Chapter 187: Chapter 151: A Bloody Journey Home

After receiving Song Xiantu’s message, Song Changsheng immediately left the mountain with the Green Sky White Jade Pill to rendezvous at the family’s general store.

Just as he arrived at the family’s general store, Song Changsheng saw a familiar figure. The man stood tall and straight, with white hair but a youthful complexion and a kind face. It was the Grand Elder, Song Xianyun!

Song Changsheng was startled. He hurried forward to greet him, "Twenty-first Grandpa, why did you come in person?"

"I saw from the haste in your message that you must have run into some urgent matter. With the Lieyang Sect and the Earth Fire Sect watching us like tigers, I couldn’t rest easy sending anyone else," Song Xianyun said, gesturing for Song Changsheng to sit.

He spoke lightly, but in reality, the family had been on edge after receiving his message, thinking he had encountered some terrible, unspeakable trouble.

The main reason Song Xianyun had decided to come himself was that he was currently the only one in the family who could fully power the Cloud-Sailing Ship. He had covered a journey that would normally take over ten days in less than ten, a testament to his urgency.

"This matter is indeed of great importance, but I couldn’t explain it clearly in the message." Song Changsheng waved his hand, setting up a Restriction around them, and spoke with a grave expression.

Song Xianyun nodded. They had guessed as much. The family’s current messaging methods all risked interception, and with grave threats like the Lieyang Sect and the Earth Fire Sect surrounding them, it was always right to be cautious.

It was then that he noticed Song Changsheng’s aura was different than before. Even with his own Cultivation, he found it difficult to gauge its true depth.

"Changsheng, have you broken through again?" Song Xianyun asked, a little uncertain.

"Yes. Some time ago, I participated in a Heart Inquiry Trial held by City Lord Zhan. My gains were immense. Not only did my Mental Realm advance to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, but my cultivation realm also broke through to the next level."

"The Heart Inquiry Trial? Excellent, excellent! I never expected you to have such a fortuitous encounter. Even I am envious," Song Xianyun said enviously, stroking his beard.

Song Changsheng had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage a few years ago. At this point, most people would still be struggling to improve their Mental Realm, but he had already reached the apex for this stage, and his cultivation realm had advanced along with it.

A Cultivator at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment might not be much in Luoxia City, but in Ling Province, it was enough to contend with the older generation. After all, even Song Luhuai and Song Luyao were only at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm!

To get from Early-stage to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, which of them hadn’t taken nearly ten years? Yet Song Changsheng had achieved it with ease. It just went to show that comparisons are odious.

Hard work was truly worthless in the face of talent and opportunity.

"I messaged the family this time precisely because of this Heart Inquiry Trial." Song Changsheng recounted the entire course of events from beginning to end, then placed the Jade Bottle containing the Green Sky White Jade Pill in front of Song Xianyun.

Looking at the Jade Bottle, which was less than three inches tall, Song Xianyun was so excited his beard trembled. He carefully cupped the Jade Bottle with both hands and said in disbelief, "This... is this really the Green Sky White Jade Pill?"

"It’s the reward promised by City Lord Zhan, so it should be genuine. But to be safe, it’s best to let Fifth Uncle take a look." Song Changsheng didn’t dare to be too certain. After all, given the relationship between Zhan Tianxia and his own grandfather, the possibility that it had been tampered with couldn’t be ruled out.

Song Xianyun nodded solemnly, stood up, and said, "I understand. This matter is of the utmost importance. I must depart at once."

"I will escort you for part of the way, Twenty-first Grandpa."

"No," Song Xianyun immediately stopped him. "This journey is perilous. If anything were to happen to you, it would be a devastating blow to the family!"

Song Changsheng was touched, but he still said gravely, "The news that I won the Green Sky White Jade Pill is no secret. The Lieyang Sect has probably already laid a trap along the road."

"Twenty-first Grandpa, as the Grand Elder of the family, you oversee the entire situation. If anything should happen to you, the family would be in danger of collapse!"

Both of them were resolute in their stances, and for a moment, they were at a stalemate.

Song Changsheng said, "I was able to kill Cheng Yufei when I was only at Early-stage Foundation Establishment. My Cultivation has improved since then, and I have the Godslaying Flying Knife with me. I have the means to protect myself. Twenty-first Grandpa, please, just do as I say."

Looking at the young face before him, which had just begun to shed its immaturity, Song Xianyun felt a momentary daze. ’The babbling child who was just learning to speak is now capable of holding his own.’

After a long moment, he sighed and said, "Then we’ll do as you say. If the road is clear, you can escort me to Fengxi Port and then head back."

"I’ve already sent a message back to the family. Your Fifth Uncle will bring people to rendezvous with me there. If we really run into an ambush from the Lieyang Sect on the way, no matter where we are, you are to retreat immediately. No hesitation."

Even if Song Changsheng fled at the first sight of the enemy, he would still divert some of their attention from Song Xianyun without putting himself at great risk.

"I understand."

After some brief preparations, the two planned to leave under the cover of dusk. Due to the evening curfew, the streets were already empty. If anyone was watching them, they would be more easily exposed.

By the time they reached the city gate, it was already half-closed. The two of them made it out of the city just in the nick of time. As soon as they were clear of Luoxia City, Song Xianyun released the Cloud-Sailing Ship, and it flew off in the direction of Ling Province.

They didn’t dare to rest for even a moment along the way. Although the ambush they had anticipated never materialized, they didn’t let their guard down. Instead, they increased their speed.

Given how wary the Lieyang Sect was of Song Xianming, the grandfather and grandson pair absolutely refused to believe that they wouldn’t send someone to stop them.