Yang Lingqing

The crowd rose to their feet, but couldn't suppress their curiosity, subtly glancing at Yang Lingqing.

"It's the Eldest Master's daughter!"

"She's become an Immortal Master. Her appearance hasn't changed much, but her aura is already beyond that of ordinary people."

The Yang Family members thought to themselves.

"Father, Uncle, let's begin."

"Yes."

Yang Feiyun and Yang Xiaolei responded, stepping forward to report on the family's affairs in turn.

They stood below, as usual, presenting various matters to Yang Lingqing according to their urgency.

Facing their own daughter and junior, their expressions were normal, without any sense of awkwardness or discomfort.

They had grown up under Yang Guanfeng, witnessed his journey into cultivation, and participated in his later efforts with Elder Yu to consolidate and purge the Yang Family.

This process had made them realize more profoundly what it meant for immortals and mortals to be different.

It was like a fish out of water, a concept on entirely different levels.

The life and death of mortals were merely a thought away for cultivators.

After the two finished their reports, Yang Lingqing was aware of the current changes in the Yang Family.

The beast tide had caused immense casualties and losses for the Yang Family, but because they had saved most of the common people, their reputation in the surrounding areas had soared.

During this period, many people had come, drawn by their reputation, including merchants who had originally lived in White Stone Town.

White Stone Town was destroyed, yet the Yang Family remained safe. The difference was clear – where else would they go?

As a result, the scale of the village below the mountain had rapidly expanded in a short time, with a total population now in the thousands.

Yang Lingqing nodded slightly and then inquired, "What is the situation on the south bank of the river?"

"Reporting to Immortal Master Lingqing, it has been mostly reclaimed. Although it's not as fertile as the north bank, it's enough to sustain people," Yang Feiyun replied.

"Mm, have those who came later move to the south bank to live. The north bank will be reserved for the clans and families who experienced the beast tide."

Yang Lingqing extended her hand, and a floor tile beside her was pushed aside by soil.

A mound of earth rose like a living thing towards Yang Lingqing's hand, crushing stone bricks and rubble like tofu as it passed.

Witnessing this scene, everyone below was both shocked and awestruck.

"Truly the methods of an immortal!"

"Miraculous, utterly miraculous!"

Since taking the position of Patriarch, Yang Guanfeng had not displayed his cultivation in front of others for a long time, as his prestige within the Yang Family was already high enough that he didn't need to consolidate it in this manner.

But Yang Lingqing was different. To the Yang Family members, she was a completely new face.

Many still remembered her as the young girl from just over a year ago.

Yang Lingqing, of course, knew this. She also knew that no matter how much she said, it wouldn't be as effective as letting them witness it firsthand.

As expected, when she displayed her cultivation and magic, the way everyone below looked at her had changed from when she first arrived.

In addition to the existing respect, there was now a layer of fear.

This was a shift from an abstract understanding of cultivators to a concrete perception of Yang Lingqing herself.

They now realized that, like Yang Guanfeng, Yang Lingqing could take their lives at any moment if she wished!

Yang Feiyun and Yang Xiaolei stood by, their faces unable to hide their excitement, their hearts filled with joy.

The method Yang Lingqing displayed was different from Yang Guanfeng's "might overcomes skill."

This meant that the Yang Family would have another inheritance!

Combined with Yang Lingrui's Gale Wind technique, there should now be three inheritances!

At this moment, a palm-sized token made of earth solidified on top of the soil mound, bearing the character "Qing".

"I trouble you, Father, to take this token and convey the resolution. From now on, the three bridges crossing the river will be guarded by clan soldiers. People from the south bank may come to the north bank for business, work, and investment, but they are not allowed to reside there permanently. Our Yang Family has many things to do in the future. If anyone can make a significant contribution, they will earn the right to relocate to the north bank. This is the first matter."

This was done to create a hierarchy, so that those who came to pledge allegiance to the Yang Family would understand the relative importance of their position.

The Yang Family treated their own kin equally, but that didn't mean they would indiscriminately bestow kindness upon any stray cat or dog.

This arrangement established the Yang Family as being "on the mountain."

Below the mountain, the north bank was for the clans and relatives who had shared hardships with the Yang Family, protected by clan soldiers.

The south bank was for newcomers, responsible for their own lives and deaths, with the Yang Family not interfering.

This created a clearly defined hierarchy.

"The second matter is conveyed by Lingqing on behalf of the two Old Ancestors. I ask Uncle to take stock of the number of children between the ages of ten and fourteen in the various clans and families on the north bank."

"Yes, we obey Immortal Master Lingqing's decree!"

Yang Lingqing did not explicitly state the reason for the headcount, but anyone intelligent present could grasp the underlying implication.

The three children Elder Yu had chosen from the Yang Family were within this age range.

Now that we need to take inventory again, does that mean we'll have another round of tests and selections!

These two matters seem separate, but they are actually part of the same plan, designed to highlight the advantages of the North Shore.

Once the news spreads, the various clans on the North Shore will have more children in hopes of producing a gifted child who can rise to prominence.

And when the foreign tribes on the South Shore see the benefits enjoyed by the North Shore, they will be more inclined to join the Yang Family to secure a spot, working harder and more diligently in the future.

"Are there any other important matters to discuss?"

"Replying to Immortal Master Lingqing, there are no other matters."

"Alright, you may all disperse."

After everyone left, three people remained in the meeting hall.

"Uncle, you've worked hard all this time. I'll need your continued diligence in the future," Yang Lingqing said, standing up.

"It's no trouble at all. It's just part of my duties," he replied.

Yang Xiaolei quickly waved his hands and cautiously asked, "Lingqing, my child..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Lingqing smiled, "Linghu has also completed his cultivation and has gone out with the Old Ancestor. Uncle, you don't need to worry."

"Ah! That's wonderful news!"

Yang Xiaolei was overjoyed. After thanking her, he went to arrange the inventory of the children.

"Father."

"Qing'er."

After exchanging greetings, the father and daughter fell into silence.

Because her mother had passed away early, Yang Lingqing had been very sensible since childhood and didn't speak much.

Yang Feiyun was also busy every day, so there wasn't much communication between father and daughter.

Later, Elder Yu discovered her cultivation aptitude, and she was soon taken to the forbidden area, where she has remained until now.

She had managed fine when facing everyone earlier, but now that they were alone, Yang Feiyun realized he couldn't find anything to talk about with his daughter.

"Qing'er, managing a household is not easy. In the future, you must stay by the Old Ancestor's side, observe and listen more," he said after pondering for a while.

As soon as he spoke, he regretted it. After such a long time apart, he started with a lecture.

"Father's teachings are noted, Lingqing understands," Yang Lingqing replied, then looked up at her father.

Yang Feiyun, though only middle-aged, already had a large portion of his hair turned white, indicating how much he had toiled for the Yang Family.

"Father, you work hard for the family, but you must also take care of your health."

"Alas, Qing'er is right. Father has noted it."

After these simple exchanges, another silence fell.

Noticing his daughter was looking at him, Yang Feiyun looked up as well.

As their eyes met, he suddenly felt a pang of sadness and deep guilt.

"Father, you don't need to worry. Lingqing understands everything in her heart."

"Yes, Qing'er has always been sensible since she was young."

"Father, actually, there's only one thing I want to know."

"What is it? Qing'er, tell me."

"That day, when the Old Ancestor took me to the forbidden area to cultivate, was Father proud of me?"

As the words fell, Yang Feiyun stood frozen in place.

After a moment of stunned silence, he seemed to awaken. Looking at Yang Lingqing again, he saw tears welling up in her eyes.

His lips trembled, and he hesitated several times before stamping his foot fiercely and exclaiming, "It is Father's fault! Qing'er, you don't know, all this time, all this time! You have always been your father's pride! Whether or not you were chosen by the Old Ancestor, you are still my most, most proud and precious daughter!"

Tears streamed down Yang Feiyun's face as he spoke. He stepped forward, wanting to take Yang Lingqing's hand, but suddenly realized she was now an Immortal Master. He stopped midway, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

"Father."

Yang Lingqing reached out and took Yang Feiyun's hand, which had stopped between them. He trembled slightly, then raised his other hand to gently pat his daughter's hand.

"Father, this is enough."

With that, Yang Lingqing withdrew her hand and turned, disappearing from the meeting hall in the blink of an eye.

Yang Feiyun remained alone, lost in thought for a long time. Then, he let out a long sigh, tightly gripping the token his daughter had given him, and strode out.