Volume 3, Chapter 158 – Stop Acting, I Beg You (Part 1)

Qi Huang followed her main body without rest as they hurried toward Yuxiao Sect. On one hand, she was worried about her father; on the other, she was concerned about Honghua Sect. Though their departure had gone unnoticed, staying away for too long would inevitably raise suspicions.

After two days and nights of relentless travel, the two finally arrived at the foot of Yuxiao Sect’s mountain.

“Let’s proceed the same way we dealt with Heyi Sect. I’ll handle the grand performance on the main stage, and you stay down here as backup. If anything goes wrong, recall me immediately.”

Qi Huang made the decision.

“Are you sure you can handle this alone? Yuxiao Sect isn’t like Heyi Sect—what if you freeze up?”

Cheng Hongling voiced her concerns.

“Trust my acting skills!”

Qi Huang flashed a confident smile before adding, “If you come along and things turn violent, neither of us will escape.”

After much deliberation, Cheng Hongling realized there was no better alternative and reluctantly agreed.

“I’ve already reached the ninth layer of the Unity Realm. Once we find Father, I’ll immediately gather ingredients for the ‘Soul-Stabilizing Elixir’. Once I break through to the Incarnation Realm, you won’t have to risk your life with these performances anymore.”

Determination gleamed in Cheng Hongling’s eyes.

“Soul-Stabilizing Elixir? What’s that?”

Qi Huang asked, puzzled.

“It’s a necessary pill for reaching the Incarnation Realm. The Black Gold Lily is one of its ingredients. Besides that, we also need Snow Boar Blood and Blue-Crested Sparrow eggshells—both rare and precious materials.”

Cheng Hongling explained.

Qi Huang nodded thoughtfully, committing the two additional ingredients to memory in hopes of aiding her main body.

With that settled, Qi Huang set off alone toward Yuxiao Sect’s gates. Having rushed here without her sword, she was unarmed—but she had no intention of fighting. If negotiations failed, running was her only option.

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Yuxiao Sect was a prefecture-level sect in Sanyang Prefecture, ranking among the top five in Yongning Zhou—even stronger than Shuiyu Valley. The sect boasted four Incarnation Realm experts: the sect leader at the fifth layer, the left and right guardians at the second and third layers respectively, and the grand elder at the first layer.

Thanks to its formidable strength, Yuxiao Sect attracted over 30% of Sanyang Prefecture’s young female cultivators. Including disciples and miscellaneous personnel, nearly half a million people resided on this single mountain.

Qi Huang looked up and saw densely packed buildings stretching endlessly. The distant clamor of merchants made it feel like a bustling market in Dacheng Town.

In fact, Yuxiao Sect’s scale rivaled that of a prefectural capital.

Though a seasoned performer, Qi Huang still felt the pressure of such a grand stage. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she strode confidently toward the sect’s main gate. Her veiled face spared her from unwanted attention along the way.

“Esteemed Daoist, could you kindly inform your sect leader that Cheng Hongling of Honghua Sect requests an urgent audience?”

Qi Huang politely requested, hoping for a peaceful resolution—no need for life-risking theatrics if diplomacy worked.

“Cheng Hongling of Honghua Sect? Who’s that? Never heard of her. Our sect leader doesn’t meet with just any stray cat or dog.”

The young gatekeeper glanced at Qi Huang, momentarily dazed before replying coldly. Immortal sects never lacked beautiful women, and he wasn’t one to be swayed by mere looks.

“You don’t know Cheng Hongling?”

Just as Qi Huang was about to lose her temper, an older disciple nearby interjected in surprise, “She and Shuiyu Valley’s Holy Maiden are known as the ‘Twin Moons of the Western Radiance Dynasty’—peerless in beauty and talent.”

“Ah, my apologies! It slipped my mind. Now that you mention it, I do recall.”

The first disciple awkwardly admitted.

“So, Junior Sister Hongling, right? We can deliver your message, but how can we verify your identity with your face covered?”

The older disciple asked diplomatically.

“I have this.”

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Qi Huang handed over the Cultivation Elder’s waist token she’d taken from her main body.

After careful inspection, the older disciple nodded. “Please wait a moment. I’ll inform the sect leader.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Qi Huang retrieved the token and waited patiently, hoping Yuxiao Sect’s leader would be reasonable—someone who valued justice over personal ties, avoiding bloodshed.

