“My heavens, are these all Cat’s Eye Tears? There seem to be thirty or forty bottles!”
“Thirty or forty bottles is a lot? For Hong Ling, it’s just a piece of cake, isn’t it?”
“I knew Hong Ling was just joking with us. Who is she? HongHua Sect’s unprecedented peerless genius. What can’t she do?”
“Don’t make such jokes in the future, no one will believe you anymore!”
…
The high-level figures were not surprised by this and showed their absolute trust in Cheng Hong Ling.
Qi Huang revealed a satisfied smile. By doing this, not only did she earn money, but her main body also gained fame. It was truly killing two birds with one stone. As for why she only produced thirty or forty bottles, it was because she had to keep ten or so bottles for those senior sisters with whom she had good relationships.
“Hong Ling, how much per bottle? Give me five bottles!”
“What five bottles? Aren’t you afraid of overwhelming yourself? Doesn’t everyone here have at least two disciples? What about the others?”
“You want some? Sure, you go first, and I’ll offer twice your price. Let’s see who Hong Ling is willing to sell to!”
“Talking about money is too mundane. One should know how to respect the old and love the young. I think we should buy in order of age.”
“The cultivation world respects strength. What’s the use of being old? Being old only becomes a burden. I suggest buying in order of strength.”
…
The high-level figures immediately started arguing about the order of purchase, completely losing the demeanor of cultivators. After all, this matter concerned their own and their disciples’ lives and deaths. Cat’s Eye Tears were something that had a price but no market. If they were to act humble at such a time, they would only be left with nothing.
“You all claim to be poor all the time! What’s going on now??”
Qin Quan asked, his voice filled with a mixture of shock and anger.
“It’s to give Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling some face. She’s finally selling something after so long. As elders, we should support her, even if it means going bankrupt, right?”
…
Someone explained this way, and it immediately drew a chorus of agreement.
“You’ve all thought about it quite thoroughly. Since that’s the case, I, as the Sect Leader, need more support. I suggest we buy according to seniority.”
Qin Quan said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. It was clear that he too had succumbed to the temptation and chose to join in.
“Wait, I’m the seller. I decide who to sell to and how much to sell!”
Qi Huang immediately called a halt. She didn’t want her items to cause internal strife, and who knew if these people had any dirty thoughts about hoarding.
Seeing everyone quiet down, Qi Huang continued, “Each person present can only buy one bottle. You only have a few disciples under you, how much can you use in a month? Come find me again when it’s time.”
Although the few high-level figures were reluctant, they couldn’t raise any objections and could only abide by the seller’s rules.
Cheng Hong Ling, who was standing beside them, finally reacted to the commotion. Her first instinct was to question it, so she rushed over in a panic to stop them, “Everyone, don’t buy it, it’s fake! How could she possibly have Cat’s Eye Tears?”
“Fake?”
The few high-level figures looked at each other.
“Where did you get it from? Didn’t you give it to me yourself?”
Qi Huang asked, feigning surprise.
“What are you talking about? When did I ever give it to you?”
Cheng Hong Ling shook her head repeatedly and then earnestly advised the high-level figures, “Let me state in advance, I did not give her any Cat’s Eye Tears. If you pay and buy fakes, I will not be responsible.”
The few high-level figures stared at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
“Are you crazy? To betray your own people for money? Don’t you know that this kind of thing can easily be identified as genuine or fake?”
Cheng Hong Ling questioned, trying to keep her voice down, and even forgot to use mind transmission.
“I know, right? That’s why this one of mine is indeed genuine Cat’s Eye Tears.”
Qi Huang reiterated.
“I get it, you’re afraid I’ll be embarrassed, so you’re doing this intentionally, right? Don’t you know that if it’s exposed, we’ll be even more embarrassed?”
Cheng Hong Ling suddenly realized and speculated to herself.
“Haha, you’re acting so convincingly! You’re too good for acting, you should consider it as a profession.”
Qi Huang sneered.
“What acting? You, a repeat offender, have the nerve to say I’m acting?”
Cheng Hong Ling asked, her voice filled with shock and anger.
“Everyone, buy if you trust me. If you don’t, I won’t force you. However, I want to remind everyone that each bottle is one thousand taels of silver, and this is your only chance. You won’t have another opportunity to buy it later.”
