Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 506: Chapter 278: Receiving the Linsha Sea Region (Part 2)

"Husband, do you really intend to accept their request?"

Once they were alone in the hall, Tang Qiu Yao asked.

Ling Changqing smiled. "Why turn down a gift horse? With our current strength, what could they possibly do even if it is a trap?"

Ling Qiyue smiled faintly. "My husband is right. The family was bound to take this step sooner or later. A few years ahead of schedule makes little difference."

In the face of absolute power, all schemes and plots are meaningless.

If not for their deficiency in mid- and lower-level personnel, which makes effective governance difficult, the Ling Family could easily seize the territory of three to five sea regions right now.

If the Ling Family were to refuse this juicy prize, the Linsha Sea Region, the Cen Family would simply find another patron. Once that new patron gained such a significant asset and grew in power, they might develop ambitions concerning the Ling Family.

How can one suffer a rival to sleep beside one’s bed?

Disregarding all else, that reason alone was sufficient.

"Qiu Yao, how many people can we spare right now?"

Ling Changqing asked.

Tang Qiu Yao thought for a moment before replying, "We can spare twelve hundred clansmen at the late stage of Qi Cultivation, about a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators, thirty Pseudo Core Cultivators, ten True Pill Cultivators, and five or six Golden Core Masters. That’s about it."

"It will have to be enough. We’ll also transfer a contingent of the Independent Guest Elders employed by the family. That should be sufficient to maintain order in the Linsha Sea Region," Ling Qiyue said, satisfied.

As long as they didn’t face a large-scale invasion, this force was more than enough to maintain the normal operations of a single sea region’s various industries.

The best way to prevent a war was to station a Nascent Soul True Monarch there. With Cen Deyang’s cooperation, it would be enough to deter any neighboring powers from making a reckless move.

The Ling Family’s junior members were developing rapidly. In another eight to ten years, their manpower shortage would be significantly alleviated.

"Alright, then it’s decided," said the cool and beautiful Ling Yulu, who rarely smiled.

And so, the matter was settled. Ling Qiyue immediately gathered the other women to inform them of Ling Changqing’s decision.

None of his consorts objected. The territory of a single sea region was a trivial matter to them; they would simply take it.

Ling Qiyue then gave the order for the family Elders to prepare the necessary personnel and supplies. Everything had to be ready within half a month for the journey to the Linsha Sea Region.

「In an elegant and quiet courtyard.」

Having just been settled into his accommodations, Cen Wen Zhong was now sitting in the study across from his two attendants.

"...Father, the Ling Family’s true strength and foundation are far greater than we estimated!"

The red-robed Female Cultivator, whose figure was graceful and captivating, removed the disguise from her face. She revealed a countenance of unparalleled, luminous beauty, so stunning it was impossible to forget.

She was Cen Wen Zhong’s daughter, Cen Xuyi, a Cultivator at the Middle Stage of the Golden Core Realm.

Cen Wen Zhong sighed. "One look at the speed of this family’s rise should tell you their foundation is anything but simple. As for what secrets they might be hiding, that is beyond our knowing."

Cen Xuyi murmured thoughtfully, "That Ling Changxing... there’s something strange about him. If he’s the true Patriarch of the Ling Family, why does he let Ling Qiyue occupy that seat?"

"Those are their family’s private affairs. It’s not our place to ask."

Cen Wen Zhong said, taking a sip from the teacup beside him. His gaze softened as he looked at his daughter.

"You met the man himself today. What are your thoughts?"

A blush crept onto Cen Xuyi’s cheeks. "What thoughts could I possibly have?" she whispered. "It’s a sacrifice for the family, one way or another. I accept it."

The young Male Cultivator beside her spoke, his expression helpless. "It’s just so unfair to you, sister."

Cen Wen Zhong sighed. "Your grandfather doesn’t have much time left. For the family’s long-term survival, we were forced to take this course of action."

"Alas, it’s a pity your Spirit Root Talent is lacking. Reaching the Golden Core Master Realm is already your limit."

"If just one of you siblings could produce a Nascent Soul True Monarch, would our family be forced to stoop to this?"

Cen Xuyi said gently, "I don’t feel wronged, Father. To have a husband like the Ling Family’s Patriarch... that’s a dream few Female Cultivators could ever hope to achieve."

Cen Wen Zhong was relieved. He was glad his daughter had come to this understanding on her own, as it saved him the trouble of persuading her.

The plan of the Cen Family Patriarch—his father, Cen Deyang—was for the Ling Family Patriarch to marry a woman from the Cen clan, thereby solidifying the bond between their two families.

As Cen Wen Zhong’s only daughter and the woman with the best looks and talent in the Cen Family, Cen Xuyi was the obvious choice for this marriage alliance.

She had come along with her father, disguised as an Envoy, for the express purpose of sizing up her potential husband. Fortunately, the outcome was better than expected; at least he wasn’t some repulsive old codger.

"Then, the next time I meet with Ling Changxing, I will bring this matter up with him," Cen Wen Zhong said. "This young Patriarch may be mysterious, but his reputation isn’t bad. He has a gentle and approachable temperament and no intolerable vices. He shouldn’t treat you poorly."

"Yes... but I’m afraid I won’t be good enough for him."

Cen Xuyi gave a self-deprecating smile.

’He’s already in the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm, and his official Dao Companion is also a Nascent Soul True Monarch,’ she thought. ’A mere Golden Core Master with average Spirit Root Talent like me really doesn’t have much of a competitive edge.’

’I can only hope to become a favored concubine by his side and protect my family. I dare not ask for anything more.’