Under the watchful gaze of the two, the young boy placed his hand on the Compass with a detached expression.
The next moment, Song Changsheng, who had been somewhat distracted, was suddenly captivated by a dazzling light.
A powerful, cyan light erupted from the Spirit Testing Pillar. Song Luding exclaimed, "A Five-inch Wind Spirit Root!"
Song Changsheng's eyes widened. It was an Abnormal Spirit Root—the kind rarely seen even once in a hundred years!
"Wonderful! The heavens have blessed our Song Clan! With this child, our clan is certain to reclaim the glory of Taiyi Ancestor's era four hundred years ago." Song Luding was so moved his eyes welled with tears, and he nearly lost his composure on the spot.
Song Changsheng understood his excitement. The Song Clan's founding ancestor, Song Taiyi, had also possessed a Wind Spirit Root. He mastered his Fast Sword Technique to a divine degree, earning him the title "Ascendant Qingfeng." With his Mid-stage Purple Mansion Cultivation, he had once challenged and defeated a Tier Three Late-stage Great Demon, his fame spreading throughout the Daqi Nineteen Provinces.
After the esteemed ancestor passed away, he recorded all his life's insights and experiences, hoping to cultivate future masters of the Sword Dao for the clan.
Unfortunately, the later generations were a disappointment. Countless members had attempted to cultivate the Fast Sword Technique over the past few centuries, but not a single one had managed to grasp its true essence.
But in this boy, Song Luding saw hope.
An Abnormal Spirit Root, a true Purple Mansion Seed—if he could make significant achievements in the Sword Dao, he would become the next Ascendant Qingfeng, the next Song Taiyi!
"Good child, what is your name?" Song Luding crouched down, his gaze full of affection as he looked at the boy before him, as if admiring a peerless, once-in-a-generation treasure.
"Song Xing." The boy's attitude was cold, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever.
"Good, good, good. Go wait over there." Song Luding's face was creased with a wide smile. He deliberately lowered his voice, as if afraid he might startle the boy.
Song Xing walked over to Song Changsheng's side, looked up at him, and asked, "My aptitude... is it very good?"
Song Changsheng smiled and nodded. "The highest of the high."
"Oh." Song Xing gave a calm nod. Any other child would have been ecstatic to learn they had a Spirit Root.
But he alone seemed utterly indifferent to everything. From the moment he entered until now, Song Changsheng had not detected the slightest flicker of emotion in him.
'This is a little worrying,' Song Changsheng thought. 'An attitude like this might not be a good thing for the clan...'
Ordinarily, discovering such a talent would require an immediate report, followed by a personal escort from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
But Song Luding was, after all, the more seasoned and shrewd of the two.
Though incredibly excited, he hadn't lost his head. At this moment, with no one knowing besides the three of them, Song Xing was perfectly safe.
If they were to end the Immortal Ascension Conference now, it would only alert the spies from other factions. That would be a dead giveaway. It was better to act as if nothing had happened and report it secretly after the conference concluded.
For now, there was only one thing to focus on: secrecy. Who knew how many eyes were watching them?
The better the secret was kept, the safer Song Xing would be. Only by being safe would he have the space to grow.
A genius needs time to mature. A genius who doesn't get to mature is just rotten meat by the roadside, a skeleton in a coffin.
A silent understanding passed between Song Changsheng and Song Luding. They acted as if nothing had happened and continued the conference as usual, until the Spirit Testing in all four cities was complete.
Only then did they gather the children with Spirit Roots and head to the Garrison Mansion.
The very first thing Song Changsheng did upon arriving was take Song Xing to his mother and explain the whole situation...
"What? A Five-inch Wind Spirit Root!" Xia Yunxue's reaction was identical to Song Luding's—shock mingled with elation.
"Mother, this is a matter of great importance. Should we report it to the clan and request an Elder to come and personally escort him?"
Xia Yunxue's willow-like brows furrowed as she shook her head. "That's not wise. The Immortal Ascension Conference isn't just a major event for our clan; it's a major event for the entire Ling Province. We have no idea how many people are watching our every move, both inside and out.
