Xiuhe Pavilion.
Inside a private room, Tang Qiu Yao was engaged in a pleasant conversation with a blue-robed woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She had a quiet, gentle deanor and a beautiful, elegant face.
Ling Changqing sat to the side, sipping his tea in silence, playing the part of a quiet attendant.
This woman, nad Hua Jingyi, was a Cultivator at the Early stage of Foundation Establishnt. However, her aura was slightly chaotic and impure, suggesting either a flawed foundation or a past injury.
Although Hua Jingyi had so friendship with Ling Qiyue in the past, she loved to wander in search of fortuitous encounters, never staying in one place for long. She rarely lingered in the Ling Family’s territory.
Later, after the Ling Family annexed the Wu Family’s assets, the family headquarters and its core mbers moved to Longhuan Island.
Over a year ago, Hua Jingyi was injured in an accident. She ca here and rented a plot of land in the Marketplace, where she now primarily dealt in various Middle and Low Grade Defensive Magical Artifacts, especially Magical Clothing.
"...It’s been so long. Has Senior Sister Hua’s injury still not healed? Has your Cultivation actually regressed?"
Tang Qiu Yao subtly guided the conversation to the main topic.
The female Cultivator, Hua, didn’t shy away from the subject. "Indeed. My injury is quite complex. It was inflicted by a Third Rank Great Demon, and a strange poison has invaded my ridians and organs, making it extrely difficult to expel!"
She was originally at the Middle stage Foundation Establishnt Cultivation. After being injured, she never managed to recover, and her Cultivation gradually deteriorated to the Early stage Foundation Establishnt.
Hua Jingyi had already tried many thods and spent a fortune in resources, all with little to no effect. She was beginning to lose hope.
Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "Things like this... they’re troubleso, to be sure. But as long as you find the right person, there’s still hope for a solution!"
A glint appeared in Hua Jingyi’s eyes. "Senior Sister Ling sent you, didn’t she? I know she’s a Second Rank High grade Alchemist, but this poison ca from a Third Rank Demon Beast. Can she really handle it?"
"She’s about fifty percent confident,"
Tang Qiu Yao explained, "As long as Senior Sister Hua agrees to beco a lifelong Honored Guest Elder of our family, the Patriarch will personally do her utmost to refine a healing Elixir for you!"
Ling Qiyue now also knew the contents of the mysterious Pill Scripture that Ling Changqing had obtained. After studying it, her skills in the Alchemy Dao had improved trendously, and she was not far from the realm of a Third Rank Alchemist.
Hua Jingyi’s eyes lit up. Although she disliked being tied down, ’if my injury remains unresolved,’ she thought, ’not only will my Cultivation continue to regress, but even my Lifespan will be affected.’
’But if Ling Qiyue can heal , not only will my Cultivation be restored, but I might even have a chance to advance further in the future!’
Compared to that, serving the Ling Family as a lifelong Honored Guest Elder and fulfilling so duties and obligations wasn’t such a harsh condition.
The opportunity to take shelter under a Golden Core Family was not sothing just any Loose Cultivator could hope for.
Once she beca an Honored Guest Elder, as long as she didn’t offend a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, she could basically rest easy for the rest of her life.
"In that case, let’s consider it settled!"
After a mont of deliberation, Hua Jingyi made her decision.
Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "I’m glad you’ve thought it through, Senior Sister Hua. After you sign this Spirit Contract, you can go see Senior Sister Ling tomorrow. She will discuss the details of your treatnt with you in person."
"Alright."
Hua Jingyi had no objections and nodded in agreent. Tang Qiu Yao then took out the prepared Spirit Contract Docunt and went through the signing process.
"Oh? Junior Sister Tang, who is this young man?"
With her most pressing concern addressed, Hua Jingyi was in high spirits and finally noticed Ling Changqing’s presence.
Tang Qiu Yao bead. "Him? He’s Senior Sister Ling’s personal Alchemy Disciple. He’s already a Rank One High-grade Alchemist."
"..."
Hua Jingyi’s expression shifted slightly. Her gaze grew more serious as she looked the handso, purple-robed young man up and down, murmuring in a low voice:
"I’ve never heard of Senior Sister Ling taking a disciple. But with this young man’s aptitude and talent, he is indeed a rare prodigy. It’s no wonder she’s willing to personally nurture him..."
In her eyes, Ling Changqing was so young yet already possessed a Qi Cultivation 9th Layer Cultivation and was also a Rank One High-grade Alchemist. One could only imagine how brilliant his future on the path of Cultivation would be.
’With such qualifications, even in a Nascent Soul Sect, he would likely catch the eye of those in power, who would be willing to invest resources to support and cultivate him, right?’
’Of course, Ling Qiyue is already a Golden Core Master now. To think she could find and possess such an outstanding successor... the heavens truly favor her, don’t they?’
’And with this, won’t the Ling Family have another Second Rank Alchemist in the future? The rapid rise of the family’s strength is a sure thing... It’s practically guaranteed.’
