"He may have an invitation, but he still won't be allowed up there right now."
The same person who had earlier mocked Song Changsheng muttered again when he saw the invitation pulled out.
In truth, possessing an invitation wasn't all that impressive; any reputable sect or cultivator could get one. You could even buy one at a steep price and just fake your identity a bit.
But not all invitations were created equal.
The most prestigious were, of course, issued by the Two Major Sects, delivered years in advance by none other than the Second City Lord, Zhan Tianxia himself. These were given to the very first wave of guests allowed up the mountain.
Next, invitations were extended to Purple Mansion–level forces and famous Purple Mansion cultivators. These were hand-delivered over a year ago by the City Lord's direct disciples, and recipients were granted access to ascend the mountain months in advance.
That might seem odd. Why go up the mountain so early?
Because those with early-access invitations were entitled to listen to the City Lord's lecture on the Dao!
Normally, if a Purple Mansion cultivator said they were going to teach other Purple Mansion cultivators, they'd be laughed at for being arrogant and delusional.
But Mu Guibai was the exception.
Renowned as the strongest under the Golden Core realm, Mu Guibai excelled not only in strength and talent but also in his understanding of the Dao.
He had once sat and discussed the Dao for months with Golden Core Realms from both major sects, and they had referred to each other as "Daoists," a sign of mutual respect.
The nature of Dao-discussion is mutual exchange and reflection. Both parties must be at a similar level of comprehension.
If the gap is too great, it ceases to be a discussion and becomes a one-sided lecture.
So the fact that Mu Guibai could hold his own in such discussions meant he was qualified to teach this group of Purple Mansion cultivators.
For them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The lectures would begin as soon as the major sect representatives arrived and would continue up to the day of the birthday banquet.
Of course, Mu Guibai wouldn't be the only speaker; other Purple Mansion cultivators would also take turns sharing their insights.
Such events were incredibly rare.
Many were willing to pay a fortune just to obtain an early-access invitation or even the position of a "plus-one" so they could sit in on the lectures.
Each invitation allowed the bearer to bring one or two guests, who would then also be allowed to attend the sessions.
The last category of invitations was the standard ones, distributed by the City Lord's disciples.
These only permitted access to the mountain on the day of or the day before the banquet and came with no lecture privileges whatsoever.
Those who had early invitations had long since gone up the mountain; no one would dare waste such a golden opportunity.
Everyone else had no choice but to wait below until the event started.
There was still a month left until the banquet. Not too long, but not quite close either.
Given this odd timing, most assumed that anyone still waiting at the base only had a standard invitation, hence the onlooker's sarcastic remark: "Even with an invite, he can't go up."
To be fair, his words weren't completely baseless.
Song Qingluo was irritated by the snide voices in the crowd.
If Song Changsheng hadn't instructed him to stay quiet, he would've marched right over to drag those loudmouths out.
But Song Changsheng himself remained calm.
Even though he didn't know why his invitation listed an arrival date a month earlier than expected, the date itself wasn't a mistake, so he wasn't concerned.
As for the peanut gallery? The truth would soon shut them up.
The two cultivators guarding the mountain path did show a trace of doubt.
After all, those allowed to go up this early were usually either noble heirs or powerful Purple Mansion cultivators.
Song Changsheng had a refined bearing, but he didn't look like he fit the profile.
One of the guards took his invitation and opened it.
His pupils contracted slightly, and he instantly looked at Song Changsheng with a changed expression.
The other guard took a look as well, then did a complete 180-degree attitude shift, respectfully cupping his hands and saying,
"So it is the honored guest from the Song Clan. Forgive our discourtesy. Please, follow me up the mountain."
"Thank you."
Even though Song Changsheng had always been confident in his invitation, he was still a bit surprised at the deference in their tone.
After all, the Song Clan might've been prestigious a century ago, but in the current cultivation world of the Great Qi Empire, barely anyone had even heard of the Wangyue Song Clan.
He suppressed the doubts in his heart and decided he'd ask Zhuang Yuechan about it when they met...
.....
"Hey… he went up."
"He did! Which family's young master is that? Showing up this late?"
"I think I heard them say something about the 'Song Clan.'"
"Song Clan? The one from Lingzhou?"
"There's only one 'Song Clan' in the entire Great Qi cultivation world, isn't there?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, but at some point, the two who had mocked Song Changsheng earlier had quietly disappeared without a trace.
