Inside the carriage, unseen by others, Song Yan’s eyes flickered. He had originally thought that using a Flying Sword would be extremely difficult after his Realm had fallen.

Unexpectedly, apart from the somewhat unsustainable consumption of Spiritual Energy, it was almost the same as before.

He wondered if it was because he was using a Mortal weapon.

Whoosh.

The Flying Sword was drawn, circling in the air, landing precisely and without deviation into Xie Xing’s sword sheath.

"I’ve said all I need to say."

"Please, do as you wish."

The injured black-clothed man struggled to his feet, clutching the wound on his palm, and walked back into the crowd.

"..."

The black-clothed leader’s eyes flickered.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and cupped his fists in a salute towards the carriage.

"Thank you, Immortal, for sparing our lives."

Song Yan did not respond. More words meant more mistakes; it was better to stay silent.

He naturally did not need to fear these Mortal Martial Forest practitioners, but he still needed to guard against the Qin Family’s pursuit and retaliation.

His biggest regret now was thinking that walking among Mortals would be fine, and then revealing his true name in front of the Xie Family members.

"We were blind and did not know an Immortal was here. We have greatly offended you, and we ask for your forgiveness."

"Go!"

Assassins merely take money for their services. If it were a Mortal Martial Forest practitioner, they could naturally fight, but the opponent was clearly a Cultivator, which was no longer within the scope of their mission.

The group of black-clothed men quickly departed, and peace returned to the dense forest.

"Cough, cough..."

Xie Xing had forcefully urged his Internal Energy earlier and sustained some internal injuries. He now coughed up a mouthful of clotted blood.

"Grandpa Xie Xing!"

Xie Chuan and the other children got out of the carriage and gathered around Xie Xing.

Xie Chan brought a small medicine box from the carriage behind, dragged it to Xie Xing’s side, and opened it.

"Cough, cough..."

Xie Xing did not treat his injuries. He simply stumbled, leading the children, to the front of Song Yan’s carriage compartment and knelt down with a thud.

"Th-thank you, Immortal, for saving us."

Song Yan urged his Spiritual Energy, gently lifting Xie Xing. Specks of water-attribute Spiritual Qi swirled around his wounds.

Xie Xing felt his injuries gradually ease, his lips moving, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

This was the method of an Immortal!

"It was merely returning the favor of sharing a ride. If you wish to thank someone, thank these children."

"Most of your injuries are healed. If there’s nothing else, continue on your way."

After all, Song Yan’s Realm had fallen, and he was only at Level 1 Qi Refining. Some more severe internal injuries could not be completely healed with just a little Spiritual Energy.

"Yes, thank you, Immortal Master."

At Song Yan’s instruction, the children still sat with him, but now they were all as quiet as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound, fearing they would disturb the "Immortal."

"Xie Chuan, what Spiritual Root does he have?"

It was Song Yan who spoke first, breaking the silence in the carriage.

Xie Xing replied from the front: "To answer Immortal Master, I don’t know yet. It’s just that one day, a guest from another place, who was an old acquaintance of the Xie Family Elder, stayed for a few days. During that time, he mentioned that Xiao Chuan has a Spiritual Root. The old man doesn’t know anything else."

Indeed, if that guest hadn’t explained, how would Mortals know that Spiritual Roots also differed?

"What about the other children? Have they all been checked?"

"That, we haven’t."

Xie Xing smiled bitterly: "However, our Xie Family is not a prominent household. Having Xiao Chuan, a talent for Cultivation, is already glorifying our Family. How could there be a second one...?"

Song Yan didn’t speak. These were Family matters, and he couldn’t interfere... They were already not far from Fufeng City. The carriage traveled for about half an hour more and then arrived at Fufeng City.

With Xie Xing handling things along the way, passing through the city gates was unimpeded.

Ning’an Inn.

Song Yan gracefully alighted from the carriage.

Seeing the cautious Xie Family members lined up around him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit strange.

"You let me ride in your carriage, and I protected you from your enemies. Our fate has ended."

"Until we meet again."

Song Yan waved his hand, preparing to leave.

Once inside the city, there were many ways to quickly reach the vicinity of the Sect.

"Immortal Master!"

Xie Chan seemed to have mustered her courage and called out softly. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Hmm?"

