Chapter 394: Chapter 393: Dividing the Spoils, The Princess’s Ambition

This was Liu Sisi’s first time entering the Little Universe.

As soon as she entered, she thought that Li Jing had mastered some sort of secret method similar to the Boundary Stone that could temporarily open up a subspace.

However, upon closer inspection, she realized this was not the case.

This was not any subspace, but rather, Li Jing’s storage space.

If there were anyone in this world who would store pots, pans, salt, oil, and various other kitchen utensils in their storage spaces, along with various life supplies and even a number of food reserves, it would be her husband.

Even professional cooks wouldn’t be as prepared or as capable of cooking anywhere and anytime.

Concluding that this was indeed Li Jing’s storage space, Liu Sisi was in utter astonishment.

A storage space should theoretically be an empty void.

Living creatures, including humans, shouldn’t be able to enter.

Moreover, storage spaces are absolute vacuum environments, where even if living creatures are forcibly gathered into the storage space through some special secret methods, they would still suffocate and die there.

Seeing the existence within what was supposed to be an empty void storage space, Liu Sisi couldn’t help but look at Li Jing curiously.

"Husband, this Little Universe of yours..."

"This was originally my storage space, but there were some changes, and it can now contain living things."

Li Jing smiled, pointing to the Spirit Seed that had brought about all these changes.

"That thing is called the Spirit Seed. It’s a treasure I obtained from the Ghost Clan in the Chongyuan Holy Land. Its function is to sprout and transform the storage space into a separate small world. You should have read the exploration report on the Chongyuan Holy Land. The Ancient God’s Descendants have created an independent existence equivalent to a small secret realm within the Chongyuan Holy Space. That’s what the Spirit Seed is."

"So, you mean this Little Universe can become an independent living space, or even a small secret realm?"

Liu Sisi blinked.

"Should be possible."

Li Jing smiled and replied.

"But to develop to that extent, I still have a long way to go. A world with its own universe wouldn’t be possible without experiencing countless evolutions over the span of time. Then, there’s the issue that the Spirit Seed needs the blood of a divine being to sprout and grow. In simple terms, it needs the blood of a god. It’s not easy to come across that kind of thing. I was lucky to encounter an organization that worships an evil god in White Hawk. I killed it and barely managed to make the Spirit Seed to sprout."

Hearing Li Jing’s explanation, Liu Sisi appeared thoughtful.

"So, it’s not just because you got the Spirit Seed that your storage space has evolved like this, but also because you’ve killed a god?"

"Can something that I can kill be called a god?"

Li Jing cocked his head.

"..."

Liu Sisi fell silent.

To be honest.

Hearing Li Jing’s explanation was incredible.

She had a question on the tip of her tongue that she hadn’t asked.

Are there really gods in this world?

Before she could ask, Li Jing posed another question to her.

Can gods die?

As a modern person, like Li Jing, she too is a typical atheist.

In her view.

Individual beliefs might be the source of strength and the foundation for growth for believers in the faith system.

However, those so-called gods they believe in are non-existent.

Shaking her head, she decided to stop thinking about it.

She raised her hand slightly and found that she could open her storage space without any obstacles. She quickly took out the loots she had plundered from Princess Wenqu’s six-realm followers.

"Stop talking nonsense, husband. Let’s divide the loot."

"Alright."

Li Jing nodded with a smile.

He didn’t particularly want to discuss the topic either.

Even though he had killed a new god, he didn’t think it could be referred to as a deity.

At most, its blood was rather peculiar, containing the Divinity required by the Spirit Seed.

With a thought, Li Jing brought over two carriages filled with loot. Opening the carriages, he found stacks of square wooden boxes.

Casually opening one to check, he discovered what looked like a ginseng that was as pristine as white jade inside.

Seeing that it was a ginseng, it naturally had to be a spirit medicine.

Although Li Jing didn’t recognize what type it was, he figured out through the thick spiritual qi that wafted out when the box was opened, that this was indeed a premium spirit medicine, able to be used as a trade for merit.

