Chapter 658 109: Upheaval in Yang Province, Immortal Ascension Conference (Part 2)

After waiting for more than an hour under the scorching sun, a behemoth flying the Song Clan's banner slowly sailed over from the horizon.

It was an enormous, jet-black warship. Even from a great distance, its ferocious appearance and massive size were enough to leave one in awe.

This was Bai Ruotong's first time seeing a Quasi-Celestial Ship. She grew a little nervous and unconsciously tightened her grip on Chi Huo Old Ghost's arm.

"Don't be afraid." Chi Huo Old Ghost gently patted her hand to comfort her.

He and Bai Ruotong had married a month and a half ago. At first, he'd felt neither joy nor aversion toward the marriage, viewing it merely as a means to establish a firmer foothold in Yang Province.

But after spending these past few days with her, Bai Ruotong's gentleness and thoughtfulness had gradually changed his mind.

He wasn't an idiot, nor was he made of stone. He could feel the affection Bai Ruotong had for him.

Gradually, Chi Huo Old Ghost had come to truly accept her. These days, the two were inseparable, and anyone could see how much they doted on each other.

Chi Huo Old Ghost had already made up his mind. Once he earned enough Merit, he would exchange it with Song Changsheng for a Foundation Establishment Pill and help Bai Ruotong reach Foundation Establishment.

Just as he was lost in thought, the Black Star Ship arrived before the crowd. It hovered silently in midair, and a dozen or so figures in tight-fitting black attire leaped down from it.

Leading them were a man and a woman, both wearing cold, unapproachable expressions.

Seeing this, Chi Huo Old Ghost quickly led the group forward to greet them.

"Elder Changxue, Elder Qingming." Chi Huo Old Ghost, his face wreathed in smiles, was the first to state their names.

The others all came forward to pay their respects.

Song Changxue ignored everyone else, only returning a bow to Chi Huo Old Ghost. "We were delayed by some business on the way," she explained. "My apologies for keeping Chi Huo Elder waiting."

"Not at all, not at all. It's a long journey; delays are unavoidable," Chi Huo Old Ghost said with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.

The two exchanged pleasantries, completely ignoring everyone else.

Chu Nanfeng and the others stood to the side, unsure whether to stay or go. It was an incredibly awkward position.

In the end, it was Song Qingming who came forward and exchanged a few words with them, easing the awkwardness.

After a bit of small talk, Song Changxue finally got down to business.

"Chi Huo Elder, have all the age-appropriate children from Celestial Yang Peak been gathered?"

"Rest assured, Elder Changxue. Celestial Yang Peak oversees thirty-five Mortal Cities with a total population of over 3.6 million. Among them, there are over 213,000 children between the ages of eight and twelve. They have all been assembled in their respective cities."

A flash of delight crossed Song Changxue's face upon hearing the number was over two hundred thousand, but it vanished just as quickly.

The more people there were, the greater the chance of discovering a genius. If they could find even one or two with Abnormal Spirit Roots, it would be a major accomplishment for them.

"There's no time to waste. We'll head over now."

With that, she once again ignored Chu Nanfeng and the others, leading her people straight toward the Mortal Realm.

"This..."

Even with their good tempers, being ignored again and again like this was bound to stir some anger in Chu Nanfeng and the others.

Just as they were about to storm off, they heard Song Qingming ask in a low, ominous voice, "Do you gentlemen know why we were late?"

Although Chu Nanfeng and the others were displeased with Song Changxue's conduct, they still had a relatively good impression of Song Qingming. At his words, they immediately perked up their ears, ready to listen intently.

"The reason we were late," Song Qingming said, his face still holding a smile, "is that we were attacked the moment we entered Yang Province. The assailants were strong, and the attack was organized and premeditated." But to Chu Nanfeng and the others, his smile only sent a chill down their spines.

"Who would dare be so bold as to cause trouble in Yang Province? Please rest assured, Elder Qingming. We will launch a thorough investigation at once and give you a full report," Chu Nanfeng immediately declared.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Clan Leader Chu, but... there's no need. I've already learned who the mastermind is from the captives."

"It's just... the truth is rather hard to believe."

