Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 42 - 41: Qi Cultivation Level 6
The news that the Ling Family’s Female Patriarch, Ling Qiyue, had entered seclusion for alchemy naturally couldn’t be hidden from the Ling Family’s upper echelon.
It wasn’t long before certain clandestine channels caught wind of it, and the news logically spread to the ears of the leaders of the surrounding powers, big and small.
However, the specific types and quantities of the pills being formed were a top secret. Besides Tang Qiu Yao and Ling Qiyue herself, no third person knew the details.
So, even though some factions were growing anxious and wracking their brains, they couldn’t obtain any information on the matter.
In the end, these individuals, including the Patriarch of the Wu Family, could only helplessly order their informants and inside agents to continue their surveillance and report any new developments.
「In the Cultivation Chamber.」
Ling Changqing awoke from a state of deep epiphany. The Profound Water Essence Qi in the room had grown even denser, carrying with it a profound and distant artistic conception.
As he slowly circulated the Spiritual Power within his body, the flow of Spiritual Qi in the chamber quietly accelerated, forming a Spiritual Energy Vortex visible to the naked eye around him.
’As expected... I’m already at the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer. With enough resources, this cultivation speed isn’t slow at all, and my foundation is also quite stable.’
Ling Changqing mused to himself. Aided by the Qingyuan Cloud Dew Pill and the resources provided by Ling Qiyue, this breakthrough was a natural outcome.
In his Sea of Consciousness, a message imbued with a mysterious Dao Rhyme silently appeared:
[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 16]
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation 6th Layer]
[Destiny: 31+120]
[Blessed Fortune: 29+99]
[Physique: 20]
[Root Bone: 18]
[Comprehension: 19]
[Divine Soul: 38]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (2nd Floor) 3940/10000]
[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Middle Rank Character 5133/10000]
[Nobles: Ling Zifeng / Tang Qiu Yao / Ling Qiyue]
After several months of Cultivation in Seclusion, not only had his previously depleted Luck and Fortune been fully restored, but they had also increased along with his Cultivation.
The simultaneous enhancement of his Divine Soul, Root Bone, and Comprehension not only made Ling Changqing’s Cultivation twice as effective but also aided in improving his Spirit Root Talent.
Of course, the transformation and sublimation of his Spirit Root Level could, in turn, promote the growth of his Root Bone and Comprehension. It was a mutually reinforcing relationship.
As for his many Divine Techniques, such as the Water Spirit Shield, Water Manipulation Technique, Water Escape Technique, and Profound Water Ice Arrow Technique, they had all reached the 3rd Floor Perfection Realm.
His newly learned Breath Concealment Technique and Profound Water Thunder-Attracting Technique had both been successfully mastered at the introductory level.
He hadn’t gained any new Noble slots this time. He estimated he would have to wait until his next major breakthrough.
’I feel like I still need a Sword Technique with considerable killing power, and a Body Refinement Cultivation Technique. I’ll discuss it with them next time. It shouldn’t be a problem...’
Ling Changqing pondered. The cultivation system of this world was vast and rigorous. Assuming one didn’t lack resources, Human Race Cultivators had quite a few development paths to choose from.
For example, the main schools of cultivation included Sword Cultivators, Magic Cultivators, and Body Cultivators. In addition, there were various branches such as Celestial Secret Technique and Divination, Pill Talisman Array, Daoist Soldier Puppets, and Geomancy, among many others.
Of course, all these cultivation schools relied on the support of various resources. The Alchemy Dao, in particular, had an especially exaggerated demand for them.
After all, aged Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs were not cheap. Ordinary Small Clans and Minor Sects simply couldn’t afford the expense of nurturing a high-level Pill Master.
As for the vast majority of bottom-tier cultivators, with their mediocre talent and lack of resources, they had no hope of aspiring to such things.
For these bottom-tier cultivators, just managing to reach the Middle stage Qi Cultivation in their lifetime was the pinnacle of their existence.
Now, Ling Changqing was earning Spirit Stones fast enough that he had essentially escaped the fate of the bottom-tier masses. He was in a position to plan for a more perfect development path.
For example, what if he chose all three paths of Sword Cultivator, Magic Cultivator, and Body Cultivator? With sufficient resources, could he advance on all fronts simultaneously and achieve a perfect, flawless Dao Fruit?
In the eyes of the vast number of bottom-tier Loose Cultivators, Ling Changqing’s idea was a classic case of the well-fed not knowing the hunger of the starving—an act of extreme and wasteful luxury.
But as things stood, he truly had the means to consider such a choice. Although the pressure on his resources would be much greater, he could grit his teeth and bear it.
’...The leap from the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer to the 7th Layer... perhaps I can complete it in just over three years?’
Ling Changqing considered this. The 6th Layer was the Peak of the Middle stage Qi Cultivation, while the 7th Layer marked the beginning of the Late stage Qi Cultivation.
Speaking of which, when he first arrived in this magnificent and vast world, his Spirit Root Talent could only be considered average—just a tiny bit better than trash.
Furthermore, he had no family background or connections. He was born at the very bottom. If it weren’t for the help of the Era Star Palace, he likely would have remained at the bottom his entire life, no matter how hard he worked himself to death.
