Chapter 645 362: Great Perfection Resolution

Jinchun County.

This was originally the territory of the Saint Yu Immortal Dynasty, but it has now been incorporated into the Ling Family's domain. Three Nascent Soul Female Cultivators have been stationed here to oversee things, along with a considerable number of Core Formation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The city and its Marketplace were bustling with prosperous businesses and teeming with people. Countless Loose Cultivators came and went, making it just as lively as it was in its heyday.

"...It's been years since I was last here. It doesn't feel much different from before!"

On the 2nd Floor of a restaurant overlooking the street, Ling Changqing set down his cup and sighed wistfully. Beside him, Qi Yu quickly picked up the wine pot and refilled it for him.

Back when his cultivation was only at the Golden Core Stage, he had traveled here and even crossed paths with Empress Xia Qingying of the Da Xia Divine Dynasty.

Xia Qingying had wanted to take him back to the Da Xia Divine Dynasty in Yuzhou to nurture his talents, but a moment of shy hesitation gave him the perfect opportunity to slip away.

Afterward, the Empress was naturally sick with regret. She publicly declared on more than one occasion that Ling Changqing was her intended Prince Consort and dispatched numerous agents to Yuzhou to investigate openly and covertly, trying to capture him and bring him back for their wedding.

"There is a difference,"

Bai Qingyi said with a smile from across the table. "All these places belong to the family's territory now. They are also part of the future Changqing Immortal Dynasty's domain. Husband, you are the true master here."

Ling Changqing grunted in acknowledgment, drained the Spirit Wine in his cup, and silently activated his Celestial Secret Technique. After a few breaths, he said,

"In the eastern district of the Marketplace, there's a shop called Kunyuan House. It's a secret stronghold for the Shadow Demon Hall. Shall we head over now?"

It was rare for Ling Changqing to go out traveling, and his main purpose was to eliminate the remnants of the three major intelligence and assassination organizations. Bai Qingyi, Xue Qingtan, Qi Yu, and Yun Qingxue accompanied him.

"Alright, I'll handle it. You just keep drinking, Husband."

Yun Qingxue gave a charming smile, and her figure vanished on the spot.

In no more than ten breaths' time, she returned, now holding several large-capacity Storage Magical Artifacts.

"Over four hundred Cultivators. The one with the highest cultivation was only at the late-stage Nascent Soul realm. I've imprisoned all their Divine Souls. Also, all the valuable assets are right here."

Yun Qingxue spoke with a casual air. With her level of cultivation, dealing with these people was no different from crushing a swarm of ants.

"You've worked hard, my dear. I'll reward you properly tonight."

Ling Changqing said, squeezing her delicate hand. The beauty shot him a playful glare but said nothing.

Of course, living Cultivator captives were more valuable than dead ones. The rest of their lives could be spent working for the family and generating wealth.

That was why Yun Qingxue hadn't killed these remnants. Instead, she had subdued them and handed them over to the Ling Family Cultivators stationed in the area.

The Ling Family's foundation was still shallow, so the contribution of a large number of slave Cultivators could not be overlooked. Their ability to continuously generate wealth for the family was the guarantee of its sustained growth and strength.

After sitting for a while longer, Ling Changqing led his lovely companions away. Following the guidance of his Celestial Secret Technique, they headed for the next location where the remnants were hiding.

The upper echelons of the three intelligence organizations had been wiped out in one fell swoop, but they had left behind a significant number of secret strongholds throughout Yuzhou. Many Cultivator-assassins were still hiding in them, and they all had to be cleaned out.

This matter was important enough that for several months, Ling Changqing and his Dao Companions, under the guise of a leisurely trip, had traveled all over Yuzhou. In total, they had dealt with hundreds, if not thousands, of strongholds.

Among the three organizations, the Elders with the highest cultivation were only at the Void Refinement Realm. They were utterly powerless against Bai Qingyi and Yun Qingxue, and nearly all of them were captured alive and turned into slaves.

As for the vast wealth and resources they had accumulated over ten thousand years, it all naturally fell into the hands of the Ling Family. Even if they spent it lavishly, it would last for several hundred years.

「Three months later.」

The operation to purge the remnants finally came to a close.

In addition to the three organizations, Ling Changqing also took the opportunity to clean out a number of secret outposts and spies established in Yuzhou by other major external powers. While reaping a great deal of wealth, he also acquired another batch of slaves to work for the family.

