Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 393 - 234: Luo Qingyu: I Must Get a Handle on Ling Changqing...

The Grotto Heaven Blessed Land that had evolved within the Era Star Palace was a completely independent minor world. When Ling Changqing had hidden within it, even the six Divinity Transformation Great Powers from Lu Hua Palace couldn’t deduce his whereabouts.

Now that Ling Changqing’s Cultivation was growing ever stronger, it was naturally no trouble to shelter the sisters, Yu Ruoshuang and Yu Yalan. Those factions were destined to discover nothing.

"If that’s the case, then we can rest easy."

Yu Ruoshuang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she could stay by Ling Changqing’s side, she couldn’t be bothered with her family’s so-called "bigger picture."

"Alright, you can stay with me from now on."

Ling Changqing nodded. This time, he would bring Luo Qingxuan and the sisters, Yu Ruoshuang and Yu Yalan, with him when he left. This would ensure the Feiyu Sea Region was completely secure.

’It would be best to have them make occasional appearances in the territories of some minor factions while in the heartland of the Yuzhou Continent,’ he thought. ’That would mislead the judgment of the major powers’ leaders.’

「Three days later.」

Ling Changqing left the Changqing Continent with a vast amount of resources and returned to the Zhao Family’s territory.

The sisters Zhao Wanyi and Zhao Wanqing had been waiting with bated breath at the family headquarters. They only breathed a sigh of relief when his figure finally reappeared before them.

"Did anything happen at home while I was away?"

Ling Changqing asked.

Zhao Wanyi’s expression faltered for a moment before she covered her mouth and chuckled. "Home? Is Fellow Daoist Ling planning to make this place his home? My sister and I would be delighted to see that, you know."

Ling Changqing realized his slip of the tongue. He gave a slightly awkward cough and said,

"I’ve brought all the resources you planned to purchase. Shall we make the exchange now?"

Zhao Wanyi didn’t press the issue. She simply nodded and said,

"Let’s do it. The family’s finances are tight right now, and we’re in urgent need of these resources!"

A single resource trade with Ling Changqing could bring the Zhao Family a profit of several thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones. Of course, he didn’t get the short end of the stick either; he could exchange for many Cultivation Resources that the Ling Family needed. It was a win-win situation.

So, Ling Changqing handed Zhao Wanyi ten large-capacity Storage Magical Artifacts filled with specialty resources from the ocean.

The Rank Three Sea Fish and Sea Beasts sealed in ice, in particular, along with the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs that grew only in the Deep Sea, could all fetch a high price in the local Marketplace.

In no time, Zhao Wanyi finished her inspection. She then had her sister, Zhao Wanqing, take out the agreed-upon quantity of Cultivation Resources and hand them to Ling Changqing for his own verification.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, shall we begin the Alchemy now?"

Seeing that he had finished his count, Zhao Wanyi asked eagerly.

"Let’s go, then. Your family’s Pill Furnace is quite good. I’ve grown accustomed to using it,"

Ling Changqing said with a smile.

Zhao Wanqing said with a double entendre, "It wouldn’t be a problem if you wanted to use it forever, as long as you..."

"Haha, we’ll see about that in the future!"

Ling Changqing laughed it off. He couldn’t agree to something like that; their current cooperative relationship was just fine.

「In the Pill Hall.」

Watching Ling Changqing skillfully select the medicinal ingredients and prepare to light the Pill Furnace, Zhao Wanqing said softly,

"More than half of the Elixirs you refined last time have already been distributed. Over ten of our Core Formation Elders have fully recovered from their injuries, and another batch successfully extended their lifespans..."

Of course, Cultivation Resources were only meaningful once they were converted into actual strength. This was especially true given the Zhao Family’s precarious situation. Ling Changqing’s arrival had undoubtedly solved their most pressing problem.

To that end, Shangguan Qingying had already begun cultivating the next generation. Over the past month, dozens of family disciples had received Foundation Establishment Pills and other supplementary resources from the family’s upper echelons.

"The family must have quite a few disciples at the threshold of Core Formation, right? What does the Patriarch plan to do?"

Ling Changqing asked.

Zhao Wanyi hesitated for a moment before saying, "Right now, we have nearly a hundred disciples who have reached the Great Perfection stage and are ready to attempt a breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm. Mother’s intention is to let all of them try."

"The Patriarch’s idea is a good one. In that case, I’ll refine some more Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pills,"

Ling Changqing said.

For an established Nascent Soul power, a hundred Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators wasn’t a large number. Their losses in past wars must have been so severe that their mid-tier combat strength was now critically lacking.

