Chapter 158: Stop Acting, I Beg You (Part 1)
Qi Huang followed her main body, rushing to the Yuxiao Sect without stopping. On one hand, she was worried about her father, and on the other hand, she was worried about the HongHua Sect. Although no one knew when they left, it wouldn’t be good to stay outside for too long.
After two days and nights of continuous travel, the two finally arrived at the foot of the Yuxiao Sect’s mountain.
“Let’s do it according to the previous plan for the HeYi Sect. I’ll be responsible for acting on the big stage, and you’ll be responsible for waiting at the foot of the mountain. If the situation changes, you’ll recall me immediately.”
Qi Huang made a decision.
“Are you really okay going alone? This Yuxiao Sect is not like the HeYi Sect. I’m afraid you’ll be stage fright,”
Cheng Hong Ling said worriedly.
“You can rest assured about my acting skills!”
Qi Huang smiled confidently and added, “If you go with me, and a conflict breaks out, neither of us will be able to escape.”
After much deliberation, Cheng Hong Ling couldn’t think of any better way, so she had no choice but to agree.
“I have already reached the ninth layer of the Guiyi Realm. After I find my father, I will immediately look for the medicinal ingredients to make ‘Peiyuan Pills’. Once I reach the Huashen Realm, you won’t have to risk acting anymore.”
Cheng Hong Ling’s eyes revealed a determined look.
“Peiyuan Pills? What is that?”
Qi Huang asked doubtfully.
“Peiyuan Pills are essential for reaching the Huashen Realm. This Black Gold Lily is one of the raw materials. Besides that, we also need Snow Pig Blood and the eggshells of the Blue-crowned Finch, all of which are quite precious medicinal ingredients.”
Cheng Hong Ling explained.
Qi Huang nodded thoughtfully, then committed these two herbs to memory, hoping to help her main body a little.
Next, Qi Huang headed towards the gate of the Yuxiao Sect alone. Since she had left in a hurry and hadn’t brought a sword, she could only go empty-handed. However, she didn’t intend to fight. If they couldn’t reach an agreement, she would just run.
The Yuxiao Sect was a prefecture-level sect in Sanyang Prefecture, ranking within the top five in Yongning Prefecture. It was two points stronger than Shuiyu Valley. The sect had four masters in the Huashen Realm, with the Sect Leader being the highest in cultivation, reaching the fifth layer of the Huashen Realm. The left and right protectors were next, at the second and third layers of the Huashen Realm, respectively. The Great Elder was at the first layer of the Huashen Realm.
Due to its strong power, it attracted over 30% of the young women in the entire Sanyang Prefecture. Coupled with the disciples and other miscellaneous personnel, a population of about 500,000 people gathered on a large mountain.
Qi Huang looked up and saw densely packed buildings, one after another. The sounds of vendors could be heard from a distance, like arriving at the bustling market of Dacheng Town.
In fact, with the scale of the Yuxiao Sect, it was no less than a Prefecture Capital.
Although Qi Huang was an experienced actress, she felt the pressure seeing such a grand scene. She took a deep breath to calm herself before confidently walking towards the gate of the Yuxiao Sect. Since she was wearing a veil, she didn’t attract too much attention along the way.
“Esteemed Fellow Daoist, please notify your sect leader that Cheng Hong Ling of the HongHua Sect has something important to request an audience with.”
Qi Huang walked over and politely requested. If the matter could be resolved peacefully, she wouldn’t have to risk acting.
“Cheng Hong Ling of the HongHua Sect? Who is that? I haven’t heard of her. Our sect leader isn’t someone anyone can see.”
The young disciple guarding the gate looked at Qi Huang. After a moment of distraction, he said unfeelingly, “After all, women are not scarce in Immortal Sects, and there are plenty of women with good figures. I wouldn’t be infatuated by this.”
“You don’t even know Cheng Hong Ling?”
Just as Qi Huang was about to get angry, a slightly older disciple next to her spoke in surprise, “She and the Saintess of Shuiyu Valley are known as the ‘Twin Beauties of Moon Concealment’ in the Xihui Dynasty, not only for their peerless beauty but also for their astonishing talent.”
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t recall. It seems there is such a thing!”
The previous disciple said awkwardly.
“You’re Junior Sister Hong Ling, right? It’s not impossible to report your request, but with you covering your face like this, how can we confirm your identity?”
The older disciple deliberated.
“I have this.”
Qi Huang handed over the Immortal Elder Waist Token she had obtained from her main body.
The older disciple looked carefully and, after confirming it was genuine, said, “Please wait a moment, I will report to the Sect Leader.”
“Thank you.”
Qi Huang took back the Immortal Elder Waist Token and waited patiently, hoping that the Sect Leader of the Yuxiao Sect was a reasonable person who would uphold justice rather than favor his own, thus avoiding bloodshed.
Not long after, the disciple returned and invited, “Junior Sister Hong Ling, thank you for waiting. Our Sect Leader requests your presence.”
