Changqing Continent, Xingyun sun Commerce Association branch.

After many years, a self-satisfied Su Li once again visited the branch.

This time, she came as a True Pill Cultivator, and she had brought her Dao Companion with her—a handsome, middle-aged man in his thirties with a short beard.

The husband and wife pair consisted of an Early stage Golden Core cultivator and an Early stage True Core cultivator, both with the potential for further advancement. In the eyes of others, they were a match made in heaven.

"...This place seems to be doing quite well."

Her husband, a Golden Core Master named Zhang Liejun, remarked with some surprise as he surveyed the bustling and lively marketplace street.

Su Li huffed and said flatly, "They’re just a Small Clan that got lucky and rose to prominence unexpectedly. In just a few decades, they somehow managed to seize control of the entire Feiyu Sea Region."

The Ling Family and Su Li had no real grievances with each other. It was just that her former love rival was in charge here, so she didn’t have a very favorable impression of the place.

Zhang Liejun just smiled. A Golden Core power capable of controlling the entire Feiyu Sea Region must have something extraordinary about it, regardless of how much luck was involved.

Zhang Liejun had already reviewed all the intelligence reports the Commerce Association had on the Ling Family of Changqing Continent.

This was why he had grown curious about this family. Since Su Li was coming for a routine inspection, he decided to tag along and see it for himself.

In Su Li’s eyes, however, it was more likely that her husband was still thinking about that detestable Xue Qingtan, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"The scale of this Marketplace must have been expanded several times, right? With Cultivators from the entire sea region gathered here, it’s not inferior in any way to those established Golden Core powers with histories spanning hundreds of years!"

"It’s alright, I suppose. But I heard the Ling Family only has three Golden Core Masters right now. They don’t have many True Pill or Pseudo Core Cultivators, and their number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators isn’t that high either. Their strength is still a bit thin."

As the two walked down the wide, clean, and bustling main street, they occasionally saw squads of stern-looking patrolmen pass by in full Armor. The Armor they were issued were all exquisitely crafted Magical Artifacts that shimmered with Spiritual Light.

The Cultivators leading these squads were mostly Ling Family disciples, the majority of whom were at the Late stage Qi Cultivation.

The entire Marketplace was orderly, with very few incidents of brawling, fighting, or forced sales. It was clear the Ling Family had a firm grip on this place.

"The Feiyu Sea Region is as large as the territory of a Nascent Soul power, isn’t it?"

Zhang Liejun said thoughtfully.

Su Li replied, "That’s true. But I’ve heard there are no Grade Four Spirit Veins here, so it’s impossible for a powerhouse at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level to emerge."

"What a pity!"

Zhang Liejun smiled and said no more.

Logically, with the rich resources of an entire sea region under its control, the Ling Family’s development prospects should be excellent.

But without a Grade Four Spirit Vein, it would be impossible for them to advance into a Nascent Soul Level power. This was a strategic flaw that was almost impossible to overcome.

Unless... the Ling Family’s upper echelon had the courage to expand outward in the future and seize a territory with a Grade Four Spirit Vein. Only then could they overcome this strategic shortcoming.

Of course, any power capable of occupying a cave with a Grade Four Spirit Vein would be no pushover. Snatching territory from their hands would be no easy feat.

After strolling around for a while, the couple arrived at the Xingyun sun Commerce Association branch.

At the entrance of the magnificent, palace-like establishment stood a nine-tiered flight of White Jade Steps, adorned with patterns of dragons, phoenixes, and clouds. Guards with bright, sharp eyes stood in formation, accompanied by groups of welcoming Maids in colorful dresses.

Su Li presented the Jade Talisman that proved her identity. The couple was immediately and respectfully led into a private room by the Steward on duty, who served them Spirit Tea and Snacks with great care.

"Where is Junior Sister Xue Qingtan? Is she not in today?"

The aging Steward before them replied deferentially, "Elder Xue went to see the Ling Family Patriarch today to discuss matters concerning the auction. This subordinate will send someone to fetch her at once."

The two before him were Inspection Envoys from headquarters; naturally, he dared not neglect them.

"No need. It’s no trouble for us to wait a bit."

Zhang Liejun said gently. Although he had failed to win her heart back then, he had no intention of deliberately making things difficult for her.

Su Li secretly pouted but said nothing.

「In the Ling Family’s main residence, inside Ling Changqing’s Cave Mansion Hall.」

"...Husband, I’ve recently recovered another portion of my memories from my past life,"

On the spacious Beautiful Jade Embroidery Couch, a naked Xue Qingtan, her beautiful face flushed red, wrapped her arms around Ling Changqing and murmured sweetly:

"That Immortal Mansion Secret Realm from the Ancient Era... we can go take a look together. If we can open it ahead of time, all the great opportunities inside won’t fall into the hands of others!"

She had spent the night with Ling Changqing, and even now, with the sun high in the sky, she still hadn’t gotten out of bed.

"Alright. We’ll go together once I’m done with my current tasks."

Ling Changqing agreed.

According to Xue Qingtan, in her past life, that Ancient Immortal Mansion Secret Realm had been opened long ago. All the opportunities inside had been plundered and divided up by certain Great Powers, and due to some unforeseen circumstances, she hadn’t gotten anything out of it.

After the event, the exact location of the Immortal Mansion Secret Realm and the method to open it were no longer secrets, so she naturally memorized them.

In this era, the Ancient Immortal Mansion Secret Realm was still dormant, and only Xue Qingtan knew how to open and enter it. This was an extraordinarily huge advantage.

Beside them, the alluring and charming Meng Feiyu, whose black hair cascaded like a waterfall, rolled over. She draped one of her long, shapely legs over Ling Changqing and said languidly: