Outside the Main Altar of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.
A colossal floating battleship, ten thousand zhang long and magnificently adorned, slowly sailed from the horizon, enveloped in a thick cyan light. Behind it followed twenty-three similar ships, each bearing the ancient and dignified emblem of the Ji family.
Inside the flagship, in a lavishly decorated palace, Ji Qingluan, poised and dignified, stood before a full-length circular mirror-like artifact, intently observing the magnificent and strange phenomena above the vast land.
Beside her stood a pair of dazzling twin sisters, as radiant as stars, along with several key figures of the Ji family.
“Qi Lao, what do you think?”
After a long silence, Ji Qingluan turned her head slightly and politely asked an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in an imposing manner.
The white-browed elder bowed slightly and said, “The fortune of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has indeed been rapidly increasing in recent years, and this trend shows no signs of stopping.”
He paused and added, “Moreover, the fortunes of the Goddess Sect, Lu Hua Palace, Qingqiu Hall, and the Dao Court also show significant signs of growth. Therefore, the rumors of these female-only Dao Lineages secretly forming an alliance should be true.”
Ji Qingluan pondered for a moment and continued, “So, the source of this fortune increase comes from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, and the other sects only benefited after allying with them. Is that correct?”
Qi Lao nodded, “This is the most reasonable conclusion. Although their secrecy measures are quite thorough, our Ji family’s secret techniques can still detect some clues up close.”
Ji Qingluan thought for a moment before saying, “So, this Qing Muling is indeed extraordinary. Saying he is the child of fortune of this era, the key to overcoming this great tribulation, might not be an exaggeration?”
The Ji family had discussed Qing Muling many times, especially after the former Palace Master of Calamity Fate Palace, Yun Miaozhi, who was still recovering from severe injuries, tried to persuade the Ji family head to ally with Calamity Fate Palace but returned empty-handed.
However, Yun Miaozhi revealed many key pieces of information that corroborated with the Ji family’s intelligence, providing them with much to ponder.
If possible, the Ji family preferred to bring Qing Muling into their fold. If he joined them, the future dominance of the Great Void would be assured.
Unfortunately, this was just wishful thinking. The female immortals of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace were not naive and would never give outsiders a chance to poach their talents. Therefore, forming an alliance through marriage became the most practical choice, allowing them to share some benefits.
Beside Ji Qingluan, an elder with arched eyebrows and thin lips spoke, “It might not be because of him but due to some unprecedented Innate Spirit Treasure causing such an effect.”
Ji Qingluan sneered, “What kind of Innate Spirit Treasure could possess such incredible power? Even the renowned artifacts of the Dao Court or our Ji family don’t have such exaggerated effects. Could Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace be an exception?”
The surrounding Ji family members remained silent.
No matter how powerful an Innate Spirit Treasure, or even a higher-level Innate Supreme Treasure, its power and fortune are constant, without rapid growth or increasing strength.
Only living beings could exhibit such changes.
Another young man, dressed in feathered robes with deep eyes, spoke, “Regardless of what makes Qing Muling special, can you, Qi Lao, discern his secrets when we meet him?”
“It’s hard to say,” Qi Lao shook his head, “The power of a child of fortune is mysterious and unpredictable. Even if he hasn’t grown yet, it’s not something that can be easily deduced with Heavenly Secret Arts. Attempting it rashly would only invite backlash from the unseen forces.”
“The only thing I can guarantee is to confirm his identity, providing reference for our family’s major decisions.”
Ji Qingluan nodded lightly, “That’s good enough. Let’s wait until we meet him. Their welcoming party is almost here; we should go out to greet them.”
…
Back mountain of Imperial Dao Peak.
The appointed time for the tribulation crossing had arrived. Cheng Yulan, Luo Wanqing, and other senior sisters surrounded a stunningly beautiful girl in palace attire, slowly walking out of her chamber, preparing to head to the Ascension Platform on Yunji Peak.
The girl wore a veil, and her head was adorned with a dazzling phoenix crown, her skin as white as snow, and her entire being exuded beauty, hidden within layers of radiant light.
“Wait!”
