Chapter 1353
Returning to the Family, Revisiting the Fragmented Map
A year ago, Song Qingming had already received a telepathic message from the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom" informing him that his son, Song Xinyuan, had advanced to the Nascent Soul realm.
He didn't seem too surprised to see Song Xinyuan and his wife.
He quickly waved his hand, signaling the two of them to get up.
Song Yuanchan, Song Yuanlong, Song Yuanling, and other younger generations, who had been living in the market town at the foot of the mountain for years, rarely had the opportunity to be summoned up the mountain like this.
Upon seeing this elusive patriarch of the family, everyone rushed forward to kowtow and pay their respects.
"Grandson greets his grandfather!"
"I've met my great-grandfather!"
".
"Get up, everyone. It's rare for everyone to be so happy today. You can take these spirit stones and divide them among yourselves later. Consider it a festive occasion!"
Although I don't see these younger people often, this is the first time I've met some of them.
However, since they were all his own blood relatives, and it was a rare opportunity to meet them, Song Qingming, as the patriarch of the family, naturally did not act too stingy.
He took out tens of thousands of spirit stones from his person and handed them to his eldest granddaughter, Song Yuanchan, to distribute among the people present.
Upon seeing the reward, Song Yuanchan and the others were overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude!
After a lively time in the hall, everyone took their seats at Li Xuanyi's invitation and began to enjoy the welcoming banquet that Huang Siyuan had personally arranged for Song Xinyuan and his wife.
Since reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Song Qingming, Li Xuanyi, Huang Siyuan, and others have spent most of their time either in seclusion or searching for necessary resources.
This was the first time that the "Meeting Immortals Pavilion" had been so lively.
At this moment, the elders also set aside their status and, like ordinary people down the mountain, enjoyed the harmonious scene of the family in front of them.
During the meal, Song Xinyuan vividly described their experiences in the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom" over the years.
Decades later, Song Xinyuan returned from his travels, having not only achieved some progress in his cultivation but also gained a broader understanding of the outside world.
When Song Xinyuan accompanied her mother, Li Xuanyi, to the "Demon-Slaying Palace" Heart-Refining Tower for training, her performance was actually quite average.
He only lasted less than two months inside before being forced to leave the "Heart Refining Tower" due to inhaling too much fire poison.
Not only was he far inferior to Song Qingming and Song Yuanhao, who had entered the training grounds back then, but even his Daoist partner Liu Yuling performed more than twice as well as Song Xinyuan.
Subsequently, Song Xinyuan's first attempt at breaking through to a higher realm through seclusion also ended in failure.
He could only watch helplessly as Liu Yuling, who was following beside him, reached the Nascent Soul realm first.
Despite this, Song Xinyuan was not discouraged.
After some adjustments, and with the personal guidance of his master Chen Qingxuan, he was able to achieve his goals.
In the end, Song Xinyuan managed to stabilize her mindset and, with the help of the Nascent Soul artifact given to her by her mother, Li Xuanyi, she successfully broke through to the Nascent Soul realm after another period of seclusion.
Although Song Xinyuan advanced to the Nascent Soul realm, it was inseparable from the tireless support of Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi.
However, seeing that he was able to overcome this hurdle in the end, Song Qingming was still very gratified.
It was a rare occasion for him to praise Song Xinyuan and his wife in front of everyone, and he even gave them several high-level spirit talismans as a reward.
After the banquet ended and Liu Yuling led everyone away, Song Qingming took his son, Song Xinyuan, to a separate room.
Before he could speak, Song Xinyuan took out a letter from her person.
"Father, this is a letter that Master asked me to deliver to you. He instructed me to personally hand it to you."
After taking the letter and glancing at its contents, Song Qingming remained silent for a moment before looking up and asking:
"What is the current status of the seal on Jade Profound Island? Is Senior Chen still on the island?"
"Reporting to Father, Master is not on the island. Currently, it is the Demon Saint Guixuan who is overseeing things on the island."
