From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Empress

"Who exactly are you? How can you be so powerful when we're both at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining Realm?!"

He trembled all over, his gaze towards Xiao Minghuang filled with disbelief.

Xiao Minghuang spoke calmly:

"I am the Ninth Princess of the Great Xia Royal Family, sent to Beiyang City to eliminate the rampaging Evil Cultivators."

The Yaoguang Sword is the first stance of the Big Dipper Seven Stars Sword Technique, harnessing the power of the Yaoguang star for incredible might.

However, its power was considerably limited when used in this cave, devoid of stars. Furthermore, Xiao Minghuang lacked a magical artifact, which greatly weakened its effectiveness.

Even so, it was more than enough to defeat the Evil Cultivator leader.

Xiao Minghuang's eyes flickered slightly. Four great vortexes appeared around her, her spiritual energy surging. She raised her hand again, golden light shimmering at her fingertips. Forming a sword with her fingers, she slashed out.

This sword strike was incredibly sharp, its power no weaker than before, but rather three parts stronger.

Facing the starlight sword energy that tore through the air, the Evil Cultivator leader's mind nearly shattered. Knowing he was no match, he turned to flee, but Xiao Minghuang caught up and pierced his skull with a single finger, ending his life.

After the Evil Cultivator leader's death, Xiao Minghuang searched his body and found a storage bag containing the Spirit Stones they had plundered.

There were over a thousand in total, along with some low-grade martial arts, all of Yellow Tier low-grade quality, holding little value.

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly. These items were useless to her, but having them was better than nothing, so she put them all into her storage bag.

Notably, among these unremarkable texts, she discovered a peculiar Cultivation Method.

Calling it a Cultivation Method wasn't entirely accurate; it was more of a secret art.

Its name was simple and unadorned: "Dual Cultivation Technique."

Xiao Minghuang flipped through it, revealing illustrations of two small figures performing various actions.

To her surprise, the last few pages of this booklet also recorded methods for same-sex dual cultivation.

Xiao Minghuang eagerly flipped forward, only to be greatly disappointed.

The potentially exciting scenes were rendered crude and unappealing by the poor artistic skill, failing to stir any romantic thoughts.

"This must be the evil art the Three Demon Heads cultivate. To practice such a low-level technique, no wonder they're only in the Body Tempering Realm."

Xiao Minghuang scorned the author of the secret art, tearing off all the preceding chapters and keeping only the same-sex dual cultivation method, which she then stored in her bag.

Additionally, she found a stack of letters in the storage bag, detailing the communication records between their group and a significant figure in Great Xia.

"This is quite an unexpected gain."

Xiao Minghuang murmured to herself, her gaze distant.

Finding nothing else of note, she turned and returned to the stone building.

"Miss Lin, the matter is resolved. We can leave now."

Xiao Minghuang knocked on the door and spoke.

As her voice fell, the door hinges creaked, and Lin Wanqiu's pretty face appeared. Xiao Minghuang glanced over her, noting her pristine dress and neatly arranged hair, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, seemingly untouched by the recent bloody battle.

"Did the Evil Cultivator leader return?"

Xiao Minghuang nodded.

"Yes, but I have already killed him."

Upon hearing this, shock flickered in Lin Wanqiu's eyes.

"That Evil Cultivator leader was a martial artist at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining Realm. My father sent the Guard Team to surround and capture him multiple times, but we could never succeed. And you eliminated him so easily?"

Xiao Minghuang, not intending to take all the credit, spoke the truth: "Before we fought, the Evil Cultivator seemed to have just experienced a major battle. His aura was weak, and he lacked fighting spirit, like a startled bird. That's why I defeated him so easily."

Even so, even a full-powered Evil Cultivator leader wouldn't have been able to withstand Xiao Minghuang's sword strike.

However, in Lin Wanqiu's ears, these words carried a different weight.

"A martial artist at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining Realm couldn't withstand one sword strike from Miss Xiao... Miss Xiao is truly a celestial being!"

Flustered by the praise, Xiao Minghuang's cheeks flushed slightly. She changed the subject, "Now that this is over, let's leave quickly!"

