From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Empress

"Nephew has gone through countless hardships and obtained a Mysterious-grade high-grade pill, the Essence Replenishing Pill, which helps to solidify the foundation, cultivate the origin, and clear the meridians."

"Nephew wishes to gift this pill to Miss Lin, to help her clear her meridians and perfect her cultivation path."

As he spoke, the box opened, and a rich medicinal aroma permeated the air, filling the entire great hall. Almost everyone present smelled this pure medicinal fragrance and couldn't help but sniff.

"A Mysterious-grade high-grade pill, such a precious treasure, where did the Chen Family get it?"

No one would believe that a junior in the Body Tempering Realm like Chen Yu alone could obtain a Mysterious-grade high-grade pill. This must have been arranged by the higher-ups of the Chen Family.

Lin Zhengquan had the same question, but for him, the most crucial thing right now was not where the Chen Family got the pill, but their purpose.

Lin Wanqiu's congenital blocked meridians were no secret. Almost everyone in Beiyang City knew about it. Others had offered medicine before, but it had been completely useless.

However, this Mysterious-grade high-grade pill might not be useless.

The great name of the Essence Replenishing Pill was known to all. This pill could cleanse marrow, temper the body, and refine bones. It was an extremely precious medicine for building a foundation, and it also had the effect of repairing hidden injuries and completing the foundation.

With such a pill, even if it couldn't treat Lin Wanqiu's blocked meridians, after he took it, he might be able to heal his hidden injuries and advance to the Divine Sea Realm.

At that time, with his stronger strength, he could venture into some dangerous places and perhaps encounter Spirit Medicine that could clear his meridians.

He looked at the brown pill lying quietly in the brocade box, a hint of hope in his eyes.

Facing such a Spirit Medicine, Lin Zhengquan did not accept it immediately but asked very rationally:

"The Chen Family has offered such a precious pill, do you have any requests?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu looked at Lin Wanqiu, who was sitting at the head seat, and said without any concealment:

"Nephew only wishes to marry Miss Lin as his wife, and nothing else!"

As his voice fell, the venue fell silent!

Lin Zhengquan's mind raced, filled with regret. He should have directly expelled the Chen family from the banquet earlier, otherwise, he wouldn't have said such disrespectful words.

However, this was not entirely the Chen family's fault.

Xiao Minghuang and Lin Wanqiu's engagement was only circulated within the Lin family. After the old Beiyang City Lord passed away, no one mentioned it again, so the major families in Beiyang City were unaware of it.

But the problem was, why did the Chen family choose to bring this up now, in front of the Ninth Princess?

Wasn't this slapping the Ninth Princess in the face?

Of course, proposing to one's fiancée in front of the princess herself.

Let alone the Ninth Princess's noble status, even an ordinary commoner would never tolerate such an insult.

If it were before, Lin Zhengquan might have politely refused and then offered to purchase the pill, as a Mysterious-grade high-grade pill indeed had the potential to clear Lin Wanqiu's meridians.

But now, in front of the Ninth Princess, he could not show any wavering and had to immediately declare his stance.

In a flash of thought.

Lin Zhengquan struck decisively!

"Presumptuous!"

As he glared, he let out an angry roar, and his aura, belonging to the peak of the Spring Gushing Realm, erupted, almost solidifying and pressing down on Chen Yu.

This roar startled the drunken Chen Family Head. Seeing his descendant about to be injured, he flashed and stood in front of Chen Yu.

In an instant.

The Chen Family Head moved like a blur in the air, pulling Chen Yu back more than ten steps before stopping again.

His face was filled with shock and uncertainty, completely unable to understand why City Lord Lin would suddenly attack and suppress the Chen family's descendant.

This sudden turn of events also caught everyone present off guard, unable to comprehend its meaning.

"What does City Lord Lin mean? Even if he doesn't want to marry his daughter to the Chen family, there's no need to bully their descendants?"

"In front of the Chen Family Head, trying to suppress the young master of the Chen family, is City Lord Lin trying to start a war with the Chen family?"

Hearing the whispers of the crowd, Lin Zhengquan sighed. To get on the Ninth Princess's good side, he had almost torn his relationship with the Chen family apart.

Now, he could only hope that the Ninth Princess would treat Lin Wanqiu sincerely, so that his daughter would not be bullied in the future.

After all, a precious pill like the Essence Replenishing Pill was probably the only one of its kind in the entire Southern Territory.

