Beat the Second Young Master to the Ground

Although he really didn't want to deal with Xia Wantang, now that things had been said, Xia Yingwu had no choice but to accept.

Moreover, it wasn't Xia Wantang's leverage that was in the Xia family's hands anymore.

Quite the opposite, her Saintess identity was confirmed, and now the Xia family's future rested in her hands.

When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. Xia Yingwu pondered for a moment before finally saying with an obsequious expression:

"Well... Wantang, how many spirit stones and pills do you need for your future cultivation?"

Xia Wantang's eyes darted around, and she immediately started high:

"Five million spirit stones, a thousand Heaven Grade Spirit Herbs, and a thousand Heaven Grade Spirit Pills."

After speaking, as if she had thought of something, she added:

"And I want to pick another magic treasure from the ones left by the Old Ancestor."

Xia Yingwu was so angry he puffed out his beard and glared, instinctively refusing:

"Absolutely not, that's too much! It's enough for all the younger generation of the Xia family to cultivate for several years!"

Hearing this, Xia Wantang blinked and persuaded:

"But all the younger generation of the Xia family combined don't have as much prestige as a Saintess of the Azure Cloud Palace."

"Patriarch, you should understand investment and returns, right?"

"With me as the Saintess of the Azure Cloud Palace, the Xia family will not only receive the protection of the Azure Cloud Palace but also enjoy more cultivation resources. Moreover, my own cultivation has already reached the peak of the Mystic Martial Realm."

"I am only eighteen years old now, and it's very likely I will break through to the Spirit Sovereign Realm in the future, becoming an equal to the Palace Lord of the Azure Cloud Palace."

"If the Xia family can produce a Spirit Sovereign Realm cultivator, you've already experienced the benefits it brings to future generations. Think carefully about the pros and cons."

Hearing this, Xia Yingwu really thought about it carefully:

Indeed, the Xia family's current standing in Luoxia City relied entirely on the legacy left by that Spirit Sovereign Realm ancestor.

If the Xia family could produce another Spirit Sovereign Realm cultivator, they wouldn't be confined to the small Luoxia City and could contend with other major families.

Thinking of this, Xia Yingwu was indeed tempted and couldn't help but relent:

"Then..."

Xia Wantang immediately cut in:

"Then it's settled!"

"Patriarch, I'll be returning to the Azure Cloud Palace in a few days. Remember to prepare my things for me before the day after tomorrow."

Xia Yingwu: ...

"Fine."

After Xia Wantang left the reception room, Xia Yingwu finally realized:

He had been led around by the nose by that little girl the whole time and had forgotten to pursue the matter of Xia Ba being beaten!

After leaving the reception room, Xia Wantang returned to the Xia family's branch family to visit her parents.

As soon as she entered, she saw a middle-aged beauty with stunning looks sitting at the table, with Xia Renhe sitting beside her.

Based on her memories, Xia Wantang recognized this as the original owner's mother—Liu Wan'er.

Seeing her daughter, Liu Wan'er was full of surprise:

"Wantang, is that really you? You're back?!"

Although Liu Wan'er was no longer young, her skin was still as smooth as a baby's, and she bore a five-point resemblance to Xia Wantang in her features.

No wonder her daughter turned out so outstanding; it turned out her mother's genes were too powerful.

Xia Wantang smiled elegantly, showing none of the ferocity she displayed when beating Xia Ba:

"Mother, it's me."

Liu Wan'er took Xia Wantang's hand and sat down, examining her as she sighed:

"Wantang, it's been half a year, and you've gotten thinner. You must have suffered."

"How is life at the Azure Cloud Palace? Have you... been bullied?"

Ever since her daughter left the Xia family, Liu Wan'er and her husband had not slept soundly, fearing that their daughter's cultivation issues would be discovered by people at the Azure Cloud Palace.

Who would have thought that after half a year, their daughter would return completely unharmed? This made them relieved while also feeling puzzled.

