Volume 8, Chapter 552 – Cutting a Path Through (Part 1)

Because Qi Huang had made such arrogant remarks, many of the geniuses eliminated in the Evergreen Conference chose not to leave. They eagerly awaited the fourth round, hoping to use this ignorant little girl to restore their pride. After all, defeating the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect would be enough to wash away the shame of their elimination and give them something to report back to their sects.

Protector Yuan had also caught wind of the brewing trouble. Unfortunately, she couldn’t persuade the Holy Maiden to back down, so she had no choice but to seek help from others, specifically Hua Meng and her master, Elder Ping.

In a quiet guest room, Protector Yuan sighed.

“Elder Ping, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. Right now, countless people are eyeing our Holy Maiden with hostility, yet she insists on attending the Evergreen Conference. If we don’t come up with a solution, I’m afraid the Huarong Sect’s reputation will suffer irreparable damage.”

“And what does that have to do with me? She brought this on herself with her big mouth!”

Hua Meng rolled her eyes.

“The Holy Maiden’s words were indeed careless, but she’s still young. As the saying goes, ‘children’s words carry no harm.’ We shouldn’t hold it against her, right?”

Protector Yuan tried her best to defend Qi Huang.

“That’s right, disciple. Upholding the dignity of the Huarong Sect is everyone’s responsibility. We can’t just stand aside because of the Holy Maiden’s personal behavior!”

Ping Yan chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Elder Ping is truly magnanimous!”

Protector Yuan offered a polite compliment.

“You flatter me, Protector Yuan. Do you have any ideas?”

Ping Yan asked nonchalantly.

“I do have one solution, but it would require troubling your disciple. I’m not sure if she’d be willing…”

Protector Yuan tested the waters.

“Not willing!”

Hua Meng immediately played the tough role.

“Whether she’s willing or not, why don’t you explain first, Protector Yuan?”

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Ping Yan, on the other hand, played the mediator.

“Here’s what I’m thinking. Once we reach the Immortal-Forging Platform, there will undoubtedly be many challengers. As elders, we can’t intervene, so it’ll be up to the younger generation to handle them. Among our disciples, your Hua Meng has the highest cultivation. If she could shield the Holy Maiden from some of the trouble, most of the issues would be resolved.”

Protector Yuan laid out her plan.

“What a joke! You want me to clean up her mess? Keep dreaming!”

Hua Meng sneered.

“Disciple Hua, you’re overreacting. As your master just said, upholding the sect’s dignity is everyone’s duty. This isn’t about cleaning up after her, it’s about contributing to the sect. Once we return, I’ll personally report your efforts to the Sect Master!”

Protector Yuan dangled the carrot.

“Not enough! If you want me to wipe her ass, there’s one more condition: on the way back, she carries me in the palanquin. She’ll carry it all the way back to the Huarong Sect!”

Hua Meng made her demand.

“How dare you—?!”

Protector Yuan was so stunned by the audacity that she nearly cursed.

“How dare I? Protector Yuan, have you forgotten? In the world of cultivation, strength reigns supreme! It’s only natural for her to carry me, no disgrace in that!”

Hua Meng smirked contemptuously.

“But she’s the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect! If she carries your palanquin, not only will she be mocked within the sect, but she’ll lose all authority outside it!”

Protector Yuan tried to reason.

“Oh? So if I carry her palanquin, I won’t be mocked? We’re both people, why is her face more valuable than mine?”

Hua Meng’s gaze turned icy.

Protector Yuan was left speechless. She finally understood, Hua Meng was seizing this chance for revenge.

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“Protector Yuan, my disciple has always had a strong sense of pride. But for the sect, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Competition drives progress, after all.”

Ping Yan glossed over her disciple’s attitude before adding insincerely, “But you don’t have to be so troubled. After all, you’re not the one involved!”

“Exactly. Unless you’re planning to make decisions for the Holy Maiden? Why don’t you go ask her first?”

Hua Meng backed her master up.

With no other choice, Protector Yuan hurriedly left the room.

Back in her own quarters, Protector Yuan paced like an ant on a hot pan. After much deliberation, she decided to sound out the Holy Maiden’s stance. She rushed out again, this time bringing Shi Yuqi along for support.

Protector Yuan found Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling and laid out the severity of the situation before mentioning Hua Meng’s demand.

“Carry her? All the way back to the sect?”

Qi Huang burst into laughter. “Even if she were stuffed in a coffin, I wouldn’t consider it!”

