Volume 1, Chapter 77 – No, the Feminization Continues (Part 3)

“Disobedient again? Does your backside need another lesson?”

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Cheng Hongling was already standing in front of “Qi Huang”.

“What? After imprisoning me for over a decade, you still think you can boss me around?”

“Qi Huang” remained expressionless, her gaze sharp enough to send chills down one’s spine.

Cheng Hongling paused. For some reason, this doppelgänger seemed like an entirely different person compared to yesterday. Still, she didn’t back down. “Imprisoned for over a decade? As the Spiritual Wisdom Soul ¹ the soul fragment inside of Qi Huang , your duty is to serve the Life Soul ² Think of it as the main soul .”

“Seems Father didn’t raise you right. What does it matter if I’m just a soul fragment? Even he knew that ‘Kings and nobles aren’t born superior’—yet here you are, defining me by my origins.”

“Qi Huang” sneered.

“‘Kings and nobles aren’t born superior’—a fine sentiment. But only if you have the right to say it. Tell me, what qualifications does a mere soul fragment like you have to spout such words?”

Cheng Hongling’s tone was domineering.

“Oh, ‘a mere soul fragment’? Aren’t you afraid the other ‘sisters’ inside you might hear that?”

“Qi Huang” smirked, deliberately provoking her.

“Don’t bother sowing discord. I’ve always been pragmatic. If any of them have what it takes to become the Life Soul, I won’t stand in their way.”

Cheng Hongling remained unshaken.

“Remember your words. Once I become the Life Soul, you won’t interfere with my actions ever again.”

“Qi Huang” spoke cryptically.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, get your ass back inside.”

Cheng Hongling’s patience was wearing thin.

“As part of the same whole, you should know my personality. Even if I know I can’t win—”

“Qi Huang” began her grand declaration, but before she could finish, a sharp chop to the neck sent her crumpling to the ground, her beautiful eyes rolling back.

“As part of the same whole, you should know I hate long speeches.”

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Cheng Hongling caught her doppelgänger effortlessly, scooping her up in a princess carry before heading back inside.

“What’s going on? Why did you hit her?”

Jiang Linian rushed out, having witnessed everything through the window.

“Nothing serious. She tried to run. I brought her back.”

Cheng Hongling replied casually, carrying the unconscious Qi Huang upstairs.

“Hongling, she’s still a person, not some pet. Keeping her locked up like this isn’t right. She needs fresh air too.”

Jiang Linian followed, her voice laced with concern.

“Mother, you know how my senior sisters covet the Golden Fate Flower’s scent. Since they can’t get close to me, they’ll target her instead. With her current strength, stepping outside is like sending a lamb into a pack of wolves.”

Cheng Hongling’s reminder silenced Jiang Linian immediately.

“I understand now.”

With that, she said no more.

Cheng Hongling laid the “doppelgänger” on the bed, studying her intently. “Why are you so different from yesterday? What secrets are you hiding? I need to establish that Soul Tether as soon as possible.”

Some Time Later

Qi Huang groggily regained consciousness, her neck aching as if she’d slept on it wrong.

Wincing, she tried to move—only to find Jiang Linian sitting vigil by the bed. Though a veil obscured her face, the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

“You’re awake! Don’t run off like that again.”

Jiang Linian’s voice was tender.

“Run off? What do you mean?”

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Qi Huang was baffled. She’d just woken up! The only “running” she’d done was in her dreams—where she’d been brutally beaten. Even now, her eardrums throbbed faintly at the memory.

‘So this is how Cheng Hongling was eliminated from the Evergreen Conference three years ago. She actually made it to the 60th rank at just twelve years old… That’s astonishing.’

A flicker of admiration rose in Qi Huang’s heart.

‘But how did she fare this year? She clearly didn’t break into the top twenty—otherwise, the Honghua Sect wouldn’t be so desperate for Golden Fate Flower seeds.’

She was intensely curious. By her estimates, this year’s Evergreen Conference had ended months ago.

“Don’t hide it from me. I saw you trying to sneak out this morning. Your sister knocked you out and carried you back.”

