Volume 11, Chapter 758 – The Unfortunate Ning Clan

“I never said we had to oppose openly, just show up but don’t put in any effort!”

Cao Meng revealed his plan.

“Show up but don’t put in effort? Grandfather means to hold back? But the problem is that many names of the Cao Clan are carved upon the Immortal Stele. On that basis alone, they are already undefeatable. Can Cheng Hongling really handle that?”

Cao Yang asked uneasily. Any man had the desire to conquer, and he was no exception. Both Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang held a fatal allure for him.

“Not necessarily. Though the Cao Clan’s Immortal Stele is powerful, passive defense can’t compare with active offense. The rebound force it generates at most injures cultivators at the mid Heavenly Tribulation Realm. Since this girl managed to kill Second Brother, as long as I don’t make a move or I let up, she may still have a chance to survive!”

Cao Meng speculated.

The eyes of the family members flickered with light, but Cao Yang’s father, Cao Hui, quickly calmed down. He frowned and said: “Father, even if she manages to survive by chance, if Cao Yang tries to take her as a concubine, he will surely face criticism not just from the family, but from the entire cultivation world.”

“Those who accomplish great things don’t cling to trifles. I believe her value far surpasses the reputation of our family. At worst, I give up being clan head. You must understand, the cultivation world respects strength above all. As long as we are strong enough, we will take back everything that belongs to us in the end.”

Cao Meng said with firm expression.

“Father is right!”

After brief thought, Cao Hui replied respectfully. The other family members also nodded in agreement.

“But this is the worst case scenario. I don’t believe there’s no room for maneuver. The Cao Clan has dozens of branches. Cao Hong and Cao Kun are but one branch. Who the rest will support is uncertain. In the end, it might be them who find themselves abandoned.”

Cao Meng added.

“Father-in-law is absolutely right. I don’t believe those relatives are all bound by affection and righteousness. I know the Cao Clan too well, most are opportunists. They might just stand on our side.”

Madam Feng agreed repeatedly.

At this, the other family members finally let out a full sigh of relief.

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“But one lives by face, as a tree by bark. We can’t completely ignore reputation and act too rashly. It must be gradual. If the Immortal Alliance fails to kill her, then we inscribe her name onto the Immortal Stele. The public reason, of course, won’t be to make her Cao Yang’s concubine, but to kill her. That way the clan won’t object.”

Cao Meng shifted his tone.

“Father is absolutely right. For the sake of survival, Cheng Hongling would have no choice but to walk into our net. Then we put on a show, and let Cao Yang truly take her as concubine.”

Cao Hui said excitedly.

“Exactly. Cheng Hongling’s strength is known to all. Even if Cao Hong’s branch opposes, it won’t matter. Who knows how many in the Cao Clan would truly stand with them?”

Cao Yang trembled with excitement. Just imagining conquering Cheng Hongling and Qi Huang made his very soul feel exalted.

Of course, the Cao Clan wasn’t alone in this line of thought. Other immortal families and sects had similar ideas. Now that the true identities of Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling had been exposed, they naturally wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by. But since the Cao Clan’s strength was formidable, most chose to watch and wait.

The Ning Clan, however, was an exception. Since Cheng Hongling had publicly used the Water-Severing Art to kill Cao Hong, they could not escape involvement.

That day, Cao Kun led disciples to the Ning Clan, demanding an explanation.

“Elder Cao, our Ning Clan has no ties whatsoever with the Honghua Sect or Cheng Hongling. This matter has nothing to do with us.”

Ning Xu, father of Ning Wuxia, explained tirelessly. He could not afford to provoke either the Immortal Alliance or the Cao Clan.

“If that is so, then why does Cheng Hongling know the Ning Clan’s hereditary secret art? You must have leaked it to her. The Ning Clan must take responsibility for my cousin’s death.”

Cao Kun barked arrogantly.

After fruitless wrangling, Cao Kun finally left with harsh words, clearly unwilling to let it rest.

Faced with this disaster from nowhere, Ning Xu could only sigh helplessly and begin to think of countermeasures.

He knew the first thing was to figure out why the Honghua Sect disciple knew the Ning Clan’s forbidden art. After thinking carefully, only his daughter had ever had contact with Cheng Hongling. So he summoned her.

