Chapter 103

The gifting of elixirs has two possibilities: a qualitative change and a quantitative change.

The only possibility for receiving a cultivation technique as a gift is a qualitative change and a return on investment.

The only thing stronger than Earth Tier Top-grade Cultivation Method is a top-grade Heaven-tier Cultivation Method. Even if it is only slightly stronger, the system will return the Heaven-tier Cultivation Method instead of choosing an Earth Tier Top-grade Cultivation Method to return.

At first, Xiao Minghuang didn't understand the principle behind this mechanism either.

But after consulting the system and thinking it over, I finally understood.

For martial artists, the power that different techniques can unleash varies drastically depending on the person using them.

However, from the system's perspective, as long as the techniques are judged to be of the same grade, their potential is equivalent.

"There's one last opportunity left. Once we seize it, it'll be time to return to the capital."

Tomorrow is the day of the grand competition.

Thinking of this, Xiao Minghuang's lips curled into a slight smile.

After comprehending the essence of swordsmanship, she couldn't wait to find an opponent and have a thoroughly enjoyable battle.

Xiao Minghuang let out a soft sigh, focused her mind, brought out the Treasure Seeking Compass, looked at the last flash of azure light on it, and soared into the air, heading straight for the opportunity.

One hour later.

A young man in black robes descended from the sky and arrived at the entrance of the cave.

"Master, is this the entrance to the grotto-heaven you spoke of?"

The young man in black robes looked at the cave in front of him, his brows furrowing slightly.

The cave was unremarkable, not at all like a paradise on earth.

At that moment, a phantom figure floated out.

"What do you know? Once a cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul Realm, they can refine specific magical treasures into a grotto-heaven and place it in the outside world. Ordinary people cannot discover the existence of the grotto-heaven from the outside world and have no idea that it contains a universe within."

Upon hearing this, the First Prince's eyes lit up with joy. So, the opportunity here must have been left behind by at least a Nascent Soul Realm expert!

After the old man explained, he raised his hands, and a beam of white light shot out and entered the cave.

The First Prince asked, "What are you doing?"

The old man ignored him.

"Something's not right. Why is there nothing here anymore? I just predicted yesterday that there was an opportunity here, how could it have suddenly disappeared?"

The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it still reached the First Prince's ears. His expression changed slightly, and he said urgently:

"The opportunity is gone?"

The old man ignored him, and instead, a burst of white light suddenly emanated from his palm, almost engulfing the entire cave, but he still found nothing.

Seeing this, the First Prince hurriedly asked:

"Master, have you discovered anything?"

Upon hearing this, the old man took a deep look at the dark cave and sighed:

"Someone was here just now and stole the opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, the First Prince was greatly surprised, as someone had beaten them to it when they went to the Sword Dao Stone Tablet.

Just when we've come to seek this opportunity, someone else has already snatched it up. Could it be that someone can foresee the future?

Thinking of this, the First Prince was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth anxiously.

"Master, what should we do! The grand competition is tomorrow. If I can't significantly improve my strength, I definitely won't be able to defeat that woman. In that case... I won't be able to become the crown Crown Prince, and the possibility of restoring your physical body will probably be gone too."

As the First Prince spoke, his tone softened, and he uttered this statement in a rather indifferent manner.

He understood. The old man wanted to rebuild his physical body and needed his help. He didn't need to rush. The old man would naturally find a way.

As expected.

The old man's expression changed drastically. He turned and stared at the First Prince, saying in a deep voice:

Are you questioning my abilities?

"This disciple dares not!"

The First Prince quickly cupped his hands in greeting. Since he possessed the original owner's memories, he naturally knew that the old man's true strength was extremely powerful and that he had a very important background.

"Snort!"

The old man gave a soft hum and said indifferently:

"If things cannot be accomplished, I will personally intervene and win the match for you."

Upon hearing this, the First Prince's face lit up with joy, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, for he remembered the scene of the old man taking action.

That was to lead him to find the main ingredient needed to enhance his talent. The old man used his body to unleash a superb divine power, flattening a thousand-foot-high peak with a single blow!

With such strength, there's absolutely no suspense when facing Princess Ziwei.

The old man slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at the First Prince a few times, and then said:

"Although I can win the match for you, you must improve your skills as soon as possible."

"Four hundred miles from here, there is another opportunity—an entry token to a secret realm. Once you obtain the token and enter the realm, with my help, you can easily obtain the rare and precious treasures and Heaven and Earth Divine Object within!"

"Very good!"

The First Prince's face lit up with joy, and he said excitedly.

The old man reminded him:

"Don't be too happy yet. The grand competition is tomorrow, and it's too late to go to the secret realm now. Let's get the token first, and then go to the secret realm to search for treasure after the competition."

The First Prince had no objection to this and nodded, saying:

"Then let's go get the token!"

"Um..."

