Volume 11, Chapter 751 – Whoever Dares to Obstruct, Dies (Part 3)

Cao Hong’s tone was condescending and domineering, his words dripping with arrogance, showcasing the shameless tyranny of the Immortal Alliance to the extreme.

Qi Huang, however, was not the least bit angry, for in her eyes the words of this decrepit old man carried no weight at all!

Qin Quan’s smile stiffened, though he still clung to a sliver of hope. He began to plead his case: “Alliance Leader Cao, you have rarely visited the Western Radiance Dynasty, so perhaps you don’t know our circumstances here. In Huangtian County, evil spirits once rampaged, Yin energy blanketed the land, and it was nearly impossible to grow food. This meant the common folk often had no guarantee of their next meal. They grew up stunted and emaciated, and so for generations they were mocked, not only by our own dynasty but also by neighboring lands. No matter where they went, they could never raise their heads with pride. To break free of this stigma and give their descendants a chance at dignity, we can only rely on Golden Fate Blossom seeds.”

“So what?”

Cao Hong retorted coldly.

“What’s this nonsense about my grandfather not visiting the Western Radiance Dynasty? Do you think all he does is sit comfortably at the Immortal Alliance headquarters?”

Cao Guang sneered.

“Alliance Leader Cao, does the Immortal Alliance not claim to eradicate demons and protect the people, bringing welfare to the common world? Why not show some mercy, and grant their descendants an opportunity to change their fate?”

Qin Quan humbly entreated.

“If I show mercy, then who will repay the losses of the Immortal Alliance?”

Cao Hong countered mercilessly.

“Alliance Leader Cao, so long as you are willing to show mercy, I am willing to be a slave, to serve at your command!”

“Alliance Leader Cao, for the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, we are willing to pay any price, even our lives. Please, we beg your compassion!”

“Alliance Leader Cao… sob… we have suffered from discrimination for too long. I have nothing to give my child, except the hope that he might shed this brand of shame, and not walk the same path we did!”

“Alliance Leader Cao, girls of the mortal world can still be married off one way or another, but my child is a boy! Without the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, how will he ever take a wife in the future? The incense line of our Yang family will be severed. Please, we beg you!”

The people pleaded with tears streaming down their faces.

“A bunch of useless vermin, what use are you to this Alliance Leader? You truly overestimate yourselves!”

Cao Hong said with disdain.

“Hurry up and get out of here. Don’t cling on shamelessly. The fact that we’ve yet to strike you down already counts as mercy.”

Cao Guang barked impatiently.

“Haha! See? I told you these bumpkins were celebrating too early. Now they’ll be mocked by the entire cultivation world for generations to come. Rats will always be rats. Why bother struggling?”

“Exactly. Serves them right. The Honghua Sect dared to look down on us outsiders, but now they’ve become the real laughingstock!”

“I say it’s more than just ridicule. With what they did today, even if they don’t die, the Honghua Sect will be flayed of its dignity.”

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The million-strong crowd of outsiders jeered, adding insult to injury.

“Wuu… Alliance Leader Cao… I’ll kneel before you… The people of Huangtian County have been despised for thousands of years, we cannot live without the Golden Fate Blossom seeds!”

The people below, driven by grief and desperation, began preparing to kneel.

“What’s the use of kneeling? You bumpkins actually think your knees are worth something?”

Cao Guang shook his head in disgust, then warned coldly: “Listen up! This young master is in a foul mood today. Whoever is the last to leave will be the one I cut down. Leave or stay; it’s your choice.”

“Wife, take the child and go quickly!”

“What about you, husband?”

“I’ll stay and beg Alliance Leader Cao once more. Perhaps he might relent.”

“And if they truly draw their blades?”

“No matter. My life is cheap. But if we cannot get the Golden Fate Blossom seeds today, and our Liu family line dies out, then even in death I will have no face to meet our ancestors!”

The fathers below were not cowed. They urged their wives and children to leave while they themselves stayed behind to make one last attempt.

The mothers, choking with sobs, walked away with their children, looking back at every step. They longed to stay with their husbands, but had no choice but to put their children’s safety first.

“So, you treat this young master’s words as empty air, do you? You think I won’t dare strike?”

Cao Guang roared in anger.

“Please, Alliance Leader Cao! We kowtow to you!”

The fathers lowered their heads, ready to kneel.

Cheng Hongling could bear it no longer. She released her Divine Sense, restraining all the men, and strode forward with heroic bearing. “A man of honor kneels only to the heavens, the earth, and his parents. These people are not worthy of your kneeling!”

“Cheng Hongling must be mad! She actually dares oppose the Immortal Alliance?”

“Such ignorance! She’s only ever been domineering on her little patch of land. She doesn’t know there are always greater powers in the world!”

“Well done! The more she resists, the worse Honghua Sect will suffer. That makes me even happier!”

“A pity though… Cheng Hongling is so devastatingly beautiful, yet today she will surely meet her end.”

