Chapter 410: Evergreen Convention, Commencement (2)
Elder Zhou also quickly spotted the HongHua Sect group. A sinister smile spread across his face, and he led his followers toward them.
Cheng Hong Ling showed a look of disgust. This person had first ruined her plan to impersonate a Huashen realm expert, putting the HongHua Sect in danger, and then used his connections to make things difficult for her at every turn, so she felt extreme aversion towards him.
However, Qi Huang was the opposite. She loved it when people provoked her, as it made the act of putting them in their place feel much more satisfying.
Zhou Ming walked over and greeted them enthusiastically, “Greetings to all fellow Daoists of the HongHua Sect. It’s been a long time; I’ve missed you all dearly.”
“Elder Zhou, greetings. It’s truly flattering that you miss us!” Qin Quan, that old scoundrel, replied sarcastically.
“Brother Qin, why do you say flattering? As the saying goes, a clever cook can’t cook without rice. Yet, you manage a small sect like HongHua and have nurtured a genius like Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling. You are truly a model for us all!” Elder Zhou praised with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I wouldn’t dare to take credit for that. It’s mainly her exceptional talent!” Qin Quan quickly explained, knowing that the brat Qi Huang was not someone to be trifled with, so he had to be careful in his words and actions.
“Indeed! Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling’s talent would make her a genius among geniuses in any sect!” Zhou Ming looked at Cheng Hong Ling and sighed, then asked, “Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, how have you been? Have you seriously considered what I told you these past two years?”
“I remember answering this question for you more than once!” Cheng Hong Ling replied expressionlessly.
“That’s truly a pity!” Zhou Ming shook his head in disappointment. The disciples behind him exchanged glances, wondering what on earth this old man was disappointed about.
“Everyone, let me introduce you,” Zhou Ming turned around and said to his disciples, “This is the renowned Cheng Hong Ling. She entered the Huashen realm at sixteen, making her arguably the top genius in the cultivation world of our Xihui Dynasty!”
“Sixteen? Huashen realm?” Two unfamiliar youths behind Zhou Ming, who looked very similar to each other, exchanged surprised glances.
“Greetings, Junior Sister. While reaching the Huashen realm at sixteen isn’t the absolute pinnacle of genius, in a place like the Xihui Dynasty, it is indeed a miracle!” The older of the two greeted her grudgingly, his words laced with unspoken hostility and clear unwillingness.
“Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, let me introduce you as well. These two are the genius disciples Cao You and Cao Wei from the Lin Zhen Sect of Xitong Country. They are both experts at the fourth level of the Huashen realm. They just became guest elders of our HuXiao Sect a few days ago and will represent the HuXiao Sect in the Evergreen Convention this time.” Zhou Ming introduced them in turn, a hint of pride on his face.
“What? Fourth level of Huashen realm?” The disciples of the HongHua Sect exchanged glances, their faces showing shock.
Cheng Hong Ling, however, remained cold. If they had greeted her normally, she might have considered a perfunctory response. Since they came with hostility, she was too lazy to put on a show.
“Truly lives up to their names. At such a young age, their cultivation has already reached the fourth level of the Huashen realm,” Qin Quan complimented with a fake smile. As the Sect Leader, he naturally had to maintain appearances.
Qi Huang, however, couldn’t stand to see petty people getting ahead, so she asked a question she already knew the answer to, “Since they are cultivators from another country, why will they represent the HuXiao Sect in the Evergreen Convention?”
“Qi Huang, right? The rules for the Evergreen Convention in Yongning Prefecture this time do not consider household registration or sect affiliation. Surely you know that?” Zhou Ming reminded her.
“Of course, I know! But I don’t understand why the HuXiao Sect, the foremost Immortal Sect in Yongning Prefecture, would invite disciples from other sects as reinforcements? Do you not trust the strength of your own disciples?” Qi Huang asked in surprise, then looked at Lü Zhen, “Senior Brother Lü, is it? I remember you being the top Immortal Seed of the HuXiao Sect, right? So, where do you rank now?”
“You…” Lü Zhen was instantly enraged, but in broad daylight, he couldn’t openly retaliate.
“Junior Martial Nephew Hong Ling, the three-year period has arrived. Do you remember our agreement?” Zhou Ming was not annoyed; instead, a brilliant smile appeared on his face. He stepped forward and whispered, “Do you know how many geniuses from other regions are around? I’d like to see how you plan to break the rules!”
Cheng Hong Ling clenched her small fists. She was not good with words and did not want to engage in verbal sparring.
“Don’t worry, Elder Zhou. I will show you,” Qi Huang interjected from the side. She couldn’t stand being bullied.
“Is that so? I’ll be waiting!” Zhou Ming left a parting remark and led the disciples of the HuXiao Sect away.
“Still an Elder of the HuXiao Sect, his life is almost over yet he still bullies a young girl. What a narrow-minded fellow,” Xu Mei couldn’t help but curse.
“It’s alright. The higher they jump, the harder they fall. He will regret this,” Qi Huang said with a slight upturn of her lips.
