Chapter 477 - 161: A Day to Bury the Hatchet and Reconcile

"Thanks to these few trade routes, the Prime Minister’s Mansion has made a fortune over the years. Otherwise, it couldn’t afford to support so many retainers and Tribitors."

"As for our Tantai Family’s merchant guild, it’s largely thanks to Ming’s management that we’ve completely overshadowed the Gongsun Family’s and Helian Family’s guilds these past few years..."

Also standing in the grand hall was a young man dressed in embroidered silks. He had handsome features, a tall and straight posture, and a folding fan tucked into his waist, giving him a rather suave air.

Hearing the Elders’ praise, he hastily waved his hands. "This is all thanks to my sister’s guidance and planning from behind the scenes. The credit isn’t mine alone."

The young man’s name was Tantai Ming, and he was Tantai Qing’s younger, full-blooded brother. His words were filled with admiration for his sister.

The Elders didn’t deny it, sighing in admiration. "Qing’Er not only has astonishing talent for cultivation, but her business acumen is also formidable. Ming, with Qing’Er’s guidance, the future of the Tantai Family’s merchant guild is in your hands."

Tantai Ming cupped his hands. "I will certainly live up to the great trust you have placed in me, honored Elders."

"My sister has already learned that Jiang Lan, the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, has arrived on Immortal Ascension Island. She instructed me to find a suitable time tomorrow to pay him a personal visit and get on good terms with him."

"Befriending the Prime Minister’s Mansion right now holds only advantages for our Tantai Family, with no downsides. Therefore, I have come tonight to ask for the Elders’ permission to select a few valuable items from the clan’s Treasure Vault to bring as gifts for my visit tomorrow."

Hearing this, the Elders nodded. "As expected of Qing’Er, she is always so thorough. The Prime Minister’s Mansion is immensely powerful and influential, and they control all the trade routes between Immortal Ascension Island and the mainland."

"That Jiang Lan is the future heir of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If we cater to his interests and forge a good connection, perhaps our Tantai Family can gain some benefits from whatever trickles down, and in the future, monopolize Immortal Ascension Island..."

"We grant your request."

A smile appeared on Tantai Ming’s face. He then took his leave.

However, he was thinking about the specific treasures his sister had tasked him with getting. ’Aside from two of them, the other is to be sent to her.’

He had not, however, mentioned this matter to the Elders.

The Tantai Family was a Saint’s Noble Family—immensely influential, with deep, tangled roots and numerous internal factions.

Even though his sister was exceptionally talented, with strength already catching up to many of the Elders, she couldn’t simply ask for treasures from the clan’s Treasure Vault. Otherwise, it would be difficult to win everyone’s approval.

Soon, Tantai Ming transformed into a streak of light, heading toward the mountain peak where the clan’s Treasure Vault was located to select the gifts.

Although he thought nothing of Jiang Lan, his sister had sent him a message, warning him not to underestimate the man.

The few young figures following Jiang Lan during the day were all famous young Venerable Venerables from the North Sea region, invincible beings capable of sweeping across an entire territory undefeated.

There was clearly a reason why these young Venerable Venerables would submit and follow Jiang Lan.

Tantai Ming, however, remained unconcerned. ’Those young Venerable Venerables are only following him because they’re intimidated by the power of the Prime Minister’s Mansion,’ he thought.

’Just a profligate rich heir who became the Feng Jun of Great Xia on account of his powerful background and handsome face,’ he mused.

The night was deep and still. Immortal Ascension Island’s Triangle Pier was no longer bustling as it had been during the day. Numerous large cargo ships were moored at the shore, looming and dark under dim, yellow lights like great beasts of the sea. Only the waves crashing against the reefs produced a sound, a thunderous RUMBLE.

A young man dressed in coarse linen, known as Gou Ya, lived on the lowest deck of a merchant ship with many other laborers and slaves.

Seeing that everyone else was asleep, he pushed aside a deck plank, slipped out, and vanished as quickly as a ghost.

A moment later, he appeared in a town not far from the pier. An utter silence reigned, with only a few houses still showing light. His figure moved like a phantom gleam, and after a few flickers, he entered a dilapidated, weed-choked brick house.

Inside the brick house was a dry well, concealed by weeds and vines. With a single leap, he vanished into it.

Here, surprisingly, was a Teleportation Array, its origins lost to time.

After a moment of vertigo, the young man’s figure appeared in an unknown Earth Palace. The corridor was lit with Jue Oil Lamps, and the air, far from carrying the stench of the sea, was extremely dry.

In the depths of this Earth Palace was a high platform, upon which a figure completely shrouded in a black robe sat silently cross-legged. A vast and limitless aura emanated from them, so oppressive it made one feel the urge to kneel and kowtow in worship.

Upon arriving, the young man bowed respectfully. "Disciple greets Master."

The figure in the Black Robe seemed to open its eyes, yet beneath the hood was only a blank void, as if there was nothing there but spiritual fluctuations.

But the young man knew this was merely a sliver of his master’s consciousness—a projection with no physical form.

"Wen’Er, I understand the matter you reported to me during the day. Jiang Lan’s father, Jiang Lintian, is my great enemy from the past. He is the very culprit who forced me to lie low in the depths of the Demon Abyss for many years, silently licking my wounds and awaiting my recovery."

The Black Robe figure spoke, its voice refined and magnetic, like that of a profoundly knowledgeable sage. It gave the impression of a boundless ocean, capable of containing all things.

"Then, Master, are you going to take revenge on him now?" the young man asked.

"Jiang Lintian knows I’m not dead, yet he still dares to let his son come to Immortal Ascension Island. He is clearly acting with impunity, unafraid of my revenge. On the contrary, he most likely intends to use his son as bait to lure me out," said the Black Robe figure.

The young man’s voice was grim. "This Prime Minister Jiang Lintian is truly cunning, willing to let his own son act as bait and take such a risk. I was wondering why a young noble born with a silver spoon in his mouth would come to a remote, dangerous place like this."

The Black Robe figure shook its head. "This isn’t cunning on Jiang Lintian’s part; it’s self-confidence. Besides, you shouldn’t underestimate his son. He is, after all, the child of him and... Li Qingshu."

As he said this, his voice seemed to pause for a moment, his tone growing complex as if recalling something.

"So we just do nothing about it?" the young man asked.

The Black Robe figure said faintly, "My enemy is Jiang Lintian, not his son. There is no benefit in moving against the boy. For now, we will ignore this matter. The three great Noble Families are dispatching their younger generation to patrol the Demon Abyss in the coming days. As the current leader of the youth, Tantai Qing is duty-bound to go."

"This might be a good opportunity for you to get your revenge."

Hearing this, a bone-deep hatred flashed in the young man’s eyes. He cursed in a low, furious voice, "That bitch..."

The Tantai Family, the Gongsun Family, and the Helian Family, which he had once belonged to, were the three great guardian families of Immortal Ascension Island, tasked with standing watch over the Demon Abyss.

This generation of the Tantai Family produced a girl of peerless talent named Tantai Qing. On the day she was born, celestial phenomena manifested: a Spiritual Spring erupted from the earth, Bai He presented a treasure, spirit monkeys offered fruit, and a colorful mist filled the horizon. Within the mist, palaces and pavilions could be faintly seen, and the stars shone so brightly it was as if the ancient Celestial Court itself had descended upon the world.

Some cultivators even claimed that on that day, they saw the ethereal image of a Profound Lady, who offered a faint smile toward the Tantai Family’s estate...

All these portents contributed to Tantai Qing’s legend, making her the most watched figure on Immortal Ascension Island from a very young age.