Volume 7, Chapter 434 – I Will Make You Despair (Part 4)

Qi Huang had no idea that Yaoyao had already set off, nor did she know that the one attending the Evergreen Conference was merely a doppelgänger of Ye Donglai. For now, she was patiently waiting for the show to begin. Whether it was Cheng Kang or Lü Er who got eliminated tomorrow, it would be a satisfying outcome for her. After all, both of them were far too arrogant, to the point where it made her physically uncomfortable.

Many shared Qi Huang’s sentiments. Cheng Kang was, after all, the top-ranked immortal seedling of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world. His duel with a cultivator from the Central Continent would directly impact the reputation of the local cultivation community.

Thus, that night, the entire prefecture, no, the entire Western Radiance Dynasty, was abuzz with discussions about the upcoming battle. Everyone hoped Cheng Kang would win, as only his victory could preserve the dignity of their local cultivators.

“Have you all heard? Tomorrow, Cheng Kang will face that Lü Er from the Central Continent head-on.”

“Of course we’ve heard. By now, this news has probably spread throughout the entire Western Radiance Dynasty.”

“Is there going to be a match tomorrow? Everyone should go to the Immortal Alliance branch to cheer for Cheng Kang. If he loses, our Western Radiance cultivators will lose all face.”

“It’s not that serious. Isn’t there still Cheng Hongling? Her doppelgänger single-handedly eliminated the Huxiao Sect with ease. In terms of strength, she’s no weaker than Cheng Kang, if not stronger.”

“What do you know? That Qi Huang relied on underhanded tricks and was exposed on the spot. Just as Elder Zhou said, all you need to deal with her is a stronger protective talisman. Do you really expect her to defeat a foreign cultivator that even Cheng Kang can’t handle?”

“Exactly. Everyone saw how pathetic Cheng Hongling looked back then. If those two immortal seedlings from the Jinliu Sect hadn’t had hidden ailments, she would’ve been the one eliminated. So our only hope now is Cheng Kang.”

“What about the Sixth Princess?”

“She can’t even beat Cheng Kang, eternally second place at best.”

Qi Huang extended her divine sense, eavesdropping on conversations everywhere. Even the mundane world was abuzz with the same discussions. And without fail, she and her main body were always dragged into the conversation, only to be disparaged.

“Divine sense is an underhanded trick?”

Qi Huang nearly laughed in anger. Divine sense was an extension of the soul, a cultivator’s second pair of “eyes” and a primary means of exorcising ghosts. Yet it was being dismissed as a cheap trick? The jealousy of some people was truly terrifying.

“Fine. The more you look down on me, the louder the slap in your face will be. I’ll show you all who’s really relying on tricks.”

Qi Huang silently swore to herself.

Meanwhile, at the inn where the Donglai Sect was staying, the ten immortal seedlings were also preparing earnestly for the battle.

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“Disciple, I feel like you agreed too rashly today. That Lü Er hasn’t revealed any of his trump cards so far. Facing him recklessly is too risky.”

Ye Donglai chided Cheng Kang.

“Rash? That bastard treated me like a tool to win a woman’s favor, then escalated the duel to a matter of national pride. If I backed down now, how could I ever hold my head high in the Western Radiance’s cultivation world again?”

Cheng Kang shot back.

“We could’ve found a way to avoid him. Once all the other Western Radiance cultivators were eliminated, you could’ve faced him in a final showdown. Win or lose, you’d still be the number one immortal seedling of our dynasty.”

Ye Donglai tried to reason.

“You think I can’t beat him?”

Cheng Kang’s tone grew slightly displeased.

“You’re the top-ranked immortal seedling of the Western Radiance, that’s common knowledge. Yet he still openly challenged you. Doesn’t that mean he’s confident in defeating you?”

After a brief hesitation, Ye Donglai voiced his concerns.

“Master, stop boosting his morale while undermining mine. What he thinks doesn’t matter. So far, Lü Er has only displayed strength at the fifth layer of the Incarnation Realm. And I think I can easily defeat him.”

Cheng Kang grew increasingly irritated.

“Fine. It’s too late to say anything now. All I can do is cheer you on.”

Knowing his disciple’s temperament, Ye Donglai didn’t press further.

“Master, tell the other junior brothers to stop preparing. They should eat, drink, and relax. Tomorrow, I’ll step onto the stage alone.”

Cheng Kang suddenly proposed.

“Let them join you. Your second and third junior brothers may not be as strong as you, but they’re still in the Incarnation Realm. They can at least provide some support.”

Ye Donglai patiently persuaded.

“If they join me, even if we win, I’ll gain no honor from it. People might even mock me. If that’s the case, why not just surrender now?”

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Cheng Kang stubbornly refused.

“Sigh. Do as you wish. But remember, whatever the outcome, you’ll bear the consequences.”

Ye Donglai shook his head helplessly.

