From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 123
“Legend has it that there exists a Sacred Forbidden Realm where one can slay opponents across a major realm. However, even among the great families and sacred lands, such prodigies have never been heard of.”
“Moreover, the opponents of these prodigies must also be prodigies who have at least stepped into the Three Forbidden Realms. If one merely slays rogue cultivators who have high realms but no real strength, even if they cross multiple realms, they cannot be called a prodigy.”
“Princess Xiao, with her cultivation at the seventh level of the Spring Realm, crossed four minor realms to slay the Second Prince, who was of equal cultivation and had stepped into the Three Forbidden Realms. The title of ‘Four Forbidden Prodigy’ is well-deserved!”
“Furthermore, the Princess did not merely cross minor realms but also breached the barrier of a major realm. Her actual combat strength must be even more formidable.”
At this point, Elder Liu sighed and said:
“The southern region is sparse in spiritual energy, and the number of geniuses is far fewer than in other great states. In the past thousand years, the number of prodigies who have reached the Four Forbidden level can be counted on one hand.”
“Princess Xiao’s strength has already surpassed that of ordinary Four Forbidden prodigies, approaching the Five Forbidden level. If she can maintain her undefeated momentum and forge an invincible heart, she may very well step into the Five Forbidden Realm in the future. At that time, even when facing the prodigies of the Eternal Families, Supreme Sacred Lands, and Immortal Dynasties, she will have the power to fight!”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang felt a strange sensation in her heart. With her strength at the seventh level of the Spring Realm, she had slain the Second Prince, who was comparable to the first level of the Divine Sea Realm, and yet she was only said to have the power to fight against the prodigies of the Eternal Families?
As if sensing her confusion, Elder Liu smiled and explained:
“Princess Xiao, you need not be disheartened. The prodigies of the families and sacred lands that I mentioned are the seed-level figures of those forces. In a generation, there may only be one or two such individuals.”
“Moreover, the resources that geniuses in the families and sacred lands can obtain are incomparable to the training you have received, Princess. You need not belittle yourself.”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded. She could see that Elder Liu truly held her in high regard, but she did not know where this goodwill came from. If it was merely to guide talented young people, it seemed excessive.
Elder Liu seemed to sense her confusion once again and smiled:
“The southern region is barren and has never been valued by the Holy Academy. If the Princess can enroll in the Holy Academy and surpass all others, she will surely make a name for herself across the world!”
“Holy Academy?”
Xiao Minghuang looked at Elder Liu with some confusion. What was the Holy Academy?
“What? The Princess has not heard of the Holy Academy?”
“I seem to have heard of it…”
Xiao Minghuang vaguely remembered that she had heard the name somewhere, but she couldn’t recall it at the moment.
Seeing this, Elder Liu explained:
“The full name of the Holy Academy is the Eastern Pole Holy Academy. It is the premier cultivation academy in the Eastern Pole, with a status that transcends even the sacred lands, families, and dynasties. It even possesses a certain degree of authority to manage and allocate resources among the various forces!”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was slightly surprised.
So, the Holy Academy stands above all other forces?
“The history of the Holy Academy is very ancient, dating back tens of thousands of years. Those are events too far in the past, and I am not very familiar with them. The Princess only needs to know that the Holy Academy holds a transcendent status and houses countless cultivation techniques and martial arts. It is the best place for cultivation in the entire Eastern Pole.”
The best?
Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and asked:
“Even the sacred lands and families cannot compare?”
“One cannot say that exactly…”
Elder Liu smiled and explained:
“Whether it’s sacred lands, aristocratic families, or imperial dynasties, they all prioritize their own interests and benefits. When selecting and teaching disciples, they also act according to the circumstances. With limited resources within the sect, there will inevitably be some degree of unfairness in resource distribution.”
“Many forces in the Eastern Pole have been passed down through countless ages, with intricate internal interests. Resources will always be inclined towards their own descendants.”
“Therefore, cultivators without much backing often choose to join the Holy Academy, where there is no discrimination in teaching, and only talent and strength determine one’s standing.”
“Moreover, even if one’s talent is not exceptional, as long as they possess a unique skill, great perseverance, or wisdom, they might still obtain extraordinary opportunities.”
“Oh? Could you elaborate, Elder?”
At this moment, a sweet and melodious female voice chimed in, carrying a hint of urgency.
Hearing this, Elder Liu turned towards the source of the voice and saw a young girl in a bright green dress walking briskly towards him, offering a deep bow.
“And who might this be?”
With Elder Liu’s discerning eyes, he could tell that the girl before him was only at the Body Tempering stage, and her vital energy was not particularly strong. Her talent could only be considered average.
“This is the granddaughter of Prince Wu’an, named Xu Xiu’er. She is currently staying at my residence.”
“Xiu’er greets Elder Liu. I humbly request the Elder to enlighten me!”
