webnovel Chapter 432 - 250: Shangguan Qingying: If I Also... Is There Hope for Divinity Transformation?
Chapter 432 - 250: Shangguan Qingying: If I Also... Is There Hope for Divinity Transformation?
The operative on the other end shook his head and said helplessly, "It all happened so suddenly. We didn’t get any intel beforehand, so it’s too late to do anything now!"
Besides, the Zhao Family’s two Nascent Soul True Monarchs are on high alert. Unless the Qin Family immediately declares war and attacks the Zhao Family’s territory with all their elite forces, it will be impossible to distract them.
"You still have to try!"
Qin Zhongqi suddenly flew into a rage, veins bulging on his forehead. He roared through gritted teeth, "If you don’t do anything at a critical moment like this, what the hell does the family support you for?"
The operative remained silent for a few moments before saying, "The tribulation for the Nascent Soul Realm is no small matter. Not even one in ten who attempt it succeed. Perhaps that young lady won’t make it through at all?"
"Are you certain?!"
Qin Zhongqi’s expression softened slightly. It was common knowledge that the tribulation to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch was incredibly difficult to overcome.
Moreover, Zhao Wanyi and her sister were quite young. Their foundations were likely unstable from insufficient accumulation, making failure in Crossing the Tribulation a very real possibility.
The operative said in a low voice, "I can’t make any guarantees about something like this. All I can do is continue to keep a close watch."
Qin Zhongqi snorted. "Fine. Just keep a close watch, and report immediately if anything changes!"
After ending the transmission, the Patriarch looked at the others around him and said coldly:
"We absolutely cannot let that girl succeed in her tribulation. Otherwise, the pressure on our family in the future will be immense!"
The Elders exchanged glances. Qin Wuyan hesitated before saying, "Patriarch, even if we declared war right now, it would take at least half a month to breach the Zhao Family’s Protective Array. By then, the dust will have already settled."
As things stand, unless we can breach the Zhao Family’s Protective Array and kill Zhao Wanyi immediately, nothing else we do will matter.
"So... our only hope is that the girl fails, right?"
Qin Zhongqi sighed, a sudden sense of powerlessness washing over him.
He had been Patriarch for decades, working tirelessly and pouring his heart and soul into the family, all in the hope that it would flourish under his leadership and finally crush the Zhao Family.
But now, the Zhao Family was showing signs of turning the tables, of rising from the ashes. How could he possibly stand for it?
...
However, reality did not bend to Qin Zhongqi’s will.
Several days later, auspicious clouds and purple qi filled the air as a brilliant, magnificent glow illuminated the Celestial Vault. Invisible ripples of Dao Rhyme spread in all directions, announcing that Zhao Wanyi had successfully achieved the Nascent Soul True Monarch Dao Fruit.
’As expected, that man is truly incredible...’
Shangguan Qingying let out a sigh of relief, the weight that had been on her mind for days finally lifted.
With Zhao Wanyi’s success, she thought, the same would be true for Zhao Wanqing, as long as they could gather the Nascent Soul Resources for her.
’At that point, the Zhao Family will have four Nascent Soul True Monarchs. Add to that Ling Changqing, who is certain to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch in the future... that would make five?’
’And with Ling Changqing’s extraordinary Destiny, if I also... could I perhaps have a chance at reaching the Divinity Transformation Realm in the future?’
At this thought, Shangguan Qingying’s beautiful face flushed crimson. Amidst her embarrassment, however, she felt a wave of indecision.
’After all, I’m not the birth mother of the Zhao sisters, and I’ve never had a Dao Companion in my entire life. Choosing him now... it doesn’t seem entirely out of the question...’
Shangguan Qingying assured herself with conviction that this was for the grand pursuit of her own Dao, not because she coveted Ling Changqing’s body.
"Husband, my sister succeeded. That means I can too, right?"
Zhao Wanqing said with an expectant look, holding onto Ling Changqing’s arm.
"Of course you can."
Ling Changqing nodded. There hadn’t yet been a single case of a Female Cultivator he favored failing a breakthrough.
Two months later, Zhao Wanyi emerged from her seclusion, her new Realm fully stabilized.
The Zhao Family’s leadership not only announced the news far and wide but also held a grand celebration, sending invitations to all the major and minor powers in the surrounding area.
This was a public declaration that the Zhao Family had fully recovered from its recent setbacks, restored its power, and re-established its strategic advantage over its archnemesis, the Qin Family.
Consequently, these powers respectfully sent their representatives to the celebration, bearing lavish gifts.
After the celebration concluded, Shangguan Qingying took stock of all the gifts and found their combined value was enough to cover more than half the cost of another set of Nascent Soul Resources.
