Zhao Jiheng had been jolted awake from nightmares many times because of Song Qianji. He kept dreaming that the latter would return in the dead of night, swing a palm, and push him off Broken Mountain Cliff—just as he had done to Meng Heze back then.
But when Song Qianji truly stood before him, he felt less afraid than expected:
"How could it not cost anything? For Senior Sister Chen’s engagement banquet, aren’t you going to give a congratulatory gift?"
Song Qianji waved his hand. "Xiao Meng."
Meng Heze patted his storage bag and presented a jade box.
Zhao Jiheng dared not accept anything handed by Meng Heze—the two of them had their share of past grievances.
He leaned back as if the box were filled with explosive talismans about to detonate. "W-What is this?"
"Winter wheat," Song Qianji said with a laugh. "The gift may be small, but the thought is deep."
All the congratulatory gifts he brought were grown by himself, so of course they cost nothing.
"Winter what?" Zhao Jiheng, startled like a bird hearing a bowstring twang, exclaimed, "I’ve never heard of it!"
Could it be some kind of magical artifact shaped like a musical instrument? Like those used by sound cultivators of the Celestial Sound Sect?
Ji Chen stepped forward and declared loudly, "We were invited here. We have both an invitation and a gift. Is there anything else that violates etiquette?"
"Th-There isn’t," Zhao Jiheng had nothing to say.
"Then we’ll trouble you!" Ji Chen cupped his hands with a smile and strode toward the mountain gate, only to be surrounded by a group of Enforcement Hall disciples.
Meng Hezo rushed in front of Ji Chen, and the Guard Squad disciples followed suit.
In the darkness, both sides stood poised for conflict, their tension palpable. The gauze lanterns flickered like will-o’-the-wisps.
Other guests, sensing trouble, stepped back, and no one dared to gossip anymore.
All eyes were on Song Qianji, waiting for him to speak.
Song Qianji thought to himself, What is there to say to an amateur who doesn’t even recognize ‘winter wheat’?
So he sighed softly and shook his head.
The sigh cut through the wind, making the atmosphere even more rigid and heavy.
Zhao Jiheng’s heart pounded like a drum. He meant to step forward but stumbled back instead, crying out hoarsely, "Don’t move—!"
His shout even carried a sob.
"Guests from afar must not be treated discourteously!" A cough sounded as the newcomer approached, hands clasped behind his back, exuding authority. "Song Xian Guan, the Sect Leader has sent me personally to welcome you."
"Elder Liu, long time no see," Song Qianji said.
Elder Liu Hongfeng of the Discipline Hall—in both this life and the last—had been the one to preside over his case.
This man’s clansman, Liu Hongshan, was the Immortal Official of Hongfu County whom Song Qianji had once fooled. To this day, he still hadn’t broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm.
Reuniting under the night moon, Song Qianji felt a sense of familiarity, as if meeting an old acquaintance.
Liu Hongfeng similarly sighed inwardly. Back then, this kid had been muddling along in the Outer Sect, living like a dog. Who could have guessed he would achieve such greatness?
From the youngest Immortal Official to the youngest in the Nascent Soul Realm.
By his side was Meng Heze, champion of the Public Hearing Grand Martial Competition, equivalent to having a fearless guard.
And there was Ji Chen, possessor of the Ji Family’s wealth, equivalent to a mobile, human-shaped Spirit Stone Mine.
Thinking of this, Liu Hongfeng felt as if he had swallowed ten thousand flies, yet he smiled and said, "Song Xian Guan, please come in—"
...
The Cosmos Palace was relit, its curtains drawn up and its doors tightly shut.
"Song Qianji has come after all," True Person Xuyun said. "What do you make of him?"
Liu Hongfeng replied, "Aside from Ji Chen and Meng Heze, he brought over twenty others—all former Outer Sect disciples who left the sect. Clearly, he’s here to demonstrate."
"These young cultivators are trapped within our sect yet show no fear. It’s evident they’ve undergone rigorous training and are fiercely loyal to him, willing to sacrifice their lives."
Though the people in the hall had different appearances, their anxious expressions were strikingly similar.Liu Hongfeng continued, "Song Qianji has trained such a Guard Squad. He was never content with being an Immortal Official and has long harbored ambitions to establish his own rule—it was only a matter of time. Who would believe he only wants to farm?"
Everyone shook their heads in agreement.
Xu Yun said gravely, "Thousand-Ditch Prefecture has long severed ties with the sect."
