Just as he was pondering, the Ning Clan Leader began to speak.

"Heh heh, I’ve heard that the Song Family recently produced two Divinity Transformation cultivators in a single day. We are truly envious!"

"Especially Young Daoist Song—to have advanced to Divinity Transformation at such a young age. Your future is surely limitless!"

He spouted one pleasantry after another, and the other two clan leaders chimed in with agreement, yet they deliberately avoided mentioning the division of benefits.

Song Qingyun listened with a half-smile, but his fingers were curled into tight fists, suppressing his inner dissatisfaction.

’I’d like to see how they’re going to spin this.’

Sure enough, after a short while, the Ning Clan Leader said, "We know why the Song Family has come today, but..."

"Alas, it’s a long story. You don’t know this, but in reality, the resources of us top-tier families have been nearly depleted over the years. That includes the Secret Realms—many have not reappeared."

"Although we would love to divide things according to the rules, I’m afraid the outcome will disappoint Sect Leader Song!"

The Ning Clan Leader let out a long sigh, putting on a troubled expression.

The Sui Family Head spoke up at this moment. Her strong-willed face showed a hint of regret as she also said pretentiously, "What the Ning Clan Leader says is true. We’re just being upfront to avoid any misunderstandings, so Sect Leader Song doesn’t think we’re unwilling to share. Don’t you all agree?"

"That’s right, Sect Leader Song. Rest assured, we will do our absolute best to allocate a larger share to the Song Family. We will definitely not let the Song Family suffer a loss."

The Mu Family Patriarch chimed in cheerfully. He had a kind and benevolent face, and his head of silver hair was quite conspicuous among the group.

This man was the oldest, over four hundred years old, and had long been unable to advance to Divinity Transformation.

If one had to say who was most displeased today, it would be none other than the Mu Family Patriarch.

He had cultivated bitterly for many years without any progress, yet the Song Family had suddenly produced two...

Song Qingyun registered the cold glint in everyone’s eyes. A smile touched his lips as he, with a SWISH, took out a silk scroll.

The scroll clearly listed the resources and Secret Realms of the top-tier families, each entry detailed and well-documented.

The clan leaders’ expressions changed in an instant, the smiles vanishing from their faces.

’How did the Song Family manage to investigate their backgrounds so thoroughly in such a short time?’

’Or could it be that they had long since...?’

The hearts of the clan leaders sank, and the Divinity Transformation cultivators present were also displeased.

"The Song Family has also conducted a simple investigation recently. Our only purpose was to understand the top-tier families and, while we were at it, admire their capabilities. If we have caused any offense, I hope you will all be magnanimous."

Song Qingyun wore a polite smile, but he didn’t forget to give the scroll a little shake.

A moment later, a long section unrolled from the bottom of the scroll.

The few who had remained relatively calm now found their gazes freezing. Their faces turned completely dark as they stared intently at Song Qingyun.

Originally, they had planned to coordinate and send the Song Family away with the smallest possible concession. After all, the resources of the top-tier families had always been in their hands, and the outside world was unaware of many things.

If they really wanted to hide it, there was nothing the Song Family could do.

But now, the unfurled scroll was filled with their hidden private assets. Some were assets that not even the other families knew about, and it even included resources they had traded for using former top-tier family assets. Everything was clearly written down.

The three were simultaneously shocked and furious.

They were furious that their own family’s holdings had been exposed, and also angry to discover that the other families had been up to so much on the side.

For a moment, everyone’s expression was a sight to behold.

They all dropped the pretense. Staring at Song Qingyun with cold faces, their gazes were murderous.

"Sect Leader Song, what is the meaning of this?"

The Ning Clan Leader felt offended.

The insignificant Song Family had actually managed to uncover all their secrets.

This was a complete and utter humiliation!

The Sui Family Head was so enraged she crushed the cup beside her, not bothering to hide the fury on her face. "Sect Leader Song, what an impressive display of power! It seems to me you haven’t come to negotiate, but to put us in our place!"

"To dare investigate us behind our backs... truly remarkable!"

The Mu Family Patriarch’s expression was also frosty, his silver hair seeming to tremble.

"Sect Leader Song, do you really think that advancing to Divinity Transformation means all your problems are solved? In the end, what happens is still up to us three families to decide!"

The three of them dropped their masks, abandoning all their previous plans.

The Song Family had infuriated them. They were determined to force the Song Family to swallow this bitter pill. What could the Songs possibly do about it?

The three were menacing, and the few Divinity Transformation cultivators in the hall also had dangerous expressions. They were not responsible for negotiating, but for putting pressure on the Song Family.

However, the three from the Song Family who came this time were all Divinity Transformation cultivators. This little bit of pressure had no effect on them.

Just as Song Qingyun was about to speak, Song Wanning cut in, letting out a soft "tsk."

"What a grand joke, you three clan leaders. The designation of top-tier families has always been a rule left by the ancestors. Your three families have been enjoying the fruits of this system, which is how you’ve developed so steadily until now."

"If it’s truly as you say, that the three of you have the final say, then you’ll have to ask whether the other families agree."

She smiled and raised a Memory Stone, a playful smirk lifting the corners of her mouth.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly dropped to a freezing point.

No matter how powerful the three families were, they couldn’t compare to all the other families united.

They understood this, of course. What they’d said just now was merely a fit of pique, but they never expected Song Wanning to have actually recorded it.

Absolutely shameless!

The three clan leaders were furious, but none of them dared to make a move against Song Wanning. After all, her cultivation was higher than theirs.

But their imposing manner didn’t diminish. "Daoist Song, you have twisted our words. It was your Song Family who offended us first. Even if you are judged for it, the fault will be yours!"

"Don’t think this is enough to make us compromise."

A cold aura emanated from them, as if they were ready to flip the table at the slightest disagreement.

Feng Youming sat in a corner, not a hint of surprise on his face.

’Dividing benefits has always been like this.’

’It would be normal even if it came to blows in the end.’

’It’s just that the Song Family doesn’t seem the type to accept a loss. That woman, in particular, doesn’t look like someone who would let others bully her.’

"You clan leaders are wronging us. We were simply afraid of troubling such distinguished people, so we helped you take an inventory in advance. For you to say such things... you’re truly making us feel aggrieved."

Song Wanning’s expression quickly changed again. She put away the Memory Stone, a smile gracing her lips.

All of this was information she had asked the Hall Master of the Hundred Ghosts Sect to help investigate. The accuracy was as high as ninety-nine percent.

"Isn’t that the truth? Clan leaders, your words are truly disheartening!"

Song Qingyun also chimed in at this moment. "Our Song Family may not be a top-tier family, but since we’re about to become one, we thought we’d help you all shoulder some of your burdens. We never expected to be misunderstood, heh heh."

"But... rest assured. The Song Family will not touch a single thing it does not deserve. However..."

His tone shifted, and the smile instantly vanished from his face.

"As for what rightfully belongs to the Song Family—don’t even think about shorting us by a single cent!"