This situation was quite common. It was not rare for a Cultivator to go out traveling, have a fortuitous encounter, and not return to their family for decades or even centuries.

"Is that so?"

Meng Feiyu gave a knowing smile; certain suspicions she held had already been confirmed.

"Senior Sister Meng, I've made a special trip here today to discuss a long-term partnership with you."

Tang Qiu Yao's expression turned serious as she set down her teacup.

"You're being too formal, Qiu Yao. This is hardly our first time working together. If you have a request, please speak freely."

Meng Feiyu said gently.

Indeed, the Ling Family had risen and grown, starting from Zenxin Island. Now, they not only controlled the Changqing Continent but had also become the sole masters of the entire Feiyu Sea Region.

As a result, the Xianyin Pavilion's branch here had also been upgraded by several ranks.

Furthermore, thanks to her good relationship with Ling Qiyue, Meng Feiyu had earned the appreciation and promotion of her superiors. Her authority had increased significantly, and she had even been granted resources to advance her Cultivation.

Therefore, Meng Feiyu was quite grateful to the Ling Family. Had she been stationed elsewhere, she might not have had such good fortune.

For instance, the Xianyin Pavilion branches on the Hanyue Continent and Fuyue Continent had been completely wiped out by a sudden calamity not long ago. Not a single person had escaped alive. The very thought sent a chill down her spine.

Tang Qiu Yao said, "Our family recently selected a new batch of disciples. If they encounter any difficult bottlenecks during their training, we will inevitably need the help of your Musicians to dispel their Heart Demons and stabilize their Dao Hearts…"

This was a common occurrence. In fact, it was one of the main services offered by the Xianyin Pavilion's various branches: helping powers of all sizes resolve their difficulties in exchange for appropriate payment.

"Since you're the one asking, Qiu Yao, of course I'll take care of it."

Meng Feiyu said gently. There were many existing precedents for this type of business, with only a few details needing to be finalized in person.

Half an hour later, the two women had settled all the details and signed the contract to their satisfaction.

"Alright, now that business is settled,"

Meng Feiyu looked the beauty before her up and down, her eyes sparkling.

"I've prepared a fine meal with good wine. Please, do me the honor of staying. And… I also have a rather impertinent request to make!"

Tang Qiu Yao's eyes flickered, and she asked in surprise, "What kind of impertinent request?"

Meng Feiyu chuckled. "To share the bounty, of course! Surely you understand what I mean, my dear!"

"???"

Tang Qiu Yao frowned slightly. "Perhaps you could be a little clearer."

Meng Feiyu glanced left and right, then took out six small, exquisite Array Banners shimmering with Spiritual Light. She cautiously deployed a Shielding Array Restriction.

Tang Qiu Yao watched her actions impassively, not stopping her.

Once the Restriction was complete, Meng Feiyu sat down again and spoke to her using her Divine Thought:

"Recently, the Sect's upper echelons issued a major mission, tasking Disciples everywhere to find the legendary Child of Destiny. What do you think I should do, Qiu Yao?"

"…That's a matter for your Sect. What does it have to do with me?"

Tang Qiu Yao continued to feign ignorance.

"Heh, dear Qiu Yao, I think I've made myself perfectly clear,"

Meng Feiyu's lovely eyes narrowed, her lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach them. "That legendary Child of Destiny is named Ling Changqing. He's the Alchemy Dao successor that Senior Sister Ling accepted, isn't he?

And now, he must be the Dao Companion of both you and Senior Sister Ling. It's with the help of his Destiny that your Cultivation has been able to increase so quickly, correct?

So? My analysis isn't wrong, is it?"

The smile on Tang Qiu Yao's face faded a little.

"So that's what you were talking about? But there are many people in this world with the same name. Why are you so certain he's the Child of Destiny you're looking for?"

"Not 'we.' 'Me'!"

Meng Feiyu's expression turned solemn. "Within the Sect's branch on the Changqing Continent, besides me, the one in charge, no one else knows about the mission related to the Child of Destiny!"

"So?"

Tang Qiu Yao watched her, her gaze turning icy.

"Right now, I am merely discussing this with you, Qiu Yao, as an old friend. I'm not planning to report what I know to my Sect for credit. Surely that's enough to prove my sincerity?"

Meng Feiyu said, her eyes curving into a smile.

This was, in fact, just her own personal deduction, but it was remarkably close to the truth.

To think that the Ling Family was once just an ordinary Foundation Establishment small power, yet they had managed to rise so rapidly in just a few decades to the point where they now controlled the vast Feiyu Sea Region.

This rich land, formed by the eruption of a supervolcanic chain on the seabed—why was it named the Changqing Continent?

Why had the Cultivation of Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiu Yao advanced so quickly, with seemingly no bottlenecks to speak of?

That handsome, purple-robed youth named Ling Changqing—why had he vanished without a trace for the past two years?

Anyone else might not have connected these dots, but Meng Feiyu had met Ling Changqing before. Combining that with her understanding of Ling Qiyue and Tang Qiu Yao, it wasn't difficult for her to spot the suspicious signs.

Tang Qiu Yao fell silent. This Steward from the Xianyin Pavilion was truly sharp; she had actually managed to see some of the signs.

If Meng Feiyu chose to report this to her Sect, more than one powerful figure would surely come to the Changqing Continent to investigate, and things would become complicated.

Of course, her current decision to conceal the information clearly meant she had her own selfish motives.

"What is it you really want?"

After a long silence, Tang Qiu Yao finally sighed.

For the safety of the Changqing Continent, and more importantly, to keep Ling Changqing's secret from the outside world, letting Meng Feiyu in seemed unavoidable. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

But if that happened, wasn't she letting that guy Ling Changqing off way too easily?

"To serve him together with you, of course, Qiu Yao! I trust you won't refuse… right?"