Although the auction had ended, many people remained. Most were wandering rogue cultivators, and for them, the marketplace was an ideal resting point.
For this reason, Song Changsheng did not withdraw the defensive forces from the market. The clan's high council convened directly within the Town Guardian's Mansion.
Only a handful attended: Song Changsheng himself, Xia Yunxue, Song Lutong, and Song Changan.
Since the clan's finances were currently under Xia Yunxue's care, she was the first to rise and give her report:
"During the three days of the clan auction,
The clan sold a total of 387 items, bringing in 380,000 low-grade spirit stones.
Of this, 20,000 came from commission fees on consigned sales, pure profit.
Another 130,000 came from selling various spiritual mountains and mines, also pure profit.
The remaining 230,000 came from treasures withdrawn from the clan treasury. After deducting 110,000 in cost, the net gain was 120,000.
Additionally, we earned 8,500 from leasing out 17 shops, with an expected 76,500 more in income over the next nine years.
From daily shop operations, after expenses, we netted 1,900.
In total, the clan treasury received 390,400 spirit stones, of which 280,400 were pure profit!"
As she finished, Xia Yunxue could no longer contain her joy. Nearly 400,000 spirit stones, even after deducting costs, resulted in more than 280,000 net profit. It had been many years since the Song Clan had seen such abundant income.
Everyone's faces lit with delight; even the usually stern Song Changan showed genuine excitement.
Song Changsheng smiled as well, though his expression was calmer.
The numbers looked impressive, but he knew this was a success difficult to replicate with the clan's current foundation.
Much of the income came from selling spiritual mountains and mines, abandoned lands after Lingzhou's recent catastrophe. Costs had been negligible. But this was a one-time windfall. Now that those lands had owners, such profits could not be repeated for a long time.
As for the 120,000 profit from selling off clan treasures, that too had limits. Better to turn unused stockpiles into liquidity than let them rot in the vaults, but such sales could not be sustained indefinitely. If future auctions yielded even half as much, it would already be fortunate.
Only leasing and operating shops provided a stable, long-term path of growth. As the marketplace expanded, this revenue stream would become the Song Clan's true economic backbone.
But seeing how happy everyone was, Song Changsheng wisely chose not to dampen their spirits.
He said with a smile:
"This time, the clan's income is considerable. But spirit stones lying idle in the treasury cannot be turned into combat strength.
Aside from rewarding those who contributed, I propose we use the rest to purchase the resources our clan most lacks. What say you all?"
"That's obvious! Piles of spirit stones can't be eaten; they must be turned into resources!" Song Lutong blurted out.
Xia Yunxue nodded in agreement, though she frowned and added:
"But where do we find the right sellers?"
Falling Mist City would have been ideal, but it was still besieged by demonic beasts and had to be ruled out. Beyond that, where could they turn?
Song Changsheng chuckled:
"I already have a seller in mind, the Wanlong Merchant Guild in Yuanzhou. When I escorted Qingxi and the others to the Heavenly Sword Sect, by chance, I obtained a VIP token, which grants us special discounts."
"I see. In that case, all the better," Xia Yunxue said warmly, her eyes full of approval.
"Heh, I knew this kid had it in him. Since you took charge, everything in the clan has improved!" Song Lutong gave him a thumbs-up, laughing heartily.
But Song Changsheng waved his hand seriously:
"Uncle, you give me too much credit. The clan's success is the result of everyone's combined efforts. How could I claim the merit as my own?"
He was not being modest; it was the truth. Without Song Xianming and others fighting desperately for victories, his plans would have remained empty talk.
Thus, he dared not take the credit.
"Even so, the Young Clan Leader deserves the highest merit," Song Changan said firmly.
Everyone carried a scale in their hearts, and the contributions Song Changsheng had made to the clan over the years were clear for all to see. Without exaggeration, his achievements were already the greatest among all clan leaders in history, second only to the founding patriarchs.
