Little Green Mountain (Please Read On)

"Little Green Mountain?" Song Changsheng was even more surprised.

Little Green Mountain was the name of a Spirit Mountain, considered an exclave of the Lineage. It lay a thousand li from Vast Peak, in a rather remote location.

Still, the conditions there were not bad. Beneath the mountain ran a Second-Tier Spirit Vein, with abundant spiritual energy—more than enough for Qi Condensation Cultivators to cultivate.

The Lineage's main operations there were raising Spirit Fish and some Spirit Beasts. They were all free-range and required little attention, making it a rare place of leisure.

Other than being somewhat remote, it had practically no drawbacks.

But that place was generally assigned to elderly Clan Elders. Why had the assignment fallen to him this time?

As though he had seen Song Changsheng's confusion, Song Xianming gave a helpless smile. "This time, you gave your mother quite a fright. When she returned last time, she especially asked This Old Man to give you a safer assignment.

"Your mother has never asked anyone for anything in her life. By sentiment and by reason, I had to fulfill her wish. Fifty-Third Grandfather also happens to be getting on in years, so you will go replace him and let him return to enjoy his twilight years."

"Yes."

Song Changsheng hurriedly accepted. This assignment suited him perfectly. Though it was somewhat remote, it required little effort and would allow him to cultivate in peace.

"Mm. Tidy up. Your Twelfth Uncle will take you there in three days." Song Xianming nodded, signaling that Song Changsheng could leave.

Song Changsheng had not gone far when a fit of violent coughing sounded behind him. His mood immediately darkened.

Only after leaving the main hall did Song Changsheng sigh quietly. "Grandfather paid far too great a price back then. These years of seclusion have shown no results either. Where can we find a treasure that replenishes vital energy...?"

He could not help worrying. Song Xianming was already two hundred years old, while Foundation Establishment Cultivators generally only lived around two hundred and fifty years.

Because he had forcibly halted his breakthrough, Song Xianming had further damaged his Life Origin, drastically shortening his lifespan. If he could not seek another breakthrough, his life would soon reach its end.

He was the Heaven-Supporting White Jade Pillar and Sea-Crossing Purple Gold Beam of the Song Clan. Once he passed away, it would deal a devastating blow to the Lineage.

"I have to grow stronger as soon as possible..."

Three days later, having packed everything, Song Changsheng stood at the edge of a cliff and waited quietly.

Soon After, a Rainbow Light swept over from the Distant Place at tremendous speed.

Sword Flight was one of the hallmarks of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Your nephew greets Twelfth Uncle. Thank You For your help this time," Song Changsheng said respectfully as he looked at the figure In Front Of him.

Song Luhai chuckled. "We're family. Why speak of trouble? If you ask me, you should stay in the Lineage and cultivate properly. Reaching Foundation Establishment early would help us share the burden."

Song Changsheng said with a solemn expression, "A bowl of water must be held level. Your nephew is no different from anyone else. How can I enjoy without contributing?"

"Good child, what a good child." Song Luhai patted Song Changsheng's shoulder with deep emotion. If everyone thought this way, why would the Lineage fear not prospering?

"It's getting late. Let's be on our way."

"Yes."

Song Changsheng stepped onto the Flying Sword. He felt only a slight sway before the scenery Around Him rapidly receded. In an Instant, they were already amid the clouds.

Flying on a Flying Sword felt entirely different from flying on a Paper Kite. Song Changsheng felt as though he had become a bird, soaring freely beneath the vault of heaven...

It was a novel experience, but the Flying Sword was simply too fast. In less than half an hour, they had crossed more than a thousand li.

As they slowly descended, a somewhat short Spirit Mountain appeared In Front Of Song Changsheng. This was their destination—Little Green Mountain.

"So this is the Little Green Mountain that the Great Elder seized after slaying a Second-Tier High Grade Demon Beast. I had long heard that the scenery here was uniquely beautiful. Seeing it now, the rumors were true."

Song Changsheng was very satisfied with his future post. Though it was somewhat remote, it truly was a fine place for secluded cultivation.

"Hahaha, let's go down." Song Luhai guided the Flying Sword downward, landing on a Greenstone-paved square halfway up the mountain.

Five People were already waiting there. All were white-haired Old Men, their bodies steeped in the air of twilight.

Song Luhai put away the Flying Sword and led Song Changsheng in bowing to them. "Your nephew greets several Clan Uncles. This is Changsheng, here to replace Fifty-Third Uncle."

"Your grandson greets several Grandfathers." Song Changsheng hurriedly bowed. The men before him were all Clan Elders of the "Immortal" generation, who had rendered great service to the Lineage. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators had to show them a measure of respect.

"Good, good. At last, a young person has come to our little place." The thin, wizened Old Master at the head lightly stroked his beard and spoke with a smile.

"Fifty-Third Uncle, if you are ready, return with your nephew now. The Great Elder has been thinking of you all this time." Song Luhai was usually busy with countless affairs and naturally could not linger here for long.

"I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Little Changsheng, Grandfather will give you that Thatched Hut of mine. Everything inside is good stuff, so you needn't trouble yourself further." The Old Man looked at Song Changsheng kindly.

"Your grandson thanks Grandfather for the rewards." Song Changsheng hurriedly expressed his gratitude. This truly saved him quite a bit of trouble.

"Changsheng, then I'll be going. If anything comes up, send a voice transmission directly through your Flying Sword."

"Farewell, Twelfth Uncle. Farewell, Fifty-Third Grandfather." Song Changsheng watched the two leave until they vanished from sight. Only then did he look around and ask, "Several Grandfathers, may I ask what duties your grandson will be handling?"

The Clan Elders exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward and pointed at a large lake not far away. "That lake is called Clear Mirror Lake. Several schools of First-Tier Silver Thread Fish are raised within it.

"What you need to do is feed them in your spare time from cultivation, while making sure they do not face threats from other Demon Beasts. During This Period, a First-Tier Peak Grade bird Demon Beast has come to Little Green Mountain, so you must be especially vigilant.

"Every year, the Lineage sends people to harvest the Spirit Fish. You must turn in the full required amount. If the quantity falls short, you will have to make up the difference with Spirit Stones yourself. But so long as you guard them properly, such a situation is almost nonexistent."

"So that's how it is. Your grandson understands."

After exchanging pleasantries, Song Changsheng bade the Clan Elders farewell and arrived at the shore of Clear Mirror Lake.

The lake was not small. Its clear Lake Surface reflected the azure sky. If the breeze did not occasionally wrinkle the water, it truly would have been like a mirror.

Many fruit trees grew along the shore. They were all ordinary, ungraded varieties, but after absorbing the spiritual energy emitted by the Spirit Vein over a long period, their Life Level had changed.

That change was very slight, however. The fruits borne by these trees contained only a trace of spiritual energy and, aside from satisfying one's appetite, were of no use to a Cultivator's cultivation.

Thus, the Lineage did not pay much attention to these fruit trees, treating them entirely as a benefit for the Cultivators Stationed here.

At the center of the lake was a small island. Upon it stood a Thatch Cottage, a small plot of Spirit Field, and several Green Plum Trees. This was the residence the Clan Elder had left him before departing.

"How should I get across?" Song Changsheng looked around, eventually spotting several small boats by the shore.

He boarded one, slowly rowed the oars, and headed toward Lake Heart Island...

Wishing all fellow Daoists a happy Qixi Festival!