Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Back then, he hadn’t thought anything was wrong.

It was only after a huge fight with Song Qingxi that he began to restrain himself.

The clan’s Elders and Song Changsheng had all mistaken this for a sign that Song Qingxing was transitioning to the Emotionless Dao.

They were all wrong. This wasn’t the Emotionless Dao at all—it was the Demon Dao!

This was the way of Demon Cultivators!

Paranoid, bloodthirsty, tyrannical, cruel, and... utterly disloyal to kith and kin.

So, from the very beginning, this was never the work of a Heart Demon, because Song Qingxing himself was a "demon."

"Jyeh heh heh... Have you remembered now? You and I have always been one. All these years, those people have suppressed our true nature and restricted your growth.

They’ve watched you from the shadows, ready to take our life at any moment.

If those people knew we were a demon, what do you think those self-proclaimed followers of the Righteous Dao would do?

So, abandon those pointless emotions. I am the only one you can trust, because we are inseparable.

Come, join me. Together, we will create a glorious future..."

The other "Song Qingxing" wore a bizarre smile as he slowly opened his arms in a welcoming embrace.

Song Qingxing lifted his foot and slowly walked toward him.

"Jyeh heh heh." Seeing Song Qingxing approach, the other "Song Qingxing" let out a gleeful laugh.

But in the next instant, the [Traceless Sword] appeared in Song Qingxing’s hand—who knew from where—and swiftly plunged into the other’s heart.

The other "Song Qingxing" stared at the identical face before him, his own expression one of pure shock.

"You talk too much," Song Qingxing said coldly. He then pulled out the [Traceless Sword] and ruthlessly stabbed it in again.

"I am not you, and you are not me."

"I am a human, not a demon."

"I have people I respect, and more importantly, people I love."

"I will find you, and I will grind your bones to dust!"

As his voice fell, Song Qingxing swung his sword, lopping off the head that was identical to his own.

As the head hit the ground, it still wore an expression of utter disbelief...

Inside the seclusion chamber, Song Qingxing slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint of Sword Qi flashing within them before vanishing.

His gaze fell upon the [Traceless Sword]. He reached out to gently stroke its sheath and whispered, "I owe it all to you."

The [Traceless Sword] was exceptionally mysterious, far more than it appeared on the surface. Although Song Qingxing had successfully made it acknowledge him as its master, he was still unable to fully unleash its power.

The situation this time had been perilous. Song Qingxing had already been on the verge of sinking completely, just a hair’s breadth away from fully Falling into Demon.

If the [Traceless Sword] hadn’t unsheathed itself and struck his Divine Soul, severing the Demonic Qi’s entanglement with it, he would never have regained his senses to finally eliminate the threat. The consequences would have been unimaginable.

The [Traceless Sword] did not react to his thanks.

Song Qingxing paid it no mind. He slowly closed his eyes and began to inspect his current condition.

The Foundation Establishment Three Passes were cleared. The Sword Embryo had transformed into a Sword Foundation. Most of the impurities in his body had been expelled, and Gang Qi now circulated around him.

Therefore, he had now successfully broken through, becoming the Song Clan’s ninth living, and the "Qing" generation’s first, Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

Furthermore, his Sword Momentum had successfully transformed into Sword Intent, making him a true Sword Cultivator.

A Sword Foundation plus Sword Intent.

Talent like this was rare, even in the Celestial Sword Sect, which was renowned for producing Sword Cultivators.

After quickly cleaning himself up, Song Qingxing waved his hand to open the cave residence’s Restriction and walked outside.

A crowd had already gathered outside the cave residence.

Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, Xia Yunxue, Song Qingxi...

One familiar face after another was present, and every one of them wore expressions of sincere relief and joy.

Song Qingxing paused, stunned. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he slowly bowed and said, "Greetings, Elders."

The Elders exchanged glances, each seeing the surprise in the others’ eyes.

This was truly a first. The old Song Qingxing had never bowed to them, let alone spoken to them voluntarily. Today truly set a precedent.

