Chapter 140 - 137: Surging Undercurrents

"Yes, I could have killed that Black Demon Spider, but when I saw you coming, I wanted to see if you would save me. And in the end, you did." Ling Qingxue said, "I wanted to go with you to seize the Flame Demon Flower. Actually, I also wanted to deepen our relationship."

Mo Qianqian felt an inexplicable emotion in his heart. He wondered if Ling Qingxue would truly develop feelings for him. After all, he had stayed by her side for a full eight years in the past. He had given everything for her over those eight years, yet she had never once felt anything for him. Now, she was actually saying she had fallen for him—right to the face of his fake identity. How incredibly ironic!

"Just because of my appearance, you’ve fallen for me?" Mo Qianqian asked in return.

"Your appearance, plus your talent, and your Spiritual Source," Ling Qingxue spoke very straightforwardly. "Even if this breakthrough failed, you will still advance to become a Third-Grade Spirit Master sooner or later.

"Most importantly, my heart has been moved.

"Of course, I also admit that these feelings are built upon your overall strength."

Hearing this, Mo Qianqian let out a cold laugh, one that sounded like a mix of mockery toward her and self-deprecation. "As expected of someone from a major family. Miss Ling, please go back."

Ling Qingxue felt somewhat disappointed, but she still smiled. "Master Asura, you’ve seen it as well. In three days, my brother is marrying Nangong Ling.

"The Ling family is going to enter a political marriage with Tai Xuan Academy. Our Ling family will step onto a much grander stage.

"If you marry me, you will definitely be able to reach a much vaster world in the future!"

"What? Nangong Ling is marrying Ling Lang? The Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy are forming a marriage alliance in three days?"

Hearing this, the people of the Asura Conglomerate were all thoroughly shocked. Their minds could barely process the news. Did Nangong Ling come looking for their Great Treasure Master simply because she was getting married? Was she really going to marry Ling Qingxue’s brother, Ling Lang, in three days? And now Ling Qingxue was here today to declare her intentions to their Great Treasure Master? What in the world was going on?

"Didn’t Tai Xuan Academy have a pact with the Great Xia Dynasty to stay out of their internal conflicts? Why are they suddenly forming a marriage alliance with the Ling family?"

"This... something major is about to happen!"

"The Great Xia Dynasty might be facing an upheaval."

The members of the Asura Conglomerate murmured in waves of astonishment. Even Shi Muyao looked completely surprised. Was this what Ling Qingxue was relying on to make Elder Asura marry her?

Mo Qianqian frowned. Ling Qingxue wasn’t just here to "confess" her feelings to him. She also intended to personally announce the marriage alliance between the Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy to everyone present.

"I’m afraid it won’t elevate the Ling family to a higher level, but rather plunge it into a crisis," Mo Qianqian said in a deep voice.

"To gain something, one must always pay a price and take risks. Since the Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy dare to do this, we naturally have the confidence to back it up," Ling Qingxue replied. "I didn’t come here today expecting an immediate answer. It won’t be too late to give me your reply after attending the wedding.

"Master Asura is a smart man. You should know what the best choice is.

"I hope you consider it carefully. I will take my leave now."

With that said, Ling Qingxue turned around and left. The members of the Asura Conglomerate were still wearing expressions of pure shock.

"Pei Hong, can I see Sect Leader Yu?" Mo Qianqian immediately looked at Pei Hong, who was standing to the side.

"The Sect Leader isn’t in secluded meditation, so it should be fine," Pei Hong said.

Mo Qianqian strode out. The Yuling Sect Master’s room was located deeper within the courtyard of the Wind Shelter Inn. Mo Qianqian quickly reached the door and knocked.

"Sect Leader Yu..."

"Come in."

Mo Qianqian opened the door, strode in, and immediately closed it behind him. He walked up to the Yuling Sect Master and said, "Sect Leader Yu, I have a favor to ask."

"Feel free to speak your mind, Elder Asura," the Yuling Sect Master replied.

"In three days, the Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy are forming a marriage alliance. I would like you to go immediately and pass a message to the Butcher. Tell him to arrive at the Ling family on the day of the wedding," Mo Qianqian said.

The Yuling Sect Master’s expression changed. She faintly guessed something, but ultimately nodded. "Alright. I will set off right now."

Mo Qianqian gave her the location of the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade, and the Yuling Sect Master immediately left the inn, heading for Black Demon Ridge. Given her speed when traveling alone, it should take her less than two days to reach Black Demon Ridge.

The Ling family was in a different location, which wasn’t as far from Black Demon Ridge as the Imperial City was. Traveling at top speed, it would take a little over a day and a night for both the Yuling Sect Master and the Slaughterer with the Evil Blade to rush to the Ling family.

Afterward, Mo Qianqian sought out Pei Hong again. He took out the invitation and handed it to her. "I need to go out for a while to take care of some matters. I want you to lead everyone from the Asura Conglomerate to the Ling family to attend the wedding banquet."

The invitation was not just for him; it extended to the entire Asura Conglomerate.

"Elder Asura, you... you’re not planning to do something foolish, are you?" Pei Hong grew anxious and hastily added, "Please don’t do anything rash! Nangong Ling and Ling Lang have always been a couple."

"What are you talking about? I’m going to take care of something else." Mo Qianqian was speechless and couldn’t help but lightly rap Pei Hong on the head. He couldn’t believe she had jumped to such a conclusion. He really didn’t know what went on in the heads of these women.

"Alright, as long as you’re not going to do something foolish. I’ll give the orders and have everyone in the Asura Conglomerate head to the Ling family." Pei Hong’s expression turned serious. "It’s just that with the Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy forming this marriage alliance, I’m afraid some unexpected variables might occur when the time comes..."

"If the sky falls, there will be someone taller to hold it up. We’ll deal with it when we get there," Mo Qianqian said.

If he hadn’t been Mo Qianqian, any misfortune befalling the Ling family wouldn’t have had anything to do with the Asura Conglomerate. The conglomerate would only need to stand by and watch. But most importantly, he was Mo Qianqian, and he wanted to kill Ling Qingxue. When the time came, whether anyone from the Asura Conglomerate would be willing to fight for him was another matter entirely.

But regardless, in three days, he was absolutely going to make his move!

This was an opportunity. The marriage alliance between the Ling family and Tai Xuan Academy had been announced, but it hadn’t fully materialized yet. Other families and the royal family probably wouldn’t allow these two factions to ally so easily. All that was missing between the various powers was someone to stir up trouble.

Mo Qianqian gave Pei Hong a few more simple instructions before leaving the inn and slipping out of the Imperial City.

In the Imperial Palace.

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor had summoned the Eldest Prince and several important members of the royal family to gather in the grand hall.

"Tai Xuan Academy forming a marriage alliance with the Ling family... are they trying to rebel?" an old man asked angrily.

"I thought that with the two factions growing closer, they would at most collude in secret. I never expected them to publicly form a marriage alliance! This is clearly an open attempt to undermine the royal family’s prestige and go against us!"

"If they were only trying to undermine us, that wouldn’t even be the worst of it. The real fear is that the Ling family wants to usurp our royal family’s position!"

"They wouldn’t dare!"

"That’s not necessarily true. Even now, they clearly have no regard for our royal family."

"There are still three days before the wedding. Why don’t we strike first? We can send someone to kill Ling Lang and Nangong Ling as a warning to others!"

The group was filled with righteous indignation as they discussed the matter endlessly.