Lin Wanqiu nodded, then led the civilians out of the stone building. They headed towards the cave's exit.

Before long, everyone had left the cave.

Outside the cave, it was still night, shrouded in darkness.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, they suddenly heard the sound of a large group of footsteps approaching from not too far away.

The footsteps were orderly and uniform, like those of soldiers who had undergone rigorous training. Moreover, each individual's footsteps exuded the aura of the peak Body Tempering Realm.

One aura, in particular, reached the Fifth Level of Qi Refining!

Xiao Minghuang's expression changed. Her spiritual energy had been heavily depleted by her two consecutive battles, and she had few Spirit Stones left to support further combat.

What if this was another group of Evil Cultivators?

Although she knew Eunuch Wang was protecting her from the shadows, having him intervene would undoubtedly diminish the significance of this trial.

As she pondered, the footsteps grew closer, and figures finally emerged from the darkness.

Xiao Minghuang retreated, ready to flee at any moment.

But Lin Wanqiu, beaming, walked straight towards the sound of footsteps, calling out joyfully:

"Uncle Lin!"

24. Your Highness, no matter what you do to me, I will not resist.

In the jungle, [*

The middle-aged man in black, originally with a grim expression, suddenly overjoyed upon seeing Lin Wanqiu. He shouted, "Brothers, come out quickly! We've found the young lady!"

Hearing this title, Xiao Minghuang breathed a sigh of relief.

"They're from Beiyang City..."

Lin Wanqiu spoke with the middle-aged man for a few moments, roughly explaining the situation, then came before Xiao Minghuang.

The middle-aged man bowed deeply to her and said with cupped fists, "I am Lin Zhengyang. Thank you, Miss Xiao, for saving my niece. If you have free time, please visit Beiyang City. Our Beiyang City Lord's Mansion will surely offer a generous gift!"

Seeing the people from Beiyang City arrive, Xiao Minghuang's face lit up. She could finally confirm her identity.

"You are too kind, sir. I am Xiao Minghuang, the Ninth Princess of the Great Xia Royal Family. I was ordered to come and eliminate the Evil Cultivators causing trouble near Beiyang City. It was my duty to act just now, so you need not be so polite!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhengyang's expression turned astonished.

He focused again, glancing at the young woman before him.

Dressed in a bright yellow gown, she stood tall and graceful. Her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her features exquisitely beautiful, noble, and refined, exuding unparalleled elegance.

Such bearing, in all of Great Xia, likely only the Royal Family could produce such a refined and intelligent woman.

Furthermore, he had met the young Ninth Princess in his early years. The young woman before him bore a striking resemblance, seven or eight parts alike. She must be the Ninth Princess herself.

He then turned his gaze to his niece standing beside him.

Lin Wanqiu lowered her head slightly, her fair, tender hands twisting together, a shy expression on her face.

Although many years had passed and the engagement had never been mentioned, it had been personally agreed upon by Emperor Xia and the late Beiyang City Lord, with tokens of proof. As long as it wasn't officially annulled, it remained valid.

Lin Zhengyang saw this and revealed an understanding smile.

"So it is the Ninth Princess, Your Highness. Forgive my disrespect!"

"Your Highness has traveled a long distance to eliminate a great harm for the people. You should certainly visit Beiyang City so that our entire city can express our gratitude for Your Highness's kindness. Please do not refuse."

Xiao Minghuang's original mission was to eliminate the Evil Cultivators, but she hadn't expected it to be completed so quickly and without any preparation.

Her original plan was to first go to Beiyang City, understand the situation, and then search for the Evil Cultivators' traces before eliminating them.

Now that the situation had changed, her original plan was meaningless.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Minghuang spoke, "I will go to Beiyang City, but you need not trouble yourselves to invite me.

"I will take this opportunity to experience the local customs and traditions near Beiyang City. It shouldn't take too long to walk from here to Beiyang City. Please go ahead."

Experiencing the local customs was merely a secondary objective.

Xiao Minghuang's true intention was to explore the surrounding area, looking for any hidden opportunities she might find.

