Longevity Starts With Dual Cultivation - Chapter 5

At the bottom of the dim cave, Ling Changqing stored away the silver-threaded net and, after a brief rest, decided to leave.
Upon reaching the cave entrance, he cautiously surveyed his surroundings, repeatedly confirming that no dangerous sea creatures or fish were approaching, especially that no other pearl divers had appeared’before slowly swimming out of the cave.

“…Should I return now, or continue searching for the next one?”
Ling Changqing, suspended in the water, silently deliberated, momentarily indecisive.

By convention, as long as a pearl diver could bring back one Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearl that met the requirements per dive, it was considered a completed daily task, allowing them to return to the sea vessel to rest.
It was still early, and Ling Changqing felt he could consider catching another Bathing Sand Clam to earn double the reward upon returning.

In the past, such a thought would undoubtedly have been quite dangerous.
Even without encountering sea creature attacks, staying too long in the icy depths of the sea would inevitably take a toll, even on a cultivator’s physique.

Once a cultivator’s stamina and spiritual power were depleted, and no Elixir Pills were available for timely replenishment, they would likely remain at the bottom of the sea forever.

Pearl divers who dared to take risks underwater and bring back two or even three Bathing Sand Clams in one trip were generally experienced veterans with at least Qi refining level three or higher cultivation, giving them sufficient confidence to attempt it.

In the past, Ling Changqing’s limited strength meant he always adhered to the principles of caution: he would finish work after finding one suitable Bathing Sand Clam per dive, never lingering in the water.

But now, with the mysterious Epoch Star Palace by his side and his strength significantly enhanced, Ling Changqing felt it necessary to adapt appropriately.
After all, improving cultivation required resource support. To break through quickly and reach Qi refining level four, resources such as pills, spirit stones, and cultivation techniques were indispensable.

Enough then, let’s give it a try!
Ling Changqing’s character had no room for indecision, and he immediately made up his mind.

After organizing his tools and gripping the short knife in his hand, Ling Changqing continued searching among the numerous dark reefs.
Although the waters around Zen Heart Island were indeed dangerous, the ocean’s resources were quite abundant.

Besides the Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearl, there were numerous other tradable resources; some rare items could fetch high prices in the market, provided one had the ability to obtain them.

In the past, when the Ling family’s pearl diving teams went to sea, they didn’t just search for Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls, they also collected various cultivation resources the family needed.

This time, due to special circumstances and a task personally assigned by the family head, Steward Ling Zifeng had ordered the pearl divers to set aside other work and prioritize gathering Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls to complete the task as soon as possible.

Hundreds of zhang away in the deep sea, Chen Tong, pale-faced, was huddled in a crevice under a large reef, trembling uncontrollably, with traces of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Not far from him, the water churned with undercurrents as a sawtooth shark, several zhang long, exuding dense killing intent and covered in silver-gray scales, swam back and forth, its ferocious, gaping maw clearly visible. The ferocity of the Nethertooth Sawshark far surpasses that of ordinary sea beasts, its lethality firmly placing it among the ranks of second-tier demonic beasts.

To confront head-on, let alone slay, a mature Nethertooth Sawshark typically requires a cultivator at or above the sixth layer of Qi refining, armed with a Superior-grade artifact, to stand a chance.
Cultivators falling short of this standard have no choice but to rely on overwhelming numbers to wear it down through attrition.

“What rotten luck! How did I end up running into this deadly beast so soon after diving down…”
Chen Tong spat bitterly, grinding his teeth as he cursed under his breath. The mix of fury, resentment, and fear made his wounds ache all the more intensely.If this monstrous creature refused to leave, Chen Tong’s chances of survival today looked grim, his scrawny frame wouldn’t even make a decent snack to fill its teeth.

Meanwhile, Ling Changqing remained unaware of the distant struggle. He had successfully located the second cave harboring a Bathing Sand Clam. After surveying the surrounding terrain, he deftly slipped inside.
“Oh? Two this time?”

Upon spotting the situation at the cave’s bottom, Ling Changqing first felt a surge of delight, which quickly gave way to disappointment.
The good news was that two Bathing Sand Clams lay buried in the sand. The bad news, judging by Ling Changqing’s experienced eye, was that only one of them contained a Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearl.

Still, this outcome was quite satisfactory! At least he wouldn’t return empty-handed. Few other pearl hunters enjoyed such fortune.

Drawing two sealing Talismans concealed in his robe, Ling Changqing focused his mind, silently channeling his spiritual power as he locked onto the Bathing Sand Clam’s aura and activated the Talismans.

A flash of light briefly illuminated the entire cave. By the time calm returned, Ling Changqing’s silver-mesh net held a captured Bathing Sand Clam.
“Time to head back.”

Without hesitation, Ling Changqing decided to retreat. Though his physical stamina and spiritual power remained largely intact, leaving him capable of another attempt, he had no intention of pressing his luck.

Greed often leads to losing everything.
Repeating the same procedure and confirming no threats lingered nearby, Ling Changqing paddled through the water, swiftly ascending toward the surface.
Dozens of breaths later, Ling Changqing broke through the waves and beheld the familiar azure sky once more. Several massive birds of prey soared among the clouds, while a salty, fishy sea breeze swept across the ocean, stirring rolling waves.

His small boat drifted not far away. The old boatman, spotting Ling Changqing’s emergence, promptly rowed over.