As expected.

The Chen Family Head's expression turned extremely grim, and his gaze towards City Lord Lin was tinged with anger.

"City Lord Lin, we have known each other for many years. If you don't want to marry your daughter into my Chen family, so be it, but why must you bully the young and harm my Chen family's heir?!"

As he spoke, it was as if water was surging within the Chen Family Head's body, with roaring waves. The surrounding spiritual energy was agitated by him, and the full might of an eighth-level Spring Gushing Realm expert erupted, as if they were about to fight at any moment.

Facing the questioning, Lin Zhengquan was also helpless. He had acted suddenly and suppressed the Chen family, so he needed an explanation, but he couldn't openly reveal the engagement.

With the Ninth Princess herself present, it would be rather presumptuous for him to say it.

At this moment.

Xiao Minghuang, who had been watching the show for a long time, finally spoke.

The young woman in a bright yellow dress slowly stood up, her pretty face slightly flushed, her phoenix eyes slightly open, noble and ethereal, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

"Chen Family Head, you have quite the nerve, colluding with Evil Cultivators and betraying the country. Now that you are before this Princess, why do you not confess quickly!"

30. Accuse you of being an Evil Cultivator, and you are one!

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone present was startled, their drunkenness instantly vanishing.

"The Chen Family has resided in Beiyang City for generations, their reputation widespread. How could they possibly collude with Evil Cultivators and betray the country? Ninth Princess, your words are baseless. What exactly do you mean?"

"The Ninth Princess came from the Imperial City, perhaps she has channels of information we are unaware of. Moreover, the Ninth Princess recently slew an Evil Cultivator, perhaps she discovered some clues then."

Facing the questioning, the Chen Family Head's expression became extremely grim, his heart churning like a stormy sea.

"Impossible!"

"My secret support of Evil Cultivators, plundering resources near Beiyang City, and contacting the Golden Elephant Kingdom for spirit veins... the entire Chen Family only knows of this matter, and I am the only one aware. How did the Ninth Princess find out?!"

His shock only lasted for a moment, then he put on an expression of mingled shock and anger, feigning ignorance.

The Chen Family Head stared directly at the noble maiden seated at the head of the table and said coldly:

"My Chen Family has been loyal subjects of Great Xia for generations, loyal to the court, loyal to Beiyang City. How could we do such a treacherous and disloyal deed? I implore the Ninth Highness to retract her words, otherwise, this old man will have no choice but to personally travel to the capital and lodge a formal complaint with His Majesty!"

Hearing this, the others in the hall also looked uncertain.

"Ninth Highness, is there perhaps some misunderstanding? The Chen Family has resided in Beiyang City for over eighty generations, their loyalty unwavering, their benevolence proven. How could they collude with Evil Cultivators and betray the nation?"

Facing the questioning, Xiao Minghuang said calmly:

"Whether it is true or not, a thorough investigation will reveal it."

Having said this, her gaze turned cold, and she glanced at the person who had spoken in defense.

That person was the head of one of the other four great families in Beiyang City, who had always shared weal and woe with the Chen Family.

"You speak so highly of the Chen Family, could it be that you are also an accomplice of the Evil Cultivator, or perhaps colluding with the Golden Elephant Kingdom?"

"I am not, I am not!"

The person hurriedly denied it, no longer daring to speak.

Xiao Minghuang let out a cold snort and turned her gaze back to the Chen Family Head.

"Evil Cultivators possess evil techniques. Even if they disguise themselves, their Dantian cannot be faked. City Lord Lin, I trouble you to examine the Chen Family Head's Dantian. The truth will be known with a single check!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhengquan took a step forward, his gaze towards the Chen Family Head tinged with a hint of doubt.

"I have known Old Ghost Chen for many years. Although this man is sharp-tongued and difficult, to believe he is an Evil Cultivator is truly hard to accept. Could it be that the Ninth Princess wishes to seize the Chen Family's Essence Replenishing Pills and is using this as an excuse?"

Lin Zhengquan's eyes lit up. He understood that this was a great opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty. Regardless of whether the Chen Family Head was an Evil Cultivator or not, under his investigation, he must be declared an Evil Cultivator!

"Old Ghost Chen, do not blame me. An innocent man is condemned for possessing a treasure..."

As Lin Zhengquan prepared to test the Chen Family Head's Dantian with his spiritual energy, everyone watched, anticipating the Chen Family Head's next move.

