Chapter 23: Weathering the Storm Together

Ancestor Song Taiyi of the Song family was once an outcast from the illustrious Golden Core clan known as the Song family of the Embroidered Banner. After being struck from the family register, he wandered in despair to Lingzhou, where he founded a new branch, styling himself as a collateral line of the Song clan. Yet, the Song family of the Embroidered Banner never truly acknowledged his claim. Song Taiyi’s greatest regret before his death was never regaining recognition from his ancestral line, and thus he died with unfulfilled longing. This regret was inherited by his descendants, who strove ceaselessly for the approval of their forebears. Yet all their efforts proved futile, for the lofty Golden Core clan refused even to cast a glance their way.

This situation persisted until a century ago, when though Song Yun Gui was gravely wounded, the Song family still retained the status of a Purple Mansion clan, renowned throughout the cultivation world of Great Qi. At the same time, the ancestral lineage suffered a catastrophic upheaval, resulting in devastating losses among their young and able-bodied members, leaving a gap between generations. Only then did the exalted Golden Core clan stoop to consider the scattered collateral branches. They sent envoys to Vast Peak, and, finding the family at its zenith, were well pleased and verbally acknowledged the collateral status of the Song family of Moonwatching.

With this return came a division of benefits and obligations. The benefit was that the ancestral line would periodically supply Foundation Establishment Pills and other precious cultivation resources to the collateral branch—naturally, for a price. Beyond this, no further advantages were offered. The obligations, however, were many. The chief among them was a tribute every ten years, which posed little burden to the family. But another requirement was critical: they had to send their most outstanding members back to the ancestral line, a non-negotiable condition, with envoys arriving periodically to handpick candidates.

Faced with such humiliating terms, the clan head Song Yun Han signed the agreement under immense pressure. The reason was simple: Song Yun Gui was about to pass away, and without this pillar, the other powers of Lingzhou would surely rise to challenge the family’s rule. The clan needed Foundation Establishment Pills to cultivate enough Foundation Establishment cultivators to maintain their standing. Yet they lacked the raw materials for these pills, always forced to buy them at high prices, with unstable supply. For the ancestral line, Foundation Establishment Pills were not rare, and their supply was steady. Thus, the unequal contract was signed—a reluctant compromise born of necessity.

In fact, this proved a wise decision; after Song Yun Gui’s passing, the family survived and even produced many Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, as the clan failed to produce new Purple Mansion cultivators, the ancestral line gradually lost interest; in recent years, not only did pill supplies dwindle, but even communication nearly ceased. This was the context for Song Luyao’s remarks at the meeting: their relationship was now purely transactional, written in ink as two separate Song characters. Without sufficient benefits, the main family would cast them aside without a second thought.

Song Xianyun sighed deeply and said, “That may be so, but it’s only speculation. We must still prepare spirit stones for five pills, at least one hundred fifty thousand. If unused, we’ll return them to everyone.” The assembly fell silent; such was the misery of lacking the materials for Foundation Establishment Pills…

Song Luyao spoke plainly, “I can contribute eighteen hundred.” The others generously offered all they had, and the family elders pooled nearly thirty thousand spirit stones; the rest would depend on the other clansmen.

“Let’s settle it then. Once we gather the spirit stones, we’ll deliver them to Lu Ke; whatever he secures, we’ll take,” Song Xianyun decided on the spot.

“Alas, we must trouble young Lu Ke once more. He’s been working for the family since childhood, having left home early, and still labors for us—it’s truly hard on him,” an elder lamented.

“His contributions will not be forgotten by the family. Should the main branch discover a path to the Purple Mansion, we’ll support him with all our might.

Now, let’s move to another matter. In the recent family trial, the Earthfire Sect…” Song Luyao recounted the events in detail.

A clan elder, delighted by the tale, declared, “Mother and child have rendered great service this time—they must be rewarded.”

“That child Changsheng is indeed remarkable,” Song Luzhou rarely praised Song Changsheng.

Song Luhuai and the other elders also spoke highly of Song Changsheng.

“Luyao, why not share the rest?” Song Xianyun knew Song Luyao’s intent was not simply to extol Song Changsheng.

“My friends, I wish to say that judging by Song Changsheng’s current talent and strength, it’s no longer appropriate to measure him merely by his spiritual roots.

Among the younger generation, his spiritual roots are not outstanding—in fact, they’re rather poor—yet he now stands as the foremost of the youth. Moreover, his temperament, courage, and innate talent are all exceptional. Therefore, I believe it’s time for the clan to choose a Young Clan Leader. This would not only affirm Song Changsheng, but also inspire the younger generation.”

Her words left everyone exchanging glances; none had expected this suggestion.

Song Luzhou smacked his lips. “Changsheng as Young Clan Leader? I think he’ll do. The boy is truly excellent.”

“I also have no objection. The clan hasn’t chosen a Young Clan Leader for nearly a hundred years. Selecting one now is meaningful for the youth,” Song Luhuai agreed.

Yet some elders voiced doubts: “A century ago, Ancestor Yunhan abolished the Young Clan Leader system to prevent any line from monopolizing power, which could split the clan into primary and collateral branches.

She was proven right; for a hundred years now, the clan has erased distinctions of legitimacy, maintaining unity throughout. Are we to regress now?”

“I think the opposite. Precisely because the clan no longer holds such distinctions, we should choose a Young Clan Leader anew.

But the method must change—not selecting from the Clan Leader’s descendants, but based on talent, temperament, and other qualities. Though Song Changsheng is the Clan Leader’s grandson, neither the Leader nor the Fifth Elder is present today, so it’s mere chance. The main reason is his excellence.

In future selections, we should use him as the standard, opening the choice to all eligible youth in the clan,” an elder proposed.

This argument persuaded the few dissenters; with such criteria, they found it acceptable.

“Ahem.” Song Xianyun cleared his throat and said with a wry smile, “No matter how heated our discussion, only the Clan Leader can decide. You know his temperament—he’s the staunchest supporter of Ancestor Yunhan, and even if he agrees to appoint a Young Clan Leader, he’s unlikely to choose Changsheng.

Still, I will bring this matter to him, and convey your views, though the outcome is uncertain.

However, I can decide to elevate him from Foundation Establishment seed to Purple Mansion seed status. That will be his reward.”

“Excellent.”

“Splendid.”

All were satisfied with this arrangement.

Thus, in a haze of confusion, Song Changsheng became one of the clan’s only two Purple Mansion seeds.

Why not the sole one? Because since Song Qingxing was found to possess an unusual spiritual root, he has always been the clan’s Purple Mansion seed.

…