"This Princess Wenqu really has some capabilities. Even though she’s just a normal person, she was able to get her hands on such high-tier spirit medicine."

Praising genuinely, Li Jing rummaged through the boxes, quickly discovering their secrets.

The boxes were made from common redwood, not spiritual wood.

Since it wasn’t spiritual wood, it appeared very ordinary and wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention.

The secret to its ability to isolate spiritual auras was a formation engraved on the bottom inside the box.

Li Jing had not yet dabbled into the path of formations.

However, with his seventh realm cognition, he was able to easily tell that it was a superior isolation matrix, definitely the work of a formation master.

Having closed the box, Li Jing casually handed it over to Liu Sisi.

"I don’t recognize this spirit medicine, Sisi. You hold onto it for now, and once we leave the secret realm, have Xiaodai scan it to identify if it is known in the present world. Since it’s spirit medicine, it can most likely provide some help with cultivation, and there’s no need to exchange it for merit. Once we understand what it is, you can decide whether you want to have someone refine it into elixir or some other use."

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi uttered an ’Oh’, took the box, and kept it.

She saw that the ginseng in the box was a high-grade spirit medicine.

And since Li Jing was giving it to her, she accepted it.

Having been married for years now, there was no need to differentiate between mine and yours.

Regarding whether or not it could be used, it was something to be figured out after identifying what it was.

Liu Sisi had just received the ginseng spirit medicine, and Li Jing had started looking through the pile of wooden boxes.

Soon, he found the two Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure that Princess Wenqu had mentioned.

These two treasure items were a piece of green jade emitting rich spiritual rhyme and a red fruit that hid its spiritual rhyme within.

One spiritual material, one spirit fruit.

Li Jing didn’t take much interest in the spirit fruit, so he handed it over to Liu Sisi.

Having mastered the method of cultivation and related Immortal Learning, Li Jing was now able to approach those abilities.

However, Li Jing had already early on made his choices.

The arts of artifact refinement and symbol crafting could be useful at any time.

But as for concocting elixirs, he had no immediate plans for that.

It was more practical to buy or hire someone to concoct them when needed. His skill points, which were challenging to level up, were better assigned to abilities that could be immediately applied.

Seeing Li Jing shove a heavenly material and earthly treasure-level spirit fruit into her hand, Liu Sisi accepted it without refusal. However, she put it into her storage space more carefully.

This was the first time she had seen something of this level—a real heavenly material and earthly treasure.

On this side.

Li Jing examined the obviously spiritual nature of the green jade in his hands, while calling out softly.

"Qingfeng."

As he called out, the Spirit Weapon Qingfeng quietly appeared.

Li Jing casually passed the green jade to him.

The jade was of wind attribute and it could be recognized at a glance.

However, whether it possessed the capability to nourish weapons was difficult to determine. Only the Spirit Weapon Qingfeng could make that judgment.

The Spirit Weapon Qingfeng and Li Jing were connected by thought, naturally knowing why his master had summoned him.

After staring at the green jade in Li Jing’s hand and showing a small change in his usually indifferent expression, he took the jade, merged it into his palm, and then disappeared.

Seeing Qingfeng accept the green jade, Li Jing immediately understood that the jade did have nurturant effects on weapons.

He didn’t mind Qingfeng’s usual coolness. Without saying a word, Qingfeng took the jade and returned to his body. Li Jing then turned to Liu Sisi and said.

"Sisi, let’s sort out the rest. Keep the spirit medicine and spirit plants. Leave me the spiritual materials that can be used for artifact refinement. When I’m not busy, I can make some things."

Having said that, he slapped his hand out and all five carriages were completely shattered into pieces of wood.

Liu Sisi was going to agree to sort things together with Li Jing when she saw him suddenly destroy the five carriages and frowned.

"Why did you dismantle these carriages? Didn’t you intentionally collect them so you could use them later?"

"Of course not, what could I do with those?"

Li Jing replied with a smile, saying.

"These carriages are just made of common spiritual wood, not even refined ones, so they’re not useful to keep."

"..."

Liu Sisi was speechless, and asked strangely.

"Then why did you..."

