Volume 7, Chapter 399 – Am I Seeing Things?

The local cultivators below did not cheer. Instead, each of their faces showed a trace of fear as they instinctively retreated. The killing intent emanating from the sword in Lin Ran’s hand was too heavy, nearly enveloping the entire plaza.

Qi Huang, however, remained unaffected. Her resistance to killing intent had grown strong by now. Still, she found the sword somewhat familiar. After a moment, she suddenly realized and turned to her main body beside her, whispering, “A weapon from the Registry of Slaughter?”

Cheng Hongling’s face also lit up in realization. “Yes, it’s definitely a weapon from the Registry of Slaughter!”

“To think the Western Radiance Dynasty’s imperial family actually possesses two such weapons!”

Qi Huang recalled their earlier encounter in the palace, the golden zombie “Tang Xiao” had also wielded a weapon from the Registry of Slaughter, which had scared off the cowardly Elder Zuo at the time.

“So? Still fighting?”

Lin Ran descended lightly onto the arena, her phoenix-like eyes fixed on the remaining disciples of the Xinglie Sect. The sword in her hand reflected a bloody glow under the sunlight, shrouding the entire dueling platform.

The Xinglie Sect disciples paled, their legs trembling, devoid of any fighting spirit.

“We concede!”

At that moment, an elderly voice rang out from below the stage, likely a high-ranking member of the Xinglie Sect.

The disciples, as if granted amnesty, stumbled off the platform in a hurry.

Lin Ran smiled in satisfaction before sheathing her treasured sword into her spatial ring. The oppressive killing intent dissipated instantly.

“Hah! Is this the so-called elite talent nurtured by the Ten Great Immortal Sects of Gaosheng Kingdom? How utterly pathetic!”

“To let such trash become the Xinglie Sect’s top-ranked immortal seedling. Has Gaosheng Kingdom’s cultivation world run out of people?”

“Princess Six truly lives up to her reputation as the Western Radiance Dynasty’s second-ranked immortal seedling! She hasn’t disappointed us!”

“Today, Princess Six has upheld the dignity of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world. From now on, she isn’t just the Sixth Princess of the mortal world, she’s also the Sixth Princess of our cultivation world! Who agrees? Who opposes?”

The cultivators below erupted into cheers, their gazes toward Lin Ran filled with reverence.

Qi Huang also smiled. Though they were competitors, Lin Ran had fought on behalf of everyone present, that alone deserved respect.

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Lin Ran cupped her hands in a polite salute before stepping gracefully off the platform. However, instead of returning to her own faction, she walked toward the Honghua Sect.

“Why us again?”

Qi Huang couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Why were all these so-called geniuses so fixated on the Honghua Sect? That Lü guy was one thing, she could just slap him away if needed. But if Lin Ran came to challenge them, she really wouldn’t know how to handle it, especially since the princess had just stood up for them.

The Honghua Sect disciples exchanged uneasy glances. After her victory, Princess Lin Ran’s prestige had reached its peak. If the Honghua Sect were to provoke her now, they’d undoubtedly incur public wrath.

Lin Ran approached, her phoenix eyes settling on Qi Huang. Calmly, she said, “Thank you for earlier.”

“…Huh?”

Qi Huang had never expected her to come over to express gratitude. She was caught completely off guard.

“It’s us who should be thanking you. After all, you fought for all the local cultivators present,” Cheng Hongling replied smoothly, neither submissive nor overbearing.

“That was my duty. I am the Sixth Princess of the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Lin Ran shook her head with a faint smile.

“You shouldn’t say that. The cultivation world exists beyond the mortal realm. You had no obligation to stand up for everyone,” Cheng Hongling reminded her.

“But… this is still the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world.”

Lin Ran smiled ambiguously before turning to leave.

Qi Huang was moved by her words, her heart swirling with mixed emotions. “The Sixth Princess’s perspective is truly grand. It’s hard to believe she’s that dog-emperor’s biological daughter.”

“Ah… If she were the empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty, the common people would surely live much better lives,” Xu Mei couldn’t help but sigh.

The first half of the day’s matches thus concluded. Everyone dispersed to return to their lodgings, the second half would begin in the afternoon.

Back at the inn, the Honghua Sect members began discussing the earlier matches.

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“I thought the highlight of this morning would be Lü Er’s match. Who would’ve guessed Princess Ran would encounter such a formidable opponent?” Xu Mei remarked.

“This proves the Immortal Alliance’s scheme succeeded. Who knows how many foreign experts were lured here by the rewards?” Qin Quan shook his head helplessly.

“Tsk. All of them are at the Incarnation Realm’s fourth or fifth layer, not to mention geniuses like Princess Ran who can overpower opponents above their level. How on earth do they cultivate?” Ruan Lingyu’s face showed a trace of dejection.

“Hmph! What do these people matter compared to Junior Sister Qi Huang?” Shen Yuan sneered from the side.

“True. If not for her, I’d be packing my bags to flee right now. This trip would’ve just been a sightseeing tour of the prefecture,” Ruan Lingyu said, her beautiful eyes shining with trust as she looked at Qi Huang.

“Hongling, give your master some reassurance. If you face Lü Er or Princess Ran, do you have confidence in defeating them?” Xu Mei probed her star disciple.

“Against Princess Ran, I’d say I have a sixty to seventy percent chance of victory. After all, her killing intent doesn’t affect me. But that Lu Er…” Cheng Hongling hesitated. “Even though he’s just a doppelgänger, he still gives me an unfathomable feeling. There’s no telling if he’s hiding more strength.”

