Parting in Life

"The war between the human and demon races on the Western Region border has lasted for three months. Have Yinshuo and Ye Hua's injuries not yet recovered?" Song Wen asked.

Purple Cloud shook her head. "According to what I've heard, it may take several years for the two seniors to recover from their injuries."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen's spirits lifted, and even the fatigue from Alchemy for a long time vanished.

The more seriously Yinshuo is injured, the safer Zhu Yin will be.

"Seniors Yinshuo and Ye Hua are pillars of the Human Race. I hope they can recover soon, otherwise the future of the Human Race is in jeopardy."

Song Wen said this with feigned concern, as if he didn't truly mean it.

Purple Cloud said, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry too much. Although our Human Race hasn't been able to form a coalition to counterattack yet, the four major powers are helping each other, and overall, our Human Race still has the upper hand."

After discussing the situation in the Sea of Disorder for a while, Purple Cloud changed the subject and asked...

"Extreme Yin, would you be willing to join my Two Forms Sect? If you are interested, I can vouch for you. If you join the Two Forms Sect's Dan Pill Peak, you should be able to become the Pill Peak Master."

Song Wen cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, fellow Daoist. I have some personal matters that urgently need to be taken care of. I'll decide on joining your sect in a few years."

Purple Cloud nodded, stopped trying to persuade her, and instead asked a question.

"Whether or not you join the Two Forms Sect is up to you. However, if I were to invite An Yin to join the Two Forms Sect, you wouldn't object, would you?"

Song Wen's expression turned slightly surprised, and he turned to glance at An Yin not far away.

An Yin also looked surprised; clearly, this was the first time she had heard Purple Cloud mention this matter.

"Why did you invite An Yin to join the Two Forms Sect?" Song Wen asked.

Purple Cloud said, "An Yin has excellent cultivation aptitude and remarkable talent in swordsmanship. I have taken a liking to her talent and wish to take her as my disciple."

Song Wen did not answer Purple Cloud immediately, but instead looked thoughtful.

He silently recalled in his mind, and only after confirming that An Yin did not know any of his secrets did he slowly speak.

"This is An Yin's personal matter, and she should make the decision herself. Fellow Daoist, you shouldn't ask me, but rather An Yin."

Purple Cloud smiled faintly and turned to look at An Yin.

"An Yin, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

An Yin looked quite excited, but also slightly hesitant.

"An Yin, you don't need to worry too much. If you can become Fellow Purple Cloud Ziyun's disciple, it will be a blessing for you and for your sister," Song Wen said.

An Yin bowed deeply to Song Wen with gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your Extreme Yin."

After saying this, she bent her knees and knelt down in worship before Purple Cloud.

"Bang, bang, bang."

An Yin kowtowed three times, her voice clear and powerful.

"Disciple greets Master."

Purple Cloud smiled and said, "Alright! Get up."

An Yin stood up and stood behind Purple Cloud.

She turned to look at her sister and found An Tong looking at her with a relieved and happy expression.

The sisters' eyes met in the air, their joy beyond words.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on gaining such a fine disciple," Song Wen said.

Purple Cloud said, "I am very grateful to you for your help in making this possible. Now that An Yin has joined my sect, I will teach her everything I know and live up to your expectations."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Purple Cloud got up to say goodbye and left.

An Yin reluctantly said goodbye to An Tong, thanked Song Wen repeatedly, and then left with Purple Cloud.

"An Tong," Song Wen suddenly called out.

An Tong, who was staring blankly in the direction where her sister's figure had disappeared, hurriedly turned around upon hearing this.

"Senior, what are your orders?"

"Once An Yin settles down in the Two Forms Sect, have her gather as much information as possible about the situation between the demon and human races. Although the Two Forms Sect is located in the Central Region, far from the Outer Seas, making it difficult for the Demon Race to invade, neither you nor I can be complacent. As Rogue Cultivator now reliant on the Two Forms Sect, we must have a thorough understanding of its situation. Otherwise, we could easily become cannon fodder," Song Wen said.

"I understand, and I will contact my sister as soon as possible," An Tong said.

