Chapter Sixty: Two Dragon Blood Orchids

Song Changsheng realized he had once again reached a bottleneck. Continuing to force his way forward would be futile, so he chose to pause his crafting of magical artifacts and instead slipped into the Sutra Depository, seeking enlightenment in his family’s inheritance of artifact refining techniques, hoping to find a way to break through.

He immersed himself there, forgetting both food and sleep for over ten days, yet still found no clue. But just as frustration began to take hold, good news arrived from the Contribution Hall: the Dragonblood Orchid he had been searching for for over a year finally had a lead.

Overjoyed, Song Changsheng hurried to the Contribution Hall. He walked straight to the counter and bowed respectfully to an elderly clansman with snow-white hair. “May I ask, Elder, where is the person who accepted the Dragonblood Orchid task?”

The elder glanced at him, confirmed his identity, and replied, “The person who took this task is a headhunter from the Demon Hunting Squad.”

“A headhunter?” Song Changsheng was taken aback. As an affiliated group of the clan, the Demon Hunting Squad was allowed to accept family tasks for extra income, but it was rare to encounter them in person.

“It is Shangguan Jian. A few days ago, his squad happened upon a Dragonblood Orchid. Upon seeing your posted task, he accepted it. You’re in luck,” the elder said with a genial smile.

“So it’s him.” Song Changsheng recalled he had met this headhunter once before—what a coincidence.

“If you wish to meet him, I’m afraid it’s not possible. He’s probably already left the mountain. Here’s the Dragonblood Orchid he submitted for the task. See if it suits you,” the elder said, producing a purple jade box from under the counter and opening it before Song Changsheng.

Inside lay a plant about a foot long, its form very much like a butterfly orchid, but entirely blood-red, with leaf veins shaped like dragons, flowing as if with living blood. It was a specimen of exceptional quality, likely nearly a hundred years old, with both leaves and roots preserved flawlessly. It was exactly what Song Changsheng had been seeking.

“This is excellent. Thank you, Elder.” Song Changsheng beamed and bowed.

“It’s no trouble at all. Since you are satisfied, the task is considered complete,” the elder replied cheerfully, reaching out to mark the Dragonblood Orchid task as finished.

Just then, a breathless, chubby youth burst in from outside, waving his hand and shouting, “Wait! Please, wait!”

The elder’s hand paused, annoyance flickering across his face. “What is all this commotion? Are you here to accept a task or to complete one?”

The chubby youth quickly forced a smile. “Elder, I’m here to complete a task—the Dragonblood Orchid one.”

The elder was momentarily stunned, instinctively glancing at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng, too, was surprised. It was true that he had allowed multiple people to accept the task—many had done so recently—but he had not expected two people to complete it.

After all, Dragonblood Orchids were exceedingly rare, with only a handful appearing in an entire year.

Unaware that someone had already beaten him to it, the chubby youth excitedly raised his own jade box. Inside was another Dragonblood Orchid, perfectly preserved, though not as fine as Shangguan Jian’s, yet still meeting Song Changsheng’s requirements.

The elder looked troubled. “Today really is a coincidence. Someone has already submitted the task, so it’s been completed.”

“What?” The chubby youth was instantly petrified, worry etched into his face. “Then… what should I do with mine?”

Song Changsheng shook his head. He hadn’t expected such a coincidence either, but he needed only one Dragonblood Orchid. He nodded to the elder, indicating he would take his leave.

Unexpectedly, the chubby youth blocked his path, eyes shining with hope. “You’re Uncle Changsheng, aren’t you? You posted the task, right? Please, take a look at mine—it’s a fine specimen.”

Song Changsheng looked him over in surprise—he was from the “Qing” generation, and by the look of him, only seventeen or eighteen, the eldest among them.

He felt a twinge of sentiment. The “Qing” generation was already contributing to the family—how quickly time passed.

“Uncle, please, just take a look. It really is of excellent quality,” the youth pleaded, holding out his jade box, eyes glistening with a hint of desperation.

Song Changsheng shook his head. “I only need one. I’m sorry.”

At his words, the youth’s eyes welled with tears. He lowered his head and fell silent, but Song Changsheng could just make out the sound of quiet sobbing.

This puzzled Song Changsheng. Even if he didn’t buy it, there was no need to be so upset. Dragonblood Orchids were never short of buyers—though the price might not be as high as what Song Changsheng offered, it would certainly not go unsold. What was there to cry about?

“If you’re having trouble finding a buyer, perhaps I can help,” Song Changsheng offered, thinking the youth was worried about selling it.

The chubby youth wiped his eyes, red-eyed and dejected. “I wasn’t hoping to exchange it for spirit stones. I wanted to trade it with you for one of your insights on formations.”

Song Changsheng was taken aback. “You’re a formation master, too?”

The youth nodded. “I’m a first-grade junior formation master, about to break through to intermediate, but I’ve hit a bottleneck. I wanted to trade for one of your formation insights.”

“I see. But why seek me out? The family’s Sutra Depository holds many formation insights left by our ancestors. If you sell the Dragonblood Orchid, you could exchange it for several,” Song Changsheng said.

The youth shook his head vigorously, summoning his courage. “You’re my idol. I only want yours.”

Song Changsheng stared in astonishment. Had he heard correctly—idol?

Though he’d always had a degree of self-confidence, he had never imagined one day someone would see him as their idol, especially someone not much younger than himself.

“Er… I’m just an ordinary person. There’s no need for this,” Song Changsheng replied, scratching his head.

The chubby youth immediately objected, “You’re not ordinary at all! You’re the youngest second-grade formation master in our family’s history. You’re the idol of all formation masters in the younger generation.”

Song Changsheng found it hard to believe he possessed such charisma.

But seeing the sincere devotion in the youth’s eyes, he couldn’t help but be convinced.

After a moment’s thought, Song Changsheng said, “I can give you a formation insight, but the Dragonblood Orchid is too valuable. Keep it for yourself.”

To him, sharing an insight was a simple matter. Since he’d come across such an ardent admirer, he might as well offer some guidance to a junior.

The chubby youth’s gloom vanished in an instant, his eyes sparkling as he gazed at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng took out a jade slip, inscribed some of his formation insights upon it, and handed it over.

The youth cherished it as a precious treasure, carefully storing the jade slip before quickly stuffing the jade box into Song Changsheng’s arms and dashing off.

Caught off guard, Song Changsheng called out, “What’s your name?”

Without turning his head, the youth replied, “Song Qinghong!”

…