Qinghe Immortal Clan.

"Seventh Brother, I didn't see wrong, did I!"

"Husband, have you really... really broken through to the Nascent Soul realm?"

Looking at Song Qingming, who had already come to stand in front of him, his aura was no longer what it used to be.

While Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi were overjoyed, they were still somewhat incredulous.

It was impossible to confirm immediately whether the other party had truly succeeded in advancing to the Nascent Soul realm.

Song Qingming did not explain the confusion on their faces.

With a mere wave of his hand, he activated the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy), and several bolts of lightning descended from the sky, heading straight for the numerous demonic creatures entangled around Song Qingyu.

Several Nascent Soul level demons, seeing the considerable power of the incoming lightning, tried to unleash their demonic energy to defend themselves.

However, the demonic energy shields on their bodies seemed to be made of paper when facing Song Qingming's attack, and were instantly shattered by the lightning.

In the blink of an eye, these troublesome Nascent Soul demons vanished into thin air before they could even utter a wail.

Even though Song Qingyu's current combat strength is comparable to that of a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator.

On the battlefield just now, facing numerous Nascent Soul demons, I could only barely suppress them and was not yet able to easily kill demons of this level.

Now, Song Qingming has mastered the primordial energy of heaven and earth and stepped into the Nascent Soul realm.

In his eyes, these Nascent Soul demons were already things he could easily suppress with a flick of his wrist.

After helping Song Qingyu deal with the demons that were entangled with her, Song Qingming once again cast a spell to summon his natal magic weapon, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror".

From within the bronze mirror, countless blazing flames of Xuan Yang shot forth, instantly engulfing the surrounding battlefield.

The thousands upon thousands of demons rushing towards them from afar were directly merged into the white sea of ​​fire.

Soon, screams of agony, as if burned by flames, echoed from the middle of the battlefield.

Before long, the demons who had been able to hold off the human army were forced back by the surrounding flames and had to give way.

After meeting up with Song Qingyu and others.

Song Qingming unleashed several divine abilities, instantly annihilating thousands of demons and single-handedly breaking the stalemate between the two sides on the battlefield.

Seeing such an astonishing scene, Song Qingyu had already dispelled the last trace of doubt in her heart.

After dealing with the few remaining low-level demons nearby, she immediately turned around and excitedly transmitted her voice to the human cultivator army behind her.

"Everyone, let's fight the enemy together with the Grand Elder!"

"kill!"

".

The Qingyun Mountain cultivators had previously rushed out of the protective formation to meet the reinforcements from the Baishui Sect.

But now, seeing Song Qingming return as a deity.

With such a powerful helper, the human cultivator has found an opportunity to help "Qingyun Mountain" out of its predicament.

Song Qingyu naturally did not want to miss such a golden opportunity to counterattack the demons, so he immediately led the human cultivator army to switch from defense to offense and charge into the demon formation.

Qingyun Mountain has been besieged by demons for decades, and countless cultivators have been lost on the mountain over the years. Everyone has long been holding their breath in anger.

Upon hearing Song Qingyu's order to launch a counterattack, the tens of thousands of human cultivators immediately rushed forward.

".

Amidst shouts of battle.

Under the leadership of Song Qingming and others, the human cultivator army slew countless demons on the battlefield.

Only after successfully defeating the demon army that was entrenched near "Qingyun Mountain" did the group withdraw and return to Lingshan.

Having been trapped for decades, Qingyun Mountain finally defeated the demon army head-on and temporarily escaped danger.

Outside the "Mountain Protection Formation," Song Xinyuan had just followed the crowd back to Lingshan when he saw several figures suddenly fall from the sky and block his way.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

"Mother, Aunt!"

".

Looking at the tall figure beside her mother, Li Xuanyi, who seemed familiar from her memories, Song Xinyuan froze on the spot for a long time without saying a word.

Seeing this, Song Qingyu quickly stepped forward with a smile and said:
"You always wanted to see your father, but now that Seventh Brother is back, why don't you recognize him?"

"Yes, Xinyuan, your father has returned safely."

It wasn't until her mother, Li Xuanyi, reminded her that Song Xinyuan slowly nodded and took the initiative to stand in front of Song Qingming.

"Your son greets his father!"

"You've already reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. It seems you've been diligent in your cultivation all these years. As your father, I've been somewhat negligent in my duties."

"I dare not. My mother, aunt, and other relatives have treated me very well all these years."

