Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 20
In the courtyard.
As the maid Song Xuelan skillfully performed her tasks, the Array Formation Restrictions for concentration, tranquility, and dust removal were successively activated, and the Spiritual Energy formation within the cultivation chamber was also triggered.
White mist-like Spiritual Energy emerged in wisps from the formation, quickly filling the room with an ethereal and hazy beauty.
Ling Changqing’s status and position were now different from before, so the cost of using such a courtyard for secluded cultivation was discounted, two hundred spirit stones per month.
“Young master, if there are no further instructions, I… I shall take my leave now.”
Song Xuelan spoke softly, her bright, large eyes fixed unblinkingly on the blue-robed youth before her.
Ling Changqing nodded slightly and said gently, “Thank you for your trouble. I also want to thank you for what happened last time.”
After a moment’s thought, he took out two Qi Replenishing Essence Pills and placed them in her hand. “You may go for now. I will call you if I need anything.”
Song Xuelan responded tenderly, glanced at him reluctantly, and then turned to leave.
After sealing the courtyard and activating the Array Formation Restrictions, Ling Changqing sat down on the cloud bed in the cultivation chamber. Once he had calmed his mind, he took out a pill and swallowed it.
Although his meeting with the family head, Ling Qiyue, had been brief, it had provided Ling Changqing with much useful information.
First, the cultivation level of this female family head was higher than he had imagined. Could it be that she truly had a chance to achieve the Golden Core realm in the future?
This was not something Ling Changqing had discerned himself but rather an implicit judgment from the Epoch Star Palace.
Therefore, the impending end of the lifespans of the other two Ling family Foundation Establishment cultivators should not have any negative impact on the Ling family, as long as Ling Qiyue could take that crucial step in time.
The Ling family had occupied Zen Heart Island and its surrounding affiliated seas for hundreds of years. Although the family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators had gone through three generations, they had never produced a grand cultivator of the Golden Core realm. Not even a so-called pseudo-core master had emerged.
As a result, the Ling family’s influence had always been confined to Zen Heart Island and a few surrounding affiliated islands, unable to expand further.
Across the vast ocean spanning tens of thousands of miles, there were many large islands similar to Zen Heart Island, each occupied by over a dozen families and factions of varying sizes, such as the Wu family, the Yang family, and the Zhou family.
Among these families, some had over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the smaller ones had at least one Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing their affairs. Depending on their respective strengths, they occupied territories of corresponding sizes.
Any family leader with even a hint of ambition had considered sweeping away the various forces in this sea area to advance their family’s status.
Unfortunately, their strength did not match their ambitions. With numerous families forming alliances and counter-alliances, this state of fragmented and endless conflict had persisted for over a thousand years.
Ling Changqing understood clearly that in this cultivation world where strength determined everything, the height a family could reach almost entirely depended on the cultivation level of its leader.
If the Ling family were to produce a Golden Core Cultivator in the future, it would be a natural progression to conquer the surrounding families and annex their assets.
If another family were to produce a Golden Core cultivator first, the outcome would be the same.
It seemed that as long as this female family head remained, the Ling family would not face the danger of collapse for the time being? Ling Changqing calculated that as long as the family remained stable, he wouldn’t need to consider the option of fleeing. His current life was quite decent, and moving elsewhere might not necessarily be better.
After all, the current Ling Changqing was only at the fourth level of Qi refining. With such limited strength, even if he were willing to die for the Ling family, it wouldn’t change much. The most practical choice during a crisis would be to flee promptly.
At worst, he could lie low and cultivate, waiting until his cultivation level was sufficient to avenge the Ling family in passing.
Additionally, Tang Qiuyao’s identity didn’t seem like that of a cultivator trained by the Ling family, yet her relationship with Ling Qiyue was extraordinary, she was regarded as a trusted confidante. Though young, her cultivation was equally impressive.
As long as resources kept up, Tang Qiuyao would likely have hope of impacting the Foundation Establishment realm in the future.
Ling Changqing didn’t dwell too much on these matters and soon calmed his mind, focusing on secluded cultivation.
Three months slipped by quietly.
On the final day, Ling Changqing awoke from deep enlightenment and began examining his status.
In his sea of consciousness, a message imbued with profound Dao charm silently emerged:
[Lord of the Epoch Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 14]
[Cultivation: Qi refining Level 4]
[Destiny: 21+99]
[Fortune: 21+76]
[Physique: 16]
[Bone Structure: 14]
[Comprehension: 15]
[Spirit Soul: 23]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture (Level 2) 211/10000]
[Water Escape Technique: (Level 3) 11/3000]
[Water Spirit Shield: (Level 3) 35/3000]
[Water Control Art: (Level 2) 803/1000]
[Water Mirror Communication: (Level 1) 760/1000]
[Water Spout: (Level 1) 510/1000]
[Mystic Ice Water Arrow Technique: (Level 1) 655/1000]
[Spiritual Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth; Medium Human Grade 2130/10000]
[Benefactors: Ling Zifeng, Tang Qiuyao]
Aside from the continuous enhancement of destiny, fortune, and various physical attributes, his primary cultivation technique and divine power spells had shown significant progress.
