Volume 10, Chapter 665 – Help! Let Me Out!

“Uh…”

Wenren Qing hadn’t expected the other party to specifically ask about Cheng Hongling, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“It’s nothing. I got bitten by a few mosquitoes on the way here,” Cheng Hongling explained expressionlessly. Her cold and aloof demeanor made it impossible for anyone to doubt her.

“Ah, yes, yes! Girls do love their beauty; you know how it is,” Wenren Qing quickly added, backing her up.

“Oh, I see. I understand, I understand. My granddaughter is the same way,” Elder Xiao replied with a relieved smile.

The two sides sat down and exchanged a few more pleasantries before Elder Xiao finally asked curiously, “I wonder, nephew, what brings you to the Immortal Alliance headquarters this time?”

“Uncle, my nieces here have all consumed Golden Fate Blossom seeds. It’s just that some have awakened theirs and some haven’t. You should be able to sense it yourself. I heard that the Immortal Alliance has been urgently looking for people like them recently, so I brought them here to see what the situation is,” Wenren Qing stated his purpose directly.

“What?”

Elder Xiao shot up from his chair and asked sharply, “Do you not know what the Immortal Alliance is using these girls for?”

“Of course I know. Isn’t it to act as bait in the Kapok Valley Treasure Land to search for Golden Fate Blossom seeds?” Wenren Qing replied calmly, his tone steady.

“You…”

Elder Xiao hesitated, then quickly erected a Divine Sense barrier before speaking in a serious voice: “You make it sound so casual, but do you have any idea how dangerous the Kapok Valley Treasure Land is? It’s one of the most dangerous places in the entire cultivation world! Sending them there is no different from gambling with their lives. I strongly advise you to think twice.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Xiao, but I’ve thought it through carefully. Cultivators defy the heavens; without trials and hardships, how can they achieve greatness? I’m helping them,” Wenren Qing said, feigning righteousness.

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Elder Xiao clenched his teeth, frustrated, and then said earnestly, “As an elder of the Immortal Alliance, I really shouldn’t go against the interests of the Alliance. But since they carry Xiao family blood in their veins, I can’t bear to see them sent to their deaths, so I’m giving you this heartfelt advice. Are you absolutely sure you want to send them to Kapok Valley? Why not at least ask them what they want?”

“I’m sure. And besides, this is their own choice; I can’t force them, right?”

Wenren Qing cast a meaningful glance at the girls.

“Yes, yes! This is our choice! We’re cultivators, not sheltered maidens locked away at home. We need to temper ourselves to grow stronger,” Ruan Lingyu and several junior sisters chimed in together.

“Don’t be afraid. If you’re being forced, just blink at me,” Elder Xiao said gently.

Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingyu and the others widened their eyes even further instead of blinking.

“…”

Elder Xiao was left speechless.

“Uncle Xiao, you see? I’m not lying,” Wenren Qing said with a smug smile.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, I can’t stop you. But I must remind you, this journey will be a near-death experience. You should prepare yourselves mentally. My suggestion is to assign some family experts to protect them closely,” Elder Xiao urged once more.

“No need. Since this is meant to temper them, they must rely on themselves. I believe they’ll make it back alive,” Wenren Qing said firmly.

“I think you’re completely insane. The families who send their daughters as bait are usually desperate, with nowhere else to turn. But the Wenren family is the foremost cultivation clan in Changming Kingdom! Why do something so ridiculous? Are you doing this just for the Alliance’s reward? Or do you want the girls to find some rare treasures in Kapok Valley? If there’s a problem, why not tell me? Anything’s better than sending them to their deaths.”

Elder Xiao’s voice was filled with frustration.

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‘Elder Xiao’s character is actually not bad,’ Qi Huang thought to herself, somewhat surprised.

Unfortunately, Wenren Qing was determined to send Cheng Hongling and the others to their deaths. Ignoring Elder Xiao’s words, he impatiently asked, “Uncle Xiao, do you happen to know who in the Immortal Alliance is currently overseeing the search for Golden Fate Blossom seeds?”

“Of course I know. The one in charge is the Immortal Alliance’s Grand Elder, Zheng Chi,” Elder Xiao replied unhappily.

“Zheng Chi? The Zheng Chi from Zhizun Peak?” Wenren Qing asked for confirmation.

“Who else would it be?” Elder Xiao snapped impatiently.

“Then, Uncle Xiao, could you take us to meet him?” Wenren Qing requested politely.

