txolops Chapter 195 Star Palace Dowry
Chapter 195 Star Palace Dowry
Chapter 196 Star Palace Dowry
Lu Jianghe raised his glass in a gesture of respect: "In that case, let us use tea instead of wine to wish our two fellow Daoists a speedy cleansing of the universe and the restoration of peace to the starry sea."
He drank the remaining cloud leaf dew in the cup in one gulp, put down the jade cup, and his figure disappeared.
Watching Lu Jianghe disregard the restrictions of the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain and come and go freely, Wen Qing remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "How long can someone at the Nascent Soul stage have a lifespan?"
Ling Xiaofeng glanced at her.
The lady was naturally aware of this question, but he still answered truthfully.
"It is normal for those who can enter the Nascent Soul realm to live for two thousand years. If they can find many ways to prolong their lives, it is not impossible for them to live for three thousand years."
After hearing this, Wen Qing remained silent for a moment, and then she got the answer she already knew in her heart.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, and looked intently at Ling Xiaofeng, saying, "Tell me—if I were to give the entire Star Palace to Fellow Daoist Lu as a 'dowry,' would he—agree?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiaofeng frowned slightly, but instead of pressing for an explanation, he asked in a deep voice, "What does Madam intend to do?"
Wen Qing's eyes were sharp, and her tone carried a do-or-die determination: "Since that man surnamed Lu dares to claim he'll slay the Six Paths, given the level of skill and power he's displayed, this matter is basically a foregone conclusion. The predicament my husband and I are facing can be largely resolved with his intervention!"
"We only have four or five hundred years left to live, and the road ahead is a dead end. Rather than languishing on the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain and waiting for our lifespans to run out, we should take a gamble! Let go of the cultivation that's been bound by the mountain and start cultivating from the early Nascent Soul stage again. Ling'er is already in the late Core Formation stage and is expected to form her Nascent Soul within a hundred or two hundred years. If we want to be on the safe side, we should wait until she forms her Nascent Soul before making any further plans. If all else fails—"
Wen Qing's gaze deepened and became complex: "With Ling'er's talent and beauty, plus the entire Star Palace as her dowry, do you think she could become his Daoist partner?"
Before Ling Xiaofeng could answer, she continued her analysis, her tone tinged with bitterness and hope: "As for breaking through the boundary and ascending? Neither of the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Star Palace could find a stable node to break through the boundary and ascend. Do you think the other party can definitely find it? This path is ultimately uncertain. By entrusting the Star Palace to him, Ling'er can not only enjoy the path to immortality without any worries, but also ensure that our Star Palace will remain the undisputed overlord of this Chaotic Star Sea for the next three to five thousand years."
Ling Xiaofeng listened to his wife's analysis and, unusually, did not immediately refute it.
Even when it came to his own daughter, he understood that Wen Qing's words made sense.
He carefully considered that this entirely new possibility was unlikely. Giving up the power of the Star Palace in exchange for the long-term stability of his daughter and the foundation, as well as a glimmer of hope for him and his wife to return to the path of cultivation, was not an option.
Knowing that one's lifespan is only three or four hundred years, rather than being trapped in despair, it's better to start over and take a gamble; that's not a bad option.
Ling Xiaofeng spoke slowly, the sharp light in his eyes gradually settling into a thoughtful agreement, "Entrusting the Jade Spirit to a Nascent Soul cultivator is not a bad idea."
After Ling Xiaofeng finished speaking, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face. He slowly shook his head and said, "We don't know yet whether Yu Ling will agree or not. It's too early for us to say these things."
He naturally understood that this was almost the best option under the current circumstances.
Entrusting his daughter to a Nascent Soul cultivator was tantamount to finding an unshakeable backer for her and the Star Palace, allowing them to rest easy from then on.
Moreover, with Lu Jianghe's cultivation level, demeanor, and style, he is more than a match for my daughter.
But after all, they were blood relatives, and he was reluctant to force the issue. If his daughter, Ling Yuling, did not have this intention, he, Ling Xiaofeng, was unwilling to pressure her or force a marriage.
Upon hearing this, Wen Qing's lips curved slightly, revealing a knowing smile: "Husband, you're probably overthinking it."
Ling Xiaofeng frowned slightly and asked, "What do you mean by that, Madam?"
Wen Qing's smile deepened, tinged with a mischievousness: "If I told you, my husband might not believe me. Why don't we call Ling'er here? My husband can ask her himself. Actually, it seems that Ling'er has been quite attentive to that Mr. Lu for some time now."
"pay attention to?"
Ling Xiaofeng didn't react for a moment, "What aspect should I be aware of?"
Wen Qingfeng glanced at him with a smile in her phoenix eyes, lowered her voice, and said with an understanding that knew her daughter's thoughts: "What do you think?"
