Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 361 Seeking Benevolence
At Yan Li's prompting, Yan Xun lit three sticks of incense. He and Wu Duo bowed three times and placed the incense sticks in front of the monument.

Although Song Yan was not a member of the Yan family, he followed the Yan family's etiquette and lit incense in his hand, offering a proper sacrifice according to the rules.

Looking at the name on the monument, in a daze, Song Yan seemed to see again that figure who resolutely walked into the fire pool on the mountaintop and disappeared into the flames.

Many thoughts arose in my mind.

Perhaps Senior Yanbo's weapon-forging skills had already reached the level required for forging magic weapons at the Foundation Establishment stage back then; otherwise, Qiu Ren would not have appeared in the Yin-Yang Realm.

However, limitations such as the materials used in refining weapons and the tools for forging prevented him from ever truly fulfilling his wish throughout his life.

However, the mysteries contained within the Infinite Treasury made up for this, allowing him to achieve his wish.

Not long after, Yan Xun received a message from the clan, apparently indicating that there was something to attend to. So he apologized to his grandfather Yan Li and Song Yan, and then hurriedly left with Wu Duo.

Song Yan was also preparing to leave, but Yan Li stopped him.

“Young friend Song, I don’t know what connection you have with my ancestors, but I see you offering incense and paying respects with reverence and gratitude. I think all of this must be a good thing.”

As he walked in another direction, he said, "Follow me."

"I wonder how much you know about our ancestors?"

"I've heard Yan Heng mention it before. Senior Yan Bo wants to refine a magic weapon with his Foundation Establishment cultivation level," Song Yan replied truthfully.

"hehe, not bad."

Yanli asked, "Then... what is your opinion on this matter, young friend?"

After pondering for a moment, Song Yan said, "Senior's ambition is far-reaching. Although I know nothing about weapon crafting, I know how difficult it is just from hearing about it."

"This doesn't sound like the right way..."

Upon hearing this, Yanli's expression darkened slightly.

Indeed, the thoughts of our ancestors were somewhat difficult to understand, and ordinary people would only find them incomprehensible.

However, Song Yan then changed the subject.

“However, I don’t think this is a wrong path,” he said.

Yanli was taken aback and looked at Song Yan.

Song Yan continued, "The cultivation world has flourished to this day, and countless cultivation techniques, formulas, and formations have been born from the footsteps of our predecessors."

"Perhaps thousands of years ago, every predecessor who took the first step was regarded as an oddity by the people of that time, who thought they had gone astray."

Going even further back, if it weren't for that first "fork in the road," the world of cultivation might never have existed.

Song Yan said solemnly, "If, after a thousand or ten thousand years, a method for forging magical artifacts that can be achieved without reaching the Golden Core stage appears, or some other special means that can greatly improve the grade of forging artifacts, then..."

"These methods contain the thoughts of Senior Yanbo, and it can even be said that all of this enlightenment comes from him."

"By then, Senior Yanbo will be a pioneer, won't he?"

The Daoist Canon states that countless millennia ago, when everything in the cultivation world was just beginning to grow, there were many seemingly meaningless explorations.

But those things, bit by bit, brick by brick, eventually shaped the cultivation world we know today.

Song Yan truly admired this kind of person.

After hearing this, Yanli's aged face showed a hint of surprise.

The disciples of these major sects truly have extraordinary vision.

He then let out a deep sigh.

"To forge a magic weapon with the Foundation Establishment stage is still unbelievable even a thousand years later."

"Not to mention back then."

Yanli said, "I have seen some of my maternal grandfather's manuscripts and records, and there are many rumors about him that are also circulating in the clan."

"From a renowned master of weapon crafting to an unconventional and unreasonable person, it only took a little over ten years."

"In the eyes of the world, he was nearing the end of his lifespan and had no hope of achieving the Golden Elixir, so he was desperate and made a rash decision."

"Even now, many members of the Yan family still believe that his idea is a wrong path and a pipe dream."

"It is truly remarkable that you think this way, young friend."

The path down the mountain became increasingly winding and secluded, gradually moving away from the magnificent eaves. Finally, the two stopped at the end of a mountain valley, in front of a cluster of low, old stone houses.

Pushing open the old door, Song Yan was surprised to find that there was no musty smell and little dust inside.

It seems that people often come here to clean.

However, the room was somewhat dark and cramped, with only a stone bed and a stone shelf, and some materials that were no longer recognizable in the corner.

On the stone shelf, many jade slips and paper books were neatly stacked.

“These are all records left by our ancestors before their death. After Yan Heng returned, he returned them all to the family.”

Yanli raised her hand, gesturing for Song Yan to look around as he pleased.

