Chapter 869
Fighting the Sea Yaksha Alone
After learning the basic situation from Song Jingxiu, he had a preliminary plan for the next steps. After leaving the Fengyu Palace branch, he took Chen Lingxiu straight to the Twin Islands.
The sea race has not completely retreated yet. There are still occasional small-scale skirmishes at the border between the [Brocade Banner] and the sea race, but most of these are only involving Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivators. It is rare to see battles between Purple Mansion cultivators and great demons.
This indicates that the sea creatures are indeed retreating.
Along the border, once vibrant spirit islands have been transformed into barren wastelands devoid of any spiritual energy by the ravages of the [Demon Flower]. Even fish no longer inhabit the nearby seas, resulting in irreversible losses.
If they hadn't come up with a solution so quickly, those areas that humans hadn't yet set foot in might no longer have Spirit Islands.
It must be said that the sea race's move was indeed ruthless. To completely destroy a spirit island, it would require at least a demon king-level expert to take action, but destroying a spirit vein only required some low-cost methods.
All of this was the work of the Blood Soul Demon Sect; they truly possess profound expertise in this area.
In fact, there is no clear distinction between good and bad methods. For example, the Blood Soul Demon Sect's inherited method, "Blood Soul Nurturing Scripture," can only be used to cause destruction and perform blood sacrifices and devouring.
However, once it came into Song Youping's hands, the entire Song family's breeding industry underwent a dramatic transformation, directly changing the Song family's predicament of manpower shortage.
He has only had the Blood Soul Nurturing Scripture for a few years. He used to be a poison maker, and his cultivation of spirit insects and plants was a half-baked skill. Moreover, he only had the first half of it, and the most essential part was not in his hands at all.
Everyone in the Blood Soul Demon Sect has the potential to become like Song Youping, but unfortunately they choose to take the unconventional path, which has led to their current situation where everyone hates them.
If they hadn't founded a demonic sect but instead a sect specializing in the cultivation of spirit insects and plants, Song Changsheng couldn't have imagined how sought-after they would be. They would be far rarer than alchemists or array masters, and would be honored guests wherever they went.
Of course, it was fortunate that they went astray, otherwise such a wonderful method as the "Blood Soul Nurturing Spirit Scripture" would not have fallen into the hands of the Song family.
This also taught him a lesson: never underestimate any lineage that has ever been glorious, even if it has never reached the top. As long as it has left its mark on history, it definitely has something to be praised for.
If we have the opportunity to destroy the Blood Soul Demon Sect and obtain the second half of the Blood Soul Nurturing Scripture in the future, it's hard to imagine what kind of revolutionary changes it will bring.
Song Changsheng arrived at White Dragon Island without alerting anyone.
A quick scan with his divine sense revealed that Song Changxuan, Song Qingxia, Song Qingxing, Xu Yunhe, Xu Miaoyin, and Song Jingxiao were all in seclusion, while Song Youping was busy with something at the newly established spirit fish farm.
After looking around, only Song Youfu was lying on a recliner in the courtyard, leisurely basking in the sun, with washed spiritual fruits beside him, looking quite content.
"They seem quite relaxed."
Song Changsheng's eyes darted around, and he sent a telepathic message to him with a slight movement of his lips.
Song Youfu was sleeping soundly when, in his hazy state, he heard a calm yet authoritative voice: "Come to the main hall to see me."
The recliner creaked open, jolting me awake. I looked around in surprise and muttered to myself, "Hiss, I think I dreamt that my Ninth Uncle was talking to me?"
No, it's Ninth Uncle who's back.
Thinking of this, he jumped up from the recliner and headed towards the main hall.
As soon as the door opened, they found Song Changsheng sitting high in the main seat, holding a jade slip on the desk. Beside him stood a pretty woman in a silk skirt, who, without bothering to straighten her clothes, hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Grandson greets Ninth Grandfather."
"Don't try that on me. Xing'er and the others are all in seclusion. Why are you doing nothing? Do you expect me to personally supervise your cultivation?" Song Changsheng put down the jade slip in his hand and said.
“Ninth Grandfather, look at what you’re saying. The Dharma Protectors and the Elders are all going into seclusion, so someone has to handle the affairs of the Garrison. Besides, the sea tribe’s army hasn’t completely retreated yet. If they want to launch a feint attack or strike at the heart of the enemy, someone has to step up.”
"Grandson, you're sacrificing your own interests for the greater good!" Song Youfu stepped forward and cheerfully brewed a pot of hot tea for Song Changsheng.
"With your cultivation level, what use is it for you to step forward?" Song Changsheng picked up his hot tea and took a sip, saying, "Why did you think of contacting Yin Chou? Didn't I say that we shouldn't use this line unless absolutely necessary?"
"You knew all along?"
This was actually the idea of the Dharma Protector Elder. After all, the behavior of the Sea Yaksha clan was too abnormal, and the Blood Soul Demon Sect was indeed behind this battle, so he thought of contacting him.
Our original intention was to confirm whether the Blood Soul Demon Sect would have any further actions, but we unexpectedly stumbled upon their relationship with the Sea Yaksha clan.
According to the information provided by Yin Chou, it is highly likely that this is true, because he was ordered to send a batch of resources to Ye Shi Nu. Most of these resources were raised by their branch and were often used by the Sea Clan Demon Kings when they broke through.
Furthermore, Ye Shi Nu has yet to show up, which led to this conclusion. "When it comes to serious matters, Song Youfu's previous playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression.
He knew all too well what Ye Shi Nu's breakthrough to the fifth rank meant to them.
Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Didn't he say that he wasn't trusted? How could such an important task fall to him? He's just a Purple Mansion cultivator. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be qualified."
"Yin Chou's explanation is that the elders of their headquarters are all entangled in one matter, and not only is it difficult to get away in a short time, but even basic production has come to a standstill. During this period, they are responsible for raising the cultivation resources for the inner disciples."
His branch was rewarded for its outstanding performance.
Then he suddenly received a mission to gather a batch of resources and send them to a certain place along with the envoy from the main headquarters. The envoy from the main headquarters was a Golden Core cultivator, while he was going there as a guide and attendant.
Although he didn't hear who the messenger met or what they were talking about, he knew that the area was the territory of the Sea Yaksha clan.
Their branch had previously been warned not to operate in this area, which led him to suspect a connection between the two sides.
Later, on the way back, he deliberately complained that the branch was not strong enough and that the living environment was difficult, and requested that more people be sent.
The envoy, however, told him to calm down and that they would soon gain a powerful ally who could then sweep through the East China Sea Alliance.
Yin Chou judged that the person was very likely Ye Shi Nu.
After receiving his reply, the grandson also communicated with the elders and stewards of the garrison, and felt that it was better to believe it than not.
"The original plan of the Dharma Protector Elder was that if you couldn't return in a short time, he would use the method you left behind to refine the Void Crystals accumulated over the years into Thunderbolts to attack the lair of the Sea Yaksha clan and prevent that old Yaksha from breaking through. Fortunately, you've returned now," Song Youfu said with a face full of relief.
This attitude was genuine. Even if they possessed the Thunderclap Crystal crafted from the Void Crystal, Zhan Tianxia was the only one capable of approaching and carrying out the sabotage mission. With Ye Shi Nu's breakthrough, the entire Sea Yaksha clan was undoubtedly on high alert, and whether Zhan Tianxia, with his current cultivation level, could achieve his goal remained a question mark.
Even if they successfully break through the outer defenses, they still face a very critical question: Is Nightshade still there?
They don't have the cost of trial and error.
Therefore, the risk of this choice is enormous, and no one wants to go that way until the very last moment.
Now that Song Changsheng has returned, many problems have been solved. He is the pillar of the family and the key to stability.
"Is the [Thunderbolt] finished being refined?" Song Changsheng asked, raising his eyes.
"It was recently refined through the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce and is currently stored separately in an underground vault far from White Dragon Island."
"Bring it here, and I will take care of this matter myself," Song Changsheng said calmly.
"Grandson obeys." Song Youfu did not ask any further questions, nor did he say anything foolish like whether or not to notify the Wanxiang Palace. If they wanted to find the Wanxiang Palace, they would have done so already. Ye Shinu was the only clue to finding the ruins of the Bao Ping Sect. Unless the situation completely spiraled out of control, they would not allow a third party to get involved.
Just as Song Youfu was about to turn and leave, Song Changsheng remembered that he seemed to have forgotten something, and called out to him, "This is Chen Lingxiu, who can be considered my disciple."
The Chen family now serves me, and she will be cultivating under my tutelage for the time being. Please arrange accommodation for her.
