"For now, that’s only how it appears on the surface. We’re still a long way from establishing true control! It will take at least eight to ten years."

The territory was too vast, and the Ling Family had limited manpower. The newly sworn Cultivators weren’t very loyal either. If the slightest trouble brewed, who knew what could happen?

Frankly, they hadn’t even managed to develop and manage most of Changqing Continent, to say nothing of the islands they had recently acquired.

After all, just over twenty years ago, the Ling Family was only a small Foundation Establishment clan. With a mere three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they had hardly any deep-seated heritage to speak of.

First came Ling Qiyue, a Patriarch who was a true heavenly prodigy, followed by Ling Changqing, the Child of Destiny. It was only because of them that the Ling Family rose so rapidly, building the foundation it has today.

But the side effect of such rapid expansion was a shortage of available manpower. They simply couldn’t consolidate their gains quickly enough and could only struggle to hold on.

Ling Changqing fell silent for a moment before saying with a hint of resignation, "This is a problem that can’t be rushed. We can only wait for the next generation of family disciples to mature."

Ling Qiyue, her gorgeous face flushed like a sunset cloud and her eyes shimmering like pools of water, wrapped her arms around Ling Changqing. She gave him a kiss and smiled seductively.

"As long as the Ling Family focuses on recuperating and doesn’t continue to expand, it won’t be that big of a problem, will it?"

"Mm, that’s true!"

Tang Qiu Yao said with a nod.

In the Cultivation Realm, the rise of a power is typically measured in centuries. Even a millennium isn’t considered too long.

Established powers like the Nine Great Families of Yuzhou have often existed for ten thousand years, and it’s not uncommon for some to have legacies spanning tens of thousands of years.

"Husband, do you think the Ling Family will face any external troubles in the coming decades?"

Tang Qiu Yao wrapped her arms around Ling Changqing’s neck and asked softly.

Ling Changqing thought for a moment. "I don’t think so. As long as the Ling Family keeps a low profile and continues to develop quietly, we should be fine, provided we don’t go looking for trouble."

"That’s a relief!"

Ling Qiyue beamed with delight. She propped up her dazzling, snow-white body and began to feed him from her bosom.

’The words of a Child of Destiny carry an almost prophetic weight. If he says it won’t happen, then it’s unlikely to be a major problem.’

"But..."

A shadow of worry crossed Tang Qiu Yao’s lovely eyes as she murmured,

"That Loose Cultivator, Lu Armor, is still out there. If we don’t find a way to deal with him, he’ll become a deadly threat sooner or later!"

An enemy with Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivation posed an immense threat to the Ling Family as it was now.

Aside from Ling Qiyue herself, no one else in the entire Ling Family was a match for him.

As for attempting to reconcile? Impossible.

His Dao Companion and his Third Grade Combat Companion both perished on Changqing Continent. The two sides were long past reconciliation, sworn to be mortal enemies.

Ling Qiyue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She asked pensively, "Husband, I wonder, do you have any good ideas?"

She could hunt down Lu Armor herself, but he knew his cultivation was no match for hers. He wouldn’t fight her head-on, and if he was determined to hide, things would get complicated.

"For a gentleman, ten years is not too late for revenge." That is a maxim of the mortal world.

In the Cultivation Realm, however, it becomes: "For a gentleman, a hundred years is not too late for revenge." Even a thousand or ten thousand years isn’t considered too long!

It wasn’t unheard of in the Cultivation Realm to find cunning old bastards who would just lie low, waiting patiently until they’d outlived their old rival, only to then dig up their grave and torment their descendants.

As a Loose Cultivator, Lu Armor’s journey in cultivation had been especially arduous. His remaining lifespan wasn’t great, but he surely had another eighty to a hundred years left.

"I can use the Celestial Secret Technique to divine his location. Then we can hunt him down together!"

Ling Changqing said this, fairly certain of success thanks to his own Destiny.

"Alright, it’s a deal!"

Ling Qiyue’s eyes lit up, and she agreed at once.

Tang Qiu Yao had been about to object, but then she had a second thought. ’Ling Changqing can perfectly conceal his true identity now, and with Ling Qiyue protecting him, it should be safe for him to go out.’

So she gave her approval as well. No matter what, this lingering threat had to be eliminated as soon as possible.