Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The return journey was more troublesome than their arrival. They first had to travel to Bo Province, adjacent to Meng Province, and from there board the next Cross-Boundary Flying Ship. The ship would pass through Bing Province and Qing Province before finally reaching Ling Province and Bian Province.

After nearly three months of arduous travel, Song Changsheng finally made it back to Ling Province. This time, he had experience. He presented his VIP Card in advance and avoided any trouble along the way.

The massive Flying Ship gradually slowed, eventually coming to a halt and hovering at the border of Ling Province. Song Changsheng looked at Zhuang Yuechan. "Well... I’ll be on my way, then. Be careful on your journey."

Zhuang Yuechan nodded silently, her spirits low. After nearly half a year of being inseparable, the sudden parting left her feeling a little wistful.

Song Changsheng pursed his lips, then suddenly opened his arms and gave her a light hug. Zhuang Yuechan’s face instantly flushed red. Just as she was about to push this "playboy" away, Song Changsheng let out a hearty laugh and voluntarily stepped back.

He took a Fish-shaped Jade Pendant from his waist and dangled it, laughing loudly. "I’ll take good care of this token of affection you gave me!"

With that, he leaped off the Flying Ship and, using Sword Control, flew off toward the Moon Viewing Mountain Range.

Only then did Zhuang Yuechan remember that the other half of the Yin Yang Jade Pendant was still in Song Changsheng’s possession. She stomped her foot in frustration. "It’s not a token of affection!"

But as she looked at the half of the Fish-shaped Jade Pendant remaining in her hand, a peculiar feeling stirred in her heart.

At the top of the mast, the Flying Ship’s Steward watched the scene quietly and couldn’t help but sigh. "Ah, to be young..."

——————

「Yang Province, Celestial Yang Mountain Range, Lieyang Sect Headquarters.」

Inside a spacious assembly hall, Hex Tai sat enthroned at the head seat, his eyes as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice. He swept his gaze over the dozen or so people present, his tone frigid. "Tang’er is dead. He died at the hands of that whelp from the Song Clan. A blood debt must be paid in blood. I intend to attack the Song Clan. Who supports this? Who opposes?"

Everyone present exchanged glances. As long as you weren’t a complete fool, you could hear the raw killing intent in Hex Tai’s voice. Anyone who dared to object now would likely be decapitated in the next second.

A few of them showed signs of struggle but ultimately chose to remain silent. They wouldn’t be surprised by anything Hex Tai might do in his current state of fury; it was wiser to protect their own necks.

However, Wang Yuesong, the former Sect Leader who had since been demoted to Grand Elder, stood up. He cupped his hands with a composed air. "A blood debt must indeed be repaid with blood," he said, "but the Sect Leader is at a critical juncture in his seclusion. It is truly not a good time for the Sect to engage in a major conflict. I urge the Supreme Elder to quell his thunderous wrath and prioritize the greater good!"

Everyone present secretly gave Wang Yuesong a thumbs-up. ’What a badass,’ they thought. ’He’s actually got the guts to cross the Supreme Elder right now. He must have a death wish. Truly a role model for us all.’

They were already mentally calculating who to recommend as the next Grand Elder. After all, Hex Tai already held a grudge against Wang Yuesong. It wouldn’t be surprising if he flew into a rage and cut the man down on the spot.

Sure enough, the moment Wang Yuesong finished speaking, Hex Tai’s aura turned exceedingly dangerous. His murderous eyes locked onto Wang Yuesong as he said coldly, "Are you suggesting we just let that Song Clan whelp run free?

Wang Yuesong!

A Sect Elder—one of our future successors—died at Song Changsheng’s hands, and you want us to swallow our pride and do nothing? What kind of logic is that? Or could it be you have some illicit dealings with the Song Clan?

The Lieyang Sect’s decline in recent years is entirely due to your cowardice, incompetence, and indecisiveness! That’s why we’ve suffered such heavy losses time and again! If I weren’t considering your past contributions, I’d have your head today! Now get out of my sight and go face the wall in the back mountains!"

In the end, Hex Tai didn’t take things to the absolute extreme, but his words were incredibly harsh, all but completely negating the decades of blood and sweat Wang Yuesong had poured into the sect during his time as Sect Leader.

Wang Yuesong’s expression remained unchanged. He flicked the hem of his robes and knelt, touching his forehead to the ground. "I implore the Supreme Elder to quell his thunderous wrath," he said earnestly. "Let us wait for the Sect Leader to emerge from seclusion before making any long-term plans. We must not forget that the Xiang Province Rong Clan is still eyeing our borders like a hungry tiger.

