Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 174 - 139: Bai Qingyi: I’ll Accept This Prince Consort
Luo Qingxuan’s attitude was simple and direct, but Ling Changqing truly didn’t dare to agree.
The internal power dynamics of the Deep Sea Dragon Race were tangled and complex. Ling Changqing had no idea how much authority this Long Nu truly held.
If her family’s elders completely disagreed, Ling Changqing’s situation would become precarious.
The best-case scenario, of course, would be for them to expel him from the Dragon Race’s territory, allowing him to return to the surface and regain his freedom.
Another possibility was being struck down and killed on the spot by the Dragon Race Elders.
But the odds of either of those happening were rather low. It was more likely that Ling Changqing would be imprisoned and kept by the Dragon Race’s leadership, never to see the light of day again.
After all, Ling Changqing’s Luck and Fortune, which far surpassed that of an ordinary person, was incredibly valuable. No intelligent race, be it the Dragon Race or another, would turn away such an opportunity.
"...My Lady, those maids and guards by your side... they seem to be from the Human Race, don’t they?"
Ling Changqing asked. Based on his own observations, at least, he was fairly certain.
It was said that many humans also lived in the Dragon Race’s territory. After all, with the current Dragon Race’s limited population, many things depended on the support of their human subjects.
Luo Qingxuan said softly, "Their ancestors were indeed of the Human Race. They later intermarried with the Dragon Race, and this has been passed down through the generations, so they all have a trace of draconic blood in their veins..."
Legend told of a long golden age for the Dragon Race in the unimaginably distant Ancient Era. Back then, they were the undisputed masters of heaven and earth.
Those that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, and swam in the sea—all were different branches of the Dragon Race.
And it was, of course, a few of the Dragon Race’s progenitor-level immortals who wielded the authority over all creation.
At the time, all other intelligent races could only struggle to survive in the sunless world beneath the earth.
Later, as world-ending calamities descended one after another and the Outer Heaven Exotic clan invaded, the Dragon Race progenitors fell, were grievously wounded, or sank into a deep slumber.
As a result, this massive race gradually fell from grace. Not only did they lose their dominion over heaven and earth, but ninety-nine percent of their people were wiped out.
The remnants of the Dragon Race were forced to retreat into the Deep Sea and various pocket dimensions, living in seclusion to avoid extinction.
Of course, when the Dragon Race stepped down from their role as the protagonists of the world, some of the human subjects under their protection voluntarily followed them to the depths of the sea.
Thus, a large population of human subjects still resides in the territory of the Deep Sea Dragon Race today. The most exceptional among them even have the opportunity to marry into the Dragon Race.
In short, although the Dragon Race was no longer the world’s protagonist and had long since retreated behind the scenes, their accumulated power and foundation were still not to be underestimated.
"Once we get to the Cave Mansion Hall, how about I take you to meet my brothers and sisters?"
Luo Qingxuan smiled. "They’ve never really respected me. Today, I’m going to show them..."
"Please, don’t."
Ling Changqing said hurriedly, "My Cultivation is still too low. I’m afraid I can’t even protect myself. Let’s wait until after you, My Lady, have undergone the baptism of the Thunder Pool!"
A mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator was nothing in the Dragon Race’s territory, which was teeming with experts. Ling Changqing had no desire to cause trouble for himself and Luo Qingxuan by being ostentatious.
In this situation, it was better to be cautious and keep a low profile.
Luo Qingxuan looked slightly disappointed. "Alright then. I’ll have to ask you to bear with it for a while, my lord. I was even planning to arrange a banquet and celebration for you."
"My Lady is too kind, but it’s really not necessary!"
Ling Changqing said, sighing with relief internally.
’This Dragon Race Princess must be used to being high-profile and dominant on her own turf,’ he thought. ’Now that she’s found a "treasure," she can’t resist showing it off to her siblings.’
’This, however, is completely at odds with the essence of the Way of Survival, a core tenet in the human Cultivation Realm.’
As they spoke, the scene within the Magical Projection Light Mirror changed. The dim underwater environment was replaced by a bright and sunny landscape.
The luxurious, palace-like carriage vibrated slightly, as if it had passed through a thick barrier and entered a whole new world.
In the distance, a magnificent and towering city came into view. Its deep blue walls were covered with ancient, grand patterns of wind, lightning, and clouds, which faintly shimmered with flowing light.
