Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Song Changsheng glanced at the straw mat beside the low table, a thrill of excitement rising in his heart. ’To sit with a Golden Core Master... an ordinary person could brag about this for a lifetime.’

He walked calmly over the flower petals to stand before Muu Guibai, then carefully knelt and sat. By then, his emotions had surprisingly settled, and he appeared quite composed.

But his composure was shattered in the next moment by a single move from Muu Guibai.

The dignified Golden Core Master, the Great City Lord himself, had actually picked up the teapot and was personally pouring him tea!

Song Changsheng’s eyelids twitched violently. He scrambled to his feet, cupped his hands, and said, "You overwhelm this junior with such an honor."

Muu Guibai watched his "panicked" display with some amusement. "It is only the two of us here. I am the host, and you are the guest. Nothing more. There’s no need to be so restrained."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng gave an awkward smile. ’You’re the great expert who slew a Demon King with his sword. I doubt you could count the number of people who can truly be at ease in your presence on one hand.’

After sitting down again, Song Changsheng noticed three cups on the table. The tea in one of the other cups was still steaming. Clearly, another guest had been here just moments ago. Furthermore, their lingering aura felt familiar, yet he couldn’t quite place who it was.

This surprised him. Ever since he had cultivated the Ten Thousand Miles Tracking technique, he could identify anyone just by "smelling" their aura, but it seemed to have no effect here.

Although he was curious, he knew better than to ask.

Muu Guibai, however, seemed to read his mind. With a faint smile, he pushed a red-lacquered wooden box across the table to Song Changsheng. "What happened before was a test Zhengchun prepared for you, young friend. We simply didn’t expect things to go awry. This is his apology to you. I hope you won’t take offense."

Song Changsheng was taken aback. He had known it was a test from Bai Zhengchun the moment he received the map, and he held no ill will over it.

After all, he and Bai Zhengchun were complete strangers. He was already immensely grateful that the man had provided a clue to the Flood Dragon Scale’s whereabouts. Though the process had been fraught with peril, he saw it as a necessary price to pay.

’You can’t just expect someone to hand it to you on a silver platter, after all.’ He didn’t think he was shameless enough for that.

Thus, Song Changsheng was rather stunned to see this "apology." When he came to his senses, he immediately and firmly refused. "Elder Bai is being too considerate. I absolutely cannot accept this. Regarding my trip to the Celestial Sinking Valley, I feel nothing but gratitude."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Besides, not only did Elder Drunkard escort us and ensure our safety, but Elder Bai also blocked the final bolt of Celestial Thunder for us. If anything, I should be the one going to formally thank Elder Bai."

Seeing Song Changsheng’s confident demeanor, Muu Guibai’s interest was piqued. "And how did you know about that?"

Song Changsheng smiled demurely. "I have never believed in coincidence, and I am even more skeptical of kindness without a cause. Elder Drunkard’s appearance was too timely, and his goodwill too sudden. That is why I had my suspicions.

"Furthermore, when we faced the Celestial Tribulation in the Celestial Sinking Valley, only eight bolts of Celestial Thunder fell. Nine is the ultimate number; a Celestial Tribulation nearly always unleashes nine bolts, or a multiple of nine. It would have been impossible for there to be only eight.

"Therefore, I dared to speculate that someone had secretly blocked a bolt of Celestial Thunder for us. I initially thought it was Elder Drunkard, but when I saw him later, his aura was stable, and he bore no trace of the Celestial Tribulation’s energy.

"This indicated that another elder had been present, but had not revealed themselves. That is what led me to this speculation."

A flicker of surprise appeared in Muu Guibai’s eyes. ’Such a meticulous mind, not at all like a young man in his twenties.’

"Since that person never revealed themselves, how did you determine it was Zhengchun?"

"I wasn’t certain at first, but I became sure after hearing Elder Drunkard describe the dangers within the Celestial Sinking Valley. Elder Bai might not care about my well-being, but he would absolutely guarantee Yuechan’s safety."

Song Changsheng had only pieced together these intricate connections on his way back. It had all been speculation until now, but the Great City Lord had just confirmed it.

After listening to Song Changsheng’s explanation, an unconcealed smile spread across Muu Guibai’s face, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Zhengchun thought he was being so discreet, never imagining you had already seen through him, young friend. But speaking frankly, his handling of the matter was indeed inappropriate. It caused you to lose a High-Grade Spiritual Artifact of exceptional quality, and for that, there must be compensation.

