Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

The sky was at its zenith, the sun hanging high.

Chu Zheng had just stepped out of the Alchemy Hall when he saw in the distance, high above the nine heavens, nearly a hundred chariots moving majestically, shattering the thousand-mile clouds as they thundered forward.

Above the chariots flew banners with stars and electric halberds, each bearing the 'Song' character fluttering wildly in the wind, while the cultivators below were clad in uniform armor, sharp weapons in hand.

More than cultivators, they resembled a formidable army.

This was Chu Zheng's first encounter with such a well-organized army of cultivators, which inevitably left an impact on him.

Scanning these chariots, Gong Rulong's expression involuntarily shifted slightly.

From the looks of these individuals, the Eastern Region Song Family had mobilized all their elite forces. Eight experts from the Tongxuan Secret Realm had arrived, and no fewer than thirty from the Divine Transformation Realm, all approaching with overwhelming momentum.

Such a display naturally shook the entire Taixuan, even disturbing Geng Yiyang, who was in seclusion, drawing him out to the outskirts of Taixuan.

The delegation from the Eastern Region Song Family was led by an elderly man, slightly portly, clad in a white robe, and radiating an ethereal aura.

Upon seeing Geng Yiyang, the elder immediately bowed, performing the junior's salute:

"Song Tingkui, greets True Lord Yi Yang."

"What brings you here?" Geng Yiyang glanced over the assembly of Song Family cultivators, quickly deducing their intentions. Despite the grandeur, they did not seem poised for conflict.

"This time, my Song Family comes not to provoke but to offer an apology to the Saint Heir."

Chu Zheng, having reached the side of the two, heard this and could not help but feel somewhat astonished:

"The Song Family and I have no grudges; why then the apology?"

He did not feel that the Eastern Region Song Family owed him anything; the prior negotiations were merely the Eastern Region Song Family considering themselves sufficiently leveraged, unwilling to concede more.

But a wrong choice was indeed a mistake, and the world didn't afford the luxury of turning back.

The sole fault of the Eastern Region Song Family was their failure to consider the interests of the Southern Territory Song Family, focusing instead on issues from the perspective of their direct lineage.

Selfishness wasn't a grave sin, and Chu Zheng could entirely understand it.

However, understanding was one thing, what actions to take was another matter.

From Chu Zheng's own perspective, he naturally had to consider more for the Southern Territory Song Family, ensuring at least the interests of Song Lingxue and Song Lingqing.

Moreover, maintaining the continuity of the Southern Territory Song Family through the years was no easy task. Compared to the True Immortal Noble Families, they were in greater need of this Heritage Secret Realm.

In the past, the main branch of the Song Family used the Secret Realm as collateral, requisitioning the elite of various branches without further contact, abandoning this realm, which their ancestors relinquished. Now, reclaiming it was not so simple.

Previously, Chu Zheng was willing to negotiate with the Eastern Region Song Family, considering the common ancestry between the Song Families of the Southeastern Regions, and also because he wanted the Song Family's Immortal Ascension Method, thus giving them a chance.
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But now, the Immortal Ascension Method was within the Secret Realm, and sooner or later, a Song Family cultivator would bring it out.

The Eastern Region Song Family had completely lost its value.

Hearing Chu Zheng's confusion, Song Tingkui glanced toward Song Shengming.

Song Shengming took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and spoke softly:

"The Saint Heir was willing to give my Song Family a chance, which we failed to seize. To put it harshly, this was an act of ingratitude; this was the first major fault."

"Although the Saint Heir is an outsider, he still cares for our Southern Territory Song Family. It was petty of me to suspect his intentions, disrespecting him, and even seizing the opportunity to incite dissonance between the Saint Heir and the Southern Territory Song Family. This was the second major fault."

"I disregarded the kin from various branches in the Southern Territory, was excessively greedy, and tried to monopolize the Heritage Secret Realm solely. This is my third fault."

"Ingratitude, being disrespectful, and excessive greed, these are all my faults."

Having said this, Song Shengming stood upright, his gaze calm, and raised both hands as a Jade Sword appeared from the void, which he held in his palms:

"Please, Saint Heir, take this sword and behead me. My kin is innocent. Please, may you show mercy and allow them to enter the Secret Realm, to bask in the legacy of our ancestors."

