"Ouch!"
"What was that for?"
Song Changsheng clutched his head, grimacing in pain.
"Hmph. You brat, since when did you start questioning your grandfather?"
Song Xianming calmly cast his fishing line again, his face returning to its usual composed expression.
"Fine, don't tell me. But did you have to hit me?"
Song Changsheng grumbled under his breath, still sneaking glances at the jade pendant on Song Xianming's waist.
"You just want to know about that old business with Luoxia City, right? Don't overthink it whatever happened, happened. The grudges and feuds of our generation won't affect you."
"Yeah, well, that Niu Dashuang guy looked like he wanted to eat me alive. Doesn't feel like I'm unaffected,"
Song Changsheng muttered with a pout.
A trace of anger flickered across Song Xianming's face but disappeared almost instantly. He replied calmly,
"He's just a brute. Don't pay him any mind. He won't lay a hand on you."
"But"
Song Changsheng still had more he wanted to ask.
But before he could say another word, Song Xianming waved his hand. The Cloudward Hall's formation activated instantly, and in the blink of an eye, Song Changsheng was pushed out of the hall and found himself standing outside.
"Grandpa's hiding something from me... Could it have something to do with that pendant?"
His earlier question had been just a probe, but Song Xianming's reaction only confirmed his suspicions.
Though he was burning with curiosity, there was nothing he could do if Song Xianming wouldn't talk. He could only wait for the day he'd finally pry open the old man's lips.
...
Back in the courtyard, he didn't get many days with his mother before it was time to part again. Xia Yunxue's return had only been a temporary visit Elder Song Luhuai was covering for her, and she couldn't afford to delay much longer.
She escorted Song Changsheng safely back to Little Azure Mountain before heading back to the mortal realm for clan affairs.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, Song Changsheng felt a deep sense of warmth and nostalgia.
"I wonder if that fish made it?"
He thought of the spirit fish that used to beg him for tea leaves. Three years had gone by in a flash had it managed to break through to Tier Two?
He also thought about the Mistveil Tea plant. Back then, it had shown signs of advancing. Had it now reached Grade One, top quality?
And of course, Song Qingxi and Song Qingxing how had their cultivation progressed?
Thinking of all this, he quickened his pace and soon arrived at Mirror Lake, rowing a small boat toward the island at its center.
The Heart of the Lake Island hadn't changed much since he last saw it. The same simple thatched hut stood there, the Spirit Gathering Formation still quietly operating, and a few green plum trees gently swayed in the breeze.
The only noticeable difference was the spirit field, which had expanded, now filled with a colorful variety of spiritual plants.
At that moment, Song Qingxi, dressed in a flowing green gown, was crouched in the spirit field tending to the plants. Song Qingxing was seated cross-legged beneath one of the green plum trees, meditating with an ancient longsword resting across his knees, radiating a sharp and powerful aura.
Song Qingxi pulled out a few weeds by the roots and stood up to wipe the sweat from her brow. Out of the corner of her eye yet again she stole a glance at Song Qingxing in the distance.
To her surprise, this time Song Qingxing suddenly opened his eyes. She jumped in fright, quickly looked away, and pretended to concentrate on weeding.
She thought he'd caught on to her little peeking habit, but after a moment's reflection, she felt doubtful she'd been pretty sneaky, how could he have noticed?
Stealing another glance, she realized he wasn't looking at her at all. His gaze was fixed on the distant lake.
"What's got his attention?"
Following his gaze, Song Qingxi spotted a small boat approaching the island, with a familiar figure standing aboard.
Her large eyes lit up with joy. She hurried to the shore and cupped her hands around her mouth like a trumpet:
"Little Uncle!"
Song Changsheng smiled and waved toward the island, then sped up his rowing.
When the boat was less than a hundred meters from shore, Song Qingxing suddenly stood. The sword across his lap crackled with sword energy as he gripped it.
Song Changsheng lightly stomped his foot. The boat came to a stop as he clasped his hands behind his back, watching Song Qingxing with amusement.
"Slash!"
A cold voice left Song Qingxing's lips as a blade of sword energy tore through the lake, closing in instantly.
The strike was fast and fierce it showed real progress.
Song Changsheng let out a hearty laugh and stomped his foot again. A wall of water rose before him out of nowhere. The sword energy struck it, splashing harmlessly with just a small wave.
He flicked his left hand slightly, and the water wall transformed into a vivid water dragon. Its gaping mouth returned the sword energy right back at Song Qingxing.
A flicker of surprise passed through Song Qingxing's eyes. He slashed again. Two streams of sword energy collided midair and dissipated into nothingness, not a single trace of spiritual power leaking out a testament to his impressive control.
"Not bad at all. Seems like you haven't wasted these past years,"
Song Changsheng praised loudly. With a light tap of his toe on the bow, he soared across the hundred meters like a swallow in flight and landed gently on the island.
Song Qingxing sheathed his sword and asked coldly,
"How did you do that?"
Song Changsheng knew exactly what he meant. Smiling, he replied,
"Just a rudimentary use of water manipulation. Nothing fancy. But your control over spiritual power already rivals that of some late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators."
"How do I compare to you?"
"Still a little ways to go."
A glint passed through Song Qingxing's eyes, but he didn't argue.
"What are you two doing?"
Song Qingxi had been startled by their sudden clash. She ran over and shouted at Song Qingxing,
"I just wanted to see how far I've come compared to him,"
Song Qingxing said coolly, then added after a pause,
"I was in control I wouldn't have hurt him."
"Even so, you can't just attack your Little Uncle like that! What's Clan Rule Number Two?"
Song Qingxi put her hands on her hips and scolded him sharply.
Song Qingxing blinked. He honestly didn't know what the clan rules said.
"Ahem Clan Rule Number Two: 'Those who disrespect their elders shall be punished.'"
Song Changsheng chimed in "helpfully."
"You heard that, didn't you? Go reflect on your actions now!"
Song Qingxi scrunched her nose and huffed.
With no change in expression, Song Qingxing nodded and obediently went to "face the wall" in contemplation. Though in reality, he just resumed his cultivation facing a wall, it was enough to make Song Changsheng marvel.
"He has no temper when it comes to Qingxi. Looks like that move I made back then was a brilliant one,"
he thought to himself, amused.
"Our little Qingxi is so fierce!"
Song Changsheng said with a grin, ruffling her hair.
At twelve years old, the little girl now stood nearly chest-high to him.
A flush of pink rose on her cheeks as she hugged his arm and pouted,
"Uncle comes back and the first thing he does is tease me!"
"Hahaha, I'm not teasing you. How have you two been out here?"
Song Changsheng sat down at the stone table beneath the green plum trees.
"Pretty good! Grandpa Twelve tells me stories all the time,"
Song Qingxi beamed.
The "Grandpa Twelve" she mentioned was Elder Song Luhuai, the Fourth Elder, who normally guided their cultivation. He was still away in the mortal realm.
Both of them had kept up with their cultivation. Song Qingxing, now fourteen, had reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement slightly ahead of where Song Changsheng had been at the same age.
Qingxi, two years younger, had already reached the fourth level an impressive improvement that made Song Changsheng feel proud.
"Glad to hear you're getting used to it. I brought you both some gifts."
He smiled and pulled out two finely wrapped boxes…
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