Between men and women, what other aspects should they pay attention to?
Ling Xiaofeng's expression changed slightly in an instant, his eyes showing surprise, and he immediately spoke a sentence in his mind.
Soon, a streak of light flew to the courtyard of the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain and revealed its form.
Ling Yuling quickly scanned her surroundings but did not see Lu Jianghe. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she asked with a hint of barely perceptible disappointment.
"Leaving so soon?"
Upon hearing her daughter's first words, Wen Qing's lips curled up slightly, and a knowing smile flashed in her eyes.
She didn't answer her daughter directly, but instead turned her head and gave Ling Xiaofeng a meaningful look, "Did you see that?"
The first thing they ask is if I'm there.
Ling Xiaofeng received the look in his wife's eyes, but his face remained expressionless; in his heart, he was already somewhat convinced.
However, he still felt that his daughter might have asked the question out of respect or curiosity for the senior cultivator, so he returned her gaze.
Asking where they went is only natural, and it doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with them.
Seeing this, Wen Qing let out a barely audible hum, her smile deepening, tinged with a mischievousness.
Do not believe?
Then you can ask him yourself.
Seeing her parents exchange glances and remain silent, creating a somewhat subtle atmosphere, Ling Yuling felt even more puzzled.
She composed herself and pressed on, "Father, Mother, what brings Senior Lu here this time?"
Wen Qing smiled gently and spoke affectionately, "Ling'er, come, sit down first. Your father has some questions for you."
Although Ling Yuling didn't understand why, she obediently sat down as instructed, her bright eyes looking at her father with a questioning gaze.
Ling Xiaofeng cleared his throat, trying to make his tone sound natural and casual, and asked, "Ling'er, what's your opinion of that Mr. Lu?"
Ling Yuling blurted out almost without thinking: "Very strong, unfathomable, with a unique temperament, unlike anything I've ever seen in my life. I've also heard that he's a sword cultivator. If I could witness his swordplay in person—"
A longing gleamed in her eyes, and her voice held a hint of anticipation, "That would be wonderful."
Upon hearing this, Wen Qing relaxed slightly.
In that instant, the chest that was originally held tightly by the luxurious palace dress revealed an extremely full and alluring curve.
She was all too familiar with that expression when she spoke.
It seems that as long as that man surnamed Lu agrees, there won't be any problems with my daughter.
Previously, I thought the other party was "too old," but now that the other party has broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, that age difference really doesn't matter anymore.
Now, instead of worrying, they have to worry about whether the other party would even be interested in their daughter.
Yu Ling is a girl whose appearance combines the best features of both her parents. Although she is stunning, she is the kind of girl whose beauty grows on you the more you look at her, and her temperament is even more refined and elegant.
Ling Xiaofeng already had the answer in his heart, and then asked another question, his tone tentative.
"Ling'er, have you had your eye on anyone lately?"
Ling Yuling's reaction was even stronger than before. She almost immediately shook her head and waved her hands, with a hint of coquettishness and dissatisfaction: "Father! Didn't you promise me before that you and Mother wouldn't interfere in these matters anymore? Why are you asking again now? This goes against our previous agreement!"
Ling Xiaofeng chuckled and reassured him, "Father isn't going to break his promise, nor did he say he was going to force you. I was just asking casually, showing concern. If you have it, you have it; if you don't, you don't. What, you've grown too big for your britches?"
Ling Yuling rolled her eyes at her father playfully and said firmly, "Of course not!"
Ling Xiaofeng's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly. He suppressed his emotions and said in a deep voice, "If I were to forcibly assign you a Daoist partner, what would you think?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuling's expression changed drastically. She subconsciously turned to look at her mother, Wen Qing, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading.
Seeing this, Wen Qing simply smiled calmly and shook her head gently, indicating that she could not help.
Ling Yuling withdrew her gaze, her expression returning to calm, but her voice carried an undeniable coldness: "If Father were to truly act in this way, I would absolutely not agree! Of course, what Father said just now was likely just a joke, right?"
Ling Xiaofeng remained silent, simply staring intently at her.
Ling Yuling's heart sank suddenly.
Her first thought was, "Could it be that the Star Palace's current situation has become so difficult?"
However, the forces of the Reverse Star Alliance outside did not seem to make any moves and maintained a calm on the surface. What exactly happened?
Her mind raced. If her father and mother were determined, and if her mother had spoken up to dissuade them earlier, there might still be room for negotiation.
But since her mother remained silent, the truth behind this matter was probably far more complicated and difficult than she had imagined.
