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

At the gate of Yiming Village, the spiritual energy suddenly intensified. Unlike Li Hao's earlier early Foundation Establishment stage aura, this energy was as deep and unyielding as an abyss, carrying the arrogance unique to sect cultivators, instantly enveloping the entire village. The rogue disciples on duty paled, gripping their weapons tightly, and loudly announced, "Village Chief! A cultivator from the Qingyun Sect has arrived, and their aura is extremely powerful!"

Huang Yiming was discussing matters with Qin Yuling, Yang Xiu, and Su Qingyue in the Hall of Righteousness, deliberating on how to further strengthen the spiritual vein's defenses and expand the guard's combat strength. Upon hearing the report, the four exchanged glances, all seeing wariness in each other's eyes. Previously, Li Hao had been crippled, and the Qingyun Sect would certainly not let it go easily; they just hadn't expected the other side to arrive so quickly, and even send an elder-level figure.

"Let's go out and meet this Qingyun Sect elder." Huang Yiming stood up, his spiritual energy receding, deliberately maintaining the aura of a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator. He even deliberately slowed his pace, appearing somewhat flustered as a newly ascended cultivator facing a senior elder of a major sect—he wanted to play dumb to see what this elder was really up to.

Outside the village gate, three figures stood in mid-air. The leader, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, had a lean face, three long wisps of beard, and sharp, eagle-like eyes. His mid-Foundation Establishment spiritual energy was undisguised; he was none other than Wei Cang, an elder of the Qingyun Sect. Beside him were two Qi Refining Level 5 cultivators, their auras steady, their gazes warily scanning the defensive layout of Yiming Village, a barely perceptible greed hidden in their eyes.

Seeing Huang Yiming and the others walk out, Wei Cang slowly landed, forcing a fake smile on his face, but his tone was arrogant and condescending: "This must be Chief Huang, right? I am Wei Cang of the Qingyun Sect. I have heard that you are young and promising, breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining with pseudo-spiritual root and subduing the Black Wind Ridge spiritual vein. I have come to congratulate you."

Qin Yuling stepped forward, slightly blocking Huang Yiming's side, and said in a cold tone, "Elder Wei, you are too kind. The Qingyun Sect previously sent cultivator Li Hao to provoke us and even tried to seize the spiritual vein. Now they come to congratulate us. Isn't that too hypocritical?" Her cultivation had reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. Facing Wei Cang, who was in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, she felt pressure but was not afraid at all, showing the aura of a deputy chieftain.

Upon hearing this, Wei Cang frowned, feigning displeasure, and waved his hand: "That wretched Li Hao acted recklessly, provoking the chieftain without the sect's orders. I have already punished him. I have come here today for two reasons: first, to apologize, and second, to discuss with the chieftain: Qingyun Sect is willing to befriend Yiming Village and jointly protect the Black Wind Ridge spiritual vein. We can also provide the chieftain with cultivation resources to help him break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible."

Huang Yiming feigned surprise and quickly cupped his hands, his tone somewhat timid: "Elder Wei, you flatter me. I only obtained the spiritual vein by chance. It is my honor to be favored by the Qingyun Sect. However, the matter of the spiritual vein concerns the livelihood of everyone in the village. I dare not make decisions on my own and need to discuss it with my brothers."

As he spoke, he gestured to Su Qingyue with his eyes. Su Qingyue understood and quietly took out a miniature monitoring device hidden in her sleeve—a high-tech product she had brought from the city, capable of clearly recording sound and images even under the influence of spiritual energy. She pretended to adjust her sleeves, pointed the device at Wei Cang, and silently began recording.

Seeing Huang Yiming's "timid and cowardly" demeanor, Wei Cang's contempt deepened, and his tone became increasingly casual: "Chief Huang, there's no need to be so reserved. Qingyun Sect is a major sect, and it's your good fortune to be able to cooperate with us. I won't hide it from you, although the Black Wind Ridge spiritual vein is only of low grade, it holds hidden mysteries. Qingyun Sect is willing to help you develop the spiritual vein, but in the future, the spiritual herbs and spiritual energy produced by the spiritual vein must be divided among Qingyun Sect at 30%."

