Chapter 247

After crushing the earth technique Condensing Essence cultivator, Murong Qiuhan’s jade bracelet glowed, summoning a golden-patterned pouch.

“Gather.”

Whoosh…

The true essence that should’ve dispersed into heaven and earth upon the cultivator’s death streamed into the pouch as she performed the incantation.

Descending, she conjured golden threads in her palm and sent them snaking into the collapsed pit to retrieve the surviving Yang Lingrui.

“Hm?”

Mid-cast, Murong Qiuhan froze.

Peering into the pit, her eyes narrowed with curiosity.

The chaotic spiritual ripples below had suddenly stabilized.

A flicker of admiration crossed her face.

“Truly one of the Dynasty’s Extraordinary Talents—to advance under such peril while keeping his resolve intact!”

She dismissed the golden threads. Yang Lingrui no longer needed help.

He’d broken through to twelfth-level Gathering Qi!

Rumble!

Earthen debris exploded upward in a whirlwind. Yang Lingrui emerged amidst swirling green-white hands, landing solidly on the surface. Blood dotted his lips—evidence of the toll his forced breakthrough had taken.

“Princess.”

“Drop the titles. Call me Qiuhan.”

Murong Qiuhan’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she closed the distance. Hidden from view, she activated the imperial Linglong Technique—similar to Xue Qingluan’s charm methods but enhanced by true phoenix essence, making it irresistibly potent.

Yang Lingrui retreated two paces, bowing calmly. “Your jest honors me, Highness.”

Murong Qiuhan abandoned the technique, satisfaction flashing through her eyes.

*Even Li Qingwan failed to sway him. His resolve’s flawless—not even the Linglong Technique finds weakness.*

“At ease.”

Yang Lingrui bowed again upon rising. “Your timely intervention saved my life today, Princess.”

She’d arrived moments before his collapse, disrupting the earth cultivator’s spell when he’d been moments from being crushed.

“How predictably proper.” Murong Qiuhan waved off his gratitude. “Save your thanks. Had I not come, others would’ve rescued our prized Tiger-Chasing asset.”

She stepped forward, fingers closing around his wrist.

“Indeed, you’re injured, but no one blames you. Taking that risk was better than waiting to die back then.”

Murong Qiuhan shook her bracelet, releasing a cascade of dazzling light.

Yang Lingrui’s heart raced as he saw the five treasures she produced.

He recognized them from the Dynasty Treasury’s records—each priceless, their combined worth matching the Enlightenment Stone at the Condensing Essence level he’d coveted.

“The royal family’s resources truly astonish.”

“These are yours. Remember—they’re personal gifts from your princess, not some dynastic land grant.”

“Understood.”

Yang Lingrui received the five treasures.

Three were rare medicinal herbs to heal his wounds and repair his cultivation foundation.

The remaining two included a gold-thread robe matching Murong Qiuhan’s own design. This spiritual treasure granted Gathering Qi cultivators temporary wind control, its inner golden light capable of both defense and disrupting true essence.

In the Dynasty Treasury, this robe ranked as the costliest superior-quality item for Perfected Gathering Qi cultivators, rivaling Early Stage Condensing Essence spiritual treasures.

The other was a Building Yuan Pill—a superior Perfected Gathering Qi elixir resembling the Yang Family’s Transformation Pill. But unlike the Transformation Pill’s restrictive use for specific cultivation methods, this universally applicable pill held greater value, priced just below the gold-thread robe.

Though less urgent for Yang Lingrui himself—already at twelfth-level Gathering Qi and nearing breakthrough—these treasures meant everything to his clan. The robe offered unmatched protection during the Gathering Qi stage, surpassing common talismans. The pill could aid Yang Lingshu or other promising juniors in their Condensing Essence attempts.

Overwhelmed, Yang Lingrui bowed deeply. “The Yang Family thanks Your Highness for this generosity. We’ll never forget this kindness.”

After explaining the herbs’ usage, Murong Qiuhan guarded him during recovery. Secure in her protection, Yang Lingrui refined the medicines.

Outwardly calm, his internal injuries proved severe—damaged Qi meridians, disrupted energy flow, and gaps in his Qi Palace from forced breakthrough attempts. Common treatments would’ve failed, but royal-grade herbs not only healed him completely but also enhanced his cultivation by twenty percent through marrow-cleansing.

This display of imperial wealth sharpened Yang Lingrui’s concerns.

“Though we’ve received the Noble Family Order, our fledgling house can’t compare to the dynasty’s true powerful forces.” He resolved silently, “Once I reach Condensing Essence and gain wind flight, I’ll journey widely to secure resources for our juniors.”

Family first—this principle had guided him since beginning his Path of Cultivation. The Elder’s teachings remained etched in his mind, the bedrock of his unshakable resolve.

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