Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

This was precisely why everyone had given up trying to stop the man after hearing he held a Celestial Annihilation Thunder. They didn’t dare gamble with their lives—getting too close meant certain death.

’To detonate a Celestial Annihilation Thunder at the Pill Tasting Conference... this is an attempt to wipe everyone out in one fell swoop. Who would be so audacious?’

Song Changsheng looked toward the epicenter of the explosion. All that remained was a small pile of black ash; the middle-aged Cultivator’s aura had vanished completely.

He was only a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator. Caught at the heart of the blast, he stood no chance of survival. His very Divine Soul had been obliterated. He had used his own life to launch a suicide attack.

At least ten people died with him, all of them exceptional disciples from major powers or pupils of Purple Mansion Loose Cultivators. Among the dead was even an early-stage Purple Mansion Loose Cultivator.

Even more were injured. The ground was littered with fragments of destroyed Magical Artifacts, and faint groans could be heard all around. Song Changsheng’s own head was ringing, as if someone were striking a great bell inside it.

"Damn you! Who sent you?!"

Suddenly, an aged, furious roar echoed from high in the heavens.

Song Changsheng looked up to see several streaks of light tangled together amidst the layers of clouds. Bursts of thunderous noise emanated from them, accompanied by flashes of sky-filling fire, arcs of brilliant Sword Qi, and waves of frost that seemed to freeze the very air.

Even the aftershocks of the Magical Combat were terrifying.

Song Changsheng strained his eyes, peering closer. He saw that while the figures were entangled, they were clearly split into two distinct factions. One side included the old Hall Master, Luu Yuming, the Cultivator with the surname Chen, and the representatives from the Celestial Vein Sect and the Golden Crow Sect.

Their Cultivation was profound and their power immense, but they were outnumbered.

The other side was larger, composed mostly of Loose Cultivators. Zhang Yan, the one who had been beating his chest and making grand promises earlier, was among them, commanding a short sword in a fierce assault against the old Hall Master.

Several others hovered at the edge of the battle, watching the slaughter with stunned expressions. They didn’t know which side to help, as they had friends in both groups.

A chill ran down Song Changsheng’s spine as he took in the scene. A total of fourteen Purple Mansion Cultivators had attended the Pill Tasting Conference, nine of whom were Loose Cultivators. Now, six of those nine were taking part in the assault on the old Hall Master.

’Of course, I’m not naive enough to think they all have a grudge against Luu Yuming. Hundred Herbs Hall isn’t stupid; they wouldn’t invite a mountain of enemies to their home.’

There was only one explanation for what was happening: this was an organized, premeditated attack. These Loose Cultivators had secretly joined forces.

’But why would they unite? And why would they dare risk universal condemnation to attack Hundred Herbs Hall?’

Song Changsheng had no answers to these questions, but he knew one thing: a great calamity was about to befall the Daqi Cultivation World.

"We have to leave. Now," Song Changsheng said. He didn’t care about the answers right now; he just wanted to get himself and Zhuang Yuechan as far away from this dangerous vortex as possible.

He glanced around but saw no sign of Rong Shaoyuan. There was no telling if he was dead or alive. At a time like this, all Song Changsheng could do was offer a silent prayer for him.

Just as they were about to leave, a barrier of light enveloped the entire Fire Tripod Mountain. Luu Yuming’s furious roar echoed from the sky, "Until this is over, no one is leaving!"

Song Changsheng sighed inwardly. Luu Yuming was clearly enraged beyond measure. He had activated the Sect Protection Array, locking everyone inside, intending to fight to the death.

This spelled disaster for everyone else. If they were caught in the crossfire of a battle of this magnitude, they would be torn to shreds.

Suddenly, Song Changsheng sensed a dangerous presence. He turned to see two figures, one old and one young, emerging from nearby.

It was Hex Tang and his Guardian.

Hex Tang was clad in a suit of heavy armor covered in scorch marks—lingering evidence of the thunderous explosion.

The style was familiar. Song Changsheng had once owned a similar piece, which he had taken from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator the Lieyang Sect had sent to ambush him. It was called the Profound Celestial Battle Armor, a replica of the Lieyang Sect’s ultimate treasure, the Profound Gang Armor. Its defensive capabilities were impressive.