According to Master, the seal on the island has begun to weaken in recent years, and spatial rifts frequently appear nearby. We must find a way to reinforce the seal as soon as possible!
"Yeah! I understand."
"I still need a few materials to refine, but I'll get there as soon as possible."
Song Qingming nodded slightly and slowly put down the letter in his hand.
Nearly two hundred years have passed since the Great Battle of Jade Profound Island. The seal set up by "Master Jiuyue" and Song Qingming has begun to loosen and is unable to withstand the violent spatial storms in the spatial passage.
Decades ago, Chen Qingxuan had already sent a message to Song Qingming informing him of this matter.
According to Chen Qingxuan's estimation, the "sealing array" on the island can only last for a little over a hundred years at most, and a way must be found to reinforce the array again.
Otherwise, if the great formation fails and the spatial passage is reopened, the "Huayang Realm" could be targeted by the Demon Realm again at any time.
The fact that Song Xinyuan specifically brought the news suggests that the situation on the island is becoming increasingly serious.
Since the great war years ago, Song Qingming, a high-level array master, has been pondering the issue of reinforcing the "Sealing Array" all these years.
Decades ago, during his trip to Lei Yuanhai, he obtained an ancient array book from Granny Jin Yue, which contained many arrays that had been lost since ancient times.
After years of research, Song Qingming has found a way to strengthen the sealing array of "Jade Profound Island".
Furthermore, orders were sent to the major sects of "Donghuang Immortal Continent," instructing them to help collect the materials needed for setting up the formation and send them to "Qingyun Mountain."
Now that so much time has passed, Song Qingming has prepared all the materials, and only the last few runes have not yet been refined, which is why he did not rush to the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom".
After finishing his story, Song Qingming looked at Song Xinyuan standing to the side.
"Xinyuan, I estimate that it will take me at most three to five years to reach Yuxuan Island."
Now that you have successfully formed your Nascent Soul, do you plan to stay on Qingyun Mountain or return to Donghuang Kingdom to cultivate under Senior Chen?
"Father, do you wish for me to go to Donghuang Kingdom?"
Upon hearing Song Qingming directly ask her if she wanted to go back and follow Chen Qingxuan in cultivation, Song Xinyuan suddenly asked him a question in return.
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming smiled slightly and shook his head.
"Your mother has often talked about you over the years. Logically speaking, I should have hoped that you would stay in Qingyun Mountain."
However, now that you have become a disciple of Senior Chen, it would be better for your future path of cultivation if you could cultivate under his guidance.
Xinyuan, you have now successfully formed your nascent soul. You can make your own choices and don't need to consider our opinions in everything you do.
I've already spoken to your mother; if you really want to go to Donghuang Kingdom, she will respect your decision.
Song Xinyuan had been practicing the "Heavenly Origin Heart Sutra" passed down to him by Chen Qingxuan since childhood, and was his disciple and successor.
His successful formation of the Nascent Soul stage in the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom was also inseparable from the guidance of his master. If he could continue to stay by Chen Qingxuan's side, it would be better for his future cultivation.
Although Song Qingming knew that Li Xuanyi was definitely reluctant to let her son leave the Fuyun Mountains.
However, considering Song Xinyuan's future path, Song Qingming and the others chose to respect the other party's idea.
After all, Song Xinyuan has already successfully formed her nascent soul, and her parents, Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi, have already done enough.
The path he should take in the future is a decision he must make himself.
“Father, actually, when I came back, I had already told Master that I would stay in the Floating Cloud Mountains to cultivate from now on.”
He has agreed to my idea and has already passed on to me the subsequent techniques of the Tianyuan Heart Sutra.
However, I don't want to stay on Qingyun Mountain anymore; I want to cultivate in another place.
"If you want to change your place of cultivation, of course you can."
"There are still many vacant fourth-level spiritual veins around the sect, which can provide cultivation opportunities for Nascent Soul cultivators."