“Right. That guy took down the Changhe Sect’s top-ranked immortal seedling with a single punch. We couldn’t gauge anything from that,” Yun Fei added.

“No way! Didn’t you say his displayed speed and strength were already at the Incarnation Realm’s fifth layer? If he’s still hiding power, how terrifying must his main body’s cultivation be? He looks only twenty-four. Are there really such freaks in this world?” Ruan Lingyu gasped.

“Freaks? Of course there are. And not just one or two in the Central Continent, the other three continents have them too,” Qin Quan stated matter-of-factly.

“Sect Master, you don’t suspect he’s one of the Nine Great Monsters of the cultivation world, do you?” Xu Mei asked cautiously.

“I’m just speaking offhand. The Central Continent is tens of thousands of miles from our Western Radiance Dynasty. Those monsters wouldn’t bother traveling so far for such meager rewards. I think this person’s main body is likely a peak Incarnation Realm genius who sent a doppelgänger because he needed these spirit herbs,” Qin Quan explained. Though his reasoning was sound, his lack of complete understanding led to a misjudgment.

“The Sect Master makes a valid point!” Xu Mei nodded thoughtfully before adding, “But even a peak Incarnation Realm cultivator would be tough to deal with. I wonder which country’s genius he is?”

“No worries. That Lü Er already said his main body won’t participate,” Miao Xiang said innocently.

“How can you believe an opponent’s words, silly girl?” Xu Mei affectionately rapped Miao Xiang’s little head.

“Enough guessing. I told you to leave everything to me. Not only will I make you all see his main body, but I’ll also show you his main body’s… ‘physiological cycle’,” Qi Huang interjected impatiently. With her here, why were her sectmates so worried? Was she really being too low-key?

“Isn’t he male? How could his main body have a physiological cycle? You don’t think his main body is female, do you? How could a woman cultivate a male doppelgänger? Hehe!” Ruan Lingyu teased.

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“Uh—”

Qi Huang shuddered violently, then glanced at her main body, only to find Cheng Hongling staring right back at her. Instantly flustered, she hurriedly clarified, “I meant beating him until he coughs blood! That’s his physiological cycle!”

The others burst into odd smiles at her explanation.

“Let’s not talk about them. We should focus on how to deal with the Huxiao Sect. We’ll be facing them this afternoon,” Qin Quan swiftly changed the subject.

“Listen up. When the time comes, just make an appearance on stage and then come right back down. Understood?” Cheng Hongling instructed the other immortal seedlings.

“How can that be? We can’t let you face the Huxiao Sect alone!” Wang Zong protested passionately.

“Listen to Hongling! Against the Huxiao Sect, staying on stage would only make you a burden,” Qin Quan reasoned firmly.

“Honestly, it’s fine if they stay to cheer. Those Huxiao Sect people aren’t capable of threatening their safety under my watch,” Qi Huang interjected kindly.

“So… do we listen to you or to Hongling?” Ruan Lingyu asked hopefully.

Qi Huang was about to answer when a chill ran down her spine. Turning, she found her main body glaring at her with sharp eyes. Immediately cowed, she stammered, “She’s the main body! Listen to her! Listen to her!”

“Tch! Knew you were just bluffing earlier!” Su Qingying scoffed.

Qi Huang could only laugh awkwardly. Though she was indeed stronger than her main body now, the reverence she’d developed during her time as a male body had become ingrained. She simply didn’t dare oppose her.

After lunch, the group rested briefly before heading back to the Immortal Alliance’s branch. The afternoon session would feature the Honghua Sect’s match.

On the way, Qi Huang bought over a dozen stools, chairs, and snacks, storing them in her spatial ring. After the last experience, she wasn’t about to stand around again.

Arriving at the Immortal Alliance branch, she found it just as packed as before. Most sects had already gathered, including their opponents, the Huxiao Sect.

Qi Huang distributed stools to her sectmates and laid out melon seeds in the middle, making it seem less like they were there for the Evergreen Conference and more like they were spectators at a play. The surrounding sects couldn’t help but stare.

“Isn’t this a bit too high-profile?” Ruan Lingyu whispered uncomfortably. The others, too, sat as if on pins and needles.

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“This is high-profile? Senior Sister, you really don’t know me well enough yet!” Qi Huang smirked mysteriously.

The others exchanged puzzled glances.

“I have to admire the Honghua Sect’s people. After watching those two matches this morning, they can still be so relaxed,” Elder Zhou of the Huxiao Sect remarked mockingly.

“Probably given up already. Knowing they can’t advance, why not enjoy their last moments?” Lu Zhen chimed in.

“Your analysis makes sense,” Zhou Ming nodded repeatedly.

“Master, have you forgotten? Analysis is my specialty,” Lu Zhen grinned smugly.

“Next, numbers fifteen and sixteen, please step forward!”

An Immortal Alliance disciple’s announcement cut through the chatter.

“Let’s go! Our turn!” Qi Huang waved a hand and led the Honghua Sect’s immortal seedlings onto the stage alongside her main body.

The Huxiao Sect members were utterly dumbfounded.

“Come on, Analyst. Care to explain this? They’re supposed to be number fifty. Why are they now sixteen?” Zhou Ming slowly turned to Lu Zhen with a glare.

Lu Zhen opened his mouth but couldn’t produce an answer.

Equally stunned were the Honghua Sect members. Upon reaching the stage, they realized their opponents weren’t the feared Huxiao Sect, but the Yuanyuan Sect, their original match-up.

“Am I seeing things?”

Ruan Lingyu rubbed her eyes vigorously, her face alight with joy.

On the other side, the Yuanyuan Sect disciples were also rubbing their eyes, but their expressions were pure terror.