Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

After the auction, Huang Yiming immediately returned to Black Wind Ridge with Su Qingyue and Qin Hu. By this time, the temporary stronghold at Black Wind Ridge was taking shape, with the refugees each doing their own thing: some were building barracks, some were cultivating wasteland, and Yang Xiu was patrolling around the stronghold with several guards, looking very serious.

Upon seeing Huang Yiming return, Yang Xiu immediately stepped forward, a joyful smile on her face: "Brother Ming, you're back! Sister Qingyue is here too." There were still faint scratches on her shoulder, left from the Black Stone Sect's sneak attack earlier.

Huang Yiming stepped forward and gently examined her wound, his voice filled with concern: "Does the wound still hurt? Have you applied the ointment on time?"

Yang Xiu shook her head and said with a smile, "It doesn't hurt anymore. The modern ointment that Sister Qingyue gave me is very effective, even more so than the healing medicine from the fantasy world."

Su Qingyue smiled and took out the jewelry, handing it to Yang Xiu: "Xiuer, this is for you. I hope you like it."

Yang Xiu took the jewelry and carefully put it on with a happy expression, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Thank you, Sister Qingyue, I like it very much."

Qin Hu stood to the side watching the two, and couldn't help but mutter, "Brother Ming, Sister Qingyue, you're being unfair! Why didn't you include me?"

Huang Yiming laughed and tossed him a piece of jade: "You'll get your share. Here, take this piece of jade. Wearing it will make you look more impressive."

Qin Hu happily took the jade and put it around his neck, but stubbornly said, "Who cares about this broken stone? I only reluctantly accepted it because I thought it looked nice."

Everyone laughed and stopped teasing him. Huang Yiming's expression turned serious, and he said, "Xiuer, Qingyue, I have something to tell you. At the auction in the city, I met a mysterious tycoon who said that Black Wind Ridge holds a great secret and knows that my demon beast's inner core came from Black Wind Ridge. Have you heard anything about the secrets of Black Wind Ridge?"

Yang Xiu frowned and thought carefully for a moment before saying, "When I was a child, I wandered around Black Wind Ridge. I heard from the older generation of refugees that there was a forbidden area deep in Black Wind Ridge, where the spiritual energy was rich and there were many high-level spiritual herbs. However, there were powerful restrictions around the forbidden area, and ordinary people could not get close at all. Moreover, it is said that there are ancient treasures hidden inside."

"An ancient treasure?" A hint of surprise flashed in Huang Yiming's eyes. "It seems that the secret the mysterious tycoon mentioned is this forbidden area. Qingyue, you stay at the stronghold to take care of the refugees. I'll take Xiuer and Qin Hu to the depths of Black Wind Ridge to explore this secret."

Su Qingyue nodded: "Okay, be careful. If you encounter any danger, contact me immediately and I will bring guards to your aid."

After making the arrangements, Huang Yiming led Yang Xiu and Qin Hu deeper into Black Wind Ridge. Deeper in, a howling wind swept through, ancient trees towered, and the spiritual energy grew increasingly dense, mingling with the faint fragrance of spiritual herbs. Yang Xiu activated his hidden spiritual root, releasing a weak amount of spiritual energy to sense the surrounding activity and guide the group.

"Brother Ming, there's a strong fluctuation of spiritual energy ahead; it should be where high-grade spiritual herbs are located," Yang Xiu said to Huang Yiming, stopping in his tracks.

Huang Yiming nodded in acknowledgment, and the group slowed their pace, cautiously making their way towards the source of the spiritual energy. After passing through a dense forest, the scene before them was breathtaking: a clearing was covered with high-grade spiritual herbs, the spiritual energy so dense it was almost condensed into water droplets, and among the herbs, a group of rogue cultivators sat cross-legged, guarding them.

The leader of the rogue cultivators, dressed in black with a face full of scars and surrounded by spiritual energy, was clearly a Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator. Sensing the aura of Huang Yiming and his group, he opened his eyes and swept them over, his gaze icy as he arrogantly declared, "Where did these brats come from, daring to trespass into the spirit herb-producing area of ​​Black Wind Ridge? If you want spirit herbs, you'll have to get past me first!"

Seeing this, Qin Hu immediately pulled out his pistol, pointed it at the leader, and shouted, "Stop being arrogant! Our Brother Ming is very powerful. Hand over the spirit herb now, or I'll shoot you!"

The rogue cultivators laughed loudly, mocking, "You mortal brute, daring to act tough with a piece of junk? You're truly courting death!"

Enraged, Qin Hu was about to pull the trigger when Huang Yiming stopped him: "Don't rush. The other side has a leader at the third level of Qi Refining. We can't fight them head-on. Let's test their strength first."

Huang Yiming stepped forward and said calmly, "Brother, we are just passing by and would like to pick a few spiritual herbs for cultivation. Please do us a favor." He deliberately pretended to be weak and eager for spiritual herbs, trying to lull the other party into a false sense of security.

