Chen Ran didn't directly answer Song Wenxian's question. He picked up the teacup floating before him, drained the tea, and sighed, "The tea is good, but it lacks a certain mystical flavor."
"This is the finest tea from my Song Family, you're just too picky," Song Wenxian huffed.
Chen Ran just smiled in response, saying nothing.
"Hey! Are you really not going to tell me?" Song Wenxian had rushed over, using a great number of inter-realm teleportation talismans. If he left without any answers, he would feel quite uncomfortable.
"Old Song, you should go," Chen Ran said softly, waving his hand.
Seeing Chen Ran's serious demeanor, Song Wenxian knew he wouldn't get anything more and let out a long sigh, slowly rising to leave.
After a few steps, Song Wenxian muttered under his breath, "My tea is considered exceptional even in the Northern Wilderness, and this old boy still finds it lacking in mystique—must be nitpicking on purpose."
Mumbling to himself, Song Wenxian suddenly caught onto something, a hint of confusion crossing his brow.
Slowly, he repeated to himself, "Lacking a certain mystical flavor, lacking…"
Boom!
Suddenly, Song Wenxian's eyes widened as he grasped the hidden meaning behind Chen Ran's words.
If Mystic Azure Sect was missing a 'Mystic', then it would be—Azure Sect!
Song Wenxian immediately turned around, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief, about to exclaim, "Old Chen, could the Mystic Azure Sect be…"
At that moment, Chen Ran cut him off, his expression solemn, "Old Song, some things are better understood than spoken aloud, understand?"
With those words, Chen Ran had given a definite answer.
Splash!
Hearing this, Song Wenxian felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. He swallowed the words he was about to say and nodded heavily, "I understand."
"Leave me some tea leaves before you go. It's not perfect, but it's decent enough," Chen Ran said, his serious expression giving way to one more akin to a common old man, his eyes smiling.
"Take it." Song Wenxian felt his trip was not in vain, tossing all the tea leaves he had to Chen Ran, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Song Wenxian left the Academy, his heart a mix of excitement and joy.
Revealing this to Song Wenxian was a well-considered decision by Chen Ran.
Firstly, because he had known Song Wenxian for over ten thousand years and was well aware of his character.
Secondly, and most importantly, the Song Family had risen to become the leading Ancient Clan in the Northern Wilderness thanks to the support of Azure Sect.
About a hundred thousand years ago, an ancestor of the Song Family had traveled to the Imperial Province and became an outer disciple of Azure Sect. Later, with the help of an Elder from Azure Sect, many of the Song Family's problems were resolved.
At that time, the Song Family was the least among the Ancient Clans. It was only after the support from Azure Sect that the Song Family rapidly rose to prominence.
Later, unable to withstand the pressures from various forces in the Imperial Province, Azure Sect decided to leave. To avoid revealing their whereabouts, they expelled many outer disciples, among whom were certainly spies from various forces.
The expelled outer disciple was that ancestor of the Song Family.
Afterward, Azure Sect disappeared from the Imperial Province, and their whereabouts became unknown.
The Song Family ancestor searched for many years, and even at the moment of his death, he had no clues, passing away with regrets. His Master and fellow disciples were all in Azure Sect, and he had a debt of gratitude to Azure Sect that he had not repaid.
This matter was only known to the core members of the Song Family.
"Great Ancestor, your descendants have found the direction of your Sect," Song Wenxian murmured to himself as he quickly returned to the Song Family and went straight to the ancestral hall, looking at the longevity plaques on the shelf.
Although Song Wenxian had not personally witnessed the regretful passing of the Great Ancestor, he had read the blood letter left by the Great Ancestor more than once.
Only the current head of the family and the protective Elders could touch this core secret and be privy to this matter.
Before his death, the Great Ancestor used his blood as ink to write a very long blood letter.
The content of the letter expressed his longing and gratitude for Azure Sect and hoped that his descendants would not forget the help Azure Sect had given to the Song Family. If they ever found Azure Sect, he hoped his descendants could help him fulfill a wish.
To be recognized by Azure Sect and become a disciple once again.
This was the only wish of the Song Family's Great Ancestor.
"Great Ancestor, I will definitely help you fulfill your last wish," Song Wenxian promised solemnly in the ancestral hall, his fists slowly clenching.
The Azure Sect of those days had suffered much humiliation and injustice. To preserve their lineage, aside from abandoning all their possessions in the Imperial Province, Azure Sect had no other choice.
Chen Ran, of course, could find out about the connection between the Song Family and Azure Sect. After all, the Academy had been around for a very long time, and such knowledge was not difficult to obtain.
"Foolish boy, may you spread your wings and soar, restoring the former glory of Azure Sect," Chen Ran murmured, looking into the distance with a heavy expression.
Now that he had become Chen Qingyuan's Master, Chen Ran felt responsible.
He first sent Chen Qingyuan to the Eastern Land to get the stance of the Buddhist Sect. Now, by tying the Song Family to the warship, even if the top forces in the Imperial Province learned of Mystic Azure Sect's whereabouts, they would not dare to harm Chen Qingyuan lightly.
Back when Song Wenxian shamelessly asked for an invitation and sent Song Ningyan to the Academy, Chen Ran had already begun to scheme against the Song Family.
It wasn't so much a scheme as finding the right moment to firmly bind the Song Family to Chen Qingyuan.
With this, Chen Qingyuan would have the backing of the Northern Wilderness's Academy, the leading Ancient Clan—the Song Family, and the Buddhist Sect from the Eastern Land.
Combined, these forces would make any top Sect in the Imperial Province tremble.
"Unite all the forces that can be united, pave the way ahead, and spare my foolish disciple some hardship," Chen Ran, who rarely left the Academy, had a very clear understanding of the world's affairs.
If Chen Qingyuan was a little fox, then Chen Ran was a true old fox, who had been plotting for many years to challenge the top forces in the Imperial Province and restore the glory of Azure Sect.
"This game is getting bigger and bigger."
With a whoosh, another Vice Dean, Lin Wenyou, arrived at the White Goose Palace and sat with Chen Ran above the water.
Song Wenxian's arrival and departure could not escape Lin Wenyou's eyes.
"What's wrong, scared?" Chen Ran raised an eyebrow with a smile.
"Impossible, I haven't fought in years, and I'm itching for it," Lin Wenyou said, taking out his wine gourd from his waist and huffing.
The two Vice Deans, one fond of wine and the other of tea.
"Just bragging!" Chen Ran rolled his eyes.
"Old Chen, if you don't give me face, let's have a go," Lin Wenyou, known for his hot temper, challenged.
"Uncouth. I am a person of refinement and won't stoop to your level," Chen Ran refused the challenge, either out of fear or simply not wanting to bother.
"Pfft," Lin Wenyou put on a smug look.
Meanwhile, at the Ancient Song Family.
Song Wenxian composed himself and once again headed to Chen Qingyuan's residence.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas