Chapter 75: Clone, She Cannot Handle
Cheng Hong Ling took a step forward, and the chilling air spread out, forming a thin layer of Mystic Ice on the ground. She then executed her Wave Butterfly body technique and, almost instantaneously, appeared before Zhen Chao. She raised her slender jade leg and delivered a kick.
“Bang!”
Although Zhen Chao’s strength was not low, he was completely unprepared. Coupled with Cheng Hong Ling’s extreme speed, he was struck squarely in the chest before he could even react. He was sent flying out of the hall like a broken sack.
“Such boasting, claiming you could suppress me with a mere flip of your hand? I can kick you out with one foot.”
Cheng Hong Ling reappeared at the doorway like a ghost, looking down with disdain at the disoriented Zhen Chao lying on the ground.
“How… how is this possible? You… you’re clearly only at Layer 2 of the Huashen Realm, why are you so fast?”
Zhen Chao staggered to his feet, his face filled with shock. It wasn’t that he was particularly resilient, but rather that Cheng Hong Ling had held back her strength.
“Scram!”
Cheng Hong Ling berated him coldly.
Zhen Chao took a deep breath and then said sternly, “Don’t get too arrogant. I was just momentarily careless and didn’t guard myself. Next time we meet at the Evergreen Convention, I will make you pay double.”
“So noisy!”
Cheng Hong Ling frowned and flashed forward again.
“Hmph! Still trying to use the same trick? Too naive!”
Zhen Chao snorted. As a genius, he could naturally see that the terrifying speed was due to the ice on the ground. If that were removed, she would be no threat.
Thinking this, Zhen Chao unleashed a torrent of heat from his feet, sweeping forward in an attempt to deter the encroaching cold. However, he was soon shocked to discover that his fire-attribute True Qi was completely ineffective in resisting it.
“Bang!”
The next moment, Zhen Chao was kicked flying again, rolling several dozen feet on the ground before lying there like a dead pig.
“Stop rewarding him.”
Qi Huang couldn’t bear to watch anymore and quickly ran out to persuade her main body.
“Rewarding?”
Cheng Hong Ling looked confused.
“Ahem…”
Qi Huang coughed twice, then walked forward with feigned composure and said, “Now do you know how we managed to get the reward items?”
Zhen Chao no longer dared to be defiant. He struggled to support himself and stand up with his hands, then scrambled away.
“I knew someone would target our HongHua Sect. I didn’t expect them to actually show up. Wanting to use our name to participate in the match and undermine the sect’s disciples is pure wishful thinking.”
Qi Huang sneered and then said to Qin Quan, “Sect Leader Qin, if this happens again, just block them at the door. Don’t let them in, otherwise, we won’t be responsible.”
“Alright!”
Qin Quan gave an awkward smile and then muttered, “Let them in? He broke in himself by scaling the walls.”
Qi Huang pretended not to hear, thinking to herself that for a sect leader to need disciples to protect him was truly undeserved. If it weren’t for him being reasonably obedient, she, an Immortal Maiden, would have usurped his position long ago.
From that day on, others tried to take advantage of the HongHua Sect, but they were all turned away by Qin Quan. The news quickly spread, and no one knew what he was thinking. After all, for a small sect like the HongHua Sect, having a few temporary helpers was always good. Although the rewards would be partly shared, it was better than getting nothing.
A few days later, the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention was held at the HongHua Sect as scheduled. However, Qi Huang did not pay much attention to it. This was because, besides the HongHua Sect, Huang Tian Prefecture only had two or three pseudo immortal sects that were merely a facade. The cultivation level of their sect leaders was only at the early stage of Body Refining, let alone their disciples. Thus, it was merely a formality.
Ruan Lingyu and a few senior sisters were quite excited, as it was truly difficult for them to find opportunities to “bully the weak.”
A few days later, the few pseudo immortal sects were all eliminated. The ten disciples of the HongHua Sect who participated in the match naturally became the prefecture-level Immortal Seeds of Huang Tian Prefecture. In half a year, they would be able to go to the prefecture capital to participate in the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention. It was at this stage that Cheng Hong Ling had been eliminated last time.
The senior sisters, having won their first battles, were incredibly exhilarated and stayed up all night to share their excitement with Qi Huang.
