"This kind of precious spirit liquid... drinking it straight feels like Zhu Bajie gobbling down a ginseng fruit. Better just take a small sip," Song Changsheng muttered as he uncorked the bottle then suddenly took a big swig.
He smacked his lips a few times. Honestly, he couldn't taste much aside from a faintly strange fragrance, it was no different from drinking cold water.
Earth Essence Spirit Liquid had a gentle medicinal nature. Even without deliberate refinement, it would gradually release its power and enhance cultivation over time.
Though Song Changsheng had been cultivating rapidly, he'd always made a point to solidify his foundation. He avoided using cultivation-enhancing pills unless necessary.
As good as Earth Essence Spirit Liquid was, too much of it would still be wasteful. It was best to let things take their natural course.
"I still need to return the wine to Fifth Uncle, but... there's only half of it left now..." Song Changsheng looked at the wine gourd in his hand, a little troubled.
"Hmm, I'll just mix in a bit of first-grade spirit wine. Shouldn't be able to tell the difference."
...
By evening, Song Luzhou was leisurely sipping wine from a white jade cup. After tasting, he paused in mild suspicion.
"This wine... tastes a little off. Did your aunt-in-law come up with a new batch again?"
...
The next morning, after finishing his early cultivation routine, Song Changsheng carefully groomed himself and then began walking up the mountain steps toward the summit.
There was only one path from the mountainside to the peak paved with white jade steps, over six thousand in total leading straight to the Cloud-Piercing Hall at the summit.
Step by step, Song Changsheng ascended. Every time he walked this path, he felt an unprecedented sense of inner peace.
Because he was living a second life, he possessed a composure far beyond others his age. Everything he did was steady and measured. Elders often said he lacked the vigor a young man should have.
But he would just smile and carry on as usual. It wasn't that he lacked sharpness it just wasn't in his nature to flaunt it.
In cultivation, one must first cultivate the heart. Better to be steady than hasty.
Just like these stairs, he could've reached the top instantly with a simple spell, but he chose instead to climb them one step at a time, like a mortal.
Others never understood why he did this, but only he knew it was part of his cultivation too.
In the path of cultivation, speed was important, but so was one's state of mind. Many only came to understand this truth in their twilight years but Song Changsheng had already grasped it.
These steps were like his own cultivation path: only by placing one foot firmly in front of the other could he walk steadily, and go far.
That's why he never rushed temporary gains.
The spiritual energy at the summit was noticeably denser than halfway up the mountain. Every breath filled one with clarity and vitality. No surprise there this was the convergence point of a third-grade spirit vein.
Spirit veins corresponded to a cultivator's realm. A third-grade spirit vein was enough to support the cultivation of a Purple Mansion-stage cultivator. However, ever since the passing of Ancestor Song Yungui, there had been no high-level Purple Mansion cultivators in the family. Much of the spirit energy had gone to waste.
"Your grandson pays his respects, Grandfather."
Outside the great hall, Song Changsheng gave a deep, formal bow his respect for his grandfather was sincere.
"So it's Sheng'er. Come in."
A slightly aged voice came from within, and the doors of the great hall opened on their own.
Song Changsheng stepped into the great hall. It was empty inside, but he was already used to that.
He walked to one side of the hall and pushed open a hidden door. In an instant, the scenery before him changed completely.
What appeared was a vast lake, crystal clear and shimmering under the light. A gentle breeze stirred ripples across the surface, and now and then, a spirit fish leaped gracefully from the water.
A few red-crowned cranes flapped their wings leisurely, letting out cheerful cries as they glided over the lake.
Beneath a large elm tree by the lakeside sat an elderly man, fishing rod in hand, seated on the ground. Beside him rested a slightly yellowed, woven bamboo fish basket.
The old man wore a gray robe adorned with silver moon and cloud patterns, a white jade crown on his head, a red jade token at his waist, and cloud-soled boots on his feet he looked like a celestial being descended from the heavens.
This was none other than Song Xianming the number one expert in the Song Clan and all of Lingzhou.
"Grandfather, any bites today?" Song Changsheng approached with a smile.
"You came too early. Not a single fish is biting yet," Song Xianming replied with a warm, grandfatherly smile, the kind that made people instinctively feel at ease.
"You said you'd be in seclusion for a year. Why are you out so early?" Song Changsheng found a stone and sat down.
Song Xianming let out a long sigh. "So many things have happened in the clan how could I possibly stay in seclusion with peace of mind?"
A rare spirit root, an attack by demonic cultivators, his grandson nearly losing his life…
One thing after another who could remain calm in the face of all that?
"By the way, Song Xing entered the Dao yesterday," Song Xianming suddenly said.
"Oh? As expected of a rare spirit root genius. It took me more than three months back then to sense my first strand of spiritual energy. Guess we'll be calling him Song Qingxing from now on," Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow, but wasn't particularly surprised.
"This child has extraordinary talent, a natural sword cultivator. His gift may even surpass that of Ancestor Taiyi."
Though the words were praise, Song Changsheng seemed to catch an underlying meaning.
"But... he's emotionally distant by nature. I fear he may walk the path of the emotionless sword in the future. That wouldn't bode well for the family." Song Xianming sighed deeply. Finally, a genius emerges only for it to turn out like this. It worried him deeply.
"The Path of Ruthlessness?" Song Changsheng frowned. To walk the emotionless sword path, the first thing one must cut away is all emotional attachments. No wonder the family was afraid all their hopes might end up in vain.
After thinking for a moment, Song Changsheng spoke: "Qingxing is still young. He can still be guided. If we help him integrate into the family more closely, there's still a chance."
"Mm, that's exactly what I was thinking. That's why I asked you to come today do you have any ideas?"
Song Changsheng stood and paced back and forth for a while, then suddenly a light flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, "I do have a good idea."
Song Xianming showed interest. "Let's hear it."
"If we want to prevent Qingxing from stepping onto the Path of Ruthlessness, we need to tie him down with emotion family, friendship, love... well, love might be a bit premature."
"But we can start with family and friendship. If we find him a good companion, someone to play with and bond with, it could help him integrate into the clan more easily," Song Changsheng said with confidence.
"Oh? My clever grandson already has someone in mind?"
"What do you think about Xier?"
Song Xianming's slightly furrowed brows relaxed. He nodded in agreement. "Xier is kind and lively, and they're about the same age. She's indeed a good choice. The only question is whether she has a spirit root."
"I can feel the spiritual energy in her. I believe she'll prove to be talented in the future too." Thinking of his playful and adorable little cousin, a warm smile crept onto Song Changsheng's face.
"In that case, we'll go with your plan," Song Xianming nodded. Just then, a tug came on his line. With a slight flick of his arm, a small spirit fish about an inch long was pulled from the lake.
"Not bad, not bad. Top-grade first-tier. You're in luck this Jade-Scale Fish is unique to Xuanying Lake. Take it home with you later," Song Xianming said as he placed the emerald-green fish into the basket.
"Thank you, Grandfather. But I doubt you called me here just to give me a special treat, right?"
"Hahaha, of course not. I've got a new task for you. Prepare to set out immediately," Song Xianming said cheerfully as he cast his line once more.
Song Changsheng was a bit surprised. "What kind of task?"
Song Xianming smiled. "Little Azure Mountain."