"Those weapon-refining techniques are naturally not to be shown to outsiders at will; they have already been collected into the family's library. What remains here are some of our ancestors' notes."

"You may view it yourself, just don't take it away."

Yanli looked at the young man with admiration in her eyes.

The Yan family was very pleased to befriend such a talented young man, especially since he seemed to have some connection with their ancestors and was very interested in their ancestors' affairs.

Although he no longer cares about many affairs of the clan, he can still do things to benefit the other party in a small way.

"Thank you, senior."

Song Yan casually flipped through the document; most of it consisted of his thoughts and attempts at forging magical artifacts.

"The nature of spiritual beings is a gift from heaven and earth; why must they be revered solely for the fire of the Golden Core? When different fires melt and spiritual energy circulates, they may very well be able to awaken spiritual energy..."

"Plants flourish and wither in a year, spiritual stones in the earth take millions of years to form, and living beings have their lifespans, so why can't spiritual essence be created in a day or two..."

"If one does not rely on the cultivator's divine sense to drive it, but instead uses the spiritual essence of the forging material itself to stimulate it, it seems possible to break free from the shackles of cultivation."

"This path is almost like a creation of spirits; the day it was completed is like the beginning of the birth of all living beings... A wrong path? A wrong path!"

Song Yan was completely confused by most of these things, since he had little experience with weapon crafting.

However, it's clear that this Uncle Yan wasn't always truly confident in his research; he also experienced confusion.

After all, this path ahead is completely unknown, and it could very well be a dead end.

Then, Song Yan found a special jade slip and read it through.

This jade slip appears to have been left behind by Senior Yanbo before his death.

……

"Did you hear that?"

"how?"

"The young master of the main family, Yan Gui, has restrained his temper and begun to diligently practice the art of sword forging for the sake of a rogue female cultivator."

"Young Master Yan Gui?"

"Yes, Young Master Yan Gui used to be uneducated and incompetent, but recently he has changed his ways and is studying diligently. I heard that his weapon-refining skills have improved by leaps and bounds."

The division of the Yan family property has sparked much discussion.

"It's not too late to start now. Given time, we may still be able to uphold the name of the Yan family."

This matter has been the talk of the entire Yan family lately, and everyone is discussing it.

But to Yanbo's ears, it sounded rather harsh.

He doesn't really like this kind of prodigal son returning home trope.

It's like a good person doing something bad, which is called revealing one's true colors.

But if a bad person does one good deed, it can be called a prodigal son returning home.

Of course, this matter is not that serious. Apart from being ignorant and incompetent, this young master of the Yan family does not do any evil deeds.

These things have nothing to do with him, a disciple who has branched out from the family.

He is obsessed with the art of weapon crafting. Although he is young, he has already achieved some success, and many clan elders pay close attention to him.

Moreover, a seed had already been planted in Yan Bo's heart.

He wanted to become a Golden Core cultivator and forge a true magic weapon.

For most cultivators in the Chu Kingdom, achieving the Golden Core stage is already considered the ultimate goal.

But for Yan Bo, achieving the Golden Elixir was merely a means to forge magical treasures.

Not only does Yan Bo have a talent for weapon crafting, he is also incredibly hardworking.

He devoted himself to cultivation and the study of weapon crafting. However, Yan Bo never expected that one day, the rumored young master of the Yan clan would personally visit him to ask for advice on weapon crafting.

"Brother! I must thank you for answering all my questions. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."

Yan Gui's eyes were full of sincerity, which puzzled Yan Bo.

"As the young master of the main family, the elders in the clan who are skilled in weapon crafting should be able to answer your questions. Why did you come to me?"

Yan Gui said, "I have consulted many elders before, but their cultivation levels are different, so many methods and details cannot be referenced."

"However, whenever they mention the weapon-refining skills of the younger generation in the clan, they always mention your name, cousin."

That's why I've come to ask you for advice.

Yan Gui hurriedly took his leave: "Brother, I'm afraid I'll have to bother you again in the future."

"Uh... do as you please."

As Yan Bo watched the young master leave, he felt rather strange.

"To be so determined for a woman?"

"Childhood sweetheart..."

"Tsk tsk." Uncle Yan shook his head: "That's really cheesy."

However, Yan Gui was very humble. He didn't dislike being asked for advice; on the contrary, he was quite pleased with himself.

……

Decades later.

Yan Bo is not only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but his skill in weapon crafting has also made him famous throughout the Chu Kingdom.

"Elder, Elder Xu of the Ziyang Sect requests an audience."

Yan Bo was flipping through ancient books on weapon crafting when he heard a servant report that he had asked for something. He casually tossed a Qiankun bag to the servant and said, "What he wants is here. Take it to him and tell him I'm busy."