When Song Qingming left Qingyun Mountain, Song Xinyuan had just turned twenty and had not yet established his foundation.

Sixty years have passed since the father and son parted ways.

When they met again, they seemed somewhat like strangers.

As the head of the Song family and the son of the Grand Elder of the "Xiaoyao Sect," Song Xinyuan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Even though Song Qingming has been away all these years, with the full support of Nascent Soul elders from the sect such as Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi, and Huang Siyuan, Song Xinyuan has never lacked any spiritual items or elixirs in his cultivation.

Now, at less than eighty years old, he has already cultivated to the peak of Foundation Establishment, just one step away from Core Formation.

Seeing that Song Xinyuan not only had outstanding cultivation but also courage that rivaled his peers, daring to appear on such a dangerous battlefield to fight against demons, Song Qingming felt quite gratified.

While fighting on the battlefield can accumulate experience in combat, it is ultimately too dangerous.

After offering a few words of praise, Song Qingming then spoke to Song Xinyuan, offering some instructions:

"Your cultivation has now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. Next, you should focus on preparing for Core Formation. Come back with us first, and we can teach you some experience about Core Formation."

Let's not go down the mountain for now.

"Father, I still need to go to the Law Enforcement Hall with Senior Sister Mingyue to report my good deeds."

"May I visit you on the mountain after I've finished this matter?"

"Okay! Whatever you say."

When Song Qingming suggested that he go back to prepare for seclusion and core formation, Song Xinyuan hesitated for a moment before expressing his thoughts.

Seeing that Song Xinyuan didn't want to go back with him so soon, Song Qingming didn't say anything more.

After nodding in agreement, he turned and left with Song Qingyu and the other person.

".

"Qingyun Mountain", outside the cave at the top of the mountain.

As a sound transmission talisman flew into the cave, the surrounding restrictions quickly dissipated and a figure emerged from within—it was Huang Siyuan, who had been in seclusion for a long time.

"Husband!"

"Siyuan, are you alright?"

"It really is you back! I thought I was seeing things!"

Huang Siyuan was surprised to see Song Qingming suddenly appear before her. Before she could react, she was already being pulled into his arms.

Having been trapped in outer space for over sixty years, Song Qingming's greatest worry and concern was still for Song Qingyu, Huang Siyuan, and the others.

After the previous battle, it was learned that Huang Siyuan was still in seclusion in her cave to heal her injuries.

Upon returning to the mountaintop, Song Qingming rushed over to her immediately.

Now that I finally see Huang Siyuan safe and sound, a huge weight has been lifted from my heart.

After a long while, Song Qingming slowly released the other person.

The two then chatted as they entered Huang Siyuan's cave.

"My husband, for some reason, I seem to be unable to see through your cultivation level now?"

Although Huang Siyuan was injured, her spiritual sense and magical power were not greatly affected, and she quickly noticed that Song Qingming's aura and cultivation level had changed significantly.

Seeing this, Song Qingming did not hide anything from the other party.

He told the other party everything about how he and Bai Yuxian had been trapped in the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace" for so many years, and how they had later broken through to the Nascent Soul stage through seclusion.

Upon hearing that Song Qingming had successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul realm, Huang Siyuan was just as surprised as before, and it took her a long time to come to her senses.

As a Daoist couple who had supported each other for many years, Huang Siyuan naturally knew that Song Qingming's talent for cultivation far surpassed that of ordinary people, and that he was the most promising cultivator in the "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent" to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

However, only sixty years had passed since they parted, and he had not even broken through in his own cultivation, while Song Qingming had already entered the Nascent Soul realm upon his return.

Such a speed of cultivation is truly unbelievable.

The difference in cultivation level and status between Nascent Soul cultivators and Deity Transformation cultivators is like heaven and earth.

Of the hundreds of millions of human cultivators in the entire "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent," apart from Chen Qingxuan, the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Imperial Sect, Song Qingming has become the second Nascent Soul expert among the human race.

At this moment, Huang Siyuan's gaze towards Song Qingming held an even more inexplicable quality.

“My husband, I remember you said when we were in Funiu Mountain that we would ascend to the upper realm together someday.”

I never imagined that you would actually cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage. It seems that this day is not far away for you.

Unfortunately, Qingyu and I have only recently advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to keep up with my husband's pace.

Back then, Huang Siyuan and Song Qingming were on Mount Funiu, discussing their future ascension to the upper realm.

At that time, the two of them had only recently broken through to the Golden Core stage, and they were dreaming of achieving immortality in the future.

