Song Changsheng gazed at the faint Spiritual Light emanating from the flying knives, a look of delighted surprise on his face.
"Thatâs right. This is a set of Low-Grade Spiritual Artifactsâthe Godslaying Flying Knives," Song Xianyun said with a smile, stroking his beard.
"The Godslaying Flying Knives? Could these be the same set the Yungui Ancestor once wielded?" Song Changsheng stared at the box in his hands, finding it hard to believe.
Song Xianyun nodded affirmatively. "Indeed they are. The clan is short on Foundation Establishment Cultivators, so according to the rules your grandfather set, every newly promoted Foundation Establishment Cultivator is rewarded with a Spiritual Artifact. You should have received this long ago, but we couldnât find a suitable one for you.
Your grandfather picked this one out for you himself. However, it contained too much Evil Qi, which he feared would be detrimental to you, so he took it to be refined again.
The process wasnât quite finished, but since youâll be descending the mountain soon, we had to give it to you now for self-defense."
Song Changsheng was overjoyed. This was no ordinary Spiritual Artifact. It was an incredibly rare, consumable type. The set originally had nine knives, but six had been used up over the years, leaving only these three.
Although they were only Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts, after years of accumulating power, each one was capable of instantly killing an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. In a sneak attack, even a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could be severely wounded!
They had always been one of the Song Clan Treasure Vaultâs greatest treasures, a true ace in the hole. It wouldnât be an exaggeration to call them a strategic weapon. There was no precedent for them ever being bestowed upon a single individual. To think they were all being given to him now showed just how much the clan valued him.
Song Changsheng quickly put them away, as if afraid the Grand Elder would change his mind.
"The timing is a bit tight, but with your comprehension and talent, it should be enough," Song Xianyun said with a small smile.
"Itâs more than enough," Song Changsheng replied, full of confidence.
The process of refining a Spiritual Artifact was generally quite lengthy, taking anywhere from several dozen days to as long as a year and a half.
But Song Changsheng already had experience refining Spiritual Artifacts and possessed outstanding comprehension. A month was more than enough time for him.
However, such a heavy reward made him sense that something else was afoot.
Sure enough, the next moment, Song Xianyun presented him with a large, crimson-red invitation with gold lettering, his expression solemn.
"This is..." Song Changsheng was puzzled.
Song Xianyun sighed. "Itâs an invitation from Luoxia City. Originally, our eldest brother was supposed to go himself. But as you know, heâs at a critical stage in his cultivation, and for certain other reasons, itâs not appropriate for him to attend.
Since youâre heading to Luoxia City anyway, itâs most fitting for you to attend in his place."
Looking at the invitation, Song Changsheng couldnât shake the feeling that this was the real reason his grandfather was sending him to Luoxia City.
"Is there a major event happening in Luoxia City soon?" Song Changsheng asked as he accepted the invitation.
Song Xianyun gave a slight nod. "Itâs the 400th birthday of Luoxia Cityâs Great City Lord. The details are in the invitation. You can read it when you get back."
"Understood."
After taking his leave of Song Xianyun, Song Changsheng didnât go straight back into seclusion to refine the Spiritual Artifact. Instead, he ascended to the summit of Vast Mist Peak. He wanted to ask the old man to his face just what he was plotting!
Arriving outside Ruyun Hall, Song Changsheng announced loudly, "Grandfather, your grandson is here to pay his respects."
RUMBLE...
The words had barely left his mouth when the great hallâs doors swung open on their own.
The hall was empty. Surprised, Song Changsheng skillfully opened a hidden door and made his way to Suspended Mirror Lake.
Song Xianming, dressed in simple hemp clothes, sat cross-legged by the lake, fishing quietly like an old fisherman.
"Youâre here," Song Xianming said without looking back, his eyelids slightly lowered.
Song Changsheng didnât answer. With a light wave of his hand, he picked up a dry branch from the ground, sat down beside Song Xianming, and began to fish with a deadpan expression, mimicking his grandfather.
Song Xianming glanced at him. "You donât even have a line. How do you plan to fish?" he asked faintly.
"Who says I donât have a line? See for yourself." With a slight smile and no visible movement, a thin line of water rose from the lakeâs surface and attached itself to the end of the branch, looking just like a transparent fishing line.
A flash of astonishment crossed Song Xianmingâs eyes. "This Water Control Technique of yours... Iâve never seen anything like it in my life. Iâm afraid only a Purple Mansion Great Cultivator could compare with you."
"Water control is just a minor trick. But you, on the other hand... it seems you knew I was coming?"
"What makes you say that?"
"A gut feeling."
"Youâre right. I know you have many questions. Iâll give you half an ancient hour. Ask whatever you want," Song Xianming said, his eyelids drooping.
"Youâll answer anything I ask?" A sharp glint flashed in Song Changshengâs eyes.
"If you donât want to ask, you can leave now," Song Xianming said flatly.
"Iâll ask, Iâll ask! Sending me to Luoxia City this time... the Great City Lordâs birthday is the real reason, isnât it?" Song Changsheng asked hurriedly.
Song Xianming nodded slightly. "Correct. The Great City Lord is no ordinary person. Besides myself, youâre the only one who can represent the clan at this banquet. If you donât go, who will?"
Surprised by his direct answer, Song Changsheng decided to strike while the iron was hot. "I suppose I can go, but you have to tell me what happened between you and Luoxia City, right?
What if I go in completely blind, and someone finds out Iâm your grandson and decides to kill me?"
Hearing this, Song Xianming considered it seriously for a moment, then shook his head. "Donât worry. Although some people might not like you, your life will absolutely not be in danger. At worst, youâll just get taught a lesson."
Song Changshengâs eye twitched. "What kind of grandfather are you? You know itâs dangerous, but youâre still sending me?" he said, exasperated.
"Iâm doing this for your own good. All the somewhat famous powers and Loose Cultivators in the entire Daqi Cultivation World will be at the Great City Lordâs birthday banquet. There will be no shortage of powerful seniors and talented youths.
This trip will only benefit you. Itâs a good opportunity to see the world outside. In the grand scheme of the Human Race Cultivation World, this little corner of Ling Province is nothing but a drop in the ocean," Song Xianming said earnestly, his gaze fixed on the rippling surface of the lake.
"Alright then. Last question. Who does that Jade Pendant you always carry at your waist belong to? And who is the âWanâ carved on it?" Song Changsheng stared directly at Song Xianming, as if trying to read the answer in his eyes.
Song Xianmingâs expression remained unchanged. "Youâre asking too many questions," he said coolly.
"You said youâd give me half an ancient hour," Song Changsheng protested.
"But I never said I had to answer everything you ask. I refuse to answer that question. You may leave. Go and properly refine the Godslaying Flying Knives. They could save your life in a critical moment," Song Xianming said rather shamelessly.
Song Changsheng glared at him, momentarily speechless and unable to refute his words.
Leaving Ruyun Hall, Song Changsheng took a deep breath. He had a feeling that the Jade Pendant was definitely connected to Luoxia City.
ââWanâ... Does it stand for a name, or does it mean something else?â
...