Chapter 103: Clouds Over Green Mountains and Water Under the Sky (Please Subscribe!)

## Novel

The four descended the mountain and arrived at the capital of the most prosperous great nation located at its foot.

Qin Sang took out all the gold and silver from his mustard seed bag and gave them to Song Ying; this amount alone was enough to make her immensely wealthy. After everything was settled, Song Ying followed Qin Sang back to Wen Yue Market, arriving at the Song family's ancestral grave.

To obtain the Sword Intent Edict, one not only needed a Song family bloodline but also a unique spirit talisman.

Qin Sang took the spirit talisman Song Ying gave him and a drop of her blood. As he infused spiritual energy into it, the talisman floated up on its own and merged into the tomb of the Song family ancestor.

A moment later, the tomb split open, and a green light burst forth.

Qin Sang reached out and beckoned, catching the green light in his palm. He found it was a small sword talisman.

Was this the Sword Intent Edict of Shaohua Mountain?

Qin Sang curiously probed it with his spiritual sense. The sword talisman trembled gently, radiating a brilliant light and erupting with an incomparably sharp aura. Qin Sang's face paled slightly; he dared not probe further. Holding the sword talisman, he said to Song Ying, "Miss Song, I'll trouble you to accompany me to Shaohua Mountain once more."

Qin Sang summoned his Flying Shuttle and flew with Song Ying towards the entrance of Shaohua Mountain.

Previously, he had only glimpsed it from a distance. Now that he was close to Shaohua Mountain, he discovered that its entrance was also shrouded in clouds and mist, sealed by a grand formation.

He dared not recklessly intrude into the grand formation. He landed with Song Ying at its edge, sent the sword talisman into it, and then waited quietly.

Before long, a streak of light shot out from the grand formation, paused in mid-air, and then flew directly towards them, revealing the figure of a white-haired old man.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Qin Sang's heart was filled with awe, and his expression grew even more respectful.

The white-haired old man looked at the two of them, his gaze finally settling on Qin Sang, and asked, "Was it you who sent in the Sword Intent Edict just now?"

Qin Sang bowed and replied, "Reporting to Senior, it was indeed this disciple."

The white-haired old man nodded. "Are you both descendants of the Song family?"

"This disciple is Qin Sang, not a descendant of the Song family," Qin Sang said, raising a hand to point to Song Ying beside him. "This young lady is Song Ying, and she possesses the Song family bloodline."

The white-haired old man's brow furrowed slightly, and he said to Song Ying, "Raise your hand."

After taking Song Ying's blood and verifying it against the Sword Intent Edict, the white-haired old man suddenly said in a deep voice, "Miss Song, what is your relationship with him? Why would you hand the Sword Intent Edict to an outsider for use? Was he coercing you?"

Qin Sang was startled. Just as he was about to speak, the white-haired old man gave him a cold glance. His murderous gaze instantly caused Qin Sang to break out in a cold sweat, and he lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.

Song Ying bowed and said calmly, "Reporting to Immortal, Elder Brother Qin did not coerce this humble girl. On the contrary, he extended a helping hand in Wen Yue Market and resolved my predicament. Now, I am the only descendant left of the Song family, and I willingly present the Sword Intent Edict to Elder Brother Qin."

Qin Sang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the white-haired old man was still not at ease. He said earnestly, "You do not need to be afraid, nor do you need to worry about anyone's threats. Since you have come before the mountain gate, if you have any grievances, just tell me, and Shaohua Mountain will surely help you obtain justice."

Song Ying shook her head firmly. "Immortal, every word I said earlier was true; this humble girl indeed acted of her own free will."

Only then did the white-haired old man's expression soften. "Since you willingly gave away the Sword Intent Edict, you must not regret it later, do you understand?"

Song Ying affirmed. The white-haired old man gently raised his hand, and clouds materialized in his palm, transforming into a green luan. He said to Song Ying, "Ride it; it will take you down the mountain."

Qin Sang clasped his hands in farewell. "Miss Song, we shall meet again someday."

After seeing Song Ying off, the two entered the grand formation.

