Chapter 609 - 339: Jade Garden

The whereabouts of the Child of Destiny were naturally a matter of extreme concern for the major powers of the Qingming Continent. The current number one sect, the Chiying Demon Sect, was no exception.

For the past several years, gathering intelligence on Ling Changqing had been designated the highest-priority mission for the Sect’s intelligence network. A considerable amount of manpower and resources had been invested in this effort.

"...Have you confirmed it? Is this intelligence reliable?"

Rong Tiande’s expression was grave. It wasn’t the first time the Sect’s intelligence network had made a discovery, but unfortunately, every previous lead had turned out to be a false alarm.

"This time... it must be real, right?"

Pan Ruyu frowned. "Meng Qingyu and Ye Xinglan invited him to a secret meeting in a Pocket World Treasure. It’s said they even want to become his Dao Companions. If he were just an impostor, they wouldn’t be so invested, would they?

Furthermore, there’s a time limit for being inside the Treasure Mountain Secret Vault. Because they didn’t enter at the same time, the Child of Destiny had already left two days prior. His current whereabouts are unknown."

"So the news is real this time? But the Child of Destiny... where has he gone? Is he still in secret contact with those women?"

A vicious glint appeared in Rong Tiande’s eyes. If the man was truly with them, the Sect would have no choice but to mobilize all its elite forces and seize the Child of Destiny, no matter the cost.

Pan Ruyu shook her head. "It’s unclear at the moment. According to our operative, the Child of Destiny goes by the name Ling Xiaoqing and entered alone. He must still be somewhere in the Immortal Mansion Ruins. If our people can just find him..."

Whoever controlled the Child of Destiny would become the future hegemon of the Qingming Continent. This was an unspoken consensus among the upper echelons of all the major powers.

Rong Tiande’s gaze flickered as he glanced around, a sense of helplessness rising in his heart.

’If we still had our full-strength roster from when we first arrived, I’d be confident in our ability to secure the Child of Destiny. But after so many bloody battles, the few people we have left... it’s probably not enough, is it?’

After a moment of consideration, Rong Tiande asked in a low voice, "Junior Sister, what should we do now?"

Pan Ruyu replied, "We can immediately send a Communication Jade Talisman to the Sect and summon more elite forces. We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.

Of course, before they arrive, we should just lay low. The other powers will get the news sooner or later. Let them be the ones to fight and die over him first!"

The Chiying Demon Sect was far from the only power with spies planted within Xuannü Palace and the Ye Family. Once they caught wind of the news, they would undoubtedly take action, which would inevitably lead to more bloodbaths.

"That makes sense."

Rong Tiande nodded slowly. As long as they could have the last laugh, a temporary period of patient concealment was nothing.

Just as they predicted, as time went on, news of the Child of Destiny’s appearance in the Immortal Mansion Ruins began to circulate secretly among numerous powers.

Below a magnificent stone peak somewhere, a large group of Cultivators was arranged in a formation, taking a short rest.

’...I knew it. I knew he would come!’

Among the crowd, Xia Qingying, the Goddess Empress of the Da Xia Divine Dynasty, stared at the Communication Jade Talisman in her hand, her expression a mixture of complex emotions.

’I’ve already missed my chance with the Child of Destiny several times. Will I finally get my wish this time?’

’I had a premonition about this, so I brought the most exceptional group of female Cultivators from the Royal Family with me. If the Child of Destiny just sees them, perhaps his heart will be stirred?’

「In a corner of the plaza.」

In the center of a large group of female Cultivators, the exquisitely poised and incomparably beautiful Ji Minghui clutched a Communication Jade Talisman, undisguised joy gracing her features.

"Senior Sister, what’s the good news?"

A magnificently graceful and bewitchingly charming beauty at her side asked.

Ji Minghui explained via Divine Thought, "Our mole has discovered a trace of the Child of Destiny..."

The stunning beauty’s expression changed abruptly. "I see. In that case, don’t we... have to find him immediately?"

"That won’t be easy."

Ji Minghui frowned and shook her head. "The Immortal Mansion Ruins are vast. Heaven knows where he’s gone off to alone. If he doesn’t want to be found, it’s unlikely any power will be able to catch him."

