Chapter 361: Chapter 221: The Fall of the Cangyu Islands (2)

The Protective Array at their sect’s headquarters was a Third Grade high rank one. Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch would have a hard time breaking through it quickly, which was why Luo Qingxuan didn’t want to let them return.

Ling Qiyue shook her head. "Your identity can’t be exposed, Sister. If word got out, it would cause unimaginable trouble."

"Ah, that’s true."

Luo Qingxuan frowned in thought for a moment before finally abandoning the idea.

"Forget it. How about I go and see if I can lure that guy in?"

Ling Changqing said. Although the chances of success were slim, he still wanted to give it a try.

’What if it actually works?’

Outside, after a fierce internal struggle, Gu Binglong finally made a painful decision.

"We’re retreating! We’ll fall back to the sect headquarters and defend it to the death..."

Although he was extremely unwilling, he truly didn’t dare to risk it any further.

Just then, amid the gasps of the surrounding disciples, a handsome, black-clad youth with ruby lips, pearly teeth, and a cold gaze slowly emerged from the distant mine entrance.

In his hand, he held the Nether Moon Celestial Net Banner.

"Who... who in the world are you?"

Gu Binglong’s face was ashen as he demanded through gritted teeth.

’His Cultivation Level seems comparable to my own, so how on earth did he manage to kill Elder Gu Changhe?’

"Thank you for the gift, Sect Leader. I’ll gladly accept it!"

Ling Changqing waved the large banner in his hand and said with a grin, "And I don’t think any of you will be going back today. Why don’t you go down and keep those other dead ghosts company?"

"Such arrogance!"

Gu Binglong laughed in fury. ’This brat popped out of nowhere, and he really dares to push his luck?’

He had originally been about to lead his men away, but seeing Ling Changqing appear and provoke him, the Sect Leader’s resolve began to waver.

"Since it’s really just him, let’s join forces and kill him first!"

Gu Binglong said through gritted teeth.

’I still have two Golden Core and one True Pill Cultivator on my side, plus more than ten Pseudo Core Cultivators. We can bury this kid with sheer numbers!’

And so, at Gu Binglong’s command, the flashing lights of various Magical Treasures and powerful Divine Techniques surged toward the distant Ling Changqing all at once.

Ling Changqing waved his hand, unfurling the Nether Moon Celestial Net Banner. A dark light flashed as several thick screens of light silently formed, one within the other, blocking the tempestuous assault.

However, facing the frenzied assault of so many Cultivators, the screens of light visibly distorted and inevitably dimmed, the energy consumption clearly substantial.

Ling Changqing chuckled and took the opportunity to retreat deeper into the mine. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Under the subtle interference of Destiny and karma, the hot-headed Gu Binglong lost all composure, recklessly leading the Elders in pursuit.

Inside the mountain, violent tremors shook the earth, wave after wave, as if an unprecedented earthquake had erupted.

In the mountain forests, birds and beasts scrambled to flee. Large boulders periodically tumbled down the slopes, kicking up vast clouds of dust.

RUMBLE!

At the mine’s entrance, a layer of granite over a hundred zhang wide suddenly collapsed, burying all the Cultivators from the Cangyu Islands inside.

Their escape route was now completely cut off.

While it was impossible to truly trap Core Formation Cultivators with their strength—they could escape given enough time—it was clear they wouldn’t get that chance now.

"N-No, something’s wrong?!"

As he saw the tall, elegant figure that had suddenly appeared behind him and felt the terrifyingly oppressive aura, Gu Binglong shuddered, snapping back to his senses with a final, deathbed clarity.

"It’s... it’s a Nascent Soul True Monarch..."

A trembling voice rang out, and like a piercing winter wind, it plunged every Cultivator present into an icy despair.

’It’s over...’

Gu Binglong’s vision went black and his mind buzzed as an unprecedented wave of despair washed over him.

’Why on earth would a Nascent Soul True Monarch appear here? With their lofty status, would they even care about the meager holdings of the Cangyu Islands?’

But now, with death at his doorstep, there was no one left to answer his questions.

The fierce battle lasted but a moment. Once the last True Pill Cultivator had fallen, the inside of the mountain finally grew quiet.

"Alright, the territory of this Golden Core power is now in our hands!"

Ling Changqing let out a soft sigh. He reached out and took all the Storage Magical Artifacts from the body of Gu Binglong, whose eyes remained open in death.

