From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 147
The sword cry grew louder and clearer as it approached.
Everyone looked up and saw a pure white sword light streak across the sky, landing in front of Xiao Minghuang and her group in an instant.
“I am Luo Rong. Are you all interested in the Crimson Flame Sparrow?” the sword light dissipated, revealing a group of disciples from the Spirit Sword Sect.
The two at the forefront were none other than Luo Rong and Cheng Wen.
Xiao Minghuang smiled slightly and said, “So it’s the two True Disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect. Naturally, we’ve gathered here for the Crimson Flame Sparrow.”
No further words were needed. The moment she saw Luo Rong and Cheng Wen, Xiao Minghuang had already formed a new plan.
Hearing this, Luo Rong hesitated to speak.
Xiao Minghuang knew that since they had come here, they must be looking to share in the spoils.
She wasn’t opposed to this.
But expecting to gain benefits without paying a price was nothing but a pipe dream.
This was a principle Luo Rong naturally understood as well.
After a moment of thought, Luo Rong finally spoke, “I’ve heard that the Princess has quite a few Moon Spirit Fruits. If we could use them as bait to lure away the Crimson Flame Sparrow, we could easily steal her chicks.”
“If the Princess is willing to assist, the Spirit Sword Sect will not forget your kindness!”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang narrowed her beautiful eyes.
Luo Rong didn’t say he wouldn’t forget.
He said the Spirit Sword Sect wouldn’t forget.
This indicated that the operation to steal the Crimson Flame Sparrow chicks was the will of the higher-ups in the Spirit Sword Sect.
“In that case, I’d like to hear what your sect can offer in return. After all, Moon Spirit Fruits aren’t some common spiritual herb you can find anywhere. Apart from the Tianfu Secret Realm, you won’t find a single one elsewhere,” Xiao Minghuang replied.
Hearing this, Luo Rong knew that Xiao Minghuang was driving a hard bargain.
But in the Tianfu Secret Realm, aside from the Sword Dao Stone Tablet, the Crimson Flame Sparrow was the most attractive to the Spirit Sword Sect.
If they could obtain a Crimson Flame Sparrow, it would give them an edge in the upcoming Saint Academy Grand Selection three years from now, ensuring they wouldn’t be overshadowed by neighboring sects.
It was worth noting that in the last Saint Academy Grand Selection, the Spirit Sword Sect had missed out on becoming a third-tier sect because they lacked a notable spirit beast.
Once recognized by the Saint Academy as a third-tier sect, they would enjoy numerous benefits, such as having a recommendation slot that would allow a disciple to enter the Saint Academy without examination.
Such an opportunity must not be missed.
Therefore, before departure, the higher-ups of the sect repeatedly emphasized that he must obtain a Crimson Flame Sparrow egg.
After a moment of hesitation, Luo Rong spoke up and asked:
“No matter how many spirit stones or elixirs the Princess requires, the Spirit Sword Sect can provide them.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang smiled gently and said:
“I lack neither spirit stones nor elixirs. I merely wish to know the current cultivation realm of your sect’s master.”
At this, Luo Rong’s heart stirred slightly, and he frowned as he replied:
“Princess, what do you mean by this? The realm of my master is not something a disciple like me can speculate on.”
“You misunderstand, fellow Daoist.”
“As the Princess of Great Xia, I naturally must consider the interests of Great Xia. Our nation is currently under threat from the Dragon Tiger Sect, and the situation is dire. These Moon Spirit Fruits are extremely precious. I plan to take them back to Great Xia to help cultivate several more valuable Divine Sea Realm experts, thereby deterring the Dragon Tiger Sect and preventing them from acting rashly.”
Hearing this, not only Luo Rong but everyone present cast strange glances.
Relying on a few Divine Sea Realm experts to deter the Dragon Tiger Sect?
Was Princess Xiao still dreaming?
However, only Luo Rong understood that Xiao Minghuang was actually proposing a higher condition.
