Volume 8, Chapter 512 – Immortal Stele Suppresses Immortal Stele (Part 1)

Before the old man’s voice had even faded, Sect Master Hua had already appeared in front of the group. The high-ranking members and disciples of Huarong Sect quickly surrounded them.

Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling exchanged a glance before also moving forward to watch the commotion.

“May I ask the purpose of your esteemed visit?” Sect Master Hua asked politely, cupping her fists in greeting.

“Where is Hua Yu?”

A young master from the Cao family lazily spoke up from the crowd. He reclined on a finely upholstered chair, surrounded by attendants as if he were the moon amidst a sea of stars.

Qi Huang immediately realized that this must be the Cao family’s nine monster. She scrutinized him carefully—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, sharp star-like eyes, thin lips, and a chiseled jawline that gave him an exceptionally handsome appearance. His skin had a healthy wheatish tone, and he exuded an intense masculine charm. No wonder Hua Yu had fallen for him.

“What do you want with her?” Sect Master Hua asked, barely suppressing her anger.

“Sect Master Hua, why feign ignorance? She and I are deeply in love, yet you’ve confined her. Don’t you think I have the right to intervene?” Cao Yang replied lazily, his face devoid of any respect.

“Even if you are in love, so what? You two are not married, and you have no official standing. What right do you have to interfere?” Sect Master Hua sneered.

“Hah! The right of the Cao family’s strength over your Huarong Sect!”

Cao Yang laughed loudly before sitting up from his chair.

“Heh…”

Sect Master Hua gave a noncommittal smile. “So, Young Master Cao intends to take by force? It’s true that Huarong Sect is weaker than the Cao family, but that disparity lies mostly in the Immortal Stele. If it truly comes to a fight, you might not fare so well either.”

“Are you suggesting a mutual destruction scenario?” Cao Yang’s gaze turned icy.

“That depends on whether Young Master Cao is a man of his word. Your Cao family promised us a month to consider, yet not even half that time has passed.”

Sect Master Hua reminded him pointedly.

“That month was the Cao family’s final ultimatum to Huarong Sect. Today, I’ve come personally to offer you a way out, let me take her away. Otherwise, once the deadline arrives, what you lose may not be limited to just one disciple.”

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Cao Yang’s demand was domineering.

“And if I refuse?”

Sect Master Hua took a deep breath before speaking sharply, “You insolent junior, who gave you the audacity to threaten this sect master? Get out now, or you won’t be leaving once I change my mind.”

“Sect Master Hua, allow me to remind you. Though Hua Yu is your disciple, this matter concerns the life and death of the entire Huarong Sect. Don’t you think you should consult the others? If a group of delicate women were to die like this, this young master truly couldn’t bear it!”

Cao Yang smirked mockingly.

“Indeed, Sect Master Hua, acting autocratically will only lead to ruin. It will only alienate you from your own people.”

The Cao family elder who had spoken earlier chimed in.

“You dare sow discord?”

Sect Master Hua gnashed her teeth in fury, her powerful divine sense beginning to seep from her body.

“Don’t be so agitated, Sect Master Hua. I’m not trying to sow discord, I merely think there’s a way for both sides to benefit. Why must you be so stubborn? Why not discuss it with the others?”

Cao Yang wore a taunting smile.

“What ‘way for both sides to benefit’?”

Sect Master Hua frowned.

“Hua Yu hasn’t told you?”

Cao Yang feigned surprise before provoking her, “Why don’t you summon her and ask? Of course, if you refuse to let her speak and continue confining her, then I have nothing more to say.”

Sect Master Hua hesitated, glancing around. The high-ranking members and disciples all looked at her with pleading eyes. Reluctantly, she conceded. “Elder Zhou, bring Hua Yu here.”

“Yes, Sect Master!”

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Elder Zhou bowed respectfully before leaving to fetch Hua Yu.

“The ‘solution’ Cao Yang mentioned, could it be that ‘having one’s cake and eating it too’ scheme?”

Qi Huang sent a mental message to her main body.

“It must be. He clearly came prepared, making such a grand display to pressure Sect Master Hua through the collective will of the crowd.”

Cheng Hongling concluded decisively.

“What a sinister ploy. If we didn’t have evidence in hand, Sect Master Hua might have been completely isolated by her own people.”

