'This Spiritual Liquid is so precious. Gulping it down would be like Zhu Bajie eating the Ginseng Fruit, not savoring it at all. I should just take a small taste.' Song Changsheng uncorked the bottle and took a huge swig.
Smacking his lips, he realized he couldn't taste anything special. Other than a strange fragrance, it was no different from drinking cold water.
The Earth Milk Spiritual Liquid had gentle medicinal properties. After consuming it, even without actively refining it, it would slowly release its power and enhance one's cultivation.
Despite Song Changsheng's divinely fast cultivation, he had always been deliberately solidifying his foundation, avoiding cultivation-enhancing Pills whenever possible.
As good as the Earth Milk Spiritual Liquid was, he couldn't be greedy. It was best to let things progress naturally.
'I still need to deliver this wine to Fifth Uncle, but there's only half of it left...' Song Changsheng looked at the flask in his hand, troubled.
'Hmm, if I mix in some Tier One Spirit Wine, he probably won't be able to tell the difference.'
...
That evening, Song Luzhou was leisurely sipping from a white jade wine cup. After taking a taste, he said with some suspicion, "This wine... it doesn't seem quite right. Has my sister-in-law created a new brew?"
——————
The next day, Song Changsheng finished his morning cultivation, tidied himself up meticulously, and headed up the steps toward the mountain's peak.
There was only one path from the mountainside to the peak, paved with white jade steps. It consisted of over six thousand steps in total, leading directly to Ruyun Hall at the summit.
Song Changsheng ascended step by step. Every time he walked this path, his heart would become unprecedentedly calm.
Because he was living a second life, he possessed a composure that far surpassed his peers. He did everything in a steady and measured way, and elders often said he lacked the sharp edge a young man should have.
But he would just smile and continue on his own way. It wasn't that he lacked a sharp edge; it simply wasn't in his nature to show it off.
'To cultivate, one must first cultivate the heart. Seek stability, not speed.'
Just like these steps. He could use Magic and reach the top in a moment, but he insisted on climbing them one by one like a mortal.
Others didn't understand why he did this, but only he knew that this, too, was a form of cultivation for him.
On the path of cultivation, speed was certainly important, but one's Mental Realm was an indispensable part. This was a truth that many only realized in their twilight years, but Song Changsheng had understood it long ago.
These steps were like his own Dao path. Only by taking one steady step at a time could he walk stably and go far.
That was why he never chased after fleeting advantages.
The Spiritual Qi at the peak was much denser than on the mountainside. Every breath was invigorating and refreshing. It was no wonder, as this was, after all, the place where the essence of a Tier Three Spirit Vein converged.
Spiritual Veins were graded corresponding to the realms of Cultivators. A Tier Three Spirit Vein was sufficient to support the cultivation of a Purple Mansion Cultivator, but the clan had been without a Purple Mansion Stage Great Cultivator to preside over it since the passing of the Yungui Ancestor. As a result, a great deal of Spiritual Qi was being wasted.
"Grandfather, your grandson is here to pay his respects." Outside the great hall, Song Changsheng gave a deep, meticulous bow. His respect for his grandfather came from the bottom of his heart.
"Ah, it's Sheng'Er. Come in." A slightly aged voice called out, and the doors to the great hall swung open on their own.
Song Changsheng walked into the great hall. It was vast and empty inside, but he was already used to it.
He walked to one side of the hall, reached out, and pushed open a hidden door. The scene before him changed in an instant.
Before him lay a vast lake. The water was crystal clear, shimmering and sparkling. A gentle breeze rippled its surface, and occasionally, a Spirit Fish or two would leap from the water.
Red-crowned cranes contentedly flapped their wings, letting out cheerful calls.
Under a large elm tree by the lake, an old man sat on the ground, holding a fishing rod. Beside him was a yellowed, woven bamboo fish basket.
