Chapter 841: Departure

Several months later, at the summit of Mount Funiu.

Looking at Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi standing before him, Song Qingyu smiled and cupped his hands toward them, saying, "Seventh Brother, Senior Sister Xuanyi, please rest assured. I will certainly strive to break through my cultivation base during this retreat and will not let you down."

"Qingyu, breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation is no easy task. Do not put too much pressure on yourself; just do your best!"

Although Song Qingyu had broken through to the sixth layer of Core Formation over a dozen years ago, crossing the threshold into the late stage of Core Formation was, after all, not such an easy matter.

While Song Qingming also hoped that Song Qingyu would achieve a breakthrough during this retreat, he knew well that breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation was difficult, and he felt anxious in his heart about whether she would be able to achieve her wish.

However, Song Qingyu was only a little over two hundred years old, and her lifespan was relatively abundant. Even if she failed to break through this time, sooner or later, she would reach the step he was currently at.

Just as Song Qingming finished speaking, Li Xuanyi, who was standing to the side, also stepped forward and exhorted Song Qingyu:

"Qingyu, go ahead with your retreat without worry. Regardless of the outcome, I will return to pick you up in two years, and then we can go to the East Sea together."

"Mm! Don't worry, Senior Sister. I will certainly come out of seclusion to welcome you when the time comes."

After finishing their conversation, Song Qingyu did not say anything more and turned directly to walk into his cave dwelling.

Before long, as the restrictive formation at the entrance of the cave dwelling was activated, the surroundings gradually quieted down.

Seeing this, Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi exchanged a smile and slowly turned to leave the spot.

Walking along the small path at the summit, looking at Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, who had remained silent beside him, Song Qingming could not help but be the first to ask, "Senior Sister Li, listening to what you said just now, are you planning to leave Mount Funiu soon?"

"Mm! I have stayed here with you for several months. Now that Qingyu and Siyuan are in seclusion to cultivate, I might as well go out and walk around the nearby areas.

Don't worry, Junior Brother Song. I have an agreement with Qingyu to return and pick her up in two years; I will not go too far from the State of Song."

Upon hearing Senior Sister Li Xuanyi's reply, Song Qingming nodded slightly and could not help but ask again, "Senior Sister Li, before I left the sect, Master once told me that if you ever wished to return to the sect, you could do so at any time.

Now that you have been away for so long, I presume the anger of Senior Li and the others should have subsided. Why don't you consider returning to the sect to find Master and state this matter directly?

I believe that as long as Master is willing to step forward for you, Senior Li and the others should not go so far as to fall out with the sect over this!"

Recently, after learning the specific circumstances of Senior Sister Li Xuanyi's departure from her family, Song Qingming had also stood in her shoes and thought about this matter seriously for her.

Although the Li family of "Mount Yunlong" was a powerful Nascent Soul family, Master "Daoist Lingxu" was, after all, a Soul Transformation cultivator.

If Senior Sister Li Xuanyi were willing to join the sect directly and become an inner disciple of the "Grand Void Gate," logically speaking, even if the Li family were unhappy, they would hardly dare to go to "Yuxuan Island" to demand her back.

However, Li Xuanyi had not done so; instead, to avoid bringing trouble to the sect, she had chosen to withdraw from the sect directly.

For this reason, Song Qingming was also somewhat puzzled in his heart. Because Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had just left her home, it was not easy to make suggestions directly, and it was only now that Song Qingming spoke his thoughts.

Hearing Song Qingming's suggestion, Li Xuanyi shook her head directly and said:

"Junior Brother Song, although you have joined the sect for many years, you have always been an outer disciple and are not clear about some matters within the sect.

The reason our Grand Void Gate has been able to remain safely in the South Continent for many years, avoiding the world, is not only because Master's cultivation is profound enough to deter the surrounding demonic and monster cultivators, but naturally, it also relies on the support of the numerous cultivation forces in the vicinity.

My Li family alone contributes a not-insignificant amount of spirit stones every year to be transported to the island to maintain the formation that seals the Demon God, and other sect forces are the same.

When our Grand Void Gate first settled on Yuxuan Island to guard the True Demon Seal, in order to avoid being known by outsiders, we once had an agreement with the major sects and forces of the South Continent that the sect would never interfere in the affairs of the South Continent's cultivation world at will.

This agreement was set by our sect's predecessors and ancestors and has lasted for tens of thousands of years. Even Master, the old gentleman, cannot break it at will.

If I want to join the inner sect directly, I must first sever my identity with the Li family. Even the sect cannot force this directly."

"Oh! So that's how it is. I hadn't thought of that."

Hearing Senior Sister Li Xuanyi's explanation, Song Qingming gradually understood some things he had never known before and could not help but sigh softly.

Li Xuanyi showed a trace of helplessness on her face upon hearing this, then said softly:

"If I were to return to the sect now, and by any chance those two ancestors at home found out, I fear it is truly possible they would make a scene at the sect.

Although they could not enter the sect even if they reached the island, if this matter were to spread, it would ultimately have some negative impact on the sect.

Master loves me so much; how could I affect the sect's reputation because of my own little affairs?"

Song Qingming nodded slightly and said, "Senior Sister, since Master said you could return to the sect, I think he still hopes you can go back.

How about next time I go to the sect, I help you inquire and see if Master can help you overcome this difficulty."

Hearing Song Qingming's suggestion, Li Xuanyi stood still for a moment, then shook her head directly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother Song, but I still don't want to go back so soon.

All these years, whether in cultivation or training, I have always been inseparable from the care of my family and the sect. I feel that I am far behind you in this regard.

My departure this time, besides the family matter, is also because I want to take this opportunity to try cultivating alone outside and see if I can walk a path of cultivation that belongs to me.

Junior Brother Song, do not worry for me. Before leaving home, I had already thought it through.

Without reaching the Nascent Soul Great Dao, Xuanyi will never return to the South Continent in this lifetime!"

"Mm! Since Senior Sister Li has already made a decision, then I, as your junior brother, will certainly support you with all my might. If you encounter any trouble, Senior Sister, just say the word."

Hearing what Senior Sister Li Xuanyi said, Song Qingming also understood what she was thinking in an instant and cupped his hands with a serious expression to reply.

After the two finished speaking, Li Xuanyi looked at the path ahead, a smile suddenly appeared on her face, and she invited Song Qingming:

"It is not easy for Junior Brother Song to have some free time today. Why not accompany me for a walk in the mountains! Come to think of it, I have been on the mountain for so long, and every time I have troubled Qingyu and the others, letting you steal some leisure. Now that they are all gone, you can't refuse me anymore, right!"

"It is my honor to be invited by you, Senior Sister. It's just that the scenery of my Mount Funiu is ordinary, and I fear it may not catch your eye. How about I take you to see Jin Shanfang instead."

Li Xuanyi said lightly upon hearing this, "No matter! Although the scenery outside is good, seeing too much of it is nothing more than that.

On the contrary, this mountain scenery, although it may be somewhat plain, is excellent as long as it makes people feel comfortable."

After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth and took the initiative to step forward.

Seeing this, Song Qingming shook his head in surprise and then quickly followed.

The two walked along the mountain path, stopping from time to time to chat, as if they had returned to the time they spent on "Yuxuan Island."

After the sun set behind the western mountains, as the evening glow appeared in the sky, Li Xuanyi stood on a hilltop, looking at the beautiful scenery before her, and could not help but be immersed in it, stopping to watch for a while.

Song Qingming accompanied her very quietly on the side until the sky gradually darkened, and then the two exchanged a smile and left the spot.

A few days later, Song Qingming stood again at the foot of "Mount Funiu," seeing off Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, who was preparing to go out for travels.

Watching the familiar black figure in front of him gradually disappear into the sky, Song Qingming turned and stepped onto the flying boat, heading south all the way to the sect's spiritual land, "Mount Guyang."

Time passed slowly, and several months had already passed since Song Qingming returned to his family from the "Donghuang" cultivation world.