Before she could even finish her sentence, Li Jing naturally said.

"If it’s a robbery, of course, we should take everything."

After saying that, he added.

"This low-quality spiritual wood isn’t very useful. After it’s broken up, we can use it as firewood when the opportunity arises. It’s said that meat roasted with spiritual wood is especially fragrant. I don’t know if that’s true."

"..."

Liu Sisi.

Having known each other for so long and even having shared the same bed for over half a year, she had really never noticed before. Her man seemed to have quite a primitive side to him.

However, she rather liked the ideas Li Jing came up with.

It was said that meat roasted on spiritual wood was extraordinarily fragrant.

Whether this was true or not was hard to say, as she had never tried it.

To use spiritual wood as firewood for barbecuing, what conditions would permit such extravagance?

You should know.

Anything that could be called spiritual wood would cost at least dozens or even hundreds of spirit crystals each.

If you really use it for a barbecue, it means you truly are burning money.

Even if they were now affluent, Liu Sisi would not be so extravagant.

But she could actually burn this spiritual wood on the ground.

After all, it was useless and they didn’t pay for it...

So.

What should they roast?

If they were going to burn spiritual wood, it certainly wouldn’t be used for ordinary meat, right?

While thinking about what to roast, Liu Sisi and Li Jing went forward to sort out and collect their spoils.

...

Da Xia Palace, the imperial study.

The Emperor of Da Xia, Xia Zhengyang, sat at his desk with no expression on his face, an old eunuch with a kind face standing beside him.

In front of the desk.

Princess Wenqu knelt on the ground, silent.

She had already explained to Xia Zhengyang about her being robbed on the way and also informed him about Li Jing and Liu Sisi.

She was certain.

Xia Zhengyang wouldn’t miss such a powerful person like Li Jing.

Yet, after hearing her account, he remained silent, which made her feel anxious.

After what seemed like an eternity, Xia Zhengyang finally looked up.

"Eunuch Wang, the princess experienced a fright from the attack by villains during her journey. Convey my decree to give her 500,000 spiritual stones and 300 high-grade spiritual objects for consolation."

The old eunuch on his side paid his respects as soon as the words fell.

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Princess Wenqu raised her head and replied.

"Thank you Father for the reward."

"Tonight, at the hour of the dog [7-9 pm], a banquet will be set up in the palace. Bring your two benefactors. As your father, both in terms of emotion and reason, I must thank them for saving you."

Xia Zhengyang said lightly, then waved his hand.

"You may leave now."

"Understood."

Princess Wenqu stood up and exited the study.

After all, she was a princess without favor.

When she came, she had no expectations of receiving any extra attention from Xia Zhengyang.

Even though she, a waste princess, was now useful as a bridge to two super-powerful figures, nothing could easily change the fact that she was not favored.

Da Xia was very pragmatic.

The emperor was heartless.

Her imperial father would not prioritize familial feelings either.

As soon as Princess Wenqu left, a hint of sharpness flickered in Xia Zhengyang’s eyes, and he spoke softly.

"What do you think about what Wenqu said, Eunuch Wang?"

"It’s undeniable that the princess encountered a demon robbery."

Eunuch Wang bent over and spoke from behind him.

"However, who dared to rob the princess is not clear, and the two who saved the princess are extremely suspicious."

Xia Zhengyang hummed at his words, and said indifferently.

"The pair of barbarians from the south, I hope they can be useful."

"Does your majesty require me to probe them a bit?"

Eunuch Wang asked.

"No need, wait until the banquet tonight."

Xia Zhengyang waved his hand, then asked.

"Have any messages come from the Big World?"

"Not yet."

Eunuch Wang responded.

"The Northern God Kingdom and the White Hawk have divergent positions, and when they return to the Big World there will undoubtedly be a competition of interests. Anyone coming will probably only happen later tonight, or there may not be any news today."

Xia Zhengyang was silent at his words. After a while, he snorted and said.

"Very well, having different factions in the human race from the Big World is a good thing for the empire, let them fight amongst themselves, while the empire benefits."

...

