Chapter 796: Concern
After coming out of the Forbidden Land, Song Yan hurried back to his Immortal Cave on Wipe Sword Peak.
Earth Character Two One.
He wasn’t in a hurry to Cultivate; the chaos caused by the Demon Cultivators in Dragon Pool Mountain, the tension, and the brush with death meant that Cultivating now would be too rushed.
He walked directly to the warm spring Spiritual Eye, removed his outer robe and inner shirt, and immersed himself naked in the pool.
Warm, spiritual mist permeated his body, bit by bit, from his limbs and bones.
Song Yan felt his body and mind, which had been taut for dozens of days, slowly being soaked and loosened by this continuous, soothing power.
He looked out the window.
It was almost dusk, and the sea of clouds above Cave Abyss Sect was dyed golden-red by the lingering sunset, with waterfalls splashing in the twilight.
Although his thoughts were clear after the Heart Demon fled, Song Yan felt a subtle fatigue in his mind for some reason.
"Perhaps, it’s time to take a few days to rest."
Song Yan closed his eyes, and the scenes from Dragon Pool Mountain silently surfaced and then sank.
He sat in the pool for a long time until the weariness took over, then slowly got up.
He casually used some Spiritual Qi to evaporate the water from his body, then collapsed onto the large jade bed in the inner quiet room.
He completely surrendered himself to a long-awaited sleep.
He slept soundly for over six hours, completely oblivious to the passage of time.
Cultivators could originally guide Spiritual Qi to replace rest, so such a deep slumber was a luxury.
In that moment, it seemed as if all the bloody struggles and deceitful suspicions of the world had moved away from Song Yan.
When he opened his eyes again, his mind wasn’t immediately clear; it was like waking up from a hangover, dazed and confused.
The Heart Demon’s departure seemed to have taken away many intense things.
He had been constantly on edge before and hadn’t noticed, but now that he had returned to the Sect and his Divine Sense had relaxed, he felt empty and fatigued, unable to recover quickly.
For the next seven days, Song Yan did not practice Sword Arts, nor did he Cultivate his Divine Sense or Sword Qi.
Dressed in a loose, plain robe, like a refined scholar recovering from a serious illness, he stayed indoors and lived a mundane life in his Immortal Cave.
Sometimes, he played chess with himself.
In a corner of the Immortal Cave’s main hall, there was a low paulownia wood table, and the chessboard was set upon it.
Song Yan would sit there for an hour every day, casually playing through games.
Sometimes the Aura was grand and imposing, sometimes intricate and treacherous, but more often it was a simple and ancient layout, with each piece falling into place.
Song Yan didn’t fully immerse himself in it; instead, it was as if he was observing through a thin veil.
His thoughts flowed with a gentle rhythm amidst the vertical and horizontal lines, the Yin and Yang, the advances and retreats of the chessboard.
Aimlessly.
More often, he stood before his desk.
Ancient bamboo paper and wolf-hair brushes were all ordinary scholarly treasures.
Sometimes he would casually open an ancient text, pick out some peaceful and profound scattered sentences or fragments, and write them freely.
His brushstrokes were sometimes rounded, concealing sharpness, and sometimes bony and rugged, with sharp edges occasionally revealed.
The fatigue of his mind was invisible and intangible, yet omnipresent.
Sometimes, in the middle of a chess game, he would inexplicably pause for a long time, holding a piece between his fingers without placing it.
Sometimes, halfway through writing, his wrist would freeze in the air, motionless for a long time, with a bead of ink suspended at the tip of the brush, about to fall but not yet.
More than seven days of mental cultivation finally dispelled that sense of emptiness and dullness.
Song Yan slowly began to Cultivate again.
After several days of recuperation, he felt his Qi flow much smoother.
On this day, he sat cross-legged in the quiet room and swallowed a Medicinal Pill for healing.
His blood surged throughout his body, emitting a faint milky white Spiritual Light, and his complexion was pale.
He circulated his Cultivation Technique to refine the medicinal power, slowly healing the injuries within his body.
