Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 11
A moment later, a jade slip glowing with radiant treasure light was placed before Ling Changqing, this was the first volume of the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture.
Additionally, there was a supplementary jade scroll provided by the Ling family, titled “Records of All Heavens.” Its contents were vast and intricate, covering various aspects of this grand and expansive world.
It included introductions to major continents and oceans, the distribution of significant forces within the human cultivation realm, overviews of various intelligent races, catalogs of common cultivation techniques and resources, as well as major historical events that had occurred throughout the long river of time.
Such widely available information was not particularly rare, as even slightly older cultivators could acquire much of it. Nevertheless, it held considerable value for Ling Changqing at his current stage.
As for the three thousand low-grade spirit stones, Ling Changqing had no intention of hoarding them. He immediately exchanged them for one hundred Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, priced at twenty low-grade spirit stones each.
These pills were essential auxiliary resources for cultivating the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture, ensuring that his training would yield twice the results with half the effort and allowing him to master the techniques more quickly.
“…On the first, middle, and last days of each month, elders from the family’s Hall of Teaching Skills will hold lectures. If you encounter difficulties or bottlenecks in your cultivation, you may attend and seek guidance!”
Ling Yunfeng patiently explained.
“Yes, I understand, Senior,” Ling Changqing replied. During the lectures, it was also possible to ask the elders questions, though not for free, as each query required at least ten spirit stones.
Beside him, Tang Qiuyao smiled warmly and said, “Young man, you are now an official member of the Ling family. In the future, if the family faces external conflicts, you, like all other Ling family disciples, must follow the directives of the family’s leadership and fight for the family’s interests!”
Contributing to the family during wartime was an additional condition attached to borrowing resources. Of course, if one performed meritorious deeds, the family leadership would not hesitate to grant rewards.
“Understood, Senior,” Ling Changqing replied. “I plan to enter seclusion here for a month to focus on my cultivation. Is that permissible?”
According to the rules, Ling Changqing was not allowed to take the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture outside, so he had no choice but to remain on-site to study it.
Ling Yunfeng nodded. “The secluded courtyards here offer a favorable environment for cultivation. They are equipped with arrays to replenish spiritual energy and provide complimentary meals. Since you’re new here, I’ll offer you a discounted rate, three hundred low-grade spirit stones for one month.”
The price was indeed steep, but Ling Changqing gritted his teeth and agreed. After all, this was the best cultivation technique and resource he could obtain at present.
To ensure a smooth path in his future cultivation journey, now was not the time to be frugal.
Nearby, Tang Qiuyao’s eyes flickered with a thoughtful gleam, as if she had something to say but hesitated.
Forget it, she thought. This seedling was discovered by Ling Zifeng. It wouldn’t be right to poach him now.
Besides, it’s still unclear how this young man will perform in the future or how far he can progress. It’s better to wait and see.
With these thoughts in mind, Tang Qiuyao refrained from saying anything further.
Shortly after, a maidservant arrived to escort Ling Changqing out of the quiet chamber. They traversed several winding corridors before arriving at a secluded courtyard.
The maidservant used a jade token in her hand to unlock the gate, allowing Ling Changqing to enter. She then activated the various array formation restrictions inside, including Spirit Gathering, Protection, Early Warning, and Shielding.
“Please keep this jade token safe, young master. It will grant you access to the courtyard, and your daily meals will be delivered by dedicated attendants…”
The maidservant handed the jade token to Ling Changqing, softly explaining its usage. Unconsciously, she felt some fondness for this exceptionally handsome youth in blue robes with starlit brows and bright eyes, prompting her to offer a few extra reminders.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Ling Changqing nodded and casually handed her two stalks of Cloud Pearl Grass as a reward. After all, this item was abundant on the seafloor and not particularly precious to him.
The maidservant departed contentedly, whereupon Ling Changqing sealed the courtyard and entered the inner chambers.
The place was not only exquisitely arranged and tidy but also complete with a bedroom, study, bathing room, and cultivation chamber. Particularly notable was the abundant spiritual energy permeating the space.
In the cultivation chamber, a white jade cloud bed stood at the center. In the corner, a purple bronze censer burned rare incense.
A faint fragrance filled the room, refreshing the spirit and dispelling all fatigue.
Without delay, Ling Changqing settled on the cloud bed and retrieved an exquisite jade box from his storage pouch.
Inside the jade box were neatly arranged ten Azure Jade Pill Bottles, each containing ten pale green Elixir Pills the size of fingertips, emitting an intense fragrance.
These were the Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills.
Ling Changqing picked up a pill bottle, swallowed one Profound Yin Blood Essence Pill, then took out the Jade Slip recording the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture and began studying it.
