Volume 7, Chapter 457 – We Still Have Hope

The next day, the final match of the fourth round concluded. The victor was a sect from a foreign land called the Juying Sect whose strength was formidable. Their top Immortal Seed had reached the fourth layer of the Incarnation Realm.

In the past, such a feat would have left many spectators awestruck. But after witnessing Qi Huang’s heaven-defying performance, a mere Incarnation Realm fourth layer no longer impressed the onlookers. Thus, very few paid attention to the Juying Sect.

With the fourth round over, only three competitors remained since the Honghua Sect had eliminated two opponents. This meant that in the fifth round, one lucky participant would receive a bye.

Qi Huang, however, had no desire for a bye, even if she were the beneficiary. That would only mean she had to fight an additional round. Instead, she hoped the Juying Sect would withdraw voluntarily, allowing her to eliminate the Sixth Princess of the Western Radiance Dynasty and bring the State-Level Evergreen Conference to an end.

Meanwhile, the Juying Sect, though victorious, remained level-headed. Their leading elder, Elder Ren, immediately laid out their strategy.

“If we get the bye next round, that would be ideal. But if we face the Sixth Princess of the Western Radiance Dynasty, we must go all out.”

Elder Ren instructed the sect’s Immortal Seeds.

“What if we face Qi Huang?” asked their top Immortal Seed, Han Yu, who had just returned from his victory.

“We forfeit immediately,” Elder Ren replied without hesitation.

“Elder Ren, shouldn’t we at least try?” Han Yu’s face twisted in disbelief.

“Han Yu, tell me—how? You’ve seen the might of her Divine Sense at the mid-stage of the Divine Ability Realm. Even Lü Er, who was at the peak of the Incarnation Realm, was instantly annihilated. Against her, even standing firm would be a luxury, let alone breaking her defenses.”

The other Immortal Seeds’ expressions darkened at his words, their joy from the recent victory dissipating instantly.

“Don’t dwell on it. From the moment Qi Huang appeared in this Evergreen Conference, first place was no longer within anyone else’s reach. The fact that we’ve made it this far without facing her is already incredibly fortunate.”

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Elder Ren tried to console them.

“But we traveled thousands of miles to this godforsaken place for this conference. If we don’t take first place, won’t this entire trip be for nothing? Not to mention, we’ll have missed out on rewards we could’ve easily secured back home. It’s a complete loss!”

Han Yu grumbled, unwilling to accept the situation.

“What can we do? None of you are as strong as her. Of course, if you insist on testing your luck, I won’t stop you. But before you do, remember, Qi Huang is no merciful opponent. The fate of those two Immortal Seeds from the Shixin Sect should serve as a warning.”

Han Yu shuddered as he recalled the severed fingers of Zhen Chao and Shi Fei scattered on the ground. Any thought of defiance vanished instantly.

Qi Huang had assumed the Evergreen Conference would conclude swiftly. But the next morning, Wang Zong rushed in with urgent news. The Immortal Alliance had altered the rules, raising the participant limit per sect to thirty.

“What are they trying to do? The conference is almost over!” Shen Yuan asked in confusion.

“Isn’t it obvious? They’re targeting Qi Huang,” Cheng Hongling sneered.

“How shameless can Elder Zuo and his disciple be? Changing rules mid-competition?” Ruan Lingyu fumed.

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“That Steward Cai already knelt before our junior sister. What shame does he even have left?” Su Qingying remarked venomously.

“But their intentions are too blatant. Aren’t they afraid of criticism?” Ruan Lingyu asked indignantly.

“Who would criticize them? Right now, the entire Western Radiance Dynasty, no, the entire cultivation world is hoping for Qi Huang’s defeat. That’s why they dare act so brazenly,” Yun Fei said coldly.

“Then they’re in for disappointment. I’ve said it before, numbers can’t bridge the gap in strength. Those trash mobs? I wouldn’t fear them even if there were three hundred,” Qi Huang scoffed. In truth, she had anticipated this move when she first joined the conference.

