As Song Lin headed to the Flying Vessel Shipyard to absorb the wisp of Cold Spring Flame, Uncle and Aunt also stopped Song Chi.
“Little Chi, your uncle and aunt won’t say much, here are 500 strands of Second-Rank Floating Land Origin and 1,000 strands of First Rank Floating Land Origin, along with two Advanced Body Tempering Potions—take them.”
Song Chao was about to say something, but Zhao Hongxue took over the conversation.
“Little Chi, if they’re letting you take it, just take it without overthinking. Although your uncle is at a critical moment of advancement, he can still manage to provide these resources.”
Given these words, Song Chi naturally could only accept the batch of resources. Of course, he had intended to politely decline, but currently, he had several components in need of enhancement, and these resources arrived just in time.
…
In the evening, in the living room of the Furious Lion estate.
Song Mingsong, Bai Xiuqin, and the married couples of Song Shan, Song Hai, Song Chao, and Song Yang, including Song Chi, Song Qi, Song Lin, and Song Wen, were all present. It could be said that the members of the Song Family of First Rank and above had all gathered here.
Originally, Song Chi had not planned to participate, just having received a sum of Floating Land Origin, he wanted to comprehensively enhance the Cang Qiong. However, the elders were very insistent this time, so he had no choice but to follow along.
Song Chi saw his grandmother, Bai Xiuqin, fumble in the corner of the sofa, then a blue holographic screen emerged from the living room floor and rapidly spread as time passed.
Recognizing this, Song Chi focused his mind entirely. The last time he had seen this scene at home was when he was imprinting the Mythical Mech Projection, which indicated that whatever was to be discussed was likely to be extremely important, or else there would be no need for such formality.
Once the blue holographic screen completely covered the living room, the grandfather, seated in the main sofa chair, spoke gravely, turning his gaze to his eldest brother, Song Shan:
“Elder brother, with that Intermediate Energy Crystal added, do you have confidence in your promotion? Give us a definite answer!”
At these words, Song Chi, standing behind the sofa, raised an eyebrow.
He had always thought the Intermediate Energy Crystal he provided was for his grandmother Bai Xiuqin’s use. His uncle was only a hundred and thirty years old, whereas his grandmother was two hundred—by all accounts, it made more sense for the grandmother to be in a more urgent situation.
However, seeing that people including his own father and grandmother showed no signs of surprise, Song Chi did not ask any questions, realizing this must be a result previously discussed by the family.
Song Shan pondered for a moment.
“With this Intermediate Energy Crystal and several resources that the family has been quietly acquiring over the past decades, the chance of success should increase to over 40%.”
“Not enough, 40% is still too low, and the risk is significant. Here’s what we’ll do: after initiating the promotion mission, I will personally take you on a few excursions to the Alien Star Domain. With the support of the Furious Lion, we should be able to improve our odds by another ten percentage points, to over 50%. That’s worth a try.”
Song Mingsong’s expression was not looking too good. In his heart, the possibility of success was still too slim.
Nonetheless, considering Song Shan was only one hundred and thirty years old, even if he truly failed, there would still be time to train a brand-new Torch Warship, so he nodded and agreed.
“That settles it then. As for you, the third brother, since Little Chi has successfully awakened, the task of shadowing the Blood Blade Star Thieves this time is on you. However, considering Li Xia’s advancement, second brother, you’ll cover for two more months. After two months, the third brother will replace you.”
“Remember, we cannot afford any slip-ups. Whether we can redeem our branch’s past mistakes hinges on this,” the grandfather added with emphasis.
“Understood!”
…
Song Chi and Song Qi, the four of them, were somewhat confused; they had no idea what the elders were talking about.
Blood Blade Star Thieves, our branch making mistakes, and talk of rectifying those mistakes—what did all that mean?
For a moment, a myriad of questions arose in their minds. It was then that they heard their father, Song Chao, say:
“Dad, since elder brother’s promotion is imminent, it’s time to involve these young ones as well. If it really comes down to action, relying solely on the few Escort Ships under our command won’t be enough.”
“After a while, Little You should also be able to advance to First Rank. Over the coming months, let us take turns bringing the five of them over to stand guard together, allowing them to familiarize themselves ahead of time,” he suggested.
Song Mingsong thought it over for a moment and then quickly nodded in agreement.
“Agreed!”
With the grandfather’s consent, Song Hai, the second uncle seated to the left, took the opportunity to say:
“Then for the next two months, I’ll take two of them with me.”
He looked toward the four, “You four decide among yourselves.”
After brief consultation, it was decided that Song Qi and Song Wen would first accompany Song Hai to the Star Domain where the Blood Blade Star Thieves were located for surveillance. Meanwhile, Song Chi and Song Lin would wait two months for Song Chao to lead them.
After the discussion ended, taking advantage of the blue holographic screen still being active, Song Chi quickly approached his father and whispered a question.
After a brief explanation from his father, he finally understood the gist of the matter.
It turned out that their White Tower Floating Land branch of the Song family was just one offshoot of the Dinghai Song Family. Decades ago, his grandfather had just advanced to Third Rank when an error during a family mission led to its ultimate failure.
This was why their entire household had moved to the White Tower Floating Land.
And from his father’s vague revelations, the ultimate goal of that mission years ago was a Red Epic-Level component. In other words, because of his grandfather’s error, the family indirectly lost out on a Red Fleet Component.
Song Chi was taken aback. A Red Epic-Level Fleet Component was even higher in quality than the Orange Glory; until now, he had only heard about such components through textbooks and the internet, never imagining that his family had once had the strength to vie for such high-caliber components.