“Brother, are you in there?”

Xu Qingxian froze instantly.

The voice was feminine, soft and sweet, carrying a youthful melody like the chiming of silver bells in spring air.

His mind raced, digging through the scattered, broken memories of his predecessor.

Wait… he had a sister?

In Xu Qingxian’s memories, he had a blood-related sister.

The king had married seven wives, and his mother was the seventh.

She had given birth to twins, Xu Qingxian and Xu Jiaojiao.

Although they were twins, Xu Qingxian was born with trash talent, while his sister’s talent was nearly unparalleled in the kingdom.

Because of this, rumors spread like wildfire that while they were still in the womb, his sister had devoured all his talent.

They even gave her a nickname: the Demonic Saintess.

Despite that reputation, his sister had not grown cold or cruel. She had only become sad and lonely. Fortunately, his mother and he had been there to care for her, ensuring she didn’t grow up heartless.

“What a tale,” Xu Qingxian murmured and then took a deep breath, calming himself before replying.

“Yes. Come in.”

A faint click echoed as the cold steel door slowly opened.

A flawless beauty stepped into the frozen silence of the cold palace.

Her skin was like the finest jade, smooth and luminous, untouched by even a single flaw. Midnight-black hair flowed like silk down her back, glinting faintly beneath the dim light. Her eyes gleamed with starlit brilliance, gentle yet unfathomably deep.

She moved with grace so fluid it seemed the world itself bent around her presence. Her robes, white and violet, flowed with her movements, embroidered with runes that shimmered faintly with spiritual light. She seemed more like a celestial maiden than a mortal woman.

This was Xu Jiaojiao, Xu Qingxian’s twin sister, feared and revered as the Demonic Saintess, and a prodigy whose brilliance towered over all others of her generation.

Xu Qingxian was momentarily dazed.

This was the most beautiful woman he had seen in his life.

He felt his breath quicken, but he quickly calmed himself and looked away, refusing to let such thoughts linger.

Xu Jiaojiao cast him a warm smile, then quickly rushed to his side and embraced him. A soft, fragrant scent enveloped him, subtle and floral, like peach blossoms in spring.

“Brother, I didn’t expect Father to cripple your cultivation and send you to the cold palace, even planning to execute you in seven days.”

She had been exploring a secret realm when she received the news, and without hesitation, abandoned the treasures and rushed back.

“I can’t allow that to happen. You… you will not be executed,” she said, gritting her teeth and pouting.

Seeing her expression, Xu Qingxian couldn’t help but smile faintly.

He simply remained seated, shackled.

“There’s no need to worry about it. Father was pressured by the government heads. There is nothing to be done. Just leave things as they are.”

His voice was melancholic, strangely mature, almost sounding like an old man who had seen too much.

Hearing his tone, Xu Jiaojiao frowned deeply.

“Brother, you can’t be saying such things. I’ll definitely find a way to not only free you from the cold palace, but also restore your cultivation.”

As she spoke, a fierce light ignited in her eyes.

After a brief moment of hesitation, her gaze turned sharp.

“Even if it means becoming the first empress in the history of the martial and cultivation world.”

Xu Qingxian stared at her, startled. The determination in her voice was unshakable.

He knew nothing he said would change her decision.

A warmth bloomed in his chest.

He had read about such scenes in novels before, but to experience one personally—he realized it was an entirely different sensation.

And he liked it.

A genuine smile formed on his lips. He slowly reached out and touched her head.

“Silly girl, making declarations like that. You better keep your promise. Don’t leave your brother disappointed.”

Hearing his words, Xu Jiaojiao lit up with joy.

“I will, brother. I promise.”

Then, as if remembering something, she cleared her throat.

“By the way, I took permission to see you. Because of my talent, I’ve been given an exception. Normally no one is allowed into the cold palace.”

She glanced toward the door.

“In fact… I also accepted a condition from Father.”

As she spoke, she turned her gaze outward.

A second figure stepped through the steel door.

The youth looked around sixteen years of age, two years younger than Xu Qingxian. He was slender but stood upright, his expression calm and his movements gentle. There was a quiet dignity about him, like a breeze in spring.

His face was soft and unthreatening, brown eyes filled with clarity and calm. Though his clothing was simple, light blue robes, he carried himself with natural poise.

“This is Lin Fan,” Xu Jiaojiao said. “He’ll attend to your meals and bring you three square meals daily.”

Xu Qingxian frowned slightly.

He knew his sister must have paid a steep price to arrange this.

“Sister, you didn’t have to—”

“You don’t have to worry,” she cut in gently. “You won’t be executed. And until I find a way to restore your dantian, rootbone, and cultivation path, you need to stay nourished.”

“Eating daily will help with that.”

Xu Qingxian was silent for a moment. She wasn’t wrong.

In truth, he did feel weak. The crippling of his cultivation had drained his body of all energy.

If this continued, he might not even last until the execution day. He’d die of starvation instead.

If this continues, I wouldn’t even last till the seventh day, he joked inwardly.

Just then, a new presence entered the chamber.

A green-robed elder stepped into view, his tall, wiry frame stiff with formality. His face was lean, almost gaunt, with eyes that gleamed like cold steel beneath heavy brows. The long sleeves of his robe trailed slightly behind him, embroidered with faded emblems of rank.

The air around him shifted subtly, unnatural and heavy, as if his very presence drained the warmth from the room.

He didn’t spare Xu Qingxian more than a glance before directing his attention to Xu Jiaojiao.

“Young master, His Majesty has summoned you,” the elder said, clasping his hands together.

Xu Qingxian caught a brief glint of cold light flash through his sister’s eyes, but she said nothing.

Trouble.

He could sense it. She was holding something back.

But he could do nothing now.

Sister, just give me a few days… Let me grow stronger. Then I’ll be able to help you.

With his Attribute Allocation System, he would claw his way back. One step at a time.

Xu Jiaojiao turned back to him, gave a soft sigh, then gently ruffled his hair again.

She leaned forward and embraced him once more. As she did, he felt something subtly press against his lower back.

She had slipped something into his robes.

He didn’t react.

He knew she wanted to keep it secret, so he acted as though nothing had happened.

“Brother, I’ll come see you when I’m free. In the meantime, don’t despair. Wait for me.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked to the elder’s side.

The two of them vanished like smoke on the wind.

Xu Qingxian stared at the empty doorway.

A strange feeling filled his chest.

So this is what the cultivation world is like?

He hadn’t even noticed them leave.

And yet, the desire within him surged.

He had to grow stronger.

“Young master,” Lin Fan’s voice called out gently.

The youth clasped his hands respectfully, then waved his hand.

Dozens of dishes materialized before Xu Qingxian—pork ribs, steaming buns, noodles, and various cuts of beast meat, all radiating a faint spiritual glow.

An aroma washed over the room, rich and mouthwatering.

Xu Qingxian was stunned.

“These are all spiritual beast dishes,” he murmured.

According to his memories, there were beast that had been enhanced by qi called spirit beasts, similar things had happened to the fruits and herbs as well, making them contain qi and being more beneficial than the normal ones.

“Young master, please eat to your satisfaction,” Lin Fan said with a bow. Then he turned, walked to the steel door, and gently shut it behind him.

His voice echoed from beyond.

“When you’re done, please call. I’ll collect the dishes.”

Xu Qingxian stared at the food for a moment, then his stomach growled.

Without hesitation, he bent down and began devouring it all.

The idea that it could be poisoned didn’t even cross his mind.

His sister wouldn’t do such a thing.

And no one else would bother.

After all, wasn’t he already crippled?

But then—

The moment he finished the first dish, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

[Devoured a Qi Condensation Beast. You have received 1 attribute point.]

Xu Qingxian blinked.

His mouth fell slightly open.

“I can get attribute points by… eating?”

“…What the hell?” Xu Qingxian was stunned.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep