Chapter 401: Old Wolf (1/2)

Chapter 401: Old Wolf (1/2)

"Father, think about it. The Song family in Longyang has grown significantly, and Song Qian is the sole daughter of the Song family in Longyang," Shang Xing said to his father. "If I can marry Song Qian, the entire Song family in Longyang will naturally become ours, the Shang family. So, Father, you should support me."

Shang Jingming shook his head. "You are thinking too simplistically about Song Qian. Her ambitions may be even greater than mine. She won't willingly submit to you."

Shang Xing smiled and said, "Father, my ambitions are not small either. I don't believe I can't win her over."

"Xing'er, don't do foolish things, especially at a time like this. The Song family in Longyang, with one of its disciples turning into an otherworldly being, killing a deputy pavilion master of the Tianwu Pavilion and thirteen immortals, even alerting the retired Jade Floating Sword Immortal—do you think the Tianwu Pavilion will easily let Longyang Song family off the hook? If you get too close to Song Qian at this time, it might arouse suspicion from the Tianwu Pavilion, bringing trouble to our Shang family."

Shang Jingming spoke while firmly holding his son's shoulders, his expression solemn. "For your sake and the sake of our entire Shang family, stay away from that woman during this period. Do you understand?"

Seeing his father's determination, Shang Xing didn't want to argue further on this matter. He simply said, "I understand."

...

Changling City, Song family's alchemy workshop.

This alchemy workshop had a total of fifty-seven alchemy rooms, making it the largest alchemy workshop of the Song family in Longyang.

After leaving the Shang residence, Song Qian came directly to this place and entered the innermost alchemy room.

This particular alchemy room was dedicated to producing pills specifically for her. Due to Song Qian's affinity for fire, the pill formula had undergone significant modifications, incorporating many herbs with fiery properties.

In charge of this alchemy room was an elderly man with white hair and a tall stature.

Five years ago, on a winter day, Song Qian encountered this old man while hunting in a forest. He was heavily injured, covered in blood, with bite marks from some ferocious beasts.

In his arms, he cradled a seven-year-old girl.

Song Qian saved them both, and in gratitude, the old man gifted her three Brilliant Spirit Pills.

After taking one of the pills, Song Qian discovered its strong affinity for fire, suitable for her constitution. It was only after this incident that she realized her spiritual roots had a profound affinity for fire.

Since then, Song Qian wanted this old man to exclusively craft pills for her. In return, she promised him generous rewards.

This old man and the girl seemed to have nowhere else to go, and Song Qian couldn't refuse their request due to the gratitude she felt. Thus, the old man became Song Qian's personal alchemy master.

"Old Wolf, is your master feeling better?" Song Qian asked the old man.

Later on, Song Qian learned that the old man and the girl weren't grandfather and granddaughter but had a master-servant relationship, with the girl being his master.

Song Qian affectionately called the old man "Old Wolf" following the girl's lead.

The girl had been sick for half a year, residing in a small room next to the alchemy room. Song Qian had suggested finding the best cultivator physician in the city to treat the old man's master, but the old man always refused, claiming he was the best cultivator physician.

However, despite his efforts over the past six months, the girl's condition hadn't improved.

Yet, he insisted on treating her himself, and Song Qian refrained from intervening too much.

At this moment, Old Wolf's face looked solemn. "Getting better soon," he replied.

However, Song Qian could sense from his expression that the situation might not be as optimistic as he claimed. Yet, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of rescuing her father, and she had little inclination to worry about other matters.

On her way to the alchemy workshop, Song Qian had been contemplating how to successfully rescue her father.

The Qilin lamp, which sealed her father, was currently in the hands of Li Changyi. As long as he held onto the lamp, Song Qian had almost no chance of freeing her father from him.

However, if Li Changyi were to return the Qilin lamp to the Tianwu Pavilion and leave the pavilion himself, Song Qian would have an opportunity to snatch the lamp from the pavilion, whether by force or stealth.

In other words, timing was crucial, and there was another key factor—the timely return of her aunt, Yan, who would significantly increase the probability of rescuing her father.

Before that opportune moment arrived, Song Qian couldn't afford to be inactive. She needed to find a way to strengthen herself quickly. At the very least, she had to advance to the Undying Realm, reaching the level of an Immortal Sovereign.

The primary reason she sought out Old Wolf was for this purpose.

"Old Wolf, do you have any method to help me advance to the Undying Realm in a short time? Even if it comes with a cost, I am willing," Song Qian earnestly asked.

Old Wolf shook his head. "Advancing realms generally requires certain opportunities. If you attempt to forcefully break through, it will only damage your foundation, leading to endless troubles. I can't help you in such matters."

"Old Wolf, since you've noticed that my spiritual roots are different from ordinary people, there must be some method you know. Please, tell me any way that can help me break through the realms quickly. I have a compelling reason to do so," Song Qian pleaded.

"Madam, you are the savior of Old Wolf and his master. Even if you ask Old Wolf to give his life for you, he won't harbor any grievances. However, personal realm breakthroughs must follow the will of the heavens. Old Wolf is powerless in such matters," Old Wolf said helplessly.

Seeing Old Wolf's predicament, Song Qian didn't want to make things difficult for him. It seemed she would have to find other ways on her own.

Just then, the voice of the little girl came from the small room, "Old Wolf."

Upon hearing his master's call, Old Wolf immediately rushed into the small room.

After a while, Old Wolf came out alone.

Song Qian could clearly sense the sadness on Old Wolf's face. "Madam, my master says... she can help you advance to the Undying Realm. She asks you to come and see her tonight at the hour of the pig."

"Really?" Song Qian couldn't help but show excitement, but doubt also surfaced in her heart. Could a seriously ill girl, unable to cure her own illness, truly have a method to help her advance quickly?