Chapter 749

Seeing the look of hesitation on Bai Yunhua's face, Song Qingming was also a bit puzzled for a moment, not knowing what could be troubling him so much.

Just as he was about to speak again, Huang Siyuan, who was to the side, stood up first and said with a smile: "Since Fellow Daoist Bai has important business, Husband, you should go inside and talk with him. I happen to be brewing another pot of tea for you."

Hearing this, Song Qingming nodded slightly and, without saying anything more, took the initiative to walk toward a side compartment.

Seeing this, Bai Yunhua gave a word of instruction to his grandson, telling him to wait where he was, and then immediately followed behind Song Qingming. The two soon arrived in a private room inside.

After signaling for Bai Yunhua to sit to the side, Song Qingming raised his hand and gently waved it, setting up a sound-insulation barrier between the two of them before asking: "It is just the two of us here; Fellow Daoist Bai, if you have anything to say, just say it. If you have truly encountered any difficulties or if someone is making things hard for you, just tell me.

My Song family has been established for so many years; while I cannot say our reputation is perfect, we do have our rules. If someone has truly 'mixed sand in my eyes,' I will certainly not tolerate them."

Seeing that Song Qingming still thought he had suffered some grievance and was finding it hard to speak directly, Bai Yunhua shook his head repeatedly and said: "Senior Song, you have misunderstood. Everything I just said was the truth; I did not mean to be polite with you.

The reason I wanted to meet you alone is that there is a very important matter I wish to discuss with you. I hope you will not take offense."

After speaking, Bai Yunhua reached out and tapped his storage bag at his waist, taking out a set of second-tier high-grade magic arrays, and then placed it in front of Song Qingming.

"I wonder if Senior Song still remembers this array?"

"Is this array not the ancient array that I and Fellow Daoist Hu helped you repair back then? What is your intention in showing me this, Fellow Daoist Bai?"

Although over a hundred years had passed, upon seeing the array Bai Yunhua brought out, Song Qingming recognized it at a glance. This second-tier high-grade array was indeed an ancient array that Bai Yunhua had invited him and several others to help repair back then.

At that time, Song Qingming had asked Bai Yunhua to help introduce him to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, and later, to thank the other party, he had agreed to help repair this array.

At that time, Song Qingming's formation level was only second-tier mid-grade, and it took the group a full two months to restore the power of this ancient array to second-tier high-grade, a memory that remained vivid for Song Qingming.

Seeing that Song Qingming recognized the ancient array in his hands, Bai Yunhua nodded hurriedly: "Senior is correct; this is indeed the type of ancient magic array we repaired together back then.

When I obtained this array back then, I thought it was just an ancient array. After repairing it, this array also helped me escape danger many times.

It wasn't until forty years ago, when I luckily bought a third-tier low-grade water-attribute ore at Yangshan Market, that I wanted to refine that ore into the array disk to increase its power.

Unexpectedly, while refining the array disk, I inadvertently discovered a secret inside: this array disk actually contained the runes of an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling."

"An ancient cultivator's cave dwelling? There is such a thing? Could this cave dwelling be in the Floating Cloud Mountain Range?" Hearing Bai Yunhua say that the array disk in his hand contained a secret regarding an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, a look of shock immediately appeared on Song Qingming's face.

This cultivation world has already experienced one hundred thousand years; those so-called ancient cultivator cave dwellings have long since gradually disappeared from the cultivation world as later cultivators continuously explored them over the passage of time.

In today's cultivation world, it is not strange to find a spiritual object passed down from ancient times like the one in Bai Yunhua's hand, but to find an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling is not something one can encounter with ordinary luck.

Song Qingming has cultivated for over two hundred years and has also gone out to explore many cave dwellings and secret realms.

But apart from the Heaven-Reaching Tower, which is an otherworldly secret realm of unknown age, the other senior cultivators' cave dwellings date back at most a few thousand years, which cannot be compared to ancient cultivator cave dwellings that have existed for tens of thousands of years.

Unexpectedly, the unassuming Bai Yunhua before him could have such good luck. While shocked, Song Qingming also felt a bit of envy in his eyes as he looked at him.

Bai Yunhua nodded directly upon hearing this: "Correct! Senior only needs to extend your spiritual sense into the turtle shell in the very center of the array disk, and you will naturally be able to see the runes depicting that cave dwelling."

Hearing Bai Yunhua's explanation, Song Qingming immediately closed his eyes and covered the array disk with his spiritual sense. Before long, he discovered a cluster of runes that only ancient cultivators would write, located beneath the turtle shell Bai Yunhua had described.

"It truly is the work of an ancient cultivator, but I cannot quite understand what is written on these runes. Have you already researched them?"

These rune styles were very archaic and indeed seemed to describe some location. Although Song Qingming was a formation master and could roughly see some of the logic, he had not spent time studying these runes in detail, so he could not determine exactly where the place described was.

