Chapter 646: Chapter 81: The Future Ancestor God! King of the Sang Clan!

In the Sang Clan’s territory, within the blood pool that awakens bloodlines, Mu Qingge sat cross-legged, her eyes tightly shut. The once viscous pool water now formed a massive whirlpool around her, boiling as the essence blood of generations of ancestors was continuously absorbed into her body, refining her bloodline.

On the shore, the Supreme Elder of the Sang Family sat cross-legged, his sharp old eyes fixed on Mu Qingge in the pool, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

Two hours passed...

The color of the blood in the pool gradually faded, while Mu Qingge’s skin became increasingly red. The hairband that held up her hair suddenly shattered, disintegrating into a pile of powder, as jet-black hair fell, dipping into the pool water.

The Supreme Elder’s eyes narrowed, his expression turned more solemn.

Suddenly, Mu Qingge’s clothing ballooned as if filled by a gust of wind, her previously peaceful expression turning somewhat ferocious.

The pool water spun even more madly, and the essence blood seemed all eager to rush into her body.

The Supreme Elder frowned and concentrated, watching closely. Silently thinking, ’The commotion of this awakening is excessively intense, yet judging by her expression, she seems to be able to withstand it. I won’t rush, let’s observe a bit more.’

Three more hours passed, and the pool water had turned from blood-red to pink. The once dense pool water had become clear, faintly revealing the scenery at the bottom.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingge’s clothing had swelled up like a balloon, floating atop the pool water.

Her skin was red as if bleeding, resembling her skin’s blood vessels burning beneath. Her expression became increasingly ferocious, with hints of pain.

However, she did not utter a sound, biting her lip and staying silent.

The pain of bloodline awakening, the Supreme Elder had personally experienced. Mu Qingge’s current performance made him gratified, nodding, "A child with perseverance and endurance. Her talent..."

His gaze lingered on the paled pool water, unable to suppress his amazement.

’A hundred clan members awakening their bloodlines together in this pool would not absorb as much energy as she has.’ He even suspected Mu Qingge was like a bottomless pit, capable of endlessly absorbing the essence blood energy from the pool.

"Just hope you don’t get reckless, keeping your sense is best." The Supreme Elder gently sighed.

The awakening process was nothing less than a battle against the heart demon. Everyone desires formidable power, especially this power that can refine bloodlines, enhance talent, and strengthen one’s mechanisms.

This process is akin to refining one’s self as an artifact material, thrown into this pool water to be repeatedly refined, eventually becoming a Spiritual Artifact, or even a Divine Artifact, Holy Artifact!

Of course, there’s also a considerable possibility of overestimating oneself during the process, being overwhelmed by power, turning into scrap metal.

"It should be just about over." Watching the pool water fade to pink, the Supreme Elder nodded slightly, estimating Mu Qingge should not absorb any more.

Mu Qingge in the pool at that moment seemed ’full,’ the whirlpool around her gradually slowing, the ballooned clothing gradually calmed.

These were all signs that the event was about to end.

Then, just when the Supreme Elder thought it was about to finish, Mu Qingge suddenly furrowed her brow, showing a hint of pain. Her sleeves suddenly exploded, and the slowing whirlpool sped up once again.

The remaining hints of pink in the pool were also absorbed into Mu Qingge’s body, turning the entire pool water clear without a trace of blood.

Boom——!

The clear pool water suddenly exploded, droplets splashing everywhere.

The Supreme Elder waved his hand to deflect the droplets, widening his eyes to look at Mu Qingge.

Only to see her skin was as red as blood, becoming transparent, like blood jade, with delicate crimson threads covering her beautiful and exquisite features.

"No good!" The Supreme Elder’s eyes widened, shocked. "Why won’t this child heed advice? Forcefully absorbing will cause big trouble!"

He said, jumping into the air, reaching out towards Mu Qingge in the pool.

For tens of thousands of years, no one had been able to absorb all the pool water’s energy like Mu Qingge! This pool’s energy was enough for several generations of the Sang Clan.

