Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

However, the Song Clan had not taken this matter lightly. When Song Luyao was in charge of the Wind Language Hall, she dispatched a large number of spies to infiltrate Yang Province and gather a wealth of intelligence.

Later, after Song Changsheng took over the Wind Language Hall, he paid special attention to this area of intelligence. Among the reports was a list of outstanding Cultivators from the Lieyang Sect’s new generation.

Those able to attend the Pill Tasting Conference were naturally pivotal figures among the Lieyang Sect’s younger generation. Based on his appearance, Song Changsheng quickly determined the man’s identity.

The great-grandson of Lieyang Sect’s Supreme Elder Hex Tai—Hex Tang.

Hex Tang could be considered the leading figure of the Lieyang Sect’s new generation and a strong contender for the next Sect Leader. Although he only possessed Wood and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, he had reached Foundation Establishment on his own at the age of twenty-five without consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill. Now, not yet fifty, he had already broken through to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. He was the Lieyang Sect’s most promising candidate for breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm.

A glint flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. ’This is not an easy person to deal with. I’ll need to plan for the long term and guard against any of his secret plots and schemes.’

According to the spies’ intelligence, Hex Tang was cunning and ruthless, willing to do anything to achieve his goals. He was a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.

Meanwhile, Song Changsheng’s abrupt turn left Hex Tang stunned. He had imagined many possible reactions from Song Changsheng, but he had never expected this.

’Damn it, how dare he ignore me!’ Hex Tang felt a wicked fire coursing through his body.

Song Changsheng’s indifferent expression and final, contemptuous glance made Hex Tang feel like a buffoon. The man hadn’t paid him any mind at all.

Having been famous from a young age, he had never suffered such a grievance. The killing intent in his heart for Song Changsheng blazed even hotter.

With a flick of his sleeve, he returned to his grotto-abode. Upon seeing the old man seated peacefully inside, his expression instantly returned to calm. He never showed his true emotions in front of outsiders.

"Young Master, did you see that Song Changsheng?" the old man asked respectfully, rising to his feet.

"Hmph. Just an arrogant fool, nothing to worry about. Have you found out who killed the people from the Demon Suppression Hall these past few days?" Hex Tang snorted coldly.

"According to the information released by the Hundred Herbs Hall, it was a remnant of the Blood Demon Sect. But this old servant feels that’s not the whole truth. The Hundred Herbs Hall is definitely hiding something," the old man said, his tone hesitant.

Hearing this, Hex Tang’s interest was suddenly piqued.

"Is there an opportunity for our sect to profit from this?"

The old man glanced at him and said helplessly, "Young Master, the Sect Leader is at a critical juncture right now. It’s best not to stir up trouble. The old ancestor has given an order: we must return immediately after the Pill Tasting Conference."

"Heh, just don’t regret it later." Hex Tang sneered but didn’t insist. He didn’t dare defy his own ancestor’s command...

Ten days passed quickly. The city, both inside and out, was unexpectedly calm. The culprit seemed to have vanished without a trace, never appearing again.

It seemed as if everything was over.

Song Changsheng and the others were finally allowed to ascend Fire Tripod Mountain.

Fire Tripod Mountain was the headquarters of the Hundred Herbs Hall. It was never open to the public and only allowed outsiders to ascend during major events.

It possessed three Tier Three Spirit Veins and was thousands of zhang high. It looked like a colossal, legless cauldron connecting heaven and earth. The mountain was covered in lush, overlapping forests, brimming with vitality.

A white jade staircase, so long one could not see the end, led directly from the foot of the mountain to the summit.

Song Changsheng and the others stepped onto the staircase in batches and began their ascent to the peak.

Fewer than fifty people were participating in this celebration, but their status and standing were extraordinary. They were either Purple Mansion Great Cultivators or outstanding Cultivators with a Purple Mansion background.

Song Changsheng saw not only Hex Tang but also Rong Shaoyuan, with whom he had once cooperated. He had now become the Young Clan Leader of the Xiang Province Rong Clan, the heir to a Purple Mansion Family.

The two exchanged a look, then tacitly glanced at Hex Tang. The Song and Rong clans had once joined forces to set a trap for the Lieyang Sect, and if necessary, they wouldn’t mind doing it again.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend!