Of course, improving his spiritual root quality was particularly difficult, and Ling Changqing didn’t dare to hope for it anytime soon.
The Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture had finally reached the second level, but progress had noticeably slowed, likely related to his current cultivation level.
The first part of the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture only contained three minor levels, ensuring Ling Changqing could cultivate to the peak of Qi refining. The middle part belonged to the Foundation Establishment realm techniques.
The Water Control Art was a newly exchanged complete advanced version, far superior to the inferior techniques Ling Changqing had practiced before. Thus, he chose to re-cultivate it and had now reached the second level.
As for the other divine power spells, they had all improved to varying degrees. When used in combination, they ensured Ling Changqing could move more flexibly and freely underwater.
Equipped with mid to high-grade artifacts, paired with cultivation techniques, divine powers, and Talismans, Ling Changqing could now attempt to hunt certain first-tier demonic beasts, such as the Silver Whisker Snowflake Fish and the Short-Tail Frost Fish he had unintentionally killed last time.
The flesh and blood of many first-tier demonic beasts were high-value resources. However, due to the difficulty of hunting them and high demand, the market often faced shortages.
As his cultivation increased, Ling Changqing’s future demand for cultivation resources would grow larger, so he had to find ways to improve his efficiency in collecting resources from the seabed. After a short while, Ling Changqing opened his eyes and discovered that the Elixir Pill resources in his storage bag had been completely depleted.
In truth, it had only been three months, yet the ten thousand low-grade spirit stones he had obtained as a loan were now reduced to less than a hundred.
Cultivation… truly burns through resources like crazy!
Ling Changqing muttered to himself. From now on, he not only had to continue earning spirit stones for cultivation but also needed to consider repaying the loan on time.
Fortunately, with his status as a direct descendant of the Ling family, his future days would be somewhat easier, and he wouldn’t have to return to the precarious existence he once endured.
Rising from the bed, Ling Changqing left the courtyard and returned the jade token controlling the Array Formation Restriction to Song Xuelan.
“Young master, are you leaving again?”
Song Xuelan spoke gently, her expression tinged with melancholy.
Ling Changqing nodded. “It’s time to leave, but it shouldn’t be too long before I return for cultivation again, right?”
“That’s good to hear!”
Song Xuelan was overjoyed at his words, her eyes curving into a smile.
After chatting for a while longer, Ling Changqing left the main entrance of the bank and noticed Tang Qiuyao’s flying boat waiting outside, as if it had been there for some time.
“…Come aboard, my little junior brother!”
The radiant, peerlessly beautiful woman stood on the deck, her captivating eyes sparkling with laughter.
With a convenient ride available, Ling Changqing had no reason to refuse. He immediately leaped aboard.
The magnificent flying boat ascended into the sky, accelerating abruptly upon reaching the clouds as it headed toward the distant ocean.
“How are things at sea?”
Inside the cabin, Ling Changqing looked at the beautiful woman before him and inquired.
Tang Qiuyao replied, “It’s the same as usual for now. Ling Zifeng has been quite diligent in his duties, so the family’s progress in collecting and stockpiling resources is proceeding smoothly. It shouldn’t delay the family head’s plans.”
Ling Changqing pondered thoughtfully. “Has the Wu family been quiet? They shouldn’t just stand by and watch, should they?”
The conflicts and disputes between the Ling and Wu families were no secret, known even to many low-level rogue cultivators.
Tang Qiuyao chuckled. “Of course, they won’t. But we’re not unprepared either. If they dare make a move, the family head will undoubtedly teach them a lesson.”
Ling Changqing pursed his lips, tempted to ask about the family head Ling Qiyue’s true cultivation level, but he decided against it. Given his current status, he wasn’t qualified to know such secrets.
The flying boat sped through the drifting clouds in the sky, arriving at its destination before long.
Over a dozen massive sea vessels, each over a hundred zhang in length, were connected together, forming a temporary maritime fortress. Numerous pearl divers and Ling family disciples lived and ate on these ships.
The flying boat gradually descended, landing steadily on the foredeck of the central sea vessel. Ling Zifeng was already approaching with his entourage.
“Steward Ling, how have you been lately…”
Before Tang Qiuyao could finish her sentence, her expression suddenly changed.
Ling Changqing felt the hairs on his body stand on end as an overwhelming sense of danger enveloped him. Instinctively, he activated five or six water shield Talismans, shielding himself completely.
Hundreds of blindingly bright thunderbolts descended from the sky, striking the numerous pearl divers and family disciples on the deck. Cries of agony and roars of fury erupted all around.
Immediately afterward, dozens of indistinct, shadowy figures emerged from beyond the ship’s sides, brandishing artifacts as they launched a fierce assault.
“Enemy attack!”
Tian Wenhu’s voice, filled with shock and fury, echoed through the air.