Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

However, these methods were either extremely precious and difficult to replicate, or they were monopolized by major powers, putting them completely out of reach for a minor clan like the Song Clan.

That was why Song Changsheng had consciously limited his consumption of Pills ever since he began his Cultivation. Most other members of the Song Clan did the same.

Thus, besides having better Cultivation Techniques and aptitude, another reason Great Sect Disciples were stronger than those from minor factions was their heavy consumption of Pills—an advantage lesser powers could only dream of.

This was why Song Changsheng had been so thrilled to see the recipe.

The ingredients it listed were not rare—in fact, they were quite common, which meant the wine could be brewed in large quantities.

This was truly fantastic news for the Song Clan. Regardless of its effects, it was better than nothing, wasn’t it?

By this time, Zhuang Yuechan and Xu Yunhe had also finished reading the recipe. Zhuang Yuechan seemed rather composed; Luoxia City had no shortage of similar methods, so the recipe wasn’t particularly valuable to her.

Xu Yunhe, however, couldn’t remain calm. ’This represents a huge fortune! If we sold this, countless people would be scrambling to get their hands on it.’

"This... Is this Celestial Immortal Grass really that precious?" Xu Yunhe was in disbelief. They were just a few stalks of Tier Two Spirit Medicine, worth a few thousand Spirit Stones at most, but this recipe was priceless!

"Perhaps that Spirit Medicine has some special use. Let’s each make a copy of this recipe." Song Changsheng shook his head, not intending to investigate further. No matter how precious the Celestial Immortal Grass was, it was useless to them if they didn’t know its purpose.

Besides, the Drunkard’s warning still echoed in his ears. He had no desire to enter the Celestial Sinking Valley again; right now, he just wanted to get as far away from this place as possible.

After taking care of everything, Song Changsheng summoned his Flying Ship and flew off in the direction of Luoxia City...

After the group had left, the Drunkard and the white-robed cultivator reappeared at the edge of the Celestial Sinking Valley.

The Drunkard stared at the endlessly churning white mist below and frowned. "The entity down there is getting a little restless. If you have a plan, it’s time to use it."

The white-robed cultivator said nothing, simply reaching out to draw the long blade from his waist. The blade was straight, nearly three feet long, with a thick spine. Its entire body was a blood-like crimson, and it emanated a Blood Evil Qi so intense that even the Drunkard felt a tremor in his heart.

"Don’t tell me you’re planning to..." Watching the white-robed cultivator’s actions, the Drunkard instantly had a guess.

"Throughout the entire Daqi Cultivation World, there is likely no blade with more killing power than mine." The blade’s surface reflected the white-robed cultivator’s calm face, emitting a faint, bloody light.

The Drunkard fell silent at his words. For hundreds of years, that blade had drunk an immeasurable amount of blood. It was this very blade that had forged the name of the Blood Robe Asura, Bai Zhengchun!

"Have you thought this through? This is your only Magical Treasure."

"It is merely a blade. What difference does it make whether I have it or not?" Bai Zhengchun’s tone was level, revealing his immense confidence.

The Drunkard shrugged. "It’s your property. It’s your call."

——————

Aboard the Flying Ship, Song Changsheng stared at the ring and the Tai Chi Diagram in his hand, lost in thought.

The ring was the Void-Breaking Ring, which he had obtained after killing that Vast Alliance Steward. He had been wearing it ever since, but it had never shown any use.

But when he was locked on by the Celestial Tribulation and unable to rescue Zhuang Yuechan, the ring had activated on its own, shattering the spatial confinement and allowing him to reach her in time.

The situation had been urgent, so Song Changsheng hadn’t given it much thought. Now, however, as he looked at the ring, the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was off.

He knew that the Vast Alliance Steward had used it to break through the confinement of an Array, but he never expected it could shatter spatial confinement.

That was a bit terrifying.

Recalling Yu Dongyang, who had come seeking revenge, Song Changsheng had a faint feeling that this ring was not as simple as he had imagined. It might even bring him some unexpected trouble in the future.

Still, he wasn’t one to shy away from trouble. He would simply deal with whatever came his way.

Besides the ring, the performance of the Tai Chi Diagram also astonished Song Changsheng. It had blocked several bolts of Celestial Thunder in a row and emerged completely unscathed. Its Spiritual Light had only dimmed slightly, and it was later replenished by the boon from the Celestial Dao, causing it to shine even more brilliantly than when he had first obtained it.