The old man gave a faint reply, his figure gradually becoming ethereal. Just as he was about to disappear, he asked, seemingly casually:

"Oh, by the way, where did that Heart-Protecting Locket that I always saw you wearing go? It looked quite nice, like a magical artifact?"

Upon hearing this, the First Prince replied without much thought:

"It's not a magic weapon; that thing is too ugly, but the materials are quite valuable."

Upon hearing this, the old man's pupils contracted slightly, but he remained calm and returned to his ring.

The First Prince paid no heed to these words, turned and left, heading towards new opportunities.

Inside the ring.

The old man's face looked extremely grim.

"Right under my nose, Xiao Yanzi was actually possessed!"

"No wonder his behavior has been so strange lately, completely different from before. Turns out, someone secretly replaced his soul!"

The old man sighed deeply, explaining that he had been trapped in the shackles for many years and had only gradually recovered thanks to the nourishment of Xiao Yan's spiritual power.

Initially, he did intend to possess Xiao Yan's body once he grew up, but after spending a long time together, he realized that Xiao Yan was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness.

Therefore, he gave up on the idea.

He truly regarded Xiao Yan as his disciple.

The Xiao Yan of today is no longer the Xiao Yan of the past.

"Little Yanzi, I have avenged you."

"Your physical body is your reward; give it to me!"

"Hehehehe..."

The old man chuckled a few times, and the dark space within the ring returned to calm.

Four hundred miles away, there is a small town.

Xiao Minghuang descended from the sky from afar, concealing his aura, and disguised himself as an ordinary person before stepping into the town's Marketplace.

Even so, her stunning beauty still attracted the attention of countless people.

Xiao Minghuang didn't take this to heart. Following the compass's guidance, she soon arrived at an unremarkable stall.

She glanced down at the bottles and jars on the tattered gray cloth, and finally focused her attention on a lump of iron covered in red rust.

According to the compass, a secret realm access token is hidden inside this lump of iron.

In the Marketplace, everyone was surprised to see this beautiful, elegant young woman walk up to this rarely visited stall.

"When did our town get such a beautiful woman?"

"Hmph! Are you stupid? This girl couldn't possibly be from our town; she's obviously a distinguished person passing through!"

"That looks like Old Li's stall. What's that guy up to?"

Xiao Minghuang glanced at the unattended stall and looked around.

Does anyone know where the stall owner went?

Upon hearing this, countless voices rang out simultaneously.

"Old Li went to take a dump! Miss, why don't you come and check out my stall? I have all sorts of pots, pans, and dishes!"

"Are you crazy?! Do you think that young lady would want to look at your pots and pans? Miss, come and look at my stall. I have some top-quality rouge here, feel free to try it!"

"How old are you, young lady? Are you married? I, your humble servant..."

At this moment, a young man who looked like a scholar walked over and bowed.

But before he could finish speaking, he was kicked away by a burly middle-aged woman.

"Little Li, go and call your grandfather back! That girl is clearly someone of great importance, so stop dreaming!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, Marketplace was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

The scholar, though kicked, wasn't angry. His face flushed, he looked at Xiao Minghuang, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said in a refined, scholarly manner:

"Please wait a moment, Miss. I'll be right back."

Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly but did not speak.

She could tell that the people in the Marketplace had no ill intentions towards her, and the scholar was simply infatuated with her.

After a while...

The scholar helped an elderly man with gray hair walk over.

"My esteemed guest, have you taken a fancy to that old man's thing? It's a treasure passed down from our ancestors. Please don't take advantage of this old man's failing eyesight."

The old man sat shakily on the bamboo mat, and the scholar stood beside him, glancing shyly at Xiao Minghuang from time to time, just like a young girl who admired young women.

Xiao Minghuang's expression remained unchanged. Pointing at the lump of iron, she asked calmly:

"How much is this iron block?"

Upon hearing this, the old man's cloudy eyes cleared up a bit. Although he was old, his eyesight was not failing. He could tell that the woman in front of him had an air of grandeur and was definitely a young lady from a prominent family. Her appearance and demeanor were dignified and elegant, not the kind of woman that any small Lineage could raise.

But the woman had no guards or servants with her, making her seem like a young lady who had sneaked out to play.

After a moment's thought, the old man spoke in a hoarse voice:

"This piece of iron, old man, isn't just any ordinary piece of iron. It was passed down from my great-great-grandfather. And my great-great-grandfather was no ordinary man; he was a martial artist who had once been a disciple of a sect..."

As the old man began to recount his family's glorious history, the scholar felt somewhat embarrassed. He could tell that although the woman appeared to be "very polite and attentive to your words," no one actually wanted to hear such decadent self-praise.

"Grandpa, stop bragging. They might not want it anymore in a bit."

Upon hearing this, the old man glared at his grandson.

"What do you know!"

He then turned to look at Xiao Minghuang, a smile spreading across his wrinkled face: