Guest Hall, within the courtyard.
Chen Qingyuan, clad in a dark robe with his long hair secured by a wooden hairpin, sat beneath a pavilion, admiring the surrounding beauty. A breeze carrying a hint of floral fragrance refreshed his soul.
Tap, tap, tap…
A soft patter of footsteps approached from the side, and Chen Qingyuan turned to look.
It was the Old Elder he had met a few days ago.
"Predecessor, you've come again."
Chen Qingyuan quickly rose to greet him with a bow.
"Just feeling cooped up at home, thought I'd take a stroll."
Song Wenxian, dressed in simple linen, his white hair smooth and beard neatly groomed, appeared more refined than before, exuding an ethereal aura.
You stroll all the way to the guest hall's garden? That excuse hardly holds water!
Of course, Chen Qingyuan wouldn't call him out, smoothly inviting, "What a coincidence, Old Elder, please come in and sit."
"Alright." Song Wenxian, having come specifically for Chen Qingyuan, didn't stand on ceremony and sat opposite him in the pavilion.
Ever since learning that Chen Qingyuan was the heir of the Mystic Azure Sect, Song Wenxian's feelings were complex, uncertain how to treat him.
Being too friendly was out of the question, as it could arouse suspicion. But being unfriendly wouldn't do either, given the deep ties between the Mystic Azure Sect and the Song Family.
Sigh!
What a dilemma!
Song Wenxian hadn't told anyone in the family about the Mystic Azure Sect, including his son Song Xiufeng. The matter was too sensitive, and too many in the know could lead to leaks, which would spell trouble for both Chen Qingyuan and the current Mystic Azure Sect.
"Last time I enjoyed your wine, this time try mine!"
With that, Song Wenxian produced two flasks of fine wine, placing them on the table.
"Thank you, Predecessor."
Chen Qingyuan, unreserved, poured two cups: "Junior toasts to you."
He drank it down in one gulp.
A warm surge flowed into his dantian, slightly loosening his cultivation bottleneck.
This wine… must be extraordinary!
Chen Qingyuan looked intently at Song Wenxian, stood up solemnly, and thanked him, "Thank you for the generous gift of wine, Predecessor."
"Don't be so formal, drink up!"
The more Song Wenxian observed Chen Qingyuan, the more he liked him, not just for his status as the heir of Mystic Azure, but also for Chen Qingyuan's own charm.
The wine, meticulously brewed by Song Wenxian with precious spiritual herbs, was tailored to Chen Qingyuan's current cultivation level, to help stabilize his foundation and break through his bottleneck.
Thus, the two chatted idly while sipping wine.
After three rounds, Song Wenxian and Chen Qingyuan grew more familiar, no longer as distant as before, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter over some topic.
Song Wenxian had discreetly sealed off the Guest Hall, preventing any prying eyes.
Even without setting up a barrier, no one would dare to spy on the movements of the old family head – that would be courting death.
"Young man, you're a promising youth, and I take quite a liking to you. How about becoming my granddaughter's husband?"
In a moment of inspiration, Song Wenxian thought of this solution.
After all, Song Ningyan didn't really want to marry into the Miao Miao Sacred Ground, and the upcoming meeting was likely just a formality. Song Ningyan and Chen Qingyuan were both disciples of the Dao Yi Academy, with plenty of time to interact, possibly fostering feelings.
If he could take Chen Qingyuan as his grandson-in-law, he could rightfully offer protection. Moreover, the relationship between the Mystic Azure Sect and the Song Family could return to its former state, or even improve. Besides, it would also tie the Song Family to the Dao Yi Academy.
As for the karmic crisis of the Mystic Azure Sect, the Song Family was willing to shoulder it, as it was a debt of gratitude they owed and must repay.
"Your granddaughter, who is she?"
The wine was strong, making even Chen Qingyuan, at the peak of the Golden Elixir stage, feel overwhelmed, his vision blurry, his speech hesitant.
"Song Ningyan."
Song Wenxian hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth.
"Who?" Upon hearing this, Chen Qingyuan's body trembled slightly, he rubbed his eyes vigorously, and asked in disbelief, "You're not talking about my junior sister, are you?"
"Yes, your junior sister."
Song Wenxian nodded slowly.
Hearing this affirmative answer, Chen Qingyuan's face flushed with the redness of alcohol, the drunkenness mostly dissipated as he stood up abruptly, his expression odd, his eyes shocked.
This old man was Song Ningyan's grandfather, which meant he was the father of the current family head, as well as the old family head of the Song Family.
When he arrived, Song Ningyan had briefly introduced the situation of the Song Family, so Chen Qingyuan was fairly clear about the relationships.
Damn! He's the old Clan Leader of the Song Family!
Chen Qingyuan was stunned; he had indeed guessed that Song Wenxian's background was not simple, likely an elder of high standing. However, he never expected the old man to be the strongest presence in the Song Family.
"What are you standing for? Sit down!"
Song Wenxian broke the awkward silence, his demeanor friendly.
"I'd rather stand, it's more comfortable."
Chen Qingyuan's body was temporarily stiff, unable to sit.
"What do you think of my earlier proposal, young man?"
Song Wenxian could understand Chen Qingyuan's reaction.
"That…," Chen Qingyuan's mind was a mess, and after struggling for a while, he said, "Predecessor, isn't the Song Family preparing to form an alliance with the Misty Sacred Ground? Are you joking with me?"
"The marriage alliance between our two families was ruined by you, wasn't it? I guess it's not going to happen now. You should compensate my Song Family for this loss, right?"
Song Wenxian felt very clever, putting the pressure on Chen Qingyuan.
"I… I was just following Elder Zhao's orders, it has nothing to do with me."
Chen Qingyuan quickly absolved himself of responsibility.
I'm just here to watch the show; how could I get dragged into this?
"Alright, if you're unwilling, let's drop it. No need to get so worked up."
Since Chen Qingyuan had no such intentions, Song Wenxian had to let it go. Of course, it was only for now. If a suitable opportunity arose in the future, he certainly wouldn't miss it.
"Pre… Predecessor, I have other matters to attend to, I'll take my leave now."
Chen Qingyuan found it impossible to continue sitting and drinking with Song Wenxian in the pavilion, deciding to return to his room to clear his head.
"Okay."
Song Wenxian nodded, watching Chen Qingyuan depart.
Back in his room, Chen Qingyuan slapped himself. It really hurt!
What a situation!
Chen Qingyuan sobered up a bit, realizing his cultivation bottleneck was loosening to an uncontrollable extent. So, without further ado, he sat cross-legged in the void, beginning to refine the spiritual wine within his body.
Several hours later, Chen Qingyuan's aura had undergone a significant change.
When he opened his eyes, one of the sacred grade Golden Elixirs within him had transformed, emitting the fluctuations of the Elemental Infant Realm.
However, the other two sacred grade Golden Elixirs showed no change.
"What realm am I in now, Elemental Infant or Golden Elixir?"
Chen Qingyuan checked his condition, finding it quite peculiar.
Perhaps, Chen Qingyuan needed to breakthrough two more times to truly reach the Elemental Infant Realm.
In the following days, Chen Qingyuan stabilized his cultivation. To the outside world, he was at the initial stage of the Elemental Infant Realm, but in reality, he was in a special state between Golden Elixir and Elemental Infant.
One day, emissaries from the Misty Sacred Ground of the Star Domain arrived to discuss the marriage alliance.
Hearing the news, Chen Qingyuan, curious, left the Guest Hall to watch from a distance.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas