Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Meeting his questioning gaze, Song Xianming smiled without a word. Instead, he turned to Jin Xuan and asked, "Is this your Spirit Beast?"

"Reporting to the Great Master, yes it is," Jin Xuan replied respectfully.

A flash of surprise crossed Song Xianming’s eyes. ’To think it refined its Horizontal Bone so quickly. Its bloodline must be extraordinary.’ He then said gently, "You’ve done well, too."

"Uncle, when do you think would be best to hold the Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony?" Song Luzhou asked, his expression pained.

Though the Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony would be incredibly expensive, it was the only way to announce to the world that the Song Clan had once again joined the ranks of the "Noble Races" in the Daqi Cultivation World. No matter how frugal he was, this was one event that couldn’t be done shabbily. In fact, it had to be a grand spectacle!

But just thinking about the terrifying cost still made Song Luzhou’s heart ache so much he could barely breathe.

"Let’s set it for three months from now."

Having just broken through, Song Xianming still had many things to do, such as familiarizing himself with his new stage, comprehending Little Divine Techniques, and refining a Magical Treasure. Three months was already a very tight schedule.

"As you command. I will make the arrangements immediately."

Song Changsheng glanced at Song Xianyun, understanding that the two old brothers had more to discuss. He wisely cupped his fists and said, "I’ll go help as well."

After they left, only Song Xianming and Song Xianyun remained in the great hall.

The two sat opposite each other. Song Xianyun asked, puzzled, "Aren’t you going to let Changsheng take over as the new leader?"

The two of them had privately agreed on this beforehand. Once Song Xianming broke through to the Purple Mansion Stage, he would pass the title of Clan Leader to Song Changsheng during the Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony. He himself would ascend to the position of Supreme Elder, focusing on his cultivation from then on and no longer meddling in clan affairs.

They both agreed that the resurgent Song Clan was like a rising sun. It needed a young and ambitious leader to guide the clan to even greater heights.

But Song Xianming hadn’t mentioned it just now, which left him a little confused.

Hearing this, Song Xianming sighed and stood up. "Every generation has its own battles to fight," he said somberly. "There are some things that must be brought to an end by us old folks. Only then can I entrust the clan to Changsheng with peace of mind!"

——————

The news of Song Xianming’s breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Stage spread like wildfire, quickly sweeping through Ling Province, then the Seven Provinces of the Southwest, and gradually disseminating throughout the entire Daqi Cultivation World.

The birth of a single Purple Mansion Cultivator wasn’t actually a major event in the grand scheme of the Daqi Cultivation World. But the person who broke through just had to be Song Xianming.

A century ago, Song Xianming had burst onto the scene, defeating most of the geniuses of his generation and making a name for himself across the land. Then, just as quickly, his name vanished from the public eye like a falling star.

When his name was heard again, it was accompanied by news of his failed breakthrough to the Purple Mansion. At the time, many sighed with regret, believing that a genius had well and truly fallen.

But who would have thought that after more than twenty years, he would actually succeed? For a time, even many veteran Purple Mansion Cultivators were forced to take notice.

But if others felt surprise, the people of the Martial Spirit Sect and the Liuyun Sect felt sheer terror.

In a place like Ling Province, a Purple Mansion Cultivator was the sole sovereign. With the Song Clan reclaiming its position as the overlord of Ling Province, how could things possibly end well for them?

In the Liuyun Mountain Range, atop Baiyun Peak, Du Huating, Li Siyang, Yu Cheng Mountain, Qiu Tianyang, and the others were gathered. The atmosphere was heavy. The news of Song Xianming’s breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Stage weighed on their chests like a great mountain, making it hard to breathe.

After a long silence, Qiu Tianyang slammed his large hand on the table and roared, "What are you all stewing for? Say something! What are we going to do now?!"

"What are you yelling about? Is yelling going to solve anything?" Yu Cheng Mountain shot back, exasperated.

Li Siyang just sneered, not even bothering to speak, merely watching Yu Cheng Mountain and Qiu Tianyang argue with cold eyes.

The two had never gotten along, and after a few traded words, they were both genuinely furious. The argument quickly devolved into cursing each other’s mothers, and they nearly came to blows!

