Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”Master, is the Beast Tide really coming?”

Standing atop the mountain, Zhuang Yuechan gazed out at the endless mountain range, her eyes filled with worry.

From the time she was adopted by Muu Guibai until now, she had lived in Luoxia City for over twenty years. During that time, she had witnessed two small-scale Beast Tides.

Although Luoxia City had repelled them both, each victory came at a great cost. Death lingered over everyone. From Qi Refining Junior Cultivators to Purple Mansion Great Cultivators, anyone could be consumed by death at any moment.

She had once witnessed several senior brothers she grew up with get torn to shreds by Demon Beasts, leaving not even bones behind.

She was only twelve that year and had nightmares for several days straight. Even now, the memory filled her with anger and fear.

’A Beast Tide... It’s a disaster that could destroy all of Luoxia City!’

Muu Guibai said calmly, ”It’s still too early to draw conclusions. Let’s wait for your martial uncle to return. In the meantime, don’t leave the city again. I’m going to have Yinn Shang gather war supplies; you can go help him.”

”I understand,” Zhuang Yuechan said with a respectful bow.

After leaving Celestial Sound Mountain, she didn’t go to find Yinn Shang right away. Instead, she headed toward an inn.

”Fairy, dining or lodging?”

As soon as she entered, a sharp-eyed attendant spotted her and rushed over with an enthusiastic smile.

”I’m looking for someone. He’s in Room Earth-C.”

”Right this way, please.” Hearing she was looking for someone, the attendant’s enthusiasm didn’t wane. He respectfully led her upstairs.

”Fairy, this is the room you’re looking for.”

”Thank you.”

Taking out a Spirit Stone to tip the attendant, Zhuang Yuechan reached out and knocked heavily on the door twice, followed by a light tap. It was their prearranged signal.

A moment later, a one-armed man in white robes with a dignified air opened the door. His face was a little pale. After ushering Zhuang Yuechan inside, he asked in a low voice, ”No one followed you, right?”

Zhuang Yuechan shook her head. ”No. Fellow Daoist Xu, what happened?”

”It’s a long story.”

Xu Yunhe sighed and sat down next to Zhuang Yuechan. ”Some time ago, I was training in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. While chasing a Purple Cloud Swallow, I unintentionally ventured a bit too deep.

It was then that I noticed unusual activity among the Demon Beasts, so I decided to return and report this to the City Lord’s Mansion.

But on my way back, I discovered someone... or to be more precise, a living dead man!”

”A living dead man?” Zhuang Yuechan frowned slightly. The phrase was a contradiction, but in the Cultivation Realm, with its countless strange and mysterious techniques, such a thing wasn’t entirely unheard of.

’Zombies, for instance, could be considered the living dead, couldn’t they?’

’But knowing Xu Yunhe, he must have a reason for saying this. At the very least, he must be sure that what he encountered wasn’t a zombie, but something else entirely.’

”That’s right. The man’s name is Wuy Luochuan. He was a Puppet Master when he was alive. During the attack on the Luoxia City auction, he tried to take advantage of the chaos to attack Fellow Daoist Song.

In the end, however, he was killed by a puppet he had just won at the auction. Fellow Daoist Song and I saw with our own eyes as his heart was crushed and his body was carried away by that puppet.

Afterward, the City Lord’s Mansion issued a Warrant for that puppet. Fellow Daoist Song and I tracked it all the way to the Hundred Thousand Mountains and eventually managed to destroy it.

But I never expected to run into the deceased Wuy Luochuan again on my way back this time. He looked no different from a normal person.

He clearly recognized me too and attacked without a word. His strength had increased significantly, and he had many puppets with him. After a brief exchange, he still managed to escape.

Although I didn’t see him enter the city, I have a feeling he won’t let this go. I asked you here today because I want you to help me investigate this Wuy Luochuan.” A cold, murderous glint flashed in Xu Yunhe’s eyes. He was not one to simply sit and wait for death!

Zhuang Yuechan had heard stories of puppets turning on their masters, but she had never heard of such an inside story.

”Are you sure that Wuy Luochuan wasn’t a puppet or someone else in disguise, but a living, breathing person?” Zhuang Yuechan found it hard to accept. To be revived after having one’s heart crushed... not even a Purple Mansion Cultivator could do that.

Xu Yunhe nodded firmly. ”I’m absolutely certain. It was the same man. But I can’t figure out how he did it. There’s definitely something strange going on.”

”Alright, I’ll help you investigate. By the way, remember not to leave the city during this time. If the news of the Beast Tide is confirmed, Luoxia City could go into lockdown at any moment,” Zhuang Yuechan said with a nod.

”I appreciate it. By the way, have you heard any news from Fellow Daoist Song? I hear Ling Province hasn’t been very peaceful lately either.”

Zhuang Yuechan shook her head slightly. ”No.”

...

After seeing Zhuang Yuechan off, Xu Yunhe took off his top, his expression grim. A gruesome wound, several inches long, was visible on his arm, oozing a strange black blood.

’I don’t care if you’re a man or something else. You picked a fight with me, and I’ll make you pay!’

——————

’So this is a Little Divine Technique? Such incredible power. No wonder the gap between Purple Mansion Cultivators and Foundation Establishment Cultivators is so enormous.’ Song Changsheng looked at the somewhat ethereal seal in his hand, his heart pounding with excitement.

In this world, there were huge gaps between every Great Realm, and even between Small Realms. For example, a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator could easily annihilate a dozen Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators.