Sage spent a couple weeks consuming Qi regenerating pills and absorbing Spirit Stones, pouring all that energy into the Eye of the World to empower his soul. He’d already made a deal with Song Lu Tian, so when his time was running out, he used the Soul Fragment technique to form a dozen new Blacksilver Pawns. During that time, his clone had already spent a quarter century training and researching. He let out a loud laugh and then left the Universe Ring.

Looks like I’ve finally got a cheat that can make me into a main character.

He chose not to think about how difficult it was to get to this point and just focus on his upcoming improvement. After leaving the Universe Ring again, he found Wan Ling waiting for him along with a group from the Tiankong Clan. As soon as he walked in, a Flying Sword flew out of the room. By the time Sage finished greeting everyone in the room, Song Lu Tian arrived with Song Heng and Song Hong beside him. It was at that point that he realized all the Tiankong Clan members hadn’t gathered to greet him, but to make their case to Song Lu Tian.

Jiyao brandished his saber, and the dark waves smashed apart a pillar in the hall, “My blade is extremely powerful! I can even slice space to make a hiding place.”

He slashed upwards and tore a rip that he dove into. A few seconds later he jumped back out and posed proudly in front of Song Lu Tian. Before the large man could respond, Tujiu had pulled out his huge spear and it ignited with flame. He stabbed it forward and further brutalized the same pillar that Jiyao had struck and it smashed apart, sending stone debris splattering against the wall. Tujiu smiled and his eyes went up to Song Lu Tian’s bald head. Then he rubbed his own bald head, and flexed his large muscles, “I can tell we are brothers on similar paths. If we join hands, no one can dare stand against us.”

Song Lu Tian was a bit larger, but like Tujiu he was also bald-headed and a violent warrior. Tujiu was a little more strange with his lack of eyebrows and holographic foil eyes, but Sage found them to be remarkably similar in personality. At that moment, Song Lu Tian looked Tujiu up and down and after a moment his lips curled into a vicious smile. His hand flew forward with blinding speed and his fist smashed into Tujiu’s chest. Tujiu flew across the room and smashed against a wall, making a loud boom and causing the building to rumble.

“Similar paths? On the road to invincibility, there can be only one.”

Definitely not a good idea to try and bond over a pair of bald heads. Note to self, don’t mention Song Lu Tian’s lack of hairstyle.

Song Lu Tian’s indomitable gaze then shifted over to Jiyao, but before either of them escalated things, Song Heng stepped forward and cleared his throat to gather their attention, “This journey to the Icefire Valley is extremely dangerous and only a few will be going. Not even I, nor Song Hong, who have accompanied Young Master Song nearly his whole life are allowed to participate. Anyone that is not a Nascent Soul will only be a burden and will likely lose their lives if they try to enter the Icefire Valley.”

Song Lu Tian was not a Nascent Soul, but nobody dared to mention this fact. Many of them had seen his strength during that huge battle years ago. No Core Formation cultivator could be his match, and while they didn’t know how strong most Nascent Souls were, if someone said he could fight with one, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to disagree. Especially since the Mount Song Sword Sect was their current benefactor, they would be fools to speak out against their greatest young talent.

Jiyao’s lips twitched and he seemed to want to talk back and brag, but he glanced over at Tujiu who was slumped against the wall, swaying his head back and forth with dizziness. Jiyao decided to keep his mouth shut. Wan Ling pulled Song Heng aside and they seemed to talk about some more business before she walked over to Sage and smiled sweetly at him, “Alright, you boys have fun. You just need to help them get through the poisonous miasma. Don’t you dare take any risks at the center, understand?”

Yes, Maam. I may be curious, but I’m no daredevil!

Sage nodded, bowing his head to her, “Of course. You have no need to worry.”

Song Lu Tian laughed and brought Sage away, giving a respectful bow to Wan Ling and then a casual wave to the Tiankong Clan. Since they didn’t bother to bring any of them along, Sage figured they didn’t need any of the giant birds to carry them there. Ruanfu was still at the Thundercloud Sect with her boyfriend, so there weren’t any Nascent Souls other than Sage that fit the requirements for this trip. Their group of four stopped outside another large hall on another mountain peak. Song Heng and Song Hong then said their goodbyes, hugging Song Lu Tian and patting him on the back. Sage hung back to keep from ruining the moment, but he felt a bit of a brotherly vibe from Song Heng and the care of a father from Song Hong.

Ahh, the rich and powerful young man. His bodyguard is like a father and his attendant is like a sibling. He’s like the Prince of this Sect.

Then the two of them walked into the hall and there were two older men waiting for them. One of them seemed rough, he had short cropped hair and a large scar running from his forehead down to his cheek, passing through his left eye that had an ornate metallic eyepatch over it. He had a sword on his back that had what seemed to be a large textured spike coming from the pommel. The other man seemed a little older, and had long wispy hair that reached down to his waist, tied back with a long white sash that waved behind him. His eyes were slightly lidded and he had something of a kind look to his face, albeit a bit sleepy at the same time.

Song Lu Tian bowed and saluted the two of them, “Tenth Elder, Second Elder. Song Lu Tian greets you.”

The elders saluted in return with clasped fists, and then Song Lu Tian turned to Sage, “Lang Sheng, this is Tenth Elder Song Zhong, and Second Elder Song Meng.”

Sage saluted and then bowed to each of them in turn, showing as much respect as Song Lu Tian had. He wasn’t part of their Sect, and was also on the same rank as them, but he chose to act as a friend to Song Lu Tian and not as a superior. Seeing his show of respect, the two Elders smiled. The long haired one spoke first, “Song Lu Tian has told us much of you. It seems he has a good eye.”

Elder Zhong didn’t seem quite as convinced, “We shall see if he lives up to his reputation later. He’s been a guest for quite some time, so it's good that he can help earn his keep.”

Song Lu Tian walked up beside Elder Zhong, laughing as he slapped a hand against the man’s back, “Haha, you’re always so rough. Lang Sheng is my guest after all. He’s not a swordsman or even a warrior, but he’s full of tricks.”

Elder Meng nodded, “Xiao Tian is eager to go. Just relax Brother Ten, let’s be on our way.”

Song Lu Tian did not seem to enjoy being called ‘Little’, but he didn’t say anything. They walked right out of the hall, with Sage following along without asking any questions. He was sure things would be revealed in time, so he didn’t wish to seem inexperienced by asking about the details that didn’t matter.