Volume 8, Chapter 507 – Secretly Joining the Huarong Sect (Part 2)

Cheng Hongling had no choice but to wait patiently.

After learning about Cheng Hongling’s cultivation level, the female disciples guarding the gate no longer held any hostility toward her, only reverence remained. Reaching the second layer of the Incarnation Realm at eighteen years old, with a bloodline score of at least eight, was enough to make them look up to her in awe.

“Senior Sisters, my stomach hurts. I need to use the restroom.”

At that moment, the youngest-looking female disciple, who wore her hair in twin tails, suddenly spoke up.

“What’s going on? You’re at the Body Refining Realm, how could you have eaten something bad?”

The oldest-looking senior sister, with curly hair, questioned her skeptically.

“There’s always someone trying to harm this princess.”

The girl offered an insincere excuse before hastily running off, looking every bit like someone suffering from an urgent bodily need.

The remaining four female disciples exchanged bewildered glances, confusion written all over their faces.

“Sisters… I also feel stomach pain. I need to go too.”

A short while later, another female disciple clutched her stomach, grimacing as if in agony.

“Is someone trying to harm you too?”

The senior sister with long, straight black hair asked pointedly.

This time, the girl didn’t even bother with an excuse, she simply fled as if escaping a disaster.

The remaining three disciples stood frozen in place, expressions twisted in bewilderment, unsure of what to say.

But within just a few breaths, one of the black-haired disciples suddenly brightened, as if realizing something, and she too clutched her stomach and ran off, muttering dramatically, “There’s always someone trying to harm this princess!”

“Get back here! This is a critical time, how can the gate be left with just two people?”

The curly-haired senior sister shouted in frustration, but her words fell on deaf ears.

“This…”

Cheng Hongling’s brain short-circuited for a moment as she pointed at the fleeing disciple, at a loss for words.

“Please excuse their behavior.”

The older-looking disciple forced an awkward smile.

But Qi Huang couldn’t stay silent any longer. She willfully emerged from Cheng Hongling’s Sea of Consciousness and indignantly demanded, “What kind of sect can’t even ensure food safety?!”

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“It’s just an accident! A pure accident!”

The older disciple tried to brush it off.

“How could it be an accident? Those three were at the Body Refining Realm. If even they got sick, wouldn’t someone at the Spirit Gathering Realm or a mortal just drop dead on the spot? Your cooks must be poisoning people! I demand an investigation!”

Qi Huang refused to let it go. As a Spirit Gathering Realm clone, she needed to eat. If the cooks weren’t punished, how could she ever feel safe staying in the Huarong Sect?

“You’re at the Spirit Gathering Realm?”

The older disciple suddenly looked at her curiously.

“Uh…”

Qi Huang’s face instantly turned even more awkward than the disciple’s, but she still stiffly replied, “So what if I am? I’m just a clone!”

“If you’re scared, why not just stay inside your main body’s Sea of Consciousness?”

The older disciple suggested matter-of-factly.

“You—!”

Qi Huang gritted her teeth but ultimately deflated like a punctured balloon. “Fine. That’s… a very good point.”

With that, she grumbled and retreated back into Cheng Hongling’s Sea of Consciousness.

Cheng Hongling, meanwhile, maintained an air of detached indifference. Though a closer look would reveal the faintest upward twitch at the corner of her lips.

Not long after, a graceful figure arrived in a gust of wind, nearly skidding to a stop as she landed. The force of her momentum sent the remaining disciples stumbling.

Cheng Hongling frowned slightly and flicked her jade-like hand, effortlessly dispersing the turbulent winds.

Qi Huang took a closer look. The newcomer was a voluptuous and beautiful woman with an exquisite, heart-shaped face, jade-like brows, and fiery red lips. Her coldly elegant demeanor was accentuated by her casual attire, which marked her as a high-ranking member of the Huarong Sect.

“Are you Jiang Ling, the one seeking to join our sect?”

The beautiful woman’s sharp gaze immediately locked onto Cheng Hongling.

“That’s me.”

Cheng Hongling clasped her hands politely.

“Eighteen years old? Second layer of the Incarnation Realm?”

The woman pressed eagerly, her eyes darting around cautiously as if she were a thief.

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“Mhm.”

Cheng Hongling’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly. ‘Is she interrogating a criminal?’

“Come with me!”

Without waiting for a response, the woman reached out to grab Cheng Hongling’s wrist. Whether from exhaustion or excitement, her fair cheeks were slightly flushed.

“And you are?”

Cheng Hongling deftly sidestepped the grasp. She wasn’t some man who’d be easily swayed by beauty.

“She’s my master, Shi Yuqi, the Peak Master of Biyu Peak in the Huarong Sect.”

