Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"What if I had been a step too slow? How would I have explained this to Brother Yin and the seniors?" Subconsciously, Song Changsheng’s tone had taken on a harsh edge.

His original plan had been to use the [Luwu Bell] to protect Xu Yunhe. He himself had the Tai Chi Diagram, and Zhuang Yuechan had a Protective Talisman. As long as the Celestial Thunder didn’t single out any one of them, they should have all been able to survive the Thunder Tribulation.

But he never expected that Zhuang Yuechan would actually use her only Life-saving Talisman on him. The next bolt of Celestial Thunder had come so quickly, locking onto her before he even had time to react.

Even now, Song Changsheng’s heart pounded with lingering fear. Zhuang Yuechan had been just a hair’s breadth away from perishing.

Zhuang Yuechan had acted purely on instinct, without much thought. Sensing the anger in Song Changsheng’s voice, her eyes stung. She lowered her gaze and explained in a voice barely above a whisper, "I’m sorry... I was just worried about you..."

’You used your only Life-saving Talisman on me. Why are you apologizing to me?’ Song Changsheng thought with a wry smile, looking at Zhuang Yuechan, who seemed like a little girl who’d done something wrong. ’I’m just angry that you didn’t protect yourself.’

He reached out, pulled Zhuang Yuechan into his arms, and gently patted her back. "I’m the one who brought you out here," he said softly. "And I’ll be the one to get you back safely. Trust me."

Song Changsheng’s sudden move left Zhuang Yuechan flustered, but his words inexplicably calmed her heart.

It might not have sounded very convincing. After all, Song Changsheng was in terrible shape.

But this was a man who was good at creating miracles. She believed he could do it.

’And even if he can’t...’

Zhuang Yuechan subconsciously lifted her head from his embrace to look at him. ’If he can’t, then journeying to the Yellow Springs with him wouldn’t be so lonely, would it?’

BOOM!

A dull clap of thunder echoed as a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the sky. Three thick, purple pythons of electricity came crashing down, bringing with them destruction and death.

Song Changsheng’s back was to the sky, but he knew all three Thunderbolts were aimed in their direction. This, paradoxically, made him breathe a sigh of relief. If a bolt of Celestial Thunder had locked onto Xu Yunhe right now, he would have been spread too thin to help.

The three Thunderbolts rapidly grew larger in Zhuang Yuechan’s eyes, and she couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Song Changsheng’s arm.

"Don’t worry, I’m here," Song Changsheng whispered in her ear.

His calm tone helped Zhuang Yuechan relax slightly, and she gave an almost imperceptible nod.

In reality, Song Changsheng was far from as calm as he appeared. The Tai Chi Diagram’s defensive power was astounding, but it had been damaged during the siege on Dongtian Xie and had yet to recover. It had just endured two bolts of Celestial Thunder, and now three were coming at once. He had no idea if it could hold.

’If it can’t hold, I’ll have to take the rest with my own flesh and blood. Whether I survive will be up to fate...’

BOOM!

RUMBLE!

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

The three bolts of Celestial Thunder struck one after another. In an instant, the brilliant flashes of lightning illuminated the dim valley as if it were day.

The Tai Chi Diagram was like a kite in a tempest, teetering on the verge of collapse under the baptism of lightning. Its surface glow grew dimmer and dimmer, yet, against all odds, it held on.

However, the splashing Thunder Power still made Song Changsheng suffer. His back was charred black, and he could faintly smell something burning.

But Song Changsheng gritted his teeth and endured it without making a sound.

Only his pale face and the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth revealed that his condition was far from optimistic.

Zhuang Yuechan was also caught in the backlash. Her physical constitution was far weaker than Song Changsheng’s, and she had already fallen unconscious. Fortunately, her life was not in danger.

Just as Song Changsheng was bracing for the next wave, the rumbling thunder suddenly stopped.

Immediately after, a light rain began to fall from the sky. The cool raindrops landed on Song Changsheng, creating a pleasant, chilling sensation that cleared much of the fog from his mind.

Bathed in this rain, the Tai Chi Diagram, whose light had dimmed to its absolute limit, gradually began to recover its former radiance. It even grew noticeably brighter than before.

