Chapter 50: Don’t Get Too Close to Song She

Chapter Fifty: Don’t Get Too Close to Song Shede

“Are you ready, boy?”

After reaching the mountaintop, Song Shede let out a loud laugh, giving Fang Junmei’s shoulder a hearty slap, his eyes brimming with delight. His expression was genuine, without a trace of pretense.

“I’ve only recovered a little,” Fang Junmei said, suppressing the urge to dodge Song Shede’s hand and accepting the gesture somewhat awkwardly. “To fully recover, I don’t know how long it will take. Uncle’s elixir is truly formidable.”

He still looked shaken from the ordeal.

Song Shede was not displeased. He chuckled and led him to see Chunyu Qian.

…

Once again, they entered the grand hall where the earthfire burned. Chunyu Qian’s gaze was as sharp as an arrow, piercing straight into Fang Junmei’s eyes, as if to see through every hidden corner of his heart.

This time, Fang Junmei did not avert his gaze, though his demeanor was slightly unnatural. Among the hundred ways he might have died, Chunyu Qian’s name was counted.

Chunyu Qian watched him for a long while, then shifted his focus to Song Shede standing at Fang Junmei’s side. At last, he spoke: “Barely. You’ve passed.”

Hearing this, Fang Junmei’s heart surged with excitement. He couldn’t help clenching his fist—this was a tremendous affirmation for him.

Song Shede, at his side, was likewise pleased. For him, too, it was good news; Chunyu Qian might reward him as well.

“Don’t celebrate too soon,” Chunyu Qian continued. “Though you scraped through the sixth trial, I won’t admit you’ve surpassed Gu Xijin. I’m certain, if he’d taken the Heartbreak Elixir, his performance would be at least as good as yours. Wait until you’ve completed the trial of my ultimate elixir—then you can rejoice.”

It was Chunyu Qian’s usual tactic, setting a new goal before Fang Junmei.

Fang Junmei smiled and nodded. “When will I test this final elixir?”

Chunyu Qian did not answer immediately, falling into thought and looking troubled. “Originally, I planned to have you try it after you’d advanced to the Dust Realm. But your current state worries me—you might fail at the last moment.”

After a pause, Chunyu Qian looked at Fang Junmei meaningfully. “Boy, do you wish to contribute to your Unmoving Peak in the upcoming sect tournament?”

Fang Junmei nodded.

“If my ultimate elixir succeeds, your strength will be greatly enhanced…” Chunyu Qian said. “I’ll let you decide when to take it. If you want to take a risk, come to me before the tournament. Otherwise, do it afterward.”

Fang Junmei’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded again.

Chunyu Qian rummaged through his storage pouch, quickly producing another pouch and tossing it to Fang Junmei. “Your reward for this trial—inside is the Qi Sea Elixir I promised you, to help you break through to the Dust Realm. Whether you succeed is up to you. Go, and find your damned true heart sooner rather than later.”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

Fang Junmei received the pouch and bowed.

…

The two left the hall, then Wind Courtyard.

Song Shede conjured clouds beneath his feet to escort Fang Junmei home. When the white cloud floated three feet above the ground, Song Shede turned and grinned at Fang Junmei. “Brother, do you dare ride my cloud again?”

His tone was teasing.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Fang Junmei hesitated briefly, then stepped on. Before, he wouldn’t have considered it.

Song Shede nodded in approval and guided the cloud toward Unmoving Peak.

The two traveled in rare silence.

Halfway there, Fang Junmei finally spoke, carefully choosing his words. “Brother, has there been any unusual activity in the sect this past month?”

Song Shede easily caught his meaning. Without opening his mouth, his voice sounded in Fang Junmei’s mind: “Brother, among cultivators, there’s a technique called Spiritual Voice Transmission. Have you learned it? Once mastered, you don’t have to worry about others overhearing. That’s what I’m using now.”

Fang Junmei was startled, recalling he’d learned this technique on the first floor of the Scripture Vault, but never used it for lack of someone to speak to.

After a few moments of recollection and two attempts, Fang Junmei finally managed to use it.

“Did you hear me?”

