Chapter 463: Senior Expert

Ever since Song Qingming revealed his identity as a Golden Core cultivator at Qinghe Market a few days ago, he had understood that the news of his breakthrough would soon reach the Profound Heaven Sect. He had not expected, however, that the sect would send someone to his doorstep so quickly.

Before entering the council hall, Song Qingming had not known who the Profound Heaven Sect had sent. Upon seeing the two Golden Core True Persons, Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian, he was quite surprised. He had not expected the sect to give the Song family such face by sending two Golden Core Elders at once.

Upon seeing Song Qingming, Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian hurriedly stood up with smiles to return the greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Song, please, no need for such formalities. Since you have successfully achieved Core Formation and become one of our peers, there is no need to address us as seniors anymore. From now on, let us address each other as fellow Daoists."

Song Qingming smiled and nodded. "Then I shall not stand on ceremony with you two. May I ask what brings you both to Mount Funiu today?"

Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian exchanged a glance before Chu Fengping stepped forward with a smile. "Besides congratulating you on your Core Formation, Fellow Daoist Song, we have indeed come to discuss a favorable matter with you."

"Please, enlighten me, Fellow Daoist Chu."

Seeing Song Qingming's expectant look, Chu Fengping paused before saying, "Fellow Daoist Song, you have just achieved Core Formation, but it seems you have not yet had the chance to refine a natal magic treasure."

"Fellow Daoist Chu's guess is correct. I have only just luckily achieved Core Formation. Not to mention a natal magic treasure, even the cultivation technique I have been practicing is only at the Qi Refining stage. I have yet to find a technique for the Golden Core stage." Song Qingming replied helplessly.

Chu Fengping immediately said, "Fellow Daoist Song, Elder Li sent Senior Sister Zhao and me here today to invite you to become a guest elder of our sect. If you agree, you will be joining the sect, and from then on, we shall be of the same family."

"Although the treatment for a guest elder is slightly inferior to that of the sect's other elders, a guest elder still has the authority to enter the sect's Merit Pavilion to exchange for the techniques and other spiritual items they require. In this way, your problems regarding cultivation techniques and the future refining of your natal magic treasure will be naturally resolved."

"Senior Brother Chu is correct. Before we left, Elder Li also instructed that as long as Fellow Daoist Song is willing to join the sect, you may go directly to the Merit Pavilion to select a Golden Core stage technique. Furthermore, after becoming a guest elder, you may receive a stipend of five hundred sect merit points annually."

After Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian finished explaining the benefits of becoming a guest elder, Song Qingming lowered his head in contemplation for a moment before asking, "Fellow Daoists, I would like to ask one more thing: if I become a guest elder, must I reside on Mount Guyang from now on?"

Seeing Song Qingming's concern, Chu Fengping smiled and replied directly, "Fellow Daoist, please rest assured. The sect has no such mandatory requirements for guest elders. You may not be aware, but Fellow Daoist Ma of the Iron Immortal Fortress is also a guest elder of our sect."

"He rarely returns to the sect because he is tasked with guarding a territory, which is why it is not widely known. However, after becoming a guest elder, you may remain with your clan just like Fellow Daoist Ma. But, should the sect issue a summons, you must still proceed to Mount Guyang to await orders."

Song Qingming nodded. "My family is weak, and the beast turmoil in the Northern Frontier is approaching. As the clan leader, it is truly difficult for me to abandon my kin at this time. I hope Fellow Daoist Chu can understand."

"Since Fellow Daoist Song comes from a family of cultivators, not only do I and Senior Sister Zhao understand this, but Elder Li also understands it. It is precisely for this reason that we proposed you join the sect as a guest elder, just like Senior Brother Ma."

"In this way, you can join the sect while remaining with your clan to look after your kin. It can be considered a win-win situation. Do you have any other concerns now, Fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing this, Song Qingming stood up slowly and bowed to Chu Fengping and the others. "Since you two have considered things so thoroughly for me, how could I be so unappreciative? I agree to join the sect as a guest elder."

"However, this matter is quite sudden. I still need to explain it to my other kin. Please give me a little more time. I will go to Mount Guyang in a few days to formally announce this."

When Song Qingming first heard that the Profound Heaven Sect had sent someone, he had assumed they were merely sending someone to offer congratulations. It was only when he saw the two Golden Core cultivators in the council hall that he realized their purpose was not so simple.

