Qinghe Immortal Clan.

"Floating Cloud Mountain Range", Chiyun Mountain, in the Huixian Pavilion at the top of the mountain.

Song Yuanhao and Song Linrui stood to the side with their heads down, while Song Qingyu paced back and forth not far away, a hint of doubt on her face.

After a while, Song Qingyu turned her gaze to the two people below.

"When did Han Ruilong first disappear, and who was the last person to see him?"

"Reporting to my great-aunt, Lin Rui and I have investigated this matter. Fellow Daoist Han suddenly left Chiyunfang alone a month ago."

The last people to see him were a few disciples of the guard team. They only saw Fellow Daoist Han go out and head northwest, but they didn't know where he went.

Before Han Daoyou left, he did not mention this matter to us. I only discovered his mysterious disappearance after I had not seen him for several days in a row and sent someone to visit him.

"Great-aunt, Fellow Daoist Han's relatives and disciples are still at the foot of the mountain. It's unlikely he suddenly fled the market. Could he have encountered a powerful demonic beast or a demonic cultivator outside?"

Upon hearing Song Yuanhao's answer, Song Qingyu shook her head directly and said:

"Han Ruilong is at least at the fifth level of the Golden Core stage. Even if he encounters those late-stage Golden Core demons, he shouldn't be unable to send a message for help!"
A Golden Core cultivator suddenly disappeared without any apparent reason. If it wasn't a Nascent Soul cultivator who intervened, there must be some shady conspiracy at play.

Take all his disciples to the Hall of Enforcement for thorough questioning. If anything suspicious is found, use the Heart-Questioning Talisman immediately.

"this.

Grandmother, we still don't know what happened to Fellow Daoist Han, yet you're already attacking his disciples.

If Fellow Daoist Han were to return and cause a misunderstanding, we might find it difficult to explain this matter!

Upon hearing Song Linrui's somewhat worried suggestion, Song Qingyu's expression changed and she said directly, "What time is it already? How can we act so timidly?"

Regardless of what happened to Han Ruilong, the most urgent task is to find out where he went.

This person has served as an elder in the market for many years and is deeply trusted by you. If someone were to take advantage of this matter, it might leave behind some hidden dangers.

By the way, does Seventh Brother know about his trip to Donghuang Kingdom?

Upon suddenly hearing Song Qingyu's question, a bad premonition flashed through Song Linrui's mind, and he quickly stepped forward and said:

“Great-aunt, I remember now. Two years ago, after my seventh great-uncle passed away, Han Ruilong secretly inquired about this matter with me.”

"Explain yourself clearly!"

Seeing the anxious look on Song Qingyu's face, Song Linrui quickly explained to her in detail what had happened back then.

Before Song Qingming set off for the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom", he sent a message down the mountain, asking Song Linrui and others to help purchase some spiritual items in the market that would be convenient for gifting.

At that time, Han Ruilong happened to be helping to prepare these spiritual items, so he asked Song Linrui which ancestor wanted to use them.

He had initially thought the other party was just asking out of curiosity, but upon hearing Song Qingyu's reminder, Song Linrui immediately sensed something was amiss and quickly explained the matter.

“Grandmother, at the time I only told him that these spiritual items were for Seventh Uncle’s use, and I didn’t say anything else. I’m not sure if Han Ruilong guessed this.”

As soon as Song Linrui finished speaking, Song Qingyu's expression changed immediately, and she scolded him, "Hmph! You've cultivated for so many years, how can you still be so muddle-headed?"

Han Ruilong, a rogue cultivator capable of forming his core, is certainly shrewd enough to know what questions are appropriate and inappropriate.

The things that Seventh Brother asked you to prepare are all unique spiritual items from our Floating Cloud Mountain Range, and it's easy to guess that they're meant for giving as gifts.

This guy has suddenly disappeared. I guess the person behind him has already taken action against him. Could it be that someone wants to harm us while Seventh Brother is away?

"No, if they were going to make a move this long ago, they would have done so already. Could it be that their target isn't Crimson Cloud Mountain, but...?"

