Volume 7, Chapter 425 – She Set Up a Table on the Stage

“What’s going on? Why did Steward Cai agree to her request? Weren’t they supposed to have a grudge between them?”

The cultivators below murmured in confusion, glancing around, but no one could provide a clear answer.

The members of the Honghua Sect were equally baffled, all staring at Qi Huang with astonishment.

“How did you know Steward Cai would agree?”

Cheng Hongling couldn’t suppress her curiosity and asked.

“Did you forget? Steward Cai has marital ties with the Huxiao Sect. Without knowing our full capabilities, why would he let his in-laws take the first blow?”

Qi Huang patiently explained.

“Ah, I see!”

Cheng Hongling suddenly understood. Though she was clever, her youth and lack of worldly experience meant she didn’t consider all angles as thoroughly as Qi Huang.

“Alright, the Jinliu Sect is yours to handle. Once they’re eliminated, I’ll take care of all the remaining opponents.”

Qi Huang cracked her knuckles eagerly.

“Including that Sixth Princess?”

Cheng Hongling confirmed.

“Since I’m the one who was personally selected as an Imperial Consort, the trouble I stirred up should naturally be mine to resolve.”

Qi Huang’s reasoning was sound.

“Are you sure you can handle it? Don’t go soft just because she’s pretty.”

Cheng Hongling eyed her suspiciously.

“Go soft? Don’t you know my strength? I won’t even need to use my hands against her.”

Qi Huang declared confidently, though her flickering gaze betrayed a hint of guilt.

“Heh…”

Cheng Hongling smirked, her expression turning slightly dangerous.

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Meanwhile, on the stage, Steward Cai began damage control. As a steward of the Immortal Alliance, he had just broken the rules. If he didn’t provide a reasonable justification, how could he maintain authority in the future?

“Esteemed cultivators, the rules of the Evergreen Conference represent the dignity of the Immortal Alliance. No one may violate them. However, the Honghua Sect is facing an unprecedented situation, they must fight two opponents consecutively in this round. Out of consideration for their hardship, I have made an exception, allowing them to choose the order of their matches. This demonstrates the humanity of the Immortal Alliance’s governance. But let this be the first and last time, no further exceptions will be made.”

Steward Cai spoke smoothly, his face unflinching.

The cultivators below exchanged whispers, nodding in agreement, though the sharper ones sneered inwardly. Who cares if it makes sense? You’re the one in charge. Who dares to object?

“Very well. Members of the Huxiao Sect, please step down and rest. The Jinliu Sect will now take the stage for their match.”

Steward Cai announced in place of the officiating disciple.

Though confused, the Huxiao Sect disciples obeyed. They knew Steward Cai was on their side.

In contrast, the Jinliu Sect cultivators below the stage were furious. Even the dullest among them realized they were being used as pawns. But with power stacked against them, none dared protest.

“The Jinliu Sect is doomed. Getting eliminated twice in one tournament? That’d be unprecedented in the history of the Evergreen Conference.”

“Why even say ‘if’? Last time, they couldn’t even put up a fight. You think they’ve turned things around in just two or three days?”

“Don’t underestimate them! That Jin Hu was half-dead last time, but now he’s bouncing around like he’s fully recovered!”

“Jin Hu? More like Jin Shu ¹ Golden Rat . Rats are tenacious, after all.”

“Oh right! His name really was changed. His father agreed to it publicly!”

The surrounding cultivators seized the chance to mock them. Many were already eliminated but stayed just to enjoy the drama.

“Stay calm. Now that we know Cheng Hongling is all bark and no bite, there’s no need to fear. The humiliation we suffered days ago, today, we’ll make her repay it tenfold. I never want to hear anyone call you ‘Jin Shu’ again, nor let our sect be mocked as a den of rats.”

Elder Jin suppressed his rage as he addressed his son and disciples. After their previous defeat, many cultivators had taken to calling the Jinliu Sect a “rat’s nest”, an unbearable insult.

“Don’t worry, Father! Last time, we lost because we underestimated her. This time, it’s different. Not only will I reclaim my rightful name, I’ll make sure she learns that the only true rat’s nest is Huangtian County!”

Jin Shu, formerly Jin Hu, vowed confidently. Thanks to Elder Zuo’s medicinal pill, he had fully recovered, aside from a slight dip in divine sense. The healed wound forgets the pain.

“Go! Don’t disappoint me!”

