Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”By all rights, with Miss Lu having just recovered, I shouldn’t be taking my leave at this time. But I am pressed for time, so I must ask for your forgiveness, Master Lu.”

”Leaving already, Master Song? I haven’t even had the chance to fulfill my duties as a host,” Lu Tianchou said, sounding a bit displeased.

Song Changsheng shook his head with a wry smile. ”I’m afraid I have no other choice.”

”If that’s the case, I won’t say any more. Allow me to see you off.”

With that, Lu Tianchou looked to the somewhat reserved Li Anmin at his side. His perpetually stern face softened slightly. ”You’ve worked hard these past days. Your master is going to see Master Song off. You go in and check on Xiu’Er. Keep her company for a bit.”

”Yes, Master!”

Li Anmin was instantly overjoyed. He bowed to them both before scurrying into the loft.

”You have a fine apprentice, Master Lu,” Song Changsheng said with a smile, watching Li Anmin’s retreating back.

With his discerning eye, he could naturally tell that Li Anmin’s aptitude was impressive—a cut above Lu Yuxiu’s, even. That was why he’d made the overture to get on his good side.

”You flatter me, Master Song.” Lu Tianchou stroked his graying beard, a hint of a smile gracing his lips. He was quite pleased with the boy, Li Anmin. ’His disposition just isn’t firm enough, though. He still needs to be properly forged.’

The two of them walked out of the courtyard together. The sky was already growing dark.

”Are you certain you won’t stay one more night, Master Song?”

”Time waits for no man. When we have the chance in the future, I’ll be the one to treat you to drinks, Master Lu. You’ll have to give me the honor of your company then,” Song Changsheng said with a good-natured laugh.

”In that case, I’ll be looking forward to that fine wine, Master Song. The roads are perilous. Travel safely!”

Song Changsheng thought for a moment, then leaned in and said in a low voice, ”Master Lu, something happened while I was treating Miss Lu today. I suggest you remain on high alert. I don’t think it was a coincidence.”

Hearing this, Lu Tianchou’s expression grew solemn. He already had a general idea of what had happened, and he didn’t believe it was a coincidence, either.

”To target my Xiu’Er... He must have lost his mind! If he dares to come again, he’ll learn that I am no pushover!”

A chilling killing intent flashed across Lu Tianchou’s aged features. He was no ’Mr. Nice Guy.’ Anyone who dared to provoke him, no matter who they were, would be made to pay the price!

”This fiend’s methods are bizarre. You must be careful, Master Lu,” Song Changsheng said with gravity.

”Thank you for the warning, Master Song. I understand.”

”Don’t come any further, Master. I’ll take my leave now.”

After the two bowed to each other, Song Changsheng led Chi Huo Old Ghost and the others down the mountain.

Once they reached the foot of the mountain, Chi Huo Old Ghost sidled up curiously. ”My Lord, why did that old geezer’s attitude change so quickly?”

Chi Huo Old Ghost had no favorable impression of Lu Tianchou whatsoever.

”I just helped him with a small matter, that’s all. We’ve already been delayed for quite some time. We need to hurry and set off,” Song Changsheng said, not explaining further.

”Uncle, is the Flying Ship fixed?” Song Qingxi asked curiously.

”It would take too long to repair, and we can’t afford the delay. We’ll leave the Flying Ship here and retrieve it on our return journey.”

”Then how will we...?”

Seeing Song Qingxi’s hesitant expression, Song Changsheng chuckled. ”Don’t worry. We have a new ride.”

He waved his wide sleeve, and a behemoth instantly appeared before everyone.

Chi Huo Old Ghost’s eyes instantly bulged wider than a bull’s. ”A Tier Two Top-Grade Flying Ship?!” he exclaimed.

”No. It’s a Quasi-Celestial Ship.”

Song Qingxi immediately corrected his mistake.

”My Lord, did you just rob that old geezer?” Chi Huo Old Ghost nearly dropped to his knees. ’A Quasi-Celestial Ship! A single shot from that thing could probably blast me to bits.’

Song Changsheng shot him a disdainful glance. ’You used to run with thugs. Do you think I’m from the Black Society too?’

”Don’t let your imagination run wild. This was a gift from Master Lu. We’re departing now—to the Celestial Sword Sect!”

With a grand wave of his hand, the Black Star Ship rumbled and ascended, turning into a streak of light as it flew east...

