Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The great battle had just ended. The Song Clan had once again climbed out from the abyss, its five-hundred-year foundation preserved. While this was certainly a cause for celebration, it was far from a time to relax.

In the aftermath of the battle, Vast Mist Peak was left with nothing but widespread devastation and an intractable mess.

Now, with the Grand Elder critically injured and on the verge of death and the Clan Leader collapsed from exhaustion, the Song Clan had abruptly lost its two main pillars. It could be said that they had entered their most perilous moment in five hundred years. The slightest misstep could risk utter ruin.

With no other choice, Song Changsheng, who had just returned from Xuu Province, had to step up and bear the heavy burden.

He first took control of the Clan Protection Array, then mobilized a batch of Spirit Stones from the Treasure Vault to replenish the energy consumed by the Black Star Ship.

With Song Xianming still unconscious, this Quasi-Celestial Ship was the Song Clan’s most powerful asset. Therefore, it was imperative to ensure it remained in peak condition at all times.

Next, he dispatched all the spies from the Wind Language Hall. This was to prevent anyone from taking advantage of their weakness, and also to get a clear picture of the current situation in Ling Province.

He then asked his mother, Xia Yunxue, to lead the remaining Law Enforcement Disciples in collecting the bodies of their clan members, cleaning the battlefield, and taking stock of their losses. By the time this process was complete, it was already the next day.

Immediately after, Song Changsheng tirelessly convened a meeting with the clan’s upper echelon...

Inside the conference hall of the Minor Affairs Hall.

Song Changsheng’s eyes were red and swollen, and his expression was haggard. Still, he forced himself to stay alert and said in a hoarse voice, "The clan meeting will now begin. Today’s agenda is focused on post-war matters. Please, speak freely."

As the Clan Leader and Grand Elder were unconscious, Song Luyao and Song Luhuai had fallen, and Song Changxuan was guarding the Mortal Realm, the only attendees were the few remaining figures: Song Luzhou, Xia Yunxue, Song Lutong, and Song Chang’an.

The Song Clan’s core strength had suffered a devastating blow.

Hearing Song Changsheng’s words, Song Luzhou—the oldest and highest-ranking Elder present—slowly stood up. He was much thinner than before. He scanned the faces of the others and said:

"Though the clan won this battle, it was a Pyrrhic victory.

According to our count, fifty-eight Qi Cultivation clan members have fallen, nineteen are severely wounded, and one hundred twenty-nine have minor injuries. Third Elder Song Luyao and Fourth Elder Song Luhuai fell in succession, and the Grand Elder is critically injured.

One of the Clan Protection Array’s hubs was breached, and more than half of the Array Foundation is damaged and requires repairs. The Tier Three Spirit Vein was also heavily drained; it will take at least ten years to recover.

We used one Tier Three Middle Grade Attack Talisman, two Tier Three Low Grade Attack Talismans, five Tier Two Top Grade Talismans, and nearly thirty other Tier Two Talismans.

The number of Pills, Array Banners, and other supplies consumed is incalculable..."

As each statistic left Song Luzhou’s lips, his heart bled. The foundation the clan had painstakingly built over the past twenty years was wiped out in a single battle.

As his voice faded, a heavy weight settled on everyone’s hearts. More painful than the loss of resources was the loss of talent.

The casualties in this battle neared two hundred. For the sparsely populated Song Clan, this was undoubtedly a grievous blow that would take a very long time to recover from.

Of the two Elders who fell, Song Luyao was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Song Luhuai was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. More importantly, the latter was the clan’s only Tier Two High-Grade Talisman Master.

Talismans had always been the clan’s weakness. With Song Luhuai’s death, they had no successor, and the resulting loss was immeasurable.

After Song Luzhou finished, Xia Yunxue added, "The battlefield has been cleared. We estimate that we killed nearly twenty Tier Two Demon Wolves and almost a thousand Tier One Demon Wolves. We’ve harvested a large quantity of pelts, teeth, and claws.

The most valuable items are the materials from the Great Demon, such as its Demon Pill, pelt, and bones.

Furthermore, the Cultivation Families within the Moon Viewing Mountain Range also suffered devastating blows. Their losses were catastrophic, leaving many Spirit Mountains and ore veins vacant..."

After she reported on the spoils of war, Song Lutong spoke in a booming voice, "The spies have sent word back. The battle between the Martial Spirit Sect and the Liuyun Sect has yet to be decided. What should we do next?"

After listening to everyone’s reports, Song Changsheng felt like his head was about to explode. He was the one who had to make decisions on all these matters.

After a moment of thought, Song Changsheng said in a grave voice, "For now, we will set aside the matter of the Liuyun Mountain Range. The clan’s most urgent priorities are to treat the wounded and repair the Clan Protection Array. I will take responsibility for this.

Our clan members threw themselves into the fray, spilling their blood to protect our home. The clan cannot forget their contributions. We must provide compensation and rewards according to the clan rules. I’ll entrust this matter to you, Mother.

The clan’s core combat strength has been hit hard and needs to be replenished immediately. Fifth Uncle, I’ll leave this to you. Please begin Alchemy at once using the Tier Three Demon Pill. All of the clan’s resources are at your disposal.

The clan has suffered greatly in this battle. We must prevent opportunistic villains from causing trouble. Uncle Lutong, I’m putting you in temporary command of the Law Enforcement Hall to patrol the clan’s territory and punish any lawbreakers..."

Song Changsheng quickly finished assigning the tasks. After everyone received their orders and departed, he sat alone in the conference hall in silence for a long time. Then, forcing himself to his feet, he hurried toward the Hundred Arts Hall.

All of the clan’s wounded had been moved to the Hundred Arts Hall. The moment Song Changsheng stepped inside, he was hit by the thick smell of medicine and the pungent stench of blood.

Every Physician and Alchemist in the clan had been mobilized, but there were still far too few of them. Everyone was so busy they were running in circles, wishing they could grow eight arms.

Song Changsheng didn’t disturb them, walking straight to Song Xianyun’s bedside. His injuries were the most severe, and he had yet to regain consciousness.