Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Ten days passed in a flash.

All the Song Clan Elders gathered in one hall as Song Luzhou began to make the final personnel assignments.

Song Changxiu was recalled from the Mortal Realm. Song Lutong, Song Changxuan, and Song Chang’an were recalled from Five Elements Peak. All were added to the roster of the expeditionary force.

Song Changxue and Song Qingqing were also recalled from the Moon Viewing Marketplace.

In addition, the other clan Elders joining the expedition were Song Qingxing, Song Qingming, Song Qingqian, Song Luyun, and Xia Yunxue.

Also joining were Honored Guest Elders Chi Huo Old Ghost and Zhu Yiqun.

Below the rank of Elder, there weren’t many personnel changes, save for the assignment of one hundred clan Cultivators at the Mid-stage Qi Refining realm or higher.

Song Changsheng’s strategy was simple: speed was paramount. Traveling via the [Black Star Ship], they could reach the Lieyang Sect’s main camp in less than three days.

After annihilating the Lieyang Sect, they could then attack the Xiang Province Rong Clan with the speed of a thunderclap, preventing the two from colluding.

”The assignments for the expedition are as I’ve stated. Does anyone have any objections?” Song Luzhou said, setting down the Jade Scroll in his hand and looking around at the assembled Elders.

Everyone present wore a solemn expression, wholeheartedly approving of Song Luzhou’s arrangements.

”Excellent. In that case, prepare to depart. The [Black Star Ship] is already waiting at the foot of the mountain. I shall remain here on Vast Mist Peak and await news of your triumphant return!” Song Luzhou’s expression was grave as he bowed deeply to the group.

”Just you watch, Fifth Brother! This time, I’ll definitely twist that Wang Yuesong’s head off and bring it back for you to use as a chamber pot!” Song Lutong let out a vicious laugh and was the first to stride out of the hall.

The other Elders on the expedition roster followed close behind.

”Fifth Uncle, I’m heading out now. I’ll have to trouble you to manage the clan’s affairs,” Song Changsheng said solemnly as he stepped before Song Luzhou.

”Don’t worry, I’ll watch over the clan for you,” Song Luzhou said, a strained smile on his face. If not for the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, he too would have wanted to join this battle. After all... he had waited for this day for far too long.

The Lieyang Sect and the Song Clan—their feud had lasted for decades!

”Don’t worry. I will collect on all our debts at once. Every last one.”

”Good. I’ll be waiting for news of your victory,” Song Luzhou said with a smile, waving his hand to signal for Song Changsheng to catch up with the others.

Song Changsheng flew down to the foot of Vast Mist Peak. He found the troops already assembled in neat formations. Everyone was dressed in black, tight-fitting attire with a white cloth strip tied around one arm. A solemn silence hung over the ranks.

Gazing at the figure standing in the air before them, the faces of the Song Clan Cultivators were filled with deep reverence.

After all, standing before them was the youngest Purple Mansion Great Cultivator in the entire Daqi Cultivation World. What an immense honor! As Song Clan Members, they too felt a swell of pride.

As his gaze swept over the faces below, Song Changsheng’s heart stirred. He knew he should say something at this moment, but he also knew that any words would seem pale and weak.

So, he abandoned any thought of a grand speech. With a wave of his hand, he declared in a clear, loud voice, ”Move out! We will crush the Lieyang Sect!”

”Crush the Lieyang Sect!”

”Crush the Yang Sect!”

Emotions surged through the crowd as a roar, suppressed for far too long, erupted from the depths of their hearts. Their voices merged into one, soaring to the nine heavens, shattering the clouds and, more importantly, the courage of the cowards spying on them from the shadows!

’The Song Clan... They’re launching a full-scale invasion? I must report to the Grand Elder immediately.’ On a barren mountain far away, a hidden scout from the Lieyang Sect was scared out of his wits by the sight.

He immediately prepared to send a message to the Lieyang Sect.

But just as he made a move, a blast of Qi Force pierced his throat. Blood trickled from the dark, gaping wound, staining the front of his robes.

He struggled to lift his head, only to find that Song Changsheng had appeared before him at some unknown moment, a pair of icy eyes staring down at him.

Suddenly, with a surge of courage from nowhere, he craned his neck and roared at Song Changsheng, ”How dare you offend my Lieyang Sect! I swear you will not return alive!”

BANG—

The next moment, his head exploded like a watermelon.

Looking at the headless corpse twitching on the ground, Song Changsheng said coldly, ”Noisy.”

”Reporting to the Clan Leader, all surrounding scouts have been eliminated. But... we couldn’t lock down the information completely. A message still got out,” a Steward from the Wind Language Hall said, arriving before Song Changsheng and bowing his head to ask for punishment.

”It’s of no consequence. I never intended to hide our movements anyway. As long as we’re fast enough, they won’t have time to react.

Spread your men out and lock down the entire Moon Viewing Mountain Range. During this campaign, report any and all activity to me immediately.”

”As you command!” the Steward replied respectfully, then vanished into the shadows of the forest.

A moment later, the [Black Star Ship] let out a piercing roar and shot toward the Celestial Yang Mountain Range as a streak of light...

「Yang Province, Celestial Yang Mountain Range, Lieyang Sect Main Camp.」

Wang Yuesong stared at the message the scout had died to deliver, and his world tilted. He roared at the Elders assembled in the hall, ”Didn’t the Sect Leader say the Supreme Elder and the others went to ambush Song Changsheng? What is going on?! Why isn’t he dead yet? WHY ISN’T HE DEAD?!”

Rage seethed in his chest. In his fury, Wang Yuesong smashed the low table before him with a single slap.

Faced with the furious Wang Yuesong, the Elders in the hall were as silent as cicadas in winter. The disciples were even more terrified, trembling uncontrollably—not from fear of Wang Yuesong, but of the impending invasion from the Moon Viewing Song Clan!

Seeing that Wang Yuesong’s fury had subsided somewhat, an Elder with a full head of white hair and a matching beard stepped forward and asked cautiously, ”Grand Elder, if I may ask... what should we do now?”