Chapter 54 Returning to the Mortal Realm and Back to Xiaosong Village

The inner disciples are restless, and many false rumors have already spread.

In the morning, it was said that Danque Peak was recruiting people based on talent; in the afternoon, it was said that they were recruiting Golden Core stage disciples, and so on. Whenever a new rumor emerged, it attracted attention, and some alchemists even lost their will to cultivate.

This situation can't go on forever. One day, Qi Zibo was instructing his disciples in the inner school and said directly that either they could slowly select people and wait for five or ten years, or they could not recruit anyone and continue to maintain the status quo.

In short, all this is to eliminate the atmosphere of not being serious about cultivation, and to help the disciples calm down and stop thinking about entering Danque Peak.

Qi Zibo kept his word.

The inner disciples thought Elder Qi was just talking, but a year or two passed and Danque Peak only had a senior disciple; they hadn't heard of any alchemy cultivator successfully moving in.

Gradually, they began to think that Danque Peak was no longer accepting people.

Every day, something new happens at the Immortal Cloud Sect, and everyone's attention is drawn to other things. Only a small group of alchemists persist, cultivating tirelessly every day and studying alchemy, all in the hope that one day they can successfully enter the Pill Peak and receive more guidance from the elders.

By the third year, most of the disciples had forgotten about the matter.

They are more focused on the Talisman Master Conference.

The Immortal Cloud Sect had over a hundred participants in the Talisman Master Conference, far exceeding the number at the previous Alchemist Conference.

It's said that the Talisman Master Tournament was incredibly exciting, with several independent cultivators making it to the finals. The final was no less intense than the Alchemist Tournament finals, and there were even participants who drew talismans beyond their level.

First, Song Yin practiced alchemy beyond his level, and then Shi Heming practiced drawing talismans beyond his level, making the two famous once again.

The talisman cultivators who participated in the conference returned to their sects, and the disciples who achieved good rankings were still summoned by the sect leader to receive rewards.

On the very day Shi Heming won first place in the Foundation Establishment group of the Talisman Master Tournament, Song Yin learned of the result via the communication stone. She then went to Tianqiao Peak to find Xia Xining, instructing her to prepare to return to the mortal realm at any time. She then teleported to the Affairs Hall to complete the record of her leaving the sect.

Only after finishing the matter did Song Yin go to greet her master and the others.

Qi Zibo and the others had known for a long time that Song Yin would return to the mortal realm with her friends, but they didn't know the exact time of her return.

Once it was confirmed that Song Yin would be leaving tomorrow, Qi Zibo stuffed things into Song Yin's arms while muttering to himself, "Although you are returning to the mortal realm, the outside world is not like the sect. This is the first time in your life that you have left the sect without an adult accompanying you. When something happens, take action when necessary. If there is a strong enemy, run away and come back to tell us, and then we will help you fight back."

Several years have passed, and now Song Yin has grown up. Eighteen years old would have been considered an adult in her previous life.

Even though Song Yin had grown taller and her features had matured, Qi Zibo still pictured her as a sallow-faced, thin, bony six-year-old child.

Song Yin used her spiritual energy to support the medicine bottle in her arms that was about to fall. "I know everything you said. If you encounter danger and can't beat them, run away. If you can't run away, bring out your help."

Wen Zhiling came in with a sword talisman. “Your master is right. Your journey to the mortal realm is long and arduous, and it’s hard to say whether you will encounter any dangers. The cultivation world may seem peaceful, but it is actually fraught with peril. This is a sword talisman that I made. It contains the five strongest sword energies that I have engraved inside. It will be triggered when life or death is at stake. Remember to keep it close to your body.”

The sword talisman was made into a jade pendant, and Wen Zhiling put it around Song Yin's neck without saying a word.

Seeing that the couple wanted to continue stuffing things into her bag, Song Yin quickly said, "That's enough, that's enough. There's no room for any more storage bags."

Wen Zhiling seized on the key phrase, "Can't fit it all in?" She took out a ring, "This is a storage ring, it has plenty of space inside, it can hold as much as you want."

