Volume 9, Chapter 636 – Who Is Testing Who Here?

In the cultivation world, there were once Nine Great Monsters, six men and three women. Because men outnumbered women, those three young female prodigies were exalted to the heavens, which was quite abnormal in a cultivation world where women were usually more common than men.

Of course, that was old news now. Ever since the new Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect defeated seven of the nine monsters single-handedly, she had become the sole prodigy of the cultivation world, as well as the most dazzling fairy within it. Now, the male heirs of countless great clans were racking their brains, trying to win the Holy Maiden’s heart. Meanwhile, the other three female prodigies were instead pushed to the side, neglected and forgotten.

Unfortunately for them, half a year had passed, and not a single man had managed to even lay eyes on Huarong Sect’s new Holy Maiden.

Some immortal families grew impatient. Just like the Cao Clan, they wanted to rely on the Immortal Stele, forcing matters by striking first and explaining later. But until now, no one even knew this young woman’s true name.

At this moment, Qi Huang felt secretly grateful that she was born in a small, remote country of the Western Radiance Dynasty. Otherwise, given how high-profile both her main body and her doppelgänger acted, someone would have long since connected the two together.

On the sixth day of the fifth month, exactly one month before the wedding date set by the Lü Clan, Qi Huang and her main body quietly arrived at Huarong Sect.

“Disciple! I’ve missed you so much!”

Shi Yuqi clutched both the main body and the doppelgänger tightly in her arms, as though afraid they would fly away. And truthfully, it was like that. If she lost a Holy Maiden disciple like this, where could she possibly find another one?

“Waaah!”

Qi Huang struggled free from that overwhelming embrace and then asked, “Master, how has Huarong Sect been these past six months?”

“Not bad! Only, at the Evergreen Conference… no, I should say outside the Immortal-Forging Platform, you performed far too brilliantly. Now the entire cultivation world’s outstanding young male cultivators all have their eyes on you. Schemes, plots, soft approaches, hard approaches; every possible means has been tried. If not for Huarong Sect’s Grand Elder, a Heavenly Tribulation Realm powerhouse, protecting you, your background would have been thoroughly unearthed by now.”

Shi Yuqi spoke with lingering fear.

“What a swarm of annoying flies. As cultivators, instead of focusing on the pursuit of the Immortal Dao, they spend all day on matters of men and women.”

Cheng Hongling gave a cold snort.

“There’s no helping it. In the cultivation world, ascending to immortality is important, but descendants are equally so. And besides, how many truly achieve immortality? They fight their whole lives for the chance to marry a woman of great talent, to strengthen their bloodline, to ensure their clan thrives endlessly.”

Shi Yuqi explained gently.

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“All right, enough about them. Let’s talk business. There’s only one month left until the date set by the Lü Clan. We’re here to keep that appointment.”

Qi Huang quickly shifted the topic. A blade was hanging over her head; without a helmet, she could never feel at ease.

“You… have you reached the second layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm in Divine Sense? The Grand Elder and the Sect Master won’t go easy on you, this concerns Huarong Sect’s very survival.”

Shi Yuqi asked cautiously.

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ve long since reached it.”

Qi Huang replied with deep mystery. Inwardly, she thought, if not for Zhen Feiyan tearing open space that time, she wouldn’t have advanced so easily. A disaster turned out to be a blessing.

“That’s good! Let’s go see them, then.”

Shi Yuqi immediately straightened her back, making her already exaggerated chest even more aggressive.

The three soon found Hua Ruyi and Hua Man, explaining their purpose.

Hua Ruyi brought everyone to a hidden side hall and said, “Since you’ve come back to honor the agreement, you should still remember the terms. If in half a year your Divine Sense reaches the second layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, then we will agree to your request. Otherwise, we cannot cooperate. After all, the Immortal Stele is the very lifeblood of Huarong Sect.”

“Indeed. The only reason I agreed back then was because your growth rate was unprecedented. Anyone else, and I would never have agreed to such a ridiculous pact. So don’t expect us to go easy on you.”

Grand Elder Hua Man also warned.

“Of course! However you wish to test me, Grand Elder, please go ahead.”

Qi Huang answered with confidence. Her Divine Sense had already reached the seventh layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. Not to mention a test, even if they fought in earnest, she was confident she could crush Hua Man. That was why they always said: in cultivation, every single layer in the later realms was as vast as the heavens themselves.