This was highly unusual. The High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, the Luwu Bell, had been catastrophically destroyed after blocking just one bolt of Celestial Thunder. Yet the Tai Chi Diagram hadn’t even been singed. ’Could it be on par with a Magical Treasure?’

"Just what is your origin...?" Song Changsheng sighed softly as his finger gently traced the surface of the Tai Chi Diagram...

While Song Changsheng and his group were making their successful retreat, Song Qingxing had already consolidated his Cultivation and emerged from seclusion. But the moment he was out, he presented Song Xianyun with a problem.

"You want to take over for Changxuan and guard the Mortal Realm?" Looking at Song Qingxing, who had changed quite a bit, Song Xianyun felt a headache coming on.

As a cultivator of the "Qing" generation, Song Qingxing’s success in reaching Foundation Establishment at the age of twenty had deeply impressed the clan’s upper echelons. They considered him a genius on par with Song Changsheng and a future pillar of the clan, so they had allocated him cultivation resources second only to Song Changsheng’s.

They were just waiting for him to emerge from seclusion so he could move into one of the best manors on Vast Mist Peak.

And now, he actually wanted to go to the Mortal Realm!

Although it had become a near-tradition for newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivators to guard the Mortal Realm, geniuses didn’t need to follow "tradition."

Song Changsheng, for example.

Tossing a Purple Mansion Seed like him into the harsh Mortal Realm would be a waste of talent. What would the other clan members think? Those who didn’t know better might think he was suppressing the clan’s talent.

After all, Song Qingxing had already become an object of admiration for the clan’s younger cultivators; his every move would have a huge impact.

Furthermore, safety was a major issue. Information on Song Qingxing was likely already on the desks of every major power in Ling Province. Although they were behaving themselves for now, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t develop malicious intentions over time.

After all, one Song Changsheng was already enough to make them feel uneasy.

If something happened, the clan would be too far away to help.

Song Qingxing seemed completely unaware of Song Xianyun’s predicament and simply nodded. "That’s right."

"Do you have to go?"

"I must." Song Qingxing’s expression was firm.

Although Song Qingxing was much milder than before, his temperament was as stubborn as ever. Once he made up his mind, not even ten bulls could pull him back.

Song Xianyun rubbed his throbbing temples. "Why are you so insistent on going to the Mortal Realm? Is Vast Mist Peak not to your liking?"

"No, I have something I need to do," Song Qingxing said, shaking his head.

Song Xianyun’s eyes lit up. That made things easier. He quickly asked, "Will one month be enough?"

Song Qingxing made a quick mental calculation and nodded.

"Perfect. The clan’s annual Immortal Ascension Conference is about to be held. You can lead the team, taking Qingxi, Changkang, and Changyuan with you," Song Xianyun said with a smile. By framing it as a clan mission, he wouldn’t have to worry about the other members’ reactions. After all, it was on this very mission that Song Changsheng had rescued Song Qingxing in the first place.

Song Qingxing frowned slightly. Although the Demon Nature within him had been purged, his long-standing habits had left him somewhat reclusive and averse to crowds.

However, he wasn’t entirely unable to understand Song Xianyun’s difficulty. After a moment of frowning contemplation, he reluctantly agreed.

And just like that, the Song Clan’s "Immortal Envoy" for this year’s Immortal Ascension Conference was decided.

Soon, the other three who would be accompanying him received the news and came to meet up with Song Qingxing.

"Greetings, Seventh Elder!" Song Changkang and Song Changyuan seemed a bit stiff. Although they were technically his elders by generation, the Cultivation Realm revered strength, and they wouldn’t dare put on airs in front of the clan’s youngest Elder.

It was Song Qingxing’s first time facing such a situation, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do. He could only give a faint nod before closing his eyes to rest, saying nothing more.

Song Changkang and Song Changyuan exchanged a look. They found this newly promoted clan Elder rather difficult to get along with, so they also shut their mouths and fell silent, quietly piloting their Paper Kites onward.

Standing to the side, Song Qingxi couldn’t help but facepalm. ’Others might not know, but how could I not?’ Song Qingxing wasn’t being cold and aloof; he completely lacked experience in interacting with others and didn’t know how to communicate with strangers.

After figuring this out, Song Qingxi secretly resolved to set him straight...

...