Chapter 96

After Xiao Minghuang left, the room fell into silence.

Lin Wanqiu picked up the Profound Yin Fruit from the table and carefully sniffed it.

Instantly.

A refreshing, cool sensation spread from her nose throughout her body. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath, feeling as if every pore on her body had opened, bringing immense comfort.

“Is this… the innate qi?”

Lin Wanqiu murmured to herself, slightly surprised.

She took a deep breath, no longer hesitating, and sat down cross-legged, placing the Profound Yin Fruit into her mouth.

The fruit melted instantly upon entering her mouth, turning into a sweet nectar that flowed through her limbs and every inch of her skin. Her body felt as if it had been brushed by a gentle breeze, light and cool, extremely comfortable.

Soon, she noticed wisps of white mist emerging from her skin, gradually solidifying and forming a crystalline layer on the surface, shimmering with a glossy sheen.

“What’s happening?”

Lin Wanqiu looked bewildered, unsure of what was occurring.

This didn’t seem like a normal result of cultivation.

At that moment, the crystalline layer began to shift to a bluish-green hue, growing thicker and heavier, resembling a layer of armor covering her skin.

Lin Wanqiu watched this strange phenomenon in amazement.

She had never imagined that the Profound Yin Fruit could alter her body, transforming her skin into this state.

“Is this the effect of innate qi?”

Without further delay, she began to circulate her cultivation technique, attempting to absorb this peculiar energy.

As the energy seeped into her flesh and bones, her body rapidly changed.

Vaguely, Lin Wanqiu felt something deep within her body being awakened.

Not long after, she sensed a tremendous power surging from the depths of her being.

This power was vast and mighty, like a boundless ocean, surging upwards in an instant, blooming from within her body like a radiant blue lotus.

The blue lotuses rose and spread beyond the room, filling the air with a dense aura of Yin energy, startling the entire Princess’s residence.

At this moment.

Lin Wanqiu felt as if she were completely enveloped, surrounded by a misty haze that blurred her vision.

“This is… the Innate Yin Spirit Body!”

In an instant.

Lin Wanqiu seemed to have an epiphany, understanding her own condition.

The next moment.

Her expression turned extremely grim.

“This is bad!”

As the surging Yin energy awakened, her body was undergoing a dramatic transformation.

Once this transformation was complete, she would truly become an Innate Yin Spirit Body.

But this immense Yin energy was not something a mere Qi Refining realm martial artist like her could withstand.

Even with the foundation of a perfected Body Tempering Realm, her body would likely be shattered under the impact of this vast Yin energy!

Thinking of this, Lin Wanqiu’s body trembled.

Her face turned deathly pale.

The next moment.

She fainted.

…

At the same time.

Xiao Minghuang had just reached the pavilion in the center of the lake when she suddenly sensed a surging wave of spiritual energy. She turned sharply and saw mysterious and profound lotuses drifting out, emitting an incomprehensible and obscure fluctuation.

“This is… something’s happened to Wanqiu!”

In the next instant, she vanished from her spot.

A moment later, Xiao Minghuang appeared outside Lin Wanqiu’s room.

Her expression was grave as she felt the intense spiritual energy emanating from within the room.

Not daring to delay, she kicked the door open with a loud “thud,” and entered.

Inside the room, Xiao Minghuang was met with a startling sight.

Lin Wanqiu’s body was surrounded by floating blue lotuses, each one lifelike, as if real lotuses, exuding an enigmatic aura.

As she spoke, Xiao Minghuang approached Lin Wanqiu’s side.

At this moment, Lin Wanqiu’s face was filled with suppressed pain, her forehead beaded with large drops of cold sweat, her lips tightly clenched, and her brows furrowed in agony.

Seeing Lin Wanqiu in such a state, Xiao Minghuang’s heart ached deeply.

She took a deep breath and attempted to probe with her spiritual energy. After confirming there were no abnormalities, she reached out and grasped Lin Wanqiu’s hand.

“Hiss!”

It was scalding hot!

Xiao Minghuang let out a soft gasp and quickly circulated her spiritual energy to protect her palm.

