Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

His sudden appearance immediately caused a stir. Many Cultivators, seeing that the situation was bad, chose to leave at once. Only a few retreated to a safer distance to continue watching.

”You must be the Judgment Envoy from Thunder King Hall, then?” Song Xianming took a step forward, shielding Song Changsheng behind him as he spoke in a low voice.

”I am the Eighth Judgment Envoy under the Thunder King. By the Thunder King’s decree, I am here to pass judgment upon the Moon Viewing Song Clan!”

His voice was like a series of muffled thunderclaps, making Song Changsheng’s eardrums buzz.

”Hmph. For someone of your Cultivation, setting an Array to deal with two juniors is hardly a glorious deed.” Song Xianming was hesitant to act recklessly, as Song Lutong and Song Luyun were still in the enemy’s hands.

”If I had truly wanted to strike them down, would they still be breathing?” The Judgment Envoy’s tone dripped with contempt.

To him, two mere Foundation Establishment Cultivators were just insects he could crush at will. He had only acted this way to lure the snake from its hole. After all, live bait works better than dead bait.

”In that case, I ask that you release them. Whatever you want, direct it at me,” Song Xianming attempted to negotiate.

”Cease your incessant chatter! Surrender, and I will leave you a complete corpse!” the Judgment Envoy roared. His voice was like a sudden clap of thunder, shaking the minds of several weaker Cultivators in the distance so violently that they fell straight off their flying swords.

The rest of the onlookers were horrified. They turned and fled, wishing their parents had given them two more legs.

Song Changsheng was also so shaken he saw stars. Fortunately, having cultivated the [Ninefold Celestial Palace], he had already constructed the first Celestial Palace in his Sea of Consciousness and was thus able to keep his Divine Soul stable.

’This man is at least a Mid-stage Purple Mansion Cultivator. This is tricky.’ Song Xianming was now regretting having brought Song Changsheng along.

Within the Purple Mansion Stage, every advancement to a new Small Realm brought a massive surge in strength. Although they hadn’t yet crossed blows, Song Xianming was already certain he was no match for his opponent. He even felt that his chances of escaping were slim.

”No answer? Then die!”

With a furious shout, the Judgment Envoy’s figure vanished like a bolt of lightning. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared before Song Xianming, the Bronze War Halberd in his hand wreathed in Thunder Serpents, slashing toward his neck like a scythe.

Veins bulged on Song Xianming’s forehead. With a flick of his hand, [Stabilize the Realm] appeared. He slashed out, unleashing Sword Qi that surged like a silver dragon.

BOOM—

Following the earth-shattering explosion, Song Xianming was thrown back a thousand feet. The Judgment Envoy, in contrast, merely swayed slightly, completely unscathed.

In the first exchange, Song Xianming was completely overwhelmed. Before he could even catch his breath, the Judgment Envoy’s figure had vanished once more.

”Fellow Daoist Song, I will lend you a hand!” At this critical moment, Yuann Tianshu did not choose to flee. Instead, after shielding Song Changsheng from the aftershocks of the battle, he joined the fray, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Song Xianming.

With his help, the pressure on Song Xianming eased considerably. He glanced down at Song Changsheng and sent a voice transmission to Yuann Tianshu: ”Fellow Daoist Yuann, we sent a message to Luoxia City before we came. Reinforcements will be here soon. The two of us just need to keep him occupied.”

”Alright. Let’s lead him higher up.” Yuann Tianshu nodded. He formed a seal with one hand and a sigil with the other. The sounds of a tiger’s roar and a dragon’s cry echoed as a brilliant golden seal materialized, pressing down on the Judgment Envoy with immense power.

This was his signature move, the Little Divine Technique, [Dragon and Tiger Seal].

”Get lost!” The Judgment Envoy’s aura surged. He swung his Bronze War Halberd and actually tore the [Dragon and Tiger Seal] to shreds.

But by then, Song Xianming and Yuann Tianshu were already soaring into the clouds. They needed to draw the Judgment Envoy away to give Song Changsheng a chance to escape and rescue the others.

Song Changsheng knew the situation was critical and quickly sent a call for help to Luoxia City.

The Judgment Envoy was at least a Mid-stage Purple Mansion Cultivator and a Body Refiner to boot. The strength of his physical body was likely comparable to a Magical Treasure, and the Bronze War Halberd in his hand was no ordinary item either—its grade was no lower than Song Xianming’s [Stabilize the Realm].

Song Xianming and Yuann Tianshu were both Early-stage Purple Mansion Cultivators. With the support of an Array, they might have had a chance to counterattack. But now, they could only do their best to stall. If this dragged on, their defeat was certain.

