Chapter 347: Chapter 233: Tremors in the Southwest, Refining the Sword Pill
The old man smiled and said, "The Song Clan is making a big move this time. According to the news that’s gotten out, a large number of Tier One and Tier Two Spirit Veins will be publicly auctioned.
In addition, there will be Heart Method Secret Techniques, Hundred Arts Inheritances, Pills, Talismans, and even Spiritual Artifacts and Tier Three Spiritual Objects up for auction."
The middle-aged man revealed a trace of surprise upon hearing this. Setting aside the Tier Three Spiritual Objects, they were even putting up Tier Two Spirit Veins and Spiritual Artifacts. ’Has the Song Clan gone mad?’
With a turn of his thoughts, the middle-aged man understood the Song Clan’s intentions and chuckled. "The Song Clan is certainly willing to bet big. Given the current situation in Bian Province, many people will surely be willing to move to Ling Province.
After all, that previous battle proved the Song Clan’s strength. Becoming a vassal of the Song Clan is much better than staying in Bian Province."
"Fellow Daoist Zhang sees it too. I wonder if you have any interest in accompanying me on this trip?" the old man asked with a smile, stroking his graying beard.
"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qi has his eyes on the Spiritual Artifacts? Forgive my bluntness, but Spiritual Artifacts are precious. It would be extraordinary if the Song Clan put up even one or two for auction.
At that time, there will certainly be no shortage of Cultivators drawn in. With Fellow Daoist Qi’s financial resources, I’m afraid it will be difficult to compete," the middle-aged man said mercilessly.
The old man shook his head and chuckled. "I am well aware of that. However, besides the Spiritual Artifacts, there are many other treasures at this auction worth fighting for."
As he spoke, he handed over the beast skin paper in his hand.
The middle-aged man took it dubiously and found it was a list of some of the auction items. At the very top were Spiritual Artifacts, but the quantity was not specified.
Following that were the hides, teeth, and sharp claws of Great Demons, all of which were quite valuable.
After that came some Spirit Veins, Magical Artifacts, Pills, or inheritances, but most failed to pique his interest. That is, until he saw the last few lines and couldn’t help but cry out, "A Tier Two High-Grade Sword Pill and a Dragon Ascending Pill?"
"That’s right, Fellow Daoist Zhang. I have been stuck at the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for fifteen years. I thought I would never have another chance to break through in this life, but the Dragon Ascending Pill has given me hope. No matter what, I must win one.
I know you have a Sword Pill, but it’s only Tier Two Low-Grade and can no longer keep up with your strength. If you were to switch to this Tier Two High-Grade Sword Pill, your power would definitely rise to a new level!"
Upon hearing this, a look of interest appeared on the middle-aged man’s face. He immediately accepted the old man’s invitation. "Alright. I will go with you, Fellow Daoist Qi, to the auction in one month."
Similar scenes were playing out in various other places, filling countless people with anticipation for this auction. Some were after Spiritual Artifacts, some wanted the Great Demon hides, and others sought Heart Method Inheritances. The reasons were many and varied.
* * *
Since Song Xianyun had awakened, Song Changsheng’s burden had lightened considerably. After handing off all the trivial clan affairs to Song Xianyun, he also entered seclusion to refine a Sword Pill.
Meanwhile, Xia Yunxue wasn’t idle either; she took some people and began preparations for the auction.
Song Changsheng had planned this auction to further bolster the Song Clan’s reputation. Only by making a name for themselves could they hope to reopen a Marketplace in the future.
Without people, building a Marketplace would be a joke.
The auction house was located three hundred li outside Vast Mist Peak, on the banks of the River of Grace. It was built atop one Tier Two Spirit Vein and several Tier One Spirit Veins. In just over ten days, buildings shot up from the ground.
Although its scale was far from that of the previous Liuyun Marketplace, it was small but complete in every detail.
At the center was the Garrison Mansion, from which four wide main streets extended outward in a cross shape. Along both sides of the roads, a small number of shops and inns were built, as well as eateries, taverns, and the like.
Next to the Garrison Mansion, an enormous building nine zhang tall and covering over ten thousand square meters was constructed. This was the future venue for the auction, and the "Song Clan Auction House" plaque was already hung.
Song Lutong, who was built like a bear, stood on the newly paved stone street, watching the bustling crowd around him. With a puzzled look, he asked, "Aren’t we just holding an auction? What’s the point of building all this stuff? It’s a complete waste of time."
Beside him, Song Chang’an replied, "Some of these shops will be run by clan members, while the rest will be rented out to factions like the Wang Clan and the Liuyun Sect to collect rent.
