Volume 7, Chapter 431 – I Will Make You Despair (Part 1)

The other chosen disciples of the Huxiao Sect were thoroughly frightened, their faces pale with dread as they involuntarily took several steps back in unison.

“The artery in your wrist is severed. If you want to live, scram down and stop the bleeding.”

Qi Huang’s reminder was delivered with an expressionless face. Her speed had been terrifyingly fast, yet all she had done was envelop her body with the divine sense of someone at the peak of the Incarnation Realm and move. No movement technique had been employed. Even so, a mere fourth-layer Incarnation Realm cultivator stood no chance against it.

Upon hearing this, Cao Wei fled the stage as if his life depended on it, his face even showing a trace of relief.

“How was her speed so terrifying just now? Even if I pushed my movement technique to its limit, I’d still be slightly slower.”

At the entrance of the grand hall, Steward Cai sucked in a sharp breath.

“Indeed. Her speed is already comparable to a ninth-layer Incarnation Realm cultivator. And you’re only at the eighth layer.”

Elder Zuo’s confirmation was grave.

“Ninth-layer Incarnation Realm? But she’s only at the Unity Realm! Zhou Ming personally confirmed it back then! And even if there was a mistake, her main body is only at the second layer of the Incarnation Realm!”

Steward Cai couldn’t help but voice his disbelief.

“How should I know? Perhaps it’s some kind of movement technique? Or some bizarre trick?”

Elder Zuo speculated. He had been careless earlier and hadn’t observed her closely with his divine sense, so he had no idea how she had done it.

“But no matter the reason, that kind of speed is something the Huxiao Sect’s chosen disciples simply can’t handle!”

Steward Cai said worriedly.

“Do you really need to point that out? The Huxiao Sect is already doomed. Think about how to change the rules, or else we’ll become a laughingstock this time.”

Elder Zuo shot Steward Cai a glare.

“Master, her speed just now… how was it so terrifying?”

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In the Donglai Sect’s ranks, Cheng Kang, who had always carried himself with arrogance, now spoke with a tremor in his voice.

“Did you see it clearly?”

Ye Donglai took a deep breath.

“See? My divine sense couldn’t even keep up! How did she do it? Was it a movement technique? Or some kind of treasure?”

Cheng Kang asked, his usual confidence shattered.

“No matter how fast she is, she can’t outpace the divine sense of an Incarnation Realm cultivator. You’ve been too arrogant, you didn’t focus on her at all. This time, lock onto her with your divine sense. You’ll understand then.”

Ye Donglai’s reminder was stern.

“Understood.”

Cheng Kang, thoroughly shaken for once, obediently complied.

Among the crowd, however, the one with the ugliest expression was Zhou Ming. He simply couldn’t comprehend how Qi Huang, who had once been so weak that even the wind from his palm could knock her down, had become this unfathomable in just two or three years. With a single move, she had instantly defeated a mid-level Incarnation Realm cultivator.

With speed like that, the chosen disciples on the stage stood no chance. This meant the Huxiao Sect’s plans had completely collapsed.

“Impossible. This is absolutely impossible! Just three years, even if she were a once-in-a-millennium genius, she couldn’t have reached such a level. She must be using some unconventional method.”

Zhou Ming tried to reassure himself, then locked onto Qi Huang with his divine sense. He knew any unconventional method would have flaws. If he could find them, the Huxiao Sect might still have a chance to turn things around.

“Heavens, how did Qi Huang even injure that Huxiao Sect disciple just now? I couldn’t see it at all!”

“See? My divine sense couldn’t even track her movement speed. In terms of pure speed, she might already be comparable to a late-stage Incarnation Realm cultivator. At the very least, Cheng Kang and Lin Ran never gave me that kind of feeling.”

“Why only talk about speed? Maybe her cultivation has already reached the late-stage Incarnation Realm?”

“Impossible. Her main body is only at the second layer of the Incarnation Realm, that’s common knowledge. How could a low-tier bloodline doppelgänger reach the late-stage Incarnation Realm in just two or three years? I think she must be using some powerful movement technique or a speed-enhancing treasure.”

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“That makes sense! If that’s the case, then as long as the Huxiao Sect figures out what she’s relying on, they still have a chance to win.”

After their initial shock, the cultivators from various sects began analyzing the situation calmly.

