Chapter 136

Emperor Xia sighed softly and said:

"Don't worry, our Old Ancestor has entered a state of tortoise-like breathing, which can extend his lifespan for a while, but it probably won't last more than half a year."

"Six months..."

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, feeling a pang of pity.

"Father, is there no elixir that can prolong life?"

She wanted to prolong the life of her Old Ancestor.

"Ordinary pills are enough to extend the lifespan of ordinary people by decades, but for someone like our Old Ancestor, who is at the peak of the Spirit Seed Realm and has suffered hidden injuries, they have little effect."

"Our Old Ancestor should have told you that he was once harmed by the evil energy of a heretical cultivator, leaving him with hidden injuries. Unless there are earth-rank or higher elixirs that specialize in healing, prolonging life, and strengthening one's foundation, other elixirs... probably won't be effective."

The Emperor Xia wore a sorrowful expression.

He was one of the last generation of young people born in the Great Xia before the Great Xia migration. He grew up under the protection of his Old Ancestor and had a deep affection for this guardian of the Great Xia.

Seeing this old man nearing the end of his life now, my heart is heavy with sorrow.

After hearing Emperor Xia's words, Xiao Minghuang looked thoughtful.

"Ruoshui said she could refine Earth-grade pill, but I wonder..."

In an instant.

Xiao Minghuang thought of many things.

Although she was not an alchemist, she knew how difficult it was to refine pills.

The furnace, the fire, the elixirs, the formula, the heat control, and many other factors are crucial, but there are also many details. If there is even the slightest mistake, the entire batch of pills will be wasted.

The difficulty of refining Earth-grade pill naturally increases exponentially.

Before any concrete results are achieved, Xiao Minghuang does not intend to reveal this matter, lest it cause others to be disappointed.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Minghuang asked again:

"Father, are there any pills in the Dragon Transformation Pool that can prolong life?"

Emperor Xia shook his head.

"No, the Dragon Transformation Pool mainly contains cultivation techniques and martial arts, as well as Meteor Star Liquid that can enhance cultivation and strengthen physique; there are no elixirs there."

"Wang Jin should have told you that the Dragon Transformation Pool is a place of inheritance that has existed for a very long time. After such a long period of time, even if there are still pills, their medicinal properties are probably less than one-tenth of what they used to be."

"Since you're entering the Dragon Transformation Pool, your main objective should be the Meteor Star Liquid. Your cultivation technique should be of a high grade, at least Earth Rank, so there's no need to waste time searching for another technique."

"Meteor Star Liquid?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang's heart skipped a beat.

Emperor Xia explained:

"Meteor Star Liquid is refined from celestial bodies. Long ago, the Great Emperor Xia possessed a secret method for refining stars, but this method was lost as the dynasty declined."

"When I was young, I entered the Dragon Transformation Pool and obtained a bottle of Meteor Star Liquid. After diluting it, I used it to temper my body many times, and it took me several months to fully absorb it, which raised my cultivation level by two minor realms."

"But with your talent, you should be able to bring out at least three to five bottles of Meteor Star Liquid. As for how much your cultivation will improve, that depends on your luck."

Xiao Minghuang nodded.

"Is there anything else Father Emperor wishes to instruct me to do?"

Emperor Xia's expression suddenly became solemn.

"After entering the Dragon Transformation Pool, you will see some skeletons. These are the ancestors of our Great Xia. You must treat them with respect and not disturb them!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded solemnly.

"My daughter understands!"

Next, Emperor Xia took out a token from his sleeve, activated the teleportation array here, and opened a light gate that was only one person tall.

Upon seeing this scene, Xiao Minghuang's heart skipped a beat.

"This is?"

Emperor Xia explained:

"The Dragon Transformation Pool was originally a secret realm, and this gate is the entrance."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang finally understood that the legend was true.

Before countless ages ago, the Great Xia was truly a powerful Immortal Dynasty.

Because only the most powerful beings who have lived forever have the ability to create a secret realm between heaven and earth.

After countless years, even the strongest beings have ceased to exist.

Millions of generations have passed, yet the secret realm still exists.

This is, in fact, the continuation of the Dao of a supreme being, symbolizing the mark belonging to this supreme being, imprinted between heaven and earth, immortal and indestructible.

Xiao Minghuang took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and stepped into the portal.

The next moment, the portal vanished, and she disappeared without a trace.

A vast, empty valley, shrouded in a hazy white mist, with stars twinkling high in the sky, remains so day after day, like an inverted bowl, isolating this area from the outside world.

For thousands of years, it will remain unchanged.

The valley was completely silent.

But at this moment.

On a low stone platform at the bottom of the valley, a faint light appeared, which magnified dozens of times in an instant, and a portal of light opened.

