From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 131
Hearing these words, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s lips.
“Senior, you flatter me.”
“This old man is merely speaking the truth…”
The Medicine King’s expression turned serious as he spoke:
“This old man is skilled in the art of alchemy and has also fused with an innate fire, thus I can be considered to have an affinity with the Dao of Fire, which is already quite rare.”
“But from Princess’s Dao companion Ye Ruoshui, I can sense an extremely strong affinity with the Dao of Fire, even surpassing my own. Such a cultivator is bound to achieve great things in the art of alchemy!”
Xiao Minghuang had already introduced the two to him, so the Medicine King directly addressed her by name.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang’s heart stirred. She hadn’t expected that after just one meeting, the Medicine King could discern Ye Ruoshui’s innate talent for alchemy.
“Senior truly lives up to the title of a King of Life and Death Realm. With such discernment, there is no second person in the entire Southern Territory who could match you!”
Xiao Minghuang nodded in agreement.
Clearly, she did not deny the Medicine King’s speculation.
“Hehe… This old man has merely lived a bit longer and seen a bit more. Compared to the Princess, I am still far behind!”
The Medicine King spoke humbly. Having endured countless hardships and struggles, he had barely survived for three thousand years. Now that Xiao Minghuang could reshape his physical body, he naturally wanted to do everything in his power to satisfy her.
Moreover, Xiao Minghuang’s situation was entirely different from Xiao Yan’s.
Xiao Yan was merely a cripple; without the Medicine King, he would have no chance of survival.
On the other hand, Xiao Minghuang, the esteemed Crown Princess of Great Xia, possessed unparalleled talent. Even without the Medicine King, she could still go very far on her cultivation path.
Therefore, it was imperative for the Medicine King to secure Xiao Minghuang’s assistance, while he himself could offer little in return.
The two of them continued to discuss many topics.
They talked about the situation in the Eastern Pole beyond the Southern Territory, as well as matters related to cultivation.
For instance, the realms beyond the Nascent Soul stage, martial arts and techniques above the Heavenly Rank, magical treasures, elixirs, and so on.
According to the Medicine King, the Eastern Pole was an extremely vast region, divided into large, medium, and small states based on factors such as the density of spiritual energy and land area.
Among them, there were hundreds of large states, tens of thousands of medium states, and countless small states.
The Southern Territory was merely a smaller part of the medium states.
The territory of Great Xia spanned ten thousand miles, yet it only accounted for three percent of the Southern Territory.
From this, one could see just how vast the entire Eastern Pole was.
As the Medicine King explained, the Dao Domain where the Holy Academy was located was so extensive that it was difficult to measure. Even if a Spirit Seed Realm expert spent their entire life flying, they would not be able to traverse from one end to the other.
Therefore, traveling between the various states of the Eastern Pole required the use of teleportation arrays.
Such arrays were more common in large states with abundant spiritual energy, with basically every city having one.
In some states, even a single town might have a teleportation array.
However, in a place like the Southern Territory, where spiritual energy was sparse and the land was remote, only the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had a teleportation array.
In addition, the Medicine King also answered all of her questions regarding cultivation.
Above Heavenly Rank magical treasures, there were Saint Realm treasures, and the classification of elixirs followed the same hierarchy.
During this period, Xiao Minghuang also brought up a question she had been pondering for a long time.
Back when she had just unlocked the system’s function to view destinies, Lin Wanqiu’s panel had prominently displayed a gray 【Born Supreme】 destiny.
Afterward, she had consulted ancient texts and asked the Old Ancestor, but to no avail.
Thus, she speculated that the 【Born Supreme】 destiny must be extremely unique and rare in the world.
Alternatively, the system’s terminology for describing destinies might differ from actual descriptions, which could explain why she couldn’t find any useful information.
However, the Medicine King before her was a true King of Life and Death from the Eastern Pole Holy Academy. His vision and experience far surpassed that of Xia Hanbing.
Perhaps he could provide her with answers.
“Senior, have you ever heard of… 【Born Supreme】?” Xiao Minghuang spoke slowly, intending to probe the question.
Upon hearing this, the Medicine King shook his head.
“This old man has never heard of it. May I ask where the Princess heard of it?”
Xiao Minghuang did not answer, only sighing in disappointment.
“That is indeed a pity.”
The Medicine King felt somewhat embarrassed. Just moments ago, he had boasted of his vast knowledge, yet he couldn’t even answer a question posed by a Spring Realm cultivator.
“Princess, please wait a moment. This old man has been in the ring for so many years, and many things have become unclear. Allow me to think carefully.”
“Mm… Senior, take your time. There’s no rush.”
Though she said this, Xiao Minghuang no longer held much expectation.
As for this mystery, she could wait until she personally visited the Holy Academy in the future to uncover the truth.
In the following days, Xiao Minghuang, in her capacity as the Crown Princess, borrowed many materials from the Great Xia Imperial Treasury to help the Medicine King reconstruct his body.
Unfortunately, the Medicine King’s true spirit had been worn down over the long years, and his spiritual essence had greatly diminished. After reconstructing his body, he was left with only the cultivation of the Spirit Seed Realm.
Even so, this news brought great joy to everyone.
Especially to the Emperor and Xia Hanbing.
Before this, Great Xia had only two Spirit Seed Realm experts. Xia Hanbing, after making a move during the grand competition, was nearing the end of his lifespan.
If Xia Hanbing were to pass away, Great Xia would be left with only the Emperor as its sole Spirit Seed Realm expert, a situation that would be very precarious.
But with the addition of the Medicine King, the situation would improve significantly. Even if they couldn’t maintain their position as the top among the nations, they would at least be able to defend themselves.
Time flowed like water, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.
In the palace, at the Offering Hall, in the lakeside pavilion.
Since the Medicine King had reconstructed his body, apart from the initial days of familiarizing himself with his new form and marveling at the world, he had spent the rest of his time in the palace’s Offering Hall.
The reason was simple: he had discovered a peerless alchemy genius with unparalleled talent and comprehension!
This alchemy genius was practically a prodigy in the art of pill refining.
When she refined pills, there were no wasted pills; every batch was of high quality or above.
Out of ten pills in a batch, at least seven were of superior quality!
Among the remaining three, there might even be a perfect-quality pill!
Such talent, such skill in the Dao of Alchemy—not to mention the tiny southern region, even within the Holy Academy, there was no second person like her!
The Medicine King had a premonition in his heart. If it weren’t for his deeper experience, more skilled techniques, and the innate fire and high-level alchemy furnace he possessed in his previous life, the elixir he refined might not even be comparable to this one!
Seeing such a monstrous genius, even though he had been hurt by his disciples twice in a row, he couldn’t help but feel the urge to take on another disciple.
“Although I have rebuilt my physical body, it’s almost impossible to restore my previous life’s cultivation, let alone bring my alchemy skills back to their peak… If I could pass on my legacy to this person, it would be a worthy successor.”
However, with his current level of alchemy, he might not even be qualified to be the master of such a monstrous genius…
The Medicine King’s eyes flickered, his thoughts turning. After careful consideration, he immediately set off towards the Princess’s residence.
The reason was simple.
Because this monstrous genius was none other than Xiao Minghuang’s partner, Ye Ruoshui.
…
Inside the Princess’s residence.
Xiao Minghuang stepped out of the cultivation chamber.
She was dressed in a bright yellow robe with loose sleeves, the hem of her dress casually hanging by her side. She looked ethereal and elegant, like a fairy descending to the mortal world.
At this moment, Xiao Minghuang had shed her usual noble and dignified demeanor. A gentle smile graced her face, making her appear very approachable.
This was because, during the month following the grand competition, she had spent almost all her time with Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu, hardly focusing on her cultivation.
After a month of gentle, leisurely, and comfortable life, her heart was filled with softness, and she no longer seemed as cold and aloof.
If it weren’t for the news that a secret realm was about to emerge, she might have continued to indulge in the warmth, finding it difficult to focus on her cultivation.
However, after this period of seclusion, her cultivation had improved once again.
“After seven days of seclusion, my realm has broken through from the peak of the seventh level of the Spring Realm to the eighth level… Now, if I were to face the First Prince in his limit state again, I should be able to handle it more calmly.”
Sensing her breakthrough, Ye and Lin hurried over.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, on your improvement!”
They spoke in unison.
“Hmm…”
Xiao Minghuang’s gaze swept over Ye and Lin, a smile appearing on her face.
“It seems that during my seclusion, you two haven’t been slacking off either…”
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu’s realms had also improved significantly.
“Hehe… It’s all thanks to Your Highness!”
Lin Wanqiu’s eyes flashed with a hint of mischief as she playfully blinked and said with a clever smile:
“If it weren’t for Your Highness’s nightly teachings, how could we have broken through so quickly?”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was momentarily stunned, not understanding. But in the next moment, she suddenly realized, a blush appearing on her cheeks. She composed herself and teased:
“Oh? Is that so? I wonder who it was that kept pestering me every night, insisting that I help her improve her cultivation, saying that if we didn’t dual cultivate, she wouldn’t be able to keep up. I remember it clearly. Should I have a good talk with you and Ruoshui about it?”
