A thousand miles away, on Longhuan Island.
This was the headquarters of the Wu Cultivation Family, an island nearly twice the size of Zenxin Island.
Three Second Grade Spirit Veins that ran across the island, and the numerous Cave Mansion Blessed Lands derived from them, were the very foundation upon which this family had risen.
Ostensibly, the Wu Family had two more Foundation Establishment Cultivators than the Ling Family. However, since these two had only recently been promoted, the Wu Family's advantage wasn't particularly pronounced. After all, rumor had it that Ling Qiyue was already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
In a quiet and elegant courtyard, Elder Wu Jinghong, who was in charge of intelligence, fell into a contemplative silence after hearing his subordinate's report.
The ambush could be considered a success. They had killed quite a few Ling Family disciples and Pearl Gatherers. The only pity was that they had failed to eliminate any key figures.
As for the fact that the Tribulation Cultivators involved in the attack had been almost completely wiped out, it didn't matter. They weren't family members, just desperate men hired on a temporary basis.
Now that they were all but dead, it actually saved him from having to pay the final installment of Spirit Stones.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I will report to the Patriarch later," Wu Jinghong finally said.
A subordinate beside him frowned and reminded him in a low voice, "Elder, the Ling Family has suffered a loss. I'm afraid they won't let this go easily. If they insist on retaliating..."
Wu Jinghong mused, "That's certainly a possibility. Tell our people to be on high alert. We must raise the security level for all our important industries and islands. We can't give the Ling Family—or any other power—an opportunity to exploit."
The subordinate gave a solemn "Yes, sir."
From the Wu Family's perspective, while the Ling Family was their mortal enemy, they had to be wary of the other families as well.
No one's foundation was built from thin air. To survive in this brutal age of conflict, caution and prudence were essential.
Wu Jinghong flicked his sleeves, turned, and left the courtyard, intending to discuss the matter further with the Patriarch.
...
In a room on the Sea Boat.
Ling Changqing was heartily digging into his meal. On the table, a large bowl of Spirit Rice and several platters of Demon Beast Meat exuded an enticing aroma, accompanied by two pots of Spirit Wine.
Because Ling Zifeng's injuries had yet to heal and he needed to rest in seclusion, and because the family had suffered heavy losses among its disciples and Pearl Gatherers, it was impossible to continue working at sea for the time being. They needed to replenish their numbers as soon as possible.
Therefore, Ling Changqing had spent the past few days in his room in Cultivation in Seclusion. He didn't go out at all; besides, he had no acquaintances or friends to see.
After their failed attempt to get close to him, Su Yu and the other two women had never sought out Ling Changqing again. They didn't remain on the Sea Boat after the attack, and their whereabouts were unknown.
Tang Qiu Yao had already returned to the family headquarters on Zenxin Island. With such a major incident, the Patriarch Ling Qiyue and the other high-ranking family members had to formulate a response.
'Who knows, the Ling Family's retaliation might already be underway in secret.'
The Wu Family wasn't one to swallow insults either. Having suffered a loss, they would surely try to get even. With this back and forth, an escalation of the situation was inevitable.
If this really did lead to an all-out war between the two families, it would likely be difficult to determine a winner anytime soon.
Ling Changqing mused silently. 'There's nothing I can do right now. The right path is to keep a low profile and focus on my Cultivation.'
A familiar voice came from the Array Restriction at his door. Ling Changqing was slightly taken aback, then got up to open it.
Dressed in a white shirt, the refined and scholarly Steward Tian Wenhua walked in with a smile. He glanced at the dishes on the table and couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're in good spirits today, young man. It's rare to see you not diligently cultivating!"
Ling Changqing gestured for Tian Wenhua to take a seat and asked gently, "How are the Lord Steward's injuries?"
"They're not serious. A few more days of rest should be enough," Tian Wenhua said, adding that Ling Zifeng had opted to stay on the Sea Boat rather than return to Zenxin Island to recuperate, which indicated his injuries weren't severe.
Ling Changqing thought for a moment before asking, "Regarding the Wu Family, I assume the family's upper echelons have taken action?"
Tian Wenhua nodded. "It's not a major secret. Rumor has it that the Patriarch personally took action, leveling two of the Wu Family's mines, killing a number of their disciples and miners, and then fighting a duel against two of their Foundation Establishment Cultivators..."
The outcome of the duel remains unknown to the public. However, since then, the Wu Family has become much more subdued, and there have been no further provocations or harassment against the Ling Family.
"It seems the two families won't be going to war for now," Ling Changqing said. Since neither side was confident of total victory, the wisest choice was naturally to pull back and each take a step back.
Tian Wenhua nodded. "That's how it is for the moment. The person in charge of the Wu Family isn't a fool; they know the most pragmatic course of action."
Fighting to the death in a mutually destructive conflict, only to let other family powers swoop in and reap the benefits—no Patriarch would accept such an outcome.
Besides, Cultivators have long Lifespans. They can just continue to accumulate power and patiently wait for an opportunity.
Ling Changqing looked at him. "So, what do we... what do we need to do now?"
"The family has decided to send another group of disciples, along with newly recruited Loose Cultivator Pearl Gatherers, to continue gathering resources at sea."
Tian Wenhua explained that after the attack, the surviving Loose Cultivator Pearl Gatherers were terrified, and many had chosen to quit and leave.
But the Ling Family's plan to collect undersea resources would not stop. Therefore, Zenxin Island had recently raised its recruitment standards and benefits, determined to entice a sufficient number of Loose Cultivators to work at sea.
However, this was not a task that could be completed overnight. They wouldn't be able to gather enough people for at least a month or two.
Ling Changqing said, "Once enough people have been recruited, I'll continue working at sea. I owe the family such a large debt, and I need to keep improving my Cultivation. I have to earn more Spirit Stones."
Tian Wenhua was understanding. "Young man, your Qi Fortune is beyond compare. It's fitting for you to work at sea. Let's settle it then!"
"For the time being, you can continue your Cultivation in Seclusion on the boat, or you can go stay on Zenxin Island for a while and come back for the next voyage."
"Okay."
After chatting for a little longer, Tian Wenhua got up to leave. Ling Changqing saw him to the door and then returned to finish his meal.
Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Ling Changqing began to ponder his plans for the future.
'My daily Cultivation can't be neglected, of course. But besides that, is there something else I can do?'
Ultimately, the assistance of the Era Star Palace was the crucial factor behind his rapid growth. It was because of its existence that his Divine Soul could continuously strengthen.
The strength of his Divine Soul Origin led to an improvement in his comprehension and Root Bone aptitude, which in turn meant a rising tide of Cultivation efficiency. This, combined with abstruse and intangible powers like Luck and Fortune, was what allowed Ling Changqing's growth to advance so bravely and vigorously.
Ling Changqing knew very well that the friendly attitudes of Ling Zifeng, Tang Qiu Yao, and even Ling Qiyue were likely related to the increase in his own Luck and Fortune.
However, given the characteristics of an Exotic Treasure like the Era Star Palace, he could only passively harvest a certain amount of Divine Soul Origin from beings who harbored malice towards him.
Therefore, if he wanted to lie low and cultivate while also ensuring a sufficient income of Divine Soul Origin, his options were very limited. After all, Ling Changqing's Cultivation was still low, and his own safety was the top priority.
'Oh, whatever. I'll go to the Marketplace and try this matchmaking thing. Let's see if I can fleece those "Little Fairies"?'
Ling Changqing finally made up his mind.
Early the next day, Ling Changqing bid farewell to Steward Ling Zifeng and took a Flying Ship back to Zenxin Island.
In the Marketplace, Ling Changqing first found an inn to settle into.
The rooms there were quite decent, with rather lavish and exquisite furnishings. The only drawback was the lack of a Spiritual Energy Array, which made them cheap.
After changing into a brand-new, light purple formal robe, Ling Changqing leisurely strolled out the door and headed towards the Celestial Fate Pavilion in the Marketplace.
「A moment later.」
Ling Changqing was already seated in a VIP room at the Celestial Fate Pavilion, having a pleasant conversation with the top matchmaker who received him, Wang Po.
"...Young man, your qualifications are quite impressive!"
Wang Po, a woman with a fair complexion and a wealthy-looking smile, studied the Jade Scroll in her hand, then sized up the handsome, purple-robed youth sitting opposite her, clicking her tongue in praise.
A Direct Lineage disciple of the Ling Family, a fixed monthly resource stipend, Qi Cultivation 4th Layer at only fourteen years of age, a Human Grade Middle Spirit Root, a monthly income of no less than two hundred Spirit Stones, and savings of several thousand Spirit Stones...
Setting aside the Major Sect powers, among the Cultivation Clans on Zenxin Island and its surrounding areas, Ling Changqing's qualifications were truly first-rate.
Whether it was his appearance or his resource base, Ling Changqing's appeal to Female Cultivators was unparalleled, especially to those "Little Fairies" with no power, no background, and no aptitude, who dreamed of changing their destiny and climbing the social ladder through marriage to a Dao Companion.
"Brother Ling, what kind of Dual Cultivation Companions are you looking for?"
Wang Po asked with a cheerful smile, "With your qualifications, you can meet with the most outstanding Female Cultivators in the Celestial Fate Pavilion. It wouldn't even be a problem if you wanted to find several."
The Cultivation Realm had no tradition of monogamy. As long as a man's qualifications were outstanding enough, finding multiple Dao Companions was no problem at all. Of course, the same was true for women.
"I don't have any special requirements. As long as she's a good person—gentle, virtuous, and well-behaved—that's fine!"
Ling Changqing answered vaguely. Since he had already decided he was here to fleece them, he couldn't be too specific. He had no real intention of choosing a Female Cultivator to take home.
"Is that so? Very well, I'll make the arrangements for you!"
Wang Po nodded. As a top matchmaker in this business, what kind of situation hadn't she seen?
'This Brother Ling must have high standards but is too embarrassed to describe them in detail, which is why he's being so vague.'
"Rest assured, young man. No fellow Daoist who comes to me for matchmaking has ever been unsuccessful. Just you wait, you'll be taking home a beauty in no time!"
Wang Po said with a broad smile, swaying her full hips as she walked out the door.
Around the corner in the corridor outside, two maids hurried over and asked in a low voice, "Matron Wang, how should we handle this young man?"
Wang Po snorted. "How should we handle him? He's a VIP of the Celestial Fate Pavilion. Tell those who aren't presentable to stop dreaming. Quickly send a message to *those* few and ask them to come over!"
The maid acknowledged the order and hurried away.
Ling Changqing did not have to wait long. With a rustle of the beaded curtain at the doorway, a Female Cultivator in a goose-yellow dress, her features stunningly beautiful, gracefully walked in.