Chapter 92

A powerful aura erupted from Leng Wushuang's room, carrying a chilling cold that instantly spread throughout the Peony Palace courtyard.

Startled by the aura, several figures quickly appeared in the courtyard.

"This, this is!" Lin Zhiyun's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. Having cultivated the "Great Primal Yin Art" herself, she was extremely familiar with this spiritual energy.

"Heaven Wheel aura?" Shangguan Junyi glanced at her, somewhat uncertain, "Could it be Wushuang? But a few days ago, she was only at the Sixth Level of Earth Wheel."

"Could it be... Zhong Wen has refined another cultivation-enhancing pill?" Nangong Ling's heart stirred.

The cold aura showed no signs of weakening; instead, it grew stronger, radiating from Leng Wushuang's room to the surroundings. The spiritual energy in the air rushed toward the center of the aura, and a significant portion of the courtyard's dense spiritual energy was instantly drained, only to be quickly replenished by the spirit-gathering patterns.

As time passed, the flow of spiritual energy began to slow, and the terrifying aura in the courtyard gradually subsided.

At this moment, from the top of the Peony Palace to the little girls at the bottom, everyone stood quietly in the courtyard, staring nervously at the door of Leng Wushuang's room. Despite their curiosity, no one dared to disturb her.

After a while, the door creaked open, and Leng Wushuang's slender figure appeared at the doorway. Her delicate face seemed to have gained a touch of nobility, and the light yellow robe she wore could not conceal the undulating curves of her chest.

Following her, Zhong Wen's grinning face appeared behind her, trying to act nonchalant but unable to hide the pride on his face.

"Junior Sister Wushuang, have you... advanced to the Heaven Wheel?" Lin Zhiyun, who had already made up her mind, couldn't help but ask, as such a cultivation speed seemed almost unreal to her.

"Yes." Leng Wushuang nodded slightly, her eyes filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

"Junior Sister Wushuang, your cultivation speed is simply unheard of." Shangguan Junyi marveled, teasingly, "It seems that Little Brother Zhong Wen is indeed biased, keeping the best cultivation method for his own people."

Her words, though unintentional, made Lin Zhiyun, who also cultivated this method, blush and inwardly scold Shangguan Junyi for her lack of restraint.

"No, no." Leng Wushuang's face turned red as she denied it, her once innocent face now showing a charming and bashful expression, which made Zhong Wen's heart itch.

"Senior Sister Shangguan, Wushuang's rapid cultivation isn't just because of the cultivation method; she also practiced a unique spirit technique." Zhong Wen's eyes twinkled with mischief, "If you were to cultivate it, your speed would be no less than hers."

"Oh, so the little brother has such a magical spirit technique?" Shangguan Junyi, seeing his expression, knew something was up but couldn't help asking.

Zhong Wen grinned and leaned in to whisper in her ear. The originally cheerful Shangguan Junyi's face turned red instantly, and she grabbed his right ear, scolding, "Little brother, you've grown bold enough to tease your senior sister?"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch..." Zhong Wen cried out, "Every word I said is true. If I lie, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death!"

"Shameless!" Shangguan Junyi's chest heaved, her face still flushed, "I don't know how Junior Sister Wushuang could fall for a little pervert like you."

"Zhong Wen, Senior Aunt Leng was only at the Sixth Level of Earth Wheel a few days ago. Could she have advanced to the Heaven Wheel with the help of a pill?" Nangong Ling suddenly asked.

"Senior Sister Nangong, you're not wrong." Zhong Wen composed himself and said seriously, "Although Wushuang reached the Seventh Level of Earth Wheel with the help of that magical spirit technique."

Mentioning the "magical spirit technique," his gaze shifted to Shangguan Junyi, causing her fair cheeks to redden again, and she raised her hand as if to strike.

