Volume 12, Chapter 798 – The Descent of an Immortal (Part 4)

Qi Huang and her companions entered the gates of the Cao Clan without obstruction, their special identities granting them passage. Yet she could clearly sense the hostility emanating from their hosts.

“Why do these people of the Cao Clan look as though they’ve all swallowed gunpowder?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Junior Sister killed Cao Hong. They don’t dare retaliate, so all they can do is seethe with impotent rage.”

“The Cao Clan really are cowards. Even after summoning their immortal ancestor, they still don’t have the courage to take revenge, and instead they’ve gone so far as to apologize to us.”

“You can’t put it that way. Perhaps their immortal ancestor is a reasonable man?”

“That’s true. If he were the type to act brutishly and without reason, he wouldn’t be worthy of being called an immortal, would he?”

A few senior sisters chattered without restraint, oblivious to the possibility that the Cao Clan might be deliberately stalling for time.

Most of the onlookers thought the same, and so they, too, looked down on the Cao Clan. After all, in the cultivation world, strength ruled supreme. It was only the weak who clung to reason.

Qi Huang merely shook her head. She was not naïve enough to believe that becoming an immortal required noble character. She had long since prepared her own countermeasures.

She led her group into the courtyard where the Immortal Stele stood, the very place where the Cao Clan had set up banquets.

Upon seeing them arrive, Cao Meng and his family greeted them with burning enthusiasm, personally leading them to their seats. This display only made the surrounding onlookers sneer with greater disdain.

After sitting down, Qi Huang laid down a Sound-Blocking Talisman and a Divine Sense barrier, allowing everyone to converse without worry.

“This Cao Clan truly has no backbone, lowering themselves so much to curry favor with us.”

Shen Yuan could not help but sneer.

“Curry favor? It’s not that simple. Think back carefully, their behavior just now didn’t actually show humility. It was hardly servile at all.”

Cheng Hongling corrected her.

“That’s true!”

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The others nodded thoughtfully.

“Then what was it, if not currying favor?”

Shen Yuan asked in confusion.

“If not currying favor, then genuine enthusiasm, of course.”

A faint smile curved Cheng Hongling’s lips.

“That’s impossible. Even if they’ve given up on revenge, they should still harbor resentment toward us. How could they possibly welcome us so warmly?”

Shen Yuan’s puzzlement deepened.

“There’s only one possibility left: they believe they have us firmly in their grasp, so in their minds, we’re already members of the Cao Clan.”

Qi Huang spoke calmly.

“What? Junior Sister, you mean the Cao Clan still intends to scheme against you?”

Yun Fei instantly caught on.

“It’s only speculation, nothing concrete.”

Qi Huang’s voice was light and unhurried.

“Then quickly destroy the Cao Clan’s Immortal Stele! What are you waiting for? Once they break through the spatial barrier, it’ll be too late!”

Ruan Lingyu urged anxiously.

“I would like to, but my current position doesn’t allow it. With no proof, if I acted rashly, it would surely draw public condemnation.”

Qi Huang smiled wryly.

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“She’s right. Hongling is now the leader of the Dao Alliance. Everything she does must win the people’s hearts, only then can she secure her footing in the cultivation world. If she were to rely solely on brute force, how would that make her any different from the Immortal Alliance?”

Xu Mei, sitting nearby, agreed.

“Then can you really deal with the Cao Clan’s so-called immortal ancestor?”

Ruan Lingyu pressed again, still uneasy.

“Of course. Otherwise, why would I have brought you all here?”

Qi Huang’s confident smile finally eased the hearts of her relatives and friends.

As time passed, more and more people gathered around the Cao Clan. Only influential figures were allowed entry; the rest hovered above in the skies, watching.

At noon, Cao Meng soared into the air, halting before the Immortal Stele. Compared to before, he looked much older now. The wrinkles and liver spots across his face were stark evidence of excessive blood essence expenditure.

“How did the Cao Clan Patriarch age so drastically in just a few days?”

“Have you not heard? He’s been using his blood essence to maintain contact with his immortal ancestor. The toll is immense, it’s no wonder he looks this way.”

“This patriarch truly sacrifices for his clan. I heard his life span is nearly exhausted, yet he dares to burn his essence still. It’s like gambling with his very life.”

