novelapdf Chapter 168 The Most Outstanding Tree in the Forest
Chapter 168 The Most Outstanding Tree in the Forest
Chapter 169 The Most Outstanding Tree in the Forest
The Gate of Wonderful Sounds.
Zi Ling put down the jade pen in her hand.
Wen Siyue stood by, putting away the account books she had just verified, her voice filled with obvious joy.
"Miss, the accounts for this season have been settled, and the amount is more than 30% higher than before. Moreover, the trade volume is still steadily increasing. Without those two scoundrels, Zhao Fu, causing trouble, the atmosphere in the sect has truly been renewed!"
Zi Ling just smiled and didn't say anything.
She knew best in her heart that the reason for all this was not something that could be achieved by simply eliminating Zhao Fu and his companion.
Wen Siyue then asked, "Miss, Miss, people in the market are saying that our Miaoyin Sect has a powerful backer. Is that true? Sigh, if I had known, I would have gone to Scorpion Island with them. I could have seen what it was like."
Zi Ling neither confirmed nor denied this, but instead posed a question.
"Siyue, do you think there are any other relationships between men and women besides romantic love?"
Wen Siyue thought for a moment, and then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, blurted out, "Yes, for example, that Senior Han. He takes good care of me and treats me like a junior. He always speaks in a very mature and authoritative manner."
Zi Ling smiled.
She was naturally aware of the kind of relationship Wen Siyue was referring to.
It is a relationship based on the mentorship and care of elders towards younger generations.
This is roughly how Han Li was to Wen Siyue.
But—she didn't want things to remain the same between her and that person forever.
She wants to see.
What exactly does this so-called "end of the bond" mean?
Is it really only possible to have such a clear distinction between seniors and juniors?
Is there no other way?
Just as her thoughts were racing, footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei walked in side by side, seemingly having some matters to report.
Zi Ling temporarily composed herself and turned her gaze to them.
Seeing this, Wen Siyue shrewdly picked up the stack of account books that had just been verified from the table and quietly slipped out, her figure disappearing around the corner of the corridor leading to the warehouse.
The two bowed deeply together.
If there was still some room for discussion regarding Zi Ling's position as sect leader before...
It's a done deal now, and we're sitting on it firmly.
Zi Ling raised her hand in a gesture of support and said, "No need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."
2
After the two were seated, Zi Ling asked, "Have all those people inside the sect been dealt with?"
Fan Jingmei's eyebrows were raised and her tone was very cheerful.
"Sect Leader, you are unaware of the truth. We didn't even need to lift a finger. Those suspects who were on the list for years have all vanished without a trace." (Including some—)
She hesitated for a moment, then quickly set up a soundproof barrier before lowering her voice to continue, "Including some spies planted by the Star Palace."
Zhuo Ruting smiled radiantly and replied, "Sect Leader, in the current situation, those forces that used to ignore us are now eager to curry favor with us. Moreover, the orders they've placed are almost all with increased prices. Even when the two former Sect Leaders, Wang and Zhou, were alive, we never saw such a scene."
She realized her mistake after she finished speaking, and quickly stood up, wanting to make amends with respectful words.
Zi Ling remained calm and casually waved her hand, saying, "No need for that, Sister Zhuo."
"As expected, people are driven by self-interest and will simply waver like a reed in the wind. However, if a bargain is offered to us, we might as well take it."
"Left Envoy Fan, Right Envoy Zhuo, you must keep a close eye on the subsequent order deliveries, lest anyone take advantage of any loopholes, and be especially wary of any potential fraud."
"I will obey the sect leader's orders!"
Fan and Zhuo both agreed in unison, their eyes filled with conviction.
At this moment, their backs were straighter than ever.
The two were present during the Battle of Scorpion Island and were naturally aware of the significance of that earth-shattering sword strike.
According to the most conservative rumors, the person who made the move was definitely a cultivator in the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
How many people like this could there be, excluding demonic beasts, in the entire Chaotic Star Sea, both inside and outside?
They could probably be counted on one hand.
Zi Ling's voice immediately turned cold, "From today onwards, the Miaoyin Sect will officially issue a trade ban, unite with the four major business alliances, and fully promote this action to completely sever all trade ties with Jiyin Island and strictly prohibit any form or scale of cargo smuggling."
She had been contemplating this decision for a long time.
In the past, due to her own weakness, even though she had this idea, she could only be constrained and hindered at every turn, having ideas but finding it difficult to implement them.
The situation is different now than it used to be.
