Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”I’m Qin Yu,” the boy blurted out.

”Good. Like him, put your hand on it and clear your mind.”

Faced with a test that would determine his very future, Qin Yu felt no nervousness. Instead, he was eager to try.

The moment Song Changxue finished speaking, he pressed his right hand onto the Compass.

A moment later, the Compass once again erupted in a dazzling glare. This time, Qin Ze saw it clearly: it was gold and crimson. His heart leaped with excitement again. He knew that Qin Yu, just like him, also possessed a Spirit Root.

Of everyone present, only Qin Yu himself didn’t know what was happening, his face a mask of confusion.

”Dare I ask, Immortal Envoy, what is my brother’s aptitude?” Qin Ze ventured. This was the first time he had spoken up on his own.

”A five-inch Gold Spirit Root and a seven-inch Fire Spirit Root. You two brothers have truly given me a wonderful surprise.” Song Changxue’s face was filled with delight. When she saw Qin Ze’s Spirit Testing results, she knew the other twin’s aptitude wouldn’t be far off. And sure enough, Qin Yu hadn’t disappointed her; he was just a hair behind Qin Ze.

A long time ago, a strange phenomenon was discovered: some identical twins look strikingly similar, while others look completely different.

For those with highly similar appearances, if one had a Spirit Root, the other was guaranteed to have one as well, and their aptitudes wouldn’t differ by much.

Conversely, for those who looked different, it was common for one to have a Spirit Root while the other did not.

Even if both did, their aptitudes could vary greatly.

A theory circulated throughout the Cultivation Realm that sought to explain this. It claimed that identical-looking twins were, in fact, originally a single entity, having split from the same portion of Essence. This was why their appearances and aptitudes were so similar.

Those who looked different, however, were formed from two separate portions of Essence. Although they were conceived and born together, they were two distinct individuals, no different from ordinary siblings, and thus weren’t considered true twins.

In this world, only pairs like Qin Ze and Qin Yu were considered true twins. They were often viewed as a single entity.

A bit slow on the uptake, Qin Yu finally processed Song Changxue’s words and jumped up in excitement. ”I have a Spirit Root? That’s great! I have a Spirit Root! I have one too! I’m going to be an Immortal!”

Qin Ze quickly pulled him aside, warning him not to get carried away.

But Qin Yu paid him no mind, dancing and flailing his arms in excitement.

”My younger brother is just overexcited. I hope the Elder can forgive him,” Qin Ze said to Song Changxue, his face flushed with embarrassment.

”And you? Are you not happy?” Song Changxue gave him an odd look. He was just a child, yet he was more composed than many adults.

”I am overjoyed, of course. But my mother told me that those destined for greatness must not let their emotions show. I have always taken her words to heart,” Qin Ze said softly.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Song Changxue’s eyes. Many people knew those words, but precious few could live by them.

’Her delight grew.’ She summoned a Steward. ”Take them and get them settled properly. Also, send someone to bring their parents and family here.”

”Understood.”

Watching the two little ones’ retreating figures, Song Changxue sighed and murmured, ”If only your surname were Song...”

The Immortal Ascension Conference lasted for twenty-eight days, by which time all two hundred thousand eligible children had been tested. A total of two hundred sixteen of them were found to have Spirit Roots.

The long-awaited Celestial Spirit Root never appeared, nor did a single Abnormal Spirit Root. There were only five children with Dual Spirit Roots. The best among them was a girl with Water and Wood Dual Spirit Roots, both of which reached seven inches.

The Qin brothers, Ze and Yu, were also among them.

The remaining two were a hair worse than the brothers, but they all showed great potential.

There were also sixteen children with Three Spirit Roots, which was considered a bountiful harvest.

The Song Clan obviously couldn’t take in so many people. Song Changxue selected only the fifty most exceptional children. The remaining hundred-plus were unceremoniously handed over to Chi Huo Old Ghost. He, along with a core team dispatched by the Song Clan, was to establish an organization resembling an academy.