Unexpectedly, Song Qingming has now truly entered the Nascent Soul realm, standing at the top of the billions of human cultivators in the "Huayang Realm," and is not far from ascending to the Upper Realm.

Now, recalling those words they said back then, both of them smiled knowingly.

"Even if one has advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, it is impossible to ascend to the Upper Realm immediately. I still have no clue about this matter."

Don't worry, with me here, I'll never easily abandon you all.

"My husband, I know that my cultivation is not as good as yours. I am already content to have been with you until now and dare not have too many extravagant hopes."

If one day I truly see you ascend to the upper realm, I will have no regrets.

Huang Siyuan's cultivation level is currently at the peak of the seventh level of the Nascent Soul stage.

Given her talent, it's hard to say whether she'll ever have the chance to reach the Nascent Soul realm. Her tone was quite calm, without much ambition.

Seeing this, Song Qingming didn't say anything more.

Cultivation is ultimately a matter of human effort. Even though Song Qingming has now reached the Nascent Soul stage, it's still uncertain whether he will be able to successfully ascend to the Upper Realm in the future.

How far Huang Siyuan will accompany him in the future is unpredictable.

For them, it's not time to worry about this yet; they should just let things take their natural course.

Taking the spiritual tea offered by Huang Siyuan, Song Qingming slowly placed it aside, then turned his gaze back to her.

"Siyuan, how is your injury now?"

"Yes! Don't worry, my husband. I have taken a lot of elixirs over the past few years, and my injuries have almost healed."

However, a considerable amount of demonic energy still remains within his body, requiring a period of seclusion and recuperation to gradually expel it.

Several years ago, during a major battle in which demons besieged Qingyun Mountain, Huang Siyuan was attacked by more than a dozen Nascent Soul level demons while trying to rescue her fellow disciple Zhou Ziyang.

Although he eventually escaped with the help of Song Qingyu and the magic treasures he possessed.

Huang Siyuan and Zhou Ziyang were also seriously injured in the battle, and their bodies were invaded by demonic energy.

In recent years, Huang Siyuan has been in seclusion in her cave to heal her injuries. To this day, the demonic energy in her body has not been completely removed, and she cannot act casually.

A cultivator's physical body is extremely important for cultivation. Once it is corrupted by demonic energy, it can easily lead to difficulty in absorbing spiritual energy, thus delaying the cultivator's cultivation speed.

Upon hearing this, Song Qingming immediately reached out and covered the other person's forehead.

Feeling a warm spiritual energy enter her body, Huang Siyuan quickly entered a meditative state and released her magical power, allowing Song Qingming to examine her condition.

Before long, Song Qingming discovered a cluster of cold, demonic energy near the meridians on Huang Siyuan's right shoulder.

After a moment's thought, Song Qingming immediately activated his magic power to introduce a stream of Xuan Yang True Fire to entwine around the demonic energy.

At the same time, Huang Siyuan felt the cold demonic energy in her body being slowly melted and pulled out by a gentle magical power.

After an unknown amount of time, when Huang Siyuan opened her eyes again, the demonic energy that had plagued her for so long had been mostly expelled by Song Qingming.

The supernatural powers of a Nascent Soul cultivator are far superior to those of a Spirit Transformation cultivator.

Seeing that most of the demonic energy in her body had been expelled with Song Qingming's help, Huang Siyuan's face showed a hint of joy.

On Song Qingming's side, he did indeed expend a lot of energy to focus on helping the other party dispel the demonic energy.

At this moment, there was still a faint trace of sweat on his forehead.

"Thank you, my husband!"

"The demonic energy within me has improved considerably, so I should be able to leave seclusion ahead of schedule."

"No need to rush. You should stay in the cave and focus on healing your injuries. The sooner you get rid of the remaining demonic energy, the faster you can cultivate without wasting time."

As for what happens outside, Qingyu and I will handle it.

Seeing that Huang Siyuan wanted to leave seclusion early to help deal with the demons, Song Qingming shook his head and told her to focus on healing her injuries in seclusion.

Although the entire northern part of the "Floating Cloud Mountains" has now been infiltrated by demons.

However, Song Qingming's cultivation has already reached the Nascent Soul realm. With this Nascent Soul expert around, there shouldn't be any major problems in quelling the demonic calamity in the Floating Cloud Mountains.

Looking at the confident Song Qingming in front of her, Huang Siyuan did not insist and nodded gently.