"...Husband, Sister Yue sent a message telling us to come back! Apparently, the leaders of the three major commerce associations have arrived together and want to have a private talk with you."

Inside the lavish and magnificent cabin of the Tianzhou Skyboat, Xue Qingtan spoke as she looked at the Communication Jade Talisman in her hand.

On the Beautiful Jade Embroidery Couch, Ling Changqing was embracing Qi Yu, who had the face of a child and an impressively ample chest. He was teasingly playing a game of "building a snowman" with her, leaving her panting delicately with a crimson blush on her lovely face.

Hearing her voice, Ling Changqing paused his actions. "Why are they looking for me for something like this? Can't they just talk to Sister Yue?"

"No, they specifically asked to speak with you!"

Xue Qingtan's expression was grave. "I suspect they must have found out something to be making such a request."

Publicly, the Ling Family was run by its Female Cultivators, with Patriarch Ling Qiyue having already reached the Void Refinement Realm.

Although there were many Male Cultivators in the family, their cultivation levels were not particularly high, and they generally kept a low profile.

Therefore, when various powers came seeking cooperation, they always met with Patriarch Ling Qiyue. It had nothing to do with Ling Changqing, and frankly, he had no desire to get involved anyway.

But now, for some reason, the leaders of the three commerce associations had seen through something and were unanimously demanding that he, the male master of the house, make an appearance.

"This was to be expected,"

Ling Changqing mused. "Back when we were in the Feiyu Sea Region, their people already knew about me. After so many years, they've probably guessed some of the hidden truth."

"Will there be a problem? What do you plan to do, Husband?"

Qi Yu asked nervously, rising from the embroidery couch and grabbing a nearby Translucent Gauze Clothing to cover her snow-white, voluptuous body.

"It's fine. They wouldn't dare to tear off all pretenses,"

Yu Ruoshuang said with a smile, "The fact that they're willing to come and talk with you, Husband, means the outcome won't be bad. As long as you, Husband..."

"Alright, let's head back and see what's going on first,"

Ling Changqing cut in. He of course understood what Yu Ruoshuang meant.

The Tianzhou Skyboat turned and accelerated. After a day and a night, the majestic and imposing Xinghan Mountain Range appeared on the horizon.

Back in the rear hall, Ling Qiyue, who had been waiting for some time, came forward to greet them and briefly explained the situation.

Already having a good idea of the situation, Ling Changqing didn't say much. He immediately gave orders to have the guests brought to the secret Council Hall. After changing his clothes, he walked into the hall with Ling Qiyue on his arm.

Three Female Cultivators with bright eyes and pearly teeth, dressed in their finest attire, were seated there. All were city-toppling beauties, each with her own unique charm and seductive air.

Their cultivation was all at the Divinity Transformation Level—two at the middle-stage and one at the late-stage.

Seeing Ling Changqing walk in, the three women knew the main person of interest had arrived. They all rose to their feet and bowed, their greetings chirping like orioles and swallows, their eyes holding a hint of fervent desire.

They were Xue Yibing from the Xingyun sun Commerce Association, Yang Jinyi from the Illusory Treasure Pavilion, and Qin Shuying from the Gathering Sea Pavilion.

"There's no need for such ceremony. Please, have a seat, fellow Daoists,"

Ling Changqing said calmly, turning to take the main seat.

The three women gracefully sat down again. Just as Xue Yibing was pondering how to begin, a single sentence from Ling Qiyue made all their expressions change:

"You all just recently took over as Leaders, correct? What about the former heads of the three great commerce associations? Why have they all announced their retirement?

Or could it be that you all came here for my husband, and that's how you unexpectedly obtained your positions as leaders?"

"..."

The three women couldn't help but look at each other. After a long moment, they answered softly,

"What the Patriarch says is correct. It is indeed because of... that we were recognized by our organizations and temporarily granted such important positions.

As long as you are willing, Patriarch, the organizations behind us will support the Ling Family with all their might, until you unify all of Yuzhou!"

Willing to do what? It was already obvious. With the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the three major organizations, they would have more or less guessed some of the truth after so many years.

"Could you tell me how you all managed to find this place?"

Ling Qiyue asked with a radiant smile.

"That wasn't too difficult, was it?"

Yang Jinyi spoke up. "One only needs to look at your family's development history over the past two hundred years to find many strange things.

Even though you use a Celestial Secret Technique to shield your Destiny, some things can't be hidden. When an abnormal number of powerful Cultivators appears over the years, it naturally leads one to think in a certain direction!"