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

Outside the secret chamber of the Zichen Hall in the imperial palace of the Great Ming Dynasty, spiritual energy surged like a tide, and layers of restrictions tightly enveloped the chamber. The air still carried the lingering scent of gunpowder from the battle against the Hongmeng Realm army of the past few days. Huang Yiming sat upright in the center of the chamber, surrounded by pale golden primordial power from both realms. His eyes were closed, and his robes fluttered without wind. He was at a crucial moment in his attempt to break through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm—this step was not only a leap in his personal combat power, but also the foundation for both realms to resist the high-level external enemies of the Hongmeng Realm, and the best reward for all the battles and defenses fought in the previous nine volumes.

Outside the secret chamber, the five women stood side by side, their expressions solemn, each fulfilling their duties and managing the protection of the Dharma with meticulous care. Every detail reflected the tacit understanding they had developed over the years, echoing their individual growth and division of labor in the previous nine volumes. Qin Yuling, clad in silver armor and wielding the Dragon Gall Spear, exuded the undisguised aura of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Her sharp, eagle-like gaze swept across the palace, behind her stood the elite soldiers of the dual-realm legions—this was how she appeared after leaving Qin Family Fortress (Volume 2), having endured countless battles and grown from an early-stage Golden Core cultivator into a pillar of strength for both realms. The jade pendant at her waist was still the protective charm that Huang Yiming had obtained for her at Qin Family Fortress years ago.

"Be alert! The cultivators of the Hongmeng Realm are treacherous and cunning. They will surely take advantage of the Supreme One's seclusion to launch a sneak attack. Anyone who dares to slack off will be punished according to military law!" Qin Yuling's voice was clear and powerful, echoing above the palace with an unquestionable majesty. Zi Yao stood beside her, dressed in black, her demonic aura restrained. She held the Soul-Devouring Whip of the Demon Sect in her hand, her eyes icy, and a faint killing intent emanating from her body. Since being subdued by Huang Yiming in Volume Six, she had grown from a rebel of the Demon Sect to the Demon Lord who ruled the Demon Sect and cleansed evil spirits. At this moment, she was mobilizing the Demon Sect disciples to patrol the hidden corners of the palace to guard against any potential attackers. The token at her waist was still the Demon Lord's Token personally bestowed upon her by Huang Yiming at the investiture ceremony.

Not far away, Su Qingyue, dressed in magnificent robes, held a communication jade talisman in her hand and was rapidly coordinating resources between the two worlds. Her tone was calm: "The firearms at all major strongholds in the Azure Netherworld have been replenished, the quantum tanks and laser cannons have been upgraded, and the supplies for the Urban Immortal Cultivation Academy have also been allocated. There will be absolutely no delay in preparations for war." The jade ring on her finger was the first gift Huang Yiming gave her when she met him in the city (Volume 3). Now, this jade ring has become her token for managing commerce in both worlds and coordinating resources across all realms. From a business elite in the city back then to a business magnate who now rules over commerce in both worlds, her growth has always been closely linked to Huang Yiming's path of reversal.

Lingxi stood at the entrance of the secret chamber, surrounded by dense spiritual energy. In her hand, she held the spiritual jade from the sacred land of the Spirit Clan, continuously channeling pure spiritual energy into the chamber to aid Huang Yiming's breakthrough. The Spirit Clan mark between her brows flickered slightly. Since awakening her mixed bloodline of the Spirit Clan and the Dragon Clan (Chapter 379), her spiritual plant power had grown stronger, and she was more able to sense the fluctuations of spiritual energy in the world. This was her transformation into a Spirit Saintess, step by step, after being rescued by Huang Yiming from the sacred land of the Spirit Clan (Volume 5). At this moment, she was protecting not only Huang Yiming, who was in seclusion, but also the spiritual foundation of the entire dual realms.

Yang Xiu stood quietly to the side, holding a bowl of warm healing pills. Her expression was gentle yet meticulous. Behind her were maids who were methodically managing all the affairs during her protection period: "The spiritual energy concentration in the secret chamber has been adjusted to the optimal level. Healing pills and cultivation resources are ready. You can replenish your strength immediately after the Supreme Breakthrough." The Shufei court dress she wore was personally draped over her by Huang Yiming at the investiture ceremony (Chapter 376). From being redeemed by Huang Yiming with bread in the first volume and escaping the control of human slaves, to now being the Shufei in charge of internal affairs and logistics in both realms, her gentleness and meticulousness have always been Huang Yiming's strongest support.

The group occasionally exchanged glances, understanding each other's feelings without needing to say a word. Along the way, they met in their respective circumstances, experiencing the dangers of Black Wind Ridge (Volume 1), their bond at Qin Family Fortress (Volume 2), the turmoil in the city (Volume 3), the secrets of the Spirit Clan (Volume 5), the upheaval of the Demon Sect (Volume 6), the rise of the Trade Alliance (Volume 7), the conspiracy of the Heavenly Evolution Sect (Volume 8), and finally ascending to the throne and upgrading their system in Volume 9. They had long since become family, bound by life and death, and were the most indispensable force on Huang Yiming's path to becoming the Supreme Being of the Two Realms.

Just then, the Spirit Clan mark between Lingxi's brows suddenly flickered violently. Her expression changed drastically: "Not good! An enemy has invaded! Their aura is strange; they are low-level cultivators from the Hongmeng Realm!" Before she finished speaking, several dark figures suddenly darted out from the shadows of the palace, their bodies shrouded in a dense aura of evil. Their target was the secret chamber, and they roared, "Huang Yiming's breakthrough is the perfect opportunity to kill him! Seize the Dragon Clan Key and present it to the evil cultivator!"