Jiang Linian thought she was playing dumb and laid it out plainly.

“What?! I—I went out this morning?”

Qi Huang’s head snapped up in disbelief.

“Didn’t you? I saw it through the window. You argued with your sister, saying something about being ‘just a soul fragment’ and whatnot.”

Jiang Linian recounted everything.

‘Damn it. The feminization isn’t over yet.’

Qi Huang’s face paled. If her guess was right, her body had been hijacked by that soul fragment. Which meant the transformation was still progressing—because while she’d woken up disoriented before, she’d never lost control like this.

‘What’s happening? My body and soul are already fully feminized. How can she still erode my consciousness?’

A thread of fear coiled in her chest—the kind that came from facing the unknown. If this continued, she’d vanish completely, just like this morning.

‘Is there still some part of me that hasn’t been feminized?’

She wracked her brain but found no answers. Even scanning her body and soul with divine sense revealed no remaining traces of masculinity.

‘What the hell is going on?’

After agonizing over it with no progress, she finally gave up. ‘Whatever. If I can’t figure it out, I won’t bother. As long as I have the Tongming Comb, I’ll just… stop sleeping. Let’s see how you feminize me then.’

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The thought eased her mind.

“What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Linian’s voice pulled her back.

“N-Nothing.”

Qi Huang stammered.

“Since you’re fine, I’ll go prepare lunch. Remember—don’t anger your sister again.”

Jiang Linian patted her head and left.

‘If I’m not dying yet, I should plan my next steps.’

Qi Huang’s mind turned to strategy. She’d been too exhausted last night to think clearly.

“First, I need to confirm Grandfather’s situation.”

Her grandfather was her biggest concern. She’d left in such a hurry that day—she had no idea what happened afterward.

“Getting answers should be easy. Once those senior sisters return, I can pump them for information. Given how badly they want me, they won’t hold back.”

She smirked at the thought.

“Second, I need to ensure my family’s safety. Before, I was powerless. But now that I’m ‘fortunate’ enough to be Fairy Hongling’s doppelgänger, I should make use of it.

A clear goal took shape.

“Third, Master left the Honghua Sect to find a cure for my poisoning. He’s still missing. I have to find him—and uncover who tried to kill me back then. This isn’t over.”

Her teeth ground together. She’d sworn in her dreams—once she found the culprit, she’d tear them apart.

“Fourth, in a few years, Cheng Hongling will become bait. As her doppelgänger, I can’t escape that fate. I have to prepare.”

These were Qi Huang’s priorities. And no matter how she looked at it, improving her cultivation was the only path forward.

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“I’m only at the second layer of the Spirit Gathering Realm. There’s no time for conventional training—I need to plant that seed. But with that witch keeping me locked up, how can I even identify it?”

The dilemma stumped her.

“Wait. I can’t leave, but Mother can! Why not ask her to investigate for me?”

She smacked her forehead, then hurried downstairs with the seed, pleading for Jiang Linian’s help.

“Of course. After breakfast, I’ll ask around. With so many disciples in the Honghua Sect, someone must know.”

Jiang Linian agreed readily—though hesitation flickered in her eyes. “But if I’m gone, what if your sister bullies you again? She spanked you yesterday and knocked you out today. I don’t feel easy leaving you alone.”

The mere mention of the “demoness” made Qi Huang shudder. But for the sake of strength, she steeled herself. “It’s fine. She won’t hurt me for no reason.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm.”

Qi Huang swallowed hard but nodded firmly. ‘Better to endure some abuse now than die later.’

“Alright.”

Jiang Linian relented.

Breakfast was served soon after, though Cheng Hongling excused herself, citing closed-door cultivation.

Once the meal ended, Jiang Linian left with the seed.

Qi Huang tried to bolt back to her room—but she wasn’t fast enough. The demoness emerged like a storm, dragging her inside before she could react.

“HELP!”

Qi Huang screamed in terror.

“Shhh. I promise I won’t hit you this time. I’ve got something good to show you.”

Cheng Hongling’s voice was uncharacteristically sweet, dripping with temptation.