Chapter 144
Li Chunyan informed Xiao Minghuang about the missing Moon Spirit Fruit and Han Li’s disappearance.
Xiao Minghuang paid no mind to it. A single Moon Spirit Fruit was of little consequence, even if that rogue cultivator had taken it. What could it possibly matter?
She turned to the group of rogue cultivators and spoke clearly:
“Everyone, today’s events have come to an end. We shall meet again if fate allows.”
With that, Xiao Minghuang turned to leave.
She had received a considerable number of Moon Spirit Fruits as compensation from the system, and she had also uncovered the Dragon Tiger Sect’s involvement with demons. This battle was not a loss.
Just as she was about to depart, Li Chunyan seemed to have made up her mind and suddenly called out:
“Princess, please wait!”
Xiao Minghuang stopped and turned back, asking:
“Is there something else, Fellow Daoist?”
Looking at Xiao Minghuang’s breathtaking beauty, Li Chunyan’s heart raced, but she knew deep down that this peerless young woman was destined to rise like a dragon from the abyss and soar like a phoenix across the heavens. Someone like her could never hope to reach such heights.
Just being able to gaze upon this stunning figure from afar was enough for her.
Summoning all the courage she had in her life, she spoke a single sentence.
“If it weren’t for your rescue today, I would have surely perished without a proper burial. Your great kindness is beyond repayment. Though I am not talented, I have reached the ninth level of the Spring Realm. I wish to serve as your maid, to be at your beck and call without hesitation. I beg you to grant me this wish!”
Xiao Minghuang was momentarily taken aback, then she smiled.
“Fellow Daoist, you jest. With your cultivation at the ninth level of the Spring Realm, how could you lower yourself to be my maid?”
“No! Princess! I am sincere! Please, you must grant me this!”
Seeing that Xiao Minghuang was unwilling to accept her as a maid, Li Chunyan spoke urgently.
Xiao Minghuang shook her head and did not insist further.
“Very well, after we leave the secret realm, you may follow me back to the princess’s residence. As for the matter of being a maid, let us not speak of it again.”
Hearing this, Li Chunyan’s face lit up with joy, and she bowed repeatedly.
“Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Princess!”
Xiao Minghuang waved her hand and said, “As a rogue cultivator, it’s truly commendable that you’ve managed to cultivate to such a level on your own. The hardships you’ve endured are beyond what most can imagine. Although I cannot fully empathize, I deeply respect you. From now on, don’t belittle yourself. I believe that with sufficient resources, you too will one day reach my level.”
Her words were spoken with utmost sincerity, and Li Chunyan was visibly moved. She hadn’t expected this princess to be so humble and courteous.
If earlier she had been merely captivated by Xiao Minghuang’s beauty and grateful for her life-saving grace, now she was genuinely impressed by the princess’s noble character.
Such great virtue and wisdom were truly unparalleled!
The other rogue cultivators watched as Li Chunyan was taken under Xiao Minghuang’s wing, their faces filled with envy.
Yet, none of them had the courage to step forward and recommend themselves as Li Chunyan had, thus missing the opportunity to join the princess’s household.
Xiao Minghuang glanced at the remaining rogue cultivators but said nothing more before turning and leaving.
The Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and Li Chunyan quickly followed.
…
In the sky, four figures flew through the air—Xiao Minghuang and her three companions.
Xiao Minghuang came to a halt. They had been searching for three consecutive days but had found little, only some low-quality spiritual herbs.
She had distributed them all to the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and Li Chunyan, keeping none for herself.
Such trifles were beneath her notice.
“Princess, should we head to the Sword Dao Stone Tablet or the Crimson Flame Pool next?” Li Chunyan asked. She was dressed in a green robe, looking delicate and lovely, with a slender figure that exuded the gentle charm typical of a Jiangnan maiden.
Earlier, Xiao Minghuang hadn’t noticed, but now that this female cultivator had changed her attire, she appeared somewhat attractive.
Of course, compared to her two treasures, she was still far behind.
And when compared to Xiao Minghuang herself, it was like comparing the light of a firefly to the brilliance of the moon—utterly incomparable.
“Let’s go to the Sword Dao Stone Tablet first,” Xiao Minghuang said after a moment of thought.
She made this decision for two reasons. First, both she and the Sixth Prince practiced the Sword Dao, and observing the Sword Dao Stone Tablet would likely be beneficial. Second, Lin Wanqiu also practiced the Sword Dao, and there was a chance they might encounter her there.
Hearing this, Li Chunyan’s face lit up with joy. She was also a sword cultivator, though she had yet to grasp even the rudiments of sword intent. If she could stumble upon some enlightenment at the Sword Dao Stone Tablet, it would be a great boon.
Before long, the group arrived at the Sword Dao Stone Tablet.
Xiao Minghuang looked around and noticed that many rogue cultivators had gathered at the site.
The Sword Dao Stone Tablet stood at the peak of a mountain, towering into the clouds, majestic and awe-inspiring.
“This Sword Dao Stone Tablet has a long history and contains profound insights into sword techniques. It can help us comprehend the Sword Dao and gain more experience, offering a valuable opportunity for sword cultivators to hone their skills,” the Sixth Prince explained, pointing to the stone tablet ahead.
Li Chunyan nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, clearly eager to explore.
Xiao Minghuang glanced at the three of them and noticed that even the Fifth Prince, who didn’t practice the Sword Dao, seemed intrigued. She smiled and said, “Feel free to do as you wish. Don’t worry about me.”
“Then we’ll proceed,” they replied.
With that, the three of them landed near the Sword Dao Stone Tablet.
Xiao Minghuang also descended to the ground.
She gazed at the massive Sword Dao Stone Tablet before her, her eyes deep and penetrating, as if they could pierce through the thick layers of dust to reach the very essence.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she slowly raised her palm and gently placed it on the stone tablet. Immediately, a surge of immense spiritual power rushed forth, attempting to connect with the true essence of the Sword Dao contained within.
Her Sword Dao realm had already reached the level of initial Sword Intent. Now, all she needed was to link her own Sword Intent with the Sword Intent left by the predecessors within the stone tablet to break through to a higher level.
She closed her eyes, and in her mind, the form of the true essence of the Sword Dao within the stone tablet emerged.
It was a sword, its body alternating between black and white, with several patterns on the blade that looked somewhat eerie.
Xiao Minghuang knew that this was the external manifestation of the sword intent contained within the Sword Dao Stone Tablet. As long as she could decipher its mysteries, she would be able to fully comprehend the sword intent within the tablet.
However, comprehending sword intent was not something that could be achieved overnight. It required exceptional insight and perseverance.
But after all, she was a genius in cultivating the sword path and had long been well-prepared.
With a thought, Xiao Minghuang sent a strand of spiritual awareness into the true essence of the sword dao, instantly condensing it into a pure, flawless long sword surrounded by twinkling starlight, exuding an aura of supreme nobility.
This was her sword intent.
As if sensing the intruder, the black and white sword intent slashed towards her, bringing with it a sharp sword qi that rushed straight at her.
Unfazed, Xiao Minghuang reached out and grasped the long sword, easily dissipating the black and white sword qi, then used her own sword qi to guide it, suspending it in mid-air.
After this initial test, the black and white sword intent no longer attacked her but instead released a sharp pressure, as if testing her.
Of course, this pressure posed no difficulty for Xiao Minghuang.
With just a slight shake of her sword, she easily dispersed it.
Seeing this, the black and white sword intent swayed in place like a child, releasing a sense of goodwill.
“It’s done!”
Xiao Minghuang felt a surge of joy in her heart. She knew that the black and white sword intent had acknowledged her. Now, all she needed to do was absorb the sword intent, and her task would be complete.
Such a profound comprehension of the sword dao was enough to elevate her sword intent to the Great Accomplishment level!
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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