Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 198 - 156: Flow Shadow Ice Cicada: Fellow Daoist Ling, Please Stay

Billowing black mist surged ceaselessly from the branches and leaves. Wherever it passed, the surrounding grass and trees withered and rotted at a visible rate.

'A Dragon Ridge Tree Demon?'

Ling Changqing's expression tightened. This creature was recorded in the Jade Scroll archives—a vicious beast with strength equivalent to Peak Third Rank.

It was incredibly difficult to fight head-on, but its weakness was also obvious: its reaction speed was relatively slow.

Therefore, by leveraging their numerical advantage, Cultivators could still contend with it, provided they didn't fall prey to its Divine Soul attacks.

If they managed to kill a Dragon Ridge Tree Demon, its fruit and its heartwood were both extremely precious resources.

The fruit could be used as the main ingredient for Refining a Grade Three Life-extending Elixir, while the heartwood could repair and restore a damaged Divine Soul Origin.

'Should I go get involved?'

Ling Changqing hesitated. Logically, it would be unwise for him to interfere, given he was alone and they were a large group.

But the fruit and heartwood of a Dragon Ridge Tree Demon were incredibly rare. If he missed this chance, another opportunity would be hard to find.

After some thought, Ling Changqing decided against getting closer and simply watched from a distance.

This group of Female Cultivators must be from the Liuying Family. Among the Nine Great Families of Yuzhou, only the Liuying Family was run entirely by women.

Although Male Cultivators existed within this Cultivation Family, their status was generally low, and they held little to no authority.

The reason was simple: the Liuying Family's few Clan's Foundation Techniques were only suitable for female physiques to practice; men could not cultivate them.

Thus, the Liuying Family became an anomaly in Yuzhou. Moreover, their overall strength and foundation were not weak; they were ranked second, surpassed only by the Yu Family.

This was also the key reason for the Liuying Family's enduring prosperity. After all, with a family full of beauties, they would have long since become a vassal to other major powers if they weren't strong enough.

Reining in his wandering thoughts, Ling Changqing refocused his attention on the battle in the distance.

The average strength of those Female Cultivators was indeed impressive. After a period of relentless encirclement and assault, the Dragon Ridge Tree Demon was covered in wounds and had been worn down to the point of exhaustion.

After struggling for a few more moments, the massive creature finally ran out of energy. With an indignant roar, it collapsed to the ground with a deafening crash.

The Female Cultivators of the Liuying Family cheered in unison. To have worn down and killed such a rare and vicious beast naturally filled them with a great sense of accomplishment. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Then, under the command of the white-robed, leader-like woman, a dozen or so Female Cultivators stepped forward to clean up the battlefield.

Some of the Female Cultivators who had been accidentally injured retreated to the side, took an Elixir, and began to regulate their breathing.

Seeing that his opportunity was gone, Ling Changqing turned to leave.

"...Fellow Daoist, you've been watching for so long. Why not come over for a chat?"

A soft and pleasant voice sounded by his ear.

Somewhat surprised, Ling Changqing looked back to see the white-robed leader looking his way. Their eyes met in mid-air.

Her apparent Cultivation was only at Foundation Establishment Peak, but Ling Changqing's intuition told him that she was likely one of heaven's chosen, and her actual combat prowess could not be judged by conventional standards.

"Is it alright if I don't? I'll be leaving now!"

Ling Changqing sent his voice across the distance, not wanting to get entangled with them.

"No!"

The white-robed leader's figure vanished from her spot and reappeared just a short distance away, having used a Teleportation Talisman.

Ling Changqing sighed in resignation and cupped his hands. "I am Mu Fanqing. Greetings, Liuying Fairy!"

"Mu Fanqing?"

The white-robed leader's expression faltered slightly, and a hint of displeasure surfaced on her flawlessly beautiful features:

"Is there a reason your identity cannot see the light of day, Fellow Daoist? Why must you impersonate someone else?"

"???"

Ling Changqing looked confused. The identity of Mu Fanqing had been arranged for him by Xue Qingtan, and such a disciple from a collateral branch really did exist within the Mu Family.

"...Fellow Daoist, the Mu Fanqing from the Mu Family died in an accident half a year ago. As it happens, several of us are aware of this matter."

Another clear and elegant voice spoke up.

Ling Changqing turned his head to see a breathtakingly beautiful and gracefully intelligent woman in a bright yellow palace gown riding the wind toward them, followed by seven or eight Female Cultivators.

When she got a clear look at the handsome, purple-robed youth before her, her limpid eyes suddenly changed, and a flicker of incredible shock flashed in their depths before vanishing.

"It's you?!"

the palace-gowned beauty said, a mixture of shock and joy in her voice. Her elegant and gentle tone trembled slightly with excitement.

"You know me?"

Ling Changqing asked in confusion.

The white-robed leader at his side also seemed to realize something and said in surprise:

"You must be Ling Changqing, right? Rumor has it the Deep Sea Dragon Race recently took on a Child of Destiny as their Prince Consort. It seems the rumors are true..."

"Sorry, you have the wrong person!"

Ling Changqing shook his head. "I'm not this Child of Destiny you speak of. Farewell!"

With that, he made to leave.

The white-robed leader darted forward to block his path.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, please wait. I am Flow Shadow Ice Cicada. Our meeting is fated. How about we travel together?"

Ling Changqing: "..."