Chapter 637 358: Showdown

Within the luxurious and exquisite Inner Study, rich with Spiritual Qi.

Ling Qiyue had changed into a jet-black, feathered Daoist Robe. Her glossy black hair was simply coiled up, held in place by an azure jade hairpin that shimmered with spiritual light. Her fair, lustrous face was free of makeup, making her appear radiant yet dignified and stately.

Beneath the Daoist Robe, the alluring curves of her full, rounded figure sparked the imagination.

As her Cultivation increased, the Female Patriarch's aura grew ever more powerful and composed.

On the wide Purple Jade Table before her, various Jade Slips and Jade Books were piled into a small mountain that shimmered with spiritual light—all important matters sent by Elder Stewards from various regions, requiring the Patriarch's personal review and decision.

"...Sister Bai, have all the personnel the family dispatched to the various regions been properly assigned?"

Ling Qiyue asked, looking up after approving the document in her hand.

"Yes, they've all been deployed and are in position!"

Not far away, behind an Azure Jade Table, the graceful and stunning Bai Qingyi responded in a gentle voice. Her cloud-like hair was piled high, and she was dressed in a magnificent vermilion brocade robe with subtle patterns.

Tang Qiu Yao chimed in, "With an enterprise this large, it would honestly be overwhelming if all of us sisters weren't working together!"

Beside her, Qin Yanran, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown embroidered with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, smiled. With a face as lovely as a peach blossom and a majestic figure, she said:

"These tasks are just the appetizer. Once the family completely unifies Yuzhou, we'll have a vast territory with countless mortal subjects. All matters, large and small, will need to be handled properly. I'm afraid we'll be busy for quite a while longer!"

"Yes, and that's not to mention we'll also have to deal with interference from the powers in the surrounding major prefectures. When the time comes, we'll likely need to fight a few decisive battles to make them give up for good!"

Shui Wan Zhao, a woman of peerless beauty with an elegant and mysterious air, spoke softly. She and Yu Qinghuang were still dressed in snow-white gowns, as radiant and noble as the Jade Pool Fairy.

The massive expansion of their territory, the sharp increase in wealth and resources, and the hundredfold growth in the population of cultivators and mortal subjects under their rule had a direct consequence: an explosive increase in the matters requiring the attention of the higher-ups.

Thus, for a time, Ling Qiyue, Tang Qiuyao, Qin Yun, Ling Yulu, Xue Qingtan, Meng Feiyu, and the other women in her circle had been completely swamped, despite their high Cultivation levels.

Fortunately, with the tireless assistance of Su Qinglian, Bai Qingyi, Ye Binghua, Qin Yanran, and the other women, they managed to handle everything in an orderly fashion without any major problems arising.

By now, the family's affairs in all sectors had been gradually sorted out and were operating smoothly, and they were beginning to truly take on the air of a great family.

The Ling Family's territory now covered the former lands of the Cui Family and the Mu Family, the domains of numerous vassal forces, and dozens of sea regions off the coast of Yuzhou. It had expanded to more than twenty times its size before the war.

Without the help of Lu Hua Palace, the Liu Ying Clan, and Xianyin Pavilion, the Ling Family could never have absorbed such massive spoils of war so easily. The process would have taken a century, during which unforeseen complications could have easily arisen.

By now, the outside world was largely convinced that these three female-led cultivator powers in Yuzhou had indeed formed an alliance and were plotting to seize control of the entire prefecture.

Consequently, in recent days, the higher-ups of the seven great Cultivation Families—including the Yu, Tang, Feng, and Yin Families—as well as the Saint Yu Immortal Dynasty, have been interacting frequently. The signs that they were banding together to form an alliance were already obvious.

The women didn't take this too seriously. Whether their opponents managed to form an alliance or not, even if they did succeed, it would have no substantial impact on the Ling Family's future plans.

Besides, with the sisters Yu Ruoshuang and Yu Yalan in the picture, the Yu Family's leadership might not follow their would-be allies to the bitter end. The remaining powers were hardly a cause for concern.

As for the leaders of the three major merchant guilds—Xingyun sun, Illusory Treasure Pavilion, and Gathering Sea Pavilion—they continued to maintain an attitude of watching from the sidelines. They made no significant moves openly, but their secret intentions remained unknown.

Following an announcement from a maid at the door, Ling Zhiqing hurried inside. Dressed in tight-fitting black leather, with long, slender legs and a beauty that was refined to the bone, she rushed in.

"More trouble has come knocking?"

Ling Qiyue took one look at her grave expression and already understood the situation.

Ling Zhiqing nodded. "It's the Saintess of Yaozhou's Shenluo Celestial Palace. She brought quite a few of her fellow sect members and is requesting a private, secret meeting with you, Patriarch's Sister."

Tang Qiuyao's expression shifted slightly. "Don't tell me they've found something out. Are they planning to force a confrontation?"

The expressions of all the women present grew solemn. Yaozhou's Shenluo Celestial Palace was not to be trifled with. If the two sides parted on bad terms, it was hard to predict what the consequences would be.

Bai Qingyi frowned. "Shenluo Celestial Palace by itself is manageable; the family can handle it. But if other major powers get involved, we will indeed be in a difficult position."

Shenluo Celestial Palace was presided over by only two Integration Realm Great Powers. With Bai Qingyi and Immortal Venerable Doumu, the current Ling Family naturally had no reason to fear them. But if other major powers were added to the mix, things would become troublesome.

Ling Qiyue pondered for a moment, then instructed, "Have them wait in the Secret Hall. I will come to speak with them shortly.

"Tell our sisters to be ready and activate the Mountain Protection Array, just in case anything unexpected happens."

...

High in the vast, clear sky, an exquisite and magnificent octagonal pavilion floated among the clouds, waiting patiently.

The entire pavilion was enveloped in a brilliant red radiance. Its walls, pillars, window lattices, and doors were covered in motifs of a hundred flowers and court ladies. A majestic pressure, contained but not concealed, emanated from it, revealing it to be a rare and powerful Spiritual Treasure.