Chapter 1345
Obeying Arrangements, Returning from the Secret Realm
(Sorry, there were some issues with the later part of the previous chapter, so I've revised it. If the plot doesn't flow smoothly, you can flip back and take a look.)
Seeing another familiar figure suddenly appear at the door, Song Xinyuan quickly put away the spirit stones on the table.
He then smiled and looked up at Chu Ling, who had already walked over.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Senior Sister. Are you here to support Junior Brother's business again?"
“Junior Brother Song, I ordered a few robes from you last time, which cost me several thousand spirit stones. Now I’m struggling to make ends meet, so I don’t have any spirit stones left for you to earn.”
"Hehe! Senior Sister, what are you saying? Everyone in Qingyun Mountain knows that Senior Sister Chu is a Level 4 Spirit Plant Master and Aunt Qingyu's right-hand woman."
"Now you're in charge of the entire sect's spirit herb garden, so if anyone needs spirit stones, it's not your turn, Senior Sister."
"Junior Brother's mouth is really sharper than before, no wonder his business is growing bigger and bigger."
Okay, I'll stop joking with you.
Standing in the shop, Chu Ling looked around before suddenly speaking mysteriously:
“Junior Brother Song, we’ve made some progress on the matter you asked me to inquire about last time. Would you like to come with me to meet them?”
"Oh! Senior sister, no one else knows about this, right?"
"Don't worry, everyone on the mountain knows I'm tight-lipped. How could I possibly tell anyone about your affairs?"
Seeing that Song Xinyuan was still a little worried, Chu Ling quickly comforted her and then pointed to a teahouse on the opposite street.
"It's right across the street. Let me take you there first so you can get acquainted with it."
".
Led by Chu Ling, Song Xinyuan and she soon arrived at the teahouse next door.
As soon as the two entered the private room, they saw several figures sitting inside, staring at Song Xinyuan with serious expressions.
Upon seeing Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu suddenly appear in front of her, Song Xinyuan was slightly taken aback and immediately looked at Chu Ling beside her with a puzzled expression.
The other person seemed to pretend not to see anything, calmly walked out, and even thoughtfully closed the door behind them.
"What's wrong? Are you disappointed to see me and your mother?"
Looking at Song Qingyu, who was smiling in front of her, Song Xinyuan sighed and immediately raised her hand to bow to the two elders in front of her.
"I have met my mother and aunt."
"After doing business for a few days, I know a lot of people and think I understand everything."
"You've got some nerve, daring to sell a map of the Tower of Heaven. Do you really think nobody in the sect knows about this?!"
“Xinyuan, didn’t I tell you long ago that there is no absolute trust in the cultivation world?”
"Auntie is right. Senior Sister Chu and Xinyuan have known each other for so many years, but I never thought that even she could sell me out so easily."
The world of cultivation is truly unpredictable and impossible to guard against!
Faced with the reprimands from the two elders in front of her, Song Xinyuan could only nod helplessly.
He then smiled and stepped forward to pour his mother, Li Xuanyi, a cup of spiritual tea.
"Mother, please don't be angry. I only bought and sold a few incomplete maps in private. I didn't publicize it. This doesn't count as breaking the sect's rules, does it?"
Don't worry, I've already spoken to Uncle Yuan Hao of the Enforcement Hall, everything will be fine!
"Now that Yu Ling and I are both aiming to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, I'm just trying to save up more spirit stones so that you and Father won't have to worry about us."
Even as her son Song Xinyuan offered her the spiritual tea, Li Xuanyi's worries continued unabated.
"Hmph! You make it sound so nice, telling us not to worry."
Over the years, every time I sent a letter, I would either dodge the question or make excuses about being busy with business, but you actually listened to me several times.
If you were really that obedient, would your aunt and I have needed to come down the mountain to find you ourselves?
".
"Your mother's reprimand is correct; I know I was wrong!"
Seeing that Song Xinyuan never retaliated and kept admitting her mistakes, Li Xuanyi's expression softened a bit.
He had just picked up the spirit tea, but then slowly put it down again.
“Xin Yuan, while the Tower of Babel does offer some opportunities, it is also extremely dangerous inside. Your Aunt Qing Yu and I have both experienced these things firsthand.”
You shouldn't go to the secret realm now that it's open.
Regarding your conception, your father had already made all the arrangements before he passed away.
