Chapter 103: Clouds in the Green Mountains, Water in the Sky

The four descended the mountain and arrived at the capital of a prosperous and powerful kingdom below.

Qin Sang took out all the gold and silver from his Mustard Seed Pouch and handed it to Song Ying. With just this wealth, she could easily become one of the richest people in the region. After everything was settled, Song Ying followed Qin Sang back to Wenyue Market, where they stood before the ancestral tomb of the Song Family.

To retrieve the sword will decree, it not only required the Song Family's bloodline but also a unique spiritual talisman.

Qin Sang took the talisman Song Ying handed him, drew a drop of her blood, and infused it with his spiritual power. The talisman floated up automatically and merged into the tomb of the Song Family's ancestor.

Moments later, the tomb split open, and a green light shot into the sky.

Qin Sang reached out and grasped the green light in his palm, discovering it was a small sword talisman.

Is this the sword will decree of Shaohua Mountain?

Qin Sang wondered, probing it cautiously with his spiritual consciousness. The sword talisman trembled slightly, bursting forth with a sharp, overwhelming aura. Qin Sang's face paled, and he dared not probe further. Holding the sword talisman, he turned to Song Ying and said, "Miss Song, may I trouble you to accompany me to Shaohua Mountain once more?"

Qin Sang summoned the Sky Shuttle, and together with Song Ying, they flew toward Shaohua Mountain's entrance.

Previously, he had only observed it from afar, but now that they had arrived at the mountain gate, he saw that Shaohua Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist, its array sealing the area.

Unwilling to recklessly barge into the array, Qin Sang landed with Song Ying at the edge of the array and inserted the sword talisman into it, quietly waiting.

Before long, a light streak shot out from the formation, pausing mid-air before heading straight toward them. In an instant, the figure of an elderly man with white hair appeared.

A Foundation Building Realm cultivator!

Qin Sang's heart tensed, and his expression grew more respectful.

The white-haired elder gazed at them, his eyes finally resting on Qin Sang as he asked, "Was it you who sent in the sword will decree just now?"

Qin Sang respectfully bowed and replied, "Yes, Senior. It was me."

The elder nodded. "Are you both descendants of the Song Family?"

"My name is Qin Sang; I am not a descendant of the Song Family," Qin Sang raised his hand and gestured toward Song Ying beside him, "This young lady is Song Ying, of the Song Family's bloodline."

The elder frowned slightly and addressed Song Ying, "Raise your hand."

After verifying Song Ying's blood and the sword will decree, the elder's voice suddenly turned stern. "Miss Song, what is your relationship with him? Why are you allowing an outsider to use the sword will decree? Did he force you into this?"

Qin Sang was taken aback and was about to speak, but the elder shot him a cold glance. The intense killing intent in the elder's eyes made Qin Sang break out in a cold sweat. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.

Song Ying respectfully bowed and said in a calm tone, "Immortal, Brother Qin did not force me. In fact, he helped me at Wenyue Market, rescuing me from a difficult situation. Now, I am the only descendant of the Song Family left, and I willingly give the sword will decree to Brother Qin."

Qin Sang let out a silent sigh of relief.

The elder, however, still seemed unconvinced. He spoke earnestly, "You need not fear or worry about anyone threatening you. Now that you are at the mountain gate, if you have any grievances, you can speak to me, and Shaohua Mountain will ensure justice is served."

Song Ying shook her head firmly. "Immortal, everything I said earlier is true. I am willingly giving the sword will decree to Brother Qin."

Only then did the elder’s expression soften. "Since you are giving the sword will decree of your own free will, you may not regret this decision in the future. Do you understand?"

Song Ying acknowledged, and the elder gently raised his hand, conjuring a cloud in his palm that transformed into an azure Luan[1]. "Ride this. It will take you down the mountain."

Qin Sang cupped his hands in farewell. "Miss Song, until we meet again."

After sending off Song Ying, the two entered the array.

