Volume 10, Chapter 716 – Who Planted These Golden Fate Blossoms?

“Slander? Elder Zhang must be joking, right? The person involved is standing right here before you, the proclamation issued by my father has already presented ample evidence and both witnesses and material proof are all present. How can you shamelessly call that slander?”

Jin Xue laughed furiously out of sheer anger.

“This elder doesn’t care what so-called witnesses or evidence you have. If the Immortal Alliance says it is slander, then it is slander. Unless you first prove your sincerity with death!”

Elder Zhang’s tone grew increasingly forceful, and he even lifted the teacup on the table to drink leisurely, as if everything were beneath him.

“You—”

Jin Xue could no longer endure, ready to lash out, but was stopped by her father beside her.

“Elder Zhang, are you threatening us?”

Jin Ze rose from the dragon throne.

“Correct. This is indeed a threat!”

Elder Zhang admitted without hesitation, then laid out his demand: “Alliance Leader Lu has ordered me to command you: within three days, you must issue a public statement clearing the Immortal Alliance of blame. Say that you made a mistake, that this matter has nothing to do with the Immortal Alliance, and issue a sincere apology to them!”

“Command? My father is a worldly emperor, what right does your so-called alliance leader have to command him?”

Jin Xue’s voice trembled with outrage.

“By strength. As a cultivator yourself, you should know well that on the cultivation continent, strength reigns supreme.”

Elder Zhang sneered with disdain.

“Strength reigns supreme? Aren’t you the ones who claim to be the imperial court of the cultivation world? Since when did you become no different from bandits, practicing nothing but the law of the jungle?”

Jin Ze rebuked sharply.

“That’s why we are the court of the cultivation world, not of the mortal world. There’s no need to speak of reason with common emperors like you.”

Elder Zhang shamelessly declared.

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“And if I refuse? What do you plan to do? Kill me?”

Jin Ze pressed down his fury and asked.

“They wouldn’t dare. Right now, the entire cultivation continent knows about this matter. If something were to happen to us, the Immortal Alliance would be exposing itself without a fight. I’d like to see how they’d have the face to keep calling themselves the court of the cultivation world then!”

Jin Xue, filled with righteous indignation, reminded him.

“Worthy of a nation’s princess. Truly thoughtful.”

Elder Zhang gave a praise empty of sincerity, then continued, “But too bad. To deal with the likes of you, the Immortal Alliance has no need to use such self-damaging tactics.”

“Oh? Then how does the Immortal Alliance plan to deal with us?”

Jin Ze asked with curiosity.

“The Alliance Leader said, if you fail to atone for your grave mistake within the time limit, then all the sects within Taiping Kingdom will relocate. If restless souls and wandering ghosts run rampant, who will save your people?”

Elder Zhang spoke with a mocking tone.

Jin Ze’s expression changed drastically. He had not expected the opponent to strike so insidiously, aiming directly at his weakness.

“Elder Zhang, relocating a sect is no trivial matter. At best, it shakes the foundation. At worst, it means complete closure. Even if you are the Immortal Alliance, you cannot possibly force them to such extremes, can you?”

Jin Xue quickly reminded.

“It’s fine. For those sects who obediently follow the Alliance’s command, we will naturally provide some compensation. As for the rebels, they can forget about ever obtaining resources through the Alliance again!”

Elder Zhang said with arrogance, then asked with derision: “Princess, as a cultivator, you must know that most of today’s cultivation resources come from the Kapok Valley Treasure Land, right? And who holds the Kapok Valley Treasure Land? Say it loudly for me!”

Jin Xue’s face changed instantly. She had no words to rebut, her fair cheeks flushing red in humiliation.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

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Elder Zhang sneered, drained the tea in one gulp, then added, “Thank you for the hospitality. Remember what I said, you have only three days. Once the time limit passes, Taiping Garden can prepare to become a living hell!”

Having delivered his threat to father and daughter, Elder Zhang swaggered out.

“Father, what should we do now?”

Jin Xue faltered in panic.

“This Immortal Alliance is far too despicable, using the common people of Taiping Kingdom to blackmail me.”

Jin Ze’s face was filled with anguish. On one hand were the countless citizens of his realm, on the other his daughter’s justice. He was truly torn.

Jin Xue saw her father’s difficulty and could not force him further. She left the study with a heavy heart.

Almost simultaneously, all nations and sects that had exposed the Immortal Alliance’s misdeeds received the same threat. For a time, all were caught in a dilemma, should they swallow their pride for the greater good, or stand firm against the Alliance?