Once you successfully advance to the ninth level of the Golden Core realm, let Yu Ling accompany you to the Demon-Slaying Palace to enter the Heart-Refining Tower for training.
Then I will go to Jade Mystic Island and follow Senior Chen to cultivate for a period of time.
With Senior Chen's guidance, you shouldn't have any problems reaching the Nascent Soul stage in the future.
"this..
"Mother, why didn't you discuss these things with me beforehand?"
Upon hearing her mother Li Xuanyi's sudden and appropriate arrangement, Song Xinyuan did not show much joy on her face, but looked at her with surprise.
"Xin Yuan, there are some things we can do as you please."
Over the years, your father and I have fully supported your business dealings with Yuling down the mountain, and we have never interfered in your affairs.
But this concerns your path, and there is no room for carelessness.
Don't you understand these principles?
Yes! A new beginning.
Your mother made these arrangements for your sake, not to deliberately make things difficult for you. Just listen to her this once.
As for the Tower of Babel, there's really nothing inside. Once you reach the Nascent Soul stage, you'll have plenty of opportunities to go in.
".
Half a day later.
Just as Song Xinyuan returned to her residence in the market, she saw Liu Yuling walking out of the hall with a child who looked about three or four years old in her arms.
"I'm back!"
Seeing her husband's somewhat disappointed expression, Liu Yuling, as if sensing something, quickly handed the child to a servant and called them to the backyard.
Once only the two of them were left in the hall, she took the initiative to sit down next to Song Xinyuan.
"I heard that Senior Sister Chu came down the mountain looking for you. Is something wrong on the mountain?"
“It’s nothing serious. I didn’t mean to take you to the Tower of Babel before. My mother and aunt found out about this and came down the mountain specifically to persuade me.”
Just as you suspected, Senior Sister Chu is unreliable; she betrayed me long ago.
"I've heard that the Tower of Babel is extremely dangerous, and even Nascent Soul cultivators have perished inside. Your mother and aunt are worried about your safety, so please don't be angry, my husband."
"I am already a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, so of course I know they mean well."
"It's just that Senior Sister Chu sold me out so quickly. I had pinned all my hopes on her, and now you've made a fool of yourself."
Regarding Chu Ling's potential "betrayal," Song Xinyuan had already been warned by her Daoist partner, Liu Yuling.
He had chosen to believe the other party, but now he had contradicted himself, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.
After a moment of silence, Song Xinyuan continued:
"Back then, my father was only at the third level of the Golden Core stage, but he had already entered the Tower of Babel for training. My aunt and mother also found many opportunities inside."
For some reason, in recent years, whenever I hear others mention these stories, I always feel a special connection to that place.
I wanted to go in and see if I could find my own destiny there.
"Over the years, after starting my own family and career, I thought I could stand on my own two feet and had gained my father and mother's approval, so I no longer needed to rely on them for everything."
Unexpectedly, I'm still being bossed around in everything; it seems all my years of cultivation have been for nothing.
Faced with Song Xinyuan's self-doubt, Liu Yuling shook her head earnestly.
“Husband, there’s something wrong with what you’re saying.”
"Over the years, we've built up so many shops down the mountain from scratch, step by step. How can you say it's all been for nothing?"
While it's true that others helped us, it's not entirely due to our efforts.
But I've seen all your hard work and progress.
Regardless of what Mom and the others think, I've always approved of you.
"Oh! So, there's still one person I can trust by my side?"
".
Several years later, in the northern sky above "Qingyun Mountain".
A five-layered ray of light suddenly descended from the sky, instantly attracting numerous birds and beasts to circle and hover around it.
In just a few months, the news spread throughout the entire "Floating Cloud Mountain Range".
Countless cultivators, some riding flying swords and magical artifacts, others traveling by flying boats and spirit beasts, gathered at the location of the strange celestial phenomenon in the north.
The Tower of Babel, which appears only once every three hundred years, has once again come into view before the eyes of many cultivators.
Numerous Nascent Soul forces, including "Star Gate", "Myriad Spirits Sect", "Primordial Chaos Sect", and "Heavenly Extreme Sect", arrived at this place one after another.
Before long, a huge flying vehicle sped in from the south, instantly attracting the attention of many cultivators present.
The person in the lead car had a cold expression and wore a light blue dress.
His eyes flashed with a cold light as he gazed arrogantly ahead.
