Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 154 - 124: The Wrath of the Primordial Demon Sect

"Patriarch, you're finally back!"

At the sight of her, the anxious Ling Tianque breathed a sigh of relief.

Recently, rumors had been circulating both inside and outside the Ling Family, claiming that the Patriarch had been away traveling for a long time and might have met with a mishap. They said the defensive forces at the family headquarters were now extremely weak.

Such rumors wouldn't have much effect in the short term, but it was hard to say what might happen if they persisted.

If the powers eyeing Changqing Continent covetously confirmed this news to be true, they would absolutely not miss such a golden opportunity.

Ling Qiyue's eyes flickered, her tone light. "Pay no mind to mere gossip. I am here now, guarding the family headquarters. I'd like to see which of them dares to stir up trouble!"

Clad in a dress as black as ink, the gentle, serene, and fox-like Qin Yun looked at her and spoke in a soft voice:

"Patriarch, you went on a trip, and it seems your Cultivation has advanced again. I imagine you're not far from the Middle Stage Golden Core Realm?"

Hearing this, the Elders all looked slightly pleased. Ling Qiyue was the Ling Family's stabilizing pillar. For her Cultivation to continue advancing was, of course, a blessing they could only have hoped for.

Ling Qiyue nodded slightly. "I was fortunate enough to have a serendipitous encounter, which did indeed benefit my Cultivation."

There was no need to hide something like this. Once the scoundrels outside learned of it, they would only grow warier of the Ling Family.

Beside them, Ling Yuzhu, whose skin was whiter than snow and whose brows were shaped like distant mountains, pursed her cherry-red lips. She wanted to ask about Ling Changqing, but she swallowed the words before they could escape.

Her own daughter, Ling Xueyu, would be attempting Foundation Establishment in a few months. To ensure her success in a single attempt, she would need Ling Changqing to come and protect her during the process. However, this was clearly not the right occasion to bring it up. She could only wait to speak with him in private.

...

Looking down from the heights of the boundless firmament, the vast and sprawling Qingyao Continent resembled a giant cauldron floating in a boundless ocean.

Yuzhou, with a radius of trillions of li, was but a single corner of the Qingyao Continent.

And the Feiyu Sea Region was just an unremarkable, remote sea off the coast of the Yuzhou Continent.

At this moment, deep within the Yuzhou Continent, in the Yu'an Mountain Range, a magnificent and imposing White Jade Archway stood on the main peak. Numerous Cultivators rode their Escape Lights, rushing to and fro, as dazzling, beautiful clouds of light churned ceaselessly around them.

This was the main stronghold of the Primordial Demon Sect.

The Primordial Demon Sect had been rooted here for several thousand years. Now, two Nascent Soul True Monarchs presided over the Sect, and the Yu'an Mountain Range, along with the millions of li of surrounding lands, were all territory under the Sect's rule.

At this moment, the solemn, heavy toll of a bell echoed through the rolling mountain ranges, ringing thirty-six times before it stopped.

The Sect Leader, True Monarch Luo Yi, who had been in seclusion for several years comprehending profound Divine Techniques, had finally emerged.

In the heavily guarded grand hall, the high-ranking Elders who had remained to watch over the Sect entered one after another and took their respective seats.

In just a moment, dozens of Core Elders had all arrived. Their Cultivation was mostly at the Golden Core Level, and they included men and women, both old and young.

As for disciples at the Pseudo Core and True Pill Level, in a major power like the Primordial Demon Sect, they had virtually no chance of holding a high-level core position.

Among them, the few senior Elders seated at the very front all possessed Golden Core Peak Cultivation, just a single step away from the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm.

This was the underlying strength of the Primordial Demon Sect as an established Nascent Soul power. Given time, once more Nascent Soul True Monarchs emerged, the Sect's influence would inevitably rise to a new level.

With the sound of light footsteps, a suave and dashing young man in a feathered robe and starry crown strolled in. With a composed expression, he ascended the high platform in the center of the hall and settled calmly onto the magnificent, imposing throne.

This was True Monarch Luo Yi. It was said his Cultivation had already reached the Middle Stage Nascent Soul Realm, making him a renowned, high-level figure in the Demon Cultivator lineage.

"Greetings, Elder Sect Leader—!"

The Core Elders below rose in unison, bowing respectfully in greeting.

True Monarch Luo Yi gave an indifferent nod, his calm and gentle voice echoing through the hall.

"I have been in seclusion for these past few years. Has anything major happened inside or outside the Sect?"

The matters the Elder Sect Leader referred to were, of course, only those of great importance. Trivial, everyday occurrences were not worth mentioning.

One of the Golden Core Elders hesitated for a moment before mustering his courage to speak.

"Sect Leader, there is indeed some bad news. Just over a month ago, your Direct Disciple, Cheng Feng, met with an unexpected disaster. His remnant soul failed to return... He is dead, his body and soul extinguished!"

