Chapter 1068
Demon-Slaying Mountain, A Visit
At the foot of Chiyun Mountain, in a shop in Fangshi Street.
"Qingyu, what do you think of the color of this fabric? Is it pleasing to the eye?"
Seeing Huang Siyuan holding a piece of silver and white fabric and looking at her, Song Qingyu, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward to help her take a closer look.
"Hmm! Seventh Brother is a Nascent Soul cultivator after all, and he always wears the same green robe. It does seem a bit too plain. Sister-in-law has good taste; she should have given him a makeover a long time ago."
Seeing Song Qingyu's delighted expression, seemingly quite satisfied with her choice, Huang Siyuan also showed a hint of satisfaction on her face, turning to look at the waiter in the distance.
"I want this roll of fabric!"
".."
A moment later, Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu, whose "storage bags" were already full of purchased spiritual items, slowly walked out of the shop, satisfied.
Before long, the two women went into a nearby restaurant and ordered a table full of delicious spiritual dishes for themselves.
Sitting in the private room, Song Qingyu looked out the window at the bustling crowds on the street below, and a familiar figure couldn't help but appear in her mind again.
"Sister-in-law, we really enjoyed our shopping today. It's just a pity that Senior Sister Li isn't here. I wonder if she's thinking of us yet?"
“My husband said he will be going to Donghuang Kingdom soon. If you miss Senior Sister Li, you can just ask him to take you with you.”
"That's unlikely. If Seventh Brother is going to Donghuang Kingdom, he'll take you, Sister-in-law, with him. It definitely won't be me."
"Besides, I need to stay and help look after things. Chiyun Mountain can't be left unattended!" Upon hearing Huang Siyuan's suggestion, Song Qingyu immediately put down her wine glass and shook her head.
"Qingyu, your sister-in-law has a question for you, and you must answer me truthfully!"
"Yes! Sister-in-law, just ask whatever you want. We're family, why would I lie to you?"
Song Qingyu, who had just responded, looked up and saw Huang Siyuan suddenly looking serious, which made her a little puzzled.
"Qingyu, if."
"If I am unable to advance to the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime, who would you like to continue accompanying your husband in the future?"
"Sister-in-law, what are you thinking? No matter what happens in the future, we will definitely find a spirit object for you as soon as possible."
"Seventh Brother and Sister-in-law have had a relationship for so many years, isn't that enough?"
Song Qingyu had only spoken halfway when Huang Siyuan shook her head, interrupting her, and then continued to explain earnestly:
"Qingyu, you've misunderstood. It's not that I don't trust you, but rather that I find it hard to believe in myself."
"This failure to form a Nascent Soul has made me see many things clearly. The path to Nascent Soul is far more complex than I thought before."
Senior Sister Bai was able to successfully pass this hurdle and form her Nascent Soul because she possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude that was one in ten thousand.
My husband and Senior Sister Li were already favored by experts from the outside world when they were at the Qi Refining stage, which is why their path to this point has been possible.
And you, too, possess a unique swordsmanship opportunity that others lack—an opportunity that ordinary people cannot have.
Upon hearing what Huang Siyuan said, Song Qingyu, who had originally intended to continue persuading her, suddenly fell silent and patiently sat down to the side.
Seeing this, Huang Siyuan took out a "white porcelain teacup" from her person and poured herself a cup of spiritual wine.
"After much thought, I realize that since I entered the Dao, I have cultivated for hundreds of years, and the greatest opportunity I have had is to meet you all."
"If it weren't for my husband's support all these years, my cultivation path would have at most stopped at the Foundation Establishment stage, and I would probably have turned into a pile of bones long ago."
Taking a sip of the spirit wine in her hand, Huang Siyuan's face remained calm, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
"If I had failed to form a nascent soul the first time, I could have attributed it to my lack of experience. But this time, I truly felt that I was still far from success."
