Chapter 1055
The Blessing of Having Two Women: A Missed Opportunity
As night fell, the "chamber of council" on the mountain was filled with monks who had come to participate in the celebration, and the air was filled with laughter and toasts.
Seeing Song Yuanhao and Zhang Yurong finally get married, Song Qingming and the others were very happy. They not only attended the celebration, but also presented Zhang Yurong with a third-grade low-level magic weapon as a congratulatory gift on behalf of their families.
This was considered a public display of respect for her and the Zhang family, making many cultivators who came to participate in the celebration quite envious.
As the moon rose higher, and after a series of lively and elaborate ceremonies, Song Yuanhao, slightly drunk, finally arrived at a decorated cave on the mountaintop, where he met Zhang Yurong, dressed in a phoenix coronet and colorful makeup.
After casting a spell to dispel the smell of alcohol from his body, Song Yuanhao tidied his appearance before quickly walking up to Zhang Yurong.
After the veil was lifted, a beautiful face appeared before Song Yuanhao, who couldn't help but step forward and hold her hand.
Having overcome numerous obstacles to finally achieve their goal, the two looked at each other with immense excitement on their faces.
Especially for Zhang Yurong, who had waited for this for over two hundred years, tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the various difficulties she encountered when she made up her mind to leave her family and seek the opportunity to form her core.
"I've kept you waiting for so long again. I'm so sorry to have troubled you."
Before Zhang Yurong's tears could fall, Song Yuanhao reached out to wipe them away and then pulled her into his arms.
"Oh, my husband, wait!"
"Uh, what's wrong?"
Just as Song Yuanhao was looking puzzled, Zhang Yurong suddenly pushed him away and then took out a wooden box that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to him.
"Madam, this is..."
“I don’t know either. My grandfather specially sent it over, saying it was a congratulatory gift for you.”
Upon hearing Zhang Yurong's words, Song Yuanhao looked at the wooden box in his hand with a strange expression, then used magic to remove a restriction on it and opened it directly.
Their eyes fell upon a wooden box containing a bamboo scroll inscribed with martial arts techniques. Song Yuanhao then placed it on his forehead.
A moment later, Song Yuanhao gently put down the bamboo slip in his hand, a slightly meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"Husband, what kind of cultivation technique is inside? Why did Grandfather send this item in such a special way?"
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough!"
".."
As the moon sets and the sun rises, the once bustling "Funiu Mountain" gradually quiets down after a whole night of activity.
Inside the "Huixian Pavilion" atop the mountain, Song Qingming, Song Qingyu, and Huang Siyuan sat at the head of the table, while Song Yuanhao and Zhang Yurong stood below them, having come to serve tea.
Having just become a couple in cultivation, they were filled with happiness as newlyweds.
After taking a sip of the spiritual tea, Song Qingming smiled and said to the two, "Now that you have officially joined the sect, you can also open your own cave dwellings in Guyang Mountain."
I already spoke with Junior Sister Xu yesterday. If you're thinking of going to the sect to cultivate, just go directly to her; you don't need to go through the General Affairs Hall anymore.
"Seventh Uncle, Yu Rong and I have already discussed it before. We plan to stay in Chiyun Mountain from now on. After we have paid our respects to our parents, we will go back together later."
"Alright, then go ahead with your own ideas. Although you have joined the sect, the family will still treat you all the same from now on. If you need anything, just come to us."
"Yes! Seventh Brother is right. Whether you go to Guyang Mountain or stay in Chiyun Mountain in the future, we are all family. Don't worry about anything."
"Thank you, Seventh Uncle, and thank you, Great-Aunt!"
After Song Yuanhao and Zhang Yurong said goodbye, Song Qingming and the others chatted for a while. Then they saw Song Yuanfang leading a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old up quickly.
"Greetings, Seventh Uncle and Great-Grandmother!"
"Shaoyu pays respects to the Ancestor!"