"Enough! What is all this shouting? Have you no sense of decorum? Aren’t you afraid the sect’s disciples will laugh at you?" Du Huating slammed the table, stopping their quarrel.

But he quickly learned what it meant to draw fire upon himself. Qiu Tianyang glared at him and snarled, "You have the nerve to talk? Who was it that said Chang Wudao would be able to break through to the Purple Mansion Stage?

It’s been years, and I haven’t even seen his damn face!"

"Hmph. For all we know, he died in there long ago," Yu Cheng Mountain said coldly.

The reason they had all merged was not only because the Song Clan and the Liuyun Sect were so powerful that they had to unite to survive, but also because of the grand promise Du Huating had made them, which had played a crucial role.

And what was that grand promise? That Chang Wudao would definitely break through to the Purple Mansion Stage before Song Xianming, and then lead them to crush the Song Clan and kick the Liuyun Sect to the curb, allowing them all to rule Ling Province together!

And the result?

Song Xianming was already out of seclusion, while they didn’t even know if Chang Wudao was dead or alive.

They felt they had been shamefully deceived!

Du Huating’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but he couldn’t refute it. In the face of facts, all words seemed pale and powerless.

"If all else fails, let’s just run for it. We can join the Allied Army. With our strength, we could definitely carve out a territory for ourselves," a middle-aged Cultivator sitting in the corner said loudly.

He was a Loose Cultivator who had been recruited in the last two years. He had only been looking for a big tree to rest under; he had no intention of dying for the Martial Spirit Sect.

His proposal unexpectedly received a lot of support, including from Li Siyang’s and Qiu Tianyang’s factions. The foundations of their two families in Ling Province were already mostly destroyed, so they felt no psychological burden about leaving.

But Du Huating and Yu Cheng Mountain were firmly against it. The foundations of their two families were in Ling Province; how could they just abandon them for nothing?

For a moment, the great hall once again erupted into a chaotic argument.

Finally, Qiu Tianyang roared, "We can’t win a fight, and you refuse to run! What in the world do you people want?!"

At his words, everyone fell silent. It seemed there were only two paths before them: either put up a desperate, futile resistance and wait for the Song Clan’s war machine to crush them, or abandon their foundations and venture into the Hundred Thousand Mountains to start anew.

Just then, a trace of joy suddenly appeared on Du Huating’s previously grim face. He stood up and said, "Things haven’t reached that point yet. I ask you all to give me a little more time. For today, let’s adjourn."

With that, he hurried away without waiting for anyone’s reaction.

Qiu Tianyang and the others looked at each other, wondering what had gotten into him now.

’Could it be... news from Chang Wudao?’

’If that’s true, then maybe things aren’t so bad after all.’

As this speculation spread, the atmosphere in the great hall instantly lightened...

Meanwhile, Du Huating had arrived before the door to a hidden chamber. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he whispered, "Sect Leader, is it about to succeed?"

RUMBLE—

The secret door opened on its own, and a sinister, cold aura washed over him, causing Du Huating to shiver involuntarily.

"Come in and speak." Chang Wudao’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

Du Huating walked inside and immediately saw Chang Wudao seated cross-legged on a white bone altar.

His current state was terrible. His hair was disheveled, his cheeks were gaunt, and he was shrouded in a faint, barely-there black aura. His clothes hung loosely on his frame, revealing an emaciated body.

"Sect Leader?" Du Huating’s face drained of color. ’Did he fail?’

Chang Wudao gave him a faint glance, a ghostly light flashing in the depths of his eyes.

"What are you panicking for? The expenditure was just a bit high, that’s all. Has that old bastard Song Xianming already broken through to the Purple Mansion Stage?" Chang Wudao asked coldly.

"Yes, just today." Du Huating felt a wave of panic under his gaze and lowered his head as he responded.

"I can’t believe he still beat me to it." Chang Wudao’s expression instantly darkened. He looked at Du Huating and said, "I have also reached the final step, but I’m still missing one thing."

"Please give your orders, Sect Leader. I will do everything in my power," Du Huating said, overjoyed and impatient.

"Come here and lean in."

Du Huating did as he was told and stepped forward. Chang Wudao whispered a few sentences in his ear, and a look of shock appeared on his face, which quickly turned to terror!

...