Once inside, the scenery changed dramatically. Before them stood a strange mountain peak, cleaved in half by a single sword, forming a narrow passage between towering cliffs. Both sides of the slope were covered with peach trees, their blossoms in full bloom, making the entire mountain look as if it had been draped in a red carpet. Peach petals fluttered through the air like butterflies, their fragrance filling the surroundings, creating a breathtaking view.

Qin Sang followed the white-haired elder, passing through the cleft in the mountain. He saw several young women playing among the peach trees, their laughter ringing out freely.

They will be my senior and junior sisters in the future.

Qin Sang thought to himself.

Noticing their light, the girls quickly restrained their laughter and curiously sized up Qin Sang before greeting the elder in sweet voices, "Greetings, Senior Uncle Wen."

The elder smiled kindly, a much warmer demeanor than he had shown Qin Sang.

Once they passed through the mountain, the view opened up before them.

Clear skies and white clouds stretched over vast waters, dozens of sword-like peaks scattered across the horizon. Below, tranquil waters reflected the heavens, while flocks of celestial cranes soared through the air, and numerous koi fish leaped from the water. Occasionally, cultivators could be seen flying on magical artifacts, exchanging greetings as they passed.

As Qin Sang beheld the grand scene of Shaohua Mountain’s gate, a verse from his previous life came to mind, perfectly capturing the beauty before him.

"When asked of Penglai, I reply: clouds cling to the mountains, and waters meet the sky.[2]"

...

The two landed on Shaohua Mountain’s largest, yet most unremarkable peak, and entered a wooden hall. Inside, Senior Uncle Wen examined Qin Sang’s spiritual roots and was somewhat surprised. "You have five-elemental spiritual roots? For your age, your current cultivation isn’t bad, but the chances of you breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm in the future are extremely slim. Are you sure you want to waste this sword will decree?"

Qin Sang was stunned. "Can I pass it on to my descendants?"

Senior Uncle Wen glanced at him. "There’s precedent for that. I can replace the Song Family ancestor’s blood and essence with yours. In the future, if one of your descendants has outstanding talent, they can use the sword will decree to join Shaohua Mountain."

Qin Sang took a deep breath and firmly replied, "Thank you, Senior Uncle Wen, but there’s no need. I am solely devoted to the immortal path, unwavering in my pursuit!"

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Seeing Qin Sang's resolve, Senior Uncle Wen no longer tried to dissuade him. He extracted Qin Sang’s blood and essence and crafted it into a waist token, then summoned a disciple to arrange Qin Sang’s formal entry into the sect.

The entry procedures were quite similar to those at Yuanzhao Sect. The senior brother in charge of his induction was surnamed Zhuang, and although only a year older than Qin Sang, his cultivation had already reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. He mentioned that he had already received the Foundation Building Pill and was preparing to attempt the breakthrough to the Foundation Building stage.

Shaohua Mountain had a special rule: any disciple who reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm before the age of forty could receive a Foundation Building Pill for free.

This was an unexpected delight for Qin Sang, but he also knew that, given his talent, a single Foundation Building Pill wouldn’t be enough for him to reach Foundation Building at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

He needed to continue cultivating, pushing his cultivation to the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, where his chances of breaking through would be greater.

"Junior Brother Qin, this mountain is called Dao Peak. Its name signifies that upon entering the sect, you commit yourself to the immortal path.[3] Be sure not to let the mundane world distract you and hinder your cultivation."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement as Senior Brother Zhuang explained further. Dao Peak, along with the surrounding mountains, served as the training grounds for Shaohua Mountain’s entry-level disciples. Senior uncles and senior brothers often imparted their teachings on Dao Peak.

"Do you see ahead?"

Qin Sang flew on the flying sword issued by Shaohua Mountain, following Senior Brother Zhuang off Dao Peak. Senior Brother Zhuang pointed to the peach blossom-covered mountain in front of them with a hint of admiration in his expression. "That’s Sword Pass, cleaved by a single sword strike from an elder in the past."

1. Luan, also known as Luanniao, is a mythological bird in East Asian mythology. ☜

2. This is a part derived from a Chinese poem. The general meaning of this is to express the unchanging essence of nature. ☜

3. The "Dao" in Dao Peak refers to "path". ☜