“Tch. Just a big-chested, brainless vase. She deserves death!”

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“No matter. Even dead, she’ll still be useful!”

“What do you mean?”

“Quietly take her corpse, turn her into a zombie woman to serve you. Just imagining it makes one’s blood boil with excitement!”

The crowd watched with mixed awe and anticipation, eager for the drama to unfold.

Cao Hong did not immediately lash out. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but the voice sounded strangely familiar.

Cao Guang looked at Cheng Hongling, his face darkening. He did enjoy beauty, but that didn’t mean he was blinded by it.

“So you are that so-called number one genius of the Western Radiance Dynasty Cheng Hongling?”

Cao Guang asked with ill intent.

“What do you want?”

Cheng Hongling replied coldly.

“In this generation, the cultivation world has ten great geniuses. Six or seven years ago, you already reached the Divine Realm, and you even possess a rather strong doppelgänger. That’s why you are ranked among them. Do you know of this?”

Cao Hong asked, deliberately changing the subject.

“I’ve heard of it. Speak directly.”

Cheng Hongling frowned impatiently.

“These last two continent-level Evergreen Conferences, why haven’t you participated? From what I know, the Immortal Alliance sent you invitations each time. If your strength is truly as the rumors claim, surely you wouldn’t shrink from battle?”

Cao Guang voiced his suspicion.

“No interest.”

Cheng Hongling shook her head indifferently.

“No interest… or fear? Could it be you don’t live up to your reputation?”

Cao Guang pressed.

“Sounds like you want to test it yourself?”

Cheng Hongling’s gaze sharpened.

“Exactly!”

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Cao Guang’s True Qi surged madly, his aura climbing rapidly.

“Grandson, you understand why I brought you here today. Do not disappoint me.”

Cao Hong reminded from the side.

“So that’s it. This Cao Hong brought his grandson here to polish his reputation. They’re treating us like stepping stones!”

Qi Huang realized instantly, a sly smile appearing on her lips.

“Rest assured, Grandfather! She’s just a wild girl from the countryside with no immortal bloodline and no powerful background. What does she have to fight me with?”

Cao Guang answered confidently, then turned back to Cheng Hongling. “Do you know? In the last two Evergreen Conferences, this young master swept aside all the peerless prodigies. Now only two remain, one is you, the other is that monstrous Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect. Unless I defeat both of you, I cannot claim the title of number one genius of this generation!”

“Huarong Sect?”

Cao Hong’s expression grew thoughtful at the mention of the name.

“Pfft!”

Qi Huang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly laughed aloud.

“You find my words amusing?”

Cao Guang’s breathing grew heavy.

“A little. Leaving us aside, I’ve heard of that Holy Maiden’s feats. At the Immortal-Forging Platform, she single-handedly crushed the top seven of the previous generation’s Ten Great Monsters, including your own clan brother, Cao Yang. I’m curious, where do you find the confidence to think you can beat her?”

Qi Huang asked curiously.

“Cao Yang? Though he is my clan brother, this young master must say, he’s trash! One day, I will trample that Huarong Sect Holy Maiden underfoot, and wash away the shame he brought upon the Cao clan!”

Cao Guang declared with boundless confidence.

Qi Huang shook her head helplessly. ‘Such a delusional youth, no point in reasoning. Best to slap him down until he’s honest.’

“You likely won’t get that chance.”

Cheng Hongling shook her head with pity.

“Why not?”

Cao Guang asked, confused.

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“Because today you won’t be able to pass even me.”

Cheng Hongling spoke plainly. At present, her cultivation had already reached the second layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. Forget Cao Guang, even against Cao Hong, she was confident she could at least contend.

“Is that so? I hope your strength is as hard as your words. Once I crush you, only that monstrous Huarong Sect Holy Maiden will remain. With these millions of spectators as witnesses, I’ll secure my place!”

Cao Guang was brimming with anticipation.

“Haha! The real show begins. Who would have thought we’d witness a duel between top prodigies here?”

“A duel? More like bullying. This isn’t the Evergreen Conference. With Cao Hong present, would Cheng Hongling even dare win?”

“You actually think she can win? Hilarious!”

“Exactly. Cheng Hongling has no immortal bloodline, no deep backing, and with Cao Hong looming, how can she possibly win? Seduction?”

“Yes. If the battlefield were a bed, perhaps she’d have a sliver of victory!”

The vast crowd of spectators chattered excitedly.

“Make your move!”

Cao Guang courteously invited.

“You should go first. I fear you won’t have the chance to strike back later.”

Cheng Hongling replied in kind.

“You…”

Cao Guang started to retort, but then felt a firm hand seize his arm. He turned to see his grandfather staring at him, eyes wide, pupils trembling violently, as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Don’t worry, Grandfather! I won’t bring shame to you or the Cao clan.”

Cao Guang reassured.

“Are you certain? Even if she were the Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect herself?”

Cao Hong asked gravely.

“What… what did you say?”

Cao Guang froze in place.