Volume 8, Chapter 571 – Do You Want the Immortal Stele, or Do You Want Me? (Part 1)

“Holy Maiden, you’re simply too powerful! I apologize for ever doubting you before.”

“Yes, yes! To have reached the late stage of the Divine Realm at only eighteen years of age, this old woman has lived for centuries and I’m still only at the early stage of Divine Realm. I feel utterly ashamed!”

“Do you all remember? Back when we followed Hua Yu to attend the Evergreen Conference at the continental level, the moment we encountered those monsters, we would admit defeat without even fighting. It was utterly humiliating, we didn’t even dare to come anymore! Never in my life did I imagine that one day, the Holy Maiden of our Huarong Sect would become the strongest genius among the Nine Great Immortal Forces!”

“Exactly! Compared to that Hua Yu, you are far stronger. No wonder the Sect Master decisively abandoned her. I truly admire the Sect Master’s foresight from the bottom of my heart.”

“With you here, before long, our Huarong Sect will surely rise to become the mightiest Immortal power in the cultivation world!”

The disciples of the Huarong Sect all gathered around Qi Huang, their faces filled with worship. Even the high-ranking elders displayed looks of reverence.

“Keep a low profile, keep a low profile!”

Qi Huang pressed her hand down in a calming gesture, though the pride in her expression was difficult to conceal.

“Holy Maiden, how are your injuries?”

Protector Yuan asked with concern.

“It’s nothing serious. If I were truly hurt, how could I have defeated them?”

Qi Huang reassured her.

“That’s good! That’s good!”

Protector Yuan exhaled deeply. Before her eyes was the very treasure of the Huarong Sect, absolutely no harm could be allowed to befall her.

Shi Yuqi stood awkwardly to the side. Several times she wanted to speak, but each time she swallowed the words back. After all, her disciple was too outstanding, so much so that it made her, as the master, feel out of place.

‘To think that as a master, I’m actually weaker than my disciple… how embarrassing!’

Shi Yuqi could only lower her head in shame at the thought.

Cheng Hongling also stood among the crowd. Unlike before, when each time a doppelgänger drew attention she felt envy, this time her heart was calm. She felt no jealousy at all. Instead, there was a sense of shared honor and shame.

Perhaps, at the root of it, this was because Cheng Hongling had long regarded Qi Huang as an independent person, one who was exceedingly close and precious.

Qi Huang glanced around and noticed that her main body was being blocked out by the crowd. Afraid that the main body might grow jealous again, she quickly said to everyone:

“I’m only a doppelgänger. Whatever you want to say, say it to the main body instead!”

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After speaking, Qi Huang modestly returned to Cheng Hongling’s Sea of Consciousness. Her purpose had been achieved, and now she could finally rest.

The crowd, hearing this, turned and surrounded Cheng Hongling instead.

“You don’t have to do that. I won’t be jealous.”

Cheng Hongling’s delicate thoughts reached out as she transmitted her words to Qi Huang.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m just too tired, so I want to rest!”

Qi Huang quickly explained, though in truth, she didn’t quite believe Cheng Hongling’s words.

“Let’s go.”

Cheng Hongling chose not to press the matter. Leading the disciples of the Huarong Sect, she departed. Their objective was already achieved; staying longer would only increase the risk of their identities being exposed.

“Sigh! That Huarong Sect is really lucky, finding a Holy Maiden with talent surpassing even that of Immortal descendants. In the near future, they will undoubtedly become the number one Immortal power.”

“That’s right. And it’s very possible she’ll be the first in thousands of years to truly attain immortality. If that happens, she’ll bring another Immortal Stele to the sect. With two steles supporting them, their prosperity will be unending.”

“Don’t celebrate too soon. After this battle, I’m afraid many sects will try to poach her. Whether Huarong Sect can keep her is still uncertain.”

“Exactly. Within the Nine Great Immortal Forces, Huarong Sect’s strength is only in the lower half. How can they possibly keep Jiang Ling? Just look at Hua Yu, that’s a cautionary tale.”

The surrounding cultivators whispered amongst themselves.

Qi Huang secretly felt proud as she listened. This was precisely why she had come to attend the Evergreen Conference.

Cheng Hongling led the Holy Maiden Guard away, but after only a few steps, someone chased after them.

“Nephew Jiang, wait a moment!”

An old man shouted as he hurried forward.

“Oh, Elder Geng of the Jingtian Sect. What business do you have with us?”

Protector Yuan stepped up, greeting politely. As the leader of the Holy Maiden Guard, it was naturally her duty to handle such interactions.

“I’m here to see Nephew Jiang.”

Elder Geng casually brushed her aside and walked straight toward Cheng Hongling.

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Protector Yuan hadn’t expected him to so openly disregard her, leaving her standing there embarrassed.

“Nephew Jiang, your performance today was truly unprecedented. Even this old man is full of admiration.”