The soft voice of Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan echoed from afar.
Qing Muling stopped, watching as the snow-clad Senior Sister hurriedly flew over, grabbing him with a tense expression, “You won’t be helping them with the tribulation today. Go back and rest!”
Qing Muling: “???”
Cheng Yulan: “???”
Xuebing Xuan pulled him back, explaining, “The Ji family’s delegation has arrived. The Sect Master and elders are already out to greet them, so it’s best if you don’t show yourself. We’ll talk about everything else after they leave.”
“Understood.”
Qing Muling realized that the Ji family had come mostly because of him, so it was best not to show himself, no matter the reason.
Qi Yalan, with a joyful expression, hugged Qing Muling and said with a smile, “Since that’s the case, Junior Brother, let’s go spar! You can choose any style you like.”
Qing Muling rolled his eyes at her. In their usual training, the Third Senior Sister was the most diligent in pushing him, never missing any opportunity. Seeing he had free time again, she immediately made her request.
Luo Wanqing glared at the Third Senior Sister, not backing down, “Then let’s go together. We agreed that no one would hog him.”
“Fine, together then…”
As they spoke, the senior sisters surrounded Qing Muling and returned to the fragrant chamber.
…
In the Council Hall of the sect.
Mu Yinghua had already welcomed Ji Qingluan and her entourage into the hall. After exchanging greetings, they took their seats, with the Ji family members and the elders of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace accompanying them on either side.
“We already know your intentions,”
After some simple pleasantries, Mu Yinghua finally got to the point, “Our Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has had a long-standing friendship with the Ji family, tested by time. Therefore, in this time of great tribulation, forming an alliance to support each other is only natural. We agree in principle.”
“As for the specific terms and details, our respective teams can discuss and finalize them.”
The highest decision-makers set the direction, while the professional negotiation teams handled the details and execution.
Sharing intelligence, trading important resources, joint training of disciples, mutual support in critical times—there were many areas for cooperation.
Ji Qingluan smiled, this result was expected. The two sides had cooperated before and had built enough strategic trust, so reaching an agreement wasn’t difficult.
“Next, we have another important matter to discuss.”
Ji Qingluan straightened her expression, “We heard that Sect Master’s last disciple, Qing Muling, is exceptionally talented, with great fortune and an extraordinary destiny. Our Ji family is willing to marry our best young female member to him, further strengthening the bond between our families. What does the Sect Master think?”
So, this is the real purpose of your visit, isn’t it?
Mu Yinghua’s expression dimmed appropriately, “Elder Ji’s proposal is excellent, and we have no reason to refuse. However… Qing Muling recently got trapped in the depths of the Guixu Ruins during an expedition, along with many of his protectors. His life and death are uncertain, so we can only apologize for not being able to accept your kind offer.”
The Guixu Ruins were one of the top three most dangerous places in the Great Void, rumored to be another mysterious space-time, full of unknown dangers. Countless cultivators had ventured there over the millennia, but very few returned alive, and those who did couldn’t clarify its details, mostly lingering around the edges.
It’s said that even Quasi Holy Emperors had been swallowed by that place, and not just one or two.
“…”
Ji Qingluan’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Did I hear that right? Such an important person, and you let him go on an expedition? To such a deadly place? You, you…”
She didn’t know what to say next. If Qing Muling was indeed the child of fortune, he should be strictly protected, not allowed to leave the sect until he advanced to Great Golden Immortal, and even then, only with Quasi Holy Emperors accompanying him.
Letting him get trapped in the Guixu Ruins was an unforgivable mistake! How could the high-levels of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace make such a blunder?
Mu Yinghua sighed regretfully, “We indeed miscalculated, but now that it has happened, Xinyu Emperor has already set out to investigate. Whether he can be saved is up to fate.”
Wait, something’s not right!
Ji Qingluan was about to speak when she realized that Mu Yinghua’s story had no evidence, just her words. Who knew if it was true?
If Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace didn’t want to agree to the Ji family’s marriage proposal and came up with this excuse, it would make sense.
How could someone like Qing Muling, a child of fortune, be so easily trapped outside? It didn’t make sense logically!