Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 96 - 91: Vertical and Horizontal Alliances
Longhuan Island, Outer Sea.
On the vast, boundless ocean, a colossal sea boat over a hundred zhang long sailed forth, breaking through the waves. It resembled a magnificent, mobile castle, drawing the attention of the many vessels around it.
Foreign trading ships of this size were a rare sight. Truly powerful merchant guilds tended to prefer Tianzhou Skyboats, which were much faster and more convenient for travel.
"...So this is the Ling Family’s core territory now? It seems to be developing quite well!"
At the top of the sea boat, by a massive, ornately carved crystal observation window, a cold and detached voice spoke softly.
"Regardless of the past, with a Golden Core Master presiding over them now, the Ling Family’s rise is inevitable."
Another voice, dignified and steady, replied with a faint hint of resignation.
Standing by the window was a woman in a peach-pink palace gown. She was stunningly beautiful and appeared to be around thirty years old, but her gaze was cold and sharp. She had a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.
She was from the Bai Family of the Feiyu Sea Region. Her name was Bai Tinglan, and she was a Core Elder of her family. The current Patriarch of the Bai Family was her older brother.
The Bai Family’s strength was once on par with the Mu Family’s. With no fewer than ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators in residence year-round, they were also one of the top powers in the Feiyu Sea Region.
However, ever since the Ling Family’s meteoric rise several years ago, when they absorbed the Wu Family’s foundation on Longhuan Island, the situation in the Feiyu Sea Region began to change.
"Elder, we should be thankful for the Ling Family’s unexpected rise," the kind-faced, middle-aged man in cyan robes behind her said.
"Otherwise, with our centuries-long animosity with the Mu Family, the moment that Mu Yesheng became a Golden Core Master, he would have targeted our Bai Family first!"
Bai Tinglan nodded. "That’s true. With the Ling Family’s Patriarch acting as a check on him, the Bai Family has been able to remain safe."
With the two Golden Core powers in a standoff, each keeping the other in check, neither dared to expand aggressively for the time being. This gave the other small and medium-sized powers a chance to breathe.
Bai Tinglan pondered for a moment, then turned and asked, "Uncle Wang, how long do you think this standoff between two major powers can last?"
The middle-aged man in cyan robes said, "That’s hard to say. A Golden Core Master’s Lifespan can reach five hundred years. As long as neither family makes a foolish mistake, the situation should remain unchanged for at least the next century, don’t you think?"
In the competitive games between different powers, it often came down to a contest of whose pillar of stability could live the longest.
If one day the Golden Core Master from either the Ling or Mu Family were to be unexpectedly severely injured or perish, the Feiyu Sea Region would immediately undergo a drastic change.
Alternatively, if a third Golden Core Master were to appear in the Feiyu Sea Region, the current delicate balance could also be broken prematurely.
Bai Tinglan sighed, her expression wistful. "If only our Bai Family could produce a Golden Core Master... If not, even an expert at the True Pill Level would do."
Uncle Wang pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Not long ago, an old ancestor of the Bai Family had risked attempting to break through to the Golden Core Realm, but he failed. The attempt wasted a set of Core Formation Resources that the family had painstakingly accumulated for over a century.
Moreover, the ancestor, who was at the Foundation Establishment Peak, was so devastated by the blow that he lost all hope. It looked as if he didn’t have many years left to live.
Unable to produce a second set of Core Formation Resources in the short term, the Bai Family had no choice but to consider another path to ensure the continuation of their family’s legacy.
The Mu and Bai families were enemies of several hundred years, with no hope of reconciliation in sight. Therefore, building a good relationship with the Ling Family became the most logical choice.
Thus, Bai Tinglan, bearing a mission from her family’s upper echelon, had journeyed to Longhuan Island. She intended to have a serious discussion with the Female Patriarch, hoping to forge a substantial alliance.
...
The deep sea: cold, dark, and fraught with peril.
Amidst the dark, endless underwater mountain ranges, a pale golden sphere of light moved at an unhurried pace.
"We’re here," Ling Qiyue’s voice rang out.
The undersea valley ahead, spanning dozens of miles, was completely occupied by the Deep Sea Spirit-Devouring Vine.
As far as the eye could see, countless barrel-thick, hideous, python-like vines were packed densely together. Faint, wild hisses echoed intermittently, and a fierce, bloodthirsty aura washed over them.
Countless fleshy tentacles covered in bone spurs grew from these vines, waving aimlessly in the undercurrents.
