Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 32 - Family Gathering

The family treasury was heavily guarded.

In the courtyard, three elderly men sat calmly behind a desk, silently watching a handsome young man in purple robes flipping through a Jade Slip Book.

Ling Changqing had come not only to collect his resource allocation but also to exchange some resources using his Family Merit Points.

Aside from essential spirit rice, spiritual wine, and demon beast meat, Ling Changqing also planned to exchange for some top-tier martial arts manuals from the mortal world to enhance his combat capabilities.

However, Tang Qiuyao clearly had a different opinion: “Little junior brother, no matter how powerful martial arts grandmasters from the mortal world of this realm might be, they basically hold no advantage against mid-stage Qi refining cultivators. So there’s no need to go through this extra trouble.”
“These martial arts manuals collected in the family treasury are all prepared for clan members who have just entered the Qi refining realm. At your current level, having these or not doesn’t really matter.”

When facing mid-stage Qi refining cultivators, so-called innate grandmasters would find it difficult not only to achieve victory but even to protect themselves.

Just one high-grade Thunder talisman strike would inevitably injure an innate grandmaster, let alone the threat posed by artifacts and flying swords.

Generally speaking, within this realm’s power system, so-called martial arts innate grandmasters can at most threaten cultivators at the third layer of Qi refining. Beyond that, it becomes increasingly difficult.

If cultivators possess powerful artifacts, they need not fear even when surrounded by a group of martial arts grandmasters – this represents a fundamental difference in the nature of power they cultivate.

For example, with Tang Qiuyao’s current cultivation level, even if a group of legendary martial saints were to surround her, they wouldn’t be able to harm her in the slightest.

However, martial saints are exceptionally rare existences among mortals. Due to stringent requirements for bone structure aptitude and resources, it’s difficult for even one to emerge among hundreds of thousands of martial artists.

Moreover, martial artists have limited lifespans – peak martial saints in this realm can only live to slightly over a hundred years at most. Whereas cultivators who break through to the Foundation Establishment level can easily possess over two hundred years of lifespan.

“Since senior sister says so, then I won’t consider it.”
Ling Changqing nodded, thinking that in extreme danger environments like the deep sea, martial saints’ methods probably wouldn’t be very useful, far less effective than cultivators’ divine spells and techniques.

Tang Qiuyao smiled: “Given a cultivator’s physique, learning martial arts is quite easy. When you have free time in the future, there’s no harm in trying it as a personal hobby.”

Generally speaking, only those bottom-level rogue cultivators with exceptionally poor bone structure aptitude and no hope of advancement would consider the martial path of the mortal world, merely to gain some self-defense and combat capabilities.

In Tang Qiuyao’s view, Ling Changqing had already reached the fifth layer of Qi refining and would naturally break through to the sixth or seventh layer in the future, making such considerations truly unnecessary.

In the end, Ling Changqing used his Family Merit Points to exchange for a “Aura Concealment Art” spell and a “Profound Water Thunder Guidance Art”. The Aura Concealment Art could gather and conceal one’s own aura, masking true cultivation level and identity – actually a relatively common cultivation technique in the cultivation world.

Through the long passage of time, the Aura Concealment Art had evolved numerous schools and branch versions with varying effectiveness. The Aura Concealment Art from the Ling family treasury proved quite effective during the Qi refining and Foundation Establishment stages, though its efficacy diminished beyond that.

However, Ling Changqing didn’t need to consider such distant matters for now, what he had was sufficient for the present stage.

The Profound Water Thunder Guidance Art was an offensive spell with considerable destructive capability. Once mastered, it would significantly enhance Ling Changqing’s combat prowess against enemies.

In addition to cultivation techniques and spells, Ling Changqing also exchanged for some pill resources, twenty jars of spiritual wine, five hundred jin of Crimson Jade Crystal Rice, and one hundred fifty jin of demon beast meat including Silver Whisker Snowflake Fish and Short-Tailed Frost-Fish.

Naturally, the types of pills Ling Changqing acquired were all varieties unavailable from Alchemist Meng Ye.

For those that Meng Ye did have in stock, even if priced higher, Ling Changqing preferred to purchase from him due to their superior effects.

Before long, the maids and servants had sorted and packaged all the resources, then delivered them.

After verifying everything was correct, Ling Changqing stored all items into his storage bag and departed with Tang Qiuyao.

“Let’s return. The family gathering is in three days, so you can rest well until then,” the stunning beauty said to Ling Changqing as they boarded the flying boat.

Since Ling Changqing was now her tenant, it was natural for them to travel back together.

Inside the cabin, Ling Changqing gazed at the exquisitely beautiful, elegant and charming woman seated opposite him, swallowing the words that came to his lips.

He was somewhat curious, though Tang Qiuyao wasn’t a daughter of the Ling family, she held a high position within the clan and maintained good relations with family head Ling Qiyue. There might be some untold story behind this?

Of course, given his current status, it wasn’t appropriate to investigate deeply. Perhaps the truth would reveal itself in time.

Returning to the spiritual vein cave dwelling, Ling Changqing said little and went directly to rest in his courtyard.

Three days later, the grand gathering commenced as scheduled in a palace garden at the family’s headquarters.

Tang Qiuyao seemed quite concerned about Ling Changqing, sending her maid Long Yun to fetch him early in the morning. After sharing breakfast together, they proceeded to the event side by side.

“Hmm? Has the Protective Array at the family headquarters been activated?” Ling Changqing asked with surprise, observing the radiant, rippling light screen covering the sky above.

Such Grand Formations concerned the family’s foundation and consumed substantial resources. Unless facing external invasion, they wouldn’t be deployed lightly.

“Times are different now. With most of the family’s younger generation gathered here, we must be cautious. What if powerful enemies seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack and wipe everyone out?” Tang Qiuyao explained.

In the treacherous cultivation world filled with hidden dangers and deceit, such incidents weren’t too uncommon. Over the past several millennia, there had been multiple tragedies where powerful sects or noble families, having lowered their guard during celebrations, were severely crippled or even annihilated by rival forces.

Ling Changqing nodded. The Ling family’s sworn enemies were like venomous snakes lurking in shadows, constantly watching for any opportunity to strike fiercely when the chance arose.

Moments later, the two arrived at their destination without incident. The spacious courtyard buzzed with excitement, filled mostly with young, well-dressed male and female cultivators, along with some elderly members.

The picturesque courtyard covered vast grounds, not only abundant with spiritual energy but also featuring all manner of scenic elements, pavilions, towers, flowing springs, flying waterfalls, artificial mountains, and stone bridges. These cultivators seemed to have formed their own small circles, sitting together in groups of three or five. Some were discussing scriptures and debating the Dao, others were savoring tea while playing chess, composing poetry, or sparring with sword techniques and divine spells…

Ling Changqing scanned the area and estimated around four to five hundred clan descendants present. Their cultivation levels ranged from those who had just entered the Qi Refining Stage to the seventh layer of Qi refining.

As for those who had reached the seventh layer or above, regardless of age, they could become elders of the clan, their status and position far surpassing that of ordinary clan members.

“Surely there are still many who haven’t returned yet?” Ling Changqing asked.

“Definitely. Many important industries and strongholds on the clan’s territory require personnel to oversee them. There are also quite a few descendants in secluded cultivation or traveling abroad. It’s impossible for all of them to be here,” Tang Qiuyao explained softly.

Although the clan required all of the younger generation to attend, those who were occupied with duties and truly unable to leave would certainly not be pressured by the clan’s higher-ups.

“Since you’re already here, don’t you want to go talk to them and get to know some people?” Tang Qiuyao asked with a smile.

Ling Changqing shook his head: “Aside from you, Senior Sister, I don’t know anyone else. I’d rather not.”

Ling Zifeng was still at sea supervising the pearl divers, so among the Ling clan descendants present, Ling Changqing didn’t recognize a single one.

“Alright then, just follow me!” Tang Qiuyao said contentedly, leading him through the corridor to an unoccupied pavilion in the center of the lake, where they took seats by an exquisite stone table.

Immediately, maidservants brought pastries and spiritual tea. After all, given Tang Qiuyao’s cultivation level and status, no one in the Ling clan would dare neglect her.

Ling Changqing discreetly observed his surroundings and noticed that the status and rank of these clan descendants were distinguished by the style of jade pendants and sachets hanging at their waists.

The jade pendants and sachets of the main lineage descendants were pale purple, with the most intricate and complex cloud patterns. Those of the close branch descendants were slightly inferior, being bright yellow.

As for the collateral and distant branch descendants, their jade pendants and sachets were white and of the simplest design.

Moreover, the cultivation levels of the collateral descendants who could appear here were not too shabby; otherwise, they wouldn’t have qualified to attend such a gathering.

“…It seems my current status and position are indeed not low,” Ling Changqing thought to himself, glancing at the purple jade pendant fastened at his waist. He gained a deeper understanding of Ling Zifeng and Tang Qiuyao’s earlier support and care.

Ordinary collateral or distant branch descendants of the Ling clan, if they lacked special innate talent and didn’t gain the favor of influential clan figures, would never have a chance to rise in status throughout their lives.

Tang Qiuyao said with a smile, “It’s mainly because you’ve worked hard enough yourself. If it were someone else, even if we were willing to give them the opportunity, they might not have been able to seize it.”
“Of course, the clan head also thinks highly of you. Without her approval, you wouldn’t have obtained the status of a main lineage descendant so easily.”

“I understand,” Ling Changqing nodded gently. It seemed that Clan Head Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiuyao had been quietly observing his performance all along.

This wasn’t a bad thing for him. In the future, if he wanted to reach the peak of the Qi Refining Stage and successfully establish his foundation, he would undoubtedly still need their help.

“Hey, a few young ladies seem to be noticing you!” Tang Qiuyao suddenly remarked. Ling Changqing turned his head with a slight look of confusion and indeed spotted four Ling family women with exquisite makeup and vibrant attire gathered behind a rockery, their sparkling gazes fixed in his direction.

Judging by the sachets at their waists, two in bright yellow and two in white, their cultivation levels were merely at the second or third layer of Qi refining, lower than Ling Changqing’s own.

“Probably all hoping to climb the social ladder!”

Tang Qiuyao remarked with a half-smile. The purple-robed youth before them possessed an appearance and demeanor that needed no elaboration, coupled with outstanding cultivation and the status of a direct descendant, it was only natural that these family women would take notice.

Ling Changqing couldn’t help but feel speechless: “Senior Sister, must you be so blunt?”

“Just stating the facts,” Tang Qiuyao snorted. “Women’s admiration for the strong is innate. Their innate talent and resources are limited, and their lifetime achievements are predictable.”
“Without exceptional opportunities, they’ll remain at this level forever. So, attaching themselves to a promising direct descendant is their most pragmatic choice.”
“So? Just a flick of your finger, and these girls would eagerly approach. Care to consider it?”

Ling Changqing: “…”