Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"Luzhou, Yunxue, the two of you will be responsible for monitoring the Martial Spirit Sect’s movements. The Wind Language Hall will provide you with their full support. Report every half-day, without fail."

"Your nephew and daughter-in-law accept your command!"

"Chang’an, Changxuan, Luyun, the three of you are responsible for acquiring war provisions. The more, the better!"

"Changrong, you are responsible for supervising the clan’s Artifact Refiners to speed up the crafting of the [Lei Zhenzi]. You have unrestricted access to all resources within the Clan Treasure Vault!"

"Your grandson accepts the order!" Song Changrong replied in a deep voice.

"Changxiu, you will temporarily take over for Changxuan in guarding the Mortal Realm. From this day forward, no one is to enter or leave the Mortal Realm. The seven cities are under martial law!"

"Sheng’Er."

Song Changsheng took a deep breath. ’It’s finally my turn.’ He quickly responded, "Your grandson is here."

"You will come with me."

Song Changsheng was taken aback, but he respectfully accepted the order.

"Everyone, go and prepare. Meeting adjourned!"

As the group dispersed, orders were rapidly issued one after another. The entire Song Clan immediately sprang into action. All the Song Clan Members were in high spirits; this was a day they too had been awaiting for a long time.

The war they were about to fight was one of annihilation!

Such a large-scale mobilization by the Song Clan naturally couldn’t be hidden from watchful eyes. Or rather, Song Xianming had never intended to hide it in the first place. His goal was known to all.

So what if the Martial Spirit Sect found out?

They could either join forces with the Lieyang Sect and put up a desperate resistance.

Or they could flee ahead of time.

Unfortunately, Song Xianming had already sealed off that second path for them.

Over the years, the Song Clan had planted numerous spies within the Martial Spirit Sect, distributed in various positions to monitor their every move, from top to bottom.

Song Xianming didn’t expect them to obtain any classified information; he only needed to confirm that the Martial Spirit Sect’s upper echelons hadn’t slipped away.

Combined with the Yu Clan, who had voluntarily pledged allegiance, the Martial Spirit Sect was now as porous as a sieve. The moment any sign of escape was detected by Song Luzhou and Xia Yunxue, the Song Clan would deliver a thunderous blow!

The pre-war preparations were meant to reduce casualties and leave no room for error.

But if the members of the Martial Spirit Sect were in a hurry to be reincarnated, Song Xianming didn’t mind granting their wish.

Furthermore, to prevent the Martial Spirit Sect from having something like the [Space Transmission Array] in the Song Clan’s back mountain, he had also given Song Luzhou a Magical Artifact that could sense spatial fluctuations, ensuring they would have nowhere to hide!

For a time, the entire Ling Province was on edge, filled with panic and fear. Everyone was terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

Amidst this tense atmosphere, Song Changsheng and Song Xianming arrived at the "Moon Viewing Marketplace".

Song Xianming looked at the [Black Star Ship], a Quasi-Celestial Ship hovering in mid-air, and said, "When the time comes, it will need to join the battle as well."

A Quasi-Celestial Ship’s Attack Power was no less than that of an Early-stage Purple Mansion Cultivator, and its role in a siege battle was undoubtedly immense.

"No problem, but the issue of the Marketplace’s defenses..." Song Changsheng hesitated.

Once the war started, the Song Clan would be deploying in full force. It was likely that someone would take the opportunity to stir up trouble. The Marketplace’s single Tier Two High-grade Array probably wouldn’t be enough.

Song Xianming didn’t answer, asking instead, "Have you been slacking in the Array Dao these past few years?"

"Your grandson has not slacked off for a single day. I am now a Tier Two Top-grade Array Master."

During his three years of seclusion, Song Changsheng hadn’t just broken through to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. He had also diligently cultivated the Array Dao and the Path of Artifact Refining, reaching the Tier Two Top Grade in both.

His cultivation of the "Five Beasts Body Forging Technique" had also reached the Great Success Realm, just one step away from the Perfection Realm.

He had also refined the Spirit-Slaying Gourd to the Top Grade and the [Celestial Measuring Ruler] to the Middle Grade. It had been a very productive time.

"Then do you know the key difference between a Tier Three Array and a Tier Two Array?"

Song Changsheng shook his head. ’If I knew, I wouldn’t be at Tier Two Top Grade, but Tier Three Low Grade.’

"Then watch closely."

As soon as he finished speaking, a short, stout middle-aged Cultivator walked out from the side. He glanced at Song Xianming with a touch of awe, then said respectfully, "Reporting to the Clan Leader, the terrain survey is complete."

"Mm, thank you for your trouble, Wang Tributor." Song Xianming nodded slightly.

"It is my honor," the middle-aged Cultivator replied, his eyes filled with reverence.

