Unrivaled City, Song Family.
In the vast backyard, a mysterious compass-shaped object floated quietly.
There was not a soul around, giving an inexplicable eerie feeling.
Until a hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A middle-aged man in his thirties or forties appeared at the entrance of the yard. He glanced at the floating compass before him with a flash of fear in his eyes, then seemed to think of something, gritted his teeth, and walked forward.
"Song Yuan has a super urgent matter and requests to see the two ancestors."
After he spoke, nothing happened.
It was as if he was talking to thin air.
"Song Yuan has a super urgent matter and requests to see the two ancestors."
He repeated.
After about two seconds,
"What matter disturbs the two ancestors?"
A voice sounded, as if coming from within the compass, yet also as if it was from the courtyard itself, omnipresent.
"Uncle!"
Song Yuan, like a drowning man grasping a life-saving straw, hurriedly said, "Something major has happened! A super urgent matter!"
As he spoke, tears fell from his eyes.
"A super urgent matter? Come inside and explain."
"Understood."
Song Yuan reached out his hand and cautiously extended it forward.
As soon as his fingers touched the compass, a force pulled him entirely into the compass.
To an outsider, it seemed as if Song Yuan had vanished into thin air, incredibly magical.
Song Yuan felt a rush of darkness before his eyes, and when he opened them again, he found himself in a garden.
A variety of flowers were competing with each other, their fragrance permeating the air. Streams flowed, and fish swam joyfully within.
Not far away, ornately carved beams and painted buildings blended with pavilions and terraces, exuding ancient charm.
It was as if he was walking within a painting.
He had been to this place more than once. It was said that not only was the scenery beautiful, like a paradise on earth, but the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi within was several times that of the outside world. If one reached the Celestial Realm, cultivating here would be immeasurably better than outside.
However, such thoughts could only remain in his mind because unless one reached the Celestial Realm or was highly valued by the ancestors, there was no qualification to cultivate here. Just being able to stay here for a while was a significant fortune.
"You just mentioned a super urgent matter, what exactly is it?"
A voice sounded in front of him.
Speaking was a man who bore some resemblance to Song Tian, but was much older, with wrinkles on his face; however, his entire presence was formidable, radiating an aura of authority without anger.
"Greetings, Uncle!"
Song Yuan hurriedly saluted.
This man before him was the former Patriarch of the Song Family and the most valued by the ancestors within the entire family.
After passing the position of Patriarch to Song Tian, he moved here, striving to break through to the Celestial Human Realm as soon as possible.
But what he was about to say next...
Cold sweat broke out on Song Yuan’s back. He dared not imagine the reaction this man would have upon hearing it.
"Did you not claim an urgent matter? Why are you hesitating? Do you want me to throw you out?" Song Lianfeng said impatiently.
"Uncle, before I speak, I hope you are mentally prepared." Song Yuan swallowed his saliva.
"Enough nonsense, speak!" Song Lianfeng frowned, growing more impatient.
Although he was not in the middle of critical cultivation, no one enjoys being disturbed during their training.
"Yes, yes."
Song Yuan licked his lips and asked, "Uncle, do you remember that Brother came by yesterday?"
"Tian’Er?"
Song Lianfeng was taken aback, then his eyes turned cold, "Of course, I remember. The one who killed Xiaogang was a member of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, and Tian’Er came to see the elders because there was a mid-stage Celestial Realm martial artist in Jiangnan holding position. He hoped the elders would help. By now, they should have long reached Jiangnan City and should have returned."
"Uncle," Song Yuan suddenly choked, his voice filled with pain, "They can’t come back."
"What!"
As expected, Song Lianfeng was shocked when he heard Song Yuan’s words. He then loudly said:
"What did you just say? Say it again!"
"Uncle, I just received news that Brother and the others were all taken hostage by the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association. Seventh Ancestor is missing, and Carl, who went with them, was slain on the spot." Song Yuan said, tears flooding out like a bursting dam.
Despite his resentment towards Song Tian and the others,
They were still family, and meeting such a fate made his heart sorrowful.
But what frightened him more were the two subsequent matters.
Carl of the Revival Association being killed, and Seventh Ancestor gone missing.
Either of these would be severely serious, and both happening simultaneously was catastrophic.
"Impossible!"
Song Lianfeng stood abruptly, staring intensely at him, "Do you realize what you’re saying?"
The Seventh Ancestor was a genuine Celestial Realm martial artist, though only at the early stage. Still, dealing with a mid-stage Celestial Realm martial artist was not a problem.
Much like Elder Wang from the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, despite being a mid-stage Celestial Realm martial artist, his combat prowess was average. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be without a secret realm.
Seventh Ancestor should have had no issues dealing with him.
And according to Tian’Er’s intelligence, Shi Tao had gone out and would not return anytime soon. Even if he did, there was still Carl from the Revival Association with them.