Chapter 75: We still have hope
The next day, the last match of the fourth round concluded. The winner was from a foreign sect called Juying Sect, which was very strong. Its top Immortal Seed had a cultivation level of Human Transformation Realm Layer 4.
In the past, many people would have been astonished by this. However, after witnessing Qi Huang’s incredible performance, Human Transformation Realm Layer 4 no longer caught the attention of the spectators. Consequently, few people paid attention to Juying Sect.
With the end of the fourth round, and since HongHua Sect had eliminated two opponents, only three competitors remained. This meant that in the fifth round, there would definitely be one lucky participant who would get a bye.
Qi Huang did not wish for a bye to happen, even if she were the lucky one. This was because it would mean she would have to fight one more round. Therefore, she hoped that Juying Sect would withdraw, which would allow her to finish the Prefecture-level Evergreen Convention by only eliminating the Sixth Princess.
On the other side, Juying Sect was not blinded by victory. Elder Ren, who was leading them, made a decision immediately.
“If we get a bye in the next round, it would be best. If we encounter the Sixth Princess from Xihui Dynasty, everyone should give their all.” Elder Ren cautioned his Immortal Seeds.
“What if we encounter Qi Huang?” the top Immortal Seed, who had just returned from victory, asked.
“Directly forfeit,” Elder Ren replied without hesitation.
“Elder Ren, shouldn’t we at least try?” The top Immortal Seed showed a look of astonishment.
“Han Yu, tell me, how should we try? You’ve seen the power of Spiritual Sense during the mid-stage Shentong Realm. Even the peak Huashen Realm Lü Er was instantly killed. Facing her, let alone breaking through her defenses, just standing firm is a luxury.” Elder Ren retorted.
The Immortal Seeds below listened to his words, and their expressions quickly darkened. The joy of their recent victory vanished instantly.
“Don’t overthink it. From the moment Qi Huang appeared at the Evergreen Convention, the first place has been decided. It is already extremely fortunate that we have reached this stage without encountering her,” Elder Ren comforted them.
“But the problem is we traveled thousands of miles to participate in the Evergreen Convention in such a desolate place. If we can’t get first place, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip? Moreover, we would miss out on the rewards we could have obtained in our own country. It’s simply not worth the effort,” Han Yu grumbled resentfully.
“What can be done? Who told you that you are not as strong as her? Of course, if you stubbornly refuse to believe it and want to try, I won’t stop you. However, before you do that, you need to think clearly. That Qi Huang is not a benevolent person. The fate of the two Immortal Seeds from Shi Xin Sect is proof of that,” Elder Ren reminded him.
Han Yu recalled the fingers of Zhen Chao and Shi Fei lying on the ground. He shivered and dared not harbor any more侥幸心理 (wishful thinking).
…
Qi Huang thought the Evergreen Convention would end soon. However, the next morning, Wang Zong rushed back to report that the Immortal Alliance had changed the rules, increasing the participant limit for each sect in the Evergreen Convention to thirty people.
“What do they want? This Evergreen Convention is about to end,” Shen Yuan asked blankly.
“Isn’t that obvious? They are clearly targeting Qi Huang,” Cheng Hong Ling said dismissively.
“Are Elder Zuo and his disciple too shameless? To actually change the rules halfway through the competition?” Ruan Lingyu exclaimed angrily.
“Steward Cai even knelt before Junior Sister, so what else would he be too shameless to do?” Su Qing said sarcastically.
“No, their motive for doing this is too blatant. Aren’t they afraid of being criticized?” Ruan Lingyu asked unwillingly.
“Who will criticize them? Now, the entire Xihui Dynasty… no… it should be all the informed people in the cultivation world who are hoping for Junior Sister to lose. Who will criticize them? This is their confidence in acting this way,” Yun Fei sneered.
“Then they will surely be disappointed. I said long ago that no matter how many there are, they cannot compensate for the difference in quality. Those mere nobodies, let alone thirty, I wouldn’t even spare them a glance if there were three hundred,” Qi Huang said contemptuously from the side. In fact, she had already anticipated this day when she participated in the Evergreen Convention.
“Yes, Elder Zuo and his disciple clearly know this, so it’s more like a dying struggle,” Yun Fei teased.
“Fortunately, you are strong enough, Qi Huang. Otherwise, we would have definitely been unable to break through the Prefecture-level Evergreen Convention. Then it would be over if we couldn’t get the Golden Life Flower seed,” Shen Yuan said with lingering fear.
