In the bedroom next door.

Ling Changqing was already fast asleep on the spacious and comfortable carved bed with brocade curtains. To be honest, he had been so busy with his Cultivation in the past that he rarely had the chance to sleep so peacefully.

On this trip to the Hanyue Continent Marketplace, there was almost nothing for Ling Changqing to worry about. All he had to do was be a good follower for Ling Qiyue.

His two senior sisters would handle everything else. Even if a conflict broke out, it wouldn’t be his turn, a mere Qi Cultivation 6th Layer Cultivator, to act.

In the other bedroom.

"...Senior Sister, are you sure you won’t reconsider? With our Junior Brother’s extraordinary Luck and Fortune, if you became his Lifebound Dao Companion, the benefits would be endless!"

"Perhaps it wouldn’t be long before you step directly into the Golden Core Realm. At that point, who would the Ling Family need to be wary of?"

Tang Qiu Yao persisted, trying to persuade her tirelessly.

"Perhaps. But I think you should be the one to give it a try with him. Who knows, you might successfully reach Foundation Establishment."

Ling Qiyue shot the stunningly beautiful woman a sideways glance.

’Trying to trick me into this? You’d better jump in yourself!’

The two women laughed and teased each other for a while before getting back to serious matters.

「The next morning.」

Ling Changqing woke up as expected, tidied himself up, and went to find the two women.

"Let’s go. We’ll have breakfast first, then head out to run our errands."

Tang Qiu Yao said, taking his arm.

Ling Changqing naturally had no objections. He went with the two women to a private VIP room on the third floor of the inn, where a maid in colorful attire with bright eyes and pearly teeth immediately presented them with a menu on a Jade Scroll.

The menu listed Spirit Rice congee, buns filled with Second Rank Demon Beast Meat, steamed buns and flower rolls made from Spirit Grain flour, as well as various Spirit Medicine dishes and nourishing broths—delicacies that ordinary Cultivators could only dream of.

Ling Qiyue was not short on Spirit Stones, so after asking for Ling Changqing’s opinion, she ordered a full table of food, and the three of them began to feast.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, they paid the bill and left. Tang Qiu Yao suggested they purchase all their resources first, so the three of them walked into another Spirit Medicine shop.

In the Hanyue Continent Marketplace, over half of the businesses belonged to Hanyue Gate, and most of them occupied the best locations.

The remaining shops and businesses were run by outsiders, including vassal families of Hanyue Gate or other major powers of a similar size and scale.

For example, the "Huazhen Pavilion" Elixir Medicine Shop that Ling Qiyue had visited yesterday was a business established here by another Golden Core Sect, the "Yuanhua Sect".

"...Once the family has a few more Foundation Establishment Cultivators, should we set up a permanent base here?"

Tang Qiu Yao suggested, "We could assign a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to guard it. It would be much more convenient for purchasing resources and gathering information in the future."

The Wu Family was stronger, so they had always maintained a permanent base in the Hanyue Continent Marketplace. They had even set up several shops and businesses, earning a significant amount of Spirit Stones and resources each year.

"Mm, that’s a good idea. Let’s keep it in mind. We can act on it when conditions permit in the future."

Ling Qiyue said. In truth, many Foundation Establishment Clans did this. The Ling Family had simply never considered it before due to their limited power and resources, as well as their great distance from the Hanyue Continent.

The day slipped by in a constant flurry of shopping.

Ling Qiyue had obtained most of the resources she needed. Only a few items were either out of stock or did not meet her quality requirements.

"...This is the last major shop in the Marketplace. Let’s go take a look. Hopefully, we won’t leave empty-handed this time."

Tang Qiu Yao said with a frown, unable to hide the worry in her heart.

A few dozen paces away stood a magnificent, palace-like building with White Jade Steps. An elegant Cultivator stood guard, and groups of maids in brocade robes stood in lines, their faces graced with warm, gentle smiles.

This was a business established by the Nascent Soul Sect, Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace. The variety of resources inside was so rich that not even Hanyue Gate could compare. They would surely find something here.

The Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace was a Sect from the Yuanqing Continent, a distance so vast it was beyond the imagination of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. As such, they had a good relationship with Hanyue Gate, as there were no fundamental conflicts of interest between them.

Ling Qiyue nodded and led the other two up the White Jade Steps. A maid in brocade robes immediately came forward to greet them with a bow.

A moment later, the three were seated in a quiet room on the second floor.

The one who received them was a stunningly beautiful young woman—sultry, gorgeous, and exuding a flirtatious charm. She had an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, and her dress was thin and translucent, revealing large patches of her snow-white skin.

She showed no particular reaction to Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiu Yao, but when she saw Ling Changqing, a flicker of shock flashed through her eyes before vanishing.

"...Fellow Daoist Ling is looking for the Soul-Guiding Herb? And the Illusory Star Azure Moon Sand?"

After they were seated, the Female Steward, whose name was Luo Ji, smiled brightly. Her lovely eyes darted all over Ling Changqing, sizing him up nonstop as she parted her red lips to speak:

"These two items aren’t exceptionally precious, but because cultivating and harvesting them is quite troublesome, our supply here is also very tight!"

"Of course, since this is Fellow Daoist Ling’s first time visiting our shop, and considering the possibility of a long-term partnership, I will have to find a way to solve this for you..."

She rambled on, her gaze never leaving Ling Changqing.

Ling Qiyue cleared her throat and said patiently:

"In that case, please bring out the items, Fellow Daoist Luo. We don’t mind if the price is a bit high."

These were the last two ingredients needed to go with the Soul-Devouring Blood Soul Fruit. Once she had them, she could return and begin Refining a new batch of Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Mm, that’s no problem, of course. However..."

Luo Ji stared at Ling Changqing again and again, covering her mouth as she chuckled lightly.

"May I ask what this handsome young man’s name is? This one finds you quite pleasing to the eye, hehe..."

Ling Qiyue’s expression immediately darkened. ’If I’d known this woman had ill intentions toward my Junior Brother, I wouldn’t have come to this shop.’

Tang Qiu Yao said flatly, "This is our Junior Brother, Ling Changqing, and my Dual Cultivation Companion. Fellow Daoist Luo should not get any other ideas."

"...Is that so? What a pity!"

Luo Ji glanced at her. ’Dual Cultivation Companions? You’re both untouched virgins. Do you take me for a fool?’

However, she didn’t call them out on it. She turned and instructed a maid to bring ten portions each of the Soul-Guiding Herb and Illusory Star Azure Moon Sand.

"For both of these resources, the total price is nine thousand four hundred Low grade Spirit Stones. No haggling!"

Luo Ji said leisurely, "Of course, if Fellow Daoist Ling is willing, we can discuss..."

"Very well. We accept that price!"

Ling Qiyue cut her off, took out ninety-four Middle grade Spirit Stones from her Storage Pouch, handed them to the maid, and then collected the resources.

"So... will you be needing more of these in the future?"

Luo Ji said unhurriedly, "The success rate for Refining this kind of Life extending Elixir isn’t very high, you know. And even we are rather short on the main ingredients..."

Clearly, as an Inner Sect Disciple from a Major Sect out gaining experience, her insight and knowledge far surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The Soul-Guiding Herb and Illusory Star Azure Moon Sand were also important materials for Refining a certain type of second rank Life extending Elixir, one even more valuable than a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Luo Ji believed she had already guessed what Ling Qiyue was buying these resources for, and she didn’t think they would succeed so easily.

’At that point, won’t they have to come back and beg me for help?’

"We’ll... see about that when the time comes!"

Not wanting to linger, Ling Qiyue stood up and bid a crisp farewell.

Luo Ji hesitated for a moment but didn’t try to stop them. She only said:

"If you need more resources next time, just come and find me. How about we exchange contact information?"

"Hehe, then we’ll have to trouble you!"

Tang Qiu Yao said, taking out a Communication Jade Talisman and exchanging contact information with her.

But in her heart, she had already decided to block her as soon as she got back.