When you meet someone, you naturally have to talk, and you can't avoid some insincere pleasantries. Yan Bo hates these kinds of things the most.

"Yes……"

"Elder, the Flower Festival is approaching, and many families in Beiya Mountain have invited you to be their guests."

"Just say I've been busy lately and don't have time."

"Yes……"

"Elder! Elder!"

The servants rushed around, shouting and yelling, causing Uncle Yan to frown: "What is it? Speak slowly and calmly."

"The Second Elder of the Zong Family wants to betroth his daughter to you! You are about to enter the Zong Family!"

The servants were overjoyed.

Yan Bo was also slightly taken aback.

Joining the main family from a branch family is no easy feat, but it represents numerous benefits.

In cultivation families that value blood ties, this means that all their descendants are members of the main branch.

The second young lady was as beautiful as an angel and was quite familiar with Uncle Yan.

However, he refused.

The second young lady came to the door, tears welling up in her eyes: "Uncle Yan, what have I done wrong that you treat me like this?"

"You're not bad."

Uncle Yan said, his expression somewhat unnatural, "You are the second young lady of the main family. Your appearance, talent, and character are all excellent. In truth, I am the one who is worthy of your status..."

"Then why..."

"I don't want to hold you back."

Yan Bo said, "I want to achieve the Golden Core, and I want to forge a true magic weapon... I don't have time to spend with you."

"What does this have to do with anything?" the second young lady questioned. "In the cultivation world, there are countless couples like this, some even going into seclusion and not seeing each other for decades."

Yan Bo fell silent.

At this moment, Yan Gui's face appeared in his mind.

Several years ago, this young master of the Yan clan returned to his clan alone, only to hear that the female cultivator had sacrificed herself to save him, perishing together with the demonic cultivator.

Later, he also died for his sword.

After a moment of silence, Yan Bo said, "But that..."

"Can they truly be called husband and wife, or Daoist partners?"

……

In the spring of Beiya Mountain City, the sun shines warmly and the flowers are in full bloom.

The Flower Festival was a lively and bustling event.

However, at this very moment, in a secluded weapon-refining room of the separated family.

Yan Bo looked at the ruined refining materials in the furnace, his brows furrowed with disappointment.

"Failed again, this still won't work."

He had lost count of how many times he had tried to melt this material, but he could not reach the spiritual power of the Golden Core realm, and he could never completely melt away the impurities within it, let alone forge it.

Now, he has been stuck in the Foundation Establishment stage for over a hundred years, his lifespan is coming to an end, and his physical body and blood are beginning to decline and deplete. His hope of forming the Core has long been extinguished.

The Yan family established itself through weapon crafting, and cultivation resources are ultimately limited. Even the main family members have to compete for them, let alone a branch family member like him.
Even if he refines weapons day and night to acquire resources, achieving the Core Formation stage is still a distant dream for him, given his talent.

However, Yanbo's grand ambition did not die out.

Even more insane.

He wanted to forge a true magic weapon using his Foundation Establishment cultivation level!

He didn't hide his thoughts, but what he got in return was people's doubts and rebukes.

"Uncle Yan, have you gone mad?"

"Only those at the Golden Core stage can draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine the embryonic form of a magic weapon. How can someone at the Foundation Establishment stage, with their impure spiritual energy and weak divine sense, possibly succeed?"

"Even if you get incredibly lucky and manage to create a prototype of a magic weapon, so what? A Foundation Establishment cultivator can't even unleash a fraction of its power, and it will only bring trouble! Don't you understand the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime?"

These sounds, like cold hammers, struck him again and again.

He couldn't argue.

He knew they had a point.

but……

So what? He didn't care.

……

What lies at the end of the path to immortality?

"Or rather, what is the ultimate purpose of seeking immortality and enlightenment?"

"Throughout history, whether they were mediocre rogue cultivators or sage patriarchs, all cultivators have been able to answer this question."

"However, everyone has a different answer."

These answers can be roughly divided into two categories.

"One type wants to have eternal life, the power to command the wind and rain, and to enjoy the power and beauty that come with it."

"The other type wants to see what the Great Dao they are pursuing, the principles of heaven and earth, really are like, what shape they are."

"To me, neither of them is good or bad."

Instead of discussing which is right or wrong, we should think about which one can better motivate us to keep walking on this lonely path of immortality.

"Through centuries, millennia, and countless years of quest, we need such a foundation."

"For me, this support is the grand ambition in my heart."

Even if everything is meaningless and we keep failing, so what?

"No one knows where the path to immortality ends or what it looks like."

"So, what am I like now..."

"Aren't we walking on the main road?"

(End of this chapter)