Chapter 621 - 349: Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea

"Of course."

Ling Changqing pulled her close, planting a light kiss on her smooth forehead. Then, he wrapped an arm around Bai Qingyi’s slender waist, nuzzling against her full figure before finally asking:

"What’s the situation outside?"

Bai Qingyi took out two Communication Jade Talismans and handed them to him.

"The Ye Family and Xuannü Palace sent messages three days ago. They’re asking when you’ll rendezvous with them. They also mentioned that those other powers have been acting strangely lately."

Ling Changqing took the Jade Talismans, sinking his Divine Thought into them.

After the Doumu Immortal Palace closed, the Female Cultivators from those two sects returned safely to their respective strongholds. Once they had handled the aftermath, their next step was naturally to wait to see him.

However, considering the need for secrecy, it was impossible for Ling Changqing to visit them openly.

By now, spies from numerous powers were probably watching the Female Cultivators of both sects in secret.

Even the Celestial Derivation Pavilion’s stronghold might not be safe at this point.

’I need to find a way to get the outside world to stop watching them...’ Ling Changqing murmured thoughtfully.

"Darling, are you planning... a misdirection?"

Bai Qingyi smiled. "But showing your true face... wouldn’t that be a bit risky?"

"The whole point is for them to recognize me."

Ling Changqing explained, "I’ll make an appearance in the Chiying Demon Sect’s territory. That old fox, Lin Jianchuan, will definitely catch the scent and come after me. When he does, the other powers will be drawn over as well, taking a lot of the pressure off the Ye Family and Xuannü Palace."

"And then? How will you get away, my love?" Xue Qingtan asked with concern.

"Don’t worry. Right now, not even a Peak Integration expert could hope to stop me."

Ling Changqing was full of confidence. The Era Star Palace and the Bian Wujian Gate could now guarantee his freedom to come and go as he pleased.

"Excellent. Let’s do that, then."

Only then did Xue Qingtan feel at ease.

...

「Three days later.」

Ling Changqing’s figure appeared in the hinterlands of the Qingming Continent, deep within a desolate and rarely-trodden wilderness of mountains.

He had changed into a relatively common blue-purple Daoist Robe, his Cultivation at the Early stage Nascent Soul. His handsome, jade-like face, however, was completely unconcealed.

’Two hundred thousand li from here is the Silver Stream City Marketplace,’ Ling Changqing muttered. This was one of the most prominent strongholds in the Chiying Demon Sect’s territory, where large numbers of foreign Cultivators came to do business year-round.

Before long, Ling Changqing’s figure appeared on the streets of the Marketplace.

The wide street was lined with a dense array of shops of all kinds. Elixir pavilions, Artifact Refining workshops, Talisman stores, and Array material shops—they had everything.

The streets were bustling with people, their Cultivation ranging from Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment to Core Formation. Occasionally, one could even spot a Nascent Soul Cultivator or two.

He didn’t make his move immediately. Instead, he spent over an hour wandering around the Marketplace, casually buying a few resources he could use.

Afterward, Ling Changqing walked into a large, magnificent-looking firm.

"...Greetings, Fellow Daoist. How may I help you?"

In a quiet room upstairs, an Azure-robed Steward who appeared to be in his early thirties and at the Late stage True Core greeted him, bowing respectfully.

"I have some things I’d like to sell. I wonder if your firm can take them all?"

Ling Changqing lowered his voice, took out a blank Jade Scroll, and imprinted a partial list onto it with his Divine Thought before handing it over.

The Azure-robed Steward took the Jade Scroll and gave it a brief inspection, his pupils dilating slightly.

The list detailed thousands of Magical Treasures and Artifacts, ranging from second rank to Rank Four, as well as a large quantity of Elixirs, Talismans, Spirit Ore, and other materials. Although their quality varied, the sheer volume was impressive, and the prices were quite reasonable.

Needless to say, this was all loot contributed by dead Cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. I am not authorized to handle a transaction of this size. I must ask the Steward to come."

The Azure-robed Steward didn’t dare to be negligent. He excused himself and hurried away.

A moment later, an old man in a brocade robe with white hair and a youthful complexion, also possessing Nascent Soul Cultivation, walked in unhurriedly.

"My name is Jinyang. And you are, Fellow Daoist?"