Elder Jin encouraged.

“Elder Jin, what about us?”

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The other Immortal Seeds of the sect asked.

“You? There’s no point in you going up. You’d just be stepping stones for that little wench to show off.”

Bao Gang scoffed dismissively.

“No, no, they must go up! Just like the Honghua Sect disciples, they’ll introduce themselves and then step down.”

Jin Shu insisted.

“Why?”

Bao Gang was puzzled.

“Like that little wench said, I don’t just want everyone at this tournament to remember my name. I want them to remember every one of my brothers!”

Jin Shu declared ambitiously.

“Fine. Since your senior brother is so confident, follow his lead. Go up, introduce yourselves, and come back down.”

Elder Jin looked at his resilient son with admiration.

Thus, the Jinliu Sect’s Immortal Seeds marched onto the stage, heads held high, every last one of them.

“They actually dared to come back up?”

Ruan Lingyu blinked in surprise.

“Yeah, and they don’t look demoralized at all!”

Yun Fei was equally stunned.

“Good. This makes it more fun. If they came up weeping and wailing, how could we rub salt in the wound?”

Qi Huang lounged lazily, entirely at ease.

“You don’t think they’ve figured out a way to counter Junior Sister?”

Yun Fei quickly considered the possibility.

“Second Senior Sister, you worry too much. If thinking hard was enough to win, why bother cultivating? We’d all just sit around brainstorming!”

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Shen Yuan retorted.

Just then, the Immortal Alliance disciple announced the start of the match.

“Wait!”

Jin Shu raised a hand grandly, then turned to his eight fellow disciples.

“Go introduce yourselves, then step down.”

The disciples obeyed, lining up at the edge of the stage to make their announcements.

“Greetings, fellow cultivators! I am Zhang San of the Jinliu Sect, twenty-six years old, Unity Realm, third layer. Handsome, virtuous, no bad habits, still single! Any interested fairies can seek me out later~”

“Esteemed daoists, I am Li Si of the Jinliu Sect, twenty-nine, Unity Realm, second layer. Filial beyond compare, yet I lack a godfather! Any seniors without heirs who need someone to care for them in old age, come find me. Requirement: Divine Realm or above.”

“Friends, I am Wang Wu, twenty-seven, Unity Realm, fifth layer. Talented, married, only regret is my unfilial son. Seeking a godchild, must be female, fair-skinned, and long-legged.”

The Jinliu Sect disciples spoke smoothly, turning the Evergreen Conference into a matchmaking event.

“What are they doing?”

Ruan Lingyu gaped.

“Doesn’t this seem familiar? They’re copying us.”

Qi Huang stifled a laugh.

“Why would they do that?”

Miao Xiang asked timidly.

“Who knows? Maybe they want to be remembered in history too.”

Qi Huang mused.

“What are you imitating us for?!”

Shen Yuan couldn’t help but shout.

“So what if we are? Just like Qi Huang said, this immortal wants everyone here to remember me, and my brothers!”

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Jin Shu was shamelessly defiant.

“No need for introductions. Getting eliminated twice in one tournament? People won’t be able to forget you even if they tried.”

Qi Huang smirked.

“You—!”

Jin Shu nearly spat blood. He took a deep breath.

“Enough talk! Get your junior brothers and sisters off the stage. I can’t wait to wipe away our shame!”

“Strange. Why should they leave?”

Qi Huang tilted her head.

“You’re keeping them here? Aren’t you afraid they’ll drag you down?”

Jin Shu was baffled.

“Last time, I sent them down because I thought you weren’t worth the effort, not because I feared being burdened. Since you brought it up, they’ll stay this time.”

Qi Huang waved a hand dismissively.

“Really?!”

Ruan Lingyu lit up. Fighting alongside her junior sister meant an easy victory, no matter the opponent.

“Of course!”

As she spoke, Qi Huang retrieved a table and chairs from her spatial ring, arranging them at the edge of the stage along with melon seeds, fruits, and pastries.

“What are you doing?!”

Jin Shu’s jaw dropped.

“Eating melon seeds. It’s boring alone, so I invited them to join. Don’t worry, my promise still stands. If you can make any one of us leave these chairs, the Honghua Sect forfeits.”

Qi Huang beckoned her fellow disciples to sit, transforming the stage into a spectator booth. After all, watching from below was tiring. Craning their necks upward was such a hassle.