Volume 7, Chapter 409 – All of You, Get Lost!

The one who had opened the betting pool was a mid-to-large-sized sect from the Western Radiance Dynasty called the Wuzu Sect. Though their strength was decent, facing dozens of sects of varying sizes left them stretched thin.

“Sect Leader Jiang, hand over the silver we bet immediately, or don’t even think about leaving the Immortal Alliance branch safely today!”

“That’s right! The Immortal Alliance can protect you here, but once you step past that gate, things will be different.”

“Your Wuzu Sect may be somewhat capable, but you can’t withstand the fury of so many fellow cultivators. Is offending dozens of sects over a bit of silver worth it?”

“Sect Leader Jiang, these disciples are the future of your sect. If anything happens to them, your Wuzu Sect will have no future left. Think carefully!”

Dozens of sects surrounded the Wuzu Sect, hurling threats and curses. Since they were within the Immortal Alliance’s territory, no one dared to actually make a move.

“Everyone, I’ve said it before. Once the bet is placed, the silver is non-refundable. If I go back on my word, what credibility will I have left? How am I supposed to answer to those who bet on the Honghua Sect’s victory? Please, show some mercy!”

Sect Leader Jiang pleaded desperately.

“I don’t care about your credibility! Either return the silver or prepare for our retaliation!”

“The number of people who bet on the Honghua Sect can be counted on one hand. What explanation do you even need to give? How dare you use that as an excuse to brush us off!”

“If you’re scared, just return the silver first, and we’ll deal with those who bet on the Honghua Sect for you!”

“Exactly! A few worthless nobodies, we could drown them with just a spit each!”

The troublemakers refused to back down, relentlessly pressuring the Wuzu Sect with a mix of threats and persuasion. The situation teetered on the edge of chaos.

“This is absolutely unreasonable! How dare they try to steal my money!”

Qi Huang was furious, rolling up her sleeves as if ready to fight.

“Wait!”

Qin Quan, standing behind her, quickly stopped her and explained, “Maintaining order during the Evergreen Conference is the Immortal Alliance’s responsibility. Why should we dirty our hands?”

After saying this, he channeled his True Qi and shouted toward the main hall:

“Elder Zuo, Steward Cai! They’re about to start fighting—aren’t you going to intervene?”

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“Master, should we step in?”

At the entrance of the main hall, Steward Cai watched the chaotic crowd.

“Oh? Did you bet on the Honghua Sect’s victory?”

Elder Zuo glanced at his disciple indifferently.

“Master, you jest! As the person in charge of the Evergreen Conference, how could I have the time to get distracted by such things?”

Steward Cai hurriedly clarified.

“Then why bother getting involved?”

Elder Zuo countered.

“But… this is the Evergreen Conference. We must maintain order, or what will the cultivators from all the sects think?”

Steward Cai hesitated.

“All the sects? Look around, the troublemakers are the majority right now. If you step in to enforce order, you’ll be standing against them. How do you think they’ll react?”

Elder Zuo shot back.

Steward Cai froze for a moment before his face lit up with realization. “Master, you’re truly wise!”

“Besides, you saw it earlier. Those from the Honghua Sect bet over a hundred thousand taels of silver on their own victory, especially that Qi Huang. She probably wagered her entire dowry. I want her to understand that disrespecting the Immortal Alliance comes with a price.”

Elder Zuo smirked smugly.

“But what if a real fight breaks out?”

Steward Cai asked cautiously.

“Wouldn’t that be even better? Haven’t you been dreaming of eliminating Cheng Hongling? The Immortal Alliance strictly forbids fighting outside the arena. If the Honghua Sect gets involved, and if a few people die… we’ll have the perfect excuse to act.”

Elder Zuo stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“True, but do they really have the guts to intervene? They’d be going up against dozens of sects.”

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Steward Cai expressed doubt.

“This is about their own betting pool. If they just let it slide, how will the Honghua Sect maintain any standing in the cultivation world from now on? Given Cheng Hongling’s temper, she’ll definitely confront them head-on. Just wait and see.”

Elder Zuo was utterly confident in his prediction.

“Are those two old men deaf? Why aren’t they responding?”

Qi Huang, seeing that the two were still chatting without any reaction, couldn’t help but complain irritably.

“Maybe they’re just old and can’t hear well. My grandparents are like that.”

Miao Xiang whispered her speculation.

“They’re cultivators! One is a Divine Realm supreme expert, the other is a late-stage Incarnation Realm master. How could their hearing be bad? They’re definitely doing this on purpose!”

Ruan Lingyu immediately refuted.

“Hmph! To think we placed our hopes on people like them!”

Cheng Hongling shot a cold glance at Qin Quan.