Chu Zheng glanced at the strong cultivators from the Eastern Territory Song Family present; they all seemed quite aged. The situation of the Song Family, in comparison to the current Taixuan, might not be so different after all.

The disruption of lineages and the break in prodigious talents have always been significant factors for numerous Great Immortal Sects to fade into the annals of history.

Meanwhile, Song Tingkui retrieved a Jade Scroll from his robe and presented it with both hands:

"This is the Immortal Ascension Method you initially requested, our Song Family's hereditary 'Divine Yuan Transcendence Sutra'."

His expression grave, he spoke solemnly:

"The Saint Heir is the son-in-law of the Southern Territory Song Family, kin to us. As the Song Family's lineage grows weaker, and the quality of the Immortal Bone in our new generations worsens, we need this Secret Realm to sustain our existence. I hope the Saint Heir, in his wisdom, might forgive our past transgressions."

With a head of a Tongxuan Pseudo-Immortal and their family's Immortal Ascension Method as compensation, the attitude of the Eastern Region Song Family in admitting their mistake seemed impeccable.

In the eyes of others, both emotionally and logically, Chu Zheng seemed should no longer be overly critical.

Yet, a chill unintentionally appeared in Chu Zheng's eyes:

"What is this? Are you forcing me to kill?"

With all eyes on him, if he were to execute the strike today, would the Eastern Territory Song Family ever let bygones be bygones? He did not fear trouble, but neither did he wish to raise a threat that would bring trouble onto himself.

Seeing the coldness on Chu Zheng's face, Song Tingkui's heart suddenly sank; he seemed to have misjudged Chu Zheng's thoughts.

This Taixuan Holy Son, not yet twenty years old, was not as easily deceived as he had imagined.

"Your head is worthless to me. To behead you would be to stain my hands with blood needlessly."

Chu Zheng glanced at Song Shengming, his expression returning to calm, decisively settling the matter of the Heritage Secret Realm:

"When the Southern Territory Song Family produces another Tongxuan, Taixuan will hand over the Secret Realm into their hands. At that time, it will be your own family affair, unrelated to me, merely an outsider."

The affairs of the Song Family, in his view, were thus concluded. He would not waste any more time on this matter, as it held no benefit for him.

"True Lord Yi Yang, do you see any room for negotiation in this matter . . . ?"

Seeing that there was no way forward with Chu Zheng, Song Tingkui couldn't help but turn his gaze toward Geng Yiyang.

"At your age, you surely aren't so deaf or confused that you failed to understand what my Saint Son just said, are you?"

Geng Yiyang glanced at Song Shengming, speaking indifferently:

"This matter ends here, return from whence you came. If you're truly restless and seeking death, go to the Immortal Alliance, request a decree, and ascend the Immortal Slaying Stage—next life, you might choose a better path."

Upon hearing this, Song Tingkui fell silent for a while before looking towards Chu Zheng:

"In that case, we shall not disturb the Saint Heir any further."

Before he could finish speaking, his tone suddenly shifted:

"Each activation of the Secret Realm requires Essence Blood. How about I leave two members of our direct line here to take charge of the activation? It would also save the Saint Heir some effort. What do you think?"

"Very well."

Chu Zheng pondered for a moment and did not refuse; purifying Essence Blood indeed required effort.

Soon, Song Tingkui brought over two Song Family cultivators, both seeming to be in their thirties and in the prime of life.

Chu Zheng didn't bother with secrecy and directly took out the Inheritance Jade Wall in public, looking at the two men: "Bleed."

He wanted to see just where the difference lay between the direct line and the collateral line of the Song Clan.

Upon seeing the Inheritance Jade Wall, all the high-ranking members of the Song Clan blushed slightly, unable to hide their excitement.

Song Shengming's gaze was obscure and indecipherable, still unable to comprehend through what means Chu Zheng had restored the Jade Wall to its original state.

The two Song Clan cultivators looked at Song Tingkui, who nodded, then they slit their wrists and drew out two streams of Essence Blood.

