Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

All in all, from the moment they entered the Golden Profound Cave, everything had been suffused with a bizarre aura.

In the short time it took for the two to converse, three more members of the Demon Wind Demon Hunting Team had fallen into the lava, leaving not a trace behind. They had exhausted every option but still couldn’t find the trick to the stone bridge, and could only pave the way forward, step by step, with human lives.

If this continued, the Demon Wind Demon Hunting Team would be completely wiped out without Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang even having to lift a finger.

Fortunately, the traps on this stone bridge weren’t numerous. At the cost of seven lives, they finally cleared a safe path.

“Fellow Daoist Zhu, Fellow Daoist Liu, we can cross the bridge now,” Purple Demon called out, then strode confidently onto it.

Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

At the very back were Heifeng and his only two remaining subordinates. They had long since accepted their predicament and their inevitable fate. Numbed by the successive deaths of their comrades, they were now like walking corpses, trailing mechanically behind Song Changsheng’s group.

They didn’t know if they could survive by pressing on, but they knew one thing for certain: if they dared to run, they would die.

Soon, the group arrived before the Bronze Gate on the opposite shore. They repeated the same trick, casting a spell together to open the great Bronze Gate.

Purple Demon grew increasingly excited. The moment the Bronze Gate was halfway open, he impatiently rushed inside.

“This is bad! After him!” Song Changsheng quickly gave chase.

But a moment later, the two of them halted. Up ahead, Purple Demon had stopped. His arms were spread wide, as if trying to embrace something.

Even though he could only see his back, Song Changsheng could feel the fanaticism radiating from him.

Their gazes shifted forward, and they saw a massive palace built underground. Its halls and pavilions were gilded and glorious, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

‘Things are getting stranger and stranger.’

The Jade Pendant on Song Changsheng’s chest grew hotter and hotter. This meant Zhuang Yuechan was very close, possibly inside the palace ahead.

“Fellow Daoist Zi, I’m afraid this place is more than just a simple abode, isn’t it?” Song Changsheng asked impassively as he came to stand behind Purple Demon.

Purple Demon turned around, his expression as placid as ever. “How could you or I possibly comprehend the abode of a Golden Core Master?

Now, Fellow Daoist Zhu, don’t worry about such trivialities. According to my information, the Law Origin is in there, as is that little brat who obtained the Geng Metal Qi.

Whether you enter or not is up to you.”

With that, Purple Demon flicked his sleeve, sweeping up Heifeng and his two men and carrying them to the palace’s main gate.

The palace doors were open, allowing a clear view of the furnishings inside the main hall.

Purple Demon didn’t enter rashly. Instead, he threw the taller of the three Cultivators inside. The moment the man entered the hall, Sharp Gold Qi erupted. Amidst a series of bloodcurdling screams, the tall Cultivator was shredded into a mist of blood.

“Just as I thought, another trap.” Purple Demon sneered, taking out a clay pot the size of a human head and splashing the putrid, blood-like liquid inside.

“HISSS…”

The putrid blood made contact with the Sharp Gold Qi, emitting a harsh, grating noise as plumes of blackish-red smoke rose into the air.

Seeing this, Purple Demon tossed the other portly Cultivator inside. This time, the man wasn’t shredded into a bloody mist; he just slammed onto the ground like a side of pork.

Before the man could even feel relieved, Purple Demon casually hoisted him up and continued forward.

He didn’t say another word urging Niu Dazhuang and Song Changsheng to follow, firmly believing that with such a great opportunity right before their eyes, the two of them wouldn’t be able to resist.

Just as he predicted, they soon followed without a word.

Purple Demon sneered inwardly at the sight. He led the way through the front hall and into the rear hall, where he casually tossed Heifeng and the portly Cultivator who had survived onto the floor. Turning to Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang, he said, “Do you see? We’ve arrived. That is the Law Origin.”

At his words, Song Changsheng looked where he was pointing. A metal sphere was floating in mid-air, and beneath it was a sprawling altar.

