Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

Song Shengming tried his utmost to gather the ashes at his fingertips, yet even with his long experience weathering storms and his usually unshakable composure, a hint of panic involuntarily appeared in his eyes.

This was not only the key to opening the secret realm but also the lifeblood of the Song Clan.

The family's secret realm contained far more than just cultivation resources; it also held the foundation of the Song Clan's bloodline heritage.

Given the current plight of the Song Clan, losing this secret realm would cause many things to change drastically. The chances to salvage some situations, which could have been possible before, would be utterly extinguished.

He did his best to piece the ashes back together, but even when forcibly shaped back into form, the Blood Jade Fragment had lost all of its former luster.

In just a fleeting moment before, it had completely turned to dust.

"How could this be..."

Song Shengming murmured in a low voice, his fingertips trembling unconsciously as he took out three brocade boxes in succession.
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Inside these boxes were the other three fragments.

Of the six fragments, he originally possessed four; with the one in Chu Zheng's hands, that made five, nearly at hand to open the secret realm.

As the brocade box was opened, the fragments inside had likewise turned to dust, with no trace of what they once were.

"Impossible..."

Song Shengming rose somewhat gracelessly, pouring the dust from the brocade box, trying to find even a fragment of the original pieces, but of course to no avail, leaving only ashes all over the ground.

Boom—

Suddenly, a booming sound came from the heavens above, and Song Shengming's Divine Sense reached out, quickly catching sight of the enormous Flying Boat hovering in the sky.

Humming—

A slight buzzing noise came from not far away. The compass on the desk trembled lightly, its needle quivering and pointing in the direction of the Flying Boat.

"What's this..."

Instantly, Song Shengming understood, his expression changed slightly—it was obvious that on the Flying Boat above, there were people of the Song Clan's bloodline, and not merely ten or a hundred!

He stepped forward, and in the next instant, he appeared in front of the Flying Boat, blocking its path.

Ge Yuan stood on the deck, his robust figure like a towering pagoda. Seeing Song Shengming, he lifted his eyelids slightly and spoke in a deep voice:

"What's the meaning of blocking my way?"

"May I ask Elder Ge, why are you with my Song Clan kinsfolk?"

Song Shengming's brow furrowed tightly. Having dealt with Taixuan for so long, he naturally recognized Ge Yuan, who was the head of the Punishment Hall in the Taixuan Holy Land.

The sudden turning of the Blood Jade to ashes, coupled with the abrupt return of so many of the Song bloodline by Taixuan, inevitably led him to associate many things.

"In Taixuan's affairs, I need not explain myself to you."

Ge Yuan spared no courtesy and said calmly, "Step aside."

Aware of the halt of the Flying Boat, Chu Zheng stepped onto the deck and immediately spotted Song Shengming blocking the way.

"Elder Song? Why are you still in Taixuan City?"

Chu Zheng's eyebrows raised slightly, casually remarking, "The remaining fragments of the Blood Jade, have you gathered them yet?"

The Jade Wall was already repaired in his hands, so the fragments in Song Shengming's possession had naturally turned to dust, and he must be feeling quite anxious.

Recalling Chu Zheng's words from before, Song Shengming's gaze flickered uncertainly. After a moment of silence, he spoke tentatively:

"Saint Heir, I have considered your proposal for some time now. The cooperation you suggested earlier... my Song Clan is not necessarily against it, you..."

"I have warned you before. You were unwilling then, thinking you had enough leverage and refusing to concede even a little. Times have changed."

Before he could finish speaking, Chu Zheng interrupted, "The Song Clan of the Eastern Region is already out of the game. I'm not in the habit of giving second chances."

"Chu Zheng!"

At his words, Song Shengming couldn't help but cry out in anger. He could now be certain that the change in the Blood Jade was related to Chu Zheng.

But at this moment, he had no time to consider how Chu Zheng accomplished it; preserving the ancestral property was the most pressing matter.

Song Shengming took a deep breath, a vein throbbing on his forehead as he endeavored to maintain his restraint, repeating:

"Without the direct bloodline of the Song Clan, the Saint Heir also can't open the secret realm. Perhaps you should reconsider the cooperation. The Immortal Ascension Method that the Saint Heir desires is also open for negotiation."

Song Shengming initially didn't take seriously Chu Zheng's claim that the Eastern Territory Song Clan was out of the game, but now with the Blood Jade turned to ashes, he had no choice but to believe it.

Chu Zheng did not pay any attention to Song Shengming's words; he turned around and entered the Flying Boat. The missing essence blood of the Song Clan's direct lineage had already been planned for.

All were from the same origin, differing only in concentration. After purification, it would work just the same.

"If you rely on the bloodlines of side branches, you would have to kill at least a thousand descendants of my Song Clan!"

Many of the Song Clan cultivators inside the Flying Boat were paying attention to the outside commotion. Song Shengming's shout had reached everyone's ears, causing some disturbance.

Song Yusang and other high-ranking members of the Song family couldn't help but show some doubt in their eyes; after all, Chu Zheng had no reason to help them without cause.

The need for their essence blood to open the secret realm seemed to be a more than suitable reason.

"Old ancestor..."

Their gazes involuntarily turned to the family's senior ancestor, their expressions tense.

The elder with white hair remained unmoved, his expression completely calm, as he spoke indifferently:

"Why did we come to Taixuan City? If the Saint Heir truly wants our blood, let it start with me. As long as it ensures the prosperity of our future generations, what's there to regret?"

