Volume 3, Chapter 191 – Disguised as a Man

“So, where exactly does your confidence come from? Don’t tell me you’re planning to act again!”

Cheng Hongling naturally didn’t believe her.

“Exactly! Isn’t it better to subdue the enemy without fighting? You’re so beautiful—fighting and killing really ruins a lady’s image.”

Qi Huang tried to persuade her earnestly.

“The key question is—how are you going to act? There are as many Incarnation Realm cultivators here as there are Unity Realm ones on the streets. Your Divine Sense is only at the Incarnation level. No matter how good your acting is, you won’t scare anyone.”

Cheng Hongling shot back. No woman enjoyed fighting and killing—but circumstances forced her hand.

Qi Huang fell into thought. Because of the ticking time bomb in her Sea of Consciousness, she had no choice but to conceal some of her strength when facing her main body. Yet their fates were bound together. If she kept hesitating, she might capsize in a tiny ditch! As the saying went—to consider the future, one must first survive the present.

After careful consideration, Qi Huang replied, “Who told you my Divine Sense is only at the Incarnation Realm?”

“What do you mean? Has your Divine Sense reached the Divine Realm?”

Cheng Hongling’s tone remained calm.

“Of course!”

Qi Huang answered smugly.

“You think I’d believe that? Don’t think I don’t know—you’re just itching to act again.”

Cheng Hongling dismissed her outright.

“You’re right—acting can be addictive. But I know my limits. How about this? Summon me over right now, and I’ll show you what a true Divine Realm expert looks like.”

Qi Huang boasted shamelessly.

“First, I don’t believe your Divine Sense has reached the Divine Ability Realm. Second, I made it clear before I left—the Honghua Sect is the priority. You can’t leave there.”

Cheng Hongling’s reply was firm.

After a moment of silence, Qi Huang asked, “Is the Honghua Sect really that important to you?”

“The words ‘Honghua Sect’ themselves aren’t important. What matters are the people inside—my master, my fellow disciples, and the elders who once helped me. Do you understand?”

Cheng Hongling answered after some thought.

“I see now.”

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Qi Huang suddenly realized—the name “Honghua Sect” was just a label. What truly mattered were the people within. Not only her main body, but even she couldn’t abandon her master and fellow disciples.

“Good! Stay put at the Honghua Sect. Even if the Huxiao Sect wants my life, you’d better die defending the Honghua Sect.”

Cheng Hongling’s stern warning marked the end of their conversation.

“What a shame… I’m already in Huatian Village.”

Qi Huang gazed into the distance, a self-deprecating smile on her lips.

“Well, there’s a doppelgänger holding the fort at the Honghua Sect. If you won’t let me go, I’ll just go myself.”

She murmured to herself. At her current Divine Ability Realm speed, she could reach the Yuxiao Sect ruins in under two hours.

Having made her decision, Qi Huang considered bidding farewell to her family but ultimately decided against it—it would only bring unnecessary sorrow.

After saying goodbye to her doppelgänger, she gently levitated into the air. Looking down at Huatian Village, the place that had raised her, she shot northward like lightning, her expression more resolute than ever.

She was determined to obtain the Nine Nether Demon Cat—not for pride this time, but for peace of mind.

Qi Huang clearly remembered that Huatian Village once had over forty households. But due to the harsh times, only half remained, and that was only because they stuck together. To say she felt nothing for them would be a lie.

Now that she had power, she couldn’t just think of herself. Hearts were made of flesh, after all. She couldn’t bear to save only her family while leaving the villagers to fend for themselves.

True, these villagers had never done her any great favors—but that was due to their limited means. What more could a cultivator expect from ordinary folk?

“Taking them to safety… That’s the least I can do for myself.”

Clenching her teeth, Qi Huang accelerated even further.

“We’re both under the Immortal Alliance’s banner. I’d hate to resort to force—think carefully.”

On the other side, Elder Zhou made one last attempt at persuasion.

“No need. I’ll go with you. But you must promise not to harm them.”

Mu Ruoyi made her decision.

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“Rest assured, Disciple Mu. I want the Nine Nether Demon Cat, not their lives.”

Elder Zhou immediately assured her.

“Holy Maiden, you’re the future of Shuiyu Valley! You can’t just go with them—what if something happens?”

