Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The Wanlong Commerce Association was a massive organization, with businesses spanning several Cultivation Realms. It was more than just a merchant guild; it also possessed powerful intelligence-gathering capabilities. Perhaps he could learn some useful information from them.

At this thought, Song Changsheng strode toward the Wanlong Trading Company.

Song Changsheng had a distinguished bearing, and the aura he exuded was powerful and profound. The young attendant at the entrance immediately understood that a person of great importance had arrived. He hurried forward to greet him and said respectfully, "My greetings, Ascendant. Our shop is not open for business today. I beg your pardon."

Song Changsheng understood as soon as he heard the attendant. He had been wondering as he approached why everyone was waiting outside instead of going in. So, it was because the shop was closed.

"If you're not open, why are so many people gathered here?"

The attendant didn't dare to delay and quickly replied with an apologetic smile, "It's because our company's Young Master is visiting the shop for an inspection today. These customers are all waiting here hoping to catch a glimpse of her."

"Peng Siying is here?"

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Song Changsheng's face. He had been worried that the card he held wouldn't carry enough weight, but if Peng Siying was here as well, things would be much easier.

'The only question is whether Peng Siying still remembers our past association from the Black Market after all these years.'

But no matter how slim the chance, he had to try.

He quickly took out his Silver VIP Card from his robes and flashed it in front of the attendant's eyes.

Though it was just a fleeting glimpse, the attendant recognized the VIP Card in his hand. His heart leaped in shock, and he hurriedly bowed. "This lowly one was unaware of an Elder's arrival! Please, forgive me, Elder."

The attendant didn't try to further verify the token in Song Changsheng's hand. For one, his cultivation level matched the status of the VIP Card. For another, no one would dare impersonate an Honored Guest of the Wanlong Commerce Association in Gusu.

After all, Gusu was the Wanlong Commerce Association's home base. Never mind a Purple Mansion Cultivator—even an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator wouldn't have the nerve to try and impersonate one of their Honored Guests.

"I didn't identify myself, so it's not your fault," Song Changsheng said with a wave of his hand. "Let me ask you, is this Young Master you mentioned Chairman Peng's only daughter, Peng Siying?"

The attendant shot him a strange glance but quickly replied, "She is."

"Excellent. Please go in and announce that Song Changsheng of the Daqi Cultivation World requests an audience."

"Well..." A troubled look immediately appeared on the attendant's face.

"What is it? Is there some difficulty?" Song Changsheng asked, puzzled.

'He knew the status of an Honored Guest Elder wasn't all-powerful within the Wanlong Commerce Association, but had he really fallen so low that he couldn't even give an order to a young attendant?'

Fearing a misunderstanding, the attendant quickly explained, "You may not be aware, Elder, but the Young Master has been in low spirits the past few days. She came to Chixiao to clear her head and gave orders not to be disturbed by anyone, so..."

"I see. But I truly have an urgent matter and must see the Young Master. Please, go and announce me. The Young Master and I are old friends. Even if she doesn't wish to see me, I'm sure she won't make things difficult for you."

As he spoke, Song Changsheng flipped his hand, produced a piece of Tier Two High-Grade Purple Jade, and discreetly slipped it into the attendant's hand.

The attendant's face fell in alarm, and he quickly tried to refuse. "Elder, I absolutely cannot accept this."

But Song Changsheng just smiled faintly and said sincerely, "It's nothing. Just consider it a little something for your trouble."

Glancing at the valuable Purple Jade in his hand, the attendant couldn't resist. He accepted it, then gritted his teeth and said, "Please wait a moment, Elder. I'll go announce you now. If the Young Master is unwilling to see you, I beg that you don't make things difficult for me."

"Of course. Thank you for your trouble."

Watching the attendant's retreating back, Song Changsheng couldn't help but reflect, 'The saying "money talks" really holds true everywhere.'

Inside the building, the attendant clutched the Purple Jade, kept his head down, and carefully made his way to the third floor. When he reached a certain door, two beautiful and graceful female attendants blocked his path.

One of them, an attendant in a cyan dress, stared at him and said coldly, "What are you doing up here? Don't you know the Young Master is here?"

"Hmph. Chen Heng's subordinates are getting more and more undisciplined," the other attendant, clad in a crimson martial outfit, snorted. Killing intent flickered in her eyes.

