Chapter 49: Opening the Mystery Box
Song Changsheng took a bit of effort to finish off the two severely wounded Qi Refinement great perfection cultivators. At last, this part of the world returned to silence.
The enemies had clearly come well prepared. Aside from the magical tools and talismans used during battle, their qiankun pouches held practically nothing else.
After completing the clean-up, Song Changsheng sat down cross-legged where he stood. He took several large gulps of spirit wine, then began to regulate his breathing.
Although the process of breaking the formation hadn’t taken long, for Song Changsheng it had been fraught with peril. In comprehending the formation patterns, he had experienced unprecedented pressure.
If not for his astonishing talent and insight, managing to break through his own bottleneck at the edge of death and successfully dismantle that second-rank formation, he would already have gone to reincarnate.
“Since the beginning of my cultivation, everything has gone smoothly, which has made me arrogant and conceited. I thought I was moving covertly, yet I had long since fallen into someone’s calculations. Had a Foundation Establishment cultivator come to assassinate me here today, I’d be dead for sure.”
At this moment, Song Changsheng’s heart was full of gratitude and lingering dread. He had narrowly snatched his life back once again.
This incident was a warning. He knew well that he was attracting too much attention and that the Earthfire Sect wanted nothing more than to eliminate him. Yet he still dared leave the market city. Truly, he had no idea how the word “death” was written.
“Shua, shua, shua-”
As Song Changsheng continued his meditation, the eastern sky began to lighten, streaks of dawn piercing the pitch-black night, casting light over this nameless mountain forest.
Three streaks of flowing light swept in from the horizon. When they sensed Song Changsheng’s presence, the figures finally let out sighs of relief.
Song Changsheng opened his eyes to see Wang Wanzhou’s look of relief, Song Luohuai’s concern, and Song Luoyao’s cold indifference.
“Many thanks to the elders for going through so much trouble,” Song Changsheng said, rising to his feet and cupping his hands in a solemn salute. From the moment he saw them, he already understood the situation.
“As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. Just don’t be so reckless next time. Your own safety must come first,” Song Luohuai said kindly, stroking his beard with a cheerful smile.
“Hmph. If there’s a next time, we might not even find your intact corpse,” Song Luoyao said coldly, her willow-leaf brows furrowed, tone frosty with rebuke.
“I will heed Aunt’s teachings. I shall reflect often and swear never to let this happen again.”
Song Changsheng had truly realized his mistake. Had he informed the elders of the clan beforehand, he would never have placed himself in such peril.
If not for Niu Dazhuang’s timely arrival, if not for Wang Wanzhou’s steadfast honor, if not for the protection of the spiritual tool… even a hundred lives would not have been enough to save him.
“Hmph, utterly foolish.” Song Luoyao flung these words over her shoulder and went off to the side to identify the corpses of the Earthfire Sect cultivators.
“Changsheng, don’t take your Ninth Aunt’s words too harshly. She’s sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Deep down, no one cares about you more than she does.
“Half a year ago, when she learned Cheng Yufei had come to the market, she and I secretly descended the mountain. We didn’t contact you to avoid alarming the enemy.
“But who knew what trick you pulled, you not only fooled the Earthfire Sect but even misled our own people.
“If Du Huating hadn’t quietly left the market, we wouldn’t have known where you’d gone. We even clashed with some old ghosts from the Qiu Clan on the way and nearly arrived too late. Don’t do this again,” Song Luohuai said softly, patting Song Changsheng on the shoulder.
Only now did Song Changsheng realize that his clan had been standing behind him all along. It was his own unintended actions that had led to this dangerous situation.
For a moment, the corners of his eyes turned a little red.
“Eh, you’re still alive, aren’t you? No point saying more,” Wang Wanzhou said, having fought a great battle yet still in good spirits.
“Saying nothing would only lead to more stupidity.
“I’ve already confirmed, this corpse belongs to Chu Suiyang, one of the Earthfire Sect’s three second-rank formation masters. Counting the wounded Du Huating and Cheng Yufei, they’ve suffered considerable losses this time.
“Senior Wang, I believe it’s time for our families to act. Since the Earthfire Sect wants chaos, let’s grant them their wish,” Song Luoyao said, eyes filled with icy killing intent.
The Earthfire Sect had provoked them again and again. If the Song Clan didn’t retaliate, they’d become a laughingstock!
“You’re absolutely right. The Earthfire Sect is getting more shameless by the day. Time to loosen up their bones a bit,” Wang Wanzhou said, eager for a fight.
He had little lifespan left. Once he passed on, the clan would struggle even more against the Earthfire Sect. Better to give them a fierce blow while he still had the strength, and buy a period of stability for the younger generations.
Song Changsheng’s heart trembled. A storm was coming ah…
...
After returning to the market, since Song Changsheng had not yet completed his mission, he remained. Only after promising not to leave again did Song Luoyao and Song Luohuai feel at ease enough to return to the clan.
Before departing, Song Luoyao left him a flying sword messenger talisman, while Song Luohuai gave him a second-rank low-grade talisman he had personally drawn for protection.
After their return, the Grand Elder issued a mobilization order to eleven subordinate families and two monster-hunting teams. Their allies, the Wang and Li clans, also began mobilizing on multiple fronts, striking back at the Earthfire Sect and seizing several of their resource points. The whole of Ling Province was shaken, and the Earthfire Sect withdrew into hiding for the time being...
All of this did not affect Drifting Cloud Market, which actually saw better business thanks to the conflict between the major factions.
As for Song Changsheng, he had no energy to pay attention to the war. He was focused on stabilizing his cultivation. After breaking through to second-rank low-grade formation master, many of his former doubts had suddenly cleared.
He took the opportunity to complete the previously broken formation pattern he had obtained, gaining insight into a formation called Heavenly Sun Demon-Refining Array, derived from the same origin as the Mystic Yang Skysteel Array, but even more refined.
By the time all of this was done, a week had passed.
Only then did Song Changsheng finally have time to sort through the gains he had obtained in that cave mansion.
Besides the two jade slips containing legacies and the nameless jade token, he had also acquired three jade boxes and two jade bottles, whatever was inside would depend on luck.
“Let’s start with these two jade bottles.”
He picked up a white jade bottle first. As soon as he pulled out the stopper, a sweet fragrance hit him. Tilting the bottle, he poured out a pink pill the size of a thumb.
Holding it beneath his nose and sniffing it, Song Changsheng’s expression turned strange. “This… seems to be the rumored Beauty Retention Pill?”
The Beauty Retention Pill was said to preserve one's youthful appearance indefinitely. It was highly sought after by female cultivators. Due to its rare ingredients, it was seldom seen on the market.
But… he really had no use for such a thing.
“Hmm, I’ll leave it for Mother. Let’s see what’s in this one.”
He opened the second purple jade bottle. To his surprise, it contained a second-rank low-grade Blazing Sun Pill, a pill that could enhance cultivation for cultivators with fire spiritual roots, perfect for him.
The two jade bottles held respectable finds, but nothing extraordinary. Now it all depended on whether those three jade boxes could deliver a surprise.
He picked up the one he felt most drawn to, an azure jade box and opened it.
A dazzling light instantly lit up the entire room…
(Chapter End)