The leader of the rogue cultivators sneered, "Convenience? In Black Wind Ridge, you have to rely on strength to get spiritual herbs! You, a pseudo-spiritual root cultivator at the first level of Qi Refining, dare to talk about convenience? Today I will destroy your spiritual root and make you a mortal for eternity!"

Before he could finish speaking, the leader charged forward with a punch, the force of which was fierce and carried with it a dense spiritual energy. Huang Yiming deliberately feigned weakness, pretending to be outmatched and retreating repeatedly, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, looking extremely disheveled.

"Brother Ming!" Yang Xiu cried anxiously, quickly activating her hidden spiritual root to release a weak but pure spiritual energy to assist Huang Yiming. Just then, a system notification sounded: [Detected that Yang Xiu's hidden spiritual root has been nourished by spiritual energy, triggering an advancement quest. Upon completion of the quest, the hidden spiritual root can advance to a pure spiritual root, with a significant increase in spiritual energy purity.]

Yang Xiu was overjoyed and accelerated the circulation of her spiritual energy, releasing a purer stream that enveloped Huang Yiming. Huang Yiming felt a warmth spread through his body, and his spiritual energy flowed more smoothly. He secretly rejoiced: Yang Xiu's advancement in his hidden spiritual root was undoubtedly a timely help.

At this moment, Qin Yuling arrived with several guards—she had received a message from Su Qingyue and, worried that Huang Yiming was in danger, had come to his aid immediately. "Yiming, I'm here to help you!"

Qin Yuling drew her sword and charged towards the rogue cultivators. Her sword flashed fiercely, instantly knocking down a low-level rogue cultivator. The other rogue cultivators rushed forward to stop her, and the two sides clashed.

Seeing Huang Yiming suddenly aided by spiritual energy, his aura becoming even more refined, the leader of the rogue cultivators was surprised but remained arrogant: "Even with help, you are no match for me!"

Huang Yiming sneered, no longer pretending to be weak. He circulated his spiritual energy and, with the help of Yang Xiu and the purification of spiritual energy by the spiritual energy purifier, his spiritual energy surged instantly, breaking through to the second level of Qi Refining, and his aura became increasingly sharp.

"What? You actually broke through to the second level of Qi Refining?" The leader of the rogue cultivators was filled with disbelief and fear.

Huang Yiming flashed forward, instantly appearing in front of the leader and delivering a punch to his chest. The leader screamed, spitting out blood, and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground. Huang Yiming stepped forward, stomping on his chest, his eyes icy: "Now, do you still think I'm no match for you?"

The leader of the rogue cultivators was filled with despair and begged for mercy repeatedly: "I was wrong. I'll give you all the spiritual herbs. Please spare me. I'm willing to follow you and serve you."

Seeing this, the surrounding rogue cultivators all laid down their weapons and knelt down in surrender, indicating their willingness to follow them. Huang Yiming nodded and said, "Since you are willing to follow me, I will spare your lives. From now on, you will follow me to protect the spiritual herbs of Black Wind Ridge."

After dealing with the rogue cultivators, Huang Yiming walked among the spiritual herbs to examine them closely. He discovered that these herbs and spiritual veins were all nourished by low-level spiritual veins left over from ancient times, making them extremely valuable. The leader of the rogue cultivators got up and walked up to Huang Yiming, cautiously saying, "Young Master, actually, the spiritual veins of Black Wind Ridge were deliberately left behind by the Azure Cloud Sect to test your strength. In addition, the Black Stone Sect is also secretly watching these spiritual veins, wanting to seize their power."

Huang Yiming's expression changed drastically—the Qingyun Sect had already laid a trap in Black Wind Ridge, it seemed they had long coveted his secret of dual realms. Meanwhile, the Black Stone Sect was also secretly observing, hoping to reap the benefits. He knew that an even greater crisis was quietly approaching.

Just then, Yang Xiu suddenly spoke up, her face full of joy: "Brother Ming, my hidden spiritual root has advanced and become a pure spiritual root!" She circulated her spiritual energy, and a stream of pure spiritual energy was released, its concentration several times higher than before.

Huang Yiming was overjoyed and quickly checked Yang Xiu's aura. Sure enough, her spiritual root had advanced to a pure spiritual root, and her cultivation speed would greatly increase. "That's great, Xiu'er, you will definitely become a powerful cultivator in the future."

Qin Yuling and Qin Hu were also happy for Yang Xiu. Qin Hu said with a smile, "Xiu'er, you're amazing. You'll have to look after me from now on."

Yang Xiu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded. Huang Yiming looked at the spiritual vein and herbs before him, secretly calculating: he must protect the spiritual vein and use its power to quickly improve his and those around him's cultivation to cope with the impending crisis. But he didn't know that at this moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Qingyun Sect were already on their way to Black Wind Ridge, their target being the spiritual vein and the secrets of the dual realms.