Chapter 673 - 118: Ding 7 (2)

But the instant Jiang Ling grabbed Wu Chi’s wrist, she used her Spiritual Power to jolt his body, causing his qi and blood to stagnate for a moment. That was how she caught him off guard and threw him to the ground.

’This Jiang Ling is incredibly clever.’

Song Changsheng looked at Jiang Ling with admiration. He had a soft spot for people who used their heads in a fight.

"So that’s how it was." Hearing Song Changsheng’s explanation, a wry smile appeared on the Steward’s face.

A move like that is only effective at their current level. Once their cultivation realms are higher, their reaction speed will increase dramatically. Trying a trick like that then would be a fatal mistake, simply handing an opening to the opponent.

"Being able to employ the right strategy at the right time is a talent in itself. Besides, she must have carefully studied Wu Chi’s fighting style, or she wouldn’t have won so cleanly.

There’s no need to watch the rest of this fight. The winner will undoubtedly be Jiang Ling. Let’s go."

A smile graced Song Changsheng’s lips as he turned to leave. The Steward hurried to keep up.

The two descended from the Martial Arts Arena to the mountainside, where scattered buildings dotted the landscape.

Ever since the back of the mountain had been developed, the entire Wind Language Hall had been relocated here, making it far more secluded than before.

With the exception of a select few, most clan members lacked the clearance to even approach the back of the mountain.

Song Changsheng ambled through the area. He wasn’t there to do anything specific, mainly just to make an appearance.

"Hm? Where’s that kid, Ding Qi?" After looking around, Song Changsheng noticed a familiar face was missing.

"You must have forgotten, Clan Leader. Ever since you chose him, he no longer participates in the daily lessons. He should be in his cave abode cultivating right now."

"It’s been years since I’ve seen him; I really did forget. Take me to him." Song Changsheng chuckled to himself. Six or seven years had passed in a flash, and he no longer remembered such minor details.

They arrived at a cave abode near a deep pool of water. The Steward stepped forward and announced, "Ding Qi, the Clan Leader is here! Come out and pay your respects at once."

They didn’t have to wait long. A tall, thin young man emerged from the cave abode. He wore a standard-issue black tunic and an iron mask, and his clear, dark eyes were as deep as the nearby pool.

He strode quickly to Song Changsheng and knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with excitement. "Ding Qi pays his respects to the Clan Leader!"

’My little guinea pig.’ Looking at the young man he had personally chosen, Song Changsheng was filled with a mix of emotions.

He reached out, took the young man’s arm, and helped him up. "It’s been so many years," he said with feeling. "You’ve grown so tall. And your Cultivation has reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. Excellent. It seems you haven’t wasted your time."

Ding Qi’s aptitude wasn’t outstanding, so to have reached this level of Cultivation at his age showed just how diligently he had trained over the years.

Seeing that Song Changsheng still remembered him, Ding Qi grew even more excited. He bowed deeply and said, "You praise me too much, Clan Leader. It is all thanks to the Heart Method you bestowed upon me."

At the mention of the Heart Method, Song Changsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Back when he had helped Little Ninth awaken, an idea had taken root in his mind: to improve the Song Clan’s existing Heart Methods.

His chosen test subject was the ubiquitous *Qi Refining Introduction*. After several revisions, he had given the final version to Ding Qi to practice.

Now, so many years later, he was eager to see the results of his modified *Qi Refining Introduction*.

"Ding Qi, tell me the truth," Song Changsheng said, his expression serious. "In all your years practicing the *Qi Refining Introduction*, have you experienced any issues?"

At Song Changsheng’s question, Ding Qi quickly replied, "In all my years of training, I haven’t noticed anything wrong. I only feel that my cultivation speed is much faster than with the *Thousand Mountains Technique* I practiced before.

The original *Qi Refining Introduction* can’t even compare to your modified version."

Though he spoke with conviction, Song Changsheng remained skeptical. He frowned and said, "Hold out your hand."

Ding Qi didn’t dare hesitate and immediately extended his right hand.

