Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 46 - 45: Strategic Pressure

Inside Ling Qiyue’s private chambers in the Embroidery Tower.

In the fragrant inner chamber, beside a Golden Silk Cloud Sandalwood Table, sat Ling Changqing. Gentle as jade, with eyes like polished lacquer, he held a glowing Pill Scripture, completely absorbed in his study.

Beside him lay more than ten Jade Scrolls shimmering with Spiritual Radiance, all from Ling Qiyue’s personal collection.

With Ling Changqing’s current insight, it was easy to see the value of these Scriptures. If they were in the clan’s Merit Reward Hall, one would have to spend tens of thousands of clan merit points just to glimpse a single one.

The Ling Family’s Clan Treasury certainly had books and Scriptures on the Alchemy Dao, but they were few in number and of ordinary quality.

After all, in the past several hundred years, the Ling Family had not produced a single high-level Pill Master. Most of their high-quality Elixirs had to be purchased from outside sources, consuming nearly half of the family’s annual income.

Of course, the situation was similar for the other Foundation Establishment Clans in the area. Compared to the major powers with Golden Core or even Nascent Soul Ancestors, the foundation of a Foundation Establishment Clan was simply lacking.

It wasn’t until Ling Qiyue made her debut that the family’s dire financial situation began to change.

Especially after she took the position of Patriarch, the Ling Family no longer needed to purchase High-grade Elixirs from outside.

After a long while, Ling Changqing set down the Jade Scroll, let out a soft breath, and quietly processed the vast and complex information.

The Ling Family’s Cultivation Techniques and Divine Techniques were primarily Water Attribute, but to become a qualified Pill Master, one’s skills with various fire-manipulating Divine Techniques could not be lacking.

By now, Ling Changqing had a much more direct impression of just how unfathomable the Female Patriarch was.

Tang Qiu Yao had once vaguely mentioned that Ling Qiyue’s Alchemy Dao inheritance came from another source entirely—a fortunate encounter she had in her youth while traveling abroad.

Ling Changqing performed a Divine Thought Internal Observation. The Era Star Palace in his sea of consciousness trembled slightly, and a subtle message appeared:

[Alchemy Dao: 1990/5000 (Rank One Low Grade)]

[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (2nd Floor) 4677/10000]

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Middle Rank Character 6271/10000]

Ling Changqing now had a clear picture. He was already a qualified Rank One Alchemist, and he figured it wouldn’t be long before he reached Rank One Middle Grade.

Due to his unceasing Cultivation over the past six months, both his Spirit Root Talent and his Primary Cultivation Technique had improved slightly.

This tangible progress, however small, gave Ling Changqing a direct boost of confidence, spurring him on with greater drive.

...

Meanwhile, in the outer parlor, Ling Qiyue sat in the main seat, her expression as dark as still water. With her head slightly lowered, she sipped her tea in silence. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

An old man in a brocade robe, with graying temples and a short beard, sat in a subordinate seat, speaking in a fawning tone:

"...My nephew’s talent may be a bit lacking, but he makes up for it by being hardworking and utterly loyal to the family. Not long ago, he even broke through to the Qi Cultivation 5th Layer."

"Patriarch, for Elder Tianhe’s sake, could you perhaps find some time to guide the boy? After all, the rise of our family depends on the contributions of more Pill Masters..."

He rambled on, listing all the contributions his branch of the family had made in the past. Now that a descendant finally showed some promise as a budding Pill Master, he argued, the Patriarch should naturally show some consideration.

After a long moment, Ling Qiyue finally set down her teacup, her voice cold and clear.

"Your descendant’s talent can only be described as mediocre. He’s nearly forty and only just managed to reach the Qi Cultivation 5th Layer, and even then he had to rely on Elixirs to barely break through."

"And with that level of skill, you want me to take him as a disciple? Don’t you think you’re being unreasonable? What could he possibly amount to in the future?"

"Well..."

The brocade-robed elder looked embarrassed. This Female Patriarch had always been domineering and tyrannical, and she had never shown much regard for the old guard of the family.

"Patriarch, I heard that Ling Changqing is already studying the Alchemy Dao with you. Since you’ve already taken one apprentice, what difference would one more make?"

The old man refused to give up. After all, Ling Changqing had been nothing more than a disciple from a distant branch, not even qualified to be listed in the family genealogy. It was only through the Patriarch’s favor that he became a member of the Direct Lineage and had his name recorded.

Therefore, the old fellow felt his nephew had every reason to receive the same treatment, even if his talent was a bit worse and he was a bit older.

Ling Qiyue waved her hand dismissively, her tone indifferent. "Ling Changqing is by my side because he proved himself worthy. That is why I was willing to give him a chance."

"Your nephew’s future achievements are already predictable. He might not even break through to the late stage of Qi Cultivation before he dies. What more is there to say?"

"But..."

The brocade-robed elder’s face flushed red, and he wanted to argue further, but Ling Qiyue had already picked up her teacup—a clear gesture of dismissal.

The old man seethed with anger, but as a mere clan elder at the Qi Cultivation 7th Layer, he certainly didn’t have the guts to challenge the Patriarch’s authority. He could only rise and depart resentfully.

’It’s all that Ling Changqing’s fault, popping up out of nowhere. If he hadn’t snatched the spot by the Patriarch’s side, how could my nephew have lost this opportunity?’

Ling Qiyue watched him leave with a cold gaze, then instructed the Maid beside her:

"In the future, don’t let trash like him in. Really... now every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can foist their people on me. Do they think I’m their doting mother?"

"Yes, Patriarch."

The Maid answered respectfully.

As the Patriarch, she naturally controlled vast resources, which inevitably made many clan members green with envy.

For the sake of their own cultivation paths, there would always be those looking for a shortcut, trying all sorts of ways to get close to Ling Qiyue and see if they could leech some benefits.