Upon entering the formation, the scenery before them transformed dramatically. They saw a peculiar mountain peak, as if it had been cleaved in half by a sword, forming a narrow gorge. The slopes on both sides were covered in peach trees, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom. The entire mountain seemed to be draped in a red carpet, with blossoms fluttering everywhere like colorful butterflies, filling the air with an exotic fragrance. The scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

Qin Sang followed behind the white-haired old man, passing through the middle of the mountain peak. He saw some young girls frolicking among the peach trees, their laughter and joyful chatter echoing freely.

*These would be his senior and junior sisters in the future,* Qin Sang mused inwardly.

Upon seeing their streak of light, the young women restrained their smiles and curiously scrutinized Qin Sang. Then they all bowed respectfully to the old man and, in sweet voices, collectively said, "Disciples greet Martial Uncle Wen."

The white-haired old man nodded cheerfully, his attitude much kinder than it had been towards Qin Sang.

After passing through this mountain, their view suddenly broadened.

Blue skies and white clouds stretched above, a vast, endless expanse of water before them, and dozens of sword-like peaks scattered like stars. Below, tranquil water rippled softly. Flocks of immortal cranes soared into the sky, countless koi fish spouted water, and occasionally, cultivators could be seen flying on their artifacts, exchanging greetings.

Seeing the scenery of Shaohua Mountain's entrance, Qin Sang's heart naturally recalled a poem he had read in his previous life, and he felt it was incredibly fitting:

"Someone asks me about Penglai; clouds are on green mountains, water in the sky."

The two landed on the largest yet most unremarkable mountain in Shaohua Mountain and walked into a wooden hall. After Martial Uncle Wen examined Qin Sang's spiritual roots, his expression showed a hint of surprise. "So it's a Five-Element spiritual root? For your age, this cultivation level isn't low, but the hope of breaking through to Foundation Establishment later on is very slim. Are you sure you want to waste this Sword Intent Edict?"

Qin Sang was stunned. "Can this disciple also pass it on to future generations?"

Martial Uncle Wen glanced at him. "Such a thing is not without precedent. I can replace the Song family ancestor's essence blood with yours, and in the future, if your descendants possess outstanding talent, they can use this Sword Intent Edict to enter Shaohua Mountain."

Qin Sang took a deep breath and said with resolve, "Thank you, Martial Uncle Wen, but there's no need. In this disciple's heart, there is only the path of immortality, an unwavering pursuit!"

Martial Uncle Wen no longer tried to persuade him. He took some essence blood and fashioned a waist token from it, then called over a disciple and instructed him to arrange Qin Sang's initiation into the sect.

The various initiation procedures were largely similar to those at Yuanzhao Sect. This Senior Brother's surname was Zhuang; he was only one year older than Qin Sang but his cultivation had already reached the tenth level of Qi Refinement. According to him, he had already received a Foundation Establishment Pill and was preparing to attempt a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

There was a rule in Shaohua Mountain: if a disciple could break through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement before the age of forty, they would all receive a Foundation Establishment Pill for free.

This was definitely an unexpected pleasant surprise for Qin Sang, but he also understood that with his talent, relying solely on one Foundation Establishment Pill, he shouldn't even think about forming his Foundation at the tenth level of Qi Refinement.

Continuing to cultivate and raising his cultivation to the peak of Qi Refinement, the hope of breaking through might be a bit greater.

"Junior Brother Qin," Zhuang said, "this mountain is called Daomen Peak, symbolizing that once one enters the sect, one dedicates oneself to the immortal path. Remember not to be misguided by the mortal world again and jeopardize your cultivation."

Qin Sang nodded in assent. According to Senior Brother Zhuang's introduction, Daomen Peak and the surrounding nearby peaks were where Shaohua Mountain's newly initiated disciples cultivated. On regular days, the Martial Uncles and Senior Brothers of the sect would also impart teachings on Daomen Peak.

"Do you see what's ahead?"

Qin Sang summoned the flying sword provided by Shaohua Mountain and followed Senior Brother Zhuang, flying out of Daomen Peak. He saw Senior Brother Zhuang pointing at the peach blossom mountain in the very front, his expression carrying a hint of longing. "This is Jianmen Pass," he explained, "cleaved open by a single sword strike from a senior expert."

---Genre: Wuxia Novel