Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Xuu Province was located in the southeastern part of the Daqi Cultivation World, bordering the territory of the Demon Race. Consequently, the Celestial Sword Sect was not only a powerful force among the Seven Eminent Clans, second only to Luoxia City, but also bore the responsibility of maintaining stability in the southeastern region.

For this reason, the Celestial Sword Sect’s security was exceptionally strict. All Cultivators ascending the mountain to view the Sword Steles had to do so under the constant, close watch of the sect’s disciples.

Early on the morning of the seventh day of the lunar month, Song Changsheng led his group to the Celestial Sword Sect. After undergoing a strict inspection at the mountain gate, they were guided by a sect disciple toward the Sword Stele Forest.

As a powerful Sect that had stood in this land for over a thousand years, the Celestial Sword Sect possessed nine Sword Peaks and two treasured grounds.

These nine Sword Peaks represented the nine schools of swordsmanship of the Celestial Sword Sect. Each peak had a Sect Leader, a position that could only be held by a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

But the current Celestial Sword Sect only had six Sect Leaders. Including the Sect Leader, there were seven Purple Mansion Great Cultivators in total.

The two treasured grounds referred to the Sword Stele Forest, which was open to the public, and the Sword Pool, which was semi-public.

The Sword Stele Forest was located in a dense bamboo grove at the foot of the main peak, Ten Thousand Swords Peak. By the time Song Changsheng and his group arrived, many others had already beaten them there. There were people both old and young, with widely varying levels of Cultivation. It seemed the rumors were true—anyone could come here to seek enlightenment.

The only confusing part was that the bamboo grove was filled with circles of stone steles. Song Changsheng scanned them all but couldn’t figure out which one was *the* Sword Stele.

In response to his question, the Celestial Sword Sect disciple who was leading them smiled and said, ”You may not be aware, Senior, but our sect actually has one hundred and eighteen Sword Steles in total. Each one contains a school of swordsmanship.”

”Of those, seventy-two are Tier One, thirty-six are Tier Two, and nine are Tier Three. Our sect’s nine peaks originate from these.”

”Then what about the last one?” Song Qingxi asked, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Sword Sect disciple pointed to a sword-shaped stele in the very center. ”That is the final one. It is the Wordless Stele, the very same one from the legends. Everyone who gazes upon it has a different epiphany, so its specific tier is difficult to define.”

Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up with understanding. ’So that’s the origin of the Sword Stele Forest.’

But a new question immediately sprang to mind. He quickly asked, ”Fellow Daoist, by your account, does that mean your esteemed sect’s entire Sword Dao heritage is contained here?”

His expression calm, the disciple leading them pointed to a distant stele. ”That is correct. Our sect’s swordsmanship heritage is entirely derived from this place. The swordsmanship that I myself practice was comprehended from that stele right over there.”

Song Changsheng glanced around and, sure enough, saw many Cultivators in Celestial Sword Sect robes meditating here. He was inwardly stunned. ’In this world, the inheritance of Cultivation Techniques is incredibly precious. Core Techniques are the very lifeblood of a power.’

For example, take the Song Clan’s Tier Three heritage Heart Method, the Refining Moonlight Fruit Scripture. Only those with Song Clan blood are permitted to cultivate it, and even then, they can only learn a portion of it at a time.

Not only is duplication strictly forbidden, but anyone who wishes to cultivate it must have a Restriction placed within their Sea of Consciousness. This Restriction will detonate if they are subjected to methods such as a Soul Search or Possession.

All these measures are in place to ensure the core Heart Method is never leaked.

This is because no Cultivation Technique in this world is perfect. Regardless of how high its tier, it will always have flaws or weaknesses, however minor.

If an enemy were to obtain it, they could exploit these flaws to prepare specific countermeasures, giving them a decisive—and often fatal—advantage in battle.

Therefore, everyone guards the Cultivation Techniques they practice with utmost secrecy. This isn’t a case of prizing what is worthless; it’s a matter of life and death.

And yet, the Celestial Sword Sect had brazenly placed its entire heritage out in this Stele Forest for anyone to observe. Such a thing would be utterly unthinkable anywhere else.

The disciple seemed accustomed to such questions. With a hint of pride, he said, ”The sword has no fixed form; its art has no constant shape. This is merely a stele. What does it matter if the whole world comes to understand it?”

It was a statement brimming with pride, but no one could doubt its truth. The Celestial Sword Sect’s ability to stand in this land for over a thousand years, growing ever stronger, was the best proof there was.

Even though this place only contained the arts and not the fundamental methods, Song Changsheng was still filled with admiration. After all, these arts were a Cultivator’s primary means of attack. Not just anyone possessed such boldness.

”Your sect’s magnanimity is truly admirable,” Song Changsheng said, deeply moved.

The disciple’s expression was composed. He cupped his hands and said, ”The Stele Forest is before you. Please, Senior, and all you fellow Daoists, go ahead. But remember, observing the Sword Steles is extremely taxing on the mind. Do not be greedy, and you may only stay to comprehend until the day before the Stele Forest next opens.”

”Thank you for your guidance...”

Song Changsheng hadn’t even finished his pleasantries before Song Qingxing walked right into the Stele Forest. He was clutching the sword named Traceless, which he had purchased from the Celestial Weapon Pavilion.

His goal was crystal clear. He made a beeline for the Wordless Stele, as if the other Sword Steles around it were completely worthless in his eyes.

The Celestial Sword Sect disciple, who had not yet departed, saw this and nodded to himself. Everyone knew the Wordless Stele was the most precious, but faced with the temptation of so many exquisite schools of swordsmanship, few people would choose it with such unwavering determination.

After a moment’s thought, he called over a fellow disciple who was maintaining order in the Stele Forest. ”Senior Brother, please keep a close eye on that person. If possible, he could be recommended to the Sect.”

The man nodded. ”It is my duty. Say no more.”

...

The Wordless Stele stood over thirty feet tall. It was pitch-black from top to bottom, its surface as smooth as a mirror, capable of clearly reflecting a person’s silhouette.

At that moment, seven people were already seated cross-legged before it, deep in quiet meditation.