Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 136 - 116: Xue Qingtan: Junior Brother Ling, You Wouldn’t Want...

Changqing Continent, Marketplace.

In a private room overlooking the street on the 5th Floor of the Xianwei Pavillion, Ling Changqing was sharing drinks with Xue Qingtan.

The large Golden Silk Cloud Sandalwood Table was laden with rare delicacies: Yu Lin Sea Flower, Crystal Shell Crab King, Sand Ye Sea Dragon Liver, Ghost Eye Sea Python Meat, and more. All of them were sourced from Second and Third Grade beasts of the Deep Sea.

"...Senior Sister, are you satisfied with the taste of this Spirit Wine Nectar?"

Ling Changqing asked gently.

Dressed in a snow-white gown, the exquisitely beautiful Xue Qingtan nodded with a smile. "It’s truly excellent. Junior Brother Ling, this must have cost you a pretty penny, didn’t it?"

"It’s nothing, as long as you like it, Senior Sister!"

Ling Changqing said with a smile. Since this was a banquet to thank a Pseudo Core master, the standard naturally couldn’t be low.

At his instruction, the Stewards of Xianwei Pavillion had begun preparations several days in advance, purchasing all sorts of high-end ingredients and resources, all to ensure Xue Qingtan would enjoy herself today.

Besides, leaving aside his personal friendship with Xue Qingtan, maintaining a good relationship with the local branch of the Xingyun sun Commerce Association was of the utmost importance from the Ling Family’s perspective.

Xue Qingtan lifted the exquisite Azure Jade Wine Cup. Her delicate, pink lips took a small sip, and a faint blush graced her beautiful, jade-like face.

Looking out through the intricately carved window lattice, one could see rows of shops lining the wide, clean streets. The area was bustling with traffic and crowds of people, far more lively than Longhuan Island.

The district’s roads, buildings, landscaping, and Array Restrictions were all newly constructed. The initial planning had been meticulous and logical, with all infrastructure built to the highest standards of a Golden Core power.

Regardless of what outsiders thought, at the headquarters of the Xingyun sun Commerce Association, their partner, the Ling Family of Changqing Continent, was already classified as a bona fide Golden Core power.

After the Marketplace here opened to the public, the Loose Cultivators who had been scraping by on Longhuan Island and Zenxin Island flocked to Changqing Continent with their entire families in tow, seeking opportunities for advancement.

Those with a particular specialty, in particular, were all trying to find their own way in, doing whatever they could to connect with the Ling Family’s upper echelons in hopes of securing a position as an Honored Guest Elder, which would guarantee their future livelihood.

By now, it could be said that sixty to seventy percent of the Loose Cultivators in the vast Feiyu Sea Region had been drawn to Changqing Continent.

Since they were on the Ling Family’s territory, they would inevitably be put to use by the family, whether directly or indirectly.

Even if they did nothing, just living here required them to pay rent and purchase Elixirs and various other living resources.

Every Spiritual Sand and every Spirit Stone those Loose Cultivators spent in the Marketplace would, through various channels, ultimately contribute in part to the Ling Family’s tax revenue.

Thus, in the year since the Marketplace opened, Changqing Continent has become increasingly popular. In the future, even more Cultivators are sure to be drawn here by its reputation.

"...How is the family’s population migration plan coming along?"

A moment later, Xue Qingtan set down her wine cup and asked leisurely.

Ling Changqing replied, "Everything is proceeding according to plan. Two million mortal subjects are migrating over each month. As of the end of last month, a total of thirty million people have been relocated and settled."

With the help of numerous Cultivators and large-scale Flying Magical Artifacts, in addition to a massive fleet of Sea Boats, the migration plan was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The first few waves of mortal subjects to migrate have now gradually adapted to the environment of Changqing Continent. They live in planned towns and cities, and every household has been allocated sufficient farmland and living supplies.

Just last month, the number of newborn mortal infants exceeded one hundred thousand, and many more mortal women are now pregnant.

Ling Qiyue has already arranged for family Elders to conduct periodic patrols. Any child discovered to possess a Spirit Root will be brought back to the family for cultivation.

Xue Qingtan raised a delicate eyebrow and smiled meaningfully. "In the future, this New Continent, and indeed the entire Feiyu Sea Region, will be the Ling Family’s domain! Changqing Continent? That’s a good name. Using your Destiny to anchor this auspicious land... perhaps in the future, the Feiyu Sea Region will have to be renamed the Changqing Sea Region?"

"Er, well..."

Ling Changqing’s expression froze for a moment. ’He really hadn’t considered that. But given Ling Qiyue’s temperament, perhaps that day really will come?’

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.

If the Feiyu Sea Region were successfully renamed the Changqing Sea Region, Ling Changqing himself would also receive a certain blessing of Destiny from the unseen world.

"So, have the higher-ups at the Xingyun sun Commerce Association already determined that the Ling Family will become the masters of the entire Feiyu Sea Region?"

Ling Changqing asked in a low voice. Although he believed this himself, the recognition from such a major power was also very important.

Xue Qingtan smiled, blinking her beautiful big eyes a few times.

"It’s only a matter of time. Besides, I believe that your role, Junior Brother Ling, has been indispensable in making all of this a reality!"

"Is that so?"

Ling Changqing impassively raised the Azure Jade Wine Cup in his hand, gestured slightly toward her, and then drained it in one go.

Xue Qingtan lifted her Azure Jade Wine Cup, took a sip, and said softly,

"I was a little uncertain before, but now it seems your role in this family is truly irreplaceable, Junior Brother Ling. In a way, you might even be more important than that Female Patriarch of yours. The Ling Family’s ancestors must have done something right for you to appear!"

"Am I really that extraordinary?"

Ling Changqing chuckled. He didn’t feel the least bit nervous. ’After all, the beautiful woman before me would never betray me.’