Chapter 556 - 301: The First Trace of a Demon

News that the Ling Family Patriarch had an heir quickly spread through certain channels, and many interested neighboring powers learned of the matter.

To them, this was clearly not good news. After all, the Ling Family’s power was growing too quickly and would inevitably threaten their interests in the future.

Now that the Ling Family Patriarch’s line had an heir, his power and position were more stable than ever. The family’s internal cohesion would grow stronger, leaving no room for other factions to contend for power.

Of course, they were more concerned with crucial details like the little princess’s Spirit Root Talent, Qi Fortune, and future growth potential.

They did not have to wait long. Rumors were soon secretly spread that Ling Shuanghua’s Spirit Root Talent was Middle Grade Earth Level, complete with all Five Elements, and that her Qi Fortune was simply average.

This meant that as long as the little princess did not meet an untimely end, she should be able to reach the Peak of a Golden Core Master’s Cultivation. Attaining the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm would be difficult, but not impossible if she found the right opportunities.

For a veteran Nascent Soul power, this was a respectable level, making her a qualified candidate for succession who was worthy of being carefully nurtured.

After the heads of the surrounding powers learned of this, they breathed a small sigh of relief. Such talent had not yet crossed their threshold for tolerance; it simply meant the Ling Family would one day have another Nascent Soul True Monarch.

If she had possessed a Celestial Grade Spirit Root, they would have been unable to eat or sleep, and would have even considered taking desperate risks, no matter how slim the chance of success.

Plotting all sorts of schemes to eliminate the outstanding Immortal Seeds of rival powers before they could mature was standard operating procedure in the Cultivation Realm.

Such things were unavoidable even among allies. After all, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

However, the Ling Family’s upper echelon had no intention of holding a public celebration. They chose to handle all matters concerning the little princess with discretion. The few pieces of information that occasionally leaked were all done so under Ling Qiyue’s secret instructions.

Then, not long after, another rumor began to circulate: the little princess had been sent to a major power composed of Female Cultivators, where a high-ranking Elder would personally watch over her and eventually accept her as a Direct Disciple.

In this way, regardless of whether the story was true or not, the rumor that the Ling Family had a powerful backer was all but confirmed.

The neighboring powers that had harbored designs on the Ling Family were now forced to temporarily abandon their plans and consider other options.

Go head-to-head with one of the top one or two powers in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm? These lesser powers wouldn’t even dare to dream of it, not unless they could find a backer of a similar caliber.

「Linsha Continent.」

In the inner bedchamber, on an exceptionally large Beautiful Jade Embroidery Bed, Ling Changqing struggled to free himself from a tangle of slender arms and long legs, slowly sitting up.

A warm, soft body—fragrant, smooth, and surprisingly supple—leaned against him from behind. An enchanting, snake-like arm wrapped around his shoulders as a husky, magnetic, and seductively soft voice spoke:

"Darling, getting up so early?"

"Yes, I need to go check on the Chixue Sea Region. It’s been a while since my last inspection."

Ling Changqing replied. As important as Dual Cultivation was, he couldn’t let his duties fall by the wayside.

’I can’t be like one of those mortal kings who becomes so infatuated with beautiful women that he neglects the affairs of his state.’

"Alright then. We sisters will accompany you."

Yu Ruoshuang, still behind him, smiled. Her lustrous, beautiful lips pursed as she hugged him and nuzzled against him, clearly not yet satisfied.

At that moment, Ziyunxi and Liu Ying Ziyi also awoke. Completely naked, their voluptuous and alluring bodies moved to embrace him from both sides.

"Darling, you’ve seen the girls I brought with me, haven’t you? Any thoughts?"

Ziyunxi asked softly, her hair in disarray and her face flushed like a rosy dawn.

This time, she had brought over a hundred beauties, all elites hand-picked from Xianyin Pavilion. There was no shortage of types, from young girls and maidens to mature, elegant women. Not a single one of them had a cultivation below the Golden Core Level.

Ziyunxi had entrusted all these beauties to Meng Feiyu’s management, along with a large sum of resources. When the time was right, she would have them come and attend to Ling Changqing.

"They’re all quite lovely," Ling Changqing said honestly, "but now isn’t the right time. Have them wait a while longer."

"Waiting is no problem, but Darling, you should make your choice first. It will put their minds at ease."

Ziyunxi said with a wide grin. ’Knowing his personality, now that he’s seen them, he won’t be able to resist.’

"Alright, we’ll do it your way."

Ling Changqing nuzzled against the pristine, snowy mounds on her chest, feeling the flames in his heart begin to stir once more.

He glanced around but didn’t see Ling Qiyue. He then remembered that she hadn’t come over, as she was outside handling official matters.

As for his daughter, Ling Shuanghua, she was being personally cared for by Tang Qiu Yao and had already been moved into the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land for long-term residence.

This was a decision Ling Changqing had made after consulting with his wives. While the defenses at the family headquarters were formidable, they weren’t guaranteed to be foolproof. The Era Star Palace was ultimately the safest place.

As for the outside world, they would simply find a female infant to act as a stand-in. This decoy would be raised with all the treatment and standards of a family heir to mislead any prying eyes.

After all, the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land had every resource imaginable. It had no shortage of palaces or Cave Mansion Halls, and its Spiritual Qi Environment was equivalent to that of a Grade Five Spirit Vein, making Cultivation efforts twice as fruitful.

Once Ling Shuanghua grew up inside, it would be best for her to reach a cultivation level Above Foundation Establishment before she was allowed to venture out occasionally.

Ling Changqing had already decided that any future daughters born to him would be raised in the same manner.