Volume 3, Chapter 190 – Haha, Another Chance to Act!

“It’s you?”

Cheng Hongling’s face twisted with disgust. If not for this man’s interference, her successful impersonation of an Incarnation Realm cultivator would not have caused so much trouble for the Honghua Sect.

“It’s me! Surprised? Shocked?”

Elder Zhou wore a mocking grin as he floated down gracefully. Behind him, another figure hovered in the air—clearly also an Incarnation Realm expert.

“Was that Elder Zhou’s voice?”

Back in Huatian Village, Qi Huang confirmed the situation. She had been communicating with her main body via the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube, something that Divine Sense transmissions couldn’t achieve.

“It’s him! Let’s switch to Divine Sense communication now.”

Cheng Hongling lowered her voice and then cut off the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

Qi Huang fell into thought. Though her main body was indeed talented, from what she knew, that Elder Zhou had already reached the late stage of the Incarnation Realm. If a real fight broke out, she would likely be at a disadvantage.

“Could this be another chance for me to act?”

Qi Huang’s eyes lit up. She had already escorted the Wang family up the mountain and had nothing else to do. This was the perfect opportunity to help.

“I am indeed surprised! Last time at the Honghua Sect, I was busy consolidating my cultivation and didn’t get the chance to prove myself, leading to your misunderstanding, Elder Zhou. Now that we’ve met again, why not verify my strength properly?”

On the other side, Cheng Hongling looked at Elder Zhou with a faint, challenging smile.

“Oh? You want to fight me?”

Elder Zhou’s grin widened.

“Not a fight—just a verification. The Huxiao Sect holds absolute authority in Yongning Province. With just one word from you, I was labeled a fraud impersonating an Incarnation Realm expert. Naturally, if I am to be recognized as a true Incarnation Realm cultivator, I’ll need your word again.”

Cheng Hongling continued to provoke him. In truth, whether she was an Incarnation Realm expert or not didn’t require the Huxiao Sect’s validation. She was doing this purely to vent her frustration.

“Hongling, this man is at the sixth level of the Incarnation Realm—stronger than even my mother. He’s one of the top experts in the entire Western Radiance Dynasty!”

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Mu Ruoyi quickly warned from the side.

“Even better! If I defeat him, it’ll only further prove my strength.”

Instead of worrying, Cheng Hongling was delighted. Right now, what she needed most was to display her power. Only by establishing her reputation would the malevolent force within the cursed land of Meng County dare not act recklessly.

Elder Zhou swept his Divine Sense over Cheng Hongling, puzzled by her confidence. Yet, a sliver of caution arose in his heart.

“No need. I’ve already witnessed your battle just now. Your cultivation has indeed reached the Incarnation Realm.”

Elder Zhou’s eyes flickered before he conceded magnanimously. He wasn’t foolish—this fight would bring him no benefits. Victory was expected, but defeat would humiliate him.

“Thank you for your acknowledgment, Elder Zhou! From now on, let’s see who dares call me a fraud.”

A trace of mockery flashed across Cheng Hongling’s delicate face.

“Pity. Even if you are truly at the Incarnation Realm, what does it matter? The Honghua Sect is too weak to support you. My offer still stands—if you join the Huxiao Sect, we’ll nurture you as our top disciple.”

Elder Zhou reiterated his proposal.

“I appreciate your kindness, but my answer remains the same—I will never leave the Honghua Sect.”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved.

“I truly don’t understand your stubbornness. Huangtian County’s reputation in the Western Radiance Dynasty is well-known. And now, with the Immortal Alliance altering the rules of the Evergreen Conference, staying there will only bury your potential!”

Elder Zhou shook his head regretfully.

“Elder Zhou, if anyone’s poaching her, it should be me. She’s now my wife—if she leaves, it’ll be for our Shuiyu Valley.”

Mu Ruoyi couldn’t hold back any longer.

“You’re Mu Ruoyi, the Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley, correct? I heard you recently inscribed a woman’s name on Wen Jing’s tombstone—was it hers?”

Elder Zhou’s gaze sharpened.

“Indeed. You’re quite well-informed, Elder Zhou.”

Mu Ruoyi sneered.

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“Not particularly. But when the number one beauty of the cultivation world takes a woman as her partner, news like that spreads fast.”

Elder Zhou shrugged indifferently.

“In that case, you should give up now.”

Mu Ruoyi declared firmly.

“Why? Wen Jing was indeed strong, but she’s dead. Shuiyu Valley is weak now—what help can you offer? If she thinks her Incarnation Realm cultivation alone can intimidate the cursed land of Meng County, she’s sorely mistaken.”

