The external situation for the Ling Family was growing increasingly tense. The three rival families had already appointed new leaders and were sharpening their blades. A new war could break out at any mont.
"...You’re back?"
Inside the Won’s Embroidery Tower, Ling Qiyue was discussing matters with Qin Yun, Ling Yulu, Tang Qiu Yao, and the others. When she saw Ling Changqing walk in, she greeted him with a smile.
Ling Changqing acknowledged her and took out the drafted Jade Scroll Contract, handing it to her as he spoke.
"It’s done. Senior Sister Xue said we should receive the resources in seven days."
"Mm, you did well this ti, Junior Brother!"
Ling Qiyue briefly scanned the contents of the Jade Scroll Contract and said with satisfaction.
She had arranged for Ling Changqing to handle the negotiations precisely because she wanted to leverage his extraordinary Luck and Fortune to increase their chances of success.
Otherwise, the Xingyun sun Comrce Association, which was accustod to remaining neutral among the various factions, might not have agreed to the Ling Family’s request. Things would have beco much more difficult then.
Ling Qiyue could have also sought help from the mysterious organization behind Fu Yin Xue, but those waters ran too deep. Their prices had always been exorbitant, so she wouldn’t have considered them unless it was an absolute last resort.
Ling Changqing then asked, "Our family’s low- and mid-tier combat strength is lacking. Could we temporarily recruit so Loose Cultivators from the Marketplace to help with the ergency?"
Tang Qiu Yao laughed. "Great minds think alike. We were just discussing that!"
The Ling Family’s Marketplace was teeming with countless foreign Loose Cultivators. Among them were plenty of ruthless, battle-hardened veterans who lived on the edge.
If Ling Qiyue was willing to give the word, they could quickly recruit a force large enough to give them the confidence to defend Changqing Continent.
"Any new developnts with the three families in the last couple of days?"
Ling Changqing sat down, took a few sips of Spirit Tea, and continued his questions.
It had been five or six days since they had ambushed and killed the envoys from the three families. For the Ling Family, in addition to accelerating their war preparations, closely monitoring the movents of the rival leaders was a top priority.
Tang Qiu Yao said in a low voice, "The new leaders of the three families have already t in secret. They’re planning to pool their resources to cultivate a new batch of Foundation Establishnt Cultivators as quickly as possible."
"They also intend to scrape together enough Core Formation Resources to see if they can produce a few more Pseudo Core, or even True Pill Cultivators!"
Ling Changqing frowned. After a mont of thought, he said, "I think it’s possible they’ll succeed. We need to move faster."
The continuous eruption of the undersea volcano chain over the past few years had killed massive numbers of marine creatures. The cultivators from the Bai Family, the Yuan Family, and Yu Long Island hadn’t been idle, either; they had also gathered a great deal of resources from the sea.
So, it wouldn’t be long before a new batch of Foundation Establishnt Cultivators erged from their ranks, perhaps even so Pseudo Core and True Pill Cultivators.
As for the Golden Core realm, the requirents regarding a cultivator’s Spirit Root Talent, mindset, and foundational depth were simply too high. It was a level that ordinary people would find very difficult to achieve.
"Mm, it’s settled then! You’ll be in charge of recruiting the Loose Cultivators, Junior Brother. The others will assist you," Ling Qiyue concluded.
Ling Changqing didn’t refuse. ’This is a critical mont,’ he thought. ’I’m not in the right mindset for Cultivation in Seclusion, so I might as well make myself useful.’
「Several hours later.」
News that the Ling Family was recruiting Loose Cultivators on a massive scale spread throughout Longhuan Island, and applicants imdiately began to flock in.
The terms were simple: any Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer or higher could apply. The more, the better, and those with special skills would be given priority.
Compensation included resources such as Spirit Stone Elixirs, Talismanic Magical Artifacts, and Daoist Soldier Puppets, as well as clan rits, Spirit Vein Cave Mansions, Foundation Establishnt Pills, and a host of other highly sought-after resources.
Furthermore, the compensation would be paid monthly without fail. If a Cultivator was unfortunately injured or killed in battle, the Ling Family would provide a corresponding stipend.
This stipend could be collected by the Cultivator’s family or another designated beneficiary.
