Volume 3, Chapter 227 – No Matter How Many Rules He Sets, I’ll Shatter Them All

Zhou Ming sat idly in the great hall, the smile on his face gradually fading. He noticed that the Honghua Sect was entirely at ease—not a single person showed even the slightest hint of anxiety.

And that Sect Master Qin was even more outrageous. After exchanging a few perfunctory words, he simply left, abandoning Zhou Ming, a dignified elder of the Huxiao Sect, right there.

“Elder Zhou, why does everyone in the Honghua Sect look so unconcerned? Could it be they still don’t know about the Yin energy eruption at Pingshan Mass Burial Ground?”

One of his subordinates, unable to hold back, whispered the question.

“Who knows?”

Elder Zhou chuckled helplessly. For some reason, as time passed, his unease only grew.

“That must be it. The Honghua Sect is full of trash. They probably didn’t even dare send people to guard the area, how would they know?”

“Even if they did send people, those worthless Spirit Gathering Realms fools wouldn’t even be able to outrun the Yin energy. How could they report back?”

The other two continued mocking, filling the hall with a lively atmosphere.

Before long, Qi Huang followed her main body and Sect Master Qin back into the hall, where they saw Zhou Ming and the group from the Huxiao Sect.

“Elder Zhou, I’ve brought the person you wanted. If you have anything to say, go ahead.”

Qin Quan spoke with an air of indifference, as if he couldn’t be bothered.

“I’d like to speak with Disciple Hongling alone. Sect Master Qin, would you mind giving us some privacy?”

Zhou Ming shamelessly made his request.

“Fine.”

Qin Quan didn’t even need to open his eyes to know what the other party was scheming. But since he trusted Cheng Hongling completely, he simply walked out without hesitation.

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“Elder Zhou, what guidance do you have for me?”

Cheng Hongling took a seat in a chair. Qi Huang initially thought to stand beside her as a “maid”, but remembering the previous lesson, she shamelessly plopped herself down in another chair instead.

“Disciple Hongling, do you recall what I mentioned at the Yuxiao Sect? That the source of evil at Pingshan Mass Burial Ground might not just be some malignant ghosts or silver corpses—it could be a fiendish specter equivalent to a Divine Realm cultivator, a Golden Zombie.”

Elder Zhou didn’t beat around the bush, cutting straight to the point. After all, he knew the principle that “long nights invite many dreams”.

“I remember.”

Cheng Hongling’s reply was icy.

“Good. Then I must inform you of unfortunate news—the Pingshan Mass Burial Ground erupted a few days ago. The speed at which the Yin energy is spreading is unprecedented. I fear it won’t be more than a few months before Meng County is completely swallowed.”

Zhou Ming put on a show of deep concern, though his expression was clearly feigned.

“Elder Zhou, how did you come to know this? The Huxiao Sect is thousands of miles away from here. Even we didn’t know—how did you?”

Cheng Hongling remained unruffled.

“Our Huxiao Sect is powerful, with eyes and ears everywhere. It’s hardly surprising that we’d know before you.”

Elder Zhou shamelessly boasted without a hint of modesty.

“Is that so?”

Cheng Hongling neither confirmed nor denied it, then replied indifferently, “Understood. Thank you for your concern, Elder Zhou.”

“And then? You’re not worried? The evil spirits from that burial ground are formidable. From our observations, even the vanguard forces contain terrifying entities like silver zombies and malignant ghosts. How does the Honghua Sect plan to resist them?”

Elder Zhou pressed, puzzled.

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“That’s none of Elder Zhou’s concern. What you should be worrying about is the prefecture where the Huxiao Sect resides.”

Cheng Hongling’s tone remained lukewarm.

“You must think carefully. Once those evil spirits spread, what will happen to the common folk of Huangtian County? The Honghua Sect doesn’t have the strength to save them. Your only choice will be to flee, but if you do, you’ll never have a place to stand in the cultivation world again.”

Elder Zhou spoke with feigned earnestness, as if offering sage advice.

