Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 426 - 246: Shangguan Qingying: Shameless Rascal...

Luo Qi’s expression was unsettled. She clearly understood the reasoning, but for the Golden Dragon Race of the Outer Heaven, this was hardly good news.

...

「In a marketplace somewhere in the coastal region of Yuzhou.」

In a tavern overlooking the street, a peerless beauty in a purple dress, with skin whiter than snow and her dark hair worn in a youthful style, had commandeered the finest private room. She was currently gorging herself on a table laden with rare delicacies.

A group of maids with bright eyes and pearly teeth stood quietly by the wall, serving her with reverent expressions.

"...Mmm, delicious! This is so good! Bring me another table’s worth! I want all of your signature dishes!"

Bai Qingyi ordered with gusto, clutching a Bronze Wine Jar that shimmered with a faint Spiritual Light.

’It’s not often I get to go out. Naturally, I have to enjoy myself to the fullest.’

"Yes!"

The head maid acknowledged the order and called the other girls over to clear away the empty plates and drinking vessels, replacing them with a fresh set.

Bai Qingyi continued to eat and drink with wild abandon. The terrifying appetite of a Long Nu was simply beyond the imagination of any Human Race Cultivator.

’...It’s a shame I haven’t been able to contact Qingxuan. I wonder what’s going on with her now?’

Bai Qingyi mused to herself as she worked her way through the delicacies before her.

Of course, she had a way to contact Luo Qingxuan. They had arranged it before she left, just to be safe.

’It’s just that Ling Changqing seems to possess some unknown ability... Could he be Shielding the Celestial Secret, cutting off all means of ultra-long-range communication?’

The advantage was maximum secrecy. The downside was that Bai Qingyi now had no idea where Luo Qingxuan was.

’Still, there’s no need to rush. Luo Qingxuan knows I’ll be leaving the Dragon Palace when I get the chance, so she’ll contact me when the time is right...’

Bai Qingyi mused.

...

A dozen or so days and nights later, Ling Changqing returned from the depths of the sea, once again laden with treasures.

The haul he brought back this time was so large that, after setting aside enough for his family’s own use, the three major commercial branches took in a massive amount of resources.

There was one last batch of resources, worth several thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones, that Ling Changqing decided to take to the Zhao Family’s territory. He figured he could fetch a better price for them there.

After settling matters at home, Ling Changqing departed in secret. The Bian Wujian Gate instantly teleported him to the Zhao Family’s territory.

In the Patriarch’s Women’s Embroidery Tower, Shangguan Qingying was bathing leisurely in a hot spring pool. Her magnificent dress, bodice, and petticoat lay scattered to one side.

She had removed her Bronze Mask, revealing a flawless, beautiful face—a beauty said to make fish sink and birds fall, enough to captivate all living things.

Her exquisitely beautiful body was especially captivating—voluptuous and enchanting, her skin fragrant, smooth, and supple. The rise and fall of her curves created a breathtaking sight that would make one’s blood race. There was not a single flaw to be found anywhere on her body.

In the warm Spiritual Spring Water, the beauty’s eyes were half-closed. Her cloud-like hair was coiled up simply, and her hands rested on her lower abdomen. Her smooth back leaned against the jade wall of the pool, her posture dignified and elegant as she rested with her eyes closed.

Suddenly, the Communication Jade Talisman on her fair wrist vibrated slightly, causing her to open her mesmerizing, soul-stealing eyes.

She raised her fair wrist in surprise. A look of delighted surprise surfaced in her shimmering, beautiful eyes.

’That wretched man... he’s been gone for so long. Is he finally deigning to return?’

She hastily stood up from the pool, putting her stunning body on full display. Her proud, snowy peaks stood tall, and her long, perfectly shaped legs stirred the spring water with a SPLASH as she took a few steps to the edge.

A moment later, the beauty, now fully dressed, walked into the Inner Study. There, she saw the handsome, black-clad youth with his red lips, white teeth, and cold eyes, sitting and sipping tea.

"You’re here?"

Ling Changqing looked up. The beauty, clad in a magnificent floral and cloud-patterned brocade palace gown, walked in gracefully. She still wore that exquisite Bronze Mask on her face.

Shangguan Qingying gave a demure nod, her soft and melodious voice lilting. "Is everything at home settled? How long do you plan on staying this time?"

Ling Changqing smiled. "Two or three months shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, if the Patriarch needs me, I suppose I could stay even longer!"

"What do you mean?"

Shangguan Qingying paused. Of course she wanted Ling Changqing to stay forever, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it so easily.

Ling Changqing winked and said with a low laugh, "If the Patriarch allows me to see your true face, I’ll grant your wish. How about it?"

Shangguan Qingying: "..."

’This shameless little rogue, he’s even flirting with *me*? How dare he?’

’No wonder he’s always so curt with Zhao Wanyi and her sister. So he had his sights set on me all along?’

"Ling Changxing, don’t go too far!"

Shangguan Qingying’s soft and charming voice turned cold.

Ling Changqing shrugged, a look of pure innocence on his face. "I’m just curious what the Patriarch looks like. I only want to see, that’s all! I have absolutely no other intentions!"

’Heh. As if I’d believe a word of that...’

Shangguan Qingying snorted coldly. "You’d better not. I was severely injured in my youth, and my face was ruined. I’m a monster so ugly that even ghosts would find me repulsive!"

"Really? I don’t believe you!"

Ling Changqing shook his head. ’My instincts can’t be wrong. Beneath that Bronze Mask is definitely a face of celestial beauty, one that wouldn’t lose out to Ling Qiyue’s or Qin Mengxuan’s.’

"You really want to see? Aren’t you afraid of being scared?"

Shangguan Qingying asked.

"I’m not afraid. And if I am, can’t I just run away?"

Ling Changqing decided to "tell the truth."

Shangguan Qingying sneered. "Once you’ve seen it, you think you can just run away? I’ll imprison you, lock you in a secret chamber, and torment you every single day!"

’Wait a minute, something’s not right here.’

’Heavens! How could she say something like that? It sounds like a threat, but it’s practically flirting!’

’It’s simply...’

Shangguan Qingying ground her teeth in frustration. She couldn’t understand how she had lost her composure in front of a junior.

’This boy was supposed to be her hand-picked son-in-law, and yet now... things seem to be spiraling out of her control?’

"Alright, I’ve decided, I still want to see!"

Ling Changqing took a deep breath, looking as if he was ready to risk it all.

"Fine, you’d better not regret it!"

Shangguan Qingying sneered as her slender hand reached for the Bronze Mask on her face.