Volume 7, Chapter 388 – The Evergreen Conference Begins (Part 2)

Elder Zhou quickly spotted the Honghua Sect delegation. A sly grin crept onto his face as he led his group toward them.

Cheng Hongling’s expression darkened with disgust. This man had not only ruined her plan to disguise herself as an Incarnation Realm expert, putting the Honghua Sect in grave danger, but he had also used his connections to harass her relentlessly. Her resentment toward him had reached its peak.

Qi Huang, however, was the complete opposite. She thrived on provocation, the more someone challenged her, the more satisfying it was to slap them down.

Zhou Ming approached with exaggerated warmth. “Greetings, fellow Daoists of the Honghua Sect! It’s been so long, I’ve missed you all terribly!”

“Elder Zhou, your concern is truly overwhelming. We are honored beyond measure,” Qin Quan replied with thinly veiled sarcasm.

“Brother Qin, why so humble? As the saying goes, ‘Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.’ Yet you, leading such a small sect, managed to nurture a prodigy like Hongling. Truly, you are a model for us all!” Zhou Ming’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“I dare not take credit. Her talent speaks for itself,” Qin Quan deflected, careful with his words. Qi Huang was not one to be trifled with, and he had to tread lightly.

“Indeed! Hongling’s talent would shine in any sect, she is a genius among geniuses!” Zhou Ming sighed dramatically before turning to Cheng Hongling. “Hongling, my dear, have you reconsidered my proposal over these past two years?”

“I’ve answered that question more than once,” Cheng Hongling replied coldly.

“What a shame,” Zhou Ming lamented, shaking his head in exaggerated disappointment. His disciples exchanged confused glances, unsure what the old man was even lamenting.

“Allow me to introduce you all,” Zhou Ming turned to his disciples. “This is the renowned Cheng Hongling, who reached the Incarnation Realm at just sixteen years old. She is nothing less than the number one genius of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world!”

“Sixteen? Incarnation Realm?” Two unfamiliar young men standing behind Zhou Ming, who bore a striking resemblance, exchanged glances, their faces flickering with surprise.

“Greetings, Junior Sister. While reaching the Incarnation Realm at sixteen isn’t the pinnacle of genius, for a backwater place like the Western Radiance Dynasty… it’s practically a miracle,” the older of the two said with forced politeness, his words laced with thinly veiled disdain.

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“Hongling, let me introduce you as well,” Zhou Ming interjected smugly. “These two are Cao You and Cao Wei, prodigious disciples from the Linzhen Sect of Xitong Kingdom. Both are at the fourth layer of the Incarnation Realm. They recently became guest elders of our Huxiao Sect and will be representing us in the Evergreen Conference.”

“What? Fourth-layer Incarnation Realm?!” The Honghua Sect disciples gasped in shock.

Cheng Hongling, however, remained impassive. Had they greeted her normally, she might have humored them with a response. But since they came with hostility, she saw no need to entertain them.

“Truly, their names suit them. Such talent at such a young age,” Qin Quan remarked with a hollow smile, maintaining the expected decorum as sect leader.

Qi Huang, however, had no patience for arrogance. “If they’re cultivators from another kingdom, why are they representing the Huxiao Sect?” she asked pointedly.

“Qi Huang, isn’t it? The rules of the Yongning Prefecture Evergreen Conference don’t restrict participation by origin or sect affiliation. Surely you knew that?” Zhou Ming retorted.

“Of course I knew. What I don’t understand is why the Huxiao Sect, the number one immortal sect of Yongning Prefecture, needs to recruit outsiders as reinforcements. Do you not trust your own disciples?” Qi Huang feigned confusion before turning to Lü Zhen. “Senior Brother Lu, aren’t you the Huxiao Sect’s top-ranked immortal seedling? Where does that put you now?”

“You—!” Lu Zhen’s face twisted in fury, but in broad daylight, he couldn’t afford to make a scene.

“Hongling, three years have passed. Do you remember our agreement?” Zhou Ming ignored the jab, his smile widening as he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Look around. See how many foreign geniuses are here? I’d love to see how you plan to break the rules now.”

Cheng Hongling clenched her small fists. She was never one for words, nor did she enjoy verbal sparring.

“Don’t worry, Elder Zhou. You’ll see,” Qi Huang cut in, unable to resist a challenge.