Elder Geng flattered as he approached.

“What advice do you have?”

Cheng Hongling frowned slightly, her words clipped and cold. She was eager to leave and didn’t want to waste time entangled with these inexplicable people.

Qi Huang, however, became wary. After all, she had confiscated a piece of Heavenly Tribulation Realm bark from Xiao Dian, perhaps this old man had come to demand it back.

“It’s like this. Our Jingtian Sect may not be on the same level as the Cao Clan, but among the Nine Great Immortal Forces, our ranking is still near the top. I wonder if Nephew Jiang would have any interest in joining us? Compared to staying in Huarong Sect, your future would be far brighter.”

Unable to beat around the bush, Elder Geng stated his true intention.

‘So he’s just here to poach me!’

Qi Huang relaxed slightly.

Protector Yuan, however, was furious. She barked:

“Elder Geng, are you really so shameless? To try and steal our people right in front of us, isn’t that far too disrespectful?”

The disciples of the Huarong Sect also glared angrily. To them, Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang were priceless treasures.

“Protector Yuan, no need to get so worked up. Nephew Jiang is Huarong Sect’s Holy Maiden, not your slave. Whether she stays or not has nothing to do with you.”

Elder Geng chuckled.

“You—!”

Protector Yuan’s cheeks flushed red with anger.

“Not interested.”

Cheng Hongling dismissed him coldly, then strode away.

The Huarong Sect disciples were overjoyed and hastened to follow her.

“You should think carefully! What future can there be in Huarong Sect?”

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Elder Geng called out stubbornly.

“Elder Geng, are your ears failing you? Is your lifespan coming to an end? You’d better hurry back and cultivate!”

Protector Yuan shot back sarcastically.

Elder Geng was left speechless, his face stiff with unwillingness.

“Elder Geng, the Holy Son’s Heavenly Tribulation bark is still in her possession. Shouldn’t we demand it back?”

One disciple whispered cautiously.

“What for? Which is more important, some bark, or such a talent? If we offend her now, we’ll lose all chance of recruiting her. That piece of bark can serve as a token of our sect’s goodwill. I believe she understands that.”

Elder Geng explained.

“Uh… but how will we explain this to the Holy Son later?”

The disciple asked nervously.

“No need. I only have to explain to the Sect Master.”

Elder Geng waved dismissively.

Cheng Hongling led the Holy Maiden Guard back. Along the way, they encountered many others trying to poach her, each offering terms more enticing than the last.

This made Protector Yuan extremely anxious. As soon as they reached the inn, she immediately reported everything to the Sect Master through the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

“What did you say? Our Holy Maiden defeated those seven monsters by herself? Are you joking? Wasn’t she just going there to broaden her horizons?”

Hua Ruyi, the Sect Master, thought she had misheard. Though she had always believed Cheng Hongling was unusual, she had never imagined her to be such a monstrous talent.

“It’s true. Every cultivator present saw it. Before long, the whole cultivation world will know.”

Protector Yuan reiterated.

“Heavens above! How could she possibly be that strong? Isn’t she only at mid-stage Incarnation Realm? We all know this clearly.”

Hua Ruyi still couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t know.”

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Protector Yuan admitted honestly.

“Then how did she even end up clashing with those monsters? Didn’t she say she just wanted to see the world?”

Hua Ruyi pressed further.

“It was Hua Yu who provoked her first. I was terrified and wanted to find an excuse to withdraw, but our Holy Maiden became excited instead, she called all the monsters to attack at once! Later, she said it wasn’t for her to see the world, but for us to see it.”

Protector Yuan recounted with lingering fear.

“What kind of Holy Maiden have we ended up with!”

Hua Ruyi could only sigh in astonishment.

“That’s not the issue. The real problem is how we’re going to keep her. Since she defeated those Seven Monsters, over a dozen sects have already tried to poach her, even the Jingtian Sect has shown great interest.”

Protector Yuan explained anxiously.

“Protector Yuan, bring her back immediately. Do not allow those recruiters near her again. If she gets taken away midway, you will be the sinner of Huarong Sect. Do you understand?”

Hua Ruyi warned sternly.

“Yes, yes! I swear I will bring the Holy Maiden back untouched.”

Protector Yuan was startled and hurriedly promised.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling was also discussing future plans with Qi Huang.

“I’ve done everything I can. Once we return, I’ll reveal my true identity and purpose to Sect Master Hua. We’ve been away from the Honghua Sect too long, it’s time to go back.”

Qi Huang said seriously.

“Do you think she’d be willing to trade an Immortal Stele just to keep us as Holy Maiden?”

Cheng Hongling still felt uneasy. After all, the Immortal Stele was the very foundation of Huarong Sect’s existence.

“That depends on whether she has the courage.”

Qi Huang drew in a deep breath.