Chapter Five: Brought Home by Luo Qingqiu, Lin Pingfeng Faces Hidden Schemes

“What about offering yourself as a pledge?”

Even though Luo Qingqiu had lived for ten thousand years, she was stunned by Ling Tian’s words. No one had ever said such a thing to her before—let alone this being the first time, and from a child whose hair wasn’t yet fully grown in. She was at a loss for a moment.

A gentle chuckle escaped her lips. Luo Qingqiu bent her index finger and tapped Ling Tian lightly on the forehead, laughing as she said, “Such a young child with such boldness... Was this taught to you by your mother?”

[Luo Qingqiu’s affection level: 10%.]

Ling Tian heard the prompt and frowned slightly. Indeed, this body’s age brought both advantages and disadvantages. For instance, if he were his future self ninety-nine years from now, even with such talent, he likely wouldn’t dare speak like this to Luo Qingqiu. Completing this task would be even harder then.

As the Empress, Luo Qingqiu’s standards were naturally high. Unless he could attain unrivaled power, combined with his parents’ persistent efforts, perhaps only then would he have a chance to complete the first phase of his mission.

As things stood, his parents were at their peak, and his infant body made it easier to approach Luo Qingqiu. That was a benefit.

Yet, the disadvantages were equally clear: at this age, Luo Qingqiu clearly wouldn’t take Ling Tian’s words seriously. When he spoke just now, she found him amusing—a child worth liking, as any adult might feel toward a child.

This meant that the phase task, at Ling Tian’s current age, would not be easy to accomplish.

“It’s one thing to teach him, but he must find someone worthy of such devotion.”

In the next moment, Ye Qingwu appeared in the room, smiling as she spoke. She winked at Ling Tian, as if to praise him for his performance.

Ling Tian curled his lips. With Ye Qingwu’s personality, it was no wonder she would later do such things. He couldn’t help but inwardly praise his mother—what a divine assist!

Worthy of devotion—wasn’t that a compliment to Luo Qingqiu?

“Don’t tease me. When you first told me about him, I didn’t believe it. Now it seems your son not only possesses the Chaotic Dao Embryo but is of exceptional quality. His future achievements may even surpass mine!”

Luo Qingqiu shook her head, refusing to follow Ye Qingwu’s lead.

Sure enough, Luo Qingqiu’s affection for Ling Tian had not increased.

Ling Tian listened to their conversation and understood: Luo Qingqiu had been summoned by Ye Qingwu! That made sense—based on the earlier introduction, the two were close friends.

The two women chatted as they sat on the nearby stools. Luo Qingqiu placed Ling Tian on her lap.

Ling Tian’s small hand accidentally touched Luo Qingqiu’s thigh, marveling inwardly at its smoothness. It was only natural—after all, the higher one’s cultivation, the longer one lived, and the healthier one’s body became. The Empress’s skin being as soft as a baby’s was nothing strange.

Luo Qingqiu felt the sensation on her thigh and was momentarily lost in thought, a strange feeling rising in her heart. Since becoming Empress, no man had dared such liberty—even if Ling Tian was now but a little man!

She could only reassure herself inwardly: he’s just a child, he understands nothing, and besides, he’s already...

At this thought, Luo Qingqiu felt both embarrassed and annoyed. How could she have forgotten to guard herself? Was her dear friend setting her up?

“Qingqiu? Qingqiu?”

Ye Qingwu called out several times, seeing that Luo Qingqiu was distracted.

“Huh?”

Luo Qingqiu finally returned to herself.

“I said, I’ll leave this little one in your care for now. When it comes to the Chaotic Dao, there’s none more capable than you…”

Ye Qingwu repeated her earlier words.

Ye Qingwu, of course, was not so unreliable. She had summoned Luo Qingqiu for a proper reason.

Luo Qingqiu was the Chaotic Empress, herself possessing the Chaotic Dao Physique. Her expertise in this area was profound.

For her son, naturally, only the highest level of education would suffice. Ye Qingwu firmly believed in specialization. She hadn’t let Ling Tian begin cultivation earlier precisely because she was waiting for Luo Qingqiu.

“Your request, I will certainly keep in mind. But he’s so young—would it be alright for him to stay with me?”

Luo Qingqiu nodded in agreement, but looked down at Ling Tian, not yet a year old, voicing her concern.

“No matter. This little one is far more mature and resilient than you might imagine. Besides, if anything happens, I can arrive in an instant. There’s no need for worry.”

Ye Qingwu had already prepared her answer for Luo Qingqiu’s concerns.

Luo Qingqiu considered this and said no more.

Ye Qingwu’s mind stirred, her imperial cultivation revealed itself as she layered protective barriers over Ling Tian. In this regard, Ye Qingwu was an exemplary mother.

Afterward, she took out a storage ring and handed it to Luo Qingqiu.

“These are the things the little one eats…”

Once Luo Qingqiu accepted it, Ye Qingwu continued,

“I won’t keep you this time; I have other matters to attend to.”

With those words, she vanished.

Is she a qualified mother? Certainly—she not only found a specialized Empress as a teacher, but also arranged everything perfectly.

Is she unqualified? Of course, in some ways—what could be more important than her son’s future?

But for Ling Tian, at this moment, none of that mattered.

What mattered was that he might stay by Luo Qingqiu’s side for a long time, giving him ample opportunity to accomplish his task!

Luo Qingqiu shook her head helplessly, glancing at her friend, her beautiful eyes settling on Ling Tian.

“Let’s go!”

With her words, in an instant, countless vistas unfolded before Ling Tian’s eyes.

In the span of a single breath, he found himself in a new place—a room.

The room was simple yet elegant, filled with a pleasant fragrance, and furnished with things suited for a woman.

“Hmm… From now on, you’ll share my room. It’ll be easier for me to teach and care for you.”

Luo Qingqiu gazed at Ling Tian in her arms, pondering for a moment before making her decision.

She had originally intended for Ling Tian to have a room of his own. But considering he was not yet a year old, and had left his parents for this unfamiliar place, letting him live alone might frighten him. He was still a child—there shouldn’t be any issue with sharing a room, right?

Ling Tian finally recovered from the softness enveloping him, the milk fragrance thick in the air. He had to admit, this beginner’s immunity was a truly precious safeguard.

No, he mustn’t let her see his sly expression; he needed to change the subject.

“Mother said, Sister, you have the Chaotic Dao Physique?”

Ling Tian looked up, innocence radiating from his face, disregarding his age as he called her 'Sister.'

Luo Qingqiu raised her brows, but did not correct his address—after all, most women preferred to be called younger.

Him calling her 'Sister' was not wrong.

“Yes, that’s right. Besides, your Chaotic Dao Embryo is superior to mine. Once you achieve mastery, your accomplishments will surpass mine…”

Luo Qingqiu nodded, answering Ling Tian’s question with interest.

When it came to discussing the Chaotic Dao Embryo and Physique, Luo Qingqiu was completely engaged, explaining with great detail.

The Chaotic Dao Physique begins as the Chaotic Dao Embryo; the quality of the embryo determines the strength of the physique.

There are distinctions between minor and major mastery. As for the ancient Chaotic Dao Physique, Luo Qingqiu did not mention it, nor did Ling Tian ask.

“Sister, how long does it take to reach minor mastery of the Chaotic Dao Physique?”

Ling Tian interrupted Luo Qingqiu—if he didn’t, who knew how long she would go on. The Empress’s sense of time was, after all, quite vague.

“I took nearly a hundred years. For you, it should take about eighty years.”

Luo Qingqiu thought carefully before answering Ling Tian.

Ling Tian was startled. He hadn’t expected the reward for his task to save him so much time.

In other words, if he relied on his own cultivation, he’d have to stay here at least eighty years!

This shortcut—he was determined to take it.

As he pondered, a sharp voice rang out from outside:

“Sword Pavilion Master Lin Pingfeng, after breaking through to the ninth stage of Saint Sovereign, comes to pay respects to the Ancestor of Luo Qiu Holy Land!”

At once, Luo Qingqiu’s elegant brows furrowed; she waved her hand, and the voice faded considerably.

Ling Tian couldn’t help but curse inwardly:

This old schemer—the voice carried sword intent!

Yet, with Luo Qingqiu by his side, there was no real danger.

The ninth stage of Saint Sovereign is the highest realm beneath the Empress, just a step away from becoming Empress.

But that step had defeated countless people.

“Fellow Daoist, please come to Ling Peak for a meeting.”

Luo Qingqiu sighed and spoke softly.

Ling Tian was surprised—this Lin Pingfeng, though only at the Saint Sovereign ninth stage, could be refused by Luo Qingqiu if she wished. Yet she agreed to see him—surely there was more to this.

Luo Qingqiu donned a veil, chaotic qi swirling around her, and turned to the pavilion outside.

With a gentle wave, two cups of tea appeared.

Before long, a dignified, upright man dressed in loose robes arrived with graceful bearing.

It was surely the Sword Pavilion Master, Lin Pingfeng!

“Little sister, after these years, you’ve become so distant? You won’t even let me see your face!”

Lin Pingfeng approached, raising his brows in question.

With chaotic qi surrounding Luo Qingqiu, he could not see her clearly.

“I’ve told you, don’t address me like that,”

Luo Qingqiu frowned, her voice icy.

“Yes, you are now an Empress, and I, after centuries in seclusion, have just broken through to the ninth stage of Saint Sovereign. But if not for the hidden wounds I bear, I should have…”

Lin Pingfeng spoke as if aggrieved, but a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

His hidden wounds had been inflicted while saving Luo Qingqiu.

But in truth, those wounds did not hinder his breakthrough to Empress; his talent was simply limited.

He knew Luo Qingqiu still possessed her primordial yin, and she was a sentimental person. Lin Pingfeng had set his sights on her.

The primordial yin of an Empress would surely allow him to break through!

Moreover, Luo Qingqiu was a peerless beauty—becoming Dao partners with her would be a great fortune.

In essence, Lin Pingfeng was using moral coercion to achieve his own aims!

“I told you, for your wounds, I will do everything to heal them. Stop being unreasonable here!”

Luo Qingqiu’s expression grew darker, her voice icy. Lin Pingfeng had pestered her over this matter countless times.

“This is a sacred artifact I acquired: the Cloud-Stepping Hairpin. I want to place it in your hair myself. I promise, once I do, I’ll leave at once!”

Lin Pingfeng produced a hairpin, refusing to leave without seeing Luo Qingqiu.

“Hah, it seems you truly wish to see me—very well, I’ll oblige you!”

Luo Qingqiu sneered, dispersing the chaotic qi around her, making no effort to conceal Ling Tian’s presence.

Lin Pingfeng’s smile froze as his gaze landed on Ling Tian. His expression changed dramatically, as if mourning:

“You… You have a child?!”