Yet now, Mu Qingge absorbed it all.

Amid his shock, his concern was that she might be overwhelmed by this force.

Then, just as his hand was about to touch Mu Qingge, she suddenly opened her tightly shut eyes, a pair of blood-red eyes appearing in front of the Supreme Elder.

This sight nearly caused him to lose control and fall into the pool.

In haste, he stabilized himself, awkwardly returning to the shore.

"This... bloodline pressure!" The Supreme Elder exclaimed in shock at Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge’s body actually exhibited bloodline pressure.

How is this possible?

"This cannot be! This cannot be!" The Supreme Elder muttered to himself in disbelief.

At this moment, Mu Qingge’s eyes, shining red, gradually dimmed, returning to their original black.

That pressure suppressed even the Supreme Elder, momentarily restricting his cultivation, had suddenly vanished, as if it had never appeared.

In the pool, Mu Qingge blinked, standing up from the water. She lifted her hands, and the clear pool water slipped away from her fingers. Surprised, she wondered, "What happened?"

"Come up here first." The Supreme Elder said to her.

Mu Qingge lifted her eyes to look at him, only to see him sitting awkwardly on the shore, drenched in sweat, his voice sounding somewhat weak.

Mu Qingge obediently stepped out of the pool water, instantly drying her clothes with spiritual power as she reached the shore.

"Are you alright, Supreme Elder?" Mu Qingge crouched beside him, asking with concern.

She assumed the Supreme Elder had consumed so much to protect her.

The Supreme Elder slowly shook his head, staring at her for a while before sighing, "Little rascal, where did a monster like you come from?"

"Monster? Me?" Mu Qingge looked baffled.

...

Mu Qingge completed the awakening of her bloodline, feeling no different herself, but was kept within the clan’s territory. Moreover, she was directly taken to the Supreme Elders’ secluded location, where six Supreme Elders were surrounding her.

King Sang Shun was also standing aside, looking at Mu Qingge in shock.

Their odd behavior made Mu Qingge herself feel like she had become some kind of monster.

"Did you, Elder Three, really feel the bloodline pressure? No mistake?" Finally, no longer circling Mu Qingge, one of them turned to the Supreme Elder who had protected her.

Mu Qingge felt inexplicably baffled, having no clue what had happened.

She also looked at the Supreme Elder, waiting for an answer.

The third-ranking Supreme Elder nodded with a bitter smile, "This little rascal absorbed the entire pool of essence blood cleanly, her bloodline has almost reached Ancestor God’s bloodline concentration, naturally inducing bloodline pressure."

His explanation made the other five Supreme Elders gasped silently, falling into silence.

Meanwhile, King Sang Shun looked as if struck by lightning, motionless, only able to stare at Mu Qingge dumbfounded.

Mu Qingge felt utterly perplexed, frowning, "Wasn’t it you who told me to absorb as much as possible?" Were these people now regretting letting her absorb the pool’s energy, ready to settle accounts?

Moreover——"What Ancestor God? What bloodline pressure? What does that mean?" Mu Qingge inquired.

"Rest assured, little rascal, anything you’ve absorbed, no one will ask it back." Said one Supreme Elder, slightly annoyed.

"Sit down and explain." The eldest Supreme Elder finally spoke.

Then, six people sat on prayer mats on the steps in front of Mu Qingge. King Sang Shun still stood where he was, seemingly still in shock.

"Little one, do you know the origins of the Ancient Clan?" The eldest Supreme Elder asked.

The origins of the Ancient Clan?

Mu Qingge nodded, she knew a little from Si Mo. Apparently, some gods and demons on the Divine Demon Continent would reproduce bloodlines, leaving them in other planes, gradually developing into Ancient Clans.

Those who are called Ancient Clan, also inherit some kind of divine power.

"Since you know, I won’t waste words. Do you know why the Sang Clan is declining?" The eldest Supreme Elder asked again.

Mu Qingge hesitated for a moment, then said, "It seems that the god who left the Sang Clan’s bloodline has perished, so the bloodline grows weaker."

