“Here to win you over.”

Hearing this, Qin Ruqing rolled her eyes.

The polite director asked, “May I come in?”

Qin Ruqing scoffed, “How do you plan to come in?”

“Just make a hole in the roof and come through.” The director replied calmly.

You’re quite confident.

Qin Ruqing thought to herself, not bothering to ask why he didn’t use the front door. It’s pointless to reason with someone so odd.

After a long silence, the director, now a bit impatient, asked, “Can I?”

“No!” Qin Ruqing refused decisively.

She got up, changed into a dress with a spell, and opened the door to leave.

Looking up, she saw Fifth Lingyu standing on the roof with his hands behind his back.

Hearing the noise, he looked in her direction, catching her gaze.

Seeing Qin Ruqing, he smiled, waved his sleeve as if greeting her.

The golden embroidery on his sleeve shimmered under the moonlight.

So showy.

Qin Ruqing thought, though her face remained neutral.

Her first words were, “Come down!”

The two short, firm words showed her strong attitude.

Qin Ruqing didn’t like people talking to her from that angle.

If he had come during the day and used the front door, she might have put on a friendly face.

But coming late at night and using the roof instead of the door seemed too personal.

So, she had no reason to be polite.

Like a cat landing softly, Fifth Lingyu was already close by as soon as she finished speaking.

Shaking his sleeve, he smiled, “Why are you angry?”

Qin Ruqing’s expression was just like that—bright and alluring when she smiled, but cold and distant when she didn’t.

“I’m not angry, just annoyed. Annoyed that you disturbed my good dream.” Qin Ruqing said as she walked away.

This was clearly not a good place for a conversation.

Fifth Lingyu responded with a mock apology, “Sorry about that.” If only his teasing smile was a bit less convincing.

He moved quickly and caught up with Qin Ruqing.

They walked side by side to the pavilion in the middle of the lake where they had talked before.

At night, the lake reflected the moon and was surrounded by a light mist, creating a different view.

Qin Ruqing, captivated by the moon’s reflection, stopped and stared at it for a while.

Suddenly, she combined her fingers and cast a spell to create a burst of fire.

The moon’s reflection in the water shattered immediately.

Behind her came a sound of derision, “Such an unappreciative little girl. By the time you finish, the moon’s reflection will restore itself.”

Qin Ruqing glanced at him and said, “I like it this way.”

She looked back at the lake and added, “Who said the moon’s reflection will restore itself?”

With a light touch, a white light flew out, and something made a sound as it fell into the lake.

Fifth Lingyu looked over to see a lotus-shaped lamp.

As the water calmed, the lamp, glowing like a halo, completely covered the moon.

Now there was no reflection of the moon.

Fifth Lingyu smiled for some reason, “A prototype of a divine artifact? It’s a pity it’s not quite ready yet.

Qin Ruqing frowned and turned to interrupt him, “You didn’t come here tonight just to admire the moon with me, did you?”

Sensing the underlying protective tone in her words, Fifth Lingyu gazed at her quietly for a moment before replying, “I came to ask how you’ve considered the matter we discussed before.”

Qin Ruqing played dumb, “What matter?”

“Starting to play dumb again? Of course, it’s about coming to study at my Penglai Celestial Island.”

Qin Ruqing paused for a moment, then looked up with a hint of a smirk and asked, “Who’s really avoiding the issue here?”

Her words, though soft, seemed to carry an edge.

Fifth Lingyu’s eyes flickered, noticing that the subtle mockery in her gaze had vanished, leaving only a sense of normalcy.

Qin Ruqing’s expression brightened as she continued, “It’s an honor to be valued by the Fifth Family and the Director. However, I’m aware of my own limitations. If the Director doesn’t clarify what exactly the Fifth Family wants me to do, I might end up causing more harm than good.”

They kept mentioning drawing her in but only talked about the benefits without specifying any demands, which made it seem like there was a dangerous unknown ahead.

One wrong step could lead to serious mistakes.

These upper-tier families often liked to speak in half-truths.

It was understandable if some things were inconvenient to say, but the constant vagueness was unnecessary and frustrating.

Qin Ruqing was impatient with their roundabout answers.

If she didn’t hear any substantial information tonight, she decided she would leave first thing in the morning.

She could find her own way to further her studies.

She had never relied on others for this, so it wasn’t a big deal.

This time, Fifth Lingyu finally sensed her underlying frustration behind the smile.

It was both intriguing and somewhat understandable.

After all, he had been drawing her in without revealing what exactly he wanted her to do.

Given Qin Ruqing’s personality, it was natural for her to become cautious, defensive, and even sarcastic.

Fifth Lingyu smiled and finally spoke clearly.

“Do you know about the Immortal Tomb?”

Immortal Tomb?

Qin Ruqing’s eyes shifted.

Previously, in the Soul Cave, a wailing resentful soul wanted to make a deal with her, asking her to go to the Immortal Tomb to pass on a message to the Feng Family’s ancestor, Feng Fuyao.

