Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 13
At the summit above the clouds.
Several hazy, illusory figures stood silently, gazing down at the vast, expansive dark blue ocean below.
Across the boundless, misty ocean, numerous islands were scattered like stars. Zen Heart Island and its affiliated islands were clearly visible.
“…What do you think?”
After a long while, a faint, ethereal voice broke the silence.
“The Ling family’s higher-ups are preparing for war with great diligence. It seems they are aware of their disadvantage and have not slacked in this regard.”
A steady voice replied.
A disdainful sneer followed: “No matter how diligent they are, they are destined to lose this battle. No one can save them!”
“While that may be true, devouring the foundation the Ling family has painstakingly built over centuries will not come without a significant cost for our Wu family.”
The steady voice continued.
“Indeed. If, after the conflict, those restless neighboring forces seize the opportunity to snatch the spoils, it would be bad news for us.”
“Taking over Zen Heart Island’s assets, digesting the gains smoothly, and avoiding excessive losses, that is the outcome most beneficial to our family’s interests.”
“At present, this seems challenging. After all, the Ling family still has three Foundation Establishment experts guarding them.”
“Therefore, I suggest we wait a little longer, until the two old masters of the Ling family pass away from old age. We’ve waited all these years; what’s another decade or so?”
“Perhaps. But this decision is not mine alone to make. It must be discussed and decided by the elders collectively.”
“Very well, let’s return to deliberate. The Shielding effect of this treasure is time-limited; we must leave quickly, or we risk being detected by the Ling family cultivators.”
With that, the figures vanished without a sound.
A few breaths later, two graceful, slender, and curvaceous figures appeared in the same spot.
“…They fled quite swiftly!”
A clear, elegant voice rang out, tinged with faint anger.
Another melodious voice asked, “Family Head, are we just letting them leave like this?”
The woman remained silent for a moment before replying, “Now is not the time to openly confront them. We must endure for now.”
“Qiuyao, in this inevitable battle, how great do you think our Ling family’s chances of victory are?”
Tang Qiuyao answered softly, “Outsiders may not have faith in our family, but when the day comes, they will realize how mistaken they are.”
The family head murmured, “But the two elders have little time left. Although the younger generation shows promise of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, it’s uncertain if they will make it in time.”
Tang Qiuyao smiled. “The world is full of surprises. The Wu family higher-ups may believe they hold all the cards, but you, Family Head, will show them what a true surprise is.”
The family head pondered silently before finally saying, “Notify the entire clan not to let their guard down. The foundation our family has painstakingly accumulated over centuries must not be destroyed in our hands.”
“Yes, Family Head!”
Tang Qiuyao acknowledged.
…
On the foredeck of the sea vessel.
Ling Zifeng’s slightly puzzled gaze swept across the vast sky above but found nothing amiss. His attention then returned to the desk before him. At this moment, besides the white-robed elder, his steward Tian Wenhu, there were dozens of Ling family disciples on duty on the deck, with even more servants, guards, and maidservants surrounding them.
Ling Zifeng now managed over two thousand freelance pearl divers, most of whom were recently recruited. This was due to the higher demands set by the family leadership for the collection and stockpiling of marine resources.
Thanks to the backbreaking labor of these two thousand workers, Ling Zifeng was able to amass a substantial daily income from various resources.
The downside was that every day, a few unfortunate souls would remain forever at the seabed, keeping company with the bizarre and ferocious sea creatures.
Such was the nature of underwater work: returning meant you were tough; not returning meant it was fate.
For the sake of precious spirit sand and spirit stones, risking one’s life for an opportunity was unavoidable, there was no room for complaint.
On the surrounding sea, several large ships of the same specifications were also under Ling Zifeng’s command and dispatch.
“…How long has that young fellow been down there?”
Ling Zifeng held a wine cup and asked lazily.
Tian Wenhu replied in a low voice, “It’s been over two hours! Based on his habits, he should be back soon!”
Ling Zifeng nodded. “It’s just as well he returns early. His status is no longer the same as those laborers. Spending more time cultivating and improving his cultivation base is what he should prioritize.”
