Chapter 156: The Other Side of the Little Princess, Good Sister and Good Little Sister
Upon hearing these words, the entire hall was in an uproar.
The young talents didn’t understand what was happening, but the lords and nobles were surprised.
This Miss Xiao Mian… was so generous?
Like the Sixth Prince, they subconsciously assumed that Nangong Mian was offering a drop of her blood essence.
Although the Desolate Extinction Scripture she cultivated wasn’t much different from other body tempering techniques before Core Formation, except for its higher resource consumption, it was still the blood essence of a body cultivator… equivalent to the most valuable treasure at this level.
However, the Sixth Prince, knowing the truth, could only remain silent. Who would have thought that Nangong Mian was just offering ordinary blood…
After speaking, Nangong Mian took out a short sword and cut her palm.
Then, she clenched her fist, and blood dripped down, falling into a small bottle.
Countless eyes watched, but she continued unfazed, ignoring the increasingly strange gazes around her.
Finally, after filling the bottle, Nangong Mian handed it to the court attendant.
Then, she looked at the attendant expectantly, waiting for a return gift.
“That’s… it?”
The lords and nobles were shocked again.
This wasn’t blood essence… This ordinary, dull-colored blood was just… ordinary blood!
A body cultivator’s powerful regenerative ability meant a strong ability to produce blood. This ordinary blood was practically inexhaustible and therefore didn’t contain much power.
Let alone its value… even if it was stored, it would probably spoil.
The court attendant was experienced, but he had never seen such a thing before.
He stood there dumbfounded, holding the bottle, thinking it wasn’t over yet.
The Sixth Prince felt incredibly embarrassed and could only sigh, taking out a jade pendant and handing it to the attendant along with the bottle.
“This is a protective jade pendant, capable of withstanding a single attack from a Soul Transformation cultivator. In a critical moment, it might save the little princess’s life.”
“Oh…”
The attendant hurriedly took the jade pendant, thinking inwardly that this was a true treasure.
Being able to withstand a Soul Transformation cultivator’s attack wasn’t unusual, but if even an ordinary person could use it… that was truly rare.
In everyone’s eyes, the little princess hadn’t embarked on the path of cultivation, so the gifts given to her couldn’t be something that only cultivators could use.
As for Nangong Mian’s blood from the Desolate Extinction Scripture, the attendant could only accept it with a wry smile, considering it a small addition.
However, under Nangong Mian’s expectant gaze, the attendant still took out a return gift and respectfully handed it to her.
“Yay, how nice!”
Nangong Mian happily accepted the gift, while the Sixth Prince covered his face.
This small incident didn’t attract Luo Xue’s attention, as she was currently focused on the food before her.
These were rare delicacies that could nourish her meridians, something she hadn’t seen much of even in the Peerless Summit Sect. She couldn’t miss this opportunity.
She ate gracefully and properly, but under the etiquette official’s incredulous gaze, she almost swept the table clean.
“When did Her Highness develop such an appetite?”
“Well, a good appetite isn’t a bad thing.”
However, the etiquette official naturally noticed this small episode at the banquet.
But like the Sixth Prince, she couldn’t do anything about Nangong Mian and could only sigh.
But then she remembered that Nangong Mian was the person the little princess liked… and she wanted to sigh even more.
How could Her Highness like such a person?
No, she had to change the princess’s impression of Nangong Mian.
The etiquette official pondered for a moment, then said,
“Your Highness, the gift Nangong Mian gave you… seems a bit special.”
“Hmm?” Luo Xue looked up. “How is it special?”
She remembered Nangong Mian, the one who cultivated the same technique as Nangong Mengxiang, just hadn’t formed her core yet.
Luo Xue’s interest in Nangong Mian was entirely because of Nangong Mengxiang, not because of the etiquette official’s assumptions.
“It’s… a bottle of her blood.” The etiquette official said. “Ordinary blood.”
“Huh?”
Luo Xue was stunned.
This gift… felt a bit familiar.
She seemed to have given someone her blood too… Senior Sister Li. Ahem, also ordinary blood.