"Yuan Hao, you go to the market to handle this matter first, and make sure no one notices anything amiss. I need to go to the sect immediately!"

Having a bad feeling, Song Qingyu felt a chill run down her spine when she thought of this. After giving a few words of advice to the two people in front of her, she turned around and walked out.

But just as Song Qingyu left the "Meeting Immortals Pavilion", his divine sense suddenly detected an additional aura outside the mountain-protecting array.

The next moment, two familiar figures appeared in front of Song Qingyu.

"Seventh Brother, Senior Sister Li, it's you guys who's back!"

Upon seeing Song Qingming and the other person suddenly appear before her, Song Qingyu immediately put aside her worries and happily hurried over to greet them.

"Qingyu, why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen on the mountain?"

"Something did happen, Seventh Brother. Did you encounter any trouble on your journey?"

"How did you know?"

When Song Qingming asked her, Song Qingyu immediately told him about Han Ruilong's mysterious disappearance.

Han Ruilong, whom Song Qingyu mentioned, was originally a rogue Golden Core cultivator in the East Sea cultivation world.

More than 20 years ago, to escape the war in the cultivation world of the East China Sea, Han Ruilong led several of his disciples to the Floating Cloud Mountains. Later, through an introduction, they settled in the "Red Cloud Mountain" market.

Over the years, Han Ruilong has always behaved very well in the market and has had a very good relationship with Song Linrui and others.

During the last disturbance caused by demonic beasts, he followed the cultivators of "Red Cloud Mountain" to the front lines to resist the demons, and he also contributed a great deal of effort.
But just a month before Song Qingming returned, this person suddenly disappeared without a trace, and even his close disciples did not know where he went.

Upon hearing the news of Han Ruilong's disappearance, and recalling his previous encounter with Li Xuanyi in the "Illusory Sea Desert," Song Qingming quickly grasped the ins and outs of the whole affair.

As expected, after an investigation by the market enforcement team, his disciples quickly confessed that Han Ruilong had contact with a strange Golden Core cultivator after joining "Red Cloud Mountain".

However, they were unaware of this person's identity, only knowing that he had sent messages to Han Ruilong several times, but they did not know what their relationship was.

Subsequently, Song Yuanhao led his men to search Han Ruilong's cave from top to bottom before finally finding a hidden secret room next to the cave.

Besides a number of spirit stones and spiritual items, there were indeed several secret letters he had exchanged with this person, as well as a high-level communication talisman that had been placed in a good location.

These letters not only inquired about Song Qingming's whereabouts, but also reminded Han Ruilong how to bribe the law enforcement team cultivators to help him find out news from the mountaintop, and contained many threatening remarks.

Through the high-level communication talisman left behind by Han Ruilong, the enforcement team quickly discovered an abandoned cultivator's cave thousands of miles away from "Red Cloud Mountain".

Unfortunately, the scene had been thoroughly cleaned up, and apart from a trace of a fight, Han Ruilong's body was not found.

When Han Ruilong left "Red Cloud Mountain", he didn't even have time to take away so many spiritual objects from the secret room. Obviously, he didn't intend to escape, but was lured out and silenced.

The other party did this to eliminate any traces and did not want to leave any evidence for Song Qingming and the others.

After successfully discovering Han Ruilong as the mole, Song Qingming finally learned how his whereabouts had been leaked.

He quickly took out the "storage bag" that had contained the spiritual items that Han Ruilong had handled, and checked it again.

On the way here, Song Qingming had suspected that it might be related to those things.

I searched the road several times but couldn't find anything unusual. At one point, I even thought I had guessed the wrong direction.

Now that the matter has finally been confirmed, it has become a knot in his heart.

Even though he didn't find any marks left by the other party, Song Qingming still took out the "storage bag" and all the spiritual items inside and disposed of them.

Fortunately, it only contained some spiritual items and spirit stones; Song Qingming's commonly used important magic weapons and talismans were not among them, so he did not suffer any loss.

