Ever since word got out that the Female Patriarch of the Ling Family of Changqing Continent was a Third Rank Alchemist, the higher-ups in many of the surrounding powers had started getting ideas.

For the vast majority of low and mid-level Cultivators, any type of Third Grade Elixir was incredibly valuable. Not only was the supply in the Marketplace scarce, but the variety was also quite limited.

The major powers capable of maintaining a long-term supply kept an extremely tight grip on resources of this level and would never allow them to appear in large quantities in the Marketplaces.

When a Cultivator at the Core Formation Level wished to continue their Cultivation, their immense demand for resources was on a completely different plane from that of a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

As a result, many Core Formation Cultivators attempted to gather the required Medicinal Herb ingredients themselves and then find a suitable Third Rank Alchemist to commission a refining, often pooling their resources to do so.

And so, in recent years, both Ling Qiyue and Ling Changqing had received numerous requests for such commissions.

Ling Qiyue didn’t turn them all down. For commissions to refine various Second Grade Elixirs, including the Foundation Establishment Pill, she would basically accept any and all requests, so long as the payment was sufficient.

After all, the Ling Family was now a Golden Core power, and ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators no longer posed much of a threat to the clan’s security and interests.

However, when it came to commissions for Third Grade Elixirs, especially the all-important Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pill, Ling Qiyue had to think things through carefully.

If too many elixirs of this level found their way into the outside world, it would inevitably strengthen the surrounding Core Formation powers, which in turn would pose a direct or indirect threat to the Ling Family of Changqing Continent’s security.

This was especially true of the Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pill, a critical resource for Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators attempting to break through to the Core Formation Realm. Every single pill had the potential to create a new Core Formation Cultivator.

It was only a possibility, of course, not a guarantee. After all, breaking through to the Core Formation Realm also required other indispensable supplementary resources, not to mention the Cultivator’s own aptitude and accumulated foundation.

"...Sister Qiuyao, what elixir do they want refined this time?"

Ling Changqing asked.

Tang Qiu Yao explained, "It’s the Nu Tao Sect and Longevity Hall from the Chixue Sea Region, along with the Feng Family. They have jointly gathered the Medicinal Herb ingredients and wish to commission the refining of one batch of Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pills."

"Is that so..."

Ling Changqing frowned slightly, lost in thought, and did not immediately give his opinion.

The Nu Tao Sect, Longevity Hall, and the Feng Family were all Golden Core powers, each with a number of Core Formation Cultivators. Furthermore, the strongholds of all three powers were located in the Chixue Sea Region.

Of the three, Longevity Hall was currently at war with the Cangyu Islands. The Cangyu Islands were slightly stronger, and thus currently held the advantage.

From the perspective of the Ling Family of Changqing Continent, an outright refusal seemed like the best option. These Golden Core powers would clash with the Ling Family sooner or later, so it was only natural not to let them grow any stronger.

"Sister Yue, what do you think we should do?"

Ling Changqing asked.

Ling Qiyue replied gently, "Actually, there are benefits for the Ling Family whether we refuse or accept. It all comes down to how you weigh the options."

"Hm, that’s true."

A glint flashed in Ling Changqing’s eyes. He already understood what Ling Qiyue meant.

’No matter how these Golden Core powers plan, the rate of their growth can’t possibly match that of our Ling Family,’ he thought. ’There’s no need to be overly concerned.’

’As long as I’m here, the Ling Family’s Golden Core Masters will spring up like mushrooms after a rain. Even if all these other powers banded together, they would be hard-pressed to resist us.’

’Most importantly, with Luo Qingxuan in Cultivation in Seclusion on Changqing Continent, the Ling Family has a genuine Nascent Soul True Monarch watching over it. What is there to fear?’

"Fine. Let’s go meet the envoys from these three powers and then decide."

Ling Changqing made his decision.

「A few moments later, in the Clan Assembly Hall.」

Ling Qiyue occupied the main seat, with Tang Qiu Yao and Ling Changqing seated beside her. As for Luo Qingxuan, Ling Yulu, and the other women, they were not present this time.

Led by a Ling Family Steward, six men and women entered the hall, bowing in greeting to Ling Qiyue in the main seat.

Each of the three powers had sent two Core Formation Cultivators, which showed just how much importance they placed on the matter.

The envoy from the Nu Tao Sect was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes named Tu Feng. He had an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivation and currently held the position of Vice Sect Leader.

His attendant was an old man in a green robe with a white beard and hair. He had a Middle Stage True Core Cultivation and was also a high-ranking Elder of the Sect.

According to the intelligence provided by Xue Qingtan, the Nu Tao Sect currently had three Golden Core Cultivators and six True Pill Cultivators overseeing things, along with over twenty Pseudo Core Cultivators.

The envoy from Longevity Hall was a beautiful and bewitching woman with slender, arched brows, alluring eyes, and a voluptuous figure. She wore an extremely well-fitted Water Blue Flowing Light Skirt, and her entire being shimmered with Spiritual Light.

This bewitching beauty’s name was Liu Qianlan. She possessed a Late Stage Golden Core Cultivation and was the current Hall Master of Longevity Hall.

Behind her stood an exquisitely beautiful young woman with bright eyes, pearly teeth, and an air of pure, innocent charm. She wore a Snow White Palace Robe, and her current Cultivation was at the Pseudo Core level.

This young woman was Liu Qianlan’s only Direct Disciple, and she was being groomed to be the next Hall Master.

Longevity Hall currently had four Golden Core Cultivators, seven True Pill Cultivators, and over thirty Pseudo Core Cultivators.

The envoy from the Feng Family was a handsome and elegant young man dressed in a Water and Fire Magical Robe, currently at the Early Stage Golden Core Cultivation.

He was the Young Master of the Feng Family, Feng Xingyuan. His attendant was an unremarkable old man in a black robe with an Early Stage True Core Cultivation, who was also one of the family’s high-ranking members.

Of these three powers, the Feng Family was the strongest. They currently had seven Golden Core Cultivators and ten True Pill Cultivators overseeing the family, as well as dozens of Pseudo Core Cultivators.

Most critically, the Feng Family’s territory contained a complete Grade Four Spirit Vein. Its resource output was far more abundant, allowing them to cultivate a greater number of Core Formation Cultivators.