A battle of this magnitude was no longer something Song Changsheng could participate in. He decided to first rescue the trapped Song Lutong and Song Luyun.

He was rather knowledgeable when it came to breaking Arrays.

Aided by his [Eye of Truth], he quickly figured out the specific layout of the Array before him.

It was a method of Array Formation he had never seen before. Not because it was particularly brilliant—on the contrary, from Song Changsheng’s perspective, it was rather crude.

’This doesn’t look like an Array set up by a Tier Three Array Master.’ Song Changsheng frowned slightly.

”Little Ninth, have you ever seen this method of Array Formation?”

”Master, in my era, the art of Arrays was not well-developed. I have not seen this method of Array Formation.”

Ever since being humbled by Song Changsheng last time, it had become exceedingly modest regarding matters of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.

Hearing this, Song Changsheng didn’t press the issue and began to study the Array before him.

’This Array is formed by twenty-seven Array Banners, but I can’t find an Array Foundation. What is the main body of this Array, then? And where is the Array Hub?’

A glint in his eyes, Song Changsheng traced the Array’s pathways one by one. He soon discovered several breaking points, but they were difficult to exploit with his level of Cultivation.

After weighing his options, he finally decided to enter the Array himself. First, he would find the Array Hub, and then he would break this Grand Array!

While Song Changsheng was working to break the Array, the battle between the three Purple Mansion Cultivators had already moved tens of thousands of feet into the sky. Song Xianming and Yuann Tianshu formed a pincer formation, relying on their Body Techniques and Little Divine Techniques to constantly harry the Judgment Envoy.

The Judgment Envoy was a pure Body Refiner, so their attacks posed little threat to him. However, they refused to engage him head-on, proving as slippery as two eels and making it difficult for his own attacks to land.

After some time, the Judgment Envoy grew furious. With a sudden swing of his Bronze War Halberd, startling peals of thunder cracked as a heavy, leaden cloud enveloped the battlefield and countless Thunder Serpents surged forth.

The Judgment Envoy stood bathed in the immense Thunderbolt, his entire being exuding an aura of destruction.

Song Xianming and Yuann Tianshu exchanged a look, both seeing the grave expression in the other’s eyes.

BOOM—

The Bronze War Halberd swung, and a cataclysmic Thunderbolt transformed into a massive python that charged straight at Song Xianming.

The Thunderous Python was terrifyingly lifelike. Arcs of lightning formed its Scale Armor as it twisted its massive, bloated body, roaring forward with an invisible current.

The hair on Song Xianming’s head stood on end, his mind reeling. He rapidly executed a Body Technique to retreat while simultaneously activating his Little Divine Technique, [Celestial Spirit Shield].

BOOM—

The massive python slammed into Song Xianming. The [Celestial Spirit Shield] shattered instantly. He felt a sharp pain in his chest as an electric current spread through his entire body in a flash, nearly stopping his heart.

When the lightning dissipated, Song Xianming’s entire body was charred black.

”Fellow Daoist Song?” Yuann Tianshu’s face fell in alarm. He hadn’t expected the enemy’s counterattack to be so ferocious. Seeing that the envoy was about to repeat the move, the Long Sword on his back instantly flew from its sheath, its clear ring echoing through the heavens.

”Martial Uncle, lend me your strength!” Yuann Tianshu shouted.

This Treasure Sword was a Magical Treasure left to him by his master. Its Artifact Spirit had been tempered by a Celestial Tribulation, and its Spiritual Wisdom was nearly mature. With its cooperation, Yuann Tianshu’s combat strength could increase by more than thirty percent!

”Shatter!”

The Sword Qi, like a rainbow, pierced straight through the Thunderous Python.

But before Yuann Tianshu could feel any joy, the Judgment Envoy had already appeared unnervingly at his side, the Bronze War Halberd swinging mercilessly toward him.

In the nick of time, a flying sword deflected the Bronze War Halberd with a sharp PING. Yuann Tianshu then saw a small, brilliantly golden dagger slice through the void, heading straight for the Judgment Envoy’s Sea of Consciousness.

It was none other than the Little Divine Technique Song Xianming had comprehended: [Soul-Slaying Golden Saber]!

ROAR—

The Golden Saber slashed his soul. The Judgment Envoy instantly clutched his head and let out a furious roar.

”Fellow Daoist Yuann, now’s your chance!”

At the shout, Yuann Tianshu snapped back to his senses. His Long Sword shot across the sky, plunging straight toward the Judgment Envoy’s heart!

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