To Song Changsheng, it was nothing more than a minor episode. He followed behind the guide cultivator, ascending toward the mountain peak. Along the way, he saw breathtaking views that couldn't be seen from outside the mountain, some crafted by the hands of nature, others shaped by the wisdom of skilled artisans.
Scattered along the path were elegant courtyards and pavilions nestled among the cliffs, residences of the City Lord's disciples. The sounds of zithers and flutes echoed through the air, cleansing the mind and lifting the spirit.
Midway up the mountain, Song Changsheng suddenly asked his guide, "Fellow Daoist, would you happen to know where Daoist Zhuang Yuechan resides?"
At those words, the guide immediately grew cautious. His brow furrowed slightly as he said, "Although you are a guest, most of those residing on Tianyin Mountain are women. Please refrain from wandering freely to avoid any misunderstandings."
Song Changsheng was momentarily taken aback, but then chuckled and explained, "Daoist Zhuang and I are old acquaintances. We haven't seen each other in years, so I simply hoped to catch up."
Unfortunately, his explanation only made things worse. The guide now looked at him with increasing disdain. He had seen too many similar "excuses" lately.
All of them had the same objective: to get close to Zhuang Yuechan. She had been so harassed by such advances that she'd simply claimed to be in closed-door cultivation and refused to see anyone.
The disciples of Tianyin Mountain were a tight-knit group. Seeing their junior sister bothered like this naturally irritated them. But since the guests hadn't done anything overtly inappropriate, they had no reason to drive them away, though they were holding back their frustration.
The guide, while polite on the surface, had already mentally grouped Song Changsheng with those other troublesome admirers. His tone grew colder as he replied with an official-sounding statement: "Senior Sister Zhuang is in closed cultivation and not available for visitors."
Song Changsheng wasn't naïve; he could easily tell from the man's expression that he'd been misunderstood. But there was nothing he could do to explain further. After all, when Niu Dazhuang had taken Zhuang Yuechan away in a rush, they hadn't even exchanged any contact information.
He could only offer a helpless smile. "Apologies, I spoke out of turn."
Seeing that he didn't press the issue, the guide's expression softened slightly. At least he knows his place, the man thought. Otherwise, I would've let him taste Senior Brother Niu's methods.
The rest of the climb was silent. Eventually, the three of them reached the summit of Tianyin Mountain. Even before stepping fully into the area, they could already feel the vibrant atmosphere, and colorful decorations adorned every corner. Despite the flurry of activity, everything remained orderly and calm.
Greeting them at the peak was an old acquaintance: Qian Duoyu. Upon seeing Song Changsheng, his plump face lit up with a wide smile as he stepped forward to welcome them.
"Aiya! If it isn't Young Patriarch Song. How come it's just you today? Daoist Song didn't come?"
Song Changsheng immediately cupped his fists and replied, "Reporting to Senior Uncle, Twelve had important matters and had to leave early. My grandfather sent me on his behalf to wish the City Lord a happy birthday. He also asked me to convey his sincerest apologies, as he's currently at a critical stage in his closed-door cultivation and truly couldn't come in person. I hope the City Lord will understand."
Qian Duoyu laughed heartily. "Ah, what a shame that Clan Leader Song couldn't make it, but having you and this young friend here is just as good. Come, come! I'll take you to your guest quarters and give you a little tour later."
He was warm and welcoming, even taking special care to acknowledge Song Qingluo. Personally leading the way, he guided them through a series of ancient and grand buildings until they arrived at a bamboo forest.
"Young Patriarch Song, your quarters are located here in this bamboo grove. The spiritual energy here is abundant, and the surroundings are peaceful, with no disturbances, though it is a bit remote.
This arrangement was made by the City Lord himself. If you don't care much for quiet settings, I can take you to another location. Most of the Purple Mansion seniors are staying there. Don't worry, the Lieyang Sect isn't in that area," Qian Duoyu added with a knowing wink.
Hearing that this setup had been arranged by the City Lord personally, Song Changsheng was a little flattered and quickly replied, "No need to trouble yourself, Senior. I've always preferred tranquility. This place is elegant and serene; it suits me perfectly."
Qian Duoyu's plump face curled into a meaningful smile. "Good, good. Here is the jade token to control the warding formation. Keep it safe. If you need anything or are dissatisfied in any way, just let me know."
"Many thanks, Senior."
The two exchanged spiritual marks on their communication jade, and as Qian Duoyu was leaving, he said cheerfully, "You look a bit tired. Take a good rest. Afterward, I'll show you around. This is your first time on Tianyin Mountain, isn't it?"