At that moment, the high-ponytailed disciple who had gone to report earlier finally caught up, panting heavily.

“Yes, I am Shi Yuqi, Peak Master of Biyu Peak in the Huarong Sect…”

The beautiful woman hurriedly introduced herself.

“Hmph! Niece Shi, this is against the rules, isn’t it?”

A white-haired old woman descended with a gust of wind.

“Greetings, Elder Zhou!”

Shi Yuqi forced an awkward smile.

“Niece Shi! Greetings!”

The old woman returned the courtesy before immediately shifting her tone. “But no matter how polite you are, disregarding the rules is unbecoming of a Peak Master.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what Elder Zhou means.”

Shi Yuqi played dumb.

“Stop pretending. This girl is a newcomer seeking to join the Huarong Sect, isn’t she? The sect’s rules state that new disciples must be assigned by the Sect Master. Where exactly were you planning to take her?”

The old woman’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Uh…”

Shi Yuqi faltered before finally squeezing out a response. “Elder Zhou misunderstands. Since she’s new, I was just going to show her around the sect.”

“Show her around? Isn’t that the disciples’ job? Since when does a Peak Master stoop to such tasks? Is Biyu Peak so idle that you have nothing better to do? Should I report to the Sect Master and assign you more demon-slaying missions?”

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Elder Zhou refused to let it go.

“Fine, Elder Zhou, I’ll be honest. I want this disciple.”

Shi Yuqi, pushed to her limit, finally admitted outright.

“No more pretenses? I’ve already said, new disciples are assigned by the Sect Master. You have no right to take her privately.”

The old woman’s tone was unyielding.

“Don’t worry, Elder Zhou. I’ll inform the Sect Master afterward.”

Shi Yuqi tried to brush it off.

“No. As an elder, I cannot allow you to break the rules.”

The old woman physically blocked her path.

“Elder Zhou, aren’t you overstepping? You’re not the Law Enforcement Elder, you’re just the Teaching Elder!”

Shi Yuqi barely suppressed her anger.

“Niece Shi, that’s a gross misunderstanding! Upholding the sect’s rules is everyone’s duty!”

Another voice suddenly cut in. Before the words had even faded, a tall, gray-haired woman landed in the clearing.

“Greetings, Elder Wang. What do you suggest, then?”

Shi Yuqi clasped her hands politely.

“Hand her over to me! I’ll take her to see the Sect Master.”

Elder Wang declared without hesitation.

“On what grounds? First come, first served! I was the first to meet her, if anyone takes her to the Sect Master, it should be me!”

Shi Yuqi immediately objected.

“Even if you were first, the Huarong Sect values respect for elders. I’m your senior, you should defer to me.”

Elder Wang tried to pull rank.

“Sister Wang, if we’re talking seniority, I’m the eldest here. When did it become your turn?”

Elder Zhou interjected sharply.

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“No, no, no. Precisely because we respect our elders, we shouldn’t trouble you two with such trivial matters.”

Shi Yuqi smoothly deflected.

“Trivial? You just want to snatch her first because of her talent!”

Elder Zhou exposed her bluntly.

“Wait, they’re fighting over her as a disciple?!”

After watching the spectacle for so long, Qi Huang finally had an epiphany.

“How did you even know about her talent?”

Shi Yuqi asked suspiciously.

“Hmph! The gate guards today weren’t just from your Biyu Peak.”

Elder Zhou smirked triumphantly.

Right on cue, one of the disciples who had earlier excused herself to “use the restroom” came running back, panting, and stood behind the old woman.

Qi Huang finally understood. That disciple must have secretly reported to Elder Zhou. Her bathroom break was just a cover to tip off her master. The other disciples had likely done the same.

‘So… the food safety in Huarong Sect isn’t actually an issue?’

Qi Huang sighed in relief. She really didn’t want to be trapped in her main body’s Sea of Consciousness like a prisoner.

As expected, more high-ranking members of the Huarong Sect soon arrived, each arguing like divorced parents fighting for custody. Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, they finally compromised. They would let the Sect Master decide.

Thus, under the escort of several elders, Cheng Hongling entered the Huarong Sect. Along the way, they showered her with flattery and promises, treating her less like a disciple and more like a revered master.

Soon, Cheng Hongling was brought before the Sect Master of the Huarong Sect.

The Sect Master was a beautiful middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her forties. Graceful and dignified, with an oval face that exuded regal authority, she carried herself like an empress. Though her complexion was somewhat poor, likely due to the recent troubles caused by the sect’s Holy Maiden, Hua Yu.

“What is the meaning of this? You all know I’ve been preoccupied with the Holy Maiden’s affairs.”

The Sect Master’s expression was one of impatience.

“Sect Master, we’ve come because of her!”

Elder Zhou pointed at Cheng Hongling.