Chapter 635 Cheng Hong Ling Reaches Shentong Realm
Qi Huang, having experienced significant ups and downs, was momentarily pleased before realizing that Lin Ran’s reward was actually a subtle attempt to tie her to her cause, indicating a hidden agenda. “She’s even scheming against me! But then again, that’s what a proper Empress should be!”
Qi Huang bore no ill will. As long as Lin Ran was committed to the welfare of the people, she was willing to offer her support.
After the enthronement ceremony, Qi Huang was summoned to the Imperial Study by Lin Ran, where she eagerly “showcased” the beneficial policies for the country and its people that she planned to implement after her coronation.
“First, I intend to extend the mandatory military service age to thirty. This should alleviate some public grievances.”
Lin Ran began her explanation.
“Thirty? Why not change it to voluntary enlistment?”
Qi Huang asked directly.
“I wish I could! But you know the current state of the Xihui Dynasty, fighting against several countries simultaneously. If we abolish mandatory military service immediately, we might not have enough manpower to repel foreign invasions. So, this is the only thing I can do for now,” Lin Ran said with a headache.
“Then, if you extend the mandatory military service age to thirty, aren’t you afraid of being unable to resist foreign enemies?”
Qi Huang inquired curiously.
“I will send people to negotiate peace with those countries as soon as possible. If the conflicts can cease, I will abolish the mandatory military service system and switch to voluntary enlistment,” Lin Ran revealed her plan.
“What if they don’t agree or demand an exorbitant price? The Xihui Dynasty is seen as a piece of fat, soft, and easy meat by those people now!”
Qi Huang asked with a half-smile.
“I will do my best. The people of the Xihui Dynasty can no longer bear the ravages of war,” Lin Ran stated firmly, biting her lip.
“Then I wish you success. As I said before, as long as it is beneficial to the country and its people, feel free to ask for my help when needed.”
Qi Huang reiterated, knowing that Lin Ran’s plan was bound to fail. What couldn’t be obtained on the battlefield was rarely achieved at the negotiation table.
Of course, Qi Huang would not mock Lin Ran. From Lin Ran’s perspective, this was the only viable option.
Qi Huang soon left the Imperial Palace. She had already done enough for the people of the Xihui Dynasty and could not afford further delays in her own affairs.
Upon returning to the HongHua Sect, Qi Huang continued to enhance her main body’s strength. With her spiritual sense reaching the seventh level of the Heavenly Punishment Realm, the effects of her “Body-Substitution Technique” were more astonishing than ever.
Two months later, Cheng Hong Ling, as she wished, broke through to the Shentong Realm, becoming the fourth Shentong Realm cultivator in the Xihui Dynasty. She also gained three additional slots for clones.
Cheng Hong Ling, grateful for the help, was eager to forge a stronger body for Qi Huang, which was not only Qi Huang’s wish but also her own long-held desire.
“What are your plans?”
Qi Huang asked curiously. As she wasn’t a true cultivator, her understanding of such matters was limited.
“It’s like this: I need to first recall you into my Sea of Consciousness. Then, your body will transform into essence blood and enter my heart. I will then use True Qi to refine your body until it reaches the Huashen Realm,” Cheng Hong Ling explained in detail.
“It doesn’t have to be the Huashen Realm. Even the Guiyi Realm or Body Refining Realm would suffice. I don’t fight based on my cultivation level anyway. Perhaps you should conserve some strength to cultivate stronger clones for those other souls,” Qi Huang quickly suggested. The “other souls” she mentioned were Cheng Hong Ling’s other soul within her Sea of Consciousness. These “poor children” were still yearning for freedom.
“I understand the principle of reciprocating kindness,” Cheng Hong Ling said, shaking her head decisively. She disliked owing favors. She then added with a sigh, “It’s a pity that cultivated clones cannot be fully recalled. Otherwise, I could take back your body and cultivate an even stronger one for you.”
“Why take the long route when there’s a shortcut?”
Qi Huang asked, puzzled.
“That Assimilation Power is hidden within this body of yours. If I recall it, won’t your soul’s assimilation stop?”
Cheng Hong Ling explained.
“Ah?”
Qi Huang was momentarily stunned. Her main body was planning something big.
“But the problem is, if you recall this body of mine, aren’t you afraid of the red marks appearing on your face again?”
Qi Huang retorted.
“This is something from myself. I don’t want to implicate others,” Cheng Hong Ling stated firmly.
“Don’t overthink it. You yourself said that clones cannot be completely recalled. Besides, even if they could, I wouldn’t cooperate. I’d rather be assimilated into a complete woman myself than see those red marks appear on your face again.”
Qi Huang revealed her resolve. Cheng Hong Ling was the goddess in her heart, and she would absolutely not allow those red marks to reappear on her main body’s perfect face.
Cheng Hong Ling seemed hesitant to speak, her crescent-shaped eyelashes trembling slightly. Her heart felt a mixture of sweetness and sadness. Her clone valued her appearance more than her own life.
Next, Cheng Hong Ling summoned Qi Huang back into her Sea of Consciousness and then went to a cultivation room in the back mountain. This time, she not only had to refine a stronger body for Qi Huang but also cultivate three more clones.
She urgently needed helpers, merely wanting to fulfill her promise and release those souls in her Sea of Consciousness as soon as possible. Of course, Cheng Ling, that rebel, was an exception.
As Qi Huang had entered the main body’s Sea of Consciousness, her body had transformed into a drop of essence blood, now resting within the main body’s heart.
Cheng Hong Ling sat cross-legged on a futon and began to activate her Profound Ice True Qi to refine the drop of essence blood that Qi Huang’s body had transformed into. As time passed, the impurities in the essence blood gradually dispersed, and its volume increased. It finally began to take on a human form.
Qi Huang also felt restless with excitement. Who wouldn’t want a powerful body? For her, the increase in strength was secondary. The most important thing was that it wouldn’t age or die easily, and the effect of growing vegetables would be doubled, bringing endless benefits.
“Hehe, I didn’t expect Big Sister to reach the Shentong Realm so quickly. She’s truly a genius among geniuses!”
“This is all thanks to Qi Huang. Otherwise, I don’t know how long it would have taken. Fortunately, I didn’t choose the wrong side earlier.”
“Yeah, after she refines Qi Huang’s flesh, it will be our turn. I’ve been waiting for this moment for nearly nineteen years. It feels like an eternity!”
“I wonder which three sisters Big Sister will choose as clones this time?”
“It will definitely include me; I firmly supported her back then.”
“You supported her? How did you support her? Mentally? How much effort did you put in? Every time there was a fight, you hid behind. Did you think no one noticed?”
“Don’t slander me! When did I ever hide behind? I just couldn’t get involved.”
Cheng Hong Ling’s souls were also in high spirits, as they had longed for freedom for a very long time. However, there was significant disagreement regarding who would be chosen first and who would be chosen later, as everyone knew there were only three slots. If they didn’t seize this opportunity, they would have to wait until this body reached the Heavenly Punishment Realm, which would take years.
“Everyone, stop arguing. With me here, Big Sister will definitely reach the Heavenly Punishment Realm in at most ten to twenty years. Then, all the remaining sisters can come out,” Qi Huang quickly mediated.
“Even ten to twenty years is hard to endure. You know, we have been longing for freedom for a long time,” Cheng Hong Ling’s Earth Soul said, rubbing her hands together excitedly.
Qi Huang shook her head helplessly and decided to ignore the chattering souls. She walked over to Cheng Ling, who was tied up. “How about it? Envious? Tell me the method of using the Assimilation Power, and perhaps I’ll persuade the main body to grant you freedom. Otherwise, you’ll likely be confined here for the rest of your life.”
“Main body? How dare you, a fake, call yourself the main body? I advise you to be assimilated obediently. Otherwise, if the Yin-Yang Eyes see you, you’ll be on the run for your life!”
Cheng Ling retorted mockingly.
“Will I be on the run if the Yin-Yang Eyes see me? I’m not so sure. Who can capture me on the entire Cultivation Continent right now?”
Qi Huang replied calmly.
“Then aren’t you afraid of implicating others? For example, your parents, or your master and those martial sisters? Would you stand by and watch them be implicated by you?”
Cheng Ling began to play on emotions.
“As long as I am powerful enough, I will have the ability to protect them. What do I have to fear?”
Qi Huang remained very calm.
“Powerful enough? You truly are a frog in a well. You don’t think only people from the Cultivation World want to harm you, do you?”
Cheng Ling said with disdain.
“So what? Who else wants to harm me?”
Qi Huang asked tentatively.
