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

In the spiritual energy plaza of Yiming Village, spiritual energy rose like mist. Yang Xiu sat cross-legged, surrounded by a faint, shimmering white spiritual energy, her aura calm and deep. Three days ago, Huang Yiming, using his ability to share spiritual veins, transferred most of his pure spiritual energy to her, supplemented by the high-grade urban nutrient solution brought by Su Qingyue. Today was a crucial moment for her to break through to the second level of Qi Refining. Qin Yuling stood guard beside her, holding a long sword, her eyes sharp as an eagle, vigilantly watching for any movement around her; Su Qingyue held a bowl of warm spiritual herb soup, gently instructing her, her eyes full of concern; Huang Yiming stood not far away, hands behind his back, a gentle smile on his lips. On the system panel, Yang Xiu's spiritual energy value was visibly soaring.

With a soft "hum," Yang Xiu's spiritual energy suddenly surged, forming a small vortex that swept up the free spiritual energy in the plaza, drawing it all into her body. A faint light flickered between her brows, and the aura of her hidden spiritual root erupted completely. It was no longer weak and obscure as before, but instead carried a gentle yet powerful penetrating force, even drawing in the spiritual energy of the surrounding veins, which slowly converged towards her.

"It's done!" Su Qingyue cheered softly, her eyes filled with joy. Qin Yuling also slowly sheathed her sword, a rare gentleness appearing on her face. She nodded and said, "Once a hidden spiritual root is fully awakened, its cultivation speed far surpasses that of an ordinary spiritual root. Yang Xiu, that girl, has finally made it through."

Yang Xiu slowly opened her eyes, a flash of light in them. She stood up and bowed gracefully to Huang Yiming, her voice clear and firm: "Young Master, I have broken through to the second level of Qi Refining." Her aura was steady and profound, without any of the fragility of a recent breakthrough. The advantage of her hidden spiritual root was fully displayed. Even though she was only at the second level of Qi Refining, the purity of her spiritual energy was comparable to that of an ordinary third-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Huang Yiming stepped forward, raised his hand and gently brushed away the spiritual energy fragments on her shoulder, his tone gentle: "Not bad, you have not let me down, nor have you let yourself down." His fingertips carried a faint spiritual energy, and when they touched Yang Xiu's shoulder, Yang Xiu's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes, but she did not flinch, only showing full respect and reliance.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the gate. Several cultivators dressed in various sect attire were stopped by the guards. The leader, a man in a blue robe, possessed a calm and collected aura, indicating he was at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Behind him were two cultivators at the third level of Qi Refining, their expressions arrogant. "I am Li Song of the Qingmu Sect. I request an audience with Chief Huang. I have important matters to discuss," the blue-robed cultivator's voice boomed, echoing throughout the entire spiritual energy plaza.

Huang Yiming raised an eyebrow. The Green Wood Sect was one of the stronger sects in the area, always acting alone. Their sudden arrival today suggested they were no pushovers. He waved his hand, signaling the guards to let them through, and asked calmly, "Fellow Daoist Li, what brings you here from afar?"

Li Song's gaze swept over Huang Yiming, finally landing on Yang Xiu. A hint of amazement flashed in his eyes, and he got straight to the point: "Chief Huang, to be honest, I've come today to invite Miss Yang to join my Green Wood Sect. Miss Yang possesses extraordinary talent with hidden spiritual roots. Staying in Yiming Village would only bury her talent. If she joins my Green Wood Sect, my sect leader is willing to personally teach her cultivation techniques and bestow high-grade spiritual herbs to help her break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible, and perhaps even go further."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuling frowned slightly, Su Qingyue also looked displeased, and the two cultivators behind Li Song looked even more disdainful, mocking, "That's right, Yiming Village is just a gathering place for refugees and rogue cultivators. Miss Yang has outstanding talent, why should she settle here and follow Chief Huang, a pseudo-spiritual root cultivator? Sooner or later, she will ruin her future."

Yang Xiu's face darkened. He stepped forward, blocking Huang Yiming's path, his eyes resolute, his tone icy: "Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Li, but in this life, I, Yang Xiu, will only follow Young Master Huang. No matter how strong or weak Yiming Village is, I will never leave. As for what you say about burying my talent, my achievements today are entirely due to Young Master Huang's help. Without him, I would not be who I am today."

Li Song's smile froze, clearly not expecting Yang Xiu to refuse so decisively. His tone turned cold: "Miss Yang, you should think carefully. The resources of the Green Wood Sect are far superior to those of Yiming Village. If you refuse today, you may not have such an opportunity in the future."

"No need to overthink it." Yang Xiu's tone was unquestionable, and his spiritual energy surged slightly. "My mind is made up. If Fellow Daoist Li has only come to persuade me to join the sect, then please leave and do not disturb the peace of Yiming Village any further."

Li Song's face darkened completely, and a hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes: "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences! Since you refuse to accept my kindness, then don't blame me for being impolite! Today, I will forcibly take you back to the Green Wood Sect and see what Chief Huang can do to me!" After saying that, he waved his hand to signal the two cultivators behind him to make a move, while his own spiritual energy surged, faintly suppressing any potential threat.

