Qinghe Immortal Clan.

Chapter 1200 The Secret of the Qi Family, Returning to Donghuang

"So, while this method is somewhat mysterious, whether it will bring fortune or misfortune remains to be seen!"

Upon hearing this, "Qu Bai," who was hiding on Song Qingming, paused for a moment before replying:

"Although the path of cultivation is about facing death to live, not everyone has the courage to take this step without leaving a way out."

Besides, as you've seen, this guy has cultivated to the peak of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm, having devoured countless Nascent Soul cultivators. His ferocity far surpasses that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.

The difficulty of refining it is estimated to be much higher.

Otherwise, so many members of the Qi family wouldn't have failed to refine it, and would have been forced to seal it within the clan.

"What you say is true, senior. In that case, we need to be cautious about this matter and can only wait until another day to discuss it!"

After saying that, Song Qingming looked at the jade slip and the "Holy Infant Banner" in his hand and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Previously, Song Qingyu and others were ambushed by the "Black Holy Infant" hidden in this magical banner.

This not only caused "Golden Cloud Monk" to lose his physical body, but also severely injured Li Xianyun.

Faced with such an evil object, Song Qingming, according to his past habits, would have simply killed it and destroyed the "Holy Infant Banner" in his hand.

But just before he could make a move, Li Xianyun suddenly remembered the information about the origin of this item and handed the jade slip he had obtained from a Nascent Soul elder of the Qi family to Song Qingming.

It turns out that the "Holy Infant Banner" crafted by the Qi family, besides being a powerful high-level magic weapon, also had another use.

It is the ability to cultivate a "natal spirit infant" at the Nascent Soul level. As long as a Golden Core cultivator can successfully refine the spirit infant, it can help him break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

This secret method is similar in principle to Foundation Establishment cultivators using demon cores to condense external cores, but the process is much more dangerous.

Once a cultivator chooses this method to form their nascent soul, if the refining process fails, they will be devoured and possessed by the nascent soul.

To put it bluntly, it's a choice where there's no turning back, only the option to succeed.

However, as long as the cultivator successfully refines the spirit infant and forms the nascent soul, the cultivator will ascend to become a Nascent Soul cultivator in one step, and the cultivation speed can be no less than that of a normal person who forms the nascent soul.

The Qi family seized this secret technique from an evil sect years ago.

Over thousands of years, this method has successfully cultivated several Nascent Soul cultivators.

However, there were also many exceptionally talented members of the clan who were unable to refine these ferocious "spiritual infants" and were eventually devoured and possessed by them, resulting in their tragic deaths and the dissipation of their spiritual essence.

Refining the "Holy Infant Banner" not only requires consuming a large amount of resources, but more importantly, it also requires feeding it with the "natal nascent soul" of a Nascent Soul cultivator, making the process quite cruel.

For this reason, although this method is somewhat helpful for Nascent Soul formation, it has not been recognized by the major orthodox sects in the cultivation world.

The magical artifact "Holy Infant Banner" was also directly identified as an evil object, and cultivators were forbidden from refining it.

The "Holy Infant Banner" crafted by the Qi family has been secretly hidden in their ancestral land for many years, and they dare not show it to others.

When Li Xianyun took advantage of the absence of the Qi family patriarch to break into the Qi family's ancestral land for revenge, he happened to discover this secret and brought out the "Holy Infant Banner".

Later, it was with the help of this magical artifact and the "black holy infant" inside that he managed to escape the pursuers several times.

However, Li Xianyun also absorbed too much of the other party's magic power and was inadvertently controlled by the "Black Holy Infant" who set up a restriction.

If he hadn't happened to run into Song Qingming and the others, even if he had managed to escape the "Black Wind Sea," he would probably have been possessed and devoured by them not long after.

This "black holy infant" was able to cultivate to the peak of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and had already devoured countless cultivators who wanted to refine it.

Both their cultivation level and their intelligence are far beyond what ordinary people can achieve.

Refining it is no easy task.

Looking at the "Holy Infant Banner" in his hand, Song Qingming hesitated for a long time before finally putting it back into his "storage magic item".

After putting away what he had in his hands, Song Qingming turned around and went to stand in front of Li Xianyun.

