Although Song Changsheng had yet to advance his artifact crafting skills to second-grade low-tier, he had already reached a masterful level when it came to crafting first-grade top-tier spiritual artifacts. His success rate was as high as 80 to 90 percent.
However, using second-grade spiritual materials to forge a first-grade artifact was a bit of overkill.
Forging the Lotus Platform was no challenge at all. In less than half a month, it was completed, and he immediately engraved three formation arrays into it to enhance its quality.
By the time everything was done, more than twenty days had passed.
On the day before departure, Song Changsheng finally emerged from seclusion. Gazing at the Lotus Platform in his hand, he softly chanted a few incantations. The small platform instantly grew to the size of a meditation cushion.
The platform was jet black all over, resembling a carved piece of jade. Enlarged, it looked very much like the lotus seat beneath the figure of Guanyin.
After all, this was the only type of Lotus Platform Song Changsheng had ever seen, so he simply copied what he knew.
Eager to test it, he sat cross-legged atop it and began to cultivate.
As he activated his cultivation technique, he could sense a slight increase in his cultivation speed. Though the boost wasn't dramatic, it was still better than nothing.
Once his dantian was filled with spiritual energy, the excess energy generated by continued cultivation was stored within the Lotus Platform beneath him.
According to his estimation, the platform could hold about twice the amount of spiritual energy in his dantian, which greatly pleased him. He wouldn't have to be as stingy when activating the formation arrays within his body anymore.
"I'll call you Ink Jade Lotus Platform from now on," he said with a smile. After carefully putting it away, Song Changsheng noticed that daylight had already broken outside.
He found a secure place to hide the Lu Wu Bell and the jade pendant gifted by his mother, then set off for the General Affairs Hall.
The Wutong Secret Realm was located in the southwestern part of Lingzhou, deep within the Wutong Mountains, over ten thousand miles from Cangmang Peak. To ensure their safety, the Grand Elder would personally escort them there this time.
Song Changsheng was the last to arrive. Seeing that everyone was now present, Song Xianyuan waved his sleeve and summoned a flying vessel several zhang long.
The mechanism of the flying vessel was somewhat similar to the paper kite Song Changsheng had ridden before, though much faster and far more energy-consuming.
Everyone found a seat and settled in. With a slight tremor, the flying vessel shot up into the sea of clouds…
Since the journey would take some time, Song Xianyuan used the opportunity to assign each of them tasks for the secret realm. After all, the rare opening of the realm wasn't just for obtaining a portion of Stalactite Spirit Liquid.
After the briefing, the group began to get to know each other. Or rather, they introduced themselves for Song Changsheng's sake since the others had all returned to the family a year earlier, they were already familiar with one another. Only Song Changsheng was a newcomer.
The thin middle-aged man was the first to speak: "I am Song Luping. I specialize in earth-elemental spells."
Next was the team's only female member, named Song Luyue. She specialized in wood-elemental magic and was especially skilled in binding techniques.
The burly man across from her was named Song Lutong. He was a body cultivator with an abundance of vital energy. Though Song Changsheng had undergone nine rounds of physical refinement and his body was already comparable to a magical artifact, he was still no match for Lutong's raw physical strength.
The first three were all from the "Lu" generation. The last member introduced himself as Song Changan, a member of the "Chang" generation. He was the eldest son of the Fourth Elder, Song Luhuai, though the two had never met in person.
He bore a slight resemblance to his father in appearance and temperament calm and composed.
What surprised Song Changsheng, however, was that he was a sword cultivator who favored a fierce and aggressive style, completely at odds with his gentle demeanor.
After their introductions, Song Changsheng respectfully cupped his hands and said, "I am Song Changsheng. I specialize in water and fire magic. I ask for guidance from all my uncles and senior cousins."
He was by far the youngest among them. Even Song Changan, the one closest in a generation, was already thirty years old. A humble attitude was the best approach.
Compared to the others, Song Changsheng was a well-known figure in the family, and his background was particularly impressive. Initially, the others weren't too fond of him. But his modesty won them over, and they began to treat him more warmly, gradually opening up in conversation.
Song Lutong, being the straightforward type, instantly hit it off with Song Changsheng after learning he was fond of good wine. The two quickly grew close, chatting enthusiastically and even throwing their arms around each other like old buddies.
If not for the difference in their generational ranks, they might have sworn brotherhood on the spot. Song Luping and the others were left dumbfounded by how fast things progressed.
It was only later that Song Changsheng realized the guy had his eyes on the fine wine brewed by his mother all along…
The flying vessel was incredibly fast, and before long, the group arrived at the Wutong Mountains.
Compared to the Wangyue Mountains controlled by the Song Clan, or the Liuyun Mountains held by the Earthfire Sect, the Li Clan, and the Qiu Clan, the Wutong Mountains serving as the base of the Wang and Yu Clans were significantly smaller and looked far more desolate, with dead trees scattered everywhere.
"These trees don't look like they died naturally," Song Changsheng said in confusion as he stood at the edge of the vessel.
With his booming voice, Song Lutong shouted, "Do you even need to ask? Whole patches like this… caused by some wicked cultivation method. I bet it's the work of those damn Yu Clan folks!"
"Lutong, don't talk nonsense," Song Luoyue said, frowning.
Song Lutong glared. "What's there to be afraid of? It's not like the Yu Clan ever produced anything good."
