Chapter 70: Old Acquaintance
Although Song Changsheng's artifact refining skill hadn't yet advanced to low-grade second-rank, he was already highly proficient in refining top-grade first rank magical artifacts, with a success rate of eighty to ninety percent.
However, using second-rank spiritual materials to refine first rank artifacts was a bit of an overkill.
Refining the "Lotus Pedestal" presented no challenge at all. In just half a month, the "Lotus Pedestal" was successfully refined. He then proceeded to inscribe three array formations to enhance its quality.
After all this busy work, twenty-odd days had already passed.
The day before his departure, Song Changsheng finally emerged from seclusion. He looked at the "Lotus Pedestal" in his hand, quietly chanted a few incantations, and the small "Lotus Pedestal" immediately transformed into the size of a meditation cushion.
This "Lotus Pedestal" was entirely black, looking like a jade sculpture. When magnified, its appearance was very similar to the "Lotus Seat" beneath "Guanyin."
After all, Song Changsheng had only seen this one type of "Lotus Pedestal," so he could only imitate it.
He eagerly sat on it, trying to cultivate.
Activating his cultivation method, Song Changsheng could clearly feel his cultivation speed increasing slightly, but the boost wasn't significant, merely better than nothing.
Once the spiritual energy in his Dantian was full, the spiritual energy generated by Song Changsheng's continued cultivation was injected into the "Lotus Pedestal" beneath him.
According to his estimation, this "Lotus Pedestal" could hold about twice the spiritual energy of his Dantian, which made him very satisfied. In the future, he wouldn't need to be so meticulous when using the internal array formation.
“From now on, I'll call you the Ink Jade Lotus Pedestal.” After putting it away, Song Changsheng realized that the sky outside his window was already bright. After finding a hidden place to store the Lu Wu Bell and the jade pendant gifted by his mother, he rose and headed towards the Affairs Hall.
The "Wutong Secret Realm" was located in the Wutong Mountain Range in the southwest of Ling Province, over ten thousand li away from Cangmang Peak. To ensure safety, the Grand Elder would personally escort them there this time.
Song Changsheng was the last to arrive. Seeing that everyone was present, Song Xianyun waved his sleeve and conjured a flying boat several zhang long.
The principle of the flying boat was somewhat similar to the paper kite Song Changsheng had ridden before, except it was faster and consumed more energy.
The few found their respective seats and with a slight tremor, the flying boat plunged straight into the sea of clouds…
The journey would take some time, so Song Xianyun first assigned them their individual tasks for entering the secret realm. It was a rare opportunity for the secret realm to open, and their purpose in entering was not merely for that single portion of Stalactite Spiritual Liquid.
After explaining, Song Changsheng and the others began to get to know each other. It was more like they were explaining things to Song Changsheng, as they had all returned to the family a year ago and already had a basic understanding of each other. Only Song Changsheng had been inserted midway.
The lean middle-aged man spoke first, saying, “My name is Song Luping, and I specialize in earth-element spells.”
Next was the only female in the team, Song Luyue. She specialized in wood-element spells, especially excelling in binding techniques.
The burly man opposite her was Song Lutong, a body cultivator whose vital essence was extremely vigorous. Although Song Changsheng had undergone nine body forgings and his physical strength was comparable to a magical tool, he still had a considerable gap compared to him.
The first few were cultivators of the "Lu" generation, and the last person was of the "Chang" generation, named Song Chang'an. He was Fourth Elder Song Luohuai's eldest son, but the two had never met.
He looked somewhat similar to Song Luohuai, and his personality was even more alike, belonging to the very peaceful type of person.
But what surprised Song Changsheng was that he was a sword cultivator, and he followed a fierce path, completely different from the temperament he displayed.
After they all introduced themselves, Song Changsheng cupped his hands to everyone and said, “My name is Song Changsheng, and I specialize in water and fire spells. I ask for much guidance from my clan uncles and clan brothers.”
Among their group, he was the youngest. Song Chang'an, who was of the same generation as him, was already thirty, so it was better to be humble.
Compared to these few, Song Changsheng was known by everyone in the family, and his background was even more formidable. Originally, the few were somewhat disinclined to him, but his humble attitude earned their favor. They all expressed goodwill and began to interact with each other.
Song Lutong had a hearty personality. Upon learning that Song Changsheng enjoyed wine, the two immediately entered into "deep" discussions, and soon were arm in arm, considering each other bosom friends.
If not for the difference in seniority, they would have almost become sworn brothers. Song Luping and the others were stunned; how could their relationship develop so quickly?
Later, Song Changsheng learned that this fellow was simply coveting the fine wine brewed by his mother…
The flying boat's speed was extremely fast, and the group soon arrived at the "Wutong Mountain Range."
Compared to the "Wangyue Mountain Range" occupied by the Song clan and the "Liuyun Mountain Range" occupied by the Earthfire Sect, the Li clan and the Qiu clan, the "Wutong Mountain Range," which served as the stronghold of the Wang and Yu clans, was considerably smaller in area and appeared much more barren, with dead trees everywhere.
“These trees don't look like they died naturally,” Song Changsheng said, somewhat puzzled, standing by the side of the flying boat.
Song Lutong loudly blared, “Do you even need to think about it? These large areas, they must have been caused by some evil technique. I bet it's those fellows from the Yu clan playing tricks.”
“Lutong, don't talk nonsense,” Song Luyue said, frowning.