Luo Xue still felt guilty about this. She hadn’t known that the potency of her Calamity Poison Body blood would disappear shortly after leaving her body, yet she had confidently told Senior Sister Li that it could be used for a surprise attack.
“She just gave it perfunctorily for the sake of the imperial family’s return gift…”
The etiquette official started to subtly badmouth Nangong Mian, trying to make Luo Xue dislike her and give up on her inappropriate affection.
“It’s… not entirely perfunctory… it’s a bit thoughtful?”
Luo Xue, who had done the same thing, stammered, her gaze flickering with guilt.
If she said Nangong Mian’s action was bad, it would be like criticizing herself…
Hearing Luo Xue’s words and seeing her expression, the etiquette official thought, oh no, the little princess has truly fallen in love.
She could even tolerate such behavior…
Just as the etiquette official was racking her brains, trying to continue badmouthing Nangong Mian and bring the little princess back on track, Luo Xue suddenly said,
“By the way, Madam, can I… meet her?”
After the etiquette official’s words, and considering the possible connection with Nangong Mengxiang, Luo Xue was finally a bit interested in Nangong Mian.
“This…”
The etiquette official’s face paled, and she looked towards the Empress as if seeking help.
But there was no response from the purple mist, still silent.
The etiquette official could only sigh inwardly and say,
“Since it is Your Highness’s command, this old servant naturally won’t stop you… Of course, you can.”
She gave a look to the nearby court attendant, who immediately announced in a shrill voice,
“Summon Nangong Mian, Her Highness Princess Xue requests her presence!”
This instantly attracted everyone’s attention, and Princess Xue sat dignifiedly, a faint smile in her eyes as she looked at Nangong Mian.
What… was going on?
The young talents were in turmoil. They had thought that if the princess took a fancy to any of them, she would summon them for a private conversation.
They had all been waiting for this lucky opportunity, but they hadn’t expected… it would be Nangong Mian?!
Although Mian Wudi’s behavior was rough and her personality unpleasant, worse than most male cultivators, completely lacking the gentleness of a woman… she was still a woman!
Could it be that Princess Xue actually…
Unlike the others, Nangong Mian didn’t think so.
She thought, oh no, the little princess must have remembered her giving ordinary blood as a gift. This was… punishment!
The Sixth Prince frowned slightly and looked towards Luo Xue and the etiquette official.
Seeing the etiquette official’s mournful expression, he couldn’t understand what was happening.
“Can I… not go…”
Nangong Mian whispered.
“What do you think?”
The Sixth Prince had a headache, suddenly regretting bringing Nangong Mian here.
No, if he hadn’t brought her, the Foundation Establishment disciples in the clan would have jointly petitioned.
“Fine.” Nangong Mian reluctantly stood up and gritted her teeth. “But if they want me to return the gift, I absolutely won’t!”
Sixth Prince: “…”
Do you think everyone is like you…
After some hesitation, Nangong Mian, with a nervous heart, followed the court attendant towards Princess Xue’s curtain.
“Your Highness, Miss Nangong Mian has arrived.”
“You may leave now.”
Luo Xue sat properly, carefully examining Nangong Mian.
She didn’t look like Nangong Mengxiang at all, but Nangong Mengxiang was just an adopted orphan, so she couldn’t be her sister or anything.
After entering the curtained area, Nangong Mian also secretly observed Luo Xue.
This was her first time seeing Luo Xue up close. Although she had called her “Xue Meimei” earlier, it was just to provoke the lords and nobles.
This naturally silver-white hair was truly beautiful…
The two looked at each other for a moment, then both averted their gazes slightly, a bit embarrassed.
This scene, in the eyes of the etiquette official, made her heart sink…
How could they… be attracted to each other?
“Madam,” Luo Xue suddenly said, “I would like to talk to Miss Nangong alone, is that alright?”
Luo Xue wanted to ask about the origin of her cultivation technique, and it wasn’t convenient with outsiders present.
The etiquette official’s face paled, but after a moment of hesitation, she nodded with difficulty.
“Please take your time, Your Highness. This old servant will go and prepare other matters.”
She looked back with unconcealed worry in her eyes.
“…What’s wrong with Madam?”
