Chapter 238: Chapter 175: Turncoat (Part 2)

Song Changsheng recognized many familiar faces among them, including Song Changying, who had descended the mountain with him to measure Spirit Roots, and Song Changhu and Song Changxiu, who had participated in the coming-of-age trial alongside him...

Their aptitudes could only be considered average, and they were all at the Late-stage Qi Refining cultivation level. Therefore, they couldn’t compete for the Foundation Establishment Pill. However, the rewards for the grand competition were still very generous, tempting everyone.

Looking at those faces, some familiar and some not, Song Changsheng was filled with emotion. ’Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye,’ he thought. ’They’ve all fallen so far behind me.’

This round lasted for two days, during which no one appeared who could truly catch Song Changsheng’s eye. It was all rather unremarkable.

Of course, this didn’t mean there were no talented individuals among them. The competition, after all, tested practical combat ability, offering no chance for those skilled in the Hundred Arts to display their talents.

What everyone anticipated most was the final round. All the contestants were Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators. Though there were only just over twenty of them, the previous two rounds couldn’t compare.

Wang Wanzhou, Li Siyang, and the others were all shrewd individuals. Seeing the age range and cultivation of these contestants, they immediately understood the implications.

The two exchanged a glance, then tacitly looked away, their gazes simultaneously falling upon the arena below. Each, however, was lost in their own thoughts.

The Song Clan and the Wang Clan had been joined by marriage for generations, their friendship tracing back several hundred years. Among the six great Foundation Establishment Influences of Ling Province, the two clans had always been the closest.

Even when the Song Clan was at its lowest point, the Wang Clan had remained steadfast, offering their full support. It could be said that the two clans were already bound together, sharing in both glory and ruin.

But after these years of recuperation, the Song Clan’s power was returning to its peak. Today’s competition signified that the Song Clan had obtained Foundation Establishment Pills from another source, and their strength was bound to soar.

This was a welcome development for the Wang Clan. They couldn’t be happier to see the Song Clan grow stronger. The stronger the Song Clan became, the stronger the Wang Clan would be.

For Li Siyang, however, this news was not so wonderful. Unlike the Wang Clan, an indigenous Foundation Establishment Influence, the Li Clan had been single-handedly propped up by the Song Clan.

Logically, they should have been more trusted by the Song Clan than the Wang Clan. But after Song Yungui passed away, the rebellious Li Clan immediately broke free from the Song Clan’s control.

Later, when the Earth Fire Sect grew powerful, the Li Clan, seeking self-preservation, had no choice but to return to their old patrons and request vassalage to deter the Earth Fire Sect.

But a traitor is a traitor. A leopard can’t change its spots.

A few years ago, while guarding the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein, Song Changsheng had accidentally discovered a Wood Spirit Vein, giving the Song Clan an additional base for cultivating Spirit Medicine.

After years of development, it not only met the Song Clan’s own needs but also produced a large surplus for external sale.

The Spirit Medicine trade was the Li Clan’s foundation. The Song Clan’s actions had undoubtedly encroached upon this foundation, leaving the entire Li Clan deeply dissatisfied and nursing ulterior motives.

Coupled with the Earth Fire Sect’s decline and its urgent search for allies, the two sides were mutually interested. Like a spark meeting dry tinder, they hit it off immediately. Thus, four of the six great Foundation Establishment Influences in Ling Province had formed a union.

Li Siyang had naively believed that this would restore balance to the situation in Ling Province. Who would have thought that the Song Clan would obtain Foundation Establishment Pills again? For them, this was not good news at all.

Although the alliance with the Earth Fire Sect hadn’t been made public, some things can’t be hidden forever. When the time came, would their four-clan alliance truly be able to contain the Song Clan? Could they handle Song Xianming and his grandson?

At this thought, Li Siyang couldn’t help but glance at Song Changsheng beside him.

The next moment, Li Siyang felt as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss. As he looked at Song Changsheng, he found Song Changsheng looking back at him with a half-smile. Their eyes met, and Li Siyang felt his heart skip a beat.

But he was a clan leader, after all. He quickly composed himself and forced a smile. "Young Clan Leader, why are you looking at me like that?"