Zhao Li protested anxiously.

“If I can’t even protect a few of you, then Shuiyu Valley has no future to speak of.”

Mu Ruoyi smiled bitterly.

“Elder Zhao, the Huxiao Sect is a respectable orthodox sect. What would we gain from harming her? And if word got out, how would that look?”

Elder Zhou retorted irritably.

“Hah! ‘Respectable orthodox sect’? Weren’t you just threatening our Holy Maiden with our lives?”

Zhao Li sneered.

Elder Zhou’s smile remained, unfazed—like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

“Are you sure? If you refuse, no one can force you unless I’m dead.”

Cheng Hongling turned to ask.

“Thank you, but I’ve made up my mind.”

Mu Ruoyi declined politely before making a request: “I’d like to ask a favor—please look after these Shuiyu Valley disciples in my absence.”

“Sorry, but I think you’re the one who needs protection.”

Cheng Hongling shook her head.

“Exactly! Holy Maiden, let Fairy Hongling accompany you!”

Elder Zhao quickly suggested.

“No need. If you come, not only will you be unable to protect me, but you’ll also be in danger yourself.”

Mu Ruoyi gently refused.

“Don’t ignore me! Who stays and who goes is my decision, isn’t it?”

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Elder Zhou’s expression darkened. “Disciple Cheng, you’ll stay here and wait.”

“I’m afraid I must go.”

Cheng Hongling stood firm.

“Give me a reason.”

Elder Zhou’s face turned stormy. If it came to a fight, he wouldn’t mind teaching this arrogant girl a lesson.

“Simple. To use the Water Exquisite Art, she needs me.”

Cheng Hongling answered succinctly.

“Why?”

Elder Zhou pressed.

“Because I’ve cultivated the Water Exquisite Art. Someone as experienced as you must know the relationship between Water Exquisite and Wooden Exquisite, right?”

Cheng Hongling extended her jade-white hand, releasing a chilling Profound Ice Qi.

“Don’t—!”

Mu Ruoyi tried to stop her, but it was too late.

“You’ve truly cultivated the Water Exquisite Art?”

Elder Zhou’s eyes widened in excitement. “Heaven helps me! With your assistance, that demon cat won’t escape!”

“Sigh… Why must you do this?”

Mu Ruoyi closed her beautiful eyes helplessly.

“I said I’d repay my debt to you.”

Cheng Hongling repeated.

But Mu Ruoyi felt no joy. Hongling’s clear-cut repayment only meant she had no intention of staying with her forever. Though Mu Ruoyi hadn’t expected that either, it still stung her pride.

“Excellent! Then let us depart, fair immortals.”

In high spirits, Elder Zhou gestured grandly.

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Mu Ruoyi took a deep breath and handed her plump cat, Pang Pang, to Zhao Li.

“Wait!”

Elder Zhou suddenly blocked her path. “Disciple Mu, since you’ve agreed to help, you’ll bring the cat. It’ll increase our chances.”

“Hmph!”

Cheng Hongling scoffed. Did he think they were fools? He clearly wanted to seize the cat for himself.

Gritting her teeth, Mu Ruoyi had no choice but to take Pang Pang along.

Thus, the four of them set off toward the Yuxiao Sect ruins while the others remained behind.

“Elder Zhou, remember your promise. If our Holy Maiden loses even a single hair, I’ll immediately inform the Valley Master via the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.”

Zhao Li warned sharply—she had to stay to protect the other disciples.

Elder Zhou smirked coldly, though whether he took her words to heart was unclear.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang was racing toward the Yuxiao Sect. Before long, she arrived at a small town.

After brief consideration, she descended in a secluded spot and entered a clothing store.

She purchased a set of men’s robes and began carefully disguising herself. Since her trip to the Yuxiao Sect lacked justification, a new identity would serve her better.

There were three advantages:

She wouldn’t anger her main body.

She could reveal her true strength without worry.

If she obtained the Nine Nether Demon Cat, she could keep it instead of handing it over to the Honghua Sect. She had already made that mistake with the Ghost Tomatoes—she wouldn’t repeat it.

First, she bound her ample chest, tied up her waist-length hair, and changed into loose men’s robes. Then, she bought a mask and flew toward the Yuxiao Sect.