From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 7

Various speculations flashed through the Seventh Prince’s mind, but they were all dismissed one by one.

He had considered the possibility that Xiao Minghuang might have broken through, but he immediately dismissed it.

After all, Xiao Minghuang’s talent was similar to his, and she had suffered severe injuries. How could she have broken through so easily?

If Xiao Minghuang wasn’t struggling to hold on, then she must have some kind of treasure that shielded her from his pressure.

Under normal circumstances, the Seventh Prince might have considered retreating. But just before he left, the Second Prince had personally told him:

“Brother has already been chosen as the successor by the Old Ancestor, who is at the Spirit Seed Realm. Even our father can’t do anything about it. So this time, younger brother, you must test the true strength of our Ninth Sister. This is not just for the sake of us brothers, but also for the survival of the Great Xia Empire!”

The Seventh Prince naturally understood the implications without the Second Prince needing to explain in detail.

The Old Ancestor favored the Second Prince, while the Emperor favored the Ninth Princess. These two powerful figures were at odds, and the Seventh Prince naturally supported the Second Prince. Not only because they were born of the same mother, but also because the Old Ancestor was at the Spirit Seed Realm, while the Emperor was only at the Divine Sea Realm.

The Emperor’s arm could never twist the Old Ancestor’s leg!

With this thought, the Seventh Prince’s mind cleared, and he felt a sudden sense of clarity.

The Seventh Prince looked at Xiao Minghuang standing not far away and said with ill intent, “It’s been a few days since we last met, Ninth Sister. Your cultivation seems to have improved. I’d like to spar with you. Would you be willing to oblige?”

Seeing the Seventh Prince suddenly change his tone, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly:

“You say we should spar, but why should I agree?”

The Seventh Prince’s eyelid twitched, but he suppressed his anger and still spoke kindly, “Then what do you suggest, Ninth Sister?”

“There should be some kind of wager. If you lose, what will you do?”

The Seventh Prince raised an eyebrow. She had finally taken the bait.

“If I lose, I’ll give you ten spirit stones. How about that?”

Hearing this, everyone was shocked.

Ten spirit stones—that was nearly a year’s worth of stipend for a Royal Descendant!

Xiao Minghuang, however, shook her head.

“Too little, not enough!”

The Seventh Prince took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger, and gritted his teeth as he said:

“Thirty spirit stones, plus one Ascension Pill!”

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in astonishment.

Leaving aside the thirty spirit stones, the Ascension Pill alone was incredibly precious!

The Ascension Pill, a top-grade Yellow Tier elixir, contained a vast amount of pure spiritual energy and could rapidly enhance one’s cultivation!

In the entire Great Xia Empire, only one highly esteemed Royal Alchemist could refine it, and only a hundred pills were produced each year!

These hundred pills were reserved for the Royal Alchemists or awarded to meritorious officials. For a junior like Xiao Minghuang, obtaining one was absolutely impossible.

Yet, the Seventh Prince actually had such a precious Ascension Pill in his possession!

This left everyone present utterly shocked.

“On the year of my coming-of-age ceremony, Second Royal Brother gifted me an Ascension Pill. If you win this match, this pill will be yours!”

The Seventh Prince’s eyes gleamed with intensity as he stared unblinkingly at Xiao Minghuang, his pupils flashing with an inscrutable light.

In the next moment, the Seventh Prince extended his hand, and in his palm lay a small jade vial. He gently pulled out the stopper, and a rich, sweet medicinal aroma instantly filled the air.

Everyone present, merely by taking a whiff, felt their cultivation improve slightly.

The fame of the Ascension Pill was well-known, resonating like thunder throughout Great Xia. It was a symbol of status, power, and strength, and Xiao Minghuang had long heard of it.

Seeing that she had provoked him enough, Xiao Minghuang smiled slightly and said:

“In that case, it would be my great honor to spar with Seventh Royal Brother.”

…

The Martial Arts Arena.

Xiao Minghuang stood in the arena, with the Seventh Prince standing not far across from her.

Outside the arena, numerous members of the Royal Family had gathered to watch the match.

Similarly, Ye Ruoshui had also come to cheer for her mistress.

Looking at Xiao Minghuang’s slender figure, the Seventh Prince grinned and said, “Ninth Sister, it’s not too late to admit defeat now. Otherwise, once the fight begins, I can’t guarantee that I won’t seriously injure you again.”

“Is that so? Then Royal Brother should also be careful not to be defeated by me in a single move.”

Xiao Minghuang’s lips curled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of mockery and a touch of nonchalance.

The Seventh Prince sneered, “Heh!”

As a body cultivator, within the Body Tempering Realm, the Seventh Prince was confident that even if he faced someone a small realm higher than himself, at the eighth level of Body Tempering, he would not be afraid. He couldn’t imagine what the frail-looking Xiao Minghuang could possibly use to contend with him.

A wave of laughter also erupted from the spectators. If Xiao Minghuang had encountered some miraculous opportunity that allowed her to recover her cultivation, they might believe it. But if her cultivation had advanced so rapidly that she could defeat the Seventh Prince, who was at the seventh level of Body Tempering, in a single move, they absolutely could not believe it.

