Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 38 - 37: One Wanes, the Other Waxes

Compared to the previous resources, the bidding restrictions for the Foundation Establishment Pill were much stricter.

Only family Elders whose Cultivation had reached the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer were allowed to participate. In addition to sufficient Spirit Stones, they also needed to spend at least fifteen thousand family merit points just to qualify for the bidding.

But even so, five or six family Elders still entered the competition.

They had clearly understood these rules in advance and had made ample preparations.

’...The cost doesn’t seem that outrageous, does it?’

Ling Changqing said softly to Tang Qiu Yao beside him.

He didn’t know about others, but Ling Changqing felt that when he reached the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer in the future, he would be fully capable of affording these costs.

Tang Qiu Yao looked at him and replied, "That’s because this Elixir came from the Patriarch’s own hands, so the bidding price is discounted. If this were any other family, do you think it would be this easy?"

She remembered clearly that before Ling Qiyue reached Foundation Establishment, the Elixir resources within the Ling Family cost, on average, one to two times more to exchange for, and there were fewer of them.

For Elixirs like the Qingyuan Cloud Dew Pill, Bi Ning Pill, and Heavenly Life Extension Pill, it was considered a good auction if even one or two appeared.

As for the Foundation Establishment Pill, it was even harder to come by. It was rare to see even one in twenty or thirty years.

It was only after Ling Qiyue seized the authority of Patriarch that this dire situation was effectively improved.

But this time, for Ling Qiyue to actually be willing to put up a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill for bidding was a first for the family’s internal auction.

"Looks like the Ling Family will soon have its fourth Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

Ling Changqing said. This was, of course, a good thing for the family.

Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "The effects of a Foundation Establishment Pill aren’t a sure thing. So, a fifty percent chance at best, right?"

Although these bidding Elders had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer for many years and their foundations were not weak, you could never rule out the unexpected.

Examples of failing to advance during seclusion, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill and other supplementary resources, were not too rare in the past.

Ling Changqing sized up the stunningly beautiful woman beside him and asked with his Spiritual Sense:

"Senior Sister, what do you think your chances are... in the future?"

Tang Qiu Yao tilted her head slightly, a smile playing on her lips. "If I can gather all the other supplementary resources, I’d say I have about a sixty to seventy percent chance."

Ling Changqing nodded thoughtfully. This Senior Sister had always treated him well, so of course he hoped she would be able to break through smoothly.

Before long, the fierce bidding war finally came to an end.

The winner was the Elder in charge of the family’s Law Enforcement Hall: Ling Yulu. She was a stern and seldom-smiling beauty dressed in black, still single, but with an adopted daughter named Ling Zhiqing, who was also from the Patriarch Ling Qiyue’s faction.

When the clan elder hosting the auction announced the result, the remaining losers couldn’t hide the disappointment on their faces.

Their time was also running out. Having lost this competition, who knew when another chance would come?

Ling Yulu rose gracefully and walked onto the high platform. She paid a sufficient amount of Spirit Stones and handed over the Jade Token that recorded her family merit points, then received the precious Foundation Establishment Pill as she had wished.

"Just as I expected, she really got it. It wasn’t a waste for me to have lent her a sum of Spirit Stones!"

Tang Qiu Yao nodded in satisfaction. As long as Ling Yulu succeeded, the influence of the Patriarch’s faction would grow even stronger.

Ling Changqing’s gaze was profound. Having lived two lives, it was not difficult for him to see the possible hidden schemes at play.

’Was that sum of Spirit Stones really lent by Tang Qiu Yao, or was it secretly arranged by Ling Qiyue? That’s worth considering.’

Underhanded dealings like this were not uncommon, throughout history and across all worlds.

When those in power were determined to take care of their own, there was nothing others could do to stop them. So-called absolute fairness could never truly exist.

At this moment, Tang Qiu Yao slowly stood up and said in a clear voice:

"Elders, there is no need to be disappointed. The Patriarch will continue Opening the Furnace and Refining Pills in the future. As long as you serve the family with dedication, everyone will have a chance when a new Foundation Establishment Pill is produced!"

"That would be wonderful! We’ll be waiting then!"

An Elder with graying temples forced a smile, though deep down, he didn’t hold much hope.

A Foundation Establishment Pill wasn’t some common cabbage that could be grown whenever one pleased.

Even with Ling Qiyue’s Alchemy Mastery, no one could give a definite answer as to when the next Foundation Establishment Pill would be refined.

Once a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator passed the age of sixty, their physical vitality and lifeblood would begin to decline, and the probability of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment would become lower and lower.

"You should head back first. I still have to act as a guardian for Senior Sister Yulu!"

Tang Qiu Yao whispered to Ling Changqing.

Even within the family, there was no guarantee that someone, green with envy over Ling Yulu’s opportunity, wouldn’t secretly try to sabotage her.

Although the probability of such a thing happening was low, Tang Qiu Yao didn’t dare to be careless.

"Alright."

Ling Changqing agreed and followed closely behind Tang Qiu Yao out of the courtyard, all the way to the Flying Ship in the square.

Ling Yulu and a group of Maids and guards were already waiting there. Her beautiful face was as fair as jade, with dark, arched brows slanting up towards her temples. Her exquisite, unrivaled features carried a sharp, imposing air.

"Junior Sister Tang."

She called out softly, unable to hide the joy in her expression, along with obvious nervousness and apprehension.

Tang Qiu Yao nodded slightly and said gently, "Let’s go. The sooner we help you get this done, the lighter the burden on the Patriarch’s shoulders will be."

