Volume 4, Chapter 268 – Complete Honesty

“Since you’ve come out, there’s no need to go back in!”

Qi Huang had long been prepared. Her powerful divine sense immediately enveloped her Life Soul, forming an indestructible fortress.

Cheng Ling collided against this barrier, her face flashing with panic. Before she could react, a Soul Tether coiled around her waist like a whip.

“Now that you’re out, you’re not going back in!”

Cheng Hongling yanked the tether with one hand, her body already darting toward one of the stone pillars in the grand hall.

“Cheng Hongling! What are you doing?! You traitor! Do you have no shame? Aren’t you afraid of making our sisters despise you?”

The Spiritual Wisdom Soul struggled violently as she cursed.

“Traitor? Didn’t you say she’s already your replica? Aren’t we all sisters? Who’s the insider, who’s the outsider? This is just punishment for your unauthorized escape.”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved, winding the Soul Tether around the pillar, clearly intending to bind her own Spiritual Wisdom Soul in place.

“Since you’re ruthless, don’t blame me for being merciless! You think your measly divine sense can imprison me? Overestimating yourself!”

A cold sneer twisted Cheng Ling’s face as she exerted strength in her limbs, gradually steadying herself. For a moment, she actually fought her Life Soul to a standstill.

There was a reason she was so strong, when Qi Huang had advanced, she had absorbed some of the benefits. Though not much, it was enough to contend with Cheng Hongling, who was only at the Unity Realm.

Qi Huang wanted to help, but after a moment of hesitation, she held back. Strictly speaking, she was an outsider. It wasn’t her place to interfere in their “private matter”, unless Cheng Hongling asked.

“Have you forgotten about them?”

The proud Cheng Hongling would never easily ask for help. Instead, she glanced at the other Three Ethereal Souls and Six Corporeal Souls and declared:

“Help me tie her up. Whoever contributes the most, when I reach the Divine Realm, will be the first to become a Doppelgänger!”

The nine souls exchanged glances before rushing forward to assist. To them, freedom was everything. If they couldn’t become the Life Soul, then becoming a Doppelgänger as soon as possible was their only choice.

With the combined efforts of ten identical girls, Cheng Ling was soon bound tightly to the stone pillar. Her expression was one of sorrow, like a puppet with its strings cut, no one could endure the feeling of being betrayed by their own self.

“We are the same person… Why are you doing this to me?”

Cheng Ling’s voice was desolate.

“I despise betrayal most in this world, even if it’s from my own soul! The moment you fled the Honghua Sect, you should have foreseen this day!”

Cheng Hongling’s resolve didn’t waver in the slightest.

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“Fine! If you have the guts, imprison me forever! Don’t let me out, or you’ll regret it!”

Cheng Ling gnashed her teeth in threat.

“That’s exactly what I intend to do.”

Cheng Hongling remained indifferent. She had always been firm against coercion.

“And you, this impostor! You’ve taken something from me. Sooner or later, I’ll take it back with interest!”

Cheng Ling then turned her venom toward Qi Huang.

“What thing?”

Qi Huang was baffled.

“Heh…”

Cheng Ling didn’t answer, only letting out a sinister chuckle.

“Enough. The show’s over for you, get out!”

Cheng Hongling commanded Qi Huang.

Relieved, Qi Huang strode toward the Heart’s Door.

“Oh, impostor, I almost forgot to tell you something. The fear in your Essence Soul has been assimilated by me. It’s not completely gone, but from now on, your courage will be as strong as the main body’s. You won’t have to fear so-called Killing Intent anymore.”

Cheng Ling’s eyes flickered as she “kindly” reminded her.

Cheng Hongling’s delicate face stiffened slightly. She hadn’t expected this wretched soul to plant a landmine even in defeat.

“My courage has grown? I won’t fear Killing Intent anymore?”

To Qi Huang, these words were like ascending from hell to heaven in an instant.

“That’s right. So you can break free from her control anytime. Surprised? Shocked?”

Cheng Ling shot a malicious glance at the main body, “Since your desire for control is so strong, I’ll make sure you lose it.”

Cheng Hongling looked at Qi Huang. Though her expression remained unchanged, her pupils trembled faintly. In her mind, after all the control she had exerted, anyone would naturally crave freedom. But her pride made her despise begging.

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“She’s right. If you want to leave… I won’t stop you.”

“How strange! Why would I ever want to leave such a wonderful main body?”

Qi Huang flashed a radiant smile before stepping through the Heart’s Door and disappearing.

Cheng Hongling stared blankly at her retreating figure. Slowly, like a blooming flower, her beautiful face blossomed into a smile that lingered.

“Are you some kind of masochist? Even after being enslaved like this, you still refuse to leave?”

Cheng Ling cursed in frustration.

