"You must be talking about Doumu Immortal Palace, right, Sister? That place is certainly wonderful, but a Golden Core Level Cultivation is still a bit lacking. It’s not the right time to go there."

That Great Power, Immortal Venerable Doumu, achieved enlightenment during the Primordial Era. She later vanished during the Ancient Era, and her whereabouts remain unknown.

The Cave Mansion Hall where she once cultivated in seclusion also vanished into the depths of the River of Time, leaving no trace. It was not rediscovered until the far-flung Dharma Decline Era.

Xue Qingtan wanted to get a head start, using Ling Changqing’s supreme Destiny to seize the opportunities within ahead of schedule. While this was understandable, Meng Feiyu felt it was still a bit too soon.

"That’s true... In that case, let’s wait until Husband reaches the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm before we go."

Xue Qingtan said pensively. Since no outsiders knew the secrets of Doumu Immortal Palace, waiting a few more years wouldn’t be a problem.

Meng Feiyu smiled. Her smooth, supple, jade-like hand reached out and took hold of Ling Changqing, caressing him gently.

"When I was reincarnated, I also left certain measures in place across the Qingyao Continent, such as sealed treasure-filled Secret Vaults and some Immortal Mansion Ruins from the Ancient Era.

Once your Cultivation is high enough, Husband, we will go and open them. You can consider the opportunities inside my dowry!"

With the minds of these two Reincarnated Great Powers, how could they not have made extensive preparations? They had numerous backup plans, both overt and covert, all to face the unprecedented tribulation of proving their Dao.

Moreover, as they spent more and more time in Dual Cultivation with Ling Changqing, they recovered many of their past memories and cultivation experiences. As a result, their Cultivation also progressed significantly faster than the other women.

By now, both Xue Qingtan and Meng Feiyu had reached the Late stage Golden Core and were not far from the Golden Core Peak, essentially catching up to Ling Qiyue’s Cultivation progress.

"You two can decide on this matter. I have no objections."

Ling Changqing wrapped his arms around the women’s smooth, firm waists and continued their tender moment for a while longer. Then, Song Xuelan’s voice came from outside the brocade bed-curtains:

"Master, someone from the Xingyun sun Commerce Association is here. They said a special envoy from the headquarters has come to visit..."

She quickly explained the situation, and Xue Qingtan’s expression immediately soured.

’That madwoman again? She’s such a nuisance!’

"Since it’s important business, my dear, you should go take care of it. You can come back tonight for our Dual Cultivation," Ling Changqing said gently.

Xue Qingtan agreed softly. She hugged and kissed him, then lifted the Phoenix Harmony Brocade Quilt to sit up, revealing her dazzling, snow-white body in all its breathtaking beauty.

...

A moment later, Xue Qingtan appeared in the VIP room of the commerce association’s branch office, dressed in a black-and-white Magical Robe, her expression stern and unsmiling.

At this moment, her Cultivation appeared to be at the initial True Pill Level, and no one could see through her disguise. It was clearly the result of some unknown technique.

The moment Su Li saw her, the look in her eyes changed.

’She had gone through so much trouble to become a True Pill Cultivator and had planned to come here and show off. To think this woman had also quietly taken the same step? How... utterly infuriating!’

"Sister Su, Senior Brother Zhang, I trust you’ve been well."

Xue Qingtan greeted them coolly, taking a seat across from the couple.

Seeing an old acquaintance before him, Zhang Liejun looked somewhat wistful and said in a low voice,

"Junior Sister Xue, you’ve been stationed here for quite some time now, haven’t you? Have you considered a transfer back to headquarters? I can help make the arrangements."

Xue Qingtan replied, "I appreciate the kind offer, Senior Brother Zhang, but the Feiyu Sea Region is actually quite nice. It’s rich in resources, so staying here isn’t a bad thing."

Su Li added coolly, "Exactly. For you to become a True Pill Cultivator as well, Sister, it just goes to show how many perks this place must have."

A hint of derision flickered in Xue Qingtan’s eyes. ’This woman’s jealousy is beyond reason; she’s just determined to target me. Zhang Liejun, on the other hand, has a decent character. But as a former reincarnated Great Power, I’ll soon rise again. Why should I care about the thoughts of these ants?’

