Song Ningyan had barely left when Changsun Fengye followed suit, entering the courtyard and taking a seat opposite Chen Qingyuan, placing two jugs of fine wine between them.
"Try this top-notch brew from the Misty Palace!" Changsun Fengye gestured invitingly.
"Is it poisoned?" Chen Qingyuan picked up a jug and casually inquired.
"It is," Changsun Fengye replied with a smile.
The two men locked eyes, simultaneously uncorking the jugs and filling their cups to the brim, then toasted and drank.
Chen Qingyuan had been wary of Changsun Fengye's previous offer of wine, fearing some trickery. His pointed question about poison this time eased the tension from their first unpleasant meeting.
As the saying goes, no discord, no concord. The two, fueled by alcohol, spoke freely and grew more familiar with each passing moment.
Their conversation turned jovial, and they began to address each other as brothers, laughing and chatting.
They drank for a full four hours.
Of course, two jugs weren't enough. Changsun Fengye brought out a small wine cellar's worth and they continued to indulge.
"You must have held back quite a few tricks during our spar," Changsun Fengye surmised.
"And you didn't?" Chen Qingyuan chuckled, returning the question.
"Mutual indeed," Changsun Fengye replied with a meaningful smile. "Next time we fight, I hope to see your full strength."
"Then wait for it!"
They drank until nightfall before stopping.
Changsun Fengye returned to his guest room, while Chen Qingyuan sat in meditation.
Meanwhile, in the inner hall of the Song Family, the elders discussed the day's events.
They were only truly shocked by Changsun Fengye's forbidden technique; his other abilities were expected for someone hailed as the Northern Wilderness's most formidable young evildoer.
The Song Family's attention, however, was more on Chen Qingyuan.
"Little Chen seems unremarkable at first glance, but he conceals great depth. If not for the Holy Son of the Misty Palace intervening, even we might have been deceived."
"Being personally taken as a disciple by Vice Principal Yu means he's no ordinary individual. But we didn't expect him to be this extraordinary. Although he took an unconventional path to barely touch the realm of the formless sword, it's still a testament to his strength and talent. If word of this reaches the ears of those Sword Dao powerhouses, they'd go mad."
"If this young man doesn't meet an early demise, his potential is boundless."
The Song Family elders sighed, lamenting the lack of a young pillar in their generation.
With the Academy's capabilities, concealing the aura of a Saintly Golden Elixir's foundation was effortless, so the powerful figures didn't dwell on it.
Little did they know, Chen Qingyuan harbored not one, but three Golden Elixirs within him.
Having witnessed Chen Qingyuan's prowess, Old Ancestor Song Wenxian was more determined than ever to matchmake him with Song Ningyan. Whether it would come to fruition depended on their fate.
"The future of the Qing Clan rests on Chen Qingyuan's shoulders. With his talent, he will surely restore the Qing Clan's glory and vanquish all enemies," Song Wenxian muttered to himself, looking in the direction of Chen Qingyuan's residence.
***
After a few days, the Misty Sacred Ground proposed departure.
The Song Family's high-ranking members saw them off with full honors.
Changsun Fengye and Song Ningyan had barely spoken more than five times over several days. Both families realized that a marriage alliance was out of the question – neither party was interested!
This was a headache-inducing situation.
The older generation felt helpless but had no solution.
Fortunately, the Misty Sacred Ground's visit wasn't in vain, as they reached some agreements with the Song Family, improving relations between the two powers.
Before leaving, Changsun Fengye sought out Chen Qingyuan to bid farewell: "Brother Chen, I look forward to our next meeting."
"Goodbye."
Chen Qingyuan nodded lightly, hoping Changsun Fengye wouldn't be consumed by his second personality.
Several days after the Misty Sacred Ground's departure, Chen Qingyuan planned to return to the Academy as soon as possible.
Staying with the Song Family always felt uncomfortable.
When Chen Qingyuan expressed his intention to leave, Old Ancestor Song Wenxian stealthily visited his guest room late at night.
In the quiet of the night, an old man and a young man met.
"Predecessor, what brings you here?"
A breeze blew open the window, and Song Wenxian appeared. Chen Qingyuan quickly paid his respects.
"You plan to leave tomorrow, and I came to see you off," Song Wenxian said kindly.
"There's no need for a predecessor of your stature to see me off. If there's anything you need, just send a message."
Chen Qingyuan couldn't believe that a powerful figure like Song Wenxian would personally come to bid him farewell. He felt uneasy and suspicious.
"Don't be so tense. I just came to chat, nothing more," Song Wenxian said, seeing through Chen Qingyuan's thoughts with a smile.
"Do you really have no other instructions for me, predecessor?" Chen Qingyuan asked doubtfully.
"None, rest assured!"
Indeed, why would he be so cautious? Song Wenxian felt he had been quite approachable, yet Chen Qingyuan was on guard as if fearing being devoured.
If there were truly no ulterior motives, why would the old man come in the middle of the night?
It was unsettling.
Chen Qingyuan inwardly scoffed, but outwardly he respectfully poured Song Wenxian a cup of tea: "Predecessor, please have some tea."
"Hmm." After taking a sip, Song Wenxian stared intently at Chen Qingyuan, more and more pleased, his eyes sparkling.
Feeling scrutinized, Chen Qingyuan swallowed nervously, praying Song Wenxian didn't harbor any peculiar inclinations.
"Young man, your spar with Changsun Fengye the other day wasn't your true strength, was it?" Song Wenxian asked softly.
Chen Qingyuan just smiled, offering no answer.
"I have no ill intentions towards you. I came tonight to give you a piece of advice. If you encounter insurmountable trouble outside and the Academy is unable to intervene, feel free to turn to the Song Family."
Song Wenxian naturally wanted to strengthen ties with Chen Qingyuan now, to smooth the path for the Qing Clan's return to glory.
Moreover, the rise of the Song Family was inextricably linked to the Qing Clan, and this favor must be repaid.
"Predecessor, what do you mean by that?" Chen Qingyuan asked, genuinely surprised and stuttering.
"The Song Family is willing to protect your Dao," Song Wenxian said, his face full of kindness.
"This…" Receiving a clear answer, Chen Qingyuan was dumbfounded.
What have I done to warrant the Song Family's protection?
Could my displayed strength alone prompt the head of the Northern Wilderness's Ancient Clan to personally extend his goodwill?
Impossible!
The Song Family has stood in the Northern Wilderness for years, having seen all manner of prodigies. They wouldn't stoop so low without reason.
Then what could it be?
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas