Silica Copper is a Second Rank High Grade Spirit Ore. It's a crucial material for crafting Daoist Soldier Puppets and can also be used in refining certain Spiritual Artifacts. All in all, it's a resource in high demand.

A hint of pleasure lit up Ling Qiyue's eyes. "In that case, should we register it and arrange for people to start mining?"

Tang Qiu Yao nodded, then shook her head. "But we're too short-staffed at the family headquarters. We should probably wait."

The Ling Family had a limited number of available personnel at the moment, and the Feiyu Sea Region was vast.

Even including the Loose Cultivators they had recruited and the Cultivators who had surrendered, they were still stretched thin trying to control such a large territory.

Mining, in particular, was the most labor-intensive task. There were already hundreds of newly opened mines on Changqing Continent and its surrounding islands.

Each mine required at least several thousand mortal miners, plus a small number of Cultivators, just to operate normally.

In Tang Qiu Yao's eyes, just maintaining the status quo was already an achievement. If they spread themselves any thinner, they wouldn't be able to manage.

For at least the next ten to twenty years, the shortage of Cultivators among the Ling Family's disciples would be a difficult problem to fundamentally solve.

"Alright, then. Let's seal up that spirit vein for now. If we make any similar discoveries in the future, we'll do the same."

Ling Qiyue sighed. In the past, their troubles came from having limited resources, being stretched thin everywhere, and being unable to implement many of their plans.

But now that their enterprise was so large, the troubles it brought were just as numerous.

"Could we recruit another batch of Loose Cultivators from the outside?"

Tang Qiu Yao suggested in a low voice after a moment of contemplation.

Ling Qiyue thought for a moment before shaking her head in refusal. "That's not a good idea. The recent changes in the Feiyu Sea Region aren't widely known yet. It's best to prioritize stability."

The top powers in Yuzhou would certainly look down on a foundation like the Feiyu Sea Region, but it was a different story for the more established Golden Core powers.

For example, for a power with a dozen or so Golden Core Masters and a large group of True Core and Pseudo Core Cultivators, the Feiyu Sea Region would still be quite attractive.

That was why Ling Qiyue didn't want to stir up trouble. Her main strategy was to maintain a stable, low profile and quietly develop.

Tang Qiu Yao thought about it and agreed, so she didn't press her point.

A moment later, to the pleasant tinkling of jade pendants, Meng Feiyu walked in gracefully, her long skirt trailing behind her, her appearance bright and beautiful.

"Sister, our husband should be finishing up soon, right?"

the beautiful woman said with a charming smile, her eyes sparkling.

Tang Qiu Yao nodded. "Just about. Let's call him over to have dinner with us later."

Wherever Ling Changqing was, Qin Yun, Ling Bingyun, and Ling Yulu would certainly not be absent. They were bound to show up together.

As for what would happen after dinner... well, there's no need to go into detail. Those who know, know.

"Oh, right. The special envoy from my sect has already left. It'll probably be several years before they come again."

Meng Feiyu added that her Martial Uncle hadn't stayed long. After relaying the orders from the higher-ups at Xianyin Pavilion, he had departed in a hurry.

"That's good to hear."

Ling Qiyue felt a sense of relief. 'Meng Feiyu must have played a significant role in this.'

Meanwhile, at a port on the eastern coast of Changqing Continent, an ocean-faring Sea Boat several hundred feet long slowly sailed into the docks.

On the spacious foredeck, Fu Yin Xue, disguised and dressed in a black Magical Robe, stood leaning against the railing. She gazed at the bustling city before her with a complicated look in her eyes.

A considerable amount of time had passed since the cataclysm on Hanyue Continent, a disaster she had been lucky to escape.

During that time, Fu Yin Xue had lived under an assumed name, hiding in the territories of various small powers and never staying in one place for more than three days.

Now, as the rumors had gradually died down and the major powers were no longer focused on the matter, Fu Yin Xue had finally begun to relax.

'But hiding like this forever isn't a solution. For the sake of my future cultivation, I need to find a foolproof plan.'

'I probably can't go back to my old organization, and frankly, I don't want to.'

After weighing her options, she thought of her old friend, Ling Qiyue, and decided to come for a visit.

'I wonder... how has he been lately? Has he managed to escape the clutches of that Princess Long Nu?'

