Chapter 427: Song Xinde's Persistence

The next day, on the summit of Mount Funiu, in Song Qingming's cave dwelling.

Having received a sound transmission early in the morning, Song Xinde arrived here with a nervous expression. Standing in the cave dwelling of the clan's Foundation Establishment ancestor, he felt very uneasy and did not know why Song Qingming had summoned him.

Yesterday, Song Xinde happened to want to mortgage the defective second-tier flying sword he had refined earlier to a clan member, hoping to borrow some spirit stones to buy high-tier artifact refining materials in the market. Unexpectedly, this scene was just happened upon by the Clan Leader who had just returned to the clan.

At that time, Song Qingming didn't say much; he only asked why he was borrowing spirit stones everywhere before directly taking away the second-tier flying sword he was preparing to mortgage. Even now, Song Xinde did not know what Song Qingming specifically wanted to do by calling him here.

At a wooden table not far in front of him, Song Qingming was currently concentrating on drawing a spirit talisman on the table, paying no attention to the bewildered Song Xinde.

It was not until a moment later, as the talisman brush in Song Qingming's hand was lifted gently, that a silver spirit talisman overflowing with spiritual light flew into his hand. After Song Qingming nodded with satisfaction, he turned around with a smile.

"Although my way of talisman making and your way of artifact refining are somewhat different, the essence required to improve all cultivation skills is much the same. Only after practicing until you are proficient and laying a good foundation can you easily take a step further."

"Although you were able to barely refine a defective second-tier magic tool before, your foundation and timing are still somewhat lacking. There is no need to be too anxious. If you want to successfully break through to become a second-tier artifact refiner in one go, you still need to spend more time studying it patiently."

After Song Qingming finished speaking, a blue flying sword appeared in his hand with a flash of spiritual light; it was precisely the second-tier flying sword with some defects that he had taken from Song Xinde yesterday.

After returning the flying sword in his hand to Song Xinde, Song Qingming continued: "I have looked at the flying sword you refined carefully. Although it has many defects and cannot yet be considered a second-tier magic tool, the fact that you were able to refine it shows that your artifact refining level is indeed not far from a breakthrough."

Upon hearing Song Qingming's affirmation, Song Xinde suddenly stepped forward and knelt on the ground, his voice choking with emotion: "This nephew is dull. After studying for so many years and consuming so many of the clan's high-tier artifact refining materials, I have still failed to successfully refine a second-tier magic tool, disappointing the Clan Leader and all the elders."

Song Qingming stepped forward to help Song Xinde up and said softly: "You don't need to blame yourself for this. Over the years, the clan has been upgrading its spirit veins, and stopping support for you after tightening our belts was indeed a grievance to you."

"A few days ago, I discussed it with your eldest uncle. The clan's situation has improved a bit now. From now on, we will continue to support you in breaking through to become a second-tier artifact refiner. If you have any needs in the future, you can go directly to your eldest uncle; he will find a way to help you arrange it."

"Ah! Thank you, Clan Leader, for your cultivation! This nephew will definitely study the way of artifact refining diligently in the future and strive to live up to the expectations of the Clan Leader and the clan as soon as possible."

"Hmm! As long as you have this confidence, it is good. These few spirit talismans shall be a congratulatory gift from me, your elder, in advance." After Song Qingming nodded with satisfaction, he bestowed the few spirit talismans he had just drawn into Song Xinde's hands.

"Thank you, Clan Leader, for the reward!"

After walking out of Song Qingming's cave dwelling, Song Xinde, now with an excited expression, stood on the summit of Mount Funiu, looking at the sunlight falling from the clouds, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Since coming to Mount Funiu at the age of ten, although Song Xinde had been practicing the Dao for more than thirty years, he had only been an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator of the Song family.

But their generation of cultivators happened to catch up with good times. The Song family not only leaped to become a Foundation Establishment clan, but the entire clan had also been developing and growing for decades. Even for someone with average spirit root talent like him, the cultivation resources he could obtain in Qinghe County were not comparable to those of cultivators from Qi Refining families or rogue cultivators.

However, although Song Xinde was born in a Foundation Establishment clan like the Song family, his cultivation talent was ultimately limited. Having practiced diligently for half his life, he still couldn't compare to those outstanding peers of the Clan Leader. It would be good enough to reach the late stage of Qi Refining in this life; Foundation Establishment was already hopeless.

Song Xinde, who had been mediocre in all aspects in the clan his whole life, was uniquely talented in the way of artifact refining. Especially after Song Qingming issued the directive to assist clan cultivation skills decades ago, Song Xinde became even more obsessed with this cultivation skill he loved most.

With his already outstanding artifact refining talent and the clan's intentional support, he quickly improved this cultivation skill to the first-tier top-quality level, becoming the cultivator with the highest artifact refining level in the clan.

However, becoming a first-tier top-quality artifact refiner was not Song Xinde's final goal. What he wanted was to be able to improve his artifact refining level to the second tier, become the Song family's first second-tier artifact refiner, and leave his name in the clan's records.

Over the years, in order to achieve this goal hidden in his heart, Song Xinde had put almost all his energy into it. Even when the clan suspended support for him more than a decade ago, Song Xinde never thought of giving up this goal.

Over the past decade or so, in order to purchase those high-tier artifact refining materials, Song Xinde not only spent all the spirit stones he had accumulated but also owed many spirit stones to brothers and elders. His life was very destitute, and he could often feel the cold looks from some clan members behind his back.

After failing to refine second-tier magic tools many times in succession, those brothers and friends who were closer to Song Xinde began to advise him one after another to give up such endless investment. After all, the cost of wanting to refine a second-tier magic tool was truly not low; failing just once would result in a loss of at least a hundred spirit stones.

As long as Song Xinde was willing to just peacefully refine first-tier magic tools, his life would absolutely not be as destitute as it was now.

Although everyone was advising him to give up, Song Xinde still relied on his inner persistence to continue until now, waiting for the clan to value him again.

Recalling all the blows he had experienced over the years—the disappointment of elders, the jokes of brothers, the coldness of clan members—each scene seemed as if it were yesterday. Fortunately, he finally persevered and did not give up lightly.

After the darkness, he finally saw a glimmer of dawn. Standing on the mountaintop, Song Xinde felt very fortunate that he had persisted over the years; otherwise, he would not have had this opportunity today to receive this affirmation and support from the clan's ancestor.

Having received the clan's support, Song Xinde returned to his cave dwelling. He did not rush to collect materials to refine second-tier magic tools immediately, but instead planned to spend a year or two continuing to help other cultivators in the clan refine and repair first-tier magic tools, properly consolidating his basic artifact refining skills.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 428 =====