“Her body is burning hot, and the power of the Lunar Yin is overflowing. This must be due to the boiling of the Lunar Yin energy, causing a blockage in her body. The only way to save her is to unblock her meridians and connect her spiritual consciousness.”

When Xiao Minghuang had studied the innate Lunar Yin spiritual body, she had thoroughly examined every aspect of this constitution and knew quite a bit about it.

“At this point, there’s no time to hesitate.”

If this had happened before last night, she would have had no choice but to seek the Old Ancestor’s help to save her.

But after last night, she had cultivated a dual cultivation technique for spiritual consciousness, and now she could resolve Lin Wanqiu’s crisis on her own.

With this thought, she no longer hesitated and waved her hand to set up a sealing formation.

Ever since her sealing formation was destroyed during her breakthrough in Beiyang City, she had replaced it with a more robust formation that could conceal any divine anomalies below the Heavenly Tier.

Once prepared, Xiao Minghuang circulated her spiritual energy, enveloping her entire body to protect herself from being burned by Lin Wanqiu.

Next, she quickly stripped off all of Lin Wanqiu’s clothes.

Lin Wanqiu’s snow-white skin was densely covered with blue-green lines, like a spider’s web, spreading across her jade-like, translucent skin, a sight that was both shocking and alarming.

Her skin was as hot as a branding iron.

“Wanqiu, hold on. I’ll help you unblock the Lunar Yin energy in your body soon!”

Xiao Minghuang whispered to herself, calming her mind and focusing her spirit. She then removed her own clothes and pressed her body against Lin Wanqiu’s.

Lin Wanqiu’s skin was smooth, elastic, soft, and delicate, but the temperature was terrifyingly high.

As she pressed against her, Xiao Minghuang felt as if her entire body was submerged in molten lava, as though she might be burned to ashes at any moment.

Though both of them were now completely naked, Xiao Minghuang’s heart was filled with worry, not a trace of inappropriate thoughts.

She quickly activated her cultivation technique, channeling her spiritual energy into Lin Wanqiu’s body and mobilizing her spiritual consciousness. With both methods working in tandem, she began to slowly help Lin Wanqiu unblock the Lunar Yin energy within her.

Beads of sweat formed on Xiao Minghuang’s forehead, which was now completely drenched. The heat of her body continued to rise.

She felt a scorching energy seeping out from Lin Wanqiu’s pores, flowing into her own body.

“Such terrifying heat!”

Xiao Minghuang was slightly alarmed.

However, after circulating through her, the Lunar Yin energy’s heat had significantly diminished, and it had transformed into pure Lunar Yin energy, freely moving within her body.

As the Lunar Yin energy flowed and exchanged between them, Lin Wanqiu’s body gradually calmed down. The blue-green lines on her skin slowly disappeared.

Lin Wanqiu’s skin returned to its normal color, appearing as white and translucent as mutton-fat jade, and the terrifying heat subsided.

Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes and, seeing that Lin Wanqiu was safe and sound, felt relieved.

This time, as the Lunar Yin energy flowed through her meridians, she discovered that this energy also had significant benefits for her own body.

Just by circulating it within her without absorbing it, she felt as though she might break through to the Spring Realm at any moment.

“Perhaps this isn’t just an illusion.”

Xiao Minghuang murmured to herself, her thoughts shifting. Five Mystic Yin Fruits appeared in front of her.

Five cyan-blue Profound Yin fruits, containing pure spiritual energy and the power of the Great Yin.

“Even with my current strength, digesting these five Profound Yin fruits would be difficult. Wanqiu, however, has already achieved the Innate Great Yin Spirit Body. For her, absorbing these five spiritual fruits would be as easy as turning her hand.”

“I can use Wanqiu’s power to help me absorb the spiritual energy and Great Yin power from these five fruits, allowing me to break through to the Spring Realm!”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Minghuang’s mouth.

Without hesitation, she suspended the five Profound Yin fruits in front of her, circulating her spiritual energy to activate the fruits’ spiritual essence.

