Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”If anyone thinks the Young Clan Leader’s decision is unreasonable, you’re free to question it. Since you have objections, why didn’t you speak up just now?”

At his words, the two who had just spoken immediately fell silent.

Song Changsheng scanned the room. Seeing that no one else wished to comment, he said, ”Then it’s settled. I’ll explain everything to Grandfather myself once he comes out of seclusion.

Next, we need to decide who gets these three Foundation Establishment Pills sent by our clan sister. Their arrival is years overdue, and we can’t wait any longer. We must convert them into strength for the clan as quickly as possible, as we are extremely short-handed at the moment.”

As soon as this was said, the atmosphere in the room grew subtle. There were only three Foundation Establishment Pills, but quite a few people were waiting for them. Everyone had juniors they doted on, and everyone had their own selfish interests.

Song Luzhou spoke up at the opportune moment. ”I’ve already inspected them. These three Foundation Establishment Pills are of exceptionally high quality. They should increase the chance of a breakthrough by at least five percent more than a common pill. We need to find a way to distribute them that maximizes their value.”

”Do you have any suggestions, Fifth Uncle?”

Instead of answering, Song Luzhou turned to Song Luyao. ”Ninth Sister, how many of our clan members are currently qualified to take a Foundation Establishment Pill?”

”Eighteen clan members under the age of sixty have already formed their Dao Foundation. Another three or so should be able to form theirs within a year,” Song Luyao, who knew the clan’s situation like the back of her hand, answered immediately.

”So, about twenty people in total. I propose we hold a trial and award the Foundation Establishment Pills to the top three finishers.” Song Luzhou had decided it was best to let them settle it with their fists—it was the fairest method.

”The strongest isn’t necessarily the optimal choice! For the Foundation Establishment breakthrough, aptitude is what matters most. Besides, this wouldn’t be fair to the clan members who are just a step away from reaching Qi Refining Great Perfection,” a Clan Elder stood up to object.

In his opinion, even if they were all at Qi Refining Great Perfection, a twenty-year-old was not the same as a fifty-year-old. Aptitude was what truly mattered.

He had a grandson who was already at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer at just twenty years old. Given a few years, he would be able to form his Dao Foundation. His chances of a successful breakthrough would be far higher than those of cultivators who only reached Qi Refining Great Perfection after several decades.

Someone immediately shot back, ”Even with the clan’s full support, it would take a Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator at least two or three years to form a Dao Foundation. Add another year or two for the breakthrough itself, and that’s five years down the line. Does the clan have that much time to waste?”

”That’s right. It may be somewhat unfair to them, but the clan is short-handed right now; we can’t afford to give them that much time,” Song Changsheng chimed in, stating his position. His goal was to see these Foundation Establishment Pills put to use within two years.

At these words, the Clan Elder resentfully sat back down.

”How about we do what we did last time and base the decision on their contributions to the clan?” another Clan Elder suggested.

”I believe we should consider age. While it’s best to attempt Foundation Establishment before sixty, the success rate varies by age group. It’s highest for those under thirty.”

”I think we need a comprehensive evaluation based on temperament, aptitude, and contributions.”

”I believe...”

...

Everyone stuck to their own opinions, and the argument became heated. Convinced their own method was the fairest, no one could persuade anyone else.

The meeting continued late into the night, but still nothing was decided.

Finally, Song Changsheng had seen enough. He rapped his knuckles on the table, signaling for silence. ”Every method proposed has its merits and drawbacks. Let’s fall back on the old rules and hold a vote.”

According to clan rules, when opinions were divided, the Elder Council could hold a vote, with the proposal receiving the most votes being adopted. Each Clan Elder had one vote, each Elder had two votes, and the Clan Leader had three.

Soon, the results of the vote were in: the proposals for ”Survival of the Fittest” and ”Aptitude Above All” were tied for first place.

The only person who had yet to vote was Song Changsheng. All eyes turned to him, waiting for his final decision.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Song Changsheng cast his votes for Song Luzhou’s proposal. After all, this was a world where strength reigned supreme; aptitude wasn’t everything.

