Chapter 220

Do you recognize this elixir?

Xiao Minghuang asked.

"The Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill! It's a secret elixir of the Hundred Inquiries Pavilion. The formula has long been made public, but the most crucial ingredient it requires is the Spirit Returning Root, which outsiders cannot obtain, thus making the elixir impossible to refine."

Ye Ruoshui's face was full of surprise as she asked, "How did Your Highness obtain so many Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pills?"

Although the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill is only Earth Tier Top-grade pill, it contains a large amount of Innate Qi, so even cultivators at the Half-step King Realm have a need for it.

According to the Hundred Inquiries Pavilion, the Zaichen Spiritual Root can only produce a few grains of powder each year, so very few pills can be made from it, and its price has always remained high.

"So, this pill can't be refined anymore?"

Xiao Minghuang was somewhat disappointed.

However, upon reflection, it becomes clear that the bottleneck in producing high-level pills lies not in the alchemist, but in the precious spiritual herbs.

Even the most skilled cook can't make a meal without rice; no matter how high a level of alchemy is, without the right ingredients, nothing can be made.

Ye Ruoshui frowned and said, "The Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill is quite addictive, and is usually only used by cultivators who are in long-term seclusion. However, this also makes it very stable, allowing for better absorption of its medicinal power, and it contains very few impurities."

"The Heaven-grade pill I'm currently refining is called the Five-Colored Fire Lotus Pill. The required materials are very common, but the quantity needed is large, and it contains more impurities after consumption. It requires a higher-level spiritual root for more effective absorption. However, overall, its medicinal power is stronger than the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill."

"Once I've refined this pill, Your Highness can try it. I believe it will be even more effective than the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill!"

Ye Ruoshui spoke eloquently, explaining that when she prepared to refine the pills, she designed the formula based on Xiao Minghuang's condition. Naturally, the finished pills would have the best effect on Xiao Minghuang, making it a tailor-made product.

Her confident demeanor made Xiao Minghuang nod slightly, revealing a gratified expression.

"Well, that's fine!" Xiao Minghuang smiled. "Then I'll leave it to you, Ruoshui!"

"Your Highness is too kind."

Ye Ruoshui smiled, pursing her lips.

After chatting with her for a few more minutes, Xiao Minghuang took his leave.

Amidst the misty mountains, a figure swiftly traversed the landscape, soon arriving at a sparsely populated market. Using a teleportation array, the figure returned to their residence in the Second Academy.

Xiao Minghuang entered the quiet room, and with a flick of her sleeve, countless pills flew out.

"The Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill returned by the system this time is enough for me to break through to the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm!"

Xiao Minghuang sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing and gather his magical power, preparing to break through to the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm.

She had only recently broken through to the Primal Embryo Realm and was currently only at the fourth Primal Embryo Realm. However, her urgent desire to improve her strength, as well as the upcoming Heavenly Dipper Assembly in five years, compelled her to prepare for a series of breakthroughs.

Fortunately, she had a large number of Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill, so she didn't need to worry about lacking the foundation to break through.

All she lacks is time.

Time flies.

Four years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the quiet room where Xiao Minghuang lived, a surging and powerful pressure suddenly erupted, shaking all directions.

At her lower abdomen, a golden-red ball of light shone with dazzling brilliance, like a star suspended in the air. Visible ripples of spiritual energy spread outwards, causing the void to tremble.

She suddenly opened her eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

"We finally succeeded!"

She felt the immense magical power within her body and smiled with satisfaction.

"The potency of the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill is indeed powerful. Just one hundred pills were enough to break through my cultivation level to the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm!"

Xiao Minghuang remembered that Gu Qingyu had reminded her not to take too many pills, but now it seemed that those words might not be appropriate for her.

At least when she broke through, if the dosage of the medicine had not been increased decisively, she would probably have failed at the last moment.

She examined her Dantian and found that the primordial embryo, which was originally only six inches in size, had grown to three feet in size.

Moreover, Xiao Minghuang felt that her control over the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had become more refined, allowing her to exert greater power with less magical energy.

In other words, its battery life has been improved.

