Volume 8, Chapter 518 – Is Nine-Point Bloodline Really That Impressive?

“It was clearly you who broke the promise and violated sect rules first, yet now you’re shifting the blame onto those of us who only have the sect’s best interests at heart? Have you no shame at all?”

Shi Yuqi’s cherry lips trembled with fury.

“Indeed, it’s a pity, but falling for someone isn’t something one can control!”

Hua Yu didn’t bother making excuses, yet she showed no trace of remorse either. Instead, she smoothly pivoted: “Of course, as the saying goes, ‘Heaven sends rain, and women must marry.’ You can’t stop it. Trying to force it will only lead to death! I’ve already thought of a solution for everyone. The first step is for me to marry into the Cao family. That way, Huarong Sect can be preserved. The second step is for me to remain as the Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect, which will legitimize my authority to oversee the sect.”

“Are you still spouting delusional nonsense? Your shameless scheme of ‘eating from two bowls’ has already been exposed!” Shi Yuqi snapped.

“So what? Right now, all you can do is pray that I still have some affection left for Huarong Sect. Otherwise, I won’t even give you the chance to ‘eat from two bowls’. Once ties are severed, where will you ever find another Holy Maiden with a nine-point bloodline?”

Hua Yu spoke with utter confidence.

“That’s right, Sect Master! If we cut ties with the Holy Maiden, forget about participating in the continent-level Evergreen Conference, we might not even hold onto the title of Mingyue Empire’s top-ranked Immortal Seed. The sect will decline rapidly.”

Elder Zhou chimed in.

“Sect Master, resources in the cultivation world are scarce now. Without Hua Yu in the Evergreen Conference, we’ll lose a stable source of income. This will have a massive impact on the sect’s future. So right now, we have no choice but to trust her.”

Another high-ranking member added their support.

“I see now!”

Shi Yuqi let out a bitter laugh and turned to Hua Yu. “No wonder you dared to violate sect rules so brazenly, you think Huarong Sect can’t survive without you, don’t you?”

“Exactly!”

Hua Yu didn’t bother hiding it. With arrogance dripping from her voice, she continued, “If I were you, I wouldn’t just allow the Holy Maiden to marry, I’d send her off to the Cao family in a grand procession with an eight-man bridal sedan. That way, she might still remember the sect’s nurturing kindness and lend a helping hand in the future. Otherwise, even if you grudgingly agree to this marriage, you’ll lose a nine-point genius forever.”

Her words plunged the assembly into silence. Though they hated to admit it, they knew that trusting Hua Yu was Huarong Sect’s only way out.

Of course, exceptions like Shi Yuqi, who’d rather shatter jade than compromise, existed.

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“You’re quite confident, aren’t you? Ah—!”

Qi Huang couldn’t take it anymore and impulsively emerged from her Sea of Consciousness. But her injuries hadn’t yet healed, and the moment she appeared, she doubled over in pain, teeth clenched, legs shaking.

Cheng Hongling quickly moved to support her.

“What’s wrong with her?” Shi Yuqi asked in shock. The other high-ranking members in the hall looked equally bewildered.

“It’s nothing, just minor injuries.”

Cheng Hongling gave a flustered explanation.

Not wanting to be seen as weak, Qi Huang forced herself to straighten up despite the pain. “Is a nine-point bloodline really that impressive? My main body may only have an eight-point bloodline, but her cultivation speed can still surpass yours. So don’t overestimate your own importance.”

“What a joke! If an eight-point bloodline could surpass a nine-point bloodline, why have the descendants of immortals dominated the cultivation world all these years? Why has no eight-point disciple in Huarong Sect ever managed to challenge my position as Holy Maiden?”

Hua Yu countered with smug confidence before adding disdainfully, “Oh, my apologies, I forgot. You’re just a country bumpkin who knows nothing about the cultivation world.”

“That’s… because they weren’t strong enough. Let me… be the first to challenge your position as Holy Maiden. I swear… I’ll drag you down from that throne before your wedding!”

Qi Huang gasped out the words, then spat out a mouthful of blood.

Cheng Hongling, alarmed, quickly pulled the doppelgänger back into her Sea of Consciousness.

“You should worry about seeing tomorrow’s sunrise first.”

Hua Yu sneered.

None of the other elders took Qi Huang’s words seriously. If an eight-point bloodline could truly surpass a nine-point one, why would sects across the cultivation world fight tooth and nail over the descendants of immortals?

“I’ve heard all your opinions.”

Hua Ruyi finally spoke. She took a deep breath and declared, “Everything Shi Yuqi just said was correct. A nation cannot stand without laws, and neither can a sect. As Sect Master, I will never allow anyone to trample on our rules. Therefore, I refuse to permit Hua Yu’s marriage into the Cao family.”

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“Sect Master, you must reconsider! You can’t sacrifice Huarong Sect’s ten-thousand-year legacy and the lives of its millions for the sake of mere rules!”

