Whish—
Song Xian picked himself up from the fragmented rubble, shook his somewhat groggy head, and looked around.
He could no longer see the figures of the two people from earlier.
He sat down on the spot, his expression somewhat unsettled. In just a moment, he had walked through Ghost Gate Pass.
The slap from earlier could have smashed his skull if it hadn't been held back; the person had shown restraint.
In the Eastern Region, conflicts between clans were extremely bloody. Compared to the sects, clans were more united. That was why, once a clan member was hurt or killed, escalating the conflict and intensifying the battleground was the norm.
Death and injury were nothing out of the ordinary. Being able to return alive this time, he felt nothing but relief.
"Taixuan Holy Land... Chu Zheng..."
Song Xian rubbed his cheeks and frowned, sinking into thought. Having recently arrived in the Southern Region, he did not quite understand the overall situation there.
Taixuan Holy Land, as he recalled, had been isolated from the world for a long time and had only recently reopened its sect gates.
Could it be that Taixuan Holy Land was also targeting the Song family's legacy?
Thinking of this, Song Xian became restless.
The Song Family in the Immortal Alliance hadn't heard from a True Immortal for thousands of years, and the situation for the Song direct line in the Eastern Region was not optimistic.
Otherwise, the Song clan wouldn't have sent many members back to the Southern Region.
The Family Heritage Blood Jade connected to the secret realm was very important for the Song Family now.
Whether the Song Family could once again support a True Immortal depended entirely on this secret realm.
He needed to relay this message back to his family as soon as possible. Taixuan, fallen as it was, remained a Holy Land that once produced True Immortals and had a long heritage in the Southern Region; it demanded caution.
...
...
Two days after leaving Luofeng City, Chu Zheng had returned to Giant Marsh with Song Lingqing.
Now, chaos reigned within Giant Marsh, and cultivators at the Soul Condensing Realm could be seen everywhere.
Even Qionglou had become subdued, recalling its disciples and not daring any major actions.
Behind these Soul Condensation Realm cultivators were either major Immortal Sects or Holy Lands, even the main lineage of Qionglou could not provoke them.
Chu Zheng stealthily entered the Song Residence with Song Lingqing without alerting anyone, and took the Family Heritage Blood Jade.
This piece of Blood Jade, buried under a pile of miscellaneous items in the Mansion's Treasury, would not have been so casually placed if Song Tongxuan knew the importance of this jade.
Clearly, due to the extreme age, some key information had been lost, and whether Song Tongxuan even remembered the jade was questionable.
Arguing with Song Tongxuan to explain the whole cause and effect was troublesome and would expose their tracks, so it was better to temporarily entrust the Blood Jade to Ling Qing for safekeeping.
She was a member of the Song Family too, and Song Tongxuan was her great-uncle, with her direct lineage being the closest relation.
From Song Xian's attitude, it seemed that the Eastern Territory Song Clan was determined to get the secret behind this Blood Jade.
It would be somewhat unfair if the Blood Jade, having been passed down in the Southern Territory for so long, were to be taken away by the Eastern Territory Song Clan so easily. Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The resources within this secret realm should rightfully include a share for the Southern Territory Song Clan, not just Song Tongxuan's lineage, but the entire Southern Territory lineage of the Song family should have a part in it.
At the very least, Chu Zheng needed to ensure resources for both Song Lingxue and Song Lingqing.
After getting the Blood Jade, Ling Qing glanced from a distance at Song Tonghai, wanting to show herself and meet him, but the previous precedents in the Song Residence made her dare not take such a risk again.
A lesson learned through experience is invaluable; one must always progress.
Furthermore, Song Tonghai's days in the Song Family were temporarily carefree; generally, no one would bother him, especially since the Song Family was too insignificant in the eyes of those Immortal Sects.
The only trouble might be if one day, the Eastern Territory Song Clan decided to come knocking.
However, going by Song Xian's earlier attitude, the Song Family was not yet desperate enough to strike at their own kin.
Chu Zheng quickly left with Song Lingqing without lingering for long in Giant Marsh.
The area around Giant Marsh was now constantly chaotic, with cultivators often erupting into conflicts and engaging in blood battles, with many being drawn here by the rumors.
These rumor-led cultivators were not aware of the existence of the Hidden Dragon List, nor did they know who Chu Zheng was, but hearing that many cultivators were gathering here escalated the rumors wildly.
Some said that Ancient Ruins had emerged in Giant Marsh, and there were even rumors that a True Immortal Cave Mansion had appeared, naturally attracting numerous cultivators hoping to come across an opportunity.
These rumors, ignited by a Loose Cultivator who coincidentally unlocked an ancient sect's treasury, spread rapidly across the Southern Region.
...
...
Chu Zheng regarded these rumors as a light breeze beside his ear, showing no intention of joining the excitement, and headed straight back to the Great Zhou Dynasty.
At the border of Great Zhou, he parted ways with Song Lingqing and entered the Imperial City alone.
In less than half a day, Chu Zheng had entered the Capital of the Great Zhou. After employing the Invisibility Technique, he faced no obstructions at all as he stepped into the heart of the Imperial Palace.
As night fell, the stars twinkled faintly.
The silhouette of the Imperial Palace under the moonlight appeared even more majestic, and the night wind brushed gently across the city walls, bringing a hint of cold.
The guards in front of the crimson palace gates were already dressed in thick cotton armor, and the spears and battle halberds glistened with a cold light.
Chu Zheng stood atop the palace wall, looking at the thousands of lights in the cold night, and let out a soft sigh.
Another winter had arrived.
The Great Zhou Royal Family had continued using the old capital from the previous dynasty; this Imperial Palace, upon careful consideration, had a history of several thousand years and was extremely ancient, causing Chu Zheng to momentarily feel bewildered.