A trace of bitterness appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face.
The original host had devoted herself entirely to Cultivation and knew nothing about the ways of the world—otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so easily framed.
The Small Servant Girl who was punished and sent to the Cold Palace with her was an orphan she had rescued years ago while out hunting.
Xiao Minghuang had been standing at the gate of the courtyard for a while.
Even if the Small Servant Girl was a bit slow, she still noticed someone had arrived.
She turned around, lifted her short little legs, and ran over to Xiao Minghuang, bowing respectfully as she said, “This servant greets Your Highness!”
Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly and said gently, “Lift your head and let me have a look at you.”
The Small Servant Girl obediently raised her little face.
Her face was delicate and pretty, fair and round, with big bright eyes and long lashes.
At first glance, she looked very likable.
Xiao Minghuang nodded and asked softly, “What was your name before you entered the Palace?”
The Small Servant Girl answered honestly, “This servant’s original surname is Ye, and my name is Ruo Shui.”
Xiao Minghuang smiled.
“Yi Ren Ruo Shui, what a nice name.
From now on, you can go back to your original name—Ye Ruoshui.”
Ye Ruoshui didn’t really understand, but she agreed.
After chatting for a bit, Xiao Minghuang took out an Essence Replenishing Pill.
“You’ve been with me for so many years.
I’m giving you this Pill as a gift.”
With a wave of her hand, a brown Pill with a faint glow appeared and landed in Ye Ruoshui’s palm.
The main effect of the Essence Replenishing Pill was to strengthen the foundation, cleanse the body, and slightly improve one’s Talent.
For someone like Ye Ruoshui, whose Talent was ordinary, it couldn’t be more suitable.
As soon as the Essence Replenishing Pill appeared, its fragrance filled the air.
Ye Ruoshui didn’t know where the Pill came from, but she could tell it was extraordinary and definitely precious.
With such a Treasure/Artifact in front of her, she didn’t dare accept it.
Her face turned red as she tried to refuse, “Your Highness, this is too valuable… I can’t accept such a generous gift.”
Xiao Minghuang said gently, “You’ve been with me for so many years.
You deserve this.
Don’t refuse.”
Ye Ruoshui’s eyes turned red, tears welling up.
If not for Xiao Minghuang’s help, she would have starved to death in the wild long ago.
It was Xiao Minghuang who gave her a warm home, and now she was being given such a precious Spiritual Medicine.
She really didn’t know how to repay the Princess’s great kindness! “Thank you, Your Highness, for your reward.
I have nothing to repay you with, so I can only serve Your Highness even more diligently to show my gratitude!”
“Ruo Shui, there’s no need to be so formal.
You’ve been with me for years—we’re like sisters.
From now on, don’t call yourself a servant anymore.
Just call me Sister!”
Hearing this, Ye Ruoshui’s eyes filled with tears.
She looked at Xiao Minghuang with excitement, all kinds of emotions—admiration, gratitude, respect—flashing across her face.
She seemed to have a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all came down to two: “Sister!”
“Mm!” Xiao Minghuang smiled sweetly and answered.
Ye Ruoshui’s talent was average—just Low-Grade Yellow Rank Three Spiritual Roots.
If she relied only on hard work, she’d be lucky to reach Gushing Spring Realm in her whole Life.
But now that she’d become Xiao Minghuang’s Contractor, no matter her Talent, with all the Opportunity/Chance/Serendipity Xiao Minghuang could give her, she could be pushed into becoming a powerful figure.
Besides, since she’d be giving Ye Ruoshui Opportunity/Chance/Serendipity at any time, it was no longer appropriate to treat her as just a Servant Girl.
Plus, Ye Ruoshui was deeply grateful to her, and Xiao Minghuang really liked this cute little girl.
Treating her as a younger sister was just fine.
She comforted the little girl for a while longer, coaxing Ye Ruoshui until she was smiling through her tears, and then, with Ye Ruoshui’s help, returned to her room.
“Ruo Shui, I’m a bit tired and want to rest for a while.
You’ve worked hard all day too—go rest.”
Ye Ruoshui was still dizzy from being coaxed, her head full of little stars.
