Volume 7, Chapter 367 – I’ll Make Him Run Out of Changes

Volume 7: The Evergreen Conference, The Strongest Doppelgänger in History

Qi Huang returned home. Though she had been gone for a month, her parents did not press her for details. The elderly couple now trusted her unconditionally.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling remained in secluded cultivation. Only after truly stepping into the Incarnation Realm did she understand the saying, “The path of immortality is long and fraught with hardship.” With every advancement, her Qi Sea expanded, and the rate of growth only increased as her realm improved. Thus, she remained stuck at the second layer of the Incarnation Realm, with no hope of a breakthrough in the short term, even with the aid of rare elixirs.

This also indirectly confirmed Elder Zuo’s words: The cultivation world has never lacked geniuses or rebels, yet none have ever shaken the rules of the Immortal Alliance. This proved that even geniuses had their limits. Unless, like Qi Huang, one could forge a unique path.

Qi Huang did not disturb her main body. Instead, upon discovering dozens of ripe Ghost Tomatoes in the greenhouse, she immediately harvested and consumed them. Though the boost was minimal, she was satisfied. At her level, most cultivators would take years, even decades, to achieve similar progress.

After washing up, Qi Huang settled into a deep, dreamless sleep. There were benefits to having lower cultivation, at least she could fall asleep quickly without relying on external means.

From that day onward, her life returned to tranquility. Aside from tending to her crops, every ten days or so, she would visit the Golden Fortune Auction House in the prefecture to deliver Cat Tears and collect Ghost Tomatoes and other spiritual herbs.

During this time, Qi Huang also learned from Liu Yingyue about the aftermath of the Liu family incident. After Liu Biao was executed, her third uncle had taken over as clan head.

Qi Huang had no opinion on the matter. As long as it didn’t affect her interests, she couldn’t care less who led the family.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten her mental affliction, so she periodically used sleeping drugs to induce sleep, hoping to find a solution. However, dreams were unpredictable, whether she would glimpse Cheng Ling’s memories was entirely up to chance, so progress remained slow.

That night, after falling into a drugged slumber, Qi Huang finally saw Cheng Ling’s memories again. But before she could rejoice, she found herself trapped in another dream, this time, about Yao Yao.

When Qi Huang opened her eyes, she was met with the familiar sight of Yao Yao’s room. However, compared to a few years ago, the place had undergone a dramatic transformation. The roof had been repaired, new furniture had been added, and on the vanity by the bed, there were even cosmetics, things a young girl would use.

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Qi Huang wasn’t surprised. The last time the dream had ended, Yao Yao’s family situation had improved due to her parents’ hard work. Now, after an unknown amount of time, it was only natural that their living conditions had further improved, assuming no further misfortunes had struck.

Just then, Yao Yao woke up, dressed herself, and headed outside.

Qi Huang finally got a clear look at her. Now around twelve or thirteen, Yao Yao wasn’t a stunning beauty, but she had grown into a graceful young girl.

When the door opened, Qi Huang saw the familiar courtyard, vastly different from her first visit. Farming tools were scattered about, and the yard was lively with chickens and ducks.

Yao Yao was diligent. After washing up, she fed the pigs, chickens, cows, and sheep. Perhaps because she had suffered poverty as a child, she cherished everything she had now.

Once she finished, Yao Yao still hadn’t seen her parents. Assuming they had overslept after working too hard the previous day, she called out to them, but there was no response.

Puzzled, she pushed open their bedroom door, only to find it empty. Thinking they must have gone to the fields, she didn’t dwell on it.

She then busied herself with washing rice and cooking, a picture of domestic virtue.

By noon, her father, Ah Hua, returned with a hoe over his shoulder, but her mother, Yuan Yuan, was nowhere in sight.

“Yao Yao, is your mother feeling better?”

Ah Hua instinctively asked his daughter.

“Mother? Didn’t she go to the fields with you?”

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Yao Yao frowned in confusion.

“No? When I left, she said she wasn’t feeling well, so I told her to rest at home.”

