Longevity starts with dual cultivation

Chapter 56 Conspiracy
It didn't take long for Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiuyao to reach a consensus.

Ling Changqing didn't know much about the situation of the Ling family's top management, so he didn't participate in the discussion. Of course, he didn't care about it.

It was not until this time that Ling Changqing learned that the batch of foundation-building pills that Ling Qiyue had refined last time contained a total of three genuine pills.

Only one of them was put up for auction, and that was the one Ling Yulu bought at a high price.

Tang Qiuyao got one but hadn't taken it yet. The last one was taken by Ling Qiyue to train another trusted subordinate.

Therefore, as long as the Foundation Establishment Pills are distributed properly this time, the Ling family will soon have a few more Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the overall strength will double.

However, for the sake of confidentiality, it is obviously impossible to hold an internal family auction this time.

Tang Qiuyao’s suggestion was to call the selected elders one by one for a secret talk, and let them pay the corresponding price, then they could get the Foundation Establishment Pill and go into seclusion to break through.

Of course, impacting the foundation-building realm requires the cooperation of the second-order spiritual veins, and certain auxiliary resources must also be prepared in order to ensure the success rate.

Therefore, this matter must be carried out in complete secrecy, and even the closest wives, concubines and children cannot reveal a single word.

Since it concerns their own great cause, these chosen elders naturally dare not take it lightly and will definitely take all measures to keep it secret.

"To be on the safe side, why don't you, Junior Brother, go and inform them to come over?"

Finally, Tang Qiuyao spoke to Ling Changqing gently.

In this way, she wanted Ling Changqing to be more involved in family affairs and subtly increase his sense of identification with the family.

After all, looking only at Ling Changqing's past growth experience, he had nothing to do with the Ling family at all. Not only did he not benefit from anything, but he lived a very hard and difficult life.

Although Ling Qiyue took care of him later and made him an exception to become a direct descendant of the family, and his status and treatment improved greatly from then on, it was still short after all.

"Ok."

Ling Changqing nodded and agreed. He could roughly understand Tang Qiuyao's thoughts, but this matter had no impact on him, so he naturally would not object.

……

Thousands of miles away, Longhuan Island.

In the meeting hall, Wu Canglan, the head of the Wu family, sat in the main seat. In addition to the family elders, there were also several new faces among the cultivators present around him.

They are all the heads of several small forces in the surrounding area: Zhu Qingfeng, the head of the Zhu family, Yang Yuan, the head of the Yang family, Mu Canglong, the head of the Mu family, and Xiao Yunshan, the head of the Chiyang Sect, all of them are at the foundation-building stage.

Among them, the Zhu family and the Yang family each have only one foundation-building cultivator, the Mu family has two foundation-building cultivators, and the Chiyang Sect has three foundation-building cultivators.

Today, the Wu family already has six foundation-building cultivators in charge, and has an absolute advantage in strength, making it the natural leader in this small circle.

The territories of these forces are all located in the waters surrounding Chanxin Island, so it is obvious who the target of this small circle is.

"...Fellow Daoists, Wu has already informed you of the Ling family's recent situation,"

Wu Cangyuan smiled warmly and said in a gentle voice: "Although they only have four people who have established their foundation now, their development potential is quite terrifying."

"So for the long-term interests of our families, we must take measures to prevent the Ling family from continuing to grow and develop, so as not to endanger the stability of the situation in this sea area. What do you think, fellow Taoists?"

There was silence in the hall.

Everyone understood what Wu Canglang meant. The Ling family had a very talented second-grade top-grade alchemist who was also the helmsman of the family. This was really disruptive to the balance.

As long as she is there, the difficulty and cost of the Ling family in obtaining high-quality elixir resources will be significantly lower than that of the surrounding forces, thereby ensuring the speed of their cultivation increase.

Over time, the average cultivation level of the Ling family's cultivators will be significantly higher than that of the surrounding forces.

Especially in the collection and refining of foundation-building pill materials, the Ling family also has an advantage. In a few years, who knows how many foundation-building cultivators will be born in this family?

The more serious problem is that Ling Qiyue is still quite young, her potential is far from exhausted, and there is a great possibility that she will make further progress in the future.

If a fake Dan Zhenren, or even a genuine Jindan master, really gave birth to this sea area, I'm afraid all the forces present would have to give up and just surrender!

Zhu Qingfeng, the slightly plump head of the Zhu family, who was dressed in a green robe, looked at the expressions of the others and said:
"Fellow Daoist Wu is right. The one from the Ling family... is indeed a big trouble. As long as she is around, none of us can sleep peacefully at night!"

The cost of training a second-level alchemist is too high and the period is too long, so among these forces, there is simply no alchemist whose level can be compared with Ling Qiyue, not even a first-grade second-level alchemist.

