Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 102 - 97: Ling Qiyue: Is It Time to Eat the Little Junior Brother?

Chapter 102: Chapter 97: Ling Qiyue: Is It Time to Eat the Little Junior Brother?

Amidst surging winds and clouds, a massive Spiritual Energy Vortex slowly spun, then gradually stabilized. Deep within the vortex, a magnificent, seven-colored radiance faintly shimmered.

The scale, state, and duration of a Spiritual Energy Vortex varied depending on a cultivator’s aptitude, innate talent, and potential for growth.

The phenomenon appearing above the Cave Mansion immediately drew the attention of numerous onlookers in the vicinity.

"...Is someone from the Ling Family trying for the Foundation Establishment Realm again?"

"...Looks like it. I just wonder if this person will succeed."

"I think they’ll make it. Just look at the size, shape, and stability of that Spiritual Energy Vortex. You can tell their foundation is solid and their accumulated power is profound. They have a great chance of passing this trial."

"I remember now! That seems to be Ling Changqing’s Cave Mansion Hall. I can’t believe he’s already trying for Foundation Establishment so soon!"

"You mean the junior who studied the Alchemy Dao under the Patriarch? His talent is truly outstanding. No wonder the Patriarch thinks so highly of him!"

...

The cultivators watching from afar spoke in low voices, their expressions a mix of surprise, envy, indifference, jealousy, and worry.

For the many factions in the Feiyu Sea Region, the emergence of a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator was no small matter and would inevitably draw attention from all sides.

After all, the Feiyu Sea Region previously lacked even a Pseudo Core master. Foundation Establishment Cultivators represented the highest level of combat strength, and the addition of even one could determine the survival of a minor faction.

And even though there were now two Core Formation Cultivators, the status of Foundation Establishment Cultivators had yet to decline significantly.

In the crowd, a pair of plain-looking cultivators silently watched the distant Spiritual Energy Vortex, communicating without a sound using their Divine Thought:

"Sigh! The number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Ling Family just keeps growing. If this goes on..."

"Mm. And it seems this isn’t just any ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator. What on earth is going on with the Ling Family? Their Destiny has been flourishing in recent years, they’re growing stronger by the day. Don’t tell me they actually plan to unify the entire Feiyu Sea Region?"

"Who knows? It’s just a shame that our Sect’s foundation, built over hundreds of years, will become nothing more than spoils of war for the Ling Family..."

"Senior Brother, be careful what you say. This isn’t our territory, after all. We can’t let anyone figure us out!"

"I know. We’ll contact the Sect Elders later. This needs to be reported."

...

Inside the Cave Mansion Hall, Ling Qiyue, Tang Qiu Yao, Ling Yulu, and Qin Yun all wore tense expressions, vigilantly watching for any sign of trouble.

They weren’t overly concerned about Ling Changqing’s condition; they were more worried that someone from a rival power would show up and cause trouble.

「Inside the Cultivation Chamber.」

Ling Changqing’s Mind had sunk deep within his body as he silently communicated with the Era Star Palace.

In his sea of consciousness, a message radiating a mysterious Dao Rhyme silently appeared:

[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]

[Bone Age: 24/297]

[Cultivation: Early stage Foundation Establishment]

[Destiny: 81+203]

[Blessed Fortune: 78+179]

[Physique: 30]

[Root Bone: 30]

[comprehension: 37]

[Divine Soul: 87]

[Alchemy Dao: 4990/20000 (Rank One High Grade)]

[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (Third Level) 17533/20000]

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, High Rank Character 11791/20000]

[Noble: Tang Qiu Yao/Ling Qiyue/Xue Qingtan]

[Noble: ?]

[Dao Companion: Tang Qiu Yao]

After advancing to Foundation Establishment, a cultivator’s physical attributes were significantly optimized and enhanced, placing them on a completely different level from Qi Refining Stage Cultivators.

One could even fine-tune their figure and appearance, which was why it was rare to find an unattractive Female Cultivator at or above the Foundation Establishment Realm.

As for Male Cultivators, most didn’t care much for such things. Of course, some with eccentric dispositions insisted on being unconventional, altering their appearance to be highly distinctive.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator typically had a lifespan of around two hundred and fifty years, while the limit for a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator was rarely more than one hundred and twenty.

