Volume 7, Chapter 406 – How is She Even More Arrogant Than Lü Er?

As the appointed time arrived, cultivators from various sects gathered around the arena. The presence of Cheng Hongling, a prominent figure in the cultivation world, was already a major attraction. Coupled with the fact that everyone had placed bets, they were all deeply invested in the outcome of this match.

“Later, none of you need to step forward. I’ll face them alone,” Cheng Hongling said with a stern expression.

“That won’t do,” Qi Huang immediately objected. “Last time, when I sat on the stage cracking melon seeds, some cultivators mocked me, saying I only dared to do so because my opponent was weak. If I don’t show up this time, they’ll definitely taunt me for being afraid.”

No sooner had she spoken than the expected jeering began.

“Fairy Qi, planning to crack melon seeds again today?”

“Yeah, I even brought a broom. I’ll make sure to clean up after you properly.”

“Pfft, as if she’d dare! Last time, she only did it because her opponent was weak. If she tries it this time, the Haizhi Sect will knock her teeth out!”

“Oh? Then why not crack a few for us right here? It’s the same anywhere. I’ve brought melon seeds for you. Original, five-spice, spicy, take your pick.”

The surrounding cultivators erupted into rowdy laughter.

“See? If I don’t go up today, even if you win, it won’t feel glorious,” Qi Huang said, spreading her hands.

Cheng Hongling shot her a glare but didn’t argue further, silently conceding.

“What about us?” Ruan Lingyu and the others eagerly asked.

“You should all go up and make an appearance too, then come back down,” Qi Huang declared on her own authority.

“Isn’t that just unnecessary?” Cheng Hongling finally lost her patience.

“How is it unnecessary? As the saying goes, ‘Share blessings and hardships alike.’ This Evergreen Conference will make our names known to all, might as well let them share in the fame, right?” Qi Huang spouted her grand reasoning.

Hearing this, Cheng Hongling glanced at the hopeful faces of her fellow disciples and ultimately relented. “Do as you please. But remember, once on stage, you are not to interfere without my permission.”

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“No problem!” Qi Huang replied with zero sincerity. After all, she was a woman now, no need to abide by oaths like “a gentleman’s word is unbreakable.”

The disciples’ faces lit up with excitement. Who didn’t want fame?

“The second round of the Evergreen Conference begins now! Contestants one and two, please come forward. Notify me once you’re ready.”

At that moment, an Immortal Alliance disciple announced loudly.

The Honghua Sect group stepped onto the stage, while the Haizhi Sect approached from the opposite side.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still be cracking melon seeds today, and every match after this. If anyone here can make me leave my stool, I’ll concede on behalf of the Honghua Sect!” Qi Huang proclaimed to the crowd.

“Is this woman insane? Even more arrogant than Lü Er!”

“She’s always been crazy, didn’t you know?”

“She’s actually mentally ill?”

“Yeah, it’s certified by physicians. The Immortal Alliance confirmed it during the Imperial Consort selection!”

“What? Then if I drank tea brewed from her melon seed shells, could I catch it too?”

“Absolutely! Quick, hand those shells over. I’ll dispose of them for you.”

The crowd buzzed with chatter, though most dismissed Qi Huang’s words. After all, she was a known lunatic.

“Heh, just wait, Ma Yi here will knock all your teeth out. Let’s see how you crack melon seeds then!”

The burly youth leading the Haizhi Sect spoke up, clearly their powerful outside reinforcement.

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“Oh? And if you fail, will you knock out your own teeth instead?” Qi Huang shot back. She wouldn’t let anyone boast without consequences.

“Fine! A deal’s a deal.” Ma Yi agreed without hesitation, brimming with confidence.

“A true man’s word is unbreakable. Everyone here bears witness!” Qi Huang clasped her hands in a heroic salute to the crowd.

“Can we start now? I can’t wait to smash your teeth in. If melon seed shells sell for a tael apiece, your teeth must be worth a fortune.” Ma Yi cracked his knuckles.

“Same here. Three years ago, we crushed you, three years later, nothing’s changed. As long as the Haizhi Sect stands, you’ll never surpass us!”

“Exactly! Back then, people accused us of ganging up on you. Today, I’ll prove that even one-on-one, Haizhi disciples dominate.”

“Mark my words, as long as the Haizhi Sect competes in the Evergreen Conference, don’t even dream of claiming any resources!”

Three more Haizhi Sect disciples spoke up.

Qi Huang glanced over, they were the same three who had ganged up on her main body three years ago. The other two were absent, perhaps aged out, or for other reasons.

“Hold on! We haven’t introduced ourselves yet!”

Qi Huang waved a hand, then turned to her nine fellow disciples. “Go to the edge and greet everyone.”

Without hesitation, Ruan Lingyu led the group to the arena’s perimeter.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators! I am Ruan Lingyu of the Honghua Sect, senior sister among the female disciples.”

“Greetings! I am Yun Fei of the Honghua Sect, second senior sister.”

“I am Shen Yuan…”

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“I am Su Qingying…”

“I am Miao Xiang…”

The female disciples introduced themselves in order, followed by the four male disciples led by Wang Zong.

“What are they doing? Is this part of the Evergreen Conference rules?”

The crowd exchanged puzzled looks.

“Hah! They’re afraid nobody will remember them after today’s defeat, so they’re saying their goodbyes in advance!” Ma Yi mocked.

“Indeed, I did have them bid farewell, because with the Honghua Sect here, all of you will be leaving this stage eventually. Best know who eliminated you, or how else will you explain it to your elders?”

Qi Huang’s tone was indifferent.

“Damn! She’s even more arrogant than Lü Er!”

“This is humiliating! I came to compete fairly, and now even the Honghua Sect dares to look down on us?”

“I think it’s great. At least that outsider Lü Er won’t hog all the attention, this counts as revenge for us locals!”

“You’re just coping. Don’t think I didn’t see you fawning over Cheng Hongling this morning, drinking tea brewed from Qi Huang’s melon seed shells!”

The crowd erupted into chaos again.

“Not bad. Your temper suits me more and more. Keep it up, and maybe you’ll earn a high rank among my concubines.”

Lü Er’s voice cut through the noise at just the right moment.

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“Don’t worry, I’ll move you deeply. And I’ll make sure you see your own blood. Remember, the day you face me will be the day of your ‘monthly cycle’.”

Qi Huang’s lips curled slightly.

“Good, I’ll be waiting. In all my years, no one’s ever made me bleed. If you succeed, you’ll be the future madam of the Lü family!”

Lü Er wasn’t angered. Instead, he dangled an enticing reward.

“Alright, you can step down now.”

Once the introductions were done, Qi Huang waved her fellow disciples off the stage.

They complied, exiting in an orderly fashion.

“What’s their game? Why’d they leave again?”

The spectators were utterly baffled.

“What are you plotting? Stalling for time? Useless! Do you really think Cheng Hongling can break through to the third level of the Incarnation Realm in such a short time? With this gap, your defeat is guaranteed!”

Ma Yi’s voice was full of disdain.

“Wrong. I sent them down because dealing with ants like you doesn’t require help. My main body and I are enough.”

Qi Huang smirked, pulling out a small stool and sitting down. Then, she retrieved a pack of spicy melon seeds and began cracking them leisurely.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling slowly drew her “Blue Scale Sword” and pointed it at the Haizhi Sect members.

“Come. Three years ago, I fell here. Today, I rise again from the same place.”