Chapter 116

Upon hearing this, the figures hidden in the shadows all tensed up.

They understood the implication behind Miss Lin’s words.

This meant that Miss Lin had never considered herself their master, but had instead fully trained and directed them as subordinates of the Princess.

For a moment, their expressions became complex.

Miss Lin’s loyalty to the Princess was truly unwavering!

“Yes, we will strictly follow Her Highness’s orders!” they replied.

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu nodded in satisfaction and said, “Be thorough and leave no traces behind.”

“Yes!”

As her words fell, several dark auras vanished into the night.

Lin Wanqiu knew that tonight would inevitably be a sleepless one.

But she had no time to mourn the loss of lives.

She took a step forward, heading toward the training room.

Tomorrow was the grand competition, and Her Highness was in seclusion. She needed to go and protect her.

…

Inside the training room.

Xiao Minghuang sat cross-legged on a cushion, her eyes closed, circulating the 《Imperial Path Ziwei Scripture》 once through.

Although she had obtained the second Heaven-tier cultivation technique, it was impossible to master it to the Great Perfection realm in just one day.

If a Heaven-tier technique was not cultivated to the Great Perfection realm, one could not comprehend the divine abilities it contained.

A Heaven-tier technique without divine abilities was like a person without a soul—only form without essence, its power no different from an Earth-tier technique.

Xiao Minghuang’s plan was to continue improving her cultivation realm.

Earlier, when Prince Wu’an had pledged his allegiance, he had presented her with a storage pouch. She had only glanced at it briefly and hadn’t carefully examined its contents.

But since it was a token of sincerity from a Divine Sea Realm expert, its value was undoubtedly high.

Sure enough.

When Xiao Minghuang opened the storage pouch, she saw countless spirit stones and pills, numbering in the hundreds of thousands!

Moreover, among them were Mystic-tier pills and even dozens of mid-grade spirit stones.

“Prince Wu’an, your sincerity has been felt by this Princess,” Xiao Minghuang murmured.

Seeing so many treasures in the storage pouch, a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

These spirit stones and pills were enough to help her break through to the fourth level of the Spring Realm!

Thinking of this, she decided to treat Xu Xiu’er better in the future, as the girl was the Prince of Wu’an’s only granddaughter.

As she looked at the spirit stones and pills in the storage pouch, Xiao Minghuang suddenly remembered something.

“I almost forgot, I need to give these treasures to Ruoshui, or it would be a huge loss,” she said, patting her head and chuckling.

Then, she stood up and headed toward the door.

Pushing it open, she saw three familiar figures.

They were Ye Ruoshui, Lin Wanqiu, and Xu Xiu’er.

Lin Wanqiu was meditating with her eyes closed, while Ye Ruoshui and Xu Xiu’er sat at a stone table, reading a thick book.

The moment Xiao Minghuang opened the door, all three of them reacted simultaneously, turning their gazes toward her.

“Your Highness!” they exclaimed in unison.

A smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face. She hadn’t expected all three girls to come over.

Lin Wanqiu stepped forward and said gently, “Your Highness, I ran into Ruoshui and Miss Xu on the way. Ruoshui said she wanted to come too, so I brought them along.”

Lin Wanqiu trusted Ye Ruoshui completely, and as for Xu Xiu’er, given her cultivation level, she posed no threat to Her Highness, so Lin Wanqiu was also at ease.

“Hmm…” Xiao Minghuang nodded in acknowledgment, then beckoned to Ye Ruoshui.

“Ruoshui, come here quickly. I have something to give you.”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui quickly ran over on her fair, delicate legs.

“Your Highness, what are you going to give me this time?”

Ye Ruoshui’s small face was filled with curiosity.

Xiao Minghuang took a storage bag from her sleeve and placed it into Ye Ruoshui’s hand.

At the same time.

A system notification sounded in her mind.

【Ding!】

【Host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】

【Congratulations, host has triggered a tenfold critical compensation…】

“Ah! So many spirit stones and pills!”

After receiving the storage bag, Ye Ruoshui’s small face showed a look of astonishment.

She had received gifts from Her Highness before, but never in such a large quantity.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Ye Ruoshui knew that once Her Highness gave something, there was no room for refusal, so she tearfully accepted the hundreds of thousands of spirit stones and pills.

Xiao Minghuang gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s head and said softly:

“Focus on your cultivation, don’t be too playful!”

Although they had already cultivated together, Ye Ruoshui still had the heart of a young girl who never seemed to grow up. Therefore, Xiao Minghuang always felt a sense of worry when dealing with her, like an adult watching over a child.

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui giggled sweetly:

“Your Highness, I’ve been diligently cultivating!”

As she spoke, she took a box from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Minghuang.

“What is this?”

