The Inner Court’s Allure

Three days later, Su Han arrived at the edge of the back mountain. Within a large, azure cauldron, crimson blood boiled furiously. Su Han peered closer, discerning the figure of a person being refined within.

“Hmm? Is this how outer court bloodline cultivators train? How horrifying! Aren’t they being boiled alive?!” Su Han couldn’t help but inwardly shudder at the sight.

What she didn’t realize was that without the core earth flames found deeper within the mountains, the temperature for body refinement was far from sufficient. Thus, a cauldron had to be employed to artificially raise the heat to achieve the desired effect. Yet, this method fell short in both efficacy and temperature. Blood refined by core earth flames possessed a certain spiritual essence that this method lacked, capable of fully dissolving the essences of blood, medicinal herbs, and even poisons. A cauldron, however, might leave behind residual impurities.

This, in essence, marked the distinction and disparity between the inner and outer courts, though the specific individual and their background were equally crucial. Judging by the person in the cauldron, their distinct beast ears alone revealed them to be a Beastkin. Their bloodline was several tiers inferior to that of a High Elf, and consequently, their cultivation methods were far less advanced.

It was common knowledge that the four most formidable races in the world were Dragons, Titans, Abyssal Demons, and High Elves. Sub-human races like Beastkin, Dragonkin, and Winged Folk, along with common Elves, Fairies, Netherfolk, and Undead, were considerably weaker.

“Who’s there?” The voice didn’t come from the person in the cauldron, who remained unconscious, but from someone approaching from the other side.

The man appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, his bronzed skin taut over rugged muscles that rippled like coiled dragons. His long, brown hair bore a striking resemblance to that of a Super Saiyan.

“Do you not know that the back mountain is reserved for bloodline cultivators? What business does a mere ‘squishy’ mage have here?” Hearing the man’s authoritative tone, Su Han naturally refused to back down.

[The reason Su Han’s bloodline cultivation wasn’t apparent was that her primary focus was currently magic, with bloodline cultivation being a secondary pursuit. Her bloodline level was significantly lower than her magic level.]

Nevertheless, to avoid any unnecessary trouble, Su Han produced her ‘Death-Exemption Medallion.’ “Here~”

The man immediately dropped to one knee, offering a courtly bow. “Your humble servant greets Her Royal Highness, the Princess~!”

“Yes, you may rise~!” Naturally, given the opportunity to show off, Su Han seized it, relishing the feeling of power. ‘Is this what it’s like to be a queen?’ she mused.

‘I can’t believe this ‘Death-Exemption Medallion’ is so effective. It’s like seeing the person themselves – like seeing Princess Michele herself!’ she thought. ‘I can definitely put this to good use for showing off in the future!’

The moment Su Han arrived, Michele scurried over. “You’re here?” she chirped. “The blood pool has been refreshed. Go on in quickly! Sister Ye Qi isn’t here today, so I’ll be helping you~!”

After finishing her blood pool session, Su Han descended the mountain and headed to the library. The little loli Ailian Lilith wasn’t around, so Su Han studied bloodline knowledge alone. As for why she didn’t consult Michele, Su Han wouldn’t dare spend a second in front of that little devil. The moment she‘d taken off her clothes, Michele had assaulted her chest—it was terrifying! Yet, upon closer reflection, that sensation… it seemed… exceptionally comfortable?

“Ah, forget it~!” Su Han shook her head, then opened a bloodline comprehension scroll and began to pore over it intently.

A week later…

“Bang~!” Ye Qi’s kick sent Su Han flying a considerable distance…

“Get up, continue.”

“Seriously? Again?” Su Han, bruised and swollen from Ye Qi’s blows, groaned as she rolled on the ground.

“If you’re going to spar, then spar to the end~ Otherwise, I can spar with you instead~!” Michele interjected from the side.

“No, no, no, please don’t!” Su Han remembered it all too clearly. She had initially suggested sparring, and after Ye Qi had thoroughly ‘roughed her up,’ she‘d sought out the little imp Michele to avoid further torment. But it turned out that sparring with Michele wasn’t just bad, it was utterly disastrous. Ye Qi, at least, offered normal sparring, merely ‘roughing her up’ and ‘tormenting’ her. Michele, however, went straight for humiliation, knocking Su Han to the ground and then planting a delicate, pale foot on her face, proudly waving a fist to show her triumph. This was pure agony for Su Han; though she was a foot fetishist, she couldn’t endure such shameful ‘play’!

