It was only natural for a person to consider the other parties' interests and likes, but as if to prove her own self-centeredness, she had assumed the princess would be like her. For the first time, she loathed herself for being so foolish and couldn't help but panic a little inside.

Amidst Xue Yuelaing's panic, Li Hua's pure voice sounded, bringing her back to reality and allowing her to relax her tumultuous heart.

"People should do as they please. Isn't that the point of becoming more powerful?" Li Hua answered with ease, but looking at Xue Yueliang, she added, "That doesn't mean they should abuse their power, though."

Xue Yueliang agreed, she had done as she pleased, and Yao Niang should do the same. She could squash all the people who opposed her, but if Yao Niang wasn't on board, she wasn't so fragile she could not accept rejection.

"I agree," Xue Yueliang said freely, "And if people have trouble with you, you should just cut them down."

"I prefer less violent methods," Xiang Qingge giggles, evidently happy with their answer.

Watching Xue Yueliang warm up quickly to her, Sun Wei snorted and walked off, not wanting to entangle himself further. He disdained Xiong Qingge, and if that was the type of company Xue Yueliang kept, he could only say he was wrong about her.

"It seems like I scared off your little suitor." Xiong Qingge giggled, happy with his sour expression.

"He never had a chance anyway." Xue Yueliang shrugged; he was not her type.

"Yeah, her heart already belongs to someone else," Li Hua smiled to her vexation.

"Oh," Xiang Qingge sighed, "Can your heart accommodate one more?" She asked pitifully, causing them to giggle.

"I'm already having troubles; I wouldn't want to add onto them." Xue Yueliang said half-seriously.

She was not so vain as to think she was seriously into her. The girls chatted together, passing the time together and getting to know each other better.

Li Hua's fellow sect disciples joined them one by one. Seeing them, Xue Yueliang understood why they were known as the Silver Armour Sect, as it was the one unifying thing between them. If Xue Yueliang was being honest, they looked more like a ragtag group rather than an elite sect, dampening what should have been their imposing appearance.

"Li Yuan! What took you so long?" Li Hua exclaimed, feigning her anger.

The person she addressed was a young boy, about the same as Xue Yueliang when she first started cultivating with messy hair, and the same careless countenance as Li Hua. Paying closer attention, Xue Yueliang noticed a bit of familiarity between their faces, concluding they were family. Li Hua had mentioned being unhappy babysitting a kid, but she had not expected him to be her brother.

"I didn't mean to be late," he pouted, "I got hungry."

"Hungry?" Xiong Qingge asked, expressing everyone's doubts; however, the disciples of the Silver Armour Sect were unmoved.

"Yes, I was fighting all day; isn't that normal?" He grumbled; stunning Xue Yueliang too.

"You two really are family," she laughed.

He was clearly at the Foundation Establishment Realm, so he naturally did not feel hunger. Dallying on a challenge for something so trivial was something she could see Li Hua doing.

"I'm not that ridiculous," she defended, "I at least have some propriety."

Xue Yueliang disregarded that as a lie.

"It isn't bad to be so free," Xiong Qingge comforted.

She was not used to meeting a marvel like Li Hua, but she found her refreshing, open and honest; though they weren't always good traits, for her, who was used to the opposite, she found it to be a welcome change.

As for Xue Yueliang, she liked the calm that surrounded her but was surprised that until now, no one had joined her; the power she came from was either too weak or she was alone. Considering who she knew, the second seemed more likely.

She would have had no need to pay so much attention to her, but her sect wasn't exactly the first place people would wish to enter. Any potential new recruit was worth paying attention to, and after ascertaining her character, all she could do was extend an invitation, but if she was from a sect, wouldn't she be offended?

Making up her mind, she asked, "Xue Yueliang, can I talk to you alone?"

"Oh, okay." Xue Yueliang replied.

She walked off with her to a secluded corner and waited for Xiong Qingge to speak.

"The White Lilac Sect has many resources and influence, but not many people wish to join because we're seen as heretics of the cultivation path, and people would rather not be viewed with disgust." She began.

"But I can see you don't care about people's opinion of you, and I feel you will fit in perfectly in our sect. Although we're not part of the top four or well-viewed, we can provide all the resources you need, and with your talent, you could easily be an elder or even the sect leader in the future. You don't have to give me an answer right away. Just think about it."

Stolen story; please report.

Xiong Qingge worded it carefully, not giving Xue Yueliang a chance to misunderstand, nor did she pressure her to give her an answer right away.

Xue Yueliang nodded, "But how did you know-"

"I saw the way you looked at me when I walked in." Xiong Qingge winked and walked away, leaving her wishing she had thicker skin.

Looking at her retreating figure, she couldn't help but miss the princess; she had extended her an invitation too.

After thinking about her, her thoughts couldn't help but stray and wonder what she might be doing now though they were quickly interrupted by the loud gong of a bell, marking that all one hundred people were present.

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"Greetings, Mother," a beautiful kneeling figure said.

Opposing her was a woman appearing not older than thirty, matching in beauty, but there was a severity in her brows, intimidating all that opposed her and increasing her regal aura. However, looking at the kneeling figure, her face couldn't help but soften, getting up from her seat, she placed her arms around her, helping her up.

"There's no need for formalities, dear," she said kindly, "We're alone here."

