Volume 8, Chapter 532 – Today, This Young Master Demands Both (Part 2)

“That guy is targeting us like this. If we don’t show up, won’t it make us seem too weak?”

Qi Huang couldn’t stand it any longer and turned to her main body for advice.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Cheng Hongling was naturally not the type to endure things passively. Without hesitation, she used her divine sense to sweep up her doppelgänger and flew toward the main gate.

At the entrance, Hua Ruyi’s polite smile had turned icy. “Do you really think that’s possible? I’ve already said, her marrying you violates sect rules. She’s no longer qualified to be the Holy Maiden.”

“If she’s no longer qualified, then what about the new Holy Maiden? Could it be some mediocre stand-in you’ve propped up just to save face? A woman with only eight points of bloodline purity cultivating faster than a descendant of immortals with nine point bloodline? Do you really think you can fool me like a three-year-old?”

Cao Yang suddenly shifted his focus.

“Trying to sow discord? I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. The new Holy Maiden’s cultivation progress is transparent and publicly verified. Every high-ranking member of the Huarong Sect knows, including your so-called fiancée. If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself.”

Hua Ruyi replied without a trace of panic.

“Indeed, when our new Holy Maiden first joined the sect, she was only at the Incarnation Realm’s second layer. Yet in less than half a month, she broke through to the fourth layer. During that time, we personally verified it with our divine sense.”

“Not only that, during the Holy Maiden inauguration ceremony, she defeated Wan Min, who was also at the Incarnation Realm’s fourth layer. Her cultivation is undoubtedly genuine.”

“Moreover, many distinguished guests from other sects were present at the time. If you don’t believe us, you’re welcome to ask them.”

“I can testify, the new Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect had indeed reached the Incarnation Realm’s fourth layer by then.”

Members of the Honghua Sect spoke up one after another to confirm, and even some of the guests chimed in.

“Dear Yu, is what they’re saying true?”

Cao Yang, unwilling to give up, turned to Hua Yu inside the bridal sedan for confirmation.

Hua Yu gritted her teeth but ultimately nodded in silent acknowledgment. With so many witnesses, lying was impossible.

Cao Yang was stunned. He truly hadn’t expected the so-called new Holy Maiden to be so monstrously talented. For a moment, he was at a loss, but since he had never intended to argue fairly, he resorted to brute force again.

“I don’t care. Today, I will restore Hua Yu’s status as Holy Maiden.”

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“Cao Yang, selecting the Holy Maiden is an internal matter of the Huarong Sect. What right do you have to interfere?”

Shi Yuqi could no longer hold back and spoke up.

“An internal matter? As the Huarong Sect’s son-in-law, I hardly count as an outsider. Is that reason enough?”

Cao Yang obstinately retorted.

“Uh—”

Shi Yuqi was left speechless, momentarily unable to refute.

“Of course it’s not enough.”

At that moment, Qi Huang’s voice rang out from afar.

Everyone turned to look, she and her main body were flying over at breakneck speed.

“Young Master Cao, is it? Seems you’ve misunderstood something. Hua Yu is no longer the Holy Maiden, so at best, you’re only her parents’ son-in-law, not the entire Huarong Sect’s. How does that not make you an outsider?”

The moment Qi Huang arrived, she delivered a merciless verbal blow.

The crowd immediately saw the light, realizing they had almost been led astray by Cao Yang’s twisted logic.

“Of course, if you really want to participate, you could always marry into the sect. Join the Huarong Sect today.”

Qi Huang continued, offering her own sarcastic suggestion.

“That won’t do. Our Huarong Sect doesn’t accept men.”

Shi Yuqi hurriedly clarified.

“Then just castrate yourself. Since he and Hua Yu share such deep affection, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. If they can’t be husband and wife, they can always be sisters. Hahaha—”

Qi Huang burst into laughter at her own joke.

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The onlookers twitched, struggling to suppress their own amusement.

“And who are you? When I’m speaking with the Huarong Sect’s elders, what right does a nobody like you have to interrupt?”

Cao Yang, flushed with anger, snapped back. If not for her clear, melodious voice, he might have already struck her down.

“Me? Easy! I am the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden, Jiang Ling’s… doppelgänger. The very one you’re trying to depose.”

Qi Huang announced grandly.

“So you’re the new Holy Maiden? Hahaha—”

Cao Yang suddenly let out a scornful laugh.

