Chapter 325: Chapter 208: Luo Qingxuan: I’ve Come to Collect a Debt from My Husband...

Without enough strength, it was difficult to control one’s own destiny. One could only be used as a bargaining chip by those in power.

As things stood, he was truly in a bind.

The women and Ling Changqing entered the family headquarters’ Council Hall. After exchanging greetings once more, they took their seats as hosts and guests.

"...Sister, I hope to establish a long-term business partnership with the Ling Family. What are your thoughts?"

Luo Qingxuan didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.

Ling Qiyue looked slightly taken aback. She thought for a moment before cautiously replying:

"The Dragon Race must have many business partners, all of them renowned major powers. I’m afraid our Ling Family doesn’t qualify..."

To even discuss a business partnership with the Deep Sea Dragon Race, one needed to be at least an established Nascent Soul power. A Golden Core Family was certainly not up to par.

Luo Qingxuan smiled. "The Ling Family indeed isn’t qualified right now. But it won’t be long before the Ling Family becomes a Nascent Soul power, will it?"

"???"

Ling Qiyue’s heart skipped a beat. She looked bewildered. "Sister, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. It’s enough that your Dao Companion does."

Luo Qingxuan toyed with the cerulean teacup in her hand, her bright gaze turning to Ling Changqing.

Tang Qiuyao and Meng Feiyu exchanged a glance, each seeing the worry in the other’s heart.

’If this matter really gets out, the Ling Family’s foundation on the Changqing Continent is finished. The only outcome would be for it to become a ruin like the Hanyue Continent, with every living being annihilated.’

"From now on, in my personal capacity, I will provide the Ling Family with Cultivation Resources equivalent to fifty thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones annually."

Luo Qingxuan withdrew her gaze and continued as if to herself, "The Ling Family can pay with various specialty resources, or you can owe me for now. Just consider it a loan."

"In exchange, you will need to pledge fealty to me in name, becoming a vassal of the Dragon Race. How does that sound?"

Before Ling Qiyue could speak, Ling Changqing had already spoken up.

"A business partnership is fine, but this nominal pledge of fealty... it might attract unwanted attention. There’s a risk it could backfire. It would be better to keep this arrangement a secret."

In the past, the Deep Sea Dragon Race had indeed recruited various vassal powers from the human world, both publicly and secretly. Adding the Ling Family to the list wouldn’t have been a big deal.

’But Luo Qingxuan’s identity is too sensitive. If this drags on, the major powers keeping an eye on her will eventually notice something is amiss. If they investigate further, the situation will inevitably spiral out of control.’

Luo Qingxuan inclined her head, gave him a deep, long look, and then said:

"If that’s the case, then so be it. I just hope the Ling Family’s strength will increase more quickly, so you can cross the threshold to become a Nascent Soul power sooner."

Ling Qiyue said earnestly, "Rest assured, Sister. I’m not far from the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm myself. With my husband’s help, it won’t be difficult to cross that threshold."

Luo Qingxuan nodded slightly. With a flick of her wrist, an exquisite Jade Box shimmering with Spiritual Light appeared in her hand.

"Inside are four Profound Yin Water Pearls. As this is my first visit, consider it a gift from me to my sisters." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Luo Qingxuan’s voice was soft and melodic as she spoke. The Jade Box floated lightly from her hand, flying directly to Ling Changqing.

"Thank you, Sister."

Ling Changqing gave a wry smile inwardly as he reached out and accepted the Jade Box.

"What did you call me?"

Luo Qingxuan’s voice remained calm and gentle, but the aura around her had quietly intensified, and an invisible pressure surged toward Ling Changqing.

Ling Changqing’s expression didn’t change. "I called you Sister, of course. You don’t expect me to call you... something else, do you? Walls have ears. It won’t do anyone any good if word gets out, will it?"

"..."

Luo Qingxuan scrutinized him with a profound gaze. After a long moment, she nodded and let out a soft laugh.

"That’s true. Rather than being watched by so many pairs of eyes, it’s better to hide out here and enjoy a quiet life."

"Sister Qi Yue, I left in such a hurry this time that I don’t even have a place to stay. Why don’t you arrange a Cave Mansion Hall for me? How about I stay here for a while?"

Ling Qiyue glanced at her husband’s expression before replying in a low voice:

"Of course, that’s no problem. However, we only have Grade Three Spirit Vein Cave Mansion Halls here. I’m afraid the accommodations will be a bit humble for you, Sister."