Even if you could find me a spiritual artifact for Nascent Soul formation, and give me another chance to form my Nascent Soul, I still wouldn't be very confident that I could overcome this hurdle.
"Qingyu, the reason I'm telling you this today is not because I want to give up my own path. On the contrary, I want to walk with my husband and you all more than anyone else."
No matter how difficult the path to Nascent Soul will be, I will do my best.
I dare not ask for immortality in this life. Even if I can only accompany you for a little longer, I will be content.
But the path of righteousness is merciless; some things are beyond my control. I also worry that if I don't speak now, it will be too late to say them later.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. No matter what happens in the future, we still have Yuanfang and the others. We definitely won't let Seventh Brother go on alone."
As Huang Siyuan herself said, she failed to form a nascent soul twice, and frankly speaking, her opportunities in this area were far inferior to those of Song Qingyu and others.
Even if there is a third chance to form a Nascent Soul, the chances of success are still unknown.
After Huang Siyuan's failed attempt to form a nascent soul, Song Qingyu sensed the pressure she was under and decided to accompany her to stroll around the market town at the foot of the mountain, also in an effort to ease her depressed mood.
Faced with Huang Siyuan's sincere words, Song Qingyu didn't know how to comfort her for a moment, and could only try to cooperate by responding.
Upon hearing this, Huang Siyuan nodded slightly, then forced a smile and asked:
"By the way, Qingyu, you haven't answered my question yet. If I were gone one day, who would you want to accompany your husband on his journey?"
"this,."
Seeing Huang Siyuan looking at her seriously, Song Qingyu quickly recalled many familiar figures.
But the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to say them.
-
Six months later, at the summit of "Red Cloud Mountain".
Song Qingming, who was standing outside the cave, had just taken out the flying boat and walked up with Huang Siyuan when he saw a streak of light suddenly flying towards their location from not far away.
"Seventh Brother, where are you and your wife going? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
Seeing Song Qingyu rushing over, Song Qingming looked somewhat surprised and quickly explained:
"I'm just taking Siyuan for a stroll around the area, it's not like we're going on a long trip, why should I inform you about such a small thing?"
Don't worry! We'll be back in two weeks at most. You can focus on your seclusion. Remember to let me know if anything happens.
After exchanging a few words with Song Qingyu, the two steered their flying boat directly through the "mountain-protecting formation," then transformed into white light and headed east.
Fifteen minutes later, as the flying boat passed a high mountain, it suddenly descended.
Once Song Qingming landed the flying boat, the two stopped at the top of the mountain.
Looking at the barren mountain before her, with its plain scenery and lack of any vitality, Huang Siyuan's face immediately showed a hint of doubt.
"Husband, why did you suddenly bring me here?"
“Siyuan, I brought you here to meet an old friend, but she doesn’t want anyone to know her whereabouts right now, so I didn’t tell you about it beforehand.”
Just as Song Qingming was explaining to Huang Siyuan, a flash of light appeared at the entrance of a cave in the distance, and then a figure in white appeared in front of the two of them.
"Fellow Daoist Siyuan, it's been a long time!"
"Senior Xia, it's you?"
Upon seeing Xia Mo suddenly appear before her, Huang Siyuan, who was unaware of what was happening, was immediately surprised and looked at the person beside her with some confusion.
Seeing this, Song Qingming quickly explained the whole story to Huang Siyuan.
However, in order not to worry Huang Siyuan too much, Song Qingming did not directly say that he was predicting her nascent soul opportunity, but instead changed it to a divination of good or bad fortune for their upcoming trip.
"So, Senior Xia came here specifically to help us deduce the opportunities we might encounter?"
"Yes! Fellow Daoist Song and I had already made an appointment beforehand, and I came here today specifically to keep that appointment. If Fellow Daoist Siyuan is ready, please follow me."
".."
Watching the two people in front of him turn and walk into the cave, Song Qingming found a quiet place to sit down and patiently began to meditate and cultivate.
