Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 427 - 247: Shangguan Qingying: Little Thief, Have You Seen Enough?

Since the words were already out, Shangguan Qingying couldn’t very well take them back.

So, a few breaths later, as she removed the Bronze Mask, a world-toppling, ethereally beautiful face—one so gorgeous it seemed like a dream—was revealed before Ling Changqing.

Her beauty was in no way inferior to that of Qin Mengxuan or Liu Ying Ziyi. Even Ling Changqing, who was accustomed to beautiful women, was stunned for a moment before he recovered.

Although the Zhao Wanyi sisters were also rare, stunning beauties, they were still a notch below the Shangguan Qingying before him in terms of looks and presence.

Of course, they were beautiful twin sisters, which put them in a league of their own with an added bonus to their charm. So, it wasn’t easy to make a simple comparison.

Besides, once the two of them became Nascent Soul True Monarchs in the future, their looks and temperament would have the chance for further enhancement.

"You little scoundrel! Have you had your fill of staring?"

Shangguan Qingying said coldly, glaring at him with puffed cheeks before putting the Bronze Mask back on.

"Quite the opposite. I’m afraid a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to get my fill."

Ling Changqing sighed softly. The devastatingly charming sight of the beautiful woman’s feigned anger was simply unparalleled.

"In your dreams!"

Shangguan Qingying huffed, though she seemed somewhat pleased with her own world-toppling charm.

The beautiful woman gracefully took the main seat, her composure restored, and spoke softly.

"Over the past six months, the family has gathered another batch of resources—all items you specifically requested."

"Yes, and I’ve brought a batch of resources as well. They should be helpful for the family’s development."

Ling Changqing spoke gently. With a light wave of his hand, a Jade Scroll floated down in front of Shangguan Qingying. It contained a list of the resources he had brought.

She took it and examined it for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. "Not bad. The family can use all of these resources. I’ll take them all."

As she spoke, she also handed him a Jade Scroll that likewise contained a list of resources. The variety and quantity far exceeded Ling Changqing’s expectations.

The Zhao Family was, after all, an established Nascent Soul power. Even though they had recently suffered a calamity, the depth of their foundations was something the current Ling Family could not hope to match.

Ling Changqing looked it over and agreed to take everything on the list.

This continuous exchange, where each family provided what the other needed, was undoubtedly a win-win situation for both sides.

"So, will you continue with Alchemy now, or will you be making Talismans?"

Shangguan Qingying asked gently, as this was her main concern at the moment.

It was never a bad idea to stockpile consumable resources like Elixirs and Talismans, especially since the Zhao Family’s future was precarious and war could break out at any moment.

"I’ll start with Alchemy."

Ling Changqing said, "By the way, where are those two?"

He was, of course, referring to the Zhao Wanyi sisters. They were always the ones to receive him in the past, but for some reason, they were nowhere to be seen this time.

Shangguan Qingying explained, "The two of them are on duty in the Marketplace this month. But since you’re here, I can have them return early to keep you company."

Ling Changqing’s Mind stirred, and he was suddenly overcome with a bad feeling.

He immediately took out a Jade Turtle Shell and a dozen or so Primordial Jade Coins. After performing a quick divination, he said with a grave expression:

"We need to get over there, now! I hope we can make it in time!"

Shangguan Qingying tensed up immediately. "What’s happened?"

"If my divination is correct, the Qin Family has likely sent assassins after them. And they even managed to use some method to create a Shielding of the Celestial Secret beforehand," Ling Changqing explained.

In an instant, Shangguan Qingying appeared by his side. Her jade-like hand grabbed his arm, and she shot outside at high speed.

In midair, the phantom of a Fire Feathered Phoenix flashed into existence before transforming into a crystalline, fiery-red Flying Sword that radiated an imposing pressure. It then carried both Shangguan Qingying and Ling Changqing soaring into the sky.

The family headquarters wasn’t too far from the Marketplace. A typical Core Formation Cultivator using an Escape Light could reach it in about half an hour.

However, Shangguan Qingying had a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation and was aided by a Supreme Treasure-grade Flying Sword. Her speed was like a bolt of lightning.

"...I have some experience in the Celestial Secret Art and Divination Domain myself, so why didn’t I sense anything was wrong? Don’t tell me you can even divine the movements of a Nascent Soul True Monarch?"

Shangguan Qingying asked in a low voice as they rode the Flying Sword.

’If what this fellow said was true—that an expert at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level had interfered and created the Shielding of the Celestial Secret—then it was absolutely impossible for a mere Late Stage Golden Core Master to see through it.’

"My situation is a bit different from that of an ordinary Cultivator. I have a special talent in the Celestial Secret Art and Divination Domain. In any case... it’s not something I can explain in a moment. You’ll understand in the future!" Ling Changqing said evasively.

’Under the circumstances, he couldn’t just reveal his identity and say, ’I’m the legendary Child of Destiny; no form of Celestial Secret Shielding can work on me,’ could he?’

’If he actually did that, he feared Shangguan Qingying would act immediately, keeping him here at all costs and never letting him leave the Zhao Family again.’

Shangguan Qingying gave him a deep look. "It’s fine. Later, you can come to my Cultivation Chamber. We can close the door and have a long, slow chat."

Ling Changqing: "..."

Shangguan Qingying said no more. She wrapped an arm around Ling Changqing’s waist and urged the Flying Sword to accelerate abruptly. The dazzling Sword Aura flared out to over ten thousand feet, whistling as it tore through the sky and vanished into the distance.

In just a few dozen breaths, the Marketplace was already visible in the distance.

Meanwhile, Ling Changqing had already sent a warning via a Communication Jade Talisman, so the sisters should have received the message by now.

As the distance closed rapidly, Shangguan Qingying could already see the glint of blades and swords in the northeastern corner of the Marketplace. Amid deafening ROARS, flashes of various high-powered Divine Techniques and Magic erupted frequently, interspersed with furious shouts and bloodcurdling screams.