Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 91 - 86: Honored Guest Elder

BANG!

Tang Qiu Yao’s attack was swift and vicious. The Magical Artifact Ling Yuanji had hastily activated was crushed in an instant, exploding into a shower of fragments.

"Wait, I..."

Terror filled Ling Yuanji’s face. He fumbled to activate several Talismans, but Tang Qiu Yao shattered them with ease.

He had only reached Foundation Establishment a few days ago and had no decent means of Defense. Before an enraged Tang Qiu Yao, he was little more than a pig waiting for slaughter.

SHHHRRIP!

The furious Sword Qi shredded Ling Yuanji’s sleeves, leaving countless fine cuts on his face and arms.

Finally, the chilling edge of her sword grazed Ling Yuanji’s throat, leaving dozens of thin gashes from which crimson beads of blood quickly seeped.

As for Ling Yang, he had long since curled up under a nearby table, trembling with his head in his hands.

"Elder Tang, you... you’ve gone too far!"

Ling Yuanji’s expression was as ugly as it could be. He was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, yet he had been humiliated so thoroughly in front of a junior. If word of this got out, how could he ever show his face again?

Tang Qiu Yao sneered. "You think I’ve gone too far? You shameless old bastard, throwing your status aside to bully a junior. Have you no shame?"

Ling Yuanji gritted his teeth, his voice filled with indignation and resentment. "I just wanted to borrow this Cave Mansion Hall for my Cultivation for a while! I had no other intentions!"

Tang Qiu Yao said coldly, "This Spirit Vein Cave Mansion was granted to Ling Changqing by the Patriarch. No one has the right to covet it! If you’re not happy, go take it up with the Patriarch!"

"You... Fine! Just fine!"

Ling Yuanji’s face alternated between green and white. He said resentfully, "He’s just a junior from a lowly background, yet you all treat him like some treasure. This family doesn’t belong to just the two of you!"

"A hundred of you wouldn’t be as important as Ling Changqing,"

Tang Qiu Yao’s eyes were filled with contempt, disdain, and a deep-seated disgust.

"Don’t think so highly of yourself. If the Patriarch wasn’t so eager to raise the family’s overall strength, do you think an old fossil like you would have ever been given a Foundation Establishment Pill that she worked so hard to refine?"

"Get lost! If you dare cause trouble here again, don’t blame me for crippling you!"

This merciless humiliation made Ling Yuanji so furious he nearly coughed up blood. His eyes were savage and venomous as he turned and stormed out the door.

Behind him, Ling Yang scrambled out from under the table and hurried after his grandfather.

"Senior Sister, I’m afraid we can’t let him live!"

Ling Changqing frowned in thought. ’A self-important fellow like him, who values his pride more than his life, won’t just let this go after suffering such a huge loss today.’

’If he gets even the slightest chance in the future, he’ll surely pounce like a mad dog to get his revenge.’

Tang Qiu Yao snorted coldly. "Of course I know. I never planned on letting him live anyway! A disgusting, shameless old bastard like him should die and be reincarnated sooner rather than later!"

A few years ago, she might have hesitated, as the family’s High Grade combat power was limited.

But now, the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the family had increased significantly. One more or one less of him made no difference, so there was no need to care.

Sure enough, Ling Qiyue soon learned of the incident and immediately issued an order stripping Ling Yuanji of his Elder status. He and his grandson, Ling Yang, were sent to Zenxin Island to guard the mines.

The other high-ranking Elders of the family unanimously remained silent. After all, what Ling Yuanji had done was completely out of line, and there was no way to justify his actions.

Besides, the entire family was depending on the Patriarch for the coveted Foundation Establishment Pill resources. They would have to be fools to risk upsetting her.

A little over a month later, on a dark and stormy night, Ling Yuanji, who was guarding the mines on Zenxin Island and drowning his sorrows in wine, disappeared. His grandson vanished with him without a trace.

When the news reached the Ling Family’s main headquarters, Ling Qiyue expressed just the right amount of surprise and anger, declaring that she would get to the bottom of it.

And then, nothing happened.

"...Senior Sister, there shouldn’t be any more oddballs like that popping up within the family in the future, right?"

On the streets of the Marketplace, Ling Changqing was strolling leisurely, arm in arm with the stunningly beautiful woman beside him.

Dressed in a snow-white dress that accentuated her graceful, voluptuous figure, Tang Qiu Yao smiled, her crimson lips parting slightly.