As the saying goes, a wise ruler does not raise an army in anger, nor does he wage war in a fit of pique. The Sect’s thousand-year foundation rests in our hands. A single misstep could send us plunging into an endless Abyss. I beg the Supreme Elder to reconsider!"

Upon hearing the name "Xiang Province Rong Clan," the furiously enraged Hex Tai felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.

He was certain that the moment he attacked the Song Clan, that old bastard from the Rong Clan would immediately swoop in and destroy his own home base!

Seeing the change in Hex Tai’s expression, the others quickly chimed in. "Indeed, Supreme Elder! The Rong Clan is treacherous and ambitious; we must be on our guard. Please, wait until the Sect Leader emerges from seclusion before we deal with the Song Clan!"

Hex Tai’s expression shifted, and with a final cold snort, he flicked his sleeve and departed. He knew this war was no longer possible.

Sometimes, things were just that frustrating. Even though he could practically blot out the sky with one hand in the Lieyang Sect, he still couldn’t do whatever he pleased.

Arriving before Hex Tang’s Spiritual Tablet, Hex Tai’s eyes grew moist. He gently caressed the tablet. "Tang’er," he whispered, "rest easy. I will make that little bastard from the Song Clan join you in death!"

...

Song Changsheng didn’t return directly to Vast Mist Peak. He first went to the Marketplace at the Riverfront of Grace. The place had expanded many times over. Several Spiritual Veins had been relocated there, and more shops and cultivation abodes had been planned out.

The Marketplace was also officially named Moon Viewing Square.

The number of resident Cultivators had already reached two thousand, with a considerable flow of visitors on any given day. While it couldn’t yet match the former Liuyun Marketplace, it wasn’t far behind.

As Song Changsheng entered the Marketplace, he looked up and saw the Black Star Ship hovering in mid-air. It was the guarantor of the Marketplace’s security. Since its opening, aside from a few troublemakers at the very beginning, no one had dared to challenge the authority of the Song Clan.

Strolling down the wide main street, his first impression of the Marketplace was its tidiness. Even with the numerous stalls set up by Loose Cultivators along the roadside, it didn’t feel cluttered.

This left Song Changsheng very satisfied. It showed that the people who designed the Marketplace’s layout had been thoughtful and diligent.

Security within the Marketplace was also excellent. He frequently saw three-person patrols of Song Clan Members making their rounds.

’In less than twenty years, this place will become a treasure trove for the clan. And it’s about time to deal with those other matters.’ With his hands clasped behind his back, Song Changsheng watched the bustling crowd, his eyes shining brightly...

The Marketplace was currently guarded by Song Lutong, Song Luzhou, and Song Chang’an. Song Changsheng didn’t disturb them, returning directly to the clan compound.

As was his custom, he first went to check on Ruyun Hall. There was still no sign of activity. ’Looks like the old man still needs more time for his breakthrough,’ he thought.

Afterward, he went to see the Grand Elder. Looking at the ever-increasing number of wrinkles on the old man’s face, Song Changsheng felt a pang in his heart. The Grand Elder had truly worked himself to the bone for the clan over the years.

"Grand Elder, your grandson has returned," Song Changsheng said with a respectful bow.

Song Xianyun looked up from a pile of Jade Scrolls, a warm smile on his face. "It’s good to have you back. Was the journey a success?"

"Everything went smoothly." Song Changsheng nodded. He then recounted the major events of his journey, including killing Dongtian Xie, obtaining the Great Demon cub, rescuing two Purple Mansion Cultivators, being accepted as a Named Disciple by the Great City Lord, and participating in the Pill Tasting Conference where he had slain Hex Tang.

By the time he finished, Song Xianyun was utterly dumbfounded. So much had happened in just half a year. Any single one of those events would have been enough to cause a major upheaval in Ling Province.

"I really am getting old," Song Xianyun said with a smile. "The future belongs to your generation. You probably haven’t heard yet, but Qingxing has reached Foundation Establishment. He’s changed a great deal, and it’s all thanks to you." The younger generation of the clan was finally maturing. ’Now,’ he thought, ’I’ll be able to rest in peace when my time comes.’

"Qingxing reached Foundation Establishment?" Song Changsheng was a little surprised. Although he had expected it, the speed was still faster than he’d anticipated.

"In that case, I’ll go home and take a look first."

After bidding farewell to Song Xianyun, Song Changsheng returned to his own courtyard. The door was open, and before he even stepped inside, he saw a chubby little cutie lying on the threshold, giving him a goofy grin.

...