Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"What could possibly happen here? You’re thinking way too much," Xing Zhao said optimistically. He trusted that his Martial Uncle wasn’t a fool. This was Song Clan territory; a fight couldn’t break out here. After all, a Tier Three Array Master was no pushover.

"Senior Brother, Yuechan, I have some things to take care of. Let me show you to your guest rooms to rest first."

"You go ahead and get busy. We’re not in a hurry." Zhuang Yuechan shook her head. She was still a little worried. ’It’s better to wait here.’

"That’s right, we’re not in any rush. If you have things to do, Little Junior Brother, go on ahead. Don’t worry about us," Xing Zhao said with a chuckle.

"Alright then. I’ll handle it as quickly as I can. Please excuse me."

After bidding them farewell, Song Changsheng went to Yu Xueqian’s room as quickly as he could. He already had a good idea of the purpose of her visit.

Sure enough, the moment he entered, he saw Yu Xueqian drop to her knees before him. With her head bowed, she spoke in a rushed, urgent tone, "Young Clan Leader, the Yu Clan has been disrespectful in the past, but that was entirely due to the coercion and manipulation of the Earth Fire Sect! We of the Yu Clan have absolutely no intention of opposing the Song Clan. We beg the Young Clan Leader to be magnanimous and allow us to atone for our mistakes with meritorious service!"

Song Changsheng jumped in surprise and quickly moved aside. Yu Xueqian was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, yet she had kneeled to him without hesitation. He didn’t dare accept such a grand gesture.

He shook his head slightly. "There’s no need for this, Fellow Daoist."

He took a few steps forward, intending to help her up. But as he drew near, a faint, exotic fragrance wafted past his nose, causing the blood in his veins to stir restlessly.

Song Changsheng’s gaze hardened, and he retracted the hand he had just extended. Only then did he notice that Yu Xueqian’s style of dress tonight was quite bold. Her snow-white skin was faintly visible beneath a thin silk robe, and her fine hair hung damply, clear evidence that she had just bathed.

’Something isn’t right.’

Just as Song Changsheng was about to step back, Yu Xueqian raised her head at the perfect moment, her eyes meeting his at close range.

In that instant, even the worldly and experienced Song Changsheng was momentarily stunned by Yu Xueqian’s beauty.

She had a classic oval face, fair and lovely, with gracefully arched brows, a fine, straight nose, and vibrant red lips. Her flawless cheeks held a captivating, drunken flush, and her watery eyes shimmered with crystalline tears, creating a pitifully beautiful sight that would stir pity in anyone’s heart.

Though not as breathtaking as Zhuang Yuechan, the exotic fragrance emanating from her added significantly to her allure, making one unable to resist the urge to draw close.

If he still hadn’t figured out Yu Xueqian’s ploy by this point, he might as well be considered hopelessly stupid.

His gaze turned abruptly icy. He retreated several steps in a flash and said in a cold voice, "It would be best for Elder Yu to rise. Whatever you have to say, say it standing!"

Yu Xueqian was no fool. From Song Changsheng’s actions and tone, she knew her little act had backfired.

She sighed inwardly. ’I knew this method was unreliable. Song Changsheng achieved fame at such a young age; how could he be so easily swayed by a woman’s charms?’

But she couldn’t go against the insistence of her clan’s elders, so she had to give it a try, however reluctantly.

In truth, she had been holding onto a sliver of hope, thinking that with her looks, even if Song Changsheng’s will was firm, a few tearful pleas might soften him up and place the Yu Clan in a more favorable negotiating position.

She never expected it to provoke such a strong sense of disgust from him instead.

This left Yu Xueqian feeling both defeated and increasingly worried.

She obediently stood up and said in a low voice, "It was an order from my clan’s elders. I had no choice in the matter. I beg the Young Clan Leader’s forgiveness."

Song Changsheng merely stared at her coldly, offering no reply.

But Yu Xueqian should be thankful. Thankful that the perfume she wore had no hallucinogenic or bewitching properties. Otherwise, she would have been decapitated by now.

Song Changsheng didn’t consider himself a saint like Liu Xiahui, capable of remaining completely unperturbed by a beautiful woman. He couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances at a beauty, but that didn’t mean he would willingly be manipulated. Such an act infuriated him.

"I’m very busy. If you have something to say, say it. Don’t waste our time."

Hearing Song Changsheng’s icy words, Yu Xueqian’s heart filled with even more resentment. She gave a slight bow and said, "My clan is willing to act as an inside agent, to serve as the Song Clan’s informant. At the appropriate time, we will open the Baiyun Peak Mountain Protection Array for the Young Clan Leader and the Ascendant to atone for our past transgressions."