Before long, the disciple returned. “Apologies for the wait, Junior Sister Hongling. Our sect leader will see you.”

Qi Huang thanked him again and followed with elegant strides, chin slightly raised—a poised demeanor she’d learned from her main body.

Entering Yuxiao Sect, Qi Huang curiously surveyed her surroundings. The place was even livelier than she’d imagined. Shops of all kinds lined the streets, and stalls stretched as far as the eye could see. Every imaginable item was available—even “Cat’s Tears” were openly sold.

Qi Huang was stunned. In Honghua Sect, Cat’s Tears were priceless treasures, yet here they were peddled on the streets. The disparity is infuriating.

“Esteemed Daoist, how much for the Cat’s Tears?”

Seizing the chance, Qi Huang inquired. If they were cheap, she could buy several bottles for her senior sisters.

“Not expensive—just a thousand taels of silver per bottle.”

The vendor cheerfully quoted.

‘A thousand taels isn’t expensive?!’

Qi Huang’s face fell. Clearly, Cat’s Tears weren’t as common here as she’d thought. A thousand taels could buy a courtyard house in the prefectural capital—far beyond her means.

‘I can’t afford this! Absolutely impossible!’

Though she longed for it, her empty purse left her no choice. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away before the vendor grew impatient.

‘Why am I so poor?’

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Bitter resentment filled her as she followed the disciple to the assembly hall, where Yuxiao Sect’s leader had been waiting.

Sect Leader Liu was a scholarly-looking elder with salt-and-pepper hair, a clean-shaven face, and spotless robes—outwardly, the picture of reasonableness.

“Haha, so it really is Junior Cheng! Time has only made you more radiant!”

Sect Leader Liu greeted with polite flattery.

“You flatter me, Sect Leader Liu. Have we met before?”

Qi Huang asked curiously.

“Of course! Three years ago, when you ranked among the Western Radiance Dynasty’s top sixty, I witnessed your entire performance.”

A hint of admiration flashed across his ruddy face.

“Three years ago? Yet this year, I didn’t even qualify for the prefectural Immortal Seed selection. I’ve embarrassed myself before you.”

Qi Huang feigned modesty.

“Don’t dwell on it, Junior Cheng. Even a fool could see you gave your all.”

Sect Leader Liu appeared understanding.

“Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Liu.”

Qi Huang was genuinely touched. If he’s this reasonable, rescuing Father should be straightforward.

“As fellow members of the Immortal Alliance, there’s no need for formalities. Just call me Uncle Liu. Please, take a seat.”

The sect leader seized the chance to foster familiarity.

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“Then I’ll gladly accept, Uncle Liu.”

Qi Huang played along, sitting gracefully on a nearby chair.

“Since we’re practically family now, I’ll speak frankly.”

A “benevolent” smile spread across Sect Leader Liu’s face. “Junior Cheng, I know exactly why you missed this year’s Immortal Seed selection. It wasn’t lack of strength—the Alliance changed the rules. No matter how strong you are, defeating five opponents alone is impossible. Everyone knows your talent is unmatched in Yongning Province.”

“Oh, Uncle Liu, your insight is peerless! May I call you Uncle Liu from now on?”

Qi Huang pretended to be moved, though inwardly she scoffed. I underestimated this old fox.

“Hahaha, of course! Niece Cheng!”

Sect Leader Liu laughed heartily before pressing further. “But you must realize, changing the Alliance’s rules is harder than climbing to heaven. And apart from you, Honghua Sect’s disciples are all… incompetent. Staying there will only hinder your rise.”

Incompetent?

Qi Huang’s mood soured instantly. For a sect leader to insult others so bluntly was disgraceful. As his words sank in, she understood—this man wasn’t reasonable at all. His act was purely to poach her main body.

Unbelievable. I haven’t even mentioned Father, and he’s already scheming to steal Cheng Hongling!

Suppressing her anger, Qi Huang forced a smile. “I appreciate your concern, Sect Leader Liu, but Honghua Sect has treated me well. I won’t abandon them.”

“In that case, what brings you to Yuxiao Sect, Junior Cheng?”

As expected, Sect Leader Liu’s expression darkened instantly.

“My purpose is simple. I want to know who you sent to bid on the ‘Black Gold Lily’ at the prefectural auction house recently.”

No longer bothering with pretense, Qi Huang cut straight to the point.