In this state, Xiao Minghuang even felt that he could fight against a Nascent Soul Realm expert.

Of course, this is just her speculation, and the truth still needs to be verified.

Just then, she sensed two powerful auras rapidly approaching.

The next moment, a clear and melodious voice came from outside the door.

"Miss Xiao, the master requests your presence."

Xiao Minghuang pushed open the door and saw the Little Lily Sisters standing outside.

Lead the way.

Xiao Minghuang nodded and followed them as they flew into the distance.

Passing through the sea of clouds and around the mountains, a huge lake suddenly appears in front of us.

On the shore of the lake, a woman dressed in a moon-white dress stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at the distant horizon.

"Owner!"

The two women stopped, bowed respectfully, and then withdrew.

"The First Seat!"

Xiao Minghuang bowed respectfully.

The woman in the moon-white dress slowly turned around. She had a beautiful face, a graceful figure, skin as white as snow, and beautiful eyes like autumn waves. She was elegant and unparalleled, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

What did you call me?

A hint of helplessness appeared on Xiao Minghuang's lips as she called out, "Qingkong."

"That's more like it." Mu Qingkong smiled slightly. "I didn't expect that you would go from the initial Primal Embryo Realm to the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm in just four years. Even with the help of the Hundred Inquiries Pavilion's Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill, the speed is still quite astonishing."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was immediately startled. How did she know that I had used the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill?

Seeing Xiao Minghuang's surprised reaction, Mu Qingkong chuckled, "I've used this pill before, so I naturally know what the reaction is after taking it. Your residence is under my watchful eye at all times... You think you can hide from me by setting up a concealment array? I cultivate the Way of Void."

264. Ziwei Sect

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang felt a chill run down her spine.

Since Mu Qingkong knew she possessed the Load Sinking Spirit Returning Pill, and in large quantities, how could she explain having so many pills?

Has she already discovered her relationship with Gu Qingyu?

Xiao Minghuang took a deep breath and tried to appear calm as she asked, "Why did Qingkong summon me here?"

"Naturally, it's the Heavenly Dipper Assembly." Mu Qingkong said, "The Heavenly Dipper Assembly will begin in a year. I didn't have much confidence in you before and didn't want you to participate, but seeing that you have already broken through to the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm, I think you won't fail to pass the elimination rounds."

Seeing that Mu Qingkong didn't suspect anything, Xiao Minghuang felt relieved and asked in confusion, "I'm already at the peak of the Primal Embryo Realm, how come I can't even pass the elimination rounds?"

"If we only consider those in the Primal Embryo Realm, you indeed have no rivals. However, the Heavenly Dipper Assembly is not limited to those in the Nascent Primal Embryo Realm. It mixes all disciples in the Primal Embryo Realm and Nascent Soul Realm together, without distinguishing between realms, treating everyone equally. Those who pass the elimination rounds advance to the selection rounds, while those who fail are directly eliminated and have to come back next time."

Xiao Minghuang frowned, seemingly in thought, and after a moment said, "Then I'll do my best to try and advance smoothly."

Although she was confident in her strength and could hold her own even against opponents at the Nascent Soul Realm, she wasn't so confident that she could defeat a veteran Nascent Soul Realm expert who had accumulated years of experience.

Mu Qingkong nodded and said, "With your current strength, you should have no problem in the elimination rounds, but it will be difficult to achieve a ranking."

"Besides, you haven't fought a single battle since you broke through to the Nascent Primal Embryo Realm, have you?"

Xiao Minghuang nodded. "When I first advanced to the Primal Embryo Realm, I sparred with Han Li, who came with me. Although I defeated him in one move, that shouldn't be considered a real battle."

Mu Qingkong continued, "Therefore, you don't really understand your own true strength right now, so I plan to arrange a training exercise for you so that you can get to know your own power better."

Xiao Minghuang raised an eyebrow. "What kind of training?"

"So you're agreeing to this?"

Xiao Minghuang found it strange; it was just a training exercise, what was there to be unable to accept?

"Certainly."

