Chapter 24: Rumors

"The last matter this beast attacks in the mortal realm is undoubtedly connected to the Earthfire Sect. They're probably the ones behind it. 

If we swallow this insult without a response, our family's influence in Lingzhou will decline. I say it's time we hit back hard," a long-bearded elder said angrily. 

"Naturally. I plan to negotiate with the Li Clan next and reduce the Earthfire Sect's share of our elixir and ore supplies. That should give them a taste of their own medicine," Song Luzhou said with a smirk, rubbing his smooth chin. 

"Excellent." 

Everyone present nodded in agreement. Being able to retaliate without shedding blood was the ideal strategy. In Lingzhou, the Song Clan feared no one when it came to foundation and heritage. 

"Very well, then today's clan meeting ends here. We must gather spirit stones quickly, so I hope everyone will take this seriously." 

"We shall spare no effort!" 

..... 

The clan's reward announcement came out together with a notice about collecting spirit stones. 

Purchasing Foundation Establishment Pills was a matter of great importance to everyone in the clan. All members of the Song Clan understood that only when the clan became stronger would they gain better cultivation resources and walk with their heads held high! 

As such, everyone contributed generously, offering up part of their savings, more or less. 

Having recently been promoted to a Purple Mansion seed, Song Changsheng also donated 2,000 spirit stones. After that, he was left with only a few hundred and had to put some of his original plans on hold for the time being. 

Still, he had no regrets. Born into this clan, he was willing to give for it. 

What Song Changsheng didn't expect, however, was that his generous contribution would stir up a storm within the clan. 

Some began to question how a mere Qi Refining cultivator like Song Changsheng could produce so many spirit stones. Was someone in the clan abusing their authority for personal gain? 

Though no names were mentioned, it was obvious that the accusations were aimed at Xia Yunxue. 

Fortunately, Song Xianyun personally stepped forward to quash the rumors. He gave a full report of what had happened during the trial, clearly explaining the source of Song Changsheng's spirit stones. 

With the Grand Elder's endorsement, the discordant voices vanished immediately but careless words often come at a cost. 

That very day, the Enforcement Team arrested several individuals who had been fanning the flames behind the scenes. Upon digging deeper, they discovered these people were spies planted by rival families. 

What began as a rumor unexpectedly led to the uncovering of several enemy agents a pleasant surprise, to say the least. 

The clan acted with remarkable speed. From the moment the rumors began to the arrest of the spies, only a few hours passed. Song Changsheng, caught at the center of the storm, didn't even know what had happened until the clan's official notice was laid before him. 

Song Changsheng wasn't bothered by what others said about him but what he couldn't tolerate was anyone slandering his mother behind his back. 

The clan's swift and decisive handling of the matter moved him deeply. It clearly showed how much they valued and protected both him and his mother. 

He thought the matter was over. But it turned out there was more to come. 

News of him capturing the Earthfire Sect's young master alive, and standing off against Foundation Establishment cultivators, began to spread. Combined with his selfless donation to the clan, Song Changsheng's reputation soared. 

He was starting to feel like a true Young Clan Leader... 

.... 

On the Misty Peak, beside the Hanging Mirror Lake 

Song Luoyao was respectfully reporting the rumored incident to Song Xianming. 

Holding a fishing rod, his face calm, Song Xianming said, "Anything that threatens the unity of the clan must be taken with the utmost seriousness. 

I don't believe a few petty pawns are behind this. Keep digging I want to know who's stirring up trouble in the shadows." 

A glint of frost flashed in Song Luoyao's eyes. "You think that traitor has started moving again?" 

"Once you investigate, everything will come to light," Song Xianming replied, his voice tinged with killing intent. 

"Yes, sir." 

Dark undercurrents began to stir within the clan. 

..... 

Song Changsheng was still unaware that his grandfather had come out of seclusion, let alone the secret meeting between Song Luoyao and him. At the moment, he was focused on planning his next steps. 

"My artifact crafting skills have fallen far behind my formation studies. I need to do something about it maybe take on a few forging tasks," Song Changsheng thought to himself. 

He set out for the Contribution Hall, which was not only the place to exchange contribution points for resources but also the center where clan missions were issued. 

There were all kinds of missions posted there, covering various categories and ranked by difficulty. 

After browsing through the listings, Song Changsheng eventually chose a long-term position managing one of the clan's shops, which was located in the only official marketplace in Lingzhou Liuyun Market. 

Liuyun Market was a cultivator trading hub jointly managed by the six major Foundation Establishment clans. Besides these powers, there were dozens of Qi Refining-level factions and countless rogue cultivators coming and going from across Lingzhou. 

The market housed over a thousand permanent residents and saw even more traders passing through. Any shop established there was bound to be lucrative. 

The shop Song Changsheng would be stationed at mainly dealt in magical artifacts, and it just so happened that they were currently short an artifact crafter making him the perfect fit. 

Jobs like this usually paid handsomely and offered a great chance to improve one's forging skills, so Song Changsheng accepted without hesitation. 

However, the task did present a challenge: it was long-term and required him to stay until a new artifact crafter could take over. 

That raised a problem what about Little Azure Mountain? 

Even setting aside the spirit fish that had yet to break through, he couldn't just abandon the Spirit-Gathering Formation or the Mistveil Tea. He needed someone to take his place. 

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in his head two perfect candidates came to mind: Song Qingxi and Song Qingxing. 

Song Qingxing, in particular, was a bit of a loner who preferred to cultivate in isolation. Sending him to the island at the heart of the lake would be ideal remote but safe, and with the Spirit-Gathering Formation, it wouldn't hinder his cultivation at all. It was practically tailor-made for someone like him. 

Best of all, it would reduce the risk of his Wind Spirit Root being exposed. Talk about killing multiple birds with one stone! 

"I'm a genius," Song Changsheng muttered to himself shamelessly. 

He submitted his proposal, and to his surprise, it was approved. 

But it wasn't just the two of them who would be going Fourth Elder Song Luhuai would be accompanying them as well. 

Besides protecting the "precious gem" that was Song Qingxing, another key reason was that, among all the remaining elders, Song Luhuai had the best relationship with him. Taking him along was also intended to help temper his personality. 

Song Changsheng didn't mind. After all, the only personal assets he was leaving behind were the Spirit-Gathering Formation and the Mistveil Tea. He trusted Song Luhuai's character well enough. 

With the major issues resolved, Song Changsheng made thorough preparations and then set off for Liuyun Market. 

Located in the Liuyun Mountains, north of the Wangyue Range, the market was several thousand kilometers from Cangmang Peak. Even at his fastest pace, it would take him a few days to get there. 

After pushing hard for three straight days, Song Changsheng finally reached the Liuyun Mountains by midday on the third day. And there, at the foot of the mountains, lay the sprawling Liuyun Market… 

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