The Three-Eyed Crow fell straight to the ground. Though its body remained completely intact, its soul had already been shredded to pieces by the Soul-Slaying Blade.
After the crow was slain, the blade silently returned to the gourd. Song Changsheng could faintly sense that its aura had grown just a little stronger.
"In Senior He's artifact-refining legacy, it says that the Soul-Slaying Blade grows stronger with every soul it cuts down. Looks like that's true... though the increase is a bit too subtle," Song Changsheng murmured thoughtfully as he put the gourd away.
"Wow, Little Uncle is amazing!" Song Qingxi's big eyes sparkled with admiration.
Song Changsheng smiled and picked up the Three-Eyed Crow. "It's just a little beast. Now we can"
Before he could finish, the communication jade at his waist began to vibrate. He raised an eyebrow. What timing... I just came out of seclusion.
He channeled a thread of spiritual energy into the jade, and a bold, hearty voice rang out: "I'm out of seclusion! Quick, bring me some good wine to celebrate!"
Song Changsheng's eyes lit up with joy. That was Song Lutong's voice it meant he had succeeded.
"Little Uncle?" Song Qingxi tilted her head in confusion.
"It's good news. I need to head back to Cangmang Peak," Song Changsheng said with delight.
"Alright..." The little girl pouted, clearly disappointed.
After dropping her off, Song Changsheng hurried back to Cangmang Peak.
He went straight to Song Lutong's residence. As soon as they saw each other, Lutong pulled him into a bear hug so tight it gave Song Changsheng goosebumps. He shivered and joked, "What, are you into men?"
As expected, Song Lutong let go immediately, rolling his eyes. "You wish. I'm just happy, alright?"
After a few more jokes and pleasantries, the two of them sat in the courtyard. Song Changsheng could sense the powerful spiritual energy flowing through Lutong's body. Enviously, he cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Uncle. Stepping into Foundation Establishment adds over a hundred years of life makes me quite jealous."
Normally, Qi Refining cultivators have a lifespan of around 120 years. Foundation Establishment doubled that to 240, and Purple Mansion cultivators lived up to 500 years.
Song Lutong wasn't even forty yet, which made him a very young Foundation Establishment cultivator. If nothing unexpected happened, he had nearly two centuries ahead of him. How could that not be enviable?
But Song Lutong just waved his hand and gave a wry smile. "It was a close call. Surviving the Three Gates of Foundation Establishment is no joke I almost left 200 pounds of meat behind."
Song Changsheng fell silent. Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment required a complete transformation of spiritual energy, body, and soul the so-called Three Gates. Each gate was perilous, and many had perished trying. Lutong had truly been fortunate.
Sensing the mood shift, Song Lutong changed the subject. "Enough of that. Do you have any wine? I've been dying for a drink."
"I only have some first-grade spirit wine. Hope that'll do for now," Song Changsheng said with a smile, pulling out a jar the size of a human head.
He slapped off the clay seal, and a rich aroma immediately wafted out, making both their mouths water.
Song Lutong's eyes lit up. He licked his lips. "If this is made by Sister-in-law herself, how could it be anything but amazing?"
Without another word, he snatched the jar and started chugging like a man possessed, as if afraid Song Changsheng might try to take it back.
Song Changsheng couldn't help but laugh. He uncorked the gourd at his waist and sipped leisurely, far more refined in comparison.
The two of them drank and chatted under the open sky laughing, cursing, and swapping stories in high spirits.
Neither used spiritual energy to neutralize the alcohol and before long, both were a little drunk.
Just as Song Changsheng was feeling drowsy, something suddenly startled him awake. He looked up and saw three streaks of sword light flash across the sky, heading into the distance.
He immediately sobered up and slapped Song Lutong, who was still clutching the wine jar. "Uncle, look!"
Lutong blinked and glanced up. The moment he saw, he also snapped awake and exclaimed, "That's Uncle Twenty-One and the others! What's with this show of force has the Earthfire Sect launched an attack? I have to check it out!"
He stepped forward, and a broad sword appeared beneath his feet. In the next moment, he shot into the sky like a rainbow.
As the sword lights vanished into the horizon, a sense of foreboding weighed heavy on Song Changsheng's heart.
He didn't know exactly what had happened, but anyone with eyes could tell it was serious. How many Foundation Establishment cultivators did their family have? With even the ones on Cangmang Peak mobilized aside from Song Xianming it was a full deployment.
They hadn't acted in secret, either. Everyone saw the family's Foundation Establishment cultivators leave. With a bit of stirring from ill-intentioned individuals, rumors quickly spread like wildfire, and fear began to grow among the clanspeople.
With the clan leader in seclusion and the elders all absent, the rumors only intensified.
Fortunately, the Law Enforcement Hall responded swiftly. Under the leadership of several stewards, enforcement squads quickly secured all critical areas and began arresting those spreading malicious rumors.
The enforcers, trained to act without hesitation, maintained order despite the lack of central leadership. Their coordination soon brought the chaos under control and even uncovered a few hidden traitors with ulterior motives.
On the surface, things calmed down. But Song Changsheng still felt something stirring beneath it all something he couldn't see.
A storm was coming. Of that, he was sure.
In a dimly lit secret chamber, an elderly man with a frail, withered appearance sat atop a high-backed chair, gazing at the middle-aged man before him. "Our people didn't give themselves away, did they?"
"Reporting to Father," the middle-aged man replied respectfully, "with your strict orders in place, none of our people got involved. Those arrested by the Enforcement Squad all belonged to the other families."
The old man gave a slight nod, holding a teacup as he stared off in thought. When he noticed the middle-aged man looking hesitant to speak, he frowned and asked, "What is it you want to say?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and said, "Father, you have partial control over the clan's protective array. If you coordinated with the Earthfire Sect, there's a good chance we could take Cangmang Peak in one strike and fulfill your long-cherished wish. Why are you holding back?"
The old man didn't respond right away. He simply stared at him in silence, until sweat began to bead on the man's forehead. Only then did the elder speak slowly: "Lusheng… do you know why I've remained safe and sound all these years?"
Without waiting for an answer, he stood up and turned his gaze to a memorial portrait hanging on the wall. His voice turned cold: "Because I have a keen sense for danger."
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