"When a family gets this big, it’s normal for a few good-for-nothing fools to appear. But as for you, no one will dare to provoke you ever again!"

With the example of that unlucky bastard, everyone in the Ling Family understood Ling Qiyue’s attitude. Who would possibly dare to scheme against Ling Changqing now?

Ling Changqing let out a soft breath, a hint of regret in his heart. The Era Star Palace had harvested a significant amount of Divine Soul Origin from the dead grandfather-grandson duo, which had left him quite satisfied.

’It probably won’t be so easy to find similar sheep to fleece in the future.’

"Alright, let’s not talk about that spoilsport bastard anymore!"

Tang Qiu Yao wrapped a bewitching arm around the young man beside her and said with a grin,

"It’s rare for us to come out. Come with me to take care of some business today, and then we’ll go to Xianwei Pavillion for a nice meal."

"Okay."

Ling Changqing’s eyes lit up. He had never gone out shopping with his Senior Sister before. He had to seize this opportunity.

’Strolling, eating, shopping, having fun, getting a room at an inn, and then... Ahem, better stop right there!’

"Why are you smiling so smugly? What wicked thoughts are you having now?"

A slight blush crept onto Tang Qiu Yao’s picturesque face as her clear, watery eyes studied him with suspicion.

"Nothing, nothing."

Ling Changqing immediately straightened his expression and replied with a deadpan face.

"Hah! I’ll believe you when pigs fly!"

Tang Qiu Yao snorted. ’As if I don’t know what’s on this guy’s mind.’

’But considering how fast he’s growing, I suppose I won’t have to wait too long.’

’It’s better to eat him up sooner rather than later. Delays breed trouble, and there are so many Fox Spirits out there eyeing him hungrily!’

A few moments later, the two arrived in front of a lavishly decorated and impressive-looking shop, where a well-dressed Steward was already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Tang Qiu Yao approach, the Steward hurried forward to bow, enthusiastically welcoming them inside.

Ling Changqing glanced around and saw that it was a shop dealing in Talismans. Besides finished Talismans, they also sold Beast Hides, Spiritual Ink, talisman paper, and Talisman Pen Magical Artifacts used for Talisman Making.

Furthermore, this was not one of the Ling Family’s businesses. It was opened by an outside Cultivator who only needed to pay a certain amount of tax to the family each year to operate steadily.

Led by the Steward, Tang Qiu Yao brought Ling Changqing through a corridor in the shop’s backyard and up a staircase to a quiet room on the second floor.

The room’s furnishings were relatively simple, and a faint, clean fragrance of Spiritual Ink filled the air. A middle-aged man with sharp features, wearing wide-sleeved robes, sat quietly in the main seat.

"Fellow Daoist Tan, it’s been a while!"

Tang Qiu Yao clearly knew the man and greeted him in a gentle tone.

The man nodded calmly. "Fellow Daoist Tang, please sit and talk. It’s been some time, and your Cultivation seems to have improved again? How strange, I recall you only reached Foundation Establishment not long ago."

Tang Qiu Yao gracefully took a seat and, at the same time, used a Divine Thought transmission to briefly inform Ling Changqing about the man.

This Cultivator’s name was Tan Lin, a Loose Cultivator and Talisman Master. He was currently at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation and possessed some unique skills in the field of Talisman Making.

Like the Independent Alchemist Meng Ye, he had been invited by the Ling Family’s upper echelons to stay long-term in the Marketplace, where he had his own shop and business.

"...Fellow Daoist Tan, I am here today on behalf of the Patriarch to discuss the renewal of your cooperation contract!"

Tang Qiu Yao sat with a dignified posture, her elegant back straight, as she spoke in a calm, unhurried manner:

"According to our last agreement, as long as you promise to continue operating in the Ling Family’s Marketplace, the ownership of this plot of land, along with the shop, will be permanently yours!"

Tan Lin was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "I have cooperated with the Ling Family for several decades without any unpleasant incidents. Logically, I should continue to do so."

"However, I have been stuck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation for many years. I now feel my accumulation has reached Great Perfection. If I don’t try to attempt Foundation Establishment, I will surely have regrets."

He was planning to leave the Longhuan Island Marketplace for a while to go to the Hanyue Continent or the marketplaces of other major powers to seek out and purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill, in an attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Unlike those miserable, unfortunate low-level Loose Cultivators, Tan Lin, as a Rank One High Grade Talisman Master, had accumulated enough wealth over his many years of business to afford a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "Is it just about a Foundation Establishment Pill? That’s not a difficult matter. As long as you, Fellow Daoist Tan, agree to become an Honored Guest Elder of the family and never leave for the rest of your life, I can make the decision to sell you a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill at a friendly price."

Tan Lin was stunned, a tremor in his voice. "Are you serious, Fellow Daoist?"

He knew, of course, that Ling Qiyue was capable of Refining Foundation Establishment Pills. However, the ingredients were incredibly hard to find, and even if a few finished pills were produced, they would only be distributed within the family. It was impossible for an outsider to get one.

But now, Ling Qiyue was actually willing to sell a precious Foundation Establishment Pill to an outsider? What did this mean?

"Absolutely true!"

Tang Qiu Yao said with certainty, "As soon as the new Spirit Contract is finalized, the Foundation Establishment Pill can be sold to you immediately. We can even provide a Second Grade Spirit Vein Cave Mansion for you to break through in peace!"

Tan Lin took a few deep breaths, a trace of excitement in his expression. "If I can buy a Foundation Establishment Pill right here, then I naturally don’t need to look far and wide. Let’s settle it then!"

The rest was simple. Tang Qiu Yao took out a pre-drafted contract and handed it to Tan Lin for his review.

After he indicated his approval, he signed and marked it, then attached a sliver of his Divine Soul Spiritual Sense, signifying that the Spirit Contract was officially in effect.

The rights and obligations of a family Honored Guest Elder were all clarified in the document. He would receive the family’s protection, an annual stipend of a certain amount of resources, and his businesses would be exempt from taxes, among other things.

The main obligations were that he could not leave the family for life, had to sell a certain number of Talismans to the family annually at an agreed-upon discounted price, and could not conduct business with the Ling Family’s enemies.

If the Ling Family were to go to war, the Honored Guest Elder would also be obligated to participate, but not directly on the battlefield. Instead, he would only be responsible for certain logistical support duties.

"Alright, here is the Foundation Establishment Pill you need. Let’s set the price at seventy percent of the market auction price!"

After confirming the Spirit Contract was in order, Tang Qiu Yao took a beautiful, shimmering box filled with Spiritual Light from her Storage Bracelet, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it toward Tan Lin.

Tan Lin carefully opened the box and glanced inside, nodding with a joyful expression. "A very reasonable price. I have no objections."

He stood up and left, returning in a hurry a moment later to hand Tang Qiu Yao a Storage Pouch filled with Spirit Stones and High quality Talismans.

"In that case, I wish you success in your Foundation Establishment, Fellow Daoist,"

Tang Qiu Yao said with a smile, taking out a golden Jade Token and giving it to him. "This is the rental token for one of the family’s Second Grade Spirit Vein Cave Mansions. You may use it for Cultivation in Seclusion for two months."

Under normal circumstances, one month was sufficient to go from a successful Foundation Establishment to stabilizing one’s Realm.

Tan Lin agreed with satisfaction, carefully putting away the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Jade Token. He never imagined that the great matter that had been weighing on his mind would be resolved so suddenly today.

After chatting for a while longer, Tang Qiu Yao announced their departure. She and Ling Changqing stood up to leave, and Tan Lin personally saw them to the door.

"Senior Sister, this Loose Cultivator isn’t that old. He should be able to become a Second Rank Talisman Master in the future, right?"

Ling Changqing asked thoughtfully as they walked along the street.

Tang Qiu Yao nodded slightly. "As long as he succeeds in his Foundation Establishment, it’s entirely possible for him to become a Second Rank Talisman Master."

Having such an Honored Guest Elder would naturally have a positive effect on the family’s strength, and in terms of numbers, the more the merrier.

Ling Changqing thought for a moment and said, "What about that Meng Ye... should we talk to him as well? But I heard he took a loan from the Xingyun sun Commerce Association, so I’m afraid he can’t become a family Honored Guest Elder."

Tang Qiu Yao said, "His situation is a bit special, so we won’t consider him for now. Let’s go see the other candidates."

After years of operation, the Ling Family had naturally built up some connections. Some Loose Cultivators with great potential and special skills were all targets that Ling Qiyue had designated for recruitment.