Qinghe Immortal Clan.

Before returning from "Lei Yuanhai", Song Qingming and his group also went to "Golden Moon Island".

Unfortunately, after so many years, Huang Siyuan and that "Grandma Jinyue" still haven't returned, and Song Qingming and his two companions have once again come up empty-handed.

I had thought that Huang Siyuan might have returned to Chiyun Mountain alone, but I still haven't received any news from her.

Upon hearing this, Song Qingming couldn't help but sigh.

So many years have passed, and I have no idea where she is now.

When will the two be able to meet again?

".."

Just as Song Qingming was pondering, Song Yuanhao, who was standing to the side, briefly recounted the events that had occurred in Chiyun Mountain and the surrounding area of ​​the sect over the years to the elders in front of him.

For the twenty years before Song Qingming and his two companions left, the area surrounding Wei State remained very peaceful.

Whether it's the "Boyun Mountain" clan in the north or the "Taiyue Lake" clan in the south.

Both of these strongest demon forces suffered heavy losses a hundred years ago, and even the "Ancestor of Clear Clouds," who was in the late Nascent Soul stage, perished at the hands of Song Qingming.

Now, facing the ever-expanding military might of the "Free and Unfettered Sect," they avoid it at every turn and dare not confront it head-on.

The many demon kings of the "Iron Wall Demon King" have never left their territory in recent decades.

It is clear that even after so many years, their fear of the "Xiaoyao Sect" has not lessened in the slightest.

Until ten years ago, perhaps realizing that Song Qingming and others had not appeared for a long time, coupled with the approaching "monster turmoil" that occurs once every hundred years, many "northern monsters" have entered the Fuyun Mountains in recent years.

In the northeast, a demon clan force led by the "White Dragon Demon Emperor" and the "Mad Lion Demon Emperor" began to gradually become active.

In recent years, the demons under the command of the two demon emperors have frequently raided the northern territory of the sect, trying to reclaim the "Golden Feather Mountain" that was lost.

Although "Golden Feather Mountain" is protected by a level four mountain-protecting formation, and the Nascent Soul ancestor "Wind Ape" is also in charge.

However, "Wind Ape" had only recently formed his Nascent Soul, and his combat strength was far inferior to that of "Mad Lion Demon Emperor" and "White Dragon Demon Emperor".

Faced with the frequent southward raids by the demon beast army, the "Wind Ape," having suffered several losses, was powerless to cope and could only send a message to the sect for help.

This also meant that Bai Yuxian, who originally wanted to go into seclusion to cultivate, had to personally go to "Golden Feather Mountain" to oversee things in recent years, which was how she managed to force back the northern demon beast army.

Although Chiyun Mountain has ventured deep into the Floating Cloud Mountains, fortunately, the guard team led by Song Linrui and others is becoming increasingly powerful.

In addition, there is the "Ice and Fire Dragon," a Nascent Soul level spirit beast, guarding the area.

In the past ten years or so, although there have been small-scale attacks by monsters.

However, under the protection of Song Linrui, Bai Jingyun and others, these demonic beasts did not pose a great threat to the area around "Red Cloud Mountain" and were quickly driven back to the north by human cultivators.

Apart from the area surrounding Weiguo controlled by the "Xiaoyao Sect", the rest of the "Floating Cloud Mountains" have been relatively stable in recent decades.

The "Wanling Sect" in the west, although not as powerful as when Zhao Wuling was in charge.

However, the Qin cultivators, led by Wang Yan, have shown great unity in recent years. In addition, the sudden rise of the Thundercloud Sect has helped them share a lot of the pressure in the north.

In recent decades, there has been conflict between the "Wanling Sect" and the northern demon race.

Although there were occasional skirmishes between the two sides, no major battles broke out, and their respective territories remained relatively peaceful.

The peace treaty signed between the southern State of Lu and the "Tianhai Alliance" for a century is about to expire.

However, Song Qingming advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage and became a great cultivator decades later, and defeated a group of opponents to enter the top ten in the "Eastern Phoenix Sword Tournament".

They displayed astonishing combat power, which truly shocked the many cultivators of the "Tianhai Alliance" led by Yuan Luohua.

In recent decades, the "Tianhai Alliance" has also remained very peaceful, not daring to easily cross the boundary drawn between the two major cultivation worlds.

