Volume 8, Chapter 515 – You Might as Well Tie Me Up (Part 1)

“A Master-grade Five Tribulations? If that’s the case, it’s one tribulation higher than the current Immortal Stele of the Huarong Sect.”

Shi Yuqi fell into deep thought.

Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling held their breaths, as this matter concerned their future.

“If such an Immortal Stele were to suppress the Huarong Sect, our sect’s stele would be completely destroyed.”

Shi Yuqi’s expression turned serious as she spoke.

“What?! Then what about the millions of people in our sect?”

Qi Huang’s heart pounded in fright, and Cheng Hongling’s expression also hardened beside her.

“It’s fine. Since the Immortal Stele can only unleash 90% of its immortal might in an attack, the worst it can do is destroy our sect’s stele. It won’t cause significant harm to the disciples of the Huarong Sect.”

Shi Yuqi quickly reassured them.

“Really?”

Qi Huang’s face immediately brightened with joy.

“Of course. However, I’m only referring to disciples within the sect. If you’re outside, you’ll have to wait for death. After all, the Immortal Stele only passively protects those whose names are inscribed upon it.”

Shi Yuqi added as an afterthought.

Qi Huang naturally knew this, which was precisely why she had come to the Huarong Sect. To have her name carved onto that Immortal Stele.

“Master, why can the Immortal Stele only unleash 90% of its immortal might in an attack?”

Cheng Hongling, ever curious, couldn’t help but ask.

“Let me give you an analogy. The Immortal Stele is like a lake, and its immortal might is like fish. As long as there are still one or two fish left, the lake can nurture and replenish them over time. But if you remove all the fish, no matter how vast the lake is, it’ll be useless. That’s why it can only unleash 90% of its power.”

Shi Yuqi explained as simply as she could.

“So that’s how it works!”

Qi Huang’s face lit up with understanding.

“Master, if the immortal might can recover and grow, does that mean it can launch a second attack soon? Without the protection of our sect’s stele, wouldn’t we be left waiting for death?”

Cheng Hongling, being meticulous, immediately spotted the hidden danger.

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“Exactly. By then, it wouldn’t even need to recover 90% of its power, just 10% would be enough to finish us off.”

Qi Huang also came to the same realization.

“Yes. However, after expending 90% of its divine might, it would take at least five or six years before it could launch another attack.”

Shi Yuqi explained.

“Five or six years?”

Qi Huang and her main body exchanged glances, both wearing thoughtful expressions.

“This might be the sliver of hope the Huarong Sect can offer us.”

Cheng Hongling transmitted her thoughts silently.

“Indeed. If the Huarong Sect is willing to abandon their Immortal Stele for our sake, we’d have five or six years to grow stronger. But…”

Qi Huang hesitated.

“I know five or six years is too short, even for you. But we don’t have a choice now, we have to take the risk. After all, the world doesn’t revolve around our will. You can’t just demand ten years if it’s not possible.”

Cheng Hongling spoke solemnly.

“I understand!”

Qi Huang naturally grasped the logic, but even with Elder Zuo’s help in cultivating Ghost Tomatoes, reaching the Immortal Realm in just five or six years seemed nearly impossible.

‘Wait… There’s still a glimmer of hope!’

Qi Huang quickly realized something. If she mastered the Doppelgänger Technique, her main body would likely reach the Divine Realm soon. After that, she could cultivate a stronger doppelgänger, which would significantly speed up the growth of Ghost Tomatoes.

‘Right now, I’m only at the Spirit Gathering Realm. Even so, Ghost Tomatoes mature in two months after absorbing my blood. What if I were at the Incarnation Realm? They’d probably mature in just ten to fifteen days!’

The more Qi Huang thought about it, the more excited she became. She could finally see a ray of hope.

Of course, Qi Huang could shamelessly ask her main body to help cultivate Ghost Tomatoes, but she couldn’t bear to see Cheng Hongling bleed so much. The amount required wasn’t trivial. Perhaps this was the last stubborn pride of her former “male” self.

After this incident, both the main body and the doppelgänger felt an even stronger sense of urgency. They knew they had to master the Doppelgänger Method as soon as possible. The problem was, Cheng Hongling still couldn’t overcome her psychological barrier.

Under the dim candlelight, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling sat across from each other at the table, staring at one another.

“I’m sorry… I tried my best.”

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Cheng Hongling spoke guiltily. She was draped in a thin veil, and under the candlelight, the curves of her delicate figure were faintly visible, an incredibly alluring sight.

