Chapter 735 Seven Terrifying Clones (I)
The people of the Xihui Dynasty also believed in gods, but this “god” did not refer to those ethereal deities, but to the National Preceptor Qi Huang. She had once repelled a coalition of four nations by herself, saving the people from dire straits, and her prestige naturally rivaled that of deities.
Qi Huang had no doubt that even if she ordered all the people of the Xihui Dynasty to die, these fanatical believers would not hesitate. This was why she could take action directly.
Frankly speaking, Lin Ran’s prestige was not enough, which was why he could not resolve issues with force like Qi Huang.
The entire court was stunned for a moment when they saw this scene, and then they bowed their heads and retreated to their positions.
“The Empress just said that the entire Xihui Dynasty and Huang Tian Capital will advance and retreat together. Are there any problems?”
Qi Huang walked forward and questioned aggressively.
“No, we will fight to the death to follow Lord National Preceptor!”
The officials below replied forcefully, with no hint of hesitation.
“That’s good.”
Qi Huang smiled with satisfaction, then turned and playfully winked at Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smiled helplessly, feeling somewhat deflated. His prestige as an emperor was not as high as that of a national preceptor. Fortunately, this little girl had no interest in worldly power, otherwise, he would have to abdicate sooner or later.
After resolving the trivial matters, Qi Huang returned to the HongHua Sect and began cultivating new clones. As her conflict with the Immortal Alliance intensified, the entire Cultivation World began to take sides. She needed more helpers to protect her own forces.
After two days of effort, Qi Huang had cultivated all seven of her vital souls into clones. Their spiritual senses all reached the mid-to-late Heavenly Punishment Realm. Any one of them could dominate the Cultivation Continent.
With such immense strength, the seven vital souls were naturally very excited. They felt that their long wait in the Sea of Consciousness was worth it.
As it was, a clone could not have both fish and bear’s paw.
They could not have both. If you wanted to gain freedom first, then your strength would be weaker, like Huang Tian. But if you wanted to be strong, you had to endure loneliness.
The next day, someone from the Ning family in Zhongzhou arrived.
Qi Huang was not surprised by this at all. Cheng Hong Ling had killed the Vice Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance with the “Li Shui Jue” in full view of everyone, and the Ning family would naturally be implicated.
Since the Ning family group did not show any obvious hostility, the HongHua Sect could not refuse them entry and welcomed them warmly. In the end, it was the parties involved who were in the wrong.
Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling, being the parties involved, naturally had to explain personally.
Qin Quan set out some fruits and snacks in the Conference Hall, and then acted as a foil.
“It’s truly eye-opening to visit the HongHua Sect this time. Sect Leader Qin has managed to develop a sect to such an extent in such a remote place. I am truly impressed.”
Ning Xu spoke with flattery, prioritizing courtesy before resorting to force, which showed that he dared not underestimate the HongHua Sect.
“Brother Ning is too kind.”
Qin Quan’s pride was evident. After a while, he explained, “Actually, the current scale of the HongHua Sect is all thanks to our Grand Elder Cheng Hong Ling and her clone, Qi Huang.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Xu and his wife naturally turned their gazes to Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling.
Qi Huang had already been secretly observing Ning Wuxia. This number one beauty in the Cultivation World was even more feminine than she was seven years ago, thanks to the mature aura brought by her age and her voluptuous figure.
“I have long heard of Elder Cheng and Immortal Qi. Seven years ago, at the Zhu Xian Terrace, you defeated the seven geniuses of the previous generation in the Cultivation World by yourself. My daughter was among them. It is truly embarrassing to mention it.”
Ning Xu flattered.
Ning Wuxia’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. She was still dignified and charming, indicating that she was someone who could take things in stride.
Qi Huang felt a bit of admiration. If she were in her place, she would probably be too ashamed to show her face.
“It was just a stroke of luck!”
Cheng Hong Ling said modestly.
“Once might be luck, but twice or thrice is strength. For example, the blind Vice Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance was not someone that luck could help defeat.”
Ning Xu took the opportunity to steer the conversation towards the main topic.
Cheng Hong Ling was not foolish. Since the other party had already made it clear, she did not want to beat around the bush. She said, “This is all thanks to the Ning family’s ‘Li Shui Jue.’ Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have been able to gain the advantage of emerging from the body so easily.”
“Speaking of this matter, I would like to ask Elder Cheng, this Li Shui Jue is a secret technique of the Ning family that is not passed down. How did you learn it?”
Ning Xu’s expression became serious.
“Little sister, please don’t misunderstand. My father is just asking casually and has no intention of pursuing responsibility. Because you killed the Vice Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance using the Li Shui Jue, the Cao family was implicated. They are forcing us to give an explanation, so we need to understand the reason.”