Song Luzhou specifically allocated a portion of the annual tributes from the major powers in Yang Province to fund the academy’s operations.

The Song Clan would support the cultivation of the children in this academy until they turned eighteen. Once they came of age, their future would depend on their performance. The most outstanding among them would be assigned to serve in the Wind Language Hall. Those who performed well could serve as protectors in the various Mortal Cities under Celestial Yang Peak’s jurisdiction, and the Song Clan would provide them with a regular stipend.

If they didn’t wish to while away their years in the Mortal Realm, they could also join a Song Clan Demon Hunting Team or venture out on their own, so long as they never made an enemy of the Song Clan.

This would become an annual process. Although it was a considerable expense, the one thing the Song Clan did not lack was basic resources.

These recruits might seem insignificant at first, but over time, they would grow into an immense force.

This was the Song Clan’s way of cultivating helpers for Chi Huo Old Ghost. Although he had already taken several concubines to expand his lineage, his personal power base was still too weak. To properly guard Yang Province for the Song Clan, he would need the help of these people.

After everything was settled, Song Changxue and her group didn’t rush to leave. Instead, they waited on Celestial Yang Peak. They were waiting for one thing: an explanation from the seven great families about the recent attack.

Song Qingming had given them one month. That deadline was now fast approaching.

If they failed to handle it, the Song Clan wouldn’t mind handling it for them!

...

”So, you’re saying that some people within your own clans were dissatisfied with your surrender to us. They conspired to plan this attack, intending to provoke us into a massacre, which would force a rift between you and the Song Clan?

Clan Leader Chu, have I understood you correctly?” Song Changxue sat just below Chi Huo Old Ghost, her voice devoid of any discernible emotion.

Chu Nanfeng seemed to have aged a decade since they last met. He replied without even raising his head, ”That is correct.”

”Hah. How interesting.”

Song Changxue let out a cold laugh and rose to her feet. ”Clan Leaders, since your surrender, has the Song Clan wronged you in any way?

You formed an alliance to resist us, and my Clan Leader pardoned you without pursuing the matter.

You seized properties belonging to the Lieyang Sect, and my clan did not punish you, merely ordering you to return a small portion.

You said Yang Province was in turmoil and needed to be rebuilt, and you requested a reduction in tribute. My clan agreed, allowing you to pay only half the required tribute for the next ten years, and only once every five years at that.

My clan has treated you with the utmost benevolence, yet some still harbor treacherous intentions. Fine. That’s just fine!”

Although Song Changxue was merely an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, her cultivation lower than everyone present, the aura she projected made it impossible for them to meet her gaze.

Because behind her stood the Song Clan, a power that could annihilate them as easily as flipping a hand!

Bai Ruohong quickly stepped forward, pleading, ”Elder Changxue, please calm your anger! We have all witnessed the Sect Leader’s benevolence and have never felt any dissatisfaction. It was truly just a few brainless fools in our clans who were led astray by outsiders and made this terrible mistake.

We have already rounded up all the culprits. They are being held outside the hall, awaiting your judgment, Elder Changxue.”

”That’s right! It was all because of the Vast Alliance. These people were manipulated by them. We have already apprehended them all. We beg for your forgiveness, Elder.”

”The Vast Alliance.” Song Changxue’s eyes narrowed. ’Those rats hiding in the shadows have been getting more and more active lately.’

She turned to Chi Huo Old Ghost. ”Chi Huo Elder, the Clan Leader appointed you as the Chief Steward of Yang Province. How do you believe this matter should be handled?”

Chi Huo Old Ghost’s expression remained impassive. ”The people outside this hall have committed unforgivable crimes. They should be handed over to their respective Clan Leaders and be executed personally, in full view of their clans.

Furthermore, the seven clans must atone for their crimes through meritorious service. I give you three months. Gather your elites and conquer the Cyan Ape Mountain Range in Xiang Province. Before the new year, I want to see the Song Clan’s flag flying over Cyan Ape Mountain!”

As his words fell, looks of horror flashed across the faces of the seven clan leaders before vanishing...

...