Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 29 - Qi Refining Level Five
Evening fell.
On the sea surface, numerous small boats shuttled back and forth, carrying pearl divers returning after a busy day’s work.
Ling Changqing was among those who returned relatively late. By the time he stepped onto the foredeck of the sea vessel, most of the pearl divers had already dispersed.
“You couldn’t possibly have… filled them all, could you?”
Seeing the storage bags hanging at Ling Changqing’s waist, Ling Zifeng looked astonished, asking with some disbelief.
Ling Changqing smiled. “About half full. I gathered whatever useful things I could catch!”
“…”
Ling Zifeng’s expression grew more serious as he waved over a group of servants to help Ling Changqing sort his harvest. Manager Tian Wenhu also came over.
As Ling Changqing opened the first storage bag, he poured out piles of resources: Cloud Pearl Grass, Moonlight Barnacles, Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls, Qingling Sea Flowers, Purple Mystical Gold Sand Ore, and more.
The largest piece of Purple Mystical Gold Sand Ore weighed over twenty jin—this material was one of the important components for crafting certain defensive artifacts.
Next, Ling Changqing opened the second storage bag, pouring out resources like Thorn Conches, Rainbow Shadow Shrimps, Ironthread Velvet Claw Crabs, and others.
Additionally, there were several sea fish of varying sizes, Seven-Edged Star Turtles, Curved Horn Cherry Blossom Snails… all first-tier demon beasts known for their delicious taste and ability to nourish qi, blood, vitality, and soul.
By the time all storage bags were emptied, a small mountain of resources had piled up on the deck, leaving the servants gaping in amazement.
Tian Wenhu worked busily for quite some time before finally recording all the resource types and quantities, then calculating the final price and Family Merit Points.
“Young man, that comes to ninety-seven and a half spirit stones. Let’s call it an even hundred!”
Ling Zifeng said cheerfully, “Additionally, you’ve earned one hundred thirty Family Merit Points. Keep up the good work!”
“Alright.”
Ling Changqing nodded. Family Merit Points were quite useful—with enough accumulated, he could eventually exchange them for resources like spirit stones, Elixir Pills, spiritual wine, Spirit Rice, and demon beast meat from the family treasury.
Even breakthrough pills and spiritual liquids needed during later Qi Refining stages could be exchanged with corresponding amounts of Family Merit Points.
However, the required numbers were quite staggering. Even with Ling Changqing’s work efficiency, it would take a long time to accumulate enough.
Shortly after, Tian Wenhu handed over the jade tablet recording the Family Merit Points, along with a sparkling, translucent spirit stone with brilliant radiance.
This was a medium-grade spirit stone, with an exchange rate of one to a hundred compared to low-grade spirit stones. The actual market rate might fluctuate slightly, but generally remained the same or higher.
Ling Changqing accepted them and stored them in his storage bag. After exchanging a few more casual words, he headed back to his cabin.
Given his current status, dinner would be delivered to his room by maidservants, eliminating the need to appear at the dining hall and thus avoiding any possibility of rogue cultivators trying to strike up conversations or curry favor.
Although fasting pills were available, most cultivators below Foundation Establishment still placed considerable importance on culinary pleasures.
Unless engaged in prolonged closed-door cultivation, cultivators typically wouldn’t refuse enjoyments like Spirit Rice, demon beast meat, spiritual wine, or spiritual tea.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ling Changqing had no intention of going out to seek amusement. Since he still had some pill resources in his storage bag, he decided to continue cultivating.
The night passed quietly.
When the first light of dawn appeared, Ling Changqing awoke from his deep state of enlightenment on the cloud bed, slowly opening his eyes.
The room was filled with a faint aura of Profound Yin Water Essence, carrying a sense of purity and profound tranquility; this was the effect of cultivating water-attribute techniques and abilities.
Ling Changqing silently circulated his spiritual power. Although the Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture wasn’t an exceptionally high-level cultivation method, its advantage lay in its balanced and steady foundation, so it didn’t impose overly stringent requirements on the cultivator’s aptitude.
As long as one didn’t rush for quick success and followed the method step by step, with resources not holding one back, one would naturally reach an advanced realm in due course.
“Qi Refining fifth layer? It seems about time!”
Ling Changqing thought that he had never slacked off these past days, had been generous with resources, and had even consumed many beneficial things while underwater. Breaking through to the fifth layer was only natural.
In his consciousness, a message imbued with profound Dao charm silently emerged:
[Lord of the Epoch Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 15]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining fifth layer]
[Destiny: 25+108]
[Fortune: 24+87]
[Physique: 18]
[Bone Structure: 16]
[Comprehension: 17]
[Spirit Soul: 32]
[Primary Cultivation Method: Xuanzhen Black Water Scripture (Second Layer) 2591/10000]
[Water Escape Technique: (Third Layer) ???/???]
[Water Spirit Shield: (Third Layer) 2796/3000]
[Water Control Art: (Third Layer) 1990/2000]
[Water Mirror Communication: (Second Layer) 1870/2000]
[Water Spout: (Second Layer) 1542/2000]
[Profound Ice Water Arrow Technique: (Second Layer) 1497/2000]
[Spiritual Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth; Medium Human Grade 4030/10000]
[Benefactor: Ling Zifeng/Tang Qiuyao]
[Benefactor: ?]
Destiny, Fortune, and various key physical attributes had all significantly improved. Additionally, his primary cultivation method and divine spells had also advanced to varying degrees.
Although his spiritual root quality hadn’t upgraded, it was still slowly improving, and Ling Changqing wasn’t in a hurry.
At Qi Refining fifth layer, the number of benefactor slots increased by one. This time, Ling Changqing didn’t hesitate and directly filled in Ling Qiyue’s name.
Of course, since her cultivation level was higher, the mysterious power of the Epoch Star Palace would take effect more slowly on her, and the effects might be somewhat weaker.
However, as long as Ling Changqing’s cultivation continued to grow, these issues would naturally resolve themselves.
The Water Control Art was the newly exchanged complete advanced version. Because Ling Changqing worked underwater every day, it was now close to reaching the third layer’s perfection.
The Water Escape Technique had already reached third-layer perfection, and the other techniques weren’t far from perfection either. He just didn’t know if the Ling family’s treasury had higher-level versions; he would have to ask during his next return.
According to Tang Qiuyao, the Ling family’s founding ancestor was originally just a fisherman by the sea, making a living by fishing every day.
Later, by a stroke of luck, he somehow discovered the cave abode of a Golden Core Grand Cultivator who had passed away on a deserted island and fortuitously obtained the complete inheritance.
That Golden Core Cultivator had some connection with the sea folk during his lifetime, and most of his primary cultivation methods were water-attribute techniques. The Ling family ancestor, having received this legacy, embarked on the path of cultivation. Through nearly a century of painstaking effort, he laid the foundation for the family’s rise.
Over the centuries, while attempting to break through to the Golden Core realm, the Ling family’s several generations of Foundation Establishment experts never neglected to collect water-attribute cultivation techniques and divine abilities manuals, enriching the family’s heritage.
From Ling Changqing’s perspective, there was no need to consider more advanced techniques before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Ling Changqing rose from bed, tidied up briefly, and left his room.
On the foredeck, most pearl divers had already entered the water, making Ling Changqing clearly the last to arrive.
However, as long as Supervisor Ling Zifeng didn’t comment, no one would interfere with him now.
“Oh, young man, have you already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining? Congratulations!”
Tian Wenhu was quicker to notice the changes in Ling Changqing—from his external aura to the subtle transformations in his facial features, all inevitable benefits of cultivation advancement.
Ling Zifeng was equally astonished. “You’re only fourteen in bone age, right? Oh no, fifteen already. It seems you might advance further before twenty? Truly unbelievable!”
While reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining at this age couldn’t compare with the talented seeds from major sects, within the Ling family, this already qualified him as an Immortal Seedling worthy of focused cultivation.
“Just fortunate, and I must thank the Steward for your guidance,” Ling Changqing said modestly.
This wasn’t mere politeness—regardless of other considerations, Ling Zifeng’s previous assistance had been genuine.
“No need to thank me,” Ling Zifeng remarked with feeling. “Truthfully, I haven’t helped much—it’s all your own diligence.”
Cultivators like Ling Changqing, who worked hard and lacked no resources, weren’t extremely rare. But his rapid growth rate indicated extraordinary destiny and fortune—something most cultivators didn’t possess.
This young lad might hopefully achieve Foundation Establishment before sixty? Wouldn’t the family then gain another Foundation Establishment expert?
Tian Wenhu pondered inwardly, admiring Ling Zifeng’s earlier discernment. Among so many pearl divers, only Ling Changqing had earned his special regard.
After some casual conversation, Ling Changqing left the ship, descended the rope ladder to a small boat, and continued his underwater work.
After he entered the water, Tian Wenhu observed the supervisor’s expression and couldn’t resist whispering, “The young man is still unattached, right? Should we…?”
This manager recalled that Ling Zifeng had a niece of excellent talent and character. If they could arrange a match, it would be ideal.
If Ling Changqing ever succeeded in Foundation Establishment, Ling Zifeng might benefit considerably.
Ling Zifeng felt momentarily tempted but, after silent consideration, shook his head.
“Probably not feasible. He’s already caught Steward Tang’s attention, and even the family head has taken note of him. We no longer have a say in such matters.”
“Is that so? What a pity.”
Tian Wenhu thought it over and finally sighed in resignation.
Ling Zifeng took it more philosophically. “Nothing to regret. We’ve already established good relations with him—others don’t even have that opportunity.”
He had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment himself. At best, he might reach the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining in his lifetime. However, with Ling Changqing’s support from now on, his situation within the clan wouldn’t be too bad no matter what.