Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

There was also the possibility of them being exploited by those with ill intentions. Cremation was a must.

”Brother Yunhe, to be honest with you, I came here this time to retrieve the remains of my clansmen and my revered teacher. Now that I have news, I’m burning with anxiety and must take my leave for now.”

Although he could see Song Changsheng’s urgency, Xu Yunhe held him back. ”Changsheng, there are many people heading to the City Lord’s Mansion these days. The line is already enormous.

Why don’t we ask Fellow Daoist Zhuang first? Perhaps she has a way. After all, she was the one who oversaw the collection of the remains.”

Song Changsheng thought for a moment and realized he had been too hasty. With so many people, he had no idea how long he would have to wait in line.

”Alright. In that case, I’ll trouble you to contact Fellow Daoist Zhuang for me, Brother Xu. Let’s all get together at the Celestial Immortal Hall tonight.”

”It’s been several years since we last parted ways. Fellow Daoist Zhuang will be thrilled to hear you’ve arrived. I’ll go contact her right now.” A smile spread across Xu Yunhe’s face, and he hurried away.

As evening fell, Song Changsheng reserved a private room at the Celestial Immortal Hall, ordered a table full of dishes, and quietly awaited their arrival.

After waiting for about an hour, Xu Yunhe finally entered with Zhuang Yuechan, who was dressed in a plain gown. Her face was still concealed by a thin veil, obscuring her features, but her eyes were filled with exhaustion.

”My apologies for being late, Fellow Daoist Song. I’ve kept you waiting.”

”It’s no trouble. Fellow Daoist Zhuang, why do you look so exhausted?” Song Changsheng said with some confusion as he quickly gestured for them to sit.

”What else could it be but matters concerning the Allied Army?” Xu Yunhe explained. ”You must have heard the news too, Brother Song. Several Masters intend to launch an offensive against the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and Bian Province has naturally become the bridgehead for the attack.

Luoxia City has become the main forward base. For the past few days, Cultivators from various factions have been arriving, and Yinn Shang is responsible for receiving them, with Fellow Daoist Zhuang assisting.”

”That’s right. Luoxia City is responsible for guarding the rear and transporting supplies for the Allied Army, so we’ve been incredibly busy,” Zhuang Yuechan said, rubbing her temples. She was entangled in all sorts of trivial matters these days, leaving her utterly exasperated.

A thought struck Song Changsheng. ”Do you know when the Masters plan to launch the official attack?”

”In a sense, it’s already started. Cultivators from the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect are currently advancing on the Black Water Marsh and Thundering Mountain.

After those two locations are secured, the remaining forces of the Allied Army will move into the Hundred Thousand Mountains in waves, gradually conquering region by region until the entire mountain range is under our control,” Zhuang Yuechan patiently explained.

”There are still four Demon Kings left in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. This process won’t be easy, will it?”

The previous battles had been fought on the Human Race’s home ground. Now, with the roles of attacker and defender reversed, the humans were stepping into Demon Beast territory. It didn’t take a genius to imagine the heavy price that would be paid.

Zhuang Yuechan nodded silently. No war was ever fought without casualties. Fortunately, this time, Luoxia City would not be on the front lines.

”Fellow Daoist Zhuang, I came here this time hoping to ask for a favor. I hope it’s not an inconvenient time?”

”You’re too polite, Fellow Daoist Song. I’m already aware of the reason for your visit. I feel a deep sense of apology regarding the matter. If we had only discovered the Blood Demon Sect’s plot in time, perhaps...”

Guilt flickered in her eyes. In a way, she shared some of the responsibility for the deaths of Song Xiantu and the others. After all, she had been in charge of maintaining the city’s security on that day.

”What happened was something no one wanted to see. There’s no need to blame yourself, Fellow Daoist Zhuang.”

”The remains and personal effects of the several daoists from the Song Clan are currently stored in the Ice Palace at the foot of Celestial Sound Mountain. You may go and claim them at any time.”

A look of surprise appeared in Song Changsheng’s eyes. He hadn’t expected that Zhuang Yuechan would go to the trouble of preserving the bodies of Song Xiantu and the others at Celestial Sound Mountain.

Gratitude washed over his face. He stood and gave Zhuang Yuechan a deep, solemn bow. ”Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhuang. I owe you a favor for this.”

