Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 42 'Haoran Academy', Yun Songzi visits

Meng Xihong steadily walked to the outside of the courtyard.

At the courtyard gate, Yun Songzi still had that unforgettable appearance.

Wearing a faded, patched old Taoist robe, his hair casually tied up with a crooked wooden hairpin, and even a few specks of fresh mud still clinging to his face, he seemed completely out of place in this clean and peaceful country courtyard.

Only his slightly narrowed eyes, gleaming with inner sharpness, were now fixed on Meng Xihong, who had come out to greet him, with an undisguised eagerness and a deeper, more indescribable complex emotion.

"Senior has come from afar, and I am sorry that I was unable to greet you properly." Meng Xihong was very respectful, but his vigilance remained unchanged.

Yun Songzi, unlike his slippery demeanor in the Misty Ravine, wore a slightly awkward but genuine smile and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Oh dear, young friend Xihong, there's no need for such formalities. It was I who was presumptuous to disturb you. I was so abrupt! Ever since we parted ways at Misty Valley, I've been thinking about you constantly."

I happened to have gathered some medicinal herbs nearby, and having heard of the growing reputation of 'Huimin Pharmacy,' I mustered up the courage to come and bother them.

As he spoke, he shook the worn-out medicine basket on his arm, and sure enough, there were several ordinary-looking "heart-clearing herbs" inside, containing only a trace of spiritual energy, which matched his previous statement.

"It is my honor to have you here, senior. Please come in, Yunniang, prepare some tea." Meng Xihong stepped aside to greet him, his mind filled with doubts, wondering what the old Taoist was up to.

Upon entering the hall, Bai Muyun had already prepared tea and snacks.

Yun Songzi's gaze swept quickly across the hall, but it was no longer the assessment and exploration of before. Instead, it seemed as if he was urgently searching for something, with an almost devout expectation in his eyes.

His gaze paused slightly as it swept over his second son, Meng Yanwei, who was quietly practicing calligraphy to the side, but did not linger before quickly moving away.

"Please have some tea, senior." Meng Xihong personally served the tea. "This is wild tea from the local mountains. Although it cannot compare to the sacred tea, it has its own unique flavor."

Yun Songzi took the teacup, took a sip somewhat absentmindedly, and said repeatedly, "Good, good tea..." His attention did not seem to be entirely on the tea, but rather more focused on feeling the flow of energy in the courtyard, and... the presence of people.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yun Songzi suddenly put down his teacup, his expression became solemn, and he bowed deeply to Meng Xihong.

Meng Xihong was startled and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Senior, what is the reason for this? You are too kind to this junior!"

Yun Songzi straightened up, all traces of his shrewdness vanished from his face, replaced by a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. He sighed deeply, “Young friend Xihong, to be honest, after parting ways with you last time, I returned to my secluded place of cultivation, but my heart was filled with unease. The more I thought about it, the more I felt a deep sense of regret.”

He became agitated: "In today's depraved world, those who cultivate immortality only seek shortcuts to quickly achieve the Golden Elixir and attain immortality. The seeds of those who are willing to immerse themselves in reading, cultivating their inner energy, and enlightening their minds and nature are already one in ten thousand!"

Young friend, you possess such pure and righteous spirit, with a foundation of uprightness and integrity. This could only be cultivated through decades of diligent study, a sincere heart, and exceptional talent… As an old Daoist… I am truly delighted to see your talent, yet I also regret that you are past your prime, your physical constitution is fully formed, and I fear it will be difficult for you to inherit the core teachings of our sect…”

Meng Xihong was deeply shaken, but his face remained calm: "Senior, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. May I ask which sect you are referring to?"

Yun Songzi took a deep breath, his face showing a mixture of solemnity and pride, and said, word by word, "This old Taoist comes from the 'Haoran Academy'!"

After these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Although Meng Xihong had suspected it beforehand, he was still shocked when it was confirmed. Bai Muyun also gasped softly, covering her mouth. Only Meng Yanwei, upon hearing the word "academy," curiously raised his head, his eyes sparkling with the longing unique to scholars.

"Haoran Academy..." Meng Xihong pondered, "This junior is ignorant and has never heard of it."

"Our academy's lineage primarily cultivates the righteous spirit, relying not on external things, but only on our own hearts, using literature to convey the Way and using spirit to illuminate the divine. Alas... alas, the transmission has been difficult, and now it has almost completely withered away, perhaps leaving only this old Daoist, myself, as an unworthy successor." Yun Songzi's voice choked with emotion, filled with desolation and loneliness. "This old Daoist was already disheartened, thinking that the lineage was about to be extinct. But the other day, I had a premonition, and after casting a divination, the hexagram showed that my 'benefactor' might be here on this journey! Therefore, I have come to bother you, only wishing to confirm once again whether the heavens have shown mercy to my lineage!"

His gaze swept across the hall again with great interest, and finally, it settled firmly on Meng Yanwei, who had just put down his brush and was looking over with curiosity.

Yun Songzi's body jolted violently, as if struck by lightning!

He stared intently at Meng Yanwei, his lips trembling, his eyes blazing with unbelievable brilliance. His previous dejection and loneliness vanished, replaced by an almost frenzied joy and excitement.

"This...this child..." Yun Songzi's voice trembled as she pointed at Meng Yanwei and asked Meng Xihong, "This...this is your son?"

Meng Xihong's heart tightened, and he shielded Meng Yanwei behind him: "It is indeed my son. Senior..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Songzi was already in tears. He took two steps forward and, disregarding his status, bowed deeply to the young Meng Yanwei.

"Heaven has shown mercy! The vastness of the universe is boundless! Such a gem! Such a talented and virtuous person! His innate literary mind is clear and his aura is pure, perfectly in line with my Great Dao of Vastness!"

Overwhelmed with emotion, he turned to Meng Xihong, his voice trembling yet utterly earnest: "Young friend Xihong! Patriarch Meng! This old Daoist, Yun Songzi, humbly begs your permission, sir and madam, to accept your son, Meng Yanwei, as your disciple and pass on the mantle of my Haoran Academy! This old Daoist hereby swears that I will impart all my knowledge to him, and if I were to personally guide him, I would certainly nurture this child into a literary master, bringing glory to my family! I beg you both to grant my request!"

This sudden turn of events stunned both Meng Xihong and Bai Muyun. Meng Xihong frowned, his mind racing.

Yun Songzi's origins are mysterious. Although he showed great sincerity and even revealed his sect, "a teacher for a day is a father for life." The relationship between teacher and student is no small matter, as it relates to the child's future and destiny. Therefore, he had to be extremely cautious.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only Yun Songzi's heavy breathing and expectant gaze.

Just then, Meng Yanwei, who was being protected by his father, gently tugged at Meng Xihong's sleeve.

Meng Xihong looked down and saw that his son's little face showed no fear. Instead, he stared unblinkingly at Yun Songzi, who was crying with emotion.

His voice was soft, but every word was clear: "Daddy, this old gentleman... has a light on him." The child paused, as if searching for the most fitting description, "Warm and comforting. That feeling... is very similar to the one on Daddy, warm and righteous, making people feel at ease."

Children's minds are pure, and their intuition is often the most acute. Meng Yanwei was born with wisdom, and with the "literary spirit and integrity" bestowed upon him by Meng Xihong, his perception of shared origins was even more direct. His words made Meng Xihong's tense nerves relax slightly.

He looked at Yun Songzi, who was so excited after hearing Meng Yanwei's words that he nodded repeatedly. His eyes were filled with relief and joy as he looked at the child. It was a pure joy of discovering a rare gem and that the lineage was being continued. It was genuine and sincere, not fake.

Meng Xihong and Bai Muyun exchanged a glance, both seeing the attraction and lingering caution in each other's eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Yun Songzi, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, senior. It is truly a blessing for Yan Wei to have gained your favor. However, this matter concerns the child's future path. May I have the opportunity to discuss it with my wife before giving you a reply?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Songzi, though anxious and impatient, knew it was only natural. He quickly wiped away his tears and repeatedly replied, "Of course, of course! I was being presumptuous. Patriarch Meng's careful consideration is entirely appropriate. I can wait, I can wait!"

Just then, a burst of slightly hurried and noisy voices came from outside the courtyard, which broke the subtle and tense atmosphere in the hall at just the right moment.

"Master Meng! Is Master Meng at home?" A hurried, local accent came from afar.

Meng Xihong stood up and said apologetically to Yun Songzi, "Senior, please sit for a moment. Please allow me to go and see what is wrong."

(End of this chapter)