Among them were two female cultivators, each with a distinct style but equally stunning.

One with a high ponytail had a strikingly captivating face, dressed in a gold-red gauze outfit.

Her small corset was covered by a short red top, and her high-slit skirt revealed her slender, fair legs.

A gold anklet with small bells jingled as she moved, matching her lively spirit.

The other female cultivator was more elegant and demure, wearing a similar outfit in pink.

Her gauze outer layer was slightly longer, with a sword oddly strapped to her waist.

Her face was slightly flushed, and she seemed to be having trouble walking.

Naturally, they were Qin Ruqing and Qin Luwei.

Behind them, Qi Rong experienced his first time in Western Ridge attire: baggy shorts, a half-exposed arm, and a bone necklace around his neck.

This was the typical outfit for a body cultivator from Western Ridge, but unlike the muscular locals, Qirong’s muscles were more slender and well-toned, making him look like a tall, fair-skinned young boy.

The only real Western Ridge native in the group, Tang Zifeng, dressed the least like one.

He was still wrapped up tightly, albeit in lighter fabric, with his collar slightly loosened at Qin Ruqing’s suggestion, barely hinting at the local style.

The four took a break at a teahouse to discuss their next steps.

“Qingqing, what’s the plan now? Do we go straight to the Tang family?” Luwei asked.

Qirong also looked at Tang Zifeng. “Yeah, Brother Tang, are we staying at an inn tonight or at your family’s place?”

Qin Ruqing sipped her tea and smiled, “We’d like to stay at the Tang family, but they might not welcome us… Tang Zifeng, have you figured out what to do next?”

Tang Zifeng fell silent upon entering the Western Ridge city area. After some thought, he shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Qin Ruqing glanced at Tang Zifeng, sensing his complex emotions.

He had been expelled from his family, wandered in the Southern Ridge, and after much effort, managed to transition from the Zhang family to the Qin family.

Finally obtaining permission from the Qin family and bringing back elixirs to Western Ridge, he suddenly felt hesitant.

So many years had passed.

Was the Tang family still the same?

Were the ones who drove him away living well in the Tang family?

Was his return just wishful thinking?

Did this family truly welcome him, even with generous conditions that could greatly benefit the clan?

Even if these people were moved by self-interest and agreed to his return to the Tang clan, the injustice from the past still lingered. Returning like this, wouldn’t it be suffocating?

Therefore, when Tang Zifeng said he didn’t know, he truly didn’t know.

He had prepared everything he could, but at this moment, he didn’t know where to start.

Qin Ruqing sighed inwardly.

Tang Zifeng was too serious, unable to handle some cunning maneuvers or consider such matters.

Thus, he straightforwardly brought ample benefits to the Tang family, yet still didn’t know if that was enough for some things.

Qin Ruqing decisively placed his teacup on the table, catching the attention of the other three.

She cheerfully said, “If we want to visit, we should first understand the situation. Maybe they’re not ready for visitors?”

With that, he signaled the waiter.

Tea houses and taverns were often the best places to gather information.

The waiter who quickly arrived was surprisingly a charming older sister with curly hair and unusually dark eyes.

She glanced at them and fixed her gaze on Qin Ruqing, the one who had called her over.

She asked, “What can I do for you, guests?”

Qin Ruqing took out a spirit stone and handed it to the beautiful older sister with a mischievous smile, “I’d like to ask the lovely sister here for some information.”

The older sister looked at the spirit stone, surprise flashing briefly in her beautiful eyes.

Gathering information was common in tea houses and taverns, but to offer a spirit stone and with such demeanor…

She accepted the spirit stone directly, her red lips curling up as she said, “Sweet words, little sister. Tell me, what do you want to know? Sister will tell you everything.”

Qin Ruqing replied, “I’d like to know more about the prominent figures of the Tang family in Western Ridge. I know there are restrictions, so just tell me what everyone knows.”

“The Tang family,” the older sister pondered for a moment, then said, “As everyone knows, the Tang family is a Silver-tier aristocratic family, the largest in Western Ridge, known for their artifact cultivation…”

Qin Ruqing nodded along, waiting for her to continue.

The older sister smiled, “Little sister, forgive me for being blunt. What I just said, anyone on the street could tell you. The family’s information is tightly controlled, and we small folks really don’t know any juicy details that could match the value of a spirit stone.”