“Fellow Daoist Li, the Qi family is still hunting you down in the Black Wind Sea. This place is no longer safe. If you stay, you will likely fall into their hands.”

"What are your plans next? Perhaps you could come back to Donghuang Prefecture with us?"

Faced with Song Qingming's question, Li Xianyun, who had just taken a healing pill, couldn't help but sigh and softly replied:

"Back then, my master took my junior sister and me to Zhongyuan Immortal Continent to seek an opportunity for us to form our Nascent Souls, but we were unexpectedly harmed by the treacherous Qi family."

After I reached the Nascent Soul stage, I killed many of them over the years in an attempt to avenge myself, but unfortunately I was unable to personally kill that old thief Qi Guangchun.

Now that I'm in this state, I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to fulfill the promise I made to my junior sister back then.

“We cultivators do not seek revenge in a short time. As long as Fellow Daoist Li cultivates diligently, he may have a chance to avenge himself in the future.”

"Seventh Brother is right. The Qi family not only secretly refines the Holy Infant Banner, but also intercepts and kills Nascent Soul cultivators everywhere. They will get their retribution sooner or later."

Fellow Daoist Li has now killed so many members of the Qi family, which can be considered as giving your junior sister an explanation.

I believe that Fellow Daoist Long, in heaven, has a spirit, and I don't want you to rashly go and die because of a promise.

".."

After being persuaded by Song Qingming and Song Qingyu, Li Xianyun, who was already seriously injured, still had some resentment in his eyes.

This time, however, he did not insist and ultimately chose to return to "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent" with them.

On the way, he also buried the ashes and belongings of his master and junior sister.

Seeing this, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu breathed a slight sigh of relief and turned to steer their flying boat southward.

As the flying boat approached a stretch of sea ahead, a massive treasure ship soon appeared before them.

Before Song Qingming and his group could get close, a streak of light flew swiftly from the ship. It was a Golden Core cultivator from the Huangyang Sect who was on patrol on the ship.

Upon seeing Song Qingming and his two companions ahead, the man looked surprised and quickly bowed.

"Seniors, what are you doing here? Is there something you need?"

"I was feeling a bit stuffy, so I came out for some fresh air and a walk. I'm fine, you guys go ahead and do your work!"

Although he had some doubts, looking at Song Qingming and the other two, this disciple of the "Huangyang Sect" did not dare to ask any more questions. He nodded and stepped aside.

Before long, Song Qingming, along with Song Qingyu and Li Xianyun, who had transformed into "Golden Cloud Monk," returned to the cabin.

Li Xuanyi, who was waiting there, was finally relieved to see that everyone had returned safely.

Upon learning that the physical body of "Golden Cloud Monk" had been destroyed and that Li Xianyun was seriously injured, Li Xuanyi was also surprised.

Previously, fearing that no one would stay behind to deal with the cultivators on the treasure ship, Song Qingming originally intended to leave "Monk Jinyun" on the ship.

However, the other party was afraid of being killed and was unwilling to stay alone, so Song Qingming had no choice but to let Li Xuanyi stay on the ship.

Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn.

Although the monk Jin Yun was cautious, he still couldn't avoid this calamity, which made Li Xuanyi, who was standing to the side, feel a sense of lingering fear when she thought about it.

If it had been her who went back then, it's hard to say what the final outcome would have been.

Fortunately, despite some setbacks, the group successfully rescued Li Xianyun and brought him back to the ship.

This time, all the effort wasn't in vain.

After returning to his cabin and settling Li Xianyun and "Golden Cloud Monk" in to begin healing, Song Qingming finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down cross-legged in his own cabin.

I have made full preparations for this operation.

Unexpectedly, he still overlooked that elusive killing calamity, causing "Golden Cloud Monk" to lose his physical body and nearly perish.

Ultimately, it was because he had underestimated the other party's "divine arts" and thought that the calamity predicted by Monk Jinyun was unlikely to occur.

After experiencing this incident, Song Qingming couldn't help but reflect on himself.

We must learn from this lesson and never underestimate these things again.

".."

One year later, in the cultivation world of the East Sea, on "Qingming Island".

As a white light flashed, dozens of figures quickly appeared in the teleportation hall below "Azure Nether Island".

