Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"Don’t forget to subsidize the families with many children. We must help them solve any problems they encounter," Song Changsheng said seriously.

The meeting lasted for two days and one night. Song Changsheng fine-tuned the clan’s future direction and resolved several pressing issues before finally adjourning.

After everyone had dispersed, Song Xianming, who had been resting with his eyes closed on the side, opened them and nodded with a smile. "Well done."

He wasn’t supposed to be here, but since this was Song Changsheng’s first time presiding over a major clan assembly, he had chosen to come and lend his presence. It seemed now that his worries were unnecessary.

Over the years, Song Changsheng had accumulated enough prestige within the clan that no one was foolish enough to jump out and oppose him. Only that blockhead Song Lutong had caused a minor incident.

Today’s clan assembly symbolized the smooth transition of power for the Song Clan Leader.

"Grandfather, the Wutong Secret Realm is now completely under the clan’s control, but I’m still uncertain about who to assign to guard it," Song Changsheng said hesitantly.

As if he could see through everything, Song Xianming smiled. "You actually want the Wang Clan to guard the Wutong Secret Realm, don’t you?"

"Nothing escapes your eyes, Grandfather," Song Changsheng said with a sheepish laugh.

The Wutong Secret Realm was a matter of great importance, so it would naturally be best for the Song Clan to send an Elder to guard it personally.

But Song Changsheng had his own considerations. First was the issue of manpower. After eradicating the Martial Spirit Sect, the Song Clan’s territory had expanded rapidly, and they were once again short on Foundation Establishment Cultivators. That was why he was trying every possible means to get his hands on Foundation Establishment Pills.

Furthermore, he considered that the Wutong Secret Realm was too far from the clan’s main holdings, making it difficult to provide support in an emergency.

After thinking it over, he still felt that having the Wang Clan act as gatekeepers was the most suitable option. He was just a little unsure, which was why he had come to ask for Song Xianming’s opinion.

Song Xianming chuckled. "The Wang Clan is trustworthy. Your line of thinking is sound, so go ahead with it. However, we can’t have them work for free. Give the Stalactite Spiritual Liquid that has accumulated in the Secret Realm this time to the Wang Clan as their reward."

Song Changsheng’s eyes widened in surprise. He had originally planned to give the Wang Clan a share of the development rights to the Secret Realm; he hadn’t expected the old man to be even more generous than him.

That was fine, though. Back when the Song Clan was besieged by the Lieyang Sect, the Wang Clan had come to their aid with all their strength, even losing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the process. This Stalactite Spiritual Liquid could be considered compensation for their loss.

"Then it’s settled. However, I must ask you to take action, Grandfather, and break the Restriction on the Wutong Secret Realm. I’ve decided to restart its development," Song Changsheng said solemnly.

The Wutong Secret Realm was originally a Small World that Song Clan Ancestor Song Taiyi had accidentally discovered. During its development, the clan obtained a vast amount of cultivation resources, which played a crucial role in the Song Clan’s early growth.

The Stalactite Spiritual Liquid, which could increase a Qi Cultivator’s chances of a breakthrough by twenty percent, was discovered during that initial period of major development.

At that time, the Song Clan was short-staffed and only developed a portion of it, leaving a considerable part unexplored and undeveloped.

After Song Yungui passed away, the Wutong Secret Realm attracted the covetous eyes of the Lieyang Sect. To unite for self-preservation, the Song Clan had no choice but to make it public, placing it under the joint control of the Six Great Influences to resist the Lieyang Sect.

During that period, the Six Great Influences fought tooth and nail over the Stalactite Spiritual Liquid. They were eventually forced to set up a Restriction, limiting the Cultivation level and time allowed for Cultivators entering the Secret Realm.

However, this in turn delayed the Secret Realm’s development, with the result that the Song Clan still doesn’t know just how large this Small World truly is.

Now that the Wutong Secret Realm was back under the Song Clan’s control, Song Changsheng’s desire to explore it was rekindled. This was also tied to a plan he had in mind; if it was feasible, the Song Clan would benefit immensely.

Song Xianming stroked his beard and nodded. "It has indeed been delayed for many years. It’s about time. But exploring a Small World requires a massive investment of manpower. It cannot be rushed."