“Exactly. My disciple is the Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect. If she carries someone else’s palanquin, what dignity would she have left?”

Shi Yuqi didn’t help persuade her; instead, she backed Qi Huang up.

Protector Yuan was at a loss. She could only try again: “Then, Your Holiness, perhaps it’s best if you don’t attend the Evergreen Conference. Let’s leave Wuye City quietly tonight!”

“I only said I wouldn’t carry her, I never said I’d give up on watching the fun!”

Qi Huang replied calmly.

“Your Holiness! Don’t you understand the risks? If you become someone’s stepping stone and tarnish the sect’s reputation, you might not even remain Holy Maiden!”

Protector Yuan emphasized the consequences once more.

Shi Yuqi finally grasped the severity and tried to persuade her disciple: “Disciple, gaining experience doesn’t have to happen now. Can’t we find another opportunity later?”

“No! Have you considered that if I leave now, it’ll look like I was scared into running away? How is that any different from fleeing without a fight?”

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Qi Huang’s rebuttal was firm and logical. This time, she was dead set on making waves at the continent-level Evergreen Conference, no one could change her mind.

Protector Yuan and Shi Yuqi exchanged glances, their faces filled with resignation. Their persuasion had failed.

Returning to her quarters, Protector Yuan had no choice but to report the situation to Hua Ruyi.

“Strange. Why is she so determined to attend the Evergreen Conference? Is it really just about gaining experience?”

Hua Ruyi began to suspect something.

“Exactly! I can’t fathom the Holy Maiden’s thoughts. Honestly, her request was unreasonable from the start. If only we hadn’t agreed, we wouldn’t be in this predicament now!”

Protector Yuan lamented.

After a long silence, Hua Ruyi said, “Let her go if she wants.”

“What?! How can we allow that? Who knows how many people are lying in wait for her!”

Protector Yuan grew agitated.

“Protector Yuan, calm down. Let’s be honest, do you really think the Holy Maiden is some reckless little girl? Since joining the Huarong Sect, has she ever disappointed us?”

Hua Ruyi reminded her.

Protector Yuan thought back. Though young, the new Holy Maiden had never failed them. From exposing Hua Yu’s schemes to her astonishing cultivation speed, and even her resourcefulness in dealing with the Cao Family.

“No, she hasn’t.”

“Exactly. I’ll admit, she gives me the impression that she can do anything. Since she’s not some naive child, I believe she must have a plan. Just follow her lead.”

Hua Ruyi ordered.

“…Fine.”

Protector Yuan reluctantly agreed. As the saying went, better safe than sorry. The Holy Maiden might be clever, but she was still just a child. Who knew if this was just a moment of impulsive recklessness?

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As days passed, the cultivators seeking a stepping stone grew impatient. They loitered outside the Dragon Phoenix Inn daily, afraid the Holy Maiden might slip away and deny them their chance at redemption.

Finally, the fourth round of the Evergreen Conference arrived.

In the heart of winter, Wuye City was blanketed in heavy snow, but nothing could dampen the spectators’ enthusiasm. Today was the day the Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden would head to the Immortal-Forging Platform.

The onlookers knew a good show was coming, so they flocked to the platform. Those seeking to redeem themselves set up checkpoints along the way, determined to use the Holy Maiden to wash away their shame!

Because of this, no one even cared who was actually fighting on the platform that day.

Qi Huang had been itching for this. She urged the Huarong Sect’s group to leave early in the morning.

The women of the Huarong Sect knew trouble was inevitable, so they dragged their feet, their spirits low.

Except for Ping Yan and Hua Meng, of course. They were looking forward to the chaos.

“Where’s the Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden? Why isn’t she out yet? It’s freezing, I’m about to become one with nature!”

“Yeah, didn’t she say she’d visit the Immortal-Forging Platform in the fourth round? Did she get cold feet after hearing the rumors?”

“That can’t be! If she doesn’t show, there’ll be no show to watch!”

“No show is one thing, but I was counting on her to redeem myself! Without this stepping stone, how am I supposed to explain my failure to my sect?”

“Come out, Holy Maiden of the Huarong Sect! Time to honor your word!”

“That’s right! Hiding now won’t save you. Even if you leave Wuye City later, we’ll ambush you on the road! And then, it won’t just be a friendly spar.”

As Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling failed to appear, the crowd outside the inn grew restless.

“Coming, coming! What’s the rush? Don’t you know girls need time to get ready?”

Qi Huang finally burst out of the inn, unable to wait any longer.