“Something funny?”

Unfazed, Qi Huang calmly countered.

“Extremely funny. My fiancée, the former Holy Maiden, was not only exceptionally talented but also peerlessly beautiful, ranking in the top three of the Sinking Fish Grand Ranking. Wherever she goes, she carries herself with grace and confidence. And you? Hiding behind a veil, too afraid to even show your face.”

Cao Yang shifted tactics.

“Exactly! Could it be you’re some hideous monster? For the Huarong Sect to choose an ugly wretch as Holy Maiden, aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?”

Yan Ping, standing beside him, added fuel to the fire.

The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang had indeed worn veils since arriving at the Huarong Sect. No one had seen their faces. The fact that they went to such lengths to conceal their features made it highly plausible they were unattractive.

Hua Ruyi and Shi Yuqi’s expressions darkened. They knew Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang had “flaws” on their faces, which was why they covered them. Who could have guessed Cao Yang would weaponize their appearance?

“Young Master Cao, cultivation is about attaining immortality. Who cares about looks?”

Hua Ruyi attempted to defend them.

“True, cultivation is about immortality. But that doesn’t mean you can just throw away all dignity! The Holy Maiden is the face of your sect!”

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Cao Yang, like a dog with a bone, refused to let go.

“Besides, if she insists on hiding like this, how do we know she isn’t some wanted criminal from the Immortal Alliance?”

“A wanted criminal?”

The crowd gasped, their eyes involuntarily darting toward Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang.

“Disciple, ignore him. Let’s go.”

Shi Yuqi tried to pull Cheng Hongling away.

“Oh? Running away? Feeling guilty? Or is your master also an accomplice?”

Cao Yang pressed relentlessly.

Shi Yuqi clenched her teeth, her fiery temper dampened by the situation. She could only tug harder at Cheng Hongling.

“Hmph!”

Cao Yang, unwilling to let them escape, released his divine sense, attempting to forcibly inspect Cheng Hongling.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Hua Ruyi reacted swiftly, intercepting his divine sense with her own. The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Inside the bridal sedan, Hua Yu allowed a faint smile to curl her lips. At this moment, she felt she had chosen the right man, he had struck their opponent’s weak point in no time.

“What do we do?”

Cheng Hongling asked Qi Huang.

“Enduring endlessly isn’t my style. We’re thousands of miles from the Western Radiance Dynasty, who here would recognize us? If he wants to see, let him see.”

Qi Huang gritted her teeth and made her decision. She stepped forward.

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“Look at you, acting so high and mighty. I wear a veil not because I’m afraid to show my face, but because I prefer to keep a low profile.”

“What a joke! Hua Yu, a peerless beauty ranked in the top three of the Sinking Fish Grand Ranking, doesn’t need to hide. What’s your excuse? Truly, the ugly love to make trouble.”

Cao Yang’s disdain only deepened.

“Fine. You want to see? Then see!”

With a resigned sigh, Qi Huang reached up and untied her veil, revealing her exquisite features, bright eyes, pearly teeth, skin like snow, and lips like cherry blossoms. Her beauty was dazzling, radiant as the sun, impossible to look away from.

For a moment, the world fell utterly silent.

“By the heavens! How is this possible? She’s even more stunning than Hua Yu!”

“Exactly! Hua Yu is a top-three beauty on the Sinking Fish Grand Ranking. How could someone without immortal bloodline purity surpass her in looks?”

“Could she be one of the top two on the ranking?”

“No, I’ve been fortunate enough to see those two. She isn’t either of them.”

“Good! That’s good! With her potential and appearance, she’s more than qualified to be our Holy Maiden! The heavens have truly blessed us!”

The crowd erupted into an uproar.

Inside the sedan, Hua Yu could no longer remain calm. She lifted her bridal veil, on the verge of rushing out, but forced herself to stay put, muttering in disbelief,

“Impossible… How is this possible? A woman without immortal bloodline purity… How could she have such a face?”

“Hahaha… HAHAHA—”

After a stunned pause, Cao Yang burst into wild laughter, his eyes burning with fervor.

“Well, well! What a delightful surprise! Fine, keep the Holy Maiden title if you want. This young master has decided, whether it’s the Huarong Sect’s former Holy Maiden or the current one… I’ll take them both!”