Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 433 - 251: Ling Changqing: I Want the Goods, But I Don’t Want to Pay...

Inside the Council Hall.

The envoy from the Qin Family was still holding forth:

"...The Zhao Family’s strength is indeed far greater than it once was, to the point that even our Qin Family can no longer compare. However, very few of the surrounding powers would be happy to see you become so powerful!

If the Patriarch insists on relentlessly pressuring the Qin Family, our allies will surely grow in number. When that time comes, I wonder how you will respond?"

Sitting beside them, Ling Changqing couldn’t help but frown slightly. The Qin Family envoy’s words were unpleasant, but they were the truth.

Although the Qin Family’s foundation was built by splitting from the Zhao Family, in the eyes of the surrounding powers, a divided and weakened Zhao Family was clearly more in line with their long-term interests.

Even the Zhao Family’s traditional allies would not truly wish to see the Zhao Family restored, let alone grow even stronger.

It was like the saying that between nations, only interests are eternal. So-called friends and enemies were merely temporary and could change at any moment.

’Of course, what those factions think doesn’t really matter. I wasn’t counting on them to begin with.’

’The Zhao Family’s strength and revival must ultimately come from within. Relying on others is impossible.’

In the end, Shangguan Qingying coldly rejected the Qin Family envoy’s demands, ordering them to leave immediately, escorted out of the territory by the Elders.

"What do you think we should do next?"

Shangguan Qingying looked at Ling Changqing and asked softly.

Ling Changqing was concise: "I’ll take a tour of their territory. I won’t come back until I’ve collected the heads of thirty to fifty Qin Family Core Formation Cultivators!"

Zhao Wanyi quickly said, "Husband, we’ll go with you!"

Ling Changqing shook his head. "You two should stay and watch over things here. I can handle it alone!"

"No! We must go together on this. Don’t even think about leaving us behind!"

Zhao Wanqing pinched Ling Changqing’s waist, her attitude unusually insistent.

"Alright, just let them go with you, won’t you?"

Shangguan Qingying said gently, "After all, you only have a Late Stage Golden Core Cultivation right now, while the two of them are already Nascent Soul True Monarchs. Even if you encounter an accident, they can guarantee your safe escape."

’She naturally understood her two daughters’ intentions. If they wanted to solidify and improve their standing in Ling Changqing’s heart, they had to face challenges like this with him, advancing and retreating as one, not just sit back and reap the benefits of his work. Only by spending more time together and sharing enough experiences could they maintain their relationship and prevent it from fading over time.’

"Fine, then it’s settled!"

Ling Changqing, unable to refuse, had no choice but to agree.

Meanwhile, after being kicked out of the Zhao Family’s territory, the Qin Family’s envoy didn’t say much more, boarding a Tianzhou Skyboat and disappearing over the horizon.

"...Elder Kang, what should we do now?"

Inside the cabin, an attendant at his side asked.

The envoy, Elder Qin Kang, had a dark expression and said coldly, "Since they don’t know what’s good for them, we’ll go find other families to ally with. We must completely isolate them!"

Forming vertical and horizontal alliances between different powers, with allegiances constantly shifting, was a common occurrence in the Cultivation Realm.

For the Qin Family’s leadership to ensure their own survival, their only recourse was to unite with the powers surrounding the Zhao Family. By banding together in an alliance, they could jointly exert pressure on the Zhao Family.

Moreover, Elder Qin Kang was confident he would not return empty-handed. Those powers would definitely support the Qin Family, or at the very least, remain neutral and observe.

His thinking wasn’t wrong, but whether he could achieve the desired effect was another matter entirely.

Ling Changqing was well aware of this. These powers would have no problem forming alliances in name, making verbal threats, or just running their mouths.

But getting them to actually contribute effort and resources in the future to help the Qin Family resist the Zhao Family’s pressure was nearly impossible.

Unless the Qin Family was facing imminent annihilation, these powers, out of consideration for balancing the Zhao Family, would only then take substantial action. Normally, they would do nothing more than watch the show.

From their standpoint, the Zhao Family couldn’t be too strong, and of course, neither could the Qin Family. It would be best if the two sides just bled each other dry in endless internal conflict, both suffering heavy losses. That’s what they would love to see.

...

「In Qin Family territory, Fengye City.」

Surrounding this city were over ten types of Spirit Gold Veins, including Mingsha Gold, Celestial Fire Blazing Copper, and Star Pattern Meteorite Iron. It was one of the largest Spirit Gold smelting workshops in the Qin Family’s domain.

Nearly twenty percent of the Spirit Gold resources required by the Qin Family for refining various Magical Artifacts and Magical Treasures were supplied by this place, so its importance was self-evident.

For this reason, the family’s leadership had arranged for seven Golden Core Masters to be stationed here year-round, along with a corresponding number of True Pill and Pseudo Core Cultivators.

In addition, a Third Grade Protective Array was also set up here. If any outside Cultivators wanted to cause trouble, it would be impossible for anyone below the Nascent Soul realm to gain any advantage.

Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch could be held off for a period of time if the city was prepared and activated the Array in time, holding out until reinforcements from the family leadership arrived.

As the first rays of morning sun fell upon the magnificent city walls, Ling Changqing, disguised as a foreign merchant, blended in with the numerous Loose Cultivators and entered the city.

Besides supplying the family, a significant portion of the many Spirit Gold resources produced in Fengye City was also available for public sale.

In particular, the Elders in charge of this place were able to skim a considerable amount off the top each year, making it a truly lucrative post.

Many Loose Cultivators, hoping to acquire some Spirit Gold Materials to craft suitable Magical Artifacts or Spiritual Artifacts for themselves, would come here to try their luck.

In the eastern district of the city, inside a magnificent, golden-tiled mansion, Elder Qin Anping was in his study, selecting beauties.