Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

“Do you want to head straight for the Qing Family?” Bian Fenglin asked. After a month of traveling, they were now flying over Yuanchi Immortal Land, not far from Shenchu Immortal City.

Shu Yang considered it for a second but then shook his head. “Better not.”

He had already arranged a meeting place in the city to meet up with Lady Jiangxi. Visiting the Qing Family out of the blue might make things difficult for her.

“Alright. Then should we just enter the city normally?” Bian Fengin asked.

Shu Yang was about to agree, but then thought of something. “What do you think would be the effect of us visiting a Family Clan?”

“What do you mean?” Bian Fenglin asked.

Shu Yang smiled awkwardly. “I have a favor I’d like to repay, and thought borrowing your influence might be of some use.”

Bian Fenglin laughed out loud. “You’re candid, at least. Sure; I don’t know how useful it would be, but I doubt there would be any harm.”

Shu Yang nodded gratefully. “Then please head to the Song Family. If you don’t mind, we’ll stay there a few days until it’s time to meet up with Jiangxi.”

Shu Yang didn’t know exactly when he would come back when he sent that letter to Lady Jiangxi, so he had told her that they would visit a specific tea house, the one owned by Song Hongchi’s parents, every day for two weeks once they arrived. As long as Lady Jiangxi made time once every two weeks to make a visit, they would inevitably meet.

“Alright. No problem,” Bian Fenglin said, adjusting the course of the flying ship slightly, seemingly well aware of the location of the Song Family’s spiritual mountain. 

Shu Yang left Bian Fenglin and went to look for his daughter. 

Almost everyone was out of their cabins, looking forward to seeing what the Immortal City that Tianyi had talked so much about looked like. 

Of course, some people, like Shen Ye, were more looking forward to something else. 

“Shu Yang. How much further?” Shen Ye stepped up to him and asked. 

“An hour or so, I would guess,” Shu Yang answered. “But we might not be able to meet your sister straight away.” He then went on to explain how their meeting was arranged

“That’s good,” Shen Ye said. “I can come with you, yes?”

“Of course,” Shu Yang said, “We should bring Xiaoshi, Tianhu, and the kids too. Tianyue and Tianyi might also want to come along.”

The more people she saw from her past, the easier it would probably be to let go of the life she had built here. 

Shu Yang left Shen Ye and walked over to his daughter Tianyi, who was at the bow of the flying ship, excitedly waiting for the city to come into view.

“Careful not to fall,” Shu Yang said, pulling her back a little.

“Dad! Will we go to see sister Hongchi first, or Aunt Jiangxi first?” Tianyi asked, smiling brightly.

“We’ll stay with the Song Family, so you’ll probably see Song Hongchi first, unless she has left for the Green River Sect already,” Shu Yang answered.

“We’ll stay at the Song Family?” Tianyi asked, surprised.

“Yes, so you’ll have to act as a bit of a bridge between the families. Don’t take this opportunity to take revenge; we’re staying there to repay Song Hongchi, after all,” Shu Yang said.

“I know, I know,” Tianyi said, nodding excitedly.

The revenge he spoke of wasn’t anything serious. Tianyi was just a bit dissatisfied with how strict her teacher had been, and some of her fellow students had been a bit mean at times. It was never anything serious, though, or Shu Yang wouldn’t even consider giving this face to the Song Family. 

Time passed quickly, and it didn’t take long until Shenchu Immortal City could be seen in the distance. The flying ship didn’t head there, though, circling around it slightly, and after another half an hour or so, arriving at the Song Family’s spiritual mountain. 

Bian Fenglin stopped the flying ship a certain distance away, so as not to crash into the formation covering the mountain. 

After only a minute or two, three people came flying over from the peak of the mountain.

“Greetings, guests. I’m Song Churong, the head of the Song Family. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” The old man in the middle asked. The politeness was probably because Bian Fenglin made no attempt to hide his aura.

Shu Yang gave Bian Fenglin a brief glance and stepped forward, clasping his fist and giving a slight bow. “Excuse the intrusion. My name is Shu Yang, and this here is Bian Fenglin of the Sword Sect. We are on our way to the Sword Sect, but need to stay here at Shenchu Immortal City for a few days. Since the Song Family has shown such hospitality to my daughter over the years, I presumptuously came to ask if we could inconvenience you once again for a few days.”

The Song cultivators looked at each other, surprised by Shu Yang’s words. They would definitely have heard about him and Bian Fenglin. Their recent actions in Yuanchi Immortal Land would hardly go unnoticed, especially by one of the families most involved. 

After collecting himself, Song Churong smiled brightly. “You are far too kind, Fellow Daoist Shu. It would be an honor for my Song Family to host you and Senior Bian Fenglin.”

He turned to an Elder beside him. “Open up the formation and let them in. Prepare a reception; they are bound to be hungry and tired from the journey. And call Hongchi over to greet her old friends.”

The formation opened, and the flying ship made its way inside under the elders’ guidance.

