Chapter 29: Zi Ling

Aboard the Thousand Realm Boat.

After finishing his instructions, Ling Jie waved his hand.

A dozen tokens appeared before the crowd.

They corresponded exactly to the respective personnel; Li Qing only felt a current of air passing by him before a token appeared in front of him.

"These are the tokens used to prove your identity. Remember to present them when collecting spirit ores..."

"Remember, the guards at each spirit mine will only recognize these tokens."

After a few more brief instructions, Ling Jie dismissed the crowd.

Huangyu Island was located in a sea area hundreds of nautical miles away from the sect.

At the speed of the Thousand Realm Boat, it would take two days to arrive.

This did not mean the Thousand Realm Boat was inherently that fast.

The boat was inscribed with acceleration formations, but once activated, it essentially became a bottomless pit for consuming spirit stones.

Unless it was a critical moment, the formations inside would not be used.

They traveled relying solely on the inherent speed of the spirit boat.

Furthermore, during the journey, they might bypass certain dangerous sea areas.

Seeing the people around him dispersing, Li Qing also intended to leave.

For some reason, Li Qing seemed to perceive that the Foundation Establishment female cultivator named Zi Ling had glanced in his direction before she departed.

Although Li Qing's cultivation was only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, his divine sense range had already reached over seventy feet.

Coupled with his relatively powerful soul, he was more sensitive to these slight changes.

Naturally, Li Qing did not know that the female cultivator named Zi Ling was the very same one who had appeared in the Law Enforcement Hall earlier.

On the other side.

A flash of surprise crossed Zi Ling's eyes.

After hearing the name Li Qing, she felt it was familiar, only to realize it was the same cultivator she had interrogated in the Law Enforcement Hall last time.

Moreover, that outer disciple had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

It had been only about a year since then, yet the outer disciple had actually advanced by two minor realms.

However, regarding the previous incident, the sect had already reached a conclusion: it was a natural phenomenon of "whale swallowing" occurring in the sea.

Under normal circumstances, she might have felt a bit of interest.

But at this current juncture, she had no energy to investigate Li Qing.

Besides, strength increases rapidly during the early and middle stages of Qi Refinement; with the aid of medicinal pills, breaking through two realms in a year was considered quite normal.

Zi Ling glanced at the surrounding outer disciples and then returned directly to her room.

Her room was located in the most core area, exquisitely and elegantly laid out. In the center, atop an ancient wooden table, a Soul-Suppressing Incense was lit.

A few wisps of white smoke slowly dissipated in the room, leaving behind a faint, refreshing fragrance that made one's mind feel tranquil upon smelling it.

Soul-Suppressing Incense was refined from a special type of spiritual wood; long-term absorption of its smoke could strengthen a cultivator's soul.

During cultivation, the incense made it easier to clear away cluttered thoughts.

Even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, such a treasure was considered a luxury.

"Changes in Heaven and Earth..."

Returning to her room, Zi Ling removed her veil, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face.

At this moment, a hint of confusion actually appeared in her clear eyes.

Ever since that massive roar decades ago, the entire Spirit Realm had begun to undergo changes.

Spiritual Qi was recovering, and the Great Dao was manifesting.

Although it was not yet extremely obvious, the concentration of spiritual Qi had become denser than before without anyone noticing.

After decades of change, various heavenly and earthly spiritual treasures had begun to emerge.

In the original cultivation world, mid-grade spiritual roots were considered decent, but now, accompanied by the changes in heaven and earth, the number of people with high-grade spiritual roots was increasing.

Even Heaven-grade spiritual roots had begun to appear in the world.

When she first learned this news, she had also expressed great joy.

The recovery of spiritual Qi and the emergence of treasures were, naturally, wonderful things for cultivators.

However, words from her grandfather had given her a deeper understanding of this world.

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined."

"During times of great worldly change, great terrors and chaos are bound to appear."

"The old order begins to gradually collapse, and the transition between the old and the new often represents chaos."

Having lived within the Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect since birth, this left Zi Ling feeling somewhat lost when facing the unknown.

Her personal presence on this mission was also related to the changes in heaven and earth.

In that Grade 2 Lapis Lazuli spirit ore vein, a new companion mineral had actually been discovered—Azure Spirit Gold.

Azure Spirit Gold was a high-quality mineral within a Grade 2 ore vein that could be used in almost any magical tool; even Golden Core cultivators had a significant demand for it when refining treasures.

The purpose of this trip was to investigate exactly how much Azure Spirit Gold remained in that ore vein.

If the value was too immense, it might attract the intervention of Golden Core cultivators from higher up.

Zi Ling shook her head slightly and then slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

The surrounding mist gradually obscured her perfect countenance.

There was only the flow of magical power in the surroundings.

On the deck of the Thousand Realm Boat.

Just as Li Qing was about to disperse, a few whispers came from the side.

"Could it really be that Senior Sister Zi Ling from the Inner Sect?"

"Definitely."

"In the entire sect, who else besides her bears that name?"

"..."

Li Qing did not hear the subsequent words, but he naturally had a way.

Seeing Mu Qing intending to return to her cabin in the distance, Li Qing proactively walked over.

"Fellow Daoist Mu."

Li Qing stepped forward and offered a smiling cupped-hand salute.

"Does Fellow Daoist Li have something to discuss?"

Mu Qing's gaze toward Li Qing carried a hint of doubt.

"It is like this; I am quite unworldly."

"I just heard some fellow daoists discussing a so-called Senior Sister Zi Ling."

"I rarely leave my quarters, so I wonder if you could help introduce her a little?"

Li Qing looked at Mu Qing with a smile.

Mu Qing gave a soft laugh.

"Fellow Daoist Li is usually so busy with bitter cultivation that you might not be well-acquainted with this Senior Sister."

Li Qing put on an expression of eager listening.

"Senior Sister Zi Ling is undoubtedly one of the absolute geniuses of the Inner Sect..."

As Mu Qing introduced her, Li Qing finally understood why the female cultivator named Zi Ling possessed such prestige.

She was only twenty-nine years old, yet she already possessed the strength of the peak mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

In the Inner Sect, she possessed a Water-attribute Heaven-grade spiritual root and had even become a disciple of a powerhouse within the Thousand Water Spirit Control Sect; Mu Qing did not specify who, but judging by her expression, she likely knew.

More importantly, Zi Ling possessed a beauty that surpassed all others.

Speaking of this, Mu Qing also revealed a trace of envy.

Powerful talent combined with perfect beauty—every aspect was something to be envied.

"Not at all, I find Fellow Daoist Mu's beauty to be among the finest in the entire sect as well."

Li Qing then offered a few smiling compliments.

Hearing his proactive flattery, the corners of Mu Qing's mouth curled up slightly, and a charming smile appeared on her jade-like face.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Li to be such an interesting person."

As long as they were women, hearing others praise their appearance brought joy to their hearts.

A moment later, Li Qing took his leave.