Volume 3, Chapter 173 – The Second Doppelgänger is Cheng Hongling (Part 2)

Indeed, to avoid being forcibly feminized, Qi Huang could no longer use male souls as her doppelgängers. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t use the already-feminized female souls! Moreover, doing so would indirectly weaken the Spiritual Wisdom Soul’s power.

Of course, while the idea was beautiful, reality was harsh. Those feminized souls had essentially become vassals of Cheng Hongling’s Spiritual Wisdom Soul—pure time bombs. If even one of them emerged and exposed her true identity, it would be game over.

Thus, Qi Huang first had to find a way to make them obedient—whether through force or persuasion. But how could that be easy?

Qi Huang racked her brains but still couldn’t come up with a solution. She paced anxiously in circles. Without absolute certainty, she truly didn’t dare release any of the feminized souls.

‘Wait… how could I be so stupid?’

Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and she smacked her forehead.

Having found a solution, Qi Huang eagerly rushed back to her room and began preparations. The first step, naturally, was to control her Life Soul and enter the palace within her Sea of Consciousness.

When Qi Huang arrived, she found that the male and female souls had ceased their fighting and were now separated, occupying opposite sides of the grand hall.

Without wasting time, Qi Huang strode directly toward the female souls.

The six souls—including the Spiritual Wisdom Soul—immediately tensed upon seeing her, their faces filled with wariness.

“Oh? Had a change of heart? Ready to become a real woman now?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul spoke with playful mockery.

“Afraid you’ll be disappointed. I think I’m woman enough as it is.”

Qi Huang gave a self-deprecating laugh before continuing, “I came to ask you all—don’t you crave freedom?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her pretty face gradually revealing a trace of suspicion. For some reason, she sensed the stench of a scheme.

The other souls exchanged glances, their expressions identical to the Spiritual Wisdom Soul’s—down to the last detail.

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“I don’t even need you to answer. From the moment you were born until now, none of you—except her—have ever stepped outside to breathe the air of the mortal world. What a tragedy. The world is vast and full of wonders.”

Qi Huang sighed with exaggerated pity.

“Just what are you getting at?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul scowled. Proud as she was, she hated this feeling of uncertainty.

“As you know, my current duty is to guard the Honghua Sect, but I also need to return to Huatian Village. So, I’ve decided to cultivate another female doppelgänger to take my place here. In short—one of you is about to get lucky today.”

Qi Huang poured every ounce of her acting skills into the performance.

“Did I hear that right? She wants to use one of us to cultivate a female doppelgänger?”

“Pfft. How dare she? Does she not fear we’ll expose her the moment we’re out?”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. I smell a scheme.”

The female souls whispered among themselves.

“If I heard correctly, you intend to turn one of us into a female doppelgänger?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul asked, as if unable to believe her ears.

“Exactly! Sure, we’ve had our conflicts, but at the end of the day, we’re all part of the same person. How could I hold a grudge against myself? When there’s good fortune to be had, of course I’d think of you first.”

Qi Huang put on a magnanimous expression.

“Forgive my bluntness, but since when have you been so bold? Aren’t you afraid we’ll expose you the moment we’re out?”

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The Spiritual Wisdom Soul sneered.

“Haven’t I always been bold? You’ve all seen me acting outside, right? I doubt most people would have the guts for that!”

Qi Huang shamelessly boasted.

“Acting? More like swindling!”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul’s delicate face twisted in disdain.

“Just answer me this—bold or not? As for whether you’ll expose me… I’m not worried. Are you?”

Qi Huang smugly concluded.

“What a pathetic attempt at reverse psychology. Don’t think I don’t see through your little game. A substitute is secondary—what you really want is to weaken me, isn’t it? The moment you take them out and refuse to recall them, my power in this hall will diminish.”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul let out a cold laugh.

“Wow! You figured that out? How clever! But what does it matter? You can’t stop me from taking them out. My earlier words weren’t a negotiation—just courtesy before action. I’m all about etiquette.”

Qi Huang spoke with utter confidence.

“If I can’t stop you, then how about I personally accompany you?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul smirked, knowing full well Qi Huang wouldn’t dare. A doppelgänger cultivating another doppelgänger? Even a fool would see the problem.

“I appreciate the offer, but how could I trouble you with such a trivial matter?”

Qi Huang replied with sarcastic politeness.

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“Fine! Choose whoever you want. Take your pick!”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul scoffed dismissively.

Qi Huang’s gaze swept over the other five feminized souls. Then, with an air of impartiality, she declared:

“I believe in fairness. To keep things equal, we’ll go by the order of your birth. This time, the ‘Heavenly Surge’ soul at the crown will come with me. Next will be the ‘Spiritual Wisdom’ soul at the brow, then the ‘Qi’ soul at the throat, and so on! As long as you behave, once I reach the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, all of you can become doppelgängers. Everyone will have a bright future.”

“You’d really dare let me out? I don’t believe it.”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul curled her lip in disdain.

“I said ‘everyone’. That naturally includes you.”

Qi Huang’s tone was sincere—this time, she wasn’t acting. After all, the other party was the main body’s Spiritual Wisdom Soul. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to burn all bridges.

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul, of course, didn’t buy it. What she wanted wasn’t to be someone’s doppelgänger but absolute freedom. Becoming the Life Soul had always been her goal—that hadn’t changed before, and it wouldn’t change now.

“The moment you’re out, expose her true identity to the main body.”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul secretly transmitted her orders to the Heavenly Surge Soul.

“But, Elder Sister, you know the main body is away on a mission. I can’t just rush to the Yuxiao Sect to find her. With Huang Qi gone, the Honghua Sect still needs guarding.”

The Heavenly Surge Soul responded. Having been fully assimilated by the Spiritual Wisdom Soul, her “main body” now referred to Cheng Hongling—not Qi Huang.

“Doesn’t matter. Anyone trustworthy will do—her master, her parents, whoever. Use your judgment.”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul commanded.

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“Understood!”

The Heavenly Surge Soul bowed in compliance.

“What an idiot. Since you’re digging your own grave, don’t blame me for being ruthless. This time, I’ll make sure everyone knows your true colors.”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul inwardly seethed.

Qi Huang, of course, remained oblivious. She led the Heavenly Surge Soul out of the Sea of Consciousness, feeling a twinge of regret. If not for the Heavenly Dao’s suppression, she could have sealed away that detestable Spiritual Wisdom Soul in some hidden place, eliminating the thorn in her side once and for all.

Back in the real world, Qi Huang opened her eyes. The Heavenly Surge Soul hovered nearby, waiting.

“Remember—behave. Once you become my doppelgänger, guard the Honghua Sect properly in my stead. Say what should be said, and keep what shouldn’t to yourself. Otherwise, you’ll never see the outside world again. Freedom must be important to you, no?”

Qi Huang warned once more, feigning concern.

“Don’t worry. I’ve always been obedient.”

The Heavenly Surge Soul nodded eagerly, playing the role of the dutiful girl while inwardly sneering:

‘What a fool. Does she really think she can intimidate me like this?’

Seemingly convinced, Qi Huang began transferring her blood to forge a new body for the Heavenly Surge Soul. Once complete, she could finally return to Huatian Village with peace of mind.