Volume 10, Chapter 717 – You Must Dig Up the Golden Fate Blossoms

The reason Elder Zuo’s voice sounded fierce yet hollow was because he was somewhat wary of Qi Huang. After all, no one really knew how strong this girl was.

Seeing Elder Zuo act so “forceful”, the faces of the surrounding disciples of the Honghua Sect all showed fear.

“I planted them, so what?”

Qi Huang casually walked forward to respond.

“Where did you get these seeds from? The Immortal Alliance has decreed that raw Golden Fate Blossom seeds are forbidden to appear on the continent. Are you pretending not to know that?”

Elder Zuo tried his best to maintain his authority.

“These aren’t raw Golden Fate Blossom seeds. These seeds were all ones I bought from others.”

Qi Huang explained calmly.

“Bought? From whom did you buy them? Do you have proof?”

Naturally, Elder Zuo wanted to get to the bottom of things.

“Proof? That’s easy enough.”

With a flick of Qi Huang’s thought, more than ten sheets of paper appeared in her pale palm: “Here are the transaction records between me and the sellers. Both sides left their handprints on them. You can take a look yourself.”

Qi Huang had long known the Immortal Alliance would not let this go easily. So when she bought the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, she had every seller sign proof with her.

Elder Zuo took them and carefully inspected them. After quite some time, he still could not find a single flaw. Reluctantly, he asked again: “Then where did they get their seeds from?”

“As far as I know, they were all rewards from the Evergreen Conference. If Elder Zuo doesn’t believe me, you can investigate for yourself.”

Qi Huang replied at ease.

Elder Zuo did not question it further. In his mind, acquiring Golden Fate Blossom seeds through any channel other than the Evergreen Conference was impossible. Besides, Qi Huang would never dare lie to him.

His expression turned embarrassed, not knowing how to continue flaunting his authority.

‘Are those fools at the Immortal Alliance headquarters really incapable of cooking a few seeds properly?’

Elder Zuo silently “greeted” the ones responsible for boiling the seeds before speaking with a gentler face: “So these few Golden Fate Blossoms you have were grown from those purchased seeds?”

“Yes. I originally bought more than ten seeds, but only four survived. The fires of the Immortal Alliance’s kitchen stoves really are fierce.”

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Qi Huang’s tone was laced with biting sarcasm.

‘Damn it! Out of more than ten seeds, she actually managed to grow a third of them, and she’s still not satisfied?’

Elder Zuo cursed inwardly, though he could only force an awkward smile on his face.

After pondering a moment, he hardened his expression again: “The Immortal Alliance forbids cultivators from planting Golden Fate Blossom seeds. You’d better dig them up at once.”

“Elder Zuo, are you trying to take me for a naïve child? Which regulation of the Immortal Alliance forbids cultivators from planting Golden Fate Blossom seeds?”

Qi Huang sneered.

“The Golden Fate Blossom seeds the Immortal Alliance distributes as rewards are always boiled. Is there even a need to create such a ban? Or is it that you people already knew your men couldn’t cook seeds properly?”

Cheng Hongling beside her also mocked coldly.

“Do I need to report to you when such a ban is issued? Dig them up immediately.”

Elder Zuo ordered with a dark face.

“Elder Zuo, you can’t let them be dug up! You know the situation in Huangtian County. The common people are relying on these few Golden Fate Blossoms to escape their suffering.”

Qin Quan began to rally the crowd.

“That’s right, Fairy Hongling and Fairy Qi already said they planted these Golden Fate Blossoms not for personal gain, but for the people of Huangtian County. We beg you, please don’t destroy them.”

“Doesn’t the Immortal Alliance always proclaim to serve the people of the world? How can you say one thing and do another?”

“Elder Zuo, if you dig up these Golden Fate Blossoms, it will be like taking our lives away!”

The common folk watching began to plead bitterly.

The corners of Qi Huang’s lips curved slightly. This was, of course, information she had deliberately leaked, to force the Immortal Alliance into a passive position.

“Elder Zuo, do you see? Even if I wanted to dig them up, the people would not allow it.”

Qi Huang spoke mockingly.

Elder Zuo and his men suddenly found themselves isolated and helpless. Taking a deep breath, he deliberately took out a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to threaten: “Since you refuse to cooperate, I will have no choice but to report this matter to the Immortal Alliance headquarters.”

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“As you wish.”

Qi Huang responded indifferently. She already had a backup plan. If the Immortal Alliance forced her to dig them up, she would simply plant them again in secret. Once she became invincible, no one would have a say in the matter.

Irritated, Elder Zuo carried the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to a secluded spot, carefully setting up a Divine Sense barrier and soundproof talismans before reporting the situation to Vice Alliance Leader Cao Hong.

Qi Huang vanished mysteriously as well, only to appear in another hidden location where she drew out her Shadow-Retaining Mirror to spy. To know the enemy was to ensure victory.

“Twelve seeds, and she managed to grow four. That’s a third! Just what was that elder in charge of cooking the seeds doing?”