He had been "killed" once by Hermit Xin Shan previously, and although the Storage Bag secret art had minimized the impact, his body still sustained some minor damage.
However, Song Yan had forcibly suppressed it before, so it hadn’t manifested.
Suddenly, Song Yan spat out a mouthful of black clotted blood, and then, his previously tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
After circulating his Cultivation Technique to recuperate for a moment, his complexion also became rosy.
A moment later, he slowly ceased his Cultivation.
Song Yan exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi and opened his eyes.
Now, his internal hidden injuries had recovered by seventy to eighty percent; there was no need for deliberate healing, just normal Cultivation, and he would soon be back to his peak state.
"Hmm?"
Song Yan’s heart suddenly stirred; outside his Immortal Cave, a jade talisman floated in.
Someone was visiting.
On the stone steps outside the Immortal Cave stood a young girl, dressed in the standard outer Disciple Daoist robe of Cave Abyss Sect, with a brand new moon-white skirt whose sleeves were still a bit too long.
Her figure was slender, her body not yet fully developed, carrying the innocence of a young girl, but her eyes showed a hint of firmness and serenity.
It was Xiao Ju.
Sensing Song Yan’s Divine Thought, she quickly stepped back, lowered her head, and bowed respectfully: "Disciple Xiao Ju, has come to pay respects to Master."
"In the past few days, Disciple has been Cultivating in her Immortal Cave and was unaware that Master had returned to the Sect. I hope Master will forgive me."
"May I ask... is Master resting?"
Before her words finished, the Immortal Cave’s Restriction opened naturally.
Xiao Ju subconsciously looked up and immediately saw Song Yan standing at the entrance of the Immortal Cave.
He seemed to have just gotten up, dressed only in a plain single garment, his dark hair casually tied up, with a few strands falling across his forehead.
He carried no sharpness around him, appearing gentler and calmer than any time she remembered seeing him, which inexplicably eased her taut nerves a little.
"Come in."
Song Yan said gently, "Why be so polite at your own Master’s Immortal Cave? It’s not like you haven’t been here before..."
Xiao Ju followed behind Song Yan, a little embarrassed, occasionally stealing glances at him.
In the first few days, she hadn’t known about Song Yan’s life lamp extinguishing.
It wasn’t until news spread about her Grandmaster Qin Xijun, whom she had never met, causing a ruckus in the Elder’s Hall that she learned about it.
However, it was fortunate that she hadn’t left her Immortal Cave, focusing solely on Cultivating.
By the time she received the news, before she could even grieve, Elder Xu Ziqing, who had returned from Dragon Pool Mountain, brought back good news.
That also made her breathe a sigh of relief.
The possibility of Song Yan dying was something she didn’t even want to imagine.
Her Master possessed great Divine Ability; how could he die so easily? She told herself this.
"What are you looking at?"
Song Yan sat down at the table, casually swept his hand over the jade chessboard, gathering the scattered pieces, and gestured to a nearby cushion.
He found Xiao Ju a bit distracted, staring at him, so he waved his hand.
Xiao Ju snapped back to attention and quickly knelt down.
"No need to be so reserved," Song Yan’s gaze swept over her somewhat timid face, "Are you accustomed to living on Lianyou Peak?"
"Accustomed, accustomed," Xiao Ju quickly nodded, her words coming a bit faster, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.
"Although the Immortal Cave is small, the Spiritual Qi is abundant, and the Senior Sisters on Lianyou Peak are very caring."
"The steward, hearing Junior Martial Uncle Gu say I was your Disciple, assigned me tasks that were... not too tiring."
Ever since becoming Song Yan’s Disciple, Xiao Ju had truly felt one thing.
Perhaps the world in different people’s eyes was completely different.
In her past view, this world was dim and painful, with little hope.
But now it was entirely different; everyone was kind and friendly to her.
The world seemed to have become vibrant and bright again.
Xiao Ju knew the source of all these changes.
Her Master, or rather, his strength and the terrifying potential he displayed because of it.
She also clearly understood that these things were not hers.
Only by seizing such opportunities and time, and becoming a person who is also treated kindly by the world, was the correct path.
