Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

With that, Niu Dazhuang took an Array Plate and a set of Five-Colored Array Banners woven from Celestial Silkworm Silk from his Storage Bag, then squatted on the ground and started to tinker with them.

"This is an Array Plate my master refined. I just need to insert the Array Banners into the corresponding nodes to set up a Tier Three Low Grade Four Symbols Heaven Imprisoning Array.

I originally planned to use this against Golden Armor, but it’s perfect for dealing with that old bastard now," Niu Dazhuang explained to Song Changsheng while he worked.

Song Changsheng nodded slightly. He could do this as well, but with his current proficiency in arrays, he could at most refine a Tier One Top Grade Array Plate.

For Zhan Tianxia to be able to refine a Tier Three Low Grade Array Plate was a clear testament to his profound skill in arrays.

Just as Song Changsheng and the others were preparing to lie in wait, Dongtian Xie fell into a towering rage.

"Who was it? Who broke my array!"

Watching the black mist slowly dissipate, Dongtian Xie’s eyes were bloodshot, and he looked ready to devour someone.

In the mere four hours since activating the array, he had used its power to slay more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators and capture another dozen alive.

He had even captured two of the three Purple Mansion Cultivators alive. He just needed to take care of the last one, and then he could begin the Blood Refining Ceremony.

But at this critical juncture, Golden Armor had actually died. Its death meant the Heaven and Earth Lock Void Array would soon collapse.

If that happened, not only would he lose his greatest advantage, but even the Blood Refining Ceremony would be affected.

"Bastards! I will tear you to pieces!"

Dongtian Xie let out a furious roar. He shot a hateful glare in the direction the Vast Sea Ascendant had fled, then turned and headed for the underground space where Golden Armor had been imprisoned.

He had to set up a new Array Hub before the Heaven and Earth Lock Void Array collapsed. Only then could the Blood Refining Ceremony continue.

He had plotted for so many years for this ceremony. He would absolutely not allow anyone to ruin it. No one!

---

Inside the underground space, Song Changsheng and the others stood in grim readiness.

Suddenly, Song Changsheng’s eyes snapped open. He could feel an extremely dangerous presence rapidly approaching.

"He’s here." Yinn Shang, holding a Jade Flute, slowly rose to his feet.

Niu Dazhuang and the others also silently drew their Magical Artifacts and gathered around Yinn Shang, subtly forming a mystical formation.

For a moment, Song Changsheng seemed a bit out of place.

"And here I was, wondering who it could be. So it was you pieces of scum. If I’d known, I would have dealt with you first." Brimming with rage, Dongtian Xie slowly emerged from the passageway.

He was now filled with immense regret. Yinn Shang and his group were the first people he had captured. Seeing that their cultivation was impressive, he had decided to save them for a live sacrifice.

He never imagined they would now become the greatest obstacle to completing his Blood Refining!

"Hmph! Dongtian Xie, you dare commit such a heinous act as Blood Refining a Demonic Spiritual Artifact! Aren’t you afraid of the Annihilation of Body and Spirit?" Yinn Shang rebuked him furiously.

"Eldest Brother, why waste words on this old bastard? Let’s just take him down."

Niu Dazhuang formed a hand seal and stomped his foot. Dazzling Array Patterns instantly appeared from all directions. Cyan, red, black, and white light interwove, forming a massive cage that instantly enveloped Dongtian Xie.

Dongtian Xie was horrified by the sudden appearance of the array.

He glanced around and saw the phantom of a giant beast appear in each of the four cardinal directions of the Grand Array.

"Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Cyan Dragon, White Tiger.

A Tier Three Low Grade Four Symbols Heaven Imprisoning Array? How is that possible?" Dongtian Xie cried out in disbelief. ’Could it be there’s a Tier Three Array Master hidden among them?’

"Dharma Imprisoning Heaven—Suppress!"

"ROAR—"

The Four Holy Beasts roared to the heavens in unison as chains of order manifested and surged toward Dongtian Xie.

Dongtian Xie’s expression changed drastically. He hastily took out the Evil Ghost Banner and planted it beside him.

"GYAHAHAHA!"

A sharp, ear-piercing shriek rang out as hordes of hideous Fierce Ghosts poured out of the Evil Ghost Banner and entangled themselves with the surrounding Order Chains.

"Now’s our chance! Take him down!"

Niu Dazhuang roared and activated the Tier Three Talisman in his hand—another item originally prepared for Golden Armor.

