Chapter 235: Chapter 178: Qingxia
An ancient tome recorded a condition very similar to Xia Qingxue’s current state. This nameless symptom could be understood as a protective mechanism triggered when a person suffers a grievous injury.
Previously, Xia Qingxue had been struck by a Tier Three Talisman from her pursuers, and the Flying Ship she was piloting was instantly obliterated. Although a treasure from Golden Sun Master had allowed her to block the brunt of the damage, she was still grievously injured.
Fortunately, Golden Sun Master had once given her a Secret Treasure. At the critical moment, it teleported her away, and she ended up falling into a small stream on the border of Ling Province.
Xia Qingxue had already fallen into a coma before she was teleported. It was at that moment her Divine Soul entered this protective state. This allowed her to cling to life until she was eventually found and rescued by Song Yushi and the others.
This protective mechanism was quite mysterious. A person might awaken in a few days, or perhaps after their injuries had fully healed. But it was also possible that they might not wake for several years, or even for the rest of their life.
Of course, since the ancient tome recorded the condition, it naturally recorded solutions as well—more than one, in fact. The simplest method was to refine Star Soul Grass into a pill for the patient to consume.
Star Soul Grass was a Tier Three Low-Grade Spirit Medicine and was quite rare. One reason was its long growth cycle, but the main factor was its exceptionally harsh growing requirements: it could only grow in places with a high concentration of Star Power.
However, this was not a major issue for the Song Clan. The clan’s legacy Heart Method was called the *Refining Moonlight Fruit Scripture*, and one of its cultivation requirements was to gather Star Power. For reasons unknown, the Star Power in the Moon Viewing Mountain Range was far more concentrated than elsewhere, making it a perfect fit for the Song Clan’s Heart Method.
This was precisely why Song Taiyi had originally established the Song Clan’s foundation in the Moon Viewing Mountain Range.
Although Star Soul Grass was rare, as far as Song Changsheng knew, the Clan Treasure Vault should have some in stock, and it was also being cultivated in the Medicinal Garden. After all, Vast Mist Peak was the location with the most concentrated Star Power in the entire Moon Viewing Mountain Range.
Realizing this, Song Changsheng immediately sent for Song Luzhou and asked impatiently, "Fifth Uncle, is there any Tier Three Low-Grade Star Soul Grass left in the Clan Treasure Vault?"
Upon hearing this, Song Luzhou’s eyes widened. "Why are you asking about that?" he said with a wary look.
Every stalk of Tier Three Spirit Medicine in the clan was accounted for and could not be used lightly; they were as precious to Song Luzhou as his own life. Song Changsheng’s question had naturally put him on high alert. He couldn’t risk losing his "lifeblood" through a moment of carelessness.
Seeing this, how could Song Changsheng not understand what his penny-pinching Fifth Uncle was thinking? He placed the ancient tome directly in front of Song Luzhou and said in a grave and earnest tone:
"Fifth Uncle, this is the key to waking Xia Qingxue. You know the current situation in the Daqi Cultivation World. The Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect could go to war at any moment. And while Ling Province may be remote, we are, in name at least, vassals of the Golden Crow Sect.
If those two sects go to war, our clan will inevitably be dragged in. When that time comes, we will be forced to answer their call to arms.
If we want to prevent our clan members from shedding blood, we must awaken Xia Qingxue before war breaks out. We need to tell her who was behind the attack and completely extricate our clan from this affair.
Compared to the lives of our clan members, what is a single Spirit Medicine worth?"
Song Luzhou’s expression shifted several times before he finally let out a heavy sigh. "There is indeed one Tier Three Low-Grade Star Soul Grass in the Clan Treasure Vault. It was just harvested this past spring. It was originally being saved for Lutong’s body tempering, but I suppose he’ll have to go without."
’So that’s what it was for. My apologies to my kinsman, then.’ Song Changsheng hadn’t realized it was being saved for Song Lutong. Still, the most important thing right now was to stop the war between the two sects. He would just have to compensate Lutong later.
"What pill are you planning to refine with the Star Soul Grass?"
"A Tier Three Low-Grade Pill called the Soul Awakening Pill. I’ll have to trouble you with this, Fifth Uncle."
Song Luzhou’s expression immediately soured. "You brat, you really know how to make things difficult," he said irritably. "I can only refine Tier Two Top-grade Pills. To create a Tier Three Low-Grade Pill, we’ll have to hire a Tier Three Alchemist, and that will cost another huge sum of Spirit Stones!"
"If it can stop a war between the two sects, what’s a few Spirit Stones? Besides, we saved Xia Qingxue’s life. She’s not going to wake up and refuse to acknowledge the debt, is she? There’s no way we can lose on this deal, don’t worry."
Song Changsheng said with a reassuring smile. He could understand Song Luzhou’s position; the clan’s finances had been tight for years, and every resource had to be accounted for with meticulous care.
’But there’s no way to lose on this deal. Even if there’s no material reward, having Xia Qingxue owe the Song Clan a favor would be more than enough.’
’She’s the Direct Disciple of a Golden Core Master. As long as she doesn’t meet an untimely end, her future standing in the Golden Crow Sect will be significant. A favor from someone like that is incredibly valuable.’
"Wait for my news." Hearing Song Changsheng’s reasoning, Song Luzhou’s expression softened. ’He had to be the one to worry about the clan’s expenses, after all.’ As long as it wasn’t a losing deal, it was fine.
After Song Luzhou left, a weight was lifted from Song Changsheng’s mind. He began to prepare for the upcoming clan competition; its rules, procedures, and rewards all needed to be planned by him.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Song Family’s grand competition arrived.
A huge platform had long since been erected in the Martial Arts Arena on the mountainside. Nearly all of the Song Clan Members from Vast Mist Peak had gathered, many of whom had made a special trip back from afar.
In addition to the members of the Song Clan itself, the dozen or so other Cultivation Families, both large and small, scattered throughout the Moon Viewing Mountain Range had also been invited by the Song Clan to observe.