As the Essence Blood flowed into the Jade Wall, the wall lit up with a brief flash of blood light, but then it reacted no further, and the entrance did not open.

"How can this be?!"

Song Shengming's expression was full of disbelief, while Song Tingkui's face was somber, showing little surprise.

The reason he had suddenly brought this up was to confirm his previous suspicion.

The Eastern Territory Song Clan prided themselves on being the direct line from Ancient Times, a time when the clan had more than one Immortal Tribulation Realm powerhouse.

After such an extended period of time, coupled with the loss of the Blood Pool and hence the inability to purify their bloodline, the so-called direct line of the Song Clan had long since lost its former purity, to the point of being unable to open the Secret Realm.

"Is this the direct line?" Chu Zheng frowned slightly, utterly disappointed.

He had originally thought that the bloodline of the direct line from the Eastern Territory Song Clan would be different, but now it seemed mediocre at best.

Based on the purity of the bloodline of these two men, to open the entrance to the Secret Realm, it might require draining them dozens of times.

Although stronger than the Southern Territory Song Clan, it was only a marginal improvement by skipping the refinement step.

Hearing Chu Zheng's words, the cultivators of the Song Clan felt utterly disgraced.

There was also a stir among the ranks behind Song Tingkui's chariot.

In the eyes of their ancestors, they were no longer considered the direct line.

Their own bloodline purity was completely rejected by the ancestral Inheritance Jade Wall, a heavy blow for these cultivators who took pride in their lineage.

"Two are too few, we need at least two hundred."

Chu Zheng put away the Jade Wall and said softly, "I will find you a place in Taixuan City, pay rent on time, and each year the Southern Territory Song Clan will send someone to collect blood on schedule."

To open the entrance to the Secret Realm, the Essence Blood of about a hundred direct descendants of the Song Clan was needed. Two hundred people would allow shifts, and two years of rest would approximately let them recover their Yuan Qi.

Chu Zheng didn't have time to help these people individually to restore and replenish their Yuan Qi, this method would also save him some effort.

"Thank you for your consideration, Saint Heir."

Song Tingkui initially wanted to let the matter rest, but Chu Zheng had already spoken first, so he could only helplessly accept.

This proposal was his own, and as the head of the clan, he had to consider his reputation; he couldn't contradict himself.

...

...

In the blink of an eye, a fortnight had passed.

The period for the trial had arrived, and Chu Zheng once again opened the entrance to the Secret Realm, releasing all the Song Family cultivators back.

Soon, one hundred and ninety-two people filed out, with not a single one missing.

Seeing this, Chu Zheng finally set his heart at rest, his primary concern about the trial had been safety.

He had to consider the safety of Song Lingqing.

The trials within the Heritage Secret Realm tested many aspects such as talent, temperament, combat ability, bone age, bloodline concentration, etc.

Each Song Family cultivator received rewards that were best suited to their current realm.

This trial in the Secret Realm had clearly brought significant gains to these Song Family cultivators; not to mention cultivation techniques and secret scripts, spirit pills, and magical treasures, even their own bloodlines had undergone tremendous changes.

The step of baptism in the Blood Pool, which for the Ancient Song Clan had been completed at birth, was delayed far too long for these Song Family cultivators.

Seventeen Lower Quality Immortal Bones, upon entering the Blood Pool, fully activated the bloodline within and underwent mutation, ascending to Middle Quality Immortal Bones.

Two of the Middle Quality Immortal Bones advanced to High Quality.

Regrettably, the only High Quality Immortal Bone, Song Pingjun, did not experience enough transformation to ascend to Superior Quality Immortal Bone.

However, while his Immortal Bone didn't mutate, the speed at which he absorbed nature's spiritual energy had noticeably increased.

As the entrance to the Secret Realm was opened, Song Tingkui, accompanied by the high-ranking members of the Song Clan, came to observe.

Seeing the cultivators coming out of the Secret Realm one by one, their expressions involuntarily changed.

They clearly noticed that a few of the Song Family cultivators' bloodline fluctuations were now not weaker than those of their own direct line.

And this was merely the first time the trial Secret Realm had been opened.

Going forward, between the Eastern and Southern Regions, who is the main branch and who is the offshoot?