"He's nothing but a thug," Song Changsheng muttered, straightening his wrinkled clothes after being thrown out of the great hall.
He was secretly annoyed with himself. 'I got a little ahead of myself. I knew Fifth Uncle was an Iron Rooster, but I walked right into it anyway. I really messed up this time...'
After returning to his courtyard, Song Changsheng immediately got back to work weaving Array Banners.
The art of Array Formation requires Array Foundations, Array Banners, Array Patterns, and Spiritual Veins. To establish a permanent Array like the Clan Protection Array, all of these elements are indispensable.
Array Patterns and Array Banners can also be used on their own to set up Arrays. For instance, inscribing Array Patterns onto a Magical Artifact can grant it special abilities and enhance its quality.
However, the more common method is to use Array Banners in conjunction with Array Patterns. An Array established this way is known as a temporary Array, which has the advantages of being low-cost and quick to set up.
What Song Changsheng needed to do now was weave a new set of Tier One Array Banners.
Setting up a Tier One Array requires twelve Array Banners. Based on the skill of the Array Master, the resulting Array can be divided into four grades—elementary, intermediate, advanced, and peak—which correspond to the levels of a Cultivator's power.
Song Changsheng was in the habit of making thorough preparations. Even though he already had a set of Array Banners, he wanted to make another to keep as a spare. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Weaving Array Banners was delicate work that greatly tested one's patience and energy. The remaining time slipped quietly away…
"Cousin Changsheng, it's time to go!"
Early in the morning, just as Song Changsheng finished his daily cultivation, a somewhat childish voice rang out beside him.
He looked toward the source of the voice and saw four people approaching: two elders and two youths. One of the young men was waving at him.
Song Changsheng hurried forward to greet them, cupping his hands in salute toward the two men in the lead. "I greet you, Clan Uncles."
The two men were a study in contrast, one tall and one short. The tall one was named Song Luding. He was over seventy years old, had a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivation, and was a Steward of the clan's Spirit Testing Hall.
The shorter one was named Song Luzi. He was sixty years old, at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and was also a Steward of the Spirit Testing Hall.
"No need for such formalities, worthy nephew," Song Luding said with a friendly chuckle, gesturing to the young man and woman beside him. "This is Changjiu and Changying. They are descendants of your Fourth Grand-Uncle and will be joining us to gain some experience."
"Greetings, Cousin Changsheng," the two said, cupping their hands in salute. Song Changying was poised and dignified, but Song Changjiu kept stealing glances at him, his own eyes brimming with curiosity.
Song Changsheng sized them up as he returned the salute. Both were fifteen years old. Song Changying was at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, while Song Changjiu was at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
'They're quite a bit behind me,' he thought, 'but for their age, they're not bad at all.'
"It's getting late. We should be on our way," Song Luzi interjected.
"Right. A quick trip is a good trip." Song Luding nodded. With a wave of his sleeve, a large Paper Kite appeared before the group.
Qi Cultivators could not yet manage Sword Flight, so they often used flying Magical Artifacts like Flying Shuttles and Paper Kites for travel.
But these kinds of Magical Artifacts were very difficult to craft and required Middle-Grade Spirit Stones to power them.
A single Middle-Grade Spirit Stone was equivalent to one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, making them completely unaffordable for the average person.
"Whoa, so this is a Paper Kite! It's my first time seeing one," Song Changjiu exclaimed. He was like a monkey, darting about to look at and touch everything, letting out odd yelps every so often.
Song Changying immediately turned away, her expression seeming to say, 'Don't look at me. I don't know him.'
Watching the hyperactive Song Changjiu, Song Changsheng couldn't help but remember the first time he had seen his father perform Magic. He had acted pretty much the same way.
The group of five stepped onto the Paper Kite. Song Luding channeled a bit of his Spiritual Power, and the kite instantly flapped its wings, lifting off the ground and flying toward the vast, dense forest in the distance…
The Daqi Cultivation World was located in the southern region of the territories controlled by the Human Race. It was formally known as the South River Wilderness Continent, or simply the Southern Continent, and it was the youngest of the five great continents of the Human Race.