Inside the cave, Xia Mo looked at Huang Siyuan, whose eyes were closed, and quickly cast a spell with her hands. Then, a dark gray tortoise shell appeared in her hands.
The next moment, Xia Mo's eyes suddenly flashed with a crimson light, which shot directly towards the top of Huang Siyuan's head not far away.
Half a month passed, and the restrictions at the entrance of the cave slowly dissipated, and a figure in white quickly emerged from inside.
Sensing the movement not far away, Song Qingming immediately flashed to Xia Mo's side.
"Fellow Daoist Xia, what's wrong?"
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed that Xia Mo seemed a little tired in her eyes and her face was pale, so he quickly asked her with some concern.
Seeing that Song Qingming noticed something was wrong with her expression, Xia Mo quickly waved her hand and explained, "Using the Heavenly Secrets Technique requires consuming some of one's life essence."
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Song, these are nothing to worry about. You'll recover quickly with some time to calm down."
After speaking, Xia Mo took out a note that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Song Qingming in front of her.
I opened the note and glanced at it; several large characters were clearly written on it, quite eye-catching.
"Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, Demon-Slaying Mountain!"
“Fellow Daoist Song, based on the fortune of Fellow Daoist Siyuan, I believe her opportunity may be in this vicinity.”
However, that's all I can see. As for whether this is her Nascent Soul opportunity or something else entirely, I have no idea.
Seeing Xia Mo's sincere reply, Song Qingming stood there for a moment, pondered, and then immediately bowed to her.
"Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist Xia. I understand now!"
"Fellow Daoist Song, the so-called opportunities of Heaven cannot be forced. Regardless of whether this can help you, I hope you can be more open-minded."
"This matter has been taken care of. Fellow Daoist Siyuan should wake up soon, so I won't stay and disturb you any longer."
After Xia Mo finished speaking, she returned Song Qingming's greeting with a cupped-hand salute, and then left the mountain on a beam of light.
Only after the escape light had disappeared into the distance did Xia Mo, who was standing on the flying chariot, sit down cross-legged, take out a jade bottle from her body, pour out two pills, and put them into her mouth.
At the top of the mountain, Huang Siyuan, who had just come out of the cave, saw Song Qingming holding a piece of white paper and staring intently at it. She immediately smiled and went over to him.
"Mount Dangmo, my husband, do you know where this place is?"
"Hmm! I've been to a place with this name before, so it shouldn't be wrong." Although the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom" is very large, there are not many places called Dangmo Mountain. The most famous one is the "Dangmo Palace" in Yuanzhou, which Song Qingming once visited.
Before he formed his Nascent Soul, he had gone to the Demon-Slaying Palace with his master, "Lingxu Daoist," and used the latter's "Heart-Refining Tower" to try to simulate the condensation of his Nascent Soul.
This experience also greatly helped Song Qingming in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage in one go.
Upon seeing the location deduced by Xia Mo, Song Qingming immediately thought of the "Heart Refining Tower" located in the Demon-Slaying Palace.
He was even more certain that Huang Siyuan's Nascent Soul opportunity might also lie here.
Thinking of this, Song Qingming felt a surge of excitement.
Although it's uncertain whether Xia Mo's deduction is actually useful, it has at least pointed them in a direction, as they are still unsure of where to go.
"Siyuan, I promised Fellow Daoist Xia that I cannot reveal her whereabouts to others for the time being. Don't tell Qingyu about this when we get back."
Upon hearing Song Qingming's instructions, Huang Siyuan immediately nodded, and then followed him for a while to explore the surrounding area before turning back to "Chiyun Mountain".
After returning to his cave, Song Qingming did not rush to go to the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom". Instead, he first sent a message to Song Yuanfang and several other Golden Core cultivators of the Song family to "Red Cloud Mountain" and gave them some instructions.
This trip to the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom" to borrow the "Heart Refining Tower" of the Demon-Slaying Palace for Huang Siyuan to cultivate in seclusion will certainly not be a simple matter, and the two of them probably won't be able to return for a while.
