Martial Universe: Inherit the Future, Quickly Become a Martial Ancestor!

On the other side, Huangpu Jing led Ling Qingzhu to the more secluded and quiet "Listening Bamboo Garden".

The area is planted with lush bamboo, and the rustling of the bamboo leaves in the breeze adds to the tranquility. The furnishings inside the garden are simple yet exquisite, clearly arranged with care.

Huangpu Jing dismissed the maids and personally poured hot tea for Ling Qingzhu. The two women sat down in the quiet room of the Bamboo Garden, took off their slightly formal outer garments from the daytime, and changed into more comfortable plain-colored nightgowns.

Huangpu Jing's silver hair shone softly in the candlelight, losing the oppressive coldness of the daytime and gaining a more casual air of close female friendship.

Holding her teacup, her gaze lingered on Ling Qingzhu's beautiful figure, which was still undeniable even in her nightgown. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes, and she finally couldn't help but lower her voice, asking in a slightly gossipy tone:

"Qingzhu, now that we're all alone, tell me quickly, who exactly is that young master from the Immortal Dynasty? Seeing you traveling with him, could he be another suitor of yours?"

Her tone was full of curiosity and teasing, clearly believing that it was perfectly normal for men to follow Ling Qingzhu, given her looks and temperament.

She was just very curious about who this arrogant friend was who could get her to allow her to come along, and even bring the man from her family.

Upon hearing this, Ling Qingzhu did not appear as aloof and distant as she did in front of strangers. Instead, she shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness and ease that she only showed to her close friends: "Jing'er, Young Master Lan is not one of my suitors. I invited him here myself."

"what?"

Huangpu Jing paused, her hand holding the teacup still. Her usually sharp and cold eyes widened slightly, filled with surprise. "You...you invited him?"

She seemed to have heard something unbelievable, and subconsciously lowered her voice, her tone teasing with disbelief: "Qingzhu, could it be... that you're pursuing her?"

This information was quite a shock to her. In her memory, Ling Qingzhu had always been the center of attention, and she had never seen her take the initiative to show affection to any man, let alone personally invite him to go with her.

This is absolutely unprecedented.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Ling Qingzhu seemed to let out a very soft, helpless sigh from beneath her veil.

"Jing'er, what are you thinking about?"

She gently shook her head, her tone carrying that barely perceptible gentleness she only showed in front of her close friends, and explained, "It's not what you think."

"His name is Lan He, the son of the War King of the Immortal Dynasty. There is a reason for inviting him to accompany us."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Firstly, he has good talent and temperament, and he needs the opportunity of the Ancient Tomb Mansion to hone his skills, which may help him participate in the Hundred Dynasties War."

Secondly,

Ling Qingzhu softened her voice, revealing a rare candor, "There are some old entanglements with his father, involving a grudge among our elders. Inviting him to come along and lend him a hand is also a way to hopefully resolve some long-standing grievances through his help."

She spoke briefly, but with Huangpu Jing's intelligence, she immediately understood that what was involved was not a simple personal relationship, but rather a cause and effect at a higher level.

The surprise in Huangpu Jing's eyes gradually faded, and he regained his usual composure, but his curiosity only grew stronger: "The son of the War King of the Immortal Dynasty... I see."

"However, even with these reasons, for you, Ling Qingzhu, to take the initiative to invite him and even travel with him all the way here, this Lan He... is probably more than just 'having good talent and temperament,' isn't he?"

She knew her friend too well; she had very high standards, and ordinary people simply couldn't catch her eye.

Ling Qingzhu picked up her teacup, her fingertips gently tracing the rim as if recalling something. Her tone was softer than usual: "He accepted an almost impossible bet from his martial uncle in public, all for his father's sake."

"When he agreed, his eyes were calm and steady. Later, seeing his progress in cultivation, he did indeed have some merit."

Huangpu Jing nodded thoughtfully, a hint of understanding and interest flashing in his icy eyes: "To risk his future for his father's sake? That's quite a responsible man. For you to describe him as 'somewhat interesting,' it seems I'll have to keep a close eye on this Young Master Lan this time."

She had originally regarded Lan He as a fellow traveler with some background, but now, because of Ling Qingzhu's words, her opinion of him had quietly risen a few points.