Not long after Song Changsheng’s group departed, a figure cloaked in a blood-red robe appeared at the foot of Qiaojiang Mountain. On its shoulder, a foul, crimson liquid mass twisted and writhed, seeming agitated and restless.

It extended two deathly pale hands, gently soothing the mass, and spoke in a high, sharp voice, ”There, there. I will avenge you. That man who drew his sword, that old fool Lu Tianchou... I’ll make them both regret it.”

The words had barely left its lips when something at the Blood-robed Person’s waist suddenly began to vibrate.

He removed a Communication Jade Token, and after reading the information within, his expression shifted slightly. He glanced at the mass on his shoulder. ”The Lord Sect Leader has given a command. It seems we’ll have to spare them... for now.”

With that, his form gradually grew ethereal before vanishing into thin air...

「Meanwhile, deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.」

Within a vast and boundless black marsh.

Countless Demon Beasts were gathered together, so densely packed that they stretched beyond the horizon.

The Demon Qi radiating from their colossal bodies merged into one, a sickly green haze that blotted out the sky and filled the heart with dread.

They had gathered here today to await a single command—the command of a King!

Once that order was given, they would bare their fangs and tear all their enemies to shreds!

In the very center of the great marsh, a massive vortex was taking shape.

A single, massive horn emerged from its center, followed by an enormous head that rose from the water like a small mountain.

A pair of eyes, as brilliant as stars in the heavens, were filled with majesty. A single glance from them was enough to make the numberless Demon Beasts bow down in submission within the marsh.

SPLASH!

A wall of water hundreds of feet high shot toward the sky.

The behemoth within the vortex finally revealed its true form.

It was a Black Flood Dragon, hundreds of feet long, with a sharp and sturdy horn. Its head was like that of a dragon and its body like that of a serpent. Its fish-like scales reflected a blinding, cold light under the blazing sun.

It raised its massive head and let out a heaven-shaking roar. Its boundless Demon Qi surged violently, causing the entire great marsh to resonate in response.

This was the most powerful Demon King in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the sovereign of the Black Water Marsh—the Black Dragon Demon King!

”ROAR—”

A thunderous roar echoed from the horizon.

A colossal lizard wreathed in lightning strode through the air toward them. It was over a thousand feet long and covered in rigid scales. Its thick, powerful tail swung behind it, setting off a series of deafening cracks in the air.

This was a veteran powerhouse of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the sovereign of Thundering Mountain, and the patriarch of the Thunderous Giant Lizard clan—the Thunderous Demon King!

”Lei Ming, you’ve finally arrived.” The Black Dragon Demon King’s voice reverberated between heaven and earth like celestial thunder, releasing a terrifying pressure that instantly turned an unknown number of Low-tier Demon Beasts into a bloody mist.

”Venerable Demon King, the warriors of my Thunderous Giant Lizard clan are prepared. At your command, I and the hundred thousand members of the Demon Race from Thundering Mountain shall serve as your vanguard and raze Luoxia City to the ground!”

”The time is not yet right. We will wait a little longer.”

As the Black Dragon Demon King’s eyes opened and closed, they radiated a heart-stopping power. Even Lei Ming, a fellow Demon King, did not dare to question its decision.

They waited for about a quarter of an hour. Then, a crow with blood-red eyes spread its wings and landed before the Black Dragon Demon King. ”Respected Black Dragon Demon King, the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect are currently unable to fend for themselves. My Lord bids you to advance your troops with all haste. Upon your success, we shall divide the Daqi Empire!”

The Black Dragon Demon King immediately let out a deafening laugh. ”After more than a thousand years, I finally have my chance! This time, I will undoubtedly raze the Daqi Empire to the ground!

You, go back and tell your master that I will dispatch my forces to attack Luoxia City at once. As per our agreement, the Blood Demon Sect must assist me with all its might.

If I do not see proof of his sincerity on the battlefield, then don’t blame me for not upholding my end of the bargain!”

The Blood-Eyed Crow heard this and responded, neither servile nor arrogant, ”This humble one will report the Black Dragon Demon King’s words to my Lord exactly as they were spoken.”

With that, the Blood-Eyed Crow transformed into a streak of crimson light and flew away...

After it was gone, a flicker of contempt flashed in the Black Dragon Demon King’s eyes. It reared up, its massive draconic head looking down upon the dense horde of beasts below as it roared, ”Today, we march on Luoxia City!”

”ROAR—”

”ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!”

...