Elder Zhou mocked.

“What do you mean?”

Cheng Hongling frowned.

“Nothing much. I’m just reminding you—after our observations, the evil within Meng County’s cursed land isn’t so simple. It’s very likely a Fiendish Specter.”

Elder Zhou’s expression turned grave.

“A Fiendish Specter?! That’s equivalent to a Divine Realm cultivator!”

Mu Ruoyi’s face paled instantly.

“Elder Zhou, spare me your tricks. How many lies will you spin just to recruit me? Aren’t you afraid of ruining your reputation?”

Cheng Hongling scoffed.

“Don’t believe me? Then think for yourself. If it were just some ordinary ghost or wraith, how could it emit such terrifying Yin energy? It’s already corroded a third of Meng County. As an Incarnation Realm cultivator, could you achieve that by releasing your Qi?”

Elder Zhou countered.

Cheng Hongling fell silent, her expression growing solemn.

“Now you see? Huangtian County’s doom is near! But don’t worry—if you join the Huxiao Sect, we’ll handle it for you.”

Elder Zhou spoke confidently.

“Elder Zhou, aren’t you overestimating yourself? As far as I know, the strongest elder in your sect is only at the eighth level of the Incarnation Realm. How do you plan to deal with a Fiendish Specter equivalent to the Divine Ability Realm?”

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Mu Ruoyi seized the opportunity to strike back.

“What are you thinking, Disciple Mu? Of course, the Huxiao Sect alone can’t handle a Fiendish Specter—nor do we have the obligation to! But have you forgotten? The Immortal Alliance can!”

Elder Zhou smirked coldly, turning back to Cheng Hongling. “And whether we can mobilize the Immortal Alliance’s experts… I believe you already know the answer.”

Cheng Hongling’s brows furrowed slightly. If the Huxiao Sect could influence the Immortal Alliance to change the Evergreen Conference’s rules, they likely had the power to call upon stronger reinforcements.

“Take your time to consider, Disciple Cheng. I’m in no hurry. Today, we’re actually here for Disciple Mu.”

Elder Zhou shifted his gaze to Mu Ruoyi.

“Me? What do you want with me?”

Mu Ruoyi pointed at herself in confusion.

“To be frank, we’ve been searching these ruins of the Yuxiao Sect for over ten days but have found no trace of the Nine Nether Demon Cat. Rumor has it that your Wooden Exquisite Art is exceptional for tracking. We’d like to hire you to locate that beast.”

Elder Zhou stated his purpose.

“Hire me? And what are you offering? You know how priceless a Nine Nether Demon Cat is.”

Mu Ruoyi reminded him.

“Indeed, the cat is invaluable. But I believe the lives of your fellow disciples are even more precious.”

Elder Zhou’s lips curled meaningfully.

“What are you implying? Are you threatening me?”

Mu Ruoyi’s expression darkened.

The other disciples of Shuiyu Valley tensed, their hands gripping their swords once more.

“Not at all. I’m merely praising them.”

Elder Zhou’s smile didn’t waver.

“Apologies, Elder Zhou. She’s already agreed to cooperate with me. You’ll have to look elsewhere.”

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Cheng Hongling cut in.

“So what? The Huxiao Sect never fails in business, and the people we invite never refuse.”

Elder Zhou’s smile gradually turned icy.

“Is that so? Then let’s see if my sword agrees.”

Cheng Hongling stepped forward, shielding Mu Ruoyi.

“You dare stand in my way? Young people shouldn’t be so reckless. If you fight me now, it won’t just be about verifying your cultivation.”

Elder Zhou warned.

“If we’re not reckless, are we even young?”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved.

The two sides stood in a tense standoff, the atmosphere thick with hostility.

Meanwhile, back in Huatian Village, an impatient Qi Huang sent a Divine Sense message to inquire about the situation.

“Just agree to his request. It’s not like you can force your way in anyway. Since they’re inviting you, why not take advantage of it?”

Qi Huang suggested immediately.

“Are you joking? If we follow them to their base, forget about the Nine Nether Demon Cat—we’d be lucky to escape alive!”

Cheng Hongling retorted agitatedly.

“Relax, I’ve got your back. If anything goes wrong, summon me immediately. I’ll make sure they behave. Whether it’s you or the cat—I want them all.”

Qi Huang’s tone brooked no argument. After all, if she didn’t secure that Nine Nether Demon Cat, her earlier boast would be nothing but empty words.