"So you're your new disciple. I almost misunderstood." Song Youfu chuckled, then cupped his hands to Chen Lingxiu beside him and said, "My surname is Song, and my given name is Youfu. Fellow Daoist Chen, please follow me."
"Thank you." Chen Lingxiu returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly, though she seemed a little absent-minded as she followed Song Youfu's steps.
Before long, Song Youfu returned.
He placed the storage bag on the desk and said with a smile, "Ninth Grandfather, what is the background of this Chen family member? This Fellow Daoist Chen seems to be quite extraordinary."
"We'll discuss this after I return. In the meantime, keep an eye on her. Let her do whatever she wants and go wherever she wants, as long as she doesn't come into contact with outsiders or leave the island. As for her treatment, she can be treated the same as Yuqing."
Although Chen Lingxiu is already a Purple Mansion cultivator, her knowledge and social circle are as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Compared to most people, she is more reliable.
With proper training, they may very well become a sharp weapon in the hands of the Song family in the future.
However, before that, her perceptions and values need to be reshaped. Song Changsheng does not intend to let others do this for him, but will do it himself.
After explaining things to Song Youfu, Song Changsheng left White Dragon Island and headed straight for the lair of the Sea Yaksha clan.
Currently, besides the old Yaksha King Yeshinu, the Sea Yaksha clan also includes Yefuke and Yemisha, both of whom are powerful demon kings at the fourth-tier high-grade level.
He first needs to break through the combined blockade of the two, which is the major prerequisite. Only in this way can he affect Ye Shi Nu's breakthrough, which is not difficult for him.
The only concern is that these two are teaming up with Night Slave.
Ye Shi Nu's strength was already almost at the peak of the fourth rank. If he were to add two fourth-rank high-grade helpers, even Song Changsheng would only be able to flee in panic, unless he used up all his trump cards, but that would be a loss.
Therefore, we should not be too reckless on this trip; it is best to use strategy.
After thinking it over, he decided to take care of one of them first, as he was essentially one of Duan Ye Shi Nu's arms, which would make things much easier.
After a brief mental calculation, he quickly made a decision.
Arriving at that familiar trench, the spiritual energy here seemed even stronger than the first time I visited.
This is a fourth-order spiritual vein. Based on its original level of spiritual energy density, it does not meet the conditions for breaking through to the fifth order.
The sea race cultivates their physical body and bloodline, and it's true that they don't rely on spiritual veins as much as human cultivators. But that doesn't mean they don't need spiritual veins; it just means their requirements are relatively lower. Tempering the physical body and improving one's life level both require a large amount of spiritual energy as an aid.
Therefore, a fifth-order spiritual vein is essential for breaking through to the fifth rank.
However, fifth-order spiritual veins are extremely rare. If you don't have that opportunity, you'll have to create a high-concentration spiritual energy environment yourself in a short period of time.
The Sea Yaksha clan is clearly in this situation. A closer look reveals that a palace has been rebuilt where the original dragon skeleton was, and beneath the palace is a large [Spirit Gathering Array] that is constantly absorbing the spiritual energy from the surrounding sea and converging it into the trench.
With a sweep of his divine sense, Song Changsheng discovered two powerful auras on the left and right sides of the main hall, both of which were of the fourth rank and of the upper grade. They were Ye Fuke and Ye Misha.
They are both currently feigning sleep, and their positions clearly indicate that they are protecting someone.
The main hall was shrouded in a barrier, obscuring the view inside and completely concealing the presence of Night Slave.
"【Eye of Illusion】, activate!"
A strange pattern was reflected in Song Changsheng's eyes, and the world turned into black and white. In the main hall, a red color stood out conspicuously.
Clearly, Night Slut is among them!
"It's really here!"
A cold smile appeared on Song Changsheng's lips. He raised his hand, and bolts of fierce lightning gathered in his palm. At the same time, a thundercloud appeared in the sky above the sea, with a terrifying aura brewing within it.
"Boom"
With a single palm strike, dozens of azure lightning bolts, each thicker than a water bucket, crashed down, their target the weaker Ye Misha!
Ye Misha, who was dozing off, was suddenly awakened. When she looked up, she saw a sky full of blue lightning, carrying a terrifying force, cutting through the cold seawater and crashing down on her.
The array and restrictions above were suddenly activated, but were torn apart by lightning in the blink of an eye. He couldn't help but shout, "How dare you!"
...(End of chapter)