Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 410 - 241: Ling Changqing: Being a Kept Man Doesn’t Sound Good, but It’s So Sweet...

Considering the future state of affairs, Ling Qiyue finally accepted Qin Mengxuan’s suggestion to invest massive resources in upgrading the Protective Array at the family headquarters on Changqing Continent to Rank Four.

Furthermore, other important territories and islands would also need to be protected by high-rank Third-Grade Arrays. When necessary, deploying a certain number of Cultivators would allow them to hold their ground for a significant amount of time.

Additionally, corresponding numbers of Third-Grade and Rank-Four Daoist Soldier Puppets, along with ample reserves of Third-Grade and Rank-Four Talismans and Elixirs, all had to be put in place.

These were all important metrics of a family’s underlying strength and foundation, and they were the key to withstanding a prolonged, high-intensity war.

The scale of this plan was undoubtedly massive, and the associated costs were far beyond what an ordinary Golden Core power could afford. However, given the Ling Family’s current wealth, it posed no major issue.

"...This is a special token of mine. My dear, take it. When you go to certain secret channels to purchase resources, as long as you have Spirit Stones, they won’t give you any trouble."

Qin Mengxuan handed an exquisite Jade Seal to Ling Changqing. Lu Hua Palace operated many secret enterprises in various regions, such as underground merchant guilds and black markets, which generated a massive amount of untraceable income each year.

With the token from the Elder Sect Leader of Lu Hua Palace, Ling Changqing could now come and go from these places as he pleased, conveniently purchasing all sorts of resources at very fair prices.

"Won’t this expose his identity?" Tang Qiu Yao asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Qin Mengxuan shook her head. "It won’t be an issue. They’ve always operated on a ’token-only’ basis; they don’t care about the person holding it. As long as he goes in disguise, interacts with them, and doesn’t linger in any one place for too long, I can guarantee there won’t be any problems."

"That’s a relief, then."

Ling Changqing breathed a sigh of relief. ’A secret supply channel like this is far more helpful than anything Xue Qingtan can currently provide. I can even buy Rank-Four resources with it.’

’Perhaps, if I can gather enough Spirit Stones, I can consider buying the Nascent Soul Pills and other resources that I and the others will need from this channel in the future.’

"My dear, you’re skilled in the Alchemy Dao. I’ll bring you some Pill Formulas and Recipes another day. As for this Pill Furnace... it’s good enough for now. No need to replace it just yet," Qin Mengxuan said with a dazzling smile.

The Shuoyue Qingyang Furnace was a Top-Grade Magical Treasure, a piece of loot plundered from that Wandering Sect. It was an excellent item that typically only a Nascent Soul power would possess.

Afterward, Ling Changqing took Qin Mengxuan out. They spent several days touring Changqing Continent, followed by the other important islands in the Feiyu Sea Region.

"This place has a solid foundation. Its only drawback is the lack of a Grade Four Spirit Vein. Otherwise, it could easily give rise to a Nascent Soul power," Qin Mengxuan mused.

Ling Changqing replied, "That’s not really a problem. When the time is right, we can just go and seize a few sea regions that have Grade Four Spirit Veins."

"That’s easier said than done," Qin Mengxuan said, frowning. "If the Nascent Soul powers from the coastal regions of Yuzhou get involved, I’m afraid your family won’t be able to hold up."

Xue Qingtan spoke up, "Most of the Nascent Soul powers in the coastal regions are vassals of Lu Hua Palace. Sister, you can keep them in line, can’t you?"

The stronghold of Lu Hua Palace, the Wentian Mountain Range, was located in the eastern part of the Yuzhou Continent, not too far from the coast.

Therefore, many of the Nascent Soul and Golden Core powers near the coast were vassals of Lu Hua Palace.

Qin Mengxuan shook her head. "Only about half, at most. Of the remaining Nascent Soul powers, some belong to the Yu Family, and others to the Saint Yu Immortal Dynasty. They won’t be so easy to manage."

Besides, for the sake of secrecy, Qin Mengxuan couldn’t be too obvious with her support, or else certain factions both within and outside of Lu Hua Palace would grow suspicious.

Ling Changqing smiled. "There’s no need to worry too much, really. As long as I become a Nascent Soul True Monarch in the future, dealing with them will be a trivial matter."

’Ultimately, personal strength is what truly matters. As long as the Ling Family grows into a veteran Nascent Soul power with several Nascent Soul True Monarchs at its core, why would we need to care about the opinions of those other factions?’

’Even if we have a falling out and go to war, as long as we defeat them, we’ll be the ones who are in the right.’

’The victor holds all the authority. That is the iron law of the Cultivation Realm.’

"Mm, that’s true enough."

Qin Mengxuan nodded. Given Ling Changqing’s rate of growth, it wouldn’t be a long wait.

"Alright, I’m heading back to Lu Hua Palace now."

She pulled Ling Changqing aside and sent him a message via Divine Thought, "I’ll come back in a while. You have to take care of yourself. Don’t go running around outside again."

After a moment’s thought, Qin Mengxuan took out a Storage Pouch and handed it to him. "This is for you. If you’re ever short on funds in the future, just tell me."

Ling Changqing accepted the Storage Pouch. A brief scan with his Divine Thought revealed 10,000 Top-grade Spirit Stones inside—a massive fortune even for an ordinary Nascent Soul power.

He accepted it without protest.

’The reputation of being a kept man wasn’t exactly pleasant, but damn, it was a sweet deal.’

After some more playful teasing, Qin Mengxuan reluctantly pulled him into a long kiss. Then, she boarded her Tianzhou Skyboat and departed, transforming into a streak of light that vanished over the horizon.

’She had already made up her mind. As soon as she returned, she would launch a thorough internal investigation to purge all Disciples suspected of being spies. Even those who seemed fine would be carefully vetted.’

’Next time she visited, she would bring several of her Direct Disciples and trusted confidantes. She would have them stay by Ling Changqing’s side to serve him permanently. Only then could she truly be at ease.’

’Given her status, Qin Mengxuan couldn’t stay by Ling Changqing’s side for long periods. Therefore, to compete for his favor and balance the influence of Ling Qiyue and the other women, she had to ensure that enough women from her Lu Hua Palace faction were part of his life.’