The boat of the Soul Snow Palace disciples sped away, its body cutting through the clouds like a silver streak. Within moments, it vanished into the distant horizon, leaving only faint ripples in the sky.
Below, the disciples of the Song Clan slowly dispersed from the training grounds, their voices fading as twilight descended.
The setting sun draped the world in crimson and gold, its last rays painting the martial stage with a fleeting glow.
Song Mian descended from the high platform. Her sharp gaze fell upon Song Yan and Ye Kaishan standing quietly in the crowd.
"Where were you both?" she asked, her tone carrying authority. "The disciple selection is already over. Had you not appeared, I would have gone to Mistveil Town myself."
Song Yan bowed slightly, her voice calm yet apologetic. "Elder Song Mian, forgive us. We were delayed because Song Wu awakened her dao companion. It took some time to resolve before we could return."
Song Mian's stern eyes softened, though a sigh escaped her lips.
"Your mother is still in retreat. Who knows when she will emerge? If you had arrived sooner, there might have been a chance for you to join the Soul Snow Palace. Opportunities like this will not come easily again."
Her gaze shifted toward Song Wu and Jiang Mu, who stood nervously behind.
"And you!" Song Mian's eyes sharpened. "You left the clan without permission. Do you understand how serious that is?"
"I–I'm sorry…" Song Wu's head drooped as her face paled, her voice trembling.
Song Mian's expression lingered on her for a moment longer before turning to Jiang Mu. The boy lowered his head, clutching his fists tightly.
"And this is your dao companion?" she asked, her voice firm but curious.
Jiang Mu said nothing, too nervous to reply.
Song Mian studied him carefully, then nodded. "Not bad. His talent is decent. At the very least, he has potential."
Retracting her gaze, she addressed the group as a whole. "If there is nothing else, take your rest. I still have much to manage in the clan."
"Yes, Elder." Song Yan and Ye Kaishan clasped their hands respectfully.
Song Mian turned and departed toward the clan hall, her robes fluttering in the evening breeze.
"Shoo… I thought she was going to punish me," Song Wu exhaled, patting her chest in relief. But her expression quickly shifted, her eyes darting toward Jiang Mu. "We don't have time. Let's go!"
Before Jiang Mu could speak, she grabbed his hand and dragged him away.
"W–wait, I still—" His protest was useless, swept away by Song Wu's stubborn pull.
Ye Kaishan shook his head with a faint smile, then looked at Song Yan. "Is your mother alright? It's been more than ten days since she went into retreat."
Song Yan's gaze lifted toward Mylan Mountain looming in the distance, shrouded in mist. Her eyes were calm as moonlight.
"Her retreat will depend on her cultivation. The higher one goes, the longer such seclusion takes. There should be no problem."
"Mn," Ye Kaishan nodded.
"Still, it's already late. Let's cultivate for a while. We'll need our strength. After all, in a month we leave for Yaochi."
Ye Kaishan's brow furrowed. "Do you truly intend to join the Yaochi Holy Land?"
Song Yan chuckled softly, her lips curving. "Who said anything about becoming disciples? I don't need the support of Yaochi. Fortune is found by destiny—so long as the time and place are right."
Her eyes flickered as she looked at him. "Don't think too hard. You'll understand once we reach the Eastern Continent."
"Sigh… you're right. There's no use asking," Ye Kaishan said with a wry smile.
Together, they walked toward their abode. The last traces of twilight faded behind them, their shadows stretching long across the stone path.
Song Clan — Song Yan's Abode
Inside the quiet chamber, Song Yan and Ye Kaishan sat cross-legged opposite each other. Closing their eyes, they began circulating their cultivation technique.
Soul energy flowed steadily from Song Yan into Ye Kaishan, refining his body, before cycling back to her.
The process was unbroken, as though time itself had slowed. The night deepened, then gave way to dawn, yet the two did not stir.
Day after day passed, their auras steadily rising. Song Yan's presence grew sharper, while Ye Kaishan's blood and qi pulsed like a war drum, though restrained.
One month later.
With a sudden wave of soul energy, Song Yan opened her eyes. Her aura surged outward before settling, calm and vast.
"Not bad," she murmured, her tone satisfied. "After a month of cultivation, I've reached the peak of the Soul Body Realm."
Across from her, Ye Kaishan exhaled slowly, black lines faintly marking his forehead. His fists clenched and released in frustration.
"A month of relentless cultivation… yet his blood and qi had advanced no further than the strength of the late Soul Body Realm."
"What is this?" he thought bitterly. "It's as though something is restraining me. If not for that, I would have already surpassed into the Soul Nirvana Realm."
Song Yan noticed his silence. "What's wrong? Do you sense something?"
"Nothing in particular," Ye Kaishan replied after a pause, forcing a small smile. "Just checking on my progress."
"Mn." Song Yan rose gracefully. "Then rest for a while. After I freshen up, come to the courtyard."
With that, she departed, leaving him alone.
Ye Kaishan slowly stood, his gaze fixed on his right hand. "These restraints… I've felt them before, but I ignored it, too focused on the Space-Time Tree.
Whatever it is, it prevents me from surpassing Song Yan. Every time I push my qi and blood further, it triggers and drags me back."
Closing his eyes, he entered his sea of consciousness.
The towering Space-Time Tree stood firm, its roots sinking deep into the endless sea. Blue and green leaves shimmered with light, while a golden bud swayed faintly. The laws of space and time danced gracefully around him, their strength surpassing the Soul Body Realm and nearing Nirvana.
Ye Kaishan furrowed his brows. "The restraints don't reach the tree… which means it's my body alone. Perhaps, with the tree's help, I'll discover the truth once Song Yan steps into Nirvana."
He withdrew from his consciousness, sighing. "Enough. I should rest for a while."
But then he looked down at himself and grimaced. "Haa… I haven't bathed in a month. Even if there's no dirt, it still feels unbearable."
Ye Kaishan tilted his head, placing a hand on his chin. Let's cleanse myself first before going to the courtyard, he thought.
Stretching his stiff shoulders, he stepped out of the room.
The cool morning air brushed against his skin, carrying the faint fragrance of dew-soaked grass. After a month of seclusion, even the simplest sensations felt oddly refreshing.
Meanwhile
Song Yan headed toward the Song Hall, where Song Mian was occupied with handling clan affairs. The hall was quiet except for the soft rustle of scrolls and the faint scratching of a brush against parchment.
The moment Song Mian noticed her, she stopped her work abruptly. Her sharp gaze swept over Song Yan, lingering on the faint aura of cultivation radiating from her.
"Song Yan—here I was wondering. I haven't seen you for the past month, but it seems your cultivation has progressed," Song Mian observed as her junior approached.
Song Yan stepped forward, clasped her hands in greeting, and bowed slightly.
"Song Yan, what happened? Why have you come so early?" Song Mian asked, a slight frown tugging at her brows.
"Is Mother still not out of her retreat?" Song Yan inquired softly.
"No, she is still in seclusion," Song Mian replied, her gaze lowering, a flicker of concern surfacing in her eyes.
Song Yan's own expression shifted faintly, worry pressing at her calm façade.
Mother and Father are still in retreat… before going to the Eastern Continent, I at least wished to speak with them. Who knows when we will return to the Southern Continent once we leave?
But… knowing them, they should be fine.
"Song Yan!"
Her thoughts were interrupted by Song Mian's sharp tone, snapping her back to the present.
Clearing her mind, Song Yan shook her head. "It's nothing. I only came to say that we will be departing from the Song Clan shortly. Mother should have mentioned this."
"Yes. The Matriarch left this for you—take it." Song Mian extended a black storage ring to her. "But tell me, have you truly decided? I think the Yin-Yang Sect is also a fine choice."
"Don't worry, Elder. I've already made up my mind," Song Yan answered calmly. Then, her tone shifted. "By the way, I haven't seen Song Wu. Where is she?"
"Song Wu?" Song Mian raised a brow. "Strange. Like you, I haven't seen her for the past month either. Did you check her manor? She should be there."
"I did. But I heard she left with Jiang Mu a week ago," Song Yan said, a trace of worry in her voice.
"Is that so? Then she must have gone to Taiqing City.
I've heard she slips away there from time to time. Most likely, she's off fooling around again." Song Mian sighed, frustration lacing her words. "I truly don't know what to do with that girl."
Song Yan gave a small chuckle. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Besides, Jiang Mu is with her—no need to worry."
"It's not her safety that troubles me, but her lack of discipline. If she neglects her cultivation, she'll deserve to be punished," Song Mian said sharply, her eyes narrowing.
"Well then, if nothing else, I'll take my leave." Song Yan clasped her hands politely and turned, stepping out of the hall.
The sound of her footsteps faded into the stillness, leaving Song Mian alone once more with her scrolls and quiet worries.