"It’s no matter. As long as there’s a place to stay, it’s fine," Luo Qingxuan said with a smile.

Ling Qiyue said, "Then why don’t you stay in my Cave Mansion Hall, Sister? It’s already the best place on the Changqing Continent."

Although nothing had been said explicitly, both she and Ling Changqing now understood what was happening.

’No matter what, they had to placate this Princess Long Nu first. Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable.’

"Oh, right. I just remembered I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me for a moment."

Ling Changqing said, rising from his seat.

Luo Qingxuan shot him a cold glance but didn’t say anything to stop him.

Just as he was about to walk out of the hall, the haunting voice of Princess Long Nu echoed in Ling Changqing’s mind:

"Tonight, *husband*, come to my room for a talk. Otherwise... you’ll face the consequences!"

Ling Changqing gave a helpless smile and walked out the door without another word.

’Things had already come to this. Overthinking it was pointless. He could only take it one step at a time.’

Back in his Inner Study, Ling Changqing leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed, and closed his eyes in deep thought.

’The ideal outcome would be for Luo Qingxuan to understand his current predicament and agree to keep their relationship a secret, allowing them to meet privately in the future.’

’However, given the Princess Long Nu’s proud, arrogant, and extremely possessive nature, she was unlikely to be willing to share his affections with Ling Qiyue and the other women.’

’But he could never accept leaving with her and never seeing Ling Qiyue and the others again.’

’Ling Changqing was confident that if he insisted on leaving, Luo Qingxuan couldn’t stop him. Not even the upper echelons of the Dragon Race could.’

As his thoughts churned, the sound of soft footsteps reached him.

When he lifted his gaze, he found Luo Qingxuan standing before him, her fiery red dress and stunning beauty breathtaking. Her bright, large eyes were faintly misted over.

At that moment, the door to the Inner Study was sealed shut, and the Array Restriction had been activated.

"My lady, you found me after all..." Ling Changqing sighed.

Luo Qingxuan said softly, "Change back to your original appearance for me."

Ling Changqing nodded. Amid a shimmer of light, the handsome, purple-robed youth with eyes like polished jet and a majestic, graceful bearing reappeared before Luo Qingxuan.

The next moment, Luo Qingxuan pulled him into a tight embrace, his face sinking into the soft valley between her snowy breasts, just as it had when they first met.

Of course, Ling Changqing’s strength was far greater than before, so he was in no danger of being suffocated by the Princess Long Nu’s magnificent bosom this time.

After a long moment, Luo Qingxuan finally loosened her embrace slightly. Her beautiful, pale golden eyes gazed at the youth in her arms, as if she could never get her fill of looking at him.

"My lady, this is too dangerous..." Ling Changqing said in a low voice.

Luo Qingxuan smiled. "I’ve come to collect a debt from my husband. As for whether it’s dangerous, I can’t be bothered with that right now."

Some things couldn’t be measured purely in terms of gains and losses.

Compared to her husband, the trials and tribulations of the outside world were not even a consideration for the Princess Long Nu.

"Then... how exactly did you recognize me?" Ling Changqing asked curiously. ’Gong Ling’s methods should have been flawless, so where did things go wrong?’

"A woman’s intuition. Besides, your Spiritual Mechanism Dao Rhyme still lingers within my body. Isn’t that enough?"

Luo Qingxuan lowered her head, asking with an amused tone.

"...Alright, I suppose that was my oversight."

Ling Changqing was rather speechless, though he supposed he couldn’t really be blamed for something like that.

Glancing around, Ling Changqing wrapped his arm around Luo Qingxuan’s smooth, firm waist and led her behind the Cloud Dragon Ink Jade Screen.

Luo Qingxuan froze for a moment, but then she understood. A blush like a sunset cloud spread across her jade-like, beautiful face, but she didn’t object.

Behind it was a rather large Beautiful Jade Embroidery Couch, a convenient place for Ling Changqing to lie down and rest when he grew tired of reading.

Beside the couch, Ling Changqing held the beautiful woman tenderly for a moment. Then, with practiced ease, his hand moved to her waist, undid the Jade Belt’s Hidden Button, and her magnificent dress slid to the floor in layers.

Not to be outdone, Luo Qingxuan responded with fierce passion. Soon, they were bared to each other. Her voluptuous, enchanting body with its explosive curves was dazzlingly fair and utterly flawless...