Perhaps because of the Era Star Palace, Ling Changqing’s lifespan was higher, reaching 297 years. He wondered if it could increase even more in the future.

The Destiny and Blessed Fortune that Ling Changqing cared about most had both increased significantly, as had the caps for the Era Star Palace’s own Luck and Fortune.

It made him feel as if time and tide, heaven and earth, were all on his side. Misfortune would turn to blessings, danger would resolve into good fortune, and it seemed any goal was within his reach.

His Alchemy Mastery was still some way from advancing to the second rank, but the progress was tangible.

Once he became a Second Rank Alchemist, he would be able to refine Second Grade Elixirs such as the Foundation Establishment Pill, the Celestial Splendor Longevity Pill, and the Songhe Youthful Appearance Pill.

Ling Changqing’s current Primary Cultivation Technique, the Profound Truth Black Water Scripture, was about to reach Great Perfection at the third level, and he would soon be able to start cultivating the fourth.

However, he wasn’t particularly satisfied with this Middle Grade Yellow Level technique. When he got the chance, he would definitely find a better set of Cultivation Technique Divine Techniques.

His Spirit Root Talent was steadily increasing. Perhaps after he broke through to the Middle stage Foundation Establishment, it would transform into an Earth Grade Spirit Root.

An Earth Grade Spirit Root meant he would have the capital to strive for the Golden Core Realm. And once he set foot in the Golden Core Master Realm, he would have a real hope of reaching for the Nascent Soul Realm.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators could use Spiritual Artifacts in battle, which significantly increased their combat effectiveness. Of course, Ling Changqing didn’t have any Spiritual Artifacts yet. Perhaps he could buy some at the Hanyue Continent Marketplace in the future.

Now that he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he could also consider starting his cultivation of that unused Body Cultivation Technique, the "Vajra Tula Demon Suppression Technique."

’Now if I continue working in the sea, the rate at which my Luck and Fortune deplete should be even lower. I can stay underwater longer, which will make it easier to find valuable items...’ Ling Changqing mused.

As he stabilized his realm, a month quietly passed by.

When Ling Changqing finished his practice and opened his eyes, he felt brimming with energy. The range of his Divine Sense now easily covered a hundred-zhang radius, an unprecedented peak for him.

He had been in this world for twenty-four years, and after countless hardships and obstacles, he had finally reached this point.

After a long moment, Ling Changqing reined in his wandering thoughts, got out of bed, and deactivated all the Array Restrictions one by one.

As the door to the Cultivation Chamber slowly opened, two beautiful, tall, and curvaceous figures flashed inside, grabbing him from both sides.

"...Have you stabilized your Foundation Establishment Realm? Excellent!"

Ling Qiyue grasped his arm with a delicate hand, her Divine Thought briefly scanning his internal state before she nodded in satisfaction.

’His foundation is solid, and his Magical Power is pure and abundant. He’s not at all inferior to how I was when I first reached Foundation Establishment. His potential is immense.’

"I did alright. I hope I didn’t disappoint you, Senior Sister!"

Ling Changqing smiled. Although he knew success was highly probable, no one could have been completely certain before he started.

Now that the dust had settled, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Tang Qiu Yao studied him with a joyful expression, her voice soft and smooth.

"You’ve finally reached this stage. Now that you have enough strength to protect yourself, so many more places are open to you!"

"Of course," Ling Changqing said. "And we’ll go together!"

’After reaching Foundation Establishment, I’m no longer a burden to the team. They won’t have to constantly split their focus to protect me anymore.’

Generally speaking, only when both Dao Companions were at a similar Cultivation Realm could they truly support each other and ensure they could travel further on their path.

Whether for cultivation, traveling in search of fortuitous encounters, exploring Secret Realms, or fighting others, one’s Cultivation Realm was an unavoidable threshold.

A difference of a few minor realms was manageable, but if a gap of a Great Realm persisted for too long, it would indeed become a significant burden for the other partner.

’Of course, his growth rate is so fast,’ Ling Qiyue thought. ’Perhaps it won’t take him long to catch up to me?’

