In his view, the Ling Family and the various powers of the Chixue Sea Region likely had no conflicts of interest. It was simply a matter of getting paid to do a job.

As long as the price was right, the Cangyu Islands shouldn’t be turned away.

"Well... alright. We can give it a try."

Xu Song thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Gu Binglong continued, "This matter must be resolved. If possible, we can even consider forming an alliance with the Ling Family.

I recall that the Sect still occupies seven or eight islands near the Feiyu Sea Region. Their annual resource output is quite respectable.

If the Ling Family agrees to an alliance, just give them those islands as a gift. I’m confident their Patriarch won’t refuse."

Once the alliance was forged, the Longevity Hall could forget about ever getting another Elixir from the Ling Family. This would naturally be the most advantageous outcome for the Cangyu Islands.

Xu Song hesitated for a moment. "In that case, should I make the trip personally?"

Gu Binglong nodded. "Settle this, and you will be a hero to our Sect."

...

「Changqing Continent.」

In a quiet and elegant inner courtyard, filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers, all sorts of rare and exotic plants vied for splendor, filling the air with their rich fragrance.

At the end of a gravel path, two beautiful young women with rosy, jade-like complexions and graceful figures slowly approached.

Both women were dressed in magnificent gowns, their black hair cascading like waterfalls. Their features were as exquisitely carved as jade, and their Cultivation was at the Late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"...Husband must be busy at the Pill Hall again, right? He’s been spending so little time with us lately!"

Ling Xueyu’s delicate brows furrowed, a trace of disappointment in her voice.

Mu Yu Xin smiled faintly. "Official business comes first. It’s not just the commissions from those powers; the family’s internal demand for certain Elixirs is growing larger and larger. With the Patriarch so busy as well, isn’t it only natural our husband has to work harder?"

Mu Yu Xin hadn’t been part of the family for long and wasn’t particularly close with the other sisters. Only she and Ling Xueyu truly hit it off, and they often attended to Ling Changqing together.

Her Cultivation and Spirit Root Talent were actually a bit better than Ling Xueyu’s, which was how she had also reached the Late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Mmm, I suppose that’s true."

Ling Xueyu smiled and looked at her. "I remember our husband mentioned something about teaching you Alchemy techniques. What ever happened with that?"

"Don’t even ask,"

Mu Yu Xin said with a sigh of resignation, "Our husband tested me and said I have no talent in that area. If I forced myself to practice it, the most I could ever hope to become is a Rank One High-grade Alchemist, and that would be my limit. I’d be better off considering other Art Skills.

Even that newcomer, Liu Xiuyan, supposedly has more talent for the Alchemy Dao than I do. But she has no intention of joining the family, so our husband isn’t planning to waste his efforts on her."

"Oh, is that so? What a shame."

Ling Xueyu sighed with a touch of regret. "Why don’t you learn the Mechanical Puppet Dao from my mother? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind taking on a disciple."

She herself had been studying the Mechanical Puppet Technique under her mother, Ling Yuzhu. She had already reached the threshold of a Second Rank Low Grade Mechanical Puppet Master and expected to break through very soon.

"Hmm, I’ll think about it."

Mu Yu Xin’s pretty face flushed slightly. ’She and I are practically best friends. It would be good to have someone to lend a hand when we serve our husband in the future.’ 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Meanwhile, Ling Changqing had already left the Pill Hall. He was now in the Patriarch’s private boudoir, engaged in a deep and thorough discussion with Ling Qiyue about important future development plans for the family.

Deep within the embroidered canopy, a rich, feminine fragrance permeated the air.

On the wide Beautiful Jade Embroidery Couch lay a bright yellow mattress. Ling Qiyue’s pale wrists were pinned to either side of an embroidered pillow, her cascade of black hair splayed out around her. Her stunningly beautiful face was flushed a rosy red, brimming with passion.

"...My dear wife, isn’t it time to surrender?"

"You... you shameless bastard..."

Ling Qiyue bit her glossy, alluring red lips, wanting to cling to her last shred of dignity. But, mindful of her sore and aching body, she had no choice but to whisper:

"Alright, husband, I surrender!"

Come to think of it, it was all Tang Qiu Yao’s and Qin Yun’s fault. Since they and Xue Qingtan were busy, Ling Qiyue was left to fight this battle all by herself.

Even fighting with all her might, she was still inevitably and utterly pinned down by Ling Changqing.

"Surrender is a good start! And then?"

Ling Changqing asked with a grin.

"You shameless little thief, you’re so smug right now, aren’t you..."

Ling Qiyue cursed him inwardly. ’In the past, all of his beauties would team up to besiege the guy, so he was always the one to lose face and beg for mercy in the end.’

’Now that he finally has a rare chance to turn the tables and be the master, he’s getting this cocky? The nerve of him!’

Suppressing her indignation, Ling Qiyue proactively wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss, saying sweetly:

"Get up, husband. We need to attend to proper business. I’ll come and serve you well again tonight, okay?"

"Hmph. That’s more like it!"

Ling Changqing nodded and reluctantly climbed off of her. With a soft POP, the couple finally ceased to be intimately joined as one.

After getting up, taking a bath, and getting properly dressed, Ling Changqing went out to the antechamber and began to look through the jade scrolls and books piled on the desk.

As the head of a Golden Core power, Ling Qiyue naturally had no shortage of matters to deal with. However, her Cultivation was now sufficiently powerful, and with Tang Qiu Yao to assist, things were not difficult to handle.

A short while later, Ling Qiyue also entered, having finished getting dressed and tidying her appearance. Her bewitchingly beautiful face was still flushed like a rosy dawn.

Ling Changqing beckoned, pulling her voluptuous and enchanting body onto his lap, his hands immediately beginning to roam.

The reason was simple: the flames in his heart were stirring again. After all, with Ling Changqing’s current "combat power," a single Ling Qiyue was truly not enough to satisfy him.