Chapter 84

Three days later.

The light sphere, like yesterday’s faded flowers, withered piece by piece, and with a crisp “crack,” it shattered into tiny fragments, dissipating into specks of light.

Xiao Minghuang’s figure emerged.

Around her body, ten vortexes of energy appeared, continuously drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth. This meant she had stepped into the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, just half a step away from breaking through to the Spring Realm!

At this moment, her dantian was densely filled with mist, and droplets of spiritual liquid continuously fell, moistening her muscles, penetrating her bones, and integrating into her body, making her physique even more resilient.

She opened her eyes, slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

With a thought from Xiao Minghuang, the energy vortexes vanished, and the room returned to tranquility.

“Phew…”

Xiao Minghuang’s face showed joy. With her current physical strength alone, she could contend with a Spring Realm martial artist. At full power, even facing a fourth-level Spring Realm martial artist, she had the strength to fight!

A significant part of this was due to her having honed her body to the extreme during the Body Tempering Realm.

Moreover, deep within her dantian, a faint glimmer of light appeared, a sign that the spring of spiritual energy was about to emerge. This meant she was just half a step away from the Spring Realm.

“It’s not the right time yet, what a pity…”

Xiao Minghuang checked her storage bag and found that although there were quite a few spirit stones, only one Spirit Condensing Pill remained, and her face showed disappointment.

To break through from the Qi Refining Realm to the Spring Realm, relying solely on spirit stones was no longer effective. She needed high-grade medicinal pills as a catalyst to create a crack in the bottleneck, and then she could harness the vast spiritual energy to follow through and open a path.

However, she didn’t dwell on her disappointment for long and quickly adjusted her mindset.

“For me, it’s just a matter of sooner or later.”

Even if she used all twenty Spirit Condensing Pills compensated by the system on herself, it would likely still be difficult to break through to the Spring Realm.

Xiao Minghuang gathered her thoughts, stood up, and left the room.

She still had the Seventh Elder’s alchemy notes with her, which she had originally intended to give to Ye Ruoshui. After several days of delay, now that she had emerged from seclusion, it was the perfect time to deliver them.

However, upon arriving at Ye Ruoshui’s residence, she discovered that Ye Ruoshui was not at home.

After inquiring with the attendants, she learned that Ye Ruoshui had been leaving early and returning late these days, spending all her time at the Imperial Alchemy Hall.

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but smile, thinking to herself, “This girl is so focused on alchemy that she neglects everything else. Well, it’s not urgent anyway. When she returns, she’ll surely come to see me first, and I can give it to her then.”

Xiao Minghuang murmured softly to herself and then left Ye Ruoshui’s courtyard.

As soon as she stepped out, she ran into Lin Wanqiu.

Xiao Minghuang looked up and saw a figure in a light red dress.

Lin Wanqiu was still wearing a red dress, her figure graceful, her skin fair, and her dark hair tied up in a simple bun adorned with a green and gold hairpin. Her delicate oval face was exquisitely beautiful, and her entire being exuded a vibrant and radiant charm.

From afar, she spotted Xiao Minghuang and quickly ran over.

“Your Highness!”

Lin Wanqiu stopped in front of Xiao Minghuang and said joyfully,

“Your Highness has broken through again?”

With her cultivation and keen eyes, coupled with the fact that Xiao Minghuang hadn’t concealed her aura, it was clear to Lin Wanqiu that Xiao Minghuang’s strength had now reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, just half a step away from entering the Spring Realm.

Xiao Minghuang smiled and replied,

“Yes, I am now at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s face lit up with joy. The increase in Xiao Minghuang’s strength meant she had a better chance in the upcoming competition.

Although, based on what the Emperor had said when he visited the Princess’s residence a few days ago, it seemed that Xiao Minghuang had already been unofficially designated as the Crown Princess, this was still just a favorable outlook.

If Xiao Minghuang couldn’t win the competition, even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to change the rules, and the final outcome would still be to crown the victor as the Crown Prince.

Therefore, Xiao Minghuang’s increase in strength added an important weight to her chances of victory.

Thinking of this, Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but smile, seemingly even happier than if her own cultivation had improved.

Seeing Lin Wanqiu’s joyful expression, Xiao Minghuang felt her own mood lift.

At that moment, she suddenly noticed that Lin Wanqiu had a pair of small canine teeth, which made her look playful and cute, making Xiao Minghuang want to touch them.

“You look really beautiful when you smile,”

Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but compliment.

Lin Wanqiu’s cheeks turned red, and she replied softly,

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”

This exchange made both of them feel a bit awkward, their cheeks slightly flushed. Fortunately, they were standing in the sunlight, so it wasn’t too noticeable.

Xiao Minghuang smiled and changed the subject,

“How have the children been behaving during my seclusion?”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu hesitated for a moment before replying,

“They’ve been very obedient and well-behaved, but…”

Lin Wanqiu trailed off, hesitant to continue.

Xiao Minghuang didn’t press her, simply waiting quietly. Although she didn’t know what Lin Wanqiu was hesitating about, she trusted that Lin Wanqiu could discern the importance of the matter.

After a moment, Lin Wanqiu finally looked into Xiao Minghuang’s eyes and slowly began,

“Your Highness knows that Beiyang City originally had four great families, who assisted the City Lord in governing the area near the Savage Forest.”

“Later, the Chen family was exterminated for colluding with evil cultivators, leaving only three major families: the Li family, the Wang family, and the Liu family.”

“Among the children who entered the capital this time, three are direct descendants of these families.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang furrowed her delicate brows and asked:

“During the days I was in seclusion, did these three young ladies cause any trouble? Or were they clamoring to go home?”

She knew that most children from aristocratic families were accustomed to pride and could not tolerate the slightest grievance. The moment they were dissatisfied, they would throw tantrums and inevitably stir up trouble.

Lin Wanqiu’s hesitation suggested that these three pampered young ladies had caused some trouble that was difficult to handle.

Lin Wanqiu let out a bitter laugh and sighed:

“It’s much more serious than that. The girl from the Li family is relatively well-behaved and hasn’t done anything out of line. As for the two from the Liu and Wang families, within just three days, they have already made contact with the Second Prince’s spies.”

“What?”

Xiao Minghuang was suddenly startled and couldn’t believe it:

“Is that really true?”

She remembered that the oldest of the thirty girls was only ten years old, and the youngest was just seven or eight. How could these two girls have such intentions?

Lin Wanqiu also sighed and explained:

“This matter is absolutely true. I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. The two girls from the Liu and Wang families secretly contacted the Second Prince’s spies, accepted spirit stones and pills from them, and agreed to infiltrate Your Highness’s side to provide long-term intelligence. They were promised that they would be taken as concubines once the Second Prince is established as the crown prince.”

Within the princess’s residence, there had always been spies from the Second Prince, but this person had been under Lin Wanqiu’s surveillance all along.

Therefore, as soon as the two from the Liu and Wang families made contact, they were immediately exposed.

“One should not judge a book by its cover. These two little girls are indeed heroes in their youth.”

Xiao Minghuang’s lips curled slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes, though it was unclear whether it was mockery or admiration.

“Your Highness, these two have indeed acted treacherously. How should they be dealt with?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang avoided the topic and instead brought up another matter.

“How many years have the four great families of Beiyang City existed to this day?”

Lin Wanqiu pondered carefully and replied:

“Beiyang City was established over eight hundred years ago. The four great families migrated here at the city’s founding and have thrived for over thirty generations…”

As she spoke, Lin Wanqiu suddenly sensed something, a chill rising from the depths of her heart, instantly spreading throughout her body. Her pupils contracted sharply, and her gaze toward Xiao Minghuang was filled with disbelief.

“Your Highness, are you planning to…?”

Noticing the sudden change in Lin Wanqiu’s expression, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s stunning face.

Lin Wanqiu opened her mouth, wanting to ask if Xiao Minghuang intended to eliminate the Wang and Liu families and then support new family heads.

Unfortunately, just as Lin Wanqiu’s mouth opened, Xiao Minghuang preemptively interrupted her.

“I have no such intention.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu breathed a sigh of relief. The four great families of Beiyang City were colossal entities that could shake the ground with a single stomp. The last time the Chen family was eradicated, it was only possible with the assistance of the other three families, allowing it to be done swiftly and smoothly.

But attempting to take action against all three families at once would be nothing short of a pipe dream.

However.

Xiao Minghuang spoke again:

“My plan is to eradicate all three families in one fell swoop!”

“City Lord Lin has now reached the Divine Sea Realm. It should be an easy task for him to eliminate the three family heads without anyone noticing. As for the other small fry, they will be even easier to deal with.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu fell silent. She had been so shocked earlier that she had almost forgotten her father had broken through to the Divine Sea Realm.

And all of this was thanks to the assistance of Her Highness.

If Her Highness ordered Lin Zhengquan to annihilate the three great families, he would not utter a single word of refusal and would likely carry out the task with utmost dedication.

What Lin Wanqiu didn’t understand was why Her Highness was determined to deal such a fatal blow to the three great families.

Was it simply because the daughters of the Wang and Liu families had colluded with the Second Prince?

But if that were the case, why not just target the Wang and Liu families? Why include the Li family as well?

Lin Wanqiu asked in confusion:

“The daughters of the Wang and Liu families colluding with the Second Prince is indeed a crime, but the Li family’s daughter is innocent. Why must the Li family also be eradicated?”

Seeing Lin Wanqiu’s bewilderment, Xiao Minghuang’s expression remained calm. She took out a storage bag from her sleeve and handed it to her.

“Before leaving, City Lord Lin gave me some accounts. After you look through them, you should understand why I am doing this.”

Lin Wanqiu took the storage bag and looked inside.

The bag was filled to the brim with stacks upon stacks of account books.

These thick account books recorded all the illegal activities the four great families had engaged in over the years.

From oppressing the common people to trafficking women and children, they had run rampant in the countryside, committing every kind of evil.

They had even dared to embezzle the salaries of a hundred thousand soldiers.

In fact, two-thirds of the spirit stones allocated by the imperial court to Beiyang City each year ended up in the pockets of the three great families.

The local spirit fields and spirit veins of Beiyang City were also controlled by the three great families. Instead of using these spirit stones to build their homeland, they used them to befriend the Golden Elephant Kingdom, ensuring that the kingdom would not target the spirit veins and fields under their control.

It can be said that the three great families have committed every possible evil deed except for colluding with demonic cultivators.

As for the Chen family’s collusion with demonic cultivators, it was too secretive, handled solely by the Chen family head, so there are no records in the ledgers.

After seeing the ledgers, Lin Wanqiu was filled with rage. She wished she could tear the ledgers to shreds and see the three great families suffer a thousand cuts. She never imagined that the three families, who had guarded Beiyang City for generations, would stoop to such filthy deeds!

In an instant.

Lin Wanqiu’s sympathy for the three great families vanished, replaced by deep disgust.

She took a deep breath and said solemnly:

“Your Highness, rest assured. The task of purging the three great families falls entirely on me. I will not disappoint your expectations and will seek justice for the people of Beiyang City!”

Lin Wanqiu’s attitude was resolute, her eyes filled with a cold, piercing light.

Hearing Lin Wanqiu’s assurance, Xiao Minghuang’s face showed a satisfied smile. She extended her slender, fair fingers and gently patted Lin Wanqiu’s head, comforting her softly.

“Wanqiu, you’ve worked hard.”

Xiao Minghuang knew that Lin Wanqiu was a kind-hearted girl. Without presenting the evidence of the three great families’ crimes, it would be difficult for her to wholeheartedly take on the task of eliminating them.

Therefore, before leaving Beiyang City, Xiao Minghuang had obtained a ledger documenting the crimes of the three great families from Lin Zhengquan, just in case. She hadn’t expected to use it so soon.

Xiao Minghuang remembered that before leaving, Lin Zhengquan had promised her that if the three great families were eliminated, he would offer her hundreds of thousands of spirit stones, thousands of pills, and some magical artifacts in one go.

Moreover, he would offer her tens of thousands of spirit stones and hundreds of pills every year thereafter.

Such a figure far exceeded even the royal family’s offerings to the Divine Sea Realm elders, and even she couldn’t remain unmoved.

As her cultivation level increased, although spirit stones gradually became useless and low-grade pills had minimal effects, she could still use these resources to exchange for spiritual herbs and have Ye Ruoshui refine them into high-grade pills, which would aid her cultivation.

However, Xiao Minghuang hadn’t completely closed the door on the three great families. She said:

“As long as the three great families are willing to return the hidden spirit veins and spirit fields, and cease oppressing the people in the future, it’s not impossible to spare them.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu shook her head slightly. She knew that these great families had their own pride and wouldn’t easily bow down.

To touch their core interests would inevitably lead to a major, bone-crushing battle.

“Your Highness, rest assured, I will handle this with care…”

As she spoke, Lin Wanqiu inquired:

“The girls from the Liu and Wang families have colluded with the Second Prince. They should be dealt with according to the law. But what about the Li family’s young girl? Should she remain here or be sent back to Beiyang City?”

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang pondered for a moment and said solemnly:

“I trust your judgment. These matters are all in your hands. The grand competition is approaching, and I need to focus my energy on cultivation!”

“Your Highness, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly!”

Xiao Minghuang nodded. She knew that Lin Wanqiu was clear-minded and thoughtful, and would surely find the best solution.

After bidding farewell to Lin Wanqiu, Xiao Minghuang left the residence and headed for the palace.

She still had the alchemy notes gifted by the Seventh Elder, and it was time to deliver them.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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