Fearing that something might happen at home if he was away for too long, Song Qingming tried his best to give instructions.
Originally, Song Qingyu also wanted to go with the two of them to help, but because Song Qingming was worried about Chiyun Mountain, he insisted that she stay behind.
After all, he didn't know when he would be able to return after leaving this time, and he would feel uneasy if there were no Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the mountain.
After several months of preparation, Song Qingming took Huang Siyuan westward and boarded a flying boat bound for the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom".
Having already traveled to the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom" many times before, Song Qingming, whose cultivation level has now reached the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage, did not face any dangers on this long journey.
With almost no effort, the two traveled westward through the "Illusory Sea Desert" and soon arrived in the territory of the "Eastern Phoenix Kingdom".
Song Qingming then turned his flying boat around and headed south through Yunzhou, entering the territory of Nanzhou in the "Donghuang Kingdom".
-
Behind Yunlong Mountain, a white waterfall hangs high in front of a pool.
A black figure sat cross-legged on the boulder below, in front of the waterfall, with a colorful rainbow hanging above its head.
In a bamboo pavilion not far from the pool, there was a boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old guarding the pavilion.
The little boy leaned against a stone pillar beside the bamboo pavilion, looking quite exhausted.
But faced with the stone bench right in front of him, he dared not go forward to rest for even a moment, as if he was wary of it, his eyes constantly glancing furtively at the dark figure in the distance.
Just as the little boy was about to faint, a flash of light suddenly appeared, startling him so much that he immediately stood up straight.
"Siyun pays respects to the Ancestor!"
Seeing the little boy's nervous expression, Li Xuanyi nodded slightly and then waved to him.
"No need for formalities here, please have a seat!"
Faced with Li Xuanyi's initiative to wave, Li Siyun hesitated and remained standing still, not daring to move.
"They told you to follow me, didn't they also tell you to listen to your ancestor?"
"Siyun wouldn't dare!"
Seeing that the person in front of her suddenly became more serious, Li Siyun mustered up her courage and moved to sit down in front of the stone bench.
However, still somewhat apprehensive, even though he obediently sat down, he only dared to touch the stone bench with his bottom, still showing a hint of apprehension.
"Although your spiritual root talent is not outstanding, you are much more patient than others, which I like."
"Now that you're here, you're officially my disciple. Consider these cultivation techniques and spiritual items a small gift to you as we meet!"
After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she gently raised her right hand, and soon many glittering spiritual objects appeared on the stone table in front of Li Siyun.
Having only cultivated for four or five years, he was so surprised to see so many spiritual beings that he stood frozen in place.
It took Li Siyun a while to recover from her shock, and she quickly stepped forward and knelt down.
"Siyun, thank you, Ancestor!"
"What did you call me?"
"Master!"
"Remember, from now on you should focus on your cultivation here, and you must not leave this Xuanqing Peak without my permission!"
".."
Several months later, at the foot of Yunlong Mountain.
Two figures approached from afar and soon arrived at the entrance of the market town at the foot of the mountain.
The mountain is still the same mountain, and the market town is still the same market town.
Standing in front of the market, Song Qingming shook his head as he recalled his embarrassing experience when he first came here.
As the figure moved forward, it was soon Song Qingming's turn, dressed in a green robe.
"Who are you, fellow Daoist, and why have you come to my Yunlong Mountain?"
"My name is Song Qingming. I have come to visit an old friend of the Li family, Li Xuanyi."
"Please wait a moment, everyone. I'll register you and then you can go in."
The gatekeeper was about to register the name of the cultivator who had spoken, but the next moment he stopped holding the pen and looked up at the person in front of him with some shock.
"Who did you just say you were looking for?"
"Visiting an old friend of the Li family, Li Xuanyi!"
Seeing the person in front of him staring at him in disbelief, Song Qingming smiled slightly, but suddenly unleashed an astonishing aura.
"senior,."
Feeling the powerful pressure emanating from them, the many cultivators at the market entrance immediately knelt down respectfully.
A moment later, a flash of inspiration appeared in the market, and a figure flew over and landed in front of Song Qingming.
The newcomer was a middle-aged woman around thirty years old, whose cultivation had reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm.
Upon seeing Song Qingming standing before her, the middle-aged woman was initially surprised, but then stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"It's you."
"Li Yuanyu of the Li family greets Senior Song!"
This middle-aged woman was none other than one of the Li family Golden Core cultivators who participated in the encirclement and suppression of Song Qingming in the bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain back then.
However, Li Yuanyu was still young at the time, and his cultivation level was only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Two hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. Song Qingming, who was chased and fled in a sorry state back then, has now become a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Looking at Song Qingming with a smile in front of him, Li Yuanyu's heart was churning, but he had no choice but to quickly step forward and bow.
".."
Inside the Li family's council hall at Yunlong Mountain.
As Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan entered the main hall, they saw two figures walking towards them. The one leading them was none other than Li Boying, the current patriarch of the Li family.
"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Song, it's been a long time. I didn't know you were coming recently. Please forgive me for not welcoming you properly."
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Li!"
As a peak Nascent Soul Stage 6 cultivator, Li Boying had many more white hairs on his head, and even the aura emanating from him had decreased compared to before.
It seems that this Li family patriarch's lifespan is running out, and he has entered the stage of decline in a cultivator's vital energy.
Li Mengliang, another Nascent Soul elder of the Li family, although his cultivation has improved and he has broken through to the fourth level of Nascent Soul, looks much older than when they last met.
After bowing to the two people in front of him, Song Qingming continued, "Today, I, Song, have come to Yunlong Mountain specifically to visit Fellow Daoist Xuanyi."
Besides, Song also possesses a magical artifact. I thought you could take a look and see if there's any way to repair it.
"Fellow Daoist Song, please wait a moment. I have already sent someone to invite Xuan Yi. Please wait a moment."
As for repairing the magical artifact, we'll discuss that later. Fellow Daoist Song, rest assured, as long as it's within my power, I, Li, will not refuse.
Compared to two hundred years ago, after the last collaboration in refining magical artifacts, Li Boying's attitude towards Song Qingming, this junior Nascent Soul cultivator, suddenly improved considerably.
Even his tone of voice became much more polite, and he immediately agreed to help repair the magical artifacts as soon as he heard that they needed help.
Just as Li Boying finished speaking, a figure that Song Qingming found somewhat familiar suddenly appeared outside the door and strode into the hall.
"Fellow Daoist Song, it's been many years! It's been a long time!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I didn't expect you to have already entered the Nascent Soul realm. I, Song, would like to congratulate you."
The cultivator who entered the main hall was none other than Zhou Daoping, the son-in-law of the Li family who had chatted and enjoyed wine with Song Qingming years ago and had met him several times.
However, when the two met, Zhou Daoping's cultivation was still in the late Golden Core stage, but now his aura has clearly entered the Nascent Soul stage.
Upon seeing Zhou Daoping, who had already become a Nascent Soul cultivator, Song Qingming quickly raised his hand to congratulate him.
Seeing this, Zhou Daoping quickly cupped his hands in return and said, "Fellow Daoist Song, you are too kind. I am just a fool who has been appreciated by the two patriarchs and has been fortunate enough to step onto the path of the Nascent Soul. I hope you will give me more guidance in the future."
Zhou Daoping spoke as politely as ever, and it seemed that his advancement to the Nascent Soul realm was also due to the support of the Li family.
Just as Song Qingming and Zhou Daoping were exchanging greetings, another familiar figure walked into the main hall. It was Li Xuanyi, whom Song Qingming had not seen for a long time.
"Hey! Junior Brother Song, what brings you here!" (End of Chapter)