Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Chapter 637: Chapter 99: Arriving in Gusu, Wanlong Trading Company

The Gusu Cultivation Realm was located in the northeastern part of the Daqi Cultivation World. It bordered the Lu Country Cultivation Realm to the west and Meng and Yan Provinces of the Daqi Cultivation World to the south.

Its territory was vast and its resources abundant, comprising a total of three cities and twenty-eight provinces. Its overall strength surpassed that of the Daqi Cultivation World, and it was home to two long-established Golden Core Influences, neither of which was weaker than the Golden Crow Sect.

The main headquarters of the Wanlong Commerce Association, an organization spanning several Cultivation Realms, was located here, bringing unimaginable prosperity to the Gusu Cultivation Realm.

But behind this prosperity lay endless strife and turmoil.

The two great Golden Core Influences had completely dropped all pretenses in their fight for resources. Although major wars at the Golden Core level rarely broke out, battles at the Purple Mansion level never ceased, and bloodshed was a common occurrence.

This also led to constant friction among the factions affiliated with them, with battles breaking out from time to time. In the past hundred years, three Purple Mansion Influences in the Gusu Cultivation Realm had been wiped out, which showed just how dire the situation had become.

To make matters worse, the Lu Country Cultivation Realm was showing signs of using this opportunity to expand eastward. A large number of vicious and malevolent Loose Cultivators, either incited or driven by them, had already entered Gusu’s territory to wreak havoc. It was a classic case of internal strife and external threats.

Because the situation was so complex, Niu Dazhuang, Song Changsheng, and the others had no idea what kind of danger Zhuang Yuechan had encountered. They could only travel day and night, not daring to delay for a moment.

They departed from Vast Mist Peak, passed through Qing Province, Bing Province, and Meng Province. After traveling nonstop for more than two months, they finally entered Celestial South Province, the southernmost province of the Gusu Cultivation Realm.

Even with their level of Cultivation, the journey had left them thoroughly exhausted, forcing them to find a small town to rest.

“Senior Brother, is there any change in Yuechan’s Soul Lamp?”

Inside the inn, Song Changsheng turned his gaze to Niu Dazhuang.

Hearing this, Niu Dazhuang carefully took a small Brass Soul Lamp from his Storage Bag. A faint blue flame swayed in the air, flickering, looking as if it could be extinguished at any moment.

“It’s almost the same as when we set out. In over two months, her condition hasn’t improved, but it hasn’t worsened either. It seems she’s trapped in some sort of perilous place.”

Song Changsheng’s brow furrowed. The information that could be gleaned from the Soul Lamp was ultimately limited. To find Zhuang Yuechan, they needed more critical information.

“Senior Brother, when was the last time Yuechan sent a message to Master Zhan? Where was she? What did she say?” Song Changsheng fired off the questions rapidly.

“The last time was seven months ago. Back then, our Junior Sister was out training on the border between Celestial South Province and Yunmeng Province, mostly taking on missions and such under the guise of a Loose Cultivator.

She said she felt her bottleneck loosening and that she might go into seclusion for a breakthrough soon, so we shouldn’t worry.

She sent no more messages in the following months. Master tried contacting her many times to no avail. We only realized our Junior Sister was in trouble when her Soul Lamp changed.

It’s been almost three months now,” Niu Dazhuang said, his tone low.

Song Changsheng’s expression also grew heavy. After so long, it was impossible to say where Zhuang Yuechan’s travels had taken her, let alone where she had run into trouble. This information was practically useless.

“We’ll rest for three ancient hours, then leave the city at dawn. First, we’ll head to Yunxiao City, on the border of Celestial South Province and Yunmeng Province. We’ll use it as the center for a systematic search. We will find Yuechan, even if we have to tear the whole place apart!”

Niu Dazhuang nodded grimly, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, and began circulating his energy to recuperate.

The two passed the night in silence. The next day, at the first light of dawn, they left the town and headed west, arriving at Chixiao City, situated at the junction of Celestial South Province and Yunmeng Province.

Chixiao City was a large Cultivation City, bustling with people—a picture of prosperity.

As soon as he entered the city, Song Changsheng realized Zhuang Yuechan was not within its walls. He had used the [Ten Thousand Miles Tracking Technique] but had not detected her aura.

Though a little disappointed, he wasn’t discouraged. He had already prepared himself for this possibility on the way here.

“The situation in Gusu is so chaotic right now. Knowing Yuechan’s personality, if she were training around here, she would definitely have used Chixiao City as a base. We might be able to find some useful clues here.” Knowing Niu Dazhuang had little patience, Song Changsheng took the initiative to explain their purpose for being there.

As expected, the impatient Niu Dazhuang quieted down upon hearing this. He perked up and scanned their surroundings, but looking at the crowded streets, he couldn’t help but say, discouraged, “This godforsaken place is huge, and it’s full of people. We don’t have a single lead. Where do we even start?”

“No matter how difficult it is, we can’t give up, even if there’s only a sliver of hope. Besides, a city of this size usually has places that sell intelligence. We can look for one and see if we can get any useful leads.”

“Damn, why didn’t you say so earlier? Let’s hurry and find one. We’ll split up.” Niu Dazhuang swore, then impetuously shoved his way into the crowd.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng just shook his head and walked off in the opposite direction.

As he walked along a wide street, he noticed a crowd gathered before a pavilion. Song Changsheng looked up and saw a plaque with the name “Wanlong Trading Company” written in large, flamboyant calligraphy.

‘Wanlong Trading Company? That’s right, the Wanlong Commerce Association!’ Song Changsheng slammed a fist into his palm, his face suddenly lighting up with joy.

If he hadn’t seen the sign for the Wanlong Trading Company, he would have almost forgotten his status as an Honored Guest Elder of the Wanlong Commerce Association.