It was approaching four in the afternoon.

Princess Wenqu, having visited the palace, returned to her own palace looking exhausted.

On this trip, she had not only seen Xia Zhengyang but had also gone to the harem to see the empress dowager, the empress, and all the ladies.

It was customary, and she had to pay her respects.

After finishing the circuit of the court, she also went to the Cold Palace to visit her birth mother, Consort Liang.

Because Consort Liang gave birth to a princess like her, unable to engage in cultivation, Xia Zhengyang had long sent her to the Cold Palace. But the relationship between the mother and daughter was quite good.

Consort Liang was not bothered by her daughter’s inability to cultivate or the scorn she received because of it, and was getting along quite comfortably.

Ordinary people could not enter the Cold Palace.

Princess Wenqu was able to go in because she had exhausted considerable effort to obtain this privilege.

Having had the rare chance to see her daughter, mother and daughter chatted a lot.

However, when it came to her encounter with the demon robbery, Princess Wenqu did not mention a word.

After making this round in the palace, Princess Wenqu was both physically and mentally exhausted when she returned.

Apart from her mother in the Cold Palace, there was not a single person in the entire royal family who showed her any kindness, yet she still had to maintain a smiling face, such a life was exhausting indeed.

The only thing to be grateful for was.

As a princess known to all as useless, things like internal palace disputes had nothing to do with her.

She didn’t even qualify to participate.

Upon stepping into her own palace, Princess Wenqu gathered her spirits and walked towards the side room where Li Jing and Liu Sisi were staying.

After returning to the imperial city, she had finished all her business and it was time to formally discuss with these two people who might change her life.

When she reached the door of the side room, Princess Wenqu gently knocked on the door.

"Senior, I am back."

At this time, Li Jing and Liu Sisi had already tidied up and exited the Mini Universe, and were sitting leisurely chatting in the side room.

Suddenly hearing a noise at the door, the spirits of the couple were shocked.

Good heavens!

She finally came back!

Princess Wenqu was away for nearly four hours, and they were bored to death waiting in the side room.

"Come in."

Li Jing spoke up.

Princess Wenqu entered the room as told, then apologized.

"I’m sorry for keeping you waiting."

"It’s a small matter."

Li Jing smiled, and then asked,

"What did your father say?"

"There will be a banquet at the Imperial Palace tonight and he hopes that I will bring the two of you along."

Princess Wenqu replied.

"Tonight?"

Li Jing blinked a couple of times, immersed in thought.

Seeing this, Liu Sisi smirked.

There’s this saying.

’Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’

In her eyes,

Li Jing understands everything, it’s rare to see something he doesn’t understand.

But you know what?

Even though the concept of twelve two-hour periods was understood by the Longyu people in ancient times, knowing exactly which periods correspond to which time points is not something everyone understood.

Without giving it much thought, Liu Sisi kindly whispered an answer to Li Jing.

"The eleventh hour is between seven and nine in the evening."

Receiving clarification, Li Jing’s face flushed slightly as he responded with a short "hmm" and looked to Princess Wenqu.

"Princess, it’s getting late. We should take the time to understand each other quickly."

Naturally, Princess Wenqu had no objections to this, nodding quickly.

Seeing this, Li Jing spoke.

"Firstly, I have a question. What do you plan to do after you’ve acquired the cultivation method of the Big World?"

"To stay away from the intrigues of the Imperial City, and return to my own territory to cultivate."

Princess Wenqu replied.

"If the cultivation method of the Big World allows me to successfully step into cultivation, that would undoubtedly be a good thing. However, if my cultivation in the Imperial City is discovered, this good thing will turn into a catastrophe.

You should understand the sinister nature of royal power struggles. Until I’ve achieved something, I shall no longer set foot in Da Xia Imperial City."

Hearing such words, Li Jing raised an eyebrow.

She seemed to have a rather clear mind.

Knowing to be patient, staying away from troubles.

A person of substance indeed.

"So, what about when you’ve achieved something?"

Li Jing asked again.

Facing this question, Princess Wenqu hesitated for a moment, then answered.

"I wish to compete for the throne."

