Volume 7, Chapter 386 – Only the Weak Need Teammates

Several days later, Donglai Sect’s top-ranked immortal seedling, Cheng Kang, arrived in Yongning Prefecture with nine fellow disciples. However, instead of joining any local sect, he chose to participate under his own sect’s banner.

This instantly made Donglai Sect the frontrunner for victory. After all, they were the foremost immortal sect of the Western Radiance Dynasty, what sect in Yongning Prefecture could possibly rival them? Not even the Huxiao Sect stood a chance.

When Elder Zuo returned, he immediately heard this news and was infuriated. The other side had remained so composed, making his trip utterly pointless!

Forget it. Treat the trip to the Central Continent as buying insurance.

Elder Zuo quickly consoled himself. Cheng Hongling’s strength was nothing to scoff at. What if she somehow managed to fight her way through? In that case, Lü Yi would be his final trump card. As the saying went, better safe than sorry.

“Elder Zuo, the rules of your Yongning Province competition require a ten-person team, yet I’ve come alone. What do you suggest?”

Lü Er, the Heavenly Soul doppelgänger of Lü Yi, inquired.

“You could temporarily join a local sect of the Western Radiance Dynasty and participate under their name. After all, this Evergreen Conference doesn’t restrict participants based on origin or affiliation.”

Elder Zuo proposed a solution.

“Then what sects are there in the Western Radiance Dynasty?”

Lü Er pressed further.

“The largest immortal sect in Yongning Province is called Donglai Sect…”

Elder Zuo proceeded to briefly introduce the major sects of the Western Radiance Dynasty.

“What kind of third-rate trash is this? Not a single Divine Ability Realm genius, not even a disciple at the late-stage Unity Realm, how could they possibly be worthy of me joining?”

Lü Er’s thick eyebrows furrowed deeper in disdain.

“Grandson, I’ve told you before. The Western Radiance Dynasty is a backwater, utterly incomparable to the great nations of Zhongzhou.”

Elder Zuo reiterated.

“Is a ten-person team absolutely mandatory? Can I go alone?”

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After a moment of contemplation, Lü Er asked.

Elder Zuo was stunned by the request. After hesitating, he replied uncertainly:

“But the Immortal Alliance explicitly states that the Evergreen Conference in Yongning Prefecture must be conducted as a ten-person team battle.”

“Then does the rulebook explicitly forbid individuals or smaller groups from participating?”

Lü Er pressed for clarification.

“The rules were set by the Yongning Province branch’s officials, so I’m not entirely familiar with the details. But logically, there shouldn’t be such a restriction.Wwho would be foolish enough to enter alone and get humiliated? A prohibition like that would be redundant.”

Elder Zuo answered.

“Since there’s no explicit ban, then me participating alone doesn’t violate the rules. It’s settled!”

Lü Er declared imperiously.

“Are you certain about going solo? Many geniuses have gathered in Yongning Province this time, having allies would be beneficial.”

Elder Zuo attempted to dissuade him.

“Only the weak need teammates. If you don’t trust my strength, why did you come to the Lü Family in the first place?”

Lü Er retorted.

Elder Zuo was instantly silenced. His caution stemmed from the lingering fear Qi Huang had instilled in him.

“This time, I will stand alone as my own team. Not only will I make that Cheng Hongling grovel at my feet, but I will also show the cultivators of the Western Radiance Dynasty what a true genius looks like!”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lü Er gazed into the distance, exuding an aura of supreme arrogance.

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As the Evergreen Conference drew nearer, Qi Huang remained wholly focused on cultivating Ghost Tomatoes, paying no heed to outside affairs. Though she couldn’t break through immediately, once she did, Heavenly Tribulation would descend, and the demand for these tomatoes would skyrocket. Stockpiling them now was simply prudent.

The other Honghua Sect disciples participating in the conference sharpened their skills, preparing for battle. At this stage, further cultivation was futile. What mattered was honing their physical condition to its peak.

Cheng Hongling also emerged from seclusion, albeit reluctantly. Despite her efforts, she had failed to reach the second layer of the Incarnation Realm, falling far short of her goal.

Ten days before the conference, Qin Quan convened a mobilization meeting.

“Over the years, I’ve tried investigating that man’s background but found nothing. Given his attire and accent, he’s likely from another nation. Possibly one of the Central Continent’s superpowers. If so, the forces backing him could be unimaginably formidable. Even with Qi Huang, we cannot afford to let our guard down.”

His tone was grave, and the disciples wore solemn expressions. Everyone understood, this was the Honghua Sect’s final chance. If they failed to obtain the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, they would have nothing to offer their mysterious benefactor. Their plan to use them as bait was wishful thinking, there was no guarantee of cooperation.

