Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 239 Agreement
The fact that the master of the land of rogue cultivators has achieved the Golden Core stage is indeed an honor for the rogue cultivators who live there and are sheltered by him.

With such a prominent figure emerging from their own family, it's no wonder the entire market was filled with a joyous and celebratory atmosphere.

This is not only a symbol of strength, but also means that the future status and stability of Lanxi Cave will be greatly enhanced, and even powerful forces such as the six major sects will not dare to covet it easily.

"I see, that's fortunate indeed." Song Yan replied calmly, though surprised, that was all.

Golden Elixir Avenue...

Jiang Chaosheng's Core Formation is a further step on the path to becoming a great power, but for Song Yan, the most important thing right now is to return to his sect and establish his foundation. The excitement in the distance has little to do with him.

They had no intention of joining in this sea of ​​celebration, nor did they have any intention of visiting the Liang Feng couple, who must be incredibly busy and basking in their glory at this moment.

He simply handed over the jade key to the Red Dust Battle according to the rules and completed the return procedures in a simple manner.

Then he turned around and led Xiao Ju and Xiao He, walking steadily along the mountain path leading out of the market, their figures quickly blending into the forest.

Behind them, the hustle and bustle of Lanxi Cave continued, with the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments drifting from afar—it was their own celebration.

Outside Lanxi Cave.

Song Yan did not set off immediately. His gaze swept over the mountains and rivers and looked towards the flowing sea of ​​clouds.

At one point, he seemed to make a decision.

He turned around and looked at Xiao Ju in front of him.

His clear gaze fell on Xiao Ju's slightly nervous face, and his voice, though not loud, was very powerful: "Xiao Ju."

Perhaps because it was the first time she had called her own name so solemnly, the girl trembled slightly.

She hurriedly looked up: "Senior Song? What are your instructions?"

My heart skipped a beat for no reason, and I had a vague premonition that this was no ordinary call.

Song Yan did not speak immediately, but looked at her quietly for a moment, as if considering her words.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"This journey, filled with many experiences, has now come to an end. I should return to my sect."

He paused, then continued, "For you, this journey has also come to an end."

Xiao Ju's heart sank suddenly as a thought that terrified her instantly seized her.

Senior Song said the journey was over...

She lowered her head slightly, not daring to look Song Yan in the eye, and said in a voice barely audible, "Yes, senior. Xiao Ju understands."

A strange sense of bittersweetness welled up in my heart. After more than a year together, all those wonderful experiences, the vast world, and the meticulous guidance, was it really going to come to an end here?
Indeed, my own level of cultivation is far too low, and my aptitude is extremely poor.

Staying by the side of my seniors is really holding them back.

It doesn't matter. What I've seen and heard these past few days is already a precious memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

People should be content.

"So now, you can choose your own path."

"If you still harbor ambitions and wish to continue traveling alone through the Chu Kingdom, or other places, to experience the ways of the world and the myriad aspects of life..."

Song Yan's tone was unreadable: "Let's part ways here."

The words "parting ways" struck Xiao Ju's heart like a heavy hammer.

However, the option of "choosing for oneself" stirred a sense of doubt in her confused mind.

What other options does she have?

The girl was speechless for a moment, and just stared blankly at Song Yan.

Song Yan remained calm as he looked at Xiao Ju, awaiting her answer.

Xiao Ju took a deep breath, as if using all her strength to fight against that deep inferiority complex and the feeling of "unworthy" that was ingrained in her bones.

Without much deliberation, almost following her deepest, most instinctive desire, her voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally clear and firm: "No, Senior Song."

She leaned forward eagerly, meeting Song Yan's gaze boldly for the first time.

"I want to continue following you."

"I would be happy to stay by your side, even if it's just as a tailor, mending your robes and clothes."

After saying these words, she seemed to have used up all her courage.

Suddenly, a blush rose on her face, and she lowered her head shyly.

After she finished speaking, she began to worry that she had gone too far and would displease Song Yan.

Upon hearing this, Song Yan showed no impatience or surprise, but rather a hint of understanding.

He remained silent for a moment, but that brief time felt incredibly long to Xiao Ju.

Finally, he slowly nodded.

"it is good."

That one word instantly dispelled all the anxiety and gloom in Xiao Ju's heart!

But Song Yan's next words made her feel even more like she was in a dream.

“Since you are willing to come along,” Song Yan’s tone remained calm, as if stating something very natural, “then you can come back to Dongyuan Sect with me.”

"If I can successfully establish my Dao foundation upon returning to the sect this time..."

He paused slightly, then looked up and his gaze fell on Xiao Ju's wide, shocked eyes.

"Then I will take you as my disciple, how about that?"

"Accept...accept him as a disciple?!"

Xiao Ju suspected there was something wrong with her ears.

She looked up abruptly, overwhelmed by immense joy. In her clear eyes, disbelief filled first, followed by an indescribable mix of surprise and trepidation.