"Hiss!"

Li Jing sucked in a breath of cold air.

He had just thought of her as a person of great substance, and here she was planning to do something really huge.

Liu Sisi, standing by his side, also looked at Princess Wenqu surprised - she hadn’t imagined that a mere mortal like her held such grand ambitions.

Glancing at each other, Li Jing did not continue with this line of questioning.

How Da Xia would turn out, whether or not there would be a female emperor in the future, that was none of his business.

After thinking a bit, Li Jing started speaking.

"Before meeting you, I’ve observed around Da Xia. It seems your Da Xia people’s cultivation method is quite peculiar, to the extent that your cultivators all look neither human nor ghost. What’s going on with that?"

Then he added.

"Earlier, my wife and I killed two Da Xia cultivators who had malicious intentions. There was an invisible black mist in their bodies that left their bodies in spirit form. What is that?"

When Li Jing said that Da Xia cultivators looked neither human nor ghost, Princess Wenqu couldn’t agree.

Because all the cultivators in the entire Da Xia were like that.

Given that Li Jing had asked, she answered truthfully.

"In Da Xia, we only have one cultivation method, called the Sky Demon Great Method. Once initiated, one’s consciousness becomes the dark mist seen by you, and it exists independently within the body. It’s tantamount to having a second life. In critical times, consciousness can abandon the body and look for another body to survive."

As she spoke, she continued.

"The threshold for starting the Sky Demon Great Method is high, with only 60% of the people in Da Xia having the opportunity to get involved. As long as one successfully steps onto the path of cultivation, one can ascend to heaven, and Da Xia will vest rights of aristocratic status higher than ordinary people. Those with better talents even have the opportunity to join sect forces, existing above the common populace."

Upon hearing Princess Wenqu’s narration, Li Jing and Liu Sisi looked at each other.

Sky Demon Great Method.

At first hearing, it sounds like a Demon Taoist method.

But turning their consciousness into black mist - this was clearly leaning towards being an Alien Species.

It can’t really be considered human anymore, wouldn’t that make it an Alien Species?

If necessary, abandoning the body and seeking another body.

In the modern world, this corresponds to the taboo of all taboos - body-snatching.

Looking at Princess Wenqu’s casual expression as she spoke, did she think this was normal?

Da Xia only having one cultivation method, the Sky Demon Great Method, made both of them find it unbelievable.

Shouldn’t there be various cultivation methods?

This world...

Seemed to have quite a few problems.

On second thought though,

The Sky Demon Great Method did seem rather intriguing.

Once initiated, one could ascend straight to paradise.

This meant that once you started the Sky Demon Great Method, you could continually cultivate without getting stuck at the First Realm.

This was much better than the cultivation methods from their world.

And in Da Xia a whole sixty percent of the population can start the Sky Demon Great Method.

In comparison, the Sky Demon Great Method was really successful.

So successful it made people wonder if this cultivation method was part of some design.

On the spot, however, Li Jing didn’t pick apart the topic or raise any doubts.

"Next question, before there was an exploration team from the Big World coming here. An official from Da Xia had contact with them and mentioned a beast tide from the Northern Continent’s polar region, hoping that the Big World could assist in defense. What is..."

Before he finished speaking, Princess Wenqu interjected.

"The Beast Tide does exist, but hoping that the people from the Big World can assist in defense... I think my father must have a plan and wants to reap more benefits from the sects that are not under Imperial control."

Li Jing furrowed his brow at her words.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The Beast Tide exists, but its benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

Princess Wenqu responded.

"Ghostly Evil Beasts produce a treasure known as Dark Pearl, which is essential for breaking through realms in the Sky Demon Great Method. The higher the realm, the more you need. The Beast Tide only occurs once every hundred years. Only during the Beast Tide can a large number of Dark Pearls potentially be harvested, otherwise, one would have to risk going to the dangerous Northern Polar Region to hunt. Therefore, each Beast Tide is a critical moment for acquiring Dark Pearls, and all sect forces and the court will dispatch a large number of people to the coasts to counter the Beast Tide."