“They are from the local Wanshan Sect in Yongning Prefecture. The reason we set up camp here is because they refused to let us pass,” explained Mu Ruoyi.
Cheng Hong Ling asked after a moment’s thought, “Wanshan Sect? This sect isn’t that strong, it doesn’t even rank in the top five in this prefecture. How many people do they have?” She understood a bit about the sect as they were from the same prefecture. The sect only had one Nascent Soul Realm expert, their sect leader.
“They must have attached great importance to this matter, so the sect leader personally led the team. Because that guy’s cultivation level is one level higher than Elder Zhao, we didn’t force our way through,” Mu Ruoyi said, shaking her head.
“Your Shuiyu Valley should have more than one Nascent Soul Realm expert, right? Why did you only send her and you? Don’t you value that Nine Nether Demonic Cat that much?” Cheng Hong Ling asked, unable to understand.
“Indeed, our valley has a total of three Nascent Soul Realm experts. But you must know that this place is hundreds of thousands of miles away from Nansheng Continent. If all our experts leave, once our backyard catches fire, it will be too late to save it. There are many evil paths in this world that want to see Immortal Sects perish,” Zhao Li explained patiently.
“Shuiyu Valley only has three Nascent Soul Realm cultivators? If that’s the case, then I can understand,” Cheng Hong Ling agreed wholeheartedly.
“Junior Martial Sister Hong Ling, three Nascent Soul Realm cultivators are already very strong, okay?” Mu Ruoyi couldn’t help but retort, thinking to herself that her HongHua Sect only had one Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, yet she dared to say such things.
“Heh heh…” Cheng Hong Ling smiled noncommittally, then said, “The Wanshan Sect leader is one level stronger than Elder Zhao, so that makes him at the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm? And he still has the nerve to claim territory? Let’s make an example of them today!”
“I’m afraid we can’t just make an example of them,” Mu Ruoyi shook her head.
“What? You don’t believe in my strength?” Cheng Hong Ling frowned unhappily.
“No, I believe that no matter how strong you are, it will be difficult to make a move against them. This is because the Wanshan Sect has a very upright way of doing things. We tried to break through their blockade multiple times, but they didn’t make a move. Each time, they ‘persuaded’ us with virtue and painstakingly ‘convinced’ us to turn back,” Mu Ruoyi said with a wry smile.
“They’re that gentlemanly? Then I’d like to see if they have the ability to persuade me back today.” Cheng Hong Ling smiled, unmoved. What “persuade with virtue” meant, in the end, was that strength determined who had the final say. For the sake of the HongHua Sect, even if the other party was a reincarnated saint, they wouldn’t be able to influence her.
Mu Ruoyi and Zhao Li exchanged a glance, then helplessly shook their heads.
Thus, the people from Shuiyu Valley packed their belongings and advanced forward. Not long after, they arrived at the foot of a small mountain and were blocked by more than ten men and women dressed in uniform.
“It’s you women again! I already told you before, this road is impassable! If you dare to disturb us again, don’t blame us for taking action.” A middle-aged man in the lead warned. Seeing that he was wearing plain clothes alone, he was likely a high-level figure of the Wanshan Sect.
“Give your Wanshan Sect one chance. Leave this place, and we’ll all be peaceful!” Cheng Hong Ling stepped out from the crowd and informed them.
“Heh heh, what a bold statement. You are…” The middle-aged man’s face showed disdain, but it quickly turned into surprise: “Are you Cheng Hong Ling from the HongHua Sect?”
“It is I. Who are you? I remember the Wanshan Sect leader; it’s not you,” Cheng Hong Ling replied casually.
“My name is Yang Tian, and I am an elder of the Wanshan Sect. I didn’t expect you to be with the people from Shuiyu Valley. Are you planning to cooperate?” the middle-aged man asked subconsciously.
“Why not?” Cheng Hong Ling’s cherry lips parted, her expression indifferent and aloof.
“Of course, you can. But it’s of no use. You are indeed a genius, but you still need time to grow. So even if you join forces, you won’t be able to pass the Wanshan Sect’s blockade. We all belong to the Immortal Alliance, and we don’t want to bully a group of women. To avoid harming our harmony, I advise you to retreat obediently.” Yang Tian showed a hint of appreciation on his face, then patiently persuaded them.