’Besides, even now, we’re only one Great Realm apart. If I wanted to devour him a little sooner... that’s not an entirely unreasonable option, is it?’

At this thought, Ling Qiyue’s gaze upon the young man before her instantly grew several degrees more fervent.

Tang Qiu Yao glanced at her. How could she not understand what her senior sister was thinking? A wave of hesitation washed over her.

’Thinking about what that guy had done to her in the privacy of her chambers... it was enough to make her burn with shame and indignation. He was just so absurdly shameless!’

’If an unsuspecting Ling Qiyue were to rashly get involved and that bastard subjected her to the same shameless treatment, the consequences would be... Given her cold and proud temperament, if she were to lose control of her emotions, Ling Changqing would surely be in for a world of hurt.’

At this thought, Tang Qiu Yao felt the urge to remind Ling Qiyue to be more cautious when considering him as a Dao Companion.

But the topic was simply too embarrassing for her to bring up.

"Senior Sister, I think... you should..." Tang Qiu Yao stammered, lightly tugging on Ling Qiyue’s sleeve.

"What is it?"

Ling Qiyue turned her head, a hint of inquiry in her lovely, lustrous eyes.

Seemingly guessing the reason for her hesitation, Ling Changqing quickly interjected, "Senior Sister, why don’t we go eat first? We can discuss everything else later."

Ling Qiyue nodded slightly. "Alright, then. I’m sure you’re starving. We’ll eat first.

Besides, you’ve finally achieved Foundation Establishment. The family should probably consider holding a celebratory banquet for you."

It was customary for a faction to hold a celebratory banquet whenever one of its cultivators successfully reached Foundation Establishment, partly to deter and warn potential rivals.

"I have no objections," Ling Changqing said. "I’ll leave the arrangements to you, Senior Sister."

Tang Qiu Yao gave Ling Changqing a long, hard look, but ultimately held her tongue.

’Oh, well,’ she thought. ’I’ll let him save face for now. I can tell Ling Qiyue the truth more tactfully later, when we’re alone.’

As they stepped out of the Cultivation Chamber, Ling Yuzhu, Ling Yulu, and Qin Yun came over to greet them, their faces all smiles as they offered their congratulations.

Among the younger generation of the Ling Family, Ling Changqing’s talent had not been considered outstanding. Yet, he was unexpectedly the first to achieve Foundation Establishment, surpassing all the prodigies from the Direct Lineage that the Elders had previously favored.

"...Changqing, how about visiting this sister’s hall when you have time? You could give that girl Bingyun some pointers while you’re at it," the lovely and charming Qin Yun secretly sent him a message via Divine Thought, seeing that Tang Qiu Yao wasn’t paying attention.

Ling Changqing was slightly taken aback. He hesitated for a moment before replying: 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Well... we’ll see if there’s an opportunity in the future!"

"Then it’s a date!"

Her lovely face flushing slightly, Qin Yun secretly rolled her eyes at him and said no more.

As a woman, she had a faint feeling that he wasn’t really interested in Ling Bingyun. Was he perhaps more interested in her instead?

Beside them, Elder Ling Yuzhu was all smiles, but a hint of worry lay deep in her eyes. ’Ling Changqing is already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator,’ she thought. ’What does that mean for my junior, Ling Xueyu?’

’If she can’t successfully reach Foundation Establishment in the future, then while a relationship with Ling Changqing isn’t entirely out of the question, she could never be his official Dao Companion. At most, she could only be a concubine.’

...

「In an inconspicuous shop on the northwest side of the Marketplace.」

An attendant in a coarse cloth robe, with a sallow complexion and dim, aged eyes, was propped up on the steps.

He squinted, staring at the dissipating Spiritual Energy Vortex at the edge of his vision. After a long moment, he looked away and went inside, coughing.

An old, wrinkled woman in sackcloth was checking her accounts, muttering complaints under her breath:

"...Heavens above, how many does that make now?"

"It looks more and more likely that the Ling Family will become the masters of the Feiyu Sea Region. What is our family to do?"

The old attendant shot her a sideways glance and said indifferently:

"What else can we do? Either our family moves away, or we bend the knee and submit. The only other choice is to be wiped out!"

"..."