"but,"

Huangpu Jing changed the subject, a mischievous smile appearing in her eyes, "Even with a thousand reasons, this is the first time you've ever invited a man to accompany you, let alone brought him here. If word gets back to the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, it'll probably shock quite a few people."

Upon hearing this, even through the veil, Ling Qingzhu could almost feel her giving her friend a sidelong glance, her tone tinged with reproach: "Jing'er, don't tease me."

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this."

Huangpu Jing, seeing that things were going well, stopped while her smile remained. She then became serious and said, "Let's get down to business. Besides seeing me, you've come here for that ancient tomb that's about to be revealed, haven't you?"

"That's unfortunate. I'm currently at a crucial stage in my cultivation, and my elders in the clan forbid me from being distracted. I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you..."

Her tone carried a hint of apology. Although the ancient tomb offered a great opportunity, her cultivation method was unique, and she was currently at a crucial juncture in breaking through a bottleneck, so it was indeed inconvenient for her to risk being distracted.

"It's alright."

Ling Qingzhu didn't care about this and calmly said, "This is just my own training. You should focus on your cultivation. If you encounter anything useful in the tomb, I will keep an eye out for it for you."

Seeing her friend's understanding, Huangpu Jing felt a warmth in her heart. Then, as if remembering something, a sly glint flashed in her icy eyes: "By the way, since you were going anyway, why don't you... represent the Huangpu family this time!"

"Hmm?" Ling Qingzhu looked up at her.

"With the opening of the ancient tomb, the younger generation of the four major clans of the Great Yan Dynasty, as long as they have some strength, will definitely go to join in the fun."

Huangpu Jing analyzed, "Those so-called geniuses, even combined, are probably no match for you, Qingzhu. If you take action, you'll surely capture them easily."

The more she talked, the better she thought of the idea: "Perfect! You're a distinguished guest I invited, and you're participating as my friend. This will not only boost the prestige of the Huangpu family, but you'll also get valuable experience in the treasure hunt—it's a win-win situation!"

"Anyway, even if those guys know it's you, they can only stare helplessly."

She had a brilliant plan: it resolved her own regret of not being able to go, provided her family with a powerful "external ally," and incidentally caused some trouble for the other families.

Ling Qingzhu pondered for a moment and felt that the suggestion was not unreasonable. She was here to gain experience, so it didn't matter what pretext she used to enter the ancient tomb. Befriending Huangpu Jing and supporting her family was just a convenient thing to do.

"Alright." She nodded readily, "Then we will go in the name of the Huangpu family."

"Very good!"

Huangpu Jing clapped his hands and chuckled, in a good mood. "With the fairy from the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace in charge, let's see how smug those guys from the Lin and Wang families can be this time. Oh, right..."

Suddenly remembering something, she looked at Ling Qingzhu with a hint of amusement in her eyes: "What about Young Master Lanhe? Since you invited him, is he considered your companion, or... also included in our Huangpu family's group?"

This question, though seemingly casual, actually carried a hint of probing. Including Lan He in the Huangpu family's camp would undoubtedly add another layer of strength to the Huangpu family.

Upon hearing this, Ling Qingzhu shook her head slightly without any hesitation: "No need. I can go alone on behalf of the Huangpu family."

Her voice remained calm and aloof, carrying her usual independence: "Young Master Lanhe was invited by me to travel with us, but he is only here for his own training and to seek opportunities."

"What he wants to do is his freedom, and I will not interfere with how he acts."

Upon hearing this, Huangpu Jing's eyes flashed with understanding, and he nodded, "I understand. That's good, so as not to be constrained."

She had only asked casually, and seeing that Ling Qingzhu's attitude was clear, she stopped dwelling on it. To her, being able to get Ling Qingzhu, this "big shot," to stand up for the Huangpu family was already an unexpected bonus.

As for Lan He, since he was someone Ling Qingzhu approved of and invited, he must have his own sense of propriety and ability, so she was happy not to interfere too much.

"Then it's settled."

Huangpu Jing raised her teacup, a relaxed smile on her face, and gave a slight toast towards Ling Qingzhu, saying, "Let's use tea instead of wine to wish our Fairy Ling of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace a safe and successful journey, and a fruitful return!"

Ling Qingzhu also picked up her teacup, a faint smile seemingly appearing beneath her veil. She didn't say much, but simply brought the rim of the cup close to her lips, completing this simple ritual with her friend.

……