Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The auction may have ended, but many people had yet to leave. Most of them were Loose Cultivators, and for these wandering cultivators with no fixed abode, the Marketplace was an excellent place to settle.

For this reason, Song Changsheng didn’t withdraw the Marketplace’s defenses, and the high-level clan meeting was held directly at the Garrison Mansion.

Besides Song Changsheng, the only attendees were Xia Yunxue, Song Lutong, and Song Chang’an.

Xia Yunxue was still responsible for the clan’s finances, so she was the first to rise and deliver her report. ”During the three days of the clan’s auction,

the clan auctioned off a total of 387 items, earning 380,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Of that amount, 20,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones came from commissions on consigned items, which is pure profit.

Of the remaining 360,000 Spirit Stones, 130,000 came from selling various Spirit Mountains and ore veins, which is also pure profit.

The remaining 230,000 Spirit Stones were from items taken from the Clan Treasure Vault. After deducting costs of 110,000 Spirit Stones, we made a profit of 120,000 Spirit Stones.

In addition, we rented out seventeen shops, earning a profit of 8,500 Spirit Stones, with another 76,500 Spirit Stones to be earned over the next nine years.

The clan’s shops have been well-managed these past few days and also turned a small profit. According to the data reported by the Stewards, we’ve profited another 1,900 Spirit Stones after costs.

By my final tally, the clan has brought in 390,400 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, of which 280,400 Low-Grade Spirit Stones are pure profit!”

As she finished speaking, Xia Yunxue could no longer contain her joy. Three hundred ninety thousand Spirit Stones! And even after deducting costs, that was still two hundred eighty thousand in pure profit! The Song Clan hadn’t seen such a massive income in many years.

Joy spread across everyone’s faces. Even the normally stern Song Chang’an looked pleasantly surprised.

A smile touched Song Changsheng’s lips as well, but his delight was clearly more subdued than the others’.

The numbers looked good on paper, but Song Changsheng knew this was a success that would be very difficult to replicate. Or rather, with the Song Clan’s current foundation, it would be nearly impossible.

A closer look would reveal that the largest portion of the income came from auctioning off the various ore veins and Spirit Mountains. Since they were all unclaimed lands, the cost was negligible.

But this was a one-time deal. Ling Province had just been through a catastrophe, which was why so much land was vacant. Now, it had all been claimed. They couldn’t expect to pull that same trick again for a long time to come.

Without that portion, the income would shrink significantly.

Of the rest, the one hundred and twenty thousand in profit from auctioning items from the clan’s reserves was the next largest source.

Although Song Changsheng believed it was better to liquidate these so-called clan assets than to let them gather dust in the Treasure Vault, even that had its limits. If they held another auction in the future, Song Changsheng would be counting his lucky stars if they made even half as much profit.

The only sustainable path forward was renting out and operating shops. Once the Marketplace expanded, this would become even more apparent and gradually grow into the Song Clan’s economic pillar.

However, everyone was so happy right now, and Song Changsheng certainly wasn’t going to rain on their parade.

He smiled at the others and said, ”The clan’s income this time has been substantial, but Spirit Stones sitting in a warehouse can’t be converted into combat strength.”

”Aside from setting aside a portion to reward the clan members who contributed to this success, I’ve decided to use the rest to purchase a batch of rare cultivation resources for the clan. What does everyone think?”

”Of course!” Song Lutong immediately chimed in. ”You can’t eat a pile of Spirit Stones. They have to be turned into resources!”

Xia Yunxue nodded in agreement, then furrowed her brow. ”But where do we find a suitable seller?”

”Luoxia City would normally be a good choice, but it’s still under siege by Demon Beasts, so that’s out. Besides Luoxia City, where else could we go?”

Hearing this, Song Changsheng smiled. ”I’ve already chosen a seller: the Wanlong Commerce Association, located in Yuan Province. When I took Qingxi and the others to the Celestial Sword Sect, I happened to acquire a VIP Card that will get us a discount.”

”I see. In that case, that’s perfect.” Xia Yunxue nodded at Song Changsheng, looking pleased.

”Heh, I knew you had it in you, kid!” Song Lutong gave Song Changsheng a thumbs-up, chuckling. ”Ever since you’ve been running the clan, everything’s been looking up!”

Song Changsheng waved off the praise and said solemnly, ”Uncle Tong, you’re mistaken. The clan is where it is today because of everyone’s combined efforts. How could I possibly take all the credit?”

He wasn’t just being modest—it was the truth. If Song Xianming and the others hadn’t fought to the death to secure their victory, all of Song Changsheng’s plans would have remained nothing more than words on paper.

That was why he would never dare to claim the credit for himself.

”Be that as it may, the Young Clan Leader deserves the primary credit,” Song Chang’an stated with gravity.

Everyone had their own measure of worth, and they had all witnessed Song Changsheng’s contributions to the clan over the years. It was no exaggeration to say his achievements were the greatest of anyone besides the former Clan Leaders.

’And how old was Song Changsheng, really?’

’With his talent, he could ensure the Song Clan’s prosperity for at least several hundred years. By then, his accomplishments would likely be no less than those of the two great ancestors, Taiyi and Yungui...’

After the meeting, Song Changsheng returned to the clan estate. After all, Song Xianming had entrusted the clan to him before entering seclusion, yet he had left all of its affairs to the Grand Elder this entire time.

It was only right that he go back and help shoulder the old man’s burden. As for the Marketplace, with Xia Yunxue, Song Lutong, and Song Chang’an—plus the Quasi-Celestial Ship—standing guard, its safety was guaranteed.