Seeing that she did not directly refuse, Lin Zhengyang smiled and glanced at the eager Lin Wanqiu, then proposed:

"Since Your Highness wishes to experience the local customs, why not bring my niece along? She grew up in Beiyang City and is familiar with the nearby towns and villages. She can serve as Your Highness's guide."

"This... wouldn't that be inconvenient?"

Xiao Minghuang hesitated. She wanted to search for opportunities everywhere. Bringing Ye Ruoshui would have been fine; after all, she was a well-behaved and obedient little girl.

But Lin Wanqiu, at first glance, seemed lively, active, and very opinionated. It was hard to guarantee she wouldn't cause trouble.

Hearing her intention to refuse, Lin Wanqiu's pretty face instantly fell. Her beautiful eyes seemed to lose their sparkle, and she wiped her eyes as if sobbing.

"I didn't recognize Your Highness just now. Are you still angry with me?"

As she spoke, Lin Wanqiu stepped forward, clinging to Xiao Minghuang's arm, her hand tightly grasping her elbow, bringing a soft touch.

She said with a tearful voice:

"I really know I was wrong. Please don't abandon me, Your Highness, okay?"

Seeing this scene, not only Xiao Minghuang but even Lin Zhengyang felt embarrassed. He wiped sweat from his non-existent brow and advised:

"Ninth Princess, my niece has been deeply devoted to you since childhood. Please don't refuse. Moreover, my niece is betrothed to you by arrangement since birth, personally decided by the old City Lord and His Majesty. She is destined to be a perfect match. Although my niece doesn't have many talents and her aptitude is ordinary, her appearance is passable. Even if you don't like her, keeping her by your side to serve tea and pour water would be an honor for our Lin family."

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang frowned. One moment it was "a perfect match," the next she was only fit to be a "maidservant who serves tea and pours water." What did this mean?

Furthermore, Lin Wanqiu didn't even know her name before this. How could she have been deeply devoted to her since childhood?

In the current situation, if she refused, Lin Wanqiu would surely continue to pester her, and she wouldn't be able to search for any opportunities.

Xiao Minghuang had no choice but to say helplessly:

"Alright, you can follow me, but there's one condition."

Lin Wanqiu quickly nodded, "Please tell me, Your Highness!"

"If you follow me, you must listen to my arrangements in everything. You cannot act on your own. You must do as I say, and you cannot raise any objections. If you can accept this, then you can follow me."

Upon hearing this, a blush suddenly spread across Lin Wanqiu's jade-like fair face. She bit her pink lips and said shyly, "Your Highness, please rest assured, no matter what you do to me, I will not resist!"

Xiao Minghuang's delicate brows furrowed slightly; the other party didn't seem to have understood her correctly.

But after a moment's thought, she felt there was no need to waste more time.

"I just need to have Ruoshui keep an eye on her, and she won't have any chance to pester me."

As the two spoke, at some point, Lin Zhengyang had quietly retreated, taking the captured civilians with him.

Lin Zhengyang and the others' departure did not draw Xiao Minghuang's attention. She glanced at Lin Wanqiu, who was tightly clutching her arm.

"I've already agreed to Miss Lin's request, can you let go of me now?"

Lin Wanqiu smiled like a spring breeze and said softly:

"Your Highness, please don't be so distant. Just call me Wanqiu."

Xiao Minghuang never dwelled on trivial matters like titles. She said:

"Miss Wanqiu, then let's set off. My sister has been waiting for me for a long time and must be anxious."

The words "Miss Wanqiu" after her name were truly a bit redundant.

Lin Wanqiu felt displeased and casually asked:

"Your Highness has a sister?"

As everyone in Great Xia knew, Emperor Xia had eight sons and one daughter, the Ninth Princess, his only child.

Xiao Minghuang explained:

"Her name is Ye Ruoshui. She used to be my maidservant, but now she's like my sister."

Lin Wanqiu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking: A mere maidservant is nothing to worry about.

After this, Lin Wanqiu guided Xiao Minghuang to the location where the spiritual medicine was hidden.