Qin Ruqing spent seven days recording over a hundred jade slips for the Song family, and for the first time in her life, she felt the peculiar sensation of being “milked” for all she was worth.

She asked Elder Song if they really needed that many.

Elder Song San looked at her with an air of knowing, “We don’t release them all at once. Issuing one a month will accumulate great merit.”

So, it’s all about stockpiling.

The Song family would be able to use these over several years.

Qin Ruqing changed into countless outfits, each representing different regional styles: the graceful and ethereal of the South, the fiery and wild of the West, the noble and celestial of the East, and the… well, fur-lined outfits of the North?

Qin Ruqing had never been to the North, but seeing the fur-lined designs and considering the region’s climate, she guessed these were traditional Northern garments.

In addition to the varied outfits, the scenes were also diverse.

Some featured her holding a lotus with a charming smile, others showed her using a golden lotus to blow up an entire mountain, and there were even scenes of her flying on a sword with her robes fluttering (though this seemed odd since she wasn’t a sword cultivator).

Elder Song had a knack for this.

Even if he didn’t run a marketing account, he could have been a director in the modern world and likely made a big splash.

Once all the jade slips were recorded, and with the Song and Ming families ready, it was almost time to head to the North.

Though the Song and Ming families were traveling together, they weren’t the only ones in this large group.

The Qin family, represented by Qin Ruqing and her companions, was part of the group as agreed.

Additionally, there was the beautiful Ming Ying, who had earned a spot in the Void Realm through the Hundred Clans Conference.

It seemed that besides her, the Ming family had other quotas as well.

Another familiar face was the little “Pink Flower” Rui Fenhua… During the Hundred Clans Conference, she had snagged a spot in the Void Realm, making a huge impression just behind Qin Ruqing.

After the conference, her family, once considered minor, had gained significant fame, prompting many high-ranking families to inquire about their methods.

It was rumored that her luck wasn’t just due to any elixir or fortune-changing technique.

In a region like the East, where many families vied for prominence, the Rui family had risen to become a top power in Nanpingzhou.

This was why the Hundred Clans Conference attracted so many families—some would achieve great success through it.

Fenhua’s inclusion in the Song and Ming families’ group made sense because of her connection with Qin Ruqing.

She had no qualms about approaching Qin Ruqing directly, given her status as a family head.

She contacted Qin Ruqing and politely expressed her desire to join them in the North.

Qin Ruqing, who was deeply impressed by Fenhua’s luck and achievements (being someone who had truly surpassed her in luck category), readily agreed to her request.

“Who wouldn’t want to hug a little flower and enjoy some good fortune?”

So, a large ship, gathering the elite forces of top families, soared into the sky, heading across the East Sea toward the Northern Region.

The journey took about three or four days.

There were no major incidents along the way, but it was notable that the beautiful Ming Ying actually came to see them, specifically to see Tang Zifeng.

Ming Ying had waist-length hair and wore a long dress that trailed on the ground, radiating a cold and elegant beauty.

Her first words to Tang Zifeng were:

“Aunt asked me to take care of you. You can join our Ming family’s team in the Void Realm.”

At that time, Tang Zifeng was with Qin Ruqing and the others.

Tang Zifeng didn’t react much, but Qin Ruqing’s eyes immediately brightened, and she looked Ming Ying up and down several times.

When Ming Ying mentioned “aunt,” Qin Ruqing initially thought she was here to scold them.

But upon listening carefully, she realized it was something different.

Ming Ying and Master Ming Hua—could they be from the same family?

The world of top families was so small!

Indeed, Tang Zifeng seemed unsurprised and clearly knew about her master’s family background.

he nodded politely and declined:

“Thank you for master’s kind offer. However, going to the Void Realm is meant for training. If we were to rely on the Ming family’s protection, it would defeat the purpose of the training.”

Ming Ying had expected this answer.

She had already seen at the Hundred Clans Conference that Tang Zifeng was close to the top-ranking figure and was obviously not willing to join their Ming family’s team.

Elders wanted to recruit him, praising his rare talent in weapon refinement and his connection to Master Ming Hua, hoping to strengthen ties between the master and the family.

They didn’t come themselves and sent Ming Ying as the intermediary, which was frustrating.

Ming Ying was reluctant, not only because she expected rejection but also because of Qin Ruqing.

She felt a bit awkward about Qin Ruqing, who had taken the title of the top female immortal from her.

With a mix of competitive jealousy, admiration, and involuntary attraction, Ming Ying’s demeanor became even more aloof.

While Ming Ying was about to leave, Qin Ruqing called out to her, saying warmly, “Miss Ming Ying! Since we’re all bored on the ship, why don’t you join us? We have a big group!”

Her eyes sparkled with sincerity and enthusiasm.

Ming Ying, almost by instinct, took a seat.

Qin Ruqing moved closer, sitting next to Ming Ying, and asked, “Miss Ming Ying, are you related to Master Ming Hua? I remember the Ming family doesn’t focus on weapon refinement, so how did you produce a master in this field?”

Ming Ying stiffened slightly at Qin Ruqing’s closeness.

She maintained her perfect posture, cast a slightly disdainful glance at Qin Ruqing, and replied:

“Your Qin family doesn’t focus on alchemy, yet you have such a master of law cultivation.”

This perfectly explained the situation in one sentence.