Moreover, a few years ago, after the "Xiaoyao Sect" advanced to the top ten sects, Yuan Luohua secretly sent someone to "Guyang Mountain" to deliver a congratulatory gift.

Besides congratulating the "Xiaoyao Sect," it seems that they also intend to ease the tension between the two sides.

However, the cultivation world of the "Floating Cloud Mountains" and the "Heavenly Sea Alliance" have been fighting for nearly a thousand years, and the two sides have long since formed countless grudges.

The "Xiaoyao Sect" alone lost countless cultivators on the front lines of Lu back then.

Lu Boyang, Li Junyan, Chen Yurong, and other Golden Core elders from sects that Song Qingming knew well all died on the front lines.

Even Song Linxi, a junior who was close to him, lost his path to immortality due to serious injuries sustained in the "Baimeng Mountain" battle.

Because of the decades of time wasted in healing, coupled with the fact that his internal meridians were damaged and difficult to recover, Song Linxi's cultivation level is still stuck at the fourth level of the Golden Core realm.

Judging by her lifespan, it would be difficult for her to even advance to the late stage of the Golden Core realm in this lifetime, let alone reach the Nascent Soul realm in the future.

These countless grievances left little room for reconciliation between the two sides.

Although they received a letter personally delivered by the great cultivator Yuan Luohua, Song Qingming and the others did not choose to reply.

Although the "Floating Cloud Mountains" and the "Sky Sea Alliance" still maintain a contractual peace.

But this relationship is now somewhat delicate.

No one knows when the great war will break out again.

Besides the major battlefields in the north and south, many things have also happened in the various cultivation sects of the "Floating Cloud Mountains" in recent decades.

The biggest event of these was that occurred in the "Nine Yuan Sect" of the Yue Kingdom, which was not far from the Wei Kingdom.

After Wu Jiuyuan's death, the "Jiuyuan Sect" split into two.

Some cultivators, dissatisfied with the new sect leader, chose to leave the sect and established a Golden Core sect called "Ancient Yue Sect" in the western part of Yue Kingdom.

The remaining people, led by Wu Jiuyuan's personal disciple Ma Qiudie, still remained in the "Jiuyuan Sect".

Ma Qiudie was highly regarded by Wu Jiuyuan and had already cultivated to the ninth level of the Golden Core stage more than two hundred years ago.

Unfortunately, just as she was about to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, Wu Jiuyuan suddenly perished at the hands of a demonic cultivator.

Having lost the support of her mentor, and suffering heavy losses in internal strife within the sect, Ma Qiudie was exhausted and could only try her best to maintain the sect.

Over the past two hundred years, Ma Qiudie has attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

However, due to the lack of spiritual objects to aid in the breakthrough, both attempts ended in failure, and the dantian inside the body was also damaged.

Twenty years ago, he died prematurely in his cave due to severe injuries and the exhaustion of his lifespan.

Not long after Ma Qiudie passed away, the "Guyue Sect," which had originally split off from the Jiuyuan Sect, directly attacked the mountain gate.

Having lost Ma Qiudie, the sect leader at the ninth level of the Golden Core stage, the Nine Yuan Sect was left with only two Golden Core elders. Seeing that they were powerless to resist, they had no choice but to find their own way out.

One elder led his disciples out of the gate and fled to the Qin state in the west, while another elder surrendered the entire sect to the "Ancient Yue Gate".

In just a few years, the entire Yue Kingdom came under the control of the "Ancient Yue Gate".

Along with Ma Qiudie's Ma family members, they were also purged and slaughtered by the "Gu Yue Men".

The once powerful Nascent Soul sect, "Nine Yuan Sect," has since completely disappeared.

Upon hearing the news of the complete annihilation of the "Nine Yuan Sect," and recalling the scene of the great battle between the two sects, Song Qingming couldn't help but sigh slightly.

Who could have imagined that the once dominant Nascent Soul sects would completely decline and disappear in just two hundred years?

Ma Qiudie and the Ma family chose to betray Weiguo and join the "Nine Yuan Sect" for the better development of the family.

Even a single wrong step can lead to certain death and the extermination of one's clan.

The world of cultivation is a place of great change and ruthless selection.

Besides the sudden destruction of the "Nine Yuan Sect," a high-level demonic cultivator also launched an attack on a small country to the west of the Song Kingdom.