In an instant, the five Profound Yin fruits erupted with intense, dazzling cyan-blue light, forming a radiant sphere of spiritual energy.

“Crack, crack, crack…”

One by one, the fruits shattered, transforming into spiritual liquid that floated toward Xiao Minghuang.

A drop of the spiritual liquid fell into Xiao Minghuang’s mouth, instantly turning into pure spiritual energy and merging with her body.

Xiao Minghuang felt streams of spiritual energy coursing through every part of her body—her meridians, dantian, internal organs, flesh, bones, and limbs—all washed over by the pure power of the Great Yin.

In a flash.

Ten acupoints around her body manifested swirling vortices of spiritual energy, surging like tidal waves toward her limbs and bones.

The spiritual energy, carrying the power of the Great Yin, was too vast and overwhelming for Xiao Minghuang to control alone.

She steadied her mind, guiding the tidal waves of spiritual energy toward Lin Wanqiu’s body.

At this moment, Lin Wanqiu was still unconscious, allowing Xiao Minghuang to proceed without resistance.

Xiao Minghuang carefully guided the spiritual energy, slowly transferring it into Lin Wanqiu’s body, creating a continuous cycle of exchange.

Her own aura was also gradually rising.

Absorbing and refining such a massive amount of energy would be a slow process, requiring a significant amount of time.

In the room, the light continued to shine.

…

At the Hanging Sword Peak of the Spirit Sword Sect.

In a grand palace, an elderly man with graying hair and beard sat upright on a meditation cushion. Though he appeared aged, his posture was as straight and unyielding as a sharp sword.

Kneeling before him was a disheveled man who looked utterly wretched.

“Master, please stand up for your disciple! That Princess of Xia Country is utterly arrogant and has no regard for our Spirit Sword Sect!”

The man was none other than Feng Yi. Not only had he been expelled from Xia Country, but his storage pouch had also been stolen by rogue cultivators. It was only because of the Spirit Sword Sect’s reputation that he had escaped with his life.

After listening to Feng Yi’s account, the Hanging Sword Elder frowned slightly and asked, “According to you, the Princess of Xia Country only used a single palm strike, and without even exerting her full strength, she severely injured you?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Feng Yi nodded repeatedly. In his retelling, the Princess of Xia Country was practically a bloodthirsty demoness.

“If that’s the case, then the Princess of Xia Country must be quite a prodigy.”

Hearing this, Feng Yi felt a sense of foreboding.

Sure enough.

The Hanging Sword Elder stroked his beard and said, “The Princess of Xia Country possesses extraordinary talent. To think that she could easily defeat my closed-door disciple while cultivating in a small, secular country!”

“Ah!” Feng Yi was startled.

From his master’s tone, it seemed like he was considering taking the Princess of Xia Country as his personal disciple!

Within the sect, although there weren’t as many rules as in secular kingdoms, there were still various hierarchies.

From the lowest-ranking servant disciples to outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and True Disciples, above them were the disciples personally taken in by the elders, becoming their personal disciples.

This means that once an elder passes away, their personal disciple will inherit the elder’s entire status and wealth, no different from a biological child in the secular world.

A True Disciple, however, merely learns the elder’s techniques, sharing only a master-disciple relationship.

“Does the master wish to take the Princess of Xia as a disciple?”

Hearing this question, Elder Xuanjian replied indifferently:

“I have many disciples; one more or less makes no difference. But such a prodigy… Go and call Xiao Jian.”

“As you command, Master.”

Feng Yi responded and left, returning to the hall in just a few moments with a young man dressed in white.

The young man in white was strikingly handsome, a fine figure of a man—he was the Sixth Prince of Great Xia, Xiao Jian.

He bowed respectfully and said:

“Your disciple pays his respects to Elder Xuanjian!”

Elder Xuanjian nodded, signaling Feng Yi to leave first.

Feng Yi glanced at Xiao Jian before reluctantly exiting the hall.

Now, only Elder Xuanjian and Xiao Jian remained in the hall, both silent.

After a while.

Elder Xuanjian was the first to speak:

“Xiao Jian, it has been twelve years since you joined the Spirit Sword Sect, hasn’t it?”