Song Changsheng took in Li Siyang’s reaction. Although the man hid it well, nothing could escape his eyes.

This competition was related to the Foundation Establishment Pills, and Song Changsheng could have chosen not to invite any outsiders. Yet, he had invited both the Wang and Li Clans.

This move was not only meant to flex the Song Clan’s muscles at the two clans, but more importantly, to observe their reactions.

As a close ally, the Wang Clan’s performance was very satisfactory to Song Changsheng. The Li Clan’s attitude, however, was rather intriguing.

The spies from the Wind Language Hall had long been aware of the Li Clan’s clandestine activities, and Song Luyao had mentioned it to him as well. But that had all been speculation. In that single moment just now, Song Changsheng was certain: the Li Clan, those traitors, had betrayed the Song Clan for a second time!

"Uncle, you don’t look well. Is something the matter?" Song Changsheng said coolly, his gaze fixed on Li Siyang’s eyes.

Li Siyang felt as if he were being watched by a ferocious beast. A cold sweat unconsciously soaked his robes. He quickly waved his hands and said, "It’s probably just because I’ve had too much on my mind lately. It’s nothing, it’s nothing."

"Is that so? Well, you must take care of yourself, Uncle. The Song and Li Clans are one family, after all. We’ll be relying on you more in the future," Song Changsheng said, a gentle smile suddenly appearing on his face.

Li Siyang felt a weight lift from his shoulders as the immense pressure vanished. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although their exchange was brief, it still caught Wang Wanzhou’s attention. His gaze shifted between the two of them, a thoughtful look on his face...

Everything that happened in the stands was but a small interlude, attracting little notice. Most people’s attention was focused on the arena.

The third match was now underway, with the two combatants being one old man and one young man.

The old man was over fifty, his vitality already somewhat diminished. But he was rich in combat experience and ruthless in his attacks, completely suppressing his opponent, who was barely over twenty.

The young man was a short, stout fatty. He was pushed into a pathetic state by the old man’s offensive, his round face filled with panic.

"Boy, you’re no match for me. Concede now, and I won’t harm you," the old man said coldly.

Unlike the others, the contestants in this final round had all received a hint from Song Changsheng. They understood that the ultimate goal today was to compete for the Foundation Establishment Pills, so no one was holding back. The previous two matches had both drawn blood.

The old man said this not only to threaten the Little Fatty but also because he had no desire for a mutually destructive outcome.

"You... you haven’t beaten me just yet."

The Little Fatty replied, feigning composure, but the "panic" on his face betrayed him.

A stern look appeared on the old man’s face, and his attacks surged toward the Little Fatty like a tidal wave.

In the stands, Song Changsheng suddenly turned to Li Siyang and said, "Uncle, in your opinion, who will win this battle?"

Li Siyang, still rattled by Song Changsheng, carefully observed the situation in the arena upon hearing the question. He said tentatively, "Although their cultivation levels are comparable, the old man’s attacks are ruthless, with every move aimed at a vital point. He also wields his Magical Artifact as if it were an extension of his own arm."

"In contrast, his opponent is timid and hesitant, and his Magical Artifact is unremarkable. His chances of victory are slim."

A smile appeared on Song Changsheng’s lips. He turned his gaze back to the arena and said, "I actually have a different opinion, Uncle. How about this, shall we make a bet?"

’Did I misjudge the situation?’ Seeing Song Changsheng’s confidence, Li Siyang instantly grew wary. He observed the fight carefully once more but still couldn’t see anything amiss.

This left him puzzled, and he couldn’t help but ask tentatively, "Since it’s a bet, are there stakes?"

Song Changsheng shook his head. "Both contestants are disciples of my Song Clan. It would be unfair to you, Uncle, if we were to wager anything. This is just for fun."

Hearing this, Li Siyang felt slightly more at ease. He said with conviction, "I believe the old man already has victory in his grasp."

A smile played on Song Changsheng’s lips. ’Old fool, your eyes aren’t very sharp, are they?’

In everyone else’s eyes, the Little Fatty was just being chased around and beaten senseless by the old man, completely unable to fight back. But Song Changsheng had noticed something fishy. It was true that the Little Fatty was no match for the old man.

But he had already laid a trap, luring his opponent into it step by step...