“Exactly. Elder Zuo and his disciple know this too. This is just their last struggle,” Yun Fei mocked.

“Thankfully, Qi Huang is strong enough. Otherwise, we’d never break through the State-Level Evergreen Conference, and failing to obtain the Golden Fate Blossom seeds would be disastrous,” Shen Yuan said with lingering fear.

“You think securing victory here guarantees the seeds? Elder Zuo and his disciple will keep throwing obstacles in our way,” Yun Fei retorted bluntly.

“Don’t worry. Unless he personally intervenes, no scheme can stand against absolute power,” Qi Huang said calmly.

“If he intervenes, this wouldn’t be an Evergreen Conference anymore, it’d be a Honghua Sect Persecution Assembly. Even someone as shameless as him wouldn’t dare go that far,” Xu Mei shook her head.

“He won’t intervene directly, but what if he invites one of those nine freaks of the cultivation world? Remember, we’ve already seen a doppelgänger. It’s possible he could summon the true body.”

The group fell silent at Yun Fei’s words. The possibility was indeed real.

“If he really brings one of those freaks, I’ll forfeit immediately,” Qi Huang said after a moment’s thought.

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“Forfeit? Are you sure?” Cheng Hongling suddenly interjected.

“Absolutely.”

“Can’t you defeat them?” Xu Mei asked curiously.

“Even though I’m a crippled Divine Ability Realm cultivator, each layer at this stage represents a vast gap, including in Divine Sense. If I fought with everything I had, I could win. But I won’t. I refuse to expose all my cards in front of the world.”

“But in two years, the owner of the Golden Fate Blossom seeds will come for us. We won’t get a second chance at the Evergreen Conference,” Yun Fei reminded.

“Two years is enough. With that time, I can find the Heaven-Deceiving Water and break through to the Heavenly Tribulation Realm without restraint. No den of dragons or tigers will frighten me then.”

“Right! With junior sister’s talent, two years is more than enough to grow exponentially. By then, the owner of the seeds won’t be a threat,” Yun Fei realized.

“Then why are we still participating?” Shen Yuan asked, baffled.

“Are you stupid? This is just a hypothetical. Those freaks might not even come!” Su Qingying couldn’t hold back.

“Exactly. If we can secure the seeds, it’s an extra safeguard. We don’t know how powerful our enemy’s backing is,” Qi Huang agreed, then added, “Besides, I joined this conference to show Elder Zuo, his disciple, and the Huxiao Sect my strength. Otherwise, they’d think me weak and easy to bully.”

“Ah, I see now. I’m such an idiot,” Shen Yuan groaned, knocking her own head in frustration.

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Meanwhile, at the Immortal Alliance’s branch, Elder Zuo was tirelessly crafting Divine-grade protective talismans. He had to work quickly, only then could he stand a chance against Qi Huang.

“Master, you haven’t rested for a full day. Have some tea to refresh yourself.”

Steward Cai dutifully served a cup of premium tea, then asked in confusion, “Master, we’ve already confirmed that early-stage Divine-grade talismans are useless against Qi Huang. Why make so many?”

“Do you know the saying, ‘many small things add up’?” Elder Zuo countered after sipping his tea.

“Of course. Are you suggesting…?” Steward Cai’s eyes lit up, but then he sighed. “But these talismans can’t be combined. No matter how many you make, they’re still just early-stage Divine-grade talismans.”

“Who says they can’t be combined? I know of an array formation that can merge the Divine Sense within multiple talismans. Imagine, if thirty early-stage Divine Ability Realm talismans fused into a single barrier, how powerful would that be?”

A faint smirk curled on Elder Zuo’s lips.

“Thirty? That would definitely reach the mid-stage Divine Realm!”

“Precisely, the fifth layer of the Divine Ability Realm. As long as that brat’s Divine Sense hasn’t reached the sixth layer or higher, we still have a chance to turn the tables.”

A glimmer of hope flickered in Elder Zuo’s aged eyes.