Song Changsheng nodded. "That's right. It's also my first time in Luoxia City."
"Then you must explore it properly," Qian Duoyu said cryptically before walking off with his hands clasped behind his back.
Song Changsheng didn't give it much thought. He led the wide-eyed and curious Song Qingluo deeper into the bamboo grove. Soon, they came upon a pond filled with blooming white lotuses, their fragrance rich in the summer air.
"Wait… these are second-tier Twin White Lotuses?" Song Changsheng sucked in a breath of cold air.
Twin White Lotuses were a rare tier-two spiritual plant, second only in rarity to the Black Jade Netherlotus he had obtained earlier.
Their fragrance had a calming and focus-enhancing effect, helping cultivators to clear their minds and reduce the risk of deviation during cultivation.
The lotus pods and stems were premium materials for crafting artifacts, while the seeds and roots could be used in alchemy or medicinal cooking. Every part of the plant was valuable.
Yet even such rare spiritual plants were being used here purely for ornamental purposes. Although there were only a few mother plants among them, it was still an impressive display of wealth and generosity.
Moreover, if Song Changsheng truly wished to, he could easily pluck a few lotus seeds or petals. He believed the City Lord's estate wouldn't object.
But he held back from that tempting thought. He was no longer acting as an individual; everything he did now reflected upon his clan. There was no need to do anything that might tarnish their reputation.
Leading Song Qingluo along the covered walkway beside the pond, Song Changsheng eventually came to a two-story bamboo building. No one could tell how long it had stood, yet its green color remained vivid, exuding a subtle sense of life.
"Compared to this place, my courtyard on Cangmang Peak is a cave dwelling," Song Changsheng joked, smiling at Song Qingluo.
The moment he laid eyes on the bamboo building, he knew it was no ordinary structure. It wasn't just the building materials; it was also the presence of a small spirit-gathering array. The spiritual energy here was on a whole other level.
Keep in mind, Tianyin Mountain was built atop a tier-four spiritual vein. The aura was already dense, and with this array, even a Golden Core cultivator would find it more than adequate for cultivation. And yet here he was, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Song Qingluo was only in the Qi Refining stage.
Sure enough, Song Qingluo's face had turned visibly red from the overwhelming spiritual energy. For someone at the Qi Refining stage, such high concentrations weren't just unhelpful, they were a burden.
Song Changsheng placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and injected a stream of spiritual force, helping him stabilize. The boy visibly relaxed.
"Looks like I'll need to shut off the array."
That wasn't difficult. After using the jade token to disable the warding formation, Song Changsheng quickly shut down the spirit-gathering array. He also laid down a layer of spiritual energy to block out some of the ambient aura. Only then did Song Qingluo's flushed face gradually return to normal.
It was almost laughable. Cultivators were always lamenting a lack of spiritual energy, who would've thought that too much could be a problem?
But the blame lay in their cultivation level. This place was meant for Purple Mansion and even Golden Core cultivators. Staying here was truly a luxury far beyond their current rank.
The furnishings inside the bamboo building were also top-of-the-line, comprehensive, and finely crafted.
Looking at the warm jade bed in the bedroom, Song Changsheng suddenly asked, "Do I look tired to you?"
Song Qingluo studied his face carefully for a moment, then nodded. "You do seem a bit worn out, but it's not too obvious."
Foundation Establishment cultivators had far more stamina than ordinary people. They could go days without food, even months without sleep. But that didn't mean they couldn't feel fatigue.
Spiritual exhaustion still required meditation or even sleep to recover.
Song Changsheng had spent the past weeks both refining artifacts and practicing his body-forging techniques. His mental energy had taken a heavy toll, and it was starting to show.
"I suppose it's time for a good rest," he murmured.
After instructing Song Qingluo not to leave the bamboo building, Song Changsheng lay down on the warm jade bed.
The fastest way to restore mental energy was deep sleep. But under normal circumstances, Song Changsheng rarely did this. In deep sleep, one's awareness and perception drop to their lowest, a risky proposition for any cultivator.
But today, he genuinely wanted to sleep.
Before long, he drifted into slumber and began to dream.
He saw himself as a child, with one person holding each of his hands as they strolled through a complex of ancient, elegant buildings.
On his left was a gentle woman, her smile adorned with shallow dimples, who was his mother, Xia Yunxue.
On his right was a tall, handsome man whose facial features bore a striking resemblance to Song Changsheng's own. That was his father, Song Luyan, who had passed away many years ago…
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