Chapter 134

The Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince quickly made up their minds and decided to stay and serve as Xiao Minghuang’s guards.

Ah… no, martial arts instructors.

“Thank you, Princess. We are willing!” they both replied simultaneously.

Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly.

“Very well. With your talents, there’s no need to worry about being buried as mere martial arts instructors. Since I have decided to keep you, I will not treat you unfairly.”

As she spoke.

She waved her sleeve, and two storage bags flew out, hovering in front of the two princes.

Both of them looked puzzled. They had just pledged their allegiance to Princess Ziwei and had yet to make any contributions. Were they already being rewarded with spirit stones?

Seeing the faint smile in Xiao Minghuang’s eyes, they both opened the storage bags.

But.

When they saw the contents of the storage bags, they were utterly shocked.

Countless spirit stones were piled up like a small mountain, and rows of elixirs were neatly arranged on shelves, with hundreds of bottles at a glance!

Moreover, in the center of the storage bag, there was a stone platform on which lay a flawless jade slip, emitting a faint glow, exuding an extraordinary aura.

When they infused their spiritual sense into the jade slip, they were instantly overwhelmed by an ancient and profound aura, as if a star from the endless void had descended before them.

The shock and awe they felt were indescribable.

At this moment, Xiao Minghuang spoke, pulling them out of their astonishment.

“This is the Earth-grade supreme technique 《Stellar Forging Qi Art》, which can be cultivated up to the Divine Sea Realm. I obtained it by chance and now bestow it upon you. As long as you cultivate diligently and live up to my expectations, the subsequent techniques will be granted to you when you break through to the Divine Sea Realm.”

Hearing this, the Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince both changed their expressions.

An Earth-grade technique!

As cultivators, they naturally knew the value of an Earth-grade technique.

Even in the entire Southern Region, only the three great sects possessed Earth-grade techniques.

However, the Earth-rank techniques possessed by the three major sects are only of the lower grade, and the gap between them and the 《Stellar Forging Qi Art》 before them is as vast as a chasm.

Moreover, the Earth-rank techniques within the sects are not something just anyone can cultivate. Only those who have made significant contributions to the sect or are direct disciples of the sect master’s lineage are qualified to practice them.

Sixth Prince deeply understands this.

As a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, he is naturally well aware of many of the sect’s rules.

As for Fifth Prince, he has an even deeper understanding.

Being a rogue cultivator, he wandered alone in the outside world. If not for stumbling upon some fortuitous encounters and making some friends, he might have already perished in some unknown corner.

Therefore, the technique he currently cultivates is only of the mid-grade Profound-rank.

For a moment.

The Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince’s eyes grew fervent as they gazed at the jade slip, their hearts seemingly brimming with countless words.

“Princess, the kindness of your recognition is as weighty as mountains. Even if we were to sacrifice our lives, it would be difficult to repay even a fraction. From now on, no matter the peril, whether climbing a mountain of blades or descending into a sea of fire, we will not utter a single word of refusal!”

After speaking, the two of them bowed deeply to Xiao Minghuang, expressing their utmost loyalty.

“Haha, well said. Your loyalty is commendable. Please continue to strive hard in the future!”

Xiao Minghuang, rarely showing such a gentle expression in front of outsiders, smiled softly.

Seeing the woman, as noble as a celestial being, suddenly reveal such a warm smile, the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince felt a slight tremor in their hearts, as if the entire world had become filled with beautiful colors.

“Thank you, Princess. We will certainly not disappoint your expectations!”

They spoke in unison, bowed, and then retreated.

After the two had left, the hall returned to its calm.

At this moment, Lin Wanqiu stepped forward, her tone carrying a hint of sourness, and said:

“Your Highness is truly kind to these two brothers!”

Hearing her words, Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but chuckle:

“What? Is Wanqiu jealous?”

“No…”

Lin Wanqiu’s eyes darted around, not daring to look at Xiao Minghuang, and she spoke evasively.

Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang’s lips curled slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in the corners of her eyes.

She knew that Wanqiu was usually mature and steady, but occasionally she would show a touch of a young girl’s playfulness, though such moments were rare.

“Then why don’t you dare to look at me?”

Xiao Minghuang smiled gently, lightly wrapping her arm around Lin Wanqiu’s slender waist, and whispered softly into her ear.

Their breaths close, the warm air brushed against Lin Wanqiu’s ear, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly pushed Xiao Minghuang away, lowering her head and murmuring softly:

“Your Highness, it’s still morning, don’t be like this…”

“Good girl!”

