Volume 3, Chapter 196 – Is My Aura Really That Strong?

Qi Huang remembered clearly—that fleeting divine sense had come from the south. But when she scanned the area, she found no suspicious figures within three li, only minor disciples from various sects. The nearest person was at least a li away, far beyond the range of ordinary divine sense detection.

“How strange… Was I just imagining things?”

Qi Huang muttered to herself, a creeping unease settling in her heart, especially after that mysterious arrow had descended from the skies earlier.

She didn’t have time to waste, so she prepared to leave. But the little black cat stared at her pitifully, refusing to let her go.

“If I leave, what if it runs back into the Yuxiao Sect?”

With a resigned sigh, Qi Huang decided to see her good deed through to the end. She gathered some vines and, using her divine sense, swiftly wove them into a small cage.

Placing the kitten inside, she carried it to a secluded spot and even thoughtfully tossed in a fish.

Satisfied, Qi Huang clapped her hands and took off, returning to the Yuxiao Sect ruins.

For the next half-day, she scoured the ruins for traces of the Nine Nether Demon Cat. But in a twist of irony, she found no sign of the legendary beast—instead, she ended up rescuing four or five stray cats from the Huxiao Sect disciples, stuffing them all into the same cage.

“Stay put here. Once those bad people leave, I’ll set you free.”

Hands on her hips, Qi Huang proudly tossed two more fish into the cage, feeling an odd sense of accomplishment.

“Wait… wasn’t I supposed to be looking for the Nine Nether Demon Cat? How did I suddenly become a cat caretaker?”

The realization hit her, but what could she do? She couldn’t just abandon them now.

“Whatever. Consider it good karma.”

She chuckled self-deprecatingly—until an unfamiliar divine sense brushed past her again.

Qi Huang stiffened as if struck by lightning, immediately sweeping her own divine sense back in retaliation. But just like before, she found nothing.

“Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I’ll drag you out!”

Annoyed, she flew straight toward the source, but aside from a few small animals, there was nothing there.

“This is downright supernatural.”

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She cursed under her breath. Ever since mastering divine sense, she had never encountered an enemy she couldn’t detect. The thought sent chills down her spine.

Not daring to delay further, Qi Huang flew back toward the Yuxiao Sect. Her main body’s safety was the priority now.

Soon, she arrived near the Huxiao Sect’s camp. To avoid detection, she refrained from using divine sense directly and instead had her main body activate the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

The factions were still at a standstill, unable to agree on their next move.

Cheng Hongling’s hand never left her sword hilt. She knew that if a fight broke out, these people would immediately target Pangpang, the Nine Nether Demon Cat by her side.

“I say we make the Shuiyu Valley Holy Maiden keep using Wooden Exquisite Art—test every living plant in the Yuxiao Sect. With Cheng Hongling here, there’s no shortage of blood to replenish her.”

Guardian Ma proposed a ruthless plan.

“Not a bad idea. A thorough search might turn up clues.”

Elder Zhou agreed readily.

“In that case, let’s act fast. Look at Cheng Hongling—plenty of blood to spare.”

An Incarnation Realm expert from the Chongyan Sect chimed in with a crude remark.

Just like that, the three previously hostile factions reached an agreement.

“Don’t even think about it. I won’t cooperate.”

Mu Ruoyi refused without hesitation.

“Then hand over Shuiyu Valley’s Nine Nether Demon Cat. We didn’t come all this way for nothing.”

Guardian Ma demanded again.

“How about I chop off your legs? That way, you’ll never ‘come for nothing’ again!”

Cheng Hongling retorted coldly.

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“You dare spout such arrogance, little girl? Maybe I should cut off your legs first. As long as there’s enough blood, Mu Ruoyi can keep using Wooden Exquisite Art indefinitely.”

Guardian Ma’s gaze turned murderous.

“Dream on. I already said I won’t help you.”

Mu Ruoyi sneered, unaware she had just exposed her own weakness.

“Oh? So you do care about her. Perfect. If I chop off one of her legs, you’ll obey, won’t you?”

Guardian Ma grinned maliciously.

“Try it if you dare.”

Cheng Hongling stood her ground, unflinching.

“Better cooperate quietly. We might spare your lives. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being merciless.”

The Chongyan Sect expert added, clearly backing Guardian Ma’s threat.

Seeing the situation escalate, Mu Ruoyi quickly shielded Cheng Hongling.

“See? I knew there’d be a stage for me to perform! But you’re forcing me to make an entrance before the Nine Nether Demon Cat even shows up. Can you even afford my appearance fee?”

Qi Huang’s face darkened as she shut off the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube. In a flash, she vanished.

Her anger was justified—she had planned to wait until the demon cat was found, make a grand entrance, and claim everything at once. Minimal risk, maximum gain. But now? She had to intervene prematurely just to save her main body. Who wouldn’t be furious?

In the blink of an eye, Qi Huang stormed into the Huxiao Sect camp like a creditor demanding payment.

“Who are you? State your name!”

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A clueless Huxiao Sect disciple stepped forward to challenge her.

Unhurried, Qi Huang swallowed a pill she had bought for disguise purposes—it temporarily altered her vocal cords, making her voice hoarse and gender-neutral.

“Still popping pills when death’s at your door? Think that’ll save you?”

The disciple raised his sword and swung.

“You’re not even worthy of knowing my name.”

Her raspy voice dripped with disdain as an overwhelming divine sense crushed down.

The disciple’s knees buckled instantly, shattering upon impact with a sickening crack.

“AAAHHH!”

He collapsed, writhing in agony as blood pooled beneath him.

Knowing she had drawn the tent’s attention, Qi Huang levitated into the air. The Golden Fate Blossoms’ scent on her was too distinctive—she couldn’t risk getting too close.

The commotion outside made everyone exchange glances before rushing out. Chaos had erupted.

Cheng Hongling’s eyes locked onto a slender figure in black robes hovering midair. The person was completely covered, their face obscured, but their frame was too delicate—more like a youth than a formidable expert.

“What’s going on?”

Elder Zhou demanded, noticing his disciple now crippled and bleeding profusely.

“Elder Zhou, this intruder suddenly attacked and injured Junior Brother Huang!”

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Another disciple explained hastily.

“Elder Zhou… please… avenge me!”

The wounded disciple sobbed, snot and tears mixing on his face.

Elder Zhou frowned. Without knowing the intruder’s strength, he dared not act rashly.

“May I ask who you are? And why you’ve harmed my disciple?”

He forced his voice to remain steady.

“Who I am doesn’t concern you. All you need to know is this—from now on, the Yuxiao Sect belongs to me. Who agrees? Who objects?”

Qi Huang’s tone brooked no argument.

“Such arrogance! What, are you a Divine Realm expert or something?”

Elder Zhou scoffed.

“Oh-ho! How did you guess? Is my aura that overpowering? And here I was trying to be modest.”

Qi Huang feigned surprise.

“Enough with the act! Your performance is laughable. The Western Radiance Dynasty has only two or three Divine Ability Realm experts—I’ve met them all, and you’re not one.”

Guardian Ma’s eyes turned icy.

“Act?”

That word sent an involuntary shudder through Cheng Hongling. For some reason, the image of that doppelgänger flashed in her mind. Had fear conditioned her to panic at even the slightest hint of deception?

“Are you sure you’ve met them all?”

Qi Huang’s laughter was cold as an avalanche of divine sense crashed down upon Guardian Ma.