Ning Wuxia by her side explained their predicament. Although she was a proud daughter of heaven, her father was beside her, so she had to be the one to say these humble words.
“Miss Ning, there’s no need to explain. This matter is indeed my fault, and I should indeed give you a reasonable explanation.”
Although Cheng Hong Ling was naturally proud, she was not someone who would cling to pride and face. She stood up generously and cupped her fists in a salute.
Ning Wuxia’s parents breathed a sigh of relief. The other party was someone who could kill the Vice Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance. If they were to act unreasonably based on their strength, they might be in grave danger.
“The situation is like this…”
Cheng Hong Ling then recounted how she had “taught herself.”
“Just because you saw me use this move at the Zhu Xian Terrace seven years ago, you managed to grasp it yourself?”
Ning Wuxia confirmed with disbelief.
“Indeed. I did not intentionally steal this ultimate technique from the Ning family. If Miss Ning does not believe me, then there is nothing I can do.”
Cheng Hong Ling added.
“Junior Sister Cheng has reached the Heavenly Punishment Realm in her early twenties. Such talent is probably unprecedented and unrepeatable. It is not impossible for her to comprehend the Li Shui Jue herself, but…”
Ning Wuxia hesitated.
“But to perform the Li Shui Jue, one must possess the Profound Ice True Qi, and this Profound Ice True Qi can only be cultivated through the Ning family’s secret cultivation method. How did you learn this?”
Ning Xu interjected.
“I learned this Profound Ice True Qi through the Shui Linglong cultivation method of Shuiyu Valley. If you don’t believe me, you can go and ask.”
Cheng Hong Ling told the truth.
“Shui Linglong?”
Ning Wuxia and her father exchanged glances, both showing suspicion.
After a long period of contemplation, Ning Xu said pleadingly, “Elder Cheng, could you trouble us to visit Shuiyu Valley? It’s not that I’m being nitpicky, but this matter concerns the life and death of the Ning family. Please!”
“Alright!”
Cheng Hong Ling also wanted to prove her innocence, so she agreed.
Not long after, Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling, along with the Ning family, arrived at Shuiyu Valley. After some verification, the result was both astonishing and amusing: the founding ancestor of Shuiyu Valley actually came from the Ning family.
The whole story was simple. Thousands of years ago, there was a genius in the Ning family, but due to the incompetence of her elders, she was never taken seriously by the family. In a fit of anger, she left her homeland and came to this desolate Xihui Dynasty to establish her own sect.
This meant that the “Shui Linglong” cultivation method of Shuiyu Valley originated from the Ning family.
“No wonder… no wonder Junior Sister Cheng could comprehend it just by seeing me perform the Li Shui Jue. It turns out that the Shui Linglong cultivation method you practiced comes from the Ning family.”
“Since Shuiyu Valley is a sect founded by the Ning family’s ancestor, then…”
“Our ancestor founded a sect, so we are family!”
Ning Xu affirmed the identity of Shuiyu Valley without hesitation.
“Old Master Ning, you should think clearly. It’s not easy to acknowledge relatives. Once we establish a connection, the Ning family will be confirmed as the murderers of the Vice Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance.”
Qi Huang kindly reminded him.
“That’s right. If Old Master Ning acts as if nothing happened and returns to the Ning family, and tells the Immortal Alliance that I stole your Li Shui Jue, then there might still be a glimmer of hope.”
Cheng Hong Ling also suggested.
Ning Xu and his daughter exchanged glances, their faces showing complex expressions. This trip to the Xihui Dynasty had caught them completely off guard. What was meant to be a “quest for justice” turned out to reveal that the other party was their own kin, putting the Ning family in a dilemma. They could either pretend nothing happened to save themselves, or “die to prove their integrity.”
Ning Xu struggled for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, “As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. Since Shuiyu Valley was founded by the ancestor of the Ning family, they are the descendants of the Ning family. Therefore, even if I have to die, I will never stand by and watch. If the Immortal Alliance wants to destroy Shuiyu Valley, they will have to step over my dead body first.”
“Good! Very good! Uncle Ning, your character is truly admirable. Just for these words, I guarantee that the Ning family will be safe and sound.”
Qi Huang showed admiration on her face. With a thought, a clone appeared beside her.
“This is my clone, Huang Tian. Take her back. I guarantee that the Immortal Alliance will not be able to harm a single blade of grass or a single flower in the Ning family.”
Qi Huang introduced her with great confidence, because Huang Tian’s spiritual sense strength reached the terrifying late Heavenly Punishment Realm. She could be said to be the strongest existence on the Cultivation Continent besides herself.
“Your clone? Is this right?”
Ning Xu stared at Qi Huang’s forehead in astonishment.
“This doesn’t seem right? You are a clone yourself, how can you have a clone?”
Ning Wuxia’s red lips parted in surprise.