With Ling Changqing’s help, the Zhao Family’s hidden potential could finally be realized, giving them a greater chance of success when facing the Qin Family in the future.

...

「Deep Sea Dragon Palace.」

In the Queen’s palace, Bai Qingyi sat upon the main seat. Dressed in a bright yellow Sun and Moon Embroidered Phoenix Palace Dress, she looked graceful, noble, and dignified. Her tranquil, beautiful face betrayed no emotion.

Below her sat Qin Mengxuan, the Grand Palace Master of Lu Hua Palace, smiling sweetly.

"...Fellow Daoist Bai, the Child of Destiny is a matter of great importance. The very rise and fall of this world hinges on him. He is not someone any single power can hope to control!"

"Therefore, for the sake of our long-term interests, our two factions should join forces in this endeavor. We should share intelligence and spread the benefits evenly. How can you be so selfish as to keep this all to yourself?"

A few days prior, the speculations of Liu Ying Meng Luan and Xue Qingfeng had been reported to Qin Mengxuan. With her insight as a Great Power, she immediately understood what was going on.

This led to today’s scene: Qin Mengxuan personally visiting Bai Qingyi to persuade her to form an alliance and share in the many benefits to be gained from the Child of Destiny, Ling Changqing.

Bai Qingyi slowly set down her teacup, her expression unreadable.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you’ve said so much, but you haven’t gotten to the point. Where exactly did Ling Changqing go? Do you have any clues?"

"Even if I were to agree to your alliance, how would we find the Child of Destiny?"

Qin Mengxuan’s smile never wavered. "Isn’t it simple? Have your Sixth Princess participate. Finding him would then be an inevitable result, no?"

In the eyes of the various factions, Luo Qingxuan was, after all, the only woman who had been Ling Changqing’s Dao Companion. As long as she was willing to cooperate, there was a high probability they could find him.

Bai Qingyi gave a smirk. "That girl, Qingxuan, is in seclusion. I estimate she won’t be out for another twenty or thirty years. It seems you’ve come at an inopportune time, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

A glint appeared in Qin Mengxuan’s eyes. "At a time like this, what need is there for seclusion? You should have her come out, Fellow Daoist. Finding Ling Changqing is the most pressing matter at hand!"

Bai Qingyi shook her head. "That girl is rebellious and stubborn. I can’t control her on a normal day. I’m afraid I can’t grant your request, Fellow Daoist."

’Just as I thought...’

Qin Mengxuan mused internally. If she had been somewhat uncertain before coming, now it was basically confirmed.

’That Princess Long Nu, Luo Qingxuan, has most likely found Ling Changqing and is living blissfully with him!’

’It’s foreseeable that the girl Luo Qingxuan’s Cultivation speed will exceed everyone’s expectations. It wouldn’t even be difficult for her to reach Divinity Transformation Peak.’

’Because of her, the Deep Sea Dragon Race will receive a tremendous, unseen blessing of Destiny. While they might not restore the glory of the Ancient Era, they will at least become one of this world’s most pivotal top-tier powers.’

"So, does this mean I will not be seeing the Sixth Princess today?"

Qin Mengxuan sighed.

Bai Qingyi nodded. "Forget you, Fellow Daoist. Even I, her own mother, haven’t seen her in ages! So I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do."

Outside the main hall, a group of Dragon Princesses were chatting.

"...That girl is supposedly in seclusion, but in reality, she left her territory long ago!"

the Eldest Princess, Luo Qingyi, said in annoyance.

Hearing this, the Third Princess, Luo Qingyu, frowned. "Then where did she go? Did she sneak off to find Ling Changqing by herself?"

"What else could it be?"

The Twelfth Princess, Luo Qingning, sneered. "Our sixth sister is really something else. How could she not include us in such an important matter? Does she really think she can handle him all by herself?"

Back when Ling Changqing was still at the Dragon Palace, Luo Qingxuan was notoriously possessive, not letting any of her sisters get close to him.

This had greatly displeased the other Dragon Princesses. If Ling Changqing hadn’t disappeared, they would have certainly joined forces to challenge Luo Qingxuan.

Luo Qingyi glanced around and lowered her voice. "I have a feeling that since that girl has ’disappeared,’ she might have already found Ling Changqing."

Luo Qingning’s expression remained calm. "I think so, too. That means we have to go out and find her. Once we find her, we’ll naturally find Ling Changqing as well."

"But will Ling Changqing just accept us like that?"

Luo Qingyi asked, worried.

"What’s there to be afraid of?"

Luo Qingyu smiled. "If we find our sixth sister, we’ll have leverage over Ling Changqing. As long as he doesn’t want to be exposed to all the major powers, he won’t be able to refuse our demands."