Upon learning that Han Ruilong, the captain of the law enforcement team, was actually a traitor who betrayed the information about "Chiyun Mountain," a huge wave immediately swept through the entire Chiyun Mountain market.

It should be noted that Han Ruilong has always had an excellent reputation in the market over the years, and many cultivators from the market's law enforcement team have benefited from him.

Even Song Linrui had once received a congratulatory gift from the other party, and when he learned of Han Ruilong's disappearance, he couldn't help but say a few good words for him.

Now that he has learned of this, Song Linrui is filled with remorse and can only take the initiative to go to the mountaintop to apologize to the elders.

Soon, Song Linrui, Song Yuanhao, and others who were originally in charge of the market's "enforcement team" were all dismissed from their posts by Song Qingming and punished by being confined to their homes to reflect on their mistakes.

The “Chiyun Mountain” law enforcement team and guard team were temporarily taken over by Bai Jingyun and Song Linyu.

Since the two factions withdrew from "Red Cloud Mountain" years ago, for the past hundred years or so, the market and guard teams have been managed by the Song family cultivators, led by Song Yuanhao and Song Linrui.

With great power in their hands and the support of their ancestor, it's inevitable that some of these Song family cultivators will forget their roots for personal gain over time.

Over the years, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu have never interfered in the affairs of the market town below the mountain.

However, Bai Jingyun, Wei Yunlong, and others also reported on the illegal activities of the market "enforcement teams" secretly accepting bribes and enforcing the law unfairly.

For someone like Song Linrui, who is inexperienced and single-mindedly focused on cultivation, once his subordinates have figured out his temperament, their vision can easily be clouded.

They are all family members, and their relationships are intricate. Even if someone makes a mistake, they can plead for each other to make the matter smaller and less serious.

As time goes on, everyone develops shared interests, making it difficult to achieve true fairness in law enforcement.

Having sensed this long ago, Song Qingming took this opportunity to thoroughly clean up the entire market's "law enforcement team" and "guard team".

Even if it affects the operation of the entire market, all those safety hazards must be eliminated to prevent scoundrels like Han Ruilong from infiltrating the market again in the future.

After handing over the market “enforcement team” to Bai Jingyun and Song Linyu, the couple.

Under their strict management, within just a few months, hundreds of unruly individuals from the original enforcement team were expelled from the "Red Cloud Mountain" market, more than half of whom were direct descendants of the Song family.

After being driven out of the market, these people suddenly lost their stable source of income from spirit stones and began to cry out for justice everywhere.

Many people even went to Song Yuanfang of Funiu Mountain to plead for mercy, on the one hand accusing Song Linyu and his wife of being inhumane and harsh in their enforcement of the law, and of intentionally targeting Song family disciples. On the other hand, they begged him, the family's eldest elder, to allow them to return to Chiyun Mountain Market.

However, with Song Qingming's full support, Song Linyu and his companion disregarded all of this. Even when several elders of the family personally wrote letters to visit them, they dared not show them any leniency.

Seeing that Song Linyu's approach was completely ineffective, many people thought of going directly to the mountaintop to plead with the elders.

Unfortunately, before they could reach the mountaintop, they were stopped by Wei Yunlong and the others, who said that the elders were already in seclusion and no one was allowed to disturb them.

After returning from Donghuang Kingdom, Li Xuanyi, whose cultivation had already reached the peak of the second level of the Nascent Soul stage, felt that the magic power in her body had been refined to a near-complete state.

Upon returning to "Red Cloud Mountain," she quickly entered a secluded cultivation cave a few days later, preparing to use the Golden Spirit Pill in her possession to break through to the third level of the Nascent Soul realm.

After receiving some pills from Song Qingming, Song Qingyu also entered into seclusion for cultivation.

Although her cultivation level is still some distance from breaking through to the fourth level of the Nascent Soul stage, with the help of these pills, she can at least save more than ten years of hard cultivation time.

After the two women went into seclusion, Song Qingming went to the "Spirit Herb Garden" located in the back mountain and met Tang Muyan and Chu Ling, who were guarding the garden.