Zhao Taiji suddenly laughed heartily, "Indeed! A wasteland revived, yet it has nothing to do with the sect!"
"The population of Thousand Canals has more than doubled and is still rapidly increasing. Today, they unearth Spirit Stones while digging canals; tomorrow, they strike Fire Oil deposits while building roads. What if the day after, they uncover a Great Adept’s cave, filled with treasures and legacies? Would you still claim to be uninterested?"
Claiming disinterest would be a lie.
Everyone in the Cosmos Palace was tempted.
Zhao Taiji added, "Song Qianji has already destroyed the God Temple! All our Golden Statues were melted down by him!"
If the prosperity of Thousand Canals concerned only power and wealth, this matter struck at their status and dignity.
Coupled with the two "departures" of Outer Sect disciples, the Huawel Sect’s leadership had no choice but to be furious.
They were accustomed to established norms; in their long cultivation journeys, they had never encountered such a situation.
Because there had never been an "anomaly" like Song Qianji.
Xu Yun chuckled, "He’s relying on his backer now, betting that we dare not kill him openly."
"That brat is outrageous! If the sect hadn’t guided him onto the path of cultivation, where would he be today?" another Peak Lord exclaimed angrily, thinking of the Outer Sect disciples and adding, "A bunch of ungrateful wretches!"
"Don’t rush. Let him believe we truly dare not," Xu Yun said calmly.
"What does the Sect Leader mean?" Zhao Taiji probed.
"Give him concessions at every turn and treat them well," Xu Yun narrowed his eyes. "After the banquet, I want them to leave the mountain gate satisfied and completely unguarded..."
Blurred shadows fell on the silk curtains, distorted by the light, grotesque and inhuman.
After a moment, the hall fell silent again.
The crowd filed out, their expressions no longer anxious but instead tinged with eager excitement.
Only two figures remained in the hall.
"Qingshi," Xu Yun called.
A young cultivator bowed deeply, utmost reverence in his demeanor.
"Do you think your teacher has been too extreme?"
"Your disciple understands that everything the Master does is for the future of the sect."
"No, your teacher has personal motives," Xu Yun’s tone shifted, his authority softening slightly. "Hongzhu grew up under your watch. I know you see her as a younger sister. Who is responsible for her current state?"
Yuan Qingshi shook his head, "Before Shimei met Song Qianji, she was lively and lovely, just a bit spoiled—nothing serious. But now she’s talking about 'reforms.' Ah."
Reforms—even that unnamed figure couldn’t achieve them.
What use was being the world’s best if it ended in exile?
Seemingly free and unrestrained, but in truth, utterly alone.
Some things were simply impossible for anyone in this world.
Yuan Qingshi thought to himself, if only he had known, that night at the Passing Water Bridge, he shouldn’t have let Shimei encounter Song Qianji.
As a senior of the same generation, he knew more about this than Xu Yun, her father.
Initially, it was just because they both disliked Miaoyan that Chen Hongzhu paid special attention to Song Qianji, like a child’s petty squabble or playacting.
Who could have predicted the future?
"So, your teacher acts not only for the sect but also for my daughter," Xu Yun suddenly stood, pushing open the window, allowing the mountain wind to rush into the hall, sending the silk curtains billowing wildly."As long as Song Qianji lives, he will inevitably ruin Hongzhu's entire life!"
Like a caring father, he helped his disciple up with both hands:
"Hongzhu has strayed from the right path, and I don't know if she can still turn back. The sect will eventually need to be passed on to you."
"Your disciple is unworthy of such honor!" Yuan Qingshi said. "Once Master finds the Dead Sea Silver Lotus to heal your injuries, your ascension to the Transformation Stage will be imminent. Our Huawel Sect will surely endure for generations."
The fact that Xu Yun failed his breakthrough and suffered hidden injuries requiring a specific medicinal treatment was originally a secret.
When Song Qianji barged into the Trial Hall at night, he had used this matter to set a trap, writing the lines: "When the Dead Sea lotus falls, the gate of life opens among the clouds."
If not for Chen Hongzhu's interference, Song Qianji would have already justified himself with these two lines and escaped down the mountain.
Listening to his disciple pledge loyalty, Xu Yun showed no joy on his face.
His trusted aides sent to the "Living Cloud Strait" had been silent for a long time.
He whispered, "Can you handle commanding this matter?"
Yuan Qingshi stiffened, showing a moment of hesitation.
But he collected himself before Xu Yun's expression turned cold and solemnly declared:
"Your disciple will certainly live up to Master's heavy trust!"
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