Song Xianyun stepped forward and helped Song Qingxing up, a kind smile on his face. "Good, good child. We are all family. There’s no need for such formalities.

I never expected that in just a few months of seclusion, you would successfully reach Foundation Establishment without relying on a Foundation Establishment Pill. The clan is proud of you. Luhuai and Changsheng would be proud of you, too. You have not let down their expectations."

Two familiar faces appeared in Song Qingxing’s mind, and his stern expression softened slightly. Now that the influence of the Demonic Qi was gone, his emotional changes were much more apparent than before.

But years of habit were deeply ingrained, so he only managed a stiff acknowledgment in response to Song Xianyun.

Even so, it was enough to surprise everyone. After all, the old Song Qingxing would have, at most, given a slight nod.

"It seems this seclusion has changed the boy a great deal," Song Luzhou remarked with feeling.

"Yes, for the better. We can all rest easy now," Xia Yunxue replied with a smile, holding the hand of one-year-old Song Qingyun.

Song Qingyun was Song Changsheng’s adopted son, Lingyun. With the Grand Elder’s approval, he had been formally renamed Qingyun. Once he marries a woman from the Song Clan in the future, he will be officially entered into the family register.

Compared to before, Song Qingyun no longer slept all day long, but he still got drowsy often. Even now, his eyelids were beginning to droop...

"You’ve just broken through, so you should focus on consolidating your Cultivation. I know you don’t like dealing with people, so I’ve brought you the [Sword Control Technique]. Go and cultivate it well."

Song Xianyun placed a Storage Bag in Song Qingxing’s hand, offered a few more words of encouragement, and then led the others away. After all, with a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the clan, many things needed to be adjusted and arranged.

Only Song Qingxi remained. She hurried over to Song Qingxing, stuck her tongue out playfully, and said, "The Elders were all here just now. I was too scared to even speak.

How did you break through so quickly? I heard it took our youngest uncle several years to break through! You have no idea how worried I’ve been..."

Watching the girl chattering on in front of him, a sudden warmth and impulse surged through Song Qingxing. To Song Qingxi’s gasp of surprise, he pulled her into his arms.

Song Qingxi’s face turned crimson. After a slight struggle, she whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, "Don’t... Great-Grandfather and the others haven’t gone far."

Song Qingxing said nothing, merely tightening his arms around her.

——————

The Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range was located deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a remote and perilous region.

After several days of flying, Song Changsheng, Zhuang Yuechan, and the others finally arrived at their destination. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they had fought their way there.

Although millions of Demon Beasts had been wiped out in the Hundred Thousand Mountains during the last great war, their numbers ran deep, and large swarms of them still roamed the area.

Fortunately, they didn’t run into any Great Demons or Demon Kings, only some Tier Two and reckless Tier One Demon Beasts. With their combined strength, the three of them could handle such encounters with ease.

"Yuechan, Brother Xu, we’ve used up a lot of energy getting here. The journey to Celestial Sinking Valley ahead will likely involve more difficult battles. I see a Spirit Mountain not far from here. Let’s go down and rest for a bit," Song Changsheng said, pointing to a scenic mountain peak ahead.

"Good idea. We’re not in a rush, anyway," Zhuang Yuechan said with a nod.

"But I don’t think the master of this place is too happy to see us," Xu Yunhe said teasingly.

"It’s just a Tier Two Low-Grade Striped Tiger." Song Changsheng smiled faintly, tapped his toes, and landed lightly on the Spirit Mountain, triggering a series of tiger roars...

About half an ancient hour later, the three of them were sitting around a fire on the mountaintop. Song Changsheng was focused on turning a simple grill, occasionally sprinkling some mysterious powder on top.

Before long, a peculiar, appetizing aroma wafted through the air, making one’s mouth water. Even Zhuang Yuechan couldn’t help but secretly swallow.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu always treated those jars of spices like treasure. I never thought Brother Song would have a jar of his own. I’m truly envious," Xu Yunhe said with a "jealous" look.

Song Changsheng chuckled and was about to offer a witty retort when a strange voice suddenly drifted from the distance: "That meat smells delicious."

...