"I understand this can’t be accomplished overnight. My plan is to first organize a small, elite force to scout the boundaries of the Small World and determine if there are any dangers. Then, we can organize a larger team to develop it slowly."

"That’s a good approach. Do you have anyone in mind?"

The most suitable candidate would have been Song Xianming, but with wolves circling the clan, he had to remain and guard their home, unable to leave for long.

"I plan to go myself."

Song Xianming’s brow furrowed. He admonished, "You are the Clan Leader now. You need to break that habit of personally venturing into dangerous situations. You must prioritize the clan’s overall interests."

"I’m confident my chances of survival are higher than anyone else’s. And even if the worst happens, don’t I still have you?" Song Changsheng grinned. ’Since it’s dangerous for anyone who goes, it might as well be me. There aren’t many below the Purple Mansion realm who can threaten me anyway.’

"You and your twisted logic," Song Xianming said helplessly.

"You don’t need to worry too much. I’ve already had Chang’an and the others begin practicing the *Three Talents Heavenly Star Array*. Once they’ve achieved some success, I’ll go with them. We’ll be able to look out for each other on the way."

"In that case, I can rest a little easier." Song Xianming nodded, finally relenting.

"By the way, was Chang Wudao’s fall into the Demon Dao related to the remnants of the Blood Demon Sect?" Song Changsheng suddenly asked.

Demon Dao was a general term. It could be subdivided into Blood Demons, Bone Demons, Desire Demons, and so on.

The reason Song Changsheng suspected Chang Wudao of colluding with Blood Demons was that the techniques Chang Wudao had displayed that day were all characteristic of Blood Demons. With Blood Demons running rampant in the Daqi Cultivation World, he couldn’t help but be suspicious.

Song Xianming shook his head and took out a Jade Scroll. "It’s likely unrelated to Blood Demons. Chang Wudao cultivated this *Celestial Demon Manual*. I’ve heard of this item before. It once stirred up a bloody storm in the Daqi Cultivation World, causing countless people to flock to it. I just never expected it to have fallen into the hands of the Earth Fire Sect."

"I see. No wonder his methods were somewhat different from the Blood Demons’. It would be best for us to destroy this item." Song Changsheng’s eyes glinted; he too had heard the legends surrounding this manual.

The opportunity to reach the Purple Mansion realm was indeed tempting, but if it meant becoming like Chang Wudao, Song Changsheng would rather die.

"You think I haven’t considered that?" Song Xianming sighed and pointed to the patterns on the Jade Scroll. "This is some kind of insignia left by the Jade Scroll’s original owner. If we destroy it rashly, I’m afraid it could lead to some unpredictable consequences."

The origins of the *Celestial Demon Manual* were widely debated. Some said it came from the starry sky beyond their world, others that it was the creation of some great demon lord. In any case, none of the theories were simple.

A mere few hundred years meant nothing to such a being. Attracting the attention of an existence like that would be terrible news for the Song Clan.

"Keeping something like this in the clan is also dangerous," Song Changsheng frowned. ’Getting involved with the Demon Dao is never a good thing.’

"Let’s find a place to seal it away. Only you and I will know of this matter. Do not tell anyone else." Song Xianming had no better solution.

This thing couldn’t see the light of day. It was dangerous, and it would be a huge problem if it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives. If it were ever traced back to the Song Clan, they wouldn’t be able to explain their way out of it.

In this world, secrets never stayed secret for long.

It was better to avoid trouble than to invite it. The best course of action was to seal it in a hidden place and keep anyone from ever coming into contact with it...

After leaving the assembly hall, Song Changsheng returned to his courtyard and took out a Jade Bottle. This was something he had found in the Martial Spirit Sect’s Treasure Vault. It was called Divine Soul Essence, a treasure used to nourish the Divine Soul.

He had seen it on the organized inventory list and immediately exchanged his Contribution Points for it.

Song Changsheng had been trying to awaken the Artifact Spirit of the Daoist Scripture in his mind for years. After all this time, he had barely managed to reach about eighty percent completion, with the final portion still seeming impossibly far off.

But this item gave him hope. If everything went smoothly, he should be able to successfully awaken the Artifact Spirit after refining this essence.

This filled Song Changsheng with a sense of anticipation. ’How will the Daoist Scripture change once it has its Artifact Spirit?’

...

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