"Hmm..."
Song Yan nodded, noncommittally.
With his current reputation in the Sect, an outer Cultivator bearing his Disciple’s name would naturally attract much attention.
Seeing her current situation was acceptable, he felt a small worry ease.
She paused, her blush deepening, and she said softly, a little embarrassed, "Also... there are many Senior Sisters on Lianyou Peak asking about Master’s marriage."
"They asked if Master has a beloved, if Master has a Dao Companion... Disciple didn’t dare to say much."
Song Yan chuckled, "...Just tell them the truth."
Anyway, he would be heading to the main battlefield after a few more days of recuperation, so it wouldn’t bother him.
"Yes." Xiao Ju nodded.
"Is there anything else you need to see me for?"
Only then did Xiao Ju remember the purpose of her visit and took out a small wooden box from her Storage Bag.
Inside were a small porcelain bottle and an oil-paper package.
"Master," she presented the small porcelain bottle to the table with both hands, pushing it towards Song Yan, her small face full of seriousness.
"I heard that Master encountered danger in Dragon Pool Mountain. Xiao Ju has nothing else, so these are Qi Nourishing Pills that Disciple exchanged with Spirit Stones."
Inside the porcelain bottle were five Qi Nourishing Pills, dull in color and sparse in Spiritual Qi.
Then, without waiting for Song Yan’s response, she picked up two other slightly more exquisite oil-paper packages, her voice even softer.
"This... was given by Junior Martial Uncle Liu of Lianyou Peak. He heard Disciple was under your tutelage and privately gave me Spirit Beast meat, and... uh, spiritual grains. Disciple didn’t dare to enjoy them alone."
After speaking, she lowered her head slightly, her earlobes red.
...
Song Yan’s gaze fell on the items on the table, his expression unperturbed.
Qi Nourishing Pills were like dust compared to mountains for him, completely useless, even a burden.
But it was not easy for Xiao Ju to care for him in this way.
He naturally knew the treatment of outer Disciples; resources were already scarce, yet she clumsily collected the few things she had, which might be considered "precious" to her, and brought them to him.
The silence lasted only a breath.
Song Yan slightly raised his hand, and a strand of Sword Qi, condensed like silk, silently extended, almost too fast to catch.
At the same time, the five Medicinal Pills in the bottle suddenly flew out and hovered in the air.
A spherical Sword Qi field appeared out of nowhere, and the five Medicinal Pills slowly rotated within it.
Almost instantly, a few strands of impurities within the pills vanished like dust being wiped away.
The Sword Qi dissipated, and four of the pills were put back into the bottle by Song Yan.
The remaining one he held in his hand.
"The items are not of much use."
Song Yan raised the one he held, "But I accept the sentiment."
"Take these back yourself, and be mindful of the frequency when taking the pills."
"As for those spiritual foods and materials, since they are your good fortune, keep them for yourself to supplement your meals. It’s most important to improve your Cultivation as quickly as possible."
He raised his hand to stop Xiao Ju, who was about to speak, "Is there any stagnation in your Spiritual Qi circulation? Do you have any doubts about meditating and visualizing?"
Xiao Ju froze for a moment, then immediately straightened her back, composed herself, and recounted all the doubts she had encountered in her Cultivation during this period.
Song Yan listened patiently, and after she finished, he began to give guidance.
There were no lengthy discourses, just concise and to-the-point sentences.
"Cultivate with a focused mind; simply sitting still is useless."
"When a thought arises in your mind, view it as a strand of Sword Qi that disrupts your path. Do not fear it or chase it; simply step aside to let it pass, and then continue forward."
In just half an hour, Xiao Ju felt many previously unclear points suddenly become clear.
"Thank you, Master, for your guidance!"
"Go back." Song Yan lowered his gaze.
Having received guidance, it was natural to strike while the iron was hot and consolidate her Cultivation.
Xiao Ju quickly rose, bowed, and took her leave.
As she reached the door, her footsteps paused, and she quickly looked back.
She saw Song Yan smiling at her.