“This person is quite good. After so many times, he’s still willing to give us a chance!” Mu Ruoyi couldn’t help but praise.
“Indeed, he has some bearing,” Zhao Li couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Unfortunately, you are a cultivator, not a saint. A few nice words cannot convert me.” Cheng Hong Ling’s expression was calm as her powerful Spiritual Sense suddenly crushed down, giving him no chance to continue.
Yang Tian’s cultivation only reached the Guiyi Realm, and he immediately knelt on the ground, his body trembling violently due to the immense pressure. His surrounding disciples were even worse off; they all prostrated themselves on the ground, unable to even blink.
“Such… such strong spiritual pressure! You… have you already reached the Nascent… Nascent Soul Realm? This is impossible! I remember at the Evergreen Convention last year, you were only at the fifth or sixth level of the Guiyi Realm,” Yang Tian said, leaning on his sword and trembling. His few words seemed to have used up all his strength, and dense fine sweat appeared on his forehead.
“So what? Who decreed that if I was at the fifth or sixth level of the Guiyi Realm last year, I couldn’t reach the Nascent Soul Realm this year?” Cheng Hong Ling walked over and asked condescendingly.
“Cultivators reaching… reaching the Guiyi Realm, how… how can they break through four… four or five small realms in a year?” Yang Tian still refused to believe it, the look of dejection on his face so obvious.
“It seems that the one surnamed Zhou from the HuXiao Sect has fooled everyone!” At this moment, an old man’s voice rang out, and before the voice had even finished, he had already appeared in the center of the field.
“Finally willing to come out? Sect Leader Yan!” Cheng Hong Ling still said expressionlessly. The women from Shuiyu Valley, however, seemed to be facing a great enemy, retreating one after another, some even drawing their weapons.
“I didn’t expect Junior Martial Sister Hong Ling, such a peerless genius, to know me! This old man is truly flattered!” Sect Leader Yan said politely with his hands behind his back.
“Sect Leader Yan, you are too kind! You call me Junior Martial Sister, so it is I who should be flattered!” Cheng Hong Ling returned the courtesy, because according to seniority, the other party was one generation higher than her Master.
“Junior Martial Sister Hong Ling! You have entered the Nascent Soul Realm at the age of sixteen, which is unprecedented in the Xihui Dynasty. But you also know what a Nine Nether Demonic Cat means to ordinary sects like ours! So, forgive this old man for not being able to let you pass just like this. To avoid harming our harmony, please leave.” Sect Leader Yan persuaded them with reason and evidence. It seemed that this sect’s “persuasion with virtue” was exemplified by him.
“I’m afraid that won’t do. As Sect Leader Yan said, this Nine Nether Demonic Cat is very important to any sect, and our HongHua Sect is no exception. Therefore, I must pass today. Please enlighten me!” Cheng Hong Ling shook her head firmly.
“Junior Martial Sister Hong Ling, as an unprecedented genius of the Xihui Dynasty, how can I dare to make a move against you? How about we settle this with a spiritual sense contest? Both sides stop when the other concedes, and whoever loses leaves this place!” Sect Leader Yan proposed.
“That would be great!” Cheng Hong Ling was naturally overjoyed. After all, her making a move was only to show her strength, not to kill anyone. Leaving more living witnesses to spread the word about her was beneficial.
“Please instruct me. As an elder, I will let you make the first move!” Sect Leader Yan extended an invitation but did not make a move, possibly out of consideration for face or due to confidence.
“Then, forgive this junior for her rudeness!” Cheng Hong Ling no longer dawdled, her Spiritual Sense emerged from her body and suppressed towards the old man in front of her. Sect Leader Yan then calmly released his Spiritual Sense to resist. Upon sudden contact, his expression changed drastically: “Such powerful Spiritual Sense! How is this possible? Have you reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm?”
“Middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm? How is this possible? How old is she? Can cultivation also be cheated?” The people around exchanged looks, their faces filled with shock.
“Middle stage of the Nascent Soul Realm? Does Sect Leader Yan look down on me so much?” Cheng Hong Ling said with a half-smile, continuing to increase her Spiritual Sense output. Seeing the other party sweating profusely, she suddenly realized why that clone always liked to scare people with his Spiritual Sense; it was indeed exhilarating!
