Chapter 487 - 23: Collecting Spiritual Land and Rebuilding the Stronghold

"All hail the mighty Clan Leader!" Song Changxuan proclaimed with a theatrical bow.

"This money needs to show a return. I’m looking forward to the day you all master the Three Talents Heavenly Star Array."

Song Changsheng knew full well he was spending money like water, but it was all necessary. He had always firmly believed in one truth: wealth isn’t saved, it’s earned.

Spend money to increase your strength. With greater strength, you acquire more resources. Then, you continue to increase your strength... This creates a virtuous cycle.

After using the Light of Resurgence to heal the three of them, Song Changsheng swung by the Minor Affairs Hall before returning to his courtyard to ponder the matter of cultivating Spirit Plants.

Little Ninth had given him a tip. Although the growth cycles of Spirit Medicines were long, there were plenty of ways to speed them up. Setting aside impractical methods like altering the flow of time, he had the following options before him.

First, just as Little Ninth had said, was to concoct different Growth Spiritual Liquids for different Spirit Plants. This was the most feasible method, but it was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Song Changsheng planned to assign this task to Song Qingxi and a few other experienced Spirit Plant Cultivators in the clan.

Another option was to improve the Spirit Plants’ growing environment. Different Spirit Plants had different environmental requirements, and a suitable growing environment could also enhance their quality and growth speed.

This was simple enough, but it would be a test of their financial resources. It would also lead to the Spirit Plants being grown in scattered locations, which would increase management costs and risks.

Song Changsheng planned to start with small-scale modifications and expand later, once they had enough manpower or a better solution presented itself.

Finally, the simplest and most direct method was to find Spiritual Land.

According to various records, many types of Spiritual Land existed in the world, each possessing wondrous effects. For example, Earth Element Soil and Ji Earth were excellent Artifact Refining Materials.

The Earth God Thunder he’d used previously was refined from Earth Element Soil.

In addition to these, there were also the Five-Colored Soil and the Seven-Colored Soil.

The Five-Colored Soil referred to a type of soil rich in Spiritual Qi and the Five Elements Laws, named for its five distinct colors. Planting Spirit Plants in it could improve their quality, with the best results seen in Spirit Plants aligned with the Five Elements.

The Seven-Colored Soil had similar effects, but it wasn’t a single type of soil. Instead, it was a group of seven: Cyan Spirit Soil, Red Spirit Soil, Blue Spirit Soil, White Spirit Soil, Black Spirit Soil, Golden Spirit Soil, and Purple Spirit Soil.

Each of these seven types was more precious than the last, and they all had different effects. Cyan Spirit Soil was the most common and could increase the growth speed of Spirit Plants. Purple Spirit Soil was the rarest; not only did it possess the properties of both Five-Colored Soil and Cyan Spirit Soil, but it was also said to be able to cause Spirit Plants to mutate.

These types of Spiritual Land were all extremely beneficial for the growth of Spirit Plants. The Song Clan itself possessed a small patch of Five-Colored Soil, where its most precious Tier Three Spirit Plants were grown. The area was designated as a restricted zone, and ordinary people were forbidden from approaching.

’I have to find a way to get some Cyan Spirit Soil,’ Song Changsheng thought, his brow furrowing slightly.

Cyan Spirit Soil was only common in a relative sense; its actual quantity was not large. Furthermore, due to its unique properties, it was mostly controlled by major clans and powerful sects, making it a rare sight on the open market and not at all easy to acquire.

After mulling it over, Song Changsheng finally sent people out to spread the word that he was looking to purchase Cyan Spirit Soil at a high price. He had no idea if it would be effective.

At that moment, Song Changsheng was struck by the importance of an intelligence network. If he possessed a powerful one, he wouldn’t have to resort to such an inefficient method.

Speaking of intelligence networks, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but think of the information broker, Shen Yin, whom Peng Siying, the young mistress of the Wanlong Commerce Association, had once mentioned.

People of that sort often had a vast intelligence network behind them. If he could establish contact, his efforts would be much more efficient.

Unfortunately, the man’s movements were unpredictable; otherwise, Song Changsheng wouldn’t have minded establishing a long-term partnership with him.

’That old coot Chi Huo,’ he thought. ’It’s been years, and he hasn’t sent back a single word about whether he’s found him or not.’

Song Changsheng cursed inwardly. He had sent Chi Huo out to find Shen Yin and his former master years ago, but the man had vanished without so much as a peep. At this rate, his patience was going to run out completely.

