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

The crimson of the Spirit Clan's secret realm had not yet faded. Elder Lingsong's corpse lay beside the Spirit Vein Altar, its evil aura being gradually dissolved by the power of the spiritual plants. Lingxi gripped the blood-stained spirit wood sword, her fingertips still carrying the chill of slaying a traitor. But when she turned to look at Huang Yiming, the sharpness around her instantly softened, and the undried tear tracks on her pale cheeks made her even more pitiful.

Huang Yiming was circulating his dual-realm energy to help the Spirit Clan elders suppress the agitation of the spiritual veins. Zi Yao and Qin Yuling stood on either side, their eyes warily scanning the surroundings of the secret realm, guarding against a counterattack from the remaining forces of the Black Stone Sect. Noticing Ling Xi's gaze, he withdrew his spiritual energy, quickly stepped forward, and gently brushed the dust from her hair. His tone was gentle yet solemn: "Ling Xi, the traitor has been eliminated, and the agitation of the spiritual veins has been stabilized. Your injuries have not yet healed, so please rest for a while."

Lingxi gently shook her head, raised her hand and pressed it against his wrist. The spiritual power of the plant in her palm slowly seeped into his meridians, sensing the chaotic yet profound spiritual energy within him. A trace of worry flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. The surrounding Spirit Clan disciples and elders all stopped, their gazes respectful yet curious—everyone knew that the Spirit Clan's Holy Maiden was aloof and cold, and had never shown such emotions towards any man.

"Yiming," Lingxi's voice was clear and firm, echoing throughout the entire altar plaza without the slightest hesitation, "If it weren't for you today, the Spirit Clan's secret realm would have been broken, the spiritual veins destroyed, and I would have long since become a pawn of traitors. From the moment you saved me at Black Wind Ridge to now risking your life to help me, I, Lingxi, will forever remember this kindness, and I have long since fallen for you."

Huang Yiming was slightly taken aback, and seeing the undisguised affection in her eyes, his heart warmed. Qin Yuling, standing to the side, smiled slightly, her eyes showing no jealousy but rather a hint of blessing; Zi Yao leaned against a stone pillar, smiled charmingly, and teased, "Young master, Saintess Lingxi is so devoted to you, you can't let her down."

Lingxi ignored their teasing, looked up at Huang Yiming, and said with increasing determination, "I know you have Qingyue and Yuling by your side, Yiming Village to protect, and the Great Path of the Two Realms to walk. But I, Lingxi, am willing to lay down the shackles of the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Clan, give up the security of the secret realm, and follow you to your side, to be your strongest support, to accompany you through the city, the sects, and the immortal path, no matter how dangerous the road ahead, I will never back down."

This confession, frank and passionate, fully demonstrated the decisiveness of the Spirit Clan's Holy Maiden. The Spirit Clan's Grand Elder stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "The Holy Maiden's mind is made up; we dare not obstruct her. Young Master Huang, Holy Maiden Lingxi is the most precious treasure of our Spirit Clan. She is willing to follow you. Our entire Spirit Clan is also willing to treat you as an honored guest. If there is any need for your service in the future, we will gladly die for you and are even more willing to help you reach higher levels of cultivation."

Huang Yiming grasped Lingxi's slightly cool hand in return, his fingertips conveying warmth. His tone was solemn: "Lingxi, I'm sorry you've been wronged. I, Huang Yiming, hereby swear that I will protect you, safeguard the Spirit Clan, fight alongside you, and live up to your expectations and the trust of the Spirit Clan."

Tears welled in Lingxi's eyes as she nodded vigorously, a long-lost pure smile appearing on her face, a hint of shyness and relief softening her usually cool demeanor. Afterwards, Huang Yiming instructed Ziyao to assist the Spirit Clan elders in clearing the secret realm and treating the injured disciples, while Qin Yuling was responsible for reinforcing the realm's defenses. He himself accompanied Lingxi to the Spirit Clan's healing chamber, using the energy of the dual realms to mend her damaged meridians.