Looking at the familiar scene before them, Song Qingming and the others standing above the "teleportation platform" couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"After traveling for so long, I'm finally back safely."

Nearly thirty years have passed since I left this place.

During this trip, Song Qingming and his companions visited places such as "Lei Yuan Hai", "Hei Feng Hai", and "Zhong Yuan Xian Zhou".

They finally made it back to "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent".

Having just stepped out of the "Teleportation Hall" and returned to the island, Wang Lingji, upon hearing the news, immediately came to greet them and invited Song Qingming and the others to his cave.

For the past thirty years, Wang Lingji has been stationed on "Qingming Island" to guard the intercontinental teleportation array for "Baihua Palace".

Although his cultivation level has not improved much, he is still at the third level of the Nascent Soul stage.

However, since joining the "Hundred Flowers Palace", Wang Lingji's life has become much more comfortable than when he was a rogue cultivator. In recent years, he has also taken in many disciples.

In his cave dwelling alone, Song Qingming saw several of the other party's Golden Core disciples who had recently formed their cores.

Yu Bing, who had met him several times in the past, has now cultivated to the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and seems to be not far from breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm.

Because another Nascent Soul elder of the "Four Seas Business Alliance" who was stationed on the island was in seclusion for many years and did not pay much attention to affairs.

On the entire "Qingming Island", Wang Lingji was practically the one who made all the decisions.

Managing the intercontinental teleportation array, plus the large market town on the island, the profits are self-evident.

Otherwise, Wang Lingji would not have been able to cultivate so many Golden Core disciples so easily over the years.

While he couldn't rely on his own path to cultivation, his ability to train disciples far surpassed that of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even Song Qingming, whose cultivation had reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, could not compare to him in this respect.

Upon hearing that Song Qingming and his companions had traveled to the "Zhongyuan Immortal Continent" for decades, Wang Lingji showed a hint of envy and kept asking questions throughout the banquet.

In the end, Wang Lingji spent a considerable amount of spirit stones to exchange for a low-grade fourth-level spirit pill suitable for his cultivation from Song Qingyu.

It seems they haven't completely given up on cultivation and want to take this opportunity to try and break through to the fourth level of the Nascent Soul realm. After staying on "Azure Island" for a few days, Song Qingming and the others did not stay long. They bid farewell to Wang Lingji and prepared to return to "Floating Cloud Mountain Range".

"Fellow Daoist Song, I still need to go to Qinlong Island to bury my master and junior sister, so I won't be able to return with you for now."

After settling his affairs, Li would then pay a visit.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please make yourself at home if you have something to attend to."

Although Li Xianyun's injuries have not fully recovered, they have basically stabilized after more than a year.

Seeing that he wanted to rush back to "Qinlong Island" to deal with the belongings of his master and junior sister, Song Qingming and the other two did not say much and immediately nodded to him.

Soon, Li Xianyun transformed into a streak of light and departed alone, disappearing from everyone's sight.

"Okay, let's go back too!"

After Li Xianyun left, Song Qingming took the two women beside him and boarded the flying car, heading northwest together.

This time, Song Qingming and his two companions did not stop along the way. In less than half a month, they crossed the "Broken Cloud Mountain" and entered the cultivation world of the Floating Cloud Mountain Range.

Having been gone for nearly thirty years, the three were unaware of the changes in "Red Cloud Mountain" and the sect.

Seeing that they would soon be returning to the "Floating Cloud Mountains," the group couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Standing on the flying car, Song Qingyu gazed at the increasingly familiar scenery below. Suddenly remembering something, she couldn't help but ask the two people beside her:
"So much time has passed. Judging by the days, Yuan Hao should have gone into seclusion to form his Nascent Soul by now. I wonder how he is doing?"

"Yuan Hao not only passed the Heart Refining Tower trial, but also had experience in forming a Nascent Soul once, and her husband had also arranged the Spirit Heart Jade Plate in advance."

I think his chances of achieving Nascent Soul are quite high.

In recent years, the sect has not had any new Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Maybe we'll get good news when we go back this time."

“Yuan Hao’s foundation is no worse than ours back then, but the process of forming a Nascent Soul often depends on a bit of luck, and whether he can succeed is not as easy as you say.”

If the time is not yet right, you should not say too much, lest it affect his future path.

