Song Changsheng's pupils widened until they glowed with intense light. He spoke eagerly, "This thing… it can repair Grandfather's damaged life essence?"
The most critical issue with Song Xianming's injuries was that his life essence had been damaged a condition extremely difficult to heal. Over the years, the entire Song clan had exhausted every possible effort, yet they still hadn't found a spiritual item capable of mending his essence.
Even when they sought help from the main bloodline, the response was the same: nothing could be done.
Of course, it wasn't that a prestigious Golden Core clan like theirs didn't have the means. It was simply that the Wangyue Song branch was no longer worthy of that help.
They had long given up hope yet now, against all odds, they had found a glimmer of light in the darkness.
"If this is what we think it is, we'll no longer have to fear the Lieyang Sect," said Song Luhuai, his gaze fixed on the Wood Essence Jade Marrow in Xia Yunxue's hands, eyes full of excitement. "And if Big Brother can break through to the Purple Mansion stage, we might even stand on equal footing with them!"
Song Xianming was already over two hundred years old, which made him quite elderly for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But as long as his damaged life essence could be restored, his age wouldn't stop him from trying to break through to the next realm.
Foundation Establishment cultivators were fundamentally different from Qi Refining ones. A Qi Refining cultivator's vital energy would begin to decline rapidly after the age of sixty, significantly reducing the chance of breaking through. That's why the earlier one laid their foundation, the better the odds of success.
But for Foundation Establishment cultivators, breaking through to Purple Mansion depended more on talent and comprehension, rather than physical condition.
As long as life continues, the path of Dao never ends. As long as one still draws breath, they can keep trying.
Song Xianming's talent was beyond question, and he had already attempted the breakthrough before. If given another chance, he had a real shot at reaching the Purple Mansion Realm, gaining another three hundred years of lifespan.
At that point, sects like the Earthfire Sect and the Lieyang Sect would no longer be threats.
So naturally, they were overjoyed.
"This item is of utmost importance. We must not let even a hint of this leak," Xia Yunxue said seriously. "Once we're done here, I'll deliver it to Father personally."
"Understood!"
Given how great their harvest had been, Song Changsheng and the others silently sped up their work. They harvested all the mature spiritual herbs and sowed new seeds in their place.
The accompanying spirit farmers then transplanted the rare plants such as the Foundation Fruit Tree and Red Jade Vermilion Fruit, after which the group exited the barrier.
Before leaving, Song Changsheng set up a concealment formation at the entrance to the barrier to hide the presence of the Wood Spirit Vein and then notified Song Xianhe to resume mining operations.
Although Song Xianhe had his suspicions, he was a clever man. He understood the line between what he should and shouldn't know, so he simply carried out orders, organizing the miners to return to work as though nothing had happened.
After leaving the Chiyun Iron Vein, the group returned to the family estate at top speed and immediately convened a high-level clan meeting.
All the elders except for Song Lutong who was stationed in the mortal world attended, including Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, Song Luyao, Song Luhuai, Xia Yunxue, and Song Changsheng.
Aside from the Wood Essence Jade Marrow, Song Changsheng gave a full account of their other discoveries, which immediately sent the room into a wave of excitement.
It was as if a fortune had dropped straight from the heavens, leaving everyone stunned. A second-rank Wood Spirit Vein!
"Young Clan Leader not only killed a Lieyang Sect elder, but also seriously injured Qu Jinsheng, and on top of that discovered such a priceless treasure for the clan. Truly, he is a man of immense fortune. The revival of our clan may be closer than we ever imagined!" said one of the elders, stroking his beard with emotion.
"Indeed. To achieve such a feat right after breaking through to Foundation Establishment… even the Clan Leader back then couldn't compare."
Song Changsheng quickly stood and said, "Elder flatters me. Compared to Grandfather, this junior's accomplishments are nothing."
"Alright, let's set aside the compliments for now," another elder said seriously. "We need to discuss our clan's future relationship with the Li Clan. With this second-rank Wood Spirit Vein, we're bound to come into conflict with them. Should our current cooperation continue, or should we reconsider?"
Song Xianyun lightly tapped his fingers on the table, frowning as he asked everyone present,
"So, how do we deal with the Li Clan from this point forward?"
Spiritual herbs were the economic lifeline of the Li Clan. Although the Song Clan's newly acquired Wood Spirit Vein was much smaller in scale, it still posed a serious threat to the Li Clan it could potentially shake the very foundation of their power.
And when core interests are involved, even blood brothers might turn against each other. So much for "centuries-old allies" that meant nothing in the face of profit and survival.
Thus, how to manage the relationship with the Li Clan became the most pressing issue. After all, the two clans were still cooperating on multiple fronts.
The clan's upper council deliberated for several hours before finally deciding: that they would maintain the current relationship with the Li Clan for now. Once the new Wood Spirit Vein had entered a stable production cycle, they would reassess the situation.
After all, until the Song Clan had another Purple Mansion cultivator, they still needed to rely on the Li Clan's strength to balance against the Earthire Sect and its allies.
After the meeting, Song Luzhou unceremoniously requested two of the Red Jade Vermilion Fruits from Song Changsheng to refine Ascension Dragon Pills.
The remaining one was kept by Song Changsheng as his reward, which he had rightly earned.
On the Summit of Vastness, inside the Hall of Cloudwards.
Song Xianming gazed at the Wood Essence Jade Marrow in his hand. For the first time in a long while, a flicker of astonishment appeared on his usually calm and expressionless face. He tried absorbing a sliver of it and suddenly burst into joyful laughter.
"Excellent! Excellent! The heavens have not forsaken my path!"
"Grandfather, does it work?" Song Changsheng asked, full of anticipation.
"It certainly does," Song Xianming nodded, his deeply wrinkled face lighting up with a rare smile. "Once I fully absorb it, I'll be able to restore my damaged life essence."
This was no small matter it was equivalent to being granted a second chance at life.
"That's wonderful news! Once Grandfather restores his essence, our clan will have another Purple Mansion master!" Song Changsheng said joyfully.
"It's too early to celebrate," Song Xianming waved his hand. "To fully absorb this, it will take at least ten years."
Ten years wasn't a long time for a Foundation Establishment cultivator but for someone like Song Xianming, already over two hundred years old, it would be a difficult and drawn-out period.
But still, there was hope ahead. Unlike before, when the future was bleak and the end clearly in sight, now there was a road forward.
"Grandfather, please focus on your closed-door cultivation. I will guard the clan with everything I have," Song Changsheng said solemnly.
"With all of you here, I'm at ease," Song Xianming nodded with a smile, and then began his secluded cultivation with the Wood Essence Jade Marrow in hand…
After everything settled down, Song Changsheng returned to his courtyard and began cultivating the Five Beasts Body Refining Art. The breathing technique passed down by the Earth Dragon Clan was truly mysterious, and over the past few days, Song Changsheng had felt his strength increasing rapidly.
He also made time to train in a spear technique. Although the Soul-Slaying Gourd was powerful, its post-use cooldown left him without offensive options for a considerable time.
During that window, unless he activated the Yin-Yang Duality Array, his combat capability dropped significantly.
Thankfully, the Water-Cleaving Spear once wielded by Zhang Chenlong felt just right in his hands. With proper training, it could become his primary offensive weapon, while the Soul-Slaying Gourd would be reserved as a trump card.
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