Volume 7, Chapter 422 – The Secret Has Been Discovered

“Why are you asking this? Do you not want Cheng Hongling to marry into the Lü family?”

Elder Zuo asked with confusion.

“Then what does Master think? Do you want Cheng Hongling to marry into the Lü family?”

Steward Cai didn’t answer but asked in return.

“Don’t play riddles with me. Speak plainly.”

Elder Zuo scolded impatiently.

“Master, think about it carefully. With Cheng Hongling’s talent, combined with the Lü family’s resources, her future prospects will definitely be limitless. If the Lü family is internally united, that would also be beneficial for your granddaughter and you. Conversely, if she completely disregards your granddaughter’s feelings and turns around to retaliate against us, wouldn’t we be nurturing a tiger that will harm us? So I must ask clearly whether this is good or bad for you!”

Steward Cai explained earnestly.

Elder Zuo was also stunned upon hearing this, his expression quickly becoming serious. After a moment, he shook his head and said: “No good. The various branches of the Lü family are like fire and water in competing for the position of clan leader. She absolutely cannot marry Lü Yi, otherwise my granddaughter’s branch will never have a chance to rise again, and we will also have endless troubles.”

“That’s exactly why I asked you like that just now! Didn’t you say that Lü Er still wants to see Cheng Hongling’s performance? If we can make her stop at this round, wouldn’t that boy lose interest in her?”

Steward Cai reiterated.

“Not certain, but this way there would at least be some room for maneuvering.”

Elder Zuo said after brief consideration, then hurriedly asked: “Didn’t you go find the Huxiao Sect? What did they say?”

“It’s useless. You already saw just now that the Divine Sense that Cheng Hongling deployed has already reached the fifth layer of Incarnation Realm. Even if the Huxiao Sect’s immortal seeds all rush forward together, their chances of victory aren’t great.”

Steward Cai spoke evasively, not directly stating that the Huxiao Sect was too cowardly to fight, thus preserving some face for the Huxiao Sect.

“Cai De, you’re not deliberately putting me off to preserve the Huxiao Sect’s strength, are you?”

Elder Zuo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Master, at this point, I’ll tell you the truth. The Huxiao Sect got scared, and I indeed don’t want the Huxiao Sect to suffer any losses. After all, as you know, my daughter married the son of the Huxiao Sect’s sect master!”

Steward Cai spoke frankly, because he knew his master’s character. He would definitely not make a big deal out of this.

“You’re quite honest.”

Elder Zuo’s face showed a cold smile.

“I have no choice. Since you’re my master, I could hide things from anyone else but not from you!”

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Steward Cai flattered.

“You still have some filial piety!”

Elder Zuo’s face showed a trace of appreciation, and indeed he had no intention of blame.

“Moreover… I have to be honest with you about one more thing. I still hope Cheng Hongling will join the Huxiao Sect.”

Steward Cai continued to speak candidly, because having already tested his master’s attitude, he naturally didn’t need to hide anything anymore.

“So this is your real purpose?”

Elder Zuo’s smile became cold.

“Master, the saying goes ‘a teacher for a day is a father for life.’ Don’t you know my character? Whenever this disciple gains even the slightest benefit in the future, I’ll think of you, Master. I would never dare to be ungrateful.”

Steward Cai pledged loyalty again.

“I hope you remember your own words.”

Elder Zuo’s expression softened slightly upon hearing this.

“The key question is how do we make that girl stop at this round? Now it seems only Cheng Kang and Lin Ran have hope of defeating her, but the problem is this is only the third round. How could they possibly go head-to-head?”

Steward Cai said with slight relief.

“Go test their attitudes first. The Donglai Sect most likely won’t agree, but Lin Ran might be different. Don’t forget her purpose in participating in this Evergreen Conference.”

Elder Zuo reminded.

“Thank you for the reminder, Master!”

Steward Cai’s eyes lit up, then he hurriedly left.

Steward Cai quickly found the Donglai Sect and stated his purpose, hoping Cheng Kang would eliminate Cheng Hongling.

“That’s fine, but Steward Cai needs to give me a reason.”

Ye Donglai didn’t hastily refuse but bargained instead.

“The reasoning is simple. This Cheng Hongling appears very strong. Only by eliminating her early will your disciple have breathing room. If they encounter her in later rounds and end up mutually wounded, that would only benefit the immortal seeds of other sects.”

