Volume 3, Chapter 186 – Can You Even Cheat in Cultivation?

“It’s the local Wanshan Sect from your Yongning Province. The reason we’ve been stuck here is because they absolutely refuse to let anyone pass!”

Mu Ruoyi explained.

“Wanshan Sect?” Cheng Hongling pondered briefly. “They aren’t particularly strong—not even top five in the province. How many people did they send?”

Since they belonged to the same province, she had some understanding of them. This sect only had one Incarnation Realm expert—their sect leader.

“They must consider this matter highly important, as their sect leader personally led the group. His cultivation is one layer above Elder Zhao’s, so we didn’t force our way through.”

Mu Ruoyi shook her head.

“Shuiyu Valley shouldn’t have just one Incarnation Realm cultivator, right? Why only send Elder Zhao and you? Does your sect not value the Nine Nether Demon Cat that much?”

Cheng Hongling couldn’t make sense of it, so she asked directly.

“Indeed, our valley has three Incarnation Realm experts. But you must understand—this place is tens of thousands of li away from Nansheng Province. If we sent all our strongest members and something happened back home, we wouldn’t be able to return in time. There are plenty of heretical factions in this world that would love to see an immortal sect fall.”

Zhao Li patiently explained.

“Only three Incarnation Realm cultivators? If that’s the case, then it makes sense.”

Cheng Hongling nodded in understanding.

“Hongling-mei, three Incarnation Realm experts is already quite strong, you know?”

Mu Ruoyi couldn’t help but retort, thinking to herself, ’Your Honghua Sect only has one, yet you have the nerve to say that.’

“Heh…”

Cheng Hongling smirked noncommittally before continuing, “If the Wanshan Sect’s leader is one layer above Elder Zhao, then he must be at the third layer of Incarnation Realm, right? With such mediocre strength, they still dare to block the way? Fine—we’ll make an example out of them today!”

“Making an example might not be possible.”

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Mu Ruoyi shook her head.

“Oh? You don’t believe in my strength?”

Cheng Hongling’s willow-like brows furrowed in displeasure.

“No, it’s not that. I believe that no matter how strong you are, it’ll be hard to take action against them. The Wanshan Sect operates with strict righteousness. No matter how many times we tried to force our way past, they never resorted to violence. Each time, they ‘convinced us with virtue’—patiently talking us into retreating.”

Mu Ruoyi smiled wryly.

“That gentlemanly, huh? Well, I’d like to see if they can ‘convince’ me today.”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved. Virtue persuades? In the end, it was still strength that determined who had the final say. For the sake of Honghua Sect, even if the other party were a reincarnated saint, they wouldn’t be able to sway her.

Mu Ruoyi and Zhao Li exchanged glances before sighing helplessly.

Thus, the group from Shuiyu Valley packed up and advanced. Before long, they arrived at the foot of a small mountain, where a dozen men and women in uniform blocked their path.

“You women again! I’ve already said—this road is closed! If you dare disturb us one more time, don’t blame us for resorting to force.”

A middle-aged man at the forefront issued a warning. Given his casual attire amidst the uniformed disciples, he was likely a high-ranking member of the Wanshan Sect.

“I’ll give Wanshan Sect one chance—leave now, and we’ll all walk away peacefully.”

Cheng Hongling stepped forward, her tone icy.

“Hah! Such arrogance. And you are—?”

The middle-aged man’s face initially showed disdain, but it quickly shifted to surprise.

“You’re Cheng Hongling from the Honghua Sect?”

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“That’s me. And you? I recall the Wanshan Sect’s leader, and it’s not you.”

Cheng Hongling replied casually.

“I’m Yang Tian, an elder of the Wanshan Sect. I never expected to see you allied with Shuiyu Valley. Are you collaborating?”

The man couldn’t help but ask.

“What if we are?”

Cheng Hongling’s lips parted slightly, her demeanor aloof.

“Of course, that’s allowed. But it won’t make a difference. You are a genius, but you still need time to grow. Even if you join forces, you won’t break through Wanshan Sect’s blockade. Since we’re all part of the Immortal Alliance, and we have no desire to bully a group of women, I advise you to retreat peacefully to avoid unnecessary conflict.”

