On the stage, the elder's attacks grew increasingly fierce, each move targeting the chubby boy's vital points. In no time, he had forced the boy into a corner with barely any room left to maneuver.
Just as the chubby boy had seemingly run out of options, and everyone believed he was about to be defeated, a crafty glint flashed across his previously "panicked and flustered" round face.
With agility far beyond what his appearance would suggest, he dodged the elder's onslaught. The crowd only saw a blur, and suddenly, a dark yellow triangular flag appeared in his hand.
He slammed the flag hard into the stage.
In the next moment, strange, worm-like patterns began to spread out from the flag's base across the broad platform. Centered around the flag, these "worms" seemed to come alive.
In an instant, illusory chains emerged, writhing like spirit snakes as they slithered toward the elder to bind him.
"A formation?!" the elder gasped, utterly shocked. He had been in complete control of the fight when the boy managed to set up such a formation right under his nose.
It wasn't just him. Almost everyone present had failed to notice when the formation had been laid. For the Qi Refining cultivators, that might have been expected, but there were several Foundation Establishment cultivators among the audience, too. Yet apart from Song Changsheng, none had seen it coming.
That included Li Siyang, who had just bet against Song Changsheng moments ago, claiming that the chubby boy would surely lose, only to be proven wrong almost instantly.
Now, utterly stunned, he turned to Song Changsheng and asked, "Did you notice it from the start?"
Song Changsheng replied with a calm smile, "From the very beginning of the match, he was laying the formation. His movements were extremely subtle. What looked like him being driven into retreat was part of his plan.
He carefully wove a net step by step, then lured his opponent into it. His misdirection was superb; he fooled everyone, but not me. That's why I was confident enough to place a bet with my uncle."
Though his words were describing the duel, for some reason, Li Siyang couldn't shake the feeling that Song Changsheng meant something more. A guilty conscience stirring within, he began to feel uneasy.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead without him realizing it. He was sure now Song Changsheng had figured something out. And here he was, deep inside the Song Clan's stronghold. If Song Changsheng decided to act, he'd have no chance to resist.
Even though he was at the same mid-Foundation Establishment level as Song Changsheng, the latter had earned his reputation through true battle and bloodshed.
Looking at Song Changsheng's smiling face, Li Siyang's heart began to sink…
Song Changsheng's gaze gradually turned cold, but he didn't make any move. After a moment, he turned his attention back to the stage.
By now, the chubby boy had used the power of the formation to crush the elder's defenses and overwhelmingly win the match, drawing astonished gasps from the crowd. The tables had turned too fast to believe.
The boy looked rather pleased with himself. Amidst the cheers of his clanmates, he raised his gaze toward the audience stands.
At that same moment, Song Changsheng was looking at him too. Their eyes met, and the chubby boy grew visibly excited. That was his idol, someone he had long admired and chased after. And now, he had finally caught his attention through his strength!
As a cultivator, Song Changsheng's memory was naturally sharp. He still remembered, years ago, when he was cultivating the "Inscribing Formations with the Body", he had gone all over in search of Dragonblood Orchid, a herb to temper the body.
Back then, he had posted the task at the Contribution Hall. Two people ended up completing it, one of whom was the headhunter from the monster-hunting squad, Shangguan Jian. The other… was this very chubby boy. He even remembered his name, Song Qinghong.
The boy had called him "idol" at the time, and Song Changsheng had nearly choked from the cringe.
He never expected Song Qinghong to improve so quickly to the point of qualifying to compete for the Foundation Establishment Pill and even win his first match in such a remarkable way.
It was true that the boy had a certain talent for formations. But Song Changsheng wasn't too optimistic about his chances. As a formation master, your formation is your trump card. By revealing it in the very first round, he had already alerted the other competitors. Repeating the same trick would be far more difficult going forward.
With Song Changsheng's sharp eye, he could see clearly that Song Qinghong's combat strength was only average. Without the aid of a formation, his chances in the upcoming rounds were slim.
Still, today's performance had already proven his talent in the art of formations. Even if he didn't make it into the top three this time, the clan would surely invest in his training. That was still an excellent outcome. He was, after all, still young; there would be more opportunities ahead.
The next match featured another familiar face of Song Changsheng's, none other than Song Chang'an, his old companion from the campaign in the Wutong Secret Realm.
As the son of Song Luhuai, he had never enjoyed any special privileges growing up. The expectations placed on him had been even stricter.
His talent wasn't extraordinary, but he possessed a deep well of resilience very much like Xu Yunhe. Both were sword cultivators who would rather break than bend.