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Before long, the former number one beauty of the cultivation world, Ning Wuxia, entered. Compared with six or seven years ago, her otherworldly aura was unchanged, but her figure had grown even more alluring. From every angle her curves stood out, and as she moved, one could faintly see the “mountains quake and ground tremble”.

“This is impossible. Years ago, I did cross hands with her once at the Immortal-Forging Platform, but it shouldn’t be possible for her to master it just by a glance, right?”

Ning Wuxia exclaimed in shock.

“I wonder if she secretly came to the Ning Clan to steal it.”

Ning Xu speculated.

“Hard to say. After all, there are no walls in the world that don’t let the wind through.”

Ning Wuxia also harbored this suspicion.

“In any case, we must investigate this thoroughly. The Immortal Alliance and the Cao Clan will definitely not let us off easily.”

Ning Xu said with grave expression.

Soon, father and daughter of the Ning Clan set out with attendants, heading straight for the Honghua Sect.

Meanwhile, Lu Lin’s decree had already spread throughout the cultivation world, causing another great upheaval. Many began to pack and rush toward the Honghua Sect. Not just to watch the spectacle, but to seek opportunity. For someone’s death meant unclaimed treasures ripe for the taking.

Thus, the remote Western Radiance Dynasty abruptly became the focus of the entire cultivation continent.

That day, Qi Huang disguised herself as the National Preceptor and entered the imperial palace, smoothly gaining audience with the Empress Lin Ran.

“The Immortal Alliance has ordered the people of Huangtian County to hand over the children who consumed the Golden Fate Blossoms. Has Your Majesty heard of this matter?”

Qi Huang asked with a mischievous grin.

“Preceptor, you jest. I am not like my late father, who never set foot beyond the palace gates. How could I not know something that has spread across the entire cultivation world?”

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Lin Ran answered lightly.

“You seem rather calm. With such a matter in your realm, there’s not the slightest stir. Do you intend to wade into these muddy waters?”

Qi Huang teased.

“Preceptor, you jest again. If I were such a person, would you have supported me to the throne? I only keep quiet because I have full faith in your strength.”

Lin Ran spoke earnestly.

“Good eyesight!”

Qi Huang, without a blush or heartbeat, gave a thumbs-up, then added: “Still, as the worldly ruler, you should do something. Otherwise, the people of Huangtian County will feel abandoned.”

“I wanted to act long ago. I was only waiting for you, Preceptor. Without your word, I dare not presume.”

Lin Ran explained seriously.

“It’s not so serious. You are the Empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty, not me.”

Qi Huang said smugly.

“I may be Empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty, but you are also my Empress. Without your voice, little sister Qi, how dare I make decisions on my own?”

Lin Ran teased softly.

Qi Huang’s expression grew even more pleased. She strained to keep her face composed, then asked: “So, how do you plan to act?”

“Tomorrow I will order proclamations posted: the entire military and populace of the Western Radiance Dynasty stand forever with the people of Huangtian County. Whoever tries to take their children will be our enemy. What does little sister Qi think?”

Lin Ran sought her opinion.

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“Let’s do that. Just a formality. With this immortal here, no one can threaten the safety of the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Qi Huang waved indifferently.

“And how will you deal with the Immortal Alliance?”

Lin Ran asked curiously.

“Me? Of course I’ll strike first. Didn’t the Immortal Alliance say they would march into the Western Radiance Dynasty on the first of next month? I plan to set up a flowing feast at their main headquarters’ gate on the thirtieth of this month.”

Qi Huang answered frankly.

“A flowing feast? You intend to bribe them?”

Lin Ran guessed.

“Bribe them? You’re mistaken. I mean to host a banquet for everyone who bears a grudge against the Immortal Alliance, to let them witness firsthand how I destroy that organization.”

Qi Huang grinned proudly.

“Ah?”

Lin Ran was startled. After a long pause, she asked: “May I… reserve a seat at this feast?”

“Of course. I guarantee you the best seat.”

Qi Huang promised.

Meanwhile, the Huarong Sect was not faring so lightly. The Immortal Alliance had exposed their Immortal Stele as nothing but a useless stone, plunging them instantly into great panic.