"I just want to show you the respect you deserve," Yao Niang laughed. I also don't want to give Father a reason to nitpick.

During these past few months, he had been finding ways to trouble her. He had banned her from going to the Misty Mountains and was suppressing her political power at every turn.

Though it was nothing overt, it would only be a matter of time until word spread, and then it would be all over for her. If she wanted to survive, she had to make sure he could not find a reason to punish her; she had to be perfect.

Looking at her daughter's smile, the queen's heart ached as she sat her down, catching up with her about all sorts of things.

The princess happily talked along, and a genial atmosphere formed but it was ruined by a question from the queen: "How is your acquisition of the Lei Clan going?"

The princess' heart fell from her chest; as she opened her mouth to speak, "Mother-"

The Queen raised her hand, cutting her off, "There's no need to lie to me: I know your ambitions."

"And you don't oppose them?" She asked tentatively.

Her mother had always been one to respect traditions and never stepped out of her bounds, carrying herself with the dignity of the queen.

"Of course not; you're my daughter; it's by blood that you're this ambitious." She smiled, dispelling her daughter's worries.

"So? Answer me." Yao Niang sighed with relief; it would have ended terribly with her if her mother had taken the opposing side. She recounted what had happened truthfully, from Xue Yueliang's information to her advice and hatching her plan.

"With the assistance of a few of my helpers, I uncovered criminalising evidence of the Lei Clan proving what Xue Yueliang said and prepared contingencies before meeting with the Lei Clan."

"Wasn't that dangerous?" The Queen asked, but her tone did not indicate any worry.

"I know my limitations and did not threaten them. Instead, I asked them to cooperate with me instead of the third prince. After all, if he couldn't keep his trail hidden so early on, it would only be a matter of time before he was caught by someone with more authority."

"They took that kindly?"

Yao Niang shook her head, "They only care about securing more power for themselves, not who gives them the power."

"They didn't think you were being too greedy?"

"Which one of us isn't greedy?" Yao Niang bitterly laughed, "They just wanted me to prove I was capable enough."

"Uncovering their secrets wasn't enough?" The Queen asked, placing some grapes in her mouth.

"It can't be helped; the balance of power is still on their side." Yao Niang sighed.

The Lei Clan was a strong faction; even if she exposed them to the king, they would most be penalised, as the Qinxia Kingdom could not survive without them. Of course, the third prince would be dead.

The Queen smiled at her daughter's conclusion, proud that she had come to this step, and after praising her, she reached the second issue she wanted to talk about: "That Xue Yueliang, the one who informed you of this, she is the dragon of extreme yin, right?"

Surprised, Yao Niang replied, "Yes, Mother." She had not excepted her to know so much.

"How odd, you would expect a person referred to as a dragon to be a man." The Queen laughed. Yao Niang giggled along, having not considered this before.

"Why do you think she helped you?"

"I saved her life before." Yao Niang replied, not feeling the need to stop and think.

"Would a vicious person care about showing gratitude?"

Yao Niang's confidence couldn't help but be shaken by those words; she had not given it much thought but considering what she had seen of her so far, she did not seem like the grateful type.

Watching her deep in thought, the Queen helped, "Did she not say why before she helped you?"

Yao Niang frowned harder, recalling what had happened that day, and added, "She said she likes me?"

Remembering her reddening cheeks as she said those words, Yao Niang couldn't help but find it strange; they were both women, so why is it that she appeared so shy? It was all befuddling to her. "Huh." The Queen said, looking as confused as her daughter.

"Regardless, you should not get too close to her."

"Why?" Yao Niang couldn't help but ask.

"She could be friend or foe; it's best not to hang out around uncertain characters; besides, since you're serious about the throne, you should not give people reason to doubt you."

"But-"

The Queen raised her hand, silencing her as she continued, "How would it appear to people if you're taking political advice from a potential enemy? What if she is using you to overthrow the kingdom; can you guarantee that that is not the case? She has more reason to hate the Qinxia Kingdom than to like it. Her intentions are unclear, so stay away from her."

Though Yao Niang wished to object, she stayed silent; it wasn't her place to talk.

Seeing her daughter accept her words, the Queen smiled, adding, "Though you had been very careful about hiding your tracks, it was not flawless. I'll help you cover up so you can work without worry," she said warmly.

"Other than political power, don't forget to cultivate; though you are talented, you need to work hard if you have any hope of ever being the reigning queen."

She retrieved a fiery lotus from a jade box beside her, handing it to Yao Niang.

"This is the Fire Foundation Purifying Lotus; it can improve the grade of a cultivator's foundation but requires a legendary flame for its effects to fully come to use. I had planned to give it to you since you obtained the Berserk Dragon Flame, but you had been so busy; it would help you fully enter the legendary grade."

"It took me a long time to acquire it, but I'm sure it won't be wasted in your hands."

Overwhelmed by the amount of gratitude shown to her today, the princess couldn't help but tear up, bowing deeply in gratitude, "Thank you!"

No one in this world believed they were too talented, and increasing one's talent was tantamount to increasing their lifespan, so between all the treasures she was granted due to her standing, this one lotus was worth a lot more.

As the princess was absorbed in her gratitude, a loud gong was heard nationwide, attracting the attention of all who heard it.