Chapter 78 - 75: The Ling Family’s Plan

Li Haoran’s eyes lit up. This was the authentic Third Form of the Vast Spear Technique!

"When Tai Xuan Academy destroyed my Vast Sect, it wasn’t just their people. Some old fossils from the Ling Family were also involved. I will help you with this," Li Haoran said.

Hearing this, Mo Qianqian was immediately overjoyed. He wondered if Li Haoran would truly keep his word.

"I will now teach you the circulation method for the authentic Vast Spear Technique, Sect Leader," Mo Qianqian said.

He then began his demonstration and instruction, thoroughly explaining the circulation pathways, methods, and stances of the Vast Spear Technique to Li Haoran one by one. As for the Third Form of the Vast Spear Technique, Mo Qianqian hadn’t successfully cultivated it himself yet, so he could only admit his inability to demonstrate it.

From beginning to end, Li Haoran’s eyes brimmed with longing and excitement. He even forgot his status, earnestly seeking guidance from Mo Qianqian.

When enough time had passed, Li Haoran couldn’t hold back anymore. "I will rest for a few days to recover some of my strength. Little friend... Elder Mo, please wait for me here."

With that, Li Haoran leaped into the air and disappeared from Mo Qianqian’s sight. Evidently, he couldn’t wait to start his cultivation.

Mo Qianqian let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed the other party truly wasn’t after whatever treasures he had on him, nor did he intend to attack him. The Sect Leader of the Vast Sect actually seemed to harbor goodwill toward him! Or rather, Mo Qianqian still had some use to him.

Of course, he was also considering whether he should take this opportunity to leave. If he left, there would be no risk of Li Haoran turning against him. However, if he left, he wouldn’t have a powerful helper when it came time to attack the Ling Family. Thus, Mo Qianqian decided to take the risk and stay.

He didn’t rush into the Ninefold Coffin, either. Li Haoran was somewhere nearby, and if he were discovered, a safe situation could quickly turn dangerous. Over the next few days, Mo Qianqian simply cultivated where he was.

During this time, large groups of people scoured the location of the ancient array where the Bone-Eroding Spiritual Source had appeared, turning it completely upside down. In the end, they found absolutely nothing. The area had been reduced to nothing more than a pile of rubble.

Meanwhile, the forces that had originally been pursuing Mo Qianqian were still searching for him everywhere, but they failed to find any trace of the duo.

News began to spread like wildfire—the birth of the Bone-Eroding Spiritual Source, the emergence of two terrifying entities (with one killed and the other vanished), the rumors of treasures on Mo Qianqian’s person, his breakthrough to the first level of the Second Realm, his killing of Mu Yan Mountain, and his borrowed strength used to slay the Cloud Void Sect Master.

Everyone who heard the news was utterly shocked. Fierce discussions about Mo Qianqian erupted everywhere, with people once again comparing him to the top ranker on the Hidden Dragon List. Some even argued that Mo Qianqian was still the true number one on the Hidden Dragon List.

However, an even greater number of people coveted the treasures he supposedly possessed and desperately tracked his whereabouts. Countless individuals were actively hunting for Mo Qianqian.

Several days later, the news finally reached the three major families of Central Earth.

Inside the Lie Family.

Upon hearing the reports, the elders of the Lie Family could only sigh in helpless resignation over the fall of their Tongyou Realm elder. After all, their elder had been killed by a powerful entity that had just broken its seal, and that very entity had subsequently been killed by someone else. For this heavy loss, the Lie Family had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill in silence.

"Although our three major families still need to join forces to counter the royal family, the Ling Family’s momentum has grown too strong," Patriarch Lie said. "It is actually a good thing to let Mo Qianqian dampen their arrogance. Elder Lie Xu, you will personally lead a team to track down Mo Qianqian and that mysterious old man. You must seize the treasures Mo Qianqian possesses. Also, if possible, spare his life."

"Understood!" a white-haired elder replied with a nod. This was Lie Xu, a highly influential elder and one of the core combatants of the Lie Family.

Meanwhile, at the Ling Family.

