"If I were to do that, my clan’s destruction would be imminent. I hope you can understand the difficult position I’m in."

Xia Qingxue’s expression turned cold. She was no fool; she could understand Song Changsheng’s concerns. But understanding didn’t mean she approved of his actions. She stared directly into Song Changsheng’s eyes and said icily, "Do you have any idea what the consequences of a war between our sects would be?"

Facing her interrogation, Song Changsheng met her gaze without a trace of fear. "I do," he said calmly. "But what does that have to do with me? In a war between the two sects, the Song Clan would be conscripted, yes, but at least it wouldn’t strike at our roots.

But if we were used as bait to lure the enemy, would our nearly one million clansmen have any chance of survival? In saving your life, the Song Clan already risked annihilation. Our clan doesn’t need a reward from the Upper Sect. We just hope not to be used as pawns."

Beneath his sleeve, Song Changsheng’s hand slowly clenched into a fist. ’If Xia Qingxue refuses my terms, I don’t mind eliminating this threat for good.’ But that was a last resort, a step he was unwilling to take unless absolutely necessary.

Looking at Song Changsheng’s resolute expression, Xia Qingxue fell silent. They each had their own perspective, so naturally, their views differed. Xia Qingxue acted for the good of her Sect, while Song Changsheng acted for the good of his clan. Fundamentally, they were no different.

The most important thing was that what was done, was done. There was no point in discussing it now.

’The crucial question now is whether I should tell the truth when I get back.’

The fact that Blood Demons were hiding in the Daqi Cultivation World was no great secret. There had been incidents before, like the Blood Demon attack on Luoxia City. But knowing they existed was one thing. How powerful were they? Where was their lair? No one knew the answers to these questions.

Under such circumstances, even the Golden Crow Sect was essentially blind.

But given the Blood Demons’ vengeful nature, if they learned that the Song Clan was the culprit who had ruined their grand plan, they would certainly not let the matter rest. The Golden Crow Sect could then simply lie in wait for them, ready to exact their revenge.

How many who walked the path of longevity were simpletons? No one in a position of power would pass up such perfect bait.

’As for the life-saving debt the Song Clan is owed... is that important? They are merely ants. To achieve the objective, necessary sacrifices must be made.’

Would anyone really dare to condemn the Golden Crow Sect for the sake of a mere Foundation Establishment Family?

They’d have to be out of their minds.

It was precisely because he understood this clearly that Song Changsheng would rather forgo the credit for saving Xia Qingxue.

Now, it all depended on whether Xia Qingxue was willing to cooperate.

Although her special Heart Method, the Ice Crystal Heart Seal, had made Xia Qingxue cold and aloof, it didn’t mean she had severed all worldly emotions.

Regardless, the Song Clan had, after all, saved her life.

After a moment of silence, Xia Qingxue said coldly, "I have never been to the Song Clan. May I leave now?"

"You may leave whenever you wish." Seeing Xia Qingxue agree, Song Changsheng secretly unclenched his fist. ’A promise from someone of her status,’ he thought, ’would not be broken.’

Xia Qingxue’s injuries had mostly healed. She rose to her feet and, without a single glance at Song Changsheng, walked straight toward the door. As she crossed the threshold, she removed a Jade Pendant from her waist and tossed it to him.

"Today, I owe the Song Clan a favor. If you ever need anything, bring this Jade Pendant to Golden Sun Peak to find me."

With that, Xia Qingxue transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew off on her sword. She had to return to the Golden Crow Sect as quickly as possible and stop this war!

Watching her departing figure, Song Changsheng fondled the Jade Pendant in his hand, lost in thought. Ling Province was hundreds of thousands of miles from the Golden Crow Sect’s headquarters. At her speed, it would take at least a month to get back.

A lot could happen in a month; the war might have already started for all he knew. But no matter what, the Song Clan had averted this crisis.

’What a pity,’ Song Changsheng sighed to himself. By saving the Direct Disciple of a Golden Crow Sect Supreme Elder and exposing the conspiracy, the Song Clan would surely have received a generous reward.

Unfortunately, they were up against the Blood Demons—creatures that could no longer be called human. For the safety of his clan, he had no choice but to give up this immense honor.

Fortunately, Xia Qingxue still had a sense of honor. She had said she owed the *Song Clan* a favor, which meant that even if Song Changsheng were to kick the bucket someday, the clan could still use this Jade Pendant to ask for her help.

As long as Xia Qingxue lived, the Song Clan possessed a Life-saving Talisman.

’It’s not a bad trade-off,’ Song Changsheng thought, a slight smile touching his lips. ’If she reaches the Golden Core realm one day, this favor will be priceless. This Jade Pendant can be a family heirloom...’

「Seven days later.」

After traveling at top speed, Xia Qingxue arrived in Yuan Province. She had now entered the Golden Crow Sect’s sphere of influence.

She didn’t return directly to Golden Sun Peak, instead deciding to head for the Yuan Province Garrison Mansion.

The Golden Crow Sect occupied a total of four provinces. Besides their headquarters in Qing Province, they also held Yuan Province, Long Province, and Ming Province, covering nearly a quarter of the entire Daqi Cultivation World.

Even for a power like the Golden Crow Sect, controlling such a vast territory was incredibly difficult. Therefore, they had established a Garrison Mansion in each province, which served as a branch of the Sect.

Each Garrison Mansion possessed a means of long-distance communication with the headquarters. This was precisely what Xia Qingxue was counting on; she needed to send the message back as quickly as possible to stop the war.

The Garrison Envoy of Yuan Province was Celestial Flame Ascendant Chen Wushang, a cultivator at the peak of Purple Mansion Great Perfection who held a very high status within the Golden Crow Sect.