As soon as the flying vehicle landed on the open space that had been reserved in advance, dozens of cultivators dressed in "Xiaoyao Sect" attire walked out.
"Just now, Fellow Daoist Liu and I were guessing who would come from Qingyun Mountain this time, but we didn't expect it to be Fellow Daoist Qingyu who personally led the team."
"It's been many years since we last met. Fellow Daoist Liu, your cultivation has improved again. It seems you are not far from the late Nascent Soul stage."
This fellow Daoist looks somewhat unfamiliar. Could he be another newly promoted Nascent Soul Daoist from your sect?
After greeting Liu Qingyin, the Grand Elder of the Hunyuan Sect, who had come to say hello, Song Qingyu's gaze quickly fell on a man in black standing beside her.
This person had a somewhat weathered face. Although he looked no young, the aura emanating from him indicated that he was only at the first level of the Nascent Soul realm.
Song Qingyu only glanced at him briefly, but she was already certain that this person was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had recently advanced to the next level, at most within a year.
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyin quickly began to explain:
"This is my junior brother Luo from the sect. He just survived the Nascent Soul Tribulation half a year ago, and we haven't had a chance to hold a celebration yet!"
It just so happens that Junior Brother Yuan is in seclusion, and Junior Brother Luo wanted to go in and take a look, so he came with me.
When Qiu Pingshan fell to the hands of demonic cultivators, the Hunyuan Sect lost its Nascent Soul Ancestor and was once in a life-or-death crisis.
Only after Liu Qingyin successfully formed her Nascent Soul did she help stabilize the precarious situation of the sect.
Now, several hundred years later, Liu Qingyin's cultivation has not only broken through to the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage, but she is also expected to be able to reach the late Nascent Soul stage.
In the last hundred years or so, the sect has also cultivated two Nascent Soul cultivators, and the sect's strength has undergone earth-shattering changes compared to the past.
While Liu Qingyin and Song Qingyu were talking, more than a dozen people walked over to them. They were all from other Nascent Soul cultivation forces in the "Floating Cloud Mountains" cultivation world.
Since Song Qingming achieved godhood, the cultivation world of the entire "Floating Cloud Mountain Range" has undergone tremendous development and changes in recent years.
Since Ye Linyuan advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage, the "Starry Sky Sect" has become the second strongest Nascent Soul force in the Floating Cloud Mountain Range after the "Free and Unfettered Sect". The sect now has four Nascent Soul elders.
Although the Qin Kingdom's "Wanling Sect" currently has four Nascent Soul cultivators, Chu Lingyun, the most powerful among them, is only at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul realm, putting him ahead of the "Star Gate." Following these two sects is the "Hunyuan Sect," where Liu Qingyin resides, which has three Nascent Soul elders.
Several hundred years ago, the "Hun Yuan Sect" was not even ranked among the top sects in the entire Fuyun Mountain Range, but now its strength has quietly surpassed that of many other sects.
It must be said that Liu Qingyin's personal ability to manage the sect is much better than that of her master Qiu Pingshan back then.
Moreover, Liu Qingyin's cultivation has already reached the sixth level of the Nascent Soul realm, and she still has the potential to break through to the late Nascent Soul realm in the future. Her personal potential is still beyond this.
Following the three are the "Thundercloud Sect", "Heavenly Pole Sect", "Cloudy Sky Sect" and "White Water Sect".
These four Nascent Soul sects are similar in that they each have only one or two Nascent Soul elders, and their strength cannot be compared with the previous three sects.
Then came the five Nascent Soul factions that emerged in the last hundred years.
They are "Sacred Sun Gate", "Golden Talisman Sect", "Star Cloud Valley", "Three Absolutes Sect", and "Stream Cloud Mountain".
Although these sects also have Nascent Soul elders, they have not been rooted in the "Floating Cloud Mountain Range" for very long.
In terms of sect foundation, it is still unable to compare with the four sects ranked in the second tier.
Besides these sects, the "Fire Sun Sect," a long-established Nascent Soul power in the Floating Cloud Mountains, is no longer included.
Several hundred years ago, when Song Qingming had just formed his core, the "Fire Yang Sect" was at its peak.
Its strength was once second only to the "Wanling Sect" and the "Star Gate", and even surpassed the "Xiaoyao Sect" at that time.
However, the sect's fortunes later turned sour. First, Han Yu, the young Nascent Soul ancestor of the sect, unfortunately perished in the "monster turmoil".
Later, several of the Nascent Soul seeds he cultivated failed to form Nascent Souls one after another, and he was unable to cultivate any new Nascent Soul cultivators.
As a result, when Fu Yungui passed away, the sect no longer had a Nascent Soul cultivator to maintain order.
Even though the "Fire Sun Sect" managed to hold on for several decades under the protection of the "Myriad Spirits Sect," it still couldn't protect its own sacred mountain.
Decades ago, the sect's mountain gate was seized by the rising sect "Sacred Sun Sect," and the entire sect was driven out of a small neighboring country.
Today, the "Fire Yang Sect" has fallen to the status of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, and has lost its former glory.
Even when the "Tower of Babel" secret realm appeared in the world this time, they did not send any cultivators to participate.
Centuries have passed, and things have changed; the rise and fall of sects is nothing out of the ordinary.
Even though they lost a few old friends, Song Qingyu and the others only expressed their regret and did not remember them forever.
Seeing that most of the cultivators from the various sects had arrived, Song Qingyu stepped forward and spoke first:
"Fellow Daoists, our Floating Cloud Mountain Range has gained many more Nascent Soul cultivators, and the number of cultivators participating in the Tower of Heaven Secret Realm is also much higher than before."
In case of any unforeseen circumstances, I have been ordered by the sect's Supreme Elder to come here to oversee the situation.
"Please rest assured, everyone. I will only be responsible for overseeing this area and will not compete with you for the spiritual treasures within the Tower of Babel."
"Oh, I see."
"Senior Song is indeed very thoughtful. Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Qingyu!"
"Thank you for your hard work, fellow Daoist!"
".
Song Qingyu's cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm. Logically speaking, she was already a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and should not be able to enter the "Tongtian Pavilion" to compete for treasures.
When they first saw her appear, Liu Qingyin and the others were all surprised, wondering why Song Qingyu had suddenly come.
After Song Qingyu took the initiative to explain, everyone nodded in understanding.
The last time the "Tower of Babel" appeared, I don't know if someone triggered the restrictions inside, causing the secret realm to end prematurely for no reason.
He thought that Song Qingyu's purpose in coming here was to maintain order at the scene, not to compete with him for the spiritual object.
Liu Qingyin and the others immediately felt relieved and stepped forward to express their gratitude.
However, in addition to Song Qingyu, the "Xiaoyao Sect" also sent six Nascent Soul elders, including Song Yuanhao, Zhou Ziyang, and Su Mo.
Other sects had at most two or three members, so the disparity in numbers was still enormous.
Just as everyone was waiting, the colorful glow in the sky became very intense, and a pitch-black pagoda suddenly pierced through the clouds and descended from the sky.
"This is the Tower of Babel!"
The many low-level cultivators below, seeing such a shocking scene from afar, all wore expressions of surprise.
A commotion immediately broke out among the entire group of cultivators.
Song Qingyu flashed into the air, his gaze sweeping over the numerous cultivators below, and a powerful pressure instantly enveloped the surrounding dozens of miles.
In the crowd, a man in white wearing a straw hat quickly lowered his head to avoid the other person's gaze.
"boom!"
All that could be heard was a flash of multicolored lightning around the four sides, and the enormous black tower, as large as a mountain, stopped in mid-air.
At this moment, due to the immense pressure emanating from Song Qingyu, none of the cultivators below dared to approach.
As soon as the restrictions around the "Tower of Babel" dissipated, Song Yuanhao immediately stepped on lightning and was the first to flash into it, followed closely by the other "Free and Unfettered Sect" cultivators.
While waiting for the Xiaoyao Sect to make its move, Liu Qingyin and the other sects also flashed into the air.
In the north, hundreds of demon figures also appeared, heading straight for the entrance to the "Tower of Babel".
In an instant, the entire sky was filled with countless figures of cultivators.
In Song Qingyu's casual glance, a figure in white robes slipped through the crowd and passed through the restricted entrance.
The next moment, the world spun around them, and the newcomer found himself in a dark valley.
The white-robed cultivator removed his bamboo hat, revealing a young and handsome face, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
"Haha, we're finally in!"
The man in the white robe had just shouted excitedly into the distance.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, as if he had disturbed something, the ground in front of him suddenly shook, and more than a dozen stone monsters rushed menacingly towards his location.
