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

Inside Yiming Village, a bustling scene unfolded. Su Qingyue brought modern heavy weapons from the city and, together with Qin Yuling, rearranged the defense system, mounting the heavy weapons on the village walls and, in conjunction with the dual-realm energy talisman, forming an indestructible barrier. Huang Yiming personally guided the mortal forces and rogue cultivators who were attached to him, teaching them basic techniques and combat skills, and distributing a large amount of basic cultivation resources to enhance their combat power.

After several days of rest, Yang Xiu's injuries had completely healed. She didn't idle; while assisting Qin Yuling and Su Qingyue with village affairs, she also seized every opportunity to cultivate. Huang Yiming had previously given her high-grade healing pills and taught her a cultivation technique suitable for those with hidden spiritual roots. Combined with her own efforts, her cultivation steadily improved, and she was only one step away from breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.

That day, Yang Xiu went alone to the back mountain of Yiming Village, found a place rich in spiritual energy, sat cross-legged, and began her attempt to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. She circulated the spiritual energy within her body, following the cultivation method taught by Huang Yiming, slowly channeling the spiritual energy into her dantian to nourish her hidden spiritual root. Hidden spiritual roots are rare spiritual roots, usually concealed and unseen, but once unleashed, their power is boundless. However, cultivating them is extremely difficult, requiring a large amount of spiritual energy and a stroke of good fortune.

Huang Yiming sensed Yang Xiu's spiritual energy fluctuations and quietly came to the back mountain, standing not far away to silently guard her. He knew that once Yang Xiu's hidden spiritual root broke through, her combat power would greatly increase, making her a great asset to Yiming Village. Su Qingyue and Qin Yuling also sensed Yang Xiu's spiritual energy fluctuations and came to the back mountain, standing quietly beside Huang Yiming, their eyes full of anticipation.

The spiritual energy from the back mountain continuously converged on Yang Xiu, swirling around her and forming a faint aura of spiritual energy. Yang Xiu's complexion gradually became rosy, and the fluctuations of spiritual energy around her became increasingly intense. She gritted her teeth and circulated her cultivation technique with all her might, attempting to break through the bottleneck of the third level of Qi Refining and advance to the fourth level.

Just as Yang Xiu was about to break through her bottleneck, an unexpected event occurred—the spiritual energy within her body suddenly became chaotic, and the power of her hidden spiritual root uncontrollably backfired on her meridians. Yang Xiu's face instantly turned deathly pale, a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, and her whole body trembled violently, clearly indicating that she had encountered a dangerous situation during her breakthrough. If not handled properly, not only would she be unable to break through, but her meridians would also be damaged, leading to a significant drop in her cultivation level.

Seeing this, Qin Yuling anxiously wanted to step forward to help, but Huang Yiming stopped her: "Don't go over there. Breakthroughs are everyone's own opportunity, and they can only rely on themselves. If we rush in, we will only interfere with her and put her in greater danger. Don't worry, her hidden spiritual root is very strong. As long as she can keep her mind steady, she will definitely be able to break through the bottleneck."

Su Qingyue nodded as well. Although she was anxious, she understood that Huang Yiming's words were all reasonable. She could only stand quietly to the side and pray silently for Yang Xiu. Yang Xiu gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain in his meridians, and tried his best to calm his mind. Following the cultivation method taught by Huang Yiming, he gradually sorted out the disordered spiritual energy, slowly guiding the backlash of the hidden spiritual root's power back to his dantian, and regaining control of the spiritual energy in his body.

Time ticked by, and the aura of spiritual energy surrounding Yang Xiu grew increasingly dense, its fluctuations intensifying. Her body glowed faintly as the power of her hidden spiritual root erupted completely, unleashing a powerful surge of spiritual energy that swept across the entire area—several times denser than that of an ordinary fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Suddenly, Yang Xiu opened her eyes, a glint of light flashing within them. Her spiritual energy exploded, the pressure of a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator sweeping across the entire area—she had successfully broken through!

Yang Xiu slowly stood up, stretched her body, and felt the abundant spiritual energy within her. A joyful smile appeared on her face. She walked up to Huang Yiming, Qin Yuling, and Su Qingyue, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Brother Yiming, Sister Yuling, and Sister Qingyue. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to break through."

Qin Yuling stepped forward and gently took Yang Xiu's hand, a relieved smile on her face: "Yang Xiu, congratulations on successfully breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. Your efforts have not been in vain." Su Qingyue also smiled and said: "Yes, Yang Xiu, you are amazing. The power of the Hidden Spirit Root after its eruption is truly astonishing. We now have another powerful ally."

Huang Yiming looked at Yang Xiu with admiration in his eyes: "Not bad, Yang Xiu, you haven't disappointed me. Your hidden spiritual root has great potential, you must cultivate it well, and you will surely achieve great things in the future. Your combat power has increased a lot after your breakthrough, so next you will lead a group of guards to guard the gate and familiarize yourself with your strength."