The Bai Yunhua before Song Qingming was also a formation master, and when he was repairing this array back then, he had already done quite a bit of research on the ancient runes on it. In terms of understanding these runes, Song Qingming was likely not as good as the other party.

Bai Yunhua nodded with a smile upon hearing this: "Senior guessed correctly. As a formation master, I have always had some research into these ancient runes.

After I discovered this secret in the array disk, I didn't pay much attention to it at first. Unexpectedly, after spending a few years, I really did find that cave dwelling.

It is just a pity that I arrived a bit late; others had already beaten me to it, and I didn't find anything good inside.

Moreover, it was very dangerous inside, with powerful array restrictions everywhere. If I hadn't been cautious when I first went in, I would have almost died inside.

Senior Song, please look: these few items are what I brought out from that cave dwelling. They are all very exquisite ancient spiritual objects, but because too much time has passed, there is no longer any spiritual energy on them."

After speaking, Bai Yunhua took out a few broken magic treasure fragments from his storage bag and presented them to Song Qingming.

Picking up the magic treasure fragments Bai Yunhua brought out and looking at them for a while, Song Qingming slowly put them down and then asked directly: "Since the cave dwelling you found was just an empty one with no spiritual objects, why are you telling me all this?"

At first, Song Qingming thought that after Bai Yunhua found the cave dwelling, he had obtained something good and came to him wanting to trade it for something, but he discovered that the items he brought out were just useless magic treasure fragments, and he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Bai Yunhua, sitting to the side, saw Song Qingming ask this so suddenly and seem somewhat uninterested, so he hurriedly explained with an anxious look:

"Senior Song, you may not know this, but although this ancient cultivator's cave dwelling has been visited by others, the space inside is very large, and there are some places guarded by very powerful restrictions.

After searching inside for a long time over these years, I discovered a place covered by a restriction. Judging from the situation outside, it seems no one has entered it yet. I suspect there must still be some spiritual objects hidden inside.

It is just a pity that the restriction is very powerful. My abilities are limited, and although I have tried many times to break the restriction over these years, I have never succeeded. Perhaps I am not fated to have this opportunity!"

When he said this, Bai Yunhua sighed with some regret, seemingly lamenting that he could not obtain this unknown opportunity himself.

After a pause, Bai Yunhua continued: "After trying painstakingly for decades without success, I now have little lifespan left and no longer have the ability to go in again.

Coming here today, I want to pass this secret on to you, Senior, and use this to ask for a favor. After I pass away in the future, I hope you can look after my kin and descendants at White Lion Ridge."

After speaking, Bai Yunhua knelt directly before Song Qingming, his eyes and tone full of sincerity, as if he were intentionally entrusting his final affairs.

Seeing this, Song Qingming hurriedly stepped forward to help him up and sighed slightly: "Fellow Daoist Bai, you are being too serious. Since you and the Bai family are now a cultivation family under the command of my "Mount Funiu," it is only right that I should look after you.

Regardless of whether there is a favor between us, as long as they can cultivate with peace of mind and not cross the bottom line, I can guarantee to you that I will absolutely not intentionally suppress the Bai family in the future. Please rest assured about this."

"Senior Song, I naturally believe what you say, but you also know that I am not far from my limit now. I just want to plan a way out for these juniors as much as possible before I pass away, and also seek some peace of mind for myself.

If you can agree to one request of mine, I am willing to tell you the location of this ancient cave dwelling and can personally take you in once."

"What request do you have? Let's hear it first. If it is something I can conveniently agree to, I will not be unreasonable."

Hearing this, Bai Yunhua immediately stood up and replied: "In my family, apart from me, there are only seven or eight people who can cultivate, and they are all of mediocre talent. I fear they have no hope of Foundation Establishment in this life.

Only one grandson has decent aptitude; he is a rare dual spiritual root talent.

It is just a pity that he is still young and I don't have much time left, so I won't be able to see him reach Foundation Establishment. I want him to join your sect under you, Senior, and hope you can look after him. It can be considered giving my Bai family some hope for the future."

"Join my sect? This..."

"To be honest, although I have cultivated for many years, I have never taken a disciple, nor am I good at teaching others. I fear I might fail your great trust. Would you like to change your request, Fellow Daoist?"

Hearing the request Bai Yunhua proposed, Song Qingming immediately understood. The grandson with dual spiritual root aptitude he spoke of should be the youth he brought who was sitting outside.

Bai Yunhua seeking him out so painstakingly today was mostly to pave the way for this descendant of his.

With dual spiritual root aptitude, if one could have the care of a Golden Core cultivator as a teacher, as long as one's luck wasn't too bad, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment would certainly not be difficult.