Good heavens! She just went on a long trip alone, and these two people have become so unfamiliar. Are they still the master and mistress she knew?

Seeing Song Yin's innocent and easily deceived face, Wen Zhiling suggested, "How about we have your senior brother accompany you?"

Song Yin: "No need! Stop! There are many disciples on Wujian Peak, and Senior Brother still has to teach the disciples how to manage affairs. There's no need to trouble him."

Shen Yuzhu seemed to be thinking, "Actually, going with you... isn't a bad idea."

Song Yin slumped in the chair, utterly dejected: "Just let me go!"

Qi Zibo stopped what he was doing. "Alright, you have a key to the pill storeroom. You have all the pills on you. Our family has plenty of pills, so don't be stingy with them."

Song Yin perked up and sat up abruptly: "Give them all to me?"

Qi Zibo: "It's all for you." It was originally meant for you, but after all these years, only a dozen or so bottles of pills are missing.

He had previously given Shen Yuzhu a storeroom full of pills; the two of them were the same in this regard.

Song Yin finally escaped the outpouring of concern from her master and the others. Afraid that they might suddenly revert to their old ways, she quickly ran to Tianqiao Peak to find Xia Xining, as she was going to stay with Xia Xining that day.

When she reached Tianqiao Peak, she was startled by the sight before her.

Xia Xining was surrounded by her master, her eldest brother, and her second sister, experiencing the same thing that she had just gone through.

Song Yin turned around and wanted to leave, so she decided to go find Shi Heming.

Xia Xining, with her sharp eyes, spotted Song Yin and immediately called out, "Song Yin is here! She's here to see me. Don't worry, Master, I'll be careful on the way."

Song Yin had no choice but to greet them one by one, "Hello Elder Shi, hello Senior Brother Li and Senior Sister Bian."

Elder Shi of Tianqiao Peak said warmly, "Song Yin, have you prepared everything for the journey? Do you want to bring some magical artifacts? Our Tianqiao Peak is known for its abundance of magical artifacts; we have all kinds."

Among Xia Xining's friends, Elder Shi liked Song Yin the most, because only Song Yin could motivate Xia Xining to cultivate diligently and not slack off.

Song Yin quickly waved her hand, "Thank you, Elder. Everything is well prepared. I'll take Xia Xining with me now." After saying that, she grabbed Xia Xining's wrist and quickly flew away from Tianqiao Peak on her sword.

After flying away from Tianqiao Peak, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Yin: "I was thinking of hiding here with you, but it turns out you're just like me."

Xia Xining: "Who isn't?"

Song Yin: "Perhaps Shi Heming is the same way. Let's go and see what's going on at Wendao Peak."

Inside the Asking Peak, Shi Heming's situation was much better than theirs.

Although Shi Heming's master and senior brother were also worried about his safety on the road, they also stuffed a bunch of talismans and magical artifacts into Shi Heming's hands, and after saying some words about being careful, they left to do their own things.

The two flew over, and Shi Heming saw Song Yin first. "Have you prepared everything?"

Song Yin made a spur-of-the-moment decision: "Everything is ready, we can leave at any time, no need to wait until tomorrow."

Xia Xining nodded. "Why don't we set off today?"

Song Yin: "I'm fine, Shi Heming, what about you?"

Shi Heming: "Me too."

Song Yin made the final decision, "Then let's set off now!"

The three left a message that they would be departing that day and left the Immortal Cloud Sect together for the mortal realm.

Qi Zibo received the message and laughed, cursing, "That rebellious wretch!"

He told Wen Zhiling and Shen Yuzhu about the message, and then sighed, "The children have grown up."

The three of them were traveling in the flying boat that Xia Xining had brought out.

Song Yin stood to the side and looked down, "Wow, Xia Xining, you actually have a flying boat."

Xia Xining stood beside her and explained, "This was given to me by my master. Flying boat-type magical artifacts are expensive, but my master crafted them himself, and each of us, my fellow disciples and I, has one. By the way, where do you live? I'll take you back first, and then I'll go home."

