Volume 8, Chapter 550 – Reckless Words (Part 1)

After half a month of arduous travel, the Holy Maiden escort team of the Huarong Sect finally arrived at the capital of the Xianlin Empire, Wu Ye City, and descended outside the southern gate. Their sudden appearance naturally caused a stir among the crowds entering and exiting the city.

“Wow! Which immortal sect is this? All of them are stunning beauties, what a feast for the eyes!”

“Shh! Watch your words! Look, they descended from the sky, heir cultivation is clearly at the Incarnation Realm or above. Among the cultivation world’s pure female sects, only one of the Nine Great Immortal Powers has this kind of strength, it must be the Huarong Sect!”

“The Huarong Sect? What are they doing here in the Xianlin Empire, traveling so far? Are they here for the Evergreen Conference? But their Holy Maiden was forcibly taken by the Lü family, how do they still have the face to attend a continental-level event like this?”

“I heard the new Holy Maiden just wants to broaden her horizons!”

“Broaden her horizons? And they went to all this trouble? This Huarong Sect isn’t looking for a Holy Maiden, they’re looking for a spoiled fairy!”

“What can they do? They stubbornly stripped Hua Yu of her Holy Maiden title, so now they have to scrape together any replacement they can find.”

“Honestly, these Huarong Sect women have thick skin. Right after having their Holy Maiden snatched away, they dare to show up at the Evergreen Conference. Aren’t they afraid of being mocked?”

“Exactly! The better Hua Yu performs, the more humiliated they’ll be!”

“Serves them right! Who told them to revoke Hua Yu’s title just to save face? They’ve brought this upon themselves!”

The whispers among the onlookers made it clear they were well-informed about the Huarong Sect’s affairs. This was hardly surprising, given that the Cao family was based in the Central Continent and was the foremost among the immortal powers.

“Master, since we’ve arrived at the imperial capital of the Xianlin Empire, perhaps I should step down now?”

Cheng Hongling lifted the beaded curtain of her palanquin, seeking her master Shi Yuqi’s opinion. After all, she had never been one for ostentation.

“Absolutely not! The Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect holds a status equivalent to a kingdom’s princess. Walking into the city on foot would disgrace our sect’s dignity!”

Before Shi Yuqi could respond, Protector Yuan immediately intervened.

“Indeed, my disciple. I know you prefer modesty, but when outside, we must display our sect’s prestige. Only then will others take you seriously.”

Shi Yuqi patiently explained.

Though displeased, Cheng Hongling understood the reasoning and did not press further.

“You there, carry the Holy Maiden’s palanquin!”

Protector Yuan commanded several of the sect’s talented female disciples. Now that they were in the city, they would proceed on foot.

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“What?!”

The disciples froze in shock.

From the shadows, Qi Huang smirked. She hadn’t expected these girls to face trouble so soon.

“Is there a problem? Didn’t you carry Hua Yu’s palanquin before?”

Protector Yuan frowned, her voice sharp.

“Hua Yu is Hua Yu! She is she! How can this newcomer who’s barely with us for two or three months expect us to carry her?”

One particularly striking female disciple openly defied the order. She was the same one who had questioned Cheng Hongling’s legitimacy after the battle with the Cao family.

Qi Huang recognized her. This was Hua Meng, the most talented and highest-ranked among Huarong Sect’s younger generation. As a member of the Hua clan, she had an unshakable pride.

‘If they could carry Hua Yu but refuse to carry my true self, this is blatant discrimination!’

Qi Huang felt a flicker of irritation.

“What’s the difference? Both are Holy Maidens! It’s only proper for ordinary disciples like you to carry the palanquin.”

Protector Yuan suppressed her rising anger.

“Protector Yuan, we carried Hua Yu not because of her title, but because her talent and strength earned our respect!”

Hua Meng stood her ground. The thought of an outsider taking the Holy Maiden title, potentially leading to the sect’s future being controlled by another family, filled her with resentment. How could she willingly play the role of a mere porter?

“The new Holy Maiden possesses a secret technique that accelerates her cultivation far beyond Hua Yu’s, let alone yours! As for combat prowess, she is still young. In a few years, she will naturally surpass you all.”

Protector Yuan covered for Cheng Hongling. They were in public, they couldn’t afford to be humiliated.

“If her progress is as incredible as you claim, why wait years? It’s been over a month since she defeated Wan Min. Shouldn’t her current strength be close to mine? Why not let me test her?”

Hua Meng’s eyes gleamed with challenge.

“If you insist on a test, I’ll oblige.”

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Cheng Hongling’s voice emerged from the palanquin. With her doppelgänger’s assistance, her cultivation had now reached the sixth layer of the Incarnation Realm. Given the overwhelming power of her Water Exquisite Art qi and her naturally superior divine sense, she had no fear of Hua Meng, who was only at the eighth layer.

