Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Retracting its Inner Alchemy for inspection, it discovered a glaring crack upon the surface. The sight sent it into such a rage that it coughed up another torrent of blood. Damage to an Inner Alchemy was almost irreversible, akin to the Life Origin of a human Cultivator.

At this moment, the thought of retreat had already formed in Silver Moon’s mind. It could feel the presence of death.

But Song Xianming, his fury having reached its zenith, would never give it that chance. He channeled all his boundless rage and killing intent into a single strike!

WHOOSH!

The Sword Qi arrived in an instant.

All of Silver Moon’s fur stood on end as it desperately dodged to the side.

But the sword’s light was faster. In a flash of blood, one of Silver Moon’s forelegs was instantly lopped off.

Silver Moon could no longer stay aloft and plummeted toward the ground, its massive body leveling a small hill on impact.

Song Xianming staggered. The previous two strikes had almost completely drained his stamina.

Gazing at the half-dead Demon Wolf, he gritted his teeth and raised his sword once more, yet he hesitated to deliver the final blow.

He knew his own condition best. With his remaining strength, he could muster one more strike at most. After that, he would be completely spent. ’If the Demon Wolf dies, that’s fine. But what if it doesn’t?’

The beast might look grievously wounded, but the injuries were only skin-deep. As a Great Demon on par with a Purple Mansion Cultivator, Silver Moon’s Divine Soul Power was already incredibly strong.

Even if it lost its Physical Body, the clan on Vast Mist Peak would have no way to defend against its Divine Soul.

’The only way to end this for good is to annihilate its Divine Soul along with its body.’

’Looks like I have to use that move.’ Song Xianming’s gaze turned ice-cold.

He was only a single step away from the Purple Mansion Stage. By burning his own Life Origin, he could temporarily break through to that realm and wield immense power.

He had used this technique once before to defeat the formidable Lieyang Sect Supreme Elder, He Tai. It was also what had severed his path on the Dao.

With what little lifespan he had left, doing so was tantamount to suicide.

Faced with this choice, Song Xianming didn’t hesitate. ’I’ve already lost two of the younger generation. Now it’s my turn!’

Just at that critical juncture, a massive, pitch-black Warship emerged from the leaden clouds.

At Song Changsheng’s command, a thick beam of light, freighted with all his fury, shot from the black cannon port on the Warship’s prow, aimed straight at the Demon Wolf.

BOOM—

This single shot, powered by every Spirit Stone the three of them possessed, blasted the lower half of Silver Moon’s body to pieces.

The sudden assist stunned Song Xianming for a moment. But when he saw Song Changsheng’s figure on the Warship, a wave of relief washed over him. He then summoned every last bit of his strength and unleashed his final sword strike.

The Sword Light descended, and the Great Demon was slain!

His power completely spent, Song Xianming fell unconscious, plummeting like a bird with a broken wing...

Just then, a ball of crystalline white light rose from Silver Moon’s massive head, vaguely taking the shape of the Demon Wolf.

Its eyes were filled with hatred and malice. It couldn’t believe it had actually fallen at the hands of a bunch of ants.

"You bastard! I’ll kill you!" Silver Moon’s Divine Soul roared, charging straight for Song Changsheng.

With a deadpan expression, Song Changsheng produced a crimson Talisman and ripped it in two.

It was a Tier Three Low-Grade Trigram Fire Heaven-Burning Talisman he had taken from the Treasure Vault upon leaving the clan. He never thought it would come in handy here.

Silver Moon’s Divine Soul was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire. The flames clung to it like maggots on a bone, searing its Soul Body and forcing a bloodcurdling wail from the intense pain.

Song Changsheng felt not a shred of pity. Instead, he raised the gourd in his hand.

The Spirit-Slaying Gourd, a weapon made to slay Divine Souls!

"Gourd, slay the spirit!"

An Invisible Blade cut through the air, slicing countless raindrops in two before striking Silver Moon’s Soul Body.

Silver Moon’s Divine Soul could no longer hold on. It shattered into fragments and was incinerated by the Trigram Fire.

Thus, the Tier Three Great Demon was annihilated, body and soul!