"So, please accept this. There is no precedent for taking back something Zhengchun has offered. Besides, this item should be exactly what you need right now. Go on, open it and have a look."

With the matter put so plainly, it would seem disingenuous for Song Changsheng to refuse again. He did as he was told and opened the red-lacquered wooden box, revealing a Jade Scroll nestled inside.

"This is a Little Divine Technique that Zhengchun comprehended long ago. It is called the Celestial Spirit Shield, and its defensive power is considerable. I hear you have already cultivated one Little Divine Technique, so mastering this one shouldn’t be too difficult for you," Muu Guibai explained with a smile.

Song Changsheng was stunned. He had expected a gift from a Purple Mansion Great Cultivator to be extraordinary, but he had never imagined it would be a gift of this magnitude.

In the Cultivation Realm, it is often said that the four pillars of cultivation are Dharma, Companions, Wealth, and Land. Of these, Dharma—cultivation methods—are considered the most precious of all, and everyone guards their own as priceless heirlooms.

This was especially true for Little Divine Techniques, which could only be comprehended when a Purple Mansion Cultivator achieves enlightenment on the Dao. Each one is unique and traditionally kept as a closely guarded secret, never to be taught to outsiders.

For instance, the Mountain-Flipping Seal that Song Changsheng cultivated and the Xunfeng Finger that Song Xianming cultivated were both passed down from their ancestor, Song Taiyi, and were considered exclusive Divine Techniques of the Song Clan.

Traditionally, only Purple Mansion Cultivators, the clan’s Pilot, and the designated heir were allowed access to them. Even if the Grand Elder, Song Xianyun, wished to study one, it would require a formal vote from the Elder Council, which spoke to their immense value.

And among all Little Divine Techniques, defensive ones were the rarest of all, their value truly inestimable.

Yet, Bai Zhengchun had given one away without batting an eye, and he hadn’t even forbidden Song Changsheng from teaching it to others!

"I thank Elder Bai for his generous gift." Pushing away such a grand gift would make him a complete fool. Song Changsheng quickly accepted it, half-afraid Muu Guibai might take it back.

"Now that this matter is concluded, we should move on to other things."

Song Changsheng immediately sat up straight, ready to listen with rapt attention.

"Back during the expedition to the Griffin Mountain Range, even I didn’t realize it was a setup. If it weren’t for you, Yuechan, Dazhuang, and the others would have likely been completely wiped out. On behalf of Luoxia City, I formally thank you, young friend."

Song Changsheng offered a few modest words in reply, but inwardly he was ecstatic. ’This is a Golden Core Master!!!’

"I once decreed that whoever managed to slay Dongtian Xie would be rewarded by the City Lord’s Mansion with one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones and three bottles of Purple Marrow Nourishing Essence Pills. That offer still stands." As he spoke, Muu Guibai took out a Storage Bag and placed it on the table.

He then added, "The Luoxia City Auction House also put up one Yin Yang Purple Tree Heart as a bounty. I’ve already had someone inquire for you, and the auction house has no intention of going back on its word.

"It is just that a great deal of time has passed, and the one they originally prepared has since been used. The next batch will require a certain amount of time to mature. Their Chief Steward has promised that they will provide you with one within thirty years!"

If the previous rewards were a pleasant surprise, this last statement was a clap of thunder that left Song Changsheng completely reeling.

’A Yin Yang Purple Tree Heart! That’s a Yin Yang Purple Tree Heart!’

’Using it increases the chances of successfully breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm! They’ve always been monopolized by the Major Sects. For an ordinary person to obtain one is harder than ascending to the heavens, yet he had just obtained the promise of one so easily!’

In that moment, the hardships of his past bloody battles and the thirty-year wait were all tossed to the back of Song Changsheng’s mind.

Compared to the opportunity to reach the Purple Mansion realm, what was a mere thirty years?

Hadn’t Chang Wudao of the Earth Fire Sect been a perfect example?

He had languished at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection stage for nearly fifty years, still waiting for such an opportunity.

And his was not an isolated case; countless others would never get such a chance in their entire lifetimes.

Seen in that light, what was thirty years?

By then, Song Changsheng would not even be sixty years old. His cultivation journey would have just begun.

Youth was his greatest asset!

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