Chapter 83

"Break!"

With a single punch, a massive golden fist shadow roared out, carrying an indescribable aura of power, instantly traversing more than ten zhang and landing directly on a boulder.

Rumble!

The massive boulder, tens of meters high, was instantly blasted into dust!

The enormous fist shadow, still undiminished in power, swept forward for nearly a hundred feet.

Wherever it went, all the rocks and vegetation were instantly crushed, leaving a deep ravine in the earth.

"That punch was incredibly powerful!"

Seeing the power of that punch, Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but widen her eyes and gasp.

This punch was not her full-force attack, nor did she use any supernatural powers or magical treasures.

Therefore, it can be seen that if combined with supernatural powers and magical treasures...

A single sword strike could likely sever rivers and level mountains!

"Although I'm already very strong..."

"But this is just the beginning!"

Xiao Minghuang's expression calmed down, her eyes becoming as still as water.

The royal competition will be held in two weeks.

That will be the time for her to make a name for herself and truly establish her reputation as a prodigy!

Xiao Minghuang returned to the Princess Mansion and had only rested inside for less than a quarter of an hour when Ye Ruoshui rushed over, her face beaming with joy.

"Your Highness! My alchemy furnace has been successfully completed!"

As she spoke, Ye Ruoshui took out a small, exquisite cyan alchemy furnace, no bigger than a golden egg, from her storage bag as if presenting a treasure.

Upon seeing the small bridge and exquisite alchemy furnace, Xiao Minghuang was taken aback and asked:

"Ruoshui, why is your alchemy furnace so small?"

Ye Ruoshui said with a grin:

"Your Highness, don't underestimate it. This is a top-grade Yellow-rank alchemy furnace, made from many precious spiritual materials. Most importantly, it contains array talismans that can control the size of the furnace body. It can grow large or small at will, which is quite miraculous!"

"Oh?"

Xiao Minghuang looked curious. Her understanding of unorthodox teachings was limited to books; she only knew the general outlines and knew very little about the specific effects of various talismans.

"Your Highness, please take a look."

After Ye Ruoshui finished speaking, she waved her right hand lightly, and a cyan light flashed up. Then, a ball of cyan light surrounded the alchemy furnace, and the shape of the alchemy furnace gradually enlarged.

After a few breaths, the alchemy furnace returned to its original state, becoming five feet in size.

At this moment, Ye Ruoshui stretched out her right hand again and pointed a finger at the alchemy furnace.

Instantly, ripples of Spiritual Qi spread across the surface of the alchemy furnace, shimmering with a bluish light. The furnace returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly, a smile appearing on her face, and said, "It seems your alchemy furnace is truly amazing."

"This is all thanks to Your Highness. The method for refining the alchemy furnace is something I learned from the Heavenly Refining Art."

Ye Ruoshui said with gratitude on her face.

She benefited greatly from the Heavenly Refining Art, not only improving her cultivation but also significantly enhancing her skills in alchemy and weapon crafting.

She is now capable of refining Xuan-level pills and Huang-level magic weapons.

"Good job, keep up the good work!"

Xiao Minghuang raised his hand, patted Ye Ruoshui's head, and said with a smile.

"Yes, I will definitely continue to work hard!" Ye Ruoshui nodded solemnly and said.

Now that things have come to this, she no longer insists that Ye Ruoshui balance improving her cultivation and studying unorthodox methods.

Everyone has their own path to walk. If Ye Ruoshui can achieve something in unorthodox techniques, it might not be a bad thing for her.

Moreover, judging from Ye Ruoshui's expression, she seemed to be enjoying it immensely.

After chatting with Ye Ruoshui for a few minutes, just as she was about to leave...

"Oh, right, there's something I almost forgot to tell Your Highness."

Ye Ruoshui said:

"Yesterday, the steward of the Wu'an King's Residence came to invite Your Highness to a banquet at the residence tomorrow night. He said that all the princes and princesses have already gathered in the capital, and this would be a good opportunity to see the princes and princesses in person."

As she spoke, Ye Ruoshui took out a gold-embossed invitation from her sleeve.

Xiao Minghuang accepted the invitation and unfolded it to read.

"I've long heard of Princess Ziwei..."

"... yours truly!"

After reading the invitation, Xiao Minghuang's expression became complicated as she fell into thought.

The invitation read that King Wu'an invited her to a banquet, adding that all the princes would be attending.

In other words, the Sixth Prince, who has been a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect for many years, and the First Prince, who was sent to a remote area, will also attend!

"The King Wu'an certainly wields considerable influence..."

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

But what's most intriguing is the language in the letter, which is almost pleading. It doesn't seem like an ordinary invitation; it's more like an invitation to a distinguished guest, leaving one puzzled.

