Before the Clan Assembly Hall, a Flying Ship wreathed in Spiritual Light slowly descended onto a square spanning several hundred acres.
Because Ling Changqing's clan registration needed to be handled first, Tang Qiuyao had brought him here.
"...According to custom, you first need to have an audience with the Patriarch and go through the registration ceremony. After that, we'll go to the Money Shop to arrange the resource loan."
Tang Qiuyao said to Ling Changqing.
Ling Changqing nodded. "I'm not familiar with these procedures. I'll leave everything in your hands."
The two of them crossed the square and headed for the main entrance of the Council Hall. Along the way, they were stopped and questioned by several groups of guards before finally setting foot on the White Jade Steps, which numbered more than a hundred.
Once there, the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the air was so rich, it was about ten times stronger than what Ling Changqing had experienced on the sea.
At the top of the steps stood the grand and imposing Council Hall, a magnificent structure of carved beams and painted rafters.
Although the Ling Family was not considered large in the Cultivation Realm, they had been developing their enterprise for hundreds of years, presided over by several Foundation Establishment Cultivators. As a result, the financial and material resources they controlled far surpassed those of any Mortal Dynasty in the secular world.
As they approached, a guard came to inform them that the Patriarch was not currently handling matters in the Council Hall but had gone to the rear garden to rest.
So Tang Qiuyao led Ling Changqing on a long detour. They entered the inner residence complex through a side hall, then traversed long, winding corridors. They passed dozens of lavish and exquisite courtyards before finally reaching the inner garden where the Patriarch was.
Ling Changqing couldn't help but reflect as they walked. 'An architectural project of such a grand scale would be considered an act of decadent extravagance by a foolish ruler, heedless of the people's suffering, in a mortal dynasty.'
But for a Cultivation Family possessing supernatural powers, such a thing was a trivial effort.
Even the most miserable low-level Cultivators lived far more comfortable lives than ordinary mortals, to say nothing of a Cultivation Clan with a heritage spanning hundreds of years.
A short while later, after passing through the final line of guards, Tang Qiuyao brought Ling Changqing before a delicate and beautiful Embroidery Tower shrouded in Spiritual Light.
After a Maid at the entrance announced their arrival and permission was granted, Ling Changqing finally stepped into the boudoir of the legendary Female Patriarch.
"...Qiu Yao, have you brought him?"
A clear, gentle voice, as beautiful as heavenly music, was accompanied by the pleasant tinkling of jade pendants. A stunningly beautiful woman in a snow-white dress and with a graceful figure approached. Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters, and her ink-black hair fell to her waist.
This Female Patriarch did not look old. Her dark brows were curved, her lips pink and glistening, and her lively, dark eyes shone like stars.
The firm, round peaks on her chest threatened to burst from her dress. Her full, jade-like legs were long and straight. Her enchanting curves undulated as her slender waist swayed, creating a graceful and captivating sight.
The Ling Family's new Patriarch: Ling Qiyue.
Ling Changqing did not stare. He bowed and offered a proper greeting, allowing her gaze, which felt almost tangible, to fall upon him.
Ling Qiyue's beautiful, dark eyes sized up the blue-robed youth for a moment. A slight ripple entered her gentle voice as her glossy, charming cherry lips parted slightly.
"You truly are exceptional. It's only natural that you'll be able to advance further in the future. No wonder Ling Zifeng thinks so highly of you. There's no need for formalities here. Sit and talk."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
Ling Changqing bowed again before taking a seat on an embroidered stool brought by a Maid.
Inside his body, the Era Star Palace was already hidden within layers of chaotic mist, making it impossible for even the most profound Divine Techniques to detect the slightest trace of it.
'Rumor has it this Female Patriarch possesses extraordinary talent. She's said to be a peerless prodigy, the first in centuries with the potential to break through the Perfect Foundation Establishment Level and step into the Golden Core Realm. I wonder if that's true.'
'Moreover, the previous Ling Family Patriarch and Ling Qiyue aren't from the same direct lineage. The reason he abdicated and went into seclusion was that she forced a palace coup with her own power, driving him from his position.'
'From this, it's clear her temperament and methods are anything but simple. She's definitely not as harmless as she appears on the surface.'
Ling Qiyue swayed her slender waist and sat gracefully in the main seat. She pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Qiu Yao has mentioned your situation to me before. Therefore, from this day forward, you are a member of the Ling Family's Direct Lineage."
"As for your previous loan of three thousand Spirit Stones, I'll take the liberty of canceling it today. Furthermore, you will receive a certain amount of Cultivation Resources from the family each month. I hope you will cultivate diligently and reach Foundation Establishment soon..."
Ling Changqing's expression grew more serious as he calmly expressed his thanks. 'Whatever this Female Patriarch is planning, the benefits she's giving me right now are real.'