“Let’s see the truth in action.”

Xiao Minghuang didn’t waste any more words, simply throwing out this statement.

The Seventh Prince was unimpressed and was about to assume his stance.

But at that very moment.

In just an instant, a sharp whistling sound reached his ears.

Following closely behind was a black shadow that descended right in front of him.

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Minghuang’s pupils as the full power of her peak ninth-level Body Tempering cultivation erupted. Her small, delicate fist, carrying a tremendous force of ninety-seven thousand two hundred pounds, was thrown with a mighty punch!

Boom!!!

“Ah—!”

A dull thud suddenly rang out, and the Seventh Prince let out a scream. Like a kite with its string cut, he was sent flying several meters away, landing face down on the ground, blood streaming from his seven orifices, staining the earth red.

He had been sent flying by a single punch from Xiao Minghuang!

Centered around the Seventh Prince, the green bricks on the ground shattered inch by inch, cracks spreading several meters in all directions. It was clear just how immense and terrifying the power contained within Xiao Minghuang’s delicate and dainty fist was!

The scene before them completely stunned everyone present. They had never imagined that this duel would end so quickly.

“The Seventh Prince… defeated in a single punch?”

“The Ninth Princess is actually this strong? How… how is that possible?”

After falling to the ground, the Seventh Prince had not yet lost consciousness. His head was spinning, and he tried to get back up.

But from the base of his spine, an overwhelming force pressed down, rendering his entire body immobile!

The Seventh Prince gritted his teeth, determined to rise, but in the end, he could not succeed.

At that moment, Xiao Minghuang’s voice came from above.

“Does my Royal Brother find my strength satisfactory?”

Having taken that punch head-on, the Seventh Prince had personally experienced it and knew that Xiao Minghuang had already reached the ninth level of Body Tempering. He had no choice but to concede.

“My Royal Sister’s strength far surpasses mine. I admit defeat in this duel. I beg my Royal Sister to show mercy and spare me!”

In his heart, the Seventh Prince hated Xiao Minghuang to the core, but he had no choice but to speak softly and ingratiatingly.

He had been completely confident in this duel, but due to his arrogance and carelessness, he hadn’t even had a chance to use his martial skills before being subdued. He thought to himself that if he were to do it over, even with a two-level disadvantage, he wouldn’t have lost so miserably!

But life doesn’t give second chances!

Xiao Minghuang’s voice came again from above.

“I remember the Seventh Prince said that if he lost the duel, he would hand over thirty spirit stones and one Ascension Pill. Does that agreement still stand?”

Her voice carried a hint of playful charm, but the Seventh Prince knew that this was merely Xiao Minghuang’s facade.

This woman was the type who could send you to hell while laughing and joking!

The Seventh Prince gritted his teeth and said, “Please, my Royal Sister, release me first. The pill is on my person, and it’s difficult for me to reach it while lying on the ground. As for the spirit stones, I’ll send someone to fetch them immediately!”

“Royal Sister dares not trust the Seventh Prince’s character. Please send someone to fetch the spirit stones now. Only when the spirit stones and pill are in my hands will the Seventh Prince be free to leave.”

“You—!”

The Seventh Prince was on the verge of losing his temper, but the pressure on the back of his neck forced him to hold it in.

Once I return, I’ll ask the Second Royal Brother to take action. I will definitely kill you!

Suppressing his emotions, the Seventh Prince spoke in a humble and submissive tone, “Fine! Everything will be as my Royal Sister says!”

As soon as he finished speaking.

The Seventh Prince, still lying on the ground, suddenly glared fiercely at the Royal Family members watching from the sidelines and roared, “Can’t you see I’m stuck here? Whoever has eyes, go to my residence immediately and fetch thirty spirit stones! Or else you’re all dead!”

Though the Seventh Prince was pinned under Xiao Minghuang’s foot, he still held some authority over the Royal Family members who were used to being bullied by him.

Half an hour later, thirty spirit stones and one Ascension Pill were placed before Xiao Minghuang.

After counting the spirit stones, Xiao Minghuang nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile appearing on her stunningly beautiful face.

“Seventh Prince, you truly keep your word and are a man of integrity.”

Severely injured and humiliated in public after being stepped on by Xiao Minghuang for so long, the Seventh Prince’s anger had long since dissipated. All he wished for now was for this terrifying woman to let him go.

“Imperial Sister, you see that the spirit stones and elixirs have been delivered as promised. Could you please release me now?”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded and said:

“Oh right, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I almost forgot. You may leave.”

As she spoke, Xiao Minghuang lifted her jade-like foot and took a step back.

Having been pinned to the ground for nearly a quarter of an hour, the Seventh Prince finally stood up. His face was pale, blood streaming from his seven orifices, making him look horrifyingly severe!

Trembling as he rose, the Seventh Prince dared not look back at Xiao Minghuang. Shaking with fear, he took a step forward.