Anyone with eyes could see that the Song Clan’s rise was now an unchangeable fact. One didn’t even need to guess their next move: it would surely be to annihilate any power that dared to resist them and establish hegemony over Ling Province.

That was why the Liuyun Sect had decisively chosen to submit. Liu Hongye personally attending the Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony was a clear demonstration of their stance.

With that, the only one left for the Song Clan to eliminate was the Martial Spirit Sect.

Within the Martial Spirit Sect, the Earth Fire Sect and the Qiu Clan had opposed the Song Clan at every turn. There was no room for them to surrender; they were certain to be made an example of.

The Li Clan had gone even further, betraying the Song Clan to join the Earth Fire Sect.

No matter where one went, there was only one way to deal with traitors: death!

Therefore, the Li Clan had no path to surrender either.

Thus, after receiving the news of Song Xianming’s breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm, they were all contemplating whether to fight to the death or flee. Surrender was not even an option.

They knew it was an impossibility.

But the Yu Clan was different. Firstly, there was no blood feud between the Yu Clan and the Song Clan. Moreover, their foundation was still in the Wutong Mountain Range; they hadn’t fully integrated into the Martial Spirit Sect. The relationship was more like a partnership.

Secondly, Yu Cheng Mountain believed his clan had value to be exploited.

And so, Yu Xueqian came here.

The official story was that she was here to express the Martial Spirit Sect’s reverence, a ruse to confuse the Song Clan and buy time. In reality, she was here to offer up her clan’s services.

Of course, one couldn’t pledge allegiance empty-handed.

Yu Xueqian was the first gift Yu Cheng Mountain had sent for Song Changsheng, but that gift had already been rejected.

Looking at Song Changsheng’s frigid expression, Yu Xueqian hurriedly presented the Yu Clan’s second gift.

"Young Clan Leader, according to our Clan Leader’s investigations over the past few days, Chang Wudao is likely only one step away from the Purple Mansion realm. The Martial Spirit Sect’s war preparations are a stalling tactic, and it’s highly probable they have colluded with the Lieyang Sect. Please, Young Clan Leader and Ascendant, make your preparations early."

Song Changsheng, who had been unmoved until now, suddenly had a sharp glint flash in his eyes upon hearing this. ’Chang Wudao is about to break through to Purple Mansion?’

It was no secret that Chang Wudao was in secluded cultivation for a breakthrough. Such things were hard to hide from those who were actively investigating, as breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm wasn’t something one could decide on a whim.

It involved personnel transfers, the collection of materials to forge the Purple Mansion, and adjustments to external policies.

Furthermore, the individual themselves would disappear from public view for an extended period.

Every major clan had spies. By piecing together these clues, one could generally guess the truth with a high degree of certainty.

But by the same token, breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm was not so simple.

There were two main requirements: a Heart Method and a Spiritual Vein.

The Earth Fire Sect did not possess a Tier Three Heart Method suitable for Chang Wudao’s cultivation; otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent Cheng Yufei to bid for one in Luoxia City back then.

And in the end, that Heart Method had fallen into Song Changsheng’s hands.

Even if he had managed to obtain another Heart Method, what about the Spiritual Vein?

A Purple Mansion Cultivator’s breakthrough required a Tier Three Spirit Vein, and in all of Ling Province, only the Song Clan possessed one. Baiyun Peak was still on a Tier Two Spirit Vein.

’Could it be that Chang Wudao isn’t in Ling Province, but somewhere else, like the Lieyang Sect?’

’If that’s the case, then it’s possible.’

He took the matter a bit more seriously in his heart, but he maintained his cold expression and said flatly, "I will consider what you’ve said. Is there anything else?"

"Not for the moment."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Song Changsheng’s heart. He nodded. "Wait for my word."

With that, he turned and swept from the room.

Song Changsheng wasn’t particularly concerned about whether the Yu Clan’s offer of allegiance was genuine or a ruse.

When the Song Clan made a move, they didn’t do it by halves; they would strike with the force of a thunderclap, using their full strength.

Even if Chang Wudao had already broken through to the Purple Mansion realm, and even if the Lieyang Sect intervened, the Song Clan had already prepared for every contingency. At worst, they could retreat completely unscathed. A mere Yu Clan could change nothing.

Did they really think the Song Clan couldn’t break the Mountain Protection Array of Baiyun Peak without their help?

What a joke!

In this corner of the world, Ling Province, when it came to Arrays, if the Song Clan claimed to be second, no one would dare claim to be first.

Baiyun Peak? Could it possibly stand in their way?

...