Yang Tian’s expression carried a hint of admiration as he patiently persuaded.

“This guy’s actually pretty decent—still giving us chances after so many attempts!”

Mu Ruoyi couldn’t help but praise.

“Quite the gentleman indeed.”

Zhao Li chuckled.

“A shame. You’re a cultivator, not a saint. A few kind words won’t sway me.”

Cheng Hongling’s expression remained cold as she abruptly unleashed an overwhelming wave of divine sense, giving the other party no chance to continue.

Yang Tian, only at the Unity Realm, instantly collapsed to his knees, his body trembling violently under the immense pressure. His disciples fared even worse—flattened against the ground, unable to so much as blink.

“S-such… such terrifying divine sense suppression! Y-you… have you reached the Incarnation Realm? Impossible! I remember at last year’s Evergreen Conference… you were only at the fifth or sixth layer of Unity Realm!”

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Yang Tian propped himself up with his sword, his words strained as if each syllable drained his strength. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

“So? Who says I can’t break through four or five minor realms in a year?”

Cheng Hongling stepped forward, looking down at him.

“B-but… after reaching the Unity Realm… how could anyone advance so quickly?!”

Yang Tian still refused to believe it, his face a picture of disbelief.

“It seems that Zhou from the Huxiao Sect deceived everyone!”

At that moment, an elderly voice rang out. Before the words faded, an old man had already appeared on the scene.

“Finally decided to show yourself, Sect Leader Yan?”

Cheng Hongling remained expressionless.

The women of Shuiyu Valley, however, tensed as if facing a great enemy, some even drawing their weapons.

“To think a peerless genius like Hongling-shizi ¹ 世子 (shìzǐ), used to address young masters of powerful families or sects would recognize this old man! I’m truly flattered!”

Sect Leader Yan clasped his hands behind his back, his demeanor courteous.

“No need for modesty, Sect Leader Yan. For you to address me as shizhi is the real honor.”

Cheng Hongling reciprocated the politeness. By seniority, he was a generation above even her master.

“Hongling-shizhi, to reach the Incarnation Realm at sixteen—this is an unprecedented feat in the Western Radiance Dynasty. But you must understand what a Nine Nether Demon Cat means to sects like ours. I cannot simply let you pass. To avoid conflict, I must ask you to leave.”

Sect Leader Yan’s persuasion was reasonable and principled. It seemed the sect’s “virtuous persuasion” policy stemmed from his own example.

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“I’m afraid not. As you said, the Nine Nether Demon Cat is crucial to any sect—Honghua Sect included. Today, I will pass. Let’s see who’s stronger.”

Cheng Hongling’s refusal was resolute.

“Hongling-shizhi, as a once-in-a-millennium genius of the Western Radiance Dynasty, how could I dare attack you? How about a simple divine sense contest? We’ll stop at the appropriate point—whoever loses withdraws.”

Sect Leader Yan proposed.

“That suits me just fine.”

Cheng Hongling was more than willing. Her goal was to demonstrate strength, not slaughter. Leaving more witnesses to spread her reputation was beneficial.

“After you, shizhi. As the elder, I’ll let you make the first move.”

Sect Leader Yan gestured magnanimously, though whether it was out of confidence or face-saving remained unclear.

“Then forgive this junior’s impudence.”

Without further ado, Cheng Hongling unleashed her divine sense, pressing down on the old man like an invisible mountain.

Only then did Sect Leader Yan calmly release his own divine sense to resist. The moment they clashed, his expression twisted in shock.

“Such formidable divine sense! How is this possible? Have you reached the mid-stage of Incarnation Realm?!”

“Mid-stage Incarnation Realm? At her age? Can you even cheat in cultivation?!”

The onlookers exchanged stunned glances, their faces filled with disbelief.

“Mid-stage Incarnation Realm? Sect Leader Yan, you underestimate me.”

Cheng Hongling’s lips curled slightly as she intensified her divine sense output. Watching him sweat under the pressure, she suddenly understood why that doppelgänger of hers loved using divine sense to intimidate people—it was exhilarating.