His gaze showed no flicker of hesitation; there are some paths that, once chosen, leave little room for turning back. At this point, other than trusting Chu Zheng, they had no other choice.

Moreover, if Chu Zheng really wanted their blood, he could have simply taken it by force; there was no need for him to go through great lengths to assist in their clan's relocation.

Above the deck, Chu Zheng halted his steps, a slight frown creasing his brow, feeling a touch of impatience blossoming in his heart—he did not take pleasure in entangling himself in these roundabout schemes and cunning tricks.

But the repeated actions of Song Shengming involuntarily stirred a killing intent within him.

"This secret realm, I will cede to the Southern Territory Song Clan, how they deal with it afterward is their affair."

After calming himself for a moment, Chu Zheng brushed off the irritation in his heart and responded indifferently, turning to look at Ge Yuan standing by his side.

"Elder Ge, I'll leave it to you."

He no longer wished to waste time here.

Ge Yuan lifted his head to look at Song Shengming, his eyes tranquil, resembling a pool of still water:

"Leave."

Song Shengming's breathing became slightly hurried, and a faint surge of mana encircled him.

A few moments later, he lifted his eyes to glance at the Taixuan Holy Land just a stone's throw away and silently stepped aside, clearing the way.

Invoking the Immortal Alliance, he knew that acting now would be akin to seeking death, just like Zhou Zili of Tai Xu had done before.

The development of this matter was beyond his control now; it was a matter of great importance involving the entire clan and required consultation with his family.

......

......

The present Taixuan City stretched for hundreds of miles, and within nearly ten thousand miles, it stood as a preeminent metropolis, where almost every notable power had established a stake.

Over time, Taixuan City had become exceedingly valuable, and the Taixuan Holy Land had specially assigned two elders to manage this area. The rent collected each month was an astronomical figure.

Having previously promised to provide the Song Clan with land to thrive and multiply, Chu Zheng, after a brief contemplation, delineated over two thousand zhang of tax-exempt land in the northern part of Taixuan City, which was still under construction, to the Song Clan.

Though not vast, it was enough for the current Song Clan to settle in.

The subsequent issues no longer required Chu Zheng's attention.

The Song Clan's elder, with his late-stage Divine Infant Realm cultivation, was neither the strongest nor the weakest in Taixuan City at present, but was definitely strong enough to arrange everything properly.

He returned with Song Lingqing to Taixuan, ready to open the secret realm.

After the secret realm was opened, he still needed to find time to return to Giant Marsh and relocate the lineage of Song Tonghai and Song Tongxuan into Taixuan City.

This place would inevitably become the foundation of the Song Clan in the Southern Region in the future and would guarantee their safety here.

......

......

Atop the towering Divine Peak, within the crystal palace, the silence was profound and the atmosphere slightly eerie.

Before opening the secret realm, Chu Zheng had some preparations to make. At this moment, only the sisters Song Lingxue and Song Lingqing were in the palace.

Having just finished practicing, Song Lingxue was bathing in the back, while Song Lingqing sat alone in the hall.

Right now, her feelings were strangely unsettled, seemingly restless without reason.

The last time she had seen Song Lingxue was during the family banquet on her return home; it had been almost two years since that day.

She remembered clearly how Song Lingxue had seemed very constrained that day, her words laced with politeness.

At the time, she had felt a significant emotional upheaval, thinking how everything had changed.

Now, the one feeling constrained was herself.

Just as she was finding it difficult to bear, Song Lingxue walked out slowly.

Song Lingqing quietly observed her sister, clad in a vibrant red vestment robe resembling a blushing bride. Compared to the last time they met, Song Lingxue exuded an added charm, and around her snowy neck was a necklace of dark blue clam pearls, shimmering with a splendid glow, which was quite appealing.

She had only heard her mother mention in her childhood that a woman undergoes a significant change upon marriage. Indeed, the woman before her seemed drastically different from the sister in her memories.

"Now that your brother-in-law is the Taixuan Holy Son, there is no need to be formal here in this place. If there is anything you're not accustomed to or find it difficult to voice, you can speak to me. You and I are flesh and blood, and that will never change till death," said Song Lingxue, her voice calm, her demeanor composed.

This composure gave rise to a sense of suffocation in Song Lingqing's heart, and from the phrase "brother-in-law," she inexplicably sensed a hint of intimidation.

"Hmm, thank you for your concern, sister," Song Lingqing replied quietly, the joy of reuniting with kin dissipating in an instant.

Squeak—

Chu Zheng entered, walking up to Song Lingxue, noticing her red attire and giving her a few extra glances before his eyes were drawn to the necklace on her neck, a trace of surprise appearing:

"I didn't see you wear it before, thought you didn't like it."

Song Lingxue's lips curled slightly as she touched her neck, "It's a gift from you, how could I not like it? Sister, what do you think?"

Song Lingqing's expression stiffened slightly, as if she sensed something, and forced a smile:

"It looks very nice."

"Do you like it?"

Hearing this, Chu Zheng immediately said, "I bought two of them at that time; if you like it, you can take one."

Before he finished speaking, another identical necklace appeared in his palm.

Seeing Chu Zheng holding the identical necklace, Song Lingxue's hand fell, her smile slightly fading as she sized up Song Lingqing, her eyes growing deeper.