Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

He glanced back and saw that the middle-aged cultivator from before was gone. It seemed he had pushed his way to the front.

’No wonder my master told me to be extra careful before leaving. To think something like this would happen the moment I arrived in Meng Province. It seems they’re all starting to get restless again.’

Song Changsheng’s expression darkened. The first Allied Army had already advanced into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and a second was being formed. The Daqi Cultivation World was more vulnerable than ever, and ultimately, some people just couldn’t hold back any longer.

’The Blood Demon Remnants suffered heavy losses in the last battle. They shouldn’t be out causing trouble again so soon, right?’

It was an old tradition in the Daqi Cultivation World: whenever something bad happened and the culprit was unknown, you could just pin it on the Blood Demon Sect.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Song Changsheng. ”Yuechan, do you know of the Vast Alliance?”

”How do you know about the Vast Alliance?” Zhuang Yuechan asked, somewhat surprised.

”You know about it?” Song Changsheng quickly explained the whole story, then looked at Zhuang Yuechan expectantly.

The Vast Alliance was a source of instability for the Song Clan, but they were exceptionally good at hiding. The people he had sent to investigate had all come back empty-handed.

The feeling made Song Changsheng very uneasy. It was like knowing there was a venomous snake in your house, but you couldn’t find it no matter how hard you looked. You couldn’t just ignore it, either, because you never knew when it might launch a surprise attack.

Zhuang Yuechan pondered for a moment, then sent a message with her Divine Sense: ”The Vast Alliance is a faction that rose to prominence suddenly in the Daqi Cultivation World a few years ago. They operate from the shadows, and their influence can be found in many places.

They are extremely cautious, so we have very little intelligence on them at the moment. However, we can be certain that they are a rather loose coalition.

As for their identity, there are currently two main theories. The first is that they’re an external power that has infiltrated our world. The second is that they are a rebranded version of the Independent Cultivator Alliance.

But neither of these theories has enough evidence to support it. They are just speculation for now.”

”The Independent Cultivator Alliance?” Song Changsheng frowned deeply. ’If that’s true, then the power of this Vast Alliance is not to be underestimated.’ He had once been to the City of Independent Cultivators, so he knew firsthand what a formidable force Loose Cultivators were when united.

’Being targeted by such an entity was hardly a pleasant prospect.’

Just as the two were communicating, the middle-aged man from before pushed his way out of the crowd again. With a grave expression, he said, ”Do you know who the deceased is?”

”Please, enlighten us, fellow Daoist.” Song Changsheng cupped his hands.

”He was a disciple of an Elder from the Demon Suppression Hall. It’s said he was also here to attend Hundred Herbs Hall’s Pill Tasting Conference. His limbs were crippled, his body was drained of every last drop of blood, and his heart was gouged out. A truly gruesome death.”

”This method of killing... it’s clearly the work of the Demon Dao,” a white-haired Elder Cultivator declared decisively.

”A Direct Disciple of the Demon Suppression Hall died so horribly, and his body was just brazenly dumped at the city gate. That’s just too arrogant!”

”Sigh. What is all this? Fellow Daoists, in my opinion, it’s best not to enter this city. We don’t want to end up losing our heads one of these days.”

The mood among the surrounding cultivators grew exceptionally heavy. Some even chose to turn around and leave.

After all, anyone who wasn’t a fool could sense that something big was about to happen. It was better to leave early and avoid getting dragged into it.

The number of cultivators gathered outside the city gate instantly dropped by nearly half. Even those who remained were mostly filled with misgivings.

Song Changsheng and Zhuang Yuechan exchanged a look and walked straight toward the city gate. Since they had come all this way, they couldn’t possibly leave in such a dejected manner.

Since their opponent didn’t dare to show their face, it meant they weren’t anyone significant. If they were scared off this easily, they might as well give up on venturing out into the world.

The body at the city gate had been attended to, now covered by a white cloth. Bloodstains still lingered on the ground. A large number of cultivators in the attire of Hundred Herbs Hall were guarding the gate with airtight security, their eyes full of vigilance.

The two were only allowed to enter the city after a strict inspection.

Perhaps because of the incident at the gate, the city was gripped by fear and paranoia. The streets were practically deserted.

The Song Clan hadn’t participated for over a hundred years. Song Changsheng was completely in the dark after arriving, so he could only turn to Zhuang Yuechan with a questioning gaze.

