Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

The token that Chu Zheng held was a rare sign of a distinguished guest within the Locking Immortal Pavilion.

As soon as they entered the pavilion, a female cultivator about twenty-five or twenty-six years old came forward to greet them. She was clad in a light gauze, barefoot, with a graceful figure, and her cultivation had already reached the Entry Path Realm.

The woman was very aware of propriety. She glanced at Song Lingqing, who was behind Chu Zheng, and did not get too close. Stopping three steps away from Chu Zheng, she turned sideways and saluted,

"Lian Yao has seen the honored guest, please follow me."

In the Cangyun Realm, names like Lian Yao were akin to stage names, recognizable upon hearing them.

After saying this, Lian Yao did not ask further questions and turned to lead the way.

Song Lingqing was obviously curious, but she dared not look around indiscriminately, for fear of seeing things she shouldn't. Clenching her fists, she kept her head down all the way, following behind Chu Zheng's footsteps.

There was dead silence all around. The leading Lian Yao even moved without a sound, her footsteps silent.

After a moment, the three entered a private room.

Lian Yao activated an array that isolated sound, poured two cups of spiritual tea, lit the Calm Spirit Incense in the corner, and then turned to look at Chu Zheng before asking,

"What brings you here today?"

Chu Zheng picked up the cup of tea, took a small sip, and spoke slowly, "I wish to inquire about some information. Please call the person in charge of your Listening Pavilion."

Inside the Locking Immortal Pavilion, there are three pavilions and six courtyards. The Listening Pavilion specializes in the trade of information, from Holy Lands to common folk; one can probe for traces of any circulating news.

At the height of passion, prying for information is as natural as pushing a boat along the water, a very familiar task for these practitioners well-seasoned in the affairs of the world.

This is also a unique feature of the Locking Immortal Pavilion. A few words from high-rank cultivators could represent information that some cultivators may not encounter in their entire lives, often indicating opportunities.

"Please wait a moment," she said.

Lian Yao did not ask further, bowed slightly, and left.

A moment later, a man over thirty entered the room, closed the door, and saluted with clasped hands,

"My name is Ding Cheng, I have the honor of meeting both Dao friends."

Ding Cheng's cultivation was much stronger than Lian Yao's; having reached the Soul Condensation Realm, he was equivalent to an Inner Sect Elder in various major sects.

"What news do you wish to know?" Ding Cheng did not look at Song Lingqing at the side but focused on Chu Zheng, cutting straight to the point.

"The current situation and specific strength of the Shang Family and its subsidiary, the Song Clan."

"The news in Locking Immortal Pavilion is categorized into three levels: Heavenly, Earthly, and Human. As for the price..."

Chu Zheng raised his hand to cut off the lengthy introduction and said directly, "No need to explain. Heavenly level, tell me everything about the Shang Family and the Song Clan."

"One hundred high-quality spirit stones."

Seeing this, Ding Cheng did not waste further words and directly stated the price.

Hearing the cost, Song Lingqing at the side slightly widened her eyes, took a deep breath, one hundred high-quality spirit stones, equivalent to a whole ten thousand lower-quality spirit stones. Her entire fortune amounted to only about twenty thousand.

Chu Zheng showed no intention of bargaining and took out one hundred high-quality spirit stones, placing them on the table.

Ding Cheng methodically took out an array plate, verified the one hundred high-quality spirit stones, and then began to speak,

"The Shang Family is a descendant of an Immortal King, with nearly half of the upper echelons in the Primordial Spirit Holy Land being Shang Family cultivators. Although it is a Holy Land, it is actually under the control of the Shang Family. The current Holy Maiden of the Primordial Spirit Holy Land, Shang Zuling, is from the Shang Family."

"As far as Locking Immortal Pavilion is aware, the Shang Family currently possesses twenty-three Tongxuan Realm cultivators, over eighty Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, and more than three hundred Divine Infants. There are over two thousand at the Soul Condensation and Entry Dao Realm, with uncountable numbers at the Spirit Spring and Nourishing Power Realms."

Hearing the strength of the Shang Family, Chu Zheng was inevitably surprised, and Song Lingqing at his side couldn't help but hold her breath.

Such strength, and belonging to the same family, was far more powerful than the so-called True Immortal noble families. From a superficial standpoint, without discussing the foundation of Immortal Treasures, they were indeed far stronger than any given Holy Land.

Ding Cheng took a breath, then continued,

"The Song Clan is also a cultivation family, with an exceptionally high chance for Immortal Seedlings to emerge. Within the family, there is one Divine Infant Realm ancestor in seclusion. The current Family Head, named Song Yusang, is a late-stage Soul Condensing cultivator. He's not young, and the hope of condensing a Divine Infant in his lifetime is slim.

"Apart from Song Yusang, there are eight Soul Condensing cultivators, over fifty at the Entry Dao Realm, more than one hundred and fifty at the Spirit Spring Realm, and over three hundred in the Nourishing Power Realm."

"In recent years, the younger generation of the Song family produced a high-quality Immortal Bone individual named Song Pingjun, who has built a Seventh Layer Celestial Foundation. His prospects for reaching Tongxuan are promising, and the Shang Family has shown interest; they intend to bring him into the family through marriage."

"I can tell you something more; not long ago, the True Immortal noble family of the Song Clan from the Eastern Region came here. It is not ruled out that the local Song Clan is a branch of the True Immortal noble bloodline."

At this point, Ding Cheng paused. After waiting a moment and seeing he did not continue, Song Lingqing couldn't help expressing her surprise, "Is that it?"

"For now, based on the question that this Dao friend asked earlier, that is all I can say." Ding Cheng nodded.

Song Lingqing glanced at the pile of spirit stones nearby and felt a twinge of pain. Ten thousand lower-quality spirit stones were exchanged for just a few words; the spirit stones seemed too easily earned.

Chu Zheng pondered for a moment, then asked, "What is the relationship between the Song Clan and the Shang Family?"

Ding Cheng's expression became solemn, and he sat up straight, shaking his head, "I can only inform you of certain truths. I cannot speculate on the relationship between the two powers. Should I speak carelessly and trouble arises, I cannot bear the consequences."

"Then let me put it another way," said Chu Zheng, his gaze sharpening as he asked another question, "Has the Song Clan explicitly refused the Shang Family's marriage proposal?"

At this, Ding Cheng hesitated for a moment before replying, "The Song Clan has not agreed."

A hint of a smile appeared in Chu Zheng's eyes; knowing this result was enough for him.

Chu Zheng didn't say much more, finished the spiritual tea in front of him in one gulp, and stood up saying:
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"Let's go."

Song Lingqing reluctantly shifted her gaze away from the spirit stone and silently got to her feet.

"Fellow Daoist, please go slowly." Ding Cheng stood up to see them off.

Outside the private room, Lian Yao was half-kneeling on the ground, waiting.

Seeing Chu Zheng come out, she performed a courtesy and, without a word, stood up to lead the way, escorting the two of them all the way to the outside of the Locking Immortal Pavilion.

Song Lingqing turned back to look at the plaque of the Locking Immortal Pavilion, her expression hesitating as she said:

"This place... it's somewhat different from what I had imagined."

She had thought this place was full of thieves and prostitutes engaging in sordid affairs, but now it seemed that it wasn't entirely so deplorable.

"Actually, there's no difference; it's exactly as you thought, a place that harbors filth and corruption."

Chu Zheng corrected her thoughts and cautioned her, "Don't come here alone."

While they were talking, a woman in her thirties walked out of the Lock Immortal Pavilion, her face glowing with health, smiling, and her spiritual power overflowing, looking refreshed and invigorated.

Song Lingqing was taken aback by such a joyful state, and after regaining her composure, she couldn't help but purse her lips and asked softly, "Is it truly that exhilarating?"

