Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

With the same aptitude, why are disciples from great sects stronger than those from smaller factions?

It’s because they are willing to invest more. A small lead here, a slight advantage there—when all these scattered points converge, don’t they end up miles ahead?

Song Changsheng was now trying to enact change so that the Song Clan Members wouldn’t fall too far behind. The Spirit Rice and stipends were just a trial run; improvements to Heart Methods, Magical Artifacts, and Pills would follow.

Of course, he couldn’t accomplish everything at once. Song Changsheng was prepared for a long-term struggle.

"It’s not that the clan doesn’t want to increase the Spirit Rice supply. The problem is that even the cleverest housewife can’t cook without rice. The clan’s Spirit Rice output is just too low," Song Lutong said with a helpless shrug.

"If there’s a problem, we solve it. The output from the Wood Spirit Vein at the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein is steadily increasing. The Spirit Mountains around Vast Mist Peak have already started reducing the cultivation of Low-tier Spirit Medicine. Let’s use these vacant Spiritual Fields to grow Spirit Rice."

"That’s still not enough," Song Lutong sighed. The Song Clan might be short-staffed everywhere, but it still had over six hundred mouths to feed. How could that little bit of Spiritual Field land be sufficient?

Since Song Changsheng had brought it up, he naturally had a solution in mind. He smiled brightly and said, "It’s true the clan can’t be self-sufficient, but what about all the vassal factions under our purview?

I’ve studied the matter carefully. In the past, for tribute, the clan would issue missions to the various factions, asking them to supply the resources we lacked most, which were then collected annually.

Those factions often had to run all over the place, bartering and trading to gather these resources. In the end, they might not even be able to collect everything, forcing them to substitute with an assortment of miscellaneous cultivation resources.

This process is too inefficient, and our ability to utilize those varied resources is also low. Therefore, I’ve decided that from now on, all tribute from our vassal factions will be paid exclusively in Spirit Rice. This will both satisfy the clan’s need for Spirit Rice and make things easier for the vassals."

"Excellent. We’ll even have a large surplus," Song Xianyun nodded in agreement.

"But what about the resources the clan lacks? Collecting them is time-consuming and difficult, which is why we assigned the task to the vassal factions in the first place," Xia Yunxue asked, puzzled.

"The past is the past. Now is now. The Moon Viewing Marketplace is right at our doorstep. We just need to put the word out, and plenty of people will be willing to trade with us."

"Then why not just buy Spirit Rice directly from the Marketplace?" Song Chang’an said, not quite understanding.

Hearing this, Song Changsheng revealed a meaningful smile. "If tribute can only be paid in Spirit Rice, our vassal factions will have to expand their Spirit Rice cultivation, because growing it themselves is cheaper than buying it.

However, the amount of available Spiritual Fields is limited, and growing Spirit Rice requires a lot of land. This will inevitably cut into the area they use to cultivate Spirit Medicine.

The Spirit Rice is for tribute, but Spirit Medicine is essential for their own cultivation. If they can’t grow enough, a market demand will be created—and that’s our clan’s opportunity.

Most of our Spirit Medicine comes from the Wood Spirit Vein under the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein. Our output is massive, and our costs are low. We can take this opportunity to control the Spirit Medicine trade in the Moon Viewing Mountain Range with prices below the market average, then slowly expand throughout all of Ling Province and snatch this prize right out of the Martial Spirit Sect’s mouth."

Currently, the lion’s share of the Spirit Medicine trade in Ling Province is controlled by the Martial Spirit Sect—or to be precise, by Li Siyang, because he also has a Wood Spirit Vein.

Although the Song Clan has an even larger Wood Spirit Vein, it wasn’t fully developed in the early stages. After meeting the needs of the Song Clan’s own Cultivators, there wasn’t much left over—not enough to truly contend with Li Siyang.

As a result, the Song Clan could only sell its remaining Spirit Medicine in Luoxia City, while Li Siyang continued to dominate Ling Province.

But things are different now. After years of development, the Wood Spirit Vein’s output has grown daily and now far exceeds Li Siyang’s.

It’s time to knock Li Siyang off his throne. Once we control the Spirit Medicine trade in Ling Province, the Song Clan’s influence and control over the province will surely reach a whole new level.