Before Song Qingming and the other two left, they had already prepared the necessary arrangements for Song Yuanhao's Nascent Soul formation and instructed the "Ice and Fire Dragon" to protect him.

The sect also has Bai Yuxian and Li Mufeng, who can rush to "Red Cloud Mountain" to take care of things at any time.

Even if Song Qingming and the others weren't there, Song Yuanhao's seclusion to form his Nascent Soul shouldn't have any major problems.

However, as a cultivator who had once attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, Song Qingming was naturally well aware of the difficulties cultivators faced in condensing their Nascent Soul.

Even with such thorough preparation, and having done everything that needed to be done.

The chances of Song Yuanhao successfully forming his Nascent Soul are still fifty-fifty, and Song Qingming cannot be certain that he will definitely pass this test.

Fortunately, Song Yuanhao still has a relatively long lifespan. Even if he fails to form a Nascent Soul this time, as long as his Dao heart is firm, he will still have the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul realm again.

As long as Song Qingming is willing to provide support, finding a spiritual object to assist in the formation of an infant spirit in the future will not be difficult.

Upon hearing this, Song Qingyu and the other person quickly nodded and replied, "Seventh Brother, don't worry."

I watched Yuan Hao grow up, and he's the most promising of the younger generation in the family to advance to the Nascent Soul stage. How could I not know that?

Even if we fail this time, we brought back so many Nascent Soul Pills, which will definitely not hinder his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

I believe that with his talent, he will one day reach the Nascent Soul stage and will not let Seventh Brother down.

When Song Yuanhao first returned to his family, he was aloof and few people liked him.

Facing this junior who had been wandering for many years, not only Song Qingming, but also Song Qingyu had taught him cultivation many times and always valued him highly.

Song Qingyu fully agreed to support Song Yuanhao's attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, and even gave him her own cave dwelling to help him cultivate and form his Nascent Soul.

Even if Song Yuanhao fails this time, Song Qingyu will still do her best to support him in his next attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

Hearing this, Li Xuanyi nodded slightly and said, "Qingyu is right. Currently, within the sect, I think Yuan Hao has the best chance of reaching the Nascent Soul stage."

Even if he fails this time, we should still do our utmost to support him and not hinder his path.

"Hmm! Since that's what you all think, then I'm relieved."

Seeing that Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi shared the same thoughts as him, a smile appeared on Song Qingming's face.

As the flying car sped forward, a tall, pine-covered mountain peak soon appeared before them.

Before the flying vehicle could pass through the "mountain-protecting formation," a figure quickly flew out and headed straight for the flying vehicle where Song Qingming and the others were.

"Master, it really is you who have returned!"

Upon seeing the familiar flying vehicle and Song Qingming and the others standing on it, the "Ice and Fire Dragon," having sensed their presence beforehand, was immediately delighted and quickly approached them.

Thirty years have passed, and the cultivation level of "Icefire Dragon" has also improved compared to before Song Qingming left.

He has already reached the peak of the third level of the Nascent Soul stage, and it shouldn't be long before he breaks through to the fourth level.

After many years apart, upon seeing Song Qingming and his companions return, the "Ice and Fire Dragon" quickly activated the mountain-protecting formation and led the flying chariot inside.

Before long, Li Xuanyi's flying car slowly came to a stop in the open space in front of the "Huixian Pavilion".

At this moment, Wei Yunlong, Liu Yue, Song Shaoyu, and the others, who had already learned the news, were waiting in front of the flying car.

Seeing Song Qingming and the other two walking down from above, they quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Master and Ancestor!"

"Alright, get up now!"

Thirty years have passed, and the disciples' cultivation levels have also changed considerably.

Wei Yunlong has already broken through to the third level of the Golden Core realm. Among the Golden Core cultivators in the sect, although it is not too fast, he is not far behind.

Liu Yue and Song Shaoyu, on the other hand, had reached the eighth and ninth levels of Foundation Establishment, respectively.

Compared to Liu Yue, who established her foundation earlier, Song Shaoyu's foundation was clearly better. His cultivation had been honed to a very solid level, and he was ready to go into seclusion and form his core at any time.

Looking at the disciples in front of him, Song Qingming smiled and waved his hand.

Just as Wei Yunlong and the others stood up, another streak of light suddenly flew swiftly from one side of the mountaintop and stopped directly in front of them.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Song Qingming and the other two standing to the side all looked at him with some surprise.

"Yuan Hao!"

"Yuan Hao pays his respects to his seventh great-uncle and great-aunt!"

After staring intently at Song Yuanhao for a long time, Song Qingyu stepped forward to his side and helped him up with a joyful expression.

"Yuan Hao, you have truly not disappointed us after all these years. You are indeed the unicorn of the Song family."

"Tell your great-aunt when you broke through to the Nascent Soul realm!"

On the way back, Song Qingyu and the others were still worried about whether Song Yuanhao, who might still be in seclusion, could overcome the hurdle of condensing his Nascent Soul.

Unexpectedly, when they met Song Yuanhao, he had already successfully formed his Nascent Soul.

At this moment, Song Qingming and Song Qingyu were also very excited, and they quickly led the other party to the "Meeting Immortals Pavilion".

"Reporting to my great-aunt, I emerged from seclusion six years ago."

Fortunately, with the help of Martial Uncle Bai and Senior Xiao Jin, Yuan Hao managed to pass this ordeal without serious injury.

More than a decade after Song Qingming and the other two left, Song Yuanhao, feeling that he was fully prepared, decisively chose to try to form his Nascent Soul in seclusion again.

Having learned from the previous failure and having thoroughly studied the Nascent Soul experience compiled by Song Qingming and others, he was able to overcome the previous setback.

During this secluded cultivation period, Song Yuanhao quickly and easily completed the process of gathering spiritual energy and refining elixir.

Having reached the third step of Nascent Soul formation, they began attempting to transform the embryo into a nascent soul.

Compared to his previous lack of experience and the fact that his Golden Core was not yet perfect, Song Yuanhao was not in a hurry this time.

With the help of several spiritual artifacts that aided him in forming a Nascent Soul, and after several years of steady progress, he finally succeeded in transforming into a Nascent Soul cultivator.

In the final tribulation of heavenly lightning, Song Yuanhao also performed very steadily and made no mistakes.

Under the protection of "Ice and Fire Dragon" and Bai Yuxian, he relied on the magic array and several tribulation-crossing magic treasures prepared for him in advance by Song Qingming.

As expected, he successfully survived the Heavenly Tribulation and became the seventh Nascent Soul Ancestor of the "Free and Unfettered Sect".

Hearing Song Yuanhao recount his journey to Nascent Soul formation over the years, Song Qingming looked at the person before him with great satisfaction.

After praising the other party a few times, he took out a low-grade fourth-level magic weapon from his person and gave it to Song Yuanhao, who had just successfully formed his Nascent Soul.

Seeing Song Qingming's generosity, Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi, who were standing to the side, also took out a level-four spirit talisman and gave it to him as a congratulatory gift.

Besides Song Yuanhao, who had just successfully formed his Nascent Soul, Wei Yunlong and the others, as well as Li Xuanyi and her companion, were also present.

He took out all the spiritual items he had prepared beforehand and gave one to each of them.

Even Bai Jingyun, Yang Muyan, Chu Ling, and the others who were on missions and hadn't had time to return yet, were given a gift.

Since taking on these disciples, Song Qingming has not given them much instruction, but he has never shown favoritism towards one over the other.

Regardless of their cultivation level or talent, everyone is treated equally.

After seeing Wei Yunlong and his group off, Song Qingming turned to Song Yuanhao and asked him again:
“Yuan Hao, what has happened in the sect and clan during the years we’ve been away? Tell me in detail.”

Also, has Siyuan sent any news back? Has her soul lamp shown any unusual activity over the years?

Upon hearing Song Qingming's earnest question, Song Yuanhao immediately stood up and responded.

"Reporting to Seventh Uncle, we have not received any news from Ancestor Siyuan on the mountain in recent years. I also asked Sixteenth Brother about the soul lamps of several ancestors in the clan a few days ago."

No abnormalities have been observed so far.

As for the sect, quite a few things have happened in recent years, and Uncle Bai and Senior Sister Xu have been extremely busy lately.

A few days ago, Uncle Bai sent a message asking if Seventh Uncle had returned.

(End of this chapter)