Xu Xiu’er was extremely respectful, her body almost bending at a ninety-degree angle.
“So, you’re the granddaughter of Prince Wu’an…”
Hearing this, Elder Liu seemed to recall something and laughed heartily:
“So, you’re Old Xu’s granddaughter! I held you in my arms when you were still in swaddling clothes!”
Upon hearing this, Xu Xiu’er’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently pursed her lips.
“It seems Xiu’er and Elder Liu are old acquaintances. What a fortunate coincidence!”
Xiao Minghuang interjected at the right moment. She could see that Xu Xiu’er saw Elder Liu as a potential opportunity—a chance to break free from her current limitations and forge a new path.
Elder Liu gently stroked his beard and smiled:
“When you were young, your grandfather brought you to the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to seek medicine. I gave him an eight-hundred-year-old herb, but it seems the effects were not as expected.”
After all, if a normal person had taken that herb, their achievements today would certainly surpass the Body Tempering stage.
“Since there is a connection from the past, I shall enlighten you today.”
“Within the Holy Academy, besides the commonly practiced Spirit Nurturing and Embryo Transformation method, there are many other novel cultivation techniques developed by the old masters.”
“Whether these techniques are viable or not is unknown. At least, as far as I know, there was once an ancient sage who lived for an unknown number of years. He delved into a new method and ended up in a dead end, his body turning into a black hole that nearly annihilated the entire Holy Academy. In the end, it was the mysterious old dean who intervened and suppressed the catastrophe.”
This explanation left Xu Xiu’er utterly confused.
“Elder, what do you mean by the Spirit Nurturing and Embryo Transformation method… the ancient sage… the old dean?”
Hearing this, Elder Liu chuckled:
“You really lack basic knowledge, young lady… The Spirit Nurturing and Embryo Transformation method is the path you are currently on. It begins with Body Tempering, drawing Qi into the body, condensing the Spirit Sea, refining it into a seed, growing it into an embryo, transforming the embryo into a spirit, and then comprehending the mysteries of life and death to achieve longevity.”
“The title ‘Sage’ is the honorific for those at the Longevity Realm. Below that is the Life and Death Realm, with the title ‘King.’ Further below is the Divine Transformation Realm, with the title ‘True Lord.’ You should know this.”
“The Old Dean naturally refers to the dean of the Holy Academy. Due to his esteemed status and extraordinarily long lifespan, he is respectfully referred to as the Old Dean.”
After listening to Elder Liu’s explanation, not only Xu Xiu’er but also Xiao Minghuang understood.
The Holy Academy was indeed a rare and precious place for cultivation. If she were to leave the Southern Realm to travel in the future, she could consider visiting the Holy Academy.
Xu Xiu’er’s eyes grew even brighter. In such a mysterious and powerful institution like the Holy Academy, there must be methods that would allow her to cultivate!
Elder Liu, knowing Xu Xiu’er’s background, naturally understood her aspirations and spoke up:
“Within the Holy Academy, there are indeed many cultivators who, due to their innate talents, are unsuited for the path of nurturing spirits and transforming embryos. They have turned to other new paths, but few have succeeded. Most have perished halfway, or even gradually gone mad, becoming neither human nor ghost.”
“I have a history with your grandfather and do not wish to see you embark on such a difficult path. I have an old acquaintance in the Holy Academy and can introduce you to his tutelage. If you work hard, reaching the Divine Sea Realm is not beyond hope.”
The Divine Sea Realm!
Xu Xiu’er clenched her fists and bit her lip.
If it were before today, she might have been excited at the chance to advance to the Divine Sea Realm and would have agreed immediately.
But after witnessing the celestial grace of Princess Ziwei,
She was unwilling!
She was unwilling to live an ordinary life!
If she were to follow the common path of cultivation,
In just a few years, she would be left far behind, unable to even glimpse her back.
The so-called difference between heaven and earth was just like this.
Having once seen the myriad colors and the stars in the sky, that moment of brilliance was unforgettable for her.
Thus, she hardly hesitated before rejecting Elder Liu’s proposal.
“Thank you for your kindness, senior, but I have heard a saying.”
“Hmm?”
Xu Xiu’er’s gaze was firm as she spoke word by word:
“Dust exists eternally, yet is utterly insignificant. A meteor flashes by in an instant, but its moment of splendor is enough to astonish the ages!”
“You…”
Hearing Xu Xiu’er’s words, Elder Liu was stunned.
A look of surprise also appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face. She hadn’t spent much time with Xu Xiu’er, but she hadn’t expected this seemingly soft and gentle girl to have such lofty ambitions.
“What a splendid moment of splendor to astonish the ages!”
Elder Liu understood her meaning and praised her, then said:
“Since you have made up your mind, I will not try to dissuade you. During this time, I will personally return to the Holy Academy to seek a master for you!”
Hearing this, Xu Xiu’er was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly bowed in thanks, saying:
“Thank you for your great kindness, senior!”
Elder Liu lightly waved his sleeve, signaling her to rise.
“I have a deep friendship with Prince Wu’an. You are his only granddaughter, and I cannot ignore you.”
After making this promise, Elder Liu coughed lightly and said:
“Girl, Princess Xiao and I have some matters to discuss…”
Xu Xiu’er, understanding the hint, bowed to both of them and then turned to leave.
Watching Xu Xiu’er’s joyful figure gradually disappear into the distance, a hint of joy also appeared between Xiao Minghuang’s brows.
In this world, there are too many ordinary people, but those who are born ordinary yet unwilling to remain so are few and far between.
Those who are willing to put in great effort to escape their ordinariness are even rarer.
Those who can put in great effort and also receive the aid of fortune and destiny are one in ten thousand.
Fortunately, Xu Xiu’er was such a person.
“I hope she can achieve her wishes…”
At this moment, Elder Liu’s expression turned serious. Instead of speaking directly, he sent a voice transmission:
“Princess Xiao, let us speak in private.”
Xiao Minghuang was puzzled, but with the presence of Xia Hanbing, a powerful Spirit Seed Realm expert, constantly watching over the crowd, she didn’t believe Elder Liu would pose any threat to her.
Moreover, she had also examined Elder Liu’s fate and confirmed that he was not a malevolent cultivator.
The two of them moved to a secluded spot.
Xiao Minghuang looked at Elder Liu and asked:
“There’s no one here now, Elder. Please speak your mind.”
As soon as her words fell.
An aged voice suddenly rang out.
“Let this old man explain instead!”
With the sound, the space in front of them twisted, and a figure with snow-white hair seemed to materialize out of thin air.
Seeing this sudden appearance, Xiao Minghuang was momentarily startled.
Because this was none other than the royal family’s Old Ancestor, Xia Hanbing, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time!
However, the Old Ancestor before her seemed even more aged than he had been a few months ago, as if he might collapse into a coffin at any moment.
“This junior pays respects to the Old Ancestor!”
Xiao Minghuang slightly bowed in greeting.
“No need for formalities.”
Xia Hanbing raised his hand in the air, and Xiao Minghuang felt a force gently lift her up.
“Time is short, so I’ll be brief.”
“Prince Wu’an has been possessed by a malevolent cultivator. I need you to cooperate in luring out the flaws of that cultivator so we can capture him alive!”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang once again showed a look of surprise.
She had only learned about the possession of the Martial Peace King through the system panel, so how did the Old Ancestor know about it?
However, allowing a demonic cultivator at the Spirit Seed Realm to remain in the heart of the Great Xia was akin to planting a ticking time bomb. It had to be removed as soon as possible, or else she would never feel at ease.
As for other matters, they could be discussed in detail after the demonic cultivator was captured.
Xiao Minghuang knew that the Old Ancestor would never risk her safety, so whatever task she was given would surely not be too dangerous.
After all, she was the future hope of Great Xia.
Thus, without hesitation, she directly asked:
“What does this junior need to do?”
Xia Hanbing got straight to the point and said:
“This matter is very simple for you and poses no danger.”
“I will place a restriction on you, disguising you as injured, invite the Martial Peace King to come and heal you. When he gets close to you, place the Evil-Suppressing Talisman on him. After that, leave the rest to me.”
The task sounded simple, perhaps even too simple.
“Placing a talisman doesn’t seem difficult. One could just bribe the Martial Peace King’s attendants and act when he’s off guard. Does the Old Ancestor’s plan have a deeper meaning?”
Hearing this, Xia Hanbing explained:
“This demonic cultivator is extremely cautious and never lets anyone get close. After much thought, I realized that only his granddaughter has a reason to approach him, and then there’s you.”
“Previously, the Martial Peace King has publicly pledged his allegiance to you. If he refuses to heal you now, it would reveal his true nature. To maintain his cover, he has no choice but to heal you.”
After listening to the Old Ancestor’s explanation, Xiao Minghuang nodded and replied:
“Old Ancestor, rest assured. I will handle this matter.”
At the same time.
Xia Hanbing took out a brocade box from his sleeve and pushed it toward her.
“This is the treasure of Great Xia’s national fortune, a top-grade Profound Tier artifact—the Mountain and River Seal. With this treasure protecting you, even if that demonic cultivator is a Spirit Seed Realm expert, he won’t be able to harm you in the slightest!”
Xiao Minghuang took the brocade box and opened it. Inside was a small golden seal, about the size of an egg. Its surface shimmered with golden light, engraved with mountains, rivers, plants, birds, fish, insects, and all manner of creatures, as if depicting the entire world.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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