With a pleased smile on her lips, Mu Qingkong took a few steps back, waved her hand, and a gray object appeared in her palm, emitting a faint glow. Faint Dao patterns flowed around it, extremely mysterious.

This strange object was only the size of a fist, and its twists and turns, with countless strokes swirling around it, resembled an ancient character.

But if it were described as a single character, Xiao Minghuang couldn't decipher what it was.

"This is?"

"This is an ancient character that has been passed down from long ago. I obtained it from a secret realm when I was young, and it can help you in your trials."

Xiao Minghuang frowned and asked, "What character is this?"

Mu Qingkong hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "These characters are too ancient; I don't recognize them."

Xiao Minghuang was puzzled. If he didn't even know the meaning of this word, how could he help her with her training?

"Take it!"

After saying that, Mu Qingkong waved his hand and slapped the ancient character towards her.

Xiao Minghuang wanted to block it and return it, but the moment the ancient character touched her arm, it vanished instantly, like snow meeting fire.

She quickly examined herself and found that the ancient character had entered her Primordial Spirit space, quietly floating there without emitting any aura, and even the faint Daoist charm had been concealed.

"Clear sky, what exactly is the function of this ancient character?"

Xiao Minghuang was still a little worried and asked again.

"You'll understand once you go out and meet strangers," Mu Qingkong said somewhat vaguely. "I have some things to attend to, you go ahead. Remember to spar with others more often; you won't improve by just focusing on your training."

After she left those words, her figure gradually faded and eventually disappeared completely.

"What does this mean... that wretched riddle teller!"

Xiao Minghuang rubbed his head in frustration, feeling somewhat bewildered.

She tried to probe the ancient character repeatedly, but received no clues whatsoever.

However, she always felt that this ancient character was not simple, as if it contained something hidden...

"Sigh..." she sighed, "Oh well, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. We'll figure out what this word is eventually. There's no need to keep thinking about it."

Xiao Minghuang turned and walked towards the teleportation array. After four years of seclusion, she planned to first visit Ye Ruoshui, and then inquire about any training opportunities within the Holy Academy.

Before long, Xiao Minghuang arrived near Ye Ruoshui's cave.

However, this time she saw several powerful figures, each of whom was Nascent Soul Realm expert!

"Hmm?" Xiao Minghuang narrowed his eyes. Why were all these guys gathered outside Ye Ruoshui's cave?

She immediately became alert.

At the same time.

The group of the Nascent Soul Realm also noticed Xiao Minghuang's appearance.

"Who goes there? Show yourself!" a man in white shouted.

Seeing that she had been discovered, Xiao Minghuang stepped out of the clouds and cautiously asked, "Did you all gather here to find Senior Sister Ye to refine pills?"

"Who are you, and why are you here?" Everyone stared at Xiao Minghuang.

"I've come to ask Senior Sister Ye to refine pills." Xiao Minghuang did not reveal her true identity, after all, the group of people in front of her looked unfriendly and seemed to have a grudge against Ye Ruoshui.

Upon hearing this, the group immediately lost interest. The leader, a man in purple robes, waved his hand impatiently and said, "Ye Ruoshui doesn't have time to refine pills for you. Don't come again!"

Xiao Minghuang remained calm and asked, "Fellow Daoist, what makes you say this? Has Ye Ruoshui offended someone?"

"Hmph! This little wench burned our Ziwei Sect senior brother to death. Does she think she can get away with it by hiding in her cave? We'll keep an eye on her for the rest of our lives... Hey! What's it to you? Get out of here, or you'll regret it!"

The man in purple robes shouted coldly.

Xiao Minghuang's expression darkened slightly. During her seclusion, Ye Ruoshui had actually incurred the wrath of the Ziwei Sacred Land.

Within the Holy Academy, disciples from various holy lands and aristocratic families form their own groups, such as sects or societies, which wield considerable influence among the disciples.

"I'd better retreat first, figure out what's going on, and then make any plans..."

Xiao Minghuang pondered for a moment, then turned to leave.

However, a voice came from behind.

"Hey, wait a minute, turn around. You look kind of familiar," the purple-robed man suddenly called out to Xiao Minghuang.