“Now it’s your turn. Either surrender now and walk off the stage on your own, or lose an arm or a leg and get carried off. Choose!”

Qi Huang turned toward the remaining Huxiao Sect disciples with a smirk, completely unfazed by the countless divine senses now locked onto her.

The Huxiao Sect disciples grew even more fearful. They had all seen what happened to Cao Wei. If that strike had been aimed at his neck, he’d already be a wandering ghost.

“Lu Zhen, don’t be afraid! Think about it, how strong could a low-tier bloodline doppelgänger really get in just two or three years? She must have used some underhanded trick just now. As long as we figure it out, we still have a chance to win.”

Seeing the situation deteriorating, Zhou Ming quickly spoke up to bolster their morale.

Hearing this, the Huxiao Sect disciples on stage did seem to steady themselves somewhat.

“Take turns testing her. The rest of you, observe carefully with your divine senses. She’ll slip up eventually.”

Zhou Ming continued to strategize.

The disciples on stage exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to step forward recklessly. While the Evergreen Conference strictly forbade killing, accidents still happened, swords and blades had no eyes.

“Lu Zhen, you go. You’re the Huxiao Sect’s top disciple. Don’t let our allies from Xitong Kingdom look down on you.”

Zhou Ming resorted to provocation.

Lu Zhen hesitated, but still couldn’t muster the courage.

“You useless disciple! Get up there now!”

Zhou Ming cursed in frustration.

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“Elder Zhou, why don’t you come up here yourself instead of forcing others?”

Qi Huang taunted with a mocking smile.

“Elder Zhou, this is the Evergreen Conference. Only chosen disciples from each sect are allowed to participate. Are you a chosen disciple?”

Ruan Lingyu finally snapped, unable to hold back any longer.

“Chosen disciple? Senior Sister, when have you ever seen a chosen disciple as old as him?”

Yun Fei added helpfully.

“Not necessarily. I’ve seen plenty of deformed children with even more wrinkles than him.”

Su Qingying delivered the venomous remark without hesitation.

“You insolent brat! How dare you call me a deformed child?!”

Elder Zhou, who had never been insulted like this before, was instantly enraged.

“Fellow Daoist, my disciples may be blunt, but they’re not wrong. You’ve overstepped. If everyone starts doing this, how will the Evergreen Conference continue? I trust Elder Zuo and Steward Cai won’t just stand by and watch.”

Qin Quan calmly seized the opportunity to turn the situation in their favor.

Qi Huang smiled in satisfaction. Though this old man’s cultivation was lacking, his sharp tongue made him somewhat useful.

“During the disciple competition, outsiders are forbidden from interfering. The Huxiao Sect receives a warning. One more violation, and you will be disqualified.”

Elder Zuo immediately issued the warning. While he wanted the Honghua Sect gone, it had to be within the rules. Otherwise, breaking the regulations would only harm his own reputation as well.

Elder Zhou was left speechless, trembling with fury.

“Elder Zhou, don’t be angry. If you ruin your health, what will happen to our bet? Let me tell you exactly why I’m so fast!”

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Qi Huang quickly “comforted” him. Then, unhurriedly, she released the divine sense of a late-stage Incarnation Realm cultivator, letting it envelop her body before turning to Zhou Ming.

“What’s wrong? Can’t make up your mind? Then let me help you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qi Huang vanished from the spot.

BAM!

A dull thud echoed as Lu Zhen flew off the stage with a dazed expression, a small but distinct footprint stamped on his chest.

The eight remaining disciples were scared out of their wits, scattering like startled birds.

“Master, I saw it clearly. She just has unusually strong divine sense. The speed and force of her attack were far below the Incarnation Realm level.”

In the Donglai Sect’s ranks, Cheng Kang spoke up, the gloom on his face completely gone.

“Yes. But what puzzles me is why she would so brazenly reveal her secret, as if she’s afraid people won’t figure it out.”

Ye Donglai, however, remained frowning.

“Well, Elder Zhou? Did you see clearly this time? Should I demonstrate again?”

Qi Huang asked “considerately”, a playful smile on her lips.

“I get it now! Just like your main body, you only have strong divine sense. To deal with you, all we need is a stronger protective talisman!”

Zhou Ming gnashed his teeth.

“Oh? But we’re in the middle of the competition, Elder Zhou. How do you plan to deliver that talisman to your disciples?”

Qi Huang smirked before vanishing once more.