Chapter 742: You Must Dig Up the Golden Life Flower
Elder Zuo’s outwardly fierce but inwardly timid demeanor was due to his apprehension towards Qi Huang, as no one knew how strong this yellow-haired girl truly was. Seeing Elder Zuo’s “powerful” stance, the people of HongHua Sect around them all showed fear.
“I planted them, what’s wrong?”
Qi Huang boldly stepped forward to respond.
“Where did your seeds come from? The Immortal Alliance has forbidden the Golden Life Flower seeds from appearing on the continent, don’t you know that?”
Elder Zuo tried his best to maintain his authority.
“These aren’t Golden Life Flower seeds either, I bought these seeds from others.”
Qi Huang calmly explained.
“Bought them? From whom? Do you have proof?”
Elder Zuo naturally had to get to the bottom of it.
“Proof? Easy, easy.”
With a thought, Qi Huang produced over ten pieces of paper in her fair hands: “These are the transaction proofs with the sellers, with both parties’ thumbprints. You can examine them yourself.”
Qi Huang had anticipated that the Immortal Alliance would not let this matter go easily, so she had made agreements with all the sellers when she bought the Golden Life Flower seeds beforehand.
Elder Zuo took them and examined them carefully, but found no flaws after a long time. He then unwillingly pressed further, “Then where did their seeds come from?”
“As far as I know, they all received them as rewards from the Evergreen Convention. If Elder Zuo doesn’t believe me, you can investigate yourself.”
Qi Huang replied with composure.
Elder Zuo did not doubt her, as in his opinion, it was impossible for anyone to obtain Golden Life Flower seeds through channels other than the Evergreen Convention. Moreover, Qi Huang would never dare to lie to him.
Elder Zuo’s expression began to turn awkward, and he was at a loss as to how to continue asserting his authority.
These good-for-nothings at the Immortal Alliance Main Altar, can’t they even boil a few seeds properly?
Elder Zuo “greeted” the person responsible for boiling the seeds fiercely in his heart, and then said with a gentle smile, “So, your Golden Ming Flowers were all grown from these purchased seeds?”
“Yes, I originally bought over ten seeds, but only four grew. Your Immortal Alliance’s stove is really too hot.” Qi Huang said sarcastically.
Damn it, you managed to grow one-third of over ten seeds, and you’re still not satisfied!
Elder Zuo cursed inwardly, but could only force an embarrassed smile.
Elder Zuo pondered for a moment, then put on a stern face again and said, “The Immortal Alliance strictly prohibits cultivators from planting Golden Life Flower seeds. You should dig them up as soon as possible.”
“Elder Zuo, are you bullying me for being young and ignorant? Which rule of the Immortal Alliance prohibits cultivators from planting Golden Life Flower seeds?” Qi Huang retorted with a cold laugh.
“The Golden Life Flower seeds that your Immortal Alliance uses as rewards for cultivators are all boiled. Is there a need to issue such a prohibition? Could it be that you already knew your own people couldn’t even boil a few seeds properly?” Cheng Hong Ling next to her also sneered coldly.
“Do I need to report to you when the prohibition was issued? Dig them up immediately,” Elder Zuo ordered with a sullen face.
“Elder Zuo, you can’t dig them up! You know the situation in our Huang Tian Prefecture. The common people are all relying on these few Golden Life Flowers to escape humiliation,” Qin Quan began to rally the crowd.
“Yes, Immortal Fairy Hong Ling and Immortal Fairy Qi have both said that they are not planting these Golden Life Flower seeds for personal gain, but for all the people of Huang Tian Prefecture. We beg you, please don’t dig up these Golden Life Flowers.”
“Doesn’t the Immortal Alliance always claim to benefit the people of the world? How can they say one thing and do another?”
“Elder Zuo, if you dig up these Golden Life Flowers, it would be equivalent to taking our lives!”
The surrounding ordinary residents began to plead desperately.
Qi Huang’s lips curled slightly. Of course, she had deliberately released this news to put the Immortal Alliance in a passive position.
“Elder Zuo, do you see? Even if I wanted to dig them up, these people wouldn’t allow it,” Qi Huang said in a teasing tone.
Elder Zuo and the others were immediately put in a difficult position. He took a deep breath, then pretended to take out a Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device to threaten them, “Since you are unwilling to cooperate, I can only report this matter to the Immortal Alliance Main Altar.”
“Suit yourself,” Qi Huang said indifferently. She had already planned her fallback. If the Immortal Alliance insisted that she dig them up, it wouldn’t matter. She could just find a hidden place to replant them, and once she became invincible, no one else could dictate to her.
Elder Zuo’s temper flared. He took the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device and went to a secluded spot. Carefully setting up a Spiritual Sense Shield and a soundproofing talisman, he reported the situation to the Deputy Alliance Leader, Cao Hong.
Qi Huang also strangely disappeared from her spot, heading to a secluded place to take out a Recording Mirror to eavesdrop. Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory.
“Twelve seeds, and she actually managed to grow four of them. That’s one-third! I don’t know what the elder responsible for boiling the Golden Life Flower seeds was thinking.”
Cao Hong was furious.
“Yes, they spend all day at the main altar doing nothing, and they can’t even boil seeds properly. They’re like rich young ladies who can’t even touch dirty water, completely useless despite looking good. Do such people deserve to be elders? If this continues, the Immortal Alliance will be in trouble.”
Elder Zuo also complained resentfully.
“I will investigate the consequences of dereliction of duty later, you don’t need to worry about it,” Cao Hong said with some displeasure. He felt that Elder Zuo was being indirect in his criticism.
“What about these Golden Life Flowers then?” Elder Zuo quickly asked.
“If she wants to plant them, let her plant them. There’s no need to act recklessly in front of everyone,” Cao Hong then gave his order.
“Alliance Leader Cao, you’re not joking, are you? Those are four Golden Life Flower seeds! Once they flourish, the Immortal Alliance will suffer great losses, don’t you understand?” Elder Zuo said excitedly.
“Then what do you suggest? Publicly oppose the masses?” Cao Hong retorted, then added with disappointment, “Elder Zuo, you are an elder of the Immortal Alliance. You need to use your brain more when doing things. With your strength, wouldn’t it be difficult to put on a specially made Nine Nether Demonic Cat outfit and secretly dig up those Golden Life Flowers? This way, you can avoid offending the masses and also obtain four Golden Life Flower seeds for free. It’s a win-win situation, why not?”
“Alliance Leader Cao is truly wise, how did I not think of that?” Elder Zuo said excitedly and flatteringly.
“If you could have thought of it, you would be the Deputy Alliance Leader,” Cao Hong retorted sarcastically.
Meanwhile, Qi Huang, who was eavesdropping, smiled faintly, thinking that if such cleverness could make someone a Deputy Alliance Leader, then as an Immortal Elder, it wouldn’t be excessive for her to be an Alliance Leader.
Qi Huang put away the Recording Mirror, then calmly walked back.
Elder Zuo felt reassured. He returned to the scene and said righteously, “Alliance Leader Cao pities the people of Huang Tian Prefecture, so he has specially granted permission for the HongHua Sect to plant these few Golden Life Flowers.”
“Aren’t you going to thank Elder Zuo!” Qi Huang chimed in support.
“That’s great, thank you Elder Zuo! Thank you Alliance Leader Cao! Long live the Immortal Alliance!” The surrounding crowd cheered excitedly.
Elder Zuo’s lips curled subtly. He thought that Cao Hong was indeed worthy of being the Deputy Alliance Leader, a true old fox. This way, not only did it earn the Immortal Alliance a good reputation, but it also allowed them to obtain four Golden Life Flower seeds for free. It was truly a win-win situation.
Elder Zuo felt it wasn’t enough, so he continued to display his virtuousness. He turned and specifically instructed Cheng Hong Ling and Qi Huang, “You keep saying that you are planting these for the people, so you must do as you say and not seek exorbitant profits from them, otherwise the Immortal Alliance will not stand idly by.”
“Don’t worry, you don’t need to remind me,” Qi Huang said, feeling a little nauseated.
Next, Elder Zuo led his followers away from HongHua Sect, contemplating when to come and steal those four Golden Life Flower seeds.
Seeing that the situation had calmed down, everyone left happily. Being able to keep these four Golden Flower seeds today was even better than celebrating a festival for them.
Qi Huang’s family also returned indoors. Cheng Hong Ling’s expression was somewhat solemn. After holding back for a while, she finally spoke up in reprimand, “Wasn’t it too early for you to plant these Golden Life Flower seeds? It might be difficult to resolve this situation now.”
“Too early? I even think it’s too late. If we had planted them just one day later, the people of Huang Tian Prefecture would have been subjected to a day more of criticism.” Qi Huang spoke calmly and articulately.
“Do you really think the Immortal Alliance will let this matter go?” Cheng Hong Ling reminded her.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t Elder Zuo permit us to plant them?” Jiang Li Niang, standing nearby, asked in confusion.
“Most likely, they plan to say one thing and do another. These Golden Life Flowers concern the interests of the Immortal Alliance, they will not back down,” Cheng Yuan analyzed rationally.
“You’re right, the Immortal Alliance indeed has no intention of giving up. Come and take a look,” Qi Huang took out the Recording Mirror and played the scene she had secretly filmed.
“Some people truly never change their nature!” Jiang Li Niang couldn’t help but curse.
“Looking at your calm demeanor, do you already have a plan to deal with this?” Cheng Hong Ling glanced at the clone beside her.
“Of course, you know my style of doing things. I never fight battles I’m not sure of winning,” Qi Huang’s rosy lips curved slightly.
“That’s right, my daughter is powerful, why would she be afraid of Elder Zuo stealing them?” Jiang Li Niang suddenly realized.
“You’re wrong. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t guard against a thief who wants to steal, but you can guard against one who is eyeing your goods.’ Moreover, if I were to confront Elder Zuo directly, who knows who the Immortal Alliance would send next time? My strength would be exposed immediately, which is not worth the loss,” Qi Huang shook her head.
“What exactly do you want to do? Hurry up and say it!” Cheng Hong Ling said impatiently.
“Didn’t he want me to dig up those Golden Life Flower seeds at first? I’ll fulfill his wish and let him have a fruitless theft.” Qi Huang said with a charming smile.
