Volume 3, Chapter 169 – You Can’t Cultivate Another Doppelgänger

On this day, the outside world remained completely unaware of what had truly transpired within the Yuxiao Sect. All they knew was that the sect’s disciples had been slaughtered to the last, while ordinary residents were left unharmed. According to eyewitnesses, the perpetrator was a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl with cat ears.

“A girl with cat ears? She must be a monstrously powerful demon!”

That was everyone’s first reaction. After all, humans couldn’t grow cat ears, and no sixteen-year-old—no matter how prodigious—could single-handedly annihilate an entire sect.

With the Yuxiao Sect’s cultivators wiped out, the remaining non-combatants had no choice but to scatter like startled birds. Just like that, a once-mighty sect vanished into obscurity.

But in the cultivation world, such events were hardly rare, so few truly cared. What they did care about was the Nine Nether Demon Cat the sect had kept.

In these times, a Nine Nether Demon Cat was priceless. Now that it was ownerless, the major sects of the Western Radiance Dynasty all coveted it, sending their strongest experts to capture the creature.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang remained blissfully unaware, tending vegetables in her greenhouse. She knew nothing of the Yuxiao Sect’s destruction—heck, she wouldn’t have noticed even if the Honghua Sect had collapsed.

That day, Cheng Yuan arrived from home, laden with gifts—beautiful dresses, delicious treats—for a simple reason:

Today was Cheng Hongling’s sixteenth birthday.

In the Western Radiance Dynasty, sixteen marked adulthood. While cultivators didn’t fuss over mundane rituals, it was still an important occasion, so all her loved ones had gathered.

As a doppelgänger, Qi Huang tagged along, though inwardly, she felt profoundly awkward. After all, her true self was a thirty-something “middle-aged man”—now suddenly celebrating a sweet sixteen.

But that discomfort faded quickly. Seeing her parents, master, and senior sisters genuinely celebrating her—her—filled her with an emotion she couldn’t name. Growing up dirt-poor, when had she ever experienced such warmth?

That night became the happiest in Qi Huang’s thirty years of life, leaving her giddy with joy—until her other doppelgänger, Huang Tian, contacted her via mental transmission.

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“Did you know? At noon today, the Wang family in the village was wiped out by a wraith.”

Huang Tian’s words hit like a bucket of ice water.

“What?! With you around, how could a mere wraith succeed?!” Qi Huang demanded.

“Fate’s funny that way. I wasn’t in the village at the time.” Huang Tian chuckled dryly.

“Where were you?! What if our family had been in danger? You know your duty!”

Qi Huang’s voice turned sharp.

“Of course I know. But Huatian Village is harsh. If we rely solely on farming, we can’t even feed ourselves. I had to go to town for supplies—like this morning. If I’d returned any later, the entire village might’ve been doomed.”

Qi Huang fell silent. This was a real problem. Survival wasn’t just about safety—it required food, resources, stability. With only one doppelgänger, should she prioritize protection or sustenance?

She pondered solutions. Only one seemed viable:

Cultivate another doppelgänger.

One to guard the village, one to handle logistics.

Some might ask—why not just buy a house in town and move the family there?

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The answer was simple: she wasn’t selfish.

If she did that, who would protect the villagers? Could she abandon friends like He Chao and Liu Keqian?

No.

Thus, the same division of labor issue would arise. Rather than juggling roles, adding another pair of hands made more sense.

Alternatively, she could sell her seven or eight vials of cat tears, buy a dozen houses, and relocate the entire village.

But then—what if her senior sisters ran out of cat tears?

“Sigh. I must be the poorest Divine Realm expert in the cultivation world,” she mocked herself.

“Alright. I’ll find a way to cultivate another doppelgänger to assist you” , Qi Huang declared.

“That’s a solid plan” , Huang Tian agreed.

“By the way, the Wang family’s funeral is on the ninth. Will you come back?”

Huang Tian hesitated. After all, Qi Huang was publicly his fiancée. Not attending would humiliate the family.

“I’d love to, but you know my situation. I’ll have to see when the time comes.”

Huang Tian understood, and their conversation ended.

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With her family’s safety weighing on her, Qi Huang decided to cultivate a new doppelgänger in the mountain cave, just like last time. But since it would take days, she needed to inform her main body—especially since her secrets weren’t entirely her own.

She soon met with Cheng Hongling and cautiously broached the subject.

“Secluded cultivation? For what?”

Cheng Hongling eyed her skeptically.

“To train, of course! I’ve turned over a new leaf!” Qi Huang lied shamelessly.

“Oh? Then go tear down that greenhouse. Prove your determination.”

Cheng Hongling smirked.

Qi Huang froze, stammering before blurting:

“Who says cultivation and farming can’t coexist? Versatility is a virtue!”

“Do as you please. But I can’t guarantee those ghost tomato seedlings will still be there when you return.”

“Wait—you said I could farm if I wanted! Why threaten me now?”

“Because I don’t trust you. The house is peaceful enough—if I can cultivate here, so can you. Do I look like a child to you?”

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Qi Huang had no rebuttal. For now, her plans were scrapped.

But Cheng Hongling wasn’t idle either. As the Honghua Sect’s top expert, she had duties. The next day, she left to handle a troublesome haunting, a task that would take a day or two.

To maintain appearances, Qi Huang posed as her main body, deterring any troublemakers within the sect. Secretly, she was thrilled.

‘One or two days? More than enough! Last time, I was inexperienced. Now? Easy.’

After a dramatically tearful farewell, she rushed to the mountain cave, eager to create her second doppelgänger.

Sitting cross-legged, Qi Huang guided her divine sense into her Sea of Consciousness—only to stare in shock.

The three male souls—previously suppressed—had regained freedom, now facing off against the seven feminized corporeal souls.

“We yearn for freedom, but if you value your life, you mustn’t cultivate another doppelgänger,” the Human Soul warned cryptically.

“Why?”

“If you proceed, only two souls will remain in this hall. Should you lose consciousness, we’ll be powerless to stop the Spiritual Wisdom Soul from seizing your Life Soul. You will vanish—utterly.”

“But before, you were completely overwhelmed! How are you resisting now?”

Qi Huang’s eyes widened with hope and confusion.