"Correct. It seems you do know quite a lot." The eldest Supreme Elder nodded. "Ancient Clans will all decline one day, it’s just a matter of time. Because our bloodlines differ from other families, they will vanish as the god falls. The god who left the bloodline in the Sang Family has been gone for ten thousand years; in this time, the Sang Family has not seen a bloodline concentration greater than level seven. Your appearance is an exception."

"..." Mu Qingge was silent. Her own bloodline concentration being so high surprised her too, she didn’t know if it was due to the Genetic Transformation Agent, but it was quite possible.

"The god who initially passed down the bloodline, we call them the Ancestor God. The Ancestor God’s bloodline is the most concentrated. And because the bloodline was passed down by them, within such concentrated bloodline, bloodline pressure will condense. Those who possess bloodline pressure are akin to gods in this family. Once she exerts the bloodline pressure, even we old folks can only surrender, unable to resist." The eldest Supreme Elder said, ignoring Mu Qingge’s shocked expression, he looked at the Supreme Elder who accompanied Mu Qingge during the awakening, "Old Third..."

Ranked third, the Supreme Elder sighed, looked at Mu Qingge and said, "Earlier, seeing your expression was off, I wanted to go down and save you. To my surprise, you suddenly opened your eyes, released the bloodline pressure, completely sealed the cultivation within me, almost causing me to fall into the pool."

"No way..." Mu Qingge had a face of disbelief.

How could she have no recollection at all?

"Hmph, no way. You little one, you’re really extraordinarily lucky. Absorbing the Essence Blood Energy completely was one thing, you even managed to luckily condense bloodline pressure." The Supreme Elder beside the third elder grumbled. "Do you know, with your absorption, for the next hundred years, the family’s descendants can forget about using the Blood Pool to awaken."

Uh...

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, she didn’t really know.

Moreover, she didn’t intentionally absorb so much.

"Alright, Old Fourth. Absorption is absorption, it is this child’s good fortune, as well as her luck." The eldest Supreme Elder said.

Fourth Supreme Elder said irritably, "Little one, I warn you, don’t misuse the bloodline pressure."

"Bloodline pressure? I don’t even know how to use it." Mu Qingge muttered.

According to their words, possessing this bloodline pressure made her almost a crownless king within the Sang Clan. Unfortunately, she didn’t know how to control this bloodline pressure.

"Since it has condensed, it must exist. When you sit and meditate, carefully comprehend, you’ll gradually master it." The eldest Supreme Elder said with a smile.

"Big brother, you even teach her how to use it, won’t this little one just run rampant in the Sang Clan?" The fifth Supreme Elder immediately said.

"There’s no need to worry, I have no interest in running rampant in the Sang Clan. As long as no one provokes me, I naturally won’t recklessly use the bloodline pressure." Mu Qingge declared disdainfully.

Although oppressing others with power was enjoyable, Mu Qingge believed she was not a tyrant, she naturally wouldn’t casually bully the weak!

"You better keep your word!" The fifth Supreme Elder quickly said.

Mu Qingge nodded.

Anyhow, she would eventually leave the Sang Family, this bloodline pressure was of little importance to her.

"Ge’er, our agreement might need to change." Suddenly, King Sang Shun, who had been silent, finally broke out of his shock and opened his mouth.

His words made the Supreme Elders pause.

Mu Qingge looked at him, a demonic red flicker in her clear eyes, and said coldly, "Are you trying to go back on your word?"

An immense pressure suddenly descended, directly upon everyone except Mu Qingge. Their cultivation seemed to be instantly sealed, rendering them unable to use it, and even their strength was fading away.

Mu Qingge’s eyes had already turned blood red.

"Ge’er, stop!" King Sang Shun shouted loudly, his whole body soaked in cold sweat, as he knelt down.

Mu Qingge blinked suddenly, and in an instant, the color of her eyes returned to normal, and the terrifying pressure vanished without a trace.

"Have you seen now?" The Third Supreme Elder sighed, looking at the others with a mix of tears and laughter.