A few years ago, a Golden Core Immortal Clan, which was affiliated with the Hunyuan Sect, was suddenly attacked by a group of demonic cultivators.

The entire clan, including two Golden Core elders and thousands of clansmen, was slaughtered by demonic cultivators overnight, shocking the surrounding sects.

After learning of this matter, Liu Qingyin, the Supreme Elder of the Hunyuan Sect, went to investigate personally and even deduced that the person behind the attack was most likely a Nascent Soul Demon.

Since the great war against demons at Taiyue Lake, Gu Daoyun, Blood Demon Ancestor, and Cangyun Old Demon have all perished, and the demonic forces of the Floating Cloud Mountains have suffered heavy losses.

Although low-level demonic cultivators still occasionally cause trouble, there haven't been any Nascent Soul demons for quite some time.

Upon learning that these demonic cultivators had risen from the ashes and caused such a great commotion, the major sects were greatly shocked.

"Nascent Soul demon, has the Hunyuan Sect confirmed who was responsible?"

Upon hearing the news that a Nascent Soul demon had appeared in the west of the Song Kingdom and wiped out an entire Golden Core Immortal Clan, Song Qingming, who was sitting to the side, had a slight twitch in his eyes and couldn't help but put down the teacup in his hand.

Faced with Song Qingming's question, Song Yuanhao, who already knew that his ancestor hated demonic cultivators, quickly replied:
"Reporting to Seventh Uncle, there has been no definite news from the sect recently. I don't know which Nascent Soul demon it is yet."

"How about I send someone to the sect again to inquire about this matter, and also inform Uncle Bai of your return?"

"Although this matter did not occur within the sect's territory, it does involve a Nascent Soul demon, so we cannot take it lightly."

I happen to have some things to discuss with Senior Sister Bai, so this matter doesn't need to be so complicated. I can go by myself tomorrow.

Faced with Song Yuanhao's suggestion, Song Qingming waved his hand slightly to indicate his refusal.

He then inquired about matters concerning the clan with Song Yuanhao before waving for him to leave.

After Song Yuanhao left, Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi, who had just returned to Chiyun Mountain, agreed to go for a stroll in the market town at the foot of the mountain.

Song Qingming, on the other hand, led the "Ice and Fire Dragon" back to his cave first.

Although he hadn't returned for thirty years, Song Qingming's cave was still very clean, and even the flowers, herbs, and spiritual medicines planted in the cave were still intact.

It is evident that Wei Yunlong and Liu Yue, these disciples, were indeed being taken care of with care.

After choosing a relatively clean stone chamber, Song Qingming carefully opened the cloth bag he had been carrying. Soon, a golden light flew out and stopped in mid-air.

Looking at the "Golden Cloud Monk" standing before him with his hands clasped in prayer, Song Qingming quickly spoke:

"Please stay here and meditate peacefully. Once I find the spiritual object to reshape your physical body, I will send it to you immediately."

"If anything happens, please feel free to contact him." "Thank you for your help along the way. This humble monk is a recluse and doesn't possess much of value. Consider this string of prayer beads my way of thanking you for helping me rebuild my physical body."

After glancing at the avatar standing beside Song Qingming, Monk Jinyun immediately nodded and took out a string of Buddhist beads from his person, presenting them to Song Qingming.

Looking at this mediocre magic weapon, Song Qingming quickly waved his hand.

"Master, it is because I am losing my physical body that I should do these things. There is no need to be so polite!"

Please take this item back, Master, and don't make things difficult for me.

".."

After exchanging pleasantries with "Monk Jinyun" for a while, Song Qingming turned and left the cave, returning to his secluded stone chamber.

Meanwhile, the avatar that had always been with him began to busy itself in the cave with the "Ice and Fire Dragon".

The puppets, spirit insects, and various spiritual items he brought back from outside all needed to be sorted out.

Now that these things are being done by others, Song Qingming no longer needs to do them personally.

As the moon set and the sun rose, Song Qingming, who had been meditating in his cave all night, quickly shook off the fatigue from his continuous travel over the past few days.

After tidying herself up, she changed into a brighter silver-white outfit.

After leaving his secluded stone chamber and cave, Song Qingming quickly arrived at the market town at the foot of the mountain, where he ran into Li Xuanyi and her companion who had come to meet him.

Having just returned yesterday, Song Qingyu took Li Xuanyi for a day stroll through the market.

