Chapter 96: Chapter 97: Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony

The Song Clan had produced two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in quick succession, expanding the clan’s total from six to eight. In terms of numbers, they had completely surpassed the Earth Fire Sect, maintaining their clan’s dominant position.

As the saying goes, a joyous occasion lifts the spirits. Song Xianyun had been walking with his head held high these days, sending his clansmen spinning as he directed preparations for the ceremony.

Second Elder Song Luzhou had laid out the long-prepared Spirit Fruits, Spirit Fish, and various other dishes. He had truly spared no expense for this Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony.

Fourth Elder Song Luhuai stood at the foot of the mountain with several Clan Elders to welcome the guests. This banquet was a grand affair. Besides the other five great Foundation Establishment Influences, nearly a hundred Qi Refining Influences of all sizes from Ling Province, as well as many Loose Cultivators, were on the invitation list. There were even Cultivators from outside Ling Province. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In total, nearly three hundred people attended the banquet. Among them, there were over thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, encompassing most of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Ling Province.

Naturally, those who came to attend the ceremony didn’t arrive empty-handed; they all brought some gifts. These gifts were mostly things like Magical Artifacts, Pills, and Talismans, none of which were particularly valuable.

Only the other five Foundation Establishment Influences were more generous with their gifts. Among them, the Wang and Li Clans spent the most. The Li Clan, who practically monopolized the low-end Spirit Medicine market in Ling Province and were thus fabulously wealthy, sent a batch of Spirit Medicines.

The Wang and Song Clans had been connected by marriage for several generations, so it was no exaggeration to say they were as close as brothers. They directly gifted a Tier Two Low-Grade Artifact.

Although the Yu and Qiu Clans were not on good terms with the Song Clan, they still sent valuable gifts. Even the Earth Fire Sect, which had already had a falling out with the Song Clan, sent Li Tiancheng with a bottle of Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Pills to maintain appearances.

The Six Great Influences maintained a surface-level harmony, and naturally, everyone else was also enjoying the cheerful atmosphere.

The proceedings of the Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony were very simple and concluded quickly. Everything went by the book, without any trouble.

But everyone present knew that the ceremony was just an appetizer. The real show was yet to come.

Sure enough, after several rounds of food and wine, Li Tiancheng slowly rose to his feet. He clasped his hands in a salute to the crowd and said with a chuckle, "For the Song Clan to add two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in such a short time is truly a blessing for our Ling Province."

"Furthermore, Young Clan Leader Song is a man of outstanding talent, having made a name for himself throughout Ling Province at such a young age. He is admired by countless young disciples. As it happens, a distant nephew of my Earth Fire Sect’s Sect Leader has accompanied me here today. He too admires the Young Clan Leader greatly. Since we have this happy occasion, I would ask that the Young Clan Leader offer him some guidance."

As he spoke, a young man in a white robe standing beside him rose. He looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, with a sharp, imposing presence. The opening and closing of his eyes seemed to carry a soul-stirring power.

He strode forward, his robes trembling slightly, revealing his early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. He looked toward where Song Changsheng was seated and said coldly, "Please, grant me your guidance."

The moment he said this, interested looks appeared on the faces of everyone present. ’So, they’re here to crash the party. This is getting interesting.’

Song Xianyun’s expression remained unchanged as he said coolly, "I never imagined Sect Leader Chang had such a young and promising nephew. He has certainly been kept well hidden."

Clan Leader Wang Qinghe of the Wang Clan chimed in from the side, "It’s perfectly normal that Fellow Daoist Song hasn’t heard of him. Chang Wudao was an abandoned infant taken in by the old Sect Leader of the Earth Fire Sect, after all. This young friend must have only recently been acknowledged. It’s no wonder Fellow Daoist Song didn’t know, no wonder at all."

Knowing smiles immediately appeared on the faces of the guests. ’An abandoned infant like Chang Wudao, where would he get a distant nephew? It’s more likely he was sent by the Lieyang Sect to stir up trouble.’

Li Tiancheng truly lived up to his moniker, the Smiling Tiger. The smile never left his face as he poured himself a drink, showing not the slightest hint of anger.

The challenger, however, was losing his patience. He looked at Song Changsheng and sneered, "So this is the famous Young Clan Leader of the Song Clan? What a disappointment."

Song Lutong had a fiery temper. Hearing this, he immediately wanted to stand up and teach this arrogant punk a lesson, but just as he started to rise, Song Changsheng, who was beside him, held him down.

"Don’t stop me! I’m going to teach him a good lesson today," Song Lutong growled.

"For you to act, Uncle, would be beneath your status. Allow your nephew to handle this," Song Changsheng said with a slight smile, rising to his feet and walking toward the young man in white.

Song Xianyun sent a secret transmission, "This person has been right under my nose for so long, yet I couldn’t sense his cultivation. He is no simple character. Are you confident?"

"Your grandson knows what he’s doing."

Song Changsheng came to a stop before the white-robed young man, made a "please" gesture, and said, "If you would please follow me to the Martial Arts Arena."

"Heh." A trace of disdain appeared on the white-robed man’s face. He turned and walked toward the nearby Martial Arts Arena, with Song Changsheng following close behind.

Having received Song Changsheng’s affirmative answer, Song Xianyun’s doubts vanished without a trace. He smiled and called out to the crowd, "Fellow Daoists, if you would please join us for a look..."

The two came to a stop in the center of the Martial Arts Arena. Song Changsheng gave a slight bow with clasped hands and said coolly, "Changsheng of the Song Clan. I await your guidance, Fellow Daoist."

"Qii Feiyun. Remember this name, for it will be your lifelong nightmare," Qii Feiyun said with cold arrogance.

"Heh. Then bring it on." Song Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his expression perfectly calm. ’He’d seen plenty of edgy teenagers before; this one was no different.’

"Putting on an act!"

Qii Feiyun swept his great sleeve, unleashing twelve flying swords that glinted with a biting chill. They formed a circle in the air, gathering fierce Sword Qi as they shot toward Song Changsheng.

’So you’ve refined a Sword Array. No wonder you’re so arrogant. But you’ve picked the wrong opponent today. This isn’t a place where you can run wild!’

Watching the Sword Array hurtle toward him, Song Changsheng showed no hint of panic. He extended his right hand and tapped lightly in the air. Yin and Yang Qi burst from his fingertip, forming a black-and-white vortex before him.

The twelve flying swords slammed into the vortex as if hitting a wall of solid bronze, unable to advance an inch. They let out a series of loud hums.

Qii Feiyun’s expression grew slightly more serious. The Magic Technique he formed with his hands changed rapidly, and a faint golden light appeared on the blades of the twelve flying swords.

The black-and-white vortex instantly shattered. Song Changsheng’s sharp brows twitched. With a wave of his hand, torrents of water surged forth, sweeping all the flying swords back.

"Sword Momentum, execute!"

Qii Feiyun roared. All the flying swords let out a high-pitched cry. They spun rapidly in midair as the phantom of a Sword Map appeared. In that instant, the twelve flying swords truly transformed into an Array of Slaughter, enveloping Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng’s vision blurred, and he found himself in a space filled with crisscrossing Sword Qi. Flying swords flickered in and out of view within, their killing intent surging to the heavens.

He activated his [Protective Spiritual Gang] to block the rampaging Sword Qi and said with a faint smile, "A fine [Formless Sword Array]. If all twelve of your flying swords were Tier Two, I might actually fear you a little. But unfortunately, most of them are only Tier One Top Grade. They can’t do anything to me."

"[Eye of Truth], open!"

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