Chapter 57: Return
Song Xianyun's white brows stood on end as he roared, “Heretical arts, how audacious!”
With a sweep of his large hand, a golden, resplendent treasure pearl was flung into the air, emitting a dazzling radiance that instantly illuminated the heavens and earth.
“Sizzle!”
Several wisps of green smoke abruptly emerged in the air, emitting a nauseating stench.
Feng Wuming paled in fright, quickly recalling the Gu worms he had released. All three of them had suffered varying degrees of damage, making his heart bleed.
“Audacious Gu cultivator, how dare you run wild in my Ling Province territory? Do you think my Ling Province has no one? Why do you not quickly surrender!” Song Xianyun, with the treasure pearl suspended above his head, bellowed like a resonant bell.
“What is that thing of yours? How can it harm my natal Gu?” Feng Wuming was both shocked and enraged. He had never encountered such a magical artifact.
“Specially prepared for you!” Song Xianyun's voice boomed like spring thunder. His vast spiritual power was mobilized, and the radiance of the treasure pearl instantly intensified.
An intense discomfort surged through Feng Wuming's body, stemming from the natal Gu in his own heart. He could feel its immense pain, as if it had an urge to burst out of his body.
“How can this be? What in the world is that thing? Why do my Gu worms seem to have met their nemesis?” Feng Wuming was utterly suppressed by the treasure pearl and on the other side, the others had also encircled him.
Seeing that he was about to be surrounded, he gritted his teeth, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes. He unleashed the three damaged natal Gu worms together:
“Blood Gu Cleanses Heaven!”
The three natal Gu worms exploded in an instant, transforming into a cloud of foul, bloody mist. Everyone was aghast, each circulating their protective qi shields to guard themselves, fearing that a Gu worm might take advantage of the opening to infiltrate.
Moments later, streaks of golden light pierced through the bloody mist and completely dispersed it. By then, everyone looked around and saw only a pool of blood. Feng Wuming had vanished without a trace.
“What a ruthless Gu cultivator, to actually self-detonate his natal Gu to escape.” Wang Wanzhou said with an unsightly expression.
“He has lost more than half his life. Even if he escaped, he won't be able to stir up any trouble without his natal Gu.” The Li clan's garrison master said indifferently.
“That may be so, but we still cannot let down our guard. I suggest we thoroughly search the market inside and out, in case any Gu worms are lurking.”
“Agreed.”
The few immediately split up. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for the market…
“Hiss…” Song Changsheng felt utterly drained of strength. He groggily opened his eyes, and what entered his sight was an aged face.
“Child, you're finally awake.” Song Xianyun, seeing Song Changsheng awaken, instantly let out a sigh of relief.
“Grand Elder.” Song Changsheng struggled to get up, but he had no strength in his body.
“Hey, lie down properly. You're very weak right now.”
“This grandson has been disrespectful.”
“We are all family, there's no need for such formalities. Did something go wrong with your cultivation?” Song Xianyun tucked him in, asking with concern.
“This grandson accidentally got afflicted by a Gu worm and had a struggle with it. I'm a bit exhausted.”
Song Xianyun was startled and quickly asked, “Where is that Gu worm?”
“It has already been refined to death by this grandson. I wonder if that Gu cultivator has been brought to justice?” This was the question he cared about most.
Song Xianyun sighed, saying, “He managed to escape by a fluke, but he won't be able to cause trouble in a short period. This time, he was severely deterred and should not dare to return.”
Song Changsheng frowned, feeling a vague unease. The Gu cultivator group could not be judged by common sense. Having suffered such a great loss this time, could he truly swallow this insult?
Perhaps sensing Song Changsheng's worries, Song Xianyun chuckled, “Even if he returns, there's no need to worry. Our family has a treasure pearl that specifically counters insects. As long as he doesn't break through to the Purple Mansion realm, we have nothing to fear from him.”
Upon hearing this, Song Changsheng was filled with emotion. A single Gu worm had tormented that loose Foundation Establishment cultivator for decades, forcing him to risk exposure to consume that poisonous bait.
Yet, within the Song clan, there were magical artifacts specifically designed to counter Gu worms, easily resolving such problems.
This was the essence of a family's foundation ah!
This world was unequal from the start. High and mighty sacred land disciples looked down on everything, while lonely and helpless loose cultivators struggled just to survive.
Song Changsheng was undoubtedly fortunate to have his family as his strongest backing.
“Once you recover, follow this old man back to Cangmang Peak. You've made us all quite anxious these past few days. Your mother has even asked several times for you to be transferred back.
Whether it's Little Qing Mountain, Cangmang Peak, or any of the other spirit mountains, it's always much better than staying here.” Song Xianyun said earnestly.
“This grandson obeys.” Song Changsheng no longer refused. He had indeed experienced too much excitement recently, making him deeply realize his own lack of strength.
After returning this time, he planned to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and then face an even vaster world…
After Song Xianyun left, Song Changsheng finally had a chance to examine his internal condition. His spiritual sense circulated within his body. There were no major problems, but his Dantian had suffered minor damage, requiring him to suspend cultivation for a period.
This was already the best outcome.
But what pained him was that the painstakingly accumulated Primal Energy was reduced to only a single wisp. It would take several years of cultivation to replenish it, making his heart bleed.
...
Five days later, Song Changsheng's injuries had mostly healed and he prepared to set off back to Cangmang Peak.
Thinking of leaving, Song Changsheng still felt a hint of reluctance. After all, the past year or so of life here had been more exciting than his previous twenty years and he had met many fellow cultivators.
He specifically asked Song Xianyun to stay an extra day so he could properly bid farewell to Zhu Yiqun and the others, as he didn't know when they would meet again.
Before leaving, Song Changsheng's only regret was not being able to see Xu Yunhe. According to Zhu Yiqun, Xu Yunhe had left alone not long after returning from the immortal's cave, and no one knew where he had gone.
But one thing was certain: the next time they met, Xu Yunhe would surely have undergone a complete transformation, becoming a famous figure!
“Changsheng, it’s time to go.” Song Xianyun said kindly.
“Coming now.”
Song Changsheng stepped onto the flying sword, transforming into a streak of light with Song Xianyun as they departed…
Inside the Seeking Treasure Pavilion, Song Luyuan looked at Song Changqian, who was standing motionless by the window, and said, “They’ve gone far. You can't see them anymore.”
Song Changqian turned her head, revealing a bitter smile, and said, “Father, I want to go to another place to gain experience.”
“Why did you suddenly have such a thought?” Song Luyuan looked at his daughter with some surprise.
“Father, I’ve been protected too well by you. Compared to Cousin Changsheng, I am far inferior in every aspect. If this continues, I will eventually make an irreparable mistake.
I cannot always live under your wings. I must face the wind and rain alone to truly grow.” Song Changqian said with a determined expression and a solemn tone.
Song Luyuan let out a long sigh, finally nodding with difficulty. He could not protect her for a lifetime. To survive in this cruel world, her steps could not be confined to this small Seeking Treasure Pavilion…
(Chapter End)