Chapter 76: Chapter 76: How Could He Lose?

At Vast Mist Peak, everyone stared up at the sky, feeling the violent fluctuations from the battle. Some were excited, others worried, and still others were anxious—a whole spectrum of emotions was on display.

This was a duel between the two strongest experts in Ling Province. Regardless of who won or lost, the future landscape of the province would be completely transformed.

Would the Song Clan reforge its glory and continue to dominate Ling Province?

Or would the Earth Fire Sect seize the opportunity and rise to become the new hegemon of Ling Province?

Everything depended on this battle.

Just as the battle reached a fever pitch, a series of whooshing sounds echoed from the horizon. Song Changsheng looked out and saw that it was people from the Earth Fire Sect and the Qiu Clan.

The Earth Fire Sect’s party was led by Cheng Yufei, who had just emerged from seclusion. He arrived via Sword Control, accompanied by Li Tiancheng and Qu Jinsheng. With the exception of Du Huating, who was stationed at Liuyun Marketplace, all of the Earth Fire Sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators were present. They had truly come out in full force.

The Qiu Clan had also sent two Foundation Establishment Cultivators: Clan Leader Qiu Tianyang and Clan Elder Qiu Tianxing.

With the arrival of the five Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the air before Vast Mist Peak once again crackled with hostility. Song Xianyun, along with Song Luzhou and two others, immediately went to intercept them. No matter what, they could not be allowed to interfere with the battle in the sky.

Nine Foundation Establishment Cultivators were now locked in a standoff in mid-air, causing the hearts of all the Song Clan members to leap into their throats. Nearly a third of all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Ling Province were gathered here. If a fight were to break out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Song Xianyun, hand over Song Changsheng," Qiu Tianyang said through gritted teeth. "Otherwise, the Song Clan will be shedding some blood today."

Qiu Wenwei had been one of the most outstanding disciples of the Qiu Clan’s current generation. Lacking in neither talent nor temperament, Qiu Tianyang had placed high hopes on him, hoping he could overcome all rivals within the Secret Realm and obtain the opportunity for Foundation Establishment.

He never expected that Qiu Wenwei would actually perish inside. Unable to suppress his rage, Qiu Tianyang had brought Qiu Tianxing to the Song Clan to demand an explanation, only to run into Cheng Yufei’s group, who were on their way to support Chang Wudao.

Since the two groups shared a common goal and were already allies, they naturally joined forces to hold the Song Clan accountable.

Song Xianyun responded coldly, "Qiu Tianyang, have you gone senile? There’s no history of bad blood between your Qiu Wenwei and my grandson. What does his death have to do with Changsheng?"

"Exactly," Song Luzhou chimed in, crossing his arms and speaking in a sarcastic tone. "If you ask me, it’s more likely the people from the Earth Fire Sect saw his outstanding talent and decided to take him out in secret. Three people? Just how capable would my nephew have to be to fight three opponents and kill them all?"

Qiu Tianyang glanced discreetly at Cheng Yufei and the others. To be honest, he had his own doubts. ’That Song Changsheng is barely in his early twenties,’ he thought. ’Could he really fight three-on-one and leave no survivors?’

Although the Earth Fire Sect adamantly insisted that Song Changsheng was the killer, no one actually had any proof.

Cheng Yufei’s face darkened. "Still trying to sow discord at a time like this!" he shouted coldly. "The Earth Fire Sect and the Qiu Clan are as close as blood brothers. How could we possibly do such a thing?"

"That little bastard must have used some sinister, wicked trick to ambush and kill them."

"’As close as blood brothers?’ HAHAHA! Don’t make me laugh. Twenty years ago, someone from your Qiu Clan also died in the Secret Realm, didn’t they? Her name was... Qiu Yuewen, correct?"

"She was Clan Leader Qiu’s own niece, wasn’t she? And her death was quite tragic. Need me to jog your memory about who killed her?" Song Luzhou taunted, nonchalantly cleaning his ear with his pinky finger.

