"Little Cyan Mountain?" Song Changsheng was even more surprised.
Little Cyan Mountain was the name of a Spirit Mountain, an outlying territory of the clan. It was located a thousand miles from Vast Mist Peak, in a somewhat remote location.
However, the conditions there weren't bad at all. It possessed a Tier Two Spirit Vein underground, making the Spiritual Qi abundant—more than enough for a Qi Cultivator to practice.
The clan's primary operations there were raising Spirit Fish and a few Spirit Beasts. Everything was free-range, requiring little direct supervision, making it a rare, peaceful post.
Aside from being a little remote, it had almost no shortcomings.
However, that post was usually assigned to the clan's older Clan Elders. 'Why am I being sent there?'
As if sensing his confusion, Song Xianming gave a wry smile. "You gave your mother quite a scare this time. When she returned, she insisted that I give you a safer assignment."
"Your mother has never asked for anything in her life, so by all rights, I had to grant her wish. As it happens, your Fifty-third Uncle is getting on in years, so you can go replace him and let him return to enjoy his retirement."
"Understood."
Song Changsheng quickly agreed. The assignment was exactly what he wanted. 'It might be remote, but it's a low-stress job where I can cultivate in peace.'
"Good. Go and pack your things. In three days, your Twelfth Uncle will take you there." Song Xianming nodded, dismissing him.
Song Changsheng hadn't gone far when he heard a violent fit of coughing behind him. His mood immediately turned somber.
After leaving the main hall, Song Changsheng sighed to himself. 'The price Grandfather paid was far too great. His years of secluded cultivation have shown no effect. Where in the world can I find a treasure to replenish his Primordial Qi…?'
He had every reason to be worried. Song Xianming was already two hundred years old, and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's lifespan was typically only around two hundred and fifty years.
Because he had forcibly halted his breakthrough, Song Xianming had damaged his Life Origin, drastically reducing his lifespan. If he couldn't find a way to break through again, his life would soon reach its end.
He was the Song Clan's Heaven-Supporting White Jade Pillar, their Sea-Crossing Purple-Gold Beam. Should he pass away, the blow to the clan would be devastating.
'I have to get stronger as fast as I can…'
「Three days later.」
Song Changsheng, having packed all his belongings, stood at the edge of a cliff, waiting quietly.
Before long, a rainbow streak of light shot over from the horizon at incredible speed.
Sword Flight was one of the hallmarks of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
"Greetings, Twelfth Uncle. Thank you for making the trip," Song Changsheng said respectfully to the figure before him.
Song Luhuai chuckled. "We're family. It's no trouble at all. To be honest, if you ask me, you should have stayed with the clan to focus on your cultivation. That way, you could reach Foundation Establishment sooner and help share our burdens."
Song Changsheng replied with a serious expression, "Everyone must be treated fairly. I'm no different from anyone else. How could it be right to only enjoy the benefits without contributing?"
"Good lad. A very good lad." Song Luhuai patted Song Changsheng's shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. 'If only everyone thought like you, how could our clan not prosper?'
"It's getting late. Let's be on our way."
"Yes, sir."
Song Changsheng stepped onto the sword. He felt a slight tremor, and then the scenery around him began to fall away rapidly. In the blink of an eye, they were soaring among the clouds.
The sensation of Sword Flight was completely different from flying on a Paper Kite. Song Changsheng felt as if he had become a bird, soaring freely beneath the vast expanse of the sky…
It was a novel experience, but the sword was incredibly fast. In just half an ancient hour, they had traveled more than a thousand miles.
As they gradually descended, a rather small Spirit Mountain appeared before Song Changsheng. This was their destination: Little Cyan Mountain.
'So this is Little Cyan Mountain, the one the Grand Elder claimed after slaying a Tier Two High-Grade Demon Beast. I've long heard the scenery here is unique, and now I see it's true.'
Song Changsheng was very pleased with his new post. It might be remote, but it was an excellent place for secluded cultivation.
"Hahaha, let's head down." Song Luhuai guided the sword to descend, landing them on a bluestone plaza halfway up the mountain.
Five people were already waiting there. They were all white-haired old men, and the aura of old age hung heavily about them.
Song Luhuai recalled his sword and led Song Changsheng to bow to the group. "Greetings, esteemed Uncles. This is Changsheng. He's here to take over from Fifty-third Uncle."
"Greetings, Grandfathers," Song Changsheng said, bowing quickly. The men before him were all Clan Elders of the "Xian" generation. They had rendered distinguished service to the clan; even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would have to show them due respect.
"Excellent, excellent. It's about time we had a young face around here," the leader, a wiry old man, said with a chuckle as he stroked his beard.
"Fifty-third Uncle, if you're ready, you can return with me now. The Grand Elder has been asking after you." Song Luhuai's duties were many, so he couldn't afford to linger.
"Right, right, I'm ready to go. Ah, young Changsheng, you can have my thatched cottage. Everything inside is in good condition, so it'll save you some trouble," the old man said, looking at Song Changsheng with a kindly expression.
"Thank you for your gift, Grandfather," Song Changsheng said quickly. This would indeed save him a great deal of trouble.
"Changsheng, I'm leaving now. If you need anything, just contact me via sword message."
"Farewell, Twelfth Uncle. Farewell, Fifty-third Grandfather." Song Changsheng watched until the two were out of sight, then finally turned to the remaining elders. "Esteemed Grandfathers, may I ask what my duties are?"
The Clan Elders exchanged a glance. One of them stepped forward and pointed to a great lake in the distance. "That lake is called Bright Mirror Lake. We raise several schools of Tier One Silver Thread Fish in it."
"Your job, aside from your own cultivation, is to feed them and protect them from other Demon Beasts. A Tier One Top-Grade flying beast has been sighted around Little Cyan Mountain recently, so you'll need to be extra vigilant."
"Every year, the clan will send someone to harvest the Spirit Fish. You must turn over the required quota. If you're short, you'll have to make up the difference with your own Spirit Stones. But as long as you're diligent, that almost never happens."
"I see. I understand."
————
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Song Changsheng took his leave of the Clan Elders and made his way to the shore of Bright Mirror Lake.
The lake was quite large, its clear surface reflecting the azure sky. Were it not for the occasional breeze that wrinkled its surface, it would have looked exactly like a mirror.
Many fruit trees grew along the lake's edge. They were all mundane varieties, not even Entry-Level. However, from long-term absorption of the Spiritual Qi emanating from the Spiritual Vein, their very nature had begun to change.
The change was minimal, however, so the fruit they bore contained only trace amounts of Spiritual Qi. Beyond satisfying one's appetite, they were of no use to a Cultivator's practice.
Thus, the clan paid them little mind, considering them a simple perk for the stationed Cultivators.
In the middle of the lake, there was a small island. On it stood a thatched cottage, a small Spiritual Field, and several Cyan Plum Trees. This was the home the old Clan Elder had left for him.
'How do I get over there?' Song Changsheng wondered, scanning the area. He finally spotted a few small boats by the shore.
He climbed into one of the boats and slowly began to row toward the Lake Heart Island…