However, the soul mark he left behind had been erased by Director Feng in the end.

Qin Ruqing was too lazy to make a trip for him, as it might lead to serious trouble.

After visiting the Heart Soul Cave, Qin Ruqing obtained a soul source stone the size of a fist.

After absorbing it, her soul power increased.

She thought she had understood everything, but then she heard the term “Immortal Tomb” again.

She immediately realized that there might be something very significant about this place.

Qin Ruqing calmly responded, “I know. The Immortal Tomb is a burial site for powerful beings in the Void Realm.”

“Do you know that not everyone can enter the Immortal Tomb?”

The Immortal Tomb has selection criteria?

Qin Ruqing nodded and honestly replied, “The powerful vengeful spirit in the Heart Soul Cave told me that I’m the most likely to enter the Immortal Tomb.”

To get more information, she had to tell the truth in some areas.

There are channels to learn about the performance of the Hundred Clans Conference contestants, and at least the four directors knew, which is why Feng Qinxue later came to specifically erase the marks on her soul source stone.

Qin Ruqing was quite sure that this person also knew about it.

The questions asked earlier were likely a way to test her.

As expected, Fifth Lingyu lightly clapped his hands, sounding like a response or a compliment: “With your top-tier immortal talent, if you still can’t enter the Immortal Tomb, then there would be very few people in this world who could.”

Qin Ruqing made a listening gesture.

“The Immortal Tomb has always been in a semi-sealed state, and we want to open the Immortal Tomb… or let more people enter it.”

This “more people” naturally referred to those who could enter the Void Realm but couldn’t get into the Immortal Tomb.

Qin Ruqing nodded, with a hint of curiosity, and asked casually, “Why do so many people need to enter the Immortal Tomb? What are the benefits of entering the Immortal Tomb?”

“Can’t you figure it out?” Fifth Lingyu glanced at her with a knowing smile.

Hmph. Qin Ruqing tugged at her mouth and looked ahead, saying, “Probably for opportunities and legacies. Since it’s a burial site for powerful beings, the chances of obtaining legacies are higher than other places.”

“So, the reason we Celestial Family are trying to win you over is to get the legacy. There’s a legacy we want deep in the tomb, but to explore the depths, we need someone like you, with top-tier talent, to help us open the seal.”

Qin Ruqing smiled, nodded, and exaggeratedly said, “Didn’t expect I’m so valuable.”

“By the way, Director, you mentioned taking me to a place before in Xiling. Was it the Immortal Tomb or the Sixth Domain?”

Fifth Lingyu raised an eyebrow, “You even know about the Sixth Domain?”

“Got it from the South Ridge Director,” Qin Ruqing said, being straightforward.

“Fifth Ziyan.” Fifth Lingyu read out the name of the South Ridge Director and sneered, “That fool, it’s not surprising you tricked him.”

“So, what’s the answer?”

“The answer is, it could represent either the Sixth Domain or the Immortal Tomb,” Fifth Lingyu stepped closer, his lips curling into a somewhat sinister smile. “Do you know that your promise back then carried a rule mark?”

“You represent my Fifth Immortal Family, and by extension, me, Fifth Lingyu. If you break that promise, you will face unimaginable punishment.”

He spoke as if it were a cruel joke, but it left an unsettling feeling.

Qin Ruqing maintained a neutral expression, even smiling as she replied lightly, “So, the Director has been laying the groundwork since then.”

Qin Ruqing started referring to him as the Director again.

Fifth Lingyu straightened up, his expression calm, “It’s not so much laying groundwork as it is keeping a close watch on a promising candidate like you.”

“And what benefits does the Director gain from this? I’m a bit curious.”

Fifth Lingyu adjusted his sleeves and placed his hands behind his back.

His broad shoulders and tall posture suited the flowing robe he wore.

“The benefit I get… is that with your promise, if you obtain any inheritance from the Immortal Tomb or the Sixth Domain, I’ll get a share of it in the future.”

Qin Ruqing laughed, “So it means I’m working for the Director?”

“Well, it’s not quite that,” Fifth Lingyu said, “The inheritance is something you’ll earn yourself; I’m just getting a share of it.”

“Just a share,” she repeated, “It sounds light, but it feels like being manipulated into working for someone else and getting only half of the wages. The boss then says, ‘I’ve given you your wages, so you’re not losing out.’”

Qin Ruqing stopped laughing, “With the Director being so straightforward, aren’t you afraid I might be upset and decide not to cooperate with you or the Fifth Family anymore? With tonight’s conversation, it’s quite possible I might switch my allegiance to the Feng Family.”

Fifth Lingyu, however, was confident, “You’re extremely upset with the Feng Family for protecting the Fang family. How would you want to switch to the Feng Family?”

“And the Feng Family already has a celestial prodigy.” Implying, you’re the valuable one in my Fifth Family.