Song Lutong glared. “What are you afraid of? The Yu clan never had anything good anyway.”
“Clan Uncle seems to really hate the Yu clan members?” Song Changsheng nudged Song Chang'an beside him with his arm.
Song Chang'an nodded and said, “Clan Uncle Lutong suffered at the hands of the Yu clan when he went down the mountain for training before, so he naturally dislikes them. He'll surely have a fight with any Yu clan members he sees in the secret realm.”
“I see.” Song Changsheng also thought of the people from the Earthfire Sect and the Qiu clan, but he hadn't suffered any losses. If anything, he was the one they held a grudge against.
Song Lutong's resentment was clearly significant. Song Luyue couldn't persuade him at all. Finally, Song Xianyun himself spoke, making him shut up and sit silently to the side.
Passing over towering mountains and steep ridges, a gigantic Wutong tree appeared before everyone. That was their destination. Song Xianyun immediately maneuvered the flying boat downwards.
They had traveled the furthest, so they were the last to arrive. The other five families had already been waiting beneath the Wutong tree's canopy.
Like them, each family had six people, which was also agreed upon; each family had five slots.
“Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Song, you're late!” As soon as they landed, a square-faced middle-aged man walked out from the Earthfire Sect's contingent, greeting them with a warm smile. He looked very amiable.
But everyone present knew what was hidden beneath that smiling face and would not be fooled by him.
“That's Li Tiancheng, the 'Smiling Tiger' from the Earthfire Sect. He's a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, notorious for his hidden daggers in smiles and honeyed words,” Song Lutong whispered into Song Changsheng's ear.
Song Changsheng had heard of this person's name, but this was his first time seeing him in person. If he hadn't known, he might truly have taken him for an approachable middle-aged uncle. Unfortunately, this one was a bone-gnawing monster.
Song Xianyun didn't even lift an eyelid and said indifferently, “The time for the secret realm to open hasn't arrived yet, so how can there be any lateness? But why has your Earthfire Sect changed personnel this time? Is Cheng Yufei not coming?”
Song Changsheng chuckled internally. Cheng Yufei had been badly injured by Wang Wanzhou and the others last time. He was probably still recovering; it would be strange if he could come.
Song Xianyun deliberately poked at the Earthfire Sect's wound, but Li Tiancheng seemed not to have heard it, still smiling. “Senior Brother is busy. As his junior brother, I naturally have to be more diligent.”
“Just don't break the rules,” Song Xianyun replied indifferently, then led Song Changsheng and the others to sit cross-legged on the empty ground next to the Wang clan's group.
The elders leading the Wang and Li clans immediately stepped forward and exchanged pleasantries with Song Xianyun.
As soon as Song Changsheng sat down, he felt an extremely uncomfortable gaze. He frowned and looked in the direction of the Earthfire Sect. There was a effeminate-looking man, his narrow eyes fixed on Song Changsheng, gleaming with hatred.
Song Changsheng's long-dormant memories were instantly reawakened. He thought, “Isn't that Chang Tianhua? He's also condensed his Dao Foundation?”
Back then, after he defeated Chang Tianhua, he had secretly injected a trace of fire qi into his body. As long as he cultivated, his Dantian would suffer excruciating pain, gradually crippling him.
Now it seemed his method hadn't worked, and his cultivation hadn't fallen behind.
“He probably used some treasure given by his sect master father,” Song Changsheng didn't pay too much attention to it. This guy was his defeated opponent back then, and it was even more so now.
Seeing Song Changsheng glance at him and then close his eyes, Chang Tianhua almost exploded on the spot. He felt completely disregarded.
“Damn bastard, this young master will make your life a living hell this time!”
Chang Tianhua's teeth gnashed. Whenever he thought of the moments of humiliation and the pain he suffered during cultivation, he wished he could skin Song Changsheng alive, fill his hide with straw, and whip his corpse ten thousand times!
“Senior Brother, that guy once humiliated me. I know you secretly like Sixth Senior Sister. Help me take him out, and I'll help you achieve your heart's desire,” Chang Tianhua transmitted to a thin man beside him, speaking viciously.
The thin man trembled all over and said in a deep voice, “That would be breaking the rules.”
Chang Tianhua showed a sinister smile and said, “It's not like no one has died in the secret realm. What's wrong with one more death? I'll bear all consequences.”
“But…” The thin man hesitated greatly. He was the strongest among the Earthfire Sect's younger generation and had a very high chance of obtaining the Stalactite Spiritual Liquid this time. He didn't want to cause any trouble.
Seeing the other party still hesitating, Chang Tianhua said ominously, “Senior Brother, you better think carefully. Father dotes on me the most. All I need is one word, and you can forget about getting a Foundation Establishment Pill for the rest of your life.
But if you follow my plan, not only will Sixth Senior Sister be yours, but you'll also get a share of the Foundation Establishment Pill in the future, and plenty of cultivation resources. One last time, are you in or not?!”
Facing this undisguised threat, a hint of anger flashed in the thin man's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by powerlessness. Although he was exceptionally talented, he came from a humble background and had no backing within the sect.
He and Chang Tianhua were like heaven and earth. He didn't dare to gamble on whether Chang Tianhua was telling the truth or lying. Faced with his threat, he could only yield.
Chang Tianhua revealed a smug smile, staring at Song Changsheng fiercely and saying, “This time, I'll make you pay back tenfold!”
(Chapter End)