Qi Huang shuddered at the thought.

Before long, Hua Yu was brought to the scene by Elder Zhou.

“Cao Lang, why have you come?”

The moment Hua Yu saw Cao Yang, her eyes grew dazed, her cheeks flushed, and her entire demeanor radiated infatuation.

“My Dear Yu, how could I bear to see you suffer here when we are so deeply in love?”

Cao Yang’s expression instantly softened.

“But Master disapproves of us. What can I do?”

Hua Yu sighed mournfully.

“That’s only because she doesn’t know about the plan you proposed. Quickly, tell her.”

Cao Yang urged her.

Hua Yu hesitated before addressing Sect Master Hua. “Master, the reason you object to my marriage into the Cao family is that you don’t want the resources invested in me to go to waste, and you fear Huarong Sect will lack a worthy disciple in the future, right?”

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“Don’t state the obvious!”

Sect Master Hua replied impatiently.

“Truthfully, I don’t wish to sever ties with Huarong Sect either. After all, this is the place that raised me!”

Hua Yu put on an act of sentimental reflection before continuing, “So I’ve thought of a solution that benefits both sides. Even after marrying into the Cao family, I can remain Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden. That way, I can openly support my ‘natal family’. I’m sure Cao Lang wouldn’t object, right?”

“Of course not! Do you take me for some petty, narrow-minded man?”

Cao Yang immediately declared magnanimously. Having a free ‘milk cow’ to exploit was exactly what he wanted.

“So this is your so-called ‘win-win solution’? Marry into the Cao family but remain Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden? What a fine example of ‘having one’s cake and eating it too’! Violating sect rules, how could you still qualify as Holy Maiden? And if you renege on your word, wouldn’t this ‘natal family’ just become the Cao family’s milk cow, to be exploited at will?”

Sect Master Hua was so furious she laughed.

“Master, after all our years as master and disciple, can’t you even trust me?”

Hua Yu feigned heartbreak.

“Hmph! You brought this upon yourself. You swore a blood oath before the Immortal Stele never to marry, yet here you are, breaking your word.”

Sect Master Hua snorted coldly.

“I had no choice! Love is something beyond control. I’m sure the sisters in the sect who have someone they love understand this feeling.”

Hua Yu played the victim before adding, “Even if you don’t trust me, shouldn’t you consider the rest of the sect? This is the only peaceful resolution.”

“Sect Master Hua, allowing her to remain as Holy Maiden is the greatest concession I’m willing to make. If you still refuse to be satisfied, the next time I come, it won’t be with words, it’ll be with force. I wonder how many of Huarong Sect’s tens of thousands of disciples and millions of ordinary women will survive then.”

Cao Yang issued his threat.

At these words, the expressions of Huarong Sect’s high-ranking members and disciples darkened.

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“Sect Master, I actually think this proposal is quite good. We won’t lose our Holy Maiden, and Hua Yu can also be with Cao Yang. It truly benefits both sides.”

“That’s right. I’ve watched Hua Yu grow up, she’s not the kind to forget gratitude and loyalty.”

“Sect Master, just agree to her terms. You can’t sacrifice Huarong Sect’s ten-thousand-year legacy for the sake of one person.”

The surrounding elders and high-ranking members all voiced their support, and the disciples exchanged nods of agreement.

Sect Master Hua stood frozen, wanting to rebuke them, but the words died in her throat. A sense of desolation crept into her heart. At this moment, she felt utterly abandoned.

Meanwhile, the corners of Hua Yu’s lips curled slightly. She knew her and her lover’s scheme was working.

Sect Master Hua looked around at the faces of her sect members, all filled with desperation to survive. Her resolve wavered, and she finally opened her mouth to speak—

“You shameless, traitorous little wench!”

But just then, a woman’s voice cut in sharply.

Qi Huang turned to see Shi Yuqi storming forward, clearly unable to hold back any longer.

“How dare you deceive your own master for the sake of a man? Have you no conscience?”

Shi Yuqi pointed at Hua Yu and cursed.

“Senior Sister Shi, how can you accuse me of deceiving Master? As the head of Biyu Peak, you should weigh your words carefully.”

Hua Yu retorted calmly.

“Want evidence? That’s easy enough!”

Shi Yuqi sneered before turning toward Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang. “Disciple, present the evidence and let everyone here see the truth.”