Compared to a few years ago, his swordsmanship had become far more refined. Although still not on par with the monstrously talented Song Qingxing, he was no longer inferior to Xu Yunhe of the past.
His opponent couldn't last even ten rounds under his sword before the match was decided.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on Song Luzhou's face as he remarked, "It seems Chang'an hasn't wasted his years. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll place in the top three."
Song Changsheng nodded in agreement. While Song Chang'an's sword style lacked the sharp, aggressive edge of Song Qingxing's, his continuous and unrelenting attacks were something few in the Song Clan could withstand. Barring any surprises, he had all but secured one of the Foundation Establishment Pills.
Unless, of course, another dark horse emerged.
But reality proved that prodigies like Song Qingxia were rare and not easily encountered. Over the two-day competition, Song Chang'an dominated and claimed first place.
Second place went to a young woman named Song Changxue, a relative from Song Luzhou's lineage. She practiced both martial arts and music, and her strength was formidable.
The third-place winner also carried the "Chang" generation name Song Changxuan. Among the trio, he was the most gifted, having formed a Gold-Water Dao Foundation.
As for the once-sensational Song Qinghong, he was eliminated in the semifinals, completely overwhelmed. After all, array formation required time, and he had revealed his methods too early, allowing his opponent to be fully prepared.
Against opponents of similar strength, he could still use formations to fight back. But once the power gap widened, he'd be crushed instantly.
Overall, however, Song Changsheng and the others were satisfied with the results of the competition.
Now it was up to those three to seize the opportunity. The Foundation Establishment Pill wasn't a cure-all; its success rate was only fifty percent.
With the finals concluded, the Song Clan Grand Competition officially came to a close. Though there were only three Foundation Establishment Pills, many promising talents had emerged from this event.
Song Qingxi, Song Muqing, Song Qingxia, Song Chang'an, Song Qinghong…
One name after another began to spread, revealing to the world the true depth of Lingzhou's number-one clan!
...
In the end, Song Changsheng didn't make a move against Li Siyang. Watching the backs of the Li Clan members as they departed, his eyes grew dark as he muttered, "The Li Clan has betrayed us."
Song Luzhou narrowed his eyes. The Li Clan's betrayal had long been suspected, but now that it had truly happened, it still made him furious. "The family already forgave them once. They won't get a second chance. Once Elder Brother breaks through to the Purple Mansion Realm, Li Siyang will regret the choice he made today."
"Li Siyang isn't stupid. He knew Grandfather's injuries were close to healing, yet he still chose to betray us. That means someone must have given him the courage to do so."
A glint of sharp light flashed in Song Luzhou's eyes. In a low voice, he asked, "You think it's the Earthfire Sect?"
"Exactly. In all of Lingzhou, only two people have a real chance of reaching the Purple Mansion Realm Grandfather: Chang Wudao.
Back in Luoxia City, the Earthfire Sect sent Cheng Yufei to the auction to purchase a Tier-3 cultivation method suitable for Chang Wudao. That proves he's already preparing to make his breakthrough." Song Changsheng turned his gaze toward the Liuyun Mountain Range, a flicker of concern in his eyes.
"But Cheng Yufei was killed by you, and you brought back the cultivation method. Without a proper manual, would Chang Wudao still dare to attempt a breakthrough?"
A Tier-3 cultivation method was the key to opening the path to the Purple Mansion stage. Without it, the success rate would plummet. Song Luzhou didn't think Chang Wudao had that kind of nerve.
Song Changsheng shook his head. "The Earthfire Sect may lack deep foundations, but if they're determined, finding another suitable method isn't that hard. Haven't you noticed how quiet they've been lately? That's very unlike them.
The Li Clan's choice indirectly proves our suspicion. The family needs to prepare in advance."
"Breaking through to the Purple Mansion isn't that easy. Your grandfather will soon leave seclusion, and we've already prepared the resources he needs to rebuild his foundation. Once he breaks through, the Earthfire Sect will be crushed," Song Luzhou said with confidence.
Song Changsheng nodded, but the worry in his eyes did not fade. Chang Wudao was not a simple enemy.
"Enough of that. I've already distributed the Foundation Establishment Pills to Chang'an and the others. They'll be entering seclusion soon. I, Ninth Sister, and your mother will guard them during their breakthroughs. The clan's daily affairs will be left in your hands," he added.
At this, Song Changsheng rolled his eyes. "You say that as if I haven't already been handling everything myself."