Jin Xue pondered long after returning, when suddenly she thought of Qi Huang’s ever-capable doppelgänger. She immediately contacted her through the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

Qi Huang was initially shocked, but quickly understood. Since the Immortal Alliance had already done all manner of evil, pulling such a move was hardly surprising.

After some thought, Qi Huang asked, “How many sects are there within Taiping Kingdom? How long would it take for them all to relocate?”

“There are several hundred sects in Taiping Kingdom. It would take at least ten years, maybe eight, to finish moving.”

Jin Xue did a quick calculation. After all, relocating a sect was nothing like an individual packing up and leaving.

‘Eight or ten years? Then what is there to fear!’

Qi Huang’s heart leapt with relief. “I’ll give you two options now. First, accept the Immortal Alliance’s conditions. Go along with the ruse and keep yourselves safe. After all, at the start, wasn’t survival your only aim? This way, that purpose is achieved, and your people remain unharmed.”

“Mm.”

Jin Xue answered reflexively, then asked curiously, “And the second path?”

“The second option, if you cannot swallow this humiliation, you can resist to the end. Since it takes eight or ten years for those sects to relocate, during that time you won’t need to fear roaming spirits or resentful ghosts.”

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Qi Huang continued.

“And after eight or ten years? If we anger the Immortal Alliance, we’d be left to fend for ourselves.”

Jin Xue asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry. Within ten years, I will certainly uproot the Immortal Alliance and seize control of Kapok Valley Treasure Land. By then, those sects will no longer fall under their threats.”

Qi Huang promised with great confidence, though she added, “Of course, if you don’t trust me, I won’t insist.”

“Of course I trust you, only…”

Jin Xue hesitated.

“You fear that after the Immortal Alliance threatens your domestic sects, they’ll no longer dare to expel evil spirits for the people, right?”

Qi Huang immediately caught her meaning.

“Yes. Even if they can’t relocate right away, that doesn’t mean they’ll dare defy the Immortal Alliance.”

Jin Xue admitted worriedly.

“That is exactly what I mean. Money may move even ghosts, but I cannot guarantee how many cultivators will have the courage. If you want to vent your anger, you must bear this risk.”

Qi Huang laid it bare. She had no wish to be blamed in the future should things go awry.

“No. I will never put the people in danger just to vent my anger.”

Jin Xue declared without hesitation.

“So? You’ve made your decision?”

Qi Huang smiled. She had known the princess would never be so selfish.

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“Yes. I have decided to accept the Immortal Alliance’s demand, and let my father issue the explanation.”

Jin Xue said firmly.

“In that case, I won’t press further.”

Qi Huang agreed smoothly. Her only aim from the start was for these people to survive, while tarnishing the Alliance’s reputation. With that accomplished, there was no need to create unnecessary trouble. She never expected these nations to topple the Immortal Alliance, and if they recklessly tried, her own risks would rise.

“But don’t lose heart. I keep my word. Within ten years, you will see the Immortal Alliance vanish from this continent.”

Qi Huang added to reassure her.

Soon after, Tang Yuning and Ouyang Yi also contacted Qi Huang for help through their Thousand-Mile Communication Tubes. Qi Huang told them the same things.

Both princesses, for the sake of their people, chose to endure humiliation. Truly, they lived up to their titles.

Days later, the nations and sects involved one after another issued reconciliatory statements with the Immortal Alliance. On the surface it seemed cowardly compromise, but in truth, for their level of strength, surviving was already miraculous.

As for the Immortal Alliance, though it seemed to gain the upper hand, its reputation and prestige suffered a heavy blow, the losses immeasurable.

Half a year passed in a flash. Qi Huang’s four Golden Fate Blossoms had already grown taller than a person. This could no longer be concealed, and news spread like wildfire. After all, such things had only ever existed in rumor before. Now, many flocked inside and outside the sect to see for themselves.

Qi Huang was not flustered. She had long anticipated the revelation. With her formidable power as backing, and her preparations already made, she felt no fear.

The Immortal Alliance, however, soon grew restless. They dispatched Elder Zuo to investigate.

That old fox Qin Quan again played the conciliatory role, politely receiving Elder Zuo into Honghua Sect.

But Elder Zuo was uncompromising. Leading a group of disciples, he marched straight into the Cheng family’s rear courtyard.

“Who planted these Golden Fate Blossoms? This elder demands an explanation!”

Elder Zuo pointed at the four towering blossoms, his words sharp though his heart wavered.