Chapter 55
As time passed, the sun gradually rose higher, and the sunlight grew warmer.
The three of them, Xiao Minghuang and her companions, were not children and naturally didn’t have the habit of lazing in bed. They each got dressed and got up.
Notably, this time Ye Ruoshui brought over a bright yellow dress and, together with Lin Wanqiu, helped Xiao Minghuang put it on.
Hand in hand, the three of them walked out together.
In the following days, the three of them wandered around the city of Beiyang and its outskirts, enjoying the scenery, traveling through mountains and forests during the day, and staying by small streams at night. Sometimes they practiced cultivation, other times they played, living a leisurely and carefree life.
During this period, Xiao Minghuang gave most of the valuable items she carried to Ye and Lin.
Among the valuable items she had were the top-grade Profound-tier pill, Solid Spirit Pill, obtained from Qingwei’s remains, and the mid-grade Profound-tier treasure, Qingying Sword.
Lastly, there was the mid-grade Profound-tier pill, Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, obtained from the old man in yellow, a secret treasure of the Dragon Tiger Sect.
She gave the Qingying Sword to Lin Wanqiu, compensating it with a high-grade Profound-tier treasure. Because the sword was engraved with dragon patterns, she named it Dragon Pattern Sword.
As for the Solid Spirit Pill and the Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, she gave them to Ye Ruoshui.
The former was compensated with a low-grade Earth-tier pill, Return Origin Solid Spirit Pill. Since it only had the effect of strengthening spiritual awareness and was of little use to her but of great value to alchemists, she gave it to Ye Ruoshui.
The Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill, however, was unlucky and did not trigger a qualitative change in compensation. It only returned ten of the same pills after a tenfold critical hit.
Nevertheless, these pills were enough for Ye Ruoshui to analyze and study. If she could figure out the formula for this pill, it might be the greatest compensation, even more than the pills themselves.
As for other items of lesser value, such as spirit stones, rare materials, and some low-grade martial arts techniques, they were given to Ye and Lin in batches, with compensation rates mostly ranging from two to five times.
During this period, the cultivation levels of all three of them had improved.
Xiao Minghuang had advanced to the seventh level of Qi Refining, while Ye Ruoshui had progressed from the ninth level of Body Tempering to the Great Perfection of Body Tempering.
The most astonishing was Lin Wanqiu, who, in just half a month, leaped from the ninth level of Body Tempering to the first level of Qi Refining.
It’s important to note that this wasn’t a direct breakthrough from the ninth level of Body Tempering to the first level of Qi Refining.
Instead, she had achieved the Great Perfection of Body Tempering, laying a flawless foundation, and then made the breakthrough to the first level of Qi Refining.
The difference between these two paths is like night and day.
However, it was strange that Lin Wanqiu’s spiritual root was only of the Mystic Grade, the same as Ye Ruoshui’s, which wasn’t particularly high.
Although Ye Ruoshui spent most of her time on alchemy, her cultivation speed shouldn’t have been so much faster than Lin Wanqiu’s.
Xiao Minghuang had pondered this question more than once but had never found an answer. She could only place her hopes on time, believing that as her cultivation continued to improve and her horizons broadened, she would eventually uncover the truth about Lin Wanqiu’s constitution.
…
In the blink of an eye.
Xiao Minghuang and her two companions had been traveling near Beiyang City for half a month. Although they hadn’t ventured far from the city most of the time and had a large escort of guards, it had been a leisurely and joyful experience.
But.
Happy times are always fleeting.
Beiyang City, City Lord’s Mansion.
“In two months, it will be the day of the Imperial Competition!”
“Now that all matters in Beiyang City are settled, it’s time to return.”
Xiao Minghuang looked at Ye and Lin, who were sitting across from her, and spoke with a serious expression.
Ye Ruoshui showed no particular reaction, her expression as calm as ever. She had originally come from the Imperial Capital with Xiao Minghuang, and now that their business was done, it was simply time to return to where they had come from.
But for Lin Wanqiu, this was a significant event.
It meant she would be leaving the land where she was born and raised, traveling thousands of miles to a completely unfamiliar place, with no idea when she might return home.
Noticing the subtle change in Lin Wanqiu’s expression, a hint of sorrow flickering in her eyes, Xiao Minghuang wrapped her arm around Lin’s slender waist, pulling her soft, delicate body into her embrace, and said gently:
“Wanqiu, don’t be afraid. I’m here with you, and I won’t let anything harm you!”
The tender voice whispered in her ear, followed by a warm, sweet embrace. The faint scent of orchids enveloped her, calming her anxious heart.
“Your Highness…”
Lin Wanqiu lifted her delicate face, her beautiful eyes misty with unshed tears.
“Wanqiu…”
Seeing the tears in the beauty’s eyes, Xiao Minghuang’s heart ached. She couldn’t help but reach out with both hands, gently cupping Lin Wanqiu’s small face.
The distance between them grew closer and closer…
Just then.
“Ahem! Your Highness, it’s time for us to return!”
Ye Ruoshui stood calmly right in front of Xiao Minghuang and Lin Wanqiu, her large, round eyes fixed on the two of them.
Under her gaze, Lin Wanqiu felt a hint of shyness.
During these days, the three of them had traveled together, sharing carriages when they went out and sleeping in the same room when they stayed in, becoming very close and intimate.
However, in reality, they only stole kisses with Xiao Minghuang when the other wasn’t around.
For example, if she wanted to kiss Xiao Minghuang, she had to wait for Ye Ruoshui to go fetch water or cook.
If Ye Ruoshui wanted to kiss Xiao Minghuang, she had to wait until Xiao went hunting or gathering firewood.
This was something both of them were well aware of, though they never openly acknowledged it.
But now, overwhelmed by her emotions, Ye Ruoshui couldn’t help herself.
This was, in fact, breaking the unspoken agreement between them.
Thinking of this, Lin Wanqiu’s restless heart gradually calmed down, and her leaning body slowly retreated.
Just as she was about to completely leave Xiao Minghuang’s embrace.
A gentle and sweet kiss suddenly landed on her lips.
A deliciously sweet taste instantly filled her heart and lungs, as if she had tasted the most exquisite spring water in the world, even more wonderful than the legendary Fountain of Youth.
After a long while.
Their lips parted.
Lin Wanqiu swallowed all the saliva in her mouth, then extended her pink tongue to lick away the moisture clinging to her lips. Her pupils shimmered with a natural allure.
But.
What Xiao Minghuang did next surprised everyone present.
She quickly reached out with her other hand, pulling Ye Ruoshui, who was sitting beside her, into her embrace. With lightning speed, she kissed Ye Ruoshui on the lips.
It was also a gentle and lingering kiss, carrying a sweet and refreshing dew that was intoxicating and endlessly memorable.
The sudden kiss left Ye Ruoshui completely stunned. She didn’t even have time to react before she found herself in Xiao Minghuang’s arms, pressed close to her.
By the time she regained her senses, Xiao Minghuang’s sweet breath had already faded, leaving only a lingering aroma of sweet orchids on her lips.
The scent was so rich and sweet that she couldn’t help but lick her lips, savoring the delicious taste.
Xiao Minghuang held both Ye and Lin in her arms, seeing the sweet expressions on their faces, and couldn’t help but smile warmly.
“You two are both my good girls!”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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