On the foredeck of the sea boat.
Ling Zifeng stood with his hands behind his back, his face expressionless as he surveyed the large group of Loose Cultivators gathered before him.
Most of them were Male Cultivators with Cultivation at the Qi Cultivation 1st or 2nd Layer. It was rare to see any who had reached the Qi Cultivation 3rd or 4th Layer.
There was no helping it. Working at sea was simply too dangerous. If they had any other choice, these low-level Cultivators would never be willing to try it.
Not to mention, even jobs like working in illegal mines, serving as test subjects for pills, or planting Spirit Rice and raising Spirit Beast mounts were far safer than going to sea.
"Is this everyone?"
After a long moment, Ling Zifeng turned and asked Tang Qiu Yao, who was beside him, in a low voice.
Tang Qiu Yao nodded slightly. "Fifty percent of all the Loose Cultivators that could be recruited from the family's territory have been sent to you.
The rest have been assigned to the mines, Spirit Fields, Medicinal Gardens and Ranches, and so on. Those places are also short on manpower."
"But it's still not enough!"
Ling Zifeng sighed. "If only we could have a batch of the slave Cultivator teams that belong to the family sent over."
Tang Qiu Yao shook her head. "That's impossible. They have more important things to do!"
As the Wu Family's probing attacks became more frequent, a dark undercurrent surged through the Ling Family's territory. Many cautious and timid Loose Cultivators had already quietly left Zenxin Island to avoid being caught in a future war.
Ling Zifeng was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Forget it. Let's leave it like this for now. We still have time. Tell them to work diligently and gather as many resources as they can."
Tang Qiu Yao agreed, then after a moment's thought, added:
"That little fellow you have your eye on is still in Cultivation in Seclusion at the Ling Family Bank. I reckon he'll bring you an even bigger surprise when he returns, don't you think?"
"I certainly hope so!"
At the mention of Ling Changqing, a hint of a smile appeared on Ling Zifeng's face. If that little fellow was promising enough, the pressure on his own shoulders would lighten in the future.
In the courtyard, a month of secluded cultivation quietly passed.
On the final day, Ling Changqing, sitting on his Cloud Bed, organized his belongings and sighed, feeling a bit unsatisfied, as if he wanted more.
In his sea of consciousness, a message imbued with a mysterious Dao Rhyme silently appeared:
[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 14]
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer]
[Destiny: 17+90]
[Blessed Fortune: 17+68]
[Physique: 13]
[Root Bone: 11]
[Comprehension: 12]
[Divine Soul: 17]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (1st Layer) 1830/5000]
[Water Escape Technique: (1st Layer) 12/1000]
[Water Spirit Shield: (1st Layer) 20/1000]
Compared to before his seclusion, all of Ling Changqing's physical attributes had changed. Only his Spirit Root Level remained stuck at the Bottom Rank Character tier.
Spirit Roots were divided into several tiers: Waste, Mortal Grade, Character, Earth Grade, and Celestial Grade, with each grade further subdivided into upper, middle, and lower ranks.
Ling Changqing had a feeling. 'Perhaps my Spirit Root Level will only change after my Cultivation breaks through to the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer?'
Combining the experiences of his past and present lives, in Ling Changqing's eyes, a Spirit Root was roughly equivalent to a special kind of bloodline.
Without a bloodline, one couldn't cultivate. With a poor bloodline, the path of cultivation would be incredibly difficult.
The better the bloodline, as long as one didn't lack Cultivation Resources, a path to the Great Dao was naturally within reach.
'My efficiency at earning resources by working at sea should be higher now, right? After all, in terms of Divine Soul Origin strength alone, even some Foundation Establishment Cultivators might not be able to compare to me. And then there's my Destiny and Blessed Fortune...'
Ling Changqing mused, this was the greatest source of his confidence.
Although the Profound Truth Black Water Scripture was not a high-grade technique, its advantage was its downward compatibility with a considerable number of Water Element Divine Techniques.
For example, the Water Manipulation Technique, Water Escape Technique, Water Mirror Communication, Cloud Rain Technique, Water Tornado, Water Spirit Shield, Profound Water Ice Arrow Technique, and so on.
These Divine Techniques were all recorded in the Cultivation Method Scriptures collected by the Ling Family Bank. Furthermore, seeing as Ling Changqing was now an official disciple of the Ling Family, the cost to exchange for them was not too high.
Therefore, after some consideration, Ling Changqing chose the Water Escape Technique and the Water Spirit Shield, spending the last several hundred Spirit Stones he had on them.
One for escape and one for Defense, they would significantly increase Ling Changqing's safety while working on the seabed. As long as he didn't run into a sneak attack from a Late stage Qi Cultivation Cultivator or a Second Rank Demon Beast, he could basically guarantee a clean getaway.
If he could exchange for all those Divine Techniques in the future, with the help of the Era Star Palace, he should be able to master them quickly, which would in turn significantly improve his combat abilities.
'It's a shame I don't have enough Spirit Stones. Otherwise, if I could continue my Cultivation in Seclusion here for another three or four months, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer would be entirely possible...'
Ling Changqing sighed. The Profound Yin Blood Essence Pill cost Spirit Stones, and renting this courtyard also cost Spirit Stones. For a low-level Cultivator with no background, this burden was simply too heavy.
