An hour before the secret realm was set to close, Song Changsheng, who had already finished meditating and restoring his energy, arrived at a steady pace to reunite with Song Luping and the others.
The moment he appeared, the members of the Qiu Clan and Earthfire Sect immediately shot to their feet, eyes filled with disbelief and shock.
Faces lit up with joy among Song Luping's group as they quickly rushed over to greet him.
"Where did you go? We've been trying to contact you, but you never responded," Song Luping pulled him aside and asked with concern.
"Yeah, and I noticed that the Earthfire Sect and Qiu Clan seem to be missing people. Is that… related to you?" Song Luyue glanced toward the distance and whispered.
Song Changsheng gave an almost imperceptible nod and replied softly, "It's not convenient to explain here. I'll tell you everything once we're out."
The group exchanged knowing looks and tacitly dropped the subject. Only Song Lutong was left in the dark, scratching his head in confusion. He threw an arm around Song Changsheng's shoulder and grinned widely, his eyes gleaming. "Changsheng, do you know who got the Stalactite Spirit Liquid this time?"
This guy couldn't keep a secret to save his life. Seeing how excited he was, Song Changsheng could already guess the outcome but still played along. "Who was it?"
"Someone close by, yet seemingly far away," Song Lutong puffed out his chest proudly, confidence written all over his face it was practically a confession.
Song Changsheng decided to tease him and feigned surprise, "So it was Aunt Luyue?"
Song Lutong's face instantly turned green. His thick arm tightened around Song Changsheng's neck as he shouted, "What the hell, kid? Open your eyes! Your uncle's standing right in front of you and you don't even recognize me?"
"Ohh, so it was you, Uncle! Congratulations, congratulations," Song Changsheng acted as if he had just realized it and quickly cupped his hands in salute.
"Come on, that's way too half-hearted," Song Lutong said, glaring at him in mock anger.
Song Changsheng chuckled. He was genuinely happy. Even though he didn't get the treasure himself, it was a good thing it hadn't fallen into someone else's hands.
He found a spot to sit cross-legged and waited quietly with the others for the exit of the secret realm to open.
"How could he possibly come back alive? That's impossible…" Among the remaining three Earthfire Sect members, the oldest a middle-aged cultivator stared at Song Changsheng, suspicion and unease flickering in his eyes.
The Qiu Clan disciples also kept glancing toward the Earthfire Sect. They all knew Qiu Wengui had left with the young sect master of the Earthfire Sect.
Disciples from other factions began whispering among themselves, occasionally pointing at the Earthfire Sect and Qiu Clan.
"Uncle Zhong… the senior brother and young sect master still haven't shown up. Could they have…" One Earthfire Sect disciple turned to the middle-aged cultivator at the front, face pale as he asked.
Uncle Zhong's eyes flared. He snapped back angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? With the strength of Brother Zhang and the young sect master, who could harm them?"
The two disciples immediately shrank back and didn't dare speak again.
As time passed, the three Earthfire Sect members grew more and more restless. They kept trying to contact Chang Tianhua and Zhang Zhiyuan through their communication jades, constantly peering toward the cave entrance, hoping to see the two arrive late.
But they were destined to be disappointed.
Minute by minute passed, and even by the final half hour, the other three never appeared and couldn't be reached.
All signs pointed to one conclusion: they had likely met with misfortune.
At last, the Earthfire Sect couldn't hold it in anymore. Uncle Zhong stood up, glaring straight at Song Changsheng as he shouted angrily, "You brat from the Song Clan! What did you do to our young sect master?!"
The Qiu Clan members rose as well, coldly adding, "And our clan's twin prodigies Qiu Wengui with them. The Song Clan had better give us an explanation."
The sudden movements of both clans drew everyone's attention. All conversations and speculations came to a halt as people quickly stepped back, adopting a bystander's posture.
Faced with their accusations, Song Changsheng didn't even lift an eyelid, clearly not intending to respond at all.
Instead, Song Lutong suddenly shot to his feet, pointing at Uncle Zhong's nose and cursing loudly, "Watch your damn mouth, you Earthfire dog! Your little punk's missing and you're trying to throw the blame on my nephew?
Your boys ain't innocent maidens what, you think they went on a date with him or something?"
Uncle Zhong was so enraged that he felt like his soul was about to leave his body completely beside himself with fury. Never before had anyone dared to insult him like this.
"Song Lutong, don't you think you're being a bit too harsh with your words? Someone's gone missing we're just asking for an explanation," a square-faced middle-aged man from the Qiu Clan stepped forward and said in a deep voice.
"Explanation? Are you all blind, deaf, or dead? Someone's missing and you come demanding answers from us? Have you no shame?" Song Lutong lashed out fiercely, unfazed even though he was outnumbered.
Uncle Zhong's face was as dark as ink. Ignoring the enraged Song Lutong, he turned his gaze toward Song Changsheng at the back and barked, "Boy from the Song Clan, I'll ask you one more time where is our young master?"
Song Luping stepped forward, his tone icy. "You keep insisting your young master's disappearance has something to do with my nephew do you have any evidence?"