Song Changsheng recognized this man. His surname was Wang, his given name Xuande. Three years ago, Song Changsheng had proposed at a clan meeting that they should recruit Tributors for the clan. After tireless efforts, they had gradually hired three, all of whom were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, each with their own special skills.

Their only responsibilities were to train Song Clan Members and complete tasks assigned by the clan. They were not required to participate in combat, and they were free to come and go as they pleased, enjoying a great deal of freedom.

The man before them was a Tier Two High-grade Array Master. At this level, an ordinary salary was no longer enough to move them. He had come for the Song Clan’s Array Dao legacy and greatly admired Song Xianming.

After receiving a few pointers from Song Xianming, he often referred to himself as a disciple.

"Then let’s begin."

Song Xianming took a few steps forward, Flying into the air above the Marketplace. With a sweep of his great sleeves, invisible waves of power spread out. Dozens of triangular Array Banners materialized out of thin air from all corners of the Marketplace, followed by a large, pitch-black seal and a brilliant golden net.

Such a major commotion naturally attracted the attention of the many Cultivators in the Marketplace, nearly causing a panic.

But soon, Song Lutong appeared from the City Lord’s Mansion and announced that Clan Leader Song was replacing the Marketplace’s Guardian Array, which finally calmed everyone down.

Compared to the crowd’s alarm, Song Changsheng was feeling even more shocked at that moment.

"This is..."

Song Changsheng’s eyes widened as he watched the scene before him, his face filled with disbelief. ’The old man actually dismantled the Array I set up with a mere flick of a finger, and without damaging the Array Foundation or Array Patterns. It’s simply incredible.’

’Is this the gap between a Tier Three Array Master and a Tier Two Array Master?’

WHOOSH.

With a sweep of his great sleeve, Song Xianming gathered up all the Array Banners and Magical Artifacts.

Then, he was seen swiftly tracing patterns in the air with his hands. The Array Patterns left behind by Song Changsheng actually began to shift on their own, quickly becoming completely unrecognizable.

"To directly transform Tier Two High-grade Array Patterns into Tier Three Low-grade ones... such divine, unfathomable skill! Truly divine and unfathomable!" Wang Xuande was so excited his lips were trembling. ’I knew I had made the right choice in coming to the Song Clan. The scene I witnessed today was a level of mastery I could not hope to achieve even with a hundred years of bitter cultivation.’

A sharp glint in his eyes, Song Changsheng watched Song Xianming’s movements, deep in thought.

After the Array Patterns finished transforming, Song Xianming waved his hand, and over a hundred crimson-purple, cloud-patterned triangular Array Banners appeared, circling around him.

Song Xianming’s eyes were slightly closed, his fingers held together like a sword. The Array Banners moved as if they were extensions of his own limbs. Wherever his sword-fingers pointed, a number of banners would arrange themselves into different formations and descend, merging into the area around the Marketplace.

In less than an ancient hour, all one hundred and eight Array Banners had merged into the ground surrounding the Marketplace.

After finishing all this, Song Xianming’s face was slightly flushed and his forehead was beaded with sweat. Clearly, setting up an Array Formation in this manner was not easy for him either.

But he did not stop. From his Storage Bag, he took out a bead that was brimming with Spiritual Qi and shrouded in a watery mist.

’A Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact, the [Water-Control Bead].’ Song Changsheng instantly recognized the Magical Artifact. It was one of the two Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts that Song Xianming used to wield.

"With this artifact as the hub, [Profound Yuan Water Control Array], arise!"

With a soft cry from Song Xianming, the entire Marketplace trembled. The Luoshui River churned, its waters swelling into towering waves.

A pale blue curtain of water materialized out of thin air, enveloping the "Moon Viewing Marketplace".

"Why is it a Tier Two Top-grade?" Song Changsheng was a little surprised, but he quickly recalled that the Marketplace’s Spiritual Vein couldn’t support a Tier Three Low-Grade Grand Array.

This [Profound Yuan Water Control Array] was currently only a half-finished product, somewhere between Tier Three and Tier Two. But once a Tier Three Spirit Vein was nurtured, and the Magical Artifact suppressing the Array Hub was replaced with a Magical Treasure, it could transform into a true Tier Three Low-Grade Grand Array.

Song Xianming descended from the clouds, his breathing slightly ragged. This Array Formation had clearly taken a significant toll on him.

"Did you have any insights?"

"I’ve gained some understanding, but there are still parts I don’t quite grasp."

The transition from Tier Two to Tier Three was a watershed moment, one that involved comprehending the "Dao." For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, making this leap was extraordinarily difficult. In the entire Daqi Cultivation World, only Song Xianming and one member of the Celestial Vein Sect had ever succeeded.

Song Xianming glanced at the bewildered-looking Wang Xuande and smiled. "To have gained any insight at all is already quite good. Take this time to reflect on it carefully. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come and ask me. Strive to break through to Tier Three Low Grade as soon as possible."

...