Song Xuan
Heaven Rewards Diligence: Seeking the Dao of Immortality Through Talisman Crafting
Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Song Xuan (宋宣) |
| Alias(es) | Old Song; Third Song; Third Brother 2 27 |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 53 when visiting Mo Wen in Azure Luan Immortal City 26 |
| Affiliation | Song Clan of Moon-Washing Lake; Wondrous Talisman Studio; Song Clan Talisman Shop 2 41 |
| Occupation/Role | Shopkeeper of the Wondrous Talisman Studio in Red Leaf Market; later manager of the Song Clan Talisman Shop in Azure Luan Immortal City 2 41 |
| Cultivation | Seventh Layer of Qi Refining 18 26 |
| Spirit Roots | Four Spirit Roots 18 |
| Family | Song Kang (father); Song Yixue (younger cousin, addressed as Ninth Sister) 26 38 |
| Status | Alive; rescued from the Ji Household and returned to Azure Luan Immortal City 50 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2, “Wondrous Talisman Studio” 2 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seventh Layer of Qi Refining | 18 26 | Broke through at age 49 after struggling with the late-stage bottleneck, despite lineage support and plentiful pills. At 53, he believed the Eighth Layer was his likely lifetime limit and regarded Foundation Establishment as effectively beyond his reach. |
Background / History
Family and Protection of Song Yixue
Song Xuan was Song Kang’s only son. His younger cousin Song Yixue was raised by Song Kang after losing her father. Although many of her peers resented her aloof disposition and status as a Foundation Establishment seed, Song Xuan consistently supported her, including giving her his saved Spirit Stones for cultivation 38.
When Ji Yuan sought to marry Song Yixue to exploit her Bewitching Yin Physique, Song Xuan worked within the clan to oppose the arrangement. His intervention helped stop the marriage alliance and prevented her from falling into Ji Yuan’s hands 38.
Wondrous Talisman Studio
As shopkeeper of the Song Clan’s Wondrous Talisman Studio, Song Xuan maintained a longstanding friendship and trading relationship with Mo Wen. Recognizing Mo Wen’s advancement to first-tier mid-grade talisman master, he hoped to secure him as the studio’s exclusive supplier 2.
Song Xuan offered a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object on the clan’s behalf if Mo Wen joined the studio. Mo Wen refused to join the Song Household but agreed, after bargaining, to supply twelve mid-grade talismans each month. Song Xuan offered twenty-five Spirit Stones per Wood Armor Talisman—close to the market price—and purchased Mo Wen’s seventeen talismans with three hundred Spirit Stones and talisman-making materials 3.
At Mo Wen’s request, Song Xuan also monitored the Mo Household. He reported Mo Yifeng’s death, Mo Changge’s failed Foundation Establishment attempt, and the household’s retreat to Jingxiu Mountain. His later reports tracked the surrounding lineages’ preparations to attack 5 6 10.
When Mo Wen announced plans to move to Azure Luan Immortal City, Song Xuan worried about losing his profitable talisman supply. They agreed to replace monthly deliveries with annual collections 18.
Azure Luan Immortal City
A year after their separation, Song Xuan visited Mo Wen with Song Yixue and three other clansmen. Song Yixue had come to open a talisman shop, and Song Xuan asked Mo Wen to look after her. He redirected Mo Wen’s future talisman deliveries to her shop and encouraged the two to consider becoming dao companions 26.
When Ji Yuan forced his way into the new shop, Song Xuan confronted him and invoked the city’s rules. Ji Yuan dismissed him as someone with no hope of Foundation Establishment. After the confrontation, Song Xuan privately explained to Mo Wen why Ji Yuan coveted Song Yixue’s physique 27 29.
Song Xuan later returned to Red Leaf Market. A report claiming he had been gravely wounded during a Ji Household attack on Moon-Washing Lake proved false: Song Leping confirmed that no such war had occurred and that Song Xuan was at the market 38 40.