The others also unleashed their Magical Artifacts and Talismans. Song Changsheng didn’t stay idle either, simultaneously bringing out three Spiritual Artifacts: the Celestial Measuring Ruler, the Yin Yang Spirit-Slaying Gourd, and the Luwu Bell.

For a moment, Dongtian Xie was completely engulfed by a dazzling array of lights.

Just as everyone thought Dongtian Xie was about to meet his doom, a massive, illusory hand suddenly reached out and shattered all the brilliant attacks.

Several Spiritual Artifacts were struck so hard their spiritual light dimmed.

"Watch out! It’s the Little Divine Technique, Star-Picking Hand!" Song Changsheng shouted as he recalled his battered Spiritual Artifacts.

He had seen Dongtian Xie use this move before. Even when severely wounded, a single strike had instantly killed a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator from the Lieyang Sect.

Although Dongtian Xie was not in peak condition after numerous battles, the power radiating from this Little Divine Technique was more than twice as strong as what he had witnessed before.

In truth, Song Changsheng’s warning wasn’t necessary. The moment the giant hand appeared, everyone had already prepared their defenses.

Led by Yinn Shang, they formed a circular Battle Array to defend together.

But how could a full-powered strike from an enraged Purple Mansion Great Cultivator be so easy to block? The instant the attack made contact, their circular formation was torn apart like a thin veil.

BANG!

Two disciples from Luoxia City were sent flying, coughing up blood. It was unknown if they were dead or alive.

"Bastard!"

Niu Dazhuang’s eyes almost split with rage. He stomped his foot, and a brilliant golden light instantly erupted from his body, making him look like a gleaming golden man.

This was the Nine-Transformation Golden Body, Luoxia City’s most powerful Body Refining Technique. At the Minor Achievement stage, one’s physical body was comparable to a Spiritual Artifact. If cultivated to the Great Success Realm, it could even match the durability of a Magical Treasure.

And this dazzling golden light was the sign of having reached Great Success.

"Old dog, die!"

Niu Dazhuang let out a roar and charged forward to fight Dongtian Xie head-on.

"Junior Brother, let me lend you a hand!"

Seeing this, Yinn Shang immediately took a brightly colored conch shell from his robes, and the melodious, flowing sound of music immediately filled the air.

This was a Sound-Recording Conch Shell, a type of Magical Artifact from the East Sea that could record a passage of sound.

And the one in Yinn Shang’s hand contained the music of the Great City Lord, Muu Guibai.

Although it lacked some of the original’s spiritual charm, the power of a Tier Four Musician was still terrifying. The moment the music began, Song Changsheng and the others felt as if a vision of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood had appeared before them, and they couldn’t help but feel a terror that stemmed from the depths of their souls.

If they were so affected, it was even worse for Dongtian Xie, the music’s intended target. The Demonic Sound enveloped him completely; no matter how he tried to defend himself, it was useless.

Dongtian Xie felt as if a hundred million mosquitoes were buzzing "BUZZ... BUZZ... BUZZ..." inside his head.

"Get... get out!"

He clutched his head with both hands, his old face contorted in agony.

The only one at the scene unaffected was Niu Dazhuang. The Nine-Transformation Golden Body was a technique that came from the Buddhist Teachings. When active, it could seal one’s Sixth Sense, making the user immune to evil influences; naturally, the Demonic Sound could not affect him.

Seizing this golden opportunity, he flashed in front of Dongtian Xie. A large hammer had appeared in his hand at some point, and mustering all his strength, he brought it smashing down on his enemy’s head.

If this blow landed squarely, even a Purple Mansion Cultivator’s head would explode.

At that critical moment, a hideous Evil Ghost suddenly shot out from the Evil Ghost Banner beside him. It stretched out a pair of pitch-black hands and pulled Dongtian Xie aside.

Niu Dazhuang’s hammer slammed into the ground, instantly creating a huge crater.

At that moment, Dongtian Xie finally managed to suppress the Demonic Sound and regained some of his senses. Seeing the massive crater in front of him, he broke out in a cold sweat, which was immediately followed by a wave of explosive fury.

"I want you dead!"

Dongtian Xie’s immense Mana erupted forth. The black in his eyes rapidly receded, replaced by a ghastly white.

A desolate and vast aura emanated from his body as he expressionlessly raised a single finger.

"Little Divine Technique... Azure Peak Finger."

...