At the top of the stairs was a vast, sprawling plaza. Low tables were arranged in the center, and beautiful female attendants in white Flowing Immortal Skirts bustled among them.

Aside from the primary seats on the left and right reserved for the two major sects, the other seats were not fixed. As juniors, Song Changsheng and Zhuang Yuechan naturally took seats at the very back.

By this time, their low table was already adorned with rare fruits, Spirit Wine, and several exquisite pastries.

Whether by coincidence or not, Hex Tang and his Guardian chose seats directly opposite Song Changsheng, staring at him with a cold smirk.

Song Changsheng didn’t even bother to spare him a glance, engrossed in his own quiet conversation with Zhuang Yuechan. This enraged Hex Tang to the point of apoplexy. It was contempt, pure and simple contempt.

"Young Master, the woman beside him appears to be Zhuang Yuechan, the youngest disciple of the Great City Lord," the old man beside Hex Tang suddenly said.

Hex Tang’s attention had been fixed on Song Changsheng. Hearing this, his brow furrowed. "What? Why are they so close? Is Luoxia City going to side with the Song Clan?"

He trusted his Guardian’s perception and knew he wouldn’t be mistaken. If the Song Clan and Luoxia City were truly standing together, it would be a major problem for the Lieyang Sect.

"It probably hasn’t reached that stage yet, but we must still be on our guard. If necessary, we will have to intervene and sabotage it!" A fierce glint flashed in the old man’s eyes.

Although he was still talking with Zhuang Yuechan, Song Changsheng’s attention remained fixed on the pair. Even though the old man concealed it extremely well, he still caught that fleeting, cold glint.

This made Song Changsheng secretly raise his guard. After all, a spear in the open is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is difficult to defend against.

Just then, two elders with the air of immortals arrived and took the main seats of honor. One was Bai Wuming, whom he had met once before. Song Changsheng did not recognize the other, but he could tell the man’s status was above Bai Wuming’s and that he was a Purple Mansion Great Cultivator.

"I am Luu Yuming, the current Master of Hundred Herbs Hall. On behalf of everyone in the Hundred Herbs Hall, I thank all you fellow Daoists for gracing this Pill Tasting Conference with your presence. I hope you will not hesitate to offer your corrections and will enjoy yourselves to the fullest." Luu Yuming stood up and announced to the crowd in a clear voice.

"The Hundred Herbs Hall’s Pill Tasting Conference is a rare event indeed! We had to come, no matter what," a portly Purple Mansion Cultivator said with a chuckle.

"Indeed. The last conference is still fresh in my mind. I wonder if we’ll get to see Master Luu personally perform Alchemy this time."

"I’m more curious about what new and unusual Pills there will be this time. I was quite fond of the Red Face Pill from last time."

As soon as Luu Yuming spoke, the atmosphere in the plaza immediately became lively.

Song Changsheng was also covertly observing this Master of Hundred Herbs Hall. ’This man is extraordinary,’ he thought. He was the only Tier Four Alchemist in the entire Daqi Cultivation World. His status surpassed even that of a typical Golden Core Master, and he ranked among the top Alchemy Masters in the surrounding cultivation realms.

Even Su Ding Master of the Golden Crow Sect would have to be polite and respectful in his presence.

Furthermore, this man was also the oldest Purple Mansion Cultivator in the Daqi Cultivation World. He was nearly six hundred years old, yet his vitality showed no signs of decay.

Legend had it that he had consumed a Treasure Pill that could extend one’s life by two hundred years, giving him a lifespan of seven hundred years. No one knew if it was true, but from Song Changsheng’s perspective, the Master of Hundred Herbs Hall did not look like someone whose lifespan was nearing its end. He likely still had a long time to live.

Just then, Luu Yuming stood up, holding his wine cup. He faced the crowd and announced loudly, "Fellow Daoists, young friends, please drink this cup with me!"

With that, he drained the cup in one go.

Everyone else also rose to their feet and drank a cup of wine. As they sat back down, Song Changsheng felt Luu Yuming’s gaze seem to linger on him for a moment, though he wasn’t sure if he was imagining it.

Then, Bai Wuming stood up and announced in a loud voice, "The conference will now begin! The first item for everyone to sample is the improved Divine Cultivation Pill, refined by our hall. We hope everyone will not hesitate to offer their critiques!"

...