Fan Jingmei naturally had no objection to the decision, but she had some doubts in her heart.
The Myriad Sounds Sect is naturally nothing special.
Whether the four major business alliances will agree is unknown.
The infamous Yin Demon has a formidable reputation, and the four major merchant alliances may not be willing to completely offend a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator for the sake of the Myriad Sounds Sect.
Upon hearing this, Zi Ling immediately said something.
No need to worry, just apply the Star Palace Laws directly.
They will agree.
Jiyin Island is far away on the horizon.
But Tianxing City is the real deal, with a Nascent Soul cultivator present.
Even a fool could figure out which choice to make.
Hearing this, Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei felt a sense of relief.
Although there isn't even a Core Formation elder in the sect right now, the Miaoyin Sect is thriving even more than before.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
It's true that it's good to have a big tree to lean on.
However, this big tree is a bit too lush and leafy.
In fact, apart from Zi Ling herself knowing some of Lu Jianghe's true background, she did not reveal his late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation level to anyone.
If these two envoys were to learn the truth—
They might inadvertently leak the news.
By then, the situation will be completely different.
Therefore, Zi Ling didn't mention it at all, and it was enough for them to think that Lu Jianghe was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
After all, too much of a good thing can be bad.
After finishing the business, Zi Ling raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a faint smile, her gaze shifting between Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei.
"My two elder sisters, I will be troubling you to take care of all the mundane affairs of the sect for the foreseeable future."
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Ruting was about to speak, but before she could utter a word, she felt her sleeve being gently tugged.
She glanced to the side and saw Fan Jingmei winking at her.
"I won't be at Miaoyin Sect for a long time to come. If there's anything important, just tell Siyue to come find me at the fiftieth level of the cave."
Zhuo Ruting instantly understood, and a bright smile bloomed on her face. She quickly replied, "Sect Master, rest assured, with me and Left Envoy Fan here, Miaoyin Sect will definitely operate as usual and will never let trivial matters disturb your cultivation."
Fan Jingmei smiled knowingly.
The two were thinking almost identically.
With such stunning beauty as Miss, what man in the world could resist her now that she has taken the initiative?
We only hope that Miss can get what she wants soon and succeed as soon as possible.
If one could truly form a dual cultivation partnership with that senior, such a direct kinship would be a hundred or a thousand times more reliable than any "backer".
By then, the Myriad Sounds Sect will no longer be an ordinary force.
Given time, the current situation in Tianxing City may well evolve into five major business alliances standing side by side, and it wouldn't be a pipe dream for Miaoyin Sect to join them.
But that's a story for another time.
Of course, Zi Ling wasn't in a rush to go there immediately.
She's not that reckless.
The most urgent task is to break through the bottleneck in the later stage of foundation building.
Then, under the pretext of seeking a elixir for forming the Golden Core, she could naturally follow the other party to the Void Heaven Palace.
Nowadays, Miaoyin Sect is truly her personal fiefdom.
If the resources accumulated within the sect were devoted to one person with decent aptitude, it wouldn't be impossible to cultivate a Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, Zi Ling had a strong premonition.
Perhaps, in some mysterious way, Lu Jianghe is destined to leave this place.
She must seize this last opportunity.
This is just one aspect.
The more important reason, however, stemmed from her keen observation.
Don't say that all women in the world are foolish; women understand women's hearts best.
After only a few encounters, she keenly noticed the women around Lu Jianghe.
They were all clever and resourceful, each with their own unique strengths.
She knew all too well the way they looked at Lu Jianghe.
It was a gaze that mixed admiration, dependence, and a desire to possess, no different from the deep-seated stirring in her heart.
Zi Ling knew perfectly well that she couldn't expect Lu Jianghe to give up anyone or reject anyone for her.
What she sought was the title of "first".
It means becoming each other's legitimate spiritual partners.
As for whether there might be a woman by his side in the future?
Zi Ling truly didn't care.
In the original timeline.
Zi Ling was like a rootless duckweed, battered by wind and rain, drifting aimlessly between heaven and earth.
The Miaoyin Sect is too small; it may have a beautiful appearance, but it lacks the corresponding strength.
He has a very high vision and a broad mind, and his desires are not small, but he is trapped by his own meager cultivation. This is both his strength and his weakness.
If he were born a man, with his temperament and methods, he might be able to find a different path and not be constantly constrained.
However, more likely, it will only add to the unpredictable dangers of life and death in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation.
As a woman, "choosing to live among the strong" and leveraging their power became the most powerful and realistic tool she could grasp for advancement.
