Time flies during cultivation, and the seasons pass unnoticed in the mountains. Three months went by in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Song Changsheng cultivated diligently while also taking on odd jobs in Artifact Refining or Array Formation to earn Spirit Stones. Life was fulfilling and pleasant.
But this peace was soon shattered...
Inside the clan's Minor Affairs Hall, Song Changsheng and a dozen or so other clan members of the same age were gathered. Without exception, everyone looked completely bewildered, having no idea why the clan had summoned them.
"Hey, Brother, do you have any idea what this is about? Is it good news or bad?" a rather skinny youth asked, nudging Song Changsheng with his elbow.
Hearing this, the others around them immediately turned their gazes to Song Changsheng. After all, everyone knew that not only was he the Clan Leader's own grandson, but he was also the only son of Fifth Elder Xia Yunxue.
He was a Foundation Establishment Seed of the clan, too. 'He has to have some inside information, right?'
But Song Changsheng just shook his head with a wry smile. "I honestly have no idea."
He had no reason to lie about it; even if he didn't say anything, they would all find out the answer soon enough.
But for that very reason, everyone's curiosity was magnified. They all began to chatter amongst themselves. The discussions started out fairly normal, but gradually grew more and more absurd.
Just as all sorts of even more outlandish theories were about to surface, someone suddenly shouted, "The Grand Elder is here!"
The previously noisy hall instantly fell silent, and everyone looked toward the entrance.
A tall, slender, middle-aged man strolled in. He wore a black robe with gold trim and a silver-moon cloud pattern, a White Jade Crown on his head. His eyes were sharp and bright, and his temples were streaked with gray.
Song Changsheng and the others immediately bowed with cupped fists. "Greetings, Grand Elder."
The newcomer was none other than the clan's Grand Elder, Song Xianyun. As one of only two remaining Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Xian Generation, and a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at that, Song Xianyun commanded immense prestige within the clan.
The Clan Leader, Song Xianming, was in seclusion year-round, so it was usually Song Xianyun who handled all clan affairs, big and small. He was incredibly busy, so his appearance meant that this matter was certainly not simple. For a moment, everyone grew a little tense.
"At ease." Song Xianyun's voice was somewhat aged, but full of authority.
He scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on Song Changsheng for a moment before he spoke. "Children, none of you have reached adulthood yet. According to clan rules, you should be on the mountain, focusing on your cultivation. However, the clan is currently short-staffed, and there are many vacant positions in our external enterprises.
Therefore, the Elder Council has passed a resolution to have you descend the mountain early to serve the clan. This goes against our rules, so the choice is yours. If any of you are unwilling, you can tell me in private. There will be no punishment.
As for those willing to go, the clan will not treat you unfairly. In addition to your regular cultivation resources, which will be distributed as usual, the clan will provide an extra ten pounds of Spirit Rice and two Spirit Gathering Pills each month."
Everyone present was stunned. They were actually being asked to leave the mountain early! They all knew that leaving early meant losing the precious opportunity to continue cultivating on the Tier Three Spirit Vein. For a moment, dissatisfaction was written on many of their faces.
But others felt the compensation was quite good. Most of those who thought this way were clan members with lower aptitude.
'They had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. It was better to start serving the clan early, accumulate some Contribution Points and Spirit Stones, and then get married and have children. That way, they could at least leave something behind for the next generation.'
Song Xianyun took in everyone's reactions, his expression unchanging. "To ensure fairness," he said sternly, "the assignments will be decided by drawing lots. You get what you get. Who will draw the first lot?"
Instantly, a dozen pairs of eyes turned in unison to Song Changsheng. Among everyone present, he had the strongest background and was a top-tier genius of the clan.
Everyone wanted him to be the one to draw that first lot.
Song Changsheng said calmly, "The clan has raised me for sixteen years. Now that the clan is in need, it is my undeniable duty to step forward."
With that, he walked up to Song Xianyun and drew a Jade Slip from the container. Inscribed on it were the words: "Immortal Ascension Conference."
Song Changsheng was taken aback. 'The Immortal Ascension Conference. Looks like my luck is pretty good. This is a short-term assignment, so it won't delay my cultivation too much.'
Seeing someone take the lead, the others, whether willing or reluctant, all stepped forward to draw their lots. Although Song Xianyun had said they could back out, not a single person did.
They might grumble a little, but the clan had raised them for over a decade. Now it was time to give back. After all, this was their home...
Back in his courtyard, Song Changsheng began to review the details of his assignment: "In one month, accompany the Steward from the Spirit Testing Hall down the mountain. Proceed to a Mortal City to measure Spirit Roots. The mission reward is tied to the quantity and quality of the Spirit Roots found."
'The Immortal Ascension Conference is a month away. It seems I still have some time to prepare.' Song Changsheng was very satisfied with this assignment. In his sixteen years in this world, he had never seen the world outside the mountain. This was a perfect opportunity to broaden his horizons.
Besides, his mother, Xia Yunxue, was responsible for guarding the mortal cities. This trip would be a chance to see her. The last time they met was a year ago. The wine at home was almost gone, so this was also a good chance to stock up.
For someone with a different surname to receive the clan's support to reach Foundation Establishment, she naturally had to possess extraordinary skills. Xia Yunxue was a Tier Two Middle-grade Brewer.
Brewers are a relatively obscure profession among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. The wine they create often possesses many wondrous abilities and brings the clan very handsome profits.
With a mother like that, Song Changsheng had practically grown up steeped in wine jars. While this laid a good foundation for him, it also left him with a fondness for drinking.
But this was a harmless quirk. Cultivators had all sorts of bizarre hobbies; his was nothing special.
'My Treasure Gourd was refined a few years ago, but its offensive capabilities are a bit limited,' Song Changsheng mused. 'I should inscribe an Array into it and refine it into the Water and Fire Treasure Gourd. Paired with the [Water and Fire Manipulation Technique], my combat power could rise to another level.'
The wine gourd hanging from his waist was actually his Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, which he had refined himself. It was at Tier One Middle Grade.
Because he had only recently become a Tier One High-Grade Refiner, he hadn't had the time to upgrade its quality. Now that he was about to descend the mountain, it was time to re-forge it.
'A month is enough time for me to raise the Treasure Gourd by a level. I should prepare thoroughly for my first trip down the mountain.'
No sooner said than done. Song Changsheng went to the Contribution Hall, where he exchanged three hundred Contribution Points for several Water and Fire Attribute ores. He then spent another two hundred points on a few bottles of Pills and several Talismans, using up most of the Contribution Points he had accumulated over the years.
Life down the mountain wasn't like life on it; all sorts of accidents could happen. It was never a bad thing to be well-prepared and plan ahead.
"Only three hundred Contribution Points left. I'll have to be more frugal from now on." Song Changsheng sighed, looking at the number on his Identity Token.
Clan Contribution Points were extremely valuable. One Contribution Point could be exchanged for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, but Spirit Stones could not be exchanged for Contribution Points.
Contribution Points could be used to exchange for any resource in the Clan Treasure Vault, and they could also be freely exchanged for various Divine Power Techniques in the Scripture Pavilion.
Therefore, within the clan, Contribution Points were more useful than Spirit Stones.
As a Foundation Establishment Seed, Song Changsheng received an annual stipend of fifty Spirit Stones and three hundred Contribution Points.
It sounded like a lot, but his expenses were also high. The title of "genius" had to be built with resources.
After eight years of cultivation, he now only had about two hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones and three hundred Contribution Points to his name.
And that was only because he frequently took on odd jobs. Otherwise, he would have been flat broke by now.
...