“The Song family will take the business.”

Third Elder Song’s emotions were tumultuous as he made his decision.

He felt anxious and unsettled, but once the decision was made, it was like lifting a heavy burden.

His thoughts suddenly became clearer.

Why should he hesitate?

How could he hesitate?

A young girl in her twenties, almost a child in the cultivation world, had beheaded a Transcending Stage ancestor.

With such power and terrifying potential, how could he still be hesitant?

Hesitation would be foolish!

He should firmly ally with her and ensure that if Qin Ruqing pointed west, he would never go east!

Third Elder Song felt grateful to be a part of the Song family at that moment.

The Song family, which had lost its conscience and morals through trading information and manipulating public opinion, had the opportunity to align with such a powerful figure.

With his decision made, Third Elder Song’s demeanor relaxed, and he even began to actively offer advice to Qin Ruqing:

“Fairy Ruqing, do not let your guard down. Trancending (Transformation) Stage ancestors are not so easily killed. Even if their heart pulse is severed, as long as a trace of their soul remains, there is still a chance for a comeback. You should check whether the Fang ancestor’s residual soul has been completely dissipated. Otherwise, there could be endless trouble!”

Qin Ruqing raised her eyebrows, realizing for the first time that Transcending Stage had such intricacies.

Fortunately, the heavenly fire she contracted was the Golden Mist Soul Fire, which had a powerful effect against souls.

She wasn’t worried about the Fang ancestor’s soul not being thoroughly eradicated.

She flicked her fingers, and a faint golden light emerged from the purple-golden flames surrounding her.

Qin Ruqing said, “Little Golden, see if there are any traces of residual souls around.”

The light swayed, indicating acknowledgment.

Third Elder Song was amazed.

He knew how Qin Ruqing had grown and that the title “First Fairy of the Four Domains” was partly due to the Song family’s help in spreading the news.

They were more aware of her abilities than outsiders.

He knew that Qin Ruqing controlled a heavenly fire called the Golden Mist Soul Fire, which was highly effective against souls and evil entities.

However, the fire was now purple-golden and had the added characteristics of wind and thunder.

From the recent battle, this fire’s power exceeded typical heavenly fires, indicating it might be a result of Qin Ruqing’s other encounters.

The golden light that emerged seemed to have its own spirit, possibly the fabled spirit of the heavenly fire.

Such rare things, like heavenly fire and its spirit, were rarely seen, yet Qin Ruqing possessed them all.

She was indeed an exceptional talent of her generation.

Third Elder Song sighed inwardly. Meanwhile, the searching golden light seemed to have made a new discovery.

It became faint and transformed into a smoky form, capturing something like a net trapping an unsuspecting prey.

Third Elder Song excitedly said, “Fairy Ruqing, it seems we’ve caught something.”

Qin Ruqing acted swiftly, summoning the golden mist back.

Within the net-like construct made of the mist was indeed a white, misty soul-like entity.

The soul exuded immense resentment upon seeing Qin Ruqing.

It was indeed the Fang ancestor’s fragmentary soul.

Thanks to Fairy Ruqing’s skill, it hadn’t managed to escape.

Third Elder Song naturally began to flatter, “Indeed, Fairy Ruqing’s methods are extraordinary.”

Qin Ruqing looked at Third Elder Song with mild surprise, thinking that the Song family, which thrived without relying on martial prowess, had managed to stand strong for a millennium.

There was clearly some merit to it.

She smiled and didn’t engage with the flattery but asked the Golden Mist, “Are there any other scattered souls around?”

The Golden Mist responded with a youthful voice, “None.”

Perhaps awakening the Golden Mist also stirred the Purple Thunder, which couldn’t resist but comment, “It’s worth checking thoroughly. There might be something missed.”

The Golden Mist retorted loudly, “Impossible! I am the Golden Mist Soul Fire! No soul can escape my scrutiny!”

A crackling sound like purple lightning cut through the air.

Listening to the two fire spirits in her mind chattering and arguing, Qin Ruqing finally felt a sense of relaxation.

The urgency in her heart was not as intense as before.

She instructed Jin Wu to secure the Fang Clan ancestor’s soul fragment and, with a sweep of her divine sense, located the other two approaching auras.

“There are two more, one Nascent Soul and one Golden Core. Elder Song, would it be convenient for you to help?” Qin Ruqing smiled at Song San.

“Help” was a rather polite way of saying “capture them.” Third Elder Song, who was known for his kind demeanor, nodded and said loudly, “I’m very available!”

He had accepted much larger “business” before, so capturing two injured soldiers was nothing.

Qin Ruqing assigned the weaker Golden Core to Third Elder Song while she went after the remaining Nascent Soul cultivator.