“Young master Ling, smooth sailing today?” the old man asked cheerfully. As long as the pearl hunter returned safely, their day’s mission was considered accomplished, a cause for relief.

“Not bad.”
Ling Changqing replied curtly, settling down with his silver-mesh net to meditate and recover.

The old man, accustomed to his reticence, said nothing more and steadily rowed the boat back toward the main ship.
Pulling alongside, Ling Changqing grasped the rope ladder lowered by the crew and nimbly climbed aboard the deck.

Steward Ling Zifeng sat at a Golden Silk Cloud Sandalwood table, sipping wine alone, with several meticulously prepared dishes laid out before him.
Noticing the familiar figure of the blue-robed youth, Ling Zifeng paused briefly, then broke into a smile: “Young man, do you have good news so quickly today? It seems you truly have some luck on your side!”

By all accounts, Ling Changqing was the first to return today, and he had even caught two Sand-bathing Clams. If both could yield Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls, it would indeed be a promising sign.

Ling Changqing smiled and bowed, offering a few flattering words to Ling Zifeng before handing the silver-meshed net to the Ling family disciple.
A dozen breaths later, Ling Zifeng gazed at the two crystalline, radiant Jade Crystal Winterglow Pearls in his hand, his face beaming with joy.

If all pearl gatherers could perform as excellently as Ling Changqing, this mission would likely be accomplished with ease.
The steward sized up Ling Changqing thoughtfully for a few moments before finally speaking: “Young man, how about this… If your performance in the coming days remains as outstanding as today’s, I might consider granting you some benefits. What do you think?”

Perhaps influenced by the mysterious power of the Epoch Star Palace or simply due to fortune’s favor, he found Ling Changqing quite agreeable, leading to this somewhat unexpected decision.
“…”

Ling Changqing maintained his composure, bowed again, and replied softly, “It is an honor to serve the steward. I dare not ask for additional rewards.”
Ling Zifeng chuckled. “No need for modesty, this is what you deserve.”
“Though your cultivation level is still low, you are young. With a decent cultivation technique and divine ability, along with sufficient resources like Elixir Pills and spirit stones, advancing your cultivation shouldn’t be difficult.”

Ling Changqing was slightly surprised. Could it be that the steward truly intended to lend him a hand?
Little did he expect Ling Zifeng’s next proposal would nearly leave him stunned on the spot.

“…As long as you can accumulate one hundred high-quality pearls over the next period,”

Ling Zifeng said cheerfully, “I can act as your guarantor. You can apply for a loan from the family’s bank. With those resources, you can focus on improving your cultivation. You could even exchange for a better cultivation technique and divine ability, instead of toiling here to save up slowly. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Ling Changqing’s expression stiffened. He never imagined that, after barely escaping the burden of mortgage and car loans in his previous life, he would encounter the concept of loans again so soon in this new world.

“So… such things can also be borrowed here?”
Ling Changqing took a slow breath and asked timidly.

Tian Wenhu, the slightly plump, amiable steward in white robes standing beside Ling Zifeng, stepped forward and explained gently:
“Young man, you are correct. Our Ling family is prosperous with many descendants, including numerous talented individuals who struggle to pursue the Dao due to financial constraints.”
“The family elders, unwilling to see the younger generation hindered by lack of cultivation resources, initiated this benevolent policy through the bank. Any junior meeting the aptitude requirements may apply…”

Through his detailed explanation, Ling Changqing gained a preliminary understanding of this world’s lending system.
In his previous life, there were mortgages, car loans, dowry loans, education loans, medical beauty loans, consumer loans… all sorts of loan types covering every aspect of life, leaving no corner untouched. Moreover, many of these are unsecured loans, as long as you dare to borrow, these institutions dare to lend.

The pros and cons of such rampant lending are complex issues that need not be delved into too deeply.
But in this vast, mysterious, and magnificent world of immortal cultivation, could there really exist various loans targeting the cultivator class?

According to the white-robed elder’s explanation, not only do such loans exist, but the market for them is quite substantial. The Ling family’s financial house relies on this business, with annual profits reaching a considerable figure.
For instance, loans for Elixir Pills, spirit stones, Magical Artifacts, cultivation techniques, Qi refining, and so on, each comes with detailed terms regarding the loan amount, interest rates, and repayment periods.

Even when cultivators seek a cultivation partner for dual cultivation but find themselves short on funds, the financial house offers corresponding dual cultivation loans or betrothal gift loans to choose from.

The Ling family’s financial house boasts hundreds of different types of loans, allowing low-level cultivators to make reasonable choices based on their needs.
As for the consequences of failing to repay loans on time, one need only look at the ever-growing ranks of slave cultivators on the family’s territory to understand.
Since these institutions dare to lend, they surely have sufficient means to prevent various non-performing and bad debts. Borrowers thinking of skipping out or reneging? Not a chance!

The fate of those who default is to lose everything, even their bodies no longer belonging to themselves. Even if they toil to the point of exhaustion their entire lives, after death, their souls will be taken to refine artifacts.
“…Thank you for your favor, Steward. I will do my best.”

In the end, Ling Changqing did not hesitate long before agreeing.
After all, everything was for the sake of quickly improving his cultivation. Borrowing to pursue immortality was nothing to be ashamed of, everyone had to go through it.