After they spoke for a while longer, Tang Qiuyao took her leave with Ling Changqing.
The registration ceremony was held in the Ling Family's ancestral hall. Naturally, Ling Qiyue did not need to attend. It was presided over by a high-ranking Ling Family Elder and witnessed by several Powerful Stewards, including Tang Qiuyao.
Once the ceremony was complete, Ling Changqing's name was formally entered into the Direct Lineage's genealogical records. From then on, his status was completely different from that of those miserable, low-level Loose Cultivators.
"Alright, now I'll take you to the treasury to collect your resources!"
Tang Qiuyao said with a smile. Membership in the Ling Family's Direct Lineage was, of course, not just an empty title; it came with tangible benefits.
The Clan Treasury was a heavily guarded palace courtyard, its splendor imbued with a majestic and imposing air.
On the steps by the entrance stood two rows of stern-faced, black-robed Cultivator guards with Magic Swords strapped to their backs. Behind them stood groups of Daoist Soldier Puppets.
Since today wasn't a designated day for distributing resource allotments, there were no Ling Family disciples lingering at the entrance.
After their identities were verified, Tang Qiuyao led Ling Changqing straight inside.
In the courtyard was a massive Ink Jade Table, behind which sat three solemn-faced old men. They were surrounded by a group of on-duty clerks, servants, guards, and so on.
Seeing Tang Qiuyao enter, the old man sitting in the center greeted her with a smile. "Steward Tang, what brings you here today?"
"By order of the Patriarch, I've brought this young man to collect his resource allowance."
Tang Qiuyao said gently, handing the old man the purple Jade Token that symbolized Ling Changqing's status as a Direct Lineage member.
The old man's expression turned serious as he took it and verified its authenticity. He nodded. "Ah, a newly promoted Direct Lineage disciple. Please wait a moment, I'll have them attend to it immediately."
At his command, several servants hurried away and returned a short time later with several boxes and chests.
Thirty Qi Nourishing and Essence Storing Pills, five Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, fifty catties of First Rank Demon Beast Meat, sixty catties of Crimson Crystal Spirit Rice, fifteen liters of Spirit Wine, and an additional thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones.
These were the monthly resources that a young-generation Direct Lineage disciple of the Ling Family could receive. If they performed meritorious service, the Clan Treasury would also issue corresponding resource rewards.
From the perspective of a Direct Lineage member, this monthly resource allotment wasn't actually much. But for those low-level Cultivators with no backing, this amount of resources was enough to make them fight to the death.
Since this was Ling Changqing's first time collecting resources, according to the rules, he also received a Magical Robe and a Longsword, both of which were Early-Rank Magical Artifacts.
Ling Changqing said nothing more. He signed and put his thumbprint on the register, then put everything into his Storage Pouch.
Next, Tang Qiuyao took Ling Changqing from the Mansion Treasury and they headed to the Ling Family Bank.
This time, it was again Lingyun Peak who personally came out to receive them.
As soon as he saw Ling Changqing, the Bank Manager understood most of the situation. He chuckled and said:
"This young man is indeed outstandingly talented, and the Patriarch has a discerning eye. It seems that in due time, the family will have another Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator."
"I'll take that as a good omen,"
Tang Qiuyao covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "I've come this time to arrange another resource loan for him. Let's go with the ten thousand Spirit Stone option."
Ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones was the maximum amount Ling Changqing could borrow with his current status.
And until this loan was fully repaid, he would not be able to borrow any more from the Ling Family Bank unless the Patriarch gave special permission.
Lingyun Peak nodded in agreement. "No problem. We'll settle it like that, then."
After the routine loan procedures were completed, Ling Changqing requested a list and began selecting the resources he wanted to exchange for.
First, of course, was the selection and exchange of Divine Techniques, such as the complete, advanced version of the Water Manipulation Technique, as well as offensive Divine Techniques like Water Mirror Communication, Water Tornado, and the Profound Ice Water Arrow Technique.
He also obtained the complete versions of the Water Escape Technique and Water Spirit Shield, which he had exchanged for last time.
Next was the exchange for various Elixir resources: two hundred Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, eighty Pure Yuan Nourishing God Pills, and thirty Hundred Springs Gathering Spirit Pills... all exchanged in quantities sufficient for three months' use.
Finally, Ling Changqing also exchanged for another Magical Robe and a Longsword, both of Middle-Grade Magical Artifact-level, as well as a stack of High-quality Talismans.
In a matter of moments, the ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stone credit was spent, with less than nine hundred remaining.
"Alright, take me to begin my cultivation in seclusion!"
Ling Changqing said. 'After three months of high-intensity cultivation, I should be able to hone these new Divine Techniques to a certain degree.'
Lingyun Peak naturally had no reason to refuse. And so, after seeing off Tang Qiuyao, Ling Changqing was led by a Maid back to the same courtyard where he had undergone his seclusion last time.