Chapter 48

【Ding!】

【Detected that the host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】

【Congratulations to the host, triggering a 200x critical compensation, obtaining a top-grade Profound Tier pill, the Spirit Recovery Pill*1!】

Hearing the voice in her mind, the flush on Xiao Minghuang’s face gradually faded.

“This time, the luck isn’t bad.”

Xiao Minghuang swallowed the pill. As it entered her stomach, a pure medicinal force dissolved instantly, flowing throughout her body in the blink of an eye. The spiritual power in her dantian recovered at a visible speed.

In just a few breaths, her spiritual power had recovered nearly twenty percent. Her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue, and her aura quickly rose.

Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes, exhaled a turbid breath, and her pupils shone like stars. She stood up and headed towards the entrance of the spiritual vein.

At the entrance, the old man in yellow was bound with iron chains, his mouth sealed, disheveled, covered in blood, his aura weak, and in an extremely wretched state.

Seeing Xiao Minghuang appear, the old man in yellow immediately shivered, trembling as if he had seen some great terror.

Ye Ruoshui stepped forward, handing over a storage bag, and said:

“Your Highness, this is the storage bag we found on the old man in yellow.”

Xiao Minghuang took the storage bag, nodded, and probed it with her spiritual sense. After a quick scan, she found only a few thousand spirit stones and dozens of pill bottles, with no magical treasures or martial arts techniques.

“How shabby…”

She frowned slightly. A peak Spring Realm expert actually had such meager possessions. It seems that not everyone in a major sect lives a life of luxury.

A character like the old man in yellow was probably a marginal figure in the Dragon Tiger Sect, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been reduced to being a mere city lord in the Thirty-Six Kingdoms.

This also made her realize the old man’s weak combat strength. In a major sect, he probably couldn’t even defeat a True Disciple at the first or second level of the Spring Realm.

Not to mention others, just Wang Bao, if he stepped into the first level of the Spring Realm, could likely easily defeat the old man in yellow.

Just as she was about to withdraw her spiritual sense from the storage bag, she suddenly noticed a beautifully crafted jade bottle among the chaotic array of pill bottles. It was entirely golden, extremely extraordinary.

With a thought, this golden jade bottle appeared in Xiao Minghuang’s palm.

Pulling out the stopper, a rich medicinal aroma wafted out, thick and heavy, with a faint tiger’s roar echoing within.

“What kind of elixir is this?”

Xiao Minghuang handed the medicine bottle to Ye Ruoshui and asked.

Ye Ruoshui was a natural prodigy in the art of alchemy, with an exceptional understanding of pill refining. In her spare time, she almost always immersed herself in books about alchemy, and her knowledge of various elixirs in the world even surpassed that of many high-level martial artists.

She took the bottle, sniffed the medicinal scent emanating from the opening, and stared at the pill inside for a while. After a moment of contemplation, she replied:

“Golden throughout, with a rich medicinal aroma that lingers without dispersing, and a faint tiger’s roar—this should be the secret mid-grade Profound Tier elixir of the Dragon Tiger Sect, the Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill.”

“Consuming this pill can enhance one’s physique and also aid in cultivating the Earth Tier technique of the Dragon Tiger Sect, the 《Dragon Tiger Body Tempering Method》. To condense the Dragon Tiger Vajra Body, this pill is also necessary as an aid.”

“Therefore, even within the Dragon Tiger Sect, only True Disciples and the various elders are qualified to obtain this pill. How did the old man in yellow, a mere marginal figure at the Spring Realm, come to possess such a precious elixir?”

Xiao Minghuang smiled slightly and said:

“Fate and fortune are unpredictable, Ruoshui. There’s no need to overthink it. Tomorrow, I will give this pill to you. If you can uncover the secrets within it, that would be even better.”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui was momentarily stunned, then her face lit up with joy. She slightly bowed and said:

“Thank you, Sister. I will definitely decipher the formula of the Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill!”

Xiao Minghuang gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s soft hair, then took the little girl’s delicate and smooth hand, leading her toward the direction of the spirit vein.

Outside the spirit vein cave, Lin Zhengquan was interrogating the old man in yellow. Seeing Xiao Minghuang approach, he immediately stepped forward and respectfully said:

“Your Highness!”

Xiao Minghuang waved her hand gently and said warmly:

“City Lord Lin, there’s no need for formalities.”

As she spoke, her gaze turned to the elderly man in yellow robes, and she asked:

“Did he reveal anything useful?”

Lin Zhengquan straightened up and replied:

“He is an outer sect elder of the Dragon Tiger Sect, not of high status. He was the one who introduced the group of evil cultivators connected to Chen Ming.”

“Other than that, there’s nothing of value.”

Xiao Minghuang nodded.

“I understand. I’ll leave the follow-up matters to you. Make sure no word of this gets out.”

