A brilliant light erupted from the old man’s eyes. He shot to his feet, transforming into a streak of Sword Light and giving chase.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the sky, a hint of anticipation in their hearts. Who would come out on top? The Swordsman who had roamed the Daqi Cultivation World for many years, or the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sword Sect, with his superior Swordsmanship?

CLANG!

A high-pitched cry of a sword rang out.

The two moved too fast and were too high up. Song Changsheng could only see a brilliant flash of light that seemed to split the blue sky in two.

Fierce Sword Qi crisscrossed the sky, continuing for more than an ancient hour before gradually subsiding.

"Look! Something’s falling!" someone suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the sky.

Song Changsheng followed the voice and saw a black dot plummeting from the heavens. When he focused his gaze, he realized it wasn’t a dot at all—it was clearly a person.

BANG!

Dust flew everywhere as a large crater was smashed in front of the city gate. The crowd drew closer to look. Who could it be but Li Tianzhao?

He was now covered in blood from head to toe, with barely an uninjured spot visible. It was a truly miserable sight.

For a moment, the sound of sharp intakes of breath filled the air, as if the crowd had sucked it all in.

The old swordsman slowly descended, sword in hand. He swept a cold glance over the crowd, and everyone shivered.

At this moment, silence spoke louder than words.

The Cultivators who had been clamoring to leave the city all fell silent, not daring to make another sound.

’The Celestial Sword Sect is so tyrannical. It looks like I won’t be getting out of here anytime soon.’ Song Changsheng’s heart sank.

He had many secrets. It would be troublesome if he drew anyone’s greedy attention.

Of course, not everyone had so many secrets. Many Cultivators chose to submit, allowing the Celestial Sword Sect disciples to inspect them before leaving the city. A long line quickly formed.

An old man and a chubby young man, both Cultivators, were mixed in the crowd, shuffling forward with the line.

As their turn approached, the Little Fatty swallowed nervously and said to the scruffy old man beside him, "Old man, are you sure this is okay?"

The old man’s expression was full of confidence. He sent a voice transmission to the Little Fatty, "Don’t worry. The Devouring Spirit Body contains a world of its own. Any item you swallow with it has all connections to the outside world severed. Unless they cut your stomach open, there’s no way they’ll find out."

Staring at the murderous-looking Celestial Sword Sect disciples, the Little Fatty’s legs felt weak. In a tearful voice, he said, "Why don’t we just give it back to them? It’s not like we can use it anyway."

The Little Fatty hadn’t been afraid when he first came down the mountain. He hadn’t been afraid when he encountered a Blood Demon while exploring ruins. He hadn’t been afraid when he traveled alone to Bian Province to find the old man.

This time, he was truly terrified. That thing was the lifeblood of the Celestial Sword Sect! If they were exposed, would he still have a place in the Daqi Cultivation World?

The old man shot him a contemptuous look. "Giving it back now? Isn’t that like a sheep walking into a tiger’s den?

Look at you, so spineless. Scared out of your wits by the measly Celestial Sword Sect. When you travel the world in the future, don’t you dare say you’re my disciple."

"If you’re not scared, then why did you have to drag me into this?" the Little Fatty fumed.

"Alright, shut up. It’s almost our turn."

The Little Fatty immediately shrank back. As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser. His acting was clearly not as refined as the old man’s; he kept darting his eyes around like a frightened mouse...

’Huh? I think I just saw Brother Zhu. Was I imagining things?’ Just as Song Changsheng was about to leave, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

He quickly looked in that direction, only to see that the person had already passed the inspection and left the city, looking to be in a great hurry.

’It was probably my imagination. How could he possibly be here?’

Song Changsheng couldn’t help but chuckle. He cupped his hands at Pi Xiu and said, "Fellow Daoist Pi, I shall take my leave."

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Song! To meet is fate. I can tell we’re kindred spirits. Why not join me for a couple of drinks?" Pi Xiu took a step forward, blocking Song Changsheng’s path. His eyes, however, kept darting to the gleaming yellow gourd at Song Changsheng’s waist, filled with longing.

Song Changsheng immediately understood. This fellow had smelled the wine.

’This person is interesting.’ He was also interested in making a friend, so seeing the other’s expression, he decided to go with the flow and agreed.

