Chapter 66: Private Motives

A Dual Spirit Sea Cultivator cannot be easily identified from the surface; one can only discover it during battle by observing the opponent's Spirit Power output or through certain secret arts.

"I never expected that the plain-looking Zhang Nuo would be a rare Dual Spirit Sea Cultivator in this world!"

Song Ziyu pondered for a moment before slowly spitting out these words. It is nothing special for a cultivator to become a Dual Spirit Sea Cultivator upon reaching the Golden Core stage, but to be one at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage is truly astonishing! Song Meiyu also had a hint of surprise at this moment.

Do not look at her as a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivator; if she were to truly fight Zhang Nuo, she might not necessarily gain the upper hand, as she would at least not have as much Spiritual Qi as him.

Looking at the expressions of his two daughters, Song Yi suddenly gave a strange smile, his demeanor even appearing somewhat smug.

"If this person could be brought into our Song Family, he would certainly be a person of great ability within a hundred years!"

The two young women cast their gazes entirely upon their father. They were greatly puzzled; the Song Family basically does not absorb outside cultivators, so even if their natural talent is excellent, they can only look on with envy!

"It is just that there is a rule in the clan! People with outside surnames are not allowed to join the family!"

As if afraid that Song Yi had forgotten this matter, Song Meiyu reminded him.

"I know this, but if a man voluntarily marries into our Song Family, that is permissible!"

Upon hearing this, the two sisters were stunned at the same time, but in an instant, they understood their father's meaning. The matter of marrying into the family had not been unheard of in the history of the Song Family, but after marrying in, the man must first change his original surname to the Song surname; only then would the Elders of the clan accept him.

However, among the men of this world, anyone with a shred of backbone would never change to another surname, unless this man deeply loved a woman of the Song Family and was willing to make a sacrifice for her!

"Father's idea is good, but I have observed Zhang Nuo's physiognomy, and he is not the type of person who can easily change his surname. Moreover, he must be naturally stubborn; I am afraid it will take some time to persuade him!"

Song Meiyu's delicate brows furrowed slightly. In Song Yi's branch of the Song Family, there were no male descendants, only two daughters. If Song Yi were to fall, the position of Family Head would certainly be inherited by a male descendant chosen from another branch.

"Even if we persuade Zhang Nuo, what is the use? There is a rule in the clan that those who marry into the family are not allowed to inherit the position of Family Head. Our branch will never have the chance to be the Family Head again!"

Song Meiyu sighed slightly at this moment; she was a very strong-willed person, only hindered by having been born a daughter.

"That is where you are wrong! If there is a person of great ability in our branch, the clan Elders would certainly not dare to look down on us, and our supplies would naturally not be less than they are now! After all, when the critical moment comes, everyone in the clan will have to rely on this person!"

Hearing their father's words, both sisters lowered their heads and pondered. What Song Yi said was not without reason; if Zhang Nuo could achieve great success in his cultivation in a hundred years, he could at least hold up half the sky for the Song Family!

Inside the room, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Everyone was thinking their own private thoughts. They all knew very well that Zhang Nuo was a rare talent, but how to keep him had become the greatest problem!

…………………………

The next morning, Zhang Nuo pushed open the door. The fresh air outside made his spirit feel refreshed; after the bloody storms of the past few days, he had not felt this relaxed in a long time.

Turning back to glance at Gao Dakuan, who was still meditating, Zhang Nuo stepped out and carefully closed the door. He moved slowly through the courtyard, but his mind was thinking about another matter!

The "Mysterious Heaven Gold-Devouring Insect" had been in a deep sleep ever since it ate a mineral vein at Divine Sword Mountain, and as of now, it showed no signs of waking up. Moreover, this sleep was clearly different from before; the Spirit Insect's body was constantly surrounded by a faint Golden Light, but this Golden Light had not the slightest fluctuation of Spirit Power, so only Zhang Nuo himself knew about it.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang is up very early!"

A voice like a silver bell came from behind Zhang Nuo. Because he had been deep in thought, he had no idea someone had approached. He turned his head abruptly to see Song Ziyu standing behind him with a smile.

"So it is Song Er Xiaojie, I have been rude!"

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need for such formalities; you can just call me Ziyu from now on!"

With light steps, Song Ziyu walked up to Zhang Nuo, but today she looked somewhat special, always giving one a feeling of being filled with tender affection. Especially her attitude toward Zhang Nuo, which was much better than before.

"Is there any news of my master?"

Zhang Nuo felt his heart jump and hurriedly steered the conversation away. Shaking her head gently, Song Er Xiaojie's expression changed, and she said with a hint of sadness:

"According to the information gathered by our Song Family, the Divine Sword Sect Sect Master Sun Yiyang used a secret art to self-detonate his Golden Core, heavily wounding the three mysterious people from the 'Great Underworld Mansion' and simultaneously covering the escape of the other disciples in the sect. However, it is unknown where your master and Senior Xiao Jingxuan escaped to; there has been no news of them at all!"

"What! The Sect Master self-detonated his Golden Core!"

Hearing this news, Zhang Nuo drew a deep, cold breath. He knew the consequences of self-detonating a Golden Core all too well; he had not expected that Sun Yiyang would perish along with the sect!

"But please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhang, our Song Family is making every effort to inquire about Senior Lin Fan; I believe we will know in a few days!"

Seeing Zhang Nuo remain silent, Song Ziyu hurriedly explained again. At this moment, the room door opened, and Gao Dakuan walked out. He had heard the conversation between the two just now, and especially upon hearing that Sun Yiyang had fallen, the tears in his eyes could no longer be held back.

The air was filled with a sense of sorrow. Zhang Nuo ignored Song Er Xiaojie and walked back into the room alone. He sat quietly on the bed, recalling everything from his time at the Divine Sword Sect.

Zhang Nuo did not care too much about Sun Yiyang's fall, but Lin Fan's disappearance made him extremely worried. Ever since he was taken in as a disciple by Lin Fan, his master had thought of everything for him; imperceptibly, Lin Fan had almost become his family!

As things stood, Zhang Nuo was powerless. He could only pray that Lin Fan was safe and sound, and that he would come to the Song Family to reunite with them!