Later, the two went to Li Xuanyi's "Li's Teahouse" and chatted with Song Linyu, Zhang Yurong and others until Song Qingming came down the mountain.

After the three reunited, they quickly arrived at "Crimson Flame Pavilion" via the "teleportation array".

After decades away, Qinghe County remains largely unchanged.

The Song family cultivators remained the undisputed overlords of this place, and throughout the several markets, one could see all sorts of shops and restaurants related to the Song family.

However, the cultivators who were wearing family robes had all been replaced by some new faces.

Even when they saw Song Qingming and the other two ancestors up close, most people didn't recognize them at first glance, only giving them a somewhat puzzled look.

After all, their own Nascent Soul Ancestor spent most of his time cultivating at "Red Cloud Mountain," and they had basically only seen him in the portrait hanging in the family's "Qilin Pavilion."

Who would have thought that the patriarchs would suddenly appear before them like this?

Just as Song Qingming and his two companions were about to leave the market, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them and quickly walked up to Song Qingming.

"This junior greets the three venerable ancestors!"

"Oh! It's my young friend Mengde! No need for formalities, everyone, please get ready!"

Upon seeing Huang Mengde suddenly appear before him, Song Qingming immediately waved his hand, signaling the other party to stand up.

Huang Mengde was a cultivator of the same generation as Song Yuanfang. Although he was younger than Song Yuanfang, he had already turned white-haired and looked like an old man.

After getting up, Huang Mengde noticed that a number of cultivators had gathered around them, so he immediately waved his hand to dismiss them.

Once the surroundings quieted down, he stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Song Qingming, and carefully asked, "Ancestor, I heard that you went on a journey a few years ago. I wonder if there is any news about your great-aunt?"

"I have not been able to pay my respects to her for so many years; I am truly unfilial as a junior. Please forgive me."

"Siyuan is not currently at Chiyun Mountain."

Upon hearing Huang Mengde inquire about Huang Siyuan, Song Qingming remained silent for a moment, gently shook his head, and then continued:

"Don't worry, once she returns, I will arrange for someone to send a message to Taiyuan Mountain to inform you."

"This junior understands, thank you, Ancestor!"

After nodding slightly, Huang Mengde didn't say anything more and quickly turned around and stood respectfully to the side.

Only after Song Qingming and the others disappeared did he straighten up and solemnly instruct the cultivators beside him: "You are not allowed to make any comments about the ancestor's visit here today."

"Remember this: if anyone dares to utter a single word, cut out their tongue and hand them over to the sect's Enforcement Hall for severe punishment."

"Rest assured, senior, we would never dare to say another word!"

".."

Upon hearing what Huang Mengde said, the market enforcement team, who were standing aside maintaining order, nodded in agreement without daring to say anything more.

Apart from the Song family cultivators.

For hundreds of years, the most powerful family in Qinghe County has remained the Huang family of Taiyuan Mountain.

Although Huang Mengde was only a pseudo-core cultivator, he behaved very well after he formed his core.

Not only did he maintain good relations with the Song family, but he also actively befriended several elders in the sect and even took a junior of Zheng Zongxun, an elder of the General Affairs Hall, as his concubine.

Under his leadership, the Huang family has prospered over the years.

The clan now has nearly a thousand cultivators, including ten Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Although it is still far from being comparable to "Qinghe County", the Song family is the absolute overlord.

However, in the northeastern part of Wei State, the Huang family's influence is second only to the Song family, and their family shops are not only spread throughout the surrounding major markets.

Even in the "Chiyun Mountain" market, there are many businesses run by the Huang family.

A few years ago, the Huang family reportedly produced another exceptionally talented cultivator with unique spiritual roots, and Huang Mengde was doing his best to help him achieve the Core Formation stage.

It is estimated that before long, the status of the Huang family of Taiyuan Mountain will rise further, and they will become a true Golden Core Immortal Clan.

Regarding the Huang family's expansion of power over the years, out of respect for their ancestor Huang Siyuan, Song Yuanfang has turned a blind eye and has not openly suppressed them.

However, Huang Mengde has been turned away several times recently when he tried to go to "Red Cloud Mountain" to search for Core Formation spiritual objects.

".."

After bidding farewell to Huang Mengde, Song Qingming and his two companions quickly boarded their flying car and headed straight for "Guyang Mountain".
Looking at the familiar scenery beneath his feet, Song Qingming was suddenly flooded with memories, recalling how he had once traveled alone on foot to "Guyang Mountain" in search of a foundation-building opportunity.