Lin Zhengquan naturally understood.

“Your Highness, rest assured. Not a single word of today’s events will leak!”

Today, Xiao Minghuang had displayed unparalleled terrifying talent and strength. If word got out, it would likely shock the entire southern region.

At just fourteen years old, with a cultivation level of the fourth layer of Qi Refining, she had defeated a martial artist at the peak of the Spring Realm. Such talent was almost indescribable, even with the word “monstrous.”

At this moment, Lin Wanqiu emerged from the forest, walking a few steps to stand before Xiao Minghuang. She glanced at the tightly clasped hands of Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. Then, holding a storage bag in both hands, she said softly:

“Your Highness, I have fulfilled my mission. Wang Bao is dead.”

Xiao Minghuang looked her over, noting that her clothes were neat and unsoiled, and her aura, though slightly diminished, was likely just due to excessive exertion. With proper rest and medicinal pills, she would recover.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Xiao Minghuang took out a medicinal pill from her bosom and said gently:

“Wanqiu, open your mouth.”

“Huh?”

Lin Wanqiu looked puzzled but obediently parted her cherry lips slightly, revealing a row of neat little teeth, with a glimpse of her glistening pink tongue.

Xiao Minghuang lightly raised her hand and placed the healing pill into Lin Wanqiu’s mouth.

The pill was quite large, filling Lin Wanqiu’s small mouth completely. Her cheeks puffed out, and a glistening trail of saliva escaped the corner of her mouth. She couldn’t bite the slippery pill and instead choked on it, her eyes moistening. She wanted to spit it out, but Xiao Minghuang pressed her red lips.

“Don’t spit it out. Swallow it. It’s good for your body.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu dared not spit out the pill and could only wait for it to dissolve in her mouth. After much effort, she finally managed to swallow the pill.

After swallowing the pill, Lin Wanqiu let out a deep breath, licked the pill residue and saliva from the corner of her mouth, patted her chest, and looked at Xiao Minghuang with a radiant smile:

“Your Highness, that pill was so big! My mouth is too small; I almost couldn’t swallow it!”

Xiao Minghuang stroked Lin Wanqiu’s soft hair and smiled warmly:

“Wanqiu, you did great!”

“With your cultivation at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm, you killed a martial artist at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Although you used the power of a magical artifact, no one else could have achieved that.”

Lin Wanqiu blinked her beautiful big eyes and smiled:

“How can my meager achievements compare to Your Highness’s?”

Xiao Minghuang smiled without speaking.

She possessed a low-grade Heaven-tier Five Elements Spirit Root, supported by a top-grade Heaven-tier cultivation technique, a high-grade Earth-tier martial art, and a top-grade Yellow-tier magical artifact. Crossing a major realm to defeat a Spring Realm martial artist was indeed a feat difficult to explain.

At the same time.

The soldiers of Beiyang City collectively shouted the name of Xiao Minghuang.

The scene of her defeating the yellow-robed old man had been deeply imprinted in the hearts of the soldiers. Even decades later, they would remember that peerless young girl.

Her blade moved like a falling star, her sword strike like a gushing spring!

“Long live the Ninth Princess!”

“Long live the Ninth Princess!”

Lin Zhengquan’s eyes were filled with three parts excitement and seven parts joy. His gaze towards Xiao Minghuang even carried a hint of reverence.

“Long live the Ninth Princess!”

From this day forward, this spiritual vein would belong to Beiyang City.

The crisis of spirit stone supply for the hundred thousand troops was mostly alleviated.

But he felt that this was just the beginning.

Ninth Princess Xiao Minghuang would lead Great Xia to heights of greatness he dared not imagine, to witness sights of beauty he could never have dreamed of.

That strike of her blade.

Forever unattainable.

If he weren’t her elder, he might have already prostrated himself before Xiao Minghuang, begging to follow her.

However, now that Lin Wanqiu was by the Ninth Princess’s side, he had no regrets.

“Everyone, there’s no need for formalities. The matter is settled for today, you may all disperse!”

Xiao Minghuang slightly raised her hand and spoke indifferently. Since childhood, she had been indifferent to fame and fortune. Compliments were always met with a smile, and she had no interest in worldly praise or adulation.

As long as Ruoshui and Wanqiu liked her, that was enough!

After the excitement, most of the soldiers set off on their return journey to Beiyang City, while a portion stayed behind to establish a long-term garrison near the spiritual vein, to prevent the enemy forces of the Golden Elephant Kingdom from secretly encroaching.

In the dense forest, ancient trees towered into the sky, their green canopies casting shade. Falling leaves drifted down, painting a picturesque scene.

Xiao Minghuang, along with Ye and Lin, the two girls, walked and chatted. Most of the time, Lin Wanqiu was the one speaking, while Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui listened quietly, occasionally responding with a question or two, which were promptly answered.

