On the icy-cold seabed.

After several hours of searching, the three people under the Glazed Yellow Umbrella sat together to take a short rest.

"...Senior Sister, are there Sea Race civilizations in the depths of the ocean?"

After taking an Essence Continuation Pill, Ling Changqing, whose Essence, Qi, and Spirit had mostly recovered, asked softly.

"Of course there are. It’s just that their movements are rather secretive. They don’t have much interaction with the Human Race, so it’s difficult for mortals and low-level Cultivators to ever see them."

Ling Qiyue replied with a smile. The individual appearances of the Sea Race were highly similar to the Human Race. They had their own cultural heritage and power cultivation systems, and had established vast empires in the depths of the boundless ocean.

Of course, their style was generally very low-key. They rarely came into conflict with other intelligent races, especially the Human Race, which was the largest in population.

There were unconfirmed rumors that the Great Powers at the apex of the Human Race had once gone to war with the powerhouses of the Sea Race. But the era was too distant, and it was now impossible to verify.

Tang Qiu Yao said, "Junior Brother, there’s no need to worry. This area is still within the Human Race’s sphere of influence. We won’t attract the attention of the Sea Race."

For the last few tens of thousands of years, at least, there had been no news of conflict between the Human and Sea Races. The two sides could be considered to have a relationship of mutual non-interference.

Ling Changqing nodded. ’Those Sea Race powerhouses probably won’t notice little shrimps like us,’ he thought. The only real danger should come from the many ferocious beasts of the seabed.

Of course, there were also Cultivators from hostile forces, but that wouldn’t affect Ling Changqing for the time being.

"Alright, should we continue searching for resources, or head back to the clan?"

Tang Qiu Yao asked.

Ling Qiyue didn’t speak, but looked at Ling Changqing. The key to this matter depended on his choice.

Ling Changqing furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before saying, "Let’s call it a day, shall we? The Storage Pouches on me are almost full. Why don’t we come back another time?"

This was the surface reason. The more critical reason was a subtle warning from the Era Star Palace. After staying in the Deep Sea Region for so long, Ling Changqing’s Luck and Fortune had already been depleted by more than half.

If they continued to linger, Ling Changqing wasn’t sure if it would cause him irreparable harm. Therefore, quitting while he was ahead was the right thing to do.

"Mm, let’s do that, then. You really worked hard today."

Ling Qiyue said gently. The various resources they had harvested on this trip were more than enough. There was truly nothing to regret.

And so, the two women flanked Ling Changqing, one on his left and one on his right. They steered the Glazed Yellow Umbrella to ascend at high speed, breaking the surface of the water in just a dozen breaths.

The sea surface was still calm and tranquil, but in the southeast corner of the Celestial Vault, a dark storm was faintly brewing, as if a rare tempest was about to arrive.

"We’re heading back."

Tang Qiu Yao summoned her Flying Ship, and the three of them returned to Zenxin Island at high speed.

In the cabin, Ling Changqing took out all the spoils from his Storage Pouches and handed them to Ling Qiyue.

"Junior Brother, what kind of reward would you like?"

Ling Qiyue’s coldly stunning and enchantingly beautiful Yu Yan face was wreathed in smiles. Ling Changqing had undoubtedly earned the highest merit this time, so his reward naturally couldn’t be meager.

Ling Changqing replied calmly, "That will depend on Senior Sister’s intentions."

He wasn’t clear on this Female Patriarch’s temperament and character, but as the one at the helm of a family power, her breadth of vision and generosity likely wouldn’t be too poor.

He stole a glance at Ling Qiyue’s magnificent and ample chest, then immediately averted his eyes.

Ling Qiyue’s beautiful face flushed slightly. She shot him a glare, then took out two Jade Boxes and a Jade Token from her Storage Pouch and handed them to him.

The two Jade Boxes contained a total of twenty Pill Bottles. Each bottle held ten Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, for a grand total of two hundred.

Moreover, these Elixirs were personally refined by Ling Qiyue when she opened her furnace, and their quality surpassed even that of the Independent Alchemist, Meng Ye.

The Jade Token was a voucher, equivalent to five thousand points of clan merit, which could be used to exchange for various resources he needed in the Clan Treasury.

Ling Qiyue sized up the handsome, purple-robed young man before her and said in a clear voice:

"Take these and use them for now. When you reach the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer in the future, I will prepare a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill for you, as well as all the auxiliary resources needed to break through."

"Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister."

Ling Changqing nodded. This reward was already quite generous. Although the main part of it couldn’t be claimed yet, given the Female Patriarch’s status, she was unlikely to go back on her word.

Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "Keep up the good work, Junior Brother. In the future, the clan’s growth and development will definitely owe a great deal to you."

She was thinking that if they had a few more operations like today’s, Ling Qiyue would no longer lack Alchemy Materials. The Elixirs refined from opening the furnace would benefit the entire clan, from top to bottom.

As long as they could produce a few more Foundation Establishment Powerhouses, the Ling Family’s rise would be just around the corner, and the Wu Family would no longer be a major threat.

"From now on, you can call me Senior Sister as well,"

Ling Qiyue smiled slightly. "If you encounter any difficulties or confusion in your Cultivation, you can ask your Senior Sister Tang for guidance, or you can come and ask me. It’s all the same."

Ling Changqing nodded and agreed. The chance to receive personal guidance on Cultivation from the Patriarch was an opportunity that probably no other Ling Family disciple could enjoy.

「Half an hour later, the Flying Ship returned to Zenxin Island.」

"Senior Sisters, I’d like to go back into seclusion to cultivate for a while. Could you help me exchange for some resources?"

Ling Changqing asked. If he went to the Clan Treasury to exchange for items himself, he would likely attract the attention of observant people, which could lead to his secret being exposed.

If the Wu Family, or any other power, learned of Ling Changqing’s existence, they would definitely cause trouble.

For example, sending a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse to abduct him directly? After all, the ability to bring back so many rare resources from the treacherous and unpredictable seabed was not something just anyone could possess.

Ling Qiyue’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly understood. "That was indeed thoughtless of us. Very well, from now on, your Senior Sister Tang will handle these matters for you."

Whether from her own perspective or the clan’s, protecting Ling Changqing was her duty, and one that allowed no mistakes.

The matter was thus settled. Ling Changqing first returned to Tang Qiu Yao’s estate to wait. After a good half an hour, his senior sister returned with all the resources he needed.

"Junior Brother, just focus on your Cultivation. Senior Sister Ling and I are going to make arrangements for opening the furnace and refining elixirs."

Tang Qiu Yao handed him a Storage Pouch and said in a soft, gentle voice.

Ling Changqing naturally had no objection. He had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation 5th Layer for quite some time and was just about at the cusp of a breakthrough.

After giving her instructions, Tang Qiu Yao left in a hurry. They had brought back a lot of resources this time. For Ling Qiyue to refine all of them into Elixirs would take at least a few months.

Ling Changqing returned to his own courtyard, activated the Restriction Array, and entered the Cultivation Chamber.

On the Cloud Bed, Ling Changqing adeptly entered a state of deep enlightenment.

In his sea of consciousness, a message imbued with profound Dao Rhyme silently appeared:

[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]

[Bone Age: 15]

[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation 5th Layer]

[Destiny: 12+108]

[Blessed Fortune: 11+87]

[Physique: 18]

[Root Bone: 16]

[comprehension: 17]

[Divine Soul: 35]

[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (2nd Floor) 3190/10000]

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Middle Rank Character 4633/10000]

[Nobles: Ling Zifeng/Tang Qiu Yao/Ling Qiyue]

’Sure enough, this kind of thing consumes a huge amount of Qi Fortune. Compared to before I went into the sea, I’ve lost more than half!’

Ling Changqing mused silently. ’Thankfully, I can recover it by cultivating in seclusion for a long period. Otherwise, I’d really have taken a huge loss.’

’From the looks of it, I can’t accompany Ling Qiyue and the others to search for resources in the Deep Sea too frequently. Once a year at most.’

’Of course, if my Cultivation Level increases in the future, especially after I become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse, maybe this consumption will be a little less?’

After a moment of contemplation, Ling Changqing reined in his wandering thoughts and began to cultivate with peace of mind.

「Several months passed in a flash.」

Meanwhile, in Ling Qiyue’s Women’s Embroidery Tower.

This Female Patriarch was currently in her Alchemy Room, with Tang Qiu Yao accompanying her at her side.

The walls and floor were covered in fine, complex Restriction Array patterns. A dark-gold Pill Furnace, about ten feet tall, stood steadily in the center of the Array.

At the base of the Pill Furnace, a raging Spirit Flame emitted a terrifyingly high temperature. It was clear the alchemy had reached a critical moment.

The Array Patterns and Restrictions on the floor and walls were fully lit, drawing a massive amount of Spiritual Qi from the Second Grade Spirit Vein underground and funneling it into the Pill Furnace.

Ling Qiyue was currently sitting upright before the Pill Furnace. Her beautiful face was serene and dignified, her stunning eyes filled with concentration as she skillfully formed one Spirit Technique after another, controlling the variations in the flame’s heat.

Tang Qiu Yao stood guard nearby. A faint Spiritual Light enveloped the two women, insulating them from the scorching heat.

Nearly half an hour later, a low rumble came from within the Pill Furnace. The heavy lid slowly rose, and a bright red radiance, as pure as Gemstones, gushed out.

Amidst a spreading, fragrant aroma, a cloud of vapor shaped like a Lingzhi mushroom lifted six shimmering Bone Marrow Condensing Pills, each the size of a longan, into the air.

"...Excellent! Another batch is complete!"

Overjoyed, Tang Qiu Yao quickly stood up, formed a Spirit Technique to retrieve the six Elixirs one by one, and sealed them in a Pill Bottle with a Restriction to prevent their medicinal properties from dissipating.

The effects of this Bone Marrow Condensing Pill were the same as the Bi Ning Pill. Both were Rank Breaking Elixirs for the Late stage Qi Cultivation. The formulas for the two elixirs were different, but their effects were more or less the same.

Ling Qiyue let out a soft sigh of relief. She shut down the Pill Furnace and the Multiple Array Restrictions, and the raging Spirit Flame slowly extinguished.

"How many of the remaining Medicinal Herbs and raw materials are left?"

After taking a Spirit Revitalizing Pill, Ling Qiyue asked softly.

Tang Qiu Yao said, "The main ingredients are basically all used up. With the remaining auxiliary materials, there isn’t enough to make another batch."

For the past few months, Ling Qiyue had barely stepped outside, spending all her time here Opening the Furnace and Refining Pills. As a result, the various raw materials were consumed at a considerable rate.

Ling Qiyue smiled. "It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to refine pills so freely and consecutively. I feel like my skill in the Alchemy Dao has improved a little. Junior Brother... has truly rendered a great service!"

Due to the scarcity of resources, it was incredibly difficult to gather enough raw materials for a single batch of High grade Elixirs. Therefore, although Ling Qiyue was a Second Rank Alchemist, she could not refine many elixirs each year.

With fewer opportunities to open the furnace and refine pills, her experience accumulated slowly, making any rapid improvement in her skill a distant dream.

But now, thanks to Ling Changqing, Ling Qiyue no longer lacked opportunities to practice. One could only imagine how quickly her skill level would improve.

Tang Qiu Yao’s expression grew a bit more serious. "We must protect him well. Whether or not you can become a Third Rank Alchemist in the future, most of the hope rests on him!"

"That’s a given. The rise and growth of the clan also depend on him."

Ling Qiyue nodded. From this moment on, Ling Changqing had become an indispensable part of her inner circle, and was even tied to the great enterprise of her future Dao path.

Studying Tang Qiu Yao’s flawlessly beautiful face and her graceful, voluptuous figure, Ling Qiyue smiled faintly.

"Junior Brother seems to have taken a bit of a liking to you, hmm? How about I make the decision and betroth you to him as a Dao Companion? What do you think? I’m a good senior sister to you, right?"

"And for that, I’m supposed to thank you, is that it?"

Hearing this, Tang Qiu Yao’s cheeks flushed red, and she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her. ’Senior Sister just loves to tease me, really...’

"Don’t be shy. Junior Brother’s Qi Fortune is far beyond that of an ordinary Cultivator. Reaching Foundation Establishment in the future is entirely possible,"

Ling Qiyue said with a serious expression. "Even catching up to my level probably won’t take him too long."

"I hope so!"

Tang Qiu Yao had no objections to this. Given the extraordinary qualities Ling Changqing had shown, it was all just a matter of time.