"Oh, right, in at most half a year, I will be heading to the Demon Cultivator battlefield."
"During this time, if you have any questions about your Cultivation, you can come to me."
"Thank you, Master!"
Xiao Ju left quickly, as if she were fleeing.
The Immortal Cave’s Restriction closed.
Song Yan looked at the Qi Nourishing Pill in his hand, his eyes filled with a look of reminiscence.
"Qi Nourishing Pill, hehe..."
He chuckled and put it into his Storage Bag.
He rose from the table, intending to return to the quiet room to Cultivate.
But he saw Snake Babe sitting by the Immortal Cave window, propping her head up with her small hand, lost in thought.
"Hmm?"
Song Yan let out a soft sound of surprise. The usually carefree and playful little snake had been quiet and withdrawn since returning from Dragon Pool Mountain.
She hadn’t even played with her toys anymore.
"Xiao He, what’s wrong?"
He walked behind Snake Babe and asked with concern, "Why are you so unhappy?"
"No... nothing."
"Hmm?"
Song Yan pinched her chubby little face, "Ho, you’ve grown up, you have little secrets, do you?"
"You’re allowed to have them, but I’m not?"
Snake Babe said indignantly, "We grew up together! I... I might even be older than you."
"That’s true."
Song Yan simply sat down beside Xiao He, "Don’t be so stingy, tell me about it."
"Hmm..."
Xiao He paused for a moment, "I feel like, what Sister Bai Qi said might be right."
"Oh? What did she say?"
"I’m a demon, and if I stay by Yan Yan’s side, I won’t be able to Cultivate properly."
"And I won’t become very powerful, I won’t be able to help much."
"If one day you really encounter something very dangerous, Xiao He can only watch helplessly."
Snake Babe’s innocent face was now filled with sorrow.
She suddenly sighed, wiggled her feet, and fell backward, lying in Song Yan’s arms, looking up at him upside down.
Song Yan also lowered his head, looking at Snake Babe upside down, waiting for her to speak.
"Yan Yan, what do you think, should I go with Sister Bai Qi to that place called Mountain Sea Realm?"
"Hmm..."
Song Yan pondered for a moment.
Song Yan hadn’t had much contact with this demon Cultivator Bai Qi, but based on her actions so far, she didn’t seem like someone who would harm Xiao He.
She taught demon Cultivation methods and secretly guided Xiao He’s Cultivation.
She hadn’t done anything out of line.
Otherwise, with her Late Stage Second Rank strength, let alone the Dragon Pool Mountain incident, when Song Yan hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment, he would have been no match for her.
As for Xiao He, Song Yan was naturally reluctant to part with her.
Having grown up together since childhood, she could be considered the closest person to him besides his grandfather.
However, Song Yan had never regarded Xiao He as his possession.
He yearned for freedom himself, and naturally, he wouldn’t restrict Xiao He’s freedom.
She was originally a free and unrestrained little demon.
If staying with other demon Cultivators would truly lead to a better demon path, then what would be the harm in separating for a while?
It wasn’t like they were separated by Yin and Yang; as long as they cared for each other, there would always be a day to meet again.
Song Yan’s only concern was that Xiao He’s Cultivation was currently only at the Late Stage First Rank.
Even with Bai Qi’s care, he was still worried about Xiao He’s safety.
"Xiao He, you are a demon. If you want to go, I will, of course, support you."
"After all, I’m closest to you, aren’t I?"
Snake Babe nodded.
"However, if you’re not by my side, I really can’t stop worrying about you. At least wait until your Cultivation reaches the Second Rank, okay?"
Song Yan also wanted to reserve some time for himself to see if he could figure out Bai Qi’s background.
"Okay."
Actually, Xiao He hadn’t made up her mind yet.
Indeed, she yearned for very, very large mountains, and longed to meet little demons like herself.
She also longed to become a mighty great demon.
But every time she thought about leaving Yan Yan, she felt terrified.
"I..."
Snake Babe’s head rested on Song Yan’s hands, still feeling scared in her heart.
"I... I’ll think about it again."
"Okay."