In stark contrast to the Lie Family, the entire Ling Family was boiling with rage. Ling Lan, one of their top geniuses, had been killed by Mo Qianqian! They had also lost a whole group of experts! The crippled Mo Qianqian had somehow pivoted to become a Body Cultivator, reaching the first level of the Second Realm. He now posed a severe threat to the top geniuses and numerous elders of the Ling Family!

"This vicious wolf, Mo Qianqian, is utterly ruthless! We must eradicate him entirely before he can fully mature!" an elder of the Ling Family stated with absolute resolve.

Patriarch Ling was equally furious, but instead of replying, he looked at Ling Guang and asked, "Have you uncovered the identity of the person who abducted Mo Qianqian?"

"No clues at all," Ling Guang said, shaking his head.

"How is Mo Qianqian’s relationship with the woman he married from the Shi Family?" Patriarch Ling asked.

"They have a very deep bond," Ling Guang replied. "Previously, when Shi Muyao was threatened by the Qin Family and the Cloud Void Sect, Mo Qianqian personally traveled to Qingcheng and wiped out the Chen Family."

Patriarch Ling turned to another elder and issued a direct order. "Second Elder, you will personally lead six Tongyou Realm experts and thirty high-level Spirit Profound Realm cultivators to the Southern Wilderness to track down Mo Qianqian’s whereabouts. If you cannot find him within a certain period, unite with other factions to test the Yuling Sect. If an opportunity arises, capture Shi Muyao and use her to force Mo Qianqian into the open."

"Yes, sir!" the white-haired Second Elder nodded, then hesitated. "It’s just... I’ve heard the Yuling Sect possesses a powerful trump card to protect their sect. Furthermore, the other two major families and various factions have been wary of our surging momentum. Knowing how desperate we are, I fear they won’t lend a hand."

"If they refuse to act, our Ling Family will test the Yuling Sect alone," Patriarch Ling declared.

"Understood!" the Second Elder nodded.

Patriarch Ling then looked toward another elder and asked, "What about Qingxue?"

"She is currently in secluded cultivation within the tombs of Tai Xuan Academy. It may take her another month or month and a half to emerge," the elder answered.

"And Ling Lang?" Patriarch Ling asked.

If Mo Qianqian had been present, he would have known that Ling Lang was Ling Qingxue’s biological older brother. Back in the day, Ling Lang had deceived Mo Qianqian on more than one occasion.

"He is also at Tai Xuan Academy," the elder replied. "Regarding Ling Lang’s marriage to Nangong Ling, Tai Xuan Academy sent word that the right time might arrive in three or four months."

Patriarch Ling nodded. "Prioritize the marriage alliance above all else."

"Yes, sir!" the elder acknowledged.

"Without any one of our three major families, we would be unable to resist the royal family. The Lie Family and the Yuwen Family simply don’t want us to become too strong," Patriarch Ling sighed, a glint of shrewd wisdom flashing in his eyes. "What a pity they don’t realize we are securing a direct marriage alliance with Tai Xuan Academy. With Tai Xuan Academy backing us, not even the royal family will dare to make a move against our Ling Family."

The crowd of elders nodded in agreement.

Liaising with Tai Xuan Academy, deploying their personnel, and preparing for the marriage alliance—these were the most critical matters for the Ling Family right now. Once everything was set in place, the Ling Family would soar to unparalleled prominence.

Elsewhere, at the Yuwen Family.

Inside the courtyard of the Yu Wen Family Head.

"The Ling Family has been interacting very closely with Tai Xuan Academy recently! Ling Qingxue became a disciple of the academy’s dean, and Ling Lang has been getting very close to Nangong Ling," the Yu Wen Family Head mused.

"Could the Ling Family be seeking a marriage alliance with Tai Xuan Academy?" an elder asked.

"Tai Xuan Academy has a pact with the royal family not to interfere in the affairs of the Great Xia Dynasty," the Yu Wen Family Head said. "If Tai Xuan Academy forms an alliance with the Ling Family through marriage, the royal family might not be able to touch the academy, but they will absolutely move against the Ling Family. When that time comes, our two families will not intervene. The Ling Family likely doesn’t have the courage to take such a massive risk."

The elder nodded in agreement, then asked, "What about Mo Qianqian’s situation...?"

"Send people over," the Yu Wen Family Head ordered. "Treasures aside, provide Mo Qianqian with covert support wherever possible."

"Understood," the elder nodded.