Chapter 82
The Seventh Elder knew well that Princess Yaoguang, at just twelve years old, could refine low-grade Profound-tier pills. Such talent was likely unmatched in the entire Southern Territory.
Even across the vast Eastern Pole, only the prodigies from the headquarters of the Eastern Pole Alchemy Pavilion could compare.
Thinking this, the Seventh Elder couldn’t help but say:
“Your Highness, the Princess is a prodigy in alchemy. Without the guidance of a master, her brilliance might remain hidden. It would be best for her to study at the Alchemy Pavilion, where her talent can be nurtured to its fullest potential.”
“The Alchemy Pavilion?”
Xiao Minghuang looked puzzled; this was the first time she had heard of it.
The Seventh Elder was taken aback and asked:
“Your Highness doesn’t know about the Alchemy Pavilion?”
Xiao Minghuang shook her head slightly.
The Seventh Elder explained:
“The Alchemy Pavilion is a transcendent force within the Southern Territory, its status no less than the three great sects, even slightly surpassing them!”
“Alchemists from the Alchemy Pavilion hold extremely high status. Each alchemist possesses remarkable talent, truly one in ten thousand!”
“The Pavilion Master of the Southern Territory Alchemy Pavilion is a peak Spirit Seed Realm super expert, whose strength is no less than our Old Ancestor!”
Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly and glanced at the Seventh Elder, asking:
“It seems the Alchemy Pavilion is a domain dominated by alchemists. Seventh Elder, you are so devoted to alchemy, why didn’t you go to the Alchemy Pavilion to study?”
At this, the Seventh Elder’s face turned red, and he averted his gaze, hesitatingly saying:
“In my youth, I went to the Alchemy Pavilion to seek apprenticeship, but I was driven away…”
At this point, the Seventh Elder suddenly closed his mouth and said no more.
Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and continued to ask:
“Isn’t the Alchemy Pavilion a domain led by alchemists? Why would they reject you, Seventh Elder? Is there something fishy going on?”
“N-no…”
The Seventh Elder sighed softly and smiled bitterly:
“The masters at the Alchemy Pavilion deemed my talent too poor, not meeting their entry standards, and thus drove me away.”
After saying this, the Seventh Elder felt utterly ashamed, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself.
In the past, he had told others that he gave up the opportunity to study at the Alchemy Pavilion to return and build his homeland, the Great Xia.
But saying such things in front of Ye Ruoshui would be too hypocritical.
“Oh.”
Xiao Minghuang responded, smiling:
“The Alchemy Pavilion will surely regret losing a talented alchemist like you, Seventh Elder.”
Hearing this, the Seventh Elder said bitterly:
“Your Highness, please don’t mock this old servant anymore. With my level of skill, you know it well, don’t you?”
Today’s competition had completely exposed his true capabilities, stripping him of any future qualifications to flaunt his prowess.
Xiao Minghuang composed herself, her expression turning serious as she said:
“Seventh Elder, I have taken your words to heart. If the opportunity arises, I will take Ruoshui to the Alchemy Pavilion to ensure her talents are not wasted.”
Moreover, she genuinely hoped that Princess Yaoguang could receive better cultivation at the Alchemy Pavilion. The Great Xia lacked any legacy in alchemy, and staying here would only hinder the princess’s potential.
This was why she had spoken those words earlier.
With that, the conversation had reached its natural conclusion.
Xiao Minghuang bid farewell to Seventh Elder and led Ye Ruoshui away from the Ancestral Hall, heading back to the princess’s residence.
By the time they returned, it was already late at night.
The moon hung high in the sky.
Ye Ruoshui had been struggling to stay awake for a while, but she had persisted until now, finally succumbing to sleep as she leaned heavily on Xiao Minghuang’s shoulder.
Xiao Minghuang carried Ye Ruoshui with light steps, making her way to the sleeping quarters.
As soon as Ye Ruoshui returned to her room, she collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
“She really is like a child!”
Xiao Minghuang knew that alchemy consumed as much energy as combat. Today, Ye Ruoshui had refined a low-grade Profound-tier pill, nearly depleting her spiritual energy, which was why she was so exhausted.
Xiao Minghuang took out some spirit stones from her pocket and placed them in Ye Ruoshui’s room before quietly stepping out.
At this moment.
The night was still, and all was silent.
Xiao Minghuang looked up at the moon, which hung like a silver disk in the sky, surrounded by stars that added to the beauty of the heavens.
“Your Highness, you’ve returned?”
Just as Xiao Minghuang was lost in thought, a gentle woman’s voice came from beside her.
She turned to see a lovely face.
“Wanqiu…”
Lin Wanqiu emerged from the path, dressed in a snow-white undergarment, her face lit with a hint of joy.
She had left early in the morning with Ye Ruoshui for the palace and hadn’t had the chance to inform Lin Wanqiu.
She hadn’t expected Lin Wanqiu to wait for her until this late hour.
Xiao Minghuang’s expression softened, a warm feeling spreading through her heart.
A trace of apology appeared on her face as she took out a brocade box from her sleeve and handed it to Lin Wanqiu.
“Wanqiu, today Ruoshui and I went to the palace to refine pills. Inside this box are a few Spirit Condensing Pills. Please take them.”
Lin Wanqiu nodded slightly and reached out to accept the pills.
As their hands brushed against each other, one cold and the other warm, it felt as though they could sense the other’s heartbeat.
Xiao Minghuang was momentarily startled, then quickly withdrew her hand.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and her heart skipped a beat as an indescribable feeling surged within her.
It was as if a flame had ignited in her heart, a sensation she had never felt before in all her interactions with Lin Wanqiu.
Xiao Minghuang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she averted her gaze, looking toward the lotus pond nearby. She spoke calmly:
“It’s getting late. I should go rest now. You should get some sleep too.”
With that, without waiting for Lin Wanqiu’s response, Xiao Minghuang turned and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.
Lin Wanqiu watched Xiao Minghuang’s retreating figure, a look of confusion flashing in her beautiful eyes.
“Your Highness’s behavior…”
Why did it seem a bit strange?
It seemed like…
Was she blushing?
Thinking of Xiao Minghuang’s expression just now, Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but conjure up an image in her mind.
Xiao Minghuang’s cheeks were flushed, delicate and alluring, her lips as vibrant as roses, her eyes like water, gazing at her with deep affection.
Lin Wanqiu’s face instantly turned crimson, even her ears turning a soft pink.
How could she think of such a scene? It was utterly mortifying.
What was she even thinking?
Her Highness was such a noble and elegant person; how could she possibly act in such a way? It must be her own imagination running wild.
She must like Her Highness too much, which is why she was having such illusions.
Lin Wanqiu shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering thoughts from her mind.
She reached up to touch her burning cheeks, her heart still racing at an alarming speed.
Lin Wanqiu sighed, shook her head, and dared not think further, afraid her face would only grow hotter.
She shook her head again, silently circulating her cultivation technique to suppress these thoughts, then turned and headed toward her room.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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