The fortunes of these Golden Core and True Pill Cultivators were quite substantial. Including their personal Magical Treasures, it was all a considerable haul.

Ling Qiyue mused, "Their sect headquarters should still have one or two Core Formation Cultivators guarding it, right? We have to deal with them all, or perhaps..."

"Or perhaps what?"

Luo Qingxuan asked.

Ling Changqing picked up the thread. "The time isn’t right. The Ling Family is not yet suited to expand into the Chixue Sea Region. It would be too easy to attract the attention and suspicion of outside powers."

The Ling Family was currently short-staffed; it would still take time to fully control the Feiyu Sea Region, let alone the Chixue Sea Region.

The Cangyu Islands weren’t especially prosperous, so whether the Ling Family took them over or not was of little consequence at the moment.

If they extended their reach here too soon, they would easily arouse the vigilance of the numerous powers in the surrounding sea regions, who might then band together to defend against and besiege the Ling Family.

"Husband, what do you think would be the best way to handle this?"

Ling Qiyue tilted her head and asked in a soft voice.

Ling Changqing thought for a moment. "We don’t need this mess. Why don’t we let the Longevity Hall take it over? We can continue to operate from behind the scenes."

The affairs of the Chixue Sea Region should continue to be handled by its native powers. At least on the surface, the Ling Family of the Changqing Continent needed to remain uninvolved.

Ling Qiyue nodded. "That could work. Of course, we can’t just give it to the Longevity Hall for free. It will depend on what terms Liu Qianlan can offer in exchange."

Even brothers must settle their accounts. This was, after all, the foundation of a Golden Core power; getting it for nothing was out of the question.

After a brief discussion, Ling Changqing departed with the two women on their Escape Lights.

「Several days later.」

On an island within the Longevity Hall’s sphere of influence, Liu Qianlan, who had hurried over at their invitation, met with Ling Qiyue and Ling Changqing.

Luo Qingxuan did not appear, as her identity was too sensitive.

In a teahouse in a small city, Liu Qianlan, her face veiled by light gauze and her figure alluringly curvaceous, sat across from them. Her beautiful, star-like eyes stared at the Immortal couple in disbelief.

"You two... are certainly audacious!"

After a long moment, the peerless beauty finally let out a soft breath, calming her turbulent, shocked heart.

’What on earth did they do to kill Gu Binglong and all those Core Formation Cultivators, nearly wiping out the entire Cangyu Islands sect?’

"So, what do you think?"

Ling Changqing said casually, "The entire foundation of the Cangyu Islands can be yours, but you’ll have to trade sufficient benefits for it. In the future, the Ling Family will continue to support you as always!"

The elite forces of the Cangyu Islands had been all but wiped out, reducing them to the weakest power in the Chixue Sea Region.

Although two last Golden Core Masters were still guarding the sect headquarters, they posed no real threat to the Longevity Hall.

Liu Qianlan sighed faintly. "You look down on a foundation like the Cangyu Islands, yet in some respects, our Longevity Hall isn’t even as strong as the Cangyu Islands were at their peak!"

"Fellow Daoist Ling, just tell me, what benefits could we possibly offer that would satisfy you?"

She blinked her beautiful eyes, a gentle smile playing on her stunning face, and suddenly tossed out a proposal.

"How about I give you that girl, Liu Xiuyan, to warm your bed? Her aptitude might not compare to that of your Patriarch Dao Companion, but she’s certainly qualified to be a concubine, wouldn’t you say?"

"Uh... let’s just forget about it!"

’Are you trying to make trouble for me?’ Ling Changqing thought. ’Saying that right in front of Ling Qiyue... do you really think she won’t get jealous?’

"What? Is she not to your liking?"

Liu Qianlan smiled helplessly and said in a low voice, "She is the most outstanding woman the Longevity Hall has to offer. If you’re still not satisfied, then there’s nothing more I can do!"

Ling Changqing looked at her noble, radiant, dignified, and elegant face, and couldn’t help but tease her.

"The most outstanding woman in the Longevity Hall? I’d say that title belongs to you, her master, wouldn’t you?"

A blush instantly bloomed across Liu Qianlan’s stunning, full-cheeked, and porcelain-fair face. A trace of flustered anger flashed in her lustrous eyes as she lightly bit her red lip and whispered:

"So? You want me too, is that it?"

"..."