Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

A smile appeared on the Drunkard’s face. He pointed down at the valley below and said, "It seems you’re quite satisfied with his performance?"

"Speaking of which, you could say you orchestrated that whole scene. So, as her elder, how does it feel? Like she’s all grown up and ready to fly the coop?"

The white-robed cultivator naturally knew what he was referring to. He snorted coldly and said, "He’s only passed my test. Yuechan has more than just me for an elder. He still has a long way to go."

Unexpectedly, the Drunkard was the first to become displeased upon hearing this. In a dissatisfied tone, he said, "You’re being unreasonable. Where else would you find such a fine young man? He has outstanding aptitude, he’s loyal and righteous, and he even took care of a huge problem for you."

"You schemed against him; shouldn’t you return the favor?"

"That Tree Demon was hardly a problem for me," the white-robed cultivator said, his tone light. Yet, it conveyed such strong confidence that it compelled belief.

But the Drunkard mercilessly exposed him. "You can keep telling yourself that. You could easily slay that Tree Demon, but do you dare go down there?"

"Long ago, a pact was made that Cultivators at the Purple Mansion realm and above are not permitted to set foot in the Celestial Sinking Valley. This was an oath initiated by your own grandmaster. What, are you going to violate it?"

The white-robed cultivator’s expression remained neutral, but a hint of iciness crept into his eyes. This place was truly too special; even he did not dare to tread there lightly.

The reason he had taken the opportunity to lure Song Changsheng here this time, aside from testing him, was also to use him to eliminate the Demon Beast and the Tree Demon, both of which were on the verge of breaking through to Tier Three.

So, it wasn’t wrong to say that Song Changsheng and the others had solved a major problem for him.

Seeing that the white-robed cultivator didn’t answer his question, the Drunkard didn’t press the matter and changed the subject. "That Tree Demon was originally the key to suppressing this place. Now that it has been destroyed by the Celestial Tribulation, what do you plan to replace it with?"

"You can’t just transplant another one, can you? Plant-type Spirit Monsters are as rare as a phoenix feather in these Hundred Thousand Mountains, and one with such a murderous aura is even rarer. It’s impossible to replicate."

"I have my own methods. You needn’t worry about it. Are you certain there will be no mistakes on your end?"

As soon as he said this, the Drunkard’s face fell. He replied, displeased, "What are you talking about? In the entire Daqi Cultivation World, I dare say nothing is more effective than my Spirit Wine."

"You can rest assured. If even a single thing that doesn’t belong to them remains in their bodies, I’ll pluck this old head off my shoulders and let you kick it like a ball."

"I was just asking casually. You should go down now. They should be coming out soon." The white-robed cultivator replied lightly, and then his figure faded into the white clouds and disappeared.

Meanwhile, Xu Yunhe and Zhuang Yuechan had already looted the great serpent’s lair and regrouped with Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng smiled and handed two Jade Bottles to them. "Luckily, the Tree Demon’s Life Origin wasn’t annihilated by the Celestial Tribulation. You two can make good use of this."

Neither of them refused. After they each accepted one, Xu Yunhe looked at Song Changsheng with an excited expression and said, "Brother Song, there was some really good stuff in that Demon Beast’s lair."

"Oh?" Seeing his joyful expression, Song Changsheng asked with great interest, "What did you find?"

Xu Yunhe didn’t speak. He directly took out his Storage Bag and poured out a large pile of Spirit Medicines. "The lair is a rare Gathering Spirit Land. A huge patch of ingredients was growing there. Most are Tier Two, but there are some Tier Three ones as well."

"All of them are mature?" Song Changsheng glanced over, a little surprised.

"Yes. I estimate it must have been saving them for its breakthrough to Tier Three. Now, it’s all ours."

"Brother Song, you and Fellow Daoist Zhuang have profound knowledge. Come take a look and see what these Spirit Medicines are," Xu Yunhe said expectantly.

Song Changsheng’s interest was also piqued, and he began to sort through the large pile of Spirit Medicines.

"This is a Tier Three Middle Grade Celestial Spirit Grass, this is a Tier Three Low Grade Nine-Star Seven-Aperture Lotus, Bitter Acupoint Seed, Bai Xinzi..."

Although Song Changsheng was not an expert in pharmacology, he had a good habit of reading widely. Therefore, he could identify these Spirit Medicines as if counting family treasures, quickly discerning their types and value.

He had to admit, there were quite a few treasures. Many of them were rare Spirit Medicines on the market in the Daqi Cultivation World and were highly valuable. He imagined Alchemists would be very willing to pay a high price for them.

However, that would be the most short-sighted approach. Xu Yunhe and the others had been very careful when picking them, so their roots and stems were perfectly preserved. They could be taken back and planted to maximize their value.

"Hey, Brother Song, what’s this Spirit Medicine? You haven’t said yet," Xu Yunhe suddenly asked, picking up a Spirit Medicine that resembled a ghost plant.

Song Changsheng shook his head slightly. "I don’t recognize it either. I’m afraid this might be the Celestial Immortal Grass that Elder Drunkard mentioned."

"We’ll find out for sure once we get out of here." Xu Yunhe didn’t press the issue. There were countless types of Spirit Medicines in the world; it was perfectly normal not to recognize a few.

He picked out the few stalks of the suspected Celestial Immortal Grass and set them aside, then pointed to the remaining Spirit Medicines. "Brother Song, you contributed the most in this battle. You choose first."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng shook his head. "In the end, it was I who put you both in danger. You should choose first."

Xu Yunhe frowned at his words and was about to persuade him further, but Zhuang Yuechan placed a hand on his shoulder and said irritably, "If he says we should choose, then we’ll choose."

With that, she began to make her selections, not once looking at Song Changsheng.

Seeing this, Xu Yunhe couldn’t help but move to Song Changsheng’s side and whisper in his ear, "Brother Song, did you make Fellow Daoist Zhuang angry? Wasn’t she fine just a moment ago?"

Song Changsheng was also completely baffled. ’Could it be because of what I said earlier?’

’But she wasn’t angry then. What’s going on now?’

After pondering it over and over, he could only say, "A woman’s heart is a needle at the bottom of the sea. How could you or I ever hope to fathom it?"

Xu Yunhe instantly understood, an expression of dawning comprehension on his face.

While the two were talking, Zhuang Yuechan had already finished her selection. Seeing them with their heads together whispering, she couldn’t help but find it a little amusing. But when she remembered what Song Changsheng had said earlier, she still spoke irritably, "Fellow Daoist Xu, your turn."

After Xu Yunhe walked over, Song Changsheng thought for a moment, then mustered his courage and went to Zhuang Yuechan. He asked in a low voice, "Are you still angry about what happened before?"

Zhuang Yuechan turned her head away and said coolly, "Am I such a petty person in your eyes?"

"Of course not, of course not," Song Changsheng hastily denied. But inwardly, he was wondering if her ’relative’ had come to visit. ’There was a good saying in my past life: every month, a woman always has those few days.’

But the words circled in his throat a few times, and in the end, he didn’t dare to ask, fearing Zhuang Yuechan would beat him to death.

Seeing Song Changsheng’s hesitant look, Zhuang Yuechan sighed softly. She turned back to look him in the eyes and said seriously, "Changsheng, we’ve known each other for so many years. We’re close friends who can entrust our backs to one another. I don’t want to hear those words you just said again."

Hearing this, Song Changsheng was stunned for a moment, finally understanding which of his words had caused the trouble.

That sentiment was truly what he felt, but it was clearly not appropriate to say out loud. Given their current relationship, it only created distance between them.

Having understood this point, Song Changsheng nodded with sincere conviction. "I understand."

"As long as you understand. The rest is for you." Xu Yunhe walked over, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile.

Song Changsheng glanced over and saw that neither of them had taken much; he, on the other hand, was getting the lion’s share.

But thinking back on what he’d just said, he chose to accept their good intentions. There was indeed no need for them to be so meticulous with each other.

It was just like how Xu Yunhe, unafraid of danger, had followed him into perilous lands time and again, and how Zhuang Yuechan had voluntarily taken out a Protective Talisman to bargain with the Tree Demon. Before all that, they had never coordinated beforehand, nor had they ever fussed over personal gains and losses.

"Our business here is done. Let’s get ready to head back."

The three of them flew out of the valley together on their swords. As they passed through the layer of white mist, a few minuscule black dots fell from their bodies, unnoticed.

...