Mu Qingge’s expression was cold and stern, her gaze sweeping across them all and finally landing on King Sang Shun, who was standing up from the ground.

King Sang Shun said helplessly, "Alas, it’s not that I want to go back on my word. Previously, the agreement between you and me was that you would craft a Holy Artifact, and that would count as offsetting the matter of learning the Sang Clan’s Artifact Refining Technique. You are, after all, a descendant with a different surname of the Sang Clan and also bear the bloodline heritage, so this agreement wasn’t problematic. But now, the situation is different, do you know what you represent now?"

"What do you mean?" Mu Qingge squinted, sudden cold light flashing in her eyes.

"What agreement?" the Great Supreme Elder also asked.

King Sang Shun saluted the Supreme Elders and succinctly explained the previous agreement between him and Mu Qingge.

After listening, the Great Supreme Elder sighed and said to Mu Qingge, "Child, we won’t interfere or say anything about the matters between you and your mother. However, the Family Head is right, the situation is different now, and the previous agreement can no longer be honored."

Mu Qingge’s face sank slightly, she said indifferently, "I thought the Sang Clan was still a family with integrity."

King Sang Shun blushed and explained, "The incident happened unexpectedly, no one anticipated it. Don’t be quick to conclude, listen to us first."

"Alright, I’ll listen to what you have to say." Mu Qingge lifted the hem of her robe and sat cross-legged on the ground.

King Sang Shun, his expression slightly solemn, said, "Back then, the god who bore the Sang Clan’s bloodline had already fallen. The decline of the Sang Clan was already irreversible; this fact was known to the Supreme Elders, to me, and to the clan’s elders as well. All we could do was hope to delay this decline as much as possible. But unexpectedly, your appearance brought hope. Initially, your talent only made me feel that the Sang Clan’s decline might slow down. Therefore, even though you were unwilling to forgive your mother or have any ties with the Sang Clan, I was left with no choice but to treat this matter as a transaction. If you could refine a Holy Artifact, then this Holy Artifact could stabilize the position of the Sang Clan. And my selfish hope was that during your years with the Sang Clan, you might reconcile with your mother, even if you’re not close to her; at least you’d acknowledge her as your mother. That was my original plan, but now..."

King Sang Shun fell silent.

Mu Qingge listened quietly, her expression not changing at all.

The intentions in King Sang Shun’s words were something she had clearly seen when she accepted this deal. The reason she didn’t refuse was that she indeed needed the Sang Clan’s Artifact Refining Technique, and this way, she would have the simplest relationship with the Sang Clan.

As for Sang Lanruo...

This so-called kinship would never become an obstacle to her progress.

"Now, you have awakened the bloodline and unexpectedly condensed the bloodline pressure. This means your bloodline is closer to the Ancestor God than any Sang Clan member, even those from past generations. Your existence has become critical and significant for the Sang Clan," the Great Supreme Elder continued from King Sang Shun’s words.

The crucial point came!

Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed, she focused and listened carefully, not wanting to miss a single word.

"To reactivate the Sang Clan’s bloodline and truly push the Sang Clan back to glory, there is only one possibility. That is to become the new Ancestor God! But this is something we cannot achieve; only you can," the Great Supreme Elder stated the key point.

Mu Qingge squinted, understanding his meaning.

King Sang Shun sighed, "Once you have condensed the bloodline pressure, you can no longer sever ties with the Sang Clan. Whether you are willing or not, for the Sang Clan, you are the future Ancestor God."

Mu Qingge’s eyes suddenly widened, surprise erupting in her gaze.

"Child, with your talent, it’s only a matter of time before you enter the Divine Demon Continent. But do you know what is the only thing that exists on the Divine Demon Continent?" The Great Supreme Elder said slowly.

"God and Demon..." Mu Qingge murmured softly.

The Great Supreme Elder nodded, "You are very smart. Once you enter the Divine Demon Continent, it means you have already transformed into a god. Therefore, when the Family Head says you need to modify the agreement between you, I believe he hopes that when you vie for divine status in the future, you can find the divine status of the Sang Clan’s fallen Ancestor God at the Land of God and Demon Fall and replace it! Once you become the new Ancestor God, you can rejuvenate the Sang Clan’s bloodline and prevent the extinction of the Sang Clan."

"Divine status? Land of God and Demon Fall?" Mu Qingge became increasingly confused.

It seems there are many things that she doesn’t understand.

Mainly, is the burden of the Sang Family, which she didn’t want to carry, inexplicably upon her shoulders?

Mu Qingge felt a heaviness in her heart; she truly didn’t have time to deal with the Sang Family’s matters. Could she return this so-called bloodline pressure?

’Master, why don’t you agree with them? The divine status is beneficial to you, and since you need it anyway, agreeing with them is just a matter of convenience.’ Suddenly, Mengmeng’s voice echoed in Mu Qingge’s mind.

"What is a divine status? And what is the land of the fallen gods?" Mu Qingge frowned and asked.

However, the Supreme Elder shook his head and said, "These matters, I will tell you one by one after you enter the Golden Realm. Knowing too early is not good for you now."

It’s that phrase again!

Mu Qingge felt stifled inside.

Why is it that every time she reaches a high peak, someone tells her there’s an even higher mountain waiting for her to conquer?

’Is this the path to becoming stronger?’ Mu Qingge complained inwardly.

"I reject this agreement..." Mu Qingge still opened her mouth to refuse.

’Master, why did you reject it? This is a good thing!’ Mengmeng asked puzzledly.

Mu Qingge didn’t answer her but looked at the silent Supreme Elders of the Sang Clan and the disappointed King Sang Shun.

"If you have any concerns, you can say them, and we can discuss together." The Supreme Elder suddenly said.

After a while, Mu Qingge said, "Supposedly, I’ve received favors from the Sang Family, and if I have the opportunity to repay them, I should agree. But, I don’t want to get involved in the Sang Family’s trivial matters. I’m already overwhelmed with my own affairs."

After speaking, she spread her hands, showing her helplessness.

"You can rest assured. The trivial matters of the Sang Family will be well-managed by your grandfather, so you don’t have to worry. You just need to focus on cultivation, breakthrough into the Golden Realm quickly, and then we will inform you of everything. When you have the chance to enter the land of fallen gods, find the Ancestor God’s divine status, and replace it on the Divine Demon Continent." The Supreme Elder hurried to say.

"But..." Mu Qingge was still hesitant.

King Sang Shun immediately said, "No buts. You will enjoy all privileges in the Sang Clan, and you won’t have to take care of anything, even if it means the destruction of the clan. I will first ensure your safety without letting you take risks. Your only task is to become the new Ancestor God of the Sang Clan."

Mu Qingge reluctantly said, "Since you are all so sincere in your request, I can only reluctantly agree."

...

’Mengmeng, when you said agreeing with them is a matter of convenience, what do you mean?’ After leaving the clan’s territory, Mu Qingge finally had the chance to ask Mengmeng clearly.

Mengmeng’s voice quickly echoed in her mind, ’Because you will definitely go to that place, and the more divine statuses you acquire, the stronger you will become when entering the Divine Demon Continent. So, agreeing with them is just gaining an additional divine status, making you stronger and also gaining the Sang Clan as a backup. It’s a good deal!’

’What exactly is a divine status?’ Mu Qingge asked.

However, Mengmeng became vague, ’Oh, if I tell you now, you wouldn’t understand. Just focus on cultivation, and when the time is right, you will naturally know. If you really want to know, you can go threaten that Great Demon King of yours!’

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched.

Ask Si Mo? She has to find him first!

Mengmeng didn’t clarify, but Mu Qingge was no longer as urgent as before. Anyway, all the secrets will be revealed one day, whether sooner or later makes no difference.

Returning to the small courtyard, Jiang Li saw Mu Qingge looking triumphant and curiously asked, "What’s with you today? Your eyebrows are almost flying to the sky."

Mu Qingge sat down on the rocking chair under the tree, smiled at Jiang Li, and said, "I made a big deal today."

"Tell me about it." Jiang Li leaned closer to Mu Qingge and asked.

Mu Qingge turned her eyes to look at her, and under her expectant gaze, satisfied her curiosity by describing what happened in the Blood Pool and the subsequent conversation.

After listening, Jiang Li exclaimed, "Indeed, it’s a big deal! Won’t the entire Sang Family treat you like an ancestor now?"

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, implying it goes without saying.

"Look at you being smug." Jiang Li teased. She sat on another rocking chair and said to Mu Qingge, "Doesn’t this contradict your previous thoughts? Not only did you not sever ties with the Sang Family, but the relationship became more complicated?"

Mu Qingge nodded, "There are some contradictions. But with gain comes loss. This way, it’s not like I’m receiving no benefits. I don’t have to care about the Sang Family’s affairs, but I can let the Sang Family serve me."

"How so?" Jiang Li was intrigued.

Mu Qingge raised her hand, rubbed her chin, and her eyes were narrowed with a smile. "Luoxing City is in need of rebuilding, and I was troubled about what industry to develop. It’s impossible to solely rely on the Dragon Tooth Guards to take on missions to support the city, right? The Sang Family’s weapon crafting is well-known in the Middle Ancient Realm. If I monopolize the Sang Family’s weapon sales, won’t it be a boon for Luoxing City’s prosperity? Moreover, it would mean I have tens of thousands of artifact refiners backing me; no matter how many troops I recruit, they’ll have enough equipment support. Joining Luoxing City could earn you a weapon crafted by the Sang Family, what do you think?" Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li took a deep breath. After calming down, she marveled, "Mu Qingge, I honestly have to admire you. You’ve calculated everything. So you seemed embarrassed in front of those elders just to lure them in!"

"Thank you, thank you. I can reactivate their bloodlines; they add bricks to my forces; a fair trade for both sides." Mu Qingge laughed.

"So young yet so scheming." Jiang Li laughed and scolded.

Mu Qingge sighed and shook her head, "It’s said a poor child becomes a master early. We, unfortunate children, have to calculate how to live well from an early age, unlike Your Majesty, who was born into widespread adoration, free from life’s difficulties of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation."

"Mu Qingge, do you have any shame?" Jiang Li shook her head and sighed.

Mu Qingge raised her hand and touched her face, nodding, "I am quite satisfied with this face, of course, I want it."

Jiang Li rolled her eyes, powerless to go on with her nonsense.

She asked, "In three years, do you still plan to leave the Sang Family?"

Mu Qingge nodded without hesitation, "The old man at the Medicine Tower tricked me into having to report to the East Continent Alchemy Academy within five years of arriving in the Middle Ancient Realm, and to win first place at the Alchemy Conference. So, no matter what, I must head to the East Continent in three years."

"Someone dared to trick you? How did he threaten you?" Jiang Li was immediately interested.

Mu Qingge glanced at her with some annoyance, "Could you put away your gloating face when you’re curious? He said if I don’t go, he has ways to let all the pill masters in the Middle Ancient Realm know the Heaven-Burning Furnace is in my possession."

"The Heaven-Burning Furnace? Does this Alchemy Furnace have a significant background?" Jiang Li asked in surprise.

Mu Qingge pouted, "Who knows? The old man said the Heaven-Burning Furnace’s use is beyond alchemy, but didn’t elaborate. Later, I discovered the Heaven-Burning Furnace can absorb earth fire, and once threw that old bastard from the Medicine Tower Branch in to burn for several nights. Other than that, I haven’t discovered any further uses. However, since the old man dared to say it, he must have his reasons. Anyway, I’m planning to visit the Alchemy Institute, so I’ll fulfill the old man’s wish."

Jiang Li nodded and asked, "Since your relationship with the Sang Family changed, what do you plan to do about Sang Lanruo?"