"Hehe! This clone of mine is merely temporarily manifested with the help of my life-bound magic treasure; it is not the Art of the External Incarnation. You flatter me too much with such words."

However, Song Qingming had so many juniors in his family that he rarely had time to teach them, and he really had no interest in taking disciples. After knowing Bai Yunhua's purpose, he pondered for a moment and still shook his head gently.

"I know you are busy with many affairs, Senior, and have no way to personally teach him cultivation. I naturally dare not hope for that. I only ask that you support him when he reaches Foundation Establishment in the future; that would fulfill my wish.

Otherwise, once I pass away, the few people in the Bai family will likely not even be able to hold onto this small foundation, let alone think about Foundation Establishment in the future. Even if I go down below, I will find it hard to be at peace."

"With this child's dual spiritual root aptitude, if he could join a sect directly, his achievements would certainly not be worse than yours." Hearing the suggestion Song Qingming made, Bai Yunhua shook his head directly: "I joined a sect when I was young, and in this life, I have seen through all the schemes and infighting in large sects.

That is why I thought of setting up a family business at White Lion Ridge and bringing them all out, just to keep them away from places of trouble and live a few peaceful days.

I really do not want this child to walk the path I walked back then, which is why I brought him to seek you out today, Senior. I hope you can let me fulfill this wish."

Although joining a sect can obtain more cultivation resources and the chance to attain the Dao is greater than that of family cultivators or rogue cultivators.

But in places like sects, there are simply too many geniuses. Even if you are a dual spiritual root cultivator with extraordinary talent, in a large Nascent Soul sect like the "Carefree Sect," this does not count for much.

In the future, wanting to reach Foundation Establishment or Core Formation requires facing fierce competition with peers, and naturally, there is no lack of schemes and infighting.

Seeing Bai Yunhua, who already had a deep understanding of this, speak so sincerely, Song Qingming also nodded slowly to show his agreement.

"Although joining a sect has a better prospect for the path, there is certainly no lack of strife in places with many people. It is rare for you to be able to see through this so clearly, Fellow Daoist.

I can agree to this matter and help you look after this child in the future, but before that, I still have a question I want to ask you.

You have discovered the secret of this cave dwelling for so many years, Fellow Daoist; why have you never thought of informing the sect and asking other elders to help break the restriction you mentioned?

If there really is something inside, I think they would not treat you unfairly, right!" After Song Qingming finished speaking, he stared intently at the other party, waiting for Bai Yunhua's answer.

Hearing this, Bai Yunhua sighed and replied: "To be honest with you, Senior, what you said is indeed something I have considered.

It is just that this cave dwelling was not only visited by senior cultivators long ago, but there are also many dangerous restrictions inside. It is indeed not an easy matter to persuade other elders of the sect to help.

If there is nothing inside and it causes some bad things to happen, it would be very difficult for me to explain. After thinking it over, I finally gave up on this idea."

Ever since discovering the secret in the array disk, Bai Yunhua had indeed thought about finding someone to help break the restrictions inside over the years.

It is just that those restrictions also involve ancient array runes, and even a top-tier second-tier high-grade formation master like him could not break them. Ordinary cultivators simply could not help at all; at the very least, a Golden Core cultivator or a third-tier or higher formation master would be needed.

And there are not many third-tier formation masters in the "Carefree Sect," and they are all key targets for the sect to cultivate, so they would not easily go out to take risks.

Not to mention Golden Core elders; wanting to persuade them to act, relying on Bai Yunhua's mouth alone is certainly not enough; at the very least, a significant price must be paid.

Otherwise, if someone spent a great deal of effort and ended up not finding anything good inside, who would be willing to accompany you to take risks and run for nothing? Unless you can first bring out spiritual objects that make them tempted, it is possible to persuade the other party.

Although the secret of the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling that Bai Yunhua has sounds a bit tempting, to put it bluntly, it is an unknown variable; no one knows whether it will be a blessing or a curse to go there.

And in places that have likely been visited by countless cultivators, nine times out of ten, it is impossible to leave anything good behind. It is precisely because he understands this point that Bai Yunhua wants to use this unknown opportunity to trade for a future favor from Song Qingming.

Although Bai Yunhua takes this matter very seriously, Song Qingming does not care too much.

The reason Song Qingming just asked Bai Yunhua why he didn't ask for help in the sect was actually to confirm whether the other party had told anyone else about this secret.

If anyone else in the sect knew about it, in order to prevent things from being unclear in the future, Song Qingming would certainly not be willing to take the risk to wade into these muddy waters.

Bai Yunhua taking the initiative to come to him for help today is nothing more than wanting him to look after his descendants in the future. To Song Qingming, this is just a matter of convenience and not a very difficult thing.

As long as the other party cultivates properly in the future and doesn't cause trouble to bring him any problems, just taking on a nominal disciple has no major impact on Song Qingming.

After getting confirmation from Bai Yunhua, Song Qingming nodded slightly: "What Fellow Daoist Bai said is also correct. This kind of place is too dangerous, and it is uncertain whether anything useful can be found. Rashly taking others there is not necessarily a good thing.

Since I have already agreed to you today, I will accept this item first.

As for the child outside, I will give you two choices, Fellow Daoist. If he wants to take me as his master, I must say in advance that it can only be a nominal master-disciple relationship; it is impossible for me to spend too much energy teaching him.

If you think this is inappropriate, Fellow Daoist, I can also choose a suitable person from among the many elders of the Song family to take him in. In that case, he can have someone to teach him and can also stay at Mount Funiu to cultivate in the future.

Regardless of which one you choose, the matter I promised you earlier about supporting him when he reaches Foundation Establishment in the future still holds true.

After we go out in a moment, Fellow Daoist Bai, you take the child back first. I will give you three days to consider. In a few days, I will have Yuanfang prepare, and then I will notify you to come over. At that time, you can tell me your choice. Do you think this is okay, Fellow Daoist?"

"That would be excellent! Then thank you, Senior."

After agreeing with the other party, Song Qingming put away Bai Yunhua's second-tier high-grade array disk.

This item has the mark of that cave dwelling on it; Song Qingming naturally would not let others see it easily. Bai Yunhua had no objections to this and nodded hurriedly to agree.

His purpose in coming today was to obtain a promise from Song Qingming to pave the way for his descendants. Compared to this, the value of this set of second-tier high-grade magic arrays seemed less important.

After the two finished talking, Song Qingming directly removed the sound-insulation barrier and then walked out with Bai Yunhua.

At this time in the main hall, Huang Siyuan was smiling and talking to that youth. To ease the other party's nervousness, she even specially had someone bring a plate of spiritual fruits for him.

Seeing Song Qingming and Bai Yunhua walk over, the youth hurriedly stood up and walked over, carefully following behind Bai Yunhua.

"Two seniors, Fellow Daoist Song, if there are no other instructions, I will take my leave first!"

After coming out from inside, Bai Yunhua sat for a while, then bowed to everyone to greet them, and then, led by Song Yuanfang, took the youth beside him and left.

After the other party left, Huang Siyuan asked with some curiosity: "This Fellow Daoist Bai came to find you—could it be for this child's path?"

"Oh! How did you see that?"

Seeing that she had indeed guessed correctly, Huang Siyuan smiled and explained: "The child is only fifteen years old, and his cultivation has already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. I see that he is at least a dual spiritual root, if not a triple spiritual root talent.

Fellow Daoist Bai now has little lifespan left, and his path is already hopeless. Bringing him here specially today—isn't the purpose already obvious?

Seeing his relaxed expression when he left, it is mostly likely that Husband agreed. Could it be that you have already taken this child in?"

Facing the doubt on Huang Siyuan's face, Song Qingming nodded and admitted: "Fellow Daoist Bai is nothing more than seeking peace of mind. I did agree to him, but how to choose is up to them.

After all, I often go into closed-door cultivation for long periods; where would I have the time to teach a disciple? If he insists, it can only be a nominal master-disciple relationship."

After Song Qingming answered, he told Huang Siyuan about the agreement he had just reached with Bai Yunhua inside.

Hearing that Bai Yunhua had not achieved his goal and had also offered Song Qingming an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, Huang Siyuan was also a bit surprised at first.

But upon hearing that it had already been visited by others, Huang Siyuan showed a look of disappointment: "It's just a restriction where one doesn't know if there is anything inside; it's mostly likely that one won't get anything good.

In that case, Husband, this transaction was a loss!"

"Fellow Daoist Bai and I also had some friendship back then. The reason I agreed to him is mainly because of the fact that we knew each other back then. This matter is just a small effort for me; it doesn't matter whether it's a loss or not.

I only promised to look after this child in the future. As for how far he can go on his path in the future, it still depends on himself."

Three days passed quickly. Bai Yunhua, having received the message from "Mount Funiu," also kept his appointment and brought his grandson, Bai Jingyun, to the Song family again.

In the end, he still insisted on letting Bai Jingyun join Song Qingming's sect, becoming the first disciple of his cultivation career.

Song Qingming had long expected this and did not say much, directly letting Song Yuanfang arrange a simple apprenticeship ceremony to take Bai Jingyun into his sect.

After waiting for Bai Jingyun to perform the kowtow ceremony, Song Qingming, who was sitting in the seat of honor, stood up and took out a low-tier magic tool as a gift for his disciple.

Just as the apprenticeship ceremony ended, taking advantage of the fact that there was no one around Song Qingming, Bai Yunhua took the initiative to walk toward him.

"Senior Song, this is the map of the location of that cave dwelling that I have drawn."