Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 18

When Ling Changqing saw Ling Zifeng again, the steward was drinking alone on the foredeck while all the pearl divers were gradually entering the sea to work.

Ling Changqing didn’t beat around the bush. He approached the steward and briefly explained the situation.

“Heh, you kid… your luck is truly extraordinary. I wasn’t wrong about you back then!”

Ling Zifeng sighed slightly. In the cultivation world, the way of fortune was mysterious and elusive.

Even those legendary Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation old monsters couldn’t grasp even a fraction of its mysteries.

It wasn’t particularly rare in the cultivation world to see examples of seemingly mediocre, hopeless trash struggling to rise from the bottom and soaring to great heights.

Therefore, in Ling Zifeng’s eyes, Ling Changqing’s outstanding performance over the past six months was largely due to his fortune.

“It still wouldn’t be possible without your guidance, Steward.”

Ling Changqing said modestly. Whether now or in the future, as long as he remained with the Ling family, maintaining a good relationship with Ling Zifeng was essential.

Ling Zifeng smiled slightly and looked the young man up and down, saying: “You’re already at the fourth layer of Qi refining now, and your demand for cultivation resources is increasing. Why not… apply for another loan? This is in line with family conventions.”

The family elders placed great importance on promising direct descendants of the Ling family, making it easy to pass resource loan applications.

Ling Changqing hesitated slightly: “I haven’t even repaid the previous loan yet. If I borrow more now, wouldn’t the future repayment pressure become even more overwhelming?”

Although Ling Changqing’s efficiency at harvesting resources from the sea had turned out to be higher than expected as his cultivation improved, he hadn’t managed to save much due to being busy with cultivation.

At best, he might be able to repay his current loan in three years, but if he continued borrowing, perhaps…

“You don’t understand, do you?”
Ling Zifeng said nonchalantly: “When it comes to resource loans, you should always borrow as much as you can. Focus on improving your cultivation first before worrying about other things.”
“As for repayment, that’s a matter for the future. With sufficiently high cultivation, why worry about not being able to earn spirit stones later?”

Not to mention others, Ling Zifeng himself carried over ten thousand spirit stones in debt to the family bank. After all, his innate talent was even worse than Ling Changqing’s, so one could imagine how he achieved his current cultivation level.

“Does that mean… all direct descendants of the Ling family carry some amount of debt from the family bank?”
Ling Changqing asked quietly.

Ling Zifeng nodded frankly: “Exactly! The monthly resource allocation from the family is far from sufficient. Without relying on loans, how could one quickly improve their cultivation?”

Seeking fortuitous encounters outside was not only dangerous but also offered slim chances of success. Not all cultivators had the courage to attempt it.

Therefore, for these cultivators backed by families or sects, borrowing to cultivate was the most feasible option. After all, nearly all cultivation families and sects operate this way. This approach allows for rapid improvement in the average cultivation level of their disciples, thereby enhancing the overall strength of the family or sect.

If other factions employ such strategies to swiftly develop and strengthen their power, while you refrain from doing so, it’s inevitable that you’ll suffer losses when conflicts arise.

In fact, history is filled with examples of factions that resisted change, only to be washed away by the river of time due to their lack of strength.

“Spending tomorrow’s spirit stones to enhance today’s cultivation”‘this logic is widely accepted in the current cultivation world.

“Alright, since I can continue borrowing, I’ll apply for another loan of resources.”
In the end, Ling Changqing made up his mind.

Truth be told, he still lacked any decent offensive divine spells, and he didn’t own a single magical robe or artifact, which was somewhat embarrassing.

Since Ling Zifeng was willing to vouch for him once more, there was no reason to refuse.

With his decision made, Ling Changqing resumed his routine: working underwater during the day and cultivating late into the night.

Seven days later, Steward Tang Qiuyao came again to collect resources.

“…Hmm? You’ve already reached the fourth level of Qi refining? Impressive, impressive!”

When she saw Ling Changqing, the stunningly beautiful woman, elegantly dressed with her hair styled in a cloud-like bun, expressed her surprise.

She remembered that less than half a year had passed since she last took Ling Changqing to the family’s money house. The young man’s growth speed truly astonished her.

“Just luck, all thanks to Steward Ling’s guidance and care.”
Ling Changqing replied with a smile.