What you see now is just a prototype. It will be continuously expanded later on, eventually forming a Marketplace that far exceeds the scale of the one in the Liuyun Mountain Range."
Song Lutong said doubtfully, "Can we really pull this off by ourselves?"
"That’s why the Young Clan Leader is holding an auction first," Song Chang’an stated calmly.
"Hmph, I get angry just talking about this damn auction. What was Changsheng thinking? Auctioning off Great Demon hides and the Dragon Ascending Pill is one thing, but to even take out three Spiritual Artifacts to sell... I, his old uncle, only have one Spiritual Artifact myself."
Every time Song Lutong thought about this, his heart filled with resentment. ’Taking out such good things to auction off, isn’t this just squandering the family’s fortune?’
Seeing Song Lutong’s displeased expression, Song Chang’an gave a faint smile and said, "Uncle, rest assured. We’re keeping it in the family."
After saying this, he said no more and turned to walk toward the Garrison Mansion.
"What does that mean? Why can’t he just speak plainly?" Song Lutong’s brow furrowed into a knot. His intelligence in such matters was practically in the negatives, so he completely failed to grasp Song Chang’an’s hidden meaning.
’No, I have to go ask that kid what he’s thinking.’ With that, he flew off on his sword toward Vast Mist Peak.
At that moment, Song Changsheng had just successfully refined a Tier Two High-Grade Sword Pill. He had wanted to refine a few more, but the materials were extremely rare and the Clan Treasure Vault had very little in stock. He could only set the matter aside for now and had brought Song Qingxi to Spirit Plant Mountain, just outside Vast Mist Peak.
Three Spirit Mountains surrounded Vast Mist Peak in a triangular formation: Spirit Plant Mountain, Spirit Embroidery Mountain, and Jade Bamboo Mountain. Each was a thousand zhang tall and possessed a Tier Two Spirit Vein, making the Spiritual Qi there extremely dense.
Spirit Embroidery Mountain had vast Spiritual Mulberry Fields cultivated to feed Spiritual Silkworms. The silk they produced could be used to weave Array Banners and Magical Robes, and had always been one of the Song Clan’s pillar industries.
Jade Bamboo Mountain was covered in groves of Spiritual Bamboo. This bamboo was an excellent material for refining Magical Artifacts, and Spiritual Bamboo Shoots were a food rich in Spiritual Qi, beneficial for cultivation when consumed over the long term.
Spirit Plant Mountain, on the other hand, had vast Spiritual Fields where a large number of Tier One and Tier Two Spirit Plants were grown. It was the largest Spirit Medicine cultivation site besides the Tier Two Wood Spirit Vein at the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein.
Song Changsheng’s purpose for this trip was also to plant Spirit Medicine.
Previously, when he was stone gambling for Peng Siying, he had obtained a Tier Three Low-Grade Phoenix Blood Grass and an Iris.
He had already planted the Iris in the Medicinal Garden on the summit of Vast Mist Peak, where all the clan’s Tier Three or rare Spirit Plants were grown.
However, he did not intend to plant the Phoenix Blood Grass there.
Phoenix Blood Grass reproduces extremely quickly. To plant it, one needed a spacious Spiritual Field, a condition not met by the summit of Vast Mist Peak.
"This spot will do." Song Changsheng selected an area and handed the Purple Jade Box containing the Phoenix Blood Grass to Song Qingxi.
Song Qingxi was quite talented with Spirit Plants and was already a Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Plant Cultivator. Simply transplanting a single Spirit Medicine was no problem for her at all.
The young girl opened the box and carefully planted the Phoenix Blood Grass in the prepared hole. After covering it with soil, she took out a large pile of bottles and jars. She busied herself for the time it takes an incense stick to burn before wiping the sweat from her brow and saying, "It’s planted. From now on, I just need to come and water it with Spiritual Liquid once a day."
"Good. I’ll leave it to you, then. Once this Phoenix Blood Grass begins to reproduce, our clansmen’s physiques will see a great leap forward."
Watching the Phoenix Blood Grass sway in the wind, Song Changsheng broke into a heartfelt smile. As a Spirit Plant that strengthened the body, its effects were undeniable.
The benefits of a strong physique were numerous. It wasn’t just apparent when fighting enemies; it also increased one’s chances of success when breaking through to a new realm.
Disciples from the major sects all chose a suitable Body Refining Technique for themselves to temper their physiques.
But the cost of doing so was too high for smaller factions to even consider. Now, with the Phoenix Blood Grass, they had barely taken the first step.
Just as the two were about to leave, an indignant Song Lutong arrived at Spirit Plant Mountain on his sword.
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