"Master, won't you stay and rest a few more days?"
Watching Su Min once again conceal herself beneath her cloak, King U'er couldn't help but feel reluctant.
Su Min didn't seem very old — in fact, she looked barely twenty. The king had even hoped to let his son spend more time with her; if they could win her heart, wouldn't that be wonderful? But unfortunately, Su Min gave him no opportunity at all. As soon as the celebration banquet ended, she packed up and prepared to leave — although, before her departure, she did help herself to a good number of melons and fruits.
Seeing that her intention to leave was firm, King U'er could only give up. Now, he led his people here to send her off, and they even intended to erect a temple in her honor. After all, Su Min had saved them all. If she hadn't defeated that monster, every person present might have become another soul under its blade.
Naturally, all the citizens, regardless of status or wealth, were deeply grateful to Su Min. She did not oppose their decision either. Incense offerings were beneficial to her cultivation. As for the saying that incense might be "toxic," Su Min didn't take it seriously.
As for Hui Ming, the monk, he had no objections. After all, Su Min was considered his fellow disciple. He knew what their master had come here for, and, more importantly, the techniques he cultivated didn't require incense offerings — since there was no fundamental conflict, he simply let it be.
"Until we meet again."
With that, Su Min's figure vanished into the rolling sands, leaving the desert people staring at one another in awe.
"So fast…" someone muttered.
Then, just like that, they dispersed, each returning to their homes. Meanwhile, Monk Hui Ming remained in his quarters, recovering from yesterday's explosion. Though a Qi Refining cultivator, he had only recently healed from grave injuries before being caught in another battle—and then Su Min's blast. Even cultivators needed proper recuperation, lest hidden ailments take root.
Seemingly minor now, such flaws could prove fatal during a breakthrough.
One Month Later
Huff…
"Finally out. So that's the power of a sandstorm? Couldn't tell east from west. Where the hell am I?"
A disheveled Su Min stumbled out of the desert, having practically crawled her way free. Luck hadn't been on her side—during her return journey, she'd been caught in a sky-blotting sandstorm. Though her specially treated robes shielded her from the scouring winds, navigation became impossible. She had no idea where she'd ended up, but at least she'd escaped. As for her map? Tossed into her storage ring ages ago. Useless now.
"Would've been a joke if I'd died trapped in a desert. Good thing I'm stocked on supplies."
A Golden Core cultivator could ignore such natural disasters, simply flying above the storm. But for those at Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment, these phenomena remained deadly. Thankfully, her ring held enough food and water to endure the raging sands.
"A city up ahead. I'll head in, check things out. Maybe contact the Fuding Merchant Guild—wonder if they've gathered any intel for me. Yongzhou City—?"
She froze mid-sentence. Because emblazoned above the city gates were two unmistakable characters:
Yongzhou.
"So I've stumbled right into the Prince Yong's stronghold. Might as well take a look."
After a brief pause, Su Min strode forward without hesitation. Yongzhou City stood at the Great Wei Dynasty's northwestern border, a bulwark against the desert and steppe tribes. The Yong lineage had ruled here for a century, their roots deep. That was why, after the last rebellion, the imperial family hadn't exterminated them. Instead, an obscure cousin was installed as the new prince—because the people here would accept no other bloodline.
But since she was here, Su Min saw no reason to avoid the city. In fact, the Prince Yong's base would likely offer better intelligence. More importantly, she still lacked several key ingredients for her Foundation Establishment Pill. While the Five Elements materials were crucial, the pill itself was indispensable. It could shave decades off one's cultivation—no exaggeration.
A Qi Refining cultivator's lifespan spanned about 150 years. Foundation Establishment extended that to 200, while Golden Core experts could live up to 500. Losing decades was no small cost, even for a Golden Core cultivator. As for Su Min? Though her lifespan wasn't an issue, there was no sense in delaying. That demonic empress wouldn't leave her be forever. Reaching Golden Core sooner meant ending the threat sooner.
Then, perhaps, her karmic ties in this world could finally be severed.
Fuding Merchant Guild, Yongzhou Branch
"Get your manager. Now."
Su Min flung her token directly into the face of the gate guard. Officially, the Fuding Merchant Guild was Prince Fu's enterprise, regularly presenting treasures to the emperor. Even knowing its true backer was the Prince Yong, Su Min had no intention of meeting him directly.
In fact, she'd prefer never crossing paths. She had nothing to say to him. The so-called "throne of heaven" held less than zero appeal. Becoming an empress? Please.
In this world, what she sought was freedom—unfettered and absolute.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Yet some encounters were inevitable.
"Miss Su, our master requests your presence."
While sipping premium tea and reviewing intelligence reports, Su Min sensed someone approach. The unremarkable-looking man radiated formidable energy—already at late-stage Body Refining, nearing Qi Refining.
Such talent was prized by any faction, even the imperial court. After all, creating Qi Refining demonic warriors required Body Refining candidates first. Prince Yong would hardly waste potential like his.
"Prince Yong huh? Fine. Knew I couldn't avoid this. Lead the way, kid."
"Yes."
The young man showed no offense at her casual address, instead guiding her respectfully into the compound's depths. Within an inconspicuous side room, he opened a hidden passageway.
"You dug a tunnel? Really necessary?" Su Min scoffed as they descended.
"Caution preserves longevity," the man replied smoothly. "These are troubled times."