"Uncle seems to hate the Yu Clan, huh?" Song Changsheng nudged Song Changan beside him.
Song Changan nodded. "Uncle Lutong suffered at the hands of the Yu Clan during his time out training. Naturally, he doesn't hold them in high regard. If we run into any of them in the secret realm, a fight is likely inevitable."
"I see." Song Changsheng recalled the people from the Earthfire Sect and the Qiu Clan. While he hadn't suffered at their hands, it was fair to say he was the one being targeted instead.
Song Lutong's resentment was deep-rooted, and Song Luoyue couldn't calm him down. It wasn't until Song Xianyun himself spoke up that Song Lutong finally shut his mouth and sat silently to the side.
After passing over mountain after mountain, a massive parasol tree appeared before them it was their destination. Song Xianyun immediately began guiding the flying vessel downwards.
Since their group had traveled the farthest, they were the last to arrive. The other five families were already gathered beneath the great tree's canopy.
Each family had sent six members, just like them an agreed-upon limit of five participants and one elder per clan.
"Hahaha, Brother Song, you're running a bit late," a square-faced middle-aged man from the Earthfire Sect's group came forward with a warm smile that looked quite friendly.
But everyone present knew exactly what kind of person hid behind that smiling face and wouldn't be fooled.
"That's Li Tiancheng from the Earthfire Sect 'The Smiling Tiger.' He's a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, infamous for his cunning ways and a tongue as sharp as a sword," Song Lutong whispered to Song Changsheng.
Song Changsheng had heard the name before but was seeing the man in person for the first time. Had he not known better, he might have mistaken him for a kind and approachable elder. Unfortunately, the man was anything but.
Without even lifting his eyes, Song Xianyun replied coolly, "The secret realm hasn't opened yet, so how could we be late? But tell me, why did your Earthfire Sect switch personnel this time? Cheng Yufei didn't come?"
Song Changsheng smirked inwardly. Cheng Yufei had been badly injured by Wang Wanzhou and his group last time. Still recovering, no doubt. No way he'd show up.
Song Xianyun had deliberately brought up the Earthfire Sect's sore spot, but Li Tiancheng acted as if he hadn't heard the jab and continued smiling, "Senior brother was unavailable, so as his junior, it's only right that I take over."
"Just don't break the rules," Song Xianyun replied blandly before leading his group to settle cross-legged on the empty ground next to the Wang Clan.
The elders from the Wang and Li clans came forward to exchange pleasantries with Song Xianyun.
No sooner had Song Changsheng sat down than he felt an intense, uncomfortable gaze. He frowned and turned toward the Earthfire Sect's side there, a slender, androgynous-looking young man with narrow, hateful eyes was staring daggers at him.
Suddenly, a long-buried memory resurfaced in Song Changsheng's mind. "Isn't that Chang Tianhua? So, he formed his Dao Foundation?"
Back then, after defeating Chang Tianhua, Song Changsheng had secretly injected a trace of fire energy into his opponent's body. It was supposed to cause excruciating pain every time he cultivated, eventually crippling him.
But judging by his current state, the plan hadn't worked. His cultivation hadn't suffered.
"Probably used some treasure his clan master father gave him," Song Changsheng thought. He didn't take it too seriously. After all, Chang Tianhua had already lost to him once this time would be no different.
When Song Changsheng glanced at him and then promptly closed his eyes, Chang Tianhua nearly exploded on the spot. It was as if Song Changsheng didn't even consider him a threat.
"You bastard, I swear you'll suffer this time!"
Chang Tianhua clenched his teeth so hard they creaked. Every time he recalled the humiliation he had suffered and the pain that had plagued his cultivation, he wanted nothing more than to skin Song Changsheng alive and whip his corpse a thousand times.
"Senior Brother, that's the bastard who humiliated me before. I know you've always had a thing for Sixth Martial Sister. Help me get rid of him, and I'll make sure your wish comes true." Chang Tianhua whispered viciously to the gaunt man beside him.
The thin man trembled slightly and replied in a low voice, "That would violate the rules."
Chang Tianhua gave a cold, sinister smile. "It's not like people haven't died in the secret realm before. One more corpse who's going to care? I'll take responsibility for anything that happens."
"But…" The gaunt man hesitated. He was the strongest among the Earthfire Sect's younger generation and had a real chance of obtaining the Stalactite Spirit Liquid this time. He didn't want any unnecessary complications.
Seeing his hesitation, Chang Tianhua's voice turned icy: "You'd better think this through. My father dotes on me more than anyone. All it takes is one word from me, and you can forget about ever getting your hands on a Foundation Establishment Pill."
"But if you do as I say not only will Sixth Martial Sister be yours, I'll make sure you get the pill, and plenty of other cultivation resources as well. Last time I'll ask are you in, or not?"
Faced with such blatant threats, the gaunt man's eyes briefly flashed with anger, but it was quickly replaced by helplessness. Though talented, he came from a humble background and had no support within the sect.
Compared to Chang Tianhua, he was nothing. He couldn't afford to gamble on whether the threats were real. In the end, he had no choice but to submit.
Chang Tianhua revealed a triumphant smile, glaring at Song Changsheng as he whispered menacingly, "This time, I'll make you pay back everything with interest."
-support me in Patreon for more chapter, 105+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader