Chapter 561 - 60: Seeking Refuge, Part 2

"Alright, close your eyes."

Song Qingyun obediently closed his eyes.

Holding two fingers together like a sword, Song Xianming gently tapped the spot between Song Qingyun’s eyebrows. A faint light flashed from his fingertip, and the complete contents of the *Qi Guiding Technique* entered the boy’s mind.

The *Qi Guiding Technique* was a Heart Method with no special characteristics. Among Heart Methods of the same tier, it could only be considered average.

This wasn’t because Song Xianming was being stingy with his techniques. He was considering Song Qingyun’s special constitution; in the future, the boy would very likely switch to a more suitable Heart Method.

As such, a plain Heart Method like the *Qi Guiding Technique* was actually more suitable for Song Qingyun’s early-stage cultivation.

Grasping the Heart Method was only the first step. The second was to try sensing the surrounding Spiritual Qi according to the method recorded in the technique. Once he successfully guided the Spiritual Qi into his body and opened his Lower Dantian, Song Qingyun could be considered a Cultivator in the "Dao-Entering Stage."

The "Dao-Entering Stage" was a common term for a novice who had just begun to cultivate. They had successfully completed Introducing Qi into the Body but did not yet possess the ability to cast Magic.

Only after cultivating and successfully casting a spell of Magic could one become a publicly recognized Qi Cultivator.

The time this took varied. Those with exceptional talent might only need a few ancient hours to master their first spell.

As for the less gifted, it was normal to spend several months just to barely master one.

Generally speaking, mastering the first spell within seven days was considered passing.

Although Song Qingyun’s aptitude was extraordinary, by Song Xianming’s judgment, he would still need at least a full day to master it.

After a moment’s thought, he picked up a Sound Transmission Compass beside him and said, "Please have Zhu Tributor come up."

Before long, Zhu Yiqun, dressed in brocade robes, walked in. He cupped his hands and said, "Supreme Elder, for what reason have you summoned me?"

Song Xianming gestured for Zhu Yiqun to sit down and said with a warm smile, "Zhu Tributor, your skill in medicinal cuisine is unmatched in the Song Clan. I wonder, my young friend, have you also made any achievements in the field of pharmacology?"

"Pharmacology is the foundation of medicinal cuisine. This junior has dabbled in it," Zhu Yiqun replied, appearing quite humble before Song Xianming.

Song Xianming smiled faintly and pointed to Song Qingyun, who was sitting before him with his eyes closed, comprehending the Heart Method. "In that case, my young friend, could you prepare a medicinal bath for this junior of mine? One that can perform a Washing Marrow and forge his foundation."

"A medicinal bath? Technically, that’s not a problem, but..." Zhu Yiqun’s expression was troubled.

"If there’s a difficulty, young friend, please speak freely."

"Elder, it’s like this. The medicinal baths this junior knows are mostly ferocious in nature, not something an ordinary person can endure. The child is still young; I’m afraid it’s not quite suitable."

Although Zhu Yiqun had believed himself to be a Loose Cultivator before heading to the Ancient Sword Sect, what his master, Moo Zhexian, had imparted to him was the top-tier heritage of the Ancient Sword Sect.

Therefore, the several medicinal baths he knew were highly effective, but they truly weren’t something the average person could withstand. Zhu Yiqun himself had been tormented to within an inch of his life back then. Just thinking about it now made him shudder.

"Nothing in this world comes easy. Better to shed a few tears now than to bleed later. Zhu Tributor, proceed as you see fit," Song Xianming said, hardening his heart.

Seeing that he had made up his mind, Zhu Yiqun said no more. He nodded. "In that case, Elder, please let me have a look at the child and exchange a few words with him. That way, this junior can choose a suitable formula."

"Not right now. He’s comprehending the Heart Method. However, you should be very familiar with this child, my young friend."

"I’m very familiar with him?" Zhu Yiqun was taken aback. He extended his Divine Sense for a look and exclaimed in surprise, "Little Yun’Er?"

After Song Changsheng passed away, Zhu Yiqun often used the pretext of fulfilling his filial duty for his brother to go and get free drinks from Xia Yunxue. Over time, he became very familiar with Song Qingyun. He just hadn’t been paying attention to the boy earlier, which is why he didn’t recognize him.

He couldn’t help but shake his head and smile wryly. "Elder, with Little Yun’Er’s talent, a medicinal bath won’t have a significant effect on his improvement. Why make him suffer like this?"

"Many a little makes a mickle. Even a tiny bit of improvement is good. Every little bit he improves now might become a sliver of hope in the future." Song Xianming had high expectations for Song Qingyun, so he intended to raise him using the same methods Major Sects used to train their Direct Disciples.

The medicinal bath was only the first step.

Zhu Yiqun mourned for Song Qingyun in his heart for two seconds, then nodded readily. "The Elder is right. This junior will go and prepare at once. However, using a medicinal bath for a Washing Marrow is not a one-day affair. The cost over a long period will be substantial. Please be mentally prepared, Elder."

"Zhu Tributor, do as you see fit. The Song Clan can afford this small price," Song Xianming said with a wave of his hand, his voice filled with heroic spirit.

Just as the two were talking, Song Xianyun walked in hurriedly.

Zhu Yiqun glanced at the Communication Flying Sword in the other’s hand, knew they had important matters to discuss, cupped his hands, and tactfully excused himself.

"My brother, what’s the rush?" Song Xianming asked, a little puzzled.

Song Xianyun brandished the Communication Flying Sword in his hand and said urgently, "It’s a message from the siblings, Yushi and Yulong."

Hearing this, Song Xianming shot to his feet with a SWISH. After glancing at Song Qingyun, he said in a low voice, "Let’s talk in the side hall."

The two went to the side hall. Song Xianming impatiently took the Communication Flying Sword and, after reading the message within, his brow gradually furrowed into a knot.

Song Xianming had initially been very happy to receive a message from the two siblings again.

Many years ago, the two of them, on behalf of Song Luke who was cultivating at the Ancestral Vein, had brought back three [Foundation Establishment Pills] from thousands of miles away.

For the Song Clan at that time, these few [Foundation Establishment Pills] were a timely relief.

Later, to help Song Luke compete for the [Yin Yang Purple Tree Heart], the siblings returned to the Ancestral Vein with a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact. Not long after, all contact was lost, and there was no news from the Ancestral Vein either.

At that time, Song Changsheng and the others had wondered if some misfortune had befallen the Ancestral Vein. They never expected that several years later, Song Xianyun would once again receive a message from the siblings.

The message stated that a calamity had occurred at the Ancestral Vein, and the two of them were traveling to seek refuge from it.

But for some unknown reason, they did not mention the specific details.

Furthermore, they had already reached the border between Qing Province and Ling Province. The reason they hadn’t come directly to Vast Mist Peak was to ask for an opinion; if the clan wasn’t willing to shelter them, the siblings would divert their course and go elsewhere.

Although the two were hiding something, their father, Song Luke, had made enormous contributions to the clan. They had also fought side-by-side with Song Changsheng and the others. For the sake of both reason and sentiment, Song Xianming could not ignore them.

He put down the flying sword and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, we are all family. Have Luzhou and Luyun go personally. It will show our stance and put them at ease."

Song Xianyun heard this and nodded in agreement. "Alright, I’ll go arrange it now."

After he left, Song Xianming clasped his hands behind his back and fell into deep thought while facing a blank wall.

’No news for several years, and now they suddenly appear seeking shelter.’

Although the siblings didn’t say, Song Xianming could roughly guess what had happened. ’Song Luke has probably met with disaster. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have traveled thousands of miles to seek refuge here.’

A few years ago, the last message that came back from Song Luke stated that he had successfully passed the Ancestral Vein’s trial and obtained a [Yin Yang Purple Tree Heart]. He was going to enter seclusion soon to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. After that, all contact was lost.

Even back then, Song Xianming had a premonition that something might have happened to Song Luke. Now, the sudden appearance of the siblings, Yushi and Yulong, all but confirmed his suspicions.

This left a heavy feeling in Song Xianming’s heart. Song Luke was born during Song Yungui’s time and had shown extraordinary talent from a young age. He was chosen and taken away by the Ancestral Vein when he was only fifteen.

He had been gone for one hundred and twenty years.

During this period, the Song Clan went through several upheavals and was gradually abandoned by the Ancestral Vein. This indirectly affected Song Luke, leaving him to struggle alone in the Ancestral Vein.

’He was a credit to the clan.’ He had reached his current position through his own strength, yet he never forgot his family. He often gave back, helping the Song Clan through its most difficult period.

In contrast, the help the Song Clan could offer him was minuscule.

This had always been a source of guilt for Song Xianming. He had been thinking that now that things were better, they could finally provide him with some support.

But he never expected this would be the outcome...