Although she was extremely unwilling, if the Star Palace had truly reached the point where it needed to sacrifice her to gain a powerful backer—
Faced with the pressure on her parents and the heavy responsibility of ensuring the survival of the Star Palace, even with her stubborn nature, she would probably have no choice but to agree.
Seeing his daughter Ling Yuling's hesitant and cautious expression, Ling Xiaofeng couldn't help but nod slightly, looking pleased.
Being able to put aside personal feelings and prioritize the overall situation of the Star Palace in the Chaotic Star Sea shows that this leader has indeed developed the mindset and responsibility of a ruler, which is truly commendable. It seems that he is still growing.
Wen Qing advised from the side, "Alright, alright, stop teasing this girl. If you have something to say, just say it to her directly. You're making her act all self-satisfied. As her mother, it hurts to see her carrying so much at such a young age."
Ling Xiaofeng gave a soft "hmm," cleared his throat, and looked solemnly at Ling Yuling.
"Yu Ling, this is not a joke, nor is it a test. It is a proposal concerning the future of the Star Palace. Of course, whether you agree or not is entirely up to you. Your parents will never force or pressure you. Now that I am telling you this, you don't need to rush to answer. You can think about it slowly and consider it carefully."
Hearing this, Ling Yuling's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she breathed a sigh of relief: "It depends on the situation, I will consider it carefully."
Ling Xiaofeng and Wen Qing exchanged a glance.
He slowly spoke, "Yu Ling, that Fellow Daoist Lu has already attained the Nascent Soul Realm, the undisputed pinnacle of this world. Your mother and I have only four or five hundred years left to live. Our path forward is blocked, and confining ourselves to the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain is not a long-term solution. The future of the Star Palace requires a powerful ally. After much consideration, your mother and I wish to offer the entire Star Palace as a dowry, hoping that you can become Fellow Daoist Lu's Daoist partner."
After hearing her parents' words, Ling Yuling's cherry lips parted slightly, and her cheeks instantly flushed red.
"No—no—"
She instinctively waved her hand in denial, her voice barely audible, as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Looking at her expression, Wen Qing chuckled knowingly, "Hehe, you disagree? No problem. This matter is only known to the three of us. Since Ling'er is unwilling, then let it be."
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuling panicked even more, shaking her head hurriedly, her head lowered, so ashamed that she almost buried it in her chest, her voice becoming increasingly weak: "Mother, I didn't mean that—it's just—it's just—"
She took a deep breath and mustered the courage to squeeze out a few words, "I just never expected it to be like this..."
Ling Xiaofeng watched from the sidelines, speechless.
He had assumed his daughter would firmly refuse, but her reaction was clearly one of overwhelming joy, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Look at that blushing face and helpless expression, it's not that she's unwilling at all.
It was clearly a shyness and helplessness stemming from feelings that had been hidden for a long time being suddenly revealed. It seems there are no problems with the daughter's side.
Now it all depends on whether Fellow Daoist Lu is willing to agree to this "dowry" that is enough to shake the entire Chaotic Star Sea, a star palace foundation that will last for ten thousand years.
He pondered in his heart: that scoundrel Liu Dao Ji Sheng had coveted the position of overlord of the Chaotic Star Sea and the vast resources accumulated by the Star Palace for many years.
The profound heritage of the Star Palace, accumulated over millennia, may not be indispensable for a Nascent Soul cultivator, but it can still provide considerable assistance in certain aspects.
Moreover, what the couple sought was not to bind each other to this.
If he agrees, even if it's just as a figurehead, or even—if he can have an heir, that would be the icing on the cake.
The path of cultivation is about cultivating one's own Great Dao and seeking ascension and transcendence.
But if the road ahead is blocked, we must consider the future and plan for the continuation of the tradition.
Throughout the ages, which of the immortal cultivation families that have been able to continue to grow and become deeply rooted has not been well-versed in this principle?
The so-called distinction between good and evil, and between different lineages, are nothing more than a struggle for interests and inheritance, stripped of their glamorous exteriors.
In some people's eyes, isn't the constellation a complex mix of good and evil?
A bitter feeling and helplessness welled up in Ling Xiaofeng's heart.
He and Wen Qing were not unaware of the deep-seated problems plaguing the Star Palace, but it was simply too big to be turned around.
Many outdated customs and deeply entrenched forces have long been like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone.
Even as late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, they often feel powerless despite their good intentions.
Are they interested in reform?
It's easier said than done.
First, if one's lifespan is nearing its end and energy is waning, forcing things to continue could lead to drastic changes and backfire.
Secondly, the Star Palace is a foundation built over millennia, and a single hair on it can affect the whole situation.
It's not that they don't want to solve it, but rather that they simply don't have enough time or a reliable solution.
(P.S.: I have a second-degree burn on my right hand. I'm speechless.)
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