“Let’s change locations. This isn’t a good place.”

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Hua Man led the way outside. Soon, they arrived at the plaza in front of the Immortal Stele. The area was already sealed off, so no disciples were around.

Qi Huang followed Hua Man toward the center, while Cheng Hongling and Hua Ruyi stayed back. After all, even if it was only Divine Sense clashing, for them it was still extremely dangerous.

“Are you ready? I won’t hold back. If you lied about your cultivation, the one who suffers will be you.”

Hua Man gave another reminder. She didn’t want the sect’s new Holy Maiden dying in her hands.

“Don’t worry, Elder Hua. Please, strike at will.”

Qi Huang appeared utterly relaxed, as though out on a sightseeing trip.

Hua Man thought for a moment, then cautiously unleashed a tenth of her Divine Sense, pressing down on Qi Huang. This force was strong enough to twist the air, though not yet to distort space itself. Still, it looked terrifying.

Qi Huang immediately raised a Divine Sense shield to block it. Her expression remained light and easy as she mocked, “Didn’t Elder Hua say she wouldn’t go easy? Don’t tell me your Divine Sense is only this strong?”

A flicker of displeasure finally appeared on Hua Man’s face. She unleashed eighty percent of her power. Space began to faintly twist.

Qi Huang reinforced her shield, still looking bored.

“She actually blocked it!”

Hua Ruyi was overjoyed. She knew her master already had one foot into the second layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. This proved Qi Huang’s extraordinariness.

“In that case, I’ll go all out!”

Hua Man’s pride could not take it. She erupted with full power. Divine Sense surged forth like a raging tide, crushing toward Qi Huang. Granite paving stones shattered, the ground sank, and the earth itself quivered.

Qi Huang lost patience. Her Divine Sense of the second layer burst forth, colliding with Hua Man’s violent force with overwhelming might.

The two forces clashed head-on, like a raging bull slamming into an even larger rhinoceros. Hua Man’s Divine Sense was pushed back again and again, collapsing under the pressure.

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Hua Man instantly felt the massive weight bearing down. She wanted to yield, but her pride stopped her. She could only forcefully endure, sweat beading densely on her forehead.

Qi Huang steadily pressed forward, forcing Hua Man back step by step. Fragments of Divine Sense leaked out, leaving deep, terrifying scars all over the plaza.

But Qi Huang was not reckless. Realizing Hua Man’s strength was faltering, she promptly withdrew her power.

Hua Man exhaled in relief, thinking, ‘That was far too dangerous, I nearly embarrassed myself.’

“Elder Hua, are you all right?”

Qi Huang rushed over to ask.

“I’m fine. What could happen to me?”

Hua Man waved her hand nonchalantly, though her body trembled slightly. Inwardly, she fumed: ‘This brat doesn’t know how to hold back at all! No sense of honor! Who exactly was testing whom here?’

“Master, are you truly all right?”

Hua Ruyi hurried over as well.

“What could happen? Could your master be injured by some young brat?”

Hua Man spoke stiffly.

“Then why are you shaking? Is it cold?”

Hua Ruyi asked with concern.

“If you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute!”

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Hua Man nearly choked from anger.

Qi Huang couldn’t help laughing inside. This Grand Elder really had quite a sense of humor.

“Well then, Elder Hua, has my doppelgänger’s Divine Sense reached the second layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm?”

Cheng Hongling asked with a calm face.

“Yes. Her Divine Sense surpasses mine. She has indeed reached the second layer.”

Hua Man admitted generously this time.

“Really? That’s wonderful.”

Hua Ruyi was ecstatic. A single Immortal Stele was nothing compared to a landbound immortal.

“And what about our deal?”

Cheng Hongling pressed.

“I agree. On the sixth day of the sixth month, you may inscribe your true name upon the Immortal Stele and borrow Huarong Sect’s power to face the Lü Clan. But I hope you will not forget your promise to protect Huarong Sect.”

Hua Man said sternly.

“I swear, as long as I, Qi Huang, draw breath, I will do everything in my power to safeguard Huarong Sect.”

Qi Huang made her pledge.

Thus, the agreement was sealed. All that remained was to wait for the sixth day of the sixth month. Then, Qi Huang would show the entire cultivation world that the Immortal Stele… was no imperial decree!