Under normal circumstances, for a Cultivator at only the 4th or 5th Layer of Qi Cultivation, it was practically impossible to earn so many Spirit Stones in three years, pay the high interest, and also cover their daily cultivation expenses.
With the help of the Era Star Palace, it was much easier for Ling Changqing to earn Spirit Stones than those low-level Loose Cultivators, but he couldn't possibly reveal his secret trump card.
That was why when Ling Zifeng had previously suggested he take the 10,000 Spirit Stone loan, Ling Changqing had directly refused.
Originally, Ling Zifeng had only felt the young man had some luck and talent, and finding him agreeable, was willing to give him some benefits and a helping hand.
But if the future Ling Changqing messed up and couldn't repay the loan, it was hard to say what the consequences would be.
Even with the influence of the Era Star Palace's mysterious Noble ability, it probably wouldn't be enough to change Ling Changqing's fate of becoming a slave.
So, from Ling Changqing's perspective, his only choice for now was to lay low and prioritize stability, even if it meant his cultivation speed would be temporarily slower.
"...Young Master, are you leaving?"
As he returned the Jade Token, the charming and lovely Maid in a crimson dress gazed at the handsome, jade-like youth in blue, her big, clear eyes revealing a hint of reluctance.
Ling Changqing smiled. "Yes. After all, I owe the family so many Spirit Stones, so I have to get back to work quickly."
"Then... will you come back in the future, Young Master?"
The Maid put away the Jade Token and couldn't help but ask.
Ling Changqing said, "Definitely. Once I've saved up enough Spirit Stones, I'll come back to continue my cultivation."
The Maid smiled. 'This Young Master isn't bad-looking, and his personality is nice too. We should... be able to meet again in the future, right?'
Bidding farewell to the Maid, Ling Changqing walked out the main entrance of the Money Shop and onto the bustling street outside.
The street, a full twelve zhang wide, was paved with whole slabs of Qinggang Rock, making it as flat as a whetstone. It was a lively scene, teeming with carriages and people.
'Too bad I don't even have a single Spiritual Sand on me. How am I going to get back to sea now?'
Ling Changqing felt his empty pockets, feeling troubled.
Cultivators in the Early stage Qi Cultivation couldn't perform Flying in the Sky yet, and without the help of a Flying Magical Artifact, getting out to sea was difficult.
The family, of course, had large public Flying Magical Artifacts and Sea Boats, but they weren't free. You had to spend Spiritual Sand to ride them.
"Young Master, please wait."
A clear and pleasant voice sounded by his ear.
Ling Changqing turned to look and saw that it was the Maid who managed the courtyards, and she had run after him.
"Is there something else, miss?"
Ling Changqing stopped and asked gently.
The young woman walked up to him, her gaze fixed on the tips of her own feet, and said softly, "Young Master, you have no money on you right now, so travel might be inconvenient. So…"
She lowered her head, pulled a small, embroidered pouch from her clothes, and silently handed it over.
"…"
Ling Changqing was silent for a few breaths before gently taking it. With a Cultivator's keen Spiritual Sense, he knew there were ten Spiritual Sand inside the pouch.
"You're too kind, miss,"
Ling Changqing said in a low voice. "By the way, I still don't know your name. Might I ask what it is?"
"Song Xuelan,"
The Maid's pretty face blushed slightly as she answered in a soft whisper, "I should get back to work, or the Steward will punish me."
With that said, before Ling Changqing could say anything else, she walked back up the White Jade Steps with a light gait, her slender figure disappearing deep within the doorway.
Ling Changqing, left standing in place, let out a soft breath and couldn't help but tighten his grip on the pouch in his hand.
Ten Spiritual Sand wasn't much, but for a complete stranger to be willing to help like this was quite rare.
'Song Xuelan...' Ling Changqing silently committed the name to memory and turned to leave.
「One day later.」
On the foredeck of the sea boat, when he saw the blue-robed youth walk out of the Flying Ship, the tense expression on Ling Zifeng's face instantly broke into a smile.
"You're back? After a month of Cultivation in Seclusion, it looks like you've made quite a bit of progress!"
"I must thank you for your guidance, Lord Steward!"
Ling Changqing said with a humble expression. Regardless of the other's motives, the help he had received was real.
Ling Zifeng nodded in satisfaction and said, "Are you planning to rest for a couple of days, or do you want to get back to work at sea?"
The collection of the Jade Crystal Winter Beauty Pearls had now come to an end, but the Ling Family's upper echelons had issued a new resource-gathering order, so Ling Zifeng couldn't afford even a moment of rest.
"I'll get to work!"
Ling Changqing said, "I'll have to ask Lord Steward to lend me that Magical Artifact again. And it would be great if I could have a Storage Pouch as well. That way, I can bring back more things each time."
There was no need for rest. He had just incurred such a massive debt of resources; he had to hurry up and earn Spirit Stones to prepare for future repayments. Otherwise, he might lose his freedom and become a slave.
Ling Zifeng smiled. "That's not a problem. As long as your future performance is outstanding enough, you can keep using this Magical Artifact."
As he spoke, he took out the Middle Grade Magical Artifact-level Short Sword, produced an empty Storage Pouch, and handed both to Ling Changqing.