Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The result left Zhan Tianxia trembling with rage. The day the interrogation ended, he personally took action, obliterating the captured culprits until nothing but dust remained. He then made the findings of the investigation public.

In an instant, the world was in an uproar.

Factions that had previously paid the matter little mind snapped to attention, practically turning the entire Daqi Cultivation World upside down in their search.

The various strongholds of the Thunder King Hall throughout the Daqi Cultivation World suffered a devastating blow, with only a few remaining, trembling in forgotten corners.

It is worth mentioning that in this vigorous campaign against the Thunder King Hall's strongholds, the one to suffer the most was not the Thunder King Hall itself. Instead, it was the Blood Demon Sect and the Vast Alliance, which had been hiding in the shadows, that were struck by an unexpected calamity.

The Vast Alliance fared better. It was mostly composed of Loose Cultivators hidden among the populace, their identities difficult to pin down. They only had a few of their meeting points uprooted.

The Blood Demon Sect, however, was hit hard. Their branches in several provinces were torn out by the roots, and their losses were no less severe than those from their previous sneak attack on Luoxia City.

Most frighteningly, the matter triggered a chain reaction. Before this, most people had assumed the Blood Demons were merely remnants of the Blood Demon Sect, barely clinging to life in the Daqi Cultivation World.

But after this incident, they were shocked to discover that the Blood Demon Sect had branches in nearly all of the Daqi Nineteen Provinces. Even the territories controlled by the Demon Suppression Hall were not spared.

This discovery was a harsh slap in the face to everyone. Unbeknownst to them, this group of Blood Demon Sect remnants had grown into a behemoth.

And throughout this time, neither the Demon Suppression Hall nor the Golden Crow Sect had noticed a thing, a fact that was not only infuriating but also instilled a lingering sense of fear.

Thus, another purge targeting the Blood Demon Sect was launched throughout the Daqi Cultivation World. However, it yielded little. As soon as word got out, the Blood Demon Sect began a mass relocation, completely retreating into the shadows to lie dormant.

With that, the Daqi Cultivation World, which had been in turmoil for nearly three months, gradually returned to peace.

Meanwhile, the main culprit behind all this was on Vast Mist Peak, about to begin his succession ceremony...

The sky was a flawless blue, without a single cloud for a thousand miles. The great sun hung high in the firmament, birds chirped, insects buzzed, and all of creation pulsed with vibrant life.

As a solemn bell tolled, a magnificently robed Song Changsheng pushed open the doors of the Minor Affairs Hall. Led by four "Lu" generation Cultivators, each holding a different ceremonial object, he began his slow procession toward the Soul Lamp Hall.

Behind him followed two columns of "Qing" generation Cultivators dressed in white, led by Song Qingxi and Song Qinghong. They carried long swords on their backs, matching his every step with grave solemnity, the only sound the rustle of their feet on the white jade floor.

Lining both sides of the path stood disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall in black, close-fitting attire. They held flags embroidered with the clan emblem, standing as solemn as ancient pines, unmoving in the wind as they watched the procession depart.

At noon, the procession arrived before the Soul Lamp Hall, precisely on time.

The plaza in front of the Soul Lamp Hall was already filled with people. Most were Song Clan Members, with a smaller number of guests invited to observe the ceremony.

Compared to Song Xianming's Purple Mansion Grand Ceremony, far fewer people were in attendance. This was not an intentional slight against the Song Clan's prestige, but a matter of clan rules.

The Clan Leader's succession ceremony was a momentous family affair involving ancestral worship and the transfer of tokens of authority. No mistakes could be tolerated during the process, so only the Song Clan's staunchest allies and friends were invited.

This included only a select few, such as the Wang Clan, representatives from Luoxia City, Yuann Tianshu, and Jiang Shuming.

Though the number of guests was small, the ceremony's grandeur was not.

Before the Soul Lamp Hall, Song Xianyun, his face beaming, bellowed, "The auspicious hour has arrived! We invite the Young Clan Leader to enter the hall and pay respects to the ancestors!"

Song Changsheng stepped forward. With a solemn expression, he straightened his robes and crown, then gently pushed open the great doors of the Soul Lamp Hall. Bright sunlight streamed in, illuminating the countless Soul Lamps and coating the hall in a layer of golden light.

As far as the eye could see, several thousand Soul Lamps were arranged in tiers. The lamps in the uppermost rings were all extinguished. Behind each lamp stood a Spiritual Tablet, each one representing a life that had passed.

Most of the Soul Lamps on the tier for the "Xian" generation were extinguished, with only a few remaining lit.

More than half of the lamps on the "Lu" generation's tier were also out.

The most numerous remaining were those of the "Chang" and "Qing" generations.

At the very front were several brand-new Soul Lamps belonging to the "You" generation Cultivators.