"Hm?"

True Monarch Luo Yi's expression faltered, and a hint of coldness entered his eyes.

In that instant, the temperature in the great hall plummeted. A formless pressure swept across the room, causing all the Elders' faces to pale in fright.

The Elder who had spoken felt his scalp tingle with fear and hastily explained:

"Sect Leader, this is what happened. Several months ago, Elder Cheng Feng took over a hundred Foundation Establishment Level disciples to explore some overseas Immortal Mansion Ruins. It was said to be a branch of the ancient lineage, the Vast Sea Dark and Bright City."

"But after they left, they never returned. Their Lifebound Soul Lamps left in the Sect have all been extinguished!"

"We've already dispatched an Envoy to investigate the situation, but we have yet to receive any word back!"

Speaking of this, he was also extremely frustrated. Who could have thought that fellow Cheng Feng would be so unlucky?

He'd led a group of elites out to seek a fortuitous encounter, only to end up with everyone wiped out. Who could one even complain to about such a thing?

True Monarch Luo Yi was silent for a moment before speaking coldly:

"That boy Cheng Feng may not have been very promising, but he was my Direct Disciple, after all. This matter... must be investigated until the truth is brought to light!"

Of course, True Monarch Luo Yi had more than just one or two disciples. Cheng Feng's aptitude and talent were not outstanding, and he had never been particularly valued by his master.

But now he was dead, and under mysterious circumstances.

True Monarch Luo Yi might not care whether Cheng Feng lived or died, but he could not ignore his own reputation.

Therefore, the matter had to be investigated to the very end.

Whether they were obliterated by the Restriction Traps in the Immortal Mansion Ruins or got into a fight with Cultivators from other powers, it had to be made clear.

"Yes, we shall obey the Sect Leader's decree!"

The Elders replied in unison.

...

「Changqing Continent.」

For three months after his return, Ling Changqing never once stepped out of his senior sisters' chambers.

He was in secluded cultivation to restore his Destiny, and while he was at it, he helped his two senior sisters improve their Cultivation. Of course, his own Cultivation was also advancing by leaps and bounds.

During this time, Ling Qiyue made a few public appearances, even touring the Marketplace and the outskirts of Changqing Continent, making sure all the foreign Loose Cultivators saw her clearly.

As the news spread, the higher-ups of the Bai Family, the Yuan Family, and Yu Long Island sighed helplessly and shelved certain secret plans they had been brewing indefinitely.

Since the Ling Family's Patriarch was safe and sound, they could only give up their designs on Changqing Continent. Focusing on developing their own strength was now the most pressing matter.

Although they had agreed to a twenty-year truce, it was hard to say to what terrifying level the Ling Family's power would swell in twenty years' time.

But even knowing this, the leaders of the three families could do nothing. The situation was beyond their control; it was already difficult enough for them to band together for self-preservation.

As for the other small Foundation Establishment powers, they had now begun to shift their allegiances, flocking to the Ling Family's side.

Regardless of whether the three families were happy about it or not, more than half of the small powers in the Feiyu Sea Region were now under the control of Changqing Continent.

Inside the Women's Embroidery Tower.

"HUFF... HUFF... It's finally over!"

Neatly dressed, Ling Changqing walked out the main door and stopped at the bottom of the White Jade Steps.

Facing the golden dawn in the eastern sky, he slowly stretched his limbs. Ling Changqing felt as if his bones were several pounds lighter.

For the past three months, his two senior sisters had taken turns engaging in Dual Cultivation with him, not giving him a moment of rest.

Although it was an incomparably stimulating and blissful experience for both body and mind, the incredible physical toll could not be ignored.

If Ling Changqing hadn't cultivated the Vajra Tula Demon Suppression Technique and become what amounted to half a Body Cultivator, he really might not have been able to withstand the relentless 'squeezing' from his senior sisters.

"...Young Master, you're finally out!"

The sudden, clear voice startled Ling Changqing.

At some unknown point, Ling Bingyun had appeared before him. Dressed in ice-blue, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a beauty like that of peach and plum blossoms, her voluptuous body was just inches away.

"Oh, it's Bingyun. Is something the matter?"

Ling Changqing said, composing himself.

Ling Bingyun's large, clear eyes were full of reproach. "You made me a promise last time. Did you forget all about it after coming back from your long trip?"

"Er..."

Ling Changqing thought for a moment and finally remembered. He had promised to cultivate with her and stand guard while she attempted her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten what I promised you,"

Ling Changqing said, stepping forward to take the beauty's arm. "Let's go. I had some fortuitous encounters while I was away and brought back a gift for you!"

"Really? Then thank you, Young Master! Let's go see my mother. She misses you very much, too!"

A hint of joy appeared on Ling Bingyun's face. Her beautiful, clear eyes glistened as she took the handsome, purple-robed youth's arm and led him away.