After listening to Lin Zhengquan's explanation, Xiao Minghuang understood.
While she had been in seclusion, her spiritual root aptitude had improved. As she cultivated the Five Elements Spiritual Root, she had triggered one phenomenon after another, making all of Great Xia aware that an unparalleled genius had been born in the Savage Forest.
Having understood the whole story, Xiao Minghuang pondered briefly before speaking:
"City Lord Lin, please order everyone to keep what happened today strictly secret. Simply say that a genius has been born. Not a single word of the specific details may be revealed!"
Hearing this, City Lord Lin gave a bitter smile and said awkwardly:
"Your Highness, the heaven-shaking phenomenon covered hundreds of miles. How could it possibly be concealed?"
Xiao Minghuang shook her head slightly and explained:
"City Lord Lin, you misunderstand. I do not intend to conceal the matter completely. Rather, I intend to..."
After hearing Xiao Minghuang's detailed explanation, Lin Zhengquan suddenly understood and nodded.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. This subject will certainly handle it properly!"
The cultivation of the Five Elements Spiritual Root had triggered the Five-Colored Divine Light, illuminating the heavens. Martial artists across Great Xia had all witnessed it.
However, only those present had seen the phenomenon caused by a Heaven-tier spiritual root. It was not impossible to hide.
They only needed to claim to the outside world that the phenomenon had merely been caused by a Mysterious-grade Low-rank Five Elements Spiritual Root.
Although a Mysterious-grade Low-rank Five Elements Spiritual Root was rare, it would not invite a fatal disaster.
Having received his orders, Lin Zhengquan led everyone away.
The courtyard returned to peace, and Xiao Minghuang suddenly realized that Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu had not come to congratulate her on such a major breakthrough.
Given their personalities, they should have long since been waiting outside her door.
"Perhaps they took the pills and are currently in seclusion cultivating."
Xiao Minghuang summoned an attendant and learned after asking that it was indeed as she had expected.
Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu had entered seclusion at nearly the same time as her, and seven days had already passed.
Thinking of the heaven-shaking phenomenon she had triggered while in seclusion, Xiao Minghuang's delicate brows knitted slightly.
"A tree that rises above the forest will be toppled by the wind. I need to set up several more layers of Breath Sealing Arrays. Ruoshui and Wanqiu's aptitudes cannot be exposed."
With that thought, Xiao Minghuang immediately took action. She summoned attendants from the City Lord's residence and laid down layer upon layer of Breath Sealing Arrays in Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu's courtyards.
Even after making every preparation, Xiao Minghuang still could not set her mind at ease. She ordered the attendants to prepare materials in case of unforeseen events, then waited outside their courtyards for Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu to emerge from seclusion.
"Ruoshui originally only had a Yellow-grade Low-rank Spirit Root. After taking the Essence Replenishing Pill, her spiritual root should have improved, but at most to Yellow-grade Mid-rank. This time, after taking the Five-Turn Essence Cultivation Pill, she should at least rise to Mysterious Tier High-grade. If she is lucky, even a Mysterious Tier Peak-grade is not beyond hope."
"Wanqiu was born with blocked meridians, yet by relying on spirit stones and pills, she had already cultivated to the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Level at only fourteen. Such talent is considerably stronger than mine was before. After taking the Five-Viscera Spirit Essence Pill, she should at least reach an Earth-tier Mid-rank Spirit Root. I only wonder whether she can cultivate a Five Elements Spiritual Root."
Looking at Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu's small courtyards, Xiao Minghuang narrowed her eyes and fell into thought.
Miss Shimizu's Perfect Ending Method
She had become the heroine of one of those gal games, forced by the system to collect every ending before she could fulfill her wish.
During her quest to collect perfect endings, Shimizu Sakoi was imprisoned, subjected to this and that by darkened girls, and even tearfully **, yet she endured it all. But just as she reached the final ending, the system suddenly died. Shimizu Sakoi then repaid resentment with virtue, wondering how she could make everyone happy.
Ayase Aoi: Then that means I'm the number one loyal dog
Fujiwara Yuki: Because I'm the overpowered long-haired black-haired beauty of this version
Amami Saori: Say it. I will protect everything about our childhood-friend bond
Natsukawa Amane: Reforge the glory of the girl who fell from the sky; it is our duty
Shimizu Sakoi: It only counts as success if I don't get * by four people
Being able to serve as Your Highness's maid is enough to fulfill my wish in this life!
Not long after.
Activity first appeared in Ye Ruoshui's small courtyard.
A wave of pure spiritual energy surged forth, spreading outward again and again as it struck the Breath Sealing Array.
But it lasted only a few breaths before falling silent.
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang ordered:
"Remove the array!"
"Yes!"
As the Breath Sealing Array was removed, Ye Ruoshui's small courtyard was completely exposed, and the aura of the Body Tempering Peak Realm spread out.
The next moment.
The courtyard gate suddenly opened, and a petite, exquisite figure stepped out. The young girl's small face was fair with a rosy glow, carrying a little round baby fat that made her look exceptionally adorable.
Yet what drew even more attention were the pair of full, abundant curves upon the girl's chest, impossible to look away from.
Xiao Minghuang narrowed her eyes and carefully observed Ye Ruoshui's changes.
She discovered that Ye Ruoshui had grown a little more after her seclusion. Aside from becoming taller, the curves on her chest had become rounder and fuller.
They had seemed to shrink after her previous cultivation, but after this seclusion, they had grown back, even surpassing their former size.
She had originally been able to grasp them with one hand, but now, she feared even that would be somewhat beyond her strength.
At the same time, she sensed Ye Ruoshui's increase in cultivation. She had already reached the Body Tempering Peak Realm. The medicinal effect of this Five-Turn Essence Cultivation Pill was better than Xiao Minghuang had imagined.
With affection in her brows and eyes and light, lively steps, the young girl bounced over to Xiao Minghuang. A radiant smile appeared on her pretty face as she said sweetly:
"Big Sister, I'm already at the Body Tempering Peak Realm now!"
"Not bad!"
Xiao Minghuang straightened up and smiled as she stroked Ye Ruoshui's soft hair.
After this seclusion, Ye Ruoshui had grown considerably taller and had already reached Xiao Minghuang's eye level.
If Xiao Minghuang wanted to pat her head as she had before, she now had to raise her arm completely to reach it.
Ye Ruoshui cooperatively bent down slightly, allowing Xiao Minghuang to complete the head pat.
In truth, compared to raising her cultivation, Ye Ruoshui preferred being patted on the head and praised by her Highness.
It was around this time.
A powerful aura burst from Lin Wanqiu's small courtyard and swept outward like waves, three parts stronger than the fluctuations caused when Ye Ruoshui had broken through.
The spiritual energy between heaven and earth seemed to have been folded, rolling outward like a tide. Even the Breath Sealing Array could barely restrain the restless aura.
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang's expression turned grave. She immediately circulated her spiritual power and sacrificed all the prepared materials, continuously reinforcing the Breath Sealing Array.
As time passed and the array materials were nearly exhausted, the restless aura within the courtyard gradually calmed.
The surrounding spiritual energy gradually returned to tranquility, and Xiao Minghuang finally let out a long breath.
At the same time.
The courtyard gate opened, and a graceful figure emerged. The young girl was elegant and willowy, with black hair, skin white as snow, a slender waist, straight legs, bright eyes and pearly teeth, picturesque brows, delicate features, and an ethereal beauty.
Like Ye Ruoshui, Lin Wanqiu had also entered the Body Tempering Peak Realm. The power of her blood and qi churned within her, and faint spiritual energy fluctuations surrounded her body.
Moreover.
Her aura was more solid than Ye Ruoshui's, and the power of her blood and qi was even more surging and majestic. She seemed only one step away from entering the Qi Refining Realm.
Lin Wanqiu swayed gracefully as she walked before Xiao Minghuang, bending slightly with a beaming smile as she said softly:
"Thank you, Your Highness, for bestowing the pill. This little woman's meridians are now clear, and I have broken through to the Body Tempering Peak Realm."
Xiao Minghuang smiled faintly. Looking at the young girl before her, a flash of admiration could not help appearing in her eyes.
The original Lin Wanqiu had already been very beautiful, but because she had been born with blocked meridians and could not fulfill her ambitions, an unmelting sorrow had always lingered between her brows.
After taking the pill, her meridians had been cleared and the knot in her heart untied. No trace of gloom remained on her elegant, beautiful face.
The current Lin Wanqiu was brilliantly and boldly beautiful. Simply seeing her warm smile made one feel greatly cheered, as though it could infect everyone around her.
Seeing that Lin Wanqiu's blocked meridians had been resolved, Xiao Minghuang was equally happy for her. She reached out and stroked the other girl's soft hair, smiling as she said:
"Wanqiu, from this day onward, you are a flying dragon soaring through the skies, no longer bound by any shackles!"
Yet upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu shook her head. Three parts gratitude and seven parts sincerity flowed from her beautiful eyes as she said each word clearly:
"If not for Your Highness, this little woman would never have been able to clear her meridians in this lifetime. Your Highness's great kindness cannot be repaid."
"This little woman does not wish to be a flying dragon soaring through the nine heavens. I only wish to be a little maid, serving tea and pouring water for Your Highness, changing Your Highness's clothes and tying Your Highness's hair. That alone would fulfill my wish in this life!"
Seeing her resolute expression, Xiao Minghuang said no more.
At this moment.
Lin Zhengquan flew over through the air and landed on the ground. With a glance, he spotted his daughter, Lin Wanqiu.
But when he sensed the aura emanating from his daughter, his eyes immediately widened in shock and delight.
"Wanqiu, you... your meridians have been cleared?!"
Lin Wan[>&
"This is all thanks to the pill bestowed by Your Highness. Only then could your daughter clear her meridians and embark upon the path of cultivation."
Lin Zhengquan turned his gaze toward Xiao Minghuang. Knowing that she had given that precious Essence Replenishing Pill to Lin Wanqiu, his face filled with gratitude as he dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for clearing my daughter's meridians. Such great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten for all eternity!"
Xiao Minghuang made a gesture as though to help Lin Zhengquan up and smiled.
"City Lord Lin, I cannot accept such a grand courtesy."
Lin Wanqiu hurried forward and helped her father to his feet.
"Father, Your Highness does not like such empty formalities. Please do not do this!"
Lin Zhengquan wiped away his tears and stood up, his face full of relief and comfort.
"Father only has you as a daughter. As long as you are well, Father will be satisfied in this life."
"Father..."
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu was also moved. Her eyes reddened as she lowered her head.
Her meridians had been blocked since childhood. Even the Imperial Family Enshrined had declared that she had no hope of cultivation in this life, yet Lin Zhengquan had never given up. He had spent vast amounts of spirit stones and pills to support her cultivation.
As a father, Lin Zhengquan had not wronged her in the slightest.
Just as a moving scene of deep father-daughter affection was about to unfold, Xiao Minghuang could not help coughing lightly, interrupting the touching moment.
"City Lord Lin, I have been in seclusion for quite some time. On what day has the martial contest been set?"
Hearing Xiao Minghuang bring up this matter, Lin Zhengquan could not help looking somewhat embarrassed. He had been so overjoyed upon learning that Lin Wanqiu's meridians had been cleared that he had forgotten the important matter.
Lin Zhengquan composed himself and gathered his thoughts. After a moment, he spoke:
"Thank you for Your Highness's concern. The date of the martial contest with the Golden Elephant Kingdom has been set for three days from now."
Xiao Minghuang nodded and continued asking:
"Does City Lord Lin know the backgrounds of those participating for the Golden Elephant Kingdom?"
Lin Zhengquan smiled.
"This subject has already investigated everything clearly..."
At that point, he turned and looked around. "This is not a suitable place to speak. Would Your Highness be willing to accompany this subject to the main hall for discussion?"
Xiao Minghuang nodded.
"City Lord Lin, please lead the way."
Before long, the group arrived at the main hall of the City Lord's residence.
After everyone took their seats, Lin Zhengquan carefully explained the entire course of events and all the details regarding the martial contest.
Before you continue