Just as he was sighing in relief at having survived the ordeal.

A sense of crisis, rising from the depths of his heart, instantly spread throughout his body, causing his hair to stand on end and his breath to catch.

The next moment.

Not far behind the Seventh Prince.

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Minghuang’s pupils as she suddenly threw a punch, striking the Seventh Prince squarely in the abdomen.

Boom!

In an instant, the Seventh Prince’s clothing at his abdomen shattered, fine droplets of blood burst forth, and a small cloud of blood mist exploded, dyeing his entire body crimson.

In that moment, the Seventh Prince’s aura plummeted, and the muscles all over his body deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving him no different from an ordinary mortal, even weaker by three parts!

Xiao Minghuang’s figure flashed, avoiding the explosion of blood mist, her dress remaining spotless.

The Seventh Prince struggled to turn his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“Why… why?”

Xiao Minghuang’s expression remained calm as she said indifferently, “What you did to me seven days ago, I return to you today. Our grievances are now settled!”

Seven days ago, the Seventh Prince had given her the forbidden elixir, the Raging Spirit Pill, disguised as a regular healing elixir, causing her to violate the rules during the competition and lose all her cultivation due to the side effects, leading to severe injury and death.

But from another perspective, if it weren’t for the Seventh Prince’s actions, Xiao Minghuang might not have come to this world.

In a sense, the Seventh Prince could be considered her benefactor.

But Xiao Minghuang certainly didn’t see it that way.

Those who kill shall be killed in return!

Xiao Minghuang turned and left.

The reason she dared to publicly cripple the Seventh Prince’s cultivation was twofold: first, she had displayed extraordinary talent, catching the attention of the Emperor.

Would the Emperor punish the Ninth Princess, who was at the ninth level of Body Tempering, for the sake of the now-crippled Seventh Prince?

Or would he feign ignorance?

For the Emperor, this was hardly a question worth considering.

Just like seven days ago, when she was framed by the Seventh Prince, lost all her cultivation, and was banished to the Cold Palace without any investigation.

Secondly, the Old Ancestor, at the Spirit Seed Realm, had personally come forward to teach her an Earth-tier technique, clearly indicating that she was being groomed as his successor. Even if the Emperor wanted to act against her, he would have to consider whether the Old Ancestor would allow it.

After Xiao Minghuang left, the training ground fell into complete silence. Everyone’s eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief.

The scene before them had stunned everyone present. They never expected that Xiao Minghuang would dare to publicly cripple the Seventh Prince’s cultivation!

During martial arts competitions, injuries were inevitable, but as long as they didn’t result in death, the Royal Family would not intervene.

But crippling someone’s cultivation was no different from taking their life.

Among the onlookers, a member of the Royal Family sighed:

“Ninth Princess is young and impetuous, too rigid and easily broken. Today’s incident will likely not end well!”

“Not to mention whether the Emperor of Xia will punish Ninth Princess, even Second Prince, the elder brother of Seventh Prince, will not sit idly by. Ninth Princess’s path forward will not be smooth.”

Xiao Minghuang walked out of the martial arena, leaving behind a crowd of stunned onlookers and a man who had lost his cultivation, now a mere cripple.

To her, this match seemed like a simple punch that defeated Seventh Prince, but in reality, it was far from that.

Since crossing over to this world, this was the first time she had faced an opponent, so she gave it her all.

With her first move, she unleashed a full-force strike.

The complete power of the ninth level of Body Tempering erupted, catching Seventh Prince off guard and defeating him in one swift blow.

“If I had waited for Seventh Prince to prepare himself before making my move, victory would not have been so easy,” Xiao Minghuang thought to herself.

After consuming the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill, she had undergone a profound transformation, refining her essence, marrow, tendons, and bones. Her qi and blood were far more vigorous than that of an ordinary martial artist. Even though Seventh Prince was a rare body cultivator, he could not compare to the deep foundation she had built with the heaven-grade supreme elixir.

Moreover, she was two minor realms above Seventh Prince. Under such circumstances, defeating him with a single strike while he was unprepared was entirely reasonable.

As she walked out of the martial arena, Ye Ruoshui caught up to her from behind, her cheeks flushed with excitement and joy.

“Your Highness is truly amazing! That so-called Seventh Prince was crippled with just one punch from Your Highness. Let’s see how he can strut around arrogantly now!”

Xiao Minghuang stopped in her tracks, gently patting the soft hair of her little maid, and smiled:

“The Seventh Prince is nothing but a clown, not worth our attention. But what about you? Were you bullied by them just now?”

Ye Ruoshui was momentarily stunned, then shook her head:

“No, I was waiting for Your Highness outside the palace when the Seventh Prince and his gang suddenly appeared and tried to harass me. Thankfully, the guard captain stepped in to help, and I managed to hold on until Your Highness came out.”

Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly.

“Find an opportunity to send some gifts to that guard captain to express our gratitude for his kindness.”

“I’ll remember that, Your Highness.”

As they spoke, the two walked out of the palace and headed toward their new residence.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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