The three had talked about their past before. Xia Xining felt sympathy for the two after hearing about their experiences, but when she heard about Song Yin's past life, she was more angry and wished she could drag the dead out and beat them up.

Xia Xining almost praised the bandits for their good work, but she swallowed her words back, after all, there was still Shi Heming to be done.

Song Yin's expression changed. "Oh no!"

Shi Heming immediately asked, "What's wrong? Did you forget something or are you not feeling well?"

Xia Xining: "It's okay if I didn't bring the things. I'll just control the flying boat to turn back."

Song Yin gave an awkward smile: "I only know that the village I grew up in was called Xiao Song Village, and the nearest town was called Qiyuan County. I don't even know which country it's in."

This arrogant and illustrious man will forever be renowned!

"Don't worry about that. The country we live in in the mortal realm is called the Great Xing Dynasty, and Qiyuan County belongs to Changzhou." Shi Heming knew these things very well because he had been taught by his parents since childhood.

Xia Xining: "My home is also in Daxing Dynasty! It's right next to Changzhou in Dingzhou." Mentioning home, Xia Xining felt a mix of homesickness and trepidation. She leaned on Song Yin's shoulder, her voice gradually lowering, "I've been away from home for twelve years. Do you think they've forgotten me?"

Song Yin patted Xia Xining's head and said, "They will definitely not forget you. It's not easy to come home. Stay home for a few more days this time. We can wait for you and then go back to the sect together."

Shi Heming stood to the side, glancing back at the two of them every now and then. Xia Xining was pressed close to Song Yin, and the more he looked at them, the more awkward he felt.

The airship sped along, and fortunately, none of the three encountered the trouble the adults had mentioned.

It wasn't until the three entered the mortal realm and felt the spiritual energy suddenly decrease that they understood the difference between the mortal realm and the cultivation world.

Song Yin: "No wonder no cultivators stay in the mortal realm for long. The spiritual energy here is thin, and it's difficult to improve one's cultivation if one stays here for too long."

Shi Heming gripped the sword sheath tightly with his long fingers, as images buried deep in his memory kept surfacing.

Xia Xining hovered the flying boat high in the sky, where it was still covered by clouds and could not be seen by the mortals below.

"Next is Qiyuan County. After you've finished your business, you can come to the Xia family in Dongcheng County, Dingzhou to find me."

Song Yin stepped onto the spirit sword, "We'll contact each other using the communication talisman later."

Xia Xining waved to the two of them, "Bye-bye."

Watching the two fly downwards, she took a deep breath and steered the flying boat towards Dingzhou.

How much can change in twelve years?

Song Yin felt that Qiyuan County hadn't changed much. She flew over the village outside the county town and immediately recognized the location of Xiaosong Village.

Shijia Village and Xiaosong Village are some distance apart.

Ever since entering the mortal realm, Shi Heming has been acting strangely. Seeing his solemn and complicated expression, Song Yin said, "I'll go check on Xiao Song Village. Be careful on your own. You can ask around to see if the bandits are still around. If you can't find them, you can try to figure out their location. After all, the bandits have a deep karmic connection with us, so it's easy to find them."

After a long while, Shi Heming softly hummed in agreement.

Shi Heming flew to the location of Shijia Village, while Song Yin landed near the entrance of Xiaosong Village.

She didn't feel sad or upset; instead, she carefully examined Xiaosong Village.

Today, all the houses in Xiaosong Village have been rebuilt, and the scale seems to be even larger than before the fire. At the entrance of the village, there is a large locust tree, under which several children are running and playing, while two or three elderly people with limited mobility sit nearby, sewing and mending.

When the children saw a stranger, they quickly ran to the adults.

An elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles and wearing a headscarf put down her work and looked over.

"Young lady, you look unfamiliar. Are you looking for someone?"

-----------------------

Author's Note: Back to the mortal realm! [Rabbit head with upright ears]

Song Yin: Would you call this homesickness in glory? [dog head with rose in hand]

-

[Empty bowl]