After the meeting, the disciples began packing. Seizing the opportunity, Qi Huang sought out her adoptive father, Cheng Yuan, and made a promise:

“Father, wait at home. This time, I’ll make everyone acknowledge your words—Are kings and nobles truly born superior?”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Though the Evergreen Conference is just a competition, blades and spells have no eyes. My greatest wish now is for all of you to return unharmed. Understood?”

Cheng Yuan replied calmly. What were his ambitions compared to his children’s safety?

“Don’t worry. None of our opponents are even qualified to injure me. I’ll have both the fish and the bear’s paw. ¹ 鱼和熊掌我都要 (yú hé xióng zhǎng wǒ dōu yào), am idiom for wanting to have it all, though it’s often used to criticize someone for being unrealistic or greedy. In this context, it shows Qi Huang’s confidence. The original text is a bit different and comes from classical Chinese philosopher Mencius (孟子) in case you’re interested .”

Qi Huang’s confidence was as unshakable as ever.

The next day, the Honghua Sect delegation set out. The journey to the prefectural capital spanned two thousand li. Even for cultivators, it wasn’t a short trip. An early departure ensured ample time to rest and prepare.

Before leaving, Qi Huang didn’t forget to notify Yaoyao via the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube. The cat-eared bandit frequently went out pillaging, and as her “poop-scooper”, Qi Huang had to request leave. Who knew what retribution awaited if Yaoyao couldn’t find her?

The senior sisters were the most excited. Aside from Ruan Lingyu, this was their first time representing the Honghua Sect at the Evergreen Conference, what an honor! More importantly, they finally had a chance to avenge their junior sister.

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“Junior Sister, do you remember? Three years ago, the Haizhi Sect ganged up on you and made you cough blood. I swore then that if I ever got the chance, I’d repay them in kind!”

Yun Fei, the second senior sister, declared resolutely.

“Yes, I feel the same!”

Wang Zong, the most outstanding male disciple, quickly chimed in. His infatuation with Cheng Hongling was obvious to anyone with eyes.

“Oh please, Senior Brother Wang. Weren’t you on the stage back then too? Why was Junior Sister the only one left facing them in the end?”

Shen Yuan, ever blunt, mocked mercilessly.

“Uh…”

Wang Zong was left speechless. When he glanced at Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang, guilt was written plainly across his face.

Cheng Hongling cast him an indifferent look, her beautiful face devoid of emotion. No one could guess her thoughts.

“Senior Sister Shen, you can’t blame Senior Brother Wang. I know he did his best.”

Qi Huang unexpectedly stepped in to mediate. After all, Wang Zong had helped her numerous times, he’d even saved her life.

‘That time I impersonated Cheng Hongling to steal the Identity Plaque—if he hadn’t blocked that Iron Zombie, I’d have died on the spot.’

Wang Zong clung to her words like a lifeline, his face brightening instantly.

“Junior Sister Hongling, don’t worry! These past three years, I’ve reflected deeply and made significant progress. This time, I won’t drag you down!”

“Good. I look forward to your performance.”

Qi Huang encouraged.

Wang Zong beamed like a child praised by an elder.

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“Must you always speak for me?”

Cheng Hongling finally snapped via Soul Resonance. She was a cold, aloof fairy, yet this doppelgänger of hers acted like a saint, nearly ruining her image.

“What? Worried I’ll damage your reputation? I’m just concerned that your silence will isolate you. As the future leader of the Honghua Sect, you must balance kindness and authority to command respect. You play the stern role, I’ll play the gentle one, perfect harmony.”

Qi Huang explained.

“So I should thank you?”

Cheng Hongling retorted.

“No need. Between us, what’s yours is mine!”

Qi Huang shamelessly replied.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Cheng Hongling’s face before she fell into an uncharacteristic silence.

“Actually, our true grudge isn’t with the Haizhi Sect. Though they defeated Junior Sister, at least they didn’t insult her. In competitions, clashes are inevitable.”

Ruan Lingyu, the eldest senior sister, suddenly spoke up.

“What I’ll never forget is six years ago, during her first Evergreen Conference, when she was matched against Huxiao Sect’s top immortal seedling. That bastard publicly mocked her as unworthy, then passed his slot to someone else.”

“Right! And later, Jin Liu, the top seedling of the Jinliu Sect, not only injured Hongling but called her a ‘vase’, sneering that ‘a rat’s nest can’t birth a phoenix.’”

Xu Mei added.

“Don’t worry, everyone. This time, I’ll show them that Huangtian County isn’t a rat’s nest, it’s a phoenix’s roost.”

Qi Huang’s voice was ironclad with determination.