The Soul Lamp Hall was, in a sense, a microcosm of the Song Clan's five-hundred-year history. Each small lamp was a testament to a person's journey through this world.

In the center of the hall, a tall, straight figure knelt on a bright yellow prayer mat. He faced an altar upon which sat four spiritual tablets and a single Soul Lamp.

His expression grave, Song Changsheng walked to Song Xianming's side and slowly knelt.

"Kowtow—"

Song Xianming intoned softly.

Together, they kowtowed, every movement meticulous and precise.

"Rise—"

"Kowtow—"

...

After nine consecutive kowtows, Song Xianming rose to his feet. He took out a Jade Scroll, unfurled it, and recited in a rhythmic, formal tone, "The fifth Clan Leader of the Moon Viewing Song Clan, Song Xianming, reports to the ancestors. We present the clan's Auspicious Heir, Song Changsheng—great-grandson of his forebears, my own eldest grandson, and the eldest son of Song Luyan.

"He is of outstanding character and exceptional insight. He is close to his kinsmen and reveres his elders. He has exhausted his mind and body for the clan, working diligently and conscientiously, without regard for his own life or death.

"Internally, his rewards and punishments are clear and just, neither biased nor selfish.

"Externally, he is firm and decisive, neither servile nor arrogant.

"Nominated by the clan members, he now succeeds as the sixth Clan Leader of our family. We pray the ancestral spirits in heaven will bless our clan with their souls, protect the Song Clan for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, grant us prosperous immortal fate, and allow us to attain the Dao and be everlasting!"

With that, Song Xianming bowed respectfully and cast the Jade Scroll into a prepared brazier. He watched as the scroll was consumed by flames, transforming into a wisp of green smoke that drifted slowly upward.

The grandfather and grandson watched this scene in silence until the smoke had completely dispersed.

DONG...

The bell tolled again. Four "Lu" generation Cultivators, each carrying a purple tray, entered in single file and stood in a row behind the pair.

Another person entered carrying a red tray, upon which sat a handkerchief and a basin of clear water.

Song Xianming first washed his hands in the basin, dried them with the handkerchief, and then took a Purple Gold High Crown from the first purple tray. Solemnly, he placed it upon Song Changsheng's head.

This was the first of the four tokens of the Song Clan Leader: the Purple Gold Crown, a symbol of the Clan Leader's status.

Next, he took a foot-long, Xuan-yellow Ruler from the second tray. Song Changsheng received it with both hands and raised it above his forehead.

This was the second of the four tokens: the Ruler, which granted the Clan Leader the right to discipline clan members.

Following that was a heavy, ornate purple robe, which Song Xianming personally helped Song Changsheng put on.

This was the third of the four tokens: the Sacrificial Robe, another symbol of the Clan Leader's status and position.

Last was a white Jade Token, three inches long and one inch wide. Song Xianming solemnly hung it from Song Changsheng's waist.

This was the fourth and final token: the Identity Token, which bestowed upon the Clan Leader the supreme authority to oversee all clan affairs.

And so, witnessed by his ancestors, Song Changsheng formally succeeded as the sixth Clan Leader of the Song Clan!

"Go offer a stick of incense to the ancestors," Song Xianming said, handing him a stick of fine incense.

Song Changsheng nodded silently and came to a stop before the central spiritual tablet. On it was inscribed: "First Generation Clan Leader, Song Taiyi."

The two spiritual tablets to the left were for the "Second Generation Clan Leader, Song Chuer" and the "Third Generation Clan Leader, Song Yungui." The tablet to the right was for the "Fourth Generation Clan Leader, Song Yunhan." The inscription on the Soul Lamp was for the "Fifth Generation Clan Leader, Song Xianming."

When Song Xianming passed away, his spiritual tablet would also be placed here.

Song Changsheng bowed respectfully and inserted the incense stick into the censer.

After all this was done, Song Xianming picked up Song Changsheng's Soul Lamp. He thought for a moment, then placed it next to Song Yungui's.

Among the five previous Clan Leaders, Song Changsheng's style was most similar to Song Yungui's. Song Xianming hoped that, like his predecessor, Song Changsheng would one day lead the clan to new heights!

"Come, let's go out and greet the clan members." Song Xianming clapped Song Changsheng on the shoulder, his eyes filled with gratification.

Walking down a golden path paved by sunlight, Song Changsheng slowly appeared before the crowd, wearing the Purple Gold Crown, clad in the Sacrificial Robe, holding the Ruler, and bearing the Token at his waist.

At that moment, every Cultivator of the clan, old and young alike, bowed in unison and cried out, "We greet the Clan Leader!"

...

PS: I feel like something is missing. I revised it a few times and then just gave up struggling. Just read it casually.

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