This was clearly another replica, but it was far superior to the one Song Changsheng had acquired. It was a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact with astonishingly high defense, which was why Hex Tang had emerged from the blast almost completely unscathed.

His Guardian, however, was in a much worse state, his face as pale as paper and his aura faint and unstable.

"Hex Tang." Song Changsheng’s eyes narrowed. ’He’s here for trouble.’

"Song Changsheng."

Hex Tang was sizing him up as well, his narrow eyes glinting with a dangerous light. It was obvious that the man before him was injured, and to Hex Tang, this was an opportunity.

’If I can eliminate this thorn in the Sect’s side,’ he thought, ’it will be a significant bargaining chip in my bid for the Sect Leader position.’

"What, you plan on starting something here on Fire Tripod Mountain?" Song Changsheng watched him calmly, showing no trace of panic.

"Hah. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t dare," Hex Tang sneered, openly releasing his killing intent. "But right now? Hundred Herbs Hall can’t even fend for itself. Do you think they have the energy to bother with me?"

"Heh, I was thinking the same thing," Song Changsheng replied with a cold smile. Hex Tang wanted him dead, but didn’t he feel the same way about the Lieyang Sect’s most brilliant prodigy?

"Then let’s see what you’ve got!"

A vicious glint flashed in Hex Tang’s eyes. In just a few strides, he crossed dozens of yards and threw a punch straight at Song Changsheng’s face. He was planning to strike first with his pure Physical Power.

Hex Tang had no idea that Song Changsheng almost laughed out loud. ’When it comes to Physical Power, I’ve never feared anyone!’

His blood and qi surged, emitting faint roars like those of tigers and leopards. Song Changsheng threw a punch of his own. The two fists collided with a tremendous BOOM. Song Changsheng stumbled back a dozen steps before steadying himself. In contrast, Hex Tang had only been pushed back seven steps.

In their first exchange, Song Changsheng had come out on the losing end.

He glanced at the bloody cut on his fist, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. ’That Battle Armor doesn’t just have incredible defense; it actually enhances his strength, too.’

Hex Tang sneered. "I’ve long known you were a Body Refiner. Did you really think I wouldn’t come prepared?"

Song Changsheng shook out his numb arm and took a deep breath. His expression grew serious. Hex Tang was even tougher than he’d imagined; he would have to give this his all.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yuechan moved to help, but Hex Tang’s Guardian stepped in her way.

"Miss Zhuang, this does not concern you. Please, do not interfere."

"Get out of my way!" Zhuang Yuechan had no patience for his words and immediately engaged him in combat.

Meanwhile, Song Changsheng and Hex Tang clashed again, still forgoing Spiritual Power to battle with pure Physical Power.

The Profound Celestial Battle Armor had incredible defense and provided a massive boost to its wearer’s strength. Song Changsheng was quickly put on the defensive, taking several punches that left large bruises on his body.

But just as quickly, the bruises would vanish, healing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

At first, Hex Tang was smug about completely overpowering Song Changsheng. But he soon realized something wasn’t right. ’Yes, Song Changsheng is taking a beating,’ he thought, ’so why are his counterattacks getting stronger?’

In that moment of distraction, Song Changsheng landed a solid punch on his chest. The Heart-Protecting Mirror of the armor instantly caved in, leaving behind a clear fist imprint.

Enraged, Hex Tang cast his suspicions to the back of his mind and unleashed a torrent of blows on Song Changsheng, each punch landing with a sickening thud.

But he failed to notice the faint curve that touched the corner of Song Changsheng’s lips.

The principle behind the Six-armed Ape’s Body Forging Technique from the Five Beasts Body Forging Technique was simple: the more you get hit, the stronger you become. The harder the blows, the greater the effect.

He had previously used Niu Dazhuang as a training partner for this very reason. Niu Dazhuang’s physical body was incredibly tough, and although he got beaten to a pulp every day, the results were remarkable.

’The same principle applies to Hex Tang now. There aren’t many people who can overpower me. Even though he’s only doing it with the help of his Battle Armor, he’s still a rare and valuable training partner.’

’And this isn’t a spar; it’s a life-or-death battle. With no need to hold back, the effects will be even better!’

Every one of Hex Tang’s punches would become the fuel for his ascension!

...