After a moment, more than ten disciples in uniform entered the gate, led by an old man with white hair and beard. His face was ruddy, and he walked with a light, ethereal gait, appearing to be a true immortal.
However, Qi Huang’s gaze sharpened. This person was none other than Ye Donglai, the Grand Elder of the Donglai Sect, one of the three great experts at the Shentong Realm in the Xihui Dynasty’s cultivation world, the same one who had tried to betray them when she helped her main body capture the Nine Nether Demonic Cat at the Yuxiao Sect.
Recalling the despicable look on his face, combined with his hypocritical appearance of immortal grace, Qi Huang’s insides burned with hatred.
“You wretched old man, you’re truly wicked. When this Immortal Fairy reaches the Heavenly Punishment Realm, I will make you taste the torment of having nowhere to go, no matter how hard you try.” Qi Huang cursed him silently.
“Look quickly! It’s the people from the Donglai Sect. I didn’t expect even their Grand Elder to come to join the fray. It seems they are determined to win the Grand Prize from the Immortal Alliance!”
“Yes, Cheng Kang is already far ahead of cultivators of the same age. Plus, the sect has two other Immortal Seeds who have reached the Huashen realm. Who can compete with them?”
“This Donglai Sect is truly shameless. They are from the far east, yet they come to compete with us local cultivators.”
“Shush, keep your voice down! Do you want to die? If Ye Donglai hears you, you won’t even get to participate in the Evergreen Convention. You might as well go to the coffin shop and order one for yourself.”
…
The surrounding people whispered amongst themselves.
“I didn’t expect the Donglai Sect to actually come, and with such a grand display, even the Grand Elder personally attending.” Qin Quan was also somewhat surprised.
“Isn’t that great? I’ll make him personally witness how I brutally defeat his disciples,” Qi Huang gritted her teeth, thinking, “If I can’t deal with you now, I’ll take it out on your disciples.”
“Do you have a grudge against him?” Cheng Hong Ling asked curiously from the side.
“Yes, anyone who dares to steal my spotlight has a grudge!” Qi Huang casually replied.
Cheng Hong Ling was instantly speechless, wondering if this clone’s condition had worsened and if she should find an opportunity to discuss her illness.
After another moment, the plaza suddenly erupted in commotion.
Qi Huang looked over curiously and saw another group entering the gate. The black and white uniform instantly caught her eye; it was the Longchang Sect from next door.
‘Isn’t the Sixth Princess Lin Ran at the Longchang Sect?’ Qi Huang immediately thought of this and began scanning the crowd. She saw that the leader of the Longchang Sect was not a white-haired Sect Leader or Elder, but a beautiful woman.
This woman was tall and slender, with a face like sculpted ice. Her facial features were much sharper than those of ordinary women, possessing a stunning beauty that was sharp and dazzling. Coupled with her natural and unpretentious stride, her legs were alternately revealed and hidden beneath her skirt, exuding an aura of heroic spirit, like an incredibly confident empress.
And behind this woman was a white-haired old man, who was the Sect Leader of the Longchang Sect, Xiang Yang. Because the Ninth Princess Lin Ran was here to provide support this time, he wore an unprecedentedly confident smile.
“Look quickly! It’s the people from the Longchang Sect!”
“Longchang Sect? What’s so special about such a small fry sect?”
“What village are you from, cultivator? Don’t you know that the Sixth Princess of the Royal Family and the top Immortal Seed of Broken Cloud Peak, Lin Ran, have long since joined the Longchang Sect as guest elders? The one leading them is her!”
“This Sixth Princess has such outstanding charisma. She truly is worthy of being from the Royal Family.”
“It’s quite strange. If she came for the reward, why did she join a sect that ranks so low?”
“Does the dignified Sixth Princess lack spirit medicine and herbs? I think she’s headed for Cheng Hong Ling.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you know that a year ago, the Emperor personally appointed Cheng Hong Ling’s clone as an Imperial Concubine? At that time, there were rumors that the Emperor didn’t trust her strength and wanted to use a superior bloodline to strengthen the Royal Family. So, she must be here to defeat Cheng Hong Ling and prove herself.”
“I think so too. If she were truly after spirit medicine and herbs, she could have brought some outstanding fellow disciples from her sect to participate in the Evergreen Convention like Cheng Kang. Why would she join a sect about the same size as HongHua Sect? This is proof that she wants to prove herself.”
…
Many cultivators in the venue began to chatter and discuss.
‘I didn’t expect these guys to be quite clever; they’ve figured this out too,’ Qi Huang was somewhat surprised.
Upon hearing these words, Cheng Hong Ling also looked at Lin Ran, and a strong fighting spirit erupted within her. She had no interest in petty squabbles; she was only interested in experts. Although Lin Ran’s cultivation level appeared to be the same as hers, she had repeatedly ranked in the top three of the Xihui Dynasty’s Immortal Seed Ranking, which meant she must have other trump cards.
Lin Ran stood in the crowd for a moment. After ascertaining the location of the HongHua Sect, her gaze gradually locked onto Cheng Hong Ling, and finally, she directly walked over.
