Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 44 - 43: Pill Master Apprentice

After bidding farewell to Pill Master Meng Ye, Ling Changqing returned to Tang Qiuyao’s residence.

The stunning beauty was still in cultivation in seclusion and hadn’t emerged. With no plans to cultivate for the time being, Ling Changqing had nothing else to do. So after eating and drinking his fill, he holed up in his bedroom to rest.

After a full day of fleecing, the Era Star Palace had harvested a considerable amount of the Power of the Divine Soul Origin. As a result, Ling Changqing’s Divine Soul rose from 38 to 40, and even his Spirit Root Talent saw a slight improvement.

As Ling Changqing’s Cultivation continued to grow, the Era Star Palace’s harvesting efficiency also increased and was bound to get even higher in the future.

Having seen the two Foundation Establishment Powerhouses, Ling Tianque and Ling Tianhe, from afar at the family gathering, and later coming into close contact with Ling Qiyue, Ling Changqing already understood the level of his own Divine Soul, based on the subtle feedback from the Era Star Palace.

In short, the Divine Souls of those three Foundation Establishment Powerhouses, plus Elder Ling Yulu who had just recently broken through, couldn’t possibly compare to Ling Changqing’s right now.

As for Destiny and Blessed Fortune, the gap was even more staggering. With an Exotic Treasure like the Era Star Palace in his possession, Ling Changqing was now leagues ahead of them.

This also explained why Ling Changqing’s luck had been so good on the seafloor, always managing to avoid the vicious sea beasts while gathering more resources.

’Hmm, I could go to the Celestial Fate Pavilion for another round tomorrow, and then head out to sea to work. Or maybe I should go find Senior Sister Ling Qiyue?’

Ling Changqing mused. As for the Female Cultivators who had exchanged contact information with him during the day, he had no intention of seeing any of them again. He took out his Communication Jade Talisman and proceeded to delete and block them one by one.

As for the resentment and hatred this would generate, it would only benefit Ling Changqing, so he was more than happy to let it happen.

Early the next morning, Ling Changqing returned to the Celestial Fate Pavilion to continue his fleecing. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He spent nearly the entire day meeting with all the Female Cultivators Wang Po had recommended, after which he settled the bill and left.

Back in his bedroom, when Ling Changqing communicated with the Era Star Palace again, he discovered his Divine Soul had been enhanced once more.

[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: 19]

[Comprehension: 20]

[Divine Soul: 43]

[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (2nd Floor) 3940/10000]

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Middle Rank Character 5768/10000]

[Noble: Ling Zifeng/Tang Qiuyao/Ling Qiyue]

The strengthening of his Divine Soul Origin caused his Root Bone and Comprehension to rise in tandem, making his Cultivation efforts twice as effective for half the work.

’Of course, there was also the improvement to my Spirit Root Talent. Perhaps by the time I reach the peak of Qi Cultivation, my Spirit Root Level will undergo another transformation?’

’I don’t know what Ling Qiyue’s Spirit Root Level is, but it must be far superior to my own.’

’But maybe I can gradually catch up to her after I become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse in the future?’

At the break of dawn, Ling Changqing left the residence, planning to take a Flying Ship out to sea.

After all, his resources were nearly depleted, and he needed to get back to work at sea.

"...Young Master, please wait!"

Just as Ling Changqing was about to step onto the Flying Ship, a clear, pleasant voice called out.

Ling Changqing turned to see a young girl in a pale yellow dress hurrying over, riding the wind.

"What is it?"

Ling Changqing asked. He remembered seeing this girl before; she was one of Ling Qiyue’s maids.

"By order of the Patriarch, I am to ask you to come for a meeting, Young Master."

The girl spoke as she drew near, presenting a token as proof of her identity.

Ling Changqing glanced at it and saw nothing amiss. He nodded. "Lead the way, then."

「Half an hour later, at the clan headquarters.」

In the Inner Palace Garden, outside a hall that exuded an ancient aura, stood a squad of black-robed Cultivators. Their faces were masked with black cloth, they carried Magic Swords on their backs, and they stood as straight as spears.

Their Cultivation was mostly at the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer or higher. Their gazes were sharp and bright, their vitality was flourishing, and their builds were as burly as bears—a full size larger than an average person.

Led by the maid, Ling Changqing ascended the White Jade Steps and headed into the hall, his gaze naturally sweeping over the Patriarch’s personal guards.

’Are these guards all Body Cultivators? Their foundations are stable, and they still have potential for further growth. The various Magical Artifacts and weapons they carry are all of fine quality. It’s clear Senior Sister has invested a great deal in this force...’

Ling Changqing mused to himself as he followed the girl into the hall.

After several dozen paces, the space suddenly opened up before him. The temperature in the massive room was markedly higher, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.

The walls and floor were covered in dense, intricate patterns of a Restriction Array. A dark gold Pill Furnace, about ten feet tall, stood firmly in the center of the Array.