”Fire Tripod Mountain is a restricted area of Hundred Herbs Hall; outsiders aren’t usually allowed near it. Let’s go to the City Lord’s Mansion first. Someone there will be assigned to receive us.”

The pair made their way to the City Lord’s Mansion. After presenting their invitation from Hundred Herbs Hall, they were soon greeted by a white-haired elder who had the sagely air of an immortal.

The elder had an extraordinary bearing, exuding powerful confidence with every move. He also carried the faint scent of medicinal herbs, an aroma that only comes from practicing Alchemy year-round.

”I am Bai Wuming. And you two fellow Daoists are...?” Bai Wuming asked, looking at them with a friendly smile.

”I am Zhuang Yuechan, disciple of the Great City Lord of Luoxia City. Greetings, Master Bai.”

”Song Changsheng of the Moon Viewing Song Clan. Greetings, Master Bai.”

Hearing the elder’s introduction, a hint of surprise appeared on both their faces, and they hurriedly bowed in respect.

This man’s status in Hundred Herbs Hall was far from ordinary. Although his cultivation was only at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, he was a Tier Three Low-Grade Alchemy Master.

The status of a Tier Three Alchemist surpassed that of an ordinary Purple Mansion Cultivator. For Hundred Herbs Hall to have such a master receiving guests was truly a luxury.

After hearing their introductions, the smile on Bai Wuming’s face grew even warmer. He actually cupped his hands in return and said, ”Ah, so it is the prized disciple of the Great City Lord and Young Clan Leader Song. There’s no need for such formalities, no need at all.

I’ve heard all about what happened in the Griffin Mountain Range. I must thank the Young Clan Leader and the fellow Daoists from Luoxia City for your righteous intervention in saving my senior brother’s life. Hundred Herbs Hall will remember this kindness. Please, both of you, come inside and have a seat.”

Tier Three Alchemists were few and far between even in Hundred Herbs Hall. His words could basically be taken to represent the will of the entire hall.

To be able to gain the friendship of Hundred Herbs Hall was something countless people could only dream of.

The group entered the main hall and sat down according to their respective statuses as host and guests. Bai Wuming sighed and said, ”I presume you two fellow Daoists have already heard about what happened outside the city?”

”We’ve heard a little. Are there any leads on the killer?”

Bai Wuming nodded. ”It was the vile work of a Blood Demon Remnant. We don’t know their motive for doing this, but I imagine it’s connected to the Pill Tasting Conference.

The conference doesn’t begin for another ten days, but the killer is still at large. I must ask you two fellow Daoists to please remain within the city as much as possible during this time. If there is anything you need, our hall will do its best to provide it.

Of course, you need not worry too much. Our hall will certainly give everyone an explanation before the conference ends.

Your rooms are ready. The other guests staying there are all fellow Daoists who have come for the conference. Someone will be along shortly to escort you.”

Song Changsheng and Zhuang Yuechan exchanged a glance, knowing this was their dismissal. They stood up and said in unison, ”Then we won’t disturb you any further, Master Bai.”

”Please forgive my humble hospitality. Zicheng, take these two fellow Daoists to the inn. They are both esteemed guests of our hall. Remember not to neglect them.”

As Bai Wuming finished speaking, a young man with a deferential demeanor walked in from outside. He bowed to the two of them and said, ”I am Bai Zicheng. Fellow Daoists, please follow me.”

”Our thanks, fellow Daoist.”

After watching Song Changsheng and Zhuang Yuechan follow Bai Zicheng out, the smile on Bai Wuming’s face was instantly replaced by a dark cloud. He looked toward a corner and said in a low voice, ”Have you still not caught the killer?”

”He wasn’t alone. Someone was providing cover from the shadows. Tributors Sun and Li were outmatched and he escaped. But our opponent left a message,” a cold voice said from the corner.

”What message?” Bai Wuming’s brow furrowed slightly.

’Sun and Li are Tributors hired by Hundred Herbs Hall at great expense, both of them Purple Mansion Great Cultivators. Even they weren’t a match?’

After a moment’s hesitation, the person in the corner spoke again. ”He said that the conference is the final deadline. If the Celestial Fire Cauldron is not handed over by then, he will make our entire hall run with rivers of blood!”

”Bastard!”

The armrest of his chair was instantly crushed to dust in Bai Wuming’s grip, his face terrifyingly dark.

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