Chapter 113: Chapter 112: Bestowing a Treasure

Song Changsheng gazed at the faint Spiritual Light emanating from the flying knives, a look of delighted surprise on his face.

"That’s right. This is a set of Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts—the 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 couldn’t 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 wasn’t quite finished, but since you’ll 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 Vault’s greatest treasures, a true ace in the hole. It wouldn’t 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.

"It’s 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. "It’s an invitation from Luoxia City. Originally, our eldest brother was supposed to go himself. But as you know, he’s at a critical stage in his cultivation, and for certain other reasons, it’s not appropriate for him to attend.

Since you’re heading to Luoxia City anyway, it’s most fitting for you to attend in his place."

Looking at the invitation, Song Changsheng couldn’t 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. "It’s the 400th birthday of Luoxia City’s 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 didn’t 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 hall’s 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.

"You’re here," Song Xianming said without looking back, his eyelids slightly lowered.

Song Changsheng didn’t 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 don’t even have a line. How do you plan to fish?" he asked faintly.

"Who says I don’t have a line? See for yourself." With a slight smile and no visible movement, a thin line of water rose from the lake’s surface and attached itself to the end of the branch, looking just like a transparent fishing line.

A flash of astonishment crossed Song Xianming’s eyes. "This Water Control Technique of yours... I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I’m 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."

"You’re right. I know you have many questions. I’ll give you half an ancient hour. Ask whatever you want," Song Xianming said, his eyelids drooping.

"You’ll answer anything I ask?" A sharp glint flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"If you don’t want to ask, you can leave now," Song Xianming said flatly.

"I’ll ask, I’ll ask! Sending me to Luoxia City this time... the Great City Lord’s birthday is the real reason, isn’t it?" Song Changsheng asked hurriedly.

Song Xianming nodded slightly. "Correct. The Great City Lord is no ordinary person. Besides myself, you’re the only one who can represent the clan at this banquet. If you don’t 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 I’m your grandson and decides to kill me?"

Hearing this, Song Xianming considered it seriously for a moment, then shook his head. "Don’t worry. Although some people might not like you, your life will absolutely not be in danger. At worst, you’ll just get taught a lesson."

Song Changsheng’s eye twitched. "What kind of grandfather are you? You know it’s dangerous, but you’re still sending me?" he said, exasperated.

"I’m 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 Lord’s birthday banquet. There will be no shortage of powerful seniors and talented youths.

This trip will only benefit you. It’s 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 ’Wan’ carved on it?" Song Changsheng stared directly at Song Xianming, as if trying to read the answer in his eyes.

Song Xianming’s expression remained unchanged. "You’re asking too many questions," he said coolly.

"You said you’d 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.

’’Wan’... Does it stand for a name, or does it mean something else?’

...