“Is that so? I’ll be waiting!” Zhou Ming sneered before leading his disciples away.

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“A supposed elder of the Huxiao Sect, yet he bullies a young girl despite being halfway in the grave. What a petty man,” Xu Mei muttered in disgust.

“No matter. The higher they climb, the harder they fall. He’ll regret this,” Qi Huang smirked.

A short while later, another group entered the gates—over a dozen disciples in matching uniforms, led by an elderly man with snow-white hair and a ruddy complexion. His steps were light, his demeanor transcendent—the very image of an immortal sage.

But Qi Huang’s eyes sharpened. This was none other than Ye Donglai, the Grand Elder of the Donglai Sect, one of the three Divine Realm powerhouses of the Western Radiance Dynasty. The same man who had tried to double-cross her when she helped her main body capture the Nine Nether Demon Cat in the Yuxiao Sect.

The memory of his shameless greed, juxtaposed with his saintly facade, made her grit her teeth.

‘You wretched old man. Just wait until I reach the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. I’ll make sure you know what it’s like to have nowhere to run.’

“Look! It’s the Donglai Sect! Even their Grand Elder is here, they must be determined to claim the Immortal Alliance’s final reward!”

“Exactly. Cheng Kang is already in a league of his own among his peers, and with two other Incarnation Realm geniuses in their ranks, who can possibly stand against them?”

“The Donglai Sect is shameless. They’re from the far east, why come compete with us local cultivators?”

“Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you have a death wish? If Ye Donglai hears you, you might as well order your coffin now.”

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“I didn’t expect the Donglai Sect to come in such force. Even their Grand Elder is present,” Qin Quan murmured in surprise.

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“Good. I’ll make sure he watches as I crush his disciples,” Qi Huang hissed under her breath. If she couldn’t touch the old man yet, she’d settle for taking it out on his students.

“You have a grudge against him?” Cheng Hongling asked, puzzled.

“Of course. Anyone who steals my spotlight is my enemy,” Qi Huang dismissed.

Cheng Hongling fell silent, wondering if this doppelgänger’s condition was worsening. Maybe they should discuss treatment options later.

Soon, another commotion erupted in the square.

Qi Huang turned to see another group entering, their black-and-white uniforms unmistakable. The Longchang Sect.

“Isn’t the Sixth Princess, Lin Ran, part of the Longchang Sect?”

Her eyes scanned the crowd. Instead of a wizened elder leading them, the group was headed by a stunning woman.

Tall and sculpted like ice, her features were sharper than most, exuding a regal, unyielding beauty. Her strides were confident, her long legs occasionally visible beneath her flowing robes. An aura of effortless majesty surrounded her, like an empress born to rule.

Behind her walked an elderly man with white hair, Xiang Yang, the Longchang Sect’s leader. With the Ninth Princess Lin Ran leading them, his face bore an unprecedented confidence.

“Look! It’s the Longchang Sect!”

“The Longchang Sect? Why would anyone care about such a minor faction?”

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“Are you a country bumpkin or what? The Sixth Princess, Lin Ran, the top-ranked immortal seedling of Poyun Peak, joined the Longchang Sect as a guest elder! That’s her right there!”

“Her presence is extraordinary. Truly befitting royalty.”

“But why join a lower-ranked sect if she’s after the rewards?”

“As if a princess lacks resources! She’s clearly here for Cheng Hongling.”

“Why?”

“A year ago, the emperor selected Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger as an Imperial Consort. Rumor has it he doubted her strength and sought superior bloodlines to strengthen the royal lineage. She’s here to prove herself by defeating Cheng Hongling.”

“Makes sense. If she wanted resources, she could’ve brought disciples from her own sect like Cheng Kang did. Joining a small sect like Honghua’s rival? Definitely a statement.”

The cultivators around them buzzed with theories.

“Huh. They’re sharper than I thought.”

Cheng Hongling’s gaze locked onto Lin Ran, battle intent flaring within her. She had no interest in petty rivalries, only in strong opponents. Though Lin Ran’s cultivation seemed equal to hers on the surface, her consistent ranking in the top three of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s Immortal Seedling List suggested hidden depths.

After a moment, Lin Ran’s eyes found Cheng Hongling. Without hesitation, she strode forward, her presence commanding the attention of the entire square.