Free Web NovelChapter 517: Chapter 282: Never-ending
Linsha Continent.
Inside the Clan Assembly Hall, the atmosphere was somewhat delicate.
Ling Changqing and Ling Qiyue sat on the spacious thrones upon the high platform, their expressions serene as they remained silent.
Tang Qiu Yao, Qin Yun, Ling Yuzhu, and Ling Yulu were seated on either side, none of them bothering to conceal their Nascent Soul Cultivation auras.
Below the jade steps, more than ten men and women, old and young, were seated. They too wore grave expressions, the arrogance in their eyes having faded considerably.
The reason was simple. The Ling Family had already presented six Nascent Soul True Monarchs. Furthermore, it seemed the auras of more than one Peak Nascent Soul Powerhouse lingered in the hall.
One could only imagine that an unknown major power was secretly backing the Ling Family; otherwise, their rise would not have been so swift.
Therefore, with their hard power not necessarily holding an advantage, the representatives of these eleven Nascent Soul powers could only swallow their pride and begin discussions with a relatively peaceful attitude.
Otherwise, if the talks truly broke down, it was unlikely they would gain the upper hand even if they joined forces—and that was despite having their own backers.
The current situation in the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm was complicated. A mere Nascent Soul power was not strong enough to guarantee its own survival. If they stirred up any real trouble, they would have to find a way to clean up their own mess. Their patrons would not necessarily be in the mood to intervene.
"...Fellow Daoist Ling, your family’s development in recent years has truly exceeded our expectations,"
Song Yuanshan, the Sect Leader of the Binghai Sword Sect, forced a smile and said in a mild tone,
"We did not come to your door with any ill intent. We simply hope to sign a peace treaty with your family so that the younger disciples from both our sides will not recklessly come into conflict when they are out in the world."
Su Zhenxia, Sect Leader of Zuihua Palace, let out a soft chuckle. "Your family controls five sea regions. The annual resource output must be considerable. Commercial trade and cooperation are surely things we can discuss!"
She had taken the hint. Seeing Song Yuanshan’s intention, she naturally wouldn’t oppose him and immediately voiced her agreement.
Fa Ming, the Abbot of the Sheng Xiang Sect, frowned for a moment before his expression softened into a smile. He said,
"Fellow Daoist Su’s words are most excellent. I have heard that Fellow Daoist Ling and his wife are both Rank Four Alchemy Grandmasters. I wonder if you could help our Sheng Xiang Sect refine some suitable Elixirs? The price is, of course, negotiable!"
Regardless of any resentment in his heart, now that his two heavyweight allies had changed their tune, he certainly wouldn’t choose to be stubborn to the end.
The other Nascent Soul True Monarchs also chimed in, each one’s attitude more amicable than the last. It was almost enough to make one believe they were sincere.
Everyone present was an old fox who had been in Cultivation for hundreds of years at least; there were no fools among them. What was something like ’face’ compared to tangible benefits?
Since they couldn’t compete in terms of hard power, changing their attitude and currying favor was the logical next step.
Ling Changqing remained impassive, pondering for a few breaths before nodding. "Our Ling Family has risen too quickly, and we are not yet familiar with the surrounding powers. We were originally planning to visit each of you one by one in the future.
Since all you Fellow Daoists are amenable, and it’s a rare occasion to have everyone present today, why don’t we discuss this properly!"
If the Ling Family were not in a position where further expansion was inadvisable, he would not have intended to let them off so easily.
Of course, the current outcome was also good. In a few years, after the Ling Family’s strength and foundation had grown further, he would settle the score with them properly.
Thus, what was planned as a joint front to demand accountability and apply pressure turned into a scene of friendly exchange and talks of cooperation.
The entire meeting proceeded quite smoothly. In the end, a pleased Ling Changqing even hosted a banquet for his guests, and it was a joyous occasion for all.
It wasn’t until the group of Nascent Soul True Monarchs had taken their leave and the Tianzhou Skyboat ascended into the sky that the reality of the situation fully dawned on them.
"So... we’re just letting it go like that?"
Fa Ming shook his large, shiny bald head, still asking in disbelief.
"What else could we do?"
Su Zhenxia smiled. "They have the home-field advantage, and their backer isn’t necessarily any weaker than ours. Did you really want to have a falling out with them?
If we did, what would we have gained? We certainly couldn’t take the five sea regions under the Ling Family’s name. Wouldn’t all our efforts have been for nothing?"
Fa Ming fell silent. The other Nascent Soul True Monarchs looked at each other, speechless for a long moment.
To put it bluntly, they were never truly united in the first place. Who didn’t have their own little schemes?
Since their target was a tough nut to crack, it was only natural that none of them were willing to risk their own assets to fight to the death with a power they had no prior grudge against.
Song Yuanshan mused, "Since they have someone behind them, let’s just drop the matter. I only hope this family will stay in its lane from now on and not cause any more trouble!"
Su Zhenxia chuckled. "Cooperation is also a good option. It’s beneficial for both sides. As for what happens in the future... we can talk about the future when it comes!"
She was rather philosophical about it. After all, Zuihua Palace was on the Yuzhou Continent, a great distance from the Ling Family’s territory. They wouldn’t be the first to suffer.
’In a few hundred years, if the Ling Family really does show up at our doorstep, Zuihua Palace can just surrender and submit. That Patriarch is a notorious lecher; he probably wouldn’t deny my disciples a way to live, would he?’
...
「In the Council Hall.」
"...Husband, you’re just letting them leave like that?"
Tang Qiu Yao asked, a hint of indignation in her tone.
Ling Changqing smiled. "This is the most suitable outcome for now. Their territories are scattered all over the place; we can’t manage them at the moment. We’ll settle this account in the future."
The Ling Family would certainly expand outward again, but that would be a matter for decades, or even centuries, from now. There was no need to overthink it. For now, they just needed to focus on their own development.
