Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Worst-Case Scenario

This matter was so important that it required at least a Nascent Soul Cultivator to stand guard; it would be best if the Song Family’s own ancestor could come and oversee it.

She didn’t know if Feng Youming would return, what he would do, or even what he had done before.

But she knew one thing: this Dragon Vein was too important. The very survival of the entire Song Family depended on it.

After giving instructions, Song Wanning hurriedly returned to the Song Family through the Transmission Array.

Song Qingyun had been listening to his disciples report on their recent successes in reclaiming resources when his daughter called him away.

Seeing the incredibly serious expression on his daughter’s face, Song Qingyun’s heart skipped a beat.

"What’s wrong? Don’t tell me that Feng Youming made a move?"

His daughter had left to pursue Feng Youming, so naturally, his first thought was of him.

"Dad, I have something incredibly important to tell you. I’ve found the truth behind the slaughter of the Song Family in my past life!"

"What?"

Song Qingyun’s expression darkened instantly. "What’s going on?"

This matter had always been a thorn in their side. As long as the mastermind remained uncaught, he could never rest easy.

"Beneath the Song Family’s city lies a slumbering Dragon Vein..."

It was like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. For a moment, Song Qingyun’s mind went dizzy, and he thought he must have misheard her.

"A Dragon Vein? As in, a Spirit Vein that has gained sentience and become a Dragon Vein?"

The Song Family had existed for over ten thousand years, yet they had never heard of this.

"Yes."

Song Wanning nodded and told Song Qingyun everything that had happened over the past several days, leaving out no detail.

Song Qingyun fell silent for a long while. His clenched fists crackled, and a murderous aura flashed across his face.

"For a Dragon Vein? To occupy our ancestral land, they would slaughter everyone in my Song Family?"

"Aren’t they afraid of divine retribution?!?!"

Song Qingyun was so furious his eyes turned bloodshot. ’These were all living, breathing people!’

Song Wanning sneered. "Why would they be afraid? The ones doing the dirty work were other people."

From start to finish, they were pulling the strings from behind the scenes, using people like Ye Chuxue and Bai Yang...

They could reap the rewards without getting a single speck of karmic debt on their hands. By the time the pawns realized what was happening, it would be too late.

’Such brilliant scheming!’

"Those bastards!!!"

Understanding dawned on Song Qingyun, and he smashed the table beside him to pieces.

A bloody, murderous intent emanated from him; he wanted nothing more than to fight those people to the death right then and there.

"Dad, we must immediately send people to guard the entrance to the Dragon Vein. Notify me at once if anything happens."

"Also, I came back to ask if our clan has any way to awaken a Dragon Vein."

A dark glint flashed in Song Wanning’s eyes. They wanted to seize the Dragon Vein, but she would be damned if she let them get their way.

’If things truly get as bad as they did in my past life, I’ll destroy the Dragon Vein before I let them have it!’

"That... I’m afraid not. Forget the Song Family, I doubt the entire Cultivation World has such a method..."

A Dragon Vein is the stuff of legends. Never mind seeing one—most people have probably never even heard of them.

"Perhaps before the Cultivation World collapsed, there was a way..."

Song Qingyun frowned, clearly understanding his daughter’s implication.

He was tempted as well. If they could awaken the Dragon Vein and claim it for the Song Family, their future would be simply unimaginable...

But the method to awaken it was extremely difficult to find, and even if they succeeded, would the Song Family be strong enough to protect it afterward?

Would the Dragon Vein even be compliant?

His heart sank. No matter how he looked at it, the situation seemed bleak.

But Song Wanning suddenly said, "Who says there isn’t? They must have a way, or they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to seize our ancestral land!"

There might be no records of it in the outside world, but the faction behind Feng Youming and the others definitely has a method!

She looked up at Song Qingyun and said solemnly, "Dad, we can only prepare on multiple fronts. First, we must raise everyone’s strength as quickly as possible, especially the Nascent Soul Elders. I still have some inner cores here, including the Seven-Colored Flower. Take them and distribute them. I have no use for them anymore, anyway."

"Second, the Song Family must prepare to relocate. Although we cannot abandon our ancestral land unless it is the absolute last resort, I can’t just stand by and watch everyone die. If things truly get as bad as they did in my past life, we must do everything we can to protect our people..."

"Finally, I will find a way to draw out the people behind Feng Youming. If we divide the tasks and work together, we can definitely defeat them!"

Before, they hadn’t known who was behind the plot or what their goal was. Now that they knew, things had, in a way, become simpler.

The resolute look in Song Wanning’s eyes made Song Qingyun’s own eyes well up.

’His good daughter... she was finally growing up.’

’Although the price of that growth was painful and it made his heart ache for her, he also felt a sense of relief and immense pride.’

He managed a smile. "Alright, Dad knows what to do. But you must not be reckless. If you run into danger, survival is your top priority. I don’t want to see anything happen to you."

Song Qingyun patted his daughter’s head. No matter how old she grew, she would always be the treasure he held in the palm of his hand.

’If those people in the shadows truly corner the Song Family, I will be the one to step forward and face them. That is my responsibility as the Clan Leader.’

"Okay."

Song Wanning nodded.

’She was only preparing for the worst.’

’The Song Family had flourished here for over ten thousand years. They would never relocate unless there was absolutely no other choice.’

...

Because Song Wanning hadn’t touched the Dragon Vein, Feng Youming had no idea its secret had already been exposed.

He was still lingering in the Song Family’s territory, digging for information and trying to find a weakness.

Unfortunately for him, in this lifetime, Song Wanning hadn’t descended into demonic cultivation, nor had the Song Family done anything to rock the world. Several days passed without any fruitful results.

Then one day, he heard that the Song Family had started treating its disciples much better and that the benefits for clan members had been greatly improved. Feng Youming’s expression shifted slightly, as if something had just occurred to him.

The public explanation was that the Song Family had become a top-tier family, causing their resources to multiply.

But Feng Youming had a sharp mind. The Song Family had produced three Divinity Transformation cultivators in quick succession, and the disciples’ benefits had risen accordingly—a rising tide lifts all boats, after all. Still, something about the situation felt off.

His thoughts quickly turned to Spirit Veins.

’Could it be that besides the Dragon Vein, the Song Family has other Spirit Veins?’

Feng Youming frowned and muttered to himself. ’If that’s really the case, then the Song Family must have stepped in some serious shit to get this lucky.’

Now that he had a lead, he decided to investigate thoroughly. If there really was a Spirit Vein, he could certainly exploit it.

A beautiful scheme formed in his mind: once he found the Spirit Vein, he would take most of the Spirit Stones for himself, then spread the news of its existence. It would look as if the Song Family had discovered the Spirit Vein and was hoarding it, unwilling to share with other factions.

The Song Family wouldn’t be able to defend themselves against the accusations and would incite public outrage, making it impossible for them to clean up the mess.

Then, his faction could find a way to frame them for something else, and annihilating their clan wouldn’t be out of the question.

A flash of excitement lit up Feng Youming’s eyes. ’Once I accomplish this great deed and awaken the Dragon Vein, I’ll be qualified to cultivate within it. Ascension will be right within my grasp...’

With a flicker, his figure vanished, and he quickly left the city. Once in the outskirts, he took out the Spirit Detecting Pearl that the Clan Leader had prepared for him.

And just as he’d expected, one side of the Spirit Detecting Pearl began to glow faintly, pointing north.