From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Empress

Reporter:

"Could you be a little clearer?"

"Alright. Women are like rosy skeletons, and men are like blue skeletons..."

"So, you mean—you're not an ancient... cough, cough, so you don't eat bones?"

"Mm."

Yi Lü nodded faintly. The next second.

Bang—!

A berserk beggar group leader made a dazzling appearance!

The black-haired, energetic big dog skillfully stuffed the fainted Sarkaz into a sack, then carried her and, with a cold-snorting Doberman, headed deep into Rhodes Island's main ship.

The reporter froze, then quietly put away his recording equipment, silently lighting a candle for the Sarkaz in his heart.

32. Savage Forest, Spirit Vein Martial Competition

The group returned to the courtyard.

In the dimly lit small room, Xiao Minghuang sat on the bed, with Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu standing before her.

The two girls' gazes would always drift towards each other unintentionally, but before their eyes could meet, they would return to Xiao Minghuang.

A sense of gunpowder filled the tranquil and peaceful bedroom for some unknown reason.

Faced with this situation, Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly, finding it a bit troublesome, especially since she was already very tired and just wanted to sleep well.

"Ruoshui, Wanqiu, you should go rest first. We can talk about things tomorrow," Xiao Minghuang said softly.

Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu were not unreasonable or difficult girls. Seeing the fatigue on Xiao Minghuang's face, they didn't press further and left after saying goodnight.

After the two girls left, Xiao Minghuang lay on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning.

After a night's rest, Xiao Minghuang slowly opened her eyes. After washing up, she walked outside.

The courtyard had towering rocks, birds singing, flowers fragrant, and a unique scenery that made one feel refreshed and happy.

Xiao Minghuang sat down on a bamboo chair under the corridor, circulated her Cultivation Method, and planned to continue cultivating.

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock sounded at the door.

"Is it Wanqiu, or that girl Ruoshui?"

Xiao Minghuang thought this as she walked to the door, only to see an unexpected guest.

City Lord Lin stood at the door, a smile on his face.

"Your Highness Ninth, did you sleep well last night?"

Xiao Minghuang nodded and said:

"City Lord Lin's arranged courtyard is excellent. I am very satisfied."

After exchanging pleasantries, they walked into the pavilion in the courtyard and sat down.

As they spoke, Lin Zhengquan took out a storage bag and a brocade box from his sleeve and placed them on the table.

"Last night, we confiscated the Chen family's property and found many stolen goods. Most of them have been handed over to the imperial court. This storage bag contains some Spirit Stones and pills. In the brocade box is the Chen family's ancestral treasure. Please take a look, Your Highness."

Hearing this, a hint of surprise appeared in Xiao Minghuang's eyes. The Chen family was convicted last night, and it had only been three to four hours, yet the vast Chen family had already been annihilated.

With just the City Lord's Mansion's power, it would be difficult to accomplish this. The three great families must have contributed significantly, and they would naturally want a share of the benefits.

Xiao Minghuang did not open the brocade box. Instead, she first probed the storage bag with her spiritual sense and found many Spirit Stones and pills.

There were over eight thousand Spirit Stones and quite a few pills, but most of them were Yellow Tier mid- and low-grade pills, and their quality was poor, mostly around sixty percent.

After examining the storage bag, the brocade box was opened.

As the box opened, a rich medicinal fragrance emanated, filling the entire courtyard.

"This pill is called Spirit Infusion Pill. It is a Yellow Tier top-grade pill with potent medicinal effects, helpful for Qi Refining Realm cultivators to improve their cultivation. I hope Your Highness will accept it."

"Spirit Infusion Pill?"

Xiao Minghuang looked at the brocade box.

In the exquisite brocade box lay a pill like green jade, its radiance condensed and not scattered. Faint fine lines flowed on its surface, constantly drawing the surrounding spiritual energy towards it.

Seeing the flowing patterns on the pill, Xiao Minghuang was suddenly startled.

"This is... a Pill Pattern?"

Seeing Xiao Minghuang's surprised expression, Lin Zhengquan nodded and smiled, "Your Highness has sharp eyes. This pill's quality is over ninety percent, and it has condensed Pill Patterns. Its medicinal efficacy will last for a long time. Even ordinary Mysterious-grade Low-rank pills are hard to compare. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to present it before Your Highness."