Qiu Tianyang’s face instantly turned grim. His niece had been exceptionally talented and of good character; he had always treated her like his own daughter.

But while vying for a stalk of Spirit Medicine in a Secret Realm, she had been killed on the spot by an Earth Fire Sect disciple. Afterward, the sect had merely offered some meager compensation and refused to hand over the killer. This had always been a pain hidden deep in his heart, and now, it was being dredged up again.

Seeing the change in Qiu Tianyang’s expression, Cheng Yufei’s heart sank. He immediately launched a preemptive attack, roaring, "Wicked lies! Die!"

As he spoke, he led Qu Jinsheng and the others in a direct charge toward Song Xianyun’s party.

The two sides instantly clashed. For a moment, the earth cracked, mountains crumbled, and swathes of forest burst into flames. Shockwaves from the battle slammed into the Clan Protection Array, sending ripples across its surface that shook the hearts of all who witnessed it.

Qiu Tianyang’s expression shifted, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and joined the fray alongside Qiu Tianxing. Now it was five against four, and the pressure on the Song Clan’s side increased immensely.

Song Changsheng watched, anxiety churning within him. After all, this was all his fault. He clenched his fists tightly, swearing a silent oath. ’One day, when my cultivation is strong enough, I will eradicate all of you, root and stem!’

Just as the members of the Song Clan were beginning to be overpowered, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Wang Clan arrived in the nick of time. After helping the Song Clan halt their losing momentum, Clan Leader Wang Qingquan of the Wang Clan bellowed, "Everyone, stop!"

Cheng Yufei said coldly, "Clan Leader Wang, this has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle in affairs that don’t concern you!"

Wang Qingquan’s expression darkened, but he replied fearlessly, "This battle of yours affects the entirety of Ling Province, and you say it has nothing to do with me?"

"Hmph." Cheng Yufei’s eyes flickered, and he said no more. ’Continuing to fight like this truly won’t benefit anyone,’ he thought. ’Besides, our side is at a disadvantage now.’

"Since Fellow Daoist Song and Fellow Daoist Chang have already ascended to settle this with a duel, we should simply wait for the outcome," Wang Qingquan continued. "Fighting amongst ourselves will benefit no one and will only allow outsiders to profit from our conflict."

"Clan Leader Wang is absolutely right," Song Xianyun nodded in profound agreement.

The area before Vast Mist Peak fell silent once more. Everyone waited for the outcome of the battle high above.

RUMBLE—

Suddenly, a dazzling flash of light flared, accompanied by a sound like rolling thunder. The clouds in the sky were instantly vaporized.

Cheng Yufei stared at the sky in alarm, his heart pounding. ’What was that? Why did it give me such a feeling of dread?’

The others were in a similar state. They had all felt that fleeting yet powerful fluctuation of energy, and their hearts were filled with shock and uncertainty.

"It seems... it’s over?" Wang Qingquan said suddenly.

The sky above had fallen calm. It appeared a victor had been decided, but no one knew who had won and who had lost.

All eyes turned to the sky, watching with bated breath.

Two streaks of light descended from the heavens, each landing within their respective camps.

Song Changsheng’s gaze shot over. He saw that although Song Xianming’s robes were slightly disheveled, his aura was immense and his presence as sharp as a blade. With no obvious injuries, it was clear he hadn’t suffered a disadvantage.

He quietly let out a sigh of relief. Looking over at Chang Wudao, he saw that the Sect Leader’s aura was weak and listless, with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

The result was obvious. Song Xianming had thoroughly defeated Chang Wudao. The Song Clan members erupted into thunderous cheers. They had won! They had once again solidified their clan’s position!

Cheng Yufei and the others could only stare in disbelief. ’How could someone as powerful as the Sect Leader possibly lose?’

Ignoring the strange looks from those around him, Chang Wudao stared at Song Xianming and asked coldly, "You’ve successfully cultivated a Little Divine Technique?"

His words caused an immediate uproar. Song Xianming had cultivated a Little Divine Technique?

Song Xianyun and the others gazed at Song Xianming with fervent eyes, desperate for confirmation...