Because of You . . .
"Xuan... Xuan... Xuan..." Song Jue gaped at Xuan Bing in sheer astonishment. For all his bravery, Song Jue's complexion suddenly turned ashen.
Song Sheng, who had just recovered from a severe illness, nearly tumbled from his chair upon hearing the name. The two brothers could do nothing but fixate their gaze on Xuan Bing.
Xuan Bing confirmed their suspicions with a nod.
Song Jue was so taken aback that he found himself seated on the floor, perspiring profusely on his forehead. The memory of pointing at this lady and referring to her as Cha Eun Xiao's concubine haunted him. Such an affront to the great elder of Misty Cloud Palace could have devastating consequences.
[Thank goodness Xuan Bing is not angry. How magnanimous!]
[Otherwise, it would have spelled my doom. Not just mine, but the entire Song Clan would have been in jeopardy. Cha Eun Xiao and Han Bingxue might have faced a similar fate...]
And who was Xuan Bing?
She was one of the three most formidable cultivators in the Qing-Yun Realm.
The revered Grand Elder of Misty Cloud Palace.
She held a title that struck fear into the hearts of all – the first Lady Devil in the history of the Qing-Yun Realm.
Xuan Bing's name was like a thunderclap that resounded even louder than one over their heads. It was a revelation that left everyone stunned.
Song Clan had labored tirelessly to gather medicinal resources for Misty Cloud Palace, seeking only cultivation materials in return. And here was the most powerful representative of Misty Cloud Palace herself.
After a moment of stupefaction, Song Jue finally spoke, "Song Fei... had the worst luck... It was as though an iron pie had fallen from the sky and struck him down."
He mulled over the situation, recalling that Song Fei had insulted Xuan Bing, leading to his own demise. Suddenly, he felt a deep respect for Song Fei.
"Perhaps he had simply had enough of life," Song Jue concluded, much to the amusement of those around him.
Even Xuan Bing joined in the laughter. She genuinely appreciated Song Jue's humorous take on the situation. All her anger and resentment seemed to evaporate with the laughter. It appeared that Uncle Song, the man who had made her laugh and cared for her in days gone by, was still very much present.
Song Xuan, another young man apart from Cha Eun Xiao, had been diligently serving tea and attending to the needs of the others. He seemed nervous yet excited.
Xuan Bing observed him and recognized his great potential. She spoke lightly, "The young man has remarkable potential. This time, Han Bingxue has taken him as a disciple, which is truly a missed opportunity."
She continued, "Misty Cloud Palace does not admit male disciples, but I possess a martial art that suits him perfectly. In fact, I acquired it through rather forceful means... Yes, I took it by violence. This martial art is ill-suited for women, so I believe he would benefit from it."
Song Jue and Song Sheng were both delighted by the prospect. The martial art that Xuan Bing had obtained through forceful means must be extraordinary.
Song Sheng encouraged Song Xuan to kowtow to Xuan Bing.
Xuan Bing offered a mild smile and produced a jade token. With a gentle touch, she applied a mystical force to unlock the token. In the space of a single meal, the token disintegrated into ashes, and Song Xuan lost consciousness.
Those present were all cultivation experts and recognized that this was a method of transmitting a martial art. While they didn't know the level or content of the martial art, the fact that Song Xuan had absorbed it within the span of a single meal indicated considerable talent. He might not be a prodigy, but he was undoubtedly within the top echelons of cultivators.
Xuan Bing made a casual remark, "The young man has proven to be even more gifted than I had anticipated. Everything has gone smoothly. If he continues to diligently pursue his cultivation, he will soon reach the Dao Origin Stage." Her words, though simple, were nothing short of remarkable. She had not only acknowledged his potential but also predicted his path to the Dao Origin Stage, offering him high praise.
Song Jue and Song Sheng both nodded in appreciation. Song Jue expressed his gratitude, saying, "There are no words to adequately convey our gratitude, Lady Xuan Bing. The Song Clan will forever remember this."
Xuan Bing replied, "This matter has nothing to do with the Song Clan. I simply wanted to do something for the young man. There's no need to thank me. I do not seek your gratitude."
Despite her words, there was a cold smile beneath her silk mask as she added, "Let there be no doubt in your mind. If Cha Eun Xiao has no intention of assisting you, I would not even consider helping, regardless of the young man's talent."
Her words were straightforward and somewhat frigid, but they underscored the essence of the entire situation. She emphasized Cha Eun Xiao's pivotal role in the proceedings, a name that continually received credit.
This declaration seemed in keeping with the general perception of Xuan Bing as a distant and enigmatic figure. After speaking, Xuan Bing felt a sense of relief as her flushed cheeks gradually returned to their usual composure.
[That Steward Song, he only wants to insinuate that I am a concubine!]
[Humph! Does he think he can manipulate everything simply because he is being considerate of Bing'er? No, it's not that easy!]
However, what Xuan Bing, Han Bingxue, and Cha Eun Xiao were not aware of was the profound impact of their actions on a supreme master cultivator in the Qing-Yun Realm, a hundred years into the future—Song Xuan.
With Cha Eun Xiao's supreme dan beads, Xuan Bing's martial art, and Han Bingxue's comprehensive guidance, Song Xuan embarked on a remarkable journey toward martial art excellence, utilizing his own innate talent. After Cha Eun Xiao and his companions departed the Qing-Yun Realm, the Song Clan began to ascend in the realm. Song Xuan became a formidable presence, reigning supreme for centuries.
He eventually surpassed even Wu Fa, the most powerful cultivator of his time. However, this is a story for the future.
Cha Eun Xiao spent seven days in the Song Clan. When he finally bid farewell, Song Jue saw him off with reluctance. He had a few parting words, "Please convey my greetings to my brother. Let him know that I will visit soon. Tell him to take good care of himself. Xiao Xiao, the martial world is fraught with dangers. Always stay vigilant."
Song Jue continued to offer advice, and his well-intentioned words were reminiscent of a worried mother. He didn't cease his admonitions until Cha Eun Xiao and his group had already traveled three hundred miles away.
"Xiao Xiao, I am unaware of your past experiences in this world, but please, exercise caution and prioritize your well-being. Take good care of yourself," Song Jue emphasized one last time, his expression revealing genuine concern and anxiety.