“Hua Meng! Think carefully. The sect forbids internal duels. If you challenge the Holy Maiden without permission, and in public, no less, you’ll be guilty of insubordination. Regardless of the outcome, you will face severe punishment!”

Protector Yuan’s tone was grave.

“I—”

Before Hua Meng could retort, another voice cut in.

“Protector Yuan, please don’t take offense. My disciple is young and hot-headed, she speaks without thinking. Let’s not make a scene in front of outsiders. I’ll discipline her properly.”

A composed elder with a healthy complexion stepped in to mediate. This was Hua Meng’s master, Ping Yan.

“Very well. Out of respect for Elder Ping, I’ll let this slide. But there won’t be a next time!”

Protector Yuan seized the opportunity to de-escalate. As the leader of the Holy Maiden’s escort, any mishap would fall squarely on her shoulders.

“Now, go and carry the Holy Maiden’s palanquin!”

Ping Yan snapped at her disciple.

“But—”

Hua Meng still hesitated.

“But what? Are you defying your master now?”

Ping Yan’s face darkened.

Gritting her teeth, Hua Meng finally relented and trudged toward the palanquin. Seeing her submit, the other elite disciples had no choice but to comply.

“Remember this, our positions will soon be reversed. I’ll carry your palanquin once today, but you’ll spend the rest of your life carrying mine in repayment.”

Hua Meng whispered her threat to Cheng Hongling inside the palanquin.

“Don’t worry. If I can make you carry it once, I can make you carry it forever.”

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Cheng Hongling’s low reply carried a rare edge. She wasn’t one to oppress others, but this woman was an exception, constantly provoking her and treating her as inferior. There was no need for mercy.

With that, the Holy Maiden’s procession resumed. However, as they approached the city gates, guards blocked their path.

“May I ask who you are?”

The lead guard’s voice trembled with fear.

“The Huarong Sect of the Mingyue Empire!”

Protector Yuan flashed her Cultivator’s Token.

“Please, proceed! Please!”

The guard hastily bowed and stepped aside, terrified of provoking their wrath.

With a signal from Protector Yuan, the escort entered Wu Ye City.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang slipped into the capital unnoticed, a trivial feat given her current strength.

The Holy Maiden’s arrival once again caused a commotion. Pedestrians scrambled out of the way, fearing retribution. After all, the Huarong Sect was one of the Nine Great Immortal Powers. If they couldn’t take on the Cao family, they could certainly crush ordinary citizens.

Under Protector Yuan’s guidance, the group settled into a luxurious inn called the “Dragon-Phoenix Inn.”

Qi Huang did not resume her true identity. She had private matters to attend to, such as gathering intel on the Evergreen Conference’s progress.

She soon discovered that due to delays on the road, the continental-level Evergreen Conference had already completed its first round.

This didn’t faze her. She had come to teach a lesson to the strongest young prodigies, arriving early would have been pointless. Moreover, only after Lü Yi was eliminated could she and her true self act freely. Confirming there were no hidden threats took priority.

The biggest threat? Those with Yin-Yang Eyes. If even one was present, she couldn’t afford to roam carelessly.

Pulling out the list her true self had provided, Qi Huang began tracking their movements, especially that of the Mingyue Empire’s sole Yin-Yang Eye bearer.

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Back at the luxurious inn, Hua Meng was still sulking in her room.

“Still angry with me?”

Ping Yan sighed and activated a Divine Sense Barrier and Sound-Blocking Talisman.

“Hmph. How would I dare? You’re my master, after all.”

Hua Meng’s tone dripped with sarcasm.

“Hua Meng, you disappoint me. You have talent, but no wisdom! Even if you had defeated her, you’d have suffered punishment, gaining little at great cost. Don’t you understand?”

Ping Yan shook her head.

“So what? A true warrior would rather die than be humiliated! Carrying her palanquin is a stain I can never wash away, and it’s all your fault!”

Hua Meng’s resentment was palpable.

“You’re nearly thirty. Haven’t you learned that those who achieve greatness don’t sweat the small stuff? The path of cultivation is long, why fixate on temporary setbacks? In the future, make her carry yours a thousand times to make up for it!”

Ping Yan spoke patiently.

“I know all that, but when is ‘the future’? A month? Two? Until then, I’ll never hold my head high in front of her!”

Hua Meng shot back.

“If all you want is revenge, you won’t have to wait long!”

Ping Yan smirked. “That naive girl thinks she can spectate unscathed? As the Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden, she’s the perfect stepping stone. Countless challengers will come, can a mere mid-stage Incarnation Realm cultivator uphold the sect’s dignity? She’ll have to rely on you. And when that happens… we’ll seize control!”

Hua Meng’s eyes lit up with realization.

“Master, you’re brilliant! If she wants me to clean up her mess, she’ll have to kneel and kowtow three times first! And that Protector Yuan won’t get off easy either!”