After chatting with Huang Siyuan for a while, Song Qingming escorted her back to her secluded cave before returning to the "Meeting Immortals Pavilion" on the mountaintop.

At this moment, the six Nascent Soul elders of the sect, namely Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi, Li Xianyun, Song Yuanhao, Zhou Ziyang, and Bai Jingyun, had all gathered here.

In the years since Song Qingming left, another person on Qingyun Mountain has successfully formed a Nascent Soul, namely his eldest disciple Bai Jingyun.

One hundred and sixty years ago, Bai Jingyun's cultivation had already reached the ninth level of the Golden Core realm.

With the support of Song Qingming and the sect, he attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm twice within a century, and finally succeeded in forming his Nascent Soul forty years ago, becoming the eleventh Nascent Soul elder of the "Free and Unfettered Sect".

Besides the many Nascent Soul elders of the Free and Unfettered Sect, there were also Cui Liang and Qin Fengyang from the White Water Sect who had just arrived to provide support along with Song Qingming.

And Wei Dongcheng of the "Tianji Sect" who had already arrived at Qingyun Mountain.

Then there's the "Ice and Fire Dragon," whom Song Qingming hadn't seen for many years. He was originally stationed in the market below, but upon learning of Song Qingming's return, he was already extremely excited.

Upon seeing Song Qingming appear, the ten Nascent Soul cultivators hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in respect.

"Elder!"

"We pay our respects to Senior Song!"

"No need for formalities, please rise!"

He waved his hand to signal everyone to stand up, and Song Qingming stepped forward and sat down in the main seat.

Only after his gaze swept over everyone did they feel at ease and sit down.

"Everyone, during the years I've been in seclusion, demons have been rampaging southwards and ravaging the Floating Cloud Mountains. It's time to end this calamity."

"We will obey your orders!"

".

In recent years, in order to resist the southward advance of demons, the human cultivators in the northern "Floating Cloud Mountains" have suffered heavy casualties and paid a considerable price.

On Qingyun Mountain alone, over the past few decades, forty to fifty thousand cultivators have perished on the battlefield.

Even Huang Siyuan, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, suffered physical injuries from demonic energy during the battle.

Besides Huang Siyuan, Zhou Ziyang, Li Xianyun, Wei Dongcheng, Bai Jingyun, and others were all injured.

These years of fighting have further impacted his own spiritual practice.

Now that Song Qingming has returned as a deity, and there is hope of ending this demonic calamity, everyone is extremely excited.

In the sixty years since Song Qingming left Qingyun Mountain, the demon army has marched south and conquered a large area of ​​territory in the northern part of the Fuyun Mountain Range.

Near Qingyun Mountain, more than 80% of the sacred mountains have been occupied by demons.

Many fourth-level spiritual veins, including "Luoyang Mountain", "Jinyu Mountain" and "Yuxiao Mountain", were also affected.

The Jade Cloud Sect, which migrated to the north, nearly suffered total annihilation when the demon army breached Mount Ling.

In the end, Chen Yunxiao could only lead a small number of cultivators to successfully escape to the nearby "Wild Wind Ridge".

Today, the only major spiritual mountain around "Qingyun Mountain" is "Kuangfeng Ridge," which is controlled by the Xingchen Sect and is still struggling to survive.

Not long ago, the monsters marched south and conquered "Golden Feather Mountain".

The demon army's advance is already heading straight for the southern kingdoms of Wei, Zheng, and Yue.

Compared to the area surrounding "Qingyun Mountain," which has only been developed for a few hundred years, the south is the core territory of the human race in the Fuyun Mountain Range, and the number of mortals within its borders is several times that of the north.

In order to control the demonic disaster as soon as possible and prevent the demon army from infiltrating the southern territory and causing too much impact.

After discussing the matter with the others, Song Qingming immediately decided to split the group into two teams.

One group, led by Li Xianyun, Song Yuanhao, Cui Liang, and Qin Fengyang, headed west to support "Kuangfeng Ridge," first helping to relieve the siege of the Xingchenmen army stationed there.

Another army, led by Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi, Zhou Ziyang, Wei Dongcheng, and Bai Jingyun, marched south to recapture "Jinyu Mountain," which had recently fallen.

Song Qingming, on the other hand, was stationed at "Qingyun Mountain" to contain the main force of the demons that were moving south from the north.

At the same time, Song Qingming also sent a message to "Guyang Mountain" to inform Bai Yuxian, who had just returned to the sect.

She was tasked with gathering troops to coordinate a northward march against the demon army.