Whether you want to go to Jinyu Mountain or Chiyun Mountain, you can just tell me.
If you haven't decided yet, I'll talk to your Aunt Bai later, and you can just go see her directly then.
"I have made up my mind. I want to take Yuling and Chan'er back to Funiu Mountain to cultivate together. I beg Father's permission!"
"You mean, you want to go back to Funiu Mountain?"
When Song Qingming first heard that Song Xinyuan wanted to change his cultivation location, he thought that Song Xinyuan did not want to be too close to him and wanted to separate from the family and find another level-four spiritual vein.
But when he heard Song Xinyuan say the words "Funiu Mountain", a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he looked at the person in front of him with some doubt.
But Song Xinyuan nodded firmly.
“Father, you heard me right. Your son wants to return to our ancestral home in Funiu Mountain to cultivate.”
"Although I have now formed my Nascent Soul, I have experienced many things over the years, and I know that my talent for cultivation is not as good as I thought."
If it weren't for your and Mother's unwavering support, I probably wouldn't have reached the stage of Nascent Soul formation.
You once said that there are no useless people in the cultivation world, and each of us will have our own opportunities and path.
But if I continue to stay near Qingyun Mountain, I will certainly be unable to break free from my dependence on you and Mother, and I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to find my own path in this lifetime.
Why don't you leave here first and return to your ancestral home, Funiu Mountain, to cultivate? You can even help me manage things there.
"Rest assured, this was not an impulsive decision, but a serious consideration. Yuling has also agreed with my idea and will return to Funiu Mountain with me."
Seeing Song Xinyuan's serious expression, it was clear that he had already thought about this issue before returning.
After thinking for a moment, Song Qingming smiled and nodded at him.
"That's enough! Ever since Yu Shan left, I haven't been able to find a suitable person to succeed the family's Grand Elder in Funiu Mountain."
Since you've already thought this through and are determined to return to the family, then so be it.
"Make yourselves ready. You'll be returning to Funiu Mountain with me in a few days. I'll arrange everything then!"
"Your son thanks you, Father!"
Song Xinyuan, who had been thinking of many reasons to say this, was overjoyed to see that her father, Song Qingming, had agreed so quickly.
Song Qingming, on the other hand, took out a jade slip from his person and handed it to Song Xinyuan.
"Although I agreed to your return to Funiu Mountain, I made it clear beforehand that this matter would depend on your personal performance."
If you can't manage things over there, I'll transfer you to another place.
Furthermore, this jade slip contains something I've been searching for.
After you go to Funiu Mountain, remember to look for this item.
If you find anything similar to this, don't tell anyone, just bring it to me at Qingyun Mountain.
Remember, this matter I'm instructing you to keep is something only you can know. You must never tell anyone else, including Yuling.
"Father, rest assured, I have remembered." After nodding seriously, Song Xinyuan took the jade slip from Song Qingming's hand and immediately probed into it with his divine sense.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered a fragment of a very ancient-style drawing inside, and a complex expression appeared on his face.
Seeing that Song Xinyuan's expression was somewhat strange, Song Qingming immediately asked her:
"What's wrong, Xinyuan?"
"Father, I feel like I've seen this before!"
".
Fifteen minutes later, in the "Qingyun Mountain" market area.
Back in the shop, Song Xinyuan searched the storeroom for a while and finally found a very old and worn-out "storage bag".
As soon as he took out an ancient, fragmented map from his "storage bag," Song Qingming's attention was instantly drawn to it, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.
Although the fragment of the map was still some distance away from him, Song Qingming felt a familiar, peculiar reaction in his chest.
This also proves that the fragmented map in Song Xinyuan's hands is exactly what he has been searching for all these years.
"Xinyuan, where did you get this?"
Seeing the hint of excitement in Song Qingming's voice, Song Xinyuan, who had never seen her father like this before, immediately explained:
"A few years ago, my son took over this general store and acquired a lot of high-level materials from it."
