Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Sensing Song Changsheng’s gaze, Zhuang Yuechan met it with a smile, but gave no reply.

After the group returned to Celestial Sound Mountain, both Xu Yunhe and Zhuang Yuechan entered seclusion to refine the gains from their trip. After all, the boon granted by the Celestial Dao after overcoming a Celestial Tribulation was for far more than simply recovering from one’s injuries.

Song Changsheng, however, got his wish and received a summons from the Great City Lord.

In fact, his original purpose for coming here had been to meet the Great City Lord, but the expedition had prevented him from getting the chance.

He had thought he would have to wait a while longer, but to his surprise, the moment they returned to Celestial Sound Mountain, the Great City Lord’s third disciple, Xing Zhao, came looking for him with a direct summons.

Walking alongside Xing Zhao up the white jade steps that led to the Great City Lord’s place of seclusion, Song Changsheng wore a solemn expression. A sudden sense of pilgrimage welled up within him.

Ordinarily, he should have been used to this, as it wasn’t his first time meeting the Great City Lord. But things were different now. In the past, though the Great City Lord’s name was renowned, he was still considered a tier below the very top figures of the Daqi Cultivation World’s pyramid.

But now, the Great City Lord had broken through to the Golden Core realm within a year and had slain the Thunderous Demon King head-on outside Luoxia City. His power and prestige were on a completely different level compared to the past.

The most crucial point was that the Great City Lord was the only Golden Core Master in a thousand years who did not come from one of the two Major Sects. This held a special significance for the many other powers in the Daqi Cultivation World...

Celestial Sound Peak was covered in Spiritual Peach Trees planted in a myriad of graceful forms. Although it wasn’t the season for them to bloom, the branches were still heavy with blossoms. A gentle breeze swept through, sending thousands of petals swirling into the air like dancing pink butterflies.

In the center of the peach grove stood a small pavilion. Inside was a low peach-wood table holding a pot of hot tea, a Go board, and three teacups. Beyond these, there were only two middle-aged men—one standing, one sitting.

Muu Guibai wore a Purple Jade High Crown and a white robe whiter than snow. He knelt gracefully by the low table, extending a hand so fine even a woman would be envious. He picked up a Go stone, black as ink jade, from its bowl and placed it on the board. "Zhengchun, it’s your turn," he said with a faint smile.

At his words, Bai Zhengchun casually placed a stone and said with an air of boredom, "Senior Brother, surely you didn’t call me here just to play Go. My skills are rather poor; I’m afraid I can’t offer you a proper challenge. How about I go fetch Fourth Senior Sister for you?"

"Playing Go is just a pastime. I invited you for another matter." Muu Guibai calmly placed a stone, splitting the white dragon into two sections. His tone was gentle and unhurried, as pleasant as a spring breeze.

"It’s about Song Changsheng, isn’t it?" Seeing his defeat was sealed, Bai Zhengchun bluntly conceded the game.

Muu Guibai returned the stones to their bowls one by one and said lightly, "Celestial Sinking Valley is a forbidden place. Your actions went a little too far."

"The choice to go or not was in his hands. I didn’t interfere in the slightest. In fact, I even went along to protect them. It’s unreasonable for you to say that, Senior Brother," Bai Zhengchun said with a playful grin, leaning casually against a pillar.

Seeing him act this way, Muu Guibai sighed softly. "We shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of the younger generation. I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened in the past."

Hearing this, Bai Zhengchun’s smile vanished. He stared at Muu Guibai and asked, "Aren’t you worried at all?"

"What’s the point of worrying? Whatever the future outcome, it will ultimately be Chan’Er’s own choice. What does it have to do with us?

I know you all harbor resentment towards the Song Clan, but you should understand even more clearly that we are the ones who caused all of this, not Song Xianming.

As for what happened back then, he was a victim too." Muu Guibai’s voice was filled with helplessness. The events of that year were still vivid in his mind, a crease that could never be smoothed out.

At this, Bai Zhengchun’s gaze also dimmed. He shot to his feet and said angrily, "Wasn’t it all because of that fool, Zhan Tianxia? If he hadn’t acted on his own, we wouldn’t have..."

"Enough!" Muu Guibai cut him off, a trace of sternness in his voice.

Bai Zhengchun opened his mouth, but ultimately sat back down under Muu Guibai’s stern gaze, picking up his teacup and saying no more.

Seeing his reaction, Muu Guibai’s gaze softened. He sighed and said, "Zhan Tianxia was indeed at fault back then, but he wouldn’t have done it without our indulgence and tacit approval.

What happened back then is in the past. I don’t want to see it happen all over again with Chan’Er. You’ve seen who you wanted to see, and you’ve tested him. Tell everyone to stop. He’s a good kid."

Bai Zhengchun nodded sullenly.

The two sat in silence, each lost in thought. For a moment, the atmosphere in the pavilion seemed to freeze.

Outside the pavilion, a north wind howled and peach blossoms fluttered, as if it were a completely different world from the one within.

After a long while, Bai Zhengchun stood up. He placed a red-lacquered wooden box on the low table and said, "The person you’re waiting for is here. I’ll take my leave first. I’ll trouble you to pass this on for me, Senior Brother."

With that, Bai Zhengchun stepped out of the pavilion, his figure gradually disappearing among the fluttering peach blossoms.

Muu Guibai glanced at the wooden box, already knowing its contents, and nodded slightly. ’To offer this... they’re showing great sincerity.’

A short while later, Song Changsheng arrived outside the pavilion, led by Xing Zhao.

"Master, Young Clan Leader Song is here," Xing Zhao reported with a respectful bow.

"Song Changsheng congratulates the Great City Lord on ascending to the Golden Core realm, adding five hundred years to your longevity!" Song Changsheng bowed hastily.

"Thank you for your trouble. You may go," Muu Guibai said to Xing Zhao with a smile and a nod. Then, he beckoned to Song Changsheng. "Come closer. Let’s talk."