Cheng Hong Ling, unsure if the senior sisters had ulterior motives, stood guard like a soldier.
“Junior Sister, you’ve seen our strength, so don’t underestimate us.”
Yun Fei said proudly.
“Yes, at the prefecture-level Evergreen Convention, we will definitely help you with all our might. We absolutely will not let what happened last time repeat itself.”
Shen Yuan gritted her teeth and swore.
“HaiZhi Sect, right? Senior Sister will definitely get revenge for you this time.”
Su Qing, the sharp-tongued girl, appeared unusually serious.
“Although my cultivation level is the lowest, I’m very good at biting! Even if I fall, I will bite them to death like a puppy.”
Miao Xiang revealed her gleaming white teeth and said.
“Revenge is a minor matter. Since we’re participating this time, we must help Junior Sister obtain the seeds of the Golden Life Flower!”
Ruan Lingyu did not dampen her junior sisters’ spirits this time but instead agreed.
Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling were stunned. They understood then that the senior sisters’ participation in the Evergreen Convention was not for vanity, but to help her with all their might. Their previous words were just excuses.
Qi Huang hesitated to speak, but ultimately did not refuse and said, “Okay, I believe you!”
Cheng Hong Ling did not object either. She was only aloof, not heartless. How could she refuse the affection of her senior sisters?
At least, not openly.
Time flew by, and it was already the end of September. There were only three months left until the next Evergreen Convention!
On this day, Steward Cai at the Immortal Alliance branch hall in Yongning Prefecture received a long-distance message from his Master, Elder Zuo.
“Cai De, what’s the situation in Yongning Prefecture now? How many talented disciples from other regions have arrived?”
Elder Zuo asked carefully. He didn’t want his efforts to be in vain.
“Master, don’t worry! Everything is under my control. Currently, talented disciples from outside have joined the major immortal sects in Yongning Prefecture, and there are quite a few at the Huashen Realm. That Cheng Hong Ling from two years ago did not escape my control, let alone this time.”
Steward Cai said proudly.
“Stop with the nonsense, who exactly are the geniuses that have arrived?”
Elder Zuo asked impatiently.
“First is the Empire’s Sixth Princess, Lin Ran. You should have heard about her.”
Steward Cai inquired respectfully.
“Nonsense, you already reported that to me last time. Given her strength, it’s hard to say if she can defeat Cheng Hong Ling. So, we still need to look at others. Has the top Immortal Seed from the Donglai Sect arrived?”
Elder Zuo was immediately furious.
“He hasn’t arrived. It’s said that he is participating in the local Evergreen Convention normally. I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
Steward Cai replied.
“Ye Donglai is quite patient. However, smart people definitely won’t come so early. Once they are exposed, their opponents will prepare in advance, which is very disadvantageous for them.”
Elder Zuo speculated.
“What Master says is very true.”
Steward Cai flattered.
“Are there any other geniuses?”
Elder Zuo pressed on.
“There’s also the one from the Changhe Sect…”
Steward Cai began to list off what he knew.
“Are there any geniuses at the late stage of the Huashen Realm among them?”
Elder Zuo asked after listening.
“No, but Master, don’t worry. That Cheng Hong Ling is also only at the early stage of the Huashen Realm. Surely they won’t need a genius at the late stage of the Huashen Realm to make a move? Currently, the HuXiao Sect alone has three or four geniuses at a similar cultivation level to her. I don’t believe she can fight against multiple opponents. Besides, strength doesn’t just refer to cultivation level, but also Magic Treasures, Talismans, formations, and so on. The HongHua Sect is famously poor. How can they compete with other major immortal sects?”
Steward Cai was very confident.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry. We can only see how the next three months go! If that kid from the Donglai Sect really doesn’t come, I’m afraid there will still be variables. I need to make full preparations.”
Elder Zuo murmured to himself.
“What preparations does Master speak of?”
Steward Cai asked curiously.
“As an Elder of the Immortal Alliance, I can still personally go to Zhongzhou to find a monstrous talent to take action.”
Elder Zuo said word for word.
“Master is wise. If those monstrous talents at the Shentong Realm agree, even if only a clone comes, it won’t be something Cheng Hong Ling can handle.”
Steward Cai was immediately overjoyed.