Chu Nanfeng's heart sank as a terrible premonition washed over him.

"And who might this mastermind be?" Bai Ruohong asked cautiously.

Song Qingming smiled at her question and said softly, "According to the captives, they belong to an alliance. And the Alliance Leader of this group... it seems, is Clan Leader Chu?

"And besides them, there's the Bai Clan, the Shangguan Clan, the Gan Clan..."

With every name he spoke, another person present felt their back become drenched in cold sweat.

"Nonsense! That's utter nonsense! Elder Qingming, this is a frame-up! You must not believe it! The Chu Clan is absolutely loyal to the Sect Leader!"

Chu Nanfeng wanted to curse a blue streak. He had no idea how he had ended up as the primary scapegoat.

"The Bai Clan is as well."

"The Shangguan Clan has no intention of rebelling!"

Everyone scrambled to defend themselves. If this accusation were to stick, Yang Province would soon be flowing with rivers of blood.

"Of course, I believe you, Clan Leaders. Otherwise, I wouldn't be telling you all this. I suspect certain people under your command are acting wantonly, using your names."

"I've brought them with me. Why don't you Clan Leaders come and identify them?" Song Qingming clapped his hands, and a dozen or so tightly bound Cultivators appeared on the deck of the Quasi-Celestial Ship.

"Shaoze! Chengyang! How could it be you?"

Chu Nanfeng recognized two of them at a single glance.

"Yu Shu? Sanming?" Bai Ruohong also recognized two juniors from her own clan. For a moment, her vision went dark.

"So, what do you think? I haven't wrongly accused you, have I, Clan Leaders?" Song Qingming sneered.

Faced with ironclad evidence, Chu Nanfeng and the others had no room left to argue. That didn't mean they were admitting guilt, however, because they hadn't ordered any of this damn business.

Just as they were racking their brains for a way to clear their names...

...Song Qingming suddenly changed his tune. "I believe you Clan Leaders were unaware, merely deceived by your subordinates. But it is also a fact that your control over your people is lax.

So, don't blame my aunt for her cold attitude. If my grand-uncle had come instead, the only thing you'd be seeing is cannon fire from the Black Star Ship.

Go back and investigate thoroughly. Clean house. Don't let yourselves be sold out without even knowing it.

My aunt and I will be here for about a month. During that time, I expect to see proof of both your capabilities and your attitude."

With that, Song Qingming turned and returned to the Black Star Ship, leaving the seven clan leaders frozen in place.

It was high noon, and the sun was blazing overhead, but the seven of them felt an icy chill seep into their very hearts.

It wasn't Song Qingming they feared, of course, but the Song Clan standing behind him.

"Who the hell is trying to get us killed!" A surging killing intent roiled from Chu Nanfeng. He wanted to ask Song Qingming to hand over the captives for interrogation, but he didn't have the nerve.

"Haven't you figured it out?" Bai Ruohong said coldly. "There were captives from every one of our clans. That means people from within our own ranks have colluded with each other.

They meticulously planned this attack with the sole purpose of angering the Song Clan and using them to kill us!"

"But what's in it for them?"

"How the hell should I know?" Bai Ruohong cursed, then turned and stormed away. "Let's all just hurry back and investigate. We only have one month."

Seeing this, the others quickly departed as well.

On the deck, Song Qingming watched them go and shook his head slightly. He sighed, ''They fear power, not virtue.' If they don't see blood, there will always be those who stir up trouble.

Hopefully, they can eliminate these restless elements on their own this time. Otherwise, Yang Province really is going to see rivers of blood..."

While the seven Great Clan Leaders rushed back in a panic, the Immortal Ascension Conference in the Mortal Realm began in full swing.

The expected resistance never materialized. On the contrary, the people were so cooperative that for a moment, Song Changxue had the strange impression she was on her own home turf.

This wasn't hard to understand. The Song Clan had annihilated the Lieyang Sect, but what did that have to do with them?

Mortals only cared about whether they could survive.

Beyond that, they only cared if their children had a chance to step onto the Immortal Path and become one of the lofty Immortals above.

They cared for nothing else.

...