Any sea fish or Sea Beasts that strayed too close were instantly entangled, their flesh and organs devoured without a trace.
As this was not their first time dealing with such a creature, Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiuyao were highly skilled in their methods. In no time at all, they had gathered over a hundred large sea fish and Sea Beasts.
They fed all of this prey to the Deep Sea Spirit-Devouring Vine. After waiting a moment for it to become satiated and its reaction speed to slow considerably, it was Ling Changqing’s turn to act.
The experienced Ling Changqing moved with considerable speed, his figure weaving nimbly through the forest of vines, plucking one Soul-Devouring Blood Soul Fruit after another that had reached three hundred years of age.
During this time, it wasn’t that the ferocious aberrations didn’t notice him; occasionally, fleshy tentacles covered in sharp barbs would flail about, but they always struck empty water.
Before long, Ling Changqing had picked clean all the Soul-Devouring Blood Soul Fruits that met their requirements.
"Alright, let’s go search somewhere else!" Ling Changqing said. He hadn’t been to the deep sea in a long time and wanted to plunder it to his heart’s content before returning.
Ling Qiyue agreed, wrapped an arm around Ling Changqing’s waist, and left together with Tang Qiuyao.
Hours passed quietly. Thanks to Ling Changqing’s tireless work, all of their Storage Magical Artifacts were gradually filled.
It wasn’t that they didn’t encounter unexpected dangers during this time, but Ling Qiyue always intervened in time to resolve them, ensuring the plundering operation proceeded smoothly.
Finally, the fully satisfied trio returned together.
"After you’ve recovered, we’ll go check out the undersea ore veins next time and plunder another haul of Spirit Stone Raw Ore!" Tang Qiuyao said to Ling Changqing.
Ling Qiyue, however, had a different opinion. "That place is too dangerous. We should wait. We can go after he successfully achieves Foundation Establishment; that will provide an extra layer of security."
"Alright, then." Tang Qiuyao didn’t insist. Their last attempt had indeed been risky, and if they were to try again, they might not have the same good fortune.
Ling Changqing spoke up, "Senior Sister, I think you should get a defensive Magical Treasure first. Buying or renting one would both be fine."
This Glazed Yellow Umbrella may be a Top Grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact, but it really couldn’t withstand the pressure at depths of over seven hundred zhang. It will inevitably be damaged over time.
Ling Qiyue mused, "That is indeed something that needs to be addressed. Let’s discuss it again after we get back."
’I still have some connections,’ she thought. ’As long as the price is right, there should be a chance to rent a Magical Treasure for temporary use. Of course, if we bring back enough Spirit Stone Raw Ore from the seabed, we might even be able to afford to buy a ready-made Magical Treasure in the future.’
To put it bluntly, the Cultivation Realm was just like the Mortal Realm: there was no problem that couldn’t be solved with resources. If there was, it just meant the resources weren’t good enough or plentiful enough.
After returning to Longhuan Island, Ling Changqing once again chose to go into Cultivation in Seclusion, while Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiuyao went to the Council Hall to handle affairs.
"...What? The Envoy from the Bai Family has already arrived?" Ling Qiyue, who had just sat down in the hall, looked a little surprised. After all, the Ling and Bai families had never had any dealings before.
"Yes," said Elder Qin Yun, who was in charge of receiving guests. "The Envoy, named Bai Tinglan, seems to wish to represent her family in forging a long-term alliance with us."
"Then what do you all think? How should we handle this matter?"
Ling Qiyue’s gaze swept over the several family Elders present. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
No one present was a fool; the Bai Family’s intentions were not hard to guess. Whether or not to accept their proposal was a matter of weighing the trade-offs.
Tang Qiuyao spoke up, "We can meet with them first. What sort of deal we can strike will depend on the Bai Family’s sincerity."
The feud between the Bai and Mu families was no secret. If they could use the Bai Family to check the Mu Family’s power in the future, it was a possibility the Ling Family’s upper echelon was willing to consider.
The Mu Family was also busy forging alliances throughout the Feiyu Sea Region, building factions left and right with the sole aim of isolating the Ling Family.
If the Ling Family didn’t act decisively on this front, many of the smaller and mid-sized powers would have no choice but to side with the Mu Family.
Ling Qiyue weighed the options and finally nodded. "Then let’s meet with them. Elder Qin, please go and invite Fellow Daoist Bai Tinglan over."
