Chapter 218

"I am..."

Before he could finish speaking...

Suddenly, the protective array around the cave opened a gap, and a girl dressed in a pale yellow dress flew out gracefully, landing in front of them in the blink of an eye.

It was Ye Ruoshui.

"Senior Sister Ye, I finally have the chance to meet you today." Li Han quickly cupped his hands, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

However, Ye Ruoshui completely ignored their compliments.

"Your Highness!"

She called out joyfully and rushed over excitedly.

"Senior Sister Ye... what's wrong?"

The Li Family siblings were stunned; they hadn't expected Ye Ruoshui to be so enthusiastic towards this unfamiliar female cultivator.

It should be noted that Ye Ruoshui is aloof and cold. On the day she won the championship, she rejected the offers from many disciples of the sacred lands within the academy, choosing to be alone and ignoring everyone.

They even wondered if they were seeing things, or if Ye Ruoshui was possessed by some demon or monster.

Otherwise, why would she show such enthusiasm towards a complete stranger?

This completely overturned their impression of Ye Ruoshui.

"Haven't seen you for a long time..."

With a smile on his face, Xiao Minghuang stretched out his arms and hugged the beautiful girl who was rushing towards him.

"Hmph... Why did it take Your Highness so long to come see me?"

Ye Ruoshui playfully stuck out her tongue.

She was already very cute and pretty, and with her mischievous look, she became even more lively and charming.

"Didn't we just come out of seclusion?" Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but chuckle, affectionately pinching her delicate nose. "Ruoshui, did you miss me?"

Ye Ruoshui tilted her fair and delicate oval face up, her eyes shining like stars, and looked at Xiao Minghuang with a gentle gaze.

"Um."

Xiao Minghuang responded softly.

These words contained so much emotion that they made Ye Ruoshui's heart pound. Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head, smiling shyly.

The sweet interaction between the two left the Li Clan standing nearby dumbfounded.

Who exactly is this female cultivator?

Why did Ye Ruoshui treat her like he would treat his Dao Companion?

Even close sisters wouldn't act like this, would they?

Xiao Minghuang ignored their reactions completely, and even found them somewhat of an eyesore.

She gently stroked Ye Ruoshui's hair and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for neglecting my cultivation during this time."

"I don't really blame His Highness..."

Ye Ruoshui nuzzled her cheek and said sweetly.

The words had barely left his mouth.

She suddenly turned her head, the tenderness on her face vanishing instantly, and looked at the Li Family siblings beside her, frowning as she asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Uh..." Li Han and his sister were taken aback for a moment, then scratched their heads awkwardly. "I'm Li Han, and this is my sister, Li Ling. We'd like to ask Senior Sister Ye for help in refining the Nine-Pattern Qi-Nourishing Pill..."

He then quickly took out a storage bag from his sleeve.

"These are the materials and the payment. I wonder if Senior Sister Ye could help me with this?"

Ye Ruoshui glanced at the storage bag and found it contained enough materials to refine five batches. She put the bag away and nodded, "I agree."

"Thank you, thank you so much."

Upon hearing this, the Li Family siblings were overjoyed and quickly bowed to express their gratitude.

"You're welcome."

Ye Ruoshui waved her hand, then glanced at the two of them. "Is there anything else?"

The two weren't clueless fools; they naturally realized that Senior Sister Ye and her Dao Companion had reunited after a long separation, and not daring to disturb them any longer, they immediately took their leave.

"Ahem, since Junior Sister Ye is going into seclusion to refine pills, we won't disturb you any longer. Farewell." Li Han coughed twice and tugged at his sister's arm.

The two men bowed to each other, then turned and left.

After they had walked away, Xiao Minghuang looked at Ye Ruoshui with a gratified expression and said with emotion, "Ruoshui, you've really grown up."

"Your Highness, I'm not as amazing as you make me out to be!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Ruoshui pouted and leaned on Xiao Minghuang's shoulder in a coquettish manner.

"No, you've become even better than before."

Xiao Minghuang patted her head and smiled gently.

"Hehe... Your Highness really knows how to make people happy."

Ye Ruoshui smiled, a captivating blush spreading across her pure and lovely face, making her utterly charming.

Xiao Minghuang looked at the pretty and adorable Ye Ruoshui in his arms, and a bright smile bloomed on his face.

I've been feeling heavy and depressed these past few days, but reuniting with Ye Ruoshui today has finally allowed me to relax a bit.

The two then walked intimately into the cave.

The interior was simply furnished with only a few pieces of basic furniture, and in the center stood a crimson alchemical furnace.

The alchemy furnace was about ten feet tall, its surface engraved with countless complex and obscure runes, faintly exuding an ancient and weathered aura.

Apart from that, there was nothing else in the cave.

261. Celestial Alchemy Furnace

After a tender moment, Xiao Minghuang embraced Ye Ruoshui and sat quietly on the bed.

Ye Ruoshui hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, and after a long pause, she finally uttered a single sentence.

"Your Highness, I plan to make a trip to Dongling when I have some time."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was taken aback. "What are you going there for?"

Although Dongling is also part of the Hundred Sacred States, it is far from the Holy Academy. The ruler of Dongling, the Changsheng Su Clan, is in decline and no one from the clan has entered sainthood for a long time. There is even a voice that believes the Su Clan should not continue to be among the Hundred Saints forces.

