After the hearing, the Celestial Bureau did not immediately pass judgment on the Fang family’s crimes, instead stating that further investigation was required.

The final decision would depend on evidence provided by both sides and the opinions of the observing families.

Only after all the procedures were completed and verified would the final verdict be announced to the public.

However, in the eyes of the people, the matter between the Qin and Fang families had already been resolved during the hearing.

The Song family’s teahouses and taverns played recordings of the hearing daily.

Although the initial frenzy had calmed, with crowds nearly tearing down the doors, the venues were still packed.

“Just as Fairy Ruqing summoned a fire cage…” The storyteller theatrically slapped his table, gesturing with his hands to form a sphere. “This fire cage held none other than the Fang family’s ancestor!”

“How could fire trap a person?”

“Right? That purple-gold flame looked no bigger than two fists put together!”

In sync with the illusionary projections displayed on jade screens, the audience murmured in curiosity.

The storyteller continued, “Ah, now you’ve asked the right question. Fairy Ruqing’s flame isn’t ordinary—it’s divine fire, specifically designed to capture souls. Any malevolent or corrupted soul that encounters this flame would immediately be obliterated!”

Qirong, chuckled from the audience. “Every time I hear these storytellers talk about my sister, I feel a bit weird. They’re recounting the facts, but it always sounds so strange.”

“It’s called artistic embellishment; you wouldn’t understand,” Qin Ruqing said with a smile, casually munching on sunflower seeds as she listened to her own story being narrated.

She seemed entirely at ease, occasionally chiming in with phrases like “Why’s that?” and “Oh, I see,” enjoying the performance.

Lu Wei watched for a while before reminding her, “Third Aunt woke up yesterday. Shouldn’t we be preparing to leave?”

Qin Ruqing straightened, popping the last of the peeled seeds that Tang Zifeng had prepared for her into her mouth. “The Celestial Bureau hasn’t announced the official results yet, but the truth is already clear. With the ancestor and Third Aunt recovered, it’s time for us to leave. We can’t stay at someone else’s place forever—it’s time to return home in glory.”

She emphasized the last four words, making everyone chuckle.

From making a name at the Hundred Clans Assembly, venturing into the Void Realm, contending with various prodigies for ancient Inheritance, to defeating a Transcending Stage Ancestor and vanquishing the Fang family, Qin Ruqing had cleared the old grievances of the Qin family one by one.

If that wasn’t a glorious return, then what was?

There was no moment more triumphant.

“It’s just a pity that there’s so much more fun stuff here in Eastern Region compared to Nanling… Once we go back, we won’t get to see each other as much,” Qin Ruqing lamented.

“We could take these jade slip recordings from the Song family back; I’m sure they’d be happy to provide a set,” Tang Zifeng suggested warmly.

In truth, he had already meticulously collected every jade slip related to Qin Ruqing, not needing any more from the Song family.

Qirong added, “If you want to visit, just come to Eastern Region. It’s only a bit far.” He grumbled, “Southern Region, especially our Nanling, seems to have the fewest teleportation arrays. It really is inconvenient.”

Qin Ruqing stood up, her smile enigmatic. “Which is why we need to find a solution…”

Three days later, the Celestial Bureau formally announced the results of the hearing:

The previous demotion of the Eastern Region, Yinzhou Qin family was rescinded.

The Qin family was declared innocent of negligence during the Yinzhou battle, having been set up by the Yinzhou Fang family.

After extensively clearing the Qin family’s name, the statement detailed the crimes of the Fang family:

First Crime: In an ancient secret realm, the Fang family conspired to murder Yinzhou Qin’s patriarch, Qin Yingkun, along with several Qin elders.

Second Crime: Driven by personal vendettas, the Fang family manipulated the Yinzhou battle, causing catastrophic losses by falsely implicating another family, leading to the collapse of defensive lines.

Third Crime: They assaulted the Nanling Qin family’s Ancestor Qin Wenxuan and elder Qin Dexin, causing severe injuries.

For these crimes, the Fang family was stripped of its status and title, banned from ever regaining any recognized rank.

On the same day, Qin Ruqing, along with the recovering Ancestor Qin Wenxuan and their group, officially began their journey home.

…

Qin Deming was practically overwhelmed with emotion.

His daughter was coming home!

When Qin Ruxing attended the Hundred Clans Conference, Qin Deming and his wife still treated her as a child.

And somehow, that child grew up, achieved extraordinary success, and reached heights they never even dreamed of.

In recent days, countless people from within and outside the clan had congratulated him, flattered him, and sent him gifts.

They even secretly inquired about his parenting secrets?

How did they raise such a daughter?

Was she inherently extraordinary, like a reincarnated powerful being?

How did they nurture her?

How did they manage the parent-child relationship with such a talent?

Qin Deming was bewildered by these questions. These were questions he himself didn’t understand.

“Is my daughter really my daughter?”

When Qin Deming asked Luo Xian this question, Luo Xian slapped him in the face on the spot.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Luo Xian’s eyebrows were raised.

Qin Deming was stunned by the slap and, feeling aggrieved, said, “I know she’s our daughter. I’m just puzzled—how can she be our daughter?”

This logic was utterly nonsensical, but Luo Xian understood.

Indeed, how could ordinary people like them produce a child like Ruqing?

Luo Xian, as a mother, found it natural to seek an explanation for such matters.

“My child’s talent is something that can’t be cultivated; it must be a blessing from heaven. It’s the fortune from my previous life that allowed heaven to bestow Ruqing upon me. Those people’s questions are pointless.” Luo Xian raised one eyebrow, speaking with a sense of superiority and certainty.

Qin Deming completely agreed.

After a deep discussion about how Ruqing was born, they received the news that their daughter would soon return to the clan.

They couldn’t help but burst into tears of joy.

At last, she was coming back.

Without her return, all the honors and joy felt unreal, lacking a sense of reality.

Only seeing their daughter would make all the emotions feel complete.

The entire Qin family began to buzz with activity upon receiving this news.

The doors were wide open, incense was burning, new thresholds were being installed—everything was in preparation for a distinguished guest.

Various spies who were like nails at the Qin family’s door were puzzled.

What’s going on with the Qin family?

Aren’t they supposed to be keeping a low profile, closing their doors to guests?

Who are they preparing such a grand reception for?

Even when Celestial Bureau visited, such a scale of preparation would be rare.

Wait—why is the Qin family so enthusiastic?

The Celestial Bureau wouldn’t make a surprise visit, so it must be that the Qin family members themselves are returning!

Ruqing and the Qin Ancestor are coming back to the clan!

The spies, realizing this, quickly started sending the valuable, fresh news back to their clans.

---

Zhang Family of the South Ridge.

Hao Gou: “What? The little ancestor is coming back? Good, good, good! Should we visit now? Are you stupid? The Qin family is swamped with people wanting to meet them. We’ll just wait.”

After being coerced and enticed by Qin Ruqing, Hao Gou had never fully reconciled with his situation.

Though he never considered betraying Qin Ruqing, he occasionally thought about how things might have been different if he hadn’t been captured.

As the Qin family grew and expanded in a way that left people astonished, Hao Gou’s dissatisfaction was quickly buried.

He began to be grateful for his association with Qin Ruqing.

His gratitude stemmed from tangible benefits—Zhang family’s attitude towards him changed from suspicion to actively seeking him to become their Clan Leader.

Haha!

Now, even being labeled a “traitor” wasn’t an issue, and they no longer cared whether he married into their family.

Instead, the Zhang family was afraid he might fully ally with the Qin family and actively sought him to become their Clan Leader.

Now, this Zhang family Clan Leader, Hao Gou, had mentally and emotionally become Qin Ruqing’s servant (in his own opinion) and began sternly advising his subordinates:

“The Qin family is likely very busy these days. We should send our gifts first. We can wait to meet the young lady when she has time.”

The Zhang family members couldn’t help but criticize him internally, thinking he wasn’t even pretending anymore.

Still, they didn’t dare to show any dissatisfaction.

After all, he truly had connections with that person.

What connections?

The connection of poisoning and providing antidotes every month?

That’s still a connection!

---

Han Family of the South Ridge.

The Han family, lacking individuals like Hao Gou who had a “connection” with Qin Ruxing, and not having deep enmity with the Qin family, remained relatively calm.

“Though the Zhang family may appear to be surnamed Zhang, they have long been affiliated with the Qin family. And the Qin family, needless to say, is no longer on the same level as us. The three great families of the South Ridge had their own destinies. Our Han family just needs to continue to develop quietly,” said Han Yuwen, the Ancestor of the Han family.

---

Cheng Family of the South Ridge.

The Cheng family, who had early on allied themselves with the Qin family and become their subordinate clan, felt a distinct sense of calm and superiority.

It was as if they had taken the correct path in life long ago, leading them to look at others who were still scrambling to find connections with a sense of superiority.

Their sense of superiority was justified, as the Cheng family had received the news of the young lady’s return before others.

Cheng Yiming now held a first-class position as a venerator of the Qin family.

Typically, he assisted with divinations and calculations for the clan.

When there were no such needs, he worked under Clan Leader Qin Deming.

This was truly a great honor, not everyone could become close to the clan leader.

Cheng Yiming was treated specially by Qin Deming because he was Qin Ruqing’s first officially recognized subordinate.

Besides this, there was another clear advantage for the Cheng family.

A year ago, their family had officially become a prominent clan. Although they were a new clan in Nanling, and still had three major rivals, their connection with the Qin family gave them more prestige than even the Zhang and Han families.

At this moment, the clan leader Cheng Xian was discussing with the clan elders.

