The time spent collecting resources on the seabed was not only dangerous but also incredibly tedious.

In any area where treasures could be found, powerful and vicious creatures were always lurking nearby, making it impossible to obtain them without a fight.

It was only because Ling Changqing was blessed with supreme Destiny that he avoided being besieged by too many undersea beasts at once.

Coupled with his own combat strength, which far surpassed that of other Cultivators at his level, and the assistance of Meng Feiyu and Tang Qiu Yao, he was able to slay the beasts in time and ensure their safety.

Even the most powerful Quasi-Rank-Three or Rank-Three beasts could not withstand the combined assault of three Golden Core Masters for more than a single breath.

Any other team of Cultivators who dared to take such risks would have long since perished under the relentless siege of countless beasts. It was questionable if they could have even dived to such depths safely.

The undercurrents churned. Schools of fish swam by at a leisurely pace, and glowing jellyfish drifted about idly. All manner of hideous Sea Beasts lounged on the reefs, while giant seaweed, like a primeval forest, stretched as far as the eye could see.

Winding, majestic, and towering undersea mountain ranges were everywhere. Faint light shimmered from some of the mountains, illuminating the gloomy depths.

"...The aura over there is strange. We might be approaching the edge of a Nascent Soul Great Demon’s territory. Let’s stay away."

Ling Changqing said cautiously, simultaneously placing a Profound Head Celestial Sun Flower he had just found into his Storage Pouch.

At a depth of a thousand zhang, Quasi-Rank-Three and Rank-Three beasts were as common as blades of grass, and even Quasi-Rank-Four beasts would occasionally appear.

A true Rank-Four beast would most likely have awakened its intelligence and gained a rudimentary ability to shapeshift. It could already be called a Great Demon, with strength equivalent to a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Human Race.

This was not a being the current Ling Changqing could afford to provoke. Even as the legendary Child of Destiny, he was powerless before such an absolute disparity in strength.

Meng Feiyu nodded slightly before offering a calm analysis. "Changqing, it’s unlikely a true Rank-Four Great Demon would appear in the Feiyu Sea Region, don’t you think? At most, we’d only encounter a Quasi-Rank-Four beast."

Although the Feiyu Sea Region was vast, it was still considered the coastal waters of Yuzhou. If a Nascent Soul Great Demon were truly entrenched here, it couldn’t possibly hide from the major powers for long, even if it remained dormant on the seabed.

How could they tolerate such a threat sleeping on their doorstep?

The harm a Nascent-Soul-Level Great Demon could cause is no small matter. If their lairs were too close to the territories of the Human Race, the major powers would never tolerate it.

Beasts below Rank Four possess a completely different level of power than a Rank-Four Great Demon and wouldn’t even be on the radar of those major powers.

To find genuine Nascent Soul or Divinity Transformation Great Demons, one would likely have to leave the coastal waters of Yuzhou and venture into the depths of the vast ocean.

"Hmm, you have a point, my dear. Perhaps I was worrying too much."

Ling Changqing nodded. ’I’m inexperienced in these matters, so my judgment is bound to be a little off.’

Meng Feiyu pursed her lips into a smile. ’This man possesses supreme Destiny, yet he’s humble, easygoing, and approachable, completely lacking the arrogance typical of peerless geniuses.’

’Back in the Hongmeng Divine Hall, even the ordinary entry-level disciples were proud and arrogant when out in the world, to say nothing of the True Inheritors and core prospects.’

As time went on, the trio’s Storage Magical Artifacts were gradually stuffed to the brim with all sorts of items—Spirit Medicines and Treasures, high-grade ingredients, Spirit Gold Ore, and more.

Finally, just as Ling Changqing was about to head back, he made a surprising discovery: a vein of Star Sand Purple Flame Copper, halfway up an undersea mountain. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Star Sand Purple Flame Copper was a Third-Rank, Middle-Grade Spirit Gold Material. It was typically used for refining various Defensive Magical Treasures and Tianzhou Skyboats, making it a resource in high demand on the market.

"The quality and size of this vein... It looks like we won’t be disappointed," Tang Qiu Yao said, turning over a sample of the ore in her hand. It shone with a purple-gold luster and a brilliant Spiritual Light, and she couldn’t hide the excitement in her expression.

Before the trio’s eyes, the vein on the mountainside was almost completely exposed.

The vein, several miles wide and stretching for hundreds of miles, was clearly visible, so much so that the surrounding seawater shimmered with a purple-gold radiance.

"So, what now? Do we just mine some of the Ore and take it back with us?"

Ling Changqing asked. ’There’s no way to smelt and refine it here on the seabed. We can only take the Ore back to Changqing Continent to process it.’

"Works for me! Let’s just mine as much as we can carry!"

Tang Qiu Yao said excitedly.

So, the three of them set to work. They used their Magical Power to shape the seawater into gigantic hands, which grabbed heaps of Ore and deposited them into their Storage Magical Artifacts.

Before long, all of their storage space was full. Ling Changqing memorized the location, then began the return journey with the two women.

The ascent was much simpler than the descent. In just a few moments, Ling Changqing once again laid eyes on the vast, azure Celestial Vault.

The three boarded their Flying Ship. Tang Qiu Yao formed a seal for a Spirit Technique, and the vessel accelerated away, disappearing over the horizon.

A few days later, the Flying Ship returned safely to the family headquarters.

Ling Changqing and the women took stock of their harvest. About thirty percent of the resources were set aside for their personal use.

The rest could be sold to the Xingyun sun Commerce Association to be exchanged for the various resources, such as Elixirs and Magical Artifacts, that the family needed for its development.

In truth, the Xianyin Pavilion branch on Changqing Continent also dealt in resources, but they weren’t as specialized as the Xingyun sun Commerce Association.

Tang Qiu Yao did a quick calculation. Her share of the spoils alone was worth more than two thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones.

"...I knew you were incredible, my love, but I never imagined you were *this* incredible!"

The peerless beauty chuckled lightly, covering her mouth.

’Just one trip to the sea with Ling Changqing yielded such a massive haul. If I could go out with him regularly in the future... I’d never have to worry about Cultivation Resources again, would I?’

Ling Qiyue shot her a look and chided playfully, "Put those little schemes of yours away. You can’t monopolize an opportunity like this. All the sisters should have an equal chance."

Fu Yin Xue, Meng Feiyu, and Xue Qingtan certainly wouldn’t miss a chance to accompany Ling Changqing, and neither would any of the other sisters who reached the Golden Core Master Realm in the future.

"Alright, fine! From now on, once a year would be enough for me!"

Tang Qiu Yao laughed. Two thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones’ worth of resources was more than enough for two years of her Cultivation, and that wasn’t even counting the Cultivation Resources the family provided.

Ling Changqing then said, "I need to enter a month of secluded cultivation. Who will join me?"

After advancing to the Golden Core Master Realm, the recovery rate of Ling Changqing’s Luck and Fortune had also increased significantly. A month of Cultivation in Seclusion would restore it to its Peak, and it would be even faster with Dual Cultivation.

Back at the Foundation Establishment Level, it took him about three months of seclusion to recover whenever his Luck and Fortune was completely depleted.

"Me, of course,"

Tang Qiu Yao chimed in quickly. "Why don’t we make a rule? From now on, whoever accompanies our husband on a trip gets to join him for the secluded cultivation that follows. How does that sound?"

The gentle and serene Qin Yun, as bewitching as a vixen, snorted and said,

"You’ve certainly thought it all out, Sister, but we also want to break through to the Golden Core Master Realm as soon as possible. Don’t you think you should give us a chance?"

"Well..."

Just as Tang Qiu Yao was about to object, Ling Qiyue spoke up.

"Enough. Qin Yun and Ling Yulu are the closest to the Golden Core Master Realm, so let the two of them join Changqing first!"

"Alright, I have no objections."

Ling Changqing nodded. ’Changqing Continent needs more Golden Core Masters to maintain stability. That’s the bigger picture.’

And so, Qin Yun and Ling Yulu rose, took Ling Changqing by the arms, and departed under the envious gazes of the other women.

...

「The coastal waters of Yuzhou, Chixue Sea Region.」

Liu Ying Bingchan and Liu Ying Meng Luan, who were traveling through the area, suddenly received a message from their Patriarch via a Secret Technique.

"...The Patriarch is ordering us to return to the family headquarters at once. He says there’s news of our husband?"

Liu Ying Meng Luan, a peerless beauty, furrowed her elegant brows and spoke in disbelief.

Dressed in an intricate and magnificent Snow-White Palace Robe, the cold and bewitching Liu Ying Bingchan was equally astonished. "Really? Is the information reliable?"

"It’s a message from the Patriarch. There can’t be any mistake, can there?"

Liu Ying Meng Luan said.

Liu Ying Bingchan nodded, her head of waterfall-like black silk moving gracefully. "Then let’s hurry back. We shouldn’t keep the Patriarch waiting."