Fifth Youlin’s expression became serious. Hearing Qin Ruqing say, “I know that the Fifth Family needs me to open the Immortal Tomb seal, but with the opening of the Void Realm approaching, I do not know the exact method for unsealing. Could the Young Clan Leader enlighten me?”

Fifth Youlin understood and nodded.

It was reasonable to be curious about this matter, and Qin Ruqing had shown great patience by waiting until now to ask.

Fifth Youlin lifted his robe and sat down calmly on the ground.

Unlike Fifth Lingyu, who seemed frivolous but was actually sharp and forceful, this young clan leader had a noble and peaceful demeanor.

Qin Ruqing sat down as well, ready to listen attentively.

Fifth Youlin said, “The seal in the Immortal Tomb has never been opened before. It’s only in the last century that the seal has weakened, and the upper-class families began to take interest in the Immortal Tomb.”

He paused, as if the next part required careful consideration. “But having interest doesn’t mean action. After all, the Immortal Tomb is very important. It wasn’t until the previous generation—two major Celestial families, along with hidden families, gathered experts to officially explore the Immortal Tomb—that they finally figured out how to unlock the seal.”

Qin Ruqing noticed that Fifth Youlin’s careful consideration was on the phrase “the previous generation,” which seemed to refer to the time of the previous clan leader.

Fifth Youlin continued, “Inside the Immortal Tomb, it’s not so much sealed as it is wrapped in a special energy field.

This field automatically screens intruders; those who don’t meet the qualifications will be rejected.

According to the exploration of our major families, the minimum requirement to enter the Immortal Tomb is to be at the level of an Celestial seed like you.”

“You need to pass the tomb’s screening, and once inside, work with the top experts outside to break open a hole in the seal.”

Upon hearing this method of unlocking, Qin Ruqing’s first thought was: Aren’t you worried that I might escape once inside?

The Immortal Tomb is so large, and its mechanisms seem to be friendly to someone like me, since I passed its screening.

If I run away and take resources from inside, you won’t be able to get to me.

Moreover, the Fifth Family’s investment would be wasted.

Qin Ruqing looked at Fifth Youlin and saw that the young clan leader’s gaze was calm, as if he had seen through everything.

After a pause, Qin Ruqing realized why the Fifth Family seemed so unconcerned.

Besides the previous contract with Fifth Lingyu, the Fifth Family had plenty of confidence.

—Even if she had extraordinary talent and gained great opportunities in the Immortal Tomb, so what?

She couldn’t rise to the top alone.

Moreover, the Qin family was still outside.

She could run away, but she couldn’t escape the Qin family.

If she abandoned the Qin family to become a lone ranger, it would be like destroying her own future; public opinion would crush her.

Understanding this, Qin Ruqing actually smiled, “I understand what the young clan leader said.”

“There is one more thing. Since I am out of seclusion and the Void Realm is about to open, would you like me to join the Fifth Family’s team or…”

“That’s up to you. The Fifth Family has no specific requirements. However, since you were brought back by Lingyu, you might want to consult him about your departure.” Fifth Youlin said calmly.

Right, she would need to ask for that flashy guy’s opinion.

This damned invisible subordination!

As long as she was in Penglai, this invisible subordination would remain.

It made Qin Ruqing even more eager to leave.

Outwardly, Qin Ruqing nodded, but inwardly, she was frustrated.

Fifth Youlin seemed to think she had a good relationship with Fifth Lingyu, and he gave her extra advice.

“He has some personal issues. Since you seem close to him, you might try to comfort and resolve his concerns.”

“Personal issues?” Qin Ruqing asked, “What issues?”

Fifth Youlin frowned, “You don’t know?”

Qin Ruqing shook her head, “To be honest, I know almost nothing about him.”

In contrast, Fifth Lingyu, having known her for a long time, knew quite a bit about her.

“I see.” Fifth Youlin pondered for a moment, “Since he didn’t tell you, it’s not my place to explain. Just remember what I said today.”

After some more conversation, Qin Ruqing said goodbye to Fifth Youlin and returned to the waterfall courtyard.

Knowing that she could finally leave lifted her spirits, and her face naturally broke into a smile upon her return.

Fifth Lingyu was waiting for her.

As he heard the noise and turned around, he saw Qin Ruqing’s beaming face and raised an eyebrow, “Looks like you’re planning to leave?”

His eyes were really sharp.

Qin Ruqing, smiling, nodded, “I just spoke with the young clan leader and learned how to unlock the seal in the Immortal Tomb.