Looking at the fruit tree in the "Spirit Gathering Array" ahead, which had already sprouted white flower buds, Song Qingming's face showed a hint of surprise.

This seed, which I have cultivated for so many years and consumed so much spiritual liquid, has finally blossomed. I just don't know what kind of fruit it will bear.

I hope it won't disappoint me!
After carefully examining the area with an expectant look, Song Qingming turned to look at Chu Ling beside him.

"I heard from Mu Yan that you've been taking care of this fruit tree recently, and you even found a spiritual liquid that can cultivate it?"

"Senior Song, when I was in the north, I saw the demon race using their essence blood in combination with spiritual liquid to irrigate fruit trees, so I tried it myself."

"I didn't expect it to work; it was really just a lucky accident. Chu Ling doesn't dare take credit!"

Seeing the nervous look on the person in front of him, Song Qingming quickly smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Since it's your achievement, then you should be rewarded."

From now on, you will be in charge of looking after this fruit tree. If you desire any reward, simply tell me.

“I was saved by you back then, and it is my blessing to be able to take care of this fruit tree for you. I dare not ask you for any reward.”

"Alright, I heard that Qingyu has already prepared Foundation Establishment Pills for you. I guess you don't lack anything right now. Let's talk about it later when you've thought it through!"

Remember, from now on, no one except you and Mu Yan is allowed to approach this fruit tree. If you need anything, you can come directly to the mountaintop to find me.

After giving his instructions, Song Qingming turned and left the "Spirit Herb Garden" without waiting for a response from the two people in front of him.

After Song Qingming left, Tang Muyan, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward and said, "Junior Sister Chu, since Master has promised to reward you, you should think it over carefully and not be foolish enough to refuse."

Don't be fooled by your current abundance; once you reach Foundation Establishment, you'll realize that spirit stones, elixirs, and magical artifacts will be indispensable in the future.

Even if you become a disciple of Martial Aunt Qingyu, she will be in seclusion for several years or even more than ten years, so she can't possibly take care of everything for you.

The path of spiritual practice ultimately depends on oneself.

"Yes! Senior brother is right, Chu Ling will remember it." Facing Tang Muyan's reminder, Chu Ling's eyes seemed thoughtful.

".."

After leaving the "Spirit Herb Garden", Song Qingming did not return to his mountain cave, but instead quietly left Chiyun Mountain and headed south.

Before long, the flying boat under Song Qingming's feet entered the territory of Qinghe County and finally stopped in the air above Qinghe.

After carefully looking down and seeing that he hadn't attracted anyone's attention, Song Qingming suppressed his aura and plunged headfirst into the turbulent river.

Standing on the high platform, looking at the familiar murals before him, Song Qingming's expression was also somewhat excited.

Since advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, Song Qingming has successfully entered the mural twice.

The first time, after passing through the passage, he successfully obtained a strange, unknown seed, but after cultivating it for hundreds of years, it still hasn't borne fruit.

He didn't know whether the seed, which had cost him countless spirit stones to cultivate, would ultimately bring him surprise or disappointment.

Upon entering the passage a second time, Song Qingming obtained a golden spiritual herb that had already developed sentience.

This item appears to be a rare level-five spiritual herb in the cultivation world, which Song Qingming has kept hidden in his cave and has not yet put to use.

Although he already possesses several high-level spiritual items, whose value cannot be measured in spirit stones, once taken out, they would be enough to shake the entire Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent, and in exchange for any pills or spiritual items he desires to enhance his cultivation.

However, after so many years of cultivation, Song Qingming also deeply understood the principle of not flaunting one's wealth.

Over the years, even with so many high-level spiritual items on him, he remained very calm and never showed anything unusual in front of others.

After all, it is a level 5 spiritual item, enough to make even those Nascent Soul stage monsters tempt them. Even though my cultivation has now reached the late Nascent Soul stage, I still have to be careful.

Otherwise, if one were to inappropriately reveal such a spiritual object to others, it would only bring trouble upon oneself.

After carefully inspecting the mural in front of him and finding nothing unusual, Song Qingming set up a magic array outside before casting his spell on the last rune on the mural.