"My surname is Ling," Ling Changqing said flatly, setting down his teacup.

True Lord Jinyang’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment. A flicker of something unusual, almost imperceptible, flashed in the depths of his eyes before they returned to normal.

"Fellow Daoist, this is quite a large batch of goods. I will need to arrange for some staff to take inventory!"

"Go ahead."

And so, at True Lord Jinyang’s command, a dozen or so Cultivators were summoned to take inventory and tally the resources Ling Changqing had presented.

With the Cultivators’ efficiency, all the items were inventoried, appraised, and their total value calculated in under half an hour.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, we can take all of these goods. Would you like to be paid in Spirit Stones, or would you prefer to barter?"

"Spirit Stones will be fine."

"No problem."

Jinyang gestured. The beautiful Maid behind him left immediately, returning shortly with a jeweled tray of fine jade, upon which sat an exquisite Storage Pouch.

True Lord Jinyang took the pouch and personally handed it to Ling Changqing.

Ling Changqing accepted it and swept his Divine Thought across it for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.

True Lord Jinyang smiled faintly. "For someone so young, Fellow Daoist, you have quite a fortune. You must be a core disciple from some great family, I presume? May I ask your esteemed sect, so that I might pay a visit should an opportunity for cooperation arise in the future?"

"I’m just a Loose Cultivator. Not worth mentioning."

Ling Changqing replied nonchalantly and immediately took his leave.

He left the firm and wandered unhurriedly through the Marketplace for a while longer, pretending not to notice the suspicious figures trailing him.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ling Changqing chose an inn, rented the finest private courtyard, and activated its defensive Array and Restrictions before shutting himself inside.

...

「In a secret chamber.」

A white-haired old man dressed in magnificent brocade robes, his aura imposing and dignified, was listening to his subordinate’s report with a grave expression.

"...Are you certain it’s him?"

"Absolutely certain. The man’s Bone Age is quite young, his Destiny is unusual, and his Cultivation is at the Nascent Soul Level. It’s a perfect match for the legendary Child of Destiny."

"How long has he been here? How many people did he bring?"

"He’s alone. He only arrived at the Marketplace this afternoon, sold off a large quantity of Magical Treasures and Elixirs, and is now holed up in his inn."

The white-haired old man shot to his feet, a sharp glint erupting in his eyes.

"Send a message to the Sect immediately! Use the fastest method and report directly to the Elder Sect Leader!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

「Sect Headquarters.」

When Lin Jianchuan received the message, a flush of color instantly surged across his previously gloomy face.

"The Child of Destiny... he actually appeared?"

He practically spat the words through gritted teeth.

These past few months had been excruciating for him as Sect Leader. In the battle at the Doumu Immortal Palace, the Sect had lost a huge number of elite Disciples, and even a few of the Supreme Elders had failed to return.

According to secret estimates from the higher-ups, of the eight Male Cultivator powers on the Qingming Continent, the Chiying Demon Sect had likely suffered the greatest losses and would struggle to recover for the next several centuries.

Lin Jianchuan was furious and resentful about this, but there was nothing he could do.

He never imagined that now, when all hope seemed lost, the legendary Child of Destiny would actually appear—and in the Chiying Demon Sect’s own territory, no less.

"...Sect Leader, I fear this may be a trap."

Pu Qiu frowned. "Consider the status of the Child of Destiny. Why would he appear alone in our Sect’s territory? And why would he reveal himself publicly in a crowded place like a Marketplace? It defies common sense."

"You mean..."

"I suspect this might be an impostor. Someone could be intentionally setting a trap, aiming to scheme against us."

Lin Jianchuan fell silent, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

The possibility Pu Qiu raised was real, but what if it truly was the Child of Destiny himself?

"Trap or not, I must go personally to verify the truth!"

A moment later, Lin Jianchuan made his decision.

...

「At the same time, in the Ye Family.」

Ye Xinglan was reclining on a luxurious soft couch, her long, slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. A Water Mirror floated before her, displaying the face of Meng Qingyu—holy and dignified, yet with a faint hint of languor.

"He’s already made his move."

Ye Xinglan chuckled lightly. "News just came back from the Chiying Demon Sect. Their Sect Leader, Lin Jianchuan, has set out personally, and he’s brought a large number of men with him..."