Qin Ruqing rested his chin on his hand, unperturbed. “Then, sister, tell me about the Tang family’s talented individuals. I’m most interested in hearing about them. They’re known for artifact cultivation, right? Are there any renowned master artifact refiners?”

“Master artifact refiners…” the older sister mused, then after a pause, she said, “The Tang family renowned for their craftsmanship, there were naturally many skilled artisans, yet none seemed to have gained much fame…

Oh, several years ago, around four or five years ago, I heard of a talented disciple from a main branch who excelled in craftsmanship and took the lead in some major crafting competition, gaining considerable renown for a while.

However, something happened afterwards; this disciple seemed to have lost his mind and used his own crafted spiritual tool to personally kill a clan member, reportedly even the son of the clan leader.

This incident ruined his future prospects, and later I heard he was expelled from the clan and disappeared.”

“Killed the son of the clan leader…” Qin Ruqing’s heart skipped a beat, and Qirong and Lu Wei’s eyes flickered.

The older sister continued, “In recent years, the most widely known craftsman in the Tang family should be Tang Biao, the younger brother of the Tang family’s Clan Leader. He’s not young anymore, but it seems he suddenly excelled in craftsmanship, and now he’s almost the cornerstone of the Tang family’s crafting.”

After saying this, the curly-haired sister paused. “Little sister, that’s about all I know about the Tang family. I wonder if that’s enough?”

“That’s enough, thank you for clearing that up for me!” Qin Ruqing said, pulling out another spirit stone and handing it to her. “Sister, I also want to know about the Yang family.”

“The Yang family.” Lu Wei glanced at Qin Ruqing thoughtfully.

Tang Zifeng also shifted his gaze to Qin Ruqing’s face, wondering how she knew about the Yang family.

“This spirit stone works really well. It seems rare to encounter someone so generous in Xiling.” The curly-haired sister divulged everything she knew.

“As for the Yang family, they were powerful in the past. At that time, Xiling had two silver-grade aristocratic families, one being the Tang family and the other, the Yang family.

However, it seems they didn’t produce any Golden Core Formation successors, and in the later generations, they gradually declined compared to before.

They focus on physical cultivation, mainly running merchant caravans and providing armed escorts. Oh, and most notably, they have an auction house!”

“An auction house?” Even Qin Ruqing was surprised to hear those three words.

Not every family could run an auction house; it required high reputation and strength.

Even her own Qin family, despite its current development, lacked the means to manage an auction house without a Golden Core Formation.

The curly-haired sister nodded. “This auction house was a legacy of their ancestors’ prosperous times. They also engage in merchant caravans, so they naturally acquire many rare treasures from outside. But nowadays, with the family’s decline, the auction house can’t produce many impressive rare items anymore, and gradually, fewer people attend.”

Perhaps because those two spirit stones from Qin Ruqing were truly effective, the sister generously added more information about another family.

It seemed she had discerned that Qin Ruqing and the others were primarily interested in understanding the relationships among the aristocratic families in Xiling.

“Another noteworthy aristocratic family in Xiling is the Lin family. Their development is quite strong; I heard they have already established three Foundation Establishments, only waiting for their ancestor to reach Golden Core Formation and they can challenge the silver grade. Like the Tang family, they are also involved in craftsmanship and are not on good terms.”

“Similarly engaged in craftsmanship and on the verge of challenging the silver grade, it’s more than just not being on good terms; they could easily come to blows if not careful.”

“Alright, little sister, I’ve said everything I know. Is that enough for you?”

“Are you satisfied?”

Seeing Qin Ruqing nod, she winked mischievously, then swayed her hips seductively as she left.

After the curly-haired beauty departed, there was a moment of silence at the table.

Based on the information she provided, Tang Zifeng should be…

Qirong couldn’t hold back and whispered, “Big Brother Tang, that person who once gained fame but then… could it be you?”

Qin Ruqing sighed, finding Qirong’s straightforwardness hard to handle.

Could he just ask that directly?

Luwei nudged Qirong, looking at Tang Zifeng with concern.

Tang Zifeng fixed his gaze on a spot on the table and suddenly said, “I didn’t kill anyone!”

Qin Ruqing also slammed the table, “Are you kidding me?”

