Volume 11, Chapter 760 – Seven Terrifying Doppelgängers (Part 1)

The people of the Western Radiance Dynasty also believed in gods, but the “god” they revered was not some illusory deity. Rather, it was Qi Huang, the National Preceptor. She had once, by her own strength alone, repelled the coalition army of four nations, rescuing millions from fire and water. Naturally, her prestige equaled that of divinities.

Qi Huang had no doubts at all, if she ordered the people of the Western Radiance Dynasty to their deaths, those fanatical “believers” would not hesitate in the slightest. That was the reason she could act so directly.

To put it bluntly, Lin Ran lacked sufficient prestige. That was why she could not, like Qi Huang, resolve matters with sheer force.

The entire court of civil and military officials was momentarily stunned at the sight, then quickly lowered their eyes and retreated to their places.

“Just now, Her Majesty said that the entire Western Radiance Dynasty will advance and retreat together with Huangtian County. Does anyone object?”

Qi Huang strode forward, her voice sharp with pressing dominance.

“No! We swear to follow the National Preceptor unto death!”

The voices of the gathered ministers resounded, firm and powerful, without the slightest hesitation.

“That’s good.”

Qi Huang smiled with satisfaction, then mischievously turned her head and winked at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran returned a helpless smile, feeling somewhat deflated inside. As an emperor, her prestige actually fell short of that of the National Preceptor. Fortunately, this little girl had no interest whatsoever in worldly power. Otherwise, Lin Ran would sooner or later be forced to abdicate.

After handling mundane affairs, Qi Huang returned to the Honghua Sect and immediately began cultivating new doppelgängers. With her conflict against the Immortal Alliance deepening, the entire cultivation world was starting to take sides. She needed more helpers to protect her faction’s strength.

After two days of effort, Qi Huang successfully transformed all seven of her corporeal souls into doppelgängers. Each possessed Divine Sense at the mid-stage of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. Any one of them alone could dominate the cultivation continent.

With such tremendous power, the seven souls were naturally thrilled. They felt their long imprisonment within the Sea of Consciousness had finally been worth it.

Indeed, as doppelgängers, one could not have both fish and bear’s paw. If one sought freedom early, the strength gained would be weaker, like Huang Tian. But if one endured the loneliness of confinement, the resulting power would be far greater.

The next day, emissaries from the Ning Clan of the Central Continent arrived.

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Qi Huang was not the least surprised. Cheng Hongling had publicly slain the Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader using the Water-Severing Art, so naturally the Ning Clan would be implicated.

Since the Ning delegation showed no overt hostility, the Honghua Sect could not simply turn them away. They received them courteously, for in truth, they too bore some fault.

As the ones directly involved, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling had to personally provide explanations.

Qin Quan arranged fruits and pastries in the great hall and then quietly stood aside as a companion.

“This visit to the Honghua Sect has truly broadened my horizons,” Ning Xu began with polite flattery. “That Sect Master Qin could grow a sect to such scale in such a remote place is truly admirable.”

“You flatter me, Brother Ning.”

Pride shone clearly on Qin Quan’s face. After a pause, he added, “In truth, Honghua Sect could never have reached this scale without relying on our Grand Elder Cheng Hongling and her doppelgänger, Qi Huang.”

At those words, Ning Xu and his daughter naturally turned their gazes upon Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling.

Qi Huang, however, had already been quietly observing Ning Wuxia. This number-one beauty of the cultivation world had become even more alluring than seven years ago, thanks to the maturity of age and her voluptuous figure.

“I have long heard of Elder Cheng and Fairy Qi’s great names. Seven years ago, on the Immortal-Forging Platform, you alone defeated seven geniuses of the previous generation, among whom was my daughter. Thinking of it now, it is truly humbling.”

Ning Xu continued with flattery.

Ning Wuxia’s expression did not waver at those words. She remained as dignified and enchanting as ever. Clearly, she was a woman who could bear and let go with ease.

Qi Huang felt a tinge of respect. If she had been in Ning Wuxia’s place, she might have died of shame.

“It was mere luck,” Cheng Hongling replied modestly.

“Once might be luck. Twice, thrice, that is strength. The Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader you slew, there was no way luck could account for that.”

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Ning Xu seized the chance to steer the topic toward the real matter.

Cheng Hongling was no fool. Since he had already spoken so plainly, she saw no reason to beat around the bush. “That was thanks to the Ning Clan’s Water-Severing Art. Otherwise, I might not have won so easily.”

“On that matter, I must ask,” Ning Xu’s tone turned solemn, “the Water-Severing Art is an untransmittable secret of the Ning Clan. How did you come to learn it?”

