Volume 7, Chapter 408 – Boasting in Front of Me Comes at a Price

“Winner, Number One!”

The Immortal Alliance disciple announced at that moment.

Qi Huang was just about to step down to finish off her opponent when the surrounding cultivators swarmed around her.

“Fairy Qi, let me handle those melon seed shells for you!”

“Yes, yes! They’re useless to you anyway, and just a hassle to carry.”

“Fairy Qi, we’ve prepared the finest Qingtian melon seeds from the cultivation world for you, thin shells, plump kernels, and richly seasoned. Just one bite will leave your lips and teeth fragrant for ten days without rinsing. Won’t you grace us with your presence?”

“Fairy Qi, what’s so great about melon seeds? We’ve scoured the entire province for premium spirit herbs and prepared a banquet of rare delicacies. Eating them not only beautifies the skin but also extends your lifespan. We’d be honored if you’d join us!”

The cultivators were frenzied, pushing and shoving, creating utter chaos.

Qi Huang found her path blocked, and even her main body was affected. Gritting her silver teeth, she took out the collected melon seed shells and scattered them to the side.

Instantly, the cultivators’ eyes glowed red like starving beasts as they lunged in that direction—after all, those shells were practically made of silver.

Finally free, Qi Huang didn’t rush back to her team. Instead, she headed toward Ma Yi’s location.

Cheng Hongling, worried her doppelgänger might act recklessly, followed closely behind. The rest of the Honghua Sect disciples also trailed after them.

By now, Ma Yi had already been helped up by his fellow Haizhi Sect members, proof that Cheng Hongling hadn’t gone for the kill. Unfortunately, the matter wasn’t over yet.

“How are you? Not too hurt, I hope?”

Qi Huang approached with a sweet, smiling inquiry.

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“Th-Thank you for your concern, Fairy Qi. It’s nothing serious!”

Ma Yi replied politely, a far cry from his earlier arrogance. After all, he was now the defeated party.

“Good. Then you must still have enough strength to knock out your own teeth, right?”

Qi Huang’s lips curled slightly.

“Uh…”

Ma Yi was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to be this relentless.

“Cheng Hongling, don’t go too far. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”

“Yeah, you’ve already beaten us to this state. What more do you want? We’re all immortal sects of Yongning Prefecture, there’s a long road ahead.”

“Three years ago, when we eliminated you, did we ever kick you while you were down? You know the answer yourself!”

The Huxiao Sect disciples protested indignantly. Their loud voices drew the attention of nearby sects, and soon a crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.

Cheng Hongling frowned slightly, thinking, ‘What does this have to do with me? The doppelgänger is the doppelgänger, and I am myself. If you have a problem, take it up with her.’

Unfazed, Qi Huang turned her sparkling eyes toward the Haizhi Sect’s leader and said, “Sect Leader Kang, everyone witnessed the bet I made with Ma Yi earlier. If I were you, I wouldn’t stand up for him. He’s just an external recruit, not even a true Haizhi Sect disciple. Who knows when he’ll leave? If you sacrifice your sect’s reputation for him, how will you establish yourselves in the cultivation world in the future? Isn’t that a bit too costly?”

The surrounding cultivators murmured in agreement, many nodding unconsciously.

“Sect Leader Kang, think carefully. Though I’m not a Haizhi Sect disciple, I’m at least a loyal external recruit. If you abandon me now, who will dare join your sect in the next Evergreen Conference? Without new talent, your Haizhi Sect can forget about securing any resources.”

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Sensing the danger, Ma Yi also spoke up, clearly trying to weasel out of the bet.

Sect Leader Kang’s face twisted in conflict. If he didn’t intervene, he’d alienate this external recruit, making it harder to attract talent in the future. But if he did, Haizhi Sect would be branded as untrustworthy.

“Heh, the next Evergreen Conference? The Immortal Alliance’s rules change like the weather in the fifth and sixth months—who knows if external recruits will even be allowed next time?”

Qi Huang immediately countered.

‘Forget it. In this situation, self-preservation is the only way to minimize losses. As for the next Evergreen Conference… who the hell knows? I can’t risk major losses for minor gains.’

