Free Web NovelChapter 483: Chapter 270: Transportation Captain
Qinglin County, in the heartland of Yuzhou.
This was a strategically important city in the Mu Family’s territory. More than one Mu Family Elder at the Nascent Soul Peak Realm was permanently stationed here.
Since the war with the Saint Yu Immortal Dynasty erupted, the city had become a frequent stop for passing armies, which in turn attracted swarms of merchant caravans. For a time, it was more bustling than ever before.
Even now, during the armistice, the number of visiting Cultivators remained high. In the corners untouched by sunlight, all sorts of shady characters were quite active.
"...It’s a shame. I wonder how many more years this bustling prosperity can last?"
In a tavern overlooking the street, a young pair of Cultivators sat across from one another. The woman was pure and radiant, with bright eyes and a dazzling smile, while the man was strikingly handsome and debonair.
The man was none other than a disguised Ling Changqing, and the woman was, of course, Mu Yunxiu, also in disguise.
"This is the way of the world. We can’t do anything about it," Ling Changqing said consolingly. "If we can find an opportunity to rescue your sisters, that in itself will be a good outcome. As for the Mu Family’s future... perhaps there’s always a way out."
"Let’s hope so."
Mu Yunxiu smiled. ’In any case, I am Ling Changqing’s Dao Companion; my own path of Cultivation is already guaranteed.’
’As for the clan, if I can rescue a group of my close relatives, I’ll feel I’ve repaid them for raising me.’
"Those sisters of yours—they haven’t been moved, have they?" Ling Changqing asked.
"I don’t think so," Mu Yunxiu said. "They’re all gathered in a Spirit Vein Blessed Land near the clan’s main estate. It’s heavily guarded, so no one would dare disturb them under normal circumstances."
"Alright," Ling Changqing nodded. "Once we’ve taken care of our main business, we’ll swing by and take a look."
She had mentioned before that in their scheme to win him over, the Mu Family’s upper echelons had carefully selected a group of young women from the clan. They poured resources into raising them with the finest of everything, preparing them for future use.
Ling Changqing’s main purpose for this trip was to assess the true strength of the Mu and Cui Families, and, while he was at it, see if he could bring Mu Yunxiu’s sisters back with him.
Back on Li Long Continent, the new training program for the Immortal Seeds was already proceeding in a steady and orderly fashion. His consorts had all settled into their respective roles, either focusing on their Cultivation or helping Ling Qiyue manage the family’s affairs.
Growing restless after a period of tranquility, Ling Changqing had recently used a Secret Technique to divine the Celestial Secrets. He had vaguely sensed that an opportunity might await him at the Mu Family’s main estate, which was why he had decided to come and investigate.
Su Qinglian and Bai Qingyi had, of course, come with him. They were hidden within the Era Star Palace’s Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, ready to emerge and provide support if needed.
As they spoke, a group of haughty-looking Cultivators in deep cyan Magical Robes streaked across the sky above on rays of Escape Light. Their auras were distinctly different from those of the Mu Family Cultivators.
"Are these Cultivators from the Taiqing Divine Dynasty treating the Mu Family’s territory as their own backyard now?"
Ling Changqing frowned, glancing at them briefly before looking away.
Mu Yunxiu whispered, "Rumor has it that the Mu Family’s ancestors had deep ties to the Taiqing Divine Dynasty. They even say our Clan’s Foundation Technique Manual came from them, though I don’t know if it’s true."
As a member of the younger generation, she hadn’t yet entered the clan’s inner circle of decision-makers, so she wasn’t privy to many of its secrets.
However, judging by the current situation, the rumors were likely not groundless.
Ling Changqing said, "Whether that’s true or not, the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm is not a place for outsiders to meddle. The Taiqing Divine Dynasty... is destined to be our enemy."
"Yes, I think so too," Mu Yunxiu said softly.
The couple sat for a little while longer before getting up to leave.
Qinglin County was not far from the Mu Family’s main estate. With Mu Yunxiu acting as their guide, the two traveled at a leisurely pace, finally arriving at their destination three days later.
Before them was a vast plain nestled between towering mountain ranges, spanning nearly ten million li. Beneath the ground, numerous giant Spirit Veins converged, creating a land of exceptional feng shui that gathered and contained energy.
Upon the plain stood a magnificent and meticulously planned city. Its exquisitely crafted palaces, pavilions, and towers stretched as far as the eye could see, shrouded in radiant light and auspicious clouds—the very picture of a beautiful immortal paradise.
Spiritual Springs and Spiritual Acupoints dotted the landscape of mountains, rivers, and marshes, and rare, precious Spirit Ores were found in abundance.
Many Spirit Beasts, Spiritual Birds, Spirit Woods, and Spirit Fruits long thought extinct could be found here, including a number of Ancient Exotic Species.
The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the air was astonishingly high, and its quality was exceptionally pure. An ordinary mortal living here year-round could enjoy a long life, impervious to all illness.
When observed with a Secret Technique, one could see immeasurable clouds of azure and violet qi converging above the great plain. They faintly formed the likenesses of ancient Divine Beasts such as dragons, tigers, qilin, pixiu, and multicolored phoenixes. Ornate canopies of light covered the land, shining with boundless radiance.
"This place is truly impressive."
It was Ling Changqing’s first time seeing the ancestral heartland of a Noble Family with a ten-thousand-year legacy, and even he was somewhat awestruck.
Judging from this vision of its Destiny alone, the Mu Family’s fortune was at its zenith, a picture of prosperity as brilliant as flowers on brocade or oil on a blazing fire.
However, with his mastery of the Celestial Secret Technique, Ling Changqing could easily see a bottomless darkness lurking in the depths of that azure and violet qi, slowly siphoning away and consuming the Mu Family’s Destiny.
Considering the Taiqing Divine Dynasty’s infiltration and control over the Mu Family’s leadership, this strange vision of their Destiny made perfect sense.
If nothing unexpected happened, the Mu Family’s entire foundation would sooner or later be devoured by the Taiqing Divine Dynasty.
"My old identity Command Token is still valid, but to avoid any mishaps, it’s best we don’t use it."
Mu Yunxiu said, the implication clear: they had to sneak in without being seen by any Mu Family Cultivators.
