Volume 4, Chapter 261 – The Deepening Crimson Mark

“You heard me correctly. I have given this matter careful consideration before speaking. First, as I just mentioned, the Honghua Sect no longer has the resources to support your future cultivation needs. Second, the Immortal Alliance’s sudden change in selection rules is clearly targeted at you. If they can alter them once, they can do so again. Who knows what other changes they might make? For you, the safest option is to join an immortal sect from another province. Only then can you secure a fair environment. Otherwise, if you fail to obtain the Golden Fate Blossom seeds before the deadline, who knows what might happen?”

Xu Mei’s mature face was etched with worry.

‘So, the original plan to switch sects was Master Xu Mei’s idea. It seems she truly isn’t the kind of person to forget kindness and betray righteousness.’

Qi Huang felt a wave of relief wash over her. The image of her main self in her heart grew even more flawless.

“But Master, the Honghua Sect has poured all its resources into nurturing me over the years. If I leave now, wouldn’t that make me an ungrateful person?”

Cheng Hongling shook her head firmly.

“Child, the path of cultivation is long and arduous. Changing sects to grow stronger is nothing unusual. In these chaotic times, emotions must be safeguarded by strength. If you truly care about the Honghua Sect, you can always return after obtaining the Golden Fate Blossom seeds!”

Xu Mei spoke with earnest persuasion.

Cheng Hongling hesitated, her delicate face twisting in conflict. After a long pause, she said uncertainly, “But what if something happens to the Honghua Sect while I’m gone? Over the years, I’ve suppressed demons and eliminated evils throughout Huangtian Prefecture, offending many individuals in both the mortal and spiritual realms. Once they learn of my departure, they will surely seek revenge.”

“Don’t worry. I will announce that you are in closed-door cultivation for several years.”

Xu Mei laid out her contingency plan.

‘So this was why the main self pretended to go into seclusion back then.’

Qi Huang suddenly understood.

“Several years? Can such a long absence truly be concealed? And what about the common people outside?”

Cheng Hongling bit her cherry-red lips lightly. As the saying went, you could deceive for a moment, but not forever. This plan was riddled with holes, how could she not see it? This half-baked solution was clearly something her master had devised just to ease her worries.

“Child, don’t hesitate any longer! If you stay with the Honghua Sect, our last sliver of hope will be extinguished. You know the Golden Fate Blossom is monopolized by the Immortal Alliance. The fact that they obtained it from the Evergreen Conference proves just how formidable they are!”

Xu Mei continued to persuade her patiently.

“Perhaps they stumbled upon it by accident?”

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Cheng Hongling clung to a sliver of hope.

“If they didn’t obtain it from the Evergreen Conference, that’s even more terrifying. It would mean the forces behind them are powerful enough to rival the Immortal Alliance. How could our tiny Honghua Sect possibly contend with that? Using yourself as bait is nothing more than wishful thinking on our part. Who knows if they’d even agree?”

Xu Mei’s tone grew increasingly grave.

At these words, Cheng Hongling fell into complete silence. After a long while, she took a deep breath and said, “Let me think it over. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible.”

“You must hurry. Time is running out for us.”

Xu Mei urged her anxiously.

This dream ended here, and the third dream began.

This time, the setting was the bedroom of Cheng Hongling’s parents, Jiang Linian and Cheng Yuan.

After exchanging a few words with her mother, Cheng Hongling suddenly asked, “Mother, how is the crimson mark on your face?”

Without answering, Jiang Linian lifted her veil with slender fingers, revealing her mature, delicate face.

“It seems to have faded even more. Did some medicine help?”

Cheng Hongling studied it carefully before speaking.

“I don’t know.”

Jiang Linian shook her head blankly. After a moment of thought, she added, “Now that I think about it, ever since you were born, the color of this mark has been slowly lightening. At first, it was black, then it turned dark red, then bright red, and now it’s shifting toward pink.”

“That’s wonderful! If this continues, you should recover completely before long. Then you won’t need to wear a veil anymore.”

Cheng Hongling was genuinely happy for her.

“Heh… sigh…”

Jiang Linian forced a smile, then inexplicably sighed.

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“What’s wrong, Mother? Aren’t you happy to become beautiful again?”