Facing the approaching Lin Zhengquan, the Chen Family Head's expression wavered. No matter what the Ninth Princess's intentions were, he knew he could not escape disaster today.

In a flash, he made his decision.

"I never expected that after hiding for so many years, I would be seen through by a mere girl like you, ruining all my plans. Die!"

The Chen Family Head's face contorted in rage. With a roar, his spiritual energy surged forth, and a spectral blue Long Saber, over ten feet long, materialized from his palm. It carried a majestic power akin to a collapsing mountain and a surging tide as it slashed towards Xiao Minghuang.

The Long Saber hummed, as if the void itself was trembling.

Just as the saber was about to strike Xiao Minghuang, cleaving the beautiful maiden in two.

At that very moment.

A spear flew through the air, blocking the Long Saber.

The instant the spear and saber collided, sparks flew, spiritual energy surged, and the white jade floor cracked inch by inch. The entire hall began to shake violently, as if it would collapse at any moment.

Sensing the dire situation, Xiao Minghuang extended her arms, embracing Ye and Lin's slender waists, and with a flash of her figure, quickly retreated from the center of the battle.

The other guests, slower to react, fled the hall in disarray, their mouths full of dust.

BOOM!!!

Xiao Minghuang emerged from the hall and landed in an open space. Just as she released Ye and Lin, she heard a violent roar. Turning back, she saw the entire hall collapse with a deafening crash.

The clash of the two magical treasures within the hall, and the spiritual might they unleashed, had reduced the entire structure to ruins!

Everyone present began to discuss.

"I never expected the Chen Family Head to be an Evil Cultivator. How could such evil occur in our Beiyang City?"

"If not for the Ninth Princess, we would still be in the dark. In the future, we would likely have been harmed by Evil Cultivators. The Ninth Princess is truly a great benefactor to our Beiyang City!"

"Old Ghost Chen is actually an Evil Cultivator... Brother Liu, Brother Li, how should we handle this matter?"

The heads of the other three great families looked grim and uncertain. Their four great families had always shared weal and woe. Now that the Chen Family Head's identity as an Evil Cultivator was exposed, if the imperial court investigated, their three families would also be implicated.

The dust from the collapsing hall quickly dispersed, revealing the figures of Lin Zhengquan and the Chen Family Head.

"The combat between two Spring Gushing Realm experts can actually cause such immense destruction..."

Xiao Minghuang narrowed her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the ruins.

Two Spring Gushing Realm experts, one wielding a spear, the other a Long Saber, their immense spiritual energy surging and clashing, appearing to be evenly matched.

But if one observed closely, they would see that the spiritual energy emanating from Lin Zhengquan was even more solidified.

Lin Wanqiu had drunk too much and could barely stand. Her small face was flushed as she leaned into Xiao Minghuang's embrace, gazing at the collapsed great hall, and murmured:

"That long spear is my family's ancestral magic treasure, a Yellow Tier high-grade weapon called the Gold-Breaking Spear. It's incredibly powerful in combat, capable of breaking through anything."

"The long saber in the Chen Family Head's hand is a Yellow Tier mid-grade magic treasure, the 幽兰刀. He shouldn't be my father's match."

Xiao Minghuang didn't continue watching the battle between the two Spring Gushing Realm experts. To her, it was a realm she would soon reach, nothing to be curious about.

Her gaze shifted to Chen Yu, who was standing not far away, observing the fight.

At this moment, Chen Yu stood apart from the crowd, gazing at the Chen Family Head's demonic figure with eyes full of panic.

"How can the Family Head be an Evil Cultivator?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"This must be a setup, I don't believe it!"

Just as he was losing his composure, Xiao Minghuang's figure quietly appeared before him.

"Chen Yu, I'll give you a chance. Hand over the Essence Replenishing Pill, and I can hold only the Chen Family Head accountable, sparing your Chen Family."

The Evil Cultivator's communication with the Chen Family Head only mentioned the latter, and the other Chen family members seemed unaware. Xiao Minghuang had no intention of dealing with the Chen Family; her objective was the Essence Replenishing Pill, and dealing with the Chen Family Head was merely a side task.

Chen Yu was jolted awake by Xiao Minghuang's words. He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with anger as he stared at her.

"You're talking nonsense! How could the Family Head collude with an Evil Cultivator? You must be spreading rumors and slandering him out of thin air, all to seize our Chen Family's Essence Replenishing Pills... It must be! It must be like this!"