If we rashly use a Sound Transmission Flying Sword, there's a risk it could be intercepted. That would cause a great deal of trouble."
"Then what should we do? If he comes with us, it's a journey of over a hundred miles. I'm afraid something could go wrong."
We arrived in half an ancient hour on a Paper Kite, but the return trip is different. With more than ten extra people, the Paper Kite can't carry everyone. We'll have to travel on foot."
"How about this: when you all are about to leave, I'll take Song Xing and depart ahead of you. I will secretly escort him back to the clan myself."
"But you're responsible for guarding the city. If you abandon your post, what if..." Song Changsheng didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"It's fine," Xia Yunxue said, full of confidence. "At my speed, even without Sword Control, the round trip will take little more than a single ancient hour. Nothing will happen in such a short time."
"Alright then. I'll go inform the clan uncle. We should set off as soon as possible, lest delays breed trouble."
Song Changsheng entered the main hall and found Song Luzi, who had arrived a step behind them, also wearing a smile and talking with Song Luding.
"Clan Uncle, it looks like you had a good harvest on your side," Song Changsheng asked with a chuckle.
Song Luzi was in high spirits. "Indeed! We found a child with Earth-Gold Dual Spirit Roots. A Middle Upper talent!"
Song Changsheng and Song Luding exchanged a glance, both offering a smile. In the past, discovering a talent with Twin Spirit Roots would have certainly been considered a great find.
Unfortunately, with Song Xing and his Abnormal Spirit Root in the picture, this discovery paled in comparison. Of course, the fewer people who knew about that, the better, so they certainly couldn't tell him now.
"Worthy Nephew, what did the Fifth Elder say?" Song Luding asked, giving him a meaningful look.
"The Fifth Elder said it's best we depart quickly, lest delays breed trouble. I've already received the Help Request Jade Scroll. She will come to our aid if anything happens," Song Changsheng said with a wink.
"In that case, worthy brother, let's follow the Fifth Elder's advice and set off early." Seeing that Song Xing hadn't come out with him, Song Luding instantly understood.
Song Luzi was in a great mood and didn't notice the subtle exchange between the other two at all. He simply nodded in agreement.
Half an ancient hour later, the original five, plus the fourteen clan children who possessed Spirit Roots, began their journey home. At the same time, Xia Yunxue secretly left the city with Song Xing.
On the road, Song Changjiu remarked with some disappointment, "I thought there'd be a lot more people. Turns out it's just these few."
"This is already quite good. The numbers may be small, but the quality is high," Song Changsheng said with a faint smile.
'With an Abnormal Spirit Root secured, nothing else matters.'
Song Changjiu thought he was referring to the one with the Twin Spirit Roots and muttered, "I was hoping we'd find a Celestial Spirit Root. It's not every day we get to come out here."
"You, in a couple of years, you'll have plenty of time to spend out here," Song Luding said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Song Changjiu scratched his head, chuckled, and said no more.
When you're on the mountain, all you think about is coming down. But only after you've come down do you realize how precious that time on the mountain truly was...
The adults shielded the children with their Spiritual Power as they moved swiftly through the forest, chatting and joking along the way.
Little did they know, danger was quietly drawing near...
From the very moment they left the city, they had been targeted by a group of people!
"Boss, I got a clear look. There are only five Cultivators—two Middle Stage, two Late Stage, one Great Perfection—and fourteen kids."
A figure completely shrouded in a black robe, exuding a foul aura, respectfully reported to the leader at the front, who wore an Iron-faced Rakshasa mask.
The masked man nodded in satisfaction, his voice hoarse. "As long as we plunder this batch, the mission the Lord Steward gave us will be complete."
"Boss, they're from the Song Clan. Are we really going to move against them?" one of the black-robed figures asked with hesitation.
Although the Song Clan had declined, they were still not to be trifled with in the lands of Ling Province. They could crush people like them with ease.
The masked man snorted in displeasure. "Hmph, have you forgotten who we serve? The Song Clan is nothing! Surround them and wait for my command. If anyone dares to resist, kill them all without mercy!"
"Yes, sir!"
...