Fu Yin Xue pondered silently. 'If Ling Changqing has already returned safely, I should be able to see him this time, right?'

After so long, she had her own vague suspicions about the incident on Hanyue Continent. After all, her organization's intelligence network wasn't just for show.

'That Ling Changqing... he must be the legendary Child of Destiny, right? Otherwise, he wouldn't have attracted the covetous attention of Princess Long Nu and all those top-tier powers.'

'If... a bloody war breaks out in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm in the future, it will most likely be because of him.'

As the Sea Boat docked, Fu Yin Xue silently disembarked and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

To onlookers, she just looked like an inconspicuous rogue cultivator from the wilds, not likely to attract much attention.

「Several hours later.」

Fu Yin Xue had arrived at the family headquarters. She asked a Cultivator on duty to pass on a message that an old friend had come to visit.

The Ling Family Cultivator was a little puzzled by this unfamiliar Female Cultivator, but he still went inside to report to Tang Qiu Yao.

A moment later, Fu Yin Xue was standing before Ling Qiyue. Under the incredulous gazes of the other women, she removed her disguise and revealed her true face.

"Little Sister, you're..."

Ling Qiyue was both shocked and overjoyed, her soft, beautiful voice trembling slightly.

'I thought my old friend had perished in the cataclysm on Hanyue Continent, but I never imagined she would appear before me today, safe and sound.'

"It can only be called the will of heaven!"

Fu Yin Xue sighed. In any case, she was fortunate to have been the sole survivor of Hanyue Continent.

Beside them, Tang Qiu Yao thought for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Sister, what exactly happened... during that incident on Hanyue Continent?"

Fu Yin Xue shook her head. "I'm not sure either. Perhaps it was because of your Dao Companion?"

...

Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiu Yao exchanged a silent glance, no longer doubting the cause of the incident.

'If it weren't for Ling Changqing, why would those mysterious powers go to such great lengths?'

"Little Sister, since you don't plan on returning to your organization, what are your plans for the future?"

Ling Qiyue calmed her Mind and asked.

Fu Yin Xue replied, "If I were willing to join the Ling Family, I wonder if you would be willing to take me in, Sister?"

At this point, she was still unaware that Ling Changqing had returned, as this was a top secret among the Ling Family's upper echelon.

Ling Qiyue was slightly taken aback by her words, but then she smiled.

"Little Sister, are you serious? The family is in dire need of people right now. If you're willing to join us, nothing could be better!"

Fu Yin Xue's current Cultivation was at the Early stage Golden Core. If she was willing to join the Ling Family, it was naturally a welcome development for Ling Qiyue.

"As long as you're willing to take me in, Sister, that's all that matters!"

Fu Yin Xue smiled. She had nowhere else to go now, so coming to help Ling Qiyue was a good option.

Just then, Ling Changqing's gentle and calm voice rang out. "Are my wives busy?"

Immediately, a handsome youth in black with red lips, white teeth, and a cool demeanor appeared in Fu Yin Xue's vision like a gust of wind. He familiarly wrapped his arm around Ling Qiyue's smooth, slender waist.

"You... you're Ling Changqing? How are you..."

Fu Yin Xue's beautiful eyes flew wide open in shock, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

'Wasn't he taken away by that Princess Long Nu? How is he standing here, perfectly fine?'

"The story behind this isn't that complicated."

Ling Qiyue explained with a smile, shooting Ling Changqing a look.

'This guy... didn't he notice there was a guest present? Coming in and getting all handsy right away, really...'

Ling Changqing finally got a clear look at Fu Yin Xue's face and was equally incredulous.

"Senior Sister Fu, it's you?"

'He had thought Fu Yin Xue perished in that incident. To think she was safe and sound... it was a truly pleasant surprise.'

'Come to think of it, this beautiful woman had always been quite good to him.'

"It's wonderful that you managed to get away!"

Fu Yin Xue let out a breath of relief, suddenly feeling that the heavens had not been unkind to her. Not only had she escaped death, but she was also able to see him again.

'When I think about it, I must have borrowed some of his destiny to have been lucky enough to avoid that cataclysm.'

"Little Sister, from now on, this is your home!"

Ling Qiyue said with a radiant smile. 'With Ling Changqing here, Fu Yin Xue will naturally never leave.'