Volume 7, Chapter 460 – Thirty People? Still Too Few (Part 1)

A day later, the fifth round of the competition officially began. The Immortal Alliance branch was as lively as ever, with ordinary people crowding outside the walls to cheer for Qi Huang, while inside, cultivators eagerly awaited her downfall.

When the Honghua Sect arrived, the cultivators along the way glared at them with hostility, swords drawn and bows tense, as if watching a parade of criminals.

Yet the Honghua Sect members walked with their heads held high, completely unshaken. They knew that with Qi Huang present, these people were only putting on a show of bravado.

“Did you hear? The Juying Sect is sending thirty Immortal Seeds to deal with Qi Huang this time.”

“What’s so strange about that? The Immortal Alliance already adjusted the maximum number of participants to thirty. Even idiots would take advantage of that.”

“But the problem is, Qi Huang is clearly beyond the point where numbers can defeat her. Will this really work?”

“You don’t know? Rumor has it the Juying Sect obtained some kind of formation that can counter her.”

“Really? Then we might have hope again. No matter what, we can’t let Qi Huang take first place.”

The cultivators whispered among themselves.

“These guys are quite well-informed.”

Qi Huang was slightly surprised. After all, Steward Cai had repeatedly reminded Elder Ren to keep things confidential.

“There are no walls the wind can’t pass through,” Yun Fei analyzed. “Their plan involves too many people. Not everyone can keep their mouths shut, especially those you’ve already eliminated. They’d be eager to brag about it.”

And indeed, as soon as she finished speaking, someone came looking for trouble.

“Fairy Qi, it’s been a few days. Since you threw me off the stage last time, I’m still in pain.”

Lu Zhen of the Huxiao Sect strode over provocatively, flanked by a group of disciples, including Cao You and Cao Wei.

“Oh? But I only used my divine sense to toss you off. The Huxiao Sect’s top Immortal Seed can’t possibly be that fragile, can he?” Qi Huang feigned surprise.

“I meant the pain in my heart! Being eliminated by someone of lowly bloodline feels like tripping over a beggar on the street. Don’t you think that hurts? So when we meet on the stage later, don’t expect any mercy.”

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Lu Zhen theatrically clutched his chest.

“On the stage? Weren’t you already eliminated by me?” Qi Huang deliberately played dumb.

“True, the Huxiao Sect’s Lu Zhen was eliminated by you. But now, I represent the Juying Sect. The Juying Sect hasn’t been eliminated yet.”

Lu Zhen smirked triumphantly.

“The Evergreen Conference allows this kind of ‘resurrection from the dead’ tactic? Does Elder Zuo know about this?”

Qi Huang deliberately put on an “astonished” expression.

“Of course! Otherwise, who’d dare pull such tricks under his watch?”

Lu Zhen respectfully cupped his fists toward the main hall before adding, “If you don’t believe me, you can go ask him yourself.”

“No need. The result will be the same either way.”

Qi Huang remained unfazed.

“Same? No, this time it’ll be different. Last time, you threw me off the stage. This time, I’ll throw you much farther, back to where you belong outside these walls.”

Lu Zhen glanced disdainfully at the noisy crowd of ordinary people beyond the walls.

“Heh, you’re quite confident. I doubt even Elder Zuo or Steward Cai are as sure as you.”

Qi Huang chuckled dismissively.

“Elder Zuo and Steward Cai? I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ll settle this on the stage.”

Lu Zhen’s eyes flickered with unease before he quickly retreated with his lackeys.

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“That guy dares to play dumb! If I were you, I’d shove the Shadow-Retaining Mirror in his face right now,” Ruan Lingyu fumed.

“Don’t worry, that’ll come eventually, but not now. Using something so valuable just to humiliate a minor character would be a waste.”

Qi Huang kept her cards close. She had other plans for that recording.

Soon, more challengers arrived, all cultivators previously eliminated by Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling. Among them were Ma Yi of the Haizhi Sect, Jin Hu of the Jinliu Sect, Zhen Chao of the Shixin Sect, and others. Clearly, they were all eager for revenge.

“These guys actually stuck around instead of leaving the prefecture? How persistent.”

Ruan Lingyu gritted her teeth.

“They hate me to the bone. Of course they’d want to watch us get eliminated in person. Who’d have thought they’d get a second chance?”

Qi Huang shrugged.

“Too bad they’re doomed to be nailed to the pillar of shame. Take Jin Hu for example. If you eliminate him again, he’ll have been beaten by the same person three times in one Evergreen Conference. That’d be unprecedented.”

Yun Fei sneered.