Outside this massive city, which stretched for thousands of miles, one could see countless villages and towns dotting the landscape. In the vast fields, innumerable mortals were hard at work.
This was a small world, almost completely isolated from the outside. It lacked for nothing in terms of terrain, boasting mountains, rivers, forests, plains, and lakes.
’...I see now. I understand!’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Ling Changqing marveled to himself.
’This must be an extremely High Grade Ancient Grand Array, sheltering this perfect paradise and allowing countless beings to live and multiply within.’
"My lord, this is my domain!"
Luo Qingxuan’s smile was radiant. "There’s no need to be so surprised. This is just one of the many domains of the Deep Sea Dragon Race!
My royal father’s domain is the one that’s truly vast. You’ll definitely get a chance to see it one day."
Ling Changqing nodded silently. Clearly, this Princess of the Dragon Race was far wealthier than he had ever imagined.
’So... am I really going to be her kept man?’
’It feels a little humiliating, but... living off a woman... it’s actually pretty sweet, isn’t it?’
The carriage passed through the city gates and drove straight on, crossing through bustling districts before finally stopping before a magnificent and incomparably luxurious palace plaza in the city’s center.
"My lord, shall we go in?"
Luo Qingxuan, breathtakingly beautiful in a dress as red as fire, wrapped her arm around Ling Changqing’s and spoke with a bewitching smile.
Ling Changqing considered asking if she had any way to alter his appearance, but then thought better of it.
’In a place like this,’ he reasoned, ’a disguise probably wouldn’t make much difference anyway.’
Hand in hand, they stepped out of the carriage. On the Baiyu Plaza outside, a large contingent of colorfully-robed Palace Maids and guards in Heavy Armor stood in formation to greet them.
"...We, your subjects, respectfully welcome the return of Her Highness, the Princess!"
At the head of the procession, hundreds of retainers in splendid attire bowed in unison.
Ling Changqing glanced over them. These people had to be Luo Qingxuan’s Direct Lineage subordinates. They were men and women, old and young, and their Cultivation was mostly at the True Pill and Golden Core Levels.
Luo Qingxuan offered a few perfunctory words and then waved her hand, dismissing them.
It wasn’t that no one noticed the handsome, purple-robed young man beside her, but since Luo Qingxuan offered no explanation, they dared not ask.
Surrounded by a group of her Trusted Maids, Luo Qingxuan led Ling Changqing into the palace, her arm linked with his.
The architectural style of the Dragon Race was magnificent and lavish to the extreme. White Jade Floor Tiles several feet wide, Carved Crystal Coral Corridors, and Crimson Gold Corridor Pillars so thick it would take several people to encircle them were visible everywhere.
After rounding a shadow screen carved with coiling dragon reliefs, Ling Changqing surveyed his surroundings. In the distance, rows of ten-foot-tall Purple Gold Profound Iron Beast Pattern Furnaces sat atop a White Jade Base, accompanied by numerous majestic sculptures of Divine Beasts.
Entering the palace was like plunging into a deep sea of opulence. The gorgeous palace halls stretched on endlessly, their beams and rafters intricately carved and painted. Everything was majestic and solemn, exuding an air of magnificent, soaring grandeur.
What was especially noteworthy was the sheer abundance of Spiritual Qi, which had reached the level of a Grade Four Spirit Vein at the very least.
Furthermore, the ambient Water Element Spiritual Essence was incredibly dense, which would be of unimaginable benefit to Ling Changqing’s main Cultivation Technique, the Profound Truth Black Water Scripture.
"By the way, My Lady, is there a Scripture Hall here? Might I be allowed to go and take a look?"
Ling Changqing asked.
’The rank of my Profound Truth Black Water Scripture is still a bit too low,’ he thought. ’If I could find a suitable High Rank Cultivation Technique Manual here, it would be a massive boon.’
Luo Qingxuan blinked her beautiful eyes and, after a moment’s thought, understood.
"My lord, you want to switch your Cultivation Technique, don’t you? That’s no problem. I’ll take you to the Scripture Hall to pick one out later."
"Then I must thank My Lady for her trouble!"
Ling Changqing breathed a sigh of relief.
"We are husband and wife; there’s no need for such formalities."
Luo Qingxuan shot him a playful glare, then took his arm and led him into her personal bedchambers.
But just as they sat down, a tall female guard in snow-white Armor walked in, saluted, and reported:
"Your Highness, your... mother, the Queen, has arrived!"
Luo Qingxuan’s expression flickered. "My mother the Queen rarely leaves her palace. Why would she suddenly come here?"
Her domain and her royal father’s were quite distant, but they were connected by a Teleportation Array, making travel between them very convenient.
Ling Changqing remained calm. "It must be because of me, right? Has she come to condemn my presence?"
It was painfully obvious. Someone in Luo Qingxuan’s retinue was a spy planted by her mother. Upon seeing Ling Changqing, they must have sent word back.
Luo Qingxuan’s expression turned cold; she had clearly reached the same conclusion.
"Never mind. I will go and greet my mother. My lord, will you come with me?"
Luo Qingxuan asked softly.
Ling Changqing shook his head. "I’d better not. It might make the situation worse."
’If...’ he mused, ’...and it’s a big if, the Dragon Race Matriarch takes a disliking to me and insists on playing the villain and breaking us up, things would actually become much simpler.’
’Ideally, she’ll flip out on the spot and kick me out. Then I’ll be free again.’
Luo Qingxuan pressed her lips together and didn’t insist. "Very well. My lord, you wait here. I will go and placate my mother, and then I’ll return."
This Long Nu seemed to be somewhat afraid of her own mother.
"...This Queen is already here!"
A pleasant, melodic voice—soft and graceful, yet tinged with suppressed anger—rang out.
The beaded curtain parted, and a peerlessly beautiful woman walked in gracefully. She was dressed in magnificent robes, her hair styled in a high coiffure, and her entire being was shrouded in a Spiritual Light. A retinue of palace maids followed her.
Her features were sixty to seventy percent similar to Luo Qingxuan’s, though no age difference was apparent. Her aura was simply more mature, her noble majesty tinged with a sharp edge.
This woman was Luo Qingxuan’s mother, Bai Qingyi, the principal wife of the Deep Sea Dragon Race Leader.
Luo Qingxuan quickly pulled Ling Changqing into a bow, her expression apprehensive as she spoke.
"Mother, why... why have you suddenly come?"
Bai Qingyi snorted. "If this Queen hadn’t come, wouldn’t you, my girl, have violated our clan’s precepts and done something utterly lawless?
If your royal father were to find out about this, would he not fly into a thunderous rage?"
’My own daughter, instead of cultivating properly in her Cave Mansion Hall, insists on running off to wander about. And now she’s lost her mind and brought back a mere Little Cultivator from the Human Race to be her Dao Companion?’
’It’s absolutely preposterous!’
Luo Qingxuan’s face paled slightly, but she held her ground.
"Mother, I of course understand the stakes. There is a very good reason for my actions."
She pulled Ling Changqing over and pushed him in front of Bai Qingyi. "With your discerning eye, Mother, you should be able to understand my choice. An existence like Ling Changqing, who is so profoundly blessed by the Destiny of the Great Dao—isn’t he far superior to those so-called peerless geniuses?"
Bai Qingyi’s cold, arrogant gaze swept over Ling Changqing. She was dismissive at first, but a second glance made her feel that something was amiss.
"Hmm? You... you are Ling Changqing?"
Bai Qingyi’s gaze grew serious. She stepped closer to carefully inspect the handsome, purple-robed young man before her.
’It’s over...’
Ling Changqing’s heart sank as a sense of foreboding washed over him.
He braced himself, stepped forward, and bowed slightly. "This junior, Ling Changqing, pays his respects to the Dragon Race Matriarch."
"Mm, not bad at all."
Bai Qingyi nodded slightly, a hint of a smile touching her eyes.
"Ling Changqing, is it? It seems my daughter Qingxuan meeting you was truly a work of fate."
Ling Changqing said cautiously, "This junior dares not be presumptuous. If Your Majesty the Queen finds this inappropriate, would it be possible to let this junior return home?"
"Why would you say that?"
Bai Qingyi’s smile was radiant. "If you were an ordinary budding genius of the Human Race, this Queen would naturally not have given you a second glance. But you are different.
This Prince Consort... this Queen can accept you!"
In her heart, however, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. ’Such a great opportunity... can my daughter truly grasp it?’