Nangong Mian, seeing the etiquette official’s strange expression, was confused.
“I don’t know, perhaps she’s not feeling well.” Luo Xue replied casually, then looked at Nangong Mian. “Please sit down. There are some things I want to ask you privately.”
“What is it?” Nangong Mian sat down, then as if remembering something, immediately stood up and crossed her arms. “You can’t ask for the gift back!”
“…What are you talking about?”
Luo Xue raised an eyebrow slightly. This Nangong Mian seemed different from her earlier impression…
“Oh, you’re not here for the gift?” Nangong Mian breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down. “Ask away, Your Highness. I’ll answer anything.”
“Is the Introduction to Body Tempering technique very common? Or is it a secret technique of the Nangong clan?” Luo Xue asked.
Since Nangong Mengxiang had told her that the technique she cultivated was the Introduction to Body Tempering given to her by True Person Fengyin, Luo Xue had always thought it was a basic technique, but she hadn’t seen any other body cultivators using it.
“Introduction to Body Tempering… I’ve never heard of such a technique. Perhaps it exists, but it should only be cultivated by first or second-rate sects.” Nangong Mian puffed out her chest proudly. “I’m different. I cultivate the Desolate Extinction Scripture, a technique that only appears once every ten thousand years…”
Before Nangong Mian could finish boasting, Luo Xue interrupted with a strange expression.
“Aren’t you cultivating the Introduction to Body Tempering?”
“Huh… how could I…” Nangong Mian was stunned. “I… how could I possibly… I cultivate the Desolate Extinction Scripture, the inherited technique of the Nangong clan, a technique that only one person is qualified to cultivate every ten thousand years! How could it be a beginner’s technique…”
Nangong Mian’s personality was quite arrogant, and seeing Luo Xue’s doubtful gaze, she added,
“You can go out and ask, what beginner’s…”
“Don’t worry, I’m just asking.” Luo Xue said.
“Oh…”
Nangong Mian suddenly realized that the person before her was the little princess and quickly restrained herself.
Although she wasn’t afraid of anything, she was still afraid of the Empress…
The little princess seemed to be under the Empress’s protection, so she couldn’t act recklessly.
“It seems my earlier guess was correct…”
Luo Xue pondered for a moment, her expression thoughtful.
This world… should be the legendary, sealed Ancient Demon Lands.
Although not within the nine provinces and four domains, it had a deep connection with that world.
And it could finally be confirmed that the geniuses of this world were generally much stronger than those of the nine provinces and four domains, and the spiritual energy here was much purer.
Nangong Mian was only about twenty years old, cultivating the slow-progressing body cultivation technique, yet she had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.
—Of course, if Luo Xue knew that the resources Nangong Mian had consumed so far were enough for more than a hundred cultivators to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, she wouldn’t think so.
However, what was strange was that in her previous two lives, she hadn’t had parents, but now she was an imperial princess… how strange.
Seeing Luo Xue lost in thought, Nangong Mian didn’t disturb her, just sat there, looking around out of boredom.
But after a while, her gaze returned to the little princess.
“Strange… why did the little princess seem so cute before, but now, when she’s thinking, she seems so mature…”
After staring at Luo Xue for a while, Luo Xue finally came back to her senses, blinked, and smiled.
“Sister Nangong, what’s wrong?”
The cute feeling was back…
“No-, nothing… ah, you called me Sister Nangong?” Nangong Mian was surprised. “I… I might not be worthy of such an address…”
She glanced at the Empress. Within the entire Nangong clan, the person she feared the most was this old… ahem, she didn’t dare to think further.
“Didn’t you just call me Xue Meimei?” Luo Xue’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Or… Sister Mian?”
“Hiss…”
This soft and sweet “Sister” almost made Nangong Mian swoon.
No one had ever called her that before. The younger members of her clan were all terrified of her, calling her Mian Wudi, or even Demon King Mian.
—-
Wudi (武帝)-meaning “Martial Emperor.” Is a Chinese term that can refer to a posthumous title for a Han dynasty emperor, this nickname is because of his nearly continual wars to extend China’s boundaries
Leave a Reply