From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 3
The Body Tempering Realm mainly involves tempering bones and flesh, cleansing tendons and marrow, laying a solid foundation for future cultivation. There is nothing particularly difficult to comprehend; as long as one puts in the effort, regardless of talent, one can surpass it. However, the subsequent realms are not so straightforward.
The so-called Qi Refining involves drawing Qi into the body, circulating it through the meridians, storing it in the dantian, nurturing a Qi vortex, and generating spiritual power.
The speed of absorbing spiritual Qi depends on the quality of the spiritual root. The higher the grade of the spiritual root, the faster the absorption of spiritual Qi, and thus the faster the cultivation speed.
“Originally, my spiritual root was a low-grade Profound-tier Metal Spiritual Root, but after the baptism of the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill, it has been promoted to a mid-grade Di-tier, greatly enhancing my cultivation speed!”
“A mid-grade Di-tier spiritual root is enough to be fought over by Nascent Soul Realms in major sects to take as a disciple. In terms of talent, I am now no weaker than the True Disciples of major sects!”
Xiao Minghuang pondered in her heart, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth, a hint of joy in her eyes.
The wonder of the Qi Refining Realm lies in the fact that spiritual power, unlike the mortal flesh, can break out of the body, taking various forms for combat.
Those with profound cultivation can even condense Qi Swords hundreds of feet long, capable of cutting rivers and flattening mountains.
Therefore, the boundary between the Body Tempering Realm and the Qi Refining Realm is both a watershed and a threshold.
Once Qi is drawn into the body, one transcends the ordinary.
Xiao Minghuang is now just one step away from entering the Qi Refining Realm.
“I still need a little opportunity.”
Xiao Minghuang murmured to herself, then stood up and pushed the door open.
It was early morning, and the bright sunlight fell on the girl’s crystal-clear skin, making her shine like a star, as if she was glowing.
Ye Ruoshui, who had just come from outside, saw this scene and her heart fluttered, unable to help but stare in awe.
“Your Highness… so beautiful…”
Seeing Ye Ruoshui standing there dumbfounded, Xiao Minghuang walked over and smiled slightly, “What are you staring at?”
The clear, melodious voice, like the sound of a flowing spring, made Ye Ruoshui clench her small hands in her sleeves, her face turning red.
“N-nothing…”
Xiao Minghuang glanced at Ye Ruoshui and noticed that the petite maid seemed to have developed a bit, her stature taller, her skin even more fair and delicate, rosy and lustrous, not inferior to a newborn baby.
Of course, compared to her, it was still lacking. After all, Ye Ruoshui had only taken a Profound-tier pill, while she had taken a Heaven-tier pill.
“How did you feel after taking the pill I gave you yesterday?”
When this matter was mentioned, Ye Ruoshui’s face lit up with joy, her eyes curving into crescents. “After taking Your Highness’s elixir, my skin has become fairer and more elastic, and I feel like my strength has increased significantly!”
Xiao Minghuang smiled without speaking. The Mending Pill inherently had the effects of consolidating the foundation, nurturing vitality, and cleansing the marrow. What Ye Ruoshui mentioned were merely the minor benefits of the pill. The truly crucial aspect was its ability to enhance innate talent.
“When I have time, I’ll take you to test your spiritual root aptitude again.”
Although Ye Ruoshui didn’t fully understand what her mistress was saying, she believed that whatever her mistress said must be correct. All she needed to do was obediently follow her instructions.
As the two were happily chatting, voices of conversation drifted in from outside the courtyard.
“Chen San, why do we always have to do such dirty work like collecting corpses? When will we ever get transferred to the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs? If we could just get a single word of advice from Eunuch Wang, we’d be soaring to the top!”
“Keep dreaming. People like us, with no connections or spirit stones, are probably destined to toil away our whole lives. If we work diligently, maybe those above will reward us with a few spirit stones. If we can break through to the Qi Refining Realm in the future, we might live a few more years.”
“You’re right!”
Before the words could fade, the sound of a lock being opened was heard.
The door creaked open, and the scene within the courtyard came into view for the two eunuchs.
Xiao Minghuang stood in the courtyard, dressed in a bright yellow gown, graceful and radiant, her noble aura even more pronounced than before.
In fact, the aura emanating from the Ninth Princess was somewhat elusive and hard to grasp.
The sight before them was so shocking that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“You! You… are you human or a ghost?!”
Chen San’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
Xiao Minghuang chuckled lightly and said calmly, “If I’m not human, then am I a ghost?”
Seeing that Xiao Minghuang was not only alive but had also made progress in her cultivation, the two eunuchs didn’t dare hesitate and quickly knelt on the ground.
“Your servant pays respects to the Ninth Princess!”
“Rise.”
The two eunuchs stood up, trembling under the imposing presence of Xiao Minghuang.
“Since you’re here, it saves me a trip. Go back and inform those in charge. Not only am I not dead, but I’ve also received guidance from a master and have broken through to the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm. I’m just one step away from entering the Qi Refining Realm!”
Hearing this, the two eunuchs were both astonished!
The ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm!
It was worth noting that among the royal children, the most talented Sixth Prince had only reached the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm at the age of eighteen, having consumed countless spirit stones and elixirs in the process.
As for the Second Prince, who had the highest cultivation level, it was due to his long years of practice, making him incomparable to a young royal like the Ninth Princess, who was only in her teens.
Seven days ago, the Ninth Princess’s meridians were completely severed, and her cultivation was utterly destroyed!
Now, she had suddenly leaped to the peak of the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm!
What kind of master could possess such ability?
The two eunuchs, with their limited knowledge, couldn’t fathom the answer and left trembling.
The courtyard returned to its peaceful state.
Ye Ruoshui looked at Xiao Minghuang with admiration.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, on recovering your cultivation and advancing further!”
Xiao Minghuang gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s soft hair and smiled. “It’s all thanks to you!”
Ye Ruoshui was puzzled. Her mistress had profound fortune and had received help from a master. Shouldn’t she be thanking that unknown senior? Why would she say it was thanks to her?
…
In the palace, at the Central Hall.
A middle-aged man with an imposing demeanor, dressed in a dragon robe, sat solemnly on the imperial throne. Below the steps stood an elderly man with graying hair, his face deeply lined and devoid of a beard. This was none other than the Emperor of Xia and the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, Wang Jin.
The Emperor of Xia spoke with a hint of doubt in his voice, “Is it true that Little Ninth has truly broken through to the ninth level of Body Tempering? This is a matter of great importance. You must investigate thoroughly and not speak carelessly!”
Wang Jin replied respectfully, “It is absolutely true. Initially, I couldn’t believe it either, so I secretly went to investigate. I saw that Ninth Princess’s every movement carried a faint ripple of spiritual energy. It’s clear that she is just one step away from entering the Qi Refining Realm!”
“If that’s the case, do you have any guesses about that mysterious ‘expert’?”
Wang Jin pondered for a moment and cautiously said, “Has there been any news from the one in the imperial mausoleum in recent years?”
Hearing this, a glint of sharpness flashed in the Emperor’s eyes. “Are you saying it’s the Old Ancestor…”
“This old servant misspoke. Although Great Xia is located in a remote area, it’s not impossible for a high-level cultivator to pass through and impart…”
“Enough!” The Emperor’s expression calmed, clearly having made up his mind. He spoke slowly, “Ten years ago, the Old Ancestor sent word that his lifespan was nearing its end, and before his death, he would choose a successor from the Royal Family to inherit his lifelong knowledge.”
“I originally thought that he would choose the most talented among the younger generation, the Sixth Prince, or the one with the highest cultivation, the Second Prince. But I never expected he would choose the youngest, Little Ninth.”
Wang Jin’s heart trembled. The Old Ancestor, the only Spirit Seed Realm cultivator and the pillar of Great Xia, was nearing the end of his lifespan. If this news were to spread, the vast land of Xia could be instantly divided by numerous powerful enemies.
“Since I’ve told you this, it means I trust you.”
The Emperor spoke gravely, “For now, do not act rashly regarding Little Ninth. I will immediately visit the Imperial Mausoleum. If it is confirmed that she is the chosen successor of the Old Ancestor, we will make further arrangements.”
“As Your Majesty commands!”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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