It earned its name—Wilderness Continent—from its many mountains and hills and its scarcity of cultivation resources.
This was especially true in border regions like Daqi, where endless mountains and hills stretched in every direction, yet Spiritual Veins were pitifully scarce.
In the beginning, the Song Clan Members were few in number, and Vast Mist Peak could still accommodate them. But in less than two hundred years, the clan's mortal population swelled to hundreds of thousands, far exceeding the peak's capacity.
Besides, having cultivators and mortals living together was inconvenient in many ways.
Therefore, the clan's third Clan Leader, the Purple Mansion Cultivator Song Yungui, took charge of establishing a new territory for the Mortal Clan Members.
After careful deliberation, a small plain four hundred li from Vast Mist Peak was chosen. The entire clan then spent more than a decade transforming it into a habitable zone.
However, the flesh and blood of the Human Race are coveted by Demon Cultivators and Demon Beasts alike. To guarantee the safety of his people, Song Yungui oversaw the construction of seven cities.
These seven cities were arranged in the pattern of the Big Dipper. Several Tier One Spirit Veins ran beneath each city, and there was even a Tier Two Spirit Vein at the very center.
He then invited a Tier Three Earth Master and Array Master to link these Earth Veins, transforming them into a massive Tier Three Low-Grade Array named [Seven-Star Locking Mountain].
Even without a Tier Three Spirit Vein to power it, the Grand Array could still withstand an attack from a Purple Mansion Cultivator for several ancient hours.
That was more than enough time for the clan to send reinforcements.
Later, when the clan no longer had a Purple Mansion Cultivator presiding over it, the current Clan Leader, Song Xianming, further strengthened the defenses by incorporating the [Black Tortoise Mountain-Sealing Seal]—a Low-Grade Treasure left behind by Yungui Ancestor—as the Array Hub.
With a skilled Array Master at the helm, it was powerful enough to contend with a Purple Mansion Cultivator, becoming a symbol of the Song Clan's true power!
——————
The Paper Kite was swift, and they encountered no foolish Demon Beasts along the way. They covered the four hundred li in just half an ancient hour.
"Whoa, Cousin, is that the [Magic Mirror]? I heard that even Demon Cultivators in the Purple Mansion Realm can't hide from it!" Song Changjiu was like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, gawking at everything with wide-eyed wonder.
They were high in the air, with a commanding view of the seven cities spread out below. At the very center of the cities, a massive Glazed Mirror hovered in midair, emitting a brilliant light. This was the [Magic Mirror] that Song Changjiu had pointed out.
"That's right," Song Changsheng said with a nod. "Without it, there's no telling how many Demon Fiends would have infiltrated this place."
"So cool," Song Changjiu murmured, staring at the mirror in the sky with stars in his eyes.
The kid was a real character and a chatterbox, so no one was surprised by his behavior anymore.
Song Luding piloted the Paper Kite directly into the city, landing within a central manor.
The City Lord and his subordinates were already waiting respectfully. Before the Paper Kite even landed, a large crowd dropped to their knees in a rustle, crying out, "We greet the Immortal Masters!"
It was the first time Song Changsheng had witnessed such a scene, and it made him rather uncomfortable. There was something awkward in the way the people looked at them.
Song Luding said peacefully, "Everyone, you may rise. We are all of the same clan; there is no need for such ceremony. I am Song Luding, the one responsible for this Immortal Ascension Conference."
The middle-aged City Lord got to his feet and asked cautiously, "Immortal Master, may I be so bold as to ask when the conference will begin?"
Song Luding glanced back at Song Changsheng, then said, "Three days from now. You may go and prepare."
The City Lord acknowledged the order and led his people away. Though he longed to exchange a few more pleasantries, he also knew that saying too much could be worse than saying too little. It was better to complete his duties well and try to leave a good impression.
After the others had gone, Song Luding turned to his group. "There's still plenty of time, so find a room and settle in. However, I'll have to trouble you, Nephew Changsheng, to pay a visit to the Fifth Elder on our behalf."
Song Changsheng was overjoyed to hear this. "I understand!"
…