Volume 8, Chapter 541 – Just How Many Fake Identities Do You Have? (Part 6)

Early in the morning, the Cao residence was already packed to the brim. People holding invitations streamed in from all directions, ostensibly to offer congratulations, but in truth, they were all here to flaunt their own status and influence.

Indeed, today, anyone who could step through the gates of the Cao family was a figure of considerable standing in the cultivation world. At least, that was how those barred outside saw it.

Of course, all of this was due to the Cao family’s lofty position in the cultivation world. Thus, even though Cao Yang was merely taking a concubine, it was still an earth-shaking event, especially since the woman in question was the newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect.

“Cao Yang is truly something. Just last month, he married the former Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect, and now he’s taking their new Holy Maiden as a concubine. It’s like he’s treating the Huarong Sect’s Holy Maidens as his personal harem, collecting them one after another.”

“He’s clearly doing this to wipe away the shame. The Huarong Sect played him last time, humiliating the Cao family. Now he’s rushing to take the new Holy Maiden as a concubine to prove his dominance.”

“Tsk, that’s still the Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden we’re talking about. Both her looks and talent should be one in ten thousand. Ordinary men wouldn’t even get a chance to glimpse her face, yet she’s being taken as a concubine? What a disgrace!”

“Well, whose fault is that? If the Huarong Sect hadn’t been so shameless as to deceive the Cao family, would they have brought this upon themselves?”

“Losing face is the least of their worries. With the former Holy Maiden married as the legal wife and the current one as a concubine, the Huarong Sect will soon become nothing more than a vassal of the Cao family. The Nine Great Immortal Factions might soon become eight!”

“The Huarong Sect is one of the Nine Great Immortal Factions, yet they’re being bullied like this by the Cao family. How lamentable.”

“Even among immortal factions, there are hierarchies. The Cao family is the foremost clan in the cultivation world, and their Immortal Stele is the only Monarch-grade artifact. The other eight factions combined probably still can’t match them.”

“All thanks to their ancestors’ blessings. Why don’t I have a powerful immortal ancestor?”

Conversations like these could be heard everywhere.

Every member of the Cao family who overheard them felt a surge of satisfaction, the resentment accumulated over the past month instantly dissipating. They sneered inwardly: “Hmph, this is what happens when you cross the Cao family!”

Unfortunately for them, their joy was premature. As the sun dipped westward, the new Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect was nowhere to be seen.

“Has the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden arrived yet?”

“Doesn’t look like it. She seems to be missing!”

“I’ve been watching the gates this whole time, definitely not here!”

“What’s the point of watching the gates? Concubines don’t enter through the main gate.”

“Are you saying she’s already slipped in through the back?”

“I’m just speculating. Let’s wait patiently for the Cao family’s announcement.”

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“If the new Holy Maiden doesn’t show up today, the Cao family will be humiliated all over again.”

“Impossible. Her name’s already been inscribed on the Immortal Stele. Would she dare not come? Unless she wants the entire Huarong Sect to be wiped out with her!”

As time passed, the guests grew restless.

So did the Cao family. Their smiles stiffened with each passing moment.

“What in the world is going on? The sun’s already set, why hasn’t that ‘Zhao Ling’ arrived yet?”

Cao Yang’s father summoned his son for questioning.

“……”

Cao Yang remained silent. If he knew, he’d be a ghost by now.

“Husband, don’t worry. Maybe the Huarong Sect’s people were delayed by some trivial matter on the road,” his mother consoled.

“No, I can’t shake this unease!”

Cao Hui, Cao Yang’s father, frowned deeply before turning to Hua Yu. “Daughter-in-law, could I trouble you with something? Could you contact your old acquaintances in the Huarong Sect and ask whether their new Holy Maiden has set out for our residence?”

Hua Yu’s brow furrowed slightly. Though she had agreed to her husband taking a concubine, that didn’t mean she would degrade herself by helping without limits, especially when it involved groveling to her former sect.

“Wife, please, just this once. It’s for your own good too! There are no outsiders here, no need to stand on ceremony.”

Cao Yang turned to her, pleading.

After a moment’s hesitation, Hua Yu relented for the sake of the bigger picture. She picked up the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube and contacted Elder Zhou.

Meanwhile, back at the Huarong Sect, Hua Ruyi had already spread the word ten days prior that she intended to compromise, to hand over the new Holy Maiden to Cao Yang as a concubine.

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The sect’s higher-ups, worn down by relentless pressure, had no choice but to grudgingly agree.

Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang played along perfectly. The very next day, they left the sect under the escort of several Huarong Sect elders, appearing resigned to their fate. In reality, they had merely relocated to a different cultivation site.

Thus, when Elder Zhou was questioned by Hua Yu, she answered without hesitation: “They left! Nine days ago, escorted by a Divine Realm expert from our sect. By all accounts, they should’ve reached the Cao residence by now.”