At this moment, he couldn't help but share with Song Qingyu and the other person in the flying car the interesting things he had encountered on the road back then.

The three chatted for a while before the flying car finally arrived outside "Guyang Mountain".

As soon as the three arrived at the mountain gate, several Foundation Establishment disciples standing at the entrance immediately came forward and led Song Qingming and the other two into the great formation.

Soon, several more streaks of light flew over from afar and stopped in front of Song Qingming. It was none other than the sect leader Xu Ziyan and her companions who had come to greet them.

Accompanying Xu Ziyan were Zheng Zongxun, an elder of the General Affairs Hall, and Luo Qingyun, an elder of the Alchemy Pavilion.

The group was initially surprised to see Song Qingming and his two companions, but then quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle-Master Song, I just received the news and haven't had time to come and greet you. I hope you uncles will not blame me for any shortcomings in my actions."

"Qingyu and I just got back yesterday. We heard from Yuanhao that Senior Sister Bai was looking for us, so we came to Guyang Mountain ahead of time."

It's not your fault that we didn't have time to give advance notice. Don't overthink it, just get up!

After waving his hand to signal everyone to stand up, Song Qingming continued to ask:
Is Senior Sister Bai still at Golden Feather Mountain?

"Reporting to Uncle Song, Uncle Bai is not currently at Jin Yu Mountain, but at Gu Yang Peak in the back mountain."

"Guyang Peak, is that junior disciple in seclusion on Guyang Peak?"

Upon hearing Xu Ziyan mention the name "Guyang Peak," Song Qingming and Song Qingyu paused for a moment, then immediately understood and asked again.

"Guyang Peak" is not only one of the places on Guyang Mountain with the most abundant spiritual energy, but it also contains a spiritual spring.

Apart from a few Nascent Soul elders who occasionally occupy it, cultivators in the sect can only apply to go to this cave for seclusion when they break through their own major realm.

When Bai Yuxian, Feng Yuan, Chen Xuanxin and others were in seclusion to form their Nascent Souls, they were all on "Guyang Peak".

Upon hearing that Bai Yuxian had gone to "Guyang Peak," Song Qingming immediately thought that someone might be in seclusion there to form a Nascent Soul.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziyan nodded to the group.

"Junior Brother Zhou is in seclusion up there. He entered Guyang Peak eight years ago, and Uncle-Master Bai and Uncle-Master Li are taking turns protecting him."

"Oh! Junior Nephew Zhou has been in seclusion for eight years? Quickly, take me there to take a look!"

Long before he went on his travels, Bai Yuxian and Song Qingming had changed the system for exchanging "Nurture Pills". He was well aware of the people in the sect who were capable of exchanging this item.

Song Qingming didn't find it too strange that Zhou Ziyang exchanged "Ningying Pills" for seclusion to form his Nascent Soul.

However, Song Qingming was somewhat surprised to hear that the other party had been in seclusion for eight years and seemed to have no results yet.

"Eight years have passed. Could it be that Zhou Ziyang has a chance to successfully form his Nascent Soul this time?"

Although it takes cultivators more than ten years to form a Nascent Soul, most people fail at the "transformation into a Nascent Soul" stage.

Whether it will succeed or not, we'll be able to see the final result in about seven or eight years.

Eight years have passed since Zhou Ziyang went into seclusion to form his Nascent Soul, and Bai Yuxian is still protecting him, which shows that he has not failed to form his Nascent Soul.

Therefore, the possibility of its success seems quite high.

Along the way, Song Qingming kept guessing and soon arrived at "Guyang Peak" and met Bai Yuxian, who was protecting Zhou Ziyang there.

"Junior Brother Song, I just heard from Ziyan that you have returned safely. That's wonderful!"

"I hope you are well, Senior Sister!"

".."

Upon seeing Song Qingming and the other two whom she hadn't seen for many years, Bai Yuxian was overjoyed and immediately hurried over to greet them.

Decades later, Bai Yuxian remained unchanged, just as she had always been.
After giving a slight nod in greeting, Song Qingming turned around and went to the front of the cave, where he quickly released his divine sense with his eyes closed.

Soon, everyone felt a powerful divine sense enveloping the entire Spirit Mountain. (End of Chapter)