Qin Ruqing replied, “What if the Director can see that I’m really angry with you right now? I’m even considering having a confrontation and tearing our relationship apart.”

Fifth Lingyu laughed heartily, “I can see that, but I know you value your own life even more!”

“With the rule mark and the gap in strength, you won’t make a move.”

Qin Ruqing rolled her eyes, “Why does the Director need to be so clear? After tonight, the Director’s good impression in my eyes is completely gone.”

“Did I ever have a good impression in your eyes?” Fifth Lingyu seemed surprised, his smile still intact. “And wasn’t it you who wanted to ask questions in the first place?”

“Do you want to know the truth? You were angry that I kept things from you, and now that I’ve told the truth, you’re not happy.”

“Looks like the truth is always unpleasant.” Qin Ruqing smirked slightly, looking at the glowing lotus lamp on the lake. “So, the benefits. Since the Director knows me so well, you must know this is what I care about most.”

A gentle evening breeze brushed Qin Ruqing’s hair, and the air subtly carried the fragrance of lotus flowers.

The moonlight made her dark hair flow in a soft curve, clear and shimmering.

Fifth Lingyu watched curiously, feeling an odd sensation for a moment, as if he wanted to reach out.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the lotus lamp flickering and seemingly moving closer.

Such caution.

Fifth Lingyu smiled and put his hand down. He looked ahead and said calmly:

“The benefits are as follows: First, the Fifth Family will protect the Qin Family in the coming days.”

“I know you made a big fuss recently to bring the Qin and Fang families’ issues to the public, hoping to intimidate the Fang family. But the Fang family has golden-tier strength and backing. If they really want to go all out, you might have no way to handle it.”

“I’m sure you’re worried about this. With my promise, the Qin family will be safe, and you can focus on your own matters.”

“Second, advanced training for immortal-level talent. The Fifth Family will treat you as a direct descendant and provide top-tier training based on your immortal talent. With five years left before you enter the Void Realm, your strength will advance rapidly, and you’ll become a true immortal seed.”

“Third, you will learn about the advancement of the Dao Physique. That’s definitely something you’re very interested in at your current stage.”

After Fifth Lingyu finished speaking, the pavilion fell silent for a while, only the distant sound of cicadas from the shore was heard.

Qin Ruqing turned her head and looked at Fifth Lingyu with a curious and amazed expression.

“Director, you really understand me well~” Her words touched her heart and were impossible to refuse.

Her eyes were so bright that Fifth Lingyu was momentarily stunned.

Then he started laughing heartily.

Qin Ruqing ignored the laughter and turned her attention back to the lake, seemingly asking an unrelated question:

“How much divine silk did I take from the small floating space?”

“A thousand strands.” Qin Ruqing’s change of topic was quick, and Fifth Lingyu responded just as quickly.

“One thousand strands from the small floating space, and one thousand strands as the first-place reward. Now I have two thousand strands of divine silk. Can I use them now?”

“You can use them, but I’d recommend waiting until after you leave the Void Realm. Doesn’t your family have a Golden Core ancestor? It might be better for her to use them.”

Qin Ruqing continued asking:

“Does the Fifth Family have any spiritual medicine that can enhance the talent of young people? For those who are already past the spirit cultivation stage and close to foundation establishment.”

Fifth Lingyu looked at her with surprise but nodded: “Yes.”

Qin Ruqing then turned to him, her gaze calm but sharp:

“I want you to give me another thousand strands of divine silk, a Yuan Ying fruit, and a type of spiritual medicine that can enhance talent.”

This was quite a big request, but Fifth Lingyu thought for a moment and said, “Alright.” He didn’t ask why.

How generous, but it seems like she still asked for too little.

Qin Ruqing’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

Those who negotiate know that if you name a number and the other party agrees immediately, it means you’ve asked for too little and they’ll make a profit.

Unfortunately, she didn’t want to haggle further.

Qin Ruqing cast a spell to pick up the lotus lamp, turned, and left quickly, seemingly not wanting to stay another second.

Seeing the lotus lamp, Fifth Lingyu’s smile finally faded.

He reached out to stop her.

Still smiling, he said, “You’ve asked all you wanted to know, gotten what you needed, and are just leaving?”

Qin Ruqing’s expression finally changed.

She mimicked Fifth Lingyu’s smile, showing a sly grin.

She even gave him an eye roll.

“Otherwise, what?”

So be it!

For someone who could outwit her like this, if she ended up with only a single strand of hair left, she’d consider it a loss!

Fifth Lingyu saw in her eyes the same wild ambition from when she was in the Xiling Hall, fearless and wild like a beast.

For some reason, this made him excited, and he even wanted to study where that spirit came from.

But Qin Ruqing, holding the lotus lamp, turned and left directly, avoiding even the slight detour of the pavilion.

She lightly touched the lake’s surface, her skirt fluttering, and quickly disappeared.

As they say:

“Wave your sleeve, not taking a single cloud; take the benefits and leave, resolutely not giving another glance.”