“Then train properly! Right now, you don’t need the gravity chamber or the blood pool; all you need is sparring to ignite your inner bloodlust. If you dare to waste Sister Ye Qi’s good intentions, I won’t let you off the hook!” Michele declared, grabbing Su Han by the ear with one hand. “Understood?”

“I… I understand~!” ‘I’m a girl now, you know. How can you be so cruel to a girl? Are you not going to let me off? Once I turn back into a man, I’ll definitely have my way with you, you little devil, and show you what I’m made of! Wait, wouldn’t I be even more unlucky if I turned back into a man? No, no, forget it!’

A barrier enveloped the peak of the back mountain, rendering all magic and battle aura useless. Only pure physical strength could be employed in close combat.

Ye Qi, however… she was practically inhuman! Even after Ye Qi suppressed her strength to match Su Han’s (restraining her bloodline power), a single punch from her raw physical might was enough to send Su Han flying. Su Han could barely withstand three moves against Ye Qi. For Su Han, who was still fundamentally a man, this was an immense humiliation—unable to even overcome a woman. Yet, Su Han had conceded, though she wasn’t sure if it was due to her female body, or perhaps an excess secretion of female hormones, as her chest had even begun to develop. Her masculine personality was subtly but surely shifting towards a feminine one.

“For you, who have just broken through to the third-tier bloodline, your foundation isn’t quite stable yet; you still require more tempering,” Ye Qi stated. “Tomorrow, let Michele spar with you~!”

“Hmph, hmph~!” ‘Understood~ Understood~!’ she thought.

Over the following month, Su Han’s life became a monotonous, repetitive cycle. She would visit the blood pool in the back mountain, return to her dormitory to meditate, occasionally stop by the library to read or chat with the little loli Ailian Lilith, or happen upon Mentor Ruolin for a brief conversation. Then, she would sometimes train in the gravity chamber (Michele, that little devil, provided the points, proving that despite her mischief, she was still a good person~!).

Fortunately, Su Han hadn’t encountered any troublemakers seeking to harass her, which was only to be expected. After all, new entrants to Cangnan Academy required an adjustment period; no one was foolish enough to casually pick fights before familiarizing themselves with the academy.

Finally, a month later, after Su Han had cleansed herself of the grime in the blood pool, Ye Qi slowly remarked, “You’ve reached the fourth tier!”

“Mm.”

“Hey, I say, hurry up and take that inner court test! Come join us in the inner court quickly~!” There was no need to ask; only Michele would utter such words.

Over the span of more than a month, Su Han had developed a rather good rapport with Ye Qi and Michele; one might even call them friends. At least in Su Han’s heart, they were trustworthy. They had no need or reason to harm her, and had even helped her. Even if they truly intended to harm her, she would accept it without regret! Su Han genuinely considered Ye Qi and Michele friends, despite Michele’s constant pranks.

“Huh? The inner court test? Isn’t that quite difficult~?!”

“Why all the pointless chatter? If I tell you to go, you go!” Michele retorted. “If things truly go south, just drink this!” With that, Michele produced a sky-blue potion.

“What’s this?”

“A Master-grade Elixir~!”

“Cough, cough. You’re just handing such a precious item to me?”

“What else did you expect?” Michele scoffed. “Stop wasting time; tomorrow, you will take the inner court test!”

“Uh, this…” Su Han’s gaze, seeking help, flickered to Ye Qi.

“Mm. Go. It’s not impossible for you,” Ye Qi said after a slight pause.

“See? Even Sister Ye Qi has spoken! The inner court test is nothing but trash~!” Michele exclaimed triumphantly.

“Alright… fine!” Su Han, too, harbored a profound longing for the inner court.

After all, the resources of the inner court far surpassed those of the outer court. And, most importantly, there was one primary objective: Bailuan was also in the inner court!

She absolutely, unequivocally, had to enter the inner court!!!