The secret chamber was filled with the rich spiritual energy of the spiritual plants. Huang Yiming's dual-realm energy slowly flowed into Ling Xi's body, nourishing her damaged dantian. Ling Xi closed her eyes and whispered, "Yiming, your spiritual energy is disordered, you must be about to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. My Spirit Clan has a Primordial Spirit Spring, containing the pure power of spiritual plant essence, plus the Primordial Jade Dew treasured by the elders, which will surely help you stabilize your spiritual energy and break through smoothly."

Huang Yiming was overjoyed and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Lingxi. With your help, I'm sure I'll be able to break through smoothly. Once your injuries have healed, we'll go to the Spirit Spring." Just then, a Spirit Clan disciple rushed in, looking panicked, "Holy Maiden, Young Master Huang, something terrible has happened! A Black Stone Sect sentry has been discovered on the outskirts of the secret realm, and they left behind a secret letter, seemingly addressed to the Azure Cloud Sect!"

The two exchanged a glance, a hint of seriousness flashing in their eyes. Huang Yiming immediately withdrew his energy, took the secret letter, and opened it. The handwriting was sinister and ruthless: "Huang Yiming, the Black Stone Sect will avenge the Spirit Clan! The Azure Cloud Sect has reconciled with our sect. When you break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining and your spiritual veins are not yet stable, that will be the day Yiming Village and the Spirit Clan are destroyed. The Spirit Heart Pendant and the Dual Realm Energy are ours to obtain!"

Lingxi's face darkened, and anger flared in her eyes: "They actually joined forces! They're clearly afraid of your strength after your breakthrough and want to take advantage of you when you're at your weakest!" Huang Yiming crushed the secret letter, his eyes icy: "They want to kill me, but they should see if they have the ability."

Qin Yuling and Ziyao rushed over upon hearing the news. After learning the details, Ziyao said fiercely, "Young Master, what are you afraid of? Even if they join forces, I can protect you. We will make them pay for their crimes in blood!" Qin Yuling calmly suggested, "Brother Yiming, we must return to Yiming Village as soon as possible to strengthen our defenses and prepare for a breakthrough. We must not give them any opportunity to take advantage of us."

Huang Yiming pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yuling and Ziyao, you two stay here to assist the Spirit Clan elders in reinforcing the secret realm's defenses, healing the injured disciples, and guarding against a sneak attack from the Black Stone Sect. I will return to Yiming Village first to settle the affairs there, and then come back to accompany Lingxi to the Spirit Spring for her breakthrough."

Lingxi stood up, gently took his arm, her eyes filled with worry: "Yiming, you must be careful. The Qingyun Sect and the Black Stone Sect will definitely set up an ambush along the way. If you encounter any danger, send me a message immediately. I will do everything in my power to come and help you."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Huang Yiming gently patted her hand, then turned into a streak of light and sped towards the exit of the secret realm. Unbeknownst to him, after he left, a strange black shadow silently followed from the shadows deep within the secret realm, its eyes filled with malice and a calculating smile curling at the corner of its mouth—it was another spy planted by the Black Stone Sect within the Spirit Clan, and also a pawn of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Traveling at breakneck speed, Huang Yiming evaded several of the Black Stone Sect's sentries and arrived safely at Yiming Village. Yang Xiu and Qin Hu were already waiting at the village gate. Upon seeing Huang Yiming's return, they immediately rushed forward: "Brother Yiming, you're back! Is Saintess Lingxi alright?"

"Lingxi is fine, and the traitor of the Spirit Clan has been eliminated, but the Qingyun Sect and the Black Stone Sect have joined forces and are preparing to launch a sneak attack on Yiming Village and the Spirit Clan while I am breaking through." Huang Yiming said in a solemn tone, "Yang Xiu, you immediately integrate the guards in the village, strengthen their training, and improve the defensive formations; Qin Hu, you deploy all the heavy weapons that Qingyue sent, and thoroughly investigate the traitors in the village to prevent the enemy from colluding with you from within and without."

The two responded in unison and immediately turned to make arrangements. Huang Yiming settled everything in Yiming Village and, without lingering, returned to the Spirit Clan's secret realm. By this time, Ling Xi's injuries had mostly healed, and the Spirit Clan elders had prepared the Origin Jade Dew and were waiting at the Spirit Spring. A battle concerning breakthrough and life or death had begun.