Volume 2, Chapter 81 – “You’ve Finally Fallen Into My Hands, Little Girl”

Volume 2: Oh No, My Doppelgänger Has Developed Self-Awareness

Jingxin Hall, a side hall of the Honghua Sect, served as the usual training grounds for Xu Mei’s disciples. However, today it was unusually quiet, devoid of the usual sounds of martial practice. The reason? Xu Mei had something important to discuss with her disciples.

Seated on the grand chair at the northern end, Xu Mei fixed her phoenix-like eyes on the fourteen disciples below her, her expression filled with reluctance. Over the past ten years, seven of her disciples had already sacrificed themselves in the “great cause of demon extermination”. This time, she was determined not to let a single one of them die—at least, not before her.

The fourteen young women before her were all fair-faced and brimming with youthful vitality. Yet, their promising lives had been born into the wrong era—one destined to demand their blood and sacrifice.

“Disciples, I’ve gathered you all today to make an announcement.”

Xu Mei took a deep breath and stood up from her chair.

“As everyone knows, Huangtian Prefecture, where our Honghua Sect resides, not only suffers from sparse spiritual energy but is also plagued by heavy yin energy. Because of this, the common folk are frequently harassed by wandering ghosts and spirits. The government is powerless to stop it, leaving them no choice but to turn to us for help.”

After laying out the broader context, Xu Mei continued, “In the past, the Honghua Sect never had a backlog of hauntings to deal with. Back then, cat’s tears were plentiful, and everyone competed for these missions since the rewards were good. However, the last few years have been different.”

Her tone shifted as she explained, “Due to the Nine Nether Demon Cats gradually going extinct in the cultivation world, the price of cat’s tears has skyrocketed. Often, they’re not even available at any price. As a result, our sect’s reserves have dwindled, leaving many disciples without any to distribute. Naturally, they’ve stopped volunteering for missions. This is why our backlog of unresolved hauntings has grown, damaging the sect’s reputation.”

“Earlier today, Sect Leader Qin summoned the higher-ups to address this issue. He divided the pending hauntings among the elders and demanded immediate action. What I hold in my hand now is our share.”

Xu Mei glanced at the records in her hand and sighed helplessly.

“But I don’t have a single drop of cat’s tears left.”

“What? How can we investigate hauntings without cat’s tears?”

“Exactly! If it’s a false alarm, fine. But if we run into real ghosts, without cat’s tears, we’ll be like fish on a chopping block!”

“Master, we’re not afraid of dying—we just don’t want to die for nothing! Are you sure there’s really none left?”

The fourteen female disciples paled in terror.

“Don’t worry. As your master, how could I ever watch you march to your deaths?”

Xu Mei raised a hand to calm them, smiling. “That’s why I will personally investigate this time. The reason I called you here is to announce that if I return, all is well. If I don’t… Feng Ning will take over your training from then on.”

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“You’re going yourself? That’s unacceptable! You haven’t reached the Unity Realm—you won’t be able to see ghosts either!”

Ruan Lingyu immediately panicked. As a disciple, she couldn’t bear the thought of her master walking into danger.

“What about Little Junior Sister? She’s already reached the Incarnation Realm, hasn’t she? Dealing with minor hauntings should be effortless for her!”

Another disciple chimed in.

“No. Your junior sister must remain at the Honghua Sect. Otherwise, those demonic factions will seize the opportunity to invade again—just like last time.”

Xu Mei’s explanation was half-truth, half-lie. The real reason was that Cheng Hongling couldn’t afford to appear in public right now.

“Master, let me go in your place! The sisters can’t lose you!”

“And me! As your disciple, I should repay your teachings. I can’t just keep taking without giving back.”

“I’ll go too! The more people, the stronger our yang energy. Those ghosts won’t dare act recklessly!”

Led by Ruan Lingyu, the disciples stood up one after another.

Xu Mei’s face softened with emotion, but she firmly shook her head. “This matter is not up for discussion. My decision is final. Now, all of you, resume your training.”

With that, she tucked the stack of haunting records into her robe and strode out of the hall, leaving behind a group of anxious disciples.

Upon returning to Orchid Courtyard, Xu Mei immediately sought out her most outstanding disciple and informed her of the situation.

