Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Divine Soul Essence was not a naturally occurring product. It was a beneficial substance—or perhaps energy—for the Divine Soul, extracted from various Spirit Plants known to nurture it.

It was a potent restorative for Cultivators with damaged or weakened Divine Souls. Even an ordinary Cultivator who refined it would experience a dramatic increase in their Divine Sense Power.

This item was rarely seen on the market. Song Changsheng had been both surprised and delighted when he saw it on the list. ’It just goes to show, you should never underestimate the hidden depths of any faction,’ he thought.

No matter how lackluster the Earth Fire Sect was, it had been rooted in Ling Province for several hundred years. It stood to reason that they would possess a few treasures.

After breaking the Restriction on the Jade Bottle, he pulled out the cork. A unique fragrance rushed to greet him, surprisingly carrying with it the faint scent of wine. Song Changsheng felt that a few more whiffs might be enough to get him drunk.

He parted his lips slightly, and the golden essence transformed into a ribbon that flowed into his mouth. The rich aroma of wine exploded on his palate before coalescing into a ball of pure energy that shot straight into his mind.

His Sea of Consciousness instantly began to churn. Song Changsheng’s brow furrowed, a flicker of pain flashing across his face. He quickly sat down cross-legged and began circulating his Heart Method to refine the immense energy.

HUMMM...

The Wordless Dao Scripture, which had been suspended in his Sea of Consciousness Space, abruptly unfurled. Like a greedy child, it began to ravenously absorb the power flooding the space.

This Daoist Scripture had existed in Song Changsheng’s Sea of Consciousness Space for decades, but this was the first time it had ever unfurled on its own.

Although the surface of the unfurled Jade Scroll still appeared blank, Song Changsheng could see densely packed, tiny words written upon it. His mind suddenly grew hazy, and his consciousness began to fade...

Song Changsheng had a dream. He dreamt of skyscrapers, of towering smokestacks piercing the clouds, of a Daoist Temple with white walls and gray tiles, and of a kindly old Daoist...

The old Daoist was just as he remembered: kind-faced and gentle-eyed, always smiling in a way that made you feel an immediate sense of closeness. He reached out a rough, calloused hand to gently stroke Song Changsheng’s hair and said amiably, ”Why have you come back? Go on, go on. This place is not for you.”

Song Changsheng awoke with a start, his back drenched in sweat. He glanced out the window. The sun had already set, and a bright crescent moon now hung among the branches, casting a brilliant glow.

’Why would I have a dream like that...’ Song Changsheng murmured softly.

He had been in this world for over thirty years. Aside from the first few years when he would dream of his past life, he hadn’t had a dream like this in decades.

Moreover, this time he had even dreamt of the old Daoist who had raised him—a first in over thirty years.

He never used to think there was anything special about the old Daoist, but that changed after he transmigrated because of this Wordless Dao Scripture.

But the old Daoist was long gone, so these suspicions would have to remain buried in his heart.

’Right, the Daoist Scripture.’

Song Changsheng quickly focused his mind, inspecting the state of the Wordless Jade Scroll within his Sea of Consciousness Space.

The Daoist Scripture was still unfurled, emitting a hazy glow. The groove representing the Artifact Spirit’s awakening progress was now completely full. By all rights, the process should have been a success, so why was there no response?

”You... hello?”

After holding it in for what felt like an eternity, that was the best Song Changsheng could come up with. The moment he said it, he was so mortified he felt like his toes were trying to claw a new room out of the floor.

Thankfully, his question received a response.

”I am here.”

A gentle, androgynous voice emerged from the Daoist Scripture, giving one a very pleasant feeling.

”Er... what should I call you?” It was his first time communicating with a lofty being like an Artifact Spirit, so Song Changsheng’s words were a bit stiff.

”You may call me Little Ninth,” the Artifact Spirit replied softly.

”Little Ninth? Is there a story behind that name?” Song Changsheng asked, puzzled.

”It is the name bestowed upon me by my previous master. I do not know its meaning,” Little Ninth said softly.

Song Changsheng had a flash of realization. The ”previous master” Little Ninth mentioned must be his master-in-name-only, the Heaven-Supporting Sword Immortal. He couldn’t help but complain inwardly, ’Master’s naming skills weren’t all that great, were they?’

Though he thought this, he said aloud, ”Then I’ll call you Little Ninth from now on. Why don’t you introduce yourself? For instance, what abilities do you have? What can you do?”

”I am not well-versed in Magical Combat,” Little Ninth said humbly. ”And for certain special reasons, I cannot leave your Sea of Consciousness. However, I can guarantee that your Sea of Consciousness will be safe from any and all threats.”

Song Changsheng was a little disappointed to hear this. He knew the Daoist Scripture was an exceptionally high-grade Magical Artifact. For an artifact of this level, the Artifact Spirit’s power was usually nothing to scoff at—at least at the Tier Four Level.

He had hoped he’d gained a powerful combatant, but this was a bucket of cold water on that expectation.

’Well, this is still good,’ Song Changsheng could only console himself. ’At least it can protect my Sea of Consciousness. I won’t have to worry about Possession anymore.’

Perhaps sensing Song Changsheng’s disappointment, Little Ninth quickly added, ”Although I am not skilled in Magical Combat, I can help resolve any questions you may have regarding your cultivation.”

At these words, Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up. He suddenly remembered that this Daoist Scripture had been refined by the Heaven-Supporting Sword Immortal himself, created by gathering the best of a hundred different schools of thought.

It was like a massive library, containing a boundless ocean of knowledge. Before, Song Changsheng could only glean insights from it after a major breakthrough. But now, wouldn’t he have access to whatever he desired?

”Yes, Master. Whether it is a Divine Secret Skill or one of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, I have recorded most of them from my previous master’s era.”

”You can read my mind?” Song Changsheng asked, startled.