A young girl dressed in a light red dress walked out; it was Xiao Minghuang had just entered the Dragon Transformation Pool.

She looked around and saw rows of low graves without tombstones.

There are also some skeletons that remain seated, without even a grave, scattered in all directions.

This place doesn't seem like a place of heritage; it's more like a cemetery.

Xiao Minghuang lifted her foot and slowly walked forward. Along the way, all she could hear was silence, with no sound except for the rustling of leaves in the wind.

There is a narrow path in the valley.

She followed the path and walked further in.

The path gradually widened until she finally arrived at a relatively spacious square.

On the other side of the square stands a huge stone wall, carved with intricate and mysterious patterns, faintly revealing an ancient and weathered atmosphere.

Xiao Minghuang stood there, gazing at the stone wall, and a thought arose in her mind.

She immediately left the place to continue her search for the next opportunity.

And so she wandered around in the valley for most of the day.

Fortunately, the valley wasn't large, and Xiao Minghuang quickly found the location of the Meteor Star Liquid after a leisurely stroll.

This was a small pond, only about ten feet in size, hidden in a dense forest. Xiao Minghuang passed by it several times before finally landing on the ground and searching on foot before finally finding it.

The remaining amount of Meteor Star Liquid in the small pond wasn't much; Xiao Minghuang roughly calculated that it could only fill at most ten bottles.

Beside the pond, there was a small platform, which was indeed completely empty.

"This platform was originally used to store bottles, but over time, these bottles should have completely decayed and disappeared."

Fortunately, she was prepared. She took out her own bottle, moved the boulder at the opening below the small pond, and the Meteor Star Liquid flowed down.

Xiao Minghuang discovered that the Meteor Star Liquid did not flow like water.

This is a liquid with extremely high density and a very slow flow rate.

She tried using her spiritual power to drive it away, but it didn't work.

Therefore, Xiao Minghuang could only wait for the Meteor Star Liquid to flow naturally.

A day passed quickly.

As she filled the fifth bottle of Meteor Star Liquid, an invisible pressure suddenly appeared, pressing heavily on her shoulders, as if trying to embed her whole body into the earth.

Even with her body at the Great Perfection of body refinement, she could feel this oppressive force.

148. Choose

A rosy blush appeared on Xiao Minghuang's face.

She channeled all her energy into the <Ziwei Imperial Dao Scripture> to resist the pressure that seemed to come from nowhere.

Just then, a strange fluctuation appeared, emanating from the void, and a faint golden halo emerged.

A faint, ethereal figure gradually took shape amidst the hazy mist.

What night is this?

A faint voice rang out, penetrating the thin mist and reaching Xiao Minghuang's ears.

Xiao Minghuang's mind was violently shaken; she felt the majesty emanating from this figure.

But beneath the authority was a touch of warmth, as if he posed no danger to her whatsoever, rather like an elder asking a question to a younger person.

"Replying to Senior, this year is the 873rd year of the New Xia Calendar."

"The New Xia Calendar?"

The illusory figure spoke with a tone of doubt.

"The Old Xia Calendar ended more than 800 years ago during the migration, but as for how long it lasted, I, the younger generation, do not know."

The illusory figure remained silent for a long time.

Xiao Minghuang stood quietly in place, waiting.

She knew that the illusory figure before her was the Lingering Will of some Great Xia, who must have felt a myriad of complex emotions upon learning of the decline of his homeland.

After a while...

The illusory figure spoke again.

Tell me everything you know about the outside world.

"Yes."

Xiao Minghuang dared not delay and quickly told him everything she knew about the outside world.

However, she had only recently become the Crown Prince, and many secrets were still unknown to her, so she mostly described the current situation of the Great Xia.

After listening to her story, the illusory figure remained silent for a long time, seemingly processing the information she had brought.

This time, Xiao Minghuang didn't have to wait long.

"In this world, no one is immortal, and naturally, there are no truly immortal dynasties..."

The voice of the illusory figure was ethereal and distant, seemingly carrying a hint of melancholy, a touch of helplessness, but mostly a sense of vicissitude.

"My descendant, since you have awakened me, I will give you the power of choice."

"The cause and effect of this world are unpredictable; every sip and every bite is preordained."

"Firstly, choose to set aside the past and forge a new path that belongs only to yourself."

Secondly, burdened by the karma of the past, they embark on an even more difficult path.

"My descendant, with your intelligence, you should be able to understand my meaning."

So, tell me your choice.

The words had barely left his mouth.

The illusory figure seemed to have vanished, yet it also seemed to have merged into this world, watching over her at all times.

"Take your time, no rush..."

Xiao Minghuang understood the deeper meaning behind the illusory figure's words.

Based on the few words the other party spoke, and considering the current situation in Great Xia, she was able to draw a conclusion.