——————

Six miles from Vast Mist Peak stood a barren, Nameless mountain, no more than ten thousand feet high. The Song Clan disciples usually just called it the back mountain. With no Spiritual Vein and sparse vegetation, it was devoid of life.

Inside a cave deep within the mountain, concealed by an Array, Song Luzhou sat cross-legged with a dozen or so of the younger generation, including Song Qinghong and Song Qingxia. Every face was grim. Song Luzhou had dug his nails so deep into his palms that they were bleeding, but he remained oblivious.

The cave was utterly silent, their breathing barely audible.

They were awaiting their fate.

If the clan fell, they were to open the door behind them and take the one-way Space Transmission Array within, fleeing Ling Province and perhaps even the Daqi empire itself.

Their clan members were fighting desperately on the front lines, while they could only sit here, waiting to flee for their lives. For these young people, it was an unacceptable reality.

Just then, Song Changxue shot to her feet, drew her sword, and started for the exit.

Song Luzhou’s brow furrowed. "What do you think you’re doing?" he snapped.

Song Changxue had yet to fully recover from her failed attempt at Foundation Establishment. Her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were rimmed with red. "I’m going to fight alongside our clan members!"

"Absurd! What difference can one person make? Your duty is to stay here! If the clan falls, you are its last hope, the final embers! That is your responsibility!" Song Luzhou thundered.

"Uncle!" Song Changxue tried to protest.

SLAP!

The sharp sound shocked not only Song Changxue but everyone else as well.

Everyone stared at Song Luzhou in disbelief.

Everyone knew Song Luzhou treasured his niece. He had doted on her even more after her failed Foundation Establishment attempt. And now, he had actually struck her.

Song Changxue clutched her swelling cheek, staring blankly at Song Luzhou. It was the first time her uncle had ever laid a hand on her. She suddenly felt tears welling up.

But when their eyes met, she froze.

Song Luzhou’s somewhat pudgy face was contorted, his eyes were bloodshot, and unshed tears glistened within them.

He roared in a low, hoarse voice, "You think I don’t want to go? You think I’m afraid of death? You think your uncle is a coward?

My elders are fighting and dying on the front lines! My brothers are bleeding for this clan! My own kin are out there sacrificing themselves! You think I don’t want to be fighting side-by-side with them?

I do, but I can’t!

You, me, all of you... we carry the clan’s legacy! We are responsible for its future! This is an order, and it is a duty! It is not up for debate!

If there’s anyone to blame, it’s ourselves for being too weak! A single beast has pushed us to the very brink!

Children, you must train hard. The future of the clan rests with you."

As his words ended, Song Luzhou seemed to age decades in an instant. He sagged against the cold wall and slowly slid to the floor.

The cave fell silent once more. A silent fury burned in everyone’s eyes.

Song Qingxia wiped her sword over and over, her eyes cold as ice. ’That’s right,’ she thought, ’it’s because I’m too weak. If I were just a little stronger, would I be cowering in this cave?’

Song Changxue huddled in a corner, hugging her knees and crying silently. ’It’s all my fault. I’m useless. The clan worked so hard to get that Foundation Establishment Pill, and I wasted it. If I hadn’t failed, would our chances of victory be even a little higher?’

’Young Clan Leader, I, Qinghong, have failed you.’ The youth once known as Little Fatty looked at the Jade Scroll in his hand, his heart filled with guilt. It contained the insights into the Array Dao that Song Changsheng had once given him. Though its direct use had passed, he always kept it with him as a motivation to train.

He felt he could never face Song Changsheng again. ’After all these years, I’m still so weak...’

At this moment, every heart was filled with some mix of anger and self-reproach; a cocktail of emotions too varied to name.

Yet a fire was also being kindled in their hearts—a fire that would drive them to train harder, to fight their way up.

Seeing their resolve, Song Luzhou nodded to himself. ’The clan didn’t choose wrong. As long as they hold on to this conviction, even if we lose today, the Song Clan will rise again!’

"It’s gone quiet," the usually taciturn Song Qingshi said suddenly.

Song Luzhou had noticed it too. The sounds of battle from outside had ceased.

A sense of unease crept over him. ’What was the outcome?’

DONG...

A deep, solemn bell toll rang out. Everyone in the cave stirred with excitement. They had won! They had won!

It was the bell of victory!

...