Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Clan rules dictated that it could only be activated when the clan’s very survival was at stake. In the Song Clan’s five-hundred-year history, it had been activated only a handful of times, and each time, they had managed to pull through.

The last time this passage was used was during the large-scale invasion by the Lieyang Sect.

"Big Brother, do you really think things have reached that point?" Song Xianyun asked, surprised. Although the Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan’s assault was ferocious, he believed the threat was nowhere near as great as the Lieyang Sect’s previous attack.

After all, Demon Beasts were different from the Lieyang Sect. The Lieyang Sect had only targeted the Song Clan, so the other powers in Ling Province could simply watch from the sidelines, waiting to see what they could gain.

But this time was different. The tragedy in Bian Province was a recent memory; these beasts were aiming to annihilate all of Ling Province.

Therefore, regardless of any past grievances, the major powers of Ling Province would have to join forces. This would reduce the pressure on the Song Clan many times over.

Besides, Demon Wolves weren’t skilled at breaking Arrays, nor did they possess the endless variety of methods available to human Cultivators. A single Great Demon would find it very difficult to breach the Song Clan’s Clan Protection Array.

No matter how he looked at it, things hadn’t reached that critical stage.

Thus, he was somewhat dismissive of Song Xianming’s concerns.

Song Xianming sighed and said somberly, "We aren’t the only ones with a Tier Three Array. The Linn Clan of Bian Province also had a Tier Three Low-Grade Clan Protection Array. And what was the result? It was breached after holding out for only a few days."

"I suspect the Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan must have some special method for breaking Arrays. Therefore, I believe we must prepare for the worst. It’s better to be safe than sorry."

"Then, Big Brother, which clan members should we prepare?" Song Xianyun’s expression turned grim. He knew perfectly well how powerful a Tier Three Array was.

Back then, to breach the Guardian Array of Liuyun Marketplace, Liu Hongye and his men had not only infiltrated it with numerous agents to strike at the opportune moment but had also used two Tier Three Array-Breaking Talismans.

And that was when the Tier Three Array hadn’t even been fully deployed.

If it had been fully prepared and presided over by a Tier Three Array Master, even three or four Great Demons would have found it difficult to break through.

’Although the Linn Clan didn’t have a Tier Three Array Master, they did have several Tier Two Array Masters. How could they have only lasted a few days?’

Song Xianming pondered for a moment. "Changxue, Changqin, Qingshi, Qinghong, and Qingxia... Luzhou will be in charge of them. If the Clan Protection Array is breached, have them take the three main ingredients for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill and leave through that passage."

These were all the most outstanding members of the Song Clan’s younger generation. Paired with Song Luzhou, a Top-Grade Alchemist, and the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill, even if the Song Clan were to be annihilated, there would be a chance for it to rise again as long as they escaped.

"Alright, I’ll go make the arrangements." Song Xianyun nodded and hurried away.

Song Xianming silently gazed at the endless mountain range before him until... the last sliver of light was devoured by the darkness.

"AWOOOO—"

A white wolf over a hundred feet long stood atop a large rock, its head thrown back in a long howl. The sheer force of its presence made the horde of demons bow their heads.

Pale moonlight washed over its body, causing the crescent moon symbol on its forehead to glow brightly. Its thick fur resembled countless steel needles, and its phosphorescent green eyes looked all the more demonic.

This was the "king" of the Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan.

Of course, this was a king in name only. Only after breaking through to Tier Four could it become a true Demon King. For now, it was merely a chieftain.

The Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan ranked among the top ten in the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains in terms of size, but it had very few members at the Great Demon level. To date, Silver Moon was the only one.

This was related to the bloodline inheritance of the Silver Moon Demon Wolves. The mortality rate when breaking through from Tier Two to Tier Three was extremely high. However, if they survived this trial, their bloodline would ascend, and they would become true Silver Moon Demon Wolves.

Not only would they gain a more powerful physique and greater intelligence, but they could even awaken a powerful Innate Divine Technique. This was the very source of Silver Moon’s confidence for this campaign!

"Awooo, yip..."

A giant, dark-furred wolf approached Silver Moon, its posture extremely deferential.

"No! We press on through the night! We must annihilate Ling Province as quickly as possible and complete the Demon King’s mission!" A flash of anger crossed Silver Moon’s eyes. ’The Demon King’s mission isn’t even complete, yet this groveling slave dares to think about hunting for Blood Food!’

The immense pressure immediately forced the giant wolf to collapse to the ground, a suppression originating from its very bloodline.