After making up his mind, Song Qingming moved his magic power, and a green spiritual light directly entered the mural.

Before long, a white vortex appeared before Song Qingming's eyes.

"Spirit fruit seeds, level five spirit herbs... I wonder what good things will be in this last stone chamber!"

After silently praying, Song Qingming confidently stepped inside, and the hall quickly returned to calm.

".."

Several days later, a white light flashed in the main hall.

Soon, a figure in a green robe rolled out of the spiritual light and sat down directly on the stone platform.

At this moment, Song Qingming's lips were blue, and he was shivering from the cold. His face was covered with frost.

Even his clothes were torn in several places by sharp blades, making him look quite disheveled, completely unlike the confident look he had when he arrived.

After nearly half an hour of using magic to heal his injuries and dissolve the frost on his body, Song Qingming coughed and exhaled a large mouthful of icy air.

Only then did his complexion improve, and he looked up at the mural in front of him.

The mechanisms and restrictions here are indeed intentional. Without a countermeasure or magical treasure, even a cultivator with profound magical power would not be able to get through.

It seems that to get through this, we need to find a suitable magic weapon first.

After realizing that he was still unable to pass the test, Song Qingming shook his head slightly, got up and decisively removed the rear magic array, then walked out.

".."
-

Ten years later, the Xiaoyao Palace of "Guyang Mountain".

Xu Ziyan sat leisurely on one side of the main hall, sipping tea, with a scroll of bamboo slips containing her handwritten notes in her hand.

The seat that was originally occupied by the sect leader was now occupied by Zheng Zongxun, the sect's general affairs elder, with many letters piled on the table that needed to be processed.

Before long, Zheng Zongxun, who had picked up a letter, looked up and asked, "Senior Sister Xu, a message came from the disciples of Tiexian Fort that Junior Sister Zhang has left the Zhang family and returned to Chiyun Mountain."

"Do you think we should send people over now to take over those mines, or wait a while?"

"Junior Sister Zhang has just left. Sending someone over now might not look good. Let's wait a few months before taking over!"

These are all things that have already been agreed upon, so there won't be any problems. There's no need for us to rush things.

"I'll be going into seclusion soon, so you can handle these matters yourself, Junior Brother Zheng. If you have any questions, you can also consult Uncle Bai."

"Oh! Senior Sister Xu is going into seclusion so soon? Then I, your junior brother, would like to offer my congratulations in advance. May you soon achieve your goal of reaching the Nascent Soul stage!"

Upon hearing what Xu Ziyan said, Zheng Zongxun nodded slightly and quickly smiled and cupped his hands in response.

Sensing a hint of envy in the other person's tone, Xu Ziyan quickly waved her hand and said:

"As you know, my lifespan is already running out. If I continue to delay, I may never be able to ascend to the Great Dao in this lifetime. Although I don't have much confidence, I can only do my best to fight against the Heavenly Dao."

I hope that this time, thanks to my junior brother's auspicious words, I will have no regrets in this life!

"Hehe! With so many years of preparation and the personal guidance of Uncle-Master Song, Senior Sister, she's sure to succeed this time!"

Just as the two were talking, a Foundation Establishment disciple outside the door suddenly ran into the main hall with an excited expression.

"Sect Master, a strange phenomenon has just appeared in the back mountain of Lingling Herb Garden!"

"You mean, a strange phenomenon has appeared in the mountains behind the Spirit Herb Garden?"

"Huh! That's strange. I didn't hear that my junior nephew was in seclusion near the spirit herb garden forming his core. Why would such a strange phenomenon suddenly appear there?"

Zheng Zongxun had just gotten up with a puzzled look on his face when he saw Xu Ziyan walk out of the main hall first, so he quickly followed her.

As soon as the two arrived at the entrance of the main hall, they saw countless white clouds gathering and churning in the sky not far away, completely obscuring most of the sky.

Upon seeing this, both of them showed a hint of shock in their eyes.

"This aura...it doesn't seem to belong to the Core Formation stage!" (End of Chapter)