Song Changsheng pinched Ding Qi’s wrist between his thumb and middle finger, pressing on the Neiguan and Waiguan Acupoints. A wisp of his Divine Thought flowed from his fingertips and circulated through Ding Qi’s body. Finding nothing amiss, he finally relaxed.

He took a Jade Scroll from his robes. "This is the second half of the technique, the *Foundation Establishment Introduction*. It’s enough to get you to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Unlike the first half you’ve been practicing, this part is something I created myself, based on the *Qi Refining Introduction* and other similar Heart Methods.

The number of variables involved far exceeds the original. If you are willing to practice it, I can teach it to you. If not, I will give you a different Tier Two Heart Method as a reward."

Upon hearing this, Ding Qi knelt before Song Changsheng without the slightest hesitation. "I am willing to learn! I implore the Clan Leader to bestow this Dharma upon me!"

’His reasoning was simple. Now that he had managed to latch onto a powerful backer like Song Changsheng, he couldn’t possibly let go. He would follow this path to the very end.’

Seeing his determination, Song Changsheng sighed and placed the Jade Scroll in his hand. "Very well, then take it. If you feel anything is wrong while cultivating, report to me immediately. This concerns your entire future path of cultivation. You cannot afford to be careless."

Hearing the concern in Song Changsheng’s voice, Ding Qi’s heart warmed. He kowtowed deeply. "I will remember your words."

"Mm." Song Changsheng nodded. A thought suddenly occurred to him. "You’re almost of age, aren’t you? What are your plans for the future?"

Hearing this, Ding Qi looked up at Song Luhe, who was standing beside Song Changsheng, unsure how to respond.

"Clan Leader, it’s like this," Song Luhe explained. "Once this group comes of age, most of them are to be sent out as Hidden Scouts. Their specific assignments haven’t been determined yet."

"I see. Ding Qi, I’m giving you a chance to choose for yourself. In my presence, you can speak your mind freely." Song Changsheng’s eyes were filled with encouragement.

Hearing this, Ding Qi hesitated.

He basically had two paths ahead of him. The first was to remain at the Wind Language Hall, performing duties such as security, intelligence analysis, or courier work.

The second was as Song Luhe had said: be sent out as a field agent to gather intelligence for the clan.

Anyone else would surely choose the first path. It was safe and risk-free, the benefits were good, and by staying within the clan, there would be opportunities to earn merit.

Once dispatched, it meant years, even decades, of lying low and staying hidden. Very few would ever get the chance to achieve great Merit; most would simply die silently in some forgotten corner.

The better path was obvious.

But Ding Qi made a shocking choice.

"Clan Leader, I wish to be sent out."

A flicker of surprise crossed Song Changsheng’s face, but it vanished as he asked gravely, "Are you sure?"

"I am. The clan saved my life and raised me. I want to do more for the clan," Ding Qi said in a low, firm voice.

"Since you are so determined to serve the clan, I will not say more. I grant you permission to choose when you are dispatched. When the time comes, I will select a suitable handler for you."

"Thank you for your grace, Clan Leader!" Ding Qi was overjoyed. ’This way, I’ll have enough time to prepare!’

——————

After leaving Wind Language Hall, Song Changsheng felt a slight turmoil in his heart. The development of the Wind Language Hall over the years had already surpassed his expectations.

The blueprint he had envisioned was slowly but surely becoming a reality.

’Perhaps... I can afford to be even more ambitious.’ Song Changsheng stroked his beard, lost in thought.

Just then, a surge of Spiritual Qi began to gather on the mountainside of Vast Mist Peak. The boundless energy formed a massive Qi Vortex in the sky above the peak.

’That’s... Xi’Er’s seclusion spot! Is she breaking through?’ Song Changsheng’s expression shifted. This was no small matter. Even with the help of a Foundation Establishment Pill, failure was still a possibility.

Just as Song Changsheng prepared to investigate, another burst of power erupted not far from the first Qi Vortex, forming a second one.

’Two people breaking through at the same time?’ Song Changsheng’s face fell.

...