Mu Qingge said indifferently, "There’s nothing to be conflicted about. The Sang Family is the Sang Family, Sang Lanruo is Sang Lanruo. I can consider her a member of the Sang Clan but will not treat her as a mother. At least, until she truly demonstrates what a mother should be, I will not regard her as such."

"What would a true mother be like?" Jiang Li inquired.

However, Mu Qingge shifted the responsibility, leaving behind the answer, "I don’t know."

...

Mu Qingge did not widely announce the matter of manifesting the bloodline pressure.

Since that day, Mu Qingge became exceptionally busy. During the day, she followed King Sang Shun to learn the artifact refining technique of the Sang Clan, and at night continued her own cultivation.

The strange dream did not disappear, still appearing frequently, but Mu Qingge gradually stopped being startled awake by it. In the dream, she cultivated according to that peculiar method, and there seemed to be no further occurrences of her body exploding.

Is this considered mastering the Upper Scroll of the Divine Strategy?

Mu Qingge did not know, nor could anyone provide her answers.

The once secluded courtyard where Sang Lanruo lived, which no one wanted to approach, has now become lively. The people residing there aroused the curiosity of the Sang Clan, with laughter and merriment echoing every night, accompanied by the aroma of wine and meat wafting in the air.

Time passed swiftly, like a fleeting white horse.

Mu Qingge felt like she hadn’t been in the Sang Clan for long before a month had already passed, arriving at the day of the family competition.

The day before the competition, after imparting artifact refining knowledge to Mu Qingge, King Sang Shun invited her to sit in his study.

"Ge’er, tomorrow is the family competition. Are you confident?" King Sang Shun asked with a smile.

Mu Qingge replied with amusement, "What do you think?" She never lacked confidence in herself.

King Sang Shun also felt that his opening remark was a bit stiff, so he added, "As long as you’re confident, that’s good. Tomorrow’s competition will have all the participating disciples compete together, and the final judgment will be made based on who has the highest grade and best quality. I’m one of the judges along with the Second Elder and the Third Elder. Since you are competing, the Supreme Elder will also send someone to watch."

"Okay," Mu Qingge replied indifferently.

"Most of the family disciples use Earth Fire or Beast Fire for artifact refining. You have an Abnormal Fire..." King Sang Shun reminded.

"I know," Mu Qingge answered.

In front of King Sang Shun, she was basically a conversation terminator.

However, just as King Sang Shun was about to end this meaningless conversation, Mu Qingge suddenly spoke up.

"Family Head of the Sang Clan, I have a deal to discuss with you."

King Sang Shun frowned, "Can’t you just call me grandpa once?" Finally, he added helplessly, "What deal? What is there in the Sang Clan that you want to calculate?"

These words carried a bit of resentment.

Mu Qingge laughed, "I want the exclusive agency rights for Sang Clan’s weapons!"

...

Waking up early in the morning, Mu Qingge stretched lazily and felt refreshed.

Yesterday, she had already secured the exclusive agency rights for Sang Clan’s weapons from King Sang Shun. That means in the future, if people in the Middle Ancient Realm want to buy weapons crafted by the Sang Clan, they will have to purchase them at Luoxing City. The shops run by the Sang Clan will only accept bulk orders, not retail sales.

And these orders, when shipped, must be escorted by Dragon Teeth.

Another portion of the Sang Clan’s shops will be turned into places for purchasing refining materials.

This reform will take some time to implement, but that’s King Sang Shun’s business, and she felt entirely at ease.

As she opened the door, Mu Qingge saw Jiang Li leaning against it.

"You could set up an auction in Luoxing City. If there are high-quality weapons or elixirs, auctioning them there could yield the highest profits," Jiang Li suggested.

Mu Qingge smiled at her, "Great idea! However, I also want an intelligence agency that surpasses Wanxiang Building and the Floating Guest Clan. Could Your Majesty help me plan it out?"

She remembered clearly that in Linchuan, Jiang Li’s intelligence organization was more formidable than Wanxiang Building!

To say Jiang Li’s prowess had no credit in it, she wouldn’t believe it.