Xiao Minghuang took the box and asked curiously.

“Your Highness will know when you open it.”

Ye Ruoshui clenched her small fists, looking at her with eager anticipation.

Without much thought, Xiao Minghuang gently lifted the lid of the box.

Buzz!

In the next moment, a vast surge of spiritual energy erupted from the box, accompanied by a faint, refreshing fragrance that permeated the entire courtyard!

Inside the box lay a jade-green pill, emitting a soft fluorescent glow. Intricate patterns were meticulously carved into its surface, forming the image of a lush, verdant lotus. The lotus appeared so lifelike, as if swaying in the breeze, exuding an extraordinarily profound and mysterious spiritual aura, as if revealing some profound truth of the universe.

“This is…”

Xiao Minghuang’s pupils slightly contracted, her eyes filled with astonishment.

It wasn’t just her; Lin Wanqiu and Xu Xiu’er were equally astounded.

Lin Wanqiu managed to maintain a relatively calm expression, as she had seen heavenly-tier pills before.

Although the pill before them was extraordinary, it was still far from being a true heavenly-tier pill.

Xiao Minghuang, too, wasn’t surprised by the pill itself, but rather by the fact that Ye Ruoshui could produce such a pill.

However, Xu Xiu’er was different. She had never seen such a miraculous pill in her life, and the sudden sight left her utterly speechless.

Seeing the astonishment on everyone’s faces, Ye Ruoshui’s lips curled into a smile, her little face brimming with pride.

“Your Highness, this is a Three-Line Green Lotus Pill that I refined myself. It’s a top-tier earth-grade pill, and it should have no problem helping Your Highness break through a minor realm!”

Three-Line Green Lotus Pill!

Upon hearing these words, the gazes of Xiao Minghuang, Lin Wanqiu, and Xu Xiu’er immediately focused on the pill inside the box.

“I once heard my grandfather mention the Green Lotus Pill. Among top-tier earth-grade pills, it is an extremely rare existence. It can stimulate vitality, regenerate flesh and bone, and cleanse and temper the meridians. But its primary function is to enhance cultivation.”

“At the time, my grandfather said that during his youth, while traveling abroad, he once saw a Green Lotus Pill at an auction. The highest bid reached one million spirit stones, plus one hundred low-tier earth-grade pills, and only then was he able to secure one Green Lotus Pill!”

Xu Xiu’er spoke with great excitement.

“But a Green Lotus Pill with three lines engraved on it? That only exists in legends! I’ve never even heard of it!”

It was widely known that once a pill developed pill lines, its efficacy would increase significantly.

The more pill lines, the better.

Typically, a pill with just one pill line would already be enough to cause a frenzy.

A pill with three pill lines? That was something only spoken of in legends.

Xiao Minghuang was filled with emotion. She had never expected Ye Ruoshui’s alchemy skills to have advanced so rapidly.

After all, Ye Ruoshui was only at the Qi Refining stage. If she were to break through to the Spring Realm, wouldn’t she be able to refine Spring Realm pills?

Her talent was truly monstrous!

Seeing Ye Ruoshui’s progress in alchemy, Xiao Minghuang felt genuinely pleased from the bottom of her heart.

“Thank you for the pill, Ruoshui. Your sister loves it!”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui’s little face lit up with joy. Besides her passion for alchemy, her main goal was to earn the favor of Her Highness.

Before everyone could recover from their astonishment, Ye Ruoshui dropped another bombshell!

“Your Highness, I have a feeling that once I break through to the Spring Realm, as long as I can obtain a high-tier cauldron and any kind of innate flame, I should be able to refine earth-grade pills!”

Upon hearing this, both Lin Wanqiu and Xiao Minghuang widened their eyes, their gazes filled with profound shock!

How could they not be shocked by such a thing?!

Earth-grade elixirs were treasures rarely heard of throughout the entire Southern Realm!

According to Seventh Elder, only the master of the Alchemy Pavilion could possibly refine Earth-grade elixirs!

Yet Ye Ruoshui claimed she could refine Earth-grade elixirs—it was simply unbelievable!

Xiao Minghuang’s expression turned serious. She took a deep breath and asked earnestly:

“Ruoshui, are you sure?”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui hesitated. A trace of uncertainty appeared on her face as she pondered and replied:

“Maybe… possibly… if I have a Profound-grade elixir and the Primordial Flame, there might be a chance of success…”

Seeing the doubt on Ye Ruoshui’s face, Xu Xiu’er let out a sigh of relief. She had thought Ye Ruoshui was fully confident in refining an Earth-grade elixir.

But now, it seemed she was just being overly optimistic.

The master of the Alchemy Pavilion had only managed to refine an Earth-grade elixir for the first time when he was at the peak of the Divine Sea Realm.

