Chapter 22: A Message from the Master’s Household

Song Changsheng scratched his head with an awkward grin. “I thought I’d been discreet enough, but you still found out.”

Just as Xia Yunxue had said, when he released Chang Tianhua, he had quietly infused a trace of fiery energy into his body. This spark would follow his meridians and invade his dantian and qi sea. When Chang Tianhua next cultivated, he would feel as though his dantian were ablaze with unbearable pain.

This fire was a special ability attached to the cultivation method Song practiced, and it could only be removed before it entered the dantian. Once it invaded, not even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could do anything, unless Chang Tianhua’s sect master father could find some rare treasure for him. Otherwise, his cultivation path would be crippled for life.

There was no denying that mother and son were cut from the same cloth—their methods equally ruthless. Such covert strikes might seem underhanded, but mercy toward an enemy was cruelty to oneself; it was merely a matter of perspective.

“These spirit stones are for your cultivation,” Xia Yunxue said, handing Song Changsheng the more than a thousand spirit stones gathered from the Earthfire Sect disciples.

He did not refuse; after all, they came from his mother, and his cultivation consumed vast resources—he was in dire need of these stones.

With that, Song Changsheng suddenly became a “wealthy man” with over two thousand spirit stones in his possession. Yet, as abundant as the sum appeared, it would be spent all too quickly. It was still far from enough to reach Foundation Establishment...

Not long after, the Third Elder, Song Luyao, hurried over. She had just slain a mid-tier second-rank demon beast and, sensing the clash of Foundation Establishment cultivators, rushed over immediately, worried that Xia Yunxue might be outmatched.

After Xia Yunxue explained the sequence of events, she returned to the mundane city—her proper place.

Once Xia Yunxue had departed, Song Luyao cast a glance at Song Changhu. “Your cultivation is lacking and your temperament reckless. Upon returning, you are to reflect on your actions in the rear mountains for a month.”

“Yes, Elder,” Song Changhu replied obediently, docile as a rabbit and accepting the punishment without complaint.

Song Luyao then looked to Song Changsheng. At last, her cold face softened a little. “You’ve done well. Your mother has raised an excellent son. Once the trial is over, I shall request a merit reward for you from the Grand Elder.”

“Thank you, Elder. This was only my duty,” Song Changsheng replied at once.

“Hmph, overly modest—just like your father.” Song Luyao snorted, then announced the end of the trial and instructed everyone to prepare to return to the family.

———

Three days later, in the family council hall.

The remaining elders and highly respected clan seniors were all gathered.

The seat of honor remained empty—Song Xianming had still not emerged from seclusion. For everyone present, this was not a good sign, especially since today’s family meeting was of critical importance.

The clan head’s absence could only mean his health was in grave condition.

“The hour has come. Let us begin,” said Grand Elder Song Xianyun, sweeping his gaze around the hall.

“Word has come from the Lu family—our main branch will soon be refining a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills. According to the agreement, we can obtain three to five pills. I believe the family must gather the spirit stones as quickly as possible, lest unforeseen changes arise,” declared a white-haired clan elder solemnly.

Song Xianyun turned his gaze to Song Luzhou, who wore a pained expression. “Luzhou, you oversee the family’s finances and the Hall of Arts. Tell me frankly—how many spirit stones can we muster?”

“Uncle Twenty-One, it’s not that I’m neglecting my duty, but the family simply doesn’t have much left. The trade route to Luoxia City has been cut off for years, costing us thousands of spirit stones annually. The demon hunt teams are down to just two, bringing in only a few hundred stones a year—barely worth mentioning. As for the spirit stone mine, we’ve ceded a tenth of the profits to those five families, losing several thousand stones more each year…”

Song Luzhou poured out his woes, painting a dire picture of the family’s finances, as though bankruptcy were imminent.

Bang!

A clan elder slammed the table, sprang to his feet, and glared at Song Luzhou, beard bristling with rage. “You rascal, you make the difficulties sound insurmountable! After all these years of careful management, you mean to say we have nothing? If so, you must be lining your own pockets!”

Song Luzhou shrank back, aggrieved. “Uncle, that’s most unjust!”

“Then how many spirit stones can you provide?”

“Ten thousand—at most ten thousand. Not a copper more,” Song Luzhou replied stiffly.

“Ten thousand? Is ten thousand enough for five Foundation Establishment Pills?” The elder pounded the table repeatedly.

Everyone hurried to calm him, fearing the century-old man might have a stroke from anger.

Once the elder had been soothed, Song Xianyun cleared his throat. “Luzhou, while the main branch is offering us a discounted price, each pill still costs at least thirty thousand spirit stones. Ten thousand is not enough. Is there any way to squeeze out more?”

Song Luzhou remained unmoved. “Unless we borrow from the entire clan, I can’t produce a coin more.”

Song Xianyun sighed deeply. He knew Luzhou spoke the truth; though stingy, he had never been careless with family affairs. If he said only ten thousand could be raised, it meant the finances had already been stretched to the limit.

———

“Prepare the announcement. I’ll swallow my pride and go borrow spirit stones from our clansmen,” Song Xianyun said in a low voice.

“I’ll contribute three hundred,” declared an elder, rising to his feet.

“I’ll give two hundred.”

“I offer four hundred.”

One after another, the clan elders stood, pledging all they could. They were only Qi Refining cultivators, and what they gave was nearly all they had.

“I’ll contribute three thousand,” Song Xianyun himself declared.

Song Luzhou, face contorted in pain, added, “I’ll give two thousand five hundred.”

When it came to Third Elder Song Luyao’s turn, her voice was cold. “Gentlemen, I believe it’s still too early to be raising funds.”

At her words, Song Luzhou jumped up. “Ninth Sister, I’ve even put up my funeral savings—don’t tell me you’re unwilling?”

Song Luyao shot him a sharp look. “Not everyone is as miserly as you. Uncle Twenty-One, I have my reasons.”

Song Xianyun nodded. “Explain.”

“The last time we obtained Foundation Establishment Pills from the main branch was eight years ago. We were supposed to receive six pills, but for various reasons, three were withheld. In the end, those three pills allowed both my sister-in-law and Twelfth Brother to achieve Foundation Establishment.

“We all know the reasons given by the main branch were mere excuses. In truth, those three pills were given to other branches. The reason is simple: after that battle, our clan head lost the chance to break through to the Purple Mansion stage, and our family suffered heavy losses. The main branch has lost its previous regard for us, for we have declined into a Foundation Establishment family.

“In other words, while we are supposed to receive up to five pills this time, in reality, it’s uncertain if we can even secure three. That’s all I have to say.”

Song Luyao’s words cast a shadow over all present, for the scenario she described was all too likely.

…