Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"Alright, alright, I’ll say no more. I won’t disturb you two and your private little world. I’ll come find you later."

The woman extended a jade-like finger and lightly tapped Zhuang Yuechan’s smooth forehead, then gracefully rose and walked toward the door. As she passed Song Changsheng, she paused briefly, a cryptic smile on her face.

Even before she drew near, Song Changsheng had caught a faint, unusual fragrance. Long after she was gone, the scent still lingered, refusing to fade.

Song Changsheng watched her leave, a sense of vigilance rising within him. ’This woman is like a rose with thorns—beautiful and dangerous.’

The moment he turned back, a soft body threw itself into his arms. Breathing in the lovely fragrance emanating from the beauty in his arms, Song Changsheng’s own arms tightened, as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.

After a long while, the two reluctantly separated and sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

"Try the new tea I made." Zhuang Yuechan took out a Qingyu teacup as thin as a cicada’s wing, poured a verdant green tea into it, and placed it before Song Changsheng. Then, she cupped her face in her hands, watching him with a look of anticipation.

"You know how to make tea?" Song Changsheng was quite surprised. In all these years, he had never heard that Zhuang Yuechan had this skill.

He picked up the cup and took a sip. It was smooth on the palate, with a faint floral aroma and a slightly sweet aftertaste.

But he knew nothing about tea, only that it smelled wonderful. After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out two words: "Good tea."

Zhuang Yuechan pursed her lips and chuckled. "You’re probably the only one who would call this good tea. My senior sister said I didn’t control the heat properly when I was roasting the leaves, which ruined the original fragrance."

"The tea isn’t important. The one who made it is," Song Changsheng said with a straight face.

Zhuang Yuechan rolled her eyes at him, but her heart felt sweet.

"By the way, who was that senior sister just now?"

Song Changsheng had been at Celestial Sound Mountain for some time, but he had never seen that "senior sister" before.

"That’s the Sixth Senior Sister I’ve often mentioned to you! She’s taken great care of me ever since we were little. She’s also the one who taught me how to make tea."

"Shen Shishi?" Song Changsheng realized. She was known to be an elusive figure, and this was the first time he had met her in person. She was a little different from what he had imagined.

"Right, why did you suddenly show up?" Zhuang Yuechan asked, a bit puzzled.

"You don’t know?" Song Changsheng was surprised to hear that. He then explained that he would be representing Luoxia City in the upcoming competition.

"So you’re the one Eldest Senior Brother was talking about." Zhuang Yuechan understood now. She knew about the tournament, but she hadn’t known that Song Changsheng was the reinforcement they’d brought in.

The matter was still being kept confidential within Luoxia City.

"How has Lingyun been lately?"

"That kid’s doing great. He hangs out with Jin Xuan every day." Song Changsheng’s expression turned a bit odd as he said this. Jin Xuan was clearly his contracted Spirit Beast, yet it acted more like it belonged to Lingyun.

"I’ve been looking through some old texts recently. I found that his lethargy might not be a health problem. It could be some kind of special constitution. Have you had him tested?"

Song Changsheng was touched. He had only mentioned it once, but Zhuang Yuechan had taken it to heart and even went out of her way to research it.

"I was planning on it, but my family’s Spirit Testing Platform isn’t high-grade enough to get a reading. I was going to find another place to check after he has his Spirit Root tested."

"Oh, I see. When the time comes, you can just bring him here. The Spirit Testing Platform in Luoxia City is the best in the entire Daqi Cultivation World."

"Okay, I’ll remember that."

Song Changsheng reached out and took Zhuang Yuechan’s delicate hand. He smiled, and everything was understood without a word...

「The next morning.」

Niu Dazhuang showed up at his door. Without a word, he grabbed Song Changsheng’s arm and started pulling him outside.

Song Changsheng quickly stopped him, asking in confusion, "Senior Brother, where are you taking me?"

"I’m taking you somewhere good," Niu Dazhuang said, his expression mysterious.

