Chapter 75: Evergreen Convention, Opening (3)
Seeing Lin Ran approaching, everyone from the HongHua Sect tensed up, as they all knew that the Sixth Princess of the dynasty had a misunderstanding with Cheng Hongling.
The cultivators around also fell silent, focusing their gazes upon them.
“Are you all fellow Daoists from the HongHua Sect? Lin Ran of Broken Cloud Peak greets you all.”
Lin Ran greeted them politely.
“I am Qin Quan, Sect Leader of the HongHua Sect. Greetings, Sixth Princess!”
Qin Quan gritted his teeth and stepped forward, bowing. Although cultivators did not have to observe secular etiquette, it was never wrong to be polite.
“Sect Leader Qin, there’s no need for such formality. We are all cultivators.”
Lin Ran dismissed him casually and then focused her attention on Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang.
Qi Huang also curiously observed the Sixth Princess of this dynasty. As the saying goes, “famous men are not without substance,” and it seemed to be true. Lin Ran, as one of the top three beauties in the Imperial Capital, her beauty was indeed comparable to Liu Yingyue. Moreover, due to her royal lineage, she possessed an aura of superiority that ordinary women could not match.
For such a woman, ordinary men would feel extreme inferiority upon seeing her, while powerful men would only feel a strong desire to conquer her.
“Is this Senior Sister Cheng Hongling?”
Lin Ran finally focused her gaze on Cheng Hongling, the main body.
“It is I! Does Senior Sister Lin have any advice?”
Cheng Hongling cupped her fists and asked neither humbly nor arrogantly.
“Meeting you is better than hearing about you. No wonder my father personally selected you as an Imperial Concubine.”
Lin Ran complimented her in a calm tone, her jade-carved face showing no change in expression.
“Senior Sister Lin, you flatter me. Compared to the top Immortal Seed of Broken Cloud Peak, what are the disciples of my HongHua Sect?”
Cheng Hongling flattered her falsely, returning the courtesy.
“Junior Sister Cheng, although we have never interacted before, due to some unavoidable circumstances, a misunderstanding arose between us, leading to some gossip. I believe you must have heard about it?”
Lin Ran reminded her.
“I have heard. Since Senior Sister Lin knows that I was involuntary, I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
Cheng Hongling tried to explain. She wasn’t afraid of the fight itself, but of inexplicably provoking karmic entanglement.
“Yes, Sixth Princess, my escape from the palace is enough to prove my attitude. I have no interest in becoming a concubine. Therefore, the responsibility for this matter ultimately falls on your father.”
Qi Huang also chimed in with an explanation, as she was the actual involved party.
“I understand. Unfortunately, some things cannot be explained with words alone. So, I can only use the arena of the Evergreen Convention to give the world an answer.”
Lin Ran did not compromise but instead issued a veiled declaration of war.
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Lin. Since you wish to bestow your guidance, I shall accept it.”
Cheng Hongling wasted no more words and readily accepted the challenge. She disliked unnecessary talk and preferred to resolve things with a sword.
“Very good. If we meet, I hope you will be careful. I will not hold back just because you are young.”
Lin Ran showed an expression of admiration, then turned and walked away with grand and elegant steps.
“Why is this Sixth Princess being so unreasonable? It was clearly her father who was infatuated, so why is she targeting Hongling?”
Xu Mei said indignantly.
“Yes, her father ignored the rules and shamelessly forced Qi Huang into the palace, almost jeopardizing her chastity. We haven’t even sought trouble with her, and she has come to us first. This is truly outrageous!”
Ruan Lingyu agreed.
“What does the criticism she faced have to do with Junior Sister? This matter is clearly the fault of that dog emperor. She doesn’t dare to find trouble with her own dad, but instead shifts the blame. This clearly shows she thinks we are pushovers!”
Yun Fei analyzed logically.
“What a filial daughter. Her father tried to cuckold her mother, but she only dares to be fierce outside. I wish I had such a good daughter too.”
Su Qingying scoffed venomously.
“Is the Sixth Princess so great? Cultivators don’t care about your secular status. If we meet on the arena, I will definitely show her a thing or two.”
Shen Yuan said with righteous indignation.
“Yes, we must bite her hard.”
Miao Xiang revealed her small tiger teeth.
“I actually think this Sixth Princess is quite good. This matter cannot truly be explained, so we can only fight it out. The fact that she came to declare war before the fight shows that she isn’t bad in character, as she wants me and the main body to be mentally prepared.”
Qi Huang had a different opinion.
“Do you think she has good character, or is it her looks?”
Cheng Hongling narrowed her beautiful eyes and questioned.
“Of course, it’s her character. As for her looks, she’s far from your level.”
Qi Huang shivered all over and quickly thought of a flattering response out of desperation.
Hearing this, Cheng Hongling was stunned again, and her expression became unnatural.
“Who brags about themselves? Junior Sister, you’re too narcissistic.”
Ruan Lingyu couldn’t help but complain, and those around her also chuckled.
The news of the Sixth Princess declaring war on Cheng Hongling quickly spread like a storm, sweeping across the entire plaza, causing continuous discussion.