After Song Yixue resigned as shopkeeper to concentrate on cultivation, the Song Household appointed Song Xuan to manage its Azure Luan Immortal City shop 41.
Abduction and Rescue
Despite Mo Wen deliberately limiting their public contact to avoid making him a target, Song Xuan disappeared after spending over a year in Azure Luan Immortal City. A ransom note ordered Mo Wen to Soul-Severing Ridge. Investigating in disguise, Mo Wen discovered that Song Leqing had conspired with the Ji Household to ambush him 47.
Mo Wen instead attacked Scarlet Moon Mountain and seized Ji Clan descendants as hostages. Ji Buli initially claimed to have killed Song Xuan, but retracted the claim when Mo Wen threatened the captives. The Ji ancestor then agreed to release Song Xuan in exchange for their safety 48 49.
Song Xuan had suffered torture and was restrained by the hawk-faced elder’s technique, though his life was not in immediate danger. Once freed to speak, he urged Mo Wen to escape rather than risk dying for him. Mo Wen checked him for hidden restrictions and instructed him to remain beside the Ji descendants while he fought the ancestor 49.
After killing the False Core ancestor, Mo Wen returned to collect Song Xuan, who could scarcely believe his friend had won. They returned to Azure Luan Immortal City, reassured Song Yixue, and shared a feast while discussing their future in the city 50.
Personality
Song Xuan combines commercial ambition with genuine generosity. He bargains aggressively, jokes about relying on Mo Wen to make his fortune, and openly treasures their profitable partnership. Nevertheless, he offers near-market purchase prices and reveals sensitive information about Foundation Establishment resources to help his friend 2 3 18.
His advice is blunt and cautious. Believing their Four Spirit Roots leave little chance of Foundation Establishment, he repeatedly urges Mo Wen to find a companion and preserve his bloodline instead of risking his remaining vitality. Although he doubts Mo Wen’s prospects, he sincerely admires his diligence and determination 2 18 26.
His loyalty outweighs concern for his own safety. He spends his savings on Song Yixue’s cultivation, opposes her exploitation, and tells Mo Wen to abandon him rather than die attempting a rescue 38 49.
Abilities & Skills
Business Management and Negotiation
- Manages talisman shops for the Song Clan in both Red Leaf Market and Azure Luan Immortal City 2 41.
- Recognizes Mo Wen’s mid-grade Wood Armor Talismans and understands their value in a market with fewer than ten mid-grade talisman masters 2.
- Negotiates a regular supply agreement that substantially increases the Wondrous Talisman Studio’s available stock 2 3.
Information Gathering
- Maintains a wide circle of acquaintances, making him Mo Wen’s contact for inquiries about Foundation Establishment Pills 7.
- Supplies regular intelligence on the Mo Household and the factions threatening Jingxiu Mountain 5 6 10.
- Cannot secure a Foundation Establishment Pill in Red Leaf Market despite his inquiries 18.
Relationships
- Mo Wen — Closest friend and talisman supplier. Their relationship includes blunt advice, teasing, drinking together, and mutual protection; Mo Wen risks a confrontation with the Ji Household to rescue him 18 26 27 49.
- Song Yixue — Younger cousin, whom he calls Ninth Sister. He supports her cultivation, protects her against Ji Yuan’s marriage scheme, and introduces her to Mo Wen as a potential dao companion 26 38.
- Song Kang — Father; also the uncle who raised Song Yixue 38.
- Ji Yuan — Antagonist whose pursuit of Song Yixue Song Xuan opposes. Ji Yuan openly insults him during the talisman-shop confrontation 27 38.
- Song Leqing — Song Clan elder who collaborates with the Ji Household in the trap involving Song Xuan’s abduction 47.
Notable Quotes
“When it comes to the strength of your Dao heart, you're the strongest person I've ever met.” 26
“Old Mo, run! Don't worry about me!” 49