Just then, a young Foundation Establishment Cultivator dressed in the robes of the Celestial Sword Sect approached them. Unlike the other disciples, who wore arrogant expressions, this man’s face was wreathed in an enthusiastic smile.

"Are you all preparing to head down the mountain, Fellow Daoists?" the man asked with a grin, clasping his hands in a salute toward Song Changsheng and the others.

Song Changsheng returned the salute and asked, puzzled, "Indeed we are. May I ask what business you have with us, Fellow Daoist?"

The young Cultivator’s smile was as warm as a spring breeze. He quickly said, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhuu Ming, and I currently serve as a Steward for the Sect. You all have extraordinary talent—truly the cream of the crop. I was wondering if you might have a moment to speak with me?"

Song Changsheng’s brow furrowed. ’He wouldn’t be this polite without a reason; he must be after something.’

"If you have something to say, Fellow Daoist, please be direct. I have urgent matters to attend to." Song Changsheng was anxious to return to his clan and had no time to waste, so he got straight to the point.

Zhuu Ming hadn’t expected Song Changsheng to be so blunt. He paused for a moment, then continued with his smile unwavering. "In that case, I’ll be frank.

I’ve observed that you all have remarkable talent in the Dao of the Sword. To have made such gains in just a few short days... it truly puts me to shame.

Our Celestial Sword Sect has always welcomed talented individuals from all corners of the world. May I ask if any of you are already affiliated with a master or sect?"

The implication was obvious: he wanted to recruit them. This was a common practice for the Celestial Sword Sect, and Song Changsheng had heard of it before, so he wasn’t offended. He clasped his hands and replied politely, "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist, but we come from a clan and have no intention of taking a master."

With that, Song Changsheng prepared to lead the others away.

But just then, Zhuu Ming stepped in front of them again. His smile was as wide as ever. "Fellow Daoist, if I may be so bold, a matter as important as taking a master should be decided by these two young friends themselves. Don’t you agree?"

Hearing this, Song Changsheng frowned, displeased. He had already given a clear refusal, yet this man continued to pester them.

But when he saw the look in the man’s eyes as he gazed at Song Qingxing, he suddenly understood. His target was Song Qingxing!

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment. ’Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he’s up to no good!’

Yet he couldn’t find a reason to refute the man’s words. Taking a master was a momentous decision, and it was true they had to make it for themselves. Even an elder couldn’t overstep his bounds and decide for them.

"Xi’Er, Xing’Er, you heard what Steward Zhuu said. The choice is yours. The clan will not interfere," Song Changsheng said calmly, turning to the two of them.

"Xi’Er isn’t going anywhere," Song Qingxi immediately stated her position. She had grown up in the clan; it was her home, and she would not abandon it.

Seeing her refuse so decisively, Zhuu Ming’s expression flickered. Fortunately, she wasn’t his main target. He quickly turned to Song Qingxing, who had yet to speak. "Young friend, don’t be so quick to decide. It won’t hurt to hear my offer first.

If you join my Celestial Sword Sect, you will be granted immediate access to the Sword Pool to choose a Divine Soldier. Furthermore, our Sect Leader will personally take you as his disciple and provide full support to help you break through to the Purple Mansion Stage. It might not even be impossible to reach the Golden Core Realm."

It had to be said, the offer was incredibly tempting. The Sect Leader of the Celestial Sword Sect was a Purple Mansion Cultivator; becoming his disciple was a dream come true for countless people.

For some reason, Song Changsheng suddenly felt a pang of anxiety. Could Song Qingxing resist such a temptation?

The Celestial Sword Sect was, after all, the leader of the Sword Dao in the Daqi Cultivation World. No matter how you looked at it, the help they could offer Song Qingxing far surpassed that of the Song Clan.

’He’s always been cold and detached. It wouldn’t be surprising if he abandoned the Song Clan for the sake of his own cultivation path.’

Zhuu Ming was nervous too. Recruiting Song Qingxing was a direct order from the Sect Leader. If he could pull this off, his standing within the Sect would surely rise.

’I wonder if this is enough to sway him. Should I add more fuel to the fire?’ Zhuu Ming frowned, thinking to himself.

"Boring."

Who would have thought? Without even glancing at Zhuu Ming, Song Qingxing uttered that single word and walked straight down the mountain.

"This..." Zhuu Ming was utterly dumbfounded.

