Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 19

Before the family council hall, a flying boat enveloped in spiritual light slowly descended onto the square spanning hundreds of acres.

Since they needed to handle Ling Changqing’s registration first, Tang Qiuyao brought him here.

“…According to tradition, you must first pay respects to the family head and undergo the registration ceremony before proceeding to the bank to handle resource loan matters,” Tang Qiuyao explained to Ling Changqing.

Ling Changqing nodded: “I’m unfamiliar with these procedures, so I’ll follow senior sister’s arrangements entirely.”

The two crossed the square toward the main entrance of the council hall, passing through multiple security checkpoints with guards conducting inquiries before finally ascending the hundred-step white jade staircase.

Upon reaching this area, the concentration of spiritual energy in the space was about ten times stronger than when Ling Changqing was at sea.

At the top of the staircase stood the magnificent and imposing council hall, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, exquisitely beautiful.

Although within the cultivation world, the Ling family’s scale wasn’t considered large. However, with multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators overseeing operations and centuries of development, the actual control of financial and material resources far surpassed those of mortal empires in the secular world.

As they approached, guards informed them that the family head wasn’t currently handling affairs in the council hall but had gone to rest in the rear garden.

Tang Qiuyao then led Ling Changqing on a detour, entering the inner residence complex through a side hall. They passed through long winding corridors and dozens of luxurious, exquisite palace courtyards before finally arriving at the inner garden where the family head resided.

Throughout the journey, Ling Changqing couldn’t help but marvel inwardly – such a massive palace and garden project would be considered extravagantly wasteful and oblivious to public suffering in secular empires.

But for cultivation families possessing supernatural powers, such undertakings were merely trivial matters.

Even the most struggling low-level cultivators lived more comfortably than ordinary mortals, let alone these centuries-old cultivation families.

Moments later, after passing through the final security perimeter, Tang Qiuyao brought Ling Changqing before an elegant, delicate embroidery pavilion enveloped in spiritual light.

After the maids at the entrance announced their arrival and obtained permission, Ling Changqing finally entered the rumored female family head’s private chambers.

“…Qiuyao, have you brought him?”

Accompanied by a clear, melodious voice like celestial music and the pleasant tinkling of jade ornaments, a stunning beauty in snow-white dress with graceful figure approached slowly. Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, with jet-black hair cascading down to her waist.

This female family head appeared quite young, with curved dark eyebrows, pink crystalline lips, and lively dark eyes sparkling like stars.

Her full, upright peaks threatened to burst from her garments, with plump jade-like legs long and straight. Her enchanting curves rose and fell dramatically, with a slender waist swaying gracefully.

The Ling family’s new generation family head: Ling Qiyue.

Ling Changqing didn’t stare, properly performing ceremonial greetings while allowing her unwavering gaze to fall upon him.

Ling Qiyue’s dark, beautiful eyes examined the blue-robed youth for a moment, her gentle voice carrying slight fluctuations as her glossy cherry lips parted: “Indeed somewhat extraordinary. It’s reasonable that you could advance further in the future, no wonder Ling Zifeng values you so highly. There’s no need for formalities here, please sit and speak.”

“Thank you, Family Head.”
Ling Changqing bowed once more before taking a seat on the embroidered stool brought by a maid.

The Epoch Star Palace within him had already concealed itself within layers of chaotic mist, making it undetectable even by the most sophisticated divine techniques.

Rumors circulated that the current female family head before him was exceptionally talented, hailed as the first prodigy in centuries with the potential to break through the Foundation Establishment perfection stage and step into the Golden Core realm. He wondered if this was indeed true.

Moreover, the previous family head of the Ling family and this Ling Qiyue were not from the same direct lineage. The reason the former relinquished power and retired was because she had forcibly pressured him with her strength and driven him from his position.

This demonstrated that her temperament and methods were far from simple, certainly not as harmless as she appeared on the surface.

Ling Qiyue swayed her slender waist gracefully as she took her seat in the main position, pondering before speaking: “Qiuyao has previously mentioned your situation, so from today onward, you are a direct lineage member of our Ling family.”

“I will personally write off that three thousand spirit stone loan you took last time. Additionally, you may receive a fixed amount of cultivation resources from the family each month. I hope you will dedicate yourself to cultivation and achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible…”

Ling Changqing’s expression turned more serious as he calmly expressed his gratitude. Regardless of what schemes this female family head might have, the benefits she was currently providing him were tangible.

After further discussion, Tang Qiuyao led Ling Changqing to take their leave.

