"Sister, where should we go next?"

In a cabin furnished in a classic, antique style and brimming with Spiritual Qi, Yu Youqin casually activated a Magical Projection Light Mirror, which displayed a vast map of the coastal regions of Yuzhou.

Yu Yalan glanced at the map and said nonchalantly, "Let’s head to the Chixue Sea Region, then. We have to visit all these places eventually anyway."

The Chixue Sea Region is adjacent to the Feiyu Sea Region, and it too contains millions of islands of all sizes, as well as numerous archipelagos and island chains.

Furthermore, unlike the Feiyu Sea Region, the Chixue Sea Region was home to several larger islands. These islands possessed multiple Rank Four Spirit Veins, giving rise to several Nascent Soul powers that have existed for over a thousand years.

As a result, the Chixue Sea Region’s prosperity and overall strength far surpassed that of the Feiyu Sea Region.

However, the several Nascent Soul powers here kept each other in check, leading to constant conflicts and wars that had not ceased for a thousand years.

The numerous Foundation Establishment and Core Formation powers were not spared, getting dragged into the fray and severely depleting the Chixue Sea Region’s overall strength.

Fortunately, this was the case. Otherwise, if the Chixue Sea Region were to be unified and launch a major outward expansion, the Feiyu Sea Region would be utterly unable to resist.

In the vast outer seas of Yuzhou, regions as fragmented and embroiled in constant strife as this were not uncommon.

Or perhaps, this was a deliberate design by the top-tier powers. They were unwilling to see a faction grow too strong here, one that could then compete with them for Yuzhou’s Destiny and influence.

In the vast and mysterious Cultivation Realm, such things were commonplace, much like the struggles for hegemony between dynasties in the mortal world.

"Oh, right,"

Yu Youqin suddenly spoke up. "Should we recruit a few compliant vassal powers in this area? They might come in handy later."

Yu Yalan looked slightly taken aback. After a moment’s thought, she shook her head. "I don’t see the point. What good could possibly come from these backwater regions?"

Aside from her own grand pursuit of the Dao, Yu Yalan cared little for other matters.

Even if the lower-level resources here were abundant, as heaven’s favored daughters, the sisters Yu Yalan and Yu Youqin had no lack of them. There was no need to go to the trouble.

Yu Youqin figured as much and didn’t press the issue.

...

「Twenty days later, in the Women’s Embroidery Tower.」

"...Qiu Yao, here are the Core Formation Resources you requested. This is the best quality the association is able to sell to outsiders!"

Xue Qingtan presented an exquisite Jade Box shrouded in Spiritual Light, her lips curved into a charming smile as she spoke.

Tang Qiu Yao’s expression was solemn. She accepted it carefully with both hands, then opened it in front of the other women.

Inside the Jade Box, several Azure Jade Pill Bottles of varying sizes rested upon a lining of Snow Sand Ice Spider Silk, emitting a faint medicinal aroma.

Ling Changqing and the women were all connoisseurs. It wasn’t difficult to tell that the bottles alone were of considerable value, to say nothing of the precious resources they contained.

Crystal Condensation and Transcendence Pill, Primordial Pure Well Essence Water—these were the key resources for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to reach Core Formation.

In addition, there were five auxiliary resources: the juice of the Purple Night Thousand Heart Orchid, Profound Sound Soft Water Essence, and Crimson Sky Fire Essence Dates, among others. They had various effects, such as strengthening the physical body and Divine Soul, increasing the chances of successful Pill Formation, and improving the quality of the resulting Golden Core.

At Ling Changqing’s request, Xue Qingtan had used her highest level of authority within the Xingyun sun Commerce Association just to purchase this set of superior-quality Core Formation Resources.

The cost was three times the normal market price. For an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it was a fortune they would struggle to amass in a lifetime, but for Ling Changqing, it was no longer a significant sum.

He was no longer a Loose Cultivator without any backing; earning resources was far less difficult for him.

Even the True Disciples of Nascent Soul powers likely couldn’t compare their personal wealth to Ling Changqing’s now.

Of course, Ling Changqing hadn’t paid this sum of Spirit Stones all by himself. Ling Qiyue had pitched in a portion, and another part was contributed in the name of the Ling Family.

After all, Tang Qiu Yao was a member of the family. With her attempting to break through to the Core Formation Realm, it was impossible for the Ling Family not to make a contribution. This was an established tradition.

"Sister, when it’s our turn to break through to the Core Formation Realm, can we also buy resources like these?"

Qin Yun asked Xue Qingtan in a low voice after studying the items for a moment.

Ling Changqing said gently, "Of course, it’s not a problem. I will take care of whatever Core Formation Resources you need."

With his current capabilities, it wouldn’t take him very long to earn enough for a set of Core Formation Resources on his own, let alone with the help of Ling Qiyue and the others.

As his Dao Companions’ Cultivation levels increased, they would undoubtedly provide him with even greater benefits during Dual Cultivation. It was a win-win situation.

Xue Qingtan smiled. "According to the association’s internal rules, a Golden Core power like the Ling Family is typically only allowed to purchase one set of Core Formation Resources every five years.

However, if the Ling Family can provide the association with a significant quantity of Third Grade Elixirs or materials, that rule can be bent."

"That makes things easy, then."

Ling Changqing nodded. Ling Qiyue was now capable of refining various Third Grade Elixirs in bulk. It also wouldn’t be difficult for him to hunt Rank Two and Three Sea Beasts and search for other Third Grade resources in the ocean.

Therefore, as long as the women’s Cultivation Realms reached the required level, obtaining the necessary Core Formation Resources would not be a problem at all.

The women breathed a collective sigh of relief. Being able to accompany Ling Changqing for the rest of their lives was, of course, their greatest wish.

In the treacherous Cultivation Realm, a world of flashing blades and endless deceit, let alone the incredibly rare Core Formation Resources, even ownership of a single Foundation Establishment Pill could often lead to one’s death.

Stories of fathers turning against sons and spouses becoming bitter enemies in the fight for resources were all too common.

That was why Ling Changqing’s attitude was all the more precious.