Chapter 2
A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face. The original host had been solely focused on cultivation and knew nothing of worldly affairs, which was why she had been so easily framed.
The maid who had accompanied her into the Cold Palace was an orphan she had rescued during a hunting trip in her early years.
Xiao Minghuang had been standing at the courtyard gate for so long that even the maid, slow as she was, had noticed someone’s presence.
She turned around, lifted her short legs, and trotted over to Xiao Minghuang, bowing respectfully. “Your humble servant greets Your Highness!”
Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly and said gently, “Lift your head and let me see you.”
The maid obediently raised her face.
It was a chubby, delicate face, fair and round, with a hint of baby fat. Her eyes were round and bright, with long lashes, making her look utterly adorable at first glance.
Xiao Minghuang nodded in satisfaction. The maid’s appearance was very much to her liking. She asked gently, “What was your name before you entered the palace?”
The maid answered honestly, “Your servant’s original surname was Ye, and my given name was Ruoshui.”
Xiao Minghuang smiled. “A lady like water, a good name. From now on, you shall return to your original name, Ye Ruoshui.”
Ye Ruoshui, though puzzled, obediently complied.
After exchanging a few more words, Xiao Minghuang took out the Yuan Mending Pill.
“You’ve followed me for so many years. This pill is my gift to you.”
With a wave of her hand, Xiao Minghuang conjured a brown pill emitting a faint glow, which landed in Ye Ruoshui’s palm.
The primary effects of the Yuan Mending Pill were to strengthen the foundation, nourish the essence, cleanse the meridians, and slightly enhance innate talent. For someone like Ye Ruoshui, whose talent was ordinary, it was the perfect fit.
As soon as the Yuan Mending Pill appeared, the aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air. Although Ye Ruoshui didn’t know the origin of the pill, she could tell it was extraordinary and undoubtedly precious.
Faced with such a treasure, she dared not accept it. Her face flushed red as she declined, “Your Highness, this is too valuable… This humble servant does not dare to receive such a generous gift.”
Xiao Minghuang spoke softly, “You’ve been with me for so many years; this is what you deserve. Do not refuse.”
Ye Ruoshui’s eyes welled up with tears, her emotions swirling. If it weren’t for Xiao Minghuang’s rescue, she would have starved to death in the wilderness.
It was Xiao Minghuang who had given her a warm home, and now she was bestowing such a rare and precious spiritual medicine. Ye Ruoshui truly didn’t know how to repay the Princess’s immense kindness!
“Thank you, Your Highness, for this gift. This humble servant has no way to repay you except to serve you with even greater dedication and repay your great kindness!”
“Ruoshui, there’s no need to be so formal. You’ve been with me for many years, and our bond is like that of sisters. From now on, don’t refer to yourself as a servant. Just call me sister!”
Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui’s eyes brimmed with tears, her face filled with emotion as she looked at Xiao Minghuang. Feelings of reverence, gratitude, and admiration surged within her. Though she had a thousand words to say, they all condensed into two:
“Sister!”
“Mm!”
Xiao Minghuang responded with a radiant smile.
Ye Ruoshui’s talent was mediocre, merely a low-grade three-element spirit root at the Yellow-tier. If she relied solely on hard cultivation, it would be considered extraordinary luck if she could break through to the Spring Realm in her lifetime.
But now that she had become her contracted partner, regardless of her innate talent, with the various opportunities Xiao Minghuang would bestow upon her, she could be forcefully elevated to become a powerful figure.
Moreover, from now on, Xiao Minghuang would need to continuously grant opportunities to Ye Ruoshui, making it inappropriate to continue treating her as a mere maid.
Moreover, Ye Ruoshui was deeply grateful to her, and she also quite liked this adorable little girl. It wouldn’t hurt to consider her as an additional younger sister.
After comforting the little girl for a while, she managed to coax Ye Ruoshui into smiling again. Only then, with Ye Ruoshui’s support, did she return to the house.
“Ruoshui, I’m a bit tired and want to rest for a while. You’ve had a long day too, so go and rest first!”
