming's figure returned to "Red Cloud Mountain".

At this moment, Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi, who had just finished purchasing spiritual items, walked out of a shop with happy expressions.

"Senior Sister Li, these spiritual items are enough for you to send to dozens of people. Are you satisfied?"

"Yes! Thank you for keeping me company today."

Seeing that Li Xuanyi looked very satisfied, Song Qingyu quickly said, "In that case, Senior Sister, would you like to treat me to a meal at Xianfeng Tower?"

"Hehe! Since you've already asked, how could I be stingy? Let's go with Xianfeng Tower then!"

As the two women were talking, they were about to move forward when they unexpectedly bumped into Song Qingming, who had just returned to "Red Cloud Mountain" not far away.

"Seventh Brother! What a coincidence! We were just about to head to Xianfeng Tower when you returned. It seems we have a wealthy patron here today, so we won't need Senior Sister Li to treat us."

"I promised to treat you, so how can I let someone else pay? Now that Junior Brother Song is back, how about we go and try the food together?"

"Hehe. In this life, cultivation is the only thing to do, and delicious food is not to be missed. How can we miss it?" The three of them arrived at "Xianfeng Tower". After chatting for a while, Song Qingming learned that Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu were preparing some gifts for their return to Yunlong Mountain.

Thinking that he had just received a large number of congratulatory gifts at "Guyang Mountain" not long ago, Song Qingming immediately took out all the spiritual items he had obtained and let Li Xuanyi choose for herself.

Seeing the table full of exquisite spiritual objects that shone with spiritual light, Li Xuanyi was somewhat dazzled and quickly declined.

In the end, he couldn't persuade Song Qingming otherwise, so he reached out and selected a few items before finally getting him to put away the spiritual objects on the table.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Song Qingming heard that Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu wanted to go for a stroll some more, so he returned to his mountain cave first.

To prepare for the celebration, we have been staying at "Guyang Mountain" for more than a month.

Now back in the secret chamber of the cave, Song Qingming couldn't wait to take out the "Sacred Star Disc" hidden in the cave.

After years of careful study, he has now mastered the secret method of refining "spirit artifacts" within his body.

Next, it's about time to take action and unlock the "Qu Bai" natal spirit sealed within the magic weapon.

"Senior Qu, please lend me a hand!"

Having made up his mind, Song Qingming immediately produced a ball of green spiritual light in his hand, which he then transformed into a rune and imprinted on the jade plate in mid-air.

The previously still "Sacred Star Disc" suddenly had a very complex golden rune appear on its top.

As Song Qingming rapidly cast spells, the green spiritual light he controlled instantly covered the golden talisman completely.

"open!"

As soon as the incantation was uttered, the "golden talisman" that was originally covered by green light began to tremble incessantly, and bursts of golden light shone through from time to time, directly shining on Song Qingming's face.

It lasted for less than a quarter of an hour before the "golden talisman" suddenly turned into spiritual liquid and slowly dissolved.

The next moment, a familiar blue-eyed white fox phantom emerged slowly from the "golden talisman" and floated in mid-air.

I was not mistaken back then; this should be Qu Bai's natal spirit.

However, the "blue-eyed white fox" was much more transparent than it had been back then, and its aura was also very weak. Its eyes were closed, as if it were on the verge of death.

Seeing that Qu Bai's natal spirit was already so weak, Song Qingming was afraid that the other party would dissipate at any moment. He did not dare to delay for a moment and immediately cast a spell to make the "Sacred Heart Disc" fly to his front.

Now that the seal on his natal spirit has been broken, Song Qingming's next task is to refine the replica spiritual treasure before him.

Then, Qu Bai's natal spirit was refined into a weapon spirit and integrated into this spiritual treasure to serve as its natal weapon spirit.

However, Qu Bai's primordial spirit is now extremely weak. For Song Qingming, there is only one chance. If he fails, Qu Bai's primordial spirit will perish.

"Success or failure depends on this!"

".."

Two months later, in the main hall of the "Chiyun Mountain" market.

A middle-aged man in a yellow robe was inspecting several packaged gift boxes one by one, while a chubby-faced cultivator with a smile on his face stood not far away.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, rest assured, I have carefully inspected these items before they were delivered, and there will be no quality issues whatsoever."

Everyone knows the reputation of our Baoyu Pavilion in Chiyun Mountain. You can rest assured, I'm willing to stake my life on it, there will be absolutely no mistakes.”

"Hmph! It's not that I don't trust you, but Elder Han specifically requested these items, so I dare not be negligent."

Otherwise, if something really goes wrong, and that old patriarch above blames you, even taking your dog's head won't help."

"What? Fellow Daoist Huang, these things are what that ancestor above wanted?"

Hearing the person in front of him speak so solemnly, the chubby-faced man couldn't help but point to the top of his head and ask a question out of curiosity.

"Alright, that's enough for you. Don't pry into the old man's affairs!"

Just as the man in yellow gave the fat-faced cultivator a warning, an old man in golden robes suddenly walked in from outside, instantly attracting their attention.

