Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 57 – Temple Fair Invitation

From the second day after the grand ceremony ended, various forces within the two towns began to visit one after another.

The Yang Clan's grand ceremony was quite magnificent this time, and they had received the news early on.

Usually, there wasn't much reason to interact with the Yang Clan, so they took this opportunity to pay a visit.

Mortal families who came to pay their respects were received by the Yang Clan at the foot of the mountain.

If any cultivators arrived, Zhao Qi and Liang Yi would escort them up Misty Mountain.

Yang Lingqing issued an order as the head of the family: guests should be treated with full courtesy and not be neglected.

However, regardless of the reasons, any items brought by these families were not accepted.

Back when the Yang Clan was struggling and suffering in Willow Leaf Town, no one came to help. Now that they've established themselves, do they think they can just come with a smile and some gifts to forge connections?

There's no such easy thing in the world.

The Yang Clan really doesn't need those trifling gifts now.

With this approach, these people understood and calmed down after two or three days of excitement.

Knowing that the Yang Clan needed to deal with these people, Gao Hui didn't visit until the fourth day after the grand ceremony ended.

He came to deliver the Spirit Crystals awarded by the Dynasty for the month and also brought important news.

The "Golden Scale Conference," held by Moonwatch City and occurring once every ten years, would begin in half a year.

This time, the Pine Mountain Yang Clan was also on the invitation list.

Upon hearing this news, everyone in the Yang Clan was overjoyed.

A golden scale is not an ordinary thing; once it encounters the wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon!

The Golden Scale Conference is a grand event hosted by the city lord of Moonwatch City, gathering outstanding young cultivators under its jurisdiction for exchange. Only invited families and individuals can participate.

Previously, the Yang Clan was too weak and had no one to recommend them, so they were never invited to participate.

"We are truly grateful for Town Chief Gao's recommendation."

Everyone in the Yang Clan thought that the invitation this time was due to Gao Hui's recommendation.

But unexpectedly, as soon as these words were spoken, Gao Hui waved his hand repeatedly.

"You misunderstand. The Golden Scale Conference is personally hosted by the city lord. All the prominent forces under Moonwatch's jurisdiction participate. With my status, I am not qualified to recommend anyone."

Upon hearing this, Yang Lingqing was puzzled: "If it's not Town Chief Gao, then who would recommend our family?"

Besides her, several others in the Yang Clan were also confused.

"It was the Li Clan of Nanshan who recommended you. It's said that the second young master of the Li Clan strongly advocated for the Yang Clan, which secured the spot."

"The Li Clan!"

Upon hearing these words, Elder Yu, Yang Lingqing, and Yang Linghu all simultaneously turned their gaze to Yang Lingrui.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yang Lingrui said, feeling a bit awkward under their gaze.

Gao Hui, seeing this, was also curious: "I was wondering how you managed to connect with the Li Clan. Could it be related to Lingrui?"

"It is! It definitely is!"

Yang Linghu then recounted how Yang Lingrui, after meeting Li Cheng at Fengling, learned of the Li Clan's intention to form a marriage alliance.

Upon hearing this, Gao Hui immediately sat up straight, turned to Yang Lingrui, and showed an expression of admiration.

"So, such a thing happened during the Fengling trip. Lingrui, to have caught the eye of the Li Clan's second young master, is remarkable! Although he has a wide network, I know that there aren't many people he truly values."

Gao Hui continued, "This is a good thing. Whether or not it comes to fruition, it's beneficial for your family."

Knowing that such a significant matter required internal discussion and preparation within the Yang Clan, Gao Hui didn't stay long and took his leave.

After Gao Hui left, Yang Lingrui also breathed a sigh of relief.

Whether it was cultivation or fighting enemies, he could handle it, but when it came to matters of romance, he was clueless and had no interest.

"Elder Yu, Sister Qing, Brother Hu, don't you think there's something fishy about this?" Yang Lingrui said.

Back in Fengling, he and Zhao Qi had suspected the Li Clan's motives, thinking it wouldn't be that simple.

"Of course there's something fishy. The Li Clan's second young master must have some agenda involving us. If it's just you, that wouldn't be enough. You and Zhao Qi are right; there must be something within the Li Clan that we don't know about."

Yang Lingqing said, "However, weighing the options, the conference is beneficial for the future development of the Yang Clan. It's a rare opportunity and worth attending."

The Yang Clan is now undoubtedly the top force between the two towns.

But just like before, their development in Willow Leaf Town was limited.

Being the top force means that the Yang Clan's development scale in this area is nearing saturation.

In the past year, they've acquired all the resources they could take over. Now it's time to digest these resources and recuperate.

If they want to achieve more, they would have to resort to oppressive and unscrupulous means.

Such lowly tactics lack vision and foresight, and Yang Lingqing disdains using them.

Therefore, for the Yang Clan to seek greater development space in the future, they need to broaden their horizons, not limiting themselves to the two towns, but looking towards higher levels.

Above the eight towns is naturally Moonwatch City.

Yang Lingqing had been contemplating this since she took charge of the family, but after much thought, the Yang Clan had no channels to reach Moonwatch City.

But now it's different.

The Golden Scale Conference!

All the prominent forces under Moonwatch's jurisdiction will participate, including true disciples from prominent families.

This is an excellent opportunity for the Yang Clan!

"Lingqing is right. Regardless of the marriage alliance, the conference alone is of great significance to our family," Elder Yu nodded.

Yang Linghu agreed but soon realized a problem and said, "It's fine if Lingrui goes, but Moonwatch City is not like the two towns. There are Core Formation cultivators there. When the time comes, Lingrui's cultivation level will be exposed. What should we do then?"

Elder Yu and Yang Lingrui nodded in agreement, pondering the issue.

Elder Yu's concealment techniques are advanced, but with his current level, he can only deceive cultivators at the Perfected Qi Condensation stage. If he encounters a Core Formation cultivator, the truth will be revealed at a glance.

Three years to break through to the Qi Condensation Third Layer could be explained with the help of Spirit Liquid.

But now, after just over a year, there's another breakthrough, from Early Qi Condensation to the mid-stage. Anyone would find it suspicious.

How to resolve this?

Seeing the three deep in thought, Yang Lingqing smiled reassuringly.

"No need to worry about this. Since I've agreed to this, I've naturally thought of a solution."

"As expected of Lingqing, tell us what you have in mind," Yang Linghu said expectantly.

Yang Lingqing cleared her throat and began to explain her plan.

"First, the Strange Stone Lingrui obtained during his treasure hunt in the Ancient Tomb is unknown to others. We'll say it's a treasure with the ability to gather spiritual energy."

"Second, others don't know we have a complete talisman inheritance. We'll say Elder Yu had early contact with talismans in the sect and luckily learned some basic talisman-making methods from fragments. Conveniently, the Immortal Lord crafted many talismans for the family, and we'll select some to sell at the marketplace next season, using the accumulated Spirit Crystals to buy pills that enhance Early Qi Condensation cultivation."

"Finally, before Lingrui leaves, under the Immortal Lord's supervision, he should deliberately disrupt his qi flow."

Yang Lingqing looked up and said, "In just over a year, with the help of the Strange Stone and Spirit Liquid, along with various pills, and given his outstanding talent, Lingrui forcefully breaks through to the Fourth Layer."

"It's just unfortunate that although he barely succeeded, he was too hasty, causing damage to his qi channels, resulting in a deficiency of qi and blood and unstable spiritual power."