Chapter Seven: The Finest Choice

Under the watchful eyes of the two elders, the little boy placed his hand on the compass with an expression of utter indifference.

In the next instant, Song Changsheng, who had seemed somewhat distracted, was immediately drawn in by a dazzling light.

A fierce azure glow burst forth from the spiritual testing pillar. Song Luding exclaimed in astonishment, “A five-inch Wind Spirit Root!”

Song Changsheng’s eyes widened abruptly—it was an extraordinary spirit root, a rarity seen only once in a century!

“Wonderful, the heavens truly favor the Song clan! With this child, our family shall certainly restore the glory we knew four centuries ago, in the era of Ancestor Taiyi.” Song Luding was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, nearly overwhelmed by emotion.

Song Changsheng well understood his excitement. The Song family’s revered ancestor, Song Taiyi, had possessed the Wind Spirit Root and mastered the swift sword technique to perfection, earning the title “Master of the Clear Breeze.” He once challenged a late-stage third-tier great demon with only a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivation, his fame resounding throughout the nineteen provinces of Great Qi.

After his passing, he recorded all his lifelong insights, intending them to cultivate future swordmasters within the clan.

Sadly, his descendants failed to live up to his legacy. Over the centuries, countless tried to master the swift sword, yet none could grasp its essence.

But now, this boy gave Song Luding hope once more.

With the rare spirit root, he was undoubtedly a seed for the Purple Mansion realm; if he could achieve anything in swordsmanship, he might well become the next “Master of the Clear Breeze”—Song Taiyi himself reborn!

“Good child, what is your name?” Song Luding crouched down, gazing at the boy before him with boundless affection, as though beholding an unparalleled treasure.

“Song Xing.” The boy’s manner was cold, betraying not the slightest ripple of emotion.

“Very good. Go and wait over there,” Song Luding said, his face creased with smiles, his voice deliberately softened as if afraid to startle the boy.

Song Xing walked over to Song Changsheng, looked up at him, and asked, “My talent—is it excellent?”

Song Changsheng smiled and nodded, “The very best.”

“Oh.” Song Xing’s reply was calm, his nod untroubled. While other children, upon learning they had a spirit root, would be beside themselves with excitement, this boy seemed utterly indifferent. From the moment he entered, Song Changsheng had not detected a single emotional fluctuation from him.

This made Song Changsheng somewhat uneasy. Such an attitude might not necessarily bode well for the family…

By rights, upon discovering such a prodigy, they should report it at once and have a Foundation Establishment cultivator personally escort him.

But Song Luding, ever shrewd, did not lose his composure. At this moment, only the three of them knew the truth—Song Xing was perfectly safe.

If they halted the Ascension Gathering now, it would only alert spies from rival factions, making their secret plain to all. Better to act as if nothing had happened and report the matter in secret once the gathering concluded.

For now, there was but one priority—secrecy. Who knew how many eyes were watching their every move?

The better they kept this secret, the safer Song Xing would be. Only in safety could a genius grow. A prodigy who fails to mature is nothing but carrion on the roadside, bones in a coffin.

Song Changsheng and Song Luding exchanged a tacit understanding. The gathering continued as if nothing had occurred, all four cities’ testing completed without incident.

Only then did they gather the children with spirit roots and bring them to the Governor’s Residence.

As soon as they arrived, Song Changsheng took Song Xing to explain everything to his mother…

“What? A five-inch Wind Spirit Root!” Xia Yunxue’s expression mirrored Song Luding’s—shocked, yet overjoyed.

“Mother, this is a matter of great importance. Should we report it to the clan and summon an elder to escort him personally?”

Xia Yunxue frowned slightly, shaking her head. “That would not be wise. The Ascension Gathering is not only a family event but a major occasion for all of Lingzhou. Who knows how many are watching our every move, inside and out? If we use a transmission flying sword rashly, it might be intercepted on the way—then we would be in real trouble.”

“Then what should we do? If he travels with us, four hundred li is a long way—what if something goes wrong?”

They had come by paper kite, reaching in half an hour, but the return would be different. With over a dozen people, the kite could not carry them all—they would have to walk.

“Here’s what we’ll do. When you all depart, I’ll take Song Xing and go on ahead, secretly bringing him home to the family.”

“But you’re in charge of defending the city. If you leave your post—what if…” Song Changsheng trailed off, his meaning clear.

“It’s fine. With my speed, even without flying by sword, I’ll be back in just over an hour. Nothing will happen in such a short time,” Xia Yunxue replied confidently.

“Very well, I’ll notify Uncle and have us set out as soon as possible. The less time we linger, the better.”

When Song Changsheng entered the hall, he found Song Luzi, who had arrived just after them, smiling and conversing with Song Luding.

“Uncle, did you have any success on your side?” Song Changsheng asked cheerfully.

Song Luzi replied, clearly in high spirits, “Indeed, we found a child with both Earth and Metal Spirit Roots—a fine talent.”

Song Changsheng and Song Luding exchanged glances and smiled. In the past, a dual spirit root would have been quite the prize. But with Song Xing and his extraordinary root among them, all others paled in comparison. Still, the fewer who knew, the better. Now was not the time to tell Song Luzi.

“Nephew, what did the Fifth Elder say?” Song Luding prompted with a look.

“The Fifth Elder advised we set out promptly, so as to avoid unforeseen troubles. I’ve obtained the distress jade slip—if anything happens, she’ll come to our aid,” Song Changsheng responded with a wink.

“In that case, let us heed the Fifth Elder’s counsel and depart at once,” Song Luding said, noting that Song Xing had not come out with them and immediately understanding why.

Song Luzi, still in a jovial mood, failed to notice the subtle exchange between the two and readily agreed.

Half an hour later, the original party of five, joined by fourteen clansmen with spirit roots, set out on their return journey. At the same time, Xia Yunxue quietly left the city with Song Xing.

On the road, Song Changjiu remarked with some disappointment, “I thought there would be more people, but it’s just a handful.”

“It’s already quite good. Fewer in number, but of higher quality,” Song Changsheng replied with a slight smile.

With such a rare spirit root among them, nothing else really mattered.

Song Changjiu, thinking he referred to the dual spirit root, muttered, “I was hoping we’d see a Heavenly Spirit Root for once.”

“You’ll have your chance to travel in a few years,” Song Luding said, stroking his beard with a smile.

Song Changjiu scratched his head and grinned, saying no more.

When on the mountain, one always longs to descend; only after leaving does one realize how precious those mountain days truly were…

The group shielded the children with spiritual power as they swiftly traversed the forest, chatting and exchanging banter.

Little did they know, danger was quietly drawing near…

From the moment they left the city, they had already been marked by a group of pursuers.

“Boss, I’ve got a clear look—just five cultivators: two mid-stage, two late-stage, and one at peak. Plus fourteen kids.”

A figure cloaked head to toe in filthy black robes reported respectfully to the masked man at the front, whose iron demon mask gleamed ominously.

The masked man nodded with satisfaction, his voice hoarse. “Once we capture this batch, the mission assigned by the Steward will be complete.”

“But boss, they’re from the Song clan. Are we really going to attack them?” one of the black-robed men hesitated.

Though the Song clan had fallen on hard times, they remained a formidable force in Lingzhou—crossing them was risky.

The masked man’s tone turned stern. “Hmph! Have you forgotten whom we serve? The Song clan is nothing. Surround them and await my command. If anyone resists—kill them all!”

“Yes, sir!”

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