The Song Clan had just produced two new Foundation Establishment cultivators, increasing their number from six to eight. This allowed them to surpass the Earthfire Sect in terms of Foundation Establishment strength, firmly maintaining their dominance in the region.
As the saying goes, "Joy brings vitality." Lately, Song Xianyun had been walking with his head held high, commanding the clan members at the ceremony venue with great enthusiasm.
Second Elder Song Luzhou had laid out the spirit fruits, spirit fish, and various dishes he had long prepared. He had truly spared no expense for this Foundation Establishment ceremony.
Fourth Elder Song Luhuai stood at the foot of the mountain with several clan elders, welcoming the guests. The banquet was a grand affair. In addition to the other five Foundation Establishment powers, nearly a hundred Qi Refining sects and many rogue cultivators from Lingzhou were invited even some cultivators from beyond Lingzhou attended.
Nearly three hundred people participated in the event, including over thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators, encompassing the majority of such experts in Lingzhou.
Naturally, no one came empty-handed. Most brought gifts such as magical tools, pills, or talismans not especially valuable, but still respectful.
Only the other five major Foundation Establishment powers were generous with their gifts. Among them, the Wang and Li Clans were the most extravagant. The Li Clan, which almost monopolized the low-tier spiritual herb market in Lingzhou, flaunted its wealth by presenting a large batch of spirit herbs.
The Wang Clan, closely tied to the Song Clan through generations of intermarriage and as close as brothers, gifted a lower-grade tier-two magical artifact.
Even the Yu and Qiu Clans, who were often at odds with the Song Clan, sent expensive gifts. The Earthfire Sect, despite their recent public fallout with the Song Clan, still maintained decorum by sending Li Tiancheng to deliver a bottle of lower-grade tier-two spirit pills.
While the six major powers maintained a façade of cordiality, the atmosphere among the rest of the guests was lively and cheerful.
The actual Foundation Establishment ceremony was simple and concluded quickly without incident formal and uneventful.
But everyone present knew the ceremony was merely an appetizer. The real spectacle was yet to come.
As expected, once the banquet was in full swing and the wine had flowed freely, Li Tiancheng slowly stood up, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said with a smile:
"The Song Clan adding two Foundation Establishment cultivators in such a short time is truly a blessing for Lingzhou. Young Patriarch Song is remarkably talented and renowned across the region at such a young age, admired by many young cultivators. Coincidentally, our sect leader's distant nephew has also come today. He deeply admires the Young Patriarch and would like to respectfully ask for some guidance."
As he spoke, a young man in white robes stood up beside him. He looked around eighteen or nineteen, handsome and proud, with a powerful aura. His sharp gaze held an intimidating intensity.
He stepped forward, his robe fluttering slightly to reveal his Foundation Establishment cultivation. Looking coldly toward Song Changsheng, he said:
"Please grant me your guidance."
The moment he spoke, the crowd perked up clearly, someone had come to stir up trouble. Things just got interesting.
Song Xianyun's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly:
"I hadn't realized that Master Chang had such a talented nephew. Truly hidden talent."
Wang Qinghe, the Wang Clan Patriarch, chimed in with a chuckle:
"It's no surprise that Brother Song hasn't heard of him. Chang Wudao was a foundling taken in by the former Earthfire Sect leader. This young man must have only recently been acknowledged. Understandably, you wouldn't have known."
The guests all shared knowing smiles. A foundling like Chang Wudao suddenly having a 'distant nephew'? More likely this was a plant from the Lieyang Sect meant to provoke trouble.
Li Tiancheng, known for his cunning smile, continued sipping his wine as if nothing had happened, completely unbothered.
The challenger, however, couldn't keep his cool. He sneered at Song Changsheng:
"So this is the famous Young Patriarch of the Song Clan? Quite disappointing."
Song Lutong, who had a hot temper, immediately wanted to teach the brat a lesson. Just as he stood up, Song Changsheng stopped him with a hand.
"Don't stop me! I'm going to teach him a lesson myself today!" Song Lutong growled.
"Uncle, dealing with someone like him would be beneath your stature. Allow me to handle this," Song Changsheng said with a calm smile and stood up, walking toward the white-robed youth.
Song Xianyun transmitted a voice message in secret:
"I couldn't even sense his cultivation level despite him being under my nose this long. He's not simple. Are you confident?"
"I have it under control," Song Changsheng replied.
He approached the white-robed youth and gestured politely:
"Shall we take this to the dueling grounds?"
"Hmph." The youth scoffed and strode toward the dueling arena with disdain. Song Changsheng followed behind.
Having received a firm answer from his grandson, Song Xianyun's worries dissipated. He smiled and said:
"Esteemed guests, please join us to witness this exchange..."
The two arrived at the center of the dueling grounds.
Song Changsheng gave a courteous bow and said:
"Song Changsheng of the Song Clan. Please, enlighten me."
"Qi Feiyun. Remember the name for it will become your lifelong nightmare," Qi Feiyun declared arrogantly.
"Heh. Then show me what you've got," Song Changsheng replied with his hands behind his back, completely unfazed. He had seen his fair share of edgy youths and wasn't impressed.
"Hmph! Putting on airs!"
Qi Feiyun waved his sleeve, releasing twelve gleaming flying swords that formed a circle in the air. Sword energy whirled as they charged toward Song Changsheng with deadly intent.
"So it's a sword formation you've refined. No wonder you're so arrogant. But you've picked the wrong target today this isn't a place where you can throw your weight around!"
Song Changsheng showed no trace of panic as the sword formation rushed toward him. He casually extended his right hand and tapped the air lightly. Yin and Yang energies burst from his fingertip, forming a swirling black-and-white vortex in front of him.
The twelve flying swords slammed into the vortex as if they had hit a wall of solid bronze. They halted completely, emitting a chorus of humming vibrations.
Qi Feiyun's expression grew slightly serious as his hands rapidly formed new hand seals. A faint golden glow emerged along the blades of the twelve swords.
With a sharp crack, the black-and-white vortex shattered instantly.
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow and flicked his hand. Waves of water energy surged forth, sweeping all the flying swords back toward their owner.
"Sword Formation Execute!"
Qi Feiyun let out a thunderous shout. The twelve swords responded with a chorus of sharp, resonant hums. They whirled rapidly in midair, forming a ghostly image of a sword diagram. At that moment, the swords transformed into a true killing array, completely enveloping Song Changsheng.
The world around him blurred for a moment, and then he found himself within a space saturated with sword energy. Countless blades flickered in and out of sight, their killing intent overwhelming.
He activated his Protective Spirit Shield, defending against the raging sword energy, and said with a calm smile:
"An impressive Formless Sword Array. If all twelve of your swords were tier-two artifacts, I might be concerned.
Unfortunately, most of them are just top-grade tier-one swords they won't be enough to harm me."
"Eye of True Sight Open!"
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