Tang Zifeng’s eyes suddenly became sharp, even a bit hurt, as if to say, “Don’t you believe me either?”

“…Are you kidding? Of course, no one thinks you did it. Did you really need to explain that again?”

“He wasn’t asking if Tang Zifeng had committed the murder; he was simply asking if he was the talented craftsman.

He admired his skills and sympathized with his experience. Isn’t that right, Qirong?”

Qirong also realized he had misspoken, covering his mouth and hurriedly apologizing, “Yes, yes! Just like my sister said… I wasn’t asking about the murder. I’m sorry, Big Brother Tang.”

Tang Zifeng’s expression softened, shaking his head. “It’s okay, I was being too sensitive.”

Qin Ruqing lightly clapped her hands, immediately dispelling the tense atmosphere.

She said, “The situation is clear now. Those who are against you are on a roll and definitely don’t want you to come back.”

Tang Zifeng nodded silently.

“Now that we’re in Xiling, I’ll be straightforward. Our Qin family will definitely keep our promise to help you return to the clan. But we need to know your attitude—do you want to beg the family, using your interests as a bargaining chip to let them take you back, or do you want them to come to you and ask you to return? These two attitudes will lead to completely different approaches, it depends on your choice.”

“Are you going to beg the family or make them come to you?”

Tang Zifeng looked directly at Qin Ruqing. After a few seconds, he said, “I want them to come to me.”

“Good, that’s the spirit!” Qin Ruqing pumped her fist, as if she had already guessed Tang’s choice.

Her eyes gleamed brightly, and she said excitedly, “Then let’s make a big splash in Xiling!”

Establishing the Qin family’s reputation in Xiling, helping Tang return to his family, and then causing a stir—all of this was the grand goal Qin Ruqing had set for herself in her heart!

“A big splash? How do we do that?” Qirong and Lu Wei asked simultaneously.

Qin Ruqing chuckled, “Since we’re unfamiliar with the terrain in Xiling, we should first find a foothold. If the Tang family doesn’t welcome us, then we’ll switch to another family!”

As they headed towards the Yang family’s direction, Tang Zifeng walked beside Qin Ruqing and suddenly said, “Earlier, you asked about my choice, but actually… maybe there was no choice to begin with.”

It seemed her clever mind had already made up its mind long ago.

Qin Ruqing glanced at him and laughed, “Of course, there’s no choice. They slapped you in the face, slandered you, and expelled you from the family. Instead of seeking revenge, you’re thinking about bargaining with them using your benefits, hoping they’ll let you come back. Even Buddha wouldn’t have your patience!”

Tang Zifeng pondered for a moment. “So, earlier…”

Qin Ruqing smiled, “If you still wanted to knock on the Tang family’s door and negotiate with them politely, of course, I would respect that. But… I would constantly try to change your mind along the way!”

Tang Zifeng fell silent.

“What, do you think I’m interfering with your thoughts?”

Tang Zifeng shook his head. He looked at Qin Ruqing seriously and said, “No, you’re doing the right thing.”

Qin Ruqing grinned at him and casually ran ahead to loop her arm around her third sister’s.

When they reached the Yang family’s gate, Qin Ruqing stepped forward and knocked.

The servant who opened the door glanced at Qin Ruqing and the people behind her, bowed slightly, and politely asked, “May I ask who the honored guests are?”

Qin Ruqing calmly produced a waist token and handed it to the servant. “Please give this token to your master. Tell him an old friend is visiting and requests an audience.”

The servant took the waist token, which was engraved with the character “Yang” on the front and specially carved small characters of the Yang family on the back.

Immediately, he bowed more respectfully. “Please wait a moment, honored guest.”

As Yang Wenxu came out of the Yang family, he was still wondering who could be looking for him.

When he opened the door, he saw a female cultivator dressed in Xiling attire standing at the door.

Her appearance, her gaze… even if they had only met once, Yang Wenxu was deeply impressed.

Wasn’t this the esteemed Miss from the Qin family?

Qin Ruqing stood gracefully.

Upon seeing Yang Wenxu, she waved her hand familiarly.

“Hey, friend Yang, I’ve come to visit Xiling. Can I be welcomed?”

Yang Wenxu was dumbfounded.

So, this ancestor really came for a visit?!