Chapter 589 - 322: Heading to the Qingming Continent

It wasn’t just the Primordial Divine Hall. At this very moment, all the powers on the Qingyao Continent, both large and small, were preparing for future shifts in the political landscape.

High Rank Cultivators possessed long Lifespans, so they took a particularly long-term view. Many of their major strategic plans would often span thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years.

To unite the Qingyao Continent—for this supreme goal, the Primordial Divine Hall had been working silently for nearly a hundred thousand years. The other great powers had been doing much the same.

As for who would have the last laugh, it was still hard to say. However, if they could bring a special existence like a Child of Destiny into their camp, their chances of success would undoubtedly increase dramatically.

Thus, in recent years, any power of significant size on the Qingyao Continent had been dispatching elite personnel to secretly infiltrate Yuzhou, conducting covert investigations with the hope of making a discovery.

This, in turn, made the situation in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm all the more tense and delicate, leading to a strange sort of calm.

「Linsha Continent.」

In the opulent and magnificent inner chambers of the bedchamber, where a subtle fragrance lingered, Ling Changqing lay deep within layers of embroidered silk curtains, his eyes half-closed as if hovering between sleep and wakefulness.

He was surrounded by a multitude of dazzling, snow-white bodies, their curves as enchanting as serpents. In his arms, Luo Binghu, her long hair in disarray and her beautiful face flushed with shyness, clung to him tightly. Pressed against his back was the warm, delicate body of the Eldest Princess, Luo Qingyi.

For this period, Ling Changqing had primarily focused on Dual Cultivation with the Long Nu women. After all, they were new arrivals, and their average Cultivation level, as well as their Qi Fortune, was lower than that of the female cultivators from other factions.

"Outside... what time is it?"

After a long while, Ling Changqing finally opened his eyes and asked lazily.

The group of Long Nu Princesses had actually been awake for some time, silently communicating with each other via Divine Thought. Ling Changqing simply pretended not to notice.

"My love, it’s already the hundredth day!"

Luo Qingzhi, her lovely face blushing red, whispered as she crawled over and wrapped her arms around him. She first gave him a kiss, then began to cup her hands and feed him snow plums, her fiery and seductive body on full display.

When they had first arrived, Bai Qingyi had already informed them of all of Ling Changqing’s various preferences and habits. This was, of course, essential homework for currying favor in the future harem.

Ling Changqing took a few bites, his left hand gently stroking Luo Binghu’s smooth, firm waist as he spoke in a warm tone:

"Your current Cultivation... you should all be close to breaking through to the next Realm, right?"

"Mhm, just a little more, and our accumulation will be complete. We’ll be able to ascend to Nascent Soul True Monarch!"

Luo Qingzhi whispered softly, hugging and kissing him. "Your Spiritual Mechanism Dao Rhyme is so miraculous, my love. I never thought it would be this fast... I originally thought I’d have to struggle for at least several more decades!"

"...Mhm, I feel like I’m close too. You’re just so capable, my love!"

Luo Qingning, her face sweet and lovely, said with a smile as her fragrant, smooth, and supple hand secretly reached over.

The Spiritual Mechanism Dao Rhyme of a Child of Destiny was more potent than any Heavenly and Earthly Treasure or Elixir of Life. The crucial part was that it had no negative side effects. As long as there was a large and satisfying supply, it was practically irreplaceable for boosting the women’s Cultivation.

For the Long Nu Princesses at the Golden Core Master level, the effects of Dual Cultivation with Ling Changqing were immediate. They had all more or less reached the threshold of the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm.

"I’m about to break through to the late stage of Nascent Soul True Monarch. Speaking of which, this is all thanks to you, my love!"

From behind him, the Eldest Princess, Luo Qingyi, spoke, her cherry lips slightly parted and her voice soft, sweet, and tender. Her slender hand gently caressed his handsome, jade-like face, her moist, beautiful eyes shimmering as if about to overflow.

With Ling Changqing’s current Cultivation, a single session of Dual Cultivation with a woman at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level was equivalent to saving her at least five months of arduous secluded training. And that wasn’t even counting the buffs and benefits to her Life Chart, Root Bone, Luck and Fortune.

Therefore, after a hundred days, it was no problem for the Long Nu women who had already reached the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm to advance a minor realm.

As for the Long Nu Elders at the Divinity Transformation and Void Refining Realms, the effect on their Cultivation improvement was much less significant, but the boost to their Luck and Fortune was unaffected.

In Luo Binghu’s eyes, her current Qi Fortune had already doubled compared to before they started Dual Cultivation, and her Life Chart and Root Bone had also been significantly optimized.

Moreover, this beneficial effect was still continuously at work, showing no signs of stopping.

Of course, it was the same for the others.

Consequently, all the Long Nu women were now extremely satisfied. Having Ling Changqing as a Dual Cultivation Companion was truly the greatest opportunity they had ever encountered in their lives.

Ling Changqing said, "Since that’s the case, let’s wait a bit longer. I’m leaving for the Qingming Continent in three months. We can wait for you all to break through before we set off."

"That would be for the best!"

The Third Princess, Luo Qingyu, said, overjoyed.

The Doumu Immortal Palace was riddled with Restriction Traps and was treacherously dangerous. One had to be at least at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level to possess a certain degree of self-preservation.

Of course, with Ling Changqing around, it was unlikely they would need to act much, just like when they had explored the Hongmeng Divine Hall on the Qinghao Continent.

Not that the Long Nu women were particularly concerned about this. As long as they could stay by Ling Changqing’s side, that was all that mattered.

After another period of cuddling and doting on the women, Ling Changqing finally got out of bed. They all went to soak in the hot spring bath together, a time that was naturally filled with endless alluring scenery.

