Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method-Chapter 34: Qi Cultivation Level 9

As Song Changsheng surmised, the jade fragment had to be a piece of a Magical Artifact, but he couldn’t determine its tier.

He’d taken a fancy to the object because he detected fluctuations of Spiritual Power within it. On the surface, it looked like a perfectly ordinary piece of Tier One Ginger Yellow Jade.

But a closer look at the fractured edge revealed a faint white color inside. Song Changsheng wasn’t sure which type of jade had this characteristic, but it definitely wasn’t Ginger Yellow Jade.

’It looks a bit like Tier Two Yellow Essence Jade, but why are there these fine patterns on it...?’

Song Changsheng leaned in for a closer look, his expression slowly turning strange. ’I can’t believe I misjudged it. This is a man-made fake. It isn’t even Ginger Yellow Jade.’

He recalled buying it from a young cultivator’s stall. He had examined it carefully at the time, convinced it was something special before making the purchase.

He never imagined he’d still be swindled by the stall owner. It was a complete waste of five Spirit Stones.

’This person’s forgery skills are brilliant. I can’t believe I didn’t spot any flaws at the time. Interesting. If I see him again, I’ll have to get to know him.’

Instead of being angry about being tricked, Song Changsheng was actually interested in getting to know the stall owner.

He considered his judgment to be quite good—otherwise, he wouldn’t have found treasures like the Array Foundation and the Gui Water Elite. The fact that this person could deceive his eyes meant they had some real skill.

Although the jade fragment was an unexpected disappointment, his other gains for the day were substantial. The trip out had not been in vain...

In the days that followed, aside from studying the Array Pattern, Song Changsheng left at 9:00 AM almost every day and returned in the evening. Soon, he had explored every corner of Liuyun Marketplace.

He and Zhu Yiqun also hit it off more and more. The two often went out together, and Zhu Yiqun would occasionally show off his culinary skills, allowing Song Changsheng to feast sumptuously. At the same time, his cultivation soared.

In the two short months since his time at the Jade Cuisine Workshop, he had completed the transformation from the Qi Refining Eighth Layer to the Ninth Layer.

This was the magic of a Medicinal Chef. The food they created using various Spiritual Materials and Spirit Medicines could have many unexpected effects, with raising one’s cultivation being just one of them.

They were like a combination of an Alchemist and a Spirit Chef, possessing the advantages and characteristics of both professions.

In fact, in certain situations, medicinal meals were even more useful than Pills.

You couldn’t take Pills indiscriminately, but medicinal meals were different. The worst that could happen from eating too much was stuffing yourself to death or being over-nourished. Thus, Medicinal Chefs were honored guests no matter where they went.

However, the legacies of Medicinal Chefs were extremely rare, and the barrier to entry was high, making them a truly rare breed.

This also indirectly suggested that Zhu Yiqun’s tutelage was anything but ordinary.

As they spent more time together, Song Changsheng discovered that Zhu Yiqun genuinely loved making friends. In this little corner of Ling Province, he had acquaintances everywhere.

Among them were penniless Loose Cultivators, core disciples from Foundation Establishment Families, and even many cultivators from outside Ling Province. His social circle was incredibly wide.

During this time, Song Changsheng also indirectly met many people, expanding his own network and benefiting greatly.

One should never underestimate the value of connections; you never knew when they might prove to be immensely useful.

After several months, their friendship deepened, but the fog of mystery surrounding Zhu Yiqun seemed to grow thicker, making him even harder for Song Changsheng to figure out...

* * *

"Thank you for your hard work, nephew," Song Luyuan said sincerely, taking the Magical Artifact from Song Changsheng.

"Uncle, I’ve always had a question. Why does the shop only accept orders up to Tier One High Grade? The clan doesn’t lack Tier One Top Grade Artifact Refiners, does it?" Song Changsheng asked, puzzled.

He had been promoted to a Tier One Top Grade Artifact Refiner for some time now but had yet to receive an order for a Tier One top-grade artifact. The shop didn’t sell them either, which was why he asked.

The Song Clan’s main business was in industries related to Array Artifacts, so the clan had nurtured many Array Masters and Artifact Refiners.

As the clan’s only shop selling Magical Artifacts in Liuyun Marketplace, Treasure Hunting Pavilion should, by all rights, have at least a Tier Two Low Grade Artifact Refiner stationed here.

But why was the limit capped at Tier One High Grade?

Faced with Song Changsheng’s confusion, Song Luyuan sighed. "Alas, do you think the clan doesn’t want the market for Tier One top-grade artifacts? It’s not that we lack the ability, but that we aren’t allowed to."

"Why?"

"Because of the Eight Directions Pavilion. From the day they established themselves in Liuyun Marketplace fifty years ago, they’ve taken over almost the entire market for Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Pills, and more.

Their goods are high-quality, varied, and cheap. We local powers can’t compete; we could only watch as our business was snatched away bit by bit.

To change the situation, the leaders of the Six Great Influences joined together to negotiate with the Eight Directions Pavilion, and in the end, they signed a contract.

Within the Marketplace, the Eight Directions Pavilion sells items below Tier One Top Grade at the same prices as us.

In exchange, only the Eight Directions Pavilion is allowed to sell Tier One Top Grade goods. Although Tier Two goods weren’t included in the contract, we can’t compete with them there either.

Over time, the clan recalled all of its Artifact Refiners of Tier One Top Grade and above." A deep sense of helplessness was reflected in Song Luyuan’s eyes.

The Eight Directions Pavilion’s influence spans all five continents of the Human Race. How can a single hair compete with a thigh?

The fact they were willing to sign such a contract was a sign of their magnanimity, a way of leaving a path for the local powers to survive. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have bothered with them at all, let alone negotiated.

Song Changsheng felt a heaviness in his heart after hearing this. He had bought cultivation resources from the Eight Directions Pavilion before, but this was the first time he’d heard about the hidden story behind it all.

In this world, a casual move by the big shots was enough to suffocate small powers like them.

’I have to get stronger, faster!’ Song Changsheng silently encouraged himself after walking out of the shop.

BUZZ BUZZ

His Communication Jade Token suddenly vibrated at his waist. Song Changsheng channeled a trace of Spiritual Power into it, and Zhu Yiqun’s voice sounded in his ear: "Changsheng, are you free today? Meet me at the old spot. I have a favor to ask."

Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had known Zhu Yiqun for nearly a year, and this was the first time he had ever heard him ask for help.

’It seems he’s run into something urgent. I should go and see.’

Song Changsheng rushed to a pavilion on the south side of the Marketplace. Zhu Yiqun, dressed in brocade robes, was already waiting for him there.

"Brother Zhu, it’s truly a rare thing to hear you ask for help. Go on, what can I do for you?" Song Changsheng said straightforwardly, sitting down beside him.

Zhu Yiqun sat down next to him and gave a mysterious smile. "Actually, this is a good thing for you too." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Oh?"

"I won’t hide it from you. Over a year ago, a few friends and I obtained a map to the remains of an ancient cultivator’s abode. We’ve already been there to verify it—the information is real, and the ruins are still intact.

We’ve made a lot of preparations, but our biggest problem right now is the Array surrounding the ruins. We need an Array Master to accompany us, and you were the first person I thought of!" Zhu Yiqun said, patting Song Changsheng heavily on the shoulder.

...