The Song Family Old Ancestor Emerges from Seclusion, the Song Family's Choice!

"The Li Family already has three Qi and Blood Realm Cultivators, along with the unfathomable Li Xinge. If we keep waiting, we'll only be sitting still and awaiting death."

The Song Family's Second Elder analyzed the situation calmly.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Song Tianbo rubbed his temples irritably.

"Strike first and gain the upper hand; strike late and suffer disaster. Rather than watch the Li Family continue to grow, we should act first and destroy them!"

The Second Elder spoke with killing intent written across his face.

Song Tianbo gave a bitter laugh. "Though I don't want to admit it, the Li Family's overall strength has already surpassed ours. Even if we launch a sneak attack, we do not have much chance of winning."

"Who said it would only be our family?"

A sharp gleam flashed in the Second Elder's eyes.

"With the Song Family's strength alone, destroying the Li Family is certainly unrealistic. But what if our Song Family joins forces with the other major Qi and Blood Realm families?"

Song Tianbo shook his head. "They are not like the Song Family. They hold no grudge against the Li Family and will not fight them to the bitter end."

"Family Head, you are mistaken."

The Second Elder waved a hand. "Family Head, the Li Family Head has always acted wildly and tyrannically. How long has he even held the position of Li Family Head? Yet he has already wiped out several major forces in Baihe County. He is still young, and in the future, he will surely lead the Li Family to keep expanding. But Baihe County is only so large, and its territory is all controlled by our eight great families. When that time comes, will the Li Family spare them?"

Hearing this, Song Tianbo abruptly raised his head, a glint flashing through his eyes.

But he soon shook his head again. "That makes sense, but that reason alone is probably not enough to make them join forces with the Song Family."

After dealing with those old foxes for so many years, how could he not know that they were all the sort who would not release the hawk until they saw the rabbit?

"Therefore, we need to offer up some of the Lineage's interests, along with the gains they can obtain after destroying the Li Family. I refuse to believe they will not be tempted."

The moment those words fell.

All the Elders glared furiously at the Second Elder. The First Elder directly rebuked him, "Second Brother, what are you trying to do? The Song Family's century-old foundation was built bit by bit by our ancestors with blades and blood. And now you want to hand it over to others? I am the first to object!"

"Exactly, Second Elder. You want us to sell out the Lineage's interests. What exactly are your intentions?"

Someone echoed him.

"Selling out the Lineage's interests? I will never agree to that either!"

"Indeed. Otherwise, even in death, I would be too ashamed to face the Song Family's ancestors."

Several Elders took turns crowding out the Second Elder. The latter sneered. "Stop pretending to be so righteous. Do you think I do not know? You are merely afraid that the blade will cut into your own flesh."

The faces of several Elders flushed bright red as they hurriedly retorted, "Second Elder, stop spouting nonsense! I think you are the one with sinister intentions, trying to shake the foundations of the Song Family."

"My conscience is clear!"

"You—"

"Enough! Do you still have any respect for me as the Family Head?!"

Seeing the argument grow increasingly fierce, Song Tianbo finally could no longer stand it and shouted them down.

As one of the Song Family's only two Qi and Blood Realm Cultivators, no one dared defy his words. Everyone immediately fell silent.

"At a time like this, you are still fighting amongst yourselves?" Song Tianbo sneered repeatedly as he looked at them. "Every one of you is short-sighted, valuing only the little benefits before your eyes. If the Song Family falls, what use will all those benefits be?"

None of the Elders dared meet Song Tianbo's gaze, and they all lowered their heads.

"The Family Head is right. At the critical juncture when the Lineage faces life and death, so long as it can secure a sliver of survival, everything can be abandoned."

An aged voice sounded from behind the crowd. Everyone hurriedly turned around, only to see a frail, elderly figure with unfathomable bearing slowly walking toward them with his hands clasped behind his back.

Song Tianbo's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over. In a respectful tone, he said, "Old Ancestor, you have emerged from seclusion?"

The newcomer was none other than the Song Family's Old Ancestor, the pillar that held up the heavens for the Song Family—Song Zhong!

Song Zhong glanced at him and gave a cold snort. "If this old man had not emerged from seclusion, this century-old Song Family would have been ruined in your hands."

With that, he turned and sat down in Song Tianbo's Family Head seat.

"Chunhua has already told me about the Li Family." Everyone's eyes immediately turned toward the Second Elder, while Song Tianbo frowned. "Second Elder, why did you disturb the Old Ancestor's seclusion?"

"He did nothing wrong. Family Head, answer me this: has the Song Family reached its most dangerous hour?"

Song Zhong asked.

Song Tianbo clenched his fists and did not dare conceal the truth. "Old Ancestor, I was useless and disappointed you."

"In my view, your greatest mistake was choosing to sit atop the mountain and watch tigers fight when the Li Family attacked the Mangshan Su Clan. That led to the destruction of the Su Family and allowed the Li Family to grow powerful."

Song Zhong spoke calmly.

Song Tianbo sighed, regret coloring his voice. "The Old Ancestor's words pierce straight to the point. If we had helped the Su Family back then, perhaps the Song Family would not have fallen into such danger today."

"Now that things have come to this, regret is useless. There will eventually be a battle between the Song Family and the Li Family. The Li Family annexed the Su Family and obtained a vast amount of resources. The longer we delay, the more unfavorable the situation becomes for the Song Family."

As he spoke, he beckoned to the Song Family's Second Elder. "Chunhua, in my name, Song Zhong, visit the Lu, Yuan, Shen, and Chen Families. Invite their Family Heads to secretly come to the Baibo Song Clan. Tell them this old man has an important matter to discuss."

"Understood, Supreme Elder. I will handle it at once."

The Second Elder clasped his fists, then left with decisive efficiency.

"What about the Shangguan Family?" Song Tianbo asked.

"The old ghost of the Shangguan Family is on good terms with that man from the Zheng Family, and the Zheng Family is closely connected to the Li Family. If we invite them, word may leak out and startle the snake in the grass."

Song Zhong shook his head.

Song Tianbo looked thoughtful. "Old Ancestor, the Zheng Family Head and Li Xinge are the closest of friends. If we destroy the Li Family, will we provoke the Dongjiang Zheng Clan?"

Song Zhong sneered. "I know that man from the Zheng Family all too well. The Zheng Family Head's friendship with the Li Family was likely at his instigation. That man values practical interests above all else. His friendship with the Li Family is nothing more than his regard for Li Xinge's talent. As long as we get rid of Li Xinge, given his character, he will most likely let the matter rest."

Song Tianbo nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Then, Old Ancestor, did you gain anything from this period of seclusion?"

As far as he knew, the Old Ancestor had entered seclusion this time to attempt a breakthrough into Qi and Blood Great Accomplishment. If the Old Ancestor succeeded, then the Green Maple Li Clan could be destroyed with a flick of the fingers!

Song Zhong gave a bitter laugh and sighed. "Qi and Blood Great Accomplishment—how could it be so easy? This old man estimates that I have only ten years left to live. This hurdle will likely remain uncrossable for the rest of my life. With Eighth-grade talent, taking another step forward is simply too difficult. The path of cultivation is as hard as climbing to the heavens!"