Tang Qiuyao seemed thoughtful and asked after a moment, “So now… you plan to apply for another resource loan, right? Moreover, with your cultivation at the fourth level of Qi refining, your name can now be recorded in the family registry as a direct descendant!”

Ling Zifeng nodded, “Exactly, so please take him along once more, Steward Tang. After all, he belongs to our family head’s lineage.”

Tang Qiuyao nodded in satisfaction, “Very well, it’s settled then.”

Under the mysterious influence of the Epoch Star Palace, the stunning beauty’s impression of Ling Changqing had subtly shifted, becoming more amiable and friendly.

A short while later, after completing their business, Tang Qiuyao set off with Ling Changqing. The magnificent flying boat lifted gracefully into the air, heading toward the distant mainland.

“Tell me the truth, young man, what is your current spiritual root quality?”

In the cabin, the radiant Tang Qiuyao studied Ling Changqing, a hint of a smile in her captivating eyes.

Ling Changqing replied, “It’s not too great, medium human-grade, with all five elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.”

Tang Qiuyao pondered, “All five elements and medium human-grade is actually quite good. Among the new generation of direct descendants, many don’t even have spiritual root quality as high as yours!”

Not to mention mortal-grade spiritual roots, even waste-grade spiritual roots are rare. Most family descendants possess Defective (Pseudo) spiritual roots, which offer no possibility of cultivation.

This is the reality for nearly all sects and family factions. Even if descendants are born to cultivators, there’s no guarantee they will possess spiritual roots, ordinary individuals still make up the majority. Therefore, as a distant branch descendant, Ling Changqing possessing a human medium-grade spiritual root with all five elements complete was already quite a promising seedling.

If cultivation techniques and resources could keep up, and his luck wasn’t bad, it would be entirely possible for him to reach the Foundation Establishment level in the future.

Thinking of this, the smile in Tang Qiuyao’s eyes grew even more abundant: “You’re still alone now, right? Have you thought about your future path? For example, finding a position working under the family head?”

Since he was a seedling with hope of growth, of course he should be placed in a suitable position for cultivation to ensure loyalty, so he could be entrusted with important tasks in the future.

Ling Changqing looked slightly stunned, thinking for a moment before replying: “For now, let’s keep things as they are. My cultivation level isn’t high enough yet. Besides working at sea, I don’t know how to do anything else. If I rashly change jobs, I’m afraid I won’t be able to adapt.”

For Ling Changqing, working at sea was currently the fastest way to earn spirit stones, especially since the seabed resources were abundant. Each time he could quietly get his fill without drawing attention. If he changed locations, he wouldn’t have such benefits.

Tang Qiuyao pondered for a few breaths before nodding gently: “If you’re willing to continue like this, that’s acceptable too. Originally, I wanted to give you a safer position…”

This young fellow went out to sea every day and could always return safely. His personal luck must be quite extraordinary. If it were someone else, they would be eager to leave this deadly place as soon as possible.

After some thought, Tang Qiuyao untied a storage bag from her jade belt and personally handed it to Ling Changqing: “You’ve been busy with cultivation before and possess few belongings. This storage artifact is of quite good grade, so I’ll give it to you!”

The storage bag with blue background, cloud patterns, and gold thread embroidery was exquisitely crafted, shimmering with spiritual light and carrying a faint, subtle fragrance.

Ling Changqing hesitated briefly before reaching out to accept it: “Then thank you, Steward.”

“No need for formalities,” Tang Qiuyao looked at the blue-robed youth with his exquisite, handsome features and eyes like painted lacquer, smiling warmly as she said: “I’m somewhat older than you. Why don’t you call me senior sister from now on?”

“Alright, Senior Sister Tang!”
Ling Changqing didn’t refuse and immediately agreed.

The storage bag’s space wasn’t small, about ten zhang square, containing two bottles of Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills and several first-grade protective Talismans, all generously given to Ling Changqing.

Of course, Ling Changqing wasn’t so narcissistic as to think Tang Qiuyao already had some interest in him, given the significant gap in their status and positions.

Unless Ling Changqing had the opportunity to reach Foundation Establishment level in the future, could he possibly think about such things. For now, it was better to focus on cultivation peacefully.