He glanced at the two of them, then took a letter out of a drawer.

The letter was made from the hide of a Level 5 Demon Beast, a subtle yet ostentatious display that seemed to flaunt its owner’s power.

He spread the letter open on the table, its contents coming into view.

When they saw the contents clearly, their expressions hardened, a look of confusion clouding their faces.

"What does Song Qingyun mean by this?"

"Yeah, from the sounds of it, the Human Clan Territory might be in for a huge change?"

"What kind of change?"

The two clan leaders were completely baffled.

Song Qingyun had been vague, not clarifying what was going to happen. He only said that the Human Clan might face a tremendous change, and if they didn’t hurry to increase their strength, then by that time, they would likely...

"Hmph, that Song Qingyun is just being an alarmist!"

The Sui Family Head snorted coldly, a trace of displeasure flashing across her beautiful face. "It’s been hundreds of thousands of years. Besides the rise of his Song Family, what else has changed?"

"Besides, if there really was a huge change coming, would he be kind enough to warn us?"

The Sui Family Head didn’t believe it for a second. They had all thrown civility to the wind when carving up benefits last time. Would Song Qingyun really be that magnanimous?

’He must have dug a pit and is just waiting for us to jump in.’

The Mu Family Patriarch nodded in agreement.

"The Sui Family Head is right. I also think there’s no way Song Qingyun is this kind. If he had a real opportunity, wouldn’t he try to drag us down instead of giving us a friendly reminder?"

"He doesn’t strike me as someone with that kind of magnanimity."

As he finished speaking, a look of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Even though the Song Family’s status had risen, he looked down on such nouveau riche from the bottom of his heart.

But the Ning Clan Leader didn’t echo their sentiments. His brow was still deeply furrowed, his eyes full of worry.

Suddenly, he let out a sigh.

"Have you ever considered that if Song Qingyun truly wished us ill, why would he want everyone to increase their strength? Shouldn’t he want us to grow complacent, then watch as his own family soars to greater heights?"

"Besides, he didn’t just send me a letter. Quite a few other families received one too."

What Song Qingyun was doing clearly contradicted everyone’s assumptions, which was why he was now genuinely worried that something was about to happen.

Hearing this, the hearts of the two leaders sank. They exchanged a look before sitting back down. "Clan Leader Ning, are you saying the Song Family really knows something?"

If that were the case, then this matter was serious indeed.

"Mm."

The Ning Clan Leader nodded. "I asked Song Qingyun, but he wasn’t willing to reveal more. Still, from the looks of it, the situation is likely very grave."

"That’s why I called you here. I want to propose a partnership. Our three families have been close for so many years, and that friendship is certainly real. So, I hope that if a crisis does occur, we can stand united and face it together. What do you think?"

He had already thought it through. The Song Family was far too mysterious; the only way for their three families to stand a chance was to unite.

"But of course."

"Don’t you worry, Clan Leader Ning. No matter what we face, we’re all family here."

The two quickly stated their positions, and the three of them came to an agreement.

They immediately began organizing the disciples within their clans to intensify their cultivation.

Meanwhile, the other families that had received the news were also in intense discussions. In the end, they all felt it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, urging their disciples to cultivate harder was a good thing regardless.

As a result, a strange phenomenon began to appear across the Human Clan Territory.

Most of the major families started pushing their disciples to cultivate, creating a subtle, pervasive sense of crisis that left other Cultivators feeling unsettled, though they had no idea what was happening.

However, the He Family, who was working with the Feng Family, was excluded by these clans and received no message from the Song Family. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The He Family Master was frustrated. He had to ask around everywhere before finally learning of Song Qingyun’s warning.

He sat in his study without a word, the aura around him fluctuating restlessly.

He Xiao strode in, saw the situation, and asked quizzically, "Big Brother, what’s wrong? You’ve seemed so preoccupied lately."

He came over and sat down across from him.

At his words, the He Family Master sighed, looking even more worried.

"It’s about the Feng Family. So much time has passed, and we still haven’t heard anything back from them. I just can’t shake this feeling of unease!"

"And now the Song Family is up to something, saying the Human Clan is in for a huge change. Do you think they could have found out about the Feng Family?"

He had kept the matter concerning the Feng Family a secret until he lost contact with them, only then telling He Xiao.

"The Song Family again?"

The moment he heard the name "Song Family," He Xiao couldn’t contain his murderous intent.

That bitch Song Wanning had cost him the position of Sect Master, and now she was living a life of comfort. The mere thought of it made his blood boil!

"The Song Family has been acting strangely lately, it’s true. But the Feng Family is so secretive; there’s no way they could have found out..."

He stroked his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"But that bitch Song Wanning is completely unpredictable and deeply calculating. Maybe it really is possible!"

"Big Brother, try contacting the Feng Family again! We’re still counting on them to take down the Song Family!"

He Xiao’s expression changed. With the He Family’s current strength, they were no match for the Song Family at all.

Their only chance was to rely on the Feng Family’s help.

The He Family Master sighed again. "Alright, I’ll try again. If something really has happened to the Feng Family, or if they’ve abandoned us, we need to start making other plans!"

"I just can’t stand the Song Family climbing all over us."

He couldn’t accept someone who was once his equal suddenly rising through the ranks, and he especially couldn’t bear to see his enemies flaunting their power!

"Fine! If the Feng Family really has abandoned us, we’ll find another way. No matter what, the Song Family must be destroyed!!!"

A thick, murderous intent flashed in He Xiao’s eyes.

Originally, he hadn’t planned on targeting the entire Song Family. But since Song Wanning had crossed him, she would have to pay the price!

...

While the Human Clan Territory was in an uproar, Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan, far away in the land of the Demon Race, knew nothing of it. And even if they had known, they wouldn’t have cared.

Gu Qingyuan’s injuries were quite severe, and he spent his days recuperating in a cave. Meanwhile, Ye Chuxue was at his side, diligently practicing Alchemy.

She was completely focused, not daring to let her concentration waver for a moment. After several days, she finally succeeded in refining the Elixir Pills.

Gazing at the pile of perfectly round, top-grade elixirs, Ye Chuxue felt a surge of pride. ’As long as I’m the one making them, they’ll be top-grade at the very least.’

’My only disadvantage is that I started cultivating late. Otherwise, with my talent, even Song Wanning would have to step aside.’

Carefully picking up an Elixir Pill, Ye Chuxue walked over to Gu Qingyuan and helped him sit up.

"Master, here. You’ll be better after you take this Elixir Pill!"

She looked at Gu Qingyuan with heartache. ’If it weren’t for me, Master would still be the revered Nascent Soul True Monarch he once was. How could he have ended up in a state like this?’

Feeling both guilty and moved, she fed the Elixir Pill to Gu Qingyuan.

The Elixir Pill went down his throat, and a warm current spread through his limbs and into his bones. The injuries inside his body began to heal at a visible rate.

Gu Qingyuan smiled and was about to speak when he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Master!!!"