Ling Changqing thought for a mont before rejecting the seemingly attractive proposal.
The Ling Family had limited manpower. If they allowed a large number of Cultivators from outside powers to enter the Feiyu Sea Region and get their hands on these important industries, it would be difficult to predict what might happen in the future.
This was sothing he wouldn’t even consider for another hundred years. In any case, the Ling Family wasn’t lacking in resources for developnt and had no need for such asures.
Fortunately, Yu Dongyang had only been making a suggestion. Seeing Ling Changqing’s refusal, he didn’t press the matter.
She Qinghua then brought up the possibility of a loan to the Ling Family. Whether they needed Spirit Stones or other Cultivation Resources, the Ling Family could borrow from the Gathering Sea Pavilion, as long as they used their real estate in the Feiyu Sea Region as collateral.
Ling Changqing politely rejected this proposal as well, explaining that the Ling Family’s finances were in good shape. With no wars to fund, there was simply no need to take on external debt.
She Qinghua couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret, but she said nothing.
A mont later, the two representatives took their leave, and Ling Changqing rose to see them out of his cave mansion.
Upon returning to their branch in the Marketplace, Yu Dongyang invited She Qinghua to his quarters to talk, and she accepted.
Inside a simply furnished, quiet room.
Yu Dongyang took out twelve small, exquisite Array Banners and laid an Array Restriction around them before inviting She Qinghua to sit.
"...Fellow Daoist She, what are your thoughts on this Ling Family from the Changqing Continent?"
Yu Dongyang asked in a low voice, his expression solemn.
She Qinghua shook her head slightly. "I can’t quite figure them out. According to our intelligence, they appear to be a Golden Core power that only advanced a few years ago.
However, from what we’ve seen and heard, their foundations are much more substantial than we imagined. Besides their vast territory and resources, they must have other sources of inco we don’t know about."
Yu Dongyang smiled. "In any case, they are a good prospect for investnt. Putting those other plans aside, we stand to profit handsoly just from our current cooperation."
"Mm, that’s true."
She Qinghua didn’t disagree. As long as their cooperation with the Ling Family continued, both they and the organization backing them stood to gain substantial profits.
"Alright, let’s put that aside for now."
Yu Dongyang changed the subject. "What about that secret mission from our superiors—finding the legendary Child of Destiny? How do you think we should proceed?"
As top powers in Yuzhou, the upper echelons of the Illusory Treasure Pavilion and the Gathering Sea Pavilion couldn’t possibly ignore the existence of a Child of Destiny.
Therefore, all of their business outposts scattered across the land had received the ssage: they were to pay close attention to this matter and report imdiately if they found any leads.
She Qinghua replied helplessly, "This assignnt is a nightmare. To say it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack would be an understatent. We should probably just leave it to fate."
The implication was that discovering any trace of the Child of Destiny was entirely up to the heavens; it wasn’t sothing that could be forced.
"I suppose that’s our only option."
Yu Dongyang sighed again. ’If only the Child of Destiny belonged to the Illusory Treasure Pavilion, how wonderful would that be?’
’With him on our side, all the ruins of Ancient Cave Mansions and the Immortal Mansion Secret Realms secretly cataloged by the Illusory Treasure Pavilion could potentially be opened. All the countless opportunities inside would belong to our organization.’
Unfortunately, it was just wishful thinking, sothing that would likely never co to pass.
...
「Dozens of days later. Hanyue Continent.」
Within the heart of the sect, Sect Leader Ma Deqing strolled leisurely through a newly completed, magnificent palace, a faint smile on his face.
After several years of careful managent, the Haoyue Sect had finally established a firm foothold, once again possessing the air of an old, established Golden Core power.
Ma Deqing felt he was not far from the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm. ’As long as the Sect can develop peacefully for a few decades or even a century,’ he thought, ’I might just have a chance to take that final step.’
At that point, the Haoyue Sect would return to the ranks of Nascent Soul powers.
Not only could he destroy the Ling Family of the Changqing Continent and avenge his past humiliation, but he could also lead his Disciples to expand their territory into the surrounding regions.
Just as he was reveling in this satisfying thought, a True Disciple rushed over in a hurried streak of Escape Light, his expression panicked.
"Sect Leader, this is terrible! Tribulation Cultivators of unknown origin have infiltrated the heart of the sect! They’re slaughtering our Disciples..."
"What?!"
Ma Deqing was stunned for a mont, then flew into a rage. "Where did these insolent vermin co from? They dare to target our Haoyue Sect? I’ll go see for myself!"
By now, the heart of the sect was already a scene of chaos.
Masked Cultivators in black, wielding various Spiritual Treasures and radiating killing intent, were everywhere. The mont they spotted a Haoyue Sect Cultivator, they struck to kill. Shrill screams echoed to the heavens.
Blood flowed freely across the grand plaza, where the dismbered corpses of Haoyue Sect Cultivators were strewn about.
Even their Divine Souls were being drawn out and imprisoned by special Magical Artifacts, denied release even in death.
When Ma Deqing, who had just rushed out, saw this scene, he exploded with rage. His face livid, he roared:
"You bastards... How dare you?! I will not rest until you are dead!"
No one answered him. In the blink of an eye, five or six of the black-clothed Cultivators surrounded him, and every single one was a Golden Core Master.
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