Volume 8, Chapter 545 – Departure for the Evergreen Conference

Since the continent-level Evergreen Conference was being held in the Xianlin Empire, tens of thousands of miles away from the Huarong Sect, even powerful cultivators had to move swiftly.

However, for the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect, speed alone wasn’t enough, she also had to maintain an imposing presence. This meant Cheng Hongling couldn’t simply hide inside a spatial ring to be carried along. Instead, she had to ride in a palanquin, which required bearers.

This raised another problem: for the journey to be fast enough, the bearers needed to be at least at the Incarnation Realm or higher. But such individuals were either part of the sect’s leadership or prodigies, none of whom could be easily assigned to menial labor.

Fortunately, the Huarong Sect’s previous leadership had foreseen this issue and specially crafted a phoenix carriage for the Holy Maiden, enhanced with Gale Talismans and Flight Talismans. As long as the talismans were powerful enough, there was no upper limit to its speed.

In truth, most cultivators relied on similar methods for long-distance travel. Horses? Far too slow for journeys spanning tens of thousands of miles.

Thus, Cheng Hongling soared toward the Central Continent in her phoenix carriage, escorted by dozens of experts. Not only was their speed astonishing, but their procession was grand enough to match her status.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang appeared to return to her main body’s Sea of Consciousness, but in secret, she slipped away from the group. Disguised as a stranger, she followed the procession from a distance, ready to intervene without restraint if danger arose.

Was she worried about being discovered? Not at all. A few days prior, she had called in reinforcements from her homeland, a fresh green robe, which was actually Mimi in disguise. It perfectly shielded her from divine sense detection.

Why choose Mimi over Yaoyao? Two reasons: first, Yaoyao was stronger and better suited to guarding the Nine Nether Demon Cats at Pingshan Mass Burial Ground. Second… Qi Huang simply couldn’t afford to provoke that one. A soft, adorable companion was far more manageable!

“Sister, where are we going?”

Mimi curiously transmitted her voice through their spiritual link.

“To beat up some kids.”

Qi Huang answered casually as she flew at high speed. With her hair tied up, a forehead guard, a mask, a bound chest, and voice-altering medicine, even her own mother wouldn’t recognize her now.

“Why beat up kids? How old are they? If they’re too young, can you not hit them?”

Mimi grew even more puzzled.

“About twenty-seven or twenty-eight.”

Qi Huang pondered briefly before answering.

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“But Sister is only seventeen or eighteen! That’s not beating up kids, that’s beating up adults! You’re not a good child!”

Mimi pointed out bluntly.

“Not being a good child is the point. What I want to be is a monster!”

Qi Huang smirked in satisfaction. Just then, a transmission from her main body reached her.

“Where did you run off to?”

Cheng Hongling’s voice carried a note of suspicion.

“Relax, I’m less than a mile west of the Holy Maiden’s escort. I can even see your carriage.”

Qi Huang reassured her.

“Then why can’t my divine sense detect you? Did you use Heaven-Deceiving Water again?”

Cheng Hongling guessed.

“I’m not a spendthrift! How could I waste something like Heaven-Deceiving Water? I made a special trip to buy a robe woven from Nine Nether Demon Cat fur just for this journey. That’s why it blocks divine sense.”

Qi Huang lied smoothly.

“I see. That must have been expensive?”

Cheng Hongling sounded convinced.

“Not too bad. Money comes and goes.”

Qi Huang feigned nonchalance. In truth, she had gotten it for free.

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Cheng Hongling didn’t press further and changed the subject. “There’s one thing I don’t understand. If you wanted to demonstrate your strength, you could’ve just sparred with the Huarong Sect’s Sect Master or Grand Elder. Why go all the way to a continent-level Evergreen Conference? There’s a risk of exposing your true identity, especially since Lü Yi will be there.”

“You don’t get it. I’m not just going to prove my strength, I’m going to make a name for myself. The more sects that try to recruit us, the more pressure the Huarong Sect will feel. That’ll increase the odds of them agreeing to a deal.”

Qi Huang explained.

“That makes sense.”

Cheng Hongling had an epiphany.

“As for Lü Yi, I’m not worried. Among the nine monsters, he’s near the bottom in strength. He won’t make it to the final rounds. Once he loses, he’ll probably leave early. We’ll wait until he’s gone before making our move, that way, there’s no risk.”

Qi Huang laid out her plan.

“For safety’s sake, that’s the only way.”

After a moment’s thought, Cheng Hongling agreed.

“What I am worried about are Yin-Yang Eyes. Didn’t you investigate? We’ll have to steer clear of them.”

Qi Huang’s tone turned serious.

“Relax. There are fewer than ten Yin-Yang Eyes in the entire cultivation world. They’re always surrounded by admirers wherever they go. I’ve compiled a list, if any show up, we’ll know.”

Cheng Hongling explained before adding, “Of course, I can’t guarantee there aren’t any hidden ones who haven’t revealed themselves. So there’s still some risk.”

“Doesn’t matter. We do our best and leave the rest to fate. This continent-level Evergreen Conference is non-negotiable. If we hesitate out of fear, we’ll only end up in a worse position.”

Qi Huang’s voice was resolute.

Cheng Hongling fell silent. She knew neither Qi Huang or herself had the luxury of indecision anymore.

Since the Huarong Sect was the most powerful cultivation force in the Mingyue Empire, the early part of their journey was peaceful. Even after crossing the border, nothing unexpected occurred.

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Meanwhile, the Cao Family soon caught wind of the news and began stirring once more.

“You’ve all heard, the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden is heading to the continent-level Evergreen Conference.”

In the Cao family hall, Cao Meng briefed the others. Having been humiliated twice by the Huarong Sect, he no longer had the heart for cultivation. All he wanted now was revenge.

“Why is she going? That Evergreen Conference is for individuals, not sects. Since I’ve married into the Cao Family, the Huarong Sect has lost its eligibility to participate.”

Hua Yu frowned in confusion.

“Rumor has it she wants to broaden her horizons. She even carved her real name into the Immortal Stele. Can you believe that?”

Cao Hui glanced around the room.

“In the past, I wouldn’t have. But this time might be different. The journey from the Huarong Sect to the Xianlin Empire is long and perilous. Many who know of her deceitful nature will be lying in wait. Would she really gamble with her life?”

Cao Meng countered.

“Father’s analysis is sound. If she really carved her true name this time, doesn’t that mean another opportunity for us?”

Cao Hui’s eyes gleamed.

“If you understand, then send someone to investigate immediately!”

Cao Meng ordered.

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“Understood! I’ll arrange it shortly.”

Cao Hui accepted the command, then turned to Hua Yu with praise. “This is all thanks to our daughter-in-law. Although her informant, Elder Zhou, has ‘passed on’, she did us a great service by exposing the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden as a liar to the entire cultivation world.”

“Indeed. To show my gratitude, I’ll burn extra paper money for her during the holidays.”

Hua Yu replied flatly.

“But…”

Cao Yang hesitated before voicing his concern. “Grandfather, what if that little wretch is playing reverse psychology? What if she didn’t carve her real name, or used another fake one to throw us off?”

“Cao Yang has a point. Judging by past events, this Huarong Holy Maiden is young but cunning. She’s probably already anticipated our moves.”

Cao Hui quickly realized the same.

“No matter how shrewd she is, she’s still just a brat. I’ve already prepared a countermeasure!”

Cao Meng waved a dismissive hand and commanded his son, “Cao Hui, send Steward Leng and a few high-level guards to intercept the Holy Maiden’s escort. If that brat has the protection of the Immortal Stele, report back immediately.”

“Understood! Father is wise! Given the strength of the Holy Maiden’s escort, they won’t be able to stop Steward Leng. This way, we’ll confirm whether she carved her real name.”

Cao Hui immediately complied.

“And if she doesn’t have the Immortal Stele’s protection?”

Cao Yang pressed.

“Even better. Have Steward Leng capture the brat directly. Once the deed is done, it’ll be the Huarong Sect begging us.”

Cao Meng declared with a flourish.