Elder Zhou pleaded urgently.

“Master, must you be so heartless? Even if you don’t care about yourself, shouldn’t you consider the lives of everyone here? Do you have the right to decide their fates?”

Hua Yu’s voice turned cold.

“No need to remind me. That brings me to the third matter I summoned everyone for.”

A resolute light flashed in Hua Ruyi’s eyes. “As her master, I bear responsibility for raising such a disciple. So I’ve decided to atone with my death. If the Cao family wants Hua Yu, they’ll have to step over my corpse first. As for the rest of you…”

She turned to her subordinates, her gaze softening. “You’re innocent. You shouldn’t suffer for the mistakes of me and my disciple. Leave Huarong Sect as soon as possible. That way, you won’t be implicated.”

“What? Leave Huarong Sect?”

The faces of the high-ranking members in the hall paled.

“Then, Sect Master, where will we go?”

Chief Jiang pressed anxiously.

“Those who still wish to remain with Huarong Sect may follow Protector Yuan. I’ve instructed her to find a suitable place to rebuild. Those who wish to leave, I won’t stop you. May your paths to immortality be smooth.”

Hua Ruyi clasped her hands in salute.

“No! I will never abandon Huarong Sect!”

Shi Yuqi declared passionately.

“Go, Shi Yuqi. Wherever you go, that place will be Huarong Sect. Who leads it doesn’t matter. There’s no need to sacrifice your lives for a sinner like me.”

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Hua Ruyi waved her hand dismissively before turning back to Hua Yu. “Hua Yu, you’ve seen everyone’s stance today. Many still support your marriage. After my death, I hope you’ll at least show some mercy to Huarong Sect. After all, this is the place that raised you.”

“That depends on my mood. If I’m no longer Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden, I have no obligation to do anything for it.”

Hua Yu replied carelessly.

“What about the Grand Elder?” Shi Yuqi pressed.

“She shares our views. From now on, Huarong Sect’s future rests in your hands.”

Hua Ruyi saluted once more.

Qi Huang was utterly shaken. A sect with a leader like Hua Ruyi was truly fortunate—

Yet it had also produced a Holy Maiden like Hua Yu. If not for her interference, the entire sect would have been doomed.

As the assembly dispersed, everyone left with heavy hearts. Cheng Hongling followed Hua Ruyi to collect her reward, with Shi Yuqi accompanying them.

“Little girl, I owe you thanks. If not for you, I would have made a grave mistake.”

Hua Ruyi expressed her gratitude again.

“You’ve already thanked me earlier.”

Cheng Hongling replied politely.

“That was on behalf of Huarong Sect. This is for myself.”

Hua Ruyi explained.

“You honor me too much, Sect Master. Protecting Huarong Sect is every disciple’s duty.”

Shi Yuqi, playing the role of the courteous master, spoke up before hesitantly asking, “Sect Master… have you truly made up your mind?”

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“As Sect Master, how could I treat my words as a joke?”

Hua Ruyi smiled faintly before advising, “Shi Yuqi, I understand your feelings for Huarong Sect. But listen to your elder, leave as soon as possible. Even if you don’t care for yourself, think of your disciples. Especially this little one. With her talent, if nurtured properly, she could be the hope for Huarong Sect’s revival.”

Cheng Hongling’s expression flickered slightly at these words. She knew her own limitations. Without mastering the Doppelgänger Method, she could never shoulder such a heavy burden.

Shi Yuqi opened her mouth as if to say something, then changed her mind. “Sect Master, don’t despair too much. Hua Yu was raised in Huarong Sect and personally taught by you. She might not be so heartless. Perhaps she’ll change her mind.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Hua Ruyi gave a noncommittal smile.

Soon, they arrived at the Armory Pavilion. Hua Ruyi retrieved the Phoenix-Patterned Bridal Cape and handed it to Cheng Hongling.

Qi Huang took the opportunity to examine it. The cape was entirely pink, resembling an ordinary bridal veil in shape, about ten feet long and half a foot wide. Embroidered with golden phoenix patterns, it shimmered exquisitely.

“This Phoenix-Patterned Bridal Cape is woven from the silk of an Incarnation Realm peak-level demonic beast, the Empress Moth. It’s incredibly durable yet soft, making it perfect whether used as a magical artifact or an accessory.”

Hua Ruyi explained.

“Thank you, Sect Master.”

Cheng Hongling bowed, her cheeks flushing. After all, she intended to use this to bind herself, the thought alone was mortifying.

With that, master and disciple took their leave. Shi Yuqi remained silent, lost in thought the entire way.

But Qi Huang? She was practically vibrating with excitement. With this Phoenix-Patterned Bridal Cape, tying up her main body would be a breeze, and mastering the Doppelgänger Method was now within reach.

‘Once I master the Doppelgänger Method, I’ll make my main body break through a minor realm every single day. That’ll show that wretched Hua Yu!’

Qi Huang grinned to herself, already envisioning her triumph.