”Please, Fellow Daoist Song, there’s no need. It was a small thing.” Zhuang Yuechan waved her hands dismissively. ’How can I accept his bow when I’m already so wracked with guilt?’

”Alright, alright, that’s enough pleasantries,” Xu Yunhe said, raising his cup with a broad smile. ”It’s a rare occasion for us to gather like this. Let’s have a few drinks!”

”Excellent. Come, this is my improved Monkey Wine. Let’s see if you can taste the difference from before.” Song Changsheng seized the moment to fill their cups. The three of them drank and talked, passing the sleepless night away.

Early the next morning, Song Changsheng followed Zhuang Yuechan to Celestial Sound Mountain and retrieved the remains of Song Xiantu, Sunx Chuanming, and the others. Seeing them lying in the frigid Ice Coffins, Song Changsheng felt his chest tighten.

’Clan Elder, Teacher... I was too late,’ Song Changsheng lamented silently. He desperately wanted to take them back to Vast Mist Peak for a proper burial right away, but he was keenly aware of his true purpose here. The clan’s interests always came first.

After returning to the inn, Song Changsheng used his authority to summon all the spies from the clan’s Wind Language Hall who were hidden in Luoxia City to hear their reports.

He already knew most of what they reported from his conversations with Zhuang Yuechan and Xu Yunhe. However, two pieces of information caught his attention.

First, there were rumors that a heavily wounded Great Demon had been spotted near the Griffin Mountain Range, attracting numerous cultivators to hunt it.

Second, there was a rumor that after the Allied Army’s vanguard entered Thundering Mountain, they discovered ancient ruins and were now in the process of breaking the outer Array.

The first piece of news did not surprise Song Changsheng. After all, during the great war, while many Great Demons had been killed on the spot, many had also escaped. It was hardly surprising that a few were heavily wounded.

But the second piece of news was intriguing. It was common knowledge that the Purple Imperial Realm was originally the domain of the Demon Race. Unable to bear their oppression, the Human Race had risen in revolt and carved out a vast territory for themselves.

The Daqi Cultivation World was situated at the southernmost edge of the Human Race Territory, directly bordering the lands of the Demon Race.

In other words, the Hundred Thousand Mountains had always been Demon Race territory. So, where could these so-called ancient ruins have possibly come from?

While rumors couldn’t be trusted as gospel, Song Changsheng believed there was no smoke without fire.

He looked at the burly man before him and commanded, ”Go immediately and investigate the news about the ancient ruins. Be thorough and comprehensive. Report back to me here with anything you find.”

”As you command!” The burly man bowed, then dissolved into a cloud of gray mist and vanished into the shadows.

’A Great Demon...’ After the man left, Song Changsheng gently tapped the armrest, lost in thought.

The value of a Great Demon was unquestionable. Let alone the materials from its body, its Demon Pill alone was of immeasurable value to the Song Clan.

Song Changsheng would certainly steer clear of a Great Demon at its peak, but a heavily wounded one in hiding was a different matter entirely. If there was an opportunity, he naturally wanted a piece of the action.

He had three pieces of Earth God Thunder on him, which would be more than enough to make it suffer.

After a moment, he made up his mind. He would go check out the situation, and he called for Xu Yunhe from the adjacent room to join him.

Xu Yunhe had drunk a great deal with Song Changsheng the previous night, and since neither had used Spiritual Power to sober up, his head was still groggy.

But the moment he heard what Song Changsheng planned to do, he sobered up instantly. ”Fellow Daoist Song,” he said, dumbfounded, ”you’re not joking, are you?”

”Of course not,” Song Changsheng replied, his expression serious.

Xu Yunhe gave a bitter smile. ”Fellow Daoist Song, do you think I’m even enough for a Great Demon to take one bite?”

”Relax. I already have a plan to deal with the Great Demon. I’m just asking you to come along as a precaution.

After all, I’m going there for profit, not to throw my life away,” Song Changsheng said with a glance at Xu Yunhe.

Seeing that Song Changsheng wasn’t bluffing, Xu Yunhe wrestled with the decision. Finally, he gritted his teeth. ”Alright, let’s give it a shot. Should we ask Fellow Daoist Zhuang to join us?”

”Fellow Daoist Zhuang is swamped with her duties right now. We shouldn’t bother her. It’ll just be the two of us. Let’s head out now.”

”Alright. Just wait for me to get ready.”

An hour later, the two of them left the city and headed toward the Griffin Mountain Range.