Chapter 189 - 187: Earth List Title
Afterwards, he continued cultivating while earnestly studying this newly acquired Body Refining Secret Technique. Occasionally, he found that playing chess with Liu Dingsheng greatly helped in calming the hidden violent emotions within and consolidating his unsettled state of mind.
That serene and peaceful atmosphere was extremely healing for him.
It must be said, Liu Dingsheng was right about this; playing chess is indeed beneficial for mental and physical health.
Cultivating such a hobby interest is quite good, especially for someone like Song Changming who has practiced the Secret Technique.
But solely relying on chess is still not enough. Chess only serves as an aid for calming the mind, insufficient to completely eliminate the negative impact of the Secret Technique on him.
In response, Liu Dingsheng had already activated numerous connections to find a solution for Song Changming.
The currently conceivable and potentially useful solution is to obtain a Meditation Technique to hasten the daily enhancement and recovery of Spiritual Power.
Nowadays, almost everything in cultivation requires Spiritual Power, so Song Changming’s need for this Meditation Technique goes without saying.
Even without the side effects of the Body Refining Secret Technique, he greatly desired a Meditation Technique to accelerate his Spiritual Power cultivation.
However, ordinary Meditation Techniques are far more rare than these extreme side-effect-laden Secret Techniques.
They are often used as exclusive inheritances and rarely are Meditation Technique manuals found circulating outside.
Therefore, even if Liu Dingsheng puts all his strength into searching, it’s unlikely he would receive any news.
Song Changming is not in a hurry for now; if he can’t solve the side effects of this Body Refining Secret Technique, then he will practice it more slowly or even not practice it for the time being.
After all, he still has Inner Qi and Sword Techniques to cultivate daily, and when his strength is even greater in the future, he will surely find a way one day.
...
In October, the weather turned cold very quickly.
On this day, even the branches and leaves on the roadside were adorned with some sparkling frost.
With a gust of wind, much of the frost scattered to the ground, where a few pairs of snow-white boots trod, producing crisp cracking sounds.
"Junior Sister Yan’Er, there’s no rush to return to the mountain this time; it’s fine to stay a few more days."
Speaking was a majestic figure of a man, around thirty years old, clad in white, with a piece of White Jade tying up his long hair, exuding maturity and stability.
He spoke considerately, his eyes glowing softly, looking at the charming young woman beside him.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Liu Yan’Er said softly.
Traveling with them were several other white-robed men and women, resembling disciples descending from an Immortal Family, and even the horses they led were as white as snow, appearing very majestic.
"It’s nothing. Having a chance to see family, one should of course spend a few more days together," Guan Weijing chuckled.
With these words, the group soon entered the city.
The City Guards, seeing their attire, immediately straightened their expressions, not daring to be frivolous, and respectfully said, "Ah, disciples of Wangyue Pavilion, welcome to Wangyue City!"
"We’re here to purchase necessary supplies before returning down the mountain," Guan Weijing said calmly, with one hand behind his back.
His tone lost much of the earlier tenderness when speaking to others, replaced by a touch of aloofness.
"I see." The City Guard maintained a respectful tone throughout, making way and even halting the incoming and outgoing vehicles and pedestrians, solely to allow the Wangyue Pavilion disciples to pass first.
This clearly showed the high status of Wangyue Pavilion’s disciples in this place.
Even the city officials did not dare to offend them lightly.
Once inside the city, Liu Yan’Er’s steps noticeably quickened with anticipation as she headed toward her grandfather’s residence.
Beside her, Shen Xueyu noticed this and couldn’t help but cover her mouth, stifling laughter.
The Liu Residence.
In the room, Song Changming finished his meditation, shook his head, and sighed to himself.
The effects of the Body Refining Secret Technique were undoubtedly excellent, but practicing it at will was indeed extremely difficult.
To prevent the situation from becoming irreversible, he now basically practiced the Celestial Essence Body Refining Technique only once every three to five days.
In between, he took time to recover from the negative effects brought on by the Secret Technique.
"Elder Liu, Miss Yan’Er has arrived."
Suddenly, hearing Liu Ziwen’s announcement from the courtyard, Song Changming pushed the door open and went outside.
He saw several handsome men and women in white attire in the courtyard, the women veiled, the men exuding vigor and grace.
Among them, he still recognized two of the women.
One, relatively tall, was Liu Dingsheng’s granddaughter, Liu Yan’Er.
The other had also accompanied Liu Yan’Er to Donglai Prefecture to attend Liu Dingsheng’s retirement ceremony.
At this moment, Liu Dingsheng’s face was full of joy, extremely happy to see his granddaughter again.