Qi Huang thanked him politely again, then followed him with elegant steps, holding her head high and chest out, looking quite heroic and spirited, all of which she had learned from her main body.
Entering the Yuxiao Sect, Qi Huang curiously observed her surroundings. She found it even more bustling than she had imagined. There were all sorts of shops on both sides of the road, and the stalls were endless, offering everything one could want. There was even “Cat’s Eye Tears” for sale.
Qi Huang was stunned. Cat’s Eye Tears were priceless at the HongHua Sect, yet here they were being sold on the street. It was truly a case of comparing oneself to others and getting depressed.
“Fellow Daoist, how much are you selling these Cat’s Eye Tears for?”
Qi Huang took a moment to inquire. If this item wasn’t valuable, she could buy ten bottles or eight to give to her senior sisters.
“Not expensive, one thousand taels of silver per bottle.”
The stall owner immediately quoted the price enthusiastically.
‘One thousand taels isn’t expensive?’
Qi Huang’s face instantly fell. It seemed that Cat’s Eye Tears were not as common in the Yuxiao Sect as she had imagined. At least she couldn’t afford them. One thousand taels of silver was enough to buy a quadrangle courtyard in places like the Prefecture Capital or prefectural cities.
‘I can’t afford it! I absolutely can’t afford it!’
Although Qi Huang wanted them, she was short on cash and could only stare longingly. When the stall owner was about to lose patience, she left reluctantly.
‘Why am I so poor?’
Qi Huang was filled with resentment. She followed the disciple to the assembly hall, where the Sect Leader of the Yuxiao Sect had been waiting for a long time.
The Sect Leader of the Yuxiao Sect was surnamed Liu. He was a scholarly-looking old man with salt-and-pepper hair and a clean-shaven beard. His robe was spotless. Judging by his appearance, he looked like a reasonable person.
“Heh heh, indeed it is Junior Sister Cheng! After not seeing you for some time, you have become even more graceful!”
Sect Leader Liu flattered her politely.
“Sect Leader Liu exaggerates. Have you met me before?”
Qi Huang asked curiously.
“Met! Of course, I’ve met you! Three years ago, when you entered the top sixty in the Xihui Dynasty, I witnessed the entire event.”
Sect Leader Liu’s rosy face showed a hint of admiration.
“Three years ago? But this year I didn’t even secure a spot for the prefecture-level Immortal Seed. Sect Leader Liu must have seen a joke.”
Qi Huang felt a little embarrassed.
“Junior Sister Cheng, you don’t need to dwell on it. Even a fool can see that you did your best.”
Sect Leader Liu seemed very understanding.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Sect Leader Liu.”
Qi Huang was a little touched. This old man was so reasonable; it seemed that dealing with her cheap dad’s affairs would be easy this time.
“We are all under the Immortal Alliance. Junior Sister Cheng doesn’t need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle-Master Liu and have a seat.”
Sect Leader Liu took the opportunity to build rapport.
“Then I won’t be polite, Uncle-Master Liu.”
Qi Huang changed her address, feeling flattered, and then sat down on the chair beside her as requested.
“Since that’s the case, we can consider ourselves family. I’ll speak frankly about some matters.”
Sect Leader Liu showed a “kind” smile and said, “Junior Sister Cheng, I actually know why you didn’t get a spot for the prefecture-level Immortal Seed this year. It’s not that you weren’t strong enough, but the Immortal Alliance changed the rules. No matter how strong you are, you can’t fight five at once, right? In fact, everyone knows that your talent is unmatched in Yongning Prefecture.”
“Oh my! Uncle-Master Liu has truly keen eyes! May I respectfully call you Uncle Liu?”
Qi Huang was so moved that she thought she had misjudged this gentleman with her petty mind.
“Haha, of course! Niece Cheng!”
Sect Leader Liu laughed heartily, eager to seize the moment and said, “However, Niece, you should also be clear that it is as difficult as ascending to heaven to get the Immortal Alliance to change the rules. Moreover, the disciples of the HongHua Sect, apart from you, are all good-for-nothings. If you continue to stay there, it will be hard for you to get ahead.”
‘Good-for-nothings?’
Qi Huang’s mood instantly soured upon hearing this word. How could a sect leader call someone a good-for-nothing just because their talent was poor? After hearing the rest of the sentence, she finally understood. This guy wasn’t really that understanding; it was all an act to poach her.
‘Good heavens, I haven’t even met my cheap dad yet, and you’re already trying to poach my main body.’
Qi Huang was furious, so she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “Sect Leader Liu, I understand what you mean, but the HongHua Sect has treated me well, and I will never leave.”
“Since that’s the case, what is the reason for Junior Sister Cheng’s arduous journey to our Yuxiao Sect?”
Unsurprisingly, Sect Leader Liu’s expression instantly turned sullen.
“The purpose is very simple. I want to know who you sent to the Juyin Auction House in the prefecture capital to bid for the ‘Black Gold Lily’ some time ago?”
Qi Huang no longer intended to play coy and directly questioned him.