Yet, he had not expected the sect to invite him to join as a guest elder. After learning the details from Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian, he decided to accept their proposal after a moment of thought.

Even if the two had not approached him today, he had already planned to visit the Profound Heaven Sect eventually to see if he could find a suitable Golden Core stage technique.

With the two Golden Core cultivators taking the initiative to come to him and solve these pressing problems, he truly had little reason to refuse such benefits.

Moreover, serving as a guest elder involved few responsibilities or duties, and it would not significantly impact his daily cultivation or his ability to look after his family. This was entirely acceptable to him.

Seeing that Song Qingming had agreed, Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian, having completed their primary mission, were filled with joy.

"Since you have agreed to join the sect, Chu shall henceforth address you as Junior Brother Song."

"Senior Brother Chu is too kind. If not for your assistance back then, I would have found it extremely difficult to achieve Core Formation. Truth be told, you are my benefactor. I have just entered the sect, and I hope for your and Senior Sister Zhao's guidance in the future."

When Song Qingming had gone to the Merit Pavilion to exchange for the Jade Dust Pill, Chu Fengping had appreciated his potential and gifted him a "Demon-Repelling and Evil-Suppressing Talisman" to help him resist the inner demons of Core Formation.

Although Song Qingming had not needed to use it due to his own powerful spiritual sense, he had always remembered Chu Fengping's help.

"Hehe! It was but a small effort; do not take it to heart. Since we are now of the same sect, we should naturally help one another."

"Junior Brother Song, you have just joined the sect. I came in a hurry today and did not bring any fine gifts. These elixirs are ones I refined in my spare time; they should be useful to you. Please accept them as a token of our first meeting." Chu Fengping smiled and took out a white jade bottle, handing it to Song Qingming.

Song Qingming opened it to find high-quality elixirs beneficial to Golden Core cultivation, and he hurriedly bowed to thank Chu Fengping again.

"Junior Brother Song, I do not have anything particularly useful for you, but I have heard that your Dao companion has also successfully achieved Foundation Establishment. This magic tool accompanied me for many years; it should be suitable for her. Please accept it as a congratulatory gift from me to you both."

Seeing that Chu Fengping had already offered a gift, Zhao Fenglian immediately took out an exquisite jade bracelet magic tool and presented it to Song Qingming.

Although its value might not match Chu Fengping's elixirs, it was a rare second-grade middle-tier defensive magic tool. Song Qingming naturally did not refuse and thanked Zhao Fenglian as well.

After this interaction, the relationship between the three had grown much closer, and they began to converse with greater ease.

Rarely having the opportunity to sit with two cultivators of the same realm, Song Qingming took the chance to ask Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian for advice on matters requiring attention during Golden Core cultivation.

Chu and Zhao answered all his questions, as Song Qingming was now a guest elder of their sect, and they had no reason to refuse such a simple favor that would further strengthen their bond.

After chatting for a while in the council hall, Chu Fengping found an appropriate moment to ask, "Junior Brother Song, after you left Mount Guyang back then, where did you go to achieve Core Formation? The sect never received any news of your breakthrough."

Chu Fengping narrowed his eyes as he looked at Song Qingming, and Zhao Fenglian, sitting beside him, also fixed her gaze intently on Song Qingming's face.

Faced with the question about his Core Formation, Song Qingming hesitated for a moment before replying with a troubled expression:

"Senior Brother Chu, the location of my Core Formation was actually not within the borders of the Wei Kingdom, but in a cave dwelling deep within the Floating Cloud Mountain Range."

"I was indeed lucky to succeed this time, and I was fortunate to receive the help of a senior expert. However, this senior does not wish for me to mention anything regarding them to others, and I truly cannot explain the matter clearly to you both."

"At the time, this senior also required me to swear an oath upon my Dao heart not to reveal their identity before they agreed to assist me. Had it not been for this senior's help, given my aptitude, it would have been very difficult for me to succeed."

Hearing that Song Qingming had been assisted by a senior expert, Chu Fengping and Zhao Fenglian were surprised, but not overly so.

"Oh! If that is the case, then do not trouble yourself. To receive the assistance of a senior is your good fortune, Junior Brother Song. May I ask if this senior is still in the Wei Kingdom? Could you perhaps reveal a little?"

Song Qingming shook his head. "I encountered this senior near Guiyun Market. They seemed to be merely passing through. After I achieved Core Formation, this senior departed, without informing me of their destination."