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

The urban crisis was temporarily averted. Huang Yiming handed over the auction proceeds to Su Qingyue to manage the company and reinforce the city's defenses, while he himself returned to Yiming Village with Qin Hu. At this time, there was still one day before Wang Kun and the Black Stone Sect would launch a joint attack on Yiming Village. The village's defenses had been completed, and Qin Yuling and Qin Hu's combat power had greatly improved after training. The rogue cultivators were also eager to meet the enemy.

Upon returning to the village, Huang Yiming saw Yang Xiu cultivating alone in the spiritual vein cultivation room: his hidden spiritual root was operating at full power, his body surrounded by a faint spiritual energy, and his aura was more refined than before. Thanks to this period of cultivation, coupled with the nutrient solution and spiritual vein nourishment brought by Su Qingyue, Yang Xiu's cultivation had broken through to the first level of Qi Refining. Although only at the early stage of the first level of Qi Refining, the advantages of his hidden spiritual root were gradually becoming apparent, and his cultivation speed far exceeded that of ordinary Qi Refining cultivators.

Huang Yiming quietly walked over, not disturbing her, and stood quietly to the side watching. Yang Xiu sensed someone was there, slowly opened her eyes, and seeing it was Huang Yiming, a joyful smile immediately appeared on her face. She stood up and said, "Young Master, you're back? Has the crisis in the city been resolved?" Huang Yiming nodded and said gently, "It's resolved. Thanks to you for everything in the village these past few days, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work for me. I'm just happy to be able to help you, young master." Yang Xiu's cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke softly. "Young master, I've already broken through to the first level of Qi Refining. Although my cultivation is still low, I will work hard to cultivate and become your help as soon as possible, no longer holding you back." Huang Yiming gently patted her head and praised her, "You're already very capable. Your hidden spiritual root has enormous potential. As long as you cultivate diligently, you will definitely become a top cultivator in the future. I believe in you."

Just then, a commotion arose outside the village, accompanied by mocking voices: "She dares to cultivate immortality techniques with her hidden spiritual root? What a waste of spiritual energy! Hidden spiritual roots are practically useless; no matter how much she cultivates, she'll never catch up to those with orthodox spiritual roots. To think she can become a top cultivator is simply wishful thinking!"

Huang Yiming and Yang Xiu exchanged a glance, their faces both turning grim. They rose and walked towards the gate of the village. Standing at the gate were several outer disciples of the Qingyun Sect, led by Zhang Hao, a Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator—he was Wang Kun's vanguard, sent ahead to provoke Yiming Village and probe its strength. Several disciples beside Zhang Hao pointed at Yang Xiu, their faces full of mockery and disdain.

Qin Yuling and Qin Hu also rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing Zhang Hao and the others, Qin Hu immediately roared, "Who are you? How dare you act so arrogantly at the entrance of Yiming Village! You're courting death!" Zhang Hao sneered, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over Qin Hu before landing on Yang Xiu, his tone even more mocking: "I am Zhang Hao, a disciple of the Qingyun Sect, sent by Elder Wang Kun to inform Huang Yiming: Tomorrow, Elder Wang Kun will personally lead cultivators to raze Yiming Village to the ground and seize the spiritual veins and the secrets of the dual realms. As for you, a piece of trash with a hidden spiritual root, do you even deserve to cultivate immortality techniques? You might as well give up now and remain a mortal; you'll suffer less."

Yang Xiu's face turned deathly pale instantly, her hands clenching tightly—her hidden spiritual root had always been a source of deep resentment for her. From childhood, she had been repeatedly mocked and called a waste because of it. Now, being publicly humiliated by Zhang Hao, resentment and anger surged within her, but with her low cultivation level, she didn't even have the confidence to refute him. Huang Yiming held her hand, gently comforting her: "Don't be sad, he's just a clown. Your potential is beyond his comprehension. Today, let him see whether a hidden spiritual root is truly a waste spiritual root."

Yang Xiu raised her head, meeting Huang Yiming's resolute gaze. The grievances and anger in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a resolute conviction. She released Huang Yiming's hand, stepped forward, and stared sharply at Zhang Hao, her voice clear yet powerful: "You say the Hidden Spirit Root is a useless spiritual root, then let's have a contest. If I win, you must apologize to me in public and admit that the Hidden Spirit Root is not useless; if I lose, I will give up cultivation and never touch any immortal cultivation techniques again in this life."

Zhang Hao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his face full of disdain: "You? A mere early-stage Qi Refining Level 1 cultivator with a hidden spiritual root dares to challenge me? I am a mid-stage Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator; I could crush you with a single finger. Since you're courting death, then I'll grant your wish and make you fully realize your worthless nature!"

The cultivators and refugees in the village gathered around, their voices rising and falling in discussion. Some thought Yang Xiu was overestimating herself and was no match for Zhang Hao; others believed that her willingness to challenge him showed she had some confidence, and they cheered her on. Qin Yuling looked at Yang Xiu with concern and whispered to Huang Yiming, "Yiming, Yang Xiu's cultivation is too low; she's no match for Zhang Hao. Why don't I fight in her place?"

Huang Yiming shook his head, his eyes still firm: "No need. This is Yang Xiu's own choice, and we must believe in her. The advantage of the hidden spiritual root is far more than it appears on the surface; she will definitely win." He knew that Yang Xiu had always been looked down upon because of her hidden spiritual root. This competition was not only to prove herself but also to break the world's prejudice against hidden spiritual roots—he could not interfere, but could only support her silently.