Meanwhile, in front of the grand hall behind the plaza, several prominent figures in the cultivation world were also discussing the matter. Among them, the most distinguished was undoubtedly Elder Zuo of the Immortal Alliance. He had to stay to personally witness Cheng Hongling’s elimination to feel at ease.
“Given the Sixth Princess’s current situation, this is undoubtedly the only way for her to salvage her reputation, so her decision is understandable.”
Elder Zuo analyzed.
“Yes, but both of them are at the second level of the Huashen Realm. Who is stronger or weaker?”
Ye Donglai, who was beside him, asked curiously.
“I think the Sixth Princess will win. After all, she is about ten years older, and her combat experience is not something a little girl like Cheng Hongling can compare to.”
Steward Cai, who was beside him, interjected.
“Steward Cai, that’s not necessarily true. Combat experience has no direct relation to age. Don’t forget that Cheng Hongling hails from Huang Tian Prefecture, where the environment is harsh, unlike other places.”
Ye Donglai seemed to have a different view.
“Even so, Elder Ye, don’t forget that the Sixth Princess cultivates both martial and immortal arts, and her physical condition far surpasses cultivators of the same realm. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have only lost by a move or two to your disciple in several previous Evergreen Conventions.”
Elder Zuo kindly reminded him.
“A move or two? Elder Zuo really knows how to speak. No wonder you are so close to the royal family.”
Ye Donglai sarcastically commented, his cultivation being the highest among the three great Shengtong Realm powerhouses, which gave him the confidence to argue with Elder Zuo.
“Elder Ye, I must correct your wording. It’s not that I am close to the royal family, but that the royal family is close to this Elder. As a dignified elder of the Immortal Alliance, why would I need to cater to others?”
Elder Zuo said proudly.
“Heh heh…”
Ye Donglai smiled noncommittally, but he knew when to stop. Although he was arrogant, he was not so arrogant as to completely antagonize an Elder of the Immortal Alliance.
As time passed, more and more people gathered in the plaza. All the renowned Immortal Sects of the Xihui Dynasty had arrived, except for Shuiyu Valley.
“Strange, why haven’t the people from Shuiyu Valley come? They are the largest female Immortal Sect in the Xihui Dynasty, so they shouldn’t be absent!”
Ruan Lingyu asked curiously.
“Mu Ruoyi told me a few days ago that they wouldn’t be coming.”
Qi Huang replied.
“Why?”
Ruan Lingyu asked, confused.
“Oh, it’s simple. My main body is her nominal wife. If she were to come, it would be like competing for rewards with her own wife!”
Qi Huang had to explain awkwardly.
“Who is her wife? I will find an opportunity to clarify things with her. I don’t like women.”
Cheng Hongling immediately retorted.
“What if she doesn’t agree? The Wen Jing buried in the tomb is not someone to be trifled with.”
Qi Huang warned. As for the main body saying she didn’t like women, she was somewhat pleased because the main body knew she had been a man before, so she naturally wouldn’t see herself as a woman.
“Do you think I can’t see that? She was also forced. Once the objective is achieved, she will naturally let go.”
Cheng Hongling explained very seriously, as if fearing someone might misunderstand.
“Actually, it’s fine like this. Mu Ruoyi is beautiful and gentle, stronger than many men!”
“Yes, after all, the Immortal Alliance has no rules against girls being together, right?”
“Moreover, you are all cultivators, solely pursuing longevity. You don’t need to worry about having descendants.”
…
Several senior sisters teased.
“No, I must get rid of this trouble. If you like her, then go confess to her yourself. Don’t speak for me.”
Cheng Hongling insisted stubbornly.
…
Time flew by, and it was almost time for the opening ceremony.
“Master, Lü Er doesn’t seem to have arrived yet?”
Steward Cai reported to the Elder with some concern.
“Hasn’t arrived?”
Elder Zuo was stunned for a moment, then began searching the plaza.
“Brother Zuo, who is Lü Er? Why is his name so casual?”
Ye Donglai asked curiously.
“Nothing much. A junior from my hometown wanted to come to the Evergreen Convention in Yongning Prefecture to gain some experience, so I brought his clone.”
Elder Zuo casually perfunctorily replied.
“Hometown? Weiyuan Empire?”
Ye Donglai’s face showed a thoughtful expression.
It wasn’t until the moment before the opening ceremony that Lü Er finally arrived, late. Since there were quite a few geniuses at the Huashen Realm present, he did not deliberately conceal the clone mark on his forehead.
“Elder Zuo, has that Cheng Hongling arrived?”
Upon arrival, Lü Er asked directly.
“She has. She’s over there. The one wearing the red ruqun is her.”
Elder Zuo gestured towards the location of the HongHua Sect.
Lü Er then looked in that direction, and a red graceful figure caught his eye.
Lü Er’s eyes widened gradually, a greedy look appearing on his face, and a clear swallowing sound came from his throat: “I didn’t expect it! I didn’t expect it! Such a small country like the Xihui Dynasty actually has such a peerless beauty!”
“How about it? Did I lie to you? Are you interested?”
Elder Zuo raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
