Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 169 - 134: An Unsolicited Favor?

It took him nearly a full day to finally break open all the Storage Magical Artifacts and inventory their valuable contents, sorting them by category.

’...If I didn’t have so many scruples, I’d be tempted to switch careers and become a Tribulation Cultivator!’

Ling Changqing muttered to himself. The main reason was that these guys were just too loaded; so much so that even he, who wasn’t short on money, couldn’t help but feel his heart race with envy.

After cleverly using the terrain and the ferocious beasts of the Deep Sea to eliminate an entire gang of Tribulation Cultivators, Ling Changqing’s nearly empty pockets were full once again.

He wasn’t too far from the Fuyue Continent Marketplace, and Ling Changqing briefly considered turning back to purchase another batch of resources and sell off some of the loot he had no use for.

But on second thought, he decided against it. The gains from this trip were already substantial enough; there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.

Those Tribulation Cultivators might have had companions or old acquaintances in the Marketplace. If they noticed anything amiss, the consequences would be more than just a little troublesome.

Ling Changqing gave up the idea and steered his Flying Ship onward at full speed. Half a month later, he successfully arrived in the outer seas of Hanyue Continent.

This was the second stop of his journey. His main purpose was to complete some intelligence transactions on behalf of Ling Qiyue, and to also get an understanding of the changing internal situation at Hanyue Gate.

After all, it was the closest Golden Core power to the Feiyu Sea Region, and any move it made could potentially affect the Ling Family’s grand plans for the future development of Changqing Continent.

As he neared the outskirts of the Hanyue Continent Marketplace, Ling Changqing put away his Flying Ship and landed on the ground. He walked toward the gates of the giant city, which shimmered with Spiritual Light and were protected by a Grand Array.

’The last time I was here, I was only at the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer. To think that after all these years, I’m returning as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.’

At the city gate, the Hanyue Gate Cultivators on duty sensed the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure from Ling Changqing, and their expressions immediately became more respectful. After collecting the Spiritual Sand fee, they let him pass.

After entering the Marketplace, Ling Changqing followed his memory all the way to Fu Yin Xue’s residence.

The guards on duty at the entrance surprisingly still remembered him. After their initial surprise, they immediately went inside to report to their master.

A moment later, Ling Changqing was welcomed into the study by the Female Cultivator in the green dress, a woman with a cool demeanor and a beautiful face as fair as snow, who couldn’t hide her delight.

"...Fellow Daoist Ling, you are truly as gifted as I thought. Your Luck and Fortune are far deeper than that of ordinary people, to have already reached Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation so quickly."

Seated in the host’s chair, the beautiful woman parted her red lips. Her voice was mellow and pleasant, and beneath her thin dress, the curves of her graceful figure were alluring.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist," Ling Changqing said with a smile. "In truth, I just had some lucky encounters while traveling. It’s hardly a great achievement!"

’This beautiful woman’s true Cultivation Realm must be at the Golden Core Level. She’s shrouded in Spiritual Light, and I can sense more than ten points of obscure and profound Magical Power fluctuating around her.’

’As expected of someone from that mysterious organization. Not only is she extremely wealthy, but she also possesses certain special resources that far surpass those of ordinary Cultivators.’

Fu Yin Xue smilingly sized up the handsome, purple-robed young man before her. When they had first met, she had faintly sensed something extraordinary about him.

Back then, she had been tempted to poach him, even if it might have affected her relationship with Ling Qiyue.

Unfortunately, Ling Qiyue hadn’t fallen for her schemes, and she’d never had an opportunity to be alone with Ling Changqing, so she had to give up on the idea.

’But now that he’s come here all by himself, this is a rare opportunity. Maybe I can try again?’

"Ling Qiyue and I have been the closest of friends for many years,"

Fu Yin Xue said with a smile, "There’s no one else here. Why don’t we address each other as Senior Sister and Junior Brother?"

Ling Changqing nodded. "I’ve come this time on behalf of my family to discuss purchasing the next batch of intelligence from you, Senior Sister, and also to repay a portion of our previous debts."

’Since I made a special trip to visit, of course I have to handle business first.’

"Mm, that’s easily settled. I’ve been cooperating with the Ling Family for many years, so there won’t be any problems on that front."

Fu Yin Xue nodded slightly. She retrieved two Jade Scrolls shimmering with a clear Spiritual Light from the Storage Bracelet on her fair wrist and had her maid present them to him. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Ling Changqing took them and glanced through them quickly. The contents were mainly intelligence on Hanyue Gate and the various minor powers in the Feiyu Sea Region.

In particular, it detailed the movements of the Bai Family, the Yuan Family, and Yu Long Island.

Of course, due to the Ling Family’s rapid rise, these powers, including Hanyue Gate, could no longer threaten the Ling Family’s survival.

"...The eruption of that undersea supervolcano chain, the appearance of the New Continent, Changqing Continent, and Ling Qiyue’s successful breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm—all of it was far beyond what I, your Senior Sister, had expected,"

Fu Yin Xue said with emotion. "It seems even the heavens are favoring your Ling Family. Perhaps in a few hundred years, the Nine Great Families of Yuzhou will become ten?"

In her view, the Feiyu Sea Region would sooner or later become the Ling Family’s territory. Even Hanyue Continent and Fuyue Continent would likely be unable to escape being annexed by the Ling Family in the future.

Ling Changqing chuckled. "Senior Sister, you’re exaggerating a bit. Those top-tier Noble Families in Yuzhou are all overseen by Nascent Soul True Monarchs. They might even have old monsters at the Divinity Transformation Stage. How could the Ling Family possibly compare?

By the way, since it’s a rare trip for me, why don’t you sell me a copy of the internal intelligence on all the major powers in Yuzhou, Senior Sister?"

As Changqing Continent continued to develop and grow stronger, it was bound to attract the attention of the upper echelons of Yuzhou’s major powers sooner or later. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare in advance.

In any case, having just come into a windfall, Ling Changqing could afford the price.

Fu Yin Xue looked slightly taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Since Junior Brother Ling wants this kind of intelligence, then let’s do it by the book!"

The Nine Great Families occupied the top of the food chain in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm. Their every move was naturally watched closely by the outside world, and intelligence related to them had never been hard to sell.

According to Fu Yin Xue, the intelligence was divided into seven tiers, from highest to lowest, based on its level of detail and confidentiality, each with a different price tag.

"...Given the Ling Family’s current standing, there’s really no need to buy the high-tier intelligence. It wouldn’t be very meaningful!"

Fu Yin Xue said gently, "I think the fourth-tier intelligence should be enough to meet your needs for now, Junior Brother."

The fourth-tier intelligence already included the Nine Great Families’ spheres of influence, their internal faction structures, lists of important members, their history and origins, which Clan’s Treasures they possessed, the distribution of their key industries, and so on.

The tiers above that involved experts at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level, which caused the value of the intelligence to skyrocket.

Ling Changqing had no objection. "Senior Sister, your suggestion is excellent. Shall we settle on that, then?"

Fu Yin Xue took out nine Jade Scrolls from her Storage Bracelet and placed them one by one on the table before her. Her beautiful, shimmering eyes turned to Ling Changqing:

"Even for fourth-tier intelligence, the price isn’t cheap. It will cost you six hundred Middle-grade Spirit Stones, Junior Brother.

However, if you’re willing, Junior Brother... I don’t mind giving you this intelligence for free. As long as you..."

Ling Changqing’s expression changed slightly, and he shook his head. "I think I’ll just pay with Spirit Stones!"

’A favor delivered right to my door like this... is it ever that easy to accept? I’d most likely have to pay for it with myself!’