Cao Hong exploded in fury.

“Exactly. Sitting at headquarters all day with nothing to do, and yet he couldn’t even cook seeds properly. Just like some pampered noblewoman who never touches spring water, good for nothing but appearances. Such a person still calls himself an elder? At this rate, the Immortal Alliance is finished.”

Elder Zuo vented bitterly.

“Whoever neglected their duty, I will investigate later. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Cao Hong replied, somewhat displeased. He felt Elder Zuo’s words were a veiled jab at him.

“And what about these Golden Fate Blossoms?”

Elder Zuo quickly asked.

“If she wants to grow them, let her. There’s no need to act recklessly in front of everyone.”

Cao Hong gave his instruction.

“Vice Alliance Leader, you must be joking! Those are four whole Golden Fate Blossoms. If they spread, the losses to the Immortal Alliance will be immense. Surely you realize that?”

Elder Zuo became agitated.

“Then what do you propose? Should we openly oppose the masses?”

Cao Hong countered, then sighed in disappointment: “Elder Zuo, as an elder of the Immortal Alliance, you should use your brain. With your strength, if you wear clothing specially crafted from Nine Nether Demon Cat fur and secretly dig up those Golden Fate Blossoms, wouldn’t that be easy? This way, you avoid offending the people and still obtain four Golden Fate Blossoms for free. Two birds with one stone, why not?”

“Vice Alliance Leader, you are truly brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that?”

Elder Zuo flattered him eagerly.

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“If you could, you’d be the vice leader instead.”

Cao Hong mocked.

On the other side, Qi Huang’s lips curved as she thought: ‘If such petty cunning could make one a vice leader, then surely I, this Immortal, could be Alliance Leader.’

She put away the Shadow-Retaining Mirror and calmly returned.

Feeling reassured, Elder Zuo went back to the crowd and declared righteously: “Vice Alliance Leader Cao, moved by compassion for the people of Huangtian County, has granted special permission for the Honghua Sect to cultivate these Golden Fate Blossoms.”

“Quickly thank Elder Zuo!”

Qi Huang seized the chance to stir the crowd.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Elder Zuo! Thank you, Vice Leader Cao! Long live the Immortal Alliance!”

The people erupted in cheers.

A subtle smile appeared on Elder Zuo’s lips. He thought Cao Hong was truly a cunning old fox. Not only had the Immortal Alliance earned the people’s praise, they would also soon obtain four Golden Fate Blossoms in secret. Truly two birds with one stone.

Elder Zuo, still unsatisfied, decided to further display his righteousness. He turned to warn Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang: “You two say you plant these for the people, not for profit. Then you must keep your word. If you try to use them for personal gain, the Immortal Alliance will not stand idly by.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t need your reminder.”

Qi Huang replied with some disgust.

After that, Elder Zuo led his followers away from the Honghua Sect, already plotting when to steal the four Golden Fate Blossoms.

The people, seeing the crisis resolved, left joyfully. To them, saving these four Golden Fate Blossoms was better than celebrating New Year’s.

Qi Huang and her family returned home. Cheng Hongling looked somewhat grave. After holding back for a long time, she finally said reproachfully: “Did you plant the Golden Fate Blossoms too early? Now it may be difficult to contain the situation.”

“Too early? I think it’s too late. Each day we delay, the people of Huangtian County endure more slander.”

Qi Huang spoke calmly and confidently.

“Do you really think the Immortal Alliance will let this go?”

Cheng Hongling reminded her.

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“Why not? Didn’t Elder Zuo already allow us to plant them?”

Jiang Linian asked doubtfully.

“Most likely they mean to say one thing and do another. These Golden Fate Blossoms touch upon the Immortal Alliance’s interests. They won’t truly concede.”

Cheng Yuan analyzed rationally.

“You’re right. The Immortal Alliance has no intention of giving up. Come, take a look.”

Qi Huang pulled out the Shadow-Retaining Mirror and replayed the images she had secretly recorded.

“The Immortal Alliance really never changes its nature!”

Jiang Linian cursed.

“Judging by how calm you look, you already have a countermeasure, don’t you?”

Cheng Hongling glanced at the doppelgänger beside her.

“But of course. You know my style. I never fight battles I’m not sure of.”

Qi Huang’s red lips curved in a smile.

“Exactly. My daughter is powerful. How could she fear Elder Zuo stealing anything?”

Jiang Linian suddenly realized.

“You’re mistaken. As the saying goes, you may not fear a thief stealing, but you fear him coveting. If I clash head-on with Elder Zuo, who knows whom the Immortal Alliance will send next? Exposing my true strength would be a loss.”

Qi Huang shook her head.

“Then what exactly do you plan to do? Hurry and tell us!”

Cheng Hongling pressed impatiently.

“He wanted me to dig up the Golden Fate Blossoms at first, didn’t he? Then I’ll grant his wish, and let him steal nothing but empty air.”

Qi Huang’s smile was serene and radiant.