Sect Leader Kang, being an experienced man, quickly made up his mind. “As the saying goes, ‘Without trust, one cannot stand.’ Our Haizhi Sect has thrived by treating others with integrity. Young Ma, since you’re temporarily a member of our sect, you must abide by this principle. A loss means honoring the bet.”

“You—!”

Ma Yi was both shocked and furious. He hadn’t expected the sect leader to side against him. His face twisted viciously. “Fine! Then I, Ma Yi, hereby renounce my ties to Haizhi Sect. Now you have no right to order me around!”

“Are you going to do it yourself, or do I need to help you?”

Qi Huang’s gaze sharpened. Daring to renege in front of me? You must have a death wish.

“What if I refuse? What can you do to me? This immortal is the personal disciple of a Great Elder from the Xitong Kingdom! If your Honghua Sect offends me, you’ll regret it!”

Ma Yi threatened, emboldened by his backing.

Cheng Hongling’s frown deepened. The next moment, the divine sense of an Incarnation Realm fifth-layer expert erupted, crushing down on Ma Yi as she vanished from sight.

Qi Huang had planned to handle it herself but was caught off guard when her main body struck first.

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Ma Yi was even more unprepared. First, he hadn’t expected her to actually attack. Second, he never imagined her divine sense could be this overwhelming. By the time he tried to resist, it was too late, his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

Cheng Hongling closed the distance in an instant, smashing the hilt of her sword against Ma Yi’s mouth with brutal simplicity.

Crack!

A crisp sound of impact echoed.

Ma Yi staggered back, clutching his mouth before collapsing onto his rear.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling acted as if nothing had happened, calmly rinsing her sword hilt with water-attributed true qi. Because she had moved so fast, no one noticed she had used divine sense beyond the Incarnation Realm’s third layer. They all assumed Ma Yi’s injuries had slowed his reaction.

When Ma Yi lowered his hand, several teeth lay in his palm. Blood trickled from the corner of his swollen lips.

“Ugh…”

The next moment, he clutched his mouth and wailed, his eyes filled with undisguised fear as he stared at Cheng Hongling. He hadn’t realized she’d been holding back even during their match.

“Remember this, no one boasts in front of me without paying the price.”

Qi Huang swept a meaningful gaze across the crowd before turning away without pause. She still had money to collect.

“As expected of Cheng Hongling, decisive and ruthless at the slightest provocation.”

“No kidding. You think the Yin-Yang realms of Huangtian County fear her for no reason?”

“That Ma Yi is an idiot. If he was already injured, why insist on stubbornness? A real man knows when to yield. He should’ve swallowed his pride and knocked out his own teeth. At least he’d have kept his dignity. Now he’s lost both teeth and face.”

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“Everyone, take note. From now on, when dealing with Cheng Hongling, speak and act properly. Otherwise, Ma Yi’s fate will be yours.”

The surrounding cultivators whispered fearfully among themselves.

Qi Huang gathered her fellow disciples and headed toward the betting area, only to run into that annoying Lü Er along the way.

“Well done. You’re getting closer to my standards for a principal wife. If you face me in the final match, your name will be inscribed on the Lü family’s Immortal Stele immediately.”

Lü Er remarked with appreciation.

“Not interested.”

Qi Huang brushed him off and quickened her pace.

The corners of Lü Er’s lips curled. ‘If only you knew my true identity, you wouldn’t be so dismissive.’

“Hurry up, will you? Even when collecting money, you’re dragging your feet. Seems none of you are short on funds, maybe I shouldn’t have lent you any. I should’ve bet everything myself.”

Qi Huang impatiently urged the dozen or so disciples behind her.

“Junior Sister, the money’s right there with the bookies. It’s not going anywhere, why the rush?”

Ruan Lingyu chided lightly. The other senior sisters nodded in agreement.

Unfortunately, reality had other plans. When they arrived at the betting station, they found it in complete chaos. Cultivators who had bet on Haizhi Sect’s victory were clamoring for refunds, some had even started looting.