Starting With 1 Trillion Spirit Stones, I Power Up by Raising Empresses - Chapter 4:

Chapter 4: The Martial Attendant

Early the next morning, the two awoke in the Bridal Chamber.

Although they had only slept for less than two hours, Xiao Jing felt full of energy, and Mu Lanchu was also radiant and refreshed.

According to the schedule, there would be a family banquet at the palace tonight. The Emperor of Yan Empire, the Empress, and all the princes and princesses would attend.

Xiao Jing wasn’t familiar with the exact procedures for royal marriages in this world, but since there was a banquet, he’d simply go.

The day itself was free.

So Xiao Jing began thinking about how to spend more Spirit Stones today to gain even more Cultivation Points.

For instance, he could explore the bustling areas of Changtian City, the capital of the Yan Empire, and find plenty of things to spend money on!

After washing up, Mu Lanchu didn’t wear any new clothes but instead put on a simple, old dress she was used to.

Her plain attire exuded quiet elegance like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley. With no makeup, her natural beauty shone through like a delicate daffodil standing by the water.

Looking at the stunning woman who now belonged to him, Xiao Jing felt like he was looking at a walking treasure chest of experience.

“Husband…” Mu Lanchu lowered her head shyly when she saw Xiao Jing staring at her without blinking. “Don’t keep staring at me like that~.”

“What are you thinking about so early in the morning? I was just going to ask, what cultivation techniques have you practiced before?”

Mu Lanchu paused for a moment and answered seriously, “I only practiced my sect’s technique, which was a mid Profound-grade one. After I was captured, the Third Princess strictly forbade me from cultivating.”

“I heard that the Yan imperial family’s exclusive foundational body refining technique is the ‘Radiant Sun Heavenly Technique,’ passed down from the Empire’s ancestor. It’s extremely yang in nature and cultivates into a Flame Physique in later stages.”

“Additionally, the Bi clan of the Yan Empire also possesses the ‘Supreme Sun Flame Technique and a special bone refining technique called ‘Light Bone Technique.'”

“But I’ve never had access to any of them.”

Xiao Jing nodded, “In that case, let’s not practice any of Yan Empire’s techniques! I heard their techniques are flawed anyway. The Gold Crow Bloodline isn’t limited to the ‘Radiant Sun Heavenly Technique.’ There are countless technique manuals across this continent—we’ll find one that’s more powerful and more suitable for you!”

The more expensive and rarer, the better! Ideally, something that could help him blow through a mountain of Spirit Stones in one go!

“Chuchu, do you know if there’s any place in this city that sells Heaven-grade or higher techniques?”

“Heaven-grade or higher?” Mu Lanchu looked at Xiao Jing in shock.

Her husband’s background was this deep? He spoke of buying cultivation techniques and casually mentioned Heaven-grade?

Before she was taken to the Princess’s manor, her sect had only a little over 100 members and was extremely weak. The highest-grade techniques she had ever seen were Yellow and Profound. She had never even seen a Heaven-grade one!

And after arriving here, the Third Princess had forbidden her from cultivating, trapping her inside like a walking corpse. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to train her body.

“There must be trading firms in the city, right?” Xiao Jing asked.

Mu Lanchu nodded, “Yes. I’ve heard that Changtian City has several shops that sell cultivation manuals, pills, and magic treasures. But I don’t know where they are exactly. I’ve barely ever left the manor.”

“Then ask the servants in the manor,” Xiao Jing said casually.

Mu Lanchu looked troubled, “All the personal servants here were placed by the Crown Prince and the Third Princess. My every move is controlled by them. I’m not even allowed to step beyond the inner courtyard, let alone ask questions.”

“There’s such a thing? Even I’ve been placed under house arrest in this manor?”

Xiao Jing’s temper flared.

Damn it! It was frustrating enough being stuck in this place, and now even a few servants dared to limit his freedom?

He wanted to go out, spend money, and gain Cultivation Points—yet he was being blocked by people like this?

Xiao Jing pushed open the room door and glanced around. He spotted a maid lounging lazily under the corridor.

“You, go tell the steward to summon all the servants to assemble outside the main hall. This Prince Consort has something to say. If anyone doesn’t show up, they can get lost. If they don’t, I won’t be polite!”

The maid stared at him in disbelief.