"Mother, don't worry. My cultivation has already reached the peak of the Mystic Martial Realm, so you don't need to worry about my identity being exposed."

"Father just saw it himself. I could easily defeat Xia Yingwu."

As she spoke, Xia Wantang extended her right hand, and an ice blade quickly formed in her palm, flashing with cold light and exuding abundant spiritual energy.

Hearing this, Xia Renhe looked innocently at his wife and said:

"Wan'er, I told you, Wantang is very strong now. She can beat the second young master and pin him to the ground."

Liu Wan'er's beautiful eyes widened, and she couldn't believe it:

"Wantang, what's going on? Tell your father and me quickly."

Xia Wantang then repeated her previous explanation.

"Although it's strange, my cultivation speed has indeed been improving by leaps and bounds since that day."

After hearing Xia Wantang's explanation, Xia Renhe was pleasantly surprised:

"So the 'dream message' is real!"

"Our branch family isn't significant, I never imagined that Wantang would inherit the ancestor's talent. This must be fate!"

Liu Wan'er looked worried:

"Actually, staying in Luoxia City under the protection of the main Xia Family is quite good. Now that Wantang is going to the Azure Cloud Palace, given the future state of the world, who knows what might happen."

Xia Renhe, however, shook his head:

"Wan'er, you don't know, the second young master has always coveted Wantang's beauty. If Wantang hadn't had this opportunity, she probably would have been married off to Xia Ba as a concubine!"

Hearing this, Xia Wantang disliked the Xia Family even more. She hadn't expected the original host to be so powerless. No matter what, it wasn't a good choice.

At least now that she was here, the original host's parents were still alive and well.

With that thought, Xia Wantang took out the few magic treasures she had prepared:

"Mother, Father, these two cultivation methods and the pair of swords are for you. You can use them for cultivation and self-defense. They are perfect for your current cultivation levels."

"And this one is a compilation of beginner formations, spirit talismans, and artifact refining that I've copied. Learn them secretly, you'll definitely be able to use them in the future."

"You absolutely cannot tell anyone about these things, not even the family head. If he asks, just deny it."

The two cultivation methods and the pair of swords weren't rare items, but the compilation of formations, spirit talismans, and artifact refining was definitely a treasure. Even if they were only beginner level, ordinary cultivators might not be able to gather such a complete collection.

Xia Renhe and his wife were stunned. Liu Wan'er pressed further:

"Wantang, where did you get these things?"

"You must not have provoked anyone you shouldn't have, or they might come seeking revenge."

Hearing this, Xia Wantang knew they had misunderstood.

Xia Renhe and his wife were good people in every way, but they were too weak and kind. While their lack of strength contributed to this, they had indeed been so sheltered within the Xia Family that they had lost their spirit.

"Mother, don't worry. I specifically collected these from various auction houses, and these items aren't of high grade. Just practice them with peace of mind."

Only then did Liu Wan'er and her husband feel relieved.

The family of three chatted about personal matters for a while longer, and then Xia Wantang found an excuse to return to her room.

Back in her room, seeing that it was already dark, she had a thought:

On a dark and windy night, it's time for murder and arson.

That Xia Ba was truly detestable, even wanting the original host as his concubine.

Since that was the case, she couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.

However, before that, she needed to refine the Fire Spirit Root.

After setting up a shielding formation, a transparent bone segment appeared in Xia Wantang's hand, faintly glowing with firelight.

This was the Fire Spirit Root.

Water and fire were incompatible. Holding the Fire Spirit Root, Xia Wantang could feel it subtly rejecting her. If not for the protection of her Ice Spiritual Energy and Water Spiritual Energy, her fingers would likely have been burned.

Without the System's reminder, she knew that this refinement wouldn't be easy.

Without hesitation, Xia Wantang hardened her heart and directly began to fuse with the Fire Spirit Root—