Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method-Chapter 44: The Death of the Black Steward

Invisible blades of gang wind slashed into the monstrous sea of blood, but to little effect. The moment the wind tore open the bloody curtain, more black blood would immediately surge forth to seal the breach.

Song Changsheng’s expression was grim. He raised his Treasure Gourd and took several large gulps, instantly erupting with even more majestic Spiritual Power. A massive, phantom Copper Bell materialized, emitting waves of sonorous chimes.

The sea of blood began to churn violently, showing signs of receding.

Perched high above, the Black Steward gave a cold smile and casually raised his right arm. A river of blood, filled with the wails of Fierce Ghosts, surged forth from his wide sleeve.

The river had devoured an untold number of living beings. Countless Yin Souls shrieked from within it, and the piercing sound caused everyone present to feel their minds waver.

CRASH!

The river of blood slammed into the phantom Copper Bell with immense force. In a mere instant, the phantom shattered, dissipating into motes of light.

"Pfft—"

Song Changsheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning. A sweet, coppery taste filled his throat as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Changsheng?" Zhu Yiqun and the others felt their hearts tighten, looking anxiously at the injured Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng’s sharp brows furrowed, the corners of his bloodstained mouth twisted into a ferocious grimace. He took out a handful of Replenishing Essence Pills, stuffed them into his mouth, and began chewing furiously before once again stabilizing the collapsing Array.

The Black Steward raised an eyebrow and said leisurely, "If this were the complete Profound Sun Celestial Spirit Array, I’d truly be helpless against you. But as it is now... it’s not even worth mentioning!"

RUMBLE!

With a tremendous roar, the river of blood that had shattered the phantom Copper Bell transformed into a lifelike, blood-red Flood Dragon. With its giant, bell-like eyes glaring, it slammed violently into the light shield formed of Yang Qi.

The entire Grand Array shuddered violently. A small, dark spot appeared on the light shield, and from it, cracks began to spiderweb outwards.

Song Changsheng gritted his teeth and poured every last bit of his Spiritual Power into the Grand Array.

But it was all in vain.

The Yang Qi gathered by the Grand Array was insufficient, and Song Changsheng’s own Cultivation was not enough to fully unleash its power. In the end, he could only watch helplessly as the light shield shattered like glass.

"ROAR—"

After shattering the shield, the blood-red Flood Dragon threw back its head and let out a piercing roar, as if announcing its presence to the world.

Song Changsheng’s face was deathly pale. The destruction of the Grand Array had caused him to suffer a severe backlash.

"Hmph. Devour them!" the Black Steward commanded. The colossal blood-red Flood Dragon immediately opened its cavernous maw, preparing to swallow them all.

Although Song Changsheng’s spirit was flagging, he remained inwardly calm. As he watched the overwhelmingly oppressive Flood Dragon, a Talisman appeared in his hand. ’This is my last resort!’

Before he could activate it, Zhuang Yuechan beat him to it, crushing the Jade Pendant in her hand. A navy-blue Spiritual Shield instantly enveloped them.

The blood-red Flood Dragon slammed into it, yet only managed to make the shield tremble slightly.

Song Changsheng and the others stared wide-eyed, their curiosity about Zhuang Yuechan’s identity reaching its peak.

Feeling their gazes, Zhuang Yuechan gave a bitter smile. "This is a defensive Talisman Treasure my master gave me. At most, it can last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If reinforcements don’t arrive by then, we will truly perish here today."

’The time it takes an incense stick to burn.’

Song Changsheng and the others felt their hearts sink. Although they had all sent for help from their elders, this place was simply too far from the Marketplace. Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator traveling at full speed would need a significant amount of time to reach them. ’The situation is dire...’

’Just who are these people, to have a Talisman Treasure!’ The Black Steward was on the verge of frenzy. ’I can’t even take down a few Qi Cultivators? If word of this gets out, I’ll be a complete laughingstock!’

Just as he was preparing to press his attack, a deep, cold voice drifted over from the distance. "Well, well, a remnant of the Demon Sect. Daring to deploy such a Demon Array... you’re simply courting death!"

"Who’s there?" The Black Steward was suddenly alarmed. He whirled around to see a streak of golden light shooting across the horizon, sweeping in with a boundless, murderous aura.

"I am your Grandmaster Niu!"

Following the thunderous shout, a powerful figure appeared. He was over nine feet tall, built like an ox, with a face full of brutish muscle. The moment he materialized, he charged straight for the Black Steward on the hillside. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"White Bones Covering the Wilderness!"

The Black Steward held his hands up as if supporting the air. The sound of wailing ghosts and howling wolves instantly filled the surroundings. The very hillside beneath his feet transformed into a field of stark white bones, suffused with an endless aura of death. All the nearby plants withered, turning the area into a barren wasteland.

"Cover my ass!" the stout man roared, rapidly closing the distance. He swung a fist the size of a sandbag straight at the Black Steward’s face.

The Black Steward’s expression changed drastically. He hastily raised his arms to block, exclaiming, "You’re not afraid of the death aura?"

The only answer he received was a storm of fists so fast they left afterimages. Each blow was heavier than the last, and the Black Steward, struggling to defend himself, was gradually pushed onto the back foot.

Inside the light shield, Zhu Yiqun stammered in amazement, "He’s completely unaffected by the Blood Demon’s death aura. That senior’s Physical Body must be as tough as a Spiritual Artifact, right?"

"At this rate, that Blood Demon won’t even last an hour. He’s being completely crushed."

’This is the first time I’ve ever seen a Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivator,’ Song Changsheng thought. ’I never imagined they were so powerful. He’s practically a walking Spiritual Artifact. Ordinary attacks can’t even scratch him.’

"Hahaha! Is that all you’ve got, you demon welp? Your Grandmaster Niu is just getting warmed up!" The stout man’s laughter boomed like thunder, filled with utter contempt.

The Black Steward shouted, his face livid, "Arrogant whelp! Don’t get too happy—"

"I am arrogant! So what? Come on and kill me if you can!" The stout man cut off his pointless chatter, landing a heavy fist on the Black Steward’s chest. The blow instantly snapped several of his ribs and sent him flying.

The stout man gave the Black Steward no chance to recover, rushing forward to deliver a savage beating and turning the so-called Late-stage Foundation Establishment Blood Demon into a human punching bag.

Watching the "brutal" scene unfold, Zhu Yiqun scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. "That senior is... quite a character."

Beneath her veil, the corner of Zhuang Yuechan’s mouth twitched. ’This scene is really damaging to the sect’s reputation.’

"This is outrageous!" The Black Steward’s eyes turned crimson as his body began to expand rapidly, transforming in an instant into a blood-colored giant dozens of feet tall.

"You’re still not giving up, you bastard?" The stout man’s eyes bulged as he raised his fist once more. A faint golden light coated it, turning his fist a brilliant gold.

He threw the punch, and the air itself seemed to crackle like thunder.

Song Changsheng saw only a flash of golden light, and then the stout man’s fist had already pierced through the Black Steward’s heart.

Staring at the gaping hole in his chest, the Black Steward’s eyes filled with disbelief. He shot the stout man one last venomous glare as the surface of his enormous Blood Demon body began to crack, finally dissolving into a pool of foul blood.

A streak of blood-red light shot into the sky, fleeing swiftly toward the horizon.

"Trying to run from your Grandmaster Niu?" The stout man stomped his foot and, in a flash, caught up to the Black Steward’s escaping soul. With a single clench of his massive hand, it was Annihilation of Body and Spirit!

...