Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Song Changsheng quickly refined the ring, obtaining some basic information from it.

The ring was named the Void-Breaking Ring, a Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact. Wearing it normally would gather Spiritual Qi and increase one’s cultivation speed. In a critical moment, it could release a shockwave to break free from restraints or create a knockback effect.

’So that’s how it is. It’s a pretty decent treasure.’ Song Changsheng couldn’t help but feel pleased. No one ever complained about having too many treasures. Even if he couldn’t use it, he could add it to the Clan Treasure Vault or reward it to other Song Clan Members in the future.

Next, he picked up the old man’s Storage Bag to inspect it. The man’s belongings weren’t particularly substantial. Aside from two Tier Two Spiritual Artifacts, there were fewer than eight thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

To Song Changsheng, this was little more than better than nothing, but a Waist Token inside caught his attention.

’Vast Alliance Steward?’ Song Changsheng’s eyes narrowed. Although the Daqi Cultivation World had a vast territory with numerous factions, Song Changsheng had made a point to learn about them. So, while he didn’t know everything, he was familiar with most of the major powers.

He had even heard of the major powers in some of the surrounding kingdoms.

But the ”Vast Alliance” was not among them.

’A dignified Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is only a Steward. This ”Vast Alliance” must be quite powerful. But a faction like that shouldn’t be completely unknown.’

’The war between two sects, the invasion of the Beast Tide... The great chaos is beginning, and all sorts of shady characters are crawling out of the woodwork...’ A shadow fell over Song Changsheng’s heart, and a sense of urgency washed over him. In these chaotic times, the only way for the Song Clan to protect itself was with immense strength.

And it was obvious that the Song Clan did not currently possess such strength.

”Old man, you have to succeed,” Song Changsheng murmured.

Right now, all the hopes of the entire Song Clan rested on Song Xianming’s shoulders...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Because Song Changsheng had used decisive measures to deter those with ill intentions, things remained exceptionally calm, even though more and more people had been arriving over the past few days.

The Luoshui River surged, and the sky was washed clean. Early in the morning, the Cultivators in the Marketplace began to gather at the Song Clan’s auction house as if by unspoken agreement. The crowd was a dense sea of figures, numbering well over two thousand people.

These people were either local Cultivators from Ling Province, Loose Cultivators from the surrounding provinces who had heard the news, or representatives from major factions that had lost their ancestral foundations in the Beast Tide.

It was an extremely complex mix of people, so Song Changsheng didn’t dare let his guard down.

The Guardian Array had already been activated, and the Black Star Ship had been launched into the sky, ready on standby.

Song Changsheng himself was personally overseeing the auction house to prevent any incidents.

Fortunately, his earlier show of force had been very effective. The scene was orderly, with no fools trying to take the opportunity to cause trouble, allowing everyone in the Song Clan to breathe a sigh of relief.

Like other auction houses, Song Changsheng had also segregated the attendees based on their status and wealth. Foundation Establishment Cultivators, those with backing from a Purple Mansion Cultivator, and the exceptionally wealthy were all personally guided to private rooms on the second floor.

The remaining Cultivators—those without power, backing, or significant wealth—could only take seats on the first floor. Fortunately, the venue was large enough that it didn’t feel too crowded even with nearly two thousand people seated.

A quick count revealed that over twenty Foundation Establishment Cultivators had come to participate in the auction. Even though Song Changsheng had prepared for this, the number still placed immense pressure on him, and he didn’t dare relax in the slightest.

But there was one person under even greater pressure than Song Changsheng: the auctioneer for this event, Song Luyun.

At only thirty-five years old, Song Luyun had already reached the Qi Refining Great Perfection stage. To have such a Cultivation at her age was considered quite good within the Song Clan, but she wasn’t highly regarded in the family.

This was because she had no specialized skills, and her ability in Magical Combat was unremarkable. In the last clan-wide competition, she hadn’t even placed in the top twenty.

But because of this, she had left the mountain to manage the clan’s businesses when she was young. It had been over a decade now, and through her own capabilities, she had earned the Grand Elder’s appreciation and was promoted to a clan Steward.

Song Changsheng had also discovered her by chance. After some observation, he found that not only did she have an outstanding presence and charisma, but she was also quite eloquent. Thus, he went against the opinions of others and appointed her as the Auctioneer for this event.

If she performed well, then once Song Luzhou’s Foundation Establishment Pill was successfully refined, one would surely be hers.

Whether for the sake of her own cultivation path or to repay Song Changsheng’s trust, she could not allow any mistakes to happen on her watch during this auction.

Taking a deep breath, Song Luyun slowly pushed open the doors and walked toward her designated spot.

The moment she appeared, all eyes converged on her. Instantly, she felt an immense pressure.

She had never been the focus of so many gazes before, let alone with so many Foundation Establishment Cultivators among them.

Steadying her wavering nerves, she gave a graceful bow to the audience and said in a clear voice, ”Thank you, seniors and fellow Daoists, for gracing our auction with your presence. I am your auctioneer for this event, Song Luyun. It is my great honor to preside over this auction, and I hope to bring everyone good fortune.”

It was a standard opening, and the crowd’s reaction was lukewarm, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.

It was to be expected. Song Luyun was neither a stunning beauty nor a renowned auctioneer, so such a reaction from the crowd was understandable.

Song Luyun paid it no mind. She clapped her hands, and a Song Clan Member in a fine dress brought out a wooden box. Her eyes scanned the crowd as she announced loudly, ”This is the first item of the auction: one Tier Two High-Grade Sword Pill!”