“I understand. If it were me, I’d probably do worse.”

Qi Huang responded sympathetically. She knew the main body’s psychological block stemmed from her true identity. No eighteen-year-old girl would willingly let someone who used to be a man touch her sensitive areas.

“How about this, we find another woman to apply the Anemia Paste for you? Once that’s done, we can move on to the next step.”

Qi Huang suddenly had an idea.

“Even with another woman… I still can’t do it.”

Cheng Hongling shook her head helplessly. For the Doppelgänger Method to succeed, every inch of the body had to be coated. A mortifying prospect even with someone of the same sex.

“Then what should we do?”

Qi Huang was getting a headache again.

“How about…”

Cheng Hongling hesitated.

“How about what?”

Qi Huang pressed eagerly.

“You… you tie me up with a rope… so I can’t struggle…”

Cheng Hongling stammered, her fair cheeks flushing red with embarrassment after speaking.

“What?! Tie you up?!”

Qi Huang’s eyes lit up, and an oddly lecherous expression flashed across her stunning face. Not that she could help it, the mental image was just too stimulating.

Cheng Hongling also realized how suggestive her suggestion sounded. Her fair skin turned as red as a ripe apple, radiant and fragrant, enough to make one’s mouth water.

“Ahem… Are you sure about this?”

Qi Huang coughed dryly, pretending to be a righteous gentleman.

“What other choice do we have? Time isn’t on our side.”

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Cheng Hongling retorted helplessly.

“But can you guarantee you won’t struggle or scream for help? What if someone hears? How would we explain it?”

Qi Huang reminded her. Better to clarify things upfront.

“Don’t worry, I definitely won’t!”

Cheng Hongling gritted her teeth and vowed firmly.

“In that case… I won’t hold back. Don’t blame me afterward!”

Qi Huang was practically vibrating with excitement.

“Do I look that petty to you?”

Cheng Hongling shot her doppelgänger a glare, then glanced around hesitantly. “But… there’s no rope here.”

“I’ll go find some!”

Qi Huang bolted out the door in excitement. As the saying goes, “Lust is the primary motivator of productivity.”

After circling Bìyu Peak without finding any rope, Qi Huang was about to make some herself when she spotted a female disciple with a high ponytail carrying several fresh hemp ropes up the mountain.

“It’s Junior Elder Xiang Jun!”

Overjoyed, Qi Huang scampered over.

Xiang Jun was Shi Yuqi’s junior sister, the same one who had first interacted with Qi Huang during gate duty that day.

“Elder Xiang!”

Qi Huang called out sweetly as she approached.

“Oh, it’s Junior Niece Jiang. Where are you off to so late at night?”

Xiang Jun asked warmly. After all, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling were the future of Bìyu Peak.

“Uh, just taking a stroll. What about you? What are you doing with all those ropes?”

Qi Huang brushed off the question casually.

“Oh, I just bought these at the night market. One of the cows on Bìyu Peak broke its rope and ran off earlier. It took forever to find it.”

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Cheng Hongling’s pretty face showed a hint of wariness.

“I see.”

Qi Huang nodded sagely, then cautiously probed, “Elder Xiang, could you spare me one? I need it urgently.”

“Do you also raise cattle?”

Xiang Jun guessed.

“No, I mean, yes! It’s a dairy cow!”

Qi Huang nearly denied it but decided to save herself the trouble and went along with it.

“In that case, here you go. It’s just ordinary ramie, but it’s been soaked in a solution to increase its toughness. It’s very durable, ordinary livestock definitely can’t break free.”

Xiang Jun generously handed one over.

“What about cultivators?”

Qi Huang asked indirectly.

“Why do you ask? Are you planning to tie up a cultivator?”

Xiang Jun’s expression turned slightly suspicious.

“No, no! I’m just worried a cultivator might steal my cow and snap the rope.”

Qi Huang lied without batting an eye.

“Oh, don’t worry. An ordinary Spirit Gathering cultivator wouldn’t be able to break it, and anyone at the Body Refinement Realm or above wouldn’t stoop to stealing your cow.”

Xiang Jun reassured her.

“Uh…”

Qi Huang felt a little helpless. After all, she was planning to tie up an Incarnation Realm cultivator. Clearly, this rope wasn’t strong enough. But since it was just ordinary ramie, what more could she expect?

‘As long as she keeps her word and doesn’t struggle too hard, it should be fine.’

With that thought, Qi Huang clutched the rope and hurried back, eager to get started.