Qin Yuling's eyes narrowed, and she brandished her Dragon Gall Spear, charging forward first: "Don't even think about harming the Supreme One!" Zi Yao followed closely behind, her Soul-Devouring Whip lashing out, her demonic energy surging suddenly and instantly entangling a demonic cultivator: "You ignorant fool, how dare you run wild in the Great Ming Dynasty!" Su Qingyue immediately crushed the communication jade talisman, mobilizing the firearms surrounding the palace; Ling Xi gathered the power of spiritual plants, setting up a green barrier to firmly protect the entrance to the secret chamber; Yang Xiu quickly handed the pills to the maid, then turned to coordinate the internal guards to cooperate with Qin Yuling and Zi Yao in battle.

A fierce battle was about to erupt. Although the evil cultivators from the Hongmeng Realm were not highly skilled, they were exceptionally fierce and numerous, clearly having come prepared. Qin Yuling unleashed the full pressure of her early Nascent Soul stage, sweeping out her Dragon Gall Spear with each strike carrying earth-shattering power, instantly killing two evil cultivators. Back in Qin Family Fortress, she had struggled to even contend with Golden Core cultivators, yet now she could easily slay low-level cultivators from the Hongmeng Realm. This growth was inseparable from Huang Yiming's meticulous guidance and her own diligent cultivation.

Zi Yao then used a secret technique of the Demonic Sect to absorb the demonic energy of evil cultivators and transform it into her own combat power. Each time the Soul-Devouring Whip wrapped around her, it could drain the cultivation of an evil cultivator. She coldly shouted, "Back then, you evil cultivators of the Hongmeng Realm colluded with the Tianyan Sect (Volume 8) to harm the disciples of the Demonic Sect. Today is the time for reckoning!" Her eyes were full of killing intent. When she was subdued by Huang Yiming, she vowed to protect Huang Yiming and safeguard the peace of the Demonic Sect. Now that an enemy has come to her door, she will naturally not show any mercy.

Lingxi's spiritual plant power erupted continuously, causing vines to grow and firmly trap the evil cultivators. Combined with Qin Yuling and Ziyao's attacks, they gradually compressed the evil cultivators' living space. Su Qingyue's deployed firearms arrived in time, and laser cannons accurately bombarded several evil cultivators, turning them into ashes. This perfectly demonstrated the power of the fusion of modern technology and fantasy cultivation (the core setting after the system upgrade in Volume 9). Yang Xiu coordinated from the rear, supplying Qin Yuling and the others with healing pills to ensure they had no worries.

Half an hour later, the last evil cultivator was pierced through the heart by Qin Yuling's spear. Before dying, he mustered his last strength and roared, "Don't be so smug! The evil cultivator will arrive soon! Even if Huang Yiming breaks through, he won't escape death!" His words trailed off as he breathed his last. Qin Yuling sheathed her Dragon Gall Spear, her expression still grave: "It seems the evil cultivators of the Primordial Realm won't let this go. We must be even more cautious and protect the Supreme One."

The group nodded and returned to their positions to continue their protective duties. Meanwhile, inside the secret chamber, Huang Yiming's primordial power grew increasingly dense, and his nascent soul continued to strengthen within him. A system notification sounded in his mind: "Host detected attempting to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage. The Dragon Clan Key and the Boundary Origin Jade Pendant (obtained from Volume 9) resonate with the system, unlocking the complete version of 'Dragon Emperor's Manual,' assisting the host in their breakthrough!"

Huang Yiming was startled. The "Dragon Emperor's Manual" was something he had obtained from the Dragon Clan's relics (Volume 9). Previously, only an incomplete version existed, but now that the complete version was unlocked, a powerful force surged into his body, cleansing his meridians and helping him break through his bottleneck. He could clearly feel his cultivation level rapidly increasing, getting closer and closer to the late Nascent Soul stage.

Just then, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura emanating from the direction of the Primordial Realm, carrying a dense evil energy, its target being the Imperial Palace—clearly, the unlocking of the complete version of the "Dragon Emperor's Manual" had attracted not only a breakthrough boost but also the perception of high-level cultivators from the Primordial Realm. Huang Yiming felt a chill run down his spine and accelerated his breakthrough speed. He knew that he had to break through as quickly as possible to protect the five women and the two realms.

Outside the secret chamber, the five women also sensed the powerful aura, their expressions growing increasingly grave. Lingxi whispered, "This aura is incredibly strong, even more powerful than the early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator we encountered before. It must be a high-level Nascent Soul cultivator from the Primordial Chaos Realm." Qin Yuling gripped the Dragon Gallant Spear tightly, her eyes resolute: "No matter who he is, we must guard the secret chamber. Even if it costs us everything, we cannot allow him to harm the Supreme One!"

As night deepened, the palace lights remained bright. Five women stood side by side, their expressions solemn, their auras growing increasingly refined, ready to face any challenge. Inside the secret chamber, Huang Yiming's breakthrough had entered a crucial stage. The power of his primordial energy intertwined and surged with the power of the *Dragon Emperor's Manual*, causing his Nascent Soul to grow stronger. Meanwhile, the powerful aura emanating from the Primordial Chaos Realm drew ever closer, a crisis concerning the survival of both realms quietly approaching. High-level Nascent Soul cultivators from the Primordial Chaos Realm had arrived at the palace's outskirts. Could Huang Yiming break through to the late Nascent Soul stage before they breached their defenses? And what other secrets lay hidden behind the complete version of the *Dragon Emperor's Manual*?