Chapter 634 355: Decapitation Tactic

As a mellow and enchanting voice sounded, the stunning figure of Bai Qingyi slowly emerged.

She was followed by Su Qinglian, Immortal Venerable Doumu, Meng Feiyu, Xue Qingtan, and the rest of his beautiful companions.

Two Integration Realm Great Powers, plus no fewer than ten cultivators at the Void Refinement Realm—it was a terrifying lineup that even the Taiqing Divine Dynasty would likely be unable to withstand.

"Enough. We... we are willing to submit!"

His face deathly pale, Cui Qianyou slumped in his seat and spoke, his voice devoid of strength.

Cui Zhenghong and the other four Elders had no objections. Rumor had it that the Child of Destiny wasn't a bad person. 'As long as we satisfy his appetite for beautiful women, perhaps the future for our Cui Family clansmen... won't be too terrible?'

"Alright. I will now plant a Restriction deep within your Divine Souls," Immortal Venerable Doumu said, getting straight to the point. For Ling Changqing's safety, this was an essential measure. "Afterward, you may retain your status as ordinary Elders. Work diligently, and the family will not treat you unfairly."

A few days later, news that was enough to shock the entire Yuzhou Cultivation Realm spread: the Cui Family's strategic heartland, the Xinghan Mountain Range, had been breached by the Ling Family.

Patriarch Cui Qianyou and the family's other high-ranking members publicly announced their submission to the Ling Family, handing over all their territory, people, and resources.

Before the leaders of the other powers could even decide how to approach the Ling Family, another bombshell dropped: the Mu Family's core territory had also been conquered by the Ling Family's Female Cultivators.

Patriarch Mu Tianxiong decisively declared his surrender, pledging the allegiance of his entire clan and killing all the cultivators from the Taiqing Divine Dynasty stationed there as a sign of his fealty.

Following this, Patriarch Ling Qiyue publicly announced that the Ling Family's campaign of expansion was concluded. The territories of both the Cui and Mu families were to be absorbed into the Ling Family's domain, and this included their vassal powers, with no exceptions.

Adding the dozens of offshore sea regions in Yuzhou, the total territory now under the Ling Family's direct control surpassed that of the Saint Yu Immortal Dynasty, making them the largest power in Yuzhou in one fell swoop.

This meant that the era of the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm being openly dominated by the Nine Great Families, a situation that had persisted for over ten thousand years, was now officially over.

Whether the surrounding major powers were pleased or not, they had no choice but to take the rise of the Ling Family seriously and maintain good relations with this emerging force—at least, on the surface.

...

「Yaozhou, Taiqing Plain.」

As the heartland of the Taiqing Divine Dynasty for tens of thousands of years, the environment here was naturally extraordinary. It was a place of magnificent vistas and profound spiritual grace, where the Spiritual Qi was so dense it was almost tangible.

Countless High Grade Spirit Veins converged here, giving rise to numerous Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands and splendid landscapes. All manner of rare flowers, exotic herbs, Spirit Beasts, and Spiritual Birds could be seen everywhere.

In the heart of the Capital City, deep within the majestic and resplendent Royal City, a secret meeting that would determine the fate of the Divine Dynasty was in progress.

"...Just thirty days ago, the Mu Family's main headquarters was breached. All their high-ranking Elders and Direct Lineage members were taken captive, along with the forces we had stationed there.

Adding that to the earlier fall of the Cui Family's headquarters, where countless clansmen perished... those madwomen from Lu Hua Palace have completely ruined the plans we spent years laying in Yuzhou!"

The chilling voice echoed throughout the grand hall.

Upon a twelve-tiered dais sat an extravagant and magnificent throne. The Emperor of the Divine Dynasty, Lu Mingde, was seated upon it, his blue-gold imperial robes shimmering with a majestic light. His expression was as dark as still water, and he remained silent.

Having wielded power for many years, His Majesty the Emperor's Cultivation had reached the late Void Refinement Realm. His cunning and political acumen were exceptional, making his position secure.

Below the jade steps, more than thirty of his most trusted ministers were seated on either side, discussing the rapidly deteriorating situation in Yuzhou.

To gain control over the fractured province of Yuzhou, the Taiqing Divine Dynasty had schemed in secret for millennia, investing immeasurable manpower and resources to create the advantageous position they later enjoyed.

However, the sudden rise of the Ling Family had completely demolished all the Divine Dynasty's schemes, leaving no room to salvage the situation.

Grand Elder Lu Qingyang and the Fifteenth Prince, Lu Yunlong, were both figures of substantial power within the Divine Dynasty, with vast networks of supporters. Yet now, both had been lost in Yuzhou.

Now, the leadership of the Taiqing Divine Dynasty was faced with only two choices: One, admit defeat and withdraw from Yuzhou. Two, double down and declare war on the Ling Family to reclaim their lost face and territory.

"...Have you made it clear? Besides Lu Hua Palace, what other powers are backing the Ling Family?"

After a long silence, Lu Mingde finally spoke.

He simply refused to believe that Lu Hua Palace alone could have orchestrated something of this magnitude. Other powers must have been involved.

The Divine Dynasty's National Preceptor was a stunning, mature beauty, as radiant and graceful as a hibiscus. A complex, magnificent blue-purple court dress clung to her exquisitely voluptuous and alluring figure. Beneath jet-black brows, her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars, and her cherry-red lips were full and lustrous.

Idly toying with a Jade Ruyi in her fair hands, the National Preceptor spoke in a relaxed tone:

"Your Majesty's suspicions are correct. Behind the Ling Family stands not only Lu Hua Palace, but also the Liu Ying Clan and the Xianyin Pavilion.

Based on my analysis of intelligence from various sources, this campaign was likely a joint operation by those three Female Cultivator factions. Furthermore, the Deep Sea Dragon Race is also under suspicion."

These three were the main native Female Cultivator factions in Yuzhou. The rest were largely insignificant, capable only of serving as vassals to other major powers.

Lu Mingde frowned. "Those three factions have actually joined forces? What in the world are they planning?"

The National Preceptor smiled faintly. "According to my analysis, they likely intend to overthrow all the Male Cultivator factions. Then, after unifying Yuzhou, they plan to establish a new order ruled by Female Cultivators, don't you think?"

Her words sent a shockwave through the entire hall.

"Is that even possible?"

Among the gathered officials, Elder Zong Lu Qingyuan's face was filled with skepticism.

Lu Hua Palace, Xianyin Pavilion, and the Liu Ying Clan... the combined strength of these three Female Cultivator factions is indeed formidable, but it is certainly not enough to unify the entire Yuzhou Cultivation Realm.

Even with the potential aid of the Deep Sea Dragon Race, it still wouldn't be a guaranteed success.

And taking a huge step back, even if they somehow did have a chance of success, the powers from the other provinces would never stand for it. The Taiqing Divine Dynasty would be the first to intervene.

The National Preceptor chuckled. "Possible or not, they are already in the process of doing it.

So now, for the sake of the Divine Dynasty's greater interests, I wonder... how does everyone here propose to respond?"