Even a genius like Ye Ruoshui would likely need to reach at least the Divine Sea Realm before she could attempt to refine an Earth-grade elixir.

However.

Xiao Minghuang knew Ye Ruoshui too well. She understood that despite her hesitant expression, Ye Ruoshui actually had confidence in herself.

Although Ye Ruoshui often lacked self-assurance, her talent was undeniable. If she set her mind to it, she could definitely achieve it.

With this in mind, Xiao Minghuang didn’t say anything more.

She handed the box containing the Three-Lined Green Lotus Pill back to Ye Ruoshui and said gently:

“Ruoshui, take the pill back and study it slowly. I believe you can refine an Earth-grade elixir!”

“After the competition, I will mobilize the entire nation to search for a high-grade alchemy furnace and the Primordial Flame!”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui’s face lit up with joy. She couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes and plant a kiss on the corner of Xiao Minghuang’s lips.

“Your Highness, I will definitely work hard!”

A hint of shyness flashed across Ye Ruoshui’s face, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

Xiao Minghuang pursed her lips, gently ruffled Ye Ruoshui’s hair, and said softly:

“Good girl!”

Then, her gaze swept over Lin Wanqiu and Xu Xiu’er.

“I’m going into seclusion. Remind me before the competition tomorrow.”

Lin Wanqiu responded promptly.

“Your Highness, rest assured!”

With that, Xiao Minghuang returned to her cultivation chamber.

At the same time.

A system notification sounded in her mind.

【Ding!】

【Host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】

【Congratulations, host, for triggering a thousandfold critical compensation! You have obtained the Earth-grade supreme elixir, the Nine-Lined Golden Lotus Pill!】

The Nine-Lined Golden Lotus Pill!

An Earth-grade supreme elixir!

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face.

It had been a long time since she had triggered a high-multiple critical compensation for an elixir.

“Tomorrow is the competition. Let’s see how far this pill can take me…”

With a thought, the Nine-Lined Golden Lotus Pill appeared in her palm.

It was a brown pill, about the size of an egg, with nine intricate and mysterious patterns forming a stunningly beautiful golden lotus. Its beauty was both enchanting and dazzling.

Just one glance at it made Xiao Minghuang feel as though all the spiritual energy in her body was burning, as if she might turn to ash in the next moment!

She took a deep breath and, without hesitation, swallowed the pill!

Instantly, the pill transformed into a scalding liquid that coursed through her body, flowing along her meridians and finally merging into her dantian.

Within her dantian, an overwhelmingly powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted, akin to raging waves crashing against the shore, spreading in all directions and shaking the surrounding air!

Boom!!!

A deafening roar echoed throughout the training chamber, sending shivers down the spine!

Feeling the explosive potency of the medicinal energy within her, Xiao Minghuang’s face revealed an unnatural, eerie flush of crimson.

Although she had consumed more than one Heaven-grade elixir before, those pills primarily served to consolidate her foundation, their effects gentle and mild, allowing even mortals without cultivation to absorb them relatively safely.

But this Nine-Patterned Golden Lotus Pill was different.

The main purpose of this pill was to enhance cultivation, so its medicinal energy was fierce and violent, relentlessly tempering her meridians, flesh, and bones, as if forged by scorching flames, attempting to infuse every particle of her body with vast spiritual energy.

“Hiss!!!”

Feeling the intense pain within her body, Xiao Minghuang clenched her teeth, enduring the agony with sheer willpower. Her delicate face instantly turned pale, and beads of sweat dripped from her forehead.

“This is the effect of the Nine-Patterned Golden Lotus Pill. The spiritual energy within me is rapidly expanding. I must seize the moment to refine the medicinal energy and elevate my cultivation!”

Sweat seeped from Xiao Minghuang’s forehead, her body trembling slightly, yet she continued to hold on.

She could choose to expel the spiritual energy from her body, which would spare her from any pain, but it would also result in the complete loss of the pill’s medicinal energy.

She had to persevere; only then could her realm be significantly elevated!

In an instant.

Thunderous roars erupted within Xiao Minghuang’s body, and a surging force of blood and qi permeated the air, with spiritual energy overflowing like a volcanic eruption, sweeping through the surroundings.

The small training chamber, even reinforced by formations, struggled to withstand her overwhelming presence. Beams snapped, tiles fell, and the entire pavilion teetered on the brink of collapse.

Outside.

Ye Ruoshui, Lin Wanqiu, and Xu Xiu’er witnessed this scene, their eyes filled with shock.

Lin Wanqiu acted decisively, turning to Ye Ruoshui and urgently saying:

“Ruoshui, you’re more familiar with the Seventh Elder. Hurry to the palace and ask him to come here to protect Her Highness, just in case!”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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