The old man was dressed in a gray robe with Silver Moon and cloud patterns, wore a White Jade Crown, had a Red Jade Token hanging from his waist, and had Flowing Cloud Boots on his feet. He looked just like a Heavenly Exiled Immortal.
This was the number one expert of the Song Clan, and indeed, of the entire Ling Province—Song Xianming.
"Grandfather, have you caught anything?" Song Changsheng came to Song Xianming's side and asked with a smile.
"You've come too early. Not a single fish is biting right now."
Song Xianming's face was full of a kindly smile, like a neighborhood grandpa, making one feel an irresistible sense of closeness.
"Before the new year, you said you would be in seclusion for a year. Why did you come out so early?" Song Changsheng asked, finding a rock to sit on.
Song Xianming let out a long sigh. "With such major events happening in the clan, how could I possibly continue my seclusion in peace?"
The Abnormal Spirit Root, the Demon Cultivator attack, his grandson nearly dying...
With all of these things, one after another, who could remain calm and composed?
"That boy, Song Xing, entered the Dao yesterday," Song Xianming said suddenly.
"Oh? As expected of a genius with an Abnormal Spirit Root. It took me more than three months to sense my first wisp of Spiritual Qi. We'll have to call him Song Qingxing from now on." Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't surprised.
"This child's aptitude is extraordinary. He's a natural-born seed for the Sword Dao. In terms of talent, he might even surpass the Taiyi Ancestor."
Although these were words of praise, Song Changsheng seemed to hear an underlying meaning in them.
"However, he has a cold nature. I'm afraid he might walk the path of the Emotionless Dao in the future, and that is not a good thing for the clan." Song Xianming sighed deeply. It worried him to finally have a genius appear, only for them to have such a disposition.
"The Emotionless Dao?" Song Changsheng furrowed his brow. 'To cultivate the Emotionless Sword Dao, the first thing one must sever is all worldly passions. Grandfather is worried that all the clan's efforts will be for nothing.'
After a moment of thought, Song Changsheng spoke. "Qingxing is still young, so he's still malleable. As long as we can help him integrate into the clan, there's still a chance to turn things around."
"Mm, I was thinking the same. That's why I called you here today. Do you have any good ideas?"
Song Changsheng stood up and paced for a moment. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. He smiled and said, "I actually have a good idea."
Song Xianming looked interested. "Let's hear it."
"If we want to keep Qingxing from treading the path of the Emotionless Sword Dao, we must use emotions to create bonds for him. Familial love, friendship, romantic love... AHEM, it's too early to talk about romantic love.
But we can start with familial love and friendship. We can find him a good playmate, which can help him integrate into the clan more quickly," Song Changsheng said, full of confidence.
"Oh? It sounds like my dear grandson has someone in mind?"
"What do you think of Xi'Er?"
Song Xianming's slightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed. He nodded in agreement. "Xi'Er is kind and lively, and they are of a similar age. She is indeed a good candidate. It's just that it's still uncertain whether Xi'Er will have a Spirit Root in the future."
"I think Xi'Er is full of spiritual energy. She should have talent in the future as well." Thinking of his lively and adorable little niece, a smile couldn't help but appear on Song Changsheng's lips.
"In that case, let's do as you suggest." Song Xianming nodded. Just then, a fish took the bait. With a slight tremor of his arm, an inch-long Spirit Fish was instantly pulled from the lake.
"Not bad, not bad. Tier One High-Grade. You're in for a treat, kid. These Jade-Scaled Fish can only be found here in Suspended Mirror Lake. Take it back with you later," Song Xianming said, placing the fish, which shone like cyan jade, into the basket.
"Thank you for the reward, Grandfather. But I'm sure you didn't call me here just to give me a special treat, did you?"
"Hahaha, of course not. I have a new mission for you. You should prepare to depart immediately," Song Xianming said with a chuckle, casting his line back into the water.
Song Changsheng asked, somewhat surprised, "What kind of mission?"
Song Xianming smiled and said, "Little Cyan Mountain."
...