Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”What rich Power of the Five Elements,” Song Changsheng marveled. The reputation of Five Elements Peak was well-deserved. The feeling hadn’t been this profound when he was on the surface, but after descending into this place, everything changed dramatically.

His figure moved rapidly through the mountain’s interior, and he soon arrived at the area he had spotted with his Eye of Truth.

This was a naturally formed cavern, not very large, but densely hung with stalactites of various colors. Stalagmites grew from the ground, resembling sharp swords.

In the very center of the cavern was a pool about a foot square, half-filled with Spiritual Liquid. The liquid was milky-white and emanated a strange, fresh fragrance.

Directly above the pool floated a palm-sized, square, multicolored jade. It was smooth and lustrous, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. At its peak was a knob-like protrusion, making it resemble a great seal.

It floated quietly in midair, drawing in and gathering the surrounding Five Element Spiritual Energy. The energy then condensed within the stalactites overhead, forming the milky-white Spiritual Liquid that dripped into the pool below.

”This is...”

Song Changsheng was profoundly shaken. He finally understood what Muu Guibai had meant by the ”Grand Ceremony.” It was a Five Elements Treasure, nurtured into existence by heaven and earth itself!

In the world of Artifact Refiners, the magical artifacts of this world could be divided into two categories. The first is Acquired Spiritual Artifacts. This category includes any magical artifact created by an Artifact Refiner who smelts and combines various materials.

The second is Innate Spiritual Artifacts. Compared to the former, this type is far rarer and more precious, as they evolve on their own over vast stretches of time. Their Spiritual Charm is naturally formed, and they require almost no refinement to become powerful magical artifacts.

The difference between them is like that between an Array laid by an Array Master and a Natural Magical Array; their preciousness is beyond comparison.

This is not to say that Innate Spiritual Artifacts are inherently stronger than Acquired Spiritual Artifacts. The latter can be mass-produced, while the former cannot—an advantage Innate Spiritual Artifacts can never match.

However, in terms of future growth potential and rarity, the former is clearly superior.

As for which truly holds greater value, opinions differ.

The Innate Spiritual Artifact before Song Changsheng had been nurtured by the Five Elements Peak’s Tier Three Spirit Vein for tens of thousands of years, and it had now faintly reached the Tier Three Level.

This was because its gestation was incomplete; it was still just a prototype, or an Artifact Embryo. With a bit of polishing and refinement later, it would become a formidable Low-Grade Innate Treasure.

This was the first time Song Changsheng had ever seen an Innate Treasure. He could sense a profound aura emanating from it, just like the feeling he’d had when he used his Eye of Truth to peer into the Celestial Dao.

He reached out to touch the Artifact Embryo. The instant his finger made contact, a childish voice entered his mind, ”Go away. Don’t touch me.”

The Artifact Embryo then erupted in a brilliant, five-colored light, and an invisible force slammed into Song Changsheng, shoving him away.

”So it has already birthed an Artifact Spirit,” Song Changsheng murmured softly, not particularly surprised.

’It has already reached the Tier Three Level, so it’s not strange for it to have an Artifact Spirit. I just didn’t expect it to be so patient, not immediately jumping out to warn me away.’

”Who are you? I’ve never seen you before,” the Artifact Spirit’s childish voice sounded again, filled with intense curiosity.

Song Changsheng pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, ”I am Song Changsheng, from the Moon Viewing Song Clan of Ling Province.”

”Song Changsheng? Are you an Artifact Spirit, too? Why do you look different from me?” the Artifact Spirit asked.

Now it was Song Changsheng’s turn to be confused. ’Is this Artifact Spirit taking me for one of its own?’

”Master, it must have sensed my aura.”

Little Ninth’s voice chimed in at the perfect moment. Song Changsheng instantly understood. ’So that’s the reason.’

He smiled, shook his head, and said, ”I’m not an Artifact Spirit; I’m human. But I have a companion who is.”

”Human? So creatures like you are called humans? I saw a very powerful human before. He was like you, and he killed this mountain’s Mountain Master. But he was by himself.” The Artifact Spirit’s voice held a hint of excitement, like a child who had just discovered a secret.

Song Changsheng understood that the ”Mountain Master” it referred to were the two Great Demons who had successively occupied Five Elements Peak.

”That’s right. Beings like me are called humans, and I am now the Mountain Master of this mountain.”

”Then why are you here? Are you trapped, too?” the Artifact Spirit asked, confused.

”Trapped? You can’t leave here?” Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. ’That’s something I hadn’t considered.’

”I can’t. I’ve tried so many times.” As it spoke, the Artifact Spirit’s voice was tinged with a hint of grievance.

An idea flashed in Song Changsheng’s mind. He smiled and said, ”Do you want to get out, then? I can help you.”

”You can get me out?” the Artifact Spirit asked, pleasantly surprised.

”Of course. But before that, we need to complete a ceremony.” Song Changsheng’s face beamed with a brilliant smile, like a shady character luring away a small child.

”As long as you can get me out, I’ll do anything.”

”It’s not much trouble. You just need to let me put this drop of blood on you.” Song Changsheng forced a crystalline drop of Essence Blood from his fingertip. Instantly, a rich, bloody aura filled the cavern.

”Then do it.” Although it felt an instinctual resistance, its longing for freedom compelled the Artifact Spirit to accept.

The Essence Blood landed on the Artifact Embryo and quickly melted into it, swiftly forming an imprint within. Before long, Song Changsheng had established a connection with the Artifact Spirit. It had all gone so smoothly it was almost unbelievable. ’And here I thought there’d be a fierce battle.’