Chapter 444 - 2: Anxious Hearts
When Song Changsheng arrived at Ruyun Hall, Grand Elder Song Xianyun and Second Elder Song Luzhou were already waiting at the entrance. No one else was there.
The group was an interesting one. After Song Xianming’s breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm, Song Xianyun had become the foremost member of the clan’s "Xian" generation, Song Luzhou the foremost of the "Lu" generation, and Song Changsheng the foremost of the "Chang" generation.
’If only Qingxing were here too, it would be perfect.’ Song Changsheng’s mind began to wander, and he wondered how Qingxing had fared out there over the past few years.
"Changsheng is out of seclusion too. Your cultivation has improved again. Good, good." Song Xianyun stroked his graying beard, his eyes filled with deep satisfaction.
"Hmph. The little brat dares to show his face?" Song Luzhou folded his arms, looking thoroughly annoyed.
The meeting three years ago involved spending money like water, and to make matters worse, Song Changsheng had acted first and reported it later. When Song Luzhou found out, he was so furious he nearly had a stroke. He stormed back from the Moon Viewing Marketplace to Vast Mist Peak, intending to "have a word" with Song Changsheng, but when he asked around, he learned that—lo and behold—the man had gone into seclusion.
With the culprit missing and the deed done, Song Luzhou could only swallow his anger and accept the outcome, no matter how furious he was.
Now, seeing Song Changsheng, that simmering rage immediately flared up again.
Song Changsheng couldn’t help but laugh. "Fifth Uncle, those Spirit Stones aren’t going to have babies piled up in the warehouse. What’s the point of hoarding them?"
He had always followed a principle: only Spirit Stones that were used were truly Spirit Stones. Piled up in a warehouse, they were no different from stones in a latrine pit.
However, Song Luzhou thought differently. "You don’t know shit," he retorted irritably.
Song Xianyun watched them bicker with a smile, making no move to intervene. In his eyes, neither of them was wrong; they just had different philosophies and starting points.
People from that era were all scarred by poverty. They’d hoard anything they got in a warehouse, only feeling secure when they could look at their stockpile.
This was a clash between new and old ways of thinking. Each side had its own valid points, and it just remained to be seen who could convince the other.
RUMBLE...
Just then, the heavy doors of Ruyun Hall slowly opened, and Song Xianming’s gentle voice drifted out. "Come in, all of you."
As the group stepped into the great hall, they were immediately hit by an extremely powerful aura that made their breathing hitch.
They saw Song Xianming clad in a grayish-white robe, sitting cross-legged on a bright yellow, lotus-patterned cushion. A faint layer of Purple Qi enveloped him.
Compared to before, most of the wrinkles on his face had disappeared, and the flesh beneath his skin was no longer so withered. It had become full and firm, making him look at least twenty years younger.
"Congratulations on ascending to the Purple Mansion, Big Brother! I celebrate for you, and for our clan!" Song Xianyun bowed meticulously, tears shimmering in his eyes. He had waited for this day for far too long.
"Your nephew congratulates you, Great Uncle." Song Luzhou lifted the hem of his robe, knelt on both knees, and bowed his head in reverence.
"Your grandson congratulates you, Grandfather! May your years be prosperous and your path to immortality flourish!" Song Changsheng was also extremely excited, performing a deep kowtow while holding the sleeping Lingyun.
Jin Xuan, who had already returned to its palm-sized form, also crawled out of his sleeve and kowtowed to Song Xianming. In the world of the Demon Race, the strong have always been revered.
A single breakthrough—what seemed like one small step for Song Xianming was, in fact, one giant leap for the entire Song Clan!
"No need for such ceremony. Rise, quickly, rise." Song Xianming beamed, and with a slight lift of his right hand, an invisible force instantly lifted them all to their feet.
Looking at the dense wrinkles on Song Xianyun’s face, Song Xianming sighed softly and said, "Twenty-first Brother, you have worked hard all these years."
Ever since he was injured, all of the clan’s affairs, big and small, had been managed by Song Xianyun. Now, he himself had advanced further and gained more years of life, but his old brother, who had once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, had grown old and frail. This left a bitter taste in Song Xianming’s mouth.
Song Xianyun wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, smiled, and shook his head. "It was no hardship, Brother. Being able to watch the clan flourish day by day makes it all worthwhile."
"Rest assured, the clan’s former glory will surely be restored by our hands. You must take care of yourself so you can be there with me to see that day with your own eyes."
"Yes, it will. It definitely will!" Song Xianyun nodded emphatically.
"Revive the clan"—these three short words had practically become an obsession for their generation. If they couldn’t see that day with their own eyes, they truly wouldn’t be able to rest in peace.
"Luzhou, the burdens Xianyun carries will fall to you in the future." Song Xianming’s gaze turned to Song Luzhou.
This statement was as good as naming him the next Grand Elder. But Song Luzhou felt no joy, only the heavy weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. In a solemn voice, he said, "Rest assured, Great Uncle. Your nephew will remember."
Finally, Song Xianming’s gaze fell upon Song Changsheng. As he watched the young man’s face gradually overlap with the one in his memory, his expression softened.
"That must be Yun’er in your arms. He’s gotten so big. Come closer." Song Xianming beckoned.
Song Changsheng did as he was told, walking forward while holding Lingyun. Jin Xuan peeked its head out curiously for a moment before following along as well.
Looking at the little one sleeping soundly, a benevolent smile appeared on Song Xianming’s face. He gently took the baby into his arms, swiped his palm across his forehead, and nodded repeatedly. "Not bad. A good child. He will surely be a pillar of the clan in the future."
With that, he took an exquisite white Jade Pendant from his robes and placed it in the little one’s arms.
Song Changsheng blinked. The old man’s words didn’t sound like mere pleasantries. ’Could he have seen something in Lingyun?’