From that metal sphere, Song Changsheng sensed a powerful force unlike any he had ever encountered. It gave him a faint but unsettling feeling.

“This is the Law Origin?” Song Changsheng frowned slightly. He’d never encountered a power on the level of a Law Origin before, but his intuition was screaming that something was wrong with this thing—very wrong.

‘But that’s not important. It isn’t what I came for, anyway.’ What made him anxious was that he couldn’t find any sign of Zhuang Yuechan.

“Fellow Daoists, do you see that altar? In a moment, we will cast a spell together to activate it. Then, we can guide that Law Origin into our bodies, and our power will skyrocket!” Purple Demon’s words were incredibly enticing.

But Song Changsheng’s mind remained clear. In a low voice, he said, “Fellow Daoist Zi, let’s not be hasty about the Law Origin. What about the Geng Metal Qi you promised us?”

“Yeah! We’re already here, so where is it?!” Niu Dazhuang’s eyes were wide with fury, like an enraged bull.

A cold glint flashed deep in Purple Demon’s eyes, but he kept a smile on his face. “In my haste, I almost forgot. If I’m not mistaken, she must have wandered in here by accident and gotten trapped somewhere.

You know this is the cultivation ground of a Golden Core Master, riddled with countless Restrictions. A mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator like her could never get out without knowing the way.

She definitely can’t have escaped. If you two go looking for her now, you’ll miss the optimal window to fuse with the Law Origin. The loss would far outweigh the gain. You should focus on the prize right in front of you.”

Song Changsheng, of course, didn’t believe such an excuse. He gave Niu Dazhuang a discreet, meaningful look. Understanding immediately, Niu Dazhuang stepped forward and said, “I think Fellow Daoist Zi has a point. Compared to the Law Origin, what does the Geng Metal Qi even matter?”

“Precisely! Fellow Daoist Liu sees things clearly.” Purple Demon nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to the altar. “You two should each pick a spot. The appointed hour has arrived; we can’t delay any longer.”

“Alright, I’ll choose first.” Niu Dazhuang strode forward, even flashing a friendly smile as he passed Purple Demon.

The corner of Purple Demon’s mouth twitched as he returned an equally false smile.

Just then, Niu Dazhuang suddenly attacked. A massive fist shot toward Purple Demon’s face.

The attack was fast and vicious. Even though Purple Demon had never let his guard down, he was still caught by surprise. He had no choice but to cross his arms in front of him and brace for the blow.

Purple Demon was no Body Refiner. The punch sent him flying backward. After landing, he stumbled back dozens of steps before he managed to dissipate the immense force.

But his Cultivation was, after all, far higher than Niu Dazhuang’s. The punch hadn’t caused him much real damage, it had merely left him looking disheveled.

Before he could react, Song Changsheng, wielding the [Mountain-Shaking Halberd], leaped above his head and brought it crashing down.

“Impudent!” Rage surged through Purple Demon. Vast Mana gathered in his palm, forming a phantom fist that shot straight toward Song Changsheng.

“BOOM—”

A massive shockwave traveled up the [Mountain-Shaking Halberd] into Song Changsheng’s arms, sending him flying backward. He nearly lost his grip on the weapon.

Purple Demon flickered, appearing before Song Changsheng in an instant. Cupping his hand into a claw, he struck directly for his heart.

In the nick of time, Niu Dazhuang charged in, slamming into Purple Demon and knocking him away.

“Now!” Song Changsheng roared.

Niu Dazhuang suddenly threw out a violet-gold bracelet. In mid-air, it transformed into a purple ring of light that shot forward, slipped over Purple Demon, and merged into his body.

Purple Demon felt nothing at the moment of fusion. It wasn’t until he tried to circulate his Mana again that he discovered he could only call upon half of his former power.

“Hahaha! You old bastard, how do you like a taste of my [Purple Inheritance Gold Bracelet]!” Seeing the successful strike, a bloodthirsty smile spread across Niu Dazhuang’s face.

As the saying goes, kick a man while he’s down. Flanking him from the left and right, the two charged in for the kill…