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Steward Cai racked his brains to find a reason.

“Sorry, that reason isn’t convincing.”

Ye Donglai immediately refused. No fool would agree to such an action where the risks and benefits were disproportionate.

Steward Cai wasn’t discouraged and went to find Lin Ran next, knowing she would most likely agree.

“No!”

Unexpectedly, after brief consideration, Lin Ran also refused.

“Why? Didn’t the Sixth Princess come to Yongning Province to participate in the Evergreen Conference to prove herself? It’s already the third round now. If you don’t act, and she gets eliminated by other sects, you’ll never be able to prove yourself.”

Steward Cai reminded, completely puzzled.

“There are two reasons. First, if I want to encounter her in this round, I’d have to change lots, which would make me seem too insecure. Second, in the next round she’ll face challenges from two sects. If I participate, wouldn’t that be bullying with numbers? Even if I won, it wouldn’t be honorable.”

Lin Ran stated her reasons.

Steward Cai never dreamed this Sixth Princess would be so principled. For a moment, he actually felt somewhat ashamed and finally left dejectedly.

Steward Cai returned empty-handed and reported this bad news to his master.

“Hmph! I never expected this Sixth Princess to have such integrity. She’s a hundred times better than her shameless father.”

Elder Zuo said sarcastically.

“Master, what should we do now?”

Steward Cai asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry. Do you know what I’ve been thinking about this whole time?”

Elder Zuo asked instead of answering.

“Uh… Please enlighten me, Master!”

Steward Cai asked awkwardly, thinking to himself: ‘I’m not the tapeworm in your belly, how would I know what you’re thinking?’

“You saw the entire process of Cheng Hongling’s battle against the Jinliu Sect just now, right?”

Elder Zuo confirmed.

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“I saw it.”

Steward Cai quickly responded.

“Did you notice anything strange about her?”

Elder Zuo inquired.

“Strange? Hasn’t she always been strange? Her appearance is inhuman, her talent is incredibly monstrous, and her personality is extremely odd.”

Steward Cai answered without thinking.

“Forget it. Come with me later to meet the people from Jinliu Sect, and then you’ll understand.”

Elder Zuo shook his head helplessly.

“Yes!”

Steward Cai respectfully accepted the order.

In the evening, Elder Zuo led Steward Cai to a nearby inn, where they met with people from the Jinliu Sect and brought some consolation gifts.

Elder Jin was flattered and hurriedly invited the two Immortal Alliance elders to sit down.

“How is your young master’s condition?”

Elder Zuo inquired.

“Sigh! The situation isn’t very optimistic. Although their Essence Souls have returned, they suffered great damage due to Heavenly Dao suppression, and we don’t know when they’ll recover.”

Elder Jin sighed.

“This Cheng Hongling is truly ruthless and merciless. We’re all sects under the Immortal Alliance, yet she shows no consideration at all.”

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Steward Cai took the opportunity to condemn her.

“Exactly! After this Evergreen Conference ends, I must demand an explanation.”

Elder Jin said through gritted teeth.

“Fellow Daoist, did they only suffer soul damage? What about external injuries?”

Elder Zuo got straight to the point.

“Thank you for Elder Zuo’s concern. Their external injuries are nothing serious. They’ll be fine after taking a few pills and resting for two days.”

Elder Jin quickly explained.

“Then I think she was being merciful!”

Elder Zuo’s lips curved slightly upward.

“What do you mean?”

Elder Jin was somewhat puzzled.

“Since she has cultivation at the fifth layer of Incarnation Realm, why did she only cause such minor superficial injuries to your son and disciple?”

Elder Zuo pointed out.

“Perhaps she showed mercy? After all, we’re all cultivators under the Immortal Alliance, we see each other all the time.”

Elder Jin speculated.

“Didn’t you just say she was ruthless and merciless? Setting aside that your two sects already have grudges, just the fact that she’ll face Jinliu Sect in the next round means she couldn’t possibly show mercy.”

Elder Zuo countered with sound reasoning.

“Elder Zuo is right. If she had seriously injured our sect’s immortal seeds, she would have secured victory in this round. But then why didn’t she?”

Elder Jin was completely puzzled.

“What if… could it be because her Divine Sense strength is higher than her actual cultivation level?”

Elder Zuo made a bold speculation.