"Little Azure Mountain?" Song Changsheng was even more surprised.
Little Azure Mountain was the name of a spiritual mountain, considered an outlying estate of the family, located a thousand li away from Vastpeak Summit. Its location was somewhat remote.
However, the conditions there weren't bad. Beneath the surface lay a second-grade spirit vein, and the spiritual energy was quite abundant more than enough for Qi Refining cultivators to train effectively.
The family's operations there mainly involved raising spirit fish and some spirit beasts. It was a free-range style of management that didn't require much oversight an unusually peaceful and leisurely place.
Aside from being a little remote, it had virtually no downsides.
But it was typically where the elder members of the clan went to retire. Why was he being assigned there this time?
As if seeing through his doubts, Song Xianming gave a helpless smile and said, "You gave your mother quite a scare this time. When she came back, the one thing she insisted on was giving you a safer task.
Your mother has never asked me for anything in her life. In terms of both emotion and reason, I must honor her request. It just so happens that your Fifty-third Granduncle is getting on in years, so you'll go and replace him so he can return home and enjoy his twilight years."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Song Changsheng promptly accepted the order. This task was perfect for him. Though remote, it didn't demand too much of him, and he could focus on cultivating peace.
"Good. Pack your things. Your Twelfth Uncle will escort you there in three days," Song Xianming nodded, signaling that he was dismissed.
But before Song Changsheng had gone far, he heard a sudden fit of harsh coughing behind him. His mood turned somber.
After stepping out of the great hall, Song Changsheng let out a low sigh. "Grandfather paid too high a price back then. He's been in seclusion for years and still shows no improvement. Just where can we find something that can restore his life force…"
He couldn't help but worry. Song Xianming was already two hundred years old. A Foundation Establishment cultivator typically lived around two hundred and fifty years.
But because he forcefully halted his breakthrough back then, his very essence was damaged, greatly shortening his lifespan. If he couldn't break through again soon, his life would come to an end.
He was the jade pillar holding up the Song Clan, their golden beam across the seas. If he passed, it would be a devastating blow to the family.
"I must grow stronger… quickly."
Three days later, with everything prepared, Song Changsheng stood quietly at the edge of a cliff, waiting.
Before long, a streak of rainbow light sped toward him from the distance.
Riding a sword in flight this was one of the hallmarks of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Nephew greets Twelfth Uncle. Thank you for taking the trouble this time," Song Changsheng said respectfully to the figure who arrived.
Song Luhuai laughed heartily. "We're family, what trouble is there? Honestly, I think you should've stayed in the clan to cultivate well. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you can start shouldering some of our burdens."
Song Changsheng said earnestly, "Things must be kept fair. I'm no different from the others how could I only enjoy the benefits without contributing?"
"Good child, good child indeed." Song Luhuai patted his shoulder, deeply moved. If everyone thought this way, what need would we have to worry about the clan's future?
"It's getting late. Let's be on our way."
"Yes, Uncle."
Stepping onto the flying sword, Song Changsheng felt only a slight sway before the scenery around him rapidly fell away. In the blink of an eye, they had already risen above the clouds.
Flying on a sword was a completely different experience from riding a paper kite. Song Changsheng felt like he had transformed into a bird, soaring freely beneath the sky…
It was a novel sensation, but the flying sword's speed was incredible. In less than half an hour, they had already crossed more than a thousand li.
As they gradually descended, a modest spiritual mountain came into view.
This was their destination Little Azure Mountain.
"So this is the Little Azure Mountain the Grand Elder seized after slaying a second-grade high-tier spirit beast. I've long heard its scenery was unique, and now that I see it, it truly lives up to the tales."
Song Changsheng was very satisfied with his future post. Though it was a bit remote, it was indeed an excellent place for quiet cultivation.
"Hahaha, let's head down," Song Luhuai said as he guided his flying sword downward, landing on a stone-paved square halfway up the mountain.
Five elderly men were already waiting there. All of them had white hair and heavy auras of age and weariness.
Retracting his sword, Song Luhuai led Song Changsheng forward and respectfully greeted the elders. "Uncles, this is Changsheng. He's here to take over for the Fifty-third Uncle."
"Grandson pays respects to the honored elders," Song Changsheng quickly bowed. The men before him were all of the "Xian" generation veterans of the clan who had made great contributions. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators had to show proper respect to them.
"Good, good. We finally have a young one here," the gaunt elder in the lead gently stroked his beard with a kindly smile.
"Fifty-third Uncle, if you're ready, I'll take you back now. The Grand Elder has been thinking about you," said Song Luhuai. He was always busy with clan affairs and couldn't afford to linger.
"Let's go, let's go. Little Changsheng, you can have my thatched hut. Everything inside is decent, so you won't have to go through the trouble of setting up yourself." The elder looked at Song Changsheng kindly.
"Thank you for the generous gift, Grandfather," Song Changsheng said gratefully. It certainly saved him a lot of effort.
"Changsheng, I'll be off now. If anything comes up, just contact me by flying sword transmission."
"Farewell, Twelfth Uncle, Fifty-third Grandfather," Song Changsheng said as he watched the two figures disappear into the distance. Then he turned back and asked, "Grandfathers, may I ask what my duties are?"
The elders exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward, pointing toward a nearby large lake. "That lake is called Mirror Lake. It holds several schools of first-grade Silverthread Fish.
Your job is to feed them during your free time and make sure they aren't threatened by any wild beasts. Recently, a first-grade top-tier flying beast has shown up near Little Azure Mountain you'll need to be extra careful.
Each year, the clan sends people to harvest the spirit fish. You're responsible for submitting the required quota. If you fall short, you'll have to make up for it with spirit stones. But as long as you watch over things properly, that rarely happens."
"I see. Understood, Grandfathers."
....
After exchanging some pleasantries, Song Changsheng bid the elders farewell and made his way to Mirror Lake.
The lake was quite expansive. Its clear surface reflected the blue sky above, and if not for the occasional breeze that rippled the water, it would truly resemble a giant mirror.
Fruit trees lined the lakeside. Though they were ordinary, non-spiritual varieties, years of absorbing spiritual energy from the local spirit vein had subtly altered their essence.
The change, however, was minimal fruit from these trees only contained trace amounts of spiritual energy. They were good for satisfying hunger but held no real value for cultivation.
As such, the clan paid little attention to them and considered them a fringe benefit for stationed cultivators.
In the middle of the lake was a small island. On it stood a thatched hut, a small spirit field, and a few green plum trees. This was the residence left to him by the elder who had just departed.
"How should I get across…" Song Changsheng looked around and eventually spotted a few small boats on the shore.
He stepped into one and slowly began to row toward the island in the heart of the lake…