Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

By this point, Zhu Yiqun’s voice was already choked with emotion. It was a long and tearful story; heaven only knew how he’d gotten through all those years.

”So, what are your plans now?” Song Changsheng didn’t even have to ask; he knew this guy must have run away from home.

”We were just talking about that. What do you think about me?” Zhu Yiqun suddenly sidled closer with a cheeky grin.

Seeing the look on Zhu Yiqun’s face, Song Changsheng felt a shiver run down his spine. He quickly stepped aside, took hold of Zhuang Yuechan’s soft hand, and said, ”What are you doing? I’m not into men, you know.”

”Damn it, get your mind out of the gutter.” Zhu Yiqun rolled his eyes. ”Isn’t your Song Clan recruiting Honored Guests? With my abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

”You want to join the Song Clan?” Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up. With Little Fatty’s skills, his joining would be a huge asset.

”In your dreams. I’m a free spirit, born to roam. Wouldn’t joining your Song Clan make me a caged bird, a fish in a net?

I want to be an Honored Guest—the kind who gets paid in Spirit Stones but doesn’t have to do any work,” Zhu Yiqun said with disdain.

”Besides, as the only man in my generation of the Ancient Sword Sect, I’m destined to be the next Sect Leader. What would it look like for me to join your Song Clan?”

”You can be an Honored Guest, but you have to work. As it happens, I’m making a trip to Five Elements Peak. You can come with me. We’ll call it a trial. If you do well, I’ll hire you as an Honored Guest.”

”I knew nothing good would come of tagging along with you.” Zhu Yiqun pouted but didn’t refuse. Instead, he looked over at Xu Yunhe. ”I’m already on this pirate ship. Why don’t you join me? Wouldn’t it be great to have this guy support us?”

Xu Yunhe smiled faintly. ”I’ll pass. The day I reach the Purple Mansion realm, I will establish my own sect in the Hundred Thousand Mountains!”

Hearing this, Song Changsheng’s thoughts drifted back ten years. Before the Treasure Vault in Luoxia City, Xu Yunhe had told him he wanted to grow into a towering tree, one that could shelter his descendants and disciples from the wind and rain.

All these years later, Xu Yunhe was still working to fulfill his promise.

”Establishing a sect... Not a bad idea.” Zhu Yiqun nodded, sprinkling his secret seasoning over the golden-brown roasted meat. In an instant, a unique, rich aroma wafted over the entire Spirit Mountain.

The four of them feasted on meat and wine, and then set off together on the path to Five Elements Peak...

Five Elements Peak was located in the western part of Tuo Province, less than ten thousand li from Dingyuan City. At their speed, the four of them soon entered the territory Muu Guibai had promised.

”What a treasure. It seems a bit desolate now, but after some development, it could easily support a thriving Purple Mansion Clan.” Xu Yunhe gazed at the vibrant, green land before them, his eyes filled with envy. ’This is exactly the kind of land I want.’

”I’d always heard people say how rich the Hundred Thousand Mountains were, but I never truly grasped what that meant,” Song Changsheng remarked with a sigh. ”Only now that I’m seeing it for myself do I understand.”

As he stood on this land, his Divine Sense had already detected numerous Spirit Medicines and Demon Beasts hidden among the trees and fields. All of them were precious resources.

And beneath the thick layers of earth lay many rare ore deposits and Spiritual Veins. This was the capital that would allow the Song Clan to soar.

”That must be Five Elements Peak over there. It’s magnificent,” Zhu Yiqun said, pointing to a Spirit Peak in front of them that towered into the clouds.

”I think so. Let’s go have a look.”

The group flew on their swords to the base of the Spirit Peak. Looking up from below, they could see that a good half of Five Elements Peak was shrouded above the clouds.

”It’s at least eight thousand zhang high, even taller than Vast Mist Peak. The concentration of Spiritual Qi is just as impressive. I’d say you could move the Song Clan’s main base here directly,” Zhu Yiqun said in amazement.

”I’ve considered it, but I have to be responsible for my clansmen. This place borders the territory of the Demon Race. After all the turmoil they’ve been through over the years, I want them to have a period of peace and stability.”

The Song Clan had been through too much over the years and made too many sacrifices. Almost every household had been in mourning.

Song Changsheng couldn’t let the giant that was the Song Clan halt its advance, but he could give it some time to catch its breath.

”Let’s head up and take a look,” Zhuang Yuechan said, pointing to a small mountain path in the woods that looked like it had been trampled out by some large beast.

”Alright.”

Song Changsheng agreed and started up the mountain. The moment his foot touched the soil, his brow furrowed.

”Have you guys noticed anything strange?” Song Changsheng asked, looking at his three companions.

”There’s something strange about the Spiritual Qi here.”

”It must be because of the Spiritual Vein,” Zhuang Yuechan said, suddenly startled. ”The Spiritual Qi of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—is exceptionally dense. Could this be the legendary Five Elements Spiritual Veins?”

”A Tier Three Five Elements Spiritual Vein? If so, this place is worth even more than we thought,” Zhu Yiqun said, dumbfounded.

There are many kinds of Spiritual Veins in the world. The most common type, like the one on Vast Mist Peak, releases pure Spiritual Qi. Cultivators and Demon Beasts of any Spirit Root can absorb it for cultivation, and it is suitable for growing most Spirit Plants.

In addition, they are also subdivided into single-element Spiritual Veins—such as metal, wood, water, fire, earth, lightning, wind, and ice—and dual-element Spiritual Veins, like water-fire, earth-wood, or water-wood.

These elemental Spiritual Veins only release their corresponding type of Spiritual Power and are only suitable for the cultivation and growth of cultivators, Demon Beasts, and Spirit Plants with the matching element.

This type of Spiritual Qi is purer, allowing for faster cultivation, but it is also restrictive and has significant limitations.

But Five Elements Spiritual Veins are different. The Spiritual Qi they release is suitable for all five elements, making them one of the best types of Spiritual Veins in the world.

”Five Elements Spiritual Veins are extremely rare and usually form for a specific reason. I wonder what’s so special about this place?” As he spoke, an uncanny pattern surfaced in the depths of Song Changsheng’s eyes, and the entire interior of the mountain became clear to him.

Song Changsheng saw the entire mountain peak enveloped in a hazy, five-colored light. Deep inside the mountain, he spotted a watermelon-sized ball of light radiating an intense, multicolored glow.

’Is this... a Five Elements Treasure?’ Song Changsheng frowned. ’Five Elements Treasures are incredibly precious. With so many experts in the Allied Army, there’s no way no one would have discovered it. How could it still be here?’

’Could it be...’ Song Changsheng suddenly remembered that when he spoke with Muu Guibai yesterday, she had mentioned leaving a gift for him on Five Elements Peak. ’Is this Five Elements Treasure her gift?’

”What did you see, Changsheng?” Xu Yunhe asked curiously.

”There’s a Five Elements Treasure inside the mountain’s core,” Song Changsheng said without concealment. There was no point in hiding it; everyone present was formidable in their own right. Even if he didn’t say anything, they would have figured it out sooner or later, so there was no need to be secretive.

”A Five Elements Treasure... This must be the gift Master left for you, right?” Zhuang Yuechan said pensively.

Song Changsheng gave her a surprised glance, not expecting that Zhuang Yuechan also knew about it.

”Tsk, tsk. I’m so jealous I could die. I wish I could find a rich sugar mama to support me too,” Zhu Yiqun said, his face a mask of envy.

Song Changsheng rolled his eyes at him. ”Let’s head up and take a look first.”

The group strolled up the mountain. Just as they reached the halfway point, Song Changsheng’s expression suddenly shifted. ”Looks like we have some uninvited guests,” he said in a cold voice.

”Such powerful Demon Qi... It must be at least a Tier Three Great Demon.” Xu Yunhe frowned. This Great Demon was an expert at concealment; they hadn’t detected it until now.

”That shouldn’t be possible. The Great Demon on this Spirit Peak was supposed to have been killed by the Allied Army. How could another Tier Three Great Demon be here?”

”We’re close to the Demon Race’s territory. It’s only natural for a Tier Three Spiritual Vein to attract some Demon Beasts. I’m afraid our sightseeing is over for today, though.”

An unclaimed Spiritual Vein was immensely attractive to Demon Beasts, so Song Changsheng wasn’t surprised. It just seemed their expedition today would have to be cut short.

”What? We’ve come all this way. Are you planning on turning back, Brother Song?” Zhu Yiqun asked, looking at Song Changsheng with a relaxed expression.

”It is a Tier Three Great Demon, after all. We should be cautious.”

”If it were confident in taking us on, it wouldn’t be hiding up on the mountain. Do you dare to go face it with me?” Zhu Yiqun said, brimming with confidence.

...