“Please don’t misunderstand,” Ning Wuxia quickly interjected, explaining their predicament. “My father asked only out of necessity, not to pursue blame. Because you used the Water-Severing Art to kill the Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader, the Cao Clan is forcing us to provide an explanation. That’s why we must clarify the cause.”

Though she was a favored daughter of heaven, standing beside her father forced her to utter such humiliating words herself.

“There is no need for Miss Ning to explain. In this matter, I am indeed at fault, and I should give you a reasonable explanation.”

Though naturally proud, Cheng Hongling was not one to cling to face. She stood and bowed with a respectful salute.

Ning Wuxia and her father both exhaled slightly in relief. Their counterpart was someone who had slain the Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader. If she chose to be unreasonable, they would likely not survive the encounter.

“It was like this…”

Cheng Hongling proceeded to recount how she had “self-studied” the technique.

“So, simply because you saw me use it seven years ago on the Immortal-Forging Platform, you managed to comprehend it on your own?”

Ning Wuxia asked in disbelief.

“That is the truth. I never deliberately stole from the Ning Clan. If you refuse to believe me, I have no other recourse.”

Cheng Hongling added calmly.

“At barely past twenty, Junior Sister Cheng had already reached the Heavenly Tribulation Realm. Such talent may be unprecedented. To comprehend the Water-Severing Art alone is not impossible. It’s just…”

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Ning Wuxia trailed off.

“It’s just that to wield the Water-Severing Art, one must possess Profound Ice True Qi. Yet only the Ning Clan’s secret cultivation method can produce such True Qi. How did you acquire it?” Ning Xu continued.

“I learned Profound Ice True Qi through Shuiyu Valley’s Water Exquisite Art. If you doubt me, you can confirm with them.”

Cheng Hongling answered honestly.

“Water Exquisite Art?”

Ning Xu and Ning Wuxia exchanged glances, suspicion evident on both faces.

After a long silence, Ning Xu finally spoke, his tone imploring: “Elder Cheng, might I trouble you to accompany us to Shuiyu Valley? This is not mere quibbling, it concerns the survival of the Ning Clan. I beg you.”

“Very well.”

Cheng Hongling wished to prove her innocence, so she agreed.

Soon after, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling accompanied the Ning delegation to Shuiyu Valley. After investigation, the result was almost laughable, the founder of Shuiyu Valley had in fact originated from the Ning Clan.

The story was simple: thousands of years ago, the Ning Clan had produced a genius. But because her parents were incompetent, the clan neglected her. Enraged, she left her homeland, traveled to the remote Western Radiance Dynasty, and established her own sect.

Thus, Shuiyu Valley’s Water Exquisite Art had originated from the Ning Clan.

“No wonder… No wonder Junior Sister Cheng could comprehend the Water-Severing Art just by watching me. It turns out the Water Exquisite Art you practice comes from the Ning Clan.”

Ning Wuxia finally understood.

“Since Shuiyu Valley was founded by a Ning ancestor, that makes you our family.”

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Ning Xu immediately affirmed their kinship.

“Master Ning, you should think carefully. Kinship is not so easily claimed. If we acknowledge ties, then the Ning Clan will be branded guilty of killing the Immortal Alliance’s Vice Leader.”

Qi Huang reminded kindly.

“Indeed. If Master Ning were to return to your clan, deny everything, and tell the Immortal Alliance that I stole the Water-Severing Art from you, perhaps there would still be a chance of survival,” Cheng Hongling suggested.

Ning Xu and his daughter exchanged glances, their expressions deeply conflicted. Their journey to the Western Radiance Dynasty had completely upended expectations. They had come to “demand justice”, only to discover kinship. Now the Ning Clan faced a dilemma: either feign ignorance to preserve themselves or uphold righteousness even at risk of destruction.

After long inner struggle, Ning Xu gritted his teeth and declared: “Blood runs thicker than water. Since Shuiyu Valley was founded by our Ning ancestor, they are our descendants. Even if it means death, I will never stand idly by. If the Immortal Alliance wants to destroy Shuiyu Valley, they must first trample over my corpse.”

“Excellent! Master Ning’s character is truly admirable. For those words alone, I guarantee the Ning Clan’s safety.”

Admiration lit Qi Huang’s face. With a thought, she summoned forth a doppelgänger.

“This is my doppelgänger Huang Tian. Take her with you. I guarantee the Immortal Alliance will not touch even a single blade of grass in the Ning Clan.”

Qi Huang introduced confidently. Huang Tian’s Divine Sense strength had reached the terrifying mid-stage of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, making her second only to Qi Huang herself in power across the cultivation continent.

“Your doppelgänger? Is this possible?”

Ning Xu stared at Qi Huang’s brow in shock.

“This can’t be right. You are already a doppelgänger… how could you have doppelgängers of your own?”

Ning Wuxia parted her red lips in astonishment.