Jiang Li rolled her eyes at her, haughtily saying, "I’m afraid of you. Just as I returned from Wuyin Mansion, with some insights, let me think it over and I’ll tell you later."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Mu Qingge jestingly bowed in gratitude.

Jiang Li snorted, "You truly make use of everything and everyone!" Not wasting anything!

"Not at all, Jiang Da Empress is a dragon among people, how could I ignore your talents and let you become a useless parasite?" Mu Qingge replied with a squinting smile.

Jiang Li retorted angrily, "I’m here to be a parasite in your place!"

"Alright, alright, I’m happy to take care of a parasite too," Mu Qingge coaxed.

Jiang Li shook her head speechlessly, telling Mu Qingge, "Mu Qingge, you’re the only person in my life I can’t do anything about! Truly seems like I owe you from a past life!"

After saying that, she turned and walked away.

Mu Qingge added a sentence from behind her, "I can assure you, you absolutely didn’t owe me in the past life. If anything, it must be from the life before that! With the interest compounding, it indeed becomes a bit hard to repay in this life."

"Go away!" Jiang Li shouted a single word without turning her head back.

Unbothered, Mu Qingge laughed and said, "Remember to come see this lord’s artifact refinement, it’s made just for you!"

Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Li disappeared from her sight.

...

In the Sang Clan’s vast plaza, unknown objects had been used to draw white circles on the ground. Each circle was sufficient for a person to stand in, with outstretched arms just touching the edge of the circle.

These white circles were densely packed on the plaza, numbering over a thousand.

On a wall by the plaza, densely packed plaques hung. Every disciple coming to the plaza to participate in the competition would find the plaque with their name from the wall, take it, and walk into any unoccupied white circle.

In no time, six to seven hundred of the over-a-thousand white circles were occupied.

Outside Mu Qingge’s temporary courtyard, Mu Xuewu had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Mu Qingge come out, she smiled at her, "Boss."

Mu Qingge looked at her and asked, "Were you waiting for me?"

Mu Xuewu nodded, "It’s your first time participating in the family competition. If I go with you, I can help explain the rules and process of the competition."

Mu Qingge thought for a moment and said, "Alright."

The two of them walked slowly. While walking, Mu Xuewu explained the rules of the competition to Mu Qingge.

When they reached the plaza, there weren’t many white circles left.

"Boss! Xuewu!"

A voice suddenly called out from the spectator seats.

Mu Qingge and Mu Xuewu turned to look back and saw Mu Yichen waving at them. Sitting next to him was Yuanyuan, also waving at them.

Sitting next to Yuanyuan, appearing as elegantly pure as an immortal, was Mei Zizhong. Next to Mei Zizhong were Jiang Li, Xie Ya, and Xuan Ya in succession. Separated by two people was Bai Xi, who was yawning most of the time, clearly uninterested in the artifact competition.

"Mother is actually here too," Mu Xuewu said in surprise.

Only then did Mu Qingge notice, sitting quietly on the other side of Mu Yichen, seeming mismatched with her surroundings, was indeed Sang Lanruo.

"In the past, whenever I participated in competitions, Mother never watched. Her coming today, I suppose, is because of Boss’s influence," Mu Xuewu said to Mu Qingge with a charming smile.

But Mu Qingge withdrew her gaze and said to her, "Let’s go."

Mu Xuewu, feeling helpless, followed her to the wall where the plaques were hung.

Most of the plaques had already been taken. Their names were hung together, so they were easy to find.

"Boss, after refining, attach this plaque to the weapon you made and leave them in the white circle, and we can go rest. The elders need time to examine and judge each item," Mu Xuewu handed the plaque with Mu Qingge’s name to her.

"Got it," Mu Qingge replied, taking her plaque and walking into an empty white circle.

Mu Xuewu then followed her into the empty white circle beside her.

Standing in the white circle, Mu Qingge looked up and saw the four people on the judging panel.

These four also looked at her, their eyes seemingly full of expectation towards her...