The little boy standing next to Song Yuanfang was Song Shaoyu, whom Song Qingming and his group brought from "Guyang Mountain" three years ago.
After three years of patient guidance from Song Yuanfang and others, Song Shaoyu, though still somewhat immature, has undergone a complete transformation in his demeanor.
He has now successfully drawn Qi into his body and cultivated to the third level of Qi Refining, becoming a qualified early-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
"No need to be polite, just get up first!"
After waving for the two to stand up, Song Qingming turned to Song Qingyu and said, "Qingyu, Shaoyu has made great progress in the past few years. I think he is ready to go to Chiyun Mountain to cultivate with you."
Today is a joyous occasion, and I think it would be a perfect day to perform the formal apprenticeship ceremony. What do you think?
"Hmm! Since Seventh Brother thinks it's suitable, then I'll accept him today."
After not seeing him for several years, Song Qingyu was somewhat surprised to see how much the polite Song Shaoyu had changed.
Upon hearing Song Qingming's suggestion, she immediately nodded in agreement, thus finalizing the matter.
"Yu Cheng, the ancestor has already agreed to accept you. Hurry up and go up to pay your respects!"
Upon hearing this, Song Yuanfang quickly instructed Song Shaoyu, who was standing beside him, and then brought him to Song Qingyu's side.
"Disciple pays homage to Master!"
"Now that you have performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony, you are now my disciple, Song Qingyu. I hope you will work hard in your cultivation and achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible!"
After nodding and accepting the disciple, Song Qingyu took a sip of the spiritual tea offered by the other party, then gently waved his hand and took out two bamboo slips from his body, handing them directly to Song Shaoyu in front of him.
"There are two sets of cultivation techniques here. One is the one I practiced back then. Once your cultivation level breaks through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, you can directly switch to this one."
The other set is a sword cultivation technique that I created myself. With your current cultivation level, you may not be able to comprehend it yet, so there's no need to rush to practice it.
You can take it home and take a look first. Ask me if you have any questions later!
"Disciple, thank you Master!"
After Song Qingyu passed on two sets of cultivation techniques to his disciple Song Shaoyu, Huang Siyuan, who was sitting to the side, smiled and took out a bottle of pills from her person and handed it to him.
"It's a rare occasion to see Qingyu accept a disciple today. As an elder, I didn't bring anything special, but these pills will be useful for your future cultivation. Consider them a congratulatory gift!"
"Since this is a congratulatory gift from the ancestor, there's no need to be polite; just accept it."
Faced with the congratulatory gift presented by Huang Siyuan, Song Shaoyu, who was still somewhat hesitant, quickly accepted the pills from Huang Siyuan's hand after hearing his master's voice, and then bowed to express his gratitude.
Seeing that Song Qingyu's gaze had fallen on him from not far away, Song Qingming smiled slightly and took out a protective jade pendant from his body as a congratulatory gift for Song Shaoyu.
Even Li Xuanyi and Song Yuanfang, the family elder who had been sitting to the side, felt a little embarrassed and took out a few spirit talismans to congratulate him.
Although these spiritual items are of low value, they are not important to these Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators.
But for Song Shaoyu, a cultivator who had only recently embarked on the path of cultivation and was in the early stages of Qi Refining.
Receiving so many precious spiritual items that he rarely sees, worth at least a thousand spirit stones, made him quite excited for a while.
You should know that when Song Qingming was at his level of cultivation, he couldn't even afford a hundred spirit stones.
He had been saving up for several years to exchange for a "Qi Gathering Pill" to break through his cultivation level, and in the end, he only managed to gather enough with the help of his thirteenth uncle and the others.
In contrast, Song Shaoyu has only come to become a disciple, yet he has already received more than ten times the amount of spirit stones, which means he will have a much more comfortable life in the future.
After Song Shaoyu completed the apprenticeship ceremony, Song Qingming gave Song Yuanfang a few more instructions before getting up to prepare to return to "Chiyun Mountain" with Song Qingyu and the others.
