Chapter 88
Natural treasures are born from the heavens and nurtured by the earth, embodying a trace of innate energy that can create life and possess unimaginable power.
Xiao Minghuang had read some ancient texts, which recorded that certain natural treasures with extremely pure innate energy could even help martial artists undergo a transformation, returning to their original state, shedding their mortal bodies, and becoming innate beings, no different from innate spirit bodies!
Therefore, if one could find a truly powerful innate treasure, it would not only help Lin Wanqiu awaken her body but also help her forge an innate pure Yang body, achieving two goals at once.
Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang felt a slight stir of interest, but then she reconsidered. The southern region was sparse in spiritual energy and resources, where even ordinary natural treasures were extremely rare, let alone innate treasures containing innate energy.
She had previously obtained some natural treasures, such as the fire-attributed spirit fruit she found near Beiyang City, which was a type of natural treasure but could not be called an innate treasure.
Natural treasures and elixirs are different; there is no ranking system, but they are categorized based on whether they contain innate energy.
Those without innate energy are natural treasures.
Those with innate energy are innate treasures.
The two should not be confused.
The value of the latter is incomparably higher than the former.
Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang’s expression darkened, and she murmured to herself:
“In the southern region, finding a naturally occurring innate treasure is likely impossible.”
At this thought, Xiao Minghuang suddenly remembered something. The neighboring country of the Great Xia, the Fire Dragon Kingdom, practiced fire-attribute martial arts in their royal family. It was rumored that their national treasure was a heaven and earth spiritual root—the Pure Yang Fire Dragon Tree.
Legend had it that the Pure Yang Fire Dragon Fruit borne from this tree could greatly enhance the aptitude of one’s fire-attribute spiritual root with just a single fruit.
However, this spiritual root had always been tightly guarded by the Fire Dragon Kingdom, never revealed to outsiders. Even within the kingdom, only the successive monarchs knew its whereabouts.
Xiao Minghuang sighed softly. Obtaining the Pure Yang Fire Dragon Fruit from the Fire Dragon Kingdom would be as difficult as scaling the heavens.
Unless her strength had grown powerful enough to annihilate the Fire Dragon Kingdom, there was absolutely no way she could obtain the Pure Yang Fire Dragon Fruit from them!
“I’ve heard that within some spirit sources, ancient treasures are sealed. Perhaps it’s possible to extract innate divine artifacts.”
Xiao Minghuang’s gaze wandered as she pondered continuously.
A spirit source was a type of inert spirit stone, where the spiritual energy had lost its vitality and could no longer be absorbed. Moreover, it was completely sealed off from the outside world. Once its surface was broken, it would rapidly weather away.
But before being broken open, the substances inside could be preserved for a long time, even remaining intact for tens of thousands of years, outlasting even Yuan Embryo Realm cultivators!
In the capital of Xia, there was a spirit source workshop operated by the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. From time to time, news would spread about some lucky individual uncovering extraordinary items, attracting attention and competition from all sides.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was a merchant house that sold all kinds of rare treasures, magical artifacts, weapons, exotic beasts, and various ores. Occasionally, they would also hold auctions, making it the largest commercial center in the entire Great Xia.
However, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion only opened for business on the first and fifteenth days of each month.
Xiao Minghuang calculated the days and realized there were still thirteen days until the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion would open.
“It seems I’ll have to wait for a while,” Xiao Minghuang murmured to herself.
…
That evening.
Ye Ruoshui returned to the Princess’s residence.
Throughout the journey, a faint smile lingered on her lips, and a hint of joy could be seen between her brows.
In just half a day, Ye Ruoshui’s cultivation had reached the third level of Qi Refinement!
All of this was thanks to the 《Heavenly Refining Art》 that Her Highness had gifted her. This cultivation technique perfectly matched her talent, allowing her to progress at an astonishing speed, far surpassing the 《Pure Origin Art》 she had practiced before!
Moreover, this technique contained a vast number of unorthodox arts, primarily focusing on alchemy, followed by artifact forging, and even touching upon talismans and array formations. It was truly all-encompassing.
After her breakthrough, Ye Ruoshui carefully studied the technique and discovered a method of artifact forging recorded within it—specifically, the method for crafting a pill furnace.
Before this, she had no knowledge of artifact forging, but in the field of alchemy, the pill furnace held an important position, so she had some basic understanding.
However, after reading the artifact forging methods in the 《Heavenly Refining Art》, Ye Ruoshui realized that the forging techniques she had seen before were like blind men trying to describe an elephant—completely missing the bigger picture.
Based on the artifact forging methods in the 《Heavenly Refining Art》, she quickly designed a blueprint for a pill furnace. After discussing it with the Seventh Elder, they both agreed that the method was feasible.
But although the imperial treasury had an abundance of spiritual herbs, it was lacking in spiritual metals and materials.
Most of the Great Xia’s territory was plains, with almost all mountains and hills concentrated in the wild forests, which were under the jurisdiction of Beiyang City in the northern frontier.
Therefore, without delay, she immediately returned to the Princess’s residence, intending to ask Lin Wanqiu how she could purchase a large amount of spiritual metals and materials.
This time, refining the alchemy furnace was not only for herself but also to incidentally help Seventh Elder upgrade the quality of his flame-turning furnace.
As compensation, Seventh Elder agreed to pay out of his own pocket, covering all the spirit stones required for purchasing spirit metals and materials, no matter the cost.
When Ye Ruoshui heard this news, she was overjoyed.
Aside from the spirit stones and pills given to her by Her Highness, she had no other source of income.
However, the spirit stones and pills from Her Highness were explicitly meant for her cultivation, so she would not use them for other purposes.
She considered asking Her Highness for money but felt it was inappropriate. Her Highness had already shown her such immense kindness—how would she view her if she asked for money?
Thus, Seventh Elder’s willingness to cover the expenses was naturally the best outcome.
Lost in thought, Ye Ruoshui made her way into the inner courtyard and headed toward Lin Wanqiu’s residence, only to hear a servant say:
“Her Highness has summoned Miss Lin to dine at the lakeside pavilion.”
Ye Ruoshui nodded and then made her way toward the lakeside pavilion.
…
Inside the lakeside pavilion, the lights were bright, illuminating the surroundings. The lake’s blue waves rippled gently, and at the center of the lake, Xiao Minghuang sat gracefully, holding a white jade cup, sipping fragrant tea.
Beside her, leaning close, was a charming young girl with her head slightly bowed, pouring tea and wine for her.
The girl was none other than Lin Wanqiu, who handed the wine cup to Xiao Minghuang.
However, Xiao Minghuang did not take the cup. Instead, her gaze shifted, landing on Lin Wanqiu’s slightly flushed face.
She reached out and gently wrapped her arm around Lin Wanqiu’s slender waist, smiling softly:
“My hands are occupied. Wanqiu, could you feed me?”
Lin Wanqiu’s face turned red, and she bit her lip lightly, her eyes flickering with shyness. Yet, under Xiao Minghuang’s expectant gaze, she still brought the cup to her lips.
Xiao Minghuang smiled, leaned forward, and drank it all in one go, then looked at Lin Wanqiu with a radiant smile.
“So obedient!”
She reached out and patted Lin Wanqiu’s head before resuming her composed and dignified posture.
Since clarifying her feelings, Xiao Minghuang no longer deliberately kept her distance from Lin Wanqiu. Instead, she followed her heart freely and without restraint.
Because she knew that Lin Wanqiu also liked her.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
Please support us on Ko-Fi.
What did you think of this chapter?
0 reactions
Discussion
0 comments
No comments yet.