Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 185 - 150: Bai Qingyi: I Am Your Aunt...

In the private chambers, Bai Qingyi and Ling Changqing sat facing each other.

This stunningly beautiful and magnificently graceful woman smiled gently. She wore a five-colored, wide-sleeved gown that highlighted her voluptuous and enchanting figure as her shimmering eyes sized up the handsome, purple-robed young man before her.

Ling Changqing’s expression was serene. Since Bai Qingyi didn’t speak, he showed no intention of breaking the silence either.

"...I heard that you were on your way to a matchmaking session at the Celestial Fate Pavilion when that girl, Qingxuan, forcibly brought you back here?"

After a long silence, Bai Qingyi finally set down her teacup and asked in a relaxed tone.

Ling Changqing nodded slightly. "What you say is correct, Mother. That is indeed what happened."

’With the intelligence network the Dragon Race Matriarch commanded, uncovering the whole story would be a simple matter for her.’

Bai Qingyi gazed at him tenderly. "In that case, don’t you harbor any resentment toward that girl, Qingxuan?"

Ling Changqing said, "If I were to say no, I doubt you would believe me, Mother."

Bai Qingyi chuckled. "Regarding this matter, Qingxuan’s actions were indeed a bit crude and forceful. If I had been the one handling it, my methods would have been much gentler. I would never force someone to do something against their will!"

Ling Changqing remained silent.

’Pretty words are easy to say. But when it comes down to it, handling things perfectly is the true test of one’s intellect, wisdom, and experience.’

’Understanding the right thing to do is one thing, but very few people are willing to stick to their principles in the face of immense personal gain.’

"Although the way you met was less than ideal, Qingxuan’s fondness for you is very real. You won’t deny that, will you?"

Bai Qingyi added.

’Considering her daughter’s incomparable excellence and her typically lawless disposition, for her to care so much about Ling Changqing was something even Bai Qingyi found a little incredible.’

’Of course, Ling Changqing was indeed a special case. Even Bai Qingyi herself felt that had she met the young man under different circumstances, she would have inevitably been tempted as well.’

"Indeed."

Ling Changqing nodded again. ’For a dignified Nascent Soul True Monarch to be so devoted to him... that was probably unheard of in the entire Cultivation Realm of the Human Race.’

Bai Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief. Her daughter’s happiness, and more importantly, her great future on the path of the Dao, were at stake. She could not afford to be careless.

Therefore, this knot of resentment in Ling Changqing’s heart had to be undone as soon as possible, no matter the cost. Otherwise, the rift between them would only grow, and it would inevitably erupt one day.

History was full of similar examples: some enviable immortal couples grew apart over trivial matters, eventually becoming strangers or even turning into bitter enemies.

In Bai Qingyi’s eyes, her daughter had, with great difficulty, obtained such a heaven-defying opportunity. She had to guard it well and give no outsiders an opening to exploit.

"This is the Spiritual Object you asked for,"

Bai Qingyi gently pushed an exquisite Jade Box in front of Ling Changqing and explained,

"This Heart-Seeking Origin Pearl formed deep within an abyssal trench in the Extreme Ice Ocean. It was discovered by a Dragon Race Elder a thousand years ago and has been locked away in the treasury ever since.

Once you refine it, your Spirit Root Talent can evolve from Earth Grade Inferior to Earth Grade Middle. Your future accomplishments on the path of cultivation will then have a chance to advance even further."

Ling Changqing said hesitantly, "Isn’t this a bit too precious? I’m afraid the Elders might object."

’One can only imagine the rarity of a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure that could raise an Earth Grade Spirit Root by one sub-rank.’

According to the Celestial Dao Laws of this world, a Cultivator with an Earth Grade Inferior Spirit Root has about a ten percent chance of breaking through to the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm.

However, with an Earth Grade Middle Spirit Root, that probability rises to fifty percent.

Of course, the upper limit of a Cultivator’s achievements depends on many factors, and Spirit Root Talent is only one of them.

The abundance of Cultivation Resources, the quality of one’s Cultivation Method Scriptures, the presence of special fortuitous encounters, and even the Cultivator’s own disposition and effort are all indispensable factors.

Among the Nine Great Cultivation Families of Yuzhou, this Heart-Seeking Origin Pearl would be considered an ultimate treasure—a strategic resource that not even the Patriarch could use at will.