More than an hour later, Ling Changqing, having been dressed by the women, finally walked out of the inner chambers of the bedchamber.

After enjoying a sumptuous banquet together, Ling Changqing returned to the Inner Study, where Ling Qiyue, Tang Qiu Yao, Qin Yun, and the other women were already waiting.

"Darling, you finally decided to grace us with your presence?"

Ling Bingyun shot him a look and said plaintively.

Ling Changqing chuckled. "Isn’t it the same when I’m cultivating with you all?"

Qin Yun huffed, picked up a nearby Jade Scroll, and handed it to him. "This is the list of newly procured resources. About seventy percent of it has already been delivered. We’ll probably have to wait a bit for the rest, but it should all arrive before we depart."

Ling Changqing nodded and took it, glancing through the contents. "Very good. We’re not short on Spirit Stones right now. Buy as much as you can. Anything we don’t use can be put into storage."

When exploring Ancient Immortal Mansion Ruins like the Doumu Immortal Palace, preparations in all aspects naturally had to be thorough. From various High Grade Elixirs to Talismans, Daoist Soldier Puppets, Array Banners, Array Maps, and other consumable Magical Artifacts and Magical Treasures... the more, the better.

After a pause, Ling Changqing asked, "They’re not suspicious, are they?"

Ling Qiyue, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown embroidered with sun, moon, and phoenix roundels, her dark hair styled in a high coiffure that accentuated her cold, enchanting beauty, nodded and said:

"The upper echelons of those three houses have indeed grown somewhat suspicious of our Ling Family. However, they have no proof, and with the current external situation being what it is, they haven’t said much."

Just recently, Ling Qiyue had publicly revealed her true Cultivation. Therefore, according to established custom, the Ling Family was now a bona fide Divinity Transformation power.

In the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm, any power capable of producing a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse, even just one, could no longer be considered an unknown entity.

The vassal forces under the Nine Great Cultivation Families were typically at the Nascent Soul or Divinity Transformation Level. As for the Void Refining Realm... a Great Power of that level would never become a vassal to them.

After the news spread, the three major merchant guilds, including Xingyun Sun, Illusory Treasure Pavilion, and Gathering Sea Pavilion, all dispatched powerhouses of a corresponding level to visit the Ling Family and meet with the Patriarch, Ling Qiyue.

It was clear they were all somewhat puzzled by the Ling Family’s unusually rapid rise. After all, just over a hundred years ago, it had been merely a Foundation Establishment Small Clan.

Faced with the indirect probing from the three Envoys, all of whom had Divinity Transformation cultivations, Ling Qiyue did not deliberately hide anything. She candidly revealed that the Ling Family’s backer was the Lu Hua Palace.

With this explanation, the cause and effect became plausible. With the secret support of Yuzhou’s number one power, it was not surprising that the Ling Family had achieved its current status.

Regardless of whether they truly believed her, they couldn’t make any moves against the Ling Family for the time being. After all, the attitude of the Lu Hua Palace could not be ignored.

When the meeting concluded and the three Envoys departed, they all unanimously announced an upgrade to the Ling Family’s client status within their respective merchant guilds. This came with numerous favorable trade terms, the most important of which was the lifting of trade restrictions on Rank Five resources.

"My love, this news should have spread by now, but I don’t think it’s a major problem,"

Xue Qingtan said softly. "Even if they have their doubts, they won’t connect it to you for now. At most, they’ll just suspect the Lu Hua Palace of making strategic moves in the coastal regions of Yuzhou."

"Mmm, I think so too."

Ling Changqing said. The Lu Hua Palace’s foundation was in the Wentian Mountain Range in the eastern region of Yuzhou, which wasn’t too far from the coastal areas.

So, it made perfect sense that Qin Mengxuan, for the sake of her Sect’s interests, would choose a small power in the coastal region to support and treat as an outer vassal of the Lu Hua Palace.

And the Ling Family’s performance had been quite impressive. To date, they had effectively taken control of a vast territory spanning twenty sea regions, and a whole group of female Nascent Soul True Monarchs had emerged from within the family.

In the past, this would have undoubtedly alarmed many great powers and drawn their attention.

But things were different now. After the devastation caused by the Outer Heaven Exotic clan, the other Divinity Transformation powers in the coastal regions had all suffered significant losses. The Nine Great Cultivation Families were all preparing to face the impending Immortal Dao Heavy Tribulation and had little inclination to concern themselves with other matters.

"I think that in just a few more decades, once you also become a Divinity Transformation Powerhouse, my love, the family’s security will be even more assured."

Tang Qiu Yao said with a beaming smile.

Ling Changqing had no objection to this. After stepping into the Divinity Transformation Realm, not only would his strength and Qi Fortune increase dramatically, but even the super-powers on the surrounding continents would be unable to use any means to plunder his Life Chart’s foundational destiny.

For the next three months, Ling Changqing continued to accompany the women in their Cultivation. In truth, he only needed to focus on this one matter; the women handled everything else for him.

By the eve of their departure, Luo Qingning, Luo Qingzhi, as well as Liu Qin, Jin Wan’Er, Yang Feifei, and Chu Xinlan had all reached Great Perfection in their accumulation and successfully advanced to Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Meanwhile, Luo Qingyi, Luo Qingyu, and the other Long Nu women at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level had, on average, all advanced by a minor realm.

As for the Long Nu Elders like Luo Binghu and Luo Binglan, although their Cultivation increase wasn’t obvious, their Qi Fortune had grown significantly. Their Life Chart’s foundation continued to be optimized, making it a matter of course that they would break through their shackles and advance further in the future.