Chapter 487: You Dare to Touch an Immortal Alliance Disciple (Part 2)
Cai De never dreamed that Qi Huang would actually dare to attack him. His legs went limp, and he knelt down, creating a large pit in the ground. He tried to struggle, but the gap in strength was too great, making it impossible for him to even move a finger. He could only bare his teeth like a mad dog being held down.
…
“This Qi Huang is truly audacious, daring to strike an Immortal Alliance steward. She’s gambling with the lives of everyone in the HongHua Sect!”
The surrounding cultivators turned pale with fright and retreated rapidly, afraid of being implicated.
“You good-for-nothing Cai De, taking advantage of your master’s unconscious state to act recklessly and dare to embezzle rewards from the Evergreen Convention, how can I let you off the hook.”
Qi Huang rebuked with a smile, knowing full well she didn’t have the backing to openly defy the Immortal Alliance. She fabricated a reason, giving herself a legitimate excuse.
Cai De, pinned to the ground and unable to move, couldn’t even retort. Rage filled his eyes, causing his fingernails to dig into the ground and break.
Qi Huang ignored him, taking out her Recording Mirror and fiddling with it.
None of the fellow disciples from the HongHua Sect present showed any surprise or stepped forward to intervene. This indicated their absolute trust in Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling.
Qi Huang quickly found the recording of Cai De secretly meeting with Elder Ren of the Juying Sect at the inn. She then handed it to the old man, mockingly saying, “Look at your pathetic state, you’ve completely disgraced the Immortal Alliance.”
Cai De, who initially thought it was just an ordinary bronze mirror, desperately tried to turn his face away. Only after being forced to see the playback did his expression change drastically, and he collapsed onto the ground as if deflated.
“Well? Can you take us to get the rewards now?”
Qi Huang withdrew her Spiritual Sense and asked.
Cai De gritted his teeth and finally stood up silently, leading the way towards the main hall.
The members of the HongHua Sect exchanged glances, their faces filled with surprise. They hadn’t expected Qi Huang to be so clever. What could have been a desperate situation, they had managed to force the other party to yield.
The cultivators from other sects present also looked at each other, utterly confused as to why Cai De was so cowardly.
…
“Let’s go, let’s go, there’s nothing more to see!”
“Steward Cai, you’re an Immortal Alliance steward! Do you have to be this cowardly?”
“Yes, by doing this, you’ve not only disgraced yourself but also the entire Immortal Alliance.”
“Save your energy. The situation is settled. Although Qi Huang is just a clone, she single-handedly secured first place in the Yongning Prefecture Evergreen Convention. She’s truly unprecedented.”
“Indeed, I am willing to nominate her as the strongest clone in the history of the Evergreen Convention.”
…
Seeing that the situation was beyond their control, the cultivators from various sects could only sigh and leave the branch hall.
Shortly after, the HongHua Sect members got their just rewards, including the most precious ones: Golden-backed Heavenly Sunflower, Red-haired Parasol, Dragon Lotus Basin, and Heavenly Gate Grass—four Spirit Medicines essential for breaking through to the Huashen realm.
“These four types of herbs can only be used by cultivators in the Huashen realm. I assume nobody has any objections to giving them to my main body?”
Qi Huang politely asked all her fellow disciples.
“No, no!”
All members of the HongHua Sect shook their heads. There were two reasons: First, without Qi Huang, they wouldn’t have obtained these herbs; second, they couldn’t use these medicines even if they took them.
“Then thank you all. The remaining rewards will be distributed to everyone by Sect Leader Qin.”
Qi Huang said generously.
“Then what about you?”
Cheng Hong Ling asked with a frown.
“Me? I can’t use these things anyway. It’s better to give them to those who need them.”
Qi Huang said dismissively. Her growth was unusual, and these Spirit Medicines held little attraction for her.
“How can that be? If you hadn’t gotten the Blue Scale Stones for us, we probably wouldn’t have even passed the first round.”
Wang Zong eagerly persuaded her, more agitated than if he himself had suffered a loss.
“I truly don’t need these things. As you know, my actual cultivation level is only in the Juling realm. If you find any Spirit Herbs or Medicines usable by Juling realm cultivators in the future, please give them to me then.”
Qi Huang said perfunctorily. In reality, with her strength, why would she bother others for these low-grade Spirit Herbs and Medicines?
“Okay, we will definitely do our best to help you.”
The fellow disciples took her seriously and pledged their commitment.
Steward Cai stood obediently by the side. Although his face was ashen, he didn’t dare to cause any trouble. He knew that if his scheme to target an Immortal Alliance disciple in private were exposed, his future would be ruined.
“Steward Cai, let’s be straightforward. You saw the recording just now. If it’s exposed, you know what that means. From now on, let’s mind our own business and don’t play any more tricks, or you’ll have to face my ruthlessness.”
Qi Huang spoke directly. Her strength was advancing rapidly, and as long as she could stabilize the situation for a few years, she could act with impunity later.
“Yes, yes, I will definitely not bother you again. However, I also hope you will keep your promise and absolutely do not let others see this recording.”
Steward Cai dared not have any objections.
Qi Huang, not wanting to waste any more time, left the branch hall with the members of the HongHua Sect.
“Junior Sister, I never thought you were so smart to think of using that recording to threaten Cai De. Otherwise, today would have been difficult to resolve.”
Ruan Lingyu said with lingering fear. The others also wiped away cold sweat.
