Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

After another two days of relentless flight, Song Changsheng brought his Flying Ship in for a landing outside a magnificent city.

As the main base for the Golden Crow Sect’s Yuan Province Garrison Envoy, Celestial Essence City was less prosperous than Luoxia City, but its power was not to be underestimated. It was one of the few well-fortified cities in the Daqi Cultivation World.

Since the two sects were still in a state of war, the procedures for entering the city were far more tedious than usual.

After spending a quarter of an hour undergoing inspection and questioning from the guards, Song Changsheng found a guide and headed straight for the Wanlong Commerce Association.

As a commercial behemoth that spanned several nations, the Wanlong Commerce Association undoubtedly occupied the best real estate in Celestial Essence City. Its grounds were vast, and it was no exaggeration to say it raked in a fortune daily.

The moment Song Changsheng stepped through the doors, an attendant quickly approached and greeted him respectfully, ”Senior, how may I help you?”

”Please have the Shopkeeper of your association come and see me.”

Although Song Changsheng didn’t state his reason, the attendants at the Commerce Association were specially trained and excelled at reading people. The young man quickly realized that Song Changsheng was here to discuss a major transaction, which was why he needed to see the person in charge.

The attendant’s expression grew even more respectful. He nodded and said, ”Please take a seat over here, Senior. A Steward will be here shortly to meet with you.”

”My thanks.” Song Changsheng cupped his hands in a small bow. He followed the attendant’s directions to a VIP room and sat down. A graceful maid soon served Spirit Tea and snacks. The service was impeccable, but his mind was not on such things.

After only a moment, a hale and hearty old man in fine robes walked over. He smiled warmly from a distance and cupped his hands toward Song Changsheng. ”My apologies for keeping you waiting, Fellow Daoist. I am Li Mingyang, a Steward of the association. How might I be of service?”

’Foundation Establishment Great Perfection?’ Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. ’Major commerce associations really operate on a different level. A Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator is only a Steward.’

He quickly stood and returned the gesture, saying, ”I am Song Changsheng. I’d like to purchase a batch of resources from your esteemed association, and I also have some Demon Beast Materials to sell.”

”So it’s Young Clan Leader Song! Please, follow me to the third floor where we can speak in detail.” Li Mingyang’s smile immediately widened. ’Everyone knows the Song Clan made a fortune at their last auction,’ he thought. ’This is a major client.’

The two ascended to a VIP room on the third floor and sat opposite each other. Li Mingyang pushed a small catalog in front of Song Changsheng, chuckling. ”All the goods our association currently has in stock are recorded here. Young Clan Leader Song, please peruse at your leisure.”

Instead of replying, Song Changsheng took out a Storage Bag, placed it on the table, and said, ”This contains some Spirit Medicines and Artifact Refining Materials. Please have them all exchanged for Spirit Stones, Fellow Daoist.”

”Of course.” Li Mingyang gave a nod to the maid at his side. She picked up the Storage Bag and respectfully withdrew.

”Inventorying and appraising the materials is quite time-consuming. I must ask you to wait a little while, Young Clan Leader.”

Song Changsheng nodded. ”No matter.”

He then picked up the catalog and flipped open the table of contents. He couldn’t help but be impressed. ’A major commerce association really is in a league of its own.’ From Pill Talisman Array Artifacts to Divine Techniques and Secret Techniques, they seemed to have everything.

He first turned to the section on Tier Three Talismans. The clan’s supply of these had been severely depleted over the years and urgently needed replenishing.

”Tier Three Top Grade ’Bright Heaven-Slaying Talisman,’ 208,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Tier Three High Grade ’Geng Metal Void-Breaking Talisman,’ 130,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

...”

A single glance was enough to make him stare in disbelief. ’Good heavens... I thought four hundred thousand Spirit Stones was a lot, but it turns out that’s only enough for two talismans.’

’Poverty really does limit one’s imagination.’

Skipping past the absurdly expensive talismans, Song Changsheng shifted his gaze to the end of the Tier Three list and nodded in satisfaction. ’Now, this is more like it.’

He turned his gaze to Li Mingyang. ”Fellow Daoist Li, I’ll take three Tier Three Low-Grade ’Golden Earth Flame Talismans’ and one Tier Three Middle-Grade ’Celestial Thunder Talisman’.”

Li Mingyang’s smile grew even warmer as he immediately quoted the price, ”That comes to a total of ninety-eight thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Song Changsheng’s expression twitched. ’Spirit Stones are spent so easily,’ he thought. ’That’s almost a quarter of my funds gone in one go!’

But there was nothing to be done. Necessary expenses were necessary. Besides, Spirit Stones didn’t breed on their own while sitting in a vault.

After choosing the talismans, Song Changsheng continued down the catalog, and a succession of item names spilled from his lips.

”Three vials of Jade Flower Pills, two vials of Purple Void Pills, three vials of Profound Yuan Pills, thirty Jade Peaches, a bag of Golden Sun Ginseng seeds, a bag of Soothing Lotus seeds, eight hundred pounds of Mystic Steel...”

This was all part of a list he had prepared on his journey here, so he simply bought each item as he found it in the catalog. All told, he ordered over two hundred different items before finally setting the catalog down. ”What’s the total for all of that?”

By this point, Li Mingyang’s old face was practically blooming with a smile. He heard Song Changsheng’s question and quickly replied, ”Including the talismans, the total comes to five hundred thirty-six thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Spending over half a million in less than an hour... Song Changsheng’s heart was bleeding. ’The items are good, no doubt,’ he thought, ’but they’re just so expensive.’

Just then, Li Mingyang produced an itemized list and placed it before Song Changsheng. ”We’ve finished inventorying the materials you brought, Young Clan Leader. They come to a total of one hundred twenty-six thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

”After we deduct that from your purchase, you’ll only need to pay four hundred ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Hearing this, Song Changsheng sighed inwardly. He had estimated he would have some funds left over. But the Wanlong Commerce Association’s goods were so expensive that he actually ended up ten thousand short. Fortunately, he still had an ace up his sleeve.