He paused, then asked casually, "I've heard that Chief Huang has the ability to travel between the two worlds, bringing back 'rare items' from the mortal realm, and even using mortal objects to aid in cultivation? I wonder what kind of treasures these are? Could you allow me to take a look?"

Huang Yiming sneered inwardly. As expected, the other party had come for the secrets of the dual realms and the spiritual veins. He deliberately feigned difficulty and stammered, "Elder, you jest. I have no ability to travel between the two realms. I just happened to obtain some trinkets from the mortal world, which luckily aided my cultivation. It's nothing to mention, nothing to mention at all." While he was being perfunctory, he secretly observed Wei Cang's expression. He saw a hint of impatience flash in the other party's eyes, clearly indicating that he did not believe his excuse.

Yang Xiu stood to the side, activating her hidden spiritual root to subtly sense the auras of the two cultivators behind Wei Cang. She discovered that while they appeared to be behaving themselves, they were actually secretly probing the defensive weaknesses of Yiming Village and even drawing up a layout map of the village. Without making a sound, she nudged Huang Yiming with her elbow, signaling him to be careful.

Qin Yuling also sensed something was wrong and deliberately interrupted, "Elder Wei, the matter of the spiritual vein is of great importance. We need to discuss it for three days. How about we give you an answer after three days?" She deliberately delayed the time, recording more evidence for Su Qingyue while buying Huang Yiming time to prepare.

Wei Cang pondered for a moment, figuring Huang Yiming wouldn't come up with anything unexpected, and nodded: "Very well, I'll stay outside the stronghold for three days and await the stronghold chief's reply. But I remind the stronghold chief, a wise man knows when to yield, so don't reject the Qingyun Sect's goodwill too thoroughly." With that, he waved his hand, and with two disciples, they flashed to a hillside not far from the stronghold, where they set up a temporary cave dwelling.

After everyone left, Huang Yiming's timidity vanished instantly, replaced by a cold expression: "This Wei Cang, on the surface he's showing goodwill, but in reality he's trying to find out the secrets of the dual realms and the situation of the spiritual veins. He even wants to take away 30% of the spiritual veins' output. What wishful thinking!"

Su Qingyue took out a miniature monitoring device and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I recorded every word and every action of his. Moreover, I just discovered that he has the aura of a Black Stone Sect cultivator on him, so there is probably some other collusion between the two."

Yang Xiu added, "His two disciples behind him have been secretly drawing up a layout map of the stronghold, seemingly trying to figure out our defensive weaknesses. They might even have a backup plan."

Qin Yuling frowned: "He is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Even if the four of us join forces, we might not be a match for him. Moreover, he is temporarily staying outside the village, which means he is monitoring us. Our every move is under his watchful eye."

Huang Yiming's lips curled into a cold smile: "What's there to be afraid of? If he wants to play the good guy, we'll play along to the end. Three days is enough time for us to make preparations. Qingyue, you continue to secretly monitor him and record his every move; Yuling, you strengthen the defenses within the stronghold and have the guards ready for battle; Yangxiu, use your hidden spiritual root to scout the surrounding area and see if there are any other cultivators from the Qingyun Sect or the Black Stone Sect lurking there."

"Yes!" the three women answered in unison, their eyes filled with determination. Huang Yiming watched the three women's busy figures, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart—with them by his side, he had confidence no matter how great the crisis he faced.

As night fell, Yiming Village was brightly lit, its guards intensifying their patrols, and multiple layers of restrictions were placed around the spiritual vein. On the hillside outside the village, Wei Cang stood at the entrance of his cave, gazing in the direction of Yiming Village. A sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips as he took out a black token and whispered, "Are the Black Stone Sect people ready? In three days, we will coordinate from within and without to seize the spiritual vein and the secrets of the dual realms, and utterly annihilate Yiming Village!" The token emitted a faint black light, and after a moment, a hoarse reply came: "Elder Wei, rest assured, we are ready, awaiting only your signal."

All of this was clearly recorded by Su Qingyue's surveillance equipment. Huang Yiming stood by the window of the Hall of Righteousness, gazing at the night outside the stronghold, a cold glint in his eyes—Wei Cang, you think you're plotting against me? Little do you know, you've already fallen into my trap. But he didn't know that Wei Cang's schemes were far more sophisticated than he imagined; a far greater crisis was quietly brewing.