Great Xia was currently facing a threat from the Dragon Tiger Sect. If the Spirit Sword Sect, as the foremost sect in the southern region, could curb the aggressive stance of the Dragon Tiger Sect, then what were a few Moon Spirit Fruits worth?
After pondering for a moment, Luo Rong replied:
“Princess, you are mistaken. If you wish to deter the Dragon Tiger Sect, the strength of the Divine Sea Realm will likely be insufficient. Our sect master is a Nascent Soul Realm expert who has also comprehended the Great Accomplishment of Sword Intent. Even the master of the Dragon Tiger Sect must show her some respect. If the Princess is willing to offer the Moon Spirit Fruits, I can speak to my master and request her to mediate the conflict between your nation and the Dragon Tiger Sect.”
Xiao Minghuang, however, merely smiled without speaking. She indeed hoped for the Spirit Sword Sect to intervene in the dispute between Great Xia and the Dragon Tiger Sect, but mediation alone was not her goal.
“Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist. However, the Dragon Tiger Sect is pressing too hard, and they may not truly heed your sect’s arrangements. If you think a few words can resolve the conflict, you are being too simplistic!”
After hearing this, Luo Rong couldn’t help but frown.
Seeing this, Cheng Wen couldn’t hold back and spoke up:
“How dare the Dragon Tiger Sect act so arrogantly? If our master were to take action, she alone could sweep them away with a single sword. Princess Xiao, rest assured. Upon returning to the sect, I will report this matter to our master and thoroughly humble the Dragon Tiger Sect!”
At this, Luo Rong’s expression darkened, and he glared at Cheng Wen.
He was still weighing the pros and cons, but his junior sister had already spoken up and agreed to the matter.
Clearly, she didn’t take him seriously.
Cheng Wen, however, ignored his glare.
Both of them were True Disciples of the sect master, and sooner or later, they would stand on opposing sides in the struggle for the position of sect master.
This was a perfect opportunity to curry favor with Princess Xiao, and with the True Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect present, if she could facilitate this matter, her name would surely spread across the sects and nations.
Cheng Wen would no longer be the obedient follower of her senior brother!
Everyone present, except for Luo Rong, smiled.
Xiao Minghuang smiled and said:
“Fellow Daoist Cheng, you have great courage! This mission will surely be a complete success!”
Cheng Wen straightened her chest, took a step forward, and flew toward Xiao Minghuang. As she passed by Luo Rong, she curled her lips slightly, as if extremely pleased with herself.
Luo Rong’s face was gloomy, and he remained silent.
Soon, a temporary team was formed to steal the fledgling of the Crimson Flame Sparrow and collect the Crimson Flame.
At this moment.
Two figures rushed from the distance, their auras very familiar to Xiao Minghuang.
She looked into the distance and found that it was Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu.
Both of them were beaming with joy. They had met shortly after entering the secret realm and had been searching for Xiao Minghuang but had not been able to find her.
At the Sword Dao Stone Tablet, they learned of her whereabouts and had been searching for her ever since.
On the way, they encountered a few disciples of the Dragon Tiger Sect, but fortunately, their cultivation levels were not high, and they were easily defeated.
“Your Highness, what should we do next?”
Having found Xiao Minghuang, Ye Ruoshui seemed to have found her anchor. She clung tightly to her side, holding onto her jade arm, not willing to let go.
Xiao Minghuang didn’t dislike this. She gently stroked Ye Ruoshui’s hair and softly said:
“Ruoshui, would you like to ride a beautiful big bird whenever you go out in the future?”
“Yes!”
Ye Ruoshui responded with a smile.
“Would you like to use Primordial Fire for alchemy in the future?”
When she said this, Xiao Minghuang lowered her voice so that no one else could hear.
Ye Ruoshui was startled, her beautiful eyes widening.
“Is there… Primordial Fire here?”
Xiao Minghuang’s gaze was sharp as she looked towards the dark peak and raised her voice:
“Everyone, let’s begin the operation!”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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