And how old was Song Changsheng now?
With his talent, he could easily ensure the Song Clan's prosperity for centuries to come. By then, his accomplishments might rival those of the two great ancestors, Taiyi and Yun Gui…
After the council dispersed, Song Changsheng returned to the clan estate. After all, before entering closed cultivation, Song Xianming had entrusted the clan to him, but during this time, he had left most matters in the Great Elder's hands.
Both by reason and sentiment, it was time for him to share the burden again. As for the marketplace, with Xia Yunxue and the others in charge and the Quasi-Heavenly Warship stationed there, security was not a concern.
Three days after Song Changsheng's return, Song Luzhou finally stepped out of the pill furnace chamber after a month of seclusion, dragging his weary body.
For him, a month of pill refinement was not especially long; previously, he had spent three whole months producing a single batch of second-grade, supreme-quality pills.
By comparison, this attempt at refining the Foundation Establishment Pill had taken less time.
Yet the psychological pressure had been crushing.
He knew better than anyone how desperately the clan needed this furnace of Foundation Establishment Pills. That pressure drove him to pursue perfection, refusing to allow even the smallest flaw.
Thus, every detail of the process was executed with painstaking care.
Even so, as it was his very first attempt, the result was only five completed pills despite countless hours of effort.
The Foundation Establishment Pill, though "merely" a second-grade high-grade pill, was notoriously difficult to refine. Besides its costly main ingredients, it required twenty-one rare auxiliary herbs, making each batch extremely expensive.
By market standards, three pills per furnace was barely enough to break even.
That was why many powerful sects often had third-grade alchemists personally handle Foundation Establishment Pills to maximize success rates.
For Song Luzhou, a second-grade peak alchemist, producing five on his first attempt was already outstanding, not only covering costs but yielding profit.
Still, he felt ashamed, convinced he could have done better.
But when Song Changsheng and Song Xianyun heard the news, they were overjoyed, showering him with praise.
Song Changsheng had only expected three pills at most, enough to avoid a loss. After all, even core families with Golden Core patriarchs sometimes failed at this refinement, so how much more could be expected of Luzhou's first try?
Yet he had delivered a pleasant surprise to all.
Looking at the five jade bottles before him, Song Changsheng's grin could not be hidden. The clan had not acquired so many Foundation Establishment Pills at once in ages.
Even more significant was the fact that these were produced by the clan itself, a milestone carrying deep meaning.
The three kinds of main herbs the clan had painstakingly cultivated were now mature. Once their seeds were harvested and replanted, the Song Clan could refine again, becoming self-sufficient and no longer at the mercy of outside suppliers.
For a clan with a five-hundred-year history, this was a qualitative leap forward.
In this world, a power's ability to consistently produce Foundation Establishment cultivators was one of the key markers of long-term survival.
Across the Great Qi cultivation realm, aside from the two great sects, the seven noble houses, and a handful of hidden forces, the number of powers capable of this could be counted on one hand.
Song Changsheng looked at the frost at Luzhou's temples and spoke sincerely:
"Fifth Uncle, you have poured heart and soul into the clan. Your contributions will never be forgotten."
"All for the clan. This is what I should do." Luzhou shook his head lightly. If not for the fact that only he could refine Foundation Establishment Pills now, the one who traded his life for another that day would have been him instead of Lu Huai.
To him, his life no longer truly belonged to himself.
Song Changsheng felt deeply moved.
In a clan, talents differed; some were strong, some were weak. Yet all, whether mighty or ordinary, gave what they could for the clan's growth, sparing no sacrifice. This had never changed.
As the saying goes: "In even a small village, there will always be those of loyalty and integrity."
In times of crisis, countless loyal sons and daughters emerged.
Twenty years ago, many Song disciples fell against the Lieyang Sect. On Cangmang Peak, Song Luyao and Song Luhai gave their lives.
