Song Xianming

"This Spirit Liquid is so precious—drinking it outright would be like Zhu Bajie eating a Ginseng Fruit. I should just take a small sip." Song Changsheng pulled out the bottle stopper and promptly took a huge gulp.

He smacked his lips, but he really could not taste anything. Other than a strange fragrance, it was no different from drinking cold water.

The medicinal properties of the Earth Milk Spirit Liquid were mild. Even without refining it, it would slowly release after being consumed and enhance one's cultivation.

Don't look at how swiftly Song Changsheng cultivated—he had always deliberately strengthened his foundation. He used cultivation-enhancing medicinal pills only when absolutely necessary.

Though the Earth Milk Spirit Liquid was good, he could not greedily consume too much. It was best to let things fall into place as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

"I still need to deliver wine to Fifth Uncle, but only half of this wine is left..." Song Changsheng looked at the wine jug in his hand, somewhat troubled.

"Mm, I'll mix in some First-Tier Spirit Wine. He probably won't be able to tell."

That evening, Song Luzhou leisurely sipped from a White Jade Wine Cup. After smacking his lips over a mouthful, he said suspiciously, "This wine... seems a little off. Did Sister-in-law come up with a new brew again?"

The next day, Song Changsheng finished his morning cultivation. After carefully tidying himself up, he followed the steps toward the mountain peak.

There was only one path from the mountainside to the peak, paved with White Jade Steps. It numbered more than six thousand steps in total and led straight to the Cloud Reaching Hall at the summit.

Song Changsheng climbed upward one step at a time. Whenever he walked this path, his heart would always become calmer than ever before.

Because he had lived a second life, he possessed a composure far exceeding that of his peers. He did everything steadily and methodically, and elders often said that he lacked the sharp edge young people ought to have.

But he merely smiled and continued to go his own way. Naturally, he did not lack sharpness; it was simply not in his nature to bare his edge at every turn.

Before cultivating, one must cultivate the heart. Seek steadiness, not speed.

Just like these steps—he only needed to use a spell to finish them in moments, yet he insisted on climbing them one step at a time like a mortal.

No one understood why he did this, but only he himself knew that it was also a form of cultivation.

On the Dao of cultivation, speed was certainly important, but one's state of mind was also a part that could not be overlooked. Truths that many only realized in their twilight years had long since been understood by Song Changsheng.

These steps were like his Dao Path. Only by leaving one footprint after another could he walk steadily and walk far.

Thus, he never fought for fleeting speed.

The spiritual energy at the mountain peak was much denser than at the mountainside. Every breath made one feel refreshed and invigorated. That was only natural—after all, this was where the essence of a Third-Tier Spirit Vein gathered.

Spirit Veins corresponded to cultivators' realm classifications. A Third-Tier Spirit Vein was enough to support a Purple Palace Cultivator's cultivation, but since Ancestor Song Yungui had passed away, the Song Clan no longer had a Great Cultivator at the Purple Palace Stage overseeing it. Much of this spiritual energy went to waste.

"Your grandson pays his respects to Grandfather." Outside the hall, Song Changsheng bowed deeply and meticulously. He sincerely respected this grandfather of his.

"So it's Sheng'er. Come in." A slightly aged voice emanated from within, and the hall doors immediately opened on their own.

Song Changsheng entered the great hall. It was empty, but he was already accustomed to it.

Walking to one side of the hall, he reached out and pushed open a hidden door. The scene in front of him instantly changed dramatically.

Before his eyes appeared a vast lake. Its waters were so clear that the bottom could be seen, glittering under the light. The breeze stirred layer upon layer of ripples, while one or two Spirit Fish occasionally leaped from the lake surface.

Red-Crowned Cranes leisurely flapped their wings, letting out bursts of joyful cries.

Beneath a large elm tree by the lake sat an old man cross-legged on the ground with a fishing rod in hand. Beside him rested a yellowed Bamboo Fishing Basket.

The old man wore a Silver Moon Cloud-Patterned Grey Robe, a White Jade crown upon his head, a Red Jade Pendant at his waist, and Flowing Cloud Boots on his feet. He was like an Immortal banished from beyond the heavens.

This was the foremost expert of the Song Clan—and indeed all of Ling Province—Song Xianming.

"Grandfather, have you caught anything?" Song Changsheng came to Song Xianming's side and asked with a smile.

"You came too early. Not a single fish has taken the bait yet."

Song Xianming's face was filled with a kindly smile. Like the grandfather next door, he made people unable to resist feeling close to him.

"You said before the new year that you would enter seclusion for a year. Why did you emerge from seclusion so early?" Song Changsheng asked as he found a stone and sat down.

Song Xianming let out a long sigh. "With something so major happening to the Lineage, how could I continue my seclusion in peace?"

A Variant Spiritual Root, an attack by Demonic Cultivators, his grandson nearly losing his life...

With one thing after another, who could remain calm and unruffled?

"Song Xing entered the Dao yesterday," Song Xianming suddenly said.

"Oh? As expected of a genius with a Variant Spiritual Root. It took your grandson more than three months to sense the first wisp of spiritual energy back then. From now on, he should be called Song Qingxing." Song Changsheng raised his brow, not feeling surprised in the least.

"That child possesses extraordinary talent. He is a born seedling of the sword Dao. In terms of talent, he may even surpass Ancestor Taiyi."

Though they were words of praise, Song Changsheng seemed to hear an unspoken meaning beneath them.

"However, his nature is cold and detached. In the future, he may walk the Dao of Ruthlessness. That would not be a good thing for the Lineage." Song Xianming sighed heavily. They had finally waited for a genius, only for things to turn out this way. It truly worried him.

"The Dao of Ruthlessness?" Song Changsheng frowned. To cultivate the Heartless Sword Dao, the first sword one severed was the seven emotions and six desires. Was this not a fear that the Lineage would end up drawing water with a bamboo basket, only to find it empty?

After pondering for a moment, Song Changsheng said, "Qingxing is still young, and there is still room to shape him. As long as we let him integrate into the Lineage, there may yet be a turning point."

"Mm, this old man thinks so as well. That is why I summoned you today. Do you have any good ideas?"

Song Changsheng rose and paced for a while. Suddenly, inspiration flashed through his mind, and he smiled. "Your grandson really has thought of a good method."

Song Xianming showed an interested expression. "Let me hear it."

"If we want Qingxing to avoid entering the Heartless Sword Dao, then we must use emotions as his bonds—familial affection, friendship, love... Ahem, ahem, it is too early to speak of love.

"But we can begin with familial affection and friendship. Finding him a good companion could help him integrate into the Lineage more quickly," Song Changsheng said confidently.

"What, does my dear grandson already have 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 the two are about the same age. She would indeed be a good choice. It is only that whether Xi'er will have a Spirit Root in the future remains uncertain."

"I think Xi'er is brimming with spiritual energy. She ought to be gifted in the future as well." Thinking of that lively and adorable little niece, a smile could not help appearing at the corner of Song Changsheng's mouth.

"Since that is so, then handle it according to your method." Song Xianming nodded. Just then, a fish took the bait. His arm gave a slight shake, and a Spirit Fish about an inch long was immediately lifted from the lake surface.

"Not bad, not bad. First-Tier High-Grade. You brat are in for a treat. These Jade Scale Fish can only be found in Suspended Mirror Lake. Take it back with you later." Song Xianming placed the Green Jade-like fish into the Bamboo Fishing Basket.

"Thank you for Grandfather's reward. But I fear you did not summon your grandson merely to give him special treatment, did you?"

"Hahaha, of course not. This old man has arranged a new task for you. Prepare to set off at once." Song Xianming cast out the fishhook again, chuckling.

Song Changsheng asked in surprise, "What sort of task?"

Song Xianming smiled. "Little Green Mountain."