"No matter how difficult, we have to try!"

the stunning beauty said through gritted teeth. With such a heaven-defying opportunity at stake, no Cultivator or Great Power could possibly remain indifferent.

If the conditions are right, we advance. If not, we create the conditions and advance anyway.

"We’ll have to take it one step at a time."

Ji Minghui sighed. ’I had a chance encounter with Ling Changqing at the Hongmeng Divine Hall. I wonder... Will I get to see him this time?’

...

「Deep within the Doumu Immortal Palace.」

Two towering and majestic stone mountains loomed before them, separated only by a gap less than a hundred feet wide.

The gap was sealed by a thick curtain of light. Within its depths, countless primeval runes, as fine as grains of sand, flickered and roamed about, emanating an immense, restrained pressure.

Through the curtain of light, they could vaguely make out a Medicinal Garden of unimaginable scale. Countless sacred herbs, suffused with Spiritual Radiance and shrouded in rosy mist, flickered in and out of view.

"...Husband, this is the entrance to the Jade Garden, deep within the Immortal Palace. There should be quite a few Celestial Medicines and Spirit Medicines from ancient times inside!"

The radiant and lovely Xue Qingtan said with a captivating smile, her arm linked with Ling Changqing’s.

Ling Changqing studied the shimmering, majestic Array Restriction at the entrance and mused,

"How long will it take to break this Restriction? If we take too long, other Cultivators might stumble upon this place."

"It’s no problem," Xue Qingtan said with a laugh. "With Sister Bai and the others helping, it’ll take four to six hours at most!"

"Alright, then. Get started."

Ling Changqing said no more. With the protection of his supreme Destiny, it was unlikely that any unexpected complications would arise.

And so, Bai Qingyi, Meng Feiyu, and the other women all emerged from the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land to help Xue Qingtan break the Restriction. Ling Changqing, meanwhile, stood guard over the surroundings with Luo Binghu and Qingsi.

As for Shui Wan Zhao, Yu Qinghuang, and the others, Ling Changqing kept them inside the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land and temporarily confiscated all their Communication Jade Talismans.

’They might not have any ill intentions, but trust has to be built step by step. I would never gamble with my own safety, or that of my family, just for a moment of soft-heartedness.’

"This Jade Garden seems rather large," Luo Binghu, who had the face of a child and an impressively ample chest, murmured softly, blinking her lovely eyes. "I doubt we’ll be able to clear it all out in just a short time."

Ling Changqing chuckled. "If we can’t manage it all, we’ll just have to take the most valuable parts."

The Era Star Palace’s Grotto Heaven Blessed Land was already over a hundred li in area, and there was also the Little Qiankun Realm where the Mu Family women resided. Plus, all the women had plenty of large-capacity Storage Magical Artifacts. Using everything they had would surely be enough.

Luo Binghu’s gaze drifted. Seeing no one else around, she studied Ling Changqing’s handsome, jade-like face, and her mind began to race with mischievous thoughts.

With a wave of her hand and a flash of hazy Spiritual Light, she unfurled a Pocket World Treasure shaped like an Embroidery Tower.

"Husband, let’s go inside and... rest for a bit, shall we? They won’t say anything."

The Dragon Nu Elder, with the face of a child and an impressively ample chest, spoke in a seductively sweet voice as her fragrant body leaned in, pressing into his embrace.

The Kunpeng Maiden, Qingsi, tilted her head, her own voluptuous and fiery figure silently snuggling up to him as well.

"Stop fooling around. They’re still busy with important work!"

Ling Changqing caught her wandering hand.

’Bai Qingyi and Meng Feiyu are hard at work. It’s one thing for me not to help, but hiding off to the side to fool around... that just seems wrong.’

"It’s not like they haven’t snuck off for their own fun before..."

Luo Binghu muttered sulkily, though she didn’t press the matter.

Just as Ling Changqing was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. "Damn it, more Cultivators are here!"

"Hm?"

Luo Binghu froze for a moment, her expression turning serious. While she knew there was more than one path to this place, she was still surprised that some lucky souls had stumbled upon it so quickly.

Without another word, Ling Changqing released Mu Xinlan, Mu Yunxiu, Su Qinglian, Liu Ying Meng Luan, and all his other companions. Only the female Cultivators at the Golden Core Level remained inside the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.