For Cultivators, ti spent in seclusion always passed quickly.
A trip into the Cultivation Chamber ant erging months later at the very least. Stays of half a year or even a full year were commonplace.
This was the typical duration of cultivation in seclusion for a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator. For a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator, a single session would last even longer.
As for Golden Core and Nascent Soul Great Cultivators, their periods of cultivation in seclusion were even longer; sessions lasting eight to ten years were not at all rare.
Ling Changqing had once considered that if one were to completely subtract the ti a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator spent in seclusion, their remaining Lifespan probably wouldn’t be much longer than that of a mortal.
’Perhaps only when I reach the Golden Core or Nascent Soul Level will I have truly begun to break free from the shackles of mortality, living longer and with a higher quality of life.’
Pondering these rather distant thoughts, Ling Changqing ascended the over a hundred White Jade Steps with a light gait and once again stepped into the Clan Assembly Hall.
"...So you’re finally out of seclusion?"
Seated on the main throne in the hall was Ling Qiyue, clad in a dress as white as snow, her beauty both icy and captivating. When she saw the familiar figure walk in, a faint smile graced her cool, beautiful face.
"You... Your Cultivation has progressed quite quickly, hasn’t it? You must not be far from Foundation Establishnt."
Tang Qiu Yao sat beside her, dressed in an elegant and magnificent bright red gown. Her hair was styled in an elaborate high bun secured by a phoenix hairpin, and her deanor was both dignified and charming. When Ling Changqing appeared before her, her radiant eyes shimred with affection, unable to conceal her joy and longing.
Ling Changqing nodded and was about to respond when he turned his head and noticed several unfamiliar Cultivators in the hall.
With outsiders present, Ling Changqing couldn’t be casual. He properly bowed and greeted Ling Qiyue, then sat down beside Tang Qiu Yao.
"Fellow Daoist Ling, who is this young man? Aren’t you going to introduce him?"
Bai Tinglan, who was sitting upright nearby, smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes sizing up the handso, purple-robed youth who had just walked in with a hint of surprise.
Although he was only at the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, he looked far too young. Moreover, he seed to possess so sort of indescribable, mysterious aura that made her instinctively feel that sothing was off.
’An Immortal Seedling this outstanding must hold a high position within the Ling Family. One could tell just by looking at Patriarch Ling Qiyue’s attitude toward him.’
Ling Qiyue raised a delicate eyebrow and said nonchalantly:
"His na is Ling Changqing, the most outstanding disciple of our family’s new generation. He is also Elder Tang’s Dao Companion."
"Dao Companion..."
Bai Tinglan looked stunned. She turned to look at the magnificently graceful, dignified, and charming Tang Qiu Yao. Seeing that she didn’t deny it, Bai Tinglan finally understood that Ling Qiyue wasn’t joking.
’Certain customs are actually the sa in the Cultivation Realm and the Mortal Realm. A Male Cultivator can marry down, but a Female Cultivator is not necessarily willing to. Marrying soone of equal status is the mainstream choice.’
’If she married a Male Cultivator whose Cultivation was inferior to her own, she would have to help him obtain Cultivation Resources in the future, and her own cultivation progress would most likely be hindered.’
’Normally, with Tang Qiu Yao’s qualifications, she would have to marry a Middle Stage or even Late stage Foundation Establishnt Cultivator to not be considered as selling herself short.’
’She could also marry a Pseudo Core or even a True Pill Cultivator, but it’s unlikely she would be the main wife—only a concubine.’
’This Ling Changqing is handso and has outstanding potential, but he’s still only at the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, incomparable to a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator. How could he possibly beco Tang Qiu Yao’s Dao Companion?’
Calming her Mind, Bai Tinglan said softly, "It seems this Ling Changqing is indeed a rare and handso talent, to have made Junior Sister Tang willing to marry down?"
Tang Qiu Yao’s vermilion lips parted slightly as she said with a beaming smile, "We simply fell in love. It is a celestial fate destined to be."
Ling Changqing glanced up at her. This unfamiliar Female Cultivator had a cool expression and a stunningly beautiful face. She was dressed in a peach-colored palace gown, her hair in a high cloud-like bun, and she already possessed Late Stage Foundation Establishnt Cultivation.
"Changqing, this is the special envoy from the Bai Family of the Moonlight Islands, Elder Bai Tinglan."
Tang Qiu Yao took the initiative to introduce them.
Ling Changqing nodded, gave Bai Tinglan a polite greeting, and said no more.
’The Bai Family sent an important figure to visit, most likely to join forces against the pressure from the Mu Family. This move was entirely expected.’
’So, regardless of whether the Ling Family’s upper echelon was willing or not, the Feiyu Sea Region had already de facto split into two camps.’
’Those centrist factions who were still hesitating, observing, and wavering would probably have to make a choice under pressure in the future. Otherwise, they would inevitably be targeted by both sides.’
"Alright, Fellow Daoist Bai, shall we get back to business?"
Ling Qiyue said, "Regarding your previous proposal for a long-term cooperation between our two families’ trading firms to supply each other’s needs, we agree.
The other terms of cooperation are, in principle, negotiable. However, the matter of organizing a joint exploration of a Secret Realm for our new-generation disciples requires further deliberation."
’Trust between our two sides must be built step by step. If we let our own Immortal Seedlings go out for training now, what if an accident happens?’
’Moreover, Ling Qiyue was not yet familiar with the Bai Family leadership’s way of doing things. She needed a sufficiently long ti to observe them.’
’Examples of close allies turning and backstabbing each other are not uncommon in history, so the Ling Family’s leadership absolutely did not dare to take this risk.’
This reply did not surprise Bai Tinglan.
From her first visit several months ago, this was now her fourth trip to Longhuan Island. Aside from trading large quantities of resources, her main purpose was to negotiate the alliance treaty.
"Then it’s settled!"
Bai Tinglan smiled faintly. "Finally, our Bai Family has one small request!
To show the sincerity of our cooperation, our two families should station important mbers in each other’s territory. This will facilitate communication between our leadership. What are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist Ling?"
This was similar to the custom of nations stationing foreign envoys in each other’s countries—a asure to enhance mutual trust and communication and to avoid misjudging the situation.
Ling Qiyue pondered for a mont before nodding.
"That’s not a problem. We will soon decide on a suitable candidate to return with you to the Moonlight Islands."
Bai Tinglan’s lovely eyes glanced around as she suggested, seemingly casually:
"Actually, I think Elder Tang would be an excellent choice. How about we have her be the one permanently stationed in our territory from now on?"
The reason for this was mainly that Bai Tinglan and Tang Qiu Yao had interacted quite a few tis during this period, and they had gotten along relatively well.
’Besides, as long as Tang Qiu Yao goes to the Moonlight Islands, Ling Changqing, as her Dao Companion, would most likely have to follow her. Then I’ll have the opportunity to get close to him in the future.’
Ling Qiyue’s expression froze for a second, and she imdiately shook her head in rejection.
"That is inappropriate. Elder Tang is burdened with many duties and cannot be spared for a mont. I will appoint another suitable candidate."
Tang Qiu Yao’s eyes twinkled as she smiled leisurely. "Fellow Daoist Bai, although we’ve gotten along well these past few days, let’s talk about visiting the Moonlight Islands so other ti!
My husband is on the verge of his Foundation Establishnt. To ensure nothing goes wrong, I dare not travel far from his side."
’Tang Qiu Yao felt she had already guessed so of this woman’s intentions. Naturally, she couldn’t give her any opportunity to succeed.’
Bai Tinglan’s smile did not fade. "Alright, then. We’ll speak of it again in the future!"
’These two from the Ling Family were clearly no fools. They didn’t fall for her subtle probing at all, rejecting it outright.’
’Ah well, perhaps I’ll just have to find another opportunity in the future.’
After chatting for a while longer, Bai Tinglan tactfully rose to take her leave. Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiu Yao then escorted her out of the hall.
Afterwards, a Ling Family Elder would naturally arrange for her and her entourage to stay at the designated guest residence.
"...That woman from the Bai Family has a crooked mind!"
Returning to the hall, Ling Qiyue’s expression imdiately turned cold.
Tang Qiu Yao said in a low voice, "If Changqing ever set foot on their family’s territory, I’m afraid she would keep him there, and he’d never be able to co back!"
When faced with an exceptionally outstanding Immortal Seed, the thods of various powers were all more or less the sa: do everything possible to buy them off or win them over, coerce and entice them, or even resort to covert actions and outright abduction.
If they truly couldn’t obtain the talent, they would find a way to destroy them, lest they grow up to beco a threat to their own family’s interests.
Such things were not unheard of, even between closely allied powers.
Ling Qiyue said, "We still have a use for the Bai Family right now, so for the ti being, we won’t consider turning against them. But after the Mu Family is finished in the future... Hmph!"
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