Qin Ruqing nodded and said, “Ah, yes, true geniuses often emerge unexpectedly and can’t be cultivated through practice alone.”

So, it’s possible for a family to specialize in one field, but their most famous talent might be unrelated to that field. Qin Ruqing’s comment about “true geniuses” also included herself, but it didn’t seem out of place at all.

If the top-ranked person in the Four Domains wasn’t a true genius, who would be?

During their time on the ship, Qin Ruqing often invited Ming Ying to chat.

Initially, Ming Ying would refuse two out of three times, but eventually, she started coming down without being asked.

When they arrived in the Northern Region, the temperature dropped significantly, and the ancient forest outside was topped with snow.

The first stop in the Northern Region was the Sword Sect.

As they neared it, Ming Ying’s cold demeanor returned as she prepared to rejoin the Ming family’s group.

Before parting ways with Qin Ruqing, Ming Ying hesitated for a moment before saying, “Be careful of Fang Zhejun in the Void Realm. She is the true powerhouse of the Fang family!”

Ming Ying stared at Qin Ruqing’s face, hoping to gauge her reaction.

Qin Ruqing’s response seemed underwhelming.

She replied, “Fang Zhejun? I don’t know her. If she’s from the Fang family, I’ll definitely take her seriously.” Seeing Ming Ying’s dissatisfaction with her response, Qin Ruqing added, “Oh, what kind of person is she? Could you tell me more?”

Ming Ying wasn’t sure if Qin Ruqing was taking her seriously and felt awkward about the conversations they’d had.

She simply said, “Just remember, she’s a typical Eastern Domain female immortal and very formidable. Don’t underestimate her.”

After Ming Ying left, Qin Ruqing asked the local Fenhua, “What does a typical Eastern Domain female immortal look like? Can you explain?”

Fenhua hesitated before responding, “Well, you know, in the Eastern Domain, the hierarchy is very clear. Female immortals here are generally very ambitious and assertive.”

Although Fenhua’s explanation was vague, Qin Ruqing understood.

The Eastern Domain emphasizes a strict hierarchy, and as she had seen, Fenhua had kept her distance from Ming Ying.

Thus, Fang Zhejun, as a top-tier female immortal from a Golden Grade family, was likely very proud and even disdainful of her peers.

She was extremely confident, enjoyed recognition, and fiercely defended her family’s honor—qualities that made her a formidable rival.

Qin Ruqing was certain Fang Zhejun would be her second major opponent in the Void Realm.

As for the first major opponent, Qin Ruqing had someone in mind but chose not to mention them for now.

---

The scene then shifts to the Penglai Star Cloud Clan, where the hidden family, the Lu family’s forces were preparing to head to the Northern Ruins.

The Lu family elder was giving final instructions to Lu Zhiyao, the most promising top genius of their generation.

“A while ago, the Fang family sent us a letter saying that if you encounter a Qin from outside named Ruqing in the Void Realm, you should kill her.”

Lu Zhiyao remained indifferent and unperturbed: “The Fang family is just an affiliated family of ours. They have no right to give me orders.”

However, the Lu family elder shook his head: “It’s not about the Fang family. Qin Ruqing is a top-tier talent like you, and she’s been recruited by the Fifth Family.

This trip to the Void Realm will help the Fifth Family break the seal.

Since you both seek the same inheritance, having her as a competitor will just add to your challenges.”

Lu Zhiyao furrowed her brows momentarily but then relaxed, her expression returning to indifference as she insisted: “Feng Mingyue is the real rival I need to worry about!”

The Lu family elder, seeing how stubborn she was, couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

Lu Zhiyao then added casually:

“But if I happen to meet that Qin Ruqing in the Void Realm, I won’t hold back!”

Meanwhile, the Fang family’s team had arrived at Sword Sect.

Fang Zejun had heard that the Cliff Wind Peak of Sword Sect was a treacherous place and the highest point in the Northern Region, difficult to traverse.

So, as soon as they arrived, she planned to conquer this highest peak.

Fang Zejun, with an air of wind and snow, had distinctive slanted eyes.

At this moment, her eyes were focused on a huge sword mark on the Cliff Wind Peak.

She had heard there was a divine sword on the peak, which had not been drawn for hundreds of years.

She intended to try pulling it out, but the sword was already gone.

With her eyes closed in thought, a name surfaced in her mind: Dan Qing.

The current eldest disciple of Sword Sect.

He didn’t enter the Void Realm but attended the Hundred Clans Conference, where he didn’t take first place.

The first place went to…

Fang Zejun jumped down from the peak.

At the base of the mountain, her disappointed younger brother was waiting, clearly impatient in the cold wind.

Upon seeing her, he complained: “The elder asked for you.”

Fang Zejun asked calmly, “Who was the Qin family person who took first place at the Hundred Clans Conference and surpassed Dan Qing?”

Fang Zhimin’s expression soured.

His voice became dry: “Her name is Qin Ruqing.”

Fang Zejun gave him a cold glance and moved forward: “You’re truly useless.”

Fang Zhimin’s face darkened with anger, “If you underestimate her, you’ll only end up being the one to suffer!”

Fang Zejun sneered and left him behind in the wind and snow, her voice carrying back:

“I never underestimate anyone.”

“But Qin Ruqing will be nothing more than a corpse under my sword!”

“What you couldn’t do, I, as your older sister, will demonstrate for you!”