As Qi Huang stepped out of the Heart’s Door, she immediately reclaimed her body, appearing in that secluded corner once more. The crowing of roosters and barking of dogs filled the air, along with the distant cries of vendors from the county town. It felt like an eternity had passed.

“Being alive… is wonderful.”

She took a deep breath, intoxicated by the sensation.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling’s divine sense withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness. She gazed at Qi Huang with complex emotions before finally speaking:

“Don’t force yourself. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you. After all… you really are another person. I have no right to keep you by my side.”

“I already said it, with a main body as good as you, why would I leave?”

Qi Huang reaffirmed.

“Are those your true feelings?”

Cheng Hongling pressed, needing confirmation.

Instead of answering directly, Qi Huang let out a self-deprecating chuckle and began recounting her life:

“I was born into poverty. In this chaotic world, I should’ve been like most ordinary people, struggling to survive day by day. Fortunately, when the heavens were creating geniuses like you, they left behind some scraps, just enough for me to have a sliver of talent for cultivation. But then I was framed by petty people and expelled from the Honghua Sect in disgrace!”

She paused, her voice growing heavier.

“You know what? More than fearing an uncertain future, I was terrified of disappointing my parents! So the day I left the sect, I swore to myself, even if the only job left was cleaning latrines, I’d take it if someone would have me! But alas… even that was too much to ask for at the time.”

Cheng Hongling bit her lower lip lightly, unsure how to respond.

“I’m not saying this to gain sympathy. I just want you to understand, when you’ve been poor for too long, you learn to be content. Freedom, love, power… none of that tempts me much. As long as I, my family, and my friends can survive, I’m already grateful! So honestly… I’m very satisfied with my life now.”

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Qi Huang’s tone was sincere.

“Thank you for your tolerance. I… sympathize with your hardships.”

After a moment of silence, Cheng Hongling offered an awkward consolation before adding:

“But there’s one thing I must correct, your ability to cultivate isn’t charity from the heavens. It’s the blessing of your ancestors.”

“What do you mean?”

Qi Huang frowned in confusion.

“Why do people cultivate immortality?”

Cheng Hongling countered with another question.

“To escape the cycle of life and death!”

Qi Huang answered without hesitation.

“Why do people experience life and death?”

“Because we have physical bodies.”

“Exactly. So the goal of cultivation is to shed our mortal flesh. Then tell me, where does the human body come from?”

“From our parents?”

“And theirs?”

“From our grandparents?”

“Wrong. All things in this world are composed of the Five Elements, and humans are no exception. And the Five Elements are born from the will of the Heavenly Dao, that’s why it’s said cultivation is defying the heavens.”

Qi Huang felt as if a veil had been lifted, but then another doubt arose.

“What does this have to do with my cultivation talent being a gift from my ancestors?”

“If cultivation is defying the heavens, why would the heavens grant you the talent to do so? Cultivation aptitude is inherited through bloodlines. If not from your ancestors, then who? To defy the heavens, one must first strengthen themselves, and that means refining their bloodline. It’s simple logic, isn’t it? Thus, an exceptional bloodline is proof of one’s ancestors challenging the heavens.”

Cheng Hongling explained patiently.

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“So… you’re saying those with ordinary bloodlines don’t even have the right to defy the heavens?”

Qi Huang’s chest tightened, her breathing growing strained.

“Naturally. Though my father often says, ‘Are kings and nobles born to their positions?’, and while I understand his sentiment—in the cultivation world, this is an unbreakable rule.”

Cheng Hongling’s jaw clenched faintly.

“Then what about you? Your parents were ordinary people. Why do you have such extraordinary talent?”

Qi Huang couldn’t help but ask.

“As much as I hate to admit it… my mother’s origins might not be as simple as they seem.”

Cheng Hongling’s delicate fists tightened slightly.

“Mother…”

Qi Huang instinctively echoed before quickly apologizing:

“Sorry, wasn’t your mother a local? I remember your maternal grandparents were just ordinary farmers.”

“No. My mother was adopted by them. My father just told me this.”

Cheng Hongling’s voice was heavy. Then she added:

“Do you know what this means? If my mother’s background is extraordinary, it could shatter the ideals my father has always held onto. No matter how great my achievements in the future, it won’t change that. I’m afraid… he won’t be able to take it.”

‘There’s actually such a thing?’

Qi Huang muttered in disbelief, feeling a pang of sympathy. Now she finally understood her nominal father’s sentiments.

‘Are kings and nobles born to their positions?’

Could it be that those at the bottom, without the right bloodline, truly have no way to change their fate?

‘Wait… my current abilities have nothing to do with bloodlines!’

After a moment of contemplation, Qi Huang suddenly realized. She thumped her chest confidently.

“Don’t worry! I’ll protect Father’s beliefs! And as for the cultivation world’s ironclad rule of bloodline supremacy, I’ll break it myself! The Evergreen Conference will be the perfect stage!”