Volume 12, Chapter 799 – The Descent of an Immortal (Part 5)

Qi Huang smiled but did not speak. How could this be “aiding the enemy”? This was merely luring the snake out of its hole. If that so-called immortal did not appear, how could she possibly seize the chance to root them out completely?

Seeing her silent, the people around her grew even more anxious, except for Cheng Hongling, who remained calm as ever, for she had long known of Qi Huang’s plan.

Cao Meng’s smile grew broader, laced with a hint of mockery. That impassioned speech he had given earlier wasn’t merely to paint himself in a good light, it was meant to put Qi Huang on the spot. And now, his scheme had succeeded.

Qi Huang’s smile grew even brighter. She thought to herself that this was truly a pillow sent to a sleepy head. Even if that old fox hadn’t used such underhanded tricks, she would have eagerly stepped forward to “help”.

“Since Alliance Leader Qi has such a noble heart, this old man shall not decline.”

Cao Meng promptly agreed. His vital essence had been greatly depleted; if he continued to activate the Immortal Stele, his end would likely be grim. Thus, he resorted to this desperate ploy.

Qi Huang then rose gracefully into the air, flying toward the top of the Immortal Stele. Though her face remained veiled, the wind fluttered her long dress, the clouds drifted by in ripples, and her slender figure and flowing hair gave off an ethereal aura beyond the mortal world.

The members of the Cao Clan gazed up at her peerless bearing, and each one’s face showed pride. After all, in their hearts, they already regarded Qi Huang as a daughter-in-law of their family.

Even Cao Meng’s eyes gleamed with appreciation. He pointed to a spot a zhang before him and said, “Alliance Leader Qi, open a spatial rift right here and make it as large as possible. That way, our Cao Clan’s immortal will be seen by all.”

“Very well. Then, I must trouble Elder Cao to step back a little. When I tear open space, there may be ripples. It would be too good if you were injured.”

Qi Huang’s tone was polite.

“Of cou—wait… what did you just say? Did you say it would be too good if I were injured?”

“Did I say that? You must have misheard. What I said was, it would be bad if you were injured.”

Qi Huang replied with her usual calm expression.

Cao Meng’s face turned wary, and he immediately retreated nearly a li. He knew full well that if this little demoness harbored any malice, he would stand no chance at all.

Qi Huang’s lips curved slightly. That was precisely what she wanted.

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“Everyone, watch closely. The Cao Clan’s immortal is about to appear!”

Qi Huang’s voice rang out. A single strand of her hair extended outward, slicing across the air before her.

CRACK!

A crisp sound echoed as the space in front of Qi Huang split open. The rift widened rapidly, soon stretching over ten zhang long and two zhang wide as though Heaven itself had opened an eye.

The millions of onlookers stared wide-eyed, waiting for the Cao Clan’s immortal to appear.

Qi Huang’s expression grew solemn. Though she had great confidence in her plan, the opponent was, after all, a Master-grade immortal who’s an entire realm above her. And unlike herself, he wasn’t a crippled one.

Under the crowd’s gaze, a hunched figure slowly emerged from within the rift.

Qi Huang focused her eyes and saw an elder whose body was marked by the passage of years. Though tall, he was so bent over that he seemed a coiled shadow, leaning on a cane for balance. His once-grand robe of grey threaded with dull gold dragged across the ground. His sparse, graying hair hung in disarray, doing little to cover his face. Deep wrinkles carved across his skin, and the age spots on his face were even denser than those on Cao Meng’s, merging into blotches. His dry lips revealed gaps where teeth had long fallen.

The crowd gasped in disbelief. No one had expected the Cao Clan’s immortal to look like this.

Qi Huang nearly laughed, not at the immortal’s appearance, but at the Cao Clan’s arrogance. They had kept boasting about letting all gaze upon their ancestor’s majestic countenance, yet this was what they considered “majestic.”

Cao Hong looked embarrassed, but he knew that if even he failed to show respect, who else would? He hastily knelt and called out, “Descendant Cao Hong bows to greet our honored ancestor!”

The rest of the Cao Clan followed suit, kneeling reverently.

The surrounding crowd quickly caught on, and soon, countless people were on their knees, shouting in unison: “We bow before the Immortal!”

Qi Huang, of course, did not kneel. He wasn’t her ancestor.

Seeing her remain standing, her companions likewise did not kneel.

From behind the rift, Cao Yin looked upon the sea of kneeling cultivators. A flicker of disdain crossed his aged face before his gaze settled on Qi Huang. “Judging by the doppelgänger mark between your brows, you must be that Qi Huang.”

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“Indeed, Elder Cao. To recognize this humble woman the moment you descend from the heavens. You truly know all, don’t you?”

Qi Huang’s voice dripped with mockery. Inwardly, she confirmed her suspicion: Cao Meng and this old fox had conspired together to trap her into tearing open the barrier. Otherwise, how could the immortal recognize her at first glance?

“As an immortal, nothing in the mortal realm escapes my eyes.”

Cao Yin replied smoothly, without changing expression.

Qi Huang merely smiled faintly. ‘You can’t even tear open space on your own, yet you dare boast like this?’

By now, Cao Meng had hurried forward eagerly and said with obsequious reverence, “Honored ancestor, this humble one is Cao Meng.”

“You have made a great sacrifice for the Cao Clan. You have worked hard.”

Cao Yin praised him, then casually tossed over a dark-red pill. “This is a superior blood-replenishing pill from the Immortal Realm. It will help restore some of your blood essence. Take it now.”

“Thank you, ancestor!”

Cao Meng received it respectfully and swallowed it at once. Immediately, a miracle unfolded; his cheeks filled out visibly, wrinkles smoothed, and age spots vanished rapidly. In mere moments, he looked ten years younger.

“My heavens! As expected of an immortal, such a miraculous elixir truly exists!”

“Indeed! In the cultivation world, we have pills that replenish qi and blood, but those restore only ordinary vitality, not essence blood. The effects simply can’t compare!”

“How enviable the Cao Clan is! With such a pill alone, they could dominate the entire cultivation realm! From now on, who would dare defy them? The Dao Alliance is nothing!”

The onlookers whispered enviously.

“Everyone, rise.”

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Cao Yin finally commanded the kneeling crowd.

The spectators let out sighs of relief and slowly stood up.

“I have heard that the spiritual energy of the cultivation world has grown thin, that in these thousands of years, no one has succeeded in ascension. My heart has been heavy with worry. Therefore, I ordered my descendants of the Cao Clan to find a way to pierce the barrier between realms, so that I might share some of my experiences and aid all of you in your understanding.”

Cao Yin first adorned himself with benevolence.

“The immortal’s grace, we shall forever remember it.”

The spectators all bowed in gratitude.

“This immortal teaches without seeking any return. I only ask that you all follow the Cao Clan’s lead from this day forward. Can you do that?”

Cao Yin now revealed his true intent.

‘And this is what you call “asking nothing in return?”’

Qi Huang sneered inwardly.

“Rest assured, Immortal! From this day forth, we shall follow the Cao Clan’s lead. Even should our bodies be ground to dust, we shall serve without complaint!”

The crowd echoed their pledge.

“If you all follow the Cao Clan’s lead, then what of the Dao Alliance?”

“Everyone, have you forgotten that you have already joined the Dao Alliance? Are you truly ready to betray it because of a few words from this old man? Have you no sense of honor?”

“Not only honor, but conscience! Has our Junior Sister not done so much for the cultivation realm lately? Do none of you remember?”

Several female disciples from the Honghua Sect shouted passionately.

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Their words made the crowd falter, faces flushing with embarrassment.

“The Dao Alliance? What is that?”

Cao Yin asked with feigned confusion.

“Ancestor, that’s the organization founded by Qi Huang and her main body,” reported Cao Meng.

“So, you are the one who founded the Dao Alliance?”

Cao Yin turned to confirm with Qi Huang.

“It was indeed founded by us. The Immortal Alliance lost its way, so we had no choice but to destroy it. Since no one else would act for the sake of cultivators and common folk, we established the Dao Alliance ourselves.”

Qi Huang explained casually.

“I’ve heard that Cao Meng’s grandson, Cao Yang, has feelings for you?”

Cao Yin suddenly shifted the topic.

“Yes, ancestor, I’ve admired her for a long time!”

Cao Yang shouted eagerly from below.

Beside him, Hua Yu’s face changed instantly. Her silver teeth nearly shattered from how hard she bit down.

“In that case, this will be simple.”

Cao Yin waved his hand and issued a command that brooked no refusal: “Marry him. Then we will all be one family, and the cultivators will no longer need to wonder whom to follow.”