After Song Qingyu recaptures "Golden Feather Mountain", the two sides will advance from the north and south respectively to wipe out the demon army that has infiltrated the south.

After Song Qingming issued the order, Li Xianyun and Song Qingyu each led tens of thousands of troops to set off, and soon the entire "Qingyun Mountain" was empty.

Before long, the previously defeated demon army regrouped and marched south to besiege "Qingyun Mountain".

Before the demon army could launch its attack, a colossal Dharma image over a thousand feet tall appeared outside Qingyun Mountain.

Faced with a massive army of demons, Song Qingming single-handedly held off countless demons, drawing almost all of their main force to his side.

Even a demon at the late Nascent Soul stage could not pose any threat to him, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

After a great battle, tens of thousands of demons fell to Song Qingming.

The human cultivators who remained at Qingyun Mountain easily defeated the southward-bound demons and defended the sacred mountain.

While Song Qingming was directly holding back the demon army, news quickly arrived from the other two routes.

Li Xianyun, Zhou Ziyang, and others led tens of thousands of cultivators to successfully reach "Wild Wind Ridge," where they joined forces with the Starry Sky Sect to successfully repel the demon army that had trapped them.

After the siege of "Wild Wind Ridge" was lifted, Song Qingyu led an army of 40,000 to successfully reach "Golden Feather Mountain" in the south and reclaim this spiritual vein from the demon army.

All that's left is for Song Qingyu and his group to establish a firm foothold on "Golden Feather Mountain" and protect this sacred mountain.

Bai Yuxian, Xu Ziyan, and others have also assembled a cultivator army of tens of thousands in the south and have begun to take the initiative to attack northwards to reclaim lost territory.

The demon army that infiltrated the south, though no smaller in number than the human cultivators, had its strength dispersed across a vast battlefront stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Bai Yuxian led her assembled army of cultivators, defeating them one by one as she marched north, successively recapturing many spiritual mountains such as "Camel Cloud Mountain" and "White Dragon Valley".

Soon, Bai Yuxian and Song Qingyu and the others successfully returned to their master at the foot of "Golden Feather Mountain".

Besides the "Xiaoyao Sect" itself, the major sects in the northern part of the "Floating Cloud Mountains" also launched a counterattack against the demons.

Less than half a year after Song Qingming returned to Qingyun Mountain, the southern human cultivators had already recovered a large area of ​​territory to the north, blocking the demon army around Qingyun Mountain.

Meanwhile, the army of cultivators led by Song Qingyu, Bai Yuxian, Li Xianyun, and others also gathered at one place.

In an instant, Mount Qingyun was packed with an army of over 100,000 cultivators, officially launching the final counterattack against the demon army.

Under the personal leadership of Song Qingming, the Nascent Soul Ancestor, the human cultivator army once again engaged in a major battle with the main force of the demon army entrenched in the north of the "Floating Cloud Mountains".

In this battle, Song Qingming alone killed more than twenty Nascent Soul level demons.

Under the leadership of the "Free and Unfettered Sect", the human cultivator army completely defeated the main force of the southward-bound demons and drove them all the way out of the Floating Cloud Mountains.

The remaining demons entrenched in the deep mountains within the territory were gradually eradicated by human cultivators.

It took nearly another year for the area around "Qingyun Mountain" to finally quiet down completely, ending this demonic calamity that had lasted for decades.

Besides the "Qingyun Mountain" in the east, the Qin Kingdom and other places to the west of the Fuyun Mountain Range have also been attacked by a large number of demons.

Compared to Qingyun Mountain, which is closer to the north, the threat from the north to the Qin Kingdom and other places in the west is not so great, with only a small number of demons infiltrating their territory.

The main enemies faced by the "Wanling Sect" are the numerous demons that have appeared in the "Illusory Sea Desert" to the west.

In recent years, many places in the countries where the "Wanling Sect" and "Huoyang Sect" and other sects in the west are located have been conquered by demons.

Their current situation is not much better than it was at Qingyun Mountain back then.

Upon learning that the "Xiaoyao Sect" had defeated the northern demon army, the "Wanling Sect" quickly sent a letter requesting assistance.

Just as Song Qingming was mobilizing a large army of cultivators, preparing to join forces with the aquatic tribes of Taiyue Lake in the south to support the Qin Kingdom in the west.

Unexpectedly, they received a letter from the demon clan in the north.

(Although it's just a tiny bit extra, it still counts as an extra chapter!) (End of Chapter)