As he spoke, Ah Hua walked toward the bedroom.

Yao Yao’s breathing quickened as she hurried after him.

After searching the room, they soon found a letter on the dresser and hastily opened it.

“Dear Hua, I’m sorry, I’ve left. Ever since Father passed, life has grown harder and harder. I’ve thought of leaving many times, but back then, our daughter was too young, and I couldn’t bear to abandon her. So I endured. Now that she’s older and can take care of herself, I can finally seek my own happiness. I hope you and Yao Yao will be well. Take care of her. Don’t look for me.”

That was all the letter said.

Ah Hua stood frozen for a long moment before slumping down, utterly despondent.

Yao Yao, now old enough to understand and having attended a private school for two years, immediately realized what had happened. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, “Father… Mother doesn’t want me anymore! She doesn’t want me!”

Ah Hua did not go looking for his wife. He knew she had already endured more than enough. But that didn’t mean he could simply move on. He fell into deep depression.

Because of this, Yao Yao’s family circumstances began to decline once more. Though she tried her best to help, she was still too young to change anything.

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Qi Huang opened her eyes, damp with tears, her heart unsettled for a long while. She couldn’t understand why Yao Yao’s fate was so bitter, first losing her grandparents, then her mother. If karma truly existed, what sins had she committed in her past life to deserve this?

Though she knew it was just Cheng Ling’s dream, it took Qi Huang a long time to recover. Perhaps her subconscious understood that things weren’t so simple, because these dreams were strange, and every time she woke from one, the red mark on Cheng Ling’s face would spread slightly.

‘Could Yao Yao be connected to that red mark?’

The thought lingered in Qi Huang’s mind.

Time flew, and a month passed. Though the land remained bitterly cold due to lingering Yin energy, the solar term had officially marked the beginning of spring.

One evening, Qin Quan suddenly summoned the sect’s higher-ups for a meeting. Naturally, both Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling attended.

“Everyone, earlier today, the Immortal Alliance of Yongning Prefecture announced the rules for the next Evergreen Conference. Compared to last time, the changes are earth-shattering.”

Qin Quan’s expression was grave.

“Hmph. We expected this. That Steward Cai will stop at nothing to force Hongling into the Huxiao Sect,” Master Xu Mei scoffed.

“It’s probably not just about that anymore. After our recent encounters, I’ve thoroughly offended the Immortal Alliance. They likely want to use this chance to teach both me and the main body a lesson,” Qi Huang added.

“Exactly. The changes the Immortal Alliance made this time are highly targeted. Though they’re still using team battles, they’ve increased the number of participants to ten,” Qin Quan emphasized.

“What? Ten?!”

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Several elders gasped. The events of three years ago, when Cheng Hongling had suffered, were still fresh in their minds.

“So what if it’s ten? Just a bunch of weaklings!”

Cheng Hongling’s expression remained calm.

“Hongling, I know your talent is extraordinary, but from what I’ve heard, the Huxiao Sect also has a genius who recently broke through to the Incarnation Realm. If they’re supported by eight or nine Unity Realm experts, even you could face serious trouble,” Qin Quan cautioned.

“And strength isn’t just about cultivation level. It includes artifacts, formations, talismans, and more. In terms of resources, we’re far behind the major sects,” Elder Ruan, Fairy Lingyu’s grandfather, added.

Cheng Hongling fell silent. She was not an arrogant person.

“Still, you needn’t worry too much. If Qi Huang steps in, these issues are trivial,” Qin Quan suddenly changed his tone.

“Indeed. We only say this to remind you not to underestimate the enemy. If Qi Huang can fight, let her do so early. Otherwise, damaging your foundation would be a greater loss,” Elder Ruan agreed, and the others nodded in unison.

Their unified stance stemmed from their understanding of Cheng Hongling’s temperament, unless absolutely necessary, she would never rely on her doppelgänger to fight for her.

“No problem. Leave it all to me. Since Steward Cai loves changing the rules so much, I’ll break every single one of them. I’ll make it so he has no more changes left to make.”

Qi Huang smiled confidently.