Now, Song Changsheng, Song Luzhou, and even the humblest mortal within the clan all were contributing in their way to the clan's honor and survival.
With unity from top to bottom, how could the Song Clan not rise?
"These Foundation Establishment Pills have come at the perfect time. We must quickly select the right clan members to use them," the Great Elder said, stroking his snowy beard.
The clan's manpower was stretched thin, a fact made painfully clear since the marketplace was established. Replenishing personnel was now the most urgent need.
And within that, Foundation Establishment cultivators were the most critical.
Song Changsheng nodded.
"Indeed. I wonder what thoughts Fifth Uncle and Twenty-First Granduncle have regarding the distribution of these pills?"
The Great Elder considered, then spoke:
"Last time, we distributed them through a clan-wide competition. That was fair, but not necessarily in the clan's best interest. The Hundred Arts Hall is already showing signs of decline.
In arrays and forging, we are strong. The Clan Leader excels, and behind you are Qinghong, Changrong, and others with extraordinary gifts.
In alchemy, Luzhou can still shoulder the burden, but we have yet to find a successor.
In talismans, ever since Luhai fell, no one has risen to fill the role; the line is broken.
In brewing, aside from your mother, there is no second brewer.
In music, we have only Changxue, a first-rank musician, and even she failed her Foundation Establishment attempt.
As for geomancy, puppetry, beast taming, and craftsmanship, we have not a single practitioner."
At this point, Song Xianyun let out a deep sigh. A lack of talent reserves was deadly for any power.
The clan's great competition could only select those strong in combat, yet this often buried many talents in the arts or other fields, such as Song Luyun, who had recently presided over the auction.
She was neither adept at combat nor versed in the Hundred Arts, yet she had performed outstandingly at the auction. That too was a form of talent, just as vital to the clan's growth.
It wasn't that the clan didn't value such people; they could not simply nurture them.
Now, however, these five Foundation Establishment Pills gave Song Xianyun a glimmer of hope.
Song Changsheng's face showed agreement. This was indeed a matter worthy of great attention.
The death of Song Luhai had been a devastating loss, stripping the clan of its ability to produce second-grade talismans and eliminating its competitiveness with the Wu Ling Sect in the talisman market.
"Twenty-First Granduncle speaks the truth. Here's what I propose:
Two of the pills will be awarded through a clan competition.
The remaining three will be reserved for promising talents in fields such as talismans and alchemy, chosen by the Elder Council through careful deliberation."
Song Xianyun and Song Luzhou exchanged a glance and both nodded.
"Good."
Thus, preparations began for another clan competition, this time limited only to members under sixty who had already formed their Dao Foundations.
The pool was small, with fewer than thirty contestants.
After fierce bouts, Song Changjing and Song Changxiu claimed the top two spots, earning the right to use the Foundation Establishment Pills.
As for the Hundred Arts talents, several candidates emerged after rigorous evaluation. Among them were the already promising Song Changrong and Song Luyun, as well as the lesser-known Song Changqi and Song Changjun.
Following heated debate and voting within the Elder Council, three were chosen: Song Changrong, Song Luyun, and Song Changqi.
Song Changrong excelled in artifact forging.
Song Luyun had already received Song Changsheng's promise of support.
Song Changqi, though already past fifty, was the clan's only first-grade peak talisman master. The elders placed great hope in him, wishing for him to break through and revive the clan's talisman path.
Originally, Song Changrong wouldn't have been selected, as the clan already had sufficient talent in forging. The elders had intended to find a budding alchemist instead. Unfortunately, none proved suitable, forcing them to settle on Changrong.
Song Changxue had once been an ideal candidate, but her failed attempt at Foundation Establishment had closed that door forever. With such precious pills, no one could be granted a second chance.
Once the recipients were decided, Song Changsheng immediately arranged for them to enter closed-door cultivation.
As for himself, he gathered up a vast sum of spirit stones, preparing to set off for Yuanzhou.
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