This matter was nothing more than a minor episode for Song Changsheng. He did not take it to heart, and after asking the clan elder to cancel the mission, he returned to his small courtyard.
Now, the fundamental elements required to practice the "Body-Engraved Array Method" were all in place, and he could finally proceed with the practical application.
During this period, he had conducted a comprehensive verification of this technique, optimizing and supplementing several unreasonable aspects to make the method more feasible.
Although the process remained extremely perilous, there was at least a hope of success.
"The cultivation process for this method is long. To be safe, I should go to the Cloud-Entering Hall to practice; that way, I can have Grandfather protect my formation."
At this time, Song Xianming was in seclusion and should not have been disturbed, but since this was a matter concerning his very life, he had to consider everything thoroughly.
Carrying all his materials, Song Changsheng climbed to the mountain peak and bowed loudly outside the great hall: "Grandson greets Grandfather!"
Inside the Cloud-Entering Hall, Song Xianming slowly opened his eyes. With a finger calculation performed within his sleeve, he realized he had been in seclusion for over six months.
"This boy has never disturbed me during my seclusion. Could it be that he has encountered some major, difficult decision?"
With a wave of his sleeve, the great doors swung open.
Song Changsheng stepped inside and walked straight to Song Xianming, saying respectfully, "Grandfather."
"What brings you here?" Song Xianming asked kindly.
Holding out a jade slip with both hands, Song Changsheng said, "Your grandson once obtained a strange technique at the foot of the mountain. I have now made all the necessary preparations, but because it is a path never before trodden, I have come to disturb you."
Understanding, Song Xianming took the jade slip. Upon reading it, he was instantly shocked by He Yunxuan's audacity; his first thought was, "Impossible."
However, after reading it carefully, he discovered that while the method was madness, it was not mere fantasy; it was entirely feasible.
Given his own mastery of formations, he could not help but feel a sense of sincere admiration for He Yunxuan; the man truly deserved the title of Formation Grandmaster.
But as Song Changsheng said, these were all theories. No one had ever put them into practice. The first person to attempt it was like a person testing a new drug—they had to bear immense risk.
He looked seriously at Song Changsheng and asked, "Are you certain you want to cultivate this method?"
Song Changsheng nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Your grandson has made up his mind. This time, it is either success or death!"
"Does your mother know of this?"
Song Changsheng hesitated slightly before shaking his head. "I do not. I do not want her to worry."
"Sigh, she ought to know. This method is incredibly perilous. While it might not be a case of one in ten survival, it is not far from it. Once something goes wrong during cultivation, it results in a permanent separation between heaven and man. This is unfair to her," Song Xianming sighed deeply.
"If I were to tell Mother, she certainly would not agree." How could Song Changsheng not understand that this was unfair to her? But he knew even better that she would never let him take such a risk.
In her eyes, his living a healthy and happy life was more important than anything else, even if he were merely a mortal.
But Song Changsheng himself did not wish to settle for mediocrity. He would rather become one of the hundreds of millions of withered bones on the path to longevity than waste his years only to watch himself be slowly buried in the yellow earth.
Today's gamble was merely to allow him to walk further in the future.
Looking at the determined Song Changsheng, Song Xianming felt a momentary sense of trance. A figure in his heart gradually merged with Song Changsheng. He reached out to touch that face and said desolately
"You... I originally thought your personality was vastly different from your father's, but in the end, you are just like him—a stubborn mule. Once you decide on something, even eight true dragons cannot pull you back. Since you have decided, then go ahead and do it. Grandfather will stay by your side and wait for the day you emerge successful from your seclusion."
Looking at the aged Song Xianming, Song Changsheng's eyes grew stingy. He knelt on the ground and bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Grandfather, for granting my wish!"
"Sigh." Song Xianming stood up and walked out of the seclusion room without looking back. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, the doors slowly closed, leaving Song Changsheng alone inside...
Once the last sliver of light was swallowed, Song Changsheng stood up. He took out all the necessary materials and arranged them one by one.
Then, he placed his Universe Bag on a nearby shelf. Looking at the [Youth-Preserving Pill] that had not yet been given away, Song Changsheng whispered softly, "Mother, please forgive your unfilial son."
After placing the pill carefully in a safe place, he took one last large gulp of spiritual wine. With a look of determination in his eyes, he began to practice the "Body-Engraved Array Method."
First, he took out the bronze cauldron and refined all dozen or so spiritual herbs into liquid form.
The first step of engraving the array required him to refine these herbal liquids into his own body. This was a body-tempering method used by physical cultivators to rapidly increase the strength of their physical forms.
Although this method carried low risk, the entire process would be extremely painful, and once started, it could not be stopped. Even among physical cultivators, few dared to use this method.
Not only did Song Changsheng have to use it, but he had to use it for nine full rounds, because he was not a physical cultivator. Only by doing this could he rapidly elevate his physique to a strength comparable to a magical tool.
Only upon reaching such strength could his body bear the array patterns and serve as the foundation of the great array.
*Gurgle, gurgle.*
Refining the herbs into medicinal liquid was not difficult and was completed quickly. For a moment, the entire seclusion room was filled with the fragrant scent of spiritual herbs.
Song Changsheng poured these liquids into a prepared large vat and mixed them with a certain proportion of spiritual spring water; thus, the medicinal liquid for his first body-tempering session was ready.
He stepped into it naked and began to absorb the liquid.
It was fine at first; he only felt a warm sensation throughout his body. But as time passed, his skin began to itch, as if countless ants were crawling all over him.
He endured it with all his might, but what followed were waves of heart-piercing pain. He finally could not help but let out a scream, his whole body trembling like a sieve.
Yet, he had no intention of retreating. Instead, he accelerated the speed of absorption. More intense pain surged like a tide, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to persevere.
An hour later, the liquid was fully absorbed. Song Changsheng leaned against the side of the vat, exhausted. He felt the muscles all over his body twitching rhythmically; with every twitch, the strength of every muscle fiber gradually increased.
The effect was quite significant, but the process was far from pleasant.
After regaining his ability to move, he performed only brief breathing exercises before beginning to refine the second batch of herbs.
This time, he used less water than before, with a higher proportion of medicinal liquid and a richer variety, reaching twenty types.
As he immersed himself in the liquid once again, the familiar pain arrived, but this time it was far more intense than the first.
After this absorption was complete, it took Song Changsheng a full day of lying still before he regained his mobility.
He did not back down and continued to refine the herbs. This time, he reached twenty-five types...
(End of Chapter)