Having cultivated the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture, Ling Changqing was now considered a member of the family, and his status in Ling Zifeng’s eyes was naturally different.
Meanwhile, dozens of feet deep in the icy seawater, Ling Changqing, his gaze sharp, had been locked in a prolonged struggle with a short-tailed, ice-snouted spotted beast. Seizing an opportunity, he thrust his short sword fiercely into its abdomen.
Gripping the hilt tightly, he twisted it several times with all his might. The fish, over ten feet long and weighing more than seven hundred pounds, let out a hoarse, agonized roar, thrashing and rolling violently, stirring up clouds of sediment and debris on the seabed.
But once ensnared by Ling Changqing, it had no hope of escape. Within moments, its strength waned, and the surrounding seawater turned crimson with its blood.
Ling Changqing raised a hand and pointed. A flash of light from the Profound Ice Talisman encased the entire fish in ice, which he then stored in his storage bag.
The intense scent of blood spread through the water in all directions. With his keen spiritual senses, Ling Changqing faintly detected some terrifying presences rapidly approaching.
Fortunately, today’s harvest was sufficient. Ling Changqing formed hand seals, and the Water Escape Technique activated silently, carrying him away from the perilous and unpredictable depths.
Within a few breaths, swarms of sea beasts surged to the scene, but the instigator was long gone.
Amid churning waves on the surface, Ling Changqing emerged enveloped in a pale blue glow. His face was pale from his nearly depleted spiritual power.
A small boat in the distance quickly drew near. The rowing servant had grown accustomed to the blue-robed youth’s exceptional performance and offered no extra words upon his return.
In moments, Ling Changqing was back on the foredeck of the ship.
“Back?”
Ling Zifeng set down his wine cup and stood up, smiling as he spoke.
Ling Changqing nodded. “Luck was on my side today. I caught a big one and gathered a pile of miscellaneous finds.” As he spoke, he released the short-tail frost fish from his storage bag, along with piles of Moonlight Barnacles, Cloud Pearl Grass, Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls, and several large chunks of Purple Mystic Gold Sand ore.
“…Well done, young man! You’ve really outdone yourself!”
Ling Zifeng’s gaze was instantly captivated by the large fish, and even the surrounding Ling family disciples were astonished, almost doubting their eyes at first.
The short-tailed frost fish is a first-tier demon beast. While its combat prowess isn’t particularly formidable, its key features are its rarity and its usual habitat in deep seas over three hundred zhang below the surface. The chances of it appearing in shallow waters are extremely slim.
Therefore, Ling Changqing’s ability to discover such a large specimen today, defeat it, and bring it back indeed involved a stroke of extraordinary luck.
For other pearl divers, even encountering such a creature would likely prove insurmountable. Attempting to confront it recklessly would most likely cost them their lives.
Tian Wenhu stepped forward to examine it briefly and said in a low voice, “This should yield about four to five hundred jin of fish meat. The scales, fish maw, bones, and other parts are all very useful materials. Young man, you’ve truly… struck gold this time!”
The flesh of the deep-sea short-tailed frost fish is tender, delicious, and rich in Spiritual Energy. The benefits of regular consumption are self-evident, making it one of the premium ingredients favored by wealthy cultivators.
The Ling family leadership naturally wouldn’t refuse such high-quality goods. According to the rates on Ling Zifeng’s resource collection list, one jin of fresh fish meat could be exchanged for ten spirit sand grains.
Including the other valuable materials, Ling Changqing’s harvest from this trip had already surpassed what other pearl divers might earn through months of arduous work.
“…Well, for your well-deserved earnings this time, let’s round it up to one hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones, plus two hundred Family Merit Points!”
Tian Wenhu quickly calculated the total value of Ling Changqing’s harvest. After a discreet exchange with Ling Zifeng, he announced the final price.
“Very well, thank you for your consideration, Steward.”
Ling Changqing nodded. He knew that Ling Zifeng would undoubtedly profit even more from this, but there was no need to delve into that.
Unfortunately, such pleasantly surprising hauls weren’t an everyday occurrence. Otherwise, Ling Changqing feared he might pay off his debts far too quickly.