Moreover, Ye Ruoshui had only just arrived at the Holy Academy, so why did she suddenly have this idea?

She had to find out the truth.

"Here's what happened..."

Ye Ruoshui recounted how she met Su Changge from Dongling.

After speaking, she stared nervously into Xiao Minghuang's eyes, seemingly afraid of being rejected.

"... I see." Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly. "I support you going."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ruoshui was taken aback at first, then cheered with joy, clinging to Xiao Minghuang like an octopus and planting a big kiss on her cheek. "That's wonderful! I love Your Highness the most!"

"Little girl..."

Seeing Ye Ruoshui's overjoyed expression, Xiao Minghuang shook his head and chuckled.

The little girl has grown up, and she suddenly felt like a mother, hoping that Ye Ruoshui would grow up happily and healthily.

Ye Ruoshui took a deep breath and said seriously, "However, I probably can't leave recently. I won the championship at the Pill Gathering, and the heads of the three academies summoned me and promised that as long as I can refine a Heaven-grade pill, they will recommend me to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion and make me the personal disciple of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion Master."

"Why don't the three heads of the academies personally accept you as their disciple?"

Xiao Minghuang asked, "Logically speaking, since one has entered the Three Academies, one is a disciple of the Three Academies. The head of the Three Academies has no need to recommend a disciple with excellent aptitude to others."

Ye Ruoshui was silent for a moment, then said, "She did say that, but I refused."

Seeing Xiao Minghuang's puzzled look, Ye Ruoshui explained, "Most of the skills passed down in the Three Academies are combat techniques. Your Highness knows I'm not interested in fighting, so the Pill Cauldron Pavilion is the most suitable place for me..."

"So, the heads of the three academies set out such difficult conditions in order not to lose you as a genius disciple?"

"Yes!" Ye Ruoshui smiled and said, "She said that if I could refine Heaven-grade pill in the Primal Embryo Realm stage, she would recommend me to the Pill Cauldron Pavilion. She thinks I can't do it, but I'm determined to do it!"

After she finished speaking, a strong conviction shone in her eyes.

"Your Highness, do you think I'm suitable?" Ye Ruoshui blinked and asked expectantly.

"Of course you can, I believe you can do it."

Seeing the girl's expectant expression, Xiao Minghuang smiled and encouraged her without hesitation.

Anything Ye Ruoshui wants to achieve, she will do her utmost to make it happen!

Although Xiao Minghuang did not know how to refine pills, she was aware of the difficulty of the Dao of Alchemy.

Generally, to refine Earth-grade pill, one needs a foundation of the Primal Embryo Realm cultivation.

When Ye Ruoshui was at the Spring Gushing Realm, she was able to refine Earth-grade pill with the help of Innate Fire.

Now that Ye Ruoshui is in the Primal Embryo Realm, refining Heaven-grade pill doesn't seem so difficult for her.

"Your Highness, what are you looking at?"

Ye Ruoshui noticed that Xiao Minghuang's eyes were glazed over, as if he was staring at the alchemy furnace in the room, so she asked him a question.

"This alchemy furnace... is it a mid-grade Earth-rank furnace?"

"Yes, this is the prize for the champion of the Alchemy Competition. Without this alchemy furnace, I wouldn't dare say I could refine Heaven-grade pill."

"Could you... give it to me?"

Xiao Minghuang hesitated slightly. After all, this was a pill furnace that Ye Ruoshui had worked so hard to win, and it would be inappropriate for her to just leave without a word.

Upon hearing this, Ye Ruoshui's smile froze on her face, then she nodded. "If Your Highness wants it, then take it!"

Without uttering any unnecessary words, Xiao Minghuang reached out and put the alchemy furnace into his sleeve, then put it back.

"I've returned it to you."

The next moment.

She waved her hand again, and a small purple-gold furnace flew out from her sleeve and hovered in front of Ye Ruoshui.

This small stove is about half a person's height, and its entire body is shimmering with colorful Rosy Clouds, dazzling and Spiritual Qi.

"This is a Heavenly-Rank Pill Refining Furnace, a gift for you. I hope it grants your wish."

Xiao Minghuang looked at Ye Ruoshui with a smile, waiting for her reaction.

Ye Ruoshui stared at the small purple-gold furnace with bright, sparkling eyes, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise. She murmured, "Your Highness, is this... is this a Heaven-Rank Pill Furnace? It's so beautiful!"

She excitedly hugged the Heavenly Pill Furnace, stroking its exquisite patterns like a precious treasure, overjoyed.

"Yes, that's right."

Seeing Ye Ruoshui's happy expression, Xiao Minghuang smiled faintly, and his mood also brightened.

"Thank you, Your Highness! I'm so happy!" Ye Ruoshui was overjoyed and couldn't help but throw herself into Xiao Minghuang's arms.

"As long as you're happy." Xiao Minghuang smiled, affectionately ruffled her hair, and pulled her into his arms.

"Your Highness, let's get some rest..."

Ye Ruoshui leaned shyly against Xiao Minghuang's chest, her voice growing softer and softer.

"Hmm..." Xiao Minghuang nodded.

The next instant, Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui collapsed onto the soft bedding.

Nothing was said that night, only passionate lovemaking.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the window.

"Phew~"

Xiao Minghuang opened her sleepy eyes, lazily stretched, revealing her alluring curves.

She slowly sat up and glanced down at Ye Ruoshui beside her.