After checking Chi Huo’s Divine Soul Seal, Song Changsheng’s eyes narrowed as he whispered, "Old man, don’t do something you’ll regret..."

「Xuu Province, Ten Thousand Swords City. In front of Red Sleeves.」

An old man with a full head of red hair, holding a bizarre-looking, colorful chicken feather, strode inside surrounded by a bevy of beauties. As he crossed the threshold, however, he suddenly sneezed several times, and the hair all over his body stood on end.

’Why do I suddenly feel a chill? Could there be something... unclean in this place?’ the red-haired old man wondered, his brow furrowing. At his level of cultivation, things like this didn’t just happen for no reason.

"Oh, my lord~ why have you stopped?" Seeing Chi Huo frozen at the entrance, a woman with a coquettish expression and a graceful figure pressed her entire body against his, her breath fragrant as she spoke.

Feeling the astonishing sensation on his arm, the red-haired old man couldn’t help but feel a stir of lust. He was almost ready to raise his spear and charge into battle right there in broad daylight.

But the fleeting chill he had just felt made him hesitate.

"My lord~, I’ve learned a new trick. Would you like to try it?" When the old man didn’t react, the woman added more fuel to the fire. Her seductive red lips nearly touched his ear, and her smooth, firm white thighs rubbed, deliberately yet casually, between his own.

The warm breath tickling his ear was tantalizing, but his life was still more important. Just as he was about to tear himself away, the colorful chicken feather in his hand suddenly reacted...

「At the foot of Vast Mist Peak.」

Song Lutong and Song Luyun were packed and ready, preparing to depart for Luoxia City.

Because the journey was long and they were also taking a few clan members to rebuild the intelligence outpost in Luoxia City, Song Changsheng contributed the Flying Ship he had "swindled" from Song Luhuai.

This Flying Ship had originally been only Tier Two Low Grade. After being improved by the Celestial Artisan Master Lu Tianchou, it had advanced to Tier Two High Grade. Not only was its cruising speed faster, but its interior was also larger; it wouldn’t even feel crowded with a dozen or so people.

Song Changsheng came to see them off personally. He looked at Song Lutong and said with great earnestness, "Uncle Tong, on this trip to Luoxia City, do not stir up any trouble. Return immediately after the auction is over. In the meantime, listen to Aunt Yun’s advice.

Be careful on the road as well. The Thunder King Hall and the Lieyang Sect could strike at any moment..."

He was clearly the junior, yet at this moment, he sounded more like a nagging elder.

It couldn’t be helped. Song Lutong’s personality made it difficult for him to rest easy. If he didn’t drill the warnings into him, he was genuinely afraid the man would stir up some kind of commotion.

At first, Song Lutong listened intently, but when it seemed like Song Changsheng was never going to stop, he quickly threw up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, stop with the sermon! You’re giving me a headache. You can rest a hundred and eighty percent easy. Your old uncle here, what haven’t I seen?

That’s enough, that’s enough. All of you, head back now. If we delay any longer, the sun will set."

With that, he led his people onto the Flying Ship as if he were fleeing for his life.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng could only shut his mouth in resignation and wave them goodbye.

Once Vast Mist Peak had disappeared from view, Song Lutong plopped down, rubbed his somewhat stiff cheeks, and complained to Song Luyun beside him, "How did I never notice before how much of a nagging mother hen that kid is? It was like listening to a magic chant."

Song Luyun smiled faintly. "The Clan Leader is just worried about us, that’s all."

"Hmph. When I was out adventuring in the world, that kid was still playing in the mud on the mountain," Song Lutong said, rolling his eyes. He then turned his gaze to the young man piloting the Flying Ship. "Qingluo, my boy, once we get to Luoxia City, these people are all yours.

I don’t care how you manage things, but you must set up the framework for the Wind Language Hall first. If you do a good job, I’ll recommend you to be the head of the Wind Language Hall for this entire region."

Without turning his head, the young man replied, "Don’t worry, Elder. I grew up there; I know the place better than the back of my hand."

He was Song Qingluo, the very same young man who had run errands for Song Changsheng back in Luoxia City. He was a descendant of Song Xiantu, the Steward of the Luoxia City general store. A few days before the catastrophe in Luoxia City, he had returned to the clan, bringing with him the terrible news of the outpost’s destruction.

And now, he had inherited his great-grandfather’s mantle and was once again setting out on the path to Luoxia City...