“Prince Consort, do you think this is the Liang Empire? Don’t forget—you’re a political hostage…”

Smack!

Xiao Jing slapped her hard across the face.

The maid tumbled down the steps.

“I don’t care who sent you. Now get out of my sight. But before that, send the steward to me!”

Soon after, the steward and the head guard of the manor rushed over, followed by a dozen people—guards and servants alike.

“Oh? Prince Consort is throwing quite a tantrum. What might be the matter?”

Though the steward slightly bowed as he spoke, he lifted his eyes to glance at Xiao Jing with a hint of mockery and disdain.

Seeing this, Xiao Jing turned to Mu Lanchu and asked, “Is this guy also one of the Third Princess’s spies?”

Mu Lanchu nodded, “Yes.”

Xiao Jing kicked the steward straight into the flowerbed.

“From now on, in this manor, only the Fifth Princess and I call the shots. All of you who were shoved in here by unknown masters—get back to them immediately!”

“If anyone tries to hide and stay behind…”

“After today, I’ll have you carried out flat!”

“The old staff of this manor—if you want to leave, you’re free to go. If you want to stay, you’ll obey orders honestly!”

Xiao Jing made his stance clear.

Mu Lanchu looked at the steward struggling in the flowerbed and hesitantly said, “Husband, they were only following orders. Their hands were tied… try not to be too harsh on them?”

Xiao Jing replied coldly, “It’s just some minor punishment. Think about what happened to your master and sect brothers and sisters. Did they die guilt-free? You used to live freely, but now you’ve been dragged here as a puppet—don’t you think you’re the innocent one?”

Mu Lanchu fell silent.

The head guard stepped forward a few paces and eyed Xiao Jing.

“This new Third Prince of the Liang Empire has quite the temper. I wonder—what Realm are you? Don’t you dare show your strength publicly?”

The manor servants were all ordinary people.

Only the head guard was different—he had once been a low-ranking attendant in the Crown Prince’s manor and was now at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Due to the system’s concealment, he couldn’t sense Xiao Jing’s cultivation, so he boldly asked out loud.

“And who do you think you are, daring to question this prince’s cultivation?”

Xiao Jing stood tall on the steps, arms folded behind his back, his face stern.

At the same time, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a girl in white sitting atop the courtyard wall.

She wore a fitted outfit, her long legs stretched out, brows firm with a hint of pride and defiance.

The girl in white sat crouched atop the wall, coldly observing everyone in the courtyard.

Suddenly, a system prompt popped up:
[Detected suitable Cultivation Target.]
[Name: Liu Lingxue]
[Realm: Peak Steel Body stage]
[Physique: Mortal Body]
[Potential Value: 82]
[Identity: Martial Attendant of the Fifth Princess’s manor.]
[Relationship with Host: None]
[Bind?]
[Yes] [No]

Seeing the system’s prompt, Xiao Jing was briefly stunned.

He didn’t choose immediately and instead whispered to Mu Lanchu, “Who’s the one on the wall?”

“She used to be Princess Yuhe’s sparring Martial Attendant. She’s been in the manor since childhood—grew up playing, studying, and cultivating with Princess Yuhe. She only listens to Princess Yuhe.”

“I see.”

Xiao Jing selected [Yes].

[Congratulations, Host. New Cultivation Target Liu Lingxue has been bound.]
[Received Binding Gift Pack.]

So every time a new target was bound, a gift pack would be given?

Xiao Jing opened it.

[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: 1 Breaking Realm Pill (Steel Body stage); 1 Reforging Body Pill (Immortal Grade).]

“Breaking Realm Pill: Assists the user in breaking through bottlenecks to improve Realm easily.”
“Reforging Body Pill: Reconstructs the body, greatly enhancing talent.”

“Why didn’t I get one of these Immortal-grade Reforging Body Pills?” Xiao Jing asked the system.

[Host does not require it,] the system replied bluntly.

Alright then.

Xiao Jing looked up at Liu Lingxue, and their eyes met.

[Seeing you kick the steward, Liu Lingxue feels very satisfied.]
[Liu Lingxue thinks you’re tough and has developed some admiration for you.]
[Liu Lingxue has decided to side with you and wants to become your ally.]
[Liu Lingxue wants to prove herself to you and show her sincerity.]

At that moment, Liu Lingxue gently leapt down from the wall, her tall figure landing lightly in front of the head guard.