Chapter 7: A Choice Above All
Under the watchful eyes of the two elders, the young boy coldly placed his hand on the spirit-testing compass.
In the next moment, Song Changsheng, who had appeared distracted just moments ago, was suddenly drawn in by a dazzling flash of light.
On the Spirit-Testing Pillar, a radiant cyan glow erupted with fierce intensity.
“Five-inch Wind Spirit Root!” Song Luding exclaimed in shock.
Song Changsheng’s eyes widened abruptly, an variant spirit root, a once-in-a-century rare talent!
“The heavens have blessed my Song Clan! With this child, our family shall once again bask in the glory of the Taiyi Patriarch from four centuries past!” Song Luding was overwhelmed, tears welling in his eyes as he nearly lost his composure.
Song Changsheng understood his excitement well. The clan’s great ancestor, Song Taiyi, had also possessed the Wind Spirit Root. His mastery of the swift sword art was otherworldly, earning him the title “Master of the Clear Breeze.” In the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm, he once slew a late-stage third-rank demon beast with his sword, making his name resound across the nineteen provinces of Great Qi.
After his passing, the patriarch recorded all his life’s insights and experiences, leaving behind an inheritance intended to nurture future sword cultivators in the clan.
Alas, in the centuries since, none among his descendants had been able to grasp the essence of his legacy despite countless attempts.
Now, this boy brought new hope.
With his variant spirit root, he was undoubtedly a seed for the Purple Mansion. If he could achieve something in the path of the sword, he might very well become the next “Clear Breeze Master,” the second coming of Song Taiyi!
“What’s your name, child?” Song Luding crouched down, his eyes brimming with affection, as though gazing upon a priceless treasure.
“Song Xing,” the boy replied coolly, his tone devoid of emotion.
“Good, good. Go wait over there.” Song Luding’s face creased with a delighted smile, his voice lowered to a gentle murmur, as if afraid of startling the child.
Song Xing walked to stand beside Song Changsheng and looked up, asking, “My aptitude… is it good?”
Song Changsheng smiled and nodded. “Top notch.”
“Oh.” Song Xing nodded calmly. While most children were overwhelmed with joy upon discovering their spirit root, he seemed entirely indifferent.
From the moment he entered, Song Changsheng had failed to see even the slightest emotional fluctuation in him.
This made Song Changsheng a little uneasy, such apathy might not bode well for the family’s future…
Normally, someone like this would need to be reported immediately so that a Foundation Establishment cultivator could personally escort him back.
However, Song Luding was ultimately more experienced and shrewd. remained calm despite his excitement. Aside from the three of them, no one else knew of the boy’s discovery. For now, Song Xing was safe.
If they were to halt the Ascension Assembly prematurely, it might draw suspicion from rival factions and spies, better to let everything proceed as if nothing happened, then report it discreetly after the event concluded.
At this stage, only one thing mattered, which was secrecy. Who knew how many eyes were watching them right now?
The tighter they kept this secret, the safer Song Xing would be. And only with safety comes the chance for growth.
Genius requires time. Without time, a prodigy becomes nothing more than flesh by the roadside, or white bones in a coffin.
With unspoken agreement, Song Changsheng and Song Luding allowed the event to continue as normal, conducting the tests across all four cities.
Only after the full round of testing did they gather the children with spirit roots at the local governor outpost.
As soon as they arrived, Song Changsheng took Song Xing to his mother to explain the situation in full.
“What? A five-inch Wind Spirit Root?!” Xia Yunxue’s expression mirrored Song Luding’s earlier, shock and joy mixed together.
“Mother, this is no trivial matter. Should we inform the clan and request an elder to personally escort him?”
Xia Yunxue frowned slightly, shaking her head. “Not wise. The Ascension Assembly is not just a family affair, it’s a grand event for the entire Ling Province. There are countless eyes watching our every move.
“If we hastily send a sound transmission sword, there’s a real risk it could be intercepted mid-flight. That would be a disaster.”
“Then what should we do? Bringing him with us on foot over four hundred li is asking for trouble…”
On the way here, they had used a paper kite that covered the distance in half an hour. But with over a dozen returnees, the kite was no longer an option, they had to walk.
“We’ll do this, when you set off I’ll take Song Xing and leave first. I’ll return him to the clan in secret,” she said with confidence.
“But Mother, you’re responsible for guarding the city. If you abandon your post…”
“No matter,” Xia Yunxue replied, utterly assured. “Even without flying by sword, with my speed I can make the round trip in just over an hour. Nothing will happen in such a short time.”
“Alright. I’ll inform Uncle immediately so we can set out soon, before night brings complications.”
Song Changsheng returned to the main hall and found Song Luzi, who had arrived just moments after them, grinning as he chatted with Song Luding.
“Uncle, sounds like you made a good find,” Song Changsheng asked with a smile.
“Indeed,” Song Luzi beamed. “We discovered a child with Earth and Metal dual roots, upper-middle aptitude.”
Song Changsheng and Song Luding exchanged a knowing glance and smiled. Under normal circumstances, dual spirit roots would have been a remarkable discovery.
Unfortunately, with Song Xing’s variant spirit root, even an excellent dual root now paled in comparison. Still, the fewer who knew of it, the better. Now was not the time to share this news.
“Nephew, what did the Fifth Elder say?” Song Luding gave him a subtle cue.
“She recommended we depart as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays. I’ve already received a signal talisman, if anything happens, she’ll come to our aid.” Song Changsheng said with a blink.
“In that case, let us follow the elder’s advice and make haste,” Song Luding said. Seeing that Song Xing wasn’t among them, he instantly understood.
Song Luzi, still in good spirits, failed to notice the subtle exchange and readily agreed.
Half an hour later, the original party of five, now joined by fourteen spirit-root children began their return journey. At the same time, Xia Yunxue quietly slipped out of the city with Song Xing in tow.
On the road, Song Changjiu sighed, “I thought there’d be more… but it’s just a handful.”
“This is already excellent. Few in number but high in quality,” Song Changsheng smiled faintly.
With an variant spirit root among them, the rest hardly mattered.
Song Changjiu assumed he was referring to the dual spirit root and muttered, “I was hoping for a Heaven-grade root. We don’t get out much…”
“You’ll get your turn in a few years,” Song Luding said, stroking his beard with a chuckle.
Song Changjiu scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. He said no more.
Up on the mountain, he had always longed to come down. Only after descending did he realize just how precious those days on the mountain truly were…
As they traveled swiftly through the forest under a veil of spiritual energy, chatting and joking along the way they remained blissfully unaware of the danger creeping ever closer.
From the moment they left the city, eyes had been watching them.
“Boss, I got a clear look, five cultivators: two mid-stage, two late-stage, and one at peak level. Plus, fourteen kids.”
A figure cloaked in black robes, exuding a foul and corrupt aura, reported respectfully to a man at the front wearing an iron demon mask.
The masked man nodded in satisfaction, his voice hoarse. “Once we seize this batch, the mission assigned by the Steward will be complete.”
“But Boss, they’re from the Song Clan. Are we really going to make a move?” another black-robed figure asked hesitantly.
Though the Song Clan had fallen from grace, they were still not to be trifled with in Ling Province. Crushing them would be effortless.
The masked man snorted in displeasure. “Have you forgotten who we serve? The Song Clan is nothing. Surround them and wait for my command. Anyone who resists, kill them without mercy!”
“Yes, boss!”
(Chapter End)