This tattered map was obtained from that shopkeeper back then, originally intended to be melted down at the weapon-refining pavilion in exchange for some spirit stones.
However, this diagram was made of some special material, and the weapon refining pavilion was unable to smelt it, so it was returned to me and has remained in the warehouse ever since.
"It wasn't until you gave me that jade slip that I remembered seeing this before."
After marrying Liu Yuling, Song Xinyuan and his wife moved to the market town at the foot of the mountain and devoted themselves to running several shops.
The general store in front of us was one of the shops that Song Xinyuan took over before he went out to achieve his Nascent Soul stage. Over the years, it has been run by his descendants.
When Song Xinyuan took over the shop, he received a large number of spiritual items from the previous owner, and this fragmented map was one of them.
However, Song Xinyuan at the time, like the previous shopkeeper, had no idea of the origin of the picture and simply regarded it as a special material of low value.
So much so that it has been left in this warehouse for who knows how many years.
Even Song Xinyuan himself did not expect that the old and broken map in front of him, which they had almost treated as scrap, would attract so much attention from his father, the Nascent Soul Ancestor.
"Father, is this truly the spiritual object you are looking for?"
"Hmm! Not bad, you've done a great job this time."
After taking the incomplete map from the other party, Song Qingming patted Song Xinyuan, who was standing in front of him with a puzzled expression, and praised her.
He then disappeared from the spot with the remaining map.
Upon seeing this, Song Xinyuan stood still, touched her shoulder, and a smile appeared on her face.
After so many years of cultivation, this seems to be the first time my father has recognized me so much.
".
"Qingyun Mountain", the cave at the top of the mountain.
Song Qingming carefully inspected the barrier set up at the entrance. Just then, he cast a spell and a golden scroll floated in mid-air.
As soon as he took out the tattered map he had just obtained from his waist, a beam of spiritual light shot out from the "golden scroll" and landed on the map.
Immediately afterwards, the fragment of the map transformed into a beam of light and disappeared into the scroll in front of it, instantly merging with it.
Once the light faded, most of the empty spaces in the "golden scroll" had been filled, leaving only two small holes, each about the size of a palm.
At this moment, Song Qingming, who was standing not far away, also felt that the spiritual light emanating from the fragment had obviously changed.
It should be able to restore mana, and its effectiveness has already been greatly improved.
"This is already the fourth fragment of the map, and it looks like there should be one more!"
I never imagined that after searching for so long for the missing map, it would be hidden right under my feet in the Qingyun Mountain Market.
Song Qingming couldn't help but sigh, the fate in this world is truly wondrous.
I discovered the origin of the fragmented map in the "Qinghe Cave," and it was one of the three fragmented maps I found around the State of Wei.
Song Qingming had always thought that the remaining fragments of the map were most likely located near the State of Wei, ignoring other places.
To prevent others from knowing the secret about the incomplete map he possessed.
In the last few hundred years, Song Qingming only told Song Yuanfang and Song Yushan, who were in charge of the family, about the search for this item.
They were instructed to search discreetly, without making a public display of interest in finding the item.
Centuries have passed, and they have only found some similar items, but have never found any other fragments of the map.
If I hadn't given the jade slip to Song Xinyuan today, I probably wouldn't have known when I would have discovered the existence of this incomplete map.
"Where is this last picture?"
After a thousand years of cultivation, he was able to reach this point because the incomplete map before him changed his destiny.
If he hadn't obtained it by chance back then, Song Qingming probably wouldn't have even been able to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Let alone becoming the renowned Nascent Soul cultivator who stands at the pinnacle of the cultivation world in a province.
Looking at the final, still missing part of the "golden scroll" ahead, Song Qingming couldn't help but show a hint of anticipation on his face.
Now that only one fragment remains, I can restore this item.
Anyway, there's plenty of time. As long as this thing is still in the "Floating Cloud Mountains", we can find it sooner or later and then we can unlock its secrets.
".
Several months later, in Weiguo, Qinghe County, "Funiu Mountain".