He said it doesn’t matter whether I stay in Penglai or not.” She rubbed her hands together, “Penglai is great, but I haven’t seen my family and friends for years, so I want to… I wonder if the Director would agree.”

Fifth Lingyu let out a cold snort, “No need to explain so much. Just go.”

After thinking for a moment, Qin Ruqing walked up to Fifth Lingyu, looked up, and asked seriously:

“If I help the Fifth Family open the seal, and according to your contract, give you half of the inheritance, then can we consider it settled?”

If it’s settled, then neither of them would owe anything to the other, and they could part ways peacefully without causing trouble for each other.

Fifth Lingyu, tall and looking down at Qin Ruqing, saw her sincere expression.

Although his lips curled into a thin, reluctant smile, he said casually, “Of course.”

“Of course,” Qin Ruqing repeated, nodding and stepping back with a smile, “Then I understand.”

She remembered what Fifth Youlin had said about Fifth Lingyu having some personal issues.

Initially, she wanted to ask a few more questions, thinking that if a few words could resolve future troubles, she would be happy to help.

But now it seemed unnecessary.

No matter what personal issues he had, it was best if they remained unresolved.

Three days later, Qin Ruqing made her farewells to the Fifth Clan leader with all due courtesy, even going to the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion to bid farewell to the old woman at the star map.

Fifth Lingyu accompanied her out of Penglai and across the sea.

When they reached the shore, Qin Ruqing raised a small arm and waved:

“The mountains are high and the waters are far. No need to see me off further. Director, this is where we part ways. I hear you’re going to the Void Realm, so I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”

Fifth Lingyu looked at her without speaking.

Qin Ruqing smiled and turned to leave, saying cheerfully, “Off I go~”

In Fifth Lingyu’s view, the dazzling woman in red called forth a softly glowing lotus-shaped artifact and stepped onto it.

She looked ahead, never looking back!

Qin Ruqing had been flying for about two hours when she suddenly remembered something and slapped her thigh in frustration.

“Oh no, I forgot! There’s a teleportation array from Penglai to the Central Region, right? It was Fifth Lingyu who brought me here using that array.

I was in such a hurry to leave that I forgot about it…

How long will this journey take!

The worst part is, that guy didn’t even remind me when he saw me.

He must have done it on purpose!”

Qin Ruqing’s eyes showed conflict as she considered whether to turn back.

If she went back and asked Fifth Lingyu about the teleportation array, he would surely mock her.

That would be so embarrassing.

But if she kept going… how far would she have to travel?

After struggling for a moment, Qin Ruqing clenched her fists tightly and thought, “It’s just crossing a region, it’s not that far. I’m already at the Golden Core Formation stage, this distance is nothing. I will not beg that Fifth Lingyu!”

She drove her small lotus flower forward, but after flying for a short while, she suddenly stopped.

Qin Ruqing, with a serious expression, said to herself, “Why make things difficult for myself? Am I someone who needs to worry about face?”

She turned around and spoke loudly, “Since the Fifth Family brought me here and wants me to work hard, they should properly send me back!”

After mentally preparing herself, she naturally took out a small copper bell, which had been a souvenir from her time in Penglai.

“Um, Director, I remember there’s a private teleportation array from Penglai to the Eastern Region, right? We came here using that one… haha…”

Fifth Lingyu, who was initially watching Qin Ruqing leave with mixed feelings, suddenly received the sound of the bell.

He raised an eyebrow and listened to her message, then couldn’t help but feel speechless.

A teleportation array?

Which fairy in the four realms would be so shameless as to come back and ask about this?

Fifth Lingyu replied, “The teleportation array is broken.”

Qin Ruqing responded, “Haha, Director, don’t tease me… the road is so long. Please, help me out. I’ll cover the cost of the spirit stones. I won’t make you spend a single cent!”

Fifth Lingyu: …

In the end, she took the teleportation array back.

Before the blue light completely enveloped her, Qin Ruqing turned around, showing a small white smile, and clasped her hands in thanks, saying, “Director, thank you for your care. I’m really leaving this time!”

Fifth Lingyu glared at her coldly and said, “Hurry up and leave!” He found her irritating.

As the teleportation array’s activity subsided, Fifth Lingyu stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the empty space ahead.

Strange as it was, unlike before, his mind was now empty.

He thought about the words of thanks and sneered.

His expression turned cold again as he vanished from his spot.