Volume 4, Chapter 254 – Weren’t You Fearless?

Cheng Hongling was a peerless genius who had reached the Incarnation Realm at the age of sixteen. Such talent was rare even in the great nations of the Central Continent, home to the super sects, let alone a small country like the Western Radiance Dynasty. Yet, her parents were ordinary people, a fact that inevitably aroused suspicion in many. Elder Xu was one of them. After all, talent was usually inherited. Before taking action, he decided to use the Phoenix Selection Token to probe whether there were any hidden secrets behind this anomaly.

The Honghua Sect, of course, remained unaware of this. They were still preoccupied with the Qi-Leaking Powder affecting Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling. As the sect leader, Qin Quan had summoned all the high-ranking members that very night for discussion, even including lower-ranking figures like Hu Bing. Truly, he sought to gather all possible wisdom.

“Everyone knows that Hongling represents both the present and the future of our Honghua Sect. Though her cultivation is profound, the Qi-Leaking Powder is an extremely vicious substance, it has already drained ninety percent of her qi. While it can be recovered, it won’t happen overnight. If a powerful enemy were to attack during this time…”

Qin Quan emphasized the severity of the situation.

“There’s no need to worry. Isn’t there still me?”

Qi Huang immediately thumped her chest in assurance. Having learned from past mistakes, she didn’t dare hit too hard this time, only lightly tapping her collarbone. Hitting lower would inevitably cause an unseemly, undulating spectacle.

“Qi Huang, I know you’re formidable! But the Qi-Leaking Powder in your systems must still be purged as soon as possible. It will affect your cultivation speed. The Evergreen Conference is just around the corner. Time is precious for both of you, and for the Honghua Sect as well.”

Qin Quan spoke with sincere concern.

“Relax! With me here, I guarantee we’ll make it into the top twenty and secure the seeds of the Golden Fate Blossoms!”

Qi Huang waved it off with a grin. With two years left and the accelerated growth from her special blood, she could cultivate over a dozen batches of Ghost Tomatoes. Breaking through to the Heavenly Tribulation Realm in divine sense was already an inevitability.

The sect elders exchanged glances, their expressions relaxing. Had anyone else made such a claim, they would’ve dismissed it as empty boasting. But this was Qi Huang, the seemingly omnipotent Qi Huang.

Even Cheng Hongling, for the first time, did not immediately refute her. After everything they’d been through, she had come to realize that this doppelgänger of hers truly had some tricks up her sleeve, and wasn’t just full of hot air.

“Qi Huang, I know you’re extraordinarily gifted. But strength isn’t just about cultivation level or divine sense. It’s also about treasures, weapons, and talismans. The Honghua Sect has been weak for too long, we can’t compete with the major sects in terms of resources. That’s why you must seize every moment to grow stronger and compensate for our shortcomings.”

Qin Quan continued his earnest persuasion. The Honghua Sect had finally produced a once-in-a-millennium genius, he couldn’t bear to see her waste her potential through complacency.

Just as Qi Huang was about to retort, her main body spoke first.

“I know you’re strong, but don’t get ahead of yourself. What will you do if someone unleashes killing intent?”

Cheng Hongling’s voice echoed in her mind.

“…”

Qi Huang immediately deflated. It was true, even now, she had no resistance against killing intent.

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“Elder Ruan, you are the most skilled in medical arts within our sect. Is there any way to quickly neutralize the Qi-Leaking Powder?”

Qin Quan turned to Ruan Lingyu.

“This…”

Elder Ruan hesitated before finally answering, “Sect Leader, the Qi-Leaking Powder was specifically developed by the Severed Immortal Sect to target cultivators. Since ancient times, it has been our bane. Even the Immortal Alliance hasn’t found an antidote. I’m afraid I can do nothing.”

“This is troubling indeed!”

Qin Quan’s expression darkened. Murmurs spread among the elders.

“Sect Leader, I’ve heard that Junior Sister Hongling is acquainted with the Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley. Given that Shuiyu Valley excels in medical arts, perhaps they might have a solution.”

At this moment, Hu Bing spoke up.

“Elder Hu makes a valid point.”

Qin Quan’s eyes brightened as he turned to Cheng Hongling. “Hongling, why don’t you consult Disciple Mu?”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Cheng Hongling’s delicate features. Her relationship with that Mu woman was… complicated. She’d rather avoid her entirely.

“Sure, I’ll find time to ask her.”

Qi Huang, however, readily agreed. In her eyes, this wasn’t some convoluted social entanglement, just a simple matter of “male-female relations”.

With the matter temporarily settled, Qi Huang unceremoniously dumped a pile of loot she had no use for onto the hall floor.