"We pay our respects to Elder Han!"

"Get up. Have you prepared everything I asked you to?"

"Reporting to the elder, we are still missing a few spiritual herbs from the Four Seas Merchant Alliance. They should be delivered this afternoon. The rest are already here."

Upon hearing the old man in the golden robe ask a question, the man in yellow quickly smiled and nodded, then led him to a pile of wooden boxes and began to introduce them.

Upon hearing this, the old man in the golden robe nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

"Hmm! Well done. You can go now. I'll check again to make sure there are no oversights."

".."

"Red Cloud Mountain", in the cave at the top of the mountain.

After two months of refining, Song Qingming had successfully gained complete control over the "Sacred Star Disc" before him, and his gaze once again turned to the sleeping blue-eyed white fox not far away.

With practiced ease, Song Qingming executed a spell, a technique he had mastered over a dozen times in recent years, quickly forming a white magic seal.

All that's left is for the white seal to be directly imprinted on Qu Bai's natal spirit.

The next moment, the blue-eyed white fox, which had been sleeping soundly and motionless, began to struggle incessantly.

Seeing this, Song Qingming immediately produced a ball of white lightning, which transformed into a large white net and wrapped around the opponent.

"Senior Qu, please forgive my rudeness!"

A flash of white light appeared, and the blue-eyed white fox immediately quieted down under the electric light, but began to tremble uncontrollably.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Song Qingming immediately activated the magic seals on its body, which directly entered the body of the green-eyed white fox, and then used magic to refine it.

This continued for several days. Seeing that Qu Bai's "natal spirit" had been completely refined into a weapon spirit body, Song Qingming finally breathed a sigh of relief and showed a hint of satisfaction.

"After all this time, it's finally done!"

After the refining was completed, a flash of spiritual light appeared in Song Qingming's body, and he once again summoned the "Sacred Star Disc," then activated Qu Bai's "natal spirit" to quickly merge with it.

Once its body had completely merged with the "Sacred Star Disc," the blue-eyed white fox, which had previously looked very listless, finally opened its eyes.

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar surroundings, the blue-eyed white fox blinked, then its gaze quickly settled on Song Qingming.

"Brother Song, you've really worked hard. I never expected you to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage so quickly!"

"Senior Qu, are you alright?"

Hearing Song Qingming's concerned inquiry, Qu Bai, whose breathing had clearly not yet recovered, quickly waved his hand and said:

"Don't worry, my primordial spirit has not fully recovered yet. As long as I stay in the spiritual treasure to recuperate for a period of time, I will recover."

"Many thanks to Brother Song for his help this time, which saved my life. However, now that I am a spirit of an artifact, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave you for the time being."

"If it weren't for Senior Qu, I probably wouldn't be alive today, let alone be able to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage so quickly."

Please rest assured, senior. We cultivators should repay kindness with gratitude. I, Song, am a sworn brother of you, and I would never truly treat you as a spirit to be used or manipulated.

"I have already promised that senior that if I am able to secretly ascend to the upper realm in the future, I will find a way to free your natal spirit. Please bear with me for a while."

"Oh! I didn't expect Brother Song to have such a kind heart towards me. Then I, Qu, would like to thank you in advance."

Brother Song, rest assured. Although I have now become a spirit of an artifact and can no longer act as freely as before, I still know quite a bit about the secrets of the cultivation world, which should be able to help you in the future.

As long as you can advance to the Nascent Soul realm in the future, with my help, your chances of ascending to the upper realm will definitely be greater than others.

"But it's a promise, you have to set my soul free then, and you can't go back on your word!"

"Senior, rest assured, I, Song, swear by my Dao heart that I will never go back on my word!"

Seeing that Qu Bai agreed to help him ascend to the upper realm in the future, Song Qingming immediately agreed to the other party's request, and the two made a promise again, just like before.

"Alright! It's settled then. My primordial spirit body can't be maintained for long right now, so I'll go back and recuperate. If you need anything after you've recovered, just come find me!"

After saying that, Qu Bai disappeared into the jade plate next to him.

Then Song Qingming gently waved his hand, and the "Sacred Star Disc" transformed into a beam of white light and flew back into his body.

After two months of seclusion, Song Qingming finally accomplished the major task that had been weighing on his mind, and his expression relaxed as he stepped out of the cave.

Not long after Song Qingming left, a figure quickly approached him from a distance; it was Li Xuanyi, who had learned of his departure from seclusion.

"Junior Brother Song, you've emerged from your seclusion?"

".."

Several days later, the location of the summit of "Red Cloud Mountain".

"Qingyu, I don't know when I'll return this time, so I'll leave the family in your care for now."

"Seventh Brother, Senior Sister Li, please don't worry, I will take good care of the family!"

After giving a few words of advice to Song Qingyu, who had come to see him off, Song Qingming cast a spell to release the "White Bone Boat," and then took Li Xuanyi with him as they turned into white light and left the spot.

Once the flying boat passed through the "mountain-protecting array" overhead, the two headed west. (End of Chapter)