In the "Council Hall" atop the mountain, seven Golden Core elders, led by Song Mingyue, stood on both sides.
"Aunt Mingyue, you weren't wrong just now!"
It really is our ancestor himself who wants to come to Mount Funiu.
"Yes, great-aunt."
Even if it were just an announcement of who would succeed the Grand Elder, a simple messenger would suffice; why would the Ancestor need to come in person? Perhaps he has other business to attend to?"
"Jin Liang, what are you saying?"
With such a momentous event as the return of our ancestor, how could I possibly joke with you? Do you really think I'm just bored and have specially summoned you all back from out of town?
As for what the patriarch has to say, I don't know either; you'll find out soon enough.
"Hehe! Aunt Mingyue, don't worry. We all know that you've been helping the Elder manage the family all these years."
"This position of Grand Elder is one that none of us can assume except you."
"Seventh Brother is right. Apart from Aunt Mingyue, who else is qualified for the position of Grand Elder?"
"Alright, alright, the patriarch hasn't even announced the selection of the family's elder yet. What nonsense are you spouting here? Do you really think it's your turn to be in charge of the family?"
Let me tell you, whoever becomes the Grand Elder will be doing so to share the burdens of the Ancestor.
"Oh, what my great-aunt said is absolutely right!"
".
As a direct descendant of Song Yushan, Song Mingyue has been helping the Grand Elder manage family affairs since she reached the Core Formation stage, and enjoys high prestige within the family.
The other Golden Core elders present were either too young and of lower seniority than her, or their cultivation abilities were insufficient.
Now that Song Yushan has passed away, Song Mingyue is the most promising candidate to succeed the position of Grand Elder among the many Golden Core elders of the families present.
Hearing the people around her discussing the matter, she scolded them, but she couldn't help but feel a little excited.
His gaze would occasionally drift towards the door.
Just as everyone was waiting, a sword light flew swiftly from the foot of the mountain and strode into the "Council Hall".
The newcomer was dressed in a green robe and his cultivation had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
He strode up to Song Mingyue and said loudly:
"Reporting to the elder, we have just received a message from the Crimson Flame Pavilion that the ancestors are on their way to the family's spiritual mountain and should arrive soon."
"Yes, everyone, please come with me to welcome the Ancestor!"
Upon hearing Song Mingyue's reminder, everyone quickly put away their relaxed expressions and turned serious, then got up and walked outside together.
".
As the group walked out of the hall, they found that hundreds of figures were already standing densely in the square outside.
Among these people, the one with the lowest cultivation level was at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, and they were all members of the Song clan living in the "Funiu Mountain".
Since the Song family ancestors came to Qinghe County, the "Funiu Mountain" has undergone tremendous changes over the past thousand years.
Today, there are over five thousand cultivators with Song family bloodlines on this fourth-level spiritual mountain, making it the strongest force in the northern part of the entire Wei Kingdom.
Even looking at the entire "Floating Cloud Mountain Range," apart from those Nascent Soul forces, there are few Golden Core sects that can compare with the Song family now.
Just as Song Mingyue and the others were waiting patiently, several streaks of light appeared in the distant sky before their eyes.
The light that had been escaping was still dozens of miles away.
The next moment, it suddenly appeared close to everyone and passed through the "mountain-protecting formation" to land in the center of the square.
On the flying vehicle ahead, more than a dozen figures slowly walked towards the group.
The man in the green robe walking in front had a handsome and kind face, with a few smiles on his lips.
Although his appearance was rather ordinary, the powerful aura he exuded caused many Golden Core cultivators present to change their expressions.
They recognized each other at a glance.
It was the familiar figure that hung high in the center of the family's "Qilin Pavilion" during ancestral worship ceremonies.
Upon seeing this, everyone quickly bowed and knelt down on the ground.
With everyone speaking at once, a voice instantly resounded throughout the entire sky.
"We respectfully welcome our Ancestor!" (End of Chapter)