The attendant trembled with fear and quickly fell to his knees. "Reporting to you two Fairies," he said respectfully, "an Honored Guest Elder named Song Changsheng is outside. He says he has an urgent matter and requests to see the Young Master. This lowly one couldn't refuse him. I beg for your forgiveness, Fairies."

Hearing his explanation, the coldness from the attendant in the crimson outfit intensified. She snapped, "Weren't you already told? The Young Master doesn't want to see anyone! Are you deaf?"

A Copper Whip that resembled a dragon's spine materialized in her hand, and she raised it to strike the attendant.

Seeing this, the attendant squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to even think of dodging. He knew the attendant before him wouldn't take his life. After taking this lashing, the matter would be over.

Just as the whip was about to strike him, a crisp, pleasant voice suddenly called out, "Hold on."

The attendant cautiously opened his eyes. After a single glance, he quickly lowered his head again and exclaimed, "This lowly one greets the Young Master!"

Peng Siying shot a glare at the whip-wielding attendant, then looked down at the kneeling man. "Who did you just say wanted to see me?"

"In response to the Young Master, it's an Honored Guest named Song Changsheng. He said he's from the Daqi Cultivation World."

"Song Changsheng... Song Changsheng..." Peng Siying murmured the name to herself. It had sounded familiar from inside the room, and hearing he was from Daqi made it ring even more of a bell.

Suddenly, a memory from long ago surfaced in her mind, and she realized she did have such a friend whom she hadn't seen in years. "Oh, so it's him!" she said, enlightened. "I haven't seen him in so long, I almost couldn't place the name."

Hearing this, the attendant let out a huge sigh of relief. It looked like he wouldn't be getting whipped today after all.

"Red Simurgh... No, Cyan Simurgh, you go personally and welcome Fellow Daoist Song." After a moment's thought, Peng Siying decided to send Cyan Simurgh, the more temperate of the two in the cyan dress.

"As you command!" Cyan Simurgh curtsied, then headed downstairs.

Peng Siying glanced at the attendant on the floor. "You were almost made to suffer. Go to Chen Heng and collect one hundred Spirit Stones. Tell him I sent you."

Overjoyed, the attendant kowtowed profusely. "Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!"

With that, he tactfully withdrew...

Outside the shop, Song Changsheng was waiting out of boredom when a woman in a cyan dress appeared before him. She was tall with delicate features. While not a world-toppling beauty, she was certainly striking.

The woman looked around for a moment, then walked straight toward Song Changsheng.

A flicker of joy sparked in Song Changsheng's heart. 'It's not that I'm expecting a romantic encounter; it's the realization that Peng Siying has agreed to see me.'

'The reason is simple: though the woman appears young, she's a Purple Mansion Cultivator. This branch doesn't warrant having a cultivator of her level standing guard. A moment's thought is all it takes to make a very good guess as to her identity.'

"Pardon me, are you Song Changsheng, Elder Song?"

As expected, the woman's first words were to confirm his identity.

"That is I."

"My name is Cyan Simurgh. The Young Master is waiting for you upstairs. Please come up to discuss whatever business you may have, Elder Song," Cyan Simurgh said coolly.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Fellow Daoist."

Cyan Simurgh didn't reply. She simply turned and headed upstairs, and Song Changsheng hurried to follow.

The crowd waiting outside began to whisper among themselves at the sight. One particularly handsome man angrily questioned the attendant at the door, "Didn't you say the shop was closed? Why does that pretty boy get to go in?"

The attendant's expression turned cold. "Watch your mouth, sir," he said in a low, stern voice. "That gentleman is an Honored Guest of Wanlong, and a guest of the Young Master herself!"

The moment he heard "Honored Guest," the man shut his foul mouth. Everyone in Gusu knew the weight an Honored Guest of the Wanlong Commerce Association carried. They were Purple Mansion Cultivators at the very least—far beyond someone he could ever afford to provoke.

Song Changsheng was oblivious to the commotion outside, but he was feeling rather frustrated at the moment.

When he followed Cyan Simurgh upstairs, he was met by a woman in a crimson martial outfit. Though it was the first time they had ever met, she was looking at him as if he were her mortal enemy.

"The Young Master is inside. Watch your eyes," Red Simurgh said, shooting Song Changsheng a vicious glare before pushing the room's door open.

...