“And later, he’s going to use his essence to shatter the spatial barrier. At this rate, he won’t live more than a few days. With such a patriarch, I’m not envious of the Cao Clan at all.”

Those privy to the truth whispered in awe.

Although Cao Meng appeared aged, his spirit seemed high, his posture proud and upright.

“Fellow Daoists, greetings! Thank you for gracing us with your presence today. I imagine that all of us cultivate for the same ultimate goal: to escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. To attain the Dao and ascend to immortality is the greatest desire in every cultivator’s heart. Yet, as spiritual energy grows thinner across our continent, reaching the mid-stage of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm is already a once-in-a-millennium feat. But even with such strength, facing the heavenly tribulation is no different from suicide. That is why no one has ascended in thousands of years. How, then, can one truly become immortal? This, I believe, is the question burning in all of your hearts.”

He cleared his throat before continuing.

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“Fortunately, some days ago, I succeeded in contacting the immortal ancestor of the Cao Clan. Knowing that all are troubled over the matter of ascension, I implored him to descend into this world, to teach, to instruct, to dispel doubts. Out of compassion for us, he agreed.”

“Ha! Clearly he’s just looking for a backer, yet he dares dress it up in such grand words.”

Shen Yuan mocked openly.

“Patriarch Cao’s virtue is boundless! We shall forever remember his grace.”

But the countless spectators flattered him insincerely. They understood Cao Meng was embellishing the truth, but that hardly mattered. What mattered was currying favor with the Cao Clan.

“You are too kind. Yet, to behold his presence, the spatial barrier must first be broken. Alas, my own strength is insufficient. Fortunately, the Immortal Stele left behind by our ancestor can now be put to use. Therefore, I ask all present to be patient and withdraw ten miles. I shall invite him to descend at once.”

Cao Meng’s tone was deferential as he entreated the crowd.

The gathered cultivators dared not be careless and quickly retreated.

“There’s no need for the old man to risk his life like this. With Qi Huang present, she could easily tear open the rift herself.”

“That’s right! Since Patriarch Cao acts for the good of the cultivation world, as the Dao Alliance leader, it’s her duty to help.”

“Heh, we’ll soon see her true measure. If she refuses even this small aid, she’ll never win the people’s hearts.”

Some cultivators whispered among themselves while retreating.

“Moral coercion, is it?”

Qi Huang heard every word, but she showed no anger. Instead, she slowly stood up.

“Wait!”

Her clear, ringing voice carried far, crisp as an oriole’s song in an empty valley.

Tens of thousands of cultivators halted mid-step, turning to see what had happened.

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“I wonder what instructions Alliance Leader Qi might have?”

Cao Meng strained to maintain a “benevolent” smile.

Qi Huang spoke loudly: “Patriarch Cao, if I’m not mistaken, activating the Immortal Stele requires blood essence, does it not? With your current body, can you truly withstand that?”

Cao Meng smiled calmly, his voice righteous and firm: “Thank you for your concern, Alliance Leader Qi. It is indeed taxing. Yet for the sake of the countless Daoists gathered here, even if I must sacrifice my life, what of it?”

“Hehe… truly, Patriarch Cao’s virtue commands admiration.”

Qi Huang feigned admiration before continuing: “But with me here, you need not waste your essence at all. Whatever size rift you need, however many rifts you need, I can open them for you.”

Her words sent the dense sea of spectators into stunned silence.

“What’s this now? She’s actually volunteering to help? Doesn’t she fear the Cao Clan’s immortal ancestor will force her into marrying Cao Yang?”

“Maybe she’s simple-minded enough to believe the Cao Clan’s words, so she’s trying to cozy up?”

“I think she’s finally come around. Cao Yang is handsome and now has the backing of an immortal ancestor. What woman wouldn’t want to marry him?”

“But what’s the use now? The Cao Clan has already cut ties with her.”

“Indeed. With their immortal ancestor descending, they’ve surely already picked out a more suitable granddaughter-in-law for him. She’s too late.”

“Exactly. Talented as she may be, compared to the immortal fairies of the Celestial Realm, she’s but a firefly before the moon.”

Speculations abounded among the crowd.

“Junior Sister, what are you thinking? Why would you help the enemy!”

Ruan Lingyu and the other sisters panicked, while the rest of their companions looked equally stunned.