To be honest, Shi's offer was tempting. Song Shuhang had reached the point where he needed to refine his Natal Dharma Artifact. He had not decided what to make, and he still had no clear idea how to use the Thirty-Three Beast God Sect's secret method for refining a set of combined artifacts, though it interested him. But he would certainly refine his Natal Dharma Artifact while he was in the Fourth-Grade Realm. If he waited until Fifth-Grade, one step behind would become every step behind. A Natal Dharma Artifact was one with its cultivator, and each time the cultivator endured a Heavenly Tribulation to advance, the artifact could be tempered by Heavenly Tribulation Power as well. The benefits were endless.
But... he really could not bear becoming someone's adoptive father.
"Could I be an adoptive older brother instead?" Song Shuhang asked.
Shi shook her head. "An adoptive older brother doesn't carry enough weight to persuade Zhu to come down the mountain for a visit."
Song Shuhang stroked his chin and thought it over.
"You don't have to answer right away, Senior Brother Song. Take some time to think about it," Shi said with a giggle.
"I'd better pass." Song Shuhang shook his head. By all rights, no cultivator should turn down a master artifact refiner's help.
Cultivation was what mattered most to a cultivator. Taking an adoptive daughter was hardly a crime against heaven and earth. For a master artifact refiner's help, even taking an adoptive granddaughter would have been fine. Besides, both sides were willing.
But Song Shuhang was too young. He simply could not accept someone calling him Dad.
"Won't you think about it some more, Senior Brother Song? You wouldn't have to take on any responsibilities. You'd only be her adoptive father in name," Shi said,