Volume 14, Chapter 884 – Help Me Grow Vegetables for Thirty Years

Midway through their journey, Cheng Hongling spoke with unease: “Your plan sounds good, but what worries me is the possibility that the Immortal Alliance might act early. If they’re lying in wait on Xiannu Star to ambush, killing every ghost that comes, your entire business might be ruined.”

“That’s impossible,” Qi Huang replied with certainty. “I heard from the Ziji Immortal Emperor himself that the Celestials gave them a deadline to purge the evil spirits. The old fogies in the Immortal Alliance may be ancient, but they’re anything but senile. Every one of them is cunning to the bone. They wouldn’t risk scaring the prey off by acting too early. To eliminate as many ghosts as possible, they’ll definitely hide in the shadows and wait until all the ghosts they can draw out are gathered before they strike.”

She added, “Of course, if they really are as short-sighted as you say, then so be it. At worst, I won’t do business this time and just wait for another opportunity. It’s no big loss anyway.”

“Mm!”

Only then did Cheng Hongling nod in relief.

After several days of teleportation, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling stopped in a remote region of the universe. There, along the spatial barrier, was a faint scar… a massive circular mark she had left behind earlier. It looped seamlessly into itself, spanning several million miles in diameter.

“My lady, stay here and watch this spot,” Qi Huang instructed. “As soon as I send you a signal, use your sword to completely tear open this circular scar in space. Got it?”

“I understand!”

Cheng Hongling answered without hesitation.

“Alright. Time for me to head to the Immortal Realm. Be careful while you’re here alone. If anything happens, contact me immediately through mental transmission.”

Qi Huang reminded her with concern.

“What danger could I possibly face here in the cultivation world?” Cheng Hongling retorted. “It’s you I’m worried about… using yourself as bait. You must be extremely careful.”

This time, she didn’t hold back her concern.

“Don’t worry.”

Qi Huang gave Cheng Hongling a kiss on the lips before stepping through a teleportation portal and vanishing.

Qi Huang soon arrived in the depths of a starry sky. With a backhand slash, she tore open a massive spatial rift and stepped into the Immortal Realm, heading straight for Xiannu Star.

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Though it wasn’t yet the sixth day of the sixth month in the Immortal Calendar, ghost clans from all directions in the Immortal Realm were already rushing to Xiannu Star. They knew this deal was extremely dangerous, so many came ahead of time to scout the area.

These evil spirits could be split into two main categories. The first were opportunists hoping to snatch a few corpses with wealth or force. These types relied on luck. The moment anything felt off, they would flee instantly.

The second were those who had come to “redeem” their relatives’ remains. These ghosts were deeply loyal and sentimental. Even if they saw Immortal Alliance members, they would charge into Xiannu Star without hesitation.

But to the surprise of every ghost, there was no sign of any Immortal Alliance disciples near Xiannu Star. Not even a single living soul. Well, with the exception of some individuals cloaked in Heaven-Deceiving Water, whose true identities couldn’t be confirmed.

“Looks like the Immortal Alliance isn’t going to show up. Should we enter Xiannu Star now?”

“Don’t be so hasty! What if this is all part of their scheme to bait a bigger catch? Those folks doused in Heaven-Deceiving Water, can you really tell if they’re alive or not?”

“Exactly. This is the perfect chance to wipe out our entire ghost race. There’s no way the Immortal Alliance would pass this up.”

“So shouldn’t we run while we still can?”

“Run my ass! Let’s wait until the National Preceptor from Minghou Planet arrives. If she dares to openly sell the spoils she snatched from Ziji Immortal Emperor, then she must have a way to protect herself.”

“That’s right. She killed both Wanhe and Qiufa Immortal Emperors. She must be incredibly powerful… maybe even capable of standing up to the Immortal Alliance.”

Even so, most of the ghosts still didn’t dare rush into Xiannu Star. They waited for Qi Huang, the organizer of the deal, to arrive before deciding what to do.

When Qi Huang arrived, she immediately saw this tense standoff. After scanning the surroundings carefully, she confirmed that among those cloaked in Heaven-Deceiving Water, some were indeed Immortal Alliance operatives.

But Qi Huang didn’t expose them. In fact, this was exactly the effect she wanted.

She stepped into Xiannu Star and hovered above a wide plain, where she shouted aloud using True Qi: “This National Preceptor has arrived. If you want your relatives back, come and find me. Once this opportunity is gone, it won’t return.”

Upon hearing Qi Huang’s clear and feminine voice, ghosts all across Xiannu Star surged in her direction.

“The National Preceptor from Minghou Planet is here. Let’s go!”

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The evil spirits waiting near Xiannu Star’s orbit also began flooding in. The Immortal Alliance’s operatives immediately reported this development to their superiors.

At that moment, the Immortal Alliance’s leadership—along with a million-strong army—were hiding on a desolate planet at the edge of the Caiyun Star System. This location kept them out of range of mid-stage Heavenly Demon divine sense while also allowing rapid travel to Xiannu Star via teleportation portals.

