Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

’The high cost just means I should use it as a trump card. I can’t just give up on it because of a little difficulty, right?’

Besides, with Song Changsheng’s current combat strength, there was no need to use an Array against Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators. He was at least that confident.

’I’ve been in seclusion for so long. It’s time to go out. Grandfather must be very worried.’

Thinking this, Song Changsheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took out a new set of green robes to wear, and circulated his Heart Method to stimulate his qi and blood. A bit of color returned to his pale face, making him look less frail.

After cleaning up the area, Song Changsheng deactivated the Restriction and pushed open the heavy gate. The scene before him left him stunned.

It wasn’t Song Xianming he saw, but Xia Yunxue, her eyes swollen like peaches from crying. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Song Changsheng felt a lump form in his throat, and his eyes grew moist. His knees went weak, and with a THUD, he fell to the ground. "Your unfilial son greets you, Mother!" he said, his voice raw.

Seeing Song Changsheng kneeling before her, all the anger in Xia Yunxue’s heart vanished, replaced by endless heartache and worry. She threw her arms around him, and all her days of anxiety poured out in a single phrase: "My son."

Tears welled in Song Changsheng’s eyes, but he forced a smile. "Mom, what are you doing? I’m fine, see?"

"If anything had happened to you, how could I ever face your father!" Tears streamed from Xia Yunxue’s eyes, soaking Song Changsheng’s shoulder.

Her body trembled uncontrollably. This Fifth Elder of the Song Clan, who was accustomed to matters of life and death, had been truly terrified this time.

"Mom, I won’t do it again," Song Changsheng said, filled with guilt as he used his sleeve to wipe away her tears.

"You want there to be a next time? If your grandfather hadn’t told me, I’d still be in the dark!" After the initial wave of worry passed, anger resurfaced on Xia Yunxue’s face. Her jade-like hand clamped onto Song Changsheng’s ear and twisted it one hundred and eighty degrees.

Song Changsheng immediately threw his hands up in surrender. "I won’t, I won’t! Mom, if you twist any harder, it’ll come off!"

"It deserves to come off, that’ll teach you to be disobedient," Xia Yunxue said sternly, but she lessened the force in her hand.

"Mom, look what this is." As if by magic, Song Changsheng produced a Jade Box, his face a mask of fawning appeasement.

Xia Yunxue took it with a puzzled look. She opened it and found a Beauty Pill.

No woman is immune to the allure of beauty, not even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Xia Yunxue was delighted, but she kept a straight face and said, "How did you get this? Well, I’m confiscating it."

Song Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. ’Finally managed to pacify her,’ he thought. He nodded eagerly. "What belongs to your son belongs to you, Mom."

Xia Yunxue nodded, clearly pleased. She was about to put on her stern motherly air and scold him a bit more when a wizened voice reached her ears. "As long as the boy is alright, that’s all that matters. You should spare him the lecture."

"Grandfather." Song Changsheng quickly stood and bowed, shooting him a grateful look. ’If he hadn’t stepped in, my ear would have been in for another round of torture.’

"Father, this boy is just too reckless. If I don’t scold him, who knows what kind of trouble he’ll cook up next," Xia Yunxue said, glaring at Song Changsheng as she went to support Song Xianming.

"The boy is grown now. He knows what he should and shouldn’t do. You can watch over him for a while, but you can’t watch over him for a lifetime. It’s time to let go."

Song Xianming patted her hand and spoke with heartfelt earnestness.

"Your daughter-in-law understands," Xia Yunxue said in a low voice.

"Good. It’s not often you two get to see each other, so have a good chat. This old codger won’t get in your way." Song Xianming chuckled, patted Song Changsheng’s shoulder, and left them alone.

"Did you hear what your grandfather said? Don’t get too happy just yet. If you want me to let go completely, you can talk to me again after your Cultivation surpasses mine," Xia Yunxue said, glaring at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng scratched his head, not daring to speak. In his experience, anything he said at this moment would be wrong. It was better to just keep his mouth shut.

Seeing his silence, Xia Yunxue continued, "What are your plans now? You’ve practiced such a dangerous technique. You should at least rest for a couple of days, right?"

Song Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "I’ve been back for a while now. I plan to go to Little Cyan Mountain and continue contributing to the clan."

He said he wanted to contribute to the clan, but Song Changsheng also had his own little schemes. He had too many secrets, from the Secret Techniques he’d comprehended from the Daoist Scripture to the Luwu Bell. None of them could be revealed to the public.

The origin of the Secret Techniques would be difficult to explain, and he feared the Spiritual Artifact would attract the covetous gazes of others.

Little Cyan Mountain was a better choice—vast and sparsely populated, he could be free there.

Xia Yunxue’s willow-like brows shot up, and she was about to tell him to settle down. But then she remembered Song Xianming’s words and changed her tune. "You can go to Little Cyan Mountain, but you are not to come down the mountain as you please before you break through to Foundation Establishment. Focus on your training. Otherwise, you’re coming with me to the Mortal Realm."

Song Changsheng immediately puffed out his chest and gave his guarantee. After all, that was his plan all along.

Everyone in the Earth Fire Sect wanted him dead, and the even more dangerous Feng Wuming was lurking in the shadows. He wouldn’t feel the slightest bit safe until he broke through to Foundation Establishment.

Seeing him agree, Xia Yunxue’s expression softened slightly. She took a Jade Pendant from her Qiankun Bag and said, "This is a protective talisman your maternal grandfather gave me. It can block a full-powered strike from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Remember to keep it on you at all times."

Song Changsheng gleefully took it and hung it at his waist. Another life-saving treasure.

The two walked and talked, catching up on the past two years. When they got to the topic of the cave estate ruins, Song Changsheng suddenly asked, "Mom, is there some kind of bad blood between our clan and Luoxia City?"

Xia Yunxue froze, then nodded, and then shook her head, leaving Song Changsheng completely confused.

"Why did you nod and then shake your head? Is there or isn’t there?"

"Sigh... It’s complicated. You should ask your grandfather yourself." Unsurprisingly, Xia Yunxue couldn’t give him an answer either.

Song Changsheng’s curiosity peaked. ’What exactly is the history between Grandfather and Luoxia City? Why are both Wang Wanzhou and my mother so secretive about it?’

’Looks like I’ll have to ask Grandfather.’

No sooner said than done. After escorting Xia Yunxue back to her courtyard, Song Changsheng went to Ruyun Hall once again, intending to get a clear answer from Song Xianming.

At that moment, Song Xianming was holding a fishing rod, angling at the Suspended Mirror Lakefront.

Seeing Song Changsheng return, Song Xianming spoke without turning his head. "A young man shouldn’t be so curious."

Song Changsheng was speechless. "As an elder, isn’t it improper for you to eavesdrop on a conversation between mother and son?"

"Heh, it’s not like you were trying to hide your conversation," Song Xianming said with a grin.

Song Changsheng sat down beside Song Xianming. Glancing at a cyan Jade Pendant at his grandfather’s waist, he asked with feigned indifference, "How come this Jade Pendant of yours has the character ’Wan’ carved on it? I remember Grandmother’s name is Li Manshu."

Song Xianming’s expression darkened. He snatched up his fishing rod and whacked Song Changsheng on the head with it...