During this period, besides seeing off Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu, after obtaining the elixirs, had also successively begun their respective retreats to cultivate, preparing to break through their existing cultivation realms.

For Core Formation cultivators, retreats often last for half a year at the shortest, and it is common for them not to come out for a year or two at the longest.

During the two women's retreat, Song Qingming had nothing to do, and naturally, he did not want to delay his own cultivation time, so he planned to go to the sect's "Merit Pavilion" to take some needed elixirs and spiritual items to continue his retreat.

Now, Song Qingming had already prepared most of the spiritual items and experience needed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Next, he had to work hard to polish his magic power and strive to start impacting the Nascent Soul realm as soon as possible.

Having cultivated for so many years, even though Song Qingming had always been cautious and kept a low profile, he had inevitably offended many powerful enemies, intentionally or unintentionally.

These people were potential dangers lurking around him, which often made Song Qingming feel somewhat worried.

Whether for his personal path or for the safety of the entire family, Song Qingming had to break through to the Nascent Soul realm as soon as possible to give himself a sense of stability.

Just after arriving at "Mount Guyang," Song Qingming met Xu Cheng Ziyan, who was preparing to go out on business, not far in front of the "Mountain Protection Formation," and hurriedly stepped forward to bow to her.

"Junior Sister Xu, are you going on a long journey?"

"Hehe! It's Senior Brother Song. What a coincidence today.

I'm not going on a long journey; I just have some trivial matters to attend to down the mountain and will be back in a while."

Song Qingming nodded slightly upon hearing this and said, "I'm going to the Merit Pavilion to exchange for some spiritual items. When you return, Junior Sister, I will come to visit you!"

Seeing this, Xu Cheng Ziyan hurriedly waved her hand and said, "Senior Brother Song, Uncle Bai seems to have something he wants to find you about. Some time ago, he kept asking me to inquire about you.

It's just that I saw Senior Brother Song hadn't returned for many years and couldn't bear to disturb your reunion with Junior Sister Huang, so I never sent a message to inform you. If you have time, Senior Brother, you might as well go see Uncle first." "Oh! Thank you for the reminder, Junior Sister Xu. Then I won't disturb you, and I will come to visit another day."

Hearing that Bai Yuxian had something to find him about, Song Qingming nodded knowingly and bowed to bid her farewell.

After parting with Bai Yuxian, Song Qingming did not choose to head toward the location of the sect's "Merit Pavilion" but went straight to a high mountain on the north side of "Mount Guyang."

Just after arriving at the mountain peak, two young-looking Foundation Establishment cultivators greeted him from afar.

"Greetings, Uncle Song!"

Seeing these two, Song Qingming hurriedly took out a sound-transmission talisman from his body and handed it to them, saying, "I have come to visit Uncle Bai. Please report it!"

"Please wait a moment, Uncle!"

The two Foundation Establishment disciples standing there heard this, hurriedly took the sound-transmission talisman from Song Qingming's hand, and walked quickly toward a nearby cave dwelling.

Before long, the two walked out again and led Song Qingming directly inside.

"Greetings, Uncle Bai. Congratulations on your cultivation progress. I believe you will be able to break through your realm in no time!"

It had been several decades since Bai Yuxian successfully formed her Nascent Soul. Although her cultivation was still at the first layer of Nascent Soul, compared to when she had just broken through, there were clearly different changes, and her cultivation seemed to have reached the peak of the first layer of Nascent Soul.

(Checked for errors, none found!)

After Bai Yuxian, who was sitting in the seat of honor, dismissed those around her, she heard Song Qingming's congratulations below and hurriedly waved her hand at him, saying:

"You certainly have a way with words, but in a small place like our Fuyun Mountain Range, how could it be so easy to break through the Nascent Soul realm! If it were all as you say, Senior Brother Li wouldn't have been stuck at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul for so many years after forming his Nascent Soul."

There were no more than a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators in the entire Fuyun Mountain Range cultivation world, and the highest cultivation was only at the late stage of Nascent Soul, which was closely related to the scarcity of cultivation resources here.

Therefore, Bai Yuxian, who knew that cultivation was not easy, could only smile helplessly and sigh upon hearing Song Qingming's flattery.

Seeing this situation, Song Qingming also nodded gently, expressing his agreement, "Uncle Bai is absolutely right. We cultivators are trapped here; if we cannot walk out, it is also very difficult to make further progress in cultivation.

This time I went to the Donghuang cultivation world again, and I have learned a lot from what I saw and heard. These are some small things I bought there, and I hope Senior Sister Bai will not mind."

Having finally made a trip to the "Donghuang" cultivation world, Song Qingming naturally could not return empty-handed.

On the return journey, when encountering some large and small markets, he would still take a few days to stop and stroll around.

Although he did not buy any high-tier spiritual items useful to himself like last time, he still managed to purchase some spiritual items unique to the local area.

As the spiritual light in Song Qingming's hand moved, some spiritual tea, spiritual wine, spiritual fruits, and several decorative spiritual items loved by female cultivators, which had been packed and prepared, appeared before Bai Yuxian's eyes along with the spiritual light.

Besides daily cultivation, Bai Yuxian was also someone who liked to stroll around.

Although the gifts Song Qingming brought were not valuable things, they were still very much to Bai Yuxian's liking, and soon a smile appeared on her face.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, seeing that Bai Yuxian was in a fairly good mood, Song Qingming began to get to the point and asked, "Senior Sister Bai, when I came earlier, I heard Junior Sister Xu say that you seemed to have something to find me about. I don't know what it is, and I ask Senior Sister to speak directly."

Bai Yuxian smiled slightly upon hearing this, slowly put down the teacup in her hand, then waved her hand to set up a sound-insulating barrier not far in front of the two, and then turned her head to speak calmly:

"Junior Brother Song, I have asked you here today mainly because there are two things I want to ask you on behalf of the sect."

Seeing the expression on Bai Yuxian's face suddenly become so serious, Song Qingming hurriedly cupped his hands and replied sincerely, "Senior Sister Bai, whatever you have to say, please speak directly."

Bai Yuxian nodded slightly and then asked directly, "Junior Brother Song, this first matter is actually about Qingyu's encounter with danger last time.

You have been back for so long, so you must know something about Qingyu's matter.

I want to ask you, do you know the identity of that group of people who attacked Qingyu?"

Since returning to the family, besides inquiring with Huang Siyuan, Song Qingming had also found an opportunity to ask Song Qingyu face-to-face about her being attacked.

However, besides knowing that the other party was a fellow disciple of that Nascent Soul senior, Song Qingyu was also unclear about the specific identities of the few people.

Hearing Bai Yuxian mention Song Qingyu's attack, Song Qingming also frowned slightly and told all the news he knew.

"Senior Sister Bai, I have asked Qingyu in detail, and she also said she was unclear about the identities of those people, only knowing that they came from a powerful sword-cultivation sect.

When Qingyu went to explore that cave dwelling, besides me, there were two fellow Daoists from the East Sea. That cave dwelling was actually discovered by them first, and we just went over to help."

"To tell you the truth, I never expected that Qingyu would encounter this because of this cave dwelling. If I had known earlier, I would never have taken her there."

Hearing Song Qingming's detailed explanation, Bai Yuxian nodded calmly and said, "Qingyu was able to obtain a fortuitous encounter there, so it is not a bad thing. You don't need to think too much about it.

However, these people's origins are unknown, and the leader's cultivation is even above mine. Being targeted by them is ultimately not a good thing.

You all need to be careful about this in the future!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Bai. I am clear about this matter, and I will remind Qingyu after I go back."

After Bai Yuxian finished speaking about the first matter, she changed the subject and asked Song Qingming, "Junior Brother Song, you went to the Donghuang cultivation world this time, presumably for the sake of forming your Nascent Soul in the future, right! I don't know if you have found a suitable place to form your Nascent Soul this time. Can you tell me a little about it!"

Before Song Qingming went to the "Donghuang" cultivation world, because he was not sure when he would return after leaving, he had sent a message to inform the sect in advance.