Body Tempering Realm martial artists commonly use Ascension Yuan Pills to greatly boost their cultivation. However, once one reaches the Qi Refining Realm, Ascension Yuan Pills become rather inadequate for increasing cultivation.

Therefore, Qi Refining Realm martial artists often consume Spirit Infusion Pills. But this pill is extremely precious, with only one elderly Imperial Family Enshrined in the entire Great Xia capable of refining it, and an annual output of less than ten pills!

Xiao Minghuang composed herself, looking at Lin Zhengquan with a hint of surprise. The investigation into the Chen family was handled entirely by the City Lord's manor. If this precious pill were to be pocketed privately, no one would know.

She didn't believe the City Lord's manor would be loyal enough to offer her such a valuable pill for free.

If it were because she saved Lin Wanqiu, then offering some Spirit Stones would have been understandable.

But this pill, capable of helping a Qi Refining Realm martial artist advance a minor realm, its contained value was likely far beyond what mere Spirit Stones could measure.

"City Lord Lin is too modest. Pills with Pill Patterns are at least twice as valuable as those without."

"Although this pill is only Yellow Tier top-grade, in terms of price, it's likely difficult to compare even with lower-quality Mysterious-grade Low-rank pills."

Xiao Minghuang had once heard Ye Ruoshui say that any pill that could forge a Pill Pattern had a purity of at least ninety percent, and its efficacy would not diminish over time. The value of such a pill often far exceeded its own grade, making it a rare commodity once it appeared.

Lin Zhengquan gifting such a precious pill made it unavoidable for Xiao Minghuang to question his intentions.

"City Lord Lin, please speak your mind freely. There's no need to be evasive."

Even Xiao Minghuang found it difficult to remain indifferent to such a valuable pill.

But before accepting it, she needed to clearly understand his objective.

Lin Zhengquan revealed a wry smile and spoke slowly:

"Your Highness, you must find me amusing. This matter is a long story..."

After Lin Zhengquan's explanation, Xiao Minghuang had a general understanding of the situation.

A month ago, Beiyang City discovered a Spirit Stone mine near the border and sent people to excavate it. However, within a few days, disciples from the Golden Elephant Kingdom suddenly appeared, injured Beiyang City's martial artists, and occupied the Spirit Stone mine.

After the Chen Family Head's collusion with the enemy nation was exposed, it was confirmed that he had privately informed the Golden Elephant Kingdom and concealed the matter.

With the Spirit Stone mine seized, Beiyang City naturally could not swallow this insult. Thus, they dispatched the Guard Team in an attempt to reclaim the spirit vein.

However, the ruler of the Golden Elephant Kingdom was a Divine Sea Realm expert, and no one in Beiyang City could match him.

After negotiations and concessions, both sides decided to resolve the matter through a martial arts competition.

After listening to Lin Zhengquan's account, Xiao Minghuang sensed the crux of the issue lay with the Spirit Stone mine and thus asked:

"How many Spirit Stones does this Spirit Stone mine produce annually to cause such a stir?"

Lin Zhengquan seemed to hesitate for a moment before replying, "The annual output should reach two thousand Spirit Stones."

Hearing this number, Xiao Minghuang's heart grew serious. Such a massive quantity was indeed enough to incite conflict between two major powers.

"Your Highness, this matter is not just about the quantity of Spirit Stones, but also about the honor of our Great Xia. If we back down today, the Golden Elephant Kingdom will surely press their advantage tomorrow. If this continues, the nation will cease to be a nation!"

Lin Zhengquan spoke with fervent emotion and righteous indignation.

"Oh? Since the problem is so serious, why not report it to the court and request the Imperial Family Enshrined to intervene?"

Xiao Minghuang detected a flaw in his words and thus inquired.

The Great Xia Imperial Family Enshrined were all seasoned Divine Sea Realm experts, possessing great strength and numbers. Even among the thirty-six kingdoms of the Southern Territory, few could match them.

Furthermore, Emperor Xia himself was at the peak of the Divine Sea Realm, known as the strongest under the Spirit Seed Realm. How could he fear a mere ruler of the Golden Elephant Kingdom?

Upon hearing Xiao Minghuang's question, Lin Zhengquan's expression revealed a hint of embarrassment.

"Your Highness knows that for a place rich in spiritual energy like a Spirit Stone mine, if it were reported to the court, Beiyang City would be fortunate to receive thirty percent..."