The Nascent Soul cultivator happened to be heading south at first, the furthest from Qin Ruqing’s position.

He had long felt uneasy and, upon detecting the intense battle noise from the southwest, grew even more anxious.

According to logic, their ancestor’s battle should not have caused such a commotion.

The earlier vibrations felt like a clash between two Trancending Stage powerhouses.

But, how could that be!

Aside from their ancestor, who else could be a Transcending Stage powerhouse?

Surely, it wasn’t that a Transcending Stage cultivator happened to pass by and decided to engage in a fight with their ancestor!

This Nascent Soul cultivator hurried towards the southwest, his anxiety increasing as he saw rows of towering ancient trees affected by the battle.

Just as he was in doubt, he suddenly saw a ghostly figure.

A beautiful face, a devilish smile.

That was…!

He widened his eyes in terror, but Qin Ruqing said nothing.

She enveloped him in fire, planted two fire seeds, then struck him unconscious with a blade.

She then carried him easily and joined Third Elder Song.

Song Elder, being a Nascent Soul, found dealing with a Golden Core cultivator quite manageable.

When he saw Qin Ruqing carrying a robust man upon his return, he was still taken aback.

Could it be that Qin Ruqing now dealt with Nascent Soul cultivators as easily as slicing vegetables?

As a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator, Third Elder Song’s heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but feel even more awe for Qin Ruqing.

After securing the two Fang Clan survivors, Song San asked, “Miss Qin, what’s the plan now?”

Qin Ruqing’s gaze darkened as she looked in a certain direction, then extended her hand to summon.

Third Elder Song initially felt puzzled but soon saw a large purple-gold lotus flower flying towards them from the direction Qin Ruqing pointed.

As the lotus flower approached, Song Elder saw the two people lying on it.

That was… the ancestor of the Qin Clan?!

The two individuals on the lotus were severely injured, their flesh and blood mangled.

Upon further examination, their auras were extremely weak, as if a single gust of wind could extinguish their souls.

Third Elder Song gasped, visualizing the grim fate awaiting the Fang Clan.

Qin Ruqing had always been vengeful.

Now that her clan’s ancestor was almost killed by the Fang Clan, it was easy to imagine the severe retribution the Fang Clan would face.

He quickly suggested, “These two are severely injured. It would be better to send them to my Song Clan for treatment. We have some excellent pharmacists, and we’re not far from here…”

This was both a gesture of goodwill and a sign of support.

Qin Ruqing didn’t speak but raised her hand to form a seal, infusing an unknown green energy into the two injured individuals.

Third Elder Song watched as their near-death auras stabilized, feeling inexplicably shocked.

He had some guesses but dared not say a word.

The fact that Qin Ruqing could openly demonstrate such abilities to him implied that there was much to consider about her background.

In other words, if he let slip even a small secret about Qin Ruqing, who knew if his fate wouldn’t be like that of the Fang ancestor?

Once the two were stabilized, Qin Ruqing finally relaxed and looked at Third Elder Song, nodding, “Then I’ll leave it to Elder Song.”

Third Elder Song was pleased, knowing that Qin Ruqing’s willingness to leave her clan’s ancestor in his care showed a fundamental trust in the Song Clan.

Before leaving, Third Elder Song examined the Fang ancestor’s corpse and suggested, “Miss Qin, why not take him along? He might be useful later. And this broken sword, hey, it’s quite a good item!” Third Elder Song used his foot to pick up a sword-like object from a pool of blood.

Qin Ruqing nodded nonchalantly, “Take it with us.”

The corpse would indeed be useful later.

The task of transporting the dead was efficiently handled by Third Elder Song. He anticipated that this young master would prefer not to carry the bloodied head of her enemy.

They hurriedly took the hidden transmission array at Buzhou Island and arrived at the Song family’s estate.

The sight of this group, carrying both people and the corpse, shocked everyone in the Song family.

During the journey, Qin Ruqing sent a message to Lu Wei:

“Ancestor and Third Aunt are severely injured. Third Sister, come quickly!”

She also instructed that Third Sister’s group use the Feng family’s transmission array.

With the current situation, the Feng family would surely be willing to help once more, so she wanted to ensure that everything was in place.

As expected, within an hour, Qin Ruqing saw Third Sister and her group arriving in haste.

“Qingqing!”

“Sister!”

“……” And the silent Tang Zifeng with his concerned gaze.

Qin Ruqing tightly held Lu Wei’s hand and nodded to Tang Zifeng, speaking rapidly: “No time for details. Third Sister, save Ancestor and Third Aunt first!”

Qi Rong spoke urgently: “My mother…”

“Her life is still intact, don’t worry!”