Xiao Jian was momentarily stunned. He didn’t know why Elder Xuanjian had summoned him—was it just to ask this?

“Elder, I voluntarily joined the sect at the age of six. I spent one year as a servant, three years as an outer disciple, four years as an inner disciple, and ranked second in the inner sect competition, becoming a True Disciple. It has been four years since then, totaling twelve years.”

After saying this, Xiao Jian felt a mix of emotions. With his second-place ranking in the inner sect competition, if it were anyone else, they would have likely been taken as a personal disciple by some elder, or even directly by the Sect Leader himself.

But four years had passed, and not a single elder had been willing to take him as a disciple.

He had pondered deeply, sought advice from friends, but to this day, he still didn’t understand why.

“Good!”

Elder Xuanjian nodded. In truth, he was very satisfied with Xiao Jian and had once considered taking him as a personal disciple.

But there had always been a lingering concern.

Thinking of this, he slowly said:

“I know you must be thinking that with your talent and strength, you are more than qualified to be taken as a personal disciple by an elder, yet no one is willing to take you. You must feel resentful, thinking the sect has treated you unfairly, am I right?”

“Your disciple dares not! Your disciple is filled with trepidation!”

Xiao Jian quickly knelt down, his voice trembling.

Elder Xuanjian gently raised his hand, lifting Xiao Jian to his feet, and said kindly:

“Your talent is such that you could even compete for the position of the Sect Leader’s successor, let alone a mere personal disciple. The sect has wronged you!”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian’s eyes welled up with tears. Since joining the Spirit Sword Sect and displaying his extraordinary talent, he had never been given much attention. Now, Elder Xuanjian was speaking to him so candidly—how could he not be moved?

“Elder…”

Before he could fully process his emotions, Elder Xuanjian spoke again:

“Now, there is an opportunity before you. If you seize it, I can speak to the Sect Leader and ask him to take you as his personal disciple.”

“The Sect Leader currently has only two disciples. If he takes you, there will be only three in total.”

“In the future, the position of Sect Leader will likely be chosen from among the Sect Leader’s disciples. So, if you become his disciple, you could also compete for the position of Sect Leader!”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian was momentarily dazed. Since joining the Spirit Sword Sect, his life had revolved around practicing the sword. Although he harbored some resentment toward the sect, he had never dared to dream of becoming the Sect Leader’s personal disciple.

Now, the sudden words from Elder Xuan Jian left Xiao Jian somewhat at a loss.

Noticing Xiao Jian’s expression, Elder Xuan Jian sighed softly and spoke:

“If you are unwilling, consider today’s words as if I never spoke them.”

“However! I will still recommend you to the other elders, so you may become a personal disciple under one of them.”

“With that said, take care of yourself. You may go now!”

As his words fell, Elder Xuan Jian closed his eyes, and his aura settled into stillness.

These words, entering Xiao Jian’s ears, were like rolling thunder and surging waves.

He stood there in a daze, unable to react for a long time.

He never dared to imagine in his wildest dreams that Elder Xuan Jian would confide in him so sincerely.

Such temptation was undoubtedly immense for Xiao Jian, but he was also worried—what if this was a trap? What if it was a scheme devised by the elders?

For a moment, he fell into deep thought, continuously pondering.

After a while, Xiao Jian opened his eyes, having made a decision in his heart.

He had grown up in the Spirit Sword Sect since childhood; everything he had was bestowed by the sect. Now that the sect had a task for him, how could he refuse?

Moreover, Elder Xuanjian had promised him the position of a direct disciple under the sect leader.

There was simply no way to refuse!

Having reasoned through this, Xiao Jian took a deep breath and respectfully said:

“Disciple thanks the elder for your nurturing. Whatever task you assign, this disciple will spare no effort, even if it means braving fire and water!”

Hearing this, Elder Xuanjian slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“I was not mistaken about you, Xiao Jian. When this matter is successfully completed, it will be the day you become the sect leader’s direct disciple!”

Suppressing the excitement and joy in his heart, Xiao Jian asked:

“May I ask, elder, what task requires this disciple to undertake?”