“Sect Leader Qin, I’m in a good mood today, consider this an early New Year’s gift! Distribute these among everyone.”

“New Year’s gift?”

The elders exchanged baffled glances. It was only April, what kind of New Year was she celebrating? But since free gifts were involved, they wisely kept their doubts to themselves.

Once outside the hall, Qi Huang immediately informed her main body:

“I’ll be going into seclusion in the back mountain’s training chamber tomorrow. It might take a few days.”

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“You? Seclusion? I don’t believe it.”

Cheng Hongling’s skepticism was immediate.

“Hey, Hongling, don’t be like that. They say a prodigal’s return is worth more than gold, same goes for girls!”

Xu Mei, standing nearby, tried to mediate.

“What nonsense! ‘Prodigal’? As if I’ve committed some great sin!”

Qi Huang was thoroughly exasperated.

“Fine, go into seclusion. But I’ll be watching you with my divine sense at all times. If you dare lie to me…”

Cheng Hongling’s tone carried a veiled threat.

“Hah! So what? I fear nothing!”

Qi Huang lifted her chin defiantly.

“Oh? Then what about the Registry of Slaughter you secretly stole?”

Cheng Hongling’s voice was deceptively calm.

“Me? A petty thief? How dare you slander my good name!”

Qi Huang feigned righteous indignation.

“You know exactly what you did. Did you really think stealing the Registry of Slaughter would leave me powerless against you?”

Cheng Hongling remained unshaken.

“Naturally! I, Qi Huang, fear nothing now!”

Qi Huang struck a heroic pose.

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“Is that so? That’s only because you don’t yet know what fear is.”

Cheng Hongling’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, killing intent seeping out like razor-edged frost.

Qi Huang shivered. For some reason, she felt herself growing increasingly afraid of this main body.

“Hahaha! I’ve never seen such a stupid woman in my life!”

At that moment, Yao Yao’s mocking voice echoed in her mind.

“What? Did I say something funny?”

Qi Huang was baffled.

“Haven’t you realized? Your main body has long since mastered killing intent. If she wants to deal with you, she doesn’t need any external tools!”

Yao Yao was thoroughly enjoying herself.

“What?! She—how could she possibly have… killing intent?”

Qi Huang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you even know that?”

“This young lady is a genuine Divine Realm expert, did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

Yao Yao’s tone was full of pride.

Qi Huang cautiously glanced at her main body, a chill running down her spine. If she had brought her two brothers to the Honghua Sect directly, she would’ve been dead meat!

‘Whew! Thank goodness I, Qi Huang, am a sentimental soul, otherwise, I’d be done for!’

She wiped imaginary sweat from her brow. But then, another problem surfaced.

‘What now? I can’t overpower her anymore! How am I supposed to play matchmaker for my brothers?’

Qi Huang’s head throbbed. While Yuan Jie and Tang Ping could afford to wait, her brothers couldn’t. It was already late April, the dynasty’s annual conscription was just a month away. If they couldn’t find partners, they’d be sent straight to the battlefield as cannon fodder.

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you just saying you feared nothing? Why the sudden cowardice?”

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Cheng Hongling couldn’t resist taunting her.

Qi Huang flinched and didn’t dare retort.

‘Forget it. There’s still a month before conscription. Right now, the priority is keeping those Nine Nether Demon Cats happy. Otherwise, forget a month, Yao Yao will tear me apart in minutes!’

With that, Qi Huang made her decision.

The next day, she arrived at the back mountain’s training chamber. Leaving her Heavenly Surge Soul behind as a decoy, she slipped out of the Honghua Sect in the flowing fairy dress Yao Yao had transformed into, heading straight for the Pingshan Mass Burial Ground.

Meanwhile, at the prefectural office, in the inn where Altar Master Xu was staying, the disciple sent to investigate had returned with his report.

“Altar Master  Xu, I’ve confirmed it—though Altar Master Xiao and Altar Master Lei perished, they succeeded in dosing Cheng Hongling with the Qi-Leaking Powder. Currently, she’s lost ninety percent of her combat power.”

The disciple summarized the situation concisely.

“Excellent! What about the doppelgänger?”

Elder Xu’s lips curled slightly.

“She was also affected, but her fighting style relies mainly on divine sense, so the impact shouldn’t be too severe.”

The disciple speculated.

“Divine sense? A laughably weak ability! As long as Cheng Hongling is crippled, that’s all that matters!”

Elder Xu sneered before issuing his command:

“Send the order, have the operatives watching the Cheng residence capture Cheng Hongling’s parents immediately. Let’s see if they’re truly as ordinary as the rumors claim.”