But now, he was able to reach the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer before the age of twenty. Leaving aside the Major Sects and great powers, at least within a Foundation Establishment Clan, Ling Changqing was already considered an outstanding Immortal Seedling worthy of full-scale nurturing.
In the future, once Ling Changqing reached the Qi Cultivation 7th Layer, he could hold the position of a Powerful Elder in the clan. Compared to a bottom-tier Loose Cultivator, this was undoubtedly the status of someone who stood above the common masses.
After a moment of thought, Ling Changqing got out of bed, deactivated the Array and its Restrictions, and walked out of the Cultivation Chamber.
"...Young Master, you’re finally out!"
The head Maid, Longyun, rushed over upon hearing the news. After a graceful bow, she said softly, "Elder Tang has already entered seclusion. She left a message saying you should go do whatever you want and not to wait for her." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Alright."
Ling Changqing nodded. As the Female Patriarch’s trusted confidante, Tang Qiu Yao was constantly busy with various tasks and rarely had the opportunity for Cultivation in Seclusion.
But considering her Cultivation was not far from the Foundation Establishment Level, it was indeed time for her to focus on cultivating for a while and cross that threshold as soon as possible.
Whether internally or externally, the weight and authority of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were in no way comparable to those of a cultivator at the Peak of Qi Cultivation.
Bidding farewell to Longyun, Ling Changqing left the estate and steered his Flying Ship toward the Marketplace on Zenxin Island.
After taking stock of his assets in his Storage Pouch, Ling Changqing found he was poor again. Most of his Spirit Stones had been exchanged for Elixirs and other resources, which had then gone into his stomach.
He now had less than two hundred Spirit Stones on him, very few Elixirs left, but still had a decent amount of Talismans.
Among cultivators of his age, Ling Changqing’s cultivation speed was indeed quite fast. The price was that he couldn’t save up anything and was still broke.
’Since I have nothing to do, why not head to the Celestial Fate Pavilion and fleece some sheep? And after that, go out to sea for business?’
Ling Changqing mused to himself.
Time really flew. It had been over a year since he last left the Celestial Fate Pavilion.
’The Female Cultivators there have probably been replaced with many new faces, right? A good time to go take a look.’
A short while later, in a VIP room at the Celestial Fate Pavilion, the top matchmaker, Wang Po, once again saw the beautiful, purple-robed youth from her memories.
"...Brother Ling, you’ve finally remembered this place, have you?"
Wang Po, a woman with a fair complexion who still possessed a certain charm, said with a smile, her expression tinged with a hint of grievance.
After Ling Changqing’s last departure, she had not forgotten this high-quality, single Male Cultivator. She had sent him messages every month, but unfortunately, she never received a response.
Well, the same went for some of the single Female Cultivators who had met him. A few of the more persistent ones had pleaded with Wang Po more than once, saying they were willing to lower their standards if only Ling Changqing would accept them.
Wang Po was more than willing to play matchmaker for them, but Ling Changqing was either out at sea or in Cultivation in Seclusion and simply had no time to deal with her, so there was nothing she could do.
Ling Changqing replied gently, "I’ve mainly been busy with my Cultivation. On top of that, I have matters to attend to for the family, so I really couldn’t get away."
Wang Po laughed. "You really are hardworking, little brother. It’s been just over a year, and you’re already at the Qi Cultivation 5th Layer?"
He was actually at the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer, but he was using the Breath Concealment Technique to hide his true Cultivation. Wang Po, with her Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer strength, couldn’t possibly see through it.
"It was just a lucky breakthrough, nothing worth praising."
Ling Changqing said modestly.
The smile on Wang Po’s face grew even wider. After all, for a beautiful, purple-robed youth of his age to have such a Cultivation was already quite extraordinary.
In all her years at the Celestial Fate Pavilion, she had seen countless high-quality single Male Cultivators, but those whose qualifications could compare to Ling Changqing’s were truly few and far between.
As long as he didn’t meet with an accident, it was not an impossible goal for this young man to reach the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer or even attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Level in the future.
"Brother, your qualifications are getting more and more outstanding. I’m not even sure how to make arrangements for you anymore,"
Wang Po said in a fawning tone. "Just sit back and relax. They’ll be over to meet you shortly."
"Don’t you worry. They are all the most outstanding young women here. There’s bound to be someone among them who will satisfy you!"
Ling Changqing nodded, picked up his teacup for a sip, and watched as Wang Po left, swaying her full hips.
A moment later, with the sound of a beaded curtain being rolled up, three meticulously dressed Female Cultivators with graceful and beautiful appearances walked in.
They were actually three sisters, all dressed in identical sea-blue dresses. Their Cultivation was at the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer, and their looks and figures were undeniably excellent.
Upon getting a clear look at Ling Changqing, the three sisters’ eyes lit up in unison. They greeted him with an elegant bow.
Ling Changqing nodded back impassively and invited them to sit down and talk in detail.
"Brother Ling, it’s a pleasure to meet you. We sisters are all Musicians from the Xianyin Pavilion, and we each earn fifty Spirit Stones a month..."
The leading Female Cultivator among the three sisters parted her vermilion lips and began her introduction in a soft, charming tone.