“Senior, someone like me, with such low aptitude, how could I… how could I be worthy of being your disciple…”

Looking at her flustered yet delighted expression, Song Yan chuckled and said, "Of course, there's a prerequisite for all of this."

Xiao Ju's heart jumped again.

But he said, "On the condition that I successfully establish my foundation first."

"If I fail and die, or become a cripple, then this matter of becoming a disciple will have to be abandoned."

This was the first time Song Yan had so openly mentioned the possibility of failing to establish a foundation.

Xiao Ju was slightly taken aback, but then completely calmed down.

An unprecedented sense of security and anticipation grew and spread in her heart.

She was no longer a burden taken in out of pity, nor a dispensable companion.

She might even become the disciple of that powerful and reliable Senior Song.

As for the so-called failure to establish a foundation, she never even considered it.

In her eyes, how could Senior Song possibly fail to establish his foundation?

He is a god-like figure; he is certain, absolutely certain, to succeed.

Although I haven't truly become his disciple yet, I've only received this agreement.

But in the meantime, looking forward to that day is the happiest time.

Song Yan had his own decision regarding Xiao Ju.

He has always admired Xiao Ju; he can sense a kind of resilience in her.

Although there is a flaw in her temperament—being too gentle—this is not something that cannot be changed.

Moreover, it can't really be considered as him taking on a disciple; at most, he's just taking on an outer disciple on behalf of the Sword Sect.

However, she was neither his maid nor his servant.

This person wasn't even a disciple of the Dongyuan Sect.

Besides, to put it bluntly, I am only a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining, not some great immortal being. I don't have the audacity to think that everyone wants to become my disciple.

That's why we need to consult her personally.

Since that was the case, it could be considered that the last thing in Song Yan's heart had been accomplished. So they did not delay any longer and headed to Dongyuan Sect together.

Actually, you don't necessarily have to return to your sect to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

For example, Lanxi Cave is actually a good place for cultivation. It just so happens that Jiang Chaosheng, the founder of Lanxi Cave, has attained the Golden Elixir, so it is actually quite safe.

Now that he possesses the miraculous Mirage Sword Pill, he has already solved the key problem of spiritual energy required for his secluded foundation-building cultivation, and so on.

However, that subtle sense of belonging in their hearts will ultimately lead most disciples back to their sect. When faced with such an important matter as breaking through to a higher realm, the ancestral mountain sect, with its long-standing traditions and profound Daoist charm, seems to offer a silent protection and sense of security.

This is a state of mind that even extraordinary encounters cannot completely replace when one is wandering far from home.

After leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Lanxi Cave, the journey was swift, but not without its share of challenges.

While briefly staying in a certain market town for independent cultivators, they happened to witness a fairly large auction taking place there.

Song Yan pondered that if he succeeded in establishing his foundation, he would need to consider the main cultivation method for the subsequent foundation-building stage.

Although the Dongyuan Sect's Scripture Pavilion contains countless cultivation techniques, it is still a stroke of luck to find one at the auction that suits one's own abilities or future development.

With this thought in mind, Song Yan attended the auction.

The atmosphere inside the venue was lively, with dazzling magical artifacts, fragrant elixirs, shimmering talismans, and even some rare spiritual plants appearing one after another, prompting the cultivators below the stage to bid against each other.

Song Yan remained calm, his eyes, hidden behind his mask, scanning each item with a cool, collected expression.

There are naturally several cultivation techniques, but unfortunately, they are either incompatible with the attributes, have limited grade, or are incomplete.

There has never been a single film that truly resonated with him, making him feel like "this is it."

He shook his head slightly, and finally, with a hint of barely perceptible regret, gestured for Xiao Ju and Xiao He to leave early.

Although there were many items up for auction, none of them were what he truly needed.

This minor incident failed to cause any significant disturbance; instead, it strengthened his resolve to return to his sect as soon as possible.

After that, Song Yan did not stop again on the journey.

Layer upon layer of mountains, shrouded in spiritual energy.

Half a month later, when the familiar mountain range came into view and the majestic and solemn mountain gate gradually became clear in the clouds, the last trace of wandering in Song Yan's heart finally settled down.

The gatekeepers were still two Qi Refining stage disciples dressed in the sect's standard Daoist robes.

Upon seeing a disciple returning from the sect, their gazes immediately turned towards them, filled with a routine scrutiny as well as curiosity about a fellow disciple returning from an outing.

With Xiao Ju by his side, Song Yan walked steadily toward the mountain gate.

He did not deliberately display his aura, but the growth of his mindset during this trip down the mountain, the calm aura that was close to the perfection of Qi Refining and the formation of the Dao Foundation, coupled with his already outstanding appearance, gave him a unique and otherworldly demeanor.

The two guarding disciples were a man and a woman. The male cultivator clasped his hands in greeting and stepped forward.

Before he could speak, he found that the other party had already handed over the jade token that symbolized his disciple status.

The younger female disciple secretly scrutinized him for a moment, and was astonished.

