It didn't take long.
Before long, news that Ling Changqing had earned a fortune today spread among the Pearl Gatherers, naturally causing quite a stir.
"…That bastard's luck is just ridiculous, isn't it? A single day's work in the sea, and he's already made what we slave away for a month to earn!"
"A month? More like two or three! When have you ever earned one hundred fifty Spirit Stones in a single month?"
"That kid is infuriating! Why hasn't he just died at the bottom of the sea?"
"Watch your mouth. I heard he cultivates the Profound Truth Black Water Scripture. His status is now basically the same as a proper member of the Ling Clan."
"Yeah, the Lord Steward thinks very highly of him. That kid… who knows how far he'll go?"
"Hmph! Let's just hope he meets with some disaster. The ocean floor is treacherous. Even if he's lucky, can he guarantee that every trip will go smoothly?"
...
All sorts of envious, jealous, and hateful chatter inevitably reached Ling Changqing's ears, but he paid it no mind.
In Ling Zifeng's view, these low-level Loose Cultivators were expendable. Their opinions never mattered.
Ling Changqing was destined to walk a different path from them.
In the dining hall.
With the Lord Steward's permission, Ling Changqing could now dine with the other Ling Clan members. He no longer had to squeeze into the Pearl Gatherers' area with the rest of them.
Real Spirit Rice, all kinds of First Rank Demon Beast Meat, and Spirit Wine reserved for Ling Clan Members were all served in abundance.
In terms of both taste and the Spiritual Qi they contained, these meals were far superior to the garbage Ling Changqing used to eat.
'I've saved up another three hundred Spirit Stones. I should go buy some more Elixirs later, right? Accelerating my Cultivation is the top priority!'
Ling Changqing mused to himself as he shoveled food into his mouth.
Every bit of extra strength was another chance at survival, so he didn't dare slack off in the slightest.
He might seem to be in a good position now—at least, far better than the other Pearl Gatherers—but his status was incredibly unstable.
A single setback—like being injured by a powerful beast from the ocean floor—and it was obvious what would happen next.
The ones who were green with envy would absolutely seize the chance to kick him while he was down and ensure he never got back on his feet.
Therefore, every resource he acquired had to be converted into real strength as quickly as possible. Only then could Ling Changqing rest easy.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ling Changqing rose and headed for the trading area inside the ship.
"...Brother Ling, what can I get for you this time?"
The Shopkeeper of the Elixir shop greeted him with a chuckle. Whenever this blue-robed youth managed to save up some Spirit Stones, he would spend most of them here before they could even warm his pockets.
"Six Profound Yin Blood Essence Pills, twenty Spirit Revitalizing Pills, and also some Healing Pills and Qi Nourishing and Essence Storing Pills."
As he spoke, Ling Changqing emptied all the Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, not holding a single one back.
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
A hint of appreciation entered the Shopkeeper's voice.
Most of the Pearl Gatherers he'd seen in the past lived only for the moment. The majority of the Spiritual Sand they earned went straight to brothels and taverns, with no thought for the future.
To see someone like Ling Changqing, with such a firm Dao Heart, sparing no expense to purchase elixirs and resources to advance his Cultivation, was exceptionally rare.
A moment later, a quick and efficient clerk had counted out the Elixirs and brought them over.
Ling Changqing confirmed everything was in order, offered a polite thank you, and turned to leave.
'Just need to keep this up. In another month, I should be able to move to a new cabin, right?'
Entering his narrow, pigeon-coop-like cabin, Ling Changqing mused to himself.
Ling Zifeng had said that if he could keep up the good work for another month without any mistakes, he would be allowed to move into the cabins on the upper decks.
That was the residential area for the Ling Clan members. Not only were the rooms more spacious and attended by dedicated Maids, but they were also equipped with a small Spiritual Energy Array.
Ling Changqing was naturally looking forward to it. After all, everyone wants to better their station.
He slowly settled onto his bed, took out a Profound Yin Blood Essence Pill and swallowed it, then began another all-night Cultivation session.
The night passed quietly.
The next day, Ling Changqing opened his eyes and silently reviewed his Cultivation progress over the past month.
Within his sea of consciousness, a message imbued with a profound Dao Rhyme silently materialized:
[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]
[Bone Age: 14]
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer]
[Destiny: 18+93]
[Blessed Fortune: 18+70]
[Physique: 14]
[Root Bone: 12]
[Comprehension: 13]
[Divine Soul: 19]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (1st Floor) 2970/5000]
[Water Escape Technique: (1st Floor) 912/1000]
[Water Spirit Shield: (1st Floor) 930/1000]
All his physical attributes were continuously improving, and his Primary Cultivation Technique and Divine Techniques were no exception. Furthermore, his own Cultivation was not far from breaking through to the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer.
'I wonder what the Destiny and Blessed Fortune of those Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators are like. Is the gap between them and me that large?'
Ling Changqing muttered to himself. He went out to sea every day and always managed to earn far more than the other Pearl Gatherers. Besides his extraordinary Spiritual Perception, his powerful Luck and Fortune played an undeniable role.
Unfortunately, he had yet to encounter a true Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, so he had no basis for comparison.
In any case, the combined Luck and Fortune of Tang Qiu Yao and Lingyun Peak—two cultivators at the Qi Cultivation 8th Layer—couldn't hold a candle to his.
This was why Ling Changqing's efficiency at finding and collecting resources on the seabed was so ridiculously high. Setting aside his Cultivation level, perhaps even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator would have to admit defeat in this regard.
Of course, his extraordinary haul from yesterday still contained an element of chance.
Normally, the haul Ling Changqing could bring back each day was worth between fifteen and twenty-five Low-grade Spirit Stones.
This was just the portion he handed over to Ling Zifeng; it didn't include what he secretly ate on the seabed. Those precious ingredients were, of course, converted into his Cultivation.
It was foreseeable that with time, his breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer would come naturally, and even the 5th Layer was no longer a distant dream.
Reining in his wandering thoughts, Ling Changqing got out of bed, straightened his clothes, gathered his tools, and walked out the door.
A moment later, he was on the foredeck.
All the Pearl Gatherers had already assembled. After Ling Zifeng finished his address, they boarded their small boats and set out, beginning another day of work at sea.
Ling Changqing was, of course, the last to arrive. He did this deliberately; besides, Ling Zifeng didn't mind at all.
"I'm heading down!"
After his customary greeting, Ling Changqing waved to the Lord Steward, then turned and climbed down the rope ladder to his boat, heading out toward the distant waters.
By the time he was once again submerged in the familiar ocean environment, half an hour had passed.
An azure screen of light materialized around him, completely warding off the bone-chilling cold and immense pressure of the sea.
Ever since he began cultivating the Profound Truth Black Water Scripture, Ling Changqing's ability to adapt to the marine environment had increased dramatically.
For instance, he could move more nimbly, consumed less stamina and Spiritual Power, and could stay underwater for much longer. His Spiritual Perception had also become more acute, and he could cultivate Water Element Divine Techniques more quickly.
After a leisurely descent to the seafloor, Ling Changqing drew his Short Sword and began searching for a suitable target.