Xiao Yunshan, the head of Chiyang Sect, was a man in his thirties dressed in Confucian clothes. He gently stroked a shining jade-cut folding fan in his hand and said leisurely:
"Does Fellow Daoist Wu mean to integrate the power of our families and join forces to force the Ling family to surrender? Or even to wipe out the Ling family's foundation?"

"That's right,"

Wu Canglang looked solemn: "Sooner or later, the Ling family will become a major threat to our families. If we don't destroy them now, we will become the stepping stone for the rise of Zen Heart Island in at most thirty to fifty years!"

The monks present were not surprised by this conclusion. The role that a high-level alchemist can play can be said to be at the strategic level.

Under normal circumstances, it is difficult to cultivate a second-level alchemist with the foundation of a mere foundation-building force.

The reason is simple, the training cost is too high, unless there is strong external support, or the alchemist himself has some special opportunity.

Therefore, the appearance of Ling Qiyue has seriously disrupted the balance of this sea area, so much so that the heads of many small forces are getting a little restless.

Yang Yuan, the head of the Yang family, said in a low voice: "Are we going to start a war? Now or when?"

Mu Canglong, the head of the Mu family, said calmly, "The Ling family currently has four foundation-building cultivators in charge, so this battle will inevitably result in considerable casualties. This compensation plan must be discussed and worked out now."

"Of course, the distribution of benefits after the war must also be made clear to avoid damaging the relationship."

The Zhu family and the Yang family only have one person who has established the foundation, and the Mu family has only two, so they really cannot afford too many casualties.

Once a foundation-building cultivator is lost in a war, the entire family will immediately become meat on the chopping board, to be slaughtered at will.

Xiao Yunshan nodded: "I have no objection. War is dangerous and we need to be prepared in every aspect. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Wu?"

Wu Canglang looked solemn: "This is as it should be! While everyone is here today, it's a good opportunity to discuss it in detail."

He understood that these guys were all suspicious and worried that the Wu family would use them as cannon fodder. The family was not well-off to begin with, and would most likely be depleted in a war.

At that time, if the top management of the Wu family turned against them and wanted to swallow up their foundation, they would be like being sold out and still have to help others count money.

Unfortunately, this is what Wu Canglang was thinking in his heart. If these small forces suffered heavy losses in the war against the Ling family in the future, the Wu family would never miss the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

However, the Yang family, the Zhu family, the Mu family, and the Chiyang Sect are not stupid either. They are also thinking about the feasibility of preserving their strength and turning against the Wu family at the critical moment.

Don’t talk about things like covenants, trust, reputation, etc. Compared with these false names, the safety of your own foundation is always above all else!
The world of cultivating immortals has always been so cruel and dark. In the face of huge enough interests, there is no affection at all.

……

Zen Island.

At the edge of a lake shrouded by a spiritual energy array.

"...Thank you for running errands, little brother. These are your rewards!"

A middle-aged man with deep eyes and a big smile took the talisman from Ling Changqing and stuffed a stack of faintly glowing talismans into his hands. Ling Changqing nodded and said gently, "The head of the family is still waiting, elder, please go over as soon as possible!"

The elder of the Ling family, who had already reached the ninth level of Qi training, agreed, his excitement evident in his words.

After all, for him, there is nothing more joyful than being given the opportunity to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Ling Changqing said goodbye to the elder, identified the direction, and walked towards the cave of the last candidate.

After a while, they came to a cave with quiet forests, singing birds and fragrant flowers.

The two maids on duty at the door saw a beautiful young man with a graceful figure and clear eyes walking towards them leisurely from a distance. He was wearing a dark purple robe with star and cloud patterns that shone with a faint spiritual light, and he looked elegant and graceful.

"Eh? You, you are Master Ling Changqing, right?"

A maid in a white dress with pretty features asked with a hint of surprise.

Today, Ling Changqing is no longer an unknown figure in the entire family, especially after he became the alchemist apprentice of the head of the family, Ling Qiyue.

Naturally, many of the Ling family members were envious and jealous of his extraordinary fortune. Some of the elders in the family even complained that the head of the family was biased.

However, due to the intimidation of Ling Qiyue's power, no one dared to do anything out of line. Moreover, Ling Changqing's cultivation had already reached the sixth level of Qi training, so it was not so easy to control him.

Ling Changqing said gently: "Is your master here? I am here to meet Elder Qin on the orders of the master to discuss important matters."

"Uh, okay, I will report it right away."

The maid nodded hurriedly and walked in with brisk steps.

Soon, hurried footsteps were heard, and then a tall, plump, and bright-looking female cultivator in a red dress appeared before him.

When she saw Ling Changqing, her beautiful black and white eyes showed undisguised surprise: "Master, are you finally willing to come and visit me?"

