Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

With some effort, Song Changsheng killed the two heavily injured Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators. The world finally fell silent.

His opponents had clearly come prepared. Their Qiankun Bags were basically empty, aside from the Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and other items used for combat.

After finishing all this, Song Changsheng sat down cross-legged on the spot. He took a few big gulps of Spirit Wine and began to regulate his breathing.

Although the process of breaking the array wasn’t long, for Song Changsheng, it had been fraught with peril. He had felt an unprecedented pressure while comprehending the Array Patterns.

If not for his own astonishing insight, which allowed him to break through his bottleneck in a desperate situation and successfully crack this Tier Two Array, he would be getting reincarnated all over again.

’Ever since I started my cultivation, everything has been smooth sailing, which made me arrogant. I thought my movements were hidden, but I was in someone else’s crosshairs the whole time. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had been here to ambush me today, I’d be a dead man.’

At this moment, Song Changsheng’s heart was filled with relief and lingering fear. ’I’ve managed to save my skin again by sheer luck.’

’This incident must be a lesson. I knew I was attracting too much attention and that the Earth Fire Sect was eager to get rid of me, yet I still dared to leave the Marketplace. It’s like I have a death wish.’

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH—

While Song Changsheng was regulating his breathing, the sky began to pale to a fish-belly white. Streaks of dawn pierced the black veil of night, descending upon the nameless mountain forest.

Three streaks of light swept in from the horizon. The arrivals only breathed a sigh of relief after sensing Song Changsheng’s aura.

Song Changsheng opened his eyes to see Wang Wanzhou’s relief, Song Luhuai’s concern, and Song Luyao’s cold indifference.

"I’ve troubled you, Elders, to rush here for this junior," Song Changsheng said, understanding the situation the moment he saw them. He stood and cupped his fists in a solemn gesture.

"As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters. Don’t be so careless next time. You must prioritize your own safety," Song Luhuai said reassuringly, stroking his beard with a gentle laugh.

"Hmph. If there is a next time, I doubt we’ll even be able to find your whole corpse," Song Luyao rebuked, her brows knitting in anger and her tone icy.

"I will take my aunt’s lesson to heart. I promise to reflect on my actions, and it will never happen again."

Song Changsheng had already realized his mistake. If only he had informed the clan elders before taking action, he never would have found himself in such a perilous situation.

If Niu Dazhuang hadn’t arrived in time, if Wang Wanzhou hadn’t honored his promise, if he hadn’t been protected by the Spiritual Artifact... even nine lives wouldn’t have been enough.

"Hmph. Utterly foolish," Song Luyao said with a cold snort, then walked to one side and began identifying the bodies of the Earth Fire Sect members.

"Changsheng, don’t take your Ninth Aunt’s words to heart. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Deep down, she actually cares for you more than anyone.

When we learned Cheng Yufei had arrived at the Marketplace six months ago, she and I secretly came down from the mountain. We didn’t contact you because we were afraid of tipping them off.

Who knew what method you used, you brat, but you didn’t just fool the people from the Earth Fire Sect—you gave our people the slip, too.

If Du Huating hadn’t secretly left the Marketplace, we still wouldn’t have known where you’d gone. We even had a run-in with that old fiend from the Qiu Clan and almost didn’t make it in time. Don’t let there be a next time," Song Luhuai said in a low voice, patting Song Changsheng’s shoulder.

Only then did Song Changsheng understand. The clan had been watching his back all along. This whole ordeal was just the result of a strange series of coincidences.

For a moment, Song Changsheng felt his eyes sting with tears.

"Hey, he’s fine, isn’t he? What’s with all the chatter?" Despite having just fought a major battle, Wang Wanzhou was still in high spirits.

"If we don’t say anything, he’ll just do more foolish things.

I’ve confirmed it. The dead man is Zhu Suixiang, one of the Earth Fire Sect’s three Tier Two Array Masters. Counting the injured Du Huating and Cheng Yufei who escaped, this is a significant loss for them.

Elder Wang, it’s our turn to make a move. Since the Earth Fire Sect doesn’t want peace, then we’ll give them what they want!" A cold, murderous intent filled Song Luyao’s eyes.

The Earth Fire Sect has provoked us time and again. If we don’t take action now, the Song Clan will become a laughingstock!

"You’re right. The Earth Fire Sect is getting more and more shameless. We need to give them a good thrashing," Wang Wanzhou said, eager for a fight.

His own lifespan was running short. Once he passed on, his clan would be increasingly outmatched by the Earth Fire Sect. He figured it was better to use what time his old bones had left to deal them a heavy blow, securing a period of peaceful development for future generations. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Song Changsheng’s heart trembled. ’A storm is brewing...’

After returning to the Marketplace, Song Changsheng stayed behind, as his mission was not yet complete. Song Luyao and Song Luhuai only returned to the clan after he promised them he would not leave the Marketplace again.

Before they left, Song Luyao gave him a Communication Flying Sword, and Song Luhuai left him a Tier Two Low-Grade Talisman he had personally crafted for protection.

After their return, the Grand Elder issued a Recruitment Order to the eleven vassal families and two Demon Hunting Teams. Their allies, the Wang Clan and the Li Clan, also mobilized. They launched a multi-pronged attack, striking back hard against the Earth Fire Sect and seizing several of its resource nodes. The entire Ling Province was shaken by the news, and the Earth Fire Sect temporarily retreated into its shell...

None of this affected Liuyun Marketplace; in fact, thanks to the conflict between the major powers, business in the Marketplace actually improved.

Song Changsheng had no spare energy to pay attention to the conflict. He was busy consolidating his cultivation. After his breakthrough to Tier Two Low-Grade Array Master, many things that had once confused him suddenly became clear.

He took the opportunity to complete the fragmented Array Pattern he had obtained earlier, comprehending an Array called the Celestial Yang Demon Refining. It shared the same origin as the Profound Sun Celestial Spirit Array, but was even more profound.

By the time he finished all this, a week had passed.

Only then did Song Changsheng have a chance to take stock of his loot from the cave.

Aside from the two Jade Scrolls recording inheritances and the Nameless Jade Token, he had also found three Jade Boxes and two Jade Bottles. What was inside was purely up to luck.

’Let’s start with these two Jade Bottles.’

He picked up a white Jade Bottle first. The moment he removed the stopper, a sweet fragrance wafted toward him. He tilted the bottle, and a thumb-sized, pink Pill rolled out.

Song Changsheng brought it to his nose and sniffed. His expression immediately turned strange. ’This... seems to be the legendary Beauty Pill?’

The Beauty Pill was a type of pill that could preserve one’s youthful appearance forever. Many female Cultivators coveted it, but it was rarely seen on the market due to the scarcity of its ingredients.

’But what good is this thing to me?’

’Hmm, I’ll save it for Mom. Let’s see what’s in this other one.’

He then opened the other purple Jade Bottle and, to his surprise, found a Tier Two Low-Grade Fiery Sun Pill. Cultivators with a Fire Spirit Root could advance their cultivation by consuming this pill, which made it perfect for him.

The haul from the two Jade Bottles was decent, but nothing special. Now it was up to the three Jade Boxes to provide a real surprise.

He opened the blue Jade Box he felt most drawn to, and a dazzling light instantly illuminated the entire room...