Chapter 85
Imperial Palace, Offering Hall.
This wasn’t Xiao Minghuang’s first visit; she pushed the door open with practiced ease.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
The guards outside the pavilion bowed in unison.
Xiao Minghuang waved her hand and walked into the hall.
After the incident last time, Xiao Minghuang no longer needed to announce her arrival when entering this place; she could come and go freely.
Inside the hall, waves of heat greeted her, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance. Xiao Minghuang’s gaze swept around.
In the center of the hall, a blazing fire roared within the alchemy furnace.
Beside the massive furnace sat a petite figure—Ye Ruoshui.
Ye Ruoshui was dressed in a simple yet elegant moon-white gown, her lustrous black hair tied into a simple ponytail. Her delicate face was like a finely carved jade, breathtakingly beautiful.
At this moment, her eyes were slightly closed as she continuously channeled spiritual energy into the furnace, so focused that she didn’t even notice someone entering the hall.
Seeing Ye Ruoshui’s concentration, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Minghuang’s lips. She didn’t disturb her but instead sat down nearby, quietly waiting.
After about half a cup of tea’s time, Ye Ruoshui finally opened her eyes. She stood up, stretched, twisted her neck, and a bright smile spread across her face.
At the same time, a surge of pure medicinal energy erupted from the alchemy furnace.
Ye Ruoshui immediately rushed to the furnace, retrieved the pills, and stored them in a box.
“I wonder if Her Highness has emerged from seclusion yet. I really want to give her these pills as soon as possible…”
But when she turned around, she was startled to see Xiao Minghuang sitting not far away.
“Your Highness!”
A look of pleasant surprise instantly appeared on Ye Ruoshui’s face.
Xiao Minghuang nodded and walked over to Ye Ruoshui.
“Your Highness has finally emerged from seclusion. I haven’t been idle these past few days; I’ve been refining pills for you…”
As she spoke, she held up the box containing the pills like a treasure, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“These are three Spirit Condensing Pills. Please accept them, Your Highness.”
Xiao Minghuang looked up. At this moment, Ye Ruoshui’s fair little face was tinged with a blush, making her look especially charming. Her eyes were filled with deep anticipation, staring unblinkingly at Xiao Minghuang, afraid to miss even the slightest change in her expression.
Xiao Minghuang reached out and took the box, then gently patted Ye Ruoshui’s head, her eyes softening as she said softly,
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Hearing Xiao Minghuang’s praise, Ye Ruoshui’s face turned even redder, like a ripe apple.
While refining pills, Ye Ruoshui inevitably came into contact with furnace ash, and her body was somewhat stained with grime. Especially when the black soot clung to her fair, tender face, it was hard not to find it amusing.
Xiao Minghuang raised her hand and brushed Ye Ruoshui’s disheveled hair to the side. Her palm caressed Ye Ruoshui’s face, feeling the smoothness of her skin, and she couldn’t help but linger a little longer.
Ye Ruoshui’s face turned crimson, her heart racing like a startled deer. Feeling Xiao Minghuang’s palm on her cheek, her entire body trembled as if struck by an electric shock.
Sensing the unusual sensation transmitted through her palm, Xiao Minghuang inwardly cursed and quickly let go.
Ye Ruoshui felt disappointed, but she still maintained a smile on her face:
“Your Highness, please rest for a while. I’ll go take a bath and change my clothes.”
After saying that, Ye Ruoshui dashed out.
Watching Ye Ruoshui’s retreating figure, Xiao Minghuang slightly furrowed her brows. What had just happened to her? Why had she acted so out of character?
Moments ago, an impulse had suddenly surged in her mind, and she had unconsciously reached out to touch Ye Ruoshui’s head. This feeling had also occurred when she faced Lin Wanqiu a couple of days ago, and this time it was even stronger.
Xiao Minghuang felt somewhat helpless. She wasn’t someone who easily lost control of her emotions, but when it came to Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu, she always found it difficult to remain composed.
“Perhaps… it’s because my cultivation level is too low, making me easily swayed by external influences. I should focus on improving my cultivation as soon as possible.”
Xiao Minghuang sighed lightly, resting her forehead in her hand, feeling troubled.
Not long after.
The sound of light footsteps echoed.
Ye Ruoshui emerged from the room, dressed in a crescent-white gown that perfectly accentuated her graceful and curvaceous figure. Her hair was simply tied into a ponytail, and a faint blush adorned her face.
At this moment, Ye Ruoshui looked utterly enchanting, like a blooming flower exuding a delicate fragrance.
In that instant, Xiao Minghuang suddenly realized that this little girl, Ye Ruoshui, seemed to have grown up.
A strange sensation began to rise in her heart once more. Not daring to linger any longer, she immediately retrieved Seventh Elder’s notebook from her storage bag and, with a gentle flick, pushed it toward Ye Ruoshui.
“Ruoshui, this is Seventh Elder’s notebook. I promised to give it to you. Please take it.”
After handing over the notebook, Xiao Minghuang didn’t stay. She immediately turned and walked toward the palace door.
She didn’t dare to remain in the same room with this alluring little girl any longer.
This little girl was like a sweet, juicy peach, constantly tempting her. She feared that if she stayed any longer, she might lose control.
Ye Ruoshui took the notebook, flipping through it casually before looking up. She watched the tall figure gradually fade into the distance, her heart filled with disappointment.
“Why did Your Highness leave so quickly?”
Ye Ruoshui gently shook her head and then turned her gaze to the notebook in her hands.
After briefly flipping through a few pages, she discovered that the notebook recorded the Seventh Elder’s alchemy experiences over the past century. Although the content related to alchemy techniques was of no use—after all, the Seventh Elder’s alchemy skills were indeed quite poor—the detailed pharmacological introductions of spiritual herbs were quite comprehensive. Some were derived from the Seventh Elder’s experiments, while others were excerpts from other pharmacopoeias. Overall, the notebook still held some value.
With that, Ye Ruoshui sat down and began reading the notebook.
…
Xiao Minghuang walked out of the grand hall, her emotions still unsettled, when the voice of the system suddenly echoed in her mind.
【Ding!】
【Detected that the host has successfully gifted an opportunity!】
【Congratulations, host! You have triggered a 10,000x critical compensation and obtained the Earth-tier mid-grade technique 《Heavenly Refining Art》!】
Hearing the system’s voice, Xiao Minghuang’s heart immediately filled with joy, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“The last time I triggered a 10,000x compensation was two months ago.”
She calmed her emotions and began to examine this technique.
According to the general pattern of the system’s compensation, the compensated item was related to the gifted item. Therefore, the 《Heavenly Refining Art》 should be a technique related to alchemy.
After reviewing it, her guess was indeed confirmed.
“The Heavenly Refining Art uses heaven and earth as the furnace and all things as the ingredients for alchemy. It encompasses all living beings, the elements of earth, water, wind, and fire, birds and beasts, the sun, moon, and stars—all energies within heaven and earth, leaving nothing out.”
“To cultivate this technique, one must possess an affinity for all things in heaven and earth and have a pure, childlike heart, relying solely on nature and being free from external distractions. Otherwise, it will be difficult to cultivate.”
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
“Those who cultivate strive against heaven and earth for creation and compete with others for opportunities. How could they possess a childlike heart free from worldly strife?”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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