He never imagined that even after he had made such a generous offer, the young man would still reject him so flatly.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuu, you heard them. My two juniors have no desire to take a master. Please, we must be on our way down the mountain," Song Changsheng said with a slight smile, his mood suddenly much lighter.

Zhuu Ming sighed softly and clasped his hands. "It was presumptuous of me. I wish you all a safe journey."

Seeing that he didn’t press the matter further, Song Changsheng gave a slight nod. ’At least the man has some decency.’

"We’ll take our leave, then."

After the group descended the mountain, Song Changsheng suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Uncle, what’s so funny?" Song Qingxi asked, a little confused.

Song Changsheng just smiled without answering and changed the subject. "I still need to find some Spiritual Objects that can nourish the Divine Soul. We’ll stay in Ten Thousand Swords City for a few days, then set off to return to the clan."

After finding an inn to stay at, Song Changsheng began searching the various shops in Ten Thousand Swords City for Spiritual Objects that could nourish the Divine Soul.

Spiritual Objects that nourished the Divine Soul weren’t particularly rare, but after two days of searching, Song Changsheng had only managed to acquire some Low-Tier Spiritual Objects like Soul Nourishing Grass and Soul Reviving Liquid.

Fortunately, the Jade Scroll wasn’t picky; Spiritual Objects of any grade would have an effect. So, Song Changsheng had no choice but to go for quantity over quality.

All in all, he spent nearly thirty thousand Spirit Stones buying out the entire stock of soul-nourishing Spiritual Objects from several shops.

Immediately after, he made a trip to the Black Market and purchased more soul-nourishing Spiritual Objects, spending over ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. In an instant, his purse had shrunk by more than half.

Luckily, his efforts paid off. Although he spent a large amount of Spirit Stones, the results were substantial—he managed to increase the progress of awakening the Artifact Spirit to one percent.

That’s right, one percent. There was a groove on the side of the Jade Scroll. According to the information left by his so-called master, the Artifact Spirit would only awaken once the groove was filled with fluorescent light.

And all the Spiritual Objects Song Changsheng had spent over forty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones to gather only managed to produce a tiny speck of fluorescent light in the groove.

Calling it one percent was being generous.

’At this rate, won’t it take hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones to awaken this Artifact Spirit?’ Song Changsheng’s scalp tingled in apprehension.

But when he considered its grade, Song Changsheng felt a sense of relief. He could only console himself with the thought that the greater the investment, the greater the reward.

After all this was done, it was already the seventeenth of the tenth month. It was time for the Sword Stele Forest to open again, and the foot traffic in the city had noticeably increased.

But this no longer had anything to do with Song Changsheng and his group. They were preparing to begin their journey home.

Upon reaching the city gate, Song Changsheng was shocked to find many disciples of the Celestial Sword Sect standing guard, their expressions grim and murderous as they seemed to be searching for something.

The other Cultivators who had been planning to leave the city were being ordered back, and the disciples looked as if they were facing a great enemy.

Song Changsheng’s heart sank. ’What’s going on? Did the Golden Crow Sect attack?’

"Hey, Fellow Daoists, it’s you! To think you’d be trapped in the city too. We’re really in the same boat, aren’t we?"

Just then, a tall and sturdy young Cultivator sidled up to them. He was dressed in a long robe, with seven Jade Pendants of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet hanging from his waist. Holding a folding fan, he looked exceptionally flamboyant.

But what astonished Song Changsheng the most was what followed behind the man—a roly-poly giant panda?

’This world actually has giant pandas?’

"And this Fellow Daoist is...?"

Chi Huo Old Ghost quickly stepped forward and explained.

Song Changsheng immediately understood. So this man had a chance encounter with Song Qingxi and the others.

Seeing that the man’s Cultivation was impressive and hearing from his words that he seemed to know something, Song Changsheng clasped his hands in salute. "I am Song Changsheng. Might Fellow Daoist Pi know what has happened in Ten Thousand Swords City? Why has it suddenly been locked down?"

Pi Xiu looked somewhat astonished. "You don’t know, Fellow Daoist?"

"I’ve been in seclusion for the past two days, so I’m truly unaware."

"Sigh. What happened this time was no small matter. Last night, an intruder snuck into the Celestial Sword Sect and stole the Wordless Stele."

"What?"

...