The three of them didn’t walk side by side, but in a peculiar formation.

Lin Wanqiu walked at the front, facing Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui, moving backward. Her flower-like face was filled with a smiling expression. Her steps were light, tiptoeing gracefully, sometimes stopping, stepping on the fallen leaves, creating a rhythmic melody.

Xiao Minghuang walked in the middle, her demeanor elegant, her serene face carrying a faint smile, often chiming in with Lin Wanqiu’s words.

Ye Ruoshui trailed half a step behind Xiao Minghuang, her steps steady. Although she was at the back, she frequently engaged in conversation with Lin Wanqiu.

“Speaking of which, after all the effort we put into seizing the spiritual vein, we didn’t even take a look inside. It feels like such a waste!”

Hearing this, although Ye Ruoshui hadn’t participated in the battle, she had provided medicinal aid to Xiao Minghuang and Lin Wanqiu, and she also felt it was a pity. She sighed lightly:

“I’ve heard that in undeveloped spiritual veins, there might be natural treasures nurtured by heaven and earth. If used in alchemy, they could greatly enhance the quality of the elixirs. There are even precedents of using them as main ingredients to refine high-grade elixirs.”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was also intrigued. A slight smile appeared on her lips as she said:

“In that case, why don’t we go and explore the spiritual vein?”

“Alright!”

Both Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu agreed, so the three of them returned to the entrance of the spirit vein.

When they arrived at the entrance, Lin Zhengquan was still there. Seeing them, he looked curious and asked:

“Your Highness, weren’t you planning to return to the city? Why have you come back?”

“The spirit vein is a place of natural beauty, and we intend to explore it a bit.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhengquan’s expression turned hesitant.

Noticing his demeanor, Xiao Minghuang asked:

“What is it? Does City Lord Lin have some concerns?”

“Your Highness, you may not be aware, but undeveloped spirit veins can harbor unknown dangers—perhaps innate beings, or demonic beasts lurking within, or even some sinister and malevolent entities. It’s hard to guard against all possibilities.”

“If Your Highness wishes to visit a spirit vein, there is another one near Beiyang City that has already been developed. It’s safe there, and no accidents will occur.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

If this had been before, such words would have made her abandon the idea of entering the spirit vein.

But at this very moment, she changed her mind.

Because, in the compass within her mind, the long-dormant needle suddenly quivered and swiftly pointed toward the entrance of the spirit vein.

There was an opportunity within the spirit vein!

This opportunity had not been apparent when she first approached the entrance, but now, as she drew closer during her second visit, it had revealed itself.

This meant that during her first visit, she had been too far from the spirit vein, beyond the compass’s detection range.

Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang’s gaze toward Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu softened with gratitude.

If it hadn’t been for their earlier conversation and their decision to return to the entrance, she might have missed this opportunity forever.

Under such a gaze, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu looked utterly bewildered.

Lin Wanqiu was the first to speak:

“Your Highness?”

Xiao Minghuang chuckled softly and said:

“Since there might be danger inside, I’ll go down first to scout the path. Once I confirm it’s safe, we can all go in together.”

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui, concerned for Xiao Minghuang’s safety, immediately grew anxious and blurted out:

“Sister, you can’t go down!”

Xiao Minghuang raised an elegant eyebrow and asked:

“Why can’t I go down?”

Ye Ruoshui wasn’t good with words, so Lin Wanqiu stepped in:

“Ruoshui is right. We don’t know what dangers might be inside. If Your Highness encounters any danger, what should we do?”

“Your Highness is of noble status and shouldn’t risk yourself out of mere curiosity. I think it’s better if I go down first to investigate and ensure it’s safe before we all enter.”

At this moment, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu miraculously united in their efforts to stop Xiao Minghuang from entering the spirit vein cave.

Seeing the two women speaking in unison, Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but laugh and teased:

“I didn’t know the two of you had become so close!”

At these words.

Ye Ruoshui’s ears turned slightly red, and she turned her head away, saying nothing more.

Lin Wanqiu, however, was not so easily dealt with. She frowned slightly and said:

“Your Highness, don’t change the subject. We’re just concerned for you.”

Seeing that Lin Wanqiu was harder to handle, Xiao Minghuang decided to play her trump card.

She suddenly stepped forward, wrapped her arm around Lin Wanqiu’s slender waist, and with a gentle spin, moved behind a large rock.

In an instant.

Lin Wanqiu felt herself being tightly embraced by Xiao Minghuang. When she opened her eyes again, all she could see was the other’s breathtakingly beautiful face, her dazzling star-like eyes, and her rosy, delicate lips.

In the next moment.

Her vision darkened, and she felt something warm, soft, and moist press against the corner of her mouth.

The sensation made her feel as though she were floating on clouds, so exquisite it seemed unreal.

When she opened her eyes again, Xiao Minghuang’s figure had already vanished.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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