Xiao Minghuang lifted Lin Wanqiu’s chin, gazing into those misty eyes, and said word by word:

“Wanqiu, I think the relationship between us doesn’t need trivial things to prove. I accepted these two people only for practical purposes, not because of any other thoughts. You don’t need to overthink it. Besides…”

As she spoke.

Her wrist turned, and a storage bag flew out from her sleeve, hovering beside the two of them.

“This contains a gift I prepared for you before the competition, but I never found the right opportunity to give it to you. Today, I officially present it to you.”

Lin Wanqiu’s emotions gradually calmed, and she realized that her earlier jealousy was somewhat unfounded.

But she had just seen the Princess smiling at those two boys, and a wave of discomfort had risen in her heart, making her want to say a few more words.

But she hadn’t expected that the Princess would care so much about her…

“What is this?”

Lin Wanqiu, now calmer, asked.

“Open it and see for yourself.”

Xiao Minghuang smiled without explaining.

Lin Wanqiu was filled with curiosity. Could it be the cultivation techniques she had just given to the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince?

Or perhaps some elixirs or magical treasures?

After all, it wasn’t the first time the Princess had given her spirit stones or elixirs.

Then, she opened the storage bag.

What met her eyes was not the usual spirit stones or elixirs, nor any kind of magical treasure.

But it was a golden book, emitting a faint radiant light, appearing quite ancient and heavy, with intricate patterns carved on it. At a glance, it was clear that this was a cultivation manual.

Lin Wanqiu looked at Xiao Minghuang, then at the manual, and couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.

As her spiritual sense approached the golden book, she saw four ancient characters prominently arranged on the cover:

《The Scripture of Stars Transforming Heaven》!

Lin Wanqiu’s gaze was firmly captivated by these four characters, and she couldn’t help but widen her eyes in astonishment, her heart seemingly racing.

An intangible sensation flooded her mind, instantly making her understand.

This was a Heaven-tier lower-grade cultivation manual!

Upon realizing this fact, Lin Wanqiu’s breathing became rapid, her chest heaving violently, her face filled with excitement.

How many spirit warriors dreamed of obtaining such a manual?

This was… a Heaven-tier manual!

Unheard of, unseen, even tracing back a thousand years, it had never been mentioned, existing only in legends—a Heaven-tier manual!

Lin Wanqiu’s body trembled slightly, hardly believing what she was seeing.

If Earth-tier manuals had only evoked a slight sense of envy in her.

Then a Heaven-tier manual left her with no other emotion but shock!

Lin Wanqiu knew well that such a Heaven-tier manual could not possibly originate from a remote place like the Southern Territory. It must have come from an ancient heritage of another great domain.

Or perhaps…

“I once heard my grandfather say that the Great Xia Dynasty was once a powerful and immortal empire long ago. At that time, Great Xia had supreme experts capable of suppressing the fate of an entire region. Could this manual be the legacy left by one of those supreme experts?”

This thought suddenly emerged in Lin Wanqiu’s mind.

Almost in an instant.

Many questions that had puzzled her for so long suddenly became clear.

For example, why Her Highness could produce Heaven-tier elixirs.

Why Her Highness could casually give away so many precious spirit stones and elixirs.

And why, in just half a year, she had grown from a person who had lost all her cultivation to the seventh level of the Spring Realm, and even burst forth with strength comparable to the second level of the Divine Sea Realm, stepping into the Five Forbidden Realms!

After all, such strength was already on par with the heirs of some long-established sacred lands.

But if Her Highness was the lost heir of the Great Xia Dynasty’s ancient ancestors, then all of this could be explained.

Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, her expression clearing, and she murmured softly:

“No wonder…”

“No wonder what?”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang asked curiously.

Lin Wanqiu composed herself and smiled gently:

“It’s nothing. Thank you, Your Highness, for the manual. Wanqiu will diligently cultivate and not disappoint Your Highness’s expectations.”

Xiao Minghuang nodded, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips:

“That’s good. I will be away for a while, at least half a month, maybe a month. I leave the affairs of the residence to you. If there are any problems you can’t solve, you can ask the Medicine King for help.”

“Understood!”

Lin Wanqiu responded. The matter of the Medicine King’s rebirth had been handled by her, and they were already familiar with each other. The Medicine King was quite respectful towards her, so there would be no issues with him not following her orders.

After all arrangements were made, Xiao Minghuang turned and left the capital.

Not long after she left, Eunuch Wang suddenly arrived.

“This old servant greets Miss Lin!”

Wang Jin was extremely respectful, fully aware that the charming and delicate young girl before him would soon become the officially wedded wife of the Crown Princess of Great Xia.

In no time, she would ascend to the position of Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty!

Lin Wanqiu waved her hand and smiled:

“It’s been many days since we last met. What important matter brings you here, Eunuch Wang?”

Hearing this, Wang Jin’s heart skipped a beat. Was Lin Wanqiu implying that he hadn’t been diligent enough recently by saying it had been many days since his last visit?

However, with the Emperor’s decree at hand, he couldn’t afford to dwell on that now.

“This old servant has come bearing a decree from His Majesty…”

“Princess Ziwei, unparalleled in talent and surpassing all others, is hereby granted entry into the Dragon Transformation Pool. So decreed!”

After delivering the decree, Wang Jin presented it to Lin Wanqiu.

Lin Wanqiu was momentarily stunned and couldn’t help but ask:

“Eunuch Wang, what is the Dragon Transformation Pool?”

“This…” Wang Jin hesitated for a moment before replying:

“The Dragon Transformation Pool is a closely guarded secret of the royal family, known only to the direct lineage of the Emperor… Since Miss Lin is no outsider, this old servant will tell you, but you must not spread this information. It is the foundation upon which our Great Xia Dynasty has stood for a hundred generations!”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s expression turned serious, and she spoke earnestly:

“Rest assured, Eunuch Wang. There are no others here. What leaves your lips enters my ears, and it will go no further.”

“Hmm… The Dragon Transformation Pool is a secret heritage site of the royal family, preserving the ancient legacy of our ancestors from countless years ago. It is said that during that time, Great Xia was a powerful and immortal dynasty, with several immortal supreme beings. However, for reasons unknown, the dynasty gradually declined, migrating and eventually weakening to its current state, where even a World Origin Realm cultivator is hard to find.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu felt a pang of melancholy. Although she had heard rumors of such things, she had always regarded them as legends. But hearing it directly from Wang Jin gave her a different perspective.

Moreover, Wang Jin’s words indirectly confirmed her previous suspicions.

The Crown Princess must have inherited the legacy of one of Great Xia’s ancient ancestors, allowing her to rise so rapidly.

Now, this Dragon Transformation Pool must be another treasure trove where one could inherit the ancient legacy. If the Crown Princess could enter, her strength would surely increase significantly once more.

But.

“Unfortunately, the Crown Princess has just left, saying she would travel within the realm to seek opportunities.”

“This…”

Wang Jin looked regretful and asked:

“Did the Princess mention when she would return to the capital?”

“At least half a month, at most a month,”

Lin Wanqiu replied.

Hearing this, Wang Jin pondered:

“Hmm… This old servant will report back to His Majesty. Farewell, Miss Lin.”

“Take care, Eunuch Wang.”

As the words fell.

Wang Jin’s figure flashed, leaping into the sky and transforming into a streak of light that sped away.

Watching the gradually fading light in the sky, Lin Wanqiu’s eyes flickered, and she pondered slightly.

“During this time, I should also focus on improving my strength.”

After Lin Wanqiu left.

The council hall returned to silence.

…

Three days later.

By the banks of a great river, over three hundred miles outside the capital.

This long river almost traverses the entire territory of the Great Xia, nourishing hundreds of millions of its inhabitants.

Before this, Xiao Minghuang had no idea that there were opportunities hidden beneath the riverbed.

She summoned the system panel.

【Deep beneath the river, thirty miles under the silt, lies a fragment of an Earth-grade treasure.】

【Four hundred miles from here, fifty miles under the silt, grows a thousand-year-old Washing Silk Grass.】

【Three hundred miles from here, among the coral reefs on the riverbed, hides an eight-hundred-year-old Azure Water Pearl.】

【Four hundred and fifty miles from here…】

Looking at the various colored opportunities on the system panel, Xiao Minghuang felt a sense of joy, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“It seems that as my strength increases, the opportunities I can trigger are gradually increasing as well.”

Over the past three days, guided by the system’s treasure compass and some cultivators’ fates, Xiao Minghuang had discovered quite a few opportunities.

For those opportunities not yet locked by fate, she naturally claimed them without dispute.

However, such opportunities, not associated with any cultivator’s fate, were often of lower quality, mostly white, and of little use.

Only those opportunities linked to a cultivator’s fate would appear in green, blue, or even purple.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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