"Exactly! Don't spout nonsense without proof. My nephew's just a kid you think he could take out all three of them on his own? That's absolute bullshit!" Song Lutong crossed his arms and cursed without holding back, showing no regard for saving face.
"I think the members of the Song Clan have a fair point. Friends from the Qiu Clan and the Earthfire Sect, if you're going to make accusations, you'd better have some proof."
From the Wang Clan's side, a young woman in a black long dress stood up and said calmly.
"Wang Qianqian, don't stir up trouble!" a Qiu Clan disciple snapped at her, glaring furiously.
Wang Qianqian gave them a sidelong glance and replied coolly, "I merely stated the obvious. Why get so worked up?"
"She's right. The medicine gardens of your two clans are far away from the Song Clan's completely different directions. They wouldn't even have crossed paths." From the Li Clan's group, Li Hengzong stepped forward, gently fanning himself as he spoke.
The Earthfire Sect disciples turned red with anger. One of them blurted out without thinking, "Our young master and senior brother went in there specifically for Song Changsheng. Now he's come out perfectly fine, and our young master is missing who else could've done it if not him?"
The moment those words were spoken, it was like a stone thrown into a still lake causing ripples everywhere. Everyone turned their eyes to the Earthfire disciple who had spoken, and the entire cave instantly fell silent.
The disciple immediately realized he'd said something he shouldn't have, and panic rose within him.
Uncle Zhong glared at him with a face twisted in rage, clearly wanting to slap the idiot to death. How could he bring something like that up openly?
"Daoist Zhong, I think you owe us in the Song Clan an explanation. Over the years in the secret realm, we've always kept things civil, yet you sent people to ambush my nephew. Do you think the Song Clan is to be trifled with?"
Song Luping's voice echoed through the cave-like thunder, his expression sharp and fierce.
Immediately, Song Lutong and Song Luoyue stepped forward, each summoning their magical artifacts, clearly ready to fight at a moment's notice. Though Song Chang'an hadn't moved, the sword in his arms had already slid an inch from its sheath, its glow flashing ominously.
"You broke the rules, Daoist Zhong." Wang Qianqian and Li Hengzong stepped up with their followers as well. Tension filled the air like gunpowder.
"Friends, let's calm down. I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding. Why don't we let our elders handle it once we leave the secret realm?" Someone from the Yu Clan stepped in to smooth things over, giving Uncle Zhong a look as he spoke.
"Hmph!" Uncle Zhong snorted coldly and said no more. The current situation was unfavorable if a fight broke out, they'd be at a major disadvantage, especially with three key members already missing.
"The exit's open!" someone suddenly shouted.
"Everyone, the portal will only stay open for half a quarter-hour. Let's not waste time any grievances can be settled later."
The atmosphere eased slightly, and people began lining up to leave in the order they came.
As soon as Song Changsheng emerged from the secret realm, he reported everything that had happened to Song Xianyun in full detail holding nothing back. After all, the three people he'd killed were no small fry.
"What?!" Song Xianyun was shocked. Even the joy of hearing that Song Lutong had obtained Stalactite Spirit Liquid was overshadowed.
"We need to leave Chang Wudao is probably almost here," Song Xianyun said in a low voice, his expression growing serious. Chang Wudao's only son is dead there's no way he'll let this slide.
He summoned his flying vessel with a wave of his hand and called for everyone to get aboard, preparing to leave immediately.
But just then, a figure stepped in front of the vessel, blocking their way.
Though anxious, Song Xianyun kept his expression calm as still water. "Daoist Li, what's the meaning of this?"
Li Tiancheng had already heard the full account from Uncle Zhong and the others, and with the sect leader on his way, there was no way he'd let the Song Clan leave. Smiling, he replied, "I heard there was a little misunderstanding among the juniors. Since all six clans are allied, it's best to resolve such things quickly to avoid lasting bad blood. Don't you agree, Daoist Song?"
Song Xianyun's face darkened. "Move."
"I insist, Daoist Song please stay and help clear things up," Li Tiancheng continued to smile, but beneath his sleeve, he was already secretly preparing a spell.
"Get lost!"
Song Xianyun struck first, and the two clashed in mid-air. Dust flew and spiritual energy surged wildly as they fought.
Though Li Tiancheng was powerful, Song Xianyun held the upper hand in cultivation and quickly gained the advantage, pressing the attack.
Some Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yu and Qiu Clans tried to step in but were quietly blocked by the Wang and Li Clans' cultivators.
Before long, Li Tiancheng was coughing up blood and forced to retreat. Song Xianyun made no move to chase him, instead steering the flying vessel swiftly away.
Not even half an hour after they left, Chang Wudao arrived at the Wutong Mountains, his presence so overwhelming it sent flocks of birds scattering in panic.
Uncle Zhong, trembling, recounted everything that had transpired. But as he looked up, he met the gaze of Chang Wudao cold and merciless to the extreme.
"M–Master… please forgive me…" Uncle Zhong stammered, his heart filled with dread.
Chang Wudao placed a hand on the top of his head. With a gentle shock of spiritual force, Uncle Zhong's heart vessels burst he dropped dead on the spot.
The two remaining disciples were so terrified they fell to their knees, sobbing and kowtowing in desperation…
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