This female cultivator had fair skin, picturesque features, and was as pretty as a peach. Her big black eyes gazed at him with a smile. She was at the seventh level of Qi training, but her aura was a little scattered, which meant that she had probably just broken through not long ago.

"Miss Bingyun?"

Ling Changqing was also a little surprised. He had met this woman once at a family gathering more than two years ago, and he had bought some talismans and spiritual wine from her at that time.

Later at the auction, she also gave Ling Changqing a breakthrough elixir for the middle stage of Qi training: Qingyuan Yunlu Dan.

"You remember? Sir, I'm ashamed that you still remember me, your sister..."

Ling Bingyun's beautiful eyes showed a hint of resentment: "Didn't I just want to invite you to visit my sister? We've known each other for so long, but you won't even meet?"

Ever since that family gathering, Ling Bingyun had never seen Ling Changqing again. He also did not show up at the next two family gatherings because he was in seclusion.

Ling Changqing was silent for a while, then said softly: "My talent is limited, and I am devoted to the Tao. I will not be distracted by anything else before I build my foundation."

"Is that so... Young Master has lofty ambitions, but I am superficial!"

Ling Bingyun had a melancholy look on his face. The beautiful young man in purple before him had outstanding talent and potential, and was highly valued by the patriarch for his cultivation. He would most likely have no problem building a foundation in the future.

However, it is hard to say for herself. Even though she has the support of Ling Tianhe, the elder who is in the foundation-building stage, it is still unclear whether she can obtain the foundation-building pill in the future.

Ling Changqing straightened his expression and asked softly, "I don't know who Elder Qin is to you. I came here on the orders of the Patriarch to discuss something with her..."

Ling Bingyun was slightly startled: "So you want to see your mother? Then come in and talk!"

As he spoke, he welcomed Ling Changqing into the cave.

"... Yun'er, are there guests visiting?"

A soft and graceful voice came from afar.

"Mother, it's like this..."

Ling Bingyun agreed and briefly explained the reason.

"I see. I am sorry for being slow. Please wait a moment, sir!"

As he was speaking, a beautiful figure in a skirt as black as ink, with a voluptuous and tall figure, walked out slowly.

The exquisite and intricate black dress only highlights her snow-white skin, which is as white as jade. The curves of her majestic and tall figure are clearly visible. Her eyebrows, eyes and facial features are dignified and elegant, and she is as charming as a fox, which is about 50% similar to Ling Bingyun.

She stood there quietly, like an ink painting of just the right shades, profound and unforgettable.

This is Ling Bingyun's nominal mother, Qin Yun, who is also a cultivator at the peak of the ninth level of Qi training and a close friend of Ling Qiyue. She has served as an elder of the Ling family for many years, but has never had a Taoist partner.

After seeing the appearance of the beautiful young man in purple, Qin Yun was slightly startled with a calm and dignified look, and said softly:

"So you are Ling Changqing? You are indeed a good-looking person, but...what's wrong with my Bingyun? How could you not like her?"

Ling Changqing: “…”

He didn't expect that this stunningly beautiful woman, whose manners were graceful and elegant and whose charm and temperament were no less charming than Tang Qiuyao's, would ask such a straightforward question right from the start.

"Mother……"

Ling Bingyun, who was standing beside her, blushed slightly and said coquettishly, "Mr. Ling, you came here for something important!"

Qin Yun nodded slightly: "That's right, we can't let personal matters override public ones, Mr. Ling, can we talk about business first?"

Ling Changqing said, "Elder Qin, please ask everyone to leave. The head of the family has already instructed that this matter can only be told to one person alone!"

Qin Yunxiulidai raised her eyebrows slightly, nodded and agreed, and asked Ling Bingyun to lead a group of maids to retreat and close the door.

When there was no one else in the room, Ling Changqing took out the talisman and told the details.

Even though she had enough mental fortitude, Qin Yun's breathing quickened when she heard the good news.

"Are you really distributing Foundation Establishment Pills? Did I hear that correctly?"

She grabbed Ling Changqing and asked again in disbelief.

There is no cultivator who has reached the ninth level of Qi training and has not thought about building his foundation. However, due to the scarcity of foundation-building pills, only one in a hundred can achieve his wish.

Originally, Qin Yun didn't have too high hopes, but now he was suddenly told that the Foundation Establishment Pill was within his reach. This huge surprise was really like pie in the sky.

"Time is pressing, please don't delay, Elder Qin."

As Ling Changqing spoke, he glanced inconspicuously at the smooth jade hand that was holding him.

Qin Yun's beautiful face flushed slightly, she loosened her hands, and said in a soft voice: "I lost my composure for a moment, and I made you laugh!"

(End of this chapter)