His voice echoed in Song Shede’s mind.

“That’s it.”

Song Shede nodded, and the two conversed through spiritual transmission.

Song Shede said, “The sect has been quiet. Unless there’s business, it’s normal not to see anyone for a month. But sooner or later, someone will notice. Check with the gatekeepers to see if Xiao Yunyu left the mountain—if not, he died within the sect.”

Fang Junmei nodded.

“And his master, Ning Jiuyi, the chief elder of the outer sect, is not one to let matters rest. He’ll investigate. But we left no clues. Even if someone finds the site of your battle, there’s no reason to link it to you. Remember: never admit anything. Otherwise, you’ll be in real trouble.”

Fang Junmei nodded again.

Song Shede’s eyes flashed. “Do you still have Xiao Yunyu’s two swords?”

“Yes.”

“Destroy them the next time you leave the sect. Never use them—they’re nothing special anyway.”

Song Shede spoke in a serious tone.

Fang Junmei agreed.

Song Shede’s voice softened. “In the end, this matter will likely fade away. You needn’t worry too much.”

Fang Junmei nodded once more, regret flickering in his eyes. He sighed, “Though he kept causing me trouble, his death was undeserved. This time, it was truly my fault.”

Song Shede smiled indifferently, gazing into the distant sky. “Since we’ve embarked on the path of cultivation, we must be prepared for such things. One day, you and I may also die quietly and without notice. If there is any spirit left after death, blame ourselves for not learning well enough.”

He was much older than Fang Junmei, and saw things with greater clarity.

In truth, when Fang Junmei was a top master among mortals, he had killed many and understood this principle well. But his current state of mind was different, greatly affected by the Heartbreak Elixir.

Fang Junmei nodded, and with unusual solemnity, said to Song Shede, “If you ever get into trouble, brother, I’ll go through fire and water for you, without hesitation.”

Song Shede’s eyes brightened, and he laughed heartily. “Then you’d better train hard, or you might never get the chance to help me.”

Fang Junmei smiled and nodded. Unconsciously, his mood lightened.

They spoke no more of Xiao Yunyu. Song Shede began to recount amusing tales from his cultivation experience, his manner relaxed.

…

Soon, they returned to Unmoving Peak. Nothing had changed—the white clouds drifted leisurely, peace and serenity prevailed.

From afar, they saw Fan Lanzhou in white robes, drinking tea in the courtyard, graceful and carefree. Linghu Jinjiao was nowhere to be seen.

Song Shede did not linger, bidding farewell and departing.

Fang Junmei took a deep breath and entered the courtyard alone.

Fan Lanzhou glanced at him casually, but quickly noticed a subtle change in Fang Junmei’s aura. His eyes flickered, and he asked, “Brother, are you all right?”

Fang Junmei smiled. “I’m fine, don’t worry. Uncle Chunyu’s elixir was just a bit rough.”

Which was the truth.

After staring at him for a few moments, Fan Lanzhou nodded. “Since you’ve passed the trial, I owe you a sword, as promised.”

He reached for his storage pouch.

Fang Junmei asked in surprise, “I never said I passed. Why are you so sure?”

Fan Lanzhou smiled, his gaze shrewd. “If you hadn’t, you’d either be carried back like a corpse by Song Shede, or you’d return on your own, battered and defeated—not lively and spirited like this, with Song Shede escorting you.”

He paused, then added, “Those people from Medicine King Peak are all opportunists. They’ll only befriend you if you’re of use to them; otherwise, they’ll kick you away. Brother, don’t get too close to Song Shede.”

Fang Junmei was stunned, looking at Fan Lanzhou with a strange expression.

For the first time, he felt a faintly different emotion toward Unmoving Peak.

Fan Lanzhou noticed the odd look instantly. After a moment’s pause, he realized Fang Junmei and Song Shede must have formed a strong bond, and he, himself, now seemed a bit narrow-minded. He gave a carefree laugh. “Let it be, do as you wish. You’ll have to walk your own path to truly understand the hearts of cultivators.”

Fang Junmei nodded slightly, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Fan Lanzhou took out a sword.