Ling Yulu acknowledged her and boarded her own Flying Ship with Tang Qiu Yao, which then ascended into the sky and departed.

This Elder would naturally choose her own Spirit Vein Cave Mansion for her seclusion and breakthrough. Tang Qiu Yao was going to act as her guardian, so she probably wouldn’t be back for at least ten days to half a month.

Ling Changqing boarded the Flying Ship that Tang Qiu Yao had left behind. A Maid piloted the ship, and it rose into the air, flying toward the manor.

Upon returning to the manor, Ling Changqing didn’t delay. He went back to his own courtyard to enter Cultivation in Seclusion.

The next day was the last day of the family gathering, specifically held for the younger generation of family disciples to find Dao Companions. Anyone whose age and Cultivation met the requirements could participate.

However, Ling Changqing had no intention of joining the fun. With Tang Qiu Yao not around, if he actually went, he would definitely be entangled by those exceptionally beautiful clan women and find it hard to get away.

Inside the Cultivation Chamber, Ling Changqing consumed a Profound Yin Blood Essence Pill and expertly entered a state of deep enlightenment.

「The next morning.」

In a magnificent hall, numerous meticulously dressed young male and female Cultivators were present, along with their friends, relatives, and elders, none of whom were absent.

The rules were simple. As long as a man and a woman took a liking to each other, and their parents and elders did not object, the matter was considered settled.

As for the various exchanges of benefits that might occur behind the scenes, that would naturally be discussed in detail by the elders of both sides.

Speaking of which, this was no different from the arranged marriages between families in the Mortal Realm. It was all about being a good match in status; a large disparity in their circumstances was not acceptable.

"...Eh? Hasn’t Ling Changqing arrived yet?"

In the hall, the stunningly beautiful and gorgeously dressed Ling Bingyun searched carefully for a while but couldn’t find a trace of the handsome, purple-robed youth, and she couldn’t help but grow anxious.

The Maids beside her all shook their heads. They had already been searching inside and outside the hall for some time but had indeed not seen him.

"Could some shameless Fox Spirit have gotten to him first?"

Ling Bingyun frowned. She was well aware that she had more than one competitor.

"That’s probably not it. Those other ladies are also looking for him everywhere!"

A Maid replied.

Ling Bingyun looked out and, sure enough, saw that Ling Xueyu and several other clan women were doing the same.

She thought for a moment and simply had a Maid go invite the others over to talk and exchange information.

Before long, these exceptionally beautiful clan women had gathered together. After comparing notes, they finally confirmed that Ling Changqing had indeed not come today.

"So, is it the Patriarch and that Tang Qiu Yao scheming together again? Are they the ones not letting him attend?"

Ling Xueyu said with a dark expression.

Ling Bingyun sighed. "That’s the only possible reason. They really are... Are they planning to keep him all to themselves and never let go?"

’Never mind us, they won’t even give the women from the Patriarch’s own faction a chance. This is too much!’ the clan women thought, looking at each other in dismay.

"We have to go discuss this matter with the ancestors."

Ling Xueyu said after some thought. Given Patriarch Ling Qiyue’s domineering and assertive nature, only the two other Elders who were also Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators could negotiate with her as equals.

"Let’s do that, then."

None of the young women had any objection to this.

...

「A thousand miles away, on Longhuan Island.」

"...What? Another Foundation Establishment Pill has appeared within the Ling Family?"

In a quiet and elegant courtyard, Elder Wu Jinghong, who was in charge of intelligence, had an ashen face as he demanded in a low voice.

"It’s absolutely true,"

the Steward who had come to report replied with a bow.

"Our secret informant over there sent word. That Elixir was personally refined by the Ling Family’s Patriarch, and it is now in the hands of the Law Enforcement Hall’s Elder, Ling Yulu."

"Damnation..."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jinghong’s expression grew even darker.

Ling Yulu’s identity was certainly no secret. If this important figure of the Ling Family successfully reached Foundation Establishment, it would be absolutely terrible news for the Wu Family.

Moreover, she was still quite young. Even if her Cultivation didn’t advance another step after reaching Foundation Establishment, she could still guard the Ling Family for over two hundred years.

Without considering the effects of certain Lifespan Extension Elixirs, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator’s Lifespan was typically around two hundred and fifty years.

A Golden Core Great Cultivator’s Lifespan, on the other hand, generally exceeded five hundred years, and that was without even considering certain lifespan-extending methods.

"...The few Pill Masters our family supports are simply too incompetent. They can’t compare to that Ling Qiyue at all!"

A Steward sighed from the side. The head of a rival power who was also a master of the Alchemy Dao was putting an immense amount of pressure on the Wu Family.

It was conceivable that the Ling Family would soon become a family with four Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators. The Wu Family’s advantage in strength would no longer be significant.

And who knew if Ling Qiyue had a second, or even a third, Foundation Establishment Pill on hand?

If she did, with the balance of power shifting in this way, the Wu Family’s upper echelon would probably be frustrated enough to cough up blood.

In the long run, the rapid increase in the Ling Family’s high-end combat power was a disaster not just for the Wu Family, but for all the other surrounding family powers as well!

"Regarding this matter... tell our informant to continue monitoring them closely. We will not make any rash moves for now!"

After weighing the situation, Wu Jinghong said slowly.

Next, he would have to go discuss this with the Patriarch and the others. No matter what, they had to come up with a viable plan. They could not let the Ling Family continue to develop so smoothly.