“Then what does Elder Zhou suggest?”

Qi Huang pretended to be curious.

“Obviously, the only ones who can save you now are the Immortal Alliance!”

Elder Zhou proposed.

“Everyone knows that. The problem is, they won’t even acknowledge the Honghua Sect! We’ve sought their help countless times, only to be dismissed with a few words each time.”

Qi Huang put on a troubled expression, her delicate brows furrowing.

“Disciple Hongling, don’t misunderstand. It’s not that the Immortal Alliance is inactive, they’re simply too busy! After all, the entire cultivation world relies on them to maintain order.”

Elder Zhou shamelessly defended the Immortal Alliance like a loyal dog.

“Is there any difference? Either way, we can’t rely on them.”

Qi Huang sighed dramatically, playing along.

“That’s not necessarily true. To secure the Immortal Alliance’s help, you must make arrangements in advance. Coincidentally, we requested their aid months ago. If the Honghua Sect is in need, we can transfer this opportunity to you.”

Elder Zhou dangled the bait.

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“Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you, Elder Zhou. You truly are a respectable elder.”

Qi Huang’s words dripped with sarcasm.

“No need for respect, I have plenty of that. What I lack is talent.”

Elder Zhou finally revealed his true intentions. “If you want us to ask the Immortal Alliance to help the Honghua Sect, there’s only one condition: you must join the Huxiao Sect.”

“Heh. Elder Zhou, here we go again. Seems you still refuse to give up.”

Qi Huang smirked, as if she had seen this coming.

“I’ve said it before, I’ve always had an eye for talent. For a genius like Disciple Hongling, I’m willing to make as many trips as it takes.”

Elder Zhou spoke with an air of sincerity.

“Elder Zhou, I believe I’ve also made myself clear. I will never leave the Honghua Sect. Do you remember that?”

Cheng Hongling reaffirmed her stance.

“I understand. Disciple Hongling is worried about the people of the Honghua Sect. But staying won’t help them now, only the Immortal Alliance can. Don’t you see that?”

Elder Zhou patiently explained.

“Elder Zhou, I don’t like wasting words. The fate of Huangtian County’s people is our own business. The Huxiao Sect need not concern itself.”

Cheng Hongling’s patience was wearing thin.

“You—!”

Elder Zhou’s expression darkened, but he ultimately said, “You don’t have to answer me now. When the time comes that you can’t hold on any longer, the Huxiao Sect’s doors will always be open to you.”

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“Unnecessary. If I agreed, what would happen to our wager? You’d better spend your time thinking about how to explain the next rule change to the Immortal Alliance, unless you want to be humiliated again.”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved.

“Cheng Hongling, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Do you know what Sect Master Guo told me before I left? He said you should crawl to him and beg him to take you as a disciple, otherwise, you can rot for all he cares! So I’ve already been more than generous with you.”

Zhou Ming finally tore off his mask, his fury erupting.

“Then do me a favor and tell that so-called Sect Master Guo this: if he’s willing to crawl to the Honghua Sect and beg me to take him as a disciple, then I might consider it.”

Qi Huang’s arrogance knew no bounds—when it came to audacity, she feared no one.

“Remember your words today. The next time we meet, I’ll make sure you kneel and beg for forgiveness.”

Zhou Ming gnashed his teeth in rage.

“Sorry, but I’ve never knelt to a living person in my life.”

Qi Huang’s lips curled slightly.

With a furious flick of his sleeve, Zhou Ming stormed out with his subordinates in tow.

“What a bunch of persistent fools!”

Cheng Hongling curled her lip in disgust.

“Just don’t agree to anything. So what if it’s the Evergreen Conference? Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, it doesn’t matter if they allow five people or ten, or even lift all restrictions. No matter how many rules he sets, I’ll shatter them all. I’ll make sure he can’t even keep up!”

Qi Huang scoffed. Given her current progress, in two years’ time, she wouldn’t just dominate the Western Radiance Dynasty, she’d be able to stride unopposed through the entire cultivation world.