Chapter 166: Chapter 140: Man Proposes, God Disposes

’If I’d known he was going to die anyway, there would have been no need to kill him that day. Otherwise, that Spiritual Artifact would belong to the clan now. Man’s schemes are truly no match for heaven’s plans.’ Song Changsheng sighed in frustration. Unfortunately, he had no way of seeing the future.

At the end of the "message," Song Xianyun also had some good news for Song Changsheng: the Foundation Establishment Pills purchased from the main clan branch were already en route and would arrive at the clan before long.

This was indeed uplifting news. Once these Foundation Establishment Pills arrived, the clan’s strength would rise to a new level!

Lastly, Song Xianyun urged Song Changsheng to be careful in Luoxia City and to hurry back as soon as the birthday banquet was over. The clan would send people to escort him.

’Looks like the clan knows about Luoxia City preparing for war. *Sigh*. I hope we can stay out of it.’ Putting away the Jade Sword that had crumbled to dust in his hand, Song Changsheng sighed to himself...

With less than three months until the Great City Lord’s four-hundredth birthday, the atmosphere on Celestial Sound Mountain and throughout Luoxia City was growing increasingly festive. Lanterns and colorful decorations began to appear.

Zhuang Yuechan, who had been in seclusion for many days, emerged early. As one of the Great City Lord’s Direct Disciples, she had to represent her master and welcome the guests who were arriving ahead of schedule.

In truth, there weren’t many people. The only ones qualified to ascend the mountain this far in advance were representatives from the Two Sects and the Seven Eminent Clans, widely renowned Loose Cultivators, or a few Cultivators from outside the Daqi Cultivation World.

"Senior Brother Niu, do you have any results on that inquiry I asked you to make for me the other day?" After escorting the Rong Clan’s Purple Mansion Cultivator to their lodging, Zhuang Yuechan immediately spotted a furtive-looking Niu Dazhuang and strode forward to press him.

Niu Dazhuang had planned to fob her off with some random excuse, but one look at Zhuang Yuechan’s expression and he knew he couldn’t get away with bluffing like before. Fortunately, he had come prepared. A wide grin spreading across his face, he said, "I have! I have news."

At his words, Zhuang Yuechan’s expression softened slightly as she waited for him to continue.

"There’s been no word from Song Changsheng. Who knows what he’s tinkering with. He’s probably in seclusion at home," Niu Dazhuang said, carefully observing Zhuang Yuechan’s expression.

Seeing her brow furrow, he immediately changed his tune. "But I did find out about Xu Yunhe and Zhu Yiqun."

Zhuang Yuechan’s delicate brow relaxed. At least it wasn’t a total dead end.

"Where are they now?"

Relieved that she wasn’t dwelling on Song Changsheng, Niu Dazhuang became much more animated. "That kid Xu! I knew he was something special the moment I met him, and it looks like Old Niu’s judgment was spot on. He’s already broken through to Foundation Establishment and has even made a name for himself in the Hundred Thousand Mountains."

A faint smile touched Zhuang Yuechan’s pretty face. "Back then, I thought what Fellow Daoist Song said to him was just words of comfort. I never imagined he’d actually succeed. Fellow Daoist Song’s judgment is truly insightful."

Seeing the topic straying again, Niu Dazhuang quickly cut in, "And that Little Fatty is even more incredible."

"Oh? And what has Fellow Daoist Zhu been up to?"

"Heh, I had to pull a lot of strings to find this out. That guy hasn’t been sitting idle. He and another fellow, Song Qingxing, not only rescued that woman who was abducted from the auction house, but they also slew the Living Puppet and took three treasures from our Treasure Vault."

"Does that mean Fellow Daoist Zhu has also reached Foundation Establishment?" Zhuang Yuechan’s lovely eyes lit up.

"Heh, it’s strange, now that you mention it. All those guys reached Foundation Establishment around the same time you did. How did all you geniuses end up in the same nest?" Niu Dazhuang mused, smacking his lips with a sigh of wonder.

He had met them back then. At the time, they were just Junior Cultivators at the Qi Refining Great Perfection or Ninth Layer, cornered and facing certain death at the hands of a horde of Blood Demons.

It had only been a few years, yet all these youngsters had somehow broken through to Foundation Establishment. His junior sister’s success was a given, of course.

But on what basis had the other three succeeded?

Zhuang Yuechan, however, wasn’t dwelling on such things. She was simply puzzled. ’Since Xu Yunhe and Zhu Yiqun are both in Luoxia City, why haven’t they come to see me?’