He had Chi Huo Old Ghost take Song Qingxing and the others back to their previous inn to extend their stay. Then, he and Pi Xiu found a tavern and began to drink and chat.

After some conversation, they both gained a certain understanding of each other.

Pi Xiu was a Loose Cultivator, proficient in Beast Taming, who enjoyed traveling and making friends.

Even more remarkably, he was also a Treasure Appraiser, just like Sunx Chuanming. The two found they had similar interests, and after a few cups of wine, the initial awkwardness between them vanished completely as they grew more familiar.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, Pi Xiu wore a cheeky grin. He rubbed his hands together and looked at Song Changsheng. "Brother Song, seeing as we’re so familiar now, that fine wine in your gourd..."

The adorable Abao also stared at him with black, jewel-like eyes, its chubby paws mimicking its master’s rubbing motion.

’The master is a hopeless alcoholic, and even his Spirit Beast is a drunkard.’

Looking at the pair, Song Changsheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He took the gourd from his waist and poured a cup for both the man and the beast.

Staring at the golden-yellow liquid, Pi Xiu’s nose twitched constantly. He was practically drooling.

With his experience, he could naturally tell that this was no ordinary wine.

He held the cup with extreme care. "Brother Song, what is the name of this wine? I can smell more than ten different fragrances in it."

Song Changsheng smiled faintly. "This wine’s predecessor was Monkey Wine, which I acquired by a fortunate coincidence. The original quality was coarse, but my mother later improved it, removing the impurities and adding more than ten types of Spirit Medicine. Consuming it regularly can enhance one’s Cultivation and perform Washing Marrow."

"I see! I regret not meeting you sooner, Fellow Daoist! In that case, I won’t be polite." Pi Xiu held the cup as if it were a priceless piece of porcelain, taking only a small sip each time and periodically exclaiming in admiration.

Abao, by contrast, was much bolder. It downed the cup in one gulp and then held it out, staring expectantly at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng was struck speechless for a moment, then laughed. He quickly refilled the cup for the little "drunkard." That night, both host and guest had a wonderful time.

——————

「Ling Province, Moon Viewing Mountain Range, Vast Mist Peak.」

Song Xianming stood in the wind with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the Hundred Thousand Mountains with deep worry in his eyes.

The major powers of Ling Province had long since received the news from Luoxia City. They also knew that an army of Silver Moon Demon Wolves, led by a Great Demon, was on its way to attack.

Those words, "Tier Three Great Demon," weighed heavily on his heart, each one like a thousand-pound weight.

Only those who had personally faced a Purple Mansion Cultivator could understand just how powerful someone at that level truly was.

Although he had once defeated one, so many years had passed, and yet every time he recalled that day, he would still break out in a cold sweat.

The victory that day had been a stroke of pure luck, impossible to replicate.

Faced with a Great Demon leading a massive army, could Ling Province survive?

Song Xianyun came to his side and offered some words of comfort, "Big Brother, you shouldn’t worry too much. The clans of Bian Province are not weak. It’s possible the Demon Wolf army will be stopped before they even reach Ling Province."

"Things are never that simple, Twenty-first Brother. Why delude ourselves? The Silver Moon Demon Wolves have mobilized their entire clan. The families of Bian Province will have trouble just protecting themselves, let alone acting as a shield for Ling Province," Song Xianming said grimly.

Song Xianyun could only offer a bitter smile. "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Just then, a vast amount of Spiritual Qi was suddenly drawn to the summit of Vast Mist Peak, gradually forming a Qi Vortex.

"After such a long seclusion, is someone finally taking that first step? I wonder who is breaking through." Song Xianyun’s face lit up with pleasant surprise.

"It’s that child, Chang’an. His talent may not be the most outstanding, but he has been steady and sure-footed, building a solid foundation. His chances of a successful breakthrough are very high. Luhuai has a worthy successor." Song Xianming said with relief, and even some of the gloom shrouding his heart seemed to dissipate.

Three ancient hours later, the Qi Vortex vanished. A burst of sharp Sword Qi suddenly erupted from the mountainside of Vast Mist Peak.

Song Xianming immediately let out a hearty laugh.

The Song Clan had another Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

...