“Of course. You should focus on catching the thief who stole the Nine Nether Demon Cat. Any leads yet?”

Cheng Kang impatiently changed the subject.

“None. I was just trying to lure the snake out of its hole. I never said I was certain it’d come. Either way, there’s no harm in trying, so don’t worry about it.”

Ye Donglai, or rather, Ye Donglai’s doppelgänger, dismissed the question.

The next day, the Immortal Alliance branch was as lively as ever. This battle concerned the dignity of the Western Radiance’s cultivators. If Cheng Kang lost, all the effort Lin Ran had put in recently would be for nothing.

With no thing else to do, the Honghua Sect disciples naturally came to spectate.

Qi Huang set up tables and chairs, and her fellow disciples sat down to snack on melon seeds.

“Who do you think will win?”

Ruan Lingyu asked curiously.

“Lü Er, without a doubt.”

Yun Fei answered without hesitation.

“Why? Cheng Kang is the top-ranked immortal seedling of our Western Radiance Dynasty. Lü Er may be from the Central Continent, but he’s not famous. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s stronger.”

Shen Yuan raised doubts.

“Are you stupid? Precisely because Cheng Kang is the top-ranked immortal seedling, everyone already knows his secrets. Lü Er wouldn’t have challenged him unless he was confident in victory.”

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Su Qingying couldn’t hold back her scolding.

“Huh? Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”

Shen Yuan suddenly understood.

“But… if Lü Er wins, won’t all the Sixth Princess’s recent efforts be in vain?”

Miao Xiang timidly reminded them.

“Why worry? Isn’t Junior Sister still here?”

Ruan Lingyu’s beautiful eyes shone with admiration.

“Exactly. Just sit back and enjoy the show. This time, I’ll make sure everyone knows who the true top-ranked immortal seedling of the Western Radiance Dynasty is.”

Qi Huang clenched her delicate fist with confidence.

Meanwhile, her main body, Cheng Hongling, remained silent. She had always been sparing with words. Even if she had something to say, she would communicate telepathically with her doppelgänger rather than speak up.

As the various sects waited patiently, the Immortal Alliance disciples finally announced the start of the third day’s matches. The first to take the stage were contestants thirteen and fourteen. Since one of them was the Sixth Princess, Lin Ran, the match wasn’t entirely boring.

Lin Ran’s opponent was the leader of a mid-tier immortal sect from the Western Radiance Dynasty, an Incarnation Realm of the second layer genius. Unfortunately, against her dual cultivation of martial and immortal arts, he stood no chance and was swiftly swept off the stage.

Thus, Lin Ran also achieved the feat of single-handedly eliminating an entire sect. However, since her opponent was of lower quality, her victory couldn’t compare in prestige to Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling’s accomplishments.

After the first match, the day’s main event, the final battle of this round finally began.

“Next, contestants fifteen and sixteen, please step onto the stage. Let me know once you’re ready.”

An Immortal Alliance disciple announced.

Amidst the crowd’s eager anticipation, Lü Er and Cheng Kang leaped onto the stage from opposite sides.

“Not bad. You didn’t flee. You must know that since I chose to challenge you, I have absolute confidence in victory.”

Lü Er taunted first.

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“And you must know that since I dared to step up, I’m equally confident in defeating you.”

Cheng Kang refused to back down.

“Oh?”

Lü Er smirked noncommittally before abruptly changing the subject. “I’m curious, have you tested your Phoenix Selection Token? What’s your bloodline score?”

“Why should I tell you?”

Cheng Kang frowned slightly.

“Afraid to reveal it? Don’t tell me you’ve got a low-grade bloodline too?”

Lü Er’s face twisted in disdain as he deliberately glanced at Qi Huang.

“You think everyone is like that Qi Huang? My bloodline score is a full nine points.”

Cheng Kang replied arrogantly.

“Nine points? Hah!”

Lü Er chuckled dismissively before elaborating, “You know, the so-called Phoenix Selection Token is actually derived from the Central Continent’s Immortal Selection Token. But since it’s meant to select consorts, not immortals, it evaluates ‘fertility’ rather than true ‘bloodline purity’. The standards are much lower. So if your ‘fertility’ score is nine, your actual bloodline score is only about seven.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Cheng Kang snapped, his face flushing with anger.

“I want to make two points. First, with your bloodline, you don’t deserve to call yourself a nine. My bloodline is the real nine.”

Lü Er paused, then turned to look at Qi Huang below the stage.

“Second, I want to remind that little concubine’s doppelgänger of mine. In the cultivation world, bloodline is supreme. Low-grade bloodlines will always be low-grade, just as high-grade bloodlines will always be high-grade. A pig, no matter how much it grows, will never become an elephant. Today, I’ll use you to prove this ironclad rule.”

“Heh. More bloodline nonsense. Don’t worry, I’ll soon make all of you bloodline-obsessed fools despair.”

Qi Huang’s icy voice rang out.