Qi Huang picked up a bottle of Cat’s Eye Tears and started hawking it.
“What? One thousand taels of silver per bottle? That’s too cheap!”
“Yeah, Cat’s Eye Tears are already being resold for two thousand taels a bottle outside, and they’re highly sought after with no supply.”
“Over the years, we’ve all seen how Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling conducts herself. How could we not trust you?”
…
The few high-level figures expressed their trust again and then took out their silver notes and rushed forward madly, afraid that they would miss out if they were too slow.
Qi Huang happily counted the silver notes, her mouth twitching with a smile.
“It’s over, my lifelong reputation! ”
Cheng Hong Ling felt like crying but had no tears. She could only watch as that clone sold counterfeit and shoddy products.
After receiving the Cat’s Eye Tears, the high-level figures treasured them like jewels. Some were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes.
“Everyone, once the goods are sold, they cannot be returned or exchanged! Of course, to prove that I am doing honest business, I am willing to offer one bottle of Cat’s Eye Tears for everyone to test on the spot!”
Qi Huang generously picked out a bottle of Cat’s Eye Tears and opened the cap.
“No need, Qi Huang. We all trust you unconditionally!”
Elder Ruan was the first to express his stance, and the others followed suit.
“Are you guys kidding me? Cat’s Eye Tears are related to human lives. Why aren’t you even trying it?”
Cheng Hong Ling reminded them excitedly. She would rather ruin her own reputation than watch her fellow disciples use fake Cat’s Eye Tears to drive away ghosts.
“They don’t need to try, but you can. Mine is indeed genuine Cat’s Eye Tears. Inspect it yourself if you don’t believe me. Although there are no ghosts here, after using Cat’s Eye Tears, one can see people’s souls with the naked eye. This is common knowledge.”
Qi Huang winked and invited her.
Cheng Hong Ling stared at Qi Huang for a long time, then, with a hint of doubt, she took the bottle of Cat’s Eye Tears and dripped a drop into her eyes.
Then, she looked around. Since most of the high-level figures present had not reached the Guiyi Realm, they had no spiritual sense defense. Therefore, she immediately saw the souls of several people.
“This… how is this possible? This is actually… actually genuine Cat’s Eye Tears?”
Cheng Hong Ling’s beautiful eyes widened, and her heart was filled with joy. She found it hard to imagine how disappointed her Master would be if she failed her mission. How disappointed would her fellow disciples be? She also found it hard to imagine how heartbroken her parents would be if her clone was exposed for selling counterfeit and shoddy products!
And all these crises were resolved by the clone in front of her. This gave her a feeling of having narrowly escaped death!
Indeed, for Cheng Hong Ling, who had a strong sense of self-esteem, losing face was even more unacceptable than death.
“Where did you get these Cat’s Eye Tears?”
Cheng Hong Ling asked, trying hard to maintain a cold demeanor.
“I told you, didn’t you give it to me yourself?”
Qi Huang blinked her eyes.
“I gave it to you?”
Cheng Hong Ling couldn’t figure out what this clone was up to and was at a loss for words.
“Hong Ling! Stop acting! No one believes you! Although humility is a virtue, as the number one Immortal Seed of HongHua Sect, you need to be appropriately high-profile to deter lesser beings. Our sect will rely on you in the future!”
Her Master, Xu Mei, advised her earnestly.
“You need to establish prestige not only externally but also internally. When I retire, the Sect Leader of HongHua Sect can only be passed on to you. So, you need to learn from Qi Huang in the future, say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t always lie for the sake of humility. Your acting is too poor, no one believes it.”
Qin Quan also chimed in.
As his words fell, the great hall fell silent, because this was the first time Qin Quan had publicly declared his successor. Although everyone already knew the outcome, his personal declaration made the matter different.
Cheng Hong Ling’s heart began to beat erratically. Although she was powerful, she was still just an ordinary disciple and had never experienced the “addiction of power.” This was too great a temptation for a little girl.
“That’s not right? How can I accept charity?”
However, she quickly reacted and said righteously, “Even if you say that, I still have to declare that I’m really not acting! The real actor is Qi Huang, it’s her!”
