Chapter 1003
Let's go!
"It is an honor for the Song family that all of you fellow Daoists have come together. Please come in."
Even Song Changsheng, who personally delivered the invitations, was somewhat surprised by the impressive lineup that Wanxiang Palace had sent.
During this period, there were many things to do and a great deal to deal with. The Wanxiang Palace had to deal with far more than the Song family. Moreover, all the people he knew were pillars of the Wanxiang Palace, and their tasks were certainly very heavy.
It was with this in mind that he asked Master Jianxin to deliver the invitation for him. If he had delivered it in person, the significance would have been different, and it might have delayed their mission.
Unexpectedly, Jianxin, Lingxiao, Gu Xueying, Baili Yuntu, Liu Yunxuan, Caidie, and even Master Guhong all showed up, far exceeding his expectations.
Ling Xiao smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Originally, Ancestor Longxiang also planned to make a trip after receiving your invitation."
But the Palace Master said that the True Lord came in person for two reasons: first, he was worried that he would steal the limelight from you, the future leader of the Southwest Alliance; second, it was because of the long-standing ancestral teachings of our Myriad Elephants Palace that we would not intervene in the struggles of local forces unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, only we came.
However, the Dragon Elephant Patriarch left us with a message to convey to our fellow Daoists.”
"Please tell me, fellow Daoist." Song Changsheng quickly adopted a look of being all ears.
"The Patriarch told me to tell fellow Daoists to do things boldly and confidently, for everything is under the protection of the Myriad Manifestations Palace."
A warm feeling rose in Song Changsheng's heart. These words carried immense weight and were a genuine show of support for the Song family. He sincerely said, "Please convey my gratitude to True Monarch Longxiang for his support, Fellow Daoist Lingxiao. The entire Song family is deeply grateful."
Gu Xueying shook her head and said, "Alright, alright, let's stop with the pleasantries and go up the mountain first. If so many of us are blocking this way, people who don't know better will think we're here for revenge."
Only then did everyone realize that many eyes were watching them from the shadows.
Behind every gaze is a Golden Core cultivator. In the Southwest Nine Realms, there are a total of twenty-two Golden Core forces. Even if each force only sends one representative, there are still twenty-two Golden Core cultivators on this mountain. In addition, there are three Golden Core rogue cultivators who do not belong to any sect.
This group represented the Wanxiang Palace, and their overall strength was extremely luxurious. The moment they arrived, many people on the mountain really thought they were there to hold the Wanxiang Palace accountable. However, the group was chatting and laughing down the mountain, which extinguished the last bit of hope in the hearts of the few people.
"No wonder their attitude is so tough; it turns out they have the support of the Myriad Manifestations Palace," sighed Master Mingyu from the Drizzle Pavilion.
"The cultivators who came were all at least at the late Golden Core stage. The connection between the Song family and the Myriad Manifestations Palace is much deeper than we imagined." Hou Yu thought to himself, increasingly convinced that his previous advice was correct.
Among the nine realms of the southwest, only the Jade Dragon Cultivation Realm is the weakest, with only the Nine Profound Sect as a Golden Core power. If he and his master, both Golden Core cultivators, do not embrace the Song family, they will never have a chance to rise to prominence.
With the strong support of the Wanxiang Palace, the Song family is unlikely to encounter any major changes at this alliance meeting, and the attitudes of other forces are not even within his consideration.
In his view, since Song Changsheng dared to hold this alliance meeting, he must have been absolutely confident that he could suppress everyone present.
Although Song Changsheng was also a Golden Core cultivator, he had an inexplicable confidence in Song Changsheng.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and the atmosphere on Cangmang Peak gradually became more enthusiastic. More than thirty people, including representatives of various forces and invited guests, gathered in the Song Clan Council Hall to discuss the alliance meeting.
The scene appeared calm, but the private conversations among the people never stopped. However, all the conversations came to an abrupt end the moment Song Changsheng stepped into the council hall.
Everyone looked at this excessively young but incredibly powerful "junior" with extremely complicated feelings.
Song Changsheng took his seat in the main seat and his gaze swept over everyone present. He saw many unfamiliar faces, all of whom were patriarchs of various sects. He glanced at most of them quickly, but his gaze lingered on Hou Yu for a moment.
Apart from Ling Xiao and others, the average age of the cultivators who came to the meeting was at least five hundred years old, and the youngest among them was Hou Yu.
Because of the Nine Mysteries Sect's deliberate concealment, this person never appeared on the Song family's investigation list, making him a true "new face." However, he could tell that the person was not very old and should not be more than three hundred years old.