Just as everyone returned to their mountain cave, Huang Siyuan received a message from the market town at the foot of the mountain, saying that someone had come looking for her to help with alchemy.
After Huang Siyuan left, Song Qingyu quickly took Song Shaoyu away, preparing to help him open a new cave dwelling on the mountain and settle him down.
Before long, only Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming remained in the cave, chatting and sipping tea.
"Junior Brother Song, I'd like to go back for a while!"
"Going back... Senior Sister, do you mean we're going back to Yunlong Mountain?"
Upon suddenly hearing Li Xuanyi say that she wanted to go back, Song Qingming, who was enjoying his tea, was stunned for a moment and then put down his teacup.
Hearing Song Qingming's question, Li Xuanyi nodded slightly and said, "I remember when I left home, I said that I would return to the family after I broke through to the Nascent Soul realm."
Now I've fulfilled my promise, and it's time to go back and visit!
When Li Xuanyi left Yunlong Mountain, Song Qingming had not yet formed his Nascent Soul. Now, nearly two hundred years have passed.
Although the reason she left at the time was to avoid an arranged marriage by her family, she had some disagreements with "Yunlong Mountain".
However, regardless of any past conflicts, Li Xuanyi was born into the Li family of Yunlong Mountain, and they were all family, so there was no knot that couldn't be untied.
Now, so many years have passed, and Senior Sister Li Xuanyi has already formed her Nascent Soul. The slight resentment in her heart has long since dissipated.
Hearing that she wanted to go home to visit her family and ease the tensions with them, Song Qingming naturally understood.
Upon hearing this, he remained silent for a moment before a smile appeared on his face as he replied, "Now that Senior Sister has formed her Nascent Soul, it is only right that she wants to go back and visit."
I don't know when you plan to go back, but if there's anything we can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask!
"I'm not going home for a visit, it's nothing serious, Junior Brother Song, don't worry. After all, I'm a Nascent Soul cultivator now, why would I need help from others everywhere?" "However, if I go back this time, I probably won't be coming back to the Floating Cloud Mountains for a while!" After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she looked at Song Qingming with a calm gaze, only to see that the other party still had a smile on his face.
"Senior sister hasn't been back for so many years, she definitely needs to spend some quality time with her family!"
"Don't worry, if we have time in the future, Qingyu and I will definitely go to Donghuang Kingdom to see you."
After Song Qingming finished speaking, he took out a golden talisman from his body and handed it to Li Xuanyi, who was standing to the side.
"This is a 'Ten Thousand Mile Transmission Talisman' that I specially crafted. No matter what happens, as long as you activate this talisman, I will find a way to find you."
Seeing the "golden talisman" handed over by Song Qingming, Li Xuanyi did not rush to accept it, but suddenly asked:
"Junior Brother Song, are you saying that I can use it no matter what happens?"
"Yes! Anything is fine!"
Upon hearing Song Qingming's resolute reply, Li Xuanyi smiled slightly, immediately accepted the "golden talisman," and then put it into her "storage bag."
-
A month later, below the summit of "Red Cloud Mountain", two figures were slowly walking westward.
Looking at Song Qingming walking ahead, Song Qingyu, who had a calm expression on her face, suddenly spoke up with a hint of displeasure on her face.
"Seventh Brother, Senior Sister Li is leaving, why didn't you try to stop her?"
"I had already made a promise with her to go to the outer sea to search for spirit mines again, but now I'm all alone, so I guess it will be difficult."
"Alright, alright, you've been searching for that spirit stone mine for so long and still haven't found it. Are you really planning to live on the open sea and never come back?"
Senior Sister Li is going home this time. How can I keep her here? Do you expect me to leave her on Chiyun Mountain for the rest of her life?
Upon hearing Song Qingyu's rebuke, Song Qingming, who was walking ahead, immediately retorted in an annoyed tone.
However, upon hearing his answer, Song Qingyu's face lit up with surprise and delight, and she said, "A lifetime? Of course, that's fine too!"
"Seventh Brother, you just need to talk to your wife first, and then marry Senior Sister Li, that'll be fine."
"What did you say...?" Upon hearing Song Qingyu's suggestion, Song Qingming, caught off guard, immediately stopped and turned around to look at her with a surprised expression.
Seeing Song Qingming's strange expression, Song Qingyu was slightly taken aback, but quickly continued, "I told you to just marry her."
Senior Sister Li has been here for so many years, even I have long since noticed it. Don't you know that she has feelings for you?
Seventh Brother, the cultivation world isn't limited to having only one Daoist partner. Look at Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Chu, and Yuan Fang—aren't they all surrounded by wives and concubines?
I don't think my sister-in-law dislikes Senior Sister Li. If you just say it directly, I don't think she'll have any objections.
"At that time, with Senior Sister Li staying, Seventh Brother, you can enjoy the blessings of having two women and also add a Nascent Soul cultivator to the family. Isn't that a win-win situation?"
"What nonsense are you spouting here! When did I say I was going to marry Senior Sister Li?" Seeing that Song Qingyu was getting more and more serious, Song Qingming quickly interrupted her.
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Song Qingyu still looking at him with unwavering eyes.
"Seventh Brother! Don't you really care about Senior Sister Li?"
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming fell silent, then sighed and said, "Qingyu, after all these years, I admit that there are some things that I can't hide from you."
But Senior Sister Li, like us, also has a family or sect. She's not one of those independent cultivators. Some things aren't as simple as you think.
Besides, I've dedicated my life to Taoism and have never been a lustful or greedy person. I'm content with having your sister-in-law by my side.
You've been with me for so many years, how could you not know what kind of person Seventh Brother is?
I know what happened with Senior Sister Li, so please don't mention it again to avoid it getting out and causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
Almost two hundred years have passed since Li Xuanyi fled her arranged marriage and came to "Funiu Mountain". Song Qingyu had long ago realized that she had feelings for Song Qingming.
However, due to Huang Siyuan's influence, Song Qingyu has never confronted Song Qingming about this matter in person over the years.
Not long ago, upon hearing the news that Li Xuanyi was returning to her family, Song Qingyu, who was somewhat afraid that she might never return, finally couldn't help but speak her mind.
Seeing that Song Qingming seemed to have reservations about the matter, Song Qingyu could only nod helplessly and didn't say anything more.
The two continued on their way and soon arrived at a cave on the west side of the mountaintop, where they met Li Xuanyi who came out.
Seeing Li Xuanyi about to leave, Song Qingyu, whose face still showed some worry, couldn't help but step forward and tightly grasp her hand, asking with concern:
"Senior Sister Li, can you promise me that you'll come back to see me whenever you have time in the future?"
"Qingyu, what's wrong with you? When did I say I wouldn't come back to see you? Don't worry, I'll definitely come back once I've taken care of my own things."
And you must keep a close watch on this cave for me, and make sure no one else gets in.
"Okay! Don't worry, Senior Sister Li, I will definitely keep a close eye on the cave. Apart from Seventh Brother, I won't let anyone else in."
Upon hearing Li Xuanyi's agreement, Song Qingyu's worry gradually dissipated, and she regained a calm demeanor.
"Seventh Brother, Senior Sister Li and I are going inside to talk for a few minutes. Wait a moment!"
After giving Song Qingming a few words of advice, Song Qingyu mysteriously pulled Li Xuanyi into the cave, leaving Song Qingming alone outside.
Seeing that the cave ahead had not only closed its gates but also suddenly activated a layer of array restrictions, Song Qingming, who was standing outside, shook his head helplessly and turned to look into the distance.
After a while, Song Qingming heard the sound of the cave gate opening behind him.
Immediately afterwards, Song Qingyu and Li Xuanyi walked out hand in hand, their faces filled with joy, their previous worries completely gone.
Seeing this, Song Qingming was a little surprised, but he didn't say anything and turned to walk towards the two of them.