“Fine. But I hope you don’t regret this later,” Elder Xiao said, his patience wearing thin, and he led them to see the Grand Elder Zheng Chi.

Qi Huang found Zheng Chi’s face unfamiliar, which made her relax slightly; this meant her true identity wasn’t exposed. Although she wasn’t afraid of him, she preferred to avoid unnecessary complications, especially in a place like this.

Because Elder Xiao was present, Zheng Chi’s attitude was warm and welcoming, quickly inviting everyone to sit down.

Wenren Qing took the opportunity to explain their purpose in a relaxed, almost cheerful tone, as if he were offering up livestock rather than his own nieces.

Zheng Chi froze for a moment, then offered insincere compliments: “The Immortal Alliance is in great need of talents like these. You’re truly delivering help in our hour of need! Finding Golden Fate Blossom seeds benefits the entire cultivation world. The Wenren family really lives up to its reputation as descendants of immortals. You are truly role models for us all.”

“Elder Zheng, you flatter us. When will you depart?” Wenren Qing asked eagerly, unable to wait to send Cheng Hongling and her senior sisters to their deaths.

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“Soon. Within ten days at most. But first, we need to register them. Of course, the Immortal Alliance won’t take advantage of anyone. The promised rewards will be given in full,” Zheng Chi said, appearing magnanimous.

“The reward is secondary. We mainly want them to gain some experience,” Wenren Qing replied solemnly.

“Even so, I must be clear: going to Kapok Valley is extremely dangerous. We can’t guarantee their safe return. If something happens, the Immortal Alliance won’t be held responsible,” Zheng Chi warned.

“No need to worry. We understand,” Wenren Qing said lightly, inwardly wishing for the Honghua Sect disciples to perish in Kapok Valley.

“Verbal agreements aren’t enough. You must sign a contract. In the past, some parents promised everything beforehand, but when their children died, they blamed the Alliance and accused us of secretly abducting their daughters. Shameless, isn’t it?” Zheng Chi said with a helpless smile.

‘Hmph, you know perfectly well whether or not you abducted them,’ Qi Huang muttered inwardly.

Wenren Qing showed a flicker of disdain but said aloud, “Naturally.”

Zheng Chi then instructed an Immortal Alliance disciple to bring paper and ink. Cheng Hongling and the others’ false identities were carefully registered, and they, along with Wenren Qing, were made to sign and stamp the contract, ensuring every responsibility was clearly shifted away from the Immortal Alliance.

“Where will they stay these next few days?” Wenren Qing asked curiously.

“They’ll stay at the Immortal Alliance headquarters. I’ll have someone arrange accommodations,” Zheng Chi answered without hesitation. After all, there was no way he’d let prey slip away.

Wenren Qing was finally at ease and left the headquarters after receiving a generous payment.

Zheng Chi immediately ordered several female disciples to “escort” Cheng Hongling and the others away. Since the payment had been settled, he wanted to minimize any potential mishaps.

Before long, Cheng Hongling and the rest were brought to a courtyard house. The place was heavily guarded, surrounded by powerful Divine Sense barriers and soundproofing talismans, making it feel more like a prison than a residence.

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“Help! Let me out! Help!”

Suddenly, a woman’s desperate cries for help echoed faintly from inside.

Qi Huang paused, stunned. The voice sounded familiar… it might be someone she once knew.

“What’s going on? I think I heard someone calling for help inside,” Ruan Lingyu asked in confusion.

“Just like you, she was sent here by her family to act as bait,” one of the Immortal Alliance’s female disciples explained. “But now she regrets it. Unfortunately for her, her parents already took the reward. Wanting to leave now? Impossible.”

Then she warned sternly, “You’re the same. Without permission, no one is allowed to leave this courtyard. Meals will be delivered three times a day. If anyone disobeys, they’ll bear the consequences.”

“We wouldn’t dream of leaving!” Ruan Lingyu replied firmly.

The Immortal Alliance female disciples exchanged puzzled glances. It was the first time they’d seen anyone so willing to walk into danger. After a long pause, they opened the gate and urged them inside.

And that’s when the crying woman came into view.

Her hair was a tangled mess, her clothes tattered, the thin fabric torn in multiple places, revealing patches of bruised and scarred skin. Only her delicate, pale face retained a trace of fragile beauty. It was obvious she had suffered greatly.

Qi Huang froze in shock, she hadn’t expected it to really be someone she knew.

The woman, too, was caught off guard upon seeing Cheng Hongling and the others, standing rooted to the spot in disbelief.