Asking Ji Hong for benefits was just a jest. She wanted the meteorite because Nan Shiying had read in a miscellaneous journal about meteorites falling and theories on how they could grant abilities.
According to the journal, "A stone from the heavens, like a shooting star, its tail like a tongue of fire, fell to earth, roaring, and burrowed a hundred fathoms deep. Upon inspection, it was strangely shaped. Those who heard it cried in sorrow, falling to their knees and wailing like demons. Everyone was shocked, saying: A fierce god has descended."
In other words, not even one in ten of the first people to come into contact with the meteorite survived.
Later, the journal also recorded:
"In the central lands, a stone descended, falling into a military camp. The brave ones obtained it and gained great power."
This served as evidence that the founding ancestor of Lin Yuan had obtained the meteorite to forge a sword.
Similarly, this celestial stone did not cause the illness that afflicted the common folk when the Lin Yuan ancestor obtained it. Not a single person in the entire camp died due to the meteorite's fall. After forging the sword, the ancestor instead gained great power.
In other words, those with robust qi and blood would not suffer any adverse effects.
During the reign of the former emperor, a mine was discovered. While excavating, a meteorite buried underground was unexpectedly found.
After this meteorite was transported back to the imperial palace, it was properly stored in the national treasury. If she hadn't discussed the journal with Jin Mo a while ago, she wouldn't have known that a complete meteorite was still preserved in the national treasury.
After breakfast, Nan Shiying had Lv Wan bring out the box containing the meteorite. The meteorite was about the size of a plate and had some weight. Its surface was uneven, with residual stone fragments on the protruding sharp corners, seeming as if it would crumble at the slightest touch, yet it was actually very hard.
Nan Shiying, completely disregarding her image, squatted on the ground, leaning in to observe. A golden glow rippled across her eyes, quickly covering her entire pupils. The patterns hidden beneath the meteorite's surface were clearly reflected in her irises. Beneath the dull gray surface and rock layers, particles emitting a blue light were pulsing.
Nan Shiying placed her hand on the area where the blue light was most active and concentrated. Through the surface, she could feel the vibrant energy within the meteorite.
So this was the substance that gave humans their abilities?
How could she extract this thing?
Nan Shiying deactivated her ability, her eyes returning to their original black. She squatted on the ground, lost in thought. Lv Wan also squatted beside her, glancing at the meteorite and then at the frowning princess.
The energy contained within the meteorite was imperceptible to the naked eye. Even shattering the meteorite would not allow for physical extraction or purification. This energy seemed to be extractable only through a form of material transfer. But this... Nan Shiying's peripheral vision caught sight of the verdant figure squatting beside her.
Perhaps it was due to her name, but Lv Wan had a strong fondness for green and most often wore green silk skirts, which were very elegant.
Seeing the princess staring at her blankly, Lv Wan blinked, not daring to move.
Nan Shiying suddenly slapped her head and grabbed Lv Wan's wrist, her face beaming with joy. "Quick, extract the energy from the meteorite."
Lv Wan: "..."
She recognized each of these words individually, but after they were put together, she no longer understood.
Had her mistress gone mad!
Seeing Lv Wan's bewildered expression, Nan Shiying pulled her forward, pointed at the meteorite, then at her own eyes, and explained, "I've found the energy within the meteorite that gives humans special abilities. However, this energy cannot be extracted by physical means, so I need your ability to help me extract it."
"Does Your Highness mean decomposition?"
Nan Shiying nodded, "But you'll need to precisely control the scope of the decomposition."
She couldn't let the meteorite become nothing.
Lv Wan pondered the feasibility and nodded, saying to Nan Shiying, "If that's the case, then Your Highness's help will be needed."
Nan Shiying hummed, "Naturally."
Under Nan Shiying's direction, Lv Wan decomposed the meteorite, finally obtaining a small stone the size of the tip of a little finger, emitting a faint blue glow.
Nan Shiying placed the stone in a bag, then took out a pear blossom wood jewelry box and put the bag inside.
Nan Shiying carried the wooden box to find the Poison Elder.
"This is simply wishful thinking!"
When the Poison Elder heard that she wanted to use the meteorite's ability to supplement the energy needed by the half-dead蛊虫 in his body and stimulate its development, he thought she had gone insane.
How was this possible? They weren't even from the same system. It was like someone trying to cook with wood – pure nonsense!
"I think it's worth a try."
Nan Shiying propped up her chin. Seeing the Poison Elder look at her as if she were mentally unwell, she raised her eyebrows slightly and said it very casually.
"So, you little brat want to use me as an experiment?"
The Poison Elder glared at her furiously.
Nan Shiying rolled her eyes, "Stop glaring. Who said I'd use you? Look at your own body; I'm worried you'll kick the bucket halfway through the experiment."
Listen to this! Was this even human talk?
If he were to die, it would be from her anger!
After taking a few deep breaths, the Poison Elder gritted his teeth and asked, "Then who are you going to use as a test subject?"
Nan Shiying tapped her fingers on the table and gave an answer that was the opposite of the Poison Elder's question, "I've decided to set off for Medicine King Valley at the end of this month."
"Damn it, you want to steal the Empress's corpse?"
The Poison Elder's eyes widened, almost biting his tongue.
The Nirvana within the Empress's body was likely made from the Gu King. It was unknown whether those coveting the Nirvana had directly used the Empress's body as medicine during the extraction process. If the Empress's body was still intact, then after all these years, there would definitely be residual Gu worms within her body.
Nan Shiying: "..."
What were you saying? Did you even consider what you were saying?
Nan Shiying was speechless. She would have to be crazy to use her own corpse for an experiment!
Seeing Nan Shiying's speechless expression, the Poison Elder realized he had misunderstood. He coughed dryly and, lacking confidence, passed the blame, "You suddenly brought up Medicine King Valley, so it was just my habitual thinking... Wait, you're going to use someone from Medicine King Valley?"
The Poison Elder's eyes widened as he spoke.
If not the Empress's corpse, then it would be someone from Medicine King Valley.
Nan Shiying hummed noncommittally, "Look for someone who took the Empress's Nirvana."
She spoke calmly, her tone devoid of any excessive emotion, yet the Poison Elder still detected a killing intent and coldness in her voice.
With her murderous demeanor, she was going to kill someone!
The Poison Elder swallowed and picked up the tea cup by his hand, taking a gulp of tea.