Chapter 24: Rumors and Gossip
“The last thing, this recent beast attack in the mundane world is definitely closely connected to the Earthfire Sect, or perhaps it was even their doing. If we just swallow this grievance quietly, the family’s influence in Ling Province will decline. I think we should give them a proper response.” An elder with a long beard said angrily.
“Of course. I’m planning to negotiate with the Li clan to reduce our supply of spirit medicines and ores to the Earthfire Sect, just enough to teach them a lesson.” Song Luzhou rubbed his smooth chin and chuckled.
“Excellent.”
Everyone present nodded vigorously. A way to retaliate without bloodshed was naturally the best solution. In Ling Province, when it came to foundation and strength, the Song clan wasn’t afraid of anyone.
“Very well, that concludes today’s clan meeting. Please speed up the collection of spirit stones and put in your best efforts.”
“We won’t let you down!”
...
The family’s rewards and the announcement for borrowing spirit stones were issued simultaneously.
Buying foundation establishment pills was closely related to every member of the Song clan. Everyone understood that only if the family grew stronger would they have better cultivation conditions and the confidence to hold their heads high!
So everyone generously contributed, each putting forward some of their savings.
Song Changsheng, who had become a Purple Mansion Seed, also donated two thousand spirit stones. After giving the money, he had only a few hundred left, forcing him to temporarily put some personal plans on hold.
But he didn’t regret it. Born into this family, he was willing to contribute.
What Song Changsheng didn’t expect was that his generous donation caused a huge stir within the family.
Some questioned why a Qi Refinement cultivator like Song Changsheng could produce so many spirit stones, was someone in the family abusing their power?
Though they didn’t say it outright, everyone knew these accusations were aimed at Xia Yunxue.
Soon, Song Xianyun personally stepped forward to dispel the rumors, reporting the details of the trial and clearly stating the source of Song Changsheng’s spirit stones.
With a senior elder backing him, the discordant voices vanished without a trace. But those who spread such rumors had to pay a price.
The enforcement squad arrested several people secretly fanning the flames. Upon investigation, it turned out these people were spies planted by some of the family’s old enemies.
Resolving a rumor ended up uncovering several spies, an unexpected surprise.
The family acted swiftly. From the rumor’s start to the capture of spies took only a few hours. Song Changsheng, at the center of the storm, didn’t even know what was happening until the family’s notice was placed before him.
Song Changsheng didn’t care about others’ opinions, but he couldn’t tolerate anyone secretly slandering his mother.
The family’s swift and decisive handling deeply moved him; their care and protection for him and his mother were unmistakable.
What seemed like the end of the matter actually had further developments.
His capture of the Earthfire Sect’s young master and confrontations with the Foundation Establishment cultivator became widely known. Along with his generous donation, this greatly boosted his reputation within the family.
He was really starting to feel like a future Young Patriarch...
At the peak of Cangmang, by the Mirror Lake, Song Luoyao respectfully reported the rumor matter to Song Xianming.
Song Xianming held a fishing rod, his expression calm as he said, “Anything that affects family unity must be taken extremely seriously.
I don’t believe the matter involves just a few small pawns. Keep investigating, I want to know who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes!”
A cold glint flashed in Song Luoyao’s eyes. “You mean that traitor is active again?”
“Keep digging and we’ll find out everything,” Song Xianming said with a hint of murderous intent.
“Understood.”
For a moment, currents stirred beneath the family’s surface.
...
Song Changsheng didn’t yet know that his grandfather had returned from seclusion, nor that Song Luoyao had secretly met with him. He was currently pondering his next steps.
“My forging talent has fallen behind in array formations. I have to find a way to improve, maybe take on some forging tasks,” Song Changsheng thought quietly.
He set off toward the Contribution Hall, which was not only the place to exchange contribution points for supplies but also the place where family tasks were issued.
Tasks here varied in type and difficulty, ranked by level.
After browsing, Song Changsheng chose a long-term task to manage a family shop located in Ling Province’s only marketplace, the Drifting Cloud Market.
The Drifting Cloud Market was jointly controlled by six major Foundation Establishment forces and served as a trading hub for cultivators, including dozens of Qi Refinement factions and numerous roaming independent cultivators.
With over a thousand cultivators living there year-round and even more traders coming and going, shops in Drifting Cloud Market were very profitable.
The shop Song Changsheng was to manage specialized in magical tools and was currently short of a craftsman and he fit the requirement perfectly.
Such tasks usually had generous rewards and allowed him to improve his forging skills, so he decisively accepted it.
However, this brought a new problem, the task’s duration was usually very long and he had to stay until the next craftsman took over.
What about Little Qing Mountain's side then?
Not to mention the spiritual fish that hadn’t broken through yet, the spirit gathering array and Mistveil Tea Tree couldn’t be abandoned casually. He had to find someone to cover for him.
Suddenly, an idea struck Song Changsheng, two very suitable candidates were Song Qingxi and Song Qingxing.
Since Song Qingxing was a loner who preferred solitary cultivation, it was perfect to send him to Mirrorlake Island. Though remote, it was safe, had a spirit gathering array and wouldn’t affect cultivation. It was ideal.
Most importantly, it would conceal Qingxing's variant spirit root well, killing several birds with one stone!
“I’m so clever,” Song Changsheng shamelessly praised himself, then reported his plan. To his surprise, it was approved.
But it wasn’t just the two of them going, Fourth Elder Song Luohuai would accompany them.
Besides protecting Song Qingxing, there was another important reason: among the elders left behind, Song Qingxing's attitude towards Song Luohuai was the best, so this could help improve his temperament.
This didn’t matter much to Song Changsheng. His private possessions there were just the spirit gathering array and Mistveil Tea Tree, and he trusted Song Luohuai’s character.
Having solved the main issue, Song Changsheng prepared carefully and set off toward Drifting Cloud Market.
Drifting Cloud Market was located in the Liuyun Mountains north of the Wangyue Mountain Range, thousands of li from Cangmang Peak. At his pace, it would take several days.
After hurrying along, Song Changsheng finally arrived at the foothills of the Liuyun Mountains by noon on the third day and saw the bustling Drifting Cloud Market...
(Chapter End)