Whatever Xiao Minghuang said, she agreed without thinking.
“This servant will go rest now!”
With that, Ye Ruoshui ran out, gently closed the door, and her footsteps faded away.
Listening to the footsteps disappear, Xiao Minghuang’s lips curled up.
“What a cute little girl!”
But… In this world where the strong prey on the weak, if you have no strength, you’re just someone else’s victim!
“System! Where’s my compensation?”
【Ding!】
【Opportunity/Chance/Serendipity given successfully!】
【Congratulations, host.
First gift after binding Contractor has triggered Ten Thousandfold Critical Strike.
You have received a Heaven-Ranked Top-Grade Pill, ‘Creation Mending Heaven Pill’!】
“Nice!” Xiao Minghuang was overjoyed.
She’d expected the Ten Thousandfold Critical Strike to give her a Heaven-Grade Pill, but she hadn’t thought it would be a Heaven-Ranked Top-Grade Pill.
And it wasn’t just any Heaven-Grade Pill, but a supreme elixir that could heal injuries, strengthen the foundation, transform the body, and greatly improve Talent!
Creation Mending Heaven! Just from the name, you could tell—even if someone was gravely injured and barely alive, taking this Pill would instantly restore them to peak condition!
“This little girl really is my lucky star!”
Holding the Divine Pill that glowed with Spiritual Energy in her palm, Xiao Minghuang was very satisfied.
The medicinal power of the Creation Mending Heaven Pill filled the entire Room, turning into a white mist.
Xiao Minghuang took a deep breath, the rich fragrance filling her nose.
She could almost feel her broken meridians slowly reconnecting.
Xiao Minghuang swallowed the Creation Mending Heaven Pill.
The moment the Pill entered her stomach—
A vast power surged up inside her.
The dense energy rushed through her body like a river breaking its banks, flooding her limbs and bones.
As the Pill’s energy swept through, her broken meridians reconnected.
Xiao Minghuang felt like she was about to burst from the overwhelming power.
“Such strong medicinal power!”
It didn’t take long.
Xiao Minghuang’s pale face faded away, replaced by a healthy flush.
Her weakness vanished completely.
There was even a faint heroic spirit between her brows.
After taking the Creation Mending Heaven Pill, Xiao Minghuang’s Aura/Momentum was completely different from before!
Buzz!
With the last sound—
Centered on Xiao Minghuang’s body,
Waves of golden light rippled out.
She was surrounded by a cloud of golden mist!
The Aura/Momentum coming from her body grew more and more solid!
Her aura soared rapidly!
Body Tempering First Level!
Body Tempering Second Level!
…
Body Tempering Ninth Level!
Body Tempering Ninth Level Peak!
No one knew how long this state lasted, until the golden light around her slowly faded.
Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes.
The moment her enchanting peach blossom eyes opened, a sharp Golden Light flashed through them!
“Whew!” Xiao Minghuang let out a long breath, steadying herself.
“A Heaven-Ranked Top-Grade Pill really is extraordinary.
Not only did it completely heal all my meridians, it even raised my Gold Spiritual Root from Profound Rank Low Grade to Earth Rank Middle Grade!”
“And it actually pushed my Realm/Cultivation Stage to Body Tempering Ninth Level Peak—just one step away from Qi Refining Realm!”
The path of cultivation is divided into ten major Realm/Cultivation Stages.
Body Tempering Realm, Qi Refining Realm, Gushing Spring Realm, Divine Sea Realm, Spirit Seed Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, Transformation God Realm, Life and Death Realm, Longevity Realm, World Source Realm.
The strongest in Great Xia, an Old Ancestor of the Royal Family, is a Spirit Seed Realm expert!
As for the higher Realm/Cultivation Stages, she’d only read about them in books—she had no idea what powers they held.
Other than the Spirit Seed Realm Old Ancestor, the strongest person in Great Xia on the surface was the Xia Emperor at Divine Sea Realm.
How many Royal Family Elders were hidden in the shadows, no one knew.
For most people, Body Tempering Realm was the limit.
Xiao Minghuang had just reached the peak of Body Tempering Realm.
As soon as she Guided Qi into the Body, she could step into Qi Refining Realm.
