Chapter 577 - 313: The Wind and Clouds Begin to Stir

「Linsha Continent.」

By a shimmering lake, inside an octagonal jade pavilion surrounded by a carved crystal railing, Ling Changqing was fishing. He was dressed in ornate robes and a feathered crown, his features handsome with sharp brows and bright eyes.

Liu Ying Ziyi, Song Qingyan, Ziyunxi, and a host of other beauties accompanied him, massaging his shoulders, kneading his legs, and serving him tea. They attended to his every need.

In the crystal-clear water, schools of Spirit Fish of various colors swam about. Their fine scales shimmered with a faint spiritual glow, and they were all rare and precious species known for their delicate and delicious meat.

Ling Changqing often came here to relax and take a break. After all, he couldn’t just stay cooped up in his bedchamber for Dual Cultivation day and night. He was on the verge of being eaten alive by the ravenous women of his harem and needed a chance to recover.

The beauties understood how he felt, so they didn’t object. However, for safety’s sake, the women naturally took turns standing guard, never leaving his side.

As time passed, Ling Changqing, Song Xuelan, Qin Yun, and Liu Ying Ziyi all made catches, reeling in Spirit Fish of various sizes. Only Qin Mengxuan came up empty-handed, not even catching a tiny shrimp.

"...Why is it like this again? It’s so frustrating!"

Dressed in a bright yellow palace gown embroidered with a sun, moon, and phoenix motif, the sweet and innocent Qin Mengxuan muttered in vexation. Her youthful, jade-like face flushed slightly as she threw down the gold-inlaid jade fishing rod in her hands.

The other beauties were already used to this. This Grand Palace Master of Lu Hua Palace was good at everything, except for her fishing skills, which were an absolute mess. No one knew why.

"...It seems the Primordial Demon Palace has been making quite a stir lately!"

Ling Changqing gently set down his Jade Spirit Jade Fishing Rod and spoke in a mild tone.

Ziyunxi, adorned with a Cloud Hairpin Phoenix and radiating a nobility and beauty that was bone-deep, turned her lovely head and said with a beaming smile:

"Their plan should have reached a critical stage. The outcome of the upcoming battles will determine the rise or fall of their Sect, so naturally, they have to go all out."

As the portal in space-time stabilized and expanded, more and more legions of the Outer Heaven Exotic clan poured into this world. And since the Primordial Demon Palace couldn’t just support them for nothing, it was only natural to unleash them upon the various powers in the surrounding regions.

Unlike before, however, their main targets this time were the Cultivator factions around Shunzhou. They were no longer casting a wide net as they had last time.

Therefore, in recent years, major powers like the Da Xia Divine Dynasty of Yuzhou, as well as the Buddhist Pure Land, the Taiqing Divine Dynasty, and the Beichen Family, have come under especially incredible pressure.

As for whether the widespread death and destruction would provoke the wrath of both men and gods in this world and make them a public enemy?

That wasn’t a problem for the upper echelons of the Primordial Demon Palace to consider. If they didn’t act this way, it wouldn’t be the style of Demon Cultivators.

Sacrificing the teeming masses to collect enough Soul Crystal resources, laying the foundation for the next phase of their grand plan, and incidentally depleting the strength of the Outer Heaven Exotic clan—these were the things they cared about most.

Ling Changqing mused aloud, "If that’s the case, the pressure they’re under to withstand the siege from those frenzied exotic clans must be immense, don’t you think?"

The exotic clans descending upon the world now were not only more numerous, but their individual strength had also significantly increased. The immense threat they posed to the local low- and mid-level Cultivators was easy to imagine.

"Maybe, but that has nothing to do with us!"

Qin Mengxuan’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. She wished those powers would fight until both sides were crippled, or better yet, fall into complete decline, never to recover.

Ling Changqing pursed his lips slightly and said no more.

He was certainly no naive, childish saint. Aside from himself and the women by his side, what did the fortunes or failures of others have to do with him?

It would be best if this chaotic situation could continue, giving him and the Ling Family enough time to keep lying low and developing their strength.

Ling Changqing had a premonition. Once he stepped into the Divinity Transformation Realm, besides the increase in his Cultivation and Lifespan, the most crucial change would be the explosive growth of his Qi and Fate Chart. This would completely eliminate the possibility of being possessed by others or having his Root Bone and Destiny stolen.

Not far away, Ling Qiyue had her arm around a girl and was speaking with her. The girl had ink-black hair, and her features were exquisite and coolly beautiful, carrying a reserved, heroic air.

The girl looked to be no more than twelve or thirteen, yet her figure beneath the daffodil-yellow palace gown was already so developed it seemed ready to burst forth. Her beauty was legendary, her lovely eyes shone brightly, and her snow-white skin was so delicate it looked like it could be broken with a single touch.

In particular, her Luck and Fortune were dazzlingly intense, giving rise to all sorts of phenomena. It was even greater than Ling Qiyue’s, second only to Ling Changqing’s at present.

"...Mother, when can I go out and travel?"

She asked in a crisp, clear voice, gently tugging on Ling Qiyue’s sleeve.

Ling Qiyue smiled. "We can talk about that after you’ve at least reached the Divinity Transformation Realm! It’s chaotic enough outside right now, and the Immortal Dao Heavy Tribulation is very likely to descend within the next hundred years! So it’s best for you to stay home and focus on improving your Cultivation!"

This young girl of stunning beauty was Ling Changqing’s eldest daughter: Ling Shuanghua.

Previously, she had spent most of her time growing up and doing Cultivation in Seclusion inside the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, rarely ever coming out.

But now, her Cultivation had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Level, and with Ling Changqing staying home and not going out, Ling Qiyue was finally willing to let her daughter leave the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land to move about.

However, going out to travel was indeed impossible. With her Spirit Root Talent, it would be difficult for her not to attract covetous eyes if she were out in the world.

Even for super-factions like the Da Xia Divine Dynasty, the Shenluo Celestial Palace, and the Buddhist Pure Land, an Immortal Seed with a Celestial Grade Superior Spirit Root was extremely rare.

Ling Shuanghua blinked her beautiful eyes and muttered softly, "Going from Foundation Establishment to the Golden Core Master Realm... even with my talent and aptitude, it would still take several decades to achieve!

That feels way too slow. Isn’t there some way for me to advance faster?"

"That... is indeed a bit difficult!"

Ling Qiyue looked troubled. Her daughter’s current Spirit Root Talent was already at the High Grade Celestial Rank, and it wasn’t impossible for it to be improved further in the future.

But her Cultivation Realm still had to be raised bit by bit through her own Cultivation; it couldn’t be achieved overnight. Compared to ordinary geniuses, Ling Shuanghua’s growth rate was already stunning enough.

Unless Ling Changqing was willing to find a way for her, it was simply impossible to further accelerate her Cultivation progress.

"Fine, then. I’ll go talk to Father."

Ling Shuanghua kicked her legs, stood up from Ling Qiyue’s side, and rushed excitedly over to Ling Changqing, trailing a gust of fragrant wind.

"Father, how about I give you a shoulder rub?"

Ling Shuanghua said in a sweet voice, her jade-like hands pushing aside Zhao Qingzi, who had been massaging Ling Changqing’s shoulders, and took her place.

Her lovely face flushed, Zhao Qingzi shot the Princess a resentful glance but said nothing. She changed her position, bent her lithe, snake-like body, and lowered her beautiful head to begin kneading Ling Changqing’s legs.

Having seen it so often, Ling Shuanghua naturally knew how to serve Ling Changqing—things like serving tea, kneading legs, and rubbing shoulders. And Ling Changqing doted on this Eldest Princess, granting her every request.

"After a while, how about I take you to see your little sister?"

Ling Changqing said gently.

Several years ago, Shangguan Qingying had borne him a daughter. Ling Changqing had named her Ling Shuangqin. She also possessed a Celestial Grade Superior Spirit Root, was complete in all Five Elements, and had a talent and aptitude so good it was enviable.

"Really? That’s wonderful!"

Ling Shuanghua’s glistening, beautiful eyes lit up, and she excitedly increased the force of her massage. Even though it was just visiting a place hidden within the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, it still counted as a trip far from home.

She had long known she had a little sister out there somewhere but had never had the chance to meet her. Now that her wish was soon to be granted, she was naturally happy.

Qin Mengxuan smiled. "You still can’t leave your daughter over there. Even with multiple precautions in place, the risk of exposure is still too great. It’s better to bring her back."

Ling Changqing nodded. "That makes sense."

He had already decided to have Shangguan Qingying and their daughter, Ling Shuangqin, live permanently in the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land. As for the Zhao Family’s territory, he would have Zhao Wanyi and her sisters watch over it for a few years.

After a new Nascent Soul True Monarch emerged in the Zhao Family, he could arrange for the sisters to serve in rotation, which would ensure the territory’s safety.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Primordial Demon Palace’s territory, a brutal, large-scale battle was underway.