To have the cultivation level of the mid-stage Golden Core at this age is already considered exceptionally talented.
Geniuses will always be noticed, no matter where they are.
Seemingly sensing Song Changsheng's gaze, Hou Yu subconsciously straightened his back, like a soldier being inspected.
After surveying the crowd, Song Changsheng addressed them in a deep voice, saying, "I am deeply grateful to all of you for traveling from afar to participate in this alliance meeting of the Song Clan."
Now, the demon race on the other side of the river is stirring up trouble, and evil tricks are emerging one after another. The situation has reached its most critical moment. If we continue to fight each other, the only way out will be to be defeated one by one.
Therefore, Song sent out invitations to all fellow practitioners of the Southwest Nine Realms to gather together today in order to promote the Southwest Nine Realms Grand Alliance, integrate limited resources and strength, and jointly deal with possible future crises.
"I, Song, am unworthy, but I wish to request the position of alliance leader. What are your thoughts?"
Song Changsheng's calm yet authoritative voice rang out in the council hall, echoing in everyone's ears, but no one stood up to object immediately.
After a long while, a white-robed cultivator with a youthful face and white hair stood up. He was one of the few Golden Core cultivators at the Great Perfection stage who attended the alliance meeting. He came from the famous Yujian Sect in the cultivation world and was already a thousand years old. In his youth, he roamed the world with his sword and rarely suffered a defeat. He had considerable prestige in the southwest.
Only cultivators with both strength and prestige can act as their leaders and converse with Song Changsheng.
"Wang Changqing of the Imperial Sword Sect has a few questions I would like to ask on behalf of all the fellow Daoists present. I wonder if Clan Chief Song would be able to answer them?"
“Please speak, Fellow Daoist Wang. I, Song, will certainly tell you everything I know.”
"Clan Chief Song keeps saying the situation is critical, but what is the basis for that? Through our efforts over the years, we have almost wiped out all the demon kings who have infiltrated us, and thousands of people have been implicated. The likes of the Heavenly Light Sect and the Phantom Pavilion have also been eradicated one by one."
The southwest is now the most stable place in nearly a century. Its defenses are as solid as a rock. Even if the major demon kingdoms join forces, without internal sabotage, it is not so easy to break through.
Fellow Daoist, is this so-called alliance meeting for the greater good or for your own selfish interests?
Let's assume you did it for the greater good.
In terms of cultivation, you are only at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage. Apart from myself, there are only a handful of people here whose cultivation is comparable to yours.
In terms of seniority, you could say you are the least senior among those present. Even the Song family is just a small family that has only been developing for a few hundred years, and they haven't even lived as long as I have.
"Your cultivation and experience are not enough to convince the masses, so what makes you think you can be the leader of the Nine Realms Alliance?" Wang Changqing's words were sharp, directly pointing to Song Changsheng's weakest point, which immediately resonated with most of the cultivators present.
They weren't entirely against forming an alliance. Those present were all patriarchs of their sects, so they could naturally see the potential benefits of an alliance. They were just questioning the choice of the alliance leader, since no one wanted to entrust the future of their sect to a hothead.
Song Changsheng's talent is unquestionable in the border regions, but to become an alliance leader, and a leader with real power, requires more than just good talent. Hearing this, Song Changsheng calmly replied, "I dare to say these things, and I dare to take responsibility. I have a lot of relevant intelligence, much of which has been exchanged and verified with the Myriad Manifestations Palace. You need not doubt this. Forming an alliance is an inevitable trend."
Speaking of seniority, Song would like to ask Fellow Daoist Wang what standard is used to calculate this so-called seniority. Is it simply based on age?
If that's the case, then I am indeed inferior to everyone here, but such a conclusion about qualifications is rather ridiculous.
Since I began cultivating, I have slain several demon kings and provided crucial intelligence on numerous occasions. The large-scale infiltration you just mentioned was discovered by me first.
I also represented Wanxiang Palace at the Great Zhenxian Dynasty and won the championship in the Five Academies Grand Competition.
Internally, I worked diligently to develop the Song family from a precarious foundational power to its current state in less than two hundred years.
Externally, I expanded into the East Sea, annexed the ancient Jinxiuqi clan, and spearheaded the formation of the Demon Extermination Alliance and the East Sea Alliance to deal with the demon race and the sea race respectively.
Even before breaking through to the Golden Core stage, he participated in two expeditions against the demon race.
I accomplished all of this in less than two hundred years, which is only one-fifth of the total length of my life.
I wonder if my qualifications are sufficient to assume the position of leader?