‘I guess Song Hongchi is already pretty valued by her family. But adding a bit of influence could never hurt.’

The spirit ship landed, and Shu Yang and Bian Fenglin jumped off, followed by the rest of his family. They all looked around cautiously, not quite understanding the circumstances, but still excited to be on solid ground again. The ground in the world of cultivation, at that.

Shu Yang walked up toward Song Churong, but before he made it, he noticed Song Hongchi flying over on light footsteps.

“Sister Hongchi!” Tianyi called out and rushed toward her.

Shu Yang had to fight his instinct to slap his forehead when Tianyi crashed into her.

“Haha,” Song Churong laughed happily, “It looks like this is both a meeting of new friends, as well as a reunion of old ones. Little Hongchi here has been quite down since Shu Tianyi left. It’s good to see them together again.”

“Tianyi has also been missing Song Hongchi a lot,” Shu Yang said with a smile.

“I can see that,” Song Churong said, laughing once again. He then turned to Bian Fenglin and bowed. “I have heard about the dashing Bian Fenglin a lot lately, but the stories don’t do you justice. It’s an honor to have you stay here.”

“There are already stories, huh?” Bian Fenglin asked with a smile. “Anyway, I’m the one who should thank you for letting us stay here.”

As they were conversing, Shu Yang caught a look from his son Tianren. His family was being approached by a few Song Family members, seemingly to guide them to a place to stay. 

Shu Yang gave him an assuring nod, letting them go get settled. 

Qianyue smiled at him and left with the others. Shu Yang didn’t try to keep her there either. He knew she, just like the others, was bound to be a bit uncomfortable around these Elders. It was better to go along with the Song Family members below the Foundation stage.

After chatting with Song Churong for a few more minutes, Bian Fenglin excused himself, saying he had some business to take care of in the city.

Shu Yang also said his goodbye, planning on having a talk with Song Hongchi and then going into the city himself to see if Jiangxi happened to be there.

“Will you be back tonight?” Song Churong asked.

“Of course,” Shu Yang answered.

“Then we will prepare a reception dinner for you,” Song Churong said with a friendly smile. “I have called Elder Guang back, and he should be able to join us. As I understand it, the two of you have already met?”

Shu Yang smiled awkwardly. “I suppose I should come by then, so I can apologize.”

Song Churong laughed. “No apology necessary.”

Song Guang was the old man who Shu Yang had talked to when he first arrived in Shenchu Immortal City. Back then, he had used a false alias, claiming to be a disciple of the Sword Sect. It was a bit awkward now that he was traveling with a true disciple of the Sword Sect.

“Dad,” Tianyi rushed toward him once the Elders had left, and she saw Shu Yang walking toward them. “Do you have the good stuff?”

Shu Yang rolled his eyes. What good stuff could he have? He had just prepared some resources from the inheritance to give. But both the formation inheritance and the Core Condensing Pill were impossible to give away, so he doubted Song Hongchi would be very impressed.

Song Hongchi watched him walk up to her, pouting slightly.

“Is this your attempt to make up for making a fool of me?” She asked.

Shu Yang rolled his eyes again. “Why didn’t you just tell me you were friends with Tianyi? If she had been with you at the tea house and spoken up for you, I obviously wouldn’t have pulled any tricks.”

“Right. Your character is impeccable. You would never attempt to trick me,” Song Hongchi said sarcastically.

Shu Yang was about to bring up that she was the one who had started it, but decided it wasn’t worth arguing about. “Whatever. Here. It’s not much, but it’s some compensation.”

Song Hongchi didn’t reach out to grab the storage ring, seemingly hesitating.

Tianyi took the ring from Shu Yang and pressed it into her hands, smiling happily. “Take it. Look inside. I said I’d bring you good stuff, didn’t I? Look inside and see.”

Song Hongchi smiled slightly and accepted the ring. “Thank you, Tianyi.”

‘What did that girl do?’

“I’m sorry about the formation inheritance. I tried to make a copy for you, but it’s impossible. It’s far too complicated for me,” Shu Yang said.

“Obviously. Did you really think the insights of a Golden Core True Person could just be scribbled down on a piece of paper?” Song Hongchi asked.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. She won’t appreciate it.’

But seeing his daughter’s happy smile, Shu Yang changed his mind. Tianyi had been feeling guilty about leaving without an explanation, and now she could finally feel at ease.

“Anyway. If you ever find yourself in the area of the Sword Sect in the future, you’re welcome to visit. You can study the inheritance as much as you want then,” Shu Yang offered.

“Yeah. You have to visit,” Tianyi urged. “Actually. Why don’t you just come with us? It’s a lot more prosperous over there.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Shu Yang said, flicking his daughter on the forehead. “She’s a disciple of the Green River Sect, and her whole family is here. Besides, she doesn’t study the sword. Going there won’t have use for her.”

“Oh? So suddenly I’m not welcome?” Song Hongchi asked.

Shu Yang sighed, admitting defeat. 

“You two talk. I’m going to go rest,” Shu Yang said, turning around and leaving.