Bai Qingyi spoke in a gentle tone. "That would be true for anyone else, but you are different. Frankly, if I could have found something better, I would have. I feel the grade of this Spiritual Object is a bit low for you!"

The Dragon Palace treasury has no shortage of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures that can enhance Spirit Root Talent, some of even higher grades. However, we couldn’t find a Spiritual Object that possesses all Five Elements, so they weren’t suitable for you, Ling Changqing.

Bai Qingyi personally scoured the treasury’s inventory lists and ultimately could only select this Heart-Seeking Origin Pearl. It was a relatively ideal outcome.

In some years past, even Dragon Sons and Daughters who needed to enhance their Spirit Root Talent were unable to find a Spiritual Object that matched their Five Elements Attribute. As a result, they had to go to great lengths to search for one in the outside world.

"Take this Spiritual Object and refine it for now,"

Bai Qingyi continued. "I’ll go search the Dragon Race Leader’s private treasury to see if there’s anything of a higher grade.

Since you’ve accepted that girl, Qingxuan, I must find you a treasure capable of raising your Spirit Root to Earth Grade Superior."

Ling Changqing said in a low voice, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. This Spiritual Object is more than enough. True happiness lies in contentment."

’With a Heavy Artifact like the Era Star Palace in his possession, Ling Changqing’s Spirit Root Talent could improve continuously, albeit slowly.’

’Given enough time, he could definitely achieve an Earth Grade Superior Spirit Root. Even the legendary Celestial Grade Spirit Root wasn’t out of the question, though that would likely take an extremely long time.’

’Out in the world, however, finding someone with a Celestial Grade Spirit Root wasn’t so easy. It was debatable whether one could even find a few Immortal Seedlings with such a Spirit Root across the entire Yuzhou Continent.’

’Even if the top-tier powers did make such a discovery, they would keep it a closely guarded secret rather than announcing it to the world.’

’Xue Qingtan had once mentioned that the Xingyun sun Commerce Association had discovered an Immortal Seedling with a Celestial Grade Spirit Root. He didn’t know the details, as her rank hadn’t been high enough to be privy to them.’

Bai Qingyi’s gaze was gentle, her voice soft and melodious. "I wonder, has that girl, Qingxuan, ever told you that I’m not her birth mother?"

"???"

Ling Changqing was stunned. This was truly the first time he had ever heard of this.

’Luo Qingxuan, her siblings, and the numerous subjects of the Dragon Palace had never once questioned Bai Qingyi’s status as the Dragon Race Queen.’

"Qingxuan’s birth mother was actually my older sister. After she died unexpectedly, I was the one who raised her..."

Bai Qingyi explained in a soft, quiet voice.

’So her true identity was actually Luo Qingxuan’s maternal aunt.’

’Even her title as Dragon Race Matriarch was just a title in name only. The matter was tied to an old, internal affair of the Dragon Race, something the outside world would naturally know nothing about.’

"Mother, I’m afraid these past secrets of the Dragon Race are not something I should be hearing."

Ling Changqing said cautiously. He had no desire to be inexplicably silenced by the Dragon Race’s upper echelons one day for knowing too much.

"What are you afraid of?"

There was a hint of playful reproach in Bai Qingyi’s velvety voice. "Besides, I’m not very fond of being called Mother. I’m your aunt, really. In private, there’s no reason you can’t call me that."

For some unknown reason, a rosy blush appeared on Bai Qingyi’s fair cheeks. Beneath her elegant, shapely brows, her beautiful eyes sparkled, crystalline and shimmering.

Ling Changqing’s gaze fell upon the voluptuous and graceful beauty, and he couldn’t help but be drawn to her full, curvaceous figure. He was especially captivated by her magnificent, snow-white peaks, which were so imposing that they even surpassed Luo Qingxuan’s.

When the young man didn’t respond, Bai Qingyi couldn’t help but look up, only to find him staring intently at the deep valley of her cleavage, as if he had fallen in completely.

The peerless beauty froze for a second before realizing what was happening. Her fair, jade-like face instantly flushed crimson, and a feeling of embarrassed anger welled up in her heart.

’This fellow looked so proper and pure. Who would have thought he had such audacious nerve, daring to look at her like that?’