Seeing that Song Changsheng was still bewildered, he said impatiently, "Just come with me, alright?"

Niu Dazhuang first led Song Changsheng to a hidden palace, then through a secret underground door, and deep into the earth.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng grew even more curious about where Niu Dazhuang was taking him.

After descending a long staircase, the two arrived in a spacious underground area where several figures were already waiting.

Yinn Shang and Li Ru were among them, as was the Sixth Senior Sister, Shen Shishi, whom he had briefly met the day before.

At the very front stood an imposing, dignified figure—it was Zhan Tianxia.

"Master, I’ve brought Song Changsheng," Niu Dazhuang said, sidling up to Zhan Tianxia as if seeking praise.

"Mm." Zhan Tianxia gave a slight nod and looked at Song Changsheng. "Fall in. Stand next to Yinn Shang."

Song Changsheng did as he was told, taking his place next to Yinn Shang, who immediately shot him a friendly smile.

"Now that everyone is here, I will first explain the rules for this tournament."

"This tournament will be held at Thundering Mountain in Tuo Province. The participating factions, besides us, are the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect. It will be an arena-style competition.

There will be two arenas, and you can challenge for either one. However, each person gets only one chance. The defeated are eliminated, while the victor stays to defend the arena. The factions that still hold the arenas at the end will advance to the finals.

The rules for the finals are slightly different. Each qualifying faction will send one person to a final battle. The winner will gain ownership of all of Tuo Province.

It is worth noting that in this tournament, the use of Magical Treasures and single-use consumables is prohibited. Violators will be immediately disqualified."

"Does that mean Talismans and Pills are also forbidden?" Yinn Shang asked.

"There are no Talisman Masters in this tournament, so no Talismans may be used. As for Pills, you may only use a few specific types, which will be distributed to you all uniformly at the time."

"Will Arrays be restricted?" Song Changsheng suddenly asked.

Zhan Tianxia glanced at him upon hearing the question. "No."

"That brings me to my next point. We have two Array Masters on our team. This is a huge advantage that we must use well.

In the time we have left, you must do your best to improve your mastery of arrays and the speed of your Array Formation. During this period, I will do everything in my power to assist you."

"As you command," Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang replied in low voices, exchanging a look.

Zhan Tianxia nodded, his voice grave. "What I am about to say next is top secret. No one is to leak it. The penalty for doing so is death!"

As his words fell, a palpable killing intent washed over everyone present, and their hearts went cold.

"You have all reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Ordinary cultivation methods are no longer very effective for you. Beneath your feet is a Grand Array that can draw down Star Power at night for bodily infusion. I don’t need to elaborate on the benefits of that, do I?

Just half a year of cultivation here will certainly help you advance to the next level." Zhan Tianxia’s words were filled with powerful confidence.

Song Changsheng suddenly understood. ’No wonder Luoxia City agreed to this tournament even though they knew they were at a disadvantage. So they were hiding a trump card like this. Drawing down Star Power isn’t anything new; many Arrays can accomplish it. But to achieve the level of a full-body infusion, the scale of this Grand Array must be beyond imagination. This isn’t something an ordinary faction could afford to have. To think Luoxia City actually possesses one.’

’No wonder Luoxia City has produced so many experts over the years. It must be connected to this Star Array.’ Song Changsheng’s mind cleared, and many of his past questions were answered in that instant.

Luoxia City had always been hailed as the number one power below the Golden Core realm. It didn’t have the most Purple Mansion Cultivators, but its overall strength was the greatest.

Take the current generation of Purple Mansion Cultivators, for example: Zhan Tianxia, Bai Zhengchun, and Shen Qingxiu. Every one of them was a formidable figure who commanded respect in their own right. Although they were all prodigiously talented, the Star Array must have also played a part in their success.

Now he could understand why Zhan Tianxia was so serious. If word of this got out, Luoxia City would face endless trouble!

...

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