At that moment, the Wuzu Sect finally buckled under the pressure, and their sect leader began to relent.

“Fine, I’ll return everyone’s money. I hope you’ll all show some leniency.”

Sect Leader Jiang surrendered weakly.

“You dare?!”

Cheng Hongling’s voice suddenly rang out as she strode forward, her cherry lips parting to utter a single command:

“All of you, get lost!”

Before the words had even fully left her mouth, her killing intent erupted like razor-sharp blades, slicing through the air and permeating every inch of space before her.

The group of arrogant cultivators in front of her felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over their heads. Their bodies trembled violently, legs shaking uncontrollably, regardless of age or cultivation level.

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Cheng Hongling walked forward gracefully, and the cultivators in her path scrambled aside as if facing a flood or a savage beast.

Qi Huang smirked and quickly followed behind her, as did the rest of the Honghua Sect.

Just like that, Cheng Hongling advanced unhindered, leading the Honghua Sect straight to the Wuzu Sect’s members.

The Wuzu Sect disciples stared at her with a mix of awe and fear, unsure of what to do.

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and pay us!”

Qi Huang reminded impatiently.

“Y-Yes! Right away!”

The Wuzu Sect’s leader nodded repeatedly. Though his cultivation was higher than Cheng Hongling’s, his inability to withstand her killing intent left him at a disadvantage in terms of presence.

“Everyone who bet on the Honghua Sect’s victory, come forward to settle accounts. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I’ll make them part of my killing intent.”

Cheng Hongling’s voice was crisp and melodious, but wrapped in that overwhelming bloodlust, it felt like a winter gale scraping against the cultivators’ skin, chilling them to the bone.

The crowd of troublemakers fell into dead silence. No one dared to speak up anymore, the only sounds left were the chattering of teeth.

Qi Huang didn’t think her main body was overstepping. She knew that at this point, it wasn’t just about getting their money back, it was about upholding the Honghua Sect’s dignity. They had to ensure that everyone who bet on their victory received their rightful winnings.

Those who had bet on the Honghua Sect didn’t dare delay, stepping forward one by one to settle accounts. Though they had won big this time, none of them could muster a smile under Cheng Hongling’s oppressive aura.

Since there weren’t many of them, the matter was resolved in about half an hour. Throughout the entire time, not a single person dared to cause trouble.

The Honghua Sect collected their winnings and left the scene satisfied.

“These useless trash! Not a single one of them dared to say no!”

Elder Zuo cursed in humiliated fury.

“Ah… you can’t blame them. Killing intent is the bane of cultivators. Who knows how that little brat comprehended it? She’s practically a monster!”

Steward Cai sighed.

“Forget it. Let her be arrogant for a few more days. That killing intent must be her trump card. Now that it’s been exposed, it won’t be as effective in the future.”

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Elder Zuo took a deep breath and suppressed his anger.

Since only thirty sects remained in the second round, the Immortal Alliance had decreed that only five matches would be held each day. By the time the sun had just passed its zenith, the first day’s matches had concluded.

The Honghua Sect members walked out of the Immortal Alliance branch in high spirits. Having made a fortune today, they planned to return and feast heartily.

The Wuzu Sect wasn’t so lucky, they were immediately blocked at the gate by a crowd of furious cultivators who had suffered heavy losses, unable to leave.

“Master, shouldn’t we help them?”

The kind-hearted Miao Xiang couldn’t help but ask.

“We’re not related to them. Why should we help? We’re not saints!”

Shen Yuan rolled her eyes at Miao Xiang.

“Exactly! When they were collecting fees from the betting pool, why didn’t they share a cut with us?”

“If they dared to open a betting pool, they should’ve considered the consequences. They’re not children, they should take responsibility for their own actions!”

“Didn’t you see Sect Leader Jiang earlier? If Little Junior Sister hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve caved immediately. Is that any way for a bookmaker to behave?”

Several senior sisters voiced their opinions.

“I… guess you’re right.”

Miao Xiang bit her delicate finger, her little face showing a look of realization.

The matches continued over the next two days. By the time the second round concluded, half of the remaining sects had been eliminated, leaving only sixteen to advance to the third round.

After a day of rest, the draw for the third round commenced. With most of the weaker sects already weeded out, every match from here on would be a fierce battle.

Qi Huang had already picked her target. This time she was aiming for the Jinliu Sect. Six years ago, during the Evergreen Conference, disciples from this sect had eliminated her main body and openly mocked Huangtian Prefecture, saying it could never produce a phoenix.

“This time, I’ll show you whether Huangtian Prefecture can produce a phoenix or not!”

A wicked smile crept onto Qi Huang’s face.