If it weren't for her stunning beauty serving as a stepping stone and a protective charm, she would probably have vanished like dust long ago, when Wen Tianren first coveted her, or even in the more dangerous situations that followed.
In fact, Zi Ling had already prepared for the worst.
A Nascent Soul cultivator like Lu Jianghe, whose vision has long surpassed the mundane, is someone who might genuinely not even notice her.
The only thing she could offer was that tiny karmic connection, and her own physical appearance and feelings.
The difference between the two is like heaven and earth.
For a moment, she even wavered, wondering if she should settle for second best and just take advantage of the situation to continue her cultivation in peace.
If the ending is destined to be separation, then what is the meaning of this encounter?
But Zi Ling's heart told her something else.
Like fireworks destined to fade, but for a fleeting moment, it truly illuminated itself.
Ling Yuling returned to Yuanci Divine Mountain with her unfinished mission.
"I don't know if it was Father's bad idea or Mother's malicious scheme."
Ling Yuling thought to herself, her steps becoming heavier.
The emotional turmoil she had just experienced, the feeling that her Dao heart had almost been shattered, still left her with lingering fear when she recalled it.
Looking up, sure enough, a familiar figure came into view.
Ling Xiaofeng sat upright like a pine tree, his face seemingly calm, while Wen Qing beside him had a gentle smile on his lips that confirmed Ling Yuling's guess.
"Father! Mother!"
Ling Yuling approached, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance and reproach.
"You guys really screwed over Ku Ling'er!"
Seeing that his daughter's aura was noticeably more refined, Ling Xiaofeng finally felt relieved.
Perhaps it's a father's nature to be reserved, but although he felt a little heartache, he still pinched his nose and nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Well, starting today, your parents won't restrict you anymore. Go to the Star Palace and take a position there. You can do whatever you want from now on."
Ling Yuling's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected that her long-sought-after "freedom" would come so easily.
Wen Qing looked at her daughter, who was standing there in a daze, and asked gently with a smile, "What's wrong? Are you overjoyed?"
Ling Yuling then came to her senses, slowly walked to sit down next to her mother, leaned slightly towards Wen Qing, and said in a soft, drawn-out voice with a hint of a kitten's coquettish tone: "Mother, now that I've actually got it, it seems like I don't miss it as much as before."
Seeing this, Ling Xiaofeng frowned slightly as usual and shook his head, saying, "That's how people are. They yearn for what they can't have, but once they get it, they don't know how to cherish it. They're always looking for something better, never satisfied."
Wen Qing clearly didn't like hearing this. Before Ling Xiaofeng could finish speaking, she raised her hand and lightly slapped his arm, scolding, "Stop lecturing my daughter with these grand principles! Ling'er has just gone through a period of emotional turmoil and has only recently stabilized her Dao heart. It's time for her to relax. You, as her father, instead of saying something nice, you start lecturing her?"
Ling Xiaofeng chuckled. I was just saying something simple, and you're already being overprotective of your own.
However, he didn't say anything more.
He was mainly afraid of getting another light pinch from a soft finger.
Not bad, not bad.
This fellow Daoist Lu is truly a remarkable person.
No words are needed; our hearts are in sync.
Such individuals might—perhaps truly be able to touch upon the realm of the Divine Transformation.
As for the Six Paths of Supreme Saints?
He's obsessive and ruthless, willing to sacrifice blood for his goals, making him a formidable character, but ultimately not a particularly brilliant or exceptional individual.
Aunt Wan, that crazy woman, may seem loud and reckless on the outside, but she is actually very meticulous, but that's about it.
In a one-on-one life-or-death battle, Ling Xiaofeng believed he had a more than 70% chance of winning against any one of them.
However, this man surnamed Lu—Lu Jianghe—is now known by his given name.
In that brief exchange, the opponent displayed an aura that was the most outstanding among all the cultivators in the Chaotic Star Sea that he had ever seen since he began his cultivation.
It seems that the cultivation paths of this couple will end here on Yuanci Mountain.
He could start over after his cultivation was depleted, but given the current situation, that's not an option.
Thinking about this...
Ling Xiaofeng sighed silently in his heart, and then an indescribable expectation rose up.
If we're talking about the Chaotic Star Sea, he's probably the only one who truly has a chance to break through the bottleneck of the Nascent Soul stage.
(P.S.: These images are just foreshadowing; they're essential, otherwise it would feel very abrupt. Next, we'll be entering the Void Palace dungeon.)
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