Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 388 - 232: Ling Changqing: "At worst, I’ll just accompany you...

"Unbelievable. A yield of nine pills? And they’re all perfectly formed?"

The stunningly beautiful woman gasped in a low voice.

Whenever Zhao Hua had performed Alchemy in the past, he would produce four or five pills at most. Not to mention their average quality, he also frequently failed the refining process, wasting many precious Medicinal Herbs.

’If you really think about it, it would take three Zhao Huas to barely match the handsome young man before me, wouldn’t it?’

"Fellow Daoist Ling, I truly have to thank you for this!"

Zhao Wanqing said, overjoyed, as she took the Pill Bottle and examined it ceaselessly.

Several Core Formation Elders in the family were advanced in age and in desperate need of this kind of Life-extending Elixir.

Ling Changqing smiled. He skillfully extinguished the Spirit Flame, deactivated the Array Restriction, and only then did he slowly rise to his feet.

"To be honest, it’s mostly because this Pill Furnace is of a decent grade, plus the Grade Four Spirit Vein supplying Spiritual Qi. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."

Ling Changqing said gently.

This was an Absolute grade Treasure Level Pill Furnace. Its various bonuses to Alchemy were obvious, and it was far superior to the Top grade Magical Treasure level Pill Furnace back on the Changqing Continent.

"If you’d like, you can use this Pill Furnace from now on. We wouldn’t mind at all!"

Zhao Wanyi said with a charming smile.

Ling Changqing looked at the pair of stunning twin sisters and said with some surprise:

"So you’re twins? I hadn’t realized before."

The two sisters had identical eyes, features, and temperaments. Even their clothes, accessories, and hairstyles were the same, making it truly difficult to tell them apart at a glance.

"Yes. I am Zhao Wanqing. I was the one who brought you back."

Zhao Wanqing’s beautiful face flushed slightly as she spoke with some embarrassment.

She had given her older sister’s name before, just for a bit of fun, but now she was naturally telling the truth.

Of course, to Ling Changqing, it didn’t seem to matter much whether it was the older or younger sister.

"Thank you for your generous hospitality, Miss Wanqing. As for whether the name was real or not, it doesn’t really matter."

Ling Changqing said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Ling,"

Zhao Wanyi’s expression turned serious as she said in a solemn voice:

"You know the Zhao Family’s situation now. If you are willing to stay with the family and become our Honored Alchemist, all terms are negotiable. What do you think?"

The family’s circumstances were currently dire. If they could convince a high-level Pill Master like him to stay and help, the Zhao Family’s plight would be greatly alleviated.

’If he really agrees, we could even consider letting my younger sister be with him.’

Ling Changqing shook his head. "I can’t stay here for a long time. Of course, as long as the compensation is right, it won’t be difficult for me to refine some Elixirs for you in the future."

’The Changqing Continent is my foundation. How could I work for the Zhao Family indefinitely? An equal partnership, however, is something I could consider.’

"As I expected. I knew it!"

Zhao Wanyi sighed. He truly had no designs on the Zhao Family, so he couldn’t be a spy sent by their enemies.

But for that very reason, it would be impossible for the Zhao Family to keep him, even if the family was willing to recruit him as a son-in-law.

Zhao Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Then, could you stay here for a month? Or, how often could you come here?"

Ling Changqing pondered for a moment. "I’ll stay for fifteen days this time. Then I have to go back for a month. I’ll come back after I’ve handled my affairs at home."

"Fifteen days? I suppose that’s acceptable."

Zhao Wanyi thought for a moment and felt this outcome was still acceptable. At least he wasn’t against helping the family.

"Furthermore, in terms of Cultivation Resources, my family and the Zhao Family can trade what we each have. A long-term partnership isn’t out of the question."

Ling Changqing continued. ’Since I’ve decided to help them, I might as well see it through. It’s not like I’ll be losing out anyway.’

Zhao Wanyi nodded. "That... we can discuss in detail later. As for now, can you help us refine some more Elixirs?"

"Of course. Just make a list and prepare the Medicinal Herbs!"

Ling Changqing said.

So, the Zhao sisters invited Ling Changqing to the Inner Study. They talked in detail for more than two hours before reaching an agreement on the specifics of their cooperation.

That guy had already ruined more than half of the dozen or so Medicine Mountain Medicinal Gardens the family had painstakingly cultivated. There weren’t many qualifying Third Grade Medicinal Herbs left, so some types of Spirit Medicine had to be purchased from outside.

Of course, as long as Ling Changqing was willing to help, the Zhao Family could rely on its existing stock of Elixirs to get through the next ten years without a problem.

"...Does the Zhao Family have a high demand for Life-extending and Life-prolonging Elixirs right now?"

Ling Changqing asked, looking at the list of Elixirs Zhao Wanyi had written out.

Zhao Wanyi explained, "It’s mainly because of the constant war with the Qin Family. Some of our Elders are severely injured, leaving them with little Lifespan remaining. That’s why we need your help, Fellow Daoist, to prioritize this matter."

"That’s not a problem. I can refine both types of Grade Three Life-extending Elixirs with their different formulas. If your family has any other Pill Formulas, you can bring them out for me to try!"

Ling Changqing said.

According to the Celestial Dao Laws of this world, it seemed that each type of Life-extending and Life-prolonging Elixir could only be consumed once. The effect would be greatly diminished the second time, and by the third time, it would be almost completely ineffective.

However, after thousands upon thousands of years of development and evolution in this world, various powers had naturally researched and developed many different kinds of Life-extending and Life-prolonging Elixirs.

These Elixirs varied in potency, but their medicinal properties didn’t conflict, so they could be taken in succession—as long as you had the means to obtain them.

The two Life-extending Pill Formulas Ling Changqing mentioned were the more widely circulated ones. However, any power with a deep enough foundation would likely have some unique Pill Formulas of their own—well-guarded secrets they kept in reserve.

Zhao Wanyi said, "The Zhao Family does indeed have two secret Longevity Elixir formulas. Given the current situation, never mind the payment—just consider them a gift to you, Fellow Daoist Ling."

With that, she took out a Jade Scroll from her Storage Bracelet and handed it to Ling Changqing.

Ling Changqing took it and looked. They were indeed two brand-new Pill Formulas for Third Grade Life-extending and Life-prolonging Elixirs, which could extend one’s life by twelve and fifteen years, respectively, after consumption.

Normally, a Pill Formula like this would fetch a price of at least ten thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones at a top-tier auction held by one of the three great merchant associations.

"Alright. I don’t want to take advantage of you. As long as you prepare the Medicinal Herbs, I can refine thirty batches of these Elixirs for you free of charge. And I guarantee a zero-percent failure rate."

Ling Changqing said gently. ’To get two brand-new Pill Formulas, I’m the one coming out ahead in this deal,’ he thought.

Zhao Wanyi looked slightly taken aback. "Fellow Daoist, you must be joking. This is your first time attempting to refine this type of Elixir. How could you possibly not have any failures?"

Ling Changqing chuckled. "I’m not bragging. If I fail, I’ll just compensate you for the loss."

Zhao Wanyi looked like she wanted to say something but held back. After a thought, she said, "Alright, then it’s settled. Fellow Daoist, will you continue working now? Or would you like to rest for a while?"

"There’s no need to rest. Let’s continue Opening the Furnace and Refining Pills."

Ling Changqing said.

Zhao Wanyi didn’t say any more. Along with her sister, she accompanied him back to the Pill Hall.

For the next ten-plus days, Ling Changqing barely left the Pill Hall.

As batch after batch of various Third Grade Elixirs with different purposes were successfully refined, the expressions on the faces of the Zhao sisters grew more and more astonished.

The Elixirs Ling Changqing refined were almost all of proper quality, his failure rate was astonishingly low, and the yield of pills from each batch was also significantly higher than that of an ordinary high-grade Third Rank Alchemist.

Not to mention, the time Ling Changqing took to refine each batch of Elixirs was only half that of a typical Pill Master.

You could say that him refining ten batches of Elixirs was equivalent to an ordinary Pill Master refining more than twenty.

"...Fellow Daoist Ling, my mother... she... would like to see you."

After another batch of Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pills was produced, a blushing and bashful Zhao Wanqing came over and whispered to Ling Changqing.

"Then take me to her."

Ling Changqing found it a bit strange. ’It’s just a meeting, not a blind date. Is there a need to be so shy about it?’ he thought.

Zhao Wanqing hummed in assent, not daring to meet his gaze again, and turned to lead the way.

This time, the meeting took place in the private Inner Study. The Female Patriarch, with her alluring, enchanting figure and graceful demeanor, was still wearing her mask, sitting quietly in the main seat.

Zhao Wanyi was also present, standing beside her mother, the Patriarch.

Ling Changqing walked over, his expression normal as he bowed and offered a greeting.

"There’s no need for such formalities, young man. Please, sit and talk."

The Patriarch raised a snowy-white, slender wrist and spoke in a soft voice, her tone clear and gentle, like pearls falling onto a Jade Plate.