As soon as these words were spoken.
Lin Wanqiu’s cheeks turned as red as the evening glow before sunset, shy yet radiantly beautiful, stunning beyond compare.
“Hmph… It seems you’ve grown quite bold after not seeing me for a while, daring to tease this princess!”
Xiao Minghuang lifted Lin Wanqiu’s chin, gazing into those misty eyes, her own filled with tender amusement.
“Your Highness~~ I know I was wrong~~”
“Aiya! Wanqiu is blushing! So adorable!”
Ye Ruoshui covered her mouth and laughed.
After spending so much time together, they rarely saw Lin Wanqiu shy, but today, seeing her like this, she truly looked pitiful and endearing.
Originally, Lin Wanqiu was willing to be teased by the Princess, but in front of Ye Ruoshui, she couldn’t fully let go.
Usually, she played the role of a more mature and steady figure in front of Ye Ruoshui, but now, being treated like a delicate little girl by the Princess, her thin skin couldn’t bear it.
“Your Highness… I know I was wrong… Please let me off… okay~~~”
Lin Wanqiu’s soft body, as if boneless, pressed against Xiao Minghuang’s.
Xiao Minghuang’s cheeks turned even redder, but she felt a secret delight inside; this feeling wasn’t bad at all.
“Hehe, alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Don’t act so pitiful; I couldn’t bear to punish you…”
Xiao Minghuang smiled and pulled Lin Wanqiu into her arms, gently kissing the bangs on her forehead.
“Thank you, Your Highness…”
Lin Wanqiu said in a delicate voice.
Watching this scene, Ye Ruoshui was dumbfounded.
She suddenly understood a principle.
The child who cries gets the milk.
After some playful banter, the three of them calmed down and made their way to their usual lakeside pavilion to sit.
As they drank tea, they chatted and laughed.
During this time, Xiao Minghuang observed that after a period of cultivation, Ye Ruoshui had reached the third level of the Spring Realm, while Lin Wanqiu was slightly higher, at the fourth level of the Spring Realm.
Such rapid progress was thanks to Xiao Minghuang’s continuous provision of abundant resources.
In addition, the three of them engaged in spiritual dual cultivation almost every day, which also greatly contributed to their cultivation growth.
It was around this time.
A servant came to report.
“Your Highness, the Medicine King requests an audience.”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded and said:
“Let him come in.”
“Yes!”
The servant bowed and left.
Not long after.
A young man in his twenties entered, dressed in a gray robe, looking vigorous and full of life, yet exuding an ancient and aged aura.
“Greetings, Princess!”
“No need for formalities, Elder. Please speak your mind.”
After some time together, the Medicine King had come to understand Xiao Minghuang’s straightforward nature, but today, with the subject of his matter present, he felt somewhat embarrassed to speak directly.
After some thought, he said:
“Princess, this matter is somewhat difficult to bring up, could you…”
Seeing the Medicine King’s hesitant expression, Xiao Minghuang understood.
“…Hmm, Ruoshui, Wanqiu, you two go ahead and attend to your tasks. I’ll call for you later.”
Hearing this, Ye and Lin stood up and left.
“Now that we are alone, Elder, please speak freely.”
The Medicine King nodded. He had already carefully chosen his words on the way here and said:
“Thanks to the Princess’s great kindness, I have been able to see the light of day again and be reborn into this world. I am immensely grateful. However, three thousand years have passed, and even though I have been reborn, my cultivation is only at the Spirit Seed Realm, which is of little use to Your Highness. The only thing I can offer is my inheritance in the art of alchemy. I wish to dedicate all that I have learned to the Princess. I wonder if the Princess would be willing to accept it?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was momentarily surprised, but she quickly realized that the Medicine King’s decision was not entirely unexpected.
After all, helping him rebuild his body was a life-saving grace.
Compared to one’s life, the weight of inheritance seemed somewhat lighter.
However.
“Thank you for your high regard, senior, but I have no particular talent in the art of alchemy. The path of cultivation is already arduous, and if I were to divide my focus, I fear I would achieve little. I deeply appreciate your offer, but I must respectfully decline.”
Xiao Minghuang spoke, politely declining the offer.
Hearing this, the Medicine King was not surprised.
He understood that Princess Xiao possessed extraordinary talent, unparalleled in the world, but even so, it was impossible for her to master every esoteric art. Choices had to be made.
Since she aimed to excel in the orthodox path, it would be difficult for her to spare energy for other disciplines. Therefore, his target had never been Xiao Minghuang from the start.
“In that case, I will not insist…”
As they spoke, the Medicine King took out a thick golden tome from his sleeve and pushed it over.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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