“Everyone stay sharp!” shouted Yin Wan, leader of the Alliance. “That so-called National Preceptor from Minghou Planet has arrived. We must be ready to strike at any moment!”

His command echoed across the massive force of a million cultivators, not only Immortal Alliance disciples but also reinforcements from various immortal nations.

“Yes, sir!”

The army responded in unison, voices thunderous.

“Alliance Leader,” the Grand Elder Yan Yi spoke with a furrowed brow, “there’s something I still don’t understand. Even a child would know we’d show up to put her down. So why does that so-called National Preceptor still dare to make such an open deal with the evil spirits?”

Yin Wan was silent for a moment, then replied impatiently, “Any scheme is meaningless in the face of absolute power. I refuse to believe she has anything up her sleeve that could trouble us. Just focus on your duties. If you keep stirring unrest in the ranks, I don’t care if you’re the Grand Elder. I’ll have you punished severely.”

“Understood. I was wrong.”

Yan Yi immediately bowed and apologized.

“Bring me the activation crossbows. We must be ready to teleport at any time.”

Yin Wan issued another command.

“Yes, sir.”

Several grand elders each produced a teleportation crossbow, then channeled immense amounts of golden True Qi into them.

Meanwhile, on Xiannu Star, the ghosts had gathered in droves around Qi Huang. Their eyes were full of awe. After all, this “ghost race” powerhouse had killed not one but two Immortal Emperors.

But Qi Huang stood calmly amid the sea of ghosts, not the least bit afraid. She strolled leisurely through the air and addressed the crowd with poise: “Everyone, back in Ziji City, this National Preceptor rescued many of your kin and their remains. At the time, I promised that I would return them all to their families. Who would’ve thought that in the blink of an eye, three years have passed. I must admit, I’m a bit ashamed.”

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“Don’t say that, Preceptor! We’re already eternally grateful that you saved our loved ones.”

“Indeed! You’ve spent all this time wrestling with the Immortals on our behalf. It’s only natural that you wouldn’t have time for anything else. We completely understand.”

“Preceptor! You saved my father! I have nothing to repay you with, but I’ll serve you for life if you’ll have me!”

Voices of flattery rang out from the countless ghosts, numbering in the millions.

Qi Huang smiled in satisfaction and continued smoothly, “Thank you all for your understanding. Truly, I’ve spent these past years entangled with the Immortal Alliance. Otherwise, I would have let you claim your families long ago.”

“The National Preceptor is truly righteous!”

“Yes! I thought the ghost race had no future after the fall of the Three Kings and Five Queens. But to think a leader more powerful and respectable than them would rise… truly a blessing in disguise!”

“Preceptor! From this day forward, you’re not just the National Preceptor of Minghou Planet, you’re the National Preceptor of all ghost clans in the Immortal Realm!”

Another wave of praises erupted.

“Thank you all for your kind words!”

Qi Huang accepted the adoration without humility, then declared, “I’m sure you all know. Back on Ziji Planet, I went to great lengths to rescue your loved ones. If it were someone else, they’d probably demand outrageous compensation. But I’m not that kind of person. That said… there is a condition.”

“Preceptor, what kind of condition?”

A ghost asked cautiously, while the rest tensed with worry, fearing they couldn’t meet her demands.

“Everyone knows the ghost race is in a vulnerable position right now. If things continue as they are, we’ll be exterminated by the Immortal Alliance before long. I’ve racked my brain to find a safe haven for you all. While I’ve finally found a place that’s extremely well hidden, its environment is extremely harsh… so harsh that even ghosts will struggle to live there. We must improve it first.”

Qi Huang then began fabricating a story.

“Hidden? How hidden could it be? The Immortal Realm is vast, there’s no shortage of remote places.”

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“Yeah! If it’s not better hidden than where I’m staying now, what’s the point?”

“You don’t know anything. Hidden or not, as long as the Preceptor protects it, it’ll be safe.”

“Easy for you to say. Let’s see if you can meet her conditions first.”

“Exactly. Saying it’s for the future of the ghost race is just a way to extort us.”

A faint murmur of suspicion arose among the crowd.

“To improve the environment, we need to grow shade-loving plants. So, I hope everyone here can help plant some flowers and grass for a while. Think of it as a contribution to the future of the ghost race.”

Qi Huang stated her condition.

“What?”

The ghosts stared at one another in disbelief. They hadn’t expected Qi Huang to make such an absurd request.

“Preceptor, may I ask… how long do we need to plant these to get our relatives back?”

One ghost asked boldly.

“Thirty years. As long as you agree to help me… help all ghost clans plant flowers and grass for thirty years, you’ll be able to take your family members home.”

Qi Huang said it with great “generosity”.

“What? Thirty years?!”

The ghosts were dumbfounded. Not in their wildest dreams had they expected Qi Huang to open her mouth and demand something so outrageous.