Huang Yiming stepped forward, shielding Yang Xiu behind him, a cold smile playing on his lips. His tone was indifferent: "Fellow Daoist Li, aren't you being a bit too presumptuous to steal my people on my Yiming Village's territory?" His aura appeared calm, but he was secretly circulating his cultivation technique, with the pure spiritual energy from the spiritual energy purifier continuously flowing into his body, ready to strike at any moment.

"So what if you're presumptuous?" Li Song sneered. "You're just a pseudo-spiritual root cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining, while I'm a true spiritual root cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Do you think I'm afraid of you? Today, either you hand over Miss Yang, or I'll raze your Yiming Village to the ground!"

Before he could finish speaking, two Qi Refining Level 3 cultivators rushed forward, thrusting their swords straight at Huang Yiming. Huang Yiming moved slightly, neither dodging nor avoiding, and raised his hand, his fist imbued with pure spiritual energy, slamming it hard into the sword of one of the cultivators. With a crisp clang, the cultivator was jolted back, his hand split open, his sword nearly slipping from his grasp, his face filled with shock.

Seeing this, another cultivator seized the opportunity to thrust his sword at Huang Yiming's back. Yang Xiu's eyes narrowed, and he activated the spiritual energy of his hidden spiritual root, flicking out a spiritual energy needle from his fingertip, precisely striking the cultivator's acupoint. The cultivator's spiritual energy faltered, his movements instantly stiffening. Huang Yiming countered with a punch to his chest, sending him flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, spitting blood, and lost his fighting ability.

Li Song's pupils constricted sharply. He never expected that Yang Xiu, a cultivator who had just broken through to the second level of Qi Refining, could so easily defeat a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining. He also never expected Huang Yiming's physical strength to be so formidable. He steadied himself, gritted his teeth, and swung his sword at Huang Yiming. The sword was shrouded in dense spiritual energy, aiming straight for Huang Yiming's brow.

Huang Yiming's sneer deepened. He deliberately concealed his aura, feigning weakness and retreating repeatedly, seemingly in a sorry state, but in reality, he was observing Li Song's moves. Just as Li Song's sword was about to pierce him, Huang Yiming's expression suddenly changed. His spiritual energy surged, and the aura of a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator erupted, far surpassing that of an ordinary fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator. He raised his hand, firmly grasped Li Song's sword, and with a gentle twist, the longsword instantly shattered.

"Impossible! How can you have such strong spiritual energy!" Li Song's face was full of disbelief and his eyes were filled with fear. He tried to pull his hand back, but found that Huang Yiming's hand was as immovable as an iron clamp.

"So even a pseudo-spiritual root can't be stronger than you?" Huang Yiming's tone was icy. With a slight exertion, Li Song let out a scream as his wrist was snapped, his spiritual energy instantly becoming chaotic. Huang Yiming kicked Li Song to the ground, looking down at him condescendingly. "I'll say it again, Yang Xiu is from my Yiming Village. Anyone who dares to touch her, I'll cripple them!"

Li Song lay prostrate on the ground, trembling all over, his face full of remorse. He repeatedly kowtowed and begged for mercy: "Chief Huang, spare my life! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I shouldn't have offended Miss Yang, I shouldn't have provoked you. Please spare my life, I will never dare to do it again!"

Huang Yiming snorted coldly, released his grip, and said indifferently, "Get lost! Tell your Qingmu Sect Master that if you ever dare to plot against Yiming Village again, I will wipe out your entire Qingmu Sect!"

Li Song felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled to his feet, helping the two cultivators beside him, and fled Yiming Village in a disheveled state, not even daring to take his broken sword with him. Watching their disheveled figures, Qin Yuling smiled, Su Qingyue nodded with a smile, and Yang Xiu looked up at Huang Yiming, her eyes filled with admiration and reliance, and whispered, "Thank you, young master."

Huang Yiming turned around and gently patted her head: "Why are you being so polite with me? With me here, no one can bully you." Qin Yuling stepped forward, her tone gratified: "Yang Xiu, you did very well today. You not only upheld your principles but also demonstrated your strength." Su Qingyue handed over some spiritual herb soup: "Drink some soup quickly to stabilize your cultivation. Don't let the fight just now affect the stability of your spiritual energy."

Yang Xiu accepted the herbal soup, her eyes slightly reddening. Looking at the three people before her, her heart was filled with warmth. She knew she hadn't made the wrong choice; Yiming Village was her true home, and Young Master Huang was the one she should follow for life.

Just as the atmosphere among them was harmonious, Huang Yiming's system suddenly sounded a notification: [Detected the aura of a high-level cultivator from the Qingyun Sect, rapidly approaching Yiming Village. The aura is subtle, suggesting they are secretly spying. Target unknown.] Huang Yiming's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself: The Qingyun Sect has indeed not given up. It seems a new crisis is about to begin.