This is all laying the groundwork for the Song Clan to one day rule Ling Province. What does it mean to be the overlord of a province? It means that in this territory, no matter the aspect, no matter the business, what I say, goes!

"So that’s how it is."

After hearing Song Changsheng’s explanation, everyone had a sudden moment of realization. They now understood the intricate machinations at play—angles they had never considered before.

"Furthermore, the leftover Spirit Rice can be used for brewing. During my travels, I obtained a secret brewing recipe from a senior expert. It’s called Bamboo Leaf Green, and it has the ability to remove Pill Poison and advance one’s Cultivation.

I heard that Mother has trained several new Tier One Brewers for the clan. This is perfect. She can lead them in mass-producing it to stock the clan treasury, where our Cultivators can exchange for it."

"It can remove Pill Poison?" Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces filled with astonishment, just as Song Changsheng’s had when he first learned of it. Xia Yunxue was so excited she even shot to her feet.

As a Brewer, she knew exactly what this meant. Forgetting they were still in a meeting, she asked urgently, "Where is the recipe?"

How could Song Changsheng dare to disobey his dear mother’s command? He quickly handed it to Xia Yunxue.

Xia Yunxue impatiently snatched it from him. After reading it, the joy on her face was practically overflowing. The recipe’s value was even greater than she had imagined. Her chance to advance to the next level depended on it.

"Ahem. This is a wonderful thing. Yunxue, you may go and make the arrangements. Implement this as soon as possible." Song Xianyun was old and astute; how could he not see that Xia Yunxue had completely lost the mood for discussion? It was better to just let her go.

"This junior will go make the arrangements at once." Xia Yunxue bowed, then departed in a hurry.

The meeting continued. Song Changsheng went on, "The clan is still lacking in many of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. I believe we should increase our investment in training and also acquire the relevant legacies.

I heard the clan recently obtained a Tier Two Earth Master legacy, shoring up one of our weaknesses.

But just having the legacies isn’t enough if there’s no one to teach them. Therefore, I propose we hire several Tributors skilled in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation to teach our clan members at the Hundred Arts Hall. What do you all think?"

"The Young Clan Leader is absolutely right. The clan has always done this in the past. It was only after our decline that most of the Tributors left. The time is now ripe to resume the practice," Song Xianyun said in agreement.

Not just any riffraff can become a Tributor. They must be at least at the Tier Two Level. However, most individuals of that caliber look down on the Song Clan, preferring to attach themselves to a regional overlord for a chance to advance further.

When the Song Clan dominated Ling Province, many were naturally willing to join us. After our decline, it was only logical that they would abandon us. After all, their relationship with us was one of cooperation, not subordination. Their departure could hardly be called a betrayal.

But things are different now. Anyone can see the Song Clan is on the rise. Becoming a regional overlord once more is only a matter of time, so attaching themselves to us is once again a viable option.

"Then let’s spread the word. Don’t be stingy with the compensation, but we must prioritize quality over quantity. We don’t want anyone of poor character or with devious intentions. We cannot let them bring harm to the clan’s future.

Furthermore, we must be vigilant against spies. The Law Enforcement Hall must take responsibility for this," Song Changsheng nodded.

"Rest assured, Young Clan Leader. I will personally vet every single candidate," Song Chang’an said grimly.

"Then I will have to trouble you, brother. Also, I gained some insights from the Pill Tasting Conference and will be entering seclusion soon. During this time, all clan affairs will be entrusted to the Grand Elder and the Second Elder."

Previously, the Grand Elder would act as regent alone, but this time Song Changsheng added Song Luzhou. This wasn’t some game of dividing power; his arrangement was entirely out of consideration for the Grand Elder’s advanced age. He shouldn’t be overworked, so Song Luzhou was there simply to assist.

After the meeting was adjourned, Song Changsheng asked Song Lutong to stay behind. He handed him a Jade Bottle and said, "Uncle Tong, this is a Celestial Spirit Pill. Consuming it can add ten years to your Cultivation. I obtained it by killing Hex Tang. You’ve been at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment for some time now. Use this to try and break through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment."

Looking at the Jade Bottle, Song Lutong broke into a wide grin and slapped Song Changsheng on the shoulder. "You rascal, I knew you hadn’t forgotten your old uncle! Don’t worry, I definitely won’t let this go to waste!"

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