The three had just walked together and hadn't even exchanged a few words when another figure came quickly from a distance—it was Huang Siyuan, who had come to see them off.
After reuniting with the three, Huang Siyuan immediately used magic to take out a scroll of engraved bamboo slips and several blue and white porcelain bottles from her waist "storage bag" and handed them to Song Qingming.
"My husband, this is a record of some detailed information about the Precious Flame Pill. Once we find the pill, please remember to verify it against this record to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from taking advantage of the situation."
"And these elixirs, I just refined them. Take them with you; if you can't return for a while, you won't need to bother searching for them again."
"Thank you for your trouble!" Song Qingming nodded slightly and immediately took the item from the other person's hand.
"Huh! Seventh Brother, are you leaving too?" Upon hearing Huang Siyuan's words, Song Qingyu, who was still unaware of the situation, immediately showed a look of confusion on her face.
Seeing this, Song Qingming smiled and nodded, replying, "When did I say I wouldn't leave?"
I'm going to Donghuang Kingdom to buy some spiritual items, so I can give Senior Sister Li a ride along the way."
"Seventh Brother, why didn't you say so sooner? I was worried about Senior Sister Li going back alone." Hearing Song Qingming's explanation, Song Qingyu finally understood and muttered something unpleasantly.
Seeing this, Song Qingming smiled smugly, then used magic to retrieve his "White Bone Flying Boat" and jumped onto it.
Seeing that Li Xuanyi was also preparing to jump onto the flying boat not far away, Huang Siyuan stepped forward to stop her and handed her a prepared "storage bag".
"Senior Sister Li, please wait a moment. We are so grateful for your help and care over the years that we have been able to get to where we are today."
This is a small token of my appreciation. Take it with you and open it to look at it at your leisure on the way!
If you ever miss us in the future, you are welcome to visit Chiyun Mountain anytime. We wish you a safe journey!
"Yes! I hope we can meet again soon!"
Faced with Huang Siyuan's initiative to see her off, Li Xuanyi did not stand on ceremony and directly accepted the "storage bag" handed to her, nodding and smiling at her.
Then, Li Xuanyi stepped on the escape light and flashed onto the flying boat.
"Qingyu, I'm leaving the mountain to you. If anything goes wrong, just contact Senior Sister Bai and the others."
I'll be back as soon as I've finished what I need to do here.
After waving goodbye to Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan, the "White Bone Flying Boat" beneath Song Qingming's feet immediately transformed into a white streak of light, passing through the "Mountain Protection Array" and speeding westward.
Standing atop the flying boat, Li Xuanyi gazed at the receding "Red Cloud Mountain" behind her, a hint of lingering affection appearing in her eyes.
Not long after Song Qingming and his companion left Chiyun Mountain on their flying boat, a streak of light shot towards Chiyun Mountain from the distant horizon.
Standing on the "White Bone Flying Boat," Song Qingming saw the streak of light passing by in the distance and couldn't help but glance at it.
But just as he looked at the other party, a divine sense also actively probed his location, quickly making Song Qingming a little alert.
A moment later, an old man with white hair standing in the distance felt an even stronger divine sense repel his own.
This caused a look of surprise to appear on his face as he was casting a spell, and he quickly withdrew his divine sense.
"Senior Brother Liang, what's wrong?"
Sensing that the white-haired old man's expression had suddenly turned somewhat unpleasant, a woman in palace attire standing beside him, who was controlling the flying car, quickly asked him a question.
The white-haired old man shook his head at her with a somewhat solemn expression.
"I never expected that in the cultivation world of the Floating Cloud Mountains, besides the Myriad Spirits Sect, there would be someone with such a powerful divine sense. I really misjudged him."
After the white-haired old man finished speaking, he looked up at the white streak of light that had just passed by in the distance, his eyes still showing a hint of apprehension.
(PS: I couldn't make up for yesterday's missed time, my bad, I'll definitely make it up tomorrow!) (End of Chapter)