Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The choice was between the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect.

It was a simple choice—or rather, it was no choice at all. Luoxia City’s opponent had been the Celestial Vein Sect from the very start. The Celestial Vein Sect knew this as well, which was why Wun Qianqian issued her challenge the moment she stepped onto the stage.

Yinn Shang gave a slight nod to his four companions, then leaped onto the arena stage held by the Celestial Vein Sect.

”Yinn Shang of Luoxia City. I ask for your guidance, fellow cultivator.” Yinn Shang wore a gentle smile, his white robes fluttering in the wind. His graceful bearing caused many women in the viewing stands to cast flirtatious glances his way.

”Sending Yinn Shang out for the very first battle? It seems Luoxia City is really running out of options,” a white-haired and bearded old man in the viewing stands said with disdain.

”Heh, you’re right about that. See that kid down there in the cyan robes? He’s Song Changsheng, the new Clan Leader of the Song Clan,” Hex Tai sneered.

”So, Luoxia City even hired outside help? Heh. It seems there’s no suspense left in this fight.” The old man’s gaze grew even more contemptuous.

Not everyone welcomed Luoxia City’s rise. For the cultivators already at the top of the pyramid, the city’s growing power was a direct threat to their interests.

The pie was only so big. Every new person who wanted a slice was carving meat from their own flesh.

Fortunately, Luoxia City’s foundation was still small and posed no immediate threat to the dominance of the two Major Sects. But if Luoxia City were allowed to unite Tuo Province and Bian Province under its banner, that would be a different story entirely.

Thus, there were many who would be delighted to see them fail.

While some hoped for Luoxia City’s defeat, there were naturally others who wished for its victory.

Within Luoxia City’s faction, besides the Song Clan, there was also the Huansha Sect and the Demon Suppression Hall.

Seeing Yinn Shang go out to fight first, the members of the Huansha Sect were the most anxious.

”Why would they send Yinn Shang out first? Even if he wins this round, how will he face Jin Yue later?” Huaa Ruoxi’s delicate brows furrowed in confusion.

In a high-stakes competition like this, every match was incredibly draining. If Yinn Shang fought now, he would have to face a fully-rested Jin Yue later. No matter how you looked at it, this was not a logical choice.

”Sect Leader Huaa, please be patient. The Second City Lord must have his reasons for this arrangement. We should just wait and see,” Fengg Zhongyi said, offering a comforting chuckle.

”Easy for you to say, Hall Master Fengg. My Huansha Sect has staked everything on Luoxia City this time. How could I not be anxious?” Huaa Ruoxi retorted irritably.

”Hahaha! Sect Leader Huaa, just watch. The match is starting,” Fengg Zhongyi laughed, turning his attention back to the arena.

On the stage, Yinn Shang and Wun Qianqian had already begun to fight.

Wun Qianqian was a direct disciple of the Celestial Vein Sect’s Sect Leader and cultivated the Nine Heavens Thousand Veins Scripture. When activated, this Heart Method could rapidly absorb Spiritual Qi and convert it into Spiritual Power. While it lacked explosive power, it excelled in endurance, providing a continuous flow of energy like a great river.

From the start, Wun Qianqian’s goal was to wear Yinn Shang down. She avoided direct clashes, instead relying on her agile Body Technique to skirmish with him.

The longer the fight dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for Yinn Shang.

’Her Body Technique is faster than mine. I have to find a way to slow her down,’ Yinn Shang thought, calmly parrying her attacks as he considered his options.

’Got it.’ Suddenly, inspiration struck Yinn Shang.

BOOM—

He stomped his foot, and a colossal curtain of water materialized from thin air, crashing toward Wun Qianqian with the force to topple a city.

”Break!” Wun Qianqian cried out. She swept the Cyan Blade in her hand, unleashing a sharp, golden Sword Qi that instantly tore the water curtain apart.

But Wun Qianqian quickly realized something was wrong. Yinn Shang, who should have been behind the curtain of water, had vanished. Acting on pure combat instinct, she immediately dodged to the side.

Little did she know this was all part of Yinn Shang’s plan. His figure suddenly appeared in mid-air. He pointed down at the stage and intoned, ”Cage!”

Thorny vines sprouted from the stage floor, crisscrossing and rapidly covering the entire platform. Wun Qianqian’s expression chilled. With a light tap of her toes, she used Sword Control to rise into the air, attempting to evade the thorns.

But the vines grew with shocking speed, pursuing her relentlessly like maggots feasting on bone.

”Damn it,” Wun Qianqian grit her teeth. She had no choice but to keep swinging her sword to sever the vines, but doing so brought her to a dead stop.

Yinn Shang seized the opportunity. He instantly closed the distance, his fingers splayed. A small Glazed Mirror appeared and shot out a beam of golden light.

Caught by surprise, Wun Qianqian was struck in the face by the golden light. A searing pain shot through her eyes, and her Sea of Consciousness reeled as if struck by a heavy blow. Her ears rang violently.

”Little Divine Technique: Celestial Star Palm!”

In an instant, Yinn Shang appeared before Wun Qianqian. A brilliant river of stars swirled in his palm as he brought it down toward her head.

Worthy of her reputation as a genius, Wun Qianqian—despite being temporarily blinded and her Divine Sense in disarray—managed to thrust out a palm of her own, relying on sheer, astounding reflex.

BOOM—

An invisible shockwave blasted outward, sending both figures flying. They stabilized themselves almost at the same time, but while Yinn Shang’s aura was undiminished, a trickle of blood escaped the corner of Wun Qianqian’s mouth.

”Junior Sister Wun is about to lose,” Jin Yue said gravely from below the stage.

Just as he predicted, after that single misstep, Wun Qianqian was completely dominated by Yinn Shang. In less than half an ancient hour, she was defeated and blasted out of the arena.

”Yinn Shang is victorious!” Luu Yuming stepped forward at the opportune moment to announce the result.

The section of the viewing stands nearest to Luoxia City erupted in fervent cheers, while the side for the Celestial Vein Sect was filled with righteous indignation.