Beside him, the two dogs sniffed the air, seemingly finding the scent on the newcomers unfamiliar, wanting to get closer for a sniff.
"Dahuang, White."
Upon hearing Song Changming’s voice, the two dogs reluctantly retreated.
"Young Master Song, long time no see."
Liu Yan’Er and Shen Xueyu, the two women, evidently hadn’t forgotten Song Changming, who saved them from the mouth of the Fog Beast that day.
Song Changming nodded with a smile.
Beside him, Guan Weijing glanced at the two big dogs, his peripheral vision landing on Song Changming, but he said nothing.
Contrarily, several junior brothers who accompanied him noticed how familiar Song Changming appeared with Liu Yan’Er, subconsciously glancing at Guan Weijing.
It was clear to the observant that this senior brother had a special feeling for Liu Yan’Er, taking good care of her all along the way.
However, this junior sister seemed to harbor no affection for Guan Weijing.
Instead, seeing Song Changming now, her mood seemed even more enthusiastic.
To suggest that the senior brother had no feelings about this seemed quite unlikely...
The junior brothers exchanged looks, feeling inexplicably delighted.
This senior brother was a charismatic figure on the mountain, one of the outstanding disciples in Wangyue Pavilion.
His appearance, strength, talent, and even background were all exemplary, attracting the admiration of countless young women.
It’s impossible that his junior brothers didn’t envy him.
They couldn’t help but wonder and even look forward to whether the rarely unsuccessful Guan Weijing might face a setback with Sister Yan’Er...
"Interesting, very interesting..."
Thinking of this, the junior brothers couldn’t help but look at Song Changming again.
Hmm, his appearance is not lacking, but in terms of strength and talent, he surely cannot match Senior Brother Guan, and as for his background, it likely can’t compare...
"I am Guan Weijing from Wangyue Pavilion. May I have your honorable name?" Guan Weijing suddenly asked Song Changming.
"Song Changming, just a Martial Cultivator Wanderer," Song Changming replied, seeing the other was fairly courteous.
"Martial Cultivator Wanderer..." Guan Weijing was a bit surprised to hear this.
A Martial Cultivator Wanderer is a Jianghu Martial Artist with no affiliations, implying no master or sect.
"I observe that Brother Song has opened the Nether Sea and seems to have practiced Inner Qi?" Guan Weijing said.
He had to admit, his insight was quite sharp, able to discern some signs of Song Changming’s cultivation and deduce parts of his strength.
It was precisely because he could see Song Changming’s Qi Refining Cultivation that he instinctively doubted that Song Changming was without a master.
After all, Body Refinement might be pursued arduously alone, but Qi Refining and practicing Martial Techniques, without a renowned master to guide, how could one succeed?
Could it be possible to just look at the secret manuals and self-learn...
"Yes, I was fortunate to successfully cultivate Inner Qi." Song Changming did not elaborate.
After all, they were strangers, and he had no obligation to explain his cultivation matters so thoroughly.
"Song Changming..." Suddenly, a disciple from Wangyue Pavilion felt the name was familiar.
After a moment of thought, he realized in surprise: "You are the Donglai Dragon Blade Guest from the Earth List?"
"Oh!" Guan Weijing and several other senior brothers seemed like radars detecting a keyword.
Being named on the Earth List alone was enough to prove Song Changming was no ordinary martial artist.
"Haha, that’s right, young friend Song is indeed an Earth List Martial Artist." Liu Dingsheng beside them chuckled, stroking his beard to confirm.
His expression was as if saying, yes, my child is like being in the top one hundred of the national college entrance examination, beaming with pride.
For all martial artists, this was undoubtedly something to be proud of.
Even if Song Changming was now only at the lower ranks of the Earth List.
"Young Master Song is truly remarkable..." Shen Xueyu looked at Song Changming, also somewhat astonished.
She couldn’t help but reevaluate his strength and Martial Tao aptitude in her mind.
As a disciple within a Hidden Sect, she understood the weight of the Earth List better than ordinary martial artists outside.
To know that within Wangyue Pavilion, the number of young disciples who could make it to the Earth List was merely five or six of the most outstanding.
Others, who in her eyes also possessed commendable skills, remained nameless on the list.
Yet, Song Changming was on the list, making it evident.
Even Guan Weijing’s gaze toward Song Changming changed.
The tag of an Earth List Martial Artist was the best resume one could have.
No matter how much one lacked status or background, they wouldn’t be underestimated.
Guan Weijing’s expression showed a slight discomfort, suddenly he said, "What a coincidence, being fellow Earth List Martial Artists, why not have a spar and exchange today?"
By saying this, he revealed himself to be a martial artist with a name on the list!