However, at that time, Song Qingming did not mention that his trip was to find a suitable spiritual land to form his Nascent Soul, but said directly that he was invited by a good friend to go to the "Donghuang" cultivation world for a tour.

Hearing Bai Yuxian point it out directly, Song Qingming was surprised for a moment. After thinking for a while, he stood up, cupped his hands, and replied, "Senior Sister Bai, to tell you the truth, my cultivation realm has reached the ninth layer of Core Formation, and in my heart, I have naturally thought about how to impact the Nascent Soul realm in the future. I dare not deceive the sect about this.

You guessed correctly, Senior Sister. This time I went to the Donghuang cultivation world, besides being invited by a friend to travel, I did indeed go to inquire about this aspect.

However, I do not have much confidence in forming my Nascent Soul now, and I have only inquired about it with others, without much result."

"Junior Brother Song, what we cultivators seek throughout our lives is nothing more than the Great Dao of longevity. It is human nature for you to have the idea of impacting the Nascent Soul realm. Even if you didn't say it, we could guess some of it.

You have joined the sect for over a hundred years, fought side by side with us, repelled the monster army several times, and thwarted the conspiracy of the Jiuyuan Sect. All these years, the Song family has made great contributions to our Xiaoyao Sect and the cultivation world of the State of Song.

Logically speaking, the sect should not be indifferent to your Nascent Soul formation, letting you go far away to the Donghuang cultivation world to find a place to form your Nascent Soul. It is indeed somewhat unpleasant to say it out loud.

The reason for these gaps is that you are still a guest elder and have not directly integrated into the sect, which is why there are these misunderstandings with the sect.

I came to ask you this time because I want to ask your intentions on behalf of the sect.

Have you ever thought about joining the sect directly like Junior Brother Shen? In this way, you would be one of our own, and in the future, when you form your Nascent Soul, Senior Brother Li and I will naturally do our best to help you.

Of course, I am only asking for your thoughts on behalf of the sect, not asking you to integrate into the sect right now.

Specific matters may still need to be discussed with Senior Brother Li and other sect elders before they can be decided."

For these years, Song Qingming had not thought about joining the sect directly, but he had never been able to figure out the Xiaoyao Sect's view of him, so he had never dared to speak out actively.

Now hearing Bai Yuxian's suggestion, Song Qingming gradually fell silent, and after a while, he replied:

"Senior Sister Bai, to tell you the truth, I have also had this idea in my heart.

However, the family side is really hard to give up. May I have some time to discuss it with Qingyu and Siyuan before making a decision!"

"This is natural. Since Junior Brother Song has this idea, that's enough. There is no need to rush to answer this matter; you can discuss it and let me know later!"

Hearing Song Qingming's reply, Bai Yuxian smiled and agreed happily.

The two then chatted in the cave dwelling for a while, and after the pot of tea was finished, Song Qingming stood up to say goodbye.

After sending Song Qingming away, Bai Yuxian did not return to her cave dwelling but turned and came to a high mountain not far away, where she saw Li Mufeng sitting in meditation in the wind at the summit.

"Senior Brother Li, I just saw Qingming and asked him about his thoughts!"

"Oh! Did he agree to this matter?"

Seeing Li Mufeng's expectant look, Bai Yuxian nodded to him and said, "He didn't agree directly, but I can see that he indeed has this idea.

If you don't object to this, Senior Brother, I think this matter should be successful if there are no accidents!"

Li Mufeng nodded slightly upon hearing this, "Back then, Qian Shu and I did indeed suspect the Song family, but all these years, I have seen Qingming's dedication to the sect. If he is really willing to integrate into the sect, I will not object.

Junior Sister, although I have shouldered the sect's heavy responsibilities for many years, I am, after all, nearly a thousand years old. The future of the sect will still have to rely on you.

You can decide on this matter as you see fit!"

"Then thank you, Senior Brother!"

After bowing slightly to Li Mufeng in front of him, Bai Yuxian turned into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot. (End of chapter)