“Don’t you trust my judgment? Actually, I had already anticipated that the old fellow would not easily hand over the prizes, which is why I didn’t rush to reveal the recording to slap his face earlier. This item only demonstrates its value when used at the crucial moment.”
Qi Huang smugly stroked her smooth chin.
“You predicted it from the start? Wow! Junior Sister, you’re simply prescient.”
Ruan Lingyu’s pretty face showed adoration.
“With this recording in hand, we won’t have to fear the Immortal Alliance causing trouble for the HongHua Sect anymore.”
Shen Yuan said excitedly.
“Fourth Senior Sister, you’re too naive.”
Cheng Hong Ling interjected unexpectedly.
“What’s wrong?”
Shen Yuan asked, confused.
“Cai De is just a minor steward. If the Immortal Alliance is determined to trouble us, they can completely sacrifice him to protect themselves, pushing all the blame onto him.”
Cheng Hong Ling voiced her opinion.
“Yes, that’s why I didn’t expect to resolve the major trouble of the Immortal Alliance with just the recording. Getting those reward items is already worth the effort. As for anything else, we’ll delay for as long as possible. As long as I have ten more years, the Immortal Alliance will be nothing to worry about.”
Qi Huang said with complete confidence.
“Then what do we do now? Go back?”
Shen Yuan sought her opinion.
“Didn’t you forget about the big trouble with the Lü family? We still have to stay in the Prefecture Capital for two more days. We need to talk to Elder Zuo after he wakes up, and also welcome our Senior Sisters from Shuiyu Valley.”
Qi Huang reminded them.
“Yes, now that Hong Ling’s name has been inscribed on the Immortal Tablet by that monster from the Lü family, no one knows when their engagement date is set. So, we can only rely on Elder Zuo to stall for time.”
Xu Mei agreed.
With their decision made, the members of the HongHua Sect returned to the inn to rest.
Qi Huang took out the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device to contact Yaoyao, but the cat-eared girl still didn’t respond. She began to feel increasingly worried.
“Did something unexpected happen? But the problem is that Ye Donglai is in Yongning Prefecture, and the Donglai Sect shouldn’t have anyone capable of threatening Yaoyao!”
Qi Huang was puzzled.
The next day, the HongHua Sect members learned that Elder Zuo had woken up and immediately rushed to the Immortal Alliance branch hall.
Elder Zuo now harbored intense hatred for the people of the HongHua Sect, but due to his status, he could only welcome guests.
“Fellow Daoists, your HongHua Sect won first place in the Yongning Prefecture Evergreen Convention and has already received the rewards. May I ask why you have sought me out?”
Elder Zuo asked with a grim expression. He was already old, and coupled with his poor condition, he looked like a corpse.
“Elder Zuo, I heard that your granddaughter is also married into the Lü family?”
Qi Huang got straight to the point. Since there was no common ground, there was no need for pretense.
“Who told you that?”
Elder Zuo frowned.
“It doesn’t matter who told me. I’ve come today to discuss cooperation. Since your granddaughter married into the Lü family, it should be no problem for you to help my main body stall the wedding for a few years, right?”
Qi Huang made her demand without courtesy.
“Heh heh, no problem. But why should I help you?”
Elder Zuo gave a disdainful smile.
“Because you also don’t want me to join the Lü family, right?”
Qi Huang stated with great certainty.
“What does that have to do with me?”
Elder Zuo asked impassively.
“Stop pretending. I know a bit about the Lü family’s situation. They employ all sorts of ruthless methods to vie for the position of Clan Leader. Anyone who reaches that position gains the right to manage the Immortal Tablet, who wouldn’t covet it? Doesn’t your granddaughter’s lineage covet it? Once I and my main body marry Lü Yi, that monster, how much chance of winning will she have?”
Qi Huang said impatiently.
“Although I don’t know who told you these things, I’ll say it again: why should I help you?”
Elder Zuo asked back after a moment of contemplation.
“You should know, I didn’t want to be the young madam of the Lü family from the beginning. If you can stall for ten years, I’m confident in refusing this marriage.”
Qi Huang revealed her intention.
“What? Do you know what it means for your name to be inscribed on the Immortal Tablet by Lü Yi? To refuse this marriage, you must have the strength to resist Immortal Might. You should already know the situation of Shuiyu Valley—the entire sect was wiped out, and the surrounding area for dozens of miles became barren. This is why none of the women he fancied could escape his clutches. Ten years, don’t be delusional.”
Elder Zuo shook his head.
“Elder Zuo, before the Evergreen Convention began, did you think I could get first place? In ten years, how can you be so sure I won’t have the opportunity to counter the Immortal Tablet? Besides, do you have any other options now? Would you rather stand by and watch than try? That’s your granddaughter.”
Qi Huang retorted.
Elder Zuo’s expression shifted slightly. After a long silence, he slowly said, “How much time do you need?”
“As I said, at least ten years. Of course, the longer the time, the greater my confidence!”
Qi Huang reiterated.
“Ten years, even for a cultivator, is truly too long. I can try, but I don’t know if I can do it. After all, within the Lü family, it’s Lü Yi’s grandfather who calls the shots.”
Elder Zuo replied cautiously.
“Then I’ll ask for your help. Anyway, as long as you can stall for me for ten years, I will be the first woman to have her name erased from the Lü family’s Immortal Tablet.”
Qi Huang said with complete confidence.
Volume 8: Are We Going to Be Completely Feminized?