"However, her quick breakthrough to the Heaven Wheel was due to the effects of the 'Spirit Ascension Pill.'" Zhong Wen continued, "Unfortunately, the 'Spirit Ascension Pill' is only effective below the Heaven Wheel, and one can only take it three times. If anyone reaches the Seventh Level of Earth Wheel, they can come to me for three pills. With the quality of our cultivation methods and the spiritual energy environment of the Peony Palace, breaking through to the Heaven Wheel will be as easy as turning over your hand."

"I didn't expect you to be able to refine the 'Spirit Ascension Pill.'" Nangong Ling's eyes, like autumn water, gazed at Zhong Wen with a serious expression, "This must be kept a secret. If the people of the Holy Land learn that someone in the secular world can refine cultivation-enhancing pills, they might take action against you."

"I understand." Zhong Wen nodded, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

"High-quality cultivation methods and spirit techniques, cultivation-enhancing pills, and a spiritual energy environment even more concentrated than the Holy Land." Nangong Ling sighed sincerely, "I'm starting to believe your words from before. If given enough time, perhaps the Xiao family and the Nangong family will indeed be nothing to you."

"Even now, with three Heaven Wheel cultivators in the Peony Palace, we are arguably the strongest sect within hundreds of miles." Shangguan Junyi smiled at Lin Zhiyun, "Palace Master, given time, we might even compete for the top sect in the Southern Border Province or even the Great Qian Empire."

"Senior Sister Shangguan, you're joking. I have no ambition to be the best in the world. As long as the disciples can grow up safely, I will be content." Lin Zhiyun's face was calm, but her eyes showed a hint of pride.

Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yueting, seeing Leng Wushuang's breakthrough to the Heaven Wheel, were envious and discussed curiously what Zhong Wen's "magical spirit technique" might be. Liu Qiqi was urging Zheng Yueting to ask Zhong Wen, but Shangguan Junyi, usually gentle and kind, sternly stopped them, intimidating the two girls into giving up their curiosity.

Amidst the lively scene in the courtyard, a gray messenger bird suddenly flew in from outside the wall.

The bird flapped its wings and circled above Nangong Ling's head before landing on her shoulder, hopping around in a cute and innocent manner.

Nangong Ling took the letter from the bird's leg, unfolded it, and said to Lin Zhiyun, "Master, your family has arrived at the foot of the mountain."

Lin Zhiyun's face changed, showing a complex expression.

"Please, Master, close yourself in seclusion for a few days. I will handle the rest."

"Alright." Lin Zhiyun nodded, "Thank you, Ling'er."

"It's my duty as a disciple." Nangong Ling smiled and then looked at the confused crowd, "Everyone, we have guests coming to the mountain. Just act as usual, and remember that Master is in a critical stage of cultivation and cannot see any visitors."

"Senior Sister Nangong, who are these people that even Palace Master has to avoid?" Zhong Wen, who had heard Ye Qinglian mention Nangong Ling's visit for Lin Zhiyun's sake, couldn't help but ask curiously.

"People who have come to propose marriage for Master." Nangong Ling's beautiful eyes sparkled with a strange light.

"What!"

Hearing that someone dared to have designs on his beloved, Zhong Wen couldn't help but jump up.

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The main streets of the Great Qian capital ran north-south, with the imperial palace and major government institutions located in the northern part of the city.

The eastern side of the capital was mostly residential areas with daily shops, small stalls, and homes for commoners.

The western side, on the other hand, was home to the residences of imperial officials and major noble families.

In the wealthy areas, high-end restaurants, theaters, and luxurious brothels naturally sprang up.

At night, the eastern part of the capital was always brightly lit and bustling with people, in stark contrast to the quiet western part, as described in a poem:

"Fire trees and silver flowers blend, star bridges and iron chains open;

Dust follows the horses, the moon follows the people."

This describes the bustling and prosperous night scene of the capital, with its busy traffic and lively entertainment.