The result was clear. Song Luzhou’s proposal won by a narrow margin. Though some were dissatisfied, the die was cast, and nothing could be done to change it.

”Alright, it’s settled then. However, I feel that if we’re going to hold a tournament, we might as well expand its scope and turn it into a grand clan-wide competition,” Song Changsheng announced, looking around the room as he shared his idea.

”But the clan competition has always been for the younger generation. The power disparity would be enormous if we did it this way.”

Song Changsheng nodded. ”I understand your concern. This clan competition will be split into three divisions.

The first division is for all minor clan members.

The second division is for clan members between the ages of eighteen and thirty who have not reached Qi Refining Great Perfection.

The final division will be open to all Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators under the age of sixty. We will award prizes to the top three competitors from each division.”

”That’s a very reasonable arrangement. I support it,” Song Luyao said immediately.

The other Clan Elders had no objections either. It wasn’t a bad idea, after all; on the contrary, it would be a good way to identify talented clan members.

Only Song Luzhou’s expression darkened. According to his original plan, they would simply award the Foundation Establishment Pills to the top three competitors. But with Song Changsheng’s new arrangement, the clan would have to spend a fortune.

’That brat... such a spendthrift.’ Though displeased, he only grumbled to himself and didn’t voice any objection.

’Strictly speaking, this is the first time Song Changsheng is exercising his authority as the acting Clan Leader. Our job is to support him and help him build prestige, not jump up and contradict him.’

”Since no one has any objections, it’s settled. The competition will be held one month from today,” Song Changsheng declared, finalizing the decision.

”Should we invite outside factions to spectate?” a Clan Elder asked. It was a perfect opportunity to show off their strength; in the past, they had always invited the Earth Fire Sect and others to observe.

Song Changsheng thought for a moment. ”Just invite the Wang and Li Clans, along with our vassal families.”

”Understood.”

***

After the meeting, Song Changsheng had an announcement posted telling all eligible clan members to begin their preparations. However, he intentionally concealed the fact that the grand prizes were the Foundation Establishment Pills.

Song Changsheng didn’t want to publicize this information just yet. The Earth Fire Sect had been too quiet recently, which was unusual. He decided it was best to keep an ace up his sleeve.

Therefore, he only gathered the eligible Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators, gave them a subtle hint, and urged them to give it their all.

Instantly, everyone in the Song Clan was eagerly preparing, all secretly training in the hopes of shocking everyone at the competition...

「Little Cyan Mountain, Lake Heart Island.」

Song Qingxing sat quietly cross-legged beneath the Cyan Plum Tree, his black hair draped over his shoulders. An ancient, unadorned Long Sword rested across his lap as the surrounding Spiritual Qi flowed toward him of its own accord.

SWOOSH

A massive Paper Kite glided across the Great Lake, landing softly on the island. A young woman in a long cyan dress leaped gracefully from its back.

Song Qingxing slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of sharp Sword Qi vanishing from their depths. He looked at the vibrant young woman and said calmly, ”You’re back?”

”I am! And I’m exhausted,” Song Qingxi said in a lighthearted tone as she put away her Paper Kite. ”Thankfully, that’s the last trip for the year. Now we just wait for the harvest.”

”You seem happy,” Song Qingxing noted, quickly picking up on her unusual cheerfulness.

”Ooh, not bad! You noticed!” Song Qingxi cupped her face in her hands, her pretty eyes full of anticipation. ”Guess why I’m so happy.”

But Song Qingxing just stared at her blankly, unmoved.

After a moment, Song Qingxi’s shoulders slumped. ’A blockhead is still a blockhead.’ She rolled her eyes. ”The old man at the foot of the mountain told me... our uncle is back.”

The words had barely left her mouth when Song Qingxing shot to his feet.

”What are you doing?”

”Going back to Vast Mist Peak,” Song Qingxing said concisely.

”Huh? Hey, wait for me!”

...