Clearing her throat softly, Bai Qingyi said in a low voice,

"You should return and enter seclusion for now. Once you’ve finished refining the Spiritual Object, you’ll be in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Come and visit me again then. There should be more surprises waiting for you."

"Alright."

Ling Changqing snapped back to his senses, feeling rather embarrassed. He had indeed lost his composure.

...

「In a Secret Hall suffused with dense Spiritual Qi and brilliant, rosy light, yet faintly exuding a solemn, killing aura.」

Luo Du, the current Dragon Race Leader, stood before a Magical Projection Light Mirror with a grave expression.

By his side stood several Dragon Race Supreme Elders with long, flowing beards and solemn faces. The pressure from their auras was unfathomably deep.

The image in the Magical Projection Light Mirror was remarkably clear, encompassing the entire Qingyao Continent, the vast, boundless oceans surrounding it, and countless islands of all sizes.

The core territory of the Dragon Race, located in the Deep Sea, was not excessively far from the continent of Yuzhou.

Yuzhou was a vast and resource-rich land, a place of outstanding people and abundant spiritual energy. It was, in name and in fact, the most fertile region on the Qingyao Continent.

Besides Yuzhou, there were eleven other ancient provinces on the Qingyao Continent, such as Yuzhou, Yaozhou, Xuzhou, and Haizhou. These were the territorial boundaries established by the great sages and Great Powers of the ancient era.

Luo Du silently adjusted the Magical Projection Light Mirror, and after a moment, specks of crystalline light began to appear on it.

The specks of light varied in size and brightness.

The territories of the major Human Race powers were naturally dotted with more of these lights; conversely, other areas had significantly fewer.

On the territory of the Deep Sea Dragon Race, the number of lights was not particularly large, nor was their brightness especially impressive.

The specks of light represented Qi Fortune, not the number of high-level experts.

An Elder sighed and said in a low voice, "Ever since the Ancient Era, our Dragon Race’s Destiny has been in decline. Now, it has grown even weaker!

I fear there is no longer any hope for us to return to our peak in the future, is there?"

For millions of years, the influence of the Human Race’s Cultivation Realm has grown ever stronger while other intelligent races have declined. This is an undeniable trend, driven by the will of Heaven itself.

Another elder, vigorous and sharp-eyed, said with a helpless expression,

"For now, we old bones are still here to hold up the sky, so the Dragon Race’s prestige will not fall. But in another few thousand, or tens of thousands of years..."

To these living fossils from a bygone era, several thousand or even tens of thousands of years was not a long time, to say nothing of how short it was for the entire clan.

Luo Du spoke in a placating tone. "Elders, there is no need to be overly concerned. While the grand tide of the Celestial Dao is irreversible, there is always room to maneuver within its smaller currents.

Over the past millennium, our Dragon Race has frequently arranged marriages with the elite talents of the Human Race’s Cultivators. We have also sought out Immortal Seeds who possess great Qi Fortune and Blessed Fortune, bringing them back to our territory to be carefully nurtured.

Over so many years, this has allowed our Dragon Race to share in a portion of the Human Race’s Cultivation Realm’s Destiny, saving us from complete decline!"

It is a well-known fact that the Human Race rules this world, monopolizing the Destiny of heaven and earth. If other intelligent beings wish to get a slice of the pie, their only path is to align themselves with the Human Race.

"Hm? Who is that?"

an Elder asked in surprise.

The gazes of the great figures were immediately drawn to it. It was a particularly bright speck of light, not only shining as brilliantly as a star, but also faintly glowing with a magnificent, seven-colored radiance.

"This must be the sign of a Child of Destiny. How many years has it been since such a figure appeared in our Dragon Race? How can this be..."

a short-statured Dragon Race Elder asked with a frown.

Luo Du studied it carefully before finally saying, "That should be the little human fellow named Ling Changqing, right? He is the new Prince Consort that girl, Qingxuan, brought back..."

"I see."

The powerful figures exchanged a look, their disappointment tinged with a hint of relief.

That a Child of Destiny capable of influencing the fate of an entire continent, an anomaly in the River of Time, had by a stroke of luck become the Prince Consort of the Deep Sea Dragon Race.

It was clear that the unseen will of Heaven had not yet completely abandoned the Dragon Race.