The enrollment ceremony was held in the Ling family’s ancestral temple. Naturally, Ling Qiyue didn’t need to appear in person, with only a senior elder from the Ling family presiding and several influential stewards, including Tang Qiuyao, serving as witnesses.

Once the ceremony concluded, Ling Changqing’s name was officially recorded in the direct lineage genealogy. From this moment, his status and position became completely different from those struggling rogue cultivators at the bottom.

“Alright, now let me take you to the storeroom to collect your resources!”
Tang Qiuyao said with a cheerful smile. Being a direct lineage member of the Ling family wasn’t just an empty title, it came with substantial benefits.

The family storeroom was a heavily guarded complex of palace buildings and courtyards, majestic and imposing in their splendor.

On the steps at the entrance stood two rows of stern-faced black-robed cultivator guards carrying spell swords. Behind them stood groups of Dao Soldier Puppets.

Since today wasn’t the scheduled day for resource distribution, there were no Ling family disciples lingering at the entrance.

After verifying their identities, Tang Qiuyao led Ling Changqing directly inside.

In the courtyard stood a massive black jade table, behind which sat three solemn-faced elders. Surrounding them were groups of clerks on duty, servants, and guards.

Seeing Tang Qiuyao enter, the elder seated in the center greeted with a smile: “Steward Tang, what brings you here today?”

“By the Family Head’s order, I’m here to help this young man collect his resource allocation.”
Tang Qiuyao said gently, handing the elder Ling Changqing’s purple jade token symbolizing his direct lineage status.

The elder accepted it with a serious expression, verified its authenticity, and nodded: “So it’s a newly promoted direct lineage disciple. Please wait a moment, I’ll have them prepare everything immediately.”

Under his command, several servants quickly departed and soon returned carrying several boxes and cases.

Thirty Qi Replenishing Essence Pills, five Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, fifty jin of first-grade demon beast meat, sixty jin of Red Crystal Spirit Rice, fifteen liters of spiritual wine, plus thirty low-grade spirit stones. This is the monthly allocation of resources that the direct descendants of the Ling family’s younger generation are entitled to receive. If they make contributions, the family treasury will also distribute corresponding rewards.

From the perspective of a direct descendant, this monthly resource quota is actually quite modest. However, for those low-level cultivators without any background, these resources are enough for them to risk their lives to compete for.

Since this was Ling Changqing’s first time coming to collect resources, according to the rules, he also received a set of magic robes and a long sword, both of which were low-grade artifacts.

Ling Changqing said nothing more, signed the roster, and stored all the items in his storage bag.

Next, Tang Qiuyao took Ling Changqing away from the treasury and headed to the Ling family’s money house.

Once again, Ling Yunfeng personally came out to receive them.

As soon as he saw Ling Changqing’s current appearance, the bank manager understood about sixty to seventy percent of the situation. He chuckled and said: “This young man truly has outstanding aptitude, and the family head has a discerning eye. It seems that in due time, the family will produce another Foundation Establishment expert.”

“Then we’ll take your auspicious words,” Tang Qiuyao covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. “I came here this time to apply for another resource loan for him. Let’s go with the ten thousand spirit stones!”

Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones was already the maximum amount Ling Changqing could borrow given his current status.

Moreover, until this loan was fully repaid, he would not be able to borrow more from the family bank unless the family head made a special exception.

Ling Yunfeng nodded in agreement: “No problem, it’s settled then.”

After the routine loan procedures, Ling Changqing requested a list and began selecting the resources he needed to exchange for.

First, of course, was the selection and exchange of divine abilities and spells, such as the complete advanced version of the Water Control Art, as well as offensive spells like Water Mirror Communication, Water Spout, and Profound Ice Water Arrow Technique.

Including the Water Escape Technique and Water Spirit Shield he exchanged last time, he now obtained the complete versions this time.

Then came the exchange for various Elixir Pills resources: two hundred Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, eighty Spirit-Nourishing Pills, thirty Spirit Gathering Pills… all exchanged in three-month supplies.

Finally, Ling Changqing exchanged for another set of magic robes and a long sword for himself, both of mid-grade artifact level, along with a stack of high-quality Talismans.

In a short while, the ten thousand low-grade spirit stone quota was almost spent, leaving less than nine hundred remaining.

“Alright, take me to seclusion for cultivation!”

Ling Changqing said. With three months of intensive training, he believed that the newly exchanged techniques could all reach a certain level of proficiency.

Ling Yunfeng naturally had no reason to refuse. After bidding farewell to Tang Qiuyao, Ling Changqing was led by a maid back to the courtyard where he had previously undergone seclusion.