In a seclusion site on the mountainside, Song Chang’an was clad in black robes, his eyes blazing. Sharp, unceasing Sword Qi coiled around him, and his immense presence was a sight to behold.

Standing guard for him outside, Song Luhuai nodded in gratification. "Well done. You haven’t squandered the clan’s investment in you. From now on, the clan’s protection will fall to your generation."

Song Luhuai was filled with emotion. ’Very few Cultivators from the fourth ’Xian’ generation remain, and the only ones at the Foundation Establishment realm are the Clan Leader and the Grand Elder. As for the fifth ’Lu’ generation, they suffered devastating losses in a great war more than two decades ago. Their talent pool was decimated, and they are already struggling to carry the torch. For a time, this had been a source of great anxiety for the clan’s elders. Fortunately, the sixth ’Chang’ generation Cultivators were maturing much faster than they had anticipated. The Young Clan Leader, Song Changsheng, was already cultivating faster than the older generations and was more than capable of shouldering the clan’s future. In the recent clan tournament, the ’Chang’ generation Cultivators had even outshone those of the ’Lu’ and ’Qing’ generations, sweeping the top three places. Now, with Song Chang’an following Song Changsheng to become the second Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the ’Chang’ generation, it signified that the sixth generation of clansmen had gradually become the backbone of the clan. And after the ’Chang’ generation, the ’Qing’ generation was even more flush with talent. Qingxing, Qingxi, Qingxia, Qingshi, Qinghong... they were all top prospects.’ What made Song Luhuai so happy wasn’t just that his own son had reached Foundation Establishment. It was that the clan had successors and wouldn’t fall into the same difficult situation as the main branch, which was suffering a gap between the old and new generations.

"I will never for a moment forget the debt I owe the clan for raising me," Song Chang’an said in a heavy voice.

"Good. You’ve just broken through. First, go and stabilize your cultivation. Afterward, you are to present yourself to the Clan Leader and the Grand Elder."

"I will obey." After his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Song Chang’an’s disposition was calmer than before. However, he couldn’t yet control his power perfectly, making his presence feel overwhelmingly sharp.

Not long after Song Chang’an’s breakthrough, Spiritual Qi began to converge on Song Changxue’s Seclusion Chamber as she formally began her attempt at Foundation Establishment.

Song Luzhou, who was standing guard outside, appeared deeply anxious.

This was because Song Changxue was the sole daughter of his brother, Song Lumiao.

Twenty years ago, Song Lumiao had given his life for the clan. That same year, his wife succumbed to an illness brought on by grief, leaving behind a fourteen-year-old Song Changxue.

Song Luzhou had raised her all by himself, treating her even better than his own daughter. He doted on her, cherishing her as if she were the most precious and fragile treasure.

And Song Changxue had lived up to his devotion. With her Three Spirit Roots talent, she reached the Qi Refining Great Perfection realm before the age of thirty. She had also mastered the art of Music, becoming the clan’s only Music Master.

In the recent clan tournament, she had even fought her way into the top three on her own merits, earning a Foundation Establishment Pill.

She was only thirty-five. If she could successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, her future would be boundless.

’Xue’Er, if you can just get over this hurdle, I’ll finally be able to face your departed parents,’ Song Luzhou prayed silently, hoping fortune would smile upon this ill-fated child...

At that moment, however, Song Changxue was not in a good state. Her eyes were shut tight, her brow furrowed in pain, and a dark, wispy energy occasionally surfaced on her fair face.

A voice in her mind seemed to be constantly urging her to give up. It clung to her like a shadow, impossible to shake. Song Changxue bit down hard, struggling to ignore its influence.

But the harder she tried, the more she failed. The voice grew louder and louder, and her spirit grew weary.

’Give up. You can’t possibly succeed.’

’Give up, just give up...’

’If you don’t stop, you’re going to die...’

The voice seemed to break free from her mind and began whispering right in her ear.

’Give up...’

’You’ll die...’

Song Changxue’s delicate body began to tremble. Intangible wisps of black energy emanated from her, forming into chains that gradually bound her...

Atop Vast Peak, Song Xianming watched the increasingly chaotic Qi Vortex, and his expression shifted. "Something’s wrong."

Song Xianyun also noticed the change in the Qi Vortex. His expression immediately turned grave; he knew all too well what this meant.

The first to notice something was amiss was Song Luzhou. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan, but in the face of this, he was utterly powerless and could only pray.

BOOM—

Suddenly, the Qi Vortex in the air swelled violently, then contracted at extreme speed and collapsed.

"Xue’Er!"

Song Luzhou’s eyes looked ready to burst from their sockets as he transformed into a streak of light and shot into the Seclusion Chamber.

"Sigh..."

Song Xianyun let out a long, mournful sigh and closed his eyes in anguish. ’She failed.’

Even knowing that a Foundation Establishment Pill only offered a fifty to sixty percent chance of success, the old man still found the reality of failure hard to accept. ’What a loss of a brilliant talent for the clan...’

"At least she’s alive. Let’s go check on the girl," Song Xianming said with a sense of resignation. She was the second one to fail a breakthrough in recent years, but Song Changxue was fortunate; at least she had survived.

The two arrived on the mountainside together to find Song Luzhou frantically channeling Spiritual Power into Song Changxue while stuffing one precious Pill after another into her mouth.

"Luzhou, calm down! Changxue is suffering from a Heart Demon! What you’re doing is useless! Let’s work together and perform an Exorcism!"

Seeing Song Changxue’s condition, Song Xianming’s expression changed drastically. He shoved Song Luzhou aside, formed the Taiqing Seal with his hand, and quickly pressed it to three points on Song Changxue’s head: Baihui, Shenting, and her Forehead.

Song Xianyun, for his part, took out a sparkling golden Treasure Bead that emitted a blazing light, shining down upon Song Changxue.