At the base of the Pill Furnace, a raging Spirit Flame radiated terrifying heat. The Array Patterns and Restrictions on the floor and walls were fully illuminated, continuously drawing Spiritual Qi from the Second Grade Spirit Vein underground and channeling it along the patterns to converge within the furnace.

’So this is an Alchemy Room?’

Ling Changqing realized in an instant. His gaze lingered on the Pill Furnace for a moment before falling upon Ling Qiyue, who was seated serenely to the side.

Her expression was tranquil and dignified. Her fair skin was like flawless jade, glowing with a gentle luster, and her full, tender lips were the color of cherry blossoms.

A faint layer of Spiritual Light enveloped her, insulating her from the scorching heat.

The maid who had led him here had already withdrawn, leaving only Ling Changqing and her in the vast Alchemy Room.

Seeing that the Female Patriarch had not yet finished, Ling Changqing was in no hurry and simply stood patiently to the side, waiting.

The Spirit Flame at the base of the Pill Furnace burned fiercely. As Ling Qiyue skillfully executed a series of Spirit Techniques, the intensity of the flames shifted subtly, and the frequency and timing of the Spiritual Qi input all followed a certain ineffable rhythm.

Ling Changqing observed in silence. The Era Star Palace in his sea of consciousness trembled for an instant, and suddenly, Ling Qiyue’s Fire Control Technique and Spirit Techniques became much clearer in his eyes.

’I see...’

Ling Changqing was shaken to the core, but he showed no sign of it on the surface, perfectly playing the part of an invisible bystander.

After a long moment, a low rumble came from within the Pill Furnace. As Ling Qiyue executed the final Spirit Technique, the heavy furnace lid slowly began to rise.

Billowing Spiritual Qi spilled from the furnace like a white mist, gathering at the dome of the ceiling into a massive, Lingzhi-shaped cloud that lingered for a long time.

Over a hundred smooth, round, milky-white elixirs, each the size of a fingertip, floated up. They were the common Qi Nourishing and Essence Storing Pill.

"...Help me collect them. A simple Object Control Spirit Technique will do."

That familiar, mature, and alluring voice rang out, ethereal and gentle, like music from the heavens.

"O-Okay."

Ling Changqing was stunned for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Noticing the empty Pill Bottles and Cold Jade Boxes nearby, Ling Changqing immediately brought them over.

Then, he performed the Object Control Spirit Technique, drawing the nearby Elixirs toward him handful by handful and bottling them in the Pill Bottles.

Ling Qiyue gave a slight nod. With practiced ease, she deactivated the Array, causing the raging Spirit Flame to gradually die down. The temperature in the room dropped accordingly.

"You’ve been watching for so long, Junior Brother. Did you grasp anything?"

A hint of a smile touched the stunning beauty’s eyes. She tucked a strand of her ink-black hair back as she rose gracefully to her feet.

Ling Changqing said thoughtfully, "This Pill Master’s Fire Control Spirit Technique... it doesn’t seem all that difficult to understand?"

Ling Qiyue shook her head. "Refining the Qi Nourishing and Essence Storing Pill isn’t too difficult, of course. It wouldn’t be nearly this easy with other High-grade Elixirs."

The Qi Nourishing and Essence Storing Pill is just a Rank One Low Grade Elixir. It’s not expensive, so even the lowliest Loose Cultivators have used it at one point or another.

A Second Rank High-grade Alchemist like Ling Qiyue can refine over a hundred in a single batch, and it only takes her an hour or two.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ling Changqing asked softly, "If I wanted to learn the Alchemy Dao, would you be willing to be my guide, Senior Sister?"

Ling Qiyue tilted her head, studying the purple-robed youth before her with a faint smile.

"Your Innate Talent and Comprehension are quite good, Junior Brother. And especially your Luck and Fortune—no one in the clan can compare. I suppose you could give it a try..."

"Then I’ll be in your care, Senior Sister!"

Ling Changqing replied at once. ’Since the Female Patriarch is so accommodating, I have to seize this opportunity.’

Ling Qiyue looked slightly taken aback for a moment, then said with amusement:

"Are you afraid I’ll go back on my word? Relax. When I make a promise, I keep it."

Ling Changqing breathed a sigh of relief. ’It’s a done deal,’ he thought.

’As long as Ling Qiyue is willing to teach me, it shouldn’t take long to get my start in the Alchemy Dao.’

’Without aiming too high for now, I should at least be able to become self-sufficient in the elixirs I need for my daily Cultivation.’

’It’s true that gathering ingredients and Opening the Furnace and Refining Pills is time-consuming and laborious. But I’m still young, a far cry from those Loose Cultivators who struggle into their forties and fifties with terrible Root Bones and a lack of resources.’

’As long as Ling Qiyue is willing to fulfill her duties as a master, I can fully afford to take a bold leap into this field.’

"In that case, it’s settled!"

Ling Qiyue’s expression turned serious. "As it happens, I’m in need of a Pill Master Apprentice. Your Senior Sister Tang is in seclusion, so from now on, you can come help out in the Alchemy Room!"

Ling Changqing didn’t refuse. "Then it’s a deal!"