Chapter 568 - 307: Shangguan Qingying: Husband, the Able Should Do More...

Yi Zhoudian’s expression turned cold. "That Grade Five Spirit Vein is located in the heart of our family’s domain. If we were to give it to the Zhao Family, our main family complex would have to be relocated. That is out of the question!"

Although he knew Zhong Yan Tian’s reminder came from a place of goodwill, Yi Zhoudian was still extremely reluctant to acquiesce.

The Yi Family once had a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse among their ancestors, but they tragically perished in an accident not long after. As a result, the Yi Family could still only be considered an established Nascent Soul power.

’But as long as this Grade Five Spirit Vein remains, so does hope. Who’s to say a promising junior in the future won’t make the family proud and reach the Divinity Transformation Realm?’

If he surrendered this Spirit Vein to the Zhao Family, the Yi Family’s aspirations would be utterly extinguished, and he, Yi Zhoudian, would undoubtedly become a traitor to his family.

Zhong Yan Tian shook his head and said no more. If a man couldn’t come to a decision on his own, no amount of persuasion from others would help.

When the song ended, the Dancers retreated like a receding tide. The Sect Leader of Zuiyun Pavilion, a captivating beauty in a blue dress, rose gracefully. With a gentle sway of her hips, she carried an Azure Jade Wine Pot and approached the seat of honor.

Shangguan Qingying was slightly taken aback. Before she could speak, the beautiful woman’s red lips parted in a dazzling smile as she said:

"I, Jin Yuexi, Sect Leader of Zuiyun Pavilion, wish to offer the Grade Five Spirit Vein within our Sect’s territory for the Patriarch’s Cultivation in Seclusion. I hope the Patriarch will do us the honor of accepting it!"

"..."

The moment she spoke, the other fifteen Envoys, Zhong Yan Tian included, were all stunned into silence.

Evidently, no one had expected Jin Yuexi to be so perceptive and proactive.

Yi Zhoudian’s old face instantly darkened. He cursed her endlessly in his mind, yet he couldn’t voice a single complaint.

’I can’t believe it. While I was still hesitating, this woman just folded immediately. And without even a word of discussion with me... Unbelievable...’

Ling Changqing sized her up with a glance and said gently, "As I understand it, the Grade Five Spirit Vein in your territory is the very foundation of your Sect. To give it up just like that... has your Sect truly reached a consensus on this matter?"

Jin Yuexi pressed her lips into a smile, her eyes shimmering. "Naturally. Furthermore, if the Patriarch has no objections, Zuiyun Pavilion would be willing to form a... closer relationship with the Zhao Family, and with you, Fellow Daoist Ling. What do you say?"

When she finished, she blinked her large, limpid eyes at Ling Changqing, her gaze rippling with charm.

Zhao Wanyi: "???"

Zhao Wanqing: "???"

’So after all that, this is what she was really after? This has to be her true motive, doesn’t it?’

The twin sisters’ faces soured. Even though they knew Ling Changqing was a womanizer surrounded by beautiful women, seeing an outsider so brazenly covet him still deeply annoyed them.

Shangguan Qingying smiled, setting down her Wine Jar. "Since Fellow Daoist Jin is acting in good faith, I will accept your generous offer. As for other matters, we can discuss them privately at a later time."

"That would be wonderful!"

Jin Yuexi breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems my gamble paid off.’

’A Grade Five Spirit Vein is a rare strategic resource, but Zuiyun Pavilion, with only six Nascent Soul True Monarchs, couldn’t possibly defend it. It was far better to just give it away.’

’By latching onto the great tree that is the Zhao Family—or more precisely, the great tree that is Ling Changqing—Zuiyun Pavilion’s future would be secure. We’ll never again have to fear being devoured by our enemies.’

When the banquet concluded, the Envoys from the various families bid their farewells, one after another. Only Jin Yuexi remained behind.

Ling Changqing had already investigated Zuiyun Pavilion’s background. It was a matriarchal Sect, and Jin Yuexi herself possessed a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation. Her Spirit Root Talent and natural aptitude were impressive; reaching the Nascent Soul Peak would not be difficult for her, but breaking through to the Divinity Transformation Realm would come down to luck.

Beneath a long, immaculate jade corridor that shimmered with a treasured light, Ling Changqing strolled leisurely with the two peerless beauties, Shangguan Qingying and Jin Yuexi.

After Shangguan Qingying advanced to the rank of a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse, the Zhao Family’s main complex had undergone a massive expansion and renovation.

Numerous magnificent and imposing palaces were built into the mountainside, rising in tiered layers. Golden-glazed tiles shimmered under the sun, appearing as if coated in a sacred glow. The palace rooftops featured upturned eaves, adorned with carvings of dragons and phoenixes.

Wide jade corridors were flanked by gardens planted with all manner of Spirit Flowers and exotic herbs, their delightful fragrance soothing the heart and soul.

"...The transformation of the Zhao Family... it all began with you, Fellow Daoist Ling,"

Jin Yuexi tilted her head slightly, her captivating eyes fixed on the handsome youth in purple robes, whose lips were like crimson and eyes like polished ink. She spoke softly,

"If not for you, would that pair of twins have reached the Nascent Soul Realm so easily? And Sister Shangguan—her breakthrough to Divinity Transformation wouldn’t have been so simple either, would it? As for you... your Bone Age is so young, yet you’re already a Nascent Soul True Monarch. Though I don’t know your true identity, I can tell you’re anything but simple."

Ling Changqing nodded slightly. "You’ve certainly noticed a few things, but you will never guess the whole truth."

"That’s no longer important!"

Jin Yuexi said with a smile, "I’m not greedy. I only wish to ensure my Sect’s legacy endures. If you can help me reach the Divinity Transformation Realm as well, then I will agree to any request you make!"

"Does that include aligning with the Zhao Family, and even taking action against those other powers in the future?" Ling Changqing asked with a smile.

"Of course. I knew it," Jin Yuexi’s smile was a mixture of resignation and relief. "Since Zuiyun Pavilion has made its choice, we will naturally defer to the Zhao Family’s will."

’She had anticipated it wouldn’t be so simple. The Zhao Family truly did have designs on the other powers. Fortunately, she had chosen her side in time.’

Ling Changqing nodded, no longer beating around the bush. "Qingying, and the two sisters—they are all my Dao Companions now."

Jin Yuexi’s beautiful face flushed slightly, though she didn’t seem surprised. "So it’s through Dual Cultivation? I am amenable to that as well."

’She had no confidence she could break through her bottleneck on her own. If finding a Dao Companion was what it took to take that next step, it was an acceptable price to pay.’

’Of course, the crucial factor was the exceptionally special feeling Ling Changqing gave her. She didn’t know why, but her woman’s intuition told her this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If she let it pass, she would never get another.’

Shangguan Qingying laughed. "Well then, for the good of the family, you’ll just have to work a little harder, my dear husband!"