Chapter 11: Song Xianming
"Such precious spirit liquid, drinking it straight feels like Zhu Bajie gobbling down the ginseng fruit¹. Better to just take a small sip." Song Changsheng uncorked the bottle and suddenly took a huge swig.
He smacked his lips thoughtfully, there didn’t seem to be any discernible taste. Aside from a faint exotic fragrance, it felt no different from drinking cold water.
The Earth Essence Spirit Liquid had a mild medicinal nature. Even if one didn’t refine it, it would still slowly enhance one’s cultivation.
Although Song Changsheng cultivated swiftly, he had always been deliberately reinforcing his foundation. He avoided using cultivation-enhancing pills unless absolutely necessary.
As good as the Earth Essence Spirit Liquid was, one shouldn’t overindulge, it was best to let things take their natural course.
"I still have to deliver the wine to Fifth Uncle, but there’s only half left…" Song Changsheng looked at the wine gourd in his hand, somewhat troubled.
"Hmm, I’ll mix in a bit of first-rank spirit wine. He probably won’t notice the difference."
...
At dusk, Song Luzhou was leisurely sipping from a white jade wine cup. After a taste, he muttered suspiciously, “This wine... something’s off. Did my sister-in-law come up with a new blend again?”
...
The next morning, after finishing his cultivation, Song Changsheng tidied himself up carefully and ascended the steps toward the mountaintop.
There was only one path from the mountainside to the summit, paved with white jade steps over six thousand in total, leading straight to the Cloud-reaching Hall atop the peak.
Step by step, Song Changsheng climbed upward. Every time he walked this path, his heart would become unusually calm.
Reborn into this life, he possessed a steadiness far beyond his peers. Whatever he did, he proceeded cautiously and methodically. Elders often said he lacked the sharpness and drive that a youth should have.
But he would merely smile and carry on as he pleased. It wasn’t that he lacked edge, he simply wasn’t the kind to flaunt it.
In cultivation, one must first temper the mind, seek stability, not speed.
Just like with these steps, he could easily reach the top in an instant using spells, yet he insisted on climbing them like a mortal, one step at a time.
Others couldn’t understand why he did this, but only he knew, this was cultivation too.
Speed was important in the path of cultivation, but so was one’s state of mind. Many only realized this in their twilight years, but Song Changsheng had understood it long ago.
These steps were like his cultivation path, only by walking it step by step could one proceed steadily and go far.
Thus, he never vied for temporary gains.
The spiritual energy at the mountaintop was much denser than that of the mountainside, each breath left one feeling refreshed and clear-headed. No wonder, as it was the gathering point of the third-rank spiritual vein.
Spiritual veins corresponded to the cultivation level of cultivators. A third-rank vein was enough to support cultivation up to the Purple Mansion Realm. However, ever since Ancestor Song Yun'gui passed, no such great cultivator had presided over the family, and much of this spiritual energy went unused.
“Your grandson greets you, Grandfather.” Outside the grand hall, Song Changsheng gave a meticulous bow, filled with heartfelt respect for his grandfather.
“It’s Sheng’er, come on in.” A slightly aged voice responded, and the doors of the hall opened of their own accord.
Song Changsheng entered the grand hall. It was empty inside, but he was already used to it.
He walked to one side of the hall and pushed open a hidden door. The scene before him transformed instantly.
Before him was a vast lake clear to the bottom, rippling gently. A breeze stirred layered waves, and now and then, a couple of spirit fish leapt out of the water.
Red-crowned cranes flapped their wings lazily, letting out joyful cries.
Beneath a large elm tree by the lake, an old man sat cross-legged, fishing rod in hand, a yellowed bamboo fish basket beside him.
He wore a gray robe patterned with silver moon and cloud designs, a white jade crown on his head, a red jade pendant at his waist, and flowing cloud boots on his feet, he looked like an immortal descended from the heavens.
This was Song Xianming, the strongest expert not only of the Song clan but of the entire Ling Province.
“Grandfather, any bites today?” Song Changsheng walked to his side and asked with a smile.
“You’re here too early, there isn’t even one fish nibbling right now.”
Song Xianming’s face was lined with kind wrinkles, smiling gently like a kindly old man next door, making one feel warm and close.
“You said you’d be in seclusion for a year before the New Year. Why are you out so soon?” Song Changsheng sat down on a stone nearby.
Song Xianming sighed lightly. “With such major incidents in the clan, how could I remain at ease in seclusion?”
A variant spirit root, demonic cultivator attacks, his grandson nearly dying…
Each event was a heavy blow. Who could stay indifferent?
“By the way, Song Xing has already entered the Dao as of yesterday,” Song Xianming suddenly said.
“Oh? As expected of a variant spirit root genius. Back then, it took me more than three months just to sense my first thread of spiritual energy. From now on, I suppose we’ll be calling him Song Qingxing.” Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.
“This child has exceptional talent, a natural-born sword cultivator. His potential may even surpass that of Ancestor Taiyi.”
Though those were words of praise, Song Changsheng faintly sensed an underlying concern.
“But... he’s cold by nature. I fear he may walk the path of the heartlessness Dao. That would be bad news for the clan.” Song Xianming sighed deeply. Finally, a genius appeared and yet the outcome is this, it filled him with worry.
“The heartlessness Dao?” Song Changsheng frowned. To cultivate the Heartless Sword Path, the first strike severs all emotions and desires. No wonder the family feared it would all come to nothing.
After pondering a moment, Song Changsheng said, “Qingxing is still young, there’s hope for change. If we can help him bond with the clan, there may be a turning point.”
“Mm, that’s what I thought too. I called you here today for this exact matter. Do you have any good ideas?”
Song Changsheng stood and paced for a bit. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he smiled. “Your grandson does have a good idea.”
Song Xianming looked intrigued. “Let’s hear it.”
“If we don’t want Qingxing to follow the Heartless Sword Path, then we need to bind him with feelings, family, friendship, love… well, love might be too early.
But we can start with kinship and companionship. Let’s find him a good playmate, that’ll help him integrate into the clan faster.” Song Changsheng spoke with confidence.
“Oh? My good grandson already has candidate in mind?”
“What do you think of Xi'er?”
Song Xianming’s slightly furrowed brow relaxed. He nodded approvingly. “Xi'er is kind and lively, and they’re close in age. A good match. But… it’s still uncertain whether she has a spirit root.”
“She seems full of spiritual energy to me. I believe she’ll have some talent.” Thinking of his lively and adorable little niece, a faint smile tugged at Song Changsheng’s lips.
“In that case, we’ll go with your plan.” Song Xianming nodded. Just then, a fish bit the hook. With a light tug, a spirit fish several inches long leapt from the water.
“Not bad, not bad. Superior first-rank. You’ve got a feast waiting, kid. This Jade-Scaled Fish only exists in this Mirror Lake. Take it with you later.” Song Xianming placed the jade-colored fish into the basket.
“Thank you for the reward, Grandfather. But I doubt you called me here just for some private fishing lessons, right?”
“Hahaha, of course not. I’ve got a new task for you. Get ready to set off immediately.” Song Xianming cast his hook again, chuckling.
Song Changsheng looked a bit surprised. “What sort of task?”
Song Xianming smiled. “Little Qing Mountain.”
(Chapter End)
¹ From Journey to the West, where Zhu Bajie (a gluttonous and somewhat foolish pig-demon) eats a rare and sacred ginseng fruit, a fruit that bestows longevity and is revered by immortals without understanding its value. Here's a little clip I found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX0C0jXE_hQ