Not only was Song Luzhou stingy, but his skin was as thick as iron. He completely ignored Song Changsheng's remark.
The next day, Song Chang'an, Song Changxue, and Song Changxuan all entered secret seclusion. Song Luzhou, Song Luoyao, and Xia Yunxue took up the duty of guarding them. All clan matters were left to Song Changsheng's sole discretion...
On the third day of Song Changsheng's solo rule over clan affairs, the Gold Crow Sect's Yuanzhou Envoy delivered a message to Lingzhou that the sect would soon go to war with the Heavenly Vein Sect.
This news made Song Changsheng's already sour mood even worse. Once war officially broke out between the two sects, the Song Clan, as a vassal, would not be spared from conscription.
Sure, going to war was a chance to earn merit. But on such a battlefield, only Purple Mansion cultivators were the true backbone. Foundation Establishment cultivators were just slightly more valuable cannon fodder.
Not even Song Xianming could confidently say he would survive such a battlefield, let alone Song Changsheng.
Though the formal conscription order hadn't come yet, Song Changsheng could already foresee that it wouldn't be long.
The top priority now was to awaken the slumbering Xia Qingxue as soon as possible. Only she had a chance of preventing this disaster from happening.
After all, the true culprit was the Blood Demon, not the Heavenly Vein Sect. No matter who won or lost in a war between the two sects, it would only benefit the Blood Demon in the end.
As soon as he received the news, he immediately sought out Song Luzhou to ask about the progress of the Soul Awakening Pill. It had already been over a month; surely it should be almost ready by now.
Hearing this, Song Luzhou instantly realized the gravity of the situation. He hadn't expected the Golden Crow Sect to go to war with the Heavenly Vein Sect so soon, either.
"I entrusted the Soul Awakening Pill to Master Zhang for refinement. We agreed on a one-month timeline, and it should be done in the next few days."
Hearing that, Song Changsheng felt greatly relieved. A war between the two sects wouldn't erupt overnight. As long as Xia Qingxue could be awakened in time and return to the Golden Crow Sect to reveal the truth, there was still hope to prevent the conflict.
At the very least, they could keep the Song Clan out of it. After all, they had saved Xia Qingxue's life; such a request shouldn't be too much to ask.
The waiting was long and difficult, but fortunately, Master Zhang was punctual. After five agonizing days, he finally sent someone to deliver the pill.
As soon as he got the pill, Song Changsheng rushed to the room where Xia Qingxue was recovering and helped her take it.
It had to be said that the Soul Awakening Pill, being one of the most widely used methods, was quite effective. Less than an hour after taking it, Xia Qingxue slowly regained consciousness.
Faced with the unfamiliar surroundings, she was momentarily confused upon waking. Then her expression quickly shifted to guarded alertness; her last memory was of the flying boat being destroyed.
"Daoist Xia, you're finally awake!" Song Changsheng felt a heavy weight lifted from his chest the moment he saw her open her eyes.
"It's you." Xia Qingxue was surprised to see Song Changsheng. She had thought she'd been captured by those shadowy pursuers, yet the first face she saw upon waking was his.
Song Changsheng immediately realized her misunderstanding and quickly explained, "You were found unconscious near the border of Lingzhou by my clan members, who brought you back. We were even ambushed during the journey and suffered heavy losses."
Doing good deeds anonymously was never Song Changsheng's style. Given Xia Qingxue's status, not leveraging this situation would be a waste.
And he wasn't exaggerating; if he hadn't arrived in time, Song Yulong and the others might not have survived, not to mention the three Foundation Establishment Pills.
Xia Qingxue fell silent. It wasn't that she doubted the truth of his words; it was just that her personality made it difficult for her to process such circumstances.
She had never imagined she'd one day fall to such a state.
After a long silence, she finally said coldly, "I owe you one."
Song Changsheng didn't mind her tone. He shrugged and said, "Now's not the time to talk about favors. You've been unconscious for over a month. Just a few days ago, the governor of Yuanzhou sent word that the Golden Crow Sect had declared war on the Heavenly Vein Sect.
"But I can tell you with certainty the real culprits weren't from Heavenly Vein Sect. The ones who ambushed you were all Blood Demons. They're trying to redirect the blame. If you can return in time, there's a chance you could still stop this disaster."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Qingxue frowned deeply. She looked at Song Changsheng with a scrutinizing gaze and said, "If you already knew the Blood Demon was behind it, why didn't you inform the sect?"
Upon hearing that, a bitter smile appeared on Song Changsheng's face…
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