Seeing the thoughtful look in His Highness's eyes, Ye Ruoshui did not rush to disturb him, but waited quietly.

After a while, Xiao Minghuang composed herself and put away the invitation.

"This matter is quite strange. Let's go find Wanqiu and discuss it in detail."

"Um!"

Ye Ruoshui nodded repeatedly. With her limited brain, she probably couldn't offer any constructive suggestions, so she could only rely on Sister Lin for advice.

Before long, the two arrived at Lin Wanqiu's courtyard.

Just as Lin Wanqiu had stabilized her cultivation, she heard a knock on the door.

She opened the door and saw Xiao Minghuang and Ye Ruoshui arriving together, her expression slightly taken aback.

"Your Highness, Ruoshui, is there something important?"

Xiao Minghuang looked at her, took out the invitation from his bosom, and said:

"Could you help me take a look? This is an invitation from the Wu'an King's Residence's residence. Should I go?"

Lin Wanqiu accepted the invitation and said:

"Please come in and have a seat!"

After the three of them were seated, Lin Wanqiu unfolded the invitation and took a close look at its contents.

After a moment's thought, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

"The King Wu'an said that the First Prince and the Sixth Prince will attend the banquet. This is no small matter!"

Xiao Minghuang nodded and said:

"I think so too. The First Prince is born with a weak body and cannot cultivate. Even if he returns to the capital, he has no chance of competing for the throne. Why would the King Wu'an invite him?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu shook her head and asked in return:

"If the First Prince truly cannot contend for the position of Crown Prince, then the King Wu'an would not have invited him, much less lavishly praised him in the invitation!"

"Furthermore, the invitation mentions that the Sixth Prince's strength is unfathomable, and he may have already grasped the Sword Intent Embryo, making him a strong contender for the throne!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and asked:

Why did the King Wu'an tell me all this?

Lin Wanqiu explained:

"Among these messages, the matter concerning the Sixth Prince is not exactly a secret. After all, he is a disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect and has a well-known reputation. As long as we investigate carefully, we will definitely be able to find out some clues."

"But information about the First Prince is extremely scarce; it's practically a complete blank."

"The King Wu'an must have a very deep purpose in telling Your Highness such valuable information!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang suddenly had a guess and blurted it out.

"King Wu'an, are you trying to win me over?!"

108. King Wu'an, swearing allegiance?

Lin Wanqiu nodded slightly, having guessed the meaning behind it.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be!"

"What is his intention?"

Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"In that case, the rumor that the First Prince was born with a weak constitution is probably unfounded."

Lin Wanqiu pondered for a moment and said:

"Whether it's true or false, it's hard to say until we meet the First Prince."

"Your Highness may attend this banquet, but please be extra careful."

Xiao Minghuang nodded:

"I know that."

After discussing the banquet arrangements, the three relaxed.

During their casual conversation, Xiao Minghuang suggested that Lin Wanqiu attend the banquet with her, but was refused.

When Xiao Minghuang asked for the reason, Lin Wanqiu did not give a direct answer.

"If the King Wu'an causes trouble at this banquet, my presence will only cause trouble for Your Highness."

"If the King Wu'an wants to win over Your Highness, my presence would only get in the way. It would be better for Your Highness to go yourself."

At this moment, Ye Ruoshui, who had been sitting to the side drinking tea, suddenly spoke up:

"What if Your Highness gets drunk again at the banquet?"

"How about I go with Your Highness?"

Upon hearing this, a blush appeared on Lin Wanqiu's fair and pretty face.

Last time in Beiyang City, after His Highness got drunk, the two of them secretly kissed him.

Looking back now, it still makes me feel very embarrassed.

"Luckily, Her Highness didn't notice that we secretly kissed her while she was asleep, otherwise we would have been finished!"

Lin Wanqiu felt fortunate.

Xiao Minghuang hadn't thought about it that way. She shook her head slightly and chuckled:

"Last time in Beiyang City, it was on my own turf, so I got drunk and that was that. This time, going to the Wu'an King's Residence is like a lamb entering a tiger's den, so how could I possibly get drunk? Ruoshui, you're overthinking it."

Ye Ruoshui felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this.

"Sister Lin, can't you accompany His Highness?"

She knew that King Wu'an was a very bad guy who had always wanted to harm His Highness. This time, she was going to the banquet alone, and she was afraid that she would be in grave danger.

Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Ruoshui, you should trust His Highness. Besides, His Highness won't be alone at this banquet; there will be other princes, and even some court officials and nobles will be present. As long as His Highness is cautious, there will be no danger."

Seeing Ye Ruoshui's gloomy and uneasy expression, Xiao Minghuang knew that after the last assassination attempt, Ye Ruoshui was like a frightened bird, and had a strong fear of King Wu'an.