"By the way, regarding that secret mission from headquarters, have you found any leads, Junior Sister Xue?" Zhang Liejun asked. His rank was higher than Su Li’s, so he knew a few of the inside details.

Xue Qingtan shook her head. "Not yet. It’s an incredibly difficult thing to investigate, even harder than finding a needle in a haystack."

"I see. There’s no rush. Just take your time."

Zhang Liejun didn’t suspect a thing. If even the top powers in Yuzhou couldn’t accomplish this, what could their subordinates possibly do?

Xue Qingtan inwardly snickered. ’The bigwigs up top have no idea that the Child of Destiny they were so desperately seeking had been lording it over her just an hour ago. His Spiritual Mechanism Dao Rhyme still lingers inside me, and my legs still feel a bit weak. That man is just... relentless.’

After a bit more tepid conversation, urged on by Su Li, a reluctant Zhang Liejun rose to take his leave.

Xue Qingtan’s attitude remained aloof but polite the entire time. She escorted the pair to the main gate and watched them board their Flying Ship and fly away.

"Well, Husband? I hope you’re finally ready to give up," Su Li said irritably inside the Flying Ship.

Her husband had been quite taken with Xue Qingtan in his youth, but she had never given him the time of day, not even after he became a Golden Core Master.

Zhang Liejun forced a smile. "Some things are decided by fate; you can’t force them. It’s nothing to be upset about." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Su Li snorted coldly, her resentment for Xue Qingtan intensifying. ’If I ever get the chance,’ she thought, ’I’ll definitely teach her a lesson.’

...

「A few days later.」

The grand auction was held as scheduled.

The meticulously decorated venue was divided into four floors. The top floor held over a hundred lavishly furnished private rooms, each with a Shielding Restriction to guarantee privacy.

Every Cultivator of any means from the entire Feiyu Sea Region had come. Many powers, both great and small from neighboring sea regions, also sent Envoys with hefty sums of gold, intending to acquire any desirable treasures they came across.

At Xue Qingtan’s arrangement, Ling Changqing, Ling Qiyue, and all the other women arrived together, occupying the largest and best-positioned private room.

As the de facto masters of the Feiyu Sea Region, this was a privilege they were naturally due.

"...I’m surprised. So many people came!"

Looking down from his high vantage point at the vast, packed venue, Ling Changqing was indeed a little surprised.

It wasn’t just the staggering number of people, but also their Cultivation Levels.

According to Gong Ling’s reconnaissance, in the VIP rooms alone, there were dozens of Golden Core Level Cultivators. The strongest among them was already at the Late stage Golden Core, on par with Ling Qiyue’s current level.

As for True Pill and Pseudo Core Cultivators, their numbers were even greater, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators could be seen everywhere.

Aside from his experience in Dragon Soul Valley, Ling Changqing had never seen so many Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Cultivators gathered in one place.

Xue Qingtan smiled. "Auctions of this scale are rare in the seas around Yuzhou, happening only once every ten years or so. On the other hand, they’re held annually in the territories of the Nine Great Families of Yuzhou.

When you have the chance in the future, Husband, you should travel through the territories of those great powers. You’d surely reap many rewards."

Meng Feiyu chuckled. "Even if you go traveling, Husband, you should take us with you. We can’t let some vixen out there seduce you away!"

While the women chatted idly, a heavy bell chimed, and the somewhat noisy hall instantly fell silent.

At this time, layer upon layer of Array Restrictions outside the venue had been activated. There were also Golden Core Master guards on loan from headquarters to ensure no incidents occurred.

In the center of the hall, on an exquisitely decorated stage, a stunningly beautiful woman in a golden robe emerged from behind a curtain. She bowed gracefully to the entire audience.

This woman was also at the Golden Core Master Realm, and in Ling Changqing’s view, her combat prowess was formidable—not at all comparable to those who had reached the Golden Core realm through shortcuts.

After a brief introduction, the first rare treasure was brought out by a maid in colorful attire and placed on a massive Azure Jade Table.

The golden-robed woman gently raised a hand, lifting the smooth silk covering the tray. A long, slender Sword Box, mottled with age and emanating an ancient aura, was revealed to the entire hall.