Elder Xuanjian glanced at him and slowly said:

“I recall that you were born in the mortal world, originally a prince of a kingdom. Admiring the prestige of the Spirit Sword Sect and desiring to cultivate the path of the sword, you joined the sect at the tender age of six.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian’s expression froze for a moment before he replied:

“The elder speaks the truth.”

Elder Xuanjian continued:

“In your homeland, an extraordinary genius has emerged, someone of the same realm as Feng Yi, yet capable of defeating him effortlessly with a single move. I believe she is a promising talent who should not be overlooked. You will go and bring her into the sect.”

After listening to Elder Xuanjian’s explanation, Xiao Jian was momentarily stunned. He had thought it would be some arduous and challenging task, but it turned out to be merely recruiting a disciple?

In the past, he had heard fellow disciples mention that simply invoking the name of the Spirit Sword Sect would cause aspiring cultivators to flock to them. Was it really necessary to treat this matter so seriously?

It was around this time that Elder Xuanjian spoke again:

“That genius, by the way, has some connection to you.”

“Oh? What connection?”

“She is your Ninth Sister, now titled Princess Ziwei.”

Elder Xuanjian said with a smile.

Hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed in Xiao Jian’s eyes.

His sister?

He had been away from the Great Xia Kingdom for too long, and his memories of the people from his homeland had almost faded.

In his memory, Ninth Sister was just a baby who couldn’t even walk.

It was hard to imagine that she had now become a renowned young prodigy.

“After bringing your sister into the sect, I will also recommend to the other elders that she be accepted as a direct disciple. That way, you siblings can be together in the sect and keep each other company.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian felt a stir in his heart. He had spent years devoted to the sword, pouring all his emotions into it, and had never experienced familial bonds.

But having a sister by his side seemed like a good idea.

Thinking this, a smile appeared on Xiao Jian’s face as he cupped his hands and said:

“Elder, rest assured. This disciple will surely bring Ninth Sister back to the sect!”

Elder Xuanjian nodded and reminded him:

“Your sister is a young genius and naturally possesses a proud demeanor. She may not be willing to follow your proper guidance.”

“If she refuses to return to the sect with you, what will you do?”

Hearing this question, Xiao Jian was momentarily stunned.

How could someone not want to join the Spirit Sword Sect, such a prestigious place?

After some thought, he replied:

“If Ninth Sister is unwilling, I will defeat her to prove that I am right.”

Hearing this, Elder Xuanjian shook his head repeatedly and chuckled, saying:

“Foolish child! Foolish child!”

Seeing Elder Xuanjian laugh, Xiao Jian was puzzled and asked:

“Elder, what are you laughing at?”

Elder Xuanjian composed himself, calmed down, and with a flick of his sleeve, a flash of white light appeared and landed in front of Xiao Jian.

“This sword talisman contains my full-strength strike. If you encounter an opponent you cannot defeat, you can activate the talisman to slay the enemy.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jian was visibly shocked.

Elder Xuanjian was already a super powerhouse at the peak of the Spirit Seed realm. His full-strength strike would likely be unimaginably powerful!

“Disciple thanks the Elder!”

“You take my words to Feng Yi and have him accompany you on this journey!”

“Disciple obeys!”

Xiao Jian bowed again in respect and left the grand hall.

He planned to return and pack his belongings, then find Feng Yi early the next morning to set off as soon as possible.

Watching Xiao Jian’s departing figure, Elder Xuanjian’s eyes flickered, and he murmured:

“Princess of Xia, let me see just how powerful you are!”

This time, sending Xiao Jian down the mountain, he had prepared two plans.

If the Princess of Xia truly possessed extraordinary talent and posed a threat, he would remotely control the sword talisman, activating the full-strength strike to directly slay the Princess of Xia!

After the incident, he would simply claim that Xiao Jian had accidentally activated the talisman, with no connection to him or the Spirit Sword Sect!

If the Princess of Xia’s talent was mediocre and inferior to Xiao Jian’s, then she would not be worth further attention.