Cheng Hongling was puzzled.

“Child, there’s a saying—‘A woman beautifies herself for the one who appreciates her’. Women make themselves beautiful because they want to be admired by the men they love. Men are the same. But I already have your father, and I’m content with my life now. So whether this mark fades or not doesn’t matter much anymore. If possible, I’d rather continue living this ordinary life.”

Jiang Linian shared her philosophy on life.

Cheng Hongling’s face clouded with confusion. She couldn’t understand why her mother would treat her appearance so lightly. Didn’t all women love beauty?

“By the way, you haven’t developed any similar marks, have you?”

Jiang Linian suddenly changed the subject, her dark, luminous eyes scrutinizing her daughter.

Cheng Hongling’s body trembled imperceptibly, but she quickly steadied herself and said, “No.”

“Good. I have everything I want in life now. My only fear is that this mark might be passed down to you.”

Jiang Linian voiced her concern.

“Is it hereditary?”

Cheng Hongling asked curiously.

“I don’t know. But I remember clearly that I didn’t have this mark as a child. It only appeared when I was around ten, and the color deepened over time. Because of it, the wealthy families who wanted me as a child bride suddenly changed their minds. That’s how your father ended up with me.”

Jiang Linian joked.

Cheng Hongling fell silent, clearly thinking about the mark on her own face.

“So, it’s not like a birthmark that you’re born with. You must pay close attention to your body. If anything unusual happens, tell me immediately.”

Jiang Linian continued to caution her.

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“Mother, what medicines do you use most often?”

After a pause, Cheng Hongling suddenly asked.

“Why do you ask?”

Jiang Linian’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her face showing concern.

“It’s nothing. I just want to check their ingredients, just in case.”

Cheng Hongling lied.

“I’m not even sure if they’re the reason it’s fading. But if you want to see them, here.”

Jiang Linian retrieved three bottles of medicine from her dressing table drawer and handed them to her daughter.

Cheng Hongling took them and examined them carefully, knowing they might hold the key to her own salvation.

Just then, Jiang Linian lifted her veil again, picked up a box of dark red foundation, and began applying it over the mark in front of the bronze mirror. Soon, the color deepened once more.

‘What…?’

Qi Huang was stunned. ‘If you want an ordinary life, why deliberately make yourself uglier?’

Cheng Hongling seemed on the verge of saying something but ultimately held her tongue.

The third dream ended here, followed by the fourth.

This time, the setting was Cheng Hongling’s own bedroom.

Her face bare, she stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror, her breathing growing ragged. The crimson mark on her face had darkened further.

“What exactly are you? Medicine has no effect, and even I, a cultivator in the Unity Realm, can’t suppress you!”

Her voice was icy, but no one answered.

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“No. I must find a solution soon. If this continues, someone will notice eventually. Not only will I have failed the sisters who gave me their Golden Fate Blossom seeds, but Mother will also blame herself!”

She muttered to herself before applying foundation to conceal the mark.

“Little Ling, your father is back!”

Just then, Cheng Yuan’s voice sounded outside the door.

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Hongling stood and opened the door.

Cheng Yuan, still covered in dust from his travels, stepped inside and proudly handed her a book. “Look what I brought you this time!”

Puzzled, Cheng Hongling took it. On the cover were the words “Essentials of Doppelgänger Technique Cultivation”. Her small mouth fell open in shock.

“This… this is the Doppelgänger Art!”

“Yes! I went to the Golden Fortune Auction House in the provincial capital to see if there was anything useful for you. Who knew I’d find this? You’re already in the Unity Realm and will soon reach the Incarnation Realm. This will definitely be useful, right?”

Cheng Yuan’s eyes shone with hope.

“Of course it’s useful! Thank you, Father. You’ve gone to so much trouble for me.”

Cheng Hongling was genuinely moved.

“It’s nothing. As long as it helps you, I’m satisfied.”

Cheng Yuan secretly exhaled in relief.

Cheng Hongling flipped through the pages quickly, her eyes soon landing on a particular passage. It stated that cultivating a doppelgänger could transfer diseases or injuries from the main body, making it a common method for cultivators to rid themselves of physical flaws.

“If that’s the case… could I transfer this mark to a doppelgänger?”

She murmured under her breath.