The duel took place in an open area within the village. Zhang Hao struck first, unleashing all the spiritual energy of his mid-stage second level Qi Refining realm. He swung his palm towards Yang Xiu, the force of the blow carrying the energy like a whirlwind. Yang Xiu's eyes narrowed. He activated his hidden spiritual root, his spiritual energy flowing subtly, his body suddenly becoming light, skillfully dodging the full-force attack. Zhang Hao was astonished. He hadn't expected Yang Xiu to be so fast, able to evade his palm strike.

"You've got some skill, but it's not enough!" Zhang Hao sneered, charging forward again. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a series of spiritual energy palm prints towards Yang Xiu. Yang Xiu remained calm and composed. She activated her hidden spiritual root at full power, sensing Zhang Hao's spiritual energy fluctuations and accurately predicting the direction of his attacks, dodging them with ease time and time again. At the same time, she used the basic cultivation technique taught to her by Huang Yiming, condensing spiritual energy in her palms to launch counterattacks from time to time.

After several rounds, Zhang Hao grew increasingly impatient—he, a cultivator at the mid-stage of the second level of Qi Refining, was no match for a cultivator at the early stage of the first level of Qi Refining with a hidden spiritual root. What made it even more embarrassing for him was that Yang Xiu's spiritual energy was becoming increasingly condensed, and his counterattacks were becoming more and more fierce. He had been hit several times, and although his injuries were not serious, he had lost face.

"Trash, you dare to play me!" Zhang Hao was furious. He channeled all his spiritual energy and struck Yang Xiu's chest with his palm, using all his strength to deliver a fatal blow. Yang Xiu's eyes turned cold. He stopped dodging and unleashed the full power of his hidden spiritual root. His spiritual energy instantly condensed in his palm, colliding violently with Zhang Hao's hand. With a loud "bang," both men staggered back several steps. Zhang Hao's face turned deathly pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his spiritual energy in disarray. Yang Xiu, though slightly exhausted, maintained a steady breathing pattern, his eyes fixed firmly on Zhang Hao.

The entire arena erupted in uproar. No one could have imagined that Yang Xiu would actually win—a cultivator with a hidden spiritual root at the early stage of Qi Refining Level 1 had defeated a cultivator with a legitimate spiritual root at the mid stage of Qi Refining Level 2. It was simply unbelievable. Qin Hu waved his fist and shouted, "Yang Xiu, well done! Great fight!" Qin Yuling also showed a gratified smile, her eyes full of approval.

Zhang Hao was filled with disbelief, refusing to believe that he had lost to a "hidden spiritual root trash." "Impossible! How could I lose to you? You must have used some tricks!" He roared hysterically, trying to charge forward again, but was firmly suppressed by the aura released by Huang Yiming and could not move.

Huang Yiming stared coldly at Zhang Hao. Hao said, "A bet's a bet. You lost, so as agreed, you must apologize to Yang Xiu in public and admit that the Hidden Spiritual Root isn't a useless one." Zhang Hao's face turned pale. Amidst the mocking gazes of the surrounding crowd, he helplessly lowered his head and said in a low voice, "I was wrong. The Hidden Spiritual Root isn't a useless one. I apologize to you."

Yang Xiu looked at Zhang Hao, a relieved smile spreading across her face. Years of mockery and resentment finally vanished in that moment. She turned to Huang Yiming, her eyes filled with gratitude—without Huang Yiming's encouragement and guidance, she could never have achieved what she had today. Huang Yiming nodded at her, his eyes full of approval and tenderness.

After apologizing, Zhang Hao fled Yiming Village in a disheveled state with a few disciples. Watching their departing figures, Qin Hu sneered, "That kid really doesn't listen to reason. He got utterly thrashed by Yang Xiu. Let's see if he dares to mock those with hidden spiritual roots again." Qin Yuling also said, "Yang Xiu, you're really amazing. No one will dare to call you a waste anymore."

Yang Xiu smiled and said softly, "This is all thanks to you, Young Master. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to break through to the first level of Qi Refining, let alone defeat Zhang Hao." Huang Yiming held her hand and said gently, "This is all the result of your own hard work. I only provided some guidance. Next, we need to prepare to deal with the attacks from Wang Kun and the Black Stone Sect. You need to rest well, conserve your energy, and strive to break through another step in the battle."

Yang Xiu nodded, her eyes resolute: "Young Master, I will. I will definitely cultivate diligently, become your helper, and protect Yiming Village and everyone with you." Just then, Huang Yiming's system suddenly sounded a notification: "Detected that Yang Xiu defeated a traditional spiritual root cultivator, further stimulating the potential of the hidden spiritual root. Reward: one high-grade spiritual herb and one spiritual energy purifier. The host can use the high-grade spiritual herb to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining."

A flicker of surprise crossed Huang Yiming's eyes. He hadn't expected Yang Xiu's victory to bring him a system reward. Looking at Yang Xiu, a smile played on his lips: "Yang Xiu, you've done a great service! The system has rewarded you and given me the opportunity to break through. Tomorrow, let's defeat Wang Kun and the Black Stone Sect together, and show them the power of Yiming Village!"

Unbeknownst to Huang Yiming, Zhang Hao, after escaping Yiming Village, did not return to Wang Kun's camp. Instead, he secretly contacted the Qingyun Sect Master, reporting Huang Yiming and Yang Xiu's strength, as well as the defenses of Yiming Village, in detail. Upon hearing the report, the Qingyun Sect Master's eyes darkened, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "I didn't expect Huang Yiming to possess such strength, and Yang Xiu's hidden spiritual root to have such potential. It seems I must personally intervene to seize the secrets of the dual realms and the spiritual vein."