Chapter 61: I Really Want to Be Kicked by Her a Few Times
Qi Huang’s vision cleared, and she found herself in a spacious plaza. Elder Xu and Sect Leader Qin stood at the very front, while several fairies accompanied her, with Wang Zong and a few other male disciples standing behind.
Besides the HongHua Sect, there were hundreds of thousands of people in the plaza, all wearing various uniforms. They were densely packed like ants around a high platform, discussing amongst themselves.
Qi Huang observed her surroundings through Cheng Hong Ling’s eyes. She saw large banners planted on the walls surrounding the plaza. As the wind blew, they made crackling sounds. Faintly, she could see the words “Evergreen” written in strong, powerful strokes!
“Evergreen Convention!”
Qi Huang immediately realized that Cheng Hong Ling had kept her promise and had indeed come to participate in the Evergreen Convention.
“No wonder I’ve never heard of Fairy Hong Ling’s fame before. She only started to attract attention after I left. And judging by the arrogant provocations of the male disciples from the HongHua Sect earlier, she probably rarely makes a move within the sect.”
Qi Huang understood this at once. She could also guess the reason. As the saying goes, wealth should not be displayed openly, and geniuses are no exception. The higher-ups of the HongHua Sect were counting on such a genius to elevate the sect. Once her talent was revealed, many major sects would try to recruit her, and how could they keep her then? That was the first point. Secondly, even if Cheng Hong Ling was loyal and unwilling to leave, those sects would find ways to target her in advance, thus doubling the difficulty of participating in the Evergreen Convention. After all, the Evergreen Convention was the primary way for ordinary sects to obtain cultivation resources. Thirdly, coupled with Cheng Hong Ling’s urgent need for the Pink Bamboo Water, hiding her was undoubtedly the wisest choice for the HongHua Sect’s higher-ups.
“Heaven bless us, please don’t let us draw an opponent from the HuXiao Sect!”
“Yes, yes! We must draw a disciple from the HongHua Sect. That way, the first round of matches will be a bye for us.”
“How can you say that? You got to draw the HongHua Sect in the last Evergreen Convention! This time, you should at least be rewarded with a HuXiao Sect disciple.”
“Right, right, you can’t always get the good draws. We are all sects under the Immortal Alliance, united as one. We should know how to yield.”
“Who we draw isn’t something we can decide, so how can we yield?”
“It’s simple. If we draw a disciple from the HongHua Sect, we can exchange with them. Let us experience what it’s like to bully beginners.”
…
The various sects on either side were murmuring in low voices.
“So, the lottery draw hasn’t even started yet!”
Qi Huang suddenly realized, no wonder she hadn’t seen anyone competing.
“These snobbish people actually think of us as pushovers.”
Shen Yuan exclaimed angrily.
“It’s just that our past performance hasn’t been very good.”
Qin Quan chuckled helplessly.
“Heh, it’s different this time. With Junior Sister Hong Ling participating, anyone who thinks of bullying us will surely regret it.”
Shen Yuan gritted her teeth and said.
At this moment, a white-haired, dignified old man with an ethereal presence walked onto the high platform and began to speak.
“Greetings, everyone. My name is Cai De. I am a steward of the Immortal Alliance. I will be presiding over the Evergreen Convention of Yongning Prefecture this time. I hope everyone will cooperate.”
The old man first introduced himself. When the people below heard that he was a steward of the Immortal Alliance, they immediately quieted down.
The position of steward was not a high one, merely basic management, at least in ordinary sects.
However, the Immortal Alliance was not an ordinary sect. They managed hundreds of countries throughout the cultivation world. Therefore, in small countries like the Xihui Dynasty, they would usually send a hall master or similar to preside over daily affairs, so no one dared to underestimate such a steward.
“Evergreen Convention of Yongning Prefecture?”
Qi Huang, being very sharp, captured this information. It meant that Cheng Hong Ling had already participated in the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention.
As for why she knew this? The reason was simple: she had heard her master describe the Evergreen Convention before.
The Evergreen Convention, held once every three years, was divided into three stages. Participants first had to attend the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention for preliminary selection, then the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention for formal selection, and finally the national-level, which was the true Evergreen Convention. Every participating cultivator had to advance step by step.
Of course, there was also the legendary world-class Evergreen Convention, but the requirements were extremely stringent, and very few people had ever participated in its history in the entire Xihui Dynasty.
In Qi Huang’s opinion, the HongHua Sect was already the largest sect in Huang Tian Prefecture. Moreover, Cheng Hong Ling was a genius rarely seen in a hundred years. Therefore, the prefecture-level would certainly pose no difficulty for her. Her presence here already indicated much.
“Although the cultivation world is vast and rich, immortal sects are as numerous as stars. To ensure the continuous development of our immortal path, cultivation resources must be used properly, as the saying goes, ‘good steel should be used on the blade.’ The purpose of holding the Evergreen Convention is to select immortal seedlings with potential and focus on cultivating them.”
Steward Cai first introduced the origin of the Evergreen Convention, then continued: “Since all participants have come here, it means you are the elites of various sects in this prefecture. As elites, you must not only fight for yourselves but also for the honor of your sect and even the common people of the entire prefecture. You must not disgrace the reputation of your hometown. Of course, if someone can reach the world-class Evergreen Convention, then you represent the entire country. I believe no immortal seedling would refuse such an honor, right?”
Steward Cai delivered a routine motivational speech. Although there was suspicion of exaggeration, the effect was indeed very good, and the “immortal seedlings” below were all high-spirited.
“Making you a steward is a waste of talent; you should be a strategist.”
Qi Huang couldn’t help but grumble internally.
“Alright, I wish everyone good luck in advance. But before that, we need to draw lots to determine opponents. Anyone whose name is called will come on stage and pick a lottery stick from the bamboo tube over there, which will have a number written on it. No loud noises or wandering around during the draw.”
Steward Cai pointed to a large bamboo tube nearby.
Next was the lottery draw time. Steward Cai ordered a disciple to call out names. Each time a name was called, that person would go up to draw. Since only a total of 132 prefecture-level immortal seedlings participated, it wouldn’t take much time.
Qi Huang specifically noticed that the HongHua Sect had five participants this time, three females and two males, namely Cheng Hong Ling, Ruan Lingyu, Su Qing, Wang Zong, and another male disciple. It was likely that these five were the most talented disciples in the sect.
Even as an observer, Qi Huang felt a bit embarrassed. Except for Huang Tian Prefecture, no other prefecture had disciples from only one sect participating. It was all a “hundred schools of thought contend.” The reason was that the common people in the “rat’s nest” had very poor aptitude, and were not allowed to have too many immortal sects exist.
“Next, Cheng Hong Ling from the HongHua Sect.”
After much anticipation, it was finally Cheng Hong Ling’s turn. She calmly and confidently walked onto the stage. Although she was only twelve years old, due to the Golden Life