The little girl walked with somewhat timid steps to Song Yan’s side: "You saved me, Master. This is for you."

She pulled out the mud doll from behind her back and handed it to him.

Song Yan did not take it, only glancing at Xie Xing.

"This mud doll was given to you by Grandpa. Don’t you want it anymore?"

"It’s okay. Master saved our lives. Grandpa said that if you receive kindness, you must repay it..."

"But Master is an Immortal... We don’t know when we’ll meet again..."

"This is... my most precious Possession. I’m giving it to you."

Xie Xing’s lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. However, after hearing what his granddaughter said, he still stammered: "Imm-Immortal, please don’t be offended..."

"What this old man said before, about a peerless sword technique hidden in the mud doll..."

"It... it was something this old man made up."

"This mud doll does have some mechanisms and can be opened. Inside, there’s only a calligraphy scroll, nothing else."

"Chan’er is sincere. If Immortal is not offended, please accept this item."

Looking at the sincere expressions of the Xie Family members, Song Yan nodded and accepted the exquisite mud doll.

"Alright, then I’ll accept this item."

Xie Chan hid back in the crowd.

"Xie Chuan, when you reach the Immortal Mountain Dao Sect in the future, Cultivate diligently. Perhaps, we will meet again."

Xie Chuan was flattered and bowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Immortal Master, for your guidance."

Actually, Song Yan regretted saying this immediately after. If this kid’s talent was extremely high and he surpassed him in three to five years, it would be quite awkward if they really met again in the future.

"Elder Xie Xing, if you have the chance, have these children tested for Spiritual Roots as well."

Surviving a great disaster surely brings future blessings.

"Yes, yes."

Song Yan waved his hand and disappeared into the crowd.

Xie Chan gazed at the disappearing figure, her tender young face filled with a determined expression... Cave Abyss Sect.

"The path of Cultivation is inherently Heaven-Defying. It’s perfectly normal for Disciples to encounter some accidents..."

In the Elder Hall, two Elders sat around a chessboard, leisurely playing a game.

Qin Xijun lay in a hammock in the courtyard, toying with the jade seal she had been polishing for a long time.

"The Profound Origin Sect is now subtly trying to push this matter onto our Sect and the Spirit Talisman Sect, clinging to the matter of a mere Outer Sect Disciple. It’s truly strange..."

Besides them, Elder Zhang Guangyuan of the External Affairs Hall and Elder Yang Wenxuan of the Artifact Hall sat on either side of the chessboard, watching the game.

"Hmph, I think the Profound Origin Sect has been accustomed to throwing its weight around for a thousand years."

One of the Elders playing chess seemed to be a bit angry. Although he didn’t use any Spiritual Energy, he slapped the chessboard, making a loud sound.

"That Shen Yu, I get irritated just looking at him. What a baffling fellow."

"Be gentle. This chessboard of mine is made of Mortal jade. If you break it, we won’t be able to play anymore..."

The Elder was heartbroken: "Where has your cultivation of the heart gone?"

"Mortal jade? Where did you get it?"

"A Mortal boy gave it to me, many years ago."

The two of them played back and forth, enjoying themselves immensely.

"However..."

Yang Wenxuan suddenly changed the subject: "That Outer Sect Disciple named Song Yesheng, I heard he’s only at Level 5 Qi Refining."

The Elder playing chess seemed to understand his meaning and paused his move.

"If this kid could really single-handedly kill Wang Xi..."

"Why would he still be lingering in the Outer Sect?"

In fact, in the eyes of the Elders, whether it was Wang Xi at Level 8 Qi Refining or Song Yan at Level 5 Qi Refining, they were both merely insects in the world, just bigger or smaller insects.

"A Genius youth, or..."

"Possession by a Demonic Cultivator."

The Elder opposite the chessboard owner threw in his piece, conceding defeat.

"Only these two possibilities."

"Elder Qin!"

"Elder Qin!"

"What’s all the fuss about!?"

Qin Xijun raised an eyebrow: "Speak."

"Uh..."

The gazes of the five Elders in the courtyard all fell upon him, and the Disciple suddenly felt his breathing constrict.

"Junior Brother Song... Song Yesheng... he..."

"He’s back."