Chapter 11: The Hidden Potential
"Master, I am your cultivating beast," a soft, melodic voice resonated within Huang Nian's mind. She blinked in surprise and stared down at the small white cat curled in her lap.
The creature's eyes gleamed with intelligence, its gaze unwavering as it observed her with a hint of playfulness.
"A small creature like you?" Huang Nian raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you capable of?"
"Don't be fooled by my size, Master," the cat's thoughts echoed within her mind. "I may look small and harmless, but I'm capable of many things."
"Such as?" Huang Nian asked, curious despite herself.
"I am your loyal protector. My cry can be used as an elixir to boost your cultivation, and I can help you refine medicinal ingredients. My abilities include super-fast reflexes, extraordinary hearing, farsighted vision, unmatched flexibility, and a highly attuned sense of smell."
Huang Nian's lips curved into a faint smile. "That's quite the list. I like you—you're adorable."
The cat huffed in indignation. "Adorable? Master, I am a fierce beast, not a pet!"
With a flash of light, the small white cat transformed into a majestic panther, its sleek fur shining like polished moonlight. The air seemed to vibrate with suppressed power as the panther's muscles rippled beneath its skin.
"Impressive," Huang Nian said, unfazed. "You're even more useful than I thought."
The panther, pleased by her approval, flicked its tail and transformed back into the small, cute cat. It jumped onto her shoulder, nuzzling against her cheek before settling down with a contented purr.
Huang Nian stood from her seat, her thoughts turning to her next move. The appearance of this beast and her recent breakthroughs were just the beginning. With determination burning in her eyes, she decided to head to the market to gather the ingredients she needed.
---
The streets of the city bustled with life, though it was quieter than usual since it was midday. Huang Nian moved swiftly, her presence barely attracting attention as she made her way to the bustling market. The stalls were filled with colorful fabrics, exotic spices, and the scent of freshly baked pastries, but she ignored them all, focused on her destination.
She arrived at a small, unassuming medicinal shop tucked away in a quieter part of the market. The door creaked as she pushed it open, and the shopkeeper looked up from behind the counter.
"Young Miss, how may I assist you today?" the elderly shopkeeper asked politely.
"I need medicinal ingredients," Huang Nian said. "Give me the cheapest ones—one hundred pieces."
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise, unsure if he heard her correctly. "Young Miss, the cheapest ingredients are of poor quality. They're barely useful in cultivation or medicine. I wouldn't want you to waste your money on them."
"I know they're of low quality," Huang Nian replied calmly. "But those are what I need."
After a moment's hesitation, the shopkeeper nodded and moved to gather the requested items. Soon, he returned with a large bag filled with dried herbs and roots, the cheapest and most ineffective ingredients in the shop.
"Here you are, Young Miss," the shopkeeper said, handing her the bag. "Your total is fifty silver."
Huang Nian counted out the coins and placed them on the counter. "Thank you. I'll be back if I need more."
The shopkeeper gave a slight bow. "We appreciate your business, Young Miss. Please visit again."
As she left the shop and made her way back to the Huang Mansion, Huang Nian's mind was already racing with ideas. "Now that I have these, I can begin refining pills, elixirs, and even grow some medicinal plants." She smiled to herself, fully aware that everyone would scoff at her choice of ingredients. But they didn't know her secrets—they didn't know that even the most useless ingredients could become powerful under her skilled hands.
---
Not long after Huang Nian left, a group of young ladies entered the shop. Their presence was like a gust of cold wind, bringing an air of arrogance with them.
"Shopkeeper, what did that young lady who just left buy?" one of them, Shen Yue, asked with a smug expression.
The shopkeeper's eyes flicked toward them. "The Young Miss purchased all of the cheapest medicinal ingredients I had."
Shen Yue scoffed, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. "A trash will always be a trash. No amount of effort can change that."
The shopkeeper blinked in confusion. "Are you saying that beautiful Young Miss is considered a trash?"
Qiao Liying, another of the girls, smirked. "It's common knowledge in the Longyuan Dynasty. She's the number one trash, despite her beauty."
"What a waste," Shen Yue added with a mocking tone. "No matter how pretty she is, it won't change the fact that she's nothing but a worthless burden."
The group burst into laughter as they walked out of the shop, their mocking voices fading into the distance.
---
Back at the Huang Mansion, Huang Nian quietly returned to her room, avoiding the prying eyes of her family. The courtyard, though old and worn, was her sanctuary—a place where she could focus without interference.
Sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor, she laid out the ingredients she had bought. The small white cat hopped down from her shoulder and watched her intently.
"Let's begin," Huang Nian murmured. With a swift motion, she activated a formation that filled the room with a gentle glow. Despite the low-quality ingredients, her hands moved with precision, carefully refining and enhancing each one. The process was meticulous, requiring not only skill but the faint spiritual energy she had regained.
The cat purred approvingly. "Master, with time, you'll be unstoppable."
Huang Nian smiled faintly. "I'll need more than just time—I'll need patience, strategy, and the right opportunities. But for now, this will do."
As she continued working, the dim courtyard was filled with the soft hum of energy, signaling the birth of something extraordinary. Hidden from prying eyes, Huang Nian was silently preparing for the day when she would no longer be dismissed as the number one trash but instead recognized as someone who could stand at the pinnacle of power.