“They’re already on their way? Good!”

Hua Yu relaxed slightly and relayed the news to the Cao family.

“See? Her name’s already on the Immortal Stele. Would she dare not come?”

Cao Yang’s confidence returned.

“If she’s already on the way, then perhaps she was delayed. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Cao Hui exhaled in relief. He couldn’t bear the thought of another humiliation.

Alas, even as the moon climbed to its zenith, Cheng Hongling remained absent. The guests outside grew impatient, clamoring for an explanation.

“What’s going on? Did something happen to Zhao Ling on the road?”

Cao Yang’s mother paced anxiously.

“An accident? What kind of accident? With a Divine Realm expert guarding her and the protection of the Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele, who could possibly touch her?”

Cao Hui retorted.

His wife fell silent. It was true, with the Immortal Stele’s protection, even a Heavenly Tribulation Realm expert couldn’t harm her.

“Besides, whether she lives or dies is trivial. What I’m worried about now is how to salvage the Cao family’s dignity!”

Cao Hui’s face darkened like the bottom of a burnt pot.

“Husband, why don’t we just announce that Zhao Ling has already entered the household? Concubines don’t need to appear for the wedding ceremony, no one will know the truth.”

His wife suggested.

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“Ridiculous! Since when does the mighty Cao family resort to self-deception?”

At that moment, Cao Yang’s grandfather, Cao Meng, suddenly appeared in the room.

“Father… Father-in-law… Grandfather…”

The family members bowed in greeting.

“Cao Hui, go out and tell the guests the truth. Once midnight passes, the Immortal Stele will act. Once Zhao Ling is dead, the Cao family’s dignity will be mostly restored.”

Cao Meng made the decision.

“But… what about my secret technique?”

Hua Yu immediately interjected.

“At a time like this, and you’re still worried about some technique?”

Cao Meng frowned in displeasure.

“Exactly, daughter-in-law. You can’t expect Cao Yang to erase her name from the Immortal Stele just for your sake, can you? That would be an even greater humiliation for our family.”

Cao Hui agreed.

Hua Yu’s expression soured. Since when had she, the former Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect, been treated with such disregard?

“Grandfather, do you think Zhao Ling might have guessed we were after her secret technique? That’s why she stood us up, thinking we’d spare her?”

Cao Yang speculated.

“That’s highly possible!”

Cao Meng nodded thoughtfully before his expression twisted into something vicious. “But she miscalculated! The Cao family is the foremost clan in the cultivation world, peerless in power. We don’t need her pathetic little technique! Once midnight strikes, she will die without fail!”

“Don’t worry, wife. Once Zhao Ling is dead, you’ll once again be the Huarong Sect’s only hope. They’ll beg you to return as Holy Maiden!”

Cao Yang turned to comfort Hua Yu.

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Her eyes lit up as if struck by divine inspiration, the gloom on her face slowly lifting.

Cao Hui then strode outside, his family trailing behind.

He soon reached the courtyard and clasped his hands in greeting. “Esteemed guests, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to grace us with your presence. We’ve kept you waiting for far too long.”

“Lord Cao, you flatter us! To be invited to celebrate with your family is an honor!”

“Indeed! The Cao family is the foremost power in the cultivation world. If not for your generosity, how could we lowly ones even sit here?”

“Lord Cao, has the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden arrived yet? I’ve prepared a whole speech, I’m about to burst!”

The guests rose one after another, offering flattery. Though they were growing impatient, none dared show it.

“My apologies, but I’m afraid I must disappoint you all. The Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden has yet to arrive.”

Cao Hui told the truth.

“What? She still hasn’t arrived? Has the Cao family been played by the Huarong Sect again?”

“Played? At the cost of her life? I heard the Cao family already inscribed her name on the Immortal Stele. Once midnight passes, the stele’s power will activate. How could she dare?”

“Who knows what’s going on? Maybe she thinks the Cao family will show mercy?”

“If the Cao family really does erase her name, they’ll lose all credibility in the cultivation world.”

“This’ll be interesting. I want to see whether the Cao family chooses the new Holy Maiden or their own dignity!”

The guests exchanged glances before erupting into chatter.

“Everyone, as you all know, the Huarong Sect has already deceived us once before. For my son to forgive their transgressions and take their new Holy Maiden as a concubine was already an act of great magnanimity. Yet they remain ungrateful, breaking their word yet again! In that case, don’t blame the Cao family for being ruthless!”

Cao Hui first polished the Cao family’s image before turning to gaze at the towering Immortal Stele piercing the night sky in the distance.

“Rest assured, your time here will not be wasted. Tonight, you will all witness the majestic spectacle of the Immortal Stele’s power in action!”