Within moments, Ling Changqing had committed the several-thousand-word cultivation mantra to memory and immediately began circulating his energy. His qi and blood flowed through his meridians and organs, gradually refining the pill’s medicinal efficacy.
Soon, Ling Changqing entered a deep state of enlightenment where both self and external world were forgotten.
After a full day and night, when Ling Changqing opened his eyes again, he discovered he had already achieved initial mastery of the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture.
Photographic memory and the ability to enter deep enlightenment at will were among the benefits brought by possessing the Epoch Star Palace.
Moreover, cultivating in this Spirit Energy-rich environment was undeniably efficient, a single day here equivalent to six or seven days of cultivation aboard the sea vessel.
In his consciousness sea, mysterious dao-rhyme-infused information silently emerged:
[Lord of the Epoch Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 14]
[Cultivation: Qi refining Third Layer]
[Destiny: 15+87]
[Fortune: 15+64]
[Physique: 11]
[Bone Foundation: 10]
[Comprehension: 11]
[Spirit Soul: 15]
[Primary Cultivation Method: Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture (First Layer) 113/5000]
[Spiritual Root: Lower Mortal Grade, Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth]
[Benefactors: Ling Zifeng/Tang Qiuyao]
Compared to the previous inspection, all physical attributes remained unchanged, including his Spiritual Root grade.
However, thanks to the assistance of his new primary cultivation method, the total amount and purity of Spiritual Power within Ling Changqing’s body had slightly increased.
“Just as I thought. Even at the same cultivation level, those direct descendants of the Ling family are significantly stronger than impoverished rogue cultivators outside…”
Ling Changqing pondered silently. The disparity in strength caused by differences in cultivation method grade was truly exaggerated, like the difference between heaven and earth, cloud and mud.
According to introductions in the “Records of All Heavens,” cultivation methods in this world were divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow grades, with each grade further classified into upper, middle, and lower tiers.
Although this Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture was considered the Ling family’s clan-protecting method, claimed to be cultivatable to the Golden Core peak, it could only be ranked as a middle Yellow Grade cultivation method. As for higher-grade cultivation techniques and classics, especially the legendary Heaven-grade techniques, those are only found within more powerful organizations, even super sects and immortal holy lands.
The first part of the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture that Ling Changqing obtained could ensure his smooth cultivation up to the peak of Qi refining, provided that the cultivation resources kept up.
“Forget it, no need to think about problems too far away. Focus on walking the path before me properly first…”
Ling Changqing thought to himself. Although the Ling family couldn’t be considered a powerful force in the vast and magnificent greater world, for the current him, it was still an insurmountable mountain.
Thus, one must eat rice one mouthful at a time and walk the road one step at a time, avoid aiming too high and overreaching.
With his mind settled, Ling Changqing slowly concluded his cultivation session, got up from the bed, and left the cultivation room.
Outside the courtyard, the meal had already been placed at the designated spot by the maids. It was stored in an exquisite Golden Silk Cloud Sandalwood food container, properly sealed.
Ling Changqing picked up three large food containers, carried them back to the room, placed them on the table, and opened them. An enticing aroma immediately filled the air.
The food containers were imbued with minor spells for heat preservation, dust repelling, and freshness, ensuring that the Spirit Rice and demon beast meat ingredients wouldn’t lose their flavor due to prolonged storage.
There was a small bucket of Spirit Rice, along with a basin of Silver Whisker Snowflake Fish meat, both in generous portions. A basin of Jade Fungus Soup, meticulously prepared with various spirit herbs, and a pot of spiritual wine.
The food containers also came with gold-and-jade-inlaid utensils. Ling Changqing unhurriedly served himself a bowl of Spirit Rice, took a bite, and nodded inwardly.
Compared to the inferior Spirit Rice he had eaten on the sea vessel, the rice here was clearly much better in taste.
As for the Silver Whisker Snowflake Fish, it was a genuine first-tier demon beast, something ordinary low-level cultivators usually had no chance to savor.
“Transitioning from frugality to luxury is as easy as stepping into water; transitioning from luxury to frugality is as difficult as ascending to heaven…”
Ling Changqing muttered silently to himself, then picked up the utensils and began to feast heartily. Such high-quality ingredients, if consumed regularly, would undoubtedly bring great benefits to a cultivator.
Of course, the best option would be to consume various Elixir Pills as if they were meals, this would accelerate cultivation progress even faster. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cultivators didn’t have such favorable conditions.
After a quarter of an hour, Ling Changqing finished all the food before him, returned the utensils and food containers to their original spots, and waited for the maids to collect them later.
After strolling around the courtyard for a while, Ling Changqing returned to the cultivation room and resumed his diligent practice.
A month’s time was precious, it must not be wasted.