“Do you think breaking through the Prefecture-level Evergreen Convention is enough to get the Golden Life Flower seed? Elder Zuo and his disciple will definitely find ways to cause us trouble,” Yun Fei pointed out without hesitation.
“Don’t worry, unless he personally enters the competition, all schemes and tricks are futile in the face of absolute strength,” Qi Huang said calmly.
“If he personally enters the competition, what kind of Evergreen Convention would this be? It would be Li Hou Sect’s criticism convention. Even if that Zuo is shameless, he wouldn’t do something this absurd,” Xu Mei shook her head.
“He indeed wouldn’t enter the competition. But what if that old guy brought in those little monsters from the cultivation world? Everyone, don’t forget, a clone has already appeared before. It’s possible he can really invite the main body,” Yun Fei reminded them.
Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces showed astonishment, and then they fell silent. It had to be said that this possibility was quite high.
“If he can really invite a little monster, then I will directly forfeit,” Qi Huang replied after a moment of thought.
“Forfeit? Are you sure?” Cheng Hong Ling, who was beside her, suddenly spoke.
“Certain!” Qi Huang reaffirmed.
“Can’t you defeat those little monsters?” Xu Mei asked curiously.
“Although I am only a crippled Shentong Realm cultivator, at this stage, every small difference in a realm leads to a huge gap, and the same applies to Spiritual Sense. So, if I were to go all out, I should be able to defeat them. However, I won’t do that because I don’t like exposing all my trump cards to everyone’s sight,” Qi Huang explained solemnly.
“But the problem is, in two years, the owner of the Golden Life Flower seed will come to our door. We won’t have a second chance to participate in the Evergreen Convention,” Yun Fei reminded her.
“Isn’t that two years? Two years is enough for me,” Qi Huang said, a hint of longing in her eyes. Two years would be enough for her to find the Heaven-Concealing Water, and then break through to the Heavenly Punishment Realm without any reservations. At that time, she would fear no danger.
“Yes, Junior Sister’s talent is astonishing. In two years, she can indeed increase her cultivation by a large margin. Then she won’t have to fear the owner of the Golden Life Flower seed,” Yun Fei seemed to realize something.
“Then I understand. In that case, why are we still participating in the Evergreen Convention?” Shen Yuan asked blankly.
“Are you stupid? We are just hypothesizing now, it doesn’t mean those little monsters will definitely come,” Su Qing couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Yes, if we can get the Golden Life Flower seed, then let’s take it. This will provide an alternative escape route, after all, no one knows how strong the other party’s background is,” Qi Huang agreed and then added, “Moreover, my participation in the Evergreen Convention is mainly to show my strength to Elder Zuo and his disciple, and to HuXiao Sect, otherwise, they would think I am weak and easy to bully.”
“I see, I am really too stupid,” Shen Yuan finally understood and patted her head in annoyance.
…
Meanwhile, at the Immortal Alliance’s branch, Elder Zuo was non-stop making Body Protection Talismans for the early stage Shentong Realm. He was rushing against time to have enough confidence to defeat Qi Huang.
“Master, you haven’t rested for a day and a night. Have some tea to relieve your fatigue.” Steward Cai solicitously brought a cup of fine clear tea and then asked in confusion, “Master, wasn’t it already proven that early stage Shentong Realm Body Protection Talismans are useless against that Qi Huang? Why are you making so many?”
“Do you know the principle of accumulation?” Elder Zuo asked after taking a sip of tea.
“Of course, Master, you mean…” Steward Cai’s eyes lit up, but then he sighed, “But these talismans cannot be combined into one. No matter how many there are, they are still just early stage Shentong Realm Body Protection Talismans.”
“Who said they cannot be combined? I know a formation that can merge the Spiritual Sense carried by multiple talismans into one. Think about it, if thirty early stage Shentong Realm Body Protection Talismans are merged into a shield, how powerful would that be?” Elder Zuo raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
“Thirty? That would definitely reach the mid-stage Shentong Realm,” Steward Cai rejoiced.
“To be precise, it would reach Shentong Realm Layer 5. So, as long as that yellow-haired girl’s Spiritual Sense does not reach above Shentong Realm Layer 6, then we still have hope of turning defeat into victory,” Elder Zuo’s turbid eyes revealed a glimmer of hope.