“Master, if you insist on going, I can’t stop you. But for safety’s sake, take my doppelgänger with you.”

After a moment of contemplation, Cheng Hongling made the suggestion.

“Your doppelgänger? But she’s only at the second layer of the Spirit Gathering Realm. What use could she be? I don’t want to endanger you for my sake—you’re the future of the entire Honghua Sect.”

Xu Mei gently refused.

“Though her cultivation is low, her divine sense has reached the Unity Realm. She can see ghosts, effectively serving as a substitute for cat’s tears.”

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Cheng Hongling explained.

“What? Her divine sense is truly at the Unity Realm?”

Xu Mei was stunned. Back then, she had assumed Qi Huang had used some unorthodox method to make the leaf float, given her own cultivation was only at the peak of the Body Refining Realm—unable to perceive another’s divine sense.

“Even so, no. Her divine sense may be strong, but her cultivation is too weak to defend herself. If she encounters danger, it could backfire on you.”

After hesitating, Xu Mei still refused.

“Don’t worry, Master! My doppelgänger and I share a Soul Tether. If she’s in danger, I can recall her instantly, no matter how far away she is.”

Cheng Hongling reassured her, though she omitted a crucial detail—Soul Tethers could be severed. She kept this hidden solely to prevent her master from risking her life alone.

“It’s that powerful?”

Xu Mei was astonished. After all, she was only at the Body Refining Realm and knew little about the Incarnation Realm’s mysteries.

After much persuasion, Xu Mei reluctantly agreed to take the doppelgänger along.

And so, Qi Huang was abruptly summoned.

“You have a mission.”

Cheng Hongling explained the situation and sternly warned, “No refusals. Or I’ll make sure your backside remembers the lesson.”

“I wasn’t going to refuse! As long as there’s payment!”

Qi Huang quickly clarified. Investigating hauntings was exactly what she wanted—for three reasons:

She was broke and needed money to buy better protective talismans for her family.

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She wanted to search for Ghost Tomatoes, which grew in highly yin-rich areas—exactly where hauntings occurred.

She needed to track down her master’s whereabouts.

In short, Qi Huang desperately needed freedom.

“Why do you need payment? Has Mother ever starved you?”

Cheng Hongling’s willow-like eyebrows shot up in displeasure.

Qi Huang shrank back, not daring to speak further.

“There is payment. The villagers offer rewards for resolving hauntings. You only need to hand half to the sect.”

Xu Mei chuckled, not mentioning her own share—after all, as a master, she wouldn’t take a cut.

“Half?! And you call that ‘only’? No wonder no one wants these missions!”

Qi Huang was furious. This damned sect is so greedy! I risk my life, and they steal half my earnings!

“Because all the tools you need for exorcism are provided free by the sect.”

Xu Mei reasoned.

“Fine.”

Qi Huang agreed, though with great reluctance.

And so, Qi Huang accepted the mission, hoping to obtain a Ghost Tomato. She knew the risks, but if she didn’t plant the “seeds” soon, she’d be harvesting them in the underworld instead.

Preparations were essential, so Xu Mei decided to depart in three days.

That night, Qi Huang learned many divine sense techniques from Cheng Hongling—such as how to use it to exterminate low-level ghosts. The lessons proved invaluable.

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Three days later, at dawn.

After enduring her mother’s endless warnings, Qi Huang shouldered her pack and prepared to leave.

“Remember—if you don’t know something or run into danger, tell me immediately through our mental link.”

Cheng Hongling’s icy voice echoed from inside.

“Understood.”

Qi Huang replied wistfully. Life here might have been like prison, but at least it was safe. And she even got rewards sometimes.

On her way out, however, she was intercepted by Ruan Lingyu and several senior sisters.

“You’ve all worked hard, coming to see me off so early!”

Qi Huang was touched.

“No need for formalities between sisters. Come, Master has been waiting at the gate for ages.”

Ruan Lingyu beckoned.

Unaware of the trap, Qi Huang obediently followed—only to find no sign of Xu Mei at the courtyard gate.

“Where’s Master? Didn’t you say she’d been waiting?”

Qi Huang frowned in confusion.

“Hah! Little lamb, you’ve finally fallen into this lady’s hands!”

Ruan Lingyu giggled, crouched down, and hoisted Qi Huang over her shoulder before dashing off.