"Yes, Brother Yiming!" Yang Xiu nodded in response, her eyes filled with determination—she could finally contribute more to Huang Yiming and Yiming Village.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the village gate. A guard rushed in, his expression panicked: "Young Master Huang, something terrible has happened! A mortal force around Black Wind Ridge has suddenly gone back on its word. Not only is it refusing to submit to us, but it has also joined forces with several other smaller forces to attack Yiming Village. Their leader is a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator!"

Huang Yiming's eyes turned cold, and his face instantly darkened—these mortal forces had gone back on their word and launched a joint attack on Yiming Village, clearly having been bribed by the Black Stone Sect. He ordered in a deep voice, "Yuling, lead a group of guards to defend the village gate and prevent them from easily breaching it; Qingyue, use heavy weapons to distract them; Yang Xiu, this is your first battle after your breakthrough. Lead a group of guards to launch a flanking attack, kill their leader, and teach them a lesson!"

"Yes!" the three replied in unison, immediately turning around and leading the guards toward the gate. Huang Yiming followed closely behind, wanting to see just how capable these fickle forces were, and also giving Yang Xiu the opportunity to gain experience and familiarize himself with his own strength.

Upon arriving at the village gate, they saw hundreds of cultivators gathered outside. Leading them was a burly man, radiating the aura of a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator—the leader of the mortal force. Seeing Huang Yiming and his group, he curled his lips into a mocking smile, his tone arrogant: "Huang Yiming, do you think we truly submit to you? It's just a temporary compromise! The Black Stone Sect Master has promised us that if we conquer Yiming Village, he will provide us with abundant cultivation resources and even help us improve our cultivation. Today, I will raze your Yiming Village to the ground and kill you, you arrogant fool!" "You're courting death!" Huang Yiming's tone was icy. "Since you've gone back on your word and colluded with the Black Stone Sect, don't blame me for being impolite! Yang Xiu, attack!" Yang Xiu nodded in agreement, his figure flashing as he instantly rushed out of the village gate. The power of his hidden spiritual root erupted violently, a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounding him. His speed was lightning fast as he lunged at the fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Seeing this, the Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator curled his lips into a disdainful smile: "A little girl who just broke through to the Qi Refining Level 4 dares to act tough in front of me, she really doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" He moved forward in a flash, gathering a stream of black spiritual energy in his palm and slapping it towards Yang Xiu.

Yang Xiu remained calm, nimbly dodging the opponent's attacks. At the same time, he gathered the spiritual energy of his hidden spiritual root at his fingertips and struck the opponent's chest. The spiritual energy of the hidden spiritual root seemed weak, but it contained extremely strong penetrating power. The Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator was completely unfazed by it and took Yang Xiu's palm strike head-on.

"Pfft—" The cultivator screamed, his body trembling violently as he flew backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with disbelief. He never imagined that a little girl who had just broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining could possess such formidable power; this single palm strike had actually injured his meridians.

The surrounding mortal cultivators were terrified at the sight and retreated hastily, their previous arrogance completely gone. Yang Xiu pressed his advantage, his figure flashing as he appeared before the cultivator again. He gathered spiritual energy at his fingertips and struck the cultivator's brow with his palm. The cultivator collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

"The leader is dead!" The cultivators from the surrounding mortal forces panicked completely and turned to flee. Seeing this, Qin Yuling and Su Qingyue immediately led their guards forward, killing the fleeing cultivators and clearing the battlefield. Before long, the cultivators from the mortal forces were either killed or begging for mercy, completely subdued.

Yang Xiu returned to Huang Yiming's side, her face showing a hint of fatigue, but she still smiled and said, "Brother Yiming, I did it!" Huang Yiming nodded, his eyes full of approval: "Not bad, Yang Xiu, you did very well. Such an outstanding performance in your first battle." Qin Yuling and Su Qingyue also came forward to praise Yang Xiu. Yang Xiu's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart filled with joy.

Just as everyone was clearing the battlefield, Huang Yiming's communication jade talisman suddenly vibrated. It was an unfamiliar signal with no identifier. He hesitated for a moment, then answered the call. A chilling, eerie voice came from the other end, sending shivers down his spine: "Huang Yiming, congratulations! Yang Xiu has successfully broken through, and Yiming Village's power is growing stronger. But don't be so smug. The Spirit Clan's Holy Maiden, Ling Xi, is now in my hands. If you want to save her, come to the Black Stone Sect headquarters alone, bringing the Spirit Heart Pendant and the Spirit Clan's supreme treasure. Don't tell anyone, or I'll kill Ling tide!"

Huang Yiming's expression changed drastically, his aura instantly turning icy cold. He clenched his fists, his voice chillingly sharp: "Who are you? Hand over Lingxi! If anything happens to Lingxi, I will ensure your Black Stone Sect is annihilated!"