“Yiming has sent word that he will be staying with the Qin clan for a while. He also mentioned that the young lady and Qin ancestor will be returning home soon, and we should expect rewards and instructions. We need to keep our subordinates in check because the young lady might inspect the secret realm soon. We must avoid any mistakes that could embarrass the Cheng family.”

Cheng Xian paused and then emphasized the most important part of the message: “Yiming said if we don’t act cautiously and show enthusiasm, there will be plenty of people who want to take our position.”

---

Tang Family in Xiling.

“Clan leader, will Elder Zifeng also return with Qin Ruqing? If so, will he come to us?”

“How many people want to join the Qin family now? It’s good that Zifeng can go there. After all, he’s in charge of the Qin family’s weaponry—an important position.”

“Ah, but it’s different. If Zifeng returned to the Tang family, he could become the Young Clan Leader. Even if he went to the Weapon Refining Association, he would still be a grandmaster-level figure.” Doesn’t this sound better than being in charge of weaponry at the Tang family?

“You’re missing the point. The Qin family now has secure high-ranking positions, and with Qin Ruqing, they might reach even higher levels in the future. Zifeng’s future is bright there.”

The Tang clan leader listened to their conversation but shook his head internally.

The main point wasn’t what position Zifeng held.

With his talent in weapon refining, it was certain he would become a top master in the cultivation world.

The real concern was that Zifeng and that person…

The Tang clan leader had private worries he couldn’t share with others.

No one knew his inner turmoil.

Zifeng’s parents were gone, and as his uncle, he needed to plan for him.

He sensed that Zifeng had some feelings for that person.

After some subtle inquiries, Zifeng confirmed this.

The Tang family was prepared to accept Zifeng as a son-in-law.

After all, it was clear that person would never accept a marriage proposal from anyone else.

Even though the person was almost at the immortal level, there was still a slight gap.

But the Tang family couldn’t be the only ones eager.

They needed to find out exactly what that person’s thoughts were.

If there were no such intentions…

Zifeng was a rare talent and should be planned for early!

With these thoughts, the Tang clan leader began to instruct his subordinates to prepare gifts. “Keep a close eye on any movements in Nanling.”

---

News spread quickly but didn’t affect Qin Ruqing’s group’s journey.

They successfully used the Song family’s teleportation array to arrive at the central city of Nanling’s Northern Ridge.

Although there weren’t many teleportation arrays in the Southern Region, there were some.

The ltwo immortal-ranked arrays should be among them, with the rest being provided by the Song family.

The news from their side wasn’t easy to spread across the four domains.

Originally, they came to the central city just to transfer to a flying boat, but they were surprised to find a large crowd waiting outside the teleportation array.

Qirong: “Why are there so many people?”

“Could it be that our arrival was leaked by the Song family?” Qin Dexin, with a bandage on her arm, frowned.

“Mom, the Song family wouldn’t dare!” – Qirong

Qin Ruqing, supporting her ancestor, was surprised but soon realized that the news couldn’t be kept secret.

They probably organized this reception to welcome them.

Ancestor Wenxuan nodded: “It’s better to return home quickly!”

Qin Ruqing noticed the uniformed team ahead and said calmly, “We should meet with the people from the Southern Region’s Celestial Bureau.”

The reception was extraordinary, as the head of the Southern Region Celestial Bureau had come personally.

He seemed a bit awkward and uncomfortable around Qin Ruqing.

Initially, Qin Ruqing wondered why they were making such a big fuss.

However, when she heard the bureau Director Fifth Ziyan mention Fifth Lingyu, she realized the Director Ziyan was from Fifth Lingyu’s faction!

Qin Ruqing greeted the Director: “You needn’t worry about it. My grievances with Fifth Lingyu won’t affect you. I still appreciate the opportunity you gave me to participate in the Hundred Clans Conference.”

Actually, Qin Ruqing had fought for that opportunity herself, but it was polite to say it this way.

The Director relaxed.

Although he worked for the previous clan leader and had responsibilities for Fifth Lingyu, he didn’t want to offend such a promising new figure in the cultivation world.

After some delays, they finally arrived at their clan in the late afternoon.

As the huge flying boat with the Southern Region Celestial Bureau emblem flew over Nanling City, all the citizens looked up, confused.

Then, they heard the resonant sounds of a welcoming bell from the direction of the Qin family’s estate.

“Ding~”

“Ding~”

“Ding~”

“…”

The citizens’ eyes widened as they realized: “This is the welcoming bell! It’s only rung when a clan member who has made a significant contribution returns home. The more bells, the grander the reception!”

“Only Fairy Ruqing deserves this bell. Fairy Ruqing has returned!”

“Fifth Miss!”

“The bells are still ringing, and they keep ringing!”

---

Amidst the sound of the welcoming bells, the high-ranking members of the Qin family and all their subordinates gathered at the eastern main gate of their estate to welcome the Qin family’s ancestor, Qin Wenxuan, and Sixth Elder Qin Ruqing.

It was a grand homecoming, with the entire city watching and celebrating their return!