Song Wen nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked out of the cave abode.

He found a secluded place, disguised himself, and pretended to be a Rogue Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Song Wen arrived in Four Symbols City and, under the name 'Wei Ding', rented a cave abode in Illusion Gorge Mountain.

The cave abode on Skyvault Peak is excellent, but it ultimately belongs to Purple Cloud.

Although Song Wen and Purple Cloud had some friendship, one should always be wary of others. Song Wen still planned to rent another cave abode for himself.

As for the cave abode on Skyvault Peak, An Tong can stay there temporarily.

Illusion Gorge Mountain is right next to Skyvault Peak, only ten miles apart, but the concentration of Spiritual Qi on Illusion Gorge Mountain is significantly weaker.

Therefore, the rent for cave abode on Illusion Gorge Mountain is much cheaper, and most of the tenants are Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Five days later.

Cave abode No. 17 in Illusion Gorge Mountain.

Having regained his composure, Song Wen opened his eyes and took out a Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip was Xing Mo's Message Jade Slip. It had been fourteen years since they last parted. Now that they had arrived at the Four Symbols City, Song Wen planned to ask Xing Shan about her current cultivation level.

If Xing Shan has already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage, Song Wen intends to fulfill his vow from back then.

"Brother Xing, how have you been lately?" Song Wen asked via telegram.

Dozens of miles away, nestled on the verdant mountainside, lies a Small Courtyard.

In a room in the courtyard, an old man with a withered face sat cross-legged.

The old man's face was deeply lined with wrinkles, his skin was dry and withered, his eyes were sunken, his hair was gray, and his back was slightly hunched.

He gave people the feeling that he was nearing the end of his life and would soon die.

The old man was Xing Mo. In just fourteen years, he had transformed from a middle-aged male cultivator into an old man in his twilight years.

Xing Mo's weathered eyes held a trace of sorrow, as if burdened by unresolved issues.

He sensed a Message Jade Slip suddenly popping up in his storage ring.

Xing Mo took it out and looked at it; the worry on his face vanished instantly, replaced by joy.

[Fellow Daoist, you've come to the Four Symbols City!] Xing Mo replied, seemingly unrelated to the question.

Seemingly realizing he had somewhat lost his composure, he quickly added.

[We, my daughter, and Shan Yue are all well.]

"Has your daughter advanced to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage?" Song Wen asked in a message.

[A year ago, she had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage.] Xing Mo said.

"In that case, when do you plan to begin refining the Barrier-Breaking Pill?" Song Wen asked.

[This...] Xing Mo hesitated for a moment.

The start of refining the Barrier-Breaking Pill meant the end of his life.

Before Song Wen contacted him, he had been eagerly awaiting Song Wen's appearance.

Now that Song Wen has arrived, he feels a pang of reluctance and longing to leave.

There is a fondness for all things in the world, but even more so, there is an unbearable attachment to his daughter.

The thought of his impending death filled him with worry and unease.

He worried about whether his daughter could successfully form her core, whether she could face the dangers of the Cultivation World alone, and whether she could evade the gazes of those vicious and ruthless Bandit Cultivator...

A jumble of thoughts surged forth like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm Xing Mo's mind.

But he quickly came to his senses; his current physical condition no longer allowed him to delay any longer.

Rather than let time wear away the last vestiges of his physical life, he would rather use this crippled body to pave a path to Golden Core for his daughter.

[If you are having trouble making a decision right now, you may take a few more days to think it over. I will likely linger around the Four Symbols City for some time.]

Seeing that Xing Mo had not replied for a long time, Song Wen sent another message.

Although most cultivators take a detached view of life and death, it takes unimaginable courage to actively embrace death.

Song Wen never doubted Xing Mo's determination to "use himself as medicine," but he also knew how difficult it was to make such a decision.

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist. Please begin Alchemy the elixir as soon as possible," Xing Mo said.

"Have you thought it through?" Song Wen asked.

"I've made up my mind," Xing Mo said.

[Alright, come to cave abode 17 in Illusion Gorge Mountain in three days. I will Alchemy for you and your daughter.]