Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 80 - 75: Don’t Believe in Windfalls

Thanks to an intelligence network it had operated for several thousand years, the Xingyun Sun Commerce Association possessed a considerable understanding of all its clients, large and small, within its trade territories.

The Ling Family’s annexation of the Wu Family, making them the new masters of Longhuan Island and the surrounding seas, was no secret to the Xingyun Sun Commerce Association. Of course, Ling Qiyue had no intention of hiding it either.

Afterward, the association began to pay close attention to the Ling Family’s affairs, including the profiles of key members. As the individual most valued by the Patriarch, Ling Changqing naturally became a primary focus of their interest.

"So, what do you say, young man?"

Xue Qingtan looked completely confident, a sweet, knowing smile gracing her lips.

’In her eyes, these terms were simply too generous. Any low-level cultivator with even a bit of talent and potential would find it hard to refuse.’

Ling Changqing was silent for a long moment before speaking in a low voice:

"Are you so certain that I won’t be able to repay your loan when it’s due, and that in the end, I’ll have no choice but to sell my life to you?"

Under normal circumstances, even a veteran Foundation Establishment Cultivator would find it impossible to repay the principal and interest on the loan amount Xue Qingtan had promised within twenty years.

It was true that Ling Changqing had an ace up his sleeve, but he couldn’t reveal a single word of it to outsiders, let alone allow anyone to sense the secret he carried.

"Well, that’s... not entirely set in stone!"

Xue Qingtan smiled. "If you can truly repay the loan on time, it would prove that your talent, potential, and growth rate all meet our expectations. At that point, you would surely receive even greater investment and support from the association!"

Seeing the handsome, purple-robed youth before her remain silent, she continued:

"Yuzhou is vast and boundless, with a mortal population numbering in the countless billions. The organization discovers hundreds, if not thousands, of grassroots Immortal Seedlings every year."

"Some of them have Earth Grade or even Celestial Grade Spirit Roots. Some have Qi Fortune far surpassing ordinary people. Others have obtained some extraordinary fortuitous encounter. That is why they qualify for the organization’s investment and support!"

"As for you, while you are one of the new Immortal Seedlings the organization has discovered, you don’t particularly stand out among them. You’re barely middle of the pack, I’d say!"

"That’s why I came to speak with you personally. For you, if you refuse the association’s goodwill, the difficulty of obtaining certain resources in the future will likely be far greater than you can imagine!"

Ling Changqing’s gaze sharpened slightly. He asked softly, "What kind of resources can you provide? High-rank Cultivation Techniques and Divine Techniques? Resources for Core Formation? Or things like Magical Treasures?"

Xue Qingtan smiled. "Our association has all of those resources. And as long as you want them, we can give them to you right away!"

After a moment’s thought, she took out three Jade Boxes that shimmered with a red glow, their Spiritual Pressure contained yet palpable, and placed them before Ling Changqing.

Inside the first Jade Box were three Jade Scrolls containing a Profound Middle Grade Technique called the "Taiyi Six Harmonies Sword Qi."

The second Jade Box held two Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts: the Soul Devouring Spirit Bell, which excels at attacking a Cultivator’s Divine Soul and also possesses considerable defense, and the Han Guangqing Ying Sword, an exceptionally sharp blade that was a perfect match for that Sword Dao Technique.

The third Jade Box contained one Broken Jade Crystal Pill, a vial of Spirit Pool Transformation Liquid, and several supplementary Elixirs. These were all indispensable resources for Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators attempting to break through to the Core Formation Realm.

"You may choose any one of these three Jade Boxes, young man. It will be valued at three thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones, to be repaid with interest in thirty years. How about it?"

Xue Qingtan concluded.

He had to admit, the allure of these items was extraordinary. Even though the current Ling Changqing had yet to reach Foundation Establishment, he understood what these treasures represented.

A low-level Qi Refining Stage Cultivator could strive their entire life and still not be able to gather the resources for a single Foundation Establishment Pill.

And a Foundation Establishment Cultivator without a powerful backer could work their whole life and still might not earn the resources needed for Core Formation.

As for Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts and High-Rank Cultivation Technique Manuals, it was much the same story. An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator could forget about ever touching such treasures in their lifetime without a special fortuitous encounter.

And now, all these fine things were laid out before Ling Changqing. All he had to do was nod, and they would be his.

"Can’t I... have them all?"

Ling Changqing asked with a smile.

’Only children have to choose. And I... am no longer a child.’

Xue Qingtan gave him a surprised look. ’This kid is really greedy. So much so that I’m starting to wonder if my previous evaluation of him was too high?’

’But this might be a good thing. An Immortal Seedling with excessive desires should be easier to control in the future, right?’

"Taking them all is impossible. Of course, young man, if you’re willing to come with me right now, I could give them to you for free, you know!"

Xue Qingtan’s eyes twinkled as she spoke to him with a beaming smile.

’So she really hasn’t given up on her designs for me, huh?’

Ling Changqing sneered inwardly and slowly shook his head.

"If that’s the case, I appreciate the kind offer. Snow Fairy, please take your leave."

"..."

Xue Qingtan’s expression changed slightly. She stared at him in disbelief. "You’re giving up? Are you serious?"

Ling Changqing’s expression was calm. "I’m just a Little Cultivator who hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment. I’m not worthy of such high regard from your esteemed party. Besides, I’m a bit of a coward who clings to life. When it comes to things that are too good to be true, the smart thing to do is stay far away!"

Xue Qingtan couldn’t help but frown. ’This kid doesn’t seem so easy to fool. Could it be he’s not tempted in the slightest?’

"Young man, you should think this through. An opportunity this good doesn’t come around often."

Xue Qingtan still tried to persuade the youth before her. "If you miss this chance today, you might not get another one like it for the next hundred years!"

Ling Changqing said, "I know, but my mind is made up. There’s no need to waste your breath, Snow Fairy."

"Besides, your party discovers so many Immortal Seedlings every year. One more or one less of me won’t make a difference. Why be concerned?"

"You... *Sigh*!"

Xue Qingtan sighed, realizing she couldn’t persuade this youth. She shook her head helplessly and put away the Jade Boxes on the table.

"Perhaps... we will meet again."

Just before leaving, she suddenly turned around, a trace of determination appearing in her dark, beautiful eyes.

"No. It would be best if we never see each other again!"

Ling Changqing’s tone was gentle yet firm.

"Heh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that!"

Xue Qingtan huffed, puffed her cheeks indignantly, and rode away on the wind, disappearing from sight within a few breaths.

Ling Changqing, left standing there, was silent for a while before letting out a soft breath.

’This Female Cultivator and the Xingyun Sun Commerce Association behind her bore him no ill will—at least not for now. This was the information fed back to him by the Era Star Palace.’

’Perhaps they really were just looking to identify some Immortal Seedlings with good Qi Fortune, investing in and supporting them early to forge a positive connection.’

’Although the investment was enormous and the risks were always uncontrollable—out of a thousand investment targets, it was difficult to say if even one would make it to the Nascent Soul Realm.’

’But even so, as long as they persisted for several thousand years, if even a few of those Immortal Seedlings were lucky enough to reach the Divinity Transformation Realm, it would be a net profit for the organization.’

’The masters behind the Xingyun Sun Commerce Association would never engage in a losing business. The fact that this secret screening program had continued to this day without being canceled showed that its returns must be greater than the investment.’

’Of course, from Ling Changqing’s perspective, he didn’t want to be on anyone’s radar just yet. It was better to continue to lay low and develop.’

In mid-air, a fiery red figure approached from the distance, arriving before him in an instant.

"Little Junior Brother, you..."

With a grave expression, Tang Qiu Yao grabbed Ling Changqing’s shoulder. Her fine, dark brows furrowed slightly, and she seemed hesitant to speak.

Ling Changqing’s expression was calm. "That woman just tried to entice me, but I refused."

He wasn’t surprised that Tang Qiu Yao and Ling Qiyue knew. This was Ling Family territory, after all, and he was the person they cared about most. It was only natural for them to react quickly.

Hearing this, Tang Qiu Yao let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, her worst fears had not come to pass.

"That woman is no good. Stay far away from her in the future!"

Tang Qiu Yao hugged him, her expression solemn as she spoke.

Ling Changqing smiled. "Don’t worry, Senior Sister. That’s never going to happen."

’An ancient, major power like that... who knows how deep the waters run? He’d have to be crazy to even think of getting involved.’

「Meanwhile.」

Xue Qingtan returned to the fleet of Tianzhou Skyboats. After being announced, she walked into the core cabin of the flagship.

The leisurely-looking Shentu Hong was currently holding a Dao Scripture, leaning against a Red Jade Table as he focused on his comprehension.

"What’s wrong? Did things not go smoothly?"

Looking up and seeing Xue Qingtan’s slightly dejected expression, Shentu Hong understood most of what had happened.

Xue Qingtan nodded slightly, her expression still showing a hint of unwillingness.

"That kid’s mind is far more mature than I initially thought. Treasures that could change his destiny were placed right in front of him, yet he wasn’t moved at all."

Shentu Hong laughed nonchalantly. "It’s nothing to be regretful about. He’s just one among many Immortal Seedlings. The organization has recruited countless talented prospects; we’re not short one."

"..."

Xue Qingtan opened her mouth to speak but then stopped. She wanted to say that during their face-to-face conversation, the feeling that kid gave her was... different. Not something an ordinary Immortal Seedling could compare to.

But there was no basis for this feeling. Her intuition alone was clearly not persuasive enough.

’Forget it. I’ll come back in a few years. I refuse to believe I can’t persuade him... even if I have to do it in bed!’

Xue Qingtan thought to herself.