Ye Ruoshui, who had just been soothed into a daze, her mind filled with little stars, immediately agreed without a second thought to whatever Xiao Minghuang said.
“This servant will go and rest now!”
With that, Ye Ruoshui ran out the door, gently closing it behind her, her footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
But.
In this world where the strong prey on the weak, without strength, one can only become a victim under someone else’s blade!
“System! Where’s my compensation?”
[Ding!]
[Opportunity successfully gifted!]
[Congratulations, host. First gift after binding a contractor triggers a ten-thousand-fold critical hit. Obtained a Heaven-grade supreme elixir, ‘Creation Heaven-Mending Pill’!]
“Perfect!”
Xiao Minghuang was overjoyed. She had anticipated that the ten-thousand-fold critical hit would compensate her with a Heaven-grade elixir, but she hadn’t expected it to be a Heaven-grade supreme elixir.
And not just any Heaven-grade elixir, but a supreme spiritual pill that aids in healing injuries, strengthening the foundation, transforming the body, and greatly enhancing innate talent and aptitude!
Creation Heaven-Mending!
Just by the name, one could tell that even if a person was severely injured and on the brink of death, taking this pill would immediately restore them to their peak condition!
“That little girl is truly my lucky star!”
Holding the divine pill that emitted a crystalline spiritual aura in her palm, Xiao Minghuang was very satisfied.
The medicinal power of the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill permeated the entire room, condensing into a white mist.
Xiao Minghuang took a deep breath, the rich medicinal aroma filling her nostrils, and she could almost feel her broken meridians slowly reconnecting.
Xiao Minghuang swallowed the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill.
The moment the pill entered her stomach.
A vast and mighty force surged within her body.
The dense energy, like a breached river, rushed through her body towards her limbs and bones.
As the pill’s energy washed over her, her broken meridians reconnected, and Xiao Minghuang felt as if she was about to be overwhelmed by this immense energy.
“Such potent medicinal power!”
Not long after.
The pallor on Xiao Minghuang’s face disappeared, gradually replaced by a healthy flush, and her weakened state was completely swept away.
Between her brows, a hint of heroic spirit naturally emerged.
After consuming the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill, the aura emanating from Xiao Minghuang was entirely different from before!
Hum!
With the final sound.
Centered around Xiao Minghuang’s body.
Ripples of golden waves radiated outwards.
She was enveloped in a golden mist!
The aura emanating from her body became increasingly solid!
The energy radiating from her entire being rapidly ascended!
Body Tempering Level One!
Body Tempering Level Two!
…
Body Tempering Level Nine!
Peak of Body Tempering Level Nine!
This state lasted for an unknown amount of time, until the golden light surrounding her slowly dissipated.
Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes.
The moment her soul-stirring peach blossom eyes opened, a dazzling golden light flashed!
“Phew!”
Xiao Minghuang let out a long breath, steadying her mind.
“The Heaven-grade supreme elixir is indeed extraordinary. Not only did it completely repair all my meridians, but it also elevated my Metal Spirit Root from Earth-grade low-tier to Earth-grade mid-tier!”
“Moreover, it actually pushed my cultivation to the peak of the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm, just one step away from the Qi Refining Realm!”
The path of cultivation is divided into ten major realms.
Body Tempering Realm, Qi Refining Realm, Spring Emergence Realm, Divine Sea Realm, Spirit Seed Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, Spirit Transformation Realm, Life and Death Realm, Longevity Realm, and World Origin Realm.
The strongest in Great Xia is an Old Ancestor of the Royal Family, a powerhouse of the Spirit Seed Realm!
As for realms beyond that, they are only seen in books, and their specific powers are unknown.
Apart from the Old Ancestor of the Spirit Seed Realm, the strongest figure in Great Xia on the surface is the Emperor of Xia, who is at the Divine Sea Realm. How many Royal Family members are hidden in the shadows remains unknown.
For the masses, the Body Tempering Realm is the limit.
Xiao Minghuang had just reached the peak of the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm. All she needed was to draw Qi into her body to step into the Qi Refining Realm.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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