One could only sense that this person had an upright posture, and his eyes seemed to possess a sharp inner strength. Most importantly, his unique temperament was so striking that he was unforgettable.

Her eyes suddenly lit up, and her voice was filled with surprise and excitement: "Ah! You are..."

"Are you Senior Brother Song? Senior Brother Song Yan, who ranked second in the last Sword Testing Competition?"

Song Yan paused slightly, but did not show any particular emotion. He simply nodded calmly, his voice coming through the mask, clear and steady: "Exactly."

It's not surprising that she was able to recognize it.

The previous sect sword-wielding competition made Song Yan's name, along with his outstanding demeanor, widely known among the Qi Refining disciples.

She has even become the dream lover of many female disciples on Lotus Peak.

However, at this moment, this senior brother was standing right in front of him.

At this moment, the cultivator who was checking the disciple's token also recognized his identity, and his expression showed more respect.

Bamo Peak, Song Banquet.

He was one of the three disciples that Bamo Peak had previously recruited exceptionally.

With about a year and a half to go before the Dragon Pool Mountain Nine Veins Grand Competition, this senior brother has returned to the sect ahead of schedule.

Could it be that he's about to establish his foundation?

The two had their own thoughts.

Out of politeness, Song Yan thanked the two men and then entered the mountain gate.

More than a year later, returning to the Earth-character 21 cave, the familiar bamboo grove courtyard allowed Song Yan to calm down the last trace of restlessness in his heart.

Everything inside the cave remained the same.

He did not enter the pass immediately, but instead asked Xiao Ju to wait there for a while.

He then went to the shore of Lingyuan Marsh and arrived at the very familiar "Trouble-Relieving General Store".

It still looks the same old dilapidated little shop.

"Master, are you there?" He gently knocked on the wooden door.

"This disciple has returned from his travels and has come to pay respects to his master."

No one responded.

It seems I'm not here today.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard Qin Xijun's voice coming from inside the house: "Come in."

Qin Xijun was still the same as before. When she saw him, she smiled and said, "You're back?"

Song Yan nodded.

He gave a general account of his travel itinerary and recounted some interesting observations.

He then explained his own cultivation progress, omitting some of his extraordinary encounters, and only said that he was preparing to go into seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Upon hearing the words "Foundation Building," Qin Xijun's smiling gaze, which had been fixed on Song Yan like that of a child, paused slightly, and she couldn't help but linger on him for a moment.

With a sweep of his divine sense, he clearly sensed the aura of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator emanating from him.

Qin Xijun couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking how quickly her precious disciple had improved.

Time flies so fast.

Back then, I was just an ordinary Qi Refining disciple who was barely making it in the sect...

"On the path of cultivation, breaking through to a higher realm is like a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate, fraught with unpredictable dangers."

Qin Xijun's voice was no longer joking, but rather serious.

"Your talent is decent, but the difficulty of building a foundation is extraordinary, and the foundation is especially important."

With a gentle stroke of her jade-like fingers, her hand shimmered with light, and an object appeared, which she handed to Song Yan.

It was a delicate porcelain bottle, as white as jade and the size of a palm, with a warm and cool feel emanating from its body.

Song Yan subconsciously reached out and caught the porcelain bottle.

It felt slightly cool to the touch, and the pure medicinal power emanating from the elixir inside the bottle almost permeated the bottle itself.

Upon probing with his divine sense, he discovered that there were actually five Foundation Establishment Pills!

Qin Xijun said succinctly, "There are five in total. These are surplus items that I prepared before I established my foundation. Take them. Don't... be impatient."

A warm current quietly flowed through Song Yan's heart.

Qin Xijun naturally had no idea about his use of the Spirit-Slaying Sword, nor would she know about the various opportunities he had for refining the Wuxiang Pill and improving the Foundation Establishment Pill.

In her view, although her disciple shone brightly at the Sword Wielding Competition and had amazing comprehension of swordsmanship, his spiritual root was ultimately only three spiritual roots, which could be considered barely average.

Such a foundational impact carries a significant risk of failure in building a solid foundation.

Quantity, to some extent, can compensate for a lack of qualifications, at least increasing the probability of success.

Song Yan gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, offering neither explanation nor rejection of this gift from his master.

Qin Xijun said they were leftovers from before, but with her dual spiritual roots, where would she need so many Foundation Establishment Pills?

He bowed deeply and said, "Disciple thanks Master for his generous gift! I will live up to Master's expectations and do my best to build my foundation."

Qin Xijun waved her hand: "Alright, alright, stop being so sentimental. Get to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, so that your teacher can make you proud."

"Yes, Master!"

After Song Yan left, Qin Xijun watched his retreating figure and lazily stretched.

"Sigh... My disciple has made such great progress, I, as his master, should also start cultivating properly."

A smile played at the corners of her lips: "Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if my apprentice caught up with me later."

Qin Xijun nodded slightly, then closed her eyes again, as if none of the turmoil had ever happened.

She then left the place as well.

(End of this chapter)