“Serves them right! They volunteered to be the Immortal Alliance’s dogs,” Shen Yuan spat.

At that moment, an Immortal Alliance disciple stepped onto the stage and announced the start of the match between Contestant 1 and Contestant 2.

Qi Huang walked onto the stage alone. Her siblings had already had their fun, now it was time to end this competition swiftly.

On the other side, a large group of opponents filed onto the stage. At a glance, there were Immortal Seeds from the Huxiao Sect, Jinliu Sect, Haizhi Sect, Shixin Sect, and of course, the Juying Sect. Every one of them an elite among elites.

“Heavens, just looking at them makes me feel suffocated.”

“No kidding. They’re all top-ranked Immortal Seeds from their sects. Over half have reached the Incarnation Realm.”

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“And these sects are among the strongest in this Evergreen Conference. The Juying Sect basically gathered half the competition’s elites to deal with Qi Huang.”

“So what? I still think it’s a long shot. The gap between them and Qi Huang is too vast for numbers to bridge.”

“Not necessarily. I heard they found a way to counter her. Let’s wait and see.”

The cultivators below murmured among themselves.

Qi Huang deliberately feigned shock before turning toward Elder Zuo at the hall’s entrance and protesting, “Elder Zuo, Steward Cai, aren’t many of these Juying Sect’s Immortal Seeds cultivators who’ve already been eliminated? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice?”

“So what? They’re representing the Juying Sect now, and the Juying Sect hasn’t been eliminated,” Steward Cai replied leisurely.

As for Elder Zuo, he slumped in his chair nearby, dark circles under his eyes, looking utterly exhausted as if he’d indulged in too much pleasure. In truth, he’d spent the past few days tirelessly crafting protective talismans. If not for his desire to see Qi Huang eliminated, he would’ve found a place to sleep for three days straight.

“The Evergreen Conference has rules like this?!” Qi Huang “raged”.

“Of course! Want me to write them out for you? I’ve memorized every rule backward and forward,” Steward Cai taunted.

“No need to memorize anything. Whatever you say becomes the rule,” Qi Huang shot back sarcastically.

“Don’t spout nonsense! The Evergreen Conference’s rules are sacred and inviolable,” Steward Cai retorted shamelessly.

“No, no. I think Steward Cai is the sacred one here. After all, you’ve violated the conference’s rules twice in three days.”

Qi Huang refused to let him off the hook.

Steward Cai choked on his words and could only shut up awkwardly.

“Don’t be fooled by Qi Huang winning the argument. She must be seething inside. People she already eliminated are now standing before her again, especially those Jinliu Sect Immortal Seeds. This is their third time facing her. It’s like fighting an unkillable cockroach.”

“Exactly. They get endless second chances, while she only has one life. That’s the price of defying the Immortal Alliance.”

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“I think the Evergreen Conference is just the beginning. Elder Zuo and Steward Cai won’t let anyone who openly challenges the Immortal Alliance walk free. The Honghua Sect’s days are numbered.”

The cultivators below reveled in schadenfreude.

Meanwhile, all thirty members of the Juying Sect had taken their positions on the stage, arranged in a peculiar formation. Some clustered tightly, others spread thin. At first glance, it seemed chaotic, but upon closer inspection, there was a deliberate pattern.

‘Deploying the Hundred Rivers Formation right away? Afraid they won’t get a chance to use it later?’

A trace of mockery flashed across Qi Huang’s face. Still, she had to admit they were shrewd. Before the Immortal Alliance disciple announced the start, no matter how strong she was, she couldn’t attack.

“Qi Huang, we’re all people you and your main body eliminated. Today, we’ve come to collect our debt.”

“Haha, never thought we’d ‘resurrect from death’ did you? This is the power of controlling the game’s rules.”

“That’s right. No matter how strong you are, you still have to play by the rules and fight us round after round. If we lose, it’s no big deal. We’ll get more chances for revenge. But you? One loss, and you’re out for good!”

Lu Zhen, Jin Hu, Zhen Chao, and the others took turns taunting her. Zhen Chao, in particular, despite having five fingers broken, remained arrogant. Vowing to keep fighting Qi Huang indefinitely.

“Round after round? Are you reminding me that I’ve been too merciful before?”

Qi Huang smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

“Exactly. Later, I’ll show you what true cruelty is. When it comes to women, I have ten thousand ways to make you fear me.”

Zhen Chao’s eyes gleamed with malice.

“Are both sides ready? Contestant 1 versus Contestant 2, begin!”

The Immortal Alliance disciple at the center of the stage declared.