Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 210 - 160: Gong Ling Awakens

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please, feel free."

The young man bowed his head slightly, his attitude growing even more cordial, for he had detected nothing out of the ordinary.

Ling Changqing snorted, steering his Flying Sword around the man and flying away. The surrounding Cultivators made no move to stop him.

On the next leg of his journey, Ling Changqing was stopped and questioned by more than a dozen different groups of Cultivators, including teams from the Nine Great Families.

The most incredible part was when Liuying Jing herself appeared leading a team. Yet even face-to-face, the petite Cultivator didn't notice a thing.

As for Flow Shadow Ice Cicada and Liu Ying Meng Luan, there was no sign of them. He had no idea if they were leading teams to search elsewhere.

Regardless, Ling Changqing felt he could never see them again.

It was the only way to guarantee their safety to the greatest extent possible.

Otherwise, forget the Cultivators from other factions—even within the Liu Ying Clan, there were plenty of rivals who would rather not see them alive.

He continued on his way, and two days later, Ling Changqing arrived at his destination without any trouble.

A majestic mountain range, thousands of feet high and stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles, appeared before him with its winding peaks and valleys.

The upper halves of its many peaks were capped with white snow, while the lower slopes were shaded by lush trees and rich vegetation. Spiritual Qi was abundant, and countless Spiritual Birds and Spirit Beasts roamed the area. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

This was the Luoying Mountain Range.

Not only was it home to a vast number of Spirit Beasts and Spiritual Birds, but it also produced an abundance of rare Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs. Most importantly, a golden Spiritual Spring at the summit of the main peak was a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure coveted by all Cultivators.

Every five hundred years, this golden Spiritual Spring in the Luoying Mountain Range would produce one or more Crystal Pearls.

The miraculous effect of these Crystal Pearls was their ability to elevate a Cultivator's Spirit Root Talent by one level, up to a maximum of Top Rank Earth Grade.

Treasures capable of improving one's Spirit Root Talent were effectively priceless and not for sale in the outside world. The upper echelons of the major powers would rather let them rot in their vaults than ever trade them away.

The rare treasures that did appear at top-tier auctions were of ordinary quality, capable only of raising a Spirit Root to the level of top rank Human Grade at best. Anything of the Earth Grade was basically unheard of.

Therefore, whenever the Dragon Soul Valley opened, the Spiritual Spring's Crystal Pearls became a prize that Cultivators from every family would fight to the death for.

Ling Changqing landed halfway up the mountain. He cautiously observed the surrounding terrain as he began to walk step by step up the mountain path toward the summit.

Due to the effects of certain natural Restrictions in the area, Cultivators could not fly their Flying Swords directly to the main peak's summit. The most they could do was reach the halfway point before having to continue the rest of the way on foot.

...

「At the entrance to the Dragon Soul Valley, inside the Liu Ying Clan's temporary camp.」

"...So, you're saying this marriage contract was indeed personally written by the Child of Destiny, Ling Changqing?"

The noble and beautiful Liuying Lingji asked, her expression grave and her aura imposing.

In the Jade Box before her, the marriage contract lay neatly on a bright yellow silk lining. The dozens of Female Cultivator names written on it were clearly visible.

Standing before her, Flow Shadow Ice Cicada said respectfully, "Elder, you see things clearly. That is exactly what happened."

Liuying Lingji nodded slightly. Although Ling Changqing's whereabouts were unknown, as long as they had this contract, the family would have an irrefutable claim when it came time to vie for the Child of Destiny.

"Hm? Wait..."

Liuying Lingji's gaze suddenly fixed on the contents of the marriage contract, her dark, elegant brows knitting together slightly.

There, Ling Changqing's name had already faded considerably.

"Sister, what's wrong?"

The graceful and picturesque beauty beside her leaned closer.

"This little rascal... he's trying to play tricks!"

Liuying Lingji pointed to the name at the bottom and said with some amusement.

With her keen eyes, she could naturally tell that Ling Changqing's name would vanish completely in a few more days at most.

At that point, the marriage contract would become meaningless.

Liuying Lingji gently raised her pale wrist. A speck of crimson-gold spiritual light landed on Ling Changqing's name, completely halting the fading process.

'Trying to weasel your way out of it, are you? Don't even dream of it! You're going to be the esteemed son-in-law of the Liu Ying Clan, whether you like it or not!'