"With so many humanoid puppets, this place is indeed extraordinary!"
Looking at the numerous puppets charging towards him, the white-robed man couldn't help but reveal a confident smile.
He raised his hand and took out a blue flying boat, quickly cast a spell to transform it into a streak of light and escaped from the spot, heading towards the distant horizon.
".
Not long after the white-robed man disappeared, two more figures descended from the sky and landed in the valley.
Before they could react, the humanoid puppets that had been chasing many targets immediately changed direction and headed towards their location.
The next moment, the sounds of fierce fighting echoed through the valley.
"Damn it, what kind of place is this? We've encountered so many puppets as soon as we came in!"
"What bad luck!"
".
Outside the Tower of Babel.
Seeing that many cultivators had successfully entered the tower, Song Qingyu suddenly looked up and scanned the depths to the north, immediately sensing an aura there that was no weaker than hers.
Before Song Qingyu could react, the aura vanished as quickly as if it had never existed.
Seeing this, Song Qingyu smiled slightly and immediately sat down cross-legged.
Just as she was about to close her eyes and meditate for a while, she suddenly sensed a special spiritual energy fluctuation enveloping her.
".
"Qingyun Mountain", the Huixian Pavilion is located at the top of the mountain.
Li Xuanyi, Liu Yuling, Chu Ling, and several others were sitting around a wooden table, enjoying tea.
Beside Li Xuanyi stood a child of about five or six years old, carefully watching the spirit fruit she was peeling.
All that was left was for Li Xuanyi to peel the spirit fruit and bring it to the little boy.
This somewhat shy child did not immediately accept the spirit fruit, but glanced at Liu Yuling beside him before slowly speaking:
"Thank you, Grandma!"
"Hmm! Ling'er is such a good girl, much more sensible than your father."
Smiling, Li Xuanyi pinched the little boy's pink cheek before turning to ask Liu Yuling, who was standing to the side.
"Yu Ling, has Ling'er already had her spiritual root tested?"
"Reporting to Mother, it has been tested. He has the aptitude of wood, fire, and earth elements, so reaching the Foundation Establishment stage like Chan'er should not be a problem."
If he has better comprehension, he might be able to break through to the Golden Core realm in the future.
Since marrying Song Xinyuan, Liu Yuling has given birth to five children.
Two of them, lacking spiritual roots, were sent to the ancestral "Funiu Mountain" at a young age to live among ordinary mortals.
The eldest daughter, Song Yuanchan, and the second son, Song Yuanling, are both cultivators with three spiritual roots.
Although his natural talent is not yet comparable to that of his parents, with proper nurturing, he still has a chance to successfully form his core in the future.
The eldest son, Song Yuanlong, had a much lower spiritual root aptitude, being only a five-elemental root cultivator. He had barely succeeded in establishing his foundation after consuming three Foundation Establishment Pills not long ago.
Upon hearing that her grandson Song Yuanling had a chance to break through to the Golden Core realm, Li Xuanyi immediately nodded with satisfaction.
Then he took out a golden jade talisman that he had prepared beforehand and hung it around his neck.
"Well! Your father is gone, so be it. Grandma has Ling'er, that's enough."
"Mother, don't worry. My husband's cultivation has reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm. I believe he will be fine."
"Hmph! Just because you believe him doesn't mean you won't get into trouble."
Both father and son are equally restless, always wanting to go out, and who knows when they might be targeted.
If you don't keep a close eye on him, you'll regret it later.
Hearing her mother-in-law, Li Xuanyi, scold her, Liu Yuling smiled helplessly and did not reply.
Seeing this, Li Xuanyi couldn't help but shake her head slightly.
"My Ling'er is so good, she knows to come up the mountain to keep her grandma company and relieve her boredom."
".
In a valley filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
When Song Qingyu opened her eyes after the meditation ended, that was all that was left.
I don't know when, but my figure suddenly appeared here.
The surrounding area was filled with spiritual energy and had beautiful scenery, but there was not a single person in sight, nor any trace of any other cultivators.
"strangeness!"
Just as Song Qingyu was searching forward with a puzzled look, a figure suddenly appeared in the distant void, looking at her with a smile.
"Qingyu, it's been a long time."
(Almost forgot, Xiaomeng wishes all fellow cultivators a happy Children's Day!) (End of Chapter)