A moment later, the advance of the demon wolf army suddenly picked up pace. In just a day and a night, they crossed the vast, uninhabited regions of Ling Province and arrived before the Moon Viewing Mountain Range.

Silver Moon had ignored the small Cultivation Families along the way, wasting no time on them.

In its eyes, they were merely lambs waiting for the slaughter. ’Once the Song Clan is eliminated, they’ll be nothing more than Blood Food for my pack!’

The Song Clan was already on high alert, fully prepared for battle. The Clan Protection Array had been activated, and layer upon layer of dense fog shrouded the entirety of Vast Mist Peak, making it impossible to distinguish truth from illusion within.

This was the Thousand Illusionary Maze Array, which the Song Clan ancestors had spent a fortune to build. Powered by a Tier Three Spirit Vein and using the Low-Grade Magical Treasure, Illusion Mist Gauze, and the Middle-Grade Magical Treasure, Stabilize the Realm, as its Array Hubs, it was an immensely powerful formation that integrated both offense and defense.

Over five hundred Song Clan Cultivators, led by Song Xianyun and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, were in position within the Array. They watched as a tide of Demon Wolves surged toward them. Even though they had all passed the clan’s combat trials, they couldn’t help but feel nervous, their palms slick with sweat.

"AWOOOO—"

Silver Moon ascended a small hill and let out a long howl.

Led by a dozen or so Tier Two Demon Wolves, several hundred Tier One Demon Wolves charged into the dense fog.

This was a common tactic Demon Beasts used to break Arrays: first, send in Low-tier Demon Beasts to wear down the defenses and probe for weaknesses, then shatter the Array with brute force.

It was simple, yet effective.

Watching the Demon Wolves enter the Array, Song Xianyun roared, "Men of the Song Clan, follow me and slay our enemies!"

"KILL!"

All the Song Clan members immediately dispersed, using their Identity Waist Tokens to melt into the dense fog.

The hunt... had begun!

——————

A giant wolf moved cautiously through the dense fog, its wide, bell-like eyes constantly scanning its surroundings. From time to time, it would cast Magic, attempting to disperse the mists.

But as soon as it cleared a patch of fog, even more would quickly crowd its vision.

This left it feeling irritated and a little wary.

Ever since entering the fog, it had been separated from the main pack. Furthermore, a strange power was pressing down on it, causing its strength to drop by nearly thirty percent.

It wanted to retreat, but it had already lost its sense of direction. Its only choice was to press forward, letting out occasional howls in the hope of finding its kin.

Just then, it felt a sudden chill run down its spine and immediately leaped sideways with all its might.

Its paws had barely left the ground when a wave of Sword Qi slashed out from behind it, carving a ten-foot-long gash in the earth.

"AWOO—"

The giant wolf landed and immediately adopted a combat stance. It opened its massive jaws, revealing ghastly white fangs, and unleashed a Wind Blade in the direction the attack had come from.

BANG!

The Wind Blade sliced an ancient tree in two, but there was no sign of the attacker.

The giant wolf scanned its surroundings vigilantly. It knew the enemy was hidden somewhere in this cursed fog.

RUSTLE!

Suddenly, it heard the sound of rustling leaves.

The giant wolf immediately fired off several more Wind Blades.

A second later, it sensed that something was wrong—there was no sign of an enemy there.

SHIIINNNG!

The sound of air being torn apart rang out.

The giant wolf instantly activated its Demon Qi, coalescing it into a shield.

A sharp wave of Sword Qi shot out from its left.

The shield shattered on impact.

Panic-stricken, the giant wolf immediately tried to dodge.

But its enemy clearly wasn’t going to give it that chance.

With a flash of Sword Light, a Long Sword thrust out from the fog, piercing straight through its hide and heart and pinning it to the ground.

The giant wolf let out a mournful cry and died in despair.

Song Qingxia’s figure materialized from the fog. She gave the giant wolf’s corpse a detached glance, and with a flick of her fair hand, the Long Sword flew back to her.

With a single flick, all traces of blood vanished from the sword, and its blade seemed to gleam with newfound sharpness.

SHIING!

The Cyan Blade returned to its sheath. Song Qingxia vanished back into the fog, searching for her next target.

Similar scenes were playing out all across the foot of Vast Mist Peak. Demon Wolves were slain, but Song Clan members also fell, their lives and cultivation extinguished.

Song Xianming stood in the biting wind, an Array Banner in hand. His gaze pierced through the thick fog, landing on the massive white wolf, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.

As if sensing his gaze, Silver Moon also looked toward the peak. A powerful battle intent was surging from that direction!

...