"Well then, I still have some personal savings. I might as well take them all out and let Wanqing use them first!"
Shangguan Qingying said with a smile. Zhao Wanqing’s accumulation was already sufficient, and to avoid any complications that might arise from delays, it was best for her to advance as soon as possible.
"Mm, I will follow your arrangements, Mother!"
Zhao Wanqing said, unable to contain her joy.
Zhao Wanyi chuckled, covering her mouth as her arm wrapped around Ling Changqing’s waist. She had thought her younger sister would have to wait, so it was wonderful that she could now achieve her goal so quickly.
And so, it took Shangguan Qingying nearly two months to gather all the Nascent Soul Resources for Zhao Wanqing.
The main issue was ordering from the three major merchant guilds, which involved a waiting period. This was even with them no longer intentionally causing trouble for the Zhao Family.
For an ordinary Golden Core Master with no powerful backing, buying Nascent Soul Resources would be fraught with obstacles, including a slew of restrictive clauses and the need to guard against ambushes from Tribulation Cultivator gangs.
Ling Changqing, meanwhile, used these two months to return to the Ling Family on Changqing Continent and spend time with the women there. He only went back to the Zhao Family after Shangguan Qingying sent him another message.
During this period, Qin Mengxuan had also sent Ling Changqing a message, stating her intention to have her four Direct Disciples come and serve him, an offer which he politely declined.
"Why don’t you have them come over after I’ve become a Nascent Soul True Monarch?"
Those were Ling Changqing’s exact words.
One Qin Mengxuan was already enough of a headache. If four more Nascent Soul True Monarchs were to arrive—the kind who would shadow him day and night—the pressure on Ling Changqing would be immense.
Moreover, their presence would make life difficult for Ling Qiyue and the other women. It was better to maintain the status quo.
Unable to persuade him, Qin Mengxuan had no choice but to humor the young man.
「Another month later」
Zhao Wanqing, who had been in seclusion, also achieved a successful Realm Breakthrough, smoothly stepping into the Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm.
With this, the Zhao Family had suddenly become a great clan with four presiding Nascent Soul True Monarchs, surpassing all the other major and minor powers in the area.
Even if Zhao Qinghong were to pass away from old age in the future, the Zhao Family would still possess three Nascent Soul True Monarchs, enough to maintain their strategic advantage over the Qin Family.
When Qin Zhongqi heard the news, he flew into a thunderous rage. He smashed nearly every object in his study and beat several of his most favored concubines half to death.
But anger was one thing; the predicament facing the Qin Family still needed a solution. Otherwise... was he supposed to just stand by and watch his family’s legacy be destroyed?
Although everyone was well aware of how the Qin Family’s foundation had been established, that wasn’t a reason for Qin Zhongqi to simply give up and await his doom.
After calming down, Qin Zhongqi convened a meeting with the high-ranking Elders. They debated for several sleepless nights before finally deciding to send an Envoy with lavish gifts to the Zhao Family to negotiate for peace.
At this moment, Ling Changqing was tucked away in an inner chamber, soaking in a hot spring and enjoying fine wine, delicious food, and the company of beautiful women. Life was utterly blissful.
A Maid came to report that the Patriarch had summoned them. Zhao Wanyi, who was in the middle of feeding Ling Changqing a snowy delicacy, turned her head and said with a hint of displeasure:
"What are those disgusting people from the Qin Family trying to pull now? They want to negotiate peace? Are they even worthy?"
Ling Changqing laughed. "Whether it works or not, they have to try. What if they actually succeed?"
With her head lowered, Zhao Wanqing, who was massaging his legs, blushed and paused to say:
"We should still go take a look. We shouldn’t keep Mother waiting!"
"Alright, let’s go together,"
Ling Changqing said, rising from the hot spring.
By the time the three of them were dressed and had arrived at the Clan Assembly Hall, they found that the Qin Family’s Envoy had already been there for some time and was engaged in a war of words with a group of Elders.
Ling Changqing listened for a moment and realized that the Qin Family’s attitude was as arrogant as ever. Even in a situation so clearly unfavorable to them, they refused to make any substantial concessions.
Their core demand was for the Zhao and Qin families to sign a peace treaty for a term of at least one hundred years, during which neither side would be permitted to engage in any hostile or provocative actions.
In exchange, they were only willing to hand over the traitor, Zhao Hua, cede territory equivalent to that of a Golden Core power, and make a symbolic payment of resources. With that, they expected all past grievances to be forgotten.
"...Your bastard Patriarch certainly has a vivid imagination!"
Shangguan Qingying sneered from her seat on the high platform.