Fellow Daoist Wang, you are already a thousand years old, several times my age. I wonder what qualifications you possess that you have to boast about?
Upon hearing this, Wang Changqing was momentarily speechless.
He was once a genius swordsman with experience, but his limitations were very obvious. He was mostly concentrated in the cultivation world of Da Ming and the surrounding cultivation world. In terms of influence, he was no match for Song Changsheng.
Seeing that he was speechless, Song Changsheng smiled slightly and turned his gaze to the others present, but no one dared to meet his eyes.
They were indeed all older than Song Changsheng, but their lives were far less exciting than Song Changsheng's.
"Age is not the standard for measuring everything; experience is. I think no one is more qualified to say this than me."
As for strength…” Song Changsheng’s face revealed a meaningful smile. He stood up and said without any modesty, “If anyone has any doubts, feel free to step forward. Within three moves, it’s either victory or defeat.”
Using words is to shut them up, while challenging them to a duel is to completely subdue everyone.
Faced with his challenge, the council hall fell silent for a moment.
The cultivators from the four cultivation worlds of Daqi, Gusu, Lu, and Dayu are the most aware of Song Changsheng's strength. Their presence here is tantamount to acknowledging his position as the leader of the alliance, so naturally they would not stand up to be bullied at this time.
The Valley of Broken Hearts had been subdued by Song Changsheng, and the Rain Pavilion and Sun Sect, who had witnessed the whole process, also became obedient.
In the Jade Dragon Cultivation World, Hou Yu's strength was far inferior to Song Changsheng's. In addition, he had always admired Song Changsheng and wanted to spar with him, but he did not want to be the first to be humiliated.
In this situation, there are actually not many qualified and ambitious people left to challenge Song Changsheng.
Wang Changqing of the Imperial Sword Sect is one, the City Lord of Tianjue City in the Cangyuan Cultivation World is another, and then there are only the old National Preceptor of the Great Xiao Immortal Dynasty and the Mountain Lord of Tianxu Mountain.
Wang Changqing said in a slightly somber tone, "To lose within three moves? Even if you are exceptionally talented, it is still a bit too arrogant to say such a thing."
In this remote region, none of those who have cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage are mediocre talents. Hearing such words, anyone would feel a surge of anger.
"A young man who isn't impetuous is a wasted youth. Compared to you all, I am still a young man. If you are not convinced, you are welcome to challenge me. As cultivators, let's see who is truly superior." Song Changsheng said calmly, his hands behind his back.
"Hmph, since that's the case, I, Wang, will come and learn from your superior skills, fellow Daoist."
"Okay." Song Changsheng made a "please" gesture.
The two arrived outside the council hall and rode the wind into the air, with the other cultivators following to observe.
They were also eager to know just how strong Song Changsheng had become, that he was so confident in requesting the position of alliance leader. Was it just youthful arrogance or did he truly have the ability?
"Fellow Daoist Wang, please." Song Changsheng remained calm and composed, seemingly not taking the competition to heart at all.
Seeing this, Wang Changqing felt a fire burning in his heart. He waved his sleeve, took out a sword, and his aura suddenly became sharp. Endless sword energy gathered and he slashed out with a fierce strike.
The dazzling sword light almost filled the entire sky. This sword strike contained Wang Changqing's millennia of internal energy and was almost his strongest strike.
What appeared to be a lightning-fast sword strike to an ordinary person seemed to Song Changsheng to be slowed down a thousand times. He even felt that he could easily dodge it by simply taking a step to the side.
"Your sword intent is strong, but it's still far from enough."
Since the goal is to establish authority, victory must be won with overwhelming force; only in this way can an effective deterrent be created.
He stretched out his hand, and an invisible spatial force burst forth, spreading rapidly forward. Wherever it passed, spatial barriers folded rapidly, and the sword energy that entered them crashed around like a headless fly.
"This……"
Seeing this scene, Wang Changqing's eyes widened suddenly. As a fellow Golden Core cultivator, he knew all too well the value of this move.
"Open your eyes wide, this is the true way of the sword!"
Song Changsheng pointed his fingers like a sword and casually unleashed a slash.
This sword strike, though lacking the power of a thousand years of accumulated skill, possessed the force to cleave the heavens.
Wang Changqing was cut down by the sword before he could even react, his blood splattering on the spot.
The entire audience was in an uproar. No one expected that Wang Changqing would be defeated so decisively. Were they really cultivators of the same realm?
Song Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the crowd. His gaze fell on the other three, and he said something shocking: "No need to waste time. All three of you come at me at once. The outcome will be decided within three moves!"
...(End of this chapter)