Chapter 81
Inside the grand hall, the rich aroma of medicinal herbs wafted through the air. The entire palace seemed enveloped in a misty haze, appearing both ethereal and beautiful, soothing the mind and refreshing the body.
Ye Ruoshui’s face lit up with joy as she gazed at the elixirs in the furnace, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Your Highness, we succeeded!”
“Ruoshui, you’re amazing!”
Xiao Minghuang was equally delighted. She smiled and gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s head, nodding softly.
This result exceeded her expectations. She had thought that a slight improvement in quality would be considered a success, but she hadn’t anticipated refining a supreme-grade elixir at ninety percent purity.
Xiao Minghuang collected the ten elixirs into a brocade box, then took Ye Ruoshui behind the furnace, avoiding Seventh Elder’s gaze, and handed the box to her.
Ye Ruoshui looked puzzled and whispered:
“Your Highness, are you giving these to me as well?”
Xiao Minghuang replied without hesitation:
“Yes, they’re for you, Ruoshui. Keep them for yourself. I have more and better ones here!”
Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui was confused. If Her Highness had higher-quality elixirs, why did she go through so much trouble to refine these lower-quality ones?
Could it be…
Ye Ruoshui’s thoughts took a turn, and she considered a possibility.
“Her Highness must be using this opportunity to help me gain fame… She’s so kind… I could cry!”
In an instant.
Ye Ruoshui’s nose tingled, her eyes slightly reddened, and her moist gaze fixed on Xiao Minghuang, filled with deep gratitude.
Suddenly being looked at with such emotion, Xiao Minghuang was puzzled. She thought she had already accustomed Ye Ruoshui to accepting gifts. Why was she so moved again?
It seems I need to intensify my efforts!
Around the same time.
The system’s voice chimed in.
【Ding!】
【Host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】
【Congratulations, host! You have triggered a double critical strike compensation and obtained 20 Earth-tier low-grade Spirit Condensing Pills!】
After receiving the system’s compensation, Xiao Minghuang slightly furrowed her delicate brows. It seemed her luck had worsened again, as this time she only got the minimum double critical strike.
However, the Spirit Condensing Pills were already quite decent. She estimated that just over a dozen would be enough to help her advance by a minor realm.
Moreover, she could use the remaining pills to gift to Ye Ruoshui or Lin Wanqiu, or to cultivate loyal followers.
Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang realized it was time to urge City Lord Lin. Over a month had passed, and the children from Beiyang City still hadn’t been sent.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Minghuang composed her thoughts and led Ye Ruoshui out from behind the alchemy furnace.
Seeing the two emerge from behind the furnace, Seventh Elder had no idea what they had been doing back there.
Although he was a Divine Sea Realm expert with immensely powerful spiritual senses, he would never probe into the Ninth Princess’s secrets.
Xiao Minghuang stepped forward, approached Seventh Elder, and took out a brocade box from her sleeve, handing it over.
“This is the agreed-upon reward. Please accept it, Seventh Elder.”
Seventh Elder took the brocade box and opened it. Inside lay a top-grade Condensing Spirit Pill, emitting a rich medicinal aroma. The pill was of the highest quality, reaching ninety percent purity, and rested quietly within the box.
Upon seeing the pill, Seventh Elder’s eyes flashed with astonishment. He had never expected that Ninth Princess would give him the most precious pill out of the ten. Initially, he had only hoped for a medium-grade pill with seventy percent purity. As for a top-grade pill with ninety percent purity, he hadn’t even dared to dream of it.
Noticing Seventh Elder’s surprised expression, Xiao Minghuang smiled and said:
“Seventh Elder, there’s no need to be polite. This is what you deserve. Ruoshui will often come here to disturb you in the future, so please don’t take offense.”
Hearing this, Seventh Elder’s mind eased a bit. No wonder she had given him the most precious pill—it was because she wanted to borrow his alchemy furnace…
“Your Highness, you speak too kindly. This alchemy furnace of mine was crafted using spiritual metals and materials from the royal treasury. It is not my personal property. Your Highness and the Princess are welcome to use it anytime!”
“In that case, thank you, Seventh Elder.”
Xiao Minghuang cupped her hands in a gesture of gratitude and said:
“We have disturbed you for quite some time today. Ruoshui and I will take our leave now.”
Seventh Elder quickly waved his hand and said:
“Not at all, not at all. Allow me to escort Your Highness and the Princess.”
Xiao Minghuang chuckled lightly:
“Seventh Elder, there’s no need to be so polite.”
Seventh Elder replied respectfully:
“It is my honor to escort Your Highness and the Princess!”
Xiao Minghuang smiled, took Ye Ruoshui’s hand, and walked out of the pavilion.
Just as they reached the winding corridor, Seventh Elder suddenly called out:
“Your Highness, I have a gift for the Princess. Could you wait a moment?”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang stopped and turned around:
“Seventh Elder, go ahead and fetch it. We’ll wait here.”
“Your Highness and the Princess, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
With that, Seventh Elder quickly strode back into the pavilion, moving so fast that he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Watching Seventh Elder’s hurried steps, Ye Ruoshui asked curiously:
“Your Highness, what gift is Seventh Elder giving me that he’s in such a rush?”
Xiao Minghuang thought for a moment and said:
“Although Seventh Elder’s alchemy skills are mediocre, he is, after all, a fifth-level Divine Sea Realm martial artist. Whatever he brings out is likely to be quite valuable.”
Then she added:
“Ruoshui, a gift from a fifth-level Divine Sea Realm expert might be too much for you to handle. I’ll keep it for you for now and give it to you when the time is right.”
“Okay, thank you, Your Highness!”
Ye Ruoshui nodded obediently.
Xiao Minghuang gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s head, feeling a wave of emotion. If anyone else had heard these words, they would never have believed them.
A gift from a fifth-level Divine Sea Realm expert was undoubtedly extremely precious. For a first-level Qi Condensation martial artist, it would be a tremendous opportunity, and no one would easily let it slip away.
But for Ye Ruoshui, no matter what gift a Divine Sea Realm expert offered—even if it were an immortal’s legacy placed right in front of her—she would give it up without hesitation if Xiao Minghuang said so!
Ye Ruoshui’s love for Xiao Minghuang was so deep that it was ingrained in her very bones. Nothing could ever diminish it.
Before long, Seventh Elder returned, holding a thick stack of golden scrolls.
He presented the scrolls with both hands, his voice slightly excited, and said:
“Your Highness, Princess, this is the culmination of my lifelong learning, all recorded here. Although it pales in comparison to even a fraction of the Princess’s alchemical prowess, it is all I have to offer…”
The Seventh Elder grew more and more emotional as he spoke. After finishing, he took several deep breaths to calm his inner excitement.
Xiao Minghuang accepted the golden tome and said gently:
“Seventh Elder, why belittle yourself? You have immersed yourself in the Dao of Alchemy for over a century, surely you have unique insights. Although Ruoshui has some talent, she will still need your guidance in the future!”
The Seventh Elder’s face flushed red, and he shook his head repeatedly:
“I dare not, I dare not! This old servant is unworthy to be mentioned in the same breath as the Princess!”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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