——————

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Young Clan Leader, it is the time you appointed."

Song Changsheng, who was in seclusion, opened his eyes. He murmured softly, "’Have two months already gone by so fast?’"

It was now two months after the last message from his clan. During this time, besides cultivating the Body Forging Technique and comprehending his Little Divine Techniques, Song Changsheng had also repaired the Ink Jade Lotus Platform and the Profound Celestial Battle Armor, both damaged during his fight with Cheng Yufei.

He had also used the Yin Yang Iron obtained from the Treasure Vault to re-refine his Spirit-Slaying Gourd, elevating it to Tier Two Middle Grade. Now, all he needed to do was acquire enough Five Elements Essence Qi, and the Spirit-Slaying Gourd would transform into a Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

But he had no time to complete that now. The date on the invitation had arrived, and it was time for him to go to the banquet.

After washing up, Song Changsheng changed into the robes that signified his status as the Young Clan Leader of the Song Clan. He normally only wore this attire for ancestral worship or other major clan ceremonies. He had brought it along this time specifically to express the clan’s respect for the Great City Lord.

The invitation stated that he could bring a guest. Song Changsheng had originally intended to bring Clan Elder Song Xiantu or his teacher, Sunx Chuanming, but both had declined.

Meanwhile, Xu Yunhe had yet to return from the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and besides, he wasn’t interested in such occasions. The Little Fatty would have loved it, but unfortunately, there’d been hide nor hair of him. Thus, the opportunity fell to Song Qingluo.

Though only nineteen, the young man already had a Cultivation at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, which was quite decent for the younger generation. He was also close with Song Changsheng, so it would be good to take him along to broaden his horizons. Besides, the general store might be handed over to him in the future.

When they arrived at the foot of Celestial Sound Mountain, many people were still sitting cross-legged, despite the imminent start of the City Lord’s birthday banquet. The only difference from usual was that the Array enveloping Celestial Sound Mountain had been opened.

Seeing these people sitting there, motionless, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but feel confused. ’Didn’t they say everyone could attend the Great City Lord’s birthday banquet? The only difference was supposed to be that those with invitations could go to the summit, while those without had to stay on the mountainside.’

But he wasn’t a curious busybody who needed to ask about every little thing, so he simply walked past the crowd and prepared to head up the mountain.

Seeing this, a young Cultivator couldn’t help but call out a warning. "Fellow Daoist, you’re not allowed to go anywhere on Celestial Sound Mountain besides the base."

Song Changsheng asked, confused, "Normally, yes, but isn’t everyone allowed to attend for the Great City Lord’s birthday banquet?"

Before the young Cultivator could reply, a white-haired old man answered, "That’s only for when the banquet officially starts. There’s still a month to go."

"Still a month away?" Song Changsheng’s heart sank. ’Did I get the date wrong? If so, this is going to be embarrassing.’

His fingers, hidden under his wide sleeves, quickly made a calculation. He frowned. ’No, this is the time on the invitation.’

Although he didn’t know why it was a month early, he wasn’t worried as long as the date was correct. He cupped his hands in a salute to them and said, "Thank you both for the warning."

Then, he led Song Qingluo and started up the mountain.

Seeing Song Changsheng’s "stubborn insistence," the young Cultivator and the old man shook their heads and said no more. They were strangers, after all; a single warning was more than enough.

He had only taken a few steps when a voice drifted from the crowd. "Youngsters these days really don’t know their place. Who does he think he is, daring to go up the mountain a month early? Does he think he’s one of those Purple Mansion masters?"

"Yeah. I bet he’ll be tossed back down like a dead dog in a few minutes," another voice chimed in, its tone dripping with mockery.

Although the two weren’t speaking loudly, every word fell clearly into Song Changsheng’s ears. He frowned slightly, his gaze instantly locking onto two Qi Cultivators in the middle of the crowd. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But he looked away after just a single glance. Arguing with such people would only lower himself to their level. Besides, he had a much better way of responding.

The moment he set foot on the mountain path, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators approached him. Though they looked somewhat skeptical, they spoke by the book. "Fellow Daoist, please present your invitation."

"An invitation? What a joke," a voice called out from the crowd, sparking a wave of laughter.

’Leaping clowns,’ Song Changsheng sneered inwardly. Then, under the astonished gazes of the entire crowd, he produced his gilt-edged invitation...