For Loose Cultivators, who endured harsh living conditions and a scarcity of resources, these terms were irresistibly attractive. It was only natural that they would participate enthusiastically.
「On the square before the Council Hall.」
A dense crowd of prospective Loose Cultivators filled the square. Their Cultivation varied from the Qi Cultivation 6th Layer to the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, and they included n and won of all ages.
As for the Loose Cultivators at the Foundation Establishnt Level, they had already been escorted inside the Council Hall for a personal discussion with Ling Qiyue about their terms of service.
On the high platform, Ling Changqing scanned the crowd. ’There are so many people,’ he thought. ’Even with stricter screening, I’m sure we’ll end up with at least three thousand Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators.’
A force of this size was several tis larger than the Ling Family’s current number of Cultivators. They could certainly help shoulder the burden of less dangerous tasks on the battlefield.
Ling Changqing considered using the power of the Era Star Palace to secretly inspect the Qi and Fate Charts of the Cultivators present, but he ultimately decided against it.
’Inspecting so many Cultivators would be too draining. Better to wait until the war is over.’
’Loose Cultivators with favorable destinies will have a higher chance of surviving the war anyway. There’s no need for to go to the extra trouble.’
"...Young Master Ling, shall we begin?"
Elder Qin Yun, a voluptuous woman in an ink-black palace gown with a bewitchingly foxy face, leaned in and asked softly.
Ling Changqing nodded. "Let’s begin."
Following the arrangents made by the Ling Family Cultivators, the Loose Cultivators ascended the high platform one by one to speak face-to-face with Ling Changqing.
He was mainly responsible for asking the applicants their nas, Cultivation Levels, ages, their primary Cultivation Techniques and Divine Techniques, what Magical Artifacts they used, their Spirit Root Talent, and so on.
Ling Qiyue had instructed him to try and absorb the most outstanding candidates into the family when possible, to serve as new blood to strengthen their ranks.
"Alright, you’re in."
After a few brief questions, Ling Changqing spoke to two young, vibrant Female Cultivators in red robes, both with rosy lips and fair complexions.
They were twins, currently at the Sixth Layer Qi Cultivation, and they originally ca from a Foundation Establishnt Clan.
Unfortunately, the undersea volcano eruption had destroyed their clan’s territory with molten lava. The clan’s disciples had scattered, and the two sisters were forced to beco Loose Cultivators. They had been staying on Longhuan Island for over a year.
"Yes, thank you, Senior!"
The twin sisters’ eyes lit up. They spoke in clear, bright voices before following a Ling Family Cultivator to the side to register.
The corner of Ling Changqing’s mouth twitched. ’I only look like a teenager, and I’m not even as old as they are,’ he thought, ’yet they’re calling Senior?’
But this was no ti to dwell on it. He composed himself and prepared to interview the next applicant.
"...You’re in."
"...You too."
"...I’m sorry, you don’t et the requirents."
Ling Changqing was extrely efficient. It only took him a few words with each applicant to decide their fate.
"...Senior, why was I rejected?"
A weather-beaten man in his thirties, clad in green robes, grew agitated and grabbed Ling Changqing’s sleeve.
Ling Changqing remained expressionless. "You have an internal injury. Your remaining Lifespan is less than three years, and you can no longer fight at full strength. The family doesn’t support freeloaders. I’m sorry."
’If we recruit this guy,’ he thought, ’not only would he be useless, but if he got himself killed on the battlefield just to get the stipend for his family, it would be a complete waste of our resources.’
The man’s face flushed red as he yelled, "But I have a Dao Companion and children to support! They’re waiting for to bring back resources for them! The Ling Family is powerful and wealthy; can’t you just show so rcy, Senior?"
"Get him out of here!"
Beside him, Ling Yulu had grown impatient. She waved her hand dismissively, her face cold.
Several Cultivators from the family’s Law Enforcent Team silently surrounded the man, subdued him without another word, and dragged him away.
"Alright, next!"
Without even glancing at the man, Ling Changqing, his expression unchanged, continued the interviews.
The Cultivation Realm was just that realistic and cruel; there was little room for sentint. They were all strangers here. Why should anyone go out of their way to help you?
Before he knew it, the day had quietly passed.
"Finally finished!"
After the last batch of applicants had been interviewed, an exhausted Ling Changqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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