Among the luxurious residences in the western part of the city, the most magnificent was the Wuqin Wang Palace. If one were to ask which residence was the most exquisitely decorated, it would undoubtedly be the residence of Princess Chuyun.

This third princess of the Great Qian not only loved fine cuisine but also had a unique talent for the layout of her garden, with golden and emerald pavilions reflecting in the lotus pond, willows swaying gently, and countless tender lotus leaves like small green jade disks.

Living in such a beautiful place, how could one not be in a good mood?

Sitting in the garden, one would be reluctant to leave, and before one knew it, it would be twilight.

At this moment, Princess Chuyun, dressed in a white casual robe, was kneeling on a pavilion in the garden. In front of her, on a sandalwood low table, were various exquisite pastries, each in small quantities.

This princess, born into nobility and with a beautiful appearance, lacked the arrogance of royal offspring. Her lively eyes always showed a gentle expression, making people feel close to her, and she was loved by all, with the saying, "People love her, flowers bloom for her," and she had the best relationships among the royal children in the capital.

However, while she had many friends, her only true confidante was the head of the Shengyu Trading Company, the most beautiful woman in the capital, Shangguan Mingyue.

"Yiru, your head chef's skills have improved even more." Shangguan Mingyue picked up a pastry with her delicate hand and put it in her small mouth, praising insincerely.

"Don't try to flatter me. You're not even lying convincingly." Li Yiru rolled her eyes, showing her most natural and girlish side only in front of Shangguan Mingyue, "Tell me, did you find something delicious in the Southern Border Province? Otherwise, I don't believe you would stay away for so long for the sake of the trading company."

"Only you understand me, Yiru." Shangguan Mingyue stuck out her tongue, looking incredibly charming, "I did indeed meet a remarkable person in the Southern Border Province. Not only is he highly cultivated and skilled in medicine, but his culinary skills are unparalleled. If it weren't for my longing for Princess Yiru, I would have stayed in the Southern Border Province forever."

"Is there really such a person?" Li Yiru asked curiously, "Is he a reclusive elder?"

"What elder?" Imagining Zhong Wen's mischievous smile, Shangguan Mingyue said irritably, "He's a young man, not even twenty years old."

"How is that possible? Cultivation, medicine, and culinary skills all require a lot of effort. How can a young man have such skills?" Li Yiru covered her mouth, her eyes wide, "I don't believe it. You must be teasing me."

"I knew you wouldn't believe me. But I did get a treasure from him." Shangguan Mingyue smiled and took out a small, light pink cloth bag from her bosom, gently unfolding it to reveal white crystals, "Although it's not as good as his personal cooking, it will still amaze you."

She sprinkled some of the crystals into a bowl of pigeon soup on the table, stirred it with a spoon, and took a sip, "Mmm, not bad. Come, try my cooking."

Li Yiru, who trusted her close friend completely, saw her so engrossed and curiously scooped up a spoonful, elegantly placing the soup in her mouth.

"This, this is!"

An unprecedented sensation touched Li Yiru's taste buds, spreading from her mouth to her entire body. She felt her pores open, and a sense of comfort and lightness washed over her, almost making her feel as if she were floating.

"How is it? Did I lie to you?" Shangguan Mingyue watched her friend keep drinking the soup, "Does this 'Godlike Powder' suit your taste?"

"Is this powder called 'Godlike Powder'?" Li Yiru put down the empty bowl, her eyes fixed on Shangguan Mingyue, and asked seriously, "Can you sell me some?"

At this moment, she was incredibly nervous, feeling that she couldn't live without such a delicious taste. If Shangguan Mingyue refused, she didn't know what she would do.

"With our friendship, why talk about selling? This bag of 'Godlike Powder' is a gift for you." Shangguan Mingyue's face showed a mysterious smile, "Also, I plan to sell this seasoning in the capital. Are you interested in investing?"

"Such a treasure, and you want to sell it?"

Li Yiru was stunned, falling into deep thought...