Tang Qiu Yao just smiled. ’He’s not just a successor,’ she thought. ’In the future, he’ll be our Dual Cultivation Companion!’
However, to avoid shocking Hua Jingyi too much, Tang Qiu Yao didn’t say this out loud.
Of course, it wouldn’t matter even if she found out later.
After pondering for a few breaths, Hua Jingyi took out a Jade Talisman and handed it to Ling Changqing, saying softly,
"Since you are the successor chosen by Senior Sister Ling, I can’t be stingy. Let refine a suitable set of Spiritual Artifact clothing for you as a greeting gift. You can use this token to retrieve it later."
Refining a Spiritual Artifact not only requires suitable second rank materials but also a considerable amount of ti to complete. It was generally impossible to have one in stock.
Ling Changqing glanced at Tang Qiu Yao before accepting. "Then I thank you, Senior Sister Hua!"
With that, he took the Jade Talisman and carefully put it away.
Their business concluded, Tang Qiu Yao chose a good mont to take her leave. Hua Jingyi also rose and saw them all the way to the door.
"Senior Sister, there must be a lot of foreign Foundation Establishnt Cultivators in the Longhuan Island Marketplace now, right?"
Ling Changqing asked softly, holding Tang Qiu Yao’s arm as they walked along the bustling street.
"Of course. The Ling Family is now a newly risen Golden Core power. With our increased strength, we naturally attract more capable Loose Cultivators to co and settle here."
Tang Qiu Yao explained with a smile.
People strive for greater heights, just as water flows downward. This was an unbreakable truth in any world, in any ti.
It was just like in his previous life, where the most learned elites and wealthy tycoons all wanted to go to developed countries. The instinct to admire and gravitate toward the strong was etched into the very bones of humanity.
Ever since the Ling Family successfully assimilated the assets on Longhuan Island and news spread of Ling Qiyue becoming a Golden Core Master, countless Loose Cultivators from across the vast Feiyu Sea Region had been drawn here by their reputation, finding ways to settle in the Marketplace.
Among these Cultivators were many talented individuals with specialized skills. Their arrival undoubtedly spurred the prosperity of the Marketplace, boosted its popularity, and brought the Ling Family nurous benefits, both tangible and intangible.
In addition to them, many foreign sea-trading fleets and rchant guilds also established a presence on Longhuan Island, which in turn attracted even more Loose Cultivators to gather.
If the Ling Family could one day beco the sole master of the Feiyu Sea Region, this prosperity would continue until they could stand shoulder to shoulder with great powers like Hanyue Gate.
As they chatted, Tang Qiu Yao led Ling Changqing into a particularly magnificent, exquisite, and grand palace-like complex.
Xianyin Pavilion, a high-class establishnt that only catered to wealthy Cultivators.
It was most famous for its female Cultivator Musicians. Not only were they exceptionally beautiful and graceful, but they were also masters of music and highly versatile in their talents.
The art of music was also one of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, albeit a relatively niche one.
A skilled Musician could cleanse a Cultivator’s mind, soothe their spirit, break through Heart Demons, and calm their Dao Heart, possessing a miraculous power to transform the mundane into the magical.
Tang Qiu Yao had co here today not for leisure or relaxation, of course, but to discuss a long-term partnership with the person in charge.
A short while later, a Maid led the two of them up to the third floor and into a quiet, elegant private room.
"...Junior Sister Tang, long ti no see!"
A bewitching woman in a bright red dress with a light veil over her face glided toward them with graceful steps. She had a Middle Stage Foundation Establishnt Cultivation.
"Senior Sister ng, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you today."
Tang Qiu Yao greeted her with a smile.
"You’re too polite, Junior Sister. We’re old acquaintances, there’s no need for such formalities. Please, sit and talk!"
The female Cultivator, ng, smiled faintly and gestured gracefully for the two to take their seats. A nearby Maid imdiately served Spirit Tea and Snacks.
Next, four female Cultivators in white robes filed in. They had bright eyes, pearly teeth, and an air of innocent charm, carrying with them a Jade Zither, a Jade Flute, a Flute, and other instrunts.
They were high-grade Musicians of Xianyin Pavilion, all at the Qi Cultivation 7th Layer, and they were a rare sight: two pairs of twin sisters.
However, just as they finished bowing, they saw Ling Changqing’s face, and their expressions instantly changed.
"It’s you!"
The four Musicians cried out in unison, their eyes filled with a complicated, unreadable emotion.
"Hm?"
Tang Qiu Yao’s expression flickered, and the way she looked at Ling Changqing beca a little strange.
’These four girls obviously know my junior brother,’ she thought, ’and from their tone, they seem rather resentful. Could it be...?’
Ling Changqing’s face changed as well. He put down his teacup and said in a low voice,
"Senior Sister, please listen to my flimsy excuse... ah, no, I an, my explanation!"
These four female Musicians were none other than the female Cultivators Ling Changqing had t during the matchmaking event at Xianyuan Pavilion.
Now that they had exposed him on the spot, and in front of Tang Qiu Yao no less, one could only imagine how Ling Changqing was feeling.
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