“Siblings fighting each other, what a good show…”

Elder Xuanjian’s low voice echoed in the grand hall, lingering for a long time.

…

Great Xia, Imperial City, Princess’s Mansion.

Inside the room, a cyan-blue cocoon lay quietly on the ground, surrounded by a faint mist that enveloped it, creating a hazy and indistinct atmosphere.

Suddenly, a subtle sound came from within the cocoon, and cracks began to appear from inside.

The cocoon shattered!

Two slender figures emerged, tightly embracing each other, both completely naked, their skin pressed together. They were Xiao Minghuang and Lin Wanqiu.

Their skin was as smooth as jade, white and soft, with a translucent sheen.

Lin Wanqiu opened her eyes and realized they were completely naked, intimately holding each other. She could even feel a warm heat from the Princess’s soft skin.

In the past, she would have shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at Xiao Minghuang.

But after their spiritual cultivation together, they had become inseparable, their spirits in harmony, their spiritual energy interconnected. They were no longer as shy as before.

“Your Highness…”

Lin Wanqiu raised her delicate face, her red lips slightly parted, exhaling an alluring fragrance, and revealed a charming smile.

Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang composed herself and suddenly realized that Lin Wanqiu, no longer shy, was radiant and even more beautiful than before.

“Let’s get dressed first!”

Xiao Minghuang coughed lightly and spoke.

“I will help Your Highness get dressed…”

Lin Wanqiu’s red lips parted slightly, and her sweet voice sounded.

Although Lin Wanqiu was the young lady of Beiyang City, after spending so much time together, she had already mastered the skill of helping Xiao Minghuang dress. In no time, both of them were neatly dressed.

Both were clad in red dresses, with Xiao Minghuang’s being more richly colored, exuding a sense of grandeur and elegance.

Lin Wanqiu’s dress was of a lighter hue, appearing more elegant and delicate, with a fresh and dainty charm.

After a tender moment with Lin Wanqiu, Xiao Minghuang left the small courtyard.

Both of them had undergone significant realm advancements and urgently needed to stabilize their realms and solidify their foundations.

This dual cultivation session had brought great benefits to both.

The most obvious was Lin Wanqiu, who not only awakened her innate Yin Spirit Body but also broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement in one go!

A large part of this was due to the accumulated potential from years before her physique had awakened, which now burst forth with unstoppable force.

Xiao Minghuang returned to her room, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes to rest, and began circulating her cultivation technique to consolidate her realm.

She had also gained immense benefits. With a total of six Profound Yin Fruits and the dual cultivation with the innate Yin Spirit Body, the multiple enhancements had allowed her to break through a major realm bottleneck and step into the Spring Realm!

And this was far from the end.

At this moment, within Xiao Minghuang’s dantian, a pool of golden spring water had already formed.

The spiritual spring reached twenty feet deep, with golden spiritual water continuously gushing out, endless and unceasing, indicating that she had already stepped into the second level of the Spring Realm!

Xiao Minghuang felt the surging qi and blood within her body and the golden spiritual spring that had opened in her dantian. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.

“Twenty feet deep, second level of the Spring Realm!”

“The outcome of this competition is already decided!”

Xiao Minghuang’s eyes were bright, full of vitality.

After reaching the Spring Realm, she felt that her spiritual power seemed to connect with the spiritual energy of the world, allowing her to borrow the energy of heaven and earth to fly.

Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang’s mind stirred, and she circulated her spiritual power.

Within her dantian, a sound like gushing water echoed.

Suddenly.

A ripple appeared in the void, and Xiao Minghuang floated up into the air.

She sat upright in the air, her gaze sweeping around, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes.

“Below the Spring Realm, spiritual power is too weak to fly.”

Flying.

It was a privilege reserved for those above the Spring Realm!

With a thought, Xiao Minghuang flew out of the window, swift as the wind, ascending to a height of several hundred meters in the blink of an eye.

Feeling the whistling wind in her ears, Xiao Minghuang looked around, the entire imperial city laid out before her.

A sense of grandeur surged within her heart!

“I wonder how powerful my full-strength strike would be now?”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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