Chapter 207
Xiao Minghuang bowed in gratitude, “Thank you, senior, for bestowing this treasure. I will remember it forever and never forget. May I ask for your esteemed name?”
“The Seventeenth Water Spirit King,” the old man smiled. “Given your talent and strength, it wouldn’t be a big deal if you skipped the remaining trials. You can cultivate here until you reach the Nascent Soul Realm and then directly enter the inner court. What do you think?”
“This…”
Xiao Minghuang hesitated. Although she agreed with the Seventeenth Water Spirit King’s words in her heart, she wasn’t alone in this trial. The third trial required teamwork. Without her leadership, could Ye Ruoshui, Lin Wanqiu, and the other Great Xia cultivators pass smoothly?
The Seventeenth Water Spirit King seemed to sense her doubts and reminded her, “In the path of cultivation, others can help you temporarily, but not forever. Moreover, your companions are also somewhat talented, especially those two girls with innate physiques. They are quite extraordinary and will have no problem passing the third trial.”
“If you worry too much and treat them like children, you’ll only deprive them of the opportunity to temper themselves and hinder their growth.”
“In short, whether to return and participate in the trial is up to you. But I must tell you that participating in the trial won’t benefit you, and your involvement might foster a dependency mentality in your companions, which is very detrimental to their growth.”
Hearing the Seventeenth Water Spirit King’s words, Xiao Minghuang fell into silence.
Over the years, she had indeed been overly protective of Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu. Under her mindset, the two girls had almost no experience in combat.
Lin Wanqiu was slightly better, having been tempered since her youth.
But Ye Ruoshui was completely inexperienced.
If this opportunity could help Ye Ruoshui grow in character, it would be a good thing.
“In that case, I will follow your advice, senior,” Xiao Minghuang said respectfully, cupping her hands.
“Good,” the Seventeenth Water Spirit King nodded in satisfaction. “Since you’ve decided, you can cultivate here. Once you break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, you can leave and enter the inner court.”
“Additionally, I must remind you that although your talent surpasses three generations, the inner court is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. There might be geniuses from three, five, or even ten generations ago lying in wait. Your foundation is far less profound than theirs, so be cautious and don’t act too rashly, or you might invite trouble.”
In the Holy Academy, the time interval between two enrollment ceremonies is considered one generation. The time between each enrollment ceremony varies but is never less than fifty years.
Thus, three generations would be at least one hundred and fifty years.
Five generations would be two hundred and fifty years.
Ten generations would be five hundred years!
Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, why do the geniuses in the inner court endure for so many years, staying in the Holy Academy? Why don’t they break through to the King Realm?”
The Seventeenth Water Spirit King explained, “This is because they are in no hurry to break through. Instead, they are accumulating their foundation at the half-step King Realm.”
“After reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, as long as the primordial spirit sprouts in the void and golden flowers grow, one can give birth to the true spirit and step into the Life and Death King Realm. But true geniuses would not choose this simplest path.”
“Because such a Life and Death King Realm is incomplete. Against a Life and Death King Realm with the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, they wouldn’t even be able to withstand a single move.”
“In the inner court, the true prodigies will expend vast amounts of heavenly and earthly treasures to make up for previous deficiencies, accumulate their own foundation, refine their bodies, and achieve great perfection in refining the spirit, essence, and qi. Simultaneously, they will cause these three to sprout in the void, grow golden flowers, and give birth to true spirits. Only such a Life and Death King Realm is a truly complete Life and Death King Realm!”
“So that’s how it is. Thank you for your guidance, senior.”
Xiao Minghuang bowed in gratitude.
“No need for formalities. The main hall is rich in spiritual energy. You can cultivate here in peace. I will take care of your companions, so you need not worry. Break through to the Nascent Soul Realm as soon as possible, and you can enter the inner court.”
As the words fell.
Before Xiao Minghuang could return the courtesy, the figure of the Seventeen Water Spirit King faded from the high seat and disappeared.
“Peaceful cultivation…”
Xiao Minghuang murmured softly, then sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate.
She was confident in breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm, but she didn’t know how long it would take.
…
Outside the Trial Tower.
Countless people gathered.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Behind Xiao Minghuang’s name on the ranking stone tablet, several striking characters suddenly appeared.
“First Place: Xiao Minghuang! One Hundredth Floor!”
The crowd exclaimed, a wave of astonishment sweeping through.
“She’s reached the one hundredth floor!”
“She really made it to the one hundredth floor!”
“A dark horse! The strongest dark horse!”
“Even Qi Mingdao from the Ziwei Holy Land only reached the ninetieth floor, yet this Princess Xiao from the southern region has actually cleared the Trial Tower!”
“With such a genius, I have no chance at first place in this trial.”
Even someone as confident as Qi Mingdao couldn’t help but sigh lightly. He had originally been confident of securing first place, but the emergence of Xiao Minghuang undoubtedly shattered his plans.
“This Princess Xiao has truly exceeded my expectations. I originally thought she was just a slightly talented genius, but I didn’t expect her to be so strong. She’s probably not far behind Tianlang, is she?”
Lin Tianyang murmured.
“Even in the inner court, Princess Xiao would likely only be comparable to the very top few.”
Su Changge sighed.
“Lin Tianlang from the Yangzhou Lin Clan, Zhu Xingming from the Ziwei Holy Land, Wei Chuming from the Wei Imperial Dynasty, Feng Piaoxue from the Penglai Feng Clan…”
These prodigies, each a household name, if they do not perish prematurely, are certain to transcend the mysteries of life and death and ascend to sainthood.
They either entered the sect three generations ago or five generations ago, and are already forbidden prodigies of the Nascent Soul Realm or even the Divine Transformation Realm. Yet now, they are being compared to a newcomer who has just made a name for herself in the trial.
The reason is none other than this.
The one hundredth floor of the Trial Tower is a chasm that separates ordinary geniuses from forbidden prodigies.
The former may achieve sainthood in their lifetime.
For the latter, sainthood is merely the starting point.
In a corner.
Ye Ruoshui was full of excitement, smiling as she said, “Her Highness has indeed reached the top. I knew she could do it!”
Lin Wanqiu also smiled warmly, responding, “Yes! Her Highness is the strongest!”
They waited quietly outside the Trial Tower. After a long time, most people had already left, but there was still no sign of Xiao Minghuang emerging from the Trial Tower.
“What’s going on? Why hasn’t Her Highness come out yet?”
Lin Wanqiu asked in confusion.
“Could she be injured and recuperating?”
Ye Ruoshui clenched her palms, asking nervously.
Xiao Minghuang looked at the towering Trial Tower, pondering, “Let’s wait a little longer!”
At that moment, a faint voice suddenly rang out, directly reaching their ears.
“Xiao Minghuang has reached the summit of the Trial Tower and is granted direct entry into the Inner Court. You need not wait here; proceed directly to the second trial.”
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