Wang Xiaoqiang asked, "How is she now?"

"She, she has been under house arrest by the Ling Family for twenty years... Alas! Poor, unfortunate woman!" The shopkeeper sighed wistfully as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, both the Crescent Moon Cave Lord and Mingyan's eyes filled with tears.

The shopkeeper, realizing Mingyan looked strikingly similar to Ling Hongyun, as if she were the young version of Ling Hongyun in the flesh, grew increasingly suspicious upon seeing her tearful sorrow, but dared not ask further. He then proceeded to elaborate on the ordeals Ling Hongyun had faced over the years. Truly speaking without reservation.

After hearing about her mother's tragic experiences, Mingyan lost her appetite completely, unable even to drink. Wang Xiaoqiang had no choice but to pay the bill and leave, terrifying the cashier behind the counter in the process.

The cashier collapsed onto the floor, desperately waving her hands, "Spare my life, master, spare my life!"

Afraid of further shocking her, Wang Xiaoqiang refrained from insisting on payment, and led the father and daughter out of the restaurant.

Once out of the restaurant, it took a while for the Crescent Moon Cave Lord and Mingyan to shake off their gloom. The Crescent Moon Cave Lord pondered aloud, "Little Qiang, I didn't expect the Head of the Ling Family to become the City Lord of Ling Stone City; they've built quite a large estate. I fear the Ling Family won't agree to let Hongyun meet with us..."

"Of course, the Ling Family won't agree," Wang Xiaoqiang replied.

"Then, what should we do?" Mingyan asked, her face full of melancholy.

"Tomorrow is the big day for the eldest son of the Ling Family—a perfect opportunity for us to infiltrate the Ling Family. When the time comes, we'll act accordingly."

As Wang Xiaoqiang spoke, he pulled out the invitation from his pocket, showed it briefly in front of the father and daughter, then tucked it back into his pocket.

Upon seeing this, Mingyan and the Crescent Moon Cave Lord's spirits lifted, silently praising Wang Xiaoqiang for his cleverness.

...

The next day.

The entire Ling Stone City was enveloped in a festive atmosphere, and the Ling Family was even more lavishly decorated, with the word "happiness" adorning the luxurious mansion. The scarlet carpet stretched from outside the main gate all the way to the wedding hall. The courtyard walls were covered with colorful banners, blazing trees and silver blossoms, a scene of overflowing joy...

The young master of the Ling Family, Ling Qingyun, rode a tall steed, pulled a bridal sedan, and headed toward the Guan Family, surrounded by a group of attendants.

Ling Qingyun felt immensely proud, thinking about how he could finally rightfully subdue the proud Immortal Hero, the charming and lovely Guan Qingsi, beneath him tonight, his pride swelling ever more.

As the City Lord's Residence, the Ling Family was particularly vigilant on such festive days, with experts both inside and outside protecting the estate, on high alert.

To enter the Ling Family, one must have an invitation.

At this moment, the citizens of Ling Stone City began arriving one after another with their congratulatory gifts.

At the entrance to the Ling Family estate, a station was specifically set up for receiving gifts, where an elderly man with a hawk-like gaze and the cultivation base of the Third Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage stood at the gate. His sharp, eagle-like eyes continuously scanned the passersby, using Divine Sense to assess every arriving cultivator.

Two house servants sat behind a desk recording names, documenting the households presenting gifts for future accounting.

Those ordinary families, after offering modest gifts, would sensibly leave.

The Ling Family, being influential, would not spare a glance for ordinary folks; they had no right to attend the wedding banquet. However, failing to present gifts would offend the Ling Family, ensuring hardships in the future.

Those wealthy and powerful households offered more extravagant gifts, all expressing flattery and favor, yet none stayed to drink as they hadn't received invitations.

Only those with profound cultivation bases held invitations, having the right to enter the Ling Residence.

In this world where strength is paramount, all power and wealth depend on martial prowess. Those wealthy merchants, though affluent and influential, still didn't have the allure or status of highly cultivated wanderers.

Before heading to the Ling Family, Wang Xiaoqiang first cut a tuft of the Crescent Moon Cave Lord's hair and attached it to his mouth as a mustache.

Then, he placed the Crescent Moon Cave Lord and Mingyan inside the Sumeru Ring.

Afterward, he released fifty million Spiritual Springs from his body, disguising himself as someone of the First Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage.

Thus, he genuinely resembled yesterday's Big Beard whom he killed at the restaurant.

Then, after preparing a special gift, he held the invitation and followed the crowd to the Ling Residence's main entrance.

He first presented his gift.

Given the number of people offering gifts at the time, those specifically tasked with receiving gifts were rather overwhelmed, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang offer a large package, they carelessly tossed it aside without inspection.

Wang Xiaoqiang handed over the invitation, the elderly man with a hawk-like gaze eyed him, swept over him using Divine Sense, then asked with some suspicion, "Tell me, Big Beard, why are you wearing a big hat in this hot weather? Learning from women during confinement?"

Those around laughed at the words, focusing their gazes on Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang's heart raced, he coughed twice, deliberately covering his mouth and nose, and said muffledly, "I went to Yihong Courtyard last night to have fun; a newly arrived headliner there mastered all forms of art, almost squeezing me dry. And today, I've caught a cold…"

"Haha, haha…" The surrounding people burst into laughter, none doubting Wang Xiaoqiang's identity.

The elderly man with a hawk-like gaze also laughed, saying, "You womanizer, besides indulging in women, what else can you do? Still, being favored by the young master is your good fortune, seize this opportunity well. It's not anyone's privilege to enter the Ling Residence and drink wine... Hmph..."

"Ah, ah, you're right," Wang Xiaoqiang said nervously, covering his mouth and nose, then followed the crowd inside. He thought to himself, what a close call; if they had discovered it, trouble would ensue.

His goal today was not only to steal away the bride and elope with Guan Qingsi but also to rescue Ling Hongyun, allowing them to reunite as a family.

If he acts rashly, it would alert the enemy. This elderly man with the hawk-like gaze is a Third Soldier Realm cultivator of the Immortal Sage, tasked with standing guard for the Ling Family.

From this, it seems the Ling Family is teeming with talent, brimming with experts.

As they say, there's always a mountain beyond a mountain, one mustn't be too careless.

Once inside the Ling Residence, Wang Xiaoqiang felt more at ease. He leisurely strolled around the Ling Residence, observing, waiting, searching for an opportunity...

Just after Wang Xiaoqiang entered the Ling Residence, two assassins, one fat and one thin, arrived at the entrance.

They had followed Wang Xiaoqiang all the way to Ling Stone City, continuously tailing him since then, having overheard yesterday that Wang Xiaoqiang was headed to the Ling Family. They murdered two Guest Elders of the Ling Family and got their hands on two invitations.

When they presented their invitations, they quickly caught the attention of the elderly man with the hawk-like gaze, who glared at them, suspiciously examining them with Divine Sense. Upon discerning their cultivation bases, he suddenly assumed a look of alarm and loudly questioned, "You two aren't on our invitation list; how did you get hold of the estate's invitations?!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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