Lin Zhengquan paused, then continued solemnly, "If Your Highness helps us reclaim the spirit veins, then fifty percent of the annual output of the spirit veins will belong to Your Highness from now on. How about it?"

The spirit vein produced a thousand Spirit Stones annually. Allocating fifty percent meant five hundred Spirit Stones, which was a considerable sacrifice.

However, faced with such a generous offer, Xiao Minghuang shook her head.

"My cultivation is only at the Qi Refining Realm. Even if I wished to help, I am powerless."

Lin Zhengquan explained:

"Your Highness may not know, but this competition is limited to the younger generation and will not involve large-scale conflict."

"Your Highness is a young prodigy with extraordinary strength, reaching the Fourth Level of Qi Refining Realm at the mere age of fourteen. You are a rare gem even in the entire Southern Territory."

"The most talented young genius of the Golden Elephant Kingdom is only at the Qi Refining First Level. How could they possibly be a match for Your Highness in even one exchange?"

"The reason we trouble Your Highness is that after the Chen family was destroyed, the City Lord's manor and the three great families are all that Beiyang City has to offer. We can't even gather enough people to participate."

Xiao Minghuang ignored the preceding flattery, her brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Beiyang City is the foremost city in the north of our Great Xia. How has it declined to this point?"

Lin Zhengquan sighed softly and explained:

"Your Highness may not know, but although Beiyang City is the foremost city in the north, there are no spirit veins or spiritual peaks nearby. Spirit Stones and spiritual herbs are extremely scarce. Yet, we must support a massive army to constantly guard against incursions from the Golden Elephant Sect. The city's finances have long been strained. If not for the occasional support of Spirit Stones from the court, the hundred-thousand-strong army would have likely dispersed long ago!"

Xiao Minghuang asked, "When I passed through the Savage Forest, I saw many places rich in spiritual energy. Although the quality of the spiritual herbs was not high, their quantity was not small. Why doesn't City Lord Lin develop the Savage Forest to supplement military funds?"

Lin Zhengquan gave a wry smile and said, "My father tried this method when he was alive, but the Savage Forest is full of ferocious beasts. Every time the soldiers cultivated a piece of spirit field, those beasts would sneak in at night and devour the spirit fields completely. It was impossible to guard against."

"Not to mention, if the spirit fields were cultivated too extensively, it would trigger a beast tide. Hundreds of thousands of ferocious beasts would riot together, truly shaking the heavens and earth. Even an expert in the Divine Sea Realm would find it difficult to resist."

"Ten years ago, the spirit fields we cultivated in the Savage Forest were destroyed by a beast tide. Many soldiers were reduced to ashes in the disaster, and those who survived were still deeply shaken and no longer dared to venture deep into the Savage Forest."

"Even my father was severely injured in that beast tide. His lifespan was only a little over three hundred years, and he passed away before his destined time."

At this point, Lin Zhengquan's expression darkened.

The old Beiyang City Lord was a Divine Sea Realm expert with a lifespan of five hundred years. Naturally, he did not pass away at the age of fifty when one understands destiny.

What Lin Zhengquan meant by "destined time" was dying prematurely before reaching the end of his natural lifespan.

A Divine Sea Realm expert's lifespan is five hundred years. Xiao Minghuang naturally knew this. The old Beiyang City Lord's death at over three hundred years old after being severely injured could be considered a premature death.

Xiao Minghuang's expression faltered slightly. She had grown up in the capital and had no idea about such past events in Beiyang City.

"The soldiers of Beiyang City have guarded the border and made great contributions through their hard work. After I return to the capital, I will definitely petition Imperial Father to reward Beiyang City!"

Hearing this, Lin Zhengquan's face showed gratitude, and he immediately rose to bow.

"With Your Highness's words, all our years of hardship will not have been in vain!"

Having understood Beiyang City's current predicament, Xiao Minghuang no longer refused and readily agreed to the martial arts competition.

Because we were recommended, and I want to achieve better results, I've been networking with many big shots. The recommendation at the end of the chapter might affect the reading experience of you dear readers. As an expression of apology from the author, I will add more chapters from time to time during the recommendation period. Please forgive me, dear readers!

33. If Your Highness says this to me, won't she be angry if she finds out?

After discussing the spirit vein matter, Lin Zhengquan suddenly looked troubled, hesitating for a long time without speaking.