Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Inside the Ruins (Part 2)

Song Changsheng conjured a Celestial Light Technique to light the way and entered the cave residence first. Zhuang Yuechan and the others followed close behind.

Behind the door was a much wider passage. By the light of the Magic, they could clearly see a series of simple murals carved into the passage walls.

But Song Changsheng and the others were completely baffled, unable to understand what the creator of these murals was trying to convey.

The passage wasn’t long, and they could even see a wide, open space carved out at its end.

But the passage was treacherous. Just as Song Changsheng had expected, it was filled with Arrays. Anyone who dared to trespass would surely die a gruesome death.

However, among the layers of Arrays, Song Changsheng noticed something unusual.

’The Arrays are numerous, but none are of a particularly high rank. And yet, the methods to bypass them are incredibly tricky. Without a unique understanding of Arrays, one could rack their brains and still never get through.’

Song Changsheng pondered for a moment, and a vague understanding of the cave residence master’s intentions began to form.

He had his suspicions outside the Qingshi gate earlier, and his discoveries in the passage now served as indirect proof of his theory.

The master of this cave residence didn’t intend to stop them with these Arrays. Instead, they were a deliberate test, designed to find someone with a talent for Arrays to inherit his legacy.

This wasn’t just Song Changsheng’s speculation, but a conclusion reached after a rigorous analysis of the situation.

At this thought, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. The master of this cave residence had profound attainments in Arrays. If he could obtain his legacy, it would be an enormous boon to him.

Song Changsheng focused completely, breaking through one Array after another. He grew faster as he progressed, and in just half an ancient hour, they reached the end and entered a man-made stone chamber.

”Looks like a place for receiving guests,” Zhu Yiqun said with certainty after a glance around the room.

”With a stone table this big, we could’ve figured that out without your help,” Song Changsheng retorted, checking the surroundings for hidden mechanisms.

”Hmph. I’m not gonna argue with you. I’m going to find some treasure! This is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s cave residence, there’s gotta be lots of good stuff!” Zhu Yiqun’s small eyes darted about before he headed through the main, carved-out doorway.

Song Changsheng shook his head in resignation and smiled at Zhuang Yuechan. ”Let’s follow him. We can’t let that damn fatty get all the good stuff for himself.”

——————

While the group was busy exploring the cave residence, the Blood Demons outside were not idle.

The Black Steward stood on high ground, watching the crowd of minions bustling about under the command of several lieutenants.

They were placing specially made black ceramic jars around the perimeter of the Array. A closer look would reveal that they were setting them up exactly where Song Changsheng’s group had previously opened a path—the Array’s weak point.

It was a simple task, merely copying what had been done before, but for these Demon Cultivators, it was incredibly difficult. The moment they drew near the Array, its Yang Qi would continuously weaken the Demonic Qi in their bodies.

The process was agonizing, causing them immense pain. If not for the deep-seated fear of the Black Steward’s cruelty and authority, they would have abandoned the task long ago.

After the last black ceramic jar was set in place amidst a chorus of screams, the skeletal man hurried before the Black Steward, bowing obsequiously. ”My Lord, the black blood has all been positioned. Your orders?”

”Then what are you waiting for? Shatter this Array at once! If anything goes wrong and you fail to complete the Squad Leader’s mission, I will make you wish you were dead!”

The Black Steward stared at the skeletal man, his icy gaze making the man’s body tremble uncontrollably.

”Rest assured, my Lord. This black blood was created from over a hundred children who possessed Spirit Roots. It was refined for forty-nine days using a special Secret Technique and is extremely heavy with Yin Sha Qi.

If not for the insufficient quantity, we could have shattered the Profound Sun Celestial Spirit Array long ago. Now, by using the weak point they opened to set up the Blood Demon Yin Sha Formation, we will surely destroy it in one fell swoop,” the skeletal man said hurriedly, secretly wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

”Hmph. You’d better be right.” The Black Steward sneered, then closed his eyes to rest and conserve his spirit.

At the skeletal man’s command, the Blood Demon Yin Sha Formation was instantly activated...

Inside the cave residence, Song Changsheng and the others were exploring deeper, but with dozens of stone chambers, their progress was incredibly slow.

After finding yet another empty stone chamber, Song Changsheng suggested to the others, ”This isn’t working. We’re moving too slowly. We should split up. Whatever we find will be up to our own opportunities.”

Zhu Yiqun looked awkwardly at Xu Yunhe beside him. ”If we do that, then Fellow Daoist Xu...”

”As long as I don’t have to engage in Magical Combat, my injuries won’t be a problem.” Xu Yunhe’s fighting spirit had been rekindled. Since what they found would be up to their own opportunities, he had no intention of holding anyone back.

”Then let’s do as Fellow Daoist Song suggested. To each their own opportunity,” Zhuang Yuechan agreed.

With no objections, they each chose a direction and set off to explore.

Song Changsheng followed his intuition forward, eventually stopping before a stone chamber. He pushed the door open and found it quite bare, containing only some ordinary furnishings and nothing of value.

This wasn’t the first time he had come up empty, so Song Changsheng paid it no mind. After a careful check to ensure he hadn’t missed anything, he moved on to the next chamber.

This chamber was different. It was circular, and judging by the furnishings, it appeared to be a study. The rosewood bookshelves lining the walls confirmed his suspicion.

The shelves were stacked with numerous Jade Scrolls, all covered in a thick layer of dust. Suppressing his excitement, Song Changsheng began to eagerly search through them.

But he soon realized he had celebrated too soon. The cave residence had existed for an unknown number of years, and the information within most of the Jade Scrolls had long since dissipated, rendering them worthless.

Forget about Cultivation Techniques or Divine Techniques; even complete sentences were a rare find.

Unwilling to give up, Song Changsheng continued to search doggedly through the shelves. His persistence paid off, and he finally managed to find a few perfectly preserved Jade Scrolls.

These Jade Scrolls had clearly been specially treated; otherwise, they would not have survived to this day.

The very fact that they required special treatment was proof of their importance.

Suppressing his surging excitement, Song Changsheng picked up the first Jade Scroll and pressed it to his forehead. With a faint flash of light, the information recorded within instantly flooded his mind.

”Spiritual Qi Force?”

Song Changsheng lowered the Jade Scroll, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes. The scroll recorded a Secret Technique.

Secret Techniques were different from Magic. Magic had certain limitations based on the user’s Cultivation level, and its power was finite.

But Secret Techniques were different. Their power was determined by the user; one might even say they had no upper limit.

Secret Techniques were rare. Song Changsheng had learned dozens of types of Magic, but the only Secret Technique he knew was the Breath Concealment Technique, which he had comprehended from the Daoist Scripture.

But what truly surprised and delighted him was the effect of this Secret Technique...