As for Song Changsheng, he only felt an itch on his back. When he reached back to scratch it, he pulled off a large chunk of flesh that had turned to charcoal.

This single motion seemed to trigger a chain reaction. Chunks of charred flesh began to fall off one after another, revealing the pink, new muscle underneath.

The cool rainwater seeped into this new muscle, and the skin on his back regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye, eventually becoming as smooth as it was before.

Not only that, but Song Changsheng also felt all his other injuries and his fatigue swept away completely.

A realization dawned on Song Changsheng. ’Could this be the legendary gift from Heaven and Earth that comes after a Thunder Tribulation?’

The Celestial Dao is impartial.

Therefore, even though the cultivation of Human Race Cultivators and Plant Spirits is an act of defying the heavens—seizing the fortune of heaven and earth for oneself—the Celestial Dao still tolerates their existence.

The Celestial Dao is just.

Regardless of race or status, once one’s cultivation reaches a certain level, it will incur Celestial Punishment. No one is an exception.

The Celestial Dao is compassionate.

Although it is a Celestial Punishment, destruction often contains the seeds of new life. As long as one can pass the Celestial Tribulation, the Celestial Dao is not stingy with its gifts.

And this rain was one form of that gift. It was actually the Essence of Heaven and Earth, imbued with Law Power. Not only could it heal injuries, but it could also perform Washing Marrow and enhance one’s Cultivation. Its uses were truly endless.

This was originally the reward for the Tree Demon for passing its Thunder Tribulation. Although it had died, Song Changsheng and the others had successfully overcome the tribulation, so the reward naturally fell to them.

This gift lasted for a full ancient hour. Song Changsheng felt his Spiritual Power restored to its peak, both in energy and mind. Even his Cultivation had progressed slightly.

Xu Yunhe and Zhuang Yuechan also awoke, having similarly received immense benefits.

After the tribulation clouds dispersed, Xu Yunhe walked over to Song Changsheng, holding the somewhat shattered [Luwu Bell]. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, "Brother Song, I owe you my life yet again. Words can’t express my gratitude, but I will surely repay this kindness a hundredfold in the future."

Looking at the crack-covered [Luwu Bell], Song Changsheng felt a pang of sorrow. It was the first Spiritual Artifact he had ever obtained, and he’d lost count of how many times it had saved him.

But now it was completely destroyed, beyond any hope of repair.

’Luwu, oh Luwu, please don’t blame me.’

After silently storing the remains away, Song Changsheng clapped Xu Yunhe firmly on the shoulder and said seriously, "Between you and me, there’s no need for such words."

Xu Yunhe was about to say more, but he glanced at Zhuang Yuechan beside them, and a lightbulb suddenly went off in his head. "Since the Tree Demon has been vanquished, I’ll go check out that great serpent’s lair. We can’t come all this way and leave with nothing."

With that said, without waiting for Song Changsheng’s reply, he flew straight toward the cave on his sword.

Watching his retreating figure, Song Changsheng shook his head with a laugh. He turned to Zhuang Yuechan and said, "That was thoughtless of me. On this trip, I obtained the Flood Dragon Scale, but you two got nothing. I hope Brother Xu finds something. I can’t let you return empty-handed."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yuechan didn’t speak, merely gazing at him quietly with her watery eyes.

Her stare made Song Changsheng a little uncomfortable. Recalling his own bold action from before, he subconsciously rubbed his nose. In the heat of the moment, he hadn’t thought much of it and had simply pulled her into an embrace. After all, it had been uncertain whether they would even survive.

Although he knew Zhuang Yuechan probably had some feelings for him, and that his action likely hadn’t repulsed her, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilt-ridden under her gaze for some reason.

Zhuang Yuechan slowly walked up to him, reached up, and removed the veil from her face, revealing a heart-stoppingly beautiful countenance.

Looking at Zhuang Yuechan, who was now so close, Song Changsheng felt his heart inexplicably begin to race. He hadn’t felt anything like this when he was holding her in his arms earlier.

Zhuang Yuechan seemed a little fidgety. Her hands, held behind her back, were twisted into knots, and an unnatural blush bloomed on her cheeks.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng was just about to ask what was wrong when a fragrant breeze washed over him, and something warm and soft pressed against his face...

...