Since Chu Zheng was already married, he was an experienced man and should know more than she did.

"..."

Chu Zheng remained silent for a while, not answering the question, and turned around saying, "Let's go."

"Go where?"

"To the Song family. Pay them a direct visit and ask about their intentions."

After learning some key information, there was no need to beat around the bush any longer.

The Southern Territory Song Clan was too dispersed, with no communication or contact between them. When it came to so-called blood ties, it was all nonsense, nothing more than entangled interests.

The Song family had refused the Shang family's marriage proposal, clearly unwilling to remain content with the status quo. Coupled with the visit from the Eastern Territory Song Clan, perhaps now was the opportune moment.

......

......

The location of the Song family was not hard to find, situated in a mansion on the north side of the Imperial Capital, occupying more than a thousand zhang, intricate and complex, shrouded with layers of arrays.

Two cultivators at the Spirit Spring Realm were stationed at the entrance. Chu Zheng did not conceal his origin and directly identified himself as the Taixuan Holy Son while presenting his visiting card.

Skulking only invites scorn.

Moreover, given the current situation where Divine Infants are in seclusion, there is no one in the entire Southern Region who could kill Chu Zheng, so there's no need for excessive caution any longer.

The reason for hiding his trace on the way here was mainly because too many people were watching Chu Zheng, which could bring unnecessary trouble.

Shortly after, a group of people rushed out to greet them.

The person at the front was a man nearing forty, tall and thin, with a short beard over his jaw, eyes brimming with spirit, his cultivation having reached the late stage of the Soul Condensing Realm. Everyone following by his side, without exception, were Soul Condensing Monks.

"I am Song Yusang, Patriarch of the Song family."

The middle-aged man spoke first, saluting with his hands, "I was unaware of the Taixuan Holy Son's distinguished visit, and I have failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, and allow me to invite you inside for a discussion."

Soon, Chu Zheng and Song Lingqing were ushered into the house.

Once inside the main hall, Song Yusang offered Chu Zheng the seat of honor, summoned the maid to serve spiritual tea, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then began to inquire about Chu Zheng's purpose for coming:

"May I know the reason for the Holy Son's sudden visit?"

In Song Yusang's eyes, there was a hint of doubt; the Song Clan had been experiencing tumultuous events recently — first with the Shang family's marriage proposal, the search of relatives by a True Immortal Noble Family, and now the appearance of the Demon Lord of Mayhem.

Chu Zheng's feared reputation had already spread throughout the Southern Region. On the Immortal Martial Battlefield, with one battle, he slaughtered more than two hundred Soul Condensing Cultivators. This feat undoubtedly caused a huge uproar in the Southern Region, which had long been without significant conflict.

What's more, Chu Zheng is not even nineteen years old yet. Calling him the Demon Lord of Mayhem, there is not a trace of exaggeration.

"There's nothing to instruct. I just want to ask Patriarch Song about his plans for the future of the Song lineage."

Having said that, Chu Zheng reached out to Song Lingqing:

"Give me the Blood Jade."

Song Lingqing took out the Blood Jade and handed it to Chu Zheng.

[Family Heritage Blood Jade (Fourth Order/Incomplete): A medium for opening secret realms. It is divided into six fragments. Once assembled, and supplemented with essence blood from the Song family's direct lineage, a secret realm can be opened. Repairable (0/300)]

When Chu Zheng first encountered the Fourth Order Blood Jade, he was still a